New and Old
by Rin
New Arrivals
[reviews]
A/N: I have a really long update for you this time b/c this completes the first story in the Red Series. Don't worry, there's more. I left it hanging...can't not resolve it...if there's anything I've learned in all of my English lit and writing courses, it's never a story without resolution. Thanks for all the updates on this particular part of the series! This part's extra long b/c I didn't post like I meant to yesterday. Sorry about that! I had papers that needed to be written for my film lit class...go graduate classes!
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Time flies when you're having fun, and that's exactly what it felt like for the two lovers. They had moved more of their things to the other's residency, and settled more readily into the house. Buffy finally made Willow a key to the house, and things were going great. Every night, they fell asleep next to each other, and every morning, they woke up beside each other. No major fights were in the works. More discussion about possible past events that would probably come up was had, and both girls were so in tune with the other, that they sometimes finished the other's sentences. It was almost sickening the way they were around each other, and that only grew as the days passed. Month after month flew by without warning, and neither girl could believe that they were still utterly happy, thinking that the initial passion would have worn off, but it kept getting better and better.
They took a few more weekend vacations to the cabin, and Buffy had actually started writing again. She was currently talking to an editor about a book she had recently finished, and she wouldn't tell Willow until she heard back from him. Wanting to surprise her if the book was going to be published, she kept it a secret from everybody but Charles. The redhead knew that she had been writing but had no idea that she had finished a complete work of fiction. If the book was picked up, Buffy wanted to celebrate big time with her girlfriend, and she already had a few ideas concocted.
On the other side of the love nest, Willow had been working up the courage to ask Buffy to take a trip with her away from Sunnydale. It would be four days in another state, and she didn't want her girlfriend to be in trouble for taking off work. Plus, she knew the blonde was heavy into her writing now. Even though she wouldn't tell her what she was writing, she had managed to coax her into showing some short stories that she had written in the past. After reading them, she had a new element of awe pointed at her. Apparently, Dawn wasn't kidding when she said that Buffy had major talent in the creative writing department. She just wished that her girlfriend would try to publish something in a journal, or something. At times, she felt more eager about the blonde being successful than she herself was. She just chalked it up to wanting her girlfriend happy, and she knew that writing made a happy Buffy. 'Nine months. I can't believe we've been together for nine months already. It just feels like we've met.'
Nervously fidgeting in the hospital waiting area, Buffy was waiting for Willow to meet her there after work. When she got the call, she was astonished that Anya was in labor two weeks early. Both lovers, and Xander were more than happy that the pregnant woman finally decided to let Johnny tend to things at the shop. She'd decided that the baby was more important than money, and for some reason, Xander had cried when she said that. The four of them actually started hanging out more often, and this gave Buffy the opportunity to get to know her girlfriend's best friend, and his wife, and vice versa. Now, she found herself checking back and forth between the delivery room, and the elevators, willing that something would happen. She'd already been there for two hours, and Anya'd been in labor for five.
Hearing the ding on the elevator, she turned her head, and stood up to see a head of red hair behind a giant balloon that read 'It's a Baby!' Knowing that only her girlfriend would buy the world's biggest baby balloon, she rushed over to help her with the other gift bags she was having trouble carrying. Taking a few bags, she received an exhausted 'thanks' from the redhead, and they moved over to the waiting area, where the plethora of bags were on the floor.
"What's with all the presents, Will?"
"Well...we still don't know if it's a boy or a girl, so I went the safe road, and got gifts for both. I figured that way, I'd be prepared for sure."
"Only you." Buffy leaned over to kiss her sensuously. "Anya's still in there."
"Any word?"
"None. I've only been here two hours, and I haven't seen Xander pacing the hallway for about an hour."
"How'd he look?"
"Worried...scared...I don't know how these things work exactly."
"Do I need to give you the talk?" Buffy looked at her smirking girlfriend, and kissed her lightly. She put on a playful grin of her own.
"Only if it's a hands on lecture."
"We'll see..." They both tried to relax but both were silently nervous for Anya, knowing that the poor doctors were getting a tactless mouthful, and Xander was probably going crazy with worry for his wife, too. "No word?"
"None."
"I hope things are okay."
"I'm sure they are." Buffy grabbed her girlfriend's hand, and squeezed her hand gently, letting her know that she was right there. She knew that Willow thought the world of Xander, and even if she had her little grievances with Anya, she still was completely fond of the woman because he made the young Harris man happy. "How was work?"
