Chapter 54: Line in the Sand

 

All rights to the Halliwells and Charmed go to The Wb and Aaron Spelling.

This is a spin-off of his creation, of which we're all thankful for. Please

Do not plagiarize or anything. LOVE YA

 

 

"Come on, Chris, he's my brother!" I argued as I stood at the counter.

Chris was turned toward the toaster, waiting for his toast to pop up, "He can't stay here, he tried to kill us." He said.

"I remember, but Chris, he's changed." I said, "He's different."

"So, he's not psychotic?" Chris asked.

"No." I said, "He has abandonment issues."

"I can see that." Chris said, looking out the window, "Dammit."

"What?" I asked.

"Those damn people are screwing with the hedges!" Chris griped while catching his toast, "And the answer is still no."

"It's not forever, it's just until we can get dad to take him in." I said.

Chris sighed, "A few days, but he's not allowed in the attic!" he said.

"Done." I smiled, "Thanks." I said, hugging him.

Chris tightened, "But the next person who goes evil in your family cannot stay here." He said.

"Deal." I smirked, leaving the kitchen.

-           

Warren watched as little Matthew reached up and grabbed at his fingers. Warren chuckled at his little cousin, he was such a cute little baby. It was then he noticed that he was really good with babies, especially this one. He was so well-behaved, even for a baby. And he smelled like a newborn baby, all new and whatnot. Warren took little Matthew into his arms and cuddled him, tickling his little belly.

"One day, I'm going to have a little boy, just like you! And you and him are going to play with each other and be really good friends." Warren said.

"What're you going to name him?" I asked, standing at the door.

"I don't know." Warren smiled over at me, "Could be a surprise."

"It's always a surprise." I chuckled.

"Where'd you get this blanket?" Warren asked.

"It was Wyatt's." I said, "Charmed."

"Even the blanket is Charmed? I love this family." Warren smirked.

"So, family life is..."

"...better than I remember." Warren said, "The little sisses are fun. I can't wait to have children of my own."

"Good to hear." I said.

"What'd you expect me to say? It sucks?" Warren asked.

"I don't know, your dad was the source of all evil and you're living in a home built on good magic." I said.

Warren twitched, "My mother was one of the greatest forces of good in the world. Besides, all I need is a job and a boyfriend and I have the perfect life." He said.

"Well, if you're not picky, you could work at Piper's restaurant. Or the club." I said.

"Restaurant, maybe. Club, no." Warren said, "Too many bad dates and memories."

I laughed.

"So, how are you without...I mean..."

"I tried to call for him, or his spirit." I sighed, "But they wouldn't even let the sisters see Prue."

"So, when do you go back to work?" Warren asked.

"Really soon." I said, "Good thing my readers followed me through the ages. I have a talk show appearance."

"Really? That's great!" Warren said.

"I already had to use a spell to get rid of fame, I'm not sure it would work again." I said, "I'm not sure I want it to."

"What?" Warren asked.

"I kind of miss the fame. I mean...it's complicated." I said.

"I can see that." Warren smirked, "I get where you're coming from."

"Yes, and between all that, I have to get my dad to take in my brother." I said.

Warren looked at me angrily.

"He's sorry." I said.

"Why are you helping him after what he pulled?" Warren asked.

"He's my brother, it's what my mom would want." I said, "She always wanted us to come together."

"I still don't like you being around this creep, even if he's your brother." Warren said.

"Can I count on you to watch the baby while they're here? I don't think the baby should be anywhere near the yelling." I said quickly.

"I'll take him to mom's condo." Warren said, "Where's his bag."

I walked over to the door and grabbed it from behind the frame.

"You knew I'd say yes?" Warren asked.

"I hoped you would say yes." I said, "Be careful. He's..."

"I know." Warren said, fading away.

"Whew," I said, "The easy part is over."

-           

Piper walked out into the crowded restaurant, eager to see the customer that had requested to speak with her. It wasn't odd. It was, in fact, a compliment. The past few weeks had been an emotional rollercoaster. Wyatt was alive! But he couldn't come back. It was heartbreaking to see what Drake was going through and not be able to tell him. To help him. How could she help him? After Prue had died, it was unbearable! She couldn't imagine losing Leo again.

"Hi, are you..." Piper said, but she stopped when she saw his face, "Bane Jessup?"

"Hello, Piper." He smirked.

-           

"Damn you, I know you can hear me!" Chris shouted into the sky. He stood on the Golden Gate Bridge, shouting to himself, daring his brother to orb his ass down here and talk to him. So far, he had been unsuccessful and it was beginning to irritate the Hell out of him, especially because he was supposed to be doing business. It pissed him off that Wyatt was doing this to Drake, to his family! How could he leave his family? Chris was about to scream again when he heard a familiar jingle behind him.

"Chris, you don't have to yell." Wyatt said calmly.

"You bastard!" Chris shouted.

"Chris, I understand your anger, but I..."

"You don't understand anything! You left your family to become an Elder?" Chris asked.

"No, I'm saving my family." Wyatt said, losing his calm tone.

"To save me? I'd rather die than to see this!" Chris said angrily, "He needs you!"

