Ha ha! The conclusion to The Council of Wankers. This chapter was sort of hard to get out and may be a bit cheesy at points. There is a great deal of fluff...but wedding type things ARE fluffy! :)
Let me know what you think!
************
Chapter 9
This was it, the moment that they had been waiting for. It seemed like an eternity since that night in the dungeon of the Watcher's Council when they had taken part of a revolution and he had killed the head of the council of wankers. Now they were back in Sunnydale, Buffy was healed, the full moon had just ended and he, William the Bloody was standing under a jasmine covered canopy in the Slayer's backyard waiting to be mated. While a bunch of humans looked on. Spike squirmed under their gaze and Angel slapped his hand companionably on his shoulder.
"Don't be nervous boy. You're getting your greatest wish." Spike turned and scowled at Angel half-heartedly.
"Yeah, yeah." He ducked his head in part embarrassment at what he had to do next. "Buffy and I, well, we just wanted to, you know." Spike paused and took a deep unneeded breathe. "We wanted to thank-you for blessing our mating. It really means a lot." He glanced at Angel apprehensively and was surprised to see that his sire seemed to have tears in his eyes. Spike looked at him in surprise and Angel sniffed suspiciously.
"Yeah, well. You're welcome." He paused and looked at Spike and gave him a fake glare. "Don't mention it. Ever." Spike smirked back at him, glad to be back on familiar ground.
"Don't worry about that." Spike slapped Angel on the back and they shared a brief laugh, which quickly stopped when he saw Buffy standing in the doorway.
Spike froze as he looked at her. Her blonde hair looked like a halo the way that it was catching the light from the kitchen and her blood red dress clung to her curves. Their eyes met and he couldn't help but let a sappy grin light up his face. His grin was mirrored in hers and Buffy slowly walked to him and met him under the canopy. Spike took her hand and they turned face each other with Angel standing on one side of them and their human friends standing on the other.
"A mating ceremony is something that is usually very private for vampires." Angel began. Buffy had asked him to say a few words before they proceeded so that her friends could better understand what this mean to her and to Spike. "Even if a sire does give his permission and blessing to two childer to mate, it is usually not done in good will, like it is in this case. But the meaning is still the same. By giving Buffy and Spike my blessing to this union, they can never be challenged by other vampires who wish to prevent or interfere with their mating. The mating itself is really just an exchange of blood and then each party says the claiming words. In this case, Buffy and Spike have chosen to exchange vows like in a mortal wedding in addition to the traditional claiming rites."
Angel paused and Spike looked around at the group assembled. Even though they were all so different, and sometimes had their problems with each other, they were all family. He finally understood why Buffy had been so adamant about doing it this way. He looked back at her and she was looking at him questioningly. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. Had he ever been this happy before?
"I now give my official blessing to Buffy and Spike and hope that I can be around them in the coming years to see how their bond will grow." Angel finished and turned to give Buffy a hug and slap Spike on the back again. Then, he walked over to stand beside Giles and watch the rest of the ceremony with the mortals. Xander elbowed him in the side and smirked at Angel.
"Hey, dead boy. That's the most I've ever heard you say." He whispered to Angel. Angel gave Xander a look that had once sent many brave men running for their lives. Xander just snickered at him. Cordelia pinched his arm.
"Xander Harris! You're ruining the moment!" She hissed and he looked sheepishly at everyone as Spike cleared his throat.
"Well, now that the whelp is done…" Spike began and flinched when Buffy squeezed his hand sharply. "Yeah. Well, Buffy and I decided that I would go first for vows." His eyes glazed over slightly as he remembered the night that had led to that decision. He shook himself and returned to his current task.
"Buffy, in the past two years you have been everything to me, enemy, ally, friend, and lover. I never knew myself until I saw me through your eyes. You make me believe that I can be better; that I can be good and that I am worthy of your love. Even though I know that I'm not worthy I swear that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, keep you happy, and make sure you know everyday how much I love you." Spike looked down at the ground a little sheepishly at saying this in front of the Scoobies, but when he looked up into Buffy's smiling face he knew it was worth it. Oz leaned over and pressed a simple gold band into Spike's hand and he smiled shyly at Buffy and slid it on her finger. "Let this ring be a symbol of my undying love for you, pet."
Buffy wiped a stray tear from her face and took Spike's hands back in hers. She didn't think that she would get this emotional, but looking into his eyes, she couldn't speak for a moment as she was overwhelmed by emotion.
