Series: For Better or Worse
Title: Paining Europe Red Part C: Christmas in London
Author: Mosquito
Date:06-08-05
Disclaimer: Casey and Ronan are mine! The rest belongs to Joss Weadon
Category: Romance, Drama, Action
Rating: PG-13
Summery: Part 3 of 3. Spike and Willow go to Europe for the Christmas vacation. This is the 6th chapter in the series following: 1. Paralysed
2. Coming back
3. Red's Birthday
4. Trust and Understanding
5. Loving the Grandsire
Interlude: Guy Talk
6. Painting Europe Red: A. London
B. Amsterdam
Note: "Silent Night" and "Oh Holy Night" are traditional Christmas Songs.
Dedication: This is dedicated to my brother Jan, who daily shows me how important family really is.
The stockings were hung, the presents were under the tree, there was only one thing left: wait for the rest of the gang to arrive. Angel was upstairs in the room Willow'd prepared for him, Spike was in the dining room setting the table for the elaborate Dinner Angel's staff had sent with him, and Willow was finishing up the living room. Only two people left: Ronan and Casey. It was still about an hour off until they arrived, so Willow sat down arranging her skirt properly and looked at the tree.
For a girl of Jewish heritage, and a Wicca to boot, she was proud of the Christmas icon she'd decorated. All that was left was the Angel on top and that was for the man of the house- or was it the eldest? Willow couldn't remember.
Just then the doorbell rang and looking at the clock she noticed that it was too early for her cousin and Ro. Curiously she walked to the door and opened it slightly, looking at her guests.
"Xander!" Willow threw the door open and gave her best friend a big hug.
"Merry Christmas Wills." He said returning the intense hug.
"Anya!" Willow gave her a hug as well.
"Hello Willow. Merry Jewish-day."
Willow chuckled. "Thanks Anya. Merry Christmas."
"Oh, I don't celebrate. I'm, just here for the presents."
Willow just smiled and welcomed them in. "Spike!" She called.
"Yes, luv?" He said walking out of the dining room. Seeing Xander he smiled. "Merry Christmas Xapper."
"Same to you, Deadboy junior." The two shook hands. "I take it we're the last to arrive."
"No, my bloody childe hasn't arrived yet. Apparently his family wouldn't let him leave."
Willow looked at the interaction confused. 'Why wasn't Spike surprised at Xander's arrival, and how come they're acting like they're good friends?' Without realising it she'd thought that through the connection to Spike, and he answered her aloud.
"This is part of your Christmas present, Willow. I knew that you'd want to spend Christmas with Xander here so we planned for Xander and Anya to come. Plus, Xander isn't too bad. We've actually become friends."
"How, why, how?" Willow said in awe.
Spike walked over to her and kissed her. "Silly girl. We've got a lot in common. We both love you. We both love our girls entirely, and we both hate my grandsire. That's enough to become friends with anyone."
Willow smiled, leaned up and kissed Spike hard. 'I love you.'
'I know.'
Willow turned to Xander. I'll show you your room. You'll love it Anya." She said escorting them upstairs.
Spike smiled as Willow practically skipped upstairs. He loved to see her sparkling with happiness. A couple days ago it seemed as if he'd never get to see her smile again, however lots of discussion and a few gifts had started to clear things up nicely.
Just before leaving Amsterdam they'd made a detoured stop in which Spike had left Willow in the taxi and had gone to confront Malcolm. Suffice to say that the only thing that had left Malcolm undead was the long history he had with Spike. That didn't mean that Spike had left him conscious though. He'd had to tell Malcolm's minion that if Spike ever saw him again he'd be dust.
Spike observed the table he'd set. He had never had to set the table before, that's why he had always had servants or minions. Willow, though, had decided that they hadn't needed help. 'It'll make it more family-like.' So, he'd left her to arrange the gifts while he set the table.
The first half-hour he'd spent looking for everything. Having never taken them out or cleaned them up it had been a while till he'd found them. Meanwhile a carefully placed phone call to his sire had ensured that there would be food and drinks. By the time the poof had arrived the tablecloth and the plates had been laid on the table and Spike was hunting for additional cutlery.
