Bound By Destiny

by Shoshanna

The Powers have returned Buffy to fulfill her destiny. What no one counted on was the person she shared that destiny with or the depth of their connection. Buffy/Spike

5. Pledging Eternity

Disclaimer: I own nothing here but the story. I don't know if anyone else would want to claim responsibility. Please don't sue.

Author's Note: This is the fifth installment in the Bound By Destiny series. I know the story has developed into something of pure fantasy, but isn't that was fanfic is for? Hope you enjoy my fantasy world.

Pledging Eternity

Everyone sat in the waiting room of the hospital. It had been nearly twenty four hours since Buffy had been brought in. She was still not awake and everyone was beginning to worry.

Dawn sat half asleep in a chair huddled next to Spike. He was staring blankly off into space. So many thoughts and emotions running through his mind. He was still reeling from the information Giles had given him earlier. He didn't understand why any of this was happening.

He didn't understand how he fit into all of this destiny stuff. He was a vampire. He had been pretty confident that destiny and purpose did not apply to him. But then things started changing for him. He fought it at first because nothing made sense. When he had first encountered Buffy all those years ago, he felt the changes beginning.

It was subtle at first, not really apparent to anyone else but himself. And maybe Drusilla. She had always been able to see things that others couldn't. He had started to feel something for Buffy almost immediately. It wasn't anything remotely like what he felt now, that was for sure. But it was almost as if he felt drawn to her. Of course it didn't stop him from trying kill her all those years ago.

The biggest transformation had come after his run in with the Initiative. They had changed his life against his will and for that he had been deeply angry. He had been fine for a 120 years with the way his life was. He was used to feeling powerful and feared. He enjoyed his existence as a vampire very much. It sure beat the hopeless fool he had been in life.

But with the inability to carry on as he was accustomed, he found himself inexplicably pulled in the direction of Buffy and her friends. It made no sense to any of them at the time. They were all bitter enemies. They should have just killed him, he knew. But for some reason, they didn't. They helped him.

And for other reasons, he never killed any of them. It wasn't as if he didn't make a half hearted attempt once in awhile, but somewhere deep down he had actually liked these people. He didn't really want to destroy them. At the time, he was disgusted by his growing feelings and tried to fight it. Nothing made sense. He had never given a damn about anyone except himself and Drusilla. Certainly he had never given a second thought to a human much less an entire group of them.

It wasn't as if suddenly he woke up and wanted to save the world. And it wasn't as if he cared about every human. Most of them were pathetic creatures. He didn't give them a second thought one way or the other. He didn't dislike people, he was just indifferent. But not when it came to Buffy and her band of Scoobies. Much as he protested, he liked them. He had liked Buffy's mum too.

He remembered Joyce fondly. That was a woman he had admired and respected from the beginning. She had hit him over the head with an axe trying to protect Buffy. She was gutsy and he enjoyed that. There were lots of times he could have killed her. She trusted him and even listened to his problems while making him cocoa. It was laughable, and yet, he enjoyed it.

Maybe she had seen something inside him all along? Something that wasn't to be feared or hated. He wondered about that. Maybe she sensed he was different too and acted accordingly. Maybe she just didn't find him threatening? He didn't know. It was all so confusing.

He knew he hadn't turned all soul having like Angel. He was still morally ambiguous. He cared about a select group of people and eventually resigned himself to the fact that he would work with them rather than against them. Did that make him good? He didn't really think so. But did it make him that much different than an ordinary person?

After more than a century walking this earth, he had encountered countless people. Some he killed, others he didn't. Others he studied like a science project. He tried to understand what made them tick. Over and over, he saw the same thing. People generally didn't give a damn about the world. They only cared about their little corner of it.

That was the way he felt. Maybe he didn't have that desire to help strangers. He had once said something to the effect that it seemed an awful lot of trouble for people other than them. And that was what it boiled down to. He'd be loyal to the ones he cared about and knew. Nobody else really mattered. Not to him anyway. Maybe that wasn't exactly and admirable trait, but it didn't make him evil, it only made him more human.

Hero's were few and far between. People like Buffy and her friends had intrigued him immediately. He understood Buffy's desire to do good. She was the Slayer, it was her calling. But these other people? They had no duty to this world. No reason to risk their lives for a world that didn't even give a damn. He had been suitably impressed. Maybe that was why he was drawn to them? They had conviction and purpose. They were mortals who had everything to lose and to fear and yet they kept fighting.

