A/N: What would you do without my drama? Thanks for all the positive reviews, they make me want to write all day long.
Summary/Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Giles has been quiet since we got in the car to go back to Sunnydale. I know that he was smiling, was pretty sure of it, then he saw the twins. He must have seen their green eyes. Giles has always had a pretty good memory and knows that Riley's eyes were blue. He hasn't asked any questions, perhaps waiting until we get back to Sunnydale to do so. The kids are in the back seat asleep, last night and this morning was a bit much for them, so I am glad that they are napping.
I see the sign for Sunnydale, home. At least it used to be, since I left to marry Riley, it hasn't been my home. Mom and Dawn are buried here and Giles resides here with Willow and Xander but Sunnydale has not been my home for 6 years. Everyday I wanted to come back here and now that I finally am back, I'm not sure what to expect. I notice that we are driving towards the side of town where the mansion Angel stayed in. There are some nice homes over here. It doesn't dawn on me that we are heading towards Giles new home, until we pull up into the drive.
"This is your new home?"
"Yes."
"Its lovely."
"Thank you." He walks to the back of the car and starts taking luggage out, while Willow and Tara help me with the twins. They are still sleeping when we pull up so we move them as gently as we can without waking them.
Giles unlocks the door then leads me up the stairs and down the hall with Alex for him to sleep in the guest room. I'm surprised to see it already made up, but perhaps Willow and Tara had something to do with that. Willow is behind me with Emma and we both put them down on the bed to finish their naps.
Out in the hall, Willow and Tara excuse themselves and tell me that they will see me later. I watch as they walk down the back set of steps to the kitchen and I go towards the front set, which leads me to the main room, which is where Giles is. I find him in his study, he's leaning against the mantel resting his head across his arm for support and his glasses in his hand. He is deep in thought, I don't want to disturb him so I turn to go.
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"How old are the children."
"They are 5 and a half. Growing so fast, it seems like yesterday they were just babies."
"I see, well let me know if there is anything that you need."
"I wanted to thank you actually. For today and everything, allowing us to stay here. You have no idea what that means to me, and how much I have missed all of you."
"Why did you leave? Was it because you were expecting?"
"No, I didn't know I was pregnant until after I left. Riley had information, and the ability to cause me so much pain as well as all of you. I had to leave. I didn't want to. The letter I wrote to you said so."
"I know exactly what the letter said. I must have read it everyday since you left. I can practically recite the whole thing. Parts of it confuse me, but I really want to know did you mean it."
"Mean what?"
"Mean what you said in the letter."
"I meant every word."
"Then why…?"
"Giles, please don't ask me."
"I deserve to know."
"Giles, it was horrible. You have no idea what that life was like for me. I was living a prison sentence, everyday I wanted to die, but wouldn't allow myself for the sake of my children. I wanted it to end from day one. And everyday I would think of you and this place and smile, cause this was my home."
The car ride from Sunnydale to Medesto was long, it seemed to go on forever. I just looked at the window the whole time, silent tears running down my face. I know that Giles came to City Hall, I saw him. I didn't think he would, but I was so happy he did. I was hoping he would be in time to stop us, but that was wishful thinking on my part. Even if he had been in time to stop us, I still would have had to marry Riley in order to protect the last of my family I had left. That's what they are is my family.
We pull up to a house, I don't recognize it, and I can tell I 'm not going to like it very much. Apparently Riley has been living here, devising his plan to get me away from Sunnydale. It's a medium size house, smaller than my mom's home in Sunnydale, but still a nice size house. There is a feeling here that I just don't like, but I shrug it off, after all this is now my home.
Already I miss my home with Giles, sharing the loft. Trying to find a schedule for taking showers and reading and all of that, along with the slaying. Then not having to worry about that, once we started sharing the same bed. I hold back tears, for right now all I want to do is cry because I miss Giles so much, and I want him here with me.
Instantly I feel sick to my stomach, I can't take anymore. I rush to the bathroom where I throw up what little of breakfast that I ate this morning. After my stomach has calmed down enough, I walk out of the living room to find Riley waiting. Before I can say anything he picks me up and carries me to the bedroom up stairs.
I cried the whole night. Once Riley had fallen asleep I got up and went to the bathroom. I turned the hot water as high as I could stand it without burning my skin. The water running covers the sound of my tears as I sit down on the floor of the tub and cry. I can't believe everything that is happening, when did this become my life. How did I let this happen, when did I allow this to happen.
Weeks go by like that until I can barely stand anymore. Riley has enough and takes me into the doctor, forcibly mind you. I would be content to curl up and die at this point if it means never having to see Riley again. There the doctor gives me rather shocking news. I'm pregnant and its twins., hence my stomach always being sick. Riley is over the moon that he is going to be a father. My heart sinks, cause I know who the father is and its not Riley. I can do math inside my head and time does not add up to Riley being the father.
I'm crying, I don't even know when I started to cry. All I can think about is those first few days and weeks with Riley. How horrible they how much I just wanted to come home, how much I wanted to see my friends and spend time with them, but most of all I just wanted to have Giles hold me.
I don't know how or when, but Giles came over and just held me. He held me as I cried for all the time that we lost, all the time that we could have had. All the firsts the twins had. We lost so much time together. My only hope now is that we can somehow make up for all the lost time.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. Life has been crazy with Hubby's birthday and registering for classes.
