North and South...and West
by Rin
Saint Nick
[reviews]
The snow just continued to fall over the plantation, and the ground was covered. It was a good thing the Rosenberg clan had arrived early, or they may have been delayed. Buffy looked over at Willow, sleeping with a slight smirk on her face. She always smirked when she had good dreams; it was the cutest thing.
"Mmm...choc'lut." Willow murmured, as she burrowed herself further into the pillow, and adjusted her position. "Melted choc'lut on Buffy..."
"My...either you're awake, or that's one heckuva dream." Buffy had a little smirk of her own.
"Caught in the act?" Willow peeked one lazy eye, while the other refused to open and adjust to the moonlight streaming through the window. "Can't sleep?"
"Yes and no." Buffy sighed before turning on her side to face her lover. "I'm just so excited to be home but I'm so tired. I want to sleep for days but then we'd miss too much. Can't we just snuggle with nothin' to disturb us until we want?"
"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, dear." Willow smiled softly before bringing her hands from their warm spot under the blankets to brush some loose blonde strands from Buffy's cheek. "I don't mind the interruptions. It just means that we have people that want our attention, better than no attention at all."
"I guess it's different when you've lived the other way, huh?" Buffy knew the redhead's whole life story. The way she hardly saw her parents growing up, or even her brothers. That she had raised herself for the most part, and the occasional play date with Xander was the only thing she had for company. "I don't mind it so much. I guess it's just the wantin' more time with just you."
"I understand that...but we have Samuel, and other family that needs our attention now, too. After Christmas, I'll go talk to that lawyer Sam recommended, and we'll find a townhouse while we look for a house. It'll be just us then...and Samuel."
"Samuel had fun today, and he was so excited when Dr. Giles agreed that his tree was the best. I've never had that much fun decorating a tree, or even singing carols. I guess it is better with family. However, I love Dawn, don't get me wrong...but I'm glad she wants to move back to the plantation with Mother." Buffy placed her cold hand against Willow's warm cheeks.
"Ohh...your hands are cold." Willow brought both of hers back from under the covers, and pulled Buffy's against her chest under the blankets. "Come closer; I'll get you warm."
"Was that a proposition, Will Rosenberg?" Buffy just smirked again.
"No...we have to get up early for Christmas breakfast. We need to sleep but no reason why we both can't be warm while we do that much needed sleep." Willow smiled that cute, sleepy smile, as Buffy adhered, and scooted as close as she could, one leg and arm draped across the redhead, holding tight, snuggled under the blankets. "It's too cold outside not to take advantage of the extra cuddles."
"I agree." Buffy closed her eyes, and sighed in contentment.
The next morning found them still cuddled together, only using one side of the bed. It was the perfect amount of room for Samuel to climb on the bed, and stare down at his parents sleeping. He just sat there, and waited for them to wake patiently, no need to disturb them, even though he was excited to see if Saint Nick liked the tree, and left extra chocolates for them all because it was the best tree of Christmas. Mr. Giles had told him that, and he had a hard time falling asleep at first but eventually his little sleepy eyes betrayed him, and he woke up with the sun shining in his room.
"Oh...Samuel." Buffy was surprised to open her eyes to see her little boy staring at them. He was just sitting there, all quiet, trying to hide his excitement. Nudging Willow, the blonde sat up in bed, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Mornin' already?"
"Yes, Mother...and we have to see if ours was the best tree!" Samuel's hazel eyes were wide with excitement. He looked like Buffy and Willow combined when he did that. If one didn't know his birth parents, they would never question the resemblance.
"Here's hopin'." Buffy tickled Willow's side to coerce her to get up. All she got in response was a grunt and a pout. "Come on, dear."
"Father, we have to see if Saint Nick liked our tree best!" Samuel wasn't concerned with the presents. There was never much in that department anyways but his parents never failed to get him something extra special. Not just a nice suit, shirts, play pants, new shoes, and a book. There was always just a little something special. Last year, his father had given him that wagon, even though his mother explained that there wouldn't be much. Still, he woke up, and there was that red wagon he'd been eyeing each time they saw it in the store. However, this was the first year he'd heard anything about Saint Nick, and the magic Christmas tree. He'd never gotten the best tree before, there were never extra chocolates...but this year, he just knew theirs was the best. Mr. Giles even said so, and he was super smart like his father.
"Saint Nick?" Willow cleared her throat, and gave Buffy a confused look. There was a promise of an explanation later. They'd never celebrated falsities in their holidays, always focusing on the family instead. It was one thing Willow and Buffy agreed on religiously.
"Let's don our robes, and greet everybody in the kitchen for breakfast, and we'll see. Okay, son?" Willow leaned over Buffy to ruffle the little boy's mussed red hair.
"Okay, father." Samuel resolved that his parents were going to be in bed again all day, and his shoulders slumped a little. "If you want to go back to sleep, I can go down and help Miss Mary and Miss Jenny in the kitchen."
"We're up." Buffy saw the hope start to deflate in her son's face, and there would be none of that. She nudged Willow again, who just sat upright.