"It was okay. Nothing really exciting. Signed papers, approved more tour dates for a couple of bands, met with a few executives. What about you?"
"I finished an article, and sent it to the fact checkers. Other than that, played solitaire on the computer." Willow giggled, and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "How is Faith? Did she call today?"
"Yeah. She's excited that the tour's almost over. Said that she couldn't wait to see us all again, and was excited about the baby. She said the band has a lot of new material to start working
on their sophomore album when I give the go ahead."
"Gonna give the go ahead?"
"I usually do when a band's been this successful."
"You're so sexy when you're all business woman."
"You mean I'm not when I'm not working?"
"Oh, you're definitely sexy all the time...you have no problem in that department whatsoever." Willow cupped Buffy's cheek with her free hand, and kissed her sensuously again.
"You're not too shabby yourself." She kissed her again before removing her hand. "I have something for you." She picked up one of the gift bags, and handed it to a shocked Buffy.
"Prezzies?"
"Yep. I was down at the bookstore at lunch, checking on things, and picked up a few books. I saw this, and thought you'd like it." Buffy pulled out a tiny bookmark that had a tan cocker spaniel puppy on it. "You always dog ear your books when you're reading, and I thought this way, you could keep your pages perfect."
"Thank you, Will. It's adorable...just like you." Buffy cupped her cheek this time, and kissed her sensuously. "I will put this to good use."
"I hope so for the sake of your books. I can feel their pain when you fold their little page
corners. They cry." Willow mock pouted, and Buffy couldn't help but kiss the pout away from those gorgeous lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She moved her hand away from her cheek, and placed the cute bookmark into the tiny gift bag, moving it beside her purse. Turning back to the redhead, she saw the perfect grin that meant she was overly happy. Her tongue sticking out slightly from between her teeth. Buffy loved that smile, especially when she caused it.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Anything."
"I have to go away for a couple of days next week."
"What for?" Buffy's face fell, already missing the redhead in her bed. "How many days?"
"Four." Willow sheepishly smiled, knowing that she was maybe hoping too much to ask the blonde to go to New York City. "Glory's new album release party, and there's going to be interviews, and publicity shoots. I need to be there for the release, and since Xander's going to be busy with the baby, I'll be the one going this time."
"Can't you send somebody like..."
"I want you to come with me."
"What? Will?" Buffy's eyes scrunched up in confusion, sure she didn't hear correctly.
"I want you to come to New York with me."
"New York?!"
"Yeah..."
"Wow, Will...I mean...that's huge."
"I know. Is it too much?"
"No, definitely no to that question. I just...you want me to go with you?"
"Yes."
"Well...next week? What days?"
"Tuesday through Friday. We can spend the rest of the weekend there if you'd like. We could make it like a real vacation. Just the two of us...well, other than the work and stuff but most of the time, it'd be just us. Think about it...we can shop on Fifth Avenue, and drink a mocha from all of the Starbucks on one street."
"I've never been to New York."
"Oh, well, if you can't get off work, that's okay, too. I just thought I'd ask."
"No. I mean, yes, I'd love to go...with you...but no problem with work, I don't think." She looked at Willow's smile, and stared at her lovingly. "You really want me to go with you?"
"I really do."
"Then, I guess that it's time we took a vacation."
"Really?"
"Really." She leaned into her for added affect.
"You're going to love it. I'll take you to the Statue of Liberty, and let you ride the subway. We'll go to Greenwich Village. You'll love it there...it's all aesthetic-like...artsy. All kinds of writers, artists, and musicians live around there. OH! I can take you to a movie premiere. They're always having those."
"Like a real movie premiere? With real actors? Like Freddie Prinze, Jr.?"
"Hey! There will be none of that. You're all mine."
"Woah. Getting large with the butch."
"I can't help it. You're hott. Boys and girls alike happen to agree with me."
"Well, they can't have me. I'm taken."
"Darn tootin'."
"Okay...maybe we'll nix the movie premiere. I've always wanted to take one of those dinner cruises. Mom always told me that Dad would take her on one that went under the bridges, and around the Statue of Liberty when they visited New York."
"I'll do one better. I'll get a private boat, and it'll be just us. No people other than the captain to bother us. Just you and me...floating on the water at dusk...candlelit dinner...stars shining. The lights of New York City in the background..."
"When did you get all romantic?"
"When I met you..."
"Granted. It sounds perfect. I can't wait."
"Me, either."
"Wow...a real vacation...away from Sunnydale. I haven't had one of those in...ten years."
