Coles pain at Christmas - Completed

[*Sammi!*]

Cole woke up suddenly and put his arm down on the bed next to him. "Where's Phoebe?" he said out loud. He sat up straight and looked around the room.
It couldnt have been a dream, he thought. No.
He could still feel her lips on his, he could still smell her perfume. No. She had to be in the apartment somewhere. He turned round to check the bed again to see if she had been there all along. She wasnt.
"Phoebe?" He called, to no avail.
"Phoebe?" He shouted louder this time hoping she would walk into the bedroom at any minute. She didnt.
As he walked around the apartment, harsh reality set in. Its my fault, he thought. He had trusted the Seer, lost Phoebe and faked his death. Therefore making everyone think he was dead. His little peace (even though mixed with jealousy) was that Phoebe now had Coop. Someone to provide her with the stability she deserved, even though he could be sure that Phoebe and Coop would never share the excitement that he and Phoebe had once shared.

Cole looked around the apartment and sighed. It was Christmas Eve, and there was no tree, no decorations, no presents and no joy. He could almost kick himself for screwing everything up. He hated that he wasnt sharing this time with Phoebe.
He had an idea.
"Maybe I should shimmer into the Manor?" he said out loud. After all, he thought, I am invisible. I could just pop in, make sure that she's ok and then go. It couldnt hurt, could it?
He rushed into the bedroom and got changed. Checking in the mirror before he left, he caught a glimpse of something glittery. "Shoot" he turned around and picked up the box. The only present that he had to give. Cole opened the box and looked at the necklace inside. It was a silver locket with "Phoebe" inscribed into the back.
He never had the chance to give it to her. He bought it for her when they had discovered that she was pregnant 5 years before, and before everything had spiralled out of control. His mind flashed back to when Phoebe thought that she had vanquished him. He remembered the hate in her eyes, and he remembered not wanting to die, and never being able to see her again... A tear rolled down his cheek. He caught himself and wiped the tear away. He felt as though the time was right to give her the necklace now. He could just slip in and put it on a table. Phoebe would discover it later. She may figure it was him, or she may think it was Coop, he didnt mind. He felt like she deserved to wear it proudly, and if she had to think Coop had bought it, so beit. He looked round again and shimmered out.

He was suddenly emersed in chaos. He tripped over something on the floor as he tried to dodge Wyatt running through the hall giggling, holding something that looked like a present, delighted that he had evaded his mother. Cole looked on, stunned. Wyatt had grown so much since he had last seen him.
He heard Piper in the kitchen shouting. He laughed silently to himself. Typical Piper, the voice of reason amoung madness.
He turned round and spotted Paige and Henry on the couch watching a film. He turned round and looked back again.
"Paige is pregnant?! Jeez, I miss alot!" he exclaimed quietly.
As he carried on walking through the Manor he saw Leo with Chris decorating the tree. They were laughing as Chris kept crawling under the tree and pulling off all the decorations. He felt himself feeling upset.
"What if Phoebe had had the baby?" he thought "I could be doing that with my child" he was brought out of thoughts by a cough from behind him. He jumped and span round and found himself face to face with Phoebe. His heart jumped into his throat. Realising that she couldnt see him, he took a step back and stared in admiration. She was still stunning. A radiant glow of sunshine. A draft of warm air on a cold day. Phoebe turned round suddenly, and he gasped. Did she see him? Had he crossed his mind? Again he felt a wave of relief when he realised she was responding to Pipers cry from the kitchen.
"Wyatt!!" she exclaimed. "Come here and leave your mommy to do the cooking!" Cole smiled. She was so loving. She will make a perfect mom, he thought was he watched her pick Wyatt up and take him over to Leo.
He walked into the kitchen and watched as Piper pottered about. He looked around and remembered the good old days when he was part of the family. Remembered when he had been taken over by Frankie's soul. Remembered saving Phoebe from the demons. He heard a crash, he turned round and saw Piper looking straight at him. Could she see him?
"Piper?" He asked, curious to know why she was looking his way.
"Cole?" She answered. His stomach dropped, she could see him.

[jenna]

This is really good!

