Chapter 13

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March 20, 2005

The next morning Buffy woke up with the sun in her eyes she shut them and said "god I hate mornings" she had a hangover and said "damn those tequilas" she glanced at the clock it was 10:30 she laid there a minute with her eye's closed she remember her talk with Spike and hated herself, she didn't hate herself she hated him for having that power over her she sat up a bit to quick and fell back on the pillows and propped herself back drawing the sheets over her, this was her big day she was suppose to be giddy and happy but she wasn't she was miserable and had headache and worried on top of that. Today was the day she was to marry the man of her dreams her Angel, but they never really truly be together and be happy, there was heartache and headaches ahead of her and him, a new chapter would open for them today, that would affect and change both of there lives.

Buffy remembered all the good moments, when they first met and first kissed the electricity there, it was amazing, her life was a mess and there were some things she just couldn't tell him, no she could never tell him, what could she do, the past two years almost had been they had there ups and down and they still were, but the only reason they still were was because of a lie… the night Angel had purposed was a dream to her and then the night mare she still remembered it like yesterday him blaming her for ruining his life in all actuality she was the reason. It scared her to the bone not the dream but what it symbolized and it all came down to her, there was no way she could back out because Angel would leave her and Spike would tell her father and her father would have him killed and she dare not think about what he would do to her.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Willow and Cordelia came in she smiled Willow said "hey your up"

Buffy said "yeah I'm awake but not up"

Cordelia said "here" she gave her the glass of stuff to drink she looked at it and said "what's this"

willow said "an Italian remedy for the hang over"

Buffy said did you drink it" Willow nodded.

Cordelia said "yeah, it works"

Buffy said drinking the concoction down "what are you doing up so early"

Willow said " went out for breakfast"

Buffy said "wow… I'm not even thinking about that"

Willow said "nervous"

Buffy said "yeah" she thought not because of what they think though she smiled

Willow said "you should eat"

Buffy said give me some time… I just got up plus I drank a lot more then you guys"

willow said "not as much as Faith"

Buffy said "because she stared drinking before we did… where is she anyway"

they rolled there eyes, Cordelia said "making very good friends with the bathroom"

Buffy said "Ooo I hope she'll be able to make it to the wedding."

Willow said "I wouldn't hold my breath, she looked smashed"

Cordelia said "she might have sleep with the stripper if we hadn't stopped her when we did"

Buffy laughed. "Let's go."

For the first time since this morning, Buffy was alone. Her guard and the attendants had gone to check on their families and the proceedings, leaving her in the dressing room. Taking a deep breath, she moved to the mirror that stood ready to give her its final verdict on her own appearance. Was that really her? She'd seen herself in this dress a few times, but each time she hadn't really felt real in it. But the person standing on the other side of the mirror, was a bride. From the sleek upsweep of her hair with the filmy white veil tucked into the pile of blonde, to the delicate touch of make-up done by Angel's sister Cordy's make-up artist. And her dress, it was what every little girl dreamed of when they were younger. The bodice was tight and simple, forming a V as the sleeves left her shoulders bare. The wide princess-style satin skirt was covered in a delicate flower pattern and at the center of each rose was a cluster of white diamonds. This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life and she was happy but she was weighted down with the thoughts of what she was doing, don't get her wrong she loved Angel and wanted to marry him but not under theses circumstances, it was wrong, nothing was right about… nothing, but she could never betray her family she had to do what she had to do, and let's face it, she was a strong and willful woman, plus everyone believed that she would kill him thinking it was her plan she could use that trust to protect him, for now… until time runs out, she had everything she need something new, which would be her dress, something blue, her garter, something borrowed, her mother's pearl earrings. Something old.

her hand flying to her neck, she moved to the bag she'd brought with her. With triumphant glee that was curiously like her look after a good kill, she retrieved the flat box from her bag, preparing to open it just as the door opened and her friends poured in. Faith, Cordelia, and Willow were wearing the gold sheaths that had been picked for her attendants. Dawn her sister and Rachel her old friend from high school wore simple dresses, Dawn in a light green dress that she knew dad had mad her wear, and Rachel in a purple formal gown.

"Hey, what's in the box?" asked Dawn, coming over to the bride.

"Its my something old," she answered cryptically, turning to Faith, who had been chosen as maid of honor. Buffy had spoken with Willow and Cordelia, the bridesmaids, who had agreed with her choice. She handed the box to the young Mob daughter who looked at her curiously.