"Childe."
"Sure." Spike had answered with his back to Angel. "How was the estate?"
"Relaxing. By the way, did you know that the left wing is haunted?"
"Doesn't surprise me. You killed Dru's entire family, it's only justice that they haunt you." Spike smiled when he found the spoons, set them on the table and began looking for forks.
"What are you doing?"
"Setting the table for dinner. You brought the food, right?"
"Yeah, it's in the kitchen- why didn't you hire servants for the evening?"
"Willow."
"Oh." Angel was silent for a while and then continued. "You know everything needs to be washed, right Spike?"
Spike turned and looked hard at his sire. "Oh, sod. Why the bleeding hell-"
"Because it's covered in dust, and unless you intend to get Willow sick it needs to be washed."
With a sigh of defeat Spike started collecting everything on the table. He began carting it to the kitchen silently noticing Angel following him but didn't make a comment.
"I'll start washing." Angel offered coming up to the sink. "You continue hunting for everything else and then come help."
Spike nodded. "The things I do for that woman." He commented on the way out.
An hour later the remaining silverware had been found and everything else was washed. Angel had left Spike to set the table. His only interruption had been the arrival of the Moron and demon girl. The table, though, was set, the food was ready and knowing Willow the living room was done. All that was missing were the last guests.
In the living room he admired the tree and then going to the stereo they'd purchased (more of a boom box with batteries due to the lack of plugs in the house) Spike put on Christmas music to add to the atmosphere and taking a seat began to sing along.
Silent Night
Holy Night
All is calm
All is Bright
Round young virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant
So tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent Night
Holy Night
Shepherds quake
At the sight
Holy streams from
Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing
Hallelujah
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour is born
Spike had been so lost in the song and the twinkling of the candles in the tree that he didn't notice Ronan enter the house. It wasn't until the next song began and Ronan joined in harmony that he did. Spike smiled as the two sang together.
Oh holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear saviour's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
Till he appeared
And his soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night oh night divine.
Spike got up to hug his childe. "Ronan, how are you, mate?"
"Good." The two vampires sat down. "Casey went to take a nap. It was a long journey. I'd never come to London via train and boat before Airplanes are so much easier nowadays. The hydrofoil was really fast though." Spike listened as Ronan told him of the trip and his living family. It wasn't that it interested him in any way whatsoever, but that their bond had grown. Especially considering how they hadn't been on real good terms when Spike had returned to Sunnydale. Now what they had was more along the lines of what Spike and Angelus had had all those years ago.
"Can you believe that my parents believed Casey when she said she needed animal blood for an unusual type of ulcer she had. They got her fresh cow's blood everyday."
"And your allergy to sun light?" Spike asked.
"Acquired by all those long hours in the archives in Prague. My eyes became sensitive, you know." Both vampires laughed.
Then as if on queue both of them looked towards the stairs as they felt a heartbeat descend. Spike knew exactly whose rhythm it was and smiled as Willow came down the stairs in the dress she'd bought in Amsterdam the week before. Spike had picked the dress but Willow wouldn't let him see her in it before Christmas. Both sire and childe stood up when she entered.
"Ronan." She smiled and hugged him.
"You look amazing, Willow. How was Amsterdam?"
"Fantastic. We went to a ball, and I went shopping." Willow's smile had always been addictive because Spike found himself once again smiling with her. "I saw Casey heading to her room, she looked really worn out. You both had a good time I take it?"
"The best. She's quite a woman."
"It's in the genes." Willow said causing them to laugh.
"I'm sure it is," Ronan said and then with another quick hug added, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go upstairs and get ready." He gave Willow a slight bow and left.
"Oh, Ronan," Willow stopped him before he vanished upstairs, "I heard from Casey that it's okay for the two of you to share a room, so Angel put your stuff in Casey's room."
Spike saw the expression on his childe's face and knew that if his childe were still alive he would be blushing. Spike laughed as his childe disappeared. "So, he finally made a move?" Spike said to Willow who came to sit next to him to snuggle.
