New Horizons: Chapter Sixty-Four
The Continuance
By Annie
04-09-2002
"Can you believe it?! My sister's getting married, I just can't get it! It's so incredible!"
Dawn was practically jumping at Devon's side and he smiled at her unmasked giddiness as her whole face was lit up by her joy for her sister. They were walking home slowly on the empty streets of Sunnydale, it was close to three o'clock in the morning. Everything was still and the air was crisp with the approaching mornig dew; the only thing interrupting the quiet was the sound of their feet against the pavement and Dawn's excited voice.
"You wouldn't be able to stay calm either, I PROMISE you, if you knew exactly what they've been through to get here," she stated at the small smile on his lips and the amused expression on his face.
"Okay, my turn to ask something," he stated and stopped.
She did as well, turning to him and waiting for him to continue.
"He's a vampire," Devon began and Dawn nodded, "and she's the Slayer," Dawn nodded again, "and they're supposed to be enemies, but they're in love?"
Dawn smiled.
"Confusing, huh?" she asked and he nodded a little as they began to walk once more. "Well, remember what I told you about the chip and how that's the reason Spike kinda got mixed up with the Scoobies? Yeah, so that kinda built up their relationship with one another even though it wasn't really anything to CALL a relationship up until.well, a month or so ago, I suppose it is now. Spike's loved my sister for ages, and she fell in love with him gradually too.And now they're getting MARRIED! Married, married, married. And they're gonna have a daughter and we're gonna be like a real family!"
Now she actually WAS jumping and Devon laughed a little.
"You really like Spike, don't you?" he asked and Dawn calmed herself down as much as she could manage.
"Yes," she then answered. "He was the only one who.treated me like anything but a kid for a long time and he's just my best friend. I love him a lot and I don't know what I'd do without him."
"But he's.a vampire," Devon mumbled and Dawn reached out and took Devon's hand as she said:
"Yeah, he's a vampire, but he never kills humans anymore. He wouldn't even if he could, we've gotten proof of that. And he's a really great guy, once you get to know him. He's funny and he's always there for you when you need him, you know?"
Devon observed her for a moment.
"If you say so," he answered. "I mean, he seemed alright if I judge by what I saw tonight. And he seems to really love your sister," he added and Dawn smiled brightly again before nodding.
"He does," she confirmed.
The Summers home was coming into view and Dawn sighed.
"Well," she murmured, "I guess this is it for tonight."
Devon looked at her and then he smiled.
"Then at least I won't have my head ripped off," he stated and Dawn looked up, questioningly. "Spike. He looked like he would do that - if nothing else - unless I made sure you enjoyed yourself tonight. And that sigh seemed to kinda mean that you had a good time?" he elaborated and she smiled at the question as they started up the stone path leading to the porch and the front door.
"I did," she answered him. "I had a really, really great time. I'm so glad that you didn't think everything that I told you was too.out there," she added and he laughed.
"Oh, I did," he said wryly. "No, but really. I just think it's kinda.cool. I mean, I've always been interested in the supernatural. I have!" he added the last part as an answer to her raised eyebrows.
"Okay," she said slowly. "But the fact that the world is creepy crawly with little monsters doesn't make you wanna.you know, run and hide?" she asked and he laughed again as they stopped in front of the front door.
"You know, all the demons I've met so far have been pretty likable," he answered. "Clem is just too much fun and Anya is really nice too, and Spike.I suppose he's alright, I mean, he's more scary in the really-tough- protective-bad-ass-guy category," he stated and she giggled a little.
"I suppose you might be right," she agreed.
"And then there are the occasional stunning-former-supernatural-being-now- human who just makes the whole thing sorta dim and like nothing of it really matters," he mumbled and Dawn looked at him before averting her gaze and smiling timidly.
Devon took a step closer, bent down slightly and let his lips gently kiss her cheek.
"Thank you for tonight, I." he started, but was interrupted by Dawn wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his face close to hers, her mouth meeting his before they parted their lips at the same time.
Dawn had no idea how long they kissed, and when they finally pulled apart they looked at each other as though they were seeing the other for the first time and they both smiled widely.
"Wanna do that again sometime?" he asked in a hushed voice and she giggled before nodding.
"Over a movie, perhaps?" she retorted and his eyes lit up over the fact that she'd remembered.
"Do you think Spike'll kill me for not having you home by eleven?" he now asked and she grinned, shaking her head.
"The party didn't really end at eleven anyways, did it? Besides, I'd never let him do that." she stated and he smiled before leaning down to give her another kiss.
"I should leave now," he said, mouth still close to hers and she nodded, eyes still shut.
