Author's Notes: Love reviews and opinions!
These characters all belong to Joss Whedon, not me, sadly.
The Thanksgiving meal had been a cheerful yet quiet affair, everyone reigning themselves in to preserve a sense of peace and harmony for Spike, who would experience moments of wild-eyed panic and confusion until Buffy's touch re-centered him.
"I'm so glad you guys could all come," Buffy told her friends later that evening, when the dishes were cleared and they were all sprawled about the living room, bellies full, talking softly. Spike sat at her feet with his chin on her knees, her hand threading the hair on the nape of his neck. "I can't tell you how much I've missed you".
"But you'll be back soon, Buff. And staying with us while you go apartment hunting, right?" Xander asked.
"Yeah. Back to school… it seems so overwhelming".
"You'll be brilliant, luv," Spike rumbled soothingly. She smiled at him. Even amidst his pain, he still put her concerns first.
"And back to the patrolling. And the research parties. I actually miss those," Anya added. "Even though they don't provide me with either capital gains or orgasms".
Joyce coughed.
"Well, here's something else equally interesting!" Anya said perkily. "Tell them, Xander!"
All eyes turned to him and he ducked his head, blushing, then looked at Anya, brown eyes full of love. "Yeah. So. Anya – there's nobody like her. And… and we're getting married!"
Buffy added her congratulations to the flurry of others, squeezing Spike's hand as he did the same with obvious sincerity. "You 'n demon girl will be perfect together, Harris," he said.
She watched him as Xander replied, "We're only hoping to be half as meant for each other as you and Buffy obviously are". Spike smiled bashfully and turned to her with such a look of contentment that she knew everything was going to be okay. The guilt would still be there, but he was going to learn how to handle it.
So when Spike whispered in her ear, "'M all tapped out, pet. Need to head downstairs, but you stay with your pals, yeah?" she didn't argue.
Instead she only whispered back, "Thanks, baby. But you give me a call if you need me and I'll come running, 'kay?"
He gave her a nod and slipped out, Buffy watching his back until he was gone. Then she turned back to her friends.
"So when's the wedding?"
"Next summer," Anya bubbled. "And you're all going to be bridesmaids, although maybe Dawn could be a flower girl. And…"
Buffy tuned out as Anya let out all the excitement she'd obviously been holding in for quite some time. Her mom noticed and came to sit beside her. "Do you wish you'd had a proper wedding with Spike, honey?" she asked. "Because we could do that. Have another one. Nothing big, just, a reaffirmation ceremony or something…"
Buffy considered. Their 'wedding', spell-induced or not, had actually been perfect for them. Sure, she'd always dreamed of a fancy wedding, like any little girl, but… with Spike, what they'd had was exactly right.
Still, everyone else had missed out, including her mom. And it had been so long ago, years before they'd actually become a couple.
On the other hand…
"I don't want to steal Anya's limelight," she said softly, watching the ex-demon glow.
"Think about it. Just something simple, maybe at Christmas, so you wouldn't be taking away from their big day," her mom said. "And you could get presents," she added with a twinkle in her eye.
Buffy responded with enthusiasm. "Oooh, I didn't think about that! I'll have to ask Spike though". She turned her attention fully to her mom. "Does it bother you that I can't have a real wedding? Since Spike's kinda not a legal person and all?"
"No, darling. I've known William too long to care about anything like that anymore. I see how much he loves you, and that's all that matters to a mother".
Buffy squeezed her hand and turned her attention back to the still-gushing Anya, an idea forming in her mind.
"Scoobies all settled in for the night?" Spike asked when she slipped back downstairs. He was sitting quietly on the leather couch, watching the flames flicker in the tiny fireplace.
"Mmm-hmmm," she answered, sliding herself onto his lap and wrapping her arms around him. "You okay?"
Closing his eyes and resting his head on hers, he replied, "Been better. Been worse. Better now, though".
She inhaled his scent, relief bubbling up that he was home, safe and – well, almost sound. "Definitely better," he added as she let her hands creep under his shirt to caress his chest, needing to feel more of him.
"So, um, I was thinking…" She wasn't sure how to continue. Normally, she knew he'd be all over the idea she had. But he'd been through so much, changed himself in ways they had yet to comprehend, and she might be asking more than he could handle. "Um. Our anniversary is in a few days. And I was hoping we could do something to celebrate it. Since we didn't last year".
