Title: Yule Traditions, Past and Future 9/11
Author: Gileswench
Feedback: Constructive criticism always welcome. Praise abjectly sought.
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Joss, Mutant Enemy, etc., etc., etc. I just let them have all the fun Joss won't. I own nothing except my twisted mind which you really don't want. Please don't sue.

When Giles finished in the bathroom, he opened the door only to find Olivia waiting patiently in the hall.

"Sorry," he said. "I hope I haven't made you wait."

"Only for a little while," she said with a smile. "So...Buffy left you in one piece, did she?"

"Hmmm? What?"

"Don't bother trying to play innocent, Ripper. I know that look. Like a tiger lying in the sun half asleep. And, I must admit, I heard a few interesting sounds down the hall." Her grin grew wider. "It sounded as if you were getting a jolly good rogering - and I happen to know precisely what that sounds like."

"Dear lord, Liv," he said. "For the love of all that's holy, please don't say anything like that to my aunt or to Buffy."

"Why on Earth would I?" she laughed. "I told you, I'm not here to cause trouble...though I suppose it was impossible not to with introducing you to Dominic. Believe it or not, I'm happy for you and Buffy. She's a very pretty girl, and you seem reasonably well suited. All I want is for you to be a part of our son's life. You appear willing, and Buffy has made dire threats to your continued health if you abandon him. So far as I'm concerned, there couldn't be a better solution. Not that I'm not jealous, in some ways. You're amazing in bed and very nice to wake up to, as I recall." She sobered and took his hand. "Just do me one favor, will you?"

"What's that?"

"Be happy. Enjoy her, you bloody old wanker. Give our son a good look at what love's meant to be like."

"All I can promise is to do my best."

"Knowing what your best is like, I don't think I need worry anymore." She reached up and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "She's lucky."

"I'm luckier."

"That's quite possibly the single most romantic thing I've ever heard you say. She's had a good influence on you."

She started to go into the bathroom. Giles stopped her with a gentle hand on her wrist.

"You...just now, you said...well...that you...um...you heard us. I have to ask...we...we didn't disturb Dominic, did we?"

"He slept right through."

"Ah. Good. That's...well, a relief."

"And your aunt snores, Rupert. She didn't hear anything, either."

He allowed himself a small giggle at that.

"Thanks, Liv. It helps knowing."

"Now, may I actually use the facilities, or am I destined to embarrass myself and leave you with a spot on your carpet?"

"Oh! Yes, yes, of course. Sorry to keep you. I'll see you in the morning, shall I?"

"We'll stay for breakfast."

"You can stay as long as you like. But perhaps we'll discuss it in the morning?"

"If you like. Now get back to your Buffy. She's probably wondering if you fell in by now."

She danced quickly into the bathroom, and Giles headed back down the hall to his lady love.

When he got back, Buffy was still awake.

"Miss me?" he asked.

"Like a piece of my soul."

He slid between the sheets and pulled her close.

"I know the feeling," he said. "It's how I feel whenever you're away from me."

With a final drowsy kiss, they snuggled close and fell asleep.

*****

Christmas morning dawned bright and cold. Buffy felt soft flesh under her cheek. She smiled and wrapped her arms more firmly around Giles' waist. There was an answering caress from him.

"Happy Christmas, Buffy."

"Merry New Year to you, too, Rupert."

They shared a tender kiss. Now that the first fury of passion had been satisfied, they returned to the warm, gentle camaraderie that had grown up between them. There were just more kisses and hugs.

"I really ought to get up and take care of the horses," Giles sighed. "But I'd rather stay here and hold you."

"I know. But the horses and the guests won't feed themselves. Darn non-cooking, freeloading horses."

"Yes, they're a dreadful drain on us and give nothing in return," Giles said dryly. "It's not as if we ride them, is it?"

"Okay, okay, you made your point. But we don't ride the guests, and they still have to be fed, too."

"I'll feed the horses if you feed the relatives."

"Deal."

