Hey, guys! I'm finally back with a new chapter. Sorry it took so long. The muse escaped me for a while. This isn't exactly my best work, but here it is.
Chapter 30
Advice poured in on how Dawn should have her wedding, until she could hardly stand it. You have to do it this way and that way, they said. So, Dawn, being the typical independent adult she had become, made up her own plan.
Joyce got the mail, pleased to see a post card from Dawn, by the location pictured on the front. Her daughter was on another assignment/birthday trip, and she always sent cards from whatever location she was at next.
"Buffy! We got mail from Dawn!"
"What does it say?" She sat down on the sofa, lightly bouncing Brianna on her knee.
Joyce read aloud: Dear Crazy People, aka my family (just kidding),
You probably haven't guessed, so I'll just announce it straight out. By the time you get this postcard, I'll have been Mrs. Long for two days. I'm sorry, Mom and Buffy, that you didn't get to plan the humongo wedding, but Michael and I just couldn't wait any longer to start our lives together. Cancun is beautiful, and we're having the best time. I hope you won't be too mad at us by the time we get home (which will be in about a week). Take care! Gives kisses to my darling niece…
Love,
Michael and Dawn Long (hee! I love saying that!)
"That little sneak!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Well, I have to admit, part of me is not very surprised. I think we were going a little overboard with the planning," Joyce admitted.
"Really? But, it was going to be a fairytale winter theme! We had such pretty decorations in mind…"
Joyce chuckled. "It's her wedding in the end, though, honey. There's nothing to prevent us throwing a party when they get back. We still have to celebrate."
Brianna burbled happily.
"I guess your granddaughter agrees," Buffy noticed. With a sigh, she said, "I guess we better notify the others."
"Definitely! They'll want to settle their bets!"
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2013…
Kara quietly rolled out of bed, not wanting to disturb her sleeping mate. She secured a robe over her nude body and slipped out of the bedroom, knocking first on Lillian's, then Anastasia's door. Omelettes started for breakfast, she set about making a cup of tea while she waited for the girls to come down to eat. The first person down the stairs wasn't either of her daughters, though.
"Who said you could get out of bed?" Spike said, nipping at her neck as his arms wrapped around her from behind. Kara flipped the omelette in the pan.
"It's a school day. Your daughters need a healthy breakfast."
"So, set out some non-sugary cereal and come back to bed, luv. You know you wanna," he purred. One of his hands slid under her short robe along her thigh towards…
"Spiiiiike! I'm trying not to burn food, here. And they're going to be down here any minute." She felt the proverbial brow-raise in her head.
"You are talking about our girls, pet? Lillian takes a crow bar to get out of bed, and Ana's going to be primping in front of the mirror for half a bloody hour. Plenty of time for me to have my wicked way with you." Kara whimpered as his fingers stroked their target. "Again."
"You're…evil," she gasped. Fingers were replaced by something thicker as he took her from behind.
His chuckle echoed through her mind as he growled, "And you love it. Spread your legs a little wider, kitten. That's it. Keep an eye on your pan, pet. Don't want breakfast to burn."
"Oh, god…"
"Shhh, baby…can't let impressionable ears know what we're up to," he whispered. His strokes were hard and fast, mindful of their limited private time, and hitting her just there with every surge.
Kara managed to move the cooked omelette off the burner with a shaky hand, turning the dial to 'off' just as she felt the ball tightening in her stomach. Her eyes fluttered closed as her head fell back against Spike's bare chest.
"Close, aren't you, luv? Squeeze me like you mean it, Kara."
"Unh…"
"Tell me…"
"I want…your fangs…too," she gasped, panting now. Asking for his demonic nature always put him over the edge, and Spike's thrusts sped up as they both neared the precipice to ecstasy.
He struck just as he felt her inner walls clamp down hard, piercing her neck and gulping down a mouthful of her potent blood. Kara suppressed the urge to scream as she came. Her knees threatened to buckle, but her mate held her up, pressing her into the counter as he slumped over her shoulder. Spike kissed the marks, then backed up to pull up his pants and let her turn around. Their lips met in a feverish kiss, the bond between them pouring love and lust back and forth as they cherished each other's taste.
