TITLE : Always With Me
PART : 5/6
AUTHOR : Catherine
DISCLAIMER : Joss owns all
FEEDBACK : Please let me know if you like it.

(*...* thoughts)

When Giles got back to the house, his heart was ripped in two, seeing Buffy's state. She was completely in tears, and Willow's attempt to help her was unsuccessful.

"I lost him, Will. That time I lost him. He hates me. He hates me." Buffy cried.

"Buffy, please, calm yourself. Please. Listen to me; he didn't hate you."

Buffy shook her head, "No, he won't see me again. He...he hates me."

"I couldn't ever hate you, Buffy, ever," said a voice from the door.

Buffy looked at him, but was afraid to move or...hope. "Giles?" she said softly.

"Willow, please, could you leave us alone?" asked Giles, never taking his eyes off Buffy.

Willow silently asked Buffy a question. She responded "That's all right, Will. You can leave us."

After some hesitation, Willow walked out of the kitchen; approaching Giles, she whispered to him, "Nobody has succeeded in calming her, Giles. If someone can, I think it's you. So do it! Resolve face, Giles."

If her resolve face wasn't so...resolved and Spike's comments so present in his mind; he would have smiled at her when he nodded. He had missed that a lot; in fact, he had missed everyone a lot. They were a part of his family now, and it had been very painful to leave them.

"I will do what is necessary, Willow. I promise you that I will take care of that."

Willow seemed satisfied and walked out of the kitchen, leaving them alone.

Buffy and Giles looked at each other, eyes locked on each other. Suddenly, they felt shy. Neither of them knew how to begin or what say. The atmosphere was thick and full of emotions. Buffy wanted to run to his arms, reassuring herself he had really come back, but knew it wasn't wise to do that; at least, not for the moment.

Giles wanted desperately to walk to her and take her in his arms for never let her go, but knew they needed to talk first.

Finally, Giles managed to whisper "Buffy," at the same moment she said "Giles," she before to cry again.

*To Hell talking!* thought Giles, walking to her and taking her in his arms; he wished he could console her.

"Shh, love. Shh. It's over, I'm here. Shh..." Giles repeated that to her like a mantra.

"You're really here, right? I'm not dreaming."

"No, Buffy. You're not dreaming." Then, Giles wanted to know, "Buffy, where...where's Abigael?"

Buffy couldn't help herself smiling; Giles seemed so concerned and when he asked the question, he had something in his voice...*Affection?...No, Love,* thought Buffy. There was no doubt that the moment he had laid his eyes on Abigael, she took his heart; and that was before he knew; so, now...

"Upstairs, with Dawn." Buffy answered.

"Fine."

"Are you worried?"

"Me? No! It's just that I wanted to know where she was..." he didn't know how to finish; but Buffy did it for him, "Where your daughter is?"

"Yes," smiled Giles, "My daughter." His face was illuminated.

Buffy was pleased to see his dreaming face, then she felt sad. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Giles looked at her, puzzled, then understanding. "Oh, Buffy! No. It's my fault too. I shouldn't have left you, especially after what happened between us. If I hadn't been so stubborn and..." *afraid and selfish*, "Buffy, I'm so sorry...I should have told you-"

"No, Giles," Buffy interrupted him, "You did that because you thought it was better for me. Because you thought that-"

Giles shook his head, "No, Buffy. I also did it because...because I was afraid."

"Of losing me forever?"

"That's another thing, Buffy. That's why I agreed to come back when Xander called me. In fact, I wanted to come back, we thought it would be good and..."

Something drew Buffy's attention on the 'we'.

"We? You're not alone?" She was submerged by a pure fear. *He has someone!* she thought.

"No, Buffy I'm not alone." Giles said uncomfortably.

She freed herself from his arms, walking into the kitchen, panicked. She was shivering.

"Of course! You're not alone. It's normal; you're so sexy and good- looking, smart...How could you be alone? I'm so stupid." She began to cry again.

Giles hadn't understood her sudden change. *What did I say?* Then, he shook his head and said, "Buffy, love. It's not what you think." He took her back in his arms and tried to calm her, again. *What I can say to her to make her understand?* he asked himself, then remembered...

"Not what I think? You mean-" Buffy didn't finish, he cut her off.

"Buffy," Giles sighed, "do you remember the letter I left you?"

She nodded, so he continued, "So you should remember what I wrote. That you're my one and only true love. Buffy, I love you. I might not be with another person. I can't be with anyone else, except you."