"Well, more like Casey attacked him, she said. He was being all careful and slow. It was driving her crazy."
Spike chuckled and squeezed her to him. "You really do look beautiful. The dress looked nice on the hanger, but you in it is what makes it truly wonderful."
"Thank you Spike?"
"For what?" He raised his eyebrows in question.
"For everything. The trip, the clothing, and my hair, for bringing Xander and Anya here."
"You're welcome, luv. I'm sorry about what Malcolm said though."
"I'm not. It needed to be out in the open. I know you love me, Spike, and that was a long time ago. You've changed, I know, I've seen it."
"I'm a bloody ponce now." He scowled playfully.
"But, you're my ponce. I love you Spike." Willow leaned up and kissed him.
"Bloody right you do." He said against her neck. "Stay in the same house as my poofter of a sire, invite the whelp and demon-girl to London, how much more of a softy can I be?"
The doorbell rang.
"That's how much." He told Willow.
"Who could that be?" Willow looked at him with a concerned face."
"Go on and open it, luv." Spike said and followed her to the front door.
"Giles!" Willow squealed when she saw who it was. She leaped into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"Willow." He held her close.
"I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too." They pulled apart and Giles introduced his companion. "I'd like you to meet Olivia."
"It's nice to meet you," they shook hands.
"Watcher." Spike intervened.
"Spike, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to both of you. How is everything?"
"Really good, thanks."
"Well, come on into the living room and take a seat." Letting their guests enter first, Spike took Willow's hand as they entered.
"Thank you, Spike." Willow said.
"You're welcome, luv." He answered as they sat down to talk about London, Amsterdam, and the Hellmouth.
Willow was playing with Spike's hand as she talked with Giles. He was explaining about the changes he had made in the council regarding administration and the training of Slayers. The major change being that the slayers be brought up in a stable familial environment where she is nurtured and can create strong bonds.
Willow nodded adding ideas and commented on others. After sneaking a peak at Giles' watcher diaries over the years she'd formed a good idea of what a watcher should and shouldn't do.
"You know, Willow, you really should take up my offer of becoming a watcher. Your intimate and immediate information would be valuable to both slayers and the council."
"I know, Giles, you've told me before," she began reciting the speech she'd told him on previous occasions. "I'll consult, you know that. I'm only a phone call away, and next year we'll be in Oxford, which isn't too far from London. I wont, however, become a watcher. At least not yet. I want to go to university first, and in any case I hadn't actually told Spike of the offer. It'll have to be a decision that we make together."
"She hadn't told you yet, Spike?"
"First I've heard of it, Rupert." Spike answered.
"Don't worry, Spike, I'm not going to even consider it at the moment." Willow said. "Get back to me after university, Giles." With that the conversation ended and the four sat in silence.
Just then, however, heavy steps could be heard coming down the stairs. 'Xander,' Willow smiled.
"G-Man!" Xander said seeing Giles sitting in the living room.
"Xander," Giles got up, "how many times do I have to tell you not to call me by that blasted name?"
Willow knew that Giles saying that had become an inside joke between the two over the years. She watched them hug and Giles introduced his guest.
"Oh, Giles, you brought your orgasm friend with you." Anya, who was standing behind Xander smiled.
Everyone else groaned, well, except for Spike who snickered at the look on Olivia's face.
"Hello, Anya." Giles eventually said.
"I love your dress Anya." Willow added, admiring the red halter dress that fell just under her knees.
"You look really nice too, you know green is a really good colour on you. Not all redheads can pull it off.""
"Well, thank you." Willow said. Anya had changed a lot over the year and though she still said inexplicably shocking comments, it seemed as if her compliments were increasing as well as the sincerity behind them.
"Um, well, yes." Giles interrupted. "Xander, if you could help me get the gifts that are in the car, we wont have to get them out later."
"You bet, watcher-man." Xander said following the elder out the door. Meanwhile Casey and Ronan had come down and Spike had taken his childe into the kitchen to get dinner ready. Angel, who came down moments later and saw only the ladies in the living room chatting, joined them. Willow watched him leave with sad eyes.
