Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. They belong to Joss and ME
CHAPTER 7
Xander's driver had them back in front of the dress shop just before Riley was due to arrive. Elizabeth entered the shop and asked for a paper and a quill, so that she may write a note. The shopkeeper gave her the items she requested and placed her dress on a hook and wished her well on her wedding day. When she was finally left alone, she began to write her letter to Angelus:
My dearest Angelus:
By now you are most likely waiting for my arrival at the chapel. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, yet it is something I feel I must do.
I cannot express to you sufficiently through words how truly sorry I am, but I must regretfully tell you that I will not be your wife on this day. While I know this is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives, this is also the saddest day of mine.
It has been but only one month since the death of my parents, and I still feel their loss terribly. You have been so kind and understanding with me and you deserve more than just this letter.
I am a coward my love, forgive me for that. But as I stand here in my wedding gown, my heart feels like it will burst. Please do not think that I do this because I do not care for you. I realize that you must despise me at this moment, but I ask that you be patient with me. I need to be alone. I need time to grieve.
I will be sailing this very evening for France. Perhaps spending some time there where my parents spent their last days alive will give me the closure I need to overcome the grief inside my heart.
I am sorry, please forgive me.
Love Elizabeth
She folded the letter and called to the shopkeeper.
"I am truly sorry to be such a bother, but, would it be possible for you to ask your delivery boy to deliver a note for me this evening?"
"Why yes, no bother at all. I'll ask him to come out and speak with you." The woman turned and walked through the curtains that separated the front parlor and the sewing and fitting rooms.
Elizabeth turned and looked out of the storefront windows. Off in the distance she could see Riley approaching.
"Excuse me, Miss?" said a voice behind her. The young man stood behind her. She turned and approached him nervously. This was it, once she gave the letter to him, and walked out of the shop, her plan would be in motion. She looked at the letter for a moment and then started handing it to the young man.
"I need this letter to be delivered this evening to the chapel of St. Vincent on the grounds of the McKenna estate. Do you know where that is?" she asked. Although he was a bit curious he nodded. "I want you to give this to one of the ushers with instructions to have him hand it to the groom before the start of the wedding." The young man now spoke, his confusion and curiosity getting the best of him.
"Would it not be better to give him this after the wedding?" He was thoroughly confused. She looked shyly at him.
"It is a personal letter to my future husband. And I thought it would be a nice surprise for him to read this before our, um," she looked down and started to wring her hands "wedding night." The young man blushed. His mind rushing all about with wicked thoughts. He asked her what time she wanted the letter delivered and then asked no further questions as took the letter and ran into the back rooms. As the he hastily closed the curtains behind him, Riley opened the door.
"I hope you were not waiting long Miss." He said.
"No, not long. Take my gown and please put it in the carriage. I will be out in a moment." He picked up the gown and did as she instructed. She closed her eyes and then opened them. *Here we go. * She thought and walked out onto the street. As she turned to her left, Xander was standing at the corner looking at her. He tipped his head to her and smiled. She did the same and stepped into the carriage. Although Riley had asked if she was waiting long, he was never late. That meant it was 3:00pm. They would arrive home in less than 30 minutes.
She did not bother to wait for Riley to open the door for her. She practically jumped out before he even came to a complete stop. She ran to her room and told her maidservants to let her rest for the next 3 hours. She made sure to lock the door of her room. They would not be interrupted. The day had turned from a bright sunny to cloudy during the course of the afternoon. Also, the sun would be down in a couple of hours, thus making it easy for them to leave. She walked to the bookcase next to her bed and pulled it out a few feet and lightly knocked on the door that was behind it. She heard hushed voices and after a while the door opened.
"Good morning." Said Faith. Her hair was a disheveled mess and she looked as thought she had just woken up. Elizabeth felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.
"Good afternoon." Said Elizabeth smiling. She informed Faith that it was safe for her and Wesley to come out, then turned away letting Faith close the door and gather her things along with Wesley.
Faith turned to Wesley who was lying down on the bed. He had slipped his pants on while she was at the door. She walked over to the bed and sat beside him. She ran her hands form his hard stomach up to his cheek and kissed him deeply. He ran his hand up her back and pulled her closer to him. They separated and he looked up at her.
"It is time." She smiled at him and stroked his face.
"You know her better than I do Faith. Is she strong enough for this?" He traced her lips with his fingers.
"Buffy is small but she is stronger than she looks."
"I mean emotionally. She has lost so much these past few months. And now seeing you come back as a vampire and telling her of Angelus." He sat up and started to put his shirt on.
"She can handle it Wesley. She has too." She stood and finished dressing, then picked up his coat from the edge of the bed and helped him put it on. One more kiss and they walked out of the small room and out to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had been gathering some clothes into a small case. She turned as they walked in behind her. Faith replaced the bookcase to its original spot. No one would ever know of it.
