Disclaimer: You know the drill by now. Yes, I took the title of the chapter from the song, "Layla" by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon. I personally prefer the rock version as opposed to the slow one, but that's just me.
Distribution: This fic is now complete! If you want it, drop me a line and ask please. Makes me feel special.
A/N: Okay, gang, this is the last chapter. I just want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing my story. It is my first posted and finished story and I couldn't be happier about it. Thanks for sticking with me on this piece; I loved writing it and I loved hearing from everyone about it. I'm a little sad to end it, but all things must end right? That being said, please enjoy the last chapter and I love you all and thank you so much for making my first posting so wonderful!
PineTranio
Chapter 21: Got Me On My Knees
"Dawn!" Hurry up or we're going to be late!"
Buffy was running behind as well. Spike was downstairs on the phone with Larry finalizing plans for the car to meet them at the airport in Buenos Aires. She wanted to leave as soon as he was done, but Dawn was being typical Dawn, dawdling around her room making sure she packed everything.
Buffy sighed. So much happened over the past months. Spike had fully healed and gotten over his insecurities surrounding his new found demon status. With Buffy by his side, he was happy and content with his lot in life. When he was ready, they left Giles and O'Malley in England and flew to the States. They only spent a few days there, catching up with the Xander and Willow. Buffy thought Spike would have an aneurysm listening to Xander spout off. He didn't seem surprised to hear about Spike and Buffy's relationship. Apparently, Dawn informed them not long after she found out herself. But, Xander was abuzz with so many questions and sarcastic threats and stories that it was almost unbearable, even for Buffy. She promised them they would all be home for a nice Sunnydale Christmas, which was in a week and a half, but first it was off to Argentina. That was if Dawn ever got out of her room. If she packed any more clothes, she was going to have to buy a new suitcase to pack her souvenirs from South America.
"Did you hear me, Dawn?" Buffy called out as she continued her search through her dresser, desperately trying to find something. She needed it before they left for Buenos Aires and there was no way she was leaving without it.
Underneath her holy water, stakes and crosses, near the back of the drawer, her fingers touched a crumpled piece of tissue. Realizing she found what she wanted, Buffy placed the item in her purse and bounded down the stairs in search of her man.
"Ready, love?" he asked as she came into the living room.
"Yes, finally," she answered before jumping into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist and gave him a hard, wet kiss. "I can't wait to get there! First thing we do is call Clem and Carlotta and go party!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Does it have to be the first thing we do?" he purred in her ear.
"Well, maybe the third or fourth," Buffy said with a big smile. She leaned in kissed his also smiling lips.
"Are you two gonna play kissy face all day or are we going to Buenos Aires?"
Spike placed Buffy back on her feet as Dawn walked into the room. "Well, well, well, look who's finally packed," Spike said with a smirk, which quickly turned into a scowl when he saw the number of bags waiting for him in the hallway. He muttered something under his breath about bloody women and all their bloody belongings as he took the first two suitcases out to the car.
When the younger Summers heard the car door open, she turned to her older sister. "Find it?"
Buffy patted her side. "Yes, I did."
Dawn jumped into the air. "Buenos Aires is going to be so cool!"
"For Christ's sake, Bit, did you leave anything in your room?" Spike asked when he entered the house. "Come on now, give a bloke a hand. I'm not taking care of all your stuff." Dawn and Buffy each picked up some luggage and headed out to the car and soon they were off to the airport.
Dawn was on Cloud Nine from the moment she stepped off the plane in Buenos Aires. She advanced to Cloud Ten when Spike's hot driver helped her with her bags and she proceeded on up every minute she was there. It was vibrant and loud, but peaceful and inviting all at the same time. Despite her sarcastic remarks, Dawn was so happy to see her sister and her best friend/father figure together. They were always holding hands and sneaking glances at each other and stealing momentary kisses. Dawn had visions of fending for herself while on vacation, seeing as the two love birds probably wanted to just stay in bed, but Buffy and Spike wouldn't hear of it. They took her all over the city, showing her all the restaurants, discotheques, La Luna Loca and they snuck in some rather educational trips to balance things out. It was the most amazing place she had ever been.
Her favorite part was being with Spike though. They hadn't seen each other in five years and within a matter of seconds, they were back into their routine. She didn't know how she survived being away from him so long. God, if she felt that way, she could only imagine what her sister felt. Luckily, neither of them ever had to worry about being parted from Spike again.
