Charmed: Raising the next generation, life goes on

by ashleylarocque9855gmail.com

The Charmed sisters are back! Life has been relatively normal for the Charmed sisters since the final battle. Building their families, focusing on their careers, and reuniting with old friends. The magical world has been quiet... too quiet.

Charmed, raising the next generation

Life goes on

Ashley Larocque
7th October, 2023

Chapter one

They're back

Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige — the powerful and legendary Halliwell sisters. These four incredible women have faced unimaginable challenges for eight long years, standing strong together as the Charmed Ones. As worthy descendants of Melinda Warren, they were predestined to be great protectors and ruthless warriors against the destructive forces of evil. For the past eight years, they have fought demons and waged wars to protect and serve the innocent. Now, Prue is dead and her younger sisters are tired. They have sacrificed so much in the name of good and justice, and the final battle had inevitably come. They fought heroically with every ounce of strength they had. Now, they can rightfully take a rare moment to rest and heal from their honourable wounds. The pivotal battle may have been won, but there will always be new battles to fight. When the unknown time comes, these sisters will rise again, ready to embrace their powers and protect those in need.

The golden sun was peacefully starting to set lower in the sky, casting a pleasant glow over the Halliwell family as they sat together out on the front lawn. Their ancestral home, the Halliwell Manor, carefully hidden in the gentle shadows behind them. It had been too long since they had been able to sit and enjoy the simple pleasure of admiring a gorgeous sunset together. For devoted years, their lives had been consumed by the constant battles against the expanding forces of supernatural evil, having to always be on high alert for any possible sign of potential danger. Tonight, they could finally relax, knowing they were safe and free from things that bump in the night.

Wyatt and Chris, exhausted from a pleasant day filled with play and adventure, snuggled into their mother's arms, their eyelids growing heavy. The gentle sound of their soft, steady breathing was a soothing lullaby, a lasting reminder of the joy and youthful innocence that filled their lives. Leo, the ever-protective father, sat silently by his devoted wife's side. Phoebe leaned comfortably in Coop's comforting arms, while Henry and Paige sat there quietly, their hands intertwined as they absorbed the extraordinary beauty of the glowing sunset. In a world where potential danger lurked at every corner, the Halliwells knew these moments of peace were not guaranteed. This moment wouldn't last forever, but it was here, and one necessary thing they had learned was that small moments were big moments and needed to be enjoyed and cherished, not wasted or short-lived. Therefore, with each other, they sat, the soft blades of grass tickling their skin, until the sun had set and the stars and moon shone brightly in the dark sky.

Leo glanced at his two sleeping sons. Their peaceful faces were illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. He whispered to Piper, suggesting that they should get the boys to bed, but Piper hesitated. She held onto her children tightly, not ready to let go of this precious moment just yet. Leo understood her reluctance, and he would give her as much time as she wanted. Phoebe watched her sister and her nephews with a wistful smile and a heavy weight in her heart. She adored her nephews and cherished every moment she spent with them, but deep down, there was a longing within her that could not be ignored. Phoebe longed to be a mother. It was her deepest wish, a desire that filled her heart to the brim. However, since she and Coop had just recently gotten engaged, they had mutually agreed to wait until after their wedding to start their own family. She didn't say a word, but her thoughts were loud and clear. With a gentle touch and a reassuring voice, Coop whispered to Phoebe, promising her that one day soon they would have their own little ones.

The night grew late, and Piper knew the moment had passed. Glancing over at Phoebe, she whispered, mindful not to disturb her sleeping sons. She knew how much her sister loved taking care of the boys and was more than happy to share in these precious moments. She also recognized the pain that came with desiring children but being uncertain if she would receive her wish. Piper carefully shifted Wyatt into her own arms; his sleepy eyes fluttering open for a moment before he settled back into his peaceful slumber. With an affectionate smile, Phoebe passionately kissed her husband's lips before standing up. She reached down and softly cradled Chris in her arms, his tiny body fitting perfectly. She marveled at his youthful innocence and vulnerability, feeling an overwhelming sense of protectiveness wash over her. As she stood there, gently holding her nephew close, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to hold her own child like this. Instead of dwelling on what could have been, she focused on the present moment, on the love she felt for these two little boys, and reminded herself that she would get another chance to have her own children. Together, the sisters carried the boys into the Manor and up to the bedroom they shared.

A tiny nightlight with the cartoon character Mickey Mouse on the front dimly lit the room around the small bed, and the blue curtains blocked out any outside light. Cute stuffed animals, colourful blocks, and illustrated children's books lay silently unnoticed in the darkness. Piper gently lowered Wyatt onto his comfortable bed, her touch as delicate as a feather. She carefully tucked him in with his favourite blanket, ensuring he was snug and secure. With a maternal tenderness, she brushed her gentle fingers through his soft blond hair in disbelief at how quickly he was growing. As she leaned over to kiss his forehead, she sent a silent prayer of protection and love his way. Across the room, Phoebe carefully laid Chris down in his crib, a playful mobile left motionless up above him. With a loving gaze, she watched him sleep so peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling with each steady breath. In that moment, all she wanted was for time to stand still and for Chris to remain forever untouched by the realities of the world he was living in.

Piper had finally experienced a peaceful night's sleep without any worries weighing on her mind. It was a rarity for her, considering the constant battles she faced as one of the Charmed Ones. However, as morning broke and her eyes began to flicker open, Piper was almost blinded by the bright rays of the sun. With a groan, she rolled over onto her stomach and grumbled, "Leo, close the blinds; it's too bright." To her surprise, there was no answer. Piper furrowed her brows, finding it odd since she normally woke up before her husband. She tried to ignore the light, as she didn't want to crawl out of bed to close the blinds herself, but she couldn't because now she was sweaty, and her bed sheet felt like sand. In fact, her whole bed didn't feel right at all.

As she cautiously lifted her head, her fierce eyes were met with a vast expanse of sand stretching out before her. She instantly jumped to her feet and spun around, her eyes darting in every direction. There was nothing but glittering sand. No promising sign of civilization, no visible trace of human life. Sand stretched out as far as the eye could see, an endless expanse of golden grains that seemed to taunt her with their barrenness. The scorching sun beat down upon her, its fierce rays mercilessly piercing through the clear blue sky above. She quickly concluded she must be in a desert, but how did she end up here? Her mind raced with limitless possibilities, each one more absurd than the last. Had she been kidnapped or left here as some twisted form of punishment? Or perhaps she had been caught in some kind of supernatural vortex that had transported her to this barren land. None of it made sense, and the lack of answers only fuelled her growing sense of despair.

Thinking back to her last memory did not help either. She tried desperately to piece it together, to find any clue that could shed light on her current predicament. After she and her sister had put Wyatt and Chris in their beds, Phoebe had joined Coop on a late-night walk, while Piper had snuggled up to Leo in their bed, feeling rather tired. She started to hyperventilate; her hands were shaking, and she was soaked with her own sweat. She was on the verge of tears as she thought about her boys. Had something happened to them? Were they here too but she couldn't see them? What if they had somehow turned invisible? Oh god, she hoped not! The last thing she needed was invisible toddlers! What about Leo? Anything could have happened to him. She gasped for air as she desperately tried to calm herself down. She collapsed onto her knees, but she successfully calmed herself down enough to regulate her breathing. She tossed out her ridiculous theory that her children were invisible. Her inventive mind was known to go to extremes.

Piper's panicked voice echoed fiercely through the barren desert as she called out her youngest sister's name. Just a few seconds later, Paige Matthews appeared in a swirl of white lights. She ran her hand through her chestnut-brown hair, and her cautious eyes blinked rapidly as she looked around at her unusual surroundings. "Odd choice for a morning run," she said teasingly. Ignoring Paige's sarcastic comment, Piper started pacing around hastily and bombarded Paige with a barrage of questions. The questions tumbled out of Piper's mouth in a jumbled rush. "Do you know what's going on? Do the Elders know anything? Are the boys safe? Is Leo?"

Paige's mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle that had brought them to this deserted landscape. She thought of the boys—her nephews—and their safety. Were they safe? Were they even aware they had been separated from their mother? "Are the boys okay?" Piper's motherly voice quivered, her love for her sons clear in every word. Paige stared back at her, her nervous thoughts spinning with unanswered questions. All she could do was shake her head. "I don't know why you're here. The Elders haven't summoned me." She paused thoughtfully, hesitating to continue with what she was saying. She didn't want to tell Piper her family was fine and then find out they weren't. Yet, the last thing she wanted was to add to Piper's legitimate worries. After a moment, Paige made up her mind and nodded thoughtfully to herself. "I haven't talked to Leo today, and I haven't been by the Manor." She noticed her sister start to panic. "However," she quickly stated. "Don't assume the worst; it'll only make you worry."

