The Taken Care Of Series

Telling The Gang

Taken Care Of – Part 4

Story: Taken Care Of Series

Author: Bek Allen

Chapter: 4/16

Title: Telling The Gang.

Feedback: Yes please. Although, flames will be given to my cat to play with as she sees fit.

~*~*~*~

Buffy sat the phone beside her and smiled up at Willow. “Hey.” She managed between deep, calming breaths. “Oh my God Buffy! What's wrong? Is it Dawn? What happened?” Willow dumped her bags in the doorway. “Xander! Quick!” She flew to her friend's side. Tara, Anya and Xander soon followed her. “Buffy?” Tara sat on the other side of Buffy, her arm wrapping around her shoulders.

“Buff? What is it? Are you okay?” Xander rushed to her side. Willow held up the phone and looked back to her friend. “Who called Buffy?”

“Was it Giles?” Willow looked to Tara.

“Oh God, he's not coming back is he?” Anya finally moved away form the door.

Buffy took one last deep breath. “Get Spike here. Now. I've got to call Angel. Hurry. Please Xander.”

Xander nodded and ran out the door to his car while Willow, Anya and Tara looked on as Buffy stood up and began to walk towards the phone in the kitchen.

“Buffy, are you, you know. Gonna tell us what's wrong?” Willow asked softly.

“Sure Will, I just… Could you guys please umm, go out and get some groceries? There's a list, on the fridge. I'll pay you back as soon as I can.”

“Sure Buffy.” Willow nodded and pulled Anya back to the front door, grabbing the shopping list as she walked past the refrigerator. “Tara, are you coming?” Willow looked to her ex.

“I…I think I'll stay with Buffy until Xander and Spike get back.” She smiled at Willow and Anya who just nodded and Willow reached down amongst the scattered books for her purse.

“Oh, and Anya. Could you please stop by the Magic Box on your way back? I need…I need three candles, long burning ones. Green, sky blue and yellow… I've got to put them on her headstone tomorrow.”

“Sure Buffy…” Anya gave her a confused look as Willow dragged her out the front door, pulling it closed behind them.

“I'll make tea.” Tara whispered as Buffy reached for the kitchen phone.

“Okay.” She concentrated on not crying as she dialled the number for Angel Investigations.

“Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless.” The bright and cheery attitude made Buffy cringe slightly.

“Cordy, hi. Is Angel or Wesley there?”

“Oh, it's you. Hi Buffy. What's wrong?” Cordelia sighed as she resumed thumbing through a magazine.

“I need to talk to Angel or Wesley. This is important.”

“Is this another apocalypse? Because, I'm telling you, we've got our fair share of trouble down this way. The world does not stop just because you're in trouble.”

“Cordelia! Just…just get me Angel or Wesley.” Buffy bellowed into the phone.

“Geeze. Sorry. Hang on a minute…it's for you.” In L.A., Cordelia gave Angel an icy glare as she handed him the phone. “It's Buffy.”

“Buffy?” The dark haired vampire asked cautiously. “What's wrong? Is it the Hellmouth?”

“No, it's not the Hellmouth. Can you and Wesley go and pick up Dawn from my dad's? She's coming home. I'll be sending someone to come and get her shortly.”

“Ah, sure. Wes, Gunn and I'll leave now. Are you sure everything is fine?”

“Positive. Thanks Angel. Goodbye.” She hung up before waiting for him to reply, her heart pounding as the entire days events were finally catching up with her.

“Buffy, is everything o-okay?” Tara placed several cups on a tray and set about to finish making the tea.

Buffy gave the young Wicca a smile. “Everything is finally beginning to look up. And, I have my mom to thank for it.”

Confused, Tara just nodded and set about arranging some cookies on a tray. Something was way off. She just couldn't decide whether it was a good off, or a terrible off. “How about we settle in the lounge room? You can tell us everything in there.”

Buffy nodded and moved to the living room, quickly flicking off the television screen as Xander and a blanket covered Spike burst through the front door. “Sorry Spike, it's just that, this is important. Can you guys please go and pick up Dawn?”

“Sure Buff. What time is her bus getting in?” Xander reached for a cookie as Tara walked past him with the tea tray. “Mm, cookie goodness.”

“Thanks Love.” Spike nodded as she offered him a teacup full of heated up pig's blood, Tara nodded and went to sit next to Buffy, placing the tray on the coffee table.