"Really?"
"Yeah...after the divorce, mom could never afford to take off from the gallery long enough to take us on a long vacation. We'd always go to Disneyland for a day, or she'd drive us down to San Francisco for two days to stay with family."
"Wow. I can't even remember family vacations."
"I'm sorry, Wills. I wish your parents paid more attention. They just didn't know how amazing you are; it's their loss." Willow smiled shyly at Buffy, kissing her sweetly for being so wonderful. Truth was, her mother had only met her twice in the past few months. When she was in town, Willow would take Buffy over for dinner, and even then, the conversation wasn't heartfelt like a family but more basic like mere acquaintances. Buffy had been perfect, and assured Willow that she had turned out amazing given the circumstances she was raised in, and that she was sorry that her mom hardly ever paid attention to her. "Well, I guess that just means that this will be your first family vacation, and I'm glad to be a part of it."
"You consider me family?"
"Well, to me...you and Dawn are my family. A little swayed from society's norm but perfect in my opinion."
"You're my family, too, you know?"
"I do."
"Funny choice of words."
"What can I say? You had me at hello."
"Okay, Jerry Maguire, and if I recall correctly, you were trying to steal my strawberry the first time we met. Hellos weren't involved."
"It was my strawberry."
"Was not."
"Was, too."
"Was not. I saw it first."
"So...I wanted it more."
"Doesn't matter now...neither of us got the strawberry."
"I think it was worth it in my opinion."
"You have a lot of opinions today."
"Are you saying I don't have good opinions?"
"No. I find them mirroring my own, actually." They just smiled at each playfully, and giggled from their banter, remembering the meeting affectionately, like they did every time. "Do you think that...I don't know...I mean, it's been three months since we've been doing the living together but not living together thing. Do you think that..."
"We should officially move in together?"
"Yes?" Willow smiled sheepishly, hoping that she hadn't crossed the line but feeling that they were more than ready. They'd been ready for a month but neither wanted to say anything.
"I've been thinking the same thing lately. I just didn't want to ask in case you didn't."
"Oh, I do. I definitely do."
"Well...um...how do we do this then? I mean, how do we decide?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe we should talk this out, and figure something out together. I don't really want to get into that with other people around." They both looked, and noticed that nurses, doctors, patients, and guests alike were moving about, some noticing them, some not.
"That's a good idea. We can talk about it while on vacation, and come back with a decision. Does that sound okay?"
"Sounds great...especially the part where we're on vacation."
"Yeah..." Both girls turned their attention back to the other, and just gazed at each other lovingly, more than excited about the following week. Just then, Xander came out, blood on his blue hospital shirt, and a huge grin on his face. He was crying, and both girls immediately panicked but calmed when they saw that they were happy tears. That only meant one thing, and when Xander reached them, they both stood simultaneously, and pulled him into a huge hug.
"I'm a dad. I'm really a dad."
"Xander, that's great! What is it?"
"A girl. It's a girl."
"Wow...a little baby girl. When can we see her?"
"The doctor has to do the stats, and Anya needs rest. When she finally got everything out, we held her, and she was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"I can tell. Xander Harris is crying. You're not hiding behind humor. You only cry when something makes you so happy you can't control it."
"Oh, Will...she's so beautiful." He pulled her into another tight hug, and released her, pulling Buffy into a hug. "I can't wait to take her home, and play with her."
"You're going to be a great dad, Xander. We told you that you would."
"Thanks, Buff."
"How's Anya?"
"Oh, I've never heard her use so many curse words in her life. She seems tired now, and the doctor is bidding her rest. It was rough in there for a while. The baby was bridged."
"You mean breached?"
"Yeah. That's it. Well, it was a little more difficult, I think, than what was expected, or how the tapes described it."
"Alexander Lavelle Harris, you didn't read those books that she brought you?"
"You know me and books, Will. I see words, and my eyes stop working." They just smiled at each, and Buffy laid a hand on the small of Willow's back, rubbing light circles with her palm. The redhead leaned into the touch, and turned around to smile gently at the gesture. The three moved over to sit down in the waiting area, and Xander still had this look of awe and love plastered on his face. "You should've seen An's face when she held the baby. She was so beautiful. Both of them were."
"What did you name her?"
"Jessica Joyce Harris. We're going to call her Jesse."
"I miss him, too." He nodded his affirmation, and both remembered briefly their childhood friend that had died their sophomore year in high school by heavy blood loss.
