"Love, I'm glad you don't want to hide anything anymore, but are you sure you want to rush down there and tell everyone?" Spike held Buffy as tight as he could, running his hand through her hair.
Turning to face him, Buffy reached a hand up to his cheek, "I want them to know exactly how I feel. I want them to know that I am in love with you. I want them to know that you aren't going anywhere, and that they will either accept it and love you, or not be welcome in my life."
Tilting his head, Spike smiled down at her softly, nuzzling his face in her hand. He couldn't help but wonder how much must have changed while he was gone. He never imagined her wanting to be upfront about her feelings for him, especially with the watcher. It was no secret that he disapproved of him, and she hadn't been happy about his attempt to have him killed. There were so many things they needed to talk about, but at the moment, he just wanted to make her happy. If she wanted to tell her friends, then they would tell them.
"Okay pet. If you want to tell them now, let's go tell them."
Grinning from ear to ear, Buffy grabbed his hand, leading him downstairs into the living room. The look of pure happiness on both Buffy and Spike's faces was a sight none of them thought they would ever witness. Xander, Willow, Dawn, and Giles sat quietly, waiting for one of the obviously happy couple to speak.
Still holding hands, Buffy sat down on the couch next to Giles, pulling Spike down with her. After settling herself half on the couch, and half in Spike's lap, Buffy looked around the room to make sure everyone was present.
Giles uncomfortably broke the silence in the room, "Well, Buffy, it's quite… quite nice to see you smile again."
Smiling at her former watcher, Buffy responded, "Thank you, Giles."
As if he could read Buffy's mind, Giles took the next step, extending his hand to Spike, "Spike, I know we haven't exactly had the best history, but seeing Buffy look this lively and happy, makes me truly glad you're here."
Skeptically, Spike shook his hand, smiling softly, "Thanks, Rupes. Does this mean you won't try to have me killed again?"
Spike noticed the smile on Buffy's face fade and wrapped his arm around her. "Hey, pet. I was just kidding. I have no hard feelings. I know why he did it."
Buffy wrapped her arms around Spike's waist and cuddled into his side.
"Spike, I know it's too little, too late, but I apologize for my part in that. Please know you will never have to worry about me trying to hurt you again. But, also know that my relationship with Buffy is still strained due to my actions. She doesn't trust me, and she is right to be wary of me. She may not appreciate me telling you this, but she is quite sensitive when it comes to you, and she has been a mess without you here."
Looking down at the small figure clutching his body, Spike heard Buffy sniffle quietly and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
Sitting up, Buffy wiped the few tears from her face, "I told you I missed you." Buffy, repositioned herself on the couch against Spike's lap, and placed her hands on his leg.
"I missed you too, pet." Spike said, wrapping one arm around her shoulder and placing his other hand atop hers.
"So guys, there's something you guys need to know." Buffy spoke to her friends, "The reason Angel came here before Spike had a chance to."
With four sets of eyes on him, Spike began his story, "Long story short, Angel got wind of the Sanshu Prophecy, we fought, I won, he came, I came, he left, I stayed."
"Way to be as vague as possible, Spike!" Xander said jokingly.
Dawn jabbed Xander in the side before asking her string of questions. "What is Sanshu Prophecy? Why did you fight? What did you win?"
Chuckling, Spike answered, "Calm down there Bit."
Buffy, smiling proudly, "Dawnie, Sanshu-"
"Is a prophecy the council thought to be a myth." Giles interrupted, dumbfounded at what he was hearing. "Wow, Spike. Congratulations. You have certainly proven that you deserve it."
Dawn, looking back and forth between her sister, Spike, and Giles, "Okay… But what is it? What does it entail?"
Willow and Xander, both lost for words at the exchange happening in front of them, watched as Spike held his hand out for Dawn.
"Come here, Niblet."
Spike took Dawn's hand as she reached the couch, and pulled her into his lap. With a nod and a smile from her older sister, assuring everything was fine, Dawn relaxed into his embrace.
"Bit, Sanshu is a prophecy that grants humanity to a vampire with a soul; one that sacrifices himself to save the world."
Not fully understanding what she was being told, Dawn looked back and forth between Spike and her sister, "What are you saying?"
Spike took Dawn's hand and placed it over his heart. A few seconds later, he saw her face light up when she realized his heart was beating.
"Shut up!" Dawn screeched, throwing her arms around him and burying her head in his chest, hugging him tightly and sobbing.
Finally, after a few minutes, Dawn was able to compose herself, and leaned back to look at her best friend. "You're alive?"
With a grin, Spike tucked a few stray strands of hair behind Dawn's ear, "Yes, Bitty. I'm alive and I'm not going anywhere." Spike pulled her in for one more hug before hugging a very excited Willow, followed by shaking Xander's hand with a silent agreement to treat the girls right.
While Spike was busy with the Scoobies and Dawn, Buffy turned to Giles, who had been abnormally quiet.
"Giles?"
Turning his attention to his former slayer, Giles smiled softly, "Buffy, I'm so happy for you. I trust you have finally told him how you feel?"
Remembering the second part of their announcement, Buffy nodded with a smile.
"Um, guys, there's one more thing." Buffy said, turning to make eye contact with her fiancé.
Spike joined Buffy on the other side of the room and took her hand as she began her part of their announcements.
"Spike-William and I, " Buffy looked around to each of her friends as she spoke, hoping for a good reaction from them all, "we're getting married."
Some Angel drama coming in the next chapter! Things for Buffy and Spike can never be this picture perfect! There have to be issues along the way! ;)
