Author: Moe
Rating: PG
Pairing: B/R with a little W/Gr, X/Anya on the side
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Joss and Co, Mutant Enemy, Fox, etc owns
everything
Distribution: The Finnatics and anyone I have given permission to use
my fics may have it. Anyone else please ask first. Emmy may review.
Feedback: I want it, I need it, I crave it.
Spoilers: Season 4
Dedication: To starcrossed for all she does for me! You're a great
friend. To all the wonderful people who have offered me
encouragement and support on this fic, you guys are the best!
Part 8
Row upon row of white chairs lined the length of the great hall. Ribbon and lace were placed here and there, giving the room a fairy tale type feel. Buffy watched in awe as Willow instructed the decorators on the fine art of twinkling light placement in the garland that hung around the altar. Willow had changed so much since Buffy first met her. Gone was the shy bookish girl--she had been replaced by a confident, take charge woman. But then again, they had all changed over the years. Buffy spied Xander whispering to Anya, his hands gently rubbing her enlarged abdomen. Anya giggled, before she kissed Xander sweetly on the lips.
Buffy longed for the relationship that Anya and Xander had. They looked at each other with such devotion and adoration. Buffy unconsciously placed a hand on her stomach, wondering what it would be like to have another life growing inside her, knowing she created something wonderful with the man that she love. Turning away from the blissfully happy couple, Buffy noticed Graham and Riley enter through the back doors. Buffy couldn't help the elation she felt upon seeing the man most of her fantasies revolved around enter the room.
"Hey, Buff! Where is that gorgeous redhead of mine?" Graham asked as he approached Buffy. She turned from him to point toward the altar where Willow was currently making the young decorator cry. Graham shook his head as he headed over toward his fuming love, hoping he could solve the problem before Willow decided to turn the young man into a frog.
Riley hung back by the door, unsure of his place among the group. Graham had become a proud member of the Scooby gang over the course of his and Willow's relationship, but Riley had given up his membership when he left Sunnydale. Now, he was no longer sure of his place in this tight group he had once considered his friends. Xander had been sociable at the tux fitting, but had seemed a little distracted. And from the looks of Anya, Riley could see why.
"Riley, hey man! Good to see you!" Xander pulled Anya to a stop in front of the ex-marine. Holding out his hand, Xander extended a warm smile to Riley.
"You too! Anya, you look absolutely radiant." Riley looked down at Anya's stomach and returned Xander's warm smile. "Congratulations, when's the big occasion?"
"A couple weeks!" Xander grinned.
"Thank God!" Anya said as she rubbed her lower back. "I can't take much more of these back aches and my feet are swollen and I'm horny as hell." Riley and Xander watched as Anya wandered off to find a chair to sit in, still complaining about her various aches and pains.
"Anya was cramping a few weeks ago and the doctor thought it would be best if we didn't...you know, until after the baby was born. It's left Anya in a rather foul mood." Xander said as he watched Anya lower herself into an overstuffed armchair she had found in a corner.
"I can see that. But it will all be worth it." Riley watched Xander, noting how the younger man beamed with pride.
"It definitely will be."
Buffy watched as Riley and Xander engaged in idle chitchat. Riley, legs spread slightly, hands stuffed into his pockets, was intent on listening to one of Xander's many tales. Buffy took a deep breath before smoothing down her shirt. Giving herself a little pep talk she prepared to approach the two men. Sucking up all the courage she possessed, she walked determinedly toward Riley, who was now laughing at one of Xander's jokes. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she stopped short. Losing her courage, she looked for a place to escape. Finding her getaway, she changed her direction, making a beeline instead for the water fountain.
Riley had felt her watching them, and was hoping she would join them. Just talking to her gave him a thrill that lasted for days. Instead, much to his dismay, she went for the water fountain. With a somber look on his face, Riley continued to nod as Xander began discussing some new job site he was working on with his construction company. Riley barely registered the words, his attention instead on Buffy as she leaned over to drink the water. Her hair fell forward and she had to scramble to hold it back as she sipped at the cool liquid. Riley wished it was his hand holding her hair back over her shoulder, his lips gently kissing her neck, his body curving into hers...but that would never be again. Shaking his head, he diverted his attention back to Xander.
Buffy stood up, wiping the excess water from her mouth. Calming herself, she turned around and noticed that Xander was still talking Riley's ear off. Buffy watched as Riley, shifted his arms, crossing them tightly across his chest and she remembered what it was like to be in those arms, to feel the heat of his body, to hear the loving words as he comforted her, loved her....she longed for those moments and she was determined to get them back.
