TITLE:"The Trouble With Love"
AUTHOR: ASH Watcher/Slayer Watcher
EMAIL: GGtheSlayer@aol.com
RATING: G to R, For Angst.
SUMMARY: My sequel to, "Aloha, Oi"--Buffy & Giles met in Hawaii, this is *after* they come back. They fell in love and got engaged, while vacationing in Hawaii.
SPOILERS: None, unless you haven't read my fic, "Aloha, Oi". If you haven't, but want to? Email me and let me know. :)
DISTRIBUTION: ash_watcherfanfiction, all others ask first.
DISCLAIMER: Yeah, right! If the characters were mine, Buffy and Giles would be married with three kids. :D But the characters: Lysa(Lisa), Lidea(Lydia), and Brendan are mine. Plus any friends of Rupert's are mine! :)
DEDICATIONS: My Musey(Trish), Gail, Karen, Da Wench, Min, Rainne, Bek, Kim, Jen, Jamie, Michelle, Weez, and all the other BeeGees!!!!!! :)
***************
It had been three weeks. Three weeks since Buffy, Joyce, and Hank Summers had returned from their Hawaiian vacation. Three weeks since Rupert Giles had returned from *his* Hawaiian vacation. The Summers, returned to San Diego, and Rupert returned to England. But he was only planning on staying there long enough to pack everything up and move to San Diego. The reason he was moving to San Diego? Why to be with his new fiancee, of course.
***************
Buffy Summers was bored and lonely. Her best friend, Lysa wasn't home. And Rupert was still in England, but he was due to arrive in San Diego within a few days. Buffy could have called Lidea or Brendan...but they were both at work. She sighed and then decided to see if there was anything good on TV. After flipping through all 35 channels, Buffy sighed again and turned the TV back off.
"God, 14 lame infomercials on Hair Removal, six infomercials on The Hair Club for Men. Oh and I can't forget the Jerry Springer "My Momma Ran Off With My Uncle's Daddy" episode.....daytime TV, sucks!"
Just as she was ready to do something truly desperate....like, clean her bathroom....the telephone rang. Jumping off the couch, she ran to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Buffy?"
"Rupert!!!! Hi!!!!"
"Hello, Buffy. How are you?"
"I'm okay, but I miss you a lot. How are you, Rupert?"
"I'm all right. And I miss you as well. I hope to be to San Diego very soon."
"Okay...so, um, what have you been doing...other than getting packed up for your move?"
"Saying my goodbyes to my friends and family. What have you been doing, lately?"
"Just lounging around my apartment. My friends are pretty busy lately, so I've been
watching TV or playing computer games or even shopping. Nothing too exciting or fun."
"I see, Luv. Well, I do hate to cut this call short, but I'm due to meet a couple of old chums of mine at Hareford's Pub, shortly. I'll call you tomorrow, all right?"
"Okay, bye Rupert. I love you."
"Goodbye Buffy and I love you more."
"Nu-uh...I love *you* more."
"Not possible."
"Bye, Rupert."
"Goodbye, Sweetheart."
***************
After she got off the phone with him, Buffy went and cleaned her bathroom. She was still bored and still didn't think there would be anything good to watch on TV yet. Her bathroom didn't take long to clean, so she called up Lysa. Finding that Lysa had just gotten home, the two of them quickly made plans to go see a movie in an hour.
***************
--IN ENGLAND--
Rupert ended his phone call to Buffy, then grabbed his wallet and keys. Locking the door to his flat behind him, he headed to Hareford's Pub to meet his friends.
--BACK IN SAN DIEGO--
-Two Days Later-
Buffy walked in the door of her apartment and put her purse and keys by the front door. She started stripping out of her work clothes and left a trail that led to her bedroom. As she walked by the front room, she was taken "slightly" off guard by a voice.
"Tell me something. Do you strip for just anyone, or do you only strip for your fiance?"
Buffy spun around and gasped in surprise.
