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Chapter 20:

 
After dinner, the group returned the Buffy's living room and sat around the room, ready to exchange gifts. Dawn, being the youngest and the person who was most excited about actually exchanging gifts, decided to lead the gift-giving event.

William sat beside Buffy on the couch, somewhat embarrassed that he did not have any gifts of his own to give to their friends. Earlier in the week, Buffy had explained to him that the gifts she would give to her friends would come from both of them. However, without any money of his own, purchasing the gifts fell onto Buffy's shoulders alone, and William couldn't help but feel slightly guilty about that.

As Dawn took gifts out of bags and brought them to each person, William was surprised to see that he was collecting a small pile for himself.

He had only been with Buffy for over two weeks and had only met her friends just a little over a week ago, but the fact that they had thought to get him a little something, meant more to him than anything else. For the first time, he had a group of friends outside of his immediate family - something much more than he had ever had in 1882.

Finally, Dawn passed the last present to her sister from Anya, before taking her own seat at the other end of the couch.

"Okay," Dawn said. "Let's start!" She immediately picked up the biggest box and started ripping off the paper.

The group of seven began opening their presents. "Thank you's," "oooh's," and other words of praise were uttered as everyone began unwrapping their gifts.

William, especially, was having a fantastic time getting to see what everyone had chosen for Buffy, as well as himself. The two sat together alternating who got to unwrap the presents first.

Willow and Tara bought him a collection of teas in a well-crafted, decorated wooden box and told him that most of them came from a small herbal shop in town. They also bought him several CDs of classical music, something that Buffy had suggested they purchase for him since that was the genre of music he knew best.

The two women gave Buffy a gift basket filled with lotions, shower gels, soaps, bath salts, and other aromatheaputic goods. In addition, they gave her a large scrapbook that already had several pages that the two had created. Buffy smiled when she looked through it at the memories it brought back, and made sure to eventually add plenty more pages to the scrapbook, especially since William was now here.

Xander and Anya gave William a Hickory Farms gift basket with different cheeses and spiced sausages. Xander also picked out a nice gift box of DVDs that William had never seen or heard of.

Anya's gift for Buffy was no surprise; in fact, Buffy should have seen it coming from the beginning. Buffy unwrapped her present, blushed, and quickly hid it from William's view. She glanced down at the cover of the book cover and the goodie bag attached to it and rolled her eyes. Only Anya would get me a book and gift set about sex, she thought. Thank goodness she didn't get William anything like that!

Buffy's present from Xander was still in his truck, and he waited until everyone else was done opening their gifts before telling her about it. The group walked outside together to see what Xander's gift was. He opened the cab of his truck and pulled the tarp off of a beautifully carved standing jewelry box, one that looked as if it would hold enough jewelry for twenty women.

"Xander!" Buffy cried out, amazed that he had spent so much time on her gift. "It's absolutely beautiful!"

"Thanks, Buffy," Xander said, bringing down the jewelry box from the back of the truck. "It's big enough to hold other things too, like scarves, belts, jewelry boxes, things like that."

"Thank you so much," she said, opening the drawers and looking at the incredible craftsmanship.

William stared at his gift and couldn't help but wonder how his present would ever be able to compete with something such as this. Sure, Buffy understood that he didn't have any money with him, but something like this...well, it was a tough act to follow, that's for sure.

As Xander began carrying Buffy's gift towards the apartment, Buffy asked, "So, who's ready for some egg nog?"

Everyone nodded in agreement and the group headed back inside her apartment.

William and Buffy fell towards the end of the line, and she nudged him playfully with her shoulder. "Are you having a fun time?"

He nodded, hoping that his face wasn't saying otherwise. "Tonight has been very exciting," he said. "I was surprised that your friends included me in the gift exchanging."

"You're part of the group now," Buffy said. "They weren't really sure what to get you, so I hope I gave then some pretty good ideas."

William eagerly nodded. He couldn't wait to try the tea and cheeses, as well as watch the movies that Xander picked out. "Everything was perfect."

As they neared the steps towards her doorway, Buffy reached out and wrapped her arms around William's side and leaned against his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. "How about after Dawn is gone on her skiing trip, we spend an afternoon watching all of those movies Xander bought you."

"That sounds lovely."