"Can't you be like normal parents and only kiss in the bedroom?"
"No," Spike replied unrepentantly. "You finish your homework?"
"Last night, Dad," Ana said, rolling her eyes. "It's not like it's hard. What's for breakfast?"
"Cheese and mushroom omelette, just how you like it," Kara replied. She got two plates out of the cupboard and retrieved her tea before turning back to the island. Ana cut the omelette in half with the spatula before scooping her part on a plate. "Since when do you not eat the whole thing?" Kara asked her oldest.
"Since I don't have time, Mom. The bus will be here in ten minutes."
"Geeze, it's that late? Where's Lilli?"
"She said she doesn't feel good. Can I have some orange juice, please?"
Spike and Kara shared a look, before the vampire rounded the island to head for the stairs. "I'll see what her issue is, this time."
"Ana, did she say what's wrong?" Kara set the juice carton on the counter in front of her daughter.
Anastasia swallowed her bite before answering. "Nope, but she's blocking my thoughts. It's probably another headache." She poured a full glass of juice, unconcerned.
"Alright. I'm going upstairs. Make sure you brush your teeth before you head to the bus stop." Kara dropped a kiss on her daughter's curly hair as she passed by.
Meanwhile…
"Lilli? Open the door, Bit. What's this business about being too sick to go to school?"
Lillian opened the door a crack, peering out at her father with a scowl. "Could you stop thinking! All of your thoughts are so loud!" The door slammed shut again, but Spike had the knob turned before she could lock him out.
"We've played this game before, pet. Your gift is not an excuse to get out of doing your work. Now, what's the real reason you don't want to go to school?"
"Da', I'm not fibbing! I couldn't even stand next to Ana in the bathroom. It feels like my head's gonna split open!" she whined.
Kara entered the doorway. "Lillian, you're going to miss the bus."
"Mommy, please don't come closer," she pleaded, scooting back on her bed into the corner of the room. Kara stopped, scenting her daughter's genuine unease.
"Another spike in her abilities?" she said to her husband.
"'Fraid so, luv." Spike turned back to the little girl who was trying to hold back tears. He crawled over to her on the bed and gathered her into his lap. "Shhh, Bit. No need to cry. You just need to adjust to this one like the others in the past."
"Why can't I just be fast, like Ana? Every year just hurts more, Daddy!"
"I know, princess…I know. Your mum and I will figure something out, Bit. We always do." He gently rocked her, a low unconscious purr rumbling in his chest. Kara backed away to go call the school as her daughter's sobs turned into quiet sniffles.
At this rate, it's going to be binding her powers, or isolation, she thought grimly. Lillian did eventually adjust each time, but it was taking her longer to block out others' thoughts each time her power grew. Socially, she retreated further into herself with every year, and it worried Kara a great deal. Binding her daughter's power would solve the immediate problem, but create a bigger one in adulthood – having to adjust to having it back all in one shot, instead of growing along with the ability. There weren't many telepaths in Ossirian history, but most of them had sought quiet in a remote region of the planet, before the war. If only just one were still alive to give her guidance now.
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"HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!"
"You guys!" Kara turned on her husband, wagging a finger accusingly. "You said it was just going to be a quiet evening, you big fibber!"
Spike gave her a chaste peck on the lips. "Couldn't let such a milestone pass by, luv. What do the humans say? You're 'over the hill'?"
Kara whacked his shoulder. "Hey! I happen to not be aging anymore, bub! No over the hill jokes, Mr.-Born-in-1852!"
"Kara, stop beating on your husband and come see your cake before Xander eats all the icing!" Cordelia yelled.
"Hey! I haven't even touched it, Queen C!"
Having most of your friends be several years younger than you could occasionally have its downside. Like now, when they've decorated your living room in black streamers, and ordered you a cake with a coffin on it. Black 'Happy 40th' balloons completed the look.
