Chapter 4
It was Christmas Eve, and Buffy once again found herself at the hospital. She had to put on a brave face; it was bad enough her daughter had to spend Christmas there, Buffy didn’t need to make her feel worse about it. She headed to Ella’s room, a smile in place, which quickly faded when she saw a nurse wheeling her daughter out of the room.
“What’s going on?”
The nurse graced her with a bright smile. “Mr. Pratt has paid for home care; it looks like you two are free to go.”
Buffy was surprised, that being the last thing she expected to hear. “Are you sure? He never said anything about that.”
“I think he wanted it to be a surprise. Also, I am to tell you not to go straight home yet. He wanted you to take Ella to the park for a few hours,” the woman explained.
Buffy didn’t know what was going on, but she only nodded in response.
“I get to go home, Mommy!” Ella exclaimed.
She smiled down at her daughter. “I guess you do, baby.” Her little girl was happy, which was all Buffy wanted for her, but Spike had a lot of explaining to do.
* * * * *
Buffy didn’t know what to expect when she reached her mother’s house, but seeing the outside decorated in Christmas lights was definitely not on the list. She got Ella situated in her wheelchair, then pushed her up to the house, luckily there was a ramp that led right to the front door. Once inside, the smell of freshly baked cookies enveloped her. She pushed Ella into the living room, tears coming to her eyes at the sight of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a bunch of presents resting underneath.
Joyce stood up from the couch, giving her stunned daughter a hug. “It just wouldn’t have been Christmas without it.”
Buffy pulled out of the embrace, shaking her head. “How did you do all of this?”
“I didn’t really do anything,” she commented.
“Your mum’s being modest, pet. She was a big help.”
Buffy turned to see Spike coming out of the kitchen, a black Santa hat on his head, and apron around his waist. She laughed at the sight, wondering just where he found a hat that color, but it suited him. She saw that Dawn was there as well, free of casts, which Buffy knew the teenager must be very happy about, but she focused more on Spike. “What is all of this? That must be over a thousand dollars worth of gifts, not to mention how much hiring a caregiver for Ella would cost. I can’t accept this.”
“Sure you can,” he told her. “It’s Christmas, love, the time for giving. You’re the most amazing, generous woman I’ve ever known. You and Ella deserve to have the best holiday ever, and you should spend it here, not in a hospital. This is my gift to you, and I don’t want you to think I expect anything in return. Just being a part of your life is enough for me; it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
The tears couldn’t be stopped now as Buffy wrapped her arms around him, burying her head against his chest. “Thank you so much.”
Spike rubbed her back. “Don’t mention it. You’re probably starving; I cooked enough for an army.”
“He cooks, too. I think I’ve hit the jackpot.”
Spike blushed, giving her an extra squeeze.
While they were talking, Joyce pushed Ella over to the tree to give her a better look, Dawn right behind them.
The little girl couldn’t stop gazing at the presents, then turned back to the adults. “Is he Santa, Mommy?”
Buffy smiled. “No, he’s an angel.”
Spike’s cheeks were impossibly red now as he entered the kitchen to check on the cookies. It wasn’t long before a pair of arms wrapped around him. He turned, only to be met with Buffy’s soft lips on his. He pulled her closer, the kiss becoming more passionate.
Buffy nuzzled his neck, moving over to his ear. “I love you,” she whispered.
Spike smothered her throat with kisses at those words. “I love you, too. I always have.”
She pulled away to see the sincerity in his eyes. “Is it bad that I wish you were her father?”
He shook his head, brushing the hair out of her face. “I wish I was her father, and maybe some day, I will be.”
Buffy kissed him again, putting all her feelings in to the gesture. Once breathing became an issue, she led him back to the living room, where Ella was waiting by the tree with Mr. Gordo. “Go ahead, sweetie. I think you’ve earned it.”
Ella smiled up at her, then started ripping open packages, getting help from Joyce and Dawn in the process. She squealed at all of her new gifts, thanking Spike profusely.
“You’ve made this a great Christmas for her.”
