Our Screwed-Up Destiny

[*Sammi!*]

yey! I love the flashbacks Primrose! Keep them coming!

[Primrose_Empath]

Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers -- you really make my day! ;D

Holly Rose -- Welcome to my newest reviewer! *grins* Glad you're enjoying this fic and thanks for the bless -- I'll be sure to return the favor.

Phoebe_Halliwell -- Congrats on becoming a Charmed One sweetie!

Sammi -- I'm loving your fic too, please keep those updates coming!

---

--PHOEBE--

I could hear Leo snuffling next to me, and I knew that he was lost in memory, too. Gently and reassuringly, I squeezed his hand as I thought about my playing Cupid between the two of them, mainly because I was also interested in Leo, while he always only had eyes for Piper, so I wanted to get Piper's goat:

[Start Flashback (Episode 1.10 The Witch Is Back)]

[Scene: Manor. Kitchen. Leo's under the sink, fixing it. Phoebe's sitting at the table and Piper's standing up.]

Piper: So I suggested we add Crab Sautee' to the, uh, lunch menu and it was great. Sold out. Do you like crab, Leo?

Leo: You know what I’d love, Piper?

Piper: What’s that?

Leo: Is the, uh, ratchet extension. Could you hand that to me?

Piper: Sure. (Piper looks in his toolbox but doesn't know what it is. Phoebe walks over and pulls out the ratchet extension.) I knew that. (She takes it from Phoebe and gives it to Leo.) Here you go.

Leo: Thanks.

Piper: (whispering to Phoebe) Stop it. Go away. (She tries to get Phoebe to leave.) Be right back, Leo.

Leo: No problem.

(Piper and Phoebe go in the dining room.)

Piper: Stop it.

Phoebe: My sentiments exactly. Stop hinting around and ask him out already. Give him some of your crab.

Piper: Don’t be disgusting.

Phoebe: Don’t be so shy.

Piper: What if he says no?

Phoebe: Yeah, like that’ll happen.

Piper: No, I’m serious.

Phoebe: So am I.

Piper: I’m very serious. I’ve never... you know...

Phoebe: You're kidding, right?

Piper: No.

Phoebe: You’ve never asked a guy out before?

Piper: Not on a real date, no.

Phoebe: I don’t understand. Am I the only person in this family who’s inherited the take-a-chance gene?

Piper: Probably. ‘Cause if I remember my biology correctly, it’s attached to the can’t-mind-my-own-business gene.

[End Flashback]

I heaved a heavy sigh as a wistful look played across my features.

And you were definitely right about that one. If only I hadn't taken a chance and stayed out of the attic!

--LEO--

I squeezed Phoebe's hand back even as more memories flooded my mind, memories that meant so very much:

[Start Flashback (Episode 2.16 Murphy’s Luck)]

Leo: Piper, are you mad at me?

Piper: No, don't be ridiculous. Why would I be mad at you?

Leo: I don't know, that's why I'm asking. What is it?

Piper: It's just, um, Dan.

Leo: Oh. Never mind, sorry I asked.

(Leo stands up.)

Piper: Um, he's-he's going to be... (Piper stands up.) he's going to be very upset when he finds out... (pause) you're the one that I really love.

Leo: Yeah?

Piper: Yeah. (They kiss.)

[End Flashback]

No, sweetheart, I'd never give up that memory. Not for anything in the world.

--PRUE--

In the front seat, even though I had been trying my hardest to hold back my tears, a couple of them leaked out and ran down my cheek. I made a half-hearted attempt to wipe them away, but soon realized that it was of no use. Why did it have to be you, sweetie? You, who had a loving husband and a bright future ahead of you. Why you? I dabbed at my eyes with a tissue and took a shaky breath in order to get myself back under control, but that question of “why” still lingered in my mind and I doubted that I would ever know the answer. I know that this day has just started, but is it wrong to wish it was over with already?

