A/N: This chapter is a rewrite of Hell's Bells. Please note that a good chunk of dialogue is taken from that episode. Also, this story has purposefully skipped the events of Older and Faraway, as such this is the first time we are seeing Halfrek.


"Buffy, it's hideous. Oh my god, Buffy. Look at it…"

"I know. But it's our duty," Buffy pouted. "I'm Buffy the bridesmaid… On the upside, at least it's not neon green…"

Willow made a face at herself in the mirror as she fussed with her hair. "Oh sure, instead we get this— Duty-schmuty. I'm supposed to be best man. Shouldn't I be all ... Marlene Dietrich-y in a dashing tuxedo number, not a hot pink beacon with—" she tugged at the extra long flutter style sleeves of the bright pink dress that almost gave her the illusion of wearing an elbow length cloak.

"No. That would be totally unfair. We must share equally in the cosmic joke that is bridesmaids-dom," Buffy huffed.

"Well, maybe if I ask Anya, I can still go with the traditional blood larva and burlap," Willow whined as she watched Buffy put on her earrings. "I mean, she was a vengeance demon for like a thousand years, she would know all the most flattering ... larvae. What was she thinking?"

"I think she's probably too stressed to be thinking right now. What with Xander's relatives and her— demons."

"Oh my god, last night, that rehearsal dinner. That was like a, a zoo without the table manners. And I bet it got worse after we left." Willow frowned as she attempted to adjust the giant pink rose adorning the neckline of her dress, situated nearly over her heart.

"I just can't believe everyone bought that story about Anya's people being circus folk. Did you see the guy with the tentacles? What's he supposed to be? Inky the Squid Boy?" Buffy made a vain attempt to smooth the chiffon frills running down the length of the empire waist dress Anya had ultimately picked for her. "I look like a big bunch of neon cotton candy."

"Bollocks…" Spike drawled from the doorway of their bedroom. He was already dressed in a black suit with a dark silvery-gray dress shirt underneath; he had left the top button undone and had flat out refused to wear a tie.

Buffy rolled her eyes as she turned towards him. "Honestly, I don't even know if your opinion counts at this point. You'd probably think the blood larvae thing looked good on me."

Spike shrugged unperturbed. "Dunno if I'd go that far, pet, but if you think you're anything short of gorgeous, you've got another thought coming. Although—" he took several steps towards her examining the miles of frills that gave the appearance that she was much further along in her pregnancy than she actually was, like she could give birth at any moment. "it is certainly an interesting choice, not at all what I expected you to pick." He chuckled as he made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed.

"Ah no, for the record, this was definitely not my choice. It isn't even one of the ones I suggested," Buffy added as she tugged on the neckline of her dress.

Anya appeared in the doorway, with her hair in curlers and wearing a white silk bathrobe. She paused at the sight of Buffy and Willow with a gasp, putting her hand to her mouth. "Ohh!" She exclaimed, gushing. "Ohh… You guys look so beautiful!" Anya was near tears as she pulled them both into a hug. "This is the happiest day of my whole life!"

Spike bit the inside of his cheek in an attempt to stifle a laugh as Buffy shot him an exasperated look from over Anya's shoulder. "I'll just let you birds finish up then, shall I?" He said, standing and making his way towards the door.

"Nuh huh, not so fast, speedy, we're almost finished here. You get to play chauffeur for us in this rain," Buffy smirked.

"Already figured on that much," he answered.

Buffy pulled on Xander's cummerbund, straining to fasten it for him, she stepped back grinning triumphantly.

"Hey, you got it!" Xander beamed.

Buffy shrugged. "Slayer strength," she teased as she started on his bow-tie. "Look at you. You look great, Mr. About-To-Get-Married. Glowing," she paused to focus on her task. "Oh my god! Maybe you're pregnant!"

Xander laughed, poking her gently in the side of the belly. "Maybe. I dunno, stranger things have happened. But then again maybe I'm just happy."

