Good, evening, All!
YAY! Made it again! My betas so rock, as I just gave this to them Sunday!
So, as many of you have found out (and joined) I started a new Yahoo group for rated chapters of my fic. Go check out HowtoMakeaVampireSundae, at Yahoo groups to join! I think we will kick off next week with a rated chapter.
For those of you sticking to the PG-13 version, you'll be getting a short chapter next week. For those of you who want the Vamp Smut, you'll be getting an *extra* long one. Only to be found on the new group!
Hope you all have a great week. Let me know how you feel!
*Cheery Vibes*,
Nimue
Title: Holiday Bondage - Part Two (Chapter Ten of Meant to Be)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
The rest of the story can be found at:
and present chapters are being posted on my live journal at:
Summary: Turkey Day at the Windsor house. Part two of what I think will be a three part chapter which *might* include some rated material (if you pervs chime in). We shall see. Dinner is concluding and there are some expected announcements made. And some not so expected..
Holiday Bondage - Part Two
"Buffy," Anya began leaning back in her chair, hands folded over her flat stomach. "That was actually.good."
"Anya!" Giles growled quickly, flashing a fragile smile at Buffy.
Spike chuckled under his breath, getting a swift kick to the shins from his beloved. "Learned a thing or two of late, my girl," he commented, smiling at Anya. Buffy tried to be insulted, but could only barely cover her own smile.
"Seriously, Buff, that was excellent," Xander commented, unbuttoning his pants and leaning into the arm draped over the back of his chair. Takina rubbed the back of his neck as he nearly purred in sated bliss.
"Thanks," the hostess answered, somewhat sarcastically. "I think."
"More wine anyone?" Giles asked, lifting the carafe from its spot near his place setting.
"Think it's time we moved on to scotch," Cyrus replied, a grin breaking on his face.
"Second that," Spike chimed in. "Anyone else?"
Everyone put in their drink orders to Spike as Buffy cleared the plates from the table and checked in on the kids who were all playing quietly in what was normally the dining room. Usually quiet denoted something dastardly about to happen, but, in this case, they were all so stuffed that they could do nothing but make up imaginary worlds and crawl around the floor to act them out.
It wasn't long before they were all gathered back around the table, laughing and talking over a few drinks. Catching up on the more mundane parts of life, which, to this particular group, were the out of the ordinary bits. After spending a lifetime chasing Vampires and Demons and various and sundry other beasties, preschool and PTA and clothing sales, and how Man U was faring this year sounded like things that might be found in one of Giles' dusty old tomes.
As conversation waned, Buffy looked at Spike, her eyes a bit dewy. He could feel her in his head. Ready. It was her time to give them all something happy. Something to look forward to.
Spike smiled at her, standing and tapping his dessert fork against his glass. "Quiet down, you lot of braggarts," he joked, smirking at the group. "Seems that we have an announcement or two to make."
Dawn looked at Brian, eyes huge. She'd been careful to hide her left hand under the table. She'd thought of taking the ring off so she didn't slip up, but it felt so good there. So right. How could he know? He couldn't know!
Buffy stood up next to him as the rest quieted down. Spike snaked an arm behind her, feeling the silk of her dress under his palm, inflaming the desire that she'd raised when she released him from his bonds. He fought against it with the same passion he intended to use on her later.
"Um," Buffy began, a rosy colour flooding her cheeks. "I mean, around here, it really isn't that big an announcement."
"Hey, now!" Spike corrected, sounding genuinely hurt.
"No, no," she went on. "I mean, it's *huge* to us, but may not be all shock-inducing to you."
"Out with it, Buff," Xander said, smiling up at her from his chair. Buffy looked at Willow and she smiled as well, nodding. Spike gave her a squeeze around the waist and prompted her back to life.
"Well," she began again, still rosy and beautiful and even a bit shy. "Um. Well, Spike and I are.."
"Are.," Dawn repeated, getting annoyed with her sister's delay. Patience had never been a virtue.
