WDWG - Chapter 25: Acceptance
Buffy prided herself on knowing the time. Of course she rarely was on time, but she always knew what time it was - in California. "Ru, turn the light off and come back to bed, it's one in the morning." She complained.
Giles pulled the covers back, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and gently corrected her, "No, darling, it's nine in the morning, and the light isn't on, that's the sun."
The Slayer groaned and pulled her pillow over her head, "It's England! Tell the sun it's made a mistake and to go bother Belgium. It should be dark, cloudy, and rainy. Sleeping weather."
"I'm fairly certain the sun doesn't like Belgium much either, and would skip it too if it had the chance. But the clouds have nonetheless parted and we should get ready and head down to breakfast before there is none. Oh, and you have your ride with Anna today."
"More like bounce my ass around on the back of a horse and humiliate myself in front of Anna. God, I feel like hell. Stupid jet lag! How is it you're all chipper this morning?"
"I actually went to sleep instead of chatting with Dawn and Willow online until all hours of the night." He chided with a teasing smile and a mocking tone.
Tossing the pillow at his head, Buffy complained, "I wasn't tired. It was like going to bed at three in the afternoon! Stupid timezones! Fine, I'm up. Going to shower. There better be coffee... lot's of coffee. Tea is so not going to cut it today!"
"Cranky."
"Stuffy."
"I love you."
"Love you, too." She said, smiling as she headed to the bathroom.
XxXxXxXx
In the summer months Sebastian ate breakfast in the sun room that overlooked the lush rose garden. Upon entering the bright cheery room, Buffy and Giles found His Lordship reading the newspaper and waiting for them.
"Good morning, Uncle." Giles greeted as they entered, while Buffy leaned over and gave the patriarch a peck on the cheek before taking the seat at the table next to him.
Sebastian kept his focus on the article he was reading but addressed them, "Sleep well, children?"
"As always." The younger man replied.
"That good, eh? How about you, Buffy?"
"Jet lag."
"Coffee?" Sebastian offered sympathetically while setting down the newspaper.
"Please." The young woman sighed wistfully as he poured her a cup.
"Hot or cold breakfast?" He asked passing the cream and sugar.
"Cold. Not Weetabix."
"Certainly not!" The earl agreed with a shudder. "And you, Ru? What's your poison this morning?"
"Toast and tea, I think," he replied, as the older gentleman nodded to the servant standing near the door.
Buffy pulled a section of the paper out and started reading while sipping her coffee. The nobleman didn't seem to mind and went back to the article he was reading. Giles marveled at the comfortable shorthand and affection that his fiancée and uncle had developed over such a short amount of time. He expected them to get along, but not to the degree of familiarity that would normally come after years of close association. And he never would have dreamed of taking a section of the paper from the older man, nor even have asked his uncle, knowing that taking the time to read the newspaper was a sacred morning ritual.
A few minutes later Sebastian spoke again with his eyes still glued to the paper, "Buffy, Anna will be ready to ride in about an hour. She went out to get the horses ready this morning and she said she was going to have Mary bring up some jodhpurs and boots so you'll be comfortable."
"Okay, that was really thoughtful." She stated absently. "Huh... baseball has nothing on cricket as an attention endurance sport. A cricket match lasts two days? Really? Do you camp out and tailgate overnight or something?"
"They can last longer, especially at first class level. It's all very civilized, I assure you. There's lunch and tea."
Buffy rolled her eyes, smirking into her section of the paper. "Of course. Tea."
"Rupert is quite the cunning bowler... sort of like your pitcher in baseball... master of the spin." He mentioned distractedly, never removing his gaze from the paper.
Buffy picked up her coffee cup and took a sip eyeing her lover across the table. "The word 'is' implies you still play, Ru, is that the case?"
"I played on a local team when I came back, yes." Giles responded taking his toast from the servant.
"Oh, Cornflakes and yogurt!" The Slayer interrupted as her breakfast was served before turning her attention back to her Watcher, "Um, do you still want to?"
"I don't know, maybe. It all depends..."
Sebastian's exasperated voice sailed over the periodical, "Your Slayer is retired, Rupert. Time to enjoy life: get married, have a family, play cricket. Yes, you have responsibilities to the Council, but you have a whole organization working for you. Make it work for you."
"Listen to your wise uncle, Giles." Buffy admonished between spoonfuls of raspberry yogurt ignoring his eye roll.
"That's my girl." Sebastian stated with satisfaction, grinning behind his paper.
