Elliott - Chapter 4/8
Giles looked up as the front door opened. He sighed softly as Ethan walked in and closed the door behind him. Ethan chuckled as he made his way across the room.
“Expecting someone else?”
Giles shook his head, lightly fingering the edge of the page of the open book resting on his thigh. “No, just thought it might be Buffy and Elliott.”
“Where are they?” Ethan asked, dropping onto the sofa next to him.
“Elliott wanted to see Jack, so they’ve gone to the dorms.”
Ethan regarded Giles carefully. And then he asked the question that he was fairly certain he didn’t want to hear the answer to…considering Giles’ current mood.
“So…how did the appointment go?”
“Not as well as I had hoped.” Giles sighed and looked down at the book. “He’s scheduled for surgery on Monday.”
“Surgery? What kind of surgery? Exploratory or - ”
“Amputation.”
“Amputation?” Ethan asked, eyes widened with shock at the news.
Giles nodded slowly. “He’ll…die, otherwise. The, uh…it’s quite advanced. The tumour. It…the images were quite horrific.”
“And then what?” Ethan prodded, feeling that there was more.
“Chemo, radiation…”
Ethan straightened. “Chemo and radiation?”
“Chemo for the osteo. Radiation for the liver.”
“Okay…and after all of that?”
Giles stared at him for a moment and then turned his stare towards the window. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and then gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.
“The highest percentage we were given, after all treatment options, is thirty-five.”
“Rupert…”
Giles closed his eyes briefly, not bothering to stop the tears from falling as he turned his eyes back to Ethan. His voice trembled with emotion when he spoke.
“There’s a very good chance we’re going to lose him.”
Ethan shook his head quickly. “No…no, that can’t be right.”
Giles choked on a sob and leaned forward, head in his hands. Ethan shifted quickly, putting his arm around him as the dams broke.
“Ah, fuck…Rupe.” He whispered, turning so he could pull him into a proper embrace. “Fuck…”
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the top of Giles’ head as Giles leaned into him…accepting the warmth, the comfort.
“I’m so, so sorry, Rupert.”
No further words needed to be said. Ethan was grateful for that…because he had no idea of what he should say. Or even what he could say.
And so they sat in relative silence. The only sound being Giles’ pained sobs…until the tears ran out and his throat felt raw.
Ethan held him throughout.
* * *
Buffy looked over at Elliott as she stopped for a red light. Elliott was staring out the window, following a raindrop with this fingertip.
“You okay, Ellie?”
Elliott snorted a soft laugh. “You haven’t called me that in forever.”
“Well, you did ask me to stop.” She replied with a smile. “I’m sorry, it just kinda came out.”
He gave her a quick glance, a smile playing on his lips. “I’ve missed it.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” He sighed deeply and looked back out the window. “I just had to tell my best friend that I’m not going to be able to finish the football season with him…and that I’m probably going to die.”
“Elliott, we don’t know - ”
“Jack’s uncle was given 60%...and he died. I have 35%, at best. I may only be twelve, but I understand percentages.”
“True.” She agreed, turning her eyes back to the road as the light turned green. “But, you might be part of that 35%. Yes, it’s a low number, but…you know who your family is. Look at us…do you know how many times we were given even lower odds than that?”
“Yeah…they have an entire course dedicated to Sunnydale, California 1997-2003.” He muttered.
Buffy smiled despite the seriousness of the conversation. He was so much like Giles.
“And look at us. Giles and I are still here. So are Xander and Willow.”
“Yeah, but you died. Twice.”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah, I did. But, the world didn’t. And Rupert didn’t. Trust me, if anyone should have died during that time…it was Giles. The number of times he was hurt…seriously hurt…”
“Are you and Dad going to be okay?” He asked, turning to look at her when she didn’t answer straight away. “If I die…are you guys going to be okay?”
