Author: Anya
E-Mail: anya@slayerfanfic.com
Rating: G
Disclaimer: The characters mentioned in this story do not belong to me. They are creations and property of Joss Whedon, Warner Bros, etc, etc. No infringement is intended!
Season: Future (BtVS)
Summery: The Slayerettes have survived their adolescene on the Hellmouth. Now, three years after graduating high school, one Slayerette returns to Sunnydale to witness anothers very special celebration.
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She was beautiful, utterly radiant. Her face glowed as she walked down that long endless aisle, her bouquet of white roses likely hiding the trembling of her hands. Her eyes, openly fixed on her bridegrooms smiling face, shone with love. There could be no doubts, from the audience, that while the bride was traditionally to be nervous, this bride's happiness transcended any uncertainties.
Her father gave her away, gently placing his daughter's hand in her groom's strong grip. Her father leaned towards his daughter, gently kissing her cheek, before turning to sit beside his wife, his own hand slipping into her tight grip. It couldn't have been easy, to let go of their only child, to watch her start her own life with someone and possibly her own family.
Her own family. To which I do not belong, nor will I.
That hurt. A lot. We'd been together forever, and apart only three years. But while they seemed to fly by for me while living them, I now realize they were the longest three years of my life.
College had torn our trio apart, once Giles ascertained that the Hellmouth was no longer an active danger. We were finally free to go wherever we wished, do whatever we wanted, and free to become what ever we dreamed. Living on the Hellmouth had created a deep maturity in us all. Even the least likely of us grew up to appreciate the need for a good education, in conjunction to the desire to live life to the fullest.
So, the Slayer and Slayerettes disbanded, as we seized on the opportunities of life. One of our trio headed off to France and an education in fine modern arts, while I had fled, far from California and my past image, all the way to the other coast for college. She, on the other hand, had stayed close by, for her family, and the world she knew best.
Her letters had been frequent, my own hadn't. Her loneliness, her sadness and her alienation from people hadn't quite been hidden in her cheery words on paper. But, I was to self-absorbed to see this. The world was perfect for me, I was the typical college male.
I knew she was close to HIM. She'd never made a secret of their burgeoning friendship. At first, they'd been support for one another in their loneliness. Giles had detailed that rather profoundly. I never realized how isolated she'd felt. We'd always been with her. It never occurred to me that she found it difficult to meet new people. That was just how self-involved I was.
He was in as bad a strait as she. His own isolation, and remote nature made friendships rare. And the faintest sign of kindness to him was something he'd go through hell and fire for. She gave that with no conditions, she always had. Her friendship was boundless. Perhaps it was the two lost souls finding companionship that had brought them together. But when did they fall in love?
I, personally, blame the "accident". Accident. What an inane word. He saved her life in the fluke explosion, after her car was hit. The damn drunk driver running a red light could have killed her. No, that's not quite right, that drunk nearly DID kill her; nearly robbed us all of her sweet smile. He, though, had been there and he went through the gaseous fires, shielding her body as the car exploded. The metal ‘shrapnel' of that discharge nearly destroyed him.
The countless hours, days, weeks together, afterwards, while she nursed him back to health. Did that change their friendship? Or was it the divine reward for his sacrifice on her behalf that deepened their relationship? Did their new days together in the sunlight create what evenings in moonlight had not? Or maybe it had already begun changing before that.
When had they become lovers? Watching them together all this week, I could see it in the way they talk, the way they touch. Her soft laughter when he whispers to her.... In all her letters, I never saw that coming. I never DREAMED that would happen. Perhaps I was in denial, but even if I had known or suspected... would I have done anything? I always strongly objected to her involvement with other men, boys, males of any type, in the past. And my personal feelings towards HIM were no secret.
I just wished I had known, before now, that I love her. I just wish I had the courage to oppose this wedding. But I can't. That would hurt her more than anything else could.
From the moment she stood at the doors at the church, her blissful expression broke my heart. Nothing I can give her, nothing I could offer her could compare to the love she feels for him.
She had never looked at me like that. God, I wish she had.
As they stand before the priest, their backs are to us, her tiny delicate body standing confidently beside his strong frame, their hands, and fingers openly entwined. ‘It should be me up there.'
From where I sit, she looks like an angel, her hair swept up, and her wedding gown a elegant sheathe of silk and lace, hugging her body and revealing a long-hidden secret. The coltish girl I had known was now a beautiful woman.
In retrospect, it was clear, even at age sixteen she'd been lovely. Why couldn't I see past her little disguises? Why didn't I realize sooner how I felt about her. She was always there for me, a rock, a friend, a confidante, and I never saw her for what she was to me. How stupid could I have been?
My ideal soulmate is standing at an altar, marrying a man who loves her beyond all reason. And he should. Does he know how lucky he is? How fortunate it is that her forgiving nature overlooked the things that would have made another woman loathe him?
Does he know how much I envy him, right now? Or how jealous I am of him? If he ever hurts her, I'll kill him. I honestly will.
The priest is looking at the congregation, asking if there are any objections to this union. Hell, yes! I object! I LOVE her! Dammit! The woman beside me inhales sharply, even as I think that. Did she hear me think, or does she have her own ghost's haunting her?
The rings are being blessed, and the bride's smile is pure sunshine as the tiny circle of gold, promising a lifetime of forevers, is slid on to her left hand. His vows are unwavering, and their eyes are fixed on one another as he speaks.
She claims the ring she will place on his hand from the priest. Pausing to look at her groom in silence, her voice resumes in clear bell-like tones. "I, Willow Ann Rosenberg, take this man, ...."
My eyes are glued to her face, to witness the luminous serenity in her expression, the dedicated love in her eyes. There is faith in her words, and you can practically see her soul shining through her tiny body.
"... to be my lawful husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, in joy and sorrow, until death do we part."
Oh, God. I just want to die. In those simple word, I just experienced the utter collapse of my universe.
They are proclaimed husband and wife, and I just want to shrivel up and die. "What does she see in him?" I whisper, unprepared to deal with this sudden spiritual grief. How can she love him? He doesn't deserve her! His past condemns him from heaven's light, and if Willow were to be described as anything, it would be one of heaven's angels.
Beside me, Cordelia leans close and slips her hand into mine. Her eyes are sympathetic. "I don't know, Xander. I don't know."
Willow smiles as he tips her face up, and despite the desperate wish to look away, I find myself watching her arms slip around her new husband's neck, and she lifts herself up on tiptoe to brush her lips to his.
Angel holds her close, protectively, loving and cherishing her. And watching him kiss his bride, I find that I understand completely why Buffy didn't come back to bear witness to this.
We left them so alone, and beyond our wildest dreams, they went off and did the unimaginable.
They found happiness.
The End