"You told me it didn't mean anything to you, pet". Even now, she could hear the hurt in his voice.
"Well, I lied, 'cause – kinda mad at you then. It did. Does. A lot. I know… I know it was a spell, and we've kinda had a rough start, but I was hoping we could…" She had a hard time continuing.
"Could what, sweetheart?"
"I know you're not at your best, so if you want to say no I'll totally understand, but Mom said something that got me to thinking- "
He interrupted her, moving his head so he could look her in the eyes. "Spit it out, woman".
Buffy gave him a tentative smile. "I was hoping we could do something with everyone. Have, like, a small ceremony and reaffirm our vows". When he didn't say anything, she began to babble. "Of course it's a stupid idea, and you wouldn't want that anyways…"
He cut her off with a desperate kiss, devouring her like a drowning man.
"Does that mean you want to?" she asked nervously when he let her up for air.
"Make my vows in front of your family and mates? Yes. Want them all to know what you mean to me".
"I think they already do," she smiled softly. "But, yeah, I like that idea. And, well," she added lightly, "Mom did mention presents".
Spike grinned affectionately at her. "Ah. That's the real reason, I take it".
"It is. I never turn down presents".
"Greedy little thing," he smirked, kissing her again, one hand curled possessively around her narrow waist.
When he stopped, Buffy asked, "Are you… can I…?" She trailed off, blushing, but he didn't come to her rescue. "I don't want you to do anything you aren't ready for. But I've missed you so. I want to show you how much. How much I love you".
He kissed her fingers. "Your touch could only ever heal me, luv. As much as I know I'll never deserve it, I need you Buffy. Want you desperately". He held her hand against his cheek.
"Not as much as I need you".
"Show me?"
She did.
The redhead swallowed nervously. "I can't believe you talked me into doing this. There's no way I should be doing this. It's too much like public speaking, and you know how I get in front of crowds".
"Come on, Wills, it's not that big a deal. It's only the gang. Besides, it's kinda like penance for doing it to us the first time around".
"But I'm not ordained or anything. I can't marry you guys".
"Willow!" Buffy said in exasperation. "Nobody can marry us. Spike doesn't even exist. Now, buck up. And – do I look alright?" she asked with one more glance in the mirror.
The witch bit her lip, fighting a rush of emotion. "I've never seen you more radiant," she said with an impulsive hug of her best friend.
When they let go of each other, Buffy patted her hair nervously then smoothed down the simple pale blue dress she was wearing. "Okay then. Let's do this," she said with a decisive nod. She followed Willow down the stairs and stopped at the back door as her friend continued through.
"Buffy. You look beautiful," Giles said warmly. "I may be a sentimental old fool for saying it, but I am so proud that you have blessed me with this honor".
She dabbed at her eyes with the tissue she had clutched in her hand. "No making me cry until after".
He chuckled. "Of course, my dear". They looked at the back yard through the open door. "The yard looks lovely. Your mother certainly transformed it, and last minute at that".
The only place Buffy had allowed her mother to deviate from 'simple' was with the decorations. The yard was filled to bursting with flowers and fountains, but the effect was beautiful rather than gaudy. "She's been planning this moment for twenty-one years. I had to let her have it".
Her eyes turned to Willow, standing nervously against the tall wooden fence covered in ivy, and a lump formed in her throat as Spike stepped to take his place in front of her friend, exuding just as much nervousness as the girl he stood next to. Silly, she thought. Like we don't already consider ourselves married. But she was just as edgy too, seeing the insanely gorgeous man waiting for her in the afternoon sun, wearing a tux as though it were a second skin to him.
Mmm, wedding night… she thought, and then subtly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth. The first time had been amazing, but this time… well, she had plans. And lingerie. And her own free will. And a little more know-how.
Tara looked to Buffy, who nodded, and she began to sing, her sweet voice filling the air. "I do believe that's our cue," Giles said, offering Buffy his arm. Together, the two of them traversed the short distance between the back door and the fence, Buffy's mouth going drier and drier until she stood next to a twitchy Spike, Giles taking her hand and placing it in the vampire's. Her surrogate father rested his hand on Spike's shoulder for a moment, giving him a squeeze and a smile. He then turned and sat on a folding chair next to Joyce, Dawn on the other side of him, Anya and Xander behind them.