“It's not. I need you to go and pick her up in L.A. I know it's a three-hour drive and it's almost five o'clock now, but I need you to go and pick her up from Angel's. She's coming home. I'll tell everyone why when you all get back. I'd go myself, but…” She looked to Xander and shrugged.

“Patrol. I get it. But why the two of us?” He motioned between himself and the blond vampire.

“Safety in numbers you daft git.” Spike placed his empty teacup back on the tray. “You never know what can happen in the big city.” He nodded to Buffy who had stood up and began to walk them to the door and grabbed his blanket again. “See you, around eleven then Pet?”

“Thanks Xand, and you too Spike.” She nodded as Xander held the door open for Spike as he ran out to the car as the sun was just starting to set.

“No worries Buff, just as long as you explain this to me when we get back.” He walked out and slid into the driver's seat. Buffy smiled as she heard Spike complain about Xander's driving capability. Closing the door, she walked back into the living room and sat down, she reached for a cup of tea and pressed rewind on the video again.

Tara watched as Buffy nibbled on a cookie between looking at the clock and sipping her tea. “Do you want to talk about it Buffy? Before Willow and Anya get back?”

Buffy looked up from her reverie. “What? Oh, watch.” She pointed at the television and hit play on the remote, letting her mother's face, once again fill the screen.

Tara gasped as the short tape played all the way through. “When did you f-find this?”

“After the lawyer came and gave me a letter.” Buffy stared at the now blank screen for what seemed like the thousandth time. “Sh…she had a will. Please don't tell anyone you know this just yet Tara. I promise I'll tell everyone when I get back from patrol tonight. I just need to… Oh shit!” Buffy cried jumping up and reaching for the phone. “I completely forgot about work! I'm supposed to work tonight!”

“Pass me the phone.” Tara stood up and held out her hand for the phone. “Your still in your pyjamas Buffy a-and there is no way, you are in a-any shape to work tonight. Go up and h-have a shower and get ready for patrol. Better yet, take a bath. Put these in the water,” She walked over to her purse and pulled out a tiny packet of salt. “I was going to use them myself, but, you're so freaked out, you need them more th-than I do.” She took the phone off Buffy and pushed her towards the stairs.

“What are you going to do?” Buffy looked worried. She had very rarely seen Tara take charge.

“I'm going to call in sick for you. They can't keep making you work like this. It's unhealthy. A double shift last night, a shift tonight, i-it's wrong.” She pointed up the stairs. “Go, relax. Think about what your mom said. And then, you can go and patrol and when you're done, Dawn will be here, and you can tell everyone what's going on.” Buffy nodded her thanks and disappeared up the stairs and into the bathroom where she did exactly as Tara told her.

~*~*~*~

By the time Buffy had climbed out of the bath, she was truly more relaxed then she had been in a long while. She had also collected her thoughts, now, the only thing left to do, would be to face the girls sitting around the table talking and giggling.

“Hey.” She smiled as she walked into the dining room.

“Oh, hey Buffy.” Willow smiled and motioned her over. “Where have you been?”

“Soaking away my troubles and getting my thoughts in perspective. You?” She sat down as Tara poured her a cup of tea from the freshly brewed pot. “What was in that stuff you gave me anyway Tara?”

“Aromatherapy oils.” She smiled at Buffy. “Sandalwood, frankincense, some lavender and peppermint.”

“Thanks. It really did the trick.” She looked to Willow and Anya and smiled. “Thank you guys so much for doing the grocery shopping. I was going to do it today, but things kinda got…reprioritised.”

“No worries Buffy.” Willow reached for her best friend's hand. It was so great to see her really smiling again, and not a forced smile like the one she had been wearing since they had pulled her from her sanctuary.

“Where's Xander?” Anya spoke up. “Shouldn't he be back by now? He only had to go and get Spike. They should be back by now.”

“They've gone to pick up Dawn from L.A. Anya. I asked them to go and pick her up from Angel's. They'll be home in a couple of hours.” At the glare she received from Anya, Buffy continued. “I promise they'll be alright. They were just going to pick up Dawn and bring her straight back here.”

“Dawn's coming home?” Willow looked at Buffy questioningly. “Is she coming down for the weekend? I didn't know she was coming down for the weekend.”

