FF: Unexpected Surprises

["Christeen Demons" <Shyfox30@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Okay...here's the story on this story...It's not quite finished yet. I 
couldn't get one of the scenes to come right...I mean come out right...so 
I'm going to work on it at work tonight and see if I can't iron out the 
bumps and put a completed story up tomorrow...Also, I'd like to see which 
version you guys like better...this one or the one with the added scenes.

This one kinda fits in with the coming home thing. Oz comes back after 
being gone for a few months and finds everything changed. Oh, and I've 
kinda skewed with the timeline of the series a little bit in this one...I 
think you'll see what I mean.

Disclaimer: Characters of Buffy: The Vampire series belongs to Joss...I 
just use them for my own sick twisted amusement.:-)

This is the sequel to Moving Day in my Sappho's spell series. Reading the 
other stories is a must to understanding this one...so if you haven't...you 
might want to...I don't know...sounds like a good idea to me.:-) Okay, I 
think I've babbled on long enough...enjoy the story.



Unexpected Surprises
By
Shyfox


The dark green van drove slowly down the road that led to the SunnyDale 
University dorms. It ambled like a sick cow into a parking spot, then 
stopped...chuckling for a moment before the key in the ignition was turned, 
and the engine came to a stop with a stuttering halt. As the van door 
opened, a man of about average height hopped out of the van...his 
greyish-green eyes taking in the quiet atmosphere of the college dorm. He 
wasn?t sure why he was surprised by the emptiness of
the place...Christmas was two weeks away, most students would be home, 
celebrating the holidays with their families. The college campus was like 
an old western ghost town, the only sign of life was an old flyer being 
pushed along the driveway by the wind, like a tumble weed in
an old western movie. The flyer came to a stop a few feet from where the 
man stood, being halted by a drying mud puddle in the middle of an indent in 
the pavement. Bending over to examine it, the man noticed that it was an 
advertisement for the band ?Dingoes stole my baby?. It
proclaimed that they would be performing on the advertised date...September 
12, 1999. Three months ago...on this date.

?Three months ago...today.? The man reflected silently, not bothering to 
pick up the now wet and dirty flyer from it?s resting spot. He looked back 
at the deserted dorm building, hoping for any sign of life from the window 
into which he had last scene the red-headed girl he had been completely in 
love with. When he thought about it now, the fight they had seemed so 
stupid. He had felt like he needed to get away from it all...to find 
himself again...and control the wolf within him. He had wanted Willow to go 
with him, but she said her place was here...in
SunnyDale...with her friends. She had begged him to stay here with her, but 
he wouldn?t listen closing his ears to her pleas as thoughts of what he had 
done had filled him with guilt. I?m back, Willow...and this time I can 
control the animal within. I know I can.

With a determined glint in his eyes, he got back in his van, determined to 
find what he had left behind.


Oz knocked briskly on the front door of the Rosenberg residence. He had 
never felt comfortable whenever he and Willow had been asked to dinner 
there, so he wasn?t surprised that he didn?t feel comfortable now, knocking 
on the door of the home of the woman he had broken up with. He
didn?t have much time to think however, as the door was abruptly opened and 
Sheila Rosenberg stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the light in the 
background.

?What are you doing here?? The question was icy and shrill, and it took Oz 
by complete surprise at the pure venom in the woman?s voice. He had thought 
Mrs. Rosenberg had been starting to warm up to him there near the end...but 
he supposed he could be wrong, he had certainly been
wrong before.

?Uh...I?m sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing, Mrs. Rosenberg, 
but I?m looking for Willow and since she wasn?t at the dorm...I thought she 
might be here.? Oz stated, simply, looking past Willow?s mother to see if 
he could spot Willow behind her. It was altogether possible Willow had told 
her mother what had happened between them, and was using her mother as a 
shield against him.

