FF:R&R::An Interlude:: Bittersweet Memories (2/3)

[keeper444@xxxxxxxxx]

So how do ya' like it so far? Here's the second part, originally this
was all the longer this was supposed to be but ya' know how these things
are. So the third and final part of it will be following shortly.
As always any suggestions, comments, constructive critiques, or snarky
remarks are all welcome. Just sent them to:
keeper444@xxxxxxxxx
That's all for now see ya' later.
Alex
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Full Disclaimers In Part 1
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R&R::A brief interlude:: 
Bittersweet Memories (2/3)
By: Alex P.
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Once Willow had opened the mental door the memories of her beloved Grams
come forth in a deluge. She couldn't stop them even if she had wanted
to, both good and bad memories flooded into her mind with equal force.

Beginning with her last night with the woman that had shown her love
when no other would.
************* 
"Sit little Rose," the old woman said remembering Willow's presence, "I
think we need to talk before you go home tomorrow and now is as good a
time as any." 

"Sure Grams," Willow answered suddenly saddened recalling that she was
leaving the next afternoon and returning to the real world, tears filled
her eyes knowing she would be miserable as always "I really don't want
to go Grams, but Momma would be so mad, but Grams people are so mean to
me there, 
Xander is my only friend and 
there's this girl Cordelia Chase, 
Grams she hates me and 
I don't know why, I try to be friendly but she always makes fun of the
way I dress and the way I wear my hair, and 
all her friends laugh at me. 
It hurts so much Grams. 
Why don't they like me Grams? 
What horrible thing did I do to her 
to make her hate me so?" 

Anything else she said was lost as the red haired beauty dissolved into
tears and knelt next to her beloved grandmother laying her head in
Magda's lap. 

"Hush my sweet child don't cry." the suddenly frail looking woman spoke
softly to the weeping girl trying to allay her fears and comfort her by
gently stroking her soft red hair. "I wish I could tell you it was going
to be better my sweet little rose, but I can't. We don't know why God
lets the ones that hate exist but he does and they are always with us. 
I learned that no matter how bad it gets and how much it looks like the
hateful ones have won. 
There is always someone that will come along to your life when all seems
lost and this one will make the sunshine brighter and your life will
never be the same. 
That will be your soulmate, my child, once they come into your life, the
ones that hate lose their power to hurt you. 
I had thought at one time 
that you were lucky and young 
Xander was your other half 
but alas while he is a true and loyal friend he is not the one for you. 
But someone will come for you my beautiful little Rose rest assured, and
when they do your heart and 
soul will tell you." 

Willow looked up at her lover knowing now what her grandmother was
saying. "Don't listen to anyone when your soulmate arrives, hold them
close and never let them go no matter what, do you understand what I'm
saying." 

The young girl looked up into her grandmother's eyes and although her
vision was blurred by tears Willow could see that her Grams was being
totally serious. Willow had always noticed that at times like these her
grandmother was always right. 

The old woman told her that back in the motherland it was called having
the sight and it ran in the family, her grandmother's family had
descended from Gypsies. It had been Magda's mother that had left her
Gypsy roots and settled down with a handsome young Jewish doctor from a
nearby village. 

"I-I understand, Grams, but" Willow asked the old woman, "how will I
know him Grams, when will he come?" 

"Don't worry child they will be coming into your life soon." Her
grandmother assured her, "that's another gift I brought this family
along with a few others. 
Our family has always had 
the power to recognize 
our souls other half. 
I have been a very lucky woman 
little Rose, 
God has seen fit to give me two soulmates in my life. 
The first was taken from me 
by the Nazis and died in the camps. 
I almost died when I felt my other half die, but God made me live
through that hell on Earth, so that when the horror was over I would
come to America, 
and meet my second soulmate, 
your grandfather. 
The minute I saw Avram Rosenberg 
I knew he was mine for the rest of our lives together, just as I know he
awaits me now in our own paradise." 

"NO! Grams," the distraught girl cried out as she realized her
grandmother was speaking of her death. "you can't leave me not yet. I
need you please Grams, I'll die if I lose you, I'll be all alone without
you here. The rest of the family hates me, because I love you so much, 
sometimes they're worse then
that Cordelia Chase and her friends. 
They make fun of me, and call you awful names, and they're just so
cruel. Sometimes they act like they wish you were dead." 

"They do child, they all do." the old woman admitted to her
granddaughter. "They are sure that when I'm gone they can swoop in like
vultures, and tear apart everything I have, and divide it among
themselves, but they are in for a real surprise. I have provided some
very special treats for those vultures. 
Don't worry so child, Nature has a way with balancing things out. When
my time comes, and I go to join my sweet Marie, and my handsome Avram,
the only regret, I will have is not being here for you. 
But don't despair, my beautiful Rose, 
I will always be at your side, and 
when it seems like things are at their blackest, watch little one, you
will see how an old woman gets her final laugh. 
It will brighten your day, 
and lighten your soul a little. 
You will see. 

