Chapter 3

"So... Are you here visiting family for the holidays?"

"Hmmm?" Joyce Summers looked up from her luggage to see a young woman nearby, leaning up against a cement pillar near the taxi stand. Joyce thought she recognized her from her flight, but she'd been too excited about visiting Buffy and Erin for Christmas to pay attention. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

The girl shifted her weight uneasily, embarrassed. "Sorry. I just asked if you were here visiting family. I don't mean to be nosy; it's just that my cab won't be here for about thirty minutes, so I figured ..."

"No that's all right," Joyce said, warming to the girl. She looked to be around Buffy's age, maybe twenty-three or four, and that brought Joyce's wayward daughter back to mind. "Yes, actually. I'm visiting for a just a few days; unfortunately, since I own my own business, I can't afford to take much time off."

"I just got back from visiting...friends in California. Some little town no one's ever heard of - Sunnydale. Now, it's family time before heading back to school." The pause before 'friends' was nearly imperceptible, and Joyce almost missed it, but Buffy had stressed, over and over, that paranoia could be a good thing. And, that there were no coincidences when it came to Sunnydale and the Hellmouth. So, Joyce tried very hard to pay attention to every detail of the being in front of her, just in case. "So, this family you're visiting. Is it a kid? Or your parents?"

Joyce stiffened at this line of questioning, grateful when she saw the taxi the cab company had told her to look for approaching. Giles had warned her that the supernatural creatures her daughter fought were looking for her, and that Erin would be very vulnerable to attack if the two were discovered. The frown Joyce needed came easily to her face at that thought, and she replied. "No, I'm here to visit my sister and her family. My daughter is gone, so I've been trying harder to stay close to my family. I need them." She flagged the cab, and pointed out her luggage, missing the flash of annoyance in the girl's eyes, and the dangerous glint that appeared briefly at the news. "Well, enjoy the holidays." Joyce waved, climbing into the cab. Once she'd given the driver the name of the hotel, she leaned back in her seat, trying to calm herself. If she was paranoid, Joyce would have thought a demon had trailed her from California to find Buffy. Good thing she wasn't; she'd leave that to Buffy and Giles.

Joyce soon relaxed, and felt herself getting caught up in the excitement of visiting her family. She really would visit her sister and their family while in town, but the main reason was to see her daughter and granddaughter. When Buffy had called a few weeks after her abrupt disappearance, Joyce had been furious. After all, Buffy had promised that she wouldn't run away again. But, as Buffy forcefully reminded her, her baby girl was over eighteen, and legally able to do as she wished. So, Joyce listened with shock and dismay as her daughter explained about her pregnancy, and the dangers she was facing because of it. She and Mr. Giles had both stressed repeatedly the necessity of staying out of sight, and of Joyce keeping her knowledge to herself; though, Joyce had occasionally gotten the impression that Mr. Giles was simply repeating what Buffy wanted him to say.

Faced with the option of no contact with her daughter and limited, secret contact with her daughter, Joyce swallowed her hurt and anger and agreed to Buffy's terms. She would not tell or hint to, any of Buffy's friends what was going on. She would keep Erin a secret from everyone, and any pictures had to be kept hidden. In return, Buffy and Giles would try to arrange visits. In the last four years, most of the visits had been on Joyce's regular art buying trips, but they had made arrangements to meet at Christmas time in several cities where Joyce had other relatives. And, despite her jealousy that Rupert Giles had been the one Buffy had turned too in her time of need, Joyce grudgingly admitted that he took good care of her baby and grandbaby. So, Joyce swallowed the anger and jealousy, and concentrated on the delight of being with her family.

The taxi slowed to a stop in front on an elegant hotel, and the driver got out to retrieve her luggage from the trunk. Joyce frowned in confusion at the distinguished exterior, complete with doorman. "Are you sure this is the right hotel?" she asked the driver, concerned. Buffy had insisted on paying for the hotel this year, as their plans had changed at the last minute, and the airfare had been expensive. Surely this hotel was far too expensive for her out of work daughter, and Joyce was fairly sure Buffy would never allow her Watcher to pay for her mother's hotel room.

