Pairing: Willow/Spike (duh!) Other pairings are Angel/Cordelia, Faith/Gunn, Fred/Wesley, Xander/Anya, and Tara/Giles. Yep, the gang's all here!
Rating: PG-13, just to be safe, and for implied smut. (Look, Inell! *Implied* smut! I already used a fic title! LOL!)
Summary: Fluff/Happy-fic. Someone celebrates a special anniversary...
Distribution: The usual haunts, plus Inell, of course. Anyone else, please ask first. Thank you. : )
Spoilers: None, really, except for some mentions of S4 and things previous to that. Aside from that, takes place in my own happy little AU-land.
Feedback: Please. It makes me feel all fuzzy and want to write more. Let me know what you think of this story, please! But only nice fuzzies, please. No flames.
Dedication: To Inell, of course! Happy anniversary! Luv you, pet! : )
Notes: This is a reply to Inell's 4th Anniversary Challenge. For all the fics of hers I mentioned, there were tons more I didn't, because I didn't have the space! LOL! I love all of Inell's stories, and it was impossible to mention them all! : )
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Balloons and streamers hung from the high eaves of the ceilings, giving the formally dark and dreary mansion a happy, cheery feel. Although, the mansion hadn't been dark and dreary in quite a while, ever since they had moved in, and his witch had insisted on redecorating it, giving it a more "homey" feel.
Spike stepped back, admiring his handiwork. Balloons and streamers were everywhere, and there were tables laden with snack foods and all sorts of goodies and treats his little witch adored. He had even invited all her friends over to help them celebrate. He made a face, realizing what a ponce he had turned into. William the Bloody, chipped, unable to hurt humans, helping the Slayer and her little band of do-gooders.
And who would believe he was happy doing it?
Spike shook his head, chuckling, marveling at the changes that had taken place in his life over the past few years. Not only was he helping the Slayer and her little band of merry men, he had fallen in love with the Slayer's best friend, the beautiful redhaired witch. Not only had he fallen in love with her, they had held a mating ceremony exactly one year ago to the day, bonding them together for eternity.
Today was their anniversary, and Spike wanted it to be absolutely perfect for his mate, hence the little surprise he had cooked up for her. He grinned, eager to see her reaction to his first surprise.
"Hey, luv, could you come in here a sec?" Spike called, trying to sound nonchalant. His Red had been working all day in her study, working on some spell and such for the Watcher, and he hadn't heard nary a peep out of her, making it easy for him to set up his surprise for her.
"Sure, Spike! I've almost finished the last translation..." Willow's voice called back. A few minutes later she appeared from the hallway, smiling. "Finally finished! That last translation took forever! I don't know how..." She trailed off, staring in shock at the living room. "Spike..." She gasped.
Spike grinned. "Surprise, luv. Happy anniversary."
Willow's eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around him. "Oh, Spike!"
Spike chuckled, nuzzling his mate's neck. "You like it, pet?"
Willow nodded. "Look at all this food! This is a bit much for just the two of us..." She said, looking at him questioningly.
"Thought we could have a bit of a party, to celebrate." He told her. "I invited all your little mates over, even Peaches and his little detective-gang are coming in from Hell-A ."
Willow squealed, and kissed him. "Spike! That's so sweet!" She kissed him again. Spike chuckled, and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. "Well, what can I say, luv? I'm a nice person." He smirked.
Willow pulled back, and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Wait a minute. You don't like my friends." She put her hands on her hips, and looked at him. "All right, mister. What kind of ulterior motives do you have here?"
Spike *did* have ulterior motives, but she didn't need to know that, at least not now, anyway. He looked at his mate, his eyes widened in exaggerated innocence. "Why, pet! I'm shocked you would even suggest such a thing!" He smirked. "Just because I can't stand Slutty the Slayer, or her Commando shag-toy, or the moron, or the Watcher," he rolled his eyes. "And don't even get me started on Peaches..."
Willow rolled her eyes, and looked at him pointedly. "Spike..." She said warningly, tapping her foot.
Spike grinned. "You're hot when you're annoyed, pet." He purred, pulling her to him.
