The sleigh took off into the cold night, Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy's shoulders as though he were afraid she might fly out of the sleigh. She turned to him beaming excitedly and he couldn't help but smile in return.
Buffy snuggled into him as they flew on for some time until they came to their first stop.
It wasn't long before Santa started to assign small tasks to everyone in the sleigh. He pulled a large book from under the seat, handing it over to Spike. "You're on List Duty," Santa announced.
Spike took the book from him, looking up specific information as they went and Sam and Riley would need to pull out the corresponding gifts from the bag. Buffy was charged with timekeeping and navigation using the information in the book Spike had, to keep them on track.
No matter how many times she watched it happen, seeing this powerhouse of a man turn himself (and his perpetually full bag of gifts) into a glittering swirl of snow was fascinating to watch him slip into homes effortlessly. Not only did he go in through the chimneys but also through keyholes, pet doors, air vents, and the like. His ability to get into homes would have been downright terrifying if he wasn't a good guy.
In what seemed like only about an hour, they had been to over a million homes, and yet somehow it didn't seem like they were going particularly fast. Before they knew it they were already making their way across Asia and headed toward Europe. The stops were becoming more concentrated as they got into areas where more people celebrated Christmas and Buffy quickly lost track of how many homes they had been to.
As they left Denmark, they hit a particularly dense patch of fog. Santa flipped a switch on the sleigh's dashboard and small red and gold lights lit up all along the length of the reindeer's harnesses.
"Santa, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can, Miss Summers. What is it?"
"Shouldn't there be nine reindeer? I mean what happened to Rudolph?" Buffy asked with childish curiosity.
He suppressed a groan. "My dear, whoever heard of a reindeer with a bright-red glowing nose? I'm afraid Rudolph is pure fiction."
"I don't know, whoever heard of a Half Demon Santa?" Spike interjected.
"Now, William—" Santa admonished kindly.
Spike huffed a laugh. "Oh, come off it Santa you knew damn well I was going to tell her. Go on then, show them what you showed me."
"Not while I'm driving, human eyes are much better for driving a sleigh, but perhaps when we get to Edinburgh."
"You're a half-demon?" Riley asked Santa in disbelief.
"Oh, yes."
"But you're like some kind of good one?" Riley continued, sputtering as though the concept was completely lost on him.
"It is a gross misconception that all demons are inherently evil, must I point out the number of humans who truly are? Several species of demons are more like humans than you might think. I've known many lovely souls who were of demon heritage. Granted, most of them have been more like subspecies or half-breeds such as myself," Santa replied.
Riley sat back in his seat, more than a little stunned by Santa's information. One glance back at him was all Buffy needed to know Riley's world had been shaken a certain amount and she hoped it was a lesson that would stick with him at the Hellmouth in Cleveland. She twisted a little further in her seat to see Sam better. Sam had also noticed Riley's reaction and she was watching him intently.
"I'm sure we're going to have plenty more opportunities to see more of that for ourselves," Sam said reassuringly as she squeezed her husband's hand.
"It still makes me wonder how you became Santa Clause, it's got to be one hell of a story," Buffy said after a long beat, deciding that maybe it was best to change the subject.
Santa tugged on the reins, bringing them closer to street level again. "The truth is, that I wasn't always the being you see today. It's a rather long story, call it a two-parter," he winked at Spike.
"The joyful slaughter of thousands is a bit more than just a long story, ain't it, Santa," Spike quipped.
"Once you've been around as long as I have, you'll understand that there are few other ways to describe the things we've done in our past lives, to those in polite circles without being more than a bit vague," Santa answered easily as the sleigh stopped on the roof of a small house and Santa leaped from his seat.
Before Buffy could make sense of how fast Santa was going through town after town, they were already coming in for a landing in Edinburgh and heading for the castle. They landed on the roof. "And here we are, home of a good chunk of the Nice List. You two can help out with these last few gifts and then I think Mr. and Mrs. Finn can take over from here."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Buffy asked Samta with a grin.
In response, Santa shifted into his demonic goat face. "Well?"
"Huh, and here I was expecting to see something much worse," Buffy said, shrugging one shoulder.