“I don’t even know how to answer that, Elliott.” She replied softly after a moment. “Would we survive? Yes…because that’s what humans do. People die, their loved ones carry on. Would we be okay? I think that would depend on your definition of ‘okay’…”
“I think you’d cope better than Dad.” He offered her a sad smile as she quickly glanced at him. “I’m not saying he loves me more or that you don’t care as much. I just think…you’d deal with it better. He…keeps a lot of things bottled up. You know?”
“Yeah, I know. He always has.”
“But, you’d take care of him, wouldn’t you? Help him through it…not let him keep it bottled up?” He paused for a moment and then continued. “I don’t think he’d let anyone else help him.”
“Maybe Ethan…”
“It’s different. Ethan is his friend. You’re…more than that.”
“I’d do everything I possibly could to help him, Elliott.” She confirmed, pulling the car into the driveway. “But, I really hope that I don’t have to do that for a very long time…if ever.”
He smiled warmly at her. “I love you, Mum.”
“I love you too, Ellie.” She responded. “So…tell me about this Sunnydale course. And…your professors know that you have an inside scoop on this one, right?”
Elliott laughed and nodded. “Kind of hard for them not to know, with my name being Rupert E Giles and all…”
Buffy laughed with him as they got out of the car.
They were still laughing as they walked through the front door. Buffy’s laughter faded when her eyes met Giles’. Giles sat on the sofa with Ethan - his tears had dried, the redness had faded from his skin…but his eyes were still the mossy green they always were when he cried.
“Rupert?”
He offered her a smile and a gentle shake of his head as he stood up. Elliott looked at him, regarding him closely before walking over and wrapping his arms around him. Giles returned the hug just as fiercely, his hand cradling the back of Elliott’s head.
Buffy turned her attention to Ethan, who merely shrugged a shoulder. Buffy smiled and mouthed ‘thank you’ to him.
Elliott pulled back slightly and looked up at his uncle. “You’ll need to let her help you, you know?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t push her away…don’t bottle it up.”
Giles nodded slowly, wondering when Elliott grew up. Elliott smiled adoringly at him.
“When I realised what being a Giles really means.”
Giles’ brow furrowed. “Did I say that out loud?”
Buffy shook her head, glancing at Ethan quickly. “You didn’t say anything…”
Ethan scratched the back of his head nervously. Giles tilted his head, questioning Elliott silently. Elliott sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Ethan taught me a few things.”
“Ethan taught you a few - ” Giles turned and glared at Ethan. “You taught him how to read minds? Are you fucking insane?”
“Not lately.” Ethan retorted, standing up and smiling nervously.
“I’ve only used it twice, Dad. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay - you’ve been crying.”
Giles sighed heavily. “You do realise that I can block you…now that I know you have the ability and knowledge to…”
He trailed off when he processed Elliott’s comment. “Twice? When was the last time?”
Elliott was quiet, lowering his eyes and staring at the floor. Giles gently slipped his fingers under Elliott’s chin and lifted his face back up.
“Elliott?”
“When Mum left.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I just couldn’t understand why she’d leave. I mean, sure…you guys argued once in a while, but who doesn’t? You always worked it out. She’d never left before.”
Giles closed his eyes for a moment. “Elliott, that was…”
“You asked her to marry you. And she left. And I got so mad because…that’s a stupid reason to leave.”
“There was more to it than that. It wasn’t as simple as - ”
Giles stopped suddenly when Elliott quickly continued.
“And then you thought ‘at least I didn’t ask her to have a baby’.” Elliott’s eyes glistened lightly and he broke the gaze with Giles. “I quit listening then because it sounded so sad.”
Ethan’s eyes widened, staring at Giles. “A baby?”
“Sod off, Ethan. I’m not discussing this with you right now…possibly ever.” Giles grumbled.
Elliott smiled as he looked back up at Giles. “I always wanted a brother or a sister. Did you know that?”
“No. No, I didn’t.”
Elliott nodded and gestured towards the hall. “I’m just gonna go have a rest. Try to clear my head a little. Oh…Jack says hi and wanted to know if it’s okay if he comes over this weekend?”
