Chapter 33:
Dawn sat on the bay window in their bedroom, in their home in London, England. Michael was right, the Summers home in Sunnydale didn't have enough old world charm. She had missed this home so much, she smiled to herself as she looked up at the stars , and fingered the necklace William had given her all those years ago. She had never once, in all the years she had had it in her possession, even thought of removing the cross from her neck. But now that her husband was a vampire and with her once again, she was thinking she might have to. She didn't want to burn him when he came close to her. She sighed and held it close to her for a few more moments. She blinked back the tears, surprised at how hard it would actually be parting with her beloved necklace, from now on. She breathed in deeply and reluctantly mover her hands to the back of hr neck. "What are you doing, love?" Dawn turned to see Spike sanding in the doorway of their room. " I was just about to take my necklace off. I don't want you to be in pain every time you come near me." she looked up at him lovingly, yet she still had tears in her eyes at the thought of parting with the necklace the love of her life had given her. " Pet. Don't do that. I love that necklace on you!" He moved into the room and toward her. "But it will burn you William!" She said with a worried expression on her face and concern in her voice.
Spike just looked at his beautiful wife. "It's been a while since anyone called me William, and I haven't wanted to rip their bloody throats out for it." Dawn smiled. " That was romantic, till you got to the messy part." She smiled up at hr husband lovingly. " Don't worry about the necklace, love. Danielle used some of her magic on me before we left." He smiled at her and touched the necklace he had given her. She smiled when no smoke resulted in the contact of his skin and the cross. He then cupped her face within his right hand and placed his left hand on hr hip. "I've missed you so much, love." He whispered. "You saw me not that long ago, before younger me went back in time." She whispered back. " In genetics she was you and I love her very much. But she had yet to be my wife and give me four amazing children. She didn't know of all the things we did or what we bloody went through." He leaned his forehead on hers and gently kissed her on the lips. When he pulled back a little he saw tears in her eyes. " I never wanted to keep them from you. But I couldn't take the chance of Darla or Angelus or…" Spike placed his thumb gently over her mouth to silence her. "It's quite alright Dawn. I knew you would protect them. And I'm glad you did, Angelus wanted me to watch him kill my family after Drusilla turned me." More tears came to her eyes at the thought. "Easy, love. No tears. You know I can't stand seeing you upset. Besides the four of them are safe in California. Your sister in there, your mother is there, my mother is there, which you are explaining to me later, Gaby is there, as well as the others." He tried to calm her. " I just don't think we should have left after Danielle's' breakdown." He smoothed her hair. " The boys will take care of her and if she or the boys need us you can get us there in a flash, literally." Dawn giggled and nodded, and then buried her face in this chest, while she wrapped her arms around his waist. Spike didn't even try to control William's emotions as he held his wife for the first time in over a century.
London 1882:
William laid there watching his bride sleep . She looked so peaceful and at home in their bed. They had only been married a few months. 2 months and 6 days, to be exact. He still couldn't believe that he got to share the rest of his life with the beautiful woman next to him. He sighed in contentment and settled down next to her, while wrapping his arm around her, to hold her close throughout the night. " I love you, William." She mumbled as she snuggled further into his embrace. "I love you as well, my love." He placed a lingering yet gentle kiss to her temple before following his wife into dream land.
London Present:
Spike held her tighter to him, and placed a kiss to her temple, just like he had so many nights long, long ago. " Thank you for naming him William." He whispered to his wife. "Couldn't have named him anything else. Besides, in case you hadn't noticed, he's practically your present carbon copy." She chuckled into his chest. "Smart-ass attitude, too." He smirked. Dawn was about to say something but a yawn interrupted her. "Alright, love. It's been an interesting and tiring few days, to say the least.. Time for you to get some sleep." He lead her to their bed. And husband and wife slept peacefully in each others arms for the first time in decades.