Keeper of the Stars
by Shyfox
Party Time
[reviews]
Chapter Five: Party time.
She's got the boogie woogie woogie spread all over the place,
got it stacked to the ceiling,
Got to stick it in your face.
Baby likes to rock it like a boogie woogie choo choo train.
--Confederate Railroad.
Mario's Restaurant was decorated like a great big, Italian heart. Red, white and pink Streamers hung in a colorful display from the ceiling, while pink hearts literally covered every spot in the room, from the large pink heart-shaped paper mache hanging in the center of the room, to the cloth napkins, folded into the shape of a heart. Mario had truly outdone himself in decorating the classy this Valentine's Day...he had put a more special twist in on the day, considering it was Buffy and Willow's wedding day.
The newlyweds held center stage in the front of Mario's restaurant, seated at the long table he had set aside for the wedding party, and Buffy's closest relatives. Willow personally, could have done without being the center of attention, as she felt the eyes of every person in the room staring at her, but she supposed it was normal, considering it WAS her wedding day.
Mario had truly outdone himself in the food department, he had stuffed tables full of antipasto's, cannoli's, Lasagna's, ravioli's and fettechine's, along with a lot of other dishes, Willow couldn't even begin to pronounce.
There was a busy, festive burr to the air, and it filled the newlyweds full of a nervous energy, that had never really fully left them from this mornings activities...they had of course had to have the obligatory guest line, and Buffy and Willow were surprised their hands hadn't fallen off during the proceedings. As it was their hands still felt a little numb from all of the handshaking and hugging that had gone on, and if they never saw another greeting line again, it would be too soon. Then of course, Joyce insisted on getting photos of the wedding party, performed by a professional, somebody Buffy's mom knew from her connections at the Museum, and they had posed, for what seemed like hours on the beach, getting sand in their shoes, as they felt the hot afternoon sun beaming into their face. Willow would be surprised if they managed to get any pictures at all of them not squinting into the camera.
The photographer had taken at least three rolls of film, when finally Buffy had threw her hands in the air and proclaimed, "That's enough...no more...my wife is turning into a wilted Daisy." And with that said, had pulled Willow by the hand toward her mother's car, where they had hoped to stay for the rest of the day, or at least until they reached the fun stuff.
But now, they were at the reception, finally, and Willow was indeed having fun tasting all of the delicious dishes Mario had prepared for them. Buffy was enjoying herself as well, as she traded banter with Xander about nearly falling asleep during the wedding.
"I'm telling you Buff, I was not sleeping standing up...it was the sun in my eyes...the sun I tell ya." Xander defended himself.
"Yeah...sure, Xand...just keep telling yourself that." Buffy smirked.
"You know, you're awful cocky for an old married woman."
Buffy leaned towards Xander, a sly sexy smile lighting her face. "That's why I'm cocky." She murmured to him, taking great delight in watching him gulp nervously...a twitchy grin taking over his face.
"You may have a point there, Buff." He said nervously, then cleared his throat and stood up.
Buffy wondered what the heck he was doing, until he picked up his wine glass and starting clinking it with his fork. The noise seemed to gather everyone's attention as the small groups of people quieted and turned to hear what he had to say. "As best man, it is my duty to make the first toast." Buffy smirked at Xander's grandiose manner, as he turned and nodded his head at the newlyweds. "I've known Buffy for four loooong years." A round of chuckles went round the room, as Buffy glared mockingly at him, she was way too happy to stay mad at anyone today.
"Get to the point, Xander." The Slayer said with a grin, raising a blonde eyebrow in apparent menace.
"And I've known Willow all my life. Will, you know better than anyone what you're getting yourself into with this one." A titter of laugher was heard as Willow, grinned at her lifetime friend. "But if anyone can tame her...I think you stand the best shot. I'll admit I had a wiggens when I first heard about it, but now that I see you two happy together and married...I can't believe I didn't see it before now. To Buffy and Willow Rosenberg Summers."
"Thanks, Xander." Willow grinned, hugging her long time male pal.
