Thank you sooo much for your reviews! Its thanks to them that I've got this next chappie out. I'm really ill but you guys made me go 'aww' just *so* damn much.
Hope you enjoy this – please review!!!!
Expect more Childer-en soon for those of you who read it :D
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"A trip?"
"Just for the day, we stay the night and leave early the next morning."
"Hmm." Buffy was dubious.
Dawn had suggested that the Sunnydale Gang take a short day trip to a nearby countryside lodge where they would be able to relax and see the beautiful British landscape. As pretty and quaint as the village they were in was, and as surrounded by large stretching fields…its trickling river couldn't compare to the large lake it joined up to a few miles away which was right beside the lodge.
"Sounds good to me nibblet."
"Mmm, I'd love to show the kids the lake, it sounds beautiful." Xander pitched in.
"I think it's a great idea." Brian smiled. "Buffy you go- I'll stay here with the dogs and man the phone in case the caterers or the organisers call. You should go relax with your friends."
"You sure you don't mind?" Buffy said, furrowing her eyebrows.
"I'm positive, its settled, you guys leave tomorrow morning."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~
The drive down to the lake was made in almost silence. Liz, Haile and Poppy fell asleep in the car again instantly, the early start was far too early in their opinion and the adults were also toned down, partially due to the fact that it was indeed, very early in the morning, and partially because the countryside that they were passing was breathtaking in its early morning moisture and desertion.
Once they reached the lodge, they were beginning to wake up a little more and as soon as they'd gotton themselves rooms, they set off on the 15-minute walk into the nearby village that shared a small border of the lake.
The day was spent in childish relaxation, dipping between the cobbled streets of the small village and lunching in an alleyway café between wandering around the local shops. They went to a local farm that did a small tour of its property and the kids were stunned to see cows and sheep close up. A good half hour was spent playing with the lambs and feeding them milk from bottles as they crowded round the gang's feet.
Spike and Buffy seemed to slip out of time and everyone noticed it – they laughed in time with each other and were so carefree and energised it buzzed up the whole group. Dawn was shocked at the change in her demure, rulebook sister and Buffy herself felt all the tension melt from her muscles and she just had a good time with her best friend in the world.
In the evening they were invited to the daily lodge barbecue but for the hour or two they had before then, they went out onto lake and did a little fishing. Buffy took an opportunity in Spike leaning over the edge of the boat to push him all the way over and she giggled as his splash echoed across the water.
"BUFFY!" Liz giggled and her eyes went wide at her Dad's predicament. Grinning evilly, Buffy picked up the little girl and threw her into the lake on top of her father.
They were all laughing and all of them jumped in save Angel and Cordelia who had taken Connor to bed and were spending the afternoon together.
They paddled about in the lake until dark and then traipsed back to the lodge to shower and dress for the evening barbecue party. Spike felt his aching heart catch in his throat at the sight of Buffy that night. Her hair was pulled back slightly into a twist half ponytail and she was wearing a deep navy blue strappy dress and a matching necklace with a dark sparkling blue gem that was so close to black it warranted a second glance. He had chosen murky green khakis himself, with a black sweater.
The kids ran about them trying in vain to catch fireflies with Xander who was claming to have caught them 'all the time when (he) was a kid'. The smell of barbecue and smoke lulled them into a comfortable chatting mood with the comforting presence of quiet background music. The evening progressed, people danced and eventually ate and as the night drew even darker, all the children ran into the shallow part of the lake and splashed around trying to cool down from the summer humidity. Buffy and Spike found themselves lying on a grass mound a little further away from the main activity, watching as their friends were either dancing, eating or playing around.
"This has been an amazing day, Spike."
"That it has, I'm glad we came."
"Yeah."
They were silent for a moment and then Spike felt Buffy lay her head against his shoulder and her weight fall onto his chest. Leaning back on his arms, he just stayed still and they were silent together, just 'being'.
Their heads shot up as the fireworks were lit and they watched as the bright colours were reflected in the lake below them. There were gasps and giggles filling the air as the two friends grinned at their initial shock and went back to lying down.
"I've missed this so much, luv." Spike said quietly. "Why did you leave me?"
Buffy stiffened and he took the moment to sit them both up and grasp her shoulders.
"Buffy?"
"It had to be done, Spike. Please leave it."
"No, I can't."
"Why?"
"Because Buffy, the only reason I'm not stopping this wedding is because I think you've changed into someone else and that you aren't the Buffy I'm in love with – the old Buffy. So tell me you didn't leave to get rid of old Buffy and I'll be ok…because if you did leave to get rid of her – she wont have gone and…"
He stopped, seeing the tears falling from her eyes and her breaths catching.
"Ssh, pet, why are you crying?"
She let out a sob and he pulled her closer into a comforting embrace.
"Please tell me." He whispered.
"Spi-Spike, I…I, I.."
He frowned, watching her struggle with her words.
The party continued behind them, giggles and squeals bursting through the night as the fireworks continued, but the two friends were oblivious to it all as Buffy, unable to speak, jerked Spike to her lips.
It burned. It stung. Blood rushed to her head and her entire body thudded with every heartbeat. They pulled back, blindingly gasping for a breath before forcing themselves together again. Tears streamed down her face with the ferocious pain and unbelievable, consuming release – after all those years, after not having him and getting rid of him from her life, he was there and they were together and –
"Guys. I don't think you should be doing that."
Buffy and Spike broke apart, breathless, and saw Xander looking at them, an expression of utter disappointment and severity in his features.
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I'm awfully ill
And I've taken a pill
But what'd really make me feel better
Would be a special type of letter
One that only you can do
So please, please review!
