Disclaimer: the Charmed Characters are the creation of Aaron Spelling and Constance Burge.. I've just borrowed them for your enjoyment
“Hi Mom!”
“HI Prue! How are you? It’s good to hear your voice” Patty Halliwell smiled into the phone nothing made her happier than to hear how her older daughters were doing.
“Fine! Never better! I had a great night last night with the gang, Charles is just perfect I love my new job everything’s great! Anyway enough about me! How are you? How’s Dad? And more to the point how is our baby!”
Patty laughed! “I’ll try and keep up with that! I’m good, you’re fathers good and our baby is not such a baby anymore! She’s growing up fast……….too fast! But apart from that she’s great! She’s so excited about staying with you tonight! I’m sorry I told her” Patty’s laugh was hearty as she continued to update her eldest “She’s been a complete and utter pain! Do you think Prue will like this? Has Prue got one like this? Will Prue play this? Jeezzzz anyone would think she was staying overnight with some god like creature instead of her big sis!”
Prue let out a hearty chuckle “And quite right too! I am a god like creature and it is only right that my little sister should view me this way! Even if she is only six!”
“Six going on Twenty six! You have no idea what you’ve let yourself in for!” Patty laughed as she listened to her oldest chunnering on! “Anyway here she is! Speak to her yourself”
“Hello”
Prue grinned the shyness of the young voice disguising the true personality.
“Hello”
Prue smirked the silence was almost explosive.
“So have you been a good girl?”
“Yes”
Prue hid her snigger of course she had!
“And did you tidy your room”
“Yes”
Prue rolled her eyes! A one sided telephone conversation with a six year old was never easy!
“Ok! And have you had a nice day>”
“Yes! I saw Barney and we went to the park and I put him in a swing and swung him but Mrs Johnson shouted at me and that made me sad……………… but anyway Barney liked it!”
“Oh!” Prue frowned into the phone – Barney was the next door neighbour’s dog! “And did you get into trouble?”
“No,,,,Mummy said it I shouldn’t put dogs or other animals in” Prue hid her snigger … Mum was covering all the bases! “To swings cos they could fall out” Prue could feel her mouth twitching as her little sister continued to relate her days adventure.
“No that’s right; you wouldn’t want to hurt the little animals would you?”
“No….I’m bringing my panda”
“That’s nice I’ll make sure we’ve got some nice food for him”
“He doesn’t like green”
“Oh” Prue was still smirking into the phone
“You know like that stuff Popeye eats”
“Spinach?”
“Yeah spin age its horrible!! He doesn’t like that”
“Ok no spinach erm spin age… how about waffles?”
“He likes them”
“Chicken nuggets?”
“They’re his favourites!”
“Sounds like he’s sorted then! How about you?”
“I don’t know…. I guess I could finish Pandas nuggets and I’d like for me … and Panda if its ok … some like erm…. What’s it called?
“I don’t know? Cabbage”
Phoebe laughed “No!”
“Sprouts?”
“Ughhhhh!”
“Guess not ….erm …. Must be carrots then?”
“NO!”
“You’ll have to help”
“ICE – CREAM!!!! Strawberry Ice CREAM!!!”
“Mmmm that doesn’t sound right…. You sure Pandas eat Ice cream?
“YES!” Phoebe bounced up and down on the sofa “They love it! They love ice cream!! It’s their favourite!”
“Oh! Ok then! I guess I’ll have to see if I can get some?”
“Please… Prue please!!! Panda will be so upset!”
Prue laughed she had bought the ice cream days before “I’ll do my very best”
“Ok! Bye then!”
Prue smirked into the phone “Bye then!”
“Hi baby! It’s me again Phoebes gone off to pack Pandas pyjamas”
Prue laughed “I’m sorry! Has she really been this hyper all day?”
“Worse! But don’t worry you’ll get to do your bit!”
Prue laughed “I’ve no doubt! No wonder Charles decided to go out with his mates!”
“Girls night in eh?”
“Yeah” Prue laughed “Sisters….are doing it for themselves!”
“Oh don’t!” Patty laughed out loud the image of her three daughters dancing at her wedding vow renewal instantly springing to mind ….. She’d loved it her two eldest must have spent hours teaching the youngest the steps…. “Have you heard from Piper?”
“Yes…just got off the phone, things sound really great, she’s doing well at college missing you and Pheebes of course but other than that she sounds really happy!”
“Oh that’s good! I was starting to worry, I haven’t spoken to her in a while but I didn’t want her to think I was checking up on her so I left her for a bit”
“Oh Mom!!! Pipers not like that!! She’d be fine! Ring her!” Prue paused “She’s not like me.. Mum I”
“Prue stop!” Patty laughed “I was just worried about Piper! I wasn’t getting at you! As long as you two are happy that’s all I want”
“We are”
“Prue…”
“Mom don’t” Prue rolled her eyes she knew exactly what was on her Mothers mind.
