Five days later, in the dawn, the four friends again stowed bags into the trunk of Willow's car. This time the reason wasn't a new mission but a
vacation to Napa Valley. Antonia had surprised them all with a gift, a three day vacation to a friend of her's who was the proud owner of a winery and a hotel. At the same time Spike came back from his short trip to Sacramento. He had successfully eliminated their first two targets without leaving longer than was absolutely necessary.

"Are we ready now?" Tony called, entering the front door of Willow's house. He had left Spike at the car, to open the folding top. The weather report had promised a wonderful summer day and they wanted to enjoy their vacation after spending so many days in Willow's attic.

"Here is the last suitcase." Willow handed him said object with a sigh, while Cat left the kitchen with a large picnic basket.

"I can't understand why you need two bags and a suitcase for a three day vacation." Tony teased.

"Oh, and how many bags are yours?" Willow asked in a mocking voice. "I would bet at least two." Following him out, she closed the door, whispering a short spell "Non admittes" and made a wave with her hand.

"What was that for" Spike asked, joining her in front of the house.

"Just a spell to protect our house" Willow replied with a smile. He looked great, dressed in a white poet's shirt, with a pair of Rayban sunglasses in
his shirt pocket, and was wearing blue jeans and sneakers.

<Our House!> His whole face lit up in a genuine smile. <Not the house or her house. Our house> He pulled Willow gently in his arms and kissed her nose.

"Do you know, you are a wonder?" His lips traveled down to her mouth, drawing her in a kiss.

"Ähmm, perhaps you two could continue this later. I really would like to leave now." Tony's voice interrupted them seconds later, just before the
kiss could become too passionate. With a grin Spike turned to Tony "Spoilsport!"

"Yeah, yeah. Hey, who is driving first?" Tony looked longingly on Willow's car, a silver Toyota MR2 Roadster.

"Spike!" Willow jingled with the keys in front of Spike's face before he grabbed them happily and opened the door for her. "My Lady, your carriage is
waiting."

**

The sun had chosen exactly the moment when the car drove from Fort Point onto the Golden Gate Bridge to rise. The first glorious rays light up the
fog that covered the surface of the bay and set highlights in Willow's waving hairs. Her left hand rested on Spike's thigh covered by his larger right hand. Willow looked at him, without regard for the beauty of the landscape. She couldn't get enough from Spike's sight. He didn't wear his sunglasses now. It was to early in the morning and the sunshine wouldn't be that intense for the next one or two hours. His blue eyes were a mirror of his soul, if this saying could fit for a vampire. He was happy. That's for sure. They were twinkling in merriment. Especially when he overtake another car, rascal. Every now and then he looked at her or in the rearview mirror to see if Cat and Tony enjoying themselves as much as he.

*Who says that vampires have no souls, hah!* Willow thought. She leaned her head against his shoulder when they left the bridge and enjoyed the drive, feeling the sun on her face and the movement of Spike's thigh muscles when he pushed the accelerator.

Sixty minutes and some of Tony's directions later, they reached the place Cat and Willow has chosen to stop for breakfast. When he had left the car, Spike stood between redwood trees, some of them almost 200 feet high. He was amazed - hardly one of these trees was younger than 200 years.

"Hi, don't you feel like a toddler between all these grandfathers?" Willow teased, joining Spike beside a very high specimen while Cat and Tony placed the picnic basket on a wooden camping table nearby. Willow wrapped her left arm around Spike's waist and snuggled her head against his chest. Spike had asked her some days before if she didn't feel odd with someone who could have been her grandfather easily. Although she had told him, that as long he didn't looked like her grandpa or acted like him - she couldn't see a problem in his age, Willow thought that Spike needed more than some sentences to accept her statement. Now between all those trees she made her next move.

"Some of them are 800 years old. You are not the only living form with a high age. They are much older than you, growing stronger every year. Aren't they wonderful?"

"Yeah." Spike answered huskily, knowing very well what Willow wanted to tell him.

"So are you!" Willow slipped her right hand around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. "Do you know how much I love you?" Hearing those words had been more than he had hoped for. He had never thought that someone would say it to him. He knew that she liked him, a lot, and was grateful for that. Ok, maybe more than liked him. The outspoken way she offered him her heart and when he understood her former remarks right - a place in her life, made him feel dizzy for happiness. When the kiss ended because Willow was in the desperate need for some air he grabbed her tiny waist, lifted her in the air and spun his laughing mate to be in circles. When he sat her down he pulled her into his arms again "I  love you too, Willow. Goddess, I love you too."

**

It took them almost half an hour to join Cat and Tony at breakfast. Antonia had packed the basket with fruits, croissants, pies, sandwiches, a family sized thermos with coffee and a smaller one with the label 'Only for Spike'. While the four tried their best to polish breakfast off, they made plans for the rest of the day.

At ten a.m. the left the Muir Wood National Monuments with the firm intention to come back soon and for a longer stay. Tony was the next to
drive and Willow and Spike took their places on the backseat, while Cat sat beside her fiancées, gave him directions when necessary and planned their afternoon.

At noon they arrived at Costello's Vineyard, to the east of Yountville near a small lake. Antonia hadn't promised too much. The hotel was an estate from the 19th century, with several balcony's around it at the height of the second and third floors and a large terrace  underneath. The parking lot was to the right of the hotel, hidden between trees, and the four agreed to check in first without the baggage. While they strolled to the entrance they got a beautiful view over the lake and the valley. It must be wonderful to sit on the terrace in the evening and have dinner or to wake up in the morning and have a great view from one of the balcony's. Even the large entrance door, they opened had been out of dark oak and the doorway itself was surrounded by ivy, the hall they entered then was light and friendly. To their left they found a large panorama board of the Napa Valley and to their right under an open window was a couple of leather arm chairs and couches around an oak coffee table. In front of the entrance was the check in desk and behind the desk, an open door which obviously led to an office. Tony was the first who went to the desk, his right arm around Cat's small shoulders.

