Author's Notes – The longest part yet of this fic! This monster is getting really close to being done! Anyways, just a note for this part…I made up Angel's last name, I don't think we ever found out what it really is, so just go with it.
AN2 – Please keep in mind while reading this part that I've never been to California and know almost nothing about places there. So if something sounds not quite right, just look past it. Thanks!
Warning – This part is totally and completely mushy, fluffy, sappy sweetness. I think I went into sugar shock while writing it! :-)
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Part 12
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Buffy yawned as she sat in Spike's Mustang. They were just outside of Sunnydale on there way to Los Angeles so that she could see Angel. That thought brought a happy grin to her face. It had been five days since she last saw him. Way too much time in her opinion. She wondered how she ever managed to be apart from him for the seven years they'd been separated. Her thoughts were interrupted again by another yawn.
"Why don't you get some sleep. Not like you're going to miss anything while we're driving," stated Spike, glancing to the girl seated beside him.
"Yeah, I could probably use some sleep. I didn't realize I was this tired. All that work on the mansion has drained my energy," answered Buffy, yawning yet again as she got herself more comfortable in the seat.
"And we wouldn't want you to be tired for *whatever* you and Angel will probably be doing tonight," smirked Spike, promptly receiving a slap on the shoulder from Buffy.
"It's not like we're a pair of rabbits, geez," retorted Buffy with a half-hearted glare toward Spike.
"I'll believe that when I see it…err…actually I'd rather not see it," joked Spike, earning another playful smack.
"Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself," she chastised with a laugh.
"Just go to sleep, Slayer. I can drive much better without you nagging me," Spike exclaimed in jest.
"Wake me when we get there," replied Buffy, leaning her head over against the window. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable position, but with all the years spent being a Slayer she'd learned to get sleep whenever possible even if it was contorted in weird positions.
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An hour and a half later, thanks to Spike's maniacal driving, he pulled up at their destination. For most of the trip he'd spent the time thinking. So much had changed for him in the last few weeks.
The (sort of) relationship with Buffy was completely different, yet still the same somehow. He knew there'd be things that he would miss. And he didn't mean the sex which had been amazing even if a fairly irregular occurrence between them the last few years. No, it wasn't the sex. It was just having her there beside him. Who would be there when the nightmares tortured him in his sleep? Who would he talk to on the days the guilt was too much? Who would make fun of him for watching cheesy TV shows.
Buffy would. He realized with a startling clarity that she'd still be able to do all those things for him, maybe just a little bit differently than before. They just wouldn't be sharing the same room anymore. But she would still be there. He would still be able to go to her. And as much as he hated to admit it, Angel would also be there. And if anyone understood what it was like for him, Angel did.
Yes, she would still be there. She wouldn't desert him. With that thought in mind a sort of peace settled over Spike. Things wouldn't be all that different. And he would get to see Buffy truly happy, that alone would make him happy. Plus there was whatever this mission was that these Powers had for him.
He wondered what they could possibly want from him. It was a little scary to think that the higher Powers were watching him and expected something from him. It was a bit humbling as well. But maybe Buffy was right in what she said to him the other night. Whatever it was, he could do it.
For the last few years he'd just sort of gotten by. Helped out when needed, done some patrolling, but really hadn't made an all out effort. Maybe it was time to stop bumbling about. He had the power and the opportunity to do something, to make a difference, to try and make amends.
That thought brought a silent laugh to his lips. He sounded like that damn poof Angel. 'Making amends'…that was his riff wasn't it? But was it his also? Spike supposed it was. He had never really been anybody of importance before in a good way. As human he'd been mocked, as a vampire he'd been evil to the core and reeked murder and mayhem. But now, he had a chance to do good and to matter. Still, he thought, he'd never be as big of a poofy wanker as his sire.
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For a few minutes after pulling up at their destination, Spike sat in the car going over the plan Angel had laid out in his head. He knew it was going to be tough to get Buffy to go along without asking too many questions. An involuntary shudder when through him as he thought of what Angel might do to him if he screwed this up. He definitely had to get her just to do as he asked.
Reaching over, Spike tapped Buffy on the shoulder. When she didn't stir he tapped a little harder and called out her name. Finally after the third shake of her body, the blonde woke up.