“We know! Hell I was twenty! Piper was seventeen! We know how these things happen! And we wouldn’t swap our little sis for the world!”
“Sorry baby didn’t mean to start”
Prue smiled into the phone waiting for her mum to continue
“Anyway we’ll be with you in about ohhhh twenty minutes?”
“You sure? You sure that’s enough time to pack Panda and all his worldly goods?”
“Yes! I’ll make sure it is! Your father and I have to be at the Plaza by 7.30 the very latest”
“Well that gives you a fair bit of time!” Prue laughed it was only 4pm!
“See you in a bit sweetie!”
“Yes! And stop worrying I love having her she’s never a bother!”
“Mmmmm”
Prue smirked again; she knew exactly what her mother was trying to say without a doubt Phoebe Halliwell aged 6 and ¾ was more than a handful! Still you couldn’t help but love her …. The huge brown eyes, the big beaming smile…………… the dirty face …..
Prue hung up and grinned at her boyfriend “They’ll be on their way in a little while”
Charles smirked “So we have a bit of time before Hurricane Phoebe arrives?”
“Mmmm I guess” Prue leaned in and gave her live in boyfriend a deep kiss, pulling back she leaned against his chest “What do you have in mind?”
“Guess!”
“I’ve honestly no idea, I mean the apartments clean, beds are made, I’ve dusted”
“Who dusted?”
Prue let out a loud laugh “That’ll screw your street cred! Do your friends realise that not only are you a stud muffin in the bedroom you’re also a duster demon in the lounge!?”
Charles ran his hand over his girlfriend’s long dark hair “Stud muffin? I like the sound of that”
Prue’s laughter rang out as Charles lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
“You’d better get dressed by my calculations we have a maximum of 5 minutes before they get here”
Charles smirked “5 minutes hey?”
“Charles! Just get dressed!”
Reaching for a shirt Charles grinned at Prue “You sure you’ll be alright?”
“I’ll be fine!”
“Remember last time?”
“She was just excited”
“She didn’t sleep! She was up until 4 in the morning!”
“I know, I know but I’m taking her to the park I’ll tire her out a bit”
“Yeah right! This is Phoebe we’re talking about isn’t it? I’ll lay odds on if anyone gets tired out it will be you I’ll get back and she’ll still be running strong”
“You don’t mind do you?” Prue snaked a hand round her boyfriend’s waist “I know you’re not all that keen on having her here”
“Its not that, …….I” Charles frowned he knew how much Prue’s family meant to her and truth was he did have a soft spot for the youngest “Its just well, you know it just feels a bit weird like I’ve got responsibilities all of a sudden! I know it’s only temporary but I’d rather be out with my mates and having a laugh with them than babysitting a five year old”
“Six! She’s six; you’ll be in big trouble if she hears you saying she’s five!”
“Whatever! All I’m saying is I’m 25 far too young to be landed with a kid but if you’re happy that’s fine!” Charles kissed the end of Prue’s nose “Enjoy! And don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
Prue pushed him away “Go! Go then you coward! Quick before she gets here and ………..” Prue paused “Did you hear that?”
“Too late! Dam!” Charles was laughing “I’ll have to say hello now!”
Prue opened the door of the apartment “Hi!”
“PRUE!”
Prue grinned she reached down and picked her baby sister up spinning her around she was rewarded by a hearty giggle.
“Prudence you’ll make her sick”
“Oh Dad!” Prue frowned at her father he could be such a kill joy “It’s what we do! She’s fine!”
Phoebe wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck and kissed her “Love you!”
“Love you too!” Prue smirked at her father “See!”
Patty rolled her eyes at her eldest “Take no notice sweetie! I’ve packed her bag, she’s got fresh clothes and …..”
“Mom!! Just go!” it was Prue’s turn to roll her eyes, “We’ll be fine we’re big girls now aren’t we Phoebe?”
“Yes!” Phoebe nodded her agreement “I got measured on Tuesday and Mr Smythe said I’ve grown a whole half a centimetre”
“Wow!” Prue’s eyes went wide “A whole half a centimetre! I guess you’ll be as big as me soon?”
Phoebe nodded in agreement “Bigger!”
“Oh then! I guess you’ll need new clothes?”
“Dad says I’ve got enough he says that I’ve got enough clothes to last till high school” Phoebe stared solemnly at her big sister.
“Is that right?” Prue grinned at her father
Victor Halliwell smiled back.
“Well take no notice! Your big sister says you can never have too many clothes!”
