Disclaimer: I do not own them. They belong to the WB.


“PRUE! PRUE! PIPE!”

Prue had no time to react as the kitchen door banged open and her youngest sister barged into the room.

“Hey!” Prue smiled at the youngster hoping to calm her down, she felt an overwhelming sadness at the look of panic and worry etched across the furrowed brow, “its ok, you’re alright, I was just coming to check on you”

She felt the arm snake around her waist the small head thrust into her side.

“Are you ok?”

Again she felt the head move.

“No don’t do that, speak properly answer me” Prue was anxious that Phoebe didn’t revert into her shell.

“I…..I…I was”

Prue reached down and picked her little sister up, the legs immediately wrapping round her waist the head finding its way onto her shoulder, “shhh, its ok baby…..its ok”

“Scared!”

Prue nodded as she continued to run a hand over the rough hair “That’s ok, it’s ok to be scared” Prue shifted her little sister taking her weight on one arm while she pulled out a kitchen chair, she sat down with Phoebe straddling her lap, her head buried against her chest.

The sisters sat there for a while, Prue doing what she had become accustomed to doing the past month or so, calming her sister, easing her fears.

“Is that better?” Prue pulled back so she could see her sisters face.

“Yes”

“Hungry?”

“No”

“No! Have I heard right?! No! Phoebe Halliwell isn’t hungry?! That can’t be right!”

Phoebe rewarded her big sister with a half smile, even that small gesture struck at Prue’s heart, the pain still so raw, her little sister’s constant struggle so painfully evident.

“Share mine?” Prue dropped a kiss onto her baby sisters forehead, “Come on honey, you have to eat, we’ve got a busy day ahead of us”

“You won’t leave me will you Prue?”

“No”

“I mean you won’t leave me alone, in the room”

“No, I’ll stay”

“But what if they say you’ve got to go?”

“I’ll stay, I’m not going anywhere”

“But what if they make you, what if they say you’ve got to go outside, what if….”

“Phoebe, I’m not going anywhere, no matter what”

“Okay”

Prue gave her sister a half smile “You’re stuck with me, get used to it”

Phoebe kissed her big sister and smiled back “good”

Prue felt the involuntary tears fill her eyes tightening her grip she held the little girl close and gave her a hug.

“I love you Prue”

Prue’s voice cracked “I love you too” something she hadn’t always been able to say, but something she’d felt every second of every day since her baby sister had been born.

“Will I have to get undressed? I don’t want to get undressed? What if they make you wait outside?”

Prue took a deep breath she was off again, the past two days had been exactly the same, Phoebe was obsessed with the forthcoming visit to the hospital.

“I’ve told you a hundred times, I’ll be with you”

“But what if they say they won’t look at me if you’re there”

Prue knew her little sisters imagination was in overdrive, she was imagining all sorts of things and every one of them ended with her being on her own.

“Then we’ll leave” Prue pulled Phoebes face around so she could look directly into the deep chocolate brown eyes “Listen to me! I am going nowhere, I am staying with you, I’m not going to leave your side! Got it!”

“Got it. Prue you didn’t answer, will I have to get undressed?”

“Maybe” Prue didn’t want to lie to her sister she knew the forthcoming Doctors exam wouldn’t be easy “But we talked about this didn’t we?”

“Mmmm”

Prue detected the threat of tears she hugged her little sister even closer rubbing her back attempting to bring her some comfort, “Pheebes, I know its hard, but be brave eh? It’ll be over before you know it and then we can go and do something nice”

Phoebe looked directly into her big sisters eyes, Prue felt her heart lurch; her baby girl looked so pitiful.

“We could go shopping, how about we get you some new clothes?”

“No” Phoebe shook her head the determination evident in her features.

“No! You’re telling me Phoebe Halliwell famed for shopping until dropping is turning down a trip to the mall!”

Phoebe nodded again this time not quite so confidently.

“Talk to me” Prue brushed her little sister’s hair back and tucked it behind her ear.

“Everyone stares”

“They don’t honey”

“They do Prue everyone keeps looking at my face”

“The bruises have nearly gone, if they are looking it’s because they’ve never seen someone so beautiful”

Phoebe wrinkled her nose at her big sister “I’m not” Prue’s heart nearly broke as she listened to the little girl continue “I’m ugly inside and out”

“What!” Prue’s voice was incredulous “Where did you get such an idea from?”

“He said” Phoebe gasped for air “said I was ugly inside and out”

“What and you believe him? He had mental problems honey; he had no grip on reality you can’t believe anything he said”

“But I…..” Phoebe’s voice broke as the tears rolled down her face “I don’t look like me anymore, and I don’t feel like me”

“You will baby girl, you will” Prue rocked her sister gently she felt Phoebes grip tighten her sister desperate for comfort and reassurance.

“Phoebe it’ll get easier I promise, you need time, it’ll help, things fade, very gradually but they do honey, they become less……………….. intense” Prue kissed her little sister and brushed the tears away “Do you think Pipers pretty?”

