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Chapter 23 - I'll Stand By You ~*~*~*~ I'LL STAND BY YOU ~*~*~*~ "He's beautiful Piper." Lillian crooned as she looked at her newest grandson. Piper smiled, "Thank-you Lillian." she replied proudly. He was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen and she wasn't one bit biased. Natalie smiled as she watched her own son grow restless and then as the newest baby Wyatt started to whimper, "He is beautiful Piper." Natalie commented. Leo walked in the door, "Hey guys." he greeted. He had been at home making sure everything was ready for the baby because Piper finally got to come home today. "Uncle Leo!" Nathan greeted and jumped up from his chair to give his uncle a hug. "Hey there Buddy! Whatcha doing?" he asked him. Nathan shrugged his shoulders and everyone laughed. Natalie took pity on her son, "Piper, I think it is time for us to get out of here, but we'll be by this evening." she told her sister-in-law. Piper smiled up at her, "Good we wanted to reveal his name to everyone at the same time." Piper explained. "He isn't going to have some weird Hollywood name is he?" Lillian asked. "Grandma!" Leo admonished. She gave him a smile, "What? I just don't want my new grandson to have the name Moonshine or something equally as ridiculous." she told them. Piper laughed, "We'll I guess you'll have to wait and see." Lillian winked at her and gave baby Wyatt back to her. "Bye." they said and left the small family to themselves. "How are you doing?" Leo asked. Piper blew out a breath, "I'm tired, but I'm excited." she confessed. Leo sat down next to her and cuddled her and his son in his arms, "Well the house and I are all ready for you to come home." he told her. She smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank-you. The baby and I are ready to go home." Before any more conversation could take place there was a knock at the door. Leo got up and answered. "Hello." he greeted through clenched teeth. "Hello. I know you probably don't want to see me, but I really do need to talk with you all." Cole said. He was here because Piper deserved an apology and she needed to know about Phoebe. "Leo." Piper said from the bed. He turned back to look at her and she nodded her head to let Cole in. Leo wasn't so sure, but if his wife wanted to talk to him he would let her. Cole came in and walked close to the bed, but not close enough that it invaded any personal space. Leo walked behind him and took his son into his arms. Cole bowed his head for a moment, "I want to apologize for what happened. I know that Prue explained some of what happen , but I owe you an apology and explanation." he said as his head came up, "I'm sorry Piper and Leo. I never once meant for you or your baby to be physically hurt. I know what I did was wrong, but I never meant for you or your son to be hurt." Piper and Leo didn't say anything. They wanted to hear it all. Cole started his explanation hoping that they would at least understand. ~*~ Piper knocked on Phoebe's door. After Cole's explanation her and Leo had some thinking to do. Then they discussed it with Prue. Everyone agreed that it all hinged on what Phoebe wanted to do. The Halliwell's and Leo by extension were forgiving people and although they hated Cole's actions and what it caused them they did not hate him. Which was difficult, but if Phoebe wanted to continue a relationship with him then all agreed that they would do so. Before anything else could go further though Piper needed to talk with Phoebe. She sent Leo on ahead with their son and said she would be home very shortly. "Piper?" Phoebe asked as she opened the door. "Hi. I was wondering if we could talk." she explained. Phoebe nodded and opened the door. Piper walked in, "Do you want something to drink?" Phoebe asked. Piper shook her head and followed Phoebe to the couch. "I wanted to apologize for not coming to see you in the hospital, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me or not." Piper began. She watched for Phoebe's reaction but wasn't able to read it. Phoebe looked down at her feet as she sat down and thought for a moment. Finally she faced her sister, "To be honest I didn't know if I was ready to see you either. I know this is stupid, but a part of me was angry that you got to keep your baby and I didn't." Phoebe confessed. Piper was far from shocked for if they had switched places she would have felt the same way. "Phoebe it's okay. I understand. I do really, but I don't want this to always be a rift in our relationship." Phoebe stood up and started to pace, "I don't either." Phoebe told her. She truly didn't, but she wasn't sure how she could get passed it. Piper rose to her feet, "Listen, this is still new and raw, I just came by to apologize." She waited a moment