Arizona

Chapter Eleven

“Hey, Will.” Anne said, throwing the magazine she was holding aside. She and Matt were spending a lazy Saturday morning on the couch, cartoons on the TV. Well, at least she was trying to. Matt had been chattering non-stop about Spike, and how he couldn’t wait to tell Sam that he DID have a daddy. He hadn’t actually required a response from her, so she had picked up the magazine, pretending to read it while her own thoughts were consumed with the blonde vampire. She had just replayed their kiss on the couch over for like, the thousandth time, when the phone rang.

“Hi, Buffy. I wanted to know. . .if it’s alright with you. . .that is,” Anne smiled as she listened to Willow stammer, feeling like they hadn’t spent the last five years apart. “Would you mind if I come over? Only if you don’t mind,” she added quickly.

“I want to see you too, Willow,” Anne replied. She could almost see the look of relief rush to her friend’s face.

“Oh. Good. In about an hour?”

“That’ll be great.” Anne gave her the address, then hung up with a smile.

“Whossat, Mommy?” Matt asked, looking up from the TV.

“That was my good friend, Willow. She’s coming over soon. Wanna clean up your toys for me?”

“A’right.” He clamored down from the couch, and started to pick up his stuff. Stretching, she stood and went to throw on some clothes. After she changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt with ‘The Glamour Factory’ written graffiti style across it, she went back out into the kitchen to start a fresh pot of coffee. Her dark hair was twisted up and secured with a claw, her feet bare. By the time she was done with that, and the straightening of the living room, Willow’s cab pulled up. Anne had a fleeting thought that her house had seen more visitors in the last twenty four hours than it had since she bought it.

“Hey, Willow. Welcome to casa de Williams.” They embraced again when the redhead walked inside.

“Hi. Wow, I love your house.” Willow gushed, looking around. She smiled wide when her eyes landed on Matt. “Hello there.” His wide blue eyes studied her with an intensity that immediately reminded her of Spike.

“You’re the lady in the pitcher by Mommy’s bed.” He said, feeling pleased with himself. Willow looked over at Anne.

“I have one of you, me and Giles in the library.”

“Oh. Well, my name’s Willow. And I’ll bet that you’re Matt.” She said, kneeling down to his level. Matt gave her a beaming smile, and she felt her heart melt.

“Yep, Matthew Rupert Williams.” He exclaimed proudly. Willow’s eyes widened, and she grinned hugely at him.

“Well, Matthew Rupert Williams, I’m very pleased to meet you.” She held out her hand, and the giggling boy took it. After they shook hands, Willow stood, still smiling goofily.

“Matt, could you go play in your room for a bit? Me and Willow have to talk about some things. Okay?” He looked a little disappointed at not being able to study this new person, but he nodded.

“Bye.”

“Bye, Matt. I’ll see you before I leave.” Willow assured the crestfallen child. She turned to Anne when he disappeared down the hall.

“He is so sweet, Buffy. And the spitting image of Spike.” She giggled a bit at that. Anne smiled ruefully.

“Yeah, I know. And after last night, I am even more convinced that there are absolutely no genes of mine floating around in him. Come on, I put on coffee.”

“Last night?” Willow asked, following her into the kitchen.

“Yeah, last night was ‘the meeting’.” The redhead’s eyes widened in understanding.

“How did it go?”

“Great. Just, great.” An almost secret smile touched Anne’s lips as she took two blue, stoneware mugs out of the cabinet.

“Good. Wish things had stayed that way.” Willow took the mug of coffee from Anne, and moved to sit with her at the table.

“What do you mean?” she asked, confusion in her hazel eyes. The witch took a deep breath, not really wanting to tell, but knowing she should. Xander was already in enough hot water with the former Slayer, and this would make it worse.

“We caught Xander attacking Spike last night at the hotel.”

“What?” Anne’s voice had lost all of it’s warmth, and her head turned, as if encouraging Willow to repeat it in her ‘good’ ear.

“Xander attacked Spike last night. With a crowbar.” She repeated, feeling miserable. The storm clouds that drifted through Anne’s eyes was enough to make her nervous.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Guess he thought he was being helpful. You know Xander. Believe me, he hasn’t changed much in five years.” She replied with a snort, taking a sip of her coffee. She watched as her friend’s knuckles turned white on the hand she was clenching into a fist.

“And he wonders why I didn’t go home,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Buffy. For what it’s worth.”