"Mrs. Claus would love you, my dear girl," Santa grinned as he clasped his large warm hands around hers. "You are very like her, you know," he pulled her in for a hug. "Do not let Guinevere's fate become your own. Life, no matter what the length, is what you make it. If you don't believe me, I suggest you ask my wife."
Buffy blinked at him several times, wondering if she had understood him correctly.
Santa winked pointedly, tapping his temple before turning to Spike.
Buffy smiled, still feeling a little like she missed something but got out of the sleigh followed by the Finns.
Santa reached out to shake Spike's hand.
Spike looked down to see he had passed him a very small box.
"What's this then?" Spike murmured.
Santa spoke in barely a whisper so only Spike could hear. "They are not the originals of course and I've made a few small updates so they are not exact copies either but I think you will both be satisfied with the result."
"Are these— are you telling me-"
"It's my job to know your heart's needs and desires, dear boy, it just so happens that you and the lovely lady are thinking very similar things."
Spike swallowed. "Thank you… for everything."
"Not at all! Now put that in your pocket for safekeeping!" The next words out of Santa's mouth were in his usual booming, jovial voice. "I'm sorry to cut this short but we really must be getting on, we've got quite a long way to go." He said picking up the bag of presents. "Now that's all settled, we better be on our way children!" Santa chuckled jovially as he jumped down from the sleigh, turning towards the Finns. "Now you wait here, I'll be back in a jiff and we'll be off to Spain before you know it!"
In a matter of minutes, they had finished the deliveries in the castle and were headed towards home. Santa used magic to open the doors since Buffy's keys were still in the pocket of the jacket she had been wearing the night they had gone to the museum. A rather sad-looking tree was crammed in the corner of their living room by the fireplace and three simple stockings hung limply along the mantle. Otherwise, it was devoid of decoration.
Apparently even after she had written her letter, Dawn either didn't want to get her hopes up or had simply been staying over at Willow's where she wouldn't be alone. Either way, Buffy couldn't blame her.
"Ohh my, this won't do at all," Santa clucked his tongue disapprovingly.
With a snap of his fingers and a wave of his hand, their whole home was transformed into a beautiful Christmas showcase of red and white with flecks of glittering silver and gold and small touches of black here and there making the more festive colors seem even brighter. It was all exactly how Buffy had always wanted to decorate for Christmas but could never afford or have time to pull off. There were even presents under the tree.
Buffy flung her arms around Santa's neck. "Thank you! Thank you for everything Santa!" she cried gratefully.
"Always a pleasure to help a Slayer dear, especially one as exceptional as yourself," he gave Buffy a grandfatherly kiss on the cheek and turned to Spike, giving him a casual salute. "William," he smiled warmly.
With that, he laid a finger to the side of his nose and disappeared in a swirl of snow, leaving Spike and Buffy alone in the duplex with the fire crackling merrily.
"Oh my God, I can't believe we're home— again," Buffy sighed, breaking the silence as she started to strip off her parka and the sweater Sam had given her. "I'm thinking shower. Maybe a movie? I'm not sure if I can sleep right now. My brain is all buzzy."
He watched as she strode towards the fire to warm her hands and let his gaze rake over the now expertly decorated room, taking in some of the little touches here and there intended just for him such as the motorcycle ornament on the tree and the black leather stocking decorated with silver studs and safety pins. Santa really had thought of everything, he mused.
Buffy turned around, sighing happily as she turned to warm her backside before heading into the little half bath off of the kitchen. Spike took a deep steadying breath, reached into the pocket of the jacket he'd been wearing, and pulled out the tiny box Santa had given him. Holding the box in his hand he took a seat on the couch, taking a beat before flipping it open and held a hand to his mouth in disbelief when he saw the rings within.
They were perfect.
Exactly what he had been hoping to find.
The door to the bathroom clicked and he snapped the box shut. Letting out a long sigh before shoving the box into his pocket, at the same moment Buffy came out of the bathroom drying her face on a hand towel. "Spike? Everything alright?"
"I- hmm, yeah. Great," he answered in a strained tone. Then, making a decision, he stood up. "Just tired I suppose."
"Ditto, I'm in some serious need of cozy PJs, cocoa, and sleepy snuggles before Dawn wakes us up way too freaking early."
He pulled her into his arms snuggly. "Nothing I'd like more, Love."
