Paige tossed and turned, leaving her previously comfortable position clutching her fiancé to completely turn away from him. The apartment was quiet except for the oldies softly emanating from her iPod dock that she required in order to fall asleep, and tomorrow was their engagement brunch that Phoebe was hosting in her official capacity as matron of honor.
It had only been two weeks since Paige had agreed to marry Henry and wedding plans were coming together quickly. A time honored tradition, Paige was going to be married in the manor just like Prue, Piper, and Phoebe before her. Piper had already come up with a menu that was to die for, as well as an amazingly quirky cake that screamed Paige. Prue was handling all the details such as the flowers, decorations, and invitations, and all that was left for Paige to do was walk down the aisle.
In the two weeks since their initial blow out, Paige and Henry had taken the time to focus on each other and trying to prepare themselves for the life they were trying to create for them. Decisions they hadn't ever thought about had been made, such as their recent application to become foster parents. Their mutual background as children who were given up for adoption had led them to this decision, and both were hoping that fate would have its way and send them a child that could exist peacefully in their hectic world.
Both knew that it was a risk to bring a child into the magical world. It was their hope that along their way that destiny would step in and bring them magical kids like Paige that needed help, just as fate had introduced her to a young fire starter named Tyler. Still, the decision to become foster parents wasn't the only one they had made. Henry had taken on the role of making sure that their affairs were in order by creating wills which determined what would happen in the case of their untimely deaths; which sister would obtain what belonging, such as the house Henry and Paige had recently put an offer on.
So while Paige was determined to go forward with her life and her love, the weight of these decisions and the stress were taking a toll on her, even while she slept. That night, she dreamt of every single thing that could go wrong, yet surprisingly enough managed to sleep through accidentally back handing Henry in the nose.
"Oh, my God," Phoebe said welcoming Paige and Henry into her house. "What happened to you?"
"Uh, you know, I'm a klutz," Henry said shyly. "I spilled my beer and Paige only gave me what I deserved," he said to the shocked response of everyone who was already there.
Paige slapped his arm. "Knock it off," she told him. Turning to her sister and Aunt Julie who had overheard her fiancé, Paige explained, "I was having a nightmare and I accidentally smacked him."
"She's lying," Henry joked. "It's spousal abuse!"
"I'll show you abuse," she told him. "Hi, Aunt Julie," she said moving him out of her way as she went to greet her aunt. "I'm so glad that you and Uncle Dave could make it. Where is he?"
"Oh, he went to go watch what he could of the game with Leo, Cole and Andy. He doesn't get to interact with such young people usually, and it makes him feel more youthful."
"Well, I'm glad that we could do that for him," she said smartly.
Paige and the rest of the women caught up as Henry snuck off to watch television with the guys. The meal was breathtakingly satisfying and everyone spoke about whose kids were doing what. Later that afternoon when two year old Wyatt, eighteen month old Melinda, and one year olds Chris and Pearl were put down for their nap, Piper plied everyone with champagne and desert. Toasts were made, jokes laughed at, and some tears shed.
"Paige," Phoebe started, "I wasn't always 'Sadie Sadie Married Lady' the way I may seem now. Once upon a time I caused my fair share of trouble," she said getting cut off by Andy.
"And enough for Piper's and Prue's shares to be completed."
"Yeah, yeah," she said waving a hand and shaking it off. "When we first found out about you I was delighted to not be the youngest anymore, and even more so to know I had a partner in crime. That's what sisters are for after all," Phoebe said with a gleam in her eye. "Meeting Henry, it makes perfect sense why it is that destiny brought you together. He'll make a better partner in crime then I ever did, too."
After Phoebe sat down, Prue stood and moved to a buffet table, opening a drawer. When she faced everybody again she was holding a small wooden box that appeared to have a beautiful rose design carved in.
"Paige, we were never given the chance to grow up with you, we have been given the chance to share our lives with you now. Mom wore these earrings and the necklace on her wedding day, and so have each of us. We would be more than honored if you would wear them when you marry Henry."
Paige opened the box to reveal a beautiful set of pearl and diamond studs, as well as a matching choker. "Thank you," she said before hugging each and every one of her sisters. "Aunt Julie, Uncle Dave; I know that you came out here because you were invited to an engagement brunch, but the truth is Henry and I are getting married today."
Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave turned to one another in shock before standing to hug her. "Oh, my god," Aunt Julie cried. "Is this one of those secret ceremonies like celebrities plan? You know, like Julia Roberts!"
"Just like that," Phoebe said squeezing her little sister in a hug.
"There's just one little thing I have to tell you first," Paige said.
"What's that, sweet pea," Uncle Dave said. "It's not because you're expecting, right?"
"God, no. I'm a witch," she said straight faced and waited for their shock. Instead she was met by hysterical laughing.
Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave weren't laughing for long. When they realized that Paige was serious they wondered about the influence her newly found sisters were having on her. Sure, the girls and their husbands had seemed nice and all seemed to have stable jobs, but witches? There was just no way.
"I thought, when we came by and we met you're biological family," Uncle Dave began, "that you had really found the real deal, and even though we were sad that you're parents weren't here we were happy you had found family. But Paige, are you even sure that you're related to these people?"
"Uncle Dave—"
"No, Paige. He's right. I mean, have you even had a DNA test to see if it's true? There were no birth certificates or a release of parental rights that leads back to these people. And now you think you're a witch," Aunt Julie laughed.
Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave began bickering and were paying no attention to Paige's attempts to say something, so Paige did the one thing she knew would get their attention and orbed in place.
