“You're just paying me back for the Indian warrior fiasco” Buffy moaned as she lifted another bag of shopping from the boot of his car.
“This isn't my idea of fun either” Giles grumbled as he lifted the last bag and slammed the boot closed. “You try persuading Willow that this isn't necessary and see how far you get”
Buffy was still mumbling under her breath when they pushed open the door of the apartment. Xander grabbed some of the bags from her and gave her a miserable look. “Tell me there's a demon emergency and we need to throw ourselves into battle now!” he looked pleadingly at her “Please!!!, I don't think I can stand much more of this”
Buffy nodded her head towards Giles. “It's all his fault”
Giles sighed and moved to dump his bags on the kitchen counter. “Willow” he asked plaintively “We got everything on the list, can we please be excused another night of Native American studying”
Willow looked up from a recipe book and scanned around the miserable faces in front of her. “I'm only suggesting we have a nice family and friends get together, you would think I was asking you to save the world again”
Giles shook his head. “We just all believe you are putting too much pressure on yourself..”
“And us” Buffy interrupted and shrugged her shoulders dramatically when Giles glared at her.
“..On yourself when this should really be a time for celebration and happiness” he finished and moved into the kitchen to take the book from her hands. “None of the guests will mind if the sweet potato thingy isn't an exact replica of the Shumash Indian recipe”
“Pie” she corrected him automatically. “Do you all think I'm going a little overboard with this?” she asked and looked towards her two friends.
“Will” Xander began. “You are so far overboard with this that the lifeboats will never find you”
Buffy glared at him. “We just want this to be a fun night and not a historical re-enactment”
Willow took a final look at all of the miserable faces and sighed. “All right, I promise, we'll just eat turkey and celebrate the wholesale slaughter of an indigenous race as usual”
Xander whooped and pushed past Giles to give her a hug. “That's the party spirit, I knew you'd get there eventually”
After helping to unpack the food Xander and Buffy had left, a lot happier at the prospect of the forthcoming holiday. Willow poured Giles a glass of scotch and joined him on the sofa. “You know of course that this means I now have to rethink my plans for our anniversary celebrations as well?”
“Mmmm?” he asked before putting down the book he was reading and smiling at her. “What was that you were saying about our anniversary, surely it's not for a few months yet?”
“The night after thanksgiving last year was when I finally understood my true feelings for you but I thought we could cheat a little and celebrate it while everyone was here” Willow grinned at him over her glass of juice.
“If our previous anniversary celebrations are anything to go by I would prefer not to have a crowd of people present for this one!” he grinned and put down his glass to reach for her.
She smiled as she slid onto his lap and put her arms round his neck. “It's just that we've been together for almost four months now but I need people to know that we felt this way about each other before the accident” She kissed him before he could think of a reply and they spent the next five minutes enjoying the much maligned ‘serious snog' before finally breaking apart. “Since the first time we kissed I've meant to tell you that you are really good at that” she smiled dreamily at him.
“Remarkable really” he suggested while trailing his fingers down a line from her throat to her cleavage. “After all I'd never kissed a girl before you” he tutted impatiently as she started to giggle. “Have I ever told you how off putting it is when you laugh while I'm fondling you?” he asked in a mock severe tone.
“I know I asked you not to mention your previous girlfriends when we were here together but that is taking it a bit far!” she pushed his hand away playfully and began squirming in his lap.
He sighed as he pushed her off of his lap and stood up, turning to give her his hand and the smile that he knew turned her on so much. “You really need to make your instructions a little clearer” he suggested and pulled her into his arms as she stood up.
Five minutes later they were in the bedroom and he was struggling to remove her blouse. “Can't you wear sweaters more often, they are more divestible?”
She pulled away from his hands and finished shrugging her clothes to the floor. “That is not a word!” she began indignantly before gasping as his lips and tongue found her newly revealed breasts and she decided the discussion on semantics could wait till later.
Forty minutes later they were lying in each other's arms, “What did you mean earlier about our anniversary?” he asked.
Willow sighed and wriggled around a little until she was facing him. “I just think it's important for everyone to understand that we loved each other before the accident”
“Why?” he asked, a little bemused, and kissed her forehead where it had started to wrinkle into a frown. “Surely the people who are important to us already know that”
“Well” she hesitated then decided that she couldn't keep her feelings to herself any longer. “I'm pretty sure that Buffy and Xander believe us and I know that I'm absolutely positive about it but….” She trailed off as she lost her nerve.
“Well who on earth does that leave, surely Riley and Anya aren't causing all of this concern?” he asked as he started to be concerned at her reticence.
The silence stretched for some time until she blew her cheeks out and looked up into his eyes. “You” she stated simply.
“ME?” he asked in surprise then pulled back from her slightly. “I don't understand, why are you concerned about my feelings for you?”