Dawn stared out the French doors that led to the balcony in the living room. She insisted Spike and Buffy take the bedroom, which they accepted with very grateful smiles. She loved the apartment, small stylish, rather masculine, but not overly so. She felt at home there, in the apartment, the present company, in everything. Finally, a family, the family she dreamt about was hers. Dawn smiled out at the slowly waning night sky and thanked her lucky stars. She slowly closed her blue eyes and waited for sleep to whisk her away. Now, if only her date with Larry tomorrow went as well as the rest of her life…
Buffy sat at a table in La Luna Loca, surrounded by her boisterous friends. It was great to be back, even better to be there as Spike's girlfriend. No one wasted any time with their, "Congratulations!" and "Took you long enough." Buffy blushed feverishly at all the happy faces, but she loved every minute of it. She wanted the world to see what she had, what they had, because there was nothing like it in the entire world.
Buffy laughed as she watched Spike teach Dawn how to tango. She was doing well, probably better than Buffy would be. She was glad her little sister was enjoying Buenos Aires, though Spike believed she was enjoying too much of Larry's attentions. Buffy laughed it off and reminded Spike how much he liked Larry. To which he replied, "As a bartender." He smiled when Buffy reminded them that they were leaving with Dawn and not Larry in two days.
"How are you doing, lovie?"
Buffy pulled her eyes from the dance floor at fixed them on Carlotta. "Hey, Carlotta. I'm just fine. You?"
"Can't complain." Carlotta leaned back in her chair and crossed her long legs. "Your sister's great, very entertaining."
"She is that."
"And she dotes on Spike."
"Always has," Buffy told her. "They've always been like that for the most part." Buffy mind began to drift. Periodically throughout the evening, Buffy phased out. Her thoughts raced a mile a minute and her heart rate would increase every time she thought about…it. She scared Spike a few times earlier when her heart rate picked up. She assured him she was fine, just excited to be back.
Carlotta poked the dazed Slayer in the side. "Stop doing that," the fiery dancer ordered. "Where are you going tonight? It must be quite captivating."
Buffy smiled and shook her head. "Forget about it. I'm just thinking too much."
"Thinking too much about what?" Katia asked from across the table.
Carlotta stifled a giggle as Buffy sighed. "It's nothing, Katia. I'm fine really."
"I know what will put you in better spirits," Sid said as he stood and walked up to Buffy. He extended his hand to her. "Shall we?"
Buffy grinned at the kind gesture. She looked over at Katia for her approval. The woman just nodded her head, not even offering a comment. Buffy accepted Sid's hand and the two headed to the dance floor.
Spike and Dawn were just finishing their lesson as they passed. Spike kissed his lover's forehead.
"Be careful with this one. You might lose your toes," he joked, remembering the waltz at the wedding.
Sid laughed. "I'm not worried; she worth a few broken bones."
"More than a few." He winked at Buffy. "See you at the table, love."
Spike turned to leave and didn't notice the knowing look Dawn gave Buffy. The Slayer nodded her head vehemently before going to dance.
"You decide what you are going to do now, Spike?" Clem asked his best friend.
Spike took a sip of his eggnog and brandy. He didn't know how Larry did it, but this stuff was bloody marvelous. "Not really. We're finishing our vacation with the Bit, heading back to Sunnyhell for Christmas with Red and the whelp, and then we planned on staying down here for a while longer. That is unless something happens to bring us away. And knowing my Slayer, there is always something that must be done."
Clem slapped Spike on the back with his flabby hand. "So, we get to keep you guys for awhile. I'm so happy!" The demon impulsively grabbed the half vampire and pulled him into a big hug. "I missed you guys when you were gone."
"No too much I hope," Carlotta insinuated. She sat on the other side of Spike and joined in on the hug. "Who am I kidding? I missed you too!"
Spike patted his friends on their backs. "Alright, kiddies, enough of the sentimental display."
Carlotta pulled away, but kept one hand draped across his shoulders. "Oh, come on, Vampy. We know you missed us too. Buffy said you kept whining about being up in London and you just wanted to come back and be with us."
Spike rolled his eyes. " 'Buffy said. Buffy said.' I think your wife and my girlfriend are talking too much, mate." Clem chuckled, knowing full well it was completely true.
Carlotta pouted. "Are you calling me a blabber mouth?!" Spike held up his hands in defense. "Truthfully, Spike, you've got a real winner there. I knew it as soon as I saw her, just something about her. Hell, I probably love as much as you do," she confessed gleefully.
