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.

Unfolding the Truth


“The words or their implications won’t change no matter how long you look at those papers, Prue.”

“I know, it’s just I am so confused. Knowing what we know, it’s hard to believe, yet looking into Phoebe’s eyes I can see years of hurt and neglect. It breaks my heart to think that those two little ones endured, God knows what, at the hand of our parents. And then there’s Mom….”

“I know. How many doctor’s did she go to - all telling her the same thing…”

“I’m sorry Ms. Halliwell, but due to the long term abuse, your body is no longer able to carry any more children to term.” Piper repeated the mantra her mother would tell their grandmother, Penny; tears running down both their faces.

“I called Andy, he should be able to track down Victor and that may help us piece together the missing pieces of this ever-changing puzzle. Did you get them to bed?”

“Finally!” Piper dramatically fell into the lounger across from Prue’s seat on the sofa. “First I had to convince them to come down from that musty attic, THEN, I nearly drown trying to give them bathes. The Phoebe sure is a scrappy little thing…”

“Something tells me she’s had to be, ya know.”

“Yeah, and oh, Prue, you should see them… so malnourished, you can see their ribs. I was washing the little one’s hair and handfuls were coming out as I rinsed. And Phoebe, is has a really nasty cough and…”

“We’ll sort them, Pipe. Whatever happens, we will help them as long as we can, or until we can find out who they belong to… I promise.”

“What if they belong to us?” Piper’s words hung in the air, but she could see her big sister’s mind already at work.

Prue had done a complete 180 and in rare, very rare, form, Prudence Halliwell was wearing her heart on her sleeve. Painfully visible, revealing a myriad of emotions; however, intense love was shining the brightest off of her newly donned, maternal armor. She would do whatever it took to ensure those kids were in the best possible care. Secretly she prayed that care would be provided by her and Piper. Sisters or no, she was falling in love with those two precious little scamps; even the mouthy one.

The incessant ringing of the phone prompted Prue to awake and Piper to let out a long groan. Each were disoriented as they blinked back the evidence of their restless sleep.

“Oww, I think my neck is broken.” Prue said from the couch, Piper muttering something from the recliner she was attempting to detangle herself from. “My back feels the same way. Tell me why we slept down here again.”

“Not sure, but that bundle in your lap and this lump next to me may have something to do with it.” Prue spoke groggily, yet with a tender smile on her face.

“Storm, scared, thanks.” Came the equally tired voice of Phoebe; she cuddled closer into Prue, for the warmth and security she had never had the privilege of experiencing up until now. Then, instantly she turned on her brave façade… “I mean for Paigey, she begged me to come and get you guys, she really hates storms, and…”

“Do not, YOU’RE da scawdy cat, not me. Wight, Pippy?” As Piper looked down at the wee one in her arms she saw she was sound asleep.

“Hehehe, kids, she talks in her sleep.” Both sisters had to hide their amusement as Phoebe’s ears turned beet-red as she tried so hard to convince them she wasn’t the one afraid.

“No matter. How bout we have some breakfast and then go shopping. You guys need have clothes that fit you properly. How’s that sound to you?” Prue asked, ruffling the little bed-head sitting next to her.

The excitement could not be contained from her eyes, but her voice remained unreadable. “OK, I guess, but I kinda like raiding your closet. It’s worth the look on your face when you see your favorite sweater being dragged….” Phoebe was interrupted by and “OH YOU!!!” followed by a squeal and two set of feet, one fleeing, one following hot on her heels. Giggles filling the rooms of the manor and the hearts contained within.

“Dere siwwy, ain’t day, Pippy.” Two huge eyes looked up at the one holding her safely in her lap.

“Yep, they are Paigey, how about we join them…” Each instantly engaged in a tickle war; letting more laughter and love into their lives.

The incessant ringing of the phone returned. Would the voice at the other end silence the happiness that was just starting to take root?

“Hello?”

“Andy, hi…. Yeah, sure…. Uh huh, see you soon…. Bye.” Prue slowly hung-up the phone. The tone in Andy’s voice was both thrilling and sad. She could tell that he was happy to be in contact with her again, but there was something that was akin to pain in his pitch as well.

Piper arrived with two spit and polished youngsters eager to go to the shopping center. All three stopped and stared at Prue, who was deep in thought.

“Is everything OK?” Piper softly asked, letting her eyes truly ask the question.

Prue found herself being anxiously looked at by two little ones and a bigger version of the duo.

“Nope, everything is fine. Are we ready to do major damage to the mall.” Prue put on her best face, but her eyes told Piper they’d talk later.

“Weady!” Paige said, excitement rippling off her innocent voice.

“Well then, let’s go and see how fast we can max out my credit card.”

“YAY!!” Paige shouted skipping ahead of everyone else, but Phoebe lagged behind.

“You coming Phoebe?” Prue asked, bending down so they were eye to eye.

“I don’t really need anythin’. And, and well, I don’t got no way a payin’ ya back and…” The little one shuffled her feet and refused to look into the piercing blue eyes.

Tears were in both Prue and Piper’s eyes. How could one so young and yet be so concerned about repayment?” Prue was about to say that Phoebe need not worry about it, that she would pay and take care of everything. But, Piper knew this small child held a lot of pride in her heart and would not like to think of this as possible ‘charity’. So, in her wisdom, she intervened.