Piper rubbed her left arm, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Her supportive sister laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Leo would go to great lengths to protect those sweet boys, and Phoebe would sacrifice everything for them," Paige whispered. Piper nodded, though deep down, she was still frightened for her children and husband. Leo, once a whitelighter, had willingly relinquished his powers so he could be with Piper and their sons. He was mortal and vulnerable. This constant worry for his safety weighed heavily on Piper's mind. "Come on," Paige said soothingly, extending her willing hand. "Let's go home so you can check on them." Piper obediently placed her hand in Paige's, and in a beautiful display of white lights, they orbed back to the safety of the Halliwell Manor.

They materialized in the second-floor hallway of the Halliwell Manor, the long-time home that Piper shared with her faithful husband, adorable children, lovely sister, and almost brother-in-law. However, there were official plans in motion for Coop and Phoebe to move out soon. This was their sacred sanctuary, their beloved home, where they had powerfully built a decent life together. It was undoubtedly a place filled with unconditional love, frequent laughter, and the occasional demon attack. Piper's racing heart pounded as she hurried into the bedroom her sons shared, a wave of relief washing over her with such intensity that it almost brought her to tears. There they were—Wyatt and Chris—her precious boys, sleeping soundly in their beds, unharmed and secure.

Even so, when Paige's hand gently touched her shoulder, Piper's body jolted with instinctive fear and she instantly jumped into the room as though to fiercely defend her vulnerable children. Panic surged through her veins, momentarily causing her to forget where she was and who she was with. The familiar room suddenly seemed to shrink. It took a moment for her to realize that it was only Paige standing beside her, her brown eyes filled with expressed concern. "Piper, are you okay?" Paige asked softly. Breathing heavily, Piper took a moment to collect herself before responding. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, her voice unsteady. "I just... I forgot you were here." Paige nodded understandingly. "I'm sorry. Do you need me to stay?" Piper shook her head to indicate it wasn't necessary. If Wyatt and Chris were safe, then Leo, Phoebe, and Coop must be as well. Besides, Paige was just a shout away, so she could easily return should Piper need her. Paige nodded sympathetically and lovingly gave her sister a gentle hug before orbing out.

Piper steadied her racing heart. That's when she heard a small voice call out to her. "Mommy, you're home!" She turned around and examined the room. It was predictably a cute little room, with the walls a pale shade of blue. Wyatt's toddler bed rested in the top left corner, while Chris' crib stood against the right-hand side wall. Two petite dressers: Wyatt's beneath the standard window and Chris's beside the door. Little Wyatt, with his cheerful smile and untidy blond hair, was sitting up in his bed. His dark-blue blanket resting comfortably on his lap with his tiny hands on top. The sight of his innocent face returned a genuine smile to Piper's lips.

He happily climbed off his bed and sprinted towards her, throwing his small arms around her waist. His following words melted his mother's loyal heart. "I'm happy you're home," he whispered, his cheerful voice filled with genuine joy. He looked up at her with his olive-coloured eyes that seemed to sparkle with the overflowing love he held for his mother. Piper tenderly brushed his slightly overgrown hair away from his innocent eyes, realizing he needed a haircut. An affectionate smile formed on her lovely face as she admired his precious features. He strikingly resembled his father, but there were also traces of the Halliwell family in him. "Yes, honey, I am home. I am safe," she reassured him. At that point, a sudden realization struck her. "How did you know I wasn't home?" If Wyatt had just woken up, then how did he know his mother had been away?

Wyatt's cheerful smile swiftly vanished from his face, instantly replaced by a distinctive look of guilt that his mother recognized all too well. It was the expression children wear when they know they have been caught doing something wrong. Had it not been for that unmistakable look, his mother might not have figured out what he had done. With her arms crossed and a stern gaze, she interrogated him. "Wyatt, did you orb me out of the house while I was sleeping?" For a moment, a smirk formed on Wyatt's face, as if he were proud of his little trick. As soon as his mother let out a heavy sigh and her fierce eyes darkened with annoyance, Wyatt's smirk disappeared, and his face dropped. He unwisely decided his best course of action was to escape his mother's wrath. In a split second, he orbed out of the room. "Oh, I don't think so, mister!"

About to order Paige on a search mission to retrieve him so she could lay down the law, Piper caught herself just in time. She reminded herself that Wyatt was only three years old and didn't know any better. In the past, Piper wasn't known for having good patience. She was quick to react impatiently and often let her emotions get the best of her, but she didn't want to be the mother who was constantly yelling at her children whenever they acted up. So, she had been working on herself lately, trying to become a more patient mother. Instead of her initial thought, Piper took a deep breath to calm herself down. Once successful, she called out to her son. Whitelighters could hear people calling for them, even if they were thousands of miles away. Wyatt, like his maternal aunt Paige and younger brother, was part Whitelighter on his father's side and part witch on his mother's side. He had whitelighter powers but didn't have any witch powers yet.

Wyatt complied and orbed back to his mother's side. He willingly accepted her hand and obediently followed her to his bed. As they sat down, his mother spoke to him firmly. "You can't do stuff like that, buddy. If you orb mommy out and something bad happens, I won't be here to protect you. Do you understand?" Wyatt nodded, but Piper wasn't sure if he truly understood. "I love you so much," she whispered, pulling him into a hug. "I need to be here to protect you." Piper set Wyatt on the floor and rose to her feet. "Alright," she said, taking his hand. "Let's go downstairs to have some yummy breakfast." She stopped by the crib first to check on Chris. He was still asleep, so she let him be and walked Wyatt out of the room.

With a quick leap, Wyatt hopped down the final step of the grand staircase. He ran eagerly past the alcove and made a beeline for the kitchen, his destination set on the modern dining room. Meanwhile, Piper caught sight of her husband standing at the visible entrance of the living room. The effective way he stood with his expression serious instantly told Piper that Leo had something to tell her. She braced herself for the conversation she could already tell she wouldn't be happy about. Leo had mentally rehearsed every scenario, searching for the best approach to discussing the Elders, and telling his wife what he had done. He was well aware that it was a subject that instantly triggered Piper's defensiveness, and rightfully so.

They comfortably settled onto the plush couch, Piper adjusting a yellow couch cushion next to her and Leo removing a plastic red toy race car he accidentally sat on; it was one of Wyatt's favourites. "Alright, just tell me," Piper stated in a direct tone. Her husband took a deep breath, bracing himself for her instinctive reaction. "The Elders gave me my powers and immortality back, but it's for our family's protection," he revealed. He knew his wife well enough to anticipate her response, and, as expected, she was far from pleased. Her straightforward reply was sharp and filled with justified anger. "They better not think you're going to be working for them again, after everything they have put us through!"

Piper was referring to the main obstacle they had faced throughout their complex relationship. Leo had been assigned as Prue, Piper, and Phoebe's whitelighter when Prue was born. Whitelighters were strictly prohibited from forming romantic connections with those they were assigned to protect, but Leo couldn't help falling in love with Piper. The Elders, who were in charge of the whitelighters, had made numerous attempts to separate and even punish Leo and Piper because of their forbidden relationship. One of the Elders, named Gideon, had even attempted to murder Wyatt, as he was universally seen as a threat because of the immense power he held. In the end, Leo made a drastic decision to renounce his powers and become mortal so that he could live peacefully with his family.

Leo had put together an excellent plan to get through this conversation and get an agreement out of his wife without her head exploding into actual flames. With determination, he continued the conversation. He clarified the plan was entirely his own, motivated by his instinctive desire to protect their family. He paused briefly, carefully searching Piper's eyes, hoping to detect a glimmer of understanding. "I made a deal with them," he continued. "I will take on temporary charges, but nothing permanent or long-lasting. I am not working for them. You and our sons will always be my top priority. I made that clear, and if they try anything, I will immediately clip my wings again."

Piper dropped her arms, which had been crossed at her chest. Her fierce eyes returned to their normal shade of brown, and Leo sighed in clear relief. He continued with his thoroughly rehearsed speech. "The final battle didn't end demons, You know that. They still exist, and Wyatt still poses a threat to them, as do you, Phoebe, and Paige. They will lie low for a while, but they will strike again." Piper flinched at the unpleasant thought of the constant danger her son was in. Wyatt may still be a small child, but he was legitimately the most powerful being in existence. Wyatt was twice blessed, and he also happened to be the rightful owner of Excalibur. The legendary sword was currently under lock and key in the attic, waiting for Wyatt's eighteenth birthday. Due to his elite status and due to who his family was, Wyatt was a constant threat to evil beings and therefore was constantly under threat by those who wanted to dispose of him or turn him evil.