"Rupert? Oh my god! When did you get here?!?!"
He chuckled and she ran over and jumped into his lap. They immediately got re-acquainted, by kissing each other like crazy. After a few lengthy moments, they seperated long enough to catch a quick breath or two. While catching their breath, Buffy suddenly noticed just how little she was wearing. She blushed, and then hopped off his lap and ran into the bedroom. Rupert grinned at her retreating backside, then decided to explore her apartment while she was getting dressed.
He walked around the front room, admiring the pictures of her friends and family on the walls. The kitchen was quaint and cozy...he liked it immediately. The bathroom and bedroom were the only other rooms in the apartment, but he didn't think he really needed to see them.
After Buffy was properly dressed, she came back out and smiled sheepishly at her fiancé. He hugged her and then asked her what her plans were for the rest of the day. She told him she had only been going to fix something to eat and then veg in front of the TV. He then asked her if she wanted to go somewhere for dinner, but she declined.
"Sorry Rupert, but I had a long day at work and all I wanna do is just kick back and relax tonight. I hope that's okay with you, if we just stay in?" she asked.
"Of course it is, Luv. Shall we order take-out...or perhaps I could make us something?"
"Oooh, all of the take-out places are listed by the phone in the kitchen...how about Chinese?"
"Splendid, Chinese it is....what do you want?"
"Hmm....how about, Pork Fried Rice, Chow Mein, Egg Rolls, Orange Glazed Chicken, and Broccoli with Beef?"
He gaped at her...she had just told him a HUGE order of food...he wondered where she'd be putting it all.
"Is there anything else you want me to get?" he grinned suddenly.
"Hey, are you making fun of my appetite, Mr. Giles?" she mock glared.
He held up his hands in mock surrender. They laughed, then he went into the kitchen to place their order. She went over and turned the TV on low. Scanning the Pay-Per-View movie titles, she quickly decided on, "Just Married", starring Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. Rupert came into the room and told her that the food would arrive in half an hour.
"Okay, that's fine...and the movie starts in 35 minutes, so we'll have enough time to grab plates and such. Oh, what are you gonna want to drink?"
"What are the choices?"
"Um...water, milk, cranberry juice, or maybe...um...I'll see if I have any tea."
She went into the kitchen and stretched up on tippy toes to look for tea bags in the upper cupboards.Rupert snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped, then leaned into his hug. He kissed up and down her neck. Buffy sighed happily, then spun around in his arms and kissed him soundly on the lips. The two of them just stood there, kissing, and enjoying being together again.
After a few minutes, he helped her search for the tea bags.
***************
Half an hour later, the food arrived and she placed plates and silverware on the coffee table. He poured the tea and she served them the Chinese dinner. The movie began and they sat back to eat and watch the movie. Buffy kept cracking up and Rupert would smile in her direction....as soon as the movie was over, they cleaned up their leftovers and then decided to go for a walk.
***************
He held her hand as they strolled down the sidewalk. It was still mostly light out, so Buffy lead him to the nearby park. She walked over and sat down on a swing...he grinned and then walked behind the swing and began pushing her. Rupert laughed with her as she giggled while going higher and higher on the swing. He knew they had yet to discuss wedding plans or even if she was pregnant or not. But he also knew that there would be plenty of time for serious talk. Right now, here in the park, the only important things, were Buffy and himself.
***************
When darkness fell, the engaged couple headed back to Buffy's apartment. He unlocked the door for them and followed her inside.
"Honey, do you wanna watch another movie?" she asked walking into the front room.
He smiled at the endearment, then joined her in the front room. Buffy climbed into his lap, and rested her head on his shoulder. She knew she should probably bring up wedding plans or the more important plan of what they were going to do, if she was pregnant. But she was loathe to do so...instead, she wound up falling asleep in the arms of her beloved fiancé.
***************
The next morning, Buffy woke up and was confused about where she was.
