Chapter 21

Once inside the bedroom, Spike walked on past her."Oh thank god we're alone, you ever get that need when you just want forget the entire world exists except you and your significant other?" Buffy asked,"All night I just kept thinking I needed to be with you. I didn't know much else, but I knew that once I was in your arms, you'd see that everything would be okay." At first Spike couldn't bare not having constant contact with her, now he seemed somewhat nervous. She closed and locked the bedroom door and sighed. He turned around, a gamut of emotions paining his face. "Spike, are you alright?" Buffy moved close to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up at his down cast face. He choked on a sob, tears suddenly falling down his sharp cheeks.

"No, no, not at all, not a bloody bit," he cried, gripping her shoulders,"I can't stop playing that moment over and over again in my head, the doctor coming out of your hospital room, about to tell me you were dead."

"Oh, baby...I didn't realize. But I'm right here, aren't I? I wasn't dead, I couldn't have been." She took his hand and put it over her heart,"Still here, still alive." He pressed his palm more firmly against her chest, relishing in the rhythmic thumping of her heart and the warmth of her body."Spike, I'm still gonna be Mrs. William Chippinghurst, aren't I?" He coughed out a laugh and marveled at how wonderful she was.

"That's a bloody horrible name to give the woman I love."

"It's growing on me."

"Like a fungus no doubt."

"No you twit, like I'm going to be proud to be your wife. Now, I think we both deserve a little TLC, don't you? First, I'd really like a bath, because morgues are less sterile than you'd think, and you know, to wash that deadness right outta my hair." He sighed and tried to relax, she was making jokes to make him feel better. He couldn't imagine how horrible a memory it was for her to have woken up among the dead - again. She massaged at the small of his back,"Afterwards, I want us to curl up in bed together, and come what may. Why don't you go get me my robe?"

"Alright, pet...don't go anywhere."

"Never." He was gone only a few seconds, taking her hand and bestowing a kiss upon it before giving her the cotton bathrobe."Make the water nice an hot." Spike emerged from the bathroom again soon, with the sound of the water still running in the tub. He eased up to her, looked intensely down into her eyes, then dropped to the ground in front of her. She held in a fit of giggles when he began to French kiss her knees,"Honey, that tickles!" Suddenly his hand were under her robe and gliding up her thighs. The drapes of fabric were pulled open and Spike buried his face at her mound, inhaling deeply, lips and tongue voracious at the soft gathering of curls, delving in between the edges of her slit."Oh god, Spike what are you gonna do to me?"

"Need...need to know you're really here..." He squeezed her bottom and resumed his attentions on her sex. He encouraged her to open her legs a little wider as he dipped his face a bit under her for better access. He flexed out his tongue and ran it from one end of her moistening lips until it passed over her clit and she moaned heatedly, grabbing on to his shoulders to steady herself. He repeated the action, again and again, devouring her, loving her. He took up one of her legs and put it over his shoulder, then moved his mouth under her in order to push his tongue inside. He consumed her, lost himself in the heat and taste of her, groaning every time her body offered him another rush of her nectar.

She threaded her fingers in his hair and pushed him against her and she moved her hips back and forth with the stabbing actions of his tongue. As both their motions rose to a frenzy, Spike brought his demon to the surface, adding his facial ridges and fangs to his love making. With these new sensations rubbing against her delicate skin, coupled with his inherent aptitude, Buffy was catapulted to orgasm.

"Spike...Spike! Spike!" she cried, feeling herself melt over him, her Slayer muscles spasming and her entire body thrumming with sexual vibrations. Suddenly unable to support herself, Buffy collapsed over him, falling down into his arms, his mouth now moving over her stomach and breasts,"I love you...I love you."

"Buffy...Buffy...my love..." he chanted, his face syroped with her release and her sweat, his hands mauling and caressing every inch of her. Buffy was reaching for the zipper on his pants when unexpectedly she was unceremoniously tossed on the floor with a dull thud and the vampire was scurrying away.

"Honey? Spike, babe? Whatcha doing?" He came running back out from the bathroom and scooped her up.

"Sorry, pet, I left the water running."

"Oh. Didn't overflow did it?"

"Nope, it's all nice and warm for me and my girl."

"The two of us? Oh I like that, I can give you a hand job in tub." Spike nearly dropped her from hearing those words.

"Buffy!"

"What? You just pleasured me orally while I was standing up, not to mention still being all morgue-y. I think I'm allowed to touch your penis whilst we soak in the tub. And later I wanna spank you, I just love doing that!"

"Don't have to ask twice, love, do....do anything you like." His eased her into the water, the Slayer giving off a moan of satisfaction as the hot water enveloped her body.

"Mmmm...heaven." She watched in lust as Spike disrobed, every time that sleak white canvas of hard muscles and taut skin was unveiled, her abdomen ached with desire."You're beautiful, you know? I don't think I tell you that enough." He gave her a shy, almost embarrassed smile before getting into the bath with her. He settled down and she maneuvered herself to his side until they fit together comfortably in the small space.

"You really think that?" She had the bar of soap in her hand and busied herself with sliding it back and forth over his stomach.

"You have one of the most illuminated, kindest souls I've ever known. Then there's this lean, catlike body, full of strength and grace. You have scars, but they make you beautiful too. You have that bleached out hair that makes you both childlike and fiendishly dangerous...and then..." She let the soap go and wrapped her hand around his semi-erect cock as best she could,"There's this beautiful, long, thick cock that I can't even fit in my hands." She circled her thumb around one bulging vein in particular and, adding a special kind of pressure. He shuddered and shifted and Buffy continued with her actions until he was fully erect in her hand."I'm a small girl, but any woman would find this....too much. She gave it a squeeze and slid her hand up to the swollen head. She glided her fings over the top, gathering the pearly drops of precum, then slid back down under the water.

Spike closed his eyes and groaned against her throat, starting to pant as Buffy continued to massage him up and down for serveral long minutes."Buffy...I'm..."

"You're close?"

"Yeah...yeah, love..."

"Kiss me." She turned her face down to his, finding his lips and drawing his own tongue into her mouth. She intensified her working on him, tightening her grasp, pumping faster. He groaned into her mouth and came in heavy spurts over her hand and in the water. Long after he had calmed back down, she continued to kiss him, letting them both sink down into the bath. The warm water blanketed the lovers, soothingly lapping at their necks where they weren't submerged. Buffy moved her lips from his, sweetly kissing over his cheeks , eyelids, nose and forehead."My beautiful man..."

Chapter 22

"So, we continue with the pampering of the dead and resurrected for a third time Buffy?" the Slayer asked, once again being carried by her vampire lover. He put her down on the bed and kissed her on the tip of her nose. He smiled, then went over to the dresser to retrieve her undergarments and fresh clothes for them both.

"We do indeed, sweetheart, down to the kitchen we go and I'll make you anything you'd like for dinner. Or call for delivery because I'm not sure if I can cook much beyond microwaving blood. But I'll try." He brought her the clothes and continued on with dressing himself.

"Actually, do we have any pineapple? I have an insane craving for pineapple chunks in plain yogurt."

