Oooooh... Someone's in trou-ble...

Chapter 21

Giles took his time walking back. He had found a flashlight in the stables and decided it would be okay if he borrowed it. He would return it in the morning. He followed a path he knew didn't lead back to the gardens or the inn. He found it went to the main house. Not ready to retire just yet, he headed for it.

As he grew closer, he could hear a soft wailing. Soon it sounded like someone crying. As he rounded to the front of the house, he saw Dawn crying on the porch surrounded by Nessa, Portia, Mandy, and Jake. Giles climbed up the stairs and clicked the flashlight off. "Dawn? What's wrong?"

Portia looked up at him with a sympathetic smile. Why, he didn't know. "She ruined it," Dawn wailed and threw herself into Nessa. Jake gently rubbed her back.

"Who ruined what?" Dawn couldn't answer so he looked to Portia. Portia looked to Jake who looked down at the porch floor. "What happened?"

"Buffy!" Dawn cried. "She couldn't stand that something wasn't about her for once so she ruined it! She ruined all of it!" Now she threw herself at Jake.

"I'm going to take her inside. A nice hot bath will help, sweetheart."

"Buffy probably used all the hot water," Dawn pouted as they stood and walked to the door.

"She hasn't even been up here lately," Nessa said as she followed them.

"That wouldn't stop her," Dawn grumbled right before disappearing inside.

Giles sat on the porch floor. When the door shut he turned back to the girls. "Does someone want to tell me what happened?" Portia and Mandy shared a look. "Please?" he insisted.

"Tony proposed to Buffy," Mandy said. "Dawn saw them on the bridge. She hopped in a cart and sped off."

Giles closed his eyes and hung his head. That's it, he thought. She's completely gone now.

Portia got on the floor next to him. "Are you okay?" She touched his shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut, tears burning. He covered his face with a hand and shook his head. Portia wrapped her arms around him as best she could in their awkward position. She closed her eyes as she could feel the pain coming off him.

Mandy knew what had happened between Giles and Buffy. Like Willow could keep anything from her. She got down on the other side of Giles and ran her fingers through his hair. He started trembling. Mandy looked up at Portia and noticed she had a tear on her cheek as well. Mandy wiped the tear away. Portia looked up with a sad smile of thanks. Mandy wrapped her arms around Giles as well and both girls held him as he cried.

Buffy stared down at Tony on bended knee, her mouth hanging wide open. He was staring up at her with a huge smile as on his face. As she continued to stare, without answering, his smile slowly started to falter. He let go of one hand and reached into his pocket. "I have a ring for you." He pulled out a small box and opened it.

Inside was a rose gold band that twisted near the setting. It housed a light pink, oval shaped diamond with a white diamond halo. It was absolutely stunning. Buffy couldn't help but slowly reach out and gently take the box from his hands, examining the ring.

She couldn't believe this was happening. When she had gotten pregnant she thought for sure he was going to propose to her. Then she lost the babies. She had hoped he still might, but it was never even discussed. Buffy had dropped some subtle hints and some not so subtle hints, but either Tony never picked up on them, or he just didn't want to marry her. She couldn't blame him. Why would he want to marry a woman who couldn't bear his child? She had expressed her concerns about him leaving her, but he reassured her over and over that he loved her and wasn't going anywhere. And still, no ring.

Now, here he was, on one knee with a truly gorgeous ring asking her to be his wife. It was everything she had hoped for the past year. A dream come true.

"Buffy?"

So why couldn't she just say yes?

"I... I..." she sighed. "Marry you?"

He smiled up at her. "Marry me."

She looked between him and the ring again. "Oh, god," she whispered.

"No. Just me," he smirked.

She pulled him up to his feet. He frowned at her. "This is just... just so... sudden," she breathed. "I mean, wow. Marry you."

"Buffy... I thought this was what you wanted. The ring site left up on the computer. The bridal book on the table."

"Oh. So you did notice."

He smiled. "It was hard to miss."

"Then... why now?"

He cocked his head to the side. "Why wait any longer? Life is short, amante."

Buffy huffed. "Don't I know it." She looked up at him. "I need some time." And the hurt expression on his face she continued. "It's not a no. It's not a yes. It's... time. Please?"

He searched her face and then smiled. "As long as it is not a no." He pulled her into a big hug before she could remind him it wasn't a yes either. Suddenly the sound of clapping and cheering caught her ear and she looked over her shoulder to the tent. "We have gathered an audience," he whispered.