Willow's lips quirked into a grin. "What do you have up your sleeve, Spike?" She asked.
"An arm." He deadpanned. He chuckled, and kissed her neck. "I can put up with the gits for one night, pet. Just shows I'm totally head over heels for ya, luv." He told her, nuzzling her neck. He smirked wickedly.
Willow smiled, kissing him. "I love you, Spike." She told him softly.
"Sides," Spike smirked, his eyes sparkling wickedly, "I'm sure you can find a way to 'thank' me." He purred, pulling her close.
"I'll bet I can." Willow purred back. "What time are they coming?"
"Seven." Spike told her, kissing her neck.
"Well, we've got a few hours until then..." Willow murmured, running her nails along the back of his neck like she knew he liked, giggling as he closed his eyes and purred.
"We do." Spike agreed huskily, opening his gold-tinged eyes, looking at her.
Willow licked her lips, smiling as her mate's eyes flared with lust. "I'll just have to make sure you've been 'thanked' by the time they get here..." She said teasingly, nipping at his lips.
"Less talking, more thanking." Spike growled, scooping her into his arms, making her squeal, and carried her upstairs to their bedroom.
***
Willow looked at her watch, frowning when the digital numbers flashed 8:07. She sniffled, and took another swig from the bottle of brandy she had taken from the liquor cabinet a half-hour before. She sniffled, before taking another drink of the alcohol.
Spike was watching his mate, painstakingly plotting the death of each and every one of her little friends for upsetting her. He heard her sniffle again, and moaned. "Aww, baby, don't cry..."
"It's my party, and no one's here!" Willow sobbed, waving around the bottle of brandy.
Spike moved to sit next to her on the sofa. "Come here, pet..." He murmured, pulling her into his arms. He reached out to take the bottle from his slightly tipsy mate. "Why don't you give me the bottle, pet?"
"No!" Willow pouted, holding the bottle close to her possessively. "It's *my* bottle!" She giggled. "The pretty bottle is my friend!"
Spike rolled his eyes. Scratch that. Not slightly tipsy. Completely drunk. "That's nice, baby, but I think you've had enough." He said, reaching out to take from her.
She giggled, and moved the bottle out of his reach. "Umm, nope!" She chirped, before throwing her arms around him, giggling. "I loooove you, Spike." She slurred. "Be my valentine!"
Spike smiled. "Love you too, baby." He told her, kissing the top of her head. "And it's not Valentine's Day, pet."
"I really, really love you, Spike. And I really, really love my bottle-friend." Willow sighed dreamily, hugging the bottle. She pouted, seeing the bottle was more than half-empty. "Where did it go?" She asked sadly. "I love whiskey. Whiskey wishes!" She exclaimed.
"You drank it, pet." Spike told her patiently, still trying to get the bottle from her. "And that's brandy you're drinking, not whiskey."
"I drank it? It's not going to grow back?" Willow asked forlornly, looking at him with sad emerald eyes.
"No. Sorry, baby." He told her, trying not to laugh. She was cute when she was completely smashed.
"What do you mean it won't grow back?!" She exclaimed angrily. "That's it! I want a refund!" She fumed.
The door opened, Cordelia entered, followed by Angel, Faith, Wesley, Fred, and Gunn. "Spike, Wills!" Cordelia exclaimed, looking contrite. "We're *so* sorry we're late!"
"Yay!" Willow squealed, running over, throwing her arms around Cordelia and Angel. "Lookie! It's Cordy and Angel!" She grinned at the others. "And Fred, Gunn, Faith, and..." her eyebrow furrowed as she looked at Wesley, at a loss for his name. "Um..."
"Wesley." Wesley supplied helpfully, his arm around Fred's waist.
"Rogue Demon Hunter Watcher Guy!" Willow squealed, snapping her fingers. "I know you!"
"Riiight..." Faith said, standing next to her boyfriend. She turned to look at said boyfriend. "I think she's drunk, Lover." She whispered loudly.
"You think?" Gunn smirked.
Willow was walking around Wesley, as if inspecting him. "The body's an eight, the brain's a ten..." She announced.
