“Hey Buffy! Your boss held you up again?” Buffy’s best friend, Willow, came down the stairs, a sympathetic smile on her face.
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and tonight I really needed to get out of there in time, but did he care? No! I swear to you, Willow, Snyder’s just an evil, insensitive… stupid guy, and I really wish…” She spotted the clock on the wall, gasping in shock. “Oh my God, it can’t be that much already!”
Willow just looked amused. “What’s the hurry, Buffy? Hot date tonight?”
Buffy stopped, suddenly looking ashamed. “God, Willow, I’m sorry. Self centric much, Buffy? Thank you so much for picking up Hannah from school and staying here with her. Where is she, is she okay?”
“Sure, Buffy.” Willow gave her an assuring smile. “She’s upstairs, playing with her dolls. And you know I don’t mind picking her up every once in a while, I love spending time with her.” Then her eyes narrowed. “But you! You’ve been keeping things from me, missy! You should be ashamed of yourself, keeping stuff from your best friend is not allowed, and you know it.”
Frowning, Buffy looked at her in confusion, and Willow smiled, hurrying to explain. “Hannah told me you met someone, a guy! Spike, was it? It’s all she’s been talking about, from the moment I picked her up at school it’s been Spike this and Spike that. I have to tell you, Buffy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her being this enthusiastic before. The guy has to be really something to get Hannah this worked up.”
Buffy’s frown disappeared, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, she pretty much adores him.” Then she looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry, Will, it wasn’t like I was trying to hide anything from you, really. It’s just that this is all still so new, and…” She hesitated. “Willow, I don’t have time to do the whole talking thing right now, no matter how much I’d love to tell you all about it. I have to take Hannah to my mother’s, and it would be really nice to get out of these clothes and take a shower before I have to go.”
Now, Willow looked surprised. “Joyce is babysitting? Wow, he really must be special, for you to go there willingly. I thought you said you won’t be setting your foot in that house again until she dumps that jerk she’s been seeing. What was his name again?”
“Ugh! Ted!” Buffy spat the name out, a disgusted look on her face. “I really hate him. To think that my mother’s letting him stay, not only in the house, but in her bed as well? It’s just… ugh!”
Willow did her best to stay serious, knowing how much Buffy hated the fact that her mother was dating any man who wasn’t her father. Then an idea hit her. “I tell you what. Why don’t I just stay here with Hannah tonight? I don’t mind, and then you won’t have to go all the way through town when you’re already late.”
Eyes widening, Buffy stared at her best friend. “Really? That would be so…!” Then she paused. “No, I couldn’t ask you to…”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering. And you don’t have a choice, see my resolve face?” Willow gave Buffy a firm look, daring her to object.
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, Buffy couldn’t help but giggle. “Can’t argue with that now, can I?” Willow shook her head, and Buffy gave her a big hug. “Thank you so much, Will! You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Willow waved her hand in dismiss, a huge smile on her face. “No problem, I love Hannah, you know that. Besides, now you can tell me all about this new mysterious man in your life while you’re getting ready!”
“Okay, sweetie, Spike will be here any time now, you’re gonna behave yourself tonight with Willow?” Buffy looked at her daughter, trying not to laugh. One could think that it was actually Hannah who was going out tonight, the girl was almost more excited than Buffy was. Or, more likely, Buffy was just doing a better job at covering up.
Hannah nodded, a serious expression on her face. “Sure, mommy.”
“That’s my girl.” Buffy smiled, then glanced at her watch. “He should be here by now.” She gave Willow a worried look. “Should I panic? What if he’s changed his mind?”
Willow was just about to say something, but Hannah beat her to it; “Spike wouldn’t do that! He really likes you, mommy. And I told him you really like him, as well.” She smiled brightly, obviously very pleased with herself.
“You told him what?! Buffy groaned. “Hannah, you don’t just go and tell people things like that!”
Hannah looked confused. “Why not? People should be happy when someone likes them.”
Buffy opened her mouth, then closed it again. She glanced over at Willow for help, but the red-head just shrugged. “She’s got a point.” She was rewarded by a wide smile from Hannah.
“Fine!” Rolling her eyes, Buffy looked at her watch again. “He’s late. Where is he? What if something’s happened?”
“I’m sure he’ll be here any minute now, Buffy, don’t worry.” Willow smiled at her, trying to look convincing.
“Yeah, mommy. He’ll be here.” Hannah sounded totally confident, and Buffy didn’t have the heart to let her own doubts show.
“Yes, I’m sure he will be, honey.” Buffy sighed. He’ll better be, anyway, she thought. Because if he’s standing me up, I’m so gonna kick his ass! Then she swallowed. Or more likely, she thought, miserably, I’ll spend the rest of the night alone in bed, bawling my eyes out.
TBC