** Disclaimer in full effect **
Buffy sat in the passenger’s seat wringing her hands nervously in her lap. She hadn’t seen William’s sister or mother since their separation so she was a bit worried at how they might react to her showing up after all these years.
William glanced over at Buffy and sighed. “Buffy stop worrying, it’ll be fine,” he assured her, reaching over and squeezing her hand in a comforting gesture.
“How can you be so sure Will? After what I did to you they probably think I am the worst person ever,” Buffy sulked.
“Buffy it’s not like that.”
“Well I know if it was me in their shoes I wouldn’t be so forgiving,” Buffy pointed out.
William chuckled at her and brought her hand to his lips giving it a tender kiss. “Everything will be fine, I promise.”
Buffy let out a weary sigh and tried to relax. She knew that William was more than likely right and that everything would be fine, but she couldn’t help but think of how she would feel if it was Angel that had been done wrong. Oh yeah, they were so going to hate her.
William pulled into the long driveway and shut off the car. “Well this is it,” he chirped and hopped out of the driver’s seat, coming around to get Buffy’s door.
Buffy got out and felt the butterflies in her stomach go into flight. “Will I don’t think this is a good idea,” Buffy insisted with a shake of her head.
William sighed. “Buffy listen to me. You can’t hide from my family forever and I think now is as good a time as ever.”
“Are you sure they don’t hate me?” Buffy asked timidly.
William placed a quick kiss to her lips and practically dragged her up the walkway. “They don’t hate you,” he assured her and went to knock on the door.
Buffy took a cleansing breath and held William’s hand firmly in hers. “Well then I guess it’s now or never.”
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Cecily Adams heard voices outside her front door and furrowed her brow. “I guess there are some last minute guests.” Opening the door her eyes nearly fell out of her head at the sight of her brother and one time sister-n-law standing in her doorway hand in hand.
“Surprise,” William said with a huge smile on his face.
“I don’t think that even begins to describe it,” Cecily replied in a stunned voice.
“Well are you going to invite us in or are we going to stand in the doorway all day?” William asked expectantly.
Cecily shook herself of her stupor and waved them in. “Oh sorry, come in, please,” she apologized. Then turning to her brother, she shook her head and pulled him in for a firm hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming,” she scolded lightly.
“Wanted to surprise the bit for her birthday,” William explained returning her hug.
Cecily pulled away and smiled at him. “Well I think she will be a bit more than surprised that’s for sure,” then she turned to the tiny blond who had yet to say anything. “Buffy how are you?” she asked politely.
“Great,” Buffy replied nervously. It had been well over eight years since she had last seen Cecily and she was more than a bit curious how this woman truly felt about her now. “I brought Kennedy a gift,” she said holding up the wrapped guitar case.
“That was nice of you, I’m sure she’ll love it.”
William could feel the uneasiness in the air and decided to get the attention off of Buffy for the time being. “Well where is the birthday girl?”
“She’s out back with all the children.”
“Is Mum here?” William asked curiously.
Cecily looked at Buffy and then to her brother. “She’s out back as well,” she replied nervously. She knew her mother wasn’t the biggest fan of William’s new relationship so this was bound to be interesting.
“Well then I guess we should go on out then,” William suggested.
“Of course,” Cecily agreed reluctantly and led them to the back door.
Buffy pulled William to her so she could whisper in his ear. “Will I think this might have been a bad idea to do this at your niece’s party,” she told him in a slightly panicked voice.
“Buffy my family knows we’re dating so it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise,” he assured her.
“Yeah well if the look on your sister’s face said anything, I don’t think your mom is too happy about us,” Buffy pointed out knowingly.
“Well I don’t care what they think Buffy, it’s about what we want not them,” he assured her and placed a kiss to her full lips.
Cecily cleared her throat to get the two lovers’ attention before she opened the backdoor. No way was she going to let the first thing her family and a bunch of little girls see was Buffy and her brother kissing.
Buffy felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment and put some distance between her and William.
