Our Screwed-Up Destiny

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah this is absolutely amazing you both should feel extremely proud of what you have written...please update soon

[pipercharmedphreak]

I think Phoebe_Halliwell has summed it up for me!

[Primrose_Empath]

And this is one of those rare times where I find myself absolutely speechless, so I hope that this will suffice: *big hug* ;D

---

--PRUE--

"No!" I cried, trying to stop her, but the young woman was long gone.

--ANDY--

Phoebe was still screaming and crying, totally freaked out. Cole tried to calm her, but he wasn't having a whole lot of luck and I’m sure that Victor and Leo weren't in much better shape after having seen this girl who reminded them so much of Piper. With my arm still around Prue since I knew she had to be freaking on the inside, I walked over to Phoebe and put my other arm around her, quietly using my whitelighter powers to calm her. Phoebe put her head on my shoulder and very simply wept her heart out, which I noticed almost got Prue going, too, but she managed to keep it inside.

--LEO--

Pastor Williams gave us all a sad smile. "I'm sorry, but we really have to get started."

I nodded and Pastor Williams took the cross from its holder and took his spot at the head of the procession, soon joined by the two ministers holding the candles. The six pallbearers surrounded the coffin on its cart and pushed it so that it was behind Pastor Williams. As Piper's father and husband, Victor and I stood directly behind the coffin. Cole and Andy let Phoebe and Prue go so the two sisters could walk behind their father and me and so they could join Darryl walking behind the sisters.

--PHOEBE--

But I let out a sorrowful moan of, "No, please, no. I don't know if I can do this. And just me and Prue together? No, I can't. How can she hold me up if I can't hold her up?"

--COLE--

I did some quick thinking and spoke. "Manny, you're their cousin and you sure look like a Halliwell, much more than I do. Why don't you walk with the sisters and Darryl and I will follow behind you."

"Oh, yes," agreed Prue and Phoebe simultaneously, so Andy put one of his arms around Prue and the other around Phoebe and in this "mini-comfort-sandwich", they went over to stand behind Victor and Leo, with Darryl and I standing behind them.

--LEO--

"Ready?" Pastor Williams asked. None of us really was, but we knew we had to do this, so we all nodded. One of the ministers opened the door and the organist, seeing this, began to play the opening hymn as the procession began.

---

More to follow...and keep those tissues close.

[Holly Rose]

You should be extremely proud at what you've written so far.Fantastic

[Primrose_Empath]

Awww. Thanks Holly Rose! *hug*

And here's an update to start off your week -- happy reading!

---

--PHOEBE--

The main aisle of the church seemed to be never-ending as the procession slowly made its way to the front. Every seat in the church was filled, save for those reserved for us. But this was not noticed by any of us in the procession, as our attention and minds were focused elsewhere. I’m pretty sure Leo's eyes were solely on the coffin containing his soulmate, mine were looking down at the floor, I noticed Prue's focused up on the ceiling and Andy's flicking between the two of us.

After a few minutes, but what felt like an eternity to those of us involved, the procession came to a halt at the front of the church. The pallbearers filtered off to their seats on the right side of the aisle, as Daddy, Leo, Prue, Andy, Cole, Darryl and I took our places on the left to await the start of the ceremony.

Comfortably nestled between Andy and Cole, I allowed my mind to drift off, only half-hearing the words being spoken by Pastor Williams.

[Start Flashback (Episode 1.05 Dream Sorcerer)]

Phoebe: Okay. You want to go first?

Piper: No. You go first.

Phoebe: Okay.

(Phoebe snatches a piece of paper from Piper.)

Piper: Hey. That’s not fair.

Phoebe: You want a man who is single, smart, endowed?

Piper: Employed.

Phoebe: Oh, sorry, employed. A man who loves sleeping in on Sunday, sunset bike rides (laughs), cuddling by a roaring fire (laughs) and late-night talks. A man who loves love as much as you do (laughs). Wow. You’re a romantic.

Piper: Yep. Your turn. You want the sexy, silent type that finds you driving through town on the back of a Harley at 3:00 in the morning. A man who appreciates scented candles, body oils and Italian sheets (laughs).

Phoebe: He’s about hunger and lust and danger and even though you know all this, even though you know he’ll never meet your friends or share a holiday meal with your family, you still can’t stay away. And he recycles.

Piper: He recycles?

Phoebe: Yeah. And I think it goes without saying we both want a man who is well...employed.

Piper: You’re seriously twisted. This is the spell we have to say?

