Mom and Grams were gone and Dad, Darryl and Cole had gone home twenty minutes ago. Well, Dad and Darryl had gone home, Cole had gone off to where ever it was that he spent his time when not with Phoebe, Piper wasn't quite sure where that was. She wasn't sure Phoebe even knew.
Everyone had changed into more comfortable clothes. Piper, who had been stuck in her wedding dress for most of the day, was especially relieved.
"I can't believe you aren't telling us where you're going on your honeymoon," Phoebe complained, perching on the arm of the couch.
"Hey," Piper protested, "I would if I could. But Leo won't even tell me where we're going."
"I want it to be a surprise," Leo said, kissing his new wife on the cheek. They were snuggled together on the couch, so close that they only took up the space of one person.
"You're back Monday, though, right?" Prue asked, collapsed in a chair. The day had been long and hard for her, too.
"Right," confirmed Leo.
"And you're not going to orb up there," Phoebe pointed heavenwards, "and not come back for another month, again, are you?"
"No," Leo promised.
"Good," Phoebe said. "So are you two going now?"
"Wait," Prue cried. "You haven't opened your wedding presents." Her eyes were twinkling.
Leo looked confused. "Who gave us wedding presents."
Piper sighed, shaking her head. She got up and got the newspaper-wrapped box. "Guess," she said bluntly.
"C'mon," Prue said. "I wanna see what Cole got you."
"Cole got us a gift?" Leo asked.
"Hey," Phoebe said, defending her boyfriend, "it's the thought that counts, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Piper said doubtfully, eyeing the present.
"Well?" Prue asked. "What're you waiting for? Open it." She leaned forward in her chair in anticipation.
Piper started to unwrap the present - or at least she tried. "Phoebe, you've got to teach Cole how to wrap presents," she said, trying to work her way through the multitude of tape. "What kinda tape did he use?" she cried out in frustration.
"You know," Prue whispered conspiratorially to Phoebe, "I think this is the first time I've ever seen Piper open a gift without trying to preserve the wrapping paper."
Piper, having heard the comment, said, "Well, it's not like it's pretty. It's newspaper!"
"Want me to go get a knife or some scissors?" Phoebe volunteered. She was slightly pink, probably a bit embarrassed by her boyfriend's attempt at a gift for her sister.
"No, it's okay," Piper said. "I've got it." Leo was helping her now and they finally had gotten all the newspaper torn off the box.
"So?" Prue asked. "What is it."
Piper opened the box and carefully pulled out - a strainer. Everyone stared at it.
"He gave us a strainer," Piper said blandly. "Why would he give us a strainer?" She, Leo and Prue looked at Phoebe.
"Don't ask me?" Phoebe said defensively. "I just go out with him, I don't know how his mind works."
"There's a note," Leo realized. He pulled out the piece of paper and started to read.
Piper and Leo,
Congratulations
The lady at the department store said it's customary to get kitchenware for a newlywed couple, and I knew Piper was a cook, so here you go.
Cole
Leo looked up again. "It's the thought that counts," Phoebe maintained.
"Um, yeah." Piper was at a loss as to what to say.
"Come on," Leo said to her. "We should get going."
Piper stood up and Leo went over to get their suitcases. "We'll see Monday," she said.
"Bye!" Prue and Phoebe chimed together.
As Leo orbed them off to where ever they were going for their honeymoon, Piper heard Prue console Phoebe. "Don't worry," she said. "Piper and I will help him pick out your birthday present."
The End
Sunday, February 25, 2001