Title: Child of Light
Author: Camilla aka Cosmic
Email: [email protected]
Rating: R to be on the safe side. Some language/sex/violence, but none more than what you would see on the show, really.
Feedback: I love feedback!!
Distribution: Death Marked Love, ff.net. Anyone else, just ask.
AN: Okay, this is the last part of this story. I wanna thank *everyone* again and again for reviewing so nicely, I am glad you all liked the story. Of course, there will always be those who hate the "picket-fence-fics", but that's up to them…
I have begun writing the sequel to this, so keep a lookout… If anyone wants to beta-read for me, then email me, cause I'd like a beta or two.
So, I hope you like this last chapter (I hope it's a 'worthy' end or this fic :-) ) and feel free to review even more if you want to, lol.
Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 20
The reception was to be held in a small chapel fairly close to Buffy's house. On the day of the wedding, it was filled with people.
"I didn't know we knew this many people," Willow said to Dawn as they were walking around in the lobby.
"Me neither," Dawn said. "Let's see… Those are some of Spike's friends –" she pointed at some demons talking in the corner "– those are a couple of Buffy's friends from school."
"Yeah, I recognize one or two of them from my classes," Willow said. "And let me guess that those are some of your friends?" She pointed at a group of young teen girls standing by the table with the presents.
"Yeah, Buffy told me to invite a grand total of five," Dawn smiled.
"Well, it is her wedding." The two continued to walk, heading for the changing rooms where Buffy was holding up. Spike was on the other side of the building, in another room with Xander, getting himself ready.
"Is your dad coming?" Willow asked.
Dawn looked down at the floor before meeting Willow's eyes. "No. We sent him an invitation, but he hasn't replied. I think we're gonna stop trying now. He didn't come for mom's funeral, he doesn't want to see his grand child and he doesn't want to see his daughter get married. What a dad, huh?"
Willow smiled sadly at the teen. "I'm sorry, Dawnie."
"What do you have to be sorry for? It's no one's fault but his. Besides, I've stopped caring."
Something in the teen's voice told Willow that that was not the truth, but did not press the subject any further. They reached Buffy's room and knocked. "Come in if you are Willow or Dawn, if not, go out and mingle," they heard Buffy's voice.
"It's us," Dawn said, walking inside. There was Buffy, clad in her wedding gown, looking more beautiful than either of the girls had ever seen her.
"Buffy… Wow… You look so good!" Dawn exclaimed.
The petite Slayer blushed, and checked herself in the mirror. She had a small amount of make-up on – some eye shadow and mascara, light pink lip- gloss and a hint of pink on her cheeks. Though Dawn did not know if the latter was just embarrassment from Dawn's comment.
"Thank you," Buffy said finally.
"So, are you ready to get married?" Willow asked, at the same time bending down and straightening Buffy's dress out.
Buffy was silent for a second, seeming to ponder the question. "You know what," she said, "I think I am."
The three girls smiled and the room was quiet for a moment.
"Elle is out with Tara, just so you know," Dawn told her sister. "When the ceremony starts, I will have her so she's close to you if she gets… unhappy."
The redhead, the brunette and the bride were all now ready to go. Tara was going to come by when the people had taken their seats, and Spike had entered. So for now, it was just a small wait.
Somewhere between five and ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Buffy's thoughts, which had been on the vows she was about to give, were interrupted by Tara's voice.
"It's a-all ready. Spike's entering in a second, so y-you should get going too," she said, handing Eleanor over to Dawn. The baby was asleep, and with any luck, she would stay that way throughout the ceremony.
Buffy took her daughter from Dawn. She placed a gentle kiss on Eleanor's forehead, and whispered her, "Now mommy's gonna get married, sweetheart."
* * *
The music began playing, and Spike felt nervous. It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time, but right now, that was the only way to describe it. He changed his weight from one foot to the other. He locked eyes with Xander, who was standing a few feet away, acting as his best man. The younger man looked almost as fidgety as Spike himself. Then Spike felt the people's gaze wander from him to the back of the room when footsteps were heard.
