A light breeze cut through the July heat as Buffy walked along the sidewalk with the babies in the twin stroller they'd bought with the gift money her aunt sent them. It hadn't taken much for Dawn to convince Buffy that topping off a day of wedding planning and shopping with milkshakes was a great idea. This marked the first real outing they had taken with the babies, beyond a few short walks around the block and their one-month check-up only days before, which Buffy wasn't counting.
And what a day it had been.
Buffy was just taking a moment to bask in the glow of the extremely productive day they had and appreciate just how great it felt to get out of the house for a while when Dawn's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
"What was that?
Dawn rolled her eyes. "I knew you weren't paying attention."
"Ah huh, and what was it I wasn't paying attention to?" Buffy asked apologetically.
"I was asking what you wanted to do next." She glanced down at a notebook in her hand. "Got the invitations— the whole like dozen— you could have just called everyone ya know— Don't all of Angel's people live in the same freaking building anyway?"
"Now look who wasn't paying attention, a bunch of those are just announcements for family," Buffy smirked.
Dawn rolled her eyes with a huff before continuing. "Fine, announcements— Whatever, I still can't get over the fact you convinced Spike to use his real name on these."
"Yeah it took a little work, but he's coming around to the whole thing."
"If it goes beyond you hyphenating, I'm pretty sure I don't wanna know," she replied before moving on with her list. "Let's see… Freaking amazing wedding dress is getting about four inches chopped off. We decided on the Bridesmaids' dresses, the food is mostly figured out… Oh and we're gonna have to call the rental place for the tables and chairs when we get a final head count, not that there are going to be very many— and—"
"That's enough, Dawn. I was there remember? My wedding and all? When it's your wedding you can invite the whole town if you want," Buffy interrupted, with a mild glare in her sister's direction.
"Yeah, pass… You should be grateful I'm taking my job as your Maid of Honour seriously, because, let's face it, you need all the help you can get," Dawn countered with smug enthusiasm. "But seriously, what did you expect when you two decided to do this thing on seriously short notice?" she added with a huff.
"A major perk to having a small wedding, we'll have plenty of time to pull this off, you'll see," Buffy answered confidently.
"Ah huh… anyway— Do you want to knock off a few more things on the list, or do you just want to call it a day and go enjoy the A/C at the Magic Box before heading home?"
Buffy snorted a laugh taking a sip of her milkshake sitting in the cup holder on the stroller. "I'm kinda done with the wedding-ness for today. I was thinking about taking the girls to meet Ruth," she replied, flicking her gaze over the babies.
Grace was looking up with wide eyes taking everything in, while Lillian started to doze. She couldn't believe how much they had changed already in just a month. They were already starting to fill in their newborn clothing much better and Buffy was sure that at this rate they would likely be growing into the next size within a few weeks.
Dawn blinked blankly and then shrugged. "Well, I guess at least the funeral home has air conditioning."
"Yes. It. Does."
Dawn giggled, taking a sip of her milkshake and the two sisters made their way through town, resuming their conversation.
The planning process had sparked something in Buffy's brain that she thought had died years ago.
The hope for something resembling a normal life.
Even if her view of what a "normal life" looked like had shifted drastically over the last several years.
Buffy was getting a sense of why Anya had been so obsessed with wedding planning and had started to feel a little bad about poking fun at her during her planning process. Especially after she had called Anya to ask if there was anything left from their wedding that she and Spike might be able to use. To Buffy's surprise, Anya had delivered in a big way by bringing over a roll of white tulle, various decorations, leftover centerpieces, and bridal magazines.
They were really off to a great start.
When Buffy and Dawn arrived at the funeral home they were greeted by Les, Ruth's husband, who opened the door for them with a bright smile. He was tall and gaunt but had a warmth to him that Buffy found comforting.
"Buffy! How are you, sweetheart?"
"Great!" she answered automatically and was a little surprised when she realized it was the truth. "What are you doing upstairs? I thought your brother had a tighter leash on you than that," Buffy teased, making Les laugh as he helped Buffy maneuver the front wheels of the stroller through the door, into the blessedly cool space.
He hunched his shoulders comically. "The Master has set me free…" he replied in a passable Igor impersonation making both Dawn and Buffy giggle. He shook his head, straightened up, and waved a hand sobering a little. "But in all seriousness, we're setting up for tonight's showing, we were just bringing in the flowers and chairs."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Les, I probably should have called first. I didn't realize there was a showing tonight," Buffy apologized.
Les checked his watch. "Nah, you're alright. The family isn't due for another two hours, Ruth and my mother are in the office. They'll love to see these little beauties," he replied with a fond smile toward the babies.
Buffy's head snapped up. "Linda's here? I thought she moved. Wasn't Ruth going to get someone from the temp agency?"
He sighed, beckoning them to follow him. "That was the original plan, it's kind of a long story. Starting with the fact that mom has been having a really hard time selling the house, and then between the grandkids and you being on maternity leave— let's just say I think she's going to be sticking around Sunnydale," he said with a conspiratorial wink. "At least until the kids are out of school. She's definitely enjoying the retired grandma life."