"Joyce was my mom's name." The two looked over at Buffy, and Willow looked sadly at her girlfriend, knowing that her mother meant the world to the blonde.
"Anya mentioned it. She wanted a good strong name, and that name came up. That's strange that it happens to be your mom's name. It just sounded perfect."
"Jessica Joyce Harris. I like that. She better be prepared for Aunt Willow spoiling her rotten."
"I'm sure she can't wait."
"I'll get her lots of books, and I'll teach her how to read. Oh! And when she's old enough, I'll show her how to use the computer, and do math!" Buffy just smiled amusedly at her girlfriend's enthusiasm to teach the kid. She wasn't even a day old yet, and Willow was already planning her academics. Xander just shook his head, knowing that his best friend was serious. "And Buffy and I can babysit a lot!"
"You're volunteering me to babysit already?"
"Well, I'll be with you, of course." Buffy just giggled, and took Willow's hand in hers, rubbing the top with her thumb.
"Well, ladies. I need to go back, and see if there's anything else the doctors need. I just wanted to come out, and see you guys. Go on home; visiting hours are over, and I think Anya's going to be asleep awhile. Come back tomorrow. You closed the office tomorrow, right Will?" She just nodded. "Okay. Yeah, come by tomorrow. Go have a nice dinner."
"Oh, these are for you from us." Buffy just looked her in confusion, and watched Xander smile as he took all the bags, and the giant balloon. "Do you need any help?"
"Nah. I got it. Thanks, guys. I'll see you ladies tomorrow."
"You bet!"
"Bye, Xander. Congratulations." He nodded, and trotted down the hallway, back to his wife, and hopefully his new baby. The tapes weren't that inclusive about this part of the process, so he wasn't quite sure. Watching him go, Willow completely let go the fact that she gave him all the presents, for both genders, and grasped Buffy closer, hugging her tightly before grabbing their purses, and moving towards the elevator to spend a quiet Wednesday evening together.
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"She was sooooo cute. With her little fingers, and baby dimples...and the smile." Buffy and Willow were in New York City. They had arrived the night before, and all Willow seemed to talk about was Jesse. She was as excited as Anya and Xander were about the baby coming home. She dragged Buffy over to the Harris's house everyday just to see her surrogate niece. The album release party the night before was interesting. Buffy finally got to meet Glory in all her well...glory. She still stood by her opinion that the singer was a hell god, and didn't understand why her sister practically idolized her. Glory far outweighed any diva before her, making crazy requests, and Willow (being a good businesswoman) made sure that things were perfect. After all, for some odd reason, Glory made a crapload of money for the label, and she had minions following her around like crazy, doing whatever she bid them to do. Willow made sure that she was comfortable, though, never letting her leave her side for a moment, knowing that Buffy was uncomfortable in that particular environment. Glory's requests were...unique, and her parties were somewhat...even more so.
The next day, there were photo shoots, and interviews that Willow had to go to, and Buffy stayed by her side full force. It was a crazy life, and she could see how exhausting it could truly be...but if you're doing what you love, then she could also see the sway towards the music life. While Willow was in an interview, she got a phone call on her cell, and it was her publisher. They had picked up the book, and would start publishing it in September, having it on the shelves by October. She had been smiling secretly all day, and couldn't wait to tell her girlfriend that night at dinner, on the private cruise she was promised. Now, they had just finished eating, and were finishing a bottle of wine on the small deck, appraising the lights of the city, and the stars that were shining overhead.
"I take it you want kids." Buffy was just beaming at her girlfriend, thinking how beautiful she looked in her loose flowing, semi-dressy red dress. She was wearing a similar type of dress, only it was white with little cherries that matched the color of Will's.
"You don't?"
"Well, yeah...but not right now. Maybe in a couple of years."
"Maybe we could...I don't know...plan on kids in the future? What do you think?" Willow had that hopeful look on her face, hoping that she wasn't crossing a line again but knowing that she planned on living out the rest of her life with Buffy.
"Well, we'll have to see when we get there." Buffy leaned into Willow, and wrapped her arms around her waist from behind after discarding their wine glasses on the table. She started to sway them both together to the soft jazz tunes that the redhead had placed in the boat's stereo, and Willow leaned back into her, twisting her head to the side towards Buffy's, and wrapping her arm around her head, kissing her sensuously. After a few minutes, they broke the kiss, and moved back in a few more times, kissing with fervor, and aware that it was one of their more romantic nights. They moved apart, and returned to the quiet swaying, listening to the swishing of the boat against the mild weather, and returning their gaze to the lights surrounding them. "I do plan on getting there. You know that, right? That I plan on spending the rest of my life with you?"