Taking a deep breath again, she started her second approach....only to be stopped by Willow who was dragging her to the back of the hall while ordering all the men to the front. Buffy hadn't even noticed that the officiator had arrived and was now patiently waiting at the front of the hall with Graham. Anya pushed herself out of the oversize chair with great difficulty and waddled back to where the other girls were waiting.
"Riley, you should be between Graham and Xander." Willow instructed. She watched as Riley and Xander quickly traded places. "There, that's better." Turning her attention to the girls, she pulled Anya until she was standing at the front of the path. "Now when the music starts, Anya will start off, Buffy you wait until she gets to the third row and then you go. Is that all clear?"
"Why do we have to walk? Why can't we stand up there with the rest of them? Or have those big men over there carry us? " Anya pointed to Willow's cousins who were busying themselves with setting up the remaining chairs. Anya's feet were killing her and the idea of walking down the aisle and then standing for God knows how long was not her idea of fun. "It's ridiculous that we must parade ourselves in front of everyone."
"Anya, its tradition. Besides don't you want everyone to see how beautiful you are?" Willow said, really not wanting to argue with the ex-demon.
"Willow, I look like I swallowed a beach ball, do you think I want people staring at me?"
"Anya, please!" Willow was hanging on by a very thin thread, the day seemed to be getting worse and worse and Anya was just about to make her snap.
Anya quieted, knowing not to push the young witch. Patting her growling tummy, she prayed that this would end soon so they could get to the lunch portion of the rehearsal.
Willow breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Anya was not going to argue further. Giving Anya a slight nudge, she watched the mother- to-be make her way down the aisle. Buffy smiled at Willow before following after Anya. Buffy keep her eyes glued to Anya's back, her steps matching those of the ex-demon. But that didn't last long, her eyes began to wander, seeking out the familiar blue ones she longed to gaze into. He was watching her, and she couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face. She felt flushed under his gaze and looked away, embarrassed.
Riley couldn't keep his gaze from traveling over her frame. She smiled and though Riley doubted that it was meant for him, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. She always had that affect on him. The simplest smile from her could leave his soul elated for days. She looked away though, her checks stained red with embarrassment and Riley couldn't help but grin wider.
Buffy took her place next to Anya and watched as Willow made her way down the aisle, a huge grin spread across her face. Upon reaching the others, Willow fluttered her hands in the air excitedly. "That was perfect! Do it just like that tomorrow." Turning her attention to Graham, Willow took his hands, squeezing them gently before they both turned their attention to the officiator who instructed them on what he would be saying and what they would be doing. Buffy only half listened to the man as her eyes roamed over Riley's body, taking careful note of his chiseled chest and muscular arms, nicely displayed in the tight sweater he was wearing. She got a nice view of his butt when he turned to straighten a decoration that had fallen over. Unfortunately, she believed he caught her on that account and she quickly diverted her eyes.
Riley saw the appreciative glance she had given him and blushed. But then he had been doing the same thing to her, had he not? Especially those jeans that hugged her hips and butt so well that his imagination was going into overdrive. Willow turned to them, instructing them on how they would follow her and Graham back down the aisle after the ceremony. Willow and Graham would lead, followed by Buffy and Riley, with Xander and Anya bringing up the rear. Willow took Graham's arm before nodding her head, indicating the others should follow.
Riley approached Buffy nervously. It had been three years since they had really been close. That brief touch they had shared in the kitchen had left him longing for more. And while this was just a short walk down the aisle, Riley was going to enjoy it as much as possible. Her arm slid between his body and arm and she pulled close to him, so close that he could feel the warmth of her through his clothes. Buffy looked up at him and smiled and he returned it and slowly began leading her down the aisle.
God, he envied Willow and Graham, envied the happiness they had found. He wished more than anything that it was he getting married. Getting married to this beautiful creature hanging on his arm. But he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, better to just appreciate the things he had and not on the things he desired.
The walk was over too quickly for either of them, and they stepped back as they watched Anya and Xander approach. Willow was pleased with the rehearsal. Not only were the decorations almost complete and everyone now knew their places for tomorrow, but she had noticed the longing looks that both Buffy and Riley had been giving each other. If Graham's plan went through without a hitch, by tomorrow night her best friend would be back in the arms of the man she loved.
To be continued
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