Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"WHAT? You did what?"

The people in the room turned and stared at Willow. Buffy and Spike exchanged a look. Willow continued speaking for a few minutes.

"Wow....Thanks for calling. Nice to know you remember your friends!" Willow said, smiling. "OK. See you then....Congratulations!"

She hung up and faced the others. Her family. Spike, Angel, Dru, Nic, Luc, Ettiene, Buffy, and Simone were looking at her curiously.

"Everything good luv?"

Willow smiled. "Its great. That was Xander. He was calling from Vegas."

"What?"

She nodded. "Yep. He surprised Cordelia. They just got married. He told her he couldn't wait. He said she was thrilled."

"You mean, no pink dresses?" Buffy said, hope in her voice.

Willow nodded. "Xander said to burn the things."

"YES!" Buffy tried to do a little dance, but found herself unable to get her groove on. "Well, y'all know what I would do if I weren't a whale."

The others smiled at her grumbling.

Willow started to laugh. "Xander told me that they were married by Elvis. Can you believe that Cordelia Chase allowed herself to be married by an Elvis impersonator."

"Xander is a good influence on her." Buffy stopped and shivered. "Did I just say that Xander was a good influence? Oh Lord. The world must be ending."

"Anyway, let's get busy." Willow said, coming to the table and looking at the stacks of folders. They were working on Nic's files. The mayor's office was a mess. After the accension, there had been several people who had stepped in but no one had been officially appointed. Thus, it was a mess. Willow loved it. She was in her element.

* * * * *

"I just got an email from Oz."

"I should care why?" Spike asked sarcastically.

Willow smiled at his put out tone. "Well, he says he's not coming for Christmas."

Spike sat up, his expression pleased. "Really? Does he have rabies?"

"No, silly. He got a record deal. Its a small company, but they want them in the studio immediately. Isn't that great? I'm so happy for him."

"Thrilled."

"Spiiiike,"

"Pet, I'm happy if you're happy. Besides, now I don't have to see the mutt. Bad enough with the newlyweds constantly making out and having to be nice to the slayer..." he grumbled.

"You like Buffy. You don't have to admit it, I know. Now, I agree about Xan and Cor. Wish they'd get a room."

Spike pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "I don't know. Let them enjoy it. We get to have an eternal honeymoon. Their lucky if it lasts two months. They'll be at each others throats by then."

She ran her hand over his chest. "You're right. Oh, I'm late. Let me up. I have to pick Buffy up."

She got up and headed to the phone. She checked to make sure Buffy was ready. "OK. I'll see you and Angel at Nic's around dusk. Our meeting with Giles shouldn't take that long."

Spike felt a wave of deja vu rush over him. Startled, he frowned. "Red, have we done this before?"

Willow looked puzzled. "Noooo..Buff and I have hardly seen Giles lately. Don't worry. You'll get stressed. Now, see you soon lover. Give Angel one of these for me." She kissed him thoroughly. "Bye."

* * * * *

"You're leaving?" Buffy said quietly.

Giles nodded. "Its time. I have informed the council. I think I may do a little travelling before I get too old. See some of Europe. Nic has told me of some marvelous places."

Willow and Buffy just sat in silence. They couldn't believe it. Giles was leaving Sunnydale. He had resigned as Buffy's watcher.

"Don't tell me they will send another watcher..." Buffy said, close to tears. "I don't want you to go."

"Buffy, you no longer need me. The town is positively peaceful. Its not like I'm dieing. I'll be back to visit often. I'm just bored....I rarely see anyone anymore. Nic comes over often, but things have changed here. Its no longer like it used to be. I know its time to get on with my life. I'm only 45 you know."

Willow tried to smile. "Maybe you'll meet some wealthy woman who wants to use you for sex."

Giles became flushed. "Well...I wouldn't say that was what I wanted to experience." he blustered.

Buffy and Willow smiled. Getting up they both hugged him tightly. "We will miss you."

"I'm not leaving until Rose is born. I want to see your child." He said, looking at his slayer. Both of these girls were like his children. But, as time went, they had grown up as children did. They no longer needed him to watch out for them and protect them. They were more than capable of taking care of themselves, and each other. He knew that this was something he had to do.

"Be safe Rupert." Willow said, kissing his cheek. He was more of a father to her than her own had been. She really would miss having him around keeping them all grounded. He had always been their lifeline.

"Giles....if you're sure this is what you want, I'll try to be happy for you." Buffy said, smiling.

"Yes..well....you better children better get going. It will get dark soon."

He walked them to the door. After it was closed, he felt the tears silently run down his cheeks. He would miss them....his daughters.....

