Rebuilding Your Life in Ten Easy Steps

Part 3

A/N: I just realized it's really confusing if Buffy calls both Willow and William/Spike "Will".  So, here's what's happening: If "Will" is part of a narration or spoken by Lorne or Gunn, it means Spike and if it's spoken by Buffy it means Willow. Buffy will be calling Spike Spike from now on. "Willow" will always be typed out in narration. FYI

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            Buffy was feeling depressed.  Sure, things were going wonderfully between her and Will.  She never mentioned the conversation she had with Lorne, and though sometimes she felt uncomfortable knowing more about him than he knew she did, she was giving him his chance and he was doing a great job.  It was entirely possible that she was in love with him.  While any other time this would have made her ecstatic, Christmas was fast approaching.  Willow was heading back to her hometown, and Buffy had no where to go and no one to hang out with over the break.  The phone rang and she leaned over, feeling very tired.

            "Mmm?"

            "Hello, Buffy?"
            "Spike, hi.  What's up?"
            "Well, I was…that is, I wondered…well…oh bugger it all.  I don't know what I'm doing.  Buffy, would you like to spend Christmas with my family?"  Buffy sat up quickly.

            "Christmas? With your family?"

            "Yeah, well, I didn't think you'd want to but I figured I might as well-"

            "I'd love to!  Thank you so much!  How long? When? What do I wear?"  Will seemed completely overwhelmed.

            "Eh…well…I don't…not sure…here, I'll give you a number."  He rattled off a phone number and once Buffy had it down, he said "love you" and hung up rather abruptly.  Buffy shook her head. He was hopeless. But Christmas! He had invited her to Christmas, with his family no less!  She grabbed the phone and dialed.

            "Hello, Giles residence," a friendly female voice said.  Buffy suddenly realized she had no clue who to talk to or if anyone here knew who she was.

            "Oh, um, hi.  I'm Buffy, and-"

            "Oh, Buffy Summers?  It's so nice to finally hear you! I'm Jenny, Will's step-mom.  I've been waiting for a chance to talk to you!  Why are you calling, dear?"

            "Oh, well, William invited me to Christmas and-"

            "Did he? About time he brought a girlfriend home.  He had no clue when, or what you should bring, did he?"  Buffy laughed.  This Jenny sounded like someone she could like.  Plus the added excitement of hearing she was the first girl Will had ever brought home.  Her day was just improving by the second.

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            Dear Buffy,

Thank you so much for your note.  Even if you haven't forgiven us, it means a lot that you would send us holiday greetings.  Merry Christmas to you too, dear.  I picked out this present for you, and your dad paid for, so it's from both of us.  We hope it's enough of an 'extra big' present for you, and that you feel better about Salus soon.  Oh, and I wanted to tell you I give you official parental permission to open your present right now, since I know that's what you're going to do anyway.  We are, however, keeping the present you sent for Dawn under lock and key.  Rest assured she will not open it till Christmas Day.  I love you very much Buffy, and I hope we'll be visiting you soon.

Much love,

Mom

Buffy smiled slightly at the letter despite herself.  She then turned her attentions to the package that had accompanied it.  She had official permission to open it.  Tearing at the paper, she gasped a little when she saw what was inside.  A dress…but so much more than a dress.  The perfect dress.  The perfect dress for Christmas with Will's family.

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            William stared through the windshield of his car, driving Buffy back to his father's house.  No matter how many times he went, he never liked returning to his father's grasp.

            "Buffy, if," Buffy turned to looked at him and saw he was struggling for words, "If, my father says anything…rude to you, please, it's, well, it's not about you.  Just, don't take it personally."  Buffy nodded slightly and he relaxed.  That was better.  At least he got that out of the way.  He didn't want Buffy thinking his father didn't like her, just because he thought every girl Will brought home was a dirty whore.  He didn't want Buffy to feel bad because of his bad choices.

            "So, who's all going to be here?"

            "Oh, some of my extended family comes some years, some years is just me, Dad, Jenny and Wes.  My half-brother.  So, I don't really know, but I'd guess a couple cousins will be showing up."  The silence settled again.  Neither of them were really sure what to say to each other, so they said nothing.  Snow fell gently onto the car as they drove along the highway.

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Really short chapter, but I'll try to make the next one extra long. Promise.