New Horizons: Chapter Sixty-Six
The Continuance
By Annie
10-15-2002
Dawn went downstairs the following morning, walked into the kitchen and then stopped in the doorway, her eyebrows rising. Then she shook her head a little, entered the kitchen and walked up to the fridge to start on breakfast. She knew Willow would soon be out of the shower, Tara was on her way down, Buffy and Spike always slept late and... She frowned.
She just had this peculiar feeling.
She put the milk down on the breakfast table in the middle of the kitchen, shut the fridge door and walked into the living room. Her eyes grew as she stared at the man asleep on the couch.
"Dad?" she whispered.
Then she turned, ran back into the kitchen, through it and into the hallway proceeding up the stairs. She threw the door to Buffy's room open, storming up to the bedside and bending down, grabbing her sister and shaking her awake.
"What? What? What?!" Buffy exclaimed, sitting up and getting her hair out of her face, staring at Dawn.
"WHAT is that man looking suspiciously like our father, but who can impossibly BE our father, doing sleeping on our couch?!" she asked and Buffy got off the bed with an apologetic look on her face.
"I'm sorry I didn't wake you. It was so late when we got back and you looked like you were sleeping so deeply..."
"You looked at me while I was sleeping?"
"Well...yes," Buffy answered.
"Did he do that too?"
"Well...yes, but only for a second and I tried to tell him we couldn't, but he insisted and so... Dawnie, he came here last night and we talked a little and...I shocked him a little... I wanna give him a chance. Is that okay with you?" Buffy asked and Dawn looked at her, then sighed.
"I guess... I was just surprised at seeing him there, you know?" she answered.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. You sure you're okay?" Buffy asked and Dawn nodded.
"Yeah, I'm kinda happy, actually," she then said and Buffy smiled, relieved.
"Hey, Dawn," Spike murmured from the bed.
"Hey," she answered with a smile. "You still tired?"
"Uh-huh... Would you mind telling my wife-to-be to please get herself back into bed?" he asked politely and Dawn laughed.
"I think she heard you," she answered as Buffy slid back in between the sheets.
"Love you," Buffy said, giving her sister another smile.
"Love you," Dawn replied before turning and walking out of the room again, closing the door carefully behind her and then heading downstairs.
Willow was now head off the breakfast preparing, Tara was by the stove making her tasty pancakes, and they both looked up as she entered the room.
"Hi," she said and they smiled at her.
"Morning," Willow nodded. "Eh...did you see that we've got company?" she added and Dawn glanced to the doorway leading into the living room.
"Yeah, and it's fine... I mean, it'll take some adjusting. I have no idea what I'm gonna say to him... but yeah, it's fine," she answered. "Can I help?" she added and Willow nodded, gesturing to the fridge.
"Good morning," a hesitant voice was heard from the doorway previously glanced through and Dawn turned around, her eyes growing slightly at the sight of her father actually standing there.
"Good morning," she said slowly, then she smiled a little and he smiled back. "Pancakes?" she asked and his smile widened slightly.
***
"You know," Dawn said as she and Hank twenty minutes later were seated on the couch in the living room; breakfast finished, "I wouldn't figure you for a duffle bag kinda guy," she then finished and he smiled.
"Well, it's just a lot easier to carry it with you on a bus than regular luggage," he answered her and she raised her eyebrows slightly surprised.
"But you don't look like anything short of a business man," she then stated and he looked slightly flattered. "It's true! I mean, I really thought you were off somewhere doing well for yourself... well enough to have a car even," she then added and he looked at her for such a long time without making any attempt at speaking that she was about to open her mouth and repeat what she had just said.
This, however, made him seemingly get his act together and he smiled again, this time a little nervously.
"I do have a car," he replied slowly and she waited for him to continue, because it didn't sound like he was quite done. He did continue and she almost wished he hadn't as he said: "Sue...my wife...needed it for her work."
"Oh," was all Dawn could get out, her eyes growing slightly.
"I'm so sorry, pumpkin...It just happened and I didn't want to bother you with it... Buffy and you... Alright, bottom line: I was really scared you two'd never talk to me again, and Sue's just so wonderful I couldn't bear having to give her up, and I knew I would have if you'd told me to..."
