Leo and Aria were standing in the kitchen. Aria was standing in the doorway that lead to the living room, just listening to her parents conversation. After they walked upstairs, she turned to her Uncle Leo. Tears were in her eyes. "Okay, I know this was a bad idea now. But, I just wanted to give them a break. I wanted to see what it would be like for them if I had never been born." She said.
"Aria.... why? They Love you. You heard them say you were their whole world!" Leo said.
"I know, but... I just think that I'm part of the reason they never got together ,or got married. Its clearly obvious that they Love each other." Aria said, wiping her eyes.
"They do, yes. But, its so complicated with magic and everything." Leo said.
"But you and Aunt Piper make it work. So, they can too. I know it." Aria said.
"We do, but its very hard sometimes. Maybe, in the future, they will find a way to work things out. But Aria, you can't rush that. And removing yourself from the situation doesn't make it any better." Leo said.
"But, they were able to bond because of me being gone." Aria said.
"Because they miss you so much, and all they can think or talk about is you!" Leo told her.
Aria smiled and wiped her eyes. Leo held out his hand and orbed her up the Elders. She had a space up there with a bed on a cloud. It was so surreal, but familiar to her.
"Why does this seem so familiar?" Aria asked, as she climbed into bed.
"You were orbed up here right after you were born, Addison too. You were christened up here." Leo said.
"Sweet!" Aria said. Leo chuckled at her comment.
"Alright, goodnight Aria. You know how to get a hold of me if you need me. See you in the morning." Leo hugged her.
"I Love you, Uncle Leo. And thank you!" Aria said.
"Your welcome sweets, I love you too." Leo said, he orbed out and Aria laid down to think about the events that had just occurred. She said her prayers and fell fast asleep.
Prue and Andy were laying in Prue's bed. Andy was wearing his boxers, and Prue was wearing red pajama pants with a matching camisole top. They were holding hands. Andy was stroking her hair with his free hand. "Thanks for staying with me." Prue smiled at him.
"Any time." Andy said.
"I just can't believe this. I mean, her birthday is in two weeks. I just feel horrible that she did this. I know its because of what I said!" Prue said.
"We've been over this, Prue. You can't keep blaming yourself. That's not the only reason she did it. I am sure Candace was a big issue for Aria, I know she hated that." Andy said.
"To tell you the truth, so did I." Prue said. They looked at each other and giggled. It was the first time in awhile since they had laughed.
"I know it was a mistake. For sure. I guess, loneliness was the culprit." Andy said.
"I know that feeling all too well." Prue said, looking at him.
"I'm just glad we are together right now." Andy said, smiling at her.
"Me too." Prue said, kissing his hand.
"I wonder what she is doing up there." ANdy said.
"Hmm.... hopefully sleeping. And being well taken care of. I'd say she is probably striking up some deals with the top guys up there. Especially if she is in trouble for casting that spell!" Prue said. They both laughed.
"Its funny that all we can do is talk about her. If only she could realize that. Its all about her for us." Andy said.
"Yes I know. I think that's a part of the reason she did it too, she felt guilty for that." Prue said.
"But she shouldn't. She's our daughter, that's how it is." Andy said.
"I know, but the sensitive side of her is having trouble understanding that. She cares so much about others. Our feelings and happiness are just as important to her- as hers are to us!" Prue said. Andy nodded. Prue was yawning.
"I'm exhausted." She said, cuddling up to Andy.
"Me too." Andy said, putting his arm around her.
"Oops, the light." Andy said. Prue raised her hand up and moved it in a downward motion. The light went out, but the nightlight in the corner came on.
"Thanks." Andy said. "Mmm hmm." Prue said. They were both fast asleep in a few minutes.
Piper and Leo were sitting up in bed, talking. "Addie is so sad that Aria is gone." Piper said.
"I know. And Aria is aware of that now. I let her come and see what was going on downstairs earlier. She was invisible to you guys, because thats part of the spell." Leo said.
"I hope she knows that I want to kick her butt when she gets back." Piper said.