"Lady, you asked for the Madison Park Hotel, and this is it," the driver frowned, waiting impatiently for Joyce to pay the fare.

Joyce shrugged and handed over the money before following the bellman into the elegant lobby towards the registration desk. She gave her name, and was surprised when the clerk informed her that the rest of her party had already arrived. Usually, Buffy stayed in a different hotel from her mother, and was only around for a day or two. Joyce had expected to have a few days to shop and spend time with her sister's family before Buffy arrived. Apparently, her daughter was already here, and since Joyce knew that they had planned for four days from now to take Erin ice skating, her confusion was back. She took the key she was handed, and tipped the bellman to follow with the luggage.

Soon, Joyce was staring nervously at the door to what could only be a suite. She tentatively rapped on the door, half convinced a horrible mistake had been made at the front desk, but the door was quickly opened and she was facing a slightly rumpled Rupert Giles. "Papa?" came a small voice from the depths of the room. "Who there?" Joyce struggled for a smile and to resolve the conflicting emotions coursing through her; delight at hearing her granddaughter's voice, and jealousy at this man's placer in her world.

"H...hello," Giles stuttered, "You're early!" Joyce frowned at him, and the Watcher rushed on. "Do come in, you got a key at the desk, yes? Buffy's out running errands, but Erin's here." Joyce smiled then; a real smile at the same flustered manner the Englishman had always exhibited. Some of the tension eased out of her body, and she resolved again to simply enjoy this opportunity to be with her family. "Erin, come see. Your Grandmother has arrived." Giles called, and Joyce crouched down to great the bundle of energy that embodied her three-year old granddaughter. She was gratified to see that though Erin was a little shy at first, the little girl seemed to be comfortable with her, and was grateful that, though he stayed in the room for Erin, Rupert had allowed them the time to get reacquainted without interfering.

"Mom! Hi! You're early!" Buffy's voice exclaimed from behind her, and Joyce turned to see a pleased smile spread across her daughter's beautiful face. She gathered her little girl close in a hug, then stepped back to study her closely. Buffy was pretty and toned, though she seemed to have lost a little weight, something she could ill afford. But, there was something in her eyes... She was, Joyce realized happily, truly smiling. The smiles were barely reaching her eyes, but they were getting there. Warmth had returned to Buffy's eyes, and Joyce smiled, hoping that Buffy was finally getting over the past, and was ready to move on with her life. Joyce pulled her daughter and granddaughter to the living area of what turned out to be an elegant three bedroom suite and settled in to get reacquainted with her family.

Nearly a week later, a couple of days after Christmas, Joyce was sitting in the living room chatting with Buffy about the holidays, and the fun they'd had together. Giles had settled in at the desk in the corner, fully entrenched in his research. Buffy insisted that he wouldn't know the place was burning down until the flames started licking at his precious books, so Joyce was determined to take this opportunity to have a real, uninterrupted talk with Buffy. She knew that Rupert loved her daughter, and Joyce had actually gotten along with the Watcher during the visit, but she was still uncomfortable with his influence on Buffy. "Buffy," she began, "You look great, and you seem a little more at ease than you did last year. I'm so glad you're getting over what happened."

Joyce caught the guilty glance that Buffy shot her, and wondered briefly at the reason for it, but concentrated instead on her daughter's response. "I'm not really over it Mom. I'm dealing with it better though." Joyce frowned in confusion, hoping to get Buffy to elaborate. "I was raped Mom," Buffy said quietly, casting a quick glance at the love seat near the window to verify that Erin was still playing quietly, not hearing their discussion. "I don't think it's something that you just get over. It will always be a part of me. But I'm dealing better, and I'm not going to let it control me."

"Good," Joyce stated, not really wanting to get into the memories. She was well aware that her daughter had been deeply affected by the attack, and Joyce hurt for her, but she had no experience with rape, and didn't really understand what Buffy was feeling. So, she went back to her original agenda, determined not to get sidetracked again. "I'm glad you're...dealing better. Maybe now, you can start getting back to normal. I don't mean rush right out and marry a stranger, but maybe meet people. Start dating. Think about coming home?"

