Merry Christmas everyone have a great time!


PRUE

I let out a low growl as I stepped through the front door and almost tripped over my kid sister’s sports bag, bringing my foot back I gave it a hard kick causing it to skim across the floor and smash into the wall.

“PHOEBE!” Not receiving an answer and not really expecting one I made my way over to the sofa and threw myself down, picking up the remote I quickly flicked through the channels eventually throwing the remote into the chair opposite as I let out another low growl this time in frustration.

“Dam Christmas! Why do we have to have these inane programmes on!”

“Talking to yourself again Prue?”

I looked up at the sound of my younger sister’s voice, she had a slight smirk on her face as she picked up the remote and made herself comfortable on the chair.

“Piper! Do you have to! I’ve just turned that drivel off, all it is, is crappy Christmas specials”

“Ho! Ho! Ho! And a Happy Christmas to you too Prue!”

I raised my eyebrows and gave her the ‘look’.

“Oh Jeez! That hasn’t worked on me since I was about nine years old!”

In spite of myself I found myself smiling “Yeah? Amazing what a difference four years can make!”

“Talking about nine year olds ….”

“Which I wasn’t …..”

“Prue! Jeez! What’s put you in such a good mood?”

“Oh nothing”

“Not much …”

“Piper drop it” This time the look did work, I watched as Piper bit her lip in frustration as the realisation that she wasn’t going to get anywhere finally sunk in.

“Alright then, but as I was saying, Phoebe ….”

“Oh don’t” I closed my eyes in semi mock despair “Please don’t make my day any worse, I really don’t need to know what a pain in the ass she’s been, or what kid she’s walloped or whose window she’s broken …..”

“Prue! All I was going to say is she’s done her list”

“Materialistic little bugger!”

“Prue!” It was Pipers turn to growl in frustration “She’s nine years old! She still believes in Father Christmas!”

“Yeah well time she grew up then isn’t it? Time she joined the real world and realised how crap life really is”

“I’m getting sick of this! Prue she’s nine! This is probably the last Christmas she’ll believe lets make the most of it Mum wouldn’t have wanted you to spoil it”

That was a low blow and Piper knew it I jumped up off the sofa and left the room before I really lost it and laid into her. As bad as my mood was I knew if I let out my anger I’d end up hurting her and I really didn’t want to do that, Piper had always been my rock, she helped keep me grounded she was the family peacemaker she really didn’t deserve to be on the end of my temper.

As I made my way to my bedroom I heard a frantic rustling holding my breath I carefully turned the handle and flung the door open; I was just in time to see my youngest sister slam my dresser drawer shut and jump back in fright. Her eyes were wide as she stood there nervously shifting from one foot to the other.

“Prue! Prue I er, I was just erm …”

I could feel the ball of anger that I’d been carrying around all morning expanding in my chest “I know dam well what you were just doing! You little snoop!” Without even thinking what I was doing my left hand shot out and grabbed her as my right one slammed down hard on her butt; In one smooth movement I threw her out of my bedroom and slammed the door, smiling in grim satisfaction as I heard the loud thud as she fell hard on the floor.

PHOEBE

I felt the air leave my body as I landed hard on my butt, I could feel the tears stinging at the back of my eyes as slowly I got my breath back and tried to stand up. I felt another hand grab me but this time the touch was gentle, Pipers big brown eyes stared down at me as she set me on my feet, she pulled my face up and made me look at her as she checked me out.

“You ok?”

I nodded I knew if I spoke my voice would crack and I didn’t want her to see me cry.

“You sure?”

She knelt in front of me so she was level and wiped at my face with her thumb “You know better than to rifle through Prue’s things”

I frowned, how did she always seem to know what I was up to!?

“Did she hurt you?”

My hip was throbbing where I landed and my arm was sore where she’d grabbed me but still I shook my head.

“Liar!”

Piper grinned as she stood up and ruffled my hair “She’s in a real funk Pheebes I think it best if you keep out of her way”

“But Pipe its Christmas! Why does she always have to spoil things?” Even to my own ears I sounded whiney.

