Turns out only Willow and Xander had known about Spike’s plan. This was only because a: Spike wanted to keep it a secret and b: Willow was the only one he had seen since he had left and she told Xander. Buffy couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel to tell everyone. Except Angel. Ooh, how was she going to tell Angel?
“Hello?” Buffy called out as she and Spike walked into the hotel together, hand in hand. “Is anyone home?” Slowly but surely, people started trickling out from various rooms in the hotel: Gunn, Wesley, Giles, Willow, Xander, Dawn, Kennedy, Andrew, and Angel. So much for telling him when he’s by himself, Buffy thought, grimacing.
“Hey Buffy,” Willow said, grinning when she noted the Spike hand holding. “How’s it going?”
“Good,” Buffy replied, unable to contain her grin. “Very, very good.” Willow was looking at her left hand, at the immensely noticeable diamond ring sitting on her ring finger.
“Good to have you back, Spike,” Xander called from the stairs. Spike waved with his free hand.
“Spike and I have some news,” Buffy said. Most people looked anxious to know what was going on. Angel looked kind of sick. “We’re getting married.”
A small cheer came from the crowd of people, and all except for Angel were giving their congrats. Spike and Buffy fielded hugs and kisses and celebratory handshakes. Then she was showing off her beautiful ring, especially to the girls. Fred seemed especially interested.
“It’s very pretty,” Fred commented. Willow and Dawn nodded. Buffy had to take it off and let Dawn try it on.
“I think I’m so gonna steal that ring,” Dawn said. Buffy laughed and snatched it away from her.
“No way,” Buffy said, putting it back on her finger. “It’s mine all mine. Made especially for me. Only me.” Dawn sighed in resignation.
“Okay, if you say so. I can’t believe you and Spike are getting married!” She let out a little squeal. “That is SO cool! You and Spike are getting married!” Spike had snuck up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist.
“I know.” Buffy replied. “It is pretty cool.” Spike’s head was resting on her shoulder and she ran a hand through his curly hair. She noticed Angel standing in the corner and carefully slipped out of his arms. Spike looked confused for a moment before nodding in understanding. Buffy pulled Angel into his office and quietly shut the door.
“This isn’t how I wanted you to find out,” Buffy said, leaning her hip on the edge of his desk. “I wanted to tell you when you were alone but you happened to be up there in the small crowd that has become our posse.”
“When did this happen?” Angel said, sitting down in the chair that was at his desk. “I mean, he shows up and he’s human, then you’re going out to dinner with him and then you’re ignoring him. Then he leaves. Then you two are suddenly engaged.”
“Last night,” Buffy supplied. “He did leave. But the purpose of his trip was securing the papers that he needed to be considered alive and part of society. So he could maybe get a job. So we could get married. Willow knew where he was staying so I went over there and told him how I really felt. Then he asked me to marry him. We spent the night together and then came to tell everyone the news.”
“Isn’t that just peachy?” Angel said sarcastically.
“I don’t need you to go all Dawson on me, Angel. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I’m not your girlfriend either. You left me, Angel. In case you forgot. I have moved on and I think the thing that gets you is that it happens to be Spike. That just eats you up inside.”
“Of course it does!” Angel replied angrily, one of the rare moments he got angry with her. “Spike is the kind of person that doesn’t deserve someone like you. Spike is evil, he has always been evil. Evil is what he does. And do not think for one minute that he deserved to be on the receiving end of that prophecy. I have worked much harder and much longer that Spike has to win humanity. He’s good for what, two years? And he gets to be on the receiving end of the prophecy that was supposed to apply to me.”
“Three years.” Buffy corrected. “God, Angel. Care to be a little more hypocritical? Because you were one of the ones who were telling me that he and I would be good together. Do you remember that? Or do you have short term memory problems? He’s not evil. He’s not even a vampire anymore. Spike died saving the world. DIED, Angel. That’s why he came back human, why he was on the receiving end of your prophecy. And let me tell you something, Spike deserved it because he did what you could never do.”
“And what’s that?”
