Title: Charming Halloween
Author: Dylan Shelby
Rating: PG
Keywords: V, A
Summary: A special future Halloween 
Author's Notes:  Because I live in a land called Denial.

Charming Halloween:

The day had been beautiful. The sun shining and the crisp cool air blew 
through the city leaving the smell of fall in it's wake. Leaves had turned 
red, gold, and orange and scattered themselves in the streets. People walked
and delighted in the crunch of the leaves below them. It was what most 
would deem a perfect day. And to the delight of those at the Halliwell 
manor it really was.

"That looks beautiful." the woman said from behind Piper. Piper was trying 
to figure out if it was good idea to get the costume she was currently 
wearing or not, "I don't know..." she trailed off as the sales woman 
stopped her, "No, I must insist that you take this costume. It looks 
beautiful on you. I know we know I work on commission, but you look 
very beautiful in this." the woman was being genuine and they both knew it.
Piper sighed, "Fine. Ring it up!" The woman smiled, "I don't think you 
will be disappointed." She went back to the counter to wait for Piper to 
finish dressing and gave her the costume.

Piper wasn't sure what it was that made her want to buy a show stopping 
costume, but she couldn't dismiss the idea. So when she saw the 
perfect costume in the window she couldn't resist. Luckily her sisters 
were watching Wyatt or this could have turned out to be a disaster. 
However, fate was with her and a nice chunk of cash out of her checking 
account she now walked down the beautiful laden street and even allowed 
herself a smile of delight.

Now the evening had set and brought with it blues, pinks and oranges and 
while everyone was delighting in the wonderful day and now evening they 
were also getting ready for tonight. "You two get your butts down here. 
Phoebe and Paige came down the stairway giggling and touching each other's 
costumes. Piper had to laugh when she saw what they were wearing, Phoebe had
on a dark green mideviel princess gown and Paige had a red flapper dress. 
"You are each other's past lives?" she asked. They nodded, "We needed 
something different this year." Phoebe said. Phoebe had donned a beautiful 
black long-haired wig and was dressed in the hunter green gown that was once 
Paige's past life. Paige had a short black wig on with the red flapper 
dress that Phoebe had helped make from her memory of the past life.
"Where's your costume lady?" Paige asked.

"I'm taking Wyatt trick-or-treating and I don't want to get my costume all 
messed up before I go to the club. Speaking of..." she trailed off as Phoebe
interrupted her, "Don't worry about a thing. Paige and I will have it 
covered until you get there. Just enjoy this time with your family." she 
instructed. "Presenting General Wyatt Matthew Halliwell." Leo announced 
from the front of the stairs and walked down as five-year-old Wyatt walked 
proudly behind his daddy. Wyatt was dressed in a miniature uniform like 
his dad's. Something that he had become enamored with over the past few 
months.

When Wyatt reached the stairs Piper dropped to one knee, "Come here and let 
me see you." she told him. He swung his arms together and squirmed as he 
walked over to her. "Now you are a handsome man. You know I could never 
resist a man in uniform." she teased him and kissed his cheek. He squealed 
with laughter and wrapped his arms around her neck. "You are a handsome 
man Wyatt." Phoebe crooned. "Do you think I'm hansome Aunt Paige?" he turned 
and asked. Paige gave him a huge smile and replied, "I think you're the 
most handsomest man I've ever seen!" Wyatt laughed and clapped his hands 
"Go trick-or-treating!" he demanded.

Piper and Leo looked at one another, "The General has spoken." Leo laughed, 
and helped Piper to her feet. At five months pregnant it was getting harder for her 
to get up and down. "We'll see you guys later!" Paige called out as they 
watched the small family leave. "Ready to have some fun?" Paige asked Phoebe 
"You bet." was her reply.

~*~

They had hit their second home and stood behind while Wyatt walked up and 
knocked on the door, "Trick-or-Treat!" he announced loudly. The woman smiled 
at him, "Well aren't you a handsome man." she commented. "Thank-you. My 
mommy says I look just like my daddy." Everyone laughed and the woman 
gave Wyatt some candy. Piper and Leo smiled at each other and held their 
son's hands as they walked around the neighborhood. 