Leo sensed Piper's powerful maternal instinct and used it to further prove his point. "We need as many people as possible to protect Wyatt, and while Chris might not be as much of a threat, he's still the child of a charmed one and the brother of the twice blessed one. That alone makes him a target." Tears were starting to well up in Piper's eyes. Leo noticed and took full advantage. Piper's love for her family was her greatest strength, and it was also the easiest way to get through to her. "I just wanted to be able to protect my family and stop being a liability. Demons will look for any cracks and weak spots." Piper didn't respond but had not yet been fully convinced. That was fine; Leo had much more up his sleeve and thought it was the best time to pull out his best card. "We will still grow old together; I just won't die. We arranged it so I will age while still being immortal. This way, I can watch over our children and grandchildren after you've gone, and I can watch over all future generations of our family. Our family will be forever protected." Piper examined her husband's face and could tell he had been aged up quite a few years to match his age with hers. Leo was technically eighteen, as he had been eighteen when he died in World War II and was resurrected as a whitelighter, and Piper was close to thirty-three. However, Leo was quite a bit older than Piper, according to their birthdates.

Paige's voice then cut through the conversation, interrupting the couple. "What about Henry? He's mortal." She had returned to the manor just in time to catch the beginning of Leo's speech and stood at the entrance of the living room. She positioned herself next to her sister. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, Piper," Paige clarified. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay and overheard your conversation." Leo had intended to visit Paige and Henry at their apartment to discuss the exact matter that was now being discussed in his living room. However, since Paige had unexpectedly arrived at the manor, he decided to seize the opportunity and let her share the news with Henry herself.

"What about Henry?" Paige repeated herself. "He's not magical, but he is a part of this family now. Are the Elders going to give him any magic?" Henry, Paige's husband, was completely mortal. Leo shook his head in response. "However, if Henry were to die or it became urgent enough, they would make him a whitelighter too," he said. Paige wasn't sure how to feel about this. She had never even asked Henry before if he would want magic if the opportunity presented itself.

Leo's green eyes narrowed as he recalled Paige's words. "Why wouldn't you be okay?" he asked, his eyes fixed on his wife with a vacant expression. "Wyatt orbed me to the desert this morning, but I didn't know it was him." Unable to resist, Paige burst into laughter foolishly and suffered the consequences. "Get out," Piper growled. Unfazed by her sister's tone, Paige teasingly stuck out her tongue before vanishing magically in a whirl of orbs. The playful exchange naturally made Leo laugh. He then redirected their conversation back to where they had left off prior to the interruption. "Can you support this?" he asked, hoping that Piper would understand and faithfully support the decision he had already made. He realized it hadn't been wise to strike the necessary deal without discussing it with his wife beforehand. She let out a sigh and shrugged. It didn't matter how she genuinely felt, but she was still irritated and hurt that he hadn't discussed it with her first. "I guess so," she resignedly replied. "It'll be nice not having to worry about your safety all the time. Plus knowing that our sons now have another person with powers looking after them, brings me some peace of mind."

Leo's eyes widened, yet his eyebrows furrowed. He swallowed hard and dropped his shoulders. He had done a good job protecting his children without his powers, at least in his opinion. He didn't think his wife had meant it in an insulting way, and so he decided to let it go, but the comment had still stung. He glanced down at his wristwatch and said, "Okay. I'll go get the boys, I'm sure they're both up by now. Why don't you get some sort of breakfast ready for them?" Piper nodded, and they both stood up. "Wyatt's already in the kitchen, and since he didn't come looking for me, I have a feeling Phoebe or Coop's in there too. Chris was still asleep, but I'm sure he's awake by now. He never sleeps this late." With a small nod, Leo and Piper went their separate ways.

There he was, at the cleared table, sitting on Aunt Phoebe's lap, giggling away. The sacred bond between them was undeniable; they were best friends, and it warmed Piper's loyal heart to see them together. Phoebe looked up from Wyatt and over to her dear sister. "I tried to feed him, Piper; I really did," she said playfully. "He insisted only you can make the best food in the entire world. He wouldn't settle for my poor cooking skills." Wyatt laughed joyously, along with Phoebe, his innocent eyes sparkling. "That's my boy; he knows who cooks the food around here," Piper played along. Phoebe tenderly kissed the top of her beloved nephew's head, causing an adorable smile to instantly fill his entire face. "So, you overheard the whole thing then?" Piper asked. "Leo already told me." This hit Piper's nerve, he had told Phoebe before her? "Are you really okay with Leo having his powers back?" Phoebe asked, sensing that Piper may not be fully okay with it. If she were to be honest, Piper would have admitted she wasn't completely okay with it. Instead, she said, "Yes, I'm okay with it."

After a nod from her younger sister, Piper quietly slipped away into the modern kitchen. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as she promptly replaced the old pot with a new one. She reached for a reusable mug from the standard cabinet. Her sentimental eyes were drawn by a photograph hanging on the wall beside the basement door. It was an excellent picture of her older sister, a constant reminder of the sisterly bond they once shared. However, it also served as a bittersweet reminder of what was tragically lost. As the delicious coffee brewed, Piper's sentimental thoughts wandered back to the familiar voices she could vaguely hear in the background: her precious son's infectious laughter and the vibrant chatter of her younger sister.

It was in these moments that she felt both grateful for the love that surrounded her and aware of the absence of her older sister. The final battle had unburied emotions and memories she had fought to keep hidden. The scars of her sister's death had never truly faded, but with time, they had become less raw. Yet, this recent event had torn open those wounds, causing them to bleed once more. The pain was unbearable at times, as if she was reliving the loss all over again. Piper and her sisters, aside from Paige who didn't grow up with them, had been inseparable throughout their childhood. They kept each other's secrets, supported each other's dreams, and forged an unbreakable bond. The loss of her beloved older sister had left a gaping void in Piper's life that no one could ever replace. Countless moments haunted Piper, where she wished Prue had been here-watching her sons take their first steps, celebrating birthdays together, and watching Paige walk down the aisle. Prue and Paige had never even met, never had the chance to form a connection.

Piper's emotions were momentarily interrupted by the familiar beep of the coffee pot. She wiped away a tear with her bare arm, regaining her composure. Pouring herself a steaming mug of the rich, dark liquid, she glanced towards the dining room where her sister was seated. "Coffee?" Piper offered, extending the mug towards her. Phoebe nodded and smiled, appreciating the small act of kindness. As Piper reached for a second mug in the cabinet, her son's eager voice chimed in. "Me too," he exclaimed. Piper laughed softly, playfully shaking her head. "Sorry, little man," Phoebe said. "You're a bit young for coffee."

They shared a laugh, their laughter echoing through the house like a sweet melody. Piper set Phoebe's steaming mug of coffee on the counter before reaching for a blue plastic cup from the cabinet. She retrieved the carton of chocolate milk from the fridge and poured a generous amount into the cup. Balancing both the mug and the cup, she gracefully made her way to the table. "Thanks," said Phoebe as Piper placed the mug in front of her. "Now this," Piper said, placing down the cup in front of her son. "Is way better than coffee." Wyatt laughed and picked up the cup to take a sip of his chocolate milk.

Back at the counters, Piper started brewing another pot of coffee and could feel the weight of her grief settling in once again. She needed to distract herself. "So, where's that fiancé of yours?" Phoebe swallowed the coffee in her mouth and replied, "Out and about working." The words fell flat in the silence that followed, highlighting the emptiness that lingered in the air. All she could think about was how much she wished Prue could see how great life had turned out for her and Phoebe, and that she could meet little Wyatt and baby Chris.

Leo entered the room, struggling to hold a squirming Chris in his arms. The precise moment he stepped in, he immediately noticed Piper's distant and pained expression. His eyes instantly followed her gaze, and he discovered a continuous stream of coffee was pouring over the sides of a mug that was already filled to the brim. Lost in her profound thoughts, Piper hadn't realized she was still pouring coffee. Reacting swiftly, Leo promptly handed Chris to Phoebe and hurried towards his wife. Phoebe, now fully aware of the situation, wore a worried expression on her face. Meanwhile, Wyatt naturally found the entire scene amusing. He was too young to properly understand the context; all he knew was that his mom was making a mess. Chris, on the other hand, was oblivious to the chaos unfolding around him. He deeply wanted a sip of his brother's chocolate milk. With outstretched arms, he reached for Wyatt's plastic cup, completely unaware that there wasn't a single drop left.