Until that is, her pillow snored suddenly. She grinned, as she
remembered that Rupert was here with her. Carefully, she began moving
from his lap....
"Going somewhere, Luv?" he asked sleepily.
She jumped in surprise, then turned to face him. He smiled at her and
they kissed good morning.
"What are your plans for the day?" he inquired a few moments later.
"Well, actually I have a doctor's appointment...but it might still be
too soon to find out if I'm pregnant or not...so they'll be running a
blood test today. I'll probably find out sometime in the next day or
two what the results are," she told him.
He nodded, then went to freshen up in the bathroom. When he came out,
Buffy asked him what *his* plans for the day were. Rupert replied
that he'd like to accompany her to the doctor's, if she'd allow it.
Her happy smile and loving hug, were his answer...so they headed to
his car, where his luggage was. The two of them brought his four
suitcases inside, and put them in Buffy's bedroom temporarily. She
showered and dressed, while he changed into fresh clothes. Half an
hour later, they were grabbing a quick breakfast on their way to the
local hospital.
***************
THREE DAYS LATER
"Hello?", Buffy said, as she answered her phone.
"Yes, is Buffy Summers there?"
"This is Buffy, how may I help you?"
"Hello Buffy, this is Melissa from San Diego General's Medical Lab."
"Okay, hi..."
"I'm calling to inform you of the results from the blood test
performed a few days ago?"
"Okay...and...?"
"Buffy, the test results were positive....congratulations, you're
three and a half weeks pregnant."
"Okay, thank you."
Buffy hung up the phone, stunned...she was really pregnant...oh
boy....
Rupert came inside from his afternoon walk. He saw his fiancée
standing by the phone, with an extremely stunned look on her face.
Worried, he went over to her and took her into his arms. As soon as
his arms wrapped around her in a hug, she put her face into his
shoulder and burst into tears. She calmed down a few seconds later,
and he led her over to sit on the couch.
"Luv, what's wrong?"
"W-well...the d-doctor's office c-called...", she began, still
weeping.
"Yes....and what did they tell you?"
"I...I'm...we're...we're pregnant, Rupert...three and a half weeks,
to be exact."
He was stunned...and Buffy noticed his "deer in the headlights" look
on his face.
"We're pregnant?"
She nodded...then sort of giggled at the still stunned facial
expression he was wearing.
"I...I see...," Rupert began, but trailed off mid-sentence.
"R-rupert? Do...do you w-want this baby?"
He gently held her chin in his hand, looked her straight in the eyes,
and nodded.
"I know we didn't plan it...but Buffy, I will love our baby, the way
I love you. Completely...have no doubts, my love," he softly told
her, as he kissed her forehead.
Buffy was again stunned by her love for her fiancé...she couldn't
believe how incredibly lucky she was, to have found him.
"So...what are we going to do now, Rupert? Oh....god, how am I going
to tell my parents?"
He hadn't thought about what they would tell her mom and dad, if
she'd come up pregnant. Well, they'd accepted him, more or
less....but would they accept the fact that Buffy was pregnant? For
her sake and for the sake of the baby, he sure as hell hoped Hank &
Joyce wouldn't be *too* upset.
"Honestly, I...well, I'm not too sure. I suppose we could call and
invite them to dinner? Maybe there wouldn't be too big of a scene in
a public place...but then again, they might. Have you any ideas on
how to break the news gently?" Rupert asked.
"Um...how about if we leave a message on their answering
machine...and then leave town? Indefinitely," she replied, only half
joking.
"That's actually not a bad idea, Buffy...but I suppose we should be
grown up about this and face them head on," he agreed.
She looked at him and smiled reassuringly...hopefully her parents
wouldn't disown her...or worse, do something to Rupert.
"Okay, I'm going to call them and see if they'd like to meet us
someplace for dinner," Buffy said.
Rupert told her that would be a good idea, then he went to freshen up
in the bathroom. She gulped, then took a calming breath. Picking up
the phone in the living room, she dialed her parents' phone number.
