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Author's Chapter Notes:
Another set-up chapter but I swear there will be actual Spuffy interaction in the next one.
Chapter 3 – Girl Talk

Present

“Honey, wake up, we’re here.”

Buffy snorted and quickly sat up as the car pulled into the driveway of 1630 Revello Drive. As she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, she couldn’t stop the yawn that escaped her mouth.

“Thank God! I just want to be at home, asleep, in bed. Or maybe a shower first. Definitely a shower first. I’m a big disgusting ball o’ grossness. I hate traveling, I always feel like I have layers of grease on my face by the end.”

Joyce chuckled at her rambling daughter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Buffy, I look beautiful whenever I travel; I’m practically perfect in every way. Besides, I don’t understand why you couldn’t have taken an earlier flight.”

Buffy rolled her eyes at her mother then unsuccessfully tried to stifle a yawn. “I told you before Mary Poppins, the flight was $50 bucks less late at night, and I’m cheap. Just call me George Costanza. Plus, starving student here, I still need to buy supplies.”

“Honey, how about all that money that your father left you, it’s definitely enough to support you for a long while.”

Buffy’s face instantly soured. “That’s all guilt money, and I don’t want to be bribed into forgiving him. Besides I don’t want to dip into it too much. I want Dawn to have something from her ‘so-called’ grandfather.”

Joyce decided that it would be better to drop the subject. She couldn’t help but worry about how Buffy had dealt with Hank’s death. She knew her daughter was devastated by the sudden loss, especially considering they never had a chance to resolve their differences. Besides Buffy’s breakdown when they initially heard the news, she had yet to express any emotion except for the resentment she still harbored for what happened so many years ago.

“Hey Mom, can you take Dawn in? I’m going to grab our luggage.”

As Buffy’s words broke her somber thoughts, she realized that they were still sitting in the car. This time a yawn escaped from her mouth as she dragged a hand through her short dark blond hair. “That’s a good idea” she replied, “I’ve already put together most of her room. Yours, however is still filled with boxes, so you’ll have to sleep with me.”

“But you snore like a bear!” Buffy protested

“Ha Ha, very funny Buffy. It’s either that or couch city for you.”

“”Well, you do have that big comfy bed. It’s a good thing I have ear plugs.”

Joyce gently removed Dawn from her car seat and took the sleeping girl inside the house while Buffy retrieved the few bags she had in the trunk. She was so thankful that they had the forethought to ship most of their belongings from San Francisco before flying over. All she had to deal with where the few bags carrying her clothes, makeup, and shoes. Since she was too lazy to take multiple trips, Buffy struggled to get all the bags in the house at once, and finally gave up, dumping them by the stairs. ‘I’ll deal with that in the morning’. Glad the long day was over, she grabbed the small bag with her pjs and trudged upstairs to get ready for bed. As she passed Dawn’s room, she peaked in to find Joyce sitting in a rocking chair with the little girl in her lap reading ‘Where the Wild Things Grow.’

“I thought she was asleep.” Buffy commented

Joyce paused in her story and gave a little chuckle, “She was, right up until I lay her down and then she was wide awake asking for a story.”

“Well sweet pea, only one story and then straight to bed for you.” Buffy walked over to the little girl and gave her a gentle kiss before kissing her mother on the cheek and heading out the door. “Goodnight ladies, I’m hitting the sack”.

“Goodnight Momma” and “Goodnight Buffy” echoed back to her as she shut the door.

As she paused by her old bedroom she couldn’t help but peak in and take a look. ‘Had her father kept it the same?’ she wondered. When she turned on the lights, she let out a gasp. The bed and surrounding floor were completely filled with boxes. She could see why her mother waited until Buffy arrived to clear the clutter. Apparently everything that was shipped over was just piled into her old room. She would have to remember to complain to her mother about that in the morning. The reason for her gasp however, was the fact that her room did indeed look exactly the same. Not one poster or knick knack from her room had been removed. A fine layer of dust covered every surface that didn’t have a box on it. Part of her was relieved that her father never touched anything, but a large part of her worried that maybe this meant that he just didn’t care what happened to her, to them. Not that it mattered anymore. She would never be able to ask her dad all the questions that continually ran through her head. With a sigh she pushed all the anger, regret, and feelings of loss away. It was something she couldn’t change so she chose to not deal with it at all.

She walked over to the pink phone by her bed-stand and picked up the receiver. It was close to midnight but she knew that Willow and Tara would probably be awake. Sometimes she longed for the days when she could stay up to all hours and then sleep until noon the next day, such a luxury! The other line rang twice before a chipper “Hello” answered. She could tell instantly it was Will and not Tara on the line.

“Hey Willow, it’s Buffy. We just got in, do you have time to talk?”

“Most definitely” Willow answered “I was hoping you’d call us. I just wasn’t sure when you were flying in. How was the flight?”

“It was fine, but I’m so tired, I’m ready to just fall asleep. But I needed to talk to you first, I just wanted to hear a friendly voice.” Buffy pushed over some boxes, moved over the top blanket, lay down, and repressed the urge to sneeze.

“God Willow, am I making the right choice? Maybe I should have just stayed in San Francisco. Why did I come back? He’s going to be so mad at me. I was totally stupid to believe her. What if he hates me, what if he hates Dawn?”

“Buffy stop, just breathe for a moment.” Willow halted Buffy’s ramblings before it became a full out panic attack. She couldn’t help but feel bad for what her friend was about to face and hoped he wouldn’t be too angry at Buffy, as well as well as herself, for keeping this secret from him.

“Buffy, you have made the right decision, and you know it. Spike needs to know that he is a father, and I think he’s mature enough now to understand the reasoning of why you didn’t tell him. At least I hope.” Willow nervously twisted a lock of her red hair between her fingers. She wanted to put it off, but now was as good a time as any.

“Umm, I just thought you should know that Spike is kinda dating Cordelia. I know you don’t like her too much but she sorta grows on you.”

Buffy sighed and picked up her old stuffed pig Mr. Gordo. “Okay, so that is news to me. I’m not too excited to hear about it, but don’t worry I’m not upset. Cordy has to be better than Harmony right?” Despite her words, it felt like somebody had just punched her chest and couldn’t help but think ‘Why was I stupid enough to hope’. “I knew he was never in love with me, I just kinda…well hoped…anyways, I just want him to be happy and I just want him to not hate me and hopefully accept Dawn.”

Buffy clutched Mr. Gordo tighter, hoping that her little good luck charm could make all the bad things go far away.

“Well, it won’t be easy, especially considering his temper,” Willow answered back bluntly, “but he’ll forgive you because he loves you. And don’t forget Tara and I love you too and we’ll be here for you.”

“Thanks Willow, you guys mean the world to me. I just hope that someday I can find a relationship as good as yours.”

“Aww shucks Buffy, you’re making me blush. So, are you ready for your welcome back party on Saturday? I almost have it all planned. There will be lots of drinks, snacks, and chocolaty cake goodness!”

“Willow, you didn’t have to. I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Hey, do you and Tara want to come over tomorrow for lunch? I’ll order some pizza.”

“Sounds great! We’ll come over around Noonish.”

“Perfect. Thanks for the pep talk Willow, I really needed it.”

“Anytime sweetie. Goodnight, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Night Willow”

Buffy hung up the phone and sighed. Talking to Willow or Tara always made her feel loads better. She knew that the next few weeks wouldn’t be easy but with her friends and mother at her side, she felt she could face anything. At least she hoped.





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