"Yeah," she then said, opening them and meeting his gaze. "It's late and everything, I'm sure you wanna sleep."
He smirked.
"I'm sure YOU wanna sleep too," he pointed out and she giggled, nodding.
"Right," she said. "So.?"
"I'll call you tomorrow and we can.do something?" he asked and she smiled.
"Yes, do that," she agreed, hesitating a moment before standing on her toes to grace him with one last kiss good night before she turned the knob of the door - it had been left open - and then stepped inside with a smile his way.
"Good night," he said.
"Good night," she answered before closing the door shut.
She felt her heart bounce in her chest. Then she stifled her giggles with both hands as she walked into the kitchen, dreamily gazing out through the window and leaning against the counter.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Spike's voice grumbled from behind her and she spun around with a loud gasp.
Then she laughed.
"Hello there, soon to be brother-in-law," she said, smiling and he couldn't help but smile back.
"Don't change the subject," he muttered and she tilted her head to one side.
"Hey, you and Buffy just got back as well, if I'm not mistaken," she retorted and he looked up at her with fake innocence before smiling and shrugging.
"Alright, fine. So, you had a good time then?" he asked and Dawn nodded eagerly.
"The best. I mean, Devon's just really cool. Seems like this whole thing doesn't bother him at all, it's just really great," she stated, reaching out a hand and grabbing an apple from a bowl on the counter to her left.
Spike sighed, then nodded.
"I'm happy 'bout that, Lil'Bit, I really am," he said, "but you oughtta be careful, though. Devon seems like a fairly level headed guy and I think he's alright and everything. But, this whole accepting everything so bloody quick thing is what sorta bothers me." he added and now she sighed.
"Don't worry about it. We talked about the whole supernatural mumbo-jumbo and he's just always had this huge interest for it. Like he loves all the sci-fi shows and reads a lotta books and stuff about ghosts and goblins. His favorite author is Anne Rice," she said matter-of-factly and Spike smiled a little. "Spike, listen," Dawn now said, adopting a serious tone of voice as she continued: "Devon isn't shocked yet because it still hasn't hit him. I mean, I KNOW that and chances are that once he gets a real taste of what the really real world means it'll freak him out to the point of a bald head and a screechy voice - but that's something I'll have to deal with then. One thing's for sure, he has a pulse, and he has a soul," she concluded and Spike looked at her a moment longer before nodding.
"Alright, niblet, sounds like you've got it all under control, not that I'm surprised," he said and she smiled widely, taking a bite of her apple.
"You know it," she agreed and he laughed a little. "So.Mr. Engaged, how do you feel? I hardly got a word in edgewise earlier with everybody set on talking at the same time."
She huffed and he smirked before shrugging.
"It doesn't feel any different. But seeing Buffy wear my mother's ring, that's something. I mean, it's.mine. I gave that to her as a sign that she's really mine, you know? And she's wearing it. It's bloody incredible," he answered and Dawn smiled brightly.
"Have you set a date?"
He laughed.
"Are you kidding? We've hardly grasped the fact that we're engaged.that her and ME are engaged to be married! Can YOU even understand that?" he asked and now she laughed.
"Of course I can, I've seen it coming for.well, forever," she stated proudly and he shook his head.
"Yeah, right," he retorted and she grinned.
"Fine, perhaps there were times when I was in doubt." she admitted and they looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Buffy asked as she joined them, positioning herself at her man's side and sliding her right hand in his left.
He turned to her, still smiling. She had taken a shower and smelt sweetly of her shampoo, shower gel and fresh running water.
"Oh, nothing," Dawn answered. "I can't tell you how happy I am for you," she added, walking up to them and embracing them both.
Buffy smiled, hugging her back as well as Spike.
"Thank you," she said.
They pulled apart and Spike looked at them before saying:
"Dawn.would you like to be the first to know the name of our daughter?"
Dawn's eyes grew slightly and she swallowed the bite of apple still in her mouth.
"You've decided already?" she asked and Buffy looked up at Spike who smiled and nodded.
"Yes," Buffy then answered. "We've decided."
"Well?!" Dawn urged. "We're going to name her Kate. Katie," Buffy then answered and Dawn smiled.
"Katie Summers," she said slowly. "Or, I guess Katie Kinsley," she corrected herself and Spike smiled a little before he leaned down to kiss Buffy on the cheek, then he bent down further and put his mouth to her stomach to whisper softly:
"We're waiting for you, Katie."
***
Willow held Tara gently as the latter slept in her arms.
God, so much was happening! So much HAD happened, she just couldn't stop going over everything in her head. But all the things that had happened tonight was just.the exclamation mark after the sentence summing up these past crazy months!
