North and South...and West
by Rin
Movin' on Up!
[reviews]
Willow allowed Buffy to drag her around town that night, as they started their search for a new house. It would be their first major purchase together as a married couple. Buffy was more than excited to get this show on the road. They'd talked to the realtors in charge of the houses they liked. Their favorite was in the same neighborhood as Sam's, which was a plus for them since Sam and his wife were the only people they knew in Washington.
The house was a medium size, elegant, fully furnished from the last owners, who had imported most of their decorations in from other countries. Five bedrooms made up the two large floors, and the massive kitchen made the two girls already picture making breakfast together. They could have guests and parties... Buffy's family could come visit, or even Xander and Anya.
"We'll take it." Willow looked at the realtor, and asked for a pen. "I have the cash for a downpayment, and I can write you a bank draft for the remainder."
"Let me help?" Buffy hooked her arms with Will's. "I can write a bank draft for half, and you can write one for half. We're in this together, remember?"
"I remember." Willow smiled, and leaned over to kiss Buffy's cheek. The realtor just coughed, though he was more than excited about making a sale. "Okay...half and half...but I get to make the downpayment."
"That's quite a sum for such a young couple." The realtor was weary about taking bank drafts from such a young couple but they were dressed well, and their manners screamed sophistication and old money.
"We'll talk to the bank about loans, get with you tomorrow for the paperwork. We'll have to make a trip back to South Carolina for our personals, so we won't be moving in right away. I'm afraid we're only visiting the capital. I hadn't planned on taking the position here." Willow smiled lovingly at Buffy. The blonde had given her more than anybody, just by letting her take the promotion. It was almost impossible for a young soldier to take this position but Willow's scores and rankings at West Point, not to mention the fact that she was in good with Grant himself...well, the promotion was hers.
"Position?" The realtor looked at the happy couple, curious as to how these two could afford such a lavish home.
"I was promoted to General under Sam Grant. I'll be leading in his campaigns, second in command." Willow beamed, proud of her accomplishment.
"Congratulations. I also assume that you two are newlyweds."
"How did you..." Buffy cocked her head in amused curiosity.
"You stand closer together than couples that've been married for more than a month. Recent, I take it?"
"Almost a month." Buffy smiled, and squeezed Will's hand.
"Well, General and Mrs. Rosenberg, shall we make an appointment for tomorrow then? I'm free anytime in the mornings."
"We can come by around 10. That'll allow us enough time to get everything taken care of, right? We can go to the bank afterwards. I'd say by this time next week, we'll officially own this place." Willow smiled again. It seemed she couldn't stop smiling as of late.
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"Wow...can you believe it? Our very first home...and wow! Isn't it gorgeous?" Buffy cuddled up to Willow in the seat. It wasn't the most comfortable but then again, long train rides usually aren't. They were on their way back to SunnyDale for Christmas, which occurred in two days. They'd be arriving back in South Carolina by this time tomorrow, and would get home in time for some last minute caroling and greetings. "I can't wait for Mother to see the house. She'll just flip when she sees all the art and decorations."
"The neighborhood is the best in the area. Sam's not the only army commander on the block." Willow ran her hands through Buffy's loose curls. "Plus, the price was reasonable. We can still hire a butler, or a maid."
"I never thought of that. You're right." Buffy snuggled closer to Willow. "We'll need warmer clothes, too."
"We'll take care of all that when the time comes. One thing at a time...okay?" Willow kissed Buffy's forehead, and put her arm around the blonde's shoulders. "Let's try to get a little bit of sleep...makes the ride not seem so long..."
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"Falalala...Buffy! Will!" Dawn stopped singing halfway through, and ran up to the two that had just walked in the door. They laid their bags down in the foyer, and accepted the giant hugs from their family...except William and Forrest, who were being manly and not hugging. Mary and Susie were in the kitchen, prepping things for tomorrow.
"Hey! We're back...obviously...since we're here now, and not..." Willow stopped the babble when she saw the Christmas tree, decorated with pretty ornaments. It was so much more beautiful than she'd pictured. "Wow...you've been busy these past few weeks."
"That we have...come in. You must be exhausted, hungry, and freezin'." Joyce took their coats, and handed them to William to put in the closet. "We'll get you some dinner. It should still be moderately warmed. We just finished eatin' 'bout an hour ago. We've been singin' carols, and William has been fillin' us in on his Christmases in England."
"Food sounds wonderful." Buffy dragged Will into the kitchen, where an enthusiastic Susie greeted them, and a busy Mary hugged them. "We heard there was food..."
"Good to have you back. Your mama's been an awful wreck not knowin' why you was gone all this time." Mary went right back to plucking the feather from the goose.
"We'll explain everything, I promise." Buffy took the plates, and sat down at the counter with Will, as they ate their Christmas Eve dinner. "How is everybody?"
"We's doin' good. That Dr. Giles is here everyday still...even after your mama took to health again. Susie and Dawn think he's courtin' her."
"Well...that doesn't surprise me in the least." Buffy was tearing into the food as though she hadn't eaten in years.
"Not much else other than we all missed ya while you was up north." Susie held onto the goose, while her mother plucked.
"Well...we missed you, too." Willow smiled around a mouthful of peas.
"Mary...Susie...there's somethin' we wanna tell everybody...when you two get done with that. It's important." Buffy laid down her fork. Knowing it'd be best to just get the news out there instead of waiting...it hit her suddenly, and she wasn't so hungry anymore. "Actually, can you come in the living room for a minute? I'm sure the goose won't go anywhere."
"It better not..." Mary smiled, knowing one of two things was coming. Either Buffy was pregnant, or they were moving. It was a tossup...as they all gathered around in the living room, and Buffy took Willow's hand for comfort.
"Everyone...we have an announcement." Buffy leaned closer to Will, and started to rub the redhead's back for comfort. She knew that Willow feared the family's reactions. "Will was promoted to General, and is to be second in command under General Grant."
"That's great news, Will!" Dawn was excited...but Joyce eyed the couple suspiciously.
"Is that all? I thought you were gonna tell us you were pregnant. I was startin' to get excited." Joyce smirked at the two. "I suppose this means you'll have to move wherever the position is..."
"Washington...we already bought a house. You'll love it, Mama." Buffy let go of Will, and hugged her mother with ferocity. In that declaration of the obvious, Joyce had given her consent. "We don't wanna move. Will wasn't gonna take the position but I talked him into it. It's too good to pass up."
"That it is...especially for someone so young." William patted his brother-in-law on the back. "Congrats."
"Thanks." Willow just swallowed hard, and caught Buffy's adoring gaze. "We can't wait to have you all up to visit. The house really is amazing."
"We'll be sure to take you up on your offer." Joyce stood up, and went to hug her son-in-law. "Congratulations, Will. Thank you for makin' my daughter happy."
"Uh...no problem..." Willow was shocked, and didn't know what to think. Was Mrs. Summers really hugging her?
"When will you be goin' for good?" Dawn had stayed quiet throughout the exchange. She hadn't spent more than a day without Buffy being right there.
"After the New Year. We wanna spend the holidays with our family." Buffy walked over to give Dawn a hug. She understood exactly why the younger woman was quiet. "We'll talk more this week, okay?"
Dawn just nodded her head, holding the tears in for later.