"You're so weird."

"What? It's nummy."

"It's breakfast for waifish supermodels with eating disorders. If you want breakfast I can make eggs and bacon and potatoes."

"Spike healthy food doesn't equal bad, your kind of breakfast will make my heart explode."

"Balders, it's good English living."

"An oxymoron if ever I heard one. Fine, pineapple on my pizza please."

"And a pound of cheese is healthy? You're a damned insufferable chit...but I love you and I wouldn't change anything about you." He took her hand and pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close,"Don't ever scare me like that again, you hear me?"

"I'll do my best, and don't you ever get dusty."

"Do my best."

"Food now please."

"Yes dear."

***

"Come to momma cheesy goodness," Buffy moaned as the slice of gooey, topping laden pizza was brought to her mouth. She took a large bite, stuffing her face full."Mmmm mmmmm!!" Spike watched, bemused at his lady love indulging in the pleasure of food. He'd always thought she ate too little, was too thin. He'd love a nice plump Slayer more than he thought was safe to tell a woman. Before Buffy had finished her first piece of pizza, Spike had taken another two from the box and put them on her plate. He wondered if Willow had added a little something extra to the Pluthor antidote, he'd never seen Buffy consume food quite so ravenously.

"Thought I might pop down to the store n' get us some chocolate ice cream if there's none in the freezer, sound good to you, pet?" She nodded her head enthusiastically, happily digging into the second piece. I nice curvy Slayer with a round bottom and succulent breasts. Lovely, he thought. The smell of pizza must have triggered the hunger of the rest of the household as the others made their way from various rooms into the dining room.

"How come you didn't tell us there was pizza?" Dawn asked, a little stricken. Spike snatched away the box before the teenager to get a piece.

"'Cause it's Buffy's I'm not dead for a third time celebratory pizza!" the vampire protested.

"Spike, you practically kidnapped my sister to the upstairs when you knew we all wanted to share in the so glad you're not dead again love fest, we deserve pizza!" Spike sighed, and caught a smirk from the Slayer, her cheeks stuffed full like a chipmunk's.

"Order whatever you like, bit."

"I thank you, and the raging pride of lions in my stomach thank you also." She went bounding towards the kitchen to call in her order to the all night pizza place, but Spike spoke again.

"Are you happy, nibblet?" Buffy was too busy stuffing her face to notice the the subtle conversation passing between her sister and her vampire. Dawn looked at them both and nodded her head before wiping away a tear. All this time the others had been slowly gathering around the edges of the dining room, just observing Buffy - pigging out. The Slayer had torn a fearsome swath through the pizza, devouring nearly all of it. Spike smiled at seeing Giles with his arm around Anya, watching Buffy with almost parental pride, Xander and Willow too stood close, friends forever. He turned back to Buffy and swiped away a dollop of tomato sauce from the corner of her mouth before tasting it off his finger.

"What do we have for dessert? Is there ice cream? Did someone check yet?" she asked around the the cheese.

"Are you sure you'll have room, pet?" Spike reached out again rubbed the side of her cheek with the back of his knuckles. She smiled and stuffed the crust into her mouth, nodding happily.

"Can I eat it off your washboard abs?" Spike burst out laughing, but even more so he was pleased to know she wasn't kidding,"Or, banana split?"

"And I'm the banana?"

"Okay, okay, I realize you two are like atypical sex fiends for each other, but does everything always have to be about Spike's penis?!" Xander burst out. The others stared at the young man, blank, somewhat shocked looks on their faces. Spike inched his chair closer to Buffy.

"I swear I had nothing to do with this one," Willow protested,"If someone gayed him up, it wasn't me."

"Xander, I appreciate....no, perhaps I don't appreciate...oh bloody hell, Harris, I'm strictly butter side up," Spike blathered, his hand resting high up on Buffy's inner thigh, just to stake a claim to his manliness,"So...so..."

"God, what is wrong with you people?!" Xander shouted,"This was about them, being all over each other! Buffy's just come back from the dead, again, and we're all happy and grateful, and he's all over her and....and...I give up."

"Good, because you'll never win m'heart, it belongs to Buffy. Sure, you're a fine strapping young lad and if I were a different kind of vamp, possibly named Angel, I'm sure you'd be prime bite material but..."

"Spike, honey, go get me that ice cream or you and can Xander go find a nice cozy crypt..." Buffy interjected.

"I'm not gay!" Xander proclaimed, again,"And even if I was..."

"It's okay Xander, I remember how you liked to tie me up in your basement..." Spike countered,"But honestly, you've been putting out the come ons for years now, I'm sorry, mate, I just swing from different vines than you."

"What? You can't be serious...I'm not..." Mercifully the doorbell rang and Xander bolted,"I got that!" He left the others in his wake, laughing their asses off.

Xander opened the door to reveal the unexpected visitor that was Harmony. She stood there with a mightily pissed off look on her face, hands on her hips and foot tapping the Declaration of Independence in Morse code. Madame's entire entourage stood behind her in full vamp face and lingerie.

"She burned down my house!" Harmony declared.

"Buffy!!! It's for you!!" Xander hollered. The entire household came running.

"Oh crap," said Buffy.

Chapter 23

"Okay, Vivienne, Tammy, Connie, you three are in Dawn's room, Dawnie and Willow and Anya are bunking together in Willow's room. Giles, Xander, sorry, basement. Cindy, Nadia, Jessica, and finally, Harmony, you may share the living room," Buffy explained, delegating sleeping spaces. Anya raised her hand,"Yes Anya?"

"Why don't Rupert and I just go back to my place? Or his? Wouldn't that make more sense? The Hellmouth's closed, the First was defeated and honestly, I'm getting sick of the whole bunch of you. Besides, why would I subject my Rupie to these wanton hussies and their fangs, not to mention my own vulnerable person. No offense." The ladies rolled their eyes and tutted their tongues on the roofs of their mouths.

"Forgot, okay, fine." Xander raised his hand next."What?"

"I've got an apartment."

"Whatever." Spike came up behind his frustrated intended bride and placed comforting hands on the back of her shoulders, kneading her tired muscles, he'd have to take special care of her tonight.

"Here's another good suggestion, Buffy," Harmony added,"Why don't you go with him!"

"Oh sure thing Harmony and leave my fiancé all alone in our big comfy bed in a house full of vamp hos, yeah, that'll go over like a house on fire." Harmony gasped.

"You bitch! This is your fault you know, if you hadn't gotten so pyro happy none of us would be here in your low rent white trash hovel!" Now it was Buffy's turned to act shocked, she'd had a delusional fever afterall. The muscles in her entire body strung themselves so tight they felt like stone under Spike's hands.

"You're lucky I don't stake you here and now."

"Oh I'd like to see you try, little miss Slutty the Vampire Layer - there's a few crusty minions in the south cemetery you haven't banged yet, why don't you go out and follow your true calling?"

"Hey!" Spike interjected, getting more than a little angry himself,"None of that, Harmony! What happened was an accident."

"Oh pffft!"

"Slayer..." Spike's voice softened as he came to stand in front of her,"Let's you and me get out of here, what do you say?"