And as Andy pulled into the church parking lot, I’m pretty sure that same thought played through the minds of the other four people in the car.

---

Tissues nearby? Good!

[woogyinthehouse]

Nice last 2 updates, i really like the idea of flashbacks, you make me want to grab my dvds and watch those episodes again!!! Loving this cant wait for more, and the tissues are right here!

[pipercharmedphreak]

*Sniff Sniff* I think I need a tissue.

[~.:Alysha:.~]

haha yeah i agree i want to watch all those episodes again of the flashbacks lol!

[Primrose_Empath]

Thank you woogyinthehouse, pipercharmedphreak, and Phoebe_Halliwell for your reviews. ;D

Glad you're all enjoying the flashbacks so much...and if they make you want to run out and watch your dvd's for these parts again...then, yay!

A lot of this next part / chapter is actually based on my wonderful co-writer Es's mother's funeral. So if the last updates made you run for the tissues...well, you've been warned!

---

PART FOUR

--PRUE--

Getting out of the car, I stopped to look at the church, my heart breaking, still unable to believe that this could possibly be happening. I reached out for Andy's hand and then for Leo's. The two men immediately put their arms around me so that I was in a "sandwich" and then Leo reached out with his other arm for Phoebe, who put her other arm around Cole. In this "comfort-sandwich", the five of us leaned on one another as we walked up to and into the church's foyer.

--PHOEBE--

The first thing we noticed was Piper. This hour before the funeral would act as Piper's wake and she lay in the beautiful ivory coffin that Prue and I had chosen for her, candles lit on either side, a cross behind her coffin, dressed in the wedding dress she had worn only a few months before. She indeed looked like she was sound asleep except her chest didn't move. We all hurried to the coffin to once more touch her cheek, her hair, her face, her hand, unable to believe how ice-cold they all were, but knowing that it was still Piper.

--LEO--

I bent to kiss her, but the funeral director, who was standing next to the coffin shook his head. "Please don't. Her lips will crack," so I kissed her cheek instead. I lifted her hand and kissed my ring which was still on her finger. "You may remove it if you like," the funeral director told me, but I shook my head. "Our love is forever so my ring stays on her finger the way hers will stay on mine."

--PRUE--

Soon people began to file in and the five of us knew what we had to do. Andy and I stood by the door to greet each person and hand them the beautiful program that I had designed, including my favorite picture of Piper on the cover. Cole and Phoebe went by the book where they could greet each person and receive their condolences while the person signed the book. And Leo continued to stand by the coffin, where he, too, could receive their condolences before the other mourners began to walk around the room, looking at all the pictures that we had chosen, pictures of Piper from when our mother, Patty, held her as a baby with a smiling Victor standing next to her on one side and a little me, already holding Piper's little hand on the other to pictures of her as a child and a schoolgirl to pictures of her as a chef at Quake to the owner of P3 to her wedding.

Music was playing, all of Piper's favorite songs sung by the various bands who had played at P3 and who would play at her life celebration at P3 that night.

There were so many people. Neighbors. Friends. Schoolmates. Co-Workers. Employees. Regulars from P3. All the various people who had been touched by Piper's life.

And there was a father.

---

Keep that tissue box nearby....

[pipercharmedphreak]

Oh, this is so wonderful! Now, excuse me while I go get a tissue.

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah i am loving every bit of this story! I to need to rush off and stack up on my tissues!

[woogyinthehouse]

I dont want to say goodbye!!!

Please update, but in like 5 minutes because i need to get more tissues!!

[*Sammi!*]

This is lovely! carry on! x

[Primrose_Empath]

Of course I didn't want to leave you guys hanging, and hopefully you've had time to stock up on those tissues.

---

--PRUE--

When Victor walked into the church foyer, I held my breath, but he didn't even notice me. His eyes were focused straight ahead on the coffin sitting in front of the doors leading into the church--the coffin that held his beloved middle daughter and my sister.

