The English summer sun played on Willow's eyelids and she stretched herself awake with a contented groan. It was the first night since Kara was born that she had actually slept a solid eight hours. Giles told her to put in earplugs and let him look after their daughter for the night. After two seconds of feeble protesting, she had taken him up on his offer.
She padded down the steps into the living room of their London flat and had to put her hand to her mouth to muffle the giggle that bubbled up inside her.
Giles had fallen asleep in the recliner. His head was tilted back and his mouth was wide open. Kara lay in his arms buried against his chest.
As she approached, she saw that the one-month old wasn't asleep. She peeked out of the flannel of Giles's robe, surveying her mother curiously.
"Good morning, Kara," Willow whispered.
She picked her up gently, trying not to disturb Giles as she sat on the couch opposite.
Giles closed his mouth with a jolt, the momentary panic he felt when he noticed his daughter was missing was quickly quelled when he saw her in Willow's arms on the sofa.
"Good morning," she mouthed.
He smiled back at her.
"Sleep well?"
She nodded, smiling.
"Thank you." She nodded down to the baby at her breast.
"Mmm-hmm."
He took in the sight of the two of them sleepily. He had seen a lot of beautiful and amazing things in his life as a Watcher, but he didn't think anything was more perfect than this: his best friend and lover and his daughter, blinking in the English morning sun.
How do you tell someone that they are the face of your salvation? That without them, you would still be treading in the mire of guilt you had created for yourself? How do you fully convey that sentiment?
"What is it?"She asked.
He shook his head and smirked self-deprecatingly.
"I just… I love you."
Willow smiled like it was the first time she had heard it.
"I know," she said.
And she did.
The End!
Thank you all for reading. I have enjoyed reading your comments!
