A/N: Please Review
Dawn was bouncing up and down on the couch. “You found out his birthday in secret in secret and now you’re making a surprise party for him? That is so sweet!”
“Oh, do we get to help? I’m good with decorations of the non-magical sort. Oh, I can make little vampire bats on the computer and use them for streamers!” Willow said excitedly, “I love planning surprise parties!”
“I could make a cake,” Tara said shyly, “I learned how to cook after my mother died. Since it’s a surprise party for our resident cook, he won’t exactly be able to make the cake.”
“Thanks, guys,” Buffy said happily, “I don’t know what I’d do without you. Any ideas on how to distract him so we can prepare?”
“Well…um…you could take him to the crypt and …you know…I’m sure that would distract him,” Willow said blushing.
Buffy was thoughtful. “That would definitely work, but I was thinking somewhere more along the lines of Dawn asking for all day homework help.”
“I say we go with Willow’s plan,” Dawn said, “I don’t like Buffy’s.”
“Okay,” Tara said with a grin, “Willow’s plan, it is.”
“Hey!”
“Buffy, me doing my homework is not fun. You doing…stuff is fun for you, so don’t complain,” Dawn said. Buffy glared at her. Dawn glared back.
“Let’s get started with the planning and shopping!” Buffy said after a minute. As Tara was about to walk out f the room, Buffy grabbed her and pulled her back. “What do you know about vampire mating rituals?”
“Not a lot,” Tara admitted, “Maybe you should ask Willow.”
“I’m not comfortable with asking Willow,” Buffy said softly.
“Well, why don’t we go get some frappichinos and I’ll tell you what I do know. I’ll bring the book I have, too.”
“You know why I’m asking, right?”
“You mean do I know that you want to claim Spike, and have him claim you? No, I have no clue why you’re asking about vampire mating rituals,” Tara said with a twinkle in her eye, “Let’s go and get some sugary, caffeine goodness.”
~*~
“What do you get a vampire for his birthday?” Dawn asked Willow.
Willow stopped what she was doing. “I’m not sure. The only thing he’s ever really want…well…that I know of…is Buffy and he already has one of those.”
“How about weapons?” Dawn asked.
“Spike does like weapons,” Willow said.
“I don’t have enough money to buy weapons,” Dawn said sadly, “I get all my shopping money from Spike and it’s not really a birthday present if he buys it.”
“Well, I could lend you some money. What do you think? We could get him some of those cool, armband, retractable stake thingys. We could say they’re from both of us.”
“That works,” Dawn said. Then they both went back to their respective projects.
~*~
The next day, after breakfast, Buffy s whispered to Spike, “Why don’t we go to your crypt and spend some quality time together?”
He slipped his hand up the back of her shirt and purred, “I like that idea very much.” Buffy winked at Willow as she left. The minute the door clicked shut, the three girls got to work. Willow and Dawn hung up the streamers while Tara got to work on the cake. “Do you think he likes chocolate?” she called in from the kitchen.
“Yeah, he does. Before the party, I’m going to swing by the Bronze and pick up a couple of those onion things he likes,” Dawn said.
“Hey, Tara, do you think wee should put a hundred and something candles on the cake or should we just get the number candles,” Willow asked.
“Probably the number candles. Could you and Dawn go out and buy some?”
“Sure, see you later, sweetie.”
~*~
Several hours later, Dawn and Willow piled their purchases on the counter. “Either those are really big birthday candles or you guys got sidetracked,” Tara said, clearly amused.
“It’s all party related stuff, like balloons and snacks,” Dawn said with a smile.
The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” Dawn shrieked. She ran for the door. I was Clem. “Hi,” she said breathlessly, “There `are snacks in the kitchen and you’re the first guest and Spike will be here when Anya and Xander come!”
Clem grinned and walked inside. Seconds later, the door rang again. This time it was Anya and Xander. Dawn ushered them in. “I guess it’s time to call Buffy,” Willow said.
~*~
Buffy and Spike were snuggled up together on his bed when the phone rang. “You don’t have to get it,” Spike said, “We could just stay here for a little longer.”
“I really do have to get the phone.” She got up with a groan and answered it. “Hi. Yeah, yeah, okay. We’ll be there in a minute.” She closed the phone. “They need us back at the house.”
“Why?” Spike asked.
“Because they do.” She threw his clothes at him and said, “Get dressed.”
~*~
As they approached the door, Spike said, “I don’t see why we had to come home.” ‘I was having such a good time and it’s really my birthday’ he thought, ‘Spending time with you is the best way I could possibly spend it.’
They opened the door and everyone yelled, “Surprise.” Spike’s mouth hung open. Buffy kissed him on the cheek and said, “Happy Birthday, baby.”
“You know when my birthday is?” he said in a small surprised voice.
“Of course,” she said. Then examining the look on his face, she added, “What? Did you think I wouldn’t care enough to find out?”
Now he was beaming. “No one has celebrated or even known my birthday since I was turned.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. When they broke apart, she said, “Then I guess we have a lot of celebrating to make up for.”
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