Family

Family

Disclaimers: Nothing but Claire is mine. The song is Lonestar's and BtVS/A:tS characters belong to God (Joss, if you prefer that)
Rating: pg–13 I guess.
Dedication: To all those (5) who replied and told me to write this.
Couples: B/A, W/T, X/C, S/Claire
Summary: Two years has passed, Claire is ready to move out from her parents, together with Spike. Then something happens. Something that will change her live forever.
Notes: Sequel to 'Dealing with the Past', where Claire (17 at that time) is sent back in time of PTB to redo future – which she manages.

Claire let out a final sigh and glanced calmly about the empty room. She'd filled everything she ever had own and hid under stuff in her whole life in that room, into five huge, brown boxes.

She heard some low sniffling and then five sobs from behind her. After rolling her eyes a bit she whirled around and met her mothers hazel eyes with a red colour beneath and around.

"I," she sniffled. "I can't believe that you already are," the sniffling turned into low sobs. "You're leaving us." Her mother gave in and embraced her daughter crying.

"You'll be all right mom…" Claire assured her and carefully clapped her on her back. Her father appeared and walked towards his two women in his life.

"Dad…" Claire whispered. "Help.."

Angel smiled with his oh–so adorable half–smile and easily removed Buffy from her daughter. They gazed lovingly at each other.

"I hope you and…" Angel paused. They heard a loud noise from out sides. They turned their heads towards the window and strolled casually over to it. As they gazed out of it they all were forced into a chuckle. Spike, as usual, had hit the stone on the front lawn.

"We'll be ok…" Claire said for the 1000ed time that day. Buffy hugged her hardly again and Claire sighed. She met her father's eyes and he grabbed hardly around her after Buffy's finally let go. They held each other and Claire felt her tears form in her eyes.

"Now I'm gonna cry…" she whispered into her fathers ear, he hugged her harder and buried his head in her brown hair.

"I love you." He said with a crispy voice. They let go and peered into each other's brown eyes.

"I love you to, dad." She replied and swallowed. He pressed his lips hardly together and sighed.

"Come visit us, huh?" he said between breaths, she nodded silently, hugged her mom with her last goodbye and walked towards the sliver car Spike sat in.

"Bye!" they shouted as they rolled out of the driveway.

Buffy walked over to her angel and he grabbed around her. She sighed and sniffled lowly.

"I miss her already." Buffy whispered.

"I do too." Angel said and they walked into their house.

~*~

"So, finally you're done with your parents." Spike stated and grabbed a hold on her hand. He sent her a loving glance and she bowed forwards to kiss him.

"Well, I wouldn't say I enjoy it…" she mumbled. Spike almost stopped the car of surprise, but managed to keep it steady. She let out a chuckle and sighed. "I love my dad. He's the most amazing person alive. My mom has also been great. I just can't imagine myself living without them." she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.

"What do I know anyway, I killed my parents so…" Spike admitted mumbling. Claire let a smile cross her lips.

"It would've been much easier had you gotten that job here in California, but now that we're moving all the way to New York…" Claire said hoarsely.

"Look, we'll manage. You're 19, I'm above 200."

~*~

"Oh. My. God." Claire said amazed and gasped. Spike had to force her to take off her shoes before she entered the apartment. "It's beautiful! When you said that it was nice I never thought…" she was out of words and turned to her love. He grinned by the happy look on her face. "I love you." She whispered and embraced him.

"I love you too."

"We need to get some more furniture, and some food, and not to forget, some stakes and weapons…" she summed up and met his confused peer. "What? You thought we'd be rid vampires just because we moved?"

"Sure I didn't." he said, kissed her and reached for his black bag. He opened it and pulled out a black box. Claire raised an eyebrow and met his eyes. "Don't worry.." he mumbled and opened it towards her.

"Oh. My. God." She reached for it and let a finger slid over the necklace. "It's lovely." She said and kissed him.

"I picked it out just for you." He said and helped her hook it on behind. Claire walked over to a mirror and looked at it, Spike appeared behind her in the mirror. He laid his arms around her and kissed her neck.

"It's lovely." She said once more.

"You're lovely."