"I don't think that's possible," Spike said, his gaze firmly placed on Buffy's dancing form. She looked like an angel, no, not an angel, a gift from Heaven. She was wearing a long, flowing green dress with a low cut front and plunging back line. Her hair hung loosely at her shoulders, few strands held in the back by a gold clip, showing off the diamond earrings he gave her for their one month anniversary. She threw her head back, laughing at something Sid said. Even from his seat at the table, Spike could see the faint marks of his bite on her neck. She never hid them from anyone, even if they had been renewed the night before. She didn't care who saw them and it filled him love and pride.
"Oh, love is in the air."
Carlotta's comment pulled Spike from the dance floor. He followed her gaze over to a darkened corner by the bar. Spike clearly saw Dawn in Larry's arms, whispering into his ear. A growl erupted from his chest. "If you'll excuse me. I'm going to go peel my bartender off of my lil girl."
"Let them be, Spike. They're not hurting anyone."
Spike sneered as Dawn gently brushed her lips over Larry's. "He better have more sense than to maul her right in front of me."
As if sensing they were being watched, the two turned to Spike. He just gave Larry a slight nod of the head and the bartender gave Dawn a quick kiss on the cheek before going back behind the bar. Spike laughed out loud at Dawn's disgruntled face as she scowled at the vampire.
"Spike," Carlotta began, "I fear for your children's sanity with you as their over protective father."
"Why?" Clem asked. "Because he can actually carry out all the threats he throws around?"
They all smiled at the thought of Spike scaring off unwanted teenage boys from his daughter-to-be. Honestly, Spike couldn't wait.
He sat in his small room, dark, cold and silent. Nothing to do, but sit, pace and let his mind wander. He hadn't seen his father since he was placed into confinement, not that he minded really. But, since Christmas was almost here, he wondered if his father would concede to visit his son.
If only that blasted vampire hadn't pushed him! The Council would be rubble and all the hypocrites who called themselves Watchers would be gone. The first few days in his cell were one big blur; he sat in solemnity, thinking only of her. Then after about a week, he stopped mourning and started planning. He would avenge her death; kill the thing that now had her essence swimming around inside of him. That wretch didn't deserve it!
"God damn the man!" he cursed. "Fucking vampire!" His voice echoed off the walls surrounding him.
Colin slumped onto his bed and put his head in his hands. Somehow, someday, he would get out of there, he vowed.
The errant Watcher lifted his dark menacing eyes at the sound of clanging metal.
The door to his prison opened letting in a bright stream of light and a shadowed figure. Colin huffed at the sight and leaned back against the wall. "It's you. I was wondering how long it would be."
"Merry Christmas to you too, my boy," Quentin greeted as he closed the cell door behind him.
"Yes, a very merry Christmas indeed," Colin ground out through his clenched teeth.
"Don't be so despondent, Colin. I come bearing gifts."
"Old Saint Nicholas has come to me, has he? How lucky!" Colin exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The two men just regarded each other for a long time, neither saying anything. Finally, curiosity got the better of the young Travers. "What did you bring me?"
Quentin gave him a small smile. "You are being transferred to another location, a more comfortable room."
Colin arched his eyebrow. "Really? I can't even imagine why you would do something like this for me, so I need to ask, what's in it for you?"
His father frowned. "You displease me, Colin."
"Oh, what a surprise! My father's displeased with me."
"Don't be such a child. You can blame me and my lack of parenting skills all you want, but you got yourself into this mess, lad."
"I wouldn't have considered this if it wasn't for you."
Quentin released a hearty laugh. "What a plan it was, my boy! Allying yourself to that lunatic." Colin's eyes darkened at the mention of Leila. "You tried to undo all the Council's hard work. I must admit I trained you well. Your reasoning, while misguided at best, would have been a great triumph. You found the prophecy, something thousands of men searched for. You should be proud of yourself."
Colin snickered. "Where is all this praise coming from?" he inquired. "You are giving me a new cell, a better cell, and you are congratulating me on my attempt of sabotage. What other surprises do you have for me, Quentin?"
"I told you, Merry Christmas."
"And good will toward men. On second thought, not all men. Wretched vampire."
"Oh yes, William the Bloody. He was another reason for this farce, wasn't he?" Colin turned from his father's gaze. "I'm sure it will please you then to hear that he and Ms. Summers have left England together." Colin made no answer, but the fury growing in his body was becoming visible. "I respect your initiative and covert operations, but, as I said, Colin, it was a faulty plan."