Buffy and Spike we're getting married.
She smiled to herself before holding Tara a little bit tighter.
***
"I really hope I get to help with, well, everything. I mean, I should think I'm the most capable of handling something like the preparations since I spent months on planning our wedding, right?"
Xander smiled a little, feeling sad at the fact that he had wrecked those plans, and then he nodded.
"Of course. Ahn, I'm sure Buffy'll want you to be as big a part of the wedding as anyone else," he answered her reassuringly and she sat down on the edge of the bed before sighing a little and crawling under the covers.
"Well, I really hope so, 'cause I know she could really use my help, this coming on so suddenly and everything," she then stated as he joined her, lying down beside her and pulling his blankets up.
He smiled again, turning to her and pointing out:
"They might not get married for a year, Anya. They JUST got engaged."
"Well," Anya huffed. "Not ALL people are as slow as you and me. Some are very spontaneous and they just jump right into it. Buffy and Spike seem like very spontaneous people, and I'm sure they'll wanna get married before the baby arrives which means they'll have to act fast, before Buffy swells up like a sea-lion," she then retorted and Xander chuckled, shaking his head a little.
"If you say so, honey. After all, you're the expert."
She nodded firmly.
"Right you are, beady eyes," she said and he paused, looking at her, and then he rolled over, grabbing her and she squealed before she started laughing.
"How many times do I have to tell you NOT to call me that?!" he growled as he started tickling her.
***
"But I still think that the fabric of time is something which stretches the more you exercise it. Walking through the mirror gets easier and easier each time I do it," Sarah stated.
She and Giles were in a deep discussion of the consequences of time travelling. Jacob had fallen asleep on the couch in the sparring room where the two academics had started to clean off the table before they got so caught up in their conversation that they simply sat down on a chair each and there they had been seated for nearly two hours. It was closing on five o'clock in the morning, but neither one of them seemed to notice.
"I cannot agree with that, Sarah," Giles replied, shaking his head. "The absolute precision with which you have to stretch it cannot be accomplished every time. Sooner or later something will happen and there will be a rip, a tear and what will happen then? Time travelling can only be used by a very limited number of people, I tell you. The ones who know that the precision is the key and who aren't willing to take any risks what so ever, lest they otherwise tamper with the wheels of time and change the lives of billions of people."
She looked at him for a moment and then she sighed a little.
"I see your point. But could there not be a school of such teachings for people who really want to learn? Think of the children, the education they would get, the experiences are endless."
"Yes, but the price would be too high, wouldn't it? Think about it, Sarah. You've travelled alone to witness scenery of history, thus you have gone by unnoticed, I should think. If you brought school classes of children to. the execution of William Wallace - what would that bring? Chaos, dear. They would never be able to slip through incognito. They would be found out and what worse, they might get trapped. There is no way you can preserve history the way it is and yet explore it hands on. There is just no way," he concluded and she sighed again, looking away and then nodding.
"I suppose that you are right," she mumbled. "I just think it's such a shame. There could be so much to gain from it."
"Yes, and everything to loose," he remarked and she smiled a little.
"Do you always battle with such devotion?" she asked and he met her eyes, then smiled back at her before shaking his head.
"There was no battle," he answered her and she tilted her head slightly, observing him for a moment before saying:
"Do you like what you do? Being a Watcher, I mean."
"Yes, very much so," he answered. "It's very fulfilling. It's .all I know."
She raised her eyebrows.
"That's a very big lie, sir, and I hope you shall take it back," she remarked and he once more met her eyes.
"I take it back, then," he stated and she reached out a hand to take his.
"Arm the canons!" Jacob suddenly shouted before grumbling something and turning over.
Both Giles and Sarah jerked and then they looked at each other and smiled, shaking their heads.
"Would you like some wine?" Giles asked and Sarah thought for a moment.
"No, I think I'll pass. It's getting late. In fact, what time is it?" she asked and Giles looked at his wrist watch.
"Oh, my Lord," he said, looking back at her with a small smile. "It's almost five thirty."
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise before she rose from her chair, him doing the same.
"No wonder daddy dropped like a stone," she mumbled and Giles smiled wider.
Sarah turned to him and then she suddenly looked a little uncertain of what to do, meeting his gaze she looked rather nervous. He smiled calmingly, and she smiled back though she didn't look very calmed.
"What are you thinking?" she asked and now he almost laughed before he shook his head.
"That it's late and that I should get you home, both of you," he answered and she met his gaze before suddenly furrowing her brow.
"Oh," she said and he raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"What?" he asked.
