Disclaimer: No characters seen on the show Charmed are mine. They belong to Spelling Television.
[Author’s note, the song is sung by Lee Ann Womack featuring Sons of the Desert and is called I Hope You Dance. Don’t own anything except for the characters I make up J]
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (Rolling us along)
I hope you dance (Tell me who)
I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
The song on the radio soothed the wind as it gently slipped through the open window rustling papers that sat on a rustic iron-frame bed. Next to the papers, Phoebe stared a hole through her psychology book as her mind wandered to more provoking things. Her bed felt like a rock beneath her as her body shifted looking for a more comfortable position. She was restless. Cole had been gone for months and he was beginning to fade from her mind as many boyfriends had in the past. She thought her love for Cole was different. She had even risked the trust of her sisters to keep him alive. But as the months passed and his face became a shadow in her memories she had moved on. She knew that if he really cared about her he would have shimmered or sent word somehow that he was alive and well. And if he weren’t, then she needed to move on anyway.
He would soon be forgotten to Phoebe, but in Phoebe’s heart and soul the dance would never be forgotten. The dance they shared that one intimate night together as they gently glided hand in hand across the floor of his apartment. The radio had been calling out a song that still struck chords in the chambers of her heart. When he whispered the words she often craved to hear from anyone, from everyone. “I love you.” The dance just before she lay in his arms for the first time and took him in with every fiber of her being.
The dance she knew was more than music and steps, it was so much deeper than that in Phoebe’s heart. It was about jumping in with both feet and not weighing options. It was about making choices that allowed you to be free and to live. It was about loving and opening your heart although there was always a possibility of getting hurt. But he went away. And she did get hurt and her heart had suffered. The dance had stopped.
Phoebe was startled out of her deepest thoughts by the single tear that had fallen on a picture of a young couple in her textbook. The lyrics of the song playing reverberated in her thoughts. A second tear fell and she realized that she was crying. Not for the loss of love or for the loss of Cole, but for the loss of her will to continue taking chances and making choices. She was crying for the loss of the dance.
***************************
“Prue, do you think Phoebe’s okay?”
“No. Honestly I don’t. She won’t be okay until Cole comes back or she hears he’s dead.”
“Dead? You think that’s going to make her okay?”
“No Piper, but then she’ll be able to move on, I think right now she’s stuck in limbo. She can’t mourn him because she doesn’t know if he’s dead, she can’t love him because he’s not here, and she can’t move on because she needs that closure. One way or another.”
Piper turned her ear toward the ceiling. She could hear the music floating gently down the stairs. She closed her eyes and listened and then pointed at Prue.
“This is your fault Prue.”
“What’s my fault?”
“You gave her this CD. Now she apparently has this song on repeat.”
“I heard the lyrics one day and thought that would be a perfect motherly gift to give her.”
“It is, I’m just joking about the repeat thing. So…do you think she’ll sit it out, or do you think she’ll dance?”
“Sink or swim?”
The oldest Halliwell sisters looked at the ceiling as the song began again. Prue felt her heart sink for Phoebe. She had always known her sister as a vibrant human being, a woman with a determination to love everyone with her entire soul. She wasn’t ready to let that Phoebe go.
“Where’s Phoebe’s laptop, Piper.”
Piper turned to see a flash of energy strike through her older sister’s eyes. She studied Prue suspiciously.
“It’s in the living room.”
Prue made a quick exit from the kitchen as Piper followed.
“Prue, honey, what are you thinking?”
“Well, Piper I think I have a cure for Phoebe’s gloom.”
Prue switched on the small machine and logged onto the Internet. Within minutes Piper could see exactly what she was looking for. She watched Prue find the information she needed and then listened as she made a few phone calls. She smiled at Prue when she hung up the phone.
“Is it set?”
“In stone, Piper, set in stone.”
Together they marched up the stairs. They were intent on making Phoebe’s day.
****************************************
Phoebe could hear the footsteps pounding up the stairs. She knew her sisters were coming to either ask her to turn down the radio or to tell her to just get over it and she wasn’t willing to do either. However, when she saw the crazy look in Prue’s eyes and the giddy expression on Piper’s face as the door slammed open, she hit the mute button on the CD remote and looked at them in puzzlement.
“Was it something I said?”
“Phoebe darling. I am your oldest sister and I know what’s best for you right?”
“Uh…sure Prue if you say so.”
Prue took a seat on Phoebe’s bed as Piper went to the CD player and slipped in a different CD. She turned it on and began to sway to the sounds of the Beach Boys. It was the hit from Cocktails, “Kokomo.” Phoebe laughed at Piper dancing the hula around the end of her bed.
