Forgive Me Father, For I Have Sinned

Buffy had quickly settled into a routine; a routine of not doing much but a routine nonetheless. She had been home for less than a week but it seemed like years in terms of missing William. Her mother hadn’t pried. She was trying to give Buffy the time and space she needed. She knew her daughter would tell her what had happened when she was ready for it.

Buffy spent her days just sitting and staring out the window. Sometimes she watched TV. She even attempted a few forays into the culinary arts while her mom was at work but she had set the smoke alarm off twice and burned several things thar mor mother told her the kitchen was off limits to her unless she was getting something that didn’t have to be cooked.

She had found a newfound fondness for anything chocolate and she was consuming vast amounts of the sweet. She slept a lot and when she wasn’t sleeping or staring, she just wandered around the house, thoughts consumed with William.

On the fifth night there, Joyce had to work late and didn’t get home until around nine. She found her daughter curled up on the couch eating a plate full of brownies. She sat down next to her. Buffy offered her the plate and Joyce took one of the few remaining.
“Did you eat all of those by yourself, Buffy?” she finally asked.
“No one else here now is there?” Buffy replied.
Joyce sighed. It was time. “Buffy, we need to talk.”
“I’ll pay you for the food…when I find a job.” Buffy spit out.
“No, honey. It’s not about the brownies or any food for that matter. It’s about you. I’ve tried not to pry. I want you to feel comfortable but you’ve just been sitting around for days, staring, eating, and barely talking. I’m worried about you. What happened, Buffy? Why did you leave?” Joyce said.

“Mommy…I…I fell in love with someone. Someone that I shouldn’t have.” Buffy said then looked down in shame.
“Oh honey.” Joyce embraced her daughter.
“And did this someone love you as well?” she asked.
“Yes…I think so…I mean…I know so…but I left him…I couldn’t make him choose between God and me. I had to do the right thing and it’s killing me, Mom. I feel like I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m dying.” Buffy began to sob.
“Oh Buffy…” Joyce hugged her tighter.

CHIME

Both women jumped at the suddenoud oud chime of the front doorbell.
“Now who could that be at this hour?” Joyce said as she disentangled herself from Buffy and rose to her feet.
“Hang on honey. Let me get rid of whoever this is and I’ll be right back and we can continue talking.” Joyce said, leaving the room.

Joyce cracked open the front door to reveal an attractive young man in black jeans and t-shirt, carrying a duffle bag.
“Can I help you?” e ase asked.
“Sorry to bother you so late, Ma’am but does a Buffy live here by any chance?” the young man replied.
“Can you hang on a moment?” Joyce said politely and then shut the door.

Joyce walked back into the living room, “Buffy, does the man you fell in love with have bleach blonde hair and a British accent?” Joyce inquired.
“Yes…why? How would you know?” Buffy looked confused.
“Because he is standing on our front porch right now.” Joyce answered.
“Oh God!” Buffy gasped.

William, for his part, could hear voices inside and he was growing impatient. He had been all over this town looking for Buffy all day. Summers was a popular last name. This woman resembled Buffy and he was pretty sure he had finally struck gold and now he was made left to stand out here waiting. He lost his temper and began banging on the door and yelling.
“BUFFY! I know you’re in there. Please, let me in. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Please, luv. I’m begging you. I love you so much, Buffy. Please...” William was near tears as he professed his love loudly enough for a few neighbors to come to their windows and porches to watch the drama unfold.

“Oh dear, Buffy. You better let him in before he wakes up the entire neighborhood.” Joyce said.

Nervously, Buffy went to the door and opened it slowly. William was in mid bang and not expecting the door to open. He fell through the threshold and stumbled, falling on top of Buffy. Joyce stared at her daughter and the man in black in a heap of tangled limbs on the floor. William felt a jolt of desire come through him as his body was pressed up against Buffy’s after so long an absence then quickly remembered that her mother was right there and blushing, he extracted himself from her and got to his feet, helping her up as well.

