They followed Jack into the large high vaulted kitchen and took their seats at the long oak table set against one wall. Jack busied himself at the range opening cupboards every now and then searching for plates and seasonings.

"Is Giles not eating then?" Cordelia asked. Jack looked round at the places, he had set the table for six but only five remained on the table. He frowned as he glanced toward the kitchen door as if he could see through it and chastise his father for removing the extra setting.

"I guess Dad will be having a sandwich tonight. He’s saving his appetite for one big blow out meal on Christmas day. You all look as though you need a hot meal, to take away the chill." Jack turned carrying a huge pot from the cooker to the table.

"Dinner is served." They all peered into the bubbling cauldron. The steam carried such a delicious smell!

"What’s in it?" Xander asked as Jack ladled some of the concoction onto his plate.

"Everything that does you good, nothing that does you harm." He said it like he was reciting a spell. He blushed and they saw Willow clearly for the first time.

"That’s what Mum used to say. She cooked this for Dad before I was born and she made me promise to cook it for him every Birthday and Christmas. Boy, that steam stings." Jack wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. Everyone knew it wasn’t the steam. They sniffed as they took their first mouthful.

Giles was dozing in the Living room dreaming of Willow. When he had painted her, she hadn’t been in the garden. His easel was set up in the bedroom and there was only one way to get her expression just so. He smiled in his sleep remembering.

"Willow, don’t fidget! I don’t do ’blur’ very well y’know" He teased.

"I’m all tense, Rupert. Couldn’t you come and untense me?" She said pouting. He looked at her. Yes! That’s one of the expressions! He quickly loaded his brush, swept it over the canvas, and recited the fixing spell. The expression fell into place with all the other layers of magic. Her face was beginning to take on a three-dimensional quality.

"I don’t know why you’re worried the doctor said the baby is fine. Just a little large. It’s to be expected love. I’m rather big myself." He grinned. Her elfin head appeared round the bottom corner of the canvas and her glance took in his impressive erection.

"You can say that again!"

He sighed and placed his paintbrush on his palate. "Get thee hence to the bed woman."

Willow giggled as she raced for the bed and started to bounce on the soft satin covers. She was the most enchanting fruitful creature he had ever seen. He thanked all the Gods every morning when he woke lying next to her. Now she was having their child and she wanted more love, more often. What a way to die! He made love to her gently letting their passion and joy in her condition be transmitted to their growing infant.

"Dad, Dad?" Giles opened his eyes. Still here? He looked up at Jack.

"Do you want to come into the kitchen, sandwich time." He left the plate on the side table knowing that his father wouldn’t eat them.

"Yes, yes just coming." He lifted the sandwich to his lips and Jack smiled. He put it down again once his son had left the room. He got up slowly and walked round to stand in front of Willow. His fingertips caressed the frame.

"Not long now, love." He looked into her eyes they were smiling at him still. He turned away from her and went into the kitchen with his sandwich plate.

He stood at the threshold unnoticed. He’d missed their voices in animated conversation. In his eyes they were never going to be older than twenty. They were ageless. Just as Buffy is ageless now being perpetually twenty-five. The age she was when she died. There had been a dozen or so Slayers since but because he hadn’t trained them, they hadn’t survived long.

Jack’s Slayer would be different. Giles had trained his son since boyhood so he in turn would be able to train his Slayer. Jack’s Slayer would be arriving tomorrow with her guardian.

"Hey, G-man are we going to get another story tonight?"

He smiled at the old nick name. Jack was astonished. Dad hadn’t told him they used to call him that!

"No, only one per day. When would you like it scheduled? Morning or evening? You could go out exploring during the day if you had them in the evening." They all nodded.

"Evening it is then." Giles put his plate in the sink. He sniffed a familiar aroma he looked at Jack. "You made them a stew?" His son nodded. "Good Boy. I’m sorry but I’m going to my bed. It’s been an eventful day and I’m tired now."

Anya yawned and Xander got the message. Bedtime, no sleeping, just bedding.

End of Pt.2

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