Au Contraire, Au Pair

Oh my friends, we are coming to the end. One more chapter and maybe an epilogue, then we need to let our little family be...
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Chapter 17

The next several months flew by. Buffy took new art courses at school and was able to maintain a high B average for the first time in her life. James began to grow like a weed as the weather turned warmer and began to find more confidence in himself. William enjoyed his new schedule so much, that he decided to continue working on a part time basis. Now that he had no reason to be away from home, he chose to be with his family as much as he could.

Their apparent comfort with their home life set the tone for others around them. The obvious affection that Buffy and James shared quelled the gossip that inevitably arose regarding fortunes and gold digging. All the naysayers had to do was look at William and Buffy, and they could see two people clearly in love.

There were arguments on occasion, but nothing overly dramatic. The current heated discussion (as Buffy referred to them - she had vivid memories of her parents fighting and feared every time her voice was raised that he would leave) was regarding how they were to be married.

“Sweetheart, I know you think you don’t want it all, but believe me. In ten years you’ll look back on it and wish you had the Big Show. I don’t want to cheat you out of your special day.”

“I don’t want a big wedding. I don’t need the doves released and the violin solo as I walk down the aisle. I just want our families there. Small, simple, and off to the honeymoon.” She tried to lighten the mood and sat on his lap, her head in the crook of his neck.

“But what about the fairytale? Pet, I’ve had big wedding before - mind you, I didn’t like it, but I know how important it was to her.”

“That’s your argument? You want me to follow in Dru’s footsteps? Should I find a Euro-trash boy toy to whisk me around on his Vespa, too? Don’t get me wrong. I want a gorgeous dress, I want all eyes on me, and I want everyone to see you tell me ‘I do.’ I just don’t need a crowd of 1000 people I barely know there. Besides, those kind of weddings take a long time to plan. I’m expediency girl. Quick and painless, and off to the good stuff.”

His laughter rumbled deep in his chest. “Fine. Justice of the Peace then? Say five minutes?”

“Huh? With the - whah? No, no. Priest - dress - aisle. No stinky courtroom shared with criminals, please.”

She decided she needed to make a few phone calls and get things rolling.

“Buffy, have you thought about a simple ceremony at the house? Oh, it would be so lovely at sunset on the lawn. Your father could walk you from the house, and you two could stand under the big oak... Oh honey, think about it.” Joyce had come around and presented her daughter with new ideas every time they spoke. “You could have the ceremony at the end of summer, and I could stay with James while you two honeymooned.”

“Well...”

“It’s simple and small - my two rules you gave me. I haven’t begged you to wear my dress, have I? Or told you to let your cousin sing? Or told you to invite your cousin that doesn’t sing very well?”

Buffy laughed and promised that they would go shopping for a dress once she was done with spring finals.

“Did you actually put off shopping for studying? Oh my little girl is gone...”

“Bye mom. Love you.”

As the day neared, Buffy dropped a bombshell on William.

“I don’t want to sleep with you anymore.”

“Pet, I keep telling you it doesn’t work as well when we sleep.”

“I’m serious! I want our wedding night to be special, so I’m cutting you off for the next few weeks. I’m moving back into my old rooms tonight.”

William stared at her, coffee hovering in front of his face. “You’re serious?”

“Very.”

“You do know that YOU get a bum deal here, too, right? *sigh* Fine. But I’ll make you pay for this.” He smirked at her over his mug.

*********

Three nights before the wedding, and Buffy couldn’t sleep. She hadn’t slept much lately. It started right about the time she moved down the hall. She had become so used to William sleeping next to her (and helping tire her out) that she didn’t realize how hard it would become to start sleeping alone again.

She turned onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “Gotta sleep... Hmm what puts me to sleep? Lectures on art history, anthropological literary studies, sex, anything on WE, good sex...”

She sighed. What the hell was she thinking with this exercise in torture? Well, that smug cat with the sexy accent was away, so this little mousie... She slid her hand under her pajama pants and began to lightly tug on her curls. One finger slid out and began to rub on his clitoris. *May as well really tire myself out* She reached down with her other hand and inserted two fingers into her core. Her eyes had been shut, thinking of images of her lover. They opened for a moment to see him standing next to her bed, arms folded and a smirk on his face.