It rang four times, then her mom answered.
"Summers residence, this is Joyce speaking."
"Hi Mom..."
"Buffy! Hi, how are you?"
"I'm good...Rupert got into town a few days ago, so I'm happy to see
him."
"Oh that's good! How is that handsome future son-in-law of mine,
anyway?"
"He's fine...look, he and I were wondering if you and Dad would like
to meet us someplace for dinner?"
"Tonight? Well Honey, I don't know...why don't I call your dad on his
cell phone and see what's going on. Okay? And then I can call you
right back."
"That sounds good, so I'll talk to you in a few minutes then?"
"Yeah, no more than 15 or 20...bye, Honey!"
"Bye Mom!"
***************
That evening, Hank and Joyce, met Buffy and Rupert at ORMOND'S, a
local Seafood restaurant. The four of them were quickly seated at a
table with a window view. Buffy sat across from Joyce, leaving Rupert
to sit across from his future father-in-law. Their waiter, Fred,
handed them menus and brought them glasses of water. The two couples
chatted pleasantly about various things, until they'd decided on
dinner. Buffy ordered the Grilled Swordfish Steak with a baked
potato, Rupert ordered the Shrimp Scampi with a salad. Joyce & Hank,
each ordered the dinner special, which was: Slum Gullian with a
salad. Drinks were water for Buffy & Rupert...Hank and Joyce ordered
wine.
Fifteen minutes later, the dinners were placed on the table...Buffy
took one whiff of her food and ran towards the bathroom. Hank, Joyce,
and Rupert, wondered what was wrong. Of course Rupert, figured Buffy
was experiencing her first bout with Morning Sickness. He reassured
her parents, that he'd check on her. He went to the door of the
Ladies room and called her name.
"Buffy, are you all right?"
She said something, but it was muffled through the door, so he
couldn't tell what she'd told him.
"I'm sorry, but I can't hear you through the bathroom door...may I
come in?"
The door opened a crack, and he went inside. Buffy was standing by
the sinks, looking very pale.
"Oh Luv, I'm going to assmue that the way you left the table in such
a rush...you must have become ill."
"Oh yeah...funny how I'd never had a problem until just now. Crap,
what are we going to tell my mom and dad, *now*? I can't go back out
there and get another nosefull of that food, or I'll get sick again."
"I suppose we could just tell them you ate a big lunch?"
"Yeah, I guess....or we could just drop the truth in their laps..."
***************
A few minutes later, Buffy & Rupert came back to the table. Hank and
Joyce asked Buffy if everything was all right.
"Um...yeah, I'll be okay eventually....," Buffy began.
"What is that supposed to mean, Buffy? Oh God...you're dying, aren't
you?!" Joyce cried.
"No Mom, I'm not dying...I'm just pregnant."
Hank and Joyce stared in shock at their daughter...then they stared
at Rupert. Neither of Buffy's parents knew quite what to say. Joyce
suddenly got out of her chair and ran over to hug Buffy. Hank and
Rupert just sat in their chairs, having a staring contest. Joyce then
went over and grabbed Rupert into a hug. Hank decided he might as
well get into the spirit of things, so he hugged his daughter. But he
didn't hug Rupert...instead he just gave him a "you'd better take
care of my daughter and her baby, OR ELSE" look. Rupert nodded in
assurance, then everyone sat back down.
Buffy, still kind of green after seeing her dinner, decided to just
watch the others eat. Rupert gave Buffy his salad, which she was able
to eat, without getting sick. After dinner, the men paid the bill,
then they all went to Joyce & Hank's house for dessert. Half an hour
later, Rupert took Buffy home.
***************
The next six weeks or so, were extremely hectic for Buffy and Rupert.
First, they had to find a bigger place for their growing family.