"Daddy!" Dawn exclaimed, taken slightly aback by that statement and getting to her feet. "What do you think we are? Heartless? We wouldn't have TOLD you to break up with your girlfriend! Er...wife... Eh, whatever! I mean, gees."
"That's right," Buffy's voice sounded from the doorway and they both turned their heads to look at her. "We really wouldn't have, but we wouldn't have been thrilled either. I'm slightly shocked over these news, how about you, Dawn?"
"Yeah, slightly," she agreed silently.
"That's settled then," Buffy stated just as the door bell rang and Dawn grabbed her backpack from the armchair.
"That's Devon, we're walking to school together," she said, giving Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Be good now," Buffy encouraged wryly and Dawn made a face before opening the door.
"Hi," she said and Devon smiled a little.
"Hey," he answered. "Ready?"
"Yup. Bye!"
She stepped out through the door and closed it behind her, Buffy watching it for a moment before turning her gaze on her father. This alien sitting on her couch... She wished she didn't have to feel that way about him, but she had never felt more like he was nothing but a stranger than right then and there. He was re-married?
"How could you not pick up the phone to tell us you were getting married again?" she asked, voice trembling with held back emotions and he got to his feet, guilt plastered all over his face.
Good, she thought at the sight of it.
"I'm sorry, honey."
"So many things to be sorry about, right, dad?" she grumbled, shaking her head and looking away from him.
"Buffy..."
"Just don't, not right now... I have some things to get done, we can talk about this later," she stated, turning around and walking into the kitchen.
She felt so confused. Having him back in her life like this was difficult to deal with as it was, now she had to deal with...a stepmother?
Oh, God, she whined in her head. This is just perfect. Just bloody perfect!
She grabbed her purse, made sure she had her wallet in it, and then walked up to the kitchen door. She had some more shopping to do, and she had to decide on a cake. She wanted to get one peice of each, bring it home and have Spike taste it. She really wanted them to do as much of this as possible together. She had brought it up the previous night, he was - as always when he was needed to stay at home instead of coming with her on patrol - awake when she got home and he had agreed. He wanted to be part of the planning as well. As long as it didn't mean he had to actually sit down with a catalogue of flower arrangements or decoration options.
And he didn't, all he had to do was look at a few samples of everything and help her decide. Or in this case: TASTE a few samples...
She smiled to herself. No matter how messy her life was getting he would always be there.
Happily she trotted to the pastery shop.
***
The day past quietly. Dawn got home from school, Willow and Tara did as well. Spike spent most of the day in Buffy's and now his room, reading old books of poetry for a reason he was very secretive about whenever someone had the gut to stick their head through the door. Sarah had gone with Anya and Xander on a mission of finding a first class seamstress who could sew the wedding dress Buffy wanted in less than a week, Xander a very reluctant companion on the trip.
Buffy got the five samples of cake to Spike, who got off the bed and met her half way inside the room, turning her around and firmly making her walk back out through the door.
"WHAT are you doing in there?" she asked, looking over her shoulder with a small smile on her lips, trying to get a look through the slightly gaping door.
"If you love me you won't ask," he answered her, bending forward and kissing her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Pulling away a little she held his gaze.
"You have no idea how much I love you," she whispered, forehead to his and he smiled.
"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that," he whispered back and she returned his smile. "Did you get the cake?" he added, straightening his back a little and pulling away from her further.
She sighed discontently before a smile split her face and her eyes suddenly began to sparkle.
"Correction, dear," she said, taking his hand and starting towards the stairs. "I got the CAKES, as in plural, my love."
"I beg your pardon," he stated and she laughed.
"Pardon granted."
They walked downstairs and into the kitchen where a large, square and incredibly pink box was placed, a light green string tied around it and creating a big bow on the top of it.
"That's purty!" he exclaimed and she laughed again, walking up to it and pulling the bow open. "Aw, you've gone and ruined it now, sweetie," he added and she giggled, shaking her head at him and giving him a peck on the cheek before opening the lid. "Blimey," he murmured, staring at the miniature wedding cakes safely tucked inside.
"Blimey?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow at him and he grinned.
