Toast, Cake, and Dancing!

Chapter 25

Buffy was starting to get worried. Giles had barely spoken to her, at least not anything real, since their talk in his room. She could understand him being upset with her over their – no, her – carelessness in the bedroom. What the hell had she been thinking? Pregnancy aside other risks were still a factor and now in the forefront of her mind. Again, what the hell had she been thinking?!

She had been thinking that they weren't in any danger because, unlike herself, she thought Antony (she now understood while Giles said his name that way) was true. God, she felt so stupid. Giles had flat out told her two years ago and she still refused to believe it. She used to be smarter than this. For the third time, what the hell had she been thinking?!

He had acted polite to her while she wrangled everyone before the ceremony and the receiving line afterwards. He stood next to her and smiled for the pictures, even putting an arm around her now and then. But she could still feel the distance between them. She closed her eyes. She feared she had screwed everything up. And she deserved it, truly. She cheated on her (cheater) boyfriend, exposed Giles to God knew what, ruined what shaky relationship they had just started to rebuild, and for what?

Love.

Damn.

She loved the damn fool. Or was she the fool? Maybe they both were. Giles had known from the beginning this wasn't going to work. He tried talking with her about it multiple times. Even tried to call it all to a halt. But not Buffy. Oh no. She couldn't be rational or logical about it. She just wanted to keep pushing the inevitable down and down and down, living in her own personal fairy tale land. She didn't deserve Giles, she didn't deserve his forgiveness, and she definitely didn't deserve his friendship, let alone his love.

A tapping on glass brought Buffy out of her head as she looked over at the source. Lance had stood from his seat on the other side of the Groom. He was attempting to call everyone's attention, but only succeeded it getting everyone else to tap their glass or bang on the table, signaling for the newlyweds to kiss. Which they did. A lot. In depth. The couple broke apart with huge smiles and Dawn giggled, leaning her head against her new husband's shoulder.

Lance stood standing as it quieted down and held up a microphone that Buffy was almost sure he pulled from thin air. "Hello, everyone," he greeted. "Most of you already know me. I'm Lance Sullivan, Best Man and best friend to this guy right here." He clapped Jake on the shoulder. "I've known Jake since high school. Oddly enough, we were dating the same girl." Some of the guests laughed. "Didn't work out, for either of us, thankfully. What Jake has found now is way better than anything Rebecca Clay could have offered. Dawn is kind, smart, not to mention drop dead gorgeous. I mean seriously, isn't she just a vision tonight, folks?" The guest clapped with a few whooping and hollering. "I'm so happy for you, man. Don't screw this up." With more chuckling, Lance lifted his glass higher. "To Dawn and Jake!"

Applause and cheering erupted as they toasted to the new couple. Lance stepped around them and Buffy stood, taking the microphone. Oh boy, she was not mentally prepared. Too focused on her own issues, as usual. She gave a mental shake and smiled brightly. "Let's give another hand for Lance, huh?" she said, cheaply buying a few more seconds time. "I'm Buffy, Maid of Honor and, more importantly, Dawn's shorter big sister." {Laughter} "I would like to start out by thanking Ms. Penny Vanderlyn, Jacob's mother." {Applause} "I'm not sure if that makes you my mother-in-law or not, but I would be honored if it did. You have been a kind a gracious host to not just myself, but all of us and we thank you." {Applause} "Dawn, I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I know we have had our troubles and hard times, some harder than others, but we have always had each other. When things got tough, hairy, or just downright frightening, we always had each others back. And, in Sunnydale, that was saying a lot," she chuckled, as did the few who knew what that meant. "While I will always be in your corner, so will Jake now, too. When the lightening flashes and the thunder rolls, he will be the one petting your hair, convincing you its just angels bowling. While I know the old saying, I'm not losing a sister, but gaining a brother, may be true, I will hand Mr. Pointy, don't ask," she quickly addressed to the audience, "over to Jake to keep you safe. But only figuratively, of course," she added. "Mr. Pointy's still mine." She winked before turning back to the guests. "To Mr. and Mrs. Dawn Summers!" The guests laughed and applauded and cheered. Buffy talked loudly over them. "Hope you all saved some room. We are cutting the cake soon!" {More cheers}

Dawn stood and wrapped her sister in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

Buffy pulled back at half arm's length. "Ready for cake?" she asked with a big smile.

"God, yes!"

Cake was cut and much to everyone's semi-disappointment, none was smeared on the couples face. Probably because Dawn threatened him if he ruined her make up. And he still loved her. Go figure.