Yeah, he had liked that about them. Maybe he saw in them what he wished he could be, but knew he never would become? He was no hero. He was the anti-hero. He was the epitome of everything they hated and feared. And still they learned to accept him, maybe even care a little about him. Buffy had learned to care…

Beautiful, feisty, Buffy. She had loathed him with such passion he could not help but fall in love with her. She was strong and stubborn. His fascination with her had slowly changed and he knew it. He found himself wanting to see her, even if it was only for her to slap him around and degrade him. But he had felt the connection with her. The strange, unfathomable connection.

She said she hadn't felt it, but he knew that she did. She had been just as thrown as he had been. Only she was much better at fighting it. He had made a fool of himself for her and yet he couldn't have stopped it if he tried. He became a stranger to himself, and it unnerved him.

What he was now, was nothing like where he started out. He was a paradox. A soulless being so consumed by love that he would fall for his sworn enemy. He would die for her and those she loved. And now, here he sat terrified of her death once again. A death that he couldn't live with. And now there was a child.

His child. A miracle if he had ever heard one. He had been horrified and terrified. How could he ever be good enough to take on the role of parent? The Powers were insane. He was William the friggin Bloody, he thought to himself. Not exactly father of the year. But yet, he was deeply moved and thrilled at the thought.

It was a life that he had been robbed of when he was human. An existence that he never dreamed possible, and never wanted to dream. But it was happening. The mystical forces that controlled fate and destiny had chosen him for some unexplained reason. They had chosen him and his Buffy for this task.

He would do everything he could to make things right. He didn't understand any of it, but it was still real and happening. Now all she had to do was wake up so they could start over. She had to wake up, he told himself.

Another hour went by and Spike finally stood up. Dawn had fallen asleep beside him and Willow and Tara had gone to get coffee for everyone. The waiting around was making Spike insane. He never could stand to wait for anything, especially waiting to see if his love was going to come out of a coma.

"I'm going in to see her again." He told Giles.

Giles nodded his head and watched as the vampire made his way through the corridor to her room.

Spike opened the door slowly and saw her still form lying there peacefully. She had a large bandage on her throat and IV lines coming out of her from every direction. The heart monitor beeped steadily creating an annoying distraction for him. He sat down next to her and took her hand.

"Hey baby." He said softly. "You've been sleeping long enough you know? It's time to wake up."

He hated every minute of this. But he had to be strong. He reached out and stroked her hair out of her face.

"I know that I'm probably the last person you want to see right now. I know I'm a bastard. I didn't mean those things I said to you. I was just confused and angry. I didn't know." He said wiping the tears out of his eyes.

He heard the beeping of the monitor begin to pick up the pace. He glanced at it and noticed that her heart rhythm was accelerating. Maybe she could sense him in the room and was getting upset. He couldn't blame her.

"Hey, don't get all irritated at me just yet. I'm trying to apologize you know?" He said with a small smile.

He touched her face and kissed her limp hand gently. She squeezed it tightly. He looked at her with surprise.

"Can you hear me? Just open your eyes, Buffy." He said hopefully.

She started to move her head slowly and her eyes fluttered open. She looked at him with blurry vision. She could barely make him out, but she knew it was him. She managed a small smile, but it hurt to do so.

He bent down and kissed her gently with tears running down his face.

"I knew you'd come back." He whispered softly into her ear.

She tried to speak but it was not easy. The neck wound had not been deep enough to cause any permanent vocal damage, but it was definitely sore. Luckily her Slayer healing powers had kicked into high gear and allowed her a speedier recovery than most people.

"Spike?" She managed to choke out hoarsely.

"It's me, Luv. You're going to be alright. You just had a little accident." He said trying to keep her calm.

"Demon?" She whispered.

"I think so. We weren't sure. That doesn't matter right now. What matters is that you are going to be fine." He said stroking her hair.

"The baby?" She asked softly. She needed to know what had happened to it. She remembered vaguely her visit to another realm. Everything was fuzzy but it was coming back to her.

Spike looked at her and hung his head down. He knew she was probably still angry with him, with good cause. Talking about the source of their argument was uncomfortable territory.

"It's fine. Our child is fine." He said softly, looking into her eyes.

She looked at him quizzically.

