Chapters <<<< 36 37 38 39 40

Finding Family

by
BmblBee

Part Thirty-Six

Finally, with hands joined, Will and Xander stepped together from the family waiting room. Prepared to take the biggest step of their lives. Xander turned left toward the offices of Social Services but Will tugged him in the other direction. "The paperwork can wait a few minutes, Xan. Lets go look at our baby."

Xander's eyes lit up as if Will had suggested a trip to Disney World. Locating a nearby "YOU ARE HERE" sign they discovered that the nursery was also on the third floor.

Following the arrows painted on the wall it took them down two corridors, around three bends and up through a set of double doors to a point where the hallway deadended. As soon as they passed through the doors the atmosphere changed. Gone was the white impersonal sterile look of tile floors and blank walls. Gone were the curt efficient personelle whose main concern was the business of pain and tragedy.

The house had landed and Dorothy was now standing in Oz. The entire right side of the hall was a plate glass window, the opposing side was covered with brightly painted murals of balloons, mice and bunnies. The floor was a warm berber carpet with reds and greens patterned like a field of flowers.

The two men approached it cautiously, whispering as reverently as though they were in church. "I think this is it."

Stopping directly in front of the window they peered in at three rows of baby filled cribs. Lined up like sausages in a butchers window they were displayed with little pink and blue name markers. Some crying, some sleeping and some just wriggling. Hustling among them were two matronly looking women. Tucking, checking and generally tending to the needs of the little kings and queens of the castle.

When one of the nurses saw the two men at the window she responded with a huge genuine smile and a questioning face. She waved her hands over the lot of them and mouthed  "Which one?"

Will stepped forward and responded, clearly mouthing "BARTON". The nurse's smile marginally faltered into a look more sympathetic and she nodded. Then going to the last row she selected a small crib with a tiny sleeping occupant and wheeled it to the front of the pack.

Releasing Xander's hand Will placed both palms flat on the glass and came as close as possible. He stared down into the tiny face and was stunned to see the family resemblance. She did look like him.

But she also looked like her mother. He could see Deena's olive tint to the skin and the slight upturn of her nose. It literally took his breath away.

Xander stepped up next to him and put his arm around Will's shoulder. When Will looked up at him he could see the matching tears running down Xander's face and he knew their thoughts and hearts were in the same place. All hesitation and doubt were gone. Both men knew Xander would lay down his life for the child they would claim as their own

Sticking her head out a small doorway beside the glass window the nurse spoke quietly. "We were just getting ready to finish some routine tests and get her Mo..Daddy ready. If you want to wait...?"

Will quickly wiped his eyes.  "No. We have some matters to take care of downstairs, but we will be back after if that's o.k."

The nurse nodded knowingly. "That will be just fine. She will be here waiting for you."

Will grabbed Xander's hand and headed off toward the elevators. Script forgotten, he was all business.

"Hey, there you guys are. We wondered where you went." Willow met them coming down the hallway with two coffees in her hands and Teak faithfully at her side. "Where you two going?"

Xander couldn't control his happiness and with his damp eyes gleaming announced proudly, "We're on our way to sign the papers for our daughter."

Ignoring hospital protocol Willow let out an ear piercing squeal, shoved the coffees into Teaks hands and ran after them. Teak tossed the cups in the first trash container he passed and was hot on their heels. By following the instructions given to them earlier from the doctor they found themselves back on the first floor in the wing of the hospital that housed administrative services. There were dozens of offices that handled all aspects of day to day life in the running of a full service hospital.

Willow was the first to spot the door marked "Social Services" This was it. They all froze. Will took a step back and was visibly shaking. "You do the talking, Xan. I don't want to mess this up."

"Nope, we're in this equally. We both do the talking." Wasting no more time he lifted his hand quickly and knocked
firmly on the closed door.

"Come in"

They all took a deep breath, and did.

The office was small and efficient. No frills. All business. The woman that rose to greet them was the same, but
something about the softness around her eyes eased a lot of the tension as she extended her hand.

"Good afternoon gentleman. I'm Helen Bookman, I take care of the legal issues with our patients. I was told to expect you. First I must say I am so very sorry for your loss." Pointing to the chairs she encouraged them to sit.