“Well Prue, I hadn’t thought about that. How ‘bout we set up a list of chores around the house, maybe even the club, you can do so as to aid in paying us back.”

The huge brown eyes lit up and the excitement that, moments earlier was missing, had now returned.

“That would be great!! Thank YOU! Now, we can get Paige some really nice things, she is really pretty when she gets cleaned up. PAAIGGEEY, GUESS WHAT???” The little adult, burdened too soon, rushed down the stairs to tell her sister the good news…. She got her first job.

“Piper…”

“Don’t say it Prue, I know that she doesn’t need to pay us back and I don’t expect her too, it’s just that…”

“PIPER! I was just gonna say, you’re a genius! I never would have seen the whole pride issue, and would have made a grand mess of things. Now, thanks to your maternal instincts, I don’t have to be scowled at and called Dragon Breath behind my back. You are a life saver!” Prue finished her praise off with a sisterly hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Come on, lets get these ragamuffins sorted, eh?”


They all four were sitting in the food court. Phoebe refused to get anything to each and had hardly let them get her anything to wear. She just kept saying: ‘let Paige my allowance, she needs it more than I do.’

Prue guessed on her size and loaded the sales clerk down with stuff for Phoebe as well. Her heart broke to think one so young could think so selflessly. What must she have endured to have become so protective?
That evening Andy would sadly answer that question and many more.


On the way back home, Prue and Piper were able to talk a bit more freely as the two little ones were sacked out in the backseat.

“Andy is coming over about 9:30 tonight. He says he was able to get some good info. from some of his boys at the L.A.P.D. office.” Prue commented, but her face seemed pinched and tense.

“You don’t look too happy about seeing him. Is it him or the news you are anxious about?” Piper knew is was a bit of both, but to come out and say it directly would only frustrate an already frustrated Prue.

“The news. I don’t know, Pipe, but something in his voice told me that what he found out is not going to be anything to proudly hang on the family tree.

“Let’s just take this one step at a time, Prue. Whatever it is, we face it together, OK?”

Prue, smiled, a genuine smile, relaxing her furrowed brow. She grabbed Piper’s hand and looked over:

“OK!”

As they pulled up into the driveway, Piper told Prue she’d take Double if Prue could grab Trouble.

“Already got her.” Prue said, carrying Paige up the steps of the manor.

Once the chore of getting the youngest to choose which nightgown she wanted to wear, they had each girl ready for bed. The little girls finally agreed to sleep in the guest bedroom, only if they could sleep together. No one objected and so there they all were Paige in her cute little nightie with ‘flutterbyes’ on it, and Phoebe in a simple, short and tee-shirt set, which, in her words she just ‘loved’!

“Come on you two, you’ve had a big day. Let’s get you tucked in.” Piper said, as she pulled back the bedding. Both little girls dropped to their knees and folded their hands. Prue and Piper smiled as they listened to them say their prayers.


“God bless, Pippy and Prue…” So the children carried on blessing nearly all of San Francisco and thanking God for almost every piece of clothing before the amen was finally heard. Each child was asleep before their heads hit the pillows.

Going to the door, Prue shut off the light. Piper paused and watched as Paige instinctively moved closer to Phoebe and Phoebe automatically wrapped her arm, protectively around her kid sister.

“Good-night, my angels; sweet dreams.” Piper said, just before closing the door part way and leaving the hall light on.

The two Halliwell women had just finished a round of tea when they heard a knock on the front door. Prue was up and checking herself in the mirror, trying to ignore Piper’s teasing. Once she was satisfied she looked ‘presentable’, Prue pulled open the old oak door.

“I was just about to leave. What took you so long? Wow, Prue, you look great.” Andy gave her his beautiful, dimpled smile that always made her weak in the knees.

“Sorry. Please, come in.” Prue motioned for Andy to enter the foyer. Pleased she took the few extra moments to ’freshen’ up.

Once all three were seated in the sitting room, Andy began to tell them what he had found out.

“It seems that they are actually telling the truth, though DNA will confirm this for sure. As the oldest said, your mother died about six months ago, we are still trying to locate where she is buried. As far as we can tell, Phoebe hasn’t had any formal schooling and neither have been to see a doctor since their births. I had forensic check the authenticity of the birth certificates and a handwriting specialist look at the note Phoebe gave you to know documents with your Mom’s writing on them - both the certificates are real as the consultant confirms the penmanship comes from the same source.” Andy took a minute to pause before relaying the rest of the news. He wanted to make sure this was sinking in; it was a lot to absorb in one shot.

“Are you two, OK?” He asked, he hand gently brushing a stray strand away from Prue’s face. He felt the tears on her cheek and just pulled her to himself. Using the other arm he cradled it around Piper’s shoulder and let them each draw on his strength to accept what was about to come next.

“What, what, what about Da… Victor?” Piper asked, each sister pulled away and stared into the blue eyes of their life-long friend.

“I’m so sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but your father is…”

“… servin’ 15 years to life in San Quentin.” Andy’s sentence was finished by a little barefooted six-year-old girl - Phoebe.