A short trip around the neighborhood was all they had time for, but with 
all the candy that Wyatt received they doubted he would care too much.
"Beautiful night." Leo commented as they walked back home. "It's been a 
beautiful day as well." Piper replied. It had gotten cool and although 
she had her jacket on she was still somewhat chilled, and therefore found 
her husband's body perfect for keeping her warm. "You're not worried are 
you?" he teased her, "You know that something bad might happen?" Piper 
rolled her eyes for his benefit. "I don't know what would give you that 
idea, but I'm not worried at all." she gave him a kiss and heard in front 
of them, "EWE!!!"

They laughed but broke apart, "You're not going to give your babysitter a 
hard time are you?" Piper asked Wyatt as they started to walk up the pathway 
to the manor. He shook his head, "Daddy says if I'm a good boy we'll go and 
ride the horses tomorrow." he informed his mother. Piper turned and looked 
at Leo, "Is that right?" she asked more of Leo than Wyatt. Leo just shrugged
his shoulders as they walked into the house. Wyatt nodded his head, "Uh Huh." 
he confirmed. Piper smiled and turned back to Wyatt, "Okay, but right now 
Mommy and Daddy need to go get ready so you can watch a movie until the 
babysitter gets here." she told him. He beamed up at her, "Thanks!" he told 
her and ran past her in the direction of the TV. They both laughed as they 
watched their son.

Then they climbed the stairs to their bedroom, "So what is your costume?" Leo 
asked. Piper shook her head, "You'll have to wait." she informed him. "Fine."
he told her and kept going up the stairs to the attic where his costume was 
at. She smiled to herself and went into her bedroom to change and get dressed.

~*~

It was an hour later when Piper emerged. Two small strands of hair on the side 
of her head were twisted and clipped together behind her head. The rest of her 
hair lay in curls surrounding her. Her costume really did look good on her 
despite the fact that she was five months pregnant. It was a beautiful dark 
blue with an empire waist and sleeves that came down to a point over her hands.
She looked beautiful and she felt beautiful. It was exactly the feeling that 
she was looking for when she bought the costume.

Leo and Wyatt were immersed in the movie that Wyatt had picked out and at first 
didn't notice Piper walking down the stairs. However, Leo turned to see if 
she was dressed yet and when he saw her he let out a huge breath. He tugged at 
Wyatt to turn around and both of Piper's boys stood in appreciation of the beauty
that was enveloped in the woman they loved most. "You look... radiant." Leo 
finally said. Although she was far more beautiful than radiant words were lost 
on him. "You look very pretty mommy!" Wyatt exclaimed from the sofa where he was 
standing. Piper smiled at them, "Thank-you." she said quietly.

She noticed Leo's tux about the same time he had noticed her, "A tux?" she asked him.
"Well I wasn't sure what you were wearing and I wanted to look appropriate regardless."
he explained to her, "And your sisters talked me into it." he added. Piper laughed, 
"I'll have to thank them. Is the babysitter here?" Leo shook his head but pointed to 
the candles in the middle of the room. Wyatt turned back to the movie as he had lost
interest. Piper started the chant, "Here these words here these cries spirit from the 
other side Come to me, I summon thee cross now the great divide." Swirling golden orbs formed
in the middle.

Soon Prue Halliwell was standing in the middle of the floor. "Piper!" she cried. Piper
had tried to keep the tears out of her eyes, but it was nearly impossible. I was only 
six months ago that the Elders finally let Piper see her sister. After all it had been 
nearly ten years since she had last seen her. Piper knew her sister to be dead, but 
it was times like these she was glad she was a witch. Prue stepped out of the circle 
and embraced her sister. "I've missed you." Piper said. "I've missed you too." she 
replied. Leo just stood by and watched. He knew how much it meant to both sisters to 
be allowed to see one another. It some how made the family complete with Paige and Prue
being able to meet one another and see each other.