Phoebe nodded “She’s beautiful”

“Yes she is, and do you think she’s got lovely eyes?”

Phoebe nodded “Yes, she’s got kind eyes”

Prue couldn’t help but smile her little sister saw so much “Yes she has, but do you know something?”

Phoebe shook her head “What?”

“If I was shown a picture of either yours or Pipers eyes I’d struggle to say who’s they were. Their identical honey, that was one of the first things Piper said when she saw you, she said you had her eyes, she thought that made you her baby”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah” Prue smiled as she tapped a finger on the end of Phoebes nose “you’ve got kind eyes too”.

Phoebe rewarded her with a big smile.

“And do you remember what you told me you liked best about Mum?”

Phoebe nodded “Her smile”

“That’s right, her smile, it filled her face babe, just like yours, you’ve even got the cute little dimples”

“So now who do you believe? A pack of lies or your very clever, very wise, big sister?”

Phoebe grinned “My very wise, very old big sister”

“Old! Old!” Prue spluttered immediately picking up on Phoebes fun “Clever! Clever!”

Phoebe giggled, a rare occurrence and something that gave her big sister all the reward she could wish for, she snuggled in, her head resting comfortably in its familiar spot, “You’ve got kind eyes too”

Prue smiled “Thank you! Now lets go get ready!”

“Will Piper be here when we get back?”

“Yes, she’ll be here, she said to give you a big kiss, and tell you good luck, and she loves you and she’ll be thinking about you, and she’s really sorry she can’t come with us”

Phoebes eyes brimmed again, Prue smiled at her knowing that once again Phoebe was overwhelmed with emotion, “You do understand babes don’t you, she has to take her exam today otherwise she’ll lose a full year. She also said she’s going to cook you your favourite meal tonight and she’ll do anything you want to do”

“I do, I she just, I was” Phoebe let out a deep sigh she couldn’t get used to the waves of emotion that washed over her at the slightest provocation “I was just thinking how much I love her”

Prue smiled at her little sister she knew exactly how she felt everything was over sensitised, a simple act of kindness or love brought feelings to the fore, all three Halliwells felt it.

“Probably just as much as we love you, anyway I’d better do as I’ve been told and give you that kiss!”

Phoebe squealed as she tried to escape, she knew exactly what her big sister had in mind, her squeals turned to laughter as Prue grabbed her and blew a hard wet raspberry on her neck, finally taking mercy she let her little sister go, she laughed as Phoebe wiped frantically at her neck “That was gross!”

Prue grinned as she held her arms out, Phoebe didn’t hesitate as she hugged her sister back, enveloping her in a huge bear hug Prue felt for the first time in weeks a sense of peace.

They all had a long way to go, but these tiny flashes of normality told Prue that one day they’d get there. The Halliwell family would mend, their wounds would heal, their love would grow even stronger.

Piper shot up from her chair, she’d been waiting and pacing for over an hour, her exam finally behind her her only thoughts had been for her baby sister. Piper ran a hand through her hair, it was hard! Everything was so dam hard! She’d gone in today with good intentions, she knew today was important, she’d already missed so much, but all she could think about was Phoebe.

Her baby sister, so soft, so gentle, so innocent. She’d left the house before her sister woke. Piper had kissed the furrowed brow, once again wondering how even in her sleep her sister’s worry and concern managed to convey to the outside world. She’d pulled the duvet around the tiny shoulders, picked up the fallen teddy, tucked it under her arm and gently kissed her. She had stood there for a while just staring, taking in every inch of the little girls face, the fading bruises, the slight bump on the bridge of her nose, Piper had brushed a tear away, before running her hand gently over the shorn locks that had once been so thick and long, Phoebes crowning glory. Piper felt another tear slide silently down her face, her beautiful little sister now so hurt, so broken. The jagged hair merely serving to illustrate just how vulnerable the child really was, always small now she looked positively elf like. Piper didn’t want to go, she didn’t want to leave her, she wanted to stay, she wanted to hold her, she wanted to be there. Piper quickly brushed away another tear finally dragging herself away she went downstairs, her heart heavy, her steps slow.

“Is she ok?”

Piper nodded in the general direction of her oldest sister, swallowing hard she suppressed her feelings “She’s sleeping”

“Good. Are you alright? You look upset?”

“I’m fine”

“Piper?” Prue’s voice was gentle, full of concern “Come on honey, you know what we’ve been told, we have to talk to each other we can’t keep hiding our feelings, we’ll never move on”

Piper bit on the inside of her mouth she knew Prue meant well but it wasn’t that easy, besides Prue was a fine one to talk!

“I just feel that I’m letting her down again, I should be with her, I should be supporting her” Pipers voice cracked, she was worn out, the emotions so raw so near to the surface.