"I can't believe you put your dick in that woman!" Buffy shouted. Spike cringed.

"Precious, please..."

"Don't precious me! I'm only letting them stay here because of you!"

"Because of me? Why the bloody hell because of me!?"

"'Cause you're all good Spike, all noble and you'd want to help and...and...because it is all my fault."

"Fuck, Buffy. It's not your fault and I'm not the bloody Poof." Why was she suddenly getting weepy? Her lower lip was trembling and everything.

"Why do you want to marry me?" Where did that come from?

"Do enlighten us, Spikey," Harmony added, enjoying the Slayer's vulnerability, ever the bitch. Spike ran his hand through his hair, all eyes upon him. He saw a tear slip down her cheek and she started to come unhinged.

"Uh..." he stammered.

"You don't know?" Buffy gasped. The dam was about to burst.

"BLOODY HELL! That's it!! This is the bloody end!!" Much to the amazement of all those present, Spike vamped out and grabbed for the Slayer. He tossed her over his shoulder as if he were a fireman carrying a victim out of a burning house. Seemed to be a metaphor with them tonight.

"Spike!? What are you doing? Put me down!"

"Not a chance, my heart." He walked over to the desk in the living room and retrieve something from the drawer and stuffed it in his jeans pocket, then headed for the door."Where are you taking me?"

"Out. Ta, ladies and gents!" With that they were out the door and took to the street.

"Spike?!" With one spread hand and a firm palm he smacked her hard across the bottom,"HEY!!!" He laughed out loud and gave her another, prancing down the street like a caveman taking his mate back to the cave for a good shag. Buffy decided it was time to play hard. The vampire was stalled dead in his tracks when her own hand landed on his backside with a hard thwack. In turn he gave her another, and so on back and forth all the way downtown.

By the time their reached their destinations, their bums were stinging with each step. Their assaults on each other however had long since turned into play rather than punishment. Spike finally set her down outside the Sunnydale Courthouse. He was smiling so sweetly at her she couldn't get mad at him no matter how much her brain was telling her she should be. Her heart was telling her to kiss that sweet mouth of his. He beat her to it, bending down ever so slightly to brush his lips across hers."My arse is killing me, pet," he whispered. She smiled.

"Your own fault and I can betcha mine's pinker than a lobster's."

"I'll see to it later. But right now we've more important matters to attend to."

"Such as?"

"Our wedding."

"Huh?"

Chapter 24

"Sunnydale Night Court part 232 is now in session, the honorable Judge Adam Pierson presiding." The Judge entered from his chambers and took his seat and the gavel in his hand.

"You may be seated," he ordered with the lowering of the gavel,"Jenkins, who's up first on the docket?" The bailiff was about to speak when a lovely young lady hand in hand with a man with frighteningly pale skin and bleached hair pushed their way through the prostitutes, thieves and gang memebers all waiting their evening's processing. Spike took Buffy to his side and wormed their way between the counselors and slapped the piece of paper from his pocket down in front of the judge.

"Time's a wastin' your honorable," Spike mused, a broad smile painted on his face, a definite light dancing in his eyes. For her part, Buffy was struck dumb, but happily going along with her crazy vampire.

"Young man you're interrupting court proceedings...for..." He read the paper in front of him,"This is a marriage license."

"I know what it bloody is and here's you groom and his stunning bride." He made a mental note to have and explanation ready for Buffy when she asked on on Earth he actually acquired a legal marriaged license.

"You want me to marry you?"

"No you pillock, I want to marry Buffy."

"No, I meant..." Just then Buffy stepped up, leaning into the judge.

"It'll be faster if you don't argue with him, do this for us? Please?" Buffy asked, batting her eyelashes.

"You two really want to get married, here, now?"

"I can't wait another moment," Spike declared,"I must make this angel mine forever."

"You better hurry," Buffy continued,"Or he'll start spouting poetry and you so don't want that."

***

Ten minutes later, the cheers of the Sunnydale's small time criminals behind them, Mr. and Mrs. Chippinghurst sat on the steps out front. Spike held his wife's ringless hand in between his two, staring down at her running shoes. There was no wedding band on his finger either. He sighed and slouched.

"So, um, pet..." he began.

"So..."

"How do you feel?" She shrugged, then leaned into him, resting her cheek on his shoulder.

"We're married."

"We are indeed."

"Not quite how I imagined it."

"Me neither. You didn't answer my question." She looked up at him, her glum look mirroring his sullen one.

"Cheated."

"Me too. Sad."

"Me too."

"This was a mistake."

"Too late now."

"Yeah." He tilted his head and kissed her temple."I apologize. I wasn't thinking, I just wanted to be your husband more than anything in the world, I didn't mean for our wedding to be...the sodding disaster it was."

"I went along with it too, your enthusiasm was infectious. I'm overjoyed that we're married, William, but..."

"I wanted you in a long white gown with flowers in your golden hair and tears in your eyes. I wanted to savor those minutes of you slowly approaching me, holding your eyes with my own, then declaring our love in front of your friends and family. Knowing that I was your one, above all others. I wanted our moment." She moved from beside him to sit on his lap, arms linked around his neck, cheek against cheek.

"I wanted it too."

"So, we agree, we won't tell anyone we're hitched and get down to planning a proper wedding. I know just where we'll have it too."

"Where's that?"

"The church where I told you of my soul. That was our new beginning, I think."

"I finally realized you were not just a vampire, that you are a man. Are you sure, a church? Even one as special as ours?"

"I'm a man with a demon inside...not the other way around. I want God's blessing."

"That's beautiful. I love you so much."

"And I love you, Buffy Anne Chippinghurst." She rolled her eyes and smiled."Now, my beautiful bride. I might not have given you the wedding of your dreams, but I promise you, our wedding night will be....special, perfect."

"I know it will be, because it's you...and oh my god I'm a Chippinghurst!!"

Chapter 25

Agreeing that they didn't particularly want to explain themselves to their houseguests, nor whoever the remaining Scoobies that were in the house, sneaking in through the bedroom window seemed the best course of action. Unfortunately, since Buffy had switched into the master bedroom, there was no longer a large oak to climb. Spike surprised her then, certainly not the first time in their years of knowing each other, by gracefully scaling the entire side of the house like a spider upon his web. He dashed inside as if made of mist and seconds later the rope that she stashed in her closet was lowered for her to bring herself up to the bedroom.

Once inside she expected to be swept off her feet, but found that her new husband was busying himself with other matters. He'd already turned down the bed and was presently gathering in his arms what candles they had and arranging them on the bedside tables and lighting them. Buffy watched with awe and anticipation, at her husband. Her husband.

She felt her heartbeat quicken as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. He made sure to lock the door before taking off his boots and trousers as well. She was still by the window, watching his naked form move under the shadows of the flickering candles. He approached her slowly, silently as a ghost, eyes boring into hers. Buffy gasped and breathed in a ragged breath, her heart thumping hard in her chest. When he suddenly vamped out, it startled her and she jumped a little. He was suddenly behind her, growling at a near purr in her ear. He hadn't touched her yet, but already she was aroused to the point of feeling herself flowing down between her legs. She parted her lips and closed her eyes when he began to speak,"Will you let me have you?" She knew that it was the demon part of him asking the question. She leaned back and tilted her head to one side, baring her neck to his bite.