"Thank you. We are all grieving for Deena, especially Will. We understand you have some papers for him to sign regarding his daughter."

Will sat back tapping his foot nervously when the look on Mrs. Bookman's face went from concern to surprise and annoyed. "I'm sorry to add to your grief Mr. Barton but signing the birth certificate is a very minor part of why you are here. The doctor has already signed the afidavit so there is no question on the paternity. Oh dear. I wish the police inspector had discussed this with you.

Everyone in the room held their breath. If it wasn't the baby what on earth else could it be?

"You see, gentlemen, when someone dies in a violent or unidentifible manner there must be an autopsy. The reports of which are then included in the coroners inquest. Then the remains must be claimed and interred. Apparently there is no one but you to take claim of the body. I was also told you would be the one to claim the remains of the man involved in the ...er.....situation. If you wish to refuse, of course we would understand and the local parish will inter him in a potter's field. However, the medical costs......"

With no hesitation Will nodded.  "We will accept them both and authorize release of the remains whenever that is possible. I'll advise you of a mortuary tomorrow and they will pick them up when you are finished. We will bear the cost of both interments as well as all the hospital bills."

Mrs. Bookman's relief showed clearly on her face. She had dreaded the thought of asking this young man to accept and bury the fiend that had murdered the mother of his child.

"Fine, fine." Handing Will a pen she then slapped a huge stack of papers onto her desk and smiled. "Let's get started then, shall we?"

Part Thirty-Seven

Thirty hours. According to Xander's watch they had been up for thirty hours nonstop and he was dead on his feet. Looking back he could see that Willow was also struggling to keep her eyes open as Mrs. Bookman droned on and on producing form after form.

Personal questions about both bodies were answered as well as they could as the official death certificates were filled out for filing. Will was careful to refer to his cousin only as Billy. He didn't want to chance any questions that would be difficult to explain.

Just when it seemed there was no end to the shuffle of papers,  Mrs. Bookman stacked them all neatly, and after dropping them into a file folder, set them aside. "Just one more thing and you young people can go. Mr. Barton you need to sign the birth certificate and give a name to your daughter.

All bleary, bloodshot eyes turned in his direction and waited.

Will pulled the paper toward him, briskly filled it in and slid it back. Mrs. Bookman picked it up and read it aloud. "Deena Elizabeth Barton."

Xander broke into a huge grin. He remembered Will telling him once that his mother's name was Elizabeth and how much he loved and missed her. "Perfect, Will. Just perfect."

Will stood to leave and lifted his chin in the air. "It's a family name. Seemed right."

Mrs. Bookman thanked them all for their time, she again apologized for their loss and they were finally free to go. Standing with the others in the hallway with his copy of the birth certificate in his hand, Will was dumbstruck. "Now what? What do we do now?"

Thankfully Teak was much more alert and immediately took charge of his new friends. He had seen the symptoms of being shell shocked from his time in the war and this was about as bad as it got. "Well I don't know about you three, but I'm whipped. If this is an  ordinary day for ya'll I gotta tell ya, I don't think I can hang. So right now I'm all for going back to the house and getting some sleep. Want to come along?"

It was a nonvote that won by majority. Deciding it was too late to go back to the nursery the four survivors dragged themselves out to the car and allowed Teak to drive them away.

It seemed strange walking back into the house they all came so close to losing their lives in. All the lights were still on just the way they had left them approximately twelve hours ago. The small back room was yellow taped off and clearly marked "Crime scene. Do not enter"

No one acknowledged or commented. Teak and Willow headed back to the servants quarters she had shared with Deena and the two men dragged themselves up the stairs to their suite.

When they entered the bedroom Xander wrinkled his nose at the urine covered shorts and towel that still laid on the floor. Will tossed the lotion covered pillow on the floor and crawled in to the bed. As he peeled off his clothes he watched Xander do the same and lay down beside him.

Both men pressed their tired, beaten bodies close against each other seeking comfort, love, and reassurance. Slowly Will slid down till his face was inches from Xander's limp cock.

"You might as well not bother." Xander looked down and chucked weakly. "I really don't think I have it in me." Yawn.