"W-Willow!" Wesley sputtered, turning red.
Fred smiled. "I think the body's a nine." She giggled.
"Fred!" Wesley gasped, gaping at his girlfriend.
"What?" Fred asked. "I was defending you."
"I know." Wesley said, his lips quirking into a smile. "Only a nine?"
Gunn laughed.
"He's hot." Willow giggled, looking at Wesley.
Spike shook his head, watching his mate. "Pet."
Willow beamed, and ran over to him, throwing herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. "My Spikey's all tens. What's happening, Hot Stuff?" She purred, kissing him deeply.
Spike chuckled, tangling a hand in her hair, kissing her.
"Aww..." Fred sighed, taking Wesley's hand. "Aren't they adorable?"
"Yes, er, well, they should remember there are other people in the room." Wesley said, blushing. "People who don't really want to watch them devour each other."
"Speak for yourself, Wussy." Faith told the former Watcher, sitting down, watching the couple.
Spike pulled his lips away from his mate's, and glared at Faith.
"What?" Faith asked, smiling innocently.
Willow looked over, surprised. "Faith!" She saw the others. "Angel! Delia! When did you guys get here?" She asked.
Gunn snickered. "She is so drunk."
Willow hugged Cordelia and Angel again. "Hi!" She squealed, bouncing up and down, grinning.
Cordelia was watching, amused, and Angel snickered. "So, Will. Why do you smell like a bar?" She asked.
Angel rolled his eyes. "Tact, Delia, tact." He muttered.
"That was tactful, for Delia." Faith smirked. walking over to the snack table. "All right! Gummi bears!"
"Red decided to start the party a bit early." Spike explained dryly. "Actually, on time. You're late." He said with a glare.
Angel shrugged. "Do you know how hard it is to find the ice cream the girls wanted?"
"Goober-Marshmallow Ripple!" Faith crowed. "Have you had it, Blondie? You haven't lived, or un-lived, until you've tried it."
Spike scooped up the brandy bottle Willow had discarded, hiding it behind a large vase of white roses. "No thanks." Spike told her.
"Well, never say never." Faith said, picking up a spoon, and dipping it in the frozen confection.
The door opened again, and Buffy, Riley, Dawn, Xander, Giles, Tara, and Anya entered. "Wills, I'm *so* sorry we're late!"
"Where have I heard that before?" Spike muttered.
"We ran into a demon." Anya explained. "Buffy slayed him." She made a face. "It exploded, and got smelly goo all over our clothes."
"Yep. Just another Saturday night." Riley said dryly.
"We had to clean up and change our clothes." Xander added with a goofy grin, giving Willow a hug. "Happy Fangiversary, Wills."
Willow laughed. "Fangiversary!" She shrieked with laughter. "You are soooo funny, Xander! Xan-man!"
"Wouldn't a Fangiversary be on the anniversary of someone being turned?" Fred mused.
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Has Will been a-drinkin'? Cause I'm sensing some major strangeness." He asked.
"Not beer, I hope." Buffy spoke up, shuddering. "Beer is bad."
"So sayeth the former Cave-Slayer." Xander smirked.
"Huh?" Cordelia asked, confused. She shook her head, not really caring. She smiled at Dawn. "Whoa, it's a new Dawn! I like the new look!"
Dawn blushed, looking down at the long black skirt she was wearing. "Thanks. It's Buffy's. She lent it to me."
"For tonight only." The Slayer reminded her little sister.
"I think you should let her keep it. It looks better on her, anyway." Cordelia spoke, remembering having seen Buffy in the skirt before.
"Thanks, Cor." Buffy deadpanned.
"Anytime." Cordy replied sweetly, moving into Angel's arms.
Buffy made a face at her.
"That's mature, big sis." Dawn muttered.
"Brandy!" Willow chirped.
"Huh?" Buffy asked, sharing a confused look with Xander.
"Brandy!" Willow explained. "I've been drinking brandy!"
"Lots of it." Spike added dryly.
"Where's my bottle?" Willow pouted, looking for the brandy bottle. She turned to her mate. "Spikey, have you seen my bottle-friend?"
