Ever since Mel agreed to carry her future baby, she has been so anxious. And she's not a fool, she knows that since she's a charmed one and her everyday life is going to be filled with magic and chaos. But it was still a little overwhelming. And surprisingly, she's just starting to realize that the one thing she could count on was Abby. Memories of the moments she spent with Abby, the things she's said and done, flood through her mind. She thinks she's finally understanding what Abigael really meant by "I care deeply about her". She desperately hopes she'll have this talk with Abby before it's too late........
"Hey, got your text and it sounded pretty urgent, what's wrong?" Harry's just coming down the stairs of the command center. Standing to face the three women in front of him. Maggie's the first one to speak, "Ok. So, we all thought that the best way to get The Whispering Evil out of Jordan would be to use an exorcism. But we figured since The Whispering Evil is so powerful, we'd need a really, really strong spell. And I think we might have found one." Maggie states, drawing Harry's attention. "Show it to me." Harry's sounding a bit suspicious as to if this is legit. Maggie shows Harry over to the spell book they found the spell in. "Are you sure this will work?" Harry says, eying the spell page. "Not really, but this is our safest option." Macy said, sounding a little unsure. "Ok, so let's start preparing the spell-" "Wait!" Macy is interrupted by Maggie's sudden realization. "When we take TWE out of Jordan, we're gonna put it back in the tomb, right?" Maggie sounds worried that her sisters will realize who they need to go to for help. Then Mel finally catches Maggie's train of thought. "We need the perfecti." Mel lets out a sigh. Just when she thought things were going to be easy, they got even harder. "But that's not all.... When we take TWE out of Jordan, and put it in the tomb, it obviously won't willingly go into the tomb once it knows it's a trap. So, won't we need something to lure it in?" Maggie says with her brows raised in curiosity. "A host......." Macy lets out softly. "No. Absolutely Not. that is far too dangerous" Harry says. "Harry, it'll be fine." Macy states, trying to get him to stop worrying about them. "Ok, well. Maggie, Macy. you stay here and prepare the spell, And i'll go talk to Abby and see if she can help us." Mel says as she goes over to the witch board and selects Abby's penthouse. With a deep breath, she grabs a marble and heads for the portal but as she's leaving she can hear Macy's silent, 'Be safe' in the background. When she arrives at the penthouse, she sees Waverly in the living room with her sister, talking about what seems to be them plotting their plan to steal the Blade of Clarity from their mother. When Abby sees Mel walk in, her face lights up as if she has finally seen daylight after being trapped in darkness for years. "Hey, Mel," Abby states, "So what brings you here?" Her tone is cheerful yet slightly curious. "As much as I'd hate to be constantly asking you for favors, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask another one of you." Mel feels kind of bad that she is always running to her for help, but she obviously didn't know that Abby didn't really mind it. "No, Melanie, it's fine. I actually quite like helping you and your sisters out when you need it." She let out a soft chuckle when she continued, "So what, pray tell, do you need help with?" She asks while inhaling deeply. "So, Me and my sisters have found a spell that can help Jordan. The spell will boot TWE out of-" Mel is cut off from her sentence with Abby's question, "Wait, what the hell is TWE?" "Oh, it's just what Maggie calls The Whispering Evil" Mel lets out a small chuckle at the reminder of how funny Maggie can be at times. "Anyway, back to what I was saying. The spell will get TWE out of Jordan and into the tomb. The only problem is, we need a host to lure it into the tomb." Mel finishes. "I suppose that this is where I come in, right?" When Mel simply nods her head, Abby lets out a heavy sigh that leads Mel into thinking she might've said the wrong thing. "Look, Let's make a deal. If you help us, then I'll help you get the Blade of Clarity from your mother" They hold eye contact for a moment then Abby breaks the silence. "Mel, are you sure about this?" Mel lets out a heavy sigh before nodding on. "Ok, then. Let's go find ourselves a host." Abby says with a smirk on her face. Mel is a bit startled when Waverly pops up, "Do you mind if I could help too?" Waverly is only replied with Mel's polite, "Of course," She says giving Waverly a small smile. "Well, Let's get going". They all head to The Command Center where Harry, Maggie and Macy were waiting for them. When nobody starts talking, Abby feels the need to start the conversation, "Ok, So, What's the plan?" Her tone is kinda soft but still firm. Harry's the first to reply, "Well, I assume Mel's told you most of it, except the part where we find a host, which is where you come in." That makes Abby pause for a bit thinking about this whole thing over and over. Until she finally knows who to turn to. But she's afraid that The Charmed Ones - Maggie - won't be okay with it. She swallows quickly, she hates having to be the one to say it but no one else is, so she has to. She inhales deeply, preparing herself for what she's about to say, "I think I know someone who can help......" That draws everyone in the room to look at her. Abby wishes the ground could just swallow her whole with all the attention on her. "Who?" Maggie can't help but ask. Abb by looks at Mel briefly before turning to look at all three women. "I can tell you, but I guarantee you won't like the answer. At least she won't...." She looks at Maggie at the end of that sentence, which leads Maggie to believe she was talking about her. That leads her to asking, "What do you mean?" Abby does really know how to respond to that. So she lets out a small sigh, while she finally builds up the courage to say what needs to be said, "I think we should go to Parker for help". The room is silent for what feels like forever to Abby, and it kinda makes her feel uncomfortable. Maggie knows deep down inside that she was the one who was going to have to break the silence, "Well, how do we find him?" Aside from her fear of Parker getting hurt, Maggie is determined to save Jordan. That somewhat makes Abby feel better about this whole thing, so she tries to go forward with the plan, while thinking of a way to locate him, "We could try an Esoteric Flux?" Abby suggests softly. "What's an Esoteric Flux?" Maggie asks, furrowing her eyebrows. "It's a locator spell, basically it allows you to locate someone using blood relation." Abby replies,"And since I so happen to be his blood, it might actually work" "Ok," Mel sighs, "Well, let's get to it then." They all start preparing the spells and potion needed, when Abby starts going over the plan, "Ok, so, here's the plan: While Macy, Waverly and Mel are preparing the spells and potions, Maggie will go upstairs and try to get a vision from the infected to see where Jordan is, once you find out where he is, Macy and Harry will go there get him, bring him back, then I'll cast the locator spell to find Parker and me and Maggie will go to him, then Maggie will convince him to help us, then we'll bring him back here and Maggie, Macy, and Mel will perform the exorcism get and The Whispering Evil out of Jordan and use Parker lure it into the tomb." Abby finishes that sentence. Maggie is the one who will have to start this whole mission off by finding out where Jordan is. So she exhales deeply before turning around and telling everybody to, "wish me luck" before she exits the door. Maggie walks towards Swan, wilhe making sure to keep a distance. She wonders if she should just go back into the command center and get Harry to hold her down while she tries to get a vision. Eventually, she decides against that, instead she'll just put a hand to the containment spell and try to get a vision from there. So, she takes a deep breath and she slowly, but surely brings her shaky hand onto the containment spell and focuses all her energy on The Whispering Evil. It doesn't take long before she gets a location, So, She heads back to the command center and gives Macy and Harry Jordan's location. Once Macy and Harry have portaled away, Abby's already starting the spell to find Parker. Maggie thinks that it's probably because she wants to get this whole thing over with already and to be honest, Maggie would be lying if she said she didn't feel the same. She too wants this to go as fast as it can. But Maggie's also surprised; Normally Abby wouldn't bat an eye if Parker got hurt especially to this extent, but now Abby seems truly concerned for her brother's wellbeing. Though Maggie would never admit to it, She kinda feels proud of how serious Abby's gotten about her family, and not just about Parker but about Waverly too. The Maggie from about a year ago would never believe this at all, but the Maggie that's really gotten to know Abby would think that maybe she's actually changed. Maybe. Maggie's only pulled out of her thoughts when she hears her sister calling her name as if to get her out of whatever trance she was in. Maggie finally catches on to what's happening when she sees Abby grabbing the marble and heading for the portal. It makes Maggie wonder how long she was trapped in her own thoughts as she blindly follows Abby into the portal. When they arrive, they aren't sure what to expect, then Abby sees a man walking toward them. He looks like he's in his late 50's, and he dressed up very nicely. Perhaps he's a butler. His tone is quite welcoming when he speaks, "Hello, Ladies. How may I help you?" They both look at each other briefly before one of them speaks up, "Hi, I'm Abigael. And this is my friend Maggie. We're looking for my brother, Parker. Do you know where we could find him?" "Ah, Parker you say? Oh, he's usually at the night club just a few blocks from here. He stays there until midnight on Thursdays, so you'll have plenty of time to talk to him if you'd like." "Thanks for the information, uh....." she pauses when she hints that she hasn't yet caught his name. Luckily he catches on and informs her that it's, "Richard. Uh, Stevenson." he says as shakes her hand. Once he turns to leave, They both turn to leave too when Maggie can't help but ask, "Ok..... So, Granted he was definitely a demon in the presence of a Charmed One, Why would he willingly tell us where Parker was?" Abby just smirks at that, earning a huge eye roll from Maggie. When she speaks she sounds charming as ever, voice oozing out equal parts honey and sin, "It's a little trick I inherited from my Father called Mesmerization." Maggie just quirks her head, she never knew Abby had such powers. It seems that she voiced those exact thoughts when Abby makes a snarky comment,"Well, there's a lot that you don't know about me, Perky Princess." As usual, Maggie rolls her eyes at the snarky remark. When they head into the club, the first thing that pops into Maggie's brain is the sound of the loud music that's blasting through the speakers. They head up to the bar where the bartender asks them if they'd like a drink. Maggie only shakes her head in response while Abby tells him that she'd like a scotch. 