Special Someones
by gnome
Chapter 4
[reviews]
So sorry it took me so long, but I had a serious writers block. Thank you so much Kirky for helping me write your story :) I promise the next chapter will be done really soon.
Buffy decided to leave soon after Dylan fell asleep. Willow was having a hard time and Buffy could tell she didn't want to delve into her past right then. Instead she decided a nice small party would do her some good. Everyone was going to come over to the Summers residence and have a good night.
Joyce was getting the food ready in the kitchen. She had been nothing but grins all day. Willow and Dylan should be over soon and that little bundle was so adorable. Buffy walked in on her mother day dreaming. The slayer now knew the smell from a week ago was Willow and her child. That was probably what her mother was thinking about.
Walking up behind her, Buffy gave her mother a small sideways hug. Joyce turned her head and smiled at her eldest. "Hey there," kissing her daughter on the forehead before she asked, "is the house all safe?" Joyce knew what it was like to have a little one in the house and all the possible events that could come.
"Yes, the living room has all the small objects up high or locked away. Even have my room baby proofed incase Dylan needs a quiet place to rest." Smiling proudly she rested her head against her mothers shoulder. Buffy never quiet knew how thankful she was to have a mother has caring and thoughtful as hers before. "You're the greatest," giving her another hug before kissing on the cheek, leaving her to finish in there while she double checked all the rooms.
It wasn't long before Tara and Faith showed up. Both wanted to get back in touch and thought a nice night with some 'safe' music and games would be great and acceptable by all. Faith was sent to put in the music Tara had burned into the CD player while she put the games up high enough out of the little's reach. Sitting down on the couch they held hands as they watched Buffy putt around.
"Yo B why don't you get me a drink since your up," giving the older slayer a smirk. Tara gently slapped Faith on the arm. To which Buffy gave her own smirk back. Dawn came down the stair and quickly gave both the women on the couch a hug. She also noticed that her sister was nervous, which was a new emotion on her sister. Not having seen the look since someone had left.
A knock on the door broke them all from their conversations as Dawn went and opened the door. On the other side was Willow with Dylan in her arms. "Come on in," giving the redhead a great big smile she opened the door wider. Willow walked in and simply stood there before them all, when the door closed she suddenly felt the tiniest bit claustrophobic.
Joyce came out of the kitchen with her apron still on, wrapping the two redheads in her arms she greeted them both. She could see Willows nervousness and decided to try and help start off the night. "Would you mind if Dylan helped me in the kitchen? I think I have some cookies?" Smiling at them both, Dylan nodded her head enthusiastically. Not really wanting Dylan around if things got a little out of hand. Agreeing with Joyce she handed Dylan over and was surprised when her daughter had no problem with being held by her. Smiling the two went off into the kitchen.
Dropping her baby bag by the front door she let Dawn lead her to a chair. Feeling all eyes on her she decided she could use a little something to drink, but then thought better of it. Her past was full of that substance and she refrained from drinking it again.
"Willow?" A voice brought her back to Dawn who was standing in front of her. Seems she had lost herself again and missed the young girl speak.
"Sorry," looking down again she took a deep breathe before looking back up. Dawn just stood there smiling, knowing that this was probably very hard on her and willing to be as patient and caring as possible.
"I asked if you would like something to drink." Smiling she nodded her head. Dawn quickly left the room in search of a drink. Everyone in the room was quiet and didn't know what to say or do. Feelings were high, but each one of them wanted to try and smoothing things out.
"So, I see the world is still in one piece. Good job you guys." Willow tried to make a joke but it seems to be not as funny as it was in her head. Faith simply chuckled at it while Tara was caught between looking at both slayers. Buffy stood there trying to figure out what she should do next. Dawn came back with a glass and handed it to Willow. "Thanks," taking a big drink before holding it in her lap.
Dawn noticed the silence and figured it was up to her to save this night. "So Wills, what have you been up to these last week." Smiling she sat on the arm of the chair, right beside Willow.
