Part One
"Hi." He greeted softly as she opened the door and stood in the doorway. The sight of him lying on the bed made her fell sick, but she didn't let on.
"Hey." Buffy took a few tentative steps toward her husband. "How are you feeling?"
"I don't think that matters anymore." He replied, don't say that. Don't say that. Don't!
But in true Buffy fashion, she avoided.
"What did the doctor tell you?"
"Everything."
She hadn't expected that, and quickly felt the swell of tears. She tried to do something, say something, but all she could do was nod. "Please don't," she finally got out, as the tears fell down her face.
"Don't what?"
"Don't leave me." She cried running at the bed and flinging herself into his arms.
"I'll never leave you." He said, trying to sooth her. It didn't help, nothing could help. Not now, not ever. "You might not be able to see me, but I'll always be there." He gave her a kiss on the head. "Standing right next to you."
"You know I don't believe in that stuff."
"I know, but I think you will."
"I can't do this."
"I don't want to leave you. I am so sorry."
No, no. She lifted her head off his chest, the chest where his heart is beating. "No, it's not your fault." She told him, looking into his eyes. I can always drown in there eyes...
"Then who will you blame when I'm gone?"
"That asshole driver."
"He's dead, Buffy."
I know. "I don't care. It's still his fault."
Angel just looked at her for a second, and she'd never seen him look so sad. Buffy looked away. "Tell Bryony and Phedra that I'll always love them."
"You can tell them yourself. Willow's gone to get them."
"You should have."
"That's what Willow said." Buffy finally looked back into her love's eyes.
"I loved them before there was much to love."
Me too. "I know."
"But I'm going to miss you most of all."
No, don't say that. I can't be strong if you say that. "Angel, please. I can't do this. I'm not going to say goodbye."
"You have to-"
"No. 'Cause you're not going anywhere."
"I thought you didn't believe in that stuff." He said with a small smile playing on his lips.
"No, I meant-"
"I know what you meant."
You always do.
(page break)
"Hey, Phe. Come 'ere."
"What?"
"No, you gotta see."
Phedra Keely O'Connor sighed and walked over to where her best friend was. Lissabelle Faith Harris was at the highest part of the jungle gym, looking at the car park outside of the elementary school.
"What is it?"
"Willow."
"As in Aunty Willow?"
"Yeah."
Phedra frowned at this, that's weird, Willow doesn't have any kids at school. They're all too young. "What she doing?"
"Talking to Mrs Henders. It doesn't look good."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not gonna keep answering your questions. Why don't you come up here?"
"You know I don't like highs."
"So, don't be a chicken."
She glared at her braver-than-her best friend, "just tell me what's going on."
"Can't see 'em anymore. I think they went inside."
"Oh." She watched as Lissabelle swung herself down to the ground, as much as Phedra wished she could be brave like her, she wasn't stupid enough to risk her life doing that.
"Let's play-"
"Phedra!" called Mrs Henders, the school principal. She was walking rather quickly toward the 7 year old and her 6 year old best friend. "Phedra, sweetie, you've got to go."
"What?"
"Mrs Osbourne is here to take-"
"Why?"
She didn't answer, and Phedra took that as a bad sign. Something's wrong. Just then Willow came down the outside stairs and began walking toward them. Phedra's older sister was following her.
"Phedra, honey, we gotta go."
"What's going on? Bryony?"
Her sister shrugged, but had her arms wrapped around her waist. Something's wrong.
"Phedra..." Willow reached forward to get a hold of the girl's hand. She immediately took a step back.
"Why are you here? Where's mom and dad?"
Something flashed in the redhead's eyes, "that's why I'm here. Your mom asked me to come get you-"
"But school doesn't end for ages, it's only lunchtime." Phedra took another step away from her 'aunty.'
"PK, we should go." Said her sister, using her nickname. I need a new one. "Come on, don't be a pain in the-"
"Okay," interrupted Willow, her eyes wide. "Let's go-"
"Wait, what about me?" asked Lissabelle.
"Your mom or dad will come and get you later, when school finishes. Like always, Lissa."
"Oh, okay." Lissabelle was a lot like her mother, Aunty Cordy. She didn't want to be left behind or left out.
"Let's go." Said Willow again, this time succeeding in getting the two girls into the car outside and as they drove away. No one said a word.