A tall woman with blue eyes and ash blond hair left her place in front of a computer, removing her glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose and joined
them with a genuine smile. "Hi, welcome. I'm Mary Costello." She reached out to give them her hand, but was interrupted by someone who was hidden behind the desk. She bent down gracefully and when she rose up she had a little toddler straddling her right hip. "And this is my little sunshine, Dani" The little girl tried the difficult task hiding her face at Mary Costello's shoulder and peeking at the newcomers, too.

"Dani, say hello to our guests."

But Dani wasn't in the mood right now.

"Ok, maybe later. Am I'm right when I suppose that you are Cat, Willow, Tony and William from San Francisco?"

"Yup, I'm Tony and Mom said to send you her greetings." Tony replied.

"Oh, good. The only other guests I've been waiting for would be the Schuberts from New York and I was told that they are about sixty years old.
So you're Tony. It's nice to meet you, finally. Dave, my hubby, told me a lot about you two and your wild times when he met you at Antonia's."

"Hey, that was years ago. I'm tame now." Tony laughed. "Mary, please meet Cat, my fiancée," Tony looked, with such a proudly face at Cat that all the others had to laugh and Cat blushed

"... and Willow and Spike, our best friends."

"Cat, Willow, Spike it's nice to meet you too. Welcome to Costello's Vineyard." Mary took a deep breath. "I hope your enjoy our valley as much as
I do"."

"Hi Mary. Hi Dani. It's nice to meet you too." Willow was the last one to speak. When Dani heard her voice she gifted Willow with a quick smile before hiding her face again.

"It's a phase." Mary told them on their way upstairs to the rooms Antonia had reserved. "When she meets you the next time, you have trouble to stop her babbling."

"I know someone else who has this habit." Spike teased Willow.

"Yeah, but I love the way you stop me. That's encourages me in my babbling," Willow answered him with a grin.

Cat, who climbed up the stairs beside them, piped in "Spike when you encourage her in the way we know you do, we'll have a spoiled woman at the
end of our trip."

"Hush." Willow silenced her best friend and hugged Cat "You are the last one to mock. It's nice to see your face again Mrs. Cat Concelli, most of the
time I tried to speak to you this morning I saw the back of Tony's head instead."

"As if you have tried it that much." Cat faked grumbling, but wasn't able to hide a grin. She was so happy about Willow and Spike. She didn't know what Willow had told him this morning but it must have been good.

He had him never seemed this happy before.

***

Their room was a dream. Willow and Spike had left Cat, Mary and Tony in front of their room just beside their own and had entered their own kingdom for the next few days. Willow was stunned. She had been sure that the rooms would be nice after all Antonia had told her the evening before, but what she saw was a surprise. To her right was a king sized four poster bed. Gauzy curtains waving in the warm wind which came from the open french door. They led to one of the balconies they had seen before. There were nightstands with small vases with wild flowers and a door which led to a bath room. In front of the french door was a couch and a coffee table, so that the guest could sit and enjoy the view. To her left was an antique wardrobe, large enough to put her baggage in together with one or two lovers. She had to laugh about this thought, imagine a nude Spike risking a quick peek, to see if the coast is clear.

"Do you like it, Pet?" Spike's soft question pulled her to the now and yet.

"I love it. No better place to become yours."

***

"Do you really want to become mine?" Spike's voice was muffled because he was burying his face in her hair.

"Yes" Willow leaned into Spike's embrace.

"When?"

"Huh?"

"When will you make me yours?"

"What do you think about tonight?"

"Why not now? I mean, we are alone, finally. I want to be with you - you want to be with me - Do you want to be with me?" Her nervousness got the better of her.

"Hush, kitten. I want to be with you. Not only for some hours. I'd like to hold you in my arms for the rest of the night and then for ever." He bent down to kiss her.

"Oh!" Willow lost herself in his eyes and the tender touch of his lips on her mouth.

"Yeah, oh" This time there was nobody there to disturb.

***

One hour later they had found a grassy spot on the top of the hill behind the hotel. Beneath them were vineyards and near to the hotel a building which could be the winery. Spike had pulled Willow into his lap, her legs between his and her back against his chest, while his back was resting against the trunk of an old tree.

"It's so peaceful here," Willow took a deep breath of the warm summer air. "look, in all the other vineyards they've started with the grape harvest, but not here."

"Perhaps the Costello's think that one day more in the sun wouldn't hurt."

"Yeah, you're right." Willow snuggled deeper into Spike's embrace.

"I'm not sorry when they would decide that three days wouldn't hurt. I like it when we have the hill all to ourselves. The view is charming."

"Yes"

When Willow heard Spike's husky voice she turned her head to him. He wasn't looking at the landscape, he was locking into her face.

"I can't get enough of you. Even when you are in my arms I want you to be closer." His soft spoken words made her smile.

"This smile of yours or the way you look at me when I've done something good - It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling." Willow fingertips draw lines up from his chin to his prominent cheekbones and down to the tender skin of his collarbones.

She moved her body and was now kneeling between his legs so that Spike's face was on the level of her chin. Her fingertips found a new spot to caress - the skin around his adam's apple. The soft purring which started without Spike's intention was her reward. Willow really wanted to know if she could feel the purring too. She draw Spike closer and his face against her breast. She could feel it, a vibration that went right down to her stomach and deeper. While she let her finger slip into the collar of his poet's shirt and down his back the purring increased.

"Spike?"

Spike rose his face and opened his eyes. "Yeah?"

"I don't want to wait." She caressed the ridges on his forehead softly and bent down to kiss him. Without his knowing he had changes into his true face.