"Would you put it on me?" she requested. Faith nodded and opened the box, giving a small gasp as she got a look at what was inside.

"These are beautiful." Buffy smiled looking at the necklace

"Thank you. It was the last present My mother gave me. The night of my 20 birthday, my sister had gotten the same necklace, and I'm wearing hers in her memory." Buffy's eyes closed in remembrance for a brief moment as Faith clasped the pearl and diamond necklaces around her neck, relishing the feel of the cool gem against her skin. A hand came up, pressing it closer.

"That was 4 years and 1 week ago today. Do you think it qualifies as old?" Pike her guard who was taking her fathers place said easily in the door,

"Buffy? Are you ready?" dignified in the tux he wore. Dawn and Rachel gave Buffy encouraging smiles and touches of cheeks before exiting the room to take their seats at the front, in the backyard

"I think so. How does Angel look?"

he said "Nervous. We'd best not keep him waiting." Buffy brought the veil down over her face, and took the small bouquet of pink tipped white roses from Willow, before taking Pike's arm as they lined up behind the girls.

Buffy said "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Pike said "Buffy, I know your dad's very proud of you. And y-you look very stunning today."

"Thanks Pike." The small group proceeded to the doors leading out into the backyard, when Buffy suddenly stilled. "Pike? What...What if he suddenly decides...?"

she could only pray "I highly doubt you'd have to worry about that. He loves you more than life itself. I think he's proved that more than once… plus this is his house"

The wedding march began, and Buffy faintly realized that the occupants of the backyard had stood, looking at the doorway where she and Pike now stood. "Ready?"

Her eyes caught Angel's, standing beside the minister, a peaceful, happy look on his face. Without breaking that eye contact, she answered. "More than anything."

But in her mind as she forced the smiled she thought if only she could stop… but her Father would kill her, Angel's breath caught as she stepped into view. She was a goddess, he didn't deserve her. Didn't deserve her love, or her forgiveness and all his worries melted away. They would be together Then her hazel eyes looked into his own, and she thought she didn't deserve him. Didn't deserve his love, not when this was not going to last she was reminded of the nightmare she'd had the night after he purposed, was this what it was? a an nightmare? But no most of the last year has been just a dream… trapped in a nightmare? but that love that she knew he felt for her was the only thing that keep her going and made her determine to protect him, and all her worries melted away. He watched, mesmerized, as she came up the aisle toward him. Her hand slipped into his larger one, and he looked down at her, his eyes clouded with disbelief. Her lips formed the words 'I love you', and the clouds in there minds disappeared as he squeezed her hand, turning to look at the priest. Buffy barely heard the ceremony. All she could concentrate on was the man beside her. Before she knew it, Faith was taking her bouquet as Angel turned to her, a gold band in his hand, beautifully decorated in her birthstones around the band large heart diamond in the center onyx and tiny diamonds in the crown.

"Annabelle, I don't know what I did to deserve you, but whatever it was, I'm glad. Because you're my other half. You've helped me to keep going, to keep fighting. You've had more faith in me, than I've had in myself. You were the sun in my life. You're my whole life. My bestfriend, my partner, my love. And so I pledge, my strength, my soul and my love to you eternally."

She fought back tears as he slipped the wide band on her finger. The gold and stones glowed against her tan skin, the etching of a claddagh caught the light off the candles nearby. Her words were thick with emotion.

"Angel, I've loved you from the moment that I met you. Even when things seemed to be going wrong, I never stopped. You were always the one that I would run to when I was unable to cope. You know me so well. You know that even though I try to act strong, its sometimes just an act. So with that, I pledge to you, my strength, my heart, my love, and my soul to you, eternally."

"Do you Angel, take Annabelle Summers for your lawful wife?"

"I do."

"And do you Annabelle, take Angel Johannson for your lawful husband?"

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Slowly, gently, Angel lifted the veil back, his hands gently cupping her cheeks. "I love you."

"I love you."

Their lips met then, sweetly clinging as the yard applauded, cheering the two on. After a few moments, they broke apart, smiling softly at each other. Facing the yard of people, they started down the aisle, their attendants filing behind them. The newly married couple then stopped for a moment in the warm spring air before going in watching, the sunset painting a kaleidoscope of colors on the horizon and as they stepped inside of the house, hand in hand, they knew that a whole new life was awaiting them. Buffy just prayed that she would at some point be able to enjoy it