Betaed by Maria and Flight Of Fancy.


All the preparations for dinner were done. Buffy followed the metaphorical golden string inside of herself, curious about where Spike was and what he was doing. Huh, what’s up with him? Buffy made her way to their bedroom to find out what had her vampire in such a tizzy.

She paused in the doorway, and watched as Spike paced back and forth across the length of the room. When Spike heard the door being pushed open completely, he froze and just looked at Buffy for a moment.

The blonde vampire swallowed and rubbed his hands on his thighs. Before Buffy could react, he prowled over to her, took her hands in his, and pulled Buffy into the room, nudging the door closed with his foot.

With a smile, Buffy allowed Spike to guide her over to the bed. She could still feel his nervousness, and she sensed a bit of fear through their bond.

Holding Buffy’s hands in his, Spike knelt down in front of her.

“You don’t regret mating with me, do you?” Spike’s stress was starting to rub off on Buffy, and she just had to ask.

“No, nothing like that. Don’t ever think something like that. I’ll never regret loving you.” Spike kissed her knuckles. “I’ve been thinking though.”

That pushed the worry from Buffy’s face, and replaced it with a teasing smile.

He scowled at the sight, but didn’t comment. Spike had more important things on his mind. “You’re human, and so is your mom.” He paused for a moment, head bowed. “Our mating doesn’t mean the same thing to humans as it does to demons.”

“I’ll explain it to her. I know she already had a conversation with Merrick on the topic. It’ll be okay.” Buffy didn’t understand where this was going. Her connection to him was strong, but not that strong.

“I have a way to help her understand right away, if you’ll agree.”

Puzzled, Buffy waited for Spike to go on.

As he looked at her, the love he felt for her shone clearly from his eyes. “Will you marry me?”

Buffy immediately teared up. “Yes.” She threw her arms around his neck, landing on his lap. “I’ll marry you.” After that, it was only Buffy’s need for oxygen that eventually stopped their kiss.

Spike worked his hand into his pocket, and then pulled out an old, worn box. His hands shook as he opened it and showed the ring inside to his mate. “This belonged to my mother.”

“It’s beautiful.” Buffy ran a finger over the green stones. “Will you put it on me?”

With a satisfied smile, Spike took the ring out of the box. “It’s not much, but my father gave this to my mother as her Morning gift.”

“Her Morning gift? I’ve never heard of that before.” Buffy held her hand out. “What are the stones?”

“Jade.” Slowly, Spike placed the ring on her finger. “Back when I was a child, it was a tradition for a groom to give his bride a gift in the morning after the marriage. My father gave this ring to my mother, to thank her for remaining true to him until their marriage was consummated. It was my mother’s favourite ring, and I always meant to give it to my own bride one day. Well, until I became a vampire. Somehow I could never bring myself to give it to Drusilla. I think, deep down inside, I knew that she wasn’t really the one for me. I’m glad I waited, because what I felt for her doesn’t even begin to compare to the love I feel for you. I know it’s traditional to have diamonds in an engagement ring, but it just feels right to offer you my mother’s ring instead.”

They spent a few minutes snuggling before Buffy turned to Spike with a smile.

Taking Spike’s head between her hands, she kissed him. “I have something for you, too. Wait here.” Buffy got up and went into her dressing room.

Spike moved to sit on the bed, waiting for Buffy with a silly grin on his face. She said yes. I’m getting married to Buffy. My mate.

In the doorway, Buffy stood for a minute, watching Spike and his goofy smile. She sighed. It was good to see him happy, and it felt wonderful to be happy herself.

Buffy moved to sit beside him on the bed, taking hold of the hand closest to her. “Will you wear this?” She opened her palm, revealing a gold ring with a green gem set into it, which was clearly made to be worn by a man.

He took the ring and held it up.

“It’s a special ring. Remember the night I didn’t get home until after the sun was up?”

“Hmmm....yeah. Was that the morning we had that big discussion about not worrying people who care about you, and how you have a cell phone for a reason?”

Buffy blushed a bit, remembering the scolding she’d received. “Yes, that one. I was out testing the ring. Made a few changes and wanted to make sure it would still work.” She took the ring from him. “May I?”

Spike held out his hand, and Buffy placed the ring where it belonged. “Most importantly, it’ll show that you’re taken. I want every woman who sees you to know that you’re all mine.” Standing up and tugging Spike with her, Buffy pulled the curtains wide, opened the French doors, and stepped out onto the small balcony that extended from the bedroom.

“What are you doing, you crazy bint? Are you already tired of me? Trying to fry me?” he asked from the shadows, uncertainty colouring his voice.