Buffy examined him, looking in his eyes, she saw what she needed, sincerity and love.

"So, who...who is-"

"My parents. I've brought my parents," said Giles simply.

"Your parents! Your parents are here? In Sunnydale?!?"

Giles nodded, and seemed a little amused by the touch of panic Buffy showed at them mention of it, something that didn't dissipate itself when he added, "And they will come here soon."

"What? When?" Buffy asked at the same moment there was a knock at the door.

"I could say...Now," Giles grinned.

"Giles!" He took advantage of her shock to kiss her passionately; she responded almost immediately at his kiss eagerly...

Buffy and Giles were always kissing, completely lost in each other. At first, Giles had thought it would be a good idea to calm her... learning about his parents' visit had worried her; especially when she realized that they were at the door. In the beginning, he had begun kissing her to reassure her, thinking he would always have the control of the situation...but now, it was another story; he was lost in their kiss, forgetting about and not conscious of the knock at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK

Hearing a knock, Dawn and Willow went upstairs, with Abigael in Dawn's arms.

"I thought they were in the kitchen," said Dawn, "why don't they answer at the door?" she asked to Willow.

"I don't know, Dawnie. Maybe they didn't hear it. Maybe they are too-"

"Busy, Will." Dawn grinned.

"I hope," smiled Willow.

"Me too; you know, even if Buffy seemed fine, I know that she missed him. I don't know what she would have done without Abigael."

"I know Dawnie, I feel the same. Thanks to the PTB, Abigael was here, so no need to worry; and now with Giles here too..."

"Everything is great," finished Dawn.

"Yeah," said Willow, opening the door to greet the visitors. "Hi. Can I help you?" she asked to the couple.

"Is this Buffy Summers' house?" asked a man with an English accent.

"Yes, it is." answered Willow. She and Dawn were looking at them attentively.

"May we come in, please?" asked the woman, talking for the first time.

"Well," Willow turned to Dawn, who appeared at the door with little Abigael in her arms, "I don't know. What do you want to Buffy?" asked Willow. "I mean, it's not like we don't want you to but...we've never seen you before. So, we're-"

"Suspicious?" said the man.

Willow nodded.

"Abigael, please." Dawn tried to calm her niece who began to cry. The couple looked at each other; they hadn't missed the name.

"I think she's hungry," said the woman, with a smile.

"I think you're right," replied Dawn.

"She's a lovely little girl," the man grinned at the baby.

IN THE KITCHEN

Breath becoming a need, they pulled apart, smiling at each other.

"Wow! Giles, I mean...I missed you so much."

"Me too luv, I can't tell you how I missed you. I love you."

"I love you too, Giles, I love you." Buffy began to cry again.

"Luv, what is it?" asked a worried Giles.

"Nothing, I'm just....I'm just so happy. You're here and...You will stay, right, I mean, you-" now she was very worried.

Giles caressed her cheek and put away the tears, "I will never, ever leave you again Buffy. I made that mistake once, but I won't do it again. Of course, I will stay, if...if you want me." He was a little uncertain. Because of his last action, he knew that he hadn't really a reason to doubt that she wouldn't want him to stay, but somewhere in his unconscious, his he had his doubts, much like Buffy, in her mind, had a fear that he could leave her again.

"I want you here and forever," she smiled at him.

"So forever it is," he responded, then approached to capture her lips with his again.

At the moment where they kissed again, they heard voices from the door.

Giles realized suddenly to whom those voices belonged, and said, shocked, "We forgot my parents!"

"But we have a good excuse," she winked at him, her eyes smiling.

With that, they rejoined the others at the door.

"Yes, a lovely little girl like-" Dawn was cut off by Giles who said "Dad, mum, sorry, I...we didn't hear you." Giles was blushing.

"Please, come in," said Buffy, amused by Giles' reaction.

"Dad?", "Mum?" said together Dawn and Willow.

Buffy nodded.

"Why haven't you told us that?" Willow asked them, almost in an accusatory tone. "Yes, if you had said that you were Giles' parents, there wouldn't have been any problem and we would have invited to come in." said Dawn.

"If I recall correctly, you didn't ask, and we hadn't really had time to introduce ourselves," winked the man to the two young women.

"Well, yes," admitted Willow and Dawn shyly.

"Talking about introductions," Buffy looked at Giles, who responded, "Sorry?" then realized, "Ah yes, of course." Recomposing himself, he added, "Dad, mum, I think you already met Willow and Dawn, who is Buffy's sister. And," turning to Buffy, her hand in his, he said with a tone of pure love, "Buffy."