Will turned his bleary eyes in Xander's direction and echoed the yawn. "No, no really. I want to."

Xander closed his eyes and decided to let Will give it his best effort.

Will yawned again and wrapped his lips around the lifeless, shriveled dick. After two short sucks, Will dozed off with the flaccid member still resting in his mouth.

Xander's only response was "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

~*~*~*~*~

Opening one eye just a crack Xander took a peep around the room. Still dim, it was impossible to tell the time or how long they had been asleep. The heavy drapes were closed and due to the fact that the corded tie backs had been pulled from the wall they were no longer able to be secured open.

He knew two things for sure. His bladder was too full and his stomach too empty so, slipping quietly from the bed and the curled up figure of his love, he darted to the bathroom to fix the first and give him time to consider the second.

As soon as he entered the bathroom that was filled with the bright morning sun he was able to see by the face of his watch that they had slept for twelve hours straight. Rubbing his growling belly as he emptied his piss filled dick, Xander thought about the unbelievable events of the day before.

Was it even possible for a person's life to take such a drastic turn in the short span of a day? Fly half way around the world, almost be killed, lose a new friend, gain another and OH MY GOD!!! They had a baby!

Xander shook himself off. He washed his hands and, returning to their room, grabbed his pants on and headed downstairs. He desperately needed some coffee and food both for thought and digestion. Remembering the girls had brought groceries Xander was already hoping for a bowl of cereal, some toast, anything. When he reached the kitchen he was startled to see Mrs. Canters bustling around, using the counter to stack eggs, bread, ham, and tomatoes.

"Good morning, sir. Hungry? After we spoke to the Inspectors last night we knew things were, um, settled? Anyway I told Mr. Canters that you people would need some assistance so here we are. I was just about to start breakfast. Your lovely sister is in the library, why don't you join her? This won't take long. Oh and they said you and Mr. Barton would need to stay here for a few weeks so I took the liberty of having the phone service turned on. I hope that was all right."

Xander grabbed the stunned older woman up and kissed both her cheeks. "That is just perfect! Mr. Barton is going to sleep a little longer, but please don't wait breakfast on him. I'll go check on Willow. Thank you Mrs. Canters. You're a Godsend."

The wrinkled old hand touched the spot on her cheek that had just been kissed and she smiled as she watched the nice young man walk away.

Entering the library Xander saw Willow sitting cross legged in front of the coffee table. She had several large bags of baby items and was carefully taking each out and stacking it up. Xander sat on the floor beside her.

Without prompting, Willow spoke quietly. "I remember how happy she was when we picked these out. Every one selected with love and hope for the future. We laughed at the hats and she wanted to make sure the booties matched
the shirts exactly. Her favorite was the yellow set with the bonnet that looks like a sunflower. Thanks to her we have everything we need. Almost like she knew. Do you think she knew Xan?"

Xander shook his head. "I don't know, but I don't think she had much experience with happiness or good luck in her life. I know she was a good person that deserved better."

Willow threw herself into her brother's arms and wept bitterly.

Part Thirty-Eight

Xander held and rocked her gently as the flood of tears and body wracking sobs went on unchecked. He knew she needed to get it all out before she could move on so he did what he could, offered her his love and comfort.

Slowly the sobs lessened to gasps and sighs. She snuggled closer as she wiped her nose on the shoulder of his tee. Something she had done in times of distress since they were children. He didn't have the heart to call her on it. Petting her hair he could feel her starting to pull herself together. "Hey, where's Teak? He wasn't up all night. You let him sleep in?"

Willow sniffled and wiped her eyes. "No he went back to the hotel."

Xander's temper shot through the roof  'Fuckin' rat bastard. How could he take off and leave her like this. I ever get my hands on him I'll rip his nose off an stuff it up his ass so he can smell his own shit for life!'

As Xander's thoughts ran the gambit of dismemberment to feeding Teak's cock to a pack of crazed rats he almost missed her finished statement of, ".........that way he can pick up his bags and bring all his stuff here. He should be back in about four hours. You don't mind do you?" She turned her watery green eyes in Xander's direction and blinked.

