Thanks to my betas, Dawnofme, Marilyn, and Tanit. Thanks to all of you who've read. I wish you'd give me some feedback on how you liked it.






Spike awoke to an extraordinary sensation of warmth. He thought he must have still been dreaming until he felt her stir, and her hair tickled his nose. She turned in his arms, looking up at him with sleepy eyes.



"Mm, good morning." Buffy smiled, reaching out to caress his cheek with the pad of her thumb.



He tipped her chin, nibbling her bottom lip. "More like good afternoon. We had quite the eventful evenin' and mornin' as I recall." Spike gave her a sexy smirk, pulling her closer, twining his hand in her hair.



Buffy's cheeks flushed pink, which Spike found absolutely adorable. "Yes, we were very busy. I'm not complaining, mind you. No siree! No complaints here. It was all of the very good. I just can't believe it's so late. What time do you think it is?" The candles from last night had long ago burned out, leaving them in relative darkness. Buffy stretched, raising her arms above her head and wiggling her toes, which were peeking out from underneath the sheet. The bedding had not remained intact during their many amorous adventures.



"I'd guess it's around two o'clock or so. Are you hungry? I have those snacks and drinks upstairs. I could do with a bit of something myself." Buffy's stomach took that moment to make its presence known. Spike tapped her pert little nose lightly as he patted her stomach. "I'll take that as a yes then. I'll be right back."



Spike gave her a quick kiss before slipping on his jeans, lighting a few candles, and heading upstairs.



Buffy lay tucked under the covers waiting for Spike to return, thinking about how fortunate she was to have him—how she almost lost him. She almost wanted to thank Anya for kissing him and making her realize her feelings, but she didn't think she'd be doing that anytime soon. Still, that had been the catalyst for everything. She quickly pushed those thoughts aside when she heard him coming down the ladder.



"Here we go; a snack for my girl. Not exactly healthy, mind you, but at least it's food." He handed her a Diet Coke, some chips, and a package of cookies.



"This is great. Doesn't matter whether it's healthy," she said between bites. "I just need food."



"It's good to see you with an appetite." Spike stood and sipped his blood as he watched her inhale the food.



She patted his spot on the bed. "Come back to bed. I'm lonely without you."



"Oh you are, are you? I think I can remedy that." He set his empty mug down on the bedside table and began to nibble her neck, pulling the sheet away to reveal her breasts. He took one in his hand, massaging it and tweaking the nipple, while he lowered his mouth to the other breast to lavish it with attention. He slid his other hand down her taut stomach toward the apex of her thighs.



"No fair. You're distracting me. I have things I need to ask you, and you're all with the kissing and the…ah." Buffy moaned as he started to stroke her inner thigh.



"Sorry, I can't help myself. You're just so delectable," he murmured, taking her earlobe between his teeth.



"You're making this really difficult, you know? I promise if you let me talk, we can play later." Buffy put a hand on his chest to stop him; if he didn't stop soon, she knew no talking would be done. At least not anytime soon.



He looked at with her mock sadness, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "I'll be good. I promise."



Damn him for looking so irresistible, Buffy thought, but soldiered on with her plan. "Well, we're together now, and since you're going to be taking over our financial responsibilities, I thought maybe you might want to move in. Do you?" She ducked her head once the question was out, as if she was afraid of rejection.



"Buffy, pet, in what alternate universe do you think the answer to that question would be no? Of course, I'll move in! That would make me so bloody happy! You've no idea. But what about the witches?"



"It's my house. I say we take Mom's bedroom, and they can have mine or find another place to live. It's not like they're paying rent. We can keep the crypt for patrolling getaways." She bit her lip, her eyes twinkling.



"Sounds perfect. What else did you want to talk to me about?" Spike gazed at her, looking curious.



"Oh, I wanted to know if you wanted hang out with Dawn and me tonight, maybe rent some movies. I've kind of neglected her the past few days, you know," she said, absently playing with the sheet.



"That'd be great. I'd love to spend the evening with my two favorite girls." Spike moved in to kiss her again.



Buffy leaned away to signal she wasn't quite finished. She took a deep breath began. "And, here's the big question. I've been thinking about this, and I understand what it means. Trust me, I so do, and I want it with you. The only question is do you?" Buffy was so nervous she was afraid she was going to tear a hole in the sheet if she didn't get through this. It was one thing to say I love you, but to propose what she was proposing was so much more. All her insecurities came rushing forward.



"Do I want what with you, luv? I can't imagine there would be anything I'd refuse you." Spike's brow slightly furrowed. He took her hand away from the sheet, cradling it in his.



Buffy took a steadying breath. What she was about to ask was monumental, and even with Spike rubbing his thumb across her knuckles soothingly, she was still a little nervous. "A mutual claim. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine. Would you want that with me?" She wouldn't meet his eyes.



Buffy raised her eyes to meet his, a small, hopeful smile gradually fading as he continued.



"What you just asked makes me happier than any bloke has a right to be, but I think this is something weshould take some time to consider together. Our relationship is so new. I've loved you for sodding ever, but it's new for you. I want you to be absolutely sure before you bind yourself to me eternally." Spike raised Buffy's hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to her fingers. "Please don't think I don't want it or you. That's not the case at all. I want you and everything you have to give. I just want the time to be right and I think we'll both know when it is."



Buffy gazed at him, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill. "Spike, I know what I want, but I'm willing to be patient and wait. Everything you've said makes perfect sense. It's strange, the one time I'm impulsive about something, Mr. Impulsive talks me down. You better not make me wait too long, mister." She smiled, hoping she'd lightened the moment a bit.



"Oh, I don't think you'll have to wait too long. I think we can reach some sort of agreement soon enough. Just give it a bit of time. I do love you more than anything, you know." He grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap.



"I believe I've heard you mention that a time or two. You want to know a secret?" She leaned forward, her bare breasts brushing against his chest. Just before biting his earlobe, she whispered, "I love you, too."



He pulled her in for a fierce kiss, and she met it with equal intensity. The world fell away, nothing else mattered, only them, sharing their bodies and their love.



Later, they stepped out into the evening air hand in hand, ready to start their new life together. They knew the road would not be smooth, but as long as they had each other, things would be fine.

The end.