“I'm not” she stated positively and reached out to rest her hand on his arm. “Absolutely not” she emphasised her point. “It's just that I think you don't quite remember everything that happened before the accident and sometimes I know you doubt some of your emotional responses and reactions to present day events because you're not sure if you would have reacted like that before” He was about to say something when she shook her head in annoyance. “I'm not explaining this right and now I'm getting you mad but you have to believe me when I tell you that I know you love me”
He considered her comments for a moment before turning onto his back and staring at the ceiling. “I thought Fraser was the only one who knew I still had doubts about my recovery but I should have known that I couldn't hide anything from you” he sighed. “I have discussed this at length with the psychologists and Fraser and we are all agreed that, had things remained exactly the same before, during and after the accident, I would have reacted in almost the same way. The only difference in the equation was my realisation that I could finally admit that I loved you”
She snuggled against his side and ran her hand across his chest. “I just get the feeling sometimes that you don't believe your own memories when you say you loved me before”
He lay quietly for a moment and she was starting to get a little concerned at his lack of response. Eventually he sighed and turned onto his side to face her. “Mostly I can't believe that I was able to deny my feelings to the extent that I did and I will never understand how I managed to turn you down that night” He stroked her hair away from her face and pulled her closer. “I was fascinated with you to begin with and then regularly irritated and infuriated by you before I realised that we had become close friends without even noticing it. It was only after we saw the Mayor off and Oz left that I began to seriously contemplate the possibility that I might, some day, allow myself to admit that I could, perhaps, permit myself to love you”
She smiled up at him as her hand trailed down his back to rest on his behind. “Even your mind had many layers of tweed” she giggled.
He sighed as his hands wandered towards her breasts. “I think the accident allowed me the freedom to finally admit my feelings to myself and you while I still had a ‘get out clause' should you rebuff my advances”
She leaned towards him and kissed him. “As if I would turn down a chance to do this for the rest of my life?” He smiled and returned her kiss and she moaned as he teased her nipples to hard peaks. “In fact I think I'm going to have to insist that we have daily practice sessions for the rest of our lives”
“Practice?” he asked and stopped his attentions on her breasts. “Have you any complaints with the level of service so far?”
“Absolutely not!” she stated positively. “I meant that you could continue to coach me”
He grinned as he returned his attentions to her breasts. “Good answer” he mumbled as he licked and sucked her nipples to even harder tips.
She squirmed against him and pushed her hips against his groin. “Am I ready for another practical exam?” she gasped as he returned the pressure and she felt his growing erection against her abdomen.
Giles smiled at her over his cornflakes next morning as she ran downstairs and grabbed a slice of toast. “Next time I offer you the shower first don't choose extra bed time instead” he suggested as he poured her some tea.
“I wouldn't need a lie in if you weren't such a stud muffin” she responded and laughed at the shocked look on his face.
“Promise me you will never use that phrase again?” he pleaded and held her bag out for her to grab as she ran past to answer the door. “You would think that living with someone from the Mother Country would have improved your command of the English language!”
Buffy stared at Willow as she heard the final part of his mini rant. “Are we still playing Pilgrims and Indians?” she whispered.
Willow moved to stand beside Buffy on the doorstep and looked at Giles over her shoulder as she pulled the door closed behind them “Well I don't know about you, but we were playing Doctors and Nurses”
Buffy and Giles both shouted “WILLOW” at the same time and the target of their outburst started to laugh as she finally closed the front door and put her arm through Buffy's.
Buffy looked in amazement at her friend as they headed towards the campus. “It's just that there are some things I don't want a mental picture of for the rest of the day and Giles wearing a stethoscope and a smile is one of them”
Willow laughed. “That's fine by me, I don't want you thinking of him naked either”
“I'm not going to win this am I?” Buffy sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Need I ask what's put you in such a good mood anyway, and remember to edit your answer for a G certificate”
Willow smiled back at Buffy. “I'm sorry it's just that vamp Willow likes to come out to play sometimes but I promise to be good for the rest of the day” She walked ahead and then turned round to face Buffy. “We talked last night about some things that have been bothering me and we kind of sorted through some stuff”
Buffy looked a little confused. “But everything's still OK between you guys?”
“Ooooohhh yes” Willow grinned. “And I think I've persuaded him that it's a good idea to celebrate our anniversary tomorrow night”
“Anniversary?” Buffy asked. “But you guys weren't together last year, in fact he wasn't even here”
Willow nodded and was practically bouncing on the spot as they waited for a light to change. “I know but remember I told you that it was Thanksgiving last year when I realised how I felt about him?” She continued to explain as they finally crossed the road. “Well we talked last night and he agreed that it was worth celebrating”
“He would agree to anything you suggested right now Will” Buffy smiled kindly at her friend. “He is in the ‘soppy love zone' and I don't think I've ever seen anyone happier than he is right now”
Willow grabbed Buffy's arm “Me too” she giggled and the two friends were still laughing when they arrived at the lecture hall.
