Disclaimer: I lay no claim to any of the Charmed characters, quotes, or overt references that may appear in my stories. They are the sole property of Spelling Television. I write for my own satisfaction and for the enjoyment of those who choose to read them. Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast

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Daddy don't you walk so fast
Daddy don't you walk so fast
Daddy slow down some, 'cause you're makin' me run
Daddy don't you walk so fast."
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She tried to block out the yelling, barely muffled by the bedroom door. Tears streamed down her face as she lay under her bed, hoping to hide from the reality of her weekends. The ground beneath her five year old feet trembled as her father’s voice tried to out shout her mother’s. The pounding in her chest did nothing to drown out the harshness of their words.

Placing her tiny hands over her ears she tried to ignore the idle threats that were never carried out, but somehow they frightened her. Were they really idle threats or just postponed promises?

Daddy wouldn’t leave us… would he?

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Victor ran his hands through the thickness of his hair. The woman before him was a stranger. No longer did the fun loving Patty Halliwell share his bed. Gone was the woman who would dance in the rain or sing on the trolley.

Where is the woman I fell in love with? I know she’s in there somewhere… Let me in. Is that fear I see in your eyes or is it indifference? I can’t take it anymore. I’ve tried to make this work but you keep pushing me away. I could understand… you could make me understand, just open up and let me in. It’s gone too far. I have waited long enough. Tainted love is all I feel. I will not share my wife with the likes of demons and warlocks.

Vic looked into the pooling eyes of his wife and briefly melted. The smoothness of her skin was almost his undoing as she brushed away the tear running down his cheek.

I wouldn’t leave you… would I?

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Patty ran her palm lengthwise down his scruffy jaw line, cupping his chin, she let her hand rest a moment longer than was necessary. The man before her was a stranger. No longer did the levelheaded, conservative Victor Bennett share her bed. Gone was the stodgy man that blanched when she danced in the rain or sang on the trolley.

Where is the man I fell in love with? I know he’s in there somewhere. Let me in… Is that fear I see in your eyes or indifference? I can’t take it anymore. I tried to make this work but he keeps pushing me away. I could understand...you could make me understand, just open up. Please let me in. It’s gone too far. I’ve waited long enough. Tainted love is all I feel. I will not share my husband with the likes of a stuffy old briefcase and an eighty hour work week.

Patty looked into the pooling eyes of her husband and briefly melted. The roughness of his skin under her hand was nearly her undoing.

He wouldn’t leave me… would he?

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The house was quiet, quieter than it had ever been. Slowly Prue shimmied out from under the safety of her bed. Holding onto her tiny bear for reassurance, she made her way into the hall.
Sounds of drawers opening and closing were echoing off the walls. Cautiously she pressed her little hand against the polished wooden door. The suitcase was almost filled, and the huge oak wardrobe--completely empty. As if sensing his daughter’s presence, Victor gingerly turned around. He painted on a smile and opened his arms. She flew into them, wanting to never let go. He pulled her tight letting the child’s brave droplets soak his shirt, burning his skin with guilt. Her daddy held her for a long time, silent conversation flowing between the two hearts.

Glancing at the clock, he carefully put her down, snapped the valise, and headed for the front door. His train would leave soon and he had every intention to be on it.

Prue lagged behind, comprehensive confusion holding her back. She bit her lip, the metallic taste of blood on her tongue numbed the pain ricocheting through her small world. She watched from the top of the stairs as her Daddy kissed her baby sister and then her mommy. The gasp coming from the hero she worshiped was what broke the clutch around her courage. Prue moved, taking the steps with trepidation, she inched her way to the foyer.

Her Daddy picked up his suitcase, walked to the door. She envisioned him pausing, turning around and running back to his family, making everything alright once again. But the distancing shadow, told her that nothing would ever be the same again.

She felt her mommy shudder as an indistinguishable sound came from her mouth. The anguished tones causing her three year old sister to start crying. She hated to see her mommy cry, she hated to see her daddy leave, and she hated the awful feeling growing deep in the pit of her stomach. No thought was needed. She burst through the still open door, running as fast as her little legs would take her.

Victor walked down the street, a defeated man. He knew he was doing the right thing. Saving his children from a life like the one he had as a boy. Fighting, yelling, no child should have to live in that kind of home.

He knew he was doing the right thing… didn’t he?

Then he heard it, the sound of tiny feet smacking against the coolness of the cement. The wind carrying the smell of fruity bubble bath. He breathed in deeply, knowing that Prue had followed him. What he didn’t expect was to what extent her words would affect him.

“Daddy… Daddy… don’t walk so fast.”


At first he doubled his gait, knowing his little princess would never be able to catch up, but the faster he stepped the harder she ran. Her sorrowful shout halting him mid stride.

“Daddy… Daddy… Slow down some, ‘cause you’re makin’ me run.

Out of breath she rushed him. He scooped her up in his arms and once again the scrutiny of her beautiful blue eyes, pulled at his heartstrings. How was he going to explain to ‘his girl’ that he was not coming back?

I’m doing the right thing… aren’t I?


Once again they spoke in silence. The dialogue--bittersweet. She held him with her eyes, never letting her gaze drift. Penetrating him with her anguish, the fire of her stare melting his heart. Victor attempted resolve, planting his determined daughter back on the ground he headed back down the street.

I am doing the right thing!

Damn the sweetness, the sound her anxious padding made. He tried to ignore it but the love echoing with each step was too much for him to take. He fell to his knees when he heard her cry…

Daddy… Daddy… don't you walk so fast
Slow down some, 'cause you're makin' me run!

He felt her panting on his neck and her gentle hand on his shoulder.

Aren’t I?


He felt the tender kiss upon his forehead and knew what he had to do. Picking her up, giving her a teary grin and placing a kiss on her rosy cheek, Victor Bennett turned and headed for home. He would do everything in his power to start over again, for the mother of his children, for the family of his heart, for the little girl that cried ‘Daddy don’t you walk so fast.’

Never again could he bear to hear those words.

I’m doing the right thing… YES!


He reached the steps of the Manor and felt her gaze upon him, streaks of worry running freely down her face. Was that love he saw in her eyes or relief?

The gasp of laughter combined with sobs told him it was love. Victor took the steps two at a time, his oldest daughter giggling and shouting…

Daddy don’t you walk so fast…

Yes he could never leave them!

Yes he could never leave me!

Yes he could never leave us!

Family… Love… Hope to start again… Phoebe soon to be a gleam in her Daddy’s eye.



~ The End ~