Chapter Eight

"Honey! I'm home."

She sat up quickly, winced, then fell back down on the bed.

"Ouch."

"Buffy, what's wrong? You look terrible."

"Yeah, I feel a little icky and--hey Angel, how did you know I have a headache?" She blurted, suddenly noticing the aspirin on the table next to her.

"Hmm?" Angel replied from another room.

"The aspirin. I--never mind." She grabbed the two tablets and swallowed them along with the water in the glass.

Suddenly the events of the past night came flooding back to her.

"Oh my god." She said as a wave of nausea came over her and she remembered her very humiliating make-out session with her fiancé's brother.

"What the hell was I thinking?" she questioned out loud forgetting that Angel was just a few feet away.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Hey. I thought since I'm actually off work today we could go out. It's been a while since we've spent some time together. What do you think, honey?"

He seemed to be sincerely looking forward to spending time with her. She couldn't very well tell him how she really felt or refuse.

"I'd love that," she lied.

"Great."

"Shit. What the hell am I gonna do now?" she whispered to herself.

Everything was beautiful. The yacht. The food. The music. The atmosphere. Still, Buffy couldn't keep her mind from wandering. Angel smiled at her and offered his hand as a slow song started up. Buffy smiled and took his hand letting him pull her to him as they swayed slowly to the sweet romantic melody.

"So, I've been thinking. What if we move the wedding up. I mean, we already know we love each other and there's no sense in wasting time, right? I love you, Buffy. I think we should get married as soon as possible. After all, the sooner we get married, the sooner we can start spending the rest of our lives together, right?

"I-"

"I know what your're thinking. Where did this come from? Well, I was sitting at my desk looking at a picture of you the other day, and I started thinking, this woman is perfect. I love her so much. What am I doing waiting? I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Buffy. Why delay the inevitable?"

"Well-"

"Then I thought about how great it would be if we got married next week. I could take time off work. We could go on our honeymoon. You know I'll take you anywhere you want to go, sweetie. It would be perfect.

"Um-"

"So what do you say?"

"Yes?" Buffy smiled uncertainly.

"That's wonderful! I love you! I love you!" Angel said excitedly, picking her up and spinning her around.

"Ah! Angel stop!" Buffy giggled.

She was suddenly assured that this was where she belonged--in Angel's arms. All her doubts were finally subsiding.

"I love you too, Angel." she said wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing his head down for a kiss.

Angel and Buffy got back to their apartment late, but Buffy was left alone because Angel was called into work. This would normally upset her, but she was too happy to care. She had to admit that this had been one of the most romantic nights of her life. She was sure Angel was the guy for her. He was everything she wanted. She smiled, thinking of the way he held her and the way they danced. Everything had been perfect.

"So it's decided. I love Angel. I'm marrying him next week and nothing's going to get in the way of that."

Unexpectedly, a knock came on the door shaking Buffy from her trance. She opened the door and her eyes went wide.

"Spike?!"

"Buffy. We have to talk."