North and South...and West
by Rin
Baby Blues
[reviews]
A/n: I messed up my historic timeline early on in the story, so for the sake of the story, a year just magickally disappeared, and it's actually September 1867, okay?? Just ignore my idiocy, you history buffs...
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Willow loaded their luggage, and the others in a cart in town. Buffy had wanted to peruse her hometown, and let Samuel have his first peek at where his mommy was raised. Tara had exclaimed that she'd never seen a more beautiful town than Charleston, and she was glad that the state had never succeeded in seceding.
Once they arrived at the plantation's gates, they rode up the lengthy dirt driveway. At the door, they were greeted by the entire family. Dawn came running down the stairs, and Joyce just stood at the top of the stairs with the others, tears in her eyes that her daughter was finally home. Buffy embraced her sister best she could with baby Samuel in her arms. Tara stood to the side, while Willow removed the luggage from the carriage, and paid the driver.
"Everybody, I'd like you to meet Samuel Chai Rosenberg." Buffy held up the newborn so his little eyes could see the family for the first time. "Our son."
"Oh my...he's beautiful." Joyce couldn't hold herself together any longer, and made her way down the stairs to greet her daughter, and grandson. "Oh, Buffy. He's so beautiful."
"We should get in out of the sun. I'm afraid we haven't slept well these past few nights on the trains." Buffy held Samuel tight, as everybody made his or her way into the den. Willow laid the bags by the door, as she removed her coat and hat. Tara followed, deciding to stay out of the way for now.
"Everybody, this is Tara, our wet nurse." Willow ushered Tara into the den, as the blonde shyly took a seat by William.
"Will, he's so handsome. He definitely takes after his daddy." Dawn gushed, enjoying the red that crept up Will's cheeks. "Look at that soft red hair already."
"He came a week early, so he's had an extra week to grow it." Buffy enjoyed the attention her baby was getting, though she did notice Tara's forlorn look. "We should put him to bed, and wash up from the trip. We'll be down for supper."
"Oh, Buffy. I'm so glad you're back." Joyce took that opportunity to wrap her daughter in another tight hug, and kiss the baby's soft head. "Don't keep him from us long. I want to make this visit last as long as possible."
"I'll make sure it does, Mrs. Summers." Willow took baby Samuel from Buffy, so the blonde could embrace all of her family completely.
"I've told you time and time again to call me 'mother' now." Joyce put her hands over her mouth to keep her tears at bay. "You've made me the happiest mother, my first grandbaby."
"Make that second happiest." Buffy hugged her mother one last time, after departing from Mary and Forrest. "We'll be upstairs washing and resting if anybody needs us before supper."
"We always need you but get your rest. We want to hear all about the trip, and California." Joyce was sad that her daughter didn't want to have the baby here on the plantation but Buffy wanted to give Will something, since his family were 'gone but not forgotten,' as she'd stated it. She wanted to have the baby where her husband was born, and the deal was sealed when they found out Xander's wife was a midwife. Still, a mother can always wish. Maybe the next grandchild could be born here at SunnyDale instead of Sunnydale. That would be confusing for the children.
The three women and baby departed up the stairs, and Buffy showed Tara to the room beside her own. Joyce had already seen to it that the kids' bassinet was beside her bed. How she'd missed this room. Walking in, she noticed Willow playing with the baby on the bed. She'd just changed the baby's diaper, and was finishing with the safety pin. Buffy went about the task of unpacking their bags, while the redhead continued to play with the baby.
"He's so adorable. He's already smart. Watch." Willow lifted her hand, and Samuel grabbed onto it.
"I see that. He takes after his daddy already." Buffy smiled, as she folded their garments on the chair.
"It's easy to get lost in the lie, I know. I've found myself there too many times to count." Willow had this sad look upon her face, as she stared down at the baby. "Poor Tara."