Tears started to prickle at the corner of Buffy's vision.

"Oh come on Buff, don't get all teary on me now."

Buffy sniffed. "Oh! But it's Good. Good teary."

"Happy teary? Not frustrated with bow-tie teary?"

She nodded. "Yes. Happy. Happy for you and Anya. Happy for me and Spike. Very happy and super hormonal and, I cannot tie this tie. Where's your best man, isn't she supposed to do this? Let me see if I can find Giles, he's an expert on these things." She grabbed a tissue to dab at her eyes.

"Thanks, Buff," he answered as she slipped out the door.

In the entranceway Dawn was greeting guests as they filed in from the rain. Spike came around the corner just as Anya's old boss, D'Hoffryn entered.

"Ah. Hymen's greetings," D'Hoffryn sang out jovially.

"Hy - what?" Dawn stammered.

"Hymen, the God of Matrimony. His salutations upon you. May the love we celebrate today avoid an almost inevitable decline," D'Hoffryn explained.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Don't worry bout it, Nibblet. You need help here?"

"Sure, cool," Dawn answered absently.

D'Hoffryn cleared his throat. "I brought a gift. I suppose there's a table?"

Dawn opened her mouth to answer when another bridesmaid with dark curly hair came from behind D'Hoffryn giving her umbrella to the attendant. "Oh, uh… You must be Anya's friend Halfrek, right?" Dawn asked her.

"Oh, just Hallie," She beamed. The gesture had an odd effect on her demonic features.

Even so she caught Spike's attention. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Cecily?"

Halfrek blinked several times before her smile widened. "William? William Pratt? Is it really you?"

Spike groaned. "Few lifetimes ago."

She eyed him critically and gave a little hum of approval. "No kidding," she grinned wickedly. "maybe we should catch up."

"Doubtful," he muttered.

Dawn cast him a curious glance before hastily turning back to take the box D'Hoffryn was carrying. "I can put this on the table for you."

"Thank you. Careful, it's, uh-"

"Fragile?" Dawn questioned.

"Squirmy," D'Hoffryn supplied.

Dawn eyed the box wearily as a tentacle poked out of one of the holes in the box and she nearly shrieked. "Oh, ehh yeah. I see that, thanks…" she added, hurriedly taking the box to the gift table.

Halfrek sidled up to Spike, linking her arm through his. "So, William, what brings you here today, bride or groom?"

He set his jaw. "Both I suppose, but you'd know that if you'd bothered showing up for the rehearsal."

"Nonsense, you've been to one wedding, you've been to them all. You're not part of the wedding party though are you?"

"My girlfriend is. She's best mates with the groom," he answered coolly.

"Girlfriend?" Halfrek pouted. "And here I thought you were just starting to get interesting. I mean really, a vampire with a soul? There has to be a juicy story there."

"There is. But not one I'm likely to share with you, Cecily."

She deepened her pout then laughed abruptly. "Oh please, William, we've known each other far too long, call me Hallie!"

Spike pulled his arm from her grip as they neared the seating area. "Let's get one thing very clear. Attending the same wedding over a century since we last spoke doesn't make us friends."

Her pout was back, she opened her mouth to speak but Spike was already pulling away. The idea of hanging around her was cloying. He needed to put as much space between himself and Cecily as possible. He searched the crowd, spotting Giles who was deep in conversation with D'Hoffryn and a couple of vengeance demons. He was certain he wanted nothing to do with them and half wondered where Dawn had gone. Spotting Clem, he went over to join him and the little group of guests he was chatting with.

"So, circus folk. What's that like?" Xander's cousin Carol was asking conversationally as he slipped in next to Clem. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself after his encounter with Halfrek. Clem shot Spike a questioning glance. "You alright there buddy?"

Spike responded with a sharp nod. "Fine," he answered, just as Xander's Uncle Rory started complaining about Anya's so-called "circus heritage".

