The Nearness of You
Disclaimer: I own nothing
I Love Reviews!
-----Butterfly Kisses-----
Spike stood there alone looking around himself nervously. He couldn't ever remember being this terrified before in his unlife. The predators were circling around and could sense his fear.
"Is there something you would like to look at, sir?" an elderly lady asked him expectantly. Spike nearly jumped out of his skin. It had begun.
"I need something from here. It has to be pretty. But I don't know what she'd like," Spike explained finally to the lady behind the jewelry counter.
"Could you describe your lady friend to me? Age? Looks?" the sales lady asked, looking at Spike sympathetically.
"She's about 22 by now, really athletic, short and petite, long blonde hair, and she has amazing green eyes," Spike rambled off as his eyes focused on an image of Buffy in his head.
"Might I recommend gold?" the sales lady inquired.
"That'd be fine," Spike said anxiously playing with his lighter.
"We have a beautiful collection of rings-" she started, but was cut off abruptly by Spike slamming his hands onto the counters.
"No bloody rings! That's what her former sodden boyfriend gave her," Spike snapped suddenly at the woman. Stupid sales bint, couldn't she keep up?
"How about a necklace? Would you be interested in any of these for your special lady?" the woman asked, gesturing to another jewelry case trying to prevent this punk-looking customer from exploding again.
As Spike looked carefully at each individual necklace, he found one he knew would look amazing on his slayer. It was a golden necklace with a thin chain and it had three emeralds hanging from it. After pointing out the one he wanted and having the necklace gift-wrapped, he walked out of the small jewelry store and into the much larger mall to locate Buffy.
o8o8o8o
Spike popped in shop after shop looking for his girls, until he saw sweet little Emma sitting on a chair outside a set of dressing rooms. Spike walked in and proceeded to wander through the rows of clothing waiting for Buffy to make her appearance.
"What do you think of this outfit, Emma?" Buffy asked, modeling for her daughter, "Do you think your daddy will like it?"
"I think I more than like it." Spike said trying to scrape his jaw from the floor. He choked when Buffy appeared from the dressing room in a black mini-skirt and cream-colored spaghetti strap top. It took all his will power to not have at her, in the very public mall. If he were being completely honest with himself, it didn't matter what the slayer was wearing, he couldn't help his uncontrollable lust for her.
"Spike! What are you doing here go away!" Buffy demanded, rushing back into the dressing room. He was supposed to be gone doing guy stuff and leaving her to do her girl stuff. And now Spike ruined the surprise.
"Well I came to see what you were doing, but I guess I'm gonna take Emma instead. We'll meet you in the food court in two hours. Alright?" Spike asked, picking up Emma from her seat. Emma was ready to leave that boring clothes shop, they didn't even have one toy for her to play with.
"Fine! Just go away," Buffy yelled back.
"Your mum is completely bonkers." Spike whispered to Emma, as they walked out of the store together. Spike smiled brightly as he looked down at Emma's little arms clinging to his neck and her little blonde head resting on his shoulder. It was a Kodak moment.
"So what shall we do, to pass the time, bit?" Spike asked looking around, when suddenly an idea came to him. "How do you feel about toys, Emma?" Emma's face lit up and Spike knew he had hit the nail on the head.
o8o8o8o
Two hours later, Spike strolled out of the children's store with Emma in one arm and several huge bags containing toys and little girl clothes in the other hand. The pair made their way up to the food court and began to search for Buffy.
"Hey, looks like Emma conned you," Buffy said with a little laugh, as she took in the ridiculous size of the bags Spike was holding.
"Nothing, but the best for my daughter," Spike replied defensively.
"You're going to spoil her and I'm going to remind you of this moment," Buffy warned taking Emma from Spike's full arms.
"Just making up for lost time. It's not my fault that her mum kept her from me for all these years," Spike replied glaring at Buffy.
"Spike, I had good reasons," Buffy defended. Buffy could not believe she let Spike talk her into going anywhere with him. He was child-like and obnoxious.
"No, you didn't have good reasons. You didn't even know me!" Spike exclaimed. He could not believe what a bitch Buffy was being at that moment. All because he was trying to be a good father.
"There's a damn good reason. I didn't know you, how could I have known you'd take to being a father so well?" Buffy asked, in her own defense.
"Here's a thought, you could have told me," Spike growled back at her. Spike didn't expect the overhand right that Buffy delivered with painful accuracy, but despite the skull-splitting pain, Spike just stood there and glared.
"Spike, oh god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you," Buffy apologized quickly.