"Ours?" She whispered unsure of when he had made that revelation. He had been so pig headed he wouldn't even let her explain.

"I know all about it, Buffy. I was an asshole before. I know it and I'm sorry. I just didn't understand. I was shocked and stupid." He said shaking his head embarrassed by his earlier actions.

She managed another painful smile. She reached for his hand again and squeezed it tightly.

"You are an asshole." She whispered to him and he looked at her shamefully.

She wasn't going to forgive him for this. He didn't deserve it anyway. He lowered his head.

"But I still love you." She managed to say hoarsely.

He looked up at her and smiled through his shame. He kissed her gently on the mouth and smiled at her.

"I'll make it up to you. You can beat me up once you're all better. Whatever it takes." He said smiling at her.

"Count on it." She whispered with a smile.

He laughed a little and looked into her eyes again.

"I have to tell everyone else. They're all worried about you. Just stay right here and I'll go get them." He said nervously.

She looked at him with a half smirk.

"As if I'm going anywhere." She said sarcastically. She may be hurting and hoarse, but she was still her usual self.

He smiled at her and headed out to tell the others.

Buffy was finally coming home from the hospital. It had been almost a week since the night that she was attacked and she was making all the doctors and nurses crazy. She hated hospitals and it showed. They were almost ready to induce another coma just to shut her up, but instead decided she was strong enough to go home.

They had told her to wait until the next morning to check out, but she had insisted on leaving that evening. They were not about to argue with her. She called her house and Spike answered. He had been staying there with Dawn while Buffy was in the hospital.

She had told him to come get her. He had been pleased to hear the fire back in her voice. She was definitely not a good patient. He wouldn't have been either. Neither one of them could stand to be idle for more than a few minutes.

They had just pulled up in the driveway and Spike was trying to help her out of the car.

"I can walk myself. I'm fine." She said impatiently. She hated being treated like a china doll. It made her feel helpless and weak.

"Stop your complaining, woman." He teased her.

She rolled her eyes at him and let him put his arm around her to steady her. She was still slightly weak from spending her days in a hospital bed, but she felt good. They walked inside and she sat down on the couch. Dawn put her bags down and sat down next to her.

"You want something to drink or eat? I could get you something." Dawn told her.

"No. I'm fine. I had some really wonderful Jello right before I left." She said with a smile.

"You want to lie down?" Spike asked her.

"No, I've been lying down for a week." She said looking at them irritated. Then she softened her face. "Sorry. I'm just a little off. You guys are great, really, but I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore. I'll be back to normal in no time." She smiled.

"But what about the other thing, Buffy? I mean shouldn't you take it easy for awhile?" Dawn asked her cautiously.

She was still shocked to learn that she was going to be an aunt. She had been embarrassed for ever thinking Buffy had cheated on Spike. When she learned the truth, she was as surprised as everyone else.

"I'm not a fragile piece of glass, you guys. I just endured having my throat slit by a demon and nearly bleeding to death. I think it's safe for me to be walking around." She said with a small laugh.

They were both being so overprotective. She hoped that they would lighten up a bit. She wasn't about to be coddled endlessly for the next few months.

"You're right, it's just that we don't want you to do too much too soon." Dawn told her.

"I'm fine. You know, maybe I am a little hungry. I could use a sandwich." She said attempting to get up. Spike pushed her down gently.

"Just let us do it. Enjoy being fussed over cause it's not likely to happen again any time soon." He joked with her. She glared at him then smiled. She sighed and let them go make her sandwich.

Later that night, she and Spike lay in her bed. He was holding her tightly, just enjoying having her back with him. He hated sleeping alone especially when he knew she was miserably lying in a hospital bed somewhere. They had talked at length about their relationship and the baby.

It was still unsettling and he had been hurt to find out that she had been planning to terminate the pregnancy. He didn't blame her though. He had been beyond hurtful to her. He felt so guilty because he knew it was because of him that she would even consider such a thing.

She hadn't yet told him or anyone about her journey to the netherworld while she was unconscious. She wasn't sure she should tell, or if she wanted to. It was all so mind numbing, but it had opened her eyes.

She and Spike had made peace with each other again. She forgave him for the hurtful things he said. She knew that he had been devastated at the thought of her being with someone else. She realized she should have explained everything first before just blurting something like that out. She had just been so confused, she made a mistake. His quick temper didn't help things.