~*~

Three months passed and the couple lived happily in the huge apartment in New York. Claire had only visited her parents twice in that time, and Christmas was getting closer. Spike worked as a teacher in high school. His main subjects were gymnastics and history. Claire had a day–job as a dentist' assistant, but at night she was a teacher in private lessons in karate and tae kwon do.

The couple hadn't much time left for each other, but made it enough. Though they wanted to stay together forever and never leave the other out of sight, they had to. Which made their evenings memorable.

One, especially memorable, evening they were out eating in a fancy restaurant, Spike suddenly clapped his hands together and the live music stopped. The restaurant turned silent and all eyes were on him. He rose up and Claire grabbed his hand, sending him begging glances to get him to sit down. Spike replied with a smirk and walked over to the stage.

Whispering something to the band, receiving a nod, he grabbed the microphone and smiled to Claire.

"Well, thanks for the attention and now… I just want to do this… um… well…" he made a sign to the drummer and they began playing a song. "This is to the most beautiful, caring and loving woman in the world. Claire, I love you."

Everyone turned towards Claire, who just stared confused at Spike. Suddenly he began singing. Not a usual song, but with the most beautiful voice she'd ever heard and the prettiest song she'd ever imagined.

//Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you, it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me, baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time every time
I wanna spent the whole night in your eyes

Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Oh, every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you//

As he ended the song the room was filled with applause and Spike nodded as thanks and stepped casually down from the stage and strolled over to Claire. Without saying a word she leaned towards him and kissed him passionately.

~*~

Night in the Summer/Dark residence. Spike had taken Dark as a last name, 'it reminds me of my past' he said. Though Claire couldn't understand why he wanted to be reminded on that.

Claire squirmed in bed; she was sleeping, but not well. Spike was fast asleep and didn't know about his loves bad sleep. She sudden woke up and gasped for air. Nightmares.

She couldn't remember what they were about, but it was bad. Unstealty she walked out on the kitchen and poured some water into a glass. She let the cold glass touch her lips when she felt an unexpectively tingling feeling up her spine.

Carefully she put the water down and with a raised eyebrow she tip–toed to the front door.

She reached for a stake and unlocked the door with the stake poised. Glancing about she sighed by the sight of no–one.

"Y'know, that wont kill me anymore." A soft voice said.

"Dad?" she questioned and turned her head to the left, where the voice came from. He appeared from behind a wall. "So, that was the reason of the feeling."

"Claire…" he began carefully.

"Why won't you come in? I can't wait for you to see the apartment, Spike and I we've made it so…" she stopped. With a frown on her face she swallowed slowly. He looked sad. Down and depressed.

"What's… what's wrong, dad?" she dared to ask. Mostly she didn't want to hear it. "Is it you? You got some sort of cancer?" she asked and reached for him. Her head was filled with confusion and everything turned blurry.

"It's mom." He informed shortly. Claire gasped for air and clutched herself into him. She screamed and repeated: 'No, no, no.' whispering, before she passed out. Angel quickly grabbed her and carried her into the apartment.

Spike noticed the sudden weight change and batted his eyes open; he sat up in the bed and looked about. By the sight of the black figure on the bed he shrieked and jumped backwards.

"It's only me, Spike…" Angel mumbled and turned on the light. Spike sighed and relaxed, until he spotted Claire, unconscious on the bed.

"Hey!! What happened to her??" he said, crawled over to her and held her hand.

"She passed out when I told her my reason of appearance…" Angel mumbled.

"Oh. What is your reason?"

"Her mother." Angel stated. Spike frowned and exchanged glances with Angel.

"Dead…?" Spike managed to stutter. Angel shook his head silently.

"Hurt. Though Claire doesn't know this. She only knows something bad has happened to her." Angel said, letting a tear fall. "Buffy got badly hurt while fighting… she's not as young and limber as she used to be, y'know…" Angel sighed and bit his lip. "I thought I'd rather tell it face–to–face, in stead of over the phone…"

"How bad?" Spike asked carefully.

"Bad. She's dying. The doctors say it's a surprise and a miracle she still breathes. They don't know about her being the Slayer either though… but she may only have a few days left… every day she gets weaker… it's a pain to see her this way. I feel so damned helpless…" Angel's voice cracked and he began sobbing. "I love her." He managed to whisper. Spike crawled over to him and embraced his sire.

