We Belong Together
Disclaimers in part 1
Buffy walked into the house and saw her parents getting ready to go. She sighed and closed the door behind her.
"Buffy, you are late; we have to meet with the O'Reilly's in 20 minutes." Joyce admonished.
The little blonde put on a smile, "I'm sorry mom, I got caught up talking with Xander and Anya at the Espresso Pump and lost track of time." She explained.
"That is no excuse, now go up stairs and change; we're leaving in 10 minutes." She told her daughter.
Buffy walked up to the stairs mumbling to herself, not knowing whether this wedding was for her or more for her mother. She walked into her room and closed the door softly behind her. This was not how she really imagined her life when she was younger. It wasn't that she didn't love Chris; they just didn't have much in common, sure he could make her laugh but something was missing.
She walked to her closet to pick out something to wear. Opening her closet she looked over everything and decided on a long black skirt with a small split on the side and a dark blue top. It was tasteful for the restaurant they were going to. Buffy laid the outfit on her bed as she searched on her nightstand for matching earrings; she noticed a picture of her and Faith when they were around 10 at the beach.
The day had been spent building sand castles and playing in the waves. Buffy remembered that like it was yesterday. They were both young without a care in a world. If only they could have those days back. To be that young and carefree she thought, and with a long sigh; proceeded to get dressed. Usually she was happy about dinner with the O'Reilly's, but this time was a little different. She was dreading
it. After dressing Buffy grabbed her purse and walked out of her room closing the door behind her. Her parents were waiting at the bottom of the stairs and greeted her with a warm smile.
"You look wonderful sweetheart." Hank complimented.
She gave her dad a big smile, "Well, lets go we don't want to keep my future in-laws waiting." She said a little too cheerily.
Joyce gave her a smile and headed out the door. Buffy let out an inaudible sigh and followed behind her mother. The three of them got into the car and drove to the restaurant.
"Did you enjoy your day with Willow?" Hank asked.
"Yeah I did, we went to the Espresso Pump and ran into Xander and Anya." Buffy replied.
"How are the two? Haven't seen them around as much as we used to." Joyce asked.
"They are doing good, you know Xander being busy with work and all." She answered.
The car fell into silence and Buffy looked out the window at the passing buildings and cars. She really wasn't feeling any of this; her mind was on Faith and nothing else.
Faith entered her apartment after her lunch with Cheyenne. She thought about what the other girl had said. It was something to definitely think about. She flopped down on the couch and flipped on the TV. It was a welcome distraction to keep her from thinking about Buffy and her wedding. She began watching Grey's Anatomy and was just getting into it when her phone rang. With a roll of her eyes and a sigh she answered the phone.
"Hello?" She said into the phone.
"Hey Faith, its Willow." The red head chirped on the other line.
Faith leaned back against the couch wondering why Willow was calling her.
"What's up red?" She asked casually.
"Nothing, I wanted to see how you were doing that's all. We don't get a chance to talk that much anymore." She replied.
"I've been doing good, just working. You know how it is when you run your own business." She answered back.
Faith knew the other girl was making small talk, but she also knew the red head had a reason for calling. She was Buffy's best friend and there was no doubt Willow knew she wasn't coming to California.
"I know why you are calling; you wanna know why I'm not going to B's wedding." Faith came out and said, before the other girl could get a chance to get it out.
"Yeah, you used work as your excuse, but we know what the real reason is." The red head shot back.
The brunette was getting annoyed, "Really? Why is that?" She asked.
"It's obvious to everyone, you are in love with her and you don't like the fact she is getting married." Willow surmised.
Faith didn't seem surprised that the other girl knew. She tried to masking her feelings, but it didn't work Willow was too intuitive for her own good.
"Yeah, so what is with the call? You can't get me to change my mind."
Willow was prepared for this; she wasn't going to give up until Faith was on a plane. She knew Buffy wasn't really happy with Chris. She belonged with Faith.
"Listen, drop the whole nonchalant attitude, and just listen ok? Buffy is upset that you aren't coming. You're her sister, her partner in crime...you two have been through hell and back. Don't let this wedding thing stop you, besides... the feeling of love isn't one sided." Willow added casually, she knew that would get her.
Faith perked up at this, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Buffy was in love with her too, that was hard to believe. She shook her head.
"That's bull shit; Buffy is not in love with me. Far from, what proof do you have?" She asked back.
A smile formed on Willows face, "It's wicked obvious as you would say, and you are all she talks about anymore. Faith this, Faith said that and the dreamy look she gets whenever she thinks about you. Honestly, I think she is settling by marrying Chris." She finished.
Faith sighed, "Settling? How?"
"She is marrying him because she can't have the one person she truly wants." Willow left it at that.
