Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, wish I did, but be careful what
you wish for. Of course that's the whole point of this story.
Previous parts can be found at:
http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=134718
Rating: Pg-13 for now, but expect it to jump to a hard pg-13 later. What. People can have hard R's I can have hard pg-13's.
Learning to be careful (11/?)
Life was good. Life was very, very good. I couldn't have scripted things any better. I was in the best relationship I'd ever had my entire life. Not to say I was miserable with Cordy and Anya, but things were never easy with either of them. Cordy and I always fought. Anya was still learning to be human so there was always a challenge.
But Buffy. Ahh, contended sigh here. We rushed things a little bit, but that's because there wasn't that awkward getting to know each other stage. We were in the let's get naked stage. It was great. There was so much passion. But there was a lot of tenderness as well. Stupid things that no one else would understand, like how every time I'd come up to see Buffy on campus we would eat at the same booth at the student union. Or, when we'd take long walks right before sunset and always sit under the same tree on the campus and watch the sun go down.
I'm sure everyday a hundred people come by our tree or sit in our booth and don't see anything but a tree and a booth. I walk past it and I see Buffy. I never really had that with Anya, even at the height of our relationship. I never saw the Magic Box and thought of Anya. I actually think of Olaf the troll breaking my arm, but that's neither here nor there.
We saw each other all the time. And we did nice, normal, couple type things. We went out to dinner, we saw movies, we fought the undead. You know, normal stuff. And everyone was happy for us. They found out the day after I came to see Buffy on campus. It was pretty simple really. We walked into the Magic Box and Scooby meeting, holding hands. We got a few strange looks from the others but no one said anything. Well, except Giles eyes', which spoke volumes. There was a 'take care of her' mixed with, an 'I'm happy for you' and to top it off a little 'hurt her and I'll go Ripper on your arse.' British spelling of ass of course.
I'm thinking what totally gave us away was when Buffy gave me a big kiss at one point during the evening. Willow, who hadn't really paid the hand holding that much attention, had her jaw hit the floor. It was actually pretty funny. Joyce just smiled at us. Tara giggled and literally brought her hand up to close Willow's mouth. And all Dawn said was, "About time."
Which leads me to my update of everyone. And on those other fronts, things were great too. Willow and Tara had a plan to help Willow avoid dark magic before she started, like a checks and balances thing. Giles and Joyce had finally come clean to the girls. Buffy told me she could barely keep a straight face. She also told me Giles stopped sneaking back into his room at night, which sort of elevated what she called the ewwwness factor. Not that she was at home that often because we were usually at her place or mine having or rather, making, what I mean to say is enjoying the fruits of, well, you think of a tactfully way to say we couldn't keep our hands of each other.
Things with Dawn were good too. She and her boyfriend were going to a school dance. In fact Buffy and I had become so quaint that we might actually chaperone. She kept telling me it'd give us a chance to make up for what we missed in high school. Sometimes I forget how fast Buffy really had to grow up and how much she missed out on. All of us really. Fighting evil can do that to you.
The only thing that scared me was the complete lack of Spike anywhere. He wasn't stalking Buffy. He wasn't attacking me. He was completely scarce. Which might sound dandy on the surface, but if you look deeper that's not his style. He never does what he's supposed to. Let's look at his track records here folks. First, after the whole Acathala end of the world throw down between him, Dru and Angel he was supposed to leave the country and never return. And surprisingly, not only did he come back, but he took me and Willow captive. Second, after we ever so graciously let the bastard live after he got all neutered, which is still a fun image to me every time I think about it, he betrayed us to Adam and tried to kill us all. Third, he vowed he'd kill Buffy last year. He just never follows through on anything.
Which is what made his disappearance that much worse. He wouldn't have left just because Buffy threatened him. He had something up his sleeve. But since I couldn't find him or any clues to his whereabouts at his crypt, I had nothing to go on. It was too bad, because I could tell Dawn missed him. But it wasn't like she had gotten as attached to him in this reality as she had in the old one. There, badly she wanted and needed his attention and affection. Of course, all he was interested in was giving it to Buffy. And now I remember why I usually stay away from that line of thought.
