Email: leslieketchum@hotmail.com
Rating: PG
Classification: W/Angel
Summary: Willow celebrates the Solstice season with Angel
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Joss owns everything in the Buffyverse. Spoilers: Spoilers for Buffy/Angel - none really AU future fic, Season 4 Buffy mentioned.
Distribution: If you already have my fiction you can have this one if you want it, anyone else just ask and it's yours.
Feedback: Always welcome
A/N: Answer to Kathy's challenge to write a Christmas fic. Thanks to Collie's fic Sod the Season at You got stones website that gave me the idea.
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Willow glanced around the living room with an ironic twist on her lips. Who would have thought that Ira Rosenberg's daughter would have a home decorated in lights, an evergreen tree glowing in the living room, fresh pine wreaths hanging on her walls and mistletoe over the doorway.
Sure, her lights were mostly lighted five pointed stars symbolizing the pentagram and the wreaths symbolized the continuity of life. And okay, her tree held symbols of nature instead of Christmas ornaments but she didn't think her parents would appreciate the irony of a Jewish-Wiccan girl having what looked like Christmas decorations scattered throughout where she lived.
Winter Solstice was a time of thanking the gods for seeing you through the darkest night and to reflect on family and friends. She wanted to take the time to appreciate the happiness that she found since coming to LA.
Carefully lighting the Yule log, Willow threw in a sprig of holly to say goodbye to her personal pains of the past year. Standing in the glow of the firelight she felt a presence walk up behind her and cool arms encircle her waist from behind. She closed her eyes as she felt the soft kiss on the top of her head and she leaned into the embrace.
Angel reluctantly released Willow and stood beside her. He picked up his holly sprig to throw on the Yule log and say goodbye to his pains of the past year as well.
Turning toward Willow he saw that she was watching him with a soft smile on her lips. Thinking about when Willow had re-entered his life he silently thanked every deity he knew.
It was ironic that it was Buffy that brought the two together. After Oz left, Buffy and the others had been too caught up in their own lives to notice that Willow's composure was only a mask and that she was holding on by a thread. It wasn't until the My Will Be Done spell had gone wonky that their eyes were opened. Buffy knew that only time and distance would heal the wound of Oz's leaving and she had encouraged Willow to visit Angel and Cordy in LA.
"What are you thinking about?"
"How happy I am that you decided to visit LA."
Willow smiled at the memory. "Hmm, I'm thinking that you were just happy for another pair of helping hands at the time."
The doors opening to the lobby interrupted whatever Angel may have said. Turning they saw Gunn and Wes enter carrying piles of packages. Fred and Cordy followed, "We come bearing gifts."
It had become an annual Solstice tradition that they got gifts for kids in need. This year they were going to a shelter that was in Gunn's old neighborhood.
"Guys, that's great!"
Fred shyly smiled, "yeah, the rest are in the van. Ready?"
"Yeah, I thought Buffy and the others were coming."
With a smirk Cordelia answered, "Oh they are. They're just having some difficulties so they're gonna meet us there."
Angel smiled at the thought of what could be holding up Buffy and the others. He reached over to take Willow's hand, "Let's go, love."
They arrived to find that the Sunnydale group hadn't made it there yet. Seeing Willow's worried expression Angel pulled her into an embrace.
"Don't worry. I'm sure they'll be here. It's probably taking them longer to get ready than they thought it would."
Willow gave Angel a squeeze, "You're probably right. Anyway the gifts are here and that's the important part." Turning to Gunn and the others, "Let's bring everything inside. Hopefully Buffy will be here soon."
Placing the last gift in the corner Willow looked around the shelter. The kids had decorated it and it looked very festive.
Willow heard a noise behind her and turned. "Spike, you look great."
Spike just growled. "Only for you and Buffy would I do this."
Willow's eyes roamed Spike's outfit beginning at his feet that were encased in green shoes that curled at the toes. Her gaze moved up his legs to the striped shirt and bells around the collar and up to the green elf hat sitting jauntily on his head.
Willow's eyes were twinkling as she got closer to Spike. Standing on her toes she kissed his cheek. "I really appreciate it and the kids will love it."
"Willow!"
Smiling Willow watched as Buffy and the others joined her. Buffy was dressed as a female Santa complete with fur trim on the hem and cuffs.