Prue felt the lump in her own throat she knew her younger sister was struggling, trying to come to terms with the horror of what had happened to their baby sister, “I know, Piper honey, if you miss today, you’ll lose a full year, she’ll be alright, I promise I’ll take care of her”

Piper wrapped her arms around her sister, taking comfort when the familiar arms held her tight she felt Prue kiss the top of her head “Phoebe understands, she was fine about it”

“I know”

“Come on then, you’d better get going or you’ll be late, just think another couple of hours and you’ll be able to curl up on the sofa and watch TV with Pheebes”

Piper gave her oldest sister a half smile.

“That’s better”

Piper nodded she still didn’t want to go but she knew it made sense, she also knew that she’d be surplus anyway. Even if she’d been there Prue wouldn’t have let her near, and who could blame her? After all she’d been trusted once and what had happened? What had she done? She’d let them down, she’d made the biggest mistake of her life, she’d turned her back, she failed to protect, she failed to stop him…………Piper knew without a doubt all this was her fault she was the one that had caused her sister so much pain and misery.

“Tell her I’ll be thinking of her, Prue tell her I love her and give her a big kiss”

Prue nodded “No problem”

“Oh and” Piper was halfway through the door as she shouted over her shoulder “Tell her she can have anything she wants for dinner and I’m going to spoil her tonight”

Prue smiled “I’ll tell her……………and Piper?”

“Yeah?”

“Good luck with the exam, I’ll be thinking about you”

Piper nodded once again aware of the tears stinging the back of her eyes.

That had been hours ago and now she was pacing waiting for her sisters to return, finally she heard the car, she was out like a shot.

“Hey?!” Piper stopped in her tracks a mixture of panic and concern running through her body.

“She’s ok…………she’s just a bit upset” Prue was holding their baby sister stroking what was left of her hair.

“Pheebes?...........Phoebe?..........................Honey?”

“I’m ok”

Piper’s heart nearly broke at the sound of her little sister trying to suppress her feelings, emotions that should never be ignored.

“Come here honey, let’s go inside, let’s have a cuddle” Piper held her arms out.

“Nooooooo” Phoebe sounded distraught the façade rapidly falling.

“She just needs a bit of time Pipe, it was a bit……………..” Prue’s voice trailed off

“What! It was a bit what!”

Prue scowled at the middle sister at the same time rubbing her youngest sisters back “intimate” Prue’s voice was low, but at the same time it delivered the message.

“Come on honey, there’s a good girl, you’ve been so good!” Prue turned her attention back to the youngest “How about we go inside and have a nice hot drink?”

Piper watched as her sisters made their way into the Manor, she knew she should be focussing on helping her little sister but she couldn’t help her feelings, she felt guilty, she felt pushed out, she felt hurt and hardest of all she felt jealous of the bond Phoebe was forming with Prue.

“Piper?”

Piper looked up from the book she had been reading a dishevelled looking Phoebe stood in front of her rubbing her eyes a look of confusion on her face.

“What babe?”

“How long have I been asleep?” Phoebe still sounded shattered, her hair was sticking up her t-shirt crumpled she still looked exhausted.

“A couple of hours” Piper put the book down as Phoebe climbed on to her lap, her little sister cuddled in needing the closeness.

Piper smiled at the little girl and brushed her hair down “You still look tired”

Phoebe nodded yawning she pushed her head into Pipers chest, Piper gently ran her hand over her little sisters back.

“It was horrible Pipe” Phoebes big brown eyes brimmed with tears.

“I know honey, Prue told me, she also told me how brave you were” Piper kissed the top of her little sisters head.

“I wasn’t” Phoebe choked “I cried”

“That’s ok, you know you can cry and still be brave” Piper rubbed Phoebes back she could see the little girl was still upset the memories fresh in her mind.

“The doctor made me take all my stuff off, I had to put my legs in these metal things, it was horrible Piper” Phoebe sniffed “He hurt me”

Piper pulled her sister even closer she rocked her gently “Shhh, it’s alright baby, it’s alright, I didn’t like that either”

Phoebes big brown eyes looked into Pipers identical set “You’ve been examined?”

“Yeah honey, a year or so ago I had an infection, it’s something everybody has to do at some stage, it’s not nice, but it’s necessary the Doctors just checking that everything’s alright and that you’re healing properly”

Phoebe nodded taking comfort from the fact she wasn’t alone and her big sister had some idea of what she’d been through.

“But it’s over now, and I seem to remember promising my favourite little sister that we would do anything she wanted. We could play board games, or Buck-a- roo or” Piper stopped as Phoebe shook her head.

“I just want to stay here with you”

Piper felt the tears stinging at the back of her eyes, she suddenly felt guilty for feeling so jealous before, her little sister was trying to come to terms with all that had gone on and all she could do was feel sorry for herself.

“Ok” Piper took a deep breath managing once again to control her emotions “We could watch videos?”

“No, lets just cuddle, you give good cuddles, I love you Piper”

Piper felt the tears brimming once again as she felt Phoebe kiss the side of her face.