"What do you think - How long will it take to run down the hill and reach our room?" He asked with a moan.

"Ten minutes after you've changed your face back, Darling."

It had took them less than ten minutes. They had stormed down the hill and upstairs to their room, hand in hand and with a goofy smile on their faces. Fortunately there was none no one to stop them. Cat and Tony had left with Willow's car and most of the other guests seemed to be out too. It was Willow who unlocked the door with trembling hands and Spike who placed a sign outside to not disturb and locked the door again.

***

The warm wind which had moved the curtains before brought the smell of wildflowers and freshly cut hay into their room and the late afternoon sun warmed a spot on the bed beside Willow's naked feet. Willow was laying in Spike's arms, her head on his chest, one leg wrapped around his right one and her right hand playing with the few fuzzy hairs on his chest. She couldn't believe that he had been so tender. Even in that moment of passion when all she could think of was being with him and when she had offered him her throat, he had pierced her skin carefully, not to make it too painful for her or scar her more than necessary to show his claim. When he started to drink from her, they had both reached their peak. She wasn't prepared for that kind of mind blowing sensation she had felt. Having sex before, with Oz or with a guy she had a short affair during her first year in  San Francisco, had been nice. She had felt good during and afterwards. But not like now. This hasn't been a roll in the hay - this has been making love. She wanted to smell Spike, taste him, feel him again and again. To see the look in his eyes again, when she drew his ridged face to her neck and ask him to drink from her. And to hear her name and other loving words, first whispered and later groaned. And she wanted to show her mark. She was proud about the two twin holes over her jugular.

When she looked into his face she saw that he had fallen asleep, a familiar smile on his face and a little dry spot of her blood in the corner of his mouth. He had told her earlier that he sometimes fell asleep in the sun or in front of a fire because of it's warmth. It must have been the nearness to her warm body that had made him feel so warm and comfortable that he had drifted into a nap. Slipping carefully out of her lover's embrace Willow made her way to the bathroom. The room was larger than she had expected.

To her right was a washbasin and to her left a shower stall. In front of her was a toilet to the left and a tub to the right. The largest tub she had ever seen, Jacuzzis and whirlpools not included. This tub was large and wide enough for two persons and was seated on a low platform. On one edge there was a basket with bath pearls and little bottles with shampoo and body lotion. Willow knew for sure that she would find the time to take a bath with Spike, already imagining shampooing his hair or laying in the warm water with him in her arms.

When she had entered their bedroom again, she slipped into Spike's poet's shirt and slipped onto the balcony. The valley was laying to her feet. She could see the road to the hotel and a part of the larger road which came from Yountville. There were other vineyards across the lake too. Someone had set the tables on the terrace under her balcony and when she looked at the main road again she saw her own car coming.

"Kitten if you don't leave the balcony looking like a well loved bride of a pirate, we won't be alone for long. Men will run down our door and I'll have to scare them away."

Willow turned around, leaning her back against the balustrade and looked at Spike who was greeting her with a lopsided smile.

"So, a pirate's bride. Huh?"

"You look better in that shirt than I am do, Red. But you look much better without."

"Do you want your shirt back?" She teased, opening the top button slowly.

"Yes."

"Really?" Willow's fingers played with the next button.

"Yup" He couldn't hide a grin.

"When?" There was only one button to go.

"Please come. Now." Spike raised his arms.

A second later Willow joined him on the bed and was kissing him passionately. The shirt was laying on the floor.
 

~Part 17~

At 7 p.m. Willow and Spike met their friends on the hotel terrace. Most of the tables, which were set with white tablecloth, shining silverware, dark blue serviettes and elegant storm lantern as center pieces, were taken. Cat and Tony sat at one of them in a corner of the terrace near the stony balustrade, and had a nice view over the valley. After Spike had helped Willow to her seat, he took his place to Willow's right.

"So how was your afternoon. Honey?" Cat asked her sister witch trying to hide a grin. She had seen Willow earlier on the balcony, wearing Spike's shirt.

Willow laughed "Nosy little girl. That's for me to know and for you to find out."

"Hey, don't become saucy. Can I congratulate finally?"

"Yup," Willow raised her chin just high enough to show Spike's mark.

"I'm so happy for you two." Cat covered Willow's and Spike's hands with her own. "Be blessed."

"Yes, be blessed. I must say that I was always curious when Spike spoke about 'the little redheaded witch'. I couldn't understand him earlier. But I'm understanding him now." Tony said nodding into Spike's direction "You two are made for each other."

"Those were my thoughts too, mate. Those were my thoughts too." Spike answered and wrapped his left arm around Willow's shoulder. He had never thought that there would be humans who cheered him for claiming one of them. But on the other side. He was now one of them too. Not a human, but their friend and partner. Part of their family. Minutes later a young woman came to their table. She was wearing a dark blue wrap around skirt, a golden shirt with a granddad collar and a dark blue velvet vest.

"Hi, my name is Martina and I have the pleasure to wait at your table during your stay. When you need something or have questions, please feel free to ask me." The slender dark haired woman was speaking with a light Spanish accent.

"Hi Martina. It's nice to meet you." She was greeted by the four.

"So what can you offer us for dinner. I'm starving!" Spike asked her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Cat and Tony, who could see the mark on Willow's neck, broke out into a laughter.

"Well," Martina grinned "what about a small salad Costello to begin with. We make it with tomatoes, red pepper, lettuce and small slices of carrots. Over all a squirt of sauce vinaigrette. You can have it with or without little cubes of cheddar."

