Summerhaven

Chapter 18

“Spike!” Buffy yelled as she flung open the door, her eyes becoming momentarily blinded by the bright light the sun was flinging down on them. She blinked once and finally was able to see Spike who had stopped in his tracks.

She ran towards him, her long skirt tangling around her legs. She didn’t care; she just needed to get to him.

“Spike..”

“There’s nothing to say,” he replied in a low, tormented voice.

“Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind nuts?”

Spike looked at her, the sadness seeping from his eyes and onto his face.

Buffy grabbed his arms and forced him to look at her.

“Nothing and I mean NOTHING is your fault Spike. Just like it isn’t my fault. It was an act of fate. I obviously was not meant to have that child.”

As Buffy spoke the words she realized they were true. It wasn’t his fault and it wasn’t her fault.

It had just happened.

Fate had happened.

The same fate that brought Spike back to her.

“Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter now. I love you William, I have and always will love you.”

Spike closed his eyes and sighed. He wanted nothing more then to gather her in his arms and kiss away the pain that was searing both their hearts. But he hesitated, allowing his mind to wander and dance around un-answered questions.

“Spike?” she asked, her eyes reflecting desperation at him.

“How could fate be so bloody cruel?” he questioned her dejectedly, his arms going around her and pulling her close.

“I don’t know…I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that the hardest situations you go through, the stronger you become,” Buffy whispered against his chest.

Spike sighed again and kissed the top of her golden head. He didn’t want to let her go, he wanted to hold onto her forever.

“Tell me what you want.”

Buffy pulled back and looked into his eyes. She placed a hand on his face and rubbed his stubble-covered cheek before kissing him softly on the lips.

“I want this.”

Kiss.

“I want us.”

Kiss.

“I want you.”

Spike groaned in satisfaction and pulled her closer to him. His arms wrapping around her middle, his mouth dominating hers. He kissed her hungrily, his mouth relaying everything to her in teeth, lips and tongue.

“I want this too,” he breathed.

“I missed you,” she said breathlessly between kisses.

“Me too.”

Spike smiled and pressed his forehead to hers.

“Where do we go from here?” she asked him quietly, as casually as she could without her voice shaking from the uneasiness inside her.

“I meant what I said Buffy. I want to marry you. I’ve always wanted to marry you. You are what makes me complete. Without you I’m nothing.”

Buffy sniffled as Spike got down on his knee in front of her.

“Please Buffy. Marry me and make me the happiest man on earth. There’s nothing short of moving the stars and the moon, that I wouldn’t do for you.”

Buffy sank to her knees in front of him, tears spilling down her face as a she touched his cheeks. She rubbed the pads of her fingers against his chiseled cheekbones and smiled at him.

“Of course I’ll marry you…William.”

Spike smiled and caressed her face before crushing her to him, hugging her and crying at the same time. He was laughing as he showered kisses on her cheeks and along her jaw line. Happiness was evident on his face as they clung to each other in the dew-covered grass, neither caring that it stained their clothes.

*~*

Spike smoothed back his sun-bleached hair and cleared his throat as he raised his hand to knock on the great oak door. He couldn’t help the nervousness that crept into his stomach.

The door creaked open revealing a small man with one of those handlebar mustaches, the one that curves into curls on either side of the nose.

“Good Afternoon sir,” the butler replied, his voice light and steady. He stood stiffly at the door his arms to his sides awaiting Spike’s response.

“Good Afternoon, I’m here to speak with the earl.”

“You are?”

“Lord Leslie,” Spike replied.

“Of course sir. Please come in,” the butler swept to the side, allowing Spike to enter.

Spike had to admit the earl had nice taste. His house was impeccable. Large expensive rugs draped the stone floors, beautiful tapestries lined the windows. It was obvious it was a bachelor’s home as it was very masculine in decoration. It seemed to be waiting for a woman’s touch to flourish it, make it homier.

“Lord Leslie is here to see you sir,” the butler said as he opened the door.

“Of course. Let him in,” the earl replied from within the study.

As Spike walked in the earl stood and held out his hand.

“Spike, how are you?”

“Well and you?” Spike took the offered hand and shook it heartily.

“What do I owe the honor of your visit?” Xander asked him gesturing for him to sit down.

“It’s about Elizabeth.”

Spike noticed that Xander paled slightly but his smile was kept intact on his face. He knew Xander had feelings for Buffy and it must have hurt him greatly when she turned down his proposal.

“I’m thinking we’ll need a drink for this,” Xander said as he went to the whiskey decanter and poured some of the amber liquid into two crystal glasses.

He handed one to Spike and smiled.

“To happiness.”

“To happiness,” Spike agreed and brought the glass to his lips. They held each other’s gaze as they drank. Spike whistled as the cool liquid burned fire down his throat.

“That’s some quality,” he commented as looked at the bottom of his glass.

“My family has made whiskey for generations and generations,” Xander replied as he smiled at Spike.

“They are damn good at it.”

Xander smiled appreciatively at Spike and looked at his glass. He knew why Spike was here. He just didn’t know if he was ready to hear it.

“So Spike what can I help you with?”

“I want to marry Buffy,” he stated plainly.

Spike figured the sooner he got to the point the easier on Xander it would be.

Xander looked at him, trying not to let his feelings show. He did love Buffy but, he knew her heart was with Spike

Was always with Spike.

“Why are you coming to me?” Xander asked softly.

“Well since her parents have died you have taken care of her and Dawn. It’s not only right but its respectful to ask you for her hand in marriage.”

Xander nodded, quite moved by what Spike had said. He may be the man who was taking his love from him but he was a good man and Xander knew Buffy would be happy.

“What do you have to offer her?”

“In Mary’s Land I am rich beyond my means. I own much land and have built businesses on the side. My home is expanse and well cared for. Buffy will want for nothing.”

“What of Dawn?”

“Since she is without a parental figure or a dowry I thought maybe we could keep Summerhaven with her. That could be a part of her bride price. I have more then enough for Buffy and will provide for Dawn as well.”

“You seem to have thought long and hard on this,” Xander commented finding himself very agreeable to Spike’s words.

“I have.”

“I know she’ll be happy monetary wise but, what about love?”

“Earl Xander I have loved Buffy since we were children. My feelings have not lessened over the years, they have only grown stronger. We are meant to be and after everything we have been through it would be a sin not for us to be together,” Spike said as he put his heartfelt meaning in his words.

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