"Gee, guys…you shouldn't have," Kara said wryly. "You all are truly evil. If you're all in here, who's watching the kids?"
"Oh, they're down in the basement, hoarded up with plenty of snacks and movies. Connor and Ana are in charge," Tara replied.
Kara milled about, greeting her guests. It was one big happy family, with friends, relatives, and school employees all well-acquainted. She managed to pull Tara to the side for a few minutes while the group was busy filling plates.
"How are you doing?" Kara asked quietly.
"Okay, I guess. I'm not used to being on my own again, yet," the blonde Wicca replied. "All things happen for a reason, though, right?" She smiled bravely and encouraged Kara back to the party.
Aunt Willow and Aunt Tara broke up shortly before Mom's birthday that year. Willow's Guardian duties kept her further and longer away from home, and they just…grew apart. Being 32, Aunt Tara was ready and wanting to adopt a child of their own. That kind of commitment didn't fit into Aunt Willow's life. There were some fights, and tension, and then they were just over. Willow resigned from the Academy as soon as the school year ended for the summer. We didn't see her much for a long time…
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2015
I feel so…isolated, but I refuse to give up my abilities. Well, that's how I feel this week. The only respite I get is when I dream, and he comes to me. My "knight", the mysterious man in my dreams that makes me feel like I belong…like I make sense. I'm not a telepath in my dreams, and so I have to learn about him by asking questions and reading his body language, and I like that! In real life, I sense everyone's emotions right as they feel them, and hear all thoughts unless I block them…except Daddy's. Something about vampires not reflecting back mystically, or something…Grandpa Angel explained it to me once. I haven't told him that I've been able to sense his since he had his soul anchored. Anyway, only Mom has the link with Dad, because of their bond, which is cool…private… Empathically, I can sense any beings' emotions if I touch them, and this sometimes provides some way disturbing images.
I haven't been to school in a year. Aunt Tara comes to teach me now. We've just started junior high, Ana and me, though she's going to the Academy this year. Mom thinks I'll be able to go back once the onset of puberty settles down. Getting my 'monthly' has thrown my powers out of whack again. I'm even dangerous during that week, though only Ana knows that. See, if I'm angry or very upset, I can move things, throw things, with my mind. Cool for defense; not so cool for keeping my room intact. I'll get the hang of it, though. I'm sick of being confined in the house. Dad understands, and we go out sometimes in the middle of the night and run through the back fields. We play hide and seek, and I'm getting really good at finding him! And with my awesome new camouflage power, he has to use his senses to find me, too. It's really wicked – I can blend into the dark, or a wall, or a tree – anything!
Crap, gotta go – Tara's here for my lessons, and Mom bitches at me if I'm late. Hee hee…I wrote "bitches" in my journal.
Lillian Marie Browning
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2016, January
"Are you excited about your first day, Lillian?" Sebastian asked. They were sitting in his office, before 1st period, as he acquainted her with the rules and policies of the Academy. Lillian was joining the other 7th graders for 2nd semester.
"It's just school," she said blandly. She tried to look bored, to cover her nerves.
Sebastian smiled knowingly. "Well, unless you have any questions, you can head on up to your first class. Are you familiar with the layout, now that the student residences have been moved to the new building?"
"Ana filled me in, Uncle Bas. It's cool. Can I go now?"
"Yes, dear. Have a good day."
She hopped to her feet and hurried for the door, pausing only to say "thanks" over her shoulder as she left.
Kids. Always in a hurry, he mused. Sebastian gathered the papers into Lillian's folder, and tucked it away in the filing cabinet. He would keep an eye on his 'niece' for the next few days. Kara had expressed concern about how she would fit in with the other children, coming in late, and as a stranger to all but her sister, in her grade.
