Power Surge

Epilogue

January 16, 2004

The next morning, Phoebe awoke with intermittent cramping pains in her lower abdomen, and after she had hoisted herself out of bed and used the bathroom, they grew steadily worse. "Piper?" she called as she descended the Manor's staircase. "Piper? Paige? Anybody?" Receiving no reply, Phoebe made her painful way to the kitchen. "Good morning, Garrett," she said upon seeing her nephew sitting in his high chair. "Where's your Momma, little guy?" Garrett chortled loudly in response and banged his fists on the tray of his chair. Seconds later, the swinging door opened, admitting Piper, looking pale and Paige, who was walking beside her with an arm around Piper's waist. "Sit down now, lady, before you pass out on me," Paige commanded.

"What's the matter?" Phoebe asked as she moved to help guide Piper into a chair. "Baaaad morning sickness, that's what," Paige informed her as Piper nodded weakly. "Thanks for orbing me, sis," Piper said in a hoarse voice when she was seated at the table. "Pure instinct," Paige stated with a shrug of her shoulders. "You gagged, I grabbed, we were gone, and it's over for now... right?"

"I think so," Piper answered with a groan.

"Good to hear, because I have an issue of my own," Phoebe announced. "And that would be what?" Paige asked. "Well, I woke up this morning with the cramping pains I've been having lately, only this time, it's different...I think it's the real thing."

"You can't be serious," Paige said disbelievingly. "As much as I can be, without medical training," Phoebe replied. "Well, call Ava and be sure, lady," Piper commanded. "Oh! One other thing," she added as Phoebe left to search for the cordless phone. "Yes?" Phoebe asked as she poked her head back through the swinging door. "After you call Ava, you get your ass back upstairs into that bed...Paige and I will bring your breakfast up, depending on what Ava says," Piper decreed. "Meaning?" Phoebe inquired.

"Meaning, that if Ava comes to examine you and you are in labor, we're not feeding you anything till after that kid is out," Paige explained. "I've already witnessed Piper losing her breakfast this morning, and I don't need to see you doing it also, capisce?"

"Could you have put it any more grossly, missy Paige?" Piper groaned. "Sorry," Paige offered with a comical wrenched face. "I'm gonna go and call Ava," Phoebe stated as she let the door close behind herself again.

As soon as Phoebe had gone, Paige disappeared into the pantry and began to rearrange the shelves' contents. "Honey, are you okay?" Piper asked softly. "I'm fine, why do you ask?" Paige answered in a falsely cheerful tone. "You're not fine, sweetie," Piper stated. "Come out here, please."

"What?" Paige asked with a pained expression as she poked her head around the corner of the pantry door. "Baby, I know you're hurting," Piper murmured. "I am not! I'm fine." Paige insisted, aiming for a dark scowl, but failing miserably as her eyes filled with sudden tears. "Paigey, come here," Piper whispered as she patted the chair beside herself. Paige made her way blindly across the kitchen as the tears ran in rivers down her pale cheeks. "It's okay, sweetie, you're not alone," Piper assured Paige as she took her into her arms and hugged her tightly.

"It hurts, Piper!" Paige sobbed. "I know it does, honey," Piper stated. "No you don't," Paige snapped unintentionally. "Wha-?" Piper began. She was cut off as the kitchen door swung open a second time, admitting Glenn into the kitchen. "What's the matter, honey?" Glenn asked worriedly as he approached his wife and sister-in-law. Piper glanced up and gave Glenn a helpless look as she rubbed Paige's back. "I thought you might want to say goodbye to our daughter before I drop her off at Mom and Dad's for the day," Glenn said in a low voice. Paige ignored her husband and continued to cry into Piper's shoulder. "Paige, you can't pretend she doesn't exist," Glenn admonished his wife as Piper shot him a look that plainly said 'shut up!'