Based on characters and situations created by Joss Whedon.
Copyright 1997 by John Dorsey
Buffy The Vampire Slayer and all characters are the sole property of Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement is intended through the writing of this fan fiction.
Buffy looked at the Christmas tree in her living room. It looked beautiful. Fully decorated with ornaments, it was the perfect height. She and her mom didn’t even have trouble setting it up like they usually did every holiday season. Their entire living room was covered with decorations. There was a large wreath with a bow on the fireplace, and mistletoe and everything else one could imagine. Everything looked so perfect.
And yet, it didn’t feel that way.
The Slayer sat down on the sofa, thinking about everything she’d been through. It had been quite a ride since moving to Sunnydale almost a year ago. Fighting crazed vampires, internet demons, psycho cults, bounty hunters... and even saving the world. It all felt so overwhelming most of the time. But for now Sunnydale seemed quiet and peaceful.
Yet Buffy still felt depressed.
Her mom, Joyce, walked in and smiled at her. Buffy could tell that she was still shaken from the incident a few weeks earlier with Ted, her wonderful, charming, boyfriend who turned out to be the evil, serial killer robot.
“It’s Christmas Eve, Buffy. I wish you’d be in a little better spirits.”
“Is it that obvious?”
Her mom sat down next to her. “Buffy, what’s bothering you? You never seem to talk to me about anything important.”
Buffy looked at her. She really loved her mom. But her mom didn’t know that Buffy was the Slayer, the guardian and protector of the world, and that made it so hard for Buffy to talk to her. There was so little she could usually say to her mom. Confiding in her was impossible. But for once, Buffy had a problem that she could actually talk about.
“I guess I... I miss Dad. I wish he was here.”
Her mom stroked her hair. “I’m sure he wishes he could be here, too.”
“I wish we could all be a family again.”
Her mom looked away for a moment. “Buffy, I know our divorce was hard on you, and I’m sorry. God, I know I’ve said that a million times, and I know it’s not going to make you feel better. I love you, Buffy.”
“I love you, too, mom.” They hugged each other.
Her mom had been right. She still didn’t feel better. Buffy looked at the star that hung on top of the tree and made a silent wish upon it.
I wish I could have my family back...
Not that those kinds of wishes could ever come true. Still, it was a nice wish.
All of a sudden, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” her mom said, and got up. When she opened the door, it was none other than Rupert Giles and Jenny Calendar. He had several presents in his hands.
“Hello, Ms. Summers,” Giles smiled.
“Hello,” Jenny said.
Joyce was surprised. “Mr. Giles! How nice of you to come by!” She looked at Jenny. “And you’re...”
“I’m Jenny Calendar. I’m a computer teacher at the high school.”
“Well, please, come in...”
Buffy walked into the hall. “Giles?”
“Hello, Buffy. Merry Christmas.”
“Yes,” Jenny added. “Merry Christmas.”
“I’m surprised to see you here...”
“It was meant to be a surprise,” Giles said.
The four of them walked into the living room. Giles put the presents down. Buffy didn’t want to admit it, but she was starting to feel better. They all talked for awhile. Several minutes later, the door bell rang again.
“I’ll get it,” Buffy said, and hurried to the door. When she opened it, she heard one word.
“Surprise!!!”
It was Xander and Willow. They were holding presents as well. “Merry Christmas,” they both added, and walked in.
“Hey, guys,” Buffy smiled. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“It was all supposed to be a surprise,” Xander said, “Besides, we noticed you were looking a little down these past few days, and we figured it was least we could do.” Then he lowered his voice. “After all, you have saved the world a few times... and all of us as well.”
“Come on,” Buffy said. They walked into the living room where Joyce was talking with Giles and Jenny. They all exchanged greetings.
“This is really nice of all of you,” said Joyce.
“Oh, it’s our pleasure,” Giles added. “As I was saying, Buffy is an exceptional student...”
Buffy could feel herself blushing. She wondered what else could happen tonight. As if in answer to her query, the door bell rang again. She went with Xander and Willow to answer it.
Buffy’s mouth dropped open when she opened the door.
“Cordelia?”
It was Cordelia, with a ton of presents that went high enough to almost cover her face.
“Merry Christmas, everyone.”
“Merry Christmas. Come on in,” Buffy said.
“Gee, Cordy,” said Xander. “We didn’t think you were gonna show.”
Cordelia sighed. “Well, Xandy, all my other loser friends were busy, so I thought I’d spend some time with you losers, instead.”
“That’s the Cordelia I know and love,” Xander added. Then he froze, realizing what he had just said. “Did I say love? No, I meant tolerate. I definitely meant tolerate.”
“O-kay,” Willow said and raised her eyebrows at Buffy. Buffy shrugged in return. They both walked to the living room. Xander and Cordelia followed. Xander looked at Cordelia and winked. She smiled and winked back.
Greetings were exchanged again.
“So, how is it that you know, Buffy?” Joyce asked Cordelia.
“Buffy’s saved from me from a lot of demons,” Cordelia answered. Buffy looked at her. “I mean, bullies... She’s saved me from a lot of bullies...”
“Oh,” Joyce answered. “She never tells me about any of these things.”
Buffy could hardly contain her laughter. It looked the same for Xander, Willow, and Giles. Now everything seemed almost perfect. Almost.
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang again.
“I’ll get it,” Buffy quickly said, not believing what was going on.
When she opened the door, she was more surprised than ever.
“Angel!”
“Merry Christmas, Buffy.” They hugged. Again, greetings were exchanged between everyone.
Willow walked over to Buffy. “Don’t tell Xander I told you this,” she whispered. “But it was his idea to invite Angel along.”
Buffy’s eyes widened. “I thought Xander doesn’t like Angel.”
Willow shrugged. “He doesn’t. But he knows that you do.”
Buffy looked at Xander, who gave her a small smile. She smiled in return. She was now feeling very, very lucky and very, very blessed.
A lone figure stood across the street from Buffy’s house, gazing at the Christmas lights that decorated both it and the trees around it. The Christmas tree was visible in the window, as were Buffy and her friends.
The woman remembered Christmas. It was once her favorite time of the year, so many, many years ago. She had always celebrated it with her family, until they were all killed... one by one. Then she herself was taken. And now, her heart was forever dark.
Yet she could still remember. And this house and the people in it brought back the memory clearer than she had ever been able to recall before. Looking at the people inside, she could sense the warmth and love that they had for one another. It made her feel... What exactly did she feel?
Envy?
These mortals were her enemies. She hated them, despised them, and yet... over time she had learned to respect them. For they possessed something that she could never again have. Glancing down the street, the woman noticed a small boy walking in her direction. And she did feel hungry...
But no. She would not feed tonight. Looking back at the house of her enemies, she tried to smile, but found it too painful to try. In time, she would destroy them all. Yes, there was no question about it. But for now...
“For now, my honored foes,” the woman whispered. “I shall grant you this reprieve.”
Barely noticing the tears in her eyes, Drusilla turned and walked away.
Buffy came to a sudden realization as she looked at all these people talking and laughing inside her living room.
This is my family... My true family.
Mom, Angel, Xander, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and maybe even Cordelia... They all were a part of her. They were friends, her soulmates. They were the ones she had always been able to turn to for love, warmth, and companionship. Without them, she would never have survived. Without them, she would not be the person she was today.
Buffy put her arm around Angel and leaned back. She looked at the star setting on top of the Christmas tree.
Maybe... just maybe... wishes do come true.
The End
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