“It’s not your fault, Will.”

“Maybe it is. If I hadn’t done that spell to get us here, then it wouldn’t have happened.” Willow felt guilt surge once more. She grasped the fingers that snaked out to cover hers.

“No, I’m glad you did. I didn’t know how much I missed you until I saw you,” Anne told her. Sighing, she pulled her hand away. “Xander is just going to have to get over himself,” she said with a shrug. Feeling the need to change the subject, she met Willow’s eyes again.

“So, how’s things on the Hellmouth.”

“Now, they’re good. Before, after you left. Not so good.” Anne felt her own guilt surface at the thought of leaving her mother and friends at the mercy of every Big Bad in the state of California and beyond. She pushed it back, telling herself she had done her duty. She had already died once for the world, and she had killed Angel. That was enough.

“Why? What happened?” she heard herself asking. Silently, she cursed, not really wanting to hear.

“Well, right after you left, nothing too big happened. It wasn’t until graduation that shit hit the fan.”

“Huh?” Willow took another sip of coffee, before continuing.

“The Mayor tried to ascend.”

“Again with the huh?”

“He wanted to become some higher demon thingy, and take over the world or something. You know the drill. And, of course, our graduation fell on the day that was just perfect for this. So, he gave his speech, then turned into this giant snake thing and tried to eat the entire graduating class.”

“Lovely.” Anne said, eyes stunned.

“It was intense. The new Slayer, Faith was there. She blew him and the school up.”

“Whoa.” Willow giggled at the expression on Anne’s face.

“On the plus side, Snyder got eaten.”

“Cool, score one for the snake demon.”

“On the minus side, Harmony got turned by some vamp that worked for him.”

“Oh, God. Tell me somebody staked her to put you guys out of your misery.”

“Finally, Xander did. Using Cordy for bait.” Both girls laughed at that.

“Again. Didn’t she ever get tired of that?” The light in Willow’s eyes faded a bit.

“Finally. They broke up senior year. She got tired of him always bitching about you being gone. Right after graduation, she left. I get a postcard every once in awhile.”

“That’s too bad. After I got over her somewhat grating personality, I thought they were kinda cute. Nobody could quite put Xander in his place like Cordy,” Anne said, remembering the brunette fondly. Time softens a lot.

“Yeah.” Willow thought about the times she had wanted to curse the prom queen for taking Xander away from her. But now, all she could do was wish that she had stayed. Despite all the bitching he did about her now, Xander still loved her.

“Speaking of exes. . .” Anne prompted, sipping her coffee, eyebrows raised in question.

“Oz.” At the flash of hurt that crossed Willow’s face, Anne back pedaled.

“Oh, you don’t have to say if you don’t want. I have no right to ask,” she stammered. She didn’t want to cause Willow pain. There had been enough of that going around before she left.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just. . .ho boy. He cheated on me.” Anne’s eyes nearly popped out of her head at that. She NEVER expected that from Oz.

“Oh, no. I’m so sorry. With who?” She was incredulous.

“Some she-wolf.” Willow said bitterly. “She was the lead singer in some band that was playing at the Bronze. From the first time he saw her, he was like, entranced, or something. He started to break dates with me to go see them play. Then, one night, I dunno, he just gave in. She was always telling him to give into his wolf nature, don’t cage the beast, and all that shit. And after that, it got worse.”

“I don’t see how,” Anne told her. She got up to refresh their cooling cups, wishing she could take away the pain in her friend’s face.

“Well, after their little. . .thing, he told her to get lost. He loved me and he couldn’t hurt me like that.”

“Good thing he waited until after they’d already done it,” Anne sneered. Willow snorted.

“She took exception. Cornered me in the chemistry lab. God, Buffy, she had this way wicked control over it. Almost like she could turn it on and off. It was scary. Even more scary than the grr. Cause, she KNEW what she was doing.”

“What happened?” Anne sat on the edge of her seat, her vivid imagination providing pictures to go with her friend’s words.

“Oz came in right when she was about to make me her midnight snack. He killed her.” Willow ran a finger around the rim of her mug, tears brimming in her eyes from the still fresh heartache.

“Oh, god, Will, I’m sorry.” She repeated, knowing it wasn’t enough, but what else could she say?

“Yeah. Me too. He left after that, saying he was afraid of the beasty side, and he didn’t want to hurt me again. I haven’t seen him since.” She lifted one slender shoulder, her bright hair spilling over it.

