Chapt. 9- Feels like Home to me
It didn't take much convincing for Xander's parents to relinquish custody; they were glad to be rid of him. The mansion became Scooby central almost immediately, but the time came for the big move.
No one knew yet about Angel's relationship with Spike and Willow. They didn't know about the night after the funeral, when Willow had given herself freely to the men she loved. Likewise, no one knew about the steadily progressing relationship between Giles and Buffy. The funny thing about secrets is how they eat away at the closest of ties.
"Guys. How the hell are we going to explain to Giles and Xander why we share a bedroom in a 20 bedroom mansion?" Willow finally asked as they packed up the last of her belongings. The night before the big move, she sat on the edge of her bed and cried. She'd done it a lot lately, she thought.
Angel held her close to him. "Shh, my precious little tree. We'll tell them the truth. My loves do not leave my side. It helps that Spike and I are both master vampires. It means nothing to Xander and the girls but Rupert will understand." Angel kissed Willow gently as she wrapped her arms around to stroke his thick chocolate hair. Spike stopped what he was doing as well and joined the two in a lover's embrace. That night they made love in a way that said this is forever. They made claims that they weren't even aware of yet.
The next day was a blur of boxes and bags and car rides. Angel and Spike slept peacefully for a few hours before getting up to make coffee for the gang. They wanted to help move since they best knew the layout of the mansion but risking moving about that much during the day was a bad idea and they knew it. So while the Rosenberg house became increasingly empty, the foyer to the mansion became increasingly full. Giles and Xander argued over which of the 4 televisions at her home would go in the boy's room. Willow had chosen to put a lot of her parents' belongings in storage at least for the time being since so much still needed doing.
And as expected, Cordelia complained about having to do any work at all. Joyce and Buffy came out to help also, though they were splitting their time between Willow and Giles' homes. It proved to be a very tiring day indeed. By noon, Willow collapsed on the couch, which already held Spike and Angel. She laid her head on Spike's lap and her feet came to rest on Angel's. The boys nodded to one another and began to massage her achy muscles.
"Hmmm. Don't stop. Oh goddess that's wonderful. Please tell me we can do this again tonight."
"Oh course my little tree. Any time you want," Angel replied before dropping a kiss upon her big toe. Spike followed suit and bent to kiss her nose. "Love you."
"Love you – both of you. Now, help me move my books and I'll love you even more." Willow smiled. Minutes later Spike and Angel lugged very large boxes of books down the stairs.
"Bloody 'Ell luv. What you got in 'ere? Bricks?"
"Um, no. Those are my computer books and spell books. The one Angel's carrying is my box of fiction." Willow smiled sweetly. She knew each box weighed more than she did, but she also knew the vamps could handle it with out a problem; Spike just liked to complain.
By sunset the house was nearly empty. Spike and Angel filled Willow's jeep with the last few boxes and jumped in beside her. The cramped ride proved perfect for the lovers.
They had spent several days cleaning up the mansion and making it appropriate for humans to live in and more specifically for Willow (she being their only concern) to live in.
Since the night of the spell, Willow hadn't been to school. While Snyder hated the idea, he was allowing Willow to finish the year with home schooling. Each day when Giles came home from work, he brought assignments for Willow and tutoring supplies for Xander. Giles took the role of father seriously with them. And it seemed that they would both be receiving high marks this year at least. Xander even considered college now.
Angel thought on this as they drove over to the mansion. He smiled over at his lovers. Things were going to work out nicely. As they arrived at their home, Angel and Spike grabbed the final boxes as Willow looked around at her new home with fresh eyes.
"Wait till she sees the garden," Angel commented as they opened the front door only to find everyone else shouting merrily.
"Welcome Home!"
"Guys. Oh, this is so sweet. Angel, Spike did you know about this?"
"No. We were looking forward to a nice relaxing evening after all this chaos. Not that we're not very happy to have our friends here. We just kinda wanted to get settled in," Angel said kind of sadly. Really he and Spike had planned to pamper Willow that evening while Xander and Giles got settled into their end of the mansion.
"Well, yes. We just thought tonight was an evening for family. I promise it will be relaxing though. Buffy and Xander picked out movies while Joyce and Cordy cooked dinner so all we had to do was relax in the living room. How's that sound?" Giles hoped they wouldn't be too upset. He had done this as a thank you for the spacious room Angel had provided.