“He chose to not be evil. Without a soul. That was something that Angelus could never do. He could never make the choices that Spike has. You want to know another reason why he deserved to become human? He sought out his soul, Angel, unlike you. Your soul was forced on you while Spike went to the ends of the underworld and back to get his…all for me. He chose to get a soul because he loved me, and he knew the only way that I would give him a chance was if he had a soul.” Buffy shook her head.
“I’ve had this incredibly narrow minded view of vampires loving without a soul all because of you. I thought that a vampire couldn’t love without a soul. That’s not true. Spike loved me without his soul. But he sought it out anyway. Spike has chosen the path that he has walked and that’s the road less traveled. I also know that it’s a once in a lifetime thing. Not every vampire can choose to do what Spike has done. It’s been hard for him, I know, because I didn’t want to let myself believe that he could love me without a soul, or that he would get his soul for me.”
“So what, he gets his soul for you and suddenly he’s forgiven for every time he tried to kill you?” Angel shouted, anger getting the best of him. Buffy’s words had wounded him deeply.
“I forgave you for maiming me and my friends while you were missing your soul. I can forgive Spike for never doing anything more that slapping me around a little. He deserved to become human, and no one can tell me any different. He loves me and I love him. If you want to be even more broody because me being with Spike rubs you the wrong way, then be my guest. Act like a twelve year old. This is very reminiscent of when you came to Sunnydale to help me with the First. You were so jealous because he had gotten a soul and you thought you were getting the brush off for him.”
“I did get the brush off,” Angel retorted. “You basically told me to get the hell out of town. I know it was partly because you wanted a second front in case you failed, but I think the greater part of it was Spike. And I thought, when you guys showed up here in LA that maybe you were…cookies.”
“So soon after I told you? It’s not possible, Angel. I still don’t think I’m…done or cookies or whatever,” Buffy replied. “And I sure as hell wasn’t when I first came to LA. That’s not the point. In order to become whatever the hell it is that I’m going to become, I need someone there with me. A guy who won’t turn his back on me when things get a little rough. I was in mourning when I first came to LA Angel, and I had no thought whatsoever about you and me trying things again. That was a different chapter in my life and as bitchy as it sounds, I’m over it. I’ve moved on. Get mad all you want, Angel. I know it just kills you that you could have chosen the path that Spike has…and you didn’t.”
“You’re right,” Angel said, his voice losing most of its anger. “I could have chosen. I had a soul forced on me. And that makes me the loser in the whole situation.”
“That’s not what I said and you know it! I just think you needed to be taken down a notch or two. Look, I know that it took a lot of discipline to do what Spike has done. I know that Angelus couldn’t have chosen the path that Spike has. I also know that you and Spike are probably never going to get along but I needed you to know that you have no right to be mad. Spike has worked hard for his humanity and to win me over. It took lots of hard work and determination. He’s good for me, Angel. Spike’s stuck around, watched my back, and changed his whole existence to be the kind of person that I would love. And it worked. I love him Angel, and I’m going to marry him.” Buffy turned to leave but Angel’s voice stopped her.
“I’m sorry Buffy.” She came back to the desk. “You’re right. I have no right to be mad. And…I’m glad that you’re happy.”
“Look, Angel. You were my first love. Things between you and I just didn’t work out. It used to hurt, and I used to get really pissed at the world, but its okay now. I understand that it just wasn’t meant to be. And I know that I gave you the impression that if I became…cookies…or whatever the hell it is I’m going to be, you would be the one who got to enjoy cookie me. But that was before I realized I loved Spike. And I’m sorry I gave you that impression. But I am happy. And I love him.” She was surprised when Angel enveloped her in a hug.
“I really am glad that you’re happy, Buffy.” She pulled out of the hug and headed out of the office. Spike was sitting on the round bench in the middle of the lobby, pretending to not have been listening. Buffy went over to him and settled into his arms.
“How much did you hear?” Buffy asked, somewhat playful yet somewhat serious. Spike shrugged his shoulders.
“I heard you defend your man,” Spike jibbed, holding her tighter. “Thank you for what you said in there, luv. It really meant a lot. It took a lot to get where we’re at and I’m glad that you finally see what it is I’ve been trying to prove for the past three years.” Buffy smiled, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
“I meant every word, Spike.” Buffy replied. She pulled out of his embrace and looked at him. “I really did mean it. I love you and I think you deserve to be human and deserve to be with me. Angel needed to know that. It’s a talk we’ve needed to have for a while now.”
