Thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews & sticking by this story!

**hugs** Opal

Thanks to Meli for doing a superb job as the Beta!

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*Banner By Ariel Dawn*
Thanks AD! Hugs~Opal

Story Dedicated to Meli!
Thanks for being a great Beta. Hugs~Opal



Chapter 24 - Make Every Moment Count



The time had finally arrived when William was to begin his preparations to return to the time he came from. It was bittersweet in a way. For the first time ever, he had experience being loved equally by both parents and basking in the love they have for each other. It pulled him to want to stay, the sweetness of the moment enticing him to say fuck it and stay.

The bitter end of it was that he had no choice. It was impossible for him to try and exist without running into his current form. His consolation was that he was going to return to an even bigger prize.

A life. A truly fantastic life.

His parents sat on the bed and his aunt remained on the chair while he began to pour some sand out of one of the vials he kept in his pocket. He poured a circle around him. Then he poured the entire contents of a vial of fine, purple sand on the north side of the circle. He repeated this for each direction, blue sand for east, orange sand for south, and red sand for west.

Before he began the incantation, this would mark the final change in his life; he looked over at his parents one last time.

“Mum and Dad, before I being the spell, could I just ask for one last hug before I go?” he spoke, with tears in his eyes.

Buffy and Spike, were completely teary eyed too. Without hesitation, they both went to William. Buffy stood on one side and Spike on the other. They both wrapped their arms around their son, and each other. William turned and gave his father a kiss on the cheek, and then turned to his mother and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Before Buffy and Spike released their son, the both whispered endearments of love to him. As they broke the embraced, Spike looked at his son proudly and spoke the words all sons want to hear from their fathers.

“William, no matter what happens and where you go in this world, know that I love you with my entire being. Just as I love your mother with my entire being. I am honored and proud that you are my son. Your courage and selflessness is the mark of a true hero. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

Spike wrapped his arms around Buffy and stroked her hair. As they wiped each other’s tears, William began the incantation that would return him home.


Sent back by time
By family so dear
To clear up the future
Starting right here

If true love will prevail
Powers please send me back
If true love fails
Then change these events back


As the circle around him began to light up, Buffy cried out to her son, “William I love you!”

As the light began to engulf him, he replied, “I love you to mommy. I love you both so very much.”

The light completely shielded him from the others in the room, and then in an instant the light was gone, so was the sand on the floor, and William.

___________

It seemed to be hours before Buffy and Spike were able to pull themselves together just to look at each other and speak. Their eyes were red from the tears they had shed. Buffy’s face was a complete mess. Her mascara running down her face, her hair all frazzled up.

Even Willow had found she was unable to move out of her chair. The things she had seen still rocked her, yet had so many unanswered questions she had for William. Truth was, as long as she kept her promise, then none of her questions would even matter.

She noticed on the bedside table that there was a small note on the table. Willow recognized that the note was not there when she had first come in the room earlier when she had first brought Buffy up from the lower levels of the casino. She went over to the bedside table and unfolded the note that had been carefully handwritten on yellow legal paper. Buffy and Spike looked over to her and nodded, granting her permission to read aloud.


Dear Mom & Dad,

Well if you’re reading this, then this can only mean that my mission here went well and I have been sent to my own time. I want you both to know much I truly love you, and that I know you will both raise me to be the best son that I can be.

Mom, I know that I wasn’t able to speak to you about everything, especially as in why I am a vampire. Well I explained it to Dad and he will fill you in on all of the details. Let me just say that, first I love being a vamp. Second, I will keep my soul, and third turning me will be the only option to deal with the issue at hand.

Now at least I will be turned and have the loving support of my family to guide me.

So, I ask you both, treat each other well. Treat every single day as precious. Even with a new and improved future on the horizon for you both, it still is a future for yours to make.

Make every moment count.

And don’t forget the motorbike, the dog, and really I know you’ll just love Mel if you give her a chance. Besides, you do let me take care of Auntie Willow’s rats, Amy, Maggie, and Forrest when she goes away.

Like I said before, can’t blame a bloke for trying. After all, I did what I could to make the rest of our lives better just by trying a little and it worked.

Always remember, I love you both.

With Love, Your Son
William


As Willow finished, she could not help but join the cry fest that was going on.

Naturally, leave it to Spike to open his mouth and change the mood.

“Bloody kid’s got another thing coming if he thinks I’m letting him ride a motor bike at a small age. He’ll get the girl in his room at 15 before that happens!”

Buffy looked up at Spike and smiled. She cupped his cheek in her hand.

“Spike, I love you. I love you with my heart and with my soul. As of this moment we will do everything we can to be good to each other, be good to our friends, and most of all be the best parents we can be to our William.”

Spike leaned down and kissed his mate on her lips.

Forgetting Willow was in the room, they began to become more passionate in their embrace. Luckily for her, Cordelia poked her head in and disrupted them.

“Ok, let’s finish up with the smooches. Your kid’s diaper stinks, and Queen C did not have any visions of changing baby diapers today. After all I’ve been though, it’s my turn to go out and enjoy the shopping!”

As if on queue, William began to cry from the other room. Buffy used her bond and her mother’s instinct to recognize that what her child wanted.

Motherly love.