Sheila Rosenberg stared intently at the young man her daughter had been 
dating and thought about the news her daughter had told her not so long ago. 
Willow had also informed her that she hadn?t told Oz. Well, maybe it was 
up to her to tell the young man about it, and get him to help Willow to do 
the right thing. ?Come on in...Oz was it?? Sheila said, leading the 
bemused guitar player into the house.



?You hung those lights really pretty.? Willow said from her reclined 
position, as she and the slayer lay snuggled together on the couch. She 
could see the Christmas lights winking at her from on top of the ceiling and 
wondered how her lover had managed to convince Xander and Giles to
help her hang lights on the ceiling. ?I can?t believe you didn?t let me 
help you.? A kissable pout appeared on the Wiccan?s lips, and Buffy had to 
restrain herself so she wouldn?t fluster Xander-who was laying on the floor, 
head propped on his hand, watching ?Its a Wonderful Life?
on the television.

A blonde eyebrow arched and a smirk twisted the Slayer?s lips. ?You...on a 
ladder...yeah, that was going to happen.? Buffy said, sarcastically, 
receiving a playful slap from her couch
companion for her trouble. ?Besides, you hung tinsel and silver balls like 
a...tinsel and silver balls demon.?

?You think?? Willow asked, taking a breath in excitement, as she felt a 
gentle tickle float across her ribs.

?Nobody could have done it better.? Buffy said, examining the tree that lit 
up one corner of the living room, while moving a teasing hand across her 
playmate?s abdomen. ?It?s a beaut.? She whispered, as she felt her lover?s 
breath hitch at the teasing yet casual touches she was hoping
Xander was too engrossed in the movie to see.

The halls had been decked with boughs of holly and lights hung from every 
conceivable corner. It was going to cost her mother a fortune in electric 
bills this month, but Joyce had said they could decorate anyway they wanted, 
so Buffy had taken her at her word. It was Buffy and Willow?s first 
Christmas together as a couple and they wanted to make it a memorable one.

Buffy, Xander, and Giles had dragged home a seven foot fir tree, which 
Willow had insisted on decorating, while the other three had been busy 
decorating the rest of the room. Buffy hadn?t missed an inch of space. 
Decorations hung from doors and windows. A menorah had been placed on a 
table in front of one of the windows in preparation for the celebration of 
Chanukah, which would start in a few days, and Buffy had bought and hidden 
eight little presents to give to Willow for the occasion. The rest of the 
presents she had bought for Willow and her mother had
been wrapped and now lay under the brightly twinkling tree.

Between all the presents they all had been adding under there, the tree was 
incredibly packed with gaily wrapped gifts.

> From time to time, Xander would look at the tree in envy-it certainly 
outclassed the skimpy looking bush that graced the table in his basement 
apartment.

?How come your tree looks like the tree in Rockefeller center while mine 
looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree?? Xander asked, finally, his 
voice displaying displeasure at the difference, not paying attention to the 
lesson George had learned in ?It?s a wonderful life?.

Buffy looked at him in annoyance for a second, before she decided not to let 
him ruin her festive mood, and buried her face again in Willow?s soft, peach 
scented hair.

?Why do you need a big tree, Xander?? Willow asked, tracing the strong 
fingers of the hand she held gently in her hand, with a curious thumb. 
?You?re going to be with us for Christmas anyway.?

Willow tried to reason with him, but he wasn?t in the mood to listen. 
?Yeah...but...look at all these presents.? Xander said, getting up from his 
spot and going over to where the presents were.
?For Buffy...For Willow...For Buffy...To Willow love Buffy...To Buffy love 
Willow...Willow, Willow, Willow, Buffy, Buffy...Oh here?s one to 
Xander...from...Joyce. What?s up with that?? While Xander had been looking 
through the presents, searching for a present that had his name on it, the 
other presents had been thrust aside carelessly, Xander seemingly 
unconcerned with how they ended up and they had started to spread out on the 
living room floor.

