Chapter 11: Oh, What A Day
Buffy and Spike sat watching a movie nibbling on popcorn. She had around her neck her birthday gift from Spike, a golden locket with her picture on one side and his on the other. It was engraved with, "Love always" on the back with their initials in tiny font, "BAS" and "WRP". Buffy knew she would cherish it always.
Buffy and Spike were both dressed for the day with Buffy in a black short skirt and a yellow tank top and Spike in his freshly washed black jeans and black ribbed shirt. Buffy knew it was 4 already and Spike needed to leave soon. She didn't want him to get caught over at her house but she still had an hour.
She was lying in his arms on the couch with her head against his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist. One of his hands was running through her hair while the other was wrapped around her waist holding her close to him. She was just about asleep when she heard the door open and saw in horror as her mom stood in front of her holding a small sheet cake and a big birthday gift.
Buffy gasped as her mom frowned, "So I see you didn't listen to your father."
Buffy didn't know what to say as Buffy continued to look surprised.
Spike stood up offering his hand, "We never did get to introduce ourselves appropriately did we ma'am? My name is William Pratt but most call me Spike. It's a nickname I earned in elementary because I broke the teacher's nose spiking a ball over the net in volleyball. Rest assured I play better now."
Joyce laughed as she took his pro-offered hand, "I'm Joyce, Buffy's mom."
Spike nodded, "Pleasure to meet you."
Buffy looked from one to the other and Spike looked at her other full hand, "Let me take that for you."
He lifted the cake and the bag from her arm and set them on the island in front of him. She smiled at him as she responded, "The pleasure is all mine. Would you care for a cup of hot tea? It's a little chilly outside and I was just about to have a cup myself."
Spike grinned, "Got any hot cocoa? With little marshmallows?"
Buffy snapped out of it following the group into the kitchen as she said, "Some for me too?"
Joyce nodded as she put on water to boil. She sat down at the island offering Spike and Buffy two of the other stools, "Sit down you two. We have stuff to talk about."
Buffy sat down nervously as she watched in wonder as Joyce started her talk, "Ok I know your father is against this because of rumors that he heard around school. To be honest, I don't even care about rumors. They usually represent the past. The past doesn't really matter with a person since everyone deserves a second chance. So William how about this for a chance, I won't tell Buffy's dad you were here if you agree to stay for dinner with us and promise not to hurt my daughter."
Spike grinned not even caring that she insisted on calling him William, "I'll do my best Joyce."
She smiled as the tea kettle whistled and she poured out the water making hers into tea as she set the two mugs in front of the others with a jar of hot cocoa and a bag of marshmallows, "Make yourself at home William by helping yourself. So how did you and Buffy meet?"
Buffy's eyes sparkled, "Remember the 1800s dance I went to last year?"
Her mom nodded surprised it had been going on that long ago. It was already February and that was last June. Buffy continued, "Well I was dancing and when I stopped, he climbed the balcony there to talk to me. We went for a walk and talked some more. It was great. We chatted about anything and everything and we barely stopped for a pause. It was amazing."
She even forgot she was talking to her mom as she continued, "We dated all summer long and did all sorts of fantastic things. We went on boat rides because see Spike's aunt is Aunt Jenny and she is rich. She owns a Herb Shop and teaches part time at the school in the computer lab. She has a boat that she lets Spike use anytime he wants. It's a great boat and perfect for two."
Joyce nodded still listening. She liked seeing her daughter so happy and passionate about something. After the divorce and when she moved to Sunnydale, she had been worried about her.
This past year, she had really blossomed and tears came to her eyes as she realized, Buffy was no longer the 10 year old who needed her tears wiped and her knees bandaged. She was a full-grown woman involved in a full-grown relationship. She listened as Buffy rattled on about the zoo they visited and the beach they went to.
Joyce realized at that moment, Buffy was leading her own life. She was doing her own things and Joyce had no idea what she was up to. Her little girl was still her little girl but needed guidance not discipline. She smiled at Spike and then Buffy. "Tell me one thing before I disappear to order pizza. William, do you love my daughter and promise to treat her right?"
Spike nodded, "I do love your daughter and have for a long time. I can't imagine life without her so therefore I will treat her as right as I can."
Joyce smiled as she saw the love shine in his eyes as he looked then at Buffy. She turned towards her daughter, "Buffy do you love William? I've never seen you so happy about anyone in the past. I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."