Clem turned his attention back to Uncle Rory, trying desperately to play up the circus story. "Well, there are ancient ways. Clowning, as an occupation, grew out of the commedia del'arte, and, uh, ancient sports, of course."

Spike rolled his eyes as Xander's cousin Carol started nodding emphatically with a vague smile plastered to her face, agreeing with Clem. He nudged Clem with his elbow. "Come on mate, you don't have to justify anything to this bloke."

"What do you know? I thought you were just that pregnant bridesmaid's arm-candy," Uncle Rory countered.

"Spike is one of us," Clem interjected.

Uncle Rory snickered drunkenly. "Oh yeah? And what's your act, Spike?"

He gave him a menacing glare. "Blade throwing, care for a demonstration?"

Xander's uncle worked his throat nervously, but regained his bravado. "Does that mean you are planning on raising your kid to throw knives too; like some kind of weirdo cult?"

Before Spike could even respond, the tentacled demon interjected. "So you think the children should be raised in ignorance of our ways?"

Cousin Carol paled in alarm. "No! No, the Harrises are very broad-minded. We're Episcopalians!"

Spike snorted a laugh in response, but shrugged it off when he spotted Buffy coming his way. Relief washed over him as she pressed herself into his side, slipping their arms around each other. "Hey, I'd wondered where you'd got to," he murmured into her ear.

"Dawn said you looked like you could use some rescuing."

"You have no idea."

"Oh my god, Buffy! Look at you!" Clem exclaimed excitedly with a friendly smile, dispelling some of the tension. "You look like you're about ready to pop! I thought Spike said you were only about six months along?"

"Oh I am, the dress adds about three months. These buns still have a lot of baking to do," she replied with a laugh.

"Well I for one am looking forward to the baby shower. I'm already working on my gift for the babies," Clem smiled.

"Seriously? You're making something?"

"You bet I am," he grinned. "it's not very often I get to show off my sweet knitting skills."

With his arm still wrapped around Buffy's waist, Spike took a moment to observe the crowd as she chatted with Clem happily like old friends.

At the bar, Mr. Harris was already drunk. "'Til death do us part' That's what cracks me up," he slurred as he clunked his empty glass down on the bar. "Hit me again, barkeep."

At the same moment an anxious looking old man caught Spike's attention. He seemed harmless enough until Spike saw him zero in on Xander with a predatory glint in his eye that set his teeth on edge. Xander, who was being overwhelmed with well-wishers and complaints from his mother, didn't seem to notice the old man, until he was right on top of him.

Spike leaned over to Buffy, who had zeroed in on Mr Harris, and he gave her a nod, recognising that thread as well. Without taking her eyes off of Mr. Harris, Buffy tilted her head towards Spike. "I think I'm up," she murmured.

Spike squeezed her side. "Yeah I hear you. You take care of that one, I think I see another fire to put out over here."

Buffy snapped her gaze in the direction Spike had indicated. "Oh yeah. Divide and conquer," she muttered with a tired sigh.

As Spike neared the place the old man pulled Xander to a few feet away he could hear him desperately pleading with Xander. Spike hung back a few steps listening.

"You can't get married today. It's a huge mistake."

"Yeah right, thanks for the advice, Uncle ... help me here?" Exasperation coloured Xander's tone.

The old man balked. "Uncle? You don't recognize me, do you?

Xander shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't—"

"It sounds crazy, I know. But you have to believe me. I'm Xander Harris. I'm you."

Xander stared at him, dumbfounded. "What do you mean, you're me?"

"I'm you. I'm you from the future!"

Spike had heard enough and closed the distance between himself and the supposed two Xanders. "Listen Harris, unless you become a demon in the future, this ain't you."

Xander turned a startled glance to Spike and back to the old man who was glaring at Spike.

"This doesn't concern you, boy," the old man grumbled.