"Are we there?" she asked groggily.
"Yeah, you slept like a rock the whole way," stated Spike with a teasing smile.
"I didn't realize I'd been that tired," she said while stretching her body out. She caught of glimpse of the surroundings and became a bit confused. "Where are we? Shouldn't we be at the hotel?"
"No, Angel wanted you to meet him here. I think he wanted to treat us to dinner or something," he tried to explain confidently, hoping she bought the complete lie he was spilling.
"Oh…ok, I guess." Buffy scrunched her brow a little at the weirdness of the situation.
"Come on, you want to go see Angel, don't you?" prodded Spike.
The two got out of the car. Buffy glanced around and felt a familiarity with the area, but she couldn't quite place it. She was sure that she'd been there before. It was probably just when she used to live in LA she thought, shaking off the déjà vu.
"Where to?" questioned Buffy to Spike. In return he pointed to a dark path through some trees. She gave him a bewildered look, but went in that direction anyway because she trusted him
Buffy walked along the path, Spike a few steps behind. She was slightly creeped out by the harsh darkness of the area. They were obviously in a public place. Why was it so dark? She shrugged off the thoughts, maybe there was just a power outage or something.
When she reached the end of the path she was met only by more darkness. The small sliver of a moon was of no help illuminating the area. She could only make out some shadows, a walkway maybe, a railing, but that was only a haphazard guess. The only thing clear to her was that they were somewhere near the ocean because she could hear the waves crashing in the distance in front of her.
For a few moments Buffy just stood there utterly mystified by the circumstances she found herself in. She turned to ask Spike what the hell was going on only to find that he was no longer standing behind her. A small noise behind her caught her attention and she flung her body back around, prepared to attack whatever was trying to sneak up on her.
The sight that met her eyes upon facing forward again caused her jaw to drop. There before her where there had previously only been darkness were two large, lit candles off in front of her to the left and right.
And in between the two candles stood Angel.
Or rather he wasn't standing.
But hunched down on one knee.
"Angel?" she whispered, tears forming in her eyes at the obvious implication of his positioning.
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The only sound that echoed around the couple was that of the waves crashing somewhere beyond them as Buffy and Angel stared at each other in the dim light projected by the two candles. Buffy's eyes searched the deep brown ones that looked up her, trying to understand what exactly what going on. All she could read in his eyes was the love reflected in them.
The staring contest continued for minutes until Buffy finally spoke.
"Wh-" she cleared her suddenly dry throat. "What's going on?"
"Seven years ago, today, I got my first chance to *really* see you in the sunlight, to hold you in my arms," he paused at the slight gasp that Buffy voiced when she realized where it was that they were. Tears were starting to roll down her cheeks as Angel continued his speech.
"Those few moments we had that day were some of the best in my long life. To be able to hold you in my arms, to love you, to see you in the sunlight…without having the loss of my soul looming over us, was perfection. I cherished and hated those memories every day of my life since then. I treasured them because they reminded me of our love and helped me keep hope when there wasn't any other reason to. And I hated them because they stood for all that I could never have." Angel stopped speaking for a few seconds to regain his composure as his emotions were beginning to overwhelm him.
"I never knew what love was before I met you. As a human before I was worthless…a drunk who used women, as Angelus I committed unspeakable acts…and during all that time I never once understood the concept of love. Not until I saw you that day so long ago from where I was hiding in the shadows. I fell in love with you at that moment and I grew to love you more and more each time I was near you. I never expected that you would be able to love me back. But you did. You saw me as a man even when I couldn't." He reached up to grasp her left hand in his right.
"We've been through so much, experienced so much hurt and pain. We lost each other for a while, gave up hope at times. We both tried to live on without each other, tried to move on. Maybe we needed the time apart to grow, to be ready for the time when we could finally be together. There were days it was harder than other times to hope that someday, we would have a chance.
But now, we do, and I don't ever want to let you go again. When I had nothing to live for, when my life was full of darkness, you believed in me. You gave me a reason to keep going. And you still give me all those things and so much more. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I had never known you."
Angel reached into his pocket to pull out a small, black, velvet box. Taking a deep breath he turned his head back up to look into the shiny, tear-stained eyes of his beloved. He squeezed her hand slightly harder before speaking further.