“Of course.” Giles agreed without hesitation. “Jack is always welcome here. Be sure that he knows that, yes?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Dad.” Elliott leaned up and kissed Giles on the cheek before looking over at Ethan. “Sorry, Ethan.”
“Yeah, well…it’s a good thing I really like you. I’d…do something quite questionable otherwise, I’m sure.”
Elliott chuckled and turned to leave, pausing long enough to give Buffy a hug.
As he left the room, Giles turned his attention to Ethan. Ethan took a step back as Giles stared at him.
“So…are you guys going to talk about it now? Having a baby?”
Giles stared at him indignantly. “Fucking hell, Ethan…why would you?”
“It’s a useful skill to have.” Ethan answered, shrugging a shoulder. “He promised he’d only use it in emergencies.”
Buffy walked over and stood next to Giles, carefully taking hold of his hand. He turned towards her, his expression softening as he met her eyes. She squeezed his hand and then looked at Ethan.
“We’ve talked about it a little. We’ll talk about it more at some point.”
Ethan smiled happily, his eyes brightening. “I think that’s lovely.”
Giles arched an eyebrow at him. “Lovely?”
“Fuck you, Rupe. You know it is.”
Giles smiled and just like that, any annoyance that he had been holding seemed to simply disappear.
Buffy thought, not for the first time, how easy it was to actually really like Ethan - despite his actions in Sunnydale. She listened to the two bicker back and forth and chuckled.
A little normalcy for the time being was very much appreciated.
* * *
Elliott sat at the desk in his room, an open journal in front of him. He took a deep breath and picked up his pen.
And he began to write.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Elliott walked onto the back porch, smiling as Giles looked up at him. He sat down next to him on the step that led to the garden and leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on his thighs.
Giles recognised the mannerisms…after all, they were his. Elliott had something on his mind, but wasn’t sure how to verbalise it.
“Out with it.” Giles said, returning Elliott’s smile.
“I don’t want things to be weird.”
“What do you mean?”
Elliott shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t want everything to be all sad or people not knowing how to react around me. I mean, I’m still Elliott. I’m going through some stuff, but…I’m still me.”
Giles nodded in agreement. “Yes, this is true. It’s been a very emotional day, though. We all need time to process.”
“I want the surgery. I want the chemo, the radiation. I want to fight.” He turned his head towards Giles and stared into his eyes. “I know this is going to suck. For me, for you and Mum, for Jack and my friends. But, that’s kinda also why I want to go through it. I’m not ready to let all of that go just yet.”
“Those…are some very mature thoughts, Elliott.”
“Yeah…they’re mine, Dad. I haven’t been eavesdropping.” He replied with a small grin. “I won’t do it again, I promise. I just…I needed to know that you were okay.”
“You shouldn’t have to worry about me.”
Elliott scoffed. “Don’t be stupid, of course I do. You’ve raised me. Which brings me to a couple of other things I want to say.”
Giles gave him a nod, requesting him to continue.
“I’d like to go see Dad tomorrow. You know, before surgery. I’d like him to see me one more time while I’m still in one piece.”
Giles grimaced. “Elliott…”
“He won’t know much different, but I will. So, can we?”
“Absolutely.” Giles replied softly.
“And I really do think you and Mum should have a baby. Sooner, rather than later. I think it would be good for our family. I mean, if Mum wants to have a baby. Does she?”
“We’ve discussed it briefly. She didn’t seem adverse to the notion.”
“Talk about it more.” Elliott whispered, still holding Giles’ gaze. “If you still want a baby, I mean.”
Giles nodded slowly as he smiled.
“Promise you’ll talk about it?”
“I promise.” Giles whispered, reaching over and brushing Elliott’s hair with his fingers. “What an amazing brother you’d be.”
“Yeah, just like you.” Elliott said with a bright smile before changing the subject swiftly.
