2001
"Aaaaah!"
Phoebe screamed, throwing the picture of Prue against the wall with all her might. Why did she have to die?! It wasn't fair, it was so bloody unfair!
She picked up another photo and threw it, deriving at least some satisfaction from the sound of the glass in the frame smashing as it fell to the floor.
Why?! Why, just as things were starting to look up, did this have to happen?! She'd been happy, for the first time since forever she'd really been happy. Not just content, happy, dammit! But they just couldn't let it last, could they? As soon as things were going right, as soon as she'd found Cole, as soon as she'd gotten pregnant, they had to go and take her sister away from her! It was so - she threw another picture - unbelievably - and another - UNFAIR! She screamed again as she felt tears start to form in her eyes, and threw the last picture, the biggest one, the one grams had taken. She stood there as it hit the wall and the glass broke, trying not to cry. Then she started throwing the ornaments.
"Phoebe? What's the matter?" Cole stuck his head through the doorway.
"What do you think is the matter?!" She didn't look at him, instead throwing a porcelain cat.
"Phoebe..." He took a step towards her, then thought better of it and went to the crib on the other side of the room to pick up the baby. "How long has she been crying?" he asked, concerned.
"I don't know." She kicked the now empty table against the wall.
"Phoebe, stop this." He went over to her and reached out with his free hand to take her by the arm, gently trying to pull her away.
"I don't want to stop!" she said, kicking the table viciously. She tried to get out of his grip, but he held on. Still struggling, she turned to him, intending to make him let go with a look of defiance. But the look didn't last long. She saw him staring at her, saw the concern in his eyes, and dissolved into tears.
"I just," she sobbed, resting her head on his shoulder, "I just..."
"Shh..." He kissed her hair as she sniffed, looking at their baby daughter who rested on his arm.
After a few moments she took his hand and they sat down on the bed, Phoebe wiping the tears from her eyes. Finally she looked at him.
"I just don't want Pyralis to grow up in a world like this, and to be honest I'm not sure I want to live in one anymore. I mean, what kind of life do we lead? Always fighting, always waiting for the next demon to attack, never knowing if you're going to live to see tomorrow. And the worst thing is, it doesn't seem like we're helping any. No matter how many demons and warlocks and God knows what else we vanquish, there are always more. We're so outnumbered, Cole, and I can't help thinking that one day they're gonna win, just out of sheer numbers and perseverance." she looked away from him and sighed. "I know this doesn't sound like me at all, Piper's usually the one who talks like this. I guess losing Prue has made me realize that any one of us could be next, that everyone I love is either dead or in danger of dying. What kind of world is that to bring a child into? I lost my mother when I was only a year or two older than her. What if she has to grow up without a mother? What are we inflicting on her, Cole?"
"We're not inflicting anything on her. There are just certain things that are a part of our life, and that we can't change. And as long as we do our best, that'll be enough, and she'll understand that. Okay?"
She hesitated for a moment, watching as Pyralis grabbed her finger and gurgled happily. Then she looked up at Cole.
"Okay." she said quietly, smiling softly.
Cole smiled too. "Good." he said, putting an arm around her. "Everything's gonna be fine, you'll see."
He grinned as he watched his little family.
"Just fine" he whispered.
Author's note: Don't worry, everything (as in, how much I screwed
up the timeline so everything would fit) will be revealed, maybe before
the end and maybe not... :D So, how'd you like it so far? The next chapter
will be in the future and elaborate on the prologue. Actually I think I'll
just explain some things here to avoid confusion and to tell you what to
expect. There will be three types of chapter: One about Phoebe and Cole
and how things got to be the way they are in the next type of chapter,
set when Pyralis is fifteen when she and the rest of the family have their
final showdown with Phoebe and Cole. The third type will be Pyralis' thoughts,
written in the first person like the prologue. The types of chapter will
alternate. The chapters set in the past will eventually catch up with the
main story, so in the end you'll have the full picture. I hope I explained
that all right. If I didn't, well, I'm sure you'll understand when it's
done. Now... review, anyone? :D