Xander passed Giles a second cappuccino and started demolishing his second muffin when he noticed Giles smiling at him. “What?” Xander mumbled around a mouthful.
“Oh nothing” Giles grinned. “It was just something Willow said this morning”
Xander groaned “Giles you should be over the soppy stage by now” he suggested. “I mean it was kind of cute at the beginning but you are stuck in a sloppy rut right now and you need to get out of it”
“That is a truly disgusting image to describe a truly wonderful feeling” Giles shook his head. “Anyway I like being soppy and Willow likes me being soppy so there”
Xander shook his head and started to laugh. “You are a lost cause” he smiled. “Do you need any more help for tomorrow night or is everything ready?”
“I think we have everything sorted out and, after our little intervention last night I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing evening” Giles started to pat down his pockets. “In fact I'm planning on taking Willow out for a picnic during the day to stop her from obsessing again” He finally found what he was looking for and straightened out a crumpled bit of paper on the table. “Just a few things to pick up and everything will be ready.
Xander glanced at the paper and furrowed his brow. The short list of “Things to Do” was headed by the name of a shop and he was sure it was the jewellers just outside of town. “Can I help with anything?” he asked and raised an eyebrow.
Giles blushed a little as he realised that Xander had read the list but held his friend's gaze “I think I can manage this all by myself”
They stared at each other for a moment longer and Xander finally nodded and stood up from the table. “I'll see you at 6.30 tomorrow night?” he asked.
Giles smiled gently at him and held out his hand. “Thank you Xander and 6.30 will be fine” He watched Xander's back as the young man walked away and shook his head a little. He couldn't imagine how he would feel in his shoes, having loved Willow and finally having to admit she had found someone else. He sighed and gave himself a bit of a shake before glancing down at the list in his hand. “Right” he mumbled as he headed for his car. “Jewellers, magic shop, Rabbi, barbers and bakers”
Willow arrived home before he did and began preparations for dinner. She was sitting at the table with her laptop and a pile of textbooks when he finally arrived. “Hey you” she mumbled as she finalised a paragraph. “Missed you, how did your day go?” she asked a couple of minutes later as she stood up to kiss him.
“Very well, and yours?” he asked in reply and finished putting several large pastry boxes on the kitchen counter.
“What on earth are those for?” she asked as she tried to peek in the top box.
“No peeking!” he said sternly and slapped her hand away. “Some of it is for tomorrow night and some of it is for our picnic tomorrow and one box is for tonight”
“We're having a picnic tomorrow?” she asked then processed the rest of what he had said. “Which box do we get tonight?”
He laughed and lifted her over to the sofa. “Remember what curiosity did for the cat?” he admonished. “Besides you'll know soon enough”
She kissed him and snuggled onto his lap. “I think this is my favourite place in the entire world” she smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. “Hey, you got a haircut”
“And they say women are the more observant sex” he smiled at her. “I wanted to smarten up my image a little and, since the scar has almost disappeared, I decided to get back to grown up hair”
She laughed as she leaned up to look at the back of his head. “I like it, although I also liked the hippy youth thing you were doing this morning”
“You are a brat” he laughed and pushed her off of his lap. “Come on let's sort out dinner”
As they were clearing away the dishes he finally gave in to her questions and let her open the pastry boxes. She agreed that the sweet potato pies looked very appetising and that it would indeed save her having to get up at 6am to begin preparations for their dinner. She even agreed that the “Happy Anniversary” cake was kind of cute. After carefully storing them in the pantry she finally turned to the two remaining boxes. She pointed at them “So which one do we get to play with tonight?” she asked while trying to combine innocent curiosity with a mental picture of him covered in whipped cream.
He shook his head and lifted one of the boxes, leading her into the living room and placing the box solemnly on the coffee table. She sat down on the sofa and looked up at him. “Open it” he said quietly and watched her face as she looked a little puzzled and then excited as she pulled the string holding the box together and gently lifted the lid. He noticed the slight frown of disappointment when she didn't find a squidgy cream cake inside and then the puzzled look as she reached in and removed a small box from the surrounding tissue paper packaging.
“What is this?” she asked and looked up to find him kneeling in front of her. “Oh my God” she whispered as she slowly opened the box and gazed at the gold ring inside it.
He took a deep breath and reached out for her hand. “Would you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?” he asked in an obviously well rehearsed rush. He held his breath as her mouth dropped open and her eyes moved between the ring and his face.
“Oh my God” she said and shook her head slightly.
“You already said that” he smiled at her and took the box from her hand, removing the ring and holding it out to her. “You can try it on if you like but I think you're supposed to answer my question first”
“But you, I mean, we” she gave up and blew out her cheeks before shaking her head again as if to order the thoughts rushing around in her head. “Yes” she said and finally allowed herself to smile.