“I can vouch for that!” Charles smiled at his girlfriend’s family
“Chas!!!” Phoebe squealed in delight as she held her arms out
“Charles!” Charles dutifully picked the little girl up
“There’s a Charles in my class and we call him Chas”
“That’s great but there’s a Charles with your sister and we call him Charles!” Charles laughed as he tossed the youngster into the air “You going to be a good girl for your sister?”
“Yes! I’ve brought stuff!”
“Stuff eh! I bet you can hardly wait can you Prue!” Charles smirked at his girlfriend who gave him a playful slap.
“Come on Pheebes lets start the party. We don’t need these people do we?”
“No! We don’t!” Phoebes excitement was evident she’d been looking forward to this all day! Just her and her big sister “You can go now” Phoebe wriggled out of Charles’s grasp and kissed her Mum “Bye have a nice time!”
Patty laughed “You know she always makes me feel so wanted”
“Bye Daddy!”
Victor Halliwell smiled as he looked at the excited face of his youngest daughter “Bye honey and you be a good girl for Prue”
“I will! Go! Bye!”
Prue smiled as she showed her parents out “Stop worrying she’ll be fine, just enjoy yourselves and I’ll drop her off sometime tomorrow”
“Thanks honey and you’ve got our numbers?”
“Yes! I’ve got numbers!”
At last! Prue walked back into the lounge just in time to see Charles tickling Phoebe.
“Right I’ve just about got time to piggy back a young lady and then I’m gone”
Phoebe started giggling as she watched Charles grab Prue, Prue was laughing as she felt herself being lifted into the air.
“Oh!” Charles had a look of mock confusion on his face “Wrong one?”
Prue smiled as she was put back down.
“Must be you then!!”
Phoebe squealed in delight as Charles grabbed her and hoisted her onto his shoulder.
“Fee Fie FOE Thumb! I smell the blood of an Englishman!”
Prue shook her head as she listened to Charles stomping around her little sister giggling loud.
“Now I’m going to trust you to look after my girl ok?”
Phoebe’s massive brown eyes stared at Charles “Ok”
“Good, I feel better about going out now” Charles grinned as Prue “See you later honey have fun!”
“We will!” Prue smiled as she gave Charles a quick kiss.
“Yuck!”
“Yuck! Yuck! What do you mean yuck?!” Prue had seen her boyfriend out and was now advancing towards her little sister “Don’t you like kisses?”
“No!!!!” Phoebe was off she knew exactly what Prue had in mind, “Prue no!”
Prue grabbed her little sister and held her tight she blew the biggest raspberry she could onto the little girl’s neck.
“Ughhh! Prue! Prue!”
Prue laughed “Now that’s yuck!”
Phoebe squealed “Phone! Phone! It’s the phone!” desperate to get away from her sisters grip she hoped the ringing phone would provide the desired result.
“Ok! But I don’t forget!” Prue was laughing as she answered the phone.
“Hey! You sound like you’re having fun!”
“I am! Guess who’s here!”
“Who is it? Who is it?” Phoebe was hopping up and down next to her sister.
Prue rolled her eyes as she covered the mouth piece “It’s your other big sister”
“PIPER! Let me talk!”
Prue grinned down the phone “Our little sister would like a word”
“Piper! I miss you! When are you coming home? I’m staying with Prue tonight, Pandas here as well; can we come and stay with you? We’re going to the park and Prue’s got strawberry ice-cream! AND I’ve grown half a centimetre! I love you Piper!”
“Whoa!” Piper was trying to keep up with her excited sister “I miss and love you too!”
“When you coming home then?” everything was black and white too little Phoebe Halliwell she missed Piper and Piper missed her so ……
“Not for a few weeks yet baby, I’ve still got exams to do”
“What’s sams?”
“Exams” Piper groaned this could go on for ever!
“So what are they?”
“Tests”
“Oh! That’s no fun, bye Piper here’s Prue!”
Prue laughed as she took the phone back “Get all that?”
“No but she never seems to bother! You sure you’re up to this sounds very hyper to me!”
“No change there then! No I’m fine I mean it’s the best of both worlds I get to have a blast with her, work her into even more of frenzy then give her back!”
Piper laughed “Mum and Dad will be pleased!”
“So! I like playing the cool big sis!”
“You’ve always had that down honey!”
Prue laughed “Anyway much as I’d love to stay and chat a certain someone has got her baseball cap on and is standing by the door ball in hand waiting to go!”
“Have fun! Give her a big hug and a kiss from me! Love you!”
“Love you too bye!”
“Yay! Let’s go!” Phoebe was bouncing up and down.
“Ok! Ok!” Prue shook her head – what had she let herself in for!
It was as though she was on autopilot; Prue’s hand was shaking as she reached for the handle, for the first time in her life she had no idea what to do or what to say. Taking a deep breath she opened the door.
Phoebe was sitting on the windowsill, her arm in a sling her face badly bruised she was staring out of the window lost in her own world.
