North and South...and West
by Rin
Let's get Ready to Rumble
[reviews]
Willow checked her uniform. It'd been a few months since she'd had it on but after eight years of wearing it...she had no problems fixing it properly. Xander was in his tuxedo already, trying to scrummage around for his cuff links. Willow just chuckled at him, as he kept missing something. His vest wouldn't button (he'd gained weight since he stopped working), so Will had to use all her strength to get it to connect. Finally, the offending garment did but they were both glad there was a jacket to cover it.
The guests had started to arrive at the lavishly decorated plantation. It was the party of the decade, apparently. Everybody from South Carolina that was anybody, and even a few politicians...all were gathered to see Miss Buffy Summers marry the California senator's son.
Mary and Susie were attending to Buffy, while Joyce and Dawn worked the crowd downstairs, greeting them and welcoming them to their home for the day's festivities. Forrest helped the people park their carriages. Xander and Willow were left to fend for themselves. Mary would come check on Xander every once in awhile...and she had this knowing grin on her face. Buffy had seemed way too happy about getting married today. That little tip she'd given Mr. Will in the market about Buffy's window being open...she felt that had something to do with the fact.
"Mr. Xander...you do look like a fine gentleman..." Mary helped make sure his tie was proper. "I'm just sure sorry that Mr. Will couldn't be here to stand with you...him bein' your best friend and all..."
"I'd say he has other plans today than seeing me marry Buffy..." Xander smirked, and Mary just chuckled as she walked out the door. It was all she could do to not give away that she knew what was up...or at least part of it. The fact that Miss Anya from California was looking extra nice today didn't pass her notice, either.
"What are those children up to..." Mary shook her head, and looked up in time to see Ms. Joyce come upstairs to announce it was time for the wedding. "Guess we'll find out sooner than later..."
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"This is so exciting!" Anya was...different. Buffy had decided that the tactless blonde was a little too...much for her taste. She hoped Xander decided to move on instead of staying in South Carolina. Then again, she did know what Anya was talking about...getting married to your best friend...
"I want to thank you from saving me from Xander." Buffy had repeatedly given her condolences and gratitude for being saved from the situation.
"No Xander for you."
"He's all yours." Buffy fixed her veil, just as her mother came in the room. "Guess it's that time, huh?"
"Yes. Xander should be downstairs waiting on you now. Your brother is waiting for you in the hallway." Joyce couldn't help but notice Buffy was a little more light-hearted this morning. "Dawn and I will be downstairs. The ceremony just started. I'm proud of you, honey. You're doin' the right thing by marrying him."
"I know, mom. I'm marrying the right man today." Buffy smiled that knowing smile, and once her mom was out of plain sight, she made her way to the staircase. Willow would be hiding in the kitchen, waiting to shock the audience. Forrest was going to distract Joyce by saying that Mr. Will was seen outside.
Just as Buffy was walking down the aisle on William's arm, she noticed that her mother was running out the front door with Forrest. She would miss the wedding. Willow chose that moment to stand beside Xander, presumably as his best man, while Anya took her place. Everybody gasped at the spouse switch but Xander assured the minister this was the way things were. In moments, Xander and Anya were married, and Buffy and Will were about to step forward for their vows when there was a shot at the ceiling. Everybody gasped and turned around to see Joyce standing in the foyer holding a shotgun, smoking barrel testimate to what just happened.
"Get away from my daughter..." Joyce had the shotgun pointed at Will now, having walked in just as Xander was kissing Anya, and the crowd was clapping. "You have some nerve comin' in here..."
"Mom! I love Will!" Buffy was sticking up once and for all. She WILL marry Willow...nothing can stop her, not even if she has to give up the farm. "You can't stop us. You have some nerve tryin' to force me to marry a man I don't love."
"You know full well that was for your own good." Joyce kept the shotgun pointed at Will, who was by now sweating. Willow had seen many a men shot on the battlefield, had several guns pointed at her in some way...but never was she more afraid than in this moment.
"It was for your good! I couldn't care less what people thought of me. So what if Will's just a lowly farmhand? You and I both know there's more to that...and look! He's standing up here in his uniform, his very Yankee uniform but nobody has left yet!" Buffy stood in front of Willow, putting the redhead out of her mom's point.
"They haven't left yet because they want to have somethin' to talk about! You're makin' a fool of yourself, Buffy!" Joyce moved to get a better shot at Will but Buffy kept moving with her, not letting the older woman get a clean shot.
"Back off, Mom! I love Will. I'm gonna marry Will! You can't stop me from marrying Lt. Will Rosenberg of the Union army, direct officer under General Ulysses S. Grant...who I might add is a candidate, too! I never planned on leaving the farm! I love this farm...and...and so does Will! We didn't wanna leave. I didn't wanna leave you..."
