TITLE : Always With Me
PART : 6/6
AUTHOR : Catherine
DISCLAIMER : Joss owns all
FEEDBACK : Please let me know if you like it.
(*...* thoughts)
Slowly, Rupert turned his head to see Buffy. She walked towards him, then, she took his head in her hands; like a reflex, he put his arms around her waist. She wiped off the tears on his face which he haven't suspected the presence of until now.
"I'm so sorry, Buffy." Giles said with emotion.
Eyes locked on each other, she repeated, "I would have chosen you. Don't doubt that." She kissed his forehead, then added, "I won't lie to you. I would have preferred, wished that you had come there, instead of…the way it was," she whispered.
"Oh, Buffy…If I could turn back time…If I could-"
"I know. But Gi-Rupert, things are like that. And…Wait, you aren't really thinking about doing a thing like that, right?"
"Sorry?" Rupert was lost, then understood what she meant, "No, no. I- Of course, No!"
Buffy breathed, "Sorry, but with…you know, I prefer to be reassured."
"It's perfectly understandable." Rupert said, "But, if I had the courage sooner, maybe things could have been different, and-" He didn't finished his sentence, but looked at the basinet where his daughter was sleeping.
"Or maybe not. Rupert, we can't know. But what I'm sure of is…her." she pointed lightly with her head. "And now, we're together. It's the most important."
Rupert nodded, "Yes, love. I won't ever leave you again, ever. I love you so much." he said, rested his head on her chest, closed his eyes.
Softly, she caressed his hair with her hand, "I know. I love you too." Her chin, now, was on the top on his head instead of her hand.
Abigael and John exchanged happy looks, glad for their son and Buffy, the news about their grandchild and, to see them like that, evoked some memories…
"Hmm, children," said John. Rupert and Buffy looked at him, blushing, and together whispered "Sorry" with a smile.
"You needn't be. It's wonderful to see you like this," Abigael told them, then added, looking at the basket, "May I?"
"Naturally," Buffy answered, with a smile.
Abigael carefully took her granddaughter in her arms, and said with affection, "Look who is awake. Have you slept well, honey?" She smiled to her. "Yes," she said with love, "you were a sleepy girl, weren't you." She chuckled.
John returned to his wife, put his hand on her shoulder, and looking at her, smiled.
"So, grandma, are you happy?" he grinned.
"As much as you, love."
He winked at her, "I have no doubt about that." Then he approached her, and they kissed each other.
Buffy and Rupert saw them. "Your parents are wonderful, Rupert."
"As are you, my love." And, following his parents' example, he looked at her, eyes only on hers. She smiled lightly; when their lips met, they kissed each other with all the love they owned for one another.
At that moment, Dawn entered in the kitchen and said, "Eww! You're in the kitchen! Great, now I need a therapy." Four people were blushing; nevertheless Buffy retorted her, "You know Dawnie, it would have had a better impact if you weren't smiling ear to ear." Buffy teased her, and added, "And I want to warn you, you need to get used to that."
Without realized it, Rupert yelled a "Yes!" With that, everyone turned to look at him with questioning smiles on their faces. "I…I mean-Oh Lord!" Rupert put his hand on his face, but he had already turned red.
"Poor baby," Buffy said, stroking his hair. She kissed the top of his head.
All the people in the room were laughing; the happiness could be felt in the atmosphere.
After Dawn, it was Tara and Willow, then Xander and Anya who went back to the house.
They decided to have dinner together. Spike would come later, after his patrol.
The dinner was pleasant, and not really any different than usual.
When Abigael asked Buffy if she'd like to do a big shopping trip the next day, Buffy agreed happily. Rupert saw she had a question on her mind, so he murmured to her, "What is it, Luv? If you don't want to go, you haven't to do." But for him that seemed unrealistic; Buffy didn't want to do shopping!
"Hmm, sorry." Then she understood what he meant. "Oh no! It's not that. Of course I want to go with your mother. It's just-"
"What Luv?"
"It's stupid, but I thought that it was more your father who would want to do that. I mean shopping, your mother said…and you said that comment earlier, so that-What?"
Rupert was chuckling, "Buffy!"
"Rupert, I don't see what is so funny," she pouted.
"But it is, Buffy, really. Who did you think taught my father to shop?" he raised an amused eye to her.
She thought an instant, and "You want to say that…" He nodded, "Yes, she taught him." he smiled.
Seeing his parents looking at them, he explained to them.
"Yes, she taught me everything."
"But you're an attentive student," Abigael grinned.
The evening passed quickly; Dawn, Willow, Tara, Anya, Xander and Spike left them, wanting to go to the theatre. Abigael and John told Buffy and Rupert they could go if they want, and that they would take care of Abigael. In agreement with each other, Buffy and Rupert declined the offer to go out, preferring to stay at the house with them.
The gang decided it would be better if Dawn, Willow and Tara slept at Anya and Xander's apartment after the movie. That made it so Abigael and John could stay at the house for the night.
Buffy and John went to the kitchen to make the tea while Rupert and his mother stayed in the living room with Abigael.