Speaking of forgetting, a weak segue way I know, Giles and I had given up on the spell. He couldn't figure out what we were doing wrong, well besides having me and my complete lack of magical ability doing the casting. Plus, he figured since I was sucking it up he could too.
Speaking of sucking up, how you like that one, I had begun to get some more respect at work again. I had moved from bottom of the totem pole to next in line for promotion. It helped that with my other world knowledge I already knew what being a foreman entailed and what they were looking for in a promotee. Promotee? Is that even a word? Oh well. Anyway, they had me training the new guy. He was really creepy. Something about him I just couldn't put my finger on, but I didn't like him for a second. This being Sunnydale and all, I kept a close eye on him.
On the slaying front it was pretty quiet. I kept an eye open for the trio of dorkdom, but apparently a happy, strong Buffy scared them more than sad, depressed, I don't care Buffy. Go figure.
Things went on like this for a month. I was really settling into the new world and finally getting totally used to it. So, I figured it was time to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. I planned an incredibly romantic evening for Buffy. All I told her was to dress nice.
I was nervous. Part of it was because after tonight I was going to be looking for loose change under the couch so I could purchase life sustaining eating materials. But I had other reasons to be nervous. I dressed in my nicest sports coat and tie. It was hard though, because usually when I want to look nice I let Buffy dress me. Literally. But not like in a motherly way. It's, well just trust me it's sensual. I swear.
I didn't even bring the lamp with me, which is amazing. It's like that credit card, I never leave home without it. I can't remember if it's American Express or Discover or something else I don't know they may as well just call them the 'we're going to take all your money if you ever use me' cards. I'm almost positive a demon invented credit card interest rates.
But I digress yet again. I came to pick Buffy up. Dawn opened the door and almost had a heart attack.
"Wow, I'm impressed Xander," she said. "You look fantastic and all by your lonesome."
"You know kid," I smiled at her and patted her on the head. "Thanks."
"I'm not a kid," she said, stomping her foot. Then she laughed and gave me a gentle hug. It was a running joke we had. I loved Dawn so much. She really was the little sister I never had. It was just another thing to hold against Spike, he'd completely tossed her aside after he got in Buffy's pants. Kind of washed away that whole summer he spent helping us out.
"Hi, Xander," Joyce said from the kitchen. "You look handsome tonight."
"All by himself too," Dawn teased.
"You can tell by the lack of laughter that I don't find that funny," I replied. Though I think the grin on my face gave me away.
"Are you sure you don't mind going out tonight Giles?" I asked.
"Not at all," he returned with a warm smile. "You and Buffy deserve a night off. Activity has been a little slow lately so I suspect between myself, Willow and Tara, well, we can handle a few fledglings."
"That's British for have a good time," Joyce said and entwined her hand with Giles', causing a huge grin to break out over his face.
"Ahem," Willow said appearing for the top of the stairs. "Presenting your lady." Willow then proceeded to make large sweeping motions with her hands. I was about to make a silly joke about her being a windmill when Buffy came into view and took the wind right out from me.
Not to sound like a fashion critic but she was dressed in a simple yet elegant white v-neck dress. It clung to her in all the right spots without being slutty. Her hair was done up in and held in place by pins. I'm sure it had a technical term but I didn't have a clue as to what it was. She wore a pearl necklace I knew belonged to Joyce, but it fit the outfit perfectly.
I've been told I said nothing, only standing there barely blinking. To be totally honest the whole rest of the world, including myself, just faded away until all that was left was Buffy.
"Hi," she said, finally breaking my trance. She was clearly embarrassed not only by my reaction but by all the eyes on her.
"Gorgeous," I was able to get out. She smiled at me and looped her arm through my own.