* * * * *

"You ok Buffy?"

"Yeah...just surprised."

"Me too"

The two women walked along the quiet streets in silence. Each was dealing with Giles departure in their own way. Willow saw Nic's house ahead. The lights were on, making it appear like a beacon in the night. She guessed that Spike and Angel were already there. After leaving Giles, she and Buffy had stopped for ice cream. They had wanted time to think over what they had heard.

"Willow"

"Yes?"

"I love you. You're the best friend I could ever imagine having. I don't think I deserve you, but I'm glad I have you."

"Me too. I don't know how I'd ever survive Spike and Angel without you."

"I think you'd manage well enough" Buffy said smiling.

"You're right. Let's cross."

The girls started across the street. Willow heard a loud squeal and saw a car turn the corner. It was coming right at her. She froze.

Buffy saw the car headed for her friend and reacted. She moved, pushing Willow out of the way. She yelled as the car hit her knocking her onto the street and kept going.

Willow screamed. She ran to her friend. She heard noises and looked up as Spike ran from the house. When he got to the street, he surveyed the scene. Buffy was laying on the ground, holding her stomach, blood slowly starting to spread. Willow was in shock, kneeling by her friends side, their hands clasped together tightly. Spike went to Buffy and lifted her easily.

"Call her doctor." He called to Angel as he took the bleeding slayer inside.

* * * * *

Mick delivered Buffy's child. Willow and Spike were in the room. Buffy had insisted they both stay. When Buffy saw her baby, she smiled through the tears.

"May I hold her?"

"Yes. Rose....meet you mother." Mick handed the baby over to Buffy.

"She's so tiny...look at her little fingers and her toes...." Buffy was amazed. This was her child. "Rose...you won't remember me. I'm your mother. I just want you know how much I love you. Every day, feeling you inside of me, growing....you helped me make it through. Know that you were loved always. I wish you could have met your father. I loved him so much. You'll have his smile...and maybe his eyes. I hope you get his intelligence...I've never been the smartest person," she paused, feeling a sharp pain. Tears streamed down her face,"This is your auntie Willow and your uncle Spike. They are going to take such good care of you. I love them both so much. I know you will too. They will be great parents. You'll love you uncle Angel. He'll watch out for you for me. I know he will. He was always my guardian angel. Oh Rose...you will be cherished. You will be such a wonderful little girl....Willow will tell you about me. Never forget me...know that I will be watching out for you always. When you say your first word, I'll be there in spirit. Always in spirit...." she choked back her tears.

Willow went to her side and laid her head on her shoulder. Buffy motioned for Mick to take Rose. "Willow....take care of her for me. Let her know me....Oh god...it hurts."

Willow clenched her hand and squeezed tightly. "Isn't there anything to stop it?" she yelled at Mick.

"I'm sorry. The injuries were severe. The impact of the car....it is a sheer miracle she was able to give birth. It should be over quickly." he left the room, allowing them time to say goodbye privately.

"Spike" Buffy said, looking at the man. "Take care of Willow. Thank you....for everything. I know we have been enemies, but I do love you. You have been so good for Willow...."

"Buffy," Spike said softly, Willow and Buffy looked at him in shock. It was the first time they had ever heard him say her name. He looked at Willow, saw the pain in her eyes and flinched. She was hurting so much. He knew that this was almost as bad for her and if she had lost him or Angel. He moved to Buffy's side, and looked at her pale face. She was losing a lot of blood. It wouldn't be much longer. "I never hated you. You are Willow's best friend. Her interest has almost always been at the front of your mind. Don't worry about Rose. She will have a wonderful mother. One who loves her deeply." He kissed her forehead, his eyes on Willow. He saw the tears trailing down her face. "It will be over soon." he told Buffy.

She nodded. "I know. I feel it. I'm glad I had a chance to tell you both how much I loved you. Poor Rose...she lost both her parents to hit and run accidents....she is already cursed."

"No she's not. She will be the luckiest little girl in Sunnydale." Willow said, not wanting Buffy's last moments to spent in regret.

"You're right. She'll have you all looking out for her." She felt another wave of pain and closed her eyes....praying for release.

Willow and Spike looked at each other. He reached over and put his hand on top of their clasped ones. "It will be over soon."

* * * * *

The living room door opened. Willow walked in and stared at everyone. She was pale...her face covered with her bloody tears....She looked at them all. Xander, Cordelia, Luc, Dru, Giles, Nic, Simone, Angel. She felt her face crumble when she looked into his eyes. He came to her and took her into his arms. She took an unnecessary breath and looked at Giles.

"You can call the council. Tell them that the slayer is dead."