Lillian ran up the stairs to the second floor, which had originally housed the RA's apartment, and all the dorm rooms for the Potentials. Simone was still the active Slayer, at 25, thanks in part to her team. The Cleveland Hellmouth was now also closed, and she and Robin Wood were now based in Kyoto, Japan, the current most active Hellmouth, though it didn't hold a candle to how Sunnydale had been. Without being called as a Slayer, the Potentials grew up to be normal adult women, though many of them had innate magical abilities. Most of the Academy's graduates went on to universities. The rest had found some place in the world to be helpful. All were encouraged to reach out to non-aggressive species of demons to create alliances, friendships. The tide was ebbing towards the side of good at this time, but no one knew when that might change.
Lillian slid into a seat in the back of the classroom just as the bell rang. Ana looked back from her seat up front to give her a brief encouraging smile before turning back to the teacher as class started. The teacher took note of any empty seats, then started the lecture. Lillian bent over her textbook and notepad, trying not to call attention to herself. As a twin, she knew the other kids would be curious about the similarities between her and Ana, and she could feel eyes on her already. The Bercuree boy next to her was ogling her legs. Why did the uniform have to include a skirt? She hated how pale she was due to the necessity of avoiding sunlight. Ana had these shapely, light golden legs. It wasn't fair!
"Miss Browning, could you tell us what 'b' equals in this equation?" the teacher asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Lillian looked up when she didn't hear her sister's voice reply. "Me?" she squeaked, blushing from being caught not paying attention.
"Yes…Lillian." He pointed to the math equation on the board.
"Uh…27, sir," she replied. He nodded, then asked them to flip to the next page. 'This is going to be a long day,' she thought.
"Lillian the Fair…how goes your first week?"
Lillian swallowed her bite of sandwich and smiled goofily at the boy in front of her. "Hi, Connor."
"Have you seen Ana?" He didn't bother to sit.
Her smile dimmed. "Yeah…she's over there with the cheerleader wannabes." She pointed to the other side of the lunch room, where Ana was sitting with the popular kids.
"Thanks, kid. See ya around, okay? Let me know if anybody gives you a hard time."
"Yeah…okay." Lillian frowned as he walked off to find her sister, and pushed her sandwich away. 'Kid…I'm only 7 minutes younger than her!' She was the one who'd had a crush on him for two years! She was the one he confided in whenever life got weird at the hotel. Lillian was settling in for a good brood, when a studded belt and loose tie invaded her vision.
"Hey, you're new. Ana's sister, right?" The boy sitting across from her was kinda cute, if you liked the spiked-hair-standing-straight-up look.
"Yeah. Aren't you violating dress code?"
"My mom's the new science teacher. The belt's a compromise for not cutting classes first week of the semester. So, what's your deal?"
"My deal?" she asked, arching a brow.
"Your special quirk. Most everybody around here's got one, so I figured you had to, too. Your sister kicks ass in self-defense class."
"You expect me to share personal details when I don't even know your name?" she sniped back.
He grinned, hazel eyes glittering. "Jake Prowse, same grade as you."
"Lillian Browning." She shook the offered hand. "My 'deal' is that I'm a telepath."
"Get out! You can actually read peoples' minds?"
She grinned smugly. "Uh-huh. And no, I won't help you cheat at poker."
"I didn't say that out loud!"
"I know."
"Wicked…like Professor X…"
Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Who?"
"X-Men, duh. So, are you living in the dorms?"
"Nah. Mom teleports us here every day."
"Powerful witch, huh?"
Lillian smiled enigmatically. "Something like that."
"Cool. Well, lunch is almost over. What's your next class?"
"Uh…World History."
"Me, too! Looks like you're stuck with me for the rest of the year," he said happily.
"Yup, looks like."
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2016, September
"See you tonight?"
"Same place as always. I've been sneaking out all summer, and my parents haven't caught on. School starting isn't going to get in my way," Lillian replied.
"Cool. My brother left his dirt bike when he went off to college. Should be a lot of fun."
"Cool. Later, Jake. Mom's gonna be waiting out front." The best friends shared a secret handshake, and parted ways.