"Except that, I guess I sort of messed that up for her," Buffy replied dejectedly.
"Nah, she just comes in a few days a week to keep up on stuff so you're not completely overwhelmed when you get back, and believe me, you'll have plenty to do when you return, business has been picking up a little."
"I guess that's what they call job security, huh?" Dawn interjected.
Buffy shot her sister a stern glare. She didn't exactly like the sound of that and was about to start asking Les questions when Ruth suddenly appeared in the hallway. "I thought I heard voices out here," she grinned. "Buffy! It's so good to see you! And you brought the babies!"
Ruth's face lit up as she came over to hug Buffy and started gushing over the twins, followed shortly by Linda.
Linda was a short, pleasantly plump woman with heavily salted, salt and pepper hair, and red cat eye reading glasses that looked like they were straight out of an old movie.
Les excused himself, gently reminding them that the family of the deceased would be arriving before long.
Ruth waved him off. "We know the drill," she replied before turning her attention to Buffy. "So how's everything been going? You look amazing, I would never have guessed you just had twins."
"Oh, she definitely did, I was there. She broke her fiancé's hand," Dawn intervened on her sister's behalf.
"Only fair he shared some of the pain right?" Ruth chuckled.
"Something like that," Buffy blushed.
"You must have some kind of secret, you barely look like you were ever pregnant," Ruth said in a tone that was a mixture of envy and amusement.
Buffy glanced down at herself— not for the first time that day as the ladies in the dress shop had had similar reactions— and then shrugged. "Must be all the yoga, I guess."
"Well then, maybe I should sign up for the class at the senior center," Linda chuckled.
Ruth laughed. "Well whatever it is, you look great. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good actually. The first two weeks were on the rough side, but my fiancé has been amazing so that helps. He loves being a daddy," Buffy answered.
"Plus an Awesome Aunt," Dawn added.
"How could I ever forget? Yes, you've been going above and beyond the call of Aunt," Buffy replied, nudging her sister in the shoulder lightly.
"I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Motherhood is wonderful, but it definitely comes with its challenges and it can certainly be a startling adjustment— Sometimes daily," Ruth nodded.
"That it can," Linda chimed in. "Oh the stories I could tell you about my boys," she finished with a laugh shaking her head.
"Yeah, I can only imagine what these two are going to be like," Buffy replied.
"You should tell them your news, Buff," Dawn said, nudging her sister in the arm.
Ruth cocked her head slightly. "What kind of news?"
Buffy suddenly felt like a bunch of butterflies were let loose in her stomach. "We set a date for the wedding for the end of September."
"I get to be her Maid of Honor!" Dawn squealed excitedly, startling Grace out of her sleep.
"Nice going Aunt Dawn," Buffy grumbled, picking up the crying baby. "Aww, you're alright sweet girl, Aunt Dawnie's just super noisy when she gets excited," she soothed.
A shocked yell suddenly pierced the air and Buffy's head snapped toward it.
"Was that Les?" Ruth asked, panic evident in her voice.
Buffy pressed Grace into Dawn's arms. "I'm gonna check it out. You're on baby duty."
Dawn nodded, wide-eyed, holding Grace against her protectively.
Buffy ran down the hallway, turning the corner into the main viewing area. A vampire dressed in a dark blue suit held Les pinned to the far wall by the throat.
"Hey, toothy!" she called out loudly.
The vampire spun around, dropping Les to the floor, and knocking over one of the flower arrangements. Buffy brought her foot up in a powerful arch, smashing one of the chairs set up for the service.
"Well hello, beautiful, wanna dance?" The vamp charged her with a growl and began throwing punches.
Buffy blocked his attack easily. "Is that the only line you guys ever come up with?" She ducked a kick with a roll, picking up a broken chair leg. "I mean come on, where's the originality?" she quipped, planting a kick to his chest sending him stumbling into the casket he had presumably crawled out of. Buffy swept a leg up, knocking the vampire to the floor in front of the casket, and dropped to a knee, staking the vampire square in the heart, just as Ruth and Linda came barreling into the room with Dawn behind them without the girls. Dawn called out in an attempt to keep both women from running into the scene but had been struggling with the stroller and her desire to keep them safe and opted to leave the babies sitting in the hallway.
Buffy looked back at the little group of women and over to Les who had managed to pull himself up, just as the vampire crumbled to dust in full view of everyone.
Buffy stood, feeling stunned and a little sick to her stomach. "I—I can explain…" she stammered.
Ruth blinked several times, the shock evident on her face. "W- what was— Was that a- a—" she stammered.
Linda's wide eyes darted around the room, her bewildered expression slowly giving way to something more closely resembling pride. "I knew it! I knew all the weird things in this town weren't natural! That was a vampire wasn't it?!" she exclaimed.