Xander sat down just as Joyce was standing up. "I have my own toast to make...to my daughter and my new daughter- in-law. I'd have to admit to my own share of...what was the word Xander used...wiggens?...when I first learned about your relationship...and all that goes with it." She exchanged a secret smile with her two daughters. "But the thing I've wanted most for Buffy in her life, is for her to find somebody to love, that completes her and fulfills her, someone to be there for her, and love her, and make her happy, totally and blissfully happy, and Willow...you do all of those things and so much more. I don't think I've ever seen my daughter so relaxed and so in love. And so...it is my wish for you both to have a long and very happy life together."
"Thanks, Mom." Buffy said, tears filling the newlywed's eyes. Willow was looking equally teary, and Buffy was just getting ready to kiss the tears away when the sound of someone clapping obnoxiously, filled the room. The sound originated in the direction of the entrance, and Buffy swiveled her head in that direction to see who would dare mock her wedding.
"Well, isn't that just the sweetest thing you've ever saw." Buffy's eyes narrowed as she caught site of a familiarly colored tuxedo, and a disgustingly familiar tilted cowboy hat.
"God, not him." Buffy groaned under her breath, wondering why morons seemed to pop up at the most inopportune times. The Cowboy from the rental place was standing big as could be in the middle of the entryway, a cocky grin twisting on his unshaven, pale face.
"I told you, you'd have a proper wedding feast, didn't I Becky Sue? And I always keep my promise to my little angel." The Cowboy stepped further into the room, allowing his fiancée in behind them. She was still wearing the wedding dress Willow had seen her in that day at the Bridal shop, and the Wiccan wondered why the woman would still be wearing a wedding dress, then she noticed that the dress had dirty soil marks covering it, as if she had been buried in it, and noticed the too pale complexion normally associated with Vampires. She felt like slapping herself mentally, but didn't think her wife would like the distraction such a move would cause.
"You're right, love dumplin'." She said, as she looked around at the mass of people in the room. "And what a feast." Becky Sue licked hungry lips in anticipation of the feeding to come.
"I don't remember 'inviting' you to my wedding reception." The Slayer said, as she stood menacingly. "Mario?" She questioned the uneasy proprietor about the unwelcome presence.
"I think it has something to do with my slogan." The Italian answered her, nervously.
Buffy looked at him, her blue eyes demanding the answer to her unspoken question. "Come one, Come all to Mario's Restaurant. It seemed like a good idea at the time." Mario spoke rapidly, eyeing the hungry looking hicks apprehensively.
"I think it's time to change your slogan." Buffy said, before she turned her attention back to the present danger. She eyed them warily, knowing if she didn't act soon, they would start eating, and not the delicious Italian food Mario had worked so hard on, either. Then she spied the beautiful four tiered Wedding cake, Mario had made, and an idea entered the Slayer's head. Removing the top layer of cake, Buffy set it aside(no need in getting Willow mad at her) then picked up the second tier, holding it in her right hand and getting ready to throw. "Well you know what some Queen in England said...Let them eat, Cake."
Just as the Cowboy was getting ready to pounce on the unsuspecting guests, Buffy let the cake fly, hurling it across the room, directly into Earl's face.
"She shoots...she scores." Willow quipped, getting ready to go tackle Becky Sue, who was staring in slack jawed surprise at her now confection covered Love Dumplin'.
"Earl, how many times have I told you, you have to eat dinner BEFORE you eat dessert." The whiny voice of his undead wife, annoyed the blinded vampire who was busy trying to get Icing out of his eyes.
"Becky Sue, Would you please, SHUT UP!" The infuriated Vampire hick roared.
"You can't talk to me like that, Earl...I'm going home." Becky Sue, said, turning around and heading for the door. Buffy struggled not to start laughing at the scene, it was too darned ludicrous. Whoever turned these two must have been really hard up for company.
"I'm sorry, Becky Sue...I was just mad cause I got cake in my eyes. Don't go...you haven't even eaten yet." The Vampire hick pleaded with his pissed off wife. She turned around to look at him, her eyes gleaming as she reconsidered, looking hungrily at the closest person to her at the time, who just happened to be Buffy's mom.
"I guess you're right Earl...I am hungry." The Vampire licked her lips to reaffirm the statement, her eyes gleaming in a predatory fashion as she looked Joyce over like a tasty morsel she was about to consume.
"Mom." Buffy called out, worried that she wouldn't be able to reach her in time.