"Bottle-friend?" Giles echoed.
"Giles!" Willow shrieked happily. She pointed at Wesley. "Look, Giles, I found your long-lost son!" She beamed happily. "He's British, like you! And wears tweed, like you! It's Giles junior!"
Faith, Gunn, Spike, Xander, and Cordelia howled in laughter. Fred and Tara were giggling while Giles and Wesley both looked embarrassed. Even Angel snickered. Buffy elbowed Riley when he started chuckling.
"Drunk Willow is funny." Anya observed.
"Quite." Giles and Wesley replied, sarcastically, at the same time. The stared at each other in horror, and the room erupted into fresh laughter.
Anya wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. "Here." She handed Willow a present. "This is for you and Spike. I'm sure you'll find it highly appropriate."
"You got them a gift?" Xander asked his girlfriend, having had no idea Anya had gotten Willow and Spike a present.
Willow opened it, taking out a jar of chocolate sauce. She looked at it quizzically, before putting it down, deciding the wrapping paper was more interesting. She threw it up in the air. "Whee!"
Spike picked up the jar, and raised an eyebrow at the ex-demon. "Chocolate sauce?"
"You know." Anya told him. "To use during sex."
"Anya!" Xander exclaimed, horrified.
Everyone, except Xander, Anya, Spike, and Willow (who was still engrossed in her wrapping paper), snickered.
Anya rolled her eyes. "Oh, relax, Xander! It's not like I was going to give them sex toys or costumes or anything!"
Everyone snickered again.
"ANYA!" Xander exclaimed.
"What?!" She yelled.
"You don't give some one chocolate sauce for a present!" Xander exploded. "Especially for use in kinky sex games!" He thought over what he just said, and looked slightly ill.
"Eww!" Buffy exclaimed, not wanting to think about her best friend doing...*that* with *Spike*, of all people. "Disgusting."
"Shut up, Slayer." Spike growled, realizing she was insulting him.
"Besides," Anya continued, "I bought some for us too, so quit pouting."
"Anya!" Xander exclaimed.
"Well, I bought butterscotch, too!" Anya told him. "You like butterscotch."
Everyone snickered again.
"Anya!" Xander yelped, mortified.
"Well, you do!" She told him huffily. "Stop yelling at me! What do you want me to do?"
"Be quiet!" Xander howled.
Anya looked hurt. "Fine." She said snippily. "I won't tell you about the handcuffs I bought for us."
"Arrgh!" Xander screamed.
Willow had abandoned her wrapping paper, and was singing softly. "Take on me...take on me...take me on..."
Spike looked at her. "Whatcha doin' luv?"
"Singing!" Willow exclaimed. "Take on me, by A-ha! Everyone sing karaoke with me! I looove 80's music!" She threw her arms around Spike. "And I looove Spike!" She frowned, looking around. "And I love my bottle-friend too, but I think he left."
Spike kissed the top of her head, smelling her jasmine shampoo, ignoring everyone's amused looks.
Willow picked up the jar of chocolate sauce, and grinned wickedly. "Ooh, I like this..." She purred, looking at her mate. "Chocolate covered Spike..." She purred, running her hand down his chest.
Buffy and Xander both made faces. "Gross." Xander muttered.
Willow moved to open the jar of chocolate sauce. Spike stopped her. "Uh, pet. I don't think we should use it *now*..."
Willow pouted. "Why?"
"Kitten, maybe we should wait for everyone to leave first." Spike told her.
"Oh, we don't mind." Faith said with a wicked grin.
"By all means, carry on." Anya said graciously.
Spike rolled his eyes, and winked at Willow. "We'll just save this for later."
The phone rang, and Willow jumped up to answer it. "Hello?" She squealed into the receiver. "Hi!" She giggled. "Nothing. Having a fangiversary party." She giggled. "Huh? No, I'm not drunk! Well, maybe a little. Yep. Everybody's here. Buffy, Xander, Angel..." She listened for a minute, before laughing. "You want to do *what* to me?!" She gasped. Her eyes widened. "Ooh, that sounds interesting. But I don't think Spikey would like if I did that with you. Chains?"