"Yes." Instead of the expected penetration of his fangs, he kissed her throat.

"I believe, pet, that the way this is supposed to go is that you're to disappear into the other room to slip into some sexy little thing whilst I lay in wait for you." He laved his tongue behind her ear, kissing her once more as he lovingly pet her hair,"Buffy, I love you, darling."

"I don't have anything to put on."

"You have many lovely things, you won't be wearing it for very long anyhow. I just want...our moment."

"I'll find something." She went to move from him, but he caught her left hand and brought it to his lips. There was something wholly erotic about him being so docile and gentle while still wearing the demon's face.

"I promise we'll get you a ring as soon as possible."

"If you buy me a diamond I'll punch you in the nose."

"Sorry, pet?"

"Just a band, a gold band for each of us."

"But..."

"I mean it, William. Go get into bed." He gave up, for now and sulked over to their bed, tossing himself on it and burying his face in the pillow. Meanwhile Buffy searched her lingerie drawer for something appropriate. She settled on one, one he probably had never seen, one she bought with him in mind the day after her one and only date with Principal Wood. In the bathroom she washed her face clean of makeup and brushed out her hair. She applied a sheen of gloss to her lips and stood in front of the mirror for a moment, hoping this was what he was looking for tonight.

She didn't know why she was nervous, this was Spike after all, but on the other hand this night together was six years in the making. She calmed herself and turned out the light before opening the door and stepping into the bedroom. He was laying on his side and facing her, head on the pillow, one hand underneath, the other laying out in front where her spot was. She wasn't sure she could fully read the look on his human face, lust, love and awe all churning together as one. She nervously fidgeted with the fitted lacy white camisole that covered her breasts and stomach, a hint of the matching panties peeking out underneath.

"Pet, you're frightened, aren't you?" She gave him a weak smile and sort of shrugged her shoulders.

"Blushing bride on her wedding night, I guess." She gave a little laugh. He held out his hand and she took it, letting him draw her down next to him. He ran his hand up her thigh, caressing, kneading.

"Then I shall pretend this is your first time, that you've known no other man....my beautiful virgin in white." She was blushing, he could sense the blood rushing to her cheeks.

"I wish I was, for you." He had a lamentful smile on his face. Part of him wished it were so, but on the other hand, to already know how perfect this would be gave him a great sense of anticipation. He moved slightly and dropped his head to her stomach, pushing the fabric up a little with his nose and pressing his lips to her bellybutton. He loved how she shivered with his touch. He shifted again and caught the strap of her camisole with his teeth, pulling it off her shoulder while his hand went to the other. Though the garment was a little tight, he managed to work it down until her plump breasts were exposed. With his hand now resting securely on her flat tummy, he descended to arouse her further.

He lightly kissed each nipple over and over, relishing the sensation of her areole creasing and tightening under the skin of his lips. She was making little sounds of pleasure, little gasps and mews and it was making him overtly aroused, his erection lengthening against the outside of her thigh. He paid long attentions to her breasts, rubbing his nose and cheek around the soft mounds, suckling upon her nipples, biting them, until she nearly came from his touch.

Sensing her more urgent needs, Spike moved from her and aided in divesting her of her lovely garments, leaving the Slayer with her legs spread invitingly. He paused above her, head cocked to one side, sharing a gaze of love drenched in lust, before she placed her hand on the back of his head and guided it down. The pheromone heavy scent of her arousal brought his demon forth and he watched her center quiver just as he went to take her.

She moaned just a little bit too loudly when he began pleasure her with tongue and fangs. He was steady and purposeful with nudging her sex with the ridges of his face and the prick points of his fangs, while his tongue laved her with hungry, hard licks, delving as deep up inside as he could manage. He alternated with the action inside her and laps over her too eager clit. Each time she shook, flooding his devouring mouth. The vampire knew every nerve of hers to excite, every place on her body that would bring her pleasure. Moreso, he knew how to love her.

Buffy was certain the bedsheets had caught on fire. She'd definitely taken leave of her senses, immersed in her husband's lovemaking. She felt herself beginning to climax and it was at that moment when just one more sweep of his tongue would send her over the edge, that he stopped.

Chapter 26

He closed the window and shut the curtains and snuffed out the candles. She heard his movements around the room, the brief sound of water running in the bathroom, and then his return. Buffy whimpered and writhed, begging him to come to her,"Spike? Where are you? I can't see you." Suddenly his hands were gliding up her legs as he moved in between them.

"But you can feel me, can't you?" He was over her,"The demon's had his fun, now let a man make love to his wife." His head bent down to press his lips to her shoulder, then again closer to her throat, then under her chin. When he claimed her mouth, he slipped inside her sex. Buffy moaned and her entire body seemed to melt into the mattress, Spike laying his weight down upon her as he sunk in to the fullest inside his wife. The continued to kiss slowly, rolling tongues together through smiles and moments of euphoria at the culmination of so many years of strife and struggle. The vampire and Slayer had wed. And they loved.

They threaded their fingers together and held their hands above their head as their bodies undulated. From the intense attention he'd already gifted upon, Buffy felt herself approaching her first climax fast. He was slow and sensual with shallow, pushing thrusts, grinding gently down upon her clitoris with the hilt of his cock. When the first waves rushed over her, urgent sobs filling their locked mouths, he stilled and reveled in the intense pulsing of her body around him.

Once she relaxed again, he resumed his easy, passive thrusts, the effort greater for him now as she'd nearly wrung an orgasm out of him with her own, but he'd wanted this to go on all night. He angle his stroke just so, eliciting shocking gasps and moans, knowing full well he was sliding against that perfect sweet spot. He always did.

Tears pricked the corner of her eyes, but she couldn't bear to look away from his face and the eyes that were again human and blue, and his steeled determination to exist only for her pleasure. Even as her breathing turned to wanton panting and her body arched up to meet his thrusts and gain more stimulation, she wanted to make certain that he too had a memorable wedding night. She moved her hands to his shoulders and wrapped her legs around the backs of his thighs, opening herself to him fully. He smiled down at her, obviously enjoying the deeper penetration.

"You've....ooh....n..never bitten me, god Spike...before."

"No, no, love, never will...never hurt you." His movement back and forth in her body were increasing steadily in urgency, she knew he was close to coming, as was she. Synchronicity. Their perfect moment.

"Do you know what this is like for...for me? Just unending moments of pure happiness? I love you and I want you to realize how....how...ooooohhh!.....Spike...how much. I want to...to...mmmm...hurry...take....take my blood..." She was surging up against him harder and faster, only able to keep her climax at bay a few moments longer. He hesitated and she took control, forcing his head down to her throat with one hand, while the other grasped hard to his rear end, digging her nails into the flesh.

Instantly his fangs were piercing her skin and tapping into the artery, drinking deep. Sex with Spike was nothing short of phenomenal, always had been, but this was beyond sex. The feeling of perfect completion when they were joined had become one of the most valuable aspects of their renewed relationship. But this was supernatural.