“And I love you”

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Prue sat at the kitchen table, her head in her hands, she felt exhausted, she felt helpless most of all she felt angry. She would never understand in a million years why this happened, how someone could treat another human being so badly, how someone could cause such suffering to others. She was just glad he was dead, no longer a threat, no longer a part of this world. She hated him - with all her being she hated him, Conran, she could hardly bear to think of his name, she couldn’t think of him a human, she couldn’t think of him as someone who was once a little boy, only to grow up full of hatred and cruelty, someone who had snatched her baby sisters innocence, terrorised her and tortured her practically leaving her for dead. Prue could feel the emotions once again rising, she could almost feel her anger it was like a giant ball in the pit of her stomach, she could feel it moving rising through her gullet, to her throat, finally arriving in her head. Her head was pounding as unwanted images flashed into her consciousness. Her baby sister tied up, battered and bruised scared beyond belief, the deep brown eyes searching for her, the panic and fear clearly visible. His body as it lay on the stone floor in a pool of blood, back to Phoebe the feel of the tiny body laying limp in her arms, and more recently today the little girl so scared and shaken. Prue bit on her lip, trying to calm down, trying to get a grip on her emotions what she wouldn’t give to have the bratty little kid back, what she wouldn’t give to hear that distinctive giggle, the chuckle the one that started low but deep and gradually built to a crescendo leaving the little girl helpless with laughter tears running down her face. It could be anything Phoebe had always had that gift, she saw humour in the most unusual circumstances, at ten years old her little sister was quite the entertainer. Prue corrected herself had been, her thoughts continued to ramble, will be again, Prue was brought back to the present by the appearance of her sisters. Piper was holding a sleeping Phoebe; she looked concerned as she sought out the eldest.

“Prue, she’s well away, she’s not had anything to eat all day, and she’s due her tablets”

“We should wake her”

“I know but it seems a shame”

“How long will dinner be?”

“Not long, half an hour or so, I just need to finish it off, I didn’t want to leave her on her own, she’s still really upset”

“Do you want to give her to me? I’ll sit here with her if you like; she can have another 20 minutes or so”

Piper nodded as she passed her baby sister to Prue “She’s so light”

Prue gave her a half smile “She’s never been heavy”

“She just, well she’s all skin and bone, there’s nothing of her”

Prue brushed her hand over Phoebes head “I know, we’ll sit down later eh and see if we can think of something, maybe get her some of those shake things”

Piper pulled a face “My cookings better for her than those, I don’t mind making her stuff”

Prue decided to leave the subject for now, she knew Piper would be on the defensive, “I didn’t mean anything Pipe, we need to build her up, the bruises are fading but she still looks so ill”

“Prue?” Phoebe’s sleepy voice cut into the conversation.

“Hey sleepy head! You decided to wake up?”

“Prue I ache”

“I know honey, you need to take your tablets, dinners nearly ready can you hold on a little while you need to take them with food”

“Ok”

Prue exchanged a look with Piper, Phoebe looked and sounded so sad “How about you have a bath now and put your nice comfy PJ’s on then we can snuggle on the sofa and eat Pipers lovely food”

“Ok”

Prue stood up lifting the little one with her “That good with you Pipe?”

Piper nodded she’d go along with anything if it made Phoebe feel more comfortable.

“Come on then honey lets get you sorted”

Piper watched as her sisters made their way to the bathroom, she felt as though a heavy weight was pushing on her chest, her little sister looked so sad and pitiful, much like Prue had felt earlier Piper was overcome with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

+++++++++++

“Want a hand?” Prue turned the taps on she watched as Phoebe began to get undressed she looked worn out the effort almost too much, not bothering to wait for an answer Prue reached out and grasped the bottom of Phoebes “Superstar” glitter t-shirt.

“Up”

Grateful for the help Phoebe automatically lifted her arms and allowed her sister to pull her top off, still half asleep she failed to notice the flicker of pain flash through her oldest sister’s eyes. Prue felt her stomach churn, no matter how many times Prue saw Phoebes injuries she could never get used to it, she took a sharp breath as she uncovered the mass of bruises and cuts still evident on her little sisters body.

Prue did what she’d done all along, she pushed her own thoughts and feelings aside, helping her little sister into the tub she picked up the cloth and began to lather it up.

“You washing yourself or do you want me to help you”

Phoebe was looking down, avoiding her sisters gaze.

“Pheebes?”

Prue detected a slight sob “Phoebe? Honey?”

No doubt about it Prue heard another one slightly louder, reaching out she gently took her sisters chin and pulled her face up so she could see her properly “What’s wrong baby? Do you want to be on your own?”

“Noooooo”

“Oh honey what’s wrong?” Prue was concerned she had no idea what had triggered the tears.

“I’m ugly”

“Ohh baby! You’re not! We went through this this morning, you’re beautiful”

“My hairrrrrrrrrrrrrr”

Prue felt an overwhelming sadness flood through her, the bastard had done a good job all right – her little sister only had to look into a mirror and the nightmare came back.

