A/N : Here it is, the absolute final installment, a happy ever after ending for all - most importantly for Buffy & Spike :-)
(For disclaimer, etc. -see chapter 1)

Epilogue

"Miss Buffy Anne Giles" her name was announced, and the next Sunnydale High graduate approached the podium, smiling brightly as she took her diploma and shook the Principal's hand.

In the front row of the audience, her mother snapped a picture, her Dad beamed proudly, and her boyfriend shot a grin and a wink her way when he caught her looking down on those that loved her. The only person missing from the scene, Buffy noted, as she joined Willow, Xander, Anya, and Wesley on the another side of the stage, was her sister, Faith.

As the final members of the Graduating class received their diplomas and stepped off the stage, the Principal began his closing speech. He was halfway through when a loud squeal of tyres and a growling engine caught the attention of most of the crowd.

Students, parents, officials, everybody turned and watched, some with a grin and several in horror as a motorcycle was ridden from the street, bumped up the kerb and shot down the centre of the seated audience, missing the stage by mere inches as the rider steered a hard right and pulled up in front of Buffy's unsuspecting family.

"Hey guys" Faith grinned as she hopped off the back of the bike, slapping her riding buddy on the shoulder, "You stayin' man?"

"Sure, why not?" Miss Lehane's latest flame smiled as he pulled off his helmet, revealing the last person Spike expected to see.

"Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, "Finn?!" he looked stunned at the sight of his boss' son, as Buffy too spotted who her sister had ridden in with.

"What?" Faith shrugged, "I swung by the garage hopin' to catch a ride before you left" she explained, "Turns out I was runnin' a little late, and your guy Finn here gave me a... ride" she said, with a flash in her eyes that told Spike and Buffy both that there was another reason why Faith was so late to the Graduation ceremony.

"Excuse me, Miss..." the Principal began, leaning down off the stage and yelling at the new arrival - he shut up fast when he realised who he was talking to.

"Hey, Mr Flutie. How's tricks?" she asked the man, who bumbled a little, smiling awkwardly as Faith struck a pose that showed off all she had, from the stage he had a pretty good view of her assets and she knew it.

"Miss Lehane, how lovely to see you" he babbled, "But, er, perhaps you could take a seat so we can finish here?" he suggested.

"Sure thing, Mr F" she smiled, with a wink as Riley propped up the motorcycle right there in front of the crowd, and the two of them shared the spare seat next to Buffy's parents, Faith comfortably perched in Riley's lap, popping her gum loudly all through the Principal's speech.

Buffy couldn't help but laugh at her sister's antics. She really loved to make an entrance, and maybe in some ways she'd been upstaged by her crazy half-sibling, but it was cool. Honestly, they both liked to be centre of attention, and if they could do that together, so much the better.

When the Principal finally finished his speech with the immortal words 'class dismissed', Buffy couldn't wait to run to her family. Her parents hugged her tight, followed by Faith as Spike shook Wes' hand and similar actions took place amongst all the friends and family.

A lot had happened in the past year or so and it made Buffy's head spin to think about it. Still, the important stuff had stayed the same, her and Spike were still together, their love having endured everything as they'd known it would. Joyce and Giles had come to realise Spike was not the bad guy they'd thought he was. Faith had moved in with Illyria and then on from there, whilst Spike switched apartments so his girlfriend would feel comfortable enough to visit. Buffy loved her life, and coped pretty well with being the girl who's boyfriend wasn't in High School, as Willow stuck with Wes and Xander held on to Anya. It had all worked out pretty perfectly really.

As Joyce and Giles began admonishing Faith for effectively gate-crashing Buffy's graduation, the little blonde herself managed to get a few moments alone time with Spike, and she was grinning as she faced him.

"Well, that's it" she smiled, arms locked around his neck as his hands held her at the waist, "I guess I'm officially a grown-up now"

"You've been that a while, pet" he told her, "Wish I could say the same for your sister" he smirked, as the two of them glanced at Faith.

"How long do you think she'll last with Riley?" Buffy chuckled, "I mean, I kinda guessed when she wrote off men to be with Illyria it wouldn't last long - six months was a miracle"

"I don't give a stuff how long Faithie keeps her lasted play-thing" Spike admitted, as he looked down into Buffy's eyes, "You and me, we're gonna last forever"

"And then some" she agreed, "I knew I was always right to believe in fairytales"

"Whatever you say, luv" he nodded with a smile, as he leant in to cover her lips with his in a passionate kiss, hoping she was right, and that they'd all live happily ever after.

- The End -