Buffy held Eliza like she was going to disappear as she approached the masses of people who had turned up to her mother's funeral. The sleeping child was blissfully unaware of what her mother was going through.
Buffy had donned the sunglasses and black hat and outfit in sheer hope that no one would recognise her. She had dressed Eliza in her only black dress and let her play until the funeral started at 4pm. By the time they arrived Eliza was fast asleep in Buffy's arms and was curled up against her shoulder.
Buffy slowly entered the small church and she saw many people. She was happy when she saw she didn't know anyone. She walked up to the desk which housed the signature book and switched the child to her other shoulder as she picked up the pen to write. She quickly signed Anna O'Connor and scanned the list and froze when she saw three familiar names; Rupert Giles, Willow Rosenberg and Alexander Harris.
She looked around quickly but instead of trusting her instinct she went to an aisle and put Eliza on a chair. She then walked up to the casket and bit her lip before placing the single white rose she held inside the casket next to her mother.
She stared down at what her mother had become and the tears slowly came down her face. She whispered slowly to her "I'm sorry." Then was about to leave when she turned back and said quietly "I love you". She then walked back and didn't look at anyone as she took her place with her daughter lying her on her lap.
She watched silently as people spoke about her mother and how much they loved her. A part of her was dying to get up there and say goodbye but a part of her held back. Her eyes were already red and puffy, she couldn't handle much more.
The funeral was slowly coming to an end when Eliza starting waking up. Buffy tried to not scare her but as soon as Eliza saw the tear streaks she became scared.
Eliza had only seen Buffy cry three times in her short life and each time wasn't good. The first was when a demon had taken her and Buffy had tried to bargain for her life, the second was when Buffy's best friend had been murdered and Eliza had found Buffy collapsed in her room when she was 4. The last was when Buffy thought she was going to die because of a poison that had entered her blood stream. Each time had Eliza panicked so upon seeing her mother crying she bolted awake.
Buffy quickly tried to calm her but Eliza jumped up and said a little too loud "What happened mama?" Then "Why you crying". Buffy said quietly "It's ok honey". But Eliza was staring wide eyed at the people who were staring at them and she turned back to her mother and said "Where are we?" Buffy blushed and picked her up and said to the room "Sorry". She took Eliza outside and sat her on a bench and tried to explain what was happening.
This is what she said; "See mummy's friend died like when Rachel died, you remember when I explained that right?" Eliza nodded and Buffy smiled sadly and said "but this friend was really special to me, she knew me when I was your age, so I loved her very much, like you love me." Eliza went wide eyed and said "Was she your mummy?" Buffy looked at her shocked and said "Why do you say that baby?" Eliza looked at the ground and said "I heard you talking to Uncle Matt."
Buffy sighed and said "Yeah baby she was".
A voice interrupted and said "BUFFY???"
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Author note: Ok You people are the best, Just for that I will give you two chapters; Thanks guys!