Spike was on his feet, his eyes blazing. "Red, who in the bloody hell are you talking to?!" Spike growled.
Willow frowned. "Shh! I'm on the phone!" She turned back to the phone. "Huh? Oh, it was just Spike." She giggled. "He's being all growly." She cocked her head as she listened. "Jealous? Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Miss Edith said that?!"
The Scoobies gasped at the mention of the name.
"Miss Edith?!" Angel echoed, growling. He looked at Spike. "Is she talking to Drusilla?" The dark vampire sounded stunned.
Spike took the phone from Willow, making Willow pout. "Ello? Ey, Dru, how's Brazil? Right. Yeah. Thanks. I'll tell him you said hi. Bye." He hung up, seeing everyone gape at him. "What?"
"You...were just talking to Dru." Angel said, shocked.
Spike rolled his eyes. "Duh. She says to tell 'her Daddy' she says hello."
Angel immediately tensed.
Spike snorted. "Relax, Peaches, she's still down in Brazil with her Chaos demon. She was just saying hi. She likes to flirt with Red." He frowned. "Okay, she wants to do more than flirt."
"She wanted to wish my Spikey and I a happy anniversary." Willow chirped. "She's my friend."
"WHAT?!" Came the chorus of angry exclamations.
Willow frowned, and tears filled her eyes. "She's my friend..."
Spike wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him as he glared at the various people gathered in his living room. "Bloody hell, you wankers! You upset her!"
"What do you mean, Willow is friends with Drusilla?" Angel asked.
"What word did you not understand?" Spike retorted, rolling his eyes.
"William..." Angel growled warningly.
Spike sighed. "Wanker." He muttered. "Fine. Drusilla said the stars told her that I was in love with Red. She called...gave me her blessing."
"When was this?" Angel asked.
Spike tensed. "What the hell is this, Twenty Questions?!" He growled before sighing. "It was right after I came back." He said, answering Angel's question.
"WHAT?!" Came the shocked chorus.
"Bloody hell, will you shut up!" Spike snarled. "That's why I came back, you know! I wanted Red! Dru said the stars told her that Willow was meant to be mine." He smiled slightly, pulling his mate to him. "And she is." He frowned. "Damn chip, otherwise I would of turned her..."
"What?!" Buffy growled murderously.
Spike sighed. "I'm not going to, you stupid bint!" He smiled. "I like her all soft and warm and breathy..."
Xander blanched. "Too much information. *Waay* too much information..."
"Drusilla sent us a present when we had the bonding ceremony." Willow announced, giggling.
Spike rolled his eyes. "She sent Willow one of her dolls. She wanted to give her new 'sister' a welcome to the family gift."
"That's really sweet." Cordelia observed. Seeing everyone look at her, she huffed, and flipped her hair. "Well, it is. Sheesh."
Willow moaned suddenly, slumping against Spike. "Oh, my head hurts..." She whimpered.
Spike chuckled, and kissed her. "You were really drunk, pet. What do you expect?"
"Did I...hit on Wesley?" She asked, scrunching up her face.
"Yes." Wesley, Fred, Angel, and Spike replied at the same time.
"Sorry, Wes." She apologized meekly.
"It was classic!" Faith laughed. "You said his body was an eight!"
"I was just drunk. How did I get hung over so quickly?" Willow whined, pressing her face against Spike's chest.
"Just lucky, I guess." Xander quipped, around the Tropical Lifesaver he was sucking on.
"Maybe I can help." Tara spoke up softly, moving over to Willow, and gently touching her forehead. Willow gasped as the pain disappeared. "Wow." She murmured, looking at Tara. "Thanks."
Tara smiled, and moved back to sit with Giles. "You're welcome." Tara told her friend.
"Can you teach me that spell?" Willow asked.
Tara smiled, leaning back against Giles. "Sure, if you want."
Spike snickered, looking at his mate. "You planning on getting drunk more often, pet?"
"No." Willow smiled sweetly. "It's for when you decide to get drunk and beat up demons, Mr. Big Bad."
"Oh." Spike said. "All right then."
Angel snickered.