“Thank you Piper for the lovely soundtrack to today’s big news broadcast. Phoebe, in all seriousness…”
Piper stopped smiling and stood at the end of the bed Prue stood and joined her. Phoebe was almost frightened by their poker faces as she tried to read their minds.
“…Piper and I have done some thinking…”
“…Well, actually Prue did the thinking, I did the agreeing…”
“Right well…Piper would you like to tell her?”
“Oh no it was your idea you tell her.”
“Hello, tell me what?”
Piper and Prue looked at each other and then simultaneously screamed as they jumped on Phoebe’s bed like children on a Saturday morning.
“We’re going on a cruise!!!”
“We’re going on a what?”
“A cruise…”
“Prue booked it and we’re leaving…”
“In two days!”
Phoebe stared at her sisters standing above her on her bed. She stood to meet them eye to eye.
“Why?”
“Why what, jeez, Prue you tell her she’s going on a free, fun-for-all cruise and she asks why.”
“Because we love you Phoebe and we want to see that smile again, so…what do you think?”
“I think…”
Tears began to work their way down Phoebe’s face.
“I think…”
She looked from Piper to Prue.
“I think…”
“What?!?”
“I think Piper’s gonna need a lot of sunscreen, cause we’re going on a cruise!”
Phoebe joined Piper and Prue jumping on the bed. The laughing was loud and intense. The excitement was overwhelming. They all jumped one last time before the bed frame, antique that it was, gave way leaving them rolling to the floor. They never stopped laughing.
Phoebe stood and helped her sisters up. She was just happy that they were so excited about something. She knew, however, that even a cruise with the two people she loved the most in her life couldn’t resurrect the dance.
“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahama…”
“Piper will you quit with that song! You’ve been singing it since we boarded the ship.”
“Hey missy. If I remember correctly you played that song that Prue gave you like one thousand times in the last week. This is my happy song, okay?”
“Hey you two…let’s just put our bags down in the cabin and get back to the upper decks for the whole Bon Voyage thingy and a little drinkage?”
“Oooh…drinkage…for drinks I’ll definitely stop singing.”
“Oh thank God Piper then I’ll buy you a double.”
“That’s a deal my baby sister!”
The girls emerged on the upper deck with smiles. Piper and Prue glowing from the idea of fun in the sun while Phoebe smiled with the hope that her sisters wouldn’t turn the cruise into a make-Phoebe-better trip. Despite her feelings of surrender, she did smile a little when the ship debarked and it was soon floating far out to sea. The excitement was too much for her not to feel something good. Piper grabbed her hand and they were soon seated inside the dining hall for a first nights meal and entertainment. Across the room Prue noticed two men looking their way. Both were extremely handsome with dark hair and bright smiles. They stood and approached the table. They stood behind Phoebe and when she looked up and saw them Prue could tell that she was blushing. It was at that moment that Prue knew her little sister still had some fire in her.
“Excuse us ladies. We don’t mean to intrude…”
“Well actually Jeff we did mean to intrude.”
“Shut up Kirk, I’m trying to be debonair here.”
“Oh yeah, right.”
Prue and Phoebe laughed and invited them to join them, while Piper rolled her eyes. She was glad there were going to be potential dates for her sisters because she had every intention of calling Leo in as her date for all the main events. It was after all a seven-day cruise and Piper knew she couldn’t go that long without at least one date with Leo. She realized then, how hard it must be for Phoebe, all the not knowing. She looked at Phoebe who had seemingly taken an interest in Kirk. At least in conversation anyway. Her eyes, Piper thought, always betrayed her heart. Would her sister give up on love? Would she give up on all her hopes and dreams? Piper tried to stop worrying and focused her attention on what the two men were saying.
Together Jeff, 32, and Kirk, 28 wrote and illustrated comic books in San Francisco. They had apparently made a lot of money freelancing their talents. Prue talked to Jeff about how he developed ideas, while Kirk talked to Phoebe about illustration and making people come to life. Piper sat back listening. She noticed how closely Phoebe was paying attention to Kirk. Piper knew that as he talked about bringing people to life, Phoebe was connecting that to herself on some level.
By the end of the night Prue and Piper had both had too much alcohol and Phoebe had to lead them back to their room. She opened the door and saw flowers sitting on the dresser. Her sisters crashed on a bed as Phoebe read the card aloud.
“It says, ‘Phoebe, Hope to talk again. I want to bring you to life. Soon, Kirk Lawson.’ Wow.”
“Wow? Is that all you’re going to say Pheebs?”
Phoebe smiled at her now slurring oldest sister. Piper was snoring. Phoebe went to the bed and took Piper’s, and then Prue’s shoes off of them.