"Shall we?" she asked and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
"We shall," I replied, starting to recover a bit.
"Don't wait up," Buffy said evilly to our family and friends. I practically dragged her out the door.
"You're awful," I told her as I opened the door to my car.
"Play your cards right," she said, slinking into the car and running her hands over the appropriate areas.
"I plan too," I mumbled to myself and gently closed to car door.
It was a car I didn't have in the other verse, but one I had always wanted. Anya, of course, hated it so that was that. How I was affording it I was totally sure but why look a Trojan horse in the mouth right? Or is it beware of gift horses? Oh well the only horse I was concerned with was the horse power of my beautiful, new Ford Mustang.
The evening started with a nice drive. We saw part of the beach on the way to a lovely little restaurant. It was also damn expensive. Why the hell is veal so expensive anyway? I mean it's baby cows right, so you'd think they'd be cheaper since the farmers don't have to take care of them as long. As it turns out in order to afford veal I need to make a yearly sacrifice to the baby cow demon.
About halfway through dinner Buffy looked nervously up at me. "I feel strange."
"What's wrong?" I asked, as usual jumping to my overprotective self. "This place is too expensive to have some demon decide slayer's on the menu."
"Nothing's wrong sweetie," she assured me. "It's just, I feel all butterflies in my stomachy. Like it's our first date or something."
"I recall I had a lot of butterflies on our first date." I winked at her.
"That night so does not count as a date," she retorted.
"Hey, it's a better story than, oh yeah son your mom and I got together and locked lips before we even went on a date."
She was quiet for a long time. I thought, as infinitesimally small a possibility as it was, I may have stepped over the line. By the way since I haven't made a big word joke in a while how cool is infinitesimally huh.
"Buff," I started.
"You," she cut me off, "you think about us having children?"
Oh shit!
"Well," I gulped.
"Just be honest with me honey."
"I think about the future, sure. I'd like you to be in it. I'd like kids someday, so therefore, one thing leads to another."
"Good."
"Huh?"
"I like that thought."
Oh boy, I knew what was coming next. But, I had things planned for tonight and so I wasn't about to have three days worth of planning shot to hell. I tried to change the subject.
"So, veal," I blurted out. Apparently the cosmos decided my moment of suave that I'd salvaged the first night we made love needed to be repaid right here and now.
"Veal?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at me. Damnit woman I have a plan here, and you're not wrecking it no matter how sweet it is.
"Yeah, what's with that?"
"What's with veal? How do we go from you and I having children to veal?"
Okay, this is my favorite line, wait for it, here it comes… "Well, you know children start out as babies and veal is baby cows."
The genius of that line, oh yeah. Needless to say she just burst into laughter, drawing looks from the entire restaurant. When she finally calmed down I gathered up the courage to ask, "That pretty much killed the first date feelings, didn't it?"
She seemed to think about it for a second and only replied, "You'd think so wouldn't you?" Her beaming smile gave me my answer. My plan would still work. The rest of dinner went off without a hitch.
Then we went for dessert. I drove us all the way back to Sunnydale. In fact, I drove us to the campus of UC Sunnydale.
"I see we're staying at my place tonight," she smirked.
"Hey, you haven't won any of this fine piece of manliness yet," I shot back playfully. When we arrived I took her for a long walk through the campus, showing our love off to everyone and anyone who walked by. I could see the bitter and jealous looks we got. All I can say to that is, 'BOUT DAMN TIME!
Finally we arrived at the student union.
"Oh you gotta be kidding me?" Buffy demanded.
"Nope," I was grinning like the freaking Joker by this point.
"No way."
"What?"
"You are not getting me in there."
"I'll buy you a cake," I pleaded.
"Xander," she broke out the pout.
For once I held firm and replied with a manly, "Pleeeeaaaazzzze."
"Fine," she sighed. It could have worked out better. Exactly as I'd planned it. The cake was already waiting for us at our booth and the student union was completely empty.