"Honey... she is sorry for casting the spell. She understands that her Mom and Dad and all of us Love her. She just felt like she was in the way of their relationship and maybe if she went away for awhile... they'd have time for each other and would confess their feelings." Leo said.
"She's a nut for thinking that she was in the way of their relationship. Its because of her that they even have one!" Piper said.
"I know. But, she just needed space and wanted to give them space too. She's learned her lesson though." Leo said.
"Good. Send her my Love, but make sure you tell her that her butt is mine the second she gets back." Piper joked. Leo smiled and kissed her. "I Love you, babe." He said. "Love you too." Piper said. They laid down and turned out the lights.
When Aria awoke the next morning, she saw her Great GRandma Penny and her Grandma Patty standing over her. Aria smiled, "Hi." She said, nervously. Not sure if they were going to yell at her or not.
"Sweetheart... what were you thinking?" Penny asked, hands on her hips.
"I don't know Grams... just that I was in the way. My parents relationship is complicated, because of magic and whatever else, and I just thought a little vacation from me would be good." Aria said.
"Baby... they don't need time away from you." Penny said.
"But Grandma Patty... when are they ever going to confess their true feelings for each other if I'm in the picture all the time?" Aria asked.
"Honey, they will in time." GRandma Patty answered
"Lord knows those two belong together. They've been together their whole lives." Grams said.
"Exactly!" Aria said.
"But baby, removing yourself from the family is not going to make that happen any sooner. Remember.... a time for everything, and to everything its place?" Grams raised an eyebrow at Aria and smiled. Aria nodded and smiled.
"They Love you and would never want to be without you. You understand that now." Patty said. Aria nodded.
"I think you'll have to talk to the head Elder." Grams warned Aria. Aria looked nervous.
"Your not in trouble this time, but if you cast spells for personal gain- you can get in trouble. And suffer the consequences." Patty said.
"What happens this time?" Aria asked.
"Just a warning. But, you better watch yourself sweety. If your anything like your Mom or Aunt Phoebe were when they were young, you could get in trouble later on if your not careful! They only got in trouble in the mortal world... you also have the magical world to worry about." Grams said. Aria nodded.
"So, do we have your word? No more trouble... for awhile." GRams said. Aria giggled.
"Yes, you have my word." Aria said. They hugged her and kissed her cheeks.
"We Love you." They both said.
"I Love you too!" Aria smiled and waved at them as they orbed away.
A few minutes later, Leo orbed into Aria's room. "Your Grandma's warned you about the hearing?" Leo asked. Aria nodded.
"But I'm scared." Aria said.
"Not as scared as you will be when you see Aunt Piper at home. She sends you her Love, but she said to tell you that your butt is hers when you get home, she wants to kick it." Leo said. Aria giggled.
"She won't do that, she Loves me way too much!" Aria said.
"Well, you know Piper, she aways tries to sound threatening." Leo joked. They both laughed.
"Okay, let's go do this thing." Aria said. Leo lead her into the room where the COuncil of Elders were sitting at a table.
"Aria Lucille Halliwell." They said.
"You appear in front of us today because you cast a spell. To Erase Time. Was that for personal gain?" The Elder asked. Aria nodded her head yes.
"I see.. well, we saw you do it and we know why you did it. We just want you to be aware that there are consequences to everything. HOwever, since you are so young and new to the craft... we will let you go with just a warning this time. Just remember that you cannot toy with people's lives and cast spells for your own enjoyment." The Elders reminded her. Aria nodded. They let her go after she assured them that she would not do that again.
"How many more days left until I can go home... and be physically seen by everyone?" Aria asked Leo, as they walked around through the clouds. Everything was so blindingly white!
"Five." Leo answered. Aria sighed.
"But, you can come with me to check on everyone." Leo said.
"Alright, let's go." Aria said, grabbing his hand. They orbed down into the manor.
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Okay shell, thanks or reading! Glad you are liking it, will add more after school tomorrow. My first class of the fall semester is in the afternoon tomorrow!