He hadn’t a clue what to expect tonight, and worse, neither did Lorne. Buffy chose the day, time, and even specified the style of attire Spike was to show up in, but nothing more.
It unnerved William that he couldn’t call on Spike either; he was on his own until he knew what the evening’s plans entailed. The only thing he knew for sure was that he’d be apologizing all over again as well as returning her clothes. Pathetically enough, he waited until today to wash them, wanting to hold her scent close to him until having to give them back.
Pulling into her driveway, he switched off the engine to his motorcycle and removed his helmet, placing it on the tank. He smoothed back his hair and just sat there. He was right on time but wished he’d been early to give himself a few moments more to prepare himself for whatever lay beyond her door. How she sent butterflies through his stomach every time right before he saw her he’d never figure out, yet here they were again, making him feel like a school boy on his first date.
Maybe I should have bought her flowers, his brain panicked. Then again, that could end up being quite awkward, for both of them. Oh, if this were a real date, William would have brought her a bouquet consisting of every flower known to mankind, but this wasn’t a date and she wanted to see Spike, not him.
Sighing, he dismounted, took his duster off, grabbed the bag with her clothes in it and marched towards the house, not bothering to waste a second before ringing the doorbell.
She decided her nervousness was due to the fact she’d never gone to Sunnydale’s yearly event with anyone other than her mother, but that’s exactly why she chose to bring Spike. She’d be in a familiar, comfortable setting that was also neutral territory for both of them where nothing could happen. A place where she knew she could be herself, and he would be forced to be, well, whoever he really was because he couldn’t seduce her.
The supplies were nearly packed except for the cold stuff when the door bell rang, startling her to the point of jumping.
“Coming,” she yelled and sprinted to the mirror in the hallway for a once-over on her appearance. Flipping her head over to fluff her hair one last time, she exhaled sharply when she stood upright and smoothed her hands over her head and down her entire body. Her reflection showed a casual yet confident woman, quite contrary to the girl inside filled with trepidation. Would this work? Would they settle and move past the quarrel they’d had? Would she discover that he truly cared for her, or would her theories be disproved tonight by his reaction to her plans? Only one way to find out. With that final thought in mind, she walked to the door and opened it slowly. What she saw on the other side had her lungs struggling for air, beautiful.
There he was, dressed somewhere in the middle between formal and casual, just as she’d requested. Whoever said ‘clothes make the man’ had it seriously wrong. The way he wore that simple ensemble, well, he made it look a hundred times better than it had any right too.
Black dress pants and shoes with a solid, deep blue button up shirt and his trademark black duster slung over one shoulder. It was the shirt she liked the best, it made his already gorgeous eyes stand out and shine with a brilliance that could shame a sapphire.
“Spike,” she practically whispered, “you look... handsome.” She swore he blushed right before he coughed and returned a compliment of his own.
“You look lovely... as always.” A silly grin came over him as his head tilted slowly to the side.
They remained staring at one another in comfortable silence for a few moments longer.
“Oh, I’m sorry, come in, please.” Luckily the clock struck seven at that moment, reminding her they had somewhere to be.
Stepping aside, he walked in and she closed the door behind him then offered to take his coat.
“What’s that?” She pointed a finger towards the bag he carried then hung the leather coat on a nearby hook.
“Oh, right. ’S the clothes I uhmm, borrowed. They’re clean, I-I just forgot to bring them last time I,” he hesitated and swallowed hard. He wasn’t quite over how positively radiant she looked. Her hair was wild and free but her dress was tastefully conservative. A short sleeved, dusty plum colored silk little number that stopped just above her knees, short heels that matched adorning her tiny feet.
He handed it to her and she thanked him, taking it to the couch to set it down. She pointed towards the coffee table and spoke.
“I forgot too.”
He looked to see his black jeans folded neatly on top.
“Yeah, ‘bout last time. ’M sorry, Buffy, I really...” He trailed off as she neared him, nodding her head up and down. Coming closer, she reached out and touched her fingertips to his arm as if reassuring him she knew he meant it.