"That would be?" The brunette asked clearly exhausted.
"You, which is why you need to come out here. Open her eyes; she will never be truly happy with him. Make her see he is not the one for her, and that you are. I guarantee you won't be disappointed."
The brunette thought about what Willow had said. It was the same thing Shy was hitting at. It was obvious they knew something she didn't, but the doubt came creeping back.
"I don't know red. I don't know how to be romantic and all that shit. You know sweeping her off her feet or whatever. It ain't that easy." She finished.
"It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, just show her little things. If you mess up, I will be there to help you out. What do you have to lose?" The other girl asked.
Faith thought a lot about that, she would lose an awful lot and then some. It was a hard decision to make, but she knew it had to be for the best. If only she hadn't opened that freaking invitation.
"I stand to lose a lot red and I can't handle that." She replied.
"Trust me, you won't lose a thing. Now get on the next damned plane and bring your ass here... I'm giving my resolve face." She stated.
"Yeah Red, I'm pissing my pants." Faith said sardonically.
Faith rolled her eyes Willow always pulled resolve face when she wanted something done. There was no way she could go up against that. She thought for a minute about what Cheyenne had said. The little voice reverberating in her head kept saying she shouldn't go, but that voice had two opinions. The other knew that Buffy would never be happy spending the rest of her life pondering...what if?
Willow knew she had her because of the silence on the other end of the line. For a minute she thought the other woman had hung up, but then she heard Faith sigh. The sooner she got out there, the better her chances were. Buffy's wedding was in 3 weeks, which gave Faith enough time to convince her. She, Xander, and Anya would have to figure out a major game plan to get those two together. Willow wasn't that fond of Faith when they first met, but Buffy was crazy about her. The more she got to know the intense brunette, the more she liked her. Faith may have been a little over aggressive in some ways, but she had a good heart or at least she thought she did.
Faith let out a sigh, "Ok, I'll have to think about it some more... and I'll get back to you. Just give me that much alright?" She said to the girl.
Willow smiled, "That is all I wanted. Talk to you later."
"Yeah, later."
Both girls hung up the phone. Willow had a smile on her face that rivaled a Cheshire cat; things might go well in the land of Buffy after all. She picked up the phone to make a call.
"Xander? We have lift off." She said into the phone.
Faith sat there thinking if she should or shouldn't go. In one way she wanted to go, but in another she wanted to leave well enough alone. Buffy meant everything to her and she wanted a life with her. She looked at the clock and it was time for her to go to work. She got off the couch and headed to her room.
"Damn, why does this shit have to be so complicated?" She asked herself.
Buffy entered the restaurant with her mother and father in tow. They were warmly greeted by Chris and his family.
"Buffy, you look beautiful tonight." Chris hugged Buffy.
The blonde gave him a small smile, "Thanks, you look good yourself." She complimented him back.
"Well, our table is ready for us. Right this way please." Robert O'Reilly pointed to where they were sitting.
Buffy walked by and gave him a little peck on the cheek, "It's good to see you Mr. O'Reilly." She said politely.
"Buffy, what did I tell you about the Mr. O'Reilly thing, call me dad. After all you are going to be my daughter-in-law." He told her.
She smiled at him softly, "Sorry, habit."
Everyone made their way to the table, and Chris pulled the chair out for the blonde. Buffy gave him a small smile. She sat down and he pushed her chair in, her face was actually starting to hurt from all the smiling she had to do. In her mind she hoped dinner would be over so she could go home.
"So Buffy, do you have all your bride's maids in order?" Mary-Kate O'Reilly asked.
"Yes I do, Willow has been moved to Maid of Honor since Faith wouldn't be able to make it." She replied.
"Willow is such a level headed girl. I'm glad you chose her, that Faith girl seems to much like a bad seed." Mary-Kate said, snidely.
Buffy wanted to jump across the table and scratch the woman's eyes out. Faith might be a little rough around the edges, but a bad seed she wasn't. The blonde reined in her emotions. She was surprised at being this defensive over Faith. It was all news to her; and she just chalked it up to being a friendly thing.
"Now Mary-Kate, you never really got a chance to meet her, Faith is a great girl. Why her and Buffy have been friends since they were little." Hank interjected.
He's always like Faith; she was like a second daughter to him.
"Yes, well perhaps you're right." She replied.
Orders were placed and conversations were made, but the blonde's mind was focused on one place. That place was Boston where her brunette friend resided.
Faith went on about her night, tending the bar as well as the books. The club was packed as always and then some business; was good. Nothing could really distract her from doing her thing except for her conversation with Willow. It had been weighing heavily on her mind. She felt so indecisive about the whole thing. In the end she hoped she would make the right decision. Whether or not she should follow her heart, or walk away from the friendship all together.