In The Previous Chapter
Shifting on the bed to where he was lying next to her with her in his arms, he continued, "Remember when we were lying like this in my bed that night? You told me that you loved me and that no one had ever made you feel the way that I make you feel? You said that without me, you didn't know how you would go on? That's how I feel, too, baby. I'm sorry I didn't tell you then. I need you. Please don't leave me, baby. I need you here. Please come back to me, baby. I love you."
Spike felt like he was dreaming when he felt her hand twitching in his. He quickly sat up, looking at her face, amazed when he saw her green eyes looking right back at him. She smiled weakly, barely whispering out, "I love you, too."
Currently
Spike thoguht his heart was going to leap out of his chest when he heard her say those four words. Not only was she finally awake, she was going to be okay, but she loved him. SHE LOVED HIM! He knew that this moment was going to be one that he would never forget.
He gripped her hand tighter, trying to hold the tears from falling. She needed him to be strong right now. She needed him, and he would be damned if he would be weak in front of her when she needed him. He gave her the best smiled that he could, "Baby, you're awake. Are you feeling okay? Let me go get the doc."
He made a move to get up, but Buffy stopped him. He turned to look at her, "First, you are going to give me a proper hello." Spike smiled. Leaning down, he gave her a full kiss, not too hard, just enough to make her feel the love he had for her.
Finally releasing her lips, Spike turned to get the doctor. When he came back, he saw Buffy sitting up on the bed, legs dangling off the side. Rushing to her, he spoke, "Baby, you shouldn't be sitting up. You need to rest, sweetheart."
Buffy grinned at him, "Spike, I am feeling better. I just knew that I would have to sit up for the doctor. I am fine. Really." She gave him a sincere smile, laying a hand on his shoulder as he knelt beside her, "Thank you for caring."
Spike stood up and kissed, not caring that the doctor was standing in the room, "I love you." Simple as that. He didn't need to say more. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she was lost. She loved this man, and he loved her. Nothing else mattered.
That was, until the doctor cleared his throat, "I know that this must be very hard on both of you, but I do need to check her out. Make sure everything is okay. You are more than welcome to stay in here with us, Mr. Pratt. Something tells me that you won't be wanting to leave her side anytime soon."
Spike squeezed Buffy's hand, "That's right, doc." Buffy smiled at him, knowing that things would never be the same. She knew that now that she was free from Riley, she could be free with Spike, free of sneaking around.
Freedom.
That simple word meant everything, but it was hard to understand. She looked between Spike and the doctor, not hearing anything that they were discussing. Probably something about her health, but she wasn't focused on that. She could be with Spike.
She had never known what it was like to have a relationship that wasn't consisting of public displays of affection. Riley had never wanted that. He had always been so 'proper'. He didn't want anything to 'ruin his military image'. He had never cared about what she wanted with him.
She didn't even know what she had wanted with Riley, finally realizing that she was only with Riley because it was convenient, then it was terrifying. She had never been able to talk to him about anything. She could talk to Spike about whatever she wanted, or needed to talk about. She loved him. She could be with Spike now.
She could hold his hand when they were at the beach, hug him in the middle of the aisle at Wal-Mart, kiss him in front of everyone. All this thinking made her think about their future. When she suddenly spoke, not caring if she was interrupting their conversation, "Let's get married."
She looked up at Spike, head held high. His head snapped to her, shock spreading throughout his face, "What?"