“Yes that’s all I’m going to say for now. It was nice that’s all. Now go to sleep. I’m going to go back up to the upper deck and enjoy the evening.”
“O-tay, but you remember that we all gots to be up by sunrise so we can get the Key to the West.”
Prue closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
“I think that’s go to Key West…but you’re passed out and nevermind.”
Phoebe stepped to the railing of the upper deck. The breeze surrounded her, warm and humid, comforting her like a blanket to a lost child. The water slapped against the hull of the ship and the stars and full moon lit the deck. She sighed into midnight. She knew she was going to have fun in the next few days and she wanted to, but she also needed to find a way to let Cole go to close that very heartbreaking chapter of an otherwise beautiful book.
She remembered the last time she had seen him. He had been strange and distant. As if he wanted to tell her something bad but was afraid to hurt her. She had touched his face and felt the tension in his jaw, the clenching of his teeth. She had seen the hesitation in his eyes. She knew that if he had been straightforward then, and had closed things that day, then she would not be on the cruise, facing the possibility that she would never accept love again. She needed that closure.
She felt something in the air change behind her. An altogether familiar feeling she had not expected. Without turning she spoke his name, “Cole.”
“Try again.”
In fear she turned to face a demon she had not seen before. It had been a shimmer, but not Cole. The demon stepped to Phoebe and she tried to back away but her back was already against the railing. She had no where to go. She could smell the stench of evil and knew that she was in big trouble. She tried not to look afraid as the demon reached his hand toward her. Phoebe had no idea what his hands held, but the only thing she could think of was death.
“Don’t be afraid you silly witch. I can’t kill you. I am only a demon messenger.”
“Huh? A what?”
“Yeah that’s right, here let me go through my whole spill here. I am called a Hirature. I’m a demon hired by demons to deliver secret messages. I was told to deliver this one to you.”
Phoebe took a piece of paper from the demons slimy hand. She unfolded it and her heart began to pound as she saw that it was written in Cole’s handwriting. She looked up at the demon deliveryman.
“I’ve been instructed to wait right here as you read it and to answer any questions you might have. If it weren’t Belthazor who sent me I wouldn’t be doing this. Believe me.”
Phoebe read the note:
Dear Phoebe,
If you’re reading this letter then it must have finally happened. I have been caught and killed. I think we both knew that this had to end sometime. It started wrongly and should never have been. I did love you Phoebe, believe that, but also believe that I admired you and found your love of life, your spirit to be absolutely incredible. I tried to copy those things to make myself good but inherently I was evil. I could not have ever been settled with you in your world, as I know you would or could never have been part of mine. So there you have it, even if I hadn’t died I would have called it all off before long. So please, please Phoebe mourn me but for a short time, love me always, but find a way to love another. It will only make you happier and stronger to do so. So, I’m dead and you’re wherever you are. Live on Phoebe, and don’t be sad or lonely any longer.
Love, Cole
Phoebe handed the note back to the Hirature and wiped a tear from her cheek.
“How did it happen?”
“Oh you mean his death? Well, some wiseguy that was hired by the triad before Belthazor disposed of them. He finally caught up to the poor boy. Sliced right through him.”
Phoebe grimaced as she held up her hand to signal that she had had enough.
“Hey, you asked.”
“Yeah, I did and now I don’t want anymore. Thank you. So why aren’t you going to kill me?”
“Demon law.”
“Demon…Law? What in the hell is that?”
“Demon law, look you think you mortals are the only ones with rules? I can’t kill those I deliver messages to no matter how much they’re worth, it breaks an honor code.”
“Honor code among demons, that’s a first.”
“Well, I delivered the message, I have to go now. Here, you can keep the letter. It’s yours.”
“Thanks.”
Phoebe watched as the Hirature shimmered out of sight and then turned once again to face the ocean. She wasn’t sure what the feeling in her heart was. It was something she hadn’t felt before. She tore the letter and through it into the ocean. A tear escaped its prison and trickled down her cheek. She knew now that the feeling inside her heart was relief. She took a deep breath and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what she finally had. She whispered the word to the welcoming wind.
“Closure.”
She was startled by a hand that touched her shoulder. She turned and took a marshal arts stance only to find she was facing Kirk. She dropped her guard and smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry Kirk, you know, girl alone on the decks at sea.”
“What was that you just threw in the water?”
“It was a telegram…um…an old boyfriend was killed.”
“That would explain the tears. I’m very sorry. Was he the love of your life?”
“Does there have to be just one?”
“I hope not.”