“Yes to the ring or to me?” he asked with a smile and laughed a little as she blushed in embarrassment. In truth he was overcome by his feelings and was fairly sure that he would have cracked if she had hesitated a moment longer. He gently placed the ring on her finger and pulled her against his chest in a tight hug. “Thank you” he muttered into her hair as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. When he finally drew back his heart rate quickened even further at the tears running down her face. “Tell me you're not disappointed it wasn't an éclair?” he asked and felt his own eyes begin to tear up.
She half laughed, half sobbed and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “This is the happiest moment of my life, I had no idea” she caught his hands in hers and kissed his palms. “I will never be able to find the words to tell you how much I love you at this moment” she sighed in happiness.
“Just hold me” he said and she noticed his voice trembling a little with emotion.
They held onto each other for several minutes before he leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “Are you sure this is what you want, I don't want to rush you into anything?” he asked. “If you like we can wait till after your graduation for the wedding but I just need to know you want this as much as I do”
“All I wanted till five minutes ago was to be with you for the rest of my life, I didn't think anything could be better than that” She took a deep breath and gazed at the ring on her finger. “Now I can't imagine anything more perfect than being Mrs Rosenberg-Giles”
He shook his head and bent down to kiss her finger where the ring rested. “We obviously have a lot to discuss but let's just take tonight and tomorrow to enjoy this together before we start negotiations or tell anyone else”
“I can't tell Buffy and Xander tonight?” she asked and looked up at him with a small pout.
“If you really must but I thought we could make the official announcement tomorrow when we were all together?” he suggested as he laced his fingers through hers. “I'm sorry but I just want this to be about the two of us for a while until we get used to it ourselves”
She smiled at him and moved her ring finger a little to let the artificial light catch the stone. “I know what you mean, this is all a bit weird” she looked up and caught his slightly apprehensive look. “Not weird in a bad way” she hurriedly explained. “It's just that I'm still getting used to kissing the librarian and parts of my brain are still shocked at what else we've been up to so I think it will probably take several months for them to recover from this surprise”
He shook his head and pulled her closer to him again. “Would you change anything?” he asked quietly.
“Not a thing, I think it's the most beautiful ring in the world” she announced and stared at it again.
“I meant about the event, not the ring” he said dryly.
“Oh” she giggled a little. “Well the only thing I would have done differently would be to have had a fabulous, gorgeous engagement ring and a large cream cake in the box” she looked up at him. “I had plans for the rest of the night, you know, that are now sadly lacking in a few vital ingredients”
“Well, if it is really going to upset your plans we could always use the picnic supplies?” he suggested and stood up to retrieve the remaining pastry box from the kitchen counter.
“You see, this is why it's best to fall madly in love with the tactical planning guy, he always has a fallback plan” she grinned and helped him remove the string from the box. “Ooohhh” she sighed. “Mini doughnuts” she said then shook her head. “One of my favourite snacks but not exactly filling me with lecherous thoughts”
He smiled at her and started putting out the lights around the room. “Really?” he asked in disbelief then shook his head. “Perhaps I should be glad that you don't have quite the gutter level imagination you seem to think you have?”
She blushed and checked the front door was locked before following him upstairs. “I'm sorry, it was just I read about this thing with whipped cream, and now we have a distinct lack of cream of any kind but I could probably come up with something else..….” she protested.
He turned round and tried to smother the laughter. “Willow, you are delightful just as you are, you don't need to resort to those kind of tricks to keep me happy in bed or anywhere else for that matter”
“It's just that I worry that I'm kind of boring for you after…” she ground to a halt. “I mean you are more experienced and I would understand if you wanted to try new things and….”
“Have I ever suggested that you bore me in bed?” he asked quietly as he started to remove his clothes.
“No” she mumbled and looked thoroughly miserable. “I've done it again” she covered her face with her hands. “You've just proposed to me and made me the happiest woman on the planet and now I'm ruining what should be fabulous ‘just engaged' sex by babbling on and..” she peeked out at him from between her fingers. “You can stop me any time you feel like it, you know?”
He was leaning against the wall, relaxed and with his arms folded over his chest, wearing only his boxer shorts. “I thought I would let you get it out of your system” he smiled. “I've just spent an obscene amount of money on a ruby ring because the stone reminded me of the sunlight in your hair. I think it's fair to assume that I will put up with the occasional babble”
“Can we start over?” she asked and moved towards him while stripping out of her clothes. “I love you and I would love to be your wife” she whispered and leaned up to kiss him gently.
He stayed leaning against the wall for a few seconds before pushing forwards and taking her in his arms. “You make me so happy” he sighed as he carried her towards the bed. “Since I spoiled your plans for tonight's celebrations why don't you lie back and let me come up with some ideas?”
