North and South...and West
by Rin
Wedding Day Blues
[reviews]
Willow told herself 'just a few more minutes.' That's how she came to be holding Buffy in her arms atop her bed. They'd fallen asleep together, neither wanting to give up that contact. When Willow woke with the dawn, she hated it but she had to escape now. There were already sounds of people moving around the house. Just as she pulled her jacket back on, there was a soft knock at the door, and a heavy whisper.
"Buffy? You awake?" It was Xander. Didn't he know you weren't supposed to see the bride until the wedding?? Willow continued lacing her boots, not worried since Joyce had locked the door the night before...that is, until Xander picked the lock. Damn...she forgot he knew how to do that. "Buf...Willow?"
"Uh..." Willow looked up from lacing up her last boot, and started to back up towards the still open window. They'd forgotten to close it, since the redhead wasn't supposed to be staying that long, and the room was freezing. No wonder Buffy had wrapped the down comforter around them during the night.
"Will...what are you doing here?" Xander shut the door softly, making sure nobody saw him enter. It was clear. "I thought you left town...and what are you doing in Buffy's room?"
"Um...merry Christmas?" It was only a month away, after all...
"Doesn't work when you're Jewish, Will. Were you...um..." Xander was torn. He'd been up all night. He couldn't sleep. These pasts few days he'd spent in Anya's company, he'd seemed to fall in love with her. It didn't seem right marrying Buffy now. They weren't in love...and he hated to break Buffy's heart since Joyce said Buffy was excited about the wedding. "I'm glad you're here, actually. I was hoping to talk to Buffy...but...I'm glad you're here...albeit in my fiancee's room on the day of our wedding...but..."
"Look, Xander. About that..." Willow didn't get a chance to explain as she saw the tortured look in Xander's eyes.
"I can't marry Buffy." Xander didn't see the look of pure joy on Willow's face. He was too busy in his own torture. "I'm in love, Will...but it's not with the woman I'm supposed to marry today. Do you have any idea what that feels like?" He looked up at her. "No, I guess you wouldn't..."
"You'd be surprised." Willow glanced over at Buffy, noticing how beautiful the blonde was when she slept. So relaxed, peaceful, content...
"I've spent these past few days with Anya, and I don't know...it's just...I thought I knew love but I don't think I ever really understand it until last night. I can't marry Buffy...it wouldn't be fair to her. It wouldn't be fair to me."
'Or me...' Willow thought.
"I needed to come in here, and hope Buffy forgives me for not marrying her today." Xander looked over at Buffy. "I hope she finds real love one day."
"I'm sure she will..." Willow had the hugest grin on her face, and Xander was confused.
"This is bad news. I'm ruining the wedding. My father won't speak to me ever again...especially after they all rode all the way out here for nothing."
"Well...marry Anya today..." Willow saw Xander's confused expression. "Think about it...this thing is already paid for, there's already lots of wedding gifts...and people have travelled far to get here. Might as well make the most of it."
"But...Anya doesn't have a wedding dress...and all the guests are mostly Buffy's friends." Xander liked the idea. Maybe his father wouldn't hate him so much.
"Well...then we'll just have to marry off Buffy today, too...and as far as the wedding dress...I'm sure we can find something..." Willow was excited. They could pull one on Joyce, and Buffy wouldn't have to leave...they could get married...and Xander could get married. They could have a double wedding! It was perfect!
"What about Buffy, though? I don't want her to marry that Riley guy, if that's who you have in mind." Xander was worried for a minute. That was a horrible plan.
"No...she won't be marrying Riley." Willow looked over at Buffy, noticing that she was just starting to show signs of waking up. "She's gonna marry me."
"You??!!" Xander's outburst was a little louder than he meant it to, and Buffy started to stir even more, as he lowered his voice. "But...you're a girl...don't you think she'll...you know...figure that out?"
"She already knows." Willow just smiled even bigger.
"But how will that work? Is it even legal?"
"Technically, my birth certificate states I'm a man...and I have the West Point degree and other papers to show if it's put into question, though I doubt people will..." Willow looked worried for a moment. Xander was taking too much time to process this. "If this is gonna work, you have to get yourself a bride...so go...ask..."
"What about...I mean...you and Buffy? Is that why you're here? In here, in Buffy's room, I mean...because that's kinda..." Xander thought about it for a minute, and Willow was worried he was going to say something foul. "...sexy."
"Xander!! Go!" Willow blushed big time, and saw Buffy's eyes start to open. "And whatever you do...say nothing to Joyce about this. Or Dawn...she can't keep a secret sometimes..."
"Okay...but why?"
"When we get in our uniforms later...I'll explain." Willow smiled. "I'll meet you in your room, and we'll get everything set up."
"Okay...but you know me. I don't do well under pressure. What happens if I run into Joyce??" Xander saw Willow bite her bottom lip, obviously she'd forgotten that part.
"Then, you'll excuse yourself, and go the other way..." Buffy had heard most of it, and was more than excited. She sat up with her loving gaze towards Will. Xander excused himself, off to propose to a different woman, and locked them back in Buffy's room. The two girls just stared at each other with loving, adoring gazes. "Mrs. Buffy Rosenberg..."