One Belief Away
by sailor80
Three
[reviews]
Buffy was dropping clothes into a bag when Willow arrived in their room. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Willow smiled at her. "Thought we weren't going to need clothes," Willow smirked as she dropped her backpack on her bed.
"Just to get there and back," Buffy grinned back. "I got yours first." She zipped the bag. "Ready?" she asked.
"When you are."
Buffy opened the door and bowed to Willow, one arm sweeping toward the exit. "After you." Buffy grabbed Willow's hand as she passed, and followed her. She pulled the door shut with her other hand.
They walked leisurely toward the Rosenberg house, holding hands and talking like they always did. Buffy put their bag by the steps and went into the kitchen. Willow was standing at the counter, looking up into one of the cabinets. Buffy came up behind her and boxed her against the counter with her body. Willow turned and smiled at her. Buffy kissed her, and Willow put her arms around Buffy's waist and pulled her close.
Buffy moved her hands to Willow's back. She slid them down to her thighs and easily lifted the redhead. Willow locked her legs around Buffy's waist. She knew they were moving and some small part of her brain marveled at Buffy's strength and agility.
Buffy easily sidestepped their bag as she headed for the stairs. Willow wasn't heavy, but her senses were getting overwhelmed with Willow. Buffy knew they had to get to the bed before they went any further. She knew Willow's house as well as her own and took them directly to Willow's bedroom. Buffy climbed onto the bed. Willow stayed wrapped around her as she laid them down.
A noise woke Buffy. After a moment she placed it. The front door opening. It closed a few moments later. One set of footsteps headed toward the kitchen. The other climbed the stairs. Crap. They aren't supposed to be here. Crap. Buffy kissed Willow, sleeping easily atop her, and waited. She hoped it was Willow's father moving toward them and her mother in the kitchen. Otherwise there would be no sleep for anyone. Buffy held her breath as the footsteps entered Willow's room.
Ira Rosenberg smiled at the girls. "You make sure you get something on in the morning," he told Buffy, then bent and kissed the back of his daughter's head.
"Good night, girls." He closed the door.
Buffy's heart rate returned to normal after he left. Wow. Two out of three parents. Wow. She stroked Willow's hair while slipping back into sleep.
Buffy woke first in the morning. As much as she didn't want to, she woke Willow. When Buffy was sure she was awake, she said softly, "Don't freak, okay?"
"What's wrong?" Willow whispered.
"Your parents came home last night."
Willow buried her face in Buffy's neck. "Oh shit."
"Your dad's cool."
"Oh no," Willow groaned, and Buffy felt her flush.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Buffy rubbed Willow's back and tried to ignore her increasing arousal.
"How can it be okay?" Willow asked.
"Look at me, Will," Buffy said, and waited until Willow did. "It's okay. Your dad came in and he smiled and said to make sure we were dressed in the morning. Then he kissed you and left."
"Daddy did that?"
"Yeah."
"Wow," Willow said softly.
"That's what I said," Buffy smiled. Then it faded. "I'm sorry he found out like this."
"Yeah," Willow agreed. Then she kissed Buffy gently. "Good morning."
Buffy's smile returned. "Good morning."
"You want to shower first?"
"No, I want to shower with you." Buffy grinned.
"Raincheck?" Willow offered.
"Okay." Buffy kissed her. "You go first."
Willow kissed Buffy before climbing off her and out of bed.
"God, Willow, you're gorgeous," Buffy told her huskily.
Willow blushed as she pulled on her robe. She darted out the door without answering.
Buffy sighed and stared at the ceiling. She sat up and swung her feet over the bed. Her robe was on the foot of the bed, where it had been since the first time Buffy stayed with Willow. She pulled it on and tied the belt loosely, then made the bed. She pulled the chair out from Willow's desk and sat down. She didn't wait long. Willow returned from her shower with a towel wrapped around her head. Buffy stood up when she entered the room, and moved toward her. She kissed Willow once and pulled back. "After you're dressed, will you get the bag? I left it downstairs last night."
"Sure," Willow answered, and Buffy left to get her shower.
When she returned to Willow's room after showering, the bag was sitting on the bed. Willow was nowhere in sight. Buffy dressed quickly. She picked up yesterday's clothes and put them in the bag before closing it. Buffy carried the bag and her wet towels out of the bedroom. The towels went into the bathroom, and she carried the bag downstairs and set it by the front door. "Willow," she called softly.
"Kitchen," was the answer.
Willow handed her a cup of coffee. Buffy sipped it, then asked, "What do you want to do?"
Willow sighed. "I should talk to them."
"That's not what I asked," Buffy answered.
"I want our all-naked weekend," Willow said softly.
Buffy smiled. "Me, too. We're still packed for it." She put her mug down. "They're up."
"Let's get this over with, and we'll figure out the rest. I'll meet you back at the dorm."
"I'm not leaving," Buffy said.
"Buff, please don't argue."
"Willow, I'm never running away from you again." She took Willow's hand. "We'll do it together."
"Good morning, girls," Ira Rosenberg greeted them.
"Hi, Daddy." Willow pulled from Buffy to hug her father. "I thought you weren't coming back until next week."
"You know how it is, princess." Ira hugged and kissed his daughter. "A scheduling snafu. We're leaving again tomorrow."
"Oh," Willow said in a disappointed tone. "Where's Mom?"
"Still sleeping." Ira poured a cup of coffee, then sat at the table. He gestured for the girls to join him and watched. Buffy pulled a chair out for Willow, and after she was seated, slid her chair around beside Willow's. Willow pushed Buffy's coffee toward her and grazed her fingers against Buffy's. The shared a brief smile.
"Buffy," Ira said.
She turned her attention to him. "Yes, Mr. Rosenberg."
"What are your intentions toward my daughter?"
Willow flushed again. "Daddy!"
"It's a perfectly reasonable question, princess."
Buffy reached for Willow and squeezed her hand gently. She held it until Willow relented and interlaced their fingers. "I love Willow, Mr. Rosenberg," she said in a clear, steady voice. "I'm going to do everything I can to keep her happy."
Willow missed her father's smile at the Slayer's straightforward answer. "See that you do," he said firmly. "And don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it."
"Yes, sir," Buffy answered.
Ira reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He emptied it of cash and handed it to Willow. "Go have fun, princess."
"But Mom," Willow protested weakly.
"Your mother won't be up for hours," he said. "It's a beautiful day. Go have fun with your shiksa."
"Daddy," Willow protested, blushing again.
"Enough all ready." Ira pushed his chair back and stood. "Give your old man a hug before you go."
Buffy released Willow so she could do as her father asked. Buffy stood up, too, and stayed behind Willow. There wasn't anywhere to move to. She heard Willow's father whisper something to her, but couldn't make it out. Willow's reply made it clear what the question was. "With all my heart," she told him, and Buffy smiled.
Ira squeezed his daughter one more time and gave her a kiss before letting her go. Buffy tried to get past him, but he wouldn't let her pass without a hug. She returned the embrace. "Take good care of her," he said in a soft, stern voice.
"I will."
He let her go and looked at both girls. "Next time we're home, we'll have dinner."
"Okay, Daddy. I love you." Willow darted forward and kissed his cheek. She returned to Buffy's side just as quickly.
Ira smiled. "Go on, you two."
Buffy looked over her shoulder as they left the kitchen. He was still watching them, still smiling, and again Buffy was glad it was he who had found them in bed together and not Willow's mother. They would still be sitting on the couch being lectured.