Author Note: I know this is a short chapter (sorry!) but, rest assured, the next two are much longer.

The Night Before

"Don't worry," Dawn tried to reassure Buffy – who looked distraught at the state of her apartment - "I'm gonna clear this place up. As a gift to you. Because A. We both know I don't like paying for things and B. I skipped out on a whole bunch of chores back in the old place."

The levity did lighten the Slayer's mood a little.

"I really hope you're serious," she said, and Dawn pulled her into a hug.

"I will get a proper gift soon. But, yeah, I can do this for you. You deserve it."

"Nice of you Niblet," said Spike from the other room, then added, "Don't break anything."

"Of course I won't!" she protested, and suddenly Buffy had flashbacks of every other time Dawn had said as much. It was usually followed with her knocking something over.

As if reading her thoughts Dawn put a hand on her sister's shoulder and said, "Really. I got this."

"Okay, okay," Buffy relented. "I put my possessions in your care. There's no rush – can wait until we're gone. Oh, but, do not look in the top drawer of my nightstand. Actually, know what? Never mind. I'll take them with me."

"What are you-" Dawn began to ask, before thinking better of it and declaring, "Don't wanna know."

Spike walked into the room at that point, barely unable to contain his laughter.

Buffy blushed as he wrapped his arms around her. "What? I didn't say anything bad!"

"Implied enough, Slayer," he chuckled.

"Gross," said Dawn, before changing the subject. "You two staying apart tonight? You know, for tradition?"

"Nah," said Spike, while winking at her sister, "Couldn't keep away."

"Oh, I don't know," said Buffy, teasing him, "Maybe we should."

"Don't even bloody think about it. I've got plans for you later."

"And gross again," said Dawn, shuddering. "I'm gonna leave before you both go completely nuts."

After Spike's planned physical activity, the couple went back to adding the finishing touches to their vows.

"Can't believe we'll be promising our lives to each other in like twenty hours," Buffy said, looking up from her notebook.

"Nervous?" asked Spike.

"Yeah," she admitted. "All this time, it's finally gonna happen. This is huge."

"I know, kitten," he replied. "How are your pretty words looking?"

"Bleh!" she said, frowning. "Nothing I say is gonna be good enough."

"I'm sure it is," he said, reaching towards her, "Gimmie a look."

"No!" she shouted, defensively snatching away the book. "It's not time yet! I want them to be perfect."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. Won't look. But I'm sure they're fine. You've come up with rousing speeches before."

"It's not the same," she huffed, while flicking through her pages. "There is something else I wanted to run past you…"

He quirked his eyebrow in question, and she continued.

"I… well, it's silly. But I thought it might be nice to kind of… maybe, get matching tattoos?"

"What?" he balked.

"I know," she said, chastising herself. "It was a stupid idea. I just liked the idea of having something permanent. With symbolism and everything, but then I couldn't come up with any decent ideas."

"Not stupid," he insisted. "'m just surprised is all. Thought, of the two of us, the one to suggest getting inked woulda been me. Wait. Is this what I keep catching you doodling?"

"Yeah," she said, embarrassed.

"Show us what you got then. 'm sure we could make it workable."

"You're serious?" she asked. "You'd be willing to get something I'd drawn put on your body forever?"

He shrugged saying, "Consider it. Now show me."

Hesitantly, Buffy handed him the pad.

He smirked, looking down at it, "This is just a bunch of hearts, luv."

"Said it was stupid!" she said, dejectedly.

"Ah ah," he said, not letting her snatch it back from him, "Already told you it's not stupid. Maybe a little basic…"

"Ugh! It sucks. I suck. Am so not a creative person!" she groused.

Spike ignored her and quickly sketched out another heart – neater than hers – before drawing a stake through it. "Too much?" he asked her.

She shook her head, finding her smile again, "I like it. I could get a little one, and yours could be bigger."

"Sounds great," he told her.

To be continued...