“Pheebes?” Prue finally managed to speak “Honey?”
The tiny tear stained face turned towards her her one good arm reaching out.
Prue was across the room in a flash lifting the little girl into the safety of her arms she rocked her slowly.
“Prue?” the fear in the little girls face was painfully evident “They left me here for ages, where’s Mummy and Daddy?”
Prue closed her eyes this was the moment she’d been dreading she so wished Piper was here but she knew it couldn’t wait any longer it wasn’t fair.
“They’re erm, the crash” Prue’s head was spinning the shock wa...ting home she was finding it impossible to string a sentence together.
“Are they hurt?”
Prue felt the tears pricking the lump in her throat growing.
“Prue? Are they hurt?”
Prue sat down with Phoebe astride her lap, she was lost for words and even if she found them she doubted very much if she would be able to speak.
“Prue are you sad?” Phoebe’s little brow was set in a furrow “I’m alright my arm will fix”
“Mend, your arm will mend”
“That’s what I said. So if my arm will fix so will Mummy and Daddy”
“No baby” Prue didn’t know where it had come from but suddenly she found the strength “Mummy and Daddy have gone to heaven”
“What does that mean?”
“Like Grams remember?”
“So” Phoebes eyes were huge “I won’t ever see them again?”
Prue choked “No baby, no one will”
Prue had sat for hours with her baby sister comforting her the best she could eventually giving into to the emotional exhaustion Phoebe had cried herself to sleep.
“Prue? Prue?”
Prue blinked she looked totally wiped out, her own face swollen her eyes little more than slits.
“Pipers here” Charles reached to take the sleeping Phoebe he’d felt helpless all day, Prue had effectively shut down her only concern was for the little girl she was cradling in her arms.
“Oh, I” Prue looked past her boyfriend and spotted her sister, Piper looked much the same as Prue her face red and blotchy the sight of her sisters bringing fresh tears to her eyes.
“Prue!”
Prue felt one sister leave as the other took her place; automatically hugging the middle sister Prue once again felt the overwhelming sorrow consume her.
“How? How could?............... I” Piper was blubbering the words making no sense “And Phoebe, When I ….Prue?”
“I know! Shh I know!”
“Why?”
“Drunk driver, I just” Prue was as incoherent as her sister “Phoebe was, she shouldn’t have”
“Here drink this” Charles had put Phoebe to bed and returned with two small brandies.
“I don’t” Piper stopped trying she just looked into the kind eyes of her sisters boyfriend.
“I know its ok”, Charles held the glasses out “It’s only a drop it might help to calm you”
The sisters automatically reached for the drinks.
“Can I get you something to eat? I know Prues not eaten all day, maybe some toast, anything at all?”
Both sisters shook their heads.
“Do you want to be alone? What do you want me to do?” Charles knelt down so he was level with Prue “I don’t mind honey, just say?”
“I, I” Prue shook her head “I don’t know”
“Do you want some time alone with Piper?”
Prue nodded.
“Ok baby, listen I’ll go and stay with Jeff, you’ve got my number just ring, anytime day or night I’ll be there”
“Thanks”
“Prue I” it was Charles’s turn to falter “I’m so sorry”
Prue nodded “I know” reaching out she felt Charles wrap his strong arms around her.
“I’m so so sorry” Charles could feel the sisters pain he knew they needed time.
“How’s Pheebes?” Piper wiped at her face desperately trying to pull herself together.
“I…….I don’t know…….she, she’s still in shock” Prue put her head in her hands “She shouldn’t have even been with them, I was supposed to take her home but Mum called and said she’d pick her up.” Prue raised her gaze to meet Pipers “If only I hadn’t been so selfish I was glad she was coming for her it meant I’d get some time with Charles, I, I should have said no, I should have stayed with the original plan, I should have taken her back. They wouldn’t have even been on that road, Phoebe wwouldn’t have been with them”
“Prue no, don’t please don’t” Pipers tears kicked in again “None of this is your fault, none of it”
“But if I,”
“No! Stop it! You weren’t the one drunk at 3 o’clock in the afternoon!”
“I know, I know”
Piper pulled her big sister into a hug “It’s not your fault, Prue please don’t”
“Piper?”
The older Halliwells quickly wiped at their faces a sleepy looking Phoebe was standing in the doorway Piper felt like her heart would break the sling made Phoebe look even smaller, the bruising on her face a stark reminder of how close they’d come to losing their baby sister.
“Phoebe!” Piper was across the room in a flash, she carefully lifted her little sister taking care not to catch her broken arm “You should be asleep!”
“I couldn’t” Phoebe wrapped her good arm around her big sisters neck “I hurt”
“Oh baby, I’m sorry” Piper carried the tiny girl over to the sofa “Where?”