"Well, I've been unpacking. I've almost finished with this computer program that I've created. Teaching Dylan how to dress herself has been pretty funny. She keeps getting stuck in her shirts and all frustrated. Its very cute," giggling at her daughters behavior.
"How is she adjusting? I hear it can be hard for a child to adjust during a move with a different environment?" Dawn had been looking up information on two year olds. She was very interested in Dylan and wanted to know more about how she was dealing with all of this.
"Well Dawn," smiling up at the young woman beside her. "She has been doing very well. We have the same schedule so that is helping a lot. She was very excited to know we were moving. She loves her room and all the extra space in the house. All and all she is doing very well." Everyone seemed happy to hear that and smiled at the knowledge that the little girl wasn't traumatized by the new events.
"Wh-what about sleeping? H-how is th-that going?" Tara hated her stutter, but Faith held her hand a little tighter, letting her thumb slide along her knuckles.
That was a little harder, but she didn't know how to talk about it. Her daughter had been having nightmares since Willow could remember, but Dylan never told her about them. She wasn't even sure if her daughter remembered what had her so scared. "Well, she has her own bedroom and bed which most nights I put her in. She seems to be having trouble sleeping though."
"Has she told you anything about her dreams?" Buffy spoke up this time, "maybe then you could help her through what problems she may be having." She was trying to sound supportive, but underneath worry began to fill her.
"Well she hasn't told me anything. I'm not even sure if she knows what's wrong at the moment. She doesn't say or act differently around anything to give me a hint of her dreams." Taking another breathe she tried to stir the conversation in another direction. Dylan was having problems. She would come in her room and cry, her body would shake almost every time she slept or just woke up. Neither had been getting much sleep and Dylan never wanted to be left alone, let alone out of her mothers' arms.
"Willow, can you please come in here for a second." Joyce's voice carried through to the living room. Glad for the interruption she excused herself and entered the kitchen. Dylan was sitting on the counter with Joyce making sure she didn't fall. Walking over she looked between the two. "Seems Dylan maybe having a little problem." Her body was shaking slightly and Joyce had never experienced this with any child of her own. She figured Willow would know about this and have a clue as to what was going on.
Moving closer Willow gently picked up Dylan and began rocking back and forth. Moving slowly she hummed a little song. Dylan's tremors slowed down until there was a minute or so between shivers, that was when Willow decided she could sit down. Joyce paid close attention. Dylan seemed to not want to be touched, let alone held.
"Do you have any juice?" Willow moved her eyes to Joyce's concerned face. The older woman nodded her head and went about getting a glass. Once it was filled with a small amount of juice she handed it over to Willow and sat beside the two.
Carefully turning Dylan onto her lap she held the glass in one hand. Dylan reached out and held it with her hands as well. With her mothers guidance Dylan took several long sips before pulling it away. Placing the glass on the table she cuddled Dylan again. Seeing the look in her mother figures eyes she knew she had to explain.
"Dylan has been having a few problems lately. She hasn't been sleeping all that well lately and seems a little... I guess skittish is the best way to say it. When she's not around me she gets nervous and starts to get shaky. We've seen a doctor and they have no idea what's really causing any of this. So those are just my ideas but I don't think that's the real reasons." Looking down Dylan was content in her arms. "I just need to believe it is, I need to have some reason for all this."
Joyce understood her immediately. She knew the need to have an answer, whether it be right or wrong. To think you know something is better than knowing you know nothing. Leaning forward she gave them both a supportive hug before pulling back.
"It's ok. She's fine now. Aren't you," smiling down at Dylan, the little girl nodded her head with a giant smile on her face. "Good, now I think we should help grandma Joyce finish cooking. What do you think?" Willow didn't see it, but Joyce had a proud smile on her face when she was being referred to as 'grandma' and couldn't make it go away as both girls made their way beside her.
Wiping a happy tear away she turned to Willow. Dylan ran up and put her arms up in front of the older Summers woman. "Grandma!" Joyce laughed as she picked up her granddaughter, hugging her carefully. Gently kissing her cheek before moving Dylan to sit on her hip, turning she pulled Willow into a hug as well. Giving her a kiss on the forehead before pulling back.