Piper sighed impatiently as she reached for a nearby hand towel. It seemed like everything was going wrong today, and it was only seven in the morning. She intentionally raised her hand, gesturing for Leo to back off, needing a moment to collect herself. As she wiped the coffee that was now running down the standard cabinets onto the polished floor, the hot liquid seeped through the cloth and burned Piper's hand. A sharp pain shot through her hand, naturally causing her to gasp and inadvertently drop the used towel onto the growing spill. She leaned against the sink in defeat, burying her head in her hands as tears started down her face. Leo stepped in and gently placed his hand on Piper's back. "It's okay," he whispered softly. "You're probably feeling a little overwhelmed from this morning."

Leo glanced over at Phoebe and the boys, taking in the worried expression on his sister-in-law's face and the innocent babbling of the young boys. "Why don't you get the boys fed? You love how they smile when they eat your food." She nodded agreeingly and made her way towards the modern dining room, eager to see those contagious smiles light up her sons' faces. As she gently lifted Chris from Phoebe's lap and cradled him in her arms, she moved gracefully towards the highchair, ready to feed her hungry toddler. "What happened this morning?" Phoebe asked suspiciously. Leo stepped in to explain, revealing Wyatt had impulsively orbed Piper to a harsh desert while she was asleep. As Phoebe listened to the intriguing story, she couldn't help but snicker at the sheer audacity of her nephew. She would never attempt an elaborate prank on her strong-willed sister, knowing how scary she could be. "Oh, Wyatt," she said sarcastically, with an amused grin. The toddler smiled back at her. "Don't let her hear you laugh," Leo sternly warned her. "That got Paige kicked right out of here."

Leo finished cleaning and sat down at the table with his overfilled mug of coffee. Phoebe got up from her chair with her breakfast. She kissed the heads of her nephews before making her way out of the dining room. Leo glanced over at Wyatt, who was now seated alone at the table, lost in his own little world. As Phoebe walked further away from the kitchen, she could faintly hear Chris's squeaky voice shouting out the word "juice." She smiled fondly to herself and continued on her way, passing by the alcove. Just as she was about to climb the stairs, the unmistakable sound of the phone ringing instantly caught her attention. She turned around and went back to the alcove. Picking up the corded home phone from the small end table, Phoebe held it to her ear. "Hi, this is Phoebe," she cordially greeted. "Hey, Phoebe. It's Darryl." A visible look of the utmost shock came across Phoebe Halliwell's face. "Darryl Morris?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "Yeah, I guess it has been a while."

Darryl Morris was once a very close friend to the Halliwell sisters. A mutual bond that naturally formed through his beloved partner on the local police force, Andy Trudeau. Andy had known the sisters since childhood and was Prue's first love. When Andy was tragically killed, Darryl took it upon himself to look after the sisters on Andy's behalf. Over time, he became trusted with their magical family secret, and the sisters truly considered him and his wife, Sheila, as family. However, as time went on, Sheila Morris began growing scared of the magic that surrounded the Halliwell sisters. This well-founded fear reached its peak when Darryl was falsely accused of an unspeakable crime he did not commit. A crime that almost resulted in his wrongful execution. The specific incident severely shook Sheila to her core. For Darryl, who had never been fond of magic to begin with, this harrowing ordeal became the final straw. The betrayal he felt, and the justified fear that had consumed his wife, pushed him to reluctantly turn against the Halliwell sisters. It was admittedly a difficult decision for him, as he had grown to care deeply for them and had been grateful for their genuine friendship. However, the critical safety of his own family was reasonably his top priority. The strong bond that once united them was now broken, leaving behind a trail of pain and regret. The Halliwell sisters were left to face their continuous battles alone, while Darryl and Sheila moved away with their children. None of the Halliwells had heard from them since. It had been months.

"The family and I-uh, we're back in San Francisco," Darryl unexpectedly informed. Phoebe remained silent. "We've done a lot of thinking, Sheila and I, and, uh, we'd like to sit down with you guys." Phoebe wasn't sure how to respond. She hadn't thought she'd ever hear from them again, let alone ever see them again. It was almost a minute later when Phoebe came up with something to say. "Of course we'll sit down with you guys." She paused thoughtfully, trying to correctly remember everyone's calendars. Leo and Piper had a meeting with a private preschool coming up, and both Henry and Paige had been swamped with their chosen careers. "Piper's having everyone over for a barbecue tonight; why don't you guys join us? You can bring the boys; I'm sure Wyatt would love that." When Darryl didn't respond, Phoebe grew nervous and quickly offered a different suggestion. "Or we could meet up somewhere public this afternoon, or maybe tomorrow?" It was quiet for a consistent minute before Darryl finally spoke. "Let me just check with Sheila; give me a second." Phoebe nodded respectfully to herself and heard the soft sound of Darryl putting his phone down. A couple of minutes of dead silence passed, and Darryl returned to the phone. "Count us in for that barbecue."

The familiar scene at the breakfast table was filled with joyous laughter. Wyatt playfully entertained his baby brother with the silly act of drinking his oatmeal. Leo and Piper, sitting on either side of Wyatt, watched with a genuine smile on their faces. Suddenly, Phoebe danced into the room. "Guess who just moved back to town," she sang. All faces turned in her direction, awaiting an answer. "Darryl and Sheila!" Piper's instinctive reaction was priceless. Her mouth fell open, a blob of oatmeal escaping and landing in her bowl, causing both of her sons to laugh hysterically. Leo looked just as surprised, but with his mouth closed. The two lively boys, however, were unfazed by the welcome news. In fact, they didn't even remember the Morris family anymore. "I was sure we'd never see him again," Piper muttered bitterly. "Darryl was a good friend to this family, but we all know he wasn't fond of us having magic," Leo added honestly. "Well, he's back and wants to speak with us. So, I invited him to the barbecue; I hope that was okay," Phoebe shared. "It's fine," Piper stated positively. "I am surprised they agreed to come. I mean, the things that have happened in this house-sometimes I don't even want to live here."

Piper glanced down at her wristwatch, her eyes narrowing at the time displayed. "Phoebe, you are so late for work," she exclaimed. Startled, Phoebe instantly checked her own watch and let out a small gasp. "Oh, shoot! Second time this week, Elise is going to have my head," she muttered under her breath. Without wasting another second, she dashed frantically out of the kitchen. Meanwhile, Wyatt announced he was finished with his breakfast. "Okay. Please put your dishes in the sink," Piper instructed him. Wyatt looked down at his empty bowl and his spoon and blinked his eager eyes once. In white lights, the typical dishes were teleported from the standard table into the sink. He looked keenly at his mom, thinking it would please her he had done as asked, but Piper looked annoyed, not pleased. "Thank you for cleaning up, but next time, please do it without magic." Wyatt frowned, but he nodded respectfully before climbing unsteadily off the chair and leaving the dining room.

Leo watched until his son was out of the room and quickly looked at his other son. Chris was busy attentively examining his white bowl and sucking on his spoon. Turning to his wife, Leo felt the weight of their differing opinions. He understood Piper's legitimate concerns about relying too heavily on magic. After all, there was a danger of becoming too dependent on their powers and neglecting other aspects of life. Simultaneously, Leo couldn't bear the thought of stripping away something that was such an essential part of their sons' identities. "Piper, magic is a part of the boys. Don't take that away from them," Leo pleaded earnestly. Piper shifted slightly in her chair. "I'm not taking it away from them," she said. "They need to learn how to navigate the world without relying solely on their magic." Leo sighed, understanding where Piper was coming from. "You're right," Leo admitted reluctantly. "I know we need to teach them the importance of balance and responsibility when it comes to magic, but sometimes I worry we're being too strict with them."

Piper got up from her chair, her voice growing louder with each word. She listed off the various misadventures that Wyatt had gotten himself into, from conjuring dragons to bringing toys to life to creating demons. Leo, too, stood up from his chair, trying to calm the situation. He reminded Piper that Wyatt was just a baby when he had conjured the dragon. "I'm not saying the boys can just run wild with their magic; we need to teach them how to control their magic and when it's okay to use it. Once we do that, we shouldn't have any more mishaps." However, Piper remained skeptical, folding her arms across her chest as she expressed her belief that whether they were mortal or magical kids, life with children was bound to be filled with mishaps and chaos, and when you added magic into the mix, disasters were almost inevitable.