Les pushed himself off the wall, scooping down to pick up the toppled flowers. "Mom— we've talked about this—"
"Well at least someone in this town has a brain," Dawn grumbled, pulling the stroller out from behind the wall and picking up a still-fussy Grace.
Stunted silence filled the room.
Buffy straightened up, her gaze shifting between her audience and landing on Ruth. "So eh, when did you want me to start back to work?"
(*)
A heavy sigh escaped Giles' lips as a green marker danced across the surface of the standup whiteboard now occupying the study along with the new chaise lounge.
Do you feel you're ready?
He pulled himself from his reclining position, swinging his legs around to sit with his hands in front of him in thought. "I rather think I am actually," he answered confidently with a nod.
The green marker hovered for a moment before continuing.
I think you are too.
He stood, striding toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob as he turned to watch the eraser wipe away Kimberly's side of their conversation. "I hope you know how much I appreciate the work you've been doing with us."
My pleasure.
Giles smiled softly, exiting the room. He had only taken a few steps toward the front of the house before there was a knock at the door.
Giles beamed as he opened the door to find Buffy and Dawn, each holding one of the girls.
"Are you up for visitors?" Buffy asked, posing it as a rhetorical question as he motioned them into the living room.
"Of course— How was your outing?" Giles asked, offering them a seat and accepting Lily from Buffy, placing her in the crook of his arm.
"Ah yeah, it was all good until I had to stake a vamp in front of Ruth and Les," Buffy grimaced.
"Oh my, and how did they handle it?" he asked.
"Surprisingly, not awful. It turns out that it's been kind of a family joke that the town is secretly vampire-central. Now they know it's no joke and that Linda's not going loony toons," she answered. "I still have a job, so, that's a major bonus…"
Giles nodded seriously. "I'm certainly glad to hear that of course."
"It also means I'll be starting back to work in two weeks," she grimaced slightly, shifting her gaze between her daughters. "It's when I was planning on going back anyway but— I'm not totally sure if I'm ready to leave them for eight hours a day," her voice cracked with anxiety.
"Buffy, it'll be fine. Spike and I totally got this," Dawn replied.
"Ah huh, and what about when you go back to school?" Buffy countered. "Sure, Spike's nailing the daddy thing but—"
Giles placed his free hand on Buffy's shoulder, silencing her rambling. "Spike knows my number, I'm sure we'll manage."
A clattering sound came from the kitchen, followed by several curses. Giles caught Buffy and Dawn's questioning gaze before he gave Lily back to her mother, dashing toward the kitchen. "Ethan, is everything alright?"
"No it bloody well isn't," Ethan grumbled as he attempted to get his legs under himself again and managed to straighten up.
Buffy followed Giles to find Ethan hunched over, clutching the edge of the sink. The walker was situated in the corner between the little breakfast table and a large potted plant. The cane he had been attempting to transition to was lying on the floor out of reach next to a broken mug.
"Again? What have I told you about all this?" Giles muttered as he rushed over, grabbing the walker and placing it behind Ethan, caging him in against the sink.
From behind, Giles slipped one arm around Ethan's torso while bracing his other arm under Ethan's for support, clasping his hand and guiding it to the walker.
"I've got it now. There's no need for mollycoddling," Ethan muttered sullenly even as he allowed Giles to help him turn around properly in the walker to face him.
Giles placed his hands over Ethan's on either side of the walker as he leaned in a little. "I'm not mollycoddling."
"No, just living out this caregiver fantasy of yours, hum?"
Giles smirked wickedly, looking as though he were about to say something else when Buffy interrupted with a rather theatrical cough, clearing her throat.
"You two seem to be getting cozy," Buffy grinned, quirking an eyebrow at them.
Giles took a step back allowing one hand to linger in place on Ethan's, pressing his lips into a line in mild agitation before taking a deep breath. "Ah, yes, you could say things have been progressing rather steadily."
"Yes, absolutely, if you mean that in the same way a tortoise crosses the road, or tectonic plates move," Ethan quipped.
"I really don't need details," Buffy chuckled awkwardly.
Giles squeezed Ethan's hand, looking from him to Buffy. "What would you say to having a little dinner party tonight? I've already got a roast going, it's quite large, honestly it would likely take the two of us days to finish on our own." He swallowed, clearing his throat. "Perhaps we could invite everyone over— I think I'd like to discuss Ethan's continued presence here in Sunnydale… and with me," he finished thickly, earning a look from Ethan.
"Why, Ripper, are we going public, so soon?" Ethan grinned smugly, looking a bit like the cat who ate the canary.
Buffy tried to suppress her surprise. "Oh eh, yeah, if that's what you want then, yeah, we can totally do that, but humm… Are you sure about this?"
Giles' jaw twitched as he gave a tight nod. "I think it's what I need to do, in order to move forward with my life, and our relationship."
"Well alright then. I'll gather the troops," Buffy replied.
Thanks to Geliot99 for Betaing and providing unwavering support and honesty!