Upstairs, Buffy took a quick shower while Spike tucked the rings away in a safe place and threw on a pair of black and white plaid flannel pants Buffy had given him and a black t-shirt. He had to admit, as nice as they were it was even better to get out of the thermals Riley had given him.
He was about to head downstairs when the bag he'd gotten from the bookstore caught his eye. He had all but forgotten about the gifts for the girls he had bought before their trip but he hadn't wrapped anything and took the opportunity to shove two of the books into bags for Ruby and Willow rather unceremoniously and wrapped Dawn and Buffy's gifts as quickly as possible before she came out of the bathroom, already in a pair of Christmas pajamas, combing her wet hair.
"Feeling better, Pet?" he asked, tucking the gifts under his arm.
"So, much better. I'm going to get the cocoa going, are you coming down?" Buffy asked.
"Absolutely, Love."
Spike deposited his gifts under the tree quietly, before finding Buffy in the kitchen where she was pouring milk into a pot for a batch of her mother's hot chocolate. When it was finished, she added a healthy measure of rum to each cup and plenty of little marshmallows before settling in on the couch to watch Bill Murray in 'Scrooged'.
Buffy leaned back against him, comfortably curled up under a blanket. "I love you," she murmured.
"Love you too. Now hush movie time," he said, kissing the top of her head. It had been an eventful night and she was asleep long before the movie ended as he knew she would be.
(*)
A few short hours later, Buffy's prediction came true when Dawn pushed open the shared kitchen window from Willow and Xander's side, nearly knocking over the new menorah sitting on the ledge on Willow's side of the window. Dawn let out a shrill scream of holiday excitement that woke Buffy and Spike with a start. "They're home! They're back!"
"Bloody hell—" Spike groaned as Buffy attempted to sit up from where she was slumped over him on the couch.
Dawn shrieked again before running from one side of the duplex to the other and into the living room taking in the new sparkling decorations as SpIke and Buffy lay curled up on the couch in front of a dying fire.
"Buffy!!!" she squealed as she flung herself onto her very tired sister and Spike. "I can't believe it! He got my letter, I was afraid it wouldn't get there in time!" she giggled, hugging them both.
Dawn pulled back forcefully and practically threw herself back out into the entryway and over to the other side of the duplex.
Spike and Buffy exchanged looks of mild alarm. Dawn hadn't bothered to close the doors behind her and they could hear her rousting the neighbors excitedly. A moment later Dawn was rushing back in, closely followed by Willow and Ruby and a very disheveled Xander and Connor, all still in their pajamas.
They were suddenly bombarded with hugs, kisses, and Christmas greetings.
"Did you get to ride in the sleigh? Did you get to pet the reindeer? Tell me everything!" Dawn questioned them excitedly.
"What are you talking about, Dawn?" Willow asked brow furrowed in confusion.
"I wrote to Santa asking him if he could bring them home, and he did!"
"Santa?" Ruby looked around the room taking in the decorations, her jaw dropping as she did.
"But Santa—" Willow stammered.
"Wills, babe, look at the room," Ruby said, nudging her girlfriend gently.
Willow looked around, wide-eyed, catching sight of the decorations, the personalized stockings, the ornaments on the tree, and the menorah Dawn had almost knocked over that she hadn't even noticed before. "Santa?"
"Yeah, Santa-" Spike grunted.
Willow jumped when she realized she was still half in his lap and quickly moved over with a yelp. Spike laughed as he adjusted his arm around Buffy and helped her sit up better.
"That's right, Red, there is a Santa Claus," he drawled. "Big bushy beard, red suit, oh he's real alright."
"Wow-" Xander exclaimed.
"Oh, and look! Presents!" Ruby broke out, excitedly.
"Okay guys, presents are great but this Slayer needs coffee," Buffy groaned, standing up and stretching.
"I hope there's fresh blood," Spike replied, casting a questioning look at Dawn.
Catching the embarrassed expression on Dawn's face, Ruby cut in. "There's some in our fridge, I'll go grab it."
"That'll do just fine," Spike answered.
"Coffee," Buffy groaned in a zombie impersonation.
Spike laid his hands on her shoulders guiding her to the kitchen as she held her arms out. "Right this way my zombie bride," he joked.