Dawn sprung up as Tara finished her song, tugging a small basket out from under her chair. "Hold on," she whispered, and then she spread rose petals around the bride and groom in a lop-sided approximation of a heart.
Buffy gave her a watery smile, and sniffed not-so-subtly as she saw Spike blinking back his own tears. To think the vile creature she'd once loathed was more of a romantic than her… She squeezed his cool hand and he squeezed hers in turn, his sapphire eyes blazing with the depth of his feeling, stealing her breath away.
God, it was silly, all this emotion running through her. It wasn't a real wedding. It didn't really matter. Except – it did. It was everything she thought she'd never have – love so deep he defied his very nature for her, and the approval of all those closest to her as well. Nobody could fault her for giving into her girlish urges to declare this the happiest day of her life.
Willow sucked in a deep breath and then, with a steadying glance at Tara, began to speak.
"So, we're here to celebrate the union of Buffy Summers and William Pratt, which, as we all know, happened two years ago because I, uh…" She gathered herself in. "Because I accidentally forced them to get married. And even though it hadn't been their idea, it was still an event that meant a lot to the both of them. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't quite right and they weren't able to experience wedded bliss, but what they had was strong enough to overcome the obstacles they faced, until they could stand here before us today – in love, ready to renew their vows and able to honor them fully". Willow blushed at the end of her speech, but Buffy beamed at her, letting her know it was perfect.
"I changed mine a little," Buffy told Spike softly when Willow asked them to make their vows. "You're not the same man as two years ago, and I thought I should update. I – I hope that's ok?"
"Changed mine a touch too," he replied just as softly.
Buffy looked out at her friends and family, feeling a momentary twinge that there was nobody there for Spike. She'd asked him who he'd want present, even suggesting they could do it at night to accommodate any guests he might like to invite, but he'd only shrugged and said that everybody he cared about was either dead or already invited. It had saddened her to know how alone he'd been, this man who, underneath the demon and bloodlust, so obviously craved love and acceptance. She was grateful that despite the violent history he shared with them, her friends and family had indeed come to love Spike as she'd once sworn they would, two years ago.
She raised her voice as she spoke in front of her loved ones now. "I, Buffy Anne Summers, promise to take you, William Harrison Pratt, as my husband. I promise to love you and to cherish you. To understand who you have been and who you have made yourself into. To guide you if you need it, but never control you. I promise to temper everything I say and do with love, to always believe in you, and to never abandon you. I promise to love you with my body and mind, heart and soul, for all of eternity".
She didn't think his eyes could get more intense, but they did, the melancholy that resided there these days waning to be replaced with fierce devotion. With an air of solemnity he spoke his own vows. "I, William Harrison Pratt," he began, leaving out 'the Bloody' this time, "promise to take you, Buffy Anne Summers, as my wife. I promise to honor and obey you as I promise to love you and cherish you. I promise to continue to renounce my evil ways and strive to be a man worthy of your love. I promise to make amends for my past. I promise to spend every waking minute devoted to your happiness and to protect you with everything that I am. I promise to love you with my body, heart, mind, and newly-returned soul for the rest of eternity".
Willow was wiping at her eyes. "Jeez you guys… So, with absolutely no power whatsoever, legal or mystical, I re-declare you man and wife. Spike, the ring?" He obliged, slipping the ring she'd earlier removed back into place. "And now you may kiss… or, yeah. Just like that," she finished with a breathy laugh as the vampire proceeded to thoroughly kiss the woman in his embrace.
Buffy felt his arms tighten around her as her knees grew too weak to support herself, forgetting to care about the spectacle she was probably making as she eagerly kissed him back.
And then there was cheering and clapping and congratulations.
Later, after the cake, Xander pulled them aside and said with air of despair, "Do you guys know what you've done to me? Now Anya expects me to come up with my own vows too – and I know there's no way I can top yours".
Leaning into Spike's embrace, Buffy replied, "Don't worry Xander, it will come to you. You know me and words – not so mixy, but… and… that's as clear as I'm ever going to get!" she finished with a blush. "So see, you'll be inspired by the moment".