XxXxXxXx
Having finished two cups of coffee, her cereal, yogurt, a banana, and a glass of orange juice, the novice equestrian excused herself to get ready for her ride with Anna. Both men stood when she did and she gave them both kisses on the cheek before heading back to the suite. Giles helped himself to another cup of tea and Sebastian neglected his newspaper.
"When are you planning on leaving, my boy?"
"I thought we were on your schedule, but I'd like to take Buffy home tomorrow." Giles answered setting his tea cup down. "As pleasant as it is to visit, we'd like to have some time to ourselves."
"Understandable. There's legal business that needs to be taken care of with your father's and sister's affairs, you know. I've held off as long as I could for you."
"I know, thank you." The younger man sighed, "I promised her a holiday, and the real world keeps encroaching."
"I can have the solicitor here in the morning. What do you plan on doing with the estate? I know you're not particularly fond of it."
"You have a knack for understatement, Uncle. I wasn't really sure what I would do with it. I suppose the National Trust might take it?"
"Think, Rupert! You're going to have a cadre of Slayers and young Watchers needing training and a place to stay. We've identified several more Slayers and have sent Watchers to make contact with them, but we need to set up the Academy again."
Giles looked up at his uncle, a smile tugging at his lips, "I see you've thought about it."
"Yes, well... the other Board members and I have discussed some things and we've decided that we don't want everything centrally located anymore. Headquarters will still be in London, but we feel it best to move the Academy to a more remote location. You have property you want to get rid of, and The Council wants to acquire it. Seems we can strike a deal."
"Brilliant! I'll sign it over to the Council tomorrow then. When Xander comes, he can have a look around and see what needs to be done to turn it into a boarding school." Giles declared, happy to shed himself of his father's estate.
His Lordship nodded and then turned sympathetic eyes to his nephew, "You'll need to take the time to go over your father's and Miri's things, you know. Everything has been moved from their flats in London and returned to the estate."
Giles drew himself inward and stared out over the sun drenched rose garden. When he left for Oxford, he never looked back, the memories of his lost childhood too painful to endure. When Miri rescued him from the messy aftermath of the Eyghon affair, she brought him back to the farmhouse to recover, knowing he would find peace and comfort there. He never really imagined he would ever step foot over the threshold of the manor house again. It was understood that Miri would inherit it, since the Baronet title would fall to Giles. It was his father's view of fairness, and for that he was grateful. Now, it was all his, thanks to a clause in his father's will should his sister predecease him. He'd been avoiding dealing with the estate and his family's affairs for months. The estate and what to do with it was a topic that came up in every conversation he held with Sebastian on the phone over the last few months and he deferred every time. It was just easier to avoid the topic altogether. After all, the older Watcher was perfectly able to hold the government off from coming to take their fair share in taxes in light of Giles' "missing" status after he made his escape from the Bringer's attack last year.
Sebastian stood up and placed his warm hand on his kinsman's shoulder, "I am sorry to have to bring this up, Ru, truly I am. I know it was never your intention to return there. But, I think in the end, we have the best arrangement. It's out of your hands, and the Council gets a school that is away from the city and out of the scrutiny of the public eye. The Board, no doubt, will want to inspect it, but it will just be a formality." Closing the issue, the earl changed the subject, "Now, dinner is at the pub tonight since it's Chef's night off. Oh, and if you care to join me, I am taking the hounds for a walk."
XxXxXxXx
Buffy had found the jodhpurs and boots waiting for her on the coffee table when she came back to the rooms. She had been surprised to find that they were a close fit and wondered how Anna had gotten them near enough to her sizes without making a run to the store. After getting herself ready, she nervously made her way to the stables and explained that her experience with horses was limited to the odd trail ride here and there over the years. Giles' cousin helped to familiarize her with the horse and it's tack and gave her a quick riding lesson. Once Buffy felt comfortable, the two women headed out to explore the grounds of the estate.
"It's absolutely beautiful out here." Buffy offered conversationally.
"I rarely tire of it. It's nice to be able to get away from the city and come home. London is wonderful, and I love the hustle and bustle, but being here calms my soul. It's too bad that you've come a month too late, in April and May the woods are overrun with a carpet of bluebells. It's just gorgeous." Anna reminisced with a grin.
"Next year." The Slayer promised easily.
"Next year, then. I'll hold you to it. Hey, you're really getting the hang of handling the horse. Good for you!"
"Thanks. It seems to be coming naturally. Who'da thought?" She asked, smiling.
"I imagine a lot of physical things do. Being a Slayer does have it's little perks, doesn't it?" Anna prodded with a wide grin.