"Buffy's right, coffee first, I was just pouring mine when Dawn screamed, it's still on the counter," Willow pouted playfully and got up to follow Ruby back over to their kitchen. A moment later she sat her coffee and blood for Ruby and Spike on the ledge, as Buffy grabbed them, bringing them over to their side. Ruby and Willow also passed the gifts from their side over, while Xander and Connor placed them under the tree. At some point in all the commotion it seemed to have been silently agreed that Christmas morning would now be coming to them.
As things started to quiet down, Spike sat at the breakfast nook, taking a sip of blood. "Oh God, and to think I was getting used to goat. This is practically ambrosia compared to that," he groaned and took another sip.
Buffy laughed, squeezing his knee under the table as she drank her coffee. "What's in the box, Will?" she asked, gesturing to a rather large white box on the table as Willow came back over.
"Dunno, hey Dawn?" she called into the living room.
Dawn, Connor, Xander, and Ruby all wandered into the breakfast nook. Willow handed Ruby her blood as she addressed Dawn. "Did you get something from the bakery?"
"Nope," she answered, opening the box. "Hey look, there's a note," Dawn chirped. She had barely started to read the note before she began munching on a pastry. "Relax guys, dig in, they're from Santa."
Xander plucked a pastry out of the box. "Isn't it tradition to leave baked goods for Santa? This seems kinda Backwards Ville. What's the big guy like anyway? Is he as scary as Anya said he was?"
"Nah, he gave that up centuries ago. Strictly gifts and coal now," Dawn answered around a mouthful of donut.
"How do you know that?" Connor asked from where he stood next to her chair.
"He told me," she smiled importantly. "I've been writing to him for a while now, ever since Anya told me about him… I had to know if it was true, and he wrote back…"
"You're serious?" Xander asked in surprise.
"Yeah, he told me he had been cursed when a saint tried to exercise his demon half but it went seriously wrong and they sort of ended up merged and now he's just Santa Claus."
"Oh! Now I get it!" Spike said, smacking his forehead. Buffy raised an eyebrow at him. "Just something he said, not important. Go on."
"Ahh right… Anyway…" Xander continued. "Whatever that was aside, what's the game plan for today?"
"I'm voting for presents first!" Dawn insisted.
"I second Dawn," Connor agreed, taking a bite of a scone.
"Ohh, I want presents!" Willow added.
"Presents it is," Xander confirmed with a nod then lifted a finger to signal he needed a moment. "Vivian!?" he called loudly.
A second later, Vivian stood in front of him wearing a short silky nighty in her signature pink with cute little penguins printed on it. She pawed blindly at her matching silk eye mask with a sleepy whine. "Xaaan… I hope you don't think you're getting a morning shag after—" Vivian stuttered to an abrupt stop when she finally managed to lift her mask and noticed she had an audience. "Ahh— Happy Christmas..." she muttered, blushing furiously.
Spike rolled his eyes up to stare at the ornate plaster medallion that surrounded the base of the light fixture above them and took a drink.
With a full body shiver, Vivian's penguins had been seamlessly replaced with a pair of slim-cut jeans, black boots, and a black sweater adorned all over with glittery pink and white candy canes. Her tawny brown hair had been pulled back into a neatly curling ponytail, with a few of her curls artfully framing her face. She cocked her hip, glaring daggers at Xander. "What's the rule?"
"No summoning before 7:00 on days off," he replied like a school child being reminded of classroom rules.
"Especially when I'll be landing in a room full of people on Christmas morning!" she hissed under her breath.
Xander shot her his best kicked-puppy look, which was only half as effective as it once was. "I just thought you'd like to know Spike got back alright and open presents with us."
"Don't drag me into your little domestic drama," Spike snorted.
Vivian stuck her tongue out at her cousin. "Don't pretend you're not entertained," she teased.
Her gaze softened as she turned back to Xander and let her shoulders relax. "Fine, you're off the hook this time," she muttered, extending a hand to him and pulling him playfully over to the Christmas tree. "As long as there are presents to be had that is."
"Some things never change," Spike chuckled as he and Buffy followed them.
Dawn brought the box of pastries along with her and they dove into the presents with joyful abandon.