[End Flashback]

I sadly sighed as a tear ran down my cheek. It's funny how close we ended up with guys who came very close to being our dream guys without ever casting that spell. Except they were even better for us than the ones we dreamed about. I just wish you could've spent more time with your dream guy.

--PRUE--

On Andy's other side, I was doing the same as I gazed around at anywhere but the front.

[Start Flashback (Episode 2.10 Heartbreak City)]

Prue: Yeah, I'm serious. I mean, you know, think about it. I mean, we did great today and now tonight it's like we're just...

Piper: Finding a balance in our lives?

Prue: Exactly.

Piper: I do feel pretty good.

Prue: Yeah, I think we're gonna be okay.

Piper: Except there's still our little secret.

Prue: Oh, Piper, everybody has little secrets including Jack and Dan.

Piper: Yeah, unless they're transvestite Nazi war criminals with great face lifts, then I think we've got them beat.

Prue: Okay, so we're never gonna have normal lives.

Piper: Not ever.

Prue: That doesn't mean we can't try sometimes.

Piper: With someone like Dan perhaps?

Prue: With whoever, sweet girl. I just want you loved.

Piper: Thanks.

Prue: You're welcome.

[End Flashback]

My eyes started to fill with tears, but I blinked them back and swallowed in an effort to keep my emotions under control. Loved, you were. And loved, you always will be. I'll never forget you my sweet girl--none of us will.

A slight sniffle drew me out of my memories as I looked over to my left at Leo and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

He was not taking this well, and the service had barely even started. His eyes were glazed over with tears and he was staring straight down at his shoes--obviously lost in memories as well.

--LEO--

[Start Flashback (Episode 3.15 Just Harried)]

Grams: We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one. Do you, Leo Wyatt, and Piper Halliwell, join us here of your own free will to acknowledge the eternal bond shared by both of you?

Leo: I do.

Piper: I do.

Grams: You may face each other, join hands. (They do so.) Uh, Leo, you may recite your vows.

Leo: Piper, through all the tears and struggles, I always knew in my heart that we'd make it here. I promise to love and respect you from this point forward as your husband, as my wife, my lover, my friend, and my soulmate. All I am is yours.

Grams: Piper...

Piper: Leo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was afraid that you were too good to be true, that maybe I didn't deserve someone so pure and beautiful and loving as you are. But here we are surrounded by the people that I love the most and I feel so proud, and so blessed to be your wife. Leo, I was born to love you and I always will.

Grams: Here before witnesses, Leo and Piper have sworn their vows towards each other. With this cord, I bind them to those vows.

(A rope is loosely tied around their hands.)

Piper, Leo: Heart to thee, body to thee, always and forever, so mote it be.

Grams: So mote it be.

All: So mote it be.

[End Flashback]

I sighed as a few tears escaped and rolled down my cheeks. Again I looked down at my ring and thought of the one that was still on Piper's finger. We're still one soul, sweetheart; we always will be. And if I could figure a way where you could live rather than me, I'd do it in a second. But for you, I'm going to just keep doing my job, doing what I know you would've done if you were still here--following our destinies while trying to have as normal of a life as we possibly could.

---

Hope you had those tissues close (and keep them close for the next couple of days)--'cause we don't want you to short out your keyboards!

[pipercharmedphreak]

primroseempath said:

Hope you had those tissues close (and keep them close for the next couple of days)--'cause we don't want you to short out your keyboards!

[/b][/quote]

Too late.

[woogyinthehouse]

oh my what i lovely update!! I cried but that didnt matter!!

Well done, more

[~.:Alysha:.~]

That was absolutely beautiful...i feel as though i am there!! And tears are running down my cheeks as well , we need more lol!!

[Holly Rose]

We are a very demanding bunch LOL

[Primrose_Empath]

;D You guys are a demanding bunch, but I love you for it. Just knowing that people enjoy what you're writing really helps writers going!

Got those tissues handy?

And away we go....

---

--PRUE--

Before I knew it, Pastor Williams had concluded his remarks and was calling me up to do the first reading of the ceremony. I took my place at the podium and drew in a stabilizing breath. All right, Piper. Time to make you proud of me. This isn't gonna be easy--but I'll get through it--for you.

"Before I start, I'd like to say something here. First, thank you so very much to all of you for coming here today to show your support for us and your love for Piper. We truly appreciate it.

Then, as many of you know, after our grandmother died a couple years ago, although I was the one who watched over my two younger sisters, Piper was the one who did all of the "motherly" chores that kept our household going. When Pastor Williams offered this reading as one of the ones that we could use, I knew that it fit Piper without fitting her, so I asked the pastor if it was all right if I modified this reading just a bit to fit our sister and he agreed. Thank you, Pastor, for allowing me to do so. This is for you, Piper." Here goes nothing.

