The three adults headed into the house as Lindsay and I walked towards them, but when we made it inside, only my aunt was in the living room. I put Lindsay down, and she bolted for the stairs as I played with my bag from the toy store before walking over to introduce myself. I extended out my hand as I reached her.
"Hi, I'm Buffy Summers," smiling sweetly since I've been told I can come off menacing.
"Nancy Flynn, I'm your aunt and Catherine's big sister. It's nice to meet you. Not to put you on the spot so soon, but do you have any idea why her and Sara went upstairs so quickly?" I had to smile since I had an idea.
"Well, my guess is that they are putting on their name tags. Lindsay headed up to get my present, so we can exchange gifts," letting Nancy lead me over to the couch, so we could wait for the return of the trio.
"Buffy!" Lindsay yelled from upstairs as I looked over at Nancy, "can you come up here?"
"Go ahead Buffy, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk. Besides, I think Lindsay wants to monopolize you," she said smiling as I gave her a hug and thank you, " Oh Buffy, it's the first door on the left," I nodded thankfully at the new info. I really don't need to be walking in on anything, especially considering how we met.
Unlike my usual thundering up the stairs, I politely walked up while looking at the pictures along the way. Seeing Lindsay through her earlier years made me think of Mom's old photo albums, and like those pictures, there was the lone naked butt picture. It must be a rule or something. I mean even Willow has one, and I'm sure I'll have one of my kids. I wouldn't want to buck tradition.
I was about to open Lindsay's door when I felt I was being stared at. I looked over and saw Catherine and Sara's heads peeking out their bedroom door, "Hurry up with whatever you are doing. I think Nancy is about to start looking through drawers," giving them a wink as I opened the door and was transported into Dawn's room when she was ten.
"Nice room, Lindsay," giving her a big smile as I dangled while she did the same. I sat down on the bed and extended my arm, "Same time?" getting a smiling nod, I handed my bag to her just as she did the same. I opened mine and had to look twice to make sure until pulling it out. The pig was a spitting image of Mr. Gordo except for the bow and dress.
"Do you like her, Buffy?" I was still in awe, so I just nodded my head to her question, "Her name is Miss Piggybottom," that had me smiling brightly.
"It's perfect, sweetie. In fact, she has a boyfriend, but he is still in LA. Do you like your gift? Your mom and Sara told me that you want to get a dog, so to give you a trial run, I bought you a Giga Pet pig," still not believing what I had in my hands.
"She's your mom too, you know. Mom and Sara have always told me that your heart is big enough to everyone in your family," Oh boy, my ten-year old sister is about to make me cry, "Maybe you can help me raise my Giga Pet, that way we can get a dog together," Lindsay is definitely my sister.
"You are very smart for only being ten, and I've never had a dog myself, so I'll help you anyway I can," she leaped at me knocking me flat against the bed with a barrage of thank yous, "It's my pleasure, Linds. So, what would you like to do now?"
"Wanna go swimming before dinner?" she asked while sitting on my stomach while I thought about the last time I was actually swimming.
"Let's go ask? And do you have a puppy dog face like this," giving her the mine, the one that gets me almost anything.
"Mom hasn't fallen for mine in awhile, but maybe with your help, we will be allowed," I sensed some past with her explanation, but this was about fun right now.
Sara and I didn't want to show Buffy we were wearing our shirts, so we stayed inside the room until Buffy entered Lindsay's. Something tells me that nothing is going to be the same again, and I liked that idea. I knew I wasn't going to replace Joyce, but I did want to get to know the girl she raised, and maybe, just maybe become a second mother to her especially since from her own words, she is lost. Nancy was still on the couch as Sara and I came in and started laughing hysterically when she looked up at us.
"What?" since I had no idea what was so funny.
"Buffy said you were putting your name tags on," she explained still snickering as I just shook my head.
"So what are your first impressions, Nanc?" I knew what Sara and I thought, and Lindsay was over the moon.
"She seems like a sweet young woman, and I think we could all be in serios trouble as she bonds with the kids. I don't think she'll undermind our authority, but she seems to have a very playful side. Then again, maybe we all could use the shake up," Nancy answered as I completely agreed. Oh yeah, her and Lindsay are going to be a handful.
"Her and Greg together should be a treat. She is a very astute woman, and I hope she stays longer than she seems she might, and I think Lindsay will be a big deciding factor. So sis, where is Jeremy?" Maybe we could have a family dinner.
"He and some friends are camping, so I am a free woman to do whatever. Do you think we stand a chance against those two?" she asked the same question I have been wondering.
"Probably not, but I have a feeling that we are all going to have fun. Let's get some more coffee going to find out what they have planned for us," taking Sara's hand as we all headed into the kitchen. I had forgotten about the packet until Nancy picked it up. I just nodded and smiled as she opened the bottom cupboard and tossed it into the trash. I handed out coffees before joining them at the table.
Linds and I walked into the kitchen looking innocent as Catherine looked up, "Can we go swimming before dinner?" looking down at Lindsay before giving them all a double dose of sad face, and the looks on their faces were priceless.
"Oh good lord, we are in so much trouble, and yes, you may. Now put those away," Catherine said as Lindsay and I headed off to change, and when I heard them all laughing, I knew we were okay, so I grabbed my bag and brought out the black bikini I had been tanning in since Sunnydale went under.
I met Lindsay at the steps, and she handed me a towel. We walked into the kitchen to find the adults prepared. Catherine put the waterproof sunscreen on Lindsay while I took care of my front, and Sara did my back. Once we were greased up, Nancy opened the sliding glass door, but Lindsay stopped and turned around.
"Mom, I forgot to tell you. Miss Piggybottom has a boyfriend, but he is in Los Angeles," Lindsay announced as my face got a little warm.
"Then I guess you best get your big sister to call her girlfriend and have her bring him," Catherine returned as I found the ceiling interesting until I felt Lindsay tugging on my arm, so I looked down.
"Yes, sweetie?" not knowing what she was going to ask.
"What's her name?" she asked as I went back to breathing normally.
"Willow," and just her name brings a smile to while I watched Lindsay's smile get bigger.
"If you guys get married, you should take her name because if you don't, she is going to be Willow Willows," I started to wrap my head around what she said, and then, I started laughing at what she said.
AN: Thank you Wend Willow Willows is a classic.