"We need to find him a woman." Casey said.
"Yes." Anya agreed. "He needs orgasms. Then he would be happy. Many many orgasms."
Willow rolled her eyes. "He's scared to get into another relationship in case he loses his soul."
"I thought you anchored it?" Olivia asked. "Rupert told me."
"Yeah, well tell him that. He doesn't want to take the chance that it wasn't really anchored. He'd rather abstain then try."
The conversation was halted though with the return of Xander and Giles and the gifts. As Anya arranged them under the tree, Xander and Giles took off their coats leaving them in their immaculately cut suits. They all sat down and the conversation drifted to old stories and experiences. Only the good ones though, the others were forgotten for the evening, allowing for the merriment of the season to take over.
"Oh, Wills, guess what I brought with me?" Xander asked, "A Charlie Brown Christmas!"
Willow's eyes went wide with excitement. "Really!"
"Yup." He grinned back.
However, then her grin fell when she remembered the lack of TV and VCR and mentioned it.
"Spike said you had brought your laptop with you, so I bought it on DVD. Now we'll be able to watch it anywhere!"
"You're a genius, Xander!"
"The whelp a genius, that'll be the day." Spike came back to the living room. Willow stared at him mouth agape at the sight of him in a tuxedo. His cummerbund and bowtie were both the colour of her dress. Green. Spike, William the Bloody, William Thropford, childe of Drusilla, grandchilde of Angelus, half the scrounge of Europe; was wearing green. God he's so sexy, she thought aloud getting a smirk from Spike.
Had to do my woman justice, didn't I?
But you look sexier than me!
Maybe from where you're sitting, but from where I'm standing nothing could be as sexual or beautiful as you.
Willow blushed.
"You okay, Wills?" Xander asked.
"Fine." She squeaked out.
Spike chuckled. "Dinner's ready, if you'll follow me." Spike walked to Willow and tucker her hand into the crook of his arm.
Willow allowed Spike to lead her to where the dining room was located and gasped at the beauty. Spike had obviously put a lot of work into setting everything. Candles lit the room and their was an extensive placement of plates, cutlery, glasses, and much more.
Angel and Ronan where in the process of bringing the food in as Spike told everyone else where to sit. Willow noticed the formality as they all were seated across from their partner in a boy-girl boy girl formation.
Spike stood behind her chair pulling it out for her and Willow took a seat across from her. Between them, and at the head of the table, sat Angel. On the other side of Willow sat Xander, with Anya across form him. Next to Xander sat Casey and then Giles, with their dates across from them respectively.
Spike cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention and said: "First of all I'd like to thank everyone for coming to London to celebrate Christmas with Willow and myself. Christmas, though, the only ones that celebrate it are Giles, Olivia I suspect, and Xander, is a time to gather together family and think of the good times, and considering that everyone is pretty much here because of Willow. I think it's her we really need to say a toast for, because face it, without Willow we either wouldn't know each other or be dead. Dust, in some cases. So, therefore I ask you to raise your glasses. To Willow."
"To Willow," Everyone repeated.
Willow blushed looking around at everyone grinning at her. This was her family. Three vampires, an ex-demon, a watcher, a carpenter, and her cousin. She felt complete for the first time in years, as if from nowhere an inner peace was settling. She watched Spike take his seat and asked everyone to begin. She looked over and caught his eyes with hers. Thank you. She told him, and although he didn't answer his face reflected her sentiments.
After sharing their moment they went around getting their food. Once everyone was eating Willow got up and lifted the blood and poured it in all three Vampire's glasses, after to checking to make sure it wasn't human. It wouldn't do for Ronan to turn to ash on Christmas. Then picking up the red wine, Willow began pouring for the rest.
"Why do they get a different type of wine than the rest of us?" Olivia asked.
The conversations stopped and everyone looked at Giles who cleared his throat and said: "It's not wine, dear, it's blood."
"Oh." She said wide eyed and continued eating.
