Epilogue
The audience recognized Dawn, a skater making a comeback after an accident. A skater who performed the short program well. There was a healthy round of applause for her, and then the music started.
Dawn took a deep breath, her eyes very wide. "Here's for you, Buffy and our mom," she whispered even though she knew her sister's Slayer hearing likely picked it up.
And then she began to move. Years from now people who were in Portland that night will be telling stories of how Dawn skated. And people who weren't there will say they were, because the legend is so strong and still so beautiful that they want to be a part of it, to believe they had been a part of it. But even the most exaggerated stories cannot do justice to the symphony of motion that was Dawn that night. It is possible that her artistry may never be duplicated, even by champions yet unborn.
When the music lifted Dawn up and carried her, she glided backward in arabesque that led naturally to a spread eagle, then a backward spread-eagle performed with such limber artistry that her entire body nearly touched the ice. Then, with perfect clarity, she skated forward in an incredible burst of speed and left the ice in a series of jumps that brought gasps of delight from the entranced spectators. In quick succession, she jumped a double axel, a triple lutz, a double salchow, gaining astonishing heights as she leaped in the four corners of the rink. And then she flew into the air once more … turning, turning, and yet again.
It wasn't possible! She's never make it! The spectators stopped breathing. Very few skaters could double a triple flip. No! But she did; she flew like a swallow, winging high and straight, and while the audience sat terrified at the prospect of her failure, Dawn completed a perfect double-triple flip, landed gracefully on her toe picks and set off again into a series of spins that ended only with a deep sit-spin, only inches above the ice, a spin so fast that she was a blur until she stood again and spun to a crossover and a stop.
The music came to a stop, and Dawn stood silent and still in the center of the arena. On the sidelines, Buffy, Gen, Tina and Teddy, wept openly, cheered and yelled with hearts ready to burst. In the stands Giles, Willow and Xander were doing much the same.
The din of the applause became rhythmic; the crowd was demanding that Dawn circle the ice. Smiling Dawn obliged, skating easily around the perimeter.
The flowers began to fall, red roses on the chilly clarity of the ice. Flowers for Dawn.
Of course, she could not see them. What's more, she didn't expect them. And she was heading straight for them. On the ice, anything, even a hairpin, is a hazard to blades of even the most experienced skater.
Buffy realized this too late. "Dawnie! The flowers!" she shouted, desperately trying to shout against and above the applause. But Dawn didn't her hear and couldn't have stopped herself even if she had.
The first flower that caught in her blade made her stumble; the second, an instant later. made her fall. Terror filled her face, and the crowed became suddenly very quiet, watching without understanding as Dawn groped around on the ice, on her knees, touching, touching the flowers. They didn't know. They still didn't know.
In pain of her, both Buffy and Teddy walked out onto the ice.
Now, a ripple began through the crowd, a whisper that became a murmur, a murmur that became a roar. In an instant, with the speed of ash fire, everyone knew. Dawn couldn't see; that she had not survived her accident unscathed as they had believed. That Dawn was blind!
Buffy and Teddy reached Dawn and they gave her their hands.
"We forgot about the flowers," Buffy said simply.
Dawn nodded and squeezed her sister's hand. She wasn't hurt; she was a little disoriented maybe, but she was happy that both her sister and husband-to-be were near. They helped her to her feet and led her gently through the mine field of red roses and into the center of the rink.
All at once, the crowd broke into a roar of applause and cheering, louder and louder, hoarse and emotional. But it was alright, it wasn't pity. They had already cheered her skill, and she had earned that without their pity.
Buffy, Dawn and Teddy stood before the judges' table. Dawn smiled brightly, although she couldn't make out the judges' faces, couldn't see them clapping and weeping in tribute to her genius.
Suddenly there was a moment of silence as the announcer came over the speakers. "Due to the added technical difficulty the judges have awarded Dawn Summers all perfect sixes. Placing her in first place and securing her a place in the figure skating world championships."
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"You ready, Dawn," Buffy said.
