Twining Vines (COMPLETE)

Epilogue

The new training room was barely recognisable covered in the decorations for the wedding. Long, white threads of fabric were intertwined into the wooden beams of the ceiling. They tumbled down at the sides, like thin individual curtains, to form a long corridor at the centre of the room. The passage, which lead to a small altar-like structure, was lined with white and yelletaletals and a series of small orange candles were placed at the end of each individual curtain, distant enough from the fabric so it would catch on fire. Finally, six chairs were lined in front of the altar, three on each side of the aisle.

“Is everything ready?” Willow asked giddily. She was so excited; her best friend was getting married today.

“I hope we didn’t forget anything.” Tara spoke.

“Chairs, altar, petals, curtains, candles… I think that’s everything.” Dawn counted off her mental check-list.

The three girls eyed each other for a few seconds until the two witches called out in unison:

“The priest!”

“Oh, God! We forgot the priest!” Willow said nervously.

“Calm down. I phoned Buffy to ask her to go by the church and get the priest.” Dawn explained. “But the way she and Spike are going at it, we’ll be lucky if we get the priest here around this time tomorrow.” The brunette sighed and got a sympathetic look from the two witches.

“But they look so cute together. Running around hiding.” Tara piped up.

“You say that cause you’re not the one who has to go home with them.” Dawn muttered.

“They go home together?” Willow frowned. “Not too good at the sneaking around, are they?”

“No. They don’t come home together. Basically, Buffy and I get home, she tries to get me to go to bed as early as possible and then she locks herself in her bedroom, waiting for her knight in shining armour.” The teen mocked. “Do they think I’m completely deaf?”

Willow tilted her head as she came to closer to Dawn and ran her hand over her cheek in sympathy.

“I feel for you, sweetie.”

Dawn smiled at that and wrinkled her nose.

“It’s not that bad. I’m actually grateful that those two actually decided to-“

Tara and Willow’s widened eyes shut her up and she turned to find Buffy and Spike walking into the room.

“Hey. What are you guys doing?” Buffy asked somewhat flushed as she tried to flatten herhmerhmere skirt, which was slightly wrinkled.

‘Guess why.’ Dawn rolled her eyes.

“Wow! This place is looking great.” The Slayer applauded, walking around to examine the room.

“You like it?” Tara asked.

“It looks amazing!” Buffy assured.

“Great job. How’d you get those up there?” Spike questioned, leaning against the wall and pointing at the curtains that dropped from the beams.

Tara mumbled a few words in Latin and in a few instants she was hovering in mid air.

“Handy.” Spike uttered.

“Buffy?”

“Yeah?”

“Where’s the priest?” Dawn wondered.

“Huh?”

“The priest? Short, old man? Likes to wear black dresses and crosses?” Dawn elucidated.

“Oh, my god! I forgot the priest!” Buffy exclaimed, bringing her hand to her forehead.

“See?” Dawn rolled her eyes again.

“What? I forgot.”

“Well, what are we gonna do now? Anya should be arriving with Giles in about half an hour and we don’t have a priest.”

“Don’t worry, nibblet. I’ll get him.” Spike announced, pushing himself off the wall.

“I’ll go with-“

“No!” The three girls said simultaneously, cutting off the Slayer.

“You go alone. W-we need Buffy to… to do girl stuff.” Willow stuttered, pulling at the Slayer’s sleeve.

The vampire seemed to pout for a second but eventually he conceded and left the room.

“Hurry!” Dawn called after him.

“Are you guys ok?” Buffy questioned.

“Fine.” The three replied.

The blonde frowned but ignored it, chalking it up to wedding day nerves, especially since something else was drumming away in the back of her mind. She had decided that today would be *the* day. She couldn’t postpone it anymore.

“Um… You guys? I need to talk to you about… um… something.” She fidgeted nervously with the edge of her shirt, feeling three pairs of eyes on her. “It’s about… I really don’t know how to say this so I’ll just say it.” She paused and swallowed hard before looking up to meet their gazes. “Spike came to this wedding not just… um as a guest but… as… um… asmydate.” She said in one breath.

“What?” Willow asked with a frown. Buffy had spoken the last part so quickly she genuinely hadn’t understood her.

The Slayer inhaled and exhaled sharply before she repeated:

“Spike’s my date for the wedding.”

She stared at the three; waiting for a reaction. Any reaction. Mostly, she expected screaming and shouting and criticizing. But there was no reaction. They simply eyed each other, shrugged and went about their business, checking on the last arrangements for the decoration of the room.

Buffy frowned.

“Did you guys hear what I just said?” She asked, setting her hands of her hips, watching the three women walk around the room.

“Yeah.” Willow replied.

“And?!”

The three stopped and turned to look at her. The redhead was the one to take the initiative again:

“We know, Buffy.”

At her friend’s confused look she continued:

“About you…”

“And Spike.” Dawn finished her sentence.

“What?! Since when?” Buffy practically choked.

“Well…” Willow muttered. “Tara kinda… told me when we…”

Buffy’s eyes drifted to the blonde witch.

“Sorry.” Tara mouthed.

