Faithfully Yours Part 8: I'm always true to you darling in my fashion..   Chapter 63 "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."   Oscar Wilde

Cole and Phoebe returned to the manor with two tired and therefore grumpy boys to find Melinda in the garden explaining to Auntie Paige about bees.

"That all looks very normal" Phoebe said as she watched happily leaning against Cole as he had her arm around her.

"Nearly "said Paige "chocolate needs to stay off the menu for a while. I caught her in the cupboards before. She told me she was a good girl who gave Unca Glock her chocolate so she needed more. We had a temper tantrum when I told her she could have strawberry tarts.'

"Bloody spites" said Phoebe "destroying the joys of chocolate for her" She snuggled close against Cole who pulled her close against him.

"Bloody spites" Paige agreed "Although some of us don't seem to be having consequences. You'd forgive her anything" Paige told Cole not a little enviously.

Cole took a deep breath as if he was about to retort.

"Where's Mark?" Phoebe asked before he could say anything.

"Looking after charges who are feeling the after affect of war. Tisha" Paige said her voice tight. "He looks bad. I think the Powers that Be are giving him a rough time.

"For being right about Burvjara?" Phoebe asked. Phoebe went over and put an arm around her "You can't blame Tisha for feeling like hell after living through Serbia. For wanting Mark to …guide her."

"You still blaming Cole for Margaret getting the hots?" asked Paige sweetly.

"We worked that out" said Phoebe smiling up at Cole.

"We did?" asked Cole.

Phoebe stuck her tongue out at him. "We need to get kids bathed and fed" she said firmly ignoring the question. She looked around her. "Where are Leo and Piper?" she asked

"Off having private time" Paige said "That's why I'm baby sitting."

"Is private time going to solve everything anything there?" Cole asked dumbly then sucked his breath as Paige gave Phoebe a 'men are so stupid look.' "You over the porn?" he asked Paige by way of changing the subject.  And realised he had made a mistake as Phoebe ground her teeth and Paige stalked off.

"Look after your kids" Paige told Phoebe and Cole over her shoulder.

"God you can be stupid" Phoebe told Cole.

Cole and Phoebe busied themselves feeding and bathing kids. After a meal where all three over tired children were less than cooperative Paige and Phoebe finally got the boys to bed while Cole read to Melinda. Melinda seemed to be back to Unca Cole is the best. Then he had to push down a bitter stab of jealousy when she asked him to promise not to go away "Least I have one Unca" she told him when he said yes.

After making sure Cole was busy with Melinda, Phoebe carefully put some more of Elisabeth's ointment on Patsy's gums. It clearly made him easier but Patsy still spat and whimpered.

"Bright side" she told Paige "he hates the demonic part of it."

"Well hate it or not we really need to find out what the real fix is" Paige told Phoebe "You can't believe how bad he was screaming and he still isn't completely right and" she pointed at the bump that was Pookie, "Chances are the next one will have the same problem."

"She's a witch" said Phoebe in denial.

"You really think she won't have any demonic connections?" asked Paige incredulously.

Phoebe shook her head "No" she said not sounding positive, "You think I'm a terrible mother for not being here when Patsy was suffering?" she asked Paige.

"No, he had a father with him"' said Paige brutally "If you want to know what I think. I think it’s a damned good thing his father learned what you've been going though when he's been off playing chief justice to the magic world."

Phoebe bit her lip "Cole's calmed down" she said "well he's still pissed with Therold but… you think maybe I should tell him now we calmed down about mamma… Elisabeth.'

Paige just crossed her arms and stared at her incredulously.

"I hate having secrets from him" Phoebe said.

"You like having a husband?" Paige asked then she jumped as Cole appeared at the door.

He frowned a little but was either choosing not to hear or was more concerned with his own problems. Phoebe silently prayed it was the latter. "Melinda wanted to know if some-one was reading Unca Glock bed time stories" he said.  "I told her he was reading stories about to spiders to Burvjarian kids."

"Which just may be true.'' Phoebe said but glanced nervously at Paige who shrugged uncomfortably which Cole clearly saw.

"I'm going downstairs to work on a report for the archbishop" Paige said quickly. "I've got consequences from the bloody spites. Consequences" she repeated firmly to Phoebe.

