Here's the next chapter folks.
Waking up next to Buffy every morning put a great big smile on Spike's face. He'd just lie there and watch her sleep.
Everything was coming together for the two of them now. They were together, happy and sharing their lives. They finally got what they wanted: someone to love and someone to love them back.
Spike did feel pretty guilty for not telling Buffy he was back but they had sorted everything out with a conversation when he had first come to Rome 3 ½ weeks ago.
"There are some things that I need to tell you Buffy." She listened as Spike told her about coming out of the amulet in Angel's LA office, being a ghost, being made corporeal again, becoming closer to Angel and his gang, the battle in the alley and finally being made human again.
"Now it's my turn." Spike returned the favour as Buffy told him of travelling the world in search of new slayers, living with Dawn and Andrew (who had become a permanent fixture in her apartment) in Rome and of course the Immortal. He found this part hard to hear which was understandable because he loved Buffy more than anything else in this world. As she told him they broke up because she found him cheating on her these words escaped his mouth.
"Wanker. Doesn't he know how to treat a woman?" He was still the same old Spike.
That day they had talked for hours.
"Dawn and Andrew are off slayer hunting so we should be on our own for at least 4 weeks." Said Buffy suggestively.
"Oh really." Replied Spike before kissing Buffy passionately.
They had scarcely left the bedroom let alone the apartment since the day he had returned. They had of course returned to LA for the funerals of Wes, Fred and Gunn but that was about it really because they were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't want to leave.
The loud ringing of the telephone woke Buffy from her slumber.
"Hello."
5 minutes later she hung up.
"That was Dawn. She and Andrew will be back in 2 days."
"So how do you reckon we should tell 'em?" asked Spike.
"Well I was thinking that we should have a meal and invite everyone over and tell them at the same time. It'll hopefully save on time and lectures."
"Sounds good but I'm not cooking." Responded Spike as he left the bedroom and went to the kitchen
"Fine then I will."
"Perfect. If you poison 'em it'll save having to tell 'em I'm back."
"You're lucky I love you or you'd be seriously injured right now."
"Love you too. Now what do you want for breakfast?"
"Cereal is fine." Answered Buffy as she followed Spike into the kitchen. She walked up to him, put her arms round his waist and kissed his neck.
"I'd better ring the guys now. Let them know about dinner." Said Buffy as she walked over to the cordless phone that was currently on its hanger on the brick wall of the kitchen.
After calls to Willow and Kennedy in Brazil, Giles in London and Xander in Cleveland, dinner was set for 2 days from now.
"Everyone coming?" asked Spike as he handed Buffy her cereal.
"Yep. Will and Kennedy, Giles and Xand." Replied Buffy.
"Great. I hope it's a funny death."
"Hey! No death jokes. It's a rule."
"Sorry. I'll try and remember for future reference."
"Just make sure you do." Spike said before kissing Buffy again and then letting her eat her breakfast.
Next chapter will be the dinner.