"Xander?"
"Sssh," I ssshed her. As we walked in, one might think almost as if on cue, Vanessa Williams Saving the Best for Last, played over the loud speaker.
"May I have this dance?" I asked.
She did nothing but shake her head and allow me to lead her to the center of our make shift ballroom. "How did you pull this off?"
"A good magician never reveals his secrets," I told her mysteriously. I think she liked the mystery of it all because she didn't press for any more details. Little did she know Tara was a good friend with the manager, but Buffy doesn't need to know that, does she. Hint, hint, wink, wink.
We danced for a long time to a song I thought completely captured our relationship. Feel free to skip the lyrics if it isn't your thing, but I know I couldn't stop the tears from slipping out of my eyes. And when Buffy laid her head on my shoulder to dance, I know I felt her tears through the shoulder of my sports coat.
--------------------------------------------------
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
Cause there was a time when all I did was wish
You'd tell me this with love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you
Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
1 You went and saved the best… for last
--------------------------------------------------
When the song ended it took us both a moment to gather ourselves. Finally, I took her hand and lead her outside.
"But I wanted cake," she said. Though her words weren't important, her voice thick with emotion.
"I have one last thing," I whispered. I'm sure she figured out where I was taking her. Our tree. A blanket was already there, awaiting us.
"You're quite the sneak," she chuckled.
"I had accomplices you know."
"I'm sure you did."
We sat down on the blanket and I took a deep breath. Here we go.
"You know, I thought about doing something silly like carving BX 4ever or something like that in the tree. But then I decided that would cheapen the effect, you know. It's our tree. The only thing that matters is that we know it. No one else needs to. And if I need to carve our initials into things to remember they belong to us."
She laughed at me. A slight breeze picked up and she curled closer to me. I took my coat off without thinking and placed it around her shoulders.
"Before, when you said this was like our first date, you weren't that far off. I've, obviously, had this planned all night. I have something to tell you. It sort of has to do with our veal conversation earlier," I told her. Why I brought the veal thing back up I'm not sure but that was only an afterthought. I needed to get through this. "I wanted to do this real special."
"Do what?" Buffy asked.
"Tell you something. I know we've said it before, but it's never meant the same thing. Everything has changed and become so different. And it's all been for the better. But, if you hadn't noticed I've avoided saying the words because I didn't want to say them unless I was sure I meant them."
"Xander," she said softly, he voice doing that wonderfully cute swoon thing.
"Buffy, I love you."
"I love you too," she replied instantly. The first exchange of 'I love you's' in our romantic relationship. She leaned in slowly and kissed me. The build up of so much planning swirled into the kiss. I loved her, she loved me, and now we'd said it.
The kiss ended. "One more thing." I was smiling openly now. I patted my pockets and found them empty. I reached into my shirt pocket, and then checked my pants again. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered aloud.
Buffy, meanwhile, started checking the pockets of my sports coat to try and help me. I kind of forgot I'd given the coat to her and of course that's where I had put it. She pulled out the long, rectangular box. Suddenly I heard her gasp, "Xander."
I swore at myself for being so stupid. I brought my eyes back to Buffy to find her holding a long, gold necklace.
"Do you like it?"
"Xander," she began to sob a bit. "I love it. How could you possibly afford this?"
"Only the best for you my dear," I whispered and moved behind her the place it around her neck.
"God, Xand, I love this. I love you. This whole night has just been, perfect."
I kissed her neck and held her tightly. "I love you so much Buffy. I don't want you to ever forget that."
"I never, ever could," she replied and pulled me tighter to her. We began to kiss again.
"So," she said between kisses. "Do you want to go back to my dorm?"
"My apartment. I have some other things to give you there," I said wickedly.
"I can't wait," she murmured sexily. It was a fun night. Things were absolutely fantastic.
But, you know the saying it's always darkest before the dawn? Well, the reverse is also true. It's also always brightest right before the fall.