"I know, dear." Buffy finished unpacking until she got to the bottom of the bag. There, she found a nice wooden jewelry box, and an unwrapped package. Curious, she lifted the box, only to snap it shut again, eyes wide. For a few moments, she didn't know what to say, or do. "Um...Will?"
"Yeah?" Willow looked up to see the wooden box in Buffy's hands. Jumping up, she panicked. "It's not what you think!"
"Um...what...how...who...huh?" The blonde swallowed hard, even though it was difficult with a suddenly dry throat. "I don't remember packing this."
"Xander gave it to me, US! He...he...Anya knows a brothel lady that makes them, and had one made. I was too embarrassed about it that I didn't even want to open up the harness. I was going to get rid of it when we got to Washington but I forgot they were in there with the excitement and all." Willow sent pleading eyes to Buffy. "Please, don't be mad. They thought they were helping."
"I'm not mad...just...it's the last thing I expected to get as a baby gift." Buffy placed the box back in the bag. They'd talk about it more when they were home. "Though I'm not entirely surprised, knowing Anya."
"So...you're not mad?" Willow bit her bottom lip, and tried to hide her blush to no avail.
"Of course not...but let's talk about it more when we get back to Washington. Right now, we're visiting family, and showing off the baby." Buffy leaned over, and kissed her husband's worries away. "Now...about Tara. She's our wet nurse now?"
"Well, it...it just makes more sense. That way, we don't have to hide it when it's time for Samuel to eat, and they won't question why you're not...ya know." Willow cast her eyes towards Buffy's breasts, and licked her lips a little.
"Oh...yeah, that makes sense." Buffy went back over to the bed to see Samuel kicking and pawing at the air in excitement. "I'm worried, though. When he gets old enough to understand, how are we gonna hide that you couldn't be his father?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let's get washed, and rested, in no particular order." Willow removed her blazer, and let down her suspenders.
"My vote is for rest. I could really use a nap right about now." Buffy turned around for Willow to help undo her dress, just as Mary walked in the room with towels, and cotton cloths for diapers. They were all prepared, it appears.
"Now, now...she just had that baby, Mr. Will. No need to get uppity just yet, no matter what Ms. Joyce says." Mary smirked at the couple, as she laid the bundle on the table. They seemed...happier, relaxed than when they left the plantation. "Get you some rest now. I'll send Miss Dawn up to fetch ya when supper's ready."
"Sounds great, Mary. Thank you." Willow finished unlacing Buffy's dress. "And I'll do my best to keep my hands to myself...this time."
"You two are still the smittenest two I'd ever seen." Mary chuckled, as she left the room.
"Now, Mrs. Rosenberg, let's get you out of these offending garments." Willow smirked, as she pushed Buffy's dress off her shoulders, and let it fall to the floor. It wasn't ten minutes later, the couple were laying on opposite sides of the bed, baby Samuel in the middle.
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Drusilla was playing with her food, doll in her lap, as she stared at the baby from across the table. Samuel was sitting on Buffy's lap, and the Cockney woman could swear the baby was staring at her with an evil glint in his eye. She just turned away from him, as William clasped her hand to get her to stop playing with her food.
"So, Dr. Giles, we hear you have some good news of your own." Willow winked at Joyce, who was trying to hide her smile. "When you set a date, make sure we know immediately, so I can arrange to make another trip down here."
"That we will, son." Giles grasped Joyce's hand above the table, showcasing the gemstone ring on her left hand. "I made the stones to match the birthstones of all three of her children. I felt it more sentimental, as I am accepting you children as my own, as well as gaining a grandson."
"We named Samuel after Will's grandfather. We'll make it a point that he knows his grandparents that are still here." Buffy bounced the baby on her knee, who only giggled in response.
"You haven't let anybody else but Will hold him since you've arrived. You have to give up hold on him eventually." Dawn sent an amused glare towards her sister.