"Buffy...move." Joyce had her face steeled for battle. Xander thought she made a better soldier face than he did.
That's why he stepped in, just as Joyce found a clean shot, and took it...and shot Xander directly in the shoulder. There was an uproar at the SunnyDale plantation. Will, Anya, and Buffy all rushed to the fallen Xander's side. Forrest managed to snag the gun from Joyce, as William and a few others picked a hysterical Joyce up, and carried her upstairs. It was obvious the womand had lost her mind.
Mary and the doctor went about fixing up Xander, while the rest of the guests went home. Once Xander was bandaged, Anya was careful not to hurt him, as she kissed all over his face. Buffy held onto Willow with utter abandon, as they all could hear the hysterical yelling and screaming coming from up the stairs. The doctor went to take care of Joyce.
"I'm so sorry...I should've known better...I should've known Mom wouldn't have taken the bait." Buffy stayed in Willow's arms as her redhead soothed her arms.
"Shh...it's my fault. I just got excited...when I heard Xander say he wasn't going to marry you...and I saw an opening. I took a risk...and I don't regret it. Xander got to marry the woman he really loves...and you're still single..." Willow looked into Buffy's face, and smiled this big knowing smile. "Which means...that I can ask for your hand properly...marry you without the sneaky."
"I would've liked being married now, though...honeymoon and all..." Buffy smirked a sexy smirk, and Willow kissed her hard. It was all Willow could do not to pass out. "I haven't been able to think about anything else all day..."
"Spending my life with you...that's what I've been thinking about..." Willow rolled her eyes and blushed when she saw Buffy's arched eyebrow. "Okay...and some of the sexy stuff, too...I admit it...I'm not ashamed."
"I love you, Wills." Buffy leaned forward again to capture her lips as a bandaged Xander announced he and Anya were retiring to his room. "Maybe tomorrow? We can pay the minister a call, and get all the papers signed up while we're in town. Make it official..."
"I hope your mom is okay." Willow lifted Buffy's sad eyes. "Hey...she's still your mom. She's just made some bad calls, doing what she thought was best. Okay...so not exactly smart...but she was trying to protect you. I hardly ever saw my mother, let alone knew what her name was until I was older."
"I'm sorry..." Buffy placed her head on Willow's shoulder.
"It's not your fault." Will sighed, and rested her head atop Buffy's shoulder. "Your mother loves you...and I envy you that."
"She's never been like this before...I just don't understand... These past few months...it's like she's not been herself." Buffy and Will parted as they heard the doctor cough his presence. They both noticed that the hysterics upstairs were calm, and William and Dawn were showing the doctor to the door.
"I'm afraid your mother is suffering from mania. Has she shown any signs lately of hysterics? An episode such as today?" Dr. Giles was from England but he was one of the smartest men she'd ever met.
"I...well..." Buffy didn't know how to explain.
"She's acted out of character, Mr. Giles. Mom has never cared what those people think before...why now? Why was she so concerned now? Why force Buffy into a marriage she didn't want?" Dawn wasn't as stupid as her brother and sister thought. She saw and heard things...though it did surprise her about Will.
"I'm afraid I can't make any conclusions without my tools. I didn't come prepared for work, if you'll forgive me."
"It's okay. You weren't expected to..." Buffy looked up again, taking Will's hand in hers for comfort. "Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine for the night. I'll bring my bag tomorrow, and do a full examination. I hope to determine something, as I fear you're right. Today was nothing like Joyce." Giles had that faraway look on his face, as though he was lost in a memory.
"We'll be sure to expect you for lunch, then. We'll set an extra place." William escorted Giles out the door, while Dawn turned to the hand-holding, huddled couple.
"So...Mom wouldn't let you marry Will? Did she know you loved him?" Dawn looked from both. Will was much more...beautiful handsome, whereas Xander was rugged handsome. They were so different. Will looked so much...smaller.
"She knew." Buffy took her little sister's hand, and William joined them again. "Thanks, guys...for taking care of her. I couldn't...not after..."
"It's quite okay...Niblet and I took care of everything. Mother'll be asleep the rest of the night. Why don't you get some sleep yourself." William had taken on a more distinctly British accent of his own. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Rosenberg...though I'm sure you understand that under the circumstances, it'd be best of you not to stay here the night."
"No...no, I understand. I have a room at the inn. I'll just..." Willow pointed at the door, and made to leave herself. Buffy followed her to the porch, where they embraced one last time. "I'll be back bright and early..."
"No need. I'll just meet you at the inn. I want to get married as soon as possible. I don't think I can wait any longer." Buffy had pleading eyes, and Willow couldn't resist leaning in for another kiss. It took another few kisses before they finally parted, and Willow started her long walk back to the inn.