IN THE KITCHEN
While Buffy took the cups, she observed John put the water in the kettle. *So Gilesy,* she thought, amused, *it's really a family's thing.* She smiled. From the corner of his eye, he saw her joy, so, without turning to her, he said, "Your thoughts seem really pleasant. Could I hope to be the origin of that?" he smiled to her.
Buffy blushed, "Yes and No. But more yes than no." Her face was full of happiness.
"You have all my attention, young Lady."
"It's just, that you're acting like him…or should I say he acts like you. Well, I mean…" she grinned.
John tilted his head to the side. *Now, I know from whom Rupert gets that expression,* she thought.
In fact, that expression wasn't the only thing that Rupert got from his father. John was tall, thin and very handsome. But Rupert's eyes were his mother's.
"He does the same thing too. He's so like you in so many points." she said.
"Yes," John chuckled with pride, a thing that Buffy noticed. "Rupert has a lot of sides of mine; and some from his mother. Well, she likes to believe that," he winked to Buffy.
His eyes were laughing, an expression that Buffy knew too.
Then, she noticed the seriousness in his face before he began, "Rupert is a good man, and I don't say that because he's my son. I think it." Buffy nodded. "And," John added, "he loves you, as I have never saw him love anyone. You're the first, and you're the only. Don't have doubts about that."
Buffy couldn't answer at that moment; her emotions were too strong. She could only nod again.
"But it's not surprising," he smiled tenderly to her, "that must be in his genes." He winked to her.
Buffy laughed lightly, "Yes, it must be that." That comment made John laugh too.
Then Buffy said, "I don't doubt that. And I do love him, he's my life. Without him, I was incomplete, I felt incomplete, lost. But now, I feel whole, everything is…"
"Perfect," John finished for her.
"Yes," she blushed, and some tears began to appear in her eyes.
John took her in his arms.
"Shh, luv."
"These are happy tears." she managed to articulate.
"I know." he smiled to her, "I understand completely." He squeezed her. "I can't tell you how pleased I and Abigael are that you and he are together. Without forgetting my so lovely granddaughter. I hope she will be like you."
He released her to sit again.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." he beamed.
After a quiet moment, Buffy said, "I hope she will be like her father in every point." she grinned.
"Really? You want a teasing, curious little girl with an extraordinary and bubbling over imagination," he tried to say that with some seriousness, but with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Yes," Buffy said happily, "I want to have that." Her smile was gigantic.
"So, in that case, I should probably to tell you what's awaiting you." He smiled too, then continued, "I remember one day, he would have been three or…no, four years old when he tried his pinks experiment. But maybe Abigael already told you?"
Buffy shook her head, "No, she told me about the 'but I thought that would be fun' incident," she grinned, "and the volcano thing when he was ten," she laughed.
"Ah yes! The little eruption," he sighed, "our living room has never be the same after that," he chuckled. "But those…things," he said with a gesture of his left hand, "weren't his first and only experiments." He mused. "As I already told you, he has an extraordinary and vivid imagination, and he begun early," he smirked.
"That explains Halloween and his costumes," she grinned.
"Halloween…Oh dear lord, yes! When we think that he can't surprise us more; each time the next Halloween, he proves us how wrong we can be. With Halloween, we don't know how he manages to do that, but it's like his imagination is more developed than usual--unbelievable but true. With Rupert, I think everything is possible." he said.
"I'm entirely agreed. He can be really amazing and full of surprises," Buffy said, smiling, "So, please, don't let me wait and tell me about Rupert and the pink thing." she smiled mischievously.
Watching her impatience and curiosity, John couldn't help chuckling before he began his story, "When he was four years old, he managed to put some pink on…"
**************************************************************
Rupert and his mother were sitting in the living room, waiting for Buffy and John to bring the tea. They talked about the latest event and the wonderful and so incredible revelation about Buffy and Rupert's daughter.
Suddenly, the loud sound of Buffy and John's laugh reached the living room. Rupert turned his head in that direction; his face was anxious.
Amused by his reaction, his mum laughed too.
"I'm sure that you're finding that very funny, aren't you?" Rupert tried to say with his best-annoyed glare to his mum. Far from impressing her, as always, she nodded happily.
"I can't believe it!" smirked Rupert, "Between you and dad…" he sighed, "Well, at least, you haven't, or should I say, you couldn't shown her the albums of photos because you didn't bring them."
Watching his mother's expression, he became alert, "Mum!"
"What?" she said innocently.
"You…you didn't bring them, right?"
"No, I didn't."
"Mum?"
"But I have always keep a few photos with me," she shrugged.
"Bloody hell!" he put his face in his hands.
"Rupert, don't worry," she patted his back. "And if it reassures you, Buffy loves them, and she's very impatient to see the rest," she smiled.
Rupert looked at his mum with big eyes before moaning an "Oh Lord!" What his mother had just told him didn't reassure him at all.
"I should have burnt them a long time ago!" he growled.
"Oh son, that shouldn't have changed anything," she teased him, "You know that I keep the negatives in a safe place."
