Disclaimer: The Charmed Characters are the property of Aaron Spelling and Constance Burge. I just borrow them for your enjoyment and my writing addiction.



Piper walked down the hall two days after Christmas. She was heading straight for the new toy Santa had brought her. An oven set. Though Grams let her use the real oven in the kitchen, which she would rather do, this was for the times when Grams wasn’t around and she wanted to make something.

As Piper started into the room she shared with her younger sister Phoebe she couldn’t help but hear a soft muffled crying coming from the other side of Phoebes bed. Now to Piper her younger sister was always beyond happy this time of year. She had just turned five a month ago, but the excitement of the season kept her excited for months before and after Christmas.

Walking over to where the sound was coming from she was surprised to see her sister with her back against the bed and her knees pulled up tight to her chest.

“Phoebe?” Piper kneeled down beside her sister. The first thing she thought of was that Prue had had a go at her for something. And now Phoebe was up her crying because of it. Sitting on her own keens she placed a hand on her sister shoulder, “Phoebs. What’s wrong?” But before she had even finished the question her sister practically threw herself in to her arms her crying becoming uncontrollable.

“Santa….nnne….letter….” Phoebe cried out.

Pier ran her hand over her sisters back trying to calm her down. “Sweetie I can’t understand you when you are crying so hard.”

Phoebe wrapped her arms around Pipers neck and moved herself onto her sister lap, but the tears still came as she hid her face into Piper.

“Ssshhh Phoebes it ok.” Piper knew at least it wasn’t something that had happened with Prue so she thought of another way to calm her sister down, “Do you want me to get Prue?”

All she got was a shake of the head.

“Phoebe, please tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.” Piper even at eight going on nine she wasn’t sure how much she would be able to do to help her sister.

After what seemed to Piper like forever the cries settled a little bit and Phoebe just rested her head on her chest, “Santa nev..” *sniff* “..er got my” *sniff * “wetter.”

Piper looked down at her distraught sister, “Sure he did Phoebs. Remember he wrote us each one back? Even Prue.”
“No he didn’t get mine.” Her tears were starting to well up again.
“Phoebe why do you think he never got your letter? He wouldn’t have written us back if he hadn’t.” Piper wasn’t sure what her kid sister was thinking she was sure Santa got all their letters. But she wanted to get her sister to stop crying.
“He never” *sniff * “left me” *sniff * “Anything off my list.” Her tears were starting to flow at a faster rate again.
“What?” Piper couldn’t believe that Santa would do this to anyone let alone her own sister.
“I sent my letter.” *sniff * “he never brought” *sniff * “anything.”

Piper couldn’t believe this was true. How could Santa not bring her little sister anything off her list? Sure she hadn’t been the goodest all year but he had brought her something. Why not off her list? He always brought kids stuff off their list. She knew this would be something more for Prue to handle but for right now she would just stay with her sister.

“Phoebs I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose. Maybe something happened and he couldn’t.”
“I was extra good too.” She sniffed away as she snuggled against her sister.
“I know you were sweetie.” Piper agreed, knowing her sister had only really been good since just before her birthday a month ago.

Piper looked down at her sister and watched as she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Phoebe was five but was the size of a three and a half yr old but Piper didn’t want to take the chance to lift her up to her bed and wake her up. So she eased Phoebe off her lap, taking the quilt off the bed she placed it over her sleeping sister. “I’ll talk to Prue sweetie. She’ll know what to do.” She spoke quietly to not wake Phoebe as she placed a kiss on the top of her head.

Piper quickly hurried down the hall to what used to be her mothers room, and was now Prue’s. She didn’t even stop to knock.

“Prue!”
“Hello Piper. Privacy.”
“I’m sorry but this is important. Its Phoebe.”

Prue quickly got up and started for the door, “What happened?”
“No she’s ok.” Piper grabbed Prue’s arms as she started past her. “Well physically anyway.”