Joyce watched with interest as Buffy smiled nervously, and responded, "Actually, Mom, I *have* been thinking about it. You, Giles, and Willow have been pressing me for over a year, but I guess I've been scared to make the decision. But, I've heard that things are heating up back at the Hellmouth, and that they need me. So, I've decided that I *will* be moving home."

Joy and relief rushed through Joyce at the news. She missed Buffy so much, and wanted to get to know Erin better, to be a real part of the girls life. "Oh, that's great Honey!" she exclaimed, plans flooding her mind. At Buffy's concerned look, Joyce qualified her statement absently as she made plans for her daughter's return. "Oh, I don't mean it's good that you need to come home because of the slaying. I just meant I'm glad it give you the excuse to come home. I know you've missed your friends..." Buffy's room would need to be redecorated, and the small office turned into a room for Erin. Or, maybe she would give the master bedroom to Buffy and Erin and move into the empty bedroom herself...

Joyce's thoughts were derailed temporarily by Buffy's voice. "I missed you, too, Mom," she said reassuringly. "And, I think you're right; the situation in Sunnydale *did* kind of give me an excuse to go home. It *will* take a few more weeks for Giles and me to finalize our plans," Buffy warned.

"Oh, that's perfectly all right Buffy," Joyce replied, her face glowing with pleasure. "I don't mind the delay as long as you're finally coming home. I've missed you, and I'll love having Erin around more. Now, I'll be able to babysit her when you start dating again."

"Mom, about the dating thing..." Buffy's voice trailed off, and she visibly braced herself for the explosion she knew would follow.

Joyce moved to cut her off, sure she knew what was coming. "Oh, I don't want to push you Honey. It's been a long time, and you've been hurt so many times. And of course, you have to think of Erin now. You have to be careful she doesn't get mixed up in your love life until you've found the right man. But..." Joyce's voice trailed off and she allowed all the hopes and dreams she had for Buffy to fill her eyes. "You deserve to be happy Buffy. So, take your time, meet some new people. Go slow, but go out and have fun. Find that one person that's right for you and Erin."

Buffy smiled nervously, and avoided Joyce's eyes. "Thanks Mom," she said sincerely, trying to soften the coming blow. "It means a lot to me that you want me to be happy, and I agree with you. I *do* deserve it. But..." Buffy stood and started to pace nervously in front of the couch, glancing nervously towards where Erin had dozed off. "I've already found the right man mom."' Buffy finally said, straightening her shoulders and looking Joyce straight in the eye. Joyce suddenly got a bad feeling about what was going to come out of her daughter's mouth next, and tried to interrupt, but Buffy steamrolled ahead. "I'm still in love with Angel." When no immediate response was forthcoming, Buffy continued, shooting an apologetic glance in Giles direction. "When I move back to Sunnydale, I'm going to see if Angel and I can work things out."

Silence echoed in the room at Buffy's statement. Joyce closed her eyes and counted to ten. When she still wanted to yell, she reminded herself that Erin was in the room, and counted to ten again. "I thought that things were over with Angel years ago," she finally managed, anger clear in her voice, despite the low, even tone. "I thought he left you, and that was it. I thought you were over him."

"I'm not over Angel Mom that was what you wanted." Buffy sighed, resuming her pacing, rolling her eyes as soon as her back was to her mother. "I'll never be over Angel. I don't *want* to be over Angel." Buffy was grateful that Giles wasn't jumping into this argument, though she was sure he would have plenty to say on the subject when he got her alone. She hadn't discussed this aspect of her plans with him, knowing that Angel was still a huge, unresolved issue between them. Buffy hated disappointing him, as she was apparently disappointing her mother.

"Buffy, he's all wrong for you!" Joyce exclaimed, rising to her feet and began pacing as well. "I thought that you understood that, finally. You *were* getting over him. You dated Riley for months in college."

"Mom!" Buffy exclaimed, momentarily forgetting herself as her frustration mounted. "I was not getting over Angel! I was just doing what everyone wanted me to do. I was miserable and lonely, and everyone was harping on me to start dating, so I went along with you and Willow to get you off my case! I didn't love Riley!"

"But you got along so well! And he could offer you so much more than Angel ever could. That's why I asked Angel to leave, so you could have a better life!"