Buffy's apartment, only had one bedroom...but now they wanted a small
house, with a nice yard. They made arrangements to look at four
houses in the nearby area.They also needed to plan a
wedding...Rupert, half-joking, suggested he fly Buffy and her friends
and family, to Las Vegas for a quicky wedding. Buffy had looked hurt
at the idea, then had fled the room and locked herself into the
bedroom for the rest of the night. Rupert finally told Buffy that
since they had plenty of time before the baby would be making his or
her appearance, they shouldn't try to rush through anything. Buffy
hugged him and kissed him and then dragged him off to the bedroom.
***************
"Buffy, would you mind coming here for a moment please?" Rupert asked
one night.
She put down her cross-stitching and went over to where he was
sitting.
"Yeah, Rupert? What's up?"
He pulled her into his lap and then reached up and gently caressed
her soft cheek. She leaned into the touch and they kissed sweetly.
Then he pulled something out of his pants pocket...and handed it to
Buffy. Curious as to what was in the little box, she opened it. And
gasped...it was a key...and she immediately knew it was to *their*
house. Her eyes light up and she looked at him. He grinned at her and
nodded. Buffy jumped off his lap and began bouncing up and down in
excitement. Rupert laughed at her happiness. Then she grabbed his
hand and pulled him into a little impromptu dancing. She giggled and
squealed laughingly, when he spun her twice, then ended the dance,
with a deep dip.
Buffy came up laughing and then suddenly blanched, covered her mouth
with her hand, then ran for the bathroom. Rupert sighed, and then
followed her. In a few minutes, he placed a cool washcloth on the
back of her neck. She smiled wearily up at him.
"I love you, Rupert."
"As I love you, my darling Buffy...would you like some help up, Luv?"
"Thanks, Sweetcheeks. And yes, I would like some help."
He helped her up from the floor and hugged her carefully. Buffy
kissed his cheek and then hugged him back. They walked out of the
bathroom and back into the living room. She sat down on the couch,
but then popped back up. He asked her where she was going, and she
told him she was going to change into her pajamas. He decided to
change too, into comfier clothes. When they were done, he asked her
if she wanted something light to eat.
"Um...see if we have any saltines or 7-up, please?"
"Of course, Luv...get settled on the couch and see what's on the
television?"
"Sounds good, Honey."
***************
A little while later, they were engrossed in the Action
thriller, "BULLITT", starring Steve McQueen & Jacquline Bisset. Buffy
clung to Rupert's arm and when the really nasty fight scenes would
pop up on the screen, she'd hide her face in his shoulder. He grinned
at his fiancee's reaction, but remembered she probably wouldn't want
to risk getting sick again. When the car chase, complete with a 25
foot jump in the air, played out in the movie, Rupert made Buffy
watch. Her mouth dropped in amazement...and crossed her fingers that
the jump wouldn't end *too* horribly.
"Well...what did you think of the movie?" Rupert asked as the ending
credits rolled up the screen.
"It was....okay...I mean, the car jump was *totally* awesome! But I
coulda done without all the bloody fight scenes."
"Fair enough, Buffy...I'm glad you liked it. Would you like to watch
another movie?"
She yawned, then laughed self-consciously. He grinned then held his
hand out to her, which she accepted. Then they turned off the TV and
all the lights. He locked the front door, then they headed off to bed.
***************
A week later, they were packing up all of Buffy's clothing and other
belongings. Lysa, Lidea, and Brendan, along with Hank and Joyce; were
all helping Buffy and Rupert. The engaged couple were getting
everything ready in preparation for moving into their recently bought
house. It was two blocks away from Buffy's apartment, and a fifteen
minute drive away from Hank and Joyce's house. Rupert had rented a U-
Haul truck, and was stacking packed boxes into the back of it.
Brendan and Hank were in charge of unloading all of the smaller
things from the Summers' car, into Buffy & Rupert's new house. Lidea,
Joyce, Lysa, and Buffy, were in the apartment, carefully wrapping up
breakables in newspaper. Lysa, Lidea, and Brendan, had all met Rupert
a couple of weeks before the move...and they all thought he was a
great catch for Buffy.