"I know. I do, too."
"Will..." Her voice was barely a whisper, wanting to savor the moment.
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too." Buffy kissed the side of Will's neck, and tightened her hold around her body, gripping her fingers between her girlfriend's, and pulling their joined hands to the redhead's abdomen. Playing with their fingers, she kissed her neck gently a few more times, and laid her head on her shoulder, taking in the scent that permeated her every sense, and sent her reeling every time. "Buffy..."
"Yes?"
"I'm so happy."
"I'm happy, too." Their voices were still whispers, both understanding that the beauty of the moment was peace. Heaven. A place where dreams come true.
"I want you."
"I want you, too."
"I know it's not entirely a legal act but do you think...maybe that..."
"What?"
"Marry me?" Buffy's body tensed, slightly caught off guard from the question, one that she never thought she'd ever hear, and one that she never thought she'd say yes to but when she got over the initial shock, she relaxed her grip, and moved Willow's body around to face her, kissing her solidly, exemplifying her answer through that mundane act, and when she went to deepen the kiss, she began to cry, and could taste the salt from the her tears between their locked lips. She just kept kissing Willow; she couldn't stop. She never wanted to stop...she wanted to be doing this for eternity, and she refused to let go. The thought of actually making it official completely passed her mind, and while wholly off guard by the question, the thought and feeling that those two words sent through her body made her realize that she was in the right place. Breaking apart the kiss, she decided that Willow needed a verbal answer, even though she was pretty sure that her girlfriend completely understood. Breathless, Willow beat her to the punch with her eyes still closed. "Please tell me that was yes, and I wasn't getting the wrong answer by that..." Buffy smiled with more love, more awe, more love, and more joy than she had ever felt in her entire lifetime, and seeing the redhead's hopeful look on her expressive face, she waited until one of her eyes popped open tentatively. The other one joined, and Buffy just stared at her lover with that smile that said everything, and Willow mirrored the same smile when seeing her.
"That's a most definitely, Willow. Oh my god, where did that come from?"
"I don't know. I just felt it, and it came out of my mouth. It felt perfect. You're perfect." The tears of utter happiness and love were flowing freely from both sets of eyes: hazel and green, darkened to a degree of lust and wanton desire.
"I'm far from perfect."
"We all have our flaws but I love you for all of those, too. Okay, so you're not perfect but you are perfect for me."
"Willow...this is the most amazing...I've never...you are...god, I love you so much." She pulled her into a tight embrace, as if her very life depended on holding her lover just this once. "I'll never let go, Will."
"Okay, not funny with the 'Titanic references.' You promised." They giggled into each other's necks.
"I couldn't help it. It was too good to pass up." They pulled away slightly to look at each other's giggling face.
"Haha. Very funny. See me laughing?" Willow pointed to her face, and Buffy leaned in to kiss the sides of her neutral mouth. "Are we really..."
"We're really..."
"Wow..."
"You said it."
"Nine months. We've been dating for nine months...it doesn't feel like nine months."
"I know. It's like it wasn't but yesterday that we first made love, and now look at us. We're going to move in together, you just proposed, although I don't see a ring anywhere." Willow looked down at her hands, and pulled off one of her silver rings, placing it on Buffy's left hand ring finger, and kissing her hand before pulling it around her neck. Pulling the other arm around her neck, she pulled Buffy in close, wrapping her own arms around her waist, slowly swaying them to and fro to the quiet. The stereo had turned off, and they hadn't moved into the pit to change the CD. They just danced to their own music.
"I can give you this ring for now. I didn't plan on that happening. It just did."
"I'm glad it did."
"Me, too."
"Will..."
"Yeah?" Their grins were permanently plastered on their faces. Buffy noticed that the captain was parking the boat at the dock, which meant their dinner cruise was finished. The night was still young, though, and Buffy just leant in to kiss her passionately, letting her know that she was in for quite the night, especially since she didn't have to be up and ready to be anywhere until late afternoon. Neither could wait to get back to the room, already about to pounce on each other in the open. There was just something in the air that was screaming romance, love, and passion, and it had definitely reached the two lovers, who were not complaining one bit.
