Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The song 'Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves' belongs to Cher. No copyright infringement intended.
Distribution: Angel of Mine; Willow_Graham list archive; anyone else I've given permission to.
Author's Note: Just something I wrote quickly. This is an alternate universe story.
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I was born in the wagon of a travelin' show Momma used to dance for the money they'd throw Poppa would do whatever he could
Willow sat next to her father as they rode to their next destination. This was the only life she knew, and it was one that she loved. The freedom of traveling from town to town was exciting to her. But there were parts that she hated. She didn't mind that the townspeople called them gypsys, because that's what they were. And she knew that some that traveled with them were thieves as well. Wasn't her best friend a master thief? Willow smiled slightly at the thought of Angel. Most of his victims were women who were so distracted by his looks, they weren't aware that he was stealing them blind. Willow briefly wondered what those same women would think if they knew what Angel really was.
But what really bothered her were the taunts of tramp by the people. She hated that first her mother, then herself was slapped with that label. Willow had never done anything to earn that name. But because of a few, all of them were labeled. Willow's eyes narrowed at the thought of Buffy, the young girl who traveled with the show. She fit the name in every sense of the word. Buffy went after every man that walked into her vicinity, as long as they could pay for her attention. Willow was thankful that Angel had the sense to stay clear of the blonde, despite her numerous attempts to get him.
Gypsys, tramps, and thieves We'd hear from the people all the time They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves But every night all the men would come around And lay their money down
Willow smiled at the dark haired boy they had picked up. He was so different then the boys she knew, and he didn't treat her like someone beneath him. It hadn't surprised her that Buffy had immediately sent her sights on Graham, but the young man showed no interest in her. His attention was focused on Willow. Angel warned her that Graham was not to be trusted, but she was flattered by the attention of the handsome young man.
During the time he traveled with them, they were constantly together. And when he kissed her, she knew she wouldn't stop it from going farther. She loved this man and wanted to be with him forever. Willow was thrilled with the relationship, and found herself falling in love with Graham. He was everything she'd always dreamed of.
Picked up a boy just out of Alamo Bay Gave him a ride, filled him with a hot meal I was sixteen, he was twenty-one Rode with us to Memphis And Poppa would've shot him if he knew what he'd done.
Willow knew that she couldn't tell her father about her relationship with Graham. Her father was very protective of her, and didn't want her turning out to be someone like Buffy. But Willow knew this was different. There wasn't a line of men that she went to bed with, there was only Graham....the man she loved. And who she thought loved her. But, the light of day shattered her illusions.
Graham had traveled with them for months. Then one night after making love, Willow left to go back to her own wagon. And when she woke up in the morning, Graham was gone. He had taken off in the middle of the night, without a word to anyone....without a word to her. Buffy took great pleasure in rubbing his abadonment in her face, and Willow raced off to be alone. She needed time to think.
I never had schooling but he taught me well with his smooth southern style Three months later I'm a gal in trouble, And I haven't seen him for a while
Willow knew she wouldn't be able to dance for much longer. The customers wouldn't want to see someone who was beginning to show. She had been terrified when she found out she was pregnant, and knew that she'd never see Graham again. He had seen a naive teenager and he'd had his fun, then he left. No doubt to find another conquest in another town. After learning she was going to have a baby, she had been afraid of her father's reaction, but he had been nothing but supportive. And Angel had been there every step of the way, holding her hand when she was hit with morning sickness. He had vowed to kill Graham if they ever ran across him again, and Willow felt safe whenever Angel was around.
And when Willow gave birth to her daughter, Angel was right by her side. He made it clear that just because Graham had taken off, she wouldn't have to raise her child alone. Angel wanted to be there for her and her child. Willow accepted Angel's offer, and slowly she fell in love with her best friend. Memories of Graham's abadonment dimmed, replaced by the love she found with Angel.
She was born in the wagon of a travelin' show Her momma had to dance for the money they'd throw Grandpa would do whatever he could
Willow went back to dancing after the birth of her daughter, smiling as she watched Angel and their daughter. Her daughter would grow up surrounded by the love of a mother, father, and grandfather. Maybe someday they would find a place to call home, but in the meantime, they were happy just to be together.
Gypsys, tramps, and thieves We'd hear from the people all the time They'd call us gypsys, tramps, and thieves But every night all the men would come around And lay their money down
No longer did the taunts of tramp bother Willow. She did her part to make a living, dancing for the men who came in. But always, Angel was nearby in case any of the men decided to try to push things. That kind of living may have worked for Buffy, but Willow had never wanted any part of it. She had been taught that sex was something to be enjoyed by two people who loved each other. She'd mistakenly believed that she had loved Graham, and it had been a mistake. But through that mistake, she had found the love of her life with Angel.
Willow had no regrets about the decisions she'd made in her life. She was where she wanted to be, with the man she wanted to be with.
The End