"Have any suggestion, St. Nick?"
A glint appeared in Quentin's eyes. "Actually, I have a few."
"A-are you joking with me?"
"Does it look like I am?"
"B-but, it's- I don't know what to say."
"Say 'yes'…and make the happiest woman in the world."
Spike looked down at Buffy on bended knee, clasping his hands. His heart was slamming against his ribcage repeatedly, so hard he thought he might have a bruise later. She was looking up at him, her green eyes sparkling and filled with love and anticipation.
"Buffy, I'm supposed to be doing this, not you."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't get all Victorian on me, William." Buffy reached into her tiny purse that sat on the table and retrieved a piece of tissue. She unfolded the delicate paper and nestled inside was a skull ring, his skull ring that he gave to her eight years ago. "I am so in love with you," Buffy proclaimed. La Luna Loca was absolutely silent, everyone's eyes and ears were on the famed couple. Buffy held out the treasured symbol to Spike. "Marry me?"
Spike inhaled sharply. "Buffy, I- yes."
Buffy released the breath she unconsciously held and tears began to fall. Spike lifted her to her feet and she slipped the ring onto his left ring finger. "I love you," Spike whispered.
Applause erupted from the audience. The pair smiled at each other, paying them no mind. Buffy leapt into Spike's arms and he spun her around and around, holding her tightly. After coming to a stop, he claimed her lips in the sweetest of kisses.
"Champagne for everyone!" Clem called out. The applause continued as glasses were filled and congratulations voiced.
Clem lifted his glass. "A toast!" He searched for the right words to say. He wasn't as eloquent as Spike, but he pressed forward as best he could. " To Spike and Buffy. Finally!" Everyone chuckled and clinked glasses.
Buffy rested her forehead against her fiancé's. "Merry Christmas, Spike."
"A very Merry Christmas," he corrected.
She stroked the sharp planes of his cheek, so soft. "You said yes," she murmured.
Spike pulled her close to his beating heart. "I can't believe you asked."
"You didn't suspect anything?"
Spike shook his head. "How long have you been planning this?"
She lifted her head and stare deeply into his eyes. "Since I said I love you." She tilted her head to kiss him again. She never doubted it for a second. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she knew it was right.
He deepened the soft kiss, his tongue sweeping past her heavenly lips. He was soaring. He felt complete happiness coursing through every working vein, every nerve ending in his body. Two thoughts stuck in his mind. One: the tiny ring box burning a hole in his duster pocket at home. He was going to give it to her for an early Christmas present, his mother's ring, sized down to fit his love's slim fingers. He couldn't wait to give it to her, but not until after the second thought. He would go home tonight to their apartment and make passionate, never ending love to his future wife!
He wanted to leave right then and there. He wanted to close them off for a night, open the balcony doors and let the breeze wrap around their forever entwined bodies as he proved over and over and over again just how much he loved her. A purr rumbled through his chest. Oh, God, he was getting married!
"So," Buffy breathed out, "I'm going to be Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Summers Curtis. What do you think?"
Spike took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. Doris Day was singing and he wanted to dance with his fiancé. "I don't think I've ever heard anything more wonderful, love."
He wrapped his arm around her tiny waist and led her in a tango. "You're a natural, pet."
"Just had a good teacher," she corrected.
Suddenly, Spike thought of something. "You're not pregnant, are you?"
Buffy laughed at the love of her life, her entire soul full of mirth. "One thing at time, Spike."
He placed butterfly kisses down her neck, over his mark, sending a hot shiver through Buffy. She moaned at his touch and pressed herself fully against him.
"Would it be bad form for us to sneak out of here?" he wanted to know.
Buffy giggled and looked around. Everyone was laughing and drinking champagne. She looked around at her new friends and her sister; they were all talking and holding hands, Clem and Carlotta were kissing. They were all so happy and content, but as much as she loved them…
Buffy turned towards her husband-to-be and kissed his chin. "Nah. Let's go home."
THE END
Shameless Plug Time or What's Next For Me: I am starting up a new fic called Stairway to Paradise. It is AU/fantasy loosely based on the movie, An American In Paris with Gene Kelly. Keep an eye out for it, but first I need some recupe time. Also I just completed and loaded a short holiday songfic called Skate Away if you are so interested. Thanks you once again for the support:)