[*Sammi!*]

It was like the world was spinning round. Questions were running through his head at the speed of light.
"What are you doing here?!" she demanded. She flew at him dragging him round the corner so the rest of the family couldnt see what she was doing.
"Piper, no one else can see me" he explained, as if it would have any effect on Piper questioning him. He looked at her and smiled, she had flour wiped across her head from her baking.
"Dont you smile at me. Answer my question" She demanded of him again.
"I came to see if Phoebe was ok. Its Christmas, I miss her." He answered. "How can you see me?" He asked. This was very unusual. He had come to visit a couple times before and no one had ever seen him. He was confused as to why Piper could now. The only time he could recall was a couple years back when he tried to help Piper embrace Leo's love. In doing so he had helped Phoebe.
"I dont know, but I dont want Phoebe seeing you! Coop has been working alot and she's edgy. She wont have a good reaction if she knows youve been here!!" Piper took a breath and breathed through her nose. She looked at him uncertainly. "Arent you supposed to be dead?"
"No... But thats another story. I only came here to see Phoebe. Happy to see that youre doing well though" Piper mocked him.
"I was until you showed up"
"Always the loving Piper huh?" He laughed at her. He could see her flaring up.
"Cole, I dont know why you would want to come here and expose yourself like this" She was walking back to the table. He was very cautious. He didnt know how good she was with knives, and with her temperament he didnt want to test her. "Its Christmas, and Phoebe is fine. Now go before I change my mind and find a vanquishing spell" He could tell she was serious, but he didnt want to go just yet.
"I have a present for Phoebe. Can you put it under the tree?" He asked, expecting her to say no. He really wanted Phoebe to have it. He bought it especially for her and he didnt want it to go to waste. Piper took the box off him and put it to the side.
"Yes" she replied shortly. "Now go, please" Cole knew that she had decided and that she wouldnt change her mind and shimmered out.

Back in his apartment Cole took a look in the mirror and sighed. "Oh well" he pondered out loud. He was disappointed that he hadnt been able to spend longer admiring Phoebe though he knew it was for the best. He got undressed and flopped onto the bed.

****************************************************
When he woke, he again was confused. He looked at his alarm and saw that he had been asleep for a couple hours. He had to see Phoebe again. He couldnt explain it to himself, it was like he had felt her calling to him in his dreams. He knew it wasnt possible as he knew that she loved Coop, but he knew that he had to go back to the Manor. Getting quickly dressed again he shimmered back.
Once at the Manor he saw the family sat in the sun room around the tree. Leo had his arms around Piper (and Cole was careful to avoid being seen) and Phoebe was sat on the other couch with Paige and Henry. Chris and Wyatt were busy rummaging under the tree trying to find presents.
"Chris, why dont you find Aunty Paige a present?" Paige asked him, he turned around, gave her a cheeky smile and grabbed one present. They all giggled. It was a present Chris had been dying to open all day.
"No Chris, the other one!" Piper laughed pulling him away from that present and placing him infront of the present for Paige.
"Well if Aunty Paige can use you Chris, I can use Wyatt!" Phoebe giggled. "Please can you find Aunty Phoebe a present Wyatt hunny?" Wyatt made himself busy trying to find one.
Cole again felt himself feeling lost and left out. He couldnt help notice that Phoebe was alone yet again. What he would have given to go over to her and pull her into his arms and kiss her deeply. Cole caught himself when he saw that the present Wyatt had picked was the necklace he had asked Piper to place under the tree. His heart started racing. He looked at Piper, who was in turn watching Phoebe.
"Thankyou!" Phoebe exclaimed as Wyatt passed her the gift. She opened it as Coles heart started pounding faster. He couldnt read her face. What was she thinking? Who did she think it was from? Does she like it? Phoebe looked up at Piper who was still watching her closely.
"Who's this from?" Phoebe questioned. When nobody could answer she asked again. "Did Coop buy this?" she was beaming. Coles heart sank. She didnt even think of him. Phoebe looked at the necklace more closely.
"Its beautiful!" she exclaimed, placing it around her neck. Piper smiled widely. Cole felt a sense of satisfaction, she liked it and thats what he wanted most of all. He caught Piper looking his way. She had seen him, but didnt do anything.
Cole turned around and shimmered out again. Phoebe was happy. He had to move on. In his apartment he started crying. For the first time since he had faked his death he cried and let it all out.

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Thats really good..Please continue i wnat to know more lol!!

[pipercharmedphreak]

i like it!!!