"Yeah, some things are good: the healing, the strength, the Spidey sense, and the ability to pick up new athletic skills with ease. But, with the good stuff came a whole heaping of unwanted destiny." Buffy shrugged. "I got used to it, accepted it, even embraced it."
"Things have changed now."
"Yes... and no. I get to do my own thing and girls are still Called."
"That won't change, but now they won't have to do it alone and that has to be comforting."
"Still, I can't help but feel guilty about it. I mean, I made the decision to activate them, you know. I'm responsible for their lives."
"You were responsible for the world and did what you had to do. The new Slayers will do what they have to do to protect the world, and you will do what you can to protect them in your new role in the Council."
"I know. It was my choice to step down from slaying and I don't have regrets. There are just moments when I think about it and it all seems so overwhelming."
Anna paused a moment taking in Buffy's demeanor before starting again, "Here's a fun fact, most girls who were Called in the past relished being the Slayer. You were a bit of an anomaly in that regard. In fact, many past potentials had trouble integrating back into society when they weren't Called. Of course, one could argue that the Council mucked that up, raising the girls as Slayers, only to release them back into the world with little preparation of how to live in it, but all in all, the disappointment was devastating to a great many."
"Huh!" Buffy took in this new bit of information and tried to imagine Kendra making a normal life for herself if she hadn't been Called. Or Faith.
"Everyone has a destiny... a part to play in this world. It may not be a great one, like you or Ru. Some people are born to be doctors, some great scientists, and others maybe to be a janitor. They may not embrace it with the passion others have, but they still do it. The only thing we can do is provide those who come after us with the tools necessary to make them successful."
"Sounds like something Giles would say." The contemplative Slayer said as they turned the horses to walk along the perimeter wall of the property.
"Well, then, he's a very wise man." Anna stated with authority, giving Buffy a teasing smile. "You've chosen the best, you know. As much as I love to give Ru a hard time, I simply adore him."
"I can see that. He's so at home here and clearly he loves you and Sebastian."
"He would spend school holidays here after his mother died. I grew up having him around. Daddy has been more of a father to him than Uncle Thomas." The older woman's voice went cold. "I don't suppose I'll ever understand that man."
"Sounds like a man who was driven by duty and grief." Buffy offered neutrally. She wasn't a fan of her fiancé's father either, but she wasn't going to commit her feelings at that time.
"In a way, a great man, wanting to make things better for the Slayers, but a failure to his son."
"And his daughter?"
"Utterly devoted to her. I think when Miri was born, she helped heal a part of his heart that belonged to his Slayer. He was one of the youngest Watchers ever Called to active service, and, from what I hear, Emma was like a little sister to him. After her death, Uncle Thomas married, and when Miri came along, he spoiled her rotten, letting her choose her path. With Ru, he was the exact opposite and came down on him with a vengeance, drilling the concepts of duty and honor into him when he should have been playing with him in the garden and teaching him to ride a bicycle. When their mother died, Miri was already an adult but Rupert needed his father more than ever. Sad to say, he was left to the care of his sister and my father when he wasn't in school."
"Giles said that his dad did support him and was proud of him." The Slayer remarked, remembering Giles' eulogy out in the desert.
The bitterness rolled off Anna's tongue, "How can you not be proud when your child becomes a Watcher to the Slayer? He supported Ru in that role. He never openly supported him when he came back to the Council after leaving his wild days behind though. No, Uncle Thomas left that in his daughter's capable hands, wanting to play politics instead. Needless to say, I was not a fan of his."
"Clearly." Buffy acknowledged, filing away the information given her to discuss with Giles at a later time.
"Oh, we're almost at the chapel. You have to come see this. It's quite spectacular!" Anna nudged her horse, changing its gait and Buffy followed her lead.
The doctor showed off the chapel and the Californian was in a state of awe. She could hardly believe that she was standing in a building that was older than her own country by three hundred years and it was still standing and functional. Heck, twenty-five year old houses were being razed in Sunnydale in favor of new strip malls - before the town imploded. The stained glass windows were beautiful and the woodwork in the pews and on the pulpit was exquisite. Anna dropped some non-subtle hints that it was perfect for marriage ceremonies and the Slayer laughed at her new friend's approach.
"Well, we should probably head back to the stables. Are you still up for a physical today?"
"I guess no time like the present." Buffy shrugged, resigning herself to the poking and prodding to come. At least she didn't have to go to a hospital to have it done. They mounted the horses and started to walk them back to the stables.
"Next time I'll teach you how to gallop and we can race back."