“It’ll grow honey” Prue dabbed some bubbles onto the end of Phoebe’s nose “We could go and have it cut properly if you want”

“It’ll still be short; I still won’t look like me”

“Remember how long my hair used to be? It’s just different baby, it’s still lovely you’re still my beautiful baby sister, I’ll take you to the best salon in town I bet they could cut it nice”

“I don’t want to go………..”

Other than to the doctors and the hospital Phoebe had refused to step outside the door

“Ok” Prue let out a deep sigh trying desperately to think of a solution “Then how about I pay them to come here?”

Phoebe looked doubtful.

“Listen I’ll ring them up and tell them you’ve not been well, they’ll come”

“What if they ask questions? You know about the bruises and stuff”

“They won’t I’ll warn them, and if they do I’ll beat them up” Prue grinned at her little sister.

Phoebe rewarded her with a teary smile “Then they’d be sorry”.

+++++++++++++++

A few hours later, the three sisters were curled up on the sofa, Phoebe had once again given in to the tiredness that seemed to consume her body, cradled on Pipers lap her breathing was heavy and jagged.

Piper looked down at the innocent face, tracing the bruise underneath Phoebes left eye she couldn’t help but think of the mixed emotions of the day. The emotional rollercoaster they found themselves on was wild and unpredictable; she now knew just how hard this journey back to normality was going to be.
++++++++++++++++++++

“Hey sweetie! Do you want to come and sit a bit closer, come over here and sit next to me” the child psychologist looked at the scared little girl in front of her, she looked pale, the only colour to her face was the dark circles under the sunken eyes, “no? You want to stay over there? Well that’s alright but if you change your mind you get right over here ok?”

The child looked at her with a mixture of fear and distrust; she hugged her teddy bear even closer not once taking her eyes of the woman in front of her.

“See this? Can you see what I’m holding in my hand?” The doctor continued ignoring the lack of response.

“I only show this to very special people, very special people who I know I can trust. Do you see the little girl in this photo?”

The child nodded, barely but it was a huge move forward.

“Well that’s me”

The little girls eyes flew open, she moved slightly forward trying to get a better look. The doctor observed the reactions, she watched as the little girl reached out cautiously and traced the figure in the frame, she looked closely at the photograph and then peered even closer at the woman in front of her. Without saying a word the little girl stood up and sat next to the young doctor.

++++++++++++++++

Piper looked up from her coffee a big smile on her face, she looked across at her oldest sister and saw the smirk, the smirk that told her she’d heard it to.

The low laugh, the distinctive giggle, the eventual eruption of unbridled mirth. The door swung open and a little girl raced in, her hair was wild and unruly, her face filthy, her clothes covered in mud.

“Help meeeeeeeeee!”

Piper and Prue sat back and laughed, watching as the figure chasing the little girl eventually caught her.

“I’m going to put you in a sandwich and eat you up!” The child was thrown up into the air, making her laugh even louder

“Put me down! Put me down!”

“Put you down? Put you down? You mean like this” the little girl was allowed to slip through the young womans arms before the grip tightened and threw her back into the air.

“You’ll make her sick!” Piper laughed watching the obvious enjoyment in both the little girls and her captors face.

“Make her sick?! More like the other way round”

A fresh peel of laughter rung out as the little girl was tickled, her t-shirt pulled up and a long loud raspberry blown onto her belly.

“Mum! Mum! Get her off me!”

Prue laughed “No! You got yourself into this you get yourself out!”

“Mummmmmmmmmmmmyyyyy!!!!”

Prue laughed again “No serves you right!”

“Aunt Phoebe put me down! Let me go!”

Phoebe laughed as she put her niece on the floor “So how’s my little princess been today? Have you been good for your poor old Mum and Aunt Piper?”

Phoebe couldn’t help but smile as the four year old looked down studying her sneakers.

“Well…….I didn’t mean for it to happen, and really it was Davey’s fault, I only brought them in to keep them safe”

Phoebe grinned as she looked across at her sisters they were both smiling; listening to the miniature Phoebe explaining how she’d tried to be good but it hadn’t quite worked out.

“What happened?” Phoebe’s grin went even wider as she knelt down in front of her niece.

“Well Davey was going to see if worms could drown”

Phoebe let out a loud laugh “And you saved them?”

Little Patty nodded “I brought them in to hide them”

“Well that sounds like you did the right thing to me, I’d have done exactly the same! I’m very proud of you princess” Phoebe beamed at her niece, which quickly turned into a genuine smile when she was rewarded with a big gummy grin.

“Yes? Well I wonder if you’d be so proud if you’d been the one put your hand into the biscuit tin! Straight into a load of wriggling worms!”

Prue laughed Pipers face had the same look as when she’d opened the tin and thrown it across the kitchen in shock and disgust.

Phoebe laughed “My niece has a kind heart! You can’t blame her for saving the animals”

“Animals?! Worms!” Piper sounded incredulous even so she couldn’t disguise the amusement in her voice.