“Can’t say I didn’t enjoy hearing you take him down a peg or two.” Spike said, smiling slightly. Buffy thwacked him on the shoulder.
“That’s not very nice,” Spike smiled, before leaning in and kissing her, slow and sweet.
“Hey, get a room.” Dawn said as she was walking by. “Spare us please.” Buffy and Spike pulled away, grinning at Dawn.
“Sorry, Niblet.” Dawn shrugged.
“I’m just glad that you two are finally together,” Buffy squeezed Spike’s arm. “I mean, it took you long enough.” Xander came into the room, carrying a big stack of magazines. He slapped the pile down in front of Buffy and stood up proudly.
“What are these?” Buffy asked, picking one up.
“Bridal magazines. I cleaned out the store. Willow told me about Spike’s plan,” He cast a glance to Spike who glared at him. “So I went out and bought a whole bunch of magazines for you to look through.”
“How did you know I was going to say yes?” Buffy asked playfully. Xander just looked at her.
“C’mon, Buffy. Everyone knew that you guys were going to get together. I knew that if he asked, you would say yes. I just know you.” Buffy grinned before picking up a magazine. Fred, Willow, Kennedy, and Dawn were all poring over the magazines, searching for a dress that Buffy might like.
“How ‘bout this one?” Kennedy suggested, pointing to the picture on the page. Buffy glanced over it and shook her head.
“I don’t want any taffeta.” Kennedy shrugged and continued searching through the magazine. Xander grabbed a couple and walked over to Spike.
“I picked up a couple of Men’s Wear magazines as well.” Xander said, handing them to Spike. “That way you could get your suit as well.” Spike looked at the magazines, then at Xander.
“Thanks mate.” He joined the females of the group by starting to flip through his magazine. The search for his suit was short. Spike found a three piece black suit and a gray silk tie to accompany it. The groomsmen would be wearing three piece white suits with black silk ties. Then he was finished.
Buffy’s friends had shown her at least seven dresses, each of which she had found something wrong with before giving up the search. Buffy was getting down to the last magazine when she found her dress.
“Oh my God, this is it,” Buffy breathed, showing the picture to the girls sitting around her. Everyone had to agree, that was the dress.
It was sleeveless, strapless copy of a Vera Wang gown. The dress had pearl beading all the way from the bodice down the tip of the majestic train the spilled out behind the model. Everyone knew that Buffy would look absolutely stunning in the gown. There was only one problem.
“Five thousand dollars?!” Buffy exclaimed. “I can’t afford a dress that’s five thousand dollars.” She slapped the magazine shut, a pout forming on her beautiful lips.
“Oh, look at the lip,” Spike said, sitting down next to her. “Gonna get it, gonna get it.” He moved in to kiss her but she turned her head.
“Don’t you understand, Spike? That dress is absolutely the dress for me. And I can’t afford it.”
“I’ll pay for the dress, Buffy.” She turned around to see Giles standing behind the round padded bench.
“Giles, no. I can’t have you do that.”
“Buffy, it would be my pleasure. In fact, I’ll pay for the wedding.” Buffy’s eyes grew wide. “I do believe you once told me, when this exact situation took place, that I was the closest thing you had to a father. As such, I will be happy to pay for the dress and the wedding.” He barely had time to finish his sentence before Buffy was in his arms, her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly.
“You are amazing, Giles.” She said quietly. “And more of a dad to me than my father ever has been.”
“Thank you, Buffy,” Giles said softly. He looked every bit like the proud father. “I want you to know that I am very happy for you.”
“Oh!” Buffy said, excited. “You have to walk me down the aisle too. I don’t even think I’m going to invite Dad. After all, he would have to pencil that into his schedule and you know what a pain that is. Can’t even be there when his oldest daughter gets married.”
“What a prat,” Spike scoffed, pulling Buffy into his arms. “Can’t see how he want to let either of you go. Has to a bloody idiot, that father of yours, if he can’t see what beautiful women his girls have grown up to be.” Buffy looked up at him.
“Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not as of late.” Spike said, grinning.
