Chapter 31
A/N I have to give credit to Rebecca Rand Kirshner and Joss Whedon for a huge portion of this chapter, for dialogue used from the show (you’ll know it when you see it). I haven’t used a big segment of dialogue in a long time- I prefer using just a few choice lines, but there are two speeches (one in a later chapter) that just fit with this story.
“So what did you tell him?” Willow asked as Buffy buttoned the back of the
long white dress.
“I didn’t tell him anything,” Buffy replied. “What was I supposed to tell
him?”
“Oh I don’t know,” Willow said, looking at her friend in the mirror as she
adjusted the veil. “Maybe…’I’ve been in love with you since I was seventeen,
and it’s time we try and make it work since we share a son and everything.’”
“It’s not that easy, Wills,” Buffy murmured, not making eye contact with her
friend as Willow turned around.
“It’s not supposed to be easy,” Willow said in a gentle tone. “It’s
supposed to be real. No one ever said that life was easy. You have to
fight for what you want.”
“But is he what I want?” Buffy asked skeptically. “I was able to live
without him for two years. I was able to move on…somewhat.”
“Somewhat,” Willow replied. “That’s the key word. You never truly moved on,
and Spike never did. Shouldn’t that tell you how he feels for you?”
“So, you’re telling me that he loves me more because I started dating
someone and he never did?”
“No,” Willow said, shaking her head. “I think it allowed you to really grow
up and decide who you want. Can you imagine your life without Spike in it?”
Buffy looked into the distance, a faraway look in her eyes. “What if we try
and make it work and we still can’t?” she asked softly. “I can’t risk
Michael getting hurt, and the older he gets, the more difficult everything
becomes.”
“Do you want to move to Chicago?”
“I don’t know,” Buffy said with a sigh as she dropped into a nearby chair,
careful not to wrinkle her dress. “It’s a great opportunity and it’s
something I never expected. I would be stupid not to take it, but…”
“But?” Willow prompted.
“Would I be stupid to leave behind the father of my child?”
“I don’t know what you want me to tell you, Buffy,” she replied in a gentle
tone. “The way I look at it, you have a great opportunity waiting for you,
whichever decision you make.” Willow turned back to the mirror, critiquing
her reflection. “Would you mind going to check on Xander? Making sure he
hasn’t run away or anything.”
Buffy laughed as she stood up. “Yeah, I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
* * * * *
“How’re you doing, Buff?” Xander asked a few minutes later as Buffy worked
on his bow-tie.
“I’m okay,” Buffy said with a smile. “But, look at you. You look great, Mr.
About-To-Get-Married. Glowing.” Her smile faded as she got a shocked look on
her face. “Oh my God! Maybe you're pregnant!”
“Maybe,” Xander said with a grin. “I dunno. Maybe I'm just happy.” Buffy
looked up at him with tears in her eyes as Xander tilted his head in
concern. “Teary?”
“Oh!” she said with a sniffle. “Good. Good teary.”
“Happy teary?” he asked with a slight smile. “Not frustrated with bow-tie
teary?”
Buffy blinked back her tears as she nodded, still working with his tie.
“Yes. Happy. Happy for you. That makes me happy for me. You and Willow give
me hope. It's like…you two are proof that there's light at the end of this
very long, long, nasty tunnel.”
“It’ll happen for you, Buff,” he said in a gentle tone. “You’ll see,
everything will work out.”
“I thought you didn’t want it to work out?” she asked with an understanding
smile.
“Well, I wasn’t exactly in the cheering section for you and a high school
teacher,” Xander replied. “But you’re older now…and I think he really does
love you.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I saw the way he looked at you last night…and it’s the same way I look at Willow.”
Buffy felt fresh tears in her eyes as she frantically tried to blink them away, thinking about the rehearsal dinner. Spike stayed by her side the entire time as if he was afraid she would disappear…which he probably was.
“Okay,” Buffy said brightly, trying to change the subject. “Willow will
kill me if I mess up my make-up. So, let's see,” she continued, looking him
up and down. “Found your shoes…your fly is zipped. I'd say you look like
you're ready to get married.”
Xander nodded with a smile as Buffy gave him a hug.
“You're one of the decent ones, Xander. I hope I'm as lucky as you guys
someday.”
“You will be.”
Buffy smiled as she turned toward the door. “Oh, by the way,” Buffy said,
turning around. “I love you, Xand…but if you hurt her, I will beat you to
death with a shovel.”
“Good to know,” Xander said with a laugh.
“I’ll see you out there, Mr. Harris.”
Buffy shut the door behind her as she left the room, surprised to see Spike
standing there with Michael. Spike’s eyes widened as he took in the black
dress. The neckline showing an impressive amount of cleavage.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
“Well, I lucked out,” Buffy said shyly. “Willow tried to put me in a
radioactive green dress, but I told her I would be the one objecting during
the ceremony if she even attempted it.”
Spike laughed as Michael squirmed in his arms, trying to reach his mother.
Buffy took the small boy, smiling at the tiny tuxedo he was wearing before
turning back to Spike. “You look pretty good yourself,” she said with a
smile, taking in his all black ensemble.
Spike nervously straightened his tie. “Thanks,” he murmured. “I think
they’re about ready to begin.”
Buffy nodded, reluctantly tearing her eyes away from him as they slowly
walked down the hallway. Spike looked at the crowd of people, all shifting
in their seats as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
“I better go sit down.”
