Holiday Traditions
by BFtc2
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Feedback: All is welcome.
The telephone was cradled between her ear and shoulder, a squirming baby was in her arms, and the woman's brow was scrunched in a frown. "When do you think you can get a flight home then?"
Bouncing the child on her hip to keep the little one from reaching for the phone, she listened to the reply from the other end of the connection. "But that's after Christmas, and it's the twins first one....Yeah, I know baby, I just hope the snow clears up quick.....I miss you too love and so do the little ones....Yeah she's here, tired from midterms, but she's got lots of stories to tell.....Alright....I love you and please stay safe....I hope so....Bye love."
Sitting at the kitchen table watching on white flake after another fall, she spoke into the receiver. "The reports say this storm's suppose to keep up `til Thursday, so sometime after that." Listening to her wife on the other end, she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
"I know sweetie, you don't know how much I'm kicking myself for coming out here, but there's nothing I can do about it now....So do I sweets, I miss you and the munchkins so much....Did Dawn make it in ok, she's there right?....That's good, I can't wait to hear them, I should go, this is long distance and Aunt Fran's bill....I love you honey....I will, promise, I'll be home before you know it.....Bye baby." Hearing her wife's good bye, she shut off the cordless phone and rested her head down on the table. "I've gotta find a way home."
**CHRISTMAS EVE 5 YEARS PRIOR**
Dawn climbed down off the step stool and took a step back to admire her handy work. "Oh yeah, I'm good." Every thing about the tree was perfect, and she'd been the one to put the crowning tough on, a beautiful winged Angel that lit up pale blue.
Putting an arm around the teenager's shoulder, Buffy gave her sister an affectionate squeeze. "That you are, the tree looks great."
"If you agree that I'm good, that means I'm getting lots of presents right?" Dawn looked up at her sister, putting on her best puppy face an batting her eye lashes for good measure.
"Well, you have done some bad stuff..." The blonde felt her resolve beginning to waver when the girl's bottom lip started to come out in a pout. Sighing heavily she turned around to retreat into the kitchen.
As Buffy went rushing past, Faith came into the living room carrying a tray of fresh baked cookies. Looking at Dawn with an accusing frown, the slayer shook her head. "You bought up presents and then used the 'I'm sooo innocent face' didn't you? We've talked about this Dawn, you know B always caves."
"Which is why I used it." Dawn stated with a smile and a shrug.
"I know, just don't over do it or she'll build up a defense to it." Faith warned with a smirk. Reaching out her hand with the tray of cookies, she said, "Try one of these."
Taking a cookie, Dawn took a bite out of the edible snowman. "Ummm, they're good."
"Yeah? Wanna know a secret?" Seeing the girl nod her head, Faith smiled with pride. "Your sis made them. I just didn't wanna be the first one to eat one."
The teenager's eyes went wide in shock and surprise. "Buffy? But she can only burn stuff, and you suck. You're the girlfriend, you should've tried one first."
"She only burnt stuff before I started giving her late night cooking lessons, and there's no rule that says so." The older girl said with a wink before turning around to go back into the kitchen.
**PRESENT DAY**
"So when's she gonna be home?" Dawn asked as she breezed into the kitchen, smiling as her niece finger painted with her baby food. Picking up the jar, she read, "Peas and grapefruit, it is better for painting. Who comes up with the combos?"
Smirking at the question she'd asked at one point herself, Faith repositioned Logan on her hip and went to get some baby wipes. "It looks like some time after Thursday." Turning around from the counter, she handed her blonde bundle to Dawn and started cleaning up Maxine and the little girl's mess.
"She's gonna miss Christmas, I knew she shouldn't have helped Aunt Fran move, she never lets us leave right away." Dawn said with a frown, absentmindedly rocking the baby in her arms.
Sighing sadly, Faith kissed her daughter's now clean forehead. "Yeah, it looks like, but B would never turn her back on family." Pulling off the food tray and then unhooking the buckles of the high chair, Faith lifted Max up and hugged the little one to her chest. Turning to look at her sister-in-law with a forced smile, she said, "Come on, it's time for their nap. Everyone will be here tomorrow."
"There is no way I'm missing my children's first Christmas." The blonde said with determination, flipping through the phone book. Picking up the cordless, she started punching in numbers. "The buses aren't running, the planes aren't flying, but I haven't tried the subway yet." Finishing the series of numbers, she held the receiver up to her ear.
**CHRISTMAS EVE 5 YEARS PRIOR**
Buffy opened up the front door as the first guest arrived. "Hey guys, come on in." She said, stepping aside for the couple to enter.
"Hey Buffy, where's Faith and Dawnie?" Willow asked in a cheery voice, obviously in her holiday spirit.