Willow smiled as she saw Spike smirk. God, he was so devilishly handsome. If it weren't for the others she'd attack him and have her way with him right then and there. She sighed and put another carrot in her mouth.
"Hey, Wills," she turned her head to Xander, "guess who's back in Sunnydale."
"Who?"
"Queen C."
"Cordelia?"
"The one and only."
"She's so annoying," Anya leaned over and added. "She works at the same diner as me and all she talks about is how poor Cordy doesn't have any friends. She's like, 'Anya, you're still my friend, right? I'll even forgive you for dating a loser like Xander.' Can you believe her?"
"Change jobs." Spike said.
"Where else can I go? It's not like I have anything more than a high school diploma, and I can't put on my resume: 2000 year old vengeance demon."
"Talk to Cole at 'Red' when you get back. He said we need a new purchaser. Got the requirements for that, right?"
"Thanks, Spike!" Anya said with a huge smile.
"Silly chit." Spike mumbled back.
"Anyway." Xander continued. "The reason I'm bringing it up in the first place is cause she's been asking about Angel."
"Me?" Willow saw the vampire leaning back in his chair, glass for blood in hand looking surprised.
"Yeah. Apparently she wants your help."
"Pfft," Ronan joined in, "help, more like she wants to own you."
"What does she need help with Xan?" Willow asked.
"Well, the way I understand the story is that the demon that killed Buffy in Greece has decided that Cordy's his mate."
"Good lord!" Giles stated.
"Poor thing," said Casey.
"That's bloody brilliant!" Exclaimed Spike. "Who's the bloke anyway?"
"Rosganden." Anya said.
"This just keeps getting better!"
"Who?" Willow asked.
"This sirus demon Angelus and I ran into in 1901 in Portugal. He wanted to mate with Angelus."
Xander almost fell out of the chair with laughter, Ronan, Casey, and Spike weren't far behind. Willow and Giles were trying not to laugh and failing. Miserably.
"It's not funny." Angel said.
"Come on Angel, it was bloody hilarious. He kept sending you flowers and notes and blood and dead women. It was driving you completely starker. There was this one time Rosganden caught up with us in Italy and followed Angelus around like a lost puppy. It was so soddingly sweet. Darla was furious, Dru was confused, and I was on the floor laughing in fits."
"I seem to remember you being beaten senseless after that." Angel growled.
"And I was still laughing the next day." Spike countered.
"How'd you get rid of him?" Giles asked.
"The Rom did for me. When they cursed me with a soul Rosganden decided that I was boring and left me alone."
"Interesting."
"I don't know what's scarier," Ronan began, " that this sirus demon is after Cor, or that he considers her of equal interest to Angelus."
"I don't know what you saw in her." Anya said.
"Probably the same thing that Xander saw in her." Willow said.
"I plead insanity!" Xander yelled.
Everyone was quietly finishing up dinner when Angel said: "Where's Cordelia now?"
Xander looked sheepishly and stuttered, "Well, um, uh…."
"Spit it out moron." Spike said.
"I kinda told her we'd be seeing you in London…."
"So?"
"Um, well…"
"She's in the Marriott here in London." Anya said for him.
"What!" Everyone except for Casey and Olivia yelled.
"She checked herself in. I didn't."
Willow saw Angel sigh and say, "I'll go and see her tomorrow."
Something wasn't right. For some reason it bugged Willow that on Christmas Cordelia Chase was sitting in her hotel room alone. Christmas was about forgiving and sharing, right? She looked over at Spike who sighed and nodded, handing her his cell phone. Willow excused herself and went to the living room to call.
"Marriott, please." She told the operator, and after a few minutes was put through.
"London Marriott. How may I help you?"
"Cordelia Chase, please."
"One moment."
"Thank you." Willow waited to be put through and a soft scared voice picked up.
"Hello?"
"Cordy?"
"Willow! Oh, God, Willow. Thank God you called. He's downstairs, and he's been calling every five minutes. Last time he said he was on his way up." There was a loud knock on the door.
"Cordy, lock the door and hang tight. What room are you in?"
"2905. Hurry please."