"Boy? Since when did I start calling Spike 'boy'?" Xander snickered.

Spike cocked his head. "You wouldn't. This bloke has no idea who I am, do you?"

"Like I would remember everyone from—"

Spike could hear Buffy in the background pulling Mr. Harris away from the bar and effectively dispelling an argument about to break out. He almost grinned at the stern tone she used when dealing with the inebriated father of the groom. He waited another beat before he was sure she had managed to pull him out of the way, before he focused his full attention back onto the not-Xander.

Spike cracked his neck. "Right then. That's enough of that," he said, punching the old man in the nose.

In an instant, the old man transformed into a towering, demon with shiny spikes all over its head. "Oh right now I see the resemblance," Spike smirked as he kicked the demon in the stomach.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Oh excuse me while I die of laughter over here."

The demon growled, grabbing hold of Xander by the arm. "I've waited a long time to get Anyanka back for what she did to me! I just wanted to break up her wedding but killing you is just as good!"

"Hey! Ugly!" Buffy called from behind the demon's back. It turned to look, and Spike took the opportunity to kick him in the leg, taking out his knee. The demon yelled and let go of Xander who turned, kneeing him in the groin making the demon double over in pain. Buffy proceeded to punch him several times, knocking him back into Spike. They both fell back against the wall. Spike groaned, took one look at Buffy pulling Xander to his feet and pushed the demon off of him.

Buffy caught the demon with a backhand, knocking it to the floor where Spike leapt on it, cracking its skull against the floor. While Buffy rushed over to grab a length of tulle off of a mounted bison head. She ran back over just as the demon attempted to throw Spike off of him. Buffy wrapped the tulle around its neck, strangling the demon. Spike barely had time to move out of the way before Xander came out of nowhere, carrying a heavy white pedestal. He slammed it into the demon's head with a definitive crack.

The three of them looked down at the demon. "It's dead," Xander huffed.

Spike's eyebrows rose up. "Yeah, ya think?"

"Ohh yeah," Buffy deadpanned, then looking up at Spike. "I'm starting to think we should just elope."

Spike cocked an eyebrow. "God, Slayer, don't even tease. I'd marry you this minute if you'd have me."

"Are you two serious right now?" Xander looked between the two of them. "It's my wedding."

"Don't worry Xan, when we get married I'm definitely not going to be wearing hot pink."

"When?" Spike grinned.

Just then, Willow came out from where she had been helping Tara and Anya get dressed. "Oh my god guys, what happened out here? Anya is freaking out back there!"

Buffy turned on her heel towards her. "Just a little hiccup, everything is totally under control and the wedding is on track!" The words came out in a rush.

Willow took one dubious look at the dead demon. "Ah huh… So, is anyone else waiting for it to go poof? Or maybe we can cover it with flowers?" She offered.

Spike rolled his eyes but still couldn't shake the grin from his face. "Come on, Slayer, let's get rid of this thing and get this wedding back on track. Then we can talk about tying the knot ourselves," he winked.

Buffy snorted a micro-laugh. "Let's just get through this first. Mr. Prickly definitely doesn't need to be in the pictures, that's for sure," Buffy turned to Willow. "Go tell Anya everything is fine. We'll take care of this."

Willow bit her lip and nodded before disappearing again.

Spike's grin never left his face all throughout the wedding ceremony. Even as he watched Buffy tear up with joy when Xander and Anya exchanged their vows. Even seeing her in the ridiculously ruffled dress he knew she hated. Buffy was practically bawling tears of joy, as the officiant announced them husband-and-wife. Anya was positively glowing as she and Xander made their way hand and hand down the aisle.

Spike stood waiting for Buffy at the end of the aisle handing her a tissue with a smirk still etched on his lips. She dried her eyes, taking a moment to fix her makeup. "Oh my gosh, these stupid hormones…" Buffy grumbled.

