Willow and Stephanie arrived with little fanfare. Instead, the welcome was rather that which might be afforded favorite cousins. They were ushered into the study by Anton in the early afternoon.

Willow remembered Connor a little from their brief encounter in Angel’s hotel some fifteen or more years ago, and had seen a rather worried looking Connor somewhat obscured by shadows during their video conference,e a week previously. But that seemed to have little relation to the confident man she was now facing. He was obviously just over the cusp of thirty and had a calm and presence that made the white haired wiccan relax and smile broadly. She did not hesitate in breaking all protocol and move forward to give a warm hug to first the Immortal, then Connor in turn.

And Willow certainly wasn’t what Connor had expected.

As soon as she entered the room it positively prickled with the magic flowing from her. White haired and extremely attractive, she had a serene timelessness about her that gave the impression she would carry her true age as a secret for many decades to come.

Connor followed Anton’s lead as the Immortal formally took the witch’s proffered hand, and pressed the back of it to his forehead, then heart and finally kissed it. “High Mistress Willow, we are deeply grateful of your presence and welcome you to our home.” The formality was repeated by Connor as a rather overawed Stephanie was also graciously greeted.

The dialogue between High Wiccan Willow, soon to be ‘Nanny’ (the acolyte Stephanie), the Immortal, and the Full Blood, Connor Aurelius, was surprisingly easy. All in the room were concerned for the balance, the future… and restoring the boys, but in the meantime, ensuring that their time was spent in a stimulating and loving environment.

Stephanie was a trained early childhood teacher and spent much of her time (outside her wiccan responsibilities and studies) as the director overseeing the Berkshire coven’s childcare centre and kindergarten – it was one of the English covens’ five facilities. She was also being personally groomed by Willow to become a High Mistress.

Stephanie was a natural born witch with mixed heritage. Her father’s twin had been made werewolf at the age of seventeen, and her mother was a lay healer – sadly never schooled in the arts of magic, but as a natural earth mother, was able to heal many regardless. Sadly for the thirty something wiccan, motherhood eluded her and her efforts on behalf of the children of the coven increased tenfold as a consequence.

Stephanie had a pixie sweet face, raven blue-black hair, classic red ‘bow’ lips and near black eyes framed by lashes that were impossibly long. She was petite but exuded a strength and kindness that had a presence of its own. Connor and Anton knew instantly, the woman was a perfect choice for their boys’ Nanny.

To the visiting wiccans, Anton was most obviously the patriarch – his extraordinary age, experience and imperviousness to elimination something that gave him a perspective unavailable to the others. And his benevolence and role as surrogate Sire to the line also apparent as he and Connor explored options for reversing the spell with Willow, and discussed Stephanie’s role in the interim.

As the adults discussed some of the most worrying aspects of the current challenges faced by the Aurelian Court, the little boys were having their mid afternoon ‘quiet time’. The term more a euphemism for William’s trying *very hard* to stay still and rest, than for Xander who napped easily at any time of the day or night.

The hour had been instigated after day four when a full blown tantrum by one small brunette had followed the misplacement of Panda. After much sobbing, the beloved soft toy was located by Anton when the laundry staff found a rather soggy black and white bear amongst the already washed, bed linen.

Following the discovery and a very restless night, William and his teddy were allowed to keep a patient vigil with Xander the following day. They seated themselves on the ground under the clothes line for most of the morning while Panda (pinned by his ears) swung in the wind and dried.

Despite the reassuring discovery of the beloved bear, there was still the issue of the ‘mid afternoon moodiness’ until Jon – their lovely human cook and father of five – identified near exhaustion as the key factor regards the ‘aberrant’ behavior of the two boys. Two days later, all was calm again, with the youngsters encouraged to sleep following luncheon and before their afternoon activities.

And so it was, on the day of Willow and Stephanie’s arrival, William had been instructed to simply stay lying down to ‘rest and read’ if he couldn’t sleep in the afternoon.

Expecting guests made the idea of slumber all the more difficult, so Connor sat with the little lad for a time while the sleeping Xander snuggled into his restless friend’s side. Connor was rather surprised when he queried the small blonde about one or two of the books William was looking at, realizing belatedly that the little lad really was reading a significant number of the words, and not just looking at the pictures.

Connor whispered, “You read very well.”

William positively glowed with pride, “That’s why Mother and Papa gave me ‘The Fairy Shop’ for Christmas. It has wonderful poems and pictures, and it’s bound!”

William was too busy describing the treasured tome with his hands and expressions to notice Connor’s amusement.

