Chapter 16: England Bound
(For the record, I have no idea about England really. I don't even know much about the Queen of England only that her name is Queen Elizabeth II and she is 83 years old. In every picture I saw of her, I saw her laughing and having a good time so this might work but I'm not totally sure. Just enjoy the scene not study it too closely please!)
Spike looked handsome in his black graduation cap and gown. He was head of his class so he had to give a speech to the others in the group. His speech was fairly simple and straight to the point as Spike's speeches often were, "'Ello fellow students. I was asked to give a speech and while I protested, claimed I didn't deserve it and tried to fail a few classes so I wouldn't be out on top, here I am still Valedictorian of the Class of 2001. I have written a poem for the day. Bear with me as I've been told my poetry is bloody awful but Buffy told me this one is good. So we shall see."
He took out a folded piece of paper that had, "love you" on it and "Good luck!" in Buffy's handwriting and felt better already,
"As we stand here in our gowns of silver and black,
We thank our teachers and friends for picking up our slack
Sunnydale may be small but we stand proud
Even though the students have been told to stop being so loud
We were all once told that high school was tough
And I know I was told I was a diamond in the rough
We would spend our mornings listening to Cathy Dowinkle sing
Wishing for the bloody school bell to just ring
(Nothing personal Cathy!)"
The students laughed all knowing that while Cathy was willing to sing the star spangled banner every morning for school as well as say the pledge of allegiance, she couldn't sing. Spike cleared his voice and continued though feeling better knowing the students were at least listening and interacting at the funny parts.
"Then we'd rush through the halls
Hoping Mr. Flutie wouldn't choose our name to call
Because detention isn't so fun
When compared to our senior trip day of the summer sun
So take a moment today my friends
To honor this day as our high school career ends
For you, my fellow students should stand tall
Because this means we have finally climbed that bloody wall
Congratulations class of 2000 and one
For we have finally gone out and won!"
Spike took a bow as his fellow students cheered. He looked a bit embarrassed as he finished off his speech, "Ok with that said, I was told I'm supposed to inspire you. On that note I have just three simple things to say: Number one: whatever you do, do it well because you never know who might be watching. Number two: ignore those who tell you that you are too young to know what you want. Just go out and prove them wrong because there is nothing sweeter than being able to say, I told you so and have it be true. And Number three and this is the most important one of them all…"
He paused looking straight at Buffy with his eyes shining proud, "I love you Buffy Summers and always will."
The crowd laughed and cheered as Spike made his way off the platform and was embraced by a happy Buffy with tears streaming down her face. The crowd settled down as Spike took his seat placing Buffy on his lap much to the dismay of her parents and the Principal.
Buffy heard a few more speeches and then grinned at Spike as she heard the names start to be called. One row after another was called. Finally Spike's row was called and he lifted Buffy up and placed her back down in his chair. She folded her legs up to her chest allowing the other students to pass by as she stood up to take a picture. She snapped a few and Spike gave her a big smile as he accepted his diploma.
Buffy refused to think of what this meant for their future and how his graduating meant it was really happening and he would be leaving her soon. Instead she thought of how proud she was of him and how much she was so happy to have met the love of her life so early in life and having been able to experience this with him. She clapped the hardest and whistled as he walked down the stairs blowing her a kiss that had the other girl's swooning as Buffy grinned proudly thinking to herself, "That's my man. Perfect in every way."
Less than a week later, after a long flight that had both Spike and Buffy sleeping, they arrived in England. It was everything Spike had remembered it had been from his childhood and more than Buffy could have dreamed of.
The roads were not blacktop like they were in America and that was only the beginning of the differences. There were castles, towers, huge stone bridges and old houses. Sunnydale appeared like a baby when you looked at how old things were in London.
She constantly found herself pulling on Spike's arm as she raced down the streets pointing at one thing or another. She knew she looked like a tourist but she didn't care. Never before had she seen such tall buildings made so pretty of pink stone.
Buffy's grandparents had spent most of the days with them enjoying the fact they got to meet a wonderful granddaughter so full of life and happiness and the boyfriend who seemed rough but was really a gem. They could tell how happy they were together and wished them luck knowing long distance wasn't easy. It wasn't impossible but just would take work.
They seemed impressed as Spike announced that he would be running Pratt winery in the up coming year. They had actually met Spike's parents and grandparents and were saddened by their deaths. They had gone to his grandfather's funeral a few months prior and had known him from school. Her grandfather and Spike's had gone to school together and both been on the football team. Only after that they had gone their separate ways. Her grandfather went to Oxford and met his wife to settle down as an accountant. Spike's grandfather had continued in the family business marrying a young widow who died within 10 years of their marriage. He hadn't bothered with college.
Buffy's grandparents were delighted to hear Spike would only his focus would change. His major would be English and he would have two minors, business and accounting to suit his new life. He still dreamed of writing and hoped that by getting the English degree, he would be able to spend his spare time continuing to write. The week went by so fast and Spike had included Buffy in almost everything he did. She even got to go to some of the meetings much to her amazement.
Spike had tried to get her involved and introduced her to everyone saying she would someday join his side and must be respected as much as he was.
On their last day in England, it was the day they would have to eat with the Queen. Spike had told Buffy and her grandparents about it that morning so that they could dress according. He didn't want them hating him for not wearing the most perfect outfit. That was the biggest hit of the whole visit.
Spike could tell everyone was nervous as the Queen sat in her throne like chair at the tea table drinking her tea and eating scones. The Queen had talked about how much she had enjoyed knowing Spike's parents and grandparents and how much she looked forward to spending time with Buffy and Spike.
Buffy's grandfather had even spent some time talking to her about some political things and the Queen seemed to enjoy his ideas immensely. When the tea was finally done, Buffy curtsied and practically jumped into Spike's arms as soon as they left the castle shouting, "My God I actually met the Queen!"
Spike laughed as he twirled her around in a circle with her legs tightly wrapped around his waist and their arms around each other. They were so busy laughing and cheering that they never noticed the Queen standing behind them bidding them farewell until she cleared her throat. Spike put Buffy down on the floor and she straightened out her dress doing a curtsy as the Queen threw her head back and laughed.
Buffy looked embarrassed and the Queen leaned forward and patted her cheek, "I think that was the best farewell I have ever gotten in all my 50 years of being Queen and definitely of the 25 years before that."
Buffy smiled at her as she spoke gently towards the Queen, "It was really a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I'd say you have no idea how much the tea party meant to me but I think you just got a good idea."
Again the Queen laughed lifting a hand to her head to hold the big yellow hat on her head. It matched her yellow long sleeved dress perfectly but only the queen could get away with wearing such a hat. Buffy smiled again at her as she did another curtsy and the Queen turned to Spike, "Do me a favor and keep a hold of this girl and I'll be having tea with you on occasion. It's hard to find excitement in this world and she brings me joy."
Spike grinned, "Will do ma'am. Nice meeting you."
Spike felt slightly embarrassed by the fact he had donned his leather coat upon leaving the castle but the Queen didn't seem to mind it at all, "By the way young man, you are mighty handsome in that fine leather jacket if I do say so myself. If I were only a few years younger…"
She trailed off with a smile that had the whole group laughing again. The Queen turned around gracefully climbing the steps to her palace as she turned around giving the famous princess wave to the group before disappearing from sight. Buffy swayed slightly on her feet as she exclaimed, "My God, I'm a heathen!"
Spike laughed out loud as he wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her up. Giles's parents laughed as they returned home to pack and get ready for their long flight tomorrow.