“Well, maybe it was for the best,” she offered lamely. How many times had she told herself that over the years? And how many times had it rung hollow?

“Maybe. But, the damage was done before she attacked me. I don’t know if we could have ever gone back after that,” Willow said quietly. They both sat quietly for a moment, each pondering the ways their lives had twisted and turned over the years. They broke out of their revery by a knock on the door.

“Who could that be?” Anne mumbled, rising to go answer it. She returned a moment later, a knowing smile in her face. Mark walked in behind her. A bright smile replaced the frown that had marred Willow’s pretty face. He flashed her a grin in return, quirking a dark brow at the snickering Anne.

“What?”

“Nothing. Want some coffee?” She asked, reaching in to grab him a cup.

“Sure. Hey, Willow,” he said, his deep voice softening. Anne bit back another snicker at her friend’s smitten attitude. In all the years she had known him, he had NEVER acted like this around a girl. Not even her. *God, he must have it bad,* she thought, turning to hand him his mug. *Good for him* came next when she saw the sparkle in his eyes.

“Hi, Mark.” Willow replied, her cheeks staining to a pretty red.

“MARK!” Mark reached down to steady the boy who had attached himself to his leg.

“Hey, there, grasshopper. What’s up?”

“My daddy came home,” Matt told him, excited.

“I know. Did you like him?” Mark asked in a conspiratory voice, smiling wide at the enthusiastic head bobbing of the child.

“Yeah, an’ he’s a vampire. Innit tha neat?”

“Isn’t” Anne corrected. Matt scrunched up his nose, but never took his eyes off of Mark.

“Very neat.” Mark saw no problem with the boy knowing, after all, he was going to find out some day, might as well be now. Willow, however, was shocked. Not appalled. Just shocked. It showed in the huge saucers of her green eyes, and the slight dropping of her jaw.

“Come on, Mark. Le’s go play. They wanna talk.” Matt told him, his tone very adult. Mark chuckled and allowed him to pull him into the back, casting one last look at the redhead.

“Willow? What’s the matter?”

“I. . .I. . .uhm. I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to tell him so soon. I mean, I know he has to know. . .it’s just weird.” Willow finished on a huff. She didn’t want to piss Anne off. Anne just laughed.

“He asked.”

“What?”

“He asked if Spike was sick because he was so cold, then came to the conclusion that he must be a vampire cause I told him that vampires were cold,” she explained with a shrug. “I don’t lie to him. There’s too much danger in the world,” she finished, waiting for the disapproval.

“Well, that’s good. Wish somebody had mentioned to me that the nasties were real. Afterall, I grew up over the Hellmouth. Mighta been handy.” She shot Anne a smile, happy to see it returned.

“Now, what did you do to that boy? He certainly is smitten.” Anne leaned on the table, brow raised, eyes teasing.

“Nothing.” Willow’s face was the same shade as her hair.

“Did you carpe him?” Anne’s tone was sly.

“Oh, God, no.” Willow’s eyes were saucer sized again, her appearance flustered.

“Why the hell not?” She demanded. “How long’s it been since Oz left?”

“Three years. But, I’m not like that,” she insisted.

“Neither’s he. Wills, it wouldn’t be a one night stand with him.. I don’t think he knows how to do that.” Anne told her, stressing the last sentence. Willow didn’t care for the teasing to be directed just at her, so she turned the tables.

“What about you? Have you carpe’d Spike since. . .the last time you carpe’d him?” She snickered when Anne blushed.

“Well, no. But, that’s kinda different.”

“How? You two at least have a history, and a child. I just met Mark.” One red eyebrow arched, as she bit back the smile threatening to expand at her friend’s expense.

“Well, ah, it just is,” she stammered. They stared at each other for a moment, before erupting into a spurt of giggles. “We have kissed though. A lot.”

“So have Mark and I.” Willow leaned closer, so they could compare without the threat of being overheard.

“Oh, god. What was it like?”

“Tingles right down to the toes.”

“And flip flops of the stomach.”

“Oh, yeah. Heart speeding up.”

“Blood singing.”

“Trying to get so close you’re almost inside of him.”

“And still, that’s not close enough.” Anne sat back with a sigh. “And that’s just with your clothes ON.”

“Yeah.” They both sighed this time, lost in thought again. Suddenly, Willow turned serious once more. “I’m sorry about Angel.”