Willow entered first. She was holding a little bouquet of flowers, similar to the one Buffy had, but smaller. The light blue gown swayed gently as she walked down the isle.
After her came Dawn, clad in the same sort of light blue dress, but instead of a bouquet of flowers, she held her niece in her arms.
When the bridesmaids had entered and sat down, the bride came.
Buffy looked as though she was floating down the isle, a huge smile on her face. Several 'oohs' were heard from the audience.
"You look…" Spike whispered to her as she reached him. He did not finish the sentence – he could not find a word that was appropriate.
"Thank you," she whispered back.
The minister began talking, but Buffy could not hear. She was standing here, in a chapel, with all the people she loved – and some more – around her, and she was getting married to the one she loved the most. He looked gorgeous. He had a dark blue tuxedo on, a white shirt underneath. His hair held gel, but only a little. It was gently tousled into small curls.
She began listening again when the minister said; "William Walthrop, do you take Buffy Anne Summers to be your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and to hold, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
The look in his eyes when he met her gaze had never been more honest, nor had it held more love, when he replied, "I do."
Xander stepped forward and gave the small gold ring to Spike, whom placed it on Buffy's finger.
"And do you, Buffy Anne Summers, take thee William Walthrop, to be your lawfully wedded husband, and to honor and hold him, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
She looked up at him, met his eye with a smile, and the words formed easily on her tongue.
"I do."
Willow handed her the ring, and she placed it on her love's finger. He grinned happily at her.
"And so I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister said, "You may now kiss the bride."
Spike placed a gentle finger on her face and lifted Buffy's chin up. He bent down and was about to kiss her, when a scream was heard.
Buffy looked up, and met her sister's eye. A second later, Dawn came rushing forward with the angry baby in her arms.
"I'm sorry," Dawn said to her sister, "She just woke up."
"It's okay Dawn…" Buffy smiled. "She just wanted in on the action."
The little girl had settled in her mother's arms, and Buffy turned to Spike. "Now, where were we? I think you were about to kiss me in public without anyone interrupting."
"Oh yes, I think I bloody well was…"
He bent down, and with their daughter in between the two of them, they kissed.
* * *
"I think I'm gonna turn in," Dawn admitted with a yawn.
It was three in the morning, and the gang were all the Summer's house. Tara and Willow were sitting on the floor, the redhead leaning against the blonde. Xander and Anya were not sitting together – they occupied a chair each – though Dawn thought that if they were indeed sitting together, they would not be aware of much else than each other in the room.
Giles had left earlier in the evening with the rest of the people in his age. He had given the newly wedded his blessings, and told his Slayer that he was proud of her for following her heart. At that, Buffy had cried and hugged her Watcher.
The couple in question was occupying the couch together, with Eleanor in Buffy's arms. The baby was sleeping, but her parents were still awake.
"Okay Dawnie," Buffy said with a smile at her sister. "We'll see you tomorrow. Thank you for a wonderful day."
Dawn went ahead to the couch and hugged her older sister. "I'm glad you had a good day, B. And you too, Spike," she added.
"Thanks bit."
Buffy and Spike had decided not to go on a honeymoon right away after the wedding. They were going to wait for at least a couple of months – until Eleanor was big enough to be left behind. Dawn had been forced to promise she would baby-sit for a week when they went away.
Dawn fished up the camera she had had hanging around her neck all afternoon and night, and she quickly snapped some pictures of the couples in the room. Then, after another set of good nights, she walked up the stairs in her room.
She closed the door after her, and went over to her drawer. From it she took a small box, and with the box in her hands, she sat down on the bed.
"Look mom," she said as she opened the box. "I got them developed now. I don't have the ones from the wedding just yet, but I think they'll be great."
She took out two pictures from the box. "These are my favorites, but you already know that."
The first one showed the pregnant Buffy, lying in Spike's arms, both fast asleep on the couch that night when they were supposed to watch a movie.
"It was so typical," Dawn continued to talk for herself. "You know mom, she's just like you, I should expect it. You fell asleep during movies, then of course she does. But Spike? He doesn't usually."