'Same old Abigael' Maggie thinks to herself. She notes that Abby is looking around very cautiously to see if she spots her brother. "Maybe we could split up?" Maggie suggests out of nowhere. She's only replied by Abby shaking her head, "No, that wouldn't work. There's no telling if anyone here is a threat. But it's better safe than sorry." When the bartender hands her her drink she finally spots him. Parker, sitting at - what seems like - the very end of the bar, casually sipping his drink. He looks kinda bored, Abby thinks. She wonders if he's been like this ever since Maggie broke up with him. She just now realizes that they don't really have a plan. I mean, what are they supposed to do? Just go up to him and ask him to risk his life to save someone he barely cares about? Maggie seems to catch onto Abby's thoughts when she speaks up, so unprepared and anxious for what she has to do, she's barely able to form her words, "I'll go talk to him" as she heads to the very end of the bar and clears her throat to get his attention. Parker looks up to see the one person he'd least expect. "Maggie? What are you doing here?" "I came here to talk to you. Uh, is there somewhere we could talk in private?" "Uh, y- yeah. follow me. " Maggie lets out a heavy sigh and follows Parker into the other room. At first the room is filled with silence, neither of them really know how to start off this conversation. So, Maggie clears her throat, choosing her words very carefully when she speaks, "Ok, Um, I know that this might sound a little awkward but, um, I need your help with something. Something very important" Maggie sounds serious at that which is sending Parker the wrong message, "So, what you stop talking to me for almost a year and the only reason you'd even bother to see me again is because you need something." Parker looks furious now, brows pinched in an angry manner. Maggie thinks that not all of it is anger, thinks she hears genuine hurt in that sentence. A part of her wishes she would have formed a better relationship with Parker before all of this happened. She lets out a soft but deep sigh, her voice sounding firm when she speaks, "Look I'm sorry, Parker. I really am..... for the way things ended between us. But my friend's life is in danger. And I really need your help. So, please..... Help me." At this point, Maggie sounds desperate. The humanity in Parker seems to make its way throughout his entire body. A part of Parker - Likely the part that is deeply in love with Maggie Vera - can't help but give into her, "Fine. I'll help you. So, what is it exactly that you need help with?" Parker questions, crossing his arms against his chest. It takes a while for Maggie to answer, but when she does, she talks slightly slow so Parker's not confused as hell "So, there's this monster called The Whispering Evil that possessing my friend Jordan and there's an exorcism that me and my sister have to perform to get it out of him and put it in the tomb of chaos, which is basically just a magical jail for ancient, magical creatures. But we need a human host to lure it into the tomb and...." "I'm guessing that's where I come in?" Parker catches on pretty quickly. Maggie only nods in response. Parker let out a deep sigh before he speaks up, "I'll tell you what. I'll make you a deal. I'll help your friend Jordan if you do something for me..... If this thing goes sideways just......... promise me... you'll make sure my sister is okay. Look, I know Abby and I haven't had the best relationship. But she's still my sister. And believe it or not I actually care about her. So, please.... Just take care of her in any way you can." Maggie thinks that's not too hard of a task, so she shakes Parker's hand in agreement. "Okay then it's settled," Maggie says with a small smile, "I'm actually here with Abby so I'm just gonna go get her and tell her that we're ready. Um, can you just meet me outside?" Parker's answer is almost instant, "Sure." "Okay" Maggie says while letting out a deep sigh and heads out to look for Abigael. A few moments later, Maggie finds Abigael standing alone on the balcony, drinking her scotch as she takes in the view of the outside world. Maggie waits to make her presence known, thinking she might have more to say to Abby then she intends to. But Maggie decides to start the conversation off a little less awkward as she tries her best to sound as chipper as ever when she speaks, "Hey...... Um, Parker's waiting for us outside." To her surprise, Abby doesn't even turn her head around to see the source of such chipperness. Granted, she probably already knew who it was, after all, Maggie was the Perky Princess. Maggie thinks she should say more so she takes a few steps until she's merely a few inches next to Abigael, her stone rather soft than chipper when she speaks, "You know..... It doesn't take my supernatural former mind-reading abilities to know that you're in love with my sister." Abby's head whips back from staring at the view of the night so fast, Maggie's worried that she'll snap her neck. Maggie lets out a soft, quiet chuckle before continuing, "I mean, come on, Abby. It's obvious. You practically confessed it all at your trial." Maggie notes that Abby looks away from her again, Probably thinking about that trial and how traumatizing it was for her to see her mother again. Maggie feels the need to say something, anything that will stop Abigael from entertaining those thoughts of not deserving love. So, she tries her best to sound reassuring when she speaks, "For what it's worth? You're not the only one." Abigael's breath hitches in her throat; she's desperate to believe Maggie, but so deeply scared to do so. What if she's wrong? What if she says how she feels and Mel doesn't feel the same? What if she's, yet again, denied love? "Do you really think so? I mean, Mel she's...... Not exactly the type of person that would like someone like me." Maggie can hear the pure doubt in her voice and it cracks her heart in two. After all this time, how could Abby still not believe she deserves love? Though she can't blame her, if she grew up with Francesca as a mother, she'd probably think the same thing. Still, she's not giving up on convincing Abby that her feelings for Mel aren't one-sided, She figures she owes Abby that much. "Look, I know we haven't always been on the best of terms... But If there's one thing that I want for my sister, it's for her to be happy. And if that means having lots more of you in my lives, then I am ready, willing, and able for it." That makes Abby smile brightly, As Maggie continues, "And to be completely honest I..... I think I might actually like having you around more often." "Really?" "Well, yeah, I mean we really could use your magical knowledge on demons and potions and stuff. Trust me, it comes in handy a lot more than you realize, Abby" Maggie says with a small chuckle. And she wasn't lying, she actually would like having Abby around more. Despite the fact that Abby was annoying and sarcastic, she would always help them out when they needed it. And honestly, Maggie's always secretly admired that. (she makes a mental note to tell Abby all the things she admires about her, perhaps it would make her feel more welcome) Maggie starts to think that they should get going since Jordan's life is dependent on this. "Hey, we should probably get going, you know Parker's still waiting for us outside." When Abigael only responds with a single nod, Maggie decides she should try to tease something about her and Mel, "And I think that there's a certain conversation that you and my sister need to have...." At that point Abby's feeling a lot more confident about discussing her feelings with Mel, if her bright and beaming smile is anything to go by. Once they've portaled back to the command center, Jordan is in the containment spell and everybody's ready for the exorcism. Except.... Mel. When she looks all around the room and doesn't see Mel anywhere, she tries her best to refrain herself from panicking, so she takes a deep soft breath, sounding calm and collected when she asks, "Where's Mel?" Macy answers, "She forgot something at the house so she went back to go get it, and then Waverly decided to go check on her to see if she was okay, then Waverly told us that Mel won't go through with the exorcism." Abby thinks she knows why that is, probably because Mel thinks that if Parker gets hurt in the process of it, Abby will never forgive her. So, She sighs deeply before saying that she'll, "go talk to her." When Abigael portals to Vera Manor, she thinks the first place she should check is Mel's room but then she hears a familiar voice call out her name. Once she follows the sound of the voice to the "book nook", She sits down beside Mel, being sure of how to get Mel to do the exorcism. but not knowing how to end up having the inevitable conversation. Mel takes a sip of her tea before placing the mug down on the table, and clearing her throat. "I take you're here to convince me to go through with the exorcism?" "Mel, you know, you don't have to be scared that I won't forgive you if Parker gets hurt." Mel furrows her brows in confusion. "How do you know that that's why I won't do the exorcism?" Abby shrugged softly "Because I know you" Mel smiles at the softness in Abby's voice. Still, Abby has to bring up the elephant in the room and is a bit nervous to do so. But she remembers what Maggie told her, so she looks