“Well if you insist” she licked her lips and stretched back on the bed.
He stood looking down at her for a moment before leaning over and kissing her. She tried to pull him down on top of her but he pulled away to lie next to her and let his fingers trail down to her stomach. “You are so beautiful that sometimes I think I'm still in a coma and this is all a dream” He looked up to meet her eyes. “But I would never dare to dream that you would agree to marry me so I guess this is real?”
She nodded, not sure she would be able to speak without babbling again and not wanting to break the mood of the moment. She licked her lips again and focussed her mind on the feel of his fingers gently tracing patterns across her abdomen as he started sucking her nipples.
After a few moments he looked at her face and smiled to himself as he saw her eyes close and felt the muscles under his hand begin to tighten. Gently he moved down the bed and nudged her left leg to persuade her to open up a little for him. He knew that she was expecting to feel his fingers and smiled when he heard her gasp of surprise when he gently blew on her clitoris instead.
Her mind was floating and she was concentrating on the build up of sensations caused by his gentle touches. When she felt him touch her thigh she moved her leg and began to imagine a lifetime of making love to him as husband and wife. The cold air hit her and her body exploded in a thousand different places. Her hips jerked off the bed and her hands stopped caressing his back and grabbed the bed cover instead. “Wh wh what was that?” she finally managed to get out between deep breaths. If he answered her she never heard as he ran his tongue from her clitoris to her vagina and back again. “Holy ….!!!!” she ground out between clenched teeth and clutched the bedclothes even tighter.
He moved his hands under her buttocks and tried to control her writhing movements. When they had abated a little he blew on her again and followed it up with a slow, tender kiss to her clitoris. The nub was rock-hard now and he knew she was close but he wanted this to last for her and pulled back a little to nuzzle her instead.
Now that he had brought her back from the edge she was able to form coherent words. “Don't stop” she managed as her right hand moved to his shoulder. “Please Rupert”
He looked up and met her gaze. “I'll never stop” he whispered and lowered his head to alternate between blowing and licking. His tongue darted in and out of her slick passage while his left thumb ran alternating circles around her clitoris. When he heard her breathing quicken even further he switched over, his fingers probing in and out of her while his tongue wrapped around her clitoris and he sucked gently.
She screamed and it could have lasted for several hours. When he finally disentangled himself and moved to lie beside her she wasn't even sure whether she had managed to stay conscious. She clung onto him as if he was a life protector in a stormy sea and it took several minutes for her breathing to return to anything resembling normal.
He held her in his arms and stroked her hair. He was spooned against her and the heat radiating from her body was causing his erection to throb where it was trapped between them.
“Rupert” she finally managed in a quiet voice.
“Mmmmhhh” he mumbled as he bent down to kiss her neck.
“Did we have a symphony orchestra in here when you did that last thing?” she took a deep breath. “Cause it sounded like an orchestra was playing inside my head and then I don't remember anything except lots of flashing lights and fireworks”
“I love you Willow” he mumbled and turned her over to kiss her.
Willow pulled away and her hand reached out to touch his lips. “You taste of me” she said in wonder.
“Are you OK?” he asked gently. “I could go and clean up if you'd rather..” he began but she interrupted him with another kiss. He felt her smile build while they were kissing and eventually pulled back to catch his breath. “I don't think I'll ever get tired of making love to you” he sighed and gently lowered himself on top of her.
He awoke early the next morning and carefully slipped out of bed without disturbing her. He stood for a moment watching her sleep before shaking his head in wonder that she seemed to want him as much as he wanted her. Slipping into his dressing gown he headed for the kitchen and began the preparations for their picnic. Once the sandwiches were wrapped and packed away he began making breakfast for them both. He smiled to himself as he set a few of the mini doughnuts on the tray alongside the cereal and tea.
Willow woke to the feel of his lips on her neck. She arched her back and stretched lazily while trying to stifle a yawn. “Mornin” she muttered and turned to kiss him. “What time is it?” she asked as she spotted the breakfast tray. “Ooohh goody I'm starving” she grinned and licked her lips.
He laughed and kissed her on the nose before lifting the tray to rest on the bed between them. “Good morning darling” he grinned. “It's nine thirty and I'd like to set out for our picnic by about ten thirty if that's ok with you?”
“Well” she complained. “I don't think an hours long enough to make love to you, finish breakfast, get ready and prepare the picnic food!”
“Food is already prepared and perhaps we could save some time by eating instead of discussing our options?” he suggested as he started on his cereal.
The drive to the park was mostly taken up with a discussion on their plans for that evening. Their guests were due to arrive by six thirty and Willow was counting back to work out when she would have to begin preparations and cooking. Giles was patiently explaining that it would be an informal gathering where nobody would expect to sit down to dinner immediately and that, barring any marauding warrior demons, they should simply plan on being comfortable and happy.