“I, `s jus’... I-I,” Chris’, stop stutterin’ and jus’ say it. He lowered his head. He needed to tell her the truth, but he couldn’t face the rejection he was sure would be there in her face at his admission. “I don’ HAVE to pretend to be extremely attracted when I’m with you, and-and...” Feeling her squeeze his arm he instinctively looked up and into her eyes. Finish it man. “It scared the bloody hell outta me.” He exhaled loudly and lowered his head again, waiting for, well, he wasn’t sure what she would say.
“I thought you hated... ‘being’ with me, that I wasn’t any good.” When his head snapped up to look at her, his expression clearly said just how wrong she’d been.
“Buffy, no. Tha’s not it at all. I told you before and I’ll say it again... you’re perfect.” Looks like Lorne was right after all. How could his girl think for one minute she was in any way inadequate? “If tha’s what you thought `m so sorry and I’ll tell you over and over again jus’ how perfect you are `til you believe me, or get sick of hearin’ it.” She instantly smiled and he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
Relief immediately flooded her system. But along with that came immense guilt that she’d jumped to such a horrible conclusion and acted so terribly towards him. She threw him an apologetic look before she spoke.
“For the record... I’m sorry too. I should have listened to you. Do you think you could forgive me?”
She looked up so sweetly at him and with such hope in her eyes he almost came undone with tears.
“Please, Spike?”
God, he wanted to grab her. Hug and kiss her tenderly until she couldn’t breathe. Instead, he simply nodded once and smiled, grateful they could move forward.
She smiled back shyly and decided to move away from the conversation from now.
“Could you help me in the kitchen, please?”
She pointed over her shoulder with both hands and he nodded. Hell, he’d help her dust books if that’s what she wanted.
Trailing behind her, the first thing he spied was an open picnic basket with a few small containers scattered on the island top waiting, he assumed, to be placed inside. His curiosity peaked. What could she have planned that involved food to be brought, but more importantly, where were they going? He thought for sure they would remain at her house; then again it made sense that she requested he dress a certain way if they were going someplace. Whatever she had in mind, he was game. To be anywhere but a bedroom while ‘on duty’, was a new and welcome prospect for him, especially since it was to be with her. The fact it was all her idea, and all her doing, was a surprise he was looking forward to.
“Goin’ someplace tonight, pet?”
She never missed a beat of the conversation as she picked up where she’d left off from packing their little meal.
“Nah, thought we’d picnic in my backyard, Romeo.” She snorted and shot him a playful look.
“Oi, jus’ a question. So, gonna tell me where?” He smiled wider when she shook her head.
“Nope. You’ll figure it out when we get there. Now, since I don’t know what you like and what you don’t, I took the liberty of picking out a variety of things. So, why don’t you take a look and see if there’s anything you don’t care for and I’ll put it back.”
Wow, this was almost... domestic. He smiled at the thought but caught himself before responding. Yes they had made up, but he wasn’t her boyfriend, so he took on Spike’s persona figuring that’s what she would want.
“I eat everythin’,” he said in a husky, suggestive voice. When she looked up, he threw her a saucy wink and smirked, curling his tongue behind his teeth.
She rolled her eyes and threw a wadded up paper towel at him.
“Ugh, pig.”
“Oink, oink baby.” He waggled his eyebrows at her while she shook her head back and forth. Placing a hand on her hip, she shot him a look that clearly said to ‘behave’.
“Okay, okay.” He threw his hands in the air then turned his attention to the Tupperware bowls, opening and inspecting each one. “Everythin’ looks good pet; really, not a picky eater here.
“Good.” She smiled triumphantly and bounced over to the refrigerator. “Now, come have a look. I’ve got...” she bent over and opened the meat drawer, “turkey breast, salami, cheese...” She felt his sudden presence behind her, inches from her bent over form. It made her quiver slightly at the thought of him so close in her more than vulnerable position.
He couldn’t resist. The thin material of her dress hugged her pert ass intimately, revealing the fact she wore a thong by accentuating its outline. The sight wouldn’t escape any man’s attention and he wondered if she knew that. Did she know just how sexy she looked? Did she know just how much she affected him by an act so simple as bending over in front of him would have? Then again, did it matter? She was with him tonight, and no one else but him would have the privilege of peeling that dress away from her body, revealing her soft golden skin to touch, to kiss, to... Pulled from his thoughts by her voice, he stilled the hand that was reaching of its own volition towards her backside.