“Nanny has me to read it to her if it’s too wet to go to the park, and Papa says if I am really clever and work very hard at my studies, I will go to University just like he did.” Connor looked down at the little lad, noticing the half worried expression on the boy’s face. He decided to comment, “You’ll be much older by then. I went to University too – I loved it… Living in the house with other students, it’s lots of…” Connor realized he wasn’t helping so leaned over and took the petite form in a loose hug before inquiring, “Why the sad face Will?”

William’s tone had dropped its enthusiastic edge, “Well… Who will look after Nanny and Mother if I have to go to University to live?”

Connor noticed Xander stir a little but continued to focus on the concerned blonde boy, “Oh, I’m sure it will be fine William. A clever boy like you? I’m sure it will all work out.”

Connor was just about to say more when Xander sat up bleary eyed and little William seemed to completely forget about the previous worry or conversation. He dove across the bed to his waking friend to sit in front of the still blinking Xander, and began a rapid monologue.

Connor could not help but smile. One minute the weight of the real world seemed to be bearing down on the small boy, and the next he was entirely ready to fight dragons, lead daring explorations and ride wild horses, with the obligatory caveat “…so long as we’re both home for tea of course!”

Sadly for the boys, their afternoon adventures were to be temporarily curbed. “That’s lovely William, but I need you both to come and meet someone – well two people really. One of the ladies is a very good friend and the other lady is a person I am sure we will all like.”

And so, a few minutes later, two hastily groomed small boys entered the sitting room hand in hand with Connor.

“Mistress Willow Rosenburg, Mistress Stephanie D’Arth, I would like you to meet Alexander Harris and William Bartlett.”

Xander looked wide eyed at both women then quickly dropped his gaze pushed himself firmly against Connor’s leg and staring at the floor. William knew he was expected to be polite when meeting adults, so released Connor’s hand and gave as good a bow as he could manage, whilst saying, “Please to meet you, Mistress Rosenburg… Mistress D’Arth…”

Willow’s heart skipped a beat. William was just adorable, all enormous blue eyes and white blonde curly hair, but she even more overwhelmed by the sight of the very young Xander.

He was just as she remembered from old photos of the two of them at kindergarten and daycare all those years ago. Big chocolate brown, innocent eyes, thick auburn hair with just enough curl to guarantee it was never quite neat, and a friendly smile that had remained across the years she knew him – nearly always able to disguise the often trying life he led.

She immediately rose from her chair and knelt down in front of her lifetime friend, not missing the little blonde’s immediately protective move, shuffling around the back of Connor so he might stand shoulder to shoulder with his friend Xander as the white haired woman came closer.

Willow found herself rather emotional but finally managed, “Well hello there Alexander… William… It is lovely to see you… I … um… I used to live in Sunnydale so I’ve met you before Xander… although you might not remember…” Willow saw the confused look,  “Oh… it’s OK honey… Anton here tells me you’re learning to ride?”

Xander’s fear instantly dissipated and within moments he had released Connor’s hand and stepped forward with William in close pursuit, as he explained their wonderful pony rides and how they had “… gone all the way down to the gate and I even had the reins with *no lead* the o’ver day! An’ Will was wiv me – but he just had to hold on, ‘cause it wasn’t his turn! An’ Chantelle said I was really good, and Fusée (that’s his name) even licked some salt from my hand after! ”

William quickly jumped in, palm extended as though to feed a pony, adding, “And mine too… he licked mine!” Willow didn’t miss the two little lads exchanging a glance before Xander added, “And he licked Will’s too.” before commenting, “But he licked mine first!”

William looked at the ground for a moment then conceded the point, “He did… He licked Xander first… but that’s fair. Xander was really good with the reins. Do you think Fusée will lick me first next time?” Hopeful blue eyes were raised to Willow’s emerald green as the witch tried hard not to giggle at the innocent babble.

“I’m sure Fusée just takes in turn don’t you think?” Apparently Willow’s response was perfect, as two little boys grinned then settled on the floor cross-legged in front of the senior Wiccan. At that point Willow took the opportunity to introduce Stephanie less formally.

The young wiccan was ideal – in her late twenties, the red head seemed to have an instant affinity for small children and was a trained early childhood teacher. The boys took an immediate like to their lovely new nanny and were soon heading outside to “Show Nanny S around…”

Willow watched the two excited boys lead a beaming Stephanie to meet Chantelle and Fusée, barely hearing the end of the explanation by an increasingly confident Xander, “You might be too big to ride wiv us… but we could do walking couldn’t we, Will? … And there are the big bikes. But you will need Uncle Connor to come then, ‘cause they’re too hard by yourself… But maybe Chantelle can…” The conversation petered out as the trio disappeared into the late afternoon sun. And the ‘elders’ turned to more serious matters.