Spike raised an eyebrow in suspicion when Willow and Ruby presented him with three new records and was only half surprised when Buffy lifted a large squarish package down over his head into his lap from where she stood behind him. He tore away the paper to reveal a new record player in a sturdy wooden casing stained glossy black.
"You realize what you've done now don't you?" he asked Buffy with his head leaning back against his seat to look at her.
"Completed the entertainment portion of your Spike-Space?" she answered, giving him a sunny smile and shoving a black Santa hat down onto his head.
Xander laughed heartily at the sight.
"Oh sure, Harris, laugh it up," Spike said, straightening the hat on his head with a smirk.
Dawn handed a package over to Connor, sitting down next to him. "Go on, open it."
"Thanks, I think yours is still under the tree," he replied, opening the package to find a hand-knitted hat and scarf set made from a beautifully dyed blue wool with flecks of deep green.
"One of the girls in Rome taught me how to knit and when I found this wool in one of the shops in town I thought maybe I'd try it again… I'm not really the greatest knitter," Dawn admitted bashfully.
"They're great, thank you," Connor answered with a chased kiss on her cheek.
Color rose in her cheeks. "Are you sure? I mean, I know all this isn't the same as being with family but I just really wanted to do something special for you."
"I'll call my folks and dad later, don't worry about me. Worry about that pile of unopened gifts you still have over there," Connor replied with a smile.
Spike shifted the record player off his lap, tearing a large square of wrapping paper and stealing away to the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked, turning around to follow his movements.
Spike grinned up at her from where he was bent over the counter. "Call it a touch of Christmas cheer," he replied, heading back into the living room. He pulled a wooden stool over to the tree where he taped the paper to the star at the top. Job finished, he hopped down, hands on hips and a wide grin on his face.
Buffy bit the inside of her cheek to stifle a laugh.
Connor turned to look up at the crude drawing with an exaggerated forehead, spiked hair, and tiny fangs, now adorning the top of the tree, and rolled his eyes, landing on Spike with mild disdain. "Is that supposed to be my dad?"
"Call it the gift of family. I prefer the star myself, but I figured you could use a bit of the old man to give the holiday a little of that looming dread it's been missing," Spike retorted gleefully.
Xander snorted a laugh. "Aww, now why didn't I think of that?"
Connor shook his head but couldn't stop a grin from forming all the same.
Once the presents were opened, they all spent the morning showing off each other's gifts, cracking jokes, and finishing off the box of pastries. Everyone seemed to be interested in hearing about Buffy and Spike's unexpected trip to Nepal.
Dawn was curious about how awkward it had been for them to see the Finns again and Willow wanted to hear all about the Ice demon, and the Yeti Chief.
Around lunch time they all disbanded to change out of pajamas before going over to the castle.
Santa had given the castle a magical decoration treatment as well. The sight of the castle completely decorated for Christmas made Dawn squeal with delight at the grand tree in the space they dubbed the living room. Ropes of tinsel and pine bows and bright red ribbons seemed to grace every available space.
Giles came from the hall leading back to the kitchen wearing an oven mitt in one hand and holding a turkey baster in the other. His face split into a wide ecstatic smile when he saw Buffy, pulling her into an awkward turkey-baster-hug. Between Buffy and Spike's unexpected return and the surprise decorations, Giles was in a rather festive good mood. He explained how he had initially thought that the girls who had chosen to stay at the castle for Christmas had been responsible for the decorations and had spent the morning trying to figure out how they had done it all without his knowledge.
Only seven of the eleven girls were still in the castle, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Long before Giles had decided to test his culinary skills, the kitchen had been put to good use and there were now a plethora of cookies and baked goods for everyone to share. The castle was filled with Christmas cheer.
"I'm sorry Faith is missing all of this," Giles commented as he took another cookie after they had finished eating.
"Yeah, I kinda thought she'd be here. Where is she anyway?" Buffy asked.
"Spending Christmas with Callum's family. He wanted to introduce everyone to his new fiancée."
In all the excitement Buffy had almost forgotten about that particular development. She could only imagine how she was dealing with Callum's family. She always got the impression that Callum's extended family was rather large and she made a mental note to drill Faith for information when she got back.
According to Ruby, Sheena had been home with their parents for the better part of the week and she herself would be heading over after sunset to spend the evening with them.