“Spike?”
“Yeah?” He coughed and retracted his hand as if burnt.
She stood upright and turned; almost bumping into his chest he was so close.
“Excuse me.” She blushed and stepped to the side. “Pick out whatever you want.”
“Right.” He dropped to one knee and fished through the bags of cold cuts and cheese, selecting a few before standing up. “These?” He gave her a questioning look.
“Sure.” She took them and packed it up. “Now the only thing that’s left is the wine. There’s a rack over there, next to the stove. Why don’t you pick out a couple bottles? And oh, in the cupboard overhead are some glasses, too.”
She smiled appreciatively at his retreating form before shaking the automatic dirty thoughts it provoked. That’s not what tonight was about. He laid her fears to rest and they’d said their apologies, all that remained was one last question. That nagging question in her mind that needed answering meant more than giving in to her attraction for him. Did he care for her?
He picked a couple of his personal favorites that, quite honestly, he was surprised to find in her small collection. After retrieving two wine glasses from the place she’d indicated, he walked back and handed them over when she held out her hands.
Closing the lid to the basket, she smiled.
“That’s it. Ready?” She smiled brightly and went to lift it when he shooed her hands away and did it himself.
“Yeah, pet, I’m ready.” He followed as she walked down the hallway, stopping to grab her keys off the table next to the door and to hand him his coat. The more he watched her move about, the more excited his body became, he couldn’t help it. It felt like ages since he’d touched her and now that they were back on good terms, his hormones were starting to get the better of him. Even when she opened the door and let him through first so she could lock it, he found himself suddenly wanting to stay.
Stepping outside, the setting sun’s rays cast a golden glow over his pale features, making her want to reach out and touch his chiseled face, feel the sharp ridges of those cheekbones, rub her face against that jaw, kiss the... She snapped herself out of her self-induced trance. She cursed herself for being too attracted to him.
“Could you carry my keys please? I don’t want to bring a purse tonight.” She handed them over and he promptly slid them into his pant’s pocket.
“Sure. Gotta say, you certainly know how to keep a bloke guessin’.”
“Good, so let’s move it, mister.” She turned to walk down the steps but stopped when she didn’t hear him follow. When she turned to face him she froze. Oh God, please don’t, we’ll never make it there if you keep staring at me like that.
William took a back seat again to let Spike through. All he really wanted, all they both wanted was a little reassurance. One more smile, a touch, maybe even a kiss, anything she was willing to give, anything at all to secure the promise of something more later, so he wouldn’t take measures to keep her here; take her upstairs this minute to do what he really wanted to.
“Spike?” She hesitated. Oh no, oh yes, he turned on the charm that was his alone, the one she couldn’t resist. He crooked his finger in a come hither manner, her body obeying without an ounce of resistance.
“Come ‘ere, you bossy bint.”
Her legs carried her forward even as she eyed him suspiciously.
“I’ll admit I can be bossy, but what exactly is a bint anyway? I think I should be offended, but I’ll give you an opportunity to explain.” She stopped three feet short of him, unsure she wanted to get any closer.
“Come ‘ere, woman, not gonna bite.” Even Spike’s confidence couldn’t shake the need for her to willingly come to him. Thankfully she closed the gap. Now within reach, he grabbed her waist and pulled her flush. Leaning down, he inhaled her scent from the valley between her neck and shoulder, purring as he did so. The rest was up to her, again, as he encouraged her with his thumb, rolling in slow, lazy circles against her lower back.
“I haven’ received a... proper hello yet. He nuzzled into her neck once more then pulled away. It took all his will to keep from kissing her when she closed her eyes and her pouty lips formed an ‘o’ that was verbalized as she exhaled.
She opened her eyes and knew this was a losing battle. She cursed her inner slut to remain silent as she leaned her lips against his and kissed him sweetly. Neither opened their mouths nor attempted to deepen the kiss. They lingered there for a short, yet torturous moment longer before pulling away.
“Hello.” Her whispered greeting was answered with a hushed reply of ‘thank you’ that she swore meant more than just being polite.
He was the first to step back. She hadn’t laid a finger on him other than her lips, but it was all he needed. He’d die a happy man just knowing she kissed him of her own volition. He gestured a hand forward.