deep into Mel's eyes, about to say something when Mel suddenly gasps and holds her stomach tightly. "Mel? Are you alright? Are you hurt? Is it the Baby?" Abigael asked, concern and hints of panic lacing her voice. Mel almost tears up at the concern Abby feels for her daughter. "Yeah I'm fine, we're fine. It's just she kinda surprised me a little bit." "Oh, yeah, does that happen often?" Abby teases with a smirk. But is only rewarded with Mel's classic eye roll. "Do you want to....?" Abby gets a little nervous at that, of course she wants to but she's not sure Mel is being totally legit. So, Abigael looks at Mel, looks very hard for any signs of deceit or insincerity or downright joking. When she doesn't see any, she starts to get a little curious, asking, "Wait, you'd actually trust me to....?" "Abby, of course! Here." She placed Abigael's warm and slightly shaking hands onto her belly, and gilded her hand to where the baby was suddenly pressing in a flurry of movement. "Feel that?" Mel asked after a moment. Abby nodded her head with a big smile. Stiil, she can't help but ask, "How do you have so much trust in me?" "Experience," Mel shrugged easily. "You had so many opportunities to hurt me, or to just see me hurt, and you never took any of them. You protected me at every turn. And you know I'd put up a hell of a fight." "Of course, you would." Abigael agreed readily. But then there's that uncomfortable silence coating them. Mel's about to say something when the baby kicks again, but this time really really hard. Abby feels the kick too and when she sees Mel's tension, she starts rubbing her belly softly, sushing the baby as if she's trying to get the baby to calm down. And surprisingly or not so surprisingly it actually works. Mel breathes out deeply, "Thank you" Then she's rewarded with Abby's big smile. Mel thinks she hasn't been this close with Abby since....Well, forever. She soft places her head on Abby's shoulder and Abby's hand still on Mel's belly. Abby's still not sure how to have the conversation that they've been due for about three months. So, she intertwines her free hand with Mel's, softly pressing a kiss to her temple, "Hey, Mel, can I tell you something?" "Sure." This is where she pauses. She doesn't know what she's gonna say or how she's gonna say it. It's funny, she thinks she's played this out in her head at least a thousand times, and yet when it actually happens she couldn't be any less prepared. But she goes for it anyway, hoping that the words will just flow through her mouth without her even trying. Her tone is soft and genuine when she speaks, "I was lost and lonely and..... Abandoned. But then I met you. And you were like this beam of light that helped me get through some of the darkest times in my life. And..... You believed in me when no one else would. And frankly..... You mean more to me than you will ever know.......And....just......" Abby can't even put her words together but Mel seems to get the message. "Abby, what are you trying to say?......That..... That you have feelings for me?" Abby looks at Mel, trying her absolute best to meet Mel's gaze. This time she succeeds. Or at least for a little bit, "uh, Yeah." Abigael chuckles softly, "I guess I am." That makes Mel's mind wander back to her trial, a lot of things are starting to make sense for her now. She just wishes that she had this talk with Abby a long time ago. She thinks she probably did try to have this conversation with her, but she just never could find the right time. But then again, when is it ever the right time to have a conversation with your ex-nemesis who is now your frenemy, about how they confessed that fact that they had feelings for you. Mel still can't help but be a little confused about this, if anything, just needing Abby to confirm one thing, "So if that's what you meant at your trial..... And you still mean it now?" Abby wants to make a snarky remark at how dumb Mel's question is. But now is probably not the best time. So she just gently nods her head, "So yes, Melanie, I still care deeply about you. More than I ever cared about anyone to this day. Really, I just want you to be healthy, to be happy." Mel sat still, incapable of breathing, too struck by Abby's confession, by the vulnerability that she was showing to her. Speechless. "And, don't be mistaken, I expect nothing from you. I would not dream of it. I know my place and how unworthy I am to ever be a part of your happiness. I woul-". Abigael was cut off by a pair of lips on her own. Surprised, she closed her eyes and kissed Mel back. It was gentle, like caressing velour for the first time. They were both afraid that the moment was in fact a dream. Then Mel places a final peck on Abby's lips before retreating. "Sorry, I didn't ask for your consent." Mel whispered. "For this? You always have it." Abby replied softly. "Well, in that case...." she says teasingly as she goes in for another breathtaking kiss. This time it was much more passionate, and desirable. Abby's warm hands cupped Mel's check with such softness and care, like holding a cloud. They are rudely interrupted by Waverly coming in, telling them that Jordan's time is running out and they need to get back to the command center, fast. The two of them nod quickly while following Waverly to the front entrance. Abby takes the marble out of her pocket and throws it on the ground. As the three of them go through the portal. Mel still smiles a little. Abigael Jameson-Caine kissed her. But now's not the time to melt into a pile of girly-ness, they've got an exorcism to perform. Mel can see that everything is ready Jordan is in the containment spell inside of the salt circle, Parker is standing next to The Perfecti who are ready to open The Tomb of Chaos. Harry then instructs the Charmed Ones to take the containment spell down. "Now!" is all they need for Harry to say before they've begun chanting the spell. "Hanc animam accipe, in lucem profer. Et expurgare malum est." the first set of the incantation locks Jordan inside of the circle. The second one doesn't phase him, looks like he could do this all day. Then Mel starts to feel the baby shift around inside her and the spell strengthens. Mel shivers at the almost overwhelming burst of magic she practically feels racing along her veins and coating her insides. The thrid incantation seems to weaken the creature little by little and before they know it, Jordan is down on his knees gasping for air that will not come. Pretty soon, the Whispering Evil can't take the heat anymore and has left Jordan's body, leaving Jordan falling to the floor unconscious. The Perfecti start to open the Tomb, forcing the creature to go inside. But TWE is fighting like Hell to resist going into the Tomb.The Whispering Evil is still trapped inside the circle, looking for a way out. When it doesn't find one, it then finds a new alternative, a host, helpless and vulnerable. Once it's found it's way into possessing Parker, it feels a strange sense of euphoria at this new bodily possession. "Damn it! It got him!" Macy looks all around the room for a solution then she spots The Bruja's ladder inside the cabinet. Macy thinks that she's never used her telekinsis so fast in her life, as she seals Parker up wih the rope and incantation. Parker, waddling hopelessly and unintentionally into the Tomb. Meanwhile the room is silent for a bit, then Mel walks up to a pale looking Abby, scrunching her brows up in worry, "Abby are you ok? You look a little pale." Abby shakes her head instantly as if she was trying to get her mind out of some illusion. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little fatigued, is all." Mel just hesitantly nods her head when Abby speaks again her tone is soft and pure, and it makes Mel fall just a little more in love with her. "Hey, I'm gonna go head back Home for a bit, so I can emotionally prepare myself for having to see my mother again. If that's ok with you." "Yeah of course." Abby she nods softly, giving Mel a small smile before exiting The Command Center. Waverly follows after her, thinking she probably should prepare too. Mel is just standing there lost in her thoughts when she notices that Harry, (ever the gentleman) is helping her into a chair before he gets back to helping Maggie and Macy clean up. Macy and Maggie slowly approach Mel, leaving the rest of the clean up work to Harry. "Hey, you know you and Abby don't have to face Francesca by yourselves." Maggie starts off with her usually soft tone. Macy then adds on, "Yeah, we can help you guys." On the outside Mel just smiles proudly at them, but on the inside, she's truly touched that they care that much about Abby. Then Maggie feels like there's still more to be said, perhaps she should state something that will make Mel realize just how much they really do care for Abby. It truly is a lot more than she thinks. "Yeah, I mean, Abby has been there for us everytime we needed her, we figured it was time we returned the favor." Maggie shots Macy a look that says 'say something! What do you think I mean by "we"?' Macy must get exactly that, Perhaps by some kind of sisterly communication thing. "Yeah, I'm agreeing with Mags on this one. Abby does deserve better than what we've given her. And we're sorry for that." Harry speaks up then, his hand on Mel's shoulder, and Mel''s sort of forgotten he was still there, "We all are." Mel, (once again) is truly touched by the affection shown by her sisters and Harry. (she makes a mental note to remind Abby that even if it doesn't seem like it, the Charmed Ones care about her too) "Thank you all for kindness. I can't tell you how much it means to me and Abby, too. But I'm feeling a bit exhausted too so, I'm gonna head home and take a nap," small nods are exchanged silently then the sisters go back to helping clean up, Maggie saying that she'll, "Get Jordan home" as Mel gets up and heads over to the witch board and selects Vera Manor and goes through the portal. Then she sneakily heads off to go check on Abby. Since Mel is very pregnant and cannot walk that far she decides to use a teleportation spell. She exits the elevators to Abby's luxurious penthouse and into the living room where Abby is. Casually just sitting on the couch, scotch glass in her hand and her gaze upon Mel. she pats the spot on the couch next to her and Mel comes over to sit on the cushion next to her. "You know I was