"I don't know, Anya," Willow repeated for the tenth time as she glared at the ex-demon.

"Oh, come on. This is almost getting routine by now. It's his turn. What's he got planned?" Anya demanded.

"Routine?" Willow frowned. "Not routine. Just traditional."

"Yeah, tradition is good," Buffy said, her hazel eyes narrowing on Anya.

"And it is Spike's time to surprise me. Note the word *surprise*. I have no idea what he has planned, nor do I want to until Thanksgiving," Willow said.

"I don't really see how it is tradition. I mean, they play games and shag constantly no matter what day of the year it is anyway," Anya pointed out.

"Anya, it isn't about shagging or playing games," Willow said.

"Then what's it about?" Anya asked, actually curious.

"Yeah, Willow. What is it about?" Buffy seconded the question.

"It's about....well, I don't know. I mean, we made love for the first time on Christmas. That was the day he was leaving, if you remember. When he came back, he surprised me on New Years. Our relationship got started on two holidays. After that, I surprised him on Valentine's day and the rest sort of started. Every holiday kind of reminds me of that first night we were together and the day he told me he loved me. So now, holidays remind me how lucky I am to have found him and it's nice to have a sort of mini celebration of sorts. I honestly wouldn't mind if we didn't shag, as long as he's with me." Willow finished, wondering if they could possibly understand.

Buffy smiled slightly, "That's so romantic. God, did I just say something involving Spike was romantic? Someone shoot me now."

"Don't tempt me," Anya muttered, smiling sweetly when Buffy glared at her.

"Don't pick on my man," Willow warned the slayer, giggling slightly and ruining her threat.

"I just can't believe you two have been together almost a year. I'm happy for you, truly I am. It's just a nice surprise," Buffy explained as she peeked into the oven.

"A very nice surprise," Willow echoed with a soft smile.

"Is the turkey almost finished?" Anya asked, looking at the oven and then at Buffy.

"I don't know. It doesn't look like it's even cooking," Buffy said.

"Let me see," Willow said, moving to look. "It's just sitting there. Is it supposed to do something?"

"Why did we have to cook?" Anya asked, groaning. "None of us can cook. I'm bored with this. If Willow is not going to spill details, I'm going to join the men in front of the football game."

"Deserter!" Buffy called out, glaring at Anya's back. "She left."

"I see that," Willow said smiling. She looked at the mashed potatoes that Anya had made and grimaced. "Yuck. No one is going to eat those."

"The um pie didn't really turn out that well either," Buffy said, looking at the runny pumpkin pie that was sitting on the counter. She sighed, "I just wanted us to all spend the holiday together, as a family. I didn't even get to the cooking part."

"It's ok, Buffy. Maybe something is salvagable," Willow said, looking around and trying not to laugh. The kitchen was a mess of uneatable food. Some cooked too much, others not cooked enough. "You know, this is rather pathetic. Together, we can defeat the mayor and the initiative, but we can't even cook a turkey."

Buffy had to giggle, "You're right. This is sad."

"What is that stench?" Spike asked as he walked into the kitchen. His arm snaked around Willow's waist as he kissed her neck, his nose wrinkling as he looked at the lumpy yellow colored mashed potatoes. "What is that?"

"If you're going to make fun, just go," Willow said, kissing his cheek as Buffy continued to laugh.

"And yet another day I'm glad I'm not human. That stuff could kill me," Spike said dryly. He let Willow go, moving to the stove and looking inside. Smiling slightly, he thumped the turkey. "Luv, honey, how did you expect to cook the turkey if it was still frozen?"

"The oven cooks it," Buffy said, glancing at Willow, "Doesn't it?"

Willow shrugged, "I assumed so."

Spike began to laugh, standing and looking at his redhaired lover. "Pet, I don't think anyone is going to be eating this mess."

"But, they have to," she said, chewing on her bottom lip. "This was our first family Thanksgiving. It has to be perfect."

Spike felt himself start to waver when he saw the tears begin to build in her eyes. It wouldn't be a good day for his surprise if things continued this way, that was for sure. He sighed, looking around and seeing nothing that could be fixed. It was already past five on Thanksgiving and the local market had closed at three. "Willow, luv, that bird isn't going to be cooked until next Thanksgiving."

"This is my fault," Buffy said, sniffling. "I'm so sorry, Willow. I wanted all of this to be perfect for everyone. I was too stupid to read the damn instructions all the way. You can hate me."

"I'm the one that made that horrible pie," Willow said, "and I won't even mention Anya's potatoes. But, we can't have Thanksgiving without a turkey."

"Bloody hell," Spike cursed, trying to think of some way to fix it for his Willow. If she was ignoring Thanksgiving, it would ruin his surprise. Finally deciding, he said, "You girls go sit down and rest. Send me Moron and Moron Junior."

"Why do you want Riley and Xander?" Willow asked, looking at him with suspicion.