"I'm just sayin' THOSE are REAL purty," he answered and she slapped him on the arm. "So, I'm supposed to take a bite out of each and every one of these little babies... no offense Katie," he stopped himself, putting one hand on Buffy's stomach and she smiled, " and then decide which one I like best?"
"As simple as that," Buffy confirmed.
"Alrighty, give me a bloody fork and I'll dig in," he stated and she reached over, grabbing one item consisting of what he'd asked for and handing it to him. "Perfect," he said, eyeing the goodies in the box closely. "I think I'll start with the pink one, it looks annoyingly cheerful and THAT leads me to suspect it'll go bloody well with a wedding."
She observed him as he took the first bite, smiling widely at his commitment to the task as he closed his eyes and with a serious look on his face tasted the sweetness.
"I like this one... but it IS a little bit too..." he trailed off, opening his eyes and looking at her with a searching expression before his face lit up. "A bit too moist," he concluded and she bit her cheek not to burst out laughing.
She could tell he was teasing her, and he was making a marvelous performance of it.
Ten minutes later the fork sunk into the last peice of cake, a dark brown, chocolate cake which made him open his eyes right away, then he nodded. Now he really was serious.
"Babe," he said. "This is absolutely the one. You order this cake or I'll refuse to eat ANYTHING at the wedding."
"The chocolate one?" she asked, pulling herself a little closer to him and he could easily interpret the sudden dangerous look in her eyes. He nodded slightly, looking deep into them and she smiled. "That one reminded me of you... Dark," she stood on her toes, her hands on his shoulders and her mouth suddenly hot against the skin of his throat. "Heavy..." she continued, her lips moving and sending shots of pleasure travelling in every nerve. "Rich..." she added, moving her head up and her lips rested tenderly against his. "Creamy..." she whispered and a low moan rose out of his throat, causing a smile on her lips showing exactly how content that sound made her. "Irresistable..." she finished and he pulled her even tighter to him, kissing her deeply.
Then he lifted her up in his arms and she laughed heartily as he headed towards the stairs.
"I thought our room was off limits," she murmured seductively into his ear.
"We're not going there," he answered, a low purr deep in his throat and she felt the shivers he always provoked gently run through her.
"Then I must demand of you to tell me where you're taking me, sir," she said and he smiled devilishly before stopping in front of the door to the bathroom.
"To the shower," he answered and a smile grew on her lips as well as he got the door open and stepped inside.
***
"That was a delocious meal, Tara," Hank said.
It was almost eight o'clock that evening and they had just finished supper.
"Thank you, Mr. Summers," Tara replied with a smile.
"It really was," Buffy agreed, helping to clear the table she brought a stack of plates into the kitchen where the two others were situated. "Dad," she added. "Can we...talk?"
He nodded serenely before gesturing towards the kitchen door with a questioning look. She nodded as well, walking past him and up to it. They stepped through it, closed it and then walked slowly into the backyard.
"As you can imagine...having you here is sorta...strange," she began, still not sure exactly what she wanted to have said or how to say it, but determined to give it a try. "I mean, I wanted you to know that you were gonna be a grandfather... but that you actually came, it was a surprise."
"I'm so sorry if I intruded..."
"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "Please, let me finish. Since mom died I've been the grown up. I mean, I've taken care of Dawn, I've managed to provide for us and still I've been taking care of the stuff you saw me take care of last night. Being the Slayer hasn't made it a picnic, far from it, but at least I've had that additional strenght and I'm happy 'bout that... I only had one person to really turn to, who took care of me... Giles." She paused, Hank's eyes had grown even more serious and he looked slightly saddened, but she knew now what she had to have said. "I want you to know that I've thought about you a lot, I love you, you're my dad. But Giles is my father... I mean, he's shouldered that role for a long time. I wanna ask him to be godfather to Katie."
Hank stopped and looked at her, a sudden smile growing on his lips and then he nodded.
"Of course," he said.
"Well, you don't have to look so relieved!" Buffy stated and he shook his head.
"No, it's not 'cause of that... I thought..."
"What?" she asked.
"I thought you were gonna tell me that you wanted him to...give you away," he answered silently, barely able to meet her gaze and now she smiled.
"He's kinda perfoming the ceremony," she remarked and now Hank looked up, smiling back and shaking his head at himself.