Martina bent down as if to tell them a secret. "I'm recommend you to take it with. The cheese is yummy." Everyone was nodding with their heads
and Martina wrote the order on her memo pad. When she noticed the interested looks of her guests she continued "The main course, hmm. Peter, that's our cook, has his experimental phase. This month it's fish and 'frutti di mare', she was waving her hand through the air. "I would say 'Trote in salsa' " After she noticed the curious looks of Willow and Spike she continued "That's trout in tomato-sauce and those little green balls that taste so good. I don't know their name but Peter uses them often."

"What kind of wine is perfect?" Willow asked.

"Hmm. I would say a Chardonnay would be perfect, but ..." Martina bent down again "....because I know that my boss has planned something special this evening - ONLY FOR YOU - I would recommend mineral water. We serve Calistoga, it's the best."

"No wine?" Cat asked with a pout.

"Ok, but only one glass for each of you." Martina offered. "Do you want dessert?"

"Maybe later." Willow had to stifle her giggle. She had never enjoined ordering a dinner so much in her life. Martina was great. But what was Dave's surprise?

***

When they had finished a wonderful dinner, thanks to Martina, their waitress, and Peter, their cook, they noticed that most of the guests had left. Mary and her husband chose that moment to join them at the table.

"Sorry that I wasn't here when you arrived, but we start with the grape harvest on Monday and there was so much to do. But I'm happy that you found the time to visit us." Dave was about one head taller than Mary and had brown hair and brown eyes. His left arm was wrapped around Mary's slim waist. On his belt was something like a cellphone but without the keys. Willow could hear the soft tunes of a lullaby. Dave noticed Willow's look.

"You're hearing the music box in Dani's bedroom. We can hear if she is sleeping or not for three miles round. Our Dani isn't a happy camper and we want to make sure to be with her quickly when she needs us." And with a loving look to his wife he continued "but I don't want to spend every wonderful summer night sitting in our living room, too." They could hear that someone turned the music box on, again. "And she is obviously playing now." He said with a smile. "So, what to you think about a wine tasting?"

Mary and Dave led their guests through the entrance hall into the cellar. The cellar seemed to be cut into the rock. There were shelves along the walls with hundreds of bottles. Some of them looked dusty and long forgotten. In the center of the room was a large square oak table and four benches were placed around it. It was a little bit cold and Spike noticed that Willow got goosebumps on her bare arms. Cat was wearing a mohair pullover but Willow had only her green silk shirt.

"I'm back in a few minutes" He excused himself. With long stride he left the basement and ran up the stairs. Willow would have a pullover or a jacket in her baggage, that he was sure about. Luckily he found one in the second bag, but curiosity got the better of him when he saw the small suitcase beside it. When he opened it, he saw a dark green silk nightgown. The top and the small straps were made of soft lace. It looked like she had never worn it before, like she had just bought it. Under the delicate piece were matching bras and panties. He had to swallow when he thought about Willow wearing it, about him undressing her. Carefully he laid the lingerie back and closed the suitcase. He was pretty sure that she had never worn it for someone else before, that she would wear it only for him.

When Spike came back into the cellar he had not only a warm pullover for Willow in his hands, but a happy smile on his face too.

***

The wine tasting had been great. Willow and Spike had never heard so much about wine before. They had asked Dave to deliver several crates of wine when he came to San Francisco the next time. When they left the cellar almost two hours later, Cat and Tony stayed to refresh the former friendship between the two men and to build a new one between Cat and Mary. On another evening Willow and Spike would have stayed longer, but right now they wanted to spend the rest of the evening alone.

"Grrrr, I'm feeling like I've spent a night in a fridge." Willow was trembling "What I need right now is a hot bath." She made her way to the open bathroom door and just before she reached it, turned her head to a pouting Spike. "Do you want to join me?" She didn't have to ask twice.

Ten minutes later they both lay in the hot water, Spike in Willow's arms and his head resting on her breast like she had imagined it before.

"Hmmm, that's much better than another hour in the cellar. I really like both of them, Mary and Dave, but that doesn't mean I want to become an ice cream sandwich." Willow mumbled while she was softly stroking Spike's hair. "Do you know that you have soft hair like a baby? I like it the way you are wearing it now - brown and long. You're looking smashing, like a pirate in one of those old movies." The soft purring of Spike increased when she reached a sensitive spot under his left ear. "And I like the sound you're making when I'm touching you. I do believe that I can make you purr like a big cat."

Spike opened his golden eyes and looked at Willow unbelievingly. "Cat?"

"Or maybe a tiger." Willow said with a small smile. He would never be a cat. He would ever be a beast, but never to her - or to their friends.

"Tiger sounds good. I like tiger." Spike snuggled against her breast again, content with his world. He got all that he had wished for in the last years, in such a short time. Willow, friends, a family - he didn't know why he had been gifted that much, but he was the last one to complain. "You know, I could get used to this. I've always thought that I'm a shower type - but now I'm starting to like bathtubs." He looked into her eyes.

"Perhaps it's all a question of the company." Willow smiled at him. "I can see the two of us snuggling together in a hot tub at the cold winter evenings before going to bed and making love."

She did it again, Spike thought, offering him something with a smile - doing the first step. She must knowing that he was a little bit afraid to be refused. That he had a bad history with his lovers and that he had decided that it was better to be cautiously than to becoming hurt again. But she had helped him to come out of his shell day by day. <Perhaps it is now the right time to do a first step too.> "Hmm, that sound great, especially the making love part. But I think we have to buy a larger tub first. Perhaps one with those little jets which pushes the hot water trough the tub. Could be the first thing we do when we are home again."

"William Bradley, is that your way to tell me that you're moving in with me, finally?" Willow beamed.

"Did you think I would let you sleep alone in your bed ever again?" Spike asked with faked surprise.

"Never!" Willow whispered while she bent down to kiss him.
 

