Next Morning
Campden Hill Road, London
Harris' Residence: Master Bedroom
As the morning dawned, a beam of sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a warm glow on Xander's closed eyelid. A displeased wrinkle appeared on his nose. Xander's eye slowly opened, revealing a tired gaze. He shifted his weight and rolled onto his back, letting out a deep sigh.
The frown on his face deepened, momentarily not recognising his surroundings. He shifted his gaze towards the nightstand, where a framed photograph of Buffy, himself, and Willow caught his attention. The picture was taken on the Tower Bridge during their first few days in London. He turned his head to get a better look, his good eye fixated on the image.
A soft dip in the mattress pulled his attention and he turned his head, looking into a pair of hazel-green eyes staring at him.
"Hey," said Buffy, with uncertainty.
"Hi."
The two were silent for a few moments, remembering their passionate hours together, making love.
Sitting himself up on the bed, Xander leaned back against the backboard, waiting for her to break the silence, unsure how to gauge her emotions about last night.
Buffy kept the blanket wrapped around her naked body as she sat up, sitting against the backboard beside him. "Last night was pretty… wow."
He couldn't help but chuckle, gazing at her. "Yeah, it was."
"Is it always like that?"
"With you," Xander's lips curled into a sly smirk as he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and gave a slight nod. "It's always like that," he remarked.
Buffy leaned in closer, her heart racing as she closed the small space between their mouths. She kissed him deeply, savouring the taste of his lips and the feel of his arms around her. As they pulled away, she looked into his eye, feeling a rush of emotion that she couldn't quite put into words.
Was it a memory? She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was as if she was seeing him for the first time. No specific images were flashing in her mind, but the intensity of his gaze was enough to trigger something inside of her. It went beyond "familiar". It was as if every inch of her was remembering him. She remembered the love they once shared.
Xander's fingers buried into her long, tousled hair, savouring the sensation of its silky strands slipping through his grasp.
"Last night," she began, cradling his stubbled cheek in one hand, "changed things. Don't you think?"
"It for sure did," he whispered, pulling her closer to his chest.
Stroking his cheek with the backs of her fingers, Buffy gazed into his eye. "I'm just not sure what changed."
"No need to rush and figure it out now."
She looked into his eye and whispered, "I know I want you." The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. The soft pads of her fingers glided down his throat. Her touch was electric, igniting a fire within him that he couldn't ignore. As she reached his chest, she felt the coarse texture of his dark, curled hair beneath her fingertips. It was a moment of pure intimacy, a connection that words could never fully describe. "I don't remember… but I feel it. Being with you… it felt—feels… right."
"It does," he said, leaning forward to kiss her. But just as their lips were about to meet, she pulled her head back. Xander let out a deep sigh, his lips forming a cute pout as he expressed his disappointment.
"I don't know if it's love or lust or all of the above—"
Xander softly smiled at her, pushing her hair off of her shoulder and trailing the pads of his fingers down the column of her neck to her shoulder. "It doesn't matter right now." He leaned in closer, the tip of his nose touching hers. "We can figure it out later."
She couldn't resist the urge to lean in closer, her eyes lowering to his mouth. With a gentle touch, she closed the gap between them and pressed her lips against his. The kiss was tender and sweet.
They held each other for a moment, savouring the warmth of their embrace. Buffy rested her head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. She found comfort in his arm curled around her back, holding her tightly. It was a moment of peace and solace, a brief respite from the chaos of their lives.
"Xand?"
"Hm?" Xander grunted, his eye closed and a dopey smile on his face.
Buffy tilted her face upwards, looking at him. "I'd like to do something with Josh today." She looked around, trying to decide where to go. After a moment's thought, she suggested, "Maybe the park?"
Xander gently took her hand in his and pressed his lips against her palm. As he opened his eye, he gazed at her with a tender expression. "That's a great idea, baby," he said, his voice filled with admiration.
"He should come home," she whispered to herself, as if saying it out loud would make it so. "We've burdened our friends long enough," she said with a heavy heart.