"Mind? Hell no I don't mind. Teak's a great guy. Will and I are crazy about him, after all he did save my ass."

Before Willow could read the embarrassment in Xander's face Mrs. Canters called out from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready. Come and eat while it's hot."

Xander jumped up and pulled Willow up with him. "I don't know about you but I'm hungry enough to eat the asshole out of a skunk. Lets go"

Willow wrinkled her nose and thought for a minute. "Nope, not even a mental picture like that can dissuade me. Keep your mitts off my food Buster." Racing each other to the kitchen they were overwhelmed with the heavenly smell of a counter laden heavy with huge platters of hot delicious foods. They wasted no time in piling their plates full and finding a place to sit.

Just as they settled in to eat Will came dragging in. When he saw Mrs. Canters standing unexpectedly by the sink he attempted to straighten his sleep wild hair and make himself presentable. "I woke up. What smells so good?"

When his eyes located what his nose sought all concerns of his appearance were forgotten as he joined the others for a much needed feast.

Glancing around the kitchen Will's brow wrinkled. "Where's Teak? Shouldn't we save some for him? He didn't take off did he? Hope we didn't scare him away."

Xander scooped another spoonful of potatoes on his plate. "Shame on you Will. Have a little faith in the guy. He just went to pick up his things. He'll be back." Switching his attention to Mrs. Canters he held up his dish. "Any more of that ham?"

Thirty minutes later and all three sat back with swollen bellies and contented smiles. Suddenly, without warning,Will jumped to his feet. "Hey, I need to get cleaned up and head in to the village. I have an appointment with a very nice young lady."

Xander had to laugh. He had never seen Will's face beam quite so bright or his eyes shine so blue. He was a man in love. Xander knew Little Deena already had Daddy #1 wrapped around her tiny fingers. He took off running too, hoping to beat Will to the shower because truth be told Dad#2 was a bit wrapped himself.

Thoroughly confused as to what had just happened, Mrs. Canters shook her head and began clearing away the morning dishes. It was such a relief to be back in the house and feel all the love and activity going on around her, she mumbled a quiet prayer that they would stay a while. It was wonderful to be needed again.

The water was already steaming up the bathroom by the time Xander arrived. Will had stripped naked and was just stepping in. "Nice and roomy in here. Hope I don't get lost in all this space." He then winked and quickly shut the shower door.

He didn't have long to wait before it was jerked open again and he was no longer alone. His good mood instantly went down the drain with the water when he looked at Xander's body.  Still covered in spots of blood splatter and barely an inch that was not bruised and battered it turned Will's stomach to stone. "Jesus, Xan, look at you."

Handing Will the soap and a body sponge he leaned back against the shower wall and closed his eyes. "Shhh. It's all right. Scrub me up Will. Wash me and make me all clean again."

Will smiled and relaxed. He could do that. His cock twitched and started to fill as he rolled the bar of soap between his hands and felt the thick lather begin to foam. Coating Xander's chest with the bubbles he carefully removed all traces of the horror of the day before leaving only feather soft touches and light tugs on the lower belly hairs.

Xander blew out a breath "Yeah, just like that." Xander's cock, that was so defeated last night, was now renewed and very awake. It stood proudly waiting it's turn to be handled and worshiped. It didn't have long to wait.

Using only his hands Will spread the body wash abundantly over the rigid ready cock. He stroked only briefly pretending to be soley interested in the mechanics of bathing the body in his charge. Xander tried repeatedly to coax Will's hands back to where relief was needed most but to no avail. "Do you want something Xan? You asked me to wash you, did I miss something?"

Too hungry to play, Xander pulled Will's body flush against him and leaned his face down for a kiss. A kiss Will eagerly accepted with an open mouth and submissive tongue. He needed this. Craved it. Ached to feel Xander's dominance and strength claim and reassure him. They had come so close to losing it all. Xander felt a shudder go through Will's body and both of them moaned.

Sliding his own slippery hands around he cupped the firm cheeks of Will's ass and cleaned them thoroughly as well as deep between, all the time grinding and rubbing their hard erect cocks together.