Anton addressed the still smiling wiccan, “She is ideal. Thank you Mistress. But I must address more urgent matters. Correct me if I am wrong but… it will be nineteen days at the earliest until we can change them back?”

Willow sobered instantly and faced the Immortal, her elder by at least two millennia. “Indeed Master Anton, though our research has revealed a complication in the reversal process when it comes to the High Master.”

Connor saw a measure of anguish and sadness grace Anton’s usually unreadable, handsome face, before the old one quietly answered their guest. “Dear Lady, I feared as much. You must know that I hold you and the coven in the highest esteem, and hope that you will agree to restoring Xander at the end of this month – along with our Fl’aath friends, but I also entreat you to stay on. The restoration of the High Master William will, as you have indicated, require a more difficult process…”

Willow was just about to comment but was stayed by Anton’s kind hand resting on her knee and silenced her by the near whispered, baritone address. “I know we must restore the man and the demon… and as you realize that includes his age and status as High Master. My resources are vast, dear lady, but for the restoration of the true leader of the vampire world – and his consort… I trust you dear Mistress Willow. I entreat you to restore my Childer. You have my full support. It is well that you are with us High Mistress, as I, like you, know it will be a process requiring *all* our resources and *much* resolve.”

Willow simply nodded then added in a rather small voice, “As you are their Sire in all but origin, I respect all that you ask, and am honored that you request this of me. Your Childer may need some of your blood in the interim, and that of the full blood Connor. I realize your responsibilities are vast but wonder if you might be available for the full moon so we might proceed with William’s restoration. The coven will have completed all necessary ceremonies prior to the full moon.”

Anton smiled, “You have my word. Indeed it is my intention to stay on until the day. Oh and note also that I have arranged for you to fly to our home for a day or two after the High Master’s restoration – as I believe you owe Buffy a ‘mocca and a chat’? She did say to call.”

Willow all but squealed her delight, and gave in to rather uncharacteristic, impetuous glee as she kissed the Immortal on the cheek and all but danced from the room, mobile phone in hand and a thousand questions ready for her old friend.

…………………..

“She is very nice.”

“I know”

“She’s nothing like my real Nanny.”

“So?”

“Oh… nothing really – they’re both nice… I just… I just miss Nanny… and Mother… and… and… I’ve been *ever so brave*, so where are they? I … I just thought if I was brave… Cousin George said that school is when you have to go away to learn. Do you think that we’re in school – ‘cause I was good and I tried to learn my lessons and I am sorry the chalk broke… and the board got wet… but it dried later... so…”

The two little boys were in bed after supper, allegedly attempting to settle for the night, but William was on the point of hysteria. The High Mistress Willow ‘gave him prickles’ and was still putting him on such an edge that he could not begin to process the confusion, so simply gave in to the lovely warm cuddle from his Xander shaped friend.

Stephanie came to check on her two small charges some half hour later and grinned as she spied the two small bodies intertwined. She tucked the covers up to their chins then flicked off all but the night light before retiring herself.

……………….

The mercenaries struck ten days after Stephanie’s arrival, as she and two small boys were spending a joyful afternoon on a large rug near the swing Connor had hung from the broad branches of the ancient oak close to the house. The boys had exhausted themselves with countless turns on the swing followed by a few bouts of rough and tumble, and an aborted attempt to climb the enormous tree.

Eventually their lovely wiccan Nanny had convinced them to draw a picture of their tree for Uncle Connor and Sir Anton. William had insisted that the older relative was Sir Anton after hearing Connor referred to him as “Sire, Anton” over dinner on their second day at the house.

It took Xander almost a week before the concept that it was possible to have a knight without armor sunk in. But the presence of swords, shields, and artifacts of war displayed around the mansion, along with witnessing Anton and Connor fencing one afternoon, convinced the young lad that Anton’s chain mail and horse must just be hidden somewhere.

Before she even realized what was happening, the dart that hit the young witch’s arm had delivered its anesthetic and she was on the ground in black oblivion. Xander saw Spike grabbed from behind as he reached for a red crayon. Fortunately for both boys, he screamed his alarm and kept screaming for William, even as he was pulled from the ground by an individual clad in a balaclava and army fatigues.

William kicked and struggled for several second then went limp, just as his old Nanny back home said one should do if ever attacked by the gypsies.

Pleased that his charge was compliant so quickly, the young private relaxed somewhat, and William struck. The tiny blonde kicked with all his might, managing to get his little boots to strike the large individual’s groin with enough force to cause a yelp, then took advantage of the few seconds of shock to wriggle out of the man’s grip, and begin to make for the stranger holding a struggling Xander.  