“Lead the way.”
A little dazed but quick to recover, she smiled and went back down the steps. When she turned to head down the sidewalk, he became confused.
“Uh, pet? Aren’t we driving wherever it is we’re goin’?”
“No need. It’s close by.” She smiled and waved him forward to catch up. He swiftly sprinted to catch up until they were side by side.
Three blocks later and his ears picked up on the soft sound of a slow melody. It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t be sure. Shrugging his shoulders, he ignored it until their walk led them closer and closer towards the sound of... Johnny Mathis?
audio:Chances Areby imbloodyenglish
Yup, that was his music alright, playing the tune ‘Chances Are’, though the band was live he could tell.
As they rounded the fourth block, the site that greeted him was the most unusual but unique he’d ever seen. A park full of people, of... older people. Lounge chairs were everywhere with no particular order to them. Grey haired couples seated everywhere underneath a blanket of twinkling, Christmas style lights that strung overhead in crisscross patterns A large platform had been built up to accommodate a small orchestra along with space enough for a baby grand. A white gazebo held a group of eight singers wrapped around their microphones to entertain the crowd. Three were women, the rest men. The men were dressed in traditional black tuxedos except for one who donned a white jacket instead, obviously the lead singer of the group. The women were clad in long silver sequenced dresses, similar to those that ‘The Supremes’ may have worn back in the day. There was a small dance floor filled with silver-haired couples that gazed longingly at their partners while swaying gracefully to the music. It was actually quite... romantic, he thought. The atmosphere they wove in the encroaching darkness was that of romance, and all the innocence it could muster for the age the music had been born into.
Curious as to why she’d brought them here, he was about to ask when he felt her hand take his, leading him on a winding path around clusters of people towards a large oak that surprisingly, had no one sitting under it.
She pulled the basket from his grip and opened it to retrieve a thin, woven plaid throw. He watched as she shook it out to float through the air and land over the grass. Knowing they were here to stay, he took in the words of the song and helped by bringing the basket closer to them as she sat to make herself comfortable, tucking her legs under her knees.
Guess you feel you'll always be the one and only one for me
And if you think you could
Well, chances are your chances are awfully good
“My mom brought me here every year, the 50’s & 60’s Fall Music Festival. It’s the era her parents grew up in. She always said the music was so romantic, that love was exactly how the music depicted it to be. Said that it was nice to see all these couples still in love after all these years, just like my grandparents had been. We’d watch them dance away and imagine someone like Johnny Mathis singing a love song just for us.” She sighed and turned sideways, leaning back on one elbow as she stared at the band. “I still come here even though she’s gone. It makes me feel as if she’s still near.”
“Oh, pet.” Such a rare glimpse into the woman his girl truly was had moved him deeply. He couldn’t help but place a gentle hand overtop hers and squeeze. He wasn’t sure what to say, but he’d be damned if he didn’t at least try.
“I’m sure she’s here tonight. Watching and smiling.” Sure it sounded lame, but it was the best he could come up with at a moment when she’d caught him so off guard.
She smiled back, a gentle and knowing smile of thanks. Leaning back further, she took in the sounds as the song came to its close.
The chances are your chances are . . . awfully good
The sounds of low, appreciative claps came from all round them. She sat up and joined in, equally as delighted as the older love birds obviously were. William couldn’t help but do the same. It was infectious, and whatever made his girl as happy as she was now, well, he would embrace with the same enthusiasm as she did now.
The next tune soon followed, ‘Dream’, by the Everly Brothers.
audio:Dreamby imbloodyenglishAs the words were sung, she couldn’t help but smile at the irony. She’d dreamt of Spike every night, whether she wanted to or not, and now here she was, being mocked, however coincidentally.
When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
These songs, the memory of her father leaving, her mother’s thoughts on what real love meant, they all had a hand in shaping her own idea as to how she wanted to be loved, if at all. It didn’t seem possible these days. Men just weren’t as committed as they once were. And she just couldn’t bring herself to lower the standards she’d set despite what any of her friends said. The image of Willow and Oz came to mind. The way they looked at one another, held hands and smiled dreamily was the same way the couples here tonight were doing. It gave her hope.
I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away
She’d probably be dreaming her own life away, growing old alone, still coming here every year to this festival, wishing, wishing that... They were only songs though, right?