"I would be the happiest person in existence if you would honor me by becoming my wife, tonight," he said softly, pouring out every ounce of love through his own eyes.
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Buffy stood and listened as Angel, her Angel, the one person she'd love for all of eternity, professed his feelings for her. She couldn't move a muscle in her body, feeling strangely detached from her physical form, as if she were watching the entire moment from above
She'd longed for this moment for so long. It had been the focus of so many of her dreams in her teenage years. And even after all the hell they'd been through, literal Hell in Angel's case, she'd still hoped for it only to seemingly have her dreams squashed on the night of that fateful talk in the sewer somewhere below Sunnydale.
The dream of someday held for a while after that, but it had slowly died, only existing in the deepest recesses of her heart, no longer wanted in her daily consciousness. Day after day, the last few years, she'd just gone through the motions. Never dreaming of anything better. Never hoping.
That all changed when HE walked back into her life. Throwing her headlong into unwanted desires and memories. She'd tried to fight it, but the pull was too strong…the bond eternal. True love could never be ignored. Forever. That's the whole point, right?
And as she stood there listening to his words she was glad that she couldn't fight it. This was the dream forever existing somewhere within her. Only now, it was no longer a dream. It was reality. Her reality. Their reality.
The moment the all important question came out of Angel's mouth she sank down to the ground in front of him, staring first at the little box in his hands that held a gorgeous platinum ring circled in diamonds with a heart-shaped pink diamond in the center, and then lifted her head to gaze into his soulful eyes. She tried to speak, but her muscles didn't seem to be obeying her request. Answer, she had to answer him.
Shaking her head almost imperceptibly in an attempt to bring herself back to the moment, she went to speak again, this time succeeding.
"Yes, of course I'll marry you," she whispered in an almost awe-struck voice.
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"Y-yes?" repeated Angel hoarsely.
In response, Buffy only nodded her head in affirmation, her tears still streaming steadily down her cheeks. She watched as Angel pulled the ring out of the little box and reached for her hand. Even if she wanted to speak, she didn't think anything she could say would express what she was feeling. So she just stared into his eyes as he placed the ring onto her finger.
When she felt the chilly metal against her skin she looked down at it, loving the way the token looked on her hand. After gazing at it for a few seconds, she looked back up at Angel, bringing the hand baring the ring up to cup his left cheek.
"I love you," she spoke softly, a slight tremble in her voice.
"I love you, my beloved," repeated Angel before pulling her into a gentle but passionate kiss.
The kiss lasted only a short time, but they remained tangled in a tight embrace for much longer. Both were now crying over the realization of a dream finally come true. To Angel, it was his truest redemption, that someone as light and good as Buffy could accept him completely meant more than any form of humanity ever could. And to Buffy, this moment was the penultimate reward for all that she'd sacrificed and lost in her short lifetime.
Neither wanted to break the physical contact they were ensconced in. The feeling of completion was almost surreal. But suddenly something that Angel said clicked in Buffy's head.
"Tonight? You want us to get married tonight!?!?" she yelped in utter confusion and surprise.
"Yes, I don't want to waste another moment of our lives together," explained Angel, the barest hint of a smirk on his face at the rest of his surprise.
"B-but ho-" she started to ask when she was abruptly interrupted.
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Buffy's question was cut off when the area around her became suddenly brighter. She pulled back from Angel to look around them to find that thousands of white twinkle lights had been turned on. They were all over, strung around the railings, through the trees, along the ground. As she looked around more she saw flowered covered lattice archway had been set up near the edge of the walk overlooking the ocean with candles lined up around it. Her jaw dropped at the unexpected, yet beautiful scene.
Further to her left she found yet more surprises. There stood a medium sized group of people consisting of everyone she considered to be her family, plus those she assumed were Angel's 'family'. All of them, Willow, Xander, Sierra, Spike, Dawn, Cordy, Wes, Gunn, Fred, and Lorne as well as another man wearing a dark suit, were watching them with matching smiles on their faces.
"Oh. My. God!" Buffy shrieked in amazement.
"Surprise?" answered Angel sheepishly.
"Wow. I can't believe you did all of this!" she stated in total awe.
