Chapter 1-
It was Christmas time in good ole Sunnydale, and Buffy was out shopping at the last minute. The slaying was light tonight, which was all right with her. She’d been slaying nonstop for the past few nights and just needed break from it all. Spike hadn’t been around lately and that was fine with the slayer. It was just too much complication in her life she’d rather not deal with, although she did wondered what he was up to.
With Giles, Tara and Willow out of the way, Buffy still needed to get gifts for Xander, Anya and her sister. She was thinking about getting something for Spike, but decided against it. She didn’t want him thinking there was more between them, than there already was.
There were quite a few last minute shoppers; Buffy realized as she window shopped. Some of them even had their children along with them. The parents wanted to shop, but the kids had other ideas. They pulled their parents down the commons in the direction of Santa Claus. The kids wanted to make sure that Santa knew what they wanted for Christmas.
Watching the children hurry down to see Santa had brought back memories from when she was a child and it made her a little misty eye. Buffy envied those kids. They didn’t have a care in the world. They relied on their parents for everything. Now it seemed like Buffy was the parent, a parent with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She sighed as she continued her shopping. Some day there would be a time where she didn’t have to worry about the citizen of Sunnydale.
As she walked by the Limited, Buffy spotted a sweater set her sister had been bugging her about for months, but the price was always too high. It was pink silk spaghetti strapped top and the sweater was pink and fuzzy. If she wasn’t buying this for her sister, she might think about getting it herself.
“Should I??” She asked to no one in particular as she looked at the price, which was marked down. “Dawn has been bugging me about it for months…why not. I could always borrow from her.”
A customer was inching close the item, and Buffy decided she couldn’t let that happen. She hurried inside at slayer speed, snatched up the set, and by the time the customer realized it, Buffy purchased it. She walked passed the customer with a smile on her face. The lady scoffed and continued pursing the store.
“One down, two to go…” Buffy whispered, stepping out of the store.
Xander and Anya were still left on her list, and she didn’t have any idea what to get them. Anya always wanted big expensive gifts at Christmas time, which Buffy could never afford. It didn’t matter what Buffy bought, Anya would always find fault with it. Xander didn’t really care much what Buffy got them, he would like it no matter what. It was the thought the counted.
Acrossed the way was a glass shop, and Buffy headed towards it. Prior to entering the store, she checked out window display. Immediately she spotted vase with white etching on it, in a shape of a rose. The price was reasonable and she knew that was the gift for Xander and Anya. She went inside to purchase it before anyone else had a chance to take it away.
Now that Buffy was finished with her shopping, she decided to go home. She had gifts to wrap, and tonight was the only night to do it, since everyone was out for the evening. When she stepped out of the store, she heard Santa ho-ho-hoing for the little kids.
Feeling like a little kid again, she headed off in the direction of Santa. As she arrived, the rest of the children and their parents were leaving. It was just Santa and Buffy.
“Ho-ho-ho, little girl…” The jolly old man said. “Come sit on Santa’s lap.” He patted his red suit.
Suddenly feeling shy, Buffy began to walk away.
“Oh don’t be shy little girl. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas.”
Buffy debated whether or not she should do this. When no one else was around, she hopped on Santa’s lap, feeling it like a little child.
“Tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” he said again.
That was a good question. What did Buffy want for Christmas??
“I don’t know. No one ever asks me what I want,” Buffy said, sadly.
“Have you been naughty or nice, little girl?”
Taking a deep breath, Buffy said in a child-like voice, “I’ve been a little bad.”
“What have you done?” Santa asked curiously.
What could Buffy say? She lied to her friends for months about being ripped from heaven, where she was happy and loved. She lied about turning to Spike for solace, and ended up getting more than she bargained for with him. She realized she had feelings for him, and turned him away. It hurt her more than she realized, although she’d never admit to those feelings.
Santa waited patiently for her to continue.
“I hurt someone I care for deeply…I pushed him away, Santa.”
The tears began to well up in Buffy’s eyes, but she quickly whipped them away.
“Aww, I’m sure he’s forgiven you by now, honey,” Santa replied sympathetically.
Looking away from Santa, she responded, “He hasn’t been around, so I wouldn’t know.”
“Go to him, and tell him how you feel, honey.” smiled Santa. “I think he’ll understand.”
“I’ve hurt him way to many times. I don’t think he’ll be as understanding as you think!”
Santa replied, “If he loves, he’ll understand.”
Hugging Santa, Buffy said, “Thank you. Surprisingly this little talk has helped me.”
“That’s what Santa’s here for.”
Buffy hopped off his lap, picked up her bags, and said, “Thanks again, Santa.”
He smiled jovially in response as she walked away. “Merry Christmas, little girl.”
TBC
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!