TBC
Lori Bush gave me a great saying: Feedback is like money for a professional author. Please leave me feedback. (However, money would also be graciously accepted.)
Previous parts can be found at:
http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=134718
Rating: Pg-13 for now, but expect it to jump to a hard pg-13 later. What. People can have hard R's I can have hard pg-13's.
Learning to be careful (11/?)
Life was good. Life was very, very good. I couldn't have scripted things any better. I was in the best relationship I'd ever had my entire life. Not to say I was miserable with Cordy and Anya, but things were never easy with either of them. Cordy and I always fought. Anya was still learning to be human so there was always a challenge.
But Buffy. Ahh, contended sigh here. We rushed things a little bit, but that's because there wasn't that awkward getting to know each other stage. We were in the let's get naked stage. It was great. There was so much passion. But there was a lot of tenderness as well. Stupid things that no one else would understand, like how every time I'd come up to see Buffy on campus we would eat at the same booth at the student union. Or, when we'd take long walks right before sunset and always sit under the same tree on the campus and watch the sun go down.
I'm sure everyday a hundred people come by our tree or sit in our booth and don't see anything but a tree and a booth. I walk past it and I see Buffy. I never really had that with Anya, even at the height of our relationship. I never saw the Magic Box and thought of Anya. I actually think of Olaf the troll breaking my arm, but that's neither here nor there.
We saw each other all the time. And we did nice, normal, couple type things. We went out to dinner, we saw movies, we fought the undead. You know, normal stuff. And everyone was happy for us. They found out the day after I came to see Buffy on campus. It was pretty simple really. We walked into the Magic Box and Scooby meeting, holding hands. We got a few strange looks from the others but no one said anything. Well, except Giles eyes', which spoke volumes. There was a 'take care of her' mixed with, an 'I'm happy for you' and to top it off a little 'hurt her and I'll go Ripper on your arse.' British spelling of ass of course.
I'm thinking what totally gave us away was when Buffy gave me a big kiss at one point during the evening. Willow, who hadn't really paid the hand holding that much attention, had her jaw hit the floor. It was actually pretty funny. Joyce just smiled at us. Tara giggled and literally brought her hand up to close Willow's mouth. And all Dawn said was, "About time."
Which leads me to my update of everyone. And on those other fronts, things were great too. Willow and Tara had a plan to help Willow avoid dark magic before she started, like a checks and balances thing. Giles and Joyce had finally come clean to the girls. Buffy told me she could barely keep a straight face. She also told me Giles stopped sneaking back into his room at night, which sort of elevated what she called the ewwwness factor. Not that she was at home that often because we were usually at her place or mine having or rather, making, what I mean to say is enjoying the fruits of, well, you think of a tactfully way to say we couldn't keep our hands of each other.
Things with Dawn were good too. She and her boyfriend were going to a school dance. In fact Buffy and I had become so quaint that we might actually chaperone. She kept telling me it'd give us a chance to make up for what we missed in high school. Sometimes I forget how fast Buffy really had to grow up and how much she missed out on. All of us really. Fighting evil can do that to you.
The only thing that scared me was the complete lack of Spike anywhere. He wasn't stalking Buffy. He wasn't attacking me. He was completely scarce. Which might sound dandy on the surface, but if you look deeper that's not his style. He never does what he's supposed to. Let's look at his track records here folks. First, after the whole Acathala end of the world throw down between him, Dru and Angel he was supposed to leave the country and never return. And surprisingly, not only did he come back, but he took me and Willow captive. Second, after we ever so graciously let the bastard live after he got all neutered, which is still a fun image to me every time I think about it, he betrayed us to Adam and tried to kill us all. Third, he vowed he'd kill Buffy last year. He just never follows through on anything.