"I had help." Angel tried to shrug off being given the credit.
"Don't listen to him, this was all his idea, we just did whatever he asked," stated Cordelia as she and the rest of the group walked up to the now standing couple.
"I-I don't know what to say," stuttered Buffy. She turned to Angel. "You really want to get married tonight?"
"I do, but only if you want to. I don't want to push you into it if yo-" Angel was promptly cut off by Buffy.
"Of course I want to get married tonight! It's just…wow…it's a lot to take in. But yes, I would love to marry you tonight," she stated, placing a tender kiss on his lips.
"Oh please, you two have plenty of time for that later…when we're all not here to see it," scoffed Cordelia in typical fashion.
"Oh my God! What am I going to wear? Angel! I can't get married looking like this!" Buffy yelped animatedly while Cordy laughed and Willow and the others shook their heads at the statement.
"Don't worry about all that. Willow and I picked out a few dresses for you to choose from, and brought makeup and everything to do your hair. I'm sure we can manage to make you look presentable," Cordelia stated assuredly.
"You guys really did think of everything," answered Buffy, more tears forming in her eyes at the actions of her loved ones.
Buffy turned and gave Willow and Cordy hugs for what they had done for her, moving down the line she gave Sierra a peck on the cheek. Xander pulled her into a hug as well.
"Congratulations Buff. The first of the Scoobies to get married. Who woulda thought?" Xander spoke quietly into her ear.
"Thanks Xander," she answered, giving his a kiss on the cheek.
Spike was next in the group of friends. He looked at her uncomfortably for a moment, not particularly enjoying the mushiness of the situation, but Buffy would have none of it. She wrapped her arms around him in a friendly embrace.
"I'm glad you're here, it means a lot to me," she whispered genuinely to him.
"Just be happy," Spike replied softly, and she knew he really meant it.
"I will," she answered before pulling away from him.
"Dawnie!" Buffy shrieked, yanking her sister into her arms.
"Geez! Buffy, I do have to breathe!" choked out Dawn.
"Oh! Sorry! I'm just happy you're here!" Buffy exclaimed excitedly.
"Hey, did you think I would miss your wedding?" asked Dawn with a smile.
"No, but I'm still glad you're here," answered Buffy, once again squeezing her sister a little to hard.
She broke away from her sister, moving to the next group of people who were Angel's friends.
"Umm, I don't really know you guys, except for Wes, but I'm glad you're all here. I'm sure Angel's glad you're here," she spoke honestly to them.
"We wouldn't want to miss our man's wedding," Gunn stated with a smile toward Angel.
"Yes, we're so happy for you two," added on Fred, giving Buffy a quick friendly hug.
"Sunshine, if you keep putting smiles like that on the big guy's face, you're all right in my book," relayed Lorne with a kiss on Buffy's cheek.
"Congratulations, Buffy. You both deserve this," spoke Wesley, surprising Buffy by pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks, Wes. And thank you for being a friend to Angel," Buffy replied, quietly enough that only Wesley could hear. He just nodded in response, slightly blushing.
Now that all of the greetings and thank yous had been taken care of, Buffy stood there looking at all of her friends, unsure of what to do now since this was Angel's plan. She was about to turn and ask Angel a question when a new voice broke the silence.
"I hear that there is to be a wedding here tonight," the new, yet all too familiar voice spoke.
"Giles?!?" Buffy almost yelled, whipping around to face the speaker. "Oh my god, Giles!" She launched herself into the older man's arms, once again crying.
"How did you know?" she asked in a rush.
"Angel called me and told me, asked if I would be here," he answered, hugging her tighter.
"I'm so glad you're here," she stated softly.
"I am too. I know I never was all that supportive of your relationship with Angel, but any idiot could see that he made you happy. I wish you only the best," Giles said sincerely.
"Thank you Giles, that means a lot coming from you. And I have a favor to ask of you. You may not be my real father, but for the last 10 years, you're the only one I've known, and I'd be honored if you would walk me down the aisle," requested Buffy, stunning Giles in the process.
"I-I don't know what to say. Of course, I will. I'd be honored," answered Giles, his eyes misting a bit.
"Thank you," replied Buffy, a small kiss placed on Giles cheek.