Phoebe looked into Kirk’s eyes and saw what she thought was understanding. She took his hand and together they walked the decks of the ship enjoying the breeze and exchanging stories about loves past and wishes of loves future. She spent most of the night talking to Kirk and returned to the cabin just an hour before sunrise. She wanted to tell her sisters about the events of the evening, but looking at them sleeping peacefully she decided to wait until they were on the beach of Key West to tell them. She knew that although the dance had not risen within her the music was softly playing in the background, filling every beat of her heart with rhythm, exploring the movements within.
The sand shifted beneath the crest of the wave. Phoebe could feel the silt run between her toes. She looked toward the sky closing her eyes beckoning the sun to warm her face. She thought of Cole but for a brief moment, a passing thought about a man she used to know. She let thoughts of her sisters pour through her mind. She loved them so much for bringing her on the cruise, for giving her a will to smile and a reason to get up every morning. She needed them more than they could ever know. She turned away from the incoming waves and looked up the beach to where Prue and Piper lay, sunning themselves in the blazing, soul searing sun. They were beautiful sisters, gorgeous inside and out. And she was glad she was everything they were. She turned again to face the waves, to feel the water conversing with the sand beneath her.
“What do you think she’s thinking about Prue?”
“I don’t know Piper. But she’s lost deep in thought, that much I can see.”
“God, we so shouldn’t have drank that much last night.”
“Feeling a little ill this afternoon are we?”
Piper rolled over to look at her sister lying on the towel next to hers. Her eyes were hidden behind her sunglasses and Piper knew that Prue was feeling the effects of the night before as well.
“Did Phoebe leave the room last night?”
“She sure did and she didn’t come back in until just before dawn.”
“What do you think she was doing?”
“I don’t know Piper, but from the look in her eyes I’d say she got some closure somehow. Did you see the shine in them? The smile she had this morning when we woke up was real.”
“So, do you think we have our Phoebe back?”
“I think we’re making serious progress, toward it.”
“Good. I am so glad I thought of this cruise thing, Prue!”
“You? I thought of this.”
“I’m kidding.”
“Kidding? I’ll show you kidding.”
Prue who had been sipping on ice water poured an entire glass over Piper. Piper got up and starting running as Prue started chasing her. From a bag that they had brought to the beach from the ship, Prue produced a SuperSoaker 3000 water gun. Piper knew at that moment that Prue meant serious business. The evil grin on her face told her so. Prue steadied the gun and aimed for Piper who had no where to hide. Groups that had shared the spot with the girls were beginning to laugh with the sisters. Prue was having fun, until she felt something hard suddenly pressed against the back of her head. Nervous about who might be behind her, she swallowed hard and waited for instructions.
“Okay, pilgrim, drop the SuperSoaker and reach for the sky. I can’t let you fight your sister there with an unfair advantage. Go on now kick it over to her.”
Prue threw the gun and it landed at Piper’s feet. Prue could barely contain her relief or laughter when she realized Phoebe was standing behind her. She slowly turned to see that her baby sister was holding two water guns, each the same caliber as her own. Phoebe’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
“Scared you didn’t I?”
“You definitely got me there.”
Prue could hear Piper behind her filling the discarded SuperSoaker with more water. She knew her sisters had her outnumbered.
“So, Pheebs, are you gonna make this a fair fight or not?”
“Well actually, I was thinking of maybe a little three against three war.”
Piper looked at Phoebe confused as did Prue.”
“Ummm…Phoebe, honey it’s just you, me and Prue here, and of course all these strangers. Where are we going to find three more people to play?”
“Look behind you.”
Piper and Prue turned to see Leo standing there with Jeff and Kirk. Piper rushed into Leo’s arms kissing him with salty lips. He smiled down at her and brushed away a misplaced strand of hair. Jeff smiled at Prue and Kirk hugged Phoebe.
“But Phoebe, it’s Leo, how did you…”
“Well, you know, I just…ummm….called…him, and then he just….ummmm….joined….us. And I told Kirk and Jeff to join us last night.”
“Give us just a minute, Leo care to join us for a quick second.”
Leo looked at Piper with a smirk. He followed Jeff and Kirk to where they had placed their beach bag. Piper, Phoebe, and Prue waited to see what the men were going to do next. Phoebe’s mouth dropped, as did her sisters when they pulled out three brand new, fully loaded SuperSoaker 4000s.
“Oh yeah, Piper, Prue, do you see what they have.”
“That would be a model just a little bigger than the ones we’re holding.”
“That’s right Piper, and I think what Phoebe is trying to say is…”
“We’re screwed.”