Great, she thought then sighed.

"Will you wear the ring while you think?"

"Oh, I really don't think-".

Tony took the box from her and extracted the ring. "Just try it on. See how it feels. Look at it on your hand. See it first thing in the morning. See if it makes you smile." He slipped it onto her finger. "Ah. Perfect fit." He pulled out that big, melty smile again before hugging her.

I'm in trouble.

They walked back hand in hand to the tent. They were met by a few of the guests who hugged them and wished them congratulations. Buffy tried telling them they were not in fact engaged, but Tony kept smiling and hugging and thanking them in return.

Willow stood off to the side with her arms crossed over her chest. She didn't look happy. Buffy excused herself from Tony and walked over. She gave Willow a half smile. Willow just continued to stare. "I didn't say yes." Willow reached out and held Buffy's left hand with the ring on it. "I didn't say no, though, either." She grimaced. "I told him I needed time. And before I know it he has this thing on me and everyone is telling us mazel tov and he's all "Grazie! Grazie! Eh!" and it's just all so confusing." Willow didn't say anything, just watched. And judged. And Buffy knew she deserved it. "Will... say something. Please."

"Dawn saw." Buffy's eyes went wide. "She tore outta here a few minutes ago. Portia and Mandy went after her. She was pretty upset."

Buffy huffed. "Because something wasn't about her. For once."

Willow dropped her arms. "Buffy!"

"I know! I know! I screwed up."

"On soooo many levels." Buffy covered her face with her hands. "At least Giles wasn't here to see that."

Buffy's head shot up. "Oh god! Giles!"

Buffy parked the cart outside the inn and rushed up the stairs. She knocked on his door. "Giles. Giles, please open up." He didn't answer and she tried again. She twisted the knob and it opened. Looking about the whole room was dark. He had not been in here. She went to her room just to check if he was there like he was last night. He wasn't and she realized it would be silly if he were. Just to be sure she knocked on all the other doors, calling his name. She was alone at the inn.

She suddenly thought maybe he had been hurt walking back in the dark. It had been hard enough to drive with what little light the carts lights gave off, she couldn't imagine Giles had an easy time navigating the dark. She ran back down the stairs and got onto the cart again. She took off searching the night. She went through the gardens and back towards the party. She stopped at the stables even, but he wasn't there. She went back to the party tent to see if maybe he had gone back.

Tony met her out at the cart. "Amante, where did you go?"

"I can't find Giles."

Tony looked off into the dark. "I am sure he is fine."

"I searched the inn, the garden, the stables. I can't find him. What if he got hurt walking back. What if an alligator got him? Or a bear?!"

"A bear?"

Willow appeared around the corner. "Buffy?" She got off the cart and went over to her friend. She was holding her cell phone. "Mandy just called. Giles is at the main house."

Buffy smacked her hand on her forehead. "God! Why didn't I just call his phone?!" She turned back for the cart.

"Buffy," Willow called out. She turned back. "He knows."

Buffy instructed Tony to stay put. She told him he had done enough damage for one night. He looked offended and possibly hurt. She didn't care anymore. Things had gotten way out of control.

She pulled up to the main house and climbed the steps. Portia and Mandy sat there together. She looked around but there was no Giles. "He's gone." Mandy said. "Willow called to say you were on your way up. He took off with Christian."

Buffy plopped down on the bench next to Portia. She picked up Buffy's hand to examine the ring. "Meal do naidheachd."

Buffy sighed. "So I'm told."

"You don't look happy about it."

Buffy shook her head. She mumbled, "I don't know what I am." She pulled her hand back. "I didn't even say yes and I somehow still ended up engaged!"

Mandy quirked a brow. "You didn't say yes?"

"I told him I needed time to think. I didn't know what else to say! I have wanted this for a year and now that it's here... I don't know."

"You should probably tell him that."

"I did." She held up her hand. "See how that worked out?"

The phone laying next to Mandy rang. She looked at the name and hesitated before answering it. "Hello?... Yeah, she's here. You wanna talk to her?... At the house... Ooookaaaay... I said Okay!" She ended the call. "Andrew needs to talk to you. He's on his way up."

"About what?" Mandy just shrugged.

"How's Dawn?" Buffy asked. Portia and Mandy shared a look. Buffy grimaced. "That bad, huh?"

Portia answered. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were uninvited."

"It's not like I did it on purpose. And really, Tony was the one who did it. She should be mad at him!"

"Jake will get her to calm down," Portia said.

