Chapter 2: Celebration


The next day was Buffy's birthday. Quick preparations were done. Invitations had been hand delivered mostly by Buffy's friends. They had been made by Anya who had lots of practice since she had sent out her invitations already. The cake was being made by Spike while Buffy was in her first class of the day.

Buffy had taken to college easily. She only took two classes though which made things easy. Spike would have plenty of time to make the cake while she was in class at noon. It would be done and cool by 1 and ready for the 4 pm party. It was being held at the house. Buffy had her second class of the day at 2. The gang would all get together at 3 to decorate the house and get things ready. When Buffy arrived at the house at 4 things would be perfect. Dawn whistled as she got ready for school. She leaned over to Spike who was making her lunch having gotten up to do some laundry trying to make the house as neat as possible for the party, "See you at 3 to decorate. Remember don't tell Buffy."

Spike grinned, "Mums the word."

With that, Xander's horn honked and Dawn was out the door. Spike went upstairs to climb into bed with Buffy.

She muttered in her sleep but wrapped her arm immediately around him to sleep. They had a late night patrolling last night because they had found three new nests that were filled with vampires. It was rare that a nest formed nowadays with them covering twice as much ground but it happened. It was strange though to find three had formed practically overnight. They didn't dwell on it but instead destroyed them.


Dawn rushed into the house. She saw Xander already busy wrapping everyone's gifts for Buffy. Dawn paused and yelled towards Xander, "Hold on and I'll get mine so you can wrap it."

Dawn rushed up the stairs going into her closet. She couldn't afford to buy a gift with her own money but she had carefully saved part of Spike's allowance money to hold what she had made Buffy for her birthday. She had used her new colored pencils to draw three pictures for the wall. Then she had went out and used her allowance money to buy a frame to hold the three pictures. She was quite proud of what she had come up with her Buffy's birthday and was sure she would love it. Happily she raced down the stairs handing it to Xander. He stopped and admired the pictures, "Wow Dawnie. You did a great job. I didn't know you could draw this well."

Dawn shrugged blushing, "I took art as an elective this year in High School and the teacher said I have real talent."

Xander carefully started to wrap the gift, "I'd say you do. Wait til Buffy sees this."

Dawn smiled proudly as she went into the kitchen to find Spike making a masterpiece out of Buffy's cake. He had colored icing in different containers. Dawn walked over sticking her finger in the blue icing to find it actually had a flavor that wasn't vanilla. Dawn smiled she liked it. It was blueberry, "Wow. Is every color a different flavor?"

Spike nodded and grinned, "I saw it in a book once. It listed naturally dying fruits that allowed you to create the colors you want."

Dawn was impressed, "This cake is beautiful. You so have to take a picture of it. You should open up your own restaurant."

Spike shook his head, "Nah. I already run one and pay others to care for it."'

Dawn blinked, "You own restaurants?"

Spike shrugged, "Yea in England there's a chain that I own. Family business and all that nibblet. Now go help Tara with the decorations and make sure you open the door for the guests. They should be arriving soon."

Dawn frowned, "Janice won't come. I don't know why but she said she wasn't interested in coming."

Spike frowned, "Sorry nibblet. I was hoping you'd have a friend."

Dawn shrugged, "Not surprised. She nothing but a fair weather friend."


Everyone was huddled behind chairs, couches, and the television stand as well as in the kitchen, waiting for Buffy to open the door. It was only a matter of time before the door would bust open and everyone would yell, "Surprise!"

Sure enough within seconds, the door swung open to reveal Buffy in full fight with some kind of demon. It was in the middle of the day but since it was cloudy, it appeared this demon got an early start on the day. Everyone yelled, "Surprise!" but their surprise was quickly cut off by grunts as Buffy was shoved towards her stairs by the demon, "Not the stairs. Spike open the basement, I'm taking him down."

Instead though Spike got up and jumped up over the demon to land behind him. He rushed over to their stash of weapons. Quickly he loaded an arrow into the crossbar and took aim and plunged it right through his heart. Tara moved towards Buffy and whispered something softly. The demon disappeared and Buffy leaned over whispering, "Where did you put it?"

Tara giggled, "I couldn't do much but I did at least move it to the backyard under the tree. We will have to bury it later."

Spike leaned over giving Buffy a kiss, "Happy Birthday and welcome home."

A few of the faces were surprised never seeing a demon before. Buffy glanced around embarrassed as Dawn took control, "Welcome home Buffy. That was a cool magic trick. I can't believe you decided to practice your moves on that robot though. I guess we shouldn't have surprised you with this wonderful surprise party."

Everyone cheered as Xander shouted, "Happy Birthday Buffy!"

Everyone joined in and Buffy pushed some hair from her face asking, "Is all this for me?"

She finally took a minute to look around at all the decorations in the room. Streamers were hung everywhere along with some colored balloons. A big sign that said, "Happy Birthday" hung from the ceiling. Half had been pulled down in the struggle but Anya climbed on the stairs to readjust the sign smiling, "Nothing like bringing your work home on your birthday. Now who wants cake?"

Everyone laughed as the party began. Cake was eaten. Gifts were open and it was a good time had by all. Even the people outside their inner circle seemed to be able to ignore the demon Buffy had brought home and had a good time. At the end of the party, Buffy turned towards Spike and said, "Now what?"

Spike grinned as he stood up taking her hand in his, "Now you get a party dress on and get all prettied up because the best is yet to come. We are going out dancing!"

Dawn jumped up and down, "We all are. Even me!"

Buffy laughed racing up the stairs, "It's my birthday so I get the shower first!"