"That wasn't what I was thinking," she answered and he squinted before smiling again.
"You sound disappointed, what were you thinking then?" he asked and she shrugged.
"Never mind," she answered. "I think I've been reading to many junk novels, my head is just getting the better of me. my imagination can run pretty wild."
He stopped her when she was turning away and made her meet his gaze again.
"What were you thinking?" he pressed and she looked at him before averting her eyes, suddenly blushing and seeming infuriated by it.
"Giles, I think we should just get going. that couch will ruin my father's back. You don't want that do you?" she asked and he let his gentle hold on her shoulders go.
"No," he answered her. "Of course not."
She smiled before nodding.
"Then let's go," she said and he agreed, walking up to Jacob to wake him.
***
"Spike.Spike.wake up."
He slowly opened his eyes, the first thing meeting them being a red rose. Then the vase it was in followed by the tray it was on and then finally her smiling face, hair still tangled from sleep, her eyes bright, though, as she scooted forward a little.
He smiled.
"Oh, honey," he purred as he dragged himself up a little. "You've made me breakfast in bed."
"Yep, sweetie, I warmed your 'breakfast' with loving precision so that it would be the perfect temperature..."
"Oh, did you taste it for me too?" he asked wryly, cocking an eyebrow and she made a face before shaking her head.
"Don't push it," she murmured and he smiled before reaching out a hand and she crawled around the tray to get to kissing him.
"Mh," he sighed as she pulled away slightly before lying down in his arms, resting her head on his chest. "So," he then added, "what's the occasion?"
She smiled as she moved her head to meet his gaze.
"Need there be an occasion for a girl wanting to bring her man the proper nutritions?" she asked innocently and he raised both eyebrows at her.
"Now I KNOW there is a motive," he pointed out, sitting up and pulling her with him. "What is it, love?"
She smiled angelically and then she crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head a little she said:
"I think I have an idea for the date..."
"The date?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"For the wedding?"
"Yeah! I mean, we can't wait too long... I would like to be married before Katie is born, you know? Well, don't you?" He nodded, reaching out a hand and grabbing the mug with pig's blood, listening to her as she continued. "Well, I was talking with Anya on the phone before...and I really think that with her help we can plan this wedding of ours to be held in two weeks..."
He swallowed so hard he almost started coughing and then he stared at her for a moment as her eyes grew in wonderment.
"Two weeks? Buffy, don't you think that's rushing it a little?"
"Well, you asked me and so I thought you WANTED to get married."
"I do!"
"And since you asked I thought you were READY to get married."
"I am, I mean, I really am..."
"And you just said that you agree with me on the fact that we should be married before our daughter is born."
"I do agree with that, Buffy, but..."
"But what?"
"But let me finish," he grumbled, putting the mug down before reaching over and taking both her hands. "I think you want a big wedding, with all of your friends there and your family..."
"Spike, let me tell you something. My friends are the same friends you have, and they're all here and all of them know about the wedding so there's no real need for invitations. My only family are Dawn and you...and my father...but him we don't need to worry about 'cause he wouldn't wanna come anyway." Spike didn't look so convinced about that, but Buffy squeezed his hands a little and then she finished: "So, all we need to do is find a location and...wait a minute, you can't get married!"
He looked at her questioningly and she frowned.
"You can't really...stand in a church and you know...God...and everything. Can you?" she asked and now he smiled.
"No... But I was thinking... Giles could perform the actual act, the Watchers have this thing, I don't remember what they call it... Anyways, we couldn't really have it IN a church but..."
"I don't care about that," she interrupted, leaning forward to kiss him. "I got scared there for a moment. Wow, that I didn't think of that before..."
He laughed before throwing his arms around her and pulling her close. She hugged him tight, burying her face against his shoulder.
"Two weeks, huh?" he asked and she nodded. "Let's do it, then," he stated and her head shot up before she smiled brightly and he felt like all the lights in the world were shining on him as she jumped off the bed.
"This is just so...incredible!" she exclaimed. "I have to go tell Dawn. I have to call Anya! We have to start right away!"
She turned and was about to rush out of the room when his voice stopped her.
"Buffy?" he said gently and she turned to him, quizzically.
"Yes?" she asked and he smiled a little.
"Are you absolutely sure?" he asked and she looked at him for an eternity as a smile softly grew on her lips.
Her gaze warm as she nodded.
"I love you," she said and he smiled back.
"And I love you," he stated before she turned and swiftly disappeared from view.
Soon, he thought, I'm going to wake up. Soon I'll have to deal with the pain of waking from this dream.
Then he smiled to himself, looking at where she had disappeared and then closing his eyes.