Will instinctively arched back encouraging Xander to slide his fingers in, touching and probing, reaching for that magic place that shoots lightning bolts through his balls and into his cock. That place that no one but Xander had ever touched.

Will was no longer in the least shy about admitting he loved Xander penetrating his ass. Finger, tongue, cock, even that one silly time with his toes. Any time he could coax Xander into his ass he was happy. Right now he was ecstatic.

The sticky pre-cum mixed and blended with the dripping hot soapy foam that now covered both their bodies. The pounding water kept the air around them humid and hot yet the size of the shower allowed them to continue rubbing and working the lather with their hands over every part of the other's body, out of the direct rinsing spray, all the time humping and pressing a rhythm of rising need and passion.

Will's body finally gave in first. He lurched, bending over as he gripped both cocks and squeezed them together. The feel of Will's pulsing and spurting against his own cock brought a rush of release tingling down his spine and tightening in his balls. Will's hole flexed and rippled around Xander's fingers and he emptied himself mixing his seed with that of his lover.

Diving in for another soul searching kiss Xander maneuvered them under the spray of now cooling water and let the last of the soap and cum flush down the drain. With one last kiss on the tip of his nose and a smack on his butt Xander left Will to finish rinsing and he stepped out of the bath. "Hurry up. We gotta date."

Part Thirty-Nine

This morning's trip to the village hospital couldn't have been more different than yesterday's. All three occupants of the rental car were full, clean, happy, relaxed and lost in their own thoughts.

The conversation bounced around wildly like a rubber ball no one intended to catch or return. Willow's comments and questions of  "What will she wear home?" and "Teak thinks he can change his reservations to fly home with us." were answered by Xander's  "The small dressing room off our bedroom will convert perfectly to a nursery." and Will's "Oh my God! I can't wait to tell Bungy. I'm gonna call her tonight. Wait a minute. What is the time change again?"

The sun shone brightly, the birds sang clearly and nothing could spoil the mood. Not until the one comment that casually rolled off Will's tongue. "Boy I'm sure glad I have you two. I have never taken care of a baby before. I wouldn't know where to start."

The car went quiet. Xander turned his head and blinked at the trusting blond beside him. "I've never even seen a baby up close."

Both men's eyes locked on Willow. "Don't look at me. I had summer jobs a McDonalds. Babysitting was never my thing."

Just as quickly Will's smile returned and he settled back in his seat. "Not to worry. When I call Bungy I'll just have her pick me up some books. I mean really, how hard can it be?"

Pulling in to the parking lot Will turned off the key, but before he could jump out Xander put a hand on his arm stopping him. "Will, I've been thinking and I know you won't like this but I think we need to do just a little more pretending in there. We don't know how they would react to handing a baby over to two gay men so I think we need to tell them you are with Willow and I am just her brother."

The suggestion was like a slap of cold water. "No! I won't deny you. I'm not ashamed of us."

Willow's quiet voice stopped him. "Will honey, I think he might be right. These people don't know us and we don't know their policies. We just want this to run as smoothly and under the radar as possible. We have to keep our eye on the big picture here."

Will hung his head. He knew they were right. He hated it, but he couldn't screw up now. He had too many people counting on him.

After a few minutes of silence, Will straightened up, spread his legs wide, scratched his balls, and blew Willow a kiss in the back seat. "Hell yeah. I can play straight. Let's haul our straight asses in there and do our thang. I might even oogle me some of them nurses."

Willow's eyes popped and her hands went to her mouth. "WILL!"

Will immediately returned to himself. "Too much?"

Xander laughed and pulled him in for a kiss. "How about we just play it by ear?"

The nursery was easy to find despite the foggy condition their brains were in yesterday. Rushing down the hallway and through the double doors they skidded to a stop in front of the window.

There she was.

All wrapped in a little pink blanket sleeping soundly. The identification card on her bassinet read "Barton"  The space under the name usually read "Mother's name" but someone had drawn a line through that and filled in "Daddy's Name"
"William Barton"

Will frowned. That wasn't right. First thing he would do was ask them to put Deena's name back on it. She deserved it.
That and so much more.