"Spike…" She began and stopped talking for a second to take a calming breath. "Spike. You know that I'm not good with words but at this moment it doesn't matter because there are no words that can express to you and make you understand how much you mean to me and how much I love you. You saved my life that first night that I was turned and you keep saving me every night." Buffy paused again to blink back tears and her sharp hearing heard her mother sniff back tears. She turned to look at her friends and held out her hand to Willow who gave Buffy the ring she had picked out for Spike. Retaking his hand she pressed it to her face. "You gave me back my life and my hope Spike. I love you." She slid the ring on his finger and they came together for a brief kiss.
As they broke apart from the kiss, Spike held Buffy close to him and buried his face in her hair. They both allowed their demon faces to emerge and drew back to look at each other. Spike brushed her hair off her neck and sank his fangs into her neck taking one gulp of blood.
"With your blood I bind myself to you for all eternity." He said and Buffy smiled at him from behind her fangs. She moved to his neck and kissed the skin right above his jugular. He shuddered in anticipation and she bit him quickly and drank a mouthful of his blood.
"With your blood I bind myself to you for all eternity." She said and their game faces slid away. Both Buffy and Spike felt a shudder pass through them and they felt more aware of the other's presence. They grinned and turned to face their "guests", who looked a little pale. Angel was pointedly not looking at them.
"Well, what are we bloody waiting for?" Spike's smile grew wider when Xander and Giles both grew paler at the word blood. "Let's go eat some cake and dance to some tunes!"
*~*~*~*~*~
"Yes Faith, this new council is going to be terribly exciting." Giles exclaimed as he ate another forkful of cake and Faith smiled happily at him. Giles was pretty funny when he got all excited about stodgy old Watchers.
"Yeah, so what happened with Wesley anyways?" She asked and repressed a shudder at the look of evil glee Giles gave her.
"Ahh…Mr. Wydam-Price will no longer be seen skulking around Sunnydale. The new council called him back to England to stand trial for his role in Travers' plans." Faith laughed as she pictured Wesley trying to defend himself before a council tribunal. Giles looked at her thoughtfully. "They are sending for the third Slayer, Kennedy, to go to England to ask her what she wants to do. Since Buffy is here is in Sunnydale…" Giles trailed off and took off his glasses to clean them. Faith smiled as she looked around the happy group of people gathered around the Summers' house and she knew that she had finally found what she had been looking for all her life.
"I'm home Giles. This is where I want to stay." She paused and looked down at the ground before meeting Giles' eyes again. "Ironic isn't it that I find myself at home amongst vampires, werewolves, and witches while standing on a Hellmouth."
"Yes. The irony is not lost on me." They laugh together as Faith let go of all the anger and jealousy she had been holding inside for so long. She had a clean slate now.
*~*~*~*~
Xander looked over at where Buffy and Spike were smiling and laughing with Joyce and couldn't help but smile as Joyce went to the kitchen and Spike bent down to whisper in Buffy's ear. Cordelia whapped him on the head and he looked at her in surprise.
"Uhhh…Ow? What was that for?" He asked her while rubbing his head.
"Go over and talk to her you dufus."
"Cordy…"
"Xander. You know it's been on your mind since she came back from her torture session with that prick Travers. She's about to leave on her vampy-honeymoon and you won't get your chance for another two weeks!" She took Xander's hand and smiled at him softly. "I know how much she still means to you and now you do too. You just have to tell Buffy now." He smiled at Cordy and gave her a soft kiss. It was times like this he was glad she was his girlfriend. "And tuck in your shirt." She added and he rolled his eyes at her, but still tucked in his shirt and approached the bride and groom.
"Buffy. Spike." Xander greeted them and before they could say anything back he pulled Buffy into a fierce hug. She flinched a little and Xander pulled back slightly. "You ok, Buffster?"
"Just a little wound in my side courtesy of one Quentin Travers. It's ok though. It just acts up a little bit." Spike took her hand in his and Xander smiled at the pair and how happy they made each.
"You know…I never felt worse in my entire life than when I saw you get dusted by that shadow monster. Even if it was an illusion." Buffy's eyes filled with tears and Xander smiled at her and scuffed his foot on the carpet. "I don't know what I'd do without you Buffy. You or Willow." Buffy pulled Xander into a tight hug and he cleared his throat nervously wiped away something that suspiciously looked like tears.
"Xan…I-" Buffy began but Xander cut her off, not wanting to make Buffy's big day clouded in any way.