Spike decided it was time to bail her out. "Seems we're going to have another tot."
Eyes grew wide a moment, as mutters of "how?" and "ohmygod" and almost involuntary stares shot at her flat, toned stomach.
Finally, it was Dawn again that asked. "When?"
"About. seven months?" Buffy asked, looking over at Spike.
"Six months, twenty four days, by my count," he answered quite seriously. Buffy's heart warmed at his excitement and she pushed herself up on her toes to kiss him softly.
"A third one?" Cyrus asked jovially, then let his head flop to the table.
"Yay!" Willow squeaked, running round the table and throwing her arms around the both of them. "Yay, yay, yay!" She knew that she was overcompensating for knowing before any of them, but she expected, in her own mind, that she was doing it even more so because of the terror this Prophesy brought to her mind.
"I agree with her," Tara said, her face alight with joy , and nodding at her mate. "With the YAY!"
"I think we all do," Takina chimed in. "That's wonderful, Buffy!"
"I get another niece!" Dawn sing-songed as she made her way round the table to her sis.
"How do you know it'll be a girl?" Buffy asked, wrapping her arms around her sister.
Spike chuckled. "Be my luck. Nother Summers girl to tie me in knots."
Both Buffy and Dawn smirked at him. Emma would have joined in had she not been stretched out on the floor of the dining room playing with the others.
After congratulations had been made, and hugs and kisses given, and all were safely back in their seats, Dawn nervously stared over at Brian. "Should we?" She mouthed.
He nodded in response. "They'll be upset if you wait until Christmas," he answered, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
"You first," she prodded, sticking a fork in his side. Surprise poured over the boy. This was *her* family and she was throwing him to the wolves?
Then again, if he was going to marry her, it'd be his family too. Like it had become for Takina. And no one had eaten her for lunch yet. Besides, he could do the same at Brian's parent's, where they were headed for coffee afterwards, and toss the onus onto her.
Slowly, with shaking legs, the handsome boy stood, hitting his fork on the crystal too softly to hear. Dawn shook her head and whacked it one from her seat, drawing the attention of the crowd back to the tall, lean, man that was newest to the tribe.
"I.we.I." Brian stuttered, looking over the attentive faces, particularly the protective, blonde *Vampire* with his arm slung casually over the sister of his beloved. Terror grabbed his heart in unkind waves. A nudge from Dawn under the table prodded him to go on. If he was going to marry this girl, to whom the supernatural was only natural, he was going to have to get used to bearing up under the pressure of knowing that a few of them could eat him for lunch.
A deep breath and he mustered up just enough courage to go on. "We. Dawn and I. have an announcement to make as well."
"Oh, cool! What is it?" Willow chimed cheerfully, trying to help the boy along.
"Indeed," Giles contributed, affecting an interested gaze. "Curiosity is getting the better of me."
Spike just glared, one eyebrow twitching.
"Um.Dawn and I. you see, I'm very much in love with her. I have been since the moment I saw her. I mean, she's. everything. Sweet and kind and strong and stubborn," Brian began again.
"And whiney," Xander joked, ducking the olive that was tossed his way by the girl in question.
Brian chuckled. "Sometimes that." Dawn kicked him under the table, a smile on her face. "But I love her, even with her faults and her perfections. And I'm pretty sure she loves me even with mine."
Dawn smiled up at him adoringly, her eyes starting to tear. "I do," she whispered, making him grin back at her with a love that almost rivaled Spike's love for her sister.
"To the chase," Buffy prodded sweetly, leaning forward in her chair with interest, Spike's hand now splayed along her back.
"To the chase," Brian repeated. "Well, this morning, I."
"He asked me to marry him!" Dawn squealed, jumping up next to him and jutting her hand across the table at Buffy, jumping up and down in place.
An audible gasp went through the group. They knew that she had been living with him for over a year now, but she was the baby of the original generation. None of them had seen it, even fathomed it coming. Even now that she was in her twenties. "Married?" Buffy said uneasily.