William looked over at her, scowled, and pulled her back over to him taking her hand in his. “No, Buffy we have nothing to hide,” he told her and then looked up at his sister with a pointed look. “If you have a problem you best say it now Cec.”
“William the only thing I have to say is that if you are truly happy, then I am happy for you,” she replied honestly.
William gave her an appreciative nod. “Thank you Cecily, that means a lot to me.”
“Well then lets go on out and surprise that niece of yours.” Cecily said with a hint of trepidation. Dear Lord please let this go over well.
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Kennedy looked around the backyard and didn’t see her mother anywhere. Going over to her grandmother, she asked curiously, “Gran have you seen Mummy?”
Anne Giles-Rayne shook her head. “No poppet, I haven’t seen her since she went in the house to get more plates.”
“Well I guess I’ll go inside and look for her, I’m ready for cake.”
Anne chuckled at her anxious granddaughter. “Well you go and do that and wake your granddad over there, he’s starting to snore.”
Kennedy looked over at Ethan Rayne who was fast asleep in his chair snoring softly and giggled. “Okay Gran,” she agreed, then ran off to wake her grandfather and to find her mother.
Kennedy was just about to jump on her grandfather’s lap when she saw her mother walk into the yard followed by the last two people she ever expected to see. “Uncle Will!” she shrieked excitedly making everyone jump in surprise.
“Sweet pea,” he greeted fondly and ran to her, scooping her in his arms twirling her in the air. “Happy birthday pet.”
Kennedy giggled and squeezed her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
William put the young girl down on her feet and squatted down on his haunches. “Well I couldn’t miss my bestest girl’s birthday now could I?”
Kennedy beamed at him and then remembered that her idol was standing not even ten feet away. “How did you get Buffy Summers to come to my party?” she asked in complete awe.
“Hey, nothings too good for my girl,” he replied and tweaked the end of her nose. Standing up, he took Kennedy’s hand and walked her over to Buffy.
“Happy Birthday Kennedy,” Buffy greeted with a big smile forgetting about her nervousness temporarily.
“This is so freaking cool,” Kennedy gasped.
“Kennedy, language,” Cecily scolded lightly.
Buffy bit back a laugh and winked down at the obviously embarrassed girl. “I brought you a little something,” she said as she held out the present in her hand.
Kennedy’s eyes lit up and she looked to her mother. “Can I open it now Mum, please!” she begged.
Cecily chuckled at her daughter and nodded her head. “Go on.”
Kennedy ripped into the paper furiously and looked down at the guitar case with wide eyes. With shaky hands, she opened it up and gasped at the sight of the autographed acoustic guitar that lay nestled in the crimson velvet.
“It was my first guitar and I just figured you might like to have it,” Buffy informed her.
Kennedy looked up at Buffy with stunned eyes. “I love it, thank you so much!”
“Now you better take good care of that thing, it’s practically an antique,” William quipped.
“Very funny,” Buffy said dryly sending him a dirty look.
“Well it’s not as old as you so it’s not quite an antique,” Kennedy teased her uncle.
Buffy burst out laughing. “Oh I so love this girl!”
“That’s it, I’m taking my gift home,” William huffed and went to haul Buffy over his shoulder but stopped when he noticed his mother sitting across the yard looking over at him.
Buffy was ready to run off but noticed William had ceased all playfulness. Looking over she noticed what had caught his eye. Placing a hand on his arm, she gave it a small squeeze. “Go to her William.”
William nodded his agreement and smiled down at his niece. “I’ll get you back later,” he warned playfully.
“Where are you going Uncle Will?” Kennedy asked wondering why he was suddenly running off.
“I’m just going to go and say ‘ello to your Gran and Ethan,” he assured her. “I bet if you ask nicely Buffy’ll play you something on that guitar of yours,” and looked over at Buffy silently asking for her to help distract his niece.
“Sure,” she agreed understanding what Will was asking her.
All the kids started cheering and scooting in closer so they could get as close as they could to the rock star.
“I’ll be right back luv,” William assured Buffy before he left her to go and see his mother.
“Take your time,” she replied and turned her attention to the anxious girls sitting at her feet. “Okay, what will it be?”