“She’s got bruises all over” Prue had known straight away what the problem would be returning from the kitchen she knelt down in front of her sisters holding the tablet out she pushed it into her youngest sisters mouth “Here drink this” Phoebe drank out of the offered glass as she swallowed the tablets.
“Good girl, now back to bed”
Phoebes eyes filled with unshed tears “No”
Prue looked up and locked eyes with Piper their baby sister was in pain and it wasn’t just physical.
“Ok baby its ok you can stay with your big sisters” Piper gently rocked the little girl she felt Phoebe’s head find its way to her shoulder.
“Piper, Mummy and Daddy are with Grams”
“I know baby, I know” Piper felt the tears once again trickling down her face, there was nothing she could do, nothing she could say.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
“I’ve got to get her out of that dress”
“What?” Piper had been deep in thought the day had been long and stressful she couldn’t blank out the image of her parents coffins the look on Phoebes face as they’d been lowered into the ground.
“That dress I hate it, we should never have put her in it”
Piper looked at her older sister she knew she was desperately trying to hide her pain.
“It’s not Phoebe, its too old she looks to sad”
Piper bit her lip desperately trying to keep her emotions in check “It’s not the dress Prue, she is sad”
Piper looked on as Prue went off on her mission it was as though she hadn’t heard a word she’d said.
“Phoebe, come here honey lets go get changed”
Phoebe automatically held her hand out and followed her sister to the bedroom.
“There that’s better” Prue pulled on Phoebes favourite cropped jeans and pink t-shirt “That’s more like lets get rid of this eh?”
Phoebe nodded “I hate it”
“Me too”
“Prue what’s going to happen?”
Phoebe sounded scared and unsure her whole world had changed overnight as much as she loved her sisters she desperately missed her mum and dad.
Prue was caught off guard she hadn’t really thought about the future just getting through each day had been hard.
“I don’t know sweetie”
“Can I go outside?”
Prue nodded “Yes, but don’t leave the garden I’ll come and get you when its time to leave”
“Prue can I have a word?”
Prue reeled around it was her mothers younger sister Sue.
“Prue I know this is awkward but I want you to know I want to do all I can to help. I’ve spoken to Steve and he agrees that is if you want”
“What?” Prue looked puzzled.
“Phoebe. I mean have you thought what you’re going to do?”
“We haven’t discussed it yet” Piper had overheard her Aunts enquiry.
“Its just that well, it must be hard on you both Phoebe being so little, and well you are just starting your lives”
“We haven’t thought about it” Piper was getting annoyed they’d had enough to sort out they could do without this!
“Look don’t get upset all I’m saying is we would be more than willing to take her, she gets on well with our girls and we think the world of her” Sues eyes filled with tears, “I just want to help, I know your Mother would have done the same for me”.
“She stays with us!” Pipers eyes were blazing her emotions were raw.
“Piper!” Prue put a restraining hand on her sister’s arm “Piper stop! Sue’s just trying to help”
“That’s not helping! That’s just…haven’t we lost enough? Haven’t we gone through enough without having our little sister taken from us?”
“Piper stop!” Prue sounded firm she took Piper by the arm and pushed her out of the room.
“Piper dam it! Think about it! Sues right, what the hell are we supposed to do with a little girl?”
“I thought…”
“What?! That I’d have her?”
“Well…”
“Yes sure Piper! And where the hell will you be?”
“Prue!”
“Its fact! Face it! I’ve just started to get my life on track; I love Charles things are going great. It wouldn’t be fair he’s not ready for kids, he doesn’t want kids I can’t push Phoebe on to him it’s not fair on any of us!”
“I could help”
“How? By babysitting now and again? Piper I work, Charles works it’s just” Prue let her voice trail off
“Selfish! That’s what it is! Just plain selfish! Christ Prue how can you? That little girl lost everything! It’s hard enough for us but we’re old enough to sort ourselves out and now …..” Piper was lost for words
“Its not! Piper I love her of course I love her! But it’s too much! I’m not ready for kids Charles wouldn’t stay around, what sort of life could I give her?”
Piper slammed herself into the sofa her head knew Prue was making sense but her heart was telling her different.
“It’s all right for you isn’t it?” Prue’s eyes were blazing “You go back to your own comfortable little world and leave me to pick up the pieces! Don’t you dare tell me I’m the selfish one; I haven’t heard you offering to do much!”
“You know I can’t”
“Now who’s being selfish? Can’t or won’t! You’re just as capable as I am, nothing stopping you moving back!”
“You got your degree….”
Prue cut her sister off “And a lot of good that will do me as a full time babysitter back at the Manor!”
“But…….”
Prue was just about to start again when the door was flung open.
“I was looking for you”
Prue took a ragged breath as she looked at Piper the silent look telling her to stay calm.
“Looks like you’ve found us” Prue forced a smile as she looked at the tear stained face of her youngest sister.