"As long as I'm up here, then..."

"If he's meant to die, then he's going to die!" Chris frowned, "The Elders can't undo death."

"But they can prevent it." Wyatt said.

Chris frowned, "Wyatt, they're using you. They're taking everything from you and you're letting them!" he said, "You're playing into it, just like dad!"

"You know what, I'm not going to argue with you. I did what I did for the good of our family, something you can't understand." Wyatt said.

"I went back in time to save my family!" Chris said.

"So, now I'm the bad guy again?" Wyatt asked.

"I'm not going to keep your secret." Chris said, "I won't keep this from him and neither should you."

"I'm done." Wyatt said, about to orb.

"You orb and I'll scatter you!" Chris said quickly.

"What do you want from me?" Wyatt asked.

"You're trying to protect us, but you're leaving yourself open. These people are the same people who never wanted to see you or me born. Just remember that." Chris said, orbing away, leaving Wyatt to think to himself.

-           

Warren shimmered into view as Coop was reading the newspaper and Phoebe sat at her computer, writing. Phoebe's youngest sat on the floor, watching TV. Phoebe and Coop looked up, but the youngest was glued to the TV.

"Matthew!" Phoebe said, walking over and pinching his cheeks.

"Where's the girls?" Warren asked.

Phoebe took Matthew into her hands as her youngest walked over and began to play with him, "Tennis and Dance." She said, "Why do you have Matthew?"

"Drake's bringing his family back together, figures there should be a lack of baby around." Warren said.

"Look at him." Coop gushed, "Takes me back."

"Three, that's all." Phoebe smirked, "Four for me."

"So, Drake's rebuilding his family?" Phoebe asked, "That's not going to go well."

"He's made up his mind." Warren said.

"Maybe we should play mediator." Coop said.

"Sorry, Coop, this is a family thing." Warren said.

-           

"Daddy!" I said, hugging him as he walked through the door. Dad was getting a little pudgier, but still in pretty good shape. I was in the clear if I could at least get them in the same room. That would be the tricky part. I walked to the Solarium and dad followed, looking around to see where the baby was.

"Drake, I think you have a problem." Dad said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Your baby is gone." Dad said.

"No, he's with Warren." I said.

"Then why did you invite me over?" Dad asked.

Just then, the front door closed and Caleb walked into the Solarium and laid his bags to the side.

"Caleb." I said, hugging him. I looked back to see Dad giving him the most evil look known to man, "Surprise!"

They both said, "What's he doing here!?"

-           

"I never got to say a formal goodbye to Prue." Bane Jessup said as he had coffee with Piper. They had been talking for what seemed like infinity. Piper had enlightened him about what happened to Prue and Bane had offered his condolences. Piper felt all her feelings about Prue bubble at the surface. It still hurt to talk about her. Piper still missed her big sister and it wasn't going away, not soon. Piper made peace with it, but it was still a source of pain.

"Neither did I." Piper said, "It was really tough on everybody."

"I can't imagine." Bane said, "Prue was something special."

Piper nodded, "Yes, she was." She said.

"When I heard about her, I was shocked." Bane said, "It's not every day that someone so young dies so soon. It couldn't have been her time."

"I still miss her." Piper said, "But she's in a better place."

"How are your kids and your sisters?" he asked.

"We're all fine." Piper said, "Or we will be."

-           

"Dad, don't leave." I said, catching his shoulder. Dad was already trying to bolt and I don't know for how much longer I could keep him there. Caleb looked thoroughly upset, too. This could get explosive, good thing I got Matthew out of here.

"I thought you said I was coming to see Matthew!" Caleb protested.

"Me too!" Dad said.

"Well, uh, see..." I stammered.

Dad and Caleb frowned.

"I didn't want to lie, but you two left me no choice!" I said.

"He psychically kidnapped me!" Dad yelled.

"I learned that my abandonment issues have a little less to do with him, but he was still absentee." Caleb said.

"Oh, god, Caleb, get over it!" Dad frowned, "Your brother has! I admit, I was a shitty parent, but you have got to move on!"

"I am." Caleb said.

"Great, see...great." I said.

"But you're an ass." Caleb said.

My mouth dropped.

Dad chuckled, "Drake, I'll see you later." He said.

"Walking out again?" Caleb asked calmly.

Dad came back, "You little..."

"Hear these words," I chanted, "Hear my cry, spirit from the other side. Come to me, I summon thee. Cross now the Great Divide." I finished. Immediately, there was a gust of wind and a light, then someone was standing in front of us.

"Mom?" Caleb said, his chin against his chest.

Dad said nothing, he just stared, and then stared at me, "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I can't do this alone." I said.

Mom stepped into corporeal form and hugged me, "My poor baby. I'm so sorry for your loss, but never give up on true love." She smiled warmly.

"Caly..." Dad said.

"My boys. You love each other. You will need each other for what's to come." Caly said, "I can only stay to tell you to cherish each other, for me. Blessed be." She said, fading.

Dad looked at Caleb, "We have a lot to talk about." He said.

"I'm willing to talk." Caleb said, "But only after I see my nephew."