"Did you see the bride and groom on top of the cake?" Spike peered over Buffy's head and snorted and Xander grinned at her. "Cordy and I drew little fangs on the bride and groom." Buffy giggled and Spike patted Xander on the back. Anyone who could make Buffy laugh like that was ok by him. Cordelia looked over at them and smiled. It looked as though they had gotten a second…well a third chance.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Well pet, it looks like it's time to get out of here." Buffy turned in Spike's embrace and smiled at him.
"Yeah. To the frozen north with us! Lots of darkness makes for a perfect vampire honeymoon." Spike pulled her to him and kissed her passionately until a loud and pointed cough interrupted them. They turned to see Giles and the rest of their guests grinning at them, although Angel still did look a little pained.
"Hey now! Just kissing my girl." Spike said and Xander and Oz came into the room carrying the couple's luggage.
"Geesh Buff! You guys are only going for two weeks right? Not two months?" Xander quipped and Buffy pushed him playfully. Oz merely nodded and shook Spike's hand before walking back to where Willow was standing blowing her nose and he put his arm around her.
"Yes, well. I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple." Giles began and Joyce handed them all champagne glasses. "To a pair who has been through so much turmoil and danger to get where they are now, but this just shows us all each day how strong they are together. I am honored to know you both separately and together. To Buffy and Spike." The rest of the Scoobies echoed Giles' praises and as they raised their glasses the front door opened and Joyce's glass drops to the floor breaking with a tinkling sound that reverberated loudly in the stunned silence. A man of medium height walked into the Summers' house with a half-smile on his face. He ran a hand through his thinning brown hair and looked curiously at the assembled guests before he spotted Buffy and smiled broadly at her.
"Hey sweetie."
"Daddy?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be continued in the third and final part of the Turned series: "Of Vampires and Men."
I know. I am evil. But I did start this out as planning it as a trilogy so the next part WILL be the last. But I am not entirely sure where I am going with this. I have NO outline started for the third part. please please please let me know some things you would like to see to try to jump start my muse into action on this story because she/he (does a muse have a gender?) is floating off to other stories but I really really want to get this one settled or at least planned out a bit before pursuing other things/long stories.
Thanks in advance for all your help and reviews. I really appreciate all of you who have written to me with encouragement and feedback. And to those of you have been reading my other works (especially "splendor in the grass" which I was really nervous about!) I would like to say that I am really touched by your kind thoughts and hopefully I will write some more stuff along those lines. It was a really fun story to write.
Let me know what you think!
************
Chapter 9
This was it, the moment that they had been waiting for. It seemed like an eternity since that night in the dungeon of the Watcher's Council when they had taken part of a revolution and he had killed the head of the council of wankers. Now they were back in Sunnydale, Buffy was healed, the full moon had just ended and he, William the Bloody was standing under a jasmine covered canopy in the Slayer's backyard waiting to be mated. While a bunch of humans looked on. Spike squirmed under their gaze and Angel slapped his hand companionably on his shoulder.
"Don't be nervous boy. You're getting your greatest wish." Spike turned and scowled at Angel half-heartedly.
"Yeah, yeah." He ducked his head in part embarrassment at what he had to do next. "Buffy and I, well, we just wanted to, you know." Spike paused and took a deep unneeded breathe. "We wanted to thank-you for blessing our mating. It really means a lot." He glanced at Angel apprehensively and was surprised to see that his sire seemed to have tears in his eyes. Spike looked at him in surprise and Angel sniffed suspiciously.
"Yeah, well. You're welcome." He paused and looked at Spike and gave him a fake glare. "Don't mention it. Ever." Spike smirked back at him, glad to be back on familiar ground.
"Don't worry about that." Spike slapped Angel on the back and they shared a brief laugh, which quickly stopped when he saw Buffy standing in the doorway.
Spike froze as he looked at her. Her blonde hair looked like a halo the way that it was catching the light from the kitchen and her blood red dress clung to her curves. Their eyes met and he couldn't help but let a sappy grin light up his face. His grin was mirrored in hers and Buffy slowly walked to him and met him under the canopy. Spike took her hand and they turned face each other with Angel standing on one side of them and their human friends standing on the other.
"A mating ceremony is something that is usually very private for vampires." Angel began. Buffy had asked him to say a few words before they proceeded so that her friends could better understand what this mean to her and to Spike. "Even if a sire does give his permission and blessing to two childer to mate, it is usually not done in good will, like it is in this case. But the meaning is still the same. By giving Buffy and Spike my blessing to this union, they can never be challenged by other vampires who wish to prevent or interfere with their mating. The mating itself is really just an exchange of blood and then each party says the claiming words. In this case, Buffy and Spike have chosen to exchange vows like in a mortal wedding in addition to the traditional claiming rites."