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As soon as they were in the door, Buffy slammed Willow against the door, tearing at the strings of her dress to start the long night's first act of a several act play. Making it from the suite's couch, then catching their breath briefly before crashing together on the floor, and finally reaching the bedroom. They broke apart spent completely...endorphins running high, and hearts pounding swiftly. Their lovemaking was at an all-time elevation. New York was truly magickal, and it seemed the two had completely fallen under its spell, and it had only been two days. There were still 4 days to go. Rolling over to kiss Willow's neck, Buffy wrapped a bare leg across her girlfriend's naked form, and an arm pulling her tighter to her own nude body around her torso. Kissing her collarbone, she rested her head on Will's shoulder before both breathed out a sigh of contentment, still feeling their hours of activities all over their bodies. There were quiet shakes, and throbbing veins and bundles of nerves. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day, and looking at the rising sun through the window, noticing that it was the perfect beginning to another day.
"Willow..."
"Yeah?"
"Through all the excitement that was last night, I completely forgot to tell you something." Willow finally found some control to her limbs, and started stroking Buffy's blonde locks through her still shaking fingers.
"What's that?"
"I wrote a book, and it's going to be published." Willow leaned her head back from their lying position, and looked at her smiling girlfriend, studying her face. "I didn't want to tell you until I knew for sure. I would've but you get more excited, and I didn't want my hopes up that high just yet. Next time, though...you'll know everything. I promise. Can you understand that?"
"Sure. It's scary for you. I understand that. After being away from the scene for so long, you just didn't want to let me down, or more importantly yourself. You always think that you don't deserve happiness...and that's the silliest thing. Buffy Summers, whether you like it or not, you've found happiness, and it's not going anywhere."
"I love you." She leaned up, and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
"I love you, too. This is great! Tell me everything. I didn't even know you finished anything. You never let me read it."
"I know. Just a little overly critical while I'm writing it, I guess. Don't want anybody to read my stuff until it's somewhat completed. Well, you'll get to read it when we get back home, though, for sure."
"You'd better let me read it. I'm your biggest fan! That entitles me to certain rights and privileges."
"Oh yeah?"
"Definitely."
"What are these certain rights and privileges, so that I'll have a heads up?"
"Oh, well, there's the getting to read your work before others...that's a major one. I get to watch you in action...and then, I get to kiss you, and give you massages when your neck starts to cramp, and bring you tea and mochas when it looks like a long night of creativity, and sit with you when you need company while you write, and even when you don't, and..."
"I get it, Will...the perks are nonstop."
"Yep!"
"Okay, perky girl, we should get some sleep."
"What if I'm not tired yet?" Buffy arched an eyebrow at her smirking girlfriend, and knew just what to do. She snuck back under the covers, and the next thing visible above the covers is a very, very happy Willow clutching Buffy's head overtop the sheets, and gripping the headboard of the suite's bed.
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When they returned to Sunnydale, plans had been discussed, and two giggling lovers were constantly holding hands, or touching one another's body. First thing they did when they returned home was head to Buffy's house, and started moving furniture around. They decided to keep Willow's apartment in tact, since it was for business parties, and whatnot, and they decided that Willow would move in completely to the house on Revello Drive, moving all of her clothes and belongings there. Faith had bought an apartment by herself down the block in a nice apartment complex that Xander had lived in the years that the redhead was in college, and the apartment was going to be the girl's getaway when Dawn moved back into the house in December. The redhead's apartment was for playtime, and their main house was going to be the Summer's residence.
Willow decided that she and Buffy would only buy matching white gold bands with personal inscriptions to the other on the inside. They wanted something simple but elegant, and even had talked about the name issue, deciding to just keep their maiden names to make things easy, especially since Buffy's name was already in process of being printed, and Willow's name was already established in the music industry. Deciding on a small ceremony, they didn't want the typical big white wedding with the dresses, and the things that girls are supposed to dream about when they're little. No, they wanted simple, white dresses...nothing too long, nothing too short, nothing too poofy. No veils to hide their faces, and Willow suggested they even get married barefoot on the beach, which Buffy immediately added to doing it at sunset, right when the sky started to turn the color of the redhead's hair. Things just felt too perfect. Now, all they had to do was set a date, and tell their family. They were making the ultimate commitment to one another, and seemed that they couldn't wait to announce it to the world.
After making a few trips from Will's to the house, they managed to get her laptop set up (she left her big computer there to go for business things), and Buffy finally moved the furniture from her mother's old bedroom, since it was the biggest, and they decided to make the blonde's old room the guest room. After a day of full hard labor, they settled down on the couch, and snuggled on their first day back to Sunnydale. The shops weren't open, so they grudgingly had to wait to search for wedding bands. They called Xander, and found out that Anya and the baby were sleeping, so visiting was out of the question but Willow missed her baby niece, and couldn't wait to see her, either, and share the good news of their unexpected engagement. Amazing things happen when you least expect them but they were both more than ready to fully make that commitment. Something neither thought would ever happen to them. It was sweet.