Andy squeezed my hand and when I turned to look at him questioningly, he first indicated the programs that were in my hands and then Victor.

Quickly flicking my gaze from Victor back over to Andy, I sent an unspoken message with my eyes—Do I have to? He nodded in affirmation and I sighed resignedly. "Fine," I muttered under my breath as I took a program from the pile on the nearby table. One of the last people I really wanted to see today was you, Victor. But the fact remains that you are our father—whether I like it or not. And you are here for Piper, so let’s just get this over with.

"Dad?" He turned toward me as if caught by surprise.

"Prudence," he greeted cautiously.

I shot him a glare. l hate being called by my full name. Although we had made up somewhat, I still hadn't totally forgiven him for abandoning me and my sisters as much as he had. Andy squeezed my hand, and I sighed. Andy was right. For you, Piper.

After receiving one more reassuring hand squeeze, I shoved my feelings about Victor to the back burner for the time being. I took a calming breath and gave him a half-hearted hug. "Dad. It's good for you to be here." Although none of us actually wants to be here.

As we pulled apart, I looked him in the eyes, noting the look of loss in them that I'm sure mirrored my own. Softening my slightly defensive stance a bit, I handed him the program that I held in my hands and gave him a half-smile. He didn’t have to say a word for me to know what he was thinking about and who he really wanted to see. “Piper’s right over there," I indicated directly behind me. "Go on ahead and I’ll catch up with you later at the club, ok?”

--PHOEBE--

I spotted Dad making the slow walk towards Piper’s coffin. Abandoning my post next to the book, I ran to him, throwing my arms around him. "Daddy!"

"Baby," and he hugged me tight. Still keeping one arm around me, we began to walk toward the coffin. The other mourners surrounding it, seeing who was coming, stepped aside, allowing us to walk directly to it. Just like Leo, Prue and I had, Dad touched Piper's hand, then stroked her face before stroking her hair. "My little girl," he murmured. "My little girl. Children should bury their parents; a father shouldn't have to bury his daughter," and both his and my tears splashed onto the gown that was both Piper's wedding gown and her burial gown.

--LEO--

"Victor, I'm sorry that we have to go through this. I would've done anything to save her."

Victor looked up into my face. At first there was anger and hate on his face, but when he saw the agony on mine, his heart melted the same way Prue's had toward him. He nodded. "I'm sure you did all you could."

--PHOEBE--

Then I led my father back over to the book, so that he could sign it. After kissing my cheek, he began circulating among the other guests, receiving their condolences while trying to comfort them.

---

To Be Continued...

[*Sammi!*]

awwww *sniff sniff*
Im so glad Prue can put her dislike for her father behind for Piper! I love this fanfic!

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah i love it also its great!!

[pipercharmedphreak]

I've just run out of things to say. It's GREAT!!! I love it and can't wait to read more! ;D

[Primrose_Empath]

Happy Valentines / Singles Awareness Day!

And here is your present from me -- granted, it's not roses or chocolate, but I do hope you enjoy!

---

--ANDY--

The number of people filtering through the front doors since 11 a.m. had been fairly steady. After awhile, it seemed like one face blended right into the next--until the next two figures walked through the door--Inspector Darryl Morris and his wife Shelia.

Upon seeing who it was, I visibly paled. This was the first time I had seen my former partner in three years. I quickly shot a sideways nervous glance at Prue, who picked up on the unspoken message in my eyes.

—PRUE--

"Don't worry about it," I whispered in his ear. "He won't recognize you. Just remember, you're our second-cousin Manny from Hawaii." After patting his hand reassuringly, I turned my attention back to the two newest guests and greeted each with a hug. "Darryl, Shelia, thanks for coming. And Darryl, thank you for doing the eulogy. It means a great deal to us--and Piper, too. I'm sure she'll love whatever you have to say."