Angel paused and Spike looked around at the group assembled. Even though they were all so different, and sometimes had their problems with each other, they were all family. He finally understood why Buffy had been so adamant about doing it this way. He looked back at her and she was looking at him questioningly. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. Had he ever been this happy before?
"I now give my official blessing to Buffy and Spike and hope that I can be around them in the coming years to see how their bond will grow." Angel finished and turned to give Buffy a hug and slap Spike on the back again. Then, he walked over to stand beside Giles and watch the rest of the ceremony with the mortals. Xander elbowed him in the side and smirked at Angel.
"Hey, dead boy. That's the most I've ever heard you say." He whispered to Angel. Angel gave Xander a look that had once sent many brave men running for their lives. Xander just snickered at him. Cordelia pinched his arm.
"Xander Harris! You're ruining the moment!" She hissed and he looked sheepishly at everyone as Spike cleared his throat.
"Well, now that the whelp is done…" Spike began and flinched when Buffy squeezed his hand sharply. "Yeah. Well, Buffy and I decided that I would go first for vows." His eyes glazed over slightly as he remembered the night that had led to that decision. He shook himself and returned to his current task.
"Buffy, in the past two years you have been everything to me, enemy, ally, friend, and lover. I never knew myself until I saw me through your eyes. You make me believe that I can be better; that I can be good and that I am worthy of your love. Even though I know that I'm not worthy I swear that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, keep you happy, and make sure you know everyday how much I love you." Spike looked down at the ground a little sheepishly at saying this in front of the Scoobies, but when he looked up into Buffy's smiling face he knew it was worth it. Oz leaned over and pressed a simple gold band into Spike's hand and he smiled shyly at Buffy and slid it on her finger. "Let this ring be a symbol of my undying love for you, pet."
Buffy wiped a stray tear from her face and took Spike's hands back in hers. She didn't think that she would get this emotional, but looking into his eyes, she couldn't speak for a moment as she was overwhelmed by emotion.
"Spike…" She began and stopped talking for a second to take a calming breath. "Spike. You know that I'm not good with words but at this moment it doesn't matter because there are no words that can express to you and make you understand how much you mean to me and how much I love you. You saved my life that first night that I was turned and you keep saving me every night." Buffy paused again to blink back tears and her sharp hearing heard her mother sniff back tears. She turned to look at her friends and held out her hand to Willow who gave Buffy the ring she had picked out for Spike. Retaking his hand she pressed it to her face. "You gave me back my life and my hope Spike. I love you." She slid the ring on his finger and they came together for a brief kiss.
As they broke apart from the kiss, Spike held Buffy close to him and buried his face in her hair. They both allowed their demon faces to emerge and drew back to look at each other. Spike brushed her hair off her neck and sank his fangs into her neck taking one gulp of blood.
"With your blood I bind myself to you for all eternity." He said and Buffy smiled at him from behind her fangs. She moved to his neck and kissed the skin right above his jugular. He shuddered in anticipation and she bit him quickly and drank a mouthful of his blood.
"With your blood I bind myself to you for all eternity." She said and their game faces slid away. Both Buffy and Spike felt a shudder pass through them and they felt more aware of the other's presence. They grinned and turned to face their "guests", who looked a little pale. Angel was pointedly not looking at them.
"Well, what are we bloody waiting for?" Spike's smile grew wider when Xander and Giles both grew paler at the word blood. "Let's go eat some cake and dance to some tunes!"
*~*~*~*~*~
"Yes Faith, this new council is going to be terribly exciting." Giles exclaimed as he ate another forkful of cake and Faith smiled happily at him. Giles was pretty funny when he got all excited about stodgy old Watchers.
"Yeah, so what happened with Wesley anyways?" She asked and repressed a shudder at the look of evil glee Giles gave her.
"Ahh…Mr. Wydam-Price will no longer be seen skulking around Sunnydale. The new council called him back to England to stand trial for his role in Travers' plans." Faith laughed as she pictured Wesley trying to defend himself before a council tribunal. Giles looked at her thoughtfully. "They are sending for the third Slayer, Kennedy, to go to England to ask her what she wants to do. Since Buffy is here is in Sunnydale…" Giles trailed off and took off his glasses to clean them. Faith smiled as she looked around the happy group of people gathered around the Summers' house and she knew that she had finally found what she had been looking for all her life.
