1I'll Be Home For Christmas

Thanksgiving was now long since past and Christmas seemed to get closer and closer with each passing day. It was her favorite times of year but this year she couldn't bring herself to truly enjoy it. Something was missing in her life and she knew what it was. But there was also nothing she could do about it.

"I'm heading out. You sure you don't wanna come?"

"No, I'm good thanks though."

Her friend turned for the door.

"Dawn, why don't you go home for the holidays? I can lend you the cash if that's a big deal."

Dawn looked up at her friend, "No. I can't." She answered quietly as she watched the flickering lights on their tree.

Kit sighed, "Well if you change your mind let me know." She said as she closed the door behind her leaving her friend to think of Christmas' past and what she would miss out on.

December 21 and the presents she had for her mom and sister still sat under their tree; She was yet to mail them

"Won't make it there now will you?" she said to no one as she picked up the gift she got for her mother.

She felt the lone tear trickle down her cheek as she thought of Christmas' past. But where she really found her mind drifting was to Christmas present. She was 1000's of miles away from where she wanted to be, and after her fight with her mother, she knew she couldn't go home for Christmas, it would be too much for her to bear having to fight with her mother and ruin the holiday for her family.

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents 'neath the tree

She pictured Christmas morning, as Buffy and her mother sat in the living room opening their stockings and presents. Laughing about everything, and talking about the presents they had received.

She could almost smell Joyce's turkey and stuffing as the smell wafted its way through the house.

She could see the lights all over the inside and outside of the house they lived in. The angel their mother had made, sitting graciously on the top. Letting all that saw her know of the love that was put into it and the love that they all shared.

"I guess this year I'll miss out on all that." she said quietly as she placed the gift back under her small tree. The song on the radio reminding her of everything she was going to miss out on.

Christmas eve will find me,

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams

She heard the knock on her door. It was December 23, two days till Christmas. Her family's presents still sat under the tree. She had forgotten to mail them. Today I will. They may not get there on time for Christmas but at least they will be post marked before. She thought to herself as she walked over and gathered them up in her arms, carrying them over to the stand beside the door and setting them down.

"Special delivery for you." Kit said as she sat down on the couch handing her the small envelope.

"No return address, she noted as she reached for it, turning it over to open it. As she looked inside she was stunned.

"What is it?" her friend asked eagerly.

"Um. It's a plane ticket." Dawn replied quietly

"Plane ticket? To where?" she asked, but she already knew.

Dawn pulled out the ticket and the small-attached card 'Wish you were here.' "To San Francisco. It's my sister's writing ,so I'm guessing it's from her." Dawn said, a smile forming on her face.

"Well let's get you packed kid. You have a plane to catch tomorrow." Kit grabbed her suitcase and started throwing everything inside. Once everything was packed they had there own private Christmas.

The next day, Dawn got on the plane. She couldn't believe that she was going home for Christmas.

Kit placed her keys on the counter as she picked up the phone. "Package is on its way." She said as she listened to the voice at the other end.

"'Yeah, and you owe me big time. Don't even think I will forget this." She listened again. "Merry Christmas to you too." she said as she hung up the phone. She had done her Christmas giving and hoped that with her help it would bring her friends family back together.

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve, and to her the airport seemed almost deserted. Maybe it was because she was on one of the last flights into the city. She grabbed her bags and made her way from the airport. Heading towards the taxi stands she stopped as someone stepped in front of her. Tired from the time change and the flight, she was about yell at them till she realized who it was.

"Need a ride?"

She stood there ready to burst into tears as she let her take her bags from her, "Hurry up will you, before our she realizes I'm gone and gives me heck." She shouted over her shoulder.

Looking at her with a puzzled expression, she asked her why would she give her heck for being gone.

"You know how she is during this time of the year, and plus, she doesn't know that you are coming, I wanted to surprise her because she told me how she wished that you could be home for Christmas" She told her as they got into the car and drove off.

She walked in the house not really sure what to expect since she had told her that their mother didn't know anything about her coming home. That it was a surprise.

Heading up to her bed from sheer exhaustion, she fell asleep immediately not sure what Christmas morning would bring.

Christmas morning came as Dawn lay in her bed. Even with her flight the night before she was still awake early. Time change and the excitement that always dwelled in her that time of year.

Grabbing her robe she pulled it around her, shutting out the cold Christmas air, as she made her way down the stairs. She could hear Buffy and Joyce in the living room just talking. Taking a deep breath she rounded the corner.

"I hope there are lots of presents under that tree for me too." she said as she saw her family turn and look up at her.

"That, is why we have to wait for the presents." She said as she saw the look of amazement on her mother's face.

Dawn stood there as her mother walked up to her and hesitated a moment before pulling her baby daughter into a warm hug, "I can't believe you're here. It wouldn't have been the same without you. But." She pulled back, turning to her other daughter, "you?" she asked not ready to believing that her daughters would do what she had. As she looked again to what she held her arms.

" Merry Christmas my darling daughters." Joyce said as she watched them together.

Buffy knew her sister and her mother still had some major issues, but this was a time for family. And as she watched her them sitting together on the couch she knew she had given them both the best presents ever. Each other.