The Continuance
By Annie
04-09-2002
"Can you believe it?! My sister's getting married, I just can't get it! It's so incredible!"
Dawn was practically jumping at Devon's side and he smiled at her unmasked giddiness as her whole face was lit up by her joy for her sister. They were walking home slowly on the empty streets of Sunnydale, it was close to three o'clock in the morning. Everything was still and the air was crisp with the approaching mornig dew; the only thing interrupting the quiet was the sound of their feet against the pavement and Dawn's excited voice.
"You wouldn't be able to stay calm either, I PROMISE you, if you knew exactly what they've been through to get here," she stated at the small smile on his lips and the amused expression on his face.
"Okay, my turn to ask something," he stated and stopped.
She did as well, turning to him and waiting for him to continue.
"He's a vampire," Devon began and Dawn nodded, "and she's the Slayer," Dawn nodded again, "and they're supposed to be enemies, but they're in love?"
Dawn smiled.
"Confusing, huh?" she asked and he nodded a little as they began to walk once more. "Well, remember what I told you about the chip and how that's the reason Spike kinda got mixed up with the Scoobies? Yeah, so that kinda built up their relationship with one another even though it wasn't really anything to CALL a relationship up until.well, a month or so ago, I suppose it is now. Spike's loved my sister for ages, and she fell in love with him gradually too.And now they're getting MARRIED! Married, married, married. And they're gonna have a daughter and we're gonna be like a real family!"
Now she actually WAS jumping and Devon laughed a little.
"You really like Spike, don't you?" he asked and Dawn calmed herself down as much as she could manage.
"Yes," she then answered. "He was the only one who.treated me like anything but a kid for a long time and he's just my best friend. I love him a lot and I don't know what I'd do without him."
"But he's.a vampire," Devon mumbled and Dawn reached out and took Devon's hand as she said:
"Yeah, he's a vampire, but he never kills humans anymore. He wouldn't even if he could, we've gotten proof of that. And he's a really great guy, once you get to know him. He's funny and he's always there for you when you need him, you know?"
Devon observed her for a moment.
"If you say so," he answered. "I mean, he seemed alright if I judge by what I saw tonight. And he seems to really love your sister," he added and Dawn smiled brightly again before nodding.
"He does," she confirmed.
The Summers home was coming into view and Dawn sighed.
"Well," she murmured, "I guess this is it for tonight."
Devon looked at her and then he smiled.
"Then at least I won't have my head ripped off," he stated and Dawn looked up, questioningly. "Spike. He looked like he would do that - if nothing else - unless I made sure you enjoyed yourself tonight. And that sigh seemed to kinda mean that you had a good time?" he elaborated and she smiled at the question as they started up the stone path leading to the porch and the front door.
"I did," she answered him. "I had a really, really great time. I'm so glad that you didn't think everything that I told you was too.out there," she added and he laughed.
"Oh, I did," he said wryly. "No, but really. I just think it's kinda.cool. I mean, I've always been interested in the supernatural. I have!" he added the last part as an answer to her raised eyebrows.
"Okay," she said slowly. "But the fact that the world is creepy crawly with little monsters doesn't make you wanna.you know, run and hide?" she asked and he laughed again as they stopped in front of the front door.
"You know, all the demons I've met so far have been pretty likable," he answered. "Clem is just too much fun and Anya is really nice too, and Spike.I suppose he's alright, I mean, he's more scary in the really-tough- protective-bad-ass-guy category," he stated and she giggled a little.
"I suppose you might be right," she agreed.
"And then there are the occasional stunning-former-supernatural-being-now- human who just makes the whole thing sorta dim and like nothing of it really matters," he mumbled and Dawn looked at him before averting her gaze and smiling timidly.
Devon took a step closer, bent down slightly and let his lips gently kiss her cheek.
"Thank you for tonight, I." he started, but was interrupted by Dawn wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his face close to hers, her mouth meeting his before they parted their lips at the same time.
Dawn had no idea how long they kissed, and when they finally pulled apart they looked at each other as though they were seeing the other for the first time and they both smiled widely.
"Wanna do that again sometime?" he asked in a hushed voice and she giggled before nodding.
"Over a movie, perhaps?" she retorted and his eyes lit up over the fact that she'd remembered.
"Do you think Spike'll kill me for not having you home by eleven?" he now asked and she grinned, shaking her head.
"The party didn't really end at eleven anyways, did it? Besides, I'd never let him do that." she stated and he smiled before leaning down to give her another kiss.
"I should leave now," he said, mouth still close to hers and she nodded, eyes still shut.