"Yup, I promised Dawn and Connor we would have a game night since Ruby will be doing the family thing until tomorrow night," Willow told Buffy after dinner, it was nearly sundown and Ruby was just saying good night to everyone and getting ready to head out.
Buffy turned to Willow with mild confusion. "You're not going with her?"
Willow shook her head sadly. "It's been a seriously rough year for both of us. Neither of us wants to deal with the whole coming out to her parents thing right now. It's not too often we get to pick our battles, and this one we can kind of choose to avoid, for now anyway."
Buffy couldn't decide how she felt about that. She knew Willow and Ruby had a point. A good point. But the fact that her friends had to deal with such closed-mindedness at all irritated her beyond words.
Her irritation must have been written plainly across her face because Willow pulled her into a hug. "Thanks for the friend-worry-ness but it's okay, really. We'll get there eventually," she shifted herself to perch on the arm of one of the barrel chairs with a small sigh. "It just means if her parents come over we'll have to pretend Ruby is still sleeping in the basement," Willow said with a strained laugh. "For now at least."
"What're the two of you doing tucked away in the corner?" Giles asked, coming over with a fresh tray of cookies.
"Definitely not eating more cookies, that's for sure," Buffy replied, taking a star-shaped cookie from the tray.
"I can see that, clearly," Giles chuckled.
Willow squeezed Buffy's forearm briefly, drawing her attention back to her. "Hey, I'm going to go say goodbye to Ruby before she gets going," she said, excusing herself.
Buffy gave her a distracted nod just as Spike came over to join her and Giles.
"Oi! Rupert, what do you call this vile cup of disappointment?" Spike complained, holding out half a glass of eggnog.
"Non-alcoholic, it's for the girls. You'll have to go to the kitchen for the one I made for us."
"Didn't see it when I was in there, best come show me where you've got it stowed," Spike said, gesturing him out of the room with his glass before stealing a quick kiss from Buffy and making his way to the kitchen.
Giles followed him into the kitchen, going straight to the fridge and pulling out the eggnog, turning to find Spike standing directly beside him holding out his glass. "Hope you didn't skimp on the rum."
"I'm suddenly struck with the notion that this was a ruse to get me alone," Giles said drily as he straightened up and poured some of the eggnog into Spike's glass. There was a pause as Giles pulled a glass from the cupboard, pouring a hefty measure for himself. "Mind telling me why?"
"Needed a moment of your time is all," he replied, pulling out the box containing the engagement ring.
"It's not exactly my taste," Giles answered with an arched brow.
Spike rolled his eyes. "Do you think Buffy will like it?"
"It's quite a step up from the last one, though still a bit unconventional, isn't it?"
"Wanted something as special as her."
"I'm not sure if you would ever find anything to fit that criteria, but it is certainly a unique ring," Giles said as he shifted himself to lean against the counter. "It's lovely, I'm sure she'll be thrilled with it."
Spike nodded, snapped the box shut, and shoved it back into his pocket. "I'm going to ask her to marry me."
"You hardly need my permission to do so, Spike, I'm more surprised that you haven't done it already if I'm being honest."
"I'm not asking for permission, I'm just-" he shrugged, "-don't rightly know, actually…" Spike admitted a little begrudgingly looking down at his boots.
"Nervous?" Giles suggested.
Spike lifted his gaze. "Barmy ain't it?"
"Completely," Giles replied, raising his glass in cheers.
Spike clinked glasses with him, both of them downing their glasses of eggnog. Spike eyed his empty glass. "Given Joyce a run for her money, there Rupe."
"Hardly. It's her recipe," he chuckled.
The moment was interrupted when Buffy's voice came from the hall. "There you are, I was starting to think you two were making that nog."
"Just havin' a chat," Spike answered quickly.
"Ah huh, is this about the prophecy stuff?" she asked.
"Hadn't got to that bit. Thought we'd save it for later," Spike replied.
Buffy made her way over to the freezer, pulling out the ice cubes and putting a couple into her glass before filling it with water.
"From what you've already told me, I imagine we have quite a bit to discuss," Giles responded casually.
Buffy signed, leaning against one of the chairs. "Mondo discussage, but not now, I'm busy basking in Christmas cheer over here."
