A/N No I havn't abandoned this fic. A lot of life got shoved in the way. That's why I've decided to have future fics fully written before posting. That being said, This fic will have a conclusion posted shortly I'm sitting down and finishing it off as my birthday present to me. So by the 28th this will be complete.
Chapter 11: Lady in Red
As soon as they got back to William's apartment Buffy made a b-line for William's closet. "I swear if it is full of tweed suits I'm gonna give him hell later…" she mumbled to herself. After searching most of the closet, she came across a black garment bag. She looked in the garment bag and pulled out a nice Armani suit. "Wow. Now this is a suit," she took it out to Spike who had turned on the TV. "Here put this on. I'm gonna go to the dorm and change I'll be back in an hour."
Spike looked up from the TV. "Really have no say in this?"
"No. See ya soon!" she walked out the door.
Spike sighed and continued to flip threw channels. His eyes wondered over to the suit. "No bloody way…" he grumbled and sank lower in his seat as he continued to flip threw channels. Once again his eyes wondered over to the suit. "never said I'd go…" he looked back at the TV only to have his attention drawn back to the suit. He saw a flash of Buffy's disappointed face. He pushed it away. Still as he turned back to the TV the image returned and persisted. "Damn!" Turning off the TV, he gets up and grabs the suit, "Bloody bint owes me!"
1 hour and 30 minutes later…
Spike is pacing the front room. "Ten more minutes then outta this bloody thing!" He grumbled to himself. Just then the door opened and Buffy walked in. "About bloody ti…" his ability to speak stopped as he took in Buffy. She was wearing a red dress that hugged her curves till the outer most swell of her hips then dropped down ending an inch above her knees. The material was light as fluttered around her with her every movement. The neckline dipped low enough to give a peek of cleavage but still remained decent. Her hair was up but left some tendrils curled around her face and brushed her neck. Spike felt himself stiffen just looking at her.
"Sorry I'm late, I couldn't find the right shoes… luckily Cordy had a pair I could barrow…" she finally noticed his staring, "Do you like it?" she smiled sweetly.
"Like it, luv…Like it so much got me thinking of better things we could be doin right now then going out…" Spike leered at her.
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Dinner first…" She turned to the door then threw over her shoulder, "Then we can talk about desert.." she then walked out the door with a little extra sway to her hips.
"Bloody hell…" Spike whispered as he swallowed hard and forced himself to follow this vision in red.
Buffy had to talk Spike in to handing over his keys to the attendant when they arrived at the restaurant. "One bloody scratch mate, and I'll rip your head off and drink from your brain stem!" growling as he handed the now pale looking attendant his keys.
"N-n-not a sc-scratch sir!" he grabbed the keys with a shaky hand and backed away from Spike.
Buffy elbowed Spike, "Stop scarring the kid!" she whispered.
Spike turned to her, "spoil my fun" then the two of them made their way inside.
As they walked in they were approached by the Maitre d' "How may I help you?"
Buffy smiled, "We are with the Rosenberg/Osbourne party."
The Maitre d' smiled, "Welcome, Your party is this way." he lead them to a large round table. Already there was Willow, Oz, Xander and Cordelia. Buffy and Spike sat at two of the four remaining chairs.
Spike automatically pulled out Buffy's chair. Only when she sat down did Spike realize what he did. He just shrugged it off. It was the environment rubbing off on him. He sat down in the chair next to her. Leaving two vacant chairs between Spike and Cordelia.
After the hellos were made and Willow informed them her parents should be arriving soon. The table was quiet. Everyone had been told of William's condition. This making everyone uncomfortable and not wanting to be the first one to put their foot in their mouths.
So Spike spoke first, "Look, Know you guys all knew William. But look at me, No poncy brown hair or glasses…." he got a sharp elbow from Buffy for that. Rubbing his sure to be bruised rib and returning the glare that Buffy was now giving him, "The point is kiddies, Just think of me as a totally different person. Cause I am. Not William with a condition. Just Spike. K?"
Buffy made it a point to turn from Spike, "Willow, congratulations again. You too Oz. I knew you guys were gonna be a long haul couple."
Willow smiled even as she had a slight blush across her cheeks. Oz reached over and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, I knew you guys would be happy for me. But my parents don't know yet, hence the dinner at my dad's favorite restaurant…"
Xander who'd been staring at Spike the last few minutes, took that opportunity to speak, "So like is there like two people in there? Are you and William like in a struggle for control?" all around the table let out groans, So much for not no one putting their foot in their mouth.