Giles stumbled over the subject change, Elliott’s casual remark surprising him. He’d never considered himself to be an amazing brother. Of course, he had loved Peter from the day he was born…he had done his best to protect Peter, culminating in a fiery argument with their father not long before Peter’s tenth birthday.
Peter had expressed his concerns about attending the Academy. Their father had refused to listen. Rupert had not. Knowing how he had felt being forced into doing something that didn’t feel completely right, he had vowed that he’d not allow the same thing to happen to Peter.
And so, at nearly fifteen years of age, Rupert Giles stood up to his father…toe to toe, eye to eye. And he absolutely refused to allow the eldest Giles to bully the youngest into a life he most certainly did not want.
That altercation was the beginning of his rebellion. It forever changed the relationship he had with his father, but strengthened the one he had with Peter.
But that didn’t make him an amazing brother, did it? Wasn’t that just what siblings do for one another?
He shrugged to himself at his inner questions and pushed the thoughts, the memories back…refocusing on Elliott and the current conversation of weekend plans.
He made a silent promise that he would do his best to not allow his sadness, his grief to color the time they had left with Elliott.
After all, Elliott was a Giles. Gileses beat the odds more often than not.
This shouldn’t be any different.
* * *
While Elliott and Giles were talking outside, Buffy picked up the phone. She stared at it for a long moment and then took a deep breath and dialled a number. She paced back and forth as she listened to it ring.
“Hey, Buffy. You doing okay?”
Buffy smiled at the concern in Willow’s voice. And then she remembered that she hadn’t told them…anything…of the last few days.
“Oh, yeah. Um…Giles and I are back together.”
Buffy winced as Willow squealed in delight, then smiled as she listened to her relay that message to Xander.
“How did that happen? And…details! Because, I’m imagining him finally knocking on your door and you two just falling into each other’s arms and…”
“I have something to tell you guys.” Buffy interrupted quietly, not bothering to hide the sadness in her tone as her smile faded.
Willow picked up on the change in tone immediately. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Is…is Giles okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, we’re both fine. It’s just…” She paused and glanced out the window, her tears reappearing as she watched Giles smile at Elliott. “Elliott’s sick, Will. Like…really sick. And the doctor doesn’t know how well he’s going to respond to treatment…or if he even will…and…”
“What?” Willow whispered.
“What’s going on?” Buffy heard Xander ask Willow.
“Um…can you put me on speaker? Because…it’ll just be easier to have to say this once.”
She waited until Willow confirmed that they were both listening…and then she gave them the news. Every single detail that she had. And then she cried as she listened to her best friends do their best to process the news.
* * *
Giles walked back into the house and tilted his head curiously at Buffy - who was currently sitting on the sofa, holding the phone in her hands as she stared at the coffee table.
“Buffy?”
Buffy looked up and offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Where’s Elliott?”
He gestured behind him with a jerk of his thumb. “Talking to Jack…making weekend plans. What’s wrong?”
“I, uh…just called Willow and Xander. They didn’t even know we’re back together…I’d forgotten to tell them.”
He sat down next to her and pulled the phone from her hands. He placed it on the arm of the sofa and then slipped his arm around her, pulling her against him.
“Well, we have had other things on our minds.” He cleared his throat as she rested her head against his shoulder. “Did, uh…did you tell them about Elliott?”
She nodded slowly, then wiped her face on the front of his shirt. He furrowed his brow slightly, but didn’t mention it.
“Xander started looking up plane tickets, but the first flight he could find that would get them back doesn’t get in until Monday evening.” She sighed heavily and lifted her head, gently wiping her hand over the damp spot on his shirt. “The first vacation either of them have been able to take in eight months…and they didn’t even hesitate on cutting it short.”
“Are you surprised?” Giles asked softly, lovingly stroking her hair.
“No, not at all. We have some amazing friends.” She met his eyes and lifted her hand to gently touch his cheek. “You opening up to Ethan is a very good thing, Rupert. You need someone you can talk to about this.”
“I have you.” He whispered.