The girls took off running toward the ocean followed by Leo, Jeff ad Kirk. There was wrestling and water fighting and there was swimming. Phoebe looked once again toward the sky and sighed. She felt like a kid again and she loved it. She had missed what it felt like to laugh, to live. And she could tell that Prue and Piper were fully enjoying their dance with life. Their laughter filled her ears like the sweet sound of the song Phoebe had played a thousand times before. A country song turned pop rifting through the corridors of her heart, reminding her that she was alive and singing to her the precious lullaby of living. And although Phoebe still hadn’t discovered the rhythm of her heart the smile on her face told the world that she once knew of and soon would know again, the dance.
Red, blistering red. The color hurt Phoebe’s eyes as it blended with the creamy white texture. The heat was almost unbearable to her fingers.
“Oooowwww…damn it Phoebe, be careful!”
“Hey Piper, you’re the one who forgot to put sunscreen on and then made me put on this burn ointment, so stop acting like a baby and suck it up a little.”
“You are so mean Phoebe.”
Phoebe couldn’t help but feel sorry for Piper. The sun had indeed scorched her shoulders, but had left the rest of her body tanned and golden. She also wanted to laugh when she had heard Piper screaming moments ago when the water from the shower beat down upon the tender, burning flesh. It wasn’t funny, but she still wanted to laugh. She could see Prue grimacing on the bed next to them and took it as a sign that she should leave Piper alone.
“Okay Piper. I’m through, and I’m very sorry.”
She bent down and gave Piper a kiss on her cheek. Piper continued to lie face down on the bed.
“I think I’m going to skip dinner and take a little nap. I don’t want to miss Cozumel tomorrow.”
“Okay sweetie, Phoebe and I are going to get out of here for a little while and let you rest. We’ll be somewhere on the promenade deck if you need us okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
Piper merely groaned from beneath her pillow. Phoebe shook her head smiling and then followed Prue into the hallway. It wasn’t until then that Prue burst into laughter.
“Prue. Now that’s not nice.”
“I know but all I could think about while looking at was how much I want to eat lobster tonight!”
Phoebe then burst into laughter and the two of them giggled all the way to the elevator. They caught strange glares from some of the older passengers. They were waiting at the elevators when they heard their names being called. Phoebe turned to see Kirk and then Jeff.
“Hey there, beautiful ladies. Do you care of a few comic book fiends join you for dinner?”
Prue looked at Phoebe, she had wanted to spend some quality time with her youngest sister but saw that her sister had a true interest in Kirk and he seemed like a nice guy. She also knew she, herself, wouldn’t mind spending time with Jeff. Phoebe looked at Prue pleadingly. Prue shrugged her shoulders and Phoebe answered.
“Well, we need to spend some quality time bonding as sisters, but you can accompany us to dinner, however after that you got to hit the skids kids.”
Kirk smiled and he and Jeff agreed to part with the girls after dinner. Together they approached the dining hall. When Jeff ordered wine, Prue politely declined. Phoebe smirked at the thought of how drunk her sisters were the night before. Kirk remembered.
He caught her eyes between the salad and the main dish. They gave each other a smile with a future in it. She felt as if their souls said hello. Phoebe felt as though Cole was just something she had to get through to get her to Kirk. Dinner came and went too quickly for Phoebe and although she knew she had to spend some time alone with Prue she didn’t want the night to end with Kirk. But she also knew they had more nights to come. Her thoughts were interrupted when Prue asked if Phoebe was ready to leave. Reluctantly Phoebe said goodbye and accepted a kiss on the cheek from Kirk.
Within minutes Phoebe and Prue were leaning over the same rail Phoebe had only the night before heard about Cole’s fate. Prue studied her baby sister’s face as Phoebe stared out over the waves.
“So, what was it that finished it for you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Where did you find the closure you needed to move on from Cole?”
“Well, Prue, I was standing right here yesterday when I was delivered a message from demon called a Hirature, who told me that Cole was dead and then I read a letter Cole had written, he told me to fall in love again, to move on.”
“And he’s dead so it’s just that easy for you? That easy to get over him?”
“You don’t understand Prue, I’ve been over Cole. I was over him the last time he left. What I was so sad about and lost about was the fact that I never thought I’d be able to risk anything again.”
“The dance huh?”
“Right, that song says it exactly. I chose to sit out and now I have to learn how to dance all over again. Does that make any sense?”
“Funny enough yeah, it does make sense.”
“I want you to know Prue that this smile that you see on my face is because of you and Piper. You’re slowly bringing my feet to the point of tapping, to the point of discovering a whole new rhythm of life. It’s you guys and this cruise…well…it’s…”
“How Phoebe got her groove back?”
