Chapter 28.
Spike tucked Molly back into bed, making sure to tuck Mr Gordo in with her too. He wandered back over to the couch, snuggling against Buffy, as he watched the little girl sleep.
"You're amazing love, you know that?" He stated, as he held her tight to his body. Buffy smiled into his chest, revelling in his touch.
After a while she broke away, pulling him up to face her.
"You can't stay here Spike." She said, flicking her hair out of her eyes. "She needs to be somewhere that feels safe, somewhere friendly. Hotels are too sterile, it's not good for her! Besides she has probably been in hotels and motels for the last year, she needs a home, some stability!"
He nodded, it was true. He couldn't continue to live in hotels, he needed to make a home for him and Molly. He was planning on looking for a rental place after the holidays, all the real estate agents were closed till then anyway.
"Come and stay at mine," she continued, "We have plenty of room. You and Molly can have my room, I can bunk in with Dawn or Faith for the time being. After Christmas the spare room will be free too, so you can have that till you can find a place."
Spike sat up, a little shocked by this announcement.
"Don't you think you should ask the others pet?" He questioned. "I mean, they may not be so keen."
Before she could answer there was a quiet knock at the door. Spike got up from the couch to answer it. He quietly pulled the door open, so that the creak didn't wake the now slumbering Molly. Faith stood on the other side, looking extremely stressed out.
"Spike, thank god you're awake, I couldn't get you on the phone, Buffy's disappeared, we've tried everyone but no one has seen her," she sobbed.
Spike pushed the door open the rest of the way, so Faith and Gunn could see the blonde sat on the couch.
"Come in," he said quietly, "but keep the noise down, we only just got Molly off to sleep again."
Faith flew across the room and flung her arms around Buffy.
"God, I was so worried! I thought you had gone and done something stupid, I woke up and you had disappeared!" She sighed, clearly relieved to see her friend safe and well.
Buffy hugged her friend back.
"I am fine Faith! Everything's going to be fine. In fact seeing as you are here I have something to ask you."
Buffy proceeded to explain her plan to Faith, who agreed that it was definitely in Molly's best interest to be somewhere more homely, at this time. Spike sat the other side of the room with Gunn, he ran his hands through his tousled platinum hair and looked at the floor sheepishly.
"Look mate, I am sorry about earlier, I just needed some time to think," he apologised to his friend.
Gunn put his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey man, no problem, I'd be the same if it was me."
Buffy and Faith stood up and wandered over to the two men. She ran a hand across his face.
"I am going to head home with Faith, got some furniture moving to do." she said as she picked up her bag. "Why don't you wait till Molly wakes up, then come over, bring as much as you can, and we can collect the rest of your things later."
Spike nodded, kissing her on the cheek as she left with the others.
......
Dawn awoke to the sound of Buffy dragging a chest of drawers across the bedroom. Faith hadn't woken her when they realised Buffy was missing, she was already in too bad a mood and wouldn't have been any help whatsoever.
"Buffy what in the hell are you doing?" She screamed at her sister, who was struggling to squeeze the cabinet into a space far too small.
She stopped, flopping onto the bed to regain her breath.
"A little reorganising Dawn. Spike and Molly are going to be staying with us for Christmas," she said, before jumping up to continue dragging the cabinet.
Dawn stood at the doorway, arms crossed.
"That bang on the head really did damage your brain didn't it!" She snapped. "I mean, have you totally lost your mind. This guy cheats on you, nearly gets you killed, and you want to welcome him into our home!"
Buffy glared at her sister. She knew Dawn was 'anti Spike' at the moment, but she didn't expect such a reaction. It made no difference though, they were staying and that was final. Deciding to ignore her sister, she resumed arranging the room for the two visitors.
......
Spike packed all the belongings, that had been found in the motel with his daughter into one of his suitcases. The other he filled with as many of his clothes as he could fit, and as many of his personal items as possible. He stopped and smiled, as he placed a photograph of himself and Buffy on the top. Finally they were together again.
It was almost 9am when he arrived at the apartment block. Molly had slept all through the rest of the night, and he was loath to wake her while she was so peaceful. He had no idea how she was going to react when he told her they were going to stay with Buffy, and was pleasantly surprised when the little girl appeared, at least, to be pleased by the news. He carried Molly up the stairs to the apartment, cursing the fact that Buffy didn't buy the one with the lift, just as she had a few days earlier. Molly giggled as they approached the door, and she saw the giant plastic Santa stuck to it.
Spike had no free hands, so he asked her to knock on the door for him.
Faith opened the door.