Elated, Xander gave a small nod, indicating his agreement. "I'll call Willow and tell her to pack his things."
"But first," she said, her voice mischievous. Without warning, she positioned herself over him, straddling his waist and covering his mouth with her own.
As their lips met, he murmured, "Right… First," he said, breaking away from the kiss for a moment. "First thing is always first." He kissed her again, with more force as his passion grew. Xander roamed his hands over her back and ripped off the thin blanket covering their naked bodies.
Buffy felt a rush of heat spread through her body, igniting a fire deep within her. Her hands instinctively reached up to grasp the base of his neck, pulling him in closer. His hands found their way to her sides, fingers curling around her hips.
Momentarily breaking apart, they looked at each other, both slightly out of breath. His eye filled with an intense longing. He noticed her lips, which were slightly swollen and felt his body respond with a surge of desire. He tried to control himself, but he couldn't help the growing hardness that was already present. She was, quite simply, the sexiest thing he'd ever seen.
She gasped as his mouth found one of her nipples, alternately suckling and nibbling on it. She entwined her fingers in his hair and held him to her, willing him to never stop. Amidst her protests, he did, but only long enough to move to the other nipple, not wanting to neglect it. Sliding his hand down her belly, to her centre. She cried out as he inserted one finger inside her, finding her already wet with desire.
After a few moments, her body was writhing on the bed while he worked two fingers in and out of her grasping channel as he massaged her clit with the pad of his thumb. Buffy's body convulsed as a wave of intense pleasure washed over her, causing her to let out a deep, guttural moan.
He kept moving, slowing down his pace as she reached her climax. Buffy's body went limp on the bed, and he continued to hold her close. Gently extracting his hand, and licking his fingers clean, Xander smiled wickedly at her and positioned himself above her with the weight of his upper body on his arms.
She lay on the bed, her legs parted, inviting him. He positioned himself between her thighs, his hard member pressing against her entrance. The sensation was both exquisite and agonising, driving them both wild with desire. Unable to resist any longer, she reached down and guided him inside her, gasping with pleasure as they became one.
Xander slowly slid inside Buffy as he looked her in the eye. She stared right back at him and reached her hand up to touch his face, the tips of her fingers tracing his lips until he dipped his head down and kissed her sensually.
Unlike all their previous coupling, this time was two people completely giving themselves to each other. Gone was the frenzy, excitement and desperate need for gratification. It was just two people who wanted and needed each other, taking comfort and pleasure in their joining, loving each other deeply—or for Buffy, she was re-falling in love.
Xander kept his slow pace as he slid in and out of her, while she lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. Buffy appreciatively ran her hands over his well-muscled arms.
Instead of them both working towards finding release, they just moved, their bodies sliding against each other in an almost primal way. Xander's breaths came in ragged gasps as he moved inside her body, their hips meeting in a rhythm that left them both breathless. His forehead rested against hers, the heat of their skin mingling together as they moved as one. Every so often, he would pause to place a searing kiss on her lips, their passion building with each passing moment. Neither said a word, just expressed all their feelings with looks and actions.
Buffy's body trembled as waves of pleasure washed over her. She gasped for air, her heart racing as she rode the intense sensations. It was only moments ago that she had experienced her first orgasm, but now she was already on the brink of another. Her mind was consumed by the pleasure, and she surrendered herself completely to the moment. As the climax overtook her, she cried out in ecstasy, her body convulsing with pleasure. It was a moment of pure bliss, and she knew that she would never forget it. Xander's movements were slow and deliberate as he continued to thrust into her, his lips pressing gently against the sensitive skin of her neck. She responded by arching her back, offering herself completely to him. She dug her fingers into his broad shoulders. A low moan escaped her lips, betraying the intensity of her desire.