***************
Eight hours later, Buffy and Rupert, plopped down exhaustedly on the
couch in their new family room. All of their friends and Buffy's
folks, had left fifteen minutes earlier. They'd all be coming over
the next day to help Buffy & Rupert unpack everything and get it all
sorted out. Buffy put her head on Rupert's shoulder, yawned a really
big yawn, and then dozed off. Rupert chuckled softly, then stretched
out his long legs in front of him. Yawning big himself, he leaned his
head on the back of the couch...then dozed off himself.
***************
It had been three months since Rupert and Buffy had bought and
settled into, their new home. They'd decorated the family room,
master bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and bathrooms. And now that
Buffy was just a little over four months along, and beginning to show
just the tiniest bit, they'd decided to start the nursery. Lysa and
Lidea, were so excited that Buffy was going to have a baby. And
Joyce, was even more excited...although, she was also a little
saddened. Buffy, who was *her* baby, was having a baby of her own.
Joyce had taken the afternoon off from the art gallery she ran, to
take Buffy and Lysa and Lidea, baby shopping. Rupert, was left
painting the nursery with Brendan and Hank. Since neither Buffy or
Rupert had wanted to know the sex of their baby, they'd decided on a
pale mint green color for the walls in the nursery. Buffy wanted to
help paint the nursery as well, but her doctor and Rupert, had
insisted that she stay away from painting. They told her that the
fumes from any kind of paint, could be very harmful for the baby.
Which is why, she was off shopping with the other ladies, while the
men did the painting.
***************
Around six o'clock, the four women came tromping into the
Giles/Summers' house. They dropped their bags in the front hall, then
made their way to check on the men. Brendan, Hank, and Rupert, had
done an outstanding job. And as a surprise for Buffy, Rupert had
painted a border of tiny white hearts along the top of each wall. She
hugged and kissed him for a job well done. Then the ladies grabbed a
hold of the guys and tugged them out to the kitchen. The ladies had
brought Chinese take-out home for everyone to eat for dinner. Rupert,
Brendan, and Hank, all cleaned up in the bathrooms, then came back
and sat down. Buffy sat next to Rupert, Lysa and Lidea sat next to
Brendan, and Joyce sat next to Hank. They all dug into the hot,
delicious food, and everyone ate until they were stuffed.
A few minutes after everyone was done, Buffy got up to see if anyone
wanted refills on their drinks. But before anyone could give her an
answer, they all gasped, as Buffy suddenly went pale and passed out.
Luckily, Rupert managed to catch her, before she hit the hardwood
floor. Everyone jumped into action. Rupert picked her up gently and
carried her into the bedroom. Joyce grabbed an icepack from the
freezer. Hank and Brendan followed Rupert to the bedroom. Lysa &
Lidea stood around, unsure of what to do. Joyce had them grab a glass
of water and follow her to the bedroom, too.
***************
Within a half hour, everyone had gathered in the waiting room of San Diego General Hospital. They'd rushed Buffy to the emergency room shortly after her fainting spell. Buffy's doctor, was examining her, while Rupert and the rest of their family, awaited the news of her condition. Rupert was pacing back and forth, when the doctor entered the waiting room. Dr. Aylers didn't look too reassuring as he approached Rupert.
"Mr. Giles?" Dr. Aylers asked. Rupert turned and nodded at the man.
"Yes, I'm Rupert Giles...have you any word on my fiance's condition?"
"Yes, I do. I'm afraid it doesn't look good for Miss Summers. She appears to have slipped into a coma, brought on by a miscarriage. I know that she was just over 16 weeks along, and that in most cases, a miscarriage is unheard of this late in a pregnancy. But we have to remember that for the most part, the human body and how it works, is a mystery. Medically speaking, of course, rare occurances happen to people every day. I'm sorry to have to break the news to you like this. Miss Summers is young and healthy, and she should have no difficulties in concieving another child at some future date. As for the coma, I assure you, it shouldn't last more than a few days, while her body recovers from the sudden loss."