"'M very inspiring," Spike added with a smirk, pulling her closer, and Buffy melted into him, forgetting her surroundings once more.
"This'll get her attention," she heard Dawn say. "Hey! Time to watch them open presents!"
Buffy wrenched her lips away from Spike's. "Honey. Get off me".
He blinked at the sudden loss of her lips. "Oi. I see how it is. Get a ring on your finger and you forget all about the bloke who put it there," he pouted, wounded.
"Oh, baby," Buffy turned back, ready to soothe his injured pride, only to see a teasing grin. "You're incorrigible," she said with a roll of her eyes, and turned back to her friends once more.
From Dawn came a photo album filled with pictures of the two of them, together or separate, taken over the last few years. Buffy thanked her profusely, already treasuring the candid shots of Spike.
Willow and Tara presented the couple with an assortment of lotions and candles, magically enchanted. Buffy began to read some of the descriptions out loud, until she realized that many of the items in the box were meant to be used in a… well, erotic fashion. She abruptly halted, stammering her thanks while Spike gave the witches a lascivious wink.
The gift from Anya and Xander followed a more traditional route, being a gift card to the local department store to purchase whatever housewares they might need.
"Oh, Mom!" Buffy gushed when she realized what Joyce's present was. "Grandma's china? And silverware?"
"It's in anticipation of the many fine dinners I'm sure you'll be serving me when I come to visit," Joyce smiled.
"And by that, you mean, I'll serve but Spike will cook, right?"
"Well…"
"S'okay, Joyce. Buffy's quite happy to admit her talents lie elsewhere".
She frowned a little at that. Where did her talents lie, other than killing things? Even Spike was better at being domestic than her. She shook off the upsetting thought for later, turning instead to Giles, who was holding out an envelope.
"I know you intend to repay me for the expenses associated with going to Africa. However, it hasn't escaped my attention that we wouldn't be gathered here today, at this celebration, if you hadn't made that trip. I'm sure you realize that in my heart you are like a daughter to me… and now a son as well," he said with a nod to Spike. Buffy giggled as Spike protested being a son to someone decades younger than him, but good-naturedly, and Giles smiled indulgently. "I know this doesn't come with shiny paper and bows, but I hope you won't mind. I would like you to consider all debts repaid as my wedding gift to you".
Buffy pressed a hand to her mouth, unable to hold back the tears that had threatened earlier. Giles' generosity overwhelmed her. The cost of the trip – two last minute tickets there and three back – had been huge, and she had sworn to repay him every dime, no matter how long it took. The concern over how had been lurking in the back of her mind since then, and she felt like a weight had been lifted.
"Giles…" she murmured into his chest through the hug she'd engulfed him in. "You're so… I love you so much".
She watched Spike's brow crinkle as he processed the information. Buffy hadn't said a thing to him about the promise to repay Giles, not wanting to burden him more or add to the broodiness he refused to admit to. He caught on quickly though, and after a severe look at her for holding out on him, he clasped Giles' hand and shook it, thanking him as well.
Giles, for his part, could only gasp until the Slayer released him. "Oops?" she coughed sheepishly.
As the afternoon faded into evening, the others began to prepare to leave. "I wish we didn't have to go…" Willow said, "but school… and work…"
"I'm just grateful you could come back again so soon after Thanksgiving." Buffy went to each of her friends in turn. "You guys are the best… you being here made this day complete".
Spike stood awkwardly in the background until Xander approached him, shaking his hand firmly. "Never thought I'd say this to you, and especially never thought I'd mean it, but… congratulations, man. Welcome to the family".
Tongue-tied, the best Spike could do was a simple, "Thank you," and then each of the girls hugged him, leaving him more and more flustered. Buffy smiled fondly at him as he ran his hand distractedly through his hair, mussing up the careful job he'd done of gelling it down.
She sidled up to her mother, still watching Spike say goodbye to the others, and said, "Mom, I don't even have words – this was beautiful. And I hope you don't think I'm ungrateful but – I think Spike and I need to leave. Right now," she added as his eyes caught hers.
"Go on, honey. I wouldn't be spending any time with us old fuddy-duddies either if I had that waiting for me".
"Mom!" she blushed furiously as her mother laughed.
"Go, Buffy. Go see to your man".
But she was already gone.