Spike's face lit up as he reached for her, drawing her in. "Bring some of that over here, gorgeous."
Buffy giggled as she snaked her arms around his waist.
"Oh, of course we mustn't disrupt the holiday," Giles murmured as he took a sip of his eggnog, watching them over the rim of his glasses. "You really do make a rather lovely couple, you know."
"Ta, Rupert." Spike shifted Buffy in his arms, pulling back a little to look at her properly. "Why don't you go grab your coat, we'll take a little walk."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "A walk?"
"How about up to the battlements? Just a little fresh air."
"A fine idea, the view is rather spectacular," Giles interjected.
Buffy's gaze shifted between the two men. "Why do I feel like you two are up to something?"
"Just thought we could take in the view is all." He tilted his head giving her an imploring gaze. "But if you've had your fill of fresh air and breathtaking views then we can cuddle next to the fire just as well."
She sighed, cast an eye toward Giles and back to Spike. "I'll get my coat."
"Brilliant," he grinned, downing the last of his eggnog as he watched Buffy drift down the hallway.
"Go on then, no time like the present," Giles said gesturing down the hallway.
"Right you are."
(*)
Out on the roof of the castle, the stars were shining brightly, it was a beautiful peaceful night, snow started to fall lightly as Buffy stood looking over the edge for a moment. "It really is pretty tonight. Too bad we don't have a telescope. Maybe we should get one."
Spike chuckled, taking a step closer to her. "Sure, pet. Now I know what to get you for your birthday don't I?"
Buffy shrugged, turning around as though she were going to say something else but stop when she saw Spike.
He was waiting for her expectantly.
Spike cleared his throat, turning the box in his hand. "A year ago you wouldn't have convinced me I'd be standing here now, with you," he paused, before meeting her gaze. "You are by far the best thing in my life; the only woman I've ever truly loved, Buffy. Hell, you showed me what it means to love and to be loved-"
"Spike-"
"Please, I gotta get through this," he dropped to his knees in front of her. "Buffy Ann Summers, will you marry me, for real this time?"
Buffy blinked back a tear and smiled broadly. "Yes, William, yes. Yes, I will marry you. For real this time," she wiped away tears of happiness as she pulled him up to kiss her. "I knew you and Giles were up to something," she laughed wetley.
"Yeah well man's got a crap poker face," Spike chuckled. He shook his head, sobering a little. "I believe you said I needed to have a ring for you," he murmured, placing the ring on her finger.
"Oh my God, Spike, it's beautiful," she gushed as she examined the round-cut ruby in a half-bezel setting of white gold with ornate filigree decorating the band.
He tilted his head a little, watching her. "There's a bit of a story here. It's part of a set you see. Santa gave 'em to us," he said, bringing her hand up to inspect the ring himself.
She raised her gaze from the ring to his face. "Okay, less impressed with you and more impressed with Santa now," Buffy replied with a goading smirk. "Starting to sound a lot like the Yeti's tree, if you ask me," she teased.
"I'm not finished, miss snarky pants," he grinned. "Remember when we stayed in London?"
"Duh…"
"Yeah alright, I hear ya. Suppose I've got to go further back anyway."
She leaned her back against the wall of the rampart, listening intently, her hand still held in his.
Spike eyed the ring reverently as he continued. "Shortly after I'd been turned, I decided to do a bit of reverse grave robbery. I hid my mum's jewelry box inside my dad's coffin. The night I ran into Viv, I'd gone to retrieve my inheritance."
"Do you really think this is the right moment to tell me that you dug up your dad's grave— twice?" she asked, scrunching her nose.
"For the record, there was no digging in the Pratt Family crypt, Pet," he bristled slightly before getting himself back on track with a sigh. "I went lookin' for my mum's ring for you, but as it turns out, someone got there before me, even took my dad's ring off his finger."
Buffy's face fell. "Oh, Spike, I'm sorry."
He shrugged it off. "It is what it is, I shouldn't have been surprised. But eh- these rings, the ones Santa gave us, they're replicas of my parents' rings, only these are white gold. So, they are special, well to me anyway," he added hesitantly.
"And to me," Buffy murmured as she kicked herself off the wall to press into him for a long lingering kiss. "Now, can we go in? As romantic as this all is, I'm kinda freezing."
"As you wish."