Wesley walked to Elizabeth.
"The door is locked?" he asked.
"Yes. I instructed the staff to let me rest for a few hours." She was shaking. He could smell the fear coming from her skin. He stepped closer to her. He placed one arm around her back to support her, and the other swept her blond hair from her shoulder. He leaned into her and whispered into her ear.
"Are you ready?" he closed his eyes and felt his face change and his fangs elongate. She could barely breath. Still shaking, she wrapped her arms around him and spoke.
"Y..yes." He did not give her time to utter another word. His fangs bit down into her neck and she immediately stiffened. Her eyes were shut tightly, and she was gasping for air. *This was a mistake* she thought. She felt his teeth digging down further into her skin, and then suddenly she saw images flashing before her:
Angelus laughing, her father lying dead on the ground, Angelus laughing, her mother crying out for help, Angelus laughing, a man in black riding a horse, Angelus laughing, a locket, Angelus dead.
And then, nothing. She was losing herself, letting herself go. She felt a tingle start at the base of her stomach and end down into her womb. She felt a heat building inside of her that she had only felt when she dreamed of the man with blue eyes. She was floating into another world. She held him tighter now, bringing his head closer to her. *God forgive me*, she thought, *for this was no mistake*. He stopped, lifted his head and turned to look at her face. Her vision was hazy, yet she saw his yellow eyes look deeply into hers.
"Are you positive this is what you want?" He wanted to be sure, he wanted her to be sure. There was no turning back now. She took one last breath and closed her eyes.
"This. Is. My. Destiny." She whispered. Wesley plunged into her again and with one last pull she was gone. Her body was limp as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. Faith quickly moved onto the bed and held her head up. Wesley immediately bit down onto his wrist and placed the open wound against her mouth. The blood trickled down into her throat.
"Drink Buffy." She whispered into Elizabeth's ear. There was no reaction. Faith looked at Wesley with worry on her face.
"Don't worry, my love, she is coming." His words soothed her. She had not remembered this part of the initiation, but it was a process she obviously went through. She heard a small moan coming from Elizabeth. It was barely audible, but her enhanced hearing allowed her too hear it well. Elizabeth's hands were moving slowly to Wesley's wrist. She began suckling him harder and her grip on him tightened a little more. He winced, but held himself to her until he felt she had enough. After a few more moments he pulled his wrist off backed away. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. Wesley smiled and looked at Faith.
"She is here."
CHAPTER 7
Xander's driver had them back in front of the dress shop just before Riley was due to arrive. Elizabeth entered the shop and asked for a paper and a quill, so that she may write a note. The shopkeeper gave her the items she requested and placed her dress on a hook and wished her well on her wedding day. When she was finally left alone, she began to write her letter to Angelus:
My dearest Angelus:
By now you are most likely waiting for my arrival at the chapel. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, yet it is something I feel I must do.
I cannot express to you sufficiently through words how truly sorry I am, but I must regretfully tell you that I will not be your wife on this day. While I know this is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives, this is also the saddest day of mine.
It has been but only one month since the death of my parents, and I still feel their loss terribly. You have been so kind and understanding with me and you deserve more than just this letter.
I am a coward my love, forgive me for that. But as I stand here in my wedding gown, my heart feels like it will burst. Please do not think that I do this because I do not care for you. I realize that you must despise me at this moment, but I ask that you be patient with me. I need to be alone. I need time to grieve.
I will be sailing this very evening for France. Perhaps spending some time there where my parents spent their last days alive will give me the closure I need to overcome the grief inside my heart.
I am sorry, please forgive me.
Love Elizabeth
She folded the letter and called to the shopkeeper.
"I am truly sorry to be such a bother, but, would it be possible for you to ask your delivery boy to deliver a note for me this evening?"
"Why yes, no bother at all. I'll ask him to come out and speak with you." The woman turned and walked through the curtains that separated the front parlor and the sewing and fitting rooms.
Elizabeth turned and looked out of the storefront windows. Off in the distance she could see Riley approaching.
"Excuse me, Miss?" said a voice behind her. The young man stood behind her. She turned and approached him nervously. This was it, once she gave the letter to him, and walked out of the shop, her plan would be in motion. She looked at the letter for a moment and then started handing it to the young man.
"I need this letter to be delivered this evening to the chapel of St. Vincent on the grounds of the McKenna estate. Do you know where that is?" she asked. Although he was a bit curious he nodded. "I want you to give this to one of the ushers with instructions to have him hand it to the groom before the start of the wedding." The young man now spoke, his confusion and curiosity getting the best of him.
"Would it not be better to give him this after the wedding?" He was thoroughly confused. She looked shyly at him.