"Yeah," she then said, opening them and meeting his gaze. "It's late and everything, I'm sure you wanna sleep."
He smirked.
"I'm sure YOU wanna sleep too," he pointed out and she giggled, nodding.
"Right," she said. "So.?"
"I'll call you tomorrow and we can.do something?" he asked and she smiled.
"Yes, do that," she agreed, hesitating a moment before standing on her toes to grace him with one last kiss good night before she turned the knob of the door - it had been left open - and then stepped inside with a smile his way.
"Good night," he said.
"Good night," she answered before closing the door shut.
She felt her heart bounce in her chest. Then she stifled her giggles with both hands as she walked into the kitchen, dreamily gazing out through the window and leaning against the counter.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Spike's voice grumbled from behind her and she spun around with a loud gasp.
Then she laughed.
"Hello there, soon to be brother-in-law," she said, smiling and he couldn't help but smile back.
"Don't change the subject," he muttered and she tilted her head to one side.
"Hey, you and Buffy just got back as well, if I'm not mistaken," she retorted and he looked up at her with fake innocence before smiling and shrugging.
"Alright, fine. So, you had a good time then?" he asked and Dawn nodded eagerly.
"The best. I mean, Devon's just really cool. Seems like this whole thing doesn't bother him at all, it's just really great," she stated, reaching out a hand and grabbing an apple from a bowl on the counter to her left.
Spike sighed, then nodded.
"I'm happy 'bout that, Lil'Bit, I really am," he said, "but you oughtta be careful, though. Devon seems like a fairly level headed guy and I think he's alright and everything. But, this whole accepting everything so bloody quick thing is what sorta bothers me." he added and now she sighed.
"Don't worry about it. We talked about the whole supernatural mumbo-jumbo and he's just always had this huge interest for it. Like he loves all the sci-fi shows and reads a lotta books and stuff about ghosts and goblins. His favorite author is Anne Rice," she said matter-of-factly and Spike smiled a little. "Spike, listen," Dawn now said, adopting a serious tone of voice as she continued: "Devon isn't shocked yet because it still hasn't hit him. I mean, I KNOW that and chances are that once he gets a real taste of what the really real world means it'll freak him out to the point of a bald head and a screechy voice - but that's something I'll have to deal with then. One thing's for sure, he has a pulse, and he has a soul," she concluded and Spike looked at her a moment longer before nodding.
"Alright, niblet, sounds like you've got it all under control, not that I'm surprised," he said and she smiled widely, taking a bite of her apple.
"You know it," she agreed and he laughed a little. "So.Mr. Engaged, how do you feel? I hardly got a word in edgewise earlier with everybody set on talking at the same time."
She huffed and he smirked before shrugging.
"It doesn't feel any different. But seeing Buffy wear my mother's ring, that's something. I mean, it's.mine. I gave that to her as a sign that she's really mine, you know? And she's wearing it. It's bloody incredible," he answered and Dawn smiled brightly.
"Have you set a date?"
He laughed.
"Are you kidding? We've hardly grasped the fact that we're engaged.that her and ME are engaged to be married! Can YOU even understand that?" he asked and now she laughed.
"Of course I can, I've seen it coming for.well, forever," she stated proudly and he shook his head.
"Yeah, right," he retorted and she grinned.
"Fine, perhaps there were times when I was in doubt." she admitted and they looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Buffy asked as she joined them, positioning herself at her man's side and sliding her right hand in his left.
He turned to her, still smiling. She had taken a shower and smelt sweetly of her shampoo, shower gel and fresh running water.
"Oh, nothing," Dawn answered. "I can't tell you how happy I am for you," she added, walking up to them and embracing them both.
Buffy smiled, hugging her back as well as Spike.
"Thank you," she said.
They pulled apart and Spike looked at them before saying:
"Dawn.would you like to be the first to know the name of our daughter?"
Dawn's eyes grew slightly and she swallowed the bite of apple still in her mouth.
"You've decided already?" she asked and Buffy looked up at Spike who smiled and nodded.
"Yes," Buffy then answered. "We've decided."
"Well?!" Dawn urged. "We're going to name her Kate. Katie," Buffy then answered and Dawn smiled.
"Katie Summers," she said slowly. "Or, I guess Katie Kinsley," she corrected herself and Spike smiled a little before he leaned down to kiss Buffy on the cheek, then he bent down further and put his mouth to her stomach to whisper softly:
"We're waiting for you, Katie."
***
Willow held Tara gently as the latter slept in her arms.
God, so much was happening! So much HAD happened, she just couldn't stop going over everything in her head. But all the things that had happened tonight was just.the exclamation mark after the sentence summing up these past crazy months!