Darryl returned my hug with one of his own. "You're welcome. After all, she's like a sister to us, too. We'll also miss her a great deal." Looking up, he caught sight of, to him, an unfamiliar person also standing by the doorway. "And you are?"

—ANDY--

I shifted nervously as my eyes locked with Darryl's. Here goes nothing. "I'm Manny Hanks," I stated while shaking Darryl’s hand. At my ex-partner's quizzical look, I quickly added, "I'm the girls' second-cousin."

"Darryl Morris, and this is my wife Sheila." The quizzical look remained on Darryl's face. "Second-cousin? From where? I don't think I've ever seen you before."

Whew. That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. "That's because I don't think we've met before. Their grandmother and mine were sisters, but our side of the family all live in Hawaii, but I flew over to give them my support. Even though we didn't see alot of each other growing up, we were pretty close." I paused and shrugged. "I'm sort of like the brother they never had."

--PRUE--

A sad smile crossed Darryl's face and he glanced at me. "Yeah, like my old partner, Andy, Andy Trudeau. Wish he could've been here for you, Prue."

I nodded, allowing a sad look to cross my face, too. "Yeah, so do I, Darryl. But having Manny here helps a lot. When he used to visit us when we were kids, we were all pretty close."

"Hmmm, funny, in all those stories that Andy told me about you guys, he never mentioned a second-cousin. Oh, well, maybe I just don't remember, since I was mainly concentrating on what he said about you and your sisters. I've included a number of those stories in my eulogy."

"Oh, Darryl, that's great. I was so glad when you volunteered--I knew you'd do a good job."

"You haven't heard it yet."

"I'm sure it will be perfect."

That made Darryl smile as he accepted two programs from me and handed one to Shelia.

"Phoebe and Leo are right over there," I gestured towards my younger sibling standing at the table by the book and my brother-in-law over next to Piper's coffin. "I'm sure they'd love to see you too." I smiled sadly before adding: "Darryl? Thank you again."

--PHOEBE--

I was taking advantage of the slight lull in guests to gaze around the room when my eyes happened to land on Darryl and Shelia heading in my direction.

I smiled in greeting as Darryl and Sheila walked up, and leaned over to hug the tall dark inspector. "Thank you so very much for coming, both of you. And Darryl, I'm so glad you volunteered to do the eulogy--Piper would be thrilled."

Darryl smiled in return. "Like I told Prue, it's the least I could do--you guys are like sisters to me, and Piper was always so good to me."

Sheila nodded. "We loved all the great dishes she'd send home with Darryl. We'll miss those."

I smiled sadly. "Yeah, we'll miss her great cooking, too--neither Prue or I cook so it will be like when I was in New York--if you can't boil it or nuke it, forget it!" and we all just smiled.

Then I handed Darryl the pen, who handed it to Sheila. She quickly wrote "Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Morris" into the book before handing their card to Cole so he could drop it into the box sitting next to him.

After both giving me another hug, they walked over to the coffin, waiting for their chance to stand next to it so they could look down at Piper and say their own private, silent good-byes.

--LEO--

Darryl looked up into my sorrowful face as he reached out his hand. "I'm so sorry, Leo. You know the department is doing all they can to find out who did this," but the look Darryl gave me told me that as always, he was doing all he could to continue to protect the sisters' secret and his words were more for those around us.

I gave him a wan look. "Thanks, Darryl, we all appreciate that. Just like we appreciate you doing the eulogy," then I reached out and gave him a big hug, both of us patting each other on the back.

Sheila also offered her condolences and then after a final glance at Piper, they stepped aside to allow others the chance to see both her and me.

---

Don't put those tissues away just yet!

[*Sammi!*]

yey! another update! keep them coming! My tissues are now situated on my table next to me!

[Primrose_Empath]

Happy Friday everyone! ;D

To lead you into your weekend, I bring you another piece of the story...

Enjoy!