"A modified reading from the Book of Proverbs:"

A perfect wife and sister, who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls.

Her husband's heart has confidence in her
From her he will derive no little profit

Advantage and not hurt she brings him
All the days of her life.

--LEO--

Hearing those words brought fresh tears to my eyes. That you did, sweetheart. That you did.

--PRUE--

I took a deep breath as I continued:

She gets up while it is still dark,
Giving her household their food.

She finds her labor well worthwhile--
Her lamp does not go out at night.

She holds out her hands to the poor.
She opens her arms to the needy.

--PHOEBE--

I could see that the words were getting harder for Prue to read--she was so describing our lost sister. C'mon, Prue, you can do it! I know you can!

I’m sure that Andy's heart was also going out to Prue and he was also sending as many good vibes her way as he possibly could to help her out. Daddy and Leo couldn't do anything but weep. And Cole just sat and held my hand, knowing my turn was next.

--PRUE--

I took another deep breath and kept going:

Her husband is respected at the city gates,
Taking his seat among the elders of the land.

Those words made us all give a strange smile--yeah, when Leo went Up There, he did take his seat among the Elders, and someday he might actually even become one of those Elders, although all of us hoped that wouldn't be any time soon.

She is clothed in strength and dignity--
She can laugh at the days to come.

When she opens her mouth she does so wisely,
On her tongue is kindly instructions.

She keeps a close watch on the conduct of her household--
No bread of idleness for her.

Her sisters stand up and proclaim her blessed;
Her husband, too, sings her praises.

Many women have done admirable things...

Choking back a sob in an attempt to keep my emotions in check, I turned to look directly at the casket as I very slowly and very firmly proclaimed:

But you surpass them all!

--PHOEBE--

I wanted to stand up and cheer, "Oh, yes, Piper! Oh, yes! That you did! That you did!" But Cole kept his arm very firmly on my shoulders, keeping me in my seat and quiet.

--PRUE--

Charm is deceitful and beauty empty--
The woman who is wise is the one to praise.

--LEO--

Again I sadly smiled. But you were all those things, my darling--charming, beautiful and wise. There will never be another like you.

--PRUE--

Give her a share in what her hands have worked for
And let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

This is the word of the Lord. We love you, Piper!"

That was for you, sweetie.

It wasn't until I had returned to my seat with Andy's arm draped comfortingly around my shoulders that I finally lost the internal battle to hold back my emotions as the tears streamed down my face and I made no efforts to stop them.

---

To Be Continued...

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Oh my that was extremel touching!! That summed up Piper in a heartbeat! Great work

[pipercharmedphreak]

This fan fic has been so wonderfully written! I love it! And yes, what a great way to sum Piper up. Keep 'em coming!

[Primrose_Empath]

Aww thanks! You guys really know how to boost our egos, don't ya? *great big hug*

If that last part tugged at your heartstrings, well...let's just say that you'll need to keep those tissues close by for the next couple of days!

---

--PHOEBE--

As my big sister moved past me, I patted her on the back, whispering, "Good job, Prue--hope I can do as well." The others also complimented her as Pastor Williams next introduced me.

I stood up, blinking back my tears. Prue did a magnificent job. If she did, I can. What did she say? Make Piper proud of me. Yeah, that's what I have to do.

Walking up to the podium, I looked out at the audience. "Oh, this is hard," and everyone smiled encouragingly at me. Taking a deep breath, I began, "I also asked the pastor if I could tweak my reading a bit. Originally it told what Love Is, but I think it says what Piper Was and he agreed to let me tweak it. Piper, this is for you, too.

A tweaked reading from 1 Corinthians.

If I speak in the tongues of people and of angels, but have not love, I am only of people and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I took a deep breath. This was the hard part, actually saying my sister's name and following it with the word "was", because Piper no longer was. But for her, I continued, "If I have love, then I'll be like Piper was."

Piper was patient, Piper was kind. Piper did not envy, she did not boast, she was not proud. She was not rude, she was not self-seeking, she was not easily angered, she kept no record of wrongs. She did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth. She always protected, always trusted, always hoped, always persevered."

--LEO--

Tears were dripping from my eyes. Yeah, you girls were right. That describes Piper to a T. It's why I fell in love with her.

--PRUE--

Next to him, I looked up from my tears and gave my baby sister a proud, yet sad smile. You're doing great baby girl -- almost there. I know you can do it; I bet Piper knows too.