They got out of bed and hurried, shivering in the cold morning air, to get dressed. Suddenly, Buffy stopped in the middle of buttoning her jeans. She peered out the window and smiled.

"It's snowing," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "It's actually snowing on Christmas."

Giles moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Yes, it is. I hope Liv won't be stuck. She planned to leave this morning. I suppose I'll have to see how much snow there is."

"If she has to stay, that means you'll have a little extra time with Dominic. Wouldn't that be good?"

"You've come round to this situation quickly."

"Not really. I'm still freaking on the inside. I'm just trying to get in step faster than I did with Dawn."

"Thank you for that."

She shrugged and turned to face her lover.

"Oh I'll have issues," she said. "But after my little scene yesterday, I want to do better. It's not Dominic's fault we weren't expecting him." Her eyes lit up. "Think I could get him on my team for a snowball fight? We could take on you and Aunt Min."

"Buffy, don't be ridiculous," he chuckled. "If Dominic's on your team, that means Olivia's on mine. Aunt Min couldn't hit the side of the barn at two meters." He kissed her softly. "Now let's feed all those hungry mouths. I don't know about you, but I could do with a square meal."

"That's 'cause I kept you up working hard all night."

"Mmmm...I hope you'll want to work hard like that again tonight."

"We'll see," she giggled as he kissed her throat. "I might just have a headache."

"You wouldn't," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Would you?"

"Or...I might just give you a special Christmas present."

"That sounds much better. Can I unwrap it now?"

A high-pitched shriek in the hallway let them know he couldn't.

"I guess Dominic's awake," Buffy laughed. "Come on, Dadman. Time to make this the holly-jolliest of days for your kid."

"I wish we had something to give him for Christmas."

"We'll just do what we can today, and do double next year. How's that sound?"

"Very...practical, actually. Alright, let's face the day."

Hand in hand, they walked out of the bedroom.

*****

After breakfast, Giles sat down with Olivia to talk. Buffy took Dominic out to the barn to watch the kittens so they could be alone for the discussion. Aunt Min had retired to the guest room in protest against the situation.

"I want to make it clear from the beginning that I don't want money," Olivia said. "I've got a good job, and plenty of savings."

"But he's my son," Giles protested. "I should pay for his maintenance. Surely I can pay his school fees or something?"

"Perhaps I'll allow you to foot the bill when he gets to University," she laughed. "For now, though, all I want - and all I'll take - is for you to be a part of his life. No arguments, Rupert. Dominic has everything he needs, and a good deal more. All you need do is acknowledge him."

"You're making this entirely too easy on me, Liv."

"You know me, Ripper. I'm not greedy, and I've got a good career. My independence is important to me. If I'd ever wanted a husband, I'd have married by now. And goodness knows we were both vigilant about preventing pregnancy."

"And yet, somehow, Dominic managed to get himself born. I still can hardly believe it."

"You ought to have seen my face when the test came back positive!" Olivia laughed. "It was quite a study, I can tell you."

They fell into a slightly awkward silence. At last, Giles stood and went to stoke the fire.

"Do you believe in fate?" he asked, turning to face her.

"I never did, until I looked at my son for the first time."

"I've spent my entire life being fated. Fated to be a Watcher, fated to train Buffy, to teach her to fight the darkness...I've never had the opportunity to believe in anything else."

"Dominic isn't going to have to grow up and train some young amazon to kill zombies, is he?"

"Not unless he chooses it."

"Are you going to tell him about it? About the horrible creatures?"

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. I suppose I won't without your permission."

Olivia stood and crossed to the window. She looked out at the snow, her brow creased in thought.

"It's a huge decision," she said at last. "I want him to feel secure, but I don't want to lose him because I was afraid to let him be afraid. How old were you when you learned about it all?"

"Ten. It was my birthday, and my father sat me down and explained that my life wasn't my own because the world's safety was at stake. Buffy learned about vampires when she was fifteen, when her first Watcher came to her."

"First...?" She turned to him with panic in her eyes. "Please tell me he retired, or they didn't suit...something."

