Chapter 8
Spike had already considered the possibility that Willow would not give him the information he needed. He and Oz had tried several times to find Buffy’s location, but Willow insisted that Buffy would return home when she was ready. All she would say was that she had driven the blond someplace and that the someplace was safe. Once Xander explained Willow’s ‘Resolve Face,’ Spike excused himself from breakfast and paid for the three meals. He sat in his car for a few minutes before turning on the engine and heading to his parents’ house, blaring Sex Pistols and singing at the top of his lungs to calm his nerves.
His parents had surprised him by being very supportive once he had convinced them that it was his baby. Joyce had reacted in typical fashion by turning a guest room into a nursery, complete with a changing table, crib, and armoire full of baby essentials. Spike had smiled when she brought a scrap book out with baby pictures of little William Giles.
After pulling into the garage, Spike headed towards what he had termed the ‘garden room’ as a child. Every morning Rupert and Joyce had breakfast together in the large room before heading their separate ways. As he expected, the two were sitting at the large breakfast table. This had always been one of Spike’s favorite rooms in the mansion. Two walls were solid glass and the floors had large terra cotta style tiles. Plants of every size filled the room. Joyce had spent years learning about potting plants. She had roses, gardenias, mums, and butterfly bushes in terra cotta pots that would bloom all throughout the year. She also had a vast collection of ficas and hydrangeas of every color.
“Well, hello, William. We thought you were meeting friends for breakfast this morning. Would you like me to have Amy get you something?” Joyce said when she saw her son.
“No, I already ate. Listen I have something I wanted to discuss,” Spike said as he sat down. ‘No sense in waiting.’ “I spoke to Willow and Xander this morning.” Rupert and Joyce both looked hopeful. “Willow still won’t tell us where Buffy is staying. I know you both wanted to respect her wishes but the more I talk to Xander the more I am convinced she needs to come home. She is only 18 and this is her first time away from home. More importantly, away from her brother.” Joyce shot her husband a concerned look. Spike had explained the unstable and abusive homelife the two Summers children had grown up in. “Anyway, I was wondering what you thought I should do?”
This was where Spike was being slightly underhanded. He knew what his fathers response would be. ‘Leave the girl be, she will come home.’ But Joyce already had shown signs of being protective of Buffy. She had wept when hearing Willow’s tales of black eyes and bruises. She had commended Xander for taking care of his little sister.
“I want to hire an investigator,” Joyce said abruptly.
“Now dear, give her time if that is what she needs.”
“Rupert. She needs to be home. She is alone and pregnant. I can’t imagine being in her place. Alone. I understand her reason for leaving. You said those so-called parents told her to leave, but maybe she needs a reason to come back. William, I think an investigator is the best way to go. I’ll call our attorney and see what she can do.” Joyce headed towards the phone before Rupert could say anything.
Rupert tisked his son before returning to his breakfast.
Buffy was surprised at how many girls were living in the home. The Madonna House was a 3 story building with dormroom sized apartments and bathrooms. The first floor had several large rooms that included a large kitchen, dinning area, and TV room. Several smaller rooms were used for exercising and studying. The next two floors were the bedroom and bath areas. Buffy’s room was about the size of a jail cell, consisting of a small twin bed and dresser, although some girls had larger rooms with a crib for their baby. Buffy had spent the last month avoiding the other girls in the house. All day long they complained about swollen bodies and bad boyfriends. Only one woman in the home was married but her husband was in prison.
Since being in the home, Buffy had only made two friends. Anya was in the room next door. The pretty brunette was about 7 months along. Every morning Buffy helped Anya put on her shoes and socks. The poor girl’s stomach was so huge she hadn’t been able to see her feet in almost a month. Anya Jenkins had followed her high school sweetheart to LA where he planned on becoming an actor. After finding out she was pregnant, he had disappeared. Anya had decided that after she gave birth to her son, she would give it to a couple she had already selected. The other person Buffy couldn’t seem to avoid was Tara McClay. Tara was one of the Madonna House’s counselors. Buffy was surprised the first time she meet Tara. The woman was only a few years older that Buffy, but had already been working at the home for years. Tara was very easy to confide in. She spoke in such soft tones and would often give gentle hugs when one of the hormonal girls couldn’t stop crying.
Tara had even helped Buffy get a job waiting tables at a restaurant a few blocks away. Although halfway into her fourth month, Buffy had barely begun to show. She hoped to be able to work a few more months before she was too big to fit between the tables. Buffy hoped to save enough money to be able to get an apartment after the baby was born.
Buffy returned the house after her shift and headed towards the showers. She hated the smell of fried grease and sweat that always seemed to follow her home from the restaurant. After her shower she headed towards the TV room. ‘Another night of fun’ she thought.
Across the street a black van was parked. Faith Evans picked up her cell and dialed the number. “Mr Giles, it’s Faith. I have her location.”
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A/N: I just wanted to thank my beta readers: Ani, Kate, and Natalie. They really came through for me on this chapter. I was having a difficult time with chapter 8. I think that between the 4 of us this story should be updated often and entertaining to read. I am so happy to be able to work with them. Thanks to everyone who offered to beta for me. I cant believe at the response I got. I don’t remember the last time I got so many emails at once!
machine.
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