Leo and Piper had always had different opinions when it came to their children's magical abilities. Leo believed their sons should be allowed to explore and experiment with their powers, understanding that it was a part of who they were. He believed that by letting them embrace their gifts, they would grow into confident and responsible individuals. However, Piper held a different view. She was more cautious and worried about the potential dangers that came with magic. She also wanted to avoid them risking misadventures and exposure. Leo knew Piper was stubborn and determined when it came to her beliefs. She wouldn't give up on this subject easily, and he had learned from experience that arguing with her would only lead to more frustration. So, with a heavy sigh and a sense of defeat, Leo walked away. Sometimes it was easier to let Piper have her way, even if he didn't fully agree with her.

Paige had just arrived at her office. As a caseworker for the department of child protective services, her days were filled with paperwork, meetings, and the challenging task of helping vulnerable children and families. She comfortably settled into her familiar chair, surrounded by stacks of patient files and reports, ready to dive into her daily workload. With precision and critical focus, Paige organized the important papers from her newest case into a neat folder. Each official document correctly represented a vulnerable child's sensitive story, a struggling family's critical issues, and her sincere commitment to making a difference in their lives. As she neatly closed the folder, a sudden knock echoed through the quiet office. Startled, she called out for the person to enter her private office. It was merely her boss standing at the doorway, dressed appropriately in his usual shirt and diplomatic tie. Paige had always found him to be strict and demanding, but fair enough to earn her respect. She knew he had high expectations for his employees and valued efficiency and timeliness above all else.

"Do you have any meetings today?" Paige merely shook her head in response, while conveniently placing the folder on top of the countless others in a white basket in the corner of her private desk. "We have an urgent situation down at the local police station," her boss promptly informed her. Officer Dowry had sadly found a child wandering around the children's park during odd hours that morning, and he suspected she might be a runaway. Paige's boss naturally wanted her to go down to the local police station and carefully assess the unfortunate situation before the parents arrived to collect their daughter. Paige got up from her chair and reached for her purse. "Just the standard questions will do. Report back to me once you've returned."

Phoebe's heart pounded furiously as she burst into the main newsroom. Her anxious eyes darted towards her office door, where her boss, Elise Rothman, stood waiting impatiently. Phoebe worked brilliantly as an advice columnist for the local newspaper, a fulfilling job she genuinely loved and was passionate about. Elise was not just Phoebe's boss, but also a dear friend. However, despite their close relationship, Elise was known for her strict and strong-willed nature when it came to work. "I am so sorry, Elise. I had a phone call, which isn't an excuse, I know. I was certain I had way more time before I had to be here."

The busy room fell instantly into an uneasy silence as Elise's intent stare bore into Phoebe, intentionally leaving her unsure of what was to come. Minor seconds turned into uncomfortable minutes as Elise seemed to contemplate her next course of necessary action. Finally, a heavy sigh fortunately escaped her lips, breaking the nervous tension in the room. "You're lucky this paper would be nothing without you," she stated. A tightness instantly lifted off Phoebe's shoulders at these encouraging words. She didn't really believe Elise would ever fire her, but she never let herself stupidly forget that Elise wasn't just her friend. At work, she was unavoidably her boss, and she could not take their friendship for granted and naively assume it would give her special privileges and endless chances. Elise walked over to the door, and both women turned to face each other. "I'll leave you to it then; I expect your article to be finished and ready for print by three sharp."

Phoebe nodded confidently and anxiously watched her leave the private office, but the truth was, she hadn't even started her article yet. She had been supposed to start last week, as she always prepared her excellent articles in advance, but with the magical chaos that the last week had forcibly brought, there had been much more pressing matters. It didn't help that she didn't have any other pre-written articles to fall back on either, as she had unknowingly used the last for today's local paper. If only Elise knew Phoebe's family secret. Sometimes Phoebe seriously considered telling her, but she was not entirely sure they were close enough friends. She would also remind herself of how much trouble and emotional pain spilling the sacred secret had caused her in the past. She and her sisters were cautious about who on the outside was intentionally let in on the grand secret.

Phoebe settled herself into her chair, the dull sound of her boss's footsteps fading away. She instantly switched on her reliable computer, but before she started writing her valuable article, she reached down and retrieved a small box from under her desk. It was merely a simple box, boring nothing special in its appearance, yet holding proof that her loyal fans admired her. She gently placed the precious box on her lap and carefully opened it, revealing an impressive collection of unanswered letters from her beloved fans. They instantly reminded her she was doing something that mattered, something that was helping others. Each used envelope faithfully represented a heartfelt plea for her moral guidance, a cry for help from someone in need. It was conveniently these handwritten letters that guided Phoebe in what to write about in her ever-popular column. In the early days of her published column, Phoebe would write once a week, pouring her kind heart and gentle soul into each response. As word spread about her insightful advice and empathetic nature, her popularity soared. The local demand for Phoebe's valuable guidance grew exponentially, naturally leading her welcome column to transform from a weekly occurrence to a daily ritual.

Arriving at the police station, Officer Dowry briefed her on what he had discovered so far. The child, a young girl, had been found wandering alone in the park in the early hours of the morning. Officer Dowry had approached her cautiously, trying to figure out if she was lost or in danger. The girl seemed frightened, but provided little information. The child, whom Paige estimated to be around eleven years old, appeared worn and disheveled. Her long blond hair hung limply around her face. Her pink nightgown and matching slippers hinted at her femininity, but they were so dirty and full of holes that it was difficult to discern their original color. It was clear that this young girl had been through a lot, as exhaustion and fear were etched into her delicate features. However, Paige didn't agree with the police's predictions that this child was a runaway. She didn't have a bag with her for one thing. Every runaway she had come across had packed a bag with snacks and favourite items. Maybe if she had gotten scared, she may have run off with nothing but the clothes on her back, but that could suggest abuse.

Paige cautiously approached the young girl with a warm smile and a simple hello. She carefully observed the child's body language, searching for any specific signs of distress or discomfort as she sat down next to her. To her relief, the girl remained calm and composed, indicating she hadn't experienced any obvious abuse. With this in mind, Paige confidently took the next step and politely ask the girl for her name. However, to her mild disappointment, the child remained silent and didn't even acknowledge her presence. "I suppose we are strangers, aren't we?" Paige said gently, merely trying to engage the girl in conversation. "So, why don't we get to know each other, hmm? My name is Paige Matthews, and I am a social worker." She hoped that by willingly sharing a bit about herself, the girl might naturally feel more comfortable opening up. The girl looked up at Paige, her frightened eyes filled with uncertainty. Paige could sense the reasonable hesitation, but also saw a glimmer of innocent curiosity in those young eyes. It was as if the girl wanted to speak, but was unsure whether or not she could trust Paige. Finally, the child wisely decided Paige could be trusted. "My name's Emma Benson."

Looking over Paige's shoulder, Emma watched as Paige jotted down her name on a prepared sheet of paper held on a clipboard. "How old are you, Emma?" Again, the fearful child chose not to answer, so Paige merely repeated her effective tactic. "I'm twenty-eight; can you believe that? Almost 30! I wish I was your age again. Well, you must be only 11 or so. Lucky." Emma willingly let on a small smile and almost laughed. "I'm twelve, but I wish I was older." Paige jotted down Emma's age and then said, "Trust me. Being a kid is much better." Emma merely shrugged and looked down at her torn, dirt-stained slippers. "I suppose being an adult has its advantages," Paige said thoughtfully, bringing Emma's focus back on her. "I don't have parents always telling me what to do, and I have the most amazing husband." She paused before playfully asking, "What about your family, are your parents' bossy?" Emma laughed gently and then shrugged. "Sometimes, I guess, but all parents are bossy; it's their job." Paige nodded knowingly and wrote this down. "Are you an only child? I have older sisters that are always driving me crazy." Emma laughed again. "I'm an only child."

Now that Paige had finally earned Emma's trust, she felt it was the right time to delve into a more serious topic. "You know," she started cautiously. "I was always getting into trouble when I was a kid. I made mistakes left and right, and sometimes it can be terrifying when you do something wrong." Emma's sad gaze shifted uncomfortably from Paige to the exposed floor as she listened intently. This sensitive conversation was hitting close to home for her. She seemed to shut down, retreating into herself, but Paige knew she had to keep going. She needed to assure Emma that she understood. "Sometimes," Paige continued solemnly, her voice soft. "I was so scared that I felt the need to run away. I thought that by leaving, I could escape the consequences of my actions, but running away only made things worse. It didn't solve anything."