He had told her that he wanted the baby. He was scared out of his mind, but he wanted it. He wanted everything. He wanted her most of all. He reached out now and touched her stomach. There was no visible sign that anything was living inside of her, but he felt it. He knew it was there.

She put her hand over his and smiled. He looked up at her with love in his eyes.

"That's mine in there…" He said softly, still in awe.

"It's ours." She whispered.

"Part of me is alive inside you…" He said amazed.

She smiled at him.

"Kind of weird, huh?" She told him.

He leaned into her and kissed her gently. He looked deep into her eyes.

"Buffy, I know this is all very strange and awkward…But I want you to know how happy I am. I'm sorry I ever doubted it." He said remorsefully.

"It's okay. I was freaked too. I still am a little. But we'll get through it." She told him.

"Together." He told her as he kissed her again. Then he looked at her seriously. "I want you with me forever."

"I know." She said softly.

"I mean it, Buffy. I mean, I realize that forever isn't the same for me as it is for you. I know…I know it will have to end. But until that time, I want you with me. I want you to be mine." He told her sincerely.

"I already am." She told him touching his face.

"I know, but I was thinking something more official. Well, not actually official, but something different. I want everyone to know what you mean to me, that we belong to each other…I want you to marry me." He said softly, not even really believing the words himself.

Marriage was a human thing. It had no place in a vampires life. But he wasn't just a vampire anymore. He was a person. She had said before to him that the only thing that mattered was what was in your heart. But that wasn't enough for him anymore. He wanted the world to know that his heart belonged to her.

"What?" She asked, tears forming in her eyes.

"I want you to marry me. I know this isn't the proper way to ask and all, but I'm asking anyway. I know it won't be legal or anything, but I want it to happen. I want to give you the fairytale that you want. I mean, I may still be a frog and not a prince, but I want the world to know that I'm your frog and no one else's." He said with a smile.

She was stunned. They had broached this subject before at Xander and Anya's wedding, but she assumed he was satisfied with what she had told him. She never expected this at all. Of course, she never expected to have a baby either.

She looked at him astounded. She touched his face gently and looked into his eyes. Then she smiled at him.

"So where is my ring, huh?" She said jokingly.

He looked at her with relief. She wasn't saying no.

"Is that a yes?" He asked her.

"I'll have to see the ring first." She teased him.

He laughed at her.

"You're lucky you're still all fragile, or else…" He teased her.

"Or else what? You can't take me, and you know it." She joked.

He smiled and pulled her in for another kiss, this time more passionately. She pulled away and looked at him deviously.

"It better be nicer than the last ring you gave me, cause that was just hideous." She said playfully.

"Very funny." He said sarcastically. Then he looked at her seriously. "It'll be beautiful just like you. I promise."

"I love you." She said to him with a smile.

"I love you…for always." He told her kissing her gently.

"For always…" She said snuggling in closer to him.

They were a little nervous to tell everyone about their news. But they had all lived through the pregnancy shocker, so news of a wedding wasn't entirely bizarre anymore. In fact, everyone had seemed happy for them.

Life in Sunnydale was never ordinary, that was for sure. The recent events were no exception. All of Buffy's friends were okay with her relationship now. It was useless to do anything but accept it. It was a fact of life now. One that wasn't likely to change no matter how insane it might have seemed.

Buffy and Willow were having lunch talking about everything that had happened. Buffy was talking about what she wanted her wedding to be like.

"I don't want anything fancy, or traditional for that matter. I mean, I'm marrying one of the undead, so I'm not big on tradition. And obviously, it's not gonna happen in a church, so scratch that off the list. I'm thinking outdoors." She said thoughtfully.

"Um, sunlight? Did you forget that again?" Willow said sheepishly.

"No. Not daytime, but evening. Someplace pretty. Under the stars. It could be very romantic." She said dreamily.

"What about the beach? That's romantic. The beach at night…Maybe under a full moon?" Willow offered her.

"Oh…I like that. That's nice. But one thing I'm not sure of is who's gonna perform the ceremony? I mean, holy men? Not big into marrying vampires I'm pretty sure. Plus there's the whole religious thing, being that I'm not or anything." Buffy said pondering her options.

She was enjoying every minute of this. Now she knew why Anya had made such a fuss. It was fun and exciting.