"You know, the thing with the white dress and the girls in the other colour dresses with the flowers and the food and rings." Dawn snarked, nothing able to spoil her high.
"Wow," Buffy repeated. "Married."
It took a moment for it to sink in, but Tara did the honours and made it easier for the poor, sweating boy at the table. "Brian, Dawn, I think . I think it's great!. You. You really seem to make each other happy. So, I'm happy for you." She rose from her seat and made her elegant way to the excited girl, wrapping her arms around her tightly.
Willow followed suit. "It's wonderful, Dawnie! Yay you! What with the married and the. wow."
Xander stood, making his way to Brian, shaking the boy's hand. "Congrats. You know, she's like my little sister and if you do anything. I mean, anything."
"Xan," Takina warned, hugging Brian. "They're a little hard to break into at first, but you'll be fine," she whispered as she held him, causing him to relax.
They all flooded round the couple, congratulating and hugging. Finally, Buffy made it to her sister.
"You know you'd better hold off until I have this baby," Buffy commented, barely holding back her smile. "I don't want to look like the Great Pumpkin in my dress."
Dawn smiled, tears running down her face. "What makes you think you'll be a bridesmaid?" Dawn snarked, making Buffy laugh through the tears. "June okay? Give you a couple months to de-puff."
Buffy rubbed her belly thoughtfully. "Think I can do it. I'm getting older, but still the Slayer with the healing."
They hugged, arms tight around each other, tears cascading down their faces in happy rivers. Another wife. Another mother. It was amazing to them at this point that either of them had made it this far.
It took a moment before Dawn pulled away, heart beginning to sink into her belly. "Where. Where's Spike?"
Buffy turned around, scanning the group around Brian and the few standing in the entry hall. She closed her eyes. Should have known he would *not* take this well. "I know where he is," she whispered, turning towards the kitchen.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Buffy, I need to do this," Dawn whispered, turning her sister back around.
"Dawnie, it's likely that he. He's not good with the losing a girl kinda thing," she commented in return. "Probably a little fangy grr."
"I can handle him," Dawn whispered, heading perilously for the kitchen. "I hope," she whispered to herself.
~~~~~
Spike prowled the dimly lit back porch like a jungle cat, muscles tight and ready to fire. A red ember at the tip of his cigarette glowed and lessened with each long draw. He didn't smoke much anymore. But he hid a pack in the corner flower pot for emergencies and times of great stress.
This was one of them.
He was so preoccupied in his thoughts that he didn't hear the door open. Didn't hear her expensive heels click onto the wooden deck behind him. Didn't notice her at all until he heard her voice.
"Spike?"
He spun, completely taken aback, part of him melting at the sight of the girl, arms wrapped around herself in the cold, looking afraid and alone. The other part of him *seething* with anger that she'd let another man take her away. That she would do it without telling him first. That she. that he wasn't so important anymore.
"What?" He snapped defensively. "Shouldn't you be in there soaking up the congratulatory bit?"
"Brian's got it under control," Dawn answered, moving a step closer.
Spike backed up imperceptibly, anger and hurt raging inside of him. How could he have let himself. how could he mean so little now to the girl he practically *raised*.
"Spike," Dawn breathed, feeling a tinge of guilt. "I know we should have told you before, but there wasn't any *time*."
"Bloody well *right*, you should have," Spike growled. "Isn't it still polite to ask for a girl's hand in marriage?"
"You didn't," Dawn countered, getting a little ticked herself. "Then again, what you and Buffy do isn't ever questioned is it? I mean, you're *The One* and all."
Spike sighed, slouching back against the railing and lighting up a smoke. "Didn't have a father worth asking," he countered. "Would've asked your mum."
"I know," Dawn said, softening. "And I'm sorry," she continued, moving next to him and gesturing for his smoke.