The terrified little Xander had managed to keep hold of his red crayon and by a mere stroke of luck, and a lot of flailing arms, had struck his captor in the eye with the writing implement – hard enough that he was dropped unceremoniously on the ground.

William grabbed his friend’s hand and they began to run for the house – but there were more mercenaries emerging from a black van that had sped across the lawn toward them.

Xander cried out a second time as the now angry individual he had escaped from, caught him again. This time the man had help. Xander was held firm as his mouth was taped followed by his wrists and ankles. William had the same treatment.

As they were tossed unceremoniously into the van, William saw their lovely Nanny Stephanie sprawled on the ground and began to cry silently. He was sure they had killed her, he had seen a dead person in the street once, and that lady had been sprawled too.

The soldiers were speaking in rapid French. Sadly William knew only enough words to know something even worse than the tape was about to happen.

“Just give them a quarter of the usual – anymore might kill them.”

“But Sir, is it really necessary? They are restrained now, surely…?”

The lead mercenary growled back, “It’s an order Cherloitte, not a discussion point!” The soldier’s eye was still visibly red from the ‘crayon incident’.

“Sir, yes Sir.”

William felt a sharp pain in his right leg and all went black.

The young soldier was leaning across to Xander when a commotion in the front of the van signaled they had trouble. Then their whole world stilled. Frozen in place, even the drip of anesthetic from the syringe refused to obey gravity.

Connor had heard Xander’s initial cry of distress and though it wasn’t unusual for the boys to rough house or yell out, something of the tone put him on edge so he did a quick check out the window, expecting to see some minor hurt, only to view all their nightmares. Stephanie was on the ground and he could see the boys being manhandled by men in fatigues.

Anton felt his distress before any words were even exchanged, so simply cried out to Willow who was in the library researching, before following Connor, vampiric speed and agility saw both launching from the balcony to the ground then all but flying toward their boys.

Connor pulled the driver from the vehicle, knocking him out with a single punch in the process. He was about to tackle the other four mercenaries when Willow’s spell hit the scene. Anton looked back to the house and could just make out the witch standing on the first storey balcony, arms extended and hair flying as if in a wind tunnel.

Lilah’s attack squad were all aware but unable to move of their own free will, so had wrists and ankles bound and mouths gagged before being neatly piled into the back of their own vehicle. The unconscious Stephanie and William were gently eased into the rear of the van also, while a now freed but sobbing small Xander was cradled in Anton’s arms as Connor drove the van the few hundred meters to the house.

The men were moved to the winter barn where the animals resided during the frozen months of December and January. Still groggy from the spell, they were stripped of their equipment then shackled together in a single stall. They had water and a toilet bucket but no food since both Connor and Anton knew it was only temporary. Neither had any desire to hold prisoners for longer than was absolutely necessary.

Stephanie came to first, crying out her belated alarm before the disorientation of being tranquilized truly began to lift. She recognized Willow but did not relax until her elder whispered, “Sweetie, the boys are fine… they’re fine… Rest now.”

Connor and Anton flanked the two tiny figures in Spike and Xander’s bed. Both boys had been freed of their restraints and Xander given Panda and cup of warm milk by Connor with reassurances that if he had a bit of a sleep, William would be awake when he roused.

Anton’s hand remained on the little blonde’s chest and a worried look firmly in place. It was obvious that the dose of anesthetic had been a hefty one for such a small person, William’s breathing too shallow and erratic to oxygenate the blood properly, and his heart failing to compensate. The boy’s lips and fingertips were slowly taking on a blue tinge.

Gregor arrived seconds later as though by magic. He handed Anton a small oxygen mask and twisting the key on the bottle and it hissed as the precious contents began to flow.

After several minutes and a gradual restoration of pink to William’s color, Anton lifted his free wrist and bit down hard. He then removed the mask from William’s face for a few seconds and allowed a mouthful of his own blood to drain into the boy’s mouth.

William gagged a little but eventually swallowed the precious fluid. Anton returned the mask and proffered the still dripping wrist to Connor – who accepted gratefully before laving the wound closed.

……………..

Lilah stormed impatiently around her luxury suite. It was hours since her team was deployed and the last time they had checked in, the report had been that they had captured the targets and were about to return.

She was aware that she had stepped a little out of line regards the Senior Partners but still couldn’t wait to begin negotiations with Angel’s full blood son, and was sure Connor would see the ‘advantages’ of working for her… and perhaps, one day, even for Wolfram and Hart. The Senior Partners would be impressed.

*Crane, Walter, (1870) The Fairy Shop, UK.