Part 1

Spike frowned when Buffy didn’t look at him. His uneasiness grew when she took a seat in the front row of the class, leaving her usual chair in the back, next to him, vacant.

“Trouble in paradise, man?”

“Sod off, Harris.”

Xander smirked, staring ahead when the teacher started to speak about their homework assignment.

Spike felt a little better when he saw the note being passed around. No one dared to open it because they feared the beating he’d give them. Each time the folded paper fell to the floor Spike groaned, his impatience mounting.

“Harris, you ass, if you don’t--.”

“Spike? Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”

“No.” He didn’t look at the teacher, instead Spike glared at Xander and mouthed that he’d rip his head off. Xander rolled his eyes and flicked the note on Spike’s desk as soon as the teacher’s back was turned.

Swallowing, Spike unfolded the letter. His heart fell after reading her pretty pink handwriting.

‘It’s over.’
***

“What hell do you mean by ‘over’?” Spike hissed, grabbing Buffy by the arm. Not giving her a chance to answer, he pushed her into the janitor’s closet and locked the door after them. “What did I do?”

“Spike...”

“Tell me.” Spike silently cursed himself, appalled by the desperation in his voice.

“You didn’t do anything,” Buffy whispered.

“But you’re still breaking up with me? Come on. Out with the details, pet, you’re killing me.”

“Oh, Spike.” Buffy’s chin trembled and she flew into his arms. “It’s not fair!”

“What? What ‘it’?”

“My dad,” she sobbed. “He...he won’t let me see you anymore!”

“I always knew he didn’t approve but...”

“Spike.” Buffy grasped his head between her hands. “My mom’s having an affair--.”

“So what?”

“You know how our parents have been chaperoning a lot lately and how we see them together all the time...”

“My dad?”

“And my mom.”

“They’re fucking each other?”

Buffy frowned at his language and buried her face in his neck. “My dad went crazy when he found out.”

“That bastard didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, but he blames us. He says that it’s our fault, that we pushed them together.”

“That’s bullshit!”

“I know.” Buffy placed a little kiss on Spike’s chin and his heart clenched. “He’s blackmailing mom and he’s getting Dawn to work for him. She’s supposed to watch me at all times and report back to him.”

“He’s mad.” Spike was fuming and he couldn’t think straight. Each time Buffy whimpered and sobbed, he held her tighter. “He can’t do this.”

“I don’t want to break up with you,” Buffy said, her voice husky. “I love you, Spike.”

“Then don’t. We’ll fool all of them.”

“I...”

“Come on, Buffy. I won’t lose you.” Spike cupped her chin with his hand and gazed into her watery green eyes. “We’ll sneak around if we have to. Besides, we’ll be out of school soon.”

“I don’t know...”

“Buffy, don’t make me beg. You know I will.”

Buffy tried to smile but she could only grin sadly. “I need to get to class. I can’t ditch anymore.”

“Alright.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her sweetly. “Call me tonight.”

“I’ll try.”
***

‘Well I can’t toss a fucking boulder up there and smash her window,’ Spike thought as he scanned the ground. He put his cigarette between his lips and rolled a pebble between his thumb and forefinger. ‘This’ll have to do.’

Closing one eye, he aimed at her window carefully. He knew that if the rock missed, he’d have to find some other way to contact Buffy.

When the pebble knocked against the glass pane, Spike smiled proudly. He watched as the room lit up from inside and held his breath as Buffy came out onto the balcony.

“Oh fair Juliet,” he said with a smirk.

“Spike.” Grinning madly, Buffy kneeled and stretched her arm out through the railings so their fingers could touch. “My Romeo,” she chuckled.

Spike kept his eyes on Buffy as he snuffed out his cigarette with the tip of his shoe. “What a thin nightgown you’re wearing, my love.”

“Maybe you should come up here and take it off of me?”

“One minute.” He tried to act cool even though he was bubbling inside. He jumped and made his way up the side of the house. Spike’s terrible fear of heights was brushed aside; he was too busy staring at Buffy to worry about falling to his death.

“Hey.”

He moaned his welcome after seeking her mouth. Buffy giggled and responded to his kisses. Spike had to feel her and his hand slid nicely over her body with the aid of her silky nightgown.