just making up an excuse for you to come here, right?" Mel looks at her awkwardly before chuckling softly, "You're bad at making excuses" she retorts blankly, Abby plays along with her, "Well, I knew exactly what to say to get you to come over here, So, I would say otherwise." She smiles softly and kisses Mel on the cheek. That makes Abby pop the big and rather obvious question, "So..... Are we gonna be a thing?" Mel just shrugs softly, "I don't know. If being a "thing" means that I get to wake up to your face every day with a butload of kisses and hugs and cuddles, and get to watch a bunch of really cheesy musicals with you while eating ice cream, and getting to fight evil with you, and spending the rest of my life being with you and knowing that I'm with the woman of my dreams, then yeah. We are definitely a "thing" now." Abby is just speechless after what Mel has just admitted to her. The truth is, Abby wants all those things and more, she just can't believe that Mel wants them too. So, she looks Mel in the eyes looks for any insincerity whatsoever and blushes a little when she sees none. That makes Mel's mind wonders to an earlier thought, "Well, on a completely unrelated topic, I felt something today." Abby hums softly and sets her drink on the table and crosses her legs and hands together in curiosity, "Hmm, Do tell." "Well, when we were preforming the exorcism ritual thingy, the spell was getting weak, I could feel the baby's power make the spell stronger. And I felt so much magic running through my veins. I..... I think I have never felt something that Magical before." Abby's happiness is practically bursting at the seems, "Well, you and me might have one very powerful baby on our hands, won't we? I can just imangine her first time using her powers, probably always throwing stuff at the wall and setting it on fire, making things float in the air and them dropping on the floor, spilling things, breaking things, oh, what a joy." Mel rolls her eyes in a reflex. "Why is that even in that scenario, where our daughter is being a literal terrorist, I still feel like I would love her quarter-demonic little self?" Abby seriously can't believe that even having a conversation about this, making it seem like it's just their baby, can't believe how casually Mel admits to the baby being Abby's baby. Though she's enjoying the moment so much she can't seem to care about it right now. "Because, that's what good Mothers are supposed to do. Love their child no matter how- " Abby pauses for a second, barely able to get the words past her lips, "Demonic...... They may act." Abby looks down and fiddles with her ring a little bit, emotionally restraining herself from crying and ruining the moment. Mel grabs Abby's shoulder and gives her a soft pat, "Hey..... Listen, Abby..... Even if I do have to raise this baby in this timeline in the present.... Then I want to do it with you. Because I trust you, Abby. I trust that you'll give our daughter the life you never had growing up. I trust that you'll love her and protect her, read her bedtime stories, play with her, take naps with her, teach her how to use her powers, even change her diaper" they both share a chuckle at that. "Look, what I'm trying to say is that, if we do raise this baby in this timeline, then we would be amazing parents. You'd be an amazing parent." "You really think so?" Mel smiles softly, "Of course." Abby beams brightly at Mel who gives her a kiss on the cheek in adoration. Still, Abby's mind start to wonder. All this time Mel's been saying "our baby", does that mean she thinks Abby could be the baby's other mother? Or was Mel just doing this to make her feel better? Is Mel actually willing to consider raising a child with her? All of it just seems to good to be true. All though, she hopes that when she asks Mel about it, she'll tell her the truth and not just what she knows Abby would want to hear. "Melanie?' "hmm?" "Do this mean you think that I'm..... The other parent?" Abby says shyly. It takes Mel a while to answer, probably just gathering her thoughts together, "Um, Well I'm not like 100% sure or anything, but I know it's not Ruby. Given we're probably never gonna see each other again." That makes Abby get momentarily distracted, "Why? What happened?" Mel shakes her head getting back to what she was talking about before. "Nothing. Doesn't matter. Anyways, back to what I was saying, It's not Ruby, I know that for sure. But If we are still together in 5 years, which we probably are, then there's a high chance of the parent being you. And I don't know if you've noticed it yet but, the baby is always more active when you're around or when we talk about you. And whenever you feel her kick she's suddenly more calm, like she can somehow tell that it's you just by your touch. So, it just got me thinking, how could you not be the other parent, you know?" Abby just hums and slowly exhales and kisses Mel's forehead and holds her close. They stay like that for a moment and then Abby clears her throat, her tone sounding firm when she speaks, "Now. Let's go get ourselves a certain Blade." She says with a smirk. They've teleported into the switch room, and in the Command Center, (courtesy of Mel, through the door-opening spell thingy) Everybody ready, Mel gesturing for Abby to select the place on the witch board. As soon as a portal opens up, Abby grabs the marble, takes a deep breath and followes the 4 women entering the portal. All 5 women are ready for anything, even having their hands ready to use their powers if the need arises. Mel's first thought at the sheer size of the place is, "posh." She glances to the side, Maggie's and Macy's wide eyes taking in the place telling her she's not the only one surprised by this place. She's not sure what she expected though; a dilapidated cottage deep in the forest? A part of her does agree that that's what she expected, partly because of how good both Abby and Waverly are at identifying magical ingredients and their uses, and how talented they are at brewing potions. Mel had thought that that's likely due to them growing up surrounded by nature, as well as Francesca's tutelage and focus on those aspects of magic. The darker part of her mind whispers, angry, that she'd hoped they lived somewhere remote and isolated, that they weren't so well off – to say the least – because that would explain how Francesca managed to get away with abusing Abby so thoroughly. Looking around at the lush garden and the imposing stone building, the blatant displays of wealth and a comfortable life, Mel's rage bubbles in her chest; how didn't anyone realize there was a monster living in this house? How didn't anyone realize there was a little girl in here, desperate for love and attention, suffering abuse at the hands of the one person that should have loved her unconditionally? Suffering for merely existing. Didn't Abby have any neighbors who might have cared? A teacher at school who would have noticed bruises and fears? Did Abby have no one who cared? Mel's heart breaks, cleaved right down the middle in two; what a lonely life. She's pulled out of her thoughts when she hears Macy's voice, "You grew up... here?" Waverly only hums, nodding, picking her steps carefully as she walks towards the front door. Mel initially thinks that perhaps Waverly's avoiding traps of some kind, before she realizes Waverly's merely trying to avoid stepping on the flowers lining the path. How utterly normal, how utterly mundane, despite the atrocities hidden behind that door. Mel biriefly glances at Abby who is looking like she does not want to be here at all. Poor Abby. Mel's about to melt the doorknob right off when Waverly clears her throat and holds up a key, brow raised. (Mel willfully ignores her muttered, "Bloody Americans, always going for brute force first...", only rolling her eyes at Waverly.) There's a distant part of her brain that's petty, that finds glee in the idea that someday this 'bloody American' might be Waverly's sister too. It's that thought that makes her brain short-circuit long enough to let Waverly unlock the door and push in past her without any protests from Mel. (Mel's willing to consider marrying Abby someday. What a concept.) She's the last to enter the house in her distracted state, so she misses the looks of awe on her sisters' faces when they see the interior; it's just as grand and posh as the outside. Mel spots a grand piano in one of the rooms and wonders if Abby can play. She makes a mental note to ask her when they get back. Mel follows Waverly to a painting, watching her remove it to reveal a safe. "How cliché," Mel thinks while observing Waverly turn the dial to open it. Waverly fails, gaze wide and faintly panicked when she looks up at Mel. "She's changed the combination; she must know we're coming. We have to leave-" "I expected this kind of foul behavior from your sister, but you've so sorely disappointed me, Waverly." As usual, Mel rolls her eyes when her sisters and Waverly get in front of her and Abby stay right beside her, but she thinks that – in this case – it's more to protect Francesca from Mel than the other way around. (Or at the very least prevent Mel from going to prison for homicide.) Ever the voice of reason, Macy speaks up first, "We're not here to fight, Francesca. We just need the Blade of Clarity." "So you thought you'd steal it from me. Yes, I can see how that wouldn't lead to a fight." "Mother, just give us the Blade, please. We'll be out of your hair." The look Francesca shoots Waverly is made of the purest ice, her words venomous, "Be quiet. I'll deal with your betrayal later." When Waverly cowers a little, Mel's anger roils inside her chest. Setting her jaw, she turns to the exposed safe and raises her hand. Easily, perhaps far too easily, she melts the lock away and yanks open the safe door to reveal the ritual knife. Gripping it tightly, she glares past everyone right at Francesca, "I don't know why we're arguing about this when clearly we don't even need you." In hindsight, Mel knows she probably shouldn't have taunted the psycho-witch bitch. Francesca smirks, arms crossed against her chest in the most nonchalant way imaginable, "tell me, Melanie, is it true? Has my monster of a daughter really befriended a charmed one?" The room around them chills, Mel's voice icy to match, "Don't you dare speak a word about Abby" Francesca holds up her