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A/N :- Thank you so much for the kind reviews! You are the best!! This is it, the wedding, I hope it has been worth the wait!



Chapter 23





Buffy stood in the door looking out at the 'stage'. The garden was lit up with candles and the flowers had small spot lights on them, illuminating them softly. The small alter area . that Xander had built, had a canopy of flowers and was lit by large candles. Two subtle spotlights lit the area as well. Her gown took on a glow as the sheen of the silk took up the low lighting. Spike bounced on his toes and shook his body, nerves were getting the better of him. Buffy almost laughed. The cocky and brash vampire was nervous. Seeing him like that took some of hers away. She looked at Joyce and then to Willow and nodded.



Joyce smiled and pointed out to the garden "Come on then, the poor man's getting edgy, he might take to eating the priest " She winked .

"Very funny" Buffy answered "Lets do this" Buffy stepped out of the door.



The guests all gasped, she looked radiant. Her slow walk up the aisle did nothing to clam Spike though, if the impatient vampire could have told her 'to get a bloody move on' , he would have. Xander sniggered at Spike earning him a low growl, which in turn , caught the attention of the priest.



Angel hung his head as Buffy walked past , Gunn jabbed him in the ribs and whispered "Aint you gonna say something?"

"Not stopping her Gunn, Spike and Buffy have proved themselves to be soul mates, who am I to come between them?"

"The guy that loves her, that's who"

"Spikes the one that deserves her, not me" Angel hitched his breath "It was a mistake me being here" he left quietly, his gang watched him go , but stayed. They all knew that he would be in the kitchen , making peace with Buffy's choice.



Buffy stood by Spikes side and smiled at him through her veil. Spike was in awe of this woman. She was beautiful and about to be his wife.He was truly thankful.



The priest coughed and looked at the two stood in front of him. He smiled and started the ceremony.



"Let your presence be welcome, let your hearts be glad, for everything there is a season, and a time and a purpose. And this is the time and this is the place to celebrate the wedding of William and Buffy."

He paused and took their hands and joined them, cupping theirs with his. The priest continued

"Marriage is a reflection on our histories as well as on our future, on our losses as well as our hopes and possibilities.Buffy and William could not and would not be standing here today if they had not followed their destiny's and done what they needed to do to deliver themselves to this point in their lives.A true marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of caring, affection, trust and understanding.



A true spiritual marriage is a journey of transformation. In marriage, we do not give ourselves to another, but rather surrender into something greater while maintaining our well-being as individuals. A truly sacred marriage union is a vehicle that allows us to know our true selves by reflection through our loved one.And so, we celebrate with you,Buffy and William , as you begin your sacred and unique marriage journey as husband and wife. As life partners, your relationship is innocence, mighty in its strength and abundant with possibilities.



Before we do the vows I have to ask if there is anyone here tonight that objects to the union between Buff and William?"



A low buzz of whispers was heard. Spike held his breath, hoping that Angel didn't decide to make an ass of himself and object.







The garden went quiet again and the priest looked around one last time before he carried on.



A blonde walked around the left side of the house and stood at the edge of the seats.



"I heard this rumour and just had to come and see it for myself" she walked forward, picking at a guests dress and sneered, then let go of the offending garment as though it had burnt her like holy water.



Spike looked up at heaven "Jus' could give me one soddin' break eh?" he turned to the wedding crasher , spying Angel coming from the kitchen door.



"You shouldn't of come here" Angel grabbed her elbow and dragged her to the far corner, and held her tightly "You ruin this for her and I'll stake you again"

" I didn't come to.. oh okay I did but then this is even more delicious. Your slayer seeing me like this "



Angel glanced down,how could he have been so blind to miss that! "How?"



She rolled her eyes "As if I need to tell you."



Angel sighed "You know what I mean, how?"

"I travelled the globe practically, visiting every sage, seer and holy man, I tried potions and tonics , you name it I tried it. Anything to get any idea how and why ,myself. Nobody knows"

"Why here , now, tonight. No offence but your looking about ready to give birth, so why now?"

"Well, Daddy" it was laced with a growl and sarcasm " Seems something is wrong, very wrong"

"Is the baby okay?"

"That would be the wrong. The baby is human"



Spike watched through narrowed eyes and seething hatred. God damn that woman and her bloody timing!



"Oi!" he shouted at Angel "Any chance you can take her somewhere not 'ere, trying to get bloody hitched, in case you forgot"



Angel winced as the whole wedding party looked at them "Sorry " he mumbled as he dragged Darla off towards his car.