“Let’s go inside,” Buffy said, her voice throaty, seducing him.

Spike didn’t have to be asked twice, stripping off his clothes as they stumbled to her bed.

“New sheets?”

“Yeah, pretty, huh?”

“Very, very pretty.” Smirking, he yanked off her gown and tossed it aside.

Buffy laughed and pushed his head into her breasts. “We have to be quiet.”

“You won’t hear a peep out of me, you’re the one we have to worry about, kitten.” Smiling, he nuzzled his cheek against her nipples. “Shall we fall off the bed now or later?”

“Damn, that hurt. I still have my bruise from last time.”

“Oh, let me see.” He moved down to her waist and searched her skin. “Where is it?”

“On my back,” she whispered.

“Let’s roll you over then. Now, where’s this nasty bruise? Not along here.” Spike ran his hands along her shoulders and down her spine. “Must be on your lower back.” Buffy’s breath caught as he pulled down her underwear. “Found it.” He pressed his lips to the light purple mark on her backside. “Hell, Buffy, I have to kiss your ass all the time.”

“That’s because you’re begging to do it all the time. I can think of other places where you could put those soft lips of yours.”

“Where?” He grinned widely as she rolled over again and pulled him onto her body. She ran her toe up his leg and kissed him passionately. “Oh, just there,” he said, pretending to be disappointed.

“Shut up,” she hit his arm playfully. Buffy kissed him again while tickling between his legs.

“God, Buffy.” He groaned and pushed his way inside after she positioned his erection at her opening.

“Ooo. Yay for birth control. You make me feel so good, Spike.”

“We haven’t even started yet, love.” Spike closed his eyes as she squeezed him, wrapping her legs around his waist. “There’s another reason why we can’t break up, all your little pills would go to waste.”

Buffy laughed, “Who said they’d go to waste, Spike?”

“You feisty little thing...” His eyes rolled back as she licked his chest. “You’re so smitten with me, you won’t shag another. You’re mine, Buffy.”

“I guess you’re right.” She covered her mouth to muffle her cries as their thrusting sped up. “Please don’t let the bed squeak.”

“I won’t,” he panted.

“Just slow down but go deeper.” Buffy arched her back and covered his face with kisses.

“Love...love you, Buffy,” he strained to keep his voice steady.

“I--.”

“Buffy!”

She froze, taking her tongue from Spike’s neck. “Yeah, dad?”

“Can you come out here, young lady?”

Spike and Buffy exchanged grimaces. ‘Keep going,’ she mouthed.

Spike nodded, beads of sweat gathering on his brow.

“Buffy! Didn’t you hear me?”

“I did, I’m just busy right now. I’ll be down in a little while.”

“You have five minutes. What are you doing anyway?”

“Homework—-very hard...homework.”

“Five minutes.”

“Okay!” Buffy said, a little too loud.

“Hard homework?” Spike smirked.

“Shhh. We have five minutes and I want you to finish what we started.”

“Floor?”

“Floor, but you’re going down first and I’ll kiss the bruises.”
***

“I’ll be right back,” Buffy whispered, putting on her clothes quickly and pushing Spike into her closet.

“I think I have a rug burn.”

“I’ll make it better soon.”

Spike grabbed her hand and pulled her into the closet for a deep kiss.

“Spike,” she whined, her knees feeling weak.

“Don’t forget that I’m up here and in my naked glory, pet.”

“How could I? Don’t have any fun without me.”
***

Spike strained to look at his ass and he swore, finding his cheeks red. ‘My Buffy’s a wild one, she is.’

Rubbing the sore spots, he wasted time by looking through her closet.

‘Damn, I used to think she wore a different outfit everyday and this is proving my theory.’ He thumbed over her shirts and dresses and scowled at her number of shoes.

He had her underwear in his hands when Buffy opened the closet door. “Um, I can explain, love, they jumped out at me.” He laughed nervously, hiding her thong behind his back. “Buffy?”

Her eyes were red and she was crying, dirty Kleenexes in each of her fists. “Spike.” Buffy batted the underwear out of his hands and sobbed into his chest.