Now my sensitive little love, it is very late, and you, my child, have a
busy day tomorrow, you know Jimmy and the boys wont let you leave
without a proper good bye. so to bed with you, tomorrow will be a
beautiful day, just for you, and in honor of our last day, this I know." 

Not completely understanding Willow sniffed back her tears and gave her
Grams her brightest smile. 

"Yes Grams, I'll go, after my good night hugs." Willow laughed her mood
brightened by her grandmother's promise of a beautiful day "I will miss
you, you know." 

The two women one just beginning her life the other nearing the end of
hers, hugged each other fiercely, then each retired to their rooms to
rest for the coming day. 
************* 
That was the last time I saw her alive." Willow told her audience of
two. "Two weeks after I got home, we got the call that she had passed
away quietly, and peacefully in her sleep. I was devastated, and Mom
tried to keep me from the funeral, but Dad insisted, because of the
appearances with the family. 

Most of the funeral was lovely. The family spent too lavishly on the
funeral, Grams would have been so angry. They only did it to impress
every one I guess, but when Grams real friends showed, they wouldn't
allow the family to ruin her memory. 

They refused to be quiet or to be whining about her death, they were
there to celebrate her life. They sat with me talking about all the good
times they'd had with Grams and how she was always there for anyone in
need. They kept me away from the family and I went with them, from the
time they arrived, until the funeral was over. They surrounded me, and
supported me, when I lost it at the grave site, and saw to it that I was
safe before they would go home." 

Then a sad yet very angry look came over Willow's face, her lips were
curled into a disgusted snarl and her beautiful emerald eyes flashed
(literally) with anger as she continued her tale. 

"You should have seen them Buffy, it was horrible." Willow said her
voice reflected her barely controlled outrage at her family's crass and
cruelly ruthless behavior. "Once all the guests were gone, all pretense
of love, and devotion disappeared, and all the old meanness and ugliness
was back. 

All they talked about, was how glad they were that the old battle-ax was
finally dead, and speculating how much each of them would get from her
will. The women, even my *mother*, made a tour of the ranch house
picking out the various items that they wanted to have. It was
sickening, and I was so ashamed to be related to them. 

Then the lawyers and Grams' Rabbi, showed up, and told them that until
the will went through probate, it was considered property of the state.
Everything was to be left as it was. My mother even went so far as to
demand to know where my Grams jewelry was." 

Willow's face bore a look Buffy had never seen before. It was a
combination of all consuming outrage, and stomach turning disgust. She
felt a wave of rage wash over her, along with a desire to strangle
anyone that would put that look on her wife's gorgeous face. 

"I couldn't believe them Buffy," Willow said her anger turning to
disdain as she continued. "It was just as bad while they waited for the
will to get out of probate. They even had conference calls on how they
were going to divide Grams' belongings, how they were going to fire all
the ranch hands, and sell the ranch to developers, that had approached
them after the funeral. 

I was getting sadder and sadder, the person that loved me so much, and
that I love beyond measure was gone, and the jackals were getting ready
to destroy everything that was left. 
That's when the letter came. 

Two letters actually, one was from Grams' Rabbi, he was a really nice
man, and he wrote to find out if I was doing better, and how Grams
wouldn't like me ruining my health because of her. 
Then I opened the second letter. 
The minute I saw the first sentence I began crying and couldn't read any
farther for a long time, 
it was from my Grams." 
*********** 
My Dearest Little Rose, 

Please little one, don't be too sad, I'm back with the ones I loved and
we are all watching over you. So dry those tears and show us your
gorgeous green, green eyes. 

I know the vultures are circling the carcass ready to feast, on my
life's work, and you my most precious child are in a constant state of
outrage, and pain at their actions, aren't you? 

Well then my little rose bud, have you forgotten what I said, I told you
I would show you how an old woman gets the final laugh. 

Well it will be soon, the Rabbi was supposed to send you this when the
Will was about to come out of probate. This means your parents are about
to learn that you are mentioned in the will. They wont like it but they
have to let you be there, Dave will see to that. 

When the reading starts stay close to Dave, cause old Grams is going to
really open the can of worms, and pour it all over those greedy
vultures. 

Now you go to bed and get some rest. I love you my little Rose and we
are all watching over you. I want you to be rested and awake when you go
to the reading of the will. You are going to love this. Watch for me
child I wouldn't miss this for anything. 

With All My Love
Grams 
***********
Willow stopped to wipe away a tear. During the story, Buffy had gotten
Willow to switch places, so that the redhead was sitting between her
wife's legs, and the Slayer was holding her lover tight, hoping to
comfort her and support her as she told the story of her Grandmother
Magdalin Rosenberg, and the events that occurred just before they met.

Tears had left their trails down the beautiful redheads' face and her
emerald eyes were shining with tears waiting to be shed. She sniffed a
little as she took a sip of the tea that Wenny had brought them. 

It was the friendly old woman that had sparked the telling of this 
story and now the old woman and Buffy were sitting patiently, waiting 
for Willow to be able to begin the story where she had left off.

