title: Marriage, Sunnydale-Style
author: Heather (heather@hella-good.org)
rating: R
spoilers: none...completely an au/fantasy fic except for things borrowed from
the Buffyverse (season 1-7) that are twisted to fit in this universe.
disclaimer: If I actually owned anything, I probably wouldn't be doing this :)
summary: After almost 10 years of dating, Buffy and Spike finally find
themselves in the midst of planning a wedding and remembering the long journey
that got them there.
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Chapter 1
"No."
"You won't even think about it?"
"Uh...no."
"Bl-"
"Don't even say it."
"-oody hell, woman." Blue eyes stared defiantly into hazel ones. Both pairs sparkling with the instant intensity each fight brings.
"It's 'woman' now? I have a name. Buuufffyyy," she said, slowly, as if talking to a five year old. "Say it with me."
"Not the girl power bit, please," Spike sighed. "Luv, I just wanna be comfortable."
"This is not about comfort, hon. You will not be doing your very best Johnny Cash impersonation on my speci-"
"'My'? I thought it was 'ours'," Spike interrupted, scarred eyebrow raised.
"Uh-huh," Buffy agreed, patting his hand in a way that said, "I'll play along with your delusion, sweetie". She turned on the couch, crawling slowly to him and sat on his lap, facing him. She gently kissed his lips, licking his bottom one for good measure. Spike's breath hitched in his throat.
"I'm sorry, Spike. Okay? When I said no, maybe," she paused, thinking. "Well, I actually did mean no. In fact I'm going to amend that to a hell no."
Spike, despite himself, chuckled softly. "Y'know, pet, I could just say yes to the monkey suit and then wear what I want anyways." At this, Buffy burst out laughing and didn't stop until she couldn't breath. Tears were in her eyes and he clearly heard her snort a couple of times. "It's not that funny of a statement, Buffy."
She laughed even harder, wiping a few of the tears that had broken free. Her laughter died down to soft giggles as she tried to compose herself and regulate her breathing. This is going to be fun, she thought sarcastically. She shook herself, still trying to regain her composure as Spike stared at her, clearly exasperated.
"I'm sorry, again," she said, beginning to laugh once more but quickly covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head back and forth, willing herself to stop. "Man, I needed that. Thanks, honey." She gave him another, longer kiss. While her mouth was still on his, she opened her eyes and saw his starting right back. She leaned back and sighed. "I said sorry. I try to make with the smoochies and you still look pissed off."
"I mightily am, luv."
"Jesus, is it so important to wear that awful suit?"
"You get to wear what you want and I-"
"You think I'm going to be comfortable?" Buffy asked, in shock. "Such a guy."
There was a knock on the door, interrupting any retort Spike was about to give. Instead, he shouted to come in and in they came, carrying bags, magazines, food and the prerequisite alcohol that Spike needed in order to get through this without committing himself to the local institution.
Xander peered around the corner that separated the kitchen from the living room. "Coming at a bad time?"
"No," Buffy said, a bit too quickly. "I am allowed to straddle my boyfriend if I so choose."
"Ugh with the visuals," Xander replied, holding up a six pack of bottles. "Beer?"
"God, yes," Spike answered, lifting both himself and Buffy off the couch and setting her down. He walked over to Xander and grabbed the bottle from him. "Thanks, mate." They tipped their bottles in each other's direction and drank. The three made their way into the kitchen, greeting Cordelia, Willow and Tara.
"Margaritas or mudslides?" Cordelia asked, holding up the mixture bottles.
"Any preference, ladies?" Buffy asked Willow and Tara, who both pointed to the margarita mix. "Oh, yeah. Good choice, girls." Buffy looked around. "So where is Anya? Lindsey? Giles? Dawn? Are they blowing us off?"
"Anya and Giles are still at the shop. There was a bit of a shoplifting problem. Kid's probably more scared of Anya than the police," Willow told her as she set out the glasses.