"Sure. Sounds great. Angel, Spike and I get the couch though. They owe me a massage," Willow beamed.
"Movies it is then. 'Ey Joyce what's for dinner?" Spike asked. Unlike Angel, Spike loved human food. Angel did too but often refused himself the pleasure out of guilt.
"Lasagna, no garlic. Don't worry, I know about your, uh, condition. There's also some blood in the fridge." Joyce smiled politely.
While careful not to be too obvious about arrangements during dinner, seating arrangements did hint to the relationships of the group. Angel sat at the head of the table with Giles at the foot. Willow and Spike sat on either side of Angel. Buffy and Xander took Giles' sides. Cordy and Joyce took the center.
"A toast! To family," Buffy announced. As she lifted her drink Giles gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Everyone smiled and drank as well. After about an hour they moved to the living room.
Plopping on the couch Willow asked what movies they were watching. Xander pulled out the Blockbuster bag, "Voila. Romance- Pretty Woman, Just for Fun-Empire Records, Horror/ Comedy we were torn on so we got Fright Night and the Lost Boys." Xander sat on the floor in front of Willow. Spike jumped over the back of the couch and sat at her feet. Willow smiled and arched her brow.
"Switching places are we?" She asked as Angel slipped in behind her head. Angel began gently stroking her hair so that she rested against his chest.
"That ok luv?" Spike mused. He knew full well that as long as she was in contact with them Willow was more than fine. Willow, however, ignored the comment as she melted into their touches. Buffy and Giles sat on the love seat together without thinking twice about it, while Cordy laid down in front of Xander. They started the movies while Joyce cleaned up.
Halfway through the second movie Buffy was laying her head on Giles lap. Angel's hand had fallen upon Willow's chest. They were absentmindedly moving into their comfort zones. Xander and Cordelia were nestled against one another nicely. Spike's hands absently ran up and down Willow's legs.
"Buffy dear. I'm going to go home. You stay here tonight ok?" Joyce said as she grabbed her purse.
"Uh-huh." Buffy lazily replied. Giles stroked her hair as she continued to watch the movie. Spike looked over at them and watched with interest. He whispered so quietly that only Angel could hear him.
"Looks like the Slayer's found herself a keeper there, Peaches."
"Good for her. She deserves to be happy. You know our girl here is gonna fall asleep on us."
"Yeah, she needs a good rest. Once she's out we'll take her upstairs. That King Size is calling her name." Before Willow could drift off to sleep though, Xander and Cordelia's snores filled the air. "The whelp's asleep; so is the queen. Let's talk," Spike caught everyone off guard.
"Do what?" Giles muttered. Buffy rose up slightly as she rested against his arm. Willow moved similarly into Angel.
"What Spike is so eloquently trying to say is we have something to bring out in the open and we think that you do too." Buffy began to blush a bit as Angel spoke. "We'll go first. As you already know Spike and Willow are romantically involved. What you don't know is that since bringing me back, they've included me in that relationship. What I'm saying is that the three of us are very much in love. What's more is we've bonded."
"Oh My." Giles paused, shocked at what he heard. "Willow, that's a serious commitment. I do wish you had come to me first. Are you sure you realize what you've done?"
"Yes. I know exactly what I did. I essentially wed myself to the two men I love and made sure that Angelus could never come back."
"Oh my god! Wills, you're like married now?"
"Essentially yes. But unlike marriage I can never get divorced. I'm stuck with these two for good and I wouldn't have it any other way." Willow smiled as she came to a fully seated position and brought the boys in closer to her. They laid their heads in her lap and she stroked their hair.
"Wow. I. Wow. Ok, Rupert baby. I love you, but wow. That's a serious commitment at 17 isn't it?"
"Yes dear. It's a very serious commitment indeed. And now, you know our secret gentlemen. Buffy and I have been romantically involved since the night Willow was told about her parents. Why is it that you chose this instant to call us out?" Giles watched closely for their response.
"Because, the kiddies are asleep. Giles, we know how they would react to this kind of news. It's best to tell only the ones who can handle it first. We'll tell Xander and Cordy later." Willow sighed softly. "We needed you to know cause eventually people were gonna notice that the three of us share a very large bed in a room on the other end of the house from everyone else."
"She has a point there." Buffy smiled. Giles laughed softly and leaned over to kiss her.
"Alright. Let's put a blanket on those two and head to bed."