“Sorry, luv.” He apologized
“You do know how to make an entrance.” Buffy grinned.
“Umm...I’m Joyce. Buffy’s mother.” Joyce extended her hand.
“William. Nice to meet you.” He replied, shaking her hand and feeling rather awkward.
“Well, I can see you two have a lot to talk about so I’ll just head on up to bed.” Joyce said and did just that.

Buffy watched her mother disappear upstairs and then turned to face William again. The look on his face broke her heart. He looked like a sad lost puppy dog, begging for her to take him in and love him.
“Why did you leave me, Buffy?” William finally said.
“I thought it was for the best. I didn’t want to make you choose between God and me. I couldn’t live with myself William.” Buffy admitted.
“Oh Buffy. I don’t have to choose between God and you. Father Wesley helped me see that. Don’t you love me anymore?” William said.
“Oh, William. Of course I love you. I never stopped loving you.” Bufriedried.
“I’ve been around awhile, Buffy Summers and there’s only one thing I’ve ever been sure of; you. Even when I joined the priesthood, I had to really think about it, evaluate my doubts…but with you…there has never been any doubt. I love you and I want to spend my life with you. Now, if you love me, you’ll want that too. None of this rot about choosing or what you think is best for me. I know what is best for me and that’s you. You’re the one, Buffy.” William finished his speech.
“Oh William, I love you. I was miserable without you.” Buffy flung herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
“Me too, pet. I thought about you every minute.” William informed her.
“I did too.” Buffy responded.

Joyce smiled as she listened through her partially open door. She closed the door and went to get ready for bed, happy that her daughter was finally happy. She had a lot of unanswered questions but that could wait. Now tim time for Buffy to reacquaint herself with her young man.

“Don’t ever leave me again, Buffy.” William growled.
“Never” Buffy breathed as William lowered his head to claim her lips.

He kissed her like a starving man, devouring her mouth before finally coming up for air.
“You taste like chocolate.” William commented.
Buffy blushed.

“Where are you staying?” Buffy suddenly asked.
“Nowhere yet. I just got into town today and have been looking for you ever since.” William informed her.
“Well, as cool as my mom is, I don’t think she would like us staying her…together…you know.” Buffy blushed again.
“I have money to get a room.” William offered.
“That seems so seedy. Going to get a motel room.” Buffy said.
“Whereas a nun and priest screwing in a church have that classic elegance.” William replied.
“William! You don’t have to be so crude.” Buffy blushed again.
“Well, since neither of us is a priest or nun anymore, I guess we can be a little seedy.” William said.
“Just let me go tell Mom, I’m leaving and to get a few things.” Buffy said and ran upstairs.

She put a change of clothes and some toiletries into an overnight bag and then went and knocked on her mom’s door.
“Come in.” Joyce called out.
Buffy opened the door and went in. “Umm, Mom…I’m going to...uhh...William is getting a…room...and I’m going to spend the night there.” Buffy stammered.
“O.K. Dear. Thanks for letting me know. See you both tomorrow.” Joyce said, looking back down at the book she had been reading.
“That’s it? See you later? No telling me no or being upset?” Buffy inquired.
“You’re a grown woman, Buffy. It’s none of my business where you spend the night. I just hope you two work everything out. You can tell me all about it tomorrow.” Joyce smiled.
“Mom! I can’t tell you those things!” Buffy turned red.
“Buffy. Not THOSE things. I meant about how you two met, what happened, what are your plans.” Joyce chuckled.
“OH. O.K.” Buffy giggled herself.
“Night Mom. I love you.” Buffy walked to the door.
“I love you too sweetheart. Oh and by the way, that man downstairs is too good looking to be celibate the rest of his life. Good job snagging him up, Buffy.” Joyce teased.
“Mom!” Buffy gasped then smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Buffy ran back downstairs to a waiting William.
“You ready, luv? Your mum O.K.?” he asked.
“Yep and Yep. Let’s go.” Buffy smiled.
“I hope you don’t mind walking. I took the bus here. I don’t have a car…yet.” William informed her.
‘I’d walk anywhere with you, William.” Buffy smiled and held his hand.

The two figures walked down the street, each holding a bag in one hand and their other hands clasped together.


Continued in Epilogue- Reunited and it Feels So Good