"Yes, of course. Well, would you have wanted him to, had he not been?"
She was silent for a moment and then she reached out a hand and took his.
"No, I've only ever thought one person could give me away," she answered and tears rose in his eyes as he squeezed her hand. "So, will you?" she added and now he laughed, nodding and then taking a step forward, putting his arms around her and hugging her tight.
"My little girl!" he said gently and she felt herself choke up as she carefully put her arms around him as well. "I love you so much. I would be honored to give you away."
They stood like that for a long time, when they finally pulled apart they both swiped at their tears but smiled at each other.
"Even if it's to a vampire," Hank now added to his previous statement and at that Buffy couldn't help but laugh.
***
Jacob and Giles arrived with no delays the following morning.
Sarah embraced her father and then turned to Giles with an almost shy smile, making a small courtesy and Giles smiled back, bowing his head before reaching out and taking her hand, leaning down and kissing it softly.
Buffy had never seen Sarah blush before and the former couldn't bite back a smile at the sight.
"Welcome home," she then said, taking a step forward to give Giles a hug and he sighed a little.
"Whatever sort of home the Hellmouth may be," he replied and she tilted her head to the side.
"Hey," she then said. "Any regrets?"
He looked at her and then shook his head before smiling.
"No, no regrets... I guess I'm just slightly melancolic, but it will pass," he answered her and she could tell he thought the glance he threw Sarah's way just slipped by her but she noticed and as they entered the Summers home half an hour later she couldn't help but grab a hold on Sarah and pull her aside.
"WHAT is going on with you two?" she asked and Sarah raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Duh!" Buffy exclaimed, lowering her voice as she added: "You and GILES."
Sarah tried to hide it but once more her cheeks grew flushed and Buffy's eyes grew.
"You're in love with him!" she stated. "Oh, my God, I can't believe I didn't notice this before! Is he in...Eh, stupid question. Well? Has anything happened?"
"Shh, Buffy, please! Calm yourself," Sarah pleaded, looking around to make sure the man in question was nowhere near enough to listen in on their conversation. "I admit I do find him very...pleasant, in many different aspects, but I can't permit myself to...develope any stronger feelings for him," she then answered and Buffy frowned.
"Look, I am a MASTER at this stuff, okay? Do you think I WANTED to 'develope any stronger feelings' for a certain vamp-now-fiancé, huh? I mean, I NEVER thought I'd love him, I couldn't wait for him to leave town, I wanted to DUST him out of it, for crying out loud. And now, look at me. I can't imagine living without that demon."
"What was that, hon?" Spike asked, coming down the stairs.
"Oh, nothing, darling. Move along," she answered and he grinned at her before doing as she asked, moving along into the kitchen.
"Well, that's different," Sarah grumbled.
"Different how? You and Giles are just SO right for each other. English, which means tea drinkers and scones eaters; can you GET an easier sollution to the WHAT shall we have for a snack problem? I don't think so. Both of you are deeply interested in the weird and disturbing of the world, and believe me, more often than sometimes you NEED to SHARE it, and..."
"From completely different centuries?" Sarah filled in, her blue eyes filled with a sudden sorrow and Buffy felt it seep into her as well at the realization.
"Oh...how could I forget," she mumbled and Sarah sighed.
"Well, I didn't. And I mustn't. I can't stay, Buffy, no matter how badly I might want to," she then said, smiling a little sadly before turning around. "I'll be in the kitchen," she added as she walked away.
Buffy furrowed her brow, crossing her arms over her chest and sighing deeply.
Great, she grumbled. The perfect lady and she has to be born a hundred years too soon? Darn it, this isn't fair.
Then she got to thinking that if Dru hadn't turned William he wouldn't be there for her now, to hold and touch and love. For a split second she actually felt gratitude towards the old nutcase, but then it was quickly replaced by gratitude towards the higher power instead.
She went to look for him, overcome by a sudden need to feel his arms safely around her.
***
Nasatar. Nasatar. Grotrut akrol. Binitar. Binitar. Lotir asor.
The small demon stared at the peice of glass before him on the table; slowly, but surely, the reflections in it began to move.