“Of course you do. You’ll always have me. But, I know sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who isn’t me…and I’m okay with that. I just…you can’t keep this bottled up, okay? Promise me.”
Giles smiled as he nodded in agreement. “Elliott has already lectured me on this.”
Buffy stared at him, running her thumb over the tip of his ear. “Promise me.”
His smile softened as he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.
“I promise.” He whispered, his breath warm against her lips. “I promise, Buffy.”
“Thank you.” She whispered in response as she kissed him back.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It had just turned 10am when Giles pushed open the door, holding it for Elliott and Buffy. Morning tea…
Giles smiled softly, remembering how much Peter had always loved morning tea. His smile faded as he looked towards the bed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had morning tea with his brother.
He watched as Elliott made his way to the bed, leaning over and kissing his father’s forehead.
“Hey, Daddy…” He whispered. “I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been here. It’s been…busy.”
Giles walked to the other side of the bed, glancing at the monitors before gently running his fingers through his brother’s hair. “Hi, Peter.”
Peter’s eyes were open, but focused on nothing. Giles sighed and took a step back, lifting his eyes to meet Elliott’s gaze.
“We’ll go chat with the nursing staff, grab a tea…give you some privacy. We’ll be just down the hall if you need us.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He smiled affectionately at Giles and then looked down at his father. “Oh, yeah…I should tell you about that. I call him Dad too - he hasn’t taken your place, but he’s always treated me like a son…not a nephew. It was time, you know? I hope you’re okay with that.”
Giles walked away from the bed, reaching for Buffy’s hand. As they opened the door, Giles looked back and watched them for a moment. He couldn’t hear anything that Elliott was whispering to Peter, but he wasn’t trying to listen.
When Buffy gently tugged his hand, he nodded and followed her out of the room.
She laced her fingers with his as they walked down the hall. Giles slipped his free hand into his pocket and stared at the ground as they walked.
“You okay?”
Giles shook his head. “No, not really. Peter doesn’t look very well. It’s not as if he actually spoke when I called the other day, but the nurse said that there was some recognition when he heard my voice. There was nothing there…I said his name and there was nothing.”
“That’s to be expected though, right? Good days, bad days?”
“I can’t remember the last time he had a good day.” Giles said quietly, looking at her. “His heart rate and blood pressure were quite low as well…”
“Everything seems to be happening at once.” She remarked, her thumb lovingly stroking his. “I’m sorry.”
“I can’t do anything to save either one of them.” His gaze dropped back to the floor. “I tried for Peter. I haven’t yet for Elliott…and I feel a bit shit about that.”
“Their illnesses aren’t mystical.”
Giles nodded in agreement, still staring at the floor as they turned the corner and entered the hallway that led to the cafeteria. “Circle of life and all that bullshit.”
“Giles?”
He pulled his hand out of his pocket and pushed open the door. “Hm?”
“You know that even if you could have persuaded the Powers to help, they would’ve taken something from you…right?”
“Yes.” He replied, glancing at her. “But, I had to try…even though I knew they’d say no. Elliott was four years old…he needed his father, I needed my brother. I had to try.”
Buffy gave him an understanding nod. He exhaled shakily and continued.
“I nearly went back after I read the doctor’s report. I would have traded my life for his in an instant.” He swallowed as he watched the tears well in her eyes. “I still would if I thought they’d agree.”
“You know they won’t.” She whispered, wiping her eyes. “And while I understand…I’m not sure that I would just stand there and let you try. And I’m not really sure what that says about me.”
Giles pulled out a chair at an empty table and gestured for her to sit. He sat next to her and held both of her hands in both of his.
“It says that you’re human. And I love you, Buffy.”
“But you would still try if there was a chance…”
“Of course I would. Just as I would if it were you.”
She regarded him closely and then exhaled deeply. “I know. And I love you, too.”
They both looked up as someone stopped at their table, placing two cups of tea in front of them. Giles smiled softly at the nurse.
“Thank you, Linda.”
