A/N Thanks everyone for the reviews so far. For those of you who don't have me on author alert, the story rating maybe be upped to an R for the subsequent chapter, so of course I wont be appearing on the PG13 updates page. Sorry in advance for the cliffhanger.

I do Chapter 12

"B, I do declare, I am shocked beyond words," said Faith in a dramatic southern belle accent.

Anya looked at everyone, not really sure how to respond.

"That's very nice for you. Spike seems well formed, I hope you have great sex and lots of babies," she replied.

Buffy ignored the blunt congratulations from the new girl, looking at Giles.

"Giles?" asked Buffy.

Giles was looking towards the kitchen; Xander was out of view as he was picking up the saucepans which had thankfully been empty at the time of his dropping them. He popped his head back up over the serving hatch, his expression still one of shock.

"Mind if I have a duh moment here Buff, but when did the diner become the twighlight zone? Because I think I just entered it," said Xander.

Faith smiled to herself. "Good question, care to fill us in? We are dying for the gory details,"

"Well I...er...um it was one of those moments...you just see someone and you know that's the person you are supposed to be with for the rest of your life...Spike?" Buffy looked to him for help.

"Yep ours was one of those stories that you only read about in fairytales. Besides she couldn't keep her hands off me and I wanted to make an honest woman of her first," grinned Spike. He grabbed Buffy around the waist and kissed her on the lips passionately, in front of all her co-workers.

"Maybe they need to get a room?" asked Anya.

Buffy's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment when they pulled apart.

"Fairytales as in fiction?" asked Faith, folding her arms across her chest.

"Yes...er...as in a happy ever after," Buffy finished awkwardly. She looked over at her employer whom had remained silent throughout it all, he had removed his glasses and was cleaning them vigorously, never a good sign.

"I am very happy for you Buffy, for ah, both of you," Giles replied, before walking off in the direction of his office.

"I'd better go talk to him, I think I hurt his feelings," said Buffy, looking up at her husband.

"Remember it's your life Buffy, you shouldn't be made to feel guilty for making your own choices," Spike told her.

"Yeah, but Giles has been like a father to me this last year," sighed Buffy as she followed the route her employer had just taken.

There was a moment of awkward silence, as Spike looked at the rest of Buffy's workmates.

"So bleach boy, gonna Spill? What's it like living with our B? Hope you are treating her with all the i respect /i she deserves," said Faith.

Spike looked down at Faith. He could see by the expression in her sparkling brown eyes, that she had enjoyed every moment of their discomfort, but that was just Faith. He had gotten to know her pretty well while she had been dating his friend. He liked her a lot, especially the changes she had wrought in Angel.

"So how's Mr Happy?" asked Spike.

"Angel?"

"Can you doubt it?" Spike replied.

"He is doing very well. He's asked me to move in with him,"

Spike whistled. "Sounds serious,"

Spike looked over Faith's shoulder at Anya. She seemed totally bored by the conversation and she ambled back over to the serving hatch to talk to Xander.

"Bet your ass it's serious, I think I love him," said Faith sadly.

"And you are not sure if he feels the same way? He'd be a bloody idiot not to," said Spike, as he led Faith to one of the tables and they sat down together.

"Won't argue with that, but Angel wasn't really a commitment kinda guy before I showed up, but then again I guess, neither was I," said Faith wryly.

"Look Faith, I know Angel pretty well. He likes you, I would hazard at a guess that he feels the same way as you. Don't blow it with self-doubt," Spike pulled a face at the irony of his words. Here was he, in almost the same situation, giving advice, when he was too afraid to act on it himself. But then again, Faith and Angel were together because they wanted to be, and not because one had had the other forced on them. He sighed to himself.

"Yes Dad, now about you and Buffy..." she grinned, punching his arm playfully.

Buffy knocked on the door of Giles's office, not sure of her reception at she entered at his "Come in" She shut the door behind her and sat down.

"Sorry," she offered.

"Don't be sorry Buffy, you obviously knew your mind when you married him, but why the secrecy?" asked Giles.

"It all happened so fast, Dawnie got sick and I met Spike. His time was running out here, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. We love each other, please be happy for me," she pleaded.

"Well he looks a little unconventional, not the sort of person I would have imagined you ending up with, but I have to you points for him being an Englishman," Giles teased her, his ire and disappointment soon forgotten. Last thing he wanted was Buffy doing a guilt trip over some wounded feelings of his own. Her happiness was more important to him than that.

He walked over to the mini fridge in the corner and took out a bottle of champagne.

"It's a little early isn't it?" asked Buffy.