Xander's movements became more urgent and his thrusts grew faster. He couldn't resist the primal urge that was taking over his body. With each thrust, he drove his cock deeper inside her, feeling her body respond to his touch. Finally, he reached the point of no return and spilt his seed deep inside her womb. It was a moment of pure ecstasy, and he knew that he had given himself over completely to the power of nature. That was all it took for Buffy to have her third climax. Her head flung back as she ardently slammed against him. They continued moving against each other as their orgasms passed, more and more slowly until they came to a stop, grinning at one another.
Pushing her tousled hair out of her face, Xander kissed her. Buffy's fingers traced the contours of his lightly bearded chin, pulling him closer as she pressed her lips against his. With a flick of her tongue, she deepened the kiss, savouring the taste of him.
Xander couldn't help but laugh as he felt a sense of freedom wash over him. It had been so long since he had felt this carefree. He rolled off of her and lay at her side, his arm wrapped around her. Buffy nestled her head onto his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her ear. She closed her eyes and let herself be enveloped by the soothing sound, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. It was a moment of pure contentment, as if nothing else in the world mattered except for the two of them, together at that moment.
She slowly lifted her chin, revealing her sparkling eyes as she gazed at him. Her delicate hand reached up to tenderly stroke his cheek. Xander lifted his head slightly from the soft pillow beneath him. He gazed down at her with a hunger that could not be contained and leaned in to kiss her with a fierce intensity. He held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his. His heart swelled with love for her, a feeling that consumed him entirely. She was the only one who could make him feel this way, and he cherished every moment they spent together. As he looked down at her, nestled in his arms, he knew that he would do anything to keep her safe and happy. She was his everything, and he would never let her go.
As the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, Xander made his way down the stairs. He knew that Buffy would be waiting for him in the kitchen, her desire for coffee having been expressed with such fervour during their shared shower that morning. She had abruptly cut her time under the warm water short, leaving him with a standing erection and shampoo suds in his hair.
Instead, Xander found Buffy standing in the living room, surrounded by a scattering of photographs. She carefully lifted each one from the box at her feet, studying the images of her family with a wistful expression. As she gazed at the faces of her loved ones, wishing for the memories to flood her mind.
With a determined look in her eyes, Buffy began to hang the photos back on the walls. She carefully selected the perfect spot for each one, ensuring that they were all perfectly aligned. As she worked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the sight of her small family coming back together.
She took a step back to admire her handiwork as Xander strode into the living room, his eyes immediately drawn to the photo on the wall. He stood behind her, peering over her shoulder at the image of the two of them. It was a bright and sunny day, captured perfectly in the photo, as they stood together at a winery.
As she fiddled with the frame, she spoke absentmindedly, "Coffee is still on if you want it." Her mind seemed to be preoccupied with the task at hand, as she tried to centre the frame just right.
Xander's lips brushed against the back of her head as he whispered, "I want." He then made his way towards the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The percolator was still plugged into the wall, waiting to be used. He moved with a sense of urgency as he prepared his coffee, deftly adding a single sugar cube and a splash of milk. With his beverage in hand, he strode back into the living room, his eyes fixed on his beautiful wife. Leaning casually against the wall, he watched her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
His gaze lingered on the hem of her top as it rode up slightly, revealing glimpses of her tanned skin along the small of her back. It was a sight that he couldn't resist, and he found himself captivated. The way the sunlight danced across her skin, highlighting every curve and contour, was like something out of a dream.
Xander pushed himself from where he stood and entered the living room. He walked over to stand behind Buffy. "Sweetheart," he said, taking a sip of his coffee, "what are you up to?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her. "Redecorating?"
She carefully hung the pictures back up on the wall, smiling at the image of her little boy. She straightened the frame, making sure it was perfectly aligned. "If our son is coming home, I want it to look like his home," she said to her husband. "Even if I don't remember it… I know there were pictures. Lots and lots of pictures."
Xander gazed at her with a tender smile. He didn't want to dwell too much on the words she had spoken so effortlessly, but they echoed in his mind: "Our son." Xander gently placed the mug on the coffee table and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. His chin came to rest gently on her shoulder. The sweet aroma of citrus filled his senses as he breathed in the scent of her hair. He whispered into her ear, "Home is wherever you are." As he leaned in, he placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning for him.