The priest cleared his throat "Right where were we?"



Just skip the crap an' get to the good stuff mate"



The priest stared and Buffy nodded

"Fine..... Who gives this woman to this man?"

"I do " Giles stood forward





" Do you William Pratt take Buffy Summer to be your wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?



"I will " he stared into Buffys eyes





Do you Buffy Summers take William Pratt to be your husband – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?



"I will" her eyes welled with tears.



" What token of your love do you offer? Would you place the rings in my hand? "



Xander stepped up and gave the rings to the priest



" May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go – may they always return to one another. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women year. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend. May these rings on their fingers symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts."



The priest gave Buffy's ring to Spike



" William, in placing this ring on Buffys finger, repeat after me:Buffy, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed."



Spike repeated the vow and slipped the elegant gold band onto Buffys finger.



The priest gave Spikes ring to Buffy



" Buffy, in placing this ring on Williams finger, repeat after me: William, you are now consecrate to me as my husband from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed."



The priest joined their hands again " May you always share with each other the gifts of love – be one in heart and in mind – may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts – love – generosity and kindness.



In as much as William and Buffy have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith – and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring – are now joined.



What – therefore – God has joined together – let no man put asunder.



And so, by the power vested in me by the State of California and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth.



You may now kiss the bride."



Like Spike needed to be told , he scooped her up in his arms and covered her neck and face in hisses before finally stopping and looking deep into her eyes. Their emotions were thick and he kissed her lips softly at first ,before they both forgot the guests and pulled apart. Both of them gasping through passion and lack of oxygen.



The crowd cheered and all threw confetti . Buffy and Spike were laughing and joining in the fun.





Angel heard the cheers and whistles and knew that the wedding was over. He looked across at Darla and hung his head.

"She got over you and you certainly weren't thinking of your beloved Buffy the night we did this" she pointed at her stomach.

"You'll have to come back to L.A with me, I'm not letting you out of my sight"



Darla shrugged, really not giving a damn. She was in her own personal hell. She was a vampire that was carrying a human child, a human child with which she was currently sharing a soul. Her waking and sleeping hours were a bloody torment, the faces of her countless victims haunted her.Angel knew that was what she must be suffering and he felt for her.



"Look I need to go back and apologise for you and give them my best and try to explain. I can't leave you out here alone. I'm warning you, you make one wrong move and I'll kill you"



Darla nodded.





The music started and everyone watched as Buffy and Spike took to the dance floor (also a temporary build by Xander) for the typical wedding waltz.



The guests all stood at the edge of the dance floor watching the happy couple sway slowly, lost in each other , as You by Amy Lee drifted softly around them.



Spike purred. His demon was totally satisfied. It had the one person in this world that it could call it's equal, the man was in heaven as she laid her head on his shoulder and sighed



"You happy pet?"

"I don't think there's a word to describe how I feel right now"

"Wait til later than" he winked at her "We get to be alone in our house "

"She smiled and rolled her eyes " God I can't wait"



The song ended and the newly weds joined Joyce at the table. She hugged them both and they were chatting quietly when Spike saw Angel and Darla approach. He growled and Darla smiled sheepishly , Angel frowned at him.



"Can we go inside and talk?"

"Not a chance, I'm not invitin' your whore inside Mum's house " Spike spat. "We'll come to the Mansion later , now go!"



Buffy gripped Spikes hand "S'ok , It will take five minutes to send them packing back to L.A, what could he possibly have to say apart from opps sorry?" Buffy said, still smiling "It's gonna take more than Angel ,Darla and their hell spawn to ruin this " She kissed him and his smile returned

"Your the best pet, c'mon then, let's go see what the wankers got to say for himself"



They walked through the house and out to the car.Spike lit up his first cigarette in four hours and opened the window.



"I kinda think I'm a little overdressed " she sat in the front seat and pulled the rest of the skirt and train into the car.



It looked like Spike had a big white mist sat next to him. The netting kept drifting over to him and he batted it out of his way.



"In a minute I'm goin' to rip the soddin' thing, how the bloody hell can you wear that?"



Buffy sniggered as the skirt floated towards him again and he threw his fag away and closed the window. They arrived at the mansion.



"You ready for this ?" he took her hand and kissed it.

"Let's just get it over with" Buffy stepped out and slammed the car door shut.



They both stood at the door waiting for Angel to answer.