Buffy saw Xander moving into position as she nodded, sitting Michael in the
little red wagon, decorated with flowers. He was going to be wheeled down
the aisle, and Willow had even thought ahead and put a bowl of Cheerios next
to it so he would be preoccupied throughout the wedding.
“I’ll see you at the reception,” Buffy said softly.
Spike was about to respond when a soft noise brought there attention to the wagon. Michael smiled up at his parents with a toothy grin before pointing at Spike. “Da da.”
Buffy’s mouth dropped open as Spike’s eyes widened in shock. “Yeah, Little Bit,” he said softly, crouching down to leave a kiss on the top of his son’s head. “I’m your daddy.”
Buffy fought more tears as Spike straightened, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I better go before Willow chases me away.”
“Yeah,” she agreed with a smile.
Buffy was surprised when his lips met hers in a gentle kiss. Her mind reeled,
trying to remember if this was the first time he’d kissed her in such a
public place. She quickly made her brain go on autopilot, letting the soft
caresses of his lips make her forget everything except the way his lips felt
against hers. Pulling away after a moment, Spike looked into her eyes,
giving her a soft smile as his hand trailed along her cheek.
“Save me a dance,” he murmured before walking away.
Buffy took a shaky breath as she watched him take his seat. “Always.”
* * * * *
Spike sat at one of the reception tables, staring at the dance floor as
Xander spun Buffy around. It was nice to see her be happy, free from any
worries or responsibilities for a few precious minutes.
“She’s happiest when she’s here.”
Spike turned to see Willow standing behind him, surprised that she was
practically reading his thoughts. “Mrs. Harris,” he said with a smile,
standing up to leave a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Willow said, her smile broadening when she saw her husband dip her
best friend as they both giggled. “Are you going to fight for her?”
Spike followed her gaze. “Considering the man she’s dancing with is a very
recent newlywed, I don’t think he poses much of a threat,” he said with a
smile.
“You know what I mean,” she said seriously.
“I don’t know what to do,” Spike murmured, his eyes never leaving the
blonde.
“She needs a reason to stay,” Willow said softly.
Spike watched the couple dancing, a sad expression on his handsome face. “I
can’t give her one.”
Willow gently took his arm, turning him to see Michael giggling and running
around Joyce’s chair. “You already have…you both just have to see it at the
same time.”
Spike smiled, watching his son’s antics. “Now, go cut in,” Willow said,
giving him a little shove.
“She’s having fun, I can’t ruin that.”
“Fine,” Willow said with a smile, picking up her dress and walking out onto
the dance floor. “I’ll do it.”
Spike shook his head with a smile as Willow mockingly shoved Buffy away, all
of them laughing. The first few notes of a slower song began, and Spike
watched as Buffy got an almost whimsical look on her face, her eyes slowly
scanning the area.
Oh, oh my love
Oh my darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long and lonely time
Buffy turned, meeting Spike’s eyes across the room. She gave him a gentle
smile as he began walking toward her, already feeling short of breath as she
watched him.
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine
No words were spoken as he approached, taking her in his arms. They stared
into each other’s eyes before Spike wrapped one arm around her waist,
giving her a soft smile. Buffy felt her heart thudding in her chest when he
took one of her hands in his, bringing it to rest over his heart.
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Buffy sighed when his hand started rubbing soothing circles along her back.
Their eyes never broke contact as they slowly moved together, swaying to the
soft beat.
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
The murmurs of the crowd faded into the background, leaving the music to
wash over them, surrounding them.
Lonely rivers sigh
Wait for me, wait for me
I’ll be coming home
Wait for me
Spike fought the tears from coming to his eyes as Buffy squeezed his hand,
understanding the meaning behind the simple gesture.
Oh, oh my love
Oh my darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long and lonely time
Buffy slowly let her head fall to his chest, moving her hand until it was
resting directly over his heart. Spike took a deep breath, covering her
hand with his, brushing a tender kiss along the top of her head and closing
his eyes.
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine
Both lifted their eyes to look at each other, feeling the rush of emotions
coursing through their bodies before their lips met in a tender kiss.
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
God speed your love to me
They broke away from each other, short of breath as the final few notes
faded into the distance. Everything seemed to slowly come back to them as
they stayed wrapped in the other’s embrace, neither wanting the moment to
end but knowing that it was inevitable.
They turned away, Spike’s hand still clasping Buffy’s, leading her off the
floor. They ignored the curious looks they were getting from the people who
knew them as the ‘history teacher’ and ‘Willow’s friend’.
Buffy could see her mother watching them, a hopeful expression on her face,
obviously wanting her daughter to be happy. Spike pulled her into a more
secluded area, turning to face her. He let his hand slowly trace along
Buffy’s cheek before brushing his lips to hers in an intimate kiss.
“Come home with me tonight,” he whispered against her lips, his fingertips
grazing her exposed skin.
Buffy didn’t trust a verbal reply as she nodded, her entire body shaking
with want and confusion.
Spike pulled her to him, practically crushing her with the force of his embrace.
She clutched at him, feeling the desperation seep into her as they held
each other.
A/N The song is “Unchained Melody” sung by…well, sung by a lot of people, but the version I’m thinking of is The Righteous Brothers. This story is rapidly coming to a close (sadly…for me, anyway) so please review!
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