Their bodies exploded simultaneous in orgasm, violent, hard, ecstatic. Buffy felt it in her brain, in her blood, in her womb, but her soul was another matter. Spike felt it in his cells, in his undead heart, cock milked for its cool essence, but his soul was somewhere else. It was almost as if they were taken to another place, a woman tangled in passionate embrace with both a man and a demon. The three of them fucking as well as making love until the moment came when the trinity melted into one.

Buffy's first conscious recognition was of Spike's tongue lapping contentedly at the puncture wounds he'd made in her throat, her Slayer healing already working to close the wounds. He was still snug inside her, cradled between her thighs, rocking gently. Buffy exhaled and tightened her limbs around him, biting at his ear lobe.

"You felt it too didn't you?" she asked at his ear,"You're inside me, I'm inside you. Our souls, and the demon's." He turned to face her, still in the guise of the vampire. She craned her neck to reach his face, her tongue licking up his salty tears, running wet over the ridges of his brow. Her hands were at his backside again, pushing him harder into her, squeezing him with her hands and the muscles that clung to his spent cock. Spike bent his head down and took the nipple of one breast into his mouth and sucked voraciously, fangs cutting into the flesh of her breast and the blood filling his mouth again. He continued until he was hard again and drunk on her blood. He released the breast and cleaned it with his tongue. The demon face receded and he looked into her eyes with blue ones as he started the lovemaking over again.

He growled with a sly grin, one hand sliding under her bottom and lifting her hips off the mattress. She gave him an ecstatic giggle, laughed out Chippinghurst! and kissed him.

Chapter 27

After nearly an hour of sitting astride the dishonorable Mr. Chippinghurst, happily bouncing herself up and down his impressively sized and remarkably still rigid cock, the disheveled Mrs. Chippinghurst achieved her eleventh orgasm of the wedding night, also her third multiple. She collapsed as if she were merely a wet, sweaty blanket atop her well shagged beyond rotten husband, face smushed into his cheek. He gave her arse a hard smack and she squealed in his ear."You're a right randy bitch, Mrs." She reached behind her and gave his balls a good squeeze, earning her another strike."Cruel, wanton mistress."

"Mr. Chippinghurst is a scoundrel....a very bad man." He rained kisses over her neck and shoulders. His ran his fingers through the long golden tendrils of her hair and let himself rest, reveling in their closeness, but the emotional pain from earlier that night was still stinging like a whip. It was nearly sun up and the house likely wasn't likely to rise soon given that the majority of its occupants were vampires. Buffy noticed that their witty parlay had suddenly vanished and she looked down on his saddened face, knowing of what he was thinking. She slipped their bodies apart and lay down next to him, guiding his head to pillow at her breasts. He turned his face into them, breathing shaky breaths in an effort not to cry again."Do you feel me inside, William? Feel how our souls are connected? We'll never be separated, not even by death. I'm here, baby." He nodded and wrapped both arms around her waist.

"When...when you died, the other time, I knew it would be okay because you'd saved the world, died a hero, as a Slayer should. This time I died right along with you, the demon, the soul, we were broken and destroyed. If the Bit weren't here, if I'd nothing left of you in this world I would have gone to that bluff over the ocean and waited for the sun. I would have done it." She couldn't stop herself from crying at his remembrance of his grief.

"Don't ever....I would have found my way back to you...I promise I'll always find you."

"I promise you...Buffy, let's not be sad, ever. I'll try very hard not to."

"How can I be anything else but truly happy, with you for a husband? Love you."

"I love you too sweetheart. Pet, there's something I need to tell you, it's about Harmony." He could feel the pouting beginning already. He kissed the valley between her breasts and settled in,"She surprised me tonight."

"She didn't take advantage of the fact that I was dead?"

"No, love, not at all. I went into a rage...scaring everyone, but she stepped up and stopped me. She took me back to her house and held me while I cried. If it wasn't for her I think I might have hurt myself, or someone else. Ever since I found out she had a soul I've been looking for proof that she'd changed for the better and I saw that she had."

"Damn."

"Why's that?"

"Well now I have to not hate her." The sensation of him laughing against her chest gave her shivers, it was so wonderful to be holding him."She was a bitch to me in High School."

"High School? Sweetness, let it go."

"No. Don't wanna." His kissed her skin and yanked her down with him, pulling the covers over their heads. His kissed the tip of her nose and her pout melted away into a lovely peal of laughter.

"Hate her all you want, but she did good."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah...change the subject."

"You smell glorious, all hot, sweaty, sweet and salty."

"I smell like you, dummy...I've covered in, uh, Spike."

"Mmm, that you are, love, that you are."

"And you're all Slayered."

"Good n' proper. Say something nice to Harm tomorrow for me?"

"Whatever." He reached down and dipped a pair of fingers inside her warm center, massaging firmly against the top of her passage.

"At least promise to be civil?"

"Dream on." He pressed more urgently and she bit on her bottom lip to hold in a squeal of pleasure.

"Don't stake her, 'cause you know she'll be a cow to you in the morning." He bent his head to suck again upon the puncture wounds he'd made earlier.

"Fine."

Chapter 28

It wasn't until late afternoon that Buffy peeled her face off Spike's stomach. They were a tangle of limbs and sheets. Spike moaned and rolled over, his cheek landing on her thigh."G'Mornin' Mrs," he mumbled, kissing her leg.

"Hey," she smiled sweetly, stretching herself out and slowly rolling out of bed."This is definitely the best morning of my life!" Spike sat up and gave his head a shake, yawning.

"I think it's afternoon, pet."

"You know what I mean." He reached out and caught her hand, pulling her to him. He kissed her tummy and looked up at her.

"You know, nearly 150 years on this earth and right here and now I'm the happiest I've ever been too."

"We have to face the music sooner or later."

"Yeah, but after a shag in the shower, alright?"

"You're on. Xander was right."

"Beg pardon?"

"It's all about your penis." He feigned looking offended and she laughed, pulling him with her towards the bathroom.

***

"What the hell is this?!" Buffy demanded upon stepping off the bottom step. Spike inadvertently bumped into her, not noticing yet why she'd stopped. He looked around and his jaw dropped in shock.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, more than a little dumbstruck.

"Harmony you are not turning my home into Skank House 2!!" Strewn across the house were boxes of clothing, shoes and jewelry, delivery people were coming and going from the front door with more. Harmony was signing whatever bills or delivery slips were presented to her, whilst laughing with her girls and pointing out which clothing looked best with which accessories and shoes and on which girl. Willow and Dawn were in the mix also.

"From what we all heard going on last night, I'd say this was the original!" Harmony shot back,"And my god Buffy could you have been any louder? I realize, from my own experience , that sex with Spike is out of this world, but geez, where's a woman's dignity I'd like to know?" The Slayer went from outraged to enraged in .3 seconds. In about two seconds Harmony was going to get her lights knocked out. Buffy was on the move and Spike had to act fast.