Phoebe giggled as Prue threw her arm around her shoulder. She knew Prue knew exactly where she was coming from. She had been there with Andy. She relished the knowledge that her sister felt her heart. She was enjoying their precious moment when Piper’s voice spoke up behind them.
“Got room in this Kodak moment for one more sister?”
“Piper! Of course. Now I have both of my little sisters here to wrap my arms around.”
Just as Prue’s arms touched Piper’s shoulder Prue withdrew it quickly.
“Oh my god, Piper I’m sorry, I forgot about your burnt shoulders.”
“Oh it’s okay now, I had a visit from Leo just after you left and he healed them.”
“Doesn’t that break some whitelighter rule or something?”
“Actually Pheebs, they told him to do it. Guess they thought we were deserving of a pain free vacation.”
“That’s jaw-dropping.”
“Phoebe, I’m sorry about Cole, but I’m glad you’re getting your groove back.”
The girls sat together on a bench that overlooked the ocean. They enjoyed the droning sound of the boats enormous motor cutting it’s way through the ocean. They prayed together that the trip would go on without incident and as yet many prayers before they knew this one too would go unanswered as they heard shouting from the deck above them.
“That’s Kirk and Jeff. I recognize the voices.”
“Prue’s right that is them.”
“Well, what are they yelling about?”
A third voice mingled among the already familiar pair. Phoebe immediately recognized the deep bass tone as that of the Hirature.
“Come on they’re being attacked by a demon!”
The girls rushed the stairs emerging on the next deck. Jeff was holding Kirk by the wrist as Kirk swayed precariously over the railing. He was yelling at the Hirature.
“Come on, man. I don’t know what you are but you have to let me pull my brother up, please. If he falls he will die.”
“Do you think I care. Where are the witches?”
“Jesus, man I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Phoebe, Prue and Piper stepped behind the demon and Piper froze the Hirature, Jeff and Kirk.
Prue then lifted Kirk to the deck.
“Now what?” Prue wasn’t sure how to vanquish a Hirature.
“Power of three spell?” Phoebe knew it had worked many times in the past.
Piper unfroze the frozen and the girls began to recite the spell. As the Hirature burst into flames, Phoebe caught the look of disbelief on Kirk’s face. She knew the Charmed Ones would be spending the rest of the night trying to explain their lives to Jeff and Kirk, and she was happy. With Kirk, she did not want to begin with lies.
Kirk sat with his head in his hands listening to the story Phoebe was telling. It was the third time he asked her to explain it and she was on the part about Cole again. It was the part he hated to hear, that this newfound angel of his could ever have loved evil. Her voice made him look up and watch her mouth as she spoke. Could he live with her being a witch, he asked himself. He startled himself with the thoughts he was having involving the future. He knew they had just met. He knew there was no way they could be in love so fast. He looked away took a deep breath while watching the sun peek over the horizon. He stood and looked at her again eye to eye. She was still talking and he wasn’t really listening.
“…and the truth is Kirk I have never felt anything like this before. I know we just met yesterday and I can’t explain it but…”
He had to tell her. He had to interrupt and tell her what he needed to say.
“Phoebe…I need to just say…”
“…the truth is Kirk…”
And together they said, “I love you.”
He looked at Phoebe with eyes wide open, his heart pounding. Had he heard her correctly?
“Did you say what I think you said?”
“Yes Phoebe, I love you. Did you say it too?”
“I did yes.”
“Do you feel as strange as I do?”
“Yes definitely.”
“Did you cast a spell or something?”
“Nope, no spells for personal gain, remember?”
He leaned in close to her. She could feel his breath, warm and inviting. Her lips moved closer to his. She laid her hand against his chest and could feel his heart quickly pounding its way to hers. Their lips touched and she closed her eyes. She felt something she had never felt before. Like rushing through space and time laughing as a child, hitting a homerun playing softball, her senior prom, the day Prue and Piper told her about the cruise, memories of happy times in her life bombarded her every thought. Then there was the feel of his lips pressed gently against hers. Only him. And she knew that he was the person she would let lead her when she did begin the next steps of the dance.
He broke the embrace and pulled back to look into Phoebe’s eyes.
“Phoebe, did you feel that?”
“Like everything that was once good was good again?”
“It was really weird wasn’t it?”
“So it wasn’t just me?”
Phoebe thought she had experienced such an odd but wonderful thing only because of her power, but she now knew that what she and Kirk had seen and felt was an experience they shared. She hated to part from Kirk but knew she had to get back to her sisters. They would be worried about her. She also wanted to see how things went with Prue and Jeff.
“Got to go huh?”
“Yes Kirk I’m sorry. I have to check in with my sisters. But I’ll see you in Playa Del Carmen in a few hours right?”
“Try to separate my brother an I from you and your sister.”