“I love you bunches and bunches.” She pulled out of his arms. “Oh, I saw these amazing brides’ maids’ dresses. Each of them were a different style so everyone could choose, but I could have the option of having them all the same color. Or I could have them all the same style but a different color. What do you think, Dawn?”
“I think they should all be a different style, but the same color. That way, someone who wants one thing can have it and another person can have something totally different.” Buffy nodded.
“That’s what I was thinking. I was thinking teal brides’ maids’ dresses. Or lavender. I’m not really sure.”
“Teal,” Kennedy called out.
“Lavender,” Willow supplied.
“Teal,” Dawn said.
“I’m thinking the teal,” Buffy said. “I have to go call them about the dresses. This is so much fun!”
**********************
(One week later)
Wedding preparations were well under way. Buffy had called about the dress, and was set to go in for the first fitting within the week. She had indeed chosen teal for the brides’ maids’ dresses, with the thought that it was very classy and would look good with her dress.
Oh how she loved that dress.
She had cut out the picture and pinned it on the bulletin board in her room. It was absolutely the most perfect dress. Spike loved it as well. As Buffy was looking at the picture, she had a flashback to when she and Spike were engaged as per Willow’s spell. Buffy had been looking at a dress in the window the Bridal shop in Sunnydale, very much like she looking at the picture now.
“It's just so sudden. I don't know what to say.”
“Just say yes, and make me the happiest man on earth.”
“Oh, Spike! Of course it's yes!”
It had been very weird, to have been engaged to Spike. Of course, Buffy reasoned, it was only a hint as to what was to come. Willow’s wording only caused Buffy and Spike to want to get married, not be in love. That they had done on their own.
“What are you lookin' at?”
“The man I love.”
Buffy had always been in love with Spike. Even way back then. Of course, at the time, she had been trying things with Riley. And oh how well that hadn’t gone. He had been in love with her, she hadn’t been with him.
“Stop it! This is our wedding and you're treating it like a big joke!”
“Oh, pouty! Look at that lip…gonna get it…gonna get it…”
“Oh…stop…”
Buffy had been so engrossed in her daydreams that she didn’t even notice Dawn enter the room until her sister snapped her fingers right in front of her face.
“Earth to Buffy!” Buffy snapped out of it and focused on her sister. “You really love that dress don’t you?” Buffy nodded, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, I really do.” Dawn sat down on the bed that Buffy and Spike now occupied together, since he had moved into her room.
“I can’t believe you and Spike are getting married.” Buffy sat down next to her, fiddling with a loose string on the bedspread.
“Sometimes I can’t believe it either,” Buffy said. She chuckled lightly. “If you think back on all the times we tried to kill each other, it seems completely absurd that we’re going to get married. But I can’t imagine life without him.”
“You know what I think?” Dawn said. “I think you two were attracted to each other the whole time that you were trying to kill each other. I think you felt something for Spike even when he was evil and chipped. That’s why you couldn’t kill him. Then he fell in love with you and everything changed.”
“I think you’re right,” Buffy said. “And I said as much to Spike. I’ve always loved him. Since the first time I saw him outside the Bronze and he said he was going to kill me, I’ve been attracted to him. All the fighting, the insults, it was all because we couldn’t really admit how we felt about each other. Even after he fell in love with me, I was attracted to him and I couldn’t admit it.”
“Good thing he stuck around,” Dawn commented, shifting on the bed. “I mean, he knew how stubborn you are, so he figured that he had a lot of convincing to do if you were ever going to admit that you felt anything for him.”
“Stubborn, Spike is,” Buffy replied.
“Why are you two beautiful ladies talkin’ bout me?” Buffy’s smile turned into a huge grin at the sound of his voice. She turned around and saw him leaning against the doorframe in a pair of black jeans and a tight white tee-shirt. He looked good.
“Buffy was just saying how you two always were attracted to each other but she was afraid to admit it and how stubborn you are,” Dawn supplied. Spike grinned, coming into the room and sitting down next to Buffy.
“That I am, Niblet,” Spike said, wrapping his arms around Buffy’s waist. She scooted back and settled in between his legs. They looked so normal; the two of them, that Dawn had to smile. “Good thing I stuck around, eh?” Buffy nodded before planting a quick kiss on his lips.