“It’s not true is it Prue? It’s not true what Kelly said, I’m not going to live with them I’ll stay with you won’t I? You’re my big sister and you love me more than anything”
Prue felt her breath catch her own words were being played back to her, how many times had she told her baby sister how much she loved her.
Phoebe looked panic stricken “I’ll be good Prue you won’t know I’m there, I won’t be any bother, I can clear up after myself, I’ll put my toys away, I’ll be quiet, I’ll do everything you say, and I’ll be good I promise I’ll be good!” Phoebe’s voice broke “Please don’t send me away …………… I’ll be sad” Phoebe choked her voice by now barely audible “I’ll miss you!”
“I’ll be good” the voice little more than a whisper “I promise”
“I know you will baby, I know that” Prue choked their little sister looked and sounded so pitiful “Shhh, I know you will”
“I don’t want to leave you!” Phoebe was starting to sound distraught the day had been long and hard, reality harsh for the six year old.
“Its ok, we don’t need to talk about this now, come on honey, it’s alright”
Piper shook her head “You won’t get away with that much longer”
Prue glared at the middle sister “Not now!”
“Why not?! Go for it Prue knock her down, destroy her completely!”
Prue glared at the middle sister and sat down with the baby of the family on her knee, Prue couldn’t find the words her little sisters pain was so raw. Rocking too and fro Prue felt like she would choke it was with a sense of relief that she saw the tiredness starting to win. Phoebes eyes were closed her breathing ragged “shh baby…that’s it go to sleep” Piper looked on in silence her anger for the time being suppressed.
Prue lifted the little girl onto the bed and carefully covered her up.
“You’re full of it Prue!” Pipers voice was low her words barely a hiss.
“Not here!” Prue sounded just as annoyed as she pushed her sister out of the door.
“Piper you’re not being fair!”
“What and you think you are?! I can’t believe you! Can’t you see what this will do to her?!”
“I don’t want Mum’s life! I’m not ready for Mum’s life!”
Piper sunk down into the easy chair.
“Piper I’m sorry but I’m not ready for this! I can’t live Mums life”
“Its not ….”
“It is! It’s just the same! Responsible for a family at a young age, no man on the scene – we both know Dad was useless, being dead doesn’t change what he was! He was scared of commitment he walked out when we were kids. Jezz Piper do you think Mum planned this? Do you really think she planned Phoebe?”
“I….I guess I never really thought about it”
“Well she never! He came back after years of playing the absentee dad one thing led to another and then we had Phoebe!”
“But he stayed”
“Yes! For once he faced up to his responsibilities……”
“Charles is nothing like Dad”
Prue let out a deep sigh “Maybe not, but he’s made it perfectly clear, he’s not long out of college he’s enjoying his freedom, for the first time he’s got money in his pocket he’s not about to blow that on a six year old, no matter how cute she is!”
“So you’re picking Charles over Phoebe?”
Prue couldn’t answer, it wasn’t what she wanted, this wasn’t what she planned said so plainly the words cut like no knife ever could.
“Fine! I hope you’re proud of yourself Prue, I just hope you can live with this when she grows up and asks you why”
Piper glared at her sister and walked away, Prue felt the tears once again choking her, she needed space she needed to clear her mind, the pain was like nothing she’d ever felt before the loss of her parents had hit her hard the words from her sister had only added to her misery.
Charles looked over at the middle sister; he couldn’t help but notice that her hands were shaking Piper looked more agitated and upset than she had at the funeral. Picking up a glass of wine Charles made his way across.
“Hey….someone looks like they could do with a drink?”
“No…it would take more than a drink”
“Feel like talking?”
“Not to you”
Charles was shocked the venom in the words clear.
“Have I upset you? Have I done something to upset you?” Charles was genuinely concerned it had been hard for him these past few days, he’d had to sit back and watch the woman he loved try to come to terms with her pain.
“Just ….” Piper shook her head “Just leave me…”
“I’d like to know what I’ve done”
“Nothing!”
“It must be something?”
“No like I said – absolutely nothing! You’ve done absolutely nothing!”
“Erm….is that some kind of clue?” Charles was confused he could see the anger and upset in Pipers face.
Piper took a deep breath “Its not you….not really” Piper brushed quickly at her face the unwanted tears fell slowly down her face “its Prue…I thought”
Charles suddenly realised what Piper had been hinting at “That she’d take Phoebe?”
Piper nodded.
“I think you’re being a little unfair on your sister, that’s a lot to handle all in one go” Charles took a deep breath “You know Piper she might be the oldest but she’s still got her own feelings to cope with, her own grief, her….”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Piper waved her hand in Charles face “I know my sister! I know all that!”