Buffy smiled at her mom noticing how sad she seemed at the fact she was in a relationship, "Mom, I'm a smart girl and I'm in love. Spike is a great guy. He takes care of me and makes sure I never hurt and never am upset. He's made me the happiest I've been in my whole life and I don't want dad to break us up…why don't you give me a safe sex talk, tell me how important trust is in a relationship and call it good?"
Joyce frowned, "Ok…use protection. Buffy can't I just pretend you aren't having sex? I mean surely you're too young…"
Buffy cut her off, "I'll use protection if I do decide to have sex. How's that?"
Joyce didn't like it but nodded, "Ok and trust is important. Be honest and things will go well. I know how trust can break down without communication. If you guys want to make it work, make time to talk and enjoy each other's company. "
Buffy smiled happy the talk was done, "Pizza time?"
Joyce laughed as she left the two in the room and left to order pizza.
Three hours later, Joyce sat in her chair with a blanket covering her lap and Spike and Buffy shared the sofa sitting side by side with a blanket over their laps with their hands folded. They weren't cuddling out of respect for Joyce but couldn't resist still holding hands. Joyce seemed to like Spike.
During dinner, they had talked about what he wished to do when he grew up, his college plans including the fact he was accepted into Sunnydale University and was going into the teaching program with a major in England and a minor in History. He even found himself sharing with her his dream of being a self-defense teacher, which she thought was a great idea. She had stated that not many people in Sunnydale knew how to defend themselves and admitted that was why she had put Buffy in karate so young, making sure she was able to defend herself.
His true dream was to be a writer but he had been told many times before that writing was rarely a career and usually a hobby. Joyce didn't respond with that and instead merely stated, "It's good to have a fall back plan but you can have writing be your second career so if it doesn't work out the way you want, you can still do the teaching."
They had laughed over cake and ice cream and Buffy had opened her gift from her mom to find a brand new stereo CD player since her old one broke before they moved. Since Buffy wasn't home much, she hadn't really noticed but she was happy she could play CDs now.
Joyce yawned yet again and looked at the duo noticing. Spike glanced at her and she sighed, "I'm heading up to bed. You two be good and happy birthday again sweetie. I don't know what you guys do but I don't want to hear anything."
Spike raised his eyebrow wondering if he was right in thinking Buffy's mum wasn't totally against them and she continued, "Giles gets home at 2 pm tomorrow. William you best make sure you are out of sight by then."
Spike nodded, "Will do Joyce. Sleep sweet."
Joyce disappeared from sight as Buffy opened her eyes with a grin, "So you staying the night then?"
Spike chuckled, "Yea but I respect your mum. No hanky panky tonight luv. You're probably too sore anyway."
Buffy didn't want to admit it but she was sore. Even during their shower together earlier, she could tell she had muscles that were sore she never used and when he had washed her, certain spots made her cringe a little.
She gave in with a nod and he smiled, "It's ok luv. It was a bloody perfect day."
Buffy grinned, "I'm 17 and had a bloody perfect day."
Spike laughed putting his fingertip over her lips, "Don't you dare start swearing."
Buffy gave a slight grin as she tried to look innocent batting her eyes, "Bloody isn't swearing. It's not like I'm bloody well saying Damnit or Shi…"
Spike clasped his hand over her mouth laughing, "Bloody Hell Buffy. I'm corrupting you."
Buffy shook her head as she snuggled back down into his lap, "Nah, you're not corrupting me. You're merely educating me in the finer points of love. Shouldn't every girl know about love?"
Spike grinned kissing her forehead as he ran his hand through her hair, "Yea. You're just lucky you found me."
Buffy giggled, "I am pretty lucky aren't I?"
Spike pulled her closer, "Bloody right you're lucky. You're the luckiest bint in the world."
Buffy yawned as she felt Spike lift her into his arms to carry her upstairs, "Yea I'm the luckiest girl in the world because you love me…and I love you."
Spike just looked down at the angel he was carrying. He didn't respond until he opened her door and closed it again then he whispered, "I'm the luckiest bloke in the world Buffy. I love you so bloody much it hurts."
Buffy wiggled across her bed as she lowered her pants leaving on her shirt and panties crawling in bed next to Spike who was wearing nothing. She shook her head as she snuggled up next to him not complaining as she laid her leg over his naked leg loving the way her face felt against his naked chest. "Never leave me. Promise me Spike."
Spike smiled giving her one last kiss before he closed her eyes, "I'll never leave you, sweet dreams luv and one last happy birthday."
Buffy didn't answer as her eyes were already closed. Together they slept in each other's arms for the second night in a row happy someone was finally not against them.