“I’ve been over him a long time now, Will. But thank you. It was hard, for a while. But, once I found out I was pregnant, wallowing wasn’t an option.” She traced a finger in circles on the table, a sad look haunting her eyes.

“I guess not. Were you sorry that it wasn’t Angel’s?” Willow asked quietly. Anne thought for a long moment, trying to find the words.

“I think at first I was. But, that day with Spike was so special. So different from anything I had ever experienced before. Plus Angel was gone, and I wouldn’t have had even the thin hope that he would know his child. At least with Spike, I knew he was still out there somewhere.”

“And now, he’s here,” Willow finished for her.

“Yeah, now he’s here. He’s all I think about Willow. You should have seen him with Matt, so sweet. It almost broke my heart. I never should have left L.A. It was my fault they lost all that time.” She reached up and wiped a stray tear away. The witch reached across the table and took her hand, offering comfort she hadn’t been allowed to give before.

“Why did you?” Anne sighed, and recounted the tale once more, almost laughing at the expressions that crossed Willow’s face.

“He said that?” Green eyes flashed black for a second, startling Anne. “Why. . .I’ll turn him into a toad. How could he? God, he’s just so stupid.” Willow cried, her mind conjuring up all sorts of nasty things to do to Xander.

“Willow, it’s alright. . .”

“No, it’s not. He practically called you a whore, then told you to,” she dropped her voice to a whisper, “have an abortion just so you wouldn’t have to bear the shame of carrying a vampire’s baby. Humph. I can’t believe how insensitive he can be.” She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest, eyes snapping with indignation. She really didn’t understand how he could have grown up with a girl for a best friend and be such a neanderthal.

“It was my own fear that sent me out of L.A., Will. I figured if Xander reacted like that, how would the rest of you? Especially since the baby WAS Spike’s. I was wrong. It wasted four years of precious time that could have been spent with Matt knowing his father.”

“And what about you? Is that all you want Spike for? A father for Matt?” Willow asked, quietly.

“No, that’s not all. I want him.” She finally admitted out loud to someone other than herself. Willow smiled at the look of awe on her friend’s face. “When we’re together, it’s like everything falls into place.”

“Are you in love with him?” That was the million dollar question, wasn’t it?

“I don’t know. I’ll tell you, when I saw him in the Glamour Factory, it was like this magnet pulled me to him. And, it’s been like that every time we see each other. He’s all I think about. All I dream about.” Anne snickered and shook her head. “I just don’t know.” The redhead smiled at her friend’s confusion, already knowing the truth herself. It was the same way she felt about Mark, and that comparison scared the crap out of her. Deciding a change of subject was in order, she took a deep breath.

“What’s the Glamour Factory?”

“The strip club where I worked.” Anne fell out in a mass of giggles at the look on Willow’s face.

“Strip. . .club? Guess Xander’s lead wasn’t wrong after all.” She stammered, taking a long swallow of her cold coffee.

“What lead?” She asked, giggling again, imaging the look on Xander’s face.

“Some girl in the drug store said that a girl that looked like you worked there. I guess she wasn’t wrong.”

“Must’ve been Leslie. That cow,” Anne sniffed. “She comes in on Mondays trying to get a piece of Mark. She won’t take the hint that he’s not interested.”

“Maybe I’ll turn HER into a toad,” Willow mumbled.

“Ooh. The little green monster rears its head.” They both snorted, grins still on their faces when Mark walked back in.

“And what could possibly be so funny as to have the two most beautiful women in the world smiling like that?” Anne rolled her eyes, liking the way her friend flushed prettily at the compliment.

“You silver-tongued devil. Your grandmother been teaching you how to butter up pretty girls again?”

“Nah, she gave up on me years ago,” he said, putting his cup in the sink. “I gotta head out. Missed work last night, so Ralph wants me to come in at one.” The black look that crossed his face let them know just what he thought of that. But, silly little things like rent demanded to be paid. Anne watched the pair steal glances at each other before heaving an exaggerated sigh and getting up.

“I’m going to go check on Matt,” she said, leaving the kitchen, her chuckle ringing out behind her. The two left in the kitchen stared at each other. Willow felt a nervous flush stain her face as he pushed away from the counter. She briefly wondered if he was ever nervous as he gently cupped her cheek and tilted her face up. She sighed as his lips brushed over hers.

“Not very subtle, am I?”

“No. But that’s okay. I’m glad you came by.” She said, lightly dragging her teeth over her lip.