"Yessss," he whispered. "Yessss."
The Continuance
By Annie
10-15-2002
Dawn went downstairs the following morning, walked into the kitchen and then stopped in the doorway, her eyebrows rising. Then she shook her head a little, entered the kitchen and walked up to the fridge to start on breakfast. She knew Willow would soon be out of the shower, Tara was on her way down, Buffy and Spike always slept late and... She frowned.
She just had this peculiar feeling.
She put the milk down on the breakfast table in the middle of the kitchen, shut the fridge door and walked into the living room. Her eyes grew as she stared at the man asleep on the couch.
"Dad?" she whispered.
Then she turned, ran back into the kitchen, through it and into the hallway proceeding up the stairs. She threw the door to Buffy's room open, storming up to the bedside and bending down, grabbing her sister and shaking her awake.
"What? What? What?!" Buffy exclaimed, sitting up and getting her hair out of her face, staring at Dawn.
"WHAT is that man looking suspiciously like our father, but who can impossibly BE our father, doing sleeping on our couch?!" she asked and Buffy got off the bed with an apologetic look on her face.
"I'm sorry I didn't wake you. It was so late when we got back and you looked like you were sleeping so deeply..."
"You looked at me while I was sleeping?"
"Well...yes," Buffy answered.
"Did he do that too?"
"Well...yes, but only for a second and I tried to tell him we couldn't, but he insisted and so... Dawnie, he came here last night and we talked a little and...I shocked him a little... I wanna give him a chance. Is that okay with you?" Buffy asked and Dawn looked at her, then sighed.
"I guess... I was just surprised at seeing him there, you know?" she answered.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. You sure you're okay?" Buffy asked and Dawn nodded.
"Yeah, I'm kinda happy, actually," she then said and Buffy smiled, relieved.
"Hey, Dawn," Spike murmured from the bed.
"Hey," she answered with a smile. "You still tired?"
"Uh-huh... Would you mind telling my wife-to-be to please get herself back into bed?" he asked politely and Dawn laughed.
"I think she heard you," she answered as Buffy slid back in between the sheets.
"Love you," Buffy said, giving her sister another smile.
"Love you," Dawn replied before turning and walking out of the room again, closing the door carefully behind her and then heading downstairs.
Willow was now head off the breakfast preparing, Tara was by the stove making her tasty pancakes, and they both looked up as she entered the room.
"Hi," she said and they smiled at her.
"Morning," Willow nodded. "Eh...did you see that we've got company?" she added and Dawn glanced to the doorway leading into the living room.
"Yeah, and it's fine... I mean, it'll take some adjusting. I have no idea what I'm gonna say to him... but yeah, it's fine," she answered. "Can I help?" she added and Willow nodded, gesturing to the fridge.
"Good morning," a hesitant voice was heard from the doorway previously glanced through and Dawn turned around, her eyes growing slightly at the sight of her father actually standing there.
"Good morning," she said slowly, then she smiled a little and he smiled back. "Pancakes?" she asked and his smile widened slightly.
***
"You know," Dawn said as she and Hank twenty minutes later were seated on the couch in the living room; breakfast finished, "I wouldn't figure you for a duffle bag kinda guy," she then finished and he smiled.
"Well, it's just a lot easier to carry it with you on a bus than regular luggage," he answered her and she raised her eyebrows slightly surprised.
"But you don't look like anything short of a business man," she then stated and he looked slightly flattered. "It's true! I mean, I really thought you were off somewhere doing well for yourself... well enough to have a car even," she then added and he looked at her for such a long time without making any attempt at speaking that she was about to open her mouth and repeat what she had just said.
This, however, made him seemingly get his act together and he smiled again, this time a little nervously.
"I do have a car," he replied slowly and she waited for him to continue, because it didn't sound like he was quite done. He did continue and she almost wished he hadn't as he said: "Sue...my wife...needed it for her work."
"Oh," was all Dawn could get out, her eyes growing slightly.
"I'm so sorry, pumpkin...It just happened and I didn't want to bother you with it... Buffy and you... Alright, bottom line: I was really scared you two'd never talk to me again, and Sue's just so wonderful I couldn't bear having to give her up, and I knew I would have if you'd told me to..."