Dawn put the picture aside and took her favorite out.
"I wish you were here, mom. I know you'd be so happy to see Elle. She's got a very loud scream, but you'd love her. Definitely. And you'd love to see Buffy so happy…"
She trailed off, lost in thought. Then she seemed to hear a question in the air. "If I'm happy?" she asked quietly. "I don't know. But, Spike makes me happy, and Buffy makes me happy, and they are both happy, so I'm surrounded by the happy really."
She sat quiet again. "Everything would be different if you were here. I don't know if-if I would be happier, but… Actually, you know what, I am happy. Buffy is happy. Spike is happy. They love me, I love them, I love Elle, and yeah, for the first time in a-a very long time, I am happy."
She put the picture down on the bed.
"We're family now, you know. Hopefully you'll always watch over us, but now, we are family."
She turned the light above her bed off. On her nightstand, the picture taken just a couple of hours earlier – before the wedding – was lying. It showed a smiling quartet. The former vampire Spike, the Slayer named Buffy, the Child of Light named Eleanor and the key turned human who was Dawn. For the first time in many long months, the picture showed the truth – it showed happy people.
Maybe it was not the normal family, but it was a family none the less.
Not normal.
Odd.
But nice.
1 End – of this story at least…
This was the answer to Challenge no 23 on Death Marked Love. Here's the challenge:
1) Buffy and Spike spend the night together (if you know what I mean).
2) Buffy becomes pregnant and has to tell Spike its his and Spike turns
human.
3) Spike asks her to marry him and they get married and the kid is
born
Optional: Buffy can have a miscarriage before the wedding but gets pregnant again
Include three or more of the following:
The color orange
The song Reflection by Christina Aguilera
A golf club
A kitten
Buffy dancing and Spike watching (she catches him staring)
Dawn getting engaged(AU)
Spike in a candy store
The video game Zelda
A can of Sprite
Simpsons the tv show
Spike wearing a pink shirt and Buffy laughing at him
Author: Camilla aka Cosmic
Email: [email protected]
Rating: R to be on the safe side. Some language/sex/violence, but none more than what you would see on the show, really.
Feedback: I love feedback!!
Distribution: Death Marked Love, ff.net. Anyone else, just ask.
AN: Okay, this is the last part of this story. I wanna thank *everyone* again and again for reviewing so nicely, I am glad you all liked the story. Of course, there will always be those who hate the "picket-fence-fics", but that's up to them…
I have begun writing the sequel to this, so keep a lookout… If anyone wants to beta-read for me, then email me, cause I'd like a beta or two.
So, I hope you like this last chapter (I hope it's a 'worthy' end or this fic :-) ) and feel free to review even more if you want to, lol.
Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 20
The reception was to be held in a small chapel fairly close to Buffy's house. On the day of the wedding, it was filled with people.
"I didn't know we knew this many people," Willow said to Dawn as they were walking around in the lobby.
"Me neither," Dawn said. "Let's see… Those are some of Spike's friends –" she pointed at some demons talking in the corner "– those are a couple of Buffy's friends from school."
"Yeah, I recognize one or two of them from my classes," Willow said. "And let me guess that those are some of your friends?" She pointed at a group of young teen girls standing by the table with the presents.
"Yeah, Buffy told me to invite a grand total of five," Dawn smiled.
"Well, it is her wedding." The two continued to walk, heading for the changing rooms where Buffy was holding up. Spike was on the other side of the building, in another room with Xander, getting himself ready.
"Is your dad coming?" Willow asked.
Dawn looked down at the floor before meeting Willow's eyes. "No. We sent him an invitation, but he hasn't replied. I think we're gonna stop trying now. He didn't come for mom's funeral, he doesn't want to see his grand child and he doesn't want to see his daughter get married. What a dad, huh?"
Willow smiled sadly at the teen. "I'm sorry, Dawnie."
"What do you have to be sorry for? It's no one's fault but his. Besides, I've stopped caring."