Hearing him, she had almost tears in her eyes. He looked at her, and again they were lost in each other, their eyes reflecting the love they felt for each other.

A "Hmm," by his father, brought Giles back into the reality, and after a "What? Oh! Yes. Sorry," and some blushing, he added, "My parents, Lady Abigael and Sir John Giles."

Everyone seemed pleased to meet each other. "Son, I think you forgot an introduction," said John, pointing to the baby.

Giles didn't know how to break the 'news'. "Well, she's-"

Seeing his trouble, Buffy said, "She's my daughter."

"Your daughter?" said Abigael, "I thought her name is Abigael," she looked at Buffy.

"Yes, mum. Abigael Joy Summers," answered Giles.

"Summers-Giles," added Buffy.

Giles looked at her, "What?"

"Her name is Abigael Joy Summers-Giles."

"You...You named her-" Giles couldn't believe it; for him, it was wonderful. Even after the fact that he had left her, she had wanted that her, no their, daughter had his name.

"Buffy." He was practically in tears, "I...Thank you, thank you for having forgiven me and...for-"

"I love you Gi-Rupert," she grinned at him, "I think it's time and better that I call you Rupert now, no?" she smiled at him.

"As you wish, my love, as you wish." They were in each others' arms.

All the witnesses of the scene were happy for them.

After a moment, someone broke the silence and said, "So, if we understand correctly, that means that we're grandparents."

His father's comment reminded Giles that their parents didn't know, at least until now.

Turning his attention to them, he said, "Yes. Abigael is my daughter."

At that moment, the feelings of his parents were confused, on one hand they were happy to know that they have a grandchild, but on the other…

"Rupert, I can't believe it. You…" her mother began, "As we told you, we could understand why you ran away from Buffy, even if we didn't agree and didn't approve; but this…" she shook her head.

"I agree with your mother, son. I'm very-"

"He didn't know," Buffy intervened. "I didn't tell him. He learned about Abigael yesterday, when he returned. And he thought it was the best choice at that moment for…for him to leave me, even if I think it was stupid and-"

"Painful," finished Giles. Buffy nodded.

Abigael approached Buffy and said, "I'm sure, that's a part of the truth, but not the principal reason for him to have left you, Buffy."

Buffy's reaction was only to say "Duh!" and "Rupert?!?"

Before he had a chance to answer her, the front door opened, and Anya and Xander came in.

"Hi." they said to the 'strangers.' Xander whispered to Willow, "I didn't know we were expecting guests."

Then, his eyes were on little Abigael, and with a big smile, he asked "Hey, how is my little sweetie girl today?" "Xander, Anya…Here are Abigael and John Giles, Rupert's parents," said Buffy.

"Seriously!?!" replied Xander.

"You have parents? Since when?" asked Anya.

"My birth, Anya!" retorted Giles.

Anya looked at them and, with her natural tact, commented, "So you two, you are orgasms friends."

"Anya!" shouted Giles.

"Maybe it's time for us to…"

"Yes, Willow. I think it's a good idea," Xander agreed rapidly.

"Dawn, you should go with them," suggested Buffy.

"What! Why? I don't see-" said Anya, but she was cut off by Xander. "An. We should go. Now," he pleaded, feeling Giles' glare.

Anya shrugged her shoulders, and said, "Okay."

"Thanks," murmured Xander and Willow in relief.

Contrary to Giles, Dawn and Buffy were a little amused, and as for his parents, they were a little surprised.

When Dawn gave Abigael to her mother, Buffy saw John's hope.

"Do you want to?" Even though she hadn't finished her question, he had already nodded happily.

"I'm here too," Abigael said to him, trying to have a reproaching tone.

"But you want to talk with Buffy. And Rupert and I will go to the kitchen, to feed that little girl," he responded with affection, his granddaughter in his arms.

After some quick goodbyes, especially after Anya wanted to explain how she and Xander had a busy night, they went to The Magic Box to find Tara.

Once they closed the door, John grinned. "Interesting girl."

"It's not really the term I have actually on my mind," growled Giles.

His father chuckled while his mother and Buffy were laughing lightly.

Giles put his hand on his face, muttering "Bloody hell!"

"Come on son, your daughter seems to be hungry. Ladies."

Buffy stared at Giles, she wasn't worried but…Giles took her in his arms and whispered to her, "I love you."