“Keep out of her way and she won’t …”

“She will! She always does, she doesn’t even have to say anything she just has this look.”

I watched Piper’s face break into a smile “Yeah, I know the one. Come on Pheebes, cheer up and we’ll do something Christmassy”

“Uh oh!” I inwardly groaned, as much as I loved Piper her idea of something Christmassy was nothing like mine, mine would be more to do with ice-skating and tobogganing while her’s probably involved making mince pies and stupid gingerbread men!

“I promised Grams I’d make a Christmas log”

My face must have given me away.

“Well alright then! What do you want to do?”

“The tree?” I half expected her to say no, Grams was away for a few days and we always decorated the tree as a family, she was due back tomorrow, Christmas Eve, and I was getting frustrated at my family’s lack of Christmas spirit.

“Can’t you wait one more day?”

“Ughh! Christmas will be over! I don’t know why we bother! What with no tree and Prue McScrooge Halliwell!”



PIPER

I looked at my kid sister and felt a surge of pity, she was right, the Christmas spirit was definitely lacking in the Halliwell Manor! The tree was already in situ the boxes of decorations piled up ready to be emptied there was no reason why we couldn’t have some festive fun.

“Alright”

“What!?”

“I said alright, let’s do it”

“But Grams?” Phoebes little face had lit up only to crumple into a frown as she thought about our Grandmothers reaction to our break in tradition.

“Will be alright”

“Ok!” Phoebe was almost dancing with joy “But if she asks it was your idea!”

I couldn’t help but laugh “Yeah it was all mine”

Phoebe was already half way down the stairs, I watched as she hesitated then came running back to me “What about Prue?”

Sometimes she could be so sweet, Prue had just kicked her ass and now she was worrying that our big sister was somehow missing out.

“If we keep real quiet she needn’t know we can have the tree up and finished before she even realises”

“Phoebe!” how wrong I was, “Its Prue’s tree just as much as ours, I’m going to ask her if she wants to help”

“Oh great!”

I watched my little sisters smile drop as she thought it through “But she’s in a real bad mood! She’ll spoil it Pipe!”

“No she won’t, look you go downstairs and start getting some of the things out, we’ll be down in a minute”

Taking a deep breath I knocked on my big sisters door before opening it and stepping into the lion’s den.

“Prue?” Just by looking at her I could see she was still pissed.

“What? And if you’ve come to tell me I shouldn’t have smacked Phoebe save your breath, she had no right being in here never mind going through my dresser”

Sometimes I just wanted to scream and shake her, instead I plastered a smile on my face and pretended the millionth fight between my sisters hadn’t even happened “Actually I’ve come to see if you want to help me and Pheebes decorate the tree”

“No”

Once again I found myself suppressing the urge to shake my older sister “Prue come on don’t be mean, Phoebes all excited now whatever put you in this funk can’t you just shake it off and make the best of things, the poor kids been waiting all week for this”

“I’m not stopping her, go ahead you’re perfectly capable and you can be the one to explain it to Grams”

“You know Prue you can be such a ….a” words failed me, at least words that wouldn’t get me in to bother, Prue was big on manners and language and I knew better than to overstep the mark, one day I hoped Phoebe would!

“Don’t even think about it” Prue’s face was stern as she glared across the room.

“Oh fine then! Suit yourself you old misery!” I quickly left her room before the atmosphere became even more fraught and made my way downstairs. My mood quickly lifted as I clapped eyes on Phoebe, she’d found an old pair of fairy wings and a halo that must have been in the box for years I had to laugh she looked so cute.

“Hey Pipe! Look what I found”

Phoebe was holding three tiny angel’s in the palm of her hand.

“I love these! Mum got them didn’t she?”

“Yeah, but maybe you should put them down, it would be awful if you dropped one of them” Mum had bought us each a glass angel engraved with our names, I could just about remember her putting them on the tree but I knew Phoebe would have no such memory, Mum had died when she was only two.

“Can I put them on my little tree?”

