Part 34
Belated Celebration
Friday 5 pm
"Buffy!!!!"
Buffy heard Willow's yell, and sighed at her reflection. She'd
tried on ten different outfits, and was currently in a state of
resignation, wearing her original blue jeans and white tee
shirt. She tried to remember why she'd agreed to Xander's
request the previous night.
Xander had asked Buffy after Giles had left the previous night
if she would be willing to have a late birthday get-together the
next evening. She'd said sure, and then things had gotten out
of control completely. Meaning, he'd then resisted all attempts
on her part to find out what the plans for the 'get-together'
were. And that was why she was currently irritated, as she had
no clue what to wear.
"HELP!" she hollered down the stairs.
Willow ran upstairs, and found Buffy sitting on her bed in the
middle of a pile whirlwind of clothing, pouting. Willow smiled
at her and said, "Oh, come on. It can't be _that_ bad." Willow
was wearing a dark blue velvet sleeveless dress which fell to
her ankles. "We'll find you something," she added, reassuringly.
"Will you at least tell me where we're going?" Buffy pleaded.
Xander had called her an hour ago adn said Willow and Oz would
pick her up and take her 'there', since he had 'last minute
things' to take care of.
"Nope," Willow replied with a grin. "You're going to love it,
though. How Xander managed it the first time is beyond me.
Yesterday, when he told me he'd arranged it again, I was
completely amazed, though."
Buffy frowned at her, and said, "Thanks for nothing," before
standing and walking to her closet. "This is hopeless."
"No it isn't, we don't have to be there for two hours, and it'll
only take about ten minutes to drive. So we've got plenty of
time. First the clothes, then I'll help you with your hair."
Buffy shrugged, but decided if Willow was willing to take over,
she'd let her.
*******************
Two hours later
Buffy, Oz, and Willow pulled up in front of their destination,
and Willow helped Buffy out of the van. This was necessary, as
she'd insisted on the blindfold, saying Buffy had to get the
full effect of the surprise. Grumbling, Buffy had finally
agreed.
Buffy heard the sound of music, as Willow led her into a
building it got stronger. *So we're inside...somewhere. Come on,
Slayer sense, I'm better than that!*
Willow giggled, sensing Buffy's confusion. "Okay, everything
looks perfect. So blindfold off!" Buffy blinked a few times as
Willow took it off her eyes, and then her jaw dropped in
disbelief.
They were in the Bronze, but it was barely recognizable. There
were streamers everywhere, and lights strung around the room.
She then noticed several disco balls hanging from the cieling,
causing the most beautiful light patterns everywhere.
"Xander did this," Buffy said in amazement. "He ... what. Rented
out the Bronze, and fixed it up like this? With your help, of
course, but still...."
"It was all his idea," Willow replied smiling in delight. "Oz,
Giles, your Mom and I just helped decorate."
"This is just too much," Buffy said, looking around. "Speaking
of Xan, though, where is he?" She frowned, as she saw he was
definitely missing.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Willow said with a shrug. "Come
on, let's get drinks while we're waiting." She showed Buffy the
table with a punch bowl, and cookies against one wall of the
room.
She got herself a drink and listened to the music playing from
the sound system, apparently playing a prearranged selection of
songs Buffy imagined Xander had picked out. They were definitely
all her favorites, she realized with a smile. He was spoiling
her in the worst of ways, but she could definitely get used to
it.
Xander walked in and stopped for a moment to catch his breath.
He had to do so, when he caught a glimpse of Buffy. She was
wearing a red long-sleeved silk blouse and a long slim black
skirt, with a slit up her right leg to mid-thigh.
He tore his eyes away for a moment, and went to the console
which was controlling the music. He changed the selection, to
the song right before the one he really wanted to hear, the one
which had spoken to him the moment he'd heard it. Once that was
done, he tried to sneak up on her.
Of course, her being the Slayer, he probably didn't succeed. He
knew that, but was glad she played along. He walked up behind
her and slipped his arms around her waist, in doing so showing
her the bouqet of a dozen red roses in his hand. "Happy birthday
a few days late," he said.
"Ohhh," Buffy sighed happily as she saw the roses. She took
them, and turned in his arms, so she could pull his head down
for a kiss. "You're just too amazing, Xander Harris," she said
with a grin. "All this.... it's just... wow! Xan, it had to have
cost..."
Xander chuckled, "Don't worry about it. It was worth it, just to
see that look on your face. I'm glad you like it."
"YES, I like, it's without a doubt one of the best birthday
presents I've ever gotten. I love it. I love you, for going to
all this trouble," she said before kissing him again. "I'd love
you even if you didn't do something like this, but this
definitely gets you added brownie points," she added with a
smile.
"I just wanted to do something ... different," Xander replied.
"Something to let you know how much you mean to me."
"Like I need that," Buffy said, "all you have to do is look at
me, and I know that."
"Dance with me?" Xander asked with a smile.
"Um. I don't know. I've got _so_ many other offers," Buffy said
with a grin, looking around at the near-empty dance floor.
