Keeper of the Stars
by Shyfox
Practice Makes Perfect
[reviews]
Chapter two: practice makes perfect.
The cheerful, almost overflowing with joy atmosphere that reigned supreme at Mario's restaurant would catch the casual observer off guard. Attention would be drawn almost hypnotically to a radiantly happy couple that were laughing and talking with each other, as well as their close friends and relatives. That observer wouldn't know that the last month had visited the couple with a flurry of preparations that had to be made, cakes to order, clothes to buy, rings to get sized. Family to pick up at the airport and get situated in the hotels around SunnyDale. The fact that all of these things had come together perfectly, as if by magic or a guiding hand, would not even cross the idle mind. All that person would see, would be a happily beaming couple that were ready to face tomorrow and the joyous joining that would take two halves of one soul and forge them together forever, making it whole.
The couple in question were talking about the events that had taken place that day, their practice session, if you will. "I'm pretty sure I've got the words memorized...with a little coaching, I just might be able to say them." Buffy teased Willow, lightly, stealing a kiss from the beautiful red head that sat next to her, studiously ignoring the entertained looks given by her family.
"Just as long as you don't trip over your own feet again, eh, Buff?" Xander chortled, watching Buffy's face turning pink as he reminded the group of the fall that had occurred when Buffy was practicing stepping forward to greet her bride at the alter that had been set up on the beach.
"Well...that sand was very slippery." Willow defended her red faced lover, a quirky smile lighting her face as the others resumed their chuckling, no doubt remembering the Slayer's header into the warm sand.
"Well, I'm certainly glad you guys are amused by that." The slayer said, ruefully, rubbing at her cherry colored face.
Willow took pity on her embarrassed fiancée and shamed the others into silence with a look. "We should probably put more mats down tomorrow." They had decided to hold the wedding on the beach, with the reception at Mario's afterward. The weather had been forecasted to be sunny and warm, with a light breeze, perfect for a beachside ceremony. They had bought a very large white canopy that they would set up on the beach, and had rented about eighty white wooden fold up chairs for the guests to sit on during the ceremony. The alter would be up front, of course, and Willow would be led up the middle between the two rows of chairs.
Mario brought the food out as they were discussing the wedding, much to Buffy's mouth watering delight. The smell of the hot baked Ziti and the garlic bread sending delicious wafts of aroma to her nose. She didn't know how Mario was managing it. He had promised a full Italian feast for eighty people for tomorrow, though he had yet to divulge the menu, Buffy was sure it would be a fabulous dinner.
Mario set the large platters of food down on the table, beaming with pride at the murmurs of delight and hunger that went around the table. "Thank you, Mario. This looks great." Buffy said, enthusiastically, as she dug into the hot pasta dish in front of her. The rest of the group wasted no time in helping themselves to the steamy pasta and soon all of their plates were brimming with the delicious food.
"Eat...enjoy...dessert comes soon, eh?" Mario proclaimed, jovially, before he gave them all a beaming smile and headed back for the kitchen. He had so much to do, antipastos and canolis to make, as well as baked Lasagna and other such dishes.
The table was actually silent as the group feasted on the spicy pasta, their sounds of satisfaction being the only audible noise the group made.
After the meal, Oz and the other Dingoes checked out the small stage that was set up in the restaurant. Tomorrow part of the floor would be cleared of tables so that the happy couple would be able to dance.
Willow gazed at the band, as she imagined dancing with Buffy tomorrow after the wedding. She had danced with her before, of course, but she wondered how different it would feel, if she felt different at all, to be dancing with her new wife. Willow beamed at the word every time she thought about it. It sent a happy thrill down her spine at just the thought of Buffy being her wife. She had never felt so possessive over anything before, not even Oz, but she knew deep in her heart that tomorrow she would be claiming Buffy as hers, her wife, and she couldn't wait for the moment to get here.
Willow was startled out of her reverie when she caught a flash of black out of the corner of her eyes. She swept the room with her eyes until she settled on the imposing figure in black that was standing near the entrance of the restaurant. She met the soulful gaze with her own green eyes and watched as they gestured toward the door. She nodded briefly, then started to stand up from the table, catching Buffy's attention away from the conversation she was having with her grandmother about weddings in her day.
"Hey, where are you going?" Buffy asked, catching Willow's hand in hers as she started to walk away from the table.
Willow turned her attention back to her lover, a slight flush brushing her cheeks. "I have to go to the bathroom." She whispered into her ear, not wanting the others at the table to overhear her.
"Oh." Buffy said, flushing as well as she wondered why she had questioned her lover on this in the first place. "Well, hurry back. I'll miss you."
Willow smiled at her, kissing her cheek. "I won't be gone long." she replied as she slipped off, heading in the direction of the bathroom.