“Definitely.” Dawn grabbed the notebook that held Buffy’s wedding plans and started rifling through it. “What are you doing?”
“Just seein’ what you’ve decided to do for the wedding.” There was a pause. “You guys are doing it down by the pier?”
“Yeah…” Buffy said, warily. “Why?”
“I’m just saying. I think it’ll be cute.” She flipped a couple of pages. “Rachel’s florist. Ooh, they have some pretty roses. And look, that’s what you’re going with. A lot of roses by the looks of it.”
“Of course,” Buffy replied. “I love roses, for one, and I want the whole ground covered in them when I walk down that aisle. It’s going to be a daytime ceremony as well, but the reception will be held later at night so Angel can attend.” Buffy felt Spike’s body stiffen at the mention of Angel’s name, and stroked his thigh lovingly.
“So you found a photographer?” Buffy nodded. “And a caterer. Giles is really going to pay for the whole thing?”
“Everything. And he said that I could go all out because his slayer only gets married once. Not to poop on my own parade, but he informed the newly rebuilt Watcher’s Council. He’s looking into getting me and Spike paid for being slayers.”
“Yeah,” Spike scoffed. “We’ll see how that one goes.” Buffy sighed, and gave him a long, involved kiss.
“Dawn, Willow, Kennedy, Fred, and I are going to go the designer’s to start the preparations for the dresses. I’ll see you later.”
And with that, she was out the door.
******************
Anyone who hadn’t been convinced that Buffy had picked the right dress; they quickly changed their mind when they saw her step out of the dressing room. It fit her like a glove, clung to all the right places, and made her look like royalty.
Everything she wanted in a dress.
The pearl beading ran from the tip of the strapless bodice down the very tip of the train in an intricate pattern that lent elegance to the wonderful dress. The train spilled out behind her, a good six feet. She chose off-white open toed stiletto heels to accompany the dress and add some height to her small frame.
It was decided that she would wear her hair mostly down, curled with sections pulled up with jeweled clasps that would be sewn into her hair. The veil, a long one per Buffy’s request, would be attached to a tiara and fit securely into her simple, yet elegant hairstyle.
To show how the veil would look on the day, she fixed her hair the way that it was going to done the day of the wedding. To see her standing there, decked out to the nines in her wedding gear, the crowd was speechless. Giles, who had made an appearance since he was paying, was moved to tears.
She look so beautiful there, his slayer, and he was amazed at just how much she defied the odds. Buffy had lived past the normal age for slayers, okay she had died twice but she was brought back, she had made not only one vampire, but two fall in love with her. She had fallen for both of them, pushed Spike to get his soul, and made him into a better man. And now, she was getting married.
A slayer wasn’t supposed to have time for a love life. Again, Buffy defied the odds. Her friends helped her with her job and she had fallen in love a few times over. Buffy was going to be the longest lived slayer. She was going to have a family, grow old, and be happy.
Everything he had wanted for her.
“So what do you guys think?” Buffy asked, moving back and forth in front of the full length mirror.
“You look absolutely exquisite,” Giles said, before turning back to the saleslady, to pay for the dress and the accoutrements.
“Definitely,” Fred agreed. Her friends made numerous other comments as Buffy headed into the dressing room to change back into her clothes. The girl in the mirror still looked foreign to Buffy. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were sparkling and she had a smile that never seemed to go away.
When Buffy emerged from the dressing room, she was surprised to see Spike standing with the group of girls.
“What are you doing here?” She said, after giving him a short kiss. Spike grinned.
“Me an’ the guys were just next door doin’ tux fittings and I thought I would stop by. That and you and I have a date with a baker to see about cakes and frosting and the like.” Buffy sighed.
“I forgot about that,” Spike kissed her forehead.
“Well, you are a blond…” She lightly smacked his arm before waving goodbye to her friends.
“I guess you guys will have to stay here without me,” Buffy said, linking her arm through Spike’s.
“How ever will we manage?” Dawn said dramatically. The group laughed. “Go. Eat cake and frosting and we’ll see you back at the hotel.” The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. headed down the street to Martha’s Bakery to see about their cake.