Yeah, it sure does, Buffy thought. Although she was enjoying the time herself, another part of her couldn't wait to have some alone time with William.

 
~~~

 
After coming back inside, the group spent the rest of the evening relaxing and sharing stories of their life together, telling William many new stories of the five of them growing up together and how they had become friends. It was nearing midnight when Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya decided to call it a night and head back to their homes.

Buffy, Dawn, and William thanked them all for the gifts and the two girls hugged everyone good bye and good night.

After closing and locking the door, Dawn looked at Buffy and William, and quickly yawned. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm just exhausted." She stretched and bent down to pick up the collection of poetry books that William had given her earlier in the evening. "Thanks for the books, William."

"You're quite welcome," he said. He looked at the clock and saw that it was now 12:01. "And I believe we can officially say 'happy Christmas.'"

Buffy smiled and jokingly hit him in the shoulder. "I keep telling you, it's 'merry Christmas.' You silly Brits."

Dawn smiled at their exchange. Seeing how happy her sister was acting meant a lot to her, and it meant even more to her that William was the one making her so happy. "Okay, you two crazy love birds. I will see you tomorrow bright and early to open the rest of our gifts."

"Good night, Dawnie."

"Good night."

After Dawn shut her bedroom door for the night, Buffy turned to face William and smiled at him. She had told Dawn to feign her exhaustion after everyone else left so she could get some alone time with William before the evening was over. "C'mere," she said, taking him by the hand and leading him towards the couch.

The lights were dimmed for the occasion and several festive candles had been lit earlier in the evening. The collection of instrumental Christmas carols was still playing on the CD player, and with everyone else having gone home for the night, the atmosphere was suddenly more intimate and personal. It was something that both Buffy and William noticed. Buffy directed him towards the couch and motioned for him to sit while she walked up to the Christmas tree and bent down to pick up to presents - one very small box and another, much larger one.

"I thought we were going to exchange presents tomorrow morning with Dawn," William said.

"I can't wait that long," she replied, as she sat back down beside him. "Besides, it's technically Christmas now." She pushed the biggest gift towards him with a small smile on her face. "Go ahead and open it."

William studied the present carefully, wondering what on earth she might have gotten him that was so big. He unwrapped the gift and tore the paper away from the front of the box. His jaw dropped open slightly when he saw its cover.

"Do you like it?" She asked softly.

"Buffy, you...you bought me a computer," William stated. "A...what do you call them again?"

"A laptop. This one is an Apple Powerbook," Buffy explained. "I saw you looking at them in the newspaper ads and on TV."

William shook his head and slightly frowned, remembering the prices he saw attached to the computers in the advertisements. "No, Buffy, this is too much."

"Of course it's not," she said. "After all you've done?"

He scoffed. "I hardly think I have done anything of great importance."

"You've been here," she said forcefully. "You've been with me, and you’ve been...been my rock," Buffy admitted.

"Buffy..." William reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

"I can't wait to get everything set up," he said, eager to investigate his new computer.

"We'll get it all hooked up tomorrow afternoon, how about that?" Buffy suggested. "And here's your other gift."

Buffy handed the small box to William. He wondered if it was something that was supposed to go along with the computer, since she handed it to him second. He unwrapped it carefully and opened the lid. Inside, resting on top of a thin layer of cotton, sat his father's pocket watch.

William picked up the watch to look at it closer and was surprised when he could hear a faint tick, tick, tick coming from the pocket watch.

"I took it into a watch repair shop and even though they had to change some mechanisms inside they were able to fix it," Buffy explained. "I thought you might like to have it back."

William nodded, as a strong sensation of love for the woman beside him filled his chest. "Buffy, I...I don't have the words to thank you-"

"I believe you just did," she cut in. "And how could I not? I mean, it's the only thing you really have from your life back then...I wanted to give it to you."

"Thank you," he said, clipping the pocket watch onto his belt loop and sliding it into his pocket.

"You're very welcome," Buffy whispered, leaning closer towards him, wondering if either of them was brave enough to chance a Christmas kiss.

Just as she was getting ready to lean forward even closer, William stood and headed towards his room. "I have my gift for you in my room," he explained.

"Great," Buffy said, somewhat disappointed that he had moved away so suddenly.

William walked back out a few seconds later with a decorated bag in his hands. "Merry Christmas, Buffy," he said, emphasizing the "merry" with a smile on his face.