Prue looked at her younger sister. She was always so caring and innocent and some how Phoebe always managed to con her into something. “What did she do now?” Prue went beck to her bed and picked up her book. Not really overly concerned on what her baby sister had gotten herself into.
“Santa.”
“Santa?”
“Yeah I went in to our room and I heard her crying. I went and sat beside her and she threw herself in my arms crying these big huge tears because Santa didn’t get her letter.”
“Well of course he did. He wrote back.” Prue sighed. She had discovered last Christmas that Grams was the real Santa Claus.
“I know but apparently he didn’t bring her anything on her list she sent him.”
“WHAT!!!?” Prue got up and started for the door.
“Prue she’s sleeping right now.” Piper knew where Prue was headed, and stopped her before she got any further. “She cried herself to sleep in my arms.”
“You should have come and got me.” Prue said as she sat back down.
“I asked her if she wanted you but she just shock her head. Let her sleep now.” Piper suggested, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. But I’ll think of something.” Prue leaned back against the headboard of her bed. ‘First I have to yell at Grams’ she thought to herself. “Just leave her be for now. “You want to colour or something in here?”
“No I’ll go to our room. I want to be there when she wakes up.”
“Ok. Maybe we can take her to the park or something after lunch.”
“Maybe.” Piper got off Prue’s bed and placed a kiss on her cheek. “It’ll be alright wont it Prue?”
Prue reached up and kissed her sister back and pulled her into a hug, “I’ll make it alright Pipe.”

Piper was about to leave, “Piper. What was on her list anyway?”
“Care Bears.”
“That’s it?”
“All she wanted. I believe her letter stated ‘Anything that is Care Bear’.”
“Wow and he forgot something that easy?”
“Apparently.” Piper answered a she went to her room to wait for Phoebe to wake up.

Later that afternoon as Piper and Phoebe played outside Prue made her way to the living room in search of her grandmother. Not finding her there she went up the stairs to her Grams room. Knocking on the door she barely waited for the answer before she pushed the door open, slamming it against the wall.

“Prudence!”
“Don’t you dare Prudence me. How could you? You realize you crushed Phoebes heart.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Phoebe that sweet little girl outside who drive me insane but I love to pieces anyway.”
“I know how you are talking about Prue but how did I crush her heart?”
“She was in tears this morning with Piper and again with me early this afternoon because she thinks Santa either didn’t get her letter or doesn’t care about her.”
“That is ridiculous. You all got plenty from Santa.”
“Oh in know we did Grams but she got nothing, NOTHING that was on her list.”

Penny felt something inside her break as she sit down on to her bed. “Oh my god.”
“Exactly. She is devastated Grams and I don’t know how to fix this.”
“It isn’t for you to fix Prudence it for me to fix.”
“Did you even read her letter?” Prue accused.

Penny turned to her granddaughter but she couldn’t lie to her.

Prue saw the look on her Grams face, “You are unbelievable. She sat at that table with Piper and myself writing her own letter. She wouldn’t let me write it for her.”
“I’ll fix it Prudence.”
“How!?”

Penny thought a moment. She knew this was something that would need fixed to some extent, but she also knew that Phoebe had to understand about Christmas and it wasn’t all about getting what she wanted.

“I don’t know how yet sweetie. But I will. By this time tomorrow she WILL have something from her list.” Grams explained, “Prue. I am sorry.”
“I know Grams. I just hate it when they get hurt like that.”
“I know you do darling. But tomorrow we’ll fix it.”
“Ok. But I’m still mad at you.” She said as she got up and walked out of her Grams room

Penny was about to say something but held her tongue that one time. She knew she had done the wrong and deserved the tongue-lashing Prue had given her. But at least it helped her see that when they discovered their heritage they would protect each other.

That evening when all three children had gone to bed she made her way up to the attic. Locking the door to be safe she placed the candles out and lit them one by one.

“Patty dear.” Penny called out for her daughter,

The sparkle of white and golden lights appeared forming into the mother of the future Charmed Ones, “Mother. How could you?”
“I’m sorry honey. You know how busy I have been. I forgot.”
“She was so lost mother. Piper was trying everything to calm her down, and then again with Prue later. She thinks she was bad and that Santa doesn’t love her like the other kids.”
“Oh don’t be silly dear. Of course I do, he does. Oh you know what I mean.”
“Mother!”