~*~

After informing Claire about Buffy's condition they caught the first plane to Sunnydale. All through the trip she sat between the two men in her life. The held one of each hand and kept silent the whole trip.

Soon they reached the still and silent house of the Slayer.

The trio stepped out of the car and walked towards the front door. For the first time in Spike's mortal, well actually, life, he didn't hit the rock at the front lawn.

Claire kept close to Spike all the time. As they stopped in front of the door leading to Buffy and Angel's bedroom they paused. Angel firmly opened the door and they all stepped carefully inside.

Buffy immediately opened her eyes and peered at them. Her skin was pale and she looked skinnier then ever. Her eyes were shiny and clearly she was weak.

"Mom…" Claire whispered and sat down besides her. Buffy smiled happily, a sad smile, but though.

"Claire…" Buffy replied weakly. "You came…"

"Of course!" she said and held tightly around her hand. Buffy sighed of pain and Angel moved anxiously closer.

"I'm fine…" Buffy assured them and relaxed again. She lay back and admired her daughter. "We've got such a pretty daughter, Angel." She said, glancing lovingly at her husband. "I admire you for what you've achieved in your life, Claire. And I love you for what you are. I'm sorry you had to see me like this…" she began excusing.

"Mom, don't say that. You know I love you, no matter how you look!" Claire said, fighting the tears.

"Well, I'm soon gone, and…" The Slayer said, but was interrupted by her strong daughter.

"No. You're not gone leave. You're gonne be fine!"

"Claire. Accept it. I have." Buffy said, laying a hand on top of her daughters.

"I can't…" Claire whispered.

~*~

Two days later Claire awoke by someone screaming her name. Her father. She opened her eyes and noticed that her bed–mate, Spike, also was awake.

"Claire!" Angel shouted again. "Hurry!"

They got quickly out of bed and ran out of the room, into her parents' and watched Angel cry.

"She has short time left…" He informed them sobbing. Buffy was breathing steadily.

"I need to talk to you," Buffy exclaimed. "Come closer, Spike."

Spike stepped forwards carefully and fetched the hand Buffy had extended. She peered up at him and a smile crossed her lips.

"My enemy. I never imagined you to become what you have. My daughters love and a dearly friend. Take care of my daughter when I'm gone, will ya?" Buffy said and swallowed.

Spike managed to nod. Buffy smiled thankfully and turned to her daughter.

"Claire…" she said and let go of Spike, grabbed Claire's hand and closed her eyes for strength.

"Mom…" Claire began crying.

"Hush…" Buffy whispered. "I know you and your father had this… great relationship… which you and I never had. But, I never felt left out. You always made sure that I felt loved and I did. I love you with my heart and I hope you'll never forget me…"

"My god, I won't!" she cried and gasped for air.

Buffy turned to Angel. Spike helped Claire stand and they walked out of the room.

Squirming of pain Buffy met the brown eyes of her love and smiled through her tears.

"I love you, Angel. I always have." She whispered weakly.

"I love you too. And I will never love anyone else." He said honestly and tried desperately to dry some of his tears.

"Take care of our daughter, will you?" Buffy said, Angel nodded.

"You know I will."

"Yes, I do."

Angel leant towards her and kissed her. Her lips were ice cold and as he leant backwards she was gone.

"NO!" He screamed, Claire and Spike rushed into the room. "No!!!"

Claire grabbed a hold around Spike, screaming. Angel joined them and they cried together.

~*~

Three days had passed and everything seemed darker then ever. The trio survived by comforting each other and crying together. It was hard, but they managed.

The ceremony was beautiful. She laid in a white coffin, wearing her favourite red gown, the necklace Angel had given to her and the claddagh ring.

It was a small and private ceremony, though people whom she'd saved through the years and people who she known sent flowers and condolences. Her grave was over loaded with flowers of every known color and it was a silent atmosphere.

Xander, Willow, Tara, Oz, Giles, Cordelia, Anya and Wesley showed up in grief.

Afterwards they poured holy water on top of the grave and said their final goodbyes.

~*~

The lawyer cleared his throat and began.