~Part 18~

They hadn't made it to their bedroom before midnight. Making love in a hot bathtub hadn't been an experience Willow had made in her former, barely existing love life before, she had told him later the that night and it was very important to buy a wonderful large bathtub as soon as possible. After those statements she had drifted into sleep, her head resting against his shoulder. He stayed awake a little bit longer - enjoying the feeling of her small warm body wrapped around his cooler one. He knew for sure that she would be there beside him when he was waking up in the morning. And the next day and the day after tomorrow.... She wanted him - demon and all. There was no need to hide sides of his character. No need to be on guard. No need to think that he wasn't counting. For the first time in his life he wasn't a substitute for someone else - for the first time he was the first choice. In his head he started to make plans for their future, something he hadn't done before. And with these thoughts he fell asleep too.

***

The next morning Spike was the first to wake up. To his surprise Willow hadn't moved away from his lack of body heat. She was laying on her stomach facing him, the sheets down to the smaller of her back and her right arm was wrapped around his waist. He could see the rhythmic up and down of her back, her breathing calm and steady in her sleep. Her hair was mussed, no wonder after the night. He had never seen such a bright red before, and never such creamy skin. Except those spots where he could see tiny freckles. Her back looked like milk with honey sprinkles.

"Do you enjoy yourself?" Willow's muffled voice asked. She looked at him with sleepy eyes.

"Immensely! You have little honey colored freckles on your back." He moved a little bit lower in the bed and turned to her. "How did you sleep?"

"Wonderful, especially after I woke up during the night and saw you. First when I woke up, I thought that it was all a dream. But then ...." She sighed.

"What happened then?" Spike whispered, tenderly smoothing her hair.

"You mumbled my name and drew me into your arms." Willow smiled.

"A good place for you?" he asked mischievously.

"The best!" Willow confirmed, snuggling into his welcoming arms.

***

After they had finished breakfast, Cat and Tony asked them to spend the day together. They had planned a surprise and when they parked Willow's car on a field near Yountville they saw a large colorful hot-air balloon in front of them. Tony couldn't get enough of Spike's facial expression. He had learned that Spike had flown for first time in his unlife when they had left Italy for the United States. Spike had sat most of the flying time with his nose against the window and had asked the stewardess so often why they couldn't fly lower because he couldn't see enough, that they allowed him to visit the cockpit. Since then it was official - Spike loved flying.

It didn't take more than ten minutes to take off. They had the best warm weather and with a steady wind from south. Most of the time Spike held Willow in his arms, her back against his chest and his chin on her shoulder. The landscape was beautiful. They weren't too high and could see a lot of colorful points in the vineyards, Mexican farm hands busy with the grape harvest.

"Without them we wouldn't be able to exist." Mike, the owner of the balloon and a good friend of Mary and Dave told them. "Mary is writing a book about the Valley and the work of the 'Okies'. That's the name some of the locals gave them."

"What kind of book?" Willow asked curious.

"A history book. Mary is a historian."

When he noticed Willow's interested look he added "She didn't tell you, did she? Typical for her. Before little sweet Dani was born Mary taught History at Berkeley two days of the week. She'll start with teaching again when Dani is old enough for elementary school. Until then she is our local highbrow." He grinned. "Nobody is able to tell our mayor so wonderful off, especially when he starts to device a local history we never had. It's a special experience, every time."

Both Willow and Spike laughed.

***

When they arrived back at Yountville all agreed to drive in direction to Mount St. Helena, visiting the picturesque villages on their way. In Calistoga, Spike bought Willow a home-made scarf, really large and in a wonderful blue. "Perfect for cold summer evenings on a terrace." He told her.

It was about dinner time when they arrived at Costello's again. While Willow and Cat rushed to their rooms to change Spike and Tony joined Mary who was feeding Dani. When they saw Dani's face it wasn't a secret anymore that she didn't like spinach. Her bib was sprinkled with green and Mary's face too.

"Ok, I've learned my lesson." Mary sigh and pulled the bib away. After she had cleaned Dani's hands and face Mary beg Spike "Could you please hold her until I'm back from changing. When I'm sit her back in her chair she starts to mess around again."

Before Spike could count to three he had a toddler in his arms. "Don't look at me that way, honey." He told the child "if you start to cry they'll think that I scared you." But crying wasn't Dani's intention. She got hold of Spike's nose and pulled at it. To distract her, he let Dani ride on his knees.

That was the situation Willow found them - Spike singing a silly rhyme in an English nobody speaks anymore and Dani giggling while she bounced on his knees.

"It's a shame vampires can't father children." A soft voice spoke behind Willow. When Willow turned around she found Mary looking at the two unlike playmates. "But perhaps you can find a spell."

"You know?" was all Willow was able to utter. "Since when?"

"Antonia told me when she asked for the rooms." Mary replied smiling. "Hmm, by the way. Do you think Spike would like some kind of tomato soup this evening. I've got some fresh blood from the butcher this morning?"

Willow was stunned. Without another word she hugged Mary.
 

~Part 19~

The evening and the next day went by in a rush. Willow felt like she had just left Dave's winery after a tour and winning two wonderful new friends and WHAM, the next moment she and Spike stood in front of Willow's house and bade their friends a good night.

Spike had called Antonia earlier that day to tell her that he was moving in with Willow. He had to smile when he remembered Antonia's statement. She had been so happy for him and Willow but in her voice he heard that she would miss him. He would miss Antonia too. They had settled that he and Willow would come the next morning to fetch all his belongings. It wasn't very much, but he had more in storage in New York. He had never thought that he would need it again after Dru had left him and he got the implant. But right now was the time to bring his possessions to San Francisco and to tell his bank to move his savings.

***

"Spike do you really think that they will deliver the tub this week. I don't think so." Willow was skeptical. The tub was great. Exactly what she and Spike had searched the last two days for - dark blue and large, the shape of an oval, a little bit broader at the head-side, with jets on the bottom and the walls. But the owner of the shop, a plumber, told them that he could install it at the earliest in three or four weeks. That he wanted to get paid before he wrote down their order didn't make it better.