?Xander, put the presents back under the tree and leave them alone.? Buffy 
said, getting irritated at Xander?s behavior. She had to admit she had gone 
overboard on Christmas shopping this year, at least on Willow, but half the 
stuff she had bought were really cute baby items she hadn?t been able to 
resist buying. She knew she was being premature, Willow was only six weeks 
along in her pregnancy and anything could happen, but Buffy preferred to be 
optimistic, and she really
couldn?t have resisted the stuffed animals, toys and clothes that had filled 
the baby aisle she had visited while Christmas shopping...and Buffy had a 
sneaking suspicion her mom and Willow had done the same thing, so she really 
didn?t feel too foolish.

Xander looked at the couple curled up together on the couch for a moment, 
then started to put the presents back under the tree again, while muttering 
under his breath. ?It must be nice having
somebody who would buy all of these presents for you.?

Xander unfortunately forgot the Slayer?s keen sense of hearing. ?You want 
to know what the difference is, Xander? It?s quite simple, really. I have 
the best woman in the world, and you have...Anya.? Bright blue eyes filled 
with ire met deep brown unflinchingly and Xander conceded the point he was 
being an ass. His own softened to a look of apology and Buffy?s softened in 
acceptance, as she felt a gentle squeeze from Willow who had witnessed the 
confrontation.

?Easy there, tiger.? Willow whispered into Buffy?s ear, feeling the tension 
start to drain from her lover?s stiff body.

Buffy had just started to relax again, when the doorbell rang and the couple 
groaned, neither wanting to leave the cocoon of warmth in which they were 
wrapped.

?I?ll get it.? Joyce called from the kitchen, where she and Giles had 
disappeared to earlier in the pretense of making egg nog. They heard her 
footsteps as she went to open the door, and then silence reigned for a few 
moments before they heard Joyce greeting the person at the door.

Buffy thought her mom?s voice sounded a little strangled, and she strained 
to place the voice that she heard coming from the entryway. The answer 
should have been obvious to the Slayer, but her mind shied away from the 
knowledge, afraid of what it?s revelation might bring.

Joyce entered the living room, looking a little tense and pale, like the 
proverbial bringer of bad news. ?Willow...you have a visitor.? She managed 
to say, sparing the couple on the couch a sympathetic look, before a 
familiar voice caught the Slayer and the Hacker in the chest with a 
vise-like grip.

?Hi.? The simple word sent two hearts racing double time as two sets of 
eyes swiveled to meet the form of Willow?s old boyfriend, Oz.

?Oz!? The word erupted from Willow?s lips, the shock evicting her from the 
safe haven of Buffy?s arms as she sat up to get a better look at him. He 
didn?t look like he had changed much in the time since she had last seen 
him, although he hadn?t shaved recently by the look of the
stubble on his face, and he looked like he hadn?t eaten in a month.

?Oh, dear.? Buffy vaguely heard her Watcher?s concerned words as she saw 
him approach from the kitchen, but most of her attention was taken up by the 
man now standing in her living room.

?Oz.? She greeted, somberly, choosing to remain where she was while she 
sized him up. ?What are you doing here?? The question sprang out of the 
Slayer?s mouth unbidden, but she was powerless to stop it?s outcoming. What 
remained unasked was...What are you doing in my
home? And why have you come back?

Oz spared Buffy a glance acknowledging her question silently, before he 
focused on the pale face of his ex-girlfriend. ?I?ve been looking all over 
the place for you. I stopped at the dorm, but everybody had gone home for 
Christmas, so I went to your parents? house.? Oz noticed the way Willow?s 
face had blanched even paler at that. He couldn?t really blame her. This 
wasn?t exactly easy for him either. His conscience screamed at him for 
leaving Willow behind like that. It was
even worse now that he knew she was pregnant. ?They weren?t very happy to 
see me.?

?I?ll bet.? Buffy growled, trying and failing to control herself.

Willow wanted to look at her lover, to reassure her that everything was 
going to be all right. But she wasn?t sure herself of that at the moment, 
and her attention was pretty much taken up by the unexpected sight in front 
of her. She really didn?t know what to say, so she remained silent.

