Summer of Love
by Red
CHAPTER 11
[reviews]
Willow watched Angel drive away from the cabin and lost her battle to hold back the tears. Giles stepped over to her and pulled her into a hug.
" You are truly, a woman of great class, Willow Rosenberg, " he stated, choking back a tear of his own.
When she had come to him last week and told him of her recent findings concerning Angel's soul, he had felt his heart break. He was well aware of her love for Buffy, a love that came from deep inside, a love that knew no boundaries, a love that he had never, in all his life, seen as strong as the one the witch had for his Slayer. A love that she had just proven not only by fixing the soul of Angel, but then sending him back to Buffy, who she knew still loved him. That's how her love for the Slayer was.
Willow could have not shared her information, kept it all to herself. But the truth was, she hadn't actually stumbled across anything. She had spent countless hours researching everything she could get her hands on, in hopes of finding a way to help both Angel and the woman she loved.
Giles knew of Buffy's suffering, the restless nights and tears when no one was around. Willow had told him everything when she came to him and asked for his help. One look into those emerald eyes and he had agreed without hesitation. And now, Angel, soul in perfect health, was headed to Buffy. And the one who made it all possible, was crying in his arms.
**K, it's bad when you cry as you write***
The Summer's house looked just as he remembered and he could smell Buffy as he made his way around back. He couldn't help but remember all the other times he had climbed to her window and smiled as he did it this time. He peered in, carefully, quietly, wanting to have just a brief moment before they reunited. When he saw her, he was sure he felt his heart beat. She was even more beautiful than when he had last seen her, her long blonde hair fanned out on the pillow, her slender, muscled body tan against the pastel sheets and white tee shirt.
Immediately, his body responded and for the first time, he enjoyed it. There was no fear, no worry, nothing but pleasure. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and swimming in the scent of not only her, but Willow as well. He knew before he ever stepped into the cabin that they were now lovers. He had sensed the Slayer from outside and, once inside, was overcome by her essence as it covered the redhead in waves. It thrilled him.
He had always known that both Buffy and Willow had feelings for each other that went beyond friendship, feelings that surpassed mere physical love. They had something very rare, very special. Something that he had never shared with the Slayer. But now, thanks to Willow, he would be able to love her the way she deserved to be loved by him. But he knew that whatever he shared with her, would never replace what she shared with the redhead. And that was fine with him. In fact, he had every intention on keeping the three of them together.
*****
Giles carried Willow over to the bed and carefully laid her down. She had cried herself to sleep. He pulled the covers over her and ran his fingers through her hair. He would never forget this night. If he lived to be one hundred, he would always remember the way her slender, little body had shook as she sobbed for the loss of the only one she would ever love.
It broke his heart to see her, of all people, so broken and he wondered, as he took a seat by the fireplace, if Buffy would ever truly realize how much the sleeping redhead loved her.