"Hey Molly!" She greeted her with a big beaming smile, eager to make the little one feel comfortable. She kissed Spike on the cheek as he came into the room. "I'm making special pancakes, do you want some?" She asked.
Molly nodded as she clung to her dad, squeezed in between them was Mr Gordo.
Buffy bounced in from the bedroom, where she had just finished reorganising things. She ran to Spike and gave him a big hug, kissing Molly on the cheek and giving Mr Gordo a little squeeze, just so he didn't feel left out. Dawn stood in the doorway, still furious, glaring at Spike. He picked up on the frosty vibes from the younger sister, as did Molly who began to become restless in his arms.
"Are you sure this is ok love?" He asked Buffy.
"Just stay out of my way, and keep the brat away from my room!" Dawn interrupted.
Buffy looked horrified and apologised to Spike, before following her sister into her room. Molly began to cry, for the first time that day, not because of her mother, but because of the hostile reaction from Dawn. She clung to Spike legs screaming that she wanted to go home.
Buffy slammed Dawn's door behind her, as she followed the stroppy teenager into her room.
"So Dawn, how does it feel?" She asked.
Dawn raised her eyebrows and shot Buffy a dirty look.
"How does what feel?" She snapped.
"How does it feel to make a five year old girl, who has just lost her mother, cry?"
Dawn sat on the edge of her bed, a guilty look passed across her face. She hadn't meant to upset the little girl, she was just so mad Buffy had invited them to stay, without even consulting her. In her mind she was looking out for her sister. She had been hurt so much by Spike already, she just didn't want her to get hurt anymore. Buffy couldn't bear to be around her sister any longer, she was so furious at her behaviour. She went back into the living room to help Spike cheer up the little one. There was no need however, Faith was dancing around the living room with a pair of plastic antlers on her head, singing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, while Molly clapped along giggling. Buffy couldn't help herself and fell about laughing with the others.
Gunn spoke up. "Honey, should that black smoke be coming from the kitchen?" He asked, looking towards the plumes that were pouring from the frying pan.
She ran into the kitchen, antlers flailing, to rescue what was intended to be pancakes.
"Faith's cooking strikes again I see!" Spike joked, as he pulled Buffy towards him, placing a kiss tenderly on her lips.
He went downstairs to get the bags, while Buffy tried to help Faith salvage some breakfast. She had planned on bunking in with Faith, but it seemed that Gunn was pretty settled, and she thought Faith deserved a bit of happiness. She decided she would just have to share with Dawn, whether she liked it or not.
Dawn meantime had been sat in her bedroom feeling guilty as sin. She decided she should make it up to her and Spike. She came out of her bedroom, a pile art and craft materials in her hands.
"Hi Molly, sorry I was nasty," she began cautiously. The little girl stared back at her, not giving anything away. "Well if you are staying for Christmas you are going to need a stocking," she said, motioning to the line of stockings pinned above the fireplace.
Molly beamed back, jumping up from Spike lap, and running towards the younger sister.
"Better make that two!" Faith added, "I kinda asked Charles to join us too." She beamed
"When did she start calling you Charles mate?" Spike laughed, "Must be love, huh?"
"Two stockings it is then!" Dawn announced, before leading Molly to her room to begin construction.
Spike strolled into the kitchen and slipped his arms around Buffy's waist. She was desperately trying to create some semblance of a nutritious breakfast for the little girl, but failing miserably.
"Cereal is fine you know pet?" He whispered in her ear, as he caressed her face.
She turned round to face him and sighed a breath of relief.
"Thank god for that," she smiled, "I am just trying so hard to make things ok for her."
"I know love, I know, and you are doing great." He brushed his lips against her. It was the gentlest of touches, but it sent shivers through both of them. As soon as their lips parted they both craved more. Spike leant into her as he ran his hands back through her hair, pulling her in towards him, pressing his lips against hers again.
Buffy melted into him as he softly deepened the kiss, running his tongue gently along her lips, he moaned quietly as she slipped her tongue into his mouth. They could hold back any longer. Their tongues battled for dominance as he pulled her further into him. She could feel his obvious arousal pressing into her, but they had to be careful, they couldn't have Molly wandering in, not until she'd had a chance to get use to things. Spike ran his hands down her sides, pushing them beneath her turtleneck and sliding them back up her sides. She was so warm, so soft, and he wanted her so much. Finally they had to break away and catch some breath.
Breathing heavily Spike held her close to his body.
"I love you Buffy," he whispered. "I love you so much."
She placed another kiss softly on his lips.
"I love you too baby."