Oz shifted uncomfortably, looking around at the sea of faces around him. He 
noted the concern that darkened Giles? brow, and the worried frown on Mrs. 
Summers face. Xander looked like somebody who anticipated a really gruesome 
train wreck. The restrained hostility on Buffy?s face
surprised him, but he supposed he deserved it for deserting Willow the way 
he had. Willow?s face was hardest to read, showing mostly shock at his 
sudden appearance, but he thought he recognized a flash of fear in the 
stormy green eyes, before it was covered with stony wariness.

?I think we need to talk.? Oz said, staring only into Willow?s eyes and 
trying to ignore the audience around them...especially Buffy. ?Alone.?

Willow nodded her head, seeing Buffy starting to open her mouth to protest, 
before she heard it close with an audible snap. Willow felt she owed Oz at 
least this much. She rose slowly off of the couch, careful not to glance 
back at her irate lover as she led Oz into the kitchen, feeling Buffy?s 
hostile eyes boring holes into them until they disappeared from sight.


It took a moment for what happened to sink into Buffy?s clouded brain, then 
she was up off the couch and heading for the entrance of the kitchen. She 
wasn?t sure what she intended to do once she got there, visions of beating 
Oz to a bloody pulp danced wildly through the red daze in her head, but her 
mother?s voice calling her name stopped her before she crossed the 
threshold. She could hear low murmuring coming from the kitchen, and it was 
all she could do not to enter, feeling like it was her place to be by 
Willow?s side.

?Buffy...they really do need a few moments alone.? Joyce reprimanded her 
daughter gently.

Buffy glared at the closed kitchen door for a moment, every instinct in her 
body telling her to disregard everybody and do what she really wanted to do. 
She felt her hands closing into fists as she swung around and looked at 
the concerned faces of her family and friends. ?All right.? She growled, 
starting to pace the length of the living room, like a lion locked in a 
cage.

?I can?t believe this...I can?t believe that he?d pick now of all times to 
show up.? Buffy muttered, the tension in her body coiling the muscles 
tight. The more Buffy paced, the madder she got, and
every time she looked at the closed kitchen door she wanted to run right 
through it and act on her more basic instinct to defend her property.

Conflicting thoughts were running rampant through Buffy?s mind, pissing her 
off even more as a little midget of fear whispered in her mind?s ear of the 
possibility that Oz was here to get Willow back. It whispered that Oz could 
take better care of Willow and their baby than she could, and shouldn?t she 
just give up and let Oz do so. The voice pissed her off so much that she 
started screaming at the closed kitchen door. ?What does he think he?s 
doing here?! He doesn't belong here!"


?Buffy!? Giles called to the ravening beast that was once the Slayer, 
sharing a concerned look with Buffy?s mother.

?What?!? Buffy snarled, turning on the Watcher, beyond caring what anybody 
thought as her churned up emotions ran riot inside of her.

Giles was surprised by the amount of venomosity in her voice. He had never 
seen his Slayer quite like this before, though he suspected that the 
protective quality of a potential parent was kicking in to the Slayer?s 
emotions. ?This really is not helping. Oz and Willow can probably hear 
every word you?re saying.? He said, trying to reason with her.

?I don?t care.? She screeched outraged. ?I hope they do hear me!? She 
yelled in the direction of the kitchen, making everybody in the room wince.

Joyce and Giles? exchanged helpless glances, before a look of utter 
determination clamped down on the Watcher?s face. ?Come on, Buffy. Get 
your coat. We?re going out for a while.?

Buffy looked at him as if he was the one who had lost his mind and not the 
other way around. ?What...but...I can?t just...? Buffy started to protest, 
cringing as she saw the look on Giles face.

?You can, and you will.? The Watcher said, in his no nonsense tone as he 
signaled to Xander to fetch the coats.

Xander did as he was told and handed Giles his coat before he brought 
Buffy?s coat over to her.

?But...Will...? Buffy protested shooting a parting look over to the 
kitchen.