Phoebe had a tiny tree on her dresser, she looked so young dressed in her fairy getup she was the picture of innocence as she carefully held them in the palm of her hand.

“I’m not sure, Prue might want …”

“Well Prue’s not here, and Prue probably won’t even notice, not the mood she’s in. Please Pipe! Please! I’ll be ever so careful with them I promise!”

“But why all three?”

“It’s” I watched as Phoebe bit on the inside of her mouth, what I called one of her Prueisms, as she struggled to explain “I don’t know I just want them”

“Alright, but if Prue kicks off”

“I know I know! All my fault! I’ll get all the blame!”

I couldn’t help but laugh “Yes my little fairy friend, you most defiantly will!”

PRUE

I felt groggy as I rolled over and looked at the clock, 7pm! Dam it I must have fallen asleep, wiping at my face I slowly began to come to, there was a party on tonight and a bunch of people were heading out, deciding I was too tired I made my mind up to stay in, besides I didn’t have anyone to watch my kid sisters not like I really had much choice.

As I made my way downstairs I could hear my younger sisters laughing as they sang along to a wind up musical Snowman, Phoebes voice was loud and clear as she hit the top notes of ‘Frosty the Snowman’. My mood had mellowed somewhat but I was still far from happy and my head was banging.

“Phoebe! Shut it!”

“Ughhh! It’s up! Fun’s over Piper Prue’s here!”

I immediately felt my anger once again rising as I looked at my kid sister, “Don’t start, and watch your mouth”

“Err Prue” Phoebe’s voice was dripping with sarcasm she never did know when to drop it “I was singing …. “

“If that’s what you call it, I take it you’ve had your dinner now get upstairs, bath and I want you in bed by 8”

I watched the cockiness disappear only to be replaced by resignation as her shoulders dropped and she turned to Piper “Night Pipe, thanks for this it was fun” she gave her a quick hug and Piper pecked her on the cheek.

“Night Pheebes, sleep tight! And remember only one more night and Santa will be here!”

“Piper!” I practically growled at my sister “Don’t go winding her up; you know what she’s like when she gets excited!”

“Prue! It’s Christmas! Lighten up will you!” Piper sounded just as annoyed as I was “Go on Pheebes get ready for bed and I’ll come and tuck you in when you’re ready”

Phoebe didn’t even bother looking at me as she trudged up the stairs complete with fairy wings and halo.

“Prue do you have to!” Piper rounded on me her anger clearly evident “She’s nine! Let her have her fun while she can we should be enjoying this time not trying to spoil it for her!”

“Yeah? Well like I said earlier its time she grew up, life’s crap Piper its time she learnt there’s no such thing as fairy tales, tooth fairies and Father Christmas!”

“Just because you’re having a bad time you shouldn’t take it out on us! She’s nine Prue!”

I didn’t see the point of carrying on this conversation any further so I waved my hand in Piper’s general direction and left the room. As much as I hated to admit it I was well aware that Phoebe was only nine feeling a slight twinge of guilt I made my way to the bathroom intending to check that she was alright before putting her to bed.

I opened the bathroom door without knocking and the slight twinge turned into a full blown explosion, Phoebe was sat in the bath tears streaming down her face clearly distraught.

“Pheebes?”

“Go away!”

Here we go! I took a deep breath and knelt down beside her.

“What’s wrong?” I had a horrible suspicion that I knew but was holding on valiantly to the hope that I was mistaken.

“I hate you!” before I knew what was happening my little sister who only minutes before had looked so angelic in her fairy costume splashed a tidal wave effectively drenching me. “I know life’s crap!”

I was so shocked I couldn’t move, Phoebe was sobbing trying her best to get her breath so she could vent her rage.

“I know life’s crap! I lost Mum too! And I know there’s no such thing as Father Christmas!”

Oh god! I’d been right she had heard me!

“There is! That was just me being mean!” I was frantic trying to think of the words that would preserve my little sister’s innocence just a little bit longer.

“No it wasn’t” things were getting even worse, her anger had given away to sorrow, she looked heartbroken.

