Buffy yawned before snuggling into the warm blanket that was draped over her figure. ‘ Wait, blanket?’ Slowly she brought her hand to her face and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. The sun was shining brightly through the windows making the plane looked even nicer than it had during the night. ‘ And on that note, since when is it daytime so soon?’
“Ah, and she awakes!” She turned to look at Spike who was coming back from the front of the plane, grinning as he looked at her. He had something in his hand.
“Coffee! Gimme!” She stuck her arms out in a childish manner, pouting while she waited for the caffeine she needed so early in the morning, even though she didn’t actually know what time it was, but still…
Spike chuckled, handing her the coffee and watched as she eagerly drank it. “You know, you’re lucky I gave you mine because you would have just burned yourself at that pace.”
That immediately stopped her. “Wait, this is yours?” She took turns looking at the coffee then at him.
“I was jus’ kidding, luv.” Spike put on a fake smile and sat down. ‘ Ha, That was a bloody lie.’
Buffy nodded and eagerly drank the rest of it listening to him grumble something about ‘Americans and coffee’. “So, how long was I asleep and where did the blanket come from?”
He paused and stared at her for a minute, thinking before answering. “ M’ guessing sometime after ‘ Do you sleep with girls on the first date?’ and before 5 am. And when you fell asleep, I got one of the blankets we have on the plane and put it over you. Gets a bit cold in here at night.”
“Oh.” She stared at the cup in her hands. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
‘ Something is off here.’ She looked around the plane and then out the window. She saw other planes taking off and a large airport. “We landed?”
Spike just looked down at the ground sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “Yeah, uh, about an hour ago.”
She just stared at him questioningly. “So why didn’t you just wake me?”
“Thought you should get a little more sleep. You did kind of have to get up early.”
“And whose fault was that…,” she mumbled to herself but Spike had heard.
He stared at her, his anger growing. He sure as hell didn’t expect her to be the best girlfriend in the sodding world, (even if it was just pretend), but she could at least try to be nice. “Bloody hell! What in sodding hell does it take?”
Buffy’s head snapped up to look at him in shock and surprise at his outburst.
“Look, I don’t expect you to like me, or even be a good pretend girlfriend but you could at least try to be civil. I mean, all I’ve done from the beginning of this agreement is to be nice to you and you’ve just been a bitch. If it’s all right with you, I’d like my family to think I’m in a good relationship.” Spike ran his hand through his hair and tried to calm down. “The luggage was already sent to Giles house. We might as well leave now.”
Buffy watched, still bewildered as he turned and stalked towards the door of the plane, opening it before turning to her once more. “Coming?”
She managed a weak ‘ Yeah’ before getting up quickly and walked to the door, which he had already exited through.
***
The entire ride to Giles’ house (which was in the countryside) was made in silence. Spike had rented a BMW (that was no surprise) and they had been in the car for an entire hour driving. It felt more like eternity to Buffy though, as she stared at the fields that passed by.
Finally Spike turned the car onto a narrow driveway already packed with cars and turned off the engine, but before he could get out, Buffy stopped him.
“Wait.” She put a hand on his shoulder and watched as he turned to her with a raised eyebrow and a blank expression.
She extracted her hand from his shoulder and clasped both her hands together looking down. “I know I haven’t been the most pleasant of people.”
Spike laughed harshly. “That’s a bloody understatement.”
“I deserve that,” Buffy said still looking at her hands. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t want me to stay here anymore. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” She tried to hold in the tears that were pooling in her eyes. She couldn’t look at him now and embarrass herself any further.
“Look at me, pet,” he said softly. “Look at me.” He put one finger under her chin and tilted her head until she was looking into his eyes. “Don’t cry, luv. I’m not going to make you go back. I want you here, do you understand?” He smiled at her warmly, waiting for her reply. She nodded mutely with a weak smile.
Spike grinned at her and placed a kiss on her left hand. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go back now anyway. Besides, my family already expects…” Suddenly the doors from both sides were opened and both occupants were pulled out of the vehicle and enveloped in warm hugs.
“Speaking of the devils,” Spike chuckled, making his way to Buffy’s side to hug his aunt and to save her from everyone and their smothering hugs.
“Watch it, Spike, you’ll never be old enough for me not to be able to take you across my knee.” His aunt laughed.
Buffy looked at Spike and giggled at the blush that had spread across his cheeks.
“I’m Anna, one of William’s aunts.” The woman smiled warmly at Buffy and enveloped her in a hug.