The phone disconnected and she turned to see Angel, Ronan and Spike standing behind her ready to leave. "2905." She told them. "He's in front of her door."
Angel nodded and the three of them left.
Willow walked back to the dining room and looked at the left over people. "Let's clean up. Leave some food out for Cordy, and then we'll watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' okay? Hopefully by that time they'll be back."
They nodded back at her and went to work.
It may have been years, decades, since Spike had seen the sirus demon, but once you had, you never really forgot it. Especially if it's something THAT ugly. His small thin yellow body was striped in orange, and his blue piercing eyes were menacingly friendly. If that were even possible, Spike wondered. The demon was also leaning over Cordelia who was passed out on the floor of her hotel room.
"At least we wont have to deal with the chit," Spike said under his breath.
"Rosganden." Angel called him.
"Angel." The sirus demon smiled showing his green crooked pointing teeth. "It's been a very long time. How's the soul treating you?"
"Let her go."
"Who? Her?" He pointed to Cordelia who still lay passed out. "No. She's mine. I got her fair and square."
"She's under my protection."
"I don't see bite marks so she's a free-for-all."
"Stay the hell away from me and mine."
So, Angelus still is in there somewhere, at least a little. Spike thought and immediately saw the demon's head turn and lock eyes with him.
"A telepathic vampire. This I've never encountered."
Oh sod. He's telepathic. Spike thought.
"Of course I'm telepathic. I'm a sirus demon." Moving his eyes to Angel he said: "Take her. On one condition- I get him." The demon pointed to Spike and all he could think of was:
Oh sod.
"Done." Angel said and picked Cordy up.
"Wh-what?" Spike saw Ronan look at Angel wide eyed as the elder picked up the brunette.
"I'm not Spike's keeper, Rosganden. You can have that bleach blond moron for all I care."
"Wanker." Spike said.
"Spike me boy, enjoy." Angel said and then left the room.
"Go Ronan." Spike told him.
"I'm not leaving you, sire."
"Go childe!"
Ronan looked once more and turned and left. "First of all," Spike said, "I am marked so you can't touch me. Second of all, you really do annoy me." He saw the demon walk towards him with a smile, but Spike held his ground.
Minutes later the room door opened. He used a white room towel to wipe up the blue-green blood all over him as he walked to the elevator.
Getting in the car he said: "Let's go Amigos. It's Christmas and I didn't really want Willow to be by herself."
The gentlemen nodded and returned home.
Spike had taken Cordelia from Angel and put her in his bedroom upstairs. Then after changing his clothes, managed to squeeze himself between Willow and Casey.
Is she alright? Willow asked through their link, not wanting to disturb the others.
She's fine, fainted of shock. Giver her a couple of hours and she'll be as good as new. Angel will hear her if she wakes and get her. They watched the rest of the movie in silence. When the credits rolled everyone laughed as the moron did the snoopy dance, and although Spike would never say it, he'd done a pretty good copy of it too.
"Can we do gifts now?" Casey asked.
Spike nodded and said: "Youngest passes them out. He laughed as Casey let out a whoop and plopped herself on the floor underneath the Christmas tree.
"This one is for Angel from Ronan." Casey said handing out the gift.
When the last gift was passed out and unwrapped she said: "That's it."
"Not quite." Xander said and lifted a box out of his pocket.
"Bloody pillock," Spike heard Giles say, "Stole my bloody moment taking a box from his own pocket.
Both men nodded at each other and kneeled before their respective women. Spike chuckled to himself when each woman started smiling when she realised what was going on. There was something different with Willow though. Her smile, though bright, seemed just a little sad.
You okay? Spike asked.
Perfect. She turned to him and gave him a wide smile. She turned back, her face unfaltering thinking nothing of it, Spike returned to watching the two couples and waited as the ladies accepted the proposals and kissed their men. As soon as they were clear though, Willow and Casey were running up and congratulating their friends. It wasn't until Willow and he went to bed, that Spike shook Giles and Xander's hands and gave Anya and Olivia a kiss on their hand. Then he escorted Willow up, leaving Angel to let Giles and his fiancé out.