“I think Prue will be glad to hear that.”
Phoebe walked away knowing that the man she would spend the rest of her life loving was watching her go. She loved the way his eyes had felt on her and how soft his lips were against hers. She couldn’t wait to give herself to this man, this angel she had found so many miles from home. She stepped off the elevator and went to the cabin she shared with her sisters. She could hear giggling behind the door and was about to walk in when she heard a man’s deep laugh from within the room. Phoebe knew Leo must be in the cabin with Piper and Phoebe decided to let them have their morning romance and instead find Prue for a heart to heart.
The breakfast room was nearly empty at 5am. Phoebe was exhausted, happily so. She was wide-awake, however, when she saw Piper and Leo at a table in the room. Phoebe, perplexed but beginning to understand, made her way to the table.
“Um…Piper, if you and Leo are up here, then who is in our cabin making out?”
“Well, little sis, that would Prue, finally getting some.”
“Eeww, too much info, thanks really. So, I take it Jeff understands about the whole Wicca thing?”
“Yep as a matter of fact it seemed to be a big turn on for him. He could barely take his hands off her when they were talking.”
“So in other words Prue is a happy girl right now.”
“Well, that all depends on if he’s any g…”
“Okay, woah, stop right there. I need to know no more.”
Phoebe sat and joined her sister and brother-in-law for breakfast. Happy that the unexpected events had caused an incredibly welcome shift in her world.
Six hours later the girls watched as the men played beach football. Phoebe could see the glow in Prue’s eyes as she rested her head on her legs looking up at her big sister. She then glanced at Piper who was asleep on her towel.
“She’s going to get burned again isn’t she?”
Prue’s voice jolted Phoebe out of her lazy thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Piper, she’s going to get another burn.”
“Probably, but Leo’s here, he’ll fix it. Speaking of which I love how well he, Jeff and Kirk get along don’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s almost like he has brothers now or something.”
“So, Prue, why don’t you tell me how your early morning hours went.”
“Piper told you huh?”
“Sort of. Do you think he’s the one?”
“I don’t know Phoebe. I don’t want to think about that right now. I’m having fun with him. They’re from San Francisco so if it turns into more than a fling then that’ll be pretty cool.”
“Isn’t funny how we traveled thousands of mile to find men that live right there in our own town?”
“The world works in mysterious ways, Phoebe. So, how about you, little sis, you got a friend in Kirk, is there going to be more to it?”
“Honestly Prue, and this is going to sound weird, but I’m going to marry that man someday.”
Prue looked down at Phoebe smiling. Her sister’s eyes were sparkling and the smile on her face was real.
“So, did you guys do anything you want to talk about last night?”
“No. We just kissed once, but that kiss held every happy moment that I’ve ever had, Prue. It was like a sign from a higher power.”
Prue looked to the sky in recognition of the truth in Phoebe’s words. She and Phoebe sat in silence until it was interrupted by the slow, rhythmic sound of Piper’s snoring. Phoebe looked at Prue as Prue returned the glance. They both smiled evilly and quietly walked away from the spot where Piper slept.
Piper felt the sun beating upon her as she slowly shook the sleep away. She refused to open her eyes for the sun had already turned the world behind her lids red and orange in a rainbow of fire colors. Her heart began to race as the colors faded and shadows played in the light. She slowly let her lids flutter open and before she could focus she realized she was surrounded by five shadowy figures. Clarity found Piper’s vision and she could see she was staring up at five very menacing smiles, those of her sisters, her husband, and her sisters’ new boyfriends, each holding their own SuperSoaker. She covered her face and groaned to the sky above her.
“Oh please, not again.”
Phoebe sat in the rocking chair surrounded by the newly painted pink walls. The white furniture was new and looked welcoming. She picked up the photo album on the small table beside her and began to flip through the pages. She smiled at the pictures of her and her sisters, drenched, holding SuperSoaker guns. They had gone on the cruise a year and a half ago, but Phoebe felt like it was yesterday. Everything had changed for her then. She fell in love with Kirk. Her sisters became her best friends again. She felt the power to enjoy life rise within her as that ship had sailed over the ocean.
She and Kirk were married within two months after the cruise. She thought Prue and Piper would object, but they had nothing but the best wishes for her and for Kirk. She loved her marriage. Everyday was like they were kissing for that first time on the boat. Every touch and whisper brought to Phoebe every happy moment she ever had in her life. Looking back through the photo album Phoebe let her hand run over the pictures Prue had taken on their wedding day. Phoebe could see the look in Kirk’s eyes and knew he felt nothing but the same love for her.
“Phoebe! Let’s go we’re going to be late.”