Penny waved her hand at her daughter, “Ok Patty. I’ll fix it. Any ideas?”
“Get her something off her list would be a start.” Penny looked out the window and back to her daughter, “I wish you were here to help me.”
“So do I mother. I miss them most this time of year.” Penny watched as her mother sat down and they had their traditional chat as they did once a week.

The next morning Piper ran down the hall to Prue’s rooms. “Prue!”
“Piper what have I told you about knocking at my door?”
“I’m sorry but I was wondering what you were going to do about Phoebe’s little problem?”
“I haven’t figured it out yet. I talked to Grams yesterday. She didn’t understand why. I am going over to Andy’s today when you and Phoebe are at Sarah’s Birthday party. Maybe Mrs. Trudeau will have an idea.”
“I hope so. She cried all night. I finally crawled in with her to get her to sleep.”

Prue slid off her bed; “I’ll figure it out Piper. I promise.”

“You should have seen her Andy. It took me forever to get her to stop crying.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I was hoping maybe your mum could take me into town. I’ve cleaned out my piggy bank.”
“No problem. Come on.” Andy took his friends hand and ran down the hall pulling her after him “MUM!”
“Andy stop yelling in the house.”
“Mum you have to take Prue into town please.” Andy turned to Prue, “tell her.”

Prue told Mrs. Trudeau what had happened. And before she could even ask for a ride to town Mrs. Trudeau already had her jacket on, “Come on you two.”

“Which one do I get?”
“Don’t ask me.” Andy looked at the wall before him.
“Prue?” Mrs. Trudeau called after the child she had none since birth. “What about this?”

Prue looked at what Mrs. Trudeau had in her hand, “Oh she’d love it. But I don’t know how much it is to what I have.”

Andy reached in his pocket, “you are the only one that can empty a piggy bank you know.”

Prue looked at Andy’s hand and smiled, “Andy I couldn’t.”
“Sure you can. All you have to do is go with me to a movie tonight.”
“Andy!” his mother scolded him
“Andy I’d go anyway. But I can’t take your money. She’s my sister.”
“Fine call it a loan.” He took her hand and placed the money in her palm.

She watched as her son gave Prue his allowance money. She had never thought of a time she was more proud of her son then that moment.

Mrs. Trudeau stopped outside Prue’ house, “You need some help Prue?”
“No I got it thank you Mrs. Trudeau.” Prue took hold of her large package and headed inside. She knew her sisters where still out but she also knew they would be home soon.
“Prue hang on I’ll help you wrap it up.” Andy jumped out of the car.
“Home for dinner Andy.” His mother called back to him but she knew that Penny would probably ask him to stay. She always did.
“Ok mum.” He ran after Prue and helped her with the bag.

Phoebe snuggled next to Prue as the four kids watched a movie.

“You have fun at the party Phoebes?”
“I guess.”

Prue looked over at Piper who just shrugged her shoulders. Though Prue knew what was still bothering her youngest sister.

She ran her fingers through the brown locks easing her sister to sleep. She knew Phoebe had a busy day and was just staying up because they were. It wasn’t long before Prue looked down, as her sister was fast to sleep.

“I got her Prue.” Andy got up from the couch and scooped her up in his arms. Prue followed him up and got her sister tucked into bed.

“Hmmm Prue.”
“Its ok sweetie go back to sleep.”
“Why didn’t Santa read my letter?”

Prue pulled herself up on her sisters’ bed, “I don’t know sweetie. I bet he has a reason that he forgot stuff on your list.”
“Cause I was bad?”
“No sweetie. Maybe he forgot to put it in his sleigh. Or maybe he forgot to leave it behind I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Maybe.”

Prue pulled her sister close to her as she once again ran her fingers through her hair and along her back, “You know though Phoebe Christmas isn’t about the getting of gifts. It’s really about the giving. There are some children in the world that for some reasons Santa cant get to. But they have their family with them and to them that is the best gift ever.”
“Like I have you and Piper.
“And Grams.”
“But not Mum.”
“She’s here Phoebs. She is always with you.”

Prue sat a bit longer as her sister drifted off to sleep. Prue bent down and place d kiss on the top of her sister head. “Love you.” She whispered quietly. It was the only time she could say the words to either one of her sisters. When they were asleep and couldn’t hear her.