Kara tried not to let her opinion of her daughter's hair show on her face, but she just didn't understand this fascination with bright colored streaks. Lillian's long, light brown hair now sported black, blue, and purple streaks and stripes. She guessed it was the influence of that boy her youngest had found. Lillian seemed to be trying out her own version of her father's punk years.
"Why'd you do that to your hair?" Ana said as her sister approached. "You look like a freak."
"Better than a preppy clone," Lillian sniped back.
"Hey! Enough bickering. Ana, Lillian is just experimenting with her individuality. Temporary hair color never hurt anyone. Now, take my hands. You both need to finish your homework before Aunt Steph comes over for your piano lessons."
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2017, November
"Hey."
"Hi," Ana replied, smiling affectionately.
Connor looked around to see if anyone was watching, then gave her a quick kiss. "I got my license yesterday. You want a ride home?"
"Okay."
"Cool." He took her hand once she had closed her locker door, and walked her to class. Unnoticed by the new couple, ice blue eyes had witnessed the kiss, and they were not happy.
Well. Killing her sister's good mood would be fairly easy. Just a matter of sharing the right rumor with the right people.
"MOM!" Anastasia bellowed as soon as she walked in the door. "Lillian told the whole school that I stuff my bra!"
"I did not! Why do you always assume I'm the cause of your bad day! God! She's such a drama queen!"
"Well, if it wasn't you, then it was that delinquent you hang around with, Jake! You know he's just one step away from expulsion. What a loser!"
Lillian stepped forward dangerously. "Leave my friends out of this! You want to pick a fight with me? Let's go!"
"WHAT IS WITH ALL THE BLOODY SHOUTING IN HERE? You girls have 2 seconds to explain why you just woke me up from a sound sleep!" Spike interjected.
They stood in the entryway, frozen in place with guilty faces.
"Well?"
The dam broke forth, both them talking over the other in a rush to plead their case. Spike pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.
"ALRIGHT! I don't care. Just get the hell up to your rooms and do your homework. I don't want to hear another peep until suppertime!"
"Yes, sir," they mumbled, and made a beeline for their bedrooms upstairs.
"You really know how to put the fear of God into them," Kara remarked, amused.
Spike sunk down wearily on the couch. "Yeah, well, it hasn't stopped them from sniping at each other every time they're in the same bloody room. Is this normal?"
"For teenage sisters? Yeah, pretty much. And being identical twins just makes them want to be more different than they already would be from each other. It will pass, like every other phase." She stood behind the couch and started massaging his temples, smiling at the purr that began to rumble from her mate. "We have another little problem, too."
"Oh?"
"Cordelia called. Connor got his driver's license yesterday, and he's using the Plymouth to go to school now."
"Bleedin' wonderful! The hormone bombs can now get around on their own. You wanted children, why, again?"
Kara chuckled. "Oh, they're not that bad, and you love them to death, too. I will admit that puppies and kittens are easier, though."
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Lillian rolled out her bedroom window and landed soundlessly on the ground below. She telekinetically closed the window, then ran around the side of the house, avoiding the motion-detection lights. Once past the front gate, she walked a few yards down the horse trail to where he was waiting.
"You got the goods?" she asked.
He handed her the pack of cigarettes and lighter. "You know I always come through," Jake replied.
"Yeah, you're the best. Let's book. I feel like doing something…daring." She fastened the motorcycle helmet on her head, then climbed on behind him.
Four hours later, she climbed into her bedroom, wobbling slightly from the buzz working the spell had given her. Lillian closed the window, then turned towards her bed.
"Shit."
"Pretty much, Bit. Mind telling your ol' da' where the hell you've been?" His voice was low, calm, and even. This was not comforting.
She shrugged. "Out for a walk. I couldn't sleep."
"Uh-huh…and you had to go out the window for this 'walk'? I didn't know casual strolls made you smell like magicks, Lillian, and I've been around a long time. The truth, this time, or you won't feel like sitting for a week."
