Title: Choices 16/21
Author: Tori Deathangel
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: B/G
Disclaimer: Joss/Mutant enemy has it all. I just want to play for awhile
Distribution: Take it if you want it
"Will! Alexis! What are you two doing?" The two, two-year-olds were trying to take off the giant Easter bunny head of the person whose lap they were sitting. The Easter bunny managed to get the fidgeting brats… ahem… youngsters, too sit still long enough for their picture to be taken, but just before they got off his lap, they managed to twist the head completely around, making the other children in line cry.
Buffy felt so embarrassed as she hauled the kids away, all she wanted was a cute photo with them with it, now she has a memory to hold over them to tell their future dates.
As they continued their shopping in the mall the kids pulled one way then the other and even with slayer strength she could barely keep up. She got them some ice cream and managed to sit down for a few minutes. She pulled out the pics of the kids and smiled, even still it was a great shot. Her peace was interrupted by several assorted screams and laughter, noticing that the kids were elsewhere. She sighed when she saw where the commotion was coming from. <How did Mom do it?>
By the time she walked in, the kids had cosmetics everywhere, on the ground opened up spread on the walls themselves. She mentally cursed herself out for not keeping better tabs on them and tried to reconcile with the shop owner who only insisted that these things happen and not to worry about the mess, she has kids too.
Towing the imps out, she headed for the exit, but they broke loose and headed for the toy store near there.
Buffy pulled up to the house and let the kids tear loose into the
house carrying their new possessions from the toy store they raided
earlier.
"Hello you." He hoisted Alexis into the air, he noticed his wife walking in all haggard. He put Alexis down to help Buffy with her packages. "Are you all right?"
She looked at him and relayed the day's events to him.
"Dear Lord!" His eyes widened and looked at the little troublemakers. Who returned their father's gaze with innocent grins. He smiled and shook his head. The future would definitely prove interesting.
Halloween
The six yearolds squealed with delight as they got their treats. They
ran back to their parents and continued to the next house.
"I can't believe you let Will talk you into letting him have that costume."
"Yeah with all the trouble the bloody poofter did." They looked behind them to find Spike. "You have to be more careful out here, especially with that bad boy running around, he's the one the one to watch out for." He felt a kick on his leg, "Aaayyyy." He looked at the little Ballerina who just hurt him. "Should've known you were responsible."
"Don't pick on my brother!"
"Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's you who the world should look out for." He looked at the proud Mommy, "Like mother like daughter."
"Spike, What are you doing out? Every Vampire and demon hates this day and only stays indoors."
"Sorry Rupes. Needed a laugh or two."
Two demons came running up on them. Buffy shoved the kids at her husband, "Rupert go!" She pulled out a stake to deal with her assailants.
"Buffy No!"
She swung her arm back stake ready in hand, but before she could follow through Spike catches her arm. The demons laughed and giggled as they ran up to the house and TP'd it.
"I don't think it'd be good to slay some costumed hoodlums." He looked at the duo, "Hey, you need to make sure it twists around the branches."
"Spike!"
"And you two pay attention, you'll need to know how to do this one day. Specially my namesake."
"Once again, We did not name him after you."
"Right Slayer, I know you still have the hots for me."
She raised her stake, "I may not be able to poke this into them…" gesturing to the 2 idiots desecrating someone's front lawn.
"I got the idea," He raised his hands and backed off watching the happy family continue on, but making sure they are all right. He wanted nothing to happen to them.
Christmas
"So how long are we going to keep up this charade?" Rupert asked his
wife, while the 10 years olds lagged quite far behind having their
parents drag them to this.
"William how long are we gonna keep pretending that …."
"Shh!" He placed a finger to his lips. "I think dad knows we know, but this is for Mom's benefit. Just go along." Alexis went along quietly and wondered why they couldn't tell Mom.
They came to a stop in front of where they had to be, treading on grounds that should not be. This tore through Alexis' heart. "Enough is enough!"
"Alexis!" Fear ripped through William's body, fear for his sister and for his mother.
"No she has to be told that we know." Will nodded his head, "Yes."
Buffy looked at the kids hoping beyond all hopes that she wasn't gonna hear what she thinks they are going to say. Rupert laced his hand though her fingers giving her strength for the inevitable. She knew one day they would find out, but now?
"Mom…"
Dread filled the air.
"We know that…"
Bodies tensed.
"There is…"
Lumps formed in throats.
"NO SANTA CLAUS." She emphasized loud enough that several kids younger then her heard it and started crying. There went another holiday for these youngsters.
Buffy relaxed a bit <Whew!>. She smiled happily thankfully because they didn't know about vampires. Well except for crazy Uncle Spike who thought he was one and would be staked if he were ever go beyond that lie. For the sake of the kids they will lead a normal life to a great extent. She didn't want to put them through the life that exists on the Hellmouth yet. "That's all right. Let's just do some Christmas shopping instead.
A week and a half later
Will looked at his gifts under the tree trying to figure out what was in them.
Willow snuck up behind him. "You wouldn't be trying to peek?"
He jumped at her voice, "Aunt Willow, I .. uh.."
"There is a real neat spell that kinda lets you preview the gifts, but you know me being an adult and all."
"Are you really a witch. Mom would never give us a straight answer."
"Well one day I'll teach you and then if it works, then you'll have your answer." She walked away.
<Again with the non-answers!> he huffed away and went to play with his cousins now that Uncle Xander and Aunt Anya were here. Alexis helped in the kitchen well sort of anyway, as Aunt dawn and her had minor food fights and ample glares from Mom to stop.
All in all an unnormal holiday for the beloved Scoobies, since most of theirs were usually mixed up with things of the undead or not even human. They ate. They opened presents.
Buffy stared at her children as her husband came around her and folded her back to him, "You know Luv, we will have to tell them soon, I think."
"I know they'll start wanting to want to stay out later and…" she sighed. "They're growing up too fast. I miss them when they were small and manageable."
"When they were into everything, cosmetics strewn about…"
"Ok. Ok." She laughed, "They weren't so manageable, but I miss it."
"Luv, I hope your not suggesting…"
"That we have another? No I'm not. But we could have fun pretending." Her eyes beamed and he just couldn't wait till everyone went to bed.