"I'm going to fix this for you," he said, making a face. "I hope."

"Which one is Junior?" Buffy asked suddenly.

"What?"

"Well, you said Moron and Moron Junior. I was just wondering which was which," she said.

"Xander was Moron, so that means Riley must be Junior," Willow said.

"I'm trapped in a kitchen with daft twits," Spike muttered, wondering why he bothered. Seeing Willow's smile as she walked towards him and then feeling her lips against his, well, he knew his answer. "All right then. You want a turkey? I'll give you a turkey. Send in the boys and you girls wait. This will be the best Thanksgiving dinner you've ever had."

"I love you," she said softly, knowing that he could care less about the food and was only doing this to cheer her up.

"Love you too. Now get. Let the master work his magic," Spike said, winking at her as she left with Buffy. When he heard the door open again, he glanced up at a bewildered Riley and Xander and sighed, glancing around, "OK, boys. We've got a mess to fix."

*********************

Willow watched as the old man's glasses fell, shattering on the stairs before the credits flashed on the screen. She sat back, hearing the familiar theme song play.

"OK. What are they doing?" Anya said, glancing at the still closed kitchen door.

"We've sat through three Twilight Zones so far, and one of those was a two parter," Buffy pointed out.

"Maybe they tried the turkey," Willow said in a serious tone, her eyes shining with amusement.

"Willow! It wasn't that bad," Buffy said, giving her best friend a look of outrage.

"They're still alive," Anya said. "I hear them hitting things every little bit."

"I can't believe Spike actually thinks Riley and Xander could cook when we couldn't," Buffy said, shaking her head. "He's nuts."

"Hey, they couldn't really do anything worse," Willow said, laughing softly.

"Yeah, I don't like this cooking thing. That's why there is delivery," Anya said, nodding her head in emphasis.

"But, Pizza Hut isn't open on Thanksgiving," Buffy pointed out.

"Hey, at least there is a Twilight Zone marathon on," Willow said.

"Oh I know. I so couldn't have handled more football. Where was it all coming from? I thought it was supposed to be over by three but it's never ending!" Buffy said, making a face.

"Guys, do you smell that?" Anya asked suddenly, leaning forward and inhaling.

"That's turkey!" Buffy said, looking at Willow wide eyed.

"And I smell pumpkin pie," Willow said, glancing at the kitchen in surprise.

"I'm hungry," Anya whined, having planned to be eating dinner two hours earlier.

"We have to wait until they call us," Willow said.

"How did they do it? That turkey was frozen solid," Buffy said. "And I know we didn't have the stuff for another pie."

Willow shrugged, "Right now, who cares? I'm starving."

"Ladies," Xander came into the room, a large smile on his face. "Dinner is being served in the dining room. If you would please follow me, I'll escort you beautiful things to the food."

They stood and followed Xander into the dining room, gasping when they saw the elaborate meal laying on the table. Buffy and Willow exchanged a look before smiling.

"See, luv. I promise you turkey, I give you turkey," Spike said, taking her hand and helping her sit down. He smiled brightly as he poured her some wine.

"Where did you find all this stuff?" Willow asked.

"We handled it like men," Riley said, winking at Buffy. "We found a cafeteria that was still open and ordered take out."

Willow laughed, shaking her head. "Yep, just like a man."

"Hey, I said I'd give you turkey. I never said I'd cook myself. And would you really want to eat something either of the Morons cooked?" Spike asked. "Uh huh, see my point?"

"It's lovely," Willow said, leaning over and kissing him gently. "It means a lot that you went to so much trouble."

"We had to drive for like fifty miles before finding something open," Xander said, taking a sip of his wine.

"So, you guys weren't even in the kitchen?" Anya said, rolling her eyes. "Ladies, next year I vote for ordering out."

"Me too," Buffy said, making a face. "No more frozen turkey for me."

"And here I thought we'd cook a big Christmas dinner," Willow said with a smile.

"BIte your tongue," Buffy said.

"I'll do it for her," Spike volunteered.

"Anya, honey. Breathe," Xander said, watching his lover eat as if she hadn't in months instead of mere hours.

"So, Spike. This is your turn isn't it?" Riley asked after they had been eating for a few minutes.

"Turn?" Spike frowned, not understanding.

"The whole holiday seduction thing," Anya said, leaning forward. "Do we get details?"

"Oh, that," Spike said, smiling slightly as he glanced at Willow. "Actually, you get more than details. You get to witness it."

"Spike!" Willow squealed, her face turning red.

"Um, Spike, as much as we love Willow and can tolerate you, I don't think we want to watch you two...." Buffy stopped when she saw him move from his chair, kneeling in front of Willow. "Oh my God..."

