Anniversary

Dave rotated his shoulders as he tried to ease some of the pain in them. His whole body ached from all the cleaning. Balthazar still had him cleaning after the Ceronnus incident.

Dave swore the punishment had less to do with him being disobedient than it did with Balthazar wanting help getting the store ready. He opened the door to the apartment and forgot all about his discomfort.

There were Balthazar and Veronica on the couch, while not odd, it was quite frankly adorable, and that was not a word he often used. Actually he couldn't remember ever using it before. Balthazar was laying down on his back on the couch, Veronica lying on top of him her head nestle on his chest, smiling happily.

'Camera. Where does Balthazar keep his camera? Does he have one?... I should call Becky. She went shopping with Veronica. Maybe they picked up a camera.'

Quickly Dave wiped his cell out of his pocket and using his contacts list called his girlfriend, hoping she would pick up soon, he really didn't want the couple on the couch to move and ruin the shot.

Finally, after three rings the D.J answered.

"Becky hey, you got a moment?"

"Yes, and why are you whispering?" asked Becky in a hushed tone.

Dave told her about the couple asleep on the couch, and that he though Balthazar might like a picture and did she know if there was in fact a camera in the apartment? And where might it be?

"Should be near the computer in the study, and I don't think you should give the picture to Balthazar. At least not yet."

"Why?"

"I've got an idea."

oo0oo

Balthazar closed the oven door and leaned back, rotating his arms. All that stirring was actually rather tiring.

"Okay, cake's in the oven. Dinner's ready to go," said Dave, running through the checklist. "I guess I'll set the table, and you can start on the icing."

Balthazar sighed at the prospect of more stirring but went to work on cracking the eggs for the icing. He had just finished up when Becky and Veronica entered with the champagne and artisian bread.

"Perfect timing," said Dave as the two entered.

Balthazar smiled as he swept his wife of one year into his arms for a kiss. Becky and Dave shot each other a small smile of anticipation at the gift they were about to give the couple and went into the kitchen.

When the elder couple was done, Becky and Dave came out of the kitchen, present in hand. Dave held out the gift for his master to take.

Balthazar took a moment to look at the wrapping job. The paper was a bright expensive (as far as wrapping paper went expense-wise) bright red, with a red and gold ribbon. He sat down on the couch and began to unwrap it. His brow furrowed when he saw that it was a photo album. He opened it up to see a picture of him and veronica sleeping on the couch together. Beside the picture were the words.

'A marriage is made up of tiny moments,

Little things that all add up to a life time of memories

So here's a collection of moments, a fraction of the times you've shared

With the one you love.'

Balthazar started flipping through the book, Veronica looking at its contents over his shoulder.

True to the note's words, there were pictures that had been taken when the sorcerers hadn't been looking. A shot of the two decorating the Christmas tree. One of the them on the train, on their way to deal with a group of trolls in the country, their heads resting against each other as they slept. It went on and on. Balthazar kissing Veronica under the mistletoe. Getting his wounds treated by his wife after a run-in with grindylows.

Balthazar looked up at his apprentice, surprise and delight written all over his face, his eyes held a twinkle Dave had never seen before. "Thank you." He said softly.

Dave rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Umm it was Becky's idea. She thought it up and wrote that thing at the beginning."

"I only came up with it because Dave saw you two on the couch and though you might like a picture."

Veronica smiled. "Thank you both, it is a wonderful gift."

Balthazar stared down at the book and it's contents. He'd waited centuries for this, centuries of fighting, killing, watching good people die. In the hope that he'd one day be reunited with Veronica. And now here he was, married, celebrating his first anniversery. And his apprentice had given him a recording of the first wonderful memories. He flipped through the pages. Wondering if Dave and Becky realised just how incredible a gift they had given the couple.