Title: Unexpected Gifts
Author: Jacinta
Date: 9th January 2002
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Season 6 up to and including Gone
Disclaimer: I don't own em, just playing with em... can't promise they'll be returned unscathed though
Pairing: B/G
Summary: It's Buffy's 21st birthday - hopefully this one will go better than her previous ones.
Feedback: Want it... Need it... Gimme it!! Pwease ;)
Dedication: Happy 21st Gill hun!!
Authors Notes: Big thanks to Milk for the beta again
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Buffy's eyes slowly fluttered open as she greeted another day, although this day was not like any other. Today she turned 21, a milestone she really never thought she'd make. Stretching languidly, she slowly climbed out of bed and changed before heading downstairs for breakfast, where she was greeted merrily in the kitchen by Willow.
"Hey, morning birthday girl... girl of the big 2-1. So, how does it feel?"
"Morning Will, and I feel just the same as I did yesterday, no big diff."
"Aw, but Buffy, it's your 21st. You're officially a grown up now... of the legal age to do anything you wanted too."
"Yeah I know Will, but I just don't feel all that much different right now."
"Okay... maybe you'll feel a little more birthday-ish at your party today?"
"Will..."
"I know, I know... you didn't want a big party. It's just gonna be the gang; small little celebration with the cake and the junk food and the music and lots of fun, okay?"
Buffy looked at Willow for a few moments before responding.
"Okay, but just a small party. I don't want strangers traipsing all over the house."
"That's all we've got planned Buffy. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
Rolling her eyes, Buffy moved off to fix herself some breakfast, a small part of her looking forward to this party, even if another part knew that it really wouldn't be totally enjoyable without a certain someone there. It was at times like this that she really missed him the most. She had learnt to do without leaning on him for support in the day-to-day things, like discipline of Dawn. But what she really missed was being able to share these little things with him, talking to him, his smile, his laugh... god she missed everything about him.
She understood and accepted now why he had to leave; that in the long run it was for her own good, making her stand on her own two feet. But so far she had made so many mistakes that some days she really thought about just giving up. Then she would hear her own "Inner Giles" chastising her for thinking like that, telling her that she could do it, that he had faith in her, that she just needed to believe in herself and her abilities. So she kept going - for Dawn, for the gang, and in a small way for Giles too.
With a heavy sigh, Buffy finished eating and cleaned off her dishes.
"So when can I expect this not-so-secret-party you guys have planned for me?" she asked as Willow moved to clear away her dishes.
"Well, we thought this time we'd have a Big-Buffy-Birthday-Bash lunch party - less chance of anything 'demony' spoiling it. It's going to start here at about 12."
"Cool, nice idea. I've got a few errands to run this morning but I should be back in plenty of time to get ready."
"Good, well go on... go do your errands and hurry back. We've got lots of decorating and preparing to do," Willow said as she shepherded Buffy out of the room.
"Okay, I'm gone... don't be so pushy," chuckled Buffy.
As soon as she heard the front door close, Willow raced to the phone and quickly dialed, anticipation of this special birthday surprise for Buffy making her bounce on her toes.
Buffy returned home about 10 minutes before the party was due to start.
"Buffy, the party's just about to start!" exclaimed Willow, grabbing her by the arm and hauling her towards the stairs.
"I know Will, I'm sorry. I got held up in damn queues everywhere I went. I'll be down in 5, I promise," she replied as she raced up the stairs, taking two at a time.
True to her word Buffy was back downstairs, fresh and clean from her super-quick shower and change of clothes, in just a little over 5 minutes. Willow had indeed kept it a small affair. Only her, Dawn, Anya, Xander and Tara were there, all seated around the dinner table which was laden down with presents and food.
"Thanks guys, this is just... wonderful."
For the first time in a long while, Buffy smile was not forced or false. After a round of hugs and congratulations, the party swung into full gear. Only a few minutes later the revelry was halted by the ringing of the front doorbell. Willow turned to Buffy with a smug look.
