Family

Chapter 1: Forever Gone

The night was cold in the small town, and the man's breathing was becoming more and more harsh. It seemed as if the man's golden hazel eyes had finally lost their light after a very long, very tiring lifespan. His body was found alone in the morning.

Joyce Summers hummed to herself as she stood by the microwave. The small buzzer that went off startled her, then she frowned as she saw the machine was still cooking lunch.

A young woman of about 16 peeked inside the kitchen. Her long brown hair and light green eyes gave her a kind appearance. "Mom! Should I go get it?" Dawn Summers asked happily.

"Huh? Oh! The door!" Joyce said laughing. "No, no. Finish your homework, I'll get it." She said as she wiped her hands on a towel. The dark blonde walked over to her youngest and gave her a small hug.

"Watch the food while your at it." She said then walked over to the front oak door.

It opened with a small lurch and Joyce was startled to see a man in a suit.
"Can I help you, sir?" She asked, clearly uncertain as to this man's presence.

The man with calm black eyes, short cut black hair, and a small red tie to complete his suit ensemble, had a sorrowful look on his face

."Yes, but.. May I come in first? You are Joyce Summers, correct?" He questioned.

He's fidgeting. Joyce thought, and I really shouldn't let a stranger in here.
"May I know what this is about?" She asked, her dark brown eyes staring at him as if trying to see something off.
"It concerns, this is… its about Hank Summers, your ex husband. I've come to give his final will." The man stammered, and as proof he held up a small briefcase that Joyce hadn't noticed before.

"So- so he's dead…. No.." Joyce whispered as her legs started to give way.
The man's eyes widened when he saw her descent. "Ma'am!" He cried out, darting forward to awkwardly grab her forearm with his one hand.
She slumped in his grasp and the man decided he really didn't ever, ever want to tell of someone's death ever again.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly, then gently pulled her up so she would lean against the doorframe.

"Is there a place where we can both sit and discuss this, please." He murmured and Joyce faintly heard. She nodded then pulled from his grasp. Her eyes were watering up, but she closed them quickly to stop such tears. "In here, please"
She said leading him into the living room and sitting on the beige sofa. "BUFFY!" She then cried out, and upstairs Buffy Summers stopped in her tracks.

"Mom." Buffy whispered before bolting down stairs and calling out. "Mom! Mom, what's wrong!" She met Dawn at the bottom step and nearly collided with her little sister.

"Buffy! Wha-?" The brunnette started, but Buffy just ran past to her mother's voice.

"Mom, you alright?" Buffy said and Joyce looked up at her with tears streaming down.

"He's gone.. Your father, he's gone"
"W-what. When!" Buffy whispered.

"Two nights ago." Said a voice that made Buffy turn to face the man."Who's that?" Dawn asked after she ran in.

"Cameo Marilis. I am, was, your father's attorney. His heart failed him." Cameo said quietly.

"S-so dad's dead?" Dawn whispered. She then went over to the sofa and hugged her mom.
The man, Cameo, nodded then sat his briefcase on the wooden coffee table.

Buffy slowly walked over to a small chair in the room and sat down heavily. "He wasn't the best dad but…" She started nervously.

"I know dear." Joyce whispered then returned Dawn's hug. She slowly pulled away and wiped her eyes of tears. Buffy was trying not to show hers, not in front of her mom and sister. All the while Dawn was looking at her mom blankly.
Joyce forced a smile on her face for the sake of her girls then turned to regard Mr. Marilis.
"His last will, you said?" She asked, her voice strained with grief.

He nodded then opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder.
"I'll read it out loud. Please try not to interrupt." He cautioned.

"Interupt a dead man!" Dawn said a little hysterically then lowered her eyes. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear it.

"Ahem…If in the event of my death I leave everything as equally as I can. For my ex-wife, Joyce Summers, I have two things to say and to ask. I loved you and I'm sorry I wasn't the best husband in life. I tried to be happy with you but you know the results of that. I leave you $14,000 to bury my corpse and the rest is for you to do as you please. I did have life insurance so that $150,000 will be distributed to you, Buffy, and to Dawn. Please take care of them, and Dawn, Buffy, I'm leaving you a nice place in LA. It's a condo that I was saving for whenever Buffy gets married. I wish you three well, but there is a favor I must ask of Joyce. I have left a large sum of money in a special bank account. I started it about 17 years ago for a special purpose. Joyce, you know I had someone who was very important to me. I had two sons with her and I know this isn't fair to you but please, I would like you to give it to them. I was a horrible person to them in life. I left when they were children and I never looked back. I owed it to you three to try and forget them but in death I believe they need to know that I wish them the best in life. There names are Edward and Alphonse Elric. I never even thought of asking their mother for anything but their safety when I left. I just want it confirmed and I want them to be alright financially.
I ask you to do this for me and I also ask for your happiness to be great. Please, find it in your hearts to forgive me."

Camero finished reading and the room remained dead silent. All that was heard was Joyce's harsh breathing and Buffy's hands clenching the sofa in anger.

"He just thinks he can say that without someone getting-!"

"Buffy! That's enough. Let us finish hearing out this man and then I'll decide what to do later." Joyce gritted out even though inside her skin she was boiling with a new type of anger that she though had passed years ago.
I never even knew he had other children. She thought as Camero started talking once more.

Note:
This is something I been trying for a while and finally decided to post it. It's a crossover between Buffy and FullMetal Alchemist. I think this is fun!