“Oh Phoebe!” I grabbed a big towel and pulled her out the bath, quickly drying her off I carried her to her room and sat on the bed.

“Pheebes I’m sorry! Come on honey I didn’t mean it I was just in a bad mood”

The tears continued to fall silently down her face; she offered no resistance as I quickly pulled her Pyjamas on and settled her on my knee.

“Phoebe take no notice please it was just me being my normal mean horrible self” I’d never felt so guilty, I’d taken away her innocence in one foul swoop.

“It wasn’t I knew last year really, but I hoped I was wrong”

I gently pushed her hair back and looked into her huge brown eyes “What do you mean?”

“He didn’t give me what I asked for”

Now she really did look heartbroken, my mind was whirling trying to think what was on her list, as far as I could remember, with the exception of her very own live Reindeer, Grams had got her most of the things she’d wanted.

“It’s not cold enough in San Francisco a reindeer wouldn’t like it here”

“Not that …”

“Well sometimes he runs out of stuff, you know he has a lot of kids to visit and if they all ask for the same thing …..”

“Not this …. ”

“What is it?”

“Not saying”

And with that a fresh set of tears began to pour down her face.


PIPER

I knew something was going on between my sisters, but in the absence of screaming, fighting and threats I decided to keep out of it. Sometimes I felt so frustrated with their somewhat twisted relationship. I knew that the biggest problem was Prue and her resentment of the whole family situation, through no fault of her own she often found herself responsible for looking after us, I don’t think she minded me so much but Phoebe had been fobbed off on her for probably as long as I could remember, certainly since Mum died and probably even before that, possibly when Dad left. Grams did her best but she was getting old and Phoebe could be such a handful, one minute a complete angel the next the devil in disguise.

I decided to try once more to win Prue round and began to heat up some food, I knew when she felt better she’s seek me out and for once I didn’t have to wait too long, she looked worn out.

“Prue?”

She sat on a hard kitchen chair and looked at me totally defeated.

“I’ve really screwed up Pipe”

Oh no! If even Prue could see it, it had to be bad.

“How? What have you done? Is Phoebe alright?”

“She heard us”

My heart sank “Father Christmas?”

Any hope I’d had that I was wrong was quickly wiped away as Prue slowly nodded her head.

“PRUE!” I couldn’t help myself, I was really annoyed, I could still picture her decorating the tree, her excitement so evident as she thought about the next few days, and I knew it wasn’t just about presents, she loved the whole thing, the family rituals, the going to church, the hanging of the stockings, the way we all gathered with hot chocolate before going to bed, the fact that she could stay up late with us.

“I know! I know don’t say it! I feel so bad!”

“How is she now?”

“Sleeping” Prue looked ashen “She cried herself to sleep in my arms” I could see Prue’s eyes were shining as she held back her own tears, “She hasn’t done that for years”

“What can we do?”

“I don’t know, I tried saying it was just me being mean, but she seemed to already know, it was as though hearing me just confirmed her suspicions”

“You’re just making excuses”

“No” Prue shook her head “No excuses, I know what I’ve done”

“Then what are you getting at?”

“Apparently she asks for something every year and it never comes so she didn’t believe in him anyway”

“But she wouldn’t say?”

“No, tried everything but for once her lips were tightly sealed”

Realisation gradually dawned “It’s not on her list ….”

“But she said she asks …”

“No” I couldn’t help but interrupt “She does a list but she also writes him a letter”

“She what? Why?”

“Oh who knows? It’s Phoebe”

“So this letter? Where would it be?”

I let out a slight laugh “With all her secret things”

“Under her pillow?”

I nodded in confirmation “Under her pillow”

Before I could move Prue was already out of the door and halfway up the stairs.



PRUE

Phoebe was sprawled diagonally across the bed, flat on her back, mouth slightly open and to my shame with her face swollen and tearstained. As carefully as I could I pulled her straight and covered her up, I held her head as my hand searched gently under her pillow amongst the junk that she insisted on hiding there I felt a small piece of paper, pulling it out I settled her down and kissed her forehead my guilt all but consuming me I sneaked back to my room and settled down to read her note to Santa.

