Coles pain at Christmas - Completed

[*Sammi!*]

Im sooooo sorry about the delay in updating!
Here we go, me hopes you like!

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Cole landed on his bed with a thump.
He immediately stood back up and looked around his room. He then walked through to the living room. No sign of anyone. His heart sunk.
"Im back" He groaned as he walked to the liquor cupboard.
He looked in.
The other Cole must have been depressed! He thought to himself as he picked up the empty bottle of bourbon. That was brand new! He pushed it to the side and reached for the vodka instead.
He unscrewed the cap, and walked out to the balcony, where he just stood and stared down at the street for ages.
I wonder if it would work, jumping off... He thought randomly. He smiled weakly as he thought back to when he tried to use a guillotine to vanquish himself, but Piper had stopped him.
"Oh Piper!" He sighed. If only you hadnt stopped me, I wouldnt be here in this mess now. He continued to think.
He stood up and tried to take a drink from the bottle, when he couldnt, he peered in it to find that it was empty. He tutted and threw the bottle over the edge, causing the people walking past the building to jump and look up at him. He jumped onto the balcony edge, and took a deep breath. As he did so his foot slipped and he fell forwards.
"Woah!" He cried as he shimmered himself back into the apartment onto the sofa.
"Wasnt ready for it that time!" He gasped. He spent the next five minutes sat there, trying to stop himself from shaking, and trying to recover from the slip.
When he felt better he walked towards the liquor cupboard again, and again bent down infront of it. He reached for a bottle of whiskey and stood up. He took the lid of that and looked at it.
"What am I doing?" He asked himself. This isnt going to help! He thought. It isnt going to take my pain away.
Cole put the bottle down and sighed as he walked back out onto the balcony. He stood there and looked up into the skies.
"If only I had just done something right!" He whispered to himself. Id have been able to stay with Phoebe and my girls.
Now I dont have anything. He carried on thinking to himself as he again stood on the balcony edge and closed his eyes to think.
He didnt hear the doors to the lift open, and didnt hear as the person walked over to the doors. He couldnt sense that someone was watching him.
Cole took a deep breath, and put his foot forwards.
"I wouldnt do that if I were you" The person told him.
Cole jumped from surprise and was again caused to slip off the edge, but this time he turned as he did and caught his head as he fell down.
He looked up as he groaned and still couldnt see who it was who had sneeked in.
He crawled towards the door, too lightheaded to stand up as yet, and caught a glimpse of the mystery person.
"Phoebe?" He asked, as he reached up to feel his head. He then rubbed his eyes to check that he wasnt seeing things.
"Yes Cole" Came the reply as she walked forwards to try and help him up.
He was greatful, but as he did, his head started shooting in pain. He leant on Phoebe as she helped him to the sofa.
"What are you doing here?" He asked her as she placed him down.
"Apparently saving your life" Phoebe spat at him as she sat next to him. "Have you been drinking?" She asked, as she leant away from him.
Cole nodded as he watched Phoebe tuck her hair behind her ear.
"How did you know I was alive?" He asked her. He was curious, as he couldnt recall Phoebe knowing that he was. Just Piper.
"I got a visit from you on Christmas morning, demanding to know why I wasnt at here and where the girls where" Phoebe explained. Cole looked at her. He wasnt here on Christmas morning, or atleast not his presence.
"Well, not you, but another one of you" She explained as she saw the confusion on his face.
"And then Piper told me that she had cast a spell a while back, but didnt think it had worked, but it had." Phoebe continued.
"He told me everything. That we were happily married, and had two little girls"
Cole's heart sank. He was again reminded of what he had lost out on.
"So we cast another spell to get in contact with our alternate selves. Which I think caused you to switch again" She continued, oblivious to the fact that Cole was not happy.
Cole sat there. Of course! He thought. I wouldnt have just sat here if this wasnt my reality, Id have wanted to know where the love of my life was...
"So why are you here now?" He asked her. He did want to know, as he didnt want to be surprised when she killed him.
"Well, I have been thinking. If we are happy in one reality, why cant we be happy in this one?" She asked. She sat straight and took Coles hand. His heart started beating faster, he looked into her eyes.
"What do you mean?" He asked her, not wanting to believe what he was hearing incase it was a mistake.
He didnt have to wait long for his answer as he watched as Phoebe leant forwards and went to kiss him.