"I know someone, Buffy. She sorta does stuff like this for a living." Willow said trying to be helpful.

"She marries vampires for a living?"

"No, not vampires. But other people…you know, people who can't get married like normal folks. She does commitment ceremonies. Tara and I met her at a Lesbian Wicca group. I mean, you and Spike aren't lesbians or Wiccan, but you're definitely unconventional. I bet she'd do it, if you want me to ask?" Willow said getting excited.

"How is she with the whole vampire thing? Does she know about that or would we have to lie?" Buffy asked. Lying wasn't a problem, but she may be curious as to why they couldn't get married the old fashioned way.

"Um, she knows about them. That they exist and all. Tara and I sort of told her about you and what you do. She was fascinated. She's really cool. You'd like her. I mean if we explained, she'd be cool with it, I think." Willow told her, hoping Buffy didn't mind them discussing her.

"You talked about me with her?" She asked surprised.

"Well, she's sort of psychic too. She kind of read my thoughts when I was worried about you after you were hurt, you know? She picked up on my feelings. So I sorta told her some stuff. But she was way cool, don't worry. She's very open minded. I mean, she's a witch like Tara and me. Supernatural is her middle name." Willow said with a sheepish smile.

"Okay. Ask her if she'll do it. If she's all psychic and stuff, maybe you won't need to explain too much, huh?" Buffy laughed.

"I'll talk to her." Willow said squeezing Buffy's hand tightly.

It was two months later and everything was in place. Buffy was excited and a little nervous. She fussed with her dress. She was four and half months pregnant by now, and just barely showing any visible signs.

She had chosen a simple white dress. It had spaghetti straps and was long and straight. It wasn't tight, but hung loosely around her body. The bottom flared out slightly and flowed around her. It was made of a light cotton material and felt soft to her skin. It was not a wedding dress but it was perfect for her. It was what she wanted.

She wore her hair down around her shoulders. She thought of putting it up and doing something fancy with it, but figured she wanted to look and feel like herself. She picked up the wreath of flowers that Willow had made for her to wear around her head. It was all very fairy like. She felt like some sort of Goddess, but not of the Hellgod variety, she chuckled to herself.

She hoped that Spike was doing okay and not having second thoughts. She knew that he was with Xander and Giles at Giles' place, while she stayed with Willow and Dawn at her house. They were going to take separate cars to the spot at the beach.

Anya had happily taken over setting the place up. She went ahead with Tara to the beach location and put up the flowers and the torches that would provide the soft lighting for the occasion. It was going to be very small and private. Just the gang and no one else. Anya thought it was terribly romantic, but not as perfect as her own wedding of course. They now just had to sit back and wait for them to get there.

Spike was pacing nervously in Giles' living room.

"It's nerve wracking, isn't it? The waiting?" Xander said remembering his own pre wedding jitters.

"It's bloody torture, is what it is." He said running his hands through his hair nervously.

"I'm sure she isn't gonna back out or anything." Xander reassured him with a smile.

"But what if she does? What if she realizes that she's making the biggest mistake of her life?" Spike asked desperately.

"Well Spike, she's already done that. She's carrying your child, remember?" Xander teased him.

"That's not funny." He said bitterly.

"Hey, relax. I'm just kidding." Xander said feeling a pang of guilt.

He was slowly but surely warming up to Spike. They had been through a lot together. Spike had been the best man at his wedding of all things. It didn't get much more accepting than that. Still, they'd always insult each other. It was just the way things were. It didn't mean all that much anymore.

"Do I look okay? I mean I can't even see myself." Spike said dejectedly.

He was more than nervous, he was terrified. He had been the one to want this, and now he was realizing the insanity of it all.

"You look fine. You look like you." Xander said, taking in his appearance.

Buffy and Spike had agreed that they wouldn't dress up in traditional wedding clothes. They wanted it to be real. She had told him that he could wear what he wanted. He had been relieved to know that he didn't have to put on another uncomfortable tuxedo again. But he did want to make some sort of effort.

He had bought a pair of actual pants, not just jeans. They were black slacks and he wore a dark blue button up shirt. He had even bought new shoes and decided to retire the combat boots for later. He hoped that he looked decent. He wanted her to be happy.

"I look like me? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He asked curiously.

"You're very attractive." Xander said nervously.