?Will be fine.? Xander soothed, as he helped the Slayer put on her coat. 
?Don?t worry...Uncle Xander will watch over everything until you get back. 
You just go and have a nice, relaxing time with Grandpa Giles.? The last 
remark earned him a reproachful glare from Giles, but Xander just shrugged 
as if to say, ?It got her moving didn?t it?? He breathed a sigh of relief 
as he watched the two of them leave then sank down into a nearby chair, 
brushing sweat off of his forehead.


Willow had winced as she heard her angry lover spouting off in the living 
room. She could hear Giles quiet murmuring to her, and not much later the 
outraged spouting stopped with the shutting of the door.

?Guess she wasn?t very happy to see me.? Oz noted, calmly.

That?s an understatement. Willow thought wryly, cringing at just how pissed 
off her lover had been. ?Well...She...? Willow said haltingly, trying to 
find a way to explain her lover?s behavior.

?It?s okay. I can?t really blame her...not after the way I left. I didn?t 
know, Willow. Why didn?t you tell me? I never would have left if I?d 
known. It?s my responsibility to take care of you.? Oz said, feeling the 
burden settle on his not so big shoulders.

Willow shook her head, trying to sift through all of the impressions those 
few words had left her with. Responsibility? Never would have 
left...if...he?d known? Was that the only reason you came back? ?It?s 
not...? Willow started to say that it wasn?t his responsibility because it 
wasn?t his child but she was cut off at the pass.

?It is.? Oz insisted vehemently. ?You should have told me Willow.?

?I didn?t tell you, because I didn?t know then. I wasn?t pregnant then.? 
Willow finished in a small voice.

Oz looked at her strangely, waiting for more information.

?It?s not yours. She?s not yours.? The words hit Oz like a brick. Willow 
could see the impact in his open green eyes before they shuttered with pain, 
bringing tears to Willow?s own green eyes.

?Wh-What? What do you mean?? Oz asked, breathlessly, feeling like the wind 
had been knocked out of him.

?It happened after you left.? Willow rested a trembling hand against her 
belly, and raised her eyes to meet Oz?s. ?She?s Buffy?s.? Willow thought 
Oz was going to pass out when the words registered on his confused brain.

?Oh...What?!?


?What are we supposed to be getting here?? Buffy asked, sullenly, kicking 
the wheel of the shopping cart Giles was pushing.

?Buffy, stop that.? Giles said, looking annoyed as he stopped and grabbed a 
box of stuffing off of the shelf. ?You?re mother asked me to pick up a few 
things, and I figured now was as good a time as any to get them.?

?Not to mention it gets me away from Oz.? Buffy grumbled, refusing to meet 
Giles? eyes.

?You weren?t helping matter?s any, Buffy. The last thing Willow needs right 
now, is for you to get into a shoving match with Oz. Hand me that can of 
jellied cranberries, would you??

?I only wanted to protect her, Giles. That?s MY job now.? Buffy said, 
handing him the can of cranberry sauce.

?No. That isn?t it.? Giles said, stopping the cart in the middle of the 
aisle. He looked at Buffy over the rim of his glasses. ?You saw Oz enter 
your and Willow?s home and you felt he was interloping on your territory. 
Trying to take Willow from you. Correct??

Buffy wanted to argue Giles? logic, but she wasn?t able to as the intense 
feeling of jealousy and territorialism rose anew in the Slayer. ?You?re 
right...as usual, Giles.? Buffy said, bitterly,
walking up the aisle. ?I saw Oz...and then I saw red. I mean, how dare he 
come back now??

?Oh. I agree. Very nervy of him to pick this inconvenient time to show 
up.? The rich sarcasm in his voice caused Buffy to stop and glare at him. 
?Buffy, it?s not as if Oz planned for things to happen this way. When Oz 
left, for reasons of his own, I?m sure he didn?t count on coming back here 
only to discover that Willow is with child. Naturally, he?s going to assume 
the baby is his. He?s wrong, but he couldn?t possibly know that.?