"I'm home Giles. This is where I want to stay." She paused and looked down at the ground before meeting Giles' eyes again. "Ironic isn't it that I find myself at home amongst vampires, werewolves, and witches while standing on a Hellmouth."
"Yes. The irony is not lost on me." They laugh together as Faith let go of all the anger and jealousy she had been holding inside for so long. She had a clean slate now.
*~*~*~*~
Xander looked over at where Buffy and Spike were smiling and laughing with Joyce and couldn't help but smile as Joyce went to the kitchen and Spike bent down to whisper in Buffy's ear. Cordelia whapped him on the head and he looked at her in surprise.
"Uhhh…Ow? What was that for?" He asked her while rubbing his head.
"Go over and talk to her you dufus."
"Cordy…"
"Xander. You know it's been on your mind since she came back from her torture session with that prick Travers. She's about to leave on her vampy-honeymoon and you won't get your chance for another two weeks!" She took Xander's hand and smiled at him softly. "I know how much she still means to you and now you do too. You just have to tell Buffy now." He smiled at Cordy and gave her a soft kiss. It was times like this he was glad she was his girlfriend. "And tuck in your shirt." She added and he rolled his eyes at her, but still tucked in his shirt and approached the bride and groom.
"Buffy. Spike." Xander greeted them and before they could say anything back he pulled Buffy into a fierce hug. She flinched a little and Xander pulled back slightly. "You ok, Buffster?"
"Just a little wound in my side courtesy of one Quentin Travers. It's ok though. It just acts up a little bit." Spike took her hand in his and Xander smiled at the pair and how happy they made each.
"You know…I never felt worse in my entire life than when I saw you get dusted by that shadow monster. Even if it was an illusion." Buffy's eyes filled with tears and Xander smiled at her and scuffed his foot on the carpet. "I don't know what I'd do without you Buffy. You or Willow." Buffy pulled Xander into a tight hug and he cleared his throat nervously wiped away something that suspiciously looked like tears.
"Xan…I-" Buffy began but Xander cut her off, not wanting to make Buffy's big day clouded in any way.
"Did you see the bride and groom on top of the cake?" Spike peered over Buffy's head and snorted and Xander grinned at her. "Cordy and I drew little fangs on the bride and groom." Buffy giggled and Spike patted Xander on the back. Anyone who could make Buffy laugh like that was ok by him. Cordelia looked over at them and smiled. It looked as though they had gotten a second…well a third chance.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Well pet, it looks like it's time to get out of here." Buffy turned in Spike's embrace and smiled at him.
"Yeah. To the frozen north with us! Lots of darkness makes for a perfect vampire honeymoon." Spike pulled her to him and kissed her passionately until a loud and pointed cough interrupted them. They turned to see Giles and the rest of their guests grinning at them, although Angel still did look a little pained.
"Hey now! Just kissing my girl." Spike said and Xander and Oz came into the room carrying the couple's luggage.
"Geesh Buff! You guys are only going for two weeks right? Not two months?" Xander quipped and Buffy pushed him playfully. Oz merely nodded and shook Spike's hand before walking back to where Willow was standing blowing her nose and he put his arm around her.
"Yes, well. I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple." Giles began and Joyce handed them all champagne glasses. "To a pair who has been through so much turmoil and danger to get where they are now, but this just shows us all each day how strong they are together. I am honored to know you both separately and together. To Buffy and Spike." The rest of the Scoobies echoed Giles' praises and as they raised their glasses the front door opened and Joyce's glass drops to the floor breaking with a tinkling sound that reverberated loudly in the stunned silence. A man of medium height walked into the Summers' house with a half-smile on his face. He ran a hand through his thinning brown hair and looked curiously at the assembled guests before he spotted Buffy and smiled broadly at her.
"Hey sweetie."
"Daddy?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be continued in the third and final part of the Turned series: "Of Vampires and Men."
I know. I am evil. But I did start this out as planning it as a trilogy so the next part WILL be the last. But I am not entirely sure where I am going with this. I have NO outline started for the third part. please please please let me know some things you would like to see to try to jump start my muse into action on this story because she/he (does a muse have a gender?) is floating off to other stories but I really really want to get this one settled or at least planned out a bit before pursuing other things/long stories.
Thanks in advance for all your help and reviews. I really appreciate all of you who have written to me with encouragement and feedback. And to those of you have been reading my other works (especially "splendor in the grass" which I was really nervous about!) I would like to say that I am really touched by your kind thoughts and hopefully I will write some more stuff along those lines. It was a really fun story to write.