"You better go answer that Buffy, it might be a birthday present."
"What have you been up to Will?" asked Buffy suspiciously.
"Who, me? Up to something? Of course not. I just figure that the only reason someone might be ringing the doorbell today was to deliver some more birthday goodies for you," she replied in all innocence.
"Why am I not believing you right now," Buffy muttered as she stood up and made her way to the front door. Upon opening it, Buffy stood transfixed, not quite sure if she was hallucinating.
"Giles?" she said, his name coming out as almost a whisper.
"Hello Buffy," he replied equally as softly.
Taking a small step forward, Buffy reached out timidly, her hand gently stroking his cheek.
"You're here, you're really here..."
After a moments hesitation she launched herself into his arms, holding him almost painfully tight.
"Oh god, you really are here."
"You didn't think I'd miss your 21st now did you?"
"I wasn't sure... I mean I hoped you'd come but... " She trailed off not knowing quite how to finish.
He pulled back far enough to see her face; giving her a gentle smile as he let his fingers play with the edge of her new shortened hairstyle before brushing a few errant strands back behind her ear.
"I like it... it really suits you."
The last reaction he expected from his compliment was for her to throw herself back against his chest, sobbing unabatedly.
"Buffy... what's wrong?" he asked perplexed.
Getting no reply he carefully maneuvered them far enough inside to close the door. The only sounds around the foyer were those of her crying and the music that was radiating through the closed door of the dining room. After a few more minutes Buffy had calmed enough to talk. With muffled sobs she proceeded to give him the 'Readers Digest' version of everything that had transpired since his departure, her words coming out in a seemingly endless barrage. She felt him tense slightly as she told him of her trysts with Spike, relaxing again when she told him why and what a big mistake it had been.
Back in the dining room, Dawn keep looking back to the door, wondering what was taking Buffy so long.
"I better go see what's keeping her," she said as she rose.
Willow stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Just give her a little bit longer, okay Dawnie?"
"Why... you know who that was at the door don't you? Who is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough, now just sit back down and wait patiently."
Dawn begrudgingly agreed, crossing her arms and pouting in defiance.
"Oh god Giles, I've really screwed everything up this time!" Buffy whimpered, the tears flowing constantly down her cheeks and soaking his shirt.
Sliding his hands up to frame her face, he gently pushed her back so he could tilt her head up to face him.
"Yes you've made a few mistakes, made a few bad decisions, but you dealt Buffy. It's hard sometimes and you may not always get it right the first time, but the point Buffy is that you are trying, not just sweeping the problem under the carpet. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you all those times, but I needed to leave, for both of us."
"I know Giles, and I understand that now, but there's still a small part of me that's sorely tempted to beat the hell out of you for leaving me," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well please try and resist that urge, I'm not sure my head could withstand too many more whacks."
"Spoilsport," she grumbled, "ruining my birthday fun."
Giles chuckled lightly then wiped her tears way with his thumbs.
"Speaking of which..." Giles trailed off as he moved to reach inside his jacket to retrieve a small wrapped box from his pocket.
"Happy Birthday Buffy."
Buffy took it with a mix of surprise and curiosity, slowly removing the wrapping to reveal a jewelry case. She glanced briefly back to Giles before opening it, gasping as she beheld a beautiful gold cross. It wasn't new, in fact it looked fairly old, but that did nothing to detract from its elegance. The gold chain was equally as splendid.
"It's been passed down through my family as a wedding gift for generations," Giles stated as he moved beside her to remove it from the box, carefully unclasping it before draping it around Buffy's neck. His fingers lightly brushed against her skin as he refastened it, the cross dangling just above her bosom.
"Oh Giles, it's... it's wonderful. But I can't accept something like this; it's too much. You should be keeping this to give to someone special," said Buffy as her fingers softly caressed the necklace.
"I did," he replied solemnly.
Buffy turned slowly to face him, her eyes searching his.
"I really don't deserve this."