Willow and Oz were dancing, but lost in their own world. "I
suppose I can give you a dance or two," she said with a dramatic
sigh.
"Good," Xander replied, pulling her out onto the dance floor.
"Have I mentioned you look absolutely beautiful?"
"You're not so bad, yourself." Buffy replied, referring to the
fact that Xander was wearing a black suit and tie. "Have I
_ever_ seen you in a tie?"
"Probably not," Xander shrugged. "And I'm not making a habit of
it."
"That's fine, because I'm not making a habit of high heels,
either," Buffy said giggling.
"Deal," Xander said. "And this is the song I've been waiting
for." He pulled her close and she relaxed into his arms,
focusing on nothing but him and the music.
//Desperate for changing
starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started,
chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you //
Buffy smiled as he sang the words softly in her ear. Yet another
thing to file away in the 'Things She Hadn't Known About Xander'
file. He could sing, and not half-bad at that. She listened to
the words, and could see how Xander would choose this song. He
probably felt it summed his feelings up perfectly. What he
probably didn't realize, though was it was speaking of the way
she felt about him, too.
"Don't stop," she said looking at him. "I like your singing,"
she added, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her
head on his shoulder.
//Forgetting all I'm lacking
Completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation
If you take all of me
Now I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you//
"The song's perfect," Buffy murmered as she looked up into his
eyes again. "It's definitely us. And I'm not gonna make you move
anywhere, unless it's with me." He tightened his arms around her
waist.
//I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into just hanging by a moment
here with you
There's nothing else to lose
There's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else //
Xander was glad she didn't think he was being corny, and that
she understood how the lyrics spoke for him. He'd never been
good at talking about his feelings, especially where she was
concerned. But there really was nothing else that mattered in
his life, other than Buffy. She was the only thing he'd ever
felt like he needed, and he'd do his best to never make her
regret her choice to be with him.
//Desperate for changing starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started I'm chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
Just hanging by a moment here with you
Just hanging by a moment
Hanging by a moment..
Hanging by a moment..
Hanging by a moment here with you //
He put his hand under her chin, to make her look at him. "I love
you," he said simply, but she saw everything else he was trying
to say in the way he looked at her.
"That's good, because I feel the same way," she said with a
smile, before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his
head down so she could kiss him. "Thank you, Xan, for giving me
the best evening I've had in a long time."
"It won't be the last," he promised her as he wrapped his arms
around her again. "Not if I have anything to say about it,
anyway."
***************
Belated Celebration
Friday 5 pm
"Buffy!!!!"
Buffy heard Willow's yell, and sighed at her reflection. She'd
tried on ten different outfits, and was currently in a state of
resignation, wearing her original blue jeans and white tee
shirt. She tried to remember why she'd agreed to Xander's
request the previous night.
Xander had asked Buffy after Giles had left the previous night
if she would be willing to have a late birthday get-together the
next evening. She'd said sure, and then things had gotten out
of control completely. Meaning, he'd then resisted all attempts
on her part to find out what the plans for the 'get-together'
were. And that was why she was currently irritated, as she had
no clue what to wear.
"HELP!" she hollered down the stairs.
Willow ran upstairs, and found Buffy sitting on her bed in the
middle of a pile whirlwind of clothing, pouting. Willow smiled
at her and said, "Oh, come on. It can't be _that_ bad." Willow
was wearing a dark blue velvet sleeveless dress which fell to
her ankles. "We'll find you something," she added, reassuringly.
"Will you at least tell me where we're going?" Buffy pleaded.
Xander had called her an hour ago adn said Willow and Oz would
pick her up and take her 'there', since he had 'last minute
things' to take care of.
"Nope," Willow replied with a grin. "You're going to love it,
though. How Xander managed it the first time is beyond me.
Yesterday, when he told me he'd arranged it again, I was
completely amazed, though."
Buffy frowned at her, and said, "Thanks for nothing," before
standing and walking to her closet. "This is hopeless."
"No it isn't, we don't have to be there for two hours, and it'll
only take about ten minutes to drive. So we've got plenty of
time. First the clothes, then I'll help you with your hair."
Buffy shrugged, but decided if Willow was willing to take over,
she'd let her.
*******************
Two hours later
Buffy, Oz, and Willow pulled up in front of their destination,
and Willow helped Buffy out of the van. This was necessary, as
she'd insisted on the blindfold, saying Buffy had to get the
full effect of the surprise. Grumbling, Buffy had finally
agreed.
Buffy heard the sound of music, as Willow led her into a
building it got stronger. *So we're inside...somewhere. Come on,
Slayer sense, I'm better than that!*
Willow giggled, sensing Buffy's confusion. "Okay, everything
looks perfect. So blindfold off!" Buffy blinked a few times as
Willow took it off her eyes, and then her jaw dropped in
disbelief.
They were in the Bronze, but it was barely recognizable. There
were streamers everywhere, and lights strung around the room.