"Uh...uh..." Spike sputtered, then exclaimed,"Buffy and I got married last night!!" That did it. Dead silence. Each and every single last one of them, Buffy included, dropped their jaws simultaneously. Bugger. Spike clamped his hand over his mouth, he could virtually see the invisible stakes Buffy was shooting at him with her eyes. Her small, beautiful yet deadly hands that had been doing beautiful yet deadly things all over his body the night before, balled themselves into tight fists. He felt an overwhelming urge to punch himself in the face.

"Buffy how could you?! I was supposed to be a bridesmaid!" Dawn cried before taking off up the stairs in tears. Spike made a motion to go after her, but Willow waved him off and went up instead. He looked around the room, Harmony's girls all smiling devilishly at the foolish foolish man . Harm seemed wickedly amused and Buffy...Buffy....Buffy was approaching him. He closed his eyes and cringed, trying to make himself seem very small. He wished he still had old William's spectacles, perhaps the Slayer wouldn't hit a poor poet with glasses.

No blows came to his body, only a secure, all encompassing hug. His eyes flickered open and Buffy was smiling at him,"You're so cute," she said, giving his chin a quick kiss.

"You're not being violent," he stated.

"I'm not hitting you ever again, I thought you'd realized that by now. Spike, sweetheart, you're a real dummy sometimes, but I love you and what do I care if people know we eloped? We're still going to have a real wedding, right?"

"'Course, love, absolutely." Spike straightened up, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. He looked over Buffy's shoulder at Harmony who rolled her eyes and turned around to accept a package that had come in from Bloomingdale's in New York.

"How's about some breakfast?"

***

Typical of Harmony, Buffy thought, a scowl marring her face, her lips pursed in a very unattractive manner as Spike helped carry boxes out to the giant pink bus that blocked the Summers driveway and most of the street."What is this, Harmony, Queen of the freakin' Desert?" Buffy grumbled to herself. She crossed her arms in front of her and glared from her position on the porch. After the cavalcade of vamp hos and their junk were piled on the bus, Buffy endured each of them giving Spike a hug or kiss, or gratuitous grope in gratitude for his saving them from the fire.

Before Harmony had her turn, Buffy sprinted from the porch to Spike's side. Harmony sighed and took a step back before she could touch the Slayer's vamp."Bye Harmony, nice to have seen you," Buffy said as she shooed the vampiress away,"Watch out for speedbumps or giant crevices or open Hellmouths. It's been just like a Wes Craven movie, tootles!" Harmony ignored her and Spike smiled, taking Buffy's hand in his.

"Goodbye, Harm. Thanks, thanks for everything," Spike said softly. Harmony gave Buffy a smirk, then grabbed Spike, she dipped him in classic movie style and gave his tonsils a surprise cleaning. She released him slowly, pulling his bottom lip into her mouth for a languorous suck. Spike was too shocked for his brain to react sufficiently. Buffy however still held his hand and yanked it hard, dislodging her vampire from the bombshell macking on him. Harmony gave them a wink and sashayed away, wiggling her bottom to and fro. Spike was still a little woozy.

"You're going to make it up to me later, darling," Buffy spoke through grit teeth.

"Yes, dear," he replied. Just as Harmony reached the pink monstrosity she'd ordered to come and whisk them off to apparently Las Vegas, she turned back around.

"You should've checked, it was a his n' hers set! And it didn't go with any of my new outfits! Consider it a wedding present Spikey!! " Something glinted in the porch light as it flew through the air. Spike caught it in his hand. He gave her a quizzical look and she dashed away into the bus. A moment later, Harmony Kendall was leaving Sunnydale.

"Okay, I'll bite, what is it?" Buffy inquired, not quite ready to not be in a snit over what had just transpired. Spike held the small piece of jewelry in his open palm and was staring at it,"A ring? I don't get it." It was small, made for a woman, but would likely fit his pinky with no problem, the band was gold that formed into a pattern under which a green jewel was secured. It was a lovely ring, but not unlike thousands of others.

"A...Amara, Buffy....another Gem of Amara."

Chapter 29

Spike sat in the kitchen at the island some four weeks later, pretending to read the morning paper. He'd read the same sports bi-line three times already, seemingly having forgotten that he didn't give a damn about baseball. The blood in his mug, which Buffy had very lovingly prepared for him with burba weed before she'd gone out, had gone cold. Every morning was like this, Buffy would leave to run errands, or go to her summer classes at the university, and he'd be left alone with this gnawing ache in his stomach like he was being eaten from the inside out. Most of the time she didn't seem to be suffering from any after effects of the Pluthor demon poisoning, but every now and again it would make itself known.

Some mornings she'd wake up worse off than when she'd gone to sleep, she'd rush to the bathroom and throw up. She'd fainted twice and was hardly able to concentrate in the afternoon. Whenever he tried to get her to discuss it, or suggest she go to the hospital, she became irritable. Generally, later at night, she'd apologize and do all sorts of wonderful things to make it up to him. He was worried, worried that she'd suffer a relapse and this time, not come back.

Dawn had come barreling down the stairs, come into the kitchen and grabbed a banana for breakfast, kissed him on the cheek and announced she was off to the beach for the day with her friends. Leaving Spike alone in the house to fret over the future.

***

"Lay it on me, Watcher," said Buffy said, flopping down into the cushions on Giles couch.

"You're spending entirely too much time with that vampire," Giles replied, setting down the tray with the tea and digestive biscuits on the coffee table,"Do call me by my proper name." Buffy smiled and snatched a cookie for herself.

"I'll call you by your proper name, Giles , when you acknowledge me as Mrs. William Chippinghurst. I'm in the best mood of my life, nothing can bring me down. Unless you tell me what I don't want to hear. I wanna hear this, right? You've done the whole researchy thing and gone over my tests from the hospital?"

"From what I've been able to deduce, essentially what occurred was your fever reanimated Spike's....er...ah..."

"DNA sample?"

"Right, and thank you for using the most scientific term. Reanimated his part of what was needed to create your child."

"I was gonna say Spike spunk...."

"Buffy, please!" She took another cookie for herself, giving her stomach a pat.

"So you're sure it's not some wacky Pluthor osmosis thing?"

"Yes, dear, your pregnancy is perfectly normal. Normal as can be considering the father's been dead for 120-some years."

"Undead, and very handsome." Giles smiled, a little wistfully, then went back to his notes.

"What else? The my being dead thing?" He poured them their tea and handed a cup to Buffy, along with another cookie.

"Not dead, obviously, a very deep coma, which would have taken you to death without the embryo's presence. I suppose the baby's a miracle in more ways than one. By all rights, the Pluthor poisoning really should have finished you. Even as the Slayer, a human's body is not equipped with any sort of immunity. The child's conception occurred at a very opportune time. The presence of supernatural DNA in your bloodstream, due to the implanted embryo, was sufficient enough non-human cells to counter the effects of the poison. Willow's potion of course brought you the rest of the way around much quicker. But essentially, Spike having gotten you pregnant saved your life."

