Post by StoryGirl83 on Aug 28, 2008 19:09:45 GMT -5
Chapter Five – Making an Appearance
and customers
and customers
Chris had orbed them to the back of the restaurant, a fact that seemed to annoy Piper. “Explain again, why we orbed to the back parking lot?”
Chris hid his grin. “No security cameras and no people.”
“Do you want me to take some of them down for you?” Piper asked sarcastically.
Chris grinned. “Na.”
“Good.” She wouldn’t have anyway. “Let’s get this over with then.”
Chris chuckled. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Piper stopped and turned to look at her son. “Why should you be? Prue is here and alive. And Melinda. I met her only for a moment before, but she’s my daughter, Chris, your sister in a way. I want to keep her. I want to keep all of them. Trust me, this party in no way compares. I want to go in there, make an appearance, and get out. I’m only here because you insisted, you and Prue.” Piper stopped talking at people walked by.
A couple stopped in front of them. The man smiled as he greeted Piper. “Mrs. Halliwell, thank you for having us.” He turned to Leo without waiting for a response. “Mr. Wyatt, how are you?”
Leo smiled back. “Just fine, thank you.”
“Twenty years is a long time,” the woman commented. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Piper replied politely.
The man and woman walked into the restaurant.
Piper looked at her husband and younger son. “Do either of you know who they were?” When both Leo and Chris shook their heads, Piper walked toward the doors and inside.
Inside The Manor Drinka Deguilio, Piper’s main hostess, was signing people in. The dark haired gypsy looked up as the doors opened. Seeing Piper, Leo, and Chris she smiled. “’Bout time you got here. Your sister called to say she was running late.”
“Which sister?” Piper asked, though she had a guess.
“Paige,” Drinka informed her with a slight shrug. “I haven’t heard from Phoebe, but didn’t you say she was on vacation or something.”
“Right,” Piper agreed. “I’m afraid we won’t be staying long. A family emergency.”
Drinka scowled. She had heard that phrase only rarely until recently, but she knew what it meant. “You’re kidding. Tonight? You’d think they would afford you . . .”
“No, Drinka,” Piper interrupted, “a real family emergency.” No demon attacks, no unrelated innocents, this was purely a family emergency.
“Then, why are you here?” Drinka wanted to know.
Piper rolled her eyes, “Said family insisted, but I’m not staying long.”
Drinka nodded. “In that case, best get started. I’ll go introduce you, you thank everyone attending, and then you can get out as soon as you can get away from people. Work for you?”
“It will probably still take longer than I want,” Piper admitted, “but it will have to do. Thanks, Drinka.”
Drinka stepped away from, the podium and headed into the main room.