“But we'll need to start off by announcing our engagement and then everyone will need a drink to toast us and if everyone's drinking they'll need nibbles and..” Willow ran out of breath and turned to face him as he sighed.
“Darling, our friends will be too excited about our news to worry about the lack of chips and dips” he patted her knee. “We'll be fine and I promise to make sure we are back home by three to allow us time to prepare”
Willow sighed dramatically and shrugged her shoulders. “If you say so” she mumbled. “Where are we going?” she finally realised they were heading out of town.
“I found this really nice picnic spot just outside of town that gives breathtaking views of the valley” he turned to smile at her. “It involves a little bit of a climb but it is worth it”
“OK” she smiled at him and marvelled at the excited look that crossed his face. She shook her head slightly and looked out of the window at the desert landscape they were now driving through. She knew that she was nagging him about tonight but it was really important to her that her friends enjoyed her first officially hosted party. He would think she was being silly if she tried to explain it to him but this was the first time that the gang were going to be their guests instead of just his and she wanted everything to be perfect.
Willow was puffing like a steam train by the time she joined him at the plateau. “Isn't the view spectacular?” he asked and surveyed the valley spread out below them.
“Uhuh” she managed and gazed up from bending over to catch her breath. “Wow” she added as she finally took notice of where she was.
He smiled at her and moved to the other side of a large boulder to spread out the picnic blanket and put down the basket. “Would you like some water?” he asked as she managed to get her breathing back to almost normal and helped him lay out the food.
“Yes please” she smiled at him. “When did you find this place, it's beautiful?” she nodded towards the valley.
“I found it while I was doing some soul searching after my accident, but I was a bit preoccupied at the time and I've always meant to come back to appreciate it properly” He helped her down onto the blanket and handed her a water bottle as she leaned against the boulder. He finished laying out the food and then sat down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer to him. “There are quite a few places where I wondered if we would ever get together but this place popped into my mind when I was thinking of a quiet picnic spot”
“Quiet?” she asked and raised her eyebrows.
“Until I get my breath back from the climb I mean peaceful” he smiled at her.
They lay in the shade of the boulder, enjoying the ever-changing shadows and breathtaking view. Occasionally Willow would glance at her hand and the ring resting on her finger. A sudden thought came to her and she pulled away from his embrace to kneel in front of him. “Rupert, would you mind if I asked you a very personal question?”
He looked a little surprised at her suddenly serious tone but nodded his head. “Of course not, ask whatever you want”
“I was just thinking to myself how strange it felt to be engaged when I suddenly realised that this might not be your first time” Part of her was relieved that she could still cause the look of shock which now sat on his face as he slowly took his glasses off and cleaned them on his sweater. “I'm sorry” she mumbled. “I didn't mean to make you clean your glasses and it doesn't really matter what happened before we met”
He put his glasses back on. “I came close once, a long time ago, but it was probably for the best that things didn't work out” he hunched down a little and took a sip of water. “It was just after I was made a full member of the Council and I thought I could get involved with someone without them finding out about everything”
“I guess she found out?” Willow asked quietly.
“Not really” he smiled and shook his head. “One too many dinners cancelled at the last minute and then returning home covered in demon slime convinced her that I was a raving lunatic and she decided to dump me before the police came knocking at her door one night”
“So you won't be cancelling too many dinners on me then?” she asked and handed him a sandwich.
“Willow” he smiled. “I will never give you a reason to leave me, even if your best friend wasn't the slayer who would undoubtedly beat me to within an inch of my life if I upset you” he took a bite of his sandwich.
Willow smiled and leaned across to kiss him on the cheek. “She's not the only one, remember Xander's right hook?”
“I know we should have started this earlier” Willow glared fiercely at him.
Giles sighed and continued peeling enough potatoes to feed an army. “Darling, we still have an hour and a half before they are due to arrive, perhaps you are just over compensating a little?” Willow had finally relaxed during the picnic and they had spent the few hours they could spare in sightseeing on the plateau and snuggling on the picnic blanket.
Willow ‘tutted' at him and stood with a pot in her hand trying to find a space to put it down. “We need a bigger kitchen” she announced firmly and finally put the pot on the floor in front of the stove.
He was determined not to laugh at her as he knew how important this was for her but he was almost at the limit of his restraint. It was taking all of his control to see her this exasperated and not to sweep her into his arms and kiss the worry lines from her forehead. However, he knew that she was beyond the point where such a gesture would be tolerated and he didn't want to end up being turned into a rat so he gathered together all of his implements and vegetables and retired to the dining table to peel in peace.
An hour later the preparations were complete and they were enjoying a glass of wine before getting ready for their guests. “I'll hit the shower first” Giles said as he headed towards the stairs then turned back. “Everything looks beautiful darling” he smiled and kissed her quickly.