"Love you, too," she said back.

His parents looked at them with affection.

With that, they went to the kitchen, but Buffy could hear John say, "Seriously, if I had known, I would have gone to Harrods and…"

"Yes, dad, but in that case, you should have needed a plane just for your shopping!" Rupert teased him.

"Yes, and…?" They were smiling; and entered in the kitchen.

Buffy and Abigael were smiling at each other, hearing the comment.

"She will be totally spoiled," Abigael shook her head, "and there is Rupert, too. I'm afraid your house is not enough big for the two of them. And I speak from experience," she laughed.

Buffy looked at her, amused, and added, "Don't forget Xander and the others." she grinned. Then, she said, "Rupert was spoiled? I mean, he had never really talked about his childhood, except that he learnt at ten his destiny as a watcher, and that his wish was to be a fighter pilot or a grocer." She was curious.

Abigael nodded, "Yes, he learnt at ten that his life would be to be a watcher. But, John and I wanted him to have a 'normal' childhood, even with his destiny, conscious of who he was, but to be a boy too. John is completely crazy about his son; he spoiled him. Rupert was very young when he learnt about his destiny. In reality, we had prepared him before; we told him, since his birth, stories about warriors and demons. Because of that, when we told him, it wasn't a real shock, except maybe for the destiny of his life--his future duty as an active watcher, like John."

Buffy listened to her attentively; Abigael was pleased with that, so she continued, "At 17, Rupert was very confident of himself; John wanted to protect him from the dangers, because sometimes, even with all the good will, things happen."

It wasn't necessary to explain what she meant by things.

"But Rupert didn't really listen to him. He thought he could be indestructible and protect his slayer from everything, and that he would have an emotional detachment from her, so..."

Buffy was surprised by what she heard, "I never suspected and imagined…that."

"As I told you, Rupert was very sure of himself. Wanting to show him his mistake about that, John told him his story as an active watcher." Abigael said, and began John's story.

"John was a very young watcher; in fact, one of youngest active watchers. He had known his slayer since always, and things happened. He fell in love with her as slayer but also as the woman. Buffy, I'm sure you understand and realize that a slayer is too a woman; just as a watcher is also a man," she said with a smile.

Buffy was blushing, "Yes. But I took some time to know and…admit that fact. Thinking of it, it was stupid. Not realizing that he was a watcher and a man. That's silly," she said uncomfortably.

Abigael patted her arms in comfort, she said "And the tweed doesn't help."

"Yeah." Buffy grinned, and they laughed.

Their laugh came to the kitchen, where two men looked at each other worriedly.

"Do you think it's about us?" asked Rupert.

"Without a doubt son, without a doubt."

"So, I guess it's not the moment to bring them the tea," Rupert chuckled.

John nodded, and said, smiling, "I won't take that risk." Then turning to his grandchild he added, "What a lucky girl…yes, she's a lucky girl…and lovely and-"

Rupert watched him, "Dad." he said with affection.

**********************************************************************

In the living room, Abigael continued, "John had an infinite and unconditional love for his slayer. When she…when she died, he was devastated. He wanted to know, to be assuring that she was…happy where she was. So, he performed the Osiris' spell."

"Yes, a step that Willow lightly forgot," smirked Buffy.

"I'm sorry, Buffy."

"Why? It's not your fault." Buffy shrugged her shoulders, "And now…so he performed the spell and?"

"Yes. With that spell, he observed that she was in…Heaven."

At that mention, Buffy opened her eyes wide, "Ah! So…it was good after all."

"The fact was, seeing that, John was reassured and could begin to accept her death. It wasn't easy but…nevertheless, even if she was in Heaven, she was not totally happy without him. They hadn't talked to each other of their reciprocated feelings; they were conscious of them but never expressed them."

"They weren't together; I mean, like a couple?" asked Buffy.

"No, they were close, very close but…I don't know why; maybe they were waiting. For the right moment."

"I understand." Buffy understood too well; to be conscious of the feelings was one thing, to express them was another thing.

Abigael was glad to see Buffy's reaction at her story. "Yes, sometimes people can be strange…or blind."

"Yes," agreed Buffy.

"As I said, she was not totally happy; the PTB noted that and saw their mutual unhappiness. So, they proposed a choice to her."

"A choice?" Buffy was very intrigued and interested by the story.

"Yes, stay there without him, or, come back with him."

"Really?" Buffy couldn't believe what she heard. "So, what did she choose?"

