Acquaintances

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Part 4

Harris’s watch read 3:59 as he and Spike made their way to his neighbor’s door. He straightened his tie one more time then gazed at his lover, smiling at the perfection he saw. He didn’t know why it surprised him that Spike could pull off a jacket and tie so well. That had been standard attire when he’d been human, after all. But for some reason he’d expected Spike to look less at home in the clothing than he’d looked in the suit he’d worn the night before. No chance, though. “You look amazing, babe,” he said with a smile as he raised his hand to knock on the door, his other hand fully occupied with the gift box holding the bowl.

Spike chuckled, the gift for the dog held against his side. “You thought I wouldn’t, luv?” he asked playfully, arching a brow. “I’ll have you know I look bleedin’ amazin’ in anythin’. Or nothin’, for that matter.” He winked at his beloved as the door was opened.

“Harrison! William! Please, come in,” the old woman said with a smile. She stepped back with an indulgent smile as a small beige coloured dog came running towards the door, the little purple bow bouncing on her head as she leaped at Harris.

“Trixie!” Harris yelped, laughing as he leaned down to pick up the happily squirming bundle of fur. “Hey there, little girl!” He laughed even more as the tiny tongue licked cheeks, chin and neck. “Did someone miss me?” he cooed playfully, “Did someone miss her Harris? Yes, someone did… yes, she did…”

Spike rolled his eyes, snatching the box from his beloved before he could drop it. He grinned at the elderly woman then extended both packages as though it were an every day occurrence. “It’s not much, ma’am… just some things my Xan thought you an’ your girl there might like while we were travelin’. Hope you like them. Th’ both of you.”

Mrs. Jamison smiled, the true pleasure of the expression telling Spike that she must have been a great beauty at one time. He wondered how she’d come to living alone in an apartment at her age but figured it wasn’t any of his business. Maybe she’d never had… His eyes were drawn to the mantle over her fireplace as she ushered him and his dog-holding beloved inside. No… she did have children. It was a puzzle.

“Did you hear that, Trixie?” the woman asked playfully as she ushered the young men to sit on the love seat. “Harrison and his young man have brought you a gift! Do you want to see it?” She winked at the men, belying her ‘crazy old lady who thinks her dog understands her’ act. “Come on, little one… let’s see what you’ve gotten, shall we?”

The small dog might not have known what her mistress was saying, but she definitely understood her name and the tone. She gave the dark human’s chin one last lick and leaped down from his arms, prancing around at her human’s feet hopefully.

Mrs. Jamison unwrapped the package carefully and smiled broadly enough to emphasize her wrinkles. “Oh look, Trixie! It’s a bunny! And it smells like…” she sniffed it, holding it to her nose, “Sandalwood! That’s your favorite!” She leaned down, presenting the bean bag bunny to her pet, laughing merrily when the little dog took it gently in her teeth and pranced off with it. “It’s a lovely present, boys. Trixie will probably never let it go.”

Harris gave the woman a sheepish grin. “Actually, that was S… Will’s idea. I’m glad she likes it though. Maybe it’ll keep her from trying to kiss me next time I see her.”

The old woman laughed, standing as the sound of her tea kettle whistling filled the air. “I doubt that, Harrison. Trixie adores you, much as your young man obviously does, to have thought about my dear little pet just because he knows we’re friendly.” She gave them a knowing smile then moved into the kitchen.

“Go ahead, Spike,” Harris said after a moment, “Ask me whatever it is that’s running through your head. I can’t stand the… tension you’re giving off.”

He hadn’t been aware that he was broadcasting to his lover. In fact, Spike was entirely sure he wasn’t doing anything of the sort. Still, he couldn’t hold it in. “Don’t get it, luv,” he said, standing and moving to the mantle. His eyes took in the pictures, starting on the left. “See her… getting’ married. See her with her babies. See them growin’ up an’ I know she had ta be an amazin’ Mum… don’t get why she’s livin’ here all alone with nobody but you ta care for her. Where th’ bloody fuck are her kids?”