While most of the guests were still getting served their dessert, and Dawn and Jake had only managed a few bites of their own, the lead of the wedding band announced the couple's first dance was about to happen. To almost everyone's surprise, except Dawn's and Jake's, really, he introduced Mr. Rupert Giles to the stage. Buffy gaped while the rest of their group cat called. The ladies sure loved Giles' voice. To their even bigger surprise, he sat down behind the piano. Dawn and Jake took their place on the dance floor.

Giles started playing a song Buffy thought she recognized, but the tempo seemed slower. Dawn and Jake started moving slowly around the dance floor as Giles' voice rang out over them.

Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just think of you
And the way you look tonight.

Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm,
And your cheek so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.

Buffy found herself leaning forward in her chair, staring dreamily at him as he sang. Turning her attention to her sister, she saw how she was smiling brightly. She looked so happy. Good. She deserved to be happy.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fears apart.
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.

Yes, you're lovely, never, never change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it,
'Cause I love you just the way you look tonight.

As Giles' (impressive) piano solo began, Buffy looked to her left and saw Willow in a similar position, leaning on the table, fixated on Giles. She smiled as the woman in question felt eyes on her and turned towards Buffy. She blushed slightly at being caught ogling, but it wasn't really a surprise. Willow had mentioned many, many a time how much she swooned at Giles' voice. Buffy couldn't blame her.

As Giles finished up the song, Buffy headed towards the dance floor. She knew next was the wedding party dance. As she approached, she saw the others start heading up as well. Always the trendsetter.

Giles finished and was greeted with a loud round of applause. He blushed and waved and walked down the small stage steps. Buffy was at the bottom waiting for him. She smiled brightly. "I half expect a drag queen to pop out and kiss you again," she teased.

Giles chuckled and placed his hands in his pockets. A blush crept up his neck. "Yes, well, it wasn't the first time. Doubt it will be the last."

Buffy's eyes went wide and she laughed. Regaining some control she said, "That was great, Giles. It was nice of you to do that for them."

"Yes, well-"

He was cut off by the lead announcing it was time for the wedding party dance and called them all up to the floor. Buffy quickly kissed Giles' cheek. "Be back." She rushed off before he could say anything more.

Lance dramatically bowed down to Buffy as she came up to him on the dance floor. He held out his hand which she accepted. Dance lessons were the one thing Dawn either overlooked or just didn't care about. Buffy hoped Lance was more gracefully than he looked.

See your momma and the candles, and the tears and roses
I see your daddy walk his daughter down the aisle
And my knees start to tremble as I tell the preacher
Don't she look beautiful tonight?

All the wonderful words in my head I've been thinkin'
Ya know I wanna say 'em all just right.
I lift your veil and angels start singing
Such a heavenly sight

Lost in this moment with you
I am complete consumed
My feeling's so absolute
There's no doubt
Sealing our love with a kiss
Waited my whole life for this
Watching all my dreams come true
Lost in this moment with you.

"I'm actually impressed, Lance," Buffy said as he effortlessly lead her around the dance floor.

"My mom had me take dance lessons when I was younger." Buffy raised her brows in surprise. "Tell no one," he winked.

She giggled. "You're secret's safe with me."

"So where's the new fiance?"

Buffy sighed. "Probably on his way back to Italy to see his pregnant girlfriend." Lance faltered and Buffy crashed into him. "Ow," she said out of reflex than actual pain.

Lance shook himself clear. "Sorry," he mumbled and began leading her once again.

Buffy shrugged. "It's for the best. Really."

"Well, if you need a shoulder to cry on..." he said suggestively with a grin.

Buffy rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "I'm good, thanks."

"Best man. Maid of honor. Just sayin'."

"Well, don't."

Giles watched Buffy from the side of the dance floor. Seeing her laugh while being held in another guy's arms, even if for only a dance, shot something through him. He knew he had no right to be jealous. She wasn't his. He immediately felt guilty over the tiny hope that sprung forth when he found out Antony was gone. Now was not the time to be thinking of moving forward with Buffy. She needed time.

His mind jumped back to the conversation they had in his room. He shook his head. How could he have let that happen? He was old enough to know better when it came to unprotected sex. He had assumed Buffy was using some sort of contraceptive, though now he wondered why he thought that. She had never given him any indication that she was and he had just gone along with it like a damn hormonally charged bloody teenager. And he knew Antony was a cheating bastard! Well, maybe 'knew' was too strong a word. But even so, he would assume the jackass would use protection.

He glanced down. If his pecker shriveled up and fell off, he would deserve it.

He felt guilty for not pressing the issue with Buffy. Their first time he had attempted to ask then they just let it go. He had put them both at risk and for what? A good toss about?

No, you wanker. You bloody love her.