“Now what?” he asked softly. When she didn’t respond, he guided her to the floor and held her in his lap. “Talk to me, pet. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it.”

“Not this time,” she sobbed. “We’re moving.”

“Where?”

“Paris.”

“France?” he said with a whimper. “No, that’s too far away. What about school and college? We were accepted to the university...you have a huge scholarship, full boat because you’re brilliant.” Spike blinked, afraid that he would cry. “I can’t sneak into your room if you’re living in fucking Paris.”

“I know.” Buffy wiped at the tears on his face and kissed him slowly. “I wish you could come with me.”

“I don’t have that kind of money, Buffy. Tell him you won’t go.”

“I can’t,” she said softly. “Without my parents, I have no money at all. He already said if I stayed I’d be disowned.”

“I-I--stay with me and we’ll get married, Buffy. You can move in with me and my dad and I’ll get another job and--.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You will not screw up your life because of me. I will not have you working your life away to support me when you can go to school and become successful. I’ll go to Paris but we’ll keep in touch.”

“Keep in touch? That’s what people write in yearbooks, Buffy. That’ll never work.”

“Why not?” she demanded. “We can call and write and email. You’ll visit me and I’ll visit you.”

Spike still didn’t believe it but he didn’t want to argue with her. He was scared to think that he would never have her in his arms again. “When are you leaving?”

“The day after graduation.”

“We have some time, yeah?”

“Not nearly enough but yeah.” Buffy petted his face and sighed. “You’ll stay with me tonight, won’t you? Don’t leave me. We’ll sleep in the closet if we have to.”

“I wouldn’t dream of leaving you, love.”
***

“This is kinda fun, don’t you think?” Buffy took all the sheets and pillows off her bed and made them a little nest in the walk-in closet. “I locked my door and put a chair in front of it.” She locked the closet and wadded her way to him.

“Yeah, it’s fun.” Spike swallowed, still smarting from her bad news. He opened his arms and Buffy stretched out on top of him. “I wish my dad never met your mom.”

“It wouldn’t have been so bad if my parents weren’t still married.”

“Do you think our parents love each other? If they got married, we’d be step-siblings; you know that, right?”

“That would be weird.” Buffy wrinkled her nose and as she thought, her fingers drew lazy circles on Spike’s thigh. “You’d be my brother.”

“No blood relation.” He nudged her hand between his legs. “Please?”

“I hope they do feel something for each other. It would be sad if they didn’t, especially since they’re breaking us up.” Buffy gently stroked up and down his shaft and paused frequently to tickle his balls. “Maybe they’re like us, you think? Maybe they’re being kept from each other too.”

“It’s a wonderful thought, love. Very romantic.” Spike inhaled sharply as Buffy wiggled down and gave his cock a chaste kiss.

“Doubt they love each other as much as we do.” Buffy continued to cover him with kisses. “I love you so much, Spike.”

“Love you too, Buffy.” He threaded his fingers in her hair and gasped as she swirled her tongue on the head of his erection.

“Remember to be quiet.”

“Yes, yes,” Spike whispered, thrusting his hips up and wanting her mouth back on him. A noise escaped from the back of his throat as she tried to swallow him whole.
***

Spike paced the floor and stared at his cell phone. ‘She’ll call, I know she’ll call.’

They had been sneaking around for months. He slept in her bed nearly every night of the week and they never got caught. They avoided each other at school because of Buffy’s sister and her prying eyes.

Spike nearly jumped for joy when the phone rang. “Buffy?”

“Hey, Willow.”

“Oh, pet, I thought you’d never call.”

“Sorry. My dad took my cell phone away because he thinks I’m calling Spike. Why would I call him? We broke up a long time ago.”

“Yeah, why would you?” he chuckled. “You should kick your dad in the balls for me.”

Buffy laughed, “You’re so funny, Will.”

“Do you think I can come over?”

“Sure, I’m at my grandma’s house.”

“I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“Good.”

“Love you.”

“I feel the same way. You’d love it here; grandma has a pool and everything. Oh well, I’ll see you on Monday.”
***

“I knew you’d understand,” Buffy said, hugging Spike as they stood by the pool.

“Well, Willow gave me the message.” Laughing, he pressed his face in her hair.