"For not meaning to, you came damn near close to breaking my jaw." Spike replied tenderly feeling his jaw.
"I am so, so sorry. Let me make it up to you," Buffy offered caressing his cheek.
"No, really slayer, I'm fine." Spike said, taking Emma from Buffy's arms "C'mon pet, let's get out of here," Spike continued. He wrapped an arm around Buffy's tiny waist as he leaned into her and nipped her ear. "I got you a surprise, Buffy."
"Really? What is it?" Buffy asked, looking Spike up and down to see where it might be.
"Not yet. I have something special planned," Spike whispered vaguely, while kissing her neck tenderly.
While Buffy had been shopping alone, Spike prepared an entire evening for her, with Emma's help. He took the girls back to the hotel room and left them alone to get ready for a romantic evening and to pack.
"Slayer, it's nine o'clock! Are you almost ready?" Spike asked pacing nervously pulling at his tie.
"Be right out!" Buffy called back.
Buffy finally appeared from her hotel room with Emma after another ten minutes, but when she stepped out Spike decided she was definitely worth the wait. Wearing the outfit from the dressing room earlier, she looked edible. The outfit that Buffy picked out for Emma was precious, a pink dress with red fringe and strawberry patterns all over.
"My ladies," Spike greeted making a sweeping gesture towards his car, which he had spent over an hour cleaning earlier that night.
"Spike, where are you taking us?" Buffy asked sweetly, but Spike only gave her his patented cocky grin as he guided his women to the car, taking the suitcases and tossing them into the trunk.
o8o8o8o
As Spike drove them to their unknown destination, Emma had fallen asleep and Buffy studied him. Five years could really change a person, or a vampire. Buffy adored Spike's transformation from enemy to lover and father. Spike looked amazing, he wore a button up black shirt, with black trousers. But he topped it all off with a blue tie that was the color of his eyes, a stormy blue.
Spike looked great and although Buffy kept rejecting him, all she really wanted to do was get a room with him and stay in it for a few days 'til she had him out of her system. But she knew she was lying to herself. She couldn't get over Spike, he was addictive and the more she got of him the more she wanted.
"Why are you this fabulous?" Buffy asked him quietly.
"Maybe I'm just treating you the way you deserve to be treated," Spike responded watching Buffy's face. She looked slightly surprised by his response.
"Liar," Buffy said teasingly, swatting at Spike's arm.
"Do you regret what happened five years ago, between us?" Spike asked, somewhat fearing her answer and the potential rejection, but he had to know.
"Yes I do," Buffy said, recognizing the hurt already forming on Spike's face. "Not for the reason's you think though. I regret not telling you I was pregnant, going into hiding, but I do not regret what we did that night. We both needed someone to comfort us and besides I think we got a really cute daughter out of our night together," Buffy replied, kissing his cheek.
"Then why won't you let me make love to you, pet?" Spike asked with genuine sincerity.
"I don't even know if I can remember what sex was like. After Emma was born, there was no time to bother with other men," Buffy replied sheepishly, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment at her confession.
"Believe me, Buffy, it's like riding a damn bike, you never forget. And besides you've got the world's greatest lover as your partner," Spike proclaimed with a grin.
"Spike, you were great, but I doubt you're the world's greatest lover. Wasn't it supposed to be some Spanish guy named Don?" Buffy laughed lightly poking him.
"Hey! We were only together that one night, I've got moves and experiences that could keep you in my bed for the rest of your long life," the cocky Brit responded.
"Really? I'll hold you to that," Buffy said with a small sweet smile. Spike was a little shacked and wasn't sure he had heard her right the first time.
"Ms. Summers, how unexpected of you. Finally" Spike exclaimed grateful for the distraction. "We've arrived," Spike, said as he turned off the ignition and ran around to open Buffy's side door.
"Where is here exactly? There's nothing here," Buffy said looking around for any sign of civilization.
"Grab lil' Emma and follow me," Spike said walking off into the night.
Buffy did grab her sleeping baby, who just flopped right into her arms. The slayer walked up a small incline of rocks, which was not easy, since she was trying not to drop Emma and also not ruin her outfit. When Buffy finally reached Spike, she was about to give him a piece of her mind when she saw the romantic table set for two in a little veranda overlooking the green valley below. As Buffy continued looking around she noticed a large log cabin with a warm glow coming from inside.
"Ms. Summers," inquired an old little woman with silver hair and a lavender dress.
"Yes," Buffy turned to address the woman who was walking towards them.
"Oh! You're even more beautiful then William described! And this must be your daughter, Emma. He has told me all about the two of you," the gray-haired lady said, as she moved closer to get a better look at Emma.