“Miss me?”

Buffy made a noise that sounded like “eep!” and began to pull her hands up and over the blankets. “No, no. Please don’t stop on account of me, love.” William began to stroke himself through his pajama bottom“Thi“This was your idea. And don’t fret, I won’t lay a hand on you. I’ll leave that to you.”

He stood next to the bed and watched her pleasure herself. At first she was shy. She could see his eyes cloud over with passion and began to be more bold, allowing herself to cry out. One hand red upd up under her shirt and began tugging at her breast. She locked eyes with him to make sure he knew what he was missing.

William freed himself and began to stroke into his hand. *God she’s so beautiful. She’s almost mine, completely.* The image came to mind of her giving herself to him for ever. Her eyes closed briefly, her lips parted, and a moan came out as she brought herself off. That was all he needed. He grabbed a tissue off her night stand and came into it. Always the gentleman.

She stretched languidly on her sheets, sleep beginning to creep into her body. “Two more days. I don’t think I can make it.”

“Pet, we’ll make it, and then you’re all mine.” He leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss on her lips. When she began to explore his lip with her tongue, he pulled back. “I won’t be able to keep my word, sweetheart.” He kissed the frown off her face, covered her with her sheets. And tiptoed back to his room to take the longest cold shower of his life.

***********
William had a special gift for Buffy the day of their wedding. He had everything coordinated with the judge so both events would be final together. He had discussed it with Joyce, who saw her future son-in-law for the kind man he was. She couldn’t have been more pleased with her daughter’s choice. The addition of a grandson who was smart, clever, had excellent manners, and who chose to call her Nana didn’t hurt, either. It sounded younger to her.

The day finally came and No one aside from Buffy, Joyce, and Buffy’s oldest friend from school were allowed upstairs. William was confined to his study to dress and prepare. Hank Summers was given the guest suite just off the study. He decided it was time have a man to man.

“Mr. Summers. Please make yourself comfortable wherever you can find a spot.” He gestured across his office, which was currently filled with his tuxedo, folding chairs, the buffetware, and their bags for their honeymoon.

*Mister my ass. He’s not much younger than me. Fine - he wants me to play Dad? He’ll get it.* Hank would never in a million years admit he was jealous of the wealthy, handsome beau his daughter had found. He had told himself multiple reasons why his only daughter had sought the affection of a man approaching 40. After talking business, Buffy, stocks, James’ work in school, and Buffy, Hank came to the conclusion that his daughter loved him because he was just a good man.

William knew what Hank was doing, and conceded the power to him. From what Buffy had told him, Hank had not been present in her life but for a handful of occasions. That she invited him to the wedding was duty, he assumed. Having him walk her down the aisle was absurd. That had been the source of a few arguments. She explained that she was finally happy in her life, and hated the thought of carrying around anymore anger or sadness regarding her father. It was her olive branch to him.

William was not going to mar their reunion with puffing up his chest and reminding his new father-in-law that he didn’t deserve Buffy’s attention or love. It was just another one of her strengths that made him love her more.

Hank, satisfied that he had set this guy straight and put the fear of God in him should he hurt his daughter, strode off to find a bite to eat before the big show. He had seen the huge display of food their cook had been working on and thought he’d find a little something. He found a holy mountain of terror when he attempted to put an hors d’oeuvre in his mouth.

“Scandalous! Ye heathen! Get ye from my kitchen, and if I catch so much as a crumb on yer chin before the reception starts, so help me, I’ll lash the flesh from your bones! Go on with you! Out!”

Hank thought he saw some apples still on one of the trees in back...

“Coming into my kitchen and stealing my food? Just because he finally showed up and SHE has forgiven him, doesn’t mean he’ll get into my good graces. Scandalous. Just bold as brass.”

While William was pacing in his study working out the sound of he vows, Buffy, her friend Willow and her mother were adjusting her dress and hair.