hands, a fake surrender, smirking still. It drives Mel crazy how closely that gesture resembles something Abby would do. She's not blind or an idiot, Mel knows Abby can sometimes be cruel. She just never thought that she'd likely have learned cruelty from her mother. From her mother's treatment of her. Then Abby tries to soothe Mel's anger, "Don't. It's not worth your breath" "Oh, Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Abigeal Caine, Pretending like she cares for a Charmed One, Oh, it must be opposite day" Mel is merely seconds away from cursing her out in Spanish and enacting physical violence, when Abby brings her hand to Mel's shoulder to give it a soft pat, She doesn't need her to fight her battles for her. "At least I'm trying to care for those who are important to me." Francesca rolls her eyes in disbelief. Which makes Abby clap back at her. "Well, I guess that that would be to hard for you to comprehend given the fact that the only person that you've ever cared about was yourself, hmm?" Francesca just scoffs, ignoring the question altogether, "You've got what you came for, what're you still doing here?" Mel feels the same way, turning to leave with the Blade of Clarity gripped in her fist. She gestures for Abby and her sisters to do the same, but they all just look at each other in a way that seems to be giving off the feeling of this being too good to be true.'Cause That was too easy, wasn't it? Maggie voices those exact thoughts just as Mel turns back around, tensions building in the room. Francesca chuckles, and it sounds like nails on a chalkboard to Mel's ears. She'd love nothing more than to just... sock the woman in the mouth. She can feel her palm sweat with the anticipation of it. Waverly frowns, "What's the catch, Mother?" They watch her strut to her bar and pour herself a drink. Mel wishes she had better control of her time powers so she could speed up this entire ordeal. Or speed up Francesca's molecules into bursting. Both solutions sound like win-win to Mel. "Why don't you try using the Blade, darling?" Mel looks at it in her hand with a frown, about to try something when Waverly snatches it from her hands. Mel's about to snatch it back when Waverly glares at Francesca, "You've tampered with it, haven't you." Francesca chuckles again, and it makes Mel want to rip her own ears off. "The Blade will only respond to my magic. So you're free to walk out of here with it, but it'll ultimately not do you any good. Also, if Abigael tries to use it anyway it'll automatically kill her, and I'll finally be rid of the biggest mistake of my life." Mel sees red, pushing past everyone to lunge at Francesca. She's only held back by Waverly and Maggie, Macy's lips pursed as she steps in front of her to address Francesca again, "Unlock the Blade, Francesca, or you'll regret it." "I'm sorry, did a Charmed One just threaten me? I'm tickled." Macy sighs heavily in annoyance. "Macy, just let me handle her." Abby proposes softly. "Are you sure?" Macy whispers. "Yes, trust me, I've got this." "Oh, really? What are you going to do? Threaten me with those filthy fingers of fire?" Francesca chuckles sarcastically. "If only I hadn't enchanted the place to reject your foul magic, Demon." Francesca practically spat out in disgust. Normally, Abby would be literally having a mental breakdown right about now, but instead she decides to take a deep breath and then she looks at Francesca genuinely but also sort of furiously as she ever so kindly retorts back. "You know, you can call me a lot of things, a demon, a monster, a thief, hell, even a sadistic creature of evil. But you the one thing you can't call me? A mother who abused her own child just because of how she was born. When really, you should be mad at yourself for conceiving a child with a demon in the first place. But that's besides the point. Mother, I need that blade to restore Macy's demon powers. And with Macy's powers being restored, the Charmed ones will have a better chance at fighting a new evil that could be coming for all of us, including you. " Francesca still doesn't seem to be convinced if the dramatic eye roll is anything to go by. "I'm quite certain that no 'new evil' could stand a chance against the Charmed Ones. Really, you're doing a poor job of convincing me to unlock the blade for you." "How about this for a reason then;" Macy jumps in. Mel pretends like she doesn't see the small but genuine smile on Abby's face when Macy jumped in to help her argument."If you don't help us, and the new evil force that we're after finds a way to bring back Alistor like they planned, you're gonna be the first person on his shit-list." That seems to give Francesca pause, and Mel will admit she's not following Macy's train of thought either. It must show on their faces because Macy continues, "He's not been her biggest fan, but time and again, Alistor has proven that he cares about his family in his own twisted way," Macy chuckles, humorless, "I mean, the man conquered freaking Tartarus to retrieve his son." Mel thinks Macy is just making stuff up at this point. but she sees where Macy's going with this, so she doesn't interject as Macy continues, "And you treated Abby terribly. Hell, you treated her so badly that she's still loyal to the father that, upon finding out about her, tried to have her assassinated at thirteen. And despite you, Abigael grew up to become a formidable young woman, a fearsome demon. Someone Alistor would be almost proud of. So, sure, he's not all #TeamAbigael, but she's proven herself enough that he'd at least make you pay for all you've done to her." Maggie pipes up then, looking brave and bouncy, Mel thinks with a bittersweet smile, "and it's safe to say he's not going to end you quickly. So. Give us access to the Blade, Francesca, and do what you do best; selfishly save yourself." Mel watches Francesca along with everybody else except for Abby, who is standing next to Mel, fiddling with her ring, growing impatient and waiting for this whole ordeal to be over with already. And Mel knows that because she's always known what Abby's looks meant, like she was speaking to her simply with her eyes. Mel gets distracted for a moment but is brought back to the situation at hand when she hears the wretched witch laugh. "That's a lovely story you've spun, you almost had me convinced for a moment. But I'm powerful; I've taken Alistor on before and I can certainly do it again. Him showing up here to 'end' me for what I did to that monster will only fuel me further." After taking a quick glance at Abby who is on the verge of tears, there's a burning rage in Mel that won't be put out, and before she knows it she's marched past her sisters and Waverly with Abby quickly coming to stand next to her, and Mel's almost toe-to-toe with Francesca, sneering, "You know what, why don't we just obliterate you? That will probably unlock the Blade just as well as any other solution, and we'd have one less monstrous child abuser in the world!" Mel's ears are roaring and she feels them heat up, it distracts her from hearing her sisters' gasp. When Francesca takes a step back, away from Mel, with her gaze drawn to her hand, Mel looks down too. She definitely hears her own gasp. There, swirling away in various shades of blue and hints of hot, burning white, is a fireball cradled in Mel's palm. Maggie steps up behind her, voice hushed, "how are you doing that...?" Her free hand shakily cradles her belly, and Mel shivers at the almost overwhelming burst of magic she practically feels racing along her veins and coating her insides. That feeling feels an awful lot similar to how she felt when she was doing the exorcism. Mel sounds awed, hushed too as she answers, "This isn't my doing... it's the baby..." Waverly startles them, everyone turning to look back at her as her eyes fixate on Mel's baby bump, croaking, "Bloody hell, your baby is Abby's" Abby finally speaks up after being so shocked she couldn't even talk. "Melanie, you were right!" Abby says in pure happiness, "She is mine after all." Mel looks at her girlfriend and smiles, then at the fireball in her hand, and then down at her baby bump. Her fingers press back against the pressure she feels her daughter – hers and Abby's – exert against her fingers. In her heart, she had already known the baby's other parent would be Abby; she may have had moments of doubt when Abby was behaving rather poorly, but she'd overcome those hesitancies. So to have this biological confirmation literally in her palm, it doesn't scare her. It doesn't surprise her either. All it does is reaffirm her belief in Abby and in herself, and in them. Reaffirms to her that she's deeply in love with Abigael Jameson-Caine. Mel turns her ice-cold gaze on Francesca again. Raising her hand, Mel growls lowly, "why don't you give me a good reason not to turn you into barbeque right here and now? Lord knows nobody would miss you..." A part of Mel – likely the part that's been in Abby's company too long – feels gleeful at the fear she starts to see in Francesca's eyes. The older woman looks over to her daughter, raising a brow at Waverly in pleading question, "Waverly...?" Waverly's face goes blank, jaw tight as she answers, "I'm inclined to agree with my niece on this one," her eyes sharpen to daggers as she steps forward too, wielding the, at the moment, useless Blade of Clarity like a weapon, "after all, you sent a demon after my baby girl. Why shouldn't I get to stain this carpet with your blood?" Maggie, Abby and Macy share looks of alarm that go unnoticed by both Mel and Waverly, the sisters hurrying to get in front of the weapon-wielding pair. Abby tries to reason with them first, "we are not here to kill her! Both of you, stand down right now, this isn't the way!" Abby glares over her shoulder at Francesca, "no matter how much I'd agree that Francesca deserves it, I wouldn't want it to be on you two. Mel, Waverly... Francesca isn't worth your souls." The fireball sparks a little and swirls more volatilely, Mel's eyes smudged with hesitation before the flames fizzle out. Waverly's grip on the Blade's hilt grows white-knuckled even as her hand starts to lower. Macy sets her jaw and turns to Francesca, voice hard as she tries one last time, "I suggest you unlock the Blade before they change their minds."