"I think you underestimate my abilities." Buffy said with a gleam in her eye as she spurred her horse forward into a gallop.
"Oh no you don't!" The experienced horsewoman laughed as she took after the Slayer.
The two women raced back towards the stables. When they were nearly there, they caught up to Sebastian and Giles walking with two Irish Wolfhounds, one wheaten and one grey, and slowed to a walk to join them.
"Having fun?" Giles asked, looking up at his flushed Slayer and taking the reins of her horse to calm him.
"Yep! Great scenery, great company, and I'm getting the hang of this horse riding thing. I see you have some miniature horses of your own." Buffy replied looking at the two giant dogs in question.
"Ah, yes. The grey one is Seamus and the wheaten is Ivey. They were gifts from Declan O'Faolain. He's one of the former active Watchers on the Board. Beautiful hounds and excellent companions." Sebastian answered. "Don't be alarmed if you see them in the house. They belong there."
"They are beautiful!" She remarked, taking in their lines and noble dispositions.
"Well, since you two young ladies need to tend to the horses, shall we see you for tea in a couple of hours?"
"Sounds like a plan!" Buffy stated enthusiastically.
"I'll meet you back at the stables, Buffy." Anna said, giving her and Giles a knowing grin.
"I'll catch you up, Uncle." Giles called as Sebastian started back down the trail to the house. He then turned his attention back to Buffy, "Galloping on your first day?"
"I think I now understand that feeling of freedom and peace you were talking about the other day." She said, smiling down at him.
"Rather liberating, isn't it? Well, we'll have to get you your own horse, then. Shall I escort you down to the stables?"
"Nah, I can do this. How are things with you and Sebastian?"
"Good. We've talked about some Council and family issues that I will fill you in on later. Do you want to go home tomorrow?" He asked, rubbing the horse's forehead absently.
"Funny, I was kinda thinking that this was home. Guess it's not though, huh? It's just so beautiful here."
Giles grinned, "Think of it as a home away from home, then. I do."
"I'm ready to go home, Ru. I have been since we talked in the desert."
"I know. We'll leave tomorrow after lunch. I have some business to attend to in the morning and I'd like you to be present."
"Sure. Now, if I don't get this horse back to his happening horse pad, he's gonna get all mad at me. I am sure he wants a massage and some fresh hay or something. See you at tea."
Giles kissed her hand and turned following the same path his uncle and the hounds had taken. Buffy watched him for a moment and then turned the horse down the path towards the stables.
XxXxXxXx
"Hold still, I am going to take some blood now."
"Doctors and vampires…"
"I see you've been bitten before." Anna commented on the faint scars on the Slayer's neck.
"Three times. The Master, Angel, and Dracula. Not an experience I'd recommend." Buffy replied flatly.
"I would imagine not. Dracula? Really? Okay, blood drawn. I thought he was a myth." The doctor stated putting the two vials of blood into the caddy while Buffy held a gauze pad to the inside of her elbow.
"Yeah, we did too. He was so tacky, and he had these vamp-ho's that held Ru in their thrall, poor guy. He was so lost." Buffy started laughing. "It's funny now, but not so funny then. He lost his shoe and his shirt was torn open, he was such a mess. You remember Sir Galahad from Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Where he's all 'Oh let me have just a little bit of peril' in the room with all the women? Yeah, that was Ru."
"My cousin? In a vampire's thrall? You'd think he'd know better than to allow himself to get into a situation like that." Anna grinned devilishly. "I'll have to remember that."
"Not just a vampire, three slutty vampires!" The girls started to giggle and when they stopped, Buffy asked in a serious tone, "So do you feel any wonky magic mojo on me, Doc?"
"Well, they say all Slayers have a magick thrum of some sort. I feel something, but I would have to say that it's coming from you and not someplace else and it's not mixing with your aura, so I think you are good to go. Do you have any concerns you'd like to discuss?"
"Nope, we've done all the invasive testing I can handle for one year. I feel like a complete new me." The Slayer quipped.
"Would you please let my father and Ru know that I'll be skipping tea this afternoon. I should be back in time for dinner, if not, then for a pint and a round of darts or something in the evening. I'm going to head back to the office with your samples. I'd like to be able to present you with a clean bill of health before you leave tomorrow and I need to get started on the labwork."
Buffy gave Anna a quick a hug, "Sure, no problem. Thanks for this, the tour, and, well, everything. I really do appreciate it. Maybe we can get together on a regular basis after I get settled."
Smiling warmly, the taller woman responded, "My pleasure, Buffy, and that would be lovely."