Despite her hopes, she’d brought Spike here for fate to let her know if she was a fool for wishful thinking or if he could, just possibly, care for her.
“Buffy? Do you want me to open a bottle of wine, pet?” He could see she was caught up in her own thoughts. The far-away look in her eyes seemed peaceful however.
“Huh? Oh yes, that would be nice.” She watched as he rifled through the basket to produce one of the bottles, setting it aside to pull out the two glasses next. He frowned when he looked back inside and started removing the containers one by one. “What is it?”
“Did you pack a corkscrew?” He looked over to see her smile guiltily.
“Ooops?” she offered. Great going, Buffy.
“`S alright. I’ll find us one.” He stood up and looked around until he spotted a couple about twenty feet to their left, sipping on glasses of a sparkling liquid, a bucket at their feet with an open bottle tilted to the side. Picking up their own bottle, he headed towards them.
Buffy watched as Spike exchanged words with the couple. They smiled at him as the elder gentleman handed him their opener. Still chatting away, he removed the cork from the bottle when the woman glanced in Buffy’s direction and smiled. She said something to Spike that made him look in her direction as well before turning back and shaking his head. Spike bowed briefly and kissed the woman’s hand, then turned and shook her husband’s hand before coming back to sit next to her.
“Here we go.” He filled a glass and handed it to Buffy then filled the other for himself.
“What was that all about?”
“What was what all about?” He stretched his legs out and leaned against the trunk of the tree.
“That lady asked you a question when she looked at me.”
“Oh that? She asked if we were married. Told her no then suffered through a small speech about ‘how nice it is to see such a young couple here tonight’.” His voice cackled an imitation of the older woman.
“Hey! It’s not nice to pick on old people.” She slapped his shoulder which caused some of the wine in her glass to slop over the rim onto her bare chest.
He laughed.
“Tha’s what you get for hittin’ me.”
She glared at him until he put on a pouty look and inched closer to her. Reaching out, he caught the tiny bead of red liquid with his index finger before it had a chance to run down and stain her dress. Very slow and deliberate he wiped upwards along her skin, continuing higher towards her throat then pulled it away to lick it. Just then, a couple walking hand in hand passed in front of them and exchanged a glance then directed their knowing smile at her, as if suggesting they knew a secret.
She ducked her head and blushed. William hadn’t noticed; his attention focused wholly on her as he chuckled.
She set her glass down and went to the basket, pulling more of the food out then some napkins and paper plates.
“Here, let me.” He opened everything she’d brought and placed a small amount of each onto their plates. They ate in silence as the sun disappeared completely, leaving the park to glow softly from the lights overhead.
Buffy cleaned up as soon as they’d finished, placing everything neatly back inside the basket while he poured them each another glass of wine. She took her glass just as the crowd around them began clapping wildly. They both watched as more couples stood up to walk towards the dance floor. The music started up with the soft sounds of violins filling the air before a man’s voice floated over them to sing...
audio:Twilight Timeby imbloodyenglishHeavenly shades of night are falling, its twilight time
Out of the mist your voice is calling, tis twilight time
When purple colored curtains mark the end of day
I’ll hear you, my dear, at twilight time
She turned her attention back to ask him.
“I hope you’re not too bored? Being here tonight, I mean.”
He looked up in surprise, was she kidding? It was beyond anything he could have imagined she had planned for them. Hell, it felt like a date, and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as he got to kiss his girl goodnight when it all ended.
“Why would I?” He swept an arm outward and looked around. “Good food, wine, music, dancin’ under a star filled sky and of course...” He turned her way and placed two fingers gently under her chin, “the company of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. All in all, a perfect way to spend an evenin’ in my book.”
She giggled. Taking his hand from underneath her chin, she turned it over and pressed a warm and lingering kiss into his palm.
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his dry throat while she treated his hand to a caress from those two sweet lips.
“Good.” Smiling at his reaction, she could admit to herself it was nice just to be here with him. She was grateful he could do nothing more than drop playful hints of a sexual nature, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy a touch here and there herself either. She leaned her cheek into his palm and closed her eyes and hummed the remaining few seconds of the song. Dropping his hand, she brought hers together and clapped with everyone else while he sat there still staring at her, his eyes growing darker, it seemed, with lust. And there’s nothing you can do about it either, hah.