Buffy and Spike we're getting married.
She smiled to herself before holding Tara a little bit tighter.
***
"I really hope I get to help with, well, everything. I mean, I should think I'm the most capable of handling something like the preparations since I spent months on planning our wedding, right?"
Xander smiled a little, feeling sad at the fact that he had wrecked those plans, and then he nodded.
"Of course. Ahn, I'm sure Buffy'll want you to be as big a part of the wedding as anyone else," he answered her reassuringly and she sat down on the edge of the bed before sighing a little and crawling under the covers.
"Well, I really hope so, 'cause I know she could really use my help, this coming on so suddenly and everything," she then stated as he joined her, lying down beside her and pulling his blankets up.
He smiled again, turning to her and pointing out:
"They might not get married for a year, Anya. They JUST got engaged."
"Well," Anya huffed. "Not ALL people are as slow as you and me. Some are very spontaneous and they just jump right into it. Buffy and Spike seem like very spontaneous people, and I'm sure they'll wanna get married before the baby arrives which means they'll have to act fast, before Buffy swells up like a sea-lion," she then retorted and Xander chuckled, shaking his head a little.
"If you say so, honey. After all, you're the expert."
She nodded firmly.
"Right you are, beady eyes," she said and he paused, looking at her, and then he rolled over, grabbing her and she squealed before she started laughing.
"How many times do I have to tell you NOT to call me that?!" he growled as he started tickling her.
***
"But I still think that the fabric of time is something which stretches the more you exercise it. Walking through the mirror gets easier and easier each time I do it," Sarah stated.
She and Giles were in a deep discussion of the consequences of time travelling. Jacob had fallen asleep on the couch in the sparring room where the two academics had started to clean off the table before they got so caught up in their conversation that they simply sat down on a chair each and there they had been seated for nearly two hours. It was closing on five o'clock in the morning, but neither one of them seemed to notice.
"I cannot agree with that, Sarah," Giles replied, shaking his head. "The absolute precision with which you have to stretch it cannot be accomplished every time. Sooner or later something will happen and there will be a rip, a tear and what will happen then? Time travelling can only be used by a very limited number of people, I tell you. The ones who know that the precision is the key and who aren't willing to take any risks what so ever, lest they otherwise tamper with the wheels of time and change the lives of billions of people."
She looked at him for a moment and then she sighed a little.
"I see your point. But could there not be a school of such teachings for people who really want to learn? Think of the children, the education they would get, the experiences are endless."
"Yes, but the price would be too high, wouldn't it? Think about it, Sarah. You've travelled alone to witness scenery of history, thus you have gone by unnoticed, I should think. If you brought school classes of children to. the execution of William Wallace - what would that bring? Chaos, dear. They would never be able to slip through incognito. They would be found out and what worse, they might get trapped. There is no way you can preserve history the way it is and yet explore it hands on. There is just no way," he concluded and she sighed again, looking away and then nodding.
"I suppose that you are right," she mumbled. "I just think it's such a shame. There could be so much to gain from it."
"Yes, and everything to loose," he remarked and she smiled a little.
"Do you always battle with such devotion?" she asked and he met her eyes, then smiled back at her before shaking his head.
"There was no battle," he answered her and she tilted her head slightly, observing him for a moment before saying:
"Do you like what you do? Being a Watcher, I mean."
"Yes, very much so," he answered. "It's very fulfilling. It's .all I know."
She raised her eyebrows.
"That's a very big lie, sir, and I hope you shall take it back," she remarked and he once more met her eyes.
"I take it back, then," he stated and she reached out a hand to take his.
"Arm the canons!" Jacob suddenly shouted before grumbling something and turning over.
Both Giles and Sarah jerked and then they looked at each other and smiled, shaking their heads.
"Would you like some wine?" Giles asked and Sarah thought for a moment.
"No, I think I'll pass. It's getting late. In fact, what time is it?" she asked and Giles looked at his wrist watch.
"Oh, my Lord," he said, looking back at her with a small smile. "It's almost five thirty."
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise before she rose from her chair, him doing the same.
"No wonder daddy dropped like a stone," she mumbled and Giles smiled wider.
Sarah turned to him and then she suddenly looked a little uncertain of what to do, meeting his gaze she looked rather nervous. He smiled calmingly, and she smiled back though she didn't look very calmed.
"What are you thinking?" she asked and now he almost laughed before he shook his head.
"That it's late and that I should get you home, both of you," he answered and she met his gaze before suddenly furrowing her brow.
"Oh," she said and he raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"What?" he asked.