"Oh, my god. You're a—"
"Witch," Paige said.
"Why are you telling us now," Dave asked. "You've obviously known for quite some time."
"I don't want to have to live in two different worlds," she told them. "It's too time consuming and sooner or later something gets sacrificed. I don't want it to be you. I want to be able to bring my kids to your house for lunch without worrying about you finding out about their powers."
"But why tell us now; why today?"
"Because I'm not exactly getting married by a minister," Paige answered.
Just then Prue, Piper and Phoebe walked into Phoebe's living room where Paige and her relatives were trying to reach some kind of understanding. "We just wanted to let you know that the decorations have been finished for your wedding and we're ready whenever you are. We're going to get ready next door at the manor, and our husbands will escort you over when the wedding is about to begin."
"Don't be alarmed by the ceremony," Piper told Paige and her aunt and uncle. "We've arranged some surprises."
Paige looked from her aunt and uncle to her sisters. "I'm ready," she said and Phoebe took her next door to change.
Prue stepped forward to Julie and Dave. "I know that this all sounds crazy. The entire idea of magic being real can be a lot to handle, but there are some truly wonderful things that we get to do because of it," she told them.
"Like what," Dave asked.
"Would you like to see?" Prue walked them into the conservatory that had a beautiful altar arranged, as well as the same four round tables from brunch. Their linens and china had been changed, but the biggest mystery in the room was a circle of candles that Prue and Piper lit.
"Hear these words; hear my cry, spirit from the other side. Come to me, I summon thee. Cross now the great divide," they said and Penny and Patricia Halliwell appeared in their ghostly forms.
Stepping out, Patty hugged her daughters and turned to their guests. "Hello, I'm Paige's biological mother," she said introducing herself. "Oh, and this is my mother, Penny," she said after Grams guffawed her.
"Nice to meet you," Penny said. "Um, girls, are you going to be wearing that for the ceremony?"
"No, Grams," Piper said. "We did, however, want to greet all the guests before we begin the ritual. Prue, are you ready?"
Prue and Piper joined hands and repeated the spell again to reveal Paige's parents. They took form and crossed the barrier as Piper instructed.
"Are you for real," Dave asked. "You're really here?"
"Only for today," Mr. Matthews explained. "I don't know how she did it, but Prue arranged everything."
"Um, we're going to go help Phoebe and Paige get ready," Prue said. "Why don't you all relax and talk. We'll let you know when we need you, Mr. Matthews."
Paige was upstairs in Prue's room, her hair and makeup already done and her mother's earrings and necklace in place. Paige hadn't had time to find a dress but her sisters had assured her that they had the perfect dress. As much as she was pleased to honor Patty, Paige felt a little sad as she thought she would be wearing the same dress that her sister and mother had worn. She had always imagined this fantastic, old fashioned lace and vintage dress that belonged to a different era. Still, she would wear the dress and be grateful that her sisters wanted her too.
Phoebe, Piper and Prue walked in, each wearing a vintage style dress. Prue was dressed in a magnificent blue dress with a plunging v-neck and off the shoulder straps that overlapped right under her bust and bloomed into a full skirt that came mid-calf with her hair pulled back into a sophisticated chignon.
Phoebe was wearing a deep, dusty rose silk chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline and a pleated mesh detail trimming it. Her skirt was similar in shape and length to Prue's, while Piper wore a vintage cocktail dress in lilac and coal gray with a pair of dark purple suede pumps with a peek-a-boo toe.
"Are you ready for your dress," Piper asked and Paige just nodded. Prue walked over to the bed where her camera equipment was. She started taken candid snapshots of her youngest sister's big day.
Phoebe went to the bed, and leaning down, pulled a big white box and placed it on the bed. Opening it, Phoebe pulled out the dress to show a surprised Paige.
"That's my mother's dress," Paige said and held a hand over her mouth. Tears threatened to ruin her makeup.
"Your Aunt Julie had it. I went by her place last week to get it," Phoebe said.
"And you kept it a secret," Paige joked through her tears.
"Anything for you," Pheebs said. "You like it, right?"
"It's perfect. It was originally my Nana's dress and she gave it to my mom to get married in. Thank you," Paige said.
Minutes later, after Prue and Piper had left her with Phoebe, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Paige yelled. She was applying more blush to her cheeks and stopped when she saw him in the vanity. "Dad?"
"Hey kiddo, have any plans for today?"
Downstairs, Patty and Mrs. Matthews were sitting at the table designated for the parents of the bride. Penny was off making small changes to what she saw as flaws in the altar and Julie and Dave were sitting off to themselves as they took in everything that had happened so far that day.
"I'm glad to finally meet you," Patty said. "I've always been grateful to you for making Paige your daughter."
Mrs. Matthews blinked away a glistening tear. "I've always tried not to think of the pain a woman goes through when giving up a child, because I didn't want to taint the happiness I felt at the gift I was given. Thoughts would pop up from time to time; questions about why Paige had to be given up. I'm sadder for you now, knowing that you already knew what it felt like to be a mother and you had no choice but to turn her care over. But I like to think that the happiness I had with her is a little piece of your happiness."
Patty reached her hand out to cover the other woman's. "I've always watched over her; over you. You're a big part of my happiness," she said and the two mothers shared a moment of peace and understanding.
Henry stood at the altar with Andy as his best man, and Leo and Cole as his groomsman. He heard the violin music start; saw the girls sashay in, and finally saw his bride being walked down the aisle. Nothing had ever felt so right in his life as it did the moment he saw her in that dress.