Willow was too tired to respond with any fervour and simply smiled at his retreating back. “I feel like I could sleep for a week and they aren't even here yet” she mumbled and stretched her back and neck muscles.
When Willow finally came downstairs she found Buffy and Giles poring over his music collection trying to find something they could both agree on.
“Xander not here yet?” she asked as she moved behind them and looked over his shoulder. “I like that Cream record, put that one on” she suggested and missed the startled look of recognition Buffy gave and Giles' glare to keep quiet or else.
“He said he was going to be a little late as he had to drop Anya off at her thing before heading here” Buffy finally replied and walked away from Giles shaking her head. “Riley sends his apologies but he had to deal with some soldier boy stuff and said he'd be here later”
“We'll keep some turkey for him” Willow smiled and glanced anxiously at the door.
Giles knew that she was bursting to share her news with Buffy but that she wanted Xander there as well. Her relief when he finally arrived was quite comical and he gave her a quick kiss before moving to get their guests some drinks. When he had handed out the drinks, Willow stood and took his hand.
“We both have some news” she began and took a deep breath. Giles kept his eye on Xander, aware that the boy might have already worked out the surprise. “Rupert asked me to marry him yesterday and I said yes” Willow finished in a rush and stuck her hand out for them both to admire the ring.
Stunned silence met her and she began to look a little worried until Buffy finally stood up and moved to hug her. “Willow, I'm so happy for you” she mumbled and Willow realised she was crying. She looked a little helplessly over the slayer's shoulder at Xander and he grinned and joined in the hug.
“I don't have to be a bridesmaid, right?” he enquired and was rewarded with a giggle from both girls.
“Buffy's my bridesmaid and you are my best man” Willow pulled back a little and beamed at his startled expression. “You look way better in a tuxedo and I need both of you to be standing up with me when I do this”
“I would be honoured” he met her gaze without hesitation and knew that the relationship they shared for the rest of their lives would be slightly different. As the moment of silent communication lengthened Willow could see the mischief return to his eyes. “I already have some ideas for the best man's speech” he grinned.
He released them both and moved to shake Giles hand. “Congratulations Rupert, I know you'll take care of her”
Giles smiled at the young man and pulled him into an embrace. “It's only right that you are both with us when we exchange our vows”
Xander stood back and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “I'll even let you help me with the speech” Xander smiled and looked at the two women who were still hugging. “Perhaps we should join in?” he suggested and they both joined the team hug.
Fraser walked in and coughed apologetically. “Is this a private huddle or a participation sport?” he asked and then looked serious as he saw Buffy wiping her tears away. “Is anything wrong, what's happened?” he asked and moved towards Giles.
Willow laughed and stepped between them to hug Fraser as well. “We're getting married” she practically shouted and buried her face in his shoulder.
“Again?” he asked, looking stunned for a moment then he grinned broadly. “Oh you mean to Rupert this time?” he asked and hugged Willow back before extending his hand to Giles. “Rupert, congratulations and about blooming time” he smiled round them all.
Giles went into the kitchen to get Fraser a drink and Buffy followed him. “Are you OK with this?” he asked quietly and turned to face her. “This is quite a big step for us and we need you and Xander to be 100% behind us”
Buffy faced him and stared into his eyes for a moment before moving to hug him fiercely. He winced and she pulled back, quickly wiping her eyes on her sleeve before smiling up at him. “I knew this day would come but I thought I'd be the one making the announcement instead of you”
He smiled back at her and put his arm around her shoulder. “You know that this doesn't change anything between us?” he whispered into her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. “You will always be my slayer and I will always be your watcher, irrespective of who else is in our lives”
Willow coughed from the doorway. “Em, guys, I really need to check the turkey”
Buffy gave Giles a final hug before standing back and taking Fraser's drink from him. “I'll go check on the dishy doc” she smiled and hugged Willow briefly before leaving them alone.
“Is she OK with us?” Willow asked in a worried tone as she pulled the turkey from the oven and basted it.
Giles nodded. “Yes, she's fine, just a little surprised” He left Willow in the kitchen and returned to the others to find Riley looking a little bemused as Buffy hugged him tightly.
“Mr Giles” he nodded over her head. “Is everything OK?” he asked a little worried then noticed the grin on the older man's face and relaxed.
“It's good to see you Riley and yes, everything is perfect in our world” Giles smiled at him.
Xander handed Riley a beer and raised his own bottle. “A toast” he announced and waited for Willow to appear from the kitchen. “To the happy couple, may they achieve what they deserve and deserve what they achieve” he finished on a flourish and took a long drink of his beer.
Riley looked a little shocked and looked down at Buffy. “Wow, they're getting married?” he asked and started to smile as she nodded.