"Like Mom would ever let you lay a hand on me! That's never been you guys' mode of punishment, Da'. And it's not magic, just sage. Happens when you wander through sage brush," she answered defiantly.
Spike nodded, knowing she wasn't going to cooperate. "Alright, Bit. Have it your way. You're grounded for two weeks, and that window's getting sealed. Get in the shower and then bed, now, or you'll get a lot worse."
"Fine!" She grabbed her pajamas and went into the adjoining bathroom, slamming the door.
Spike sighed, and left the room. This wasn't the first time he'd caught her out in the middle of the night over the past year. Unfortunately, in this case, his little girl was a lot like him, and kept coming up with crafty ways to escape her confines. He hadn't been able to find it when searching her room, but he was pretty sure she had a lock picking set, or some kind of tool for that purpose. A spell would be the only thing she didn't know how to bypass, though that would probably only be a matter of time, too. He sunk down wearily on the bed and pulled off his shirt.
"Is she back?"
"Yeah…we do right by them, don't we, pet? A safe roof over their heads, plenty of food to warm their bellies, love and support…I don't understand what she's rebelling against."
"I think…she feels entitled, because she had to isolate herself so many times because of her gift. At least her grades haven't suffered. She had better scores than Ana on her progress report. I don't know…she's so much like you at times…what would you do at her age?"
"With everything available that's out there now? Probably a whole lot worse than sneaking out to ride a bike in the middle of the night." He settled in under the covers and pulled Kara close. "That's what scares me, luv…there's so much evil, just plain ol' human evil, that she could get herself into…I can hardly bare it any time she gets sick, let alone if she got herself hurt."
She stroked her hand along his cheek, gazing into his eyes in the moonlight. "I know. We need to sit down and have a long talk with her, be brutally honest. Maybe if we all understand where we're all coming from…"
"Can't hurt. I just hope she'll let us in."
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"Lilli?"
Lillian rolled away from facing the wall to look at her sister, standing in the bathroom doorway. "I take it you heard."
"Yeah…listen, Dad has a mean bark, but he just doesn't want us getting hurt…"
"I know…I just…sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in my own skin, you know? And I just have to get…out. It's hard to explain. I'm not doing anything dangerous."
"I didn't think you were, but you're still pushing all the rules, and it's only going to make life harder. This is probably some of my fault, anyway," Ana stated. "I didn't try to include you in my group when you came to the Academy, and I'm sorry. It was selfish. I envy you, you know."
"Me? Why? I can't even do all the things you can…"
"Yeah, but you're not afraid, of, like, anything! I mean, it may look like I have everything going for me, at school, but you and Connor are the only people who really, like, know me. I mean, I like my life…you know, the activities and classes and stuff, but there's a part I'm expected to play, too…and you're outside that, which is cool…" Ana fiddled with the hem of her t-shirt, feeling self-conscious about sharing this stuff, even with her sister.
"You're such a dope…seriously, don't envy me. I can't even go play with you guys at the beach without getting a 3rd-degree sunburn. And do you even have a clue how tiring it is to block out the voices of hundreds of people who think all the time? You've got it made, Ana. You're like…you're like the best combination of Aunt Tara and Aunt Buffy – brains, beauty, and the ability to kick ass at will. You even have the perfect boyfriend."
Ana sighed dreamily, and blushed. "Yeah, Connor is pretty great. Do you think Dad will let you come to the football game with us Friday, if we come straight home? I feel like I haven't hung out with you in forever."
"I don't know, but the worse he can say is 'no'. You ask, though. I'm kind of afraid to open my mouth for a while."
"Oh, you know you'll be his beloved Lilli again in no time. Dad's temper is like a flash in a pan, you know?"
"Yeah…thanks, for what you said. And I'm sorry for spreading that rumor. I was feeling jealous, and it kinda went to my head…" Lillian admitted.
"Hey, I get it. But, you're my twin, and we're forever. I love you, even when you're a bitch."
"Gee, thanks. Now, get out, before we both get in trouble."