Something in the teen's voice told Willow that that was not the truth, but did not press the subject any further. They reached Buffy's room and knocked. "Come in if you are Willow or Dawn, if not, go out and mingle," they heard Buffy's voice.
"It's us," Dawn said, walking inside. There was Buffy, clad in her wedding gown, looking more beautiful than either of the girls had ever seen her.
"Buffy… Wow… You look so good!" Dawn exclaimed.
The petite Slayer blushed, and checked herself in the mirror. She had a small amount of make-up on – some eye shadow and mascara, light pink lip- gloss and a hint of pink on her cheeks. Though Dawn did not know if the latter was just embarrassment from Dawn's comment.
"Thank you," Buffy said finally.
"So, are you ready to get married?" Willow asked, at the same time bending down and straightening Buffy's dress out.
Buffy was silent for a second, seeming to ponder the question. "You know what," she said, "I think I am."
The three girls smiled and the room was quiet for a moment.
"Elle is out with Tara, just so you know," Dawn told her sister. "When the ceremony starts, I will have her so she's close to you if she gets… unhappy."
The redhead, the brunette and the bride were all now ready to go. Tara was going to come by when the people had taken their seats, and Spike had entered. So for now, it was just a small wait.
Somewhere between five and ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Buffy's thoughts, which had been on the vows she was about to give, were interrupted by Tara's voice.
"It's a-all ready. Spike's entering in a second, so y-you should get going too," she said, handing Eleanor over to Dawn. The baby was asleep, and with any luck, she would stay that way throughout the ceremony.
Buffy took her daughter from Dawn. She placed a gentle kiss on Eleanor's forehead, and whispered her, "Now mommy's gonna get married, sweetheart."
* * *
The music began playing, and Spike felt nervous. It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time, but right now, that was the only way to describe it. He changed his weight from one foot to the other. He locked eyes with Xander, who was standing a few feet away, acting as his best man. The younger man looked almost as fidgety as Spike himself. Then Spike felt the people's gaze wander from him to the back of the room when footsteps were heard.
Willow entered first. She was holding a little bouquet of flowers, similar to the one Buffy had, but smaller. The light blue gown swayed gently as she walked down the isle.
After her came Dawn, clad in the same sort of light blue dress, but instead of a bouquet of flowers, she held her niece in her arms.
When the bridesmaids had entered and sat down, the bride came.
Buffy looked as though she was floating down the isle, a huge smile on her face. Several 'oohs' were heard from the audience.
"You look…" Spike whispered to her as she reached him. He did not finish the sentence – he could not find a word that was appropriate.
"Thank you," she whispered back.
The minister began talking, but Buffy could not hear. She was standing here, in a chapel, with all the people she loved – and some more – around her, and she was getting married to the one she loved the most. He looked gorgeous. He had a dark blue tuxedo on, a white shirt underneath. His hair held gel, but only a little. It was gently tousled into small curls.
She began listening again when the minister said; "William Walthrop, do you take Buffy Anne Summers to be your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and to hold, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
The look in his eyes when he met her gaze had never been more honest, nor had it held more love, when he replied, "I do."
Xander stepped forward and gave the small gold ring to Spike, whom placed it on Buffy's finger.
"And do you, Buffy Anne Summers, take thee William Walthrop, to be your lawfully wedded husband, and to honor and hold him, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
She looked up at him, met his eye with a smile, and the words formed easily on her tongue.
"I do."
Willow handed her the ring, and she placed it on her love's finger. He grinned happily at her.
"And so I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister said, "You may now kiss the bride."
Spike placed a gentle finger on her face and lifted Buffy's chin up. He bent down and was about to kiss her, when a scream was heard.
Buffy looked up, and met her sister's eye. A second later, Dawn came rushing forward with the angry baby in her arms.
"I'm sorry," Dawn said to her sister, "She just woke up."
"It's okay Dawn…" Buffy smiled. "She just wanted in on the action."
The little girl had settled in her mother's arms, and Buffy turned to Spike. "Now, where were we? I think you were about to kiss me in public without anyone interrupting."