Spike looked at him strangely and smirked. Xander quickly turned red from embarrassment.

"Not that I noticed. At least not in a homosexual way, that's for sure. I-I don't notice things like that, I'm a straight man. But since you asked, I can see how a female might think your okay…" Xander rambled on nervously.

He hated how he was always saying stupid things. He had done this once before a long time ago when he had gone on and on about Spike's well muscled body and Buffy accused him of having sex with Spike. He was a complete dork who always shoved his foot in his mouth, he cursed himself.

"Relax, Harris. I won't tell your wife that you fancy me." Spike said sarcastically.

"I do not 'fancy' anything of yours!" He protested.

"You two better stop your bickering . It's time for us to leave now." Giles chimed as he rolled his eyes.

Spike grabbed his coat and pulled it on.

"You're gonna wear that?" Xander asked curiously.

"Well, yeah. It's sort of my trademark." He said sarcastically.

"Don't you think it's a little much for a wedding?" Xander asked.

"Not my wedding." Spike smiled.

Xander shook his head and followed him out the door.

Buffy arrived before Spike did. She looked at the setting and smiled. It was perfect. Cozy and romantic. She and Willow walked up to Athena, the woman who was going to perform the ceremony.

"You look radiant, dear." Athena said to her with a smile.

They had met with each other previously to discuss the wedding. Athena had wanted to know more about the couple that she was joining. It helped her prepare a ceremony to suit them better. She wasn't into doing anything out of a book.

Each couple that she joined together were unique in their own right. Every ceremony was tailor made. It was the only way to do it in her eyes. And Buffy and Spike had been nothing short of unique. Athena had nearly wept when she learned of how they had overcome so much and still managed to find love with each other. It defied all reasoning and logic. Athena had been overjoyed at their tale.

"Is he here yet?" Buffy asked nervously.

"Not yet, my dear. He will be. I feel it." Athena smiled.

"I hope so, cause then wouldn't I feel foolish. All dressed up and stood up." Buffy said with a nervous laugh.

"Don't even entertain the thought." Athena said knowingly.

Just then, Giles' car pulled into sight. The three men hurried out of the red sports car and down to the sand where everyone else was waiting.

Spike saw Buffy standing there, illuminated by the torches. The wind blew softly through her hair and he saw her smile at the sight of him. He felt as if the whole world had stopped and there was nothing but the two of them. He turned to Xander and shrugged his coat off.

"Here, put this somewhere. Maybe it is a little much." He said to him, not taking his eyes of Buffy.

She looked so perfect and he didn't want to mess up the moment by wearing his bad ass, tough guy coat. This wasn't a time to keep up images. It was a time to be real. He knew that now.

Xander took the coat and went to put it in the car. Spike and Giles walked over to where the women were.

"You look beautiful." Giles said proudly to Buffy.

"Thanks." She said with a smile and looked at Spike.

He wanted to take her and kiss her but he knew that they were supposed to wait until after. At least that's the way it usually worked.

"You are stunning." Spike said softly.

"You're not so bad yourself." She said with a smile.

Xander came walking up and Buffy hugged him tightly.

"Everything looks amazing." Xander said to her. "Especially you."

Anya walked up behind him.

"I did all of this. That's why it's so amazing. I mean I had nothing to do with Buffy, but the rest of it? That's my work." Anya said proudly.

"You did good." Xander said kissing his wife.

"Yes, it's perfect." Buffy said to her grateful.

Athena signaled to them that it was time to begin. Everyone walked up the makeshift altar that Anya and Tara had put together. It consisted of two small pillars with flowers and ivy wrapped around it. Behind where Athena stood was a small bonfire.

Torches with ribbons around them lined the path to the altar. There were no chairs, so everyone had to stand. But that was what Buffy wanted. She wanted everyone she loved to stand beside her for this day.

She had decided against the bridesmaids and even the traditional walking down the aisle. She simply gathered everyone around with her and Spike in the middle. Giles stood next to Buffy symbolic of his fatherly role to her. It had never even occurred to her to ask her real father to be there.

She hadn't spoken to him in ages. He knew nothing of her life anymore and she didn't care. This was her family now. It had been for a long time. The only absence that she felt desperately was that of her mother. She hoped she would be proud. She had always had a soft spot for Spike, so she hoped that wherever she was she wasn't cringing.

Athena began to speak.

