Chris cooked while Bianca sat on top of the island, wearing his button down dress shirt and licking batter from a spoon as her husband laughed at her antics.
It had been really nice to have a break from their lives and San Francisco but it was even nicer to just have a day at home for themselves without having any of the normal distractions to take away from their enjoyment. They had lied about when they were returning from Prague, coming back two days early so that their families wouldn't immediately rush them back into the fold of their hustle and bustle lives.
"So, Christopher—"
"—yes, Dear," he joked.
"What will you be doing once September roles around?"
"Ah, only back one day and we're on the whole 'what are you going to do with your future' conversation."
"Well considering the future isn't that far away, I was just wondering what my husband has planned for us," Bianca threw her spoon in the sink and hopped off the island, wrapping her arms around her husband as he continued to cook their breakfast.
"I accepted the offer from Berkley," he flipped the pancake over and turned to kiss his wife. "I'll begin as an adjunct professor and teach two sections of architecture 101."
"And the firm," Bianca asked.
"I've kind of been meaning to talk to you about that," Chris said, a nervous smile on his face.
"There's not enough," she complained, moving trays all over the kitchen table.
"You made enough for a small army," Leo told her. "It's just the six of us; it's not like your sisters are coming."
"It's their first night back, Leo. I haven't seen them in two weeks," Piper responded.
"It's their first night back and you roped them into a family dinner instead of giving them time to relax," her husband pointed out. The doorbell rang and they heard their daughter yell, "I'll get it."
Shuffling her feet all the way, Mel opened the door and hugged her brother before smacking him. "Really? The doorbell," she said. "Like you couldn't just let yourself in, right?"
"Where is everyone," Chris asked.
"Mom's pestering Dad in the kitchen and Wyatt is probably still moping at his apartment. He'll probably orb over soon," Mel sat on the couch opposite of Chris and Bianca.
"Why's he moping," Chris asked.
"I don't know. It's been two weeks though, he's lucky mom and dad haven't noticed."
"And the bars are in good shape," he asked his sister.
"Everything's pretty smooth, but we had to fire Taylor. We have Gina covering from Potions and Aunt Paige has been a great help at the Manor House."
"I want to talk to her about that," Chris said. "See if she'll be willing to stay on as manager, that way we'll have you at Potions and Wyatt at the Haunt. We'll need to hire two or three new bartenders, between firing Taylor and me taking time away from the bar."
"Why are you taking time off," Wyatt asked, his siblings too busy talking to notice that he orbed in a minute ago.
"Chris got the job at the college," Bianca smiled. "He can now add professor to his resume."
"Congratulations," he smiled and automatically reached down to do the official man hug with his brother. "Plus, now we have an on campus club promoter for Potions and the Haunt," he joked.
"I'm sure my bosses will love that," Chris laughed. "Hey, what's been going on with you, by the way? Mel said—"
"—Sh," Wyatt held a finger to his lips and stood; Chris automatically read his brother's stance, knowing Wyatt had sensed someone coming. It was his official fight posture.
"Chris," his mother practically screamed as she came into sight and hugged her second born. "I'm so glad you're home. Dinner's ready, we can go sit and you and Bianca can tell us all about Prague."
Chris turned to his brother before sending him a 'we'll talk about it later' look.
It was a beautiful spring night and after dinner the Halliwell kids migrated to the backyard with their drinks, while Piper and Leo put the left overs away.
Mel threw herself into a chaise, leaning back into the chair and taking a long sip of her vodka tonic. Exactly what she needed after a night of her mother asking her why she hadn't met anyone yet. Chris was holding Bianca and Wyatt was setting up the sound system so they could have some music. "So, now that the gang is back together, wanna tell us why you've moodier than a bitch with PMS," Mel asked Wyatt. Bianca tried to stifle her giggle in Chris's lapel and Chris looked at his brother with a smirk.
"There, was a girl," Wyatt answered, his breath hitching as he tried to get the words out. "A couple of weeks ago, actually. She took off all of a sudden and it doesn't seem to matter what kind of magic I do. I can't find her."
"But you want to," Chris said. "She must be special."
"And nothing you did worked," Bianca was surprised. "But you're the first born of the eldest Charmed one. I've never seen any magic fail on you."
"And I'm guessing," Melinda pointed at her brother, "you don't want the rest of the family to know about her or you wouldn't have sat around with your panties in a bunch for the past two weeks. Who was she?"
"I don't know," Wyatt sat on the end of her lounge chair. "She said her name was Rae; I met her at your wedding," he looked at Chris and Bianca.
"I don't know anyone named Rae," Chris told his brother. "Is she a friend of yours?"
"No," Bianca replied. "What did she look like?"
"Long red hair, bright green eyes. She said she was a friend of yours," Wyatt told his sister-in law. "Called you 'Birdie.'"
"No, I'm sorry. I don't know who she is," Bianca said, "and I've never gone by 'Birdie' in my life."
"Well, whoever she is," Melinda stared at her nails, "she's clearly dangerous. I mean, to avoid being found by Wyatt's magic means she knows what we are; obviously, it was no mistake that she went up to you. You better take more care in selecting who to roll around in your sheets with, brother. I don't like it when my life's put in danger because the people I know aren't smart enough to choose better bedmates," Mel stood and made her way inside.
Bianca kissed Chris on the cheek. "I'll go check on her."
He waited for his wife to go inside before turning to his brother. "I don't know why, but she's lying. "
"What are you talking about?"
"Bianca's mother used to call her 'Birdie' when she was younger. Whoever she is, Bianca knows your mystery girl."