Buffy turned around. “The night I was late, I was testing the ring that’s on your hand right now. I chained a newly risen vamp to the side of a crypt, and placed it on his hand as the sun rose.” She paused for a dramatic moment. “He didn’t burn. Well, at least, he didn’t burn until I pulled the ring off again,” she said with a shrug. She held her hands out for him to take, as he walked into the sunshine.

Arms around Buffy, Spike tilted his face up to feel the warmth of the sun.

Buffy’s happiness was almost overwhelming, as she watched Spike warm himself in the gentle rays of the afternoon sun after so many years lost in the dark.

Finally, Spike opened his eyes and looked from Buffy, to the ring on his hand, and back again. “You made this?”

“No, jewel crafting really isn’t my thing. I just found it and changed it a bit. I wanted to modernize it, so it wouldn’t look suspicious. It’s the Gem of Amara.”

“I thought that gem was just a myth.” Spike cupped Buffy’s cheek and kissed her. “Thank you, my love, but I can’t wear it. It’s just too dangerous. If word gets out, I’ll be a target for every vamp out there. What if somebody takes it from me? We’d both die, and I’m not willing to risk your life like that.” He moved to take the ring off his finger.

“Wait! Repeat after me...Essere uno con me.” Buffy placed her hand over his, and together they repeated the words.

“Now, try to take it off.” As Buffy watched, Spike attempted to remove the ring. She smiled as he twisted and tugged at the band, to no avail.

Spike arched his brow at her, a question in his expressive blue eyes.

“It’s a part of you now. The only way you can remove it is by whispering the counter-spell.” She leaned in and whispered the words to Spike.

The look on his face was priceless. “Those are words I never plan to say.”

“That’s what I thought,” Buffy said with a grin. “I have to get dressed. Do you want to stay out here for a bit?”

“If you don’t mind, Luv.” Spike looked down shyly, playing with something in his pocket. “I’m just going to have a smoke, and then I’ll be in.”

Bending her knees, Buffy wiggled around until she could look her mate in the eye. “You know, you can smoke inside if you want to.”

With one arm still securely wrapped around Buffy, Spike nervously moved his feet around. “Wasn’t sure how you’d feel about that.”

“It’s okay, Spike.” Buffy wrapped both her arms around his waist. “I love you, and I always will. I’ll never let you go, no matter what you do.” She stroked his cheek with a thumb. “Ask me if you’re in doubt. You’ll make mistakes, and I probably will too. Doesn’t matter though. We’re together and that’s not changing, no matter what. I’m not letting you go.”

“Right back at you, Kitten,” Spike promised. His emotions were running high, and it was hard for him to speak.

Locking eyes for a moment, reading a lifetime of unspoken promises in each other’s eyes, they kissed deeply. With a sigh, Buffy leaned into Spike, holding him close as she breathed in his scent. Then she released him without a word, and went back into the house.

Spike watched her until she was out of his line of sight, and then turned back to look down the street, fishing his smokes and lighter out of his pocket. It didn’t take him long to finish his cigarette, but the nicotine was just what he needed to settle his nerves for dinner with his ‘mother-in-law’. As Spike made his way into the bedroom, he met Buffy, freshly showered and dressed for the night. He caught her around the waist. “Beautiful, that’s what you are, Luv.”

Standing on tip-toe, Buffy reached just high enough to place a kiss on Spike’s lips. “Join me in the kitchen when you’re dressed.”

“Will do.” Spike pulled her in for another quick kiss, before moving on to take his turn in the shower.

Buffy couldn’t help staring after him as he went, admiring his ass. She wanted to take a bite out of it, but knew she would have to wait. Her mother could be at the door any minute, and there just wasn’t enough time to enjoy herself properly.

With a sigh, she turned around and headed for the kitchen.

Merrick had already set the table. Everything was prepared, except the flowers. Buffy hurried to find a vase. Too soon, she heard a knock on the door of the warehouse. Buffy briefly closed her eyes, wondering if it was going to be her mom or Giles waiting for her on the other side of the door.

“Hi, Mom! Come in.” Buffy closed the door after Joyce. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Honey,” Joyce said, handing her coat to Buffy. “So, what have you been up to?” Joyce’s raised brow and flushed cheeks seemed to indicate that she had a pretty good idea how her daughter had been spending the past twenty-four hours.

“Merrick hasn’t told you?” She looked around for her Watcher. Buffy had known that he wouldn’t tell Giles, but she was having a hard time believing he’d kept her mom in the dark. The two of them seemed so close lately. Merrick had even spent the night at Joyce’s when he couldn’t get into his own bed. Not in her mother’s room, but still. And Buffy knew the two of them could talk for hours when they had a topic they were both interested in.

Merrick’s face split into a grin.

“Don’t tease me,” Buffy begged as, arm in arm, she let her mother upstairs.

“So, that gorgeous vampire you were dancing with? The one that made Angel and Xander blow steam out of their ears?”