Harris sighed and stood, too. He crossed the bit of space between them, wrapping his arms around his vampire’s waist and pressing his chest against that strong back as his chin rested on one sleek, slender shoulder. “Mostly they’re waiting for her to die, love… waiting to inherit.” He frowned unhappily. “They… take her for granted. And aside from her youngest daughter who died years ago, they all take after their father and… well, lets just say that he could have been MY father. You know… if my dad ever had a few million bucks to rub together.”

Spike frowned again. “So if he was wealthy, luv… what’s she doin’ here? I mean, ‘s a nice place an’ all, but…”

Harris smiled, holding his vampire closer. “Mrs. Jamison owns this building, Spike… among others here and in other places across the country. She’s probably worth more than you and me combined. And her kids are assholes. Olivia was the only one who ever really cared about her and like I said, she died a long time ago. I… don’t know how.”

“In childbirth,” the quavering voice came from just behind them. “My poor girl died birthing what my late husband referred to as a ‘bastard’.” The suddenly even older looking woman sank down into her usual chair, the tea service finding its place on the table before her. “It wasn’t her fault, of course, although in those days and with Richard’s… snobbishness… it was the kiss of death. Especially considering our social standing. Richard sent her away, wouldn’t listen to any argument.”

She sighed softly, still missing her youngest child. “It would be different now, of course. Unwed mothers are more common than not. But in nineteen eighty-six it was still frowned upon and shameful within our circle. But Olivia truly believed her young man loved her. We ALL believed it until she discovered she was pregnant and he… disappeared.”

The elderly woman frowned deeply. “I have no idea of what ever happened to him. I don’t particularly care, to be honest. He abandoned my daughter when she needed him most. All I can do is hope that he got what he deserved. But my poor Olivia…”

Harris found himself frowning angrily as he and Spike returned to the love seat. “What happened, Mrs. Jamison? I know it might not be any of my business, but…”

She sighed again, deeply. “No. It’s all right, Harrison. You’ve been more of a son to me in the last few years than my own boys have been in their entire lives. None of them have ever sent me a note, much less a post card. Not even for my birthday these last fifteen years since their father died.”

Spike snorted. “Bleedin’ morons, then. You should leave everythin’ ta th’ Sierra Club or somethin’. Just ta screw them, an’ pardon my language, ma’am.”

Mrs. Jamison smiled at the blond. “Unfortunately my late husband’s will keeps me from doing just that, William. I’m afraid that my only hope is to find my poor Olivia’s child. There is no restriction regarding blood relations and as he or she is my grandchild, I believe I will be able to… screw… my other relatives.” She smiled more. “I’m looking forward to it, actually. Even if I won’t be able to see the looks on their faces.”

The vampire chuckled softly as the woman began to pour the tea. He selected one of the tiny cucumber sandwiches from the tray, nibbling at it slowly as he leaned against his beloved. “Think we need ta find her grandchild,” he whispered softly. “We can afford it, Xan…”

Harris nodded and kissed his lover’s cheek. “Thank you, babe,” he murmured, somehow no longer worried about what his elderly ‘Mom’ would think. “I just… if we can find him or her, then… maybe I won’t worry so much…”

Spike blinked, then smiled as the old woman handed him a tea cup. “One lump, ma’am, if you don’t mind,” he said properly.

“Please,” Mrs. Jamison said quickly, “You know some of my secrets, William. I believe you and Harrison can call me Lily.”

And yeah… they could. Just as they could call a favorite aunt by her first name. It didn’t mean they didn’t still think of her as Mrs. Jamison… even Spike did. His soul AND his demon.

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(A/N: thanks to Kathryn Coll (Kat), TheShadowCat and RemityGirl for their reviews... always appreciated and keeps me writing and posting. It's a mathematical/emotional equation: time spent writing + time readers spend writing reviews = more fic. *grins* Ask anyone. LOL So thanks again, guys. *hugs*)