---

--PHOEBE--

Shortly after the Morrisses' arrival, Pastor Williams arrived along with a couple of the church ministers. Prue and I both felt another piece of our hearts break as we knew what was going to happen next. Pastor Williams called for everyone's attention and then asked for everyone to gather around the coffin. Once everyone had, he welcomed everyone on behalf of Piper's family and then he said a blessing on Piper, us, and those gathered around to say good-bye. He then asked the ushers to lead the mourners who wouldn't be part of the upcoming procession to the side doors where they could enter the church and take their seats.

I gasped out loud, knowing what was coming and so not wanting to watch, even as I knew I had to.

--PRUE--

I heard Phoebe’s gasp and felt the same way, but as always, kept all of my emotions hidden deep inside. I just continued thinking about the reading I was going to give. I truly wanted to do a good job for Piper and knew that I wouldn’t be able to do that if I let my emotions out.

--COLE--

I knew what was coming from when I had come here with the sisters, and quickly put my arm around Phoebe and she laid her head on my shoulder, then also reached out for her dad.

--ANDY--

I also sensed what Prue was going through, and even though I knew she wouldn't do or say anything, I reached out for her, hoping it was okay to be doing that as Manny, her second cousin, but not really caring. I was here for Prue and I was going to be here for Prue. Out of the corner of my eye, I noted that Darryl, in turn, reached out for the man who, despite being a part of the magical world that I'm certain Darryl still refused to believe in, was seemingly becoming like a brother to him--Leo. Behind us stood the six P3 employees who would act as their employer's pallbearers.

--PHOEBE--

As soon as all of the other mourners were in the church, the other ministers slammed shut the coffin. "No!" I screamed, unable to stop myself and I’m sure that Prue, Leo and Daddy almost did the same thing. That loud bang just seemed to make it all so final, all so real that none of us could prevent the tears from coming to our eyes yet again.

--PRUE--

To top it off, we heard a soft voice say, "Excuse me?" a soft voice that sounded much too much like our lost sister/wife/daughter/friend/employer. Phoebe and I spun, almost expecting to see Piper's ghost. Instead we saw a young woman holding one of the programs. She looked so much like Piper that in that situation it was almost unbearable. This young woman also had big brown eyes, long dark hair, and sharp cheekbones.

--PHOEBE--

She wasn't Piper, but she could've been and in that situation, after just suffering through that slamming of the coffin, to see this woman alive while Piper was dead was just too much for me as I completely freaked out, screaming, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!", my voice becoming higher, louder and more hysterical with each line!

The poor girl's face grew almost as pale as Piper's. "I'm sorry I'm late! Maybe I shouldn't be here!" and spinning around, she sprinted out the door!

---

To Be Continued....

[Esmeralda]

Just a quicky to thank all of your for your fantastic response to Primrose & my fic. We've had a lot of fun writing it (despite making each other cry a lot!) and are glad you guys are enjoying reading it.

Also, I'd like to add that had Primrose and I had our way, this is where the first half of Charmed Again would've ended--with the first part concentrating on the two remaining sisters remembering and mourning the one who is lost, giving us Prue-fans a chance to remember and mourn our favorite--before concentrating on what happens next, which would've/should've been shown the next week and not right afterwards.

Although with this new Halliwell-look-alike running away (and we didn't name her because, naturally, at this point the sisters would have no idea what her name is), she won't be part of the funeral. Again as it should've been.

Keep those tissues close by! Like Primrose told you, most of the funeral is based on my own mom's funeral--modified by Primrose and me to fit Piper. We hope you like what we came up with.

[*Sammi!*]

We definately do!! Like Iv said before, the writing style is so emotive that it cant help but make you cry and imagine the scene playing in your head.

This is a fantastic fic! *cheers for Primrose and Es!!*

[woogyinthehouse]

Wow, im not well and now im crying at this fantastic fanfic! But i am very happy you both have wrote this, its such a different perspective to what really happened, and i love it!! Thanks you for writing it and i cant wait for the new update!