Taking a moment to take in everything that had occurred in the last half hour, Buffy just stood there staring at the scenes before her. It was everything she could have imagined a proposal and wedding could be. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with the love radiating in the air, not just from her Angel, but from all of her…their…friends. Turning, she approached Angel.
"And you! I can't believe you planned all this and managed to not only keep it from me yourself, but got all the others to keep it a secret," she teased lightly.
"Didn't want to ruin the surprise," he smiled back. "I hope you like it."
"I *love* it," she gushed, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck and giving his a soft kiss. She then pulled his head down so that his right ear was level with her mouth.
"I'll have to show you later just how much I love it," she stated wickedly, earning a few snickers from the group standing not far from them. The words caused Angel to blush slightly.
"I'll remember that," he whispered seductively back to her.
"Maybe we should get to the actual wedding part of the, uh, wedding before they get to the honeymoon part," interrupted Willow with a wave of her hand toward the couple who were now engrossed only in each other.
"Good idea," agreed Xander, a slight shudder at the thought of Buffy and Angel on a honeymoon.
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"Are you sure I should wear this dress?" Buffy asked for the twentieth time since the girls had arrived back at the hotel to get Buffy ready for the wedding.
She was standing in front of a full length mirror looking at the dress she had chosen. It was off-white with a bodice top that had a strap that went around her neck. The bottom half had a straight skirt with a sheer, flowing overlay. There were hints of pink along the bottom of the sheer part. It reminded her of the dress she had worn sophomore year of high school the night she killed the Master.
"Buffy, it's perfect. Besides, Angel wouldn't care if you showed up in jeans and a sweatshirt. The only thing he'd notice would be you, not what you are wearing," Willow answered with a laugh.
"She's right. And anyways, I picked out the dress so it's got to be perfect," chirped Cordelia as she took out her bag of make-up and hair accessories. "All right, sit down so we can finish up and get back to your wedding."
A half hour later, Buffy was ready. Cordy had done her hair up in a French twist with a few sprigs of curls hanging around her face, and Baby's Breath strategically laced in. She stood in front of the mirror, checking every last aspect of her appearance. It didn't matter what the others said, she had to look perfect for Angel.
"I think we're almost-…Oh wait, we forgot that tradition thing…ya know the something old, something new thing," stated Cordelia, trying to remember the old superstition.
"Already taken care of," chimed in Willow. "She has something new, the dress, not to mention that ring Angel gave you." Buffy smiled, looking down ad the engagement ring.
"What about something borrowed?" wondered Cordelia before thinking of something. "Oh, you can wear my anklet, Angel gave it to me for my birthday last year." She reached down to undo the clasp of the jewelry and handed it to Buffy.
"Wow, thanks Cordy, it's beautiful," Buffy responded sincerely.
"Ok, so we have something new, and something borrowed. I have something old for you." Willow reached into her bad to pull out a familiar looking jewelry box. Buffy took the box from her with a curious look and then opened it.
"Oh, Willow, it's perfect. Thank you so much!" exclaimed Buffy, giving her red headed friend a hug.
"What is it?" asked Cordy, cocking her head a little.
"It's the silver cross Angel gave me the very first time I met him," explained Buffy, running her fingers over the cool metal. Willow pulled the object from the box, placing it around Buffy's neck and latching it.
"So all we need now is something blue," stated Willow, taking on a pensive face at what they could use that was blue.
"Oh, don't worry, I've got blue covered," cut in Dawn as she strolled into the room.
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Buffy replied sarcastically.
"What? You mean this?" Dawn smirked, twirling a blue and white garter around her finger. Buffy shook her head and grabbed the article from her sister.
"Why am I not surprised?" asked Buffy, holding up the garter.
"Hey, don't knock it. You needed something blue didn't you?" Dawn stated, laughing at the blush on her Buffy's face, but then turned serious. "You look beautiful Buffy, Angel is going to love it."
"I hope so. I just…I just wish Mom were here," Buffy answered sadly.
"Me too," agreed Dawn, giving Buffy a hug. "But I'm sure she's watching over you and is very happy and proud."
"Thanks, I love you Dawnie. I'm glad you were able to be here," Buffy said softly.
"Wouldn't have missed it," Dawn whispered back.