“No, she's coming home for good. There was a fight today, between dad and us. More me and dad, but still.” She shrugged. “Dawn decided she wanted to come back here, so I said okay.”

“But what about school?” Willow began to look worried.

“Yes, her education is important. Not to mention the money it's going to take to feed and clothe and take care of her. Plus, there are doctor's bills and house payments and electricity bills and water bills and gas bills to take care of too.” Anya looked at the others, “What? Was I wrong? Did I say something wrong again?”

“It's okay Anya.” Buffy smiled. “I know it's going to be hard raising a teenage girl, but, if my mom can do it, so can I.” She looked around the table and smiled at the three girls. “I'm actually really hungry, I didn't get to eat today. What kind of food did you buy Will?” Buffy moved to stand up.

“There's frozen pizza, some fruit and some other stuff. Regular stuff, vegetables, some meat, what do you feel like?” Willow stood as well, following her friend out to the kitchen.

“I'm not really sure. Something quick because I have to go patrol, but something nice. As long as it's not burgers from The Double Meat Palace, I'll be fine.” She smiled and opened the fridge, pulling out a head of lettuce, a few tomatoes, some cucumber and some avocado dip. “What kind of meat did you buy?”

Willow grinned sheepishly and held up a styrofoam packet containing hamburger helper. “We also got some cold chicken and sliced ham from the deli. Anya says Xander likes them on sandwiches.” She pointed to the two wrapped paper packages that were still sitting on the kitchen counter.

“Salad sandwiches it is then.” Buffy grinned and began slicing the tomatoes. “Do you guys want anything?” She called out to Anya and Tara who were still sitting in the dining room talking about the latest stock at the Magic Box.

“What are you having?” Anya and Tara came into the kitchen.

“Fresh salad sandwiches with chicken.” Buffy opened the packet of bread and began to smear on some of the avocado dip.

“That would be nice.” Tara smiled and began to shred some lettuce. “Anya, wouldn't that be nice?” She looked to the former demon and smiled.

“Yes, yes it would be nice. Is there something I can do that isn't overly exerting?” She looked from one girl to the next. Willow was beginning to slice more tomatoes, Buffy was spreading the avocado onto slice after slice of bread and Tara was rinsing the leaves she had pulled off the lettuce.

Buffy laughed and pointed to the fridge. “Sure Anya. I think there might be some lemonade in the fridge.” She looked to Willow who nodded her head in confirmation. “And the glasses are in the cupboard above the microwave, and, dessert?” She looked to the redhead again.

“Anya, that double fudge mocha ice cream we bought is in the freezer. Maybe you could get that out along with some spoons and a few bowls?” Willow pointed to the cupboard underneath the microwave to indicate that that was were they kept the bowls. Anya smiled. Glad that she could be of use without over exerting herself.

The four girls sat down at the dining room table and feasted on their salad and ice cream. Gossiping about things that were going on at the College. One of Willow's professors had begun complaining about how every minority believed that they had a right to a public voice. Only to have his complaint stopped short when a handful of wiccans, lesbians and gay students stood up in class and bawled him out. Anya was still trying to decide on what kind of bridesmaid gown she wanted the girls to wear, complaining about how difficult it was to choose between something hideous and the traditional blood and larvae outfit worn in her demon ‘family'.

When Buffy looked up, she realised that it was just going on seven o'clock. She stretched and stood up to take her plate, bowl and glass out to the kitchen sink. The other's followed. When Willow went to run the sink, Buffy caught her arm and shook her head.

“Leave it for tonight Will. It's not going anywhere. And besides, no doubt when Xander and Spike get here with Dawn, they'll be really hungry. And they'll make a mess even bigger then what we've made.”

“Okay…” Willow looked at Buffy curiously and moved to stand by the centre counter. “So, what now? You're going out to patrol?”

“Well, I was kinda thinking, girls night. But, with patrol. I miss talking to you guys and, we've had so much fun up until now, I was thinking we could do a round of the cemeteries, then the Bronze, then maybe back through the cemeteries before coming home. You know, go out in a group? That way we could still talk.”

“I think that's a good idea Buffy.” Tara smiled at the Slayer and turned to Willow and Anya. “We haven't really just done a girl's only patrol before. I think it'd be really nice.”