A/N --- Another big thanks to Mercy for all her beta-ing.And also thanks to everyone that has reviewed so far, it's really nice to read what you think :o)
Spike tucked Molly back into bed, making sure to tuck Mr Gordo in with her too. He wandered back over to the couch, snuggling against Buffy, as he watched the little girl sleep.
"You're amazing love, you know that?" He stated, as he held her tight to his body. Buffy smiled into his chest, revelling in his touch.
After a while she broke away, pulling him up to face her.
"You can't stay here Spike." She said, flicking her hair out of her eyes. "She needs to be somewhere that feels safe, somewhere friendly. Hotels are too sterile, it's not good for her! Besides she has probably been in hotels and motels for the last year, she needs a home, some stability!"
He nodded, it was true. He couldn't continue to live in hotels, he needed to make a home for him and Molly. He was planning on looking for a rental place after the holidays, all the real estate agents were closed till then anyway.
"Come and stay at mine," she continued, "We have plenty of room. You and Molly can have my room, I can bunk in with Dawn or Faith for the time being. After Christmas the spare room will be free too, so you can have that till you can find a place."
Spike sat up, a little shocked by this announcement.
"Don't you think you should ask the others pet?" He questioned. "I mean, they may not be so keen."
Before she could answer there was a quiet knock at the door. Spike got up from the couch to answer it. He quietly pulled the door open, so that the creak didn't wake the now slumbering Molly. Faith stood on the other side, looking extremely stressed out.
"Spike, thank god you're awake, I couldn't get you on the phone, Buffy's disappeared, we've tried everyone but no one has seen her," she sobbed.
Spike pushed the door open the rest of the way, so Faith and Gunn could see the blonde sat on the couch.
"Come in," he said quietly, "but keep the noise down, we only just got Molly off to sleep again."
Faith flew across the room and flung her arms around Buffy.
"God, I was so worried! I thought you had gone and done something stupid, I woke up and you had disappeared!" She sighed, clearly relieved to see her friend safe and well.
Buffy hugged her friend back.
"I am fine Faith! Everything's going to be fine. In fact seeing as you are here I have something to ask you."
Buffy proceeded to explain her plan to Faith, who agreed that it was definitely in Molly's best interest to be somewhere more homely, at this time. Spike sat the other side of the room with Gunn, he ran his hands through his tousled platinum hair and looked at the floor sheepishly.
"Look mate, I am sorry about earlier, I just needed some time to think," he apologised to his friend.
Gunn put his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey man, no problem, I'd be the same if it was me."
Buffy and Faith stood up and wandered over to the two men. She ran a hand across his face.
"I am going to head home with Faith, got some furniture moving to do." she said as she picked up her bag. "Why don't you wait till Molly wakes up, then come over, bring as much as you can, and we can collect the rest of your things later."
Spike nodded, kissing her on the cheek as she left with the others.
......
Dawn awoke to the sound of Buffy dragging a chest of drawers across the bedroom. Faith hadn't woken her when they realised Buffy was missing, she was already in too bad a mood and wouldn't have been any help whatsoever.
"Buffy what in the hell are you doing?" She screamed at her sister, who was struggling to squeeze the cabinet into a space far too small.
She stopped, flopping onto the bed to regain her breath.
"A little reorganising Dawn. Spike and Molly are going to be staying with us for Christmas," she said, before jumping up to continue dragging the cabinet.
Dawn stood at the doorway, arms crossed.
"That bang on the head really did damage your brain didn't it!" She snapped. "I mean, have you totally lost your mind. This guy cheats on you, nearly gets you killed, and you want to welcome him into our home!"
Buffy glared at her sister. She knew Dawn was 'anti Spike' at the moment, but she didn't expect such a reaction. It made no difference though, they were staying and that was final. Deciding to ignore her sister, she resumed arranging the room for the two visitors.
......
Spike packed all the belongings, that had been found in the motel with his daughter into one of his suitcases. The other he filled with as many of his clothes as he could fit, and as many of his personal items as possible. He stopped and smiled, as he placed a photograph of himself and Buffy on the top. Finally they were together again.
It was almost 9am when he arrived at the apartment block. Molly had slept all through the rest of the night, and he was loath to wake her while she was so peaceful. He had no idea how she was going to react when he told her they were going to stay with Buffy, and was pleasantly surprised when the little girl appeared, at least, to be pleased by the news. He carried Molly up the stairs to the apartment, cursing the fact that Buffy didn't buy the one with the lift, just as she had a few days earlier. Molly giggled as they approached the door, and she saw the giant plastic Santa stuck to it.
Spike had no free hands, so he asked her to knock on the door for him.
Faith opened the door.