[~B@MeLiSsA30@B~]

WOW! I was wondering what was gonna happen to Cole. Does Phoebe really wanna get back together, or just taunting him.
I sure hope not. What is she gonna do about Coop? Great update *Sammi*.

[~.:Alysha:.~]

yeah love the update it was well worth the wait..cant wait to see what happens next!! Love it as always sammi!!

[pubesy]

wow

[*Sammi!*]

It was a clear winter night. New Years Eve 2007.
It was silent outside except for the occasional firework from the neighbouring houses.
The Manor was full to busting. Paige was in the sunroom with Henry and her baby, Piper was upstairs with Leo, Wyatt and Chris and Phoebe was stood in the living room with Cole.
"What a beatiful night" Phoebe sighed as she turned to look at Cole.
"What a beautiful sight" Cole smiled as he took Phoebe in his arms and held her.
"You think it can work this time?" Phoebe asked him. Cole pushed her away for a little while and stared in her eyes.
"I know it can work this time. I just needed this chance" Cole told her. Phoebe sighed.
"I hope its all worth it. I mean, poor Coop" She said as she turned around and looked out of the window again.
"You said you werent happy with him. I saw that you werent happy" Cole said. He was getting worried that she was changing her mind.
"I know, I know." Phoebe dismissed. "Its just, he's been working so much, and then to see me on New Years Eve and I tell him its over..." Cole walked over to her and put his arms round her shoulders and looked out of the window with her.
"It obviously wasnt meant to be!" He said to her. He secretly felt happy. He knew it was a shame for Coop, but he was finally getting what he wanted most in the world. Another chance with Phoebe.
They turned round as Piper and Leo came bounding down the stairs, Chris and Wyatt following.
"Is everyone ok down here?" Piper asked brightly as she walked through to the living room, and shouted through to Paige and Henry.
"Yeah!" Phoebe said as she walked over to her sister. Paige came through with Henry Junior.
Cole walked over to Leo and Henry. They looked at him cautiously. Cole knew they wouldnt trust him for a while, but he was willing to accept it, so long as he had Phoebe.
They all walked through to the kitchen, where Paige immediately walked to the freezer, and took out the icecream.
Piper tutted.
"What?" Paige asked her as she took the lid off and ate a big spoon full. She had it round her mouth and they laughed.
"My excuse is that Im still getting cravings, and if anyone wishes to shout at me... Well... I just dont care!" She defended herself, and laughed with everyone else.
Cole looked at the scene. It was a warm, friendly atmosphere. He loved the feeling he had in his heart. Granted he was still scared that anything could go wrong at any minute, but he was taking each minute as it arrived.
"Its nearly twelve everyone, shall we go take place?" Phoebe asked as she looked at the clock.
"Yeah!" Wyatt cried as he ran out of the door.
"Wyatt!" Piper called.
"Ill go find him" Leo said as he saw the look on his wife's face. Cole walked out of the back door with Henry who had hold of his new born son.
Cole was glad to know that everything had still carried on as normal in this reality.
Paige giving birth in great circumstances instead of what he had witnessed, and caused.
Phoebe was happy, even though he didnt think that she would have come round.
Piper was deliriously happy with Leo. Knowing that nothing could now get in their way, except for bringing up two very powerful children, which they were loving doing.
They were all stood in the garden. Leo started to light the fireworks, as Piper was chasing Wyatt around the garden to keep him safe.
Paige took Henry Junior in her arms, as Henry Senior put his arms around her.
Cole walked over to Phoebe and held her hand.
"Are we ready?" Leo called as he looked around to make sure that Piper had a firm hold of Chris and Wyatt.
"Yes!" Everyone called back.
"Five, four, three, two, ONE!" Everyone counted down. The fireworks set off. Cole looked at Phoebe who's face lit up, and turned her round to look at her face.
"Happy New Year!" He whispered in her ear.
"Happy 2008!" She whispered back.
He took the chance to take her, and sweep her round as he kissed her. He knew it wouldnt be easy, but their future was here, and he loved the feeling of knowing he had this last chance.

[~B@MeLiSsA30@B~]

Awww, I loved this update. It's so sweet. ;D

[Primrose_Empath]

Dang! How do I keep missing these updates? *softly whacks self on forehead* Oh well -- guess I get to double my fun this way!

*reads*

Those were two beautiful updates sweetie. I really loved how you wrapped things up -- nicely done. *applauds*

And the last line just made my heart melt.

