Title: The Last Letter
Author: Jadedragon
Rating: G
Spoilers: Season 4
Disclaimer: Not mine, Buffy and company belong to Josh, Mutant Enemy and the WB and UPN
Paring: B/G
Summary: Buffy and Giles life together
Thanks: Sandra, thanks for such a quick beta.
Notes: The song referred to in this story, My Cup Runneth Over with Love, was recorded by Ed Ames and released in 1967. For a small sample of this wonderful song you can go to the following web page and scroll down to the section with samples of the songs.
http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?ean=78635377422

She looked down at her husband of over thirty years. Had they really been married that long? It seemed only yesterday that they had kissed for the first time. She remembered what she considered their first date; they had gone for coffee after a particularly harrowing night of slaying. He had almost been killed, but she had saved him at the last moment. She was so shaken that he had taken her to the Espresso Pump for coffee to try and calm her down before walking her back home. She remembered him being so gallant and every bit the gentleman that he was as he seated her and then went to get her a mocha and himself a cup of tea. As she watched him, she realized that she was in love with him. The age difference didn't matter, only her love. She knew that she had to tell him, but she hoped that he would understand and not get all embarrassed and stuttery as he did when he was unsure of a situation.

"Buffy, here's your mocha," he told her as he sat across from her in the booth farthest from the door. "Why are you crying?" he asked, concern on his face.

"Giles, I almost lost you tonight. I can't lose you!"

"Buffy, I'm fine. A little sore, but ok," he tried to assure her, placing his hand on hers across the table.

As his hand touched hers, Buffy felt the love she had for this wonderful man throughout her being; she knew she had to tell him how she felt. She looked into the eyes of the man she loved and began to tell him.

"Giles, I love you. I have for a long time, but I've been scared to say anything. I don't expect anything from you but your continued friendship. You mean the world to me and I don't want you to feel that you have to say or do anything different. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or make you feel forced to do anything. I just wanted you to know why I got so emotional tonight," she explained.

"You love me?"

"Yes, but this doesn't mean that things have to change between us. Please don't leave," she pleaded, afraid that he would be scared off, as all the other men in her life had been.

"Buffy, I could never leave you, because….I love you too," he said as he took her hand in his.

They had talked until the shop closing forced them to leave. Over the next couple of weeks their love became evident to the Scooby gang and her Mom, who had all seen this coming. It seemed that Buffy and Giles were the last ones to know. They were married six months later.

Many mornings, Buffy would wake up to find Giles watching her sleep. He told her that it was his favorite time of the day, just watching her sleeping so peacefully. In the evenings before they went on patrol, she would catch him just watching her doing everyday chores or gathering weapons. He always told her that he just wanted to remember everything about her. She understood but never mentioned the reasons behind this, neither of them did.

Just before Buffy graduated from UC Sunnydale, she got some rather unexpected news. She rushed to the Magic Box to tell Giles, knowing that he would be as shocked as she was.

Giles looked up as the door banged open, when he saw his wife, he looked at her and said, "That's one more door I'll have to replace if you don't start being more careful!"

Buffy ran to him, hugging him tightly, "Love, I'm pregnant!"

Giles looked down at his wife. They hadn't ever thought to have children. A Slayer had never carried to term, but he was determined that Buffy be the first. The Gang rallied and they were able to convince the Council that Buffy had served as Slayer long enough. She had been the Slayer for almost eight years. Finally the Council agreed and had the spells cast to call a new Slayer to defend the Hellmouth. Buffy was free of her destiny. They helped the new Slayer and her Watcher, but Buffy now could have a normal life with her husband and their son. Over the next ten years they had two more children, and Giles was a wonderful father, loving each of their children as much as the first.

They were all grown now, with lives of their own. Buffy looked over at them, so proud of them, Richard, a Watcher like his dad, Renee, a librarian and Charlie the youngest just starting his career in Archeology. They had their lives before them, but hers had ended. She looked down at the man she had loved for all of her adult life and wondered what she would do without him. Tears flowed down her face as Willow came to her side, to lead her from the coffin where her only love lay. How she got through the rest of the day, she never knew. Willow and Tara took her home and tried to stay, but Buffy wanted to be alone with her memories. She had even sent her children to their homes.

But before Willow left she gave Buffy a letter Giles had written to her a few days before his death. Buffy fixed herself a cup of tea before she sat down to read his last letter. Tea, he had so loved his tea, she thought as she sat down in his favorite chair.

My Dearest Buffy,

I know that I don't have much longer on this earth, but know that every moment I spent with you was heaven. I'm writing this for Willow to give you after the funeral, because I know you will go home alone. I know you so well after living with you for so long. I know you will be alright; our friends and children will make sure of that. Knowing that you will be surrounded by love makes leaving you a bit easier, but still I will miss you. Know that you have made my life so wonderful with your love. It's hard to write, the drugs they're giving me for pain dim my mind somewhat but everything I feel for you, you already know. I had Willow find the lyrics to a song that says it very well. I don't think you have ever heard it but it says just what I feel for you, now and forever.

Sometimes in the morning
when shadows are deep,
I lie here beside you
just watching you sleep.
And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of.
My cup runneth over with love.

Sometimes in the evening when you do not see,
I study the small things you do constantly.
I memorize moments that I'm fondest of,
My cup runneth over with love.

In only a moment we both will be old.
We won't even notice the world turning cold.
And so in this moment with light from above,
My cup runneth over with love.

Know that I will watch over you, our children and friends until we are together again.

Love always,

Your Giles

END