The nurse from yesterday popped out and smiled. "Welcome back. We've been waiting on you. If you will follow me we have made some arrangements for you. Since this is sort of a unique case we felt it needed some extra consideration. If you had just given birth you would have a room to stay in and time to bond with baby so we have set you up a room of your own. You can stay here as much of the day as you wish. We will give you the basic new parent classes. Bathing, feeding, changing, and generally caring for baby. If you have any questions please ask. We want you to be as comfortable with baby as possible when you go home."

Will couldn't help himself. He threw his arms around her and hugged. "Thank you thank you."

When he finally let go she just laughed and led them away. Xander snatched him back and whispered harshly "What the hell was that?"

Will hung his head sheepishly. "Too gay?"

The room she took them to was small but unlike a standard hospital room this one was brightly colored and the decor was more like a homey bedroom than a clinical sterile space. There was a bed, a crib, a dressing table and a baby bath. Turning to face them the nurse grinned happily. "Now, who will be the primary caregivers?"

All three looked back and forth between them before Willow finally stepped forward to stand by Will. Tipping her head to the side the nurse paused thoughtfully then took Xander by the hand. "I think this concerns you too. Why don't you all wash your hands and I'll go get your daughter."

Manip Petxnd

Within minutes the nurse returned. The pink blanketed bundle they had seen in the window was now placed gently in Will's arms. The nurse gave clear instructions on how to hold her and Will forgot how to breath. Any doubts about their decision or insecurities surrounding their lack of experience disappeared in the wiggle of a warm body and a squeak of a yawn.

After a few minutes he backed up and sat down in the rocking chair. Something inside him clicked as the last piece of his life snapped into place. He knew now that if he lost every cent of the money he would still be the richest man on earth.

Kneeling in front of them Xander brushed the backs of his fingers lightly over Deena's cheek and smiled as she pressed into it like a kitten. His damp eyes told Will that Xander was locked, loaded and ready to lay down his life for his family.

The rest of the day was a challenge. Xander had always prided himself on his ability to conquor any situation. Unfortunately Deena did not come with a blueprint. Both men laughed as the first diaper attempts fell off and panicked when a late bottle caused the most incredibe scream they had ever heard.

Willow had returned to the estate around noon for Teak and by the time she returned for them it was late in the day. Reluctantly they returned their daughter to the nursery and after covering her head with kisses and promises to return in the morning, they unwillingly left.

Exhausted and tired after a wonderful dinner provided by Mrs. Canters Will had one more task to do before they turned in for the night.

"Hello? Barton-Harris residence."

"Bungy? Hi, it's me."

"Mr. Will? Hey, I was hoping you would call. Course I knew you just got there a couple days ago so you probably haven't done anything but sleep off the jet lag. Are you getting all rested up? Did you take care of the problem? Was it anything serious? When will you be home? Am I running on again?"

Will just laughed and waited her out. "I have a story you just won't believe. I just called to tell you that we are probably going to have to stay for about three to four weeks. I'm really whipped tonight but I'll call tomorrow and give you the whole story."

"Oh, o.k. Course now I'll be up all night wondering what it is. Hey, before I forget, how about bringing me back a souvenier. Just somethin' little. Something to show what you did on your trip."

Will let out a whooping laugh. "I've got just the thing."

Part Forty

"MISS WILLOW! Will you please get a move on. We're going to be late. "XANDER! Make her hurry up."

Will had been yelling up the stairs for the last fifteen minutes with little response and he was starting to get frantic.

"Will, Baby, calm down. We still have time and I think she's changing Deena's dress again. She decided on the sunflower one with the matching bonnet." Xander straightened Will's tie and smoothed down the lapels of the new suit he had bought.

Will instinctively pushed a stray curl back off Xander's face and marveled at how much the hair had grown back over his bald spot in the last two weeks. "I know, but this is important, and by the way does she always have to call her Teeny Weeny Deeny?"

Xander just laughed  "Apparently she does. Hey, here they come. If you don't like it I think you should step up and tell her. Go on tell her."

Willow descended the steps with her charge fresh, clean, and resting on her Aunt's shoulder.
"Tell me what?"