“We’ve got to find a way to get you in the house. My room is right between dad and Dawn.”

“Oh,” Spike frowned. “Maybe it’s too risky...”

“No, no, you drove all this way. I want to spend time with you,” Buffy pouted.

Spike couldn’t handle the pout. It was almost as bad as her tears. “Ok, love, what if we stay outside then?”

“What do you mean?” she said, grinning.

“Like lying out underneath the stars and all that romantic rot.”

“Like camping?”

“Yup, you’ll just have to run inside before the family wakes up.”

“You think of everything.” Buffy kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back with a blanket, ok?”

“I’ll be waiting.”
***

“We should lie where no one can see us from the windows, pet.” Spike found a spot which was covered with plants and blocked from the view of the house, just a bit away from the pool. “Right here.” He took off his jacket and laid it out for them. “Get comfy.”

Once they were side-by-side, Buffy pulled her pink comforter around them. “Maybe I should’ve brought pillows?”

“I’m good.” Spike folded his arms under his head and stared at the stars. He smirked, seeing Buffy mirror his position out of the corner of his eye. “So, on Saturday...”

“Saturday.”

“I’ve already got a letter to mail and I’ll figure it out so you’ll get it on the day you arrive at your new French mansion.”

“You’re so sweet.”

“Just don’t want you to forget about me.” Spike wrinkled his nose, his voice revealing how distressed he was when thinking that he could lose her. “I’m not daft, I know about those foreign blokes...you could be tempted and all I ask is that you stay honest with me. If you want to be free in Paris, break my heart now--well, maybe not now, but before Saturday, alright?”

“Aren’t you a foreign guy?” Buffy teased, but became serious when he didn’t grin. “I’m not going to break up with you. Are you going to break up with me?”

“Only if I become bug-shagging mad within the next few days.”

“I’m going to work and go to school. My dad says it’s not necessary but I won’t tell him. He wants to control me with his money but I won’t let him. I’ll save all the money for us, Spike, for visits and so when the time comes, I can tell my dad to go to hell and we’ll run off into the sunset together. We’ll get married and have a ton of kids.”

“A ton, yeah?” He tilted his head a looked at her in surprise; it was the first time that she had ever brought up them getting married. “You want to marry me?” he asked softly and carefully.

“We’ve been together for four years, known each other for six. Spike, the moment I saw you I was humming the wedding march and seeing myself as Mrs. Spike Giles. Hell, and that was when I thought you were nothing more than a hottie.” She sat up and looked him in the eye. “But I quickly found out how passionate, intelligent, romantic, and damn sexy you are.”

“That’s it?” Spike knew he was smiling like an idiot but he didn’t care.

“You’re courageous,” Buffy paused to give him a kiss between every word, “funny, kindhearted--.”

“That’s enough, you’re girlie-ing me up, sweetness.”

“I’d marry you now if I could.”

He froze, his mind traveling a million miles per minute.

“What did I say? What’s wrong?”

Spike sat up and he grabbed Buffy’s hand. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, I said I would.”

“Buffy, I mean for real.” He touched her face that was marked with confusion. “Marry me before Saturday.”

“Oh, Spike,” she whispered. “Really?”

“Really. I love you and I can’t imagine seeing anyone else.”

“I love you and I’d love to marry you but my dad...”

“We’ll stick to the plan, love. We’ll make money, hide it under our mattresses and then, in a year I’ll come and get you, my wife.” He kissed their joined hands as she started to cry. “Let’s decide on a date, kitten. When should we pencil in me sweeping you away?”

“Um, Valentine’s Day?” Buffy wiped her eyes and sniffled. “I love Valentine’s Day.”

“Valentine’s Day would be perfect.” He kissed her, fueled by excitement and hope. “I’ll get you then and we’ll never look back.”

“Will we elope?”

“Let me look into it and I’ll give you the best I can manage.”

“I know you will.”

“Are you happy, pet?”

“Yes, very, very happy.” Buffy wrapped her arms around him and they fell to the ground as she plastered him with kisses and words of endearment.
***

She decided on Thursday because she said it was the perfect date. Buffy’s parents thought she was shopping with her friend Willow Rosenberg, who was walking down the pale pink carpet as the maid of honor.