"Oh come on, luv, I know you're a romantic. Chances are, you'd be just as teary even if you weren't growing a couple of humans."

She glanced toward Spike, snapping her compact shut. "Shh, you. I saw your Cheshire cat grin."

"That wasn't about them. That was all about you."

"Me?" She asked, puzzled.

"You said 'when we get married', not if, when," he smirked. "I rather like the sound of that."

Buffy bit the inside of her cheek and shrugged. "Yeah well I figure if you were dumb enough to go and get your soul for me when you really didn't need to, maybe I can be dumb enough to marry you. For the babies of course," she said, simply.

Spike's face nearly split in half, he was smiling so broadly. "Oh yeah, of course, for the babies… all for the babies. No other reason, I'm sure."

Buffy couldn't keep a straight face anymore. She burst out laughing. "Yeah well don't think that gets you off the hook for a proper proposal."

"No worries, I got it covered."

"'I'm not counting Willow's spell."

"Yeah all right, see what I can scrounge up," he grinned. "so are you going to join the wedding party for photos or what?"

"Huhh? Oh! Yeah!" Buffy jerked her head in alarm.

After posing for a few pictures with Buffy, Spike headed for the bar.

He sat at the bar with a glass of whiskey on the rocks, eyeing Mr. Harris as he came back through the way they had gone for pictures. A moment later Dawn came out heading straight for him.

Spike's gaze flickered back to Mr. Harris as he harangued the bartender into pouring him another drink. "Pictures done already, Nibblet?" Spike

asked.

"No, not yet. They want to get some more with just Anya and Xander. Buffy should be out soon, she just had to pee."

"Surprised she made it this long," he murmured into his glass.

"Sooo…" Dawn hedged. "this whole wedding thing give you any ideas?"

He smirked. "Anxious to have a brother-in-law are you?"

"The aunt thing is cool, but yeah, I think it would be pretty awesome."

Spike motioned the bartender for a refill. "I'm inclined to agree with you."

Dawn beamed and made a happy squeal hugging him and nearly spilling his fresh drink.

"Watch it, Bit!" He said, setting his glass down safely on the bar. "Now go on, go mingle. That nice demon boy you were chatting up looks a bit lost."

Dawn rolled her eyes, grinning. "I'm telling, Buffy, you're a bad influence," she giggled.

"Oh, she knows," he smirked. "go on off with you, and behave yourself!" He added as she turned away from him.

He picked his glass back up, taking a slow sip, letting the cool alcohol burn its way down. A flash of hot pink caught the corner of his eye and he focused on Buffy making her way from the hallway leading to the bathrooms. Even from this distance he could have almost sworn he could feel his heart lurch at the sight of her. He was so focused on watching Buffy as she made polite conversation and very slowly made her way towards him, that he didn't even notice when Halfrek sat down next to him ordering a glass of white wine.

"Beautiful wedding isn't it?" She practically sang.

"What do you want?" He grumbled into his glass.

She accepted her glass from the bartender and took a sip before answering. "Just making polite conversation."

"Lovely wedding, interesting guests, even got in a spot of violence, and the woman I love is coming my way. Think that about covers it don't you?" He grinned toward Buffy as she floated toward him through the crowd. He finished his drink, slid off his stool and closed the distance between them in a few short strides.

Spike wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into him. "Was starting to get a bit lonely," he purred in her ear.

Buffy eyed Halfrek from over his shoulder. "You really don't like the maid of honor huh?"

"Could say that."

"So what's the sich?" She asked as she let him lead them to their table.

"Not important now."

She gave him a dubious glance. "Old girlfriend?"

Spike sighed. "She's the one I asked to marry me the same night I met Dru."

"Thinking I kinda hate her. Unless you want to go all 'everything happens for a reason' and then maybe I should be thanking her."

Spike dipped his head, placing his hands on her belly. "Hadn't thought it through from that angle, suppose you're right." Several tiny kicks met his palm and a wide grin spread over his face. "Would seem the girls would agree."

