Who Would Have Thought?
The Legend Continues
by Teri
AN: I've had a lot of requests for more on this story, which was surprising. I never intended to write more, nor did I think anyone would even like what I wrote in the first place. So. . . Here is the sequel. Set between seasons six and seven.
Summary & Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Xander had read what forms he would need for his passport application. He wanted to have it ready in case Willow was in England with Giles for her 'recovery' long enough for him to go visit her there. He would need his birth certificate. He had asked his parents for a copy once, but they said that they didn't have one. So, here he was at the Department of Vital Records to get a copy.
His number was called and he approached the counter.
The woman on the other side looked up, "Xander Harris?" She looked surprised.
He grinned, "Erin Mills, how are you?"
"Alive, thanks to you General." She smiled. She had been part of the Sunnydale class of 1999 and owed her life to the man many remembered as the 'General'.
"Knock it off Erin," he grinned slightly embarrassed.
"So what can I do you for?" She asked.
Xander explained that he needed his birth certificate in order to apply for a passport. She even told him that she would expedite it personally on her lunch break, which was in a few minutes. She suggested that he go sit outside on the bench and she would join him in less than a half of an hour. He told her it wasn't necessary, but she insisted on doing it for him.
As instructed Xander was sitting outside when Erin walked over and sat down next to him.
"I couldn't find a birth certificate for Alexander Harris," she said quickly.
Of course, he thought. Nothing ever goes smoothly.
"Usually, " she continued, "that means someone was adopted or had a name change. So, I peeked into those records. After all I owe you. I found something, but you didn't get it from me." She handed him a file folder and stood to leave.
"Thanks Erin. I owe you one." Xander told her gratefully.
"No General, I still owe you and this isn't even the down payment." She kissed him on the cheek and went back inside.
He really wanted to open the folder then and there, but he had the feeling he should do this in the privacy of his own home. He went to his car. As he drove he wondered what could be in the folder. Erin's words drifting in his mind, "usually means someone was adopted." He use to dream that he was adopted and that his real parents would come and take him home. Is it possible his dream could be coming true? If he wasn't a Harris, maybe he could make things up with Anya?
He arrived home and opened the folder. The first page read "ADOPTION DECREE" His breath hitched. Adoption - oh wow. "Anthony Dean Harris and Jessica LaVelle Harris are given full custody of the minor Daniel Alexander Osborne, Jr., this day June 2, 1981." Xander looked at the date, that was his birthday or at least when he celebrated it. His parents had lied to him about his birthday. He noticed the name and wondered if he and Oz were related, since he was also Daniel Osborne although he had no idea what his middle name was.
He looked at the next page. "LEGAL NAME CHANGE" This page showed that his name was legally changed to Alexander LaVelle Harris on June 2, 1981.
The next page was a BIRTH CERTIFICATE, his birth certificate.
Name: Daniel Alexander Osborne, Jr.
Date of Birth: March 29, 1981
Place of Birth: Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
Mother's Maiden Name: Grace Margaret Kehoe
Mother's Place of Birth: Colorado Springs, CO
Father's Name: Daniel Alexander Osborne
Father's Place of Birth: Sunnydale, CA
Parents Marital Status: Married
He looked at for a few minutes. His first thought was that he had turned 21 several weeks ago and he didn't even know it.
He flipped to another page which read, "DEATH CERTIFICATE" All his hopes went away when he read the name: Grace Osborne - Date of Death: April 16, 1981. He stifled his tears. The date was only three weeks after he was born and yet he felt an immense lost for a woman he didn't remember.
The next document was a court paper that allowed him to be put up for adoption. There was no trace of his father. It was believed he was deceased based on comments his mother had made while in the hospital. She had also informed the hospital she has no family. The investigation backed-up her statement. Since there was no family he was made a ward of the court and eligible for adoption.
He closed the folder. He finally had a birth certificate. He had been given up for adoption, but apparently it was because his parents were dead, apparently his mother had wanted him at least. A thought occurred to him. If his mother had died in Sunnydale, perhaps he could find her grave.
He called a few cemeteries and found out that she has been buried at St. Jude's cemetery, a regular on their patrol rounds. He got direction from the office and setout with flowers to find his mother. He was surprised to find she had a stone and fresh flowers.
Grace Osborne
Beloved Wife and Mother
died 16 April 1981
He knelt down, placing his flowers with the others and said a few prayers. He talked to her for a while then stood and walked towards the cemetery office. He had spent enough time in cemeteries to recognize that this stone was fairly new and he wanted to find out who cared enough to buy his mother a marker and leave fresh flowers.
Hope you all enjoyed the update. Teri
Posted: 06/04/2004
Edited: 04/26/2008