Spike raised an eyebrow at her and she took it from him anyway. "Only when I'm stressed," she commented, taking a long drag and returning it to him. "Don't tell Buffy."
"You can get cancer you know," Spike lectured. "And yellow teeth."
"So could you. now," she countered, smiling a bit. He closed his eyes and hung his head, shaking it.
"Still don't get why you didn't tell me, Lil' Bit. Mean, you and I. we were always."
"You were like my dad," Dawn muttered, shivering. "Well, better. And younger. And hotter."
"Don't let your sis hear you say that. Hormones and all. Likely to slay you," Spike snarked, taking off his dinner jacket and draping it over the girl's shoulders.
"Jealous, much?" Dawn joked. "Both of you?"
"Works for us, Niblet," Spike answered. "Keeps us together sometimes."
"I know," Dawn answered, pulling the jacket tighter around her shoulders and sighing. "I am sorry I didn't say anything to you first."
Spike nodded, taking a long pull from his cigarette. "'Spose I'll get over it eventually."
"Would this help?" Dawn asked, turning to face him. A quizzical look passed over his features as she stared at him doe eyed and looking like the little girl that used to live in the room down the hall. "Spike, you're right. I don't have a father worth telling. So I. I. I would be honoured if you would walk me down the aisle."
The Vampire's eyes opened in utter shock. Figured it'd be Giles, like it had been with Buffy. But the sincere look on her face, the tears beginning to fall in streams down her cheeks told him it was him. It'd always been him. A swell of pride spread through him like white fire.
"I'd be honoured," he finally answered, nodding his head politely at the girl.
Dawn crawled into his arms as she had done when she was a scared child, burying herself in his chest and breathing in the smells that were Spike. The safety and love and even the strength and the violence. She loved him because of it all and despite it.
He pulled her tighter against him, cradling her against his shoulder and sighing, kissing her forehead. "You know I'm still a bit put out."
Dawn smiled against his chest. "I know. "
"Should have told me."
"I know."
"Good."
There was a long pause, before she spoke again. "Be happy for me, Spike. Please be happy for me. Brian makes me so . I love him."
"I am, Niblet," Spike whispered, kissing her forehead once again. "Just'll take a little getting used to."
It was early when Xander and Takina left, as well as Dawn and Brian. With two families to visit, they could only stay for part of the evening in any one place.
It was okay. They were all worn out from the excitement anyway.
Willow, Tara and Oz stayed for a while, with Giles and Anya and Cyrus. Willow and Giles eyed each other all night, wondering how they could empty the house before midnight.
Suddenly, an opportunity presented itself when Giles's cell phone rang. He hated the contraption, but as head of the Watcher's Council, U.S. branch, he had to be contactable at all times.
The group was quiet as Giles uttered "yes's" and "no's" into the phone, nodding and sighing and shaking his head.
Finally, he ended with "Yes. I'll have them look into it."
At that, both Buffy and Spike perked up. A little violence might be just what they needed to wind down.
Giles snapped the phone closed, looking at the couple. "Seems there's a bit of a demon problem in a warehouse by the pier. One of our informants advised us that it hasn't made a move on any humans yet, but it's sacrificing animals nightly and seems to be getting progressively more powerful. I think it's a good idea if you check into it."
"Right," Spike said, nodding and heading towards the door, Buffy on his heels.
"It's a slime demon," Giles interjected, as they hit the landing, causing them both to look at their clothes, each other and run up the stairs to change and grab weapons.
It wasn't long before The One was out of the house, stopping to kiss both kids good night. Giles sent Anya home with Randy, Cyrus escorting them. Tara and Oz knew something else was going on, but knew better than to ask. They offered to take Emma and Will back to their flat and bring them back in the morning.
Willow and Giles both sighed with relief at the inherent understanding, and the rest were out of the house.
"So, what now?" Willow asked, biting her nails and staring at her mentor.
"Basement," Giles answered, locking the doors and turning out the lights. "And we wait."