"Well duh," Buffy smiled sweetly as she lifted his gaze with her hand on his jaw and met his lips for a kiss.

They were interrupted when the DJ called for attention. "Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Harris!" The DJ's voice boomed out to a round of applause and cheers. Anya's smile was nearly as blinding as the sun and Xander was basking in her glow.

The night wound on with dancing and conversation. The reception was still in full swing when Buffy collapsed into her seat and put her feet up on an empty chair. Her legs and back were aching and she was starting to fantasize about snuggling up in bed with Spike and the giant body pillow Tara and Willow had bought her. She had hardly sat down when the babies started flitting about again and she closed her eyes to take a moment to just sit with them.

"Not falling asleep are you?" Spike drawled, sitting down next to her and sliding a tall glass of orange juice toward her. She opened her eyes spotting the glass and accepted it gratefully.

"It's not the worst idea ever."

Spike gave a soft chuckle. "Dawn was already planning on staying with the witches, nothing holding us back from slipping off."

She twisted her head around to look at him better. "I don't know… isn't it like bad luck for the bridesmaids to start leaving before the bride or something dumb like that?"

"Only if it's before the cake and 'The Electric Slide'," he teased.

"Oh, I guess we're good then."

Buffy was in the bathroom pulling bobby-pins out of her hair and getting ready for bed while Spike was in their room rummaging through his dresser drawers. He closed the last one with a huff looking around. "Buffy?"

"Yeah?" She answered from the bathroom.

"You happen to find a tea tin when you and Dawn were moving my things?"

There was a pause. "I think I put it in the bottom drawer of your nightstand."

He let out a relieved sigh. "Ta, pet."

She came in a few minutes later, her hair pulled back into a low ponytail and wearing a light blue cotton nightgown. "Did you find it?"

Spike was sitting on the bed with the tea tin open on his lap, he nodded. "Right where you said," he cleared his throat as she sat down on the bed next to him.

"Everything alright?"

"I humm… know I should probably wait for this but I've always been a bit impulsive," he chuckled weakly as he pulled something out of the tin and slid down on one knee in front of her. "Buffy Ann Summers, will you marry me? For real this time?"

Buffy gaped at him, stunned. Her eyes flickered to the delicate ruby ring he held out to her. "Spike?"

He shifted a little uncomfortably. "I can get you another ring if you don't like it, it's— I would have given it to you the first time if I'd had it with me but… well that wasn't exactly planned— this isn't much better, I know. I just— it's too soon… of course, after everything I've put you through, it's—"

She leaned forward a little. "Did you seriously just have a ring sitting around?"

"Well, I— that is I've been sort of carrying it around for a while. Since I came back to Sunnydale in fact… It was one of the pieces from the treasure hoard the gem of Amara was stashed in. It's one of the only things I have left that Harm didn't take..." he bit his tongue in an effort to stop himself from babbling further.

"So it's not, you know, off of some poor lady you ate?"

He eyed her and then the ring in his hand. "I mean it didn't exactly come with a list of past owners but I didn't personally kill anyone for it."

She pulled him towards her a little, a soft smile on her lips. "Yes. I'll marry you. For real this time. But you know, maybe when I'm not so huge."

"Really?"

Buffy giggled. "You really have a problem with acceptance don't you?"

Spike rolled with an incoherent swear word as he partially disentangled himself from Buffy's sleeping form, when the phone rang. His eyes focused on the clock momentarily before he picked it up, it was only 4:30 in the morning. "Who the bloody hell is calling at this hour?" He asked into the phone.

There was a pregnant pause on the other end.

"Ello?" Spike asked.

"Spike?" Came a gruff voice Spike recognised immediately. "What are you doing answering Buffy's phone? Where's Buffy?"

Spike pulled himself away from Buffy's naked body reluctantly, sitting up in bed. "What do you want, Angel?"