"That wasn't what I was thinking," she answered and he squinted before smiling again.
"You sound disappointed, what were you thinking then?" he asked and she shrugged.
"Never mind," she answered. "I think I've been reading to many junk novels, my head is just getting the better of me. my imagination can run pretty wild."
He stopped her when she was turning away and made her meet his gaze again.
"What were you thinking?" he pressed and she looked at him before averting her eyes, suddenly blushing and seeming infuriated by it.
"Giles, I think we should just get going. that couch will ruin my father's back. You don't want that do you?" she asked and he let his gentle hold on her shoulders go.
"No," he answered her. "Of course not."
She smiled before nodding.
"Then let's go," she said and he agreed, walking up to Jacob to wake him.
***
"Spike.Spike.wake up."
He slowly opened his eyes, the first thing meeting them being a red rose. Then the vase it was in followed by the tray it was on and then finally her smiling face, hair still tangled from sleep, her eyes bright, though, as she scooted forward a little.
He smiled.
"Oh, honey," he purred as he dragged himself up a little. "You've made me breakfast in bed."
"Yep, sweetie, I warmed your 'breakfast' with loving precision so that it would be the perfect temperature..."
"Oh, did you taste it for me too?" he asked wryly, cocking an eyebrow and she made a face before shaking her head.
"Don't push it," she murmured and he smiled before reaching out a hand and she crawled around the tray to get to kissing him.
"Mh," he sighed as she pulled away slightly before lying down in his arms, resting her head on his chest. "So," he then added, "what's the occasion?"
She smiled as she moved her head to meet his gaze.
"Need there be an occasion for a girl wanting to bring her man the proper nutritions?" she asked innocently and he raised both eyebrows at her.
"Now I KNOW there is a motive," he pointed out, sitting up and pulling her with him. "What is it, love?"
She smiled angelically and then she crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head a little she said:
"I think I have an idea for the date..."
"The date?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"For the wedding?"
"Yeah! I mean, we can't wait too long... I would like to be married before Katie is born, you know? Well, don't you?" He nodded, reaching out a hand and grabbing the mug with pig's blood, listening to her as she continued. "Well, I was talking with Anya on the phone before...and I really think that with her help we can plan this wedding of ours to be held in two weeks..."
He swallowed so hard he almost started coughing and then he stared at her for a moment as her eyes grew in wonderment.
"Two weeks? Buffy, don't you think that's rushing it a little?"
"Well, you asked me and so I thought you WANTED to get married."
"I do!"
"And since you asked I thought you were READY to get married."
"I am, I mean, I really am..."
"And you just said that you agree with me on the fact that we should be married before our daughter is born."
"I do agree with that, Buffy, but..."
"But what?"
"But let me finish," he grumbled, putting the mug down before reaching over and taking both her hands. "I think you want a big wedding, with all of your friends there and your family..."
"Spike, let me tell you something. My friends are the same friends you have, and they're all here and all of them know about the wedding so there's no real need for invitations. My only family are Dawn and you...and my father...but him we don't need to worry about 'cause he wouldn't wanna come anyway." Spike didn't look so convinced about that, but Buffy squeezed his hands a little and then she finished: "So, all we need to do is find a location and...wait a minute, you can't get married!"
He looked at her questioningly and she frowned.
"You can't really...stand in a church and you know...God...and everything. Can you?" she asked and now he smiled.
"No... But I was thinking... Giles could perform the actual act, the Watchers have this thing, I don't remember what they call it... Anyways, we couldn't really have it IN a church but..."
"I don't care about that," she interrupted, leaning forward to kiss him. "I got scared there for a moment. Wow, that I didn't think of that before..."
He laughed before throwing his arms around her and pulling her close. She hugged him tight, burying her face against his shoulder.
"Two weeks, huh?" he asked and she nodded. "Let's do it, then," he stated and her head shot up before she smiled brightly and he felt like all the lights in the world were shining on him as she jumped off the bed.
"This is just so...incredible!" she exclaimed. "I have to go tell Dawn. I have to call Anya! We have to start right away!"
She turned and was about to rush out of the room when his voice stopped her.
"Buffy?" he said gently and she turned to him, quizzically.
"Yes?" she asked and he smiled a little.
"Are you absolutely sure?" he asked and she looked at him for an eternity as a smile softly grew on her lips.
Her gaze warm as she nodded.
"I love you," she said and he smiled back.
"And I love you," he stated before she turned and swiftly disappeared from view.
Soon, he thought, I'm going to wake up. Soon I'll have to deal with the pain of waking from this dream.
Then he smiled to himself, looking at where she had disappeared and then closing his eyes.