"Hey Molly!" She greeted her with a big beaming smile, eager to make the little one feel comfortable. She kissed Spike on the cheek as he came into the room. "I'm making special pancakes, do you want some?" She asked.
Molly nodded as she clung to her dad, squeezed in between them was Mr Gordo.
Buffy bounced in from the bedroom, where she had just finished reorganising things. She ran to Spike and gave him a big hug, kissing Molly on the cheek and giving Mr Gordo a little squeeze, just so he didn't feel left out. Dawn stood in the doorway, still furious, glaring at Spike. He picked up on the frosty vibes from the younger sister, as did Molly who began to become restless in his arms.
"Are you sure this is ok love?" He asked Buffy.
"Just stay out of my way, and keep the brat away from my room!" Dawn interrupted.
Buffy looked horrified and apologised to Spike, before following her sister into her room. Molly began to cry, for the first time that day, not because of her mother, but because of the hostile reaction from Dawn. She clung to Spike legs screaming that she wanted to go home.
Buffy slammed Dawn's door behind her, as she followed the stroppy teenager into her room.
"So Dawn, how does it feel?" She asked.
Dawn raised her eyebrows and shot Buffy a dirty look.
"How does what feel?" She snapped.
"How does it feel to make a five year old girl, who has just lost her mother, cry?"
Dawn sat on the edge of her bed, a guilty look passed across her face. She hadn't meant to upset the little girl, she was just so mad Buffy had invited them to stay, without even consulting her. In her mind she was looking out for her sister. She had been hurt so much by Spike already, she just didn't want her to get hurt anymore. Buffy couldn't bear to be around her sister any longer, she was so furious at her behaviour. She went back into the living room to help Spike cheer up the little one. There was no need however, Faith was dancing around the living room with a pair of plastic antlers on her head, singing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, while Molly clapped along giggling. Buffy couldn't help herself and fell about laughing with the others.
Gunn spoke up. "Honey, should that black smoke be coming from the kitchen?" He asked, looking towards the plumes that were pouring from the frying pan.
She ran into the kitchen, antlers flailing, to rescue what was intended to be pancakes.
"Faith's cooking strikes again I see!" Spike joked, as he pulled Buffy towards him, placing a kiss tenderly on her lips.
He went downstairs to get the bags, while Buffy tried to help Faith salvage some breakfast. She had planned on bunking in with Faith, but it seemed that Gunn was pretty settled, and she thought Faith deserved a bit of happiness. She decided she would just have to share with Dawn, whether she liked it or not.
Dawn meantime had been sat in her bedroom feeling guilty as sin. She decided she should make it up to her and Spike. She came out of her bedroom, a pile art and craft materials in her hands.
"Hi Molly, sorry I was nasty," she began cautiously. The little girl stared back at her, not giving anything away. "Well if you are staying for Christmas you are going to need a stocking," she said, motioning to the line of stockings pinned above the fireplace.
Molly beamed back, jumping up from Spike lap, and running towards the younger sister.
"Better make that two!" Faith added, "I kinda asked Charles to join us too." She beamed
"When did she start calling you Charles mate?" Spike laughed, "Must be love, huh?"
"Two stockings it is then!" Dawn announced, before leading Molly to her room to begin construction.
Spike strolled into the kitchen and slipped his arms around Buffy's waist. She was desperately trying to create some semblance of a nutritious breakfast for the little girl, but failing miserably.
"Cereal is fine you know pet?" He whispered in her ear, as he caressed her face.
She turned round to face him and sighed a breath of relief.
"Thank god for that," she smiled, "I am just trying so hard to make things ok for her."
"I know love, I know, and you are doing great." He brushed his lips against her. It was the gentlest of touches, but it sent shivers through both of them. As soon as their lips parted they both craved more. Spike leant into her as he ran his hands back through her hair, pulling her in towards him, pressing his lips against hers again.
Buffy melted into him as he softly deepened the kiss, running his tongue gently along her lips, he moaned quietly as she slipped her tongue into his mouth. They could hold back any longer. Their tongues battled for dominance as he pulled her further into him. She could feel his obvious arousal pressing into her, but they had to be careful, they couldn't have Molly wandering in, not until she'd had a chance to get use to things. Spike ran his hands down her sides, pushing them beneath her turtleneck and sliding them back up her sides. She was so warm, so soft, and he wanted her so much. Finally they had to break away and catch some breath.
Breathing heavily Spike held her close to his body.
"I love you Buffy," he whispered. "I love you so much."
She placed another kiss softly on his lips.
"I love you too baby."
A/N --- Another big thanks to Mercy for all her beta-ing.And also thanks to everyone that has reviewed so far, it's really nice to read what you think :o)