I had to blink a few times as my eyes refused to focus, unwanted tears trickled down my face as I read the childish scrawl.

Dear Santa,

I’ve been really really good this year; well I’ve tried to be. Don’t ask Prue coz she’d say different, Grams would be alright and maybe Piper but Prue well Prue sees things different so don’t ask her bout stuff.

I know I asked last year and you didn’t do it so I thought maybe I hadn’t been good enough coz I know it’s really big what I asked for and that it would make sense then that I had to be really really good to get it. It wasn’t my fault that Bobby Johnson tripped over my foot, I mean he should have seen it and well when I broke that window up the road that wasn’t really my fault either coz I was aiming for the tree and well I hit the tree and how was I supposed to know it would bounce off and break a window? So maybe we could forget about all that stuff and think about the good things I’ve done. I can’t actually think of any at the moment but I know I did do some good stuff, I’m sure I did just sometimes its hard to think.

Anyways what I would like is for you to bring back my Mum at Christmas that would be great coz I don’t really remember her and it would be like two presents coz that way I’d get Prue back. See I’d get a Mum and a sister. Pipe says Prue would be more like a sister if we had Mum but coz we don’t have Mum she’s like bossy and doesn’t really laugh with me not like she could if she could just be my sister and Mum could do the bossy bit but I don’t think she would coz she looks really nice and I bet she’d be lovely.

Anyway thanks Father Christmas I love you

Phoebe

I lay on my bed and cried like I have never cried before.

PHOEBE

Everything seemed different somehow, I went down for breakfast and Grams was back, she picked me up and gave me a big kiss, I laughed but inside I was kinda sad.

“Grams loved the tree” Piper was smiling at me as she pushed a plate of pancakes in my direction.

“Yes darlings! You did a great job!”

I munched away wondering where Prue was, she was normally first up but her bedroom door had been tightly shut so I was guessing she was still in bed. I wasn’t mad at Prue anymore, she’d been almost as upset as me and after all she was only saying something that I thought was true anyway, it was just I’d always had a secret belief that Mum would one day come back and now I knew I was just being stupid.

As I was thinking about Prue she came and sat next to me, she looked really white and tired, I felt bad for her because I knew she was still upset about the whole Father Christmas thing. I gave her a smile and passed her one of my pancakes.

“Thanks Pheebes”

I almost died of shock not only did she thank me but she also gave me a quick hug. She looked so sad I felt really sorry for her so I slid over and sat on her knee.


PRUE

I pulled Phoebe close to me and gave her a hug, somehow I knew how she was feeling, she’d been living in hope and I’d taken that away, in her mind she had truly believed that one day Mum would come back, and I’d taken that dream and inadvertently smashed it into little pieces.

I knew somehow I had to make this right,

“Pheebes, I’ve still got some shopping to do would you like to come to the Mall with me?” My guilt increased ten-fold as her face lit up in surprise at the unexpected invitation.

“Me? You want me to come shopping with you?”

“That’s what I said”

Grams and Piper were looking across at me they looked just as surprised as my baby sister.

“Yeah! I’ll go get ready!”

Before anyone could react she was out of the door and up the stairs.

“What you up to?” Piper was frowning at me our Grandmother looked equally puzzled; I never took Phoebe anywhere unless I had to.

“Nothing”

Piper grinned “Like I believe that! You’re up to something Prue Halliwell”

“Shouldn’t that be Prue McScrooge Halliwell?” I’d heard my sisters the day before.

Piper laughed “Well she did have a point”

“I know! I know!” I held my hands up in self defence “Let’s just say I’ve got a wrong to put right”

“You think you can?”

“I hope so Pipe”

“Prue, Piper told me what happened you know everyone has to find out sooner or later”

“I know, but there’s a bit more to it than that” Before I could finish my sentence the kitchen door was flung open and Phoebe was standing there with her hat and scarf on and her coat tightly fastened.

