Chapter 205
Buffy spent Christmas with her mother and Dawn. Selena was with them, the Summers hadn't seen much of their cat lately for some reason. The Summers' had their traditions, opening presents under the tree from "Santa." Even Dawn didn't believe in Santa Claus anymore, but it was fun to pretend. The tree was decorated, and the toy village was set up. There was a toy train that Joyce had inherited from her mother. Every year she and her daughters picked a new decoration for the toy village and kept adding on. This continued into their move. Buffy's friends were coming over for Christmas dinner. Joyce knew Willow was jewish and Tara wiccan, but they still enjoyed this togetherness. During the day the three Summers women watched "Its a wonderful life." One scene in particular gave Buffy hope. When George Bailey saw that without him his brother Harry would've drowned as achild. George knew Harry was a war hero, saved the lives of many other soldiers. But those other soldiers now died. Clarance said that Harry couldn't have saved them if George hadn't saved Harry. It occurred to Buffy that if she saved a life, and that person saved a life down the line, then in a sense Buffy saved the second person, even if it happenned after her death. But then Buffy feared the opposite was true. Buffy failed to save Jessie. Anyone Jessie killed would also, to a degree, be on Buffy's conscience. And if Jessie turned anyone, Buffy might be responsible for anyone the second vampire killed. Either way these thoughts would likely always be on Buffy Even as a potential slayer Buffy was basically on call 24 hours a day, even on Christmas.