"Not on an occasion like this, no, we'll open up late. Just this once, the customers can wait," he replied as he popped the cork and he walked out of the office, Buffy trailing behind him.

The first thing Buffy saw as she re-entered the diner was Spike and Faith sitting together at a table. He was patting her friend's hand, and Buffy felt murderous at the sight of them looking so at ease with one another. She recognised the feeling coursing through her for what it was...jealousy. That couldn't be right, she reasoned, to be jealous about something you had to care. She frowned some more, feeling thoroughly out of sorts.

Faith got up from the table; she smiled at the expression on Buffy's face.

"Got to hand it you Buffy you picked a winner there, brains and beauty a rare combination in a man. Most of my past boyfriends brains were situated in their pants," said Faith.

"Good job you have Angel then," snapped Buffy.

"Do I detect a little of the green eyed monster here Buffy? You keep reminding me I have Angel. Spike and I were just talking that's all," Faith replied.

Buffy felt a little ashamed at her outburst. She just didn't like how she had felt when she had seen Spike with another woman.

"I'm sorry Faith,"

"Its okay, guess it's just all the sexual tension getting to you," she whispered in Buffy's ear as she walked up to the counter to get some plastic cups for the champagne.

Buffy stared after Faith. Just what had she been alluding to?

Giles passed round half filled cups of Champagne to all who were present, before raising his plastic cup in a toast to Spike and Buffy.

"To the bride and groom, may they have love laughter and happiness for many years to come,"

"To the bride and groom," came the reply from all present.

"That's great," said Anya as she finished her drink. "Can we open and make some money now?"

Faith groaned. "Killjoy,"

"What did I say?" asked Anya in confusion.

"Nothing, you are perfect the way you are," said Xander.

Anya smiled broadly at him. "Thanks, you too. Did anyone ever tell you that you have nice arms? Do you work out?"

Xander almost physically preened himself under her compliments.

Faith laughed at them. "I don't know about Spike and Buffy getting a room maybe you two should," She picked up her order pad and walked off to serve the first customer of the day.

The days soon settled into weeks. Spike had been living in their house for two whole weeks now. Buffy almost couldn't remember what she and Dawn's life had been like before he'd moved in. She actually looked forward to coming home in the evenings. Spike had taken over the cooking and most of the household chores, which used to be looming before her on her return home. She had protested at first, but it had made sense in the end. It meant she could spend more time with Dawn and consequently Spike. Buffy realised that she was experiencing the real happiness that she had craved, but which had eluded her for many months.

Spike loved seeing the changes in her, her smiles reached her eyes now. He also adored the way her nose crinkled a little when she laughed and he even liked her independent spirit, which sometimes got in the way of allowing him to help her. Dawn had managed to work her way into his heart and had become the sister to him that he'd never had.

He never lost an opportunity to kiss or touch Buffy hoping he could communicate his feelings through his caresses. The shadow of Drusilla still hung over him a little, he was afraid of the exact same thing that Faith was...of being hurt.

Sometimes when Dawn wasn't around they would get very heated in their passionate embraces. On one occasion, only the other night, if they hadn't been interrupted by a phone call, he was sure they would have ended up making love on the sofa. Spike had been glad of the disruption, she deserved better than to have her first time on a sofa. He still was unsure of how deep Buffy's feelings for him ran, but he knew she wanted him and for now that would have to do.

Dawn had continued with her painful treatments, her hair had thinned out some more, until one day she had come to Spike in resigned tears. Buffy had been at the diner at the time and he hadn't wanted to disturb her. Dawn had made the decision to have the remainder of her hair removed, before it was all gone. Spike had cut her hair for her and afterwards he had gone out and bought her some pretty silk scarves and a couple of hats. Buffy had tried not to cry at the sight of her sister's beautiful hair all gone, but accepted whatever it took to get Dawn well, a little hair was nothing compared to her sister.

As she had held Dawn she had mouthed "Thank you," to Spike over her sister's shoulder. Her heart ached with gratitude for what he had done. She was learning to depend on him for so much, that it scared her.

Dawn and Buffy pulled apart, and her sister looked at her, her usual smile back in place. "Um Buffy?" Dawn began.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I could stay at Willow's tonight? She asked me ages ago if I wanted to stay over,"

"Dawnie, I don't know..."

"Let her Buffy; I mean what harm can it do? She already talked to Willow about it on the phone earlier. She is only allowed with your say so," said Spike.

Buffy chewed her lip, she wanted to say yes, but deep down she was afraid of being left alone with Spike if she were truthful. She looked at Dawn and sighed.

"Stop making those puppy dog eyes at me,"

"Pleeese, Buffy," she pleaded.

"Oh, okay, but no staying up late or anything," said Buffy.