"Pet, I'm sure that he is able to install it immediately. It doesn't look like he is overworked."

Spike was right. Since they arrived two hours before the telephone hadn't rang and nobody had entered the shop. The plumper had sat in his chair most of the time and had poked with a toothpick between his teeth. He looked like a villain, but a bad one.

*But the tub is a wonder*. Willow thought.

Spike had observed his redhead. She was not the right person to discuss such a problem with a man like Mr. Crump. No. She wasn't.

"Willow would you please wait in the car. I'll be there in a minute." Spike's voice was calm but certain. Mr. Crump grinned - now when the fox was gone, he and Mr. 'I've got the money' would settle the rest.

"So," Spike asked him "You're not able to install it this week. Why?"

"I've be over my head in work." Crump grinned, playing with his toothpick.

"Don't looks so." Spike replied.

"Does this bother you?"

"Yes, 'cause I have the impression that all you want is more money and that you think I'm the freak to give it to you." The beaming grin of Mr. Crump was answer enough.

"Let's see," Spike grabbed Mr. Crump's greasy overall and lifted the thin man in the air. When he had him in about the height of one foot he asked him with a sweet smile

"Would you say that a tip of 50 bucks is enough. The plumber made the mistake to shake his head no. Spike lifted him another foot and grabbed for a torch.

"Oh, I'm sure you're thinking that 25 bucks sounds nicer." He lit the torch and with a little swing of his hand he cut the straps of the overall. When the man didn't reacted, Spike gave him a dangerous smile

"Or do you think that you are able to install it during the next seven days. As soon as possible if I may suggest." With that he put out the torch.

"So what about the delivery date now?"

"Tomorrow." Mr. Crump had difficult to mumble. His dentures were chattering to much. Spike let him down without effort.

"By the way, I hope you're changing your knickers in the meantime. I don't want my wife to smell these." He nodded with his head in the direction at Mr. Crump's wet and dirty underwear.

When Spike took his seat in the car, Willow leaned over to him

"When do they deliver?"

Spike smirked

"Tomorrow. I would bet around 6 a.m."

Willow laughed "You are the dream of every house owner. Where were you when I've bought my house?" She kissed him and started the car.

"Too far away." Spike shrugged.

***

Spike got up at 5.30 a.m. He had spent most of the evening before with reading everything he found about plumbing in the net, to Willow's amusement.

"Kitten," he had told her "when you want to win you have to now your opponents weaknesses."

At 5.50 a.m. a large van stopped in front of the house and four sleepy figures get out. One of them was apparently Mr. Crump. The other three looked like teenagers he had dragged out of their beds. Spike felt great.

When Willow dared to look into the bathroom at 7 a.m., she had slept in the attic because of Spike's suggestion that it could be to early for her, her old tub was removed and two of the boys was busy build a low wall for the new tub. In the meantime Spike was sitting on the toilet seat and was sharpen his cook knives with a whetstone while he was speaking with Mr. Crump about fast baking cement, and plumbing. Willow could barely hide a grin.

At 9 a.m. the four workers carried the new tub into the house and at 11 a.m. they were finished with the installation. Spike was almost a little bit sad that his fun was over so soon, he gave each of the boys a fifty and Mr. Crump the money for the tub and the installation - cash. After he had closed the door behind the men he found a redhead in his arms.

"If I have forget to tell you today that I love you more than everyone else on this world, Spike -let me do it now. Spike you are a wonder."
 

~Part 20~

Willow was in the kitchen, humming happily and baking double chocolate chips cookies - Spike's favorite. Something she didn't do very often. But this morning she was in a very good mood. Spike had been out the evening before. Out with 'the boys', which were the male members of the Hell Cat's, celebrating his win over Angelus and playing pool. She was amazed how easily he had been accepted by their friends, she loved it to be precise, knowing there would be a lot of things he needed male company for, like she often needed Cat to talk to. Anyway, while he had been out she had been able to finish an order for a generous client. When Spike came home at 3 a.m., he really tried to be silent, but when he slide into bed and pushed his cool legs against hers she woke up with a squeak. Tony had mentioned before that Spike got into a sentimental mood when he was drunk, but Willow now got first hand experience. He had quoted poetry, nuzzling his face in her hair while his deft fingers caressed her breasts. Willow smiled and tried to remember what he had mumbled. Something like <.... Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. ....>

When she had turned around to kiss him - aroused by both, his caresses and his words, he was asleep, a happy smile on his face. It had taken her quite a while to sleep too. Her last thoughts by what he had said - She must really ask him what kind of poetry it had been. It had sounded familiar. It had made her skin tingle to hear those words from him. When Spike joined Willow in the kitchen later, barefoot, only wearing his jeans and a towel around his neck and his hair wet, she knew that Maat, the goddess Tony had asked for help with Spike's ring was really a goddess of justice. She had Spike not only been gifted with the ability to enjoy things like a human, like lots of beer and tequila by the way, but had given him the questionable gift of a hangover too.

"Hmm, how can someone smell so good?" Spike kissed her neck, his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Don't know. I'm assume that you're smelling the cookies." Willow teased. "Do you want some?"

"Later. Right now my stomach tells me something about coffee, lot's of it. You too?"

"Yeah, with cookies. I just need to wash my hands. Can you make the coffee in the meantime?"

Spike kissed a spot under her left ear. "No problem." While Willow washed her hands the door bell rang and Spike went to answer the door. What he saw let him think twice about consuming beer and tequila together. He must have hallucinations. Just as quick as he had opened the door he closed it again, leaning his back against the dark wood and rubbing his face.

