Chapter 15: The day before the day and the day
The day before the wedding went so quickly Buffy was afraid she hadn’t kept up. Willow seemed to be pushing and pulling her in so many directions at once. Morning: Breakfast because she may not have time to eat later. Final dress fitting. Manicure and pedicure. Afternoon: Shopping for honeymoon. Packing for honeymoon. Shopping again for things missed first time around. Evening: Rehearsal dinner. Buffy found it funny that Oz was the one who took charge at the ceremony rehearsal. Willow’s boyfriend overcame a weeping mother and a nervous bride and groom. The stoic young man gave orders and helped everyone learn their places during the ceremony. The dinner after was wonderful. A roast duck with several delicious side dishes filled everyone’s plates. The evening was concluded with a champagne toast (apple juice for Buffy) from Spike to his family and bride.
After the wedding party all left, Buffy found herself alone in the vast mansion. Willow and Buffy had planned on staying over the night before the wedding and Spike was staying with Oz for a last ‘boys’ night out.’ Those plans were interrupted when Willow realized she had forgotten her overnight bag. Since Willow lived on the other side of Sunnydale it was quickly decided that she would go home for the night and head back early in the morning. Joyce showed Buffy to her room on the third floor. Buffy was surprised to find a large clawfoot tub in the bathroom adjoining her room. After a long warm bath Buffy laid down on the bed. As she expected, sleep eluded her, so she decided to get up and go downstairs. ‘Maybe some David Letterman is just what I need.’
She was surprised to hear light music coming from Rupert’s study as she passed. She softly knocked on the door. “Come in,” Rupert called from inside. “Ah, Elizabeth, I can’t say I am surprised to find you up at such a late hour,” he said with a soft smile on his face. “I suppose it is normal for a bride to be unable to sleep the night before her wedding. I wonder if that is where the whole ‘go partying the night before’ idea came from.”
Buffy returned his smile. “Probably. So Mr Giles, what did you do the night before your wedding?” she asked before sitting in one of the leather chairs across from him.
“Got piss poor drunk after realizing I had to dance in front of everyone I knew.” They both laughed.
“Did that help?” Buffy asked.
Instead of answering, Rupert surprised her by picking up the remote next to him. A few moments later the player changed over to an old Frank Sinatra song. Rupert stood and held his hand out to Buffy, who accepted it as she stood. They waltzed to ‘Young at Heart.’ She giggled as he twirled her around once. “And here is best part: you have a head start, if you are the among the very young at heart,” he whispered into her ear as the song concluded. “I think someone would like the next dance,” he said motioning behind her. Buffy turned and found Spike standing in the doorway.
“I thought you were going..” she started.
“Decided to sleep in my own bed tonight,” Spike said as he took Buffy into his arms. Neither noticed as Rupert put the next song on repeat.
{Let’s take it nice ‘n’ easy}
{It’s gonna be so easy for us to fall in love}
{Hey, baby, what’s your hurry?}
{Relax ‘n’ don’t you worry, we’re gonna fall in love}
They stared into each other’s eyes as they moved around the room.
(We’re on the road to romance, that’s safe to say}
{But let’s make all the stops along the way}
Nothing seemed to outside of them inside each others arms.
{ The problem now, of course, is to simply hold your horses}
{To rush would be a crime ’cause nice ‘n’ easy does it every time}
He noticed her lick her lips and closed his eyes to resist the slight moisture on them.
(We’re on the road to romance, that’s safe to say}
(But let’s make all the stops along the way}
She saw his eyes close and trailed her hand till it rested on the base of his neck.
(The problem now, of course, is to simply hold your horses}
(To rush would be a crime ’cause nice ‘n’ easy does it}
(Nice ‘n’ easy does it}
(Nice ‘n’ easy does it every time}
Giving in to the battle they both leaned in. Just as their lips were about to join…
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” They jumped away as a child who’s been caught leaving a muddy trail on a clean floor.
“Mother! What is it?” Spike saw red as he glared at his mother. Instead of answering Joyce rushed over to Buffy and pulled her from Spike’s arms.
“It’s almost midnight! That means it is almost morning, as in the morning of your wedding! You can’t see Elizabeth! It’s bad luck!” She began pushing Buffy towards the door. “If you are staying here tonight William, you must be gone by at least eight. After that Buffy needs to start getting ready.” Joyce quickly had Buffy headed towards her room. Spike could hear a faint “Honestly William,” down the hallway as he watched the two women hurry towards Buffy’s room. He turned to face the empty room, and listened to old blue eyes once again.
(Nice ‘n’ easy does it}
(Nice ‘n’ easy does it}
(Nice ‘n’ easy does it every time}
Buffy was woken around nine by a breakfast tray-holding Willow. “I take it Spike is still around?”
“Yup, He argued that it made more sense to get ready here. I was told to keep you up on the third floor till the wedding starts.”
“What? That’s not till six tonight!” Buffy’s eyes were round with surprise. “What am I supposed to do till then?”
“What are you supposed to do?” Both girls looked up to see Joyce in the doorway. “Why you are supposed to be pampered and treated like a queen. First I have the masseuse coming at ten, then around noon or oneish, depending on how long the massages go, I have a light lunch planned. I planned on a nice nap till about three. After that the real fun starts, the women doing our hair and make-up are going to arrive. We should be ready by six for your long walk.” With that she clapped her hands and lightly commanded Buffy to finish her breakfast. And she did just that.
It seemed as though Buffy fell asleep during the massage only to wake as Xander took her arm. She gazed into the atrium. Countless bouquets full of Gerber daisies filled the room. Her eyes looked past the people observing the wedding, past the groom, best man, maid of honor, and Reverend. Past the glass window, the courtyard was filled with tiny white lights that seemed to glitter throughout the night like thousands of tiny fireflies had decided to participate in the ceremony.
Buffy looked up at Xander. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. As the music cued, Buffy and Xander took a step forward. As she reached the end of the white silk under her feet, she felt Xander give her hand to Spike. She glanced up and found blue eyes shining. Caught in his eyes, Buffy found herself magically knowing when to respond, repeating words when needed. Suddenly she heard Spike saying his vows.
“I, William, take you Elizabeth, to be no other then yourself. Loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know, with respect for your integrity and faith in your love for me. Through all our years and all that life may bring us.” Overwhelmed by his words, Buffy felt a tear slide down her face only to be caught by his fingertip.
{Nice and easy does it}
{Nice and easy does it everytime}