Seeing the Past

by Suja

SPOILERS: tiny Graduation Day ones
SUMMARY: A friend remembers a great woman.


We're all grown up now. It's been 20 years since Sunnydale High where we all met. I'm married. And a dad. Amazing. And who would've guessed I'd be married to Cordy? We spent all our time fighting, but finally we got it together again. And I have four children. Sarah Angela, David William,Mark Andrew and Michael Rupert. They've all been given middle names after friends, but without making it obvious. Angela for Angel, William for Willow,Andrew for Anne (Buffy) and of course, Rupert for Giles. Cordelia's expecting again, we're going to give the new baby either Oz, if its a guy or Faith if its a girl. We're a happy family. I've got a decent job, even if it is rather Giles like in nature. I was in the army, and now I'm assistant librarian at the high school. Cordy used to work as a designer, but she made enough on a few designs that she managed to give up altogether when Mark was born.

Willow and Oz got married. They've got one child. Willow had problems with the pregnancy, probably because Buffy died around then. She can't carry another baby, and she's such a good mother. Eliza is eleven now. Eleven years since Buff died. It still hurts to think about.

It's Angel I'm worried about just now. He's been very down lately, ever since Maighan graduated. She's at college now, and the other two are getting pretty independent. There was a time, where I wouldn't care whether or not Angel was alive or not, but he's become a good friend. He's had a harder life than most, raising their three kids by himself. And with the invitation for Buffy to our 20 year reunion, there are constant reminders of her around. He's never fully accepted that she's gone, but he struggles on because he has Maighan, Kieran and Melissa to look after.

I'm going to the reunion. Just to see whats happened to everyone. And to make sure everyone knows that Buffy went down fighting. She was a brave girl, and an even more courageous woman. Not many people could have battled all she did, and stayed happy, and not bitter.

We approach the entrance, Willow, Oz, Cordelia, and myself. All the kids are at Angel's and Maighan is looking after them. As for Angel himself, I don't know where he is, but, I have a pretty good idea. He'll be at the graveyard.

The school looks completely different. Probably because its been completely re-built since we blew it up at Graduation. I smile at the memory. I grab Cordy's hand and we walk in together to confront old memories. Funnily enough, the first place we walk to is the library. It has been rebuilt exactly same. I close my eyes, and I'm transported back 20 years.

Somethings change, and others stay the same. The library, even while it sits above the hellmouth feels like a sanctuary. Then out of the book cage, comes Giles. An older, and sadder Giles. He's just here for the reunion anyway, but this feels like home. I just keep expecting Buffy to barge through the doors. It's amazing, she's been dead for 11 years and she still manages to be at the front of our minds. It just shows what a special person she was.

The End.

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