Will stepped up and took his daughter, tucking her into the crook of his arm just the way she liked. He straightened her bonnet and smiled down as she squirmed and winked her green eyes up at her Daddy. "Oh I just wanted to tell you to hurry up, that's all."

Xander snickered behind him.

With Teak in the rear, the solemn group made their way down the garden path through the open field to the hillside at the far end of the estate. The morning dew was just starting to lift off the daisys and the smell of the lialac bushes filled the air. It was nearly a mile and they walked it in silence.

The weather had finally cleared. Three days of rain and fog left the ground soggy and wet, but the sun was warm and the promise of summer hung in the air. The flowers sprouting from the ground and the leaf buds on the trees were the perfect reminder that life renews itself despite the mistakes and stupidity of mankind.

As they reached the end of the path they entered the fenced in pasture, walking under a steel archway that bore the words  "BARTON FAMILY CEMETERY" Approaching the newly dug grave they saw that the Carters and the parish priest were already there.

The service was brief.  What was there to say about a woman whose whole life had been a struggle and, although they really hadn't known her, they all felt such sorrow for her. She would forever remain a big part of all their lives. In death she had finally achieved what she wanted out of life. A place and a family.

Will hoped that by burying her here he was finally welcoming her home.

At the conclusion, as the casket was lowered into the ground, Will handed Deena to Willow and, taking Xander's hand, they stepped forward.

Each man tossed a single rose in with her along with their heartfelt thanks and promise that they would give their daughter a life of love, devotion, and when the time was right as much information about a mother that had given her life for her child as they could.

It had taken almost two weeks to be permitted to put her to rest. The coroner's inquest was one week ago and lasted three days. Statements were taken and evidence presented. In the end the conclusion was just what everyone expected.

Billy was found to have had extremely high levels of coke in his system. It was determined he had killed Deena, assaulted Willow and Xander, and that he would have killed Xander if Teak hadn't stopped him. Teak was found to be innocent by reason of justifiable homicide.

Deena's death was attributed to blunt force trauma to the head and blood loss to several internal organs causing organ failure due to violent intervention. A clinical way of saying the fuckin' bastard beat her half to death the finished the job with a knife.

All the statements filed by the doctor and emergency room staff were reviewed and accepted without question. Paternity was established. Three days later they were notified the remains were being released.

Will and Xander stood graveside and watched sadly as the dirt was tossed in. Both men would have gladly seen this end in other ways.

"Guys? How about if Teak and I take Teeny Weeny back with us and you take your time?"

Xander felt Will shudder at Willow's words but gratefully accepted her offer. The Canters left with them and the priest shook their hands.

"The Lord works in mysterious ways Gentlemen. I know it doesn't seem so now but some good will come from her passing. Just wait and see. We must always have faith that God has a bigger plan for our lives."

Xander thanked him and they watched as he walked back down the lane. Stepping toward the path Xander was tugged in the other direction. "Please, Xan. Just for a minute. I know how you feel, but it's important."

Xander sighed but relented and went with him. Over by the fence in the older part of the cemetery they stopped by a mound of freshly dug earth. A small marker said simply.

"Billy Barton 3/17/1982 - 4/21/2007.
A GREATER GIFT NO MAN HAS GIVEN"

"He is still family, Xan, and I can't hate him. Not after what he has done for us."

Xander pulled Will's body back to rest against his chest and wrapped his arms around the man he loved. "I know. I don't really hate him. I just don't want to waste any time thinking about him." Kissing the top of Will's head he tugged him in the direction of the house and true to his word, dismissed Billy from his mind. "Now, we need to finish packing and go over all the repair lists with Mr. Canters. I have work crews coming from the village, but it will be up to him to supervise them. I worried that maybe that was too much to expect, but he's really excited to get started. Did you get all the travel arrangements finalized? I really want to leave next week. I still think we should get Deenie checked one more time before starting home. That's a really long trip. Did you talk to Bungy about setting up the nursery. Is she still squealing when you call her? Of course you know Teak the Wonderful will be moving in with Willow. Hey I know, what if.............."

Will just walked alongside and smiled as his Sunnydale Xander cranked up a world class babble. He couldn't wait to get home, especially now that his story book family included it's very own fairy princess.

The End

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