"Friends and family…We have come here to celebrate love. Love that triumphs over all odds. Love that the world may not understand, but we understand. Love is never logical, it never evolves the way we would expect. Many spend their lives searching for it, and miss it when it's standing right in front of them. That is why we are celebrating here tonight. These two had the wisdom to open their eyes and their hearts and recognize that love."

Everyone stood there moved by her words. Each and every one of them had had their doubts about this couple. Including the couple themselves. No one expected this or even approved of it at first, but it kept happening. No one could stop it.

"Tonight, we forsake all doubt and come together to acknowledge that love as a whole. Tonight this couple shall pledge eternity to each other. Neither in death nor in life shall they be parted."

Buffy looked at Spike lovingly. She was so nervous and so happy at the same time. Athena's words were powerful and they invoked incredible emotion in her heart. This was not what she had expected of her life by any means. But she was content and overjoyed at the same time. She felt a tear start to fall.

"We now ask for all of your blessings for this union. Who surrenders this woman to be joined to with this man?" Athena asked them all.

Giles stepped forward beaming proudly. He had never imagined such a day would come when he would be giving Buffy away at her wedding. Especially not to Spike. The image had been implanted long ago, due to the silly spell Willow had performed ages ago, but never did he dream it to be reality.

"I do." He said looking at Buffy. "Buffy, I adore you as if you were my own child. But you are not a child anymore. You are a woman. A strong, courageous woman. You have endured so much in your life. I am overjoyed that you have found happiness. So, I give my blessing. You were courageous enough to follow your heart regardless of consequences. You were the wise one. You always have been and I love you." Giles said with tears in his eyes.

He was never much for displays of emotion, but in this case he truly wanted her to know how deeply he felt for her. He wasn't entirely sure he had ever made it clear enough what she meant to him. He wanted to make that clear now.

Buffy reached up and hugged him tightly.

"I love you too, Giles." She whispered.

He wiped his eyes and stood back, allowing Buffy and Spike to resume the center of attention.

"I'd like everyone to join hands and form a circle around the couple. This symbolizes unity. It symbolizes acceptance. It symbolizes eternity." Athena told them as they all joined hands.

Buffy and Spike took each others hands and looked deep into each others eyes. They could feel the air change around them. It was as if they could feel an energy between them. Magic in the air, literally. It was powerful.

"Buffy and Spike, you have been chosen for one another. You have come together despite circumstance. You have come here tonight to seal that which fate had already set in motion. Bound not by duty, but of love." She turned to Spike and addressed him. "Do you promise to love this woman without limits? Do you promise to remain by her side to comfort and keep her? Will you pledge your life to her? And will you remain a part of her even in death?" She asked him.

"I will." He said softly looking into her eyes that were wet with tears. He reached out and wiped them away. She smiled.

Athena repeated the words to Buffy and she accepted them.

"You have made your promises and the universe has heard your words." Athena said joyously. "I need the rings."

Xander and Dawn came forward and handed them over. They walked back and rejoined the circle. Athena held the rings in the air before them.

"A ring is a symbol of eternity, such as the circle of life. With the exchange of these rings you are united with the universe."

She handed the rings to them and they each slipped them on each others fingers. Buffy's ring was beautiful just as he promised it would be. It was a silver ring with a large moonstone set in the center. On either side was an amethyst. Willow had helped him pick it out.

She had assured him that the stones represented love and devotion. He wanted something special and not like anything anyone else would have. He hoped she liked it.

Spike's ring was a simple silver band with a small black onyx in the center. She knew he wouldn't want anything fancy and the onyx had seemed to suit his tastes. She smiled as she saw him admiring it.

"I now call upon the spirits to give their blessing to this sacred union." Athena called out to the heavens.

A jolt of energy coursed through the circle. Buffy and Spike felt the air shifting around them. Suddenly a small gust of wind blew through and extinguished the torches. Everyone turned to look puzzled by what had just happened. As they watched, the torches started to flicker again until they were burning brightly once more.

Athena looked puzzled. That didn't usually happen, she thought to herself. The energy in the air was palpable. These two must be more important than she realized. She looked back at the couple and smiled. She composed her thoughts and resumed her ceremony.

"The flame is eternal as is your love. It has been willed so. I now have the pleasure to announce that you are at one with each other and the universe for eternity. You may now seal your love with a kiss." Athena said beaming at them.

