The Dawning of Faith
Chapter 20
"These are the good tears, Dawn," she promised, "this is wonderful, it means that she really believes that you love her. This moment, right now; this is the real magic in life."
Dawn smiled her understanding, and gently kissed Faith. "It's okay my love, it's okay, I'm here, and here I'll stay. Want to go home?"
Faith nodded against Dawn's neck, and Dawn helped her into the car.
Buffy slid behind the wheel, and Willow moved across the seat to be close to her.
"Try not to kill us all, sweetie," Willow asked.
"I'll do my best," Buffy answered. "Which one of these thingies do I push to make this go?"
"Want me to drive?" asked Willow.
"Oh hell no, " Buffy answered, "I'll make do here."
The car lurched away from the curb, and while Willow had a white-knuckle ride, Dawn was totally absorbed in holding her dreams safely in her arms.
"We're home," Buffy said, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Imagine that," said Willow in a daze.
"Nice," Buffy replied.
"We're home, love," whispered Dawn to Faith, "let's go inside."
Buffy and Willow hastened to open the door, and Dawn escorted Faith into the house, where she managed to gain control and stand on her own.
"I guess you guys think I'm a sissy now, huh?" Faith asked as she scrubbed her nose on her sleeve.
"I think you really love my sister," Buffy answered, "and I know I'm happy for her."
"No lie?" Faith asked.
"No lie. We all need to get to bed; this has been the biggest day. And tomorrow is a school day," she said gently. "And just in case there is any lingering doubt in anybody's mind, you have my blessing," Buffy said warmly.
Neither Dawn nor Faith could find the words to express their gratitude, but Buffy understood.
"Be gentle with my girl," Buffy asked, "this is new for her."
"I will," gasped Faith.
"I wasn't talking to you," Buffy said softly, "good night, my darling sisters." She and Willow headed to Willow's room.
"Come on love," Dawn encouraged, "let's get you to bed."
Faith leaning heavily on Dawn, the two made their way to Dawn's room, which was closest.
"Lie down," Dawn ordered as she guided Faith to the bed. Faith sank onto the soft surface and Dawn pulled off her shoes and pants, removed her own, and then settled in behind Faith, pulling her close. She spread the light sheet atop them, kissed Faith behind her ear, and whispered to her…
"Tonight, let me be the strong one. Tonight, let go of everything, let go of your doubts, let go of your fears. Just never let go of me, as I will never let go of you."
Faith slipped effortlessly into sleep, and she was warm, and she was safe, and she was loved.
And she was whole.
"I love your toes," panted Buffy as she lay sprawled across the bed.
"I thought you might," Willow purred as she snuggled to her side.
"You are beyond all doubt the sexiest living thing in the world, Will."
"Thanks, but don't tell anybody, or I'll lose my nerd street cred."
"My lips are sealed - o-or they were, till just now. Willow, love, I have to work tomorrow. No, later today, I – oh God."
"So you'll be tired," Willow said, her breath warm on Buffy's stomach, "but I'm going to teach you to love at least two more parts of me before breakfast."
Faith could sense the morning sun through her still-closed eyelids, and she could feel Dawn warm against her, her warm and slender arm about Faith's waist. Faith laced her fingers through Dawn's, and sighed deeply.
"Are you awake, Faith?" Dawn asked quietly.
"Almost," Faith admitted.
"Did you sleep okay?"
"Mmmmmm, best sleep ever. I love you Dawnie."
"I can feel that, I love you too."
"That's just about all I can feel right now, your love for me. I just need one more thing to top off all this perfect-ness," Faith told her.
"What's that?"
"Are your eyes open yet?"
"Yes, I've been staring at you for an hour or so, just watching you sleep," Dawn confessed.
"Am I a horrible mess?"
"You are the most beautiful thing that has ever existed. Are you really mine?"
"I really am. Okay, now you keep your eyes open, I'm going to roll over now." Faith twisted around in the circle of Dawn's arm, and then reached up to find her face. She blindly brushed the hair that she could feel curtaining Dawn's face back, tucked it behind her ear, and cradled her head with that hand. Faith moved her own face closer, until she could feel the soft breathing on her skin. She slowly opened her eyes, and found herself looking into blue pools that shone with love for her.
"iNow,/i" it's perfect," she whispered as her lips closed the final inch to Dawn's.
Dawn thought it was pretty perfect too.