“All creatures of god my dear sister” Phoebe dropped a kiss on her sisters forehead and picked up a cookie.

“Phoebe!” Both big sisters at once.

“What?”

“I want one! Aunt Phoebe give me a cookie!”

“Opps!”

“Yeah opps!” Prue lightly smacked her youngest sister on the backside “Aunt Phoebe’s very naughty honey she shouldn’t be eating cookies before dinner”

“Your Mummy’s right baby, come on lets go get cleaned up, the quicker we get ready for dinner the quicker we can eat cookies”

Piper let out a low laugh as she watched the two youngest members of the family leave the kitchen, she knew as well as Prue that as soon as they were out of sight Phoebe would sneak what was left of her cookie to her young niece.

Prue shook her head “I don’t know whose worse!”

“Mmmm I do”

“Phoebe” both sisters together.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Hard day?” Prue had just put her little girl to bed, and was looking forward to catching up with her sisters.

“Yeah” Phoebe sounded tired, the mischievous young woman from earlier had almost disappeared.

Prue sat on the sofa and wrapped her arms around her youngest sister “Want to tell me about it?”

“New patient, young girl not much older than Patty”

“I don’t know how you do it”

“Neither do I sometimes, but its………….well it’s kind of weird, I showed her the photo today, you know the one the police took when you got me back”

Prue felt an involuntary shudder run through her body “I know the one.”

“It’s like its someone else, it’s not me, it’s like I’m just telling a story” Phoebe paused “does that sound weird?”

“No, babe it doesn’t it’s probably a coping mechanism”

Phoebe let out a little laugh “Thought I was the psycobabblist”

“You are! And a bloody good one at that!” Prue hugged her sister “Have I told you how very” Prue kissed her little sister “Very” Prue landed another kiss “Very” kiss “proud” kiss “of you I am”

“Nearly” Phoebe pulled Prue’s face towards her she kissed her on the cheek “Every” kiss “Single” kiss “Day!”

Prue laughed “Piper will get jealous!”

“No chance – I’ve got plenty of kisses left I’ll never run short!”

Prue smiled at her sister, Phoebe had snuggled down, she was in her safe spot, in the comfortable embrace of her oldest sister, she ran her hand through the thick brown hair she had a good idea what was coming.

“It’s with me every single day of my life, its never going to go.”

Prue felt her eyes fill up, as she listened to the almost inaudible voice of her little sister.

“But I have to do something Prue, you’re right sometimes it does get me so down, its so hard reliving what happened and listening to those little girls telling me their deepest fears, they’re so scared Prue” Phoebe choked “But I have to do it, I was lucky………… I have to give something back”

Prue sometimes marvelled at her little sister’s inner strength how could she say she’d been lucky?

“I know what you’re thinking”

“Mind reader as well now?”

“No, you’re thinking how the hell could I think I was lucky”

“Close”

“I meant that I had you and Piper”

“Did I hear my name?” Piper smiled as she joined her sisters.

“Just saying how lucky I was to have you two, not everybody is as fortunate”

Piper eyebrows hiked up as she looked over Phoebes head and into the blue eyes of her older sister.

“I mean you were not much more than kids yourselves, sometimes I wonder how the hell you managed”

“Love” both sisters at once.

“And thousands of dollars on therapy” Piper smiled at her youngest sister hoping to cheer her up.

“No it was more, you are both so strong, I ………..” Phoebe’s voice cracked as she thought back to the hell they had lived through.

“It’s ok” Prue sounded gentle as she ran a comforting hand over her baby sisters back.

“I just, well I just want to thank you both. I’ve wanted to say for such a long time, but well the time is never right. You two are my rock, without you I don’t know where I’d be or what I would have become. You were both so strong, you could have suffocated me, kept me wrapped up in cotton wool, but you didn’t, you found your own strength you let me grow” Phoebe paused “And you let me go”

“We didn’t want to” Piper sounded just as upset as the youngest sister “I didn’t want to let you out of my sight, I wanted to keep you with me day and night”

“I didn’t want to leave your side I still remember the panic I felt when I couldn’t see one of you” Phoebe choked “Do you remember the first time you left me?”

“I could never forget!” Prue smiled remembering the memory.

“It was terrible!” Piper groaned as she recalled dropping off the ten year old, the ten year old who had been the life and soul of any party who was now begging and pleading with her sisters not to make her go.

“You were so upset”

“I can’t believe you left me there!”

“Neither can I” Prue smiled “We’d been warned, we’d been told what it would be like, we hid outside were we could see you, not a minute went by that either I or Piper didn’t make a move to go and get you. We both so desperately wanted to pick you up and cuddle you. But as one lost their resolve the other found her strength”

“Best feeling ever was when we both lost it”

Prue giggled “Yeah we couldn’t take it anymore we could hear you crying for us so we just came out and got you”

“Bet the party girl was sorry to see me go” Phoebe grinned

“You did better next time”

Piper let out a little laugh “Yeah, we left you twice as long……………. a full 10 minutes!”

