Chapter 12: Trouble is A Brewing
While the duo slept, a woman entered Sunnydale for the first time in over 2 years. She had long black hair and a pale face. She sighed as she carried her suitcases into her old house that was now officially owned by her. Her father had died just a few weeks ago and now she was the proud owner of two houses, one in L.A. and one in Sunnydale.
She was planning to sell the one in Sunnydale and return to L.A. but to sell the house, she needed to be there to fix it up. She was planning to stay in Sunnydale just another month as any longer and she would have graduate in Sunnydale. The schools in L.A. only allowed her to be out for a month. She carried in a baby carrier and a diaper bag as she closed the door behind her, not even bothering to lock it as in Sunnydale, things were safe unlike L.A.
Sunday came and went with no problems. Spike, Joyce and Buffy had breakfast in the morning and then lunch before Spike and Buffy went to the movies not being anywhere in sight by the time Giles arrived home.
Giles had brought art prints for Joyce to look at therefore keeping them busy most of the afternoon. Nothing was said about Buffy dating Spike still or about Spike being in the house and this gave Spike and Buffy time to also have dinner together.
Buffy made it home at 10 pm in time to receive her birthday present from her step-dad, which was a trip for two to England to meet Giles's parents since Buffy has never met them before. He was hoping she'd take Willow but Buffy knew Willow was going to be away with Oz for the summer as he was going on a tour. Oz had officially graduated and wanted to get a Europe tour in before he settled into college in the Fall. He was staying in Sunnydale to stay close to Willow so Spike and Oz would be taking classes together.
Buffy hugged her dad thank you as she watched him disappear upstairs. Buffy breathed a sigh in relief that yet another day had gone by and things seemed all right.
The next day at school had rumors going on again. Buffy sighed as a rumor went around school that Dru, Spike's ex had returned to Sunnydale to seek the father of her baby. Buffy knew it wasn't true but she had been sworn to secrecy so the news couldn't come from her. She longed to tell her parents but again she couldn't so it would just have to blow over. By the time Buffy sat at the lunch table with the gang including Spike, who looked fit to be tied.
Harmony came up to the table looking from Spike to Buffy then back to Spike again, "Your girlfriend's back in town carrying with her your one year old baby. How does that make you feel?"
Spike rolled his eyes, "Give it up already you stupid bint. I didn't father that baby and I didn't cheat on you. I have never cheated on anyone in my life."
Harmony shook her hips in front of him provocatively as she pointed towards Buffy, "He'll cheat on you. I promise you."
Buffy didn't look impressed as she shrugged, "No he won't. He didn't on you either but why he didn't I don't know. You're a big cow Harmony and everyone knows it."
Harmony frowned but tossed her hair over her shoulder with a grin, "So are you carrying his baby too? I bet you are! I bet that's why Dru is back. She probably heard you're pregnant so is coming back to fight for child support knowing you will get some."
Buffy stood up angry, "I'm not pregnant and I don't plan to be pregnant. I don't care about Dru and her issues only mine and Spike's. Harmony go blow some jock like you're good at and leave us alone."
Harmony heard some girls giggling behind her as she turned around making one more go at this, "Spike baby, I'll be willing to accept you back when you leave this bum."
Spike stood up next to Buffy with a slight grin, "Buffy is no bum and I wouldn't want you again if you were the last human on earth. Go back to your little pretend world and leave us to ours."
Harmony gasped as though in shock and shook her hips again as she walked back to her table saying something Buffy couldn't make out. Spike sat back down handing Buffy her ham and cheese sandwich whispering, "Don't let her get to you Buffy. Here eat up, you need your strength after our busy weekend."
Willow's eyes got wide as she looked at Buffy who blushed slightly. She obediently finished her sandwich knowing the rumors were going to mean bad news with her once she got home.
Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
Buffy and Spike had karate practice after school but when Buffy got home, she wasn't at all surprised to find her dad fit to be tied. He was shouting about her before she was even dropped off and he continued when she entered the door, "How dare you continue to date Spike behind my back. I like to think I'm a reasonable man and I ask for reasonable things. I find out that you have been dating him the entire time I forbid you. What are you thinking? Look at how Dru turned out. I saw her today, in her old house carting around a year old baby. Do you want that to be you? That's how Spike works!"