“Ok” Charles could see he wasn’t getting through the only thing he seemed to be achieving was winding Prue’s younger sister up even more “Listen, I’ll leave you too it, but just try not to be too hard on her eh?”
Charles made his way into the garden the day was starting to get to him he was just grateful that the majority of the guests had left by now, he was just deciding whether to go back inside or take a walk around the garden when he heard the rustling of leaves. Looking up he saw Phoebe hanging on to the trellis a bag around her neck and panda stuffed inside her t-shirt.
“Hey little lady! Need some help?” Charles reached up and lifted the little girl down “I don’t think you’re sisters will be too impressed with your way of leaving the house!” Charles laughed the six year old was frowning at him the panda now clutched tightly in her hand “Most people use doors!”
“Mum says I’m not most people”
Charles looked into the little girls deep brown eyes the pain and anguish was plainly visible this was no mischievous act this was one of desperation.
“So where you off too then?” Charles pointed at the bag still slung around the youngster’s neck.
“Don’t know yet, wherever we end up”
“Ohhhh!” Charles nodded “Ok, and does your sister know you’ve taken her bag?”
Phoebe shook her head, suddenly not quite so sure of herself “No, but I didn’t have anything else” Phoebe paused for a moment “I could send it back when I get there”
“Mmmmm” Charles nodded as though deep in thought “So why are you going?”
To Charles dismay the little girl’s eyes filled with tears “Nobody wants me”
Charles had to swallow the lump that came to his throat “I’m sure that’s not true”
“No it is….panda heard them…panda heard them talking”
Charles couldn’t help himself he picked the little girl and all her worldly belongings up “Who did he hear talking?”
“My sisters….so I thought it better if I went, that way they wouldn’t fight and I can come back when I’m big”
“Ok….that sounds sensible, but you know your sisters love you very much, they’d be so upset if they found out you’d gone and hadn’t even said goodbye and I know for a fact Prue is very fond of that bag”
Phoebe locked eyes with her big sisters boyfriend he sounded reasonable.
“Why don’t we find Prue and tell her you’re going that way you can say goodbye properly and make plans so she can get her bag back?”
“She won’t stop me?”
“No…no…no…I’m sure she won’t not once she realises how well you’ve thought this through”
“Ok then”
Charles smiled as he pushed the little girl’s hair back “Ok then! Let’s go find that big sister of yours!”
“Shout out when you see her!” Charles hoisted the six year old onto his shoulders he didn’t know what was going to happen he only knew Prue needed to sort this out and fast.
“There she is! There! Over there!” Phoebe practically bounced off his shoulders in her desperation to get to her sister.
Prue heard Phoebe before she saw her, quickly wiping at her face she tried to compose herself before her sister arrived.
“Hey there sweetheart – look who I found trying to escape” Charles winked at Prue as he hauled Phoebe off his shoulders and passed her across.
“Escape?” Prue’s eyebrows shot up her eyes went wide “Phoebe?”
“I was just going away for a while, still am just come to say goodbye. Charles said you’d be upset if I just went”
“Yes! I would! I’d be very upset!” Prue pulled her little sister onto her knee “And just where do you think you were going with my bag?”
Charles smirked his work was done “I’ll leave you too it sweetie” turning away Charles hesitated “I know you’ll do whatever needs to be done, I just want you to know I’ll understand”
“But you wouldn’t stay?”
Charles shook his head “No…………we talked about it……nothings changed”
Prue bit on her lip she could feel the lump in her throat she was in an impossible situation whatever way she went she knew without a doubt she would lose.
++++++++++++++
“Prue……I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time, you know about Phoebe” Piper followed her sister through to the kitchen, “I know it was hard for you, but I do think you made the right choice.
Prue frowned she still hadn’t come to terms with the twist her life had suddenly taken. “Everything was a mix up, I wasn’t thinking straight”.
“Where is she?”
“In the garden, her and panda are holding a danceathon”
“Oh god!”
Prue let out a laugh “Oh god is right….and don’t think for one minute you’ll get out of it!”
Piper smirked “It’s nice to see her getting back to her old self again”
“Mostly”
“Meaning?”
“Nightmares” Prue swallowed hard there was hardly a night went by that her little sister didn’t scream the house down “She dreams about Mum and Dad she can see them, she shouts to them but they don’t turn around”
“Oh god!”
Prue nodded the tears brimming in her eyes “She’s in a right state; she gets really angry when she wakes up because they’ve not come back to her”
“Oh Prue!!”
“I know….I feel so helpless nothing I can do”
“Just hold her?”
“Yeah…just hold her. Sometimes it takes hours until she cries herself out then she goes back to sleep”
“Wouldn’t think it to look at her now!” Pipers smile was wide she could see Phoebe from the kitchen window she was dancing around the garden with Panda.
Prue’s smile was just as wide as her sisters “Come on, can’t put it off forever!”