Instead of giving an answer to her question, Abigael said, "Buffy, if Rupert had been back there, and if you could have chosen, what would your choice have been?"

"I…I don't know," she said uncomfortably. "And it's too late-"

"Buffy," Abigael cut her off, "that's wrong. You know, in your heart, you know. Don't be afraid to tell me. I won't judge you. Trust me."

"I…" Buffy took a deep breath, and looking in the kitchen's direction, she added with a smile, "If he was there, and…him. I would have chosen him."

Abigael smiled, "The same choice. The Giles' charm is very powerful; we can't deny it."

"What?!?" Buffy was a little confused by her comment, "But if she…and you." Then, she realized, "That's why you wanted to talk to me…why Rupert said…it's you!" Buffy exclaimed.

"You were his slayer! Wait a minute, you told me that John told him that at 17; so…Ripper?" Buffy asked.

"Yes," Abigael nodded, "learning that was very painful for him. To learn that caused him to question himself."

"Without forgetting his 'emotional detachment'," added Buffy with sarcasm.

"Yes, so everything was put back for him. And the anger--he thought that we should have told him earlier that I was a slayer and the rest. That was too much. So Ripper appeared." Abigael sighed.

"So, it's why you came here…because…because you know what I felt," Buffy said shyly.

"Yes, and No," Abigael said, and before Buffy had a chance to talk, she added, "Contrary at you, Buffy, I hadn't been ripped; I choose. I can only try to imagine what you felt. For me, it was already very difficult and painful; so, for you…to be ripped from Heaven like that…" Abigael shook her head.

"So you came back…a slayer?" Buffy was confused.

"No," Abigael said simply.

"No?"

"Buffy, I choose to come back; to leave that place. But the slayer was dead. Because I chose, I came back not as a slayer; but only as the woman."

"It's why you insisted on the fact that he loved the slayer and the woman," Buffy pointed out.

"Yes," said Abigael, "it was very difficult; and with time, love and… Rupert. Life began to come back."

"Rupert," Buffy couldn't help smiling, and, observing her, Abigael smiled too.

"You love really him, don't you?"

"Yes." Buffy blushed.

"I understand you. Like I said, the Giles' charm is undeniable." Abigael winked at her.

"Yes." Buffy grinned.

"And John is completely crazy about his son. I already warmed you, but with the two men in the kitchen, our little Abigael will be-"

"Loved," Buffy finished.

"Without a doubt. By all of us," said Abigael.

"I love really him, you know." Buffy glanced at the kitchen.

"I know. Just as I know he loves you more than everything. It's why it was so hard for him; your death," she said softly, "and your return. In fact, for him, it had a double effect on him; because-"

"Of your past." Buffy said, "I understand now, even if I don't really agree, in a some way, when he left me, he was like a need for him…too much emotions." Buffy admitted, "But if he does that again, he will have a real problem." she grinned.

"And with John and me too." Abigael added.

IN THE KITCHEN

"Do you think everything is alright?" Rupert asked, looking a little worried as he glanced toward the living room.

"Don't worry son," his father said in a comforting tone, patting Rupert's arm, "I have no doubt that everything is alright between your mother and Buffy. How could it be the contrary? Buffy is a lovely and caring woman, like your mother."

Rupert looked at him, then nodded with a lightly smile. His father had always had his capacity to reassure him, to say the right words.

"Thanks, dad," was the only words he could say.

"You're welcome, son. Now,-" But he was interrupted by a cry from a baby who seemed very unhappy.

"Hey," Rupert took her in his arms, "what's happened to my little girl? Tell daddy…" When he said it, that hit him; *Daddy! I'm her daddy.* At that thought, Rupert's face was full of emotions.

His father saw that, "Yes, son. Yes." Rupert looked at him with some tears in his eyes. He nodded, and whispered, "Yes."

"Now, now son; I think that beautiful little girl wants to be changed. Do you know where the nappies are?"

"No. I'm going to ask to Buffy." With that he gave her to her grandpa who was delighted.

Before entered in the living room; Rupert turned to his father and said with a smile, "I hope it's safe for me to come in there."

"Son…" John shook his head with chuckle. When he entered the living room, he saw that his mother and Buffy were still talking. Their conversation was light, now, and more (unfortunately for him!!!) about his childhood. He arrived in the middle of a certain story which was not really a prestigious story, at least from his side.

"So, when I asked him the reason he had done that, he answered me with all his natural, 'because I thought it could fun, but now, I'm not so sure about that.'"