?He just better not try anything.? Buffy growled, inwardly agreeing that 
Giles was right but not wanting to let go of her anger against the intruder 
into her life.

Giles sighed, and continued walking, determined to talk some sense into 
Buffy?s head before they left the store.


Willow stared at the pale faced guitar player and felt a certain amount of 
shame and guilt that she had to tell him the story this way, almost two 
weeks before Christmas at that.

?And that?s how you ended up...? Oz left the end of the statement open, 
staring in slack jawed wonder as Willow nodded her head. ?Wow. No wonder 
Buffy was about ready to kill me. I knew her reaction to me was strong, 
but...I guess now I know why.?

?Yeah...I can?t imagine she?s very happy right now.? Willow sighed, staring 
across the kitchen table at her old high school boyfriend. ?She?s probably 
taking Giles head off as we speak...he?s
pretty used to it though.? Willow reflected, thinking about her hot headed 
lover.

Oz nodded, still feeling the tension that had circled around them though it 
had started to dissipate in the last few minutes as understanding passed 
between them. ?Will, I?m so sorry I showed up the way I did. I should have 
called or something...at least given you some warning.?

?It?s okay.? Willow sighed, feeling tension rolling off her tightly wound 
shoulders. She really could go for a massage and hoped that Buffy might be 
in a better frame of mind later to give her one. ?I?m kinda glad you 
did...I felt bad for the way things ended last time.?

?Me too.? Oz said, thinking of all that had gone between them.

?Are you going to be here for Christmas?? Willow asked, hoping he would 
stay...at least for the holidays.

?I...uh...don?t really have anywhere to stay. I suppose I could sleep in my 
van...but I don?t really think Buffy would want me here...she was pretty 
upset with me, earlier.? The Master of Understatement said, ruefully.

?Well...yeah...but...that was before you knew. Now that you do know, she 
probably won?t feel as strange around you.? Willow was hedging on the 
statement, not knowing how Buffy would react to the addition in their 
holiday festivities. She hoped that her lover would get over her intense 
reaction to Oz, but that remained to be seen.


The first thing Buffy noticed when she walked into the house carrying two 
bags of groceries was Oz?s presence occupying the couch. Her blue eyes 
focused in on him as she wondered what the heck he was still doing here.

?Buffy...you?re home...great...I?ll just take these into the kitchen.? 
Joyce said, as she approached her daughter to get the bags.

?Where?s Will?? Buffy asked, her voice tight, as she retained her hold on 
the bags.

?She?s in the kitchen. Buffy, be nice to her.? Joyce said, feeling 
slightly deflated as Buffy made her way to the kitchen. She eyed Giles who 
was coming through the door, carrying a bag himself.

?How is she?? Joyce asked, in a subdued whisper.

?I imagine she was doing a lot better until she saw him. Is he staying?? 
The curiosity mixed with reproach in his voice caused Joyce to give him a 
strange look.

?It?s Christmas. He doesn?t have anywhere else to go. I told him he could 
sleep on the couch.? Joyce explained, sparing the young man who was sitting 
on her sofa a look. Xander was passed out in the recliner and had missed 
the whole entrance, but Oz was casting concerned glances at the swinging 
kitchen door.

Upon entering the kitchen, Buffy saw Willow leaning against the counter 
staring off into space. She put the bags down next to her and cleared her 
throat, waiting for misty green eyes to turn to her. She stood under 
Willow?s scrutiny, feeling like an amoebae under a microscope, as her lover 
examined her. Buffy grew self conscious as her lover stared at her and 
turned her attention back to the brown paper bags sitting on top of the 
counter.

?Went shopping. Giles had to buy some yams...and other...stuff.? Buffy 
drew to a halt as she saw her lover quirk an eyebrow at her from her 
peripheral vision. Buffy drew in a breath to steady her nerves, then peeked 
over at her lover searching her eyes for the love that she longed to see in 
them. They gleamed back at her reassuringly and she was able to breathe a 
little easier. Until she remembered the unwanted presence in the living 
room, that is. ?So...Oz is staying?? Buffy asked, trying not to sound 
jealous.