Blushing, Buffy nodded, her eyes scanning the room for support from her mate.

“Just a second, Mom. I’ll go see what’s taking him so long.” In a rush, Buffy ran into the bedroom, searching for Spike. Not seeing him in the main room, she walked over to the bathroom door. It was kind of cute, actually. Spike couldn’t see his reflection, but still stood in front of the mirror to comb his hair.

“I heard that,” he pouted. “I’m not cute.”

Buffy couldn’t help giggling. “Want me to help?”

“Just tell me how it looks.”

“Give me that.” She took the comb he had been working with, and straightened his hair, flattening it just the way he liked it. “There, Handsome. Now, it’s time for you to meet your mother-in-law.” Buffy smiled, as she watched him get a slightly panicked look in his eyes.

“Don’t worry...she won’t eat you,” Buffy promised. “She might whack you upside the head with an axe though.” Still smiling, she pulled a lightly struggling Spike after her.

Joyce turned away from Merrick. “Buffy, I wouldn’t hit anyone with an axe. What kind of silliness is this?” At first Joyce hadn’t noticed the bleached blonde that Buffy had in tow. It was the older man from the club...no, the vampire from the club, Joyce corrected herself. She was finally able to get a good look at him, and she liked what she saw. Clear blue eyes, cheekbones to die for, although, he was a bit on the skinny side. He was dressed in a red shirt that was open over a black t-shirt and a pair of black jeans, and he seemed a bit nervous.

“I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s the truth,” Buffy pouted.

Spike swallowed and held out his hand. “I’m Spike, and you must be Mrs Summers. I’m sorry, but I have no recollection of meeting you before.”

They both turned to look at Buffy, waiting for an explanation.

Buffy smiled and looked at Spike. “You’re forgetting what would have happened, if this Buffy hadn’t been attacked.” She intertwined her fingers with Spike’s, a soft smile playing on her face as she watched everyone finally realize what she meant.

“Mom.” Buffy took her mother’s hand. She licked her lips before speaking, mouth gone dry in a sudden attack of nerves. “Spike is the one that I told you about. He’s the man I love.” Buffy paused, until she saw understanding light up her mother’s eyes. “Last night, Spike and I became mates. So now, we’re kind married, in the demon way.”

Joyce’s eyes flew open.

For a second, Buffy was afraid her mom wouldn’t understand. She sighed in relief when she felt her mother’s arms around her, and heard her whispered congratulations.

Startled, Spike stepped back when Joyce turned to him, throwing her arms around his neck and congratulating him. She then proceeded to tell him to take care of her baby girl, or he would have to deal with the elder Summers woman.

Buffy couldn’t help but laugh at Spike’s expression, as he leaned down and listened attentively to his new mother-in-law.

When Spike finally got a word in, he promised he would take care of his mate until the end of the world. “In fact, I’d like your permission to marry Buffy.” Spike’s voice was a little shaky.

It was then that Joyce noticed the ring that Buffy was wearing.

With tears running freely down her face, Joyce hugged Buffy and Spike both, one in each arm.

“I’m so happy for you!” With a smile, she took the hanky that Merrick offered. “Have you set a date yet?”

“Not yet. With an arm around Joyce, and her vampire close behind, Buffy led her mother to the couch. “Spike just asked me to marry him today, and we haven’t had any time to talk, or to make any specific plans yet.”

Buffy dropped down beside her mother, pulling Spike down onto the armrest next to her own seat.

Spike’s arm rested on the back of the couch, wrapping around Buffy’s shoulders as if he just couldn’t bear to have her gone from his arms.

Chatting with her mother, Buffy turned slightly towards Joyce, leaning into Spike as her hand lay on his knee. It was clear that Buffy enjoyed the contact with Spike.

Out of the blue, a tray with glasses and a bottle of wine appeared. Buffy looked up to see Merrick remove the cork and begin to pour.

The foursome spent the next few minutes talking while they waited for Giles to make an appearance. Joyce was very interested in where Spike had travelled and what he had seen during his lifetime. Spike did his best to answer her questions, although his stories were sometimes disjointed and sometimes seemed to end in the middle of a sentence. It took Buffy a few minutes to catch on to what he was doing but, once she did, she pulled him aside for a moment and told him it was okay to mention Drusilla. After all, he had loved her for over a hundred years, and she would always be his Sire.

Spike could feel through their bond that Buffy was telling him the truth, and that she respected his relationship with his Sire. From that point on, Spike was able to relax and focus on sharing his adventures, instead of worrying about offending his mate. Joyce was fascinated with life in the early part of the century, and Spike’s stories had them all laughing before long.

The doorbell interrupted their entertainment. Silence spread through the room. No one spoke as Buffy went downstairs to let Giles in.