*Bridal room at a beautiful cathedral*

"I think the dress poofs up too much at the end," Cordelia commented. "Here, let me fix it." She bent over and rearranged the skirt of Buffy's beautiful wedding dress. "There, now it's perfect."

Buffy turned and looked in the full length mirror, a smile growing across her face. Today was her wedding day. Hers and Angel's. Her beloved Angel. She still couldn't believe it was happening. After so many trials and tribulations, their love had conquered all. Buffy frowned, though, as she thought of Xander. He had condemned the marriage and refused to come to the wedding. Thus, Buffy and Xander were no longer speaking. Willow had tried to solve things between her two friends, but to no avail. Xander no doubt was angry about the whole thing because *he* wished he could be the one that would stand with Buffy at the altar.

Joyce Summers came into Buffy's dressing room just then as Cordelia left to get dressed herself, practically bawling in her handkerchief. For the billionth time, she exclaimed, "My baby. Growing up so fast. It was just yesterday we were potty training you and now here you are getting married to a vampire."

Buffy groaned. "Please, mom, get a grip. It's not like I'm about to take a 5 month trek through India. I'm just getting married."

Joyce sighed. "I know. But, I just...I'm going to miss you like crazy." She went over to her daughter and hugged her something fierce.

"Mom, don't you dare get nostalgic on me. You'll make me cry, and then I'll have to do my makeup all over again!" Buffy cried.

"Knock, knock," came a voice from outside. "Everyone decent?"

Buffy brightened as she recognized the voice of Xander. She rushed over to the door and opened it revealing Xander in a tuxedo, complete with cummerbund and everything.

"Xander," Buffy cried. "I'm so glad you came!" She reached over and gave her old friend a big hug.

"I'm sorry I was such a jerk, Buffy. I should never have said I was going to miss the most important day of your life," Xander said, humbly.

"I don't care anymore. All that matters is that you're here with me," Buffy replied.

"Well, enough serious stuff. I was sent here to tell you that everything's all set at the altar. We can start any time," Xander reported.

Buffy started to feel queasy. "Oh my God, it's really happening. I need to sit down." Which she promptly did.

"Hey, Buff, your not getting cold feet are you? Because it took a lot of effort to get this tux and I will not let it go to waste," Xander said.

"No, no cold feet. My feet are really warm. Really. I'm ready to go," Buffy hopped back up to her feet. "Now, where are my bridesmaids?"

"Cordy's almost ready. And your maid of honor is just waiting for her cue," Xander responded.

Buffy laughed. "Willow's really looking forward to her major role isn't she?"

Xander smiled. "Oh, yeah, I caught her practicing throwing rice last night."

Cordelia showed up then, all decked out in her bridesmaid attire. "Xander," she exclaimed, "I'm so glad you're here. You can be my escort down the aisle now. Willow got Giles to take her, so I'm stuck by myself. Please say you'll do it?"

Xander hesitated. That meant he'd have to stand up with Angel. "I don't know, Cordy," he began. He looked into Buffy's eyes and saw her pleading with him to do it. "Alright, I'll do it," he finished.

"Thank you, Xander," Buffy said sincerely.

Joyce spoke up then. "Alright, let's get this wedding started before I run out of Kleenex."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inside the cathedral, there were several of Buffy's closest friends scattered around. She wanted to have as simple a wedding she could, but keep it beautiful and romantic.

The music started and Cordelia and Xander began their walk to the altar. It was good to see them together without fighting for a change.

Next, Giles took Willow's arm and escorted her down the aisle. When they reached the altar, the musicians started to play "The Wedding March".

Buffy looked at her father and took a deep breath. They linked arms and began to walk to where Angel was standing. Buffy felt tears trying to leak through her eyes, but she forced herself to blink them away. She concentrated on the site of her handsome angel before her.

She reached the front of the church and Angel stuck out his hand. Buffy accepted it gracefully and they stood there together in front of all their friends and family.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Buffy Anne Summers and Angelus Jonah O'Donnell in holy matrimony," the priest began. Buffy and Angel looked at each other with love shining through their eyes. They got lost in their own memories while the priest said the usual marriage talk.

~~The first time they saw each other. Buffy had kicked Angel in the back and he had given her the cross.

~~Their first kiss, so beautiful and passionate, but ended so soon when Angel's secret had come out.

my body is tough
Till my soul is no more
I will love you, love you//

~~Buffy's near death experience with the Master.

~~Halloween.....Buffy tried to become a girl from the 18th Century to impress Angel.

~~Their few moments at the ice rink before interrupted by a demon.

the sun starts to cry
And the moon turns to rust
I will love you, love you//

~~Buffy's birthday. Angel giving her the claddagh ring that symbolized his love for her.

~~The first time they made love.....so sweet and innocent....a night neither would ever forget.

~~Angel's proposal, in front of everyone after a romantic dinner.

~~Rehearsal dinner.....Buffy and Angel's love could be seen by all who saw them.

I need to know,
will you stay for all time
Forever and today
Then I'll give my heart
Till the end of all time
Forever and today//

Their attention was turned back to the priest as he was ready for them to say their vows.

"Do you, Buffy Anne Summers, take Angelus Jonah O'Donnel as your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, in good times and bad, to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?" he asked.

"I do," Buffy replied sincerely.

"And do you, Angelus Jonah O'Donnell, take Buffy Anne Summers as your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?" the priest repeated.

"I do," Angel responded, looking at his beautiful Buffy.

"Angelus, please place the ring on Buffy's finger and repeat after me. 'With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring I thee wed," Angel repeated as he slipped the ring onto Buffy's finger.

"And you Buffy, please do the same," the priest instructed.

Buffy did so with a huge grin on her face.

I need to know,
will you stay for all time
Forever and today
Then I'll give my heart
Till the end of all time
Forever and today//

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared.

Angel and Buffy smiled at each other as the priest said, "You may kiss the bride."

Angel lifted the lacy veil off of his wife's beautiful face and kissed her with more passion than ever before. The audience exploded in applause and gave the newlyweds a standing ovation.

The couple meshed hands and ascended up the aisle. They stopped at the end and Angel turned to Buffy and whispered, "I will always love you." He kissed her gently, and they went off to start their now perfect life together.

the stones fill my eyes
And we touch the last time
I will love you, love you
I will love you, love you
I will love you, love you//

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