Which is what made his disappearance that much worse. He wouldn't have left just because Buffy threatened him. He had something up his sleeve. But since I couldn't find him or any clues to his whereabouts at his crypt, I had nothing to go on. It was too bad, because I could tell Dawn missed him. But it wasn't like she had gotten as attached to him in this reality as she had in the old one. There, badly she wanted and needed his attention and affection. Of course, all he was interested in was giving it to Buffy. And now I remember why I usually stay away from that line of thought.
Speaking of forgetting, a weak segue way I know, Giles and I had given up on the spell. He couldn't figure out what we were doing wrong, well besides having me and my complete lack of magical ability doing the casting. Plus, he figured since I was sucking it up he could too.
Speaking of sucking up, how you like that one, I had begun to get some more respect at work again. I had moved from bottom of the totem pole to next in line for promotion. It helped that with my other world knowledge I already knew what being a foreman entailed and what they were looking for in a promotee. Promotee? Is that even a word? Oh well. Anyway, they had me training the new guy. He was really creepy. Something about him I just couldn't put my finger on, but I didn't like him for a second. This being Sunnydale and all, I kept a close eye on him.
On the slaying front it was pretty quiet. I kept an eye open for the trio of dorkdom, but apparently a happy, strong Buffy scared them more than sad, depressed, I don't care Buffy. Go figure.
Things went on like this for a month. I was really settling into the new world and finally getting totally used to it. So, I figured it was time to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. I planned an incredibly romantic evening for Buffy. All I told her was to dress nice.
I was nervous. Part of it was because after tonight I was going to be looking for loose change under the couch so I could purchase life sustaining eating materials. But I had other reasons to be nervous. I dressed in my nicest sports coat and tie. It was hard though, because usually when I want to look nice I let Buffy dress me. Literally. But not like in a motherly way. It's, well just trust me it's sensual. I swear.
I didn't even bring the lamp with me, which is amazing. It's like that credit card, I never leave home without it. I can't remember if it's American Express or Discover or something else I don't know they may as well just call them the 'we're going to take all your money if you ever use me' cards. I'm almost positive a demon invented credit card interest rates.
But I digress yet again. I came to pick Buffy up. Dawn opened the door and almost had a heart attack.
"Wow, I'm impressed Xander," she said. "You look fantastic and all by your lonesome."
"You know kid," I smiled at her and patted her on the head. "Thanks."
"I'm not a kid," she said, stomping her foot. Then she laughed and gave me a gentle hug. It was a running joke we had. I loved Dawn so much. She really was the little sister I never had. It was just another thing to hold against Spike, he'd completely tossed her aside after he got in Buffy's pants. Kind of washed away that whole summer he spent helping us out.
"Hi, Xander," Joyce said from the kitchen. "You look handsome tonight."
"All by himself too," Dawn teased.
"You can tell by the lack of laughter that I don't find that funny," I replied. Though I think the grin on my face gave me away.
"Are you sure you don't mind going out tonight Giles?" I asked.
"Not at all," he returned with a warm smile. "You and Buffy deserve a night off. Activity has been a little slow lately so I suspect between myself, Willow and Tara, well, we can handle a few fledglings."
"That's British for have a good time," Joyce said and entwined her hand with Giles', causing a huge grin to break out over his face.
"Ahem," Willow said appearing for the top of the stairs. "Presenting your lady." Willow then proceeded to make large sweeping motions with her hands. I was about to make a silly joke about her being a windmill when Buffy came into view and took the wind right out from me.
Not to sound like a fashion critic but she was dressed in a simple yet elegant white v-neck dress. It clung to her in all the right spots without being slutty. Her hair was done up in and held in place by pins. I'm sure it had a technical term but I didn't have a clue as to what it was. She wore a pearl necklace I knew belonged to Joyce, but it fit the outfit perfectly.
I've been told I said nothing, only standing there barely blinking. To be totally honest the whole rest of the world, including myself, just faded away until all that was left was Buffy.
"Hi," she said, finally breaking my trance. She was clearly embarrassed not only by my reaction but by all the eyes on her.
"Gorgeous," I was able to get out. She smiled at me and looped her arm through my own.