“I remember when we got home” Phoebe sounded sad as she remembered how frightened she’d been.

Prue nodded “So do I” she choked as the scene replayed in her head a distraught Phoebe had sat on her knee “Prue I want to stay here for ever” Prue had cuddled her sister close “Where honey? At the Manor?” “Nooooo, here…………..on your knee” Prue remembered rocking her baby sister “You’ve got it honey, this is your spot” she’d kissed the little girl “for as long as you need it”

“And it still is isn’t it Prue?” Phoebe smirked she knew what Prue had been thinking “Although I’ve had a little competition these last few years! From my darling little niece”

“Mmm niece? More like a creature made in your own image” Piper laughed.

“I know it is a bit spooky isn’t it” Phoebe grinned.

“Spooky?! Downright scary, when the nurse handed her to me I nearly dropped her in shock! Apart from the fact that she’s got my blue eyes she could be your clone!”

“Even the laugh” Piper smiled as she cuddled up next to her sisters.

“Is she anything like her Daddy?”

“Not that I can see, pure Halliwell through and through, just as well seeing as he bailed the second I told him I was pregnant”

“Mmmm something else we have in common”

Piper sniggered “Yeah well let’s hope it stops there, I really couldn’t cope with another” Pipers voice turned dramatic, her words low and deep ‘Phoebe Daughter of Darkness’……..”

Prue smirked “God yes! That was a nightmare, black clothes, black make-up, black lipstick! God you were scary!”

Phoebe let out a giggle “But you still loved me right?”

“We could never stop” Piper smiled at her youngest sister.

“Aunt Phoeeeebbbeeee” Phoebe quickly brushed away the remainder of her tears, her heart felt like it would melt when she looked in the direction of the sleepy voice. Little Patty was standing at the bottom of the stairs, she looked so cute.

“Aunt Phoeeeebbbbeee” Patty was rubbing at her eyes with one fist, her favourite teddy dangling from the other.

“What’s wrong my little snuggle bug” Phoebe was already half way across the room she lifted the little girl into her arms and gave her a cuddle “You’re nice and cosy! Are these your new PJ’s?”

“Yesssss” Patty sounded half asleep.

“Phoebe don’t liven her up, she’ll never go back” Prue smiled good naturedly at her youngest sister she enjoyed watching her fuss over her daughter.

Phoebe grinned as she pulled the hood up on the fleecy night suit “Just what I’ve always wanted my very own real live Tigger”

Piper giggled as she watched the ball of orange snuggle into her youngest Aunt.

“Got somefink for you” Patty still sounded sleepy as she pushed her hand into the pouch of her Tigger suit.

“And it wouldn’t wait” Phoebe grinned as she held her hand out; the grin rapidly fell when she realised what her niece had given her.

Piper couldn’t hold it back her laugh erupted, the look on Phoebes face was comical.

Phoebe glared at Piper then quickly composed herself, she didn’t want to hurt her niece’s feelings.

“Oh! Thank you baby, that’s lovely, why don’t we give it to Aunt Piper to mind while I take you back to bed?”

Phoebe felt the nod of agreement, Patty’s eyes were already half closed.

Piper’s eyes went wide “No! No! Don’t you dare!”

“Now take good care of that Aunt Piper I’ll be back in a little while!”

With that a grinning Phoebe deposited the wriggling worm onto her sister’s lap.

Prue had already jumped up she burst out laughing at the look on Pipers face.

“Get it off! Get it off!” Piper had frozen, this had to be the biggest juiciest grossest worm ever, and Phoebe had tossed it onto her skirt, “Get it OFF!” Piper quickly batted the wriggling creature across the room.

Prue was helpless “Piper! Be careful that’s a gift from my daughter”

“A gift! A gift!” Piper was spluttering “Why can’t she give flowers, or chocolates! Last week she presented me with a frog! The week before it was dead fish!” Piper put on her little girl voice “Here you are Aunty Piper this is to thank you for all the lovely cookies you bake! Aunty Piper this is for you coz I love you!”

Prue eventually managed to control her laughter, she smirked then laughed again as Pipers face broke into a huge grin, within seconds Piper was laughing as hard as her sister.

Phoebe could hear the laughter coming up the stairs she smiled as she covered her little niece and kissed her gently on the forehead “I love you snuggle bug”

“Wuv vu An Pheee” Patty’s eyes closed she was already practically asleep.

Phoebe turned the lamp off and made her way downstairs, she stopped halfway down and took a minute to observe her sisters, her eyes glistened, she had never felt so content, the road had been long and hard the journey relentless. She knew some memories would never fade but now right at that moment she knew the good far outweighed the bad.

“Get your ass down here and take care of this worm!”

Phoebe giggled as she wiped at her eyes, she jumped down the last few steps, “What worm, this worm?” Phoebe picked up the worm and dangled it from her fingers “You mean my gift? My new pet?”

Piper ran she knew she was in trouble, Prue laughed as she heard Piper shriek – Phoebe had obviously caught up with her.