[*Sammi!*]

Cole woke up and turned onto his side. He jumped. Phoebe was lying in bed next to him. He was startled. What was going on?
Phoebe stirred and looked at Cole. Here we go he thought, she’s going to scream and realise that she’s in the same room as me.
“Good morning” Phoebe welcomed. Cole stared at her. Was this actually happening?
“Phoebe!” He exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” She looked at him as though he was going crazy.
“Cole, I live here. What’s wrong with you?!” Cole was struggling to understand what was going on. Yesterday, she had been at the Manor, he had been invisible and she thought he was dead. Granted, this was better than what he had yesterday, he was just confused as to what had changed in 12 hours.
“Kaya, have you managed to escape the clutches of hell again?” he asked. He was convinced it wasn’t Phoebe. Kaya had tricked him into thinking it was Phoebe before, and she did a good job of it. But, he had killed her.
“Did you just call me Kaya?” Phoebe asked as she walked past him and into the kitchen. Cole wanted to scream. He was delighted that she was here and not cursing him into some kind of oblivion again, but he was just waiting for the ice to crack and for him to fall into the pit of gloom that he was in the previous night.
“Aren’t you even going to wish me Happy Holidays?” she asked.
“Yeah, Happy Holidays” he stammered. As he walked into the kitchen, he spotted the living room. He rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. There was a Christmas tree, decorations and presents, but most of all, there were two little girls playing in front of the tree. He was beginning to get a headache.
The girls stood up and ran over to Cole.
“Daddy!” they shouted as the wrapped themselves around his legs. He could here Phoebe laugh from the kitchen.
“Leave him alone girls, come and eat your breakfast!” Cole turned round and watched Phoebe. She was the air of elegance. Beautiful. And the perfect mom. He walked upto her and placed his arms round her. Oh how he had longed for this moment. 5 long years of longing and yearning. He held her close for a long time. He didn’t want to let her go. Never again. She would never see the end of him! He looked into her big brown eyes, and she smiled.
“What is up with you this morning Mr Turner? We had the big bad guy last night, and this morning, you’re acting like a saint!” Cole turned round and looked at the girls who were chatting between themselves and felt a warm glow.
“Cat got your tongue too? You have hardly spoken to us! We have to be at the Manor for noon. Piper is cooking a huge meal and she will flip if we don’t arrive on time…” Phoebe carried on talking to him, though he wasn’t listening. He was desperately trying to think about what had happened. He had returned to the apartment and gone to sleep, and now its like he’s in a completely different life. Well, he thought. Im going to make the most of this!
“Cole” shouted Phoebe, he snapped back into reality.
“Yes?” he answered.
“Did you just hear a word of what I just said?” she demanded. “Can you please snap out of this? You know how Paige is still gunning for you, and if she gets any kind of inkling that you’re being distant, you know she will put some conclusions together” Phoebe sighed. “I just want a normal Christmas. Paige has hardly spoken to the family since I took you back. She blames Piper, and Piper really wants today to go well because of that.”
“Wait, since you took me back?” He again, was confused

[Esmeralda]

I love it, Sammi! Totally love it!

And now I'm dying to find out what's going on and what will happen next. I have my ideas and want to know if I'm right.

I'm hoping this will be completed before Christmas--it's a perfect Christmas gift!!

PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE update soon!

[Piper3]

I love it so much!

[pipercharmedphreak]

love it! and I agree with Esmeralda!!!

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah Sammi, you need to post more!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[*Sammi!*]

> Ok! Firstly I apologise for the delay, my housemate is the one to blame for that Iv told her Ill do the tidying in future now. Secondly, enjoy!

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Phoebe stared at Cole. "Yes since I took you back, what do you think happened?" She was astonished. "What is wrong with you Cole?" She was also concerned. Cole made a start. He knew that had to stop being so careless. If Paige actually still was after him, he knew it wouldnt take much to p**s her off and cause her to help vanquish him again.
"Sorry Pheebs, Im just tired." He explained.
"Well maybe our little late night last night didnt help huh?!" She asked. Cole turned looked at her. She smiled.
"Ahhh, so you remember that, but nothing else?" Cole walked over to her and embraced her. She smelt so good. Her hair, even though bed hair, was beautiful. Her skin so soft. Oh how he had longed for this for years. He held her tight and kissed her. Kissed her for so long it was as if the world had disappeared from round them. Like they were flying. They were brought back to reality by the girls.
"Thats gross" they both exclaimed. Phoebe pulled away and laughed.
"Thank you girls" she said as she walked round the table and kissed the little girls on their heads. Cole thought for a second. It struck him that he didnt know his daughters names! He was desperate to know! He walked to the fireplace and examined pictures of the last 7 years of his "life". So much has happened, he thought, and I dont even remember it.
"How am I supposed to convince them that Im me if I dont know anything about me?" Cole muttered outload.
"Ok girls, should we open some presents before we go to Aunty Piper's house?!" Phoebe asked the children. They jumped out of their chairs and ran to the tree delighted.
"Ruby?" Phoebe asked. "Why dont you get daddy a present?" Cole looked at the girls. The youngest one ran over to the tree and picked up a present. As she ran over to Cole with a big smile on her face, Cole took this time to look at his youngest daughter properly. She was beautiful. Obviously taking after her mother. Lovely long hair, green eyes and a cute little smile. What a beautiful name to match his beautiful daughter. He picked her up and she giggled.
"Thank you Ruby" He said and placed her gently back on the floor. He put the present to one side, and watched the scene infront of him. It was as if in slow motion. Phoebe was sat back on the couch across from him with a smile on her face as she watched her daughters decipher which presents were for who. His two little girls fooling around trying to beat each other to the biggest presents. He loved it.

