Coo Coo Ca-Choo

The day of his birthday finally arrived and he hoped he had everything in order. He had reservations for a fancy restaurant in town at seven. Buffy had asked for the day off . Spike got up early and fixed her breakfast in bed and brought it to her, waking her up with a soft sensual kiss.
“Mmm..is this all for me? It’s YOUR birthday. I feel so bad you doing all this stuff for me on your own birthday. Happy Birthday by the way.” Buffy smiled at him.
“I told you we were celebrating both of ours today. I don’t mind at all. Happy Birthday to you too. Dig in” Spike sat down next to her and she shared her meal with him, feeding him bites of omelet and hashbrowns.

When they were finished, Spike went and drew a bath for Buffy. He lit candles all around the bathroom and poured a bag of rose petals he had bought into her bath. She gasped at the sight that greeted her as she entered the bathroom.
“You like?” Spike asked.
“I love. Thank you, sweetie. It looks wonderful” Buffy stepped into the tub and relaxed in the hot water.
“I need to run over to Xander’s real quick while you’re bathing. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Spike told her.
“Right now? Why?” Buffy looked up at him.
“It’s a surprise. Now you enjoy your bath and I’ll be back before you know it.” He leaned over and kissed her goodbye before leaving the room.

Spike arrived at Xander’s twenty minutes later. He knocked on the door and waited. Finally it flew open to reveal Anya, eyes red rimmed.
“Oh, it’s YOU.” She turned and walked away, leaving the door open.
Spike walked in and closed it behind him, “Ummm..Anya..are you O.K.? Where’s Xander?”
“XANDER! SPIKE’S HERE!” Anya yelled loudly causing Spike to wince.
She turned back to Spike pointing at him, “I was O.K. until I found that stupid ring of yours. It’s all youult,ult, you know!” uh? uh? What?” Spike was oblivious to what was going on.

er cer came out from the bedroom, and he too appeared to have been crying.
“Sorry if I came at a bad time. I need to pick up Buffy’s ring.” Spike said.
“Yeah, BUFFY’S RING..cause everything is for BUFFY. BUFFY gets love. BUFFY gets a ring. BUFFY BUFFY BUFFY” Anya started to cry again.
“Alright..what the bloody hell is going on? And stop talking about Buffy that way!” Spike raised his voice.

“Sorry, Spike...Anya here found the ring and she mistakenly thought it was for her from me and well when I told her it wasn’t...it started a big fight and now she is pissed at me.” Xander explained.
“Well, didn’t you tell her you were keeping it for me?” Spike asked him.
“Uhh..no..I thought it was supposed to be a surprise.” Xander looked away.
Spike shook his head. “Yeah, for Buffy! Anya, pet. I’m sorry the whelp here is an idiot. Sorry about the misunderstanding”
“Hey!” Xander protested.

Anya marched over to Spike with the ring box in her hand. “Just take it and leave”
Spike’s jaw twitched. He was getting pissed. He didn’t do anything. He decided he better do just as Anya said and leave before he got even more mad. She was just upset and emotional now and Xander and her must’ve said some things that he didn’t even want to know about .
“Thanks. I’ll just be going then” Spike turned and walked to the door letting himself out.

This was his and Buffy’s special day. He couldn’t let Xander and Anya’s problems ruin it. That was between them. He let himself into the apartment and found Buffy lounging on the sofa in a pair of white silky shorts and tank top set. She was pink and glowing from her bath. She looked like an angel.

“Hi baby” Buffy said to Spike as he came in the room.
“Hi there yourself” Spike smiled. “Enjoy your bath?”
“Mmmm...yes. Did you get the “surprise”?” she winked at him.
“Mmmm...yes” he mimicked her with a wink of his own.
“So...is this surprise for me or you?” Buffy fished for clues.
“Both and you’ll just have to wait until later so stop trying” Spike told her.

Buffy pouted as Spike sat down next to her.
“Ohh..look at that lip. Gonna get it. Gonna get it” he leaned in and kissed her, nibbling on her bottom lip.
They pulled away from each other, “So what’s on the agenda for today?” Buffy asked him.
“Get dressed and I’ll show you” Spike answered.
“I am dressed” Buffy said.
“Well you sure as hell aren’t going outside in that!” Spike pointed to her.
“I see how you are. Telling me what I can and cannot wear now” Buffy mocked anger then quickly burst out laughing. “I’m teasing Spike. These are night clothes. I wouldn’t go outside in them. Take a deep breath. Let me go change”
“Don’t tease me like that Buffy. Christ, I thought we were gonna fight on our big day” it was Spike’s turn to pout now.
“Sorry, baby...” she gave him a quick kiss tleftleft the room to go change.

