Power Surge

Downstairs- A Short Time Later

         Phoebe shuddered as she heard Paige screaming from the second floor, and then grimaced, feeling her baby sister's emotions hit her like a ton of bricks. She began to stand up, but stopped as Leo suddenly called her name. "Leo, she needs me!" Phoebe protested. "I think it's best that you stay down here," Leo suggested in a low voice. "But Leo!" Phoebe whined. "Phoebe, no," Leo stated firmly. "I realize she's your little sister, and you feel a sense of family obligation because of it, but in your condition, I think you're the last person Paige would like to see at this point in time...I'm sorry," he added upon seeing Phoebe's crestfallen expression. "I honestly didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"Apology accepted," Phoebe answered as she settled herself back onto the couch. "Thank you," Leo said as he picked up the newspaper he had been pretending to read. "You're welcome," Phoebe answered as she did the same with a magazine.

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"Phoebe Maria Elisabeth Halliwell, sit down!" Leo ordered some time later as Phoebe tried to sneak out of her chair for the third time. "You're mean!" Phoebe pouted as she obeyed him. "I'm mean because I'm trying to spare your baby sister more heartbreak than she's going through right now?" Leo questioned. Phoebe sank back into her chair again, realizing that Leo had a point. Seconds later, she was hit with an overwhelming sense of sadness. She sniffled as her eyes filled with tears, and she reached for the box of tissues as it dawned on her that Paige was probably delivering her child at that very second.

Phoebe and Leo looked up expectantly as Piper and Ava came down the stairs several hours later. Phoebe was the first one to speak, asking softly, "How is she?"

"It was a boy," Piper said in a choked voice as she finally allowed her emotions to overcome her. "Our first nephew, and he's gone!" she sobbed as Leo stood up from the couch and took her into his arms.

"What was wrong?" Phoebe inquired of Ava. "We may never know," Ava replied quietly. "Paige is resting, now, but she's going to need you guys later on."

"We'll be there for whatever she needs," Phoebe assured her. "Okay, well, I have a patient waiting on me at the hospital, but I'll be back to check on Paige a little later," Ava informed them.

"Thank you for everything, Ava," Phoebe said as she walked with her to the Manor's front door.

"You're welcome," Ava answered. "Take care of yourselves." With that, she stepped out onto the porch. Phoebe closed the door behind her, and then stood, watching until Ava's car drove away. After a few minutes had passed, Glenn descended the stairs, saying. "The medication that Ava gave Paige took effect, and she's sound asleep upstairs...I thought it was best to let her be, but I turned on the baby monitor again."

"Good thinking, Glenn, thank you," Piper spoke as she wiped her eyes on Leo's handkerchief. "Is anyone in the mood for dinner? All I have to do is make the pasta and warm up the rolls."

"I'm starving." Glenn confessed when no one else spoke. "Do you need some help?"

"Sure... you can go into the kitchen and start the water while I go and freshen up," Piper answered.

"Sounds like a plan," Glenn said agreeably as he made his way to the kitchen.

Some Time Later

Glenn entered the bedroom to find Paige lying on her side of the bed, curled up in the fetal position and sobbing. Wordlessly, Glenn stretched out beside her and took her into his arms from behind. He held his breath for a moment, wondering if he had made a mistake, but let it out in a sigh of relief as Paige turned so that she faced him and snuggled into his embrace. "I'm so sorry!" she choked out suddenly.