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"Would you stop pacing De- Angel. You're making me dizzy," scolded Xander teasingly.
"Sorry, I'm just ne-",
"Nervous? Ya think? Wouldn't have guessed that. Would you guys?" Xander joked, receiving agreeing smiles from Wesley, Gunn, Giles, Lorne, and Spike.
"But what if she changes her mind," babbled Angel, still pacing.
"Yeah, and I might wake up human tomorrow," Spike retorted dryly.
"It's been known to happen. Vampires turning human. I did…oh, that was a joke wasn't it?" Angel finally stopped pacing, suddenly patting the pockets of his tuxedo. "Rings. Where are the rings?"
"Willow and I have the rings, Angel," comforted Wesley. "Everything is ready. The Justice of the Peace is in place, the rings are taken care of, Cordelia called to say they were on their way five minutes ago. The only thing left is for us to take our places."
"O-ok, l-let's go," stuttered Angel, feeling even more nervous than before. He started to follow the others over to where the ceremony would take place. "Are you sure she won't change her mind?"
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Angel stood watching the walkway that his Buffy would soon walk down. Spike had just informed everyone that the girls had arrived. So now they were all standing in their places; the Justice of the Peace underneath the flower and light covered archway, Angel in front of him to the right, Wes to Angel's left, and the others, now joined by Fred, Dawn, and Cordy, off to the sides.
Sierra came down first, sprinkling white rose petals on the ground from a basket she held. Then came Willow, a happy smile on her face as she took her place opposite Wesley. Everyone's eyes were focused on the entranceway awaiting the appearance of the bride-to-be.
Angel felt like he was going to pass out from being so nervous. His palms were sweaty and his hands were shaking. The reality that he was getting married in only a few minutes to the one true love he'd ever had was just sinking in. He wondered how it was he'd been honored with this. So many horrible things had been done by his hands, even if they were possessed by a demon. And now he was redeemed, basically human, and about to marry Buffy, his Buffy.
Finally she appeared, a brilliant smile on her face and an almost radiant glow surrounding her. She looked absolutely beautiful standing there on Giles' arm. If he hadn't already been in love with her, he would have fallen again. He stared into her eyes, and suddenly all the nervousness he previously felt melted away. It was as if only the two of them existed at that very moment.
Buffy remained standing at the entranceway for a little while, taking in the images before her. She couldn't believe that he had done all this for her…the flowers, the lights, all their friends. It was amazing. She lifted her eyes to meet his, a smile forming on her lips. He looked gorgeous in his tux. She idly wondered if she was drooling, but really she didn't care.
She was getting married. *Married!!!* The whole concept seemed unreal. How on earth could she be getting married? Soon she'd be Angel's wife. That had a nice sound to it, she decided. It was all she'd ever wanted so long ago, and now she was going to get it.
A gentle shake of her arm from Giles snapper her out of her reverie. She looked over to the man who was like a father to her and smiled, letting him know that she was ready. Slowly, they made their way to Angel and the Justice of the Peace.
Upon reaching their destination, Giles relinquished his hold on Buffy's arm and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Before moving to stand with the others he gave Angel a friendly pat on the shoulder, as well as a smile. He was truly happy that something was finely working out for the girl he considered a daughter.
"Shall we begin?" the JOTP (Justice of the Peace) asked of the couple.
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"We are here tonight in the witness of the friends and family of Angel O'Roarke and Buffy Summers for the event of their lifelong joining. I ask that if anyone has any objections to his marriage, please come forward and do so now." Everyone present looked at each other with smiles on their faces, except for Buffy and Angel who could only look at each other.
"Good, we shall continue," the JOTP turned to the couple. "I can recite vows for you, or, if you choose, you may speak your own."
Angel and Buffy looked at each other, nodding simultaneously. "We'd like to say our own," answered Buffy for them both.
The JOTP smiled at them, seeing the obvious love in their eyes. "Good, Angel you may go first."
Angel turned to face Buffy, taking both her hands into his. He gazed into her eyes for a few moments before speaking.
"Buffy, no words that I could come up with would be enough to express how much you mean to me. Our lives haven't always been happy, we've been hurt, sometimes by each other. But we've survived and found our way back to our love.