He knew it wouldnt be easy, but their future was here, and he loved the feeling of knowing he had this last chance.

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah loved how you finished it up and that last line was brilliant.. Are you going to write another story because this was absolutely amazing!! Your a fantastic writer and i have enjoyed every moment of this fanfic! Its made me cry & laugh and it just puts a huge smile on my face! Very touching story and you wrote the characters so perfect! You truly do have a great talent..

[jenna]

Oh, wow! Absolutely amazing job, Sammi!

[~*Alicia*~]

Absolutely amazing! Love it <3 *aplausse*

[pubesy]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[Esmeralda]

First, many many apologies for taking so long to review this. I've been ultra-busy at work and also came down with a bad cold, so although I *have* been reading this, I didn't feel like I could give my reviews the care and attention that it deserves...just saying, "I like this." or "This is good" or "Write more", just doesn't seem right--it doesn't sound like I've truly read and enjoyed it, and with the time and effort you put into your fic, I feel like I should do the same with my reviews.

Next, pubesy, you're in HUGE trouble for adding so many "W's" to your Aw that you broke the margin! Yes, I'm sure you loved the way this ended, but did you HAVE to break it?? It makes it SOOOO hard to read! Just wait until I find you at Prue's Party, girl (if indeed, it's still going on...I haven't been there in ages!), oooh, are you gonna get it!!

Now I gotta find where I ended off reviewing and will probably have to do some re-reading to refresh my not-so-good memory (happens after you hit 50!) I have to go to a ballgame in a half-hour, so I'm not sure if I'll get to reread/review this whole thing, but I'll do the best I can and then finish when I get back.

*off to find where I last reviewed and do a quick refresher*

Oh, MAN! I haven't reviewed since Page SEVEN! That's a ton of updates to review and I know I won't get a chance to re-read all of them before I have to go to the ballgame.

So I'll just say what I remembered from what I read and do a better job when I gt back. I hope that's OK.

What I remember is that I SO love the way you wrote all the characters; they were all SPOT on! I LOVEd the whole plot, especially the idea that the Cole of this time switched places with our Cole and was able to explain what was going on. You've set yourself a nice everlasting time loop here, where Cole will get to the point where he goes back, goes back, relives this area, then go back and over and over and over, but that's one of the things I love about time travel.

I also THOROUGHLY loved how Piper and Cole fooled Barbas! Totally fantastic on your part!! And maybe now, FINALLY, that demon of fear is finally TRULY gone! I SOOO hope so.

Only two things bothered me about the whole fic.

First, there's no explanation as to why Cole was able to stay good and be the Cole he is in future. I can't believe that as Belthazar he'd stay good or that Phoebe would be able to stay good while with him when he's not. That's just not Cole and Phoebe, no matter how much they love each other. Eventually one or the other would do evil and have to be vanquished or die. I would prefer if getting rid of Barbas also gets rid of Cole's worst fear by having Belthazar vanquished without vanquishing Cole. That would also allow the little girls to not be half-demons and have to learn how to control those parts. I was hoping that that's what that charmed bracelet that Phoebe got at the beginning would do. I was disappointed that there was nothing special to that.

Second, there's Coop. I'm sorry, but you treated him as badly as Kern treated Cole and I don't think that's any more fair to Coop than it was to Cole, especially when we know that the Angel of Destiny married Coop and Phoebe, showing that Coop is indeed her destiny, not Cole. It's why I wish you'd done a better job of showing us how Cole came to be alive after being vanquished. I can think of two ways you could've done this a bit better:

First, once you explain how Cole came to be alive, let Coop, as the cupid he is, realize that it's Cole who was meant for Phoebe--after all, he once shot both of them with his arrows--and graciously step aside.

Second, show how Cole managed to become alive again..that after he helped Piper and Leo get back together, that the Elders turned him into a cupid and told him that he would indeed become free if he could find the proper love for Phoebe, and he does....himself. Yep, the Angel of Destiny ends up marrying Phoebe and her true love because Coop *is* Cole!

Hopefully we get to have a sequel soon that will show us the answer to these questions, because I SOOOO love the way you write!!

Be sure to let me know if you want me to review each of the updates I've missed; if this is enough then I won't, but if you want me to, then I will.

And for this fantastic fic, you have been blessed!

[Esmeralda]

Since we're getting near Christmastime, I decided to bump this ahead...

[Esmeralda]

Have to bump this fantastic Christmas story by one of my favorite Cole-fans.