"Daddy!" Dawn exclaimed, taken slightly aback by that statement and getting to her feet. "What do you think we are? Heartless? We wouldn't have TOLD you to break up with your girlfriend! Er...wife... Eh, whatever! I mean, gees."
"That's right," Buffy's voice sounded from the doorway and they both turned their heads to look at her. "We really wouldn't have, but we wouldn't have been thrilled either. I'm slightly shocked over these news, how about you, Dawn?"
"Yeah, slightly," she agreed silently.
"That's settled then," Buffy stated just as the door bell rang and Dawn grabbed her backpack from the armchair.
"That's Devon, we're walking to school together," she said, giving Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Be good now," Buffy encouraged wryly and Dawn made a face before opening the door.
"Hi," she said and Devon smiled a little.
"Hey," he answered. "Ready?"
"Yup. Bye!"
She stepped out through the door and closed it behind her, Buffy watching it for a moment before turning her gaze on her father. This alien sitting on her couch... She wished she didn't have to feel that way about him, but she had never felt more like he was nothing but a stranger than right then and there. He was re-married?
"How could you not pick up the phone to tell us you were getting married again?" she asked, voice trembling with held back emotions and he got to his feet, guilt plastered all over his face.
Good, she thought at the sight of it.
"I'm sorry, honey."
"So many things to be sorry about, right, dad?" she grumbled, shaking her head and looking away from him.
"Buffy..."
"Just don't, not right now... I have some things to get done, we can talk about this later," she stated, turning around and walking into the kitchen.
She felt so confused. Having him back in her life like this was difficult to deal with as it was, now she had to deal with...a stepmother?
Oh, God, she whined in her head. This is just perfect. Just bloody perfect!
She grabbed her purse, made sure she had her wallet in it, and then walked up to the kitchen door. She had some more shopping to do, and she had to decide on a cake. She wanted to get one peice of each, bring it home and have Spike taste it. She really wanted them to do as much of this as possible together. She had brought it up the previous night, he was - as always when he was needed to stay at home instead of coming with her on patrol - awake when she got home and he had agreed. He wanted to be part of the planning as well. As long as it didn't mean he had to actually sit down with a catalogue of flower arrangements or decoration options.
And he didn't, all he had to do was look at a few samples of everything and help her decide. Or in this case: TASTE a few samples...
She smiled to herself. No matter how messy her life was getting he would always be there.
Happily she trotted to the pastery shop.
***
The day past quietly. Dawn got home from school, Willow and Tara did as well. Spike spent most of the day in Buffy's and now his room, reading old books of poetry for a reason he was very secretive about whenever someone had the gut to stick their head through the door. Sarah had gone with Anya and Xander on a mission of finding a first class seamstress who could sew the wedding dress Buffy wanted in less than a week, Xander a very reluctant companion on the trip.
Buffy got the five samples of cake to Spike, who got off the bed and met her half way inside the room, turning her around and firmly making her walk back out through the door.
"WHAT are you doing in there?" she asked, looking over her shoulder with a small smile on her lips, trying to get a look through the slightly gaping door.
"If you love me you won't ask," he answered her, bending forward and kissing her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Pulling away a little she held his gaze.
"You have no idea how much I love you," she whispered, forehead to his and he smiled.
"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that," he whispered back and she returned his smile. "Did you get the cake?" he added, straightening his back a little and pulling away from her further.
She sighed discontently before a smile split her face and her eyes suddenly began to sparkle.
"Correction, dear," she said, taking his hand and starting towards the stairs. "I got the CAKES, as in plural, my love."
"I beg your pardon," he stated and she laughed.
"Pardon granted."
They walked downstairs and into the kitchen where a large, square and incredibly pink box was placed, a light green string tied around it and creating a big bow on the top of it.
"That's purty!" he exclaimed and she laughed again, walking up to it and pulling the bow open. "Aw, you've gone and ruined it now, sweetie," he added and she giggled, shaking her head at him and giving him a peck on the cheek before opening the lid. "Blimey," he murmured, staring at the miniature wedding cakes safely tucked inside.
"Blimey?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow at him and he grinned.