"Want to watch a film?"
"Sure, Buff...what'd ya have in mind?"
"Oh...something lovey..."
"Haven't you had enough of that this week?"
"I'll never have enough of that with you."
"Aww...sappy Buffy...how can I resist a sappy Buffy?"
"You can't...that's the beauty of it."
"What movie were you thinking?"
"Um...I'm not sure. Maybe something funny, then?"
"What?"
"You tell me." They sat there for a few minutes before Buffy got an idea. "Okay, I have an idea. We can watch 'Moulin Rouge,' and we'll even stop it at chapter 32 this time so that it's a happy ending." Willow kissed Buffy excitedly, letting the blonde know that her idea was a successful one. Last time they watched it, Buffy made her watch it all the way through because she had never seen the actual ending, and she had to snuggle a crying redhead to reassure her that she didn't have tuberculosis, and that she wasn't going to die in the end when they finally got together again. She said there was a chance that she'd break out into song randomly but that it'd still be a happy ending.
They watched the movie, with the happy ending, and fell asleep in each other's arms on the couch, jet lag finally taking its toll on them. When the sun began to shine through the windows, Buffy woke up to find them spooned together on the spacious sofa. Smiling, she yawned, and stretched her body as best as possible. Looking at the clock, she noticed that they both should've been at work an hour ago. Chuckling slightly into Willow's shoulder, she kissed it before waking her. The redhead awoke startled, unaware of her surroundings at first, and then relaxing when she realized where she was.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"We need to get to work. We're late."
"Don't wanna go."
"We kinda have to." Willow groaned, and Buffy chuckled at her girlfriend's usual morning moods.
"I already called, and we're off today. Resting from our resting."
"No...get up...we're late." She was trying to push her up but to no avail. "Wills...baby, come on...please, Tim's already going to get on me for being this late."
"No, he won't. I called him, too...he's not expecting you until tomorrow."
"When did this happen?"
"Tuesday. I called, and told him that the vacation was until Monday. You weren't kidding when you said he had an attitude."
"Were you not going to tell me this?"
"It was a little added bonus...a surprise, so to speak."
"You're still surprising me..." She leaned over her body, and kissed her sweetly on the lips. "What do you want to do today, then? We already have all your stuff moved in..."
"Well, we have rings to buy, and friends to visit...not to mention, a new baby niece to play with...plus, there's this little thing called rest that I've heard is actually kind of nice. We didn't really get much of that in New York..."
"Well, we might have if somebody wasn't so keen on keeping me naked all week."
"I can't help it. You look good in the buff, Buff." They giggled tiredly again, and kissed each other sweetly once more. "Anything you can think of we need to do?"
"We need groceries."
"Wow...our first grocery shopping trip together..."
"I know...um...we can have a picnic down at the park with Anya, and the baby. That would be fun, and Xand's at work, so I'm sure she wants to get out of the house. She's been cooped up all week."
"That's a good idea. I'll give her a call in a little bit."
"Right now, I'm thinking a shower sounds like a good idea."
"Yeah...but that requires getting up, and I'm comfortable."
"Well, I promise to make you comfortable in the shower..."
"Ohh...are you trying to seduce me, Ms. Summers?"
"I was thinking about it; yes."
"Then, you'd better up your ante, if you expect me to move from this very warm, very comfortable spot, next to a very warm, comfortable Buffy."
"How about a naked Buffy?"
"Okay...you had me at naked Buffy..." They went upstairs, and while Buffy was preparing for their shower, Willow called Anya, confirming the picnic plan would be good. After stripping all of her clothes, she went into the bathroom to find her girlfriend already in the shower, beckoning her by name in a seductive tone.
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Two days later, they finally managed to get everybody together for a family dinner at the Summers home, and planned on making their announcement. They bought their rings after the picnic with Anya and the baby, and they were currently being displayed proudly open on the dresser, waiting the day when they would depart from the boxes, and join the girls' hands. It was so hard not to tell anybody individually but they wanted to do this right. Now, the Harris family, Dawn, Faith, and the two lovers were sitting around the dinner table, finishing a bottle of full-bodied Cabernet. Deciding that now was as good a time as any, the two stood up together, and joined hands. The others just looked at them like they were crazy, and Buffy rubbed her thumb across Will's palm to calm both of their nerves.