"Stop it." With a playful smile, she gently pushed his hands away from her waist as they began to sneak up under her top.
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her. She felt the warmth of his body against her back as he held her in a tight embrace.
"Stop it, Xand!" She turned around and looked at him with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "You're doing that thing."
He always had a way of getting under her skin. "What thing?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. Xander leaned in, his lips tracing a path up the column of her throat. His hands roamed up her torso, knowing exactly what he was doing. "I'm showing my wife my appreciation for her." He cupped her breasts in his hands, feeling their softness and weight. She gasped at his touch, her body responding to his caress. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her neck as he continued to explore her curves with his hands. The heat between them grew, and they both knew where this was going to lead.
Buffy rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, you so know what I'm talking about," she said with a hint of playful annoyance in her voice. He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "It's that thing that you do to make me forget what I'm doing and have sex with you." Her hand cupped the back of his head, keeping his mouth at her neck. "It's annoying and I'm busy."
"I do not always do that," he said, his voice low and husky. "I only do that… when I do that." He wore a menacing grin as he peppered her neck and shoulder with kisses.
"Yes, lovey, that's exactly what I'm saying," she said, turning around in his embrace to meet his gaze and wrapping her arms around his neck. He sighed, looking at her with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "You do always do that. Ever since that time in—" she began, her voice trailing off, noticing the look of shock etched in his handsome features. "What? What is it?" She looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
He looked at her, trying to keep his emotions in check as he spoke. "You..." he began, his heart beating faster. "You remembered something, didn't you?"
"I…" Buffy's brows furrowed, and her eyes grew wider. Did I? Her thoughts were scattered and disjointed, making it difficult to focus on any one thing. Did I remember something?
"You're always telling me that I do 'that thing' when I want to make the sexy time with you and..." he trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. A smile slowly spread across his face. "You called me 'lovey'," he said. The sound of the pet name echoed in his mind, making his heart race with excitement.
"Lovey?" Buffy furrowed her brow, the endearment ringing a faint bell in her mind.
Xander's eye lit up with excitement as he eagerly nodded his head in agreement.
As she gazed into his eyes, the pieces of the memory began to fall into place. "That's what I call you," she whispered. The realisation hit her like a tonne of bricks. The memory was crystal clear in her mind. "After that time at the pub saving those soccer hooligans from a vampire…" she began, "you taunted the vamp with a terrible English accent." The memory brought a smile to her face as she relived the excitement of that night.
Xander nodded his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "It was so bad," he said.
"I scolded you," she said. "And," she paused. "I called you 'lovey'. After that…" She let out a small sigh and shrugged her shoulders. "It just... stuck." Buffy was completely overwhelmed and couldn't believe it. She let out a deep sigh of relief. "I remembered something."
Xander gently held her face in his palms, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss. She gently wrapped her fingers around his wrists, pulling away from the passionate kiss they were sharing. As she did so, the tip of his nose brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine. A broad smile spread across his face as he looked at her. His eye glistened with a tear that threatened to spill over. He could barely contain his joy as he spoke, "You remembered something."
Tears welled up in her eyes. The stinging sensation was almost unbearable, but she refused to wipe them away as they trickled down her cheek. Joyous happiness consumed her heart. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his once more, savouring the warmth of his embrace. As they parted, she gently touched her forehead to his, feeling the electric energy between them. Her hands instinctively reached for the back of his head. Her fingers found their way into his short hair, gripping it tightly as she pulled him closer.
Their laughter echoed through the room as they held each other tightly, their lips locked in a passionate embrace. The joy they felt was palpable, radiating from their bodies as they revelled in the moment. They kissed with an intensity that left them breathless, lost in the pleasure of each other's company. It was a moment they would never forget, a memory that would stay with them forever.