"Are you bloody kidding me? What do you think this is some soddin movie. No there is no William fighting for nothin jus me Spike." when a small voice inside said, 'Well not quite' internally Spike growled at the voice to shut it's gob.
"Hey no need to get defensive just asking. I mean, who here wasn't wondering the same thing?"
"My parents…" gasped Willow
Xander looked confused, "your parents aren't here Will…"
""No!" Willow hissed at Xander and discreetly pointed towards the door, "My Parents! They're here! No more talk about William, No offence Spike" she gave Spike a shaky smile.
"None taken, Red. I agree." he then threw a dirty look in Xander's direction mumbling something that sounded like the word whelp.
As Willow's Parents approached Spike and Oz stood up followed by Xander after receiving a pointed elbow from Cordelia. Willow's parents were seated and introductions where made. By that time the waiter arrived with Willow's dad's favorite wine. Everyone had some except Buffy and Oz.
Everyone looked at their menus. Unfortunately they were in French.
Xander cleared his throat, "Not to sound uncivilized but I think they gave us the wrong menus. Cause looks like Greek to me."
"French actually. Hence the restaurant." Oz offered helpfully.
"Still not within my knowable languages. Which range from English to well English…"
Cordelia sighed and reached for his menu, "I'll help you…" she talked softly with him telling him what the various dishes where. Some she pointed out with the sole purpose of making him cringe.
Buffy was staring at the menu chewing her bottom lip. But her eyes were not moving like she was reading, just staring blankly at the center of the page. Spike whispered in her ear.
"Tell me what you like and I'll help you find it."
Buffy looked at him in surprised. He leaned close and whispered again, "I can read it. Don't know how but I know what it says."
Buffy smiled. She knew. William spoke and read fluent French among several other languages. Instead of telling Spike this and ruining the mood like she did at the mall, she just gave him a grateful smile, "Thanks." She then told him what she felt like and he read to her a few options. Picking one he showed her where it was on her menu and how to pronounce the dishes name.
Luckily the ordering went off without a hitch. As the waiter left the table yet again Willow's father spoke up, "Well, Willow you brought us here to share some news. So let's have it."
Oz was the one that spoke instead. "Well, Sir. As you know I play lead base for Dingos Ate My Baby. Who has been offered a recording contract that will take affect after our graduation this year."
"Congratulations son. But I don't think this is why you invited my wife and me here tonight." From the look in Willow's father's eye Spike thinks he guessed why and was not happy.
Oz could see it to. Spike could tell in the way Oz stood taller and squared his shoulders as if preparing to stand against whatever the older man might throw at him, "No Sir it is not. The reason Willow and I asked you here was because We decided now was the time to get married. We had planned on it anyway. But were waiting for the right time. This is it."
"It is, is it? I don't agree. Willow has another year of collage. After that her career might not leave room for gallivanting all around the world, which if your to be of any success you'll have to do. And where does that leave room for family. You gonna leave her to raise any kids you have while your off living like an over grown teenager?! I THINK NOT!" Willow's mother laid her hand on her husband's arm to calm him down.
"Easy honey. Maybe we should hear them out before we make any judgments" She then turned to her daughter, "Since it is your future in question, I think maybe you are the one we should be hearing from, No offence to you Daniel." Willows mother addressing Oz by his birth name.
Oz nodded. Willow looked pale. She hated confrontation. Especially with her parents. "I will finish school. They will not be doing any major traveling strait away. Then after that, well, I have no idea what I'll be doing. But that would be the same no matter if I were married or not. A lot of what I do can be done via internet and on a laptop. I may have needs to travel as well. To different companies all over the world and no that doesn't leave a lot of room for family at this point but we are young and have time for that. Look I know this is not your ideal situation it will take a lot of compromise and understanding on both our parts. But I believe we can do this because we love each other. I would hope that would be the important thing. What good is being a huge success if I have to do it without love?"
Her mom smiled but her dad looked hostile as ever. "that is a load of nonsense. You have no plan as I can see."