"Shall we?" she asked and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
"We shall," I replied, starting to recover a bit.
"Don't wait up," Buffy said evilly to our family and friends. I practically dragged her out the door.
"You're awful," I told her as I opened the door to my car.
"Play your cards right," she said, slinking into the car and running her hands over the appropriate areas.
"I plan too," I mumbled to myself and gently closed to car door.
It was a car I didn't have in the other verse, but one I had always wanted. Anya, of course, hated it so that was that. How I was affording it I was totally sure but why look a Trojan horse in the mouth right? Or is it beware of gift horses? Oh well the only horse I was concerned with was the horse power of my beautiful, new Ford Mustang.
The evening started with a nice drive. We saw part of the beach on the way to a lovely little restaurant. It was also damn expensive. Why the hell is veal so expensive anyway? I mean it's baby cows right, so you'd think they'd be cheaper since the farmers don't have to take care of them as long. As it turns out in order to afford veal I need to make a yearly sacrifice to the baby cow demon.
About halfway through dinner Buffy looked nervously up at me. "I feel strange."
"What's wrong?" I asked, as usual jumping to my overprotective self. "This place is too expensive to have some demon decide slayer's on the menu."
"Nothing's wrong sweetie," she assured me. "It's just, I feel all butterflies in my stomachy. Like it's our first date or something."
"I recall I had a lot of butterflies on our first date." I winked at her.
"That night so does not count as a date," she retorted.
"Hey, it's a better story than, oh yeah son your mom and I got together and locked lips before we even went on a date."
She was quiet for a long time. I thought, as infinitesimally small a possibility as it was, I may have stepped over the line. By the way since I haven't made a big word joke in a while how cool is infinitesimally huh.
"Buff," I started.
"You," she cut me off, "you think about us having children?"
Oh shit!
"Well," I gulped.
"Just be honest with me honey."
"I think about the future, sure. I'd like you to be in it. I'd like kids someday, so therefore, one thing leads to another."
"Good."
"Huh?"
"I like that thought."
Oh boy, I knew what was coming next. But, I had things planned for tonight and so I wasn't about to have three days worth of planning shot to hell. I tried to change the subject.
"So, veal," I blurted out. Apparently the cosmos decided my moment of suave that I'd salvaged the first night we made love needed to be repaid right here and now.
"Veal?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at me. Damnit woman I have a plan here, and you're not wrecking it no matter how sweet it is.
"Yeah, what's with that?"
"What's with veal? How do we go from you and I having children to veal?"
Okay, this is my favorite line, wait for it, here it comes… "Well, you know children start out as babies and veal is baby cows."
The genius of that line, oh yeah. Needless to say she just burst into laughter, drawing looks from the entire restaurant. When she finally calmed down I gathered up the courage to ask, "That pretty much killed the first date feelings, didn't it?"
She seemed to think about it for a second and only replied, "You'd think so wouldn't you?" Her beaming smile gave me my answer. My plan would still work. The rest of dinner went off without a hitch.
Then we went for dessert. I drove us all the way back to Sunnydale. In fact, I drove us to the campus of UC Sunnydale.
"I see we're staying at my place tonight," she smirked.
"Hey, you haven't won any of this fine piece of manliness yet," I shot back playfully. When we arrived I took her for a long walk through the campus, showing our love off to everyone and anyone who walked by. I could see the bitter and jealous looks we got. All I can say to that is, 'BOUT DAMN TIME!
Finally we arrived at the student union.
"Oh you gotta be kidding me?" Buffy demanded.
"Nope," I was grinning like the freaking Joker by this point.
"No way."
"What?"
"You are not getting me in there."
"I'll buy you a cake," I pleaded.
"Xander," she broke out the pout.
For once I held firm and replied with a manly, "Pleeeeaaaazzzze."
"Fine," she sighed. It could have worked out better. Exactly as I'd planned it. The cake was already waiting for us at our booth and the student union was completely empty.
