August-November 2002
Chapter Two
Weeks have flown by and the buzz around the new neighbor in town had died down a bit, as everyone went about their day. The local university campus was closed for the rest of summer, and many people chose to take a vacation by exploring the country or even going off to see the world. The Summers Sisters, excluding Kendra and Faith, were very busy with all the different activities at the youth center. Parties, outings, and educational pursuits were a daily occurrence at the center. With so much to do Buffy conceded to lighten her own load by taking time off from her work at the Mystical World. Luckily it wasn't a big lost for her parents since business had become quite slow this time of the year.
In the middle of a slow business day, while Joyce was busy reading books to help Kendra be more social and as Giles was busy thinking of all the trouble Faith caused with her wild ways, a young stranger entered the store. The young man happened to be the mysterious Oz Osborne, who had decided to take Jenny's recommendation of using the Mystical World as his supplier of artwork to fill not only his new home but also in the newly remodeled Bronze. To say Mr. Osborne became the Summers' Parents favorite person would be an understatement. Joyce was quite smitten over the young man, not only did he buy many of Joyce's favorite pieces in the gallery, but the quiet soft manner in which Oz spoke gave her the clue that he was a gentle and intelligent man. Giles enjoyed discovering that the young man not only had an extensive knowledge about the art world but also carried the same innate curiosity about the artwork that he has. Another point in Mr. Osborne's favor is his taste in music is very similar to Giles' taste, Giles' having once been a musician, enjoyed his chats with the young man. The Summers' parents, mostly Joyce, talked about the young man so much that the girls became very annoyed every time the name Mr. Oz Osborne especially Buffy.
"Mr. Osborne bought this…Oz did that…Oz suggested that instead…" Buffy rambled on one night to Willow as they were getting ready for bed.
"Buffy you haven't even meet the man, I'm sure he's a very nice guy," replied Willow as she brushed her long red hair until it was silk smooth.
"I'm sure Mr. Osborne is a great guy especially since daddy is even making a few comments about him, I don't mean to be picking on him. I'm just tried of hearing how great he is every second I'm at home. Time at home should be relaxing, but instead I'm going insane." Sighed Buffy, she knew she was fussing over nothing but she couldn't help it.
"Perhaps you would not be going insane if you weren't so overworked and stressed from the center. Honestly Buffy you should take some time off." Said Willow as she gave her sister a concerned look.
"I'm fine Will and anyway I have the next 2 days off. So see I'll be resting. But the real reason I'm going crazy is because you know the real reason mom keeps bring up Mr. Osborne don't you?" said Buffy. 'I wish Willow could understand that staying active is fun for me and makes me feel alive'
Frustrated with her sister Willow replied, "Buffy, Robin gave you the 2 days off to plan and coordinate the fundraiser night for the center. How in the world is that called relaxing? Honestly I have half a mind to yell at him for all the work he makes you do. And yes I know the only reason mom keeps bring up Mr. Osborne is because she's planning to set one of us up with him."
Laughing as she went to bed Buffy said, "Work relaxes me. And there is no need to yell at Robin I volunteered for all the assignments I have been given. Besides I've been in charge of fundraiser night since I was sixteen. You know how important it is to me that the center has the funding to provide all its services to the children. Anyway I guess I shouldn't be so upset over this Mr. Osborne business, mom's probably going to set him up with you anyway." A gasp could be heard across the room before a pillow went flying across the room toward Buffy's head. Turning away just in time Buffy just continued laughing. "You know it's the truth, you are the eldest. She wants you to get married first." Willow just grumbled in agreement, "Besides the others are still considered young, and I'm considered a lost cause."
"You are not a lost cause Buffy," Willow tried to argue.
"Really? Now let's see all her matchmaking attempts with me have ended dreadfully. Parker thought I would be easy to get in to bed with, the jackass. Pike always wanted to talk about sports and cars, not a big interest with me. Scott discovered his love for other men, very bad for my self-esteem. And Riley was…" Buffy trailed off. 'Men and Buffy leads to no good'
"Riley was a nice guy Buffy," said Willow though she knew her sister had no interest in the man.
"Yeah he was, but we never connected. I think we were too different. He's a soldier, so he was all about protocol and regulations, following his commanding officers, and you know me never been the best with authoritative figures. I could never really talk with him about music or art, and he could not dance to save his own life. Two left feet all the way." Chuckling softly Buffy said. 'I'm perfectly happy to stay single for the rest of my life, but if some day I can meet a man that can keep up with me I won't complain'
Laughing herself Willow said, "I guess your right, but he does sound perfect for Kendra though"
"Hmm…" sighed Buffy as her eyes began to closed, "Goodnight Willow."
"Goodnight Buffy."
A week later
It was one of those rare days when the entire Summers family could sit down and have dinner together. Buffy, Willow, and Dawn were home early from the center for once, Faith didn't have plans, and Joyce was able to drag Kendra out of her room.
"So how are the plans for fundraiser night honey?" asked Joyce as everyone began eating.
"Very good mom," answered Buffy as she took a sip of soup, "I have my performers lined up, Dawn is in charge of the children chorus, Dawn how are they doing?"