Buffy came back wearing a skirt and tank top which didn’t cover much more than what she was previously wearing. Spike just shook his head and grabbed the car keys.
“Ready Buffy?” he asked her.
“Ready Spike” she got her purse and slipped on a pair of sandals.
Spike escorted her out of the apartment and down to her car. He had yet to buy a new one yet since the demise of his beloved DeSoto. He and Buffy just shared her car or he took the train or bus when she had the car.

He opened her car door and made sure she was situated before going around and getting in the driver’s seat himself. He drove them to the shopping district where he knew some of Buffy’s favorite stores were. He told her he wanted her to pick out an outfit, shoes, accessories, the whole shebang for their evening and he wasn’t sure what to get her so he figured he would just let her pick herself. Buffy was in heaven. Shopping was one of her favorite pasttimes. Having the man she loved take her shopping was even better.

They spent several hours picking out a dress, shoes, earrings, necklace,bracelet and a matching purse. Finally they came to the last shop and Buffy dragged a reluctant Spike into buy her final items; lingerie. He blushed beet red standing there around racks and racks filled with women’s unmentionables as Buffy and a bunch of other women looked over them. Buffy played it for all it was worth, asking him his opinion on her choices and making suggestive comments while he squirmed under the other women’s gazes. Finally she had tortured him enough so she took her selected items to the check out. He followed her so he could pay and then dashed out of the store like he was running a marathon.

Spike placed all her packages in the trunk and then drove them to a little deli. It was almost lunch time by now. He told Buffy to wait for him and went and got something out of the trunk. She couldn’t see what hs dos doing though. He went into the store and several minutes later came back out with a big picnic basket in his hands. He put it in the back seat and then got in the front.

“Are we going on a picnic?” Buffy asked.
“Yep. I had already called ahead and placed our order. I just brought the basket to put it all in.” Spike answered her.
He drove to the school’s campus.
“We’re having a picnic at UCLA?” Buffy quirked her eyebrow.
“Not just UCLA. Our special place” Spike held her hand in of hof his as he carried the basket and a blanket with his other.

They walked to the park that held their tree. Spike breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid someone might be sitting there and that would ruin everything. He spread the blanket and helped Buffy sit down. He sat down himself and then began removing items from the basket. Sandwiches, potato salad, jello salad and bottled water.

“I know it isn’t much but tonight’s dinner will be really extravagant so...” Spike trailed off.
“It’s perfect, Spike. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. I’d eat spam in a can as long as I was with you” Buffy leaned over and kissed his cheek.
They dug into their food and when they were done, they lay down on the blanket, in each other’s arms just holding each other and enjoying the beautiful day.

It was getting to be late afternoon. Buffy suggested they go home because it would take her forever to get ready to which Spike agreed and lau whi while Buffy narrowed her eyes at him.
“Hey! You said it. Not me!” Spike told her.
“Well, you didn’t have to agree so readily” she teased him.
“Let’s go” Spike helped her up.

They picked up all their belongings and walked back to the car together. Spike drove them back to their place and carried all Buffy’s bags up to the apartment. While she got ready, he popped in a tape of “Passions” and watched it. Buffy came out, hair and makeup done and a bathrobe on.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to get ready?” she looked at him watching TV.
“Yes, luv but it doesn’t take me 3 hours to get ready” he told her.
Buffy rolled her eyes, “Yeah...that’s why you spend all that time messing with your hair in front of the bathroom mirror.”
“I do not” Spike scoffed.
Buffy laughed, “Whatever you say, Mister Pretty Boy”
“I am NOT a pretty boy. Buffy..take that back” he called after her as she ran out of the room.

Six rolled around before he knew it. He went to get dressed so they could leave by 6:30. He dressed in a nice pair of dress slacks, royal blue silk button down and some black dress shoes. He even had a jacket and tie to complete the outfit. They were required where they were going for dinner. He put on some cologne and squirted a bit more gel into his hair, them combed it back. That’s how Buffy found him when she came of tof the bathroom.