Spike ignored him, and grinned at his mate. "I've got another surprise for you, pet..."
"Another one?" Willow laughed. "Spike, you can't possibly top what you've already done tonight."
Spike smirked. "We'll just have to see, won't we, baby?" He purred. "It's why I invited all your little mates over, anyway..."
"Okay, what are you going to do to us?" Buffy asked warily.
Spike shot her a disgusted look. "Nothing, you daft bint!" He smirked. "You get to watch..."
"Finally!" Faith exclaimed.
"I don't think he means *that*, Faith." Fred said with a giggle.
Faith winked at her. "Damn, F, ruin my fun."
Spike ignored them, smiling at his mate, pulling her to her feet.
"Spike, what...?" Willow asked, confused.
"Shh, pet." He told her. "I want to do this right..." He got down on one knee.
The room grew deathly silent.
Buffy's eyes widened. "He's not..."
Faith grinned widely, clapping her hands. "He is!"
Cordelia gasped, and Dawn squealed. Fred clutched Wesley's arm, and Gunn grinned. Anya, Xander, Tara, and Giles watched in interest.
Spike smiled at his mate. "Pet, we've already done claiming ceremony so others of my kind know you're my mate. Now I want to claim you as mine in the human, traditional way. Willow, will you marry me?" He pulled out a ring box, and opened it, revealing a large diamond sparkling on a platinum band.
"It's enormous!" Buffy breathed, looking at the diamond.
Faith smirked. "Let's see. What is "something Soliderboy has never heard B say about his c-"
Gunn clapped his hand over his girlfriend's mouth, shaking his head, his dark eyes glittering with humor. "You're spoiling the moment!" He scolded good-naturedly.
Angel laughed aloud, having heard Faith's comment. Everyone looked at him. He smiled sheepishly. "Uh, sorry."
Willow and Spike ignored them, focused solely on each other. "Spike..." Willow murmured, her eyes filling with happy tears.
"Pet? Will you marry me?" Spike asked, smiling.
Willow hugged him. "But can we? Seeing as though you're a vampire?"
"We'll go non-denominational." Spike smirked.
Willow laughed. "All right."
Spike's eyes lit up, and he grinned. "You will, you'll marry me?"
"Of course I will, silly!" Willow told him. "I love you!"
Spike took her lips in a fiery, passionate kiss, and all the women in the room sighed, dreamy expressions on their faces.
"That's *so* romantic." Cordelia sighed, laying her head on Angel's shoulder.
"Who would of thought Spike was romantic?" Dawn asked with a sigh.
"I had a feeling..." Tara smiled softly, snuggling with Giles.
"Spike's always been a romantic at heart." Angel said with a chuckle.
Spike smiled at his mate, sliding the ring onto her finger. "I love you, baby." He whispered, stroking her cheek.
"I love you too." Willow replied, hugging him again. "Spike?" She whispered, almost shyly.
"Yeah, pet?" He replied tenderly.
"I got you a anniversary present, too." She whispered.
Spike smirked. "Show me yours since I showed you mine." He purred.
Willow blushed. "Well, I can't. Not in front of everyone."
Spike frowned slightly. "Why not?"
"Because, well, it's me." She whispered, turning as red as her hair. "You have to 'unwrap' me." She told him.
Spike's eyes flickered. "Really?" He murmured huskily against her lips. "What's under your 'wrapping', pet."
Willow smiled. "Well, it's red and lacy..."
Spike let out a growl, and swept her into his arms. "Lock up after you leave!" He called back to their guests.
"Thanks for coming!" Willow called, waving over Spike's shoulder as he carried her up the stairs. A few seconds later, a door slammed upstairs.
"Ah, young love." Angel smiled.
Buffy snorted, leaning against the table. She bumped against the vase of white roses, knocking the hidden bottle of brandy into view. She picked it up and frowned. "Where did that come from?"
Spike came down the stairs, smiling sheepishly. "Forgot the chocolate sauce." He explained. He ignored the laughter of the group as he made his way back upstairs, smiling wickedly, anxious to start 'celebrating' with his mate. Yes, he thought, smiling, he really was a romantic at heart.
THE END.