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"Now make sure youre on your best behaviour, no smart comments. You know what Paige is like, and now she is pregnant she will be even worse" They were stood on the front porch of the Manor, Phoebe stood infront of him sorting his tie out.
"Ill behave if she does" Cole insisted.
"Cole!"
"Alright alright! If it makes you happy" he exclaimed.
"Right. Rose?" Phoebe turned round to her right. There was their oldest daughter who's name Cole had thankfully found out when they were back at the apartment and Phoebe was trying with all her might to get them to behave.
"Yes mommy" she answered. What a sweet voice, Cole thought.
"Ruby Roo?" Phoebe again called out to her other daughter.
"Yes moma" came the little squeak from the left as she came running up the path from picking daisies from the lawn. She stood infront of Cole who then picked her up.
"These are for Aunty Piper" she said in a very matter of fact way.
"Im sure she will love them baby" Phoebe told her. "Right, are we ready for a big Halliwell/ Turner/ Mitchell christmas?" she asked.
"Yeah!" they all shouted and walked into the manor.
Cole took a deep breath. He was nervous. He didnt know what to expect. Will he be thrown into a pain induced coma when the other sisters realise what is happening and try to vanquish him again?
"Phoebe!" Piper exclaimed as she saw them walk in. "Hows my favourite none hormornal sister?" She asked.
"I heard that!" They heard Paige shout from somewhere within the depths of the house.
"Im great thanks big sis! We're all great!" Phoebe answered. Cole was apprenhensive. How will he be greated.
"Hello Cole, how are you?" she asked. Ill answer nice and convincingly he thought.
"Im good thanks Piper!" Piper seemed to ignore his answer and look to her nieces.
"And my beautiful neices?" She knelt down and cuddled them.
"These are for you Aunty Piper!" Ruby gushed as she showed her aunt the freshly picked daisies.
"Awww, thank you sweetie!" she thanked. "Wyatt and Chris are in the sunroom if you want to say hello?" she informed them. Instantly the girls ran out of sight.
Piper grinned as she watched them run off.
"We're all the kitchen. Leo is trying to convince Paige that she will fit under the table for dinner. She's getting so touchy!" Piper explained as she walked them through the manor and to the kitchen.
"I seem to remember someone else getting very touchy when they were in their final trimester" Phoebe said to Piper as they walked in.
"Who's touchy?!" Paige asked when they entered. "Im not touchy. You were touchy. Im not touchy? Henry?" Paige seemed desperate to be told that she was the "happy-go-lucky chick" that she was before she got pregnant.
"Henry?" Paige snapped again. Henry looked up from the paper.
"Sorry?" he asked innocently.
"Oh never mind. Im just gonna take my big old behind over here and sit down. Thats if I fit..." Paige muttered as she plodded on. Henry jumped up and tried to help his wife sit down. They all smiled.
"Hey Leo" Phoebe greeted her brother in law as they made themselves comfortable.
"Hey Pheebs! Cole." Cole couldnt helped notice the apprehension in his voice.
"Leo." Cole nodded at Leo. Phoebe shot Cole a look as if to say, oh dont start yet.
"I see the Mariners won yesterday" Leo asked Cole.
"They did?" Cole asked back.
"You didnt watch? Does that mean I get to keep my money?" Leo cheered up a little bit.
"Uh no! Boys, I think youre forgetting that any money that was won on either part went to mine and Phoebe's shopping trip in the sales!" Piper said as she jumped up and snapped the money out of Leo's hands.
"But... but..." Leo stammered. Phoebe and Piper laughed and started chatting away as Leo looked at Cole and shrugged.

[pipercharmedphreak]

It's great! I love it and can't wait to read more!!!

[Esmeralda]

I only have time to read the first part tonight, but, oh, do I love what I read! Fantastic idea! I must admit I feel a bit bad for Cole, not knowing what his previous seven years were like and trying to pretend he knows what's going on. I get the feeling he's going to make Paige suspicious! I can't *wait* to find out how Piper talked Phoebe into taking Cole back!

And Ruby! What a pretty name for one of their daughters--a definite little gem! I got such a kick when she and her sister thought Mommy and Dadd making out was "gross".