The front door busted open to show Spike standing in the doorway.
Giles shouted towards Spike, "I told you to leave here and not to come back."
Spike sighed angrily, "You are talking about me! Shouldn't I be involved with the rumors you are spreading in your own household? I'm innocent. You are part of the problem. Buffy can't even go to school without being blasted by bloody untrue rumors. You're a respected teacher. Surely you have something better in your life to do than to be part of the bloody problem!"
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
Giles looked angry as he shouted pointing his finger towards Spike, "First off, this is my house and what I say goes. Secondly this is the truth. Dru has a child. It is about a year old which fits the time frame of you guys dating. Thirdly, I don't want you near my daughter. I want you to stay the Hell away from her or I'll see about a restraining order."
I was begging you please don't go and I said
Buffy fell to the ground crying, "Please don't do this. I love him and want to be with him. Please don't."
She was pleading with both her father and Spike. She couldn't take another heartbreak like the last time her step-dad did this. She stood up putting her hands on her step-dad's as tears fell down her face, "Please listen to me. I know you think you are doing right but you are hurting me…killing me."
Giles shook his head, "This is what is right. I'm doing what is best for you. You have to understand the heartbreak we must go through to find the right guy and he…"
Giles paused pointing towards Spike, "He is not it!"
Buffy wiped her eyes once as she stated, "I'm 17 years old. I have the right to choose if I stay in school and therefore I have the right to choose who I date. You don't control me. You never could. I love you like my dad but you can't forbid me."
Giles picked up the phone stating in a no nonsense tone, "I can and will. Now Spike you leave or I'll call the police and have you escorted out."
Spike casted one last look at Buffy before leaving. Buffy watched as tears poured down her face at his long leather coat that flowed behind him on the motorcycle as he left.
Buffy turned around looking straight towards Giles, "I'm moving out as soon as I get a way out of here. You can't do this to me!"
Buffy stomped upstairs to her room making a big show of slamming the door shut. Within minutes she was climbing down the tree not even bothering to stop and listen to the conversation this time. She raced down the road knowing just where to go. Sure enough, Spike was sitting in the center of the garden waiting.
Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
Buffy flung herself into his arms whispering, "Take me away Spike. Somewhere where no one can tell us what to do. Please…somewhere we can be alone and not have to deal with people." Spike wiped her eyes and kissed her gently explaining, "Going away won't solve anything. I'd do it in a heartbeat if I thought it would help but it wouldn't."
I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run
Buffy cried holding him tight as she repeated what she had said earlier, "I'll wait for you if I have to. If we have to wait until after college then that's fine too. I will wait as long as it takes. Just know you say the word, I'll run away with you anywhere you want to go Spike. I love you William."
Spike recognized her words knowing she was believing them more this time. Everyday they were together, their love grew stronger and more sure. He whispered the same thing he had to her last time this occurred, "I'll wait forever for you Buffy. As long as it takes too. Buffy, I promise even though it seems like you're a princess locked in a deep dark tower with your father holding the key, I'll be the prince and save you."
Buffy let out a gentle sigh, "So we will make it?"
She knew she was repeating the same conversation they had 6 months ago but she couldn't help it. She needed the reassurance and she smiled as she heard familiar words echo back into her head.
It's a love story baby just say yes
Spike nodded as he released her gently helping her up with a promise, "It's a love story. Baby just say yes and we will make it."
Spike wiped her eyes as he walked towards the motorcycle. He was a little nervous driving her home but knew she had to get home and didn't want her walking home alone. This town might be safe but he still didn't like the idea of her being alone at night. Without a sound, he handed her the pink helmet, which she put on sitting down on the back of the motorcycle.
He smiled giving her one more kiss before he started it up putting on his helmet, "Buffy I promise you, we will make it if we stay strong and in love."
Buffy smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist tightly dreading tomorrow. Things had to get better. They both just had to be strong.