“Well, we haven't done a group patrol since the night before we decided to raise…” Anya was cut off by an icy glare from Willow. “Since before we decided to raise some hell with Riley. What was with those hand signals anyway?”

Buffy smiled at Anya. “It's okay. I understand. So, whaddaya say? Girls night out?”

“Sure thing Buffy.” They walked out to the living room, grabbing extra stakes and holy water and the crossbow before grabbing their jackets and heading out the front door into the night. All the while giggling and laughing about recent jokes and the new people they'd met through spending most of their time at either school or work.

~*~*~*~

They had made three swoops of the twelve cemeteries and done two circles of main street Sunnydale. They had just exhausted all possible topics of conversation (ones that did not include the sordid Sex Files of Xander and Anya), they were still giggling about the fraternity's latest party getting raided by the local police because someone had called saying it was a cover for an underground pornography ring when they came to a stop in front of Buffy's house.

“That was fun.” Tara smiled at the others.

“Yeah, we should do it again sometime.” Willow replied looking directly at Tara.

“It is definitely a good.” Buffy smiled. “And even better was the fact that we only had to dust five vamps.” She grinned as she took Mr. Pointy from an inner pocket of her jacket.

“Yes.” Agreed Anya as she slid the cross she'd been holding into her purse. “Although, we shouldn't do it all the time. Xander and I like to have sex.”

Tara laughed and rolled her eyes. “I think it was just great, even with the slaying. I-I mean, there was no fighting. Not even the slightest bit of b-bickering between any of us.”

“We should do this once a week.” Willow blushed. “I actually kinda miss going patrolling with you Buffy. Even if it is a life or death situation.”

Buffy smiled and reached for her key to open the door. “We should. I mean... I never really knew how much I missed the group patrol thing. And, it was even better ‘cause it was just us girls. And hey, you guys have gotten really good with the slayage. You hardly needed my help at all.” Just as she was about to turn the key in the lock, a car pulled into the driveway, flashing its headlights and honking its horn.

Before the car had even stopped, Dawn had flown out of the back seat and rushed into Buffy's arms. Tears poured down the girl's face as she clung to her big sister. “I didn't… (Hiccup)… mean to…(sniffle)…make…(sob)…h…him s…s…s…so (sniffle, hiccup, sob)…mad.”

“Shhh. Dawn. It's okay. I promise. Everything is going to be okay. It'll be alright.” She gently ran a hand over Dawn's hair, murmuring soothing words to her while she handed Tara her key. “Come inside, and we'll sit down, and we'll have some hot chocolate and we'll talk about it okay?” Buffy followed Tara inside, leading a still sobbing Dawn into the living room. Anya and Willow looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

“Hey, a hand over here would be much appreciated.” Spike called out as Xander began to unload suitcases and bags from the boot.

“What'd she do? Pack everything she owns?” Anya walked over and picked up a stuffed teddy bear.

“I think so An. She was pretty quiet when we picked her up from Angel's place. But Wesley said something about her not wanting to leave anything important behind when they picked her up from her dad's, so I'm thinking that she packed everything she owns.” Xander pulled the last suitcase from the boot of the car before slamming it closed.

“Has Buffy said anything to you guys?” Willow asked, lifting a large duffel bag from the back seat.

“Not a word Red.” Spike flicked his cigarette out onto the street before lifting several small bags in his hands. “She'll tell us when she's ready though no doubt.” He began moving towards the house.

“An, Honey, we could make this in one trip if you decide to carry more then just the bear inside.” Xander smiled at her as he too, lifted three suitcases and began to move them inside.

Scowling, Anya placed Dawn's teddy bear on top of a box and lifted it and a smaller overnight suitcase and moved with Willow into the house.

“Slayer, where do you want these?” Spike asked as he managed to manoeuvre himself through the door without dropping anything.

“Upstairs, first room right in front of you. Thanks guys.” She smiled as Spike lead Xander, Anya and Willow upstairs to Dawn's room.

“Hot chocolate for Dawnie, coming through.” Tara used her foot to close the door. “Minus m-marshmallows, with just a smidge of whipped cream.” She set the tray, laden with mugs of hot chocolate and cookies, down on the table in front of Dawn.

“Thanks Tara.” Dawn gave her a bleary smile as she wiped her nose with a Kleenex.

“Are you okay Dawn? Did he hit you?” Buffy gazed at her sister, looking closely to see if their father had lost his temper enough to lash out and hit the small girl.