Buffy could feel her lovers muscles tighten as she was about to
continue her tale, it worried the Slayer that all this may be too much
or her sensitive lover to bare.

"You know honey, you don't have to do this," the Chosen One whispered
into Willow's ear. "You've already told me enough, to know how special
your Grams was, and I wish I had been given the opportunity to know
her."

"Aye, little one, there is no need to dredge up old pain." Wenny 
added, "I can see your love for her in your eyes, and I am honored 
that you would see some of her in me. I only hope that I can live up 
to the privilege and the honor you have given me."

The young Sorceress held up her hand to stop their protests on her
behalf, her face glowing with gratitude and love for the support and
unconditional acceptance she received from both women.

"No please, let me continue," she said earnestly "I haven't felt this
close to Grams in a long time and telling her story is really helping
me. I'm getting rid of all that bile, that has been staining my soul 
for hating my relatives, all these years. It's really nice to finally 
get past all that hate, and rage and be able to go on from here, with 
only good memories, and I love having the chance to share my Grams 
with the two of you. 

She was a kind, brave, strong, compassionate, caring woman, 
with a generous supply of love, 
which she freely shared 
with all those around her. 
That's the legacy I want to begin living 
with, instead of the anger I've felt because of some greedy, and 
ignorant people."

Both women saw the truth in what Willow was telling them and Buffy 
could feel the weight lifting from her mates' soul, as she released 
the harsh feelings the story had held in her heart for so long.

"Go on then, Wills." Buffy whispered in her lovers' ear enjoying the
shivers of pleasure that ran through the witches' body as her lover's
warm breath washed over the highly sensitive organ. "I want to know 
your grandmother better, my love. You were lucky to have had her."

Willow gulped loudly, and nodded her agreement with Buffy's statement 
as she readied herself to go on with the rest of her story.

"Before I go any further, I do want you to know, I wasn't completely
alone during all this." Willow said first "Xander was there with me
every minute, he even found a way to be there for Grams funeral. 
Even though he was almost as destroyed by her passing as I was. 
She was an oasis of love and acceptance for him in a childhood that
severely lacked both. Despite all that, he stood by me, to this day, 
he gets uncontrollably angry, when he is reminded how my family acted
back then."

Buffy smiled sadly knowing, Xander's past almost as well as Willow, 
she could imagine how devastating it must have been, to lose that one
shining light, in a very dark time for him, and she knew his temper,
when someone treated the people he loved with disrespect.

"Anyway, a couple of days after I got the letter, I noticed that
everything was buzzing around the house. The conference calls 
increased as did the yelling and screaming, that was when I learned 
that I was to attend the reading of Grams will. 

My mother did 
everything she could to keep me from being there, but Grams lawyer 
David, insisted saying the will would not be read, and there would be 
no distribution of assets, until I was there, as Grams will stated. 

He assured my parents, that he intended to follow my grandmothers 
final wishes to the letter, and nothing would convince him to do it
differently."
*****************
There was an attitude in the older attorney's demeanor, that made 
Willow wonder, just what he and her grandmother had cooked up so she
could have her "old woman's last laugh". 

Willow had been around long enough to know that the older lawyer
absolutely adored her Grams and if she hadn't been so in love with her
departed Avram, he would have been after her in a heart beat, but it
wasn't to be and he was her best friend and closest friend, and 
trusted confidant.
*************
"Anyway the day rolled around until they chose a day when everybody 
could be present for the reading of Grams' will," Willow said her, 
voice taking on the far away quality, that Buffy knew meant that her 
wife was picturing the events in her mind. "You should have seen them 
honey, Grams hit the nail right on the head, when she called them 
vultures. The lawyer's conference room looked like a scene out 
of "Wild Kingdom" with the carrion eaters perched on branches, 
waiting for their chance to swoop down on the carcass of a beast far 
nobler than them. Anxious to devour every bit of their victim. 

They wanted all evidence of Grams' life disappeared from the face of the 
Earth. Their behavior before now had disgusted me, the way they
were practically drooling at the thought of getting their greedy hands
on her property. 

They were all complaining, 
because I had stopped at 
a younger lawyer's office, to say hi, and thank him, for all the 
special extra things he had done for Grams, and her lawyer refused to 
begin reading the will until I was there. 
I was almost going to throw 
up, they were just sickening. I knew that none of them had given a 
damn about her while Grams was alive, but now that she was gone, they 
were all trying to convince each other of how close they were to her. 

"My mother was the worst of all of them, with her bragging that 'Grams
loved our part family so much, that she was even leaving "our dear
little Willow" something' speech. Everyone knew she hadn't seen Grams
since she sold the estate on Long Island and moved to Colorado. It was
horrible."
***************
Once again the painful memories cause Willow to pause her story long
enough for her to regather her scattered wits and to take a long sip of
the herbal to wash the bitter taste the telling of the tale was leaving
in her mouth. 

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END 2
TBC
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