Chapter 30

Sometime during the night, Xander had begun to thrash from side to side on the bed in the throes of a nightmare. Spike had awakened to Willow pressing back against him in her sleep, instinctively trying to move away from Xander. The vampire easily swept her up and over his body, depositing her on the far side of the bed, where she settled quietly. Sliding to the center of the bed, he gathered Xander’s body to him and wrapped the struggling mortal in his arms, crooning wordlessly and touching him gently until he calmed and fell back asleep.

To his surprise, Spike was the first to awaken again. He could tell that it was late afternoon. He was curled on his side with Xander in front of him and Willow behind, and he couldn’t remember ever feeling so deliciously warm. Spike’s arm draped over Xander’s side, and their hands were clasped against his chest. Spike’s face was nestled between his lover’s shoulder blades. One of the vampire’s knees was drawn up to curve along Xander’s backside. The other leg was bent slightly back toward Willow, she had both of her feet curled around his ankle. Her arm was draped over his hip, and her front was pressed tightly to his back. The side of her face rested against the back of his neck and her soft breath tickled the fine hairs there. Spike mused to himself that here was no force on earth that could encourage him to move from this lovely, warm nest.

Spike could hear Xander waking; his heartbeat quickened and his circulation sped up slightly. Stretching, the human turned onto his back and gathered both Spike and Willow to him, sliding his arm under them and curling his hand over Willow’s shoulder. He brought his other hand up to trace the contours of Spike’s face, running his finger across sharp cheekbones and lush lips. Willow began to stir, and she braced a palm on Spike’s back and pushed. Getting the hint, Spike rolled across Xander’s body to vacate his spot and move into the corresponding position on the other side. Willow sighed in contentment and snuggled against her best friend’s chest. Xander kissed Spike on the forehead and nuzzled at his spiky hair. The vampire tilted his face up, silently demanding a kiss, which Xander was happy to supply. The human then carefully extricated himself from the others, pointing at the bathroom when Spike looked askance at him. When he returned, Spike and Willow were curled tightly together in the center of the bed, asleep. Xander smiled softly at them and went downstairs.

As he suspected, the smell of cooking bacon could not be ignored. Before breakfast was halfway cooked, Xander found himself fending off attacks on the large skillet full of fatty pork goodness. Willow and Spike both got smacked a couple of times with the spatula before they promised to be good and busied themselves making toast, pouring juice and coffee and heating blood. Xander slid plates of bacon and eggs onto the table and the three ate in companionable silence. After breakfast was done, Spike and Xander cleaned the kitchen while Willow called the Summers’ house to check in. As she walked back into the kitchen, she was greeted with the sight of Xander sitting in one of the dining chairs with Spike straddling his lap. She crossed the threshold just in time to see the vampire place a sweet kiss on the end of the human’s nose. She grinned broadly and said, “Awwwwww!” Spike buried his head on Xander’s shoulder, as he patted the blond head and said, “There, there, Nancy.” Spike punched him in the shoulder and stuck his tongue out at Willow. The vampire yelped in surprise when Xander stood quickly, still holding him. The yelp turned into a growl as Xander loosened his hold and allowed Spike to slide down his body until his bare feet touched the floor. Xander returned the growl and kissed his lover thoroughly, then turned him toward the door and gave him a shove in the general direction of the shower.

They trooped into the living room, and Willow reminded them that they were to be at the Summers’ house an hour after sundown. “Well,” Xander said, smiling grimly, “we better get moving.” They went upstairs and quickly got ready. Spike and Xander went to the basement and retrieved a number of weapons, while Willow checked her magic supplies and packed them into a small satchel. They loaded everything into Xander’s Mercedes and left just after sunset. Within ten minutes, they were at a florist’s shop. Willow got a dozen calla lilies; Spike and Xander again chose mixed roses, this time pink and yellow. None of them spoke until the car was parked at the cemetery. “Well, let’s go,” Willow said with determination. As soon as they were all out of the car, she stepped between the two men and linked an arm with each of them. They exchanged a look, acknowledging that they could both feel the petite witch trembling.

As they approached the grave, the men stopped and allowed Willow to cross the last ten feet to the headstone alone. They each turned to face outward, guarding her. After all, a Sunnydale cemetery after dark wasn’t the safest place in the world. Willow knelt in front of Tara’s marker, and replaced the faded lilies in the vase with fresh ones. She rummaged in her bag for a bottle of water and filled the vase. “Hey, baby,” she whispered, “I’ve missed you.” She stroked her hand along the soft grass that grew over the grave, wishing that she were touching her lover’s smooth cheek. Reaching again into her bag, Willow removed some herbs and powders, which she crushed in her hands and sprinkled over the grave. She whispered a few short phrases in Latin and made several hand gestures, then laid her hands flat in the grass again. Within a couple of minutes, she felt a soft breeze on her face and smelled a sweet scent. A brilliant smile lighted her tear-stained face.

Willow looked up as Spike and Xander stepped up to flank her. Xander placed the roses on the grave and dropped a hand to rest on the top of Willow’s head. The soft breeze stirred again. “Honeysuckle,” Spike said, “Why do I smell honeysuckle?” He looked down at Willow, who raised her eyes to meet his. “That’s Tara’s scent – her spirit is here,” she said, with wonder in her voice. His eyes widened in surprise and a soft smile curved his lips. Xander whispered, “Hey, Tara,” and sank down next to Willow and wrapped an arm around her. They stayed for a few moments, and then got ready to leave, clearing away the old flowers. Willow reached into her bag one last time and pulled out a completely smooth, palm sized river rock. She passed her hand over it and muttered an incantation before laying it on top of Tara’s headstone. As they turned to go, Xander looked at the rock and ran his finger across the word “always” that was carved across it.