"I'm just sayin' THOSE are REAL purty," he answered and she slapped him on the arm. "So, I'm supposed to take a bite out of each and every one of these little babies... no offense Katie," he stopped himself, putting one hand on Buffy's stomach and she smiled, " and then decide which one I like best?"
"As simple as that," Buffy confirmed.
"Alrighty, give me a bloody fork and I'll dig in," he stated and she reached over, grabbing one item consisting of what he'd asked for and handing it to him. "Perfect," he said, eyeing the goodies in the box closely. "I think I'll start with the pink one, it looks annoyingly cheerful and THAT leads me to suspect it'll go bloody well with a wedding."
She observed him as he took the first bite, smiling widely at his commitment to the task as he closed his eyes and with a serious look on his face tasted the sweetness.
"I like this one... but it IS a little bit too..." he trailed off, opening his eyes and looking at her with a searching expression before his face lit up. "A bit too moist," he concluded and she bit her cheek not to burst out laughing.
She could tell he was teasing her, and he was making a marvelous performance of it.
Ten minutes later the fork sunk into the last peice of cake, a dark brown, chocolate cake which made him open his eyes right away, then he nodded. Now he really was serious.
"Babe," he said. "This is absolutely the one. You order this cake or I'll refuse to eat ANYTHING at the wedding."
"The chocolate one?" she asked, pulling herself a little closer to him and he could easily interpret the sudden dangerous look in her eyes. He nodded slightly, looking deep into them and she smiled. "That one reminded me of you... Dark," she stood on her toes, her hands on his shoulders and her mouth suddenly hot against the skin of his throat. "Heavy..." she continued, her lips moving and sending shots of pleasure travelling in every nerve. "Rich..." she added, moving her head up and her lips rested tenderly against his. "Creamy..." she whispered and a low moan rose out of his throat, causing a smile on her lips showing exactly how content that sound made her. "Irresistable..." she finished and he pulled her even tighter to him, kissing her deeply.
Then he lifted her up in his arms and she laughed heartily as he headed towards the stairs.
"I thought our room was off limits," she murmured seductively into his ear.
"We're not going there," he answered, a low purr deep in his throat and she felt the shivers he always provoked gently run through her.
"Then I must demand of you to tell me where you're taking me, sir," she said and he smiled devilishly before stopping in front of the door to the bathroom.
"To the shower," he answered and a smile grew on her lips as well as he got the door open and stepped inside.
***
"That was a delocious meal, Tara," Hank said.
It was almost eight o'clock that evening and they had just finished supper.
"Thank you, Mr. Summers," Tara replied with a smile.
"It really was," Buffy agreed, helping to clear the table she brought a stack of plates into the kitchen where the two others were situated. "Dad," she added. "Can we...talk?"
He nodded serenely before gesturing towards the kitchen door with a questioning look. She nodded as well, walking past him and up to it. They stepped through it, closed it and then walked slowly into the backyard.
"As you can imagine...having you here is sorta...strange," she began, still not sure exactly what she wanted to have said or how to say it, but determined to give it a try. "I mean, I wanted you to know that you were gonna be a grandfather... but that you actually came, it was a surprise."
"I'm so sorry if I intruded..."
"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "Please, let me finish. Since mom died I've been the grown up. I mean, I've taken care of Dawn, I've managed to provide for us and still I've been taking care of the stuff you saw me take care of last night. Being the Slayer hasn't made it a picnic, far from it, but at least I've had that additional strenght and I'm happy 'bout that... I only had one person to really turn to, who took care of me... Giles." She paused, Hank's eyes had grown even more serious and he looked slightly saddened, but she knew now what she had to have said. "I want you to know that I've thought about you a lot, I love you, you're my dad. But Giles is my father... I mean, he's shouldered that role for a long time. I wanna ask him to be godfather to Katie."
Hank stopped and looked at her, a sudden smile growing on his lips and then he nodded.
"Of course," he said.
"Well, you don't have to look so relieved!" Buffy stated and he shook his head.
"No, it's not 'cause of that... I thought..."
"What?" she asked.
"I thought you were gonna tell me that you wanted him to...give you away," he answered silently, barely able to meet her gaze and now she smiled.
"He's kinda perfoming the ceremony," she remarked and now Hank looked up, smiling back and shaking his head at himself.