"I was asked to read this will for you, telling each what you get from her." He began. The people present in the little house of the Slayer and the Warrior were only her daughter, Spike, Angel, Willow, Giles, Cordy and Xander.

It was silent. They sat crowded in the sofa. Angel held around his daughter, on her other side Spike sat, holding her hand and leaning towards her. Xander and Cordy held hands, Willow and Giles sat silently gazing mute at him.

"Dear family, friends and loved ones." The lawyer began. "I wrote this letter to just say my last goodbye with you. I love you all."

Claire sniffled lowly and sighed.

"First off, Xander and Cordy. The couple that loved to hate each other. Who'd thought it ever would be you two? But, I have to admit, your relationship is something stronger then just smoochies in a closet." The lawyer paused. Cordy and Xander smiled and held each other.

"I wish you the best and hope you will be together through your lifetimes. I give you, Cordy, my dresses and outfits. I know our styles has become the same after a few years, and I know you've complained to Xander about my great wardrobe. So, I thought I'd end the jalousie and give it to you. And, Xander. My best male friend ever. Strong, funny, and wimpy at times, you always stood by my side. I admire you for that. I give you my scrapbook. It contains all the pictures of Willow, you and I in it. From high school to now. I've kept it for ages and I know you'll appreciate it."

The lawyer handed a key to Cordy and a book to Xander. They received it in gratitude and let their tears stream freely.

"Now, Willow and Giles." The lawyer let his glance stop at them. "My two book–worm friends. Giles, my watcher and mentor. Thank you for guiding me. Willow, my best friend though times, and a great support. I hope you and Tara are fine and Giles, get a new car!" they all smiled through their tears before the lawyer continued. "Giles, you're getting all my books, Willow, you're getting the scrapbook Xander got, and my five spell–books in the collection of mine. Sorry Giles, not getting those."

The Lawyer handed out their gifts and Willow began crying loudly.

"Now, Spike and Claire. You two… I can't get over the fact that one of my greatest fears in my youth has been tamed by my great daughter, whom I love with my heart. I love you, too, Spike. Thanks for giving us the time you did, Claire. And, you're of course getting something you too."

Claire leant towards Spike and sighed.

"Spike, you're getting my weapons and half of my personal savings. Claire, you're getting my diaries. I want you to know about how I was and how I felt when I was younger. I hope you'll need them."

Diaries and weapons were handed out with a raised eyebrow from the lawyer.

"Angel. My first and only love. Unconventional, immortal and best of all in this soap–life, you loved me too. I can't forget those times we were apart. And we both know we have our daughter to blame for us getting back together. Knowing the future is both good, and bad. I knew my future. I will always love you. Death is not an end, just a new level, where I still love you as much. Forever, that's the whole point, ey? You know, when hell is, why can't heaven be?"

The lawyer took a deep breath. "I don't think I'll give you anything, Angel. We both own everything together anyway; I've already devoted my life and love to you, so I guess it won't make a difference. To you all; I hope you are pleased with my gifts. And, never forget me, I know I won't forget you. Love, always, Buffy."

~*~

Reading through her mothers diaries Claire leant towards Spike's warm body. A month had passed and they still lived in her parents' house. It felt bad to leave her beloved father alone, so they decided to sell their apartment and move in with him.

'I know it might sound strange, but I love him. I've seen him a few times, every time more confusing then ever, but something is not a blur in my life. I love him. And I always will' she read out loud of her mother's diary. Spike hugged her.

'Slaying is my destiny. Death then becomes my future. I will have to deal with it. It's hard, hard to know that I'll never get to have a normal life.' She continued a few minutes later, out loud.

Then, at the end of the book, she read the last part loud, too.

'My daughter. Claire. I can't imagine this miracle. Angel and I am now officially a couple again and life is good. I've learned to forget my future and take one day as it comes. I used to wish my life would result into something, now I have an assurance that it will. Thank you God.'

The End

Now, I hope you enjoyed… and, if you did, please feedback me muffy@c2i.net , and !!Attention!! I MAY WRITE A SEQUEL, BUT PLEASE FEEDBACK ME IF YOU WISH FOR ME TO!! I wont write one if no–one reads!!

Send feedback to Muffy

Back to the Fanfiction Archive