Indeed! But his hormones weren’t what had him wanting to grab her. Aside from the obvious setting, everything about tonight was so unlike any other encounter he’d had to endure. Here, with her like this, he had no need of Spike. He felt free to be himself, and it felt wonderful. Maybe she would see what kind of person he truly was underneath, not that it made him worthy of her, but he wondered if she would possibly like what she saw, like William.
“Dance with me?” The need to hold her close if only through dancing was enough to prompt the question. She nodded her consent so he stood and offered his hand to help her up.
Their fingers intertwined as they slowly made their way to the dance floor, the couples they passed turning to smile in their direction. Neither noticed, however, each wrapped in the feel of the other’s hand, and the small, stolen sideways glances they exchanged.
Wading through a sea of salt and peppered haired lovers, they reached an unoccupied spot where they stopped just as the music started.
“OH! This is my favorite, I love this song.” She jumped up and down excitedly, scaring a particularly ancient and frail looking woman to near heart attack. “Sorry.” Spike laughed as she ducked her head in embarrassment.
“I picked the perfect time to ask then, yeah?” Still holding her hand, he raised it to his shoulder, extracting his fingers to lower his arm and wrap it around her waist loosely.
They embraced one another in the same fashion as the other dancers and slowly began to sway to the sound of ‘The Platters’. If this was her favorite tune, he was going to pay attention, see what it was that made it her favorite, commit it to memory while he made the most of it for her by employing his dance skills.
audio:Smoke Gets In Your Eyesby imbloodyenglishShe stared into the crystal blue of his eyes and the world fell away. As the familiar lyrics filled her ears, their eyes never left each other as he swept her across the floor with an ease normally reserved for professionals.
They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
Oh
I of course, replied
Something here inside cannot be denied
She curled herself around him. Her arms crossed behind his neck as her head nestled against his chest, the reverberation of her soft humming filling his chest.
They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind
Oh
when your heart's on fire
You must re-a-lize
Smoke gets in your eyes
He thought about the words while savoring the feel of her closeness. It depicted one who was truly in love, one who willingly blinded themselves to what was so obvious to those around for the sake of love and love alone.
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
Yet today my love has flown away
I am without my love
He decided they both must be hopeless romantics that wanted so much to believe in love that they’d left themselves open to suffer disillusionment at the hands of others. They were souls of a kindred spirit. If he had one mission in life, it was to erase her doubt, show her that he could be everything a man was supposed to be. Love her as she truly deserved if only... no. Only when he could quit this job and... if she would have him. Lorne had been right, if he wanted her half as bad as the restaurant, then he should fight for it.
Now laughing friends deride
Tears I can not hide
Oh, so I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes
Smoke gets in your eyes
The song ended too soon for her taste. She clung to him though everyone else broke from their partners to clap in appreciation. She felt him lean back to look at her so she opened her eyes.
“Can we dance some more? Please?”
“Course, pet, whatever my girl wants.” He kept them moving until the band struck the first chord of the next tune. When she leaned her head against his chest once more, he rested his chin on top of her head and squeezed her body tight, letting her know he’d never let her go if that was her wish.
One more dance ensued as a woman’s voice penetrated the chill of the autumn air.
audio:At Lastby imbloodyenglishAt last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
And that it did, if only their separate, wandering thoughts could find one another.
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known, oh yeah you smile...
You smile
Oh and then, the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
As the song ended, she released her hold on him.
For you are mine
At last
They reluctantly broke apart as the violins drew out the last chord and clapped their praise as the performers bowed deeply for their performance of the classic tune.
He grabbed her hand and led them back to their spot under the huge tree. He sat then poured them a third glass of wine while she settled herself down next to him. This night, if nothing else, could be summed up in one word for him... magical. Little did he know how much magic there was left in the world, reserved for those who were willing to believe.
“Thanks.” She took the glass he offered and held it up in toast. “To love.” She smiled, no longer caring if she sounded corny to this man or not.
He lifted his in salute and the sound of glass touching glass rang with clarity as he repeated her words.
“To love.”