--PHOEBE--

I took a deep breath. I was past the hard part, and I could almost feel my big sister helping me do it--both of my big sisters. Letting the deep breath out, I continued:

"Like Piper, love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a woman, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We'll always love you, Piper!"

And suddenly forgetting all about trying to be dignified, I ran back to the pew, squeezed past until I was again sitting between Andy and Cole, threw my arms around Cole, put my head on his shoulders and very simply bawled.

---

Hope you haven't fried your keyboards yet!

[*Sammi!*]

that was beautiful. Plainly and simply beautiful!

[Jamie]

just read the whole thing sounds great cant wait hear the next part

[~.:Alysha:.~]

that was so amazing!! Well done! Its absolutely wonderful and full of emotion!

[Holly Rose]

I'm a sucker for a cry fest-and that was one!! You should have a whole site just dedicated to your stuff.
Brilliant,but then you know that

[pipercharmedphreak]

I'm sounding like a broken record, but I guess that's alright. Wonderfully written!

[Primrose_Empath]

And now it's my turn to start sounding like a broken record!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You guys very simply rock. *great big hug* ;D

Es and I had each other in tears while writing a great portion of Chapter / Part 4. And now it looks like we've got you tearing up too. *smiles*

Today's and tomorrow's updates (it's a two-parter) will not be done from any of the main characters' points of view, but rather from that of a secondary / supporting character. I think you'll understand why when you read.

Tissues handy? And here we go....

---

--PASTOR WILLIAMS--

I smiled at the sobbing family, then spoke. "Please stand for the reading from the Gospels." Once everyone was standing, I continued, "A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroys, and thieves break in and steal. But store treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Please be seated."

Once more I waited until everyone was seated and there was silence in the church. Then I spoke. "On March 7, 1973 , Piper Melinda Halliwell was born into this Earth. On May 17, 2001, Piper Halliwell-Wyatt left it, much sooner than any of us would've imagined. So a journey that began 28 years ago has come full circle. What is the measure of a person's life? 28 years? 5 years? 50 years? It isn't the length of years that you and I will walk this earth that is the measure of our greatness, but what we do with the time that is entrusted to us. And oh, Piper did a lot with the 28 years that were entrusted to her. Did you listen to the words I just read from the Gospel, regarding the treasures? That's what Piper was doing during her 28 years, filling a treasure chest with the most important things in her life. And how did she do that? You go back to that first reading from the beautiful Book of Proverbs, and all the things that it talked about, especially with the way her big sister Prue modified it:

A wife and sister, she is far beyond the price of pearls.

She gets up while it is still dark, giving the household its food.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

"All those things, Piper certainly achieved and more. But that one beautiful line at the end:

Let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

"What are the good works of Piper? Well, you're looking at them. You! All of you who are here today: her husband, Leo; her father, Victor; her big sister Prue and and her little sister Phoebe; her co-workers from Quake, her employees at P3, all of her other relatives and friends, all the people whose lives she touched, You are the good works of this wonderful person.

"What we want to do, if we really want to honor someone who we love who is now gone is to take something of this person's life and put it into our own. And what things are those? Think of the second reading from Paul's letter to the Corinthians and the way her little sister Phoebe modified it:

Piper was patient, Piper was kind. Piper did not envy, she did not boast, she was not proud. She was not rude, she was not self-seeking, she was not easily angered, she kept no record of wrongs. She did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth. She always protected, always trusted, always hoped, always persevered.

If in her honor, we try to be all of those things, then Piper has indeed filled her treasure chest to overflowing while she was here on Earth.

"We are here today because death has taken someone away from us, someone who we love so very much. And death hurts. Piper's not in pain--we are. We have emotions and feelings. We cry; we get angry; we go silent; we wonder; we laugh when we don't know what else to do. We go through all of those realms of emotions and feelings because we can not come up here and put our arms around her and hug her and do all those things with her that we have done these 28 years.

"And that hurts. Don't let anybody tell you how you should be feeling. Those are your feelings and we each will have them in different ways and in different times. You'll look at some of those beautiful pictures out in the foyer and go back in your memory banks and say, 'Oh, look, we did this,' or 'Oh, look, she did that,' and it will bring a laugh and a smile to you. And the next day you're going to look at those same pictures and it's going to tear you apart. And other times there will seem such an emptiness there.

"Let it be there. That's who you are, a human being. And yet, every time you do that, do you know what will happen? You will allow the soul and the spirit of Piper to touch you, and to live through you.

---

To Be Continued...

[*Sammi!*]

awww

Thanks for the update girls!