“You hanging in there, man?”

Spike nodded, unable to speak to Xander, his eyes glued on Buffy, who was waiting to make her walk down to the altar.

“You’ll catch me if I fall, right, Harris?”

“Yeah, I guess so. It’s part of my job description, right?”

Spike held his breath as Buffy smiled at him. She didn’t seem as nervous as he was. She was beautiful and confident, wearing the same dress she had worn to their senior prom.

“I’m so glad that we’re doing this,” Buffy whispered, holding his hand as they stood at the head of the tiny chapel.

“Me too.”
***

“Picture!”

Spike chuckled, not breaking their kiss as the flash of Willow’s camera blinded him.

“Guys, people are staring,” Xander said, elbowing Spike in the side.

“So what?” Buffy said for him, kissing down his neck. “I can kiss my husband if I want to.”

Spike moaned, pride spreading to his toes. ‘Husband.’

“The food’s here, you should eat it instead of each other.”

“He’s right.” Buffy giggled, pushing Spike back. “We can’t start on honeymoon right now, not in the middle of the restaurant.”

“Why not?” Spike teased, wiggling his brow. “Then it’d be quite a memorable reception, yeah?”

“What are you doing for a honeymoon?” Willow asked, covering her mouth with her hand as she chewed her food.

“Well,” Buffy grinned, “since we both nearly cleared out our savings accounts for the wedding and rings, we’re going to my parents’ house in LA. In about ten minutes or so, I’ll call and tell my parents that I’m saying overnight with you Will. You’ll need to cover for me.”

“No problem.”

“And my dad doesn’t give a damn where I’m at, so I’m covered. He thinks I moved out months ago because I never sleep at home.”

“And we’ll probably stay away until graduation tomorrow night.”

“It’ll be a short celebration but we’ll have to make every minute count because Saturday...”

“Don’t think about Saturday.” Buffy’s smile faded and she squeezed Spike’s hand. “Let’s not ruin our happy day.”
***

“Just how much did you eat? You should’ve passed on the dessert.”

“Shut up,” Buffy giggled. “I’m not that heavy.”

Spike held her close, trying not to knock her into the doorframe. “You tell that to my lower back. Now, where should I drop you?” He scanned the room and lovingly placed her on the couch. “Can you believe it, Buffy?”

“No.” She spread out her hand and looked at her ring. “Thank you so much.”

Dropping to his knees, he kissed her brow. “No, thank you.”

Buffy sat up and hugged him tightly. “Oh, oh--I’m so freaking happy.”

Spike stood and lifted her up in his arms again. “That was just a pit stop; now let’s go to your room for some real celebrating.”
***

“When did you do this?” Spike put Buffy on her feet and gazed around the room.

“Yesterday, that’s why some of the petals look icky. Do you like it?”

“Yeah.”

“You aren’t the only romantic.” Buffy pushed him on the bed and kissed his forehead. “I have something to change into and while I do that, you can light the candles. Unzip me?”

With shaky fingers, Spike pulled the zipper of her dress down, revealing her naked back. He wanted to tell her that she didn’t need to change, that he just wanted her now and in nothing, but her dazzling eyes stopped him.

“I’ll be right back.” She kissed his lips twice before running out of the room.

“Hurry,” he said, not sure if she heard him.

There must’ve been three dozen candles surrounding the room. Spike shook his lighter; afraid it would run out of fuel before every wick was burning. When the room was lit, he took off his shoes and pulled down the bed. He was sprinkling more petals on the bed when Buffy reappeared.

“You like?”

Spike’s mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. He swallowed and nodded, never before seeing Buffy in only lace and gauzy fabric. After blinking, Buffy was in front of him, taking off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.

“You’re so cute, Spike.”

“You’re beautiful.”

Buffy striped him and pushed him on the bed. “You too. Now snap out of it and make love to me, like a good husband.”
***

“How many kids do you want?”

“Not a ton.” Spike got back into bed with the carton of ice cream Buffy had previously left for them in the freezer. He took off the lid and tossed it away. “So this is your kind of wedding night -- sex and Rocky Road?”