As Paige spoke, Emma's frightened eyes welled up with emotional tears. It was clear that she could relate to what Paige was saying on a deep level. The crushing weight of her own mistakes and the raw fear of not being forgiven had become too much for her to bear alone. "You know what?" Paige said, reaching out and gently placing a hand on Emma's shoulder. "I learned something important through all those mistakes. I learned that forgiveness is possible, even when it feels impossible. Our parents may get angry and disappointed, but ultimately, they want what's best for us, and they will never stop loving us." Emma looked up at Paige, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. She desperately wanted to believe that forgiveness was possible.

"Did something happen at home that made you feel you needed to leave?"

Emma tenderly wiped the burning tears from her filthy face with her arm. "There was an accident," she said solemnly, then looked away. "Did you cause the accident?" Emma nodded reluctantly, but didn't look back at Paige. "I hurt my mom, but I didn't mean to; it was just an accident." She stared down at her slippers. "I'm sure your mom knows it was just an accident. Is she okay now?" Emma nodded gratefully. "My dad went to help her, and I ran away." "So you wouldn't hurt anyone else?" Again, Emma nodded.

Emma fell silent, deep in critical thought, and then she looked up at Paige with the most trusting eyes she'd ever seen. "It wasn't just an accident," she whispered fearfully. She looked around as though it were imperative that no one overheard them. "I have powers." Paige immediately stood and said, "Not here, not in the open." Emma looked surprised that Paige had genuinely believed her. After all, what grownup would sincerely believe a child who said they had magical powers? Yet she nodded, trusting Paige with her biggest secret, and followed her over to Officer Dowry. "I am taking this child with me now; social services will handle it from here."

As the charming Halliwell family strolled down the viable pathway, the vibrant sounds of innocent children's joyous laughter filled the air on this warm, sunny afternoon. Wyatt, a curious and adventurous little boy, held onto the hands of his protective parents. His little brother, snugly seated in his stroller, giggled with delight as their mother effortlessly pushed him forward. Wyatt's excited eyes widened with anticipation as he caught glimpses of colourful playground equipment, and heard the faint squeals of delight from kids zooming down slides, or swinging high into the sky. Amidst the infectious laughter and lively chatter, Leo couldn't help but naturally notice a parent raising their authoritative voice at their reluctant child, who didn't want to willingly leave. He exchanged a knowing glance with Piper as they passed by. As they continued along the pathway, their attention was instantly drawn to another scene unfolding nearby: a considerate parent reprimanding their child for hogging the slide.

Wyatt's lively eyes sparkled with excitement as he spotted a group of local children happily playing on the swings. Eager to join in on the innocent fun, he tugged his parents' hands, urging them to pick up the pace. Leo and Piper exchanged smiles before quickening their stride. Piper was quick to go over the necessary rules, knowing she wouldn't keep Wyatt's attention for long. "No magic, and play fair." Wyatt wasted no time finding an empty swing and making himself comfortable. He didn't know how to swing on his own yet. So he just sat there, struggling to figure it out, as he didn't want his parents to help him. Piper gently helped Chris out of the stroller and encouraged him to play, but Chris plopped down and pulled out the grass instead.

A few minutes went by before Wyatt gave up. He came running over to his parents, who now sat on a nearby bench with Chris in front of them. "Chris! Come play with me!" he called out, eagerly hoping to entice his brother to join him. However, much to Wyatt's disappointment, Chris chose not to move and instead decided to ignore his brother. The mere toddler seemed content with staying close to his parents, not yet ready to venture out on his own. So his mother promptly intervened. "Go play with your brother, honey. Doesn't it look like fun?" she encouraged, hoping her words would persuade Chris to join in. Chris shook his head defiantly, but Wyatt desperately tried one last time to convince Chris to join him. "Chris! Come on! Come play!"

At last, Chris got up and faithfully followed his brother. Their parents happily watched them with warm smiles and feelings of togetherness as the boys chased each other around the playground. It was hard to believe that just a few years ago, they had doubted they could ever have children, and now, here they were, witnessing their two healthy sons running around laughing and shouting. "It's funny to think that just a few years ago, we thought we couldn't have children," Piper stated positively. She giggled as Chris tackled his brother, but fell over in the process. Leo nodded in meaningful agreement, and the innocent boys got right up and continued chasing each other like nothing had happened. "Do you ever think about having another baby?" he asked curiously, turning to face Piper. "I wouldn't mind having one more," she admitted thoughtfully, "but we don't have room."

It was true. The Halliwell Manor, their beloved ancestral home, only had three bedrooms. They occupied one, Piper's sister and her husband occupied another, and their two boys shared the third. There simply wasn't enough space for another child. "Phoebe and Coop have plans to find their own place soon, this year sometime," Leo pointed out. "Well then, we can talk about it when that happens," Piper decided. Leo nodded approvingly and gently kissed his wife's rosy cheek.

The driven car carefully pulled into the private driveway and came to a stop, the engine purring softly. Emma glanced nervously out of the visible window, reasonable uncertainty clouding her thoughts. Should she trust this stranger she had just met? Faithfully follow them into a house she had never been to before? As if sensing her hesitation, Paige turned toward Emma. "This is my sister's house," she explained honestly, her voice calm and reassuring. "It's the safest place for us to talk about this kind of thing." Emma's arms crossed across her chest, a visible sign of her distrust. She met Paige's gaze, her eyes filled with reasonable doubt. "How do I know I can trust that?" she asked cautiously. It was a valid question, one that demanded an honest answer before Emma could decide. Paige leaned back in her seat, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. "I'm not sure who's home right now," Paige began, her tone gentle but firm. "I do know I can promise you this; no one in my family will hurt you." Paige thought it was an odd time for her to be skeptical now, after she willingly got into a car with someone she didn't know. "My family protects those who need it," she added admiringly. Emma carefully considered Paige's words and correctly decided she could sincerely trust her.

She climbed unsteadily out of the car and followed obediently up the pathway and stairs. Paige reached for the doorknob, naturally expecting it to be unlocked. However, to her surprise, the familiar door didn't budge. "They must be out," she muttered. This was the only time she had seen the door properly locked. It made sense, though. The Halliwells didn't see much use in locking their doors because they knew magical intruders were far more dangerous than any ordinary thief or human creep out there. A locked door wouldn't do anything to keep them out. She retrieved her keys from her cute purse and used her spare key to unlock the front door of the manor. Emma followed closely behind, curious to see what awaited them inside.

Emma had been expecting something grand, perhaps a grand mansion or maybe even a creepy dungeon with secret passages, but what she found was far from it-just an ordinary home. "This place is stuck in the 90s," she commented. Paige let out a laugh as she tucked her spare key back into her purse. "Your home is up to date, is it?" she teased. "No, it looks like this," she admitted, gesturing towards their surroundings. Paige hung her purse on the coat rack next to the front door, scanning the room for any signs of life. She called out to see if anyone was home, but the house remained eerily quiet. Emma glanced around, taking in the mundane wallpaper and furniture. "So, this is your sister's place?" she asked, trying to make sense of it all. Paige nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, our family has lived in this manor for generations. I moved out, but my sisters still live here with their families."

With scattered toys on the carpeted floor, family photographs on the painted walls and surfaces, and painfully boring ordinary furniture, this old house didn't have anything special about it at all. In fact, the great Halliwell Manor was merely another everyday family home. Emma's expectations had been higher, given what she had overheard about the legendary sisters. Emma indeed knew who Paige was, and she praised herself for her ability to mislead a charmed one.

"If this place is so normal, why did you bring me here?" Paige sat down on the plush couch, motioning for Emma to join her. "Well, I need to be sure you have magical powers." Before Paige could say anything more, the front door opened. Startled, Emma jumped up, her eyes wide with alarm. "It's alright," Paige reassured her. She then shouted out, "We have company," to let whoever was here know they weren't alone. A few seconds later, Coop and Phoebe stepped into the living room. Their kind faces lit up with genuine smiles at the welcome sight of the child. Phoebe, with her warm and motherly voice, extended a friendly greeting. Emma's attention shifted over to Paige as she asked her, "Is this your sister?" Paige nodded in response. "One of them, yes. This is Phoebe and her fiance, Coop." Emma remained by Paige's side, her eyes fixed on the unfamiliar faces of Phoebe and Coop, who naturally looked to Paige for a proper introduction. "This is my new friend, Emma. Emma, why don't you wait here while I have a chat with my lovely sister and brother-in-law?"