To be contd.
YAY! Made it again! My betas so rock, as I just gave this to them Sunday!
So, as many of you have found out (and joined) I started a new Yahoo group for rated chapters of my fic. Go check out HowtoMakeaVampireSundae, at Yahoo groups to join! I think we will kick off next week with a rated chapter.
For those of you sticking to the PG-13 version, you'll be getting a short chapter next week. For those of you who want the Vamp Smut, you'll be getting an *extra* long one. Only to be found on the new group!
Hope you all have a great week. Let me know how you feel!
*Cheery Vibes*,
Nimue
Title: Holiday Bondage - Part Two (Chapter Ten of Meant to Be)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
The rest of the story can be found at:
and present chapters are being posted on my live journal at:
Summary: Turkey Day at the Windsor house. Part two of what I think will be a three part chapter which *might* include some rated material (if you pervs chime in). We shall see. Dinner is concluding and there are some expected announcements made. And some not so expected..
Holiday Bondage - Part Two
"Buffy," Anya began leaning back in her chair, hands folded over her flat stomach. "That was actually.good."
"Anya!" Giles growled quickly, flashing a fragile smile at Buffy.
Spike chuckled under his breath, getting a swift kick to the shins from his beloved. "Learned a thing or two of late, my girl," he commented, smiling at Anya. Buffy tried to be insulted, but could only barely cover her own smile.
"Seriously, Buff, that was excellent," Xander commented, unbuttoning his pants and leaning into the arm draped over the back of his chair. Takina rubbed the back of his neck as he nearly purred in sated bliss.
"Thanks," the hostess answered, somewhat sarcastically. "I think."
"More wine anyone?" Giles asked, lifting the carafe from its spot near his place setting.
"Think it's time we moved on to scotch," Cyrus replied, a grin breaking on his face.
"Second that," Spike chimed in. "Anyone else?"
Everyone put in their drink orders to Spike as Buffy cleared the plates from the table and checked in on the kids who were all playing quietly in what was normally the dining room. Usually quiet denoted something dastardly about to happen, but, in this case, they were all so stuffed that they could do nothing but make up imaginary worlds and crawl around the floor to act them out.
It wasn't long before they were all gathered back around the table, laughing and talking over a few drinks. Catching up on the more mundane parts of life, which, to this particular group, were the out of the ordinary bits. After spending a lifetime chasing Vampires and Demons and various and sundry other beasties, preschool and PTA and clothing sales, and how Man U was faring this year sounded like things that might be found in one of Giles' dusty old tomes.
As conversation waned, Buffy looked at Spike, her eyes a bit dewy. He could feel her in his head. Ready. It was her time to give them all something happy. Something to look forward to.
Spike smiled at her, standing and tapping his dessert fork against his glass. "Quiet down, you lot of braggarts," he joked, smirking at the group. "Seems that we have an announcement or two to make."
Dawn looked at Brian, eyes huge. She'd been careful to hide her left hand under the table. She'd thought of taking the ring off so she didn't slip up, but it felt so good there. So right. How could he know? He couldn't know!
Buffy stood up next to him as the rest quieted down. Spike snaked an arm behind her, feeling the silk of her dress under his palm, inflaming the desire that she'd raised when she released him from his bonds. He fought against it with the same passion he intended to use on her later.
"Um," Buffy began, a rosy colour flooding her cheeks. "I mean, around here, it really isn't that big an announcement."
"Hey, now!" Spike corrected, sounding genuinely hurt.
"No, no," she went on. "I mean, it's *huge* to us, but may not be all shock-inducing to you."
"Out with it, Buff," Xander said, smiling up at her from his chair. Buffy looked at Willow and she smiled as well, nodding. Spike gave her a squeeze around the waist and prompted her back to life.
"Well," she began again, still rosy and beautiful and even a bit shy. "Um. Well, Spike and I are.."
"Are.," Dawn repeated, getting annoyed with her sister's delay. Patience had never been a virtue.