When I first met you almost 10 years ago, I never thought that this day would come, let alone that you would love me. You showed me how to live, how to be a part of this world. I don't know where I would be now if you had never existed. You are my life, my light, my heart. And I will forever cherish our love." Angel finished, a solitary tear falling down his cheek that Buffy reached up to wipe away.
Not needing the Justice of the Peace to tell her it was her turn, Buffy began to speak.
"Angel, my love, you underestimate yourself. You are a good man, inside and out, with or without me. But I will always be glad that I found you. Just as you don't know where you would be without me, I don't know if I'd be half the person I am if you'd never come into my life. You helped me accept the life that I was dealt, helped me survive. Whenever things were tough back then, I could always come to you. That meant so much to me.
For a long time I gave up hope that this day would come, but you never did. And for that I am thankful. I never used to look to the future, but now I have a reason. I can't wait to spend every day of it with you. You are also my life, my light, my heart. And I will forever cherish our love," stated Buffy, repeating the final sentences of Angel's vow.
Briefly, Buffy looked around at her friends and family, noticing that the women had tears in their eyes, and even the men seemed a bit misty eyed. She smiled toward them before focusing on the Justice's next words.
"We have heard Buffy and Angel's vows to each other, and now it is time for the exchange rings. Angel," the man requested with a nod to the groom.
Angel turned to Wes and took the ring from him. "I give you this ring, as symbol of my love, and a promise that we will always be together for eternity and beyond." He slid the diamond inset platinum band onto her finger, pulling the hand up to place a kiss onto it.
Buffy took the ring Willow was holding out to her and repeated the vow. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and a promise that we will always be together for eternity and beyond." She placed the ring onto his finger, caressing the back of his hand with her thumb before looping her arm through his. The couple turned to face the Justice of the Peace.
"With the exchange of rings I now pronounce you husband and wife, Angel you may kiss the bride," the man said, emitting a slight laugh as Angel swept Buffy up into his arms and kissed her passionately.
"Friends, family…I would now like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Angel O'Roarke," the Justice of the Peace decreed with a smile. The audience clapped, a few cat-calls being emitting from Gunn and Xander. They all laughed when Buffy and Angel appeared oblivious and remained in their liplock.
"I love you," whispered Angel when he finally pulled away.
"I love you, my Angel," repeated Buffy, a few tears falling.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
Sounds of laughter rang throughout the lobby of the Hyperion hotel as Buffy, Angel, and their family and friends celebrated the couple's union. No one thought about demons, darkness and evil. For this night, they were only concerned with being happy and recognizing dreams come true. Demon and darkness could just wait until they were done having fun.
Right after they'd returned to the hotel, that had mysteriously been decorated after the girls left before the wedding, Cordy insisted that they open the gifts. Willow, Xander and Sierra gave them a beautiful painting of a sunset set as well as dark cherry chest for their bedroom, Cordelia surprised them both by giving them a set of antique daggers, Wesley matching watches, Giles handed them a card that said that when they decided to take a honeymoon he would pay for it, Lorne sang them a song written especially for them, Gunn and Fred gave them a set of crystal glasses, and lastly, Dawn and Spike pitched in together for perhaps the most touching gift: inscriptions inside their wedding rings that read "Buffy & Angel – Forever."
Once the gifts were opened, admired, and thank yous exchanged, a large, three tiered cake was wheeled out into the lobby. The chocolate/vanilla swirled cake was coated with gleaming white icing and decorated with delicate pink roses. As is traditional, the top tier was removed, and packed away to be frozen and then eaten on their first anniversary.
Two small pieces were cut for Buffy and Angel to feed to each other. Buffy smiled evilly at Willow before gently raising the piece to Angel's lips as he did the same to her. Just before the bite of cake was about to entered Angel's mouth, she veered upwards slightly and smooshed it onto his nose. She laughed hysterically at the sight, not even stopped when Angel did the same with his piece onto her face. They kissed amid the laughter, spreading cake bits and icing all over themselves.
The group chatted as they ate their cake, the Sunnydale and LA teams getting along easily. Battle stories were exchanged, funny moments talked about, memories of the happy couple reminisced upon. And, of course, there were the speeches from the best man, Wesley, and the maid of honor, Willow.