Mandy huffed. "Yeah but Nessa will just rile her back up."

A few moments of silence passed between them before Buffy couldn't stand it any longer. "How's Amara?"

Mandy beamed. "Great. She said she's already made three new friends." Her smile disappeared. "And one 'boyfriend'."

Portia and Buffy giggled. "Don't worry. I'm sure it's just a phase," Portia winked. All three then laughed.

Andrew flew around the side of the house panting wildly. He grabbed the porch railing and tried to catch his breath. He looked at her between the posts. "Gisellpregt," he huffed.

Buffy's brow furrowed. She looked to the other two girls but they were just as confused. "Huh?"

Andrew climbed the porch stairs and collapsed on the floor in front of them. Staring up at the ceiling he took a few deep breaths. He turned his head to see Buffy. "Giselle. Pregnant."

Mandy gasped but Buffy just looked on. "Huh?"

Andrew shook his head. "Mr. Giles didn't wanna tell." deep breaths "Wouldn't believe him." breathing "Thinks he's father."

"Giles is the father?!" Portia gasped.

Andrew shook his head. "Tony. Thinks... its Tony."

Both girls looked to Buffy but she just looked at Andrew. "Huh?"

Buffy slowly climbed the stairs. She knew what was waiting at the top and didn't revel in it. She stood outside her door gathering her breath and her thoughts. She closed her eyes and said a little prayer to whoever maybe listening. She gently turned the knob and the door squeaked open.

"Buffy!" Tony exclaimed. He went up to her and hugged her. "I was starting to get so worried." He pulled away when he realized she wasn't hugging him back. "Is everything okay? Did you find Giles?" Buffy stared into his eyes. "Did he say something to you? Did he upset you?"

Buffy whispered barely audible. "Is it true?" Tony tilted his head. "Is she pregnant? Is Giselle pregnant?"

Tony gently squeezed her shoulders. "Yes, she is pregnant."

Buffy's jaw dropped with a gasp as tears started flooding her eyes. She turned her back on him. She squeezed her eyes shut, not caring the tears were falling. "Are you the father?"

"What?" Tony exclaimed. "The... did Giles tell you I was the father?"

Buffy looked over her shoulder but didn't turn around. "Are you? The father?"

"Buffy..." He gently touched her shoulder and she jerked away from him.

She spun around. "Are you? Are you the father? Are you the fucking father?!" She gradually got louder with each question until she was yelling.

Tony backed up until his legs hit the bed then he sat down. "Yes." A fresh wave of tears hit Buffy and she dropped to the floor. "Maybe no. There could be another. She could be with someone else."

"That's your play?" Buffy spit out. "Maybe she's a slut?"

Tony got on the floor in front of her. "Buffy, per favore! Mi dispiace! Mi dipiace! Era una volta. Solo uno!"

She shoved him away. "Liar!" she cried. "Bugiardo..."

"Per favore..."

"Were there others? Did you sleep with all of them? Kimber? Leesa?!" Tony looked away. "Oh my god," she cried. "Oh my god, my god, my god..."

"Buf-"

"Get out."

"Buf-"

"Get out!"

"No!" he yelled back.

"GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

He grabbed her shoulders tight, but only for a moment before he flew across the room to the opposite wall. He looked up to see Mandy and Willow standing in the still open doorway, Mandy's hand extended out. "She said, get out," Mandy growled.

He stared wide eyed at the two witches in the door but didn't move. "Need help?" Willow asked sweetly. She extended her hand then twisted it up into a fist. Tony was brought to his feet. Mandy and Willow stepped to the side. Mandy gently swept Buffy out of the way, like moving a cup full of water you don't want spilled. Willow yanked her hand towards herself and Tony came flying out of the room, crashing into the banister. He nearly went over, but Mandy used her powers to pull him back over and roughly drop him to the floor.

Buffy stood and gathered as much of his stuff as she could see. He hadn't really had time to unpack yet so it wasn't too difficult. She walked to the door and threw the stuff out at him. His suitcase hitting him in the family jewels. Speaking of jewels, she grabbed the ring off her finger and threw it over the banister. She heard it clatter to the floor. "In case you didn't get the memo, we're through. Done. Finito. Hasta la bye bye, dirt bag." She slammed the door closed. She quickly opened it back up and looked to Mandy and Willow sheepishly. "Sorry. You can come in." Once they came in Buffy huffed at Tony's stupefied face once more before slamming it again and spinning the lock.