The Slayer needn't have worried...one second Becky Sue was looking at Joyce like she was a box of leftover fried chicken, the next she was a pile of dust on the floor. "Way to go, Mom." Buffy called over to her, grinning from ear to ear. Joyce shrugged back at her, as if to say, 'It must run in the family.' Then she looked down at the spiked heeled shoe she held in her right hand. "So they do more than just make your feet hurt, huh?" Joyce said, feeling rather proud of herself.
By the time Earl got the Icing out of his eyes, and realized what had happened to Becky Sue, she was nothing but a job for a dust buster. He looked infuriated at the person who had turned him into a widower. "Why you...I'm going to kill you for that. You killed my sweet potato pie." The statement was ludicrous, but his actions were very frightening, as was the look in his eyes as Joyce, paralyzed by fear, was thrown up against the wall. She stared down, petrified, into a pair of long pointed teeth, and tried not to scream as they got ever closer to her neck.
Buffy saw what was going on, and an instant hardness filled the Slayer's blue eyes. "That's it...Earl has to die." She heard her name being called and she looked away just long enough to see a drum stick heading her way. She nodded as she caught it, then turned her attention back on the person who had crashed her wedding party. "Hey Earl...I know you're hungry and all, but wouldn't you rather get back at the person that made you look like a Girly-girl in a tuxedo shop."
The taunts caught the vamps attention, pride more important than food to a dumb hic, and he let the older woman drop to the floor as he turned to face the Slayer. His face lit up in a pointy grin, as he stepped forward, the chance to seek his revenge not escaping the poor cowboy's mind. "Oh yeah, that's right...I remember you. You're that girlie in a tux that hasn't learned her place yet. But I intend to teach ya...right before I kill ya."
"Oh...I learned my place a long time ago." The Slayer said, as she played with the drum stick that she held loosely in one had. "You see, I'm the Slayer...and it's my job to kill you." She said, low enough so the whole room wouldn't hear her, but just loud enough so that Earl would. The words penetrated the Vampire's brain, just before the Drum stick pierced his heart and Buffy could see it penetrate on his brain, just before he turned into a pile of dust. "Somehow Earl, I don't think you're going to be missed." The Slayer said, reflectively, before she turned to view her wife, and make sure her mother was okay.
Giles was busy helping Joyce off of the floor, and she looked amazingly unscathed, the rest of the guests had gone back to talking as if nothing had really happened, another gift of forgetfulness thanks to the Hellmouth, and Buffy returned the drum stick back to the 'Dingoes' drummer, though he really didn't look like he wanted to use it anymore.
Buffy made her way over to Willow, feeling slightly guilty about the whole mess for some unfathomable reason. "Hey...I'm sorry about this, Honey. I guess it was too much to ask for an unscathed Wedding day."
"Hey...this is SunnyDale. If I wanted a normal Wedding Day I would have gone to Malibu." Willow smiled at her, in the way only Willow could, and Buffy felt her spirits lifting almost magically.
Just another day on the Hellmouth, Buffy thought, then kicked herself mentally. No, not just any other day...this was the day she had married her soul mate. "I love you Willow Rosenberg-Summers." Buffy said, loving the way her wife lit up at those magical words.
"I love you too, Buffy Rosenberg-Summers. Come on, let's dance."
*****
Willow led Buffy to the cleared off area Mario had set up into an impromptu dance floor, while the band had set up on the small stage. As soon as Oz saw the newlyweds, he made his way to his mike, and signaled the other band members to get into position. "This song is a classic, and my wedding gift to you. I hope you like it."
As Oz started a slow rift, he met Willow's eyes, showing the red head all of the love he still felt for her and always would in the depths of his own brown eyes. She realized this was his way of letting go, and sent a silent prayer for him to find someone to love as much as she loved Buffy.
Buffy felt the silent communication and tried not to feel jealous as she reminded herself that she was the one that was taking Willow into her arms, so they could dance, and she was the one that would be taking her home after everything was over and done with. A flash of sympathy appeared for Oz then, a person who also knew what it was to hold the red head in their arms, and to love her...Buffy just hoped and prayed she would never find herself in the shoes Oz stood in today.
I guess the time was right for us to see.