Paige led Phoebe and Coop into the kitchen and turned around to face them. "Who is that child, Paige, and why does she look like you pulled her out of a hole?" Phoebe asked, genuinely concerned about the ragged child's well-being. "Her name is Emma, and she is a runaway," Paige began explaining. "The police found her this morning, and my boss sent me to talk to her before they called her parents." Phoebe looked down at the floor, while Coop looked off to the side. Both naturally felt immense pain and concern for this desperate child, a child neither of them knew. "Why did you bring her here?" Phoebe asked gently. Piper was always wary about inviting mortals into the manor, and Emma's parents must be extremely concerned about her. "I think she's a witch," Paige revealed. Coop stepped back. A bark of laughter escaped Phoebe's lips. "Are you sure?" Coop asked. "Before you say anything about us, you need to be sure," Phoebe said. In response, Paige said, "I know. I was just about to ask her for proof."

They stepped back into the living room; Emma was now standing in the middle of the room. Paige's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "Before I can help you, Emma, I need to know you're telling the truth," she said sternly. "It's not that I don't believe you; I just need to be sure." Emma merely nodded, understanding the imperative need for caution. "Alright then. What do you need?" Emma politely requested a glass of water, and Coop retreated into the kitchen to fulfill her request. Moments later, he returned, a full glass of water in his hand. He carefully handed it to her, and she politely said thank you. Emma took a deep breath, gripping the glass tightly. With a flicker of concentration, she channeled her magic into the water. Glittering ice encased the once-clear liquid, sending a chill throughout the room. "Now," Emma said. "Will you train me?"

The adults were speechless. Paige was the first to recover her voice. "You know about us?" she blurted out, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn't seen that one coming. She had assumed Emma was new to witchcraft and hadn't known about her powers for long. Phoebe took a step forward. "I think you have some explaining to do," she said sternly. Emma placed her glass of water down on the coffee table and settled onto the couch, motioning for the others to join her. As they did, an uneasy silence filled the room. "I overheard my parents talking a few months ago," Emma confessed. "They thought I was sleeping, but I couldn't resist eavesdropping; I'm a kid. They were talking about what to do with me," she said. "They don't want to train me." She shrugged dismissively. "I want to learn. It's my birthright."

Getting up, Emma faced the trio with determination in her eyes. "I heard about you on the news," she said. "When you died-or pretended to die." Paige exchanged a surprised glance with Phoebe and Coop. "I overheard my parents talking about the Charmed Ones. About how they knew you hadn't really died." Paige scrunched up her eyebrows. "Is that when you started stalking us?" Emma shrugged. "Not for long. Once I found out you were a social worker, I put together a plan." Paige's arms crossed over her chest. "Exactly what was this plan of yours?"

Emma's mischievous grin widened as she confessed her ulterior motives. Her eyes darted between Paige and Phoebe. "I actually had two plans," she revealed. "If running away from home and hoping to cross paths with Paige didn't work, I had a backup plan," she confessed. "I was going to write to you, pretending I needed advice." Phoebe crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. She glanced at Paige, who was trying hard not to laugh. She couldn't hide her smile when she said, "Oh, Emma, you're a sly little trickster." She sighed. "Your scheme is quite impressive, but why didn't you just ask for our help?" Emma's grin widened as relief washed over her face. "I thought if I asked directly, you might say no, but this way, I left you no choice but to take me under your wing!" Phoebe laughed and shook her head. "Well, you certainly have a way with plans; I'll give you that." Paige finally lost her composure, snorting with laughter. "I can't believe you actually went through with it, Emma!"

The front door swung open, and Wyatt burst in. His joyous laughter echoed through the halls like a mischievous symphony. Hot on his heels was his father, thundering after him like a rhinoceros in pursuit of a hyperactive gazelle. Piper followed, with Chris cradled in her arms. She carried her son into the living room to allow him to play with his toys while she prepared a delicious lunch. "Oh," Piper exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise, "I didn't know we had company today." Phoebe, instantly leaping off the couch with the remarkable agility of a caffeinated squirrel, dashed towards Chris, eagerly snatching him up in a tight embrace. She planted a smooch on his forehead, leaving behind a subtle lipstick mark. Piper looked over at Paige and said, "Catch me up while I make lunch, sis. Spill the tea, but not on the carpet." Paige nodded obediently, trailing behind her.

"No, no, and no!" Piper said firmly, crossing her arms. Paige and Phoebe exchanged surprised looks as they stood in the kitchen. They had just finished their discussion about Emma and Emma's request. "What's the harm?" Paige asked. "Yeah, we'll all be safer if that child is properly trained," added Phoebe, nodding her head. The expression on Piper's face was unwavering as she shook her head. "I would be furious if someone trained Wyatt or Chris behind my back," Piper said. "Yeah, but you're going to train Wyatt," Phoebe pointed out. "Emma's parents don't want her trained." Piper raised her hand to silence her. "Exactly. Who are we to disrespect Emma's parents' wishes? Since when do we have the right to tell parents what to do with their children?" Phoebe and Paige fell silent, acknowledging Piper's point. They had been so focused on Emma's desires that they had overlooked the decision her parents had made. "This is not our business," Piper concluded firmly. "We will not be training that child unless we have permission from her parents."

Paige silently made up her mind, realizing that she had to be the one to turn Emma away. This young child had specifically sought her out. She genuinely felt a twinge of guilt for having to disappoint the young girl. After all, Paige firmly believed that every witch, regardless of age or background, should have the right to learn the craft and reach their full potential. There was also a tinge of bitterness towards Emma's parents. Paige couldn't help but feel resentment towards them for denying their own daughter her birthright. She understood that magic was a dangerous practice, especially for an amateur. Having made many mistakes herself, she was all too aware of the potential consequences that could arise from incorrectly casting spells and mixing potions. Still, she strongly believed that every magical child should have the right to learn and practice magic. Paige nodded to herself and slowly turned around, expecting to find Emma waiting for her in the living room. However, Emma was standing right behind her. "Emma," Paige said softly. Despite the disappointment on her face, Emma merely shrugged. "You can't help me either; it's okay."

The affordable car rolled to a stop in front of a quaint suburban house, and Emma reluctantly climbed out. Paige trailed behind Emma as they made their way to the front door and knocked twice. It swung open dramatically, revealing a disheveled woman with joyful tears streaming down her face. Without hesitation, the distraught woman flung her arms around Emma, wailing like a banshee. Mrs. Benson looked up at Paige, her face a mix of sincere gratitude and understandable confusion. As if channeling her inner actress, she played dumb, pretending not to recognize Paige instantly. Through her teary sobs, Mrs. Benson stuttered, "Thank you for bringing her back."

Phoebe leaned back against the mountain of fluffy pillows on her gorgeous bed. Her lunch break was almost over, and she wanted to spend the last few minutes planning her upcoming wedding. Coop sat beside her, his lively eyes sparkling with unconditional love, as they eagerly discussed their wedding plans. She was flipping through wedding magazines, her eyes scanning dresses and floral arrangements, when a gentle knock interrupted their planning session. They looked up to find the small human standing just outside the door, his shaggy blond hair and wide smile naturally making him look even cuter than usual. Wyatt was seeking refuge from his dreaded vegetables. "Phoebe! Auntie Phoebe!" Wyatt cried, leaping onto the bed and flinging himself into her protective arms. As Phoebe's gentle laughter mingled with Wyatt's, Coop felt his eternal love for her deepen. There was no doubt in his mind that she was meant to be a mother, and he couldn't wait to create a family with her. With his cupid heritage and Phoebe's love-filled spirit, their children would be showered with affection beyond measure.

At that moment, Piper appeared at the door. "Ah, so the little escape artist has sought asylum with you, huh?" She shook her head playfully. "Nice try, but you cannot escape eating those vegetables." Coop chuckled at Wyatt's antics as the headstrong child gave his aunt the cutest pouty face. His trembling lip and sad eyes tugged at Phoebe's heartstrings, making her want to save him from the offending vegetables. Piper, however, wasn't so soft, and she knew she had to intervene before her sucker for a sister gave in and excused him from his raw vegetables. She scooped him up and carried him out of the room, determined to enforce the dreaded vegetable consumption. "Such a little sneak that one," Phoebe laughed with a grin on her face.

