Sarah phoned up to Buffy’s room where she had been since arriving back with her dress.
“Hello Buffy, sorry to disturb you but Dawn has just arrived.”
“Thanks Sarah, can you show her to her room and tell her that I will see her when I’m showered.” Buffy said. ‘She sounds exhausted’ thought Sarah as she replaced the receiver. Sarah got up checked herself in the mirror that hung on the far side of her office and walked out into the reception hall to greet Dawn. Sarah noticed Dawn getting out of the limo that she had sent to collect her. Sarah noted that Dawn was petite just like her sister but the difference between the two women was that Dawn had dark brown hair and Buffy had blonde.
As Dawn approached the difference began to show even more, Dawn’s eyes were blue, Buffy green, Dawn had colour to her cheeks but Buffy looked like she was in desperate need have a bit of sunning. It was the first time Sarah had meet Dawn, because this was only the second year that they was having a Christmas ball and the last time was just for the SIT’s and some member’s of staff, including herself. Dawn came bounding up the stairs obviously excited about seeing her older sister. Mark walked behind her laden with her suitcases and present’s.
“Hello Dawn, I’m Sarah, we spoke on the phone.” Sarah offered her hand and Dawn shook it warmly.
“Hi. Is Buffy about?”
“She’s in her room, she has asked me to get you settled in your room and to tell you she will see you shortly. We’ve given you the queen suite on the east wing of the hotel it’s better than the honeymoon suite anyway. If you would like to follow me and I’ll show you to your room. Mark if you can place the presents under the tree with the other’s and follow us up with the cases, thanks.”
Sarah walked along the reception hall with Dawn following, Mark placed the presents under the tree and followed. Sarah walked up one of the two stairs, that meet in the middle, one went off to the west wing and the other to the east but whatever one you took it didn’t matter as the both formed a balcony which over looked the hall. From this point of view you really appreciated the tree in its full splendour. Sarah walked along the corridor and took the elevator up to the third floor, where the honeymoon, queen, king and president suite’s were, each going up in size and the president suite took up all of the left hand side of the top floor. This were Buffy’s special guests for Christmas was staying, she had used the phrase ‘scooby gang’ when mentioning it to Sarah.
Sarah reached the door to the queen suite and used the pass card to open the door. The biggest feature of this room was the four-poster bed with voile drapes that stood on a different level that you had to walk up a few steps to reach. Behind the bed was a floor to ceiling window that over looked the outside swimming pool. Dawn stepped in and her mouth dropped open in amazement, it was like a child in a sweet shop.
“I know Buffy had said that it was big but I never expected it to be this big!” Dawn walked around the room, stopping to smell the fresh roses in the vase on the table in the middle of the room. “Is any of the other’s here yet?”
“No you’re the first to arrive. Willow is expected tomorrow morning, Cordelia, Wesley and Angel in the afternoon. Xander and Anya are expected the day after.” Sarah turned to Mark, “Put those near the closet please and that’s all.” Mark did as he was told and then turned and left the room. “Cordelia and Wesley are staying on the next floor down. Buffy and Giles both have rooms in the west wing, if you need to speak to her then lift the receiver and you will be connected to me downstairs and I will put you through, if there’s anything else you need then please do not hesitate to ask.” With that Sarah walked out and closed the door behind her.
***
Buffy let the powerful shower jets wash the rest of the suds off her body. She got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her naked body. She padded out into her room and into the walk-in closet. Her room took up the whole space of the third floor, there she had a office, where she done most of her work, a small gym, and the bathroom was lavish, not only had she a shower but a sunk in the floor bath with a jacuzzi feature. She couldn’t decide what to wear so she chose something simple a pair of jeans with a spaghetti strapped black top. It may have been sleeveless and cold outside but the hotel was lovely and warm. She looked at her watch and noticed that Dawn had already been here for an hour, she felt guilty and quickly made her way to the east wing.
Buffy met Dawn on the stairs leading from the upper level.
“Hi Dawnie, its good to see you again. How was the trip?” She kissed and cuddled her younger sister and noticed that Dawn had grown since last seen her.
“Long. How are things, wow Buffy when you said this place was big I didn’t expect it to be this big! So where’s Giles?” They started to make their way down the steps that led into the reception hall.
“Giles is teaching English Lit to the remaining SIT’s, many have gone home for Christmas.”
“Giles is teaching now, no way,” Dawn’s face was of total amazement.