“I’m coming Piper. Geez, give a pregnant lady a break will you?”
“Okay, just get your waddling butt down here soon.”
Phoebe laughed as she worked her way out of the chair. She straightened her dress and lay the book back on the table. She took a look around the room and with one hand on her swollen belly she turned out the lights. She made her way downstairs and locked arms with her sister smiling at the dress Piper was wearing.
“You know, Piper, if I wasn’t very happy being a glowing mother-to-be, I’d really hate you for looking so fine in that dress.”
“Well, Phoebe, you have on basically the same dress, but it’s just made for two.”
Together they walked to the jeep and departed.
***************************
Phoebe and Piper stood across from Leo and Kirk. Phoebe could feel Kirk’s eyes on her and knew how much he wanted to be standing next to her. She simply smiled at him and winked. The music began from seemingly nowhere. A beautiful ballad that only Prue could have chosen. Phoebe looked at the man at the end of the red carpet. They had waited much longer than this than Phoebe and Kirk had, but she knew that Prue had never been more in love. Not even Andy had ever made Prue as happy as she had been with Jeff.
There was a hushed whisper over the sea of friends and family, as they turned to see the bride. Phoebe’s heart pounded with pride. Prue was dazzling, her dress simple, her hair untamed. Phoebe knew that Prue was the most beautiful bride there ever was. She placed her hand on her belly yet again as the other hand held the beautiful bouquet of orchids. There was a dull ache where her hand sat. Phoebe remained calm but knew the party would end with a bang.
The vows were said and that eternal lock, the first kiss as a married couple, was done. The reception had gotten underway. Food was served and people began to hold one another as they glided across a floor hitting the rhythm of the music. Some recalled their own special day. Some tried to forget the ones that got away. But the Halliwells laughed and enjoyed the time they had together. It was a happy day for the sisters three as each held on to the loves that had finally been granted to them. Phoebe looked from Prue to Piper and then whispered in Kirk’s ear. He walked away from the party.
“Phoebe, where’s Kirk going?”
“Well, Prue, I know today is your day, but apparently your niece wants to join the party.”
Piper stuttered as Prue panicked. Phoebe smiled somehow remaining calm despite the ever burdening labor pain she was experiencing. She allowed Piper and Prue to escort her to the car. Prue and Jeff were so excited about becoming an aunt and uncle that they had almost forgotten the reception. A friend was luckily kind enough to make the announcement to the crowd but welcomed them to stay and enjoy the festivities.
The ride was painless and anxious, as the mother and father-to-be had no idea what to expect. Phoebe was glad her sisters would be there with her as the baby came. They didn’t leave her side. Jeff and Leo waited patiently in the waiting room while the sisters and Kirk coached Phoebe on. It was close to 10:30pm when Phoebe delivered a very healthy seven-pound girl. And without hesitation she called out her name at the sound of her cry. Victoria Anne Halliwell-Lawson.
She held her baby girl close and touched the face of the man who had helped her create Victoria. She was more in love with him than ever as they stared down into the face of their future. Piper and Prue both cried tears of pride and joy as they watched the new mother talk to Victoria. They were so happy and they all felt so alive. Piper and Prue left to get Leo and Jeff, while the nurses and doctor cleaned up Victoria. When the four returned, Phoebe handed the baby girl to Kirk and Kirk in turn handed her to Piper. Then Prue and Jeff and finally Leo all held the newest Halliwell. Phoebe watched as her family gathered around in happiness. She felt her heart jump as if answering a question. And finally, once and for all, Phoebe knew what all the risks were about, what the purpose was for everything in her life. Somewhere in her mind she heard music and listened as she heard her heart dancing.
One week later they were all home again. Prue and Jeff had forgone the honeymoon for a few weeks so they could both be with Kirk and Phoebe. Piper and Leo had announced their decision to have a child. Things were running smoothly for everyone. Phoebe kissed Kirk goodbye as he and Jeff left for work. Leo was on assignment, Piper at P3 and Prue was at a photo shoot. Phoebe was alone in the house with Victoria for the first time. She could hear her crying from the nursery upstairs. She climbed the steps and pushed open the door. There in her white crib with its baby blankets Victoria calmed at the presence of her mother. Phoebe picked her up and cradled her in her arms before sitting in the rocking chair with her. She rocked back and forth gently stroking Victoria’s head full of dark hair.
Phoebe felt the lyrics come from within in her and for every word in the song was a lesson she wanted to pass to her daughter. So in tune with the music inside her, Phoebe began to sing knowing that the dance had indeed been brought to life with the single breath of Victoria.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (Rolling us along)
I hope you dance (Tell me who)
I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
The End