Dr. Aylers nodded to Joyce and the others, then shook Rupert's hand, and left the room. Rupert was stunned, to say the very least. He barely made it to a nearby chair, before his knees gave out. Joyce and Hank and Buffy's friends, all couldn't believe that she'd lost the baby. When Rupert had composed himself, he asked the nurse at the front desk, for Buffy's room number. He then went down the hall to Room 200. Upon entering it, he saw his future wife, asleep in the bed. He walked over to the bed and took her hand, then kissed the back of it. He'd once thought of himself as a strong and stoic man. One not given to flights of fancy or the type to give free reign of emotions. But everything had changed once he'd met Buffy. When he'd met her, his whole world had become brighter and he'd become more caring and loving. He'd wanted the whole world to know he'd found the woman of his dreams. When she'd accepted his proposal, he'd felt like flying. And when he found out there was going to be a child made from their love, why he'd been so high on emotions and feelings, he'd almost done cartwheels!
"Oh Buffy...I am so sorry we lost our baby...were I able to turn back the clock, I would. I wish you would wake up, Dear One. I love you so...and I know we'll have a rough time ahead of us, but I am quite certain there is nothing we can't face together," he spoke softly, while sitting in the chair near her bed.
A short while later, Joyce poked her head in the door of her daughter's room, and was torn when she saw her future son-in-law, holding Buffy's hand, while tears streamed down his handsome face. It would take a lot more tears and a lot of other emotions, for Buffy and Rupert to get through the heartbreak of losing their child.
***************
--Two weeks later--
Since Buffy had been released from the hospital, she'd been staying with her parents. Rupert was beside himself. Not only had he lost his first child, but it seemed as if he'd lost his fiance' as well. Buffy barely spoke to him, that is, when she could find it in her to even see him. She knew that he wasn't to blame for the miscarriage and that she wasn't to blame either, physically. Emotionally and mentally, however, was a different tale. She couldn't get past the fact that she was somehow to blame for he baby's death. She constantly found herself playing the "What If..." game.
Joyce, Lidea, and Lysa, were the only people Buffy wanted to see. But even they had no idea what she was going through. They'd never lost a baby...they'd never felt as if they were a baby killer. Dr. Aylers had given Buffy the name of a psychologist, but she'd refused to visit the woman. How could anyone know what Buffy was going through, all of the anguish and guilt, if they'd never lost a baby?
Rupert didn't know what to do. Buffy wasn't speaking to him, let alone seeing him, and he didn't know who to turn to. His parents' had stopped speaking to him, when he'd come to the states to be with the "trollop" he was engaged to. Buffy's family and friends were sympathetic to his problems, but none of them had lost a child. He had gotten the name of the psychologist, but didn't want to visit the woman, unless Buffy did. It had been two weeks and nobody knew how to help Buffy or Rupert. Rupert was half tempted to kidnap Buffy, just so she'd *have* to talk to him. But he was also running on too little sleep, and too little food. He'd lost his ability to sleep or eat, since Buffy had begun ignoring him.
***************
"Hello Buffy, Rupert. My name is Dr.Hatcher and I'm glad you were able to come and see me," the psychologist said. She smiled gently as she shook Buffy's, then Rupert's hand. The couple smiled politely at the doctor. It had taken Joyce, Lidea, Lysa, and everyone else, to drag Buffy to see the woman. Rupert came without any arguments. He'd have done most anything to see Buffy again. They were at Dr. Hatcher's office for their first visit.
"Let us begin, all right?" Dr. Hatcher suggested. Buffy and Rupert nodded, then the session began. The entire hour was spent talking about how Buffy and Rupert met. Dr. Hatcher noticed that when Rupert spoke, Buffy would pay rapt attention to his words and when she spoke, he would stare at her lovingly. Perhaps this couple would make it through the dark spot in their relationship after all.
***************
THE END
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