"Yes, of course. Well, would you have wanted him to, had he not been?"
She was silent for a moment and then she reached out a hand and took his.
"No, I've only ever thought one person could give me away," she answered and tears rose in his eyes as he squeezed her hand. "So, will you?" she added and now he laughed, nodding and then taking a step forward, putting his arms around her and hugging her tight.
"My little girl!" he said gently and she felt herself choke up as she carefully put her arms around him as well. "I love you so much. I would be honored to give you away."
They stood like that for a long time, when they finally pulled apart they both swiped at their tears but smiled at each other.
"Even if it's to a vampire," Hank now added to his previous statement and at that Buffy couldn't help but laugh.
***
Jacob and Giles arrived with no delays the following morning.
Sarah embraced her father and then turned to Giles with an almost shy smile, making a small courtesy and Giles smiled back, bowing his head before reaching out and taking her hand, leaning down and kissing it softly.
Buffy had never seen Sarah blush before and the former couldn't bite back a smile at the sight.
"Welcome home," she then said, taking a step forward to give Giles a hug and he sighed a little.
"Whatever sort of home the Hellmouth may be," he replied and she tilted her head to the side.
"Hey," she then said. "Any regrets?"
He looked at her and then shook his head before smiling.
"No, no regrets... I guess I'm just slightly melancolic, but it will pass," he answered her and she could tell he thought the glance he threw Sarah's way just slipped by her but she noticed and as they entered the Summers home half an hour later she couldn't help but grab a hold on Sarah and pull her aside.
"WHAT is going on with you two?" she asked and Sarah raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Duh!" Buffy exclaimed, lowering her voice as she added: "You and GILES."
Sarah tried to hide it but once more her cheeks grew flushed and Buffy's eyes grew.
"You're in love with him!" she stated. "Oh, my God, I can't believe I didn't notice this before! Is he in...Eh, stupid question. Well? Has anything happened?"
"Shh, Buffy, please! Calm yourself," Sarah pleaded, looking around to make sure the man in question was nowhere near enough to listen in on their conversation. "I admit I do find him very...pleasant, in many different aspects, but I can't permit myself to...develope any stronger feelings for him," she then answered and Buffy frowned.
"Look, I am a MASTER at this stuff, okay? Do you think I WANTED to 'develope any stronger feelings' for a certain vamp-now-fiancé, huh? I mean, I NEVER thought I'd love him, I couldn't wait for him to leave town, I wanted to DUST him out of it, for crying out loud. And now, look at me. I can't imagine living without that demon."
"What was that, hon?" Spike asked, coming down the stairs.
"Oh, nothing, darling. Move along," she answered and he grinned at her before doing as she asked, moving along into the kitchen.
"Well, that's different," Sarah grumbled.
"Different how? You and Giles are just SO right for each other. English, which means tea drinkers and scones eaters; can you GET an easier sollution to the WHAT shall we have for a snack problem? I don't think so. Both of you are deeply interested in the weird and disturbing of the world, and believe me, more often than sometimes you NEED to SHARE it, and..."
"From completely different centuries?" Sarah filled in, her blue eyes filled with a sudden sorrow and Buffy felt it seep into her as well at the realization.
"Oh...how could I forget," she mumbled and Sarah sighed.
"Well, I didn't. And I mustn't. I can't stay, Buffy, no matter how badly I might want to," she then said, smiling a little sadly before turning around. "I'll be in the kitchen," she added as she walked away.
Buffy furrowed her brow, crossing her arms over her chest and sighing deeply.
Great, she grumbled. The perfect lady and she has to be born a hundred years too soon? Darn it, this isn't fair.
Then she got to thinking that if Dru hadn't turned William he wouldn't be there for her now, to hold and touch and love. For a split second she actually felt gratitude towards the old nutcase, but then it was quickly replaced by gratitude towards the higher power instead.
She went to look for him, overcome by a sudden need to feel his arms safely around her.
***
Nasatar. Nasatar. Grotrut akrol. Binitar. Binitar. Lotir asor.
The small demon stared at the peice of glass before him on the table; slowly, but surely, the reflections in it began to move.
"Yessss," he whispered. "Yessss."