"Spike, who is it?" Willow called leaving the kitchen. The bell rang again.

Spike looked at Willow with rounded eyes "If I wouldn't know better I would say, it's a cowboy, with a pink shirt, brown breeches, cowboy boots and a big hat, who looks like the bloody moron." With that said he stumbled to the bathroom he had left earlier. "I think I need a cold shower again."

When Willow opened the front door, she noticed exactly what Spike had seen too, but her reaction was a completely different one.

"Xander, what are you doing here?" she hugged her childhood friend and then held him an arm-length away. "And why are you looking like a caricature of Clint Eastwood?"

***

Some minutes later Willow had been able to direct Xander into the living room and he had taken off his ridiculous hat on the way. The only really odd thing he was wearing now was a terrible pink shirt with little brown rodeo riders and horses embroidered on it. That he held a large bag with cheesy chips in his hands like it was a lifeline and that his was mouth was open and ready to catch flies wasn't that bad.

"Kitten, you wouldn't believe what I thought I've seen ...." Spike came out of the bathroom, again, stopped rubbing his wet hair and stood now on the other side of the living room facing Xander. If it wasn't for the cheesy chips they looked similar. Spike's mouth was wide open too.

At exactly that moment the door bell rang for the third time.

Willow couldn't get to the door fast enough. Perhaps it was some kind of a rescue team to help her. It really was, kind of. In front of the door stood a handsome Latino with a colorful bandana around his head and two large grocery bags in his hands.

"Hey Wills, are the others already here, or I'm the first?" Not waiting for an answer he stepped in, kissed the speechless redhead on her cheek and continued "You know, we thought about surprising Spike with a hangover party." He lifted the two bags in the air and Willow could smell the wonderful aroma of Chile Relleno, Burritos, Guacamole, Salsa and tortillas.

"Ahhh, since when did you've stood in your kitchen, Rafi?" she asked Rafael and took one of the bags from him. "I've started with cooking at 7 a.m." he told her proudly, "but I made the tortillas just before I left. We need to put them into the oven." In Willow's head the wheels went round and round - Xander - food, food - eating, eating - no arguing. "Rafi, I've never been so happy to see you. I think that was a great idea."

The next minutes Willow was busy opening the door for the reminder three 'boys' of the group who were arriving and Rafi had persuaded Spike to help him with the food. Willow had shoved a reluctant Xander onto one of the sofas and had introduced him to Tony, Nigel, a tall blond ex-attorney at law and present barkeeper, and Sebastian, who specifically had already fallen in love with a psychologist, working at the Children's Hospital and now was a pal of Spike too. After she had told them all that Xander spent alm ost the whole year traveling though the states he was occupied with answering questions and had an all around good time. He made three or four futile attempts to speak with Willow privately, but she was able to avoid it. Her idea was to show him Spike amongst his friends and she was hoping that she would be asked less annoying questions later.

It was Spike who caught her first while she was in the kitchen looking after bread Rafi had brought too. "Did you know that he was coming?" he asked her holding her softly in his arms.

"Nah. I don't know why he is here now. Ok, he comes once the year, to see if I'm alive and to spent some days remembering 'The good old times'. But usually not this time the year."

"When then?" Spike asked enjoying her nearness as long as possible.

"Around Easter. It was Easter when she left him." Willow informed him.

"Who?" Spike didn't whom she was speaking about.

"Anya, of course. She got an offer from her former 'boss' and left Xander without a second thought. That had hurt him too much." Willow took a deep breath. "I always hoped he would find someone else."

"Perhaps now." Spike grinned and making a move with the head to the living room where Rafi had found a seat beside Xander and was animatedly talking with him.

"I hope you're right. He has been alone for too long." Willow replied. "Perhaps having someone helps him to understand us."

***

The next hours went by in a rush. Willow spent as much time as possible on Spike's lap and snuggled into his arms, while they watched football on the TV. Nigel had brought a couple of bottles of a very expensive European beer, but Spike had stopped after the first bottle and had changed to something Willow called *Spike's Delight*, which was nothing else than B negative warmed up and served in a mug.

She had caught Xander watching Spike and herself several times and was rewarded with a small smile from him once or twice. But most of the time Rafi talked with him. She had known the handsome artist since her first year at Berkeley. He had studied art and had become a well known painter, who's home was the Mission District.

In the early evening hours Spike and Willow finally found some time to be alone in the kitchen while the others sat in the living-room. Willow was sitting on the counter with Spike standing between her knees, one slender leg of her wrapped around his thigh. He was kissing her like a starving man and she was returning his kisses, her left hand playing with the soft locks at the nape of his neck and her right hand under his T-shirt at the small of his back.

"You know, right now I wish they would leave already." Willow whispered breathlessly. "I would love for you to continue with what you've started last night."

"Hmmm." Spike purred while he nuzzled a especially tender spot at her neck.

"But I'm thinking that has to wait a little bit longer. After all I have to speak with Xander. He has been trying to speak with me privately the whole day."

Spike raised his head. "WE - have to speak with Harris. This isn't about you alone. It's about - US. You don't have to face the trouble he will probably make alone."

"You're sure?" She caresses his face.

"As long the bloody door bell doesn't ring again and the damn slayer is standing outside - dead cert."

Suddenly a voice came from the kitchen door "That's good - 'cause I don't want to wait any longer for the talk." Both Willow and Spike looked surprised at Xander, who had joined them silently. Xander raised his hand to reject their comments. "You know Willow, you're not the only one who matured. You gave me more than enough time to watch you two today. And by the way I've knew that you had a crush on him back in Sunnydale. But I have to admit, I didn't knew that he had it so bad for you too." Xander sighed, rubbed with his fingers over his forehead and continued directly to Spike "You must really love her to change so much. Take care of her. And don't leave her. It would break her heart - like Anya broke mine."