An hour and a half after arriving back at the hotel, once the presents had been opened, the cake eaten, and friendly banter traded back and forth, it was finally time for the newly married couple to share their first dance.
Angel led Buffy out onto the dance forth as the first bars of the song began to echo throughout the lobby of the hotel. The tune instantly transported Buffy back to another time. The song was the one she had danced to with Angel at her senior prom. She looked up at Angel to see if he realized what the song was.
"This song always made me think of you," he stated in answer to her questioning eyes.
"Me too," she agreed softly, laying her head to rest against his chest.
Angel's arms wrapped around her body, pulling her tighter against him. His head leaned against the top of hers as they swayed to the rhythm of the song. For both, it was like they were finally home, where they always belonged.
The others watched the couple dance, entranced by the magic that seemed to surround them. Not one of them could think of anything that was more perfect than the sight of the once-forbidden lovers cradled in each others arms. Each of them was happy for their friends, for them finally being able to have the peace and happiness that they deserved. For once, fate was on their side.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
A few hours later, after much more dancing and laughter, the party finally broke up. The Sunnydale gang opted to head back home because they all had to go to work the next day, while the LA crew returned to their apartments in the city. And they all knew that Buffy and Angel would want to have some alone time for their wedding night.
"So you guys are going to be back in Sunnydale tomorrow?" Willow asked to Buffy and Angel.
"Yeah, we don't really need a honeymoon right now. I've got work, and Angel wants to get the business up and running. Plus I think I'd rather wait and go during the summer when it's warmer," explained Buffy. She and Angel had talked about a honeymoon while they were dancing, both agreeing that they didn't really need to go right now. It was enough for them just to be together.
"Ok, well I guess we'll see you sometime tomorrow then. And congratulations again," stated Willow, giving both of them a hug.
"Yeah, and try not to have too much fun tonight!" teased Xander, holding a sleeping Sierra in his arms.
"I make no promises," retorted Buffy, causing everyone to laugh.
They said their final goodbyes, and watched as everyone left the hotel. When everyone was finally gone, Angel stood behind Buffy and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Ready to go start the wedding night?" he asked huskily.
"Mmm, I'm ready whenever you are," she groaned, feeling just how much he wanted her.
"Race ya!" Buffy yelped, pulling quickly out of his arms and making a dash for the stairs.
"Oh no you don't!" laughed Angel when he easily caught up with her on the second stair, picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder.
"Angel! Put me down!" Buffy shrieked, all the while laughing loudly.
Angel, however, had other ideas. Refusing to obey her request, he raced up the remaining stairs and down the hall into what would soon be his former room. The sounds of Buffy's laughter echoed throughout the hotel, but died down shortly thereafter, replaced by the sounds of the now married couple cementing their union.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
the next morning – Magic Box
"Ugh, I could use another four hours of sleep," yawned Willow, as she, Xander and Sierra sat at the research table having donuts for breakfast. "I should have listened to Spike and just not opened up the store this morning."
"Well, you're the boss, you can always close early," Xander stated as he handed a napkin to his daughter.
"True. Maybe I'll get a second wind. But it has been slow because of the holidays. I'll just wait and see," she explained, laughing slightly at the sugary powder covering Sierra's face.
"When do you think the happy couple will show up?" questioned Xander.
"Who knows, I'm surprised they're going to even attempt to get out of bed today," joked Willow with a shake of her head.
"Yeah, I don't see them breaking physical contact anytime soon," agreed Xander, reaching for another donut.
"Don't you have to work today?" Willow asked, noticing that it was almost eleven a.m.
"I just have to go check on two of the crews, but that's all. I'm having a late lunch with Cordy afterwards," he relayed, a slight blush creeping into his cheeks.
"Cordy? Huh?" Willow quirked an eyebrow at that. She was about to press for more details when the bell rang signaling that someone had entered the store.
Standing up from the table, Willow looked down at her shirt and brushed some crumbs off, her 'welcome speech' starting before her head lifted back up.
"Welcome to the Mag-" she abruptly stopped when her eyes met those of the new arrival.
"Hey," the all-too-familiar man stated coolly.
"Oz," Willow choked out, completely overwhelmed.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
TBC…feedback is much appreciated!