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NA GRACH CROI


Chapter 22: ‘Fardach go Brach’ (Home Forever)


A/N: In this chapter, we will have to assume that all of Balleycastle, and the surrounding area have heard of the events at the O’Hara farm from days earlier. Spike and Buffy are back in Balleycastle at the beginning of this chapter and will have to face the neighbors, so to speak. What will the townspeople do and how will they react?


The train pulled into Balleycastle and the three young people got off of the passenger car. Spike motioned to the cargo car and Xander headed over to see about their horses.

Buffy, Spike and Xander had returned from Londonderry, together on the first train they could. After stopping in Limavady, briefly, to retrieve their boarded horses, the trio made it home to Balleycastle in one day by train. While in Limavady, Spike and Xander briefly looked about for Angel, but to no avail. Apparently he’d left the village immediately after his confrontation with his older brother.

‘Just as well,’ Spike had reasoned, ‘I told him I never want to see him again. So be it.’

While Xander saw to the horses, Will and Buffy headed to the Chase Mercantile. Buffy being very nervous about being back in Balleycastle at all, was even more vexed by having to face Cordelia or her mother. Mrs. O’Hara had no idea what the town had heard, thought or really knew about the whole mess of the last few days. A part of her, almost did not care. But, the other part, her insecure, remorseful side was terrified how the townspeople, especially her new friends, may react to her now.

Before they could enter the Mercantile, the O’Hara’s ran smack into Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Wilkens, the Mayor and his wife. Buffy immediately felt uneasy and lowered her eyes, quickly, afraid of the reaction by this esteemed couple.

“Good morning William, Mrs. O’Hara,” the Mayor tipped his hat, amicably at the handsome couple. “Good morning Mr. O’Hara, Mrs. O’Hara,” Darla Wilkens smiled warmly at Buffy. “It’s a fine day here in Balleycastle, is it not?”

“Yes,” Buffy whispered, her voice cracked with tiny tears of relief, “it is truly a very fine day, Mrs. Wilkens.” Buffy glanced into Darla Wilkens’ lovely eyes and favored her with a small, grateful smile. She could only hope that this fine woman of the community could understand how much her friendliness meant to Buffy.

‘After everything else,’ Buffy thought, a littled awed, ‘they’re going to welcome me back with open arms.’ It reminded Buffy of just how well respected her husband truly was in his homeland.

‘I only hope that Cordy will accept me, back I mean. After all, she has no idea about why I left with Angel. I cannot tell her of what happened between Will and I before I ran away. That,’ she determined, ‘is best left to lie in the past and never be thought of again. Much like my own past,’ she realized finally.

The Wilkens went on and Buffy felt her husband’s arm tighten about her waist. She glanced up at him and smiled, taking in his own affectionate grin down at her. His beautiful blue eyes were so filled with love for her. For her, Buffy Summers O’Hara, a former wanderer on Earth. He had given her so much. In a spanse of just a few months; Will had given Buffy love, a new life, respectability, a happy future and now? A child together.

‘It’s going to be okay,’ Buffy thought, overwhelmed with relief and hope, ‘everything is going to be fine.’ She stood up on the tip toes of her little boots and kissed Will’s fine mouth, quickly. Will held her tightly to him, returning her kiss with his heat and fire.

“Thank you,” Buffy murmered, tenderly, when they broke from each other’s mouths. “Thank you for coming for me, loving me, everything. I love you so much Will, so very much.”

“I know,” Spike smiled warmly at his little wife. “As I love you and thank you. And yes, Princess,” he whispered, “everything will be fine now.” Buffy’s William always could read her mind.

“Buffy!” came Willow Cohan’s bright, cheery voice. Buffy looked up to see the red-headed young woman coming towards them.

“Oh, Buffy,” Willow gasped when she reached the O’Hara’s, “I’m so glad you’re back! Does Tara know yet?” Willow had clasped Buffy to her, so tightly, that the little blond could barely breathe.

“Uhm, no,” Buffy choked out, “I don’t think so.” She tried to loose Willow’s strong hold on her. For breathing necessity if nothing else.

“She’ll be so pleased,” Willow had let loose of Buffy and grinned at both the O’Haras now. “She loves you both so much, Buffy, William, Tara does. The girl’s been worried sick about both of you. Thank God you’ve come to your senses, Buffy O’Hara, come home, where you belong.”