“And how do you…” Buffy turned to look at her sister.

“Oh, come on Buffy. You guys are just so obvious. Sneaking around, giggling and smiling the whole time. And our walls at home? They aren’t sound proof.” Dawn explained.

Buffy felt the blood rush to her face and her cheeks turned red almost instantly.

“Oh, my God. I can’t believe it. I’m just so…” Her hands came to cover her face and the words became incomprehensible.

The three girls were huddled around her immediately.

“Don’t worry. It’s ok.” Dawn tried to calm her.

“We’re ok with it. Really…” Willow assured, pushing the blonde threads that tumbled to cover her face.

Doe-eyed, the Slayer look up.

“What?”

“We kinda expected it…” Willow tilted her head. “The way you two have been hanging out together since… you came back and then… the way you were when Sam showed up. All jealous and-”

“I was *not* jealous.” Buffy insisted with a pout.

Willow’s lips curled to the side.

“Fine! So I was a bit… jealous.” Buffy admitted as a smiled finally tugged at her mouth. “So, you’re ok with it?” The question wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, but her hopeful gaze fell on her sist
“
“I’m kinda scarred, but I think I’ll be able to recover.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.” Buffy apologized.

Dawn simply smiled back.

Suddenly, Buffy remembered:

“Who else knows? Oh, God! Giles? Does Giles know?”

Three simultaneous nods were the answer she received and once again her face was buried in her hands.

“He probably had coronary, didn’t he? He hates me. Doesn’t he?”

“Actually, he was the one who figured it out.” Willow explained.

“Huh?” Buffy’s head snapped up.

“He was the one to finally speak up. He was tired of the rest of us pretending not to know you two were… doing it every chance you could get.” Dawn clarified.

“What about Xander?”

“Well, he’s a different case. He refuses to leave La-la land.” Willow said.

“Where is he?” Buffy asked.

“Out back. Nervous as hell over the wedding.”

“Dawn! Don’t swear.” In the middle of the haze and confusion that surrounded her mind, Buffy still managed to reprimand her sister. “I better go talk to him.”

“Good luck.”

Buffy walked across the room; her hand rested on the doorknob for a second while she turned to look at the three girls standing a few feet from her.

“Thanks, you guys.”

~+~

He rubbed his sweaty hands together as he paced around in the alley. ‘You’re getting married. You’re getting married… Today!’ He inhaled sharply; his eyelids falling closed. ‘Don’t panic. Don’t panic.’ He kept repeating to himself. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn’t even hear the door open and close.

“Hey…” Buffy’s soft voice filtered through his clouded mind and he seemed to snap out of his mantra.

“Hey!” He greeted, nervously running his hand over his gelled hair.

“You ok?” She questioned.

“Yeah.” He forced a grin onto his lips as the word came out in a weak and faltering tone.

“It’s normal to be nervous, you know?” When Xander raised his eyebrow at her she added: “So I’m told.”

He stopped pacing to look at her and the two smiled at each other.

“I can’t believe I’m actually getting married.”

“Neither can I. You’re all grown up.”

“Now you’re sounding like my mom.”

“Sorry.” Buffy smiled.

There was a moment of silence between them. Xander leaned against the hall, his hands buried in the pockets of his tuxedo.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something…” Buffy started; her gaze was fixed on the floor as she spoke. “It’s about Spike and the fact that he came to the wedding. Thanks for inviting him, by the way. I know you two never really got along. Always fighting and bickering.” Buffy babbled on and on as she unconsciously tried to postpone the inevitable.

Her long ramblings were occasionally interrupted by a muttered ‘uh-huh’ from Xander. The two friends stood in the alley, each too involved in their own worries to realise that none of them was actually paying attention to the ersaersation/monologue taking place.

“…nice of you to invite him.” She took in a deep breath. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you – and please don’t freak out about this too much! – that… that…” The next sentences came out so fast that it sounded like a senseless string of words. “That Spike is also here as… my date. I know it’s impossible to even imagine. And I understand if you’re feeling freaked, or angry or even nauseous, but I’m telling you, this is not just a brain spasm of mine, I really do like him. Actually, I love him. And I know that sounds insane and crazy and just plain wrong but it took me a long time to realise this and now that I’ve finally gotten the courage to accept it, I’m not going back on in. I really hope you can understand that what Spike and I feel for each other is real and that you can accept it too.” She inhaled sharply, looking up at him for the first time since the beginning of her rant as she paused for a second; once more waiting for a reaction. Xander’s reply was the ever constant ‘uh-huh’.

“Uh-huh? That’s all?” She questioned in disbelief.

“Oh, God Buffy! She’s gonna be here in ten minutes. Is the priest here? Is the Giles here? No! Of course not. He’s gonna give Anya away. Of course he’s not here yet.” It was Xander’s turn to babble.

“Xander? Did you hear anything I just said?”

“Huh?”

She sighed frustrated.

“I said that Spike and I-“

“Do you think the training room looks good? I’m not too sure about the candles. Maybe they’re a bit too much. Anya said she wanted something simple. Or maybe the curtains will catch on fire! Oh, God!” He exclaimed.