Spike decided it was time to bail her out. "Seems we're going to have another tot."
Eyes grew wide a moment, as mutters of "how?" and "ohmygod" and almost involuntary stares shot at her flat, toned stomach.
Finally, it was Dawn again that asked. "When?"
"About. seven months?" Buffy asked, looking over at Spike.
"Six months, twenty four days, by my count," he answered quite seriously. Buffy's heart warmed at his excitement and she pushed herself up on her toes to kiss him softly.
"A third one?" Cyrus asked jovially, then let his head flop to the table.
"Yay!" Willow squeaked, running round the table and throwing her arms around the both of them. "Yay, yay, yay!" She knew that she was overcompensating for knowing before any of them, but she expected, in her own mind, that she was doing it even more so because of the terror this Prophesy brought to her mind.
"I agree with her," Tara said, her face alight with joy , and nodding at her mate. "With the YAY!"
"I think we all do," Takina chimed in. "That's wonderful, Buffy!"
"I get another niece!" Dawn sing-songed as she made her way round the table to her sis.
"How do you know it'll be a girl?" Buffy asked, wrapping her arms around her sister.
Spike chuckled. "Be my luck. Nother Summers girl to tie me in knots."
Both Buffy and Dawn smirked at him. Emma would have joined in had she not been stretched out on the floor of the dining room playing with the others.
After congratulations had been made, and hugs and kisses given, and all were safely back in their seats, Dawn nervously stared over at Brian. "Should we?" She mouthed.
He nodded in response. "They'll be upset if you wait until Christmas," he answered, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
"You first," she prodded, sticking a fork in his side. Surprise poured over the boy. This was *her* family and she was throwing him to the wolves?
Then again, if he was going to marry her, it'd be his family too. Like it had become for Takina. And no one had eaten her for lunch yet. Besides, he could do the same at Brian's parent's, where they were headed for coffee afterwards, and toss the onus onto her.
Slowly, with shaking legs, the handsome boy stood, hitting his fork on the crystal too softly to hear. Dawn shook her head and whacked it one from her seat, drawing the attention of the crowd back to the tall, lean, man that was newest to the tribe.
"I.we.I." Brian stuttered, looking over the attentive faces, particularly the protective, blonde *Vampire* with his arm slung casually over the sister of his beloved. Terror grabbed his heart in unkind waves. A nudge from Dawn under the table prodded him to go on. If he was going to marry this girl, to whom the supernatural was only natural, he was going to have to get used to bearing up under the pressure of knowing that a few of them could eat him for lunch.
A deep breath and he mustered up just enough courage to go on. "We. Dawn and I. have an announcement to make as well."
"Oh, cool! What is it?" Willow chimed cheerfully, trying to help the boy along.
"Indeed," Giles contributed, affecting an interested gaze. "Curiosity is getting the better of me."
Spike just glared, one eyebrow twitching.
"Um.Dawn and I. you see, I'm very much in love with her. I have been since the moment I saw her. I mean, she's. everything. Sweet and kind and strong and stubborn," Brian began again.
"And whiney," Xander joked, ducking the olive that was tossed his way by the girl in question.
Brian chuckled. "Sometimes that." Dawn kicked him under the table, a smile on her face. "But I love her, even with her faults and her perfections. And I'm pretty sure she loves me even with mine."
Dawn smiled up at him adoringly, her eyes starting to tear. "I do," she whispered, making him grin back at her with a love that almost rivaled Spike's love for her sister.
"To the chase," Buffy prodded sweetly, leaning forward in her chair with interest, Spike's hand now splayed along her back.
"To the chase," Brian repeated. "Well, this morning, I."
"He asked me to marry him!" Dawn squealed, jumping up next to him and jutting her hand across the table at Buffy, jumping up and down in place.
An audible gasp went through the group. They knew that she had been living with him for over a year now, but she was the baby of the original generation. None of them had seen it, even fathomed it coming. Even now that she was in her twenties. "Married?" Buffy said uneasily.