************************************************************************
William slowly crossed the yard feeling his stomach tie in knots the closer he got to his mother. The last time he had talked to her was the night he had told her he and Buffy were back together. She hadn’t been upset per say but he could tell it wasn’t exactly the greatest news to her.
“Hello Mum, Ethan,” William greeted.
“Well aren’t you just full of surprises,” Anne commented.
“Mum I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming but I wanted it to be, well a surprise,” he explained.
Anne got up from her chair and walked over to her son. “Well don’t you even have a hug for your old mum?” she asked as she smiled at him and held open her arms.
William let out a sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around his mother. “God Mum it’s good to see you,” he whispered in a tight voice.
“Oh I can’t believe my boy is home,” she sighed wistfully.
William pulled from his mother’s arms, blinked back his tears and turned to his stepfather. “Ethan,” he greeted and offered his hand.
Ethan pulled him into a manly hug and patted his back. “It’s good to see you boy.”
Now that he had gotten all his greetings out of the way, William pulled up a chair and settled in with a determined look.
“Okay I know you probably have some questions as to why Buffy is here, but I have something to say first.” When he was sure he had his parents undivided attention, he proceeded. “I love Buffy and there is nothing you can say that is going to change that. I know you’re worried I’m going to get hurt but things are different now, so if you have anything negative to say just keep it to yourself ‘cause I won’t hear of you saying anything bad about Buffy,” he finished.
Anne studied the man before her that was her son. He had grown so much in the last few years and she was beyond proud of who he had become. “William you’re right, I am worried you will get hurt again,” she confessed honestly.
“Mum Buffy has changed, and if you just give her the chance you’ll see it for yourself,” William assured his mother.
Anne looked over at the blond that had broken her son’s heart all those years ago. Buffy was singing a soft melody and she couldn’t help but be intrigued. She had heard Buffy sing before but it was when she was much younger and didn’t have near the experience she had now. As if being drawn to the sound, Anne got up and walked over to where Buffy was performing for her small audience and watched in awe.
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“Can we hear one more song please?” Kennedy pleaded.
“Sure, what do you guys want to hear?”
“Something new,” Kennedy demanded excitedly as all the other girls starting clapping and begging for more.
Buffy thought for a minute and then knew exactly what song she wanted to play. “Alright. This song is one I just wrote since on tour,” she informed them and settled the guitar in her lap. Closing her eyes, she started to strum the strings gently as she poured her heart out into her words.
I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a woman of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard…
I wanna sleep with you forever; I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm…
And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us………
“She’s amazing isn’t she?” William asked as he walked up to stand behind his mother.
Anne couldn’t say anything as she watched Buffy sing her heart out, never once taking her eyes off William. There was no doubt who this song was meant for.
We'll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your way…
I'm gonna be here for you from now on, this you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you this promise, if there's life after this
I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss, mm hmm….
William gazed at Buffy adoringly and then turned back to look at his mother. The expression on her face clearly said her feelings for Buffy were changed. Really how could they not be after listening to her sing with such love and passion it was almost consuming.
And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll win your trust making memories of us
Ohhh…….Mmm baby
When she had strummed the last cord every one jumped up and started clapping furiously but she hardly noticed because she was too stunned by the accepting look on William’s mother’s face.
Without another word, Anne left her son’s side and walked over to Buffy and held out her hand. Buffy set down the guitar and hesitantly took Anne’s hand. She wasn’t quite sure what was about to happen but was going to push away her doubt and just go with it.
Anne pulled Buffy to her feet and looked at her with a watery smile before she pulled the girl in her arms and whispered in her ear, “Welcome back Buffy.”
Huge thanks to caatje, MidnightGirl, DaniD, Brunettepet, daisy, gotkona, Laura, spufette, Suzee, Debbie, cordykitten, secretguest, PhotographyNut, SarahandJamesFanatic, slayercaro, and Smitten for the lovely reviews; they really make postin' worth wild! Kuddos!
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Song lyrics in this chap are from Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us" but have been slightly modified to fit this fic. All rights belong to the proper owners.