"Are the rooms ready?" Spike asked, moving to stand beside Buffy and Emma.
"Everything is perfect! I've sent down one of my boys to take up your bags. Now hand over Emma, so your night can begin," the old lady said reaching for Emma, but Buffy continued to clutch her daughter close and pulled Emma out of the woman's reach. The graying woman wasn't sure how to react and looked to Spike.
"Buffy, you can trust her. She saved my life a long time ago. And if I can trust her, you certainly can," Spike said watching as Buffy reluctantly handed over her daughter. The lady walked inside and Buffy immediately began to feel anxious about being away from Emma.
"Slayer, don't fixate. I have a romantic night planned for us," Spike soothed, lacing his fingers with Buffy's, as he guided her toward their dinner for two in the veranda.
Buffy felt her heart swell when she looked down at her plate. There was steak shaped like a heart and various chopped up vegetables took on the shape of an arrow going through the heart. Even the place settings had hearts on them.
"You planned this?" Buffy asked with astonishment.
"Marie, did all of the work, I just told her what I wanted. This may surprise you, but I have really great friends," Spike answered as he pulled out Buffy's seat for her.
"You certainly have interesting friends," Buffy said with a laugh. "This is beautiful, I never expected this from a former enemy of mine," Buffy said, as she and Spike began to eat their meals.
The two sat out in the veranda enjoying their special dinner and having light conversation. The warm night air was perfect as the two sat at the table bathed in the soft glow of candlelight.
"Spike, the view is beautiful from up here. How did you ever find this place?" Buffy asked looking out onto the dark valley below.
"I helped to build it. The cabin I mean," Spike answered. The look on Buffy's face told him to go on.
"Alright 47 years ago I was traveling with Drucilla across America. Well she insisted on taking a bus, but she got onto the wrong damn bus and I was left searching for her. Well, some how I ended up in the middle of nowhere, with no shelter and a quickly rising sun. Marie found me and took me into her pitiful shack and let me stay 'til nightfall. Well I had nowhere to go when night came. Long story made short, she saved me, I didn't feel like killing her, so I helped build her this cabin," Spike explained as though it should be terribly obvious.
"You are a strange and sweet vampire," Buffy said as she sipped her wine.
"Yeah, I guess my secret's out. I don't hate all humans," Spike said smirking at Buffy.
"Please, you like all sorts of humans, you big softy. Hell, you're living in my mom's basement," Buffy scoffed at Spike's attempt to sound evil.
"Dance with me, Buffy?" Spike asked, standing up from the table and holding his hand out to her.
"There's no music." Buffy replied, although she still accepted his hand and stood up to dance with him.
"Just dance with me, there doesn't have to be music," Spike said.
The couple swayed together all alone in the night holding each other close. Buffy's face rested upon Spike's chest and Spike just inhaled the slayer's sweet scent.
When Buffy looked up into Spike's eyes she could see his love for her. She wondered how she has lived the last few years without moments like this. Spike enjoyed the way Buffy looked at him with such obvious delight. He leaned down and gently tasted her soft lips.
"I got you something," Spike said, he reached into his pocket and as Buffy looked at the rectangular blue and silver box, and she gasped in surprise.
Buffy slowly took the gift from Spike and slowly opened it savoring the moment. Buffy couldn't help the few tears that escaped as she looked down at the beautiful golden necklace decorated with emeralds. This was possibly the most beautiful gift she had ever received.
"Now that is two of the most beautiful gifts you have given me, Emma and this necklace. Put it on me?" Buffy asked sweetly.
"With pleasure, kitten," Spike said, he slowly placed the necklace around her neck and then proceeded to kiss the side of her neck softly.
"I want you, Spike. To make love to me tonight?" Buffy asked shyly.
"Oh alright! Twist my arm," Spike replied sarcastically, as he swept Buffy up into his arms and carried her towards the wooden cabin.
"I guess now we get to find out whether I can remember to ride a bike," Buffy said with a grin.
"What?" Spike asked, looking at Buffy as though she had finally lost her mind.
"You said sex was like riding a bike, you never forget." Buffy said trying to explain.
"My god Slayer, I thought you had finally lost your mind." Spike said relief evident in his voice.
And sure enough Spike whisked Buffy away to their private room, where they did indeed enjoy each other's company. Finally when Buffy was exhausted Spike filled up the large tub full of water and led her from the bedroom to the very girly bathroom. Spike placed Buffy in the tub and proceeded to gently wash and massage her tired body.
It was really the perfect night.
