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Chapter 24 - Endless ~*~*~*~ Oh your smiling face, your
gracious presence ~*~*~*~ Jitters were abounding. The ceremony was chosen to be outside in the backyard and the perfect atmosphere for a wedding. Outside the leaves were falling in beautiful patterns, the sun was glowing, and all the women at the Halliwell manor were scurrying around trying to get everything together. Piper was especially was having a rough time. Her dress had been made to fit her if she was eight months pregnant NOT post-pregnancy. And with everything else that had happened the size of the dress had slipped her mind. Now she was pouting because it looked as if she was eight months pregnant and not her small size that she had been working hard to get back. It ticked her off. It made everyone else laugh. "Would you quit fidgeting?" Prue asked, "I'm the one that is suppose to have the jitters. It's my wedding day." she admonished as she watched Piper squirm once again. Piper stuck her tongue out at her. "Yes, but you're not jittery. You never are, so I'll pick up the slack for you." was her response. Phoebe laughed. She had been getting Paige ready when they walked in on the tail-end of the conversation. "Piper you look fine, really. I found some pins and we can pin it back so that it is not as big." Phoebe assured her. Piper took a deep breath, "Fine." she said and turned her attention to Paige. "You look beautiful baby girl." she told her. Paige beamed, "Thank-you." she replied. "You look beautiful Mommy!!!" Paige exclaimed and went running to her mother. Prue had to fight hard to keep the tears away. "Excuse me, male coming in." Leo announced as he knocked and opened the door slightly, "We're all dressed." Phoebe told him. He opened the door fully and walked in with a whimpering baby boy, "I think Wyatt needs you." Leo said handing their son to Piper. Piper cringed a little inside. Since it had taken two days to name their son everyone called him baby Wyatt which was what everyone still called him after they announced his name. Soon though they dropped the baby part and just called him Wyatt. Piper had a hunch that Lillian was behind it, but refrained from making any formal accusations. She was hoping the nickname, "Nix" would catch on, but since she was the only one to ever call him that she doubted it. She bounced her son a little and started to make small soothing sounds and in a matter of minutes he was calmed down. Leo sat in a chair next to her and let out a huge breath. Piper turned her attention to him, "You're a very good daddy did you know that?" she asked him. He basked in the compliment. "You're a pretty good mommy yourself." he replied. The couple smiled at each other. "If you guys would excuse me and Paige I would like a moment alone." Prue asked the room. Everyone gave them smiles and left. "Come on Piper I'll get your dress fixed." Phoebe said and urged her toward the bathroom. Piper gave Wyatt back to Leo and followed Phoebe. When they had left Prue sat down on one of the chairs. She had wanted something simple to wear, but her sisters insisted that she take it to the limit. After all it was her first (and hopefully only) wedding. So there she stood in a white gown. The white bodice was tight and the skirt was a lesson in princess gowns. She felt beautiful and when she looked at her daughter she knew she was. Her daughter had a white dress with satin on top and tulle on the bottom. She was her princess. She sat down in one of the chairs and placed Paige in her lap, "I just wanted you to know how much I love you and how so very proud of you I am. You have been such a good girl through all of this which means you are a very, very special little girl." Paige stared up at her mother wide-eyed. She felt special and she loved the way Aunt Phoebe had made her look, but when her mother talked to her she felt like a princess. It took Prue all she had not to cry and instead held her daughter to her and shined when her daughter wrapped her arms around her returning the hug, "I love you Mommy!" Paige whispered in her ear. "I love you too sweetie. It's almost time for the service and since you are such a special little girl I thought I would give you this." Prue said standing up and walking over to her dresser. She pulled out a gold necklace with a small sapphire hanging from it. "Now, this is a very special necklace. Something that my mommy gave to me. I want you to wear it today, but I'm going to hang on to it until you get hold enough to keep it okay?" she asked. Paige nodded knowing how important the necklace was. "Thank-you." she smiled as her mother put the necklace on her. Prue sat back and thanked God for what he had given her. She didn't feel she deserved her, but was not about to give her up. "Okay are you ready to go see Daddy?" she asked. Paige nodded her head and took her mother's hand and they walked out. ~*~*~*~ These are days of the
endless dancing and the ~*~*~*~ Andy watched as first his daughter walked down the aisle throwing the flowers how she had been taught. He was so proud of her, she had taken everything so well and had been such a testament to children's resilience. She not only was the flower girl, but she was the maid of honor. Something she had taken very seriously and as he watched her had done beautifully. Then the minister smiled and everyone turned around and stood up watching as Prue glided through the back doors. It was then everything became a blur for Andy. He couldn't believe that he was actually watching all of this. That this was his life. A year ago he was alone, lonely, and wondering how to get a life. Now he had a life, a beautiful bride, and an amazing daughter. Life just didn't get better than that. The ceremony went on with Leo handing him the ring and Paige handing the ring to Prue. They recited their vows and when the pastor announced them husband and wife he took Prue into his arms and kissed her. Then they turned to