"I'm sorry you don't get to go to the club with us, but I'm so excited that you're 
willing to baby-sit Wyatt." Piper told her. Prue smiled at her, "I'm glad I get to 
spend time with him. As long as you bring Phoebe and Paige back home I'll forgive 
you for not being able to go." she teased. The girls hugged again, "Are you ready?"
Piper asked Leo, "I'm ready." he told her. Prue smiled at Leo, "Hello again stranger."
"Hi Prue." Prue gave him a hug, "Take care of her." she told him. "I will." Leo 
whispered. "By the way Piper, you look beautiful." Prue said over her shoulder as 
she went to go and watch her nephew.

Leo walked Piper out the door and to her car. "I miss her so much sometimes and there 
are still days that I'm angry she was taken from us, but then I think of Paige and 
how wonderful she is and I don't know." Piper confessed on their way to the club. 
"It's okay to feel that way Piper. That's perfectly normal. I think it's wonderful 
that you were able to love Paige and bring her into the family." Piper didn't say 
anything for a few minutes. "I guess the same could be said of us." she said quietly.
Leo gave her a smile and took her hand, "Exactly." he agreed as gave her hand a kiss.

By the time they made it to the club it was raging. She saw her sisters right away 
and walked toward them, "Hey babe!" someone called and Piper turned to see a random 
guy lifting his drink to her she laughed and waved showing her wedding ring. Leo 
laughed, "I knew I would be with the belle of the ball." Piper gave him a kiss on the 
cheek and they continued down to the secluded spot that she and her family considered
theirs. Phoebe and Paige stood up, "You look amazing Piper." Paige exclaimed. Piper 
smiled, "Thanks." Phoebe gave her a hug, "You look beautiful. Life is finally agreeing 
with you." Phoebe whispered the last part and stood back to see her sister's smile.

"I have to give you two complements this turned out wonderfully!" "It was nothing." 
Paige said, but you could tell that she reveled in the compliment. "Excuse me ladies, 
but I think I would like a dance with my wife." Leo said. Piper gave him her hand 
and walked to the dance floor with him. "You do look beautiful Piper." Leo whispered 
in her ear. She turned her head to face him, "Thank-you. I must say that you look 
exceptional yourself." Her compliments still made him blush even after all these 
years. "Can you believe we're here?" he asked her. Piper shook her head. "There 
for awhile I never thought we would have this again, but I'm glad that we do."

The song ended and was replaced by a more upbeat fast tempo thus ending the dance as 
Leo really didn't have any rhythm when it came to that kind of dancing. They walked 
back to the spot that Phoebe and Paige had vacated when the song had started. Leo 
sat down first and Piper followed shifting her body to fit next to his with her head 
in the crook of his arm. They shared a smile and looked out, "So what do you think 
this baby will be like?" she asked him. Leo laughed, "I think Wyatt Part II." he joked.
Piper laughed, "Same symptoms. Think maybe this time we can have a girl?" she inquired.
Leo smiled down at her, "It's only fair." he told her and leaned down and gave her a 
kiss. That was exactly how Phoebe and Paige found them when the song had been over.

Two hours after Piper and Leo arrived Paige and Phoebe were ready to go. "We want 
to see Prue before she has to go." they explained. "I think you should." was Piper's 
reply. So the two forces of the power of three left leaving one behind to enjoy the 
evening with her husband.

~*~

The couple had enjoyed their time alone. They made drinks, danced, and kissed. Now 
it was late and Leo was driving home. Piper was asleep in the passenger seat. Due 
to her pregnancy she was finding it harder and harder to keep the hours that she 
was used to. Leo enjoyed it thought. It was very rare to see his wife in a resting 
state that when she did he treasured it. Today and tonight had been perfect.
Something he never thought that he would see again, but he had. And he was so 
thankful for it. 

He turned the jeep off when they had reached the driveway. He was reluctant 
to wake her up, so he got out and went to her side and lifted her into his arms
and walked her to the manor. Unfortunately his sleeping wife wouldn't stay 
asleep and was soon awake smiling at him, "I'm sorry." she apologized. "There's 
nothing to be sorry for." he told her. She gave him a dazzling smile. They 
went through the door and Piper insisted she be put down. She didn't move 
and wrapped her arms around Leo, "I love you." she declared before kissing him, 
"I love you too." was his adamant reply.

The End.