"Probably not...Ow!" he exclaimed as Buffy swatted his arm, grinning even as he rubbed at the sore spot.
"Honestly though Buffy, I can think of no one better deserving."
"Thank you," she replied as she enveloped him in another strong hug, moving back enough to tenderly kiss his cheek, mere centimeters from his lips. Neither of them were oblivious to the jolt of electricity that flowed from where her lips and his skin met to other parts of their bodies.
Pulling back only slightly, Buffy's eyes roamed across Giles' face before moving closer again, this time her lips brushing softly against his. Before either of them could deepen the kiss, they were interrupted by a loud voice from the room.
"Buffy, hurry up! I want to have some cake sometime this century!" Dawn yelled.
Buffy giggled against his lips before reluctantly pulling away.
"We'd better get in there before she brings the house down, literally."
"Alright," Giles sighed, stealing another quick kiss before they separated and moved to the dinning room door.
"Finally!" grumbled Dawn as she saw Buffy walk back in, "I thought you'd never get ba..." Her words trailed off as she saw who had accompanied Buffy into the room.
"Giles!"
By the time the last syllable of his name left her lips, Dawn had leapt up out of her chair and into Giles' arms, almost knocking him off balance.
"I missed you so much," came her muffled words, her face pressed against his chest-- much as Buffy's had earlier.
"I missed you too," replied Giles as he gently stroked her hair with one hand, the other hugging her back just as fiercely as she held him.
Glancing around the room, Buffy was surprised to see that none of the others were shocked by Giles' sudden appearance.
"You knew... you all knew he was coming, didn't you?"
The conspiratory looks passing between them now gave her the answer.
"Surprise?!" Willow offered weakly.
For a moment Buffy didn't know whether to hit or hug them, eventually settling for the later.
"Thanks guys, this was the second best present I've gotten today."
"Only the second best?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid best gift prize was awarded to Giles," Buffy replied with a smile.
Everyone thought she was referring to the beautiful necklace around her neck, but that wasn't completely true. It was in fact both the necklace and the tender kiss they had shared. Giles, still with one arm wrapped around Dawn's shoulders as she leant against him, shared a secret smile with Buffy, his eyes darting quickly from her eyes to her lips and back again.
"Well I'm sure I heard someone mention cake earlier," Giles said, quickly taking his mind off those very temping lips.
"Oh yeah, you guys sit down, I'll go get it." With that, Willow headed to the kitchen, quickly returning with an armful of the biggest chocolate cake any of them had seen. As soon as Giles sat down, he was flanked closely on either side by the Summers women. Chuckling to himself, Giles draped an arm across the back of each of their chairs, silently reveling in the attention he was receiving from both of them.
"So... do you think we should call the fire department before lighting all those candles Will?" Dawn asked cheekily.
"Hey!" protested Buffy, leaning across in front of Giles to give her a light whack on the arm. In return Dawn leant behind Giles, hitting Buffy on the back of the shoulder.
"Hey you two, keep me out of this," protested Giles, unable to keep the laughter from his voice.
"She started it," Buffy said with a pout.
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"And I will finish it. Don't think that I won't put both of you over my knee in a minute." Giles tried to sound stern, but the look Buffy was giving him now almost caused him to blush. The others watched all this with amusement; glad to see Dawn and Buffy back to their normal selves.
"Okay, done. Time to make a wish and blow out the candles Buffy."
"Well what am I going to wish for Will? I've already had one wish come true," Buffy said, smiling sweetly at Giles. He in return trailed his fingers up to caress the skin at the nape of her neck, occasionally running them through her hair. Buffy could feel her skin tingling all the way down to her toes which each touch of his fingers.
"Just pick something already, I want some cake."
"Keep whining Dawn and you won't get any."
Dawn's highly intellectual response was to stick her tongue out at Buffy.
Buffy closed her eyes and made her wish.
< I wish Giles could stay, permanently >
Reopening them, she blew all the candles out in one breath.
"I hope your wish comes true Buffy."