"What's up, Buff?"
"Well, Dawn...we have something we want to tell you guys." Buffy stole a loving glance at Willow, who nodded, and they both turned their gazes on the awaiting crowd.
"Well, spill Will." Xander folded his hands in front of his face, and the signs of joy from the baby were still evident on his face. Anya was just rubbing his back gently, just in a loving manner. Dawn was sitting next to Faith, who kept bickering back and forth the whole way through dinner. Willow commented that they acted like an old married couple, and Buffy worried for a moment about her sister's relationship status, until she realized that Dawn mentioned something about a new boyfriend the other day.
"Well, we went to New York..." Willow started.
"...and it was amazing." Buffy stole another adorable glance at Will before continuing. "A lot of things happened that neither us were prepared for..."
"They just sort of happened..."
"...and we could never be happier."
"What we're trying to say is..."
"...that we're getting married."
"Not in the legal sense obviously."
"No but we're both more than ready to do this full force, and we want you guys to be there to celebrate with us." Everyone had shocked faces, taken off guard by the announcement but knowing full well that it would work out between those two. If not, Cupid seriously fucked up this time, and the gods were cruel for taking their strong love away from them. If anyone deserved happiness, it was these two, and they had found it in each other, and even though the announcement time came as a shock, the eventual outcome of the commitment was not. Dawn was the first to speak.
"OHMYGOD, BUFFY!!!!!!" She jumped up from her seat, and pulled them both into a hug, which prompted the others to do the same, even though Faith and Anya did so somewhat awkwardly. Sitting back down, they all said their congratulations, and the questions started rolling. "When are you going to do it?"
"What kind of ceremony do you want? Xander and I had a lovely ceremony full of flowers, and traditional wedding attire. I can give you the number of a very nice man that makes the cocktail dresses that the bridesmaids wore." Willow made a face that let Buffy know that that was in no way an option whatsoever, and internally giggled.
"Wow, Wills...you're getting married. You're all grown up. You're not that little girl anymore that used to play doctor with me." Buffy arched an eyebrow towards the redhead, knowing full well what playing 'doctor' meant. Xander caught on, and wanted to reassure her that Will's idea of doctor was not the same game that little children play. "Don't worry there, Buffster...Willow's idea of doctor was pulling out her dad's medical books, and diagnosing me with things."
"That's so cute." She squeezed Will's thigh gently, and smiled adoringly at her. Buffy leaned in to whisper in her ear, and got close enough that she knew would send shivers down the redhead's spine. "I'll have to teach you how to play the real 'doctor' later." Willow gulped slightly, and her blush was extremely prevalent on her face.
"Wow...this is so...Buffy, I can't believe my sister's getting married. Have you told Charles yet?"
"Well, I'm going to call him tomorrow. Willow called Fred and Cordy earlier today, and they were both excited. We just didn't wanted to tell you guys on the phone. You're all like family to us, some actually are of blood but those that aren't still make up our family. I mean, look...we're even expanding..." They all smiled at the sleeping baby in its carrier that sat in the chair beside Anya that she had an arm wrapped around for protection.
"We're not sure all the details yet. It's still new. We did buy rings the other day, so that's one step down, and we know that we want something simple...a beach wedding at dusk, preferably."
"Who came up with that idea?" Dawn was in awe, and was more than excited to see both girls happy, happy herself that she would finally be able to call Willow her sister-in-law.
"Actually, it was a collective effort." The two smiled lovingly at one another, thumbwrestling under the table in a playful fashion.
"That sounds so romantic, Buffy..."
"We just want it small...just our family. All of you, and the gang in LA. Willow's going to call Giles in England, and I'll actually finally get to meet him."
"Oh, and Xander can be the maid of honor!" Everyone laughed but Xander who shook his head in amusement, knowing that fighting for his masculinity in this crowd had been a fight he'd lost long ago. He just had to stick with the teasing but he wouldn't give it up for the world. They were family. All of them. These were the moments that made memories: sitting around a dinner table with all of your family, enjoying each other's company, whether they be new or old friends, people you've known a lifetime, or those that you've only recently met, these are the people that make life worth living, and each person at the table just relaxed completely in the company held, and took a mental snapshot to keep this moment embedded in their minds for the rest of their lives.
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The End (for now)...More to come in Red Series Story 2 [Wait until you read what I've got up my sleeve this time...muahahaha]