“I’m ready”

“So I see” I couldn’t help but smile at her “Come on then, let me grab my coat and we’ll be on our way”

Phoebe was trying to put on a brave face as she valiantly sung along to the Christmas carols playing on the radio, deciding I too should make an effort I swallowed the lump in my throat and joined in, Phoebes eyes grew big and a huge grin spread across her face I couldn’t help but laugh her surprise was so evident.


PHOEBE

Prue seemed different she was singing with me, something she never did and as we entered the mall she took my hand and pulled me towards Macy’s. We walked though the Christmas display and she set off all the musical snowmen and Santa’s, we were both giggling as the sales assistant gave us a dirty look.

“Come on Pheebes – look there’s the grotto”

Prue had one hand full of parcels and the other she used to hold my hand as she pulled me towards the elves.

“No!”

“Come on Pheebes, Pheebes I told you it was just me being mean, one last chance, go on please for me, go see Santa”

“No” I don’t know why but I suddenly felt like crying, I’d managed to push aside all those horrible feelings from the day before and I was enjoying being with Prue, just the two of us.

Prue put her bags down on the floor and knelt down in front of me; she made me face her and pulled my chin up so she could look me in the eye.

“Phoebe please, for me this can be my Christmas present, just go see Santa, after that if you don’t want to you’ll never have to see him again”

I could feel my stupid eyes welling up with tears, I really didn’t want to do this “No, Prue please don’t make me, it’s alright I know he’s not real”

“But he is! Phoebe please just this once”

She gave me that look, that really sad look that I hate “Please Phoebe make my Christmas”

I couldn’t understand why this was so important to her but I hated to see her so upset I sort of gave my shoulders a little shrug and before I knew it she’s pushed me through the door straight into an elf.

PIPER

I didn’t have a clue what had gone on with my sisters, all I knew is that they’d come back from the Mall and brought the spirit of Christmas with them.

Phoebe hadn’t left Prue’s side all day, Grams looked really happy as she passed around the mince pies and hot chocolate, we’d sung Christmas Carols, as the night came to a close we all sat huddled on the sofa in our pyjamas watching the tree lights flicker.

“This is the best Christmas ever!” Phoebe’s eyes were sparkling with excitement as she pushed one arm through mine and the other through Prue’s.

Phoebe’s excitement was infectious, I caught the look on Prue’s face and I could tell she was thinking the same.

“But he hasn’t even been yet Pheebes” I couldn’t help but tease my little sister.

“Doesn’t matter, this is still the best”

“Why’s that?”

“Just is” a slight smile spread across my kid sisters face.

“Come on Phoebe, I’ll tuck you in bed, sooner you get to sleep sooner he’ll come” Grams reached out and plucked Phoebe from her comfortable spot between her big sisters.

“Night Prue!” Phoebe leaned over and kissed Prue “Night Pipe!” she repeated the manoeuvre and landed a kiss on the side of my face “Love you’s!”

“Love you too!” We both grinned as Grams carted our nine year old bundle of energy off to her bed.

“You going yet Prue, quicker you get to sleep the quicker he’ll come”

Prue grinned at me “I’ve got something to do first”

Intrigued I watched as Prue McScrooge downed the glass of milk, meant for Santa and took a bite out of the carrot meant for his reindeer.

I couldn’t help but laugh “You hate milk!”

Prue smirked “I know, but not as much as I hated myself last night and this morning!”

“What did you do?”

“Let’s just say, when you all thought I was having a lie in I wasn’t”

“Meaning?”

“Maybe I paid Santa a little visit myself”

“Again, meaning?”

I growled in frustration as Prue gave me a knowing look and tapped the side of her nose.

I came out of the bathroom and stopped in my tracks, Prue was gently waving a set of bells and hitting the wooden floor with a cup, “That is so mean” I was doing my best to stifle my giggles as was Prue.

“Shhh!” Prue held a finger to her mouth and continued to make reindeer sounds.