Paige and she jumped in his arms and all three walked down the aisle with the pastor proclaiming, "I now announce Andy, Prue, and Paige Trudeau a family." The reception was held at the house and where the ceremony had been held was now a reception area and in the house were more tables and chairs for guests. Piper and Phoebe had managed to find a couple of chairs and sat down. "So Julie wants to take Glen to New York?" Piper asked. Phoebe nodded her head, "Yep, she's pretty much the ex-wife from Hell." Phoebe concluded. Piper laughed, "Well we all have those that we have to put up with. I have Leo's sister and grandmother and you have the ex-wife and Mrs. Seer. Which by the way I'm kind of interested to know where she is at." "Me too." Phoebe shot back, "We don't know. Cole has a few ideas, but as long as she isn't around here she can't create any trouble. So Natalie and Lillian are giving you problems?" Piper shook her head, "Not anymore. I think once they realized that I wasn't a flake and wouldn't be leaving Leo anytime soon they lightened up. Plus it helped to have Nix." They were silent for a few moments watching everyone, but as Phoebe watched Cole dance with Paige she became reflective, "Are you guys really okay with Cole?" she wondered out loud. "It's a little hard to take that he meant us harm, but he has showed that he loves you and that he's sorry. We're not going to forget his past, but we can forgive it." Phoebe smiled at her, "Thanks." Piper shook her head again, "There's no need. He makes you happy and you two are obviously in love. That's a positive thing. Besides, he's been the perfect boyfriend this past month. I'm impressed." "Who are you talking about?" Cole asked coming up. Phoebe jumped, "You." Piper replied. "You think I've been the perfect boyfriend?" Cole asked, Piper nodded her head, "I do. We've really been impressed by you Cole." Piper told him. Cole almost blushed. Redemption felt wonderful. "Why don't you have a seat." Phoebe offered hers and when he took it sat down in his lap. The three of them continued to chat. "So what is his name?" Miles asked. "Phoenix Halliwell Wyatt, but everyone calls him Wyatt." Leo answered as he held his son. "Actually I think I read that somewhere." Miles answered, but was enjoying the attention that Wyatt was giving him. "I'm sure you have. We've been a big attraction lately. I'm hoping that it will continue for the sake of the show." Leo told him. Miles laughed, "Yeah, I do remember reading you were postponing until February and on into summer. Personally I think it's a brilliant move." "Thanks. I was glad that the executives went for it." A new started playing and Leo looked to find Piper and found her sitting with Phoebe and Cole. "Can you excuse me? They're playing Piper and I's song." Miles nodded his head and went in search of something to eat. "May I have this dance?" Leo asked coming up behind Piper. Piper turned around to him, "I would love to." she said. "I can watch Wyatt for you." Cole offered. Leo and Piper smiled at one another, "Thank-you." they said and Leo handed Wyatt off to him. "You really are the perfect boyfriend." Phoebe teased. The song continued to play while Piper and Leo danced, "I'm ready to go home." she said while resting her head on his shoulder, "Me too. We'll be leaving soon. I think I saw Prue and Andy leaving to change." he told her. This felt wonderful, so much had happened and yet through it all they were still together and now had their son. "Nix looks good with Cole. Maybe we found a babysitter." Leo shook his head, "I'm afraid that it isn't going to stick Piper." Piper scrunched her nose at him, "Doesn't mean I'm going to give up. Besides it might be one of the cool nicknames that only I get to call him." Leo smiled at her, "Well for your sake I hope so." She stuck her tongue out at him, but he kissed her. ~*~ "I've told Aunt Phoebe everything she knows to make sure that you get to school this week. We will call you once a day and as a direct order I want you to have fun okay?" Prue asked Paige. "Okay Mommy." Prue smiled, "Okay." Andy knocked on the door, "Are you ready?" he asked. "Yep, just getting my bag." she told him. "Are you going to be good?" Andy asked Paige. "Yep. Mommy made me promise not to be ornery to Aunt Phoebe or Cole." she stated. He laughed, "I think you've got it covered." he told her. He bent down and took her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Prue followed with her bag to the front door. When they went out the front door bubbles rained down on them. They made it to their decorated rental car. Andy put Paige down who stood by Phoebe and he put the luggage in the trunk. Prue's bouquet was sitting in the passenger side seat and she took and turned around to throw it. The women assembled and Prue through it and with deadly accuracy threw it right to Phoebe. She laughed and blew kisses to her sister. Everyone clapped and Prue and Andy went over to Paige giving her last minute hugs and kisses as well as last minute instructions and good-byes to Piper and Phoebe. Finally the couple drove off. Piper and Leo who had been packed turned to move to their jeep, "Call us if you need us." Piper told Phoebe while Leo put Wyatt in the car seat. "You too. Be safe and call me when you get there." Phoebe instructed. "Of course." Piper said and the two hugged. "My turn!" Paige announced. Piper leaned down to give Paige a hug and tell her how beautiful and wonderful she had been today and Phoebe gave Leo a hug. "Take care of them." she told Cole, "With my life." was his response. Piper reached up and gave him a hug, "Welcome to the family." He smiled at her and shook Leo's hand. Then the Wyatt's got in the jeep and drove off. "What a day." Phoebe remarked. "What a year." Cole replied. "That's God's grace!" Paige told them and then went back into the house. ~*~*~*~ End of Chapter 24 *"These are the days" by Van Morrison - it's the song that they dance to at the end of Nine Months. |