"Gee, you sure do make it sound so romantic." Her tone was decidedly sarcastic,"Sort of a reverse catch-22 huh? I couldn't have gotten pregnant without the Pluthor poisoning, but I would've died from the same poison if I hadn't gotten pregnant. God, they're right, it really is the Power That Like to Screw With You. So you're saying the baby's part vamp? It's a good thing the Council's all dead."

"Indeed. I cannot say for certain that he'll be entirely human, but I don't think he'll have fangs."

"But it's okay if he does...except with the breastfeeding...ouch." Giles rolled his eyes."And I'm so not looking forward to the birth part, have you seen the size of Spike's head? Enormous thing on such a non beefy guy."

"And what about Spike?" Buffy slouched, nibbling on her biscuit.

"I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm sick again, or still. I didn't really think the morning sickness was what it was until a couple of days ago. He's tried to get me into the hospital....I think the truth is going to be more scary. He's a vampire, I think it's gonna mess with him that this has happened."

"You don't think he'll be pleased? I'll be honest and say that I've always found Spike to have a very nurturing soul. I dare say he'll make an admirable, caring father..."

"Giles, he's gonna cry his eyes out with joy, you know it. But then he's gonna get scared, protective, he's gonna miss all the happy because he's so worried something's gonna take it from him."

"Ah, I see." Giles paused, pensive, then passed Buffy another digestive."Perhaps he'll surprise you. He's always lived life to the fullest. Now that he has the second Gem of Amara he won't feel quite so inadequate a mate for you, he'll be able to do all the normal things a parent does."

"You're right, I know, but Spike's a special case - in everything. I just hope he's happy with this. I mean, I know he'll be happy, but..."

"Buffy, what does your heart tell you?" She put down her snack and looked to her still perfectly flat stomach. She certainly didn't look like she was pregnant, but she definitely felt it. And it was Spike's.

"I think I need to go home right away." She grabbed her things and made for the door, then turned around and came back to give Giles a kiss on the cheek. Before she could exit, she was compelled to turn around again. With a handy bit of foresight, Giles had his hand extended, offering her another cookie from the box. The Slayer took the box.

***

She found him sitting on the couch, basking in the sunshine and reading a book. He always sat in the sun. He put down what he was reading the moment he heard her key in the lock. She came around and motioned for him to stay seated, there was a solemn look on her face. She put down her purse and kicked off her shoes before coming down to his level. She stood before him, and could see how he tried to hide his emotions, and how his eyes betrayed his efforts. She held out her hand and he took it, lacing their fingers together.

"Love?" he asked, voice clearly wavering.

"We need to have a talk," Buffy began,"I went to the doctor's yesterday, and Giles' just now....it's...it's pretty big..." He pressed his lips together and tried not to let the tears come, believing all his worse fear were about to be confirmed. Buffy eased down and sat in his lap, while Spike wrapped his arms around her.

"I'll never leave you," he spoke up,"No matter how hard it gets, even if there's times you want to give up, I'll never leave. I'll love you always, always think you beautiful...." He voice cracked and he clung to her desperately,"God, Buffy...don't leave me again...I beg you..." Oh no, Buffy thought to herself, this wasn't going how she planned at all, he wasn't supposed to fall apart like this. She forced him to look at her and her smile confused him. She kissed him then, pressed her soft warm mouth to his and held them together for a long passing of time. When they finally parted, she sighed contentedly.

"I'm not sick, Spike. Not at all." He let out a slight cry of relief.

"Then what is it? Love, you've been ill...."

"No..." She took his hand and laid it over her stomach,"I've been pregnant." He acted like he hadn't heard her, still just staring at her,"Um, okay, say something. Giles did research, long story short, Pluthor fever got your little Spikes all animated and stuff. Spike, honey, I just told you I'm having your baby and you've gone all...all....frozen. Spike?" Trembling now, and at a loss for words, he bent his head under her chin and closed himself around her, his tears drenching her flimsy summer shirt."Don't cry, baby. It'll be okay. It'll be so good, William, you'll see....you're gonna be a daddy."

Chapter 30

"No more candy days for Spike once a month, damn shame that." It had only taken her half an hour to get him to speak again, once the news of his impending fatherhood had settled in. His crying at her breast broke by kisses over her skin, moving upwards until he could capture her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. When the kiss ended he let out a whoop of joy. At some point they'd ventured upstairs to the bedroom, the two of them reclining on the mattress. Now he wouldn't shut up.

"Honey, feel free to give me oral pleasure daily, it'll just have to be vanilla instead of strawberry." He nuzzled behind her ear, nipping at the spot where her neck and shoulder met, sending shivers through her entire body.

"I like vanilla." He gave a growl and climbed half over her, his hand cupping a breast and giving it a firm squeeze, but he let go when she gave a hiss of pain,"What's wrong?"

"Sorry, they're starting to get sensitive." A look of confusion pained his face and she caressed his cheek with the back of her hand and brought his hand back to her breast."Part of the changes, I'm just getting used to them myself. Just be gentle."

"I'm already half afraid I'll bloody break you!"

"Don't worry, Slayer's don't break easily, neither do their babies. We'll both be perfectly fine with you taking care of us. Now..." She reached over and undid the top button on his shirt, making her way down his torso,"I think we should celebrate, don't you?" Her hand was against his bare chest, stroking and pressing just enough to make him purr. Instinctually, his own hand came to rest on her stomach.

"You're having my baby."

"Yup."

"This isn't just a yup , love, this is the most monumental occurrence of 150 years of existence! This is a bloody great miracle!" Her hand now rested on his heart, her eyes cast downwards.

"I'm really scared..." In moments she was crying, clutching to him desperately and burying her face to his chest.

"Shhh, sweet pet, don't need to be scared, not while I'm here. I'll keep you and our littlest bit safe and happy and I can't have his mum all upset, tell me why you're scared." She pulled back from him and used his shirt to wipe her tears and drippy nose, he disregarded the poor use of his clothing. He lovingly cupped her face in his palms, guiding her lips to his for a careful, slight kiss,"Tell me why you're scared."

"That I'll be a terrible mother. I've never even baby-sat! And mom did everything so perfectly, especially when we were on our own after dad left. But, Spike, I'm even more scared that he won't even be born! I've never been pregnant before and so many things could go wrong! I could miscarry. I won't be slaying, I can promise you that, but I could just be out and trouble could find me like it always does and one wrong punch or kick from some demon and it could just be all over! And...and if the Slayer's not out there night after night, Sunnydale's going to suffer, the world could end!" There was another breach of tears and an anguished sob. He wanted to tell her he had the same fears, but not now. He guided her to rest comfortably in his arms. He pulled the covers over them and let her have her cry in the safety of his embrace. She quieted soon enough, sniffling and hiccuping.

"Feel better?" She shook her head.

"Nauseous now."

"Here, pet, lay back, close your eyes." He moved away from her, rising from the bed and disappearing into the bathroom. He returned with a cool, wet washcloth and lay it on her forehead."How's that?"

"Okay, thank you. You always take such good care of me, even when I'm an insane bitch."

"I do, especially when you're an insane arsonist bitch. But you're my insane arsonist bitch and I love you very very much." He lay down next to her, making sure to give her space in case she needed to make a break for the bathroom.