“You’re welcome, Rupert…Buffy.” She smiled at both of them. “Things looked a bit tense…are you okay?”
Giles shook his head slowly, but Buffy was the one who answered.
“Elliott isn’t well, we…have a lot to process.”
Linda’s smile slowly disappeared. “Oh…I’m so sorry.”
Sensing there was more that she wanted…or needed…to say, Giles gestured to a spare chair at the table. He took a sip of his tea as she sat down, her fingers toying with her pen.
“How is Peter doing? Really?” He asked quietly, not completely certain he wanted the answer.
Linda hesitated, darting her eyes between Giles and Buffy before blowing out a breath. “He’s deteriorating, Rupert. This is the largest and most rapid decline that I’ve witnessed since working with him. I don’t think he has much time left.”
Giles lowered his eyes, staring at his hands. “Fuck…”
Buffy reached over, placing her hand on his arm. “Rupert…”
“We’ll get through it.” He mumbled, covering her hand with his as he looked at Linda. “How long do you think he has?”
“Hard to say. Couple of months, maybe?”
Giles closed his eyes. Buffy’s hand tightened on his arm.
“I’m so sorry, Rupert.” Linda whispered.
Giles nodded, but said nothing.
* * *
“I miss you, Dad.” Elliott said quietly.
He was sitting in a chair that he had pulled over to the bedside. He held his father’s hand as he spoke.
“The bad part is that I don’t really remember what you were like before the accident. I have flashes sometimes…someone will say something, normally Dad - Uncle Ru, sorry I hope that’s not confusing. Me calling you Dad and him Dad. He really has been great…amazing, really.”
He paused and watched his father for any sign of recognition. Seeing none, he sighed sadly and continued.
“I’m pretty sick, Dad. Have been for a while, but I thought I’d hurt myself at football practice. Turns out I have cancer. Bone cancer in my leg. There’s cancer in my liver too. It doesn’t look too good. I’m going to fight…I’m a Giles, right? That’s what we do.”
He smiled nervously.
“I have surgery on Monday. They’re going to cut my leg off. Apparently, the tumour is pretty big and if they don’t remove it…” He hesitated briefly and squeezed his father’s hand. “Even with chemo and radiation after, they’ve only given me 35%. Which, yeah, is better than 20 with surgery only or zero with no treatment…but, it’s still only 35. If I lose this, I don’t know how Mum and Dad are going to deal. Dad keeps everything so closed up, but he’s scared. I can see it in his eyes.”
A beep on one of the monitors caught Elliott’s attention. He looked up, but it was just a notification that his oxygen levels had dropped a bit. Elliott adjusted his father’s head slightly and the levels went back to what was his normal.
“I wish you could talk to me. I don’t even know if you can hear me. Things aren’t looking so great for you either, are they?” He said quietly, sadly. He wiped a tear from his cheek and cleared his throat. “So, they’re thinking about having a baby. Mum and Dad.”
He smiled as he sat back and just watched his father. He wondered if there really was a Heaven. And if so, would he and his father end up at the same place…would they find one another? Be able to finally have a conversation with each other?
“I love you, Dad. I hate that this happened to you, took you away from me. But, I also want to thank you for making Uncle Ru my guardian. If I couldn’t have you, I would have picked him. He’s an amazing dad. I bet he really was an amazing brother too, huh?”
Giles and Buffy paused in the doorway, having heard that last exchange. Giles swallowed and took a deep breath to compose himself. Buffy tightened her fingers around his, then used her free hand to wipe the tears from her face.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Buffy was already in bed, watching Giles finish getting ready for bed. He removed his watch, placing it in the case with the other watches he owned. There had to be at least ten of them. She had always teased him when he’d pause in front of a watch display, his eyes lighting up when he’d see one that sparked his interest.
He glanced at her, tilting his head questioningly when he noticed the tiny smile on her face. “What is it?”
“Just you.”
He mirrored her smile and slipped under the blankets next to her. “Well, I suppose that’s a good thing. Would hate to think there was someone else here other than me.”