"Oh yes, I think I bloody well was…"
He bent down, and with their daughter in between the two of them, they kissed.
* * *
"I think I'm gonna turn in," Dawn admitted with a yawn.
It was three in the morning, and the gang were all the Summer's house. Tara and Willow were sitting on the floor, the redhead leaning against the blonde. Xander and Anya were not sitting together – they occupied a chair each – though Dawn thought that if they were indeed sitting together, they would not be aware of much else than each other in the room.
Giles had left earlier in the evening with the rest of the people in his age. He had given the newly wedded his blessings, and told his Slayer that he was proud of her for following her heart. At that, Buffy had cried and hugged her Watcher.
The couple in question was occupying the couch together, with Eleanor in Buffy's arms. The baby was sleeping, but her parents were still awake.
"Okay Dawnie," Buffy said with a smile at her sister. "We'll see you tomorrow. Thank you for a wonderful day."
Dawn went ahead to the couch and hugged her older sister. "I'm glad you had a good day, B. And you too, Spike," she added.
"Thanks bit."
Buffy and Spike had decided not to go on a honeymoon right away after the wedding. They were going to wait for at least a couple of months – until Eleanor was big enough to be left behind. Dawn had been forced to promise she would baby-sit for a week when they went away.
Dawn fished up the camera she had had hanging around her neck all afternoon and night, and she quickly snapped some pictures of the couples in the room. Then, after another set of good nights, she walked up the stairs in her room.
She closed the door after her, and went over to her drawer. From it she took a small box, and with the box in her hands, she sat down on the bed.
"Look mom," she said as she opened the box. "I got them developed now. I don't have the ones from the wedding just yet, but I think they'll be great."
She took out two pictures from the box. "These are my favorites, but you already know that."
The first one showed the pregnant Buffy, lying in Spike's arms, both fast asleep on the couch that night when they were supposed to watch a movie.
"It was so typical," Dawn continued to talk for herself. "You know mom, she's just like you, I should expect it. You fell asleep during movies, then of course she does. But Spike? He doesn't usually."
Dawn put the picture aside and took her favorite out.
"I wish you were here, mom. I know you'd be so happy to see Elle. She's got a very loud scream, but you'd love her. Definitely. And you'd love to see Buffy so happy…"
She trailed off, lost in thought. Then she seemed to hear a question in the air. "If I'm happy?" she asked quietly. "I don't know. But, Spike makes me happy, and Buffy makes me happy, and they are both happy, so I'm surrounded by the happy really."
She sat quiet again. "Everything would be different if you were here. I don't know if-if I would be happier, but… Actually, you know what, I am happy. Buffy is happy. Spike is happy. They love me, I love them, I love Elle, and yeah, for the first time in a-a very long time, I am happy."
She put the picture down on the bed.
"We're family now, you know. Hopefully you'll always watch over us, but now, we are family."
She turned the light above her bed off. On her nightstand, the picture taken just a couple of hours earlier – before the wedding – was lying. It showed a smiling quartet. The former vampire Spike, the Slayer named Buffy, the Child of Light named Eleanor and the key turned human who was Dawn. For the first time in many long months, the picture showed the truth – it showed happy people.
Maybe it was not the normal family, but it was a family none the less.
Not normal.
Odd.
But nice.
1 End – of this story at least…
This was the answer to Challenge no 23 on Death Marked Love. Here's the challenge:
1) Buffy and Spike spend the night together (if you know what I mean).
2) Buffy becomes pregnant and has to tell Spike its his and Spike turns
human.
3) Spike asks her to marry him and they get married and the kid is
born
Optional: Buffy can have a miscarriage before the wedding but gets pregnant again
Include three or more of the following:
The color orange
The song Reflection by Christina Aguilera
A golf club
A kitten
Buffy dancing and Spike watching (she catches him staring)
Dawn getting engaged(AU)
Spike in a candy store
The video game Zelda
A can of Sprite
Simpsons the tv show
Spike wearing a pink shirt and Buffy laughing at him