What comes after

Chapter 19: The Gift of Love

Clem took several envelopes tied together with a cord from his pocket. He selected one and cleared his throat.

“To the Scoobies: I sincerely hope all of you survived the battle. If Clem is reading this to you it means I didn’t. I don’t regret that. I just hope you are all alive.

Clem has private letters for some of you. If anyone is absent, the corresponding letter should be burned unopened.
If Giles’s not alive, the second letter address to Buffy should be given to her. If the watcher’s present, that letter should be burned unopened”.
Clem continued. “I have the letters here” He proceeded to handle the letter to each one of the Scoobies.

They all choose to read their letters there, none wanted to leave the room.

Buffy’s letter read:

Slayer,
Once before we went into battle together. You said then that all of us wouldn’t make it. I survived that time and you didn’t. I can not endure that again. So if you are reading this, know that wherever I am, I’m happy not to be in the world without you. And that I’m happy you are alive.
I hope you have all your loved ones with you. If you don’t do not be sad, this was a good fight and you’ll all be together again, holding endless scooby meetings in heaven and driving the angels bonkers.
If you are reading this there’s something important that I want you to know. You are the one, Buffy. You deserve the world and you deserve happiness. That above all. You have not had a lot of it. Search for it. You’ll find it, and once you do, hold on to it. Don’t let anything stand in your way.

One more thing. I’ve always known you love Angel. The happiness clause prevents you from being together, but you shouldn’t permit that to stop you. You are The Chosen One, thrust in yourself and give Willow the second page in this envelope.
Enjoy the world.
Be happy.
Yours.
S.

Buffy looked at the second page. It was addressed to Willow, a spell to remove the happiness clause in the curse without endangering the soul.

Dawn’s letter read:

Dawn,
I’m so happy you are reading this. That means you are alive (obviously) and there’s nothing I want more.
I can not begin to tell you how sorry I am. The only regret I take with me is that I couldn’t talk to you, say this to you in person. But I know you couldn’t forgive me and the truth is that you shouldn’t.
But if you read this, I want you to know I love you.

I never told anyone this, Nibblet, but I can see the future. And in yours I see a beautiful woman, tall and splendid. A strong woman, loved by her friends and her family.
I can see images of your future, like pictures in a book. I see a grand weeding, with flowers everywhere, a groom with love in his eyes and you looking beautiful in your white dress. I can see a baby with your gorgeous eyes, a big smile on his face as he looks at you.
I see you working. You are a watcher, and I see admiration in everyone eyes at your accomplishments. You’ll be head of the Council someday, I just know it.

Remember you are The Key, you can open any door. You opened my heart and took residence there.
Now I’ll take a little of you wherever I go. I hope you don’t mind too much. I can’t give it back even if I wanted to. It’s mine now, the best part of me.
So now you know the truth. The Big Bad is a poofter. But I think I’m entitled this once, being dead and all.
Love you always.
Spike.

Dawn was smiling as the tears felt from her eyes.

Giles letter read:

Watcher,
Glad you made it.
Now, as I’m dead and unable, I have some request. (I know you don’t give a bloody damn, but please read them).
Take care of Dawn for me. You probably don’t now this, but she wants to be a watcher. Help her.
When you rebuilt the Watcher’s Council, as I know you will, change the policies. Let the future slayers have their families, their friend and their freedom. Buffy is the best ever, that’s in part because of all of you. You know this. Made the other watchers know it as well.
You’ll probably do it any way, but I wanted to remind you. The WC has done enough evil as it is. You can make things different.
While you are at it, I have a final request (for the letter, not for life as it’s a little late for that.)
Phone the Big Poof, he has something of mine that’s for you all. You’ll need to follow the instruction in the other page.
I know you never want my opinion, but I also know you are a fair man. You’ll not disregard my words. You’ll create a different Council, one that cares for the slayers as you have cared for Buffy. I’m happy as hell the old one got blown to tinny pieces. Just wish I could have done it myself. What can I say, still evil here.
Spike.

Giles read the second page.

Only you must know of this. You can tell the others the WC arranged this in case of emergency. I know is ridiculous, but if you tell them the scoobies will believe you. If not, chose any excuse you like, just leave me out of it. You’ll do this because they deserve it and ‘cause it will help future slayers.

As mentioned contact Angel.
Have him release to you the full amount of my inheritance.
With that I want you to set the following accounts.
One account for Buffy for 500 thousand dollars. That’s to be spend as she sees fit, no restrictions whatsoever. If she wants to spend it all in a week so be it. You may suggest traveling. She should be able to see the world she has saved so many times (You can perhaps mention Italian shoes, that should have her packing in no time).

Another account for Buffy for 20 million dollars. Again to spend it as she chooses. I left her some properties as well. If she does not like them perhaps you can suggest buying a house. She should fell secure after all she’s been through.

An account for Dawn for 20 million dollars. You can set it as a trust and control how she can use it. But she should have full control when she is a little older. She won’t go crazy with it, maybe a little at the beginning, but it wont last, she’s too smart for that.

One account for the witch for 10 million and another for the whelp for the same amount. Both with full access.

Finally, take the remaining money and set a trust for the new WC, you can be in charge of it or if it pleases you I can recommend my family’s man. I’m enclosing his card. You can trust him completely; his family has run my state since long before I was born. He has instructions as well regarding the properties. I include that here as well.

I want to clarify that the new WC should pay a salary to all the scoobies (including yourself) be they working for it or not.

For the next 2 years the salaries should be as follows:
Rupert Giles: 40.000 USD
Buffy Summers: 40.000 USD
Willow Rosemberg: 20.000 USD
Xnader Lavelle Harris: 20.000 USD
Dawn Summers: 20.000 USD
All to be paid monthly
After two years you may increase the amounts. Never can they be less than the original.

All slayers must be paid, starting with the amount you deem appropriate and adjusting that according to the circumstances as time passes.

Properties: (the firm I mentioned before has the details)
These include:
For Buffy: A house in London, a flat in Paris, a villa in Italy.
The second and bigger house in London goes to you. You can use it as the WC headquarters, sell it, burn it, or have Xander demolish it. I leave that decision to you.
There are separate accounts already settled for the maintenance of the houses, as well as for the housekeeping personnel.

There was another paper with the details of the houses. Giles was astounded to see that the house he received was valued at 18 million dollars.