SIX MONTHS LATER
Buffy stood in front of a mirror. Willow stood next to her, adjusting her hair. Buffy touched the ring on its chain again.
"Are you nervous?" Willow asked. Buffy caught her eye in the mirror and smiled.
"Not at all. I know this is right. It's what I want. I've known for a while how I feel. I tried fighting it. I tried hiding it. That didn't work. Now, I'm going to embrace it. I fully intend to give it my all." Buffy turned to look at Willow directly. "I love him, Willow. More than I ever believed was possible. Now that he is human, there's nothing to stop me from being honest."
Willow beamed at her friend. "I'm so happy for you. Even if there are still people who don't understand, I do. Love...it doesn't always make sense. It's crazy. But it's worth the wild ride." Buffy hugged her. "Hey, careful. I might start tearing up. And that would be terrible. Your dress is stunning. I'd hate to mess it up in any way." Buffy stood up and took one last glance in the mirror.
"I can't believe the day is finally here." Buffy smiled widely. Dawn joined them at the mirror.
"At least these dresses aren't radioactive. You actually have good taste, Buffy." Dawn grinned at her sister.
"And a sister with a great eye for fashion." Buffy responded.
"We should go. Don't want to keep him waiting, after all." Willow handed Buffy her bouquet. They headed downstairs in a sort of procession.
The house was immaculately decorated. It had been nicely fixed up. The land surrounding the house had been cleaned up and was now gorgeous. Willow and Dawn led Buffy to the entryway of the house. Giles took Buffy's arm at the door. Buffy smiled up at him.
"I know you aren't exactly approving, but I'm glad you're here. I couldn't do this without you." Giles half-smiled.
"I've given up on trying to force you to do or think anything. I thought I knew what was best for you, Buffy, but clearly I was wrong. These last six month have proven that to me." Giles gripped her hand gently.
"Thanks. You know, you're more of a father figure to me than my real father. Nothing could ever change that." Giles smiled down at her.
"Oh, enough with the sappiness. Let's move." Dawn said, impatiently. Buffy grinned at her sister.
They left the house and headed outside. The wedding march started, and Giles led Buffy down the make-shift aisle. Buffy caught sight of him, standing at the other end of the aisle, and everyone else disappeared. It was as though they were the only two people in the world. Judging by the look on his face, he felt the same way.
Giles handed Buffy's hand to the groom, and kissed her cheek. He moved to sit down. The minster spoke drawing their attention.
"Welcome everyone. Buffy Anne Summers and William Pratt have chosen you, those special and important to them, to witness and celebrate the beginning of their life together. Today, as we create this marriage, we also create a new bond and new sense of family - one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today. This new chapter of their relationship will continue to draw much of its beauty and meaning from the intimate associations of their past." The minster moved forward. "The couple have chosen to recite their own vows." Buffy turned and handed her bouquet to Willow. Willow handed her the ring.
"Spike-Er, William, I pledge to you endless strength that you can count on when you are weak. I'll be your music when you can't hear, your sunshine when you can't see, or your perfume when you can't smell. You'll never need to look further than me. I'll be your days and nights when you need them filled, your spark of life in the darkness, your hope when you're down and out. I promise to always be there for you, to shelter and hold your love as the most precious gift in my life. I will be truthful and honor you. I will care for you always and stand by you in times of sorrow and joy. I acknowledge my love and respect for you and invite you to share my life as I hope to share yours. I promise always to recognize you as an equal individual and always to be conscious of your development as well as my own. I shall seek through kindness and understanding to achieve with you the life we have envisioned. I will love you with every breath of my body as long as we both shall live." Buffy smiled at Spike. He took a deep breath.
"Buffy, I promise from this day forward, to be faithful and honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you place in me, to love and respect you in your successes and in your failures, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to care for you in sickness and in health, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this journey that we make together. loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and falling in love a little more each day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. I swear that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward until death do us part."
They exchanged rings, and Buffy pulled him to her. It wasn't until the minster cleared his throat that they realized they had kissed too soon. "Oops." This drew small titters of laughter from those assembled.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. NOW, you may kiss the bride." The minster smiled.
"Gladly." Spike said, pulling Buffy to her. They became lost in each other once again. They would spend the rest of their lives lost in each other.