“See, primping in front of the mirror. What did I tell you?” she grinned then gasped as he turned around to face her. God, he was a beautiful man.
“WOW...you look so....grown up” Buffy said.
“Uhh..is that a compliment? I thought I WAS a grownup” Spike told her.
“You are...it’s just...you look great, Spike...” Buffy smiled.
“Thanks. You abreadready? We need to leave in a couple minutes.” Spike questioned her.
“Yes, I just need to slip my dress on.” Buffy told him.

Spike went to wait in the living room as Buffy finished. She came out a few minutes later. His jaw dropped and his tongue rolled out.
“Buffy...you look amazing.” He breathed out taking in her slinky red dress.
“Thank you” she smiled brightly. “I’m ready to go”
“Come on then. Our reservations are for seven” Spike took her hand and led her out and down to the car.

They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes before seven. As they walked in, heads turned to stare. They made a strikingly beautiful couple, even if you could tell that there was an age difference between the two. The host excorted them to their table and when their server arrived, they both ordered cokes. She was still clean and sober and he wasn’t old enough yet to order anything stronger.

Dinner was perfect. From the appetizers to the salad to the main course and finally the dessert. Everything went as Spike had planned. Buffy was enjoying herself extremely and looked happier than he had ever seen her. His palms started to sweat as he reached into his coat pocket and felt for the ring box that was there. He was almost ready to ask and was nervous as hell.
After dessert, they ordered some coffee. It was time, Spike decided.
“Buffy, I have some things to say to you. I just want you to hear me out before you say anything, O.K.?” Spike said to her.
“O.K.” Buffy replied wondering what was up.
Spike had the speech all prepared in his head. He just hoped he didn’t muck it all up with his nervousness.

“Buffy...you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Inside and out. You are strong and smart and funny and the best thing that ever happened to me was the day I met you. I know we’ve had our problems and we’ve both, especially you, been through a lot ove this past year but I think it’s made us grow stronger together. I have no doubt in my mind that you’re the one, Buffy. I love you with all of my heart and soul.” Spike proceeded to get out of his chair and get down on one knee as the other patrons of the restaurant stared at the blonde couple.
“Buffy, I want to spend the rest of my life with you...will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Spike smiled up at her.as he flipped open a box that contained a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

Buffy froze like a deer in headlights. She was stunned. She had no idea he was planning on asking her to marry him. She was speechless. She was scared shitless. Men didn’t marry girls like Buffy. They just fucked her. Something was wrong here. All of Buffy’s insecurities and fears from the past came rushing at her all at once. She felt trapped. She felt herself start to cry and then she said the words that would rip Spike’s heart in two.
“I’m sorry, William....I can’t...I’m so sorry....oh God” Then she did what she was best at. She ran away. She pushed herself away from the table and ran out of the restaurant leaving a stunned and humiliated Spike in her wake.

Spike closed his eyes, praying this was just a dream as he watched Buffy run away. He opened them to see every pair of eyes in the place fixed on him. He felt the tears building and felt his face flame in part embarrassment, part hurt and part anger. He stood up and threw a few hundreds on the table by the check , stuffed the ring back in his pocket and then walked out of the restaurant in defeat. What had started as the best day of his life, was now the worst.

He found Buffy standing by their car. He didn’t say a word to her. He just unlocked the doors and she got in and so did he. He started the engine and it made a choking sound. He tried again and again and again until he started beating on the dashboard and yelling profanities at the car.
“FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! This is all I need now!” Spike screamed.
“It’s been acting funny the past few weeks” Buffy said softly.
“Why the fuck didn’t you say something then?” Spike yelled at her.
“I’m sorry!” Buffy yelled back.
“Yeah, there’s a of of that going around.” Spike spat out in disgust.
“It’s not my fault the car won’t start.” Buffy got out and slammed the door.
“Nothing is ever your fault Buffy.” Spike got out himself and followed her.

“Look, let’s just take the Red Line home. We can call a tow truck tomorrow and have it towed to the mechanic.” Buffy said.
“FINE!” Spike replied.
“FINE!” Buffy said back.

The angry couple walked briskly to the nearest station for the Metro Rail. They bought their fares and then waited in silence for the next train. Once it came, they both got on. Spike walked all the way to the back car where no one else was at. His misery didn’t want any company tonight. Buffy followed him though and sat across from where he sat. He may be angry at her but she didn’t want to sit alone, dressed how she was at that, this late at night in the subway.

He broke the silence, “Why, Buffy? Why? Don’t you love me?”

Continued in Chapter 28- Riding in Train Cars With Boys