At that last comment, Buffy and Abigael laughed.

Rupert cleared his throat; at that sound, two women turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry to interrupt such charming and funny conversation, especially about my…little experiment of some years ago; and I want to say that I was 5 years old at the time," he said defensively. "Anyway, Buffy, would you tell me where the nappies are, please?"

"Nappies?"

"Yes, Abigael needs to be changed."

"Oh, you want to mean diapers, Rupert," she smiled at him, "Here, it's diapers."

"If you wish. So where are they?"

"Upstairs, in the bathroom."

"Thanks."

When he returned from the bathroom with the nappies, Buffy asked him, "Do you want me to change-"

"Buffy," he cut her off in a sigh, and with some exasperation in his voice continued, "I'm a grown man; I followed a training regimen as a watcher; I train a slayer; I fight demons, vampires and others devilish creatures. I think I can manage to change a baby," he said reassuringly. "Okay," Buffy said.

"Thanks," Rupert said with aggravation. Then added, before he came to the kitchen, "And…dad is with me."

Buffy and his mother couldn't help themselves from smiling at his last comment, shaking their heads.

When Rupert entered in the kitchen, what he saw was a pure moment of joy.

"Don't worry, my love; daddy is going to be here soon, with the nappies, and you will be dry. Shh, baby, grandpa is here," he said, rocking her.

"Dad," Rupert said to his father to gain his attention, before saying to Abigael, touching her cheek with one of his fingers, "hey, how is my baby."

While they changed her nappies, Abigael looked at them; Rupert smiled at her, and told her, "It will be better my sweet baby. Daddy and grandpa are changing you."

He saw his father with an touching expression, "What?"

"Nothing. Just some memories, when I changed your nappies. You were so little. And now…I love you, Rupert."

"I love you too, dad."

There was some moment of silence. Abigael was changed, and she seemed to sleep, now.

"Apparently someone wants to sleep," said Rupert. "My little girl is tired. Close your beautiful eyes…yes, like that. Don't worry, daddy is here. You're a good little girl. Sleepy-sleepy-sleepy," Rupert said to her, softly. He kissed her forehead; then, after a moment, Abigael was sleeping. Rupert and his father went to the other side of the kitchen, not wanted to disturb her sleeping.

Rupert filled two cups of tea.

"Son," John began after a sip, "I'd like to ask you a question."

"Why I hadn't used the Osiris spell."

"Yes."

Rupert took a long sip of his tea, and after a deep breath, he answered with pain, "I was afraid." He looked at his father, who was always silent, and he waited.

"I'm not really proud of myself for that-"

"Son, there is nothing of which to be ashamed. You needed some time to think."

"Yes," Rupert chuckled lightly, "but I had too long."

"What do you mean?"

Rupert blinked, and after a very deep breath, he explained, "I had decided to do it, but…I was about to perform it, when I received Willow's call and she told me that Buffy was alive. It was too late," he finished in a whisper.

John patted his arm, "You were afraid. I can understand."

"Dad? How…" he didn't really know how to ask, "how were you sure…I mean that mum wanted to be with you?"

"I wasn't, Rupert."

"So, how-"

"How did I manage to perform it?"

Rupert nodded.

"I was afraid too, son. But I knew that I should, no…needed to do it. I had strong doubts and wasn't sure. We weren't together; I mean, as a romantic couple at that moment. But I knew that I loved her more than anything. I regretted so much to not have told her that I loved her; even if she hadn't said a word about her feelings towards me; if she shared them…I thought if I had a little chance to may tell her what I felt for her…it was worth it."

Rupert looked at his sleeping daughter, trying to collect what his father had just told him, "She's a miracle."

John smiled and taking the hand of his son, added, "Like you, son."

Rupert looked at his father and was sure that his eyes reflected the same emotions that he saw in his father's eyes.

Suddenly, Rupert's face changed; a sadness appeared. "Son?" his father asked, worried, "What is it?"

"I was more afraid than she didn't want me," Rupert admitted painfully. "I acted selfishly because I was so afraid she would reject me, completely."

"Oh, son. I know. I felt that too. But you surpassed that feeling. You had decided to do it," John reassured him.

"But…I regret so much that I hadn't performed it earlier. Buffy could have chosen, like mum. She could have chosen to rest, or…even…maybe-"

"I would have chosen you, Rupert," Buffy said softly at the door of the kitchen, his mother beside her.

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