Wow...that was sweet, I really sympathize with Joyce here. You really found her voice, I think and loved that you actually linked some common ground with B/J. They lacked that in the actual show because so much had happened already and Buffy trying to keep from disappointing her.

This is really fantastic! I like the idea of amber beads too. :)

Passing by her grounded older daughter's room, she heard soft

sounds coming from within. She approached the door and heard

Buffy's half of the conversation.

"Yes, he came... through the window." Pause. "Don't ask what

you don't want to know, Wills!... No! You and your dirty

mind!" Laughs. "We just talked and stuff. Yes, through the

window... Because I'm grounded, duh!"

Joyce smiled. She really should go in and berate her daughter

for breaking the rules. But the truth was, Buffy was scaring

her with her erratic behaviour and escapades. To hear her

talking about a teenage crush with calm, nice, down-to-earth

Willow was a real relief.

She heard quiet giggles from inside the room and caught an

unbelievable happy whisper. "Isn't he the best, Willow?"

Joyce smiled for the last time. Weren't they all the best at

one point?, she thought, still feeling a light weight on her

ankle.

She only hoped that Buffy would never count amber beads, too.

Brilliant! Very deep and creative.

Keep up your awesome, superb writing! :)

Hey Leni,

I love the descriptions in this. You made me see the bracelet and exactly what it meant to Joyce. Very good story and a surprise, seeing Joyce's POV!