The Taken Care Of Series

Buffy's Letter

Taken Care Of - Part Two

Story: Taken Care Of Series

Author: Bek Allen

Chapter: 2/16

Title: Buffy's Letter

*Disclaimer, Summary, rating and notes with Part One of this Series*

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Carefully, she unfolded the pieces of ivory paper and began to read.

“My Dearest Buffy,

You are reading this because either the operation wasn't a success, or the operation went fine, but there was some unforseen complication. Either way, I'm not physically with you now, and I'm sorry for that.

I'm sorry that I won't be there to wish you well on your twenty-first birthday, and I'm sorry I won't be there for you on your wedding day, or to see the birth of my first grand daughter. Not in person anyway.”

Buffy sighed and shook her head. Three years of knowing about her unavoidable destiny still had not shattered Joyce's hopes and dreams she had had about Buffy's future. She continued to read.

“In the event that I made it through the operation, I want you to follow my instructions very carefully. In my room, under the windowsill, you'll find a hidden draw. I had Xander install it last year, just shortly after Faith switched your bodies. He's probably forgotten about it by now, but at the time, I told him it was a place to hide things such as your grandmother's and my jewellery.

And now…now it is being used as a place to keep my last thoughts to you. There is also another letter in there, it was written in the event that I didn't make it through the operation. I know, I know. You were all very positive that I'd pull through. But I just had to be sure and cover my bases.

Please watch the videotape Buffy. And please feel free to read the other letter. I will always love you.

Love,

Your Mother.”

The tears she had so desperately been trying to hold back all morning, now flowed freely down her cheeks, her hands trembled as she refolded the letter and delicately slid it back inside the envelope. She sat it gingerly on her nightstand, afraid that if she were careless, it would smash like fine china. She rose from her bed, her mind, kicking into gear as what her mother had left behind for her finally clicked into place. On shaking legs, she made her way to what was her mother's bedroom. She stood at the doorway, looking into a room that no longer held the essence of a forty-four year old woman, but the essence of a twenty-one year old powerful Wicca. She moved to the window and felt along the ridge of the sill, sure enough, her fingers brushed against a tiny catch and the windowsill popped out to reveal a small drawer, no bigger then a foot wide, a foot long and three inches deep.

Buffy's tears began to flow harder as she ran her fingers tenderly across Joyce's wedding and engagement rings, her antique gold cross and her grandmother's pearls. Pulling the drawer further out, she spied a light blue video case, taking it from the drawer, she noticed her name in scripted in gold on the cover. She smiled remembering how her mother had always told her how ironic it was for someone who spent most of their life skulking about the shadows and fighting the things that go bump in the night to be obsessed with the colour, sky blue.

Wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, she left the letter in there and closed the drawer. Making sure it clicked into place. Holding the videotape tightly, Buffy made her way downstairs to the living room, stopping briefly to retrieve Mr. Gordo from a shelf in her bedroom.

Once in the living room, Buffy pulled the draperies closed and placed the tape into the video recorder. She reached for the remote control, settling into her mother's favourite armchair, she turned on the television and pressed play. The screen was black for a few moments and she clutched Mr. Gordo securely to her chest. Slowly, the blackness of the screen faded into a picture of Buffy and Joyce during their first year in Sunnydale. It was happier times back then, a time when, her mother still believed that the monsters under there bed were just stories for small children.

“Hello Buffy.” Her mother's soft voice pulled a strangled cry from her throat. “Well, I guess I've got a lot of explaining to do.” Joyce's eyes were now focused intently on the lens of the camera. It was as if she were sitting directly across from her. Ready to lament on something that Buffy had done or said to Dawn.

“I understand you're in a bit of a shock right now Buffy. But, I have my reasons for doing things the way they've been done. You may think I'm crazy, but, while I was under the anaesthetic, I saw things. Future things. And, not just my future Buffy, and not just dreams of an impossible future, I saw your future. And Dawn's. And Rupert's, and Willow's and Xander's and everyone's future.

I know you're sitting there, probably thinking, ‘She just a crazy woman.' But, remember, we do live on the mouth of Hell. Stranger things have happened. When I came home from the hospital, I didn't say anything because I didn't want to frighten you. I didn't want you to worry. God knows, you had enough to worry about, with Riley leaving, Glory to deal with and Dawn not really being your sister, but some mystical ball of energy. You didn't need to worry about what was going on in my head as well.

I want you to know Buffy that I saw everything. I saw that I was going to die; I saw that you were going to find me. I also saw you take that dive off the tower. It was an incredibly brave and noble thing to do.”

By now, heartbreaking sobs could be heard throughout the house. Buffy wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve.

“I also saw the trouble Willow went through to bring you back. Now you understand why I left things so late. Why I waited for them to deliver my last will and testament to you after your twenty-first birthday. I needed you to be there. I needed to know you'd be alive to accept my wishes and do as I ask. Can you do that for me Buffy?”

Buffy nodded at the screen; slowly she slid off the chair and crawled closer to the screen, her hand reaching up to touch the glass.

“Buffy, I also need you to know that, it's okay to let Rupert in.”

Her face paled at her mother's words. There was no way she could know anything like that. Not even Willow knew.

“He loves you a great deal. More then anyone can possibly ever guess. You need to grow up and forgive him for going back to England, Buffy. He had to go back. You needed to readjust to being back among the living. He did the right thing. I also know that you love him a great deal, which is why you are being so stubborn. It's why you haven't called him since the night he left.

Buffy, I know you're thinking I'm insane right now. But, I saw a lot while I was under the anaesthesia. Also, I saw the way you were looking at him the night we were discussing Dawn. Your face, once you no longer had to lie about who you are, what you are. Became an open book to me. Buffy, please give him a second chance. God knows he's given you more then your share of second chances. Just, let him love you Buffy. Don't be afraid of him. He won't hurt you the way Angel did, he won't, lose his soul, and he won't hunt you down and torture you or your friends. Just, please Buffy; don't walk away from love because he needed for you to become independent. Walk towards him with an open heart and open arms. You two were made for each other. It's destiny. And, like you told me so many times before, you can't fight destiny.”

Buffy was calming down slightly, her sobs now reduced to hiccups as she squeezed Mr. Gordo tightly.

“When you next see the Lawyer, give her a chance okay Buffy? Mackenzie's a great girl. You could be like her one day. She'll give you all the information on the trust funds at the reading of the will. Take care of Dawn for me okay? And tell her, I forgive her. She'll understand.

Most of all Buffy, remember, you are my number one girl. Call Rupert; tell him he is needed here. But, make sure you stand on your own two feet Buffy. We Summers women are strong, independent women. Remember that. Give my love to the others Buffy. Stay strong sweetheart. I love you.”

The picture faded to black and Buffy threw herself at the screen, her hands slapping at the glass in an attempt to get closer to the figure that had now disappeared from the screen. Her heart had begun to race as realization of what her mother had said suddenly hit her. Buffy was in love with Giles. Her mother knew that? She rewound the tape and paused it on the picture of her and her mother at the beginning of the tape. Standing up, she moved to curl up on the sofa, clinging to Mr. Gordo as if he could provide her with all the strength and stability she needed. Pulling the afghan around her, she rested her head on a throw pillow and gazed at the picture of her and her mother.

Dawn would be returning her call soon, and then the gang would get home from school and work. Then, it would be time to call Giles and tell him he was needed. Buffy sniffled; she would do anything her mother asked her to do.