Buffy watched her in bemusement for a few seconds, something cloudy swimming in the deep blue of her eyes, then shrugged her shoulders and tuned back into the conversation that her mother was having with her grandmother.
Her grandmother picked this time to wheedle out. "Are you sure you want to get married, Buffy? I mean, I'm sure Willow is a very lovely girl, but surely..." She was cut off by a very serious vampire Slayer.
"I'm very sure, Nan. I love her." Blue eyes radiated the seriousness in her words to her grandmother, who suddenly saw the errant teenager she used to be in a new light.
"Well, who am I to stand in the way of true love." Nan said, in a gesture of showing her support. Buffy smiled at her grandmother, then excused herself as she went to find her fiancée.
*****
"Angel?" The soft whispery call startled the vampire and he swung on his heel to meet the vibrant green eyes. The two stared at each other for a long moment, each unsure what to say to the other as past and present lovers of Buffy Summers met under a starless sky. Willow shot an uneasy look at the door, then returned her gaze to the vampire, taking a restless breath. "Did you want to come in?" She asked, warily, wondering why Angel had chosen to show up, the night before the wedding.
The vampire with a soul shook his dark head after a moment of quiet consideration. "No. This is your time. Tomorrow is your day. I don't want to intrude on that. I just wanted you to know that I think Buffy has finally found what she has been looking for all of this time and I'm very happy for the both of you."
At Willow's startled look, Angel smiled mirthlessly. "Not that happy." He clarified, noticing Willow's shoulders sag with relief.
Willow knew what a sacrifice this was for the vampire and she was grateful that he had made the effort to close this particular chapter in Buffy's life. "Thanks, Angel. I'd invite you to the wedding, but it's kind of going to be outside and I wouldn't want you to go all poof." A teasing lilt filled the red head's voice and lightened the conversation considerably.
"Probably wouldn't be a good idea." Angel agreed, a slight grin twitching on his normally somber face.
Willow grinned, unsure what to say now that the air had been cleared. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it, before sighing and letting it out in one big breath. "Angel...I want you to know that I...really love her."
He could see the love radiating from the intense green eyes and he nodded his head sadly. "I know. I trust you to take good care of her, Willow." The dark Angel said, relinquishing any hold he might have still had on the heart of the Slayer. Willow shivered as she felt him let go, and she claimed the gift somberly.
"I will." A fierce surge of protectiveness rose in the Wiccan, feeling the power of it vibrate through to her very soul. "With all my heart." The power was tempered by the beat of her heart, as she felt the promise of tomorrow on her lips.
Angel nodded one final time, then disappeared into the shadows, the night enveloping him and embracing him with the cover of darkness. It was the place the souled vampire felt most comfortable and it was the only place that welcomed him back time and again.
Willow felt an almost tangible sadness for the lost vampire, sad that he could never experience the all consuming happiness that she felt with Buffy. Quiet footsteps on the floorboards behind her, alerted her to someone's presence as she felt warm arms sliding around her, and a warm body embracing her from behind. She leaned back into the comforting presence feeling the security she never felt anywhere else.
"I was starting to wonder where you'd disappeared to." Buffy said quietly, into her lover's ear, feeling her tremble under her touch. She watched the evening shadows move with a life all their own as she sighed. "Angel." It was more statement than question, Willow noticed, as if the Slayer had known he had been here all along.
Of course, she had probably sensed his presence, Willow reflected silently as she nodded her head slowly. She felt Buffy squeeze her gently, enveloping her more, if that was at all possible.
"Are you okay?" Buffy asked, wondering what they had been discussing with each other, though she herself was the most likely topic she considered ruefully. "What did he say?" She prodded her reluctant lover, gently.
Willow stiffened at the questions, unsure how Buffy would react to their discussion of her. "He kind of gave us his blessing, I guess."
"Well, that was sweet of him. Not that I need it, of course." Buffy said, a twinge of amusement mixed into her melodic voice.
The good humor in Buffy's voice relaxed her, and Willow leaned back against her peacefully, glad for a moment alone with her after the hectic activity of the last few weeks. As they stared together up into the black endless night sky, Willow noticed the almost dream like quality of bliss she was living in and it scared her to think she might wake up. "Would you mind pinching me?" She asked, a hesitant note in her request.
"Why?" Buffy whispered, bemused by the odd request.
She waited in silence for a few moments, before the whispered reply reached her ears. "I keep having this strange feeling that this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up back in high school, and I'll be the class geek that I was before I met you."
Buffy's hold on her lover tightened at the pain she heard in her voice. "Hey...I will never let that happen. I will never let you go." She vowed vehemently, turning her lover so that she could look into her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you Willow Rosenberg and tomorrow I'm making you my wife." She vowed, just before her lips met the red head's. A better cure then a pinch, the Wiccan concluded distractedly, just before she lost herself in the kiss.