And, god help him, he did. He loved the hell out of her. He was in love with her! Part of him thought he had been since the moment he saw her on that bridge just days ago. Awash in the pale lighting, staring out over the reflecting water. True, he had already loved her. Loved her from the beginning. Just in different ways that evolved throughout their time, both together and apart. He didn't want to walk away from her again, to lose her. He wanted to open up, to tell her how he felt. Tell her he knew she needed some time to adjust but, if she were willing, he would wait for her. He would wait forever for her.

Most of him felt he already had.

The crowd applauded as the song ended and most of the couples separated. Buffy caught his eye with a grin which he returned. She had started heading for him when Dawn suddenly cut her off and grabbed Giles' hands He looked just as surprised as Buffy.

"I should have asked you this earlier," Dawn started, "but I didn't and now I'm sorry because I'm totally springing this on-."

"Alright, folks!" the band leader called. "We have one more scheduled dance before you can all take the floor. It's time for our parent's dance!"

Dawn forced a strained, hopeful, grin. "Dance with me?"

When Giles was first invited to Dawn's wedding, he had no idea he would be playing such an active role. He had loved Dawn as his own. He did love Dawn as his own. Genetically speaking, she was his own. While he thought that little piece of information was something only known to he and Buffy, apparently he had been wrong. True, as a teen she had been a royal pain, but honestly, what teenage girl wasn't? When she asked him to walk her down the aisle, he had been floored. He had just assumed it was due out of necessity. Who else would have done it? Then the actual involvement in the bridal party activities. Maybe she just didn't want him to feel left out. The suggestion of the wedding party photographs took him by surprise. Being referred to as "father of the bride" seemed surreal. And she called him dad... sort of. And now...

"Please?" she asked, her eyes pleading.

He smiled brightly. "I would love to." She pulled him to the floor where Jake and his mom were waiting for them. Dawn turned and wrapped her arms around Giles in a tight embrace. As the music started, she pulled back and got into a proper dancing position with him.

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you wanna go
And if you're faced with a choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' til you find a window
And if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
And more than anything, more than anything

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
I hope your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there getting' where your getting' to
I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things, too
Yeah, this is my wish.

Buffy watched as her sister and Giles danced together. He held one of her hands while they both had an arm wrapped around the other person. She had leaned her head in close to him and rest her head on his shoulder. He gently kissed the top of her head. Her eyes were closed but she smiled. Buffy couldn't help marveling at the sight. It was strange to think that nearly 13 years had passed since Buffy first walked into that library.

She remembered the first time Giles met Dawn. Well, sort of. It hadn't been real, but it still felt real. It was only a few weeks after she had moved to Sunnydale. Giles had called and requested her to come to the library, having something he needed to urgently discuss. Before Buffy could tell him she was stuck with babysitting duty while her mom was at the gallery, he had hung up. Not having much of any other choice, Buffy took Dawn with her. She had hoped to distract her with books while Giles shared whatever information he needed to with her.

Giles had started talking before Buffy was even through the door, halting as soon as he saw Dawn step out from behind her sister. His face had screwed up into one of confusion and asked what 'that' was, waving his hand in Dawn's direction. "That is my sister, Dawn." Buffy crossed her arms defiantly. "If you had given me a chance to talk instead of hanging up on me, I would have told you I was babysitting."

"You're boyfriend's old," Dawn stated.

Giles looked thoroughly offended while Buffy huffed and rolled her eyes. "He is not my boyfriend. Go read or draw or something." Buffy waved Dawn towards the table while walking over to the counter to talk to Giles.

"Why, so you can kiiiiiss?" she teased.

"Ugh. Giles, come on." Buffy walked into his office for privacy. Giles shut the door behind them. "So what's so-"

"Buffy and Giles sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" Dawn sang out on the other side of the door. Then she started mimicking Buffy. "Oh, Giles, I love you soooooo muuuuch!"

By the time she started making kissy sounds, Giles suggested, or rather, stuttered, perhaps it was best they leave the door open.

Now, here Dawn and Giles were, swaying to the father/daughter dance at her wedding. And, if she wasn't mistaking, he was singing along with the song to her. Suddenly another memory came to Buffy. Her mom out of town, visiting her sister. Dawn got sick with a fever. Buffy panicked. Giles came over and helped tend to the girl. He sat on the couch with Dawn's head in his lap as he sang her to sleep. That had been just before graduation.

My, how times changed.

Giles gently sang as he moved with Dawn,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there getting' where your getting' to
I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things, too
Yeah, this is my wish. This is my wish.

The song ended and Dawn pulled back, smiling up at him. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. The band leader announced the floor was now open to all. Dawn turned back to her husband and they left the floor together. She wanted to finish her cake!