They drank in unison. William, however, downed his while Buffy merely sipped. She’d been feeling the fuzzy effects of the alcohol long before they even danced and chose to pace herself. He set his glass aside and held out his arms.
“C’mere kitten.” He couldn’t bear to lose contact with her now, not after the unspoken connection he felt they’d made during their time on the dance floor. He felt closer to her than any one human being on this earth, and he wanted that feeling to last. He felt a warm rush of contentment fill him when she nestled her slim body between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned his head against hers, wishing they could stay like this forever.
Music continued to fill the air when a duet of male voices broke to sing the Everly Brothers, ‘Crying in the Rain’.
audio:Crying in the Rainby imbloodyenglishI’ll never let you see...
The rest of the lyrics were lost on her as she leaned her full weight against him. This night had proved one more thing to her... the man she came here with tonight was someone she could fall for. She would always fear for her heart, but at least he’d proven to be genuine in everything he said and done so far.
The song ended with a short speech, thanking the audience for another wonderful and successful year as well as the turn out it produced.
He had no idea how long they’d been there, and was afraid it was coming to a close as the performers began packing up their instruments and other equipment. Buffy, as well as everyone around them, appeared to remain relaxed as if the evening was still far from over. His grip tightened, elated when she responded by spreading her fingers wide over his forearms and squeezed him back.
Suddenly, the sound of a launched air attack filled the air.
“This is the best part.” And it was, for her. Fireworks were always fun, no matter whether you were seven or seventy.
‘Oooohs’ and ‘aaaaahs’ filled the night as a burst of light exploded in a multicolored show of sparks, flowering large and wide over the entire park, sparkling as the tails fizzled out seconds after expanding.
He watched as the festive display lit up Buffy’s face, making her appear child-like as she grinned. She clasped her hands over her ears in anticipation of the sonic booms delayed only seconds after the bright, dotted bursts of light. He just stared at her and smiled. She was the vision of ‘the girl next door’. The kind you courted carefully then brought home to meet your parents.
He quickly shook those thoughts before they lead to a white picket fence with several tiny blonde tots running playfully about in the front yard.
---That’s a site you’ll never see.
Spike! Such timing was unprecedented.
This was not the time for him to show up. A simple decision to banish him from the bliss of the moment was, surprisingly, all it took to silence his voice.
She suddenly shivered, reminding him it was autumn. He grabbed the forgotten leather duster to his right and quickly dragged it across them, tucking the corners in and around her shoulders. Spreading his legs further apart, he grabbed her waist to gently tug her closer against his chest. She placed her hands over his and gently stroked his forearms with her fingers, making him hug her even tighter in his arms.
If he could have stopped time, it would have been right now. This perfect moment in time, with this perfect tiny woman wrapped in his arms, keeping her warm, safe... This is what love was, for him. These precious tender moments devoid of conversation with nothing but the feel of her body, rising and falling with every breath she took. He turned his face into her hair, her scent filling his entire being.
She gratefully snuggled into his warm embrace, basking in the sense of content that washed over her when an urge so strong hit her that she acted on it with out thought.
Turning her head inwards, she lifted an arm from underneath his coat to hold his face against hers. She pressed her lips against the corner of his mouth in a soft kiss, and then whispered. “Thank you. For tonight.” She released him and returned her attention back to the light show, sliding her hand back overtop his.
His heart swelled to the bursting point, both from her actions and her words. With every passing moment, she unknowingly wrapped him tighter around her little finger. Neither Spike nor William gave any thought to the possessiveness that over took them both as he reestablished his firm grip to her waist and leaned in to kiss her temple.
“Anythin’ for my girl.”
A/N: Sorry if it was too fluffy, mushy, romantic or whatever (hope nobody got ill from the sticky sweetness that practically dripped from it)... I just felt they needed this time together. I really, really, really do hope you enjoyed it, and no, the night is far from over, but our couple deserved a bit of ‘connecting’ on a different level in a different setting first. I do hope you choose to review so I know I’ve made up for all the previous chapters that held the more angsty type feel to it. Again, the story is far from over, there will be some more rough times ahead. The next chapter, however, will continue on where I left off and will also be free from any bad vibes, promise.
Disclaimer: The songs used in this fic are owned by there respective artists and writers. Use of these songs is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.