She shook her head. “There was just a lot of screaming. Name-calling. You are a troublemaker, and Mary-Anne thinks you're being entirely unreasonable. And she thinks you're lying about the lawyer and that you just want me to come and live here so you aren't alone. Dad's blaming mom, you and Giles. And when I tried explaining that Giles didn't live here anymore, he got even angrier. Then, when Angel showed up, it was all dad could do not to blow a spleen then and there.” She sighed.

“Were Wesley and Gunn with him?” Buffy asked as the others came trudging down the stairs.

Tara motioned to the tray of hot chocolate as everyone came into the living room.

“Thanks Pet.” Spike gave her a bright smile as he picked up the cup Dawn had given him the previous Christmas. “In my own cup and everything.” He smiled as some of the froth from the marshmallows dribbled down over the side covering the ‘Bite Me' scrawled across the side in red.

“Yeah. And Lorne.” She looked at Buffy and smiled a little.

“Who's Lorne?” Willow asked, confused.

“He's, believe it or not. A demon.” Xander looked at Dawn and smiled. “He's bright green and he makes you sing.”

“And his fashion sense is seriously lacking.” Dawn giggled.

“Lacking? I think when the devil was handing out fashion sense to his demons, Lorne got overlooked.” Xander broke into a fit of the giggles.

Spike rolled his eyes. “He's The Host. He reads people souls when they sing karaoke.”

Willow mouthed a small ‘oh' and motioned for Dawn to continue.

“Don't worry Buffy, dad didn't see Lorne.” She assured her sister. “Lorne came along to offer the cuddles and to basically calm down Angel and Wesley who, once out of earshot of dad and Mary-Anne, proclaimed that they'd like to give dad a nice scare.”

Buffy laughed and pulled her sister close. “Well, don't worry okay? Because in two weeks time, everything is going to be so okay it's not funny.”

Dawn nodded. “It's okay Buffy. I'm just glad I'm home. I felt like a stranger at Dad's. Mary-Anne was always off shopping and dad was constantly away on business. At least here, I know everyone and I always have someone to talk to.”

Buffy smiled again and kissed the top of her sister's hair. “It's okay now. We're a family, all of us and we're going to stick together.”

Xander was the first one to speak. “Uh, Buffy? What's happening?”

“Well, now is as good a time as any to tell you.” Buffy put her mug of hot chocolate down. “I got a visit from a lawyer this morning.”

“Oh God, do you need money Buffy?” Willow looked to her best friend. “I know I'm not exactly swimming in the dough, but, I can find a part time job, help you out even more then I have been.”

“Oh God, you're going to be homeless. You brought your sister here so you can be homeless.” Anya looked to Buffy in confusion.

Buffy shook her head. “No and No. No we don't need money, and no, we aren't going to be homeless. Far from it actually.”

“Looks like this is a family matter. I'll see you later.” Spike stood up to leave.

“No Spike. Stay, you're a part of the family now. And, in fact, mom insists that you are.” Buffy noticed the way Spike's eyes darkened a little at the mention of Joyce.

“Well, if you're mum says I'm part of this, then, I'm part of this.” He sat back down and reached for a cookie.

“Uh, Buffy?” Willow reached across the table from the armchair she was sitting in and patted Buffy on the knee. “Your mom's dead.” Guilt and sadness washed over the small redhead's face.

“It's okay Willow. I get that. The lawyer that came this morning told me that mom had organised a last will and testament before she went into hospital. She wrote me this letter and asked that it be given to me the week before my birthday.” Buffy reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out the cream envelope she had removed from the hidden draw before coming downstairs to dinner. Opening it again, Buffy slipped the papers out and began to read.

“My Dearest Buffy,

Well sweetheart. I'm sorry. Sorry I can't be with you in person to celebrate your twenty-first birthday. Well, not in person anyway. Don't worry though, your old mom's going to be having a whale of a time with your Nana Mae up here among the clouds. I'm sure we'll even drink to you. My brave, independent young woman, you truly are, the warrior of the people.”

Buffy looked up to see Dawn with her head buried in Spike's chest as she continued to cry fresh tears, Willow and Tara with tears streaming down their faces and Anya in Xander's lap, running a soothing hand through his hair as they both cried silent tears.