"You know, the thing with the white dress and the girls in the other colour dresses with the flowers and the food and rings." Dawn snarked, nothing able to spoil her high.
"Wow," Buffy repeated. "Married."
It took a moment for it to sink in, but Tara did the honours and made it easier for the poor, sweating boy at the table. "Brian, Dawn, I think . I think it's great!. You. You really seem to make each other happy. So, I'm happy for you." She rose from her seat and made her elegant way to the excited girl, wrapping her arms around her tightly.
Willow followed suit. "It's wonderful, Dawnie! Yay you! What with the married and the. wow."
Xander stood, making his way to Brian, shaking the boy's hand. "Congrats. You know, she's like my little sister and if you do anything. I mean, anything."
"Xan," Takina warned, hugging Brian. "They're a little hard to break into at first, but you'll be fine," she whispered as she held him, causing him to relax.
They all flooded round the couple, congratulating and hugging. Finally, Buffy made it to her sister.
"You know you'd better hold off until I have this baby," Buffy commented, barely holding back her smile. "I don't want to look like the Great Pumpkin in my dress."
Dawn smiled, tears running down her face. "What makes you think you'll be a bridesmaid?" Dawn snarked, making Buffy laugh through the tears. "June okay? Give you a couple months to de-puff."
Buffy rubbed her belly thoughtfully. "Think I can do it. I'm getting older, but still the Slayer with the healing."
They hugged, arms tight around each other, tears cascading down their faces in happy rivers. Another wife. Another mother. It was amazing to them at this point that either of them had made it this far.
It took a moment before Dawn pulled away, heart beginning to sink into her belly. "Where. Where's Spike?"
Buffy turned around, scanning the group around Brian and the few standing in the entry hall. She closed her eyes. Should have known he would *not* take this well. "I know where he is," she whispered, turning towards the kitchen.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Buffy, I need to do this," Dawn whispered, turning her sister back around.
"Dawnie, it's likely that he. He's not good with the losing a girl kinda thing," she commented in return. "Probably a little fangy grr."
"I can handle him," Dawn whispered, heading perilously for the kitchen. "I hope," she whispered to herself.
~~~~~
Spike prowled the dimly lit back porch like a jungle cat, muscles tight and ready to fire. A red ember at the tip of his cigarette glowed and lessened with each long draw. He didn't smoke much anymore. But he hid a pack in the corner flower pot for emergencies and times of great stress.
This was one of them.
He was so preoccupied in his thoughts that he didn't hear the door open. Didn't hear her expensive heels click onto the wooden deck behind him. Didn't notice her at all until he heard her voice.
"Spike?"
He spun, completely taken aback, part of him melting at the sight of the girl, arms wrapped around herself in the cold, looking afraid and alone. The other part of him *seething* with anger that she'd let another man take her away. That she would do it without telling him first. That she. that he wasn't so important anymore.
"What?" He snapped defensively. "Shouldn't you be in there soaking up the congratulatory bit?"
"Brian's got it under control," Dawn answered, moving a step closer.
Spike backed up imperceptibly, anger and hurt raging inside of him. How could he have let himself. how could he mean so little now to the girl he practically *raised*.
"Spike," Dawn breathed, feeling a tinge of guilt. "I know we should have told you before, but there wasn't any *time*."
"Bloody well *right*, you should have," Spike growled. "Isn't it still polite to ask for a girl's hand in marriage?"
"You didn't," Dawn countered, getting a little ticked herself. "Then again, what you and Buffy do isn't ever questioned is it? I mean, you're *The One* and all."
Spike sighed, slouching back against the railing and lighting up a smoke. "Didn't have a father worth asking," he countered. "Would've asked your mum."
"I know," Dawn said, softening. "And I'm sorry," she continued, moving next to him and gesturing for his smoke.