and then went on, "I don't know if you got my message, but Leo and I are revealing the baby's name tonight since Natalie, Nathan, and Lillian have to leave tomorrow. You are more than welcome to come and if you want you can bring Cole." Phoebe's eyes flew to Piper's. "Really?" she asked. Piper nodded her head, "Look, we don't like what Cole has done or caused, but you need him right now. We understand that. Anyway, I better go." Piper said and started toward the door. Phoebe's hand flew out and grabbed Piper's wrist. The two girls stared at one another and then Phoebe began to break down and cry. Piper wrapped her sister in her arms and held her while Phoebe cried out her pain. When Phoebe's tears had dried up she smiled at Piper, "Thanks. I forgot what a comfort it was to have sisters around." Piper smiled, "We're always here for you Phoebe. No matter what. We will always love you and we will always stand by you." Phoebe gave another smile, "I'll be there tonight. Now you go and take care of my nephew." Piper stood up and Phoebe followed suit and walked Piper to the door, "Are you sure?" Piper asked. Phoebe nodded, "I'm sure. I'll be okay. It's going to take some time, but I'll be okay." Phoebe reassured her sister. Piper nodded, "Okay. I'll see you at seven." ~*~ Cole and Phoebe were the last to arrive at the Wyatt home. Cole wasn't sure about him being there, but Phoebe said that it was alright and that she needed him there. Cole could deny Phoebe nothing. Piper greeted her sister and Cole and with open arms. "Come in you two. We have snacks in the kitchen and everyone is in the living room." she told them. Cole and Phoebe followed her into the kitchen and then into the living room. Phoebe gave a longing look to her nephew as he was passed around the room. Right now he was in Andy's arms and the two of them were having fun. "Hi Phoebe!" Prue greeted and went to give her sister a hug. "Hello Cole." Prue said and stuck out her arm for a handshake. Cole shook her hand, "Hi Prue." he replied and then followed Phoebe to a love seat. "Aunt Phoebe!" Paige called out. She had been with her daddy playing with her new cousin, but she hadn't seen her Aunt in a very long time. Phoebe's eyes lit up when Paige made her way over to her. "I missed you." she told her. Phoebe gave her a bear hug, "I missed you too! What have you been up to?" she asked. "Well I got a dress for the wedding. And then I saw my new school. And Daddy helped me change my room." she replied cheerily. Phoebe laughed and so did Cole. Paige peered up at Cole, "Hello." she greeted. "Hi Paige. Do you remember me?" he asked. She nodded her head, "You're Mistew Cole." she answered. He gave her a smile and nod, "You are correct." She beamed up at him. The couple looked to the rest of the room. Everyone was smiling at them. "So what's this baby's name?" Phoebe asked. Leo smiled, "I'm glad you asked." he told her and then took the baby from Andy, "Everyone we would like you to meet, " he stopped and allowed Piper to tell the name, "Phoenix Halliwell Wyatt." she said proudly. "Phoenix?" Lillian asked. It sounded like a Hollywood name to her. Piper nodded, "Yes, because of the fire. He and I both rose from it and I think Phoenix would be fitting." she explained. Lillian smiled at her, "I think it's a beautiful name." Leo and Piper smiled at one another. "Well if you guys would like to eat we have food in the kitchen." Leo told them and everyone got up to get them some food. ~*~ One Month Later Everyone gathered at Halliwell Manor for tomorrow was Prue and Andy's wedding. The family dinner had been fun and everyone was starting to warm up to Cole. Phoebe was doing much better, but every now and then she still looked at Phoenix with longing. Since Phoenix was still waking up at all hours Piper and Leo had their own hotel room and Phoebe, Prue, and Paige would be staying in another one in the same hotel. That left Darryl, Andy, and Cole to have the manor to themselves. "Quit pouting." Phoebe admonished. "Leo gets to be with his wife." Cole answered. Phoebe smiled, "Yes because they have Phoenix. Besides this is your last night before we watch Paige for the next ten days." She reminded him. Playing house wasn't exactly something that Cole had wanted to do, but since it guaranteed Phoebe for a week he was on board. He was surprised by the way the family had responded to him, and he would do anything to get in their good graces. Proving he could watch Paige without anything bad happening was a perfect way to start. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow." he said as he kissed Phoebe good-bye. Everyone said their good-byes and left to their destination. Tomorrow was going to be enough excitement. ~*~*~*~ End of Chapter 23 * "I'll Stand
by You" by the Pretenders. GREAT SONG! |