Chapter 11

Things to Live For

"This is the medicine for her ear ache but she only has to take that one once a week. But this one for her headaches and she has to take this twice a day for 4 days. Now this one is for her hypoglycemia this one is totally important. She has to take this one twice every day. Now this one is for...,"

"Cordelia please!" Giles interrupted.

"Good, because I needed to breathe," Cordelia said panting heavily. Cordelia had brought Rose over to Buffy's where everyone had gathered.

"It's okay Cordy. I think Giles understands everything now," Rose's voice came out as a tiny squeak as she crawled into Cordelia's lap.

"I just want to make sure. I don't want anything to happen to you Rosa Marie. If there's a mix-up in medicine, or if you don't take something then...,"

"Shhh," Rose gently pushed Cordelia's lips closed.

"Everything is going to be okay."

"Hey that's my line," Cordelia smirked, tickling the little girl on the belly. Buffy's old grandfather clock chimed out loudly 9 times.

"Oh shoot. My parents got home an hour ago! I have to hurry," Cordelia exclaimed.

"You be good for Buffy girly," Cordelia picked the little girl up and held her for a few seconds then sat her in Willow's lap.

"I love you Rosa Marie."

Rose was reluctant to let go of Cordelia's hand. As soon as she did she snuggled down into Willow.

"Good luck Cordy," Buffy hugged Cordelia tightly around the neck. After she let go Nicky and Alex hugged Cordelia's legs and babbled words together that sounded like her name and I love you. With a quick wave to everyone, Cordelia was out the door and on her way home.

As soon as the clock in the hall chimed 9:05, Cordelia skidded into her family room where her mother and father were sitting calmly watching TV.

"Mom...Dad...," Cordelia panted and plastered on a fake smile.

"Hello. Where were you this late on a school night?" her mother asked her. Her tone was harsh and accusing as it always was.

"Out fooling around again?" Cordelia knew her father thought she was some sort of prostitute.

"No sir," Cordelia was quick to answer. "I was just over at Buffy's helping her watch Nicky and Alex."

"The librarian's children?" her mother asked. Cordelia nodded.

"Get to bed," her father said turning back to his newspaper.

"Yes sir," Cordelia quickly got up to her bedroom and closed the door. Before her friends came along, Cordelia would spend her nights crying herself to sleep and on the worse nights considering suicide. She now saw her friends, Nicky and Alex, and the past couple months, Rose, to live for. Tonight she even smiled to herself as she crawled into bed. She felt content knowing she would see everyone again tomorrow. That it was another day. As she pulled the sheets up to her chin, Cordelia found the stuffed duck the hospital had given Rose. She snuggled up to it and fell asleep.