"I wish I could. He died." Giles smiled wryly. "And most parents only need to decide when to tell their children the dread truth about how they came to be born."

"Of all the men I could have ended up having a child with, it had to be you, didn't it? Bloody hell, Rupert. You're the single most stubborn, infuriating man I've ever been with, and you lead the most dangerous life - and I'll have you know my last lover was preparing to climb Everest."

"It might have been worse, Liv. I might have been as old-fashioned as Buffy used to think I was and insisted on trying to marry you. As it is, I think my aunt may never speak to me again."

"She'll forgive you. It's beyond the power of any woman to stay angry with you for long."

"Don't be ridiculous, Liv." He pulled off his glasses and rubbed them with his handkerchief. "I haven't any special powers. You're thinking of Buffy."

"And there speaks a man truly in love."

"I am."

"Your aunt will see that, and she'll accept this."

"What makes you so certain?"

"It's fate, Rupert."

"You know, I was thinking, I was just about Dominic's age when I had my first pony. I could teach him to ride."

"You want to put my precious boy on one of those great beasts? Have you ever taught anyone to ride?"

"Buffy's picked it up very quickly. So did her sister. And of course I'd insist he wear a crash hat. He'll be quite safe."

"Do me a favor and wait until I've had some time to get used to the idea, alright? Say...when he's thirty-seven."

Giles laughed and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"I've never understood how such a brave woman could be afraid of horses," he said. "They're very safe once you know how to handle yourself with them."

"Should I be jealous?" came a voice from the doorway.

"Buffy!" Giles sputtered. "No, of course not." He left Olivia and went to his girlfriend's side. At the last moment, he hesitated and looked down at the little boy standing beside her.

"Go on," Buffy encouraged, "pick him up. He won't explode."

Giles squatted down and held out his arms gingerly. Dominic threw his arms around his father's neck. Giles stood and held his son. It was awkward at first. After a moment, though, the child nestled up to him and Giles couldn't help holding him even closer.

>From boyhood, Giles had tried to hold others at a distance. He'd learned at his fathers' knee that the world was a dangerous place, and from his own experiences as a young man how dangerous he could be to others. Very few people had managed to worm their ways past his defenses: Jenny, Willow, Xander, and Buffy, his Buffy, who never took no for an answer when it came to questions of the heart. Now another had found a way into his soul. This small, fragile, bright boy needed not only his protection, but his love.

When Buffy slipped an arm around his waist, he kissed the crown of her golden head, and adjusted Dominic in his arms to hold him more firmly.

"Dominic chose a kitten," Buffy said. "I hope you like black cats, bad luck and all."

"Actually, they're good luck here," Giles said. "I'm sure the kitten will be wonderful for Dominic."

"Just one thing," Olivia said. "The building our flat is in doesn't allow pets."

"Then Dominic's kitty stays here," Buffy said. "It's not like he could take it right now, anyway. The kitten was just born a couple days ago. It has to stay with its mom a few weeks. We were gonna keep a kitten, anyway." She looked at the little boy. "You can come visit your kitty anytime you want," she told him.

"Would that be nice?" Olivia asked her son. "You can come out here and see the kitty and spend time with your daddy and Buffy. Would you like that?"

Dominic nodded and mashed his little face more firmly into Giles' neck.

"I think he likes you," Buffy giggled.

The rest of the day was spent chatting and laughing and playing with Dominic. When it came time for dinner, Aunt Min finally emerged from the guest room. She was shocked to find Giles allowing Dominic to ride him like a pony while Buffy pretended to pull him by an imaginary bridle, and Olivia laughed helplessly on the sofa.

"What in Heaven's name is going on here?" Aunt Min demanded.

"Family stuff," Buffy said happily.

"What of dinner?"

"It'll be ready in a minute. In fact, I'd better go check the oven.

With that, Buffy headed for the kitchen. Aunt Min turned to Giles.

"Do I take it that you still intend on abandoning the mother of your child?"

"He's not abandoning me..." Olivia began.