Buffy could not help herself, she burst out into tears, burying her head into her husband’s strong, shirt covered chest.
“There, there, my darling girl,” Will began to stroke his wife’s little back, comfortingly. “I told you, from day one,” he continued in his deep, soothing voice, “that not only do I love you, passionately.” He lifted her chin with his finger, gently, “that everyone would love you Buffy. That this place, here, with me, is your home. You belong here, always.”

Buffy smiled through her tears and sniffed a bit before she nodded at Will. It was too hard to say anything, at the moment, so she just snuggled her body back up close to his and closed her eyes. She hoped this would help her get herself and her emotions back under control, before she went into the Mercantile to face Cordelia and her mother.

“William,” Buffy heard Willow say softly, “may I speak with Buffy, privately. Just a little girl talk, you know?”

Spike let loose of his wife and nodded at her to go with Willow, just a ways down the walk. He motioned off into the store and told the women that he’d be in there while they talked.

“Buffy,” Willow stammered, after her and Buffy were alone. “I want you to understand something, very important.” The red haired woman looked very serious at the moment, and Buffy felt fearful once again. She said nothing, just nodded at Willow.

“What William said to you, it’s true. This is your home now. You belong here with your husband and all,” Willow’s tone was hushed, gentle and soothing. “Anyone who really matters in this town, your neighbors who know you and William, care for and respect both of you? We want you here, all of us. And there are many of us Buffy, most all of us, in fact. Do not ever think that you need to be afraid, or embarrassed to come here, meet us and be a part of this town. Everyone here, who is decent and knows you two, wants both of you as neighbors and friends. Do you understand that?”

“Yes,” Buffy murmered, still a little choked up from her recent flood of tears. “But, Willow,” Buffy sighed sadly, “what about Cordelia? I am so afraid she misunderstood my motives, for leaving with Angel and all. I hate it that she might hate me and….”

“No,” Willow shook her head, adamantly. “The Chase family, including Cordy? They are included in ‘those townspeople’ that I mentioned. “We all care about you Buffy, especially Cordelia Chase. She is not so blind, Cordy that is, to not know that Angel O’Hara is a bitter, angry man. Cordelia knows that if you left with Angel, it was for purely practical reasons and there was no, well…” Willow blushed bright red, an odd sight with her red hair and all.

Buffy couldn’t help but giggle a little, “sorry,” she whispered, but Willow smiled. “Anyway,” Willow continued quietly, “Cordelia knows enough, enough to realize that Angel was merely an escort for you. To help you from an unpleasant situation, brought on, I dare say, by misunderstanding. She also is fully aware of what evil men the Finn-Raynes are, believe me. Riley has been pursuing Cordelia for years, just as Ethan has Tara.”

When Willow mentioned Ethan Rayne and Tara, Buffy noted the jealous, angry glint in the red head’s gray eyes. She felt the need to ‘assure’ the young woman, much as Willow had her.

“Tara loves you, Willow,” Buffy said softly, “know that. It is obvious to me and should be to you.”

“You know?” Willow asked in surprise, another blush creeped up from her neck to her face. “About Tara and me?”

“Let’s just say I guessed and Tara didn’t deny it,” Buffy murmered as she patted Willow’s slim hand with hers. “I am sorry, Willow,” Buffy continued sadly, “sorry that Tara and you cannot be more open with your feelings for each other. Perhaps someday, somewhere?”

“Perhaps,” Willow whispered, a sad little smile on her lips. “I hope so.”

“Now,” Willow began, in a much lighter tone, “let’s go into the Mercantile and have a cuppa with Cordelia and her mummy. “Then, we’ll look at the catalogues and pick out just all kinds of fancy baby clothes? Shan’t we though! Now don’t be cross with Tara,” Willow giggled happily, “she had to tell me that she was going to be an auntie. Tara’s so excited for both you and William! Let’s pretend no one knows, though, let William get to go about bragging and boasting to everyone. Himself!”

Buffy took a deep, cleansing breath and allowed her friend to lead her into the Chase Mercantile. She certainly felt a hundred times less uneasy then when she stepped off the morning train at the Balleycastle station.

When Buffy and Willow stepped into the Mercantile, the first sight they saw was William O’Hara and Mr. Chase, casually talking, near the register. Buffy smiled to herself, watching her husband’s animated hands and smile. ‘He’s so happy,’ she thought to herself, ‘so alive and happy. I hope it’s me that makes him so.’

“Willow, Buffy!” Cordelia cried in excitement as she hurried out from the back of the store. She immediately ran up to hug both of the women, tightly to her.

“Mum,” Cordy called back to the elder Chase woman, “Willow and Buffy are here! Is the tea near ready?” The dark haired girl smiled warmly at Buffy. However, Buffy did notice that the dark eyed girl’s glance strayed, longingly, out into the front of the Mercantile.