Buffy was wearing a simple column of silk with a few asymmetrical gathers at her decolletage. Her dress barely touched the ground around her, and it had no train. Buffy mother, in her wisdom, had arranged for the pathway her daughter to walk would be lined with flagstone. She didn’t need Buffy catching a heel in the soft ground and ruining her perfect day.

Willow finished tying a silk ribbon around the bouquet Buffy would carry. It consisted of three white calla lilies; the ribbon was white and trailed, almost to the floor. Willow handed it to her friend, stood back and watched her mother finish Buffy’s hair. “Buffy, you look so pretty.”

Joyce was alternating with a face splitting smile and bursting into tears.

“Mom, don’t start. I got my make up just right, and don’t need mascara streaking down my face. Okay, how do I look?”

Joyce had put the last pin in her hair holding her low and sleek bun in place at the base of her neck. Buffy’s green eyes sparkled, her mouth smiling so wide you could almost count each one of her teeth. “Is it time? It’s time right? Why didn’t I say to do this an hour earlier? I can’t believe I’m going to be married...” They instinctively reached out and held hands, Buffy pulling her mom into a bone crushing hug.

A knock on the door and Hank put his head in. “ Joyce, Willow, they’re waiting for you downstairs. You ready, kiddo?” He reached out his arm for Buffy to take, her heart pounding in her ears. They reached the front door. James was standing there in his best suit, ring on pillow in front of him. “Oh, Mom. You’re so beautiful.”

The tears that had been threatening her all day began to spill over her cheeks. The soft music from the piano wheeled outside began to play, and James was told to “walk slowly, and keep up with me, sweety,” by his new Nana. James escorted her to her chair, and Willow was next to stand up for her friend.
Hank patted his daughter’s cheeks dry with his handkerchief. “Are you ready?” He meant more than their walk.

“Oh, Dad. I love them so much.” He held her hand on his arm and took her to her new family.

William turned at the change in music and watched his life walk to him. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The silk of her dress clung to her lithe frame accentuating her lean shape. She wore her hair simply and it showed her face and eyes to their best advantage. The only jewelry she wore was the ring he had given her the winter before.

The priest asked who gave this woman in marriage, and Hank replied, “her mother and I do.” A sob broke out from the back of the seats. Hank turned and saw Cook crying, a lacy handkerchief pressed to her face. “Oh, don’t mind me. You just look so lovely together, I canna stand it any longer.” Everyone laughed at that and the priest began the ceremony.

William and Buffy had chosen to say a few words to each other, and the priest indicated it was time. Buffy went first.

“I never thought I could be so happy. You are such a kind man, so loving and giving. I trust you with everything I am and love you with all my heart.”

She motioned for James to stand between them. “I know I wasn’t your first Mommy. But I love you like you were always mine. I promise to love you and care for you for the rest of my life.”

She looked up at William. “You, too.” A quiet laughter rumbled among the small group. “I love you. Forever.”

William took her hands in his. “Darling Buffy. Our lives were shadow before you came and brought your light to us. I’m forever grateful to you for reminding me how to love. For welcoming my family into your heart as your very own. If you’ll let me, I’ll love you for always.”

The priest exclaimed, “by the power invested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

“Well, kiss her!”

Buffy leaned her head up to him and felt his hands on her shoulders. He pressed a kiss to her lips, but couldn’t resist taking her in his arms doi doing a proper job of it.

To cheers, they held hands and made their way to the side of the house to enter the reception area. Buffy pulled his hand to bring him close enough for another kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers and whispered, “I don’t know how I’m going to make it these next few hours. Buffy - I love you.”

She heard a throat clear behind them and Willow appeared seemingly busy with flowers in her hand. “Oh, were you two standing here? I thought you had gone through the house like everyone else...”

Sighing, William took his bride by her hand and led her to the party already beginning on the back lawn. “Ready, Mrs. Giles?”

She flashed him her thousand watt grin, “absolutely, Mr. Giles,” and they walked in husband and wife.

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I haven't forgotten the baum chicky baum. And didn't William have something special for Buffster??? I'm having so much fun....