We'd take our time and live our lives together day by day.
Make a wish and send it on a prayer.
We know our dreams can all come true if loving we can share.
As Devon started singing, Buffy and Willow melted into each other, losing themselves in the beautiful clarity of each other's eyes and the words of the song, pledging forever in their hearts, just as they had at the altar that morning.
If you had never wondered, Will you be there for me.
If you had ever wondered, You're the right one for me.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
A love to last my whole life through.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
Forever in my heart,
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
Jealous eyes watched the newlyweds dance, a jealous heart longed to be the one Willow clung to so tightly and looked at with so much love in her eyes. Buffy was clearly not the person the red head belonged with, her lifestyle was way too dangerous to be a suitable mate. A desperate yearning to hold the pledged Wiccan filled the silent soul with pain, and a vengeful spirit vowed to not give up the fight so easily. Feeling the burn of curious eyes, the unquiet heart lifted troubled eyes to meet those of the guitar player, seeing shared pain reflecting back. The guitar player's brow furrowed as if he sensed something strange, and the soul quietly stepped back, out of sight.
With every kiss our love is like brand new.
And every star up in the sky was made for me and you.
Still we both know that the road is long.
We know that we will be together because our love is strong.
It was as if every other person in the room had disappeared and they were alone, dancing with each other across eternity. Every soft kiss Buffy bestowed was like a sweet breath of heaven on the red head's skin, and every touch seared a flame through her blood.
Buffy ached to hold her wife closer, longed to be alone with her to complete the joining their hearts had taken that morning, but she contented herself with the sweet contact she was allowed here, continuing to brush soft kisses across her wife's face as she held her close. "I love you." She murmured into her ear, hearing an echoing cry against her ear as they embraced each other on the dance floor.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
A love to last my whole life through.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
Forever in my heart,
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
Towards the middle of the song, other couples started joining in, dancing with their soul mates on Valentine's Day was a requirement of sorts after all. Xander and Anya danced slow, still casting looks upon the married couple as if they couldn't quite understand the concept of what brought two hearts together and made them one.
Joyce leant against Giles strength, enjoying how safe he made her feel while he held her close like this, and forgot to be embarrassed or wonder what her daughter might think if she saw them dancing. She had searched a long time for a love of a lifetime and decided she just might have found it in this odd person her daughter knew so well, yet in some ways didn't have a clue about.
It felt so good to hold Joyce in his arms, It had been a long time since he had let himself open his heart to anyone, the last one had been Jenny, and her tragic death at the hands of Angelus had given him pause for thought that maybe Watcher's weren't meant to fall in love. But if that were true, then neither were Slayer's, and Buffy seemed to be handling falling in love just fine. He had to admit he had felt drawn to Joyce for a long time, ever since that summer Buffy had disappeared and she had confronted Giles with the truth about her daughter. He had felt a certain amount of guilt for keeping the secret for so long, the responsibilities of the Watcher notwithstanding, and he had pledged, during that long summer of looking for Buffy that he would help Joyce to come to a certain understanding of her daughter. During the process, he had grown close to her, and now it just seemed like a natural progression for love to follow.
During Oz's Guitar rift in the middle of the song, he allowed himself to remember all of the time he had spent with Willow, the admittedly outrageous adventures she had her friends had dragged him into, and the love they had felt for each other. He tried to console himself that he couldn't have controlled the crazy spin of events that had pulled her out of his life, but he couldn't help kicking himself for allowing her to get away. Once you've loved Willow Rosenberg, you always love her. Willow is not a person you could easily forget, and Oz knew that he would always hold a special place in his heart for her.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
A love to last my whole life through.
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
Forever in my heart,
I finally found the love of a lifetime.
As the song was winding down, Buffy managed to pull herself from the world she and Willow had evicted themselves to, and was surprised...well not surprised really, but disconcerted to see her mother dancing with her Watcher. She wasn't really sure what she felt as she watched them dancing close, showing obvious signs of being in love.
Feeling Buffy's distraction, Willow looked up and followed her gaze to the spot where Joyce and Giles were dancing close. A smile lit the lips of the red head at the obvious love being displayed, although she did wonder at the slight tension she felt running through her wife's frame. She decided she'd ask her later, when she got her alone.