“Hello!” Martha said in a sing song voice when Buffy and Spike entered the bakery. “It’s so good to see you two again! Let me go get the samples.” Buffy and Spike sat down at a table while Martha went to get some samples of the cakes and frostings.
“Now this is my type of date,” Buffy said, as Martha set down several plates of cake. “I just show up and eat cake.” Martha laughed.
“I think you will enjoy our red velvet cake,” Buffy and Spike took a bite of said cake and Buffy sighed in pleasure. “A lot of people from the south enjoy that kind of cake. It comes with a butter cream frosting.” Buffy looked at Spike, who nodded slightly.
“I think we’ll take the red velvet,” Buffy said. Martha nodded and whipped out a pad of paper.
“Okay, that’s one red velvet cake with butter cream frosting. How many tiers?”
“Five,” Buffy replied. “With roses in between each layer. And I was wondering. If I gave you a swatch of fabric from my dress, could you do the design on the cake?”
“Of course, dear. Just get me the swatch and I can do anything!” Buffy laughed.
“Great. I’ll get that to you as soon as possible.” Spike pulled out some money to pay for the cake and they exited the bakery.
“Where’d you get the idea for the design on the cake?” Spike asked as they walked the short distance to the hotel.
“I saw it on television once,” Buffy said sheepishly. “I loved the idea so I thought I would ask.”
"Well I think it's bloody brilliant," Spike replied, kissing the top of her head. "So we had our cake and we ate it too. Now what?"
***************
It was times like these that Buffy really wished that her mom was still alive. There were so many things to be done. Wedding planning, bills to be paid, it was a good thing that Dawn was out of school for the summer otherwise Buffy would have gone completely nuts. Oh yeah, she also had to fight demons as well.
Her mom was really good with the life part of life. All Buffy knew how to do was slaying demons and save the world. But this was no time for sorrowful wishes. She was planning her wedding and by God she was happy and content to stay that way. Spike helped with the plans whenever he good, fielding orders for dozens upon dozens of red, white, pink, and blush toned roses. He placed orders for ice sculpture swans and helped Dawn figure out how to do her hair for the wedding. Spike talked to Martha about the cake and was, in Buffy's opinion, not only the love of her life, but a complete savior.
"How are the wedding plans coming along?" Willow asked one day as Buffy sat sifting through the numerous notes she had made about what had been done and still needed to be done.
"As well as can be expected," Buffy replied. "Things are very hectic. I'm starting to see why the Chosen One never fell in love and planned to get married. I'm out every night slaying until the wee hours of the Dawn and then I'm doing wedding planning all day. In between all of that, there's really not time to sleep." Willow grinned.
"Yeah. But Buffy, you're getting married. Think about that. You of all people. A slayer, who's engaged to a former vampire. You defy all odds, Buffy, and stressful wedding planning or not you should still be proud of yourself." Buffy gave Willow a small smile before pulling her into a hug.
"I talked to Dawn," Buffy said, pulling away. "She said she didn't mind if I wanted you to be my maid of honor."
"Oh, Buffy..."
"Seriously, Will. I want you to be my maid of honor. You've been my best friend through everything, thick and thin, and there's no one I would like more than you to fill that place."
"Okay, then." Willow supplied. "Maid of honor it is. That means I have to give the speech doesn't it?"
"Yep. The whole shebang." Willow shook her head nervously.
"You know I don't do well with public speeches right?" Buffy nodded, laughing softly.
"I know. But you'll do fine, Will. I have faith in you."
"So," Willow said, changing the subject. "Spike's really been helping with the wedding plan, huh?"
"OH yeah," Buffy replied. "I don't know what I would do if it weren't for him. He's made orders for ice sculptures and talked to Martha about the cake. He's taken care of the flowers. I think he's more involved than any other fiancé on the face of the earth." Willow laughed.
"Can you blame him, Buffy?" Willow said. "I mean, he's only waited forever and a day for you to come around and realize your feelings for him. I would think he would want to be as involved as possible."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed. "All I know is that he's been a lifesaver. I can't plan this whole thing on my own, Willow. I'm just glad that he's willing to help me."
"I got my dress today," Willow told Buffy. "It fits right and everything." Buffy sighed in relief.