‘She’s looking for Angel,’ Buffy thought, sadly. ‘Looking for a man that’s gone to who knows where.’

“Congratulations, Buffy dear,” Cordy gushed happily, seemingly brushing aside her own disappointment. “William has just crowed to us all about your child that is coming! Hope it’s all right. Mama and me, we’ve already got the catalogues put out. The ones with the fancy baby clothing and such from London!”

“It’s fine,” Buffy rasped, barely able to say a coherant word. That this fine family, these good people of Balleycaslte would take her in and forgive her. For anything and everything from her past?

Cordelia’s mother came out of the back room, a tray of tea and cups in her hands. “Buffy,” she exclaimed, “there’s this lovely Christening dress, for the babe. You must order it dear, now!”

Buffy took Cordelia by the hand and led her to a deserted corner of the store. She held the dark woman’s hand up to her cheek and sighed, heavily. “I’m sorry, Cordelia,” she whispered. “But I want you to know something. Angel took me away, because he thought it best for me and the child. It had nothing to do with anything between him and I.” She felt bad ‘lying’ to Cordelia, but Buffy felt it best not to tell everything. The girl was suffering, terribly, and Buffy did not want to add to that. Why reveal that Angel did indeed try and seduce Buffy? It would only make matters worse.

“I know,” Cordy whispered, her head hung down in sorrow. “He’s not coming back, Angel, I mean. Is he?”

“I do not think so,” Buffy answered, honestly. “William has made it clear he wants no part of his brother. I am sorry Cordelia.”

“It’s all right,” Cordy nodded and led Buffy back to the others. “Angel is a bitter and unhappy man. Why he blames William? I do not know, but he is what he is. I have always known Angel’s faults, just loved him despite them.”

“Look!” Willow cried, pointing at a picture in the newest ordering catalogue. “Isn’t that just the dearest thing?” She was staring at a white, lacy Christening dress and grinning like a loon.

Later, after all the hoopla and wonderful blessings that the Chase family and Willow had put upon William, Buffy and their unborn child? The O’Haras and Xander Harris made it back to the farm by sundown. Xander headed off to his own home, to see his family, while Buffy and William made their way into their own home.

Tara was there, waiting, for the couple when they arrived into the family house. She stood, took Buffy into her strong arms and hugged her tightly. “Love you,” she whispered sincerely, to Buffy, stroking her honey blond hair. “Love you and William both.”

After supper, Tara insisted on going back to the little extra house on the farm and leaving the couple to themselves in the main home. Spike was a little nervous. Afraid that his Buffy might not want to stay in their regular bedroom. Not after that horrible night, just days before when he…..

“It is all right, darling,” Buffy murmered as she took her husband’s strong hands in hers. “We can go to bed, now, in our room. It will be fine, promise.”

“We could stay in one of the other rooms, Princess,” he offered, anxiously. “If you want, we could make up a bed and…..”

Buffy shook her blond head, stubbornly, “no,” she whispered, firmly. “I want to make love in ‘our’ bed, in ‘our’ room and go to sleep together there.”

“You are an amazing woman Buffy,” Spike rasped, his voice husky with emotion. “I love you so much, so very much. I’m so glad you’re here, with me now and forever.”

“Forever,” Buffy murmered as she smiled up into her love’s handsome face.


A/N: Oh no, darlins’ it’s not over yet! By the way, I wanted to write a note here (a long one!) and relay a little tale to you:

I know that the whole ‘everyone in town accepts Buffy and her past thing’ seems a little far-fetched. Well, maybe, then again, maybe not.

I based this part of the fic on something my beloved Grammy told me, years ago. She lived outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming (sound familiar Stake Your Claim readers?) and she knew of a woman there, in the city. This woman, who was a known ex-prostitute, who had left the life and settled down with a fine man, was never looked upon as anything but a citizen of Cheyenne.

One night, after the woman’s marriage, she was assaulted by an ‘ex-customer’ whom she killed in self defense. I’m only relaying this sad story for one reason, to let readers know that there are wonderful, tolerant people in the world that do put their pasts and others’ behind them. Anyway, the good people of Cheyenne defended this woman to the end and my own Grandmother shared a hospital room with her, as she had her last child there.

So, I’m thinking (scary thought!) that if the people of Cheyenne, Wyoming can accept someone like this woman into the fold, in the 1920’s? Then the good people of Balleycastle can do the same for Buffy O’Hara!

Thanks for reading, please review. I love you all. Spuf





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