"Buffy you look very pretty."
"Sorry it took so long but Spike was having issues with the bells."
Spike just growled and shot them the two finger salute.
Just then a flash went off. "Bloody hell, moron. I told you no pictures."
Xander laughed, "I was taking a picture of Buffy and Willow not you."
Willow smiled and hugged Xander. "You know, he ever finds out that you took his picture instead of ours he's going to rip your throat out, headaches or no."
Xander just grinned, "Nah, Buffy'll protect me."
Gunn entered the room with his friend Anita. "Guys, the kids are almost here."
"Before they get here I just want to thank you all for what you're doing. The kids are going to love this."
Spike reached out for Buffy's hand as they made their way to the chairs next to the pile of gifts. Willow shook her head at the sight. If anyone would have told her in high school that she would end up with Angel in LA and Spike and Buffy would be together she would have thought they were nuts.
~~*~~
Laughter filled the hall as Buffy and Spike handed out the presents to the kids. Pealing laughter floated in from another room and Willow followed the sound.
Leaning against the doorframe Willow smiled as she watched Xander teach the little ones how to Snoopy Dance. Xander paused and looked up to see Willow standing and watching.
"Come on, Wills. Let's show them how it's done."
Falling back into the routine of their childhood the two life long friends fell into the synchronized steps of the Snoopy dance.
Angel was enjoying watching Spike handle a particularly unruly ten-year-old boy when he heard Willow's laughter drifting from another room. Following the sound, Angel couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Willow and Xander dancing.
Willow glanced at the doorway when she heard Angel laughing. She loved the sound of his laughter. It was so rare which made it all that more special.
With a smile Willow walked over to him. "Like my dancing do you?"
Angel softly said, "I love to watch you dance. I especially love the private show I got last night."
Willow blushed a bright red remembering the strip dance that she hadn't been able to finish before he had tossed her over his shoulder and hauled her up the stairs.
Angel felt a little hand poking him on the leg. Looking down he saw a wide-eyed little girl looking back up at him.
She had dark hair and with a shy smile she pointed to the ceiling.
Angel lifted his eyes to see what she was pointing at. With a smile he looked back down at the little girl and winked.
"Traditions, ya gotta love 'em?"
Pulling Willow into his arms Angel lowered his head to place a soft kiss on her lips. After the initial shock wore off Willow moved closer into the embrace and wound her arms around his waist. With a soft growl Angel deepened the kiss. It wasn't until he felt the little hand poking again did he lift his head.
Angel looked back down at the little girl.
She had a small frown on her face as she looked up at Angel. She lifted her arms and said, "I meant me."
Angel smiled and bent down to pick the little girl up and give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Willow leaned in to kiss the little girl on the cheek. Lifting her eyes to Angel, "Another one falls under your spell."
"I think it's the other way around."
"Of course it is. No one can resist the charms of a female with the Chase genes." A new voice entered the discussion.
Turning, Willow saw Cordelia standing nearby watching her daughter charm Angel. "Well, she has excellent taste."
"Again, that goes without saying."
Willow smiled, "Did any of the Wyndam-Price genes get in there or is it all Chase?"
Xander joined them, "Well, let's hope the Wyndam-Price brains got in there."
Willow hit the back side of Xander's head, "Be nice or Santa's not gonna bring you your gift."
Xander just grinned.
Returning to the hall Willow noticed that Buffy and Spike had finished handing out the gifts. Gunn and Fred were helping some of the littler ones put their toys together. Wesley and Anya were helping to serve the deserts. Cordelia and Xander went to join their respective spouses.
Willow stood in front of Angel and wrapped his arms around her waist. Leaning in to his arms Willow watched her friends that had become her family celebrate the season.
Angel placed a kiss on the top of her head, "What are you thinking?"
"How very lucky I am that the Goddess granted my Solstice wish when I first came to LA."
He turned Willow in his embrace so she was facing him. "What wish was that?"
"That I would find happiness again."
"What a coincidence. I wished for the same thing when I left Sunnydale to come to LA. I didn't find it until a little red head pixie appeared on my doorstep."
Reaching up to place a kiss on his cheek Willow said, "Happy Solstice, Angel."
Smiling down into the face of his love he replied, "Happy Solstice, Willow."