"Good. One less thing to worry about. So far, all the brides' maids' dresses have fit perfectly. And they're not hideous like the ones that Anya made us wear." Buffy didn't realize what she had said until the words had come out of her mouth. It was the first time in months that anyone had mentioned Anya.
"Wow," Willow said. "Has it really been a year and a half since that happened?" Buffy nodded.
"It has. It feels kind of wrong, Will." Buffy said. "I mean, here I am planning my wedding and I can't help but think that Anya never got that. She was left at the altar on the most special day of her life. And her and Xander never got a chance to try again. It just makes me so sad."
"I kind of miss that hideous green dress," Willow stated wistfully. "I mean, I hated it with a passion but Anya loved those dresses and spent months picking them out. Most of all, I miss her."
"Miss who?" A familiar British accent was heard behind them. "You miss me already, Summers?"
"Get over yourself," Buffy said playfully. "We were talking about Anya." Spike nodded solemnly and sat down next to Buffy.
"Ah." Like Giles, that was all he said. So together, in that room, they had a moment of silence for Anya, the fallen heroine, who fought bravely but never won that battle. Tears sprang to Buffy's eyes and she let Spike wrap his arms around her in comfort. Sure, she and Anya had had moments where they were less than friendly but Buffy had come to really respect Anya. It made a small ache in Buffy's chest grow a little bit bigger.
Xander seemed to be doing okay, Buffy thought. Sure, he hadn't had a date since the battle, but Buffy could see that it was starting to hurt a lot less than it had months ago.
"How are you doing, Xander?" Buffy asked him after a trip to the tailor's. Xander had shrugged his broad shoulders. "It's getting better," Her best friend replied. "It doesn't hurt to think about her as much. I still miss her, and sometimes I still think she's going to just walk in the door of the Hyperion and that it was all a bad dream. But I know its not."
"I know what you mean," Buffy replied. "I felt like that about Spike. I kept thinking I saw him when I was out patrolling, like he made it out of Sunnydale and I just didn't see him. But I knew. Deep down, I knew he was gone."
"Yeah, but he got to come back," Xander shot back. "You know, the whole prophecy thing. Anya won't ever come back. And things were starting to get good between us, like we had finally moved past the whole leaving her at the altar thing. We were moving toward something more, like maybe starting something up again."
"I know," Buffy had said softly.
"But it is getting easier."
"Hey, who are we talking about?" Xander's voice rang out as he entered the room. Everyone was suddenly silent and Xander was confused. "Geez, who died?"
"We were talking about Anya," Buffy said softly. Xander looked away, not focusing on the friends in the room.
"I see," was all he said in the rather tense silence. "That would be because of the wedding, right?" Willow nodded.
"With Buffy planning her wedding, it reminded us a lot of Anya." Willow said in the gentlest tone of voice.
"Ah, the not a wedding," Xander said, using Buffy's phrase for the wedding that didn't happen. "With the hideous families and demon friends."
"And brides' maids' dresses," Buffy supplied. "That's what got us talking about her." Xander sat down next to Willow.
"Guys, look," Xander started. "I'm doing okay. You don't have to walk on eggshells around me or be afraid to talk about her because I might be hurt. I accept that she's gone, and I think...I think I'm okay." Willow gave Xander a big hug.
"We're glad," Spike cleared his throat, arms still around Buffy.
"I hate to break this little Scooby moment, but I believe the missus and I have a bunch of weddin' plans to discuss." Buffy sighed, and brought a hand to her aching forehead.
"But there's just so much...." Spike grinned and gently pulled her up. "I know, I know. Don't even say it. ‘It has to be done,' he's always telling me. ‘It'll be over soon.'"
"It will be, luv," Spike replied as the two of them headed down the stairs. "I know it must be stressful bein' a bride an' all, but just think about the perks after the wedding." He raised his scarred eyebrow seductively before Buffy slapped his arm.
"You're bad," She said as they sat down at the dining room table. There was already a mass of papers spread out on every available space. "I don't want to do this right now."
"Buffy, pet, you have to get it done sooner or later...."
"Can't we do something...a little more...fun?" She asked suggestively. "There's plenty of empty rooms..." Because he was so whipped, Spike could not disagree as she dragged him to an empty room.
This was a lot more fun than wedding planning.
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