"I'm up. I'm up." The older redhead yawned, and stretched before joining the other two.
When they descended the stairwell, they were greeted by William who was just coming from his room, his glasses hanging from his nose, and his hair wild in his eyes. Buffy thought her brother looked healthier, despite the hidden sadness behind his eyes. Maybe Drusilla leaving was the best thing for him. He could focus on his own health for a change.
When they starting coming down the main stairwell, Samuel's eyes got wide. The tree was lit up bright, and there were presents under the tree. They were there last night but the prospect of watching everybody open them today made them even more special. He squeezed his father's hand, and grabbed hold of his mother's robe. When they got to the tree, there was a short note, and a box of chocolates on the mantle.
"What's it say?" William handed the letter to the little boy.
"It says, 'By far the best tree of the year.' Oh! We did it! We had the best tree!" Samuel's eyes were almost watering he was so happy. His smile was almost too big for his little cheeks. "Oh, father, mother! Saint Nick enjoyed our tree the best!"
"Good job!" Dr. Giles came out of the kitchen, nursing a teacup. "I told you it was the best tree, my boy."
"Thank you, Mr. Giles for letting us bring that one home." Samuel let go of his parents to go up and hug the taller man's legs, the letter crumpling in his hands.
"Very welcome, my boy." Dr. Giles was surprised at the sudden attack but smiled, and finally relaxed from the hug. "Now, shall we gather for breakfast? I'm afraid your mother couldn't sleep well, and was up earlier than expected."
"Breakfast is ready?" Buffy was surprised. She was fully prepared to help in the kitchen this morning. It had been a long time since she'd cooked with her family.
"Of course, my dear." Giles just ushered them into the dining room, where the food was already sitting. Dawn and RJ joined them soon after, followed by Faith and Jenny from the kitchen, and Mary, Forrest, and Susie. The rest of the day was peaceful, relaxing, and nothing but smiles and laughter. It felt good to be home.
--
"There's something I want to give you." Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy's waist, and pulled her close.
"Mmm...you already did more than enough. I love the dress and broach, thank you." Buffy cuddled her arms into the redhead's. The moon outside was shining on the snow-covered hills of the plantation. Everybody had retired for the night, and they had read Samuel a story from his new book before he fell asleep in his room. "Did you like your tie? Yours were getting a little...outdated."
"Of course." Willow kissed her wife's cheek.
"I'm sorry it couldn't be more." Buffy sighed, remembering their first Christmas in Washington, and how it seemed there were too many presents. The presents just kept diminishing every year.
"It was more than enough. Just seeing you smile, happy, and with your family was enough." Willow squeezed briefly before releasing her hold. She moved back a little, and fished something out of her pocket. She held it up in front of Buffy's face, so that she could see it in the moonlight.
"It's beautiful." Buffy took the ring, and examined it. Heart, crown, hands; all connected. Silver and ornate with a small diamond in the heart.
"It was my grandmother's wedding ring. She gave it to me before she died, and I've never been able to wear it. I found it in my old uniform pants when we were packing to leave. I've been looking for it for years." Willow removed the simple wedding band from Buffy's hand. "I know I never got you an engagement ring, and this is a family heirloom, something from my past. This way, you'll have a piece of all of me. Past, present, and future."
"It's gorgeous, Will." Buffy turned around, and kissed her briefly on the lips. "You're gorgeous."
"It means different things, depending on how you wear it. It's a Claddagh ring; made in Ireland, and handed down in my family each generation. My grandmother was upset when my mother wanted those fancy rings. It's the only thing I have left from my past, and now it's yours." Willow took the ring from Buffy, and placed it on her ring finger, heart facing in, before returning the wedding band behind it. "I wanted to give it to you when we got married but couldn't find it. All this time, and it was in the uniform pants I wore the day we met."
"Thank you." Buffy pulled Willow tight, hugging her completely.
"I would keep it in my pants, so that I could pull it out when things got really bad. Whenever I started to miss home back at West Point, or when the battles were hard during the war. It would remind me who I was. It kept me grounded." Willow took a deep breath. "Now, you keep me grounded. I haven't needed it since the day I met you. It only seems fitting that you should have it now."
"I'll never take it off." Buffy sighed, happy tears falling from her eyes onto Willow's dress shirt. "You looked so handsome today. I miss seein' you all dressed up for balls."
"I promise we'll attend more now. I'm going to visit the lawyer tomorrow, and talk to him about a job. While I'm in town, I'll find a place for us to live until we can find a house. As soon as the winter's over, we'll start searching for a nice house." Willow took another deep breath. "I want to make you so happy."
"You already do. More than you'll ever know." Buffy just stayed in the embrace until her tears dried on her face. The silent hug was interrupted by a hot, passionate kiss that soon resulted in a few naughty thoughts from both parties involved. "Willow Rosenberg, I believe you should take me to bed."
"Gladly." Willow swept Buffy off her feet, and laid her on the bed before the night became a very merry Christmas.