"Great, thanks sis," said Dawn as she kissed her sister on the cheek and bounded off into the lounge to call Willow.

Spike looked at her. "You and I on our little lonesomes, what shall we do with ourselves?" asked Spike.

Buffy took off her coat and hung it up. I for one need a bath; I stink of stale hamburgers,"

"You always smell great to me, especially when you are in my arms and our bed," he replied.

Buffy's face turned red at the train her thoughts were taking.

"I love making you blush Summers, you do it so well. Go put your feet up while I run you a nice hot, bubble bath,"

Before she could protest, Spike was gone and up the stairs. Dawn came back out of the living room.

"It's all set; Willow is picking me up in half an hour,"

"You sure you will be okay?" asked Buffy.

"Stop fussing Buffy," said Dawn as she went upstairs to pack her overnight bag.

Buffy pulled off her shoes and flopped down on the couch. She closed her eyes just for a moment, without meaning to, she drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, the house was in total silence, except for the sound of someone in the kitchen and the delicious aroma that came from it. Spike came out through the door a moment later.

"So you are awake," he said.

"Yeah, sorry about the bath," she replied.

"That's okay; it should still be hot enough. Dawn has gone by the way, Willow stopped by to pick her up a few minutes ago,"

"So it's just you and me?" asked Buffy.

"Yeah it is,"

"Spike, why do you think Dawn wanted to go stay at Willow's tonight?" asked Buffy.

"You want the real answer? Or the Hallmark version?" asked Spike.

"The truth,"

"She worries that she is a burden to you Buffy. She just wanted to give you a timeout," Spike replied.

"She could never be that," Said Buffy, tears threatening to spill over her cheeks.

"Hey now, you said you wanted the truth," Spike said as he took her in his arms.

"Yeah, I know,"

"Now go get that bath young woman unless you want me to come up there and wash you personally," Spike grinned at her.

"Um yeah you are right, better get a bath,"

"And don't be long; I have made something special for dinner,"

"What's the occasion?" she asked.

"Nothing, I just thought I would treat you, that's all. You're worth it," he smiled at her. "Now get your ass up those stairs, and don't be long,"

"Yes sir," she saluted him cheekily before running up the stairs.

"Saucy wench," he called after her.

Buffy relaxed in the fragrant bubbles. The room was illuminated only by the candles that Spike had lit. It felt so wonderful to be pampered and cared for. She quickly washed her hair and soaped her body, not wanting to keep him waiting. She got out of the bath and dressed in a short black skirt and a pretty white blouse she had been saving for a special occasion which had never materialised until now. She felt as nervous she had on her very first date at the age of 14. But she wasn't any girl now, she was a fully grown woman, she reminded herself, and a married one at that.

She dabbed some perfume on her wrists and pulse points, before she left the room and descended the stairs. Spike was waiting for her in the lounge. He had lit a couple of tall candles. He had changed also and he looked so beautiful to her in the soft light of the room. Music played discreetly on the stereo, while blood red roses adorned the table. She breathed in their scent, before smiling at him.

"It looks beautiful, thanks," she added tritely, feeling very aware of him and the fact that they were alone.

"Dinner won't be ready for a few moments, would the lady care to dance?" he asked holding out his hand.

Buffy hesitated for a moment. It had been so long since she had danced, the thought of being in his arms was too big a temptation for her to say no. The music slowed as if on cue, as she laid her head on his shoulder. She stiffened slightly in his arms, as the woman began to sing. It was an old classic, one of her mother's favourite tracks...she sighed sadly against his shoulder. Buffy wondered what her mother would have thought of Spike...she closed her eyes and lost herself in the music and the moment.

The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave...to the dark and the endless skies my love..

As Spike turned her slowly around the room, his body moulded closely to hers, she felt all the regret swell inside her for the things her mother would never do. Life was a fragile thing, and was nothing without taking chances at happiness, she realised. Spike had given her so much these past couple of weeks, maybe not the moon and stars, but it came pretty damn close.

The first time I ever kissed your mouth, I felt the earth move in my hand like the trembling heart of a captive bird that was there at my command my love...

Spike looked down at her; she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. He swallowed hard at the sight of her. She looked up at him and smiled, before reaching up and pressing her lips to his.

The first time ever I lay with you, I felt your heart so close to mine and I knew our joy would fill the earth and last until the end of time my love, and it would last until the end of time, the first time ever I saw your face...

They pulled apart, both of them gasping for breath. Buffy's heartstrings pulled at the words of the song, it was then with all certainty that she knew what she had wanted since the first time she had seen him.

"Spike," she breathed.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Make love to me,"

TBC