Buffy and Spike fell into each other's arms and kissed passionately. Everyone stared at them happily but they started to get a little embarrassed as they kept going. Xander cleared his throat loudly. And they finally tore themselves apart. They turned and smiled at everyone.

"Now it's time for the celebration." Athena announced.

They had all decided to move the makeshift reception to the Bronze. It was after all their favorite hangout. Everyone hugged and congratulated the couple and gathered their things. They left everything as it was, Athena had assured them it was symbolic and the torches should be allowed to burn out naturally.

They all headed out, but this time Buffy and Spike left together with Giles in his car. They were sitting in the back and Giles was trying to ignore them as they started kissing each other. It was eerily reminiscent of Willow's wayward spell as well.

He silently wondered if there had been some sort of prophetic nature to it. Hopefully not, seeing as how he wasn't fancying being blind any time soon. Although right about now, he may have welcomed it. Spontaneous deafness was also not looking too bad at this point.

"Oh for heaven's sake, you two." Giles scolded them. "Can't you wait until the honeymoon?"

They both pulled away from each other and looked at him sheepishly.

"Sorry mate." Spike said with a grin. "Or is it Dad now?" He teased him.

Buffy giggled and Giles turned his head to them briefly, long enough to roll his eyes.

"I should hope not. Buffy doesn't even call me that. I'm not her father." Giles said with a smile.

"Maybe I should start calling you that. You know you are more of a father to me than Hank ever was." She said seriously.

Giles was visibly moved by her sentiments.

"Buffy…" He said holding back his emotions.

"Dad." She said with a smile.

They all sat there in uncomfortable silence. Finally Buffy spoke up.

"I think I'll stick with Giles." She said quickly.

"Yes, I think that's a wise choice." Giles agreed with her immediately.

The fact that she had thought of it all was touching to him but it was too awkward. They both agreed on that. He wasn't her father, he was more than that. He was a friend.

_________________________________________________________________

They all arrived at the club and headed in. The place wasn't too crowded which was nice. Everyone was dancing and having a great time. Buffy and Spike were dancing slowly holding each other despite the fast pace of the music. They were lost in their own dance.

He had never been this happy in his life. Not when he was human, and certainly not after. He felt like he had been given a second chance at life just as she had been given. It was their second chance to live together. He refused to wonder how long they had. It was too painful to think of that now. Too painful for him to ever fathom living without her. Right now, all he focused on was the now. It was all that mattered anyway.

"You are so beautiful tonight. I think marriage agrees with you." He whispered into her ear.

"I think it does too. It's weird though. I mean, I can't actually believe we got married. Or committed or whatever Willow called it." Buffy said thoughtfully.

"Whatever it was it was powerful. Did you feel it?" He asked her remembering the feel of magic in the air.

"I felt it. It felt good, like someone out there was smiling on us." She said remembering.

"But who would be smiling on us, Luv? Certainly not the big guy himself. Pretty sure I'm not on his good side." He said with a smirk.

"No, not Him. Someone else. I think I know who it was." She said softly, pulling him even closer.

He didn't bother to ask her what she meant as her soft lips were now pressing against his effectively shutting all other thoughts out of his mind.

Lynok and Assam had watched the ceremony with great pleasure and satisfaction. They knew without a doubt that their Golden Child would be brought up loved and well cared for.

"It was lovely wasn't it?" Lynok asked his spirit brother.

"It was. Do you think the bit with the torches was a little much?" Assam asked him pointedly.

"No. I wanted to send her a sign. I wanted her to know that she had made the right decision. I wanted her to feel it." Lynok said with satisfaction. "And she felt it. He did too."

"Do you think they realized what was happening?" Assam asked his brother.

"No. It was not for them to know. Someday they will learn of the gift we gave them. But it will not be for a long while."

"And you believe they have earned it? That he has earned it?" Assam asked, always the skeptic.

"He has earned it. He was chosen and he proved himself to be worthy of the gifts bestowed upon him. Tonight, their souls were joined for eternity. He has earned his place in the afterlife. For when it is time for their duty to end, they will be rewarded with the gift of eternity together in the Kingdom." Lynok said happily.

It was a gift he knew they would cherish, even if they didn't learn of it for many years. The vampire had earned his place not in Hell, but would be rewarded with eternal peace with the woman he loved.