“Oh, yeah. Eating calories and then burning them off.” She settled on his lap and opened her mouth.

“Here you are.” Spike fed her and then fed himself. “I think three’s a good number.”

“Just three?”

“I would’ve said just two and one of each flavor but I know you think the more, the merrier.”

“That’s right.” She licked her lips and wiped her mouth. “How about four then? Not quite a Brady Bunch but almost a Partridge Family.”

“It’s up to you really. You’re the one who’s gonna be popping out all our little bundles of joy.”

“I want to wait awhile, maybe a few years after our first year apart.”

Spike stared into the half empty carton of ice cream, trying to hide his disappointment. They were just deemed man and wife and he felt like telling her she wasn’t leaving him and going to France.

“Spike, oh, Spike.” She cupped his chin and gave him a chocolaty kiss. “It’s May now, it won’t be too long.”

“But we won’t have nearly enough money in just eight months.”

“We will too. I didn’t want to mention it before but, if I have to, I’ll take some money and things from my parents. They’re so loaded that they won’t miss anything. Hell, we have four homes and Mom is always losing stuff. We can pawn the stolen stuff. I won’t buy a thing until February.”

“But you’re a little shopping queen. They’ll get suspicious...”

“No they won’t, Spike. You know that I’m great at sneaking around now -- I’m a pro, we both are.”

“Don’t get too cocky, everything could explode in our faces.”

“Positive thinking,” she sang, taking small spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. Spike hummed in surprise as they kissed, melting the ice cream. “We’ll do it.” Buffy’s tongue swirled in his mouth, gathering up all the sweetness. “We’ll make it, Spike.”
***

“Fuck graduation.” Spike was nearly out of her and then pushed in to the hilt, making them both groan. “We don’t need to go; we’ll still get our slip of paper. We have more important things to do.”

“My entire family will be there.” Buffy bit his neck, giving him a hickey twice the size of her mouth.

“Fuck them too.”

Buffy cried out as she neared climax. “Not yet!”

“Buffy,” he whined.

She moved his hand from between her legs and put it on her chest. “Slow, Spike, slow down. I don’t want it to end too soon. Look in my eyes and whisper pretty things in my ear.”

“Don’t I always?”

“Do it and if we’re late for our graduation, too bad.”

“Too bad, yeah, that’s right.” Spike kissed her and barely moved his hips. “Oh, Buffy, my love...”
***

“I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“Yeah, dad, neither did I.” Spike awkwardly embraced his father. “I see you decided to come. I appreciate that.”

“I wouldn’t miss a day like this, even if that sod Hank Summers was glaring at me the whole time.”

Spike looked his father up and down and struggled with the need to tell him that he had a daughter-in-law. “I know you told me it was none of my business — and I still think that’s bullshit – but, for my own peace of mind, just tell me if you loved Buffy’s mother.”

Rupert took off his glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief. “That question has a very complicated answer. I’m afraid that a simple yes or no will not do it justice.”

“Right.” Spike tried to control his anger. “Either way, I hope she was a good fuck because ever since you got caught banging Joyce, my entire life has become complicated.”

Rupert’s mouth became a tight line and for a second, Spike was positive that he would hit him. Spike stared and dared him to make a move.

“Don’t talk about Joyce like that.”

“I can talk about her in any way that I please, especially since they’re leaving the country tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know, dad. Hank’s talking our girls and shipping them to France.”

“What?” Rupert looked past him, as if he was searching for someone else.

“If you’re looking for the Summers, they’re over there.” Spike had been watching Buffy out of the corner of his eye all evening. During the ceremony, they exchanged secret smiles and winks and now Buffy was looking straight at him, concerned and knowing that Spike was not having a pleasant conversation with his father. “Don’t make a scene, dad.”

“She...she didn’t tell me she was leaving the country!”

“Lower you voice or I’ll kick your ass before Mr. Summers can.” Taking his dad by the arm, Spike gave Buffy one last glance. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll drive you home.”
***

“Here,” Spike filled the glass and slid it across the table.

“Don’t you drink?”

“Nasty habit.” Smirking, he lit a cigarette and turned on the television.

Rupert chuckled and quickly downed the alcohol. Instead of refilling the glass, Spike gave him the bottle.

