Chapter 5: Magical Christmas


The lights were all on along the street as well as at the Summers' house and it was Christmas Eve. The gang had decided to spend Christmas Eve together since Xander had declared it a patrol-free holiday time suggesting most people were inside their houses sleeping and not risking their lives. Buffy at first had protested but had eventually given in.

Dawn sang happily with the rest of the gang the chorus of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". No one seemed to feel cheesy sitting around a Christmas tree surrounded by opened gifts singing Christmas Carols. On the television that no one was watching, Joyce's old time favorite, "It's a Wonderful Life" played. Joyce had always watched the movie on Christmas Eve.

Buffy grinned as she admired the gifts she had received. Looking at all her friends she realized just how lucky she was. Sure Willow was in England but she was sure Giles would make sure she was getting the proper care. She hoped Willow was having a good Christmas with Giles.

Smiling she glanced around as Xander started belting out, "Jingle Bells". The gang all laughed as a discussion started about what the real words to the song was. Xander swore the song said Bells on cocktails ring, while Anya claimed that everyone knew the song said that the bells on bob's tail stating that Bob was of course some kind of demon therefore it made sense.

Dawn just laughed and said that everyone was all wrong and it was about putting bells on a bobcat. Buffy couldn't help but laugh at the silliness of all her friends. Spike had leaned over and said, "Who the bloody hell cares who's tail is ringing as long as it's ringing."

The fun lasted until midnight when everyone was sleepy. The gang split up to go to sleep. Dawn was tucked in and Spike turned towards Buffy and asked her, "Are you sleepy yet?"

At Buffy's shake of her head Spike grinned and punched in some numbers into his cell phone. Then he said, "We are ready." Within minutes Spike had bundled up Buffy really well stating that he had a surprise for her. Together they were driving over on his motorcycle to a small park in the center of town. There stood an amazing sight.


The ground was covered in snow. Looking up at the snow falling from the sky, she noticed why. A large snow machine probably borrowed from a local ski lodge, was spitting out snow making everything in the park be covered in a soft white blanket. As Spike held her hand walking towards the center of the park, Buffy gasped as before her stood a large horse. She turned towards Spike whispering, "I don't know how to ride a horse."

Spike chuckled as he pointed towards the sleigh behind the horse, "You don't need to ride. It's a one horse open sleigh ride."

Buffy laughed but it was a nervous and amazed laugh. All she said was, "Wow."

Spike stepped forward smiling at the guy, "Thanks for doing this."

The man nodded and Buffy noticed that he had two horns on his head. He was obviously a demon. Who would have thought a demon would be in a park right in Sunnydale ready to pull her and Spike in an open sleigh. The whole idea was truly amazing to Buffy. Never before had Buffy been able to take a snow ride. And to think that Spike arranged this all for her. The very idea brought tears to Buffy's green eyes.

She brushed them away and smiled at Spike. Spike helped Buffy onto the sleigh and snuggled up close to her bundling them both up with a blanket so it lay over their laps. Buffy rested her hand in his as the horse started to walk. The snow continued to fall all around her. She knew it was fake but she didn't care. It was amazing nonetheless since she had only seen snow the one time in her life.

She lifted her face up to the sky letting the snow fall on her face. Spike leaned over interrupting her thoughts as he asked, "So what do you think of your present?"

Buffy at first was speechless than finally said, "It's beautiful. I can't believe you did this for me."

Spike just smiled proudly as soft Christmas music came out of the various speakers they were passing as they rode around the park. Buffy understood why the snow had been covering such a large area as she watched the horse easily pull the sled as it glided over the snow. She could hear the soft crunch of the snow and even smell the snow in the air as the ride continued.

Buffy had always wanted to secretly ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jingle bells had been one of her childhood Christmas songs. She had often belted it out loudly to encourage her parents to do Christmas. She smiled at the memory even realizing that it made her a little sad. Remembering her mom now that she was gone always had a mix of emotions. Some memories were happy ones making her smile only to make her feel a sense of loss that it was done.

Spike suddenly pulled her close and she gave in resting her head against his shoulder. Somehow despite dying and coming back to life to a huge mess of things, she knew she was going to make it. She was lucky to have Spike by her side and she knew he would never leave which made the fact he was with her even sweeter.


Tara sat in her little dorm room carefully watering the herb containers that Dawn had given her for Christmas. She had moved her desk in front and set up a wooden stand to make the herbs get as much sunlight as possible. On the desk lay a letter to Willow describing how she had missed her and hoped that her Christmas went well.


Dawn slept with her new telescope aimed out the window towards the stars. Next to her lay the new star book opened to a page that she had fallen asleep reading.


Anya lay in Xander's arms while above them showed Christmas lights twinkling out the words, I love you Anya. It was obviously something Xander had made for her for Christmas. On the table next to them were stems from strawberries as well as sticks that held a bit of chocolate on them that suggested they made some good use out of Dawn's fondue kit she had gotten them for Christmas.


Giles and Willow sat drinking hot cocoa and eating out of the box of chocolate covered cherries that the Summers and Spike had sent to her from Sunnydale. Willow held a book about channeling that had a big red bow on it with the inscription, "From Giles. I hope this is of some use. Happy Christmas." Around her neck is a necklace shaped as a heart with a picture of her and Tara together in it given to her by Tara. Both witches had decided to buy matching necklaces for Christmas.

Giles held a new mug with a red bow on it that read, "I saved the world even if no one knows it." As Giles takes a sip, the back of his mug reads, "Thank you for everything, Willow."