Author's note: yay! Next chapter's here. Beware everyone, totally Un BETA'd.I'm going through another pretty rough patch so please oh please drop me some lines...

Chapter XXVI - Grace

The town car cruised slowly down the immense drive way in front of a manor even more impressive and beautiful than the one in Germany.

"Where are we?" Alex yawned.

It was late, or rather it was early, the wee hours of the morning. But Jonathan had insisted they switch houses. He said that the coming spring in the English country side was a lot more pleasant than a Spring in Germany.The house-or castle as was more appropriate-was one of Jonathan's many estates.

"Somewhere in England." Spike informed her.

"Oh," Alex replied. "Good."

She didn't even ask one questoins which prompted an askance look from Spike. Buffy smiled at him a little weakly.

"I doubt she knows what's going on." she said. "She's tired. We're all tired."

Spike nodded.

"Well, we're here." he said as the town car stopped.

A doorman opened the car door for Buffy as she stepped out into the February snow. Spike got out after her, carrying William who was happily gurgling in his car seat. Spike stared up at the massive house.

It was hard to believe it had been more than a hundred years since he had been in this place. It looked just the same as the last time that he left.

A woman in her forties came out to greet them.

"Welcome, Mr. William, Ms. Summers," she said cheerfully. "Come, warm yourselves next to the fire."

Buffy smiled pleasantly at the woman but Spike just stared at her until Buffy elbowed him in the ribs. This effectively snapped him out of his stupor. Spike couldn't help it. She looked so familiar, so... suddenly it him. It was obvious when he thought about it... but... shouldn't she have died a hundred years ago?

He, Buffy, Alex and William were ushered into a great drawing room where a merry fire crackled in the hearth. The woman smiled.

"I'll leave you here for a few moments." she said. "I have something to attend to. I shall be back soon to see to your quarters." she promptly disappeared into the next room.

Buffy immediately took William and sat down to play with him near the fire. The two-month-old baby proceeded to look around interestedly at his surroundings. He didn't seem at all disturbed by being moved from the place that he knew. This behavior was far from unexpected, William barely ever cried. He was pretty content with what he got.

Spike was amusing him self watching the slayer, the tiny blonde who slayed demons and vampires, play with a baby, the child of a vampire.

His child.

William had his deep blue, thoughtful eyes and Buffy's blonde hair. There was no denying his parentage. William looked just like him.

"Sir?"

Spike turned around to see a proper looking butler hesitantly tap him on the back

"I have a telegram for a Mr. William?"

Spike raised his eyebrow but nodded for him to proceed. Obviously, Jonathan had sent them a welcoming gift of some sort. The man was generous to a fault. It really was nice of him.

"Thank you." he muttered. He looked down at the telegram but before he could absorb what it said he noticed a painting on the wall. A portrait done in oils. it was amazing and obviously an antique. Spike didn't really glance at it a second time. Instead, he focused his eyes of the telegram in front of him. it was typical Jonathan, he was not made for the twenty first century, the man didn't believe in the telephone.

It read:

Mr. William,

Or shall I, be the first to address you by your rightful title. One that you have, for so very long, hidden, your grace.

I hope that you have arrived safely

I beg you to take a look around this place, for you will come to remember it as yours, William James Wescott III

The once eighth now twentieth in line to the throne, the Duke of Wescottshire.

You will see that all of your records including those of your wife Elizabeth Wescott and

Your two children William James Wescott IV and Alexandra Camilla Wescott are to be found in the records office of London.

I took the liberty of enrolling Alexandra in Trevden Eastlake Hall. It is a fairly good school some ways away.

As long as you are protecting the slayer and the Damphyr(s), as is your destiny you will be under my protection, not to mention receive the fortune that fell to my family from yours, with interest.

I have given you back your old life, because once, you gave back my father's. And for that, I am forever indebted to you.

Good luck, your grace.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Cortenay.

Spike dropped the telegram. He looked around at the place he was standing. Everything was falling into place around him. Memories crashing into him. He looked up at portrait, recognizing it instantly.

He shook his head, Jonathan truly was generous to a fault.