"It is a personal letter to my future husband. And I thought it would be a nice surprise for him to read this before our, um," she looked down and started to wring her hands "wedding night." The young man blushed. His mind rushing all about with wicked thoughts. He asked her what time she wanted the letter delivered and then asked no further questions as took the letter and ran into the back rooms. As the he hastily closed the curtains behind him, Riley opened the door.
"I hope you were not waiting long Miss." He said.
"No, not long. Take my gown and please put it in the carriage. I will be out in a moment." He picked up the gown and did as she instructed. She closed her eyes and then opened them. *Here we go. * She thought and walked out onto the street. As she turned to her left, Xander was standing at the corner looking at her. He tipped his head to her and smiled. She did the same and stepped into the carriage. Although Riley had asked if she was waiting long, he was never late. That meant it was 3:00pm. They would arrive home in less than 30 minutes.
She did not bother to wait for Riley to open the door for her. She practically jumped out before he even came to a complete stop. She ran to her room and told her maidservants to let her rest for the next 3 hours. She made sure to lock the door of her room. They would not be interrupted. The day had turned from a bright sunny to cloudy during the course of the afternoon. Also, the sun would be down in a couple of hours, thus making it easy for them to leave. She walked to the bookcase next to her bed and pulled it out a few feet and lightly knocked on the door that was behind it. She heard hushed voices and after a while the door opened.
"Good morning." Said Faith. Her hair was a disheveled mess and she looked as thought she had just woken up. Elizabeth felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.
"Good afternoon." Said Elizabeth smiling. She informed Faith that it was safe for her and Wesley to come out, then turned away letting Faith close the door and gather her things along with Wesley.
Faith turned to Wesley who was lying down on the bed. He had slipped his pants on while she was at the door. She walked over to the bed and sat beside him. She ran her hands form his hard stomach up to his cheek and kissed him deeply. He ran his hand up her back and pulled her closer to him. They separated and he looked up at her.
"It is time." She smiled at him and stroked his face.
"You know her better than I do Faith. Is she strong enough for this?" He traced her lips with his fingers.
"Buffy is small but she is stronger than she looks."
"I mean emotionally. She has lost so much these past few months. And now seeing you come back as a vampire and telling her of Angelus." He sat up and started to put his shirt on.
"She can handle it Wesley. She has too." She stood and finished dressing, then picked up his coat from the edge of the bed and helped him put it on. One more kiss and they walked out of the small room and out to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had been gathering some clothes into a small case. She turned as they walked in behind her. Faith replaced the bookcase to its original spot. No one would ever know of it.
Wesley walked to Elizabeth.
"The door is locked?" he asked.
"Yes. I instructed the staff to let me rest for a few hours." She was shaking. He could smell the fear coming from her skin. He stepped closer to her. He placed one arm around her back to support her, and the other swept her blond hair from her shoulder. He leaned into her and whispered into her ear.
"Are you ready?" he closed his eyes and felt his face change and his fangs elongate. She could barely breath. Still shaking, she wrapped her arms around him and spoke.
"Y..yes." He did not give her time to utter another word. His fangs bit down into her neck and she immediately stiffened. Her eyes were shut tightly, and she was gasping for air. *This was a mistake* she thought. She felt his teeth digging down further into her skin, and then suddenly she saw images flashing before her:
Angelus laughing, her father lying dead on the ground, Angelus laughing, her mother crying out for help, Angelus laughing, a man in black riding a horse, Angelus laughing, a locket, Angelus dead.
And then, nothing. She was losing herself, letting herself go. She felt a tingle start at the base of her stomach and end down into her womb. She felt a heat building inside of her that she had only felt when she dreamed of the man with blue eyes. She was floating into another world. She held him tighter now, bringing his head closer to her. *God forgive me*, she thought, *for this was no mistake*. He stopped, lifted his head and turned to look at her face. Her vision was hazy, yet she saw his yellow eyes look deeply into hers.
"Are you positive this is what you want?" He wanted to be sure, he wanted her to be sure. There was no turning back now. She took one last breath and closed her eyes.
"This. Is. My. Destiny." She whispered. Wesley plunged into her again and with one last pull she was gone. Her body was limp as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. Faith quickly moved onto the bed and held her head up. Wesley immediately bit down onto his wrist and placed the open wound against her mouth. The blood trickled down into her throat.
"Drink Buffy." She whispered into Elizabeth's ear. There was no reaction. Faith looked at Wesley with worry on her face.
"Don't worry, my love, she is coming." His words soothed her. She had not remembered this part of the initiation, but it was a process she obviously went through. She heard a small moan coming from Elizabeth. It was barely audible, but her enhanced hearing allowed her too hear it well. Elizabeth's hands were moving slowly to Wesley's wrist. She began suckling him harder and her grip on him tightened a little more. He winced, but held himself to her until he felt she had enough. After a few more moments he pulled his wrist off backed away. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. Wesley smiled and looked at Faith.
"She is here."