He hugged her to him. “And hopefully many more to come.”
Buffy couldn’t argue with that, it was the one thing she never stopped praying for.
* * * * *
The next day went the same. Ella didn’t open all of her presents on Christmas Eve, so she could have some to open for Christmas.
Buffy couldn’t stop smiling at her daughter’s enthusiasm.
There was a sudden knock on the door, and Buffy was confused about who it could be. When she got up to answer it, she was surprised to see Santa standing on the other side. Buffy raised her eyebrows; it couldn’t possibly be Spike since he was in the kitchen with her mother, and that was confirmed when Spike joined them a second later.
“Great, you’re just in time. She’s in the living room.”
Santa nodded to him, then followed his instructions.
Buffy was even more confused now. “You hired a Santa?”
Spike grinned. “I’m just full of surprises.”
Ella squealed when the jolly man entered the room, a bag in his arms.
“You must be Ella. Santa has a very special gift for you.”
She peered through his bag, only to see dog treats and toys, puzzled as to what she could do with all that.
“Oh, I knew I forgot something.” Santa pulled his coat back, and in his arms was a brown puppy.
Ella gasped, taking the animal from him. “Is this for me?”
He nodded. “You’ve been a very good girl this year.”
“Mommy! Santa got me a puppy! Can I keep him? Please?”
Buffy glared at Spike, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. “Of course you can, baby.”
“Yay! I’m gonna name him Chocolate!” Ella stated, playing with her new pet.
“Chocolate, huh? Like mother, like daughter.”
Buffy swatted at him, but nothing else mattered except her daughter’s happiness.
“So, when do I get a puppy?” Dawn wondered, only half kidding.
“When you’re old enough,” Spike replied with a wink.
Dawn rolled her eyes, but continued to play with Ella’s present.
It looked like Spike would have to ask Harris for another favor, but that could wait.
Santa headed back over to them, giving Buffy a nod. “Don’t worry; everything will be taken care of. I can get you plenty of food for the little guy, and taking him to the vet will be free of charge. All future appointments are already paid for.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” she said, looking at Spike, who only shrugged.
“Thanks a lot, Xander. I really appreciate this,” he told him.
“What are friends for? Have a great Christmas, Spike. I better get this suit returned before they charge me for it.”
Spike laughed as his friend left the house, then turned back to Buffy. “He’s a mate of mine, owns the local pet shop with his wife, and he helped me with the decorating. I couldn’t do it all myself. I told him I would take care of everything, so whatever the pup needs is on me.” He cut her off when it looked like she was going to argue. “I don’t want you to worry about any extra bills, Buffy. You just worry about Ella, let someone take care of you for a change.”
She nodded after a moment. “Okay, but at some point I will be getting a job, and then I’m so paying you back.”
He shook his head. “I will have to respectfully decline if you do. I told you, I don’t expect anything in return.”
“Fine, but you don’t have to keep spoiling us. I love you, Spike. I would love you even if you didn’t do any of this.”
“That’s good to know,” he replied. “All right, compromise, I won’t get you anything for your birthday.”
She shook on it. “Deal.”
Instead of releasing her hand right away, he pulled her closer to his side. “If you’re interested, there’s a job for you at my law firm. It’s just a clerical position, but the pay is good, with the added bonus of seeing my handsome self every day.”
Buffy smiled. “You may have yourself another deal.”
Spike smiled as well, placing a Santa hat on her, and then dangling mistletoe above her head.
She kissed his lips tenderly. “You don’t have to use mistletoe to get me to kiss you.”
He shrugged. “There should be some tradition.”
They headed back to the living room, laughing at the sight of the new puppy getting caught up in all the wrapping paper, while Ella and Dawn tried to help him out of it.
Buffy rested her head against his shoulder as she continued to watch the display. “Merry Christmas, Spike.”
“Happy Christmas, Buffy.” He kissed her cheek, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
It was definitely a Christmas to remember, and many more to come.
The End
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Chapter End Notes:
Happy Holidays!