“Xander! Are you listening at all? I-“

“I heard you, Buffy. I’m trying to ignore it.” He mumbled in defeat. “I’ve known it for a while now. I was just waiting it out. See if it would go away, you know? But it’s my wedding day. Can you just let me hang onto the illusion that you’re not boinking Spike for one more day? Please.”

Buffy smiled at him.

“Ok.” She agreed as she came up to him and wrapped her arms around him. She sighed in contentment as he brought her closer for his traditional bear hug. It was amazing how safe and loved she could feel in his embrace. When they finally parted, she looked up at him. “I’m not just boinking Spike, you know that right? I actually lov-“

“Shattering my illusion here, Buffster.”

“Oh, sorry!” She apologized. “No illusion shattering. I promise.”

They smiled at each other. The sound of a door opening snapped them back to reality.

“The priest is here.” Willow’s red head popped from behind the door. “Giles just pulled up out front. You ready?”

Xander smiled and nodded.

They were about to walk into the building when Buffy felt Xander tugging at her sleeve.

“Are you happy?” He questioned with a serious look on his face.

“Very. You?”

“About to be.” He replied, smiling as they entered the room.

~+~

“And if there be any person present who knows just cause why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.” The old priest’s voice echoed in the room.

Xander and Anya stood at the altar, grinning wildly, fidgeting with their new rings as they waited for the silence to pass.

A cough filled the room and everyone turned to look at the vampire that sat at the end of the only row of chairs.

“Sorry. Got something caught in my throat. Please, go on.” Spike spoke up with a huge grin.

Xander’s eyes narrowed at him, sending him a murderous look.

As the priest continued with the ceremony, Buffy frowned at the vampire, smacking him across the arm.

“What?” He mouthed innocently.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Slowly, the standing couple turned to face each other as they kissed.

“I am proud to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Harris.”

The six guests were on their feet applauding as the couple came down from the altar.

“Congratulations!” Giles was the first to reach them. His arms wrapping tightly around the young man, bringing him in for a strong embrace while Willow and Tara hugged Anya.

Even though there weren’t too many people, a small commotion started as everyone wanted to congratulate the newlyweds. Finally, there was some room and Spike came face to face with Xander while the rest of the group huddled around Anya.

“Congrats! I guess you actually had the stones to go through with it after all.” Spike couldn’t help jab as he extended his hand to the young man.

To his surprise the groom not only accepted his hand but brought him in for a hug. The vampire frowned a bit and it took a few instances for him to react and reciprocate. Xander was lightly patting him on the back when Spike heard him whisper in his ear.

“If you do anything to hurt Buffy, I swear I’ll dust you in your sleep.”

The two broke apart and Spike was greeted with a genuine smile.

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” The vampire replied.

The two turned to look at the small crowd that gathered around Anya. The four women and the shopkeeper huddled around the newlywed, giggling hysterically.

The sound of Xander clearing his throat for the third time caught the group’s attention and they turned to look at the two men standing a few feet away from them.

“Can I have my wife back now?” Xander wondered as the group parted ways.

“I can’t believe you actually got married.” Willow said throwing her arms around her best friend.

“Are you crying, pet?” Spike wondered with a frown when Buffy came to stand next to him.

“No!” She denied vehemently as she brushed her eyes with the back of her hand. “I just got something caught in my eye.”

“Right.”

“It’s true.” She insisted.

With a smile she stoo tip tip-toes and brushed her lips over his.

“Oh! It’s official? We can talk about it now? Since when? No one told me!” Anya protested.

“It’s official.” Buffy said glancing at Giles.

Just before the ceremony had started she had managed to speak to him for a few minutes. She felt relieved to find that indeed her ex-watcher was ok with the idea. Even though he did manage to lecture her on her particular propensity to fall for the undead.

“Good! Now we can go on double dates.” Anya announced enthusiastically.

Both men groaned at that for a second.

With a huge grin on his face, Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy’s small form. He had wanted to do that since forever and was glad to finally get the chance to display his affection for her in public, even though the hiding had been fun.

His eyes drifted over the small group in front of him, laughing and giggling. Who would have thought four years before, in that dark night at the Bronze, when he had first seen a glimpse of them, that the same gang that he had vowed to destroy would be the new family that would welcome him.

He felt a warm sense of peace and tranquillity wash over him as he pondered over the past few years when, suddenly, a flash of red caught his eyes. His gaze immediately drifted towards the backdoor. A feminine shape stood there, clad in a black hooded-cloak which covered her from head to toe but still a glimpse of auburn hair was visible between the shadows that masked her identity. He watched as she lifted her head and the dim light lit her pale face; pitch black eyes stared right at him and a smile spread over her lips when their gazes met.

Silently, she opened the door and crept out of the building unnoticed by anyone but the vampire.

“Hey, are you ok?” Buffy’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He looked to see her straining to find the object of his attention.

“Me? Couldn’t be better.” He replied leaning in to kiss her again.

The End

Author's Note: That's all! Hope you've enjoyed it! It's been fun to write it!