Willow's POV

"What will you name them dear?" Gran asked, settling herself more comfortably in the chair by my hospital bed.

I smiled down at the babies in my arms, wrapped in a pink and blue blanket with the little white hospital beanies on their heads. "Well…for the boy, I have a name. But for the girl, I need your permission."

Gran smiled at me, so big and watery that I started to cry. "You sure you wanna curse her with that name?"

I nodded warmly, cuddling the babies closer to me. "I think Micah is a beautiful name."

"And the boy?"

I didn't even have to think of it. "Jesse."

Xander's POV

Dear Wills,

Joyce passed away the today. That tumor I was telling you about…it wasn't as gone as we thought. I know Buffy hasn't really been talking to you, but I could really use some support from you on this. Like an actual answer. The funeral is on Tuesday at seven in the Rest field Cemetery. We're doing a night time deal so Spike can go. Don't ask.

Please write back.

Love, Xan-Man.

I read the letter twice, trying to figure out how this could happen. Mrs. Summers had been like a favored aunt. A cool aunt that I liked more than my own mother most of the time. But hey, being cooler than my mom wasn't so hard. She'd been the same toWillow. And again, not too hard since not evenWillowreally knew her mother well.

Reading the letter once more to make sure it sounded right, which was pointless because it was already sent, I was surprised when I was about to sign off and noticed I had a new piece of mail in the Inbox.

I clicked there, surprised to see she'd already wrote back. She must have just happened to be on. I wasn't sure if that was lucky or not.

Her letter was short and sweet.

Dear Xander,

Meet me at the Van Coup Crypt after the ceremony. Be strong. I love you.

Willow

I smiled happily at the reply and scooted back from the computer desk. I needed to go console the girls.

Willow's POV

"I have to go to Sunnydale on Tuesday. Could yo-"

"I'll keep the little ones dear, you know that."

"I hate asking you this. You're already so worn down. They'll just have you fretting. I could ask Colleen to do it. She wouldn't-"

"Willow. Stop." Gran demanded. "Dear, you are the fretter in this relationship. And I really wish you'd take work off for once without it being to save a life or going to a funeral or one of the babies being sick."

I shrugged helplessly. "Well, I'll get to see Xander face to face."

"Will you tell him?"

"Tell him what?" I asked innocently.

She harrumphed at me, but didn't give up. "I don't know, darling. That you've got two eight-month old children. You go to college during the day, work in the afternoon with your children in the diner, and baby-sit an old woman every evening. Or that you train non-stop as a way to release tension and practice spells as a hobby. You practically have your own coven. You're wearing yourself ragged, spreading yourself thin."

"Hey! That's not my coven. They can barely stand me. I'm too young to be so powerful, blah blah blah. It's the only reason they keep me, ya know….the power."

"Well..."

"What?"

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Should I?"

"Darlin', you need a break. A real one. You always have to worry about everyone and everything. Just…I'm just worried."

"About what will happen when you pass." I supplied. Gran talked about it a lot and told me not to be afraid to mention it. She said it was coming no matter if we ignored it or not.

"About who will look out for you." She corrected. "No one does. Not even I do it well enough. If I was stronger, I'd force you to slow down."

"Gran, I promise, I'll slow down. Once I finish my four years in College, I'll be ready to get a great-paying job and someone to baby-sit for me. I have complete control of my powers now and they're growing everyday, but I won't be too wrapped up in them. I'll even slow down on the training."

"And meet some friends." She added. "And a boyfriend."
I sighed. "Gran-"

"That young man that didn't want you. The one that is missing out on you and these lovelies…he's a stupid man. Don't punish them all for his foolishness."

I shrugged, sighing deeply. "Finding a man that's okay with a witch that already has two children, a shady past, and abandonment issues isn't that easy Gran."