"Sorry 'bout the break down just a minute ago, I don't know what came over me."

"Buffy, love, you're newly with child, this is only the barest beginning of what no doubt will prove to be the ultimate test of my patience and devotion."

"Be nice, Spikey, or Harmony can have you." That seemed to shut him up. To counter act the shiver of dread that ran through his body, Spike decided to focus on the miracle at hand.

He made a gesture towards her middle,"May I?" The smile that softened her face his head spin. Buffy tossed off the covers and lifted up her top and tugged down the waist of her pants, exposing her flat belly. Keeping an eye on her, he lay his head against her, listening, hoping.

"You're not going to be able to hear anything, the baby's the size of a grain of rice."

"But he's in there, I can feel it, feel your blood flowing to him, feel your body making him." She threaded her hands in the soft down of his hair and caressed him, feeling tears slide down the edges of her temples.

"C'mere, Spike." He moved up her body to be welcomed to lay his head upon her breasts, she showed no signs of discomfort.

"The baby's going to be so lucky to have you for a daddy, because I know you'll protect him and love him better than any man I've ever known."

"I promise I will, Buffy, he'll never want for anything, and neither will you. There's something I want to tell you, an idea I've had."

"What is it?"

"Harmony had me thinking you see."

"Sounds dangerous." Her tone was decidedly sarcastic, but interested nonetheless.

"I don't want to be welching off you anymore, especially with the little one on the way. I want to be my own man and to do what I need to provide for my family. I've already talked to Rupert and Anya and both are willing to help me with the business end of things, legal stuff that a vamp could never be bothered to learn, as for the money, turns out Harm's rolling in it."

"Come again?"

"The caves, where I got the original Gem of Amara, the not so stupid bint went back and cleaned out the treasure, girl's got bloody millions! The brothel was just a silly whim because she watched some bloody movie about Texas and whorehouses."

"And she's giving you some? Wow she must really have a soul if she's giving up the potential of buying even more trashy clothes."

"Be nice, pet, she's given me more than enough, on loan mind you - I insisted, to buy myself a space and set myself up, set us up. I'm thinking a club or a bar. With the ring I can be out in the day, but the night's still my time and can go on patrol before and after hours. What do you think?"

"Oh! Can I waitress?"

"No Lucy, you cannot be in the show. You will stay home with our bambino."

"We'll see about that. This is such a good, honey, I'm proud of you."

"Yeah? Even if I'm getting my start from borrowing money from my ex? You're proud? "

"Of course I am."

"Thank you, love, it means a lot." With the last waves of nausea passed, Buffy put the damp wash cloth aside and took hold of him, pulling him to her for a kiss."I want you to understand something. You're being the Slayer, it's a calling, I get that, but...."

"I said already, I won't put myself in danger if I can help it."

"Faith's taken the Slayers in waiting under her wing, we can ask them to come back and watch over Sunnydale. Even if the Hellmouth is closed permanently like we hope, there's still evil out there. We need to plan, be careful, build a real life for ourselves, for the baby."

"Can we do it tomorrow though? Because the nausea's passed and I'm feeling a spectacular hormone surge!" To illustrate, she rolled herself on top of him.

Chapter 31

"Give him here!" Buffy demanded reaching out again in a last ditched effort to reclaim her newborn son from his father. Spike darted away, circumventing her and maneuvering to the other side of the bedroom.

"Uh-huh, mine!" Spike whined, tucking the baby's downy head under his chin and tightening his hold on the bundled up child ever so slightly. Buffy stomped her foot and stormed after the vampire.

"Mine too! Now hand him over." Buffy stood her ground and with a whimper of discontent, then a rough growl of angst, Spike placed the bright eyed baby in his mother's arms. Satisfied, Buffy took her infant son with her to the queen sized bed, relaxing back against pillows and headboard before opening her robe and latching his darling little mouth on to her nipple.

"But Buffy, I wasn't done snuggling him!" The vampire looked horribly put out. Buffy patted the spot on the bed next to her and Spike made a fuss, but relented and came down next to her and their suckling son.

"Until you start lactating I get first dibs."

"Not fair, stupid sodding breasts!"

"Nothing can defeat the breast. You can have him back when he's done. Your boy does have to eat, Spike, he can't live on cuddles."

"But he loves them."

"Of course he does, honey, you're his daddy, he loves you. What's that look for?" She caught Spike with this odd visage of total awe. It wasn't as if in the past two weeks he hadn't been present for each and every feeding, not to mention every other moment of his son's new life.

"I am his daddy, aren't I?"

"Was it these cheekbones, this chin, or these big beautiful blue eyes that gave you that idea?" Buffy stroked her finger over their son's cheek and he bashfully snuggled in close, his hand absently resting on the fullness of his mother's breast as he fed."Oh that's just too sweet. He does that same look you do when you're embarrassed." Spike kissed her cheek and she held back a few tears that very much wanted to come."I love you both so much."

"Nothing but love from us too, you're everything to both of us, Buffy. This boy, this child you and I created, he's the most powerful thing you've ever done. Stop a thousand apocalypses and it'll never compare to this." After a while they noticed the baby had fallen asleep and quietly stopped his suckling. Carefully, Buffy took his mouth away from her breast, his little lips white, and gently lay him in his father's arms once more. After she righted her clothing, she snuggled up to her husband and together the two of them simply watched their son sleeping.

"I love you, Spike...but our son, it's different, I can't explain..."

"You love him more than anything else that's ever come before, and more than anything that'll ever come after. I understand, I feel the same. We've made him, he's grown inside you. Everything we love about each other lives in him. I can't imagine, even when he's a rebellious teenager telling us to leave him the bloody hell alone, that I won't thank the Powers for him."

"Rebel? With us as parents? I don't think it's going to be drag racing and fights for our boy. I predict books."

"And naturally inherited Kung Fu fighting skills, demon hunting."

"But a poet's heart, and good man's kindness, like his father."

"Fierce and strong, like his mother." In his sleep, the baby blew little milk bubbles and snuggled into Spike's hold. Spike held him up and kissed his little lips and let Buffy do the same."We've been awarded our fair share of miracles, but this boy, he's more than Willow bringing you back, more than me winning my soul. I'm making a promise to you both that you'll never be in want, never be afraid, never be in danger...I promise it, I swear it..." She concluded his proclamation with a kiss.

"You know you can't really promise, none of us can predict the future. Hearing those words, though, gives me more hope for our future than anything else. You're a good, noble, beautiful man, William Chippinghurst and I'm proud to be the mother of your son." They kissed once more and Spike lay the baby on his chest. In that moment, Spike felt pure completion. Everything in his world was perfect. Well, 'cept for one thing.

"Pet, there's something I've been meaning to say."

"What's that, honey?"

"Keep in mind that our darling's ears are a mite sensitive, so keep your voice down." He covered his son's little ears nonetheless." My last name....it's not really Chippinghurst."

"WHAT?!"

"Just kidding." As his parents exchanged what he'd come to learn in years were playful chides, growls and kisses, the youngest Chippinghurst always thought them very strange.

 

THE END