In their room Spike watched Willow begin to undress and get ready for bed. "Come here luv," he called her over. Willow turned and walked towards him. Spike had taken his jacket off and his tie and lifted his arm bringing her towards him. He held her close resting his cheek on her head as they softly danced to the music resonating from downstairs.
"luv," he began, "I may never give you a wedding, not one like Giles and Xander will-" Willow moved to interrupt but Spike put his finger to her lips and continued. "But I promise you, that when we do the mating ceremony we'll do it before your family and friends to make it special, okay?" He saw her large smile and leaned down to kiss her.
"Thank you, Spike."
"No need, luv. I'd do it for you gladly." He pulled her to him and held her closely. "We need to talk, Willow."
"What's wrong, Spike?" She said, her tone worried. It was moments like these that she dreaded.
"We need to talk about what Malcolm told you in Amsterdam. I want to tell you about Pauline."
There was a silence that deafened. The room seemed to be even darker than usual. "It's okay," Willow told him, her voice shaky. "I trust you."
"No, I need to tell you. You need to understand what happened, luv." He sat on the bed pulling her to sit on his lap. "I loved Pauline. It was many years ago, in France during the Franco-Prussian War."
"But that was in 1870." Willow said. "That means that you weren't even-"
"A vampire. I was human when I met Pauline, and was taking my tour of Europe. She was a vicar's daughter near Nice and I instantly fell in love with her. I used to write her poetry and she loved it."
"What happened?"
"My father died, and I had to go home to see him put to rest and to make sure that the family estates were all in order. After that, I couldn't leave England anymore. Me Mum got sick and I had to take care of her. A little while later I met Cessily. You know the rest. It wasn't until the 1930s, with the second world war going on, that I went back to see what had happened to her. She was old and frail and as beautiful as ever. She'd married soon after I'd left and had had six children and fifteen grandchildren. She'd had a happy life. So, what Malcolm said was untrue. I didn't let her die. It was her own choice. We both continued with our lives, or unlife as it may be. She was happy, that's all that mattered, right?"
Willow nodded. "Thank you for telling me, Spike." She leaned against him and closed her eyes, thinking on how this all fit in the Spike puzzle. All of a sudden she got up and looked at him. "I'm going to have to rewrite your history. There are so many things that you 'neglected' to mention while I was writing our biography. This, that you went to Oxford- I'm sure there's probably more!"
Spike gave a sly smile.
"Don't you dare! I don't need those bleedin' striped sausages to know what I was truly about. There should be a little bit of mystery. Serves them right, damn ponces." He pulled her in for a kiss. Now, I still have a gift to give you." He smiled and went to his suitcase.
"Another one? Spike, the necklace and earrings were more than enough."
"I was thinking of something a little more personal."
"What can be more personal than jewellery?"
"This." Spike said handing Willow an envelope." He watched her open it and pull out the set of forms he had acquired and filled out for her. All she had to do was sign. He saw her eyes go wide with amazement and waited nervously until her face was lit with a smile. He let out the much unneeded breath he had unknowingly been holding and waited for her to say something.
"How? What?" She stuttered.
"You told me after you'd seen your parents last time that you didn't really feel like a Rosenberg and that the people here tonight were your family. Also, considering that I can't marry you legally, I thought, maybe you'd just want to change your name. That way it would at least seem like we were married from a distance.
He saw Willow, who was sitting on the bed look back down at the papers and smile. He caught her when she jumped at him and kissed him hard.
"Pen." She said.
Spike didn't think her smile could get any bigger. He knew his couldn't. Handing her the pen he said: "It can't got into effect immediately until your parents have signed it, or until you're twenty-one. So, either we can wait, or we go visit them.
"Spike, I don't even know where they are."
"At the moment, they're in Berlin, but if you van wait until spring break, they'll be in Cairo."
"Egypt!" Willow exclaimed.
"Yeah, luv, so what'll it be?"
"We are so going to Egypt during spring break!" Then taking the pen and signing she added: "Plus, there's no way in hell I'm going to wait three more years to be a Thropford."
END