"Well I think I'm all done. Let's dish up, then call them." Giving Willow a wink the two giggled, both knowing full well how much slayers can eat. Agreeing the two women took what they wanted and headed into the living room with Dylan on their heels, more than ready to be back in her mothers' arms.
Willow had decided to sit on the floor with Dylan sitting in her lap. Joyce had a chair closest to the two of them. The night was going well with talk about their college life. Joyce had made it clear that everyone was to go to college, even just if it was only a couple classes. Knowledge was important and she wouldn't see any of her children miss out on it.
Dawn was a full time student, as well as Tara. Faith, Xander, and Buffy went part time. Xander had a great job as a carpenter and was making enough money to move out of his parents house awhile back, which made everyone happy. So he took only enough classes to have his 'mother' pleased with him. Faith hated school, but took classes for the same reason as Xander, with the added push from her girlfriend. Buffy was almost done with her degree, it was an associates, but better than nothing. She knew her life wasn't going to last long and thought school was pointless, but did it to make her mother happy.
Everyone in the Scooby gang had some form of a career as well. Tara worked in the magic shop. Xander was a big time employee at a construction business in town. Buffy and Faith taught self defense classes in different expertise. Since both had an equivalent to a black belt in almost any technique of fighting their teachings were excellent for every level of training.
Dawn was working on becoming a counselor and did mostly volunteer work around town, helping out at different places in all different age groups to see which she would like best. She was moving along very well, and although no one mentioned her training in the art of magic Willow could easily sense it.
Tara in the same way was constantly trying to read Willow. She was concerned with what she saw, mostly fear, exhausted, and troubled emotions radiated through her. There was no hate or evilness that she could sense and that lifted some worries.
Dylan on the other hand was difficult to read. So much so that she could only see bits and pieces, nothing that she could outright comprehend. There were the same emotions as her mother, but there was more. It was hard just to notice the ones she could sense from Willow coming off Dylan, but there was something else. It wasn't bad or dangerous, but she wasn't sure what it was and that concerned her.
As soon as they finished eating Faith and Tara offered to clean up. Dawn and Buffy went to put away the leftovers, there wasn't much but there was enough for a midnight snack for a hungry slayer.
Joyce and Willow continued to talk while Dylan lay in her mothers' lap, content to rest her eyes. Wrapping her arms around Dylan she was doing her best to comfort her daughter, hoping she wouldn't have the same problem now as she did at home. Another incident was something she so didn't want to happen here. Instead, seeing that Dylan was tired, and she herself was rather drained she started to get up. "Maybe we should head home."
There was something bothering Joyce, and she figured she could get it out of Willow alone vs when other people were around. "Sure, but let me come with you. I'd feel so much better if I made sure you got home safely." Smiling her motherly smile it made it impossible for the redhead to say no. Nodding the two got ready and said their goodbyes.
Joyce got in her car and drove behind Willow. When the three got to the new residence Joyce got out of her car and up to where Willow was holding Dylan. "Willow, I know you may not want this to happen, but I need to speak with you." Her tone was almost pleading as she asked.
Willow lowered her eyes as she opened the front door, allowing Joyce to follow. Closing and locking the door she knew what her mother wanted. "Let me just change Dylan and put her down, I'll be back as soon as I can. Please make yourself comfortable." Her tone was sad as she was regretting the soon to be conversation. Climbing the stairs Dylan was more or less asleep as she was changed into her pj's and laid in her bed. Covering her up, Willow kissed her daughters kiss before turning the nightlight on and overhead light off. Leaving the door halfway open she made her way downstairs.
Sitting beside Joyce she laid her hands in her lap, not willing to look into her mothers eyes. Joyce reached out and lifted the redheads face, looking deep into saddened emerald eyes. "Please tell me. What did you do before Dylan?"
A tear fell out before she nodded her head, knowing that she was going to tell her everything. It was going to be a very long night.
Thank you. Hope you enjoyed. Please review.