Prue pulled the back door open and stood for a second trying to take in the scene.
“I see you baby! Shaking that ass! Shaking that ass!
I hear you baby!”
Piper burst out laughing Charles was shaking his butt in time to Phoebes singing.
“What the ….” Prue’s voice trailed off she hadn’t seen Charles for months.
“Come on Prue! Lets see you baby shaking that ass! Shaking that ass!” Charles sang just as loud as Phoebe the pair of them wiggling their hips at the two stunned sisters.
“Should she even know that type of music?” Piper sounded puzzled “I can’t believe you taught her that I mean shouldn’t she be doing the Funky Gibbon or something?” Piper looked across at her older sister; she could see Prue was totally oblivious to whatever she had to say. “I mean we are here to show her how” …. Prue smacked her hand at her sister “Phoebe! Why don’t you come up and do the funky gibbbbbbbbon now?”
Phoebe raced up the steps and threw herself into Pipers arms “Piper! You’re here!”
“Yes baby I’m here! Now why don’t we go inside and see if we can teach Panda a more appropriate dance”
Phoebe grinned at her sister and followed her in leaving a stunned Prue to deal with Charles.
“Prue?”
“I’m not shaking my ass!” Prue had managed to recover slightly she smiled as she accepted Charles’ extended hand.
“That’s a pity, such a nice ass!”
Prue laughed she’d missed this man so much!
“Prue I..” Charles hesitated for once lost for words “You might, I mean you must be wandering what I’m doing here?”
Prue’s right eyebrow shot up “No, not at all, I think that’s obvious – losing to a six year old at a shake your ass contest!”
Charles took a deep breath he knew Prue was nervous; she always made stupid jokes when she was scared.
“Not quite”
“I think Phoebe would disagree!”
“Prue!.........I’m trying to say……I what happened to you and your sisters was tragic, it was….well no other words could describe it, its bad enough for you and Piper but Phoebe …..” Charles let his voice drift off.
“She’s just a baby……….” Prue finished his sentence for him.
“Yes, she is” Charles could feel his heart beating faster his palms were clammy “And if you want….. if you’d like, I was kinda thinking she could be our baby”
Prue was stunned her legs felt weak unable to speak she slumped down onto the deck chair.
“I mean…I guess, I was a bit of an ass…. Its just this isn’t how I had things planned, but then these last few months without you, I guess I realise sometimes you just have to go with what life throws you”
“It’s not that easy Charles” Prue was gradually coming to her senses “You can’t mess her,,,,,,…… I mean us about, she’s already lost so much you can’t come here and play happy families and then leave”
“I meant what I said…so what if it is a few years before we planned? It doesn’t really matter, I mean she’s so much like you anyway and you know I love you to bits it just makes sense…”
Prue suddenly felt panic stricken, if this went wrong, if this backfired the sisters had been through so much already.
“Prue, I understand, I mean I don’t just expect to walk back into your lives, but what if we started slow? See how it goes? Give it a chance?”
Prue felt the tears welling in her eyes this time they were tears of happiness, unable to speak she nodded in agreement, she felt Charles pull her up and swing her round.
“Hey sisters! Get back out here I know you’re listening!” Charles was laughing he had seen the two heads duck quickly beneath the window when he’d looked up.
“We weren’t” Phoebe skipped out of the house “It was panda!”
“Panda hey?!”
“Yes!” Phoebe squealed as Charles caught her and threw her into the air.
Piper put her arm around her older sister and drew her close “It’ll all work out Prue, you’ll see” smiling through her tears Piper kissed her big sister “I promise, I’ll be home in a couple of months I’ll work evenings we can do this, between us we can do this”
Prue buried her head in her sister’s shoulder for the first time in months she felt truly happy.
“Prue! We’ve gotta stop this! Where does she learn these things?”
“Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (da-da-da)
Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here ohooh yea yeah)
Mocha Choca lata ya ya (yea)
Creole lady Marmalade
Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ce soir, what what what)
Voulez vous coucher avec moi”
Prue laughed as she listened to her baby sister belt out the words to Lady Marmalade – Charles wasn’t doing a bad job as her back up singer “From the top honey…… Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, flow sista
Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, go sista”
Piper laughed as she watched her two sisters strutting their stuff.
“Come on Pipe! This has to beat the Funky Gibbon!” Prue smirked at her sister, she might be fulfilling the role of parent in her Phoebes life but she wasn’t about to relinquish her position as cool big sister!
Piper laughed “I give in! I give in!”
Charles smile was as wide as his face as he watched his new family unable to resist he pulled Prue close to him so he could whisper in her ear
“Well ……….. Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”
Prue smirked as she kissed her boyfriend back “That’s you going slow is it? “ Prue let out a laugh as she felt Charles kiss her neck “We’ll see! We’ll see!”
THE END