“Congratulations Mr Giles” Riley shook his hand vigorously. “And Willow, I know you'll both be very happy” he nodded as he gave her a hug.
“I couldn't eat another thing” Xander announced some time later.
“Not even a wafer thin mint?” queried Fraser before collapsing into laughter with Giles. The young people around the table looked completely nonplussed and Fraser eventually explained, with several “helpful” interjections from Giles.
“So the guy exploded blood and guts all over everyone and it was funny?” Buffy sounded less than convinced.
Fraser wiped his eyes. “I've got the tape at home, I'll let you borrow it and you can educate these youngsters Rupert”
Xander finally found something to laugh at. “G-Man with a VCR? He hasn't even moved on from vinyl yet”
Buffy and Willow giggled along with Xander. Giles looked slightly miffed but got up from his dining chair and returned a moment later with a large box that he placed in front of Willow. “I got this for you as an anniversary present but I could swap it for a VCR if you'd rather?” he suggested and moved to lean against the back of the sofa as Willow looked around the table at the others.
She finally shrugged and ripped one corner of the paper off, revealing the makers name and specification of a top of the range DVD player. “Rupert?” she seemed completely bemused and stared at him for several seconds.
“I thought it would help us all relax after hectic patrols” he suggested, looking sheepishly round the astounded guests still seated at his dinner table. “Perhaps Xander and Riley could set it up and we could test it out?”
“But we don't have anything to play on it” Xander pointed out as he tried to gather his scattered thoughts from where they had hidden at this sudden revelation.
Giles now looked even more discomfited as he moved some books on the shelf to reveal a small stack of DVD's behind them. “The young man at the video store was very helpful and gave me a selection of your favourites. Apparently they keep records on everything you hire”
Xander blanched even further. “Everything?” he whispered.
Fraser reached over and patted his shoulder. “I'm fairly sure Rupert wouldn't have hired anything too risqué for mixed company” he suggested and smiled as Xander started to blush furiously.
“I didn't mean…” he mumbled and quickly moved to pick up the box. “Come on Riley, there's man's work to be done, let's get on with it.”
Buffy and Willow had taken the bundle of films from him and were checking titles. “Oooohhh” cried Buffy and held one of the cases up. “Steel Magnolias, can we watch this first?”
Xander and Riley looked up pleadingly and Giles coughed slightly and took the movies from the girls. “I think we'll have a civilised, democratic vote before we agree on the first movie” he suggested.
“No fair” Willow pouted. “There are four of you and only two of us” she pointed at Buffy and herself.
“But you have the pouty thing going” Riley suggested. “That has to count for a couple of extra men if Mr Giles is judging”
Giles smiled at him and started to tidy away some of the debris from the dining table. “Buffy and Willow, help me tidy this away and we can settle down for one girl movie and one guy movie, that would seem to be the fairest solution”
Two hours later Riley stood up and stretched. “I think I'm going to call it a night, I have an early meeting in the morning and I was going to help with your patrol tonight” he said as he held his hand out to pull Buffy up from the sofa.
“You mean you're not staying for Terminator 2?” Xander asked incredulously. “After sitting through “An Affair to Remember” you must need some gratuitous violence to get rid of the horrible, sticky sweetness” he looked around the rest of the males in the room, trying to get agreement.
Fraser shrugged and stood up, stifling a yawn. “I think I'll head home too, we can watch Arnie the next time” he smiled at Rupert and Willow, still lying snuggled together on the sofa. “Besides I think it would be a shame to shatter the mood for our two resident love birds”
Xander sighed dramatically and started handing out coats to everyone. “When they're like this nothing could shatter their mood”
Giles stood up and patted Xander's shoulder. “I promise we can watch murder and mayhem tomorrow night if you're free?”
“I'll bring some popcorn” Xander smiled and turned to Fraser as he moved out the door. “Explain the wafer thin mint joke to me again Doc?” he asked as he put his arm round the Doctor's shoulders.
Giles shook his head and locked the door, switching off the main light before turning to find Willow staring at him, her head cocked a little to one side. “Penny for your thoughts” he asked and moved to switch off the table lights.
“I was just thinking that this is the best that life can get” she smiled slightly and looked a little troubled.
“What do you mean?” he asked as he put his arms round her waist and pulled her into a kiss.
When she had caught her breath she smiled with a little more confidence. “I mean that tonight, with our friends, everything was perfect and we were one big, happy family” she took his hand and led him towards the stairs. “And normally that kind of feeling comes immediately before some world ending disaster that puts all of us in jeopardy” she turned at the top of the stairs and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. “However” she continued, kissing his chest as it was slowly revealed. “I can safely say that I am happier now than I have ever been in my life before and I wouldn't change any part of our lives together”
“While you're in this mood” he murmured as he slowly unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. “Let's discuss a few of your wifely duties Mrs Giles” he smiled and switched off the bedroom light.
The End