The song ended and a few more played through before Buffy felt herself getting restless, feeling the ever increasing need to have her wife alone building up inside of her. "Hey, you ready to get out of here?" She asked, almost yelling in the din of the room.
Willow looked into her Wife's face, seeing the need that was burning in her vibrant blue eyes and it filled her with an unquenchable fire of her own. She nodded slowly, letting her eyes speak volumes. Buffy grinned impulsively at her, kissing her right on the lips...okay, but we've gotta do the Bouquet thing before we leave or we'll never hear the end of it.
Willow could see the wheels turning behind the intelligent gaze, as Buffy zeroed in on an unoccupied table, then pulled out a chair for Willow to sit in, although she turned it so the chair wasn't facing the table, but the dance floor. "Okay...stay here. I'll be right back."
Buffy took off across the dance floor, dodging dancing couples, and made her way to the stage, just as they were finishing up a song. She leapt up onto the stage, moving Devon out of the way as she stood in front of the mike. "Okay, I need all of the single men to form a small group." She grinned as the men pushed and shoved each other as they made their way to the small space of the dance floor.
Buffy went back to where Willow was sitting and knelt before her, an inscrutable grin lighting her face as she let her hand trail under the dress. "I've been wanting to do this all day." She grinned, as she let her hand trail over the red head's smooth leg, searching for the elusive garter belt, amidst catcalls and whistles.
Willow wondered just how far up Buffy's hand was going to go, noticing the gleam of desire fill the lovely blue eyes before her, when she felt the sought after material being removed and she saw Buffy's hand reappear with the stretchy material clasped firmly in her right hand. "I wonder what other items I can do that with." Willow heard Buffy murmur, a slight grin twisting her lips, before she stood up and showed her prize to the cheering men.
"Okay, guys...get ready! One...two...three!" The Slayer shot the belt up into the air as soon as she said three, and watched as it sailed up, noticing that most of the men took three steps backwards at the same time, then came down to land haphazardly on Giles frames.
Buffy choked on her laughter as she watched the bemused Brit reach up and remove the springy material, looking like he didn't quite know what to do with it. "Way to go, Giles." She called to him, watching in delight as color tinged his cheeks.
"Yes...well...yes...moving on." He directed with a stare, as he wrapped the garter around his arm.
Buffy took pity on his frazzled state, and moved on with the festivities, so that she and her wife could go make playtime. "Okay Ladies. Your turn."
The women assembled a lot quicker than the men had. As Willow turned her back and threw the bouquet over her right shoulder, the women jostled each other for position, each wanting to be the one who caught it.
It was a toss up as to who was going to win between Cordelia and Joyce, as the trajectory of the flowers seemed to zone right in on them. Cordelia feinted right as Joyce feinted left and they both reached out for the Garland, but when the smoke cleared it was Joyce that held up the floral bouquet and Cordelia that looked up from the restaurant floor, a disgruntled look on the brunette's face.
Buffy and Willow laughed out loud at the sight, then as if it was a mutual decision, they grabbed each other's hands and ran for the door, not stopping until they reached the darkness of the parking lot and it occurred to Buffy that she didn't know how they were going to get home. They hadn't even said goodbye to Joyce or Giles, and now they felt rather foolish standing outside, wondering if they should go back in and wait for a ride, or walk home.
Before they could come to a reasonable decision, Willow noticed a man dressed in uniform holding a sign that said "Rosenberg-Summers" and standing by the biggest black Limo that she had ever seen. "Uh...Buffy." She said, and pointed, not quite able to believe what she was seeing.
Buffy followed the finger and felt her mouth gape open at the sight. "Um..." She said, walking over to it, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Greetings Mrs. Rosenberg-Summers. My name is Jim and I'll be your driver for this evening." The driver said, as he opened the back seat of the Limo. Without a second thought, Buffy hopped into the Limo, feeling the soft cushion as she landed, then twisted around and pulled Willow in on top of her.
She barely registered the door closing, as their lips met, a soft groan issuing forth from their joined lips, and Buffy allowed herself to wonder just what awaited her on this, her Wedding night.
Another Bride, Another Groom,
Another sunny Honey moon.
Another Season, another reason,
For Makin' Whoopee.