"Thank you," she said when he sat back down and placed the bag on her lap. She removed the tissue paper on the top, thinking that Dawn must have helped him purchase and wrap the gift.

Buffy took out was a black leather journal, which looked very much like the journal that the two used to write in. The only difference was the texture of the leather and the bookmark was black ribbon, not red.

"Thank you," she said, although she was somewhat unclear over the meaning of the gift.

"I...I thought that since you said you missed our writing, we could restart our correspondences. We could simply modify what we write about since we see each other every day," William explained. After hearing Buffy question whether he'd missed writing as much as she had, William had decided it might be a nice touch to continue writing to one another from time to time. "If there is ever anything you feel like you cannot say to me in person, just write it down and tell me though words."

Buffy smiled and moved closer towards him. "Thank you, William." She flipped through the pages and stopped when she saw that there was already writing inside.

"I took the liberties of beginning our new journal," he spoke softly.

Buffy flatted the cover and began to read.

 
December 23, 2004

Dearest Buffy,

We said goodnight over two hours ago, yet I find myself unable to retire for the evening. Instead, I'm sitting on my bed in the guest room looking out the window while you are no doubt already deeply asleep. However, too many thoughts are running through my mind at this moment for sleep to take me. Rather than simply sit here and think about nothing important, I decided that this would be a perfect opportunity to begin our new journal.

I purchased this because you had mentioned that you missed our writings. I, too, miss that elated feeling of opening up our journal, flipping to where I'd last ended, and seeing two new pages filled with your handwriting. I hope that this will be a way for us to work things through if the need rises. Even more importantly, and what I mean to say though giving you this journal, is that I hope that you will feel like you can tell me anything, whether it be through spoken or written words.

Tomorrow, or should I say today since it is nearing two-o-clock in the morning, is Christmas Eve. Your friends will be joining us for supper later in the evening, and I must confess that I am somewhat nervous about spending so much time with people I barely know and who know you so well. Nevertheless, I will try to make the most of tomorrow and am eager to celebrate the holiday with a group who care so much for one another.

This also marks a week and a half that I have been living with you in the year 2004. They have been, without a doubt, the best ten days of my life - ten days that I thought we would never have a change of sharing together. Sometimes it still baffles my mind that I am here with you, you sister and friends, and all of these marvelous inventions. Although I do continue to miss my own sister and mother, I would not give up or change these ten days for anything in the world. Words cannot fully express how grateful that you have opened your heart to me so quickly and trustingly. Such simple words to you as "boyfriend" or "dating" mean the absolute world to me when I hear them come from your mouth.

So, Happy (and Merry) Christmas, my heart. I look forward to seeing you first thing come morning.

 
Forever yours,
William

 
Buffy blinked back tears as she closed the journal and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you so much, William," she whispered.

"I - I know it is not as impressive as Xander's handcrafted-"

"Stop it," she said, gently laying her fingers over his lips. "This...this one entry means more to me than anything else I have received tonight, okay?"

"Really?"

"Really," she said, hoping that would convince him. Xander's jewelry box, although beautiful, paled in comparison to this heartfelt and personal entry. "I...I know that I am sometimes still skittish about you possibly disappearing on me one day-"

"And I keep telling you that it will most likely never happen," William said. As long as they stayed away from her desk, he didn't see how it possibly could.

"I know, but I am very thankful for these ten days together, too." Buffy paused, searching for the right words to say. "And I hope that we have...ten times a million more."

"Ten times a million, then?" William asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "That is quite a long time indeed."

Buffy rest her head on his shoulder and breathed him in. "That's just what I'm hoping for."

The two remained seated on the couch for some time, the gentle music being the only sound in the room.

"Merry Christmas, William."

"Merry Christmas, my heart."

 
TBC...


Thank you all, as always for the feedback! I really do appreciate hearing such lovely compliments and reading such kind words. It's a definite perk right now at this point in time when my life is extremely hectic and conflicting. Athough I'm still somewhat on a break regarding the fandom and my sites, I am enjoying working on this story and I'm so glad that you all are continuing to enjoy reading it!

So, as always, please leave any and all comments, thoughts, questions, praise, etc. ;) I love reading it all!

Thank you!





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