...................... It's late when they get back to Vera manor, and Mel's feeling her back start to ache. She heavily eases herself onto the couch, intent on ignoring everyone as Harry and Jordan crowd them to ask about what happened, if they were successful. The only thought Mel can entertain at that moment is that she's pregnant with her and Abby's child (And that apparently their child has pyrokinesis. Mel grimaces at the idea of trying to soothe their child only for them to singe her eyebrows off in the middle of a meltdown.) There's a silence around her that forces her to tune back into the conversation, alerting her that the boys were likely just informed of the identity of the baby's other parent, and how exactly they've arrived at this conclusion. Abby walks down the hallway, and into the living room with the unlocked Blade of Clarity. Clearing her throat to get everyone's (mainly Macy's) attention. Macy gets up and faces Abigael as she brings the Blade to the palm of her hand, "Wait!" Macy stops her, "Look, Abby you don't have to do this. I mean, I made that whole 'bringing back Alastor' thing up so we could get the blade" "Yeah, but I want to do this. I took away your firepower and this is my chance to make it right." "You don't have to though. Look, Abby I've forgiven you for taking my firepower a long time ago. And Yes, I know I was mad when you confessed at your trial, but I've come to a realization since then. I don't even need my firepower anymore because I have my sisters, and the power we hold, our collective power, is more powerful than any form of firepower out there. So, if there really is a 'new evil' coming after us, I know that I won't need my firepower because it can't possibly stand a chance against the Power of Three." Abby smiles at Macy, then she doesn't something unexpected, she pulls Abby in in a tight embrace, shocked, she hugs her back. Macy pulls away with a smile that almost mirrors Abby's. But unfortunately, nothing could ever replicate a beautiful smile such as Abby's. "Besides, we were just about to order some celebratory chinese food." Macy joyously adds on. "Well, I am feeling rather famished, so I can't say no to chinese food." Abby complies. Moments later, After passing a container of chicken and shrimp dumplings, the 4 women casually conversate to each other while Jordan is upstairs resting and Harry is with him to make sure he's okay when he wakes up again. Then Abby comes in with a tray of wine glasses and gives one to each of them, when she hands Mel her glass, she notices her looks of panic before she notifies her, "Oh, relax. It's just cranberry juice." Mel then sighs in relief while slightly glaring at Abigael. Abby holds her hand up in surrender while she tries to support her case, "I got it for you so that you're not left out." Mel softly chuckles while taking a sip of her 'substitute wine' and leans in close to Abby. Mel's just now noticing that she's being this close to Abby and her sisters are not even batting an eye at them, like they're just used to it. But then she pretends to ignore Macy leaning in to Maggie's ear, whispering, "Looks like they finally had that conversation." She also pretends to ignore Maggie whispering back, "Yeah, you have me to thank for that. I had a little talk with Abby when we went to go get Parker". Then Abby decides to whisper a snarky comment in Mel's ear, "We should've gotten two extra for you." making her playfully hit her in the ribs with a pillow. "Ow!" Abby laughs along with Mel. "Seriously, guys, what's with all the whispering?" Waverly questions curiously, eager to be let in on the joke of the night that has everybody nearly falling out of their seats. "Nothing" all four of them robotically utter in unison. "Okay......" Waverly says, confused. Mel clears her throat, changing the topic, "Hey, you know what I just realized?" "what?" Maggie asks eagerly. "Now that we defeated TWE, I don't have to worry about giving birth in the middle of a magical battle anymore. Which isn't exactly the exciting birth story I want for us." Maggie sees an opening for a light conversation, holding on to it with both hands, "What exciting birth story do you want?" Mel smiles faintly, shrugging, "a boring one, actually. Hopefully a hospital with doctors and equipment, and the wonderful drugs that make the pain go away." Waverly chimes in, smiling, "Abby'd be there, holding your hand. I think you'd break hers." It makes Mel and Abby laugh, a happy sound. Abigael, murmuring soothing nonsense to her through her contractions and wiping the sweat off her forehead when she's limp on the bed. Abigael, encouraging and supportive when she pushes, despite all the abuse Mel thinks she'd hurl at her. She thinks she really would break her hand. Abigael, face sheet-white and the perfect rendition of panic when they hand her a squirming bundle of blankets, wringing out her hands and wiping her sweaty palms on her designer jeans. Abigael, body relaxing instantly and face morphing into pure awe and utter love the moment she lays eyes on their daughter. Mel imagines she'd have trouble getting Abby's attention after that, knows Abby'd be instantly wrapped around their daughter's tiniest little finger. What a fantasy. Maggie feels like she has something she should say to Abby. She doesn't know what it is exactly but it sorta feels like an apology. But then she thinks that, after everything they've been through, she definitely owes her an apology. Even if it's just from her because technically speaking, they all owe her an apology. She doesn't know how she's going to go about this. She hopes that her sister will back her up and say sorry too or something. But instead she sighs heavily, accidentally drawing everyone in the room's attention on her. Maggie still goes for it anyways, "Hey, Abby. I just wanted to say...That... I'm sorry. For everything really. I mean, we treated you no better than Francesca did and you didn't deserve that. You had- have feelings and rights too, you're a witch, just like us. You deserve better than what we did. So I'm sorry. We all are." Macy nods in agreement, "Yeah, me too. I know you haven't always been my most favorite person in the world but that's no excuse for me to treat you the way I did. So, I'm sorry too." Macy said with sincere honesty. Abby just sighs and eventually nods back at them. "That's all I ever wanted. For you to admit your wrongings and try to do better. I never wanted us to be enemies, not even frenemies, I just wanted us to be friends. For us to get along with each other, and I know that I wasn't exactly making that easy for you guys but I couldn't help myself. Unfortunately, being a pain in the ass just happens to be part of who I am. And, no offense, but you guys can be pains in the ass sometimes too." Macy and Maggie both laugh in unison as Abby continues, "I'm sorry as well, for all I've put you through. And I promise that going forward, I will try to do the best I can to make up for all the trouble I've caused. I'll own up to the things I did in the past, but I won't let it define our relationship because we can change, we can be better, do better. For the sake of my Daughter growing up and being able to see her family getting along and not fighting all the time." Mel nods in agreement, "For all our sake's" When everybody pretty much just nods and goes back to sipping their wine and eating their spicy noodles, the silence that covers them makes Abigael's mind wander to something, something that she's been wanting to do for a little while now. Mel sees Abigael sort of spacing out, looking like she's simply lost in a thought. "What's on your mind, Abby?" when she hears her lover's voice, it somehow snaps her back into reality as she just shakes her head, "Nothing there's just something I've been meaning to ask you." "Oh, yeah? What is it?" this time Mel is the one who sounds eager. "When was the first time you realized that you had feelings for me?" Mel pauses for a second before answering, "Would you believe me if I said I don't know? Weird, I know." And when Maggie realizes that they're already running low on wine she announces that she's, "making Mes," Macy snorting when she realizes Maggie's pulling out the ingredients she'd need to make margaritas. Waverly smiles softly, genuinely interested, "how did you two...you know....?" Mel hums, thinking on that. She's not sure she can pinpoint an exact moment when she realized she had feelings for Abby. They don't rush her, Maggie handing out shots while they wait for Mel to gather her thoughts. (Mel glares faintly when she's handed a shot glass of apple juice, Maggie insisting she take it so she's, "not left out... Again") Maggie teases when she brings the margaritas over, smirking, "I mean, I can't say I'm surprised; Abby's attractive, to say the least, and she's got that daring, 'I do whatever the hell I want' thing going on that you're so into. She's a bad girl, and that's your type." Mel and Abby roll there eyes in unison expect Mel's is a tad bit more dramatic, "that's not true-" "Jada." "That was one time-" "Niko was pretty daring too. And need I remind you of your high school girlfriend? You know. The punk rock one with a motorcycle. You really gave Mom a hard time with that one." Waverly chuckles as Mel huffs in annoyance. Abby speaks up then, a little lost in all the chaotic chitter-chatter that just took place, "Anyways. Well, the moment that I realized I had feelings for you was probably after I stripped Parker's powers. And we talked a little and when I left, I thought to myself for a moment, I think then it truly dawned on me just how much I cared for you. I never really knew why I always helped you and your sisters, but I knew subconsciously, that it was because I cared about you, I just never wanted to admit out loud because then I would realize how crazy that it actually sounds. I mean, me, Abigael Jameson-Caine, Daughter of Alastor Caine, Overlord to Demons, and feared by all, actually has feelings for a Charmed one? I mean, not only does it sound crazy but It also sounds impossible, right? I couldn't possibly have feelings for a Charmed one. But It just so happens that said Charmed One, Is a beautiful, talented, strong, capable, loyal, extraordinary and.... Frankly badass, young woman. So, in the end, I thought, when a certain Charmed One is as spectacular as you are, you know... I just thought 'who couldn't?' " Mel is just so lost in Abby's gaze and how much