Willow stood up "well, maybe I don't need a plan. I've planned out most of my life and you know when I was the happiest?" she reached down and took Oz's hand, "It was when I found something unplanned and went with it. And you know what? Whether you like it or not I'm still going with it. I love you guys but I'm an adult. And as an adult I'm not asking if I can get married. I'm informing you I'm doing so. You can either be happy for me, or not." She sat down.
Her father nodded, "Fine. You're an adult. My opinion doesn't matter. Well you've informed us. I'm leaving now." he looked at his wife who calmly took a sip of her wine.
"Oh, I'm not going. I'm celebrating my daughter's engagement." Willow's mother smiled at her. Her daughter turned out like she hoped a strong independent woman. And as long as her daughter remained that way she was happy. Willow's dad however stormed out. "he will come around. You know him. It takes time for him to admit when he's acting childish. So do you have an engagement ring yet?"
Willow held up her hand there was switching of seating as the woman gathered close to comment on the ring and discuss wedding plans. While the guys made casual chit chat till the food arrived.
The meal was great. Cordelia and Buffy passed on desert to end up stealing bites from their date's desserts. Spike was happy to feed Buffy bites of his desert. For with every little moan of pleasure and lick of her lips after each bite made his pants feel a little tighter.
Cordeila had gotten Xander out on the small dance floor. Buffy sat watching them sway softly to the music. All the sudden a voice whispered threw his head. 'Ask her to dance' Damn poncy William. Spike rolled his eyes and responded in his head, 'I don't Dance!'
William's voice persisted, 'Look at her. She really wants to dance. How can you deny her that?' Spike looked at Buffy and could see William was correct. The longing to be on the dance floor was evident. Spike growled at William, 'I don't dance…' and before William could speak again he cut him off, 'I don't know how to'
He could almost hear William chuckle, 'Sure you do. Just like you knew how to read French. Trust me.'
Spike couldn't think of a rebuttal to that at first so he snarked 'And I'm sure you would HATE to see me make a fool of myself in front of Buffy!'
'Not when she has that look on her face. Although seeing you look less then appealing would do wonders for my amusement. I couldn't do that to her. Besides. Like with reading the French, I'll be dancing too.' Spike didn't know if he liked the sound of that. But one more look at Buffy's face made the decision.
Spike stood and offered his hand to Buffy, "May I have this dance?" Buffy's face bloomed in to a radiant smile. As he lead her to the dance floor, William's voice whispered something else in his head. So excusing himself a moment he went to the entertainer for the night. And spoke softly to him.
The man nodded and Spike slipped him something. Then the man turned to the band. Spike rejoined Buffy on the dance floor. The look on her face was asking what he was up to, "You'll see, luv."
The music changed and the entertainer began to sing:
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
Lookin for a little romance
Given half a chance
And I have never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes
I have been blind
Lady in red
Is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know
This beauty by my side
I'll never forget
The way you look tonight
Spike held Buffy close as they swayed gracefully on the dance floor. Spike could feel William and all his emotions there. Mixing together with his. It was hard to tell what feelings where his and what was William.
I've never seen you look as gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing
I've never seen so many people wanna be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away
I have never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love
As I do tonight
Lady in red
Is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know
This beauty by my side
I'll never forget
The way you look tonight
Buffy looked up from where she rested her head on Spike's chest. Looking in his eyes it was strange. She could almost see William looking back at her. But what was more breathtaking was the emotions that were also there. Not just the usual smoldering heat of attraction she'd become used to seeing in Spike's eyes. But a softer gentler look of adoration and …. No!…. yes?….Love?
As the song geared down, Spike felt himself moving in for a kiss. Buffy responded by slipping her eyes closed and reaching up to meet him. And just as their lips were about to touch the moment was broken.
"Hey guys we're headed home back to the dorms." Xander spoke as if he were oblivious to what he just disturbed.
Cordeila on the other hand looked irritated, "My god, you couldn't wait one minute to tell them that? Have you no sense of romantic timing?" she threw up her hands in an 'I give up' fashion and headed to the door. Not that Cordy was one to play cupid. But she figured this little crush Buffy had on her brother's best friend and soon to be fling with said guy while he suffered amnesia. Well that just screamed entertaining. And she would have had a major scoop for the gossip front if her bonehead boyfriend would have held his tongue two more seconds!
Xander fallowed Cordy unsure of what he did wrong this time. The spell broken Spike and Buffy headed back to the table to see Oz, Willow and Willow's mother also getting ready to depart. So they decided it was time to leave.