On the other side of the door we could hear Phoebe running to her window.

“Phoebe if you get out of that bed Father Christmas won’t leave you any presents!” Prue’s grin spread from one ear to the other as we listened to our little sister run as fast as she could back to her bed.

“You are so mean!” I shoved at Prue as we both dissolved into giggles.

“I’m in bed! I’m in bed!” Phoebe’s frantic voice was calling from the other side of the door.

Still laughing Prue made her way to her own bed as I opened the door and went into my ever so excited baby sister.

“Piper did you hear him!”

“Yes but he won’t leave anything until you’re fast asleep, he’ll have to come back later”

Phoebe looked fit to burst “It doesn’t matter I’ve got what I want, well part of it anyway”

“What’s that?”

“I’m not supposed to say”

My eyebrows hiked up in interest “Anything to do with your visit to the Mall?”

“Yes” Phoebe’s eyes were wide “Yes! I went to see Father Christmas! Not the real one coz he was busy loading his sleigh”

I was somewhat puzzled, she’d gone to the Mall no longer believing in Father Christmas but now her belief was as strong as it ever was.

“But the real one gave the one in Macy’s a letter for me!!!”

By now Phoebe was bouncing up and down in her bed “Look!” Phoebe’s hand snaked under her pillow and brought out a piece of paper edged with holly.

Dear Phoebe,

I’m so sorry you didn’t get my message last year; it must have got blown up the chimney.
I’m afraid I can’t bring your Mummy back; some things are beyond even me, what I can do however is help get you your sister back.

When you leave the grotto go and see one of my elves and he’ll give you some special fairy dust to sprinkle on your sister, make a big wish and you’ll find she’ll stop being so bossy and be more fun (at least most of the time).

And don’t worry I know you’ve been a very good girl, although I too am struggling to remember when!

Love

Father Christmas


I felt such a mix of emotions part of me wanted to laugh, especially at Prue’s clause about being bossy, but a bigger part of me wanted to cry, I felt choked as I re-read Prue’s handwriting,

“Isn’t that great?!” Phoebe looked at me expectantly as she took the letter back, re-folded it and put it back under her pillow.

“Yes” I pulled up the duvet and covered her up “It’s really great” I felt Phoebes arms tighten around my neck as she pulled me in for a kiss “Night Piper see you in the morning!”

“Night Pheebes” I kissed her back before making my way to our big sisters room.

Prue looked up as I opened the door a smile plastered all over her face “Never could keep a secret could she?”

“Don’t know about that, she did a pretty good job with her letter to Santa”

“Just as well, if she thought we knew my little stunt would never have worked”

“I’m glad it did”

“Me too”

I made my way over to my sister and enveloped her in a massive hug “Love you”

“Me too – and Pipe I am sorry I’ve been such a pain”

I nodded “You always get upset at holidays, you miss Mum don’t you?”

“More than I can ever explain”

“No need, my Mum too remember?”

I watched as Prue swallowed a lump in her throat “Guess we all react differently”

“Guess we do, but try not to take it out on the kid eh?”

“Promise, never again” Prue clutched her heart “Lesson learnt”

“Good”

I gave her another hug before leaving to go to my own room, for the first time in years I was really looking forward to Christmas day. I felt almost as excited as Phoebe as I slipped under the covers and tried to get some sleep.

PRUE

After Piper left I crept along the hall landing to Phoebes room, Piper had left the door slightly ajar so I peeped in to make sure she was asleep before entering. As per usual Phoebe was tangled up in her bed clothes and sprawled across the bed, as quietly as I could I propped the framed photo of Mum holding Phoebe as a baby on her night stand and attached a label from Santa. Satisfied I straightened her out and covered her up.

As I watched her sleeping I felt happier than I had in a long time, by nearly destroying her innocence it had made me realise just how precious it was.

“Prue?” Phoebe’s sleepy voice broke into my thoughts “Has he been yet?”

I smiled in the darkness “Not yet baby, but soon”

“Love you”

“Love you too”


THE END!

Merry Christmas everybody!!