Buffy ran a brush through her hair, taking time to admire her new skirt and top. So un-slayery, the long, flared skirt was a soft pink, while the cowl necked top was white and sat delicately above a white satin belt with tiny pink flowers embroidered on it. Gorgeous new white zip up ankle boots completed the outfit. She performed a half twirl admiring the way the skirt flowed cloudlike around legs as a knock sounded on the door downstairs.
 
“Happy birthday, Buffy!” Willow exclaimed, holding a beribboned object excitedly, she looked at what her friend was wearing.
 
“I see the shopping day went well.” She handed Buffy the present, under all the ribbons was the most adorable stuffed pig in a pretty white lace bonnet with pink and white flowers and a big bow, a friend for Mr Gordo Willow announced, an excited smile on her face.
“Oh, Will, it’s the cutest.”
 
“Where’s the birthday girl?” A voice floated in from through the open door. Willow stepped aside and Xander walked in. He seemed to freeze temporarily when he saw Buffy. “Buff, hey. Happy Birthday.” With this announcement he handed her a basket, she looked at it, looking at him questioningly. She looked inside.
 
“Candy, yum!” She announced, she put the basket with the stuffed toy, turning as Joyce came into the room.
 
“Hey guys.” Joyce said, placing a bowl of potato chips on the table. “Is Mr Giles here yet?”
Buffy gave her mother a questioning look.
 
“He’s not here yet,” Willow said. “Oz should be here soon.” She added, hopefully.
 
“Well, we have been threatened with the possible arrival of Her Majesty Queen Cordelia.” Xander said.
 
“She told us she might come.. if she ran out of anything ‘actually interesting’ to do.” Willow offered.
 
 “I wait with bated breath” Buffy said in mock solemnity. “Mmmm, chips.”
 
Willow followed Buffy over to the snacks table, Joyce came out with Soda and glasses. Xander admired the balloons.
 
Buffy answered a knock on the door. Giles stood there, someone else with him.
 
“Oz!” Willow said, excitedly. “It’s Oz.” She said, as though clarifying. “Did you two come together?” She looked confused.”
 
“No.” Oz answered. “We just arrived at the same time.”
 
After allowing enough time for him to wish her daughter a Happy Birthday and present her with her gift, a shopping voucher for the Mall, Joyce whisked the poor unsuspecting man away for interrogation. Buffy winced at the thought of what she had got her poor Watcher into and then shrugged it off, better him than her that’s for sure and he really was so much better at explaining these things than she was.
 
“So, Buff. What’s on the menu for tonight?” Xander rubbed his hands eagerly.
 
“I don’t know.” Buffy shrugged, tossing her hair back she added, “I was thinking music and dancing and party games, lots of good wholesome fun to be had by all! Later we can do cake maybe more games - or videos.”
 
“Ooh, party games, I love them.” Willow gushed. “Do you like party games?” She turned to Oz.
 
“Party games are pretty much always good.” Oz agreed, breaking into a gentle smile.
 
Buffy smiled to herself, he was nice, in a really, really quiet sort of way and you could see he adored Willow which made him more than alright in her books!
 
“Well, let’s start this dancing, you funky dance monkeys!” Xander announced.
Buffy grinned, this was going to be a whole night of fun and in the end, it didn’t really matter what they did, the important thing to her was that these people, the people who meant so much to her were here with her to share her special day.
 
*****
 
Across the street in the shadows cast by a large Sycamore a cigarette burned, its owner smiled at the obvious signs of happiness and enjoyment at the Summer’s residence. He pined to be there, to take her hand and dance with her, to join in the silly, frivolous party games and bask in her laughter. He longed to tell her just how beautiful she looked tonight, to kiss cake crumbs from her lips, to feel her lovely warm body lean back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled into her hair and wished her a Happy Birthday.

These were his dreams his wishes for this night, dreams he knew would never come true so instead he contented himself with observing from afar, assuring himself that his love was enjoying her special night. He smiled at her laughter, delighted in her joy and ached with a heart that was breaking with loneliness and longing.