Chapter 14. Ms. Claus. I know it isn't Christmas or winter, but I haven't finished this story yet. So read on. One more chap to go.
Christmas morning awakens everyone. Dawn runs into Xander's room and wakes him up. Xander stirs in the bed and opens his eyes. The two head downstairs and see that the tree is surrounded by a load of presents that covers the entire bottom floor. Gifts come left and right.
"Wow," says Xander.
Everyone starts passing gifts around and opening them. It's the traditional Christmas gathering. Xander walks by his family, trying to make it into the kitchen, when someone calls him. He turns around completely.
"Xander," says his mother. "This is for you."
Xander walks over to his mother, who has a card in her hands. He takes the card and opens it. Dawn walks over to him to see who it is from. It's from Buffy and it says.
"Dear Alexander Harris,
I know that all you have seen last night was truly something of a dream and if you wish to only know it as that, then I understand. My trip around the world was great. The sleigh was very useful and has been returned to its rightful place. I thank you for that. As you read this, I'm already on my way home to the North Pole. For the very first time, I'm having Christmas with my family. Thanks to you because you've shown me that Family is important, even if they are obnoxious and worry about you way too much.
If I never know love again, I'll be fine because you will be in my heart forever. You are my first true love and I will cherish all the time we've spent together. I hope that you hold onto this letter and keep it in your memory of what we had. Always be good Xander because I'm watching you.
Love, Buffy."
Xander looks up, almost about to cry. He keeps it in and looks at Dawn. Dawn glances at the letter and realizes why Xander isn't feeling too happy. Xander quickly makes his way to the stairs and walks up the stairs.
"What's wrong?" asks Xander's mom.
Meanwhile at the North Pole, Buffy greets all the elves and they cheer her on for doing such a good job at taking Santa Claus' place this Christmas. Buffy and Connor head over to her house, where her parents are waiting to celebrate Christmas with her.
"Why did you do it?" asks Connor as they approach Buffy's house. He stops walking and gets in front of her.
"I had to," replies Buffy.
"No, you didn't. You told him the truth and he was okay with it. You made him a believer just like all the other people you help every Christmas."
"I know I did. I never got personal with any of them. I shouldn't get personal with him." Buffy continues to walk, but Connor gets in her way.
"No."
"Connor, get out of my way."
"NO! I'm not going to let you just do this, okay? He loves you and you love him."
"It's not enough. I can't…"
"You mean, you don't love him? Is that it?"
"I do, but…I never thought being who I am would affect me."
"Who you are is someone kind and wonderful. You're the hero of all the children in the whole world today. Who wouldn't like you?"
Buffy nods her head and blushes at Connor's comment. "You're right, but it's too late. I'm sure he's already read the letter." Buffy goes by Connor. She enters her house and is greeted by her mom.
"Sweetheart, you did it," says Joyce. "Congratulations. I knew you could."
Buffy looks at her mom with her eyebrows raised.
"Okay, so we had doubts, but deep down inside, we knew you were the perfect candidate."
"I'll take it." Buffy hugs her mom. The two then head over to the living room, where Giles is waiting.
"Merry Christmas, my dear, Buffy," says Giles as he hobbles over to her with his cane. He hugs his daughter tight.
Connor enters the living room at that point and says hi. Joyce goes over to him and congratulates him as well.
"You two are a great team," says Giles. "I couldn't ask for anyone better."
"Thanks," says Connor.
"So, when do I get to meet this guy, um…?"
"Xander," says Joyce to Giles.
"Yes, Xander."
"You're not," replies Buffy with a sad face.
"Oh, but why not?"
"I broke up with him."
"Why?"
"I don't believe that I could make the relationship work."
"Sweetheart, just because he was in the non believers list does not make him a bad person."
"It's not that."
"She made him a believer," says Connor.
Joyce and Giles look at Connor, then back at Buffy.
"It's true," says Buffy. "I told him everything about me."
"I guess he didn't take it well," says Giles.
"No, he did."
"Then what's the problem?"
"That's the problem," says Connor.
"What?" says Giles. "Buffy, I may not know this man, but I know that he has made you happy these past couple of weeks."
"He has, but it's too late. I sent him a letter saying that…"
"Buffy, it's never too late. Go to him."
"Now?"
"Right this instant."
"But what about…"
"We can have dinner everyday of the year, but love only comes once in a blue moon."
Buffy gets a little teary and hugs her dad tight. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too. Oh, ho ho ho. Wait, I made you something." He hobbles over to Buffy's Christmas stocking by the mantel. "Here." He hands Buffy a hand carved wooden box.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Buffy opens the box and hears a familiar melody. It's an instrumental version of I'll be Home for Christmas, Buffy's favorite Christmas song. She smiles at her father for giving her such a wonderful gift.
"Oz helped me out with getting it to play. He is sure handy with music."
"Thank you, Daddy, it's beautiful."
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
"Oh, right. I gotta go." She hugs her mom, then Connor and leaves.
Back at Xander's house, Xander enters his room and throws the letter on his bed. He hears someone knock on the door.
"Go away," says Xander in a harsh tone.
"Xander," says Dawn from outside his door.
"I don't want to talk, okay?"
Dawn leaves Xander alone. She walks downstairs and sees her mother go over to her. Dawn nods her head.
"Oh, poor dear," says her mom. "Look, I found this. It's for you. It doesn't say from whom."
"Must have forgotten," says Dawn as she begins opening the present. Inside is a necklace just like hers, but with a different stone on it. She turns it around and it says Connor and the date that he was born.
"Didn't you have one of those?"
"Yeah, but I love this one better." Dawn takes the necklace and puts it on.
In Xander's room, he paces back and forth wondering why Buffy would break up with him in a letter. He then heads into the bathroom and half closes the door.
In that instant, Buffy appears in his room. She sees the letter on his bed and grabs it. As she is doing that, her musical box that her father gave her opens a little and the music starts to play.
Xander hears that and quickly walks over to his room. He sees Buffy trying to close her musical box and looking at him. Xander is completely speechless as he walks over to her.