"Where were we?" she asked, still smiling from her adorable nephew's attempt at ditching his vegetables. "Wedding plans," he replied. "Right. My grams will perform the wedding right here at the manor," Phoebe reminded him, her loving voice filled with excitement. Coop nodded, his mind already picturing the beautiful ceremony. "Of course, we've already agreed on that." This time, it was Phoebe who nodded, a radiant smile gracing her rosy lips. "Also, your sister will kill us if Wyatt isn't the ring bearer." Phoebe's loving heart skipped a beat as the image of her little nephew walking down the aisle with the ring box filled her mind. Coop glanced over at the calendar pinned to the wall, tapping his fingers lightly on his chin. "We should really set the date. How about November?" he suggested. Phoebe's heart skipped another beat because November was also her birthday month. She couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate. "November of this year?" Coop nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Is five months enough time to plan it all out and prepare everything?" Coop carefully considered this. "It's going to be a small wedding here at the manor with just family. We just need to find a flower girl, and we're pretty much set," he pointed out. "Okay, honey. November it is. Oh, but we need to add Darryl, Sheila, and their boys to our guest list."

Mr. Warren sat in Paige's private office, sitting passively in her chair with his arms crossed and his feet casually propped up on her desk. His tone was rigid as he reasonably questioned her. "Was there an issue at the station, Paige?" Paige remained calm as she replied, "No, sir." Mr. Warren continued his probing. "Did you happen to get lost on your way back?" Paige took a slight step back. Why was he interrogating her? Did he know she had illegally taken Emma to her sister's house? Suppressing her unease, Paige maintained her composure, pretending that she had done her job and nothing more. Mr. Warren abruptly swung his feet off the desk and rose to his feet, looking at her with justified suspicion. "I sent you to the police station almost an hour ago, and you've just returned. I hope you have a valid reason." Paige quickly formulated a plausible explanation and maintained a casual demeanour as she presented it to her boss. "I decided it was best to drive the child home personally, and then I received an urgent call from my sister. If you would like, you can call her to confirm." Mr. Warren skeptically glared at her before finally letting out a heavy sigh. "As long as you returned the child home safely, and the report is complete, I suppose I can overlook this incident." Paige nodded and retrieved the official report from her purse, handing it over to her boss, who grumbled, "Alright, get back to work."

The day had gone by, and the evening had settled in. As Leo went in and out of the house with paper plates, plastic cups, and condiments to set up the picnic table, Wyatt was pulling the roses out of his mother's garden, and Chris was rolling around in the grass, giggling in pure delight. Piper stood at the grill, flipping the sizzling hotdogs. When she looked up to check on her children, her eyes widened in horror at the sight of her mischievous three-year-old clutching a handful of her flowers. "Drop those flowers!" she shouted. Wyatt flinched and screamed. He chucked the flowers far away from himself. "Get your ass out of my garden!" Wyatt jumped up and ran off to the back of the yard as his father returned from the house, holding the bottle of ketchup.

Coop and Phoebe stepped out of the house; their eyes instantly attracted to the sight of the children scampering about. They joined in and started chasing after the two toddlers, making them laugh and squeal. Henry and Paige arrived shortly thereafter, quietly slipping into the backyard. Their faces wore identical grins of amusement as they watched the playful chaos unfold before them. "That looks fun," Paige exclaimed. She shared a warm hug with Piper before eagerly darting off to join the lively game. Henry, on the other hand, decided to lend a hand by retrieving refreshments from the fridge inside the house. Opening the refrigerator door, he was greeted by an array of sparkling soda cans. He grabbed as many as he could hold, pushed the door closed with his foot, and made his way outside.

Darryl leaned against the gate, a wistful smile playing on his lips. His eyes followed the chaotic scene unfolding before him as three adults ran after two tiny boys with boundless energy. He chuckled at the mayhem. "You know," he mused aloud, "sometimes I miss the chaos of little ones." His own sons were still young; in fact, Darryl Junior was only a year older than Wyatt, but it wasn't the same. However, he and Sheila had agreed that their family was complete with the two boys they had. "Daddy!" Darryl Junior shouted, finally catching up. "Can we have ice cream after this?" His mother and brother trailed behind him. "Please, please, pleeease!" Mikey chimed in, eyes wide and pleading. Darryl glanced at Sheila, knowing better than to say yes before asking her. She gave him a short nod of approval. "Well, I suppose we can make an exception," he agreed. The boys cheered, catching Piper's attention.

Piper looked over at Henry and beckoned for him to take over the grill for her while she greeted her guests. She wasn't sure how this evening was going to go, seeing them again after the months that followed their bitter separation. She had to admit that she wasn't entirely blameless in the whole messy situation. Darryl's boundaries had been crossed more than once, and he had been caught up in the middle of many magical messes. It was hard to ignore the pit in her stomach, fueled by regrets and unresolved feelings. She hadn't given this moment much thought throughout the day, but now she found herself at a loss for words. What should she say to them? Did she have the right to offer a hug, or was this more of a handshake situation? Darryl wanted to talk, but that didn't necessarily mean forgiveness. "Hey," she finally managed to blurt out. "It's nice to see you guys. Please, come in." She unlatched the gate and stepped aside. Darryl was the first to enter, followed by the rowdy boys who couldn't wait to run around and get dirty. Finally, Sheila made her entrance. Piper just stood there, still trying to decide on the appropriate greeting. Then, to her relief, Sheila leaned in for a hug. She happily accepted and then shared one with Darryl as the other adults started coming their way.

After hugs and handshakes, Sheila adjusted her sunglasses and let out a satisfied sigh. She settled on a lawn chair, feeling the warm sun on her skin. Darryl let out a sigh as he watched his sons, Mikey and Darryl Junior, dash off to join the other children. Taking a seat next to his wife, he noticed how little Chris was struggling to keep up with the other boys. He kept tripping over his own feet and was far behind the other boys. "Leo? How old is Chris now?" Leo glanced over at his youngest son before answering. "He'll be two in October, so he's around twenty months now." With a nod, Darryl turned his attention back on the children. "How are your boys?" Leo asked. Children changed so much that even a short amount of time apart from them felt like a lifetime had passed. "They're alright," he replied. "Darryl's starting school this year, if you can believe that," Sheila added, a bittersweet look in her eyes. "No way, he's just a baby," Phoebe remarked in disbelief. "Not anymore," Sheila replied. "If that isn't bad enough, Mikey's headed to the second grade this fall." Phoebe shook her head at the cruelness of time.

Chris tumbled over and landed on his face. He sat up, his nose slightly bruised, and burst out laughing. He got up and continued running; the other three boys hadn't even noticed he had fallen and weren't really playing with him since he couldn't keep up. "Have you transferred back to the police department?" Phoebe asked; she assumed he had. "Yes, I start tomorrow," Darryl replied. "Which leaves me on my own with two hyper boys and loads of boxes to unpack," Sheila commented, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I can help with those boxes, and Henry can look after the boys, right Henry?" Piper offered, looking over at her brother-in-law. "Yeah, sure. It's not a problem." Piper placed the last of the cooked hotdogs onto a plate; home-cooked meals were her superpower. "Food's ready!"

Chris screamed all the way to his bedroom, making his opinion about bedtime known. Meanwhile, the remaining children were stationed in front of the television. The adults gathered around the kitchen table, bracing themselves for the necessary conversation. The silence hung heavy until Darryl finally broke it. "I don't like how things went down between us," he stated. "We are family, and we did not treat you as such." Piper, never one to hold back, interjected quickly. "You had every right," she insisted. "The line was crossed, and you almost died, Darryl." Sheila shifted slightly in her chair. She had moved past the incident, but it was still a scary thought. "Still," Darryl continued. "We are family." He sat up straighter in his chair. "Family means we stick together." Sheila took his hand. "I was scared, and it clouded my judgment," she said. She took a breath. "Here's the thing," Darryl began, his voice steady. "We can accept magic, and I will always be there for you when your magical messes get tangled up in police business. That's a promise I made to you and to Andy, and I fully intend to follow through." He paused. "However," he continued, "we do have boundaries. We ask that you do your best to keep us out of your magical messes."

With a shared understanding and agreement, the tension that had filled the room dissolved like mist in the morning sun. They laughed, they hugged, and they shared stories late into the night. Mikey, Darryl Junior, and Wyatt eventually fell peacefully asleep in front of the glow of the television set. Uninterrupted by the colourful characters dancing and singing. The future could never be known. Perhaps one day something unforgivable would happen between the two families, severing their ties forever. For now, at least, everything was right between them once again.