“You’re awfully calm when this is the last night your girlfriend is going to be in town.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Spike lied, blowing smoke from his nose.

“I hear you talking to her on the phone--when you’re home, that is.”

Spike shot him a dirty look, “You haven’t told anyone have you?”

“Who would I tell?”

“Your mistress.”

“Joyce...haven’t seen her since he found out. Hank scared her real good—-or she was just using me all along...maybe I was convenient.”

Spike suddenly felt awful, watching his father’s face twist in pain. “Sorry to hear about that.”

“I’m sure you are,” Rupert mumbled. “I hope you and Buffy keep at it and don’t let them win. Buffy was always a wonderful girl.”

“She is.”

“She’s just got two gits for parents--poor dear.”

Spike pushed his cigarette in the ashtray and sat in silence as Rupert went to find another bottle of liquor.
***

Spike could tell from her face that she was upset. ‘She really thinks that I’d let her go without a goodbye, silly girl.’

From a distance, he watched a woman slip Buffy his note. After reading it, Buffy scanned the crowd for him and pulled her mom aside.

“Got ya.”

“Spike!”

“Keep walking. Where did you tell her you were going?”

“To get breakfast.”

“Then let’s get some.” Spike grabbed her hand as they walked through the airport. “What do you want?”

“I don’t care, I just want you.”

“I’m afraid that I’m not on the menu, kitten.” He grinned as she moved closer into his side. “Rough morning?”

“I knew we decided not to see each other last night because of all my family sleeping over but I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking that you’d change your mind and that I’d miss you.” Buffy laughed softly. “Then around midnight, I just started crying and the tears never stopped.”

“I got in the car four times and had to force myself to stay away. It was worse because dad was drinking.”

“Oh no.”

“Yep, he never drank at all until a few years ago. I’m guessing that’s when they started boinking.”

“Yeah, the more I hear from my mom, the more I don’t think she liked your dad very much.”

“It’s a pity. He was a great guy before she got her claws in him—-a librarian and everything, remember?”

Buffy nodded, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault or our fault, love.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“This place okay? Think we have enough time to eat?”

“Sure. They’ll call when they need me.”

Spike followed Buffy into the little restaurant and they sat in a booth, on the same side, practically sitting on top of each other. After ordering, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“You’re wearing my ring, pet.”

“Yeah, he’ll have to kill me before I take it off. He hasn’t noticed.”

“I hope you won’t wear it around your neck or something dumb like that.”

“You put it on my finger and that’s where it’s going to stay.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Spike nuzzled the side of her face. “I mailed your letter a few days back. Willow’s letting me use her name and return address, so that’ll dupe them.”

“I can’t wait to read it.” Buffy kissed his chin and petted the bruise on his neck. “Did I do that? It’s huge!”

“I told you, you’re a bloody biter. Half vampire, you are.”

They continued to playfully kiss and touch each other until Buffy’s phone started to ring.

“Oh no.” Buffy’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “It’s my dad. I have to go.”

“Don’t, not yet.”

Buffy dabbed her eyes with a napkin as she told her father that she was on her way and that they should save her a seat. Once she turned off the phone, she clung to him, sobbing. “I don’t want to go.”

Spike closed his eyes and let warm tears fall freely from his eyes. “Don’t forget about me.”

“How could I? You’re my Spike, my husband.”

“Oh, Buffy.”

“I need to go.”

“I’m walking you, if he sees, fuck him.”

“Okay.”

Leaving the food they paid for but never touched, they walked side-by-side both crying like hurt children. Instead of Hank waiting at the terminal, Joyce was there, tapping her foot, upset that Buffy was taking so long.

“Buffy,” she gasped. “Just wait until your father finds out about this!”

“I love you, Spike.”

Spike could’ve sworn his heart was being ripped out of his chest and going on vacation to France. “I love you, Buffy.” They kissed, mingling their lips and salty tears. “Valentine’s Day.”

“Valentine’s Day,” she promised.

Spike groaned as Buffy was ripped away from him. She waved and continued to look back as Joyce angrily dragged her to the plane. Spike watched until she was out of sight.
***

End Part 1





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