Chapter 35: Beautiful Starts

Sunnydale Bison's Lodge, Sunday 9:30 am.

Buffy stood in front of the mirror with Willow. Willow glanced at herself in the mirror stating in a horrified voice, "Buffy, it's hideous. Oh my God, Buffy. Look at its arms!"

Buffy tried to look brave as she stared at her image. Her sleeves were short but still the hideous green color of Willow's. She found herself thankful she wasn't long sleeves and she got Spike grinning, 'Let me see!'

Buffy replied still gazing at herself, 'Be good mister or I'll remember how to turn this thing off.'

She heard Spike's warm chuckle fill her head as he stated, 'Good luck. I doubt either of us can turn off the other anymore. I think the more you leave it open, the harder it gets to close it.'

Buffy sent him a glare, 'Sure now you tell me that after it's been open almost a week straight.'

Spike only grinned, 'I have to help Xander break up a fight, I'll be with you shortly. Happy dressing!'

Buffy spoke bravely finally not removing her eyes from the sight, "I know. But it's my duty. I'm Buffy the bridesmaid."

Willow looked on horrified with her disgust for her chosen dress showing over her face unable to be masked, "Duty-schmuty. I'm supposed to be the best man. Shouldn't I be all Marlene Dietrich-y in a dashing tuxedo number?"

Willow looked at Buffy all hopeful until Buffy just had to dash her hopes, "No. That would be totally unfair. We must share equally in the cosmic joke that is bridesmaids-dom."

Buffy wouldn't control the groan that came out of her mouth as she sat down discouraged on the bed. She could barely move in the teal silk dress that had toile sleeves that were short and huge toile ruffles from her knees to the ground making the dress look even worse if that was possible. She had wanted to look beautiful for Spike not look like some ugly green glowing monster.

Willow continued her whining in hopes to make it better somehow knowing it couldn't get any worse, "Well maybe…if I ask Anya, I can still go with the traditional blood larva and burlap. I mean she was a vengeance demon for like a thousand years, she would know the most flattering larva. What was she thinking?"

Willow turned to view Buffy as she moved awkwardly in the uncomfortable tight fitting dress. Willow couldn't hide her sadness as Buffy admitted in a sad and solemn voice, "I think she's probably too stressed to be thinking right now. What with Xander's relatives and her demons…"

Willow picked right up on the conversation change as she stated with her voice still sounding horrified, "Oh my God, last night, that rehearsal dinner. That was like a…a zoo, without the table manners. It was even worse after you left. You are lucky you left when you did. I left shortly after you did talking a walk with Tara to avoid the fights that were breaking out."

Buffy spoke up thankful for the topic, "I just can't believe everyone bought that story about Anya's people being circus folk. Did you see that guy with the tentacles? What's he supposed to be? Inky the Squid Boy?"

Willow giggled slightly as she stated in a sympathetic tone, "And Xander's family. I haven't seen them that bad since my bat mitzvah. Ugh did you see how much they drank?"

Buffy nodded, "They were well on their way to totally smashed before I left."

Willow nodded in agreement, "I'm sorry about Giles. That was uncalled for."

Buffy as just about to comment as Anya rounded the corner dressed in a white nightgown. She said, "Oh" as she put her hand in front of her face and Buffy and Willow glanced at each other worried. She repeated her "oh" as tears formed in her eyes, "You guys look so beautiful!"

She threw her arms around them both hugging them at the same time. Anya giggled as she spoke in a tear-filled voice, "This is the happiest day of my whole life!"

Xander was running around getting dressed while the demons and the humans had no choice but to mingle. The tension was high and Xander's parents had just arrived. Xander was almost dressed thanks to Spike buckling him down to get dressed and Spike was there to referee the guests. He kept Xander's parents busy by having them tell stories while Anya's family was fixing the coffee maker and playing cards at the table.

Xander rushed from the room finally looking dressed. Spike smiled unable to help himself as he imaged the day he and Buffy would be married. Buffy sent a gasp towards him as she shared the same images. She closed her eyes even in front of Dawn as Spike remembered the day he proposed to Buffy down on one knee in Giles's apartment during the spell only when he re-imagined it, he jazzed it up with it being in her house in the living room with candles glowing. He imagined asking her and she added in her two cents of cheering and saying, 'Yes yes of course I'll marry you. I love you Spike.'

And he couldn't help but chuckle causing Xander to glance at him in curiosity. Xander and Giles didn't know about the claim and he preferred to keep it that way. He wasn't even sure if she told Willow but he knew Tara and Anya knew as well as Dawn, which was fine by him. Their image was interrupted by Dawn shaking Buffy gently saying, "Freddie is here! I have to go meet him."

At the same time Xander patted Spike on the back saying, "I'm nervous."

Spike grinned at him, "The whole ball and chain image does that to a man in your position but instead of thinking of that, think of spending forever waking up next to the girl who is yours. Think of what your life would be like without her. And if that doesn't work think about losing her to someone else. If none of those motivate you, then you shouldn't be getting married but I'm quite sure based on your face, every single image hit you hard so mate, so I'd say you are ready and making the right choice."

Xander smiled slightly still feeling nervous but knowing Spike had a point. He shrugged as he stated, "I guess we go now?"

Spike nodded as he gestured towards the card playing demons, "Anyone need a ride?"

Xander's parents walked out of the house fussing over Xander and how his hair wouldn't stay in place and how his hair was always unruly even as a child in a tone that was completely condescending. Spike was tempted to make Xander come in his car but he figured he wouldn't appreciate the blacked out windows. The three demons in the house took Spike up on his offer and the four drove over to the church to get ready for the big day.