She scoffed lightly and shifted as he slid his arm underneath her. She rested her head on his chest, sighing as he wrapped his arm around her.
“Are you okay?”
“You’re asking that a lot lately.” He replied, his fingers idly stroking her hip.
“I worry about that a lot lately.” She retorted, lifting her head slightly to look into his eyes. “You’ve never been the best about volunteering information about your emotions…”
“I’m processing…as are you.” He said, tenderly brushing the hair back from her face. “I’m not okay, but I wouldn’t expect to be. Not with my brother being in his last few months, my nephew facing a fight that no child should ever be required to face. And I nearly had to go through this entire situation on my own because I was acting like a complete berk.”
“Well, we both worked through our berkiness.” She smiled for a moment, then focused on the flicker of something she saw in his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you.” He whispered in return, his thumb lovingly rubbing against her cheek.
“Giles?”
“Mm?” He murmured, glancing at her lips.
“Would you be okay if I come off the pill?”
His eyes darted back to hers. “What?”
“You were serious about wanting to have a baby, right?”
He nodded silently, staring into her eyes.
“Me too.” She whispered, her fingers gently rubbing circles against his chest. “Is…now an okay time to start trying?”
He thought for a moment, wondering if now was the right time. There was so much going on…serious issues going on. And they had just gotten back together. It wouldn’t be inconceivable to think that this decision could be related to stress…or that they were rushing. But, then he remembered - this was something he had wanted for quite a while…and he had intended to ask her months ago.
He cleared his throat and nodded again. “Yes. Yes, now is an okay time to start trying.”
“Can we start trying right now? Like…this second?”
He raised an eyebrow at her and she laughed softly.
“Okay, yeah…I know. It’s more like…can we practice our trying? Right now?”
He smiled in adoration at her and pulled her into a warm kiss.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The weekend passed quickly…too quickly, if they were all honest about it. But, it had been an amazing weekend. Full of family time, fun with friends, trips to the museum and even the zoo…and a fair amount of practicing for Buffy and Giles. If he were completely truthful to himself, it wasn’t all about practicing…there was a fair amount of much needed comfort and reassurance. Comfort and reassurance that they were both very happy and willing to give and receive.
And now, here they were…in surgery pre-op with Elliott.
Giles was alternating between pacing and leaning against the wall. Buffy was sitting in the chair next to Elliott’s bed, chattering away as she did when she was overly nervous.
Elliott was watching them both with slight amusement. He felt oddly calm, himself. He took that to mean that he had come to terms with the fact that in just a few hours he’d be well on his ‘treatment journey’. That wasn’t to say he wasn’t nervous. He was. He had all sorts of questions and concerns, but he knew this was the best option he had at the moment.
And if he was going to beat this, it was a step he was going to have to take.
He smiled ruefully at that thought. A step he was going to have to take. It’d be a while before he was taking steps again…not without the aid of crutches.
He had asked about the possibility of a prosthetic leg. Dr Naylor said that it was a strong probability that they’d be able to fit one…but, it would take time. Possibly a couple of months…probably a bit longer. They would need to wait until the leg was completely healed and swelling gone. Elliott had been a bit disappointed by the answer, but it made complete sense.
So, crutches it would be…until he was ready.
He smiled as Giles started pacing again.
“Dad…”
Giles stopped and smiled at him. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s going to be okay.” Elliott said, idly rubbing his knee. “This is the right thing to do.”
Giles recognised the question veiled in that statement. Nodding, he carefully sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Yes, it is.” He looked into Elliott’s eyes, smiling affectionately. “You’re amazing, Elliott. I’ve always been so very proud of you. But, this past week? You’ve taught me so much in less than a week than I ever thought possible. The strength you possess is simply astounding.”
“I don’t know if I can beat this, Dad.” Elliott replied calmly. “But, I will fight as hard as I can…until the very end. You taught me that. You and Mum. I’ll be here when my brother or sister is born…”
He grinned as Giles and Buffy both widened their eyes in surprise at him. “Oh, come on…I have eyes and ears, you know. Nothing wrong with them.”