“Good,” he said, straightening. “There’s a Carnival in town next week, want to go?” She nodded, her smile blooming wide. “Great. I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’d like that.” Willow was finally used to the heart trip that occurred every time he smiled, but she hoped she never got used to the flare of desire that happened when he looked at her in just the way he was now. Head tilted to the side, lips slightly curved, brown eyes nearly black. She felt dizzy every time he did it, and she so didn’t want to lose that feeling.

“Goodbye, Willow,” he said, kissing her again. God, she loved a guy who liked kissing, she decided.

“Bye.” She watched him leave the kitchen, that silly smile returning.

“Annie, I’ll call you tomorrow,” he called on his way out.

“Alright. Bye Mark,” she called back, her farewell followed by Matt’s.

“Bye, Matt. Be good.” Then, he was gone.

Anne returned to the kitchen a few seconds later, Matt in tow. She felt happiness bloom in her chest at the look on Willow’s face. Awww, sprang to mind again, and she decided to leave Mark alone the next time she saw him, and not tease him mercilessly the way he deserved.

“Hey, want some lunch? The little monster behind me claims he’s starving.” Matt frowned at the description.

“I’m not a li’l monsta, Mommy. I’m a BIG monsta. GRRR!” He curled his hands and scrunched up his face. Anne shivered in mock terror, squealing as he lunged at her.

“Oh, no. Help me, Willow, help me.” Willow got up to join the game, and laughter filled the house.

~*~*~

About a half hour after sunset, Spike knocked once more on Anne’s door. He still had some lingering doubts about himself and this family thing, but when Anne opened the door, her smile huge, he pushed them away. Then, Matt got up from his place on the floor with Willow, and ran to his father. Willow covertly inspected his face, glad to see that no evidence of the fight the night before was evident.

“DADDY!” He squeaked, laughing when he was scooped up and spun around.

“Hello, poppet. Miss me?”

“Yeah, Daddy. We’re gonna watch movies.” He looked over at Anne, giving in and leaning over to kiss her. She returned it happily, giggling at the look of eww that crossed their son’s face.

“Movies, huh. Got room for one more?”

“Sure do. I was just getting ready to order dinner. I have something special for you,” she said. “A little liquid nourishment,” she prompted at his confused look. Realization dawned across his face, making her smile at the astonishment she saw there.

“Thanks, kitten.” Clearing his throat, he shifted Matt until he was holding him more comfortably. “Where you ordering from?”

“Pizza,” she answered, moving towards the kitchen.

“No anchovies,” he called behind her, dropping Matt on the couch so he could take off his duster. “Hey, Red.”

“Hi, Spike. You do realize it’s like, a hundred degrees out there?” She asked, eyeing the duster. He chuckled at her.

“Yeah. Temperature changes don’t bother me.”

“I know that, but shouldn’t you at least TRY to blend in?” she asked. She grinned when Matt scrambled back into Spike’s arms. He was so good with him, she thought. In just these few short minutes she had seen them together, she could tell. Adoration flowed between them.

“Hey, I dare to be different.” Willow rolled her eyes and continued with the card trick she had been showing Matt. The little boy’s eyes widened when she pulled the card he had picked out of the middle of the deck.

“Wow. How’d ya do that?”

“It’s magic,” she whispered mysteriously. He giggled at her tone, liking the pretty redhaired lady.

“Well, pizza’s on the way, no anchovies,” Anne said, walking back into the living room and sitting next to Spike, drawing her legs up onto the couch.

“So, what’re we watching this fine evening?”

“Oh, we’re having a triple showing. Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders, Scooby Doo’s Greatest Mysteries, and Pokemon the Movie.” To Spike’s credit, he kept the groan from escaping.

“What is it with you lot and Scooby?” He muttered, easing his body down further until his shoulder was brushing Anne’s.

“I like Scooby, Daddy.” Matt looked a little hurt at Spike’s question.

“Yeah? I never would have guessed,” he replied, eyeing the pj’s he was wearing. “Well then, let’s get this cinematic adventure started, shall we?” He said, grinning. Willow stood and moved to the chair, kicking her legs over the side. Anne picked up the remote and hit play, then rested her head against Spike’s shoulder. Matt squirmed until he was sprawled half on Spike’s lap and half on his mother’s, leaning his cheek on his father’s thigh. Spike settled back, draping an arm around Anne and running a hand over his son’s dark head. Sighing contentedly, he thought that unlife didn’t get much better than this.