?It?s Christmas.? Willow said, trying to reason with her lover.

?Not for two more weeks...surely he can find a place to stay by then.? 
Buffy objected, wondering how her life had suddenly got so topsy-turvy

?Buffy...? Willow sighed, wishing her new love and her old love could just 
get along.

?Fine.? Buffy pouted, obstinately. ?I?m not buying him a present.?

?You don?t have to.? Willow said, a slight smile creeping over her lips as 
she felt Buffy giving in.

?Does he know?? Buffy asked, addressing the pink elephant that was standing 
in the room with them.

Willow nodded her head. ?I told him.? She said, quietly, the words 
reflecting the sadness this situation brought her.

?Oh.? Buffy took a second to evaluate what that meant. ?Everything?? She 
couldn?t help from asking, even though she knew she shouldn?t.

?Buffy...yes...he knows...everything. What do you think? That I?d let him 
think he?s the father.? Willow said, exasperated. Seeing the guilty 
affirmation on Buffy?s face made Willow cringe. ?How could you think that??

?I don?t know, Will!? Buffy exclaimed, walking away to avoid the close 
scrutiny her lover was putting her under.

Willow followed her and grabbed a hold on her elbow, turning her so that she 
was forced to look at her. ?Talk to me.? Willow demanded, sitting Buffy 
down in a chair and straddling her. ?Because I?m not moving until you do.?

Buffy wanted to argue at first, but the resolved look on Willow?s face 
stopped her cold. ?What do you want me to say? I?m sorry. I?m sorry I 
freaked when Oz showed up here. I just...I wasn?t expecting him to just 
show up like that. And then, when you two walked into the kitchen,
I just couldn?t believe you left me sitting there. I felt like...like I 
should be with you when you told him. It?s my job to protect you...and I 
couldn?t. So, I started pacing, and every time I looked at the door I 
wanted to go through it. Be with you...and I guess I got scared.? Buffy 
admitted, her voice a soft husk, as she stared down at Willow?s jean covered 
thigh.

?Why?? Willow whispered, cupping Buffy?s face gently and caressing the soft 
skin of Buffy?s cheek. ?You know I love you.? She said the words while 
staring into her lover?s beautiful blue eyes, searching their depths to make 
sure that she did indeed know it.

?I know. I know you do...it?s just that when I was pacing out there I 
started thinking that...that maybe...maybe Oz would make a better father 
than I would...I mean he?s a guy, and all. He can give you and our baby at 
least a picture of normalcy. I can?t what with being a slayer and
all...never mind the fact that I?m a girl.? Buffy said, rolling her eyes at 
herself.

?Buffy...he?s a werewolf.? Willow said, emphasizing each syllable.

?Yeah, but he?s a still guy. So he?s got one point in his favor. I mean 
what am I gonna tell my daughter when she?s five, and she comes home crying 
because the kids teased her about the family portrait that she drew in art 
class??

?Could be worse...Dad could be covered with hair.? Willow teased gently. 
When she received only a baleful look from her lover she sighed. ?Can we 
please take one problem at a time? I?m barely getting over morning sickness 
and you?re shooting ahead to when she?s five? You are going to be a great 
parent. Do you want to know how I know?? She asked, her gentle voice 
soothing the Slayer?s fears.

?Because you?re a witch?? Buffy guessed, receiving a playful slap for her 
trouble. ?Ow.?

?No...because you?re already thinking ahead to when she?s five. You want to 
be here to see that time to come. You want to be here to kiss her booboo?s 
away, and watch her grow and learn, knowing that you helped her do all those 
things.?

?Will...? Buffy protested, shaking her head slightly.

?Buff...I know you have doubts and insecurities and fears...we both do. But 
I?m going to be right here to help you through them.?

?You promise??

?I cross my heart.? Willow said, pantomiming the motion.

?Good...cause I don?t think I could do this without you.? The Slayer?s 
voice cracked on the last syllable and she had to fight hard to keep her 
emotions in check.