"So do I Will," Buffy's gaze moved from Willow to Giles, "So do I."
She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder lightly, his thumb rubbing back and forth across her skin, sending small shivers down her spine again.
Noticing her preoccupation, Willow grabbed the knife and started cutting up the cake. As soon as she had placed a big piece in front of Buffy, Dawn reached to grab it the same time Buffy did. The resulting struggle caused the piece to fly off the plate and onto Giles' shirt, leaving a trail of frosting as is slid down to his lap.
"Uh oh..." was all Dawn managed to say as Giles grabbed the cake and looked accusingly at both her and Buffy.
"It was her fault!" they claimed simultaneously.
"Hmm... well in that case then you will both have to be punished."
With that he rubbed the piece of cake all over Dawn's hair and face, turning quickly to grab another piece to attack Buffy with. The distraction with Dawn gave Buffy enough time for her to move out of his reach, but he soon gave chase. He caught up with her in the kitchen, Buffy dashing behind the bench, placing it in-between them.
"What's wrong Buffy... I thought you wanted some of your birthday cake," Giles asked, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"Yes, but I'd like to eat it normally, on a plate, not smeared all over me."
"But this is so much more fun," Giles responded, darting quickly towards the side of the bench. With a squeal Buffy jumped over the top of it, heading for the back door to escape. What she didn't count on was for Giles to anticipate this as he changed direction mid-way, catching her just as her hand reached the doorknob.
Giles smeared some of the cake over her mouth and chin before Buffy managed to swat it away, hearing it land on the floor with a squish.
"Eww, that was so gross Giles. Just for that I should make you clean up."
Giles chuckled then, with a mischievous grin, he stepped closer to her.
"And where would you like me to start this cleaning up?"
Buffy's stomach did a major flip-flop at his words, the husky tone with which he spoke sending shivers through her skin. Unable to answer vocally, she raised her hand shakily and pointed to the side of her chin, the furthest part the cake had reached.
Slipping an arm around her waist, Giles drew her closer as his head descended, his tongue causing her to shudder as it glided across her skin. His mouth followed the course of his tongue, sucking gently as he withdrew the last traces of cake from her skin. His sensual path moved from one side of her chin to the other, avoiding her lips until he had cleared the last visages of cake from every other part of her face.
Giles pulled back to study her face. Her skin was flushed and her breathing erratic, but what captured him most was the emotions shining through in her eyes. He brought his other hand up to frame her face as he descended again, intent on completing his task. Buffy sighed contentedly as he bestowed the same treatment to her lips as he had to her jaw, the sigh turning to a groan as his tongue slid past her lips, leaving no part of her mouth untouched.
Dawn chose that particular moment to walk into the kitchen, stopping and smiling at the pair before making her presence known.
"Eewww, that is the most gross way I've seen anyone eat cake."
They broke apart laughing, Giles even more so on discovering the renewed mess on Buffy's face from his cake-covered hand. He held it up so Buffy could see, watching as she wiped at her face, removing a few streaks of chocolate.
"Come on you two, before Xander eats the rest of the cake on us," Dawn said before turning and heading back to the dining room.
"Well we can't have that can we," replied Buffy as she watched Dawn leave.
"Otherwise I'll have nothing to pay you back with mister."
"Promises, promises..." Giles smirked.
Buffy playfully smacked his butt before threading her fingers with his, pulling him with her as they returned to the party. What they found was Xander with what looked to be about a quarter of the cake sitting in front of him, valiantly swatting away Anya's , Willow's and Tara's' hands as they attempted to try and get some back.
Sitting back down together, Buffy rested her head against Giles' shoulder, silently watching her friends. For the first time since she had come back, Buffy felt like her old self - content, happy, loved - and hoped that her birthday wish would come true. Perhaps not today... but one day, soon. With that in mind Buffy was determined to enjoy it while she could, committing it all to memory for those lonely days ahead and silently praying that there wouldn't be too many of them.
The End