I'll read more later on, but, PLEASE don't wait for me to catch up! Go ahead and update as soon as you have more. I'm on vacation next week, so if I don't have time to catch up this week, I certainly will then!!

[Primrose_Empath]

Yay! An update! As it's been awhile since I read your fic, I thought it best to start at the beginning. While doing that, I remembered exactly why I loved it so. You're doing a wonderful job of writing Cole's character and you've got me wondering just exactly how he's ended up here in this alternate reality of sorts and what happened in those 7 years that he doesn't remember (including what was said to Phoebe in order for her to take him back).

Those two little ones are absolutely precious--hopefully we'll see some more interaction between him and them. Please update whenever you have the chance--and thank you for reading my fic too! *big hug*

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah that was great...update soon i love reading it!!!

[Esmeralda]

YAY! I'm on vacation, so I could finally read this! A bit like Primrose, it's been so long that I decided to go ahead and start all over and start at the beginning and I'm glad I did, because I loved the differences and yet the similarities between the two "realities".

I *really* love how you write everyone; you've got them down pat! I can *so* see the whole thing going through my head. I especially got a giggle out of Paige trying to be our free-spirit even tho she's in her final trimester. Piper greeting her non-hormonal sister and then grabbing the money betted on the Mariners for her and Phoebe's shopping trip made me giggle, too.

And Rose and Ruby! Beautiful names for the Turner daughters! I see Phoebe's keeping up the tradition, but doing it with a different letter--R rather than P!

I'm wondering if Phoebe is wearing her necklace and if it has anything to do with what's going on. And will Cole actually get to enjoy this "reality" or will something happen to pop him back to the other one? Or is *this* the true reality and the other one a horrible nightmare Cole was living while being semi-vanquished?

That's the fun of alternate-reality fics--anything can happen! And I can't *wait* to find out what happens in this one!!

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE update soon!

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Please update Sammi!! I need to know more lol!! Desperate!! haha

[*Sammi!*]

The family were sat round the table.
Paige was giggling as Henry was patting her tummy.
Piper and Cole sat opposite each other watching the boys laugh and pass toys to each other and Phoebe was sat next to girls, smiling as she watched them chatter away.
Cole sat right back in his chair and took the scene in. This time last night he had been sat alone in a cold, lonely dark apartment. Now he was with his family which is what he had wanted most in the world for the last 7 years. He reached round to put his arm around Phoebe and caught Piper watching him. He felt a cold shiver. Why was she looking at me like that? He thought.
Cole looked across the table again. No, he hadnt imagined it. Piper was definately staring at him. It gave him a shiver up his spine. Why was she doing that? He asked himself.
He looked at Phoebe to see if she had noticed, though she was now watching Paige waddling towards the stairs trying as much as she could to stop Chris from crawling up them.
"Little whipper snappers!" she exclaimed as she bent to pick him up. Piper looked away and smiled as Paige waddled back and placed him next to Piper. She groaned as he stood right back up and ran after Wyatt.
"Baby?" Phoebe turned to Cole. "Cole?" she shouted. Cole made a start.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Could you help Piper with the dishes while I take the girls into the sunroom?" she asked. Cole felt his heart sink. Oh no, he thought. Piper is going to vanquish me. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach, the same feeling he had had many years ago when Paige had discovered that he was evil again. He stood up slowly and picked the plates up. Walked into the kitchen.
"So, Cole" Piper started.
"Yes" he answered straight away, swallowing as he did so.
"How are you?" she asked. He was nervous. He looked at her, she was staring back, analysing his face.
"Im good thanks Piper. You?"
"Yes... Im fine" she was pottering round the kitchen, clearing up the mess from the roast. He watched her. What was she going to do?
"Cole, can you take the drinks through?" she asked. He did as he was told and walked back through to the rest of the family. He sat down in the nearest chair and watched everything. He felt strange. A surreal scene was infront of him. He watched Ruby pass a present to Phoebe. A small square box in silver wrapping paper. He watched again as Phoebe looked at him and smiled. Watched as she opened it and looked inside the box. Watched as she put the knecklace on and walk towards him. Watched as Phoebe bent forwards and slowly went in to kiss him.
As if by slow motion, just as her lips touched his, Cole was surrounded by winds, in the distance he could hear chanting.
He strained to hear what it was. And then he heard it loud and clear. The noise pounding in his ears.
"And so he feels what should have been
take him back now he has seen.
This life and love that Cole now knows
make it that it never showed"

[pipercharmedphreak]

*YAY!! Jumps up and down for an update*

I am on pins and needles. Now I have to wait for another update! Keep Going!

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah for sure!! I need to know more again!! lol....Update again soon Sammi !!