Cole narrowed his eyes. "That stuff Marly made helped" he said as he went over to touch Patsy gently

"Lucky for Marley" Phoebe said brightly, too brightly.

Cole stroked his sleepy son while Phoebe watched anxiously. He finally turned back to her noting her expression. "I would do anything not to have … so that didn’t happen again, the teething" Cole told her. "It was hell, hearing my boy, my son. It was hell" he said. "He isn’t happy but at least he isn't…. screaming in agony."

“Anything" said Phoebe even more brightly.

"Anything" Cole said firmly as he moved to Wyatt who was happily asleep.

"Good" Phoebe said.

"Why?" he asked suspiciously.

"Good that you love him so much" Phoebe said making a determined point to look into his face. "Like you love me. It's good you love me like I love you."

Cole narrowed his eyes.

"I'm having a long hot bath" Phoebe said.

"Want me to join you?" Cole asked hopefully and to Phoebe's relief distracted.

"No I want you to get me supper" Phoebe answered smarmily. "I'm high maintenance" she grinned "I want a long soak in the bath so I can be mellow and calm and concentrate.

Cole raised his eyes and extracted a kiss before he let her go.

Cole busied himself with supper which meant sorting through the freezer to find the easiest things Piper had made to microwave. "Phoebe likes being difficult" he explained to Paige who rolled her eyes.

"No kidding" said Paige who was sitting at the kitchen table typing a few word then staring at the screen. She just raised her eyes and looked back at the screen. "So everything is okay with you?" Paige finally asked him "You two back to legendary lovers, the great romance?'

"Honest" Cole told her contemplating frozen lasagne and Nasi Goreng "Which?" he asked Paige holding them up.

"It matters what I want?" Paige asked sweetly. "It's not all about Phoebe, about the great romance."

"Which?" Cole asked annoyed

"Nasi Goreng" said Paige.

"It matters what you want" he told Paige after putting lasagne away. "And thank you for asking but it is not all right with Phoebe. We just got past round one okay."

"Paige laughed. And typed a little more then stopped. "How in the hell am I going to explain the porn to the archbishop?" she asked Cole.

"Want to try the truth?" Cole asked "That you don't find the love of your life that good looking so you were fantasising about men who are."

Paige looked at Cole like she was about to burst into tears.

Cole said straight faced said "Research".

"I always use that excuse" Paige answered with a sniff "And Alex won't believe it. He thinks I'm using porn because I'm grieving for Mark" she added. "He's a psychologist" she explained.

"Then lie" said Cole fiddling with the microwave.

"What the hell sort of lawyer are you?'' snarled Paige.

"Well little sister "he said " one who knows there is a lot of your sister in you and Piper too".

Paige looked at him inquiring.

"Not able to believe you've got what you've got. Which in terms of the romance part is pretty well everything. All three of you " he added "and you're all so damned scared of it you go looking…"

Paige's lip began to tremble.

"Lie about the porn Paige. Just don't lie to yourself about why you were looking." Cole told her

"Alex won't believe that lie" Paige sighed. "And I think, I know he… lost respect for me."

"Will he rat you out?"  Cole asked.

Paige shook her head.

"You may have to wear that one little sister" he said "Consequences."

She looked at him swallowing hard. Then she jumped as the phone rang. Both Paige and Cole stared at it. Paige sat still

"It's been ringing all day for you" she said.

Cole sent her a glare which she ignored so Cole finally answered "Yeah" he said grumpily. "Its for me  Correja" he mouthed to Paige who put her head on he side and smirked then listened with interest as Cole kept murmuring yeah yeah yeah and its late into the phone.

Phoebe in a towelling robe her hair still wet appeared at the hallway door and watched him concerned.

"It’s the publisher wanting another urgent meeting because he's libelled someone" Paige told Phoebe who pulled a face.

"Yeah "Cole said "yeah yeah yeah. Tonight" he said and Phoebe sniffed. "You shouldn’t have outed the guy" Cole told him "yeah, yeah, yeah. "Then he frowned "The 'there's nothing wrong with being gay' isn't a defence when you outed him with malicious intent" he said. He glanced at his watch as Paige listened with amusement and Phoebe with concern.