"Yeah," he muttered, "a safe place…especially from me." He smirked.
"Exactly!" she patted his arm with a smile.
It was at that moment that Buffy and John came back from the kitchen with the tea.
Buffy sat beside Rupert on the couch, while John took a chair. She looked at him with amused eyes.
Rupert served the tea, trying to not pay attention to her expression.
"Buffy!" he smiled, then sat again. "I'm so lost between the three of you." He shook his head.
She put (and left) her hand on his neck. "My poor baby," she teased him.
"Yes," he pouted, very boyishly. Buffy found that darn sexy.
She grinned at him, and without realizing it, began softly caressing his neck.
While they drank their tea, they talked about the past--some other stories about Rupert and his 'creations'--for the enjoyment of Rupert, but also about the present and the future. Some trips to London for Buffy and Giles for projects and, of course, the several to come back to Sunnydale for Abigael and John. Even, in fact, to the extent that they would probably be in Sunnydale more than London.
Several hours passed by the time Abigael and John agreed that it was maybe time to go to sleep.
"Children, it's time to say goodnight," said John.
"Night mum, night dad." Rupert and his parents hugged each other.
"Night son," said Abigael.
"I'm going to show you to your bedroom," explained Buffy.
Rupert, who didn't know where to go and felt suddenly very insecure, said he would put the tray in the kitchen.
"Okay," Buffy answered him before she went upstairs with his parents.
She reappeared some moments after to find him sitting on the couch, lost in his thoughts.
"Rupert?" she said softly, putting her hand on his arm to acquire his attention, her head titled on her side. "Something's wrong?"
He looked at her without saying a word, but she knew that expression. Insecurity, fear, incertitude…and so much else.
Then, after a moment, he broke the silence, "Buffy," he began, "I…I think we should try to have some sleep. Th-The day was full of emotions and we need to recuperate."
"Yes, I agree with you. And I can tell you, I'm more than a little tired, so I would be happy to go to bed," she said.
With that she began to walk towards the stairs, but noticed that Rupert didn't follow her. "Rupert?"
"I…I think it's…I…the couch will be perfect," he stammered lightly.
"What? What are you saying?" she couldn't believe what he had just said.
"I…Buffy, well-" but she cut him off, "Am I wrong or are you just to say that you will sleep on the couch?" she asked incredulously, her hands on her hips.
"I…" he through his hand in his hair, "Buffy, it would be perfectly normal if you would prefer that I sleep on the couch. I understand and-"
"You're totally being insecurity guy here," she cut him off again. "Rupert, I can't believe you could think that I want you to sleep here and not with me!"
"I-" but she lifted her hand and said to him "Let me finish." She collected her thoughts to find the right words and wipe away all the sadness that had appeared on his face; his expression had reflected happiness during all the day and the evening.
"Rupert, it's out of the question that you sleep without me; or that I sleep without you. So I think the bed would be better than the couch, and we're going to sleep in our bedroom, in our bed. And in case you think that could be too fast, I remind you that we have a daughter together, so, I think the sleeping part shouldn't be a problem and not even disturb you. Okay?"
Rupert closed his eyes, shook his eyes and chuckled softly before saying "Yes Ma'am." Then, he walked to her and took her in his arms. "I'm sorry, love, to have been such a fool. It's just that I know it was stupid, but suddenly I felt so-"
"Insecure guy."
He nodded.
"I forgive you."
He grinned in her hair, and said "I love you so much."
"And I love you too, big pink." she smiled.
"Buffy! Oh no! Was that story that he told you earlier!"
"Yes, between others," she laughed.
"Bloody Hell!" but he was happy. When a thing that Buffy told him hit him, he pushed her away gently to look in her eyes, "Buffy?" She looked at him back, "Yes?" "Our bedroom? And our bed?" he smiled happily.
"Yes," she smiled back, and put her hand on his cheek before caressing it.
Then, Rupert brought his face to hers slowly. She watched him intently, particularly his eyes. Their eyes reflected the same emotions; they were the mirror of all the love they could feel for each other.
And…they kissed.
Buffy moaned, feeling her Rupert smiled.
They were whole now.
After a moment they pulled apart, always in the arms of each other.
"Want to go to our bed, love?"
She nodded, "Yes." With that they walked, together this time, to the stairs.
"Well, for the moment is the only room we can have, Rupert; but I think in the future we should endeavor to find another room. We should see how we can-"
"Buffy, love."
"Yes?"
"It's late. And I think we could talk about our future room tomorrow, don't you think?"
"Yep. And look for another bed; furniture…so big shopping!"
"Yes, my dad will be happy, I'm sure."
She nodded happily, then more seriously she said, "They are wonderful, and I…like them a lot."
"Yes, they are. And they like you a lot, too. But how that could be differently. You're wonderful too, my love. So wonderful."
"Same for you, wonderful man mine."
Before they went to their bedroom, they stopped to see their little daughter. She was sleeping peacefully. They left her room with a gigantic smile on their faces, in the arms of each other.
The End
May, 6th 2005.