Summerhaven

Chapter 19

Buffy was nervous. She hadn’t been this nervous since she finally realized she was in love with Spike. Seeing him that first time, watching him while he worked, he totally unaware that she was there. All those pent up emotions, not knowing how he felt caused butterflies of every species to find a home within her stomach. She looked into the polished silver in front of her and smoothed down the ivory satin of her skirt. She glanced up at her face again and willed herself not to cry. This day was supposed to be special and instead of having everything she wanted, she was left wanting more.

“Your mother would be so proud of you.”

Buffy turned around and saw Xander standing in the doorway to her room. Xander had to stop himself from gasping aloud. His heart contracted in his chest, overcome by how beautiful she looked.

“You always know what I’m thinking. I just wish she was here,” Buffy whispered playing with her mother’s ring on her right hand.

Xander smiled and walked over to Buffy. He put his hand on her cheek and made her meet his eyes.

“She is here Buffy. She is always with you and Dawn and on this day especially.”

Buffy’s eyes filled with tears as she tried not to cry. It was funny, willing herself not to cry and her eyes becoming more watery.

“This is what she always wanted for you. You told me yourself. She is rejoicing as well. She wouldn’t want you to cry and be upset on your special day,” Xander said honestly.

“You’ve been so good to us Xander. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

“Nonsense. There is no need. You are like my sister Buffy, I will always be here for you. No matter what.”

Buffy smiled at him and touched his face. He was just a kind man, she hoped he knew that. Knew how special and wonderful he was. The lady who stole his heart was going to be one lucky woman in Buffy’s eyes.

“Are you ready?” He asked her.

“Give me just a minute. I’ll be right out,” she replied.

She smiled as Xander left the room and turned towards the polished silver again. She had on an ivory white satin dress. The neckline fashionably low and cut in a V across the swell of her breasts. The sleeves were off her shoulders, leaving them bare and ending just below her elbow. The dress was tight around her middle accentuating her small form, which flowed out into a full skirt. Along the bodice and continuing down the front of her dress were purple and green seed pearls. Pink and yellow seed pearls designed into tiny flowers lined the bottom of her skirt. Her veil was long, the edges lined in lace and also woven with the same seed pearls. Around her neck she wore her mother’s gold cross.

Buffy smoothed down her dress again and made sure there wasn’t a winkle on her. She pinched her cheeks for added color and willed herself not to cry. She looked down at her skirt as a bolt of sunlight shown through her window making the pearls shimmer and seemingly dance upon the satin. With one last look at herself in the mirror she moved to leave the room. Something caused her to look back and glance at the chair. Lying there on the burgundy brocade was her bouquet of white roses tied with a sheer blue ribbon.

“Can’t forget this,” she said to herself as she grabbed them and left the room.

*~*

Spike was equally as nervous as he stood in Summerhaven’s chapel waiting for Buffy to appear. He had loved her since he before he could remember and finally after all these years to have her, to be her husband was making him intensely nervous. It was as if he expected something to go wrong, something to make his happiness disappear. He knew that wouldn’t happen. Buffy loved him and he loved her. It was meant to be that they marry and everyone knew that. He understood how lucky he was for Xander to consent to this marriage and how hard it had been for the earl to grant it to him.

Spike waited for his speech to have an impact on the earl. He had poured his heart and soul into his words and hoped that Xander would see how much he loved Buffy.

What Spike didn’t know was that Xander already knew how much he loved her and how much she loved him. It was in their eyes when they spoke about each other. In their voices, the way they held themselves. A person in love is a very obvious creature and Xander knew from the moment he met Buffy that her heart belonged to another. Even as he got on his knee and proposed he knew her heart would never be his, not in the slightest.

“Very well Spike you have my consent. On one condition though.”

Spike nodded his head at Xander beckoning him to go on.

“I get to walk Buffy down the aisle,” Xander requested. It wasn’t really a demand because even if Spike said no to that Xander would allow the marriage but he wanted to see the blonde’s reaction.

“Of course Xander. I would have it no other way,” Spike readily agreed.

Xander was such a big part of Buffy and Dawn’s life that who was he to stand in their way. He owed Xander a bounty for everything he had done for them since their parents demise. Frankly he was grateful to Xander for being there for them.

Xander smiled at Spike and stood offering his hand.

“Congratulations! May you and Buffy have a wonderful life together,” Xander said, his words heartfelt.

Spike stood and shook his hand.

“Thank you!”

Spike played with his black silk tie and adjusted it, his hands to the point of shaking.

“Are you ok?” Oz asked him from his place next to Spike.

“I’m just so bloody nervous,” Spike revealed.

“Aww man there’s nothing to be nervous about. This wedding was a long time in the making. Just relax,” Oz said slapping Spike on the back.

“Relax son. You have nothing to worry about,” Giles said as he took his place next to Oz.

“Thanks Dad. I’m trying..” Spike was cut off as the music started to play.

As the music began to play everyone in the chapel stood and turned to watch Dawn and Willow walk down the aisle. They both looked stunning in violet as they clutched white roses in their hands. Oz caught Willow’s eye and smiled at her. She smiled back, a slight blush staining her cheeks.

“Seems someone else is in love,” Giles said poking Oz in the ribs.

Oz smiled at Spike’s father and chuckled, his observation not at all wrong.

Willow winked at Oz before standing next to Dawn.

The wedding march started to play and Spike straightened, his back ramrod stiff as the chapel doors opened revealing Buffy and Xander.

Her sight stole his breath as she started to walk towards him. Never in his life had he seen anything as beautiful as she was. He tried to smile at her and found his eyes starting to tear. His heart contracted in his chest, so in love with this woman he was.

Buffy was in a similar disposition. When the doors opened she was momentarily blinded but then her vision cleared and landed on Spike. He was absolutely gorgeous in his black velvet breeches and sharp black jacket. His crisp white silk shirt and black tie complimented his suit beautifully. His cerulean blue eyes were filled with tears as she approached him.

Xander walked beside Buffy proudly, her small hand resting on his arm as he led her to the love of her life. He knew this was a moment he would cherish forever, how lucky he was to be the one giving her away.

The two lovers looked upon one another with tears in their eyes and smiled watery at one another. The priest stepped forward as soon as the music stopped and raised his hand.

“Who doth gives this woman away?” He asked, his voice loud and commanding.

“I do,” Xander replied as he removed Buffy’s hand from his arm and rested it on Spike’s.

Spike and Buffy locked eyes then and smiled at one another before touching their hands and interlocking their fingers.

He glanced at Spike who smiled at him and nodded, signally his thanks. Xander nodded back and stepped down, looking for his place in the pew he was supposed to sit at. His eyes landed on a brownish blonde haired woman who smiled at him and scooted over. Her warm brown eyes regarded him sweetly as he sat next to her. As her hand touched his arm he felt a tingle go through him. Maybe love wouldn’t be lost on him as well he thought as he smiled at her.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join William James and Elizabeth Anne in holy matrimony. If anyone here protests to this union please speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Like it? Hate it? Love it? Review Me!!