Tara grabbed the margarita pitcher and handed it Willow. "Dawnie said she would be here as soon as she stops at home to shower and change. She didn't want to and I quote, make everyone gag with her repugnant smell. End quote." Tara threw Buffy a smile.
"Ah, yes, the glorious days of being a waitress. At least it's not the Double Meat. That's a rinse and repeat numerous times," Buffy nodded knowingly.
"And Lindsey had a client meeting but he'll be here asap," Cordy yelled over the noise of the blender. "All done! Pitcher please?" Cordy poured the contents into the huge green pitcher that came with the margarita set the girls had bought for Buffy as an apartment warming present.
"Salt, glasses and limes are a go," Willow said as she set down the salt dish. "You guys want?"
"Uh, no, we're drinking manly beers here," Xander answered, looking wistfully at the margarita that Cordy was pouring.
"Don't be pathetic," Cordy sniped, practically shoving the glass in his hand. She winked at him and continued to fill more of the glasses.
"Hey, now, doesn't the bride-to-be get the first drink?" Buffy pouted. Xander looked at her sheepishly, handing the drink to her. "Thankies!"
"And the poof is where?" Spike asked no one in particular but knew he'd get answer from someone.
"I'm not a poof!" Xander yelled defensively. "Just because a guy may enjoy the cool, refreshing taste of a margarita every once in a while doesn't mean-"
"He's in L.A.", Cordy interrupted Xander's tirade. He noticeably flushed with embarrassment.
"And he's not a poof," Buffy said, smiling at Spike, who smiled in return. "Would it kill you to be the tiniest bit kind in regards to him? You wouldn't be where you are if it weren't for him."
Spike sauntered over to her, that sly grin on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead. "Are you talking about the job or you, pet?"
"Actually, the job but come to think of it, you should be grateful for the other." They smiled at each other lovingly and suddenly heard a simultaneous groan from everyone in the apartment.
"Put me out of my misery," Xander griped.
"Jealous much?" Cordy snickered. "In any event, he's staying with Darla. The surprise-to-everyone pregnancy isn't going so well..."
"Someone please explain how those two soulless beings created a child?" Spike inquired, furrowing his brow.
"I don't know much about it, but I've read that when the man emits his sperm-"
"Tara!" everyone yelled in shock. She grinned and refilled her glass.
"One margarita and see how she gets?" Willow asked, stroking Tara's hair. "The way I hear it, Darla's actually gained some humanity in all the pregnancy. She's being, dare I say it, kind to people."
"Yeah, she even apologized for biting me that time when I flirted with Angel at the Bronze," Cordy put in.
"God, that was bizarre. That was right around the time I moved here," Buffy stated, shaking her head. "Believe me when I say I was glad to not have to contend with her when I dated Angel."
"Apparently," Cordy continued, "She has this fear that she's going to kill the kid once it's born. Like she's not prepared for motherhood or something. I told her it was probably natural to feel that way, that she was just being apprehensive about the impending birth. All she said was that she appreciated me trying to appease her, but she was well aware that she was thinking insane thoughts. I did not disagree."
"I still can't believe they got back together after all these years," Willow threw in. "It would be romantic if their entire relationship didn't border on twisted."
"Darla and Angel, I presume?" Dawn asked as she walked through the door. She saw Buffy and Spike, who were still holding each other and she rolled her eyes. "Can you two go an hour without the separation anxiety kicking in? Ooh, margaritas!"
Buffy released herself from Spike and stood between Dawn and the drinks. "What are you doing?"
"Getting a drink, obviously."
"She is twenty-one, now," Tara reminded her, quietly.
Damn, I forgot that. "I don't know...Cordy put quite a kick in these and if you aren't planning on staying here..."
"Like Tara said I am twenty-one now," Dawn argued as she reached around Buffy and grabbed a glass. "Besides nursing one drink over the next couple of hours does not a drunk person make." She looked around at everyone and shrugged to herself. "So...are we standing around here for a reason or can we, you know, be comfortable?" She didn't wait for an answer and walked into the living room. The rest followed suit, bringing the goods with them.
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