Buffy leaned forward slightly. “Um…eyes?”
Giles cleared his throat. “Ears?”
Elliott stared at them in confusion for a second and then shook his head quickly. “Ah…no, noooo. I haven’t seen or heard anything! I’m not even looking or listening for that because…oh dear lord, no…”
Buffy snickered, Elliott’s use of ‘oh dear lord’ bringing back so many memories of years past.
“I just mean…” Elliott paused, shaking his head again. “I see how you two look at each other, the little touches…the smiles. I hear the questions…the what ifs, the hopes.”
He smiled playfully and shrugged a shoulder. “I also saw the birth control pills in the rubbish…”
Buffy lowered her head and covered her face with her hands. Giles blushed lightly, but grinned as he looked at her.
“So, yeah…my plan is to be here for that. Because I know how you raised me from four years old…a baby is going to be very lucky to have you guys as its Mum and Dad.”
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened and Dr Naylor walked in. He smiled at Buffy and Giles and then walked around to the other side of the bed.
“How are you feeling, Elliott?”
“Nervous.” Elliott admitted, folding his hands together on top of the blanket that was covering him. “But, ready. Is it time?”
Dr Naylor nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. “The orderly will be up to collect you soon. I’m getting ready to scrub up and I’ll be waiting for you in there. Do any of you have any questions?”
“How long am I going to be here?”
“Well, the surgery itself will take a few hours. We’d like to keep you in the hospital for at least a week after…possibly longer depending on how things go.”
Elliott nodded slowly and then looked at Buffy and Giles. “You’ll be here when I come back, right?”
“Absolutely.” They both answered simultaneously.
For the first time since they’d arrived at the hospital, tears appeared in Elliott’s eyes. Buffy and Giles moved quickly, wrapping Elliott in one of their tight family hugs. Dr Naylor took a step back, allowing them a modicum of privacy as they whispered words of encouragement and love to Elliott.
After a few moments, Elliott sniffled and nodded as he looked up at the doctor. “Okay…okay, let’s do this…”
Dr Naylor smiled at him before looking at Buffy and Giles. “We’ll call as soon as he’s in recovery. Please…go take some time for yourselves. This will take a few hours.”
Giles nodded numbly while Buffy bit her lip nervously. They each gave Elliott another hug and a kiss when the orderly came into the room.
“We’ll see you soon, okay?” Buffy said, running her fingers through his hair.
He nodded, leaning into her touch. He looked towards Giles when he felt his large hand on his shoulder.
“I love you, Elliott.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
They took a few steps back and watched as the orderly released the brakes and swung the bed around. The three exchanged nervous smiles and then Elliott gave them a nod and a thumbs up. Giles smiled proudly at him while Buffy chuckled softly.
Dr Naylor followed the orderly, pausing as he walked past Buffy and Giles. “We’ll take very good care of him.”
Giles nodded, pushing his hands into his pockets. Buffy slipped her arm around Giles’ and rested her head against his upper arm.
“Please do.” He responded quietly.
They stood there as the door closed behind the doctor, leaving them in an empty hospital room. Neither of them said anything or even moved for a few moments. And then Buffy looked up at him.
“Hey…”
“I’m not sure I can actually leave.”
Buffy nodded in understanding. “Yeah, me neither. How about we go get a coffee and find somewhere to wait?”
“I should call Ethan…”
Buffy smiled. “Ask him to bring a deck of cards with him.”
Giles looked at her for a moment, then lowered his head towards hers. She met him halfway, sighing as their lips brushed over one another’s.
“Cards?” He asked, pulling from the kiss and leading them towards the door.
“Yep. Poker, Hearts, Go Fish…we should play something.”
“You mention Poker and you know where he’s going to go with that.”
Buffy laughed softly, squeezing his arm gently as he laughed as well.
Chapter 5: Enigma