"Luv, I thought this was the most appropriate day for this. Seeing as it is Thanksgiving and all, and you're the one thing in my life that I thank the gods daily for giving me. I'm not very good at this emotion thing. Words used to come to me easily but over the years, they've slowed down. I love you, Willow. I honestly can't imagine living without you in my life. You're the most beautiful, intelligent, caring, passionate person that I've ever met and I'm the lucky bastard ever born to have you in my life. I don't want to ever lose you. And I'm about to ask something that I never in a million years imagined asking anyone. In front of your family, I ask you to become my mate, my lover, my best friend. Will you marry me?"

*********************

"Marry you?" Willow said softly, not sure what to think or say. She was truly surprised.

"I love you," Spike said again. "I want to be with you for eterntity. While in my world, that means turning and a bonding ceremony, in yours it means marriage. I would eventually of course hope for that turning, but I know you're not ready for that yet."

"But, marriage? I mean, I love you dearly and would love to marry you. But, do you really want this? I don't need a ring and a piece of paper to know that we're committed to each other. Besides, you're a vampire. If we got married, it wouldn't even really be legal would it?" she asked.

"Not really, but it would mean something to you," he said. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that you never want to get married. That you never want to say those vows and promise in front of your family and friends to love and cherish till death do you part and I'll be content to remain as we are."

"Death do us part? That would also be a bit ironic wouldn't it?" she said, giggling slightly from nervousness. "I mean, since you're already dead and one day you'd kill me so that I could be with you forever."

"I think she's hysterical," Anya said softly, strangely touched by the scene unfolding in front of her.

"I'm not hysterical!" Willow said sharply, "I'm just...surprised."

"Maybe this was the wrong idea," Spike said finally, his face closing up as he withdrew back inside himself.

"Spike, don't," she said softly, recognizing his defense.

"Don't what?" he asked. "I should have known that you didn't want me. I mean, you're an angel and look at me? I'm a washed up vampire that doesn't even enjoy killing anymore. I'm pathetic and weak. Hell, my own sire doesn't want to have anything to do with me, why should you?"

"Stop it!" she said, her tone growing angry. "You are not pathetic and you are the least weak person I know. Just because Drusilla is too stupid to see what she gave up doesn't mean you're washed up. That loony damn bitch isn't good enough for you! Besides, you're mine. And if you even think for one second that you're leaving me, well, think again. I love you, William Spike whatever the hell you're last name is and nothing is going to change that. So, put that pity me attitude away and deal."

"Does that mean you're saying yes?" he asked softly, his lips twitching slightly at the fire in her eyes. Damn she was gorgeous when they argued.

"I'm saying yes!" she said, her eyes widening slightly as she sat back in her chair, realizing what she had said. She looked at him and saw the slight smirk and groaned, "You bastard. You just set me up."

"Did I?" he asked innocently. "I just thought I made you realize what you really felt."

"You did that too," she said, laughing softly. "My God, I'm getting married to a vampire."

"Uh huh, and that loony bitch is going to be your mother in law," Buffy pointed out sweetly.

"Oh no!" Willow said, rolling her eyes. "Talk about the mother in law from hell."

"Congratulations, my man," Xander said, taking a bite off his roll. For a while there, he had wondered if Willow would chicken out and say no. For his friend's sake, he was glad she hadn't. For some weird reason, Spike made her happy. Who was he to argue logic over love? He was in love with an ex manhating demon himself.

"A toast to the happy couple," Riley said, hitting his spoon on his glass. He watched as Buffy hugged Willow, kissing the redhead's cheek as she wiped tears from her eyes.

"You're really sure you want to do this?" Willow asked Spike, looking into his eyes for answers. "You know it isn't necessary."

"I want everyone to know that I love you, Willow whatever your last name is going to be," he said, kissing her as she started to laugh.

Willow pulled back, looking at her friends and smiling, "I think next month should be fun. For my holiday, I want to get married."

"So soon?" Buffy asked, already thinking of everything that needed to be done before December 25th.

"You can't wear white you know?" Anya said with a smile. "After everything you two have done, I'm thinking bright red."

"Anya!" Willow laughed as she blushed. "Fine, no white. Besides, it makes me look too pale."

"Married on our anniversary?" Spike asked, nodding. "I rather like that."

"You just like it because it means you only have to remember that one day for both Christmas and your anniversary," Buffy said with a laugh.

"Well, that too," he said, winking before kissing Willow again.

"If they act like this as single, engaged people, can you imagine how nauseating they'll be during the honeymoon and the first year of marriage?" Anya said, whispering to Xander.

Xander laughed, kissing her swiftly before saying, "Yeah, but they're happy. Isn't that all that matters?"

"I will just say that you truly did surprise me this holiday," Willow said softly for Spike's ears only as she tried to deal with the knowledge that she was now engaged.

He laughed, a wicked look entering his eyes, "You think this is the holiday seduction?" He saw her eyes widen as she licked her lips and laughed again, the husky sound sending chills down her spine as his eyes darkened with promised pleasure.
 

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