love she saw in Abby's eyes during her confession. On one end, Mel is falling more in love with Abby every second she's with her. but on the other end, Mel still can't believe how Abby denied herself what she truly wanted all because she was a demon. She can't believe how her being a demon means that she isn't allowed to love whoever she wants. Though that sounds awfully familiar; Mel thinks that part of her disbelief is also anger, due to her similar experience with being told to love men because she's a woman. And she would be lying if she said that she isn't to be blamed for Abby's inane beliefs, she is somewhat part of the reason, if she hadn't constantly reminded Abby that she was a Demon everytime Abby flirted with her, then maybe Abby would have been more direct about what she wanted. When she thinks about it, she owes it all to Maggie, after all, she's the one who talked Abby into confessing her feelings. In hindsight, Mel hates how she made Abby feel, and in doing so, she literally almost missed out on the greatest thing to ever happen to her, and she didn't even know it. Mel can feel a tiny teardrop make its way down her cheek. She's almost about to cry some more when she feels Abby put her arm around her shoulder and slightly rub up and down. Mel leans into her touch as she slowly rests her head on Abby's shoulder. She wants to just take this moment to daydream, to let her mind wander off to a place where she's happy and thriving, to envision a reality that she actually believes is her very near future. While her mind is wandering, she doesn't even notice her eyelids nearly closing shut before she quickly opens them again and tries her best to fight off her tiredness after all the events of today. But then she loses the battle of staying awake, and the last thing she sees before her eyelids slowly close shut, is the looks of awe on her sisters and Waverly's faces. She hears a soft voice, one that she can make out to be Abigael's when she hears that soothing british lilt that she has slowly come to cherish. "Come now, Love. Let us get you to bed." Abigael helps Mel out of the chair and up the stairs and into her bedroom. Mel climbs into bed and Abby pulls the covers over her, kissing her forehead. Mel pleads for Abby to get in bed with her, and Abby can't help but surrender to her request. Abby groans when Mel asks for a glass of water too, but compiles. When she heads into the kitchen, she sees Waverly cleaning up. When she notices that the other two women are out of sight, she can't help but ask, "Where are Macy and Maggie? "Well, Maggie's upstairs with Jordan and Macy is getting ready for bed with Harry." "Oh, okay" She says as she grabs a glass from the cabinet. Waverly has something on her mind, Abby can tell, but she's not sure what it is exactly. "Can I ask you something?" Waverly finally lets out. Abby is confused at Waverly's tone, she sounds like she almost scared to talk to her. But she grants her permission anyways. "Sure." Waverly takes a deep breath and slightly nods her head or does something that lets her know that she's ready to say what she needs to say, "Well, I've been thinking and I was wondering if.... Maybe you could come back to London with me? And spend some time getting to know Lydia? I mean, she would definitely adore you." Waverly says with a bit of a nervous tone but with a small smile. After all these years, Abby can't believe she might finally have a chance to meet her niece. But Abby's not sure that she's ready to risk losing everything she's worked so hard to get by leaving Seattle. She's not even sure she's capable of choosing between her niece or the love of her life and her future child. "I'll think about it, okay?" Abigael tells her after a deep sigh. She quickly fills the glass up with water from the sink and heads up the stairs and into Mel's room. She is intent on clearing her mind of everything as she hands Mel her glass of water and climbs into bed with her. Mel takes a small sip, albeit rather poorly, spilling some on the sheets before wiping her mouth with her shirt and setting the glass on her nightstand. Then Abby puts her arm around Mel's waist and a half-asleep Mel smiles at the touch. Meanwhile, Maggie takes two cups of tea up to the attic where Jordan is, making sure to add a potion in hers to help her sober up after all the alcohol she just consumed in the past 45 minutes. Handing Jordan his mug, Maggie sits down beside him. Jordan takes a sip and lets the heat of his tea warm up his hands. "You sure you don't need more blankets?" Maggie questions after seeing Jordan shiver from the coldness that was strangely radiating throughout his entire body. Perhaps as some sort of side effect of the exorcism. "Uh, yeah, Mags. I'm sure. I can just use this tea to sort of heat up my body from the inside out." Jordan assures her with a small chuckle as he brings the mug to his lips for another sip. Jordan sighs and remembers something from just after he was un-possessed by TWE, "You know, My phone blew up with texts and missed calls from when I was.... Possessed." "Yeah, how was it? Like how did you feel?" Jordan closes his eyes for a moment, bringing himself back to that empty pit he was in while he was possessed, he didn't really feel anything then, nothing except for emptiness. Though there were a few moments that he tries his best to recall, "Everything's pretty much a blur...But, I, uh, I remember seeing myself.... Hurting people. Mercilessly, taking their free will and putting them under my control, it was all just....so..." "Scary?" Maggie finishes Jordan's sentence. But to Jordan that's quite an understatement, "No, it was, terrifying, really. But most of it was... just blank space. Like the blackouts my boys used to tell me about when they rotated back from Packsha." Maggie takes a sip of her tea as she starts to feel the Sober Potion slowly take its effect on her. Jordan sighs and covers up with his blankets a little more. He looks out the window and sees that the stars are out tonight. He starts to remember the time he and Maggie last looked at the stars, "You know, I don't remember all the names of the constellations you taught me, but... They sure are looking real nice tonight." Maggie playfully nudges Jordan in the side, "Don't tell me you're becoming a stargazer when you can't even name one constellation you see out there." Jordan scoffs, "First of all, Orin's belt, Second, No, I'm not becoming a stargazer, though that doesn't mean I can't be good at it. Besides, I think that'll always be your thing." Maggie takes another sip of her tea before placing it on the table and looking a wee bit nervously at Jordan, "I don't know... Maybe it could be our thing?" Jordan looks back at Maggie and smiles, "Are we gonna have a thing?" Maggie can't even answer that, as she feels herself slowly moving impossibly closer to Jordan before their lips meet in a sweet, gentle kiss. When Maggie pulls away, she lays her head on Jordan's shoulder before they both slowly drift to sleep....... The next morning, It's almost a quater to 10:00 when Abigael wakes up Or rather, jerks awake. Her few hours of sleep are, as always, riddled with nightmares; she's hurting Waverly again, hurting Lydia now. She's back in the crate, she's wearing the shock cuffs again. She hurts Mel and the baby. The list of demons plaguing her are endless. It leaves her breathless and gasping for air when her eyes finally cooperate with her brain's desperate cries to open. Her shirt is soaked with sweat, and she can sense a headache teasing the backs of her eyes. Her heart is rattling about her chest so hard, she wonders if it can be heard in the room. And though she's technically awake, her body remains rigidly stuck to the bed; unable to move as she tries to convince herself she's no longer stuck in her own subconscious. When she closes her eyes against the bright light streaming into the room, taunting her headache to grow more, she feels it. A gentle hand, brushing through her sweat-dampened hair, murmuring soothing words to her as she feels lips press to her forehead; a mantra of soft, "you're okay, it's okay... you're safe, she won't ever hurt you again...just breathe, baby..." Mel. In bed here with her. Taking care of her, protecting her. Abigael swallows thickly, mouth feeling like it's full of sand. She still doesn't open her eyes, instead throwing a hand out blindly to close the curtains against the sun. She only spares a peek at Mel long enough to note that she's propped up with her pillows beside Abigael, eating a jar of peanut butter, before Abigael turns onto her side and presses her face into Mel's side. "What time is it" "Uh, about 9:30" Abby groans as Mel scoops a bit of peanut butter out of the jar with her spoon and puts the tip in her mouth , "I remember thinking how stupid it was that people always say that pregnant women have all these cravings. But then I started craving peanut butter and avocados. Only we don't have any avocados." Abigael smiles, assuring her, "I'll get you some." Mel smiles gratefully at her before questioning, "So, how'd you sleep, y'know, before the nightmare? Are you feeling alright?" "Isn't that usually my line?" (Abigael doesn't know how to explain that there isn't a 'before the nightmare'. That the nightmares start as soon as her world goes into the darkness of sleep, and there's no light shed on it til she wakes up.) (She thinks Mel knows that anyway, but isn't pushing her on it.) (It reminds Abigael that she doesn't deserve Mel.) But then Abby's mind goes back to last night, the fun they all had, how close she was with Mel and even after when she slept in Mel's bed. Which was partially uncomfortable due to Mel not being able to find a suitable sleeping position but for the most part, it was really nice. Then Mel thinks about the question Abby asked her last night. "You know, I never told you when I realized I had feelings for you." Abby looks guilty, avoiding Mel's eyes. "What?" Abby smiles a little which comes off as more nervously forced than the genuine one she was going for, "Well, that's probably because I put a Sleeping Potion in your drink last night so I could cuddle with you." Abby admits with pure honesty. Surprisingly Mel doesn't lash out or do anything that she normally would do in a situation like this, "Well, I should be mad at you for that but I actually find it pretty cute." Abby's