“Don't cry for me Buffy. I lived a happy and wonderful life, even if I did spend the last few years freaking out over you being The Slayer. It all turned out for the best, instead of watching you go on a path of self-destruction, much like Faith has done, I've seen you blossom into a wonderful and intelligent young woman.

“I want you to read this letter to everyone. That means, Mister Giles, Spike, Tara, Dawn, Xander, Anya and Willow. They are you're family now. Even if they've only been with us a short time, if you've learnt anything from Rupert or myself, you'll know that it's not blood or a length of time that makes a family. It's the bonds you share. With every one of you fighting night after night to keep the world safe, you've created a bond that is so strong and diligent that; it will be hard to break.

“Don't let any of these people walk out of your life Buffy. God knows, you'll regret it if you do. Keep them close to your heart, much like you do me. I've left things for you all in my last will and testament. Things only family members should ever receive.”

Buffy took a deep breath as she continued.

“Remember, I love you all, and I'm only ever just a thought a way. Take care, and be careful. I don't want to see any of you anytime soon. And that goes double for you Spike, and you Buffy.

Love always,

Joyce.”

Buffy refolded the letter and pushed it back into the envelope. Setting the letter on the table, she wiped at her eyes with a tissue. “Mom says you're all family. And, she's right. It's not the blood or the length of time. It's the bond. We share a bond, and mom saw that. She KNEW that.”

Willow looked up, “When's the… ah, when's the reading of the will?” She whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“The Friday after my birthday.” Buffy reached over and stroked Dawn's hair softly.

“And, uh, Giles?” Xander looked at Buffy.

“He'll be here in the next few days. I rang him this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“What does this all mean?” Anya asked from her unusually quiet space on Xander's lap.

“I don't know Anya.” Buffy turned sympathetic eyes towards her friend, “I just know that it means, I…we, have a responsibility to this family. And I'm not going to let my mom down.”

Anya nodded slowly, “I want to ask more questions. But, maybe I should wait until Giles gets back. Maybe he'll know.”

Buffy nodded. “Me too. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all right away. I just wanted Dawn to hear it as well, and I didn't want to have to go through it more then twice.”

The others nodded.

“Well then, you look like you're all knackered. Niblet here is fast asleep. You should all go home and get to bed.” Spike stood up, cradling Dawn in his arms. “I'll do a few sweeps before I head back to my crypt for the night.” He moved to the stairs, still holding Dawn. “Of course, I'll just put this one to bed first.” Turning his back, he walked up the stairs so no one could see the tears falling quietly down his cheeks.

“Us too.” Xander patted Anya's knee. “We'll be at the store tomorrow if you need us Buff.” He stood up and hugged Buffy tightly. “Better yet, how about we do dinner tomorrow night? All of us, including Spike?”

“Dawn and I have to go to the cemetery tomorrow night. Family tradition. I'll explain it tomorrow.” She smiled, “But dinner sounds good.” She gave Anya a quick hug before turning to Willow.

“I'm gonna head on up to bed too Buffy.” She gave Buffy's hand a quick squeeze. “We'll talk about all this sort of stuff tomorrow okay?” She bid Xander, Anya and Tara a goodnight before heading up the stairs. “Night Spike.” She said as he closed the door to Dawn's room.

He nodded and came down the stairs. “Bit's all tucked up for the night. I'll see you tomorrow around sunset.” He nodded to Buffy as she waved to Xander and Anya as they pulled away from the curb.

“Okay Spike.”

Buffy turned and hugged Tara. “Thank you so much.”

“It's okay Buffy. Like Mrs Summers said, we're family.” Tara hugged Buffy back and looked out into the dark. “You wouldn't happen to have a spare cross or stake would you?”

“Never mind Pet,” Spike spoke up as he shrugged his jacket on. “I'll walk you back to the dorms. I'm headed that way anyway.”

“Th-thanks Spike.” Tara hugged Buffy one last time and followed Spike down the stairs.

Pushing the door shut, Buffy quickly walked over to the television and ejected the tape, walking around downstairs, she turned off all the lights and made her way to her bedroom. Only one more week until her birthday, then, she'd be able to pay off the last of the mortgage and some of the outstanding bills and she'd be one step closer to keeping the promise she made to her mother post mortem. She'd do whatever to keep the entire Scooby family together. No matter what.