Late that night when everyone was sleeping Prue carefully slid her parcel from under her bed. Quietly making her way down stairs she slid it under the Christmas tree. She then took out the note that Mrs. Trudeau had written for her and placed it on Phoebes bedside table.

The next morning Prue heard the sounds of small feet running through the Manor and she heard them getting louder. Suddenly her door was pushed open and the small figure ran up to her bed, “PRUE!”
“Morning Phoebe.”
“I gots a letter.” She said proudly as she waved the envelope in her sisters’ face, “Can you read it to me?”
“Sure babes. Come here.” Prue lifted her sister up to her bed and waited for Phoebe to open the envelope. “Ok what have we here?” Prue looked down at the neat printing inside. “Dear Phoebe, I feel terrible. When I arrived back to the North Pole one of my elves discovered an undelivered gift in one of my bags. He spotted right away that is was for you. I know you were such a good girl this year and tried really hard to make your Grams and Sisters proud of you. So last night I hooked up part of my team once again and made a special trip just for you. Now like you do every Christmas morning. Go and run down the stairs and see what is under the tree. Luv Santa.”

Phoebes eyes grew wide as she looked up at Prue. Seeing something in her sisters eyes she quickly got of the bed and started down towards the door.

“PS.” Prue continued, stopping Phoebe long enough to look back at her, “Give Prue a hug and a kiss and a big thank you for reading this for you as I know you can not fully read yet.”

Phoeb ran back to her sister and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek and a big hug around her neck, “Thank you Prue.” And then she was gone.

Grams was sitting at the kitchen table when she heard the joyful scream of her youngest charge.
“Phoebe quiet.”
“Santa came back!” her voice carried up to the upper level and all through the Manor.

Grams was about to say something when she saw the large parcel under the tree, and Phoebe making a beeline straight for it.

Piper made her way down the stairs after waking up to the sound of Phoebe yelling about Santa coming back.”

“Prue?”
“I don’t know he left a letter.” Prue handed Piper the letter and went in search of her baby sister.

Phoebe pulled out the package from under the tree with care and started to tear into the paper. Much the same as she had a few days ago.

Prue sat on the couch and smiled on the outside and inside when she saw Phoebes face light up in shock and surprise.

“Whatcha got there Phoebe?” Prue asked as Piper leaned forward to also see what was hidden within the wrapping paper.

Phoebe turned at Prue and saw Grams standing behind her, “Care Bears.”
“Care Bears?” Grams came around from the couch and sat in the chair beside Phoebe. “Oh my. It’s for your bed darling. Two sheets, a pillow case, a pillow sham and a quilt.” Grams told Phoebe what was in the large sealed clear plastic packaging.
“Wow Phoebe. Santa brought you all that?” Piper asked as she saw the familiar smile on her sisters’ face.
“Yeah and this too.” She held up the stuffed bear. “Its Love-A-Lot.”

Prue got up and picked up the fallen tag. “Phoebe. The bear is something that the elves sent along for you. They said it was to remind you that you too are loved a lot.”

Phoebe looked at the bear and squeezed him tight her big smile still plastered on her face.

Penny looked over at Prue and smiled. Prue caught her Grams looking at her and just smiled back not saying a word

That night as Phoebe crawled in to bed her new sheets on her bed and her bear in arm. “Prue?”
“Yes sweetie.”
“He did read my letter didn’t he?”
Prue smiled at the innocents of her sister, “Yes baby he did.”

Grams watched as Prue settled both her sisters into bed giving them both a kiss of love, before turning out the light and pulling the door closed.

“I am so proud of you Prue.”

Prue looked up and saw her Grams standing outside her room.

“Thank you.”
“So Mrs. Trudeau?”
“Yeah she took Andy and I shopping yesterday. She added the bear. Andy and I got the bed set with our allowance money.”
“I see.” Grams bent down and pulled her oldest granddaughter into a warm hug, “your mother would be soooo proud of you right now too.”
“I just wanted her to be happy again.” Prue said as she hugged her grandmother back.

Phoebe rolled over in her sleep the bear still firmly in her grasp. But the smile on her face was one all children had when Santa had left them a part of their list.