smile is soft, and Mel smiles back because it's Abby's smile. Genuine and a little hesitant around the edges, but shining all the way in her eyes. "Well?" Abby finally nudges Mel to answer her question, "I guess... it was after we'd saved magic. Despite your constant insistence on projecting this blasé, apathetic, selfish asshole image of yourself, you helped us when you didn't have to. you were dying and you still agreed to perform the demon mind meld on us despite the toll it would take on your already weakened state. And you came to the future with me. I remember your disbelief at the idea of me sacrificing myself to save my sisters, how hard it was for you to accept that when I could've stayed there and ensured my own survival. I remember thinking, after it was all said and done, how ridiculous it was for you to be surprised by that when you were doing the same thing by agreeing to help us at all." Abby doesn't say anything after that, but the kiss she plants on Mel's cheek somehow says everything Mel needed to hear. But there is something else stuck on Abby's mind and she is determined to get Mel to talk about it, "Well, since we're being honest with each other, I suggest that now would be a better time than any to finally tell me what happened with you and Ruby..." Mel avoids Abby's eyes, nervous when she speaks, "Why does it matter? We're not even together anymore. I'm with you." "Because, it was clearly bothering you, and I need to know what happened between you two or else the same thing might happen to us and I don't want that to happen. Besides, Mel, if we're going to be a 'thing' or whatever, you're gonna have to talk to me about these things." Abby can sense Mel's strong hesitancy about talking about this. Is what happened between her and Ruby so bad that Mel doesn't even want to talk about it? Abby sighs, siting up next to her, her eyes glance at Mel's baby bump, "Well, fine then. If you don't want to talk about it, then I'll just ask someone else." Mel looks confused until she sees Abby lean down next to her with her face close to her baby bump, knocking on it with her finger, "Hey, there, little one. What do you think happened between Mama and her ex-girlfriend, hmm?" Abby literally puts her ear up to Mel's belly and pretends like she can actually hear what she's saying, "Oh, really? Wow, that is truly fascinating." Mel's laugh is one of pure joy and amusement, one that Abby has grown quite fond of during her relationship with Melanie. Though Mel can clearly see how hard Abby is trying to get her to open up. Deep down, she knows that it's because Abby wants to help Mel with whatever is bothering her and Mel's grateful for that, and Mel finds herself (once again) falling just a little bit more in love with her. Eventually, Mel complies, "Well, it was just after you and Waverly had left. And I felt like I needed someone to talk to. And I thought that that would be my girlfriend but I was terribly mistaken. After I told her everything that happened, she start piecing everything together, The confession at your trial, you building the crib, just- all off it seemed suspicious to her. Then she point-blanked ask me if I had feeling for you. I didn't really know what to say, and then that's when she decided that she'd had enough. She told me that you obviously had feelings for me and that I couldn't look her in the eye and tell her that I didn't feel the same. And after that, I did some thinking and then I told she was right. I couldn't look her in the eyes and tell her that I didn't feel the same. I told her that it was because I didn't know how I felt at the time and even when I did, she could still get hurt in the process, and I couldn't let that happen So, I... let her go. And I never told her the truth about how I felt about you because I knew that it would break her So, that was all the more reason to go ahead and let her go. Just felt like seeing her get hurt and it being my fault just... wasn't worth it." Abby nods understandingly at Mel. She looks like she needs a hug, so Abby pulls Mel in in a tight embrace. Mel smiles at the touch as Abigael kisses her forehead. With one last kiss on the cheek, Abigael gets up to go get the avocados Mel requested. A few moments later, Maggie and Macy tell Mel to come downstairs for breakfast. Mel wants to argue, but her grumbling stomach wins her over. Breakfast is a smooth affair, Maggie sitting next to Jordan, Macy sitting next to Harry, and Abigael sitting next to Mel. After their breakfast is had, they all head to the living room to play a couple of board games. Every couple is a team and Abby & Mel are in the lead while Macy and Harry are in second place whilst Maggie and Jordan are in dead last. Mel frowns when Abby states that she has to get to back to work, not wanting their fun game time to end just yet. Abby tells her that she'll, "Be back before you know it." with a soft smile, and a lingering kiss goodbye, Abby phase-shfits out of Vera manor. Jordan frowns a little when he realizes that they're low on snacks, and since you can't complete fun game time without snacks, he say that he'll "Go get some more popcorn." Harry follows him to go get them some more drinks after realizing that they're low on those, too. Maggie and Macy look at each other nervously for a moment, like they're communicating somehow only through looks before one of them speaks up, "Mel, we have something that we need to tell you.... And I don't think you're going to like it very much." Mel quirks her head, confused, "What is it?" After Maggie tells her, Mel gets up from her spot on the couch and yells for Harry to take her to the Command Center and finds herself raging through the large door, slamming it on her way in. She barely has time to grab the marble when she literally stomps through the portal angirly. Abigael is discussing Demon traditions with her most loyal bodyguard and assistant, Joxen, when Mel comes bursting through the elevator doors shouting, "ABIGAEL GABRIELLA JAMESON-CAINE!!!" Abby sighs, mentally preparing herself to get yelled at by her nine-months pregnant, hormonal, girlfriend. Mel looks livid and her tone is furious but Abby can sense a wee bit of hurt in it, "You're leaving?!" Abby sighs and avoids Mel's furious gaze, she's not at all ready to have this conversation, at least not with someone else in the room, "Joxen, could you give us a moment?" he just nods solemnly, "Of course, My Overlord." as he exits the heated room gracefully. Abby decides to brave the potential storm while pouring herself a glass of scotch, "Well, I was hoping to tell you myself but it seems it's a little too late for that now." She just casually takes a sip of her scotch still avoiding Mel's furious gaze."How could you? After everything we've been through?" Abby just shrugs at that, "Just felt that there's not really that much here for me anymore." Mel cannot believe her ears, "Do you really think that, even now?" She says as she gently cradles her Baby. Abby softens up a bit but then there's that voice tingling in the back of her head, telling her that she should stick to her ground,"How can you even be 100% sure that the child is even mine?" "Abby, you saw it. Clear as day. Why are you seriously trying to deny the fact that she's yours, Abigael?" Abigael scoffs annoyedly, "There are literally thousands of demons that possess the ability to summon a fireball at will, and out of all the demons out there, you automatically assume it's me?" Mel thinks on that for a while. What if Abigael's not the other mother?..... but that can't be it, right? Mel knows in her heart that the baby is Abby's but she tries her best to fight the tiny little voice in her head that's telling her that Abby is right. It's pure logic. And it's not like Abigael being the other Mother was exactly set in stone, So, Mel can't help but think that perhaps she's just seeing what she wants to. And that as soon as she. saw that fireball, she knew that it had to be Abby because that's what she wanted to believe. But that can't be it, Mel knows deep down that Abigael is the other Mother; she knew even before she saw the fireball. She knew everytime Abby touched a hand at Mel's stomach and the baby instantly calmed down. She knew everytime the baby slowly went to sleep after one soothing song from Abby. She knew everytime she fantasized herself raising her child and she saw herself raising it with Abigael. No matter how much she tries to deny it, no matter how much she can try to argue that it could be someone else's, That baby is and always will be a Caine. And it's true even if it's not set in stone because it's true to her. All that's all the evidence she'll ever need. "So, that's it? you're just gonna leave?" Abby sets her glass down, walking closer to Mel, "Look, I have this whole other part of my family that I've been longing to meet and they need me, Melanie. I have to go." Mel looks at Abby, looks her in the eyes, truly looks at her and she almost cries when she sees the seriousness in them, she's actually going to do this. "So, what? Does that mean you're just going to leave the family you already have here?" Abigael briefly glances at Mel's baby bump, but not so brief for Mel to have missed it. Mel scoffs softly, and Abigael can still hear the wee bit of hurt in Mel's voice, "You know what, Abigael? Go ahead, leave. But it won't do you any good; running away from your problems instead of facing them. Because, whether you like it or not, I'm still carrying your child. And it sucks that she will probably never get to meet her other Mother, who, by the way... is an amazing person and the woman I love more than anything." Abigael is on the verge of tears, as she watches Mel turn to leave the room. "Melanie." Abigael calls out through a sigh but Mel still doesn't look back, she keeps going as she presses the button on the elevator door, she turns to look at Abby briefly, "Goodbye, Abigael.'' She enters the elevator doors and Abigael just stands there, realizing and trying to process what just happened. "What the hell have I done?"...............
YOU ARE READING
Charmed - Turned upside down
FanfictionBasically just the first three season of the reboot of Charmed and after 3x16 it becomes something entirely different........ but also better lol. This was inspired by lots of different show but mostly, TVD TO and Legacies, considering the fact that...