"Don't you worry, dear," Aunt Min said. "I'll talk some sense into this bull-headed nephew of mine."

"Liv?" Giles said. "Could you take Dominic for a moment? I'd like to have this conversation standing up."

Olivia calmly took her son off his fathers' back.

"Shall we see if we can help Buffy in the kitchen?" she asked him.

"Buffy!" Dominic yelled as he ran for the kitchen as fast as his legs would carry him. "We help, Buffy!"

"Well, Rupert?" Aunt Min sniffed.

"Aunt Min?"

"I know how you feel about Buffy, and she's a lovely girl, but you can't simply walk away from the woman who has had your child."

"I'm not. I'm taking full responsibility for my son..."

"Are you going to marry his mother?"

"No..."

"Are you going to pay for his maintenance?"

"Ah...well...no, actually...but you see..."

"Well, then," Aunt Min sniffed, "I fail utterly to see how you're taking any responsibility for the child at all."

"Yes, I can see how it might look that way, but really..."

"Rupert, I shall never speak to you again if you don't marry that poor girl at once!"

"She doesn't want to marry me!" he bellowed at last. "She won't take a penny of my money, and we're both happier this way."

"You must make her marry you, then. That's what she's come for."

"No she hasn't. She doesn't love me, I don't love her, and I do love Buffy."

"Yes, I know Buffy is very pretty, and a sweet girl, but if you wanted to marry her, you oughtn't to have had a baby with someone else."

"I didn't know we had a baby until yesterday."

"Well that's no cause to ignore him now."

"I'm not ignoring him. I'm not ignoring Olivia. But I'm bloody well not giving Buffy up. I love her, Min, and I'm not letting her go to marry someone I don't love who doesn't love me."

"What a dreadful thing to say, Rupert!"

"It's not dreadful. It's simply...how things are. We're all happy with it. Dominic will have two families, that's all."

"But Buffy's just a child. She won't stay, you know."

"Um...I was going to say 'dinner's served', but I guess there's something else to say," Buffy said from the doorway. "Aunt Min, I'm not a little girl and I'm not going anywhere. I'm crazy about Dominic. He's a great kid. As for Rupert, well, love him, love his kid. Package deal. And now that I'm getting to know Olivia, I sorta like her. We'll be okay."

"That's what you say now, dear," Aunt Min said. "What of a few years down the line when you want children of your own? Rupert's far too old to be thinking of having more."

"I'm hardly an invalid," Giles muttered mutinously.

"Hey, I know exactly how strong and able you are," Buffy said soothingly. "Look, Aunt Min, I know this isn't how it would have been back in the fifties, but this is how it is now. And I don't know what will happen with Rupert and me. We might decide to have kids, or we might decide Dominic is enough for both of us. I honestly don't know. But whatever we decide, *we* decide. Not you. We hope you can be happy for us, but we won't change our minds because you're not."

"Minerva," Giles said taking her hands, "we're not doing this to upset you. We simply have to live our lives as seems best to us. We're all content with the situation. Can't you try to accept it? I was rather hoping you'd stand in as a grandmother to Dominic, and to any children Buffy and I may have. Besides, it's Christmas. This is a day for understanding. Can't you try to understand us?"

"Are we ever going to eat?" Olivia called from the next room. "I'm famished and Dominic's about to start eating the napkin rings."

"Real traditional roast goose," Buffy coaxed. "It's as old-fashioned and proper as you can get. I even made a plum pudding for dessert."

"Come on, Aunt Min. Have dinner with us and see how well everything is working out."

The old woman looked from one bright, eager face to the other. She shook her head.

"I really don't understand it at all," she said at last. "It would never have happened in my day. But...it is Christmas, and I remember how good Buffy's goose was last year. I suppose I'll just have to try to get used to it all. I'm not certain I'll ever approve, but even we Giles' do occasionally update our outlook on life. I'll try."

"That's all we can ask," Giles said. He hugged his aunt. "Thank you."

"Now let's eat before Dominic goes for the napkin rings," Buffy said.

NEXT