"Don't worry Buffy, they will be singing like angels by performance night," Dawn said as she ate her chicken. 'I will make sure the night goes perfectly or Buffy might have a breakdown'
"That's great Dawn. Willow are you and Fred ready with your skit?"
Swallowing her food Willow stated, "Almost there, we have picked the kids for the parts. By show time they will know their roles like the back of their hands. We just need help with the costumes."
"Oh I will help with that, I can sew the costumes," said Joyce always ready to lend a helping hand.
"Are you sure mom?" Joyce just nodded, "Thanks mom! Ok let's see there's also…"Buffy was surprisingly cut off by Kendra.
"I'll help mother with the costumes," ignoring everyone's shocked faces Kendra just continued, "helping with the costumes will help me perfect my stitching technique, which I will benefit from when I become a surgeon."
"Um… thanks Kendra I think," replied Buffy, "lets see where was I, oh my advance dancing class will be in the show. I'm also going to auction off the work done by my art classes. I've been calling local merchants to see if any would be willing to donate an item to the auction but it's going slowly since I haven't had much time to make many calls." 'wow so many things to do so little time, you would think I would be use to all the planning after being in charge of it for years but it seems every year new things come up'
"I'll help with that Buffy," said Faith, "you know how good I'm at with persuading people to give me stuff." Everyone but Giles laughed, he just scrawled.
"Thanks Faith that will be a big help." Thanked Buffy.
"I'll be more then happy to donate a piece or two from the gallery to the auction," said Giles. Buffy smiled and thanked her dad. "So Buffy are you going to perform your annual dance routine?" he asked.
"I was planning too daddy, but then I was talking with Robin today and he suggested that instead of dancing I should sing a song." Said Buffy while taking a bit to eat from her plate.
"Oh that's great Buffy!" cried an enthusiastic Dawn, "You have such a beautiful voice. Have you thought about what you want to sing? If you need any help just ask me."
"Thanks Dawn, but I'm not sure I want to sing. You know how I don't like to have the spotlight on me, at least with dancing I'm always moving around so I don't notice anything but my own movements and the music. Singing in front of people means staring out to the audience and seeing their eyes on me." Buffy looked at her father before saying, "Of course I was never afraid when I use to sing with you daddy."
Giles had an amused look on his face before he said, "Are you trying to give me a hint sweetheart?"
Eyes wide with a child-like innocence, Buffy look at her father and plead her case. "Well Daddy… do you remember when we use to sing together at the park when I was little?" Giles nodded and smiled at the memories. "You would have your guitar with you and we would be sitting against the old oak tree near the lake. You would teach me a new song each time we went; I was so happy and proud of myself. We would sing the afternoons away together that I would barely register the crowds that would gather around us. I miss those times Daddy."
Teary-eyed from those innocent memories Giles replied, "I do too honey. Spending time with you at the park and sharing my love of music with my little girl was always a highlight of the week. But we both got older and busier and those times became rarer and rarer."
"I know Daddy…I know. So what do you say to singing a duet with me for old time sake? It will give us a chance to spend some quality time together. And I'm sure my voice has gotten better since I was little so you don't have to worry about me still singing off-key."
Chuckling Giles replied, "Buffy you have never sung off-key in your life and I would love to sing with you." "Oh thank you daddy!" cried Buffy as she rushed to give her father a hug. The rest of the family just looked on with amusement and joy knowing what it meant to both to have the opportunity to sing together. "Well Dawn I guess you should get started on that search for the perfect song for Buffy and me to sing." Dawn just nodded at her father.
Dinner was filled with chatter as everyone began discussing their assignments for fundraiser night. The energy in the room could have lit up a city. Joyce and Willow animatedly discuss what the costumes for the play should look like with comments made by Kendra on what would make the outfits historically accurate. Dawn looking forward to her sister and father's duet helped them brainstorm for the perfect song. Buffy also talked with Faith over which merchants she had already talked with and who she hasn't and what items would be good for the auction. They all discussed how to promote the fundraiser and the center to get the whole town's attention. Willow suggested newspaper announcements; Dawn advised that they have a radio DJ broadcast the event, while Faith said they should have a local television station broadcast instead. Kendra balks at her sisters ideas saying they will all cost more money then they could raise. Buffy agreed with Kendra's statement, having gone through the fundraising process before said that they couldn't do anything extravagant, but if they asked the local media for some help they were sure to get it. Both Joyce and Giles offered to help by using their connections around town.
As everyone finished their dinners Joyce stood and spoke. "That's enough talk about fundraisers for the evening. As proud as I am that our whole family is involved in such a worthy cause, I think the rest of the night should be spent relaxing. So why don't you girls go pick a few movies fore the family to watch while me and your father wash the dishes." Rounds of "Ok's" were heard. "Buffy and Willow you girls can be in charge of gathering the snacks." They replied with "Sure's." Minutes later the entire Summers' family was spread across the living room as the opening credits of the movie began. Soon the room was filled with laughter and popcorn in the air. Giles and Joyce looked at each other and smiled, hoping that someday their children would be as blessed as they had been.