"They just went out to get more snacks and stuff." Peeking down the road before closing the front door, she turned to the two wiccans. "So, did you guys do it, will it work?"
Smiling at the giddy sparkle lighting up the slayer's eyes, Tara nodded her head. "Every thing's set to start at midnight. It's a really sweet present you're giving her."
"Well you two did it, I just asked you to." Pulling both girls in for a quick hug, she squealed softly in delight. "Faith's going to be so happy, she's been saying how much she missed it, she's gonna love it." Helping her two friends take their coats off, she hung them in the closet.
"Hey Buffy," Willow asked from the door way. "Could you help us bring the gifts in from the car?"
"Sure thing Wills, be out there in a sec." The slayer answered as she finished her task.
Faith couldn't keep the smile from her face as she pushed the cart down the ail with a bouncing teenage bomb of Christmas joy beside her. "D, you're not gonna crack me, I'm not telling ya a single one of your presents."
Dawn folded her arms and glared for all of five seconds, before jumping excitedly. "Then could you tell me what you got Buffy, I mean the collage of pictures last year was nice, but now you two are, you know, together."
"Yeah, some times I still think I'm dreaming it." Turning her head to look at the brunette beside her, she smiled. "It's reassuring to hear some one else confirm it's real from time to time." Stopping the cart in front of the huge display of chips, she let her brown eyes wonder from one bag to another.
"Hey," Dawn poked the slayer in the side with an accusing frown on her face. "You're dodging the question. What did ya get my sister for Christmas?"
Putting an arm around the younger girl's shoulder, Faith said, "Alright I'll tell you, but you can't tell anybody." When Dawn made a crossing motion over her heart, Faith nodded and continued. "I got B a star, named after her with a certificate and every thing. The guy said it'll be easiest to see around 11:30 to midnight, and I got the certificate framed for her."
When Faith finished, Dawn was wearing her 'Awww, that's so sweet face.' Hugging the slayer for a moment, she smiled up at the older girl. "You know, for someone who's got the bad ass look down, you're the biggest romantic I know." Poking Faith in the shoulder, Dawn's expression turned serious. "Just remember, slayer or not, I'll kick your ass if you hurt my sister."
Shaking her head with a smile, Faith said, "I've officially gotten that speech from every one now, including the L.A. crew and even Spike."
"If it makes you feel better, Willow and I gave Buffy the same deal, if she hurt you." Dawn said with a bright smile.
**PRESENT DAY**
Dawn walked up to the front door and opened it after the first ringing of the bell. A smile lit up her face when she saw Anya and Xander's head peeking over and arm load of presents. "Hey you guys, come on in, you need help Xander?"
Looking pointedly at his wife, before turning a smile to Dawn, he said, "Why thank you Dawn, I could use some help."
Anya watched as her husband shifted the wrapped boxes around in order to hand a few over to Dawn and lighten his load. "I'm a woman carrying your child and you want me to lift stuff like some beast of burden. I may be as big as one, but I'm not a pack horse."
Stepping into the house ahead of the gift carriers, the ex-demon grunted as she sat down on one of the plush sofas. "Besides, Faith didn't let Buffy lift a finger when she was lugging around a stomach that can stuck in some door ways."
Looking up from where he and Dawn were placing the presents under the tree, Xander said, "Yes, but that didn't stop Buffy from at least offering to do some things for herself." Looking at the young brunette crouched beside him, he asked, "Speaking of, where are the world's best heroic twosome?"
Giving a slightly sad smile, Dawn looked toward the stair case leading to the second floor. "Faith's upstairs with the twins, and Buffy's stuck in Washington because of a snow storm." Turning her blue eyed gaze to her two companions, she said, "It looks like she won't be making it home for Christmas."
**CHRISTMAS EVE 5 YEARS PRIOR**
"Hey B, you wanna take a walk out back?" Faith asked in a whisper, leaning down closer to the blonde's ear from her perch on the arm of the sofa.
Turning her head to look into the brown eyes of her girlfriend, Buffy knew she couldn't deny this girl anything, especially on their first Christmas as a couple. "Sure." Taking the brunette's hand, the two slayers stood up to leave the congregation of guest.
"Hey, where are you guys going?" Dawn asked. Making a gesture at the television, she went on. "The kid's about to get his tongue stuck to the pole."
Faith lifted an eyebrow at Dawn, who then glanced at her watch. "B and I are just going out to get some air, we'll be back in a bit." With that said, Faith ducked out the back door along with Buffy.
Following her girl outside, the blonde asked, "What time is it baby?"
Without even glancing at her wrist, the brunette answered, "It's 11:45." Climbing up to lay down on their picnic table in the back yard, she reached out her hand and smiled when Buffy climbed up beside her and rested her head on her chest. "Do you know any of the constellations B?"