"Yes. Stop hoggin' your child." Joyce eyed the baby with excitement. She just couldn't contain her glee. Her Buffy, the one they married off last was the first to have a baby. Of course, had Dawn's husband not been sent to the war not long after they were married, then they would have little Dawn babies running around, as well. "Let me spoil him awhile."
"We do have several gifts, so you can pass him around, while you open them." William smiled at his sister with something akin to pride.
"I suppose we can do that after supper. What do ya think, Samuel? Think the others can hold ya a bit, while mommy and daddy open your pressies?" Buffy tickled the baby's nose with her own, and kissed the top of his head. He was just too sweet. "On a darker note, are you still having trouble with Warren Mears, and the Klan?"
"That man is a blasted fool, and should be taught a lesson." William steeled his jaw, as Drusilla clapped in joy at the thought of violence.
"Yes, we've had some run-ins, unfortunately but nothing we haven't been able to control. I'm sure once he gets wind that Will is here, not to mention Buffy, that he'll run to Riley Finn, and we'll see them both before you depart our company. I hate to admit it but it won't be unavoidable, I'm afraid." Giles cleaned his glasses, as he steeled his own jaw. He was getting tired of those idiots. "We can only hope to detain them before they do something drastic."
"One can dream." Joyce rolled her eyes, and sighed, as she pushed up from the table. The gentlemen all stood to show respect, and Buffy and the others did the same. Their meal was finished, and they could retire to the den. There, baby Samuel had first contact with another human besides his parents and birth mother...and Anya, who birthed him. It was weird how that worked out.
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Warren Mears rode up to the front of SunnyDale on horseback. Dismounting, he tredged up the stairs, and knocked loudly on the door. The September wind was howling behind him but he ignored it, determined to do his duty. William opened the door to find Mears standing there, and immediately went into protect mode.
"What do you want?" William crossed his arms over his chest, and refused the man entrance into the house. "If you've come to apologize, it'll take more than just words."
"You'd never receive my apologies for tryin' to right the wrongs you're doin' here." Warren spit at William's feet in a show of obvious disrespect. "I'm here on official business."
"What business could we possibly have to do with you?" William tried to stand taller than he actually was but his height was always a downfall for him, even though he was average.
"I have business with Lt. Will Rosenberg." Warren loved the fact that he could stand taller than this hoity-toity do-gooder, even if his slouch was more natural. "Mr. Riley Finn wishes to defend his honor."
"You're joking, right?" William couldn't believe he was hearing this. That pompous windbag had finally found the last straw.
"I am here as his second, and to set up a time and date." Warren had this evil smirk across his features, and William found he wanted to take that railroad spike Will had given him earlier that week, and jam it into...
"General Rosenberg will have no part in such an outlandish venture. Inform Mr. Finn that his honor is permanently debased." William went to move inside, and shut the door in the man's face but Warren held the door.
"Rosenberg will show, or he will lose all privileges and pride in this county, and state, possibly the entire South. Mr. Finn will see to it." Warren's eyes were burning with rage and a desire to see pain come to this family. "Now, will you be playing the part of his second?"
"No, I believe that honor falls to me." Dr. Giles stood in the door, having heard the entire conversation. "Now, if you'll inform Mr. Finn to meet us in two days at high noon, past the willows beyond the abandoned church, justice will be served."
"Good day, sirs." Warren just left with a sneer and an evil laugh in his heart. William turned angry eyes towards his soon-to-be stepfather.
"Have you gone daft?!?!" William yelled at the older man. "Do you know what you've just done?"
"I do, and I guarantee this tomfoolery will end. I'll see to it." Dr. Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Or are you forgetting that Will has had West Point training?"
"No but Riley Finn will murder him, and you know it." William couldn't believe that Giles had agreed to a duel on Will's behalf. Buffy was going to kill somebody, not to mention Joyce, and the others. They had less than two days to prepare Will for this, and that would probably be just enough time to almost convince the young man to participate at all.