"Now" said Cole. "Where?" he glanced at the food on the table and frowned. "You know what" he said into the phone. "Guys going to be just as pissed tomorrow" He took  harsh breath "Yeah I know you pay me "he said "But I guess it comes down to whether you need me more than I need the money."

He glanced at Paige who was silently applauding him and Phoebe who shook her head.

"Go "she said "we need the money"

Cole raised his eyes and nodded and Phoebe tried to bit back her disappointment.

"Yeah well even if he is more pissed I'd be pissed if you outed all my private life all over the paper, even if you aren't lying." Cole said into "Come into the office in the morning if you need me as a lawyer, otherwise find someone else he'll come running at all hours. Okay. I'll be there". He ended the call.

"You're really going to really hate you did that when the tax bill comes in" Phoebe said, her face showing her pleasure. "You should go."

"He'll be at the door of the office tomorrow" Cole shrugged "and if he's not…

"You thought you had to rush off before" Phoebe pointed out, clearly relieved he was staying. "Burvjara didn't get rid of the tax bills. Look Cole I know I bitched before Burvjara about you not being around, but I do understand. We're not courting anymore we're married."

"God you're contrary" he told her severely, then smiled the one he saved for her "Don't ever change" he said.

Paige rested her hand on her chin watching curiously.

Cole answered carefully "Before I kept forgetting I've got no problem with personal gain. Taxman comes after me I'll go after him" he said.

He reached for Phoebe and she pulled back "What changed Cole?" she asked suspiciously

"Burvjara" he answered quickly.

"You're not lying" she said "but it isn't the whole truth."

"Burvjara covers a lot of sins" he said quietly.

Phoebe glanced at Paige guiltily. Paige sucked her lip.

"Try telling Piper you wrecked the conservatory because of Burvjara" said Paige.

"I'll fix it'' Cole said not missing the guilty look.

"Well you'll pay for it" said Paige. "Seeing magic seems to make it worse. Maybe you better go chasing after that client after all."

"Maybe we should leave it to remind me how much you really love me" Phoebe said.

Paige and Cole looked at her

"Maybe not" she said. "I hear a kid "she said. "I'll just check.

Paige shook her head at Cole "It's about time you realised leaving her alone is asking for trouble, demon magnet" she said "every trouble magnet."

"I was told" he answered "told good but I had already figured that out."

"Good" said Paige.

Cole and Phoebe went to bed fairly early. They made love finding the moment and joining and sharing and in the safety of the dark and aftermath Cole with Phoebe lying against him her hair smelling sweet, feeling soft held her close.

“I still can’t believe I was jealous of a damned … Geztalt" he said bitterly.

"Why didn’t you know he was a demon?" she said just stopping short of accusing.

"Glass between him and me the only time I saw him." Cole explained embarrassed.

"So you're not perfect?" Phoebe asked cuddling close.

"No" he agreed "You know I wouldn’t screw around with Margaret?" he asked.

"I know you wouldn't screw a round with anyone, but it still pisses me off when they look" she answered.

“I like it when they look at you" he said "they can't have you."

"You better make sure" she said.

“I will "he promised.

"And" she said "talking of things. Therold still thinks I’m'' she said "You know,"

"His goddamned goddess. I know" Cole said bitterly. "Pisses me off"

"He sort of worships me Cole" she said "I mean he isn’t interested in me that way."

''That’s only because he doesn't know how to be interested that way" Cole muttered.

"So you're going to apologise to him" Phoebe whispered.

"Hell will freeze over "said Cole nastily

"You destroyed his house" she accused.

"He stole my wife'" Cole growled.

"Kay" she said.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for saving me "she said "in Burvjara. I thought I was gone."

"You think I would let that happen." He answered gently stroking her handr.

"I thought you were pissed at me" she said

“I was" he agreed "But I wouldn’t not save you."

"'Kay" she said “Thanks for the clothes.  I’d have frozen to death getting out” she said. “Did you freeze?"

“Don’t think I’ll ever be warm again” he said “I froze so cold in the place.’

“I’ll get you warm baby” Phoebe said reaching for him.