Spike raised an eyebrow at her and she took it from him anyway. "Only when I'm stressed," she commented, taking a long drag and returning it to him. "Don't tell Buffy."
"You can get cancer you know," Spike lectured. "And yellow teeth."
"So could you. now," she countered, smiling a bit. He closed his eyes and hung his head, shaking it.
"Still don't get why you didn't tell me, Lil' Bit. Mean, you and I. we were always."
"You were like my dad," Dawn muttered, shivering. "Well, better. And younger. And hotter."
"Don't let your sis hear you say that. Hormones and all. Likely to slay you," Spike snarked, taking off his dinner jacket and draping it over the girl's shoulders.
"Jealous, much?" Dawn joked. "Both of you?"
"Works for us, Niblet," Spike answered. "Keeps us together sometimes."
"I know," Dawn answered, pulling the jacket tighter around her shoulders and sighing. "I am sorry I didn't say anything to you first."
Spike nodded, taking a long pull from his cigarette. "'Spose I'll get over it eventually."
"Would this help?" Dawn asked, turning to face him. A quizzical look passed over his features as she stared at him doe eyed and looking like the little girl that used to live in the room down the hall. "Spike, you're right. I don't have a father worth telling. So I. I. I would be honoured if you would walk me down the aisle."
The Vampire's eyes opened in utter shock. Figured it'd be Giles, like it had been with Buffy. But the sincere look on her face, the tears beginning to fall in streams down her cheeks told him it was him. It'd always been him. A swell of pride spread through him like white fire.
"I'd be honoured," he finally answered, nodding his head politely at the girl.
Dawn crawled into his arms as she had done when she was a scared child, burying herself in his chest and breathing in the smells that were Spike. The safety and love and even the strength and the violence. She loved him because of it all and despite it.
He pulled her tighter against him, cradling her against his shoulder and sighing, kissing her forehead. "You know I'm still a bit put out."
Dawn smiled against his chest. "I know. "
"Should have told me."
"I know."
"Good."
There was a long pause, before she spoke again. "Be happy for me, Spike. Please be happy for me. Brian makes me so . I love him."
"I am, Niblet," Spike whispered, kissing her forehead once again. "Just'll take a little getting used to."
It was early when Xander and Takina left, as well as Dawn and Brian. With two families to visit, they could only stay for part of the evening in any one place.
It was okay. They were all worn out from the excitement anyway.
Willow, Tara and Oz stayed for a while, with Giles and Anya and Cyrus. Willow and Giles eyed each other all night, wondering how they could empty the house before midnight.
Suddenly, an opportunity presented itself when Giles's cell phone rang. He hated the contraption, but as head of the Watcher's Council, U.S. branch, he had to be contactable at all times.
The group was quiet as Giles uttered "yes's" and "no's" into the phone, nodding and sighing and shaking his head.
Finally, he ended with "Yes. I'll have them look into it."
At that, both Buffy and Spike perked up. A little violence might be just what they needed to wind down.
Giles snapped the phone closed, looking at the couple. "Seems there's a bit of a demon problem in a warehouse by the pier. One of our informants advised us that it hasn't made a move on any humans yet, but it's sacrificing animals nightly and seems to be getting progressively more powerful. I think it's a good idea if you check into it."
"Right," Spike said, nodding and heading towards the door, Buffy on his heels.
"It's a slime demon," Giles interjected, as they hit the landing, causing them both to look at their clothes, each other and run up the stairs to change and grab weapons.
It wasn't long before The One was out of the house, stopping to kiss both kids good night. Giles sent Anya home with Randy, Cyrus escorting them. Tara and Oz knew something else was going on, but knew better than to ask. They offered to take Emma and Will back to their flat and bring them back in the morning.
Willow and Giles both sighed with relief at the inherent understanding, and the rest were out of the house.
"So, what now?" Willow asked, biting her nails and staring at her mentor.
"Basement," Giles answered, locking the doors and turning out the lights. "And we wait."
To be contd.