“I’m Buffy Summers. Current girlfriend.” It shocked her at how easily she had been able to say that. She looked around at the group that had assembled around her and Spike by now. Mostly guys from what she could see.
Spike laughed. “Don’t ask me, never heard of the bloody name before I met her.”
Buffy heard a few people laugh and couldn’t help but put him in his place. “You’re one to talk, Spike!” The guys roared with laughter and Buffy grinned.
“She’s definitely a keeper, Spike. Although I wouldn’t mind having her if you don’t.” One of the guys in the small crowd shouted, laughing.
Buffy felt Spike’s hand went around her waist and pulled her towards him possessively. “Not a chance, mate.” Spike couldn’t help but frown a little. Besides, he shouldn’t be acting like this. It was not like they were really dating or anything.
Buffy smiled lightly, even though she knew that it was probably just for show on his side it actually felt kind of nice having his hand around her waist like that. Like she was wanted.
“Let’s go into the house so Buffy can meet everyone and not repeat herself again,” Anna said, smiling brightly.
Once Buffy stepped into the house she couldn’t stop herself from staring around, awestruck. It was exactly like one of those old houses that she would see on television and love to just stare at the different rooms, except this was the real thing, and it was more beautiful.
There was a fireplace in the living room with pictures on the mantle and old, worn couches and chairs. There were books stacked on the shelves and in the corner of the room stood an old grandfather clock ticking away. But this was just one room. She was almost positive that it would have a back porch too. Buffy ran her hand on the cherry wood banister that had somehow managed to keep a dull shine over the years.
“You must be Buffy! I’m Jennifer, but you can call me Jenny. I’m William’s other aunt. I live here with my husband Giles.”
Buffy turned around to face the owner of the voice. She had long black hair and a pale complexion but she was beautiful. “It’s so nice to meet you! You have a very beautiful home.” She gave the other woman a bright smile.
“Buffy, this is Eric, Colton, Dylan, and Wesley.” Spike pointed out the males in the room and she noticed the one that had called her a ‘keeper’ before was Dylan. She smiled pleasantly at each and beamed when she came to Wesley, whom Spike had told her he was very close to. “You must be Wesley, it’s great to finally meet you! Heard that you were one of the favorite cousins.” She couldn’t help but hug him, something told her he was a really nice guy.
Wesley hugged her back, a little surprised. He then pulled back and raised his eyebrows at Spike in a ‘ is that so’ way, smiling smugly yet still managing to look like the nicest guy ever.
Spike just shrugged sheepishly and continued with the introductions. “Ok, these lovely ladies are Annabelle, Hally, Ellen, and Margaret.” Buffy continued to smile as each woman took turns hugging her except Ellen who was so far along into her pregnancy that her belly was too big to do that.
Spike turned and gave an overly dramatic sigh. “And this, is the happy couple. Chris and Emma.”
Buffy really was enjoying herself and it came as a surprise. She hadn’t had a big family growing up. It was just her mother, father, and herself. And after the divorce, when she was still young it had only been her and Joyce. And now she was surrounded by all these wonderful people, and it made her happy. Slowly everyone started to disperse and it was only her, Spike and Jenny.
“So, where’s ol’ Rupes anyway?” Spike asked, grinning from ear to ear like the grinch who just stole Christmas.
Jenny chuckled at her nephew. “He’s picking up Matthew from the airport and, Nick and Sarah won’t be here for another two days. The kids, if you were wondering, are running around outside in the back. Just a friendly warning, wouldn’t want anyone to have to get stitches like last year when you were playing around with them.”
Buffy stared at Spike. “You made a kid get stitches?!” She said in a playful yet shocked tone.
“Well, uh…” Spike started.
“The kids weren’t the ones who had to get stitches. It was five if I remember correctly.” Jenny said with a chuckle and a wink before walking into the kitchen.
“Really, so that’s how you got the scar on your eyebrow?”
Spike just rubbed the back of his neck. “Bloody hell, yeah.”
Buffy put her hand over her mouth as she giggled. “How did you manage to get a scar from playing around with kids?!”
Spike frowned. “Oi! They’re a rough bunch, I’ll have you know!”
Just then a little girl came running into the room, aiming straight for Spike. “ Uncle Will-yum!” She squealed with delight before he lifted her up.
“ Ello’ niblet.”
The little girl turned to Buffy, holding out a doll she had clutched in her small hands. “My name’s Ariana. Want to come to my tea party?”
Buffy giggled and looked from the little girl to Spike. “Yeah, I can see how this adorable little creature could give you five stitches.”