He pulled her closer “Kay” he said "I was worried sick about you walking out in the conditions, worried about Pookie. Scared you wouldn’t make it. Knew I had to stay. Worried sick”

"I'd have been mad if you tried to get me out" Phoebe told him "Whitelighter carried me out. I felt guilty as hell" she said "when the others were walking.”

“Shouldn’t have let a pregnant woman go” he said bitterly. "Looks like I owe that whitelighter" he added.

“I had togo  Cole“ she said “ I knew if I didn’t.. I mean premonition. Destinies a bitch.”

"I was worried“ he said. He was quiet for a few seconds. "Just so you know Cole continued carefully "I didn't go after Therold … the second time. I went to Burvjara instead because Glock reminded me what someone going after a … lover…Therold's a lover Phoebe" he said before she could protest "did to Burvjara." He took a deep a breath. "What we have …its better" he said "than making that happen here. In our green world. You don't deserve to be …responsible for that for loving me.

"kay" she said "Seeing Burvjara.. I mean ...I understand...I mean"

"Good "he said

"Bet Glock would have preferred it was Piper who saved them, who got them through." Phoebe said after a while.

"Pretty certain of it "Cole said grinning.

"Those witches think I'm a god damned heroine" she whispered.

"So does Therold "said Cole

She frowned. "I hate being a heroine" she said "I laughed at Glock. I was a real bitch to Glock when I had …a premonition about him being the messiah for his people"

“I know" said Cole “It pissed him off."

"Good" said Phoebe "He fell in love with my sister

“He didn't do anything about it" Cole pointed out.

"He still fell in love with her" Phoebe hissed.

"Yes" Cole agreed.

"I was being pretty damned good in Burvjara "Phoebe said sleepily.

"I'd have saved you if you weren't" Cole told her caressing her gently.

“You think maybe the naked pictures will be okay now” she asked.

“No” said Cole firmly “I don’t share.”

“Not even my fantasies” Phoebe murmured.

“I’ll dress up in a pirate suit if you fantasy that” he whispered.

“I fancy that” Phoebe muttered. She finally fell asleep lost in the knowledge that what she was safely in his arms.

They were both awakened with a start as they heard some crashing in the next bedroom.

"What the hell is that?" demanded Phoebe getting ready to run next door.

Cole put his arm out and stopped her. "Just Leo and Piper getting back" he said.

There was silence and then they could hear Piper telling Leo something her voice shrill.

"What are they saying?" Phoebe whispered "I can't hear."

“I try not to listen to things like that." Cole said sanctimoniously.

"Piper's my sister" Phoebe said struggling to get up. "It’s important to me to know.".

Cole listened then shuddered.

"What?" Phoebe said.

"Piper's pissed at Leo" Cole told her.

"Why?" Phoebe asked Cole stopped her getting up. "Things between them are hanging on a thread." she said pulling to get free. If Piper needs me."

"Hanging on a pair of knickers at the moment" Cole told her." Piper's mad because he remembered to bring the sofa rug back but not her underwear" he explained.

Phoebe stared at him.

Cole listened.

"They got interrupted post coital" he said wincing. "By some security guard."

'"Where the hell were they?” asked Phoebe.

"Some archaeology dig" Cole listened. "Santorini the earthquake zone".

"Leo took Piper to an archaeology dig to make love. She hates history. He can be so stupid." Phoebe whispered exasperated.

There was silence next door. Cole strained his ears.

"What's happening?" whispered Phoebe.

"Doesn’t seem to be to unhappy about it now" Cole said " seems quite enamoured.

"What "said Phoebe trying to pull away to get closer to listen.'

Cole winced.

"What?" said Phoebe.

"She’s saying she understood how the people who lived in Santorini felt when the earthquake hit" Cole said.

"What?" said Phoebe.

"The earth moved for her there too" Cole said shuddering.

"Oh Ick" said Phoebe. She looked at Cole "On the sofa rug” she said. "Ick."

There was silence next door.

"So" said Cole "Do you think everything’s okay between them now"

Phoebe shook her head. "As a relationship specialist…”

Cole raised his eyes.

"Well one good screw doesn’t fix relationship problems" she said. He looked at her doubtfully "Not a bad start though" she said.

.................................................................