"I'm ready," Dawn said.
Five months had passed since Dawn had won Nationals. She had passed on going to Worlds. Her dream of skating had been realized. Her next challenge was before her.
Buffy smiled as she opened the door to let Giles in. "She's all yours."
Giles smiled and nodded as Buffy left the room. "Nervous?" he asked.
"A little," Dawn said as she held out her arm and he took it.
Giles led Dawn out of the room and into the rink passing a new sign which read:
SUMMERS AND SUMMERS SKATING RINK
THE HOME OF DAWN SUMMERS SKATING FOR THE BLIND
Tina had decided to retire and sold her half of the rink to Dawn. And Dawn had started teaching blind kids how to skate.
Giles and Dawn made their way out onto the ice toward the center. They like the rest of the wedding party wore skates.
The minister, Giles, Xander and Willow had all been taught to skate. There amongst her friends, her sister and the audience in the bleachers Dawn would be married.
When Giles and Dawn reached the middle, he handed Dawn to Teddy, who pulled her in an embrace as he slowly turned Dawn to face the minister.
"We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Dawn Marie Summers and Theodore Thomas Harwood in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all people; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Not a single soul spoke up.
"Who supports this woman in her marriage to this man?"
Giles smiled. "Myself, her sister and her friends do," he said.
"And my mom," Dawn added. "May she rest in peace."
"Right," Giles agreed.
"Marriage gives permanence and structure to a couple's love. It's a way to tell one another that no matter how much you snore or how much you spent while out at the shopping mall, we're still in this together. Marriage is telling the person you love that you're not going anywhere and that's a powerful commitment for two people to make to one another. The road that has brought Dawn and Theodore here today hasn't been easy. It's been filled with challenges that they weren't necessarily prepared for. But together they've taken each one on and have used those experiences to strengthen, not weaken their love."
"Dawn and Theodore, the vows that you are about to make are a way to share your love and commitment to each other in your own words. Sometimes poems, verses and quotes just don't get the point across the way you need them to and the best option is just to do it yourself. These vows are your way of openly declaring your promise to one another as well as to all of those who are here in attendance today."
"I take you, Teddy, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love," Dawn said as she smiled. "I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."
"I take you, Dawn, to be my friend, my lover and my wife," Teddy said. "I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity."
"Dawn and Theodore will now exchange rings to symbolize their commitment. Rings are derived from humble beginnings of imperfect metal to create something striking where there was once nothing at all. It is customarily worn on the ring finger as it is the only finger with a vein running directly to the heart. The wearing of the rings is a visible, outward sign that they have committed themselves to one another. Theodore, please take Dawn's hand and repeat these words." Teddy took Dawn's hand in his own. "I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love, for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day and know that my love is present, even when I am not."
"I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love, for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day and know that my love is present, even when I am not," Teddy said as Xander handed him the ring. He smiled as he then placed the ring on Dawn's finger.
"Dawn, please take Theodore's hand and repeat these words." Dawn took Teddy's hand in her own. "I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love, for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day and know that my love is present, even when I am not."
"I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love, for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day and know that my love is present, even when I am not," Dawn said as Buffy handed her the ring. She smiled as she then placed the ring on Teddy's finger.
"Dawn and Theodore you have professed your love by exchanging your vows. You have symbolized your commitment by exchanging rings. With all of this there is just one more question I need each of you to answer and then we're off to the reception to celebrate."
Everyone laughed.
"Dawn, do you take Theodore to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Dawn said.
"Theodore, do you take Dawn to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Theodore replied.
"By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. Theodore you may kiss your bride."
Teddy smiled and leaned into Dawn as he kissed her passionately.
"It's my great honor and privilege to be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Harwood-Summers!"
Author's Note: And there we have it folks. I hope you enjoyed it.
At the moment this is it. Dawn's story is done, with the fact I made her blind I don't see another direction I could take. So if I decide to continue in this 'verse it would be in a sequel with Dawn's daughter. But that is something right now I would have to think on and see if I can get my muse wrapped around it.