#13 continued (intermission)

#13 continued (intermission)

Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

“So, these are the cacti,” Dawn explained carefully, as Buffy stood in their back doorway, gazing slowly as the tangled plants. “What do you think?”

“I’ve seen cacti before,” Buffy said slowly. “We are living in a desert, you know? They didn’t look anything like this. This looks more like nature’s answer to barbed wire – literally.”

“It’s – it’s a different species from those that grow there,” Dawn explained, haltingly. “And, yes, they might be ugly, but... mom says that they bloom really beautifully at night. And they’re supposed to be blooming tonight, if you’re interested.”

“Well, never let it be said that I can’t appreciate some flowers,” Buffy almost chuckled. “And speaking of flowers, Dawn? Maybe you should call mom – it looks like the flowers are about to bloom.”

“I’m on it!”

* * *

It was funny, but until she had met Willow’s parents, Tara had never realized how much Willow resembled both of them – her mother in looks (except for the red hair), and her father in behaviour. Considering that Tara herself took almost completely after her mother (and hurray for that) this realization was strange, and rather confusing for her.

“So, now that we all had tea,” Shelia cast a rather pointed look at Ira, who had the grace to put down some papers he had been busy explaining to Willow and look sheepish, “please, go ahead and explain what troubles you so badly.”

Willow and Tara exchanged another look, and Willow spoke first:

“Well? Essentially, I did some either very bad or very stupid things...”

TBC