"Xander?"
"Sssh," I ssshed her. As we walked in, one might think almost as if on cue, Vanessa Williams Saving the Best for Last, played over the loud speaker.
"May I have this dance?" I asked.
She did nothing but shake her head and allow me to lead her to the center of our make shift ballroom. "How did you pull this off?"
"A good magician never reveals his secrets," I told her mysteriously. I think she liked the mystery of it all because she didn't press for any more details. Little did she know Tara was a good friend with the manager, but Buffy doesn't need to know that, does she. Hint, hint, wink, wink.
We danced for a long time to a song I thought completely captured our relationship. Feel free to skip the lyrics if it isn't your thing, but I know I couldn't stop the tears from slipping out of my eyes. And when Buffy laid her head on my shoulder to dance, I know I felt her tears through the shoulder of my sports coat.
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Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
Cause there was a time when all I did was wish
You'd tell me this with love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you
Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had past
You go and save the best for last
1 You went and saved the best… for last
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When the song ended it took us both a moment to gather ourselves. Finally, I took her hand and lead her outside.
"But I wanted cake," she said. Though her words weren't important, her voice thick with emotion.
"I have one last thing," I whispered. I'm sure she figured out where I was taking her. Our tree. A blanket was already there, awaiting us.
"You're quite the sneak," she chuckled.
"I had accomplices you know."
"I'm sure you did."
We sat down on the blanket and I took a deep breath. Here we go.
"You know, I thought about doing something silly like carving BX 4ever or something like that in the tree. But then I decided that would cheapen the effect, you know. It's our tree. The only thing that matters is that we know it. No one else needs to. And if I need to carve our initials into things to remember they belong to us."
She laughed at me. A slight breeze picked up and she curled closer to me. I took my coat off without thinking and placed it around her shoulders.
"Before, when you said this was like our first date, you weren't that far off. I've, obviously, had this planned all night. I have something to tell you. It sort of has to do with our veal conversation earlier," I told her. Why I brought the veal thing back up I'm not sure but that was only an afterthought. I needed to get through this. "I wanted to do this real special."
"Do what?" Buffy asked.
"Tell you something. I know we've said it before, but it's never meant the same thing. Everything has changed and become so different. And it's all been for the better. But, if you hadn't noticed I've avoided saying the words because I didn't want to say them unless I was sure I meant them."
"Xander," she said softly, he voice doing that wonderfully cute swoon thing.
"Buffy, I love you."
"I love you too," she replied instantly. The first exchange of 'I love you's' in our romantic relationship. She leaned in slowly and kissed me. The build up of so much planning swirled into the kiss. I loved her, she loved me, and now we'd said it.
The kiss ended. "One more thing." I was smiling openly now. I patted my pockets and found them empty. I reached into my shirt pocket, and then checked my pants again. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered aloud.
Buffy, meanwhile, started checking the pockets of my sports coat to try and help me. I kind of forgot I'd given the coat to her and of course that's where I had put it. She pulled out the long, rectangular box. Suddenly I heard her gasp, "Xander."
I swore at myself for being so stupid. I brought my eyes back to Buffy to find her holding a long, gold necklace.
"Do you like it?"
"Xander," she began to sob a bit. "I love it. How could you possibly afford this?"
"Only the best for you my dear," I whispered and moved behind her the place it around her neck.
"God, Xand, I love this. I love you. This whole night has just been, perfect."
I kissed her neck and held her tightly. "I love you so much Buffy. I don't want you to ever forget that."
"I never, ever could," she replied and pulled me tighter to her. We began to kiss again.
"So," she said between kisses. "Do you want to go back to my dorm?"
"My apartment. I have some other things to give you there," I said wickedly.
"I can't wait," she murmured sexily. It was a fun night. Things were absolutely fantastic.
But, you know the saying it's always darkest before the dawn? Well, the reverse is also true. It's also always brightest right before the fall.
TBC
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