*****
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Buffy grumbled, as she crossed Giles living room and tossed her duffle bag and the bag carrying her tux onto the couch. "I should be sleeping with Will, not Mr. Gordo." Not liking the idea of sleeping with her stuffed pig one bit.
"Really Buffy, it's only one night. You can't expect Willow to forego tradition."
Buffy flopped down on the couch releasing a huge groan. "I don't want to offend the Goddess of tradition, but personally, I think this tradition sucks, Giles." Buffy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "I mean, obviously we've been sleeping together for a while now."
"Look, surely you can sleep without Willow for one night." Giles said, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"No, really...I can't, Giles." Buffy said, earnestly, looking up at her Watcher. "I always sleep the best wrapped around Willow. I can't explain it really...it's just feeling her soft skin against mine that..."
"Uh...more than I needed to know really." Giles said, interrupting the Slayer quickly.
Buffy blushed, and looked away. "Yeah...uh, you mind if I call Willow." Buffy asked, darting her eyes to the phone.
Giles rolled his eyes. It had been less than twenty minutes since they had seen each other at Mario's restaurant. "Very well, but do try and get some sleep. I'm going to bed." Giles said, trying to remember when or if he'd ever seen two people so much in love.
Buffy waited until he had disappeared into his bedroom before she picked up the phone and dialed the number, waiting breathlessly for that familiar voice to answer the phone.
"Hello?" The voice coming across the phone line lit the spark inside her heart and she had to fight the grin that was taking over her face.
"Hey you." Buffy said, the smile in her voice carrying quite nicely to Willow who was curled up on their bed, staring longingly at her wedding dress.
"Hey back. How's Giles couch treating you?" Willow teased, lightly. "Is Mr. Gordo keeping you nice and warm?"
"Funny Will." Buffy said, as she soaked up the sound of Willow's relaxed voice. "To tell you the truth, I'd rather be sleeping with you. I don't know how I'm going to get to sleep tonight." Buffy said, ruefully.
"My poor baby." Willow said, in a mock commiserating voice. "Still, I think you should try. You don't want to be all pooped out on the Wedding night." Buffy heard the grin as well as the seductive tone to her fiance's voice and it sent sweet tendrils of desire through the Slayer's bloodstream.
Buffy chuckled, as thoughts of ways she'd like to spend their wedding night danced in her head. "Mmm, I think I'll find the energy somewhere." She promised huskily, feeling their connection sparking down the phone line. "I can't wait to get you alone in our room."
Willow felt the connection stirring her blood, and knew she had to get the Slayer off of the phone or she'd be awake all night with butterflies in her stomach. "I can't either." She admitted breathlessly. "But we have to, and you're not making it easier." She admitted regretfully.
Buffy laughed, imagining her red haired lover getting all worked up. "Sorry. This isn't helping either one of us." She said, with a great amount of chagrin. "See you tomorrow?" She questioned, as if she was half afraid her bride wouldn't show up.
"You betcha." Willow chirped back at her, sensing her partner's loneliness. "I'll be the one in the long white dress and veil."
Buffy smiled at the words. Willow always knew how to cheer her up. "I love you, Will."
A stunning glow lit Willow's cheeks when she heard the words, and she let herself absorb them, relishing the rare gift Buffy bestowed on her each and every day. "I love you too, Buffy. Get some sleep, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Will." Buffy whispered into the phone, hearing a soft murmur in return, before she hung up, gazing reflectively at the phone before she laid her head back and stared at the ceiling in quiet reflection, hugging Mr. Gordo to her. Maybe this was what Giles and her mom had in mind, she pondered as she stared at the white painted surface above her head. To give them a chance to realize just what they were getting into, and a chance to reflect on how different their lives would be without the other one.
It really wasn't a lesson she thought that she needed. She already knew Willow was her life, she had been since she had arrived in Sunnydale, really, and one little ceremony wasn't going to change that...except perhaps allow everyone else to realize just how much they meant to each other.
It occurred to her that the ceremony really wasn't for them, she already felt like she was married to Willow in her heart. The ceremony really was a declaration to the world that she and Willow were meant to be together. She smiled at that thought, imagining standing by the altar with Willow at her side, looking into her eyes and declaring her undying love for her. Corny as that thought was, it made her grin from ear to ear. Yup, she couldn't wait to be Buffy Rosenberg Summers.
*****
The sound of Giles' doorbell ringing disturbed Buffy from the wonderful doze she had been falling into, and she glared ominously at the door. "I can't believe it." She growled, as she got up and went to open the offensive door.
Ripping the door open, not knowing who she was going to find on the other side, she was surprised to see Xander, holding a pizza box and a six pack of beer, and Oz and the Dingoes behind him, carrying various other snacks and paraphernalia, some of which Buffy couldn't make out at first glance. "Hey Buffster! It's party time!" Xander announced as he slipped his way past her, and headed over to the coffee table.
*****