"Harris, I've never expected to hear those words from you. To be honest I was sure that you would make a lot of trouble when you found out about Red here and me. That you would tell her something about choosing between you and me. Or that you would threaten to call the slayer."

Willow looked at Spike surprised. She hadn't noticed that he had been tense this day, but noticed it now when she felt him becoming relaxed beside her. "You thought that he would ask for me to decide if I wanted your love or Xander's friendship?"

"Of course. Who didn't?" Spike answered facing his beloved witch. "And I'm vampire enough to admit that I was afraid you would choose him."

Willow shook her head "I wouldn't. It's you I am in love with. You are my future - I've told you before."

"Yeah, but that was before you're past rang the door bell." Spike took carefully her small hand in his larger one as if to make sure that she stayed at his side.

"She wouldn't leave you." Xander interrupted. "Willow. One of your friends, Rafi has offered that I could stay with him this night. He wants to show me some of his paintings. I thought perhaps it's better that I give you some time alone. But I would love to come for breakfast tomorrow. Is that ok with you two?"

"That's great." Willow left Spike's side to hug Xander. "You know, I've never expected this answer from you too." She whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

When Xander turned to leave the kitchen Spike called him back "Harris."

"Yeah?" Xander asked without turning around again.

"I owe you."

***

About an hour later Willow and Spike was alone in their bedroom - finally. She was laying in his arms, trying to understand what had happened. "Did you really thought that I could leave you?" she asked drawing circles with her fingertips on his stomach.

"I don't know, pet. I mean, after all I'm a demon. Even when I can get out into the sun and be friends to some humans and in love with a beautiful redheaded witch" he grinned "even then I'm a vampire. Every second or third night I'm draining humans."

"You never asked me how many humans I've killed during the years. I do know that you're a vampire. And I used it for my purpose more than once. I don't want you any other way."

"You sure? You know that I can't give you children. And I know that you love those little brats. I've seen it when you looked at Dani."

"You loved her too. Admit it." Willow laugh softly. "And there are other ways to have an own child than the usual one." She bent forward to capture his lips with her mouth. "Even when I'm thinking, right now would be a good time to try it the old fashioned way."

Spike draw her in his arms "What have I done to deserve you?"

"Don't know." Willow mumbled while she removed his T-shirt. "Don't care." She moved so that she straddled his lap, throwing the T-shirt over her shoulder and removing the rest of his clothes.

"You know you are definitely overdressed for this." Spike told her opening the buttons of her silk shirt slowly - exposing her creamy skin and the green bra he liked so much.

"Spike what kind of poetry was it you've quoted the last night?" Willow let him slip the shirt down her arms. The feeling of his cool fingertips on her skin a pleasure. "I liked it, but you never finished it." His finger began to dance down her bare stomach to the fly of her jeans. "Do you mean this one?

~~ Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:~~

He opened the top button with deft fingers.

~~ Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:~~

When he had finished the buttons, he slipped the jeans down her raised hips and threw them aside.

~~ Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed, ~~

His husky voice sent chills down her spine and when he leaned forward to capture one of her nipples through the silk fabric of her bra she had trouble to catch her breath.

~~ And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature's changing course untrimmed: ~~

He nuzzled the fabric aside and opened the fastener carefully while he continued in his husky voice.

~~ But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st, ~~

Willow moaned when he cupped her breasts with his hands, his lips and tongue traveling from one hard nipple to the other. She bent her head to capture his lips with her own and let herself get lost in the taste of her mate. After a while when she had to breath again she could hear him whisper in her hair.

~~ Nor shall death brag thou wand'rest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st, ~~

He rolled her on her back, covering her naked body with his and sinking with a moan deep into her warmth.

~~ So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. ~~

Willow's body answered to the slow rhythm Spike's had started, wrapping her legs around his waist and let her nails dig into his bottom. "Oh, goddess. You can quote poetry this way whenever you want."

"I'll remember that, Luv." Spike moaned while he looked down into the flushed face of his love. "I'll remember that."

***
 
Much later that night, while Willow and Spike lay asleep in each others arms - Downtown on 24th Street, Xander and Rafi left a bar where they had spent the last hours. During the evening they had discovered that they had a lot of common interests. Xander felt as if he hadn't had such a good time in the last year. That he had been able to accept Willow and Spike together had surprised him too.

Rafi had told him this afternoon that all members of the Hell Cat's knew about Spike being a vampire. Rafi - Xander wasn't sure if what he felt in the company of the Latino was what he assumed. Rafi was handsome; he was interesting and it seemed that he had his own opinion on all things. Rafi was, to be honest, downright sexy. Xander had decided that if Rafi would show interest - he would be the last to say no.

When the pair of them reached the crossing of 24th Street and York Street, where Rafi wanted to show Xander some colorful wall paintings called Murales, they were attacked by a group of five who knocked them unconscious easily and then dragged them into a waiting van. Minutes later the van had left with the victims.

***

Spike stood in the open front door to fetch the newspaper, the next morning, when he found a small parcel. He opened it and was relieved that Willow was still in the bathroom. He didn't know how to tell her what he had found - but knew that he had only some minutes before she joined him in the kitchen. Groaning he grabbed for the telephone and dialed.

"Tony, it's me. Can you and Cat come immediately. It's an emergency. NO! No, it's not Willow." He took a deep, unneeded breath.

"It's about Rafi and perhaps Xander Harris too. - Hmm? - 'kay, see you."

Spike turned and saw Willow standing silently in the open kitchen door, her eyes wide. A look of horror on her face. Between them on the counter, in the open parcel, lay the pinkie of Rafi's right hand and a handwritten note. - Spike old fart, I've got your human toys. Maurice de Rochelle - Master of San Francisco.-

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