She then noticed several disco balls hanging from the cieling,
causing the most beautiful light patterns everywhere.
"Xander did this," Buffy said in amazement. "He ... what. Rented
out the Bronze, and fixed it up like this? With your help, of
course, but still...."
"It was all his idea," Willow replied smiling in delight. "Oz,
Giles, your Mom and I just helped decorate."
"This is just too much," Buffy said, looking around. "Speaking
of Xan, though, where is he?" She frowned, as she saw he was
definitely missing.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Willow said with a shrug. "Come
on, let's get drinks while we're waiting." She showed Buffy the
table with a punch bowl, and cookies against one wall of the
room.
She got herself a drink and listened to the music playing from
the sound system, apparently playing a prearranged selection of
songs Buffy imagined Xander had picked out. They were definitely
all her favorites, she realized with a smile. He was spoiling
her in the worst of ways, but she could definitely get used to
it.
Xander walked in and stopped for a moment to catch his breath.
He had to do so, when he caught a glimpse of Buffy. She was
wearing a red long-sleeved silk blouse and a long slim black
skirt, with a slit up her right leg to mid-thigh.
He tore his eyes away for a moment, and went to the console
which was controlling the music. He changed the selection, to
the song right before the one he really wanted to hear, the one
which had spoken to him the moment he'd heard it. Once that was
done, he tried to sneak up on her.
Of course, her being the Slayer, he probably didn't succeed. He
knew that, but was glad she played along. He walked up behind
her and slipped his arms around her waist, in doing so showing
her the bouqet of a dozen red roses in his hand. "Happy birthday
a few days late," he said.
"Ohhh," Buffy sighed happily as she saw the roses. She took
them, and turned in his arms, so she could pull his head down
for a kiss. "You're just too amazing, Xander Harris," she said
with a grin. "All this.... it's just... wow! Xan, it had to have
cost..."
Xander chuckled, "Don't worry about it. It was worth it, just to
see that look on your face. I'm glad you like it."
"YES, I like, it's without a doubt one of the best birthday
presents I've ever gotten. I love it. I love you, for going to
all this trouble," she said before kissing him again. "I'd love
you even if you didn't do something like this, but this
definitely gets you added brownie points," she added with a
smile.
"I just wanted to do something ... different," Xander replied.
"Something to let you know how much you mean to me."
"Like I need that," Buffy said, "all you have to do is look at
me, and I know that."
"Dance with me?" Xander asked with a smile.
"Um. I don't know. I've got _so_ many other offers," Buffy said
with a grin, looking around at the near-empty dance floor.
Willow and Oz were dancing, but lost in their own world. "I
suppose I can give you a dance or two," she said with a dramatic
sigh.
"Good," Xander replied, pulling her out onto the dance floor.
"Have I mentioned you look absolutely beautiful?"
"You're not so bad, yourself." Buffy replied, referring to the
fact that Xander was wearing a black suit and tie. "Have I
_ever_ seen you in a tie?"
"Probably not," Xander shrugged. "And I'm not making a habit of
it."
"That's fine, because I'm not making a habit of high heels,
either," Buffy said giggling.
"Deal," Xander said. "And this is the song I've been waiting
for." He pulled her close and she relaxed into his arms,
focusing on nothing but him and the music.
//Desperate for changing
starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started,
chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you //
Buffy smiled as he sang the words softly in her ear. Yet another
thing to file away in the 'Things She Hadn't Known About Xander'
file. He could sing, and not half-bad at that. She listened to
the words, and could see how Xander would choose this song. He
probably felt it summed his feelings up perfectly. What he
probably didn't realize, though was it was speaking of the way
she felt about him, too.
"Don't stop," she said looking at him. "I like your singing,"
she added, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her
head on his shoulder.
//Forgetting all I'm lacking
Completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation
If you take all of me
Now I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you//
"The song's perfect," Buffy murmered as she looked up into his
eyes again. "It's definitely us. And I'm not gonna make you move
anywhere, unless it's with me." He tightened his arms around her
waist.
//I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into just hanging by a moment
here with you
There's nothing else to lose
There's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else //
Xander was glad she didn't think he was being corny, and that
she understood how the lyrics spoke for him. He'd never been
good at talking about his feelings, especially where she was
concerned. But there really was nothing else that mattered in
his life, other than Buffy. She was the only thing he'd ever
felt like he needed, and he'd do his best to never make her
regret her choice to be with him.
//Desperate for changing starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started I'm chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
Just hanging by a moment here with you
Just hanging by a moment
Hanging by a moment..
Hanging by a moment..
Hanging by a moment here with you //
He put his hand under her chin, to make her look at him. "I love
you," he said simply, but she saw everything else he was trying
to say in the way he looked at her.
"That's good, because I feel the same way," she said with a
smile, before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his
head down so she could kiss him. "Thank you, Xan, for giving me
the best evening I've had in a long time."
"It won't be the last," he promised her as he wrapped his arms
around her again. "Not if I have anything to say about it,
anyway."
***************