?I wont let you...as long as you do the same for me.? Willow had no 
compunction about letting her feelings show as silvery tears slipped down 
her cheeks.

?I promise.? Buffy said, resting her forehead on Willow?s and wiping her 
tears away with tender fingers.

?I love you Buffy Summers.? Willow said, with shining eyes.

?Who me?? Buffy said with a watery grin.

?Yes you, you Gooberhead.? Willow grinned back at her.

?Did you just call me a Gooberhead?? Buffy said, finding the nitch in 
Willow?s side where she knew her lover was the most ticklish and tickling 
her unmercifully.

?Ack! No...stop...can?t breathe...? Willow managed to get out between 
spurts of laughter.

Buffy relented as Willow buried her head against her neck, content to just 
wrap her arms around her lover and hold her. ?I could stay like this 
forever.? Buffy breathed, as she relaxed into the pleasantly warm feeling 
holding her lover gave her.

Willow hummed in contentment, feeling her world righting itself again. 
?Somebody could walk in here, you know.? Willow prodded her lover gently, 
after a few minutes of cuddling.

?Yeah...they can walk right back out again too.? Buffy grunted, not wanting 
to move. It was funny, Buffy reflected, that Giles chose that exact moment 
to walk into the kitchen carrying the last of the grocery bags. She watched 
as he peered curiously around the kitchen until his gentle eyes came to rest 
upon the snuggling couple and she saw his face start to turn red.

?Um, I?m sorry to interrupt...but the ice cream was starting to melt.? He 
explained, lifting his eyebrow as a way of asking if everything was all 
right.

?It?s all right, Giles.? Buffy said, as they both stood. ?It?s probably a 
good idea to get those put away before they spoil...or melt...or something.? 
They went over to help Giles unload the bags,
casting loving looks at each other as they put the groceries away.

Giles noticed the chemistry floating around the kitchen, and as soon as he 
was finished he made a quick excuse and exited the kitchen, leaving the two 
women alone as they gravitated to each other again.

The two entranced women never noticed Giles leaving, never noticed the door 
swinging as it shut behind him, never noticed anything but the strong pull 
each felt when they were around each other.

Willow didn?t even remember being placed on the kitchen counter, as the feel 
of Buffy?s lips on hers sent her into another world of pure sensation. She 
felt Buffy nibble across her jawline and up, until she found that spot on 
her earlobe that sent Goosebumps all over her body. Willow felt herself 
sinking into the sensations almost forgetting where she was as Buffy moaned 
low in her ear, and pressed up against her, slipping easily between her 
spread legs. It wasn?t until she heard
Giles bidding Joyce goodnight that she remembered where they were and 
realized they shouldn?t be doing what they were doing. ?Mmm...Buffy we 
can?t...not here...? Willow murmured, her heart beat pounding loud in her 
chest.

?Do you trust me, Will?? Buffy whispered, passionately, in her ear.

?Wha...of course.? Willow replied, a little distracted by Buffy?s lips 
which continued to suck on her ear lobe.

?Wrap your legs around me.? Buffy urged, moving her hands down to circle 
Willow?s waist. She waited until Willow had complied, albeit hesitantly, 
before she moved down to her butt and lifted her off the counter.

Willow could feel the strength in the Slayer?s arms and legs as she held 
her, the muscles rippling under the skin. She held tightly to the Slayer?s 
shoulders, feeling completely safe and secure, as Buffy carried her out of 
the kitchen, past the gawking occupants of the living room, and up the 
stairs.

?Buffy...what?? Joyce stared in shock at the sight that had passed her 
leaving her speechless.

?Night, Mom.? She heard Buffy call back to her as she saw Willow waving at 
them distractedly.

Oz and Joyce shared a quiet look before Oz said. ?I don?t want to know.?

?Neither do I.? Joyce replied, shaking her head at the outrageous acts of 
her daughter.

Heh, well...I'll leave the rest till tomorrow.:-)
Have a pleasant night.:-)


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