Buffy snuggled closer into the brunette, enjoying the feel of the other girl's fingers sifting through her hair. "The only ones I know are the big dipper, the little dipper, Orion, and the big pineapple."
Chuckling softly, Faith wrapped her arms around the blonde tightly. "No more Tara time for you, she's starting to play with your head. Do you want me to tell you the ones I know?"
"Tara and I've been hanging because you started monopolizing the Willow time with your sudden thirst for computer know how, and yes." Leaning up to kiss Faith on the chin, she settled back onto the brunette's chest. "Dazzle me with your knowledge of the stars."
Pointing to one cluster after another, Faith listed off the constellations she knew, building up to her surprise. "That one's Cassiopeia, those over there are the seven sisters, that guy over there is Hercules, and that little star off to the right, the pretty bright one over there..."
"The one that's more blue instead of white?" Buffy asked, her green eyes fixed on the area her girl was pointing to.
"Yep, that's the one." Faith answered with a smile. 'Wait for her to ask, you know she will.'
Squeezing the brunette slightly, the blonde asked, "So what's its name?"
Faith's grin got bigger when Buffy asked the question. "That star's named after one of the world's greatest and most beautiful heroine. She saved the world time and again, and even saved people who considered themselves a lost cause. This woman never gives up on anyone and will sacrifice anything to do what she feels is right. The best part is she's still around." Kissing the top of the blonde's head, Faith said, "That star's name is Elizabeth 'Buffy' Anne Summers, or you could do like me and just call it B."
Scooting up, Buffy rested her forehead against the brunette's. "You gave me a star?" When the slayer beneath her nodded, the blonde smile with teary eyes. "You always amaze me."
Leaning down, she captured Faith's lips with her own in a tender kiss. Pulling back from the soft lips of her girlfriend, Faith's eyes went wide at the white flakes falling down toward her and Buffy. "It's snowing."
Tucking a few stray brown hairs behind the younger girl's ear, Buffy leaned down to whisper, "Merry Christmas Faith. I know you missed the snow from back home." Buffy smiled, happily receiving her thank you kiss. Smoothing her fingers over dark tresses, the blonde asked, "Are you happy Faith?"
Pulling the older girl down for a swift kiss, the brunette nodded. "I've got you with me, I'm happy. I hope we spend every holiday together, especially the major ones."
Laying her head back onto her fleshy pillow, Buffy hugged the other girl tightly. "We will, it'll be tradition, with everyone coming here for holidays."
"Sounds good to me." Faith said with a smile, holding just a little tighter onto her love.
**PRESENT DAY**
Turning away from the window with a smile, Dawn looked at the wiccans sitting on the couch. "You guys do it every year now, but it's still cool to see snow in Sunnydale." Hearing a happy squeal coming from her nephew as Xander and Spike played peek-a-boo with him, Dawn glanced at Faith. "I can't wait to build a snowman with these two."
"You build the snowmen and me and B will teach `em all about snowball fights." Faith said with a half smile, her eyes glancing at the front door for a moment.
Tara place a hand on her shoulder in comfort. "She'll be here as soon as she can Faith, I know she will."
Nodding her head, the brunette squeezed the hand in thanks. "I know she will be."
"Unless she's already here." Buffy said with a huge grin as she shook the snow from her hair. "No way was I missing Christmas with my family." Hugging the slayer who'd launched herself off the sofa at the sound of her wife's voice, Buffy's smile got even bigger. "I'll never break tradition."
Pulling back from the hug, Faith kissed her wife passionately, the others fading into the background until one of them politely cleared their throat. Smiling into green eyes, her gaze swept over her wife's form, noticing the tired way she carried herself. "How did you get home?"
Giving a soft laugh, Buffy allowed her love to lead her over to the sofa, welcoming its softness and warmth. "First I hopped onto the subway, which broke down of course. Then I got on a bus after walking to the next town. About seven buses later, the one I was riding broke down two miles outside of Sunnydale, so I walked the rest of the way home." When Buffy finished she smiled as two squirming babies reached out for her.
Cordelia stood up and placed little Maxine on Buffy's lap. "They really need to do some thing about public transportation. I mean some of the color schemes are just nasty, and don't get me started on the smell."
Giles took Logan over to Buffy after much protest from Xander and the boys form the L.A. crew. "Merry Christmas Buffy."
Looking down at the two little ones, then the faces around her, she snuggled deeper into her wife's arms, hugging her children tight. Looking over her shoulder into deep brown eyes, Buffy placed a tender kiss on the soft lips of her love. "Yeah it is." She whispered softly.
...to be continued...