“Kiss it!”

“Never!”

“Kiss it!”

Prue could hear both sisters giggling she followed them into the kitchen Phoebe had Piper backed into a corner.

“Kiss it!”

“No!”

“Kiss me then!”

Piper giggled louder “No! Ok! Ok! I’ll kiss the worm!”

Prue laughed out loud as she listened to the antics of her sisters.

“I’ll kiss you then”

Piper shrieked as she realised what Phoebe had done “Ughh!”

“What?! Did she drop it down your top?”

“No!” Pipers face was crunched in disgust “She licked me!”

Prue’s laughter was even louder it was something Phoebe had done from about the age of 3 she knew it grossed her big sisters out.

“You are so dead!” Piper was on the attack now as Phoebe backed off.

“Piper no! I was just messing!” Phoebe was laughing as she walked backwards to the door “I didn’t mean it Pipe!”

Piper had a big grin on her face now “Well I do”

“No Pipe! Stop! Stop or the worm gets it” Phoebe held the worm up in front of her sister’s face.

Piper smirked “Good”

“No!” Phoebe opened the door and ran outside Piper close on her heels. Prue pulled down three wine glasses and opened a bottle of red as she pulled the cork her sisters tumbled back into the kitchen.

Phoebe was spluttering “She put ice down my back!”

“Oh! Poor baby!” Prue was laughing at the indignation of the youngest.

Piper was grinning from ear to ear she pulled Phoebe to her and landed a kiss on her forehead “Truce”

Phoebe nodded “Truce”

“Thank god!” Prue handed each of her sisters a glass “Here’s to us, may we continue to flourish, may our love remain strong, may our home be filled with laughter, and most importantly” Prue paused for effect “May my little girl not pick up any more of her Aunt Phoebes ways!”

“I’ll drink to that!” Piper raised her glass

Phoebe grinned as she raised hers “We’ll see about the last bit!”

“To us” Prue heard her own voice crack followed by the distinctive giggle.

“Aww Prue!!” within seconds she felt the two pairs of arms envelope her.

+++++++++++++++++++

Piper felt the slight tug on her skirt, pulling away from her sisters she looked down at the innocent little face, encased in its Tigger hood.

“What’s wrong sweet pea?” Piper only had to look at Prues little girl and she could feel herself melt.

“Am sorry I scared you Aunt Piper”

“What do you mean honey?” Piper reached down and picked the little girl up, settling her on her hip she looked across and smiled at Prue.

“Wif the worms”

“Aw, baby that’s alright, I was just surprised that’s all, your Auntie Phoebes done much worse”

“You still love me?”

Piper felt like she’s stepped back in time, it could have been Phoebe she was holding in her arms, she smiled at her little niece “With all my heart”

“Am sorry” the four year old put her arms around her Aunts neck and cuddled in, “Can I sleep wif you?” Patty yawned as she placed a sloppy kiss on her Aunts cheek.

“What’s the rule about sleeping in other peoples bed’s” Piper swayed gently cradling the little girl close.

“You can sleep in any bed you like” Patty sounded exhausted.

Prue and Phoebe were smiling watching the interaction.

“Then that’s your answer! Come on baby girl lets get you back to bed and this time try and stay there” Piper smiled as she stroked her nieces face “Say night night”

“Night night” little Patty sleepily raised her hand and opened and closed her fist “Love you’s”

“Night snuggle bug, love you too”

“Night angel, love you more”

Prue was sat at the table her chin resting on her hands Phoebe could see the emotion bubbling just under the surface.

“You alright big sis?”

Prue nodded, unable to speak she had a huge lump in her throat, “Yeah, you were right, we are lucky, we are oh so lucky. I’ve got two fantastic kid sisters and the most adorable, little girl, I can’t believe how freaked I was when I found out I was having her, but she’s been a blessing an absolute blessing”

Pheobe put her arm around her big sisters shoulders “Even though she’s so like me?”

Prue gave her kid sister a teary nod “I can cope better now”

“Oh Prue! I didn’t mean it like that!”

“No you I know it’s just sometimes I can’t help thinking about it I was so strict with you I don’t get half as wound up with Patty”

“Prue you were a kid yourself, I was your sister it was a different world a different dynamic”

“I love you though you know that right?”

Phoebe smiled “You even have to ask?”

“I always have, every day, every moment from the second you were born”

Phoebe nodded “Stop it Prue, I know, I knew it then, I was just going though a phase, I was ten, the whole world was against me, things are so much clearer now.”

She looked at her kid sister, now a young women and felt an overwhelming feeling of pride. The endless nights pacing the floor with her traumatised baby sister in her arms, the scared brown eyes, the endless tears, had all become a dim and distant memory. This was life now and it was to be cherished. She felt tears prick the back of her eyes as Phoebe pulled her in for a hug.

“Love you big sis”

“Love you little sis”

They had finally managed to let go of the past and embrace their future.


THE END