Restive Nature
Rated NC-17 (Eventually)
Chapter Two
Lukewarm Reception
The wedding party eventually moved on to the next step, which was the dinner and reception. They just had to wait for the very enthusiastic photographer to get all the photos he had promised in his package offer. The whole group suffered through it only because Cordy promised that he was an absolute genius. Luckily for them, Eva, who was in a few of the shots, didn’t become cranky until they were in the car for the trip back to the Hyperion.
The rest of the guests had followed directions and were greeted by the waiting Lorne. He’d helped Cordy with this part of the planning, as it was his specialty. Many of the guests were startled by his… unusual looks, but recovered themselves after spending a moment in his charming, engaging presence. Buffy, Spike, Dawn and Kennedy arrived together. They were all in awe as they entered the old building. They’d heard through the rumor mill of the revamping that was in process of the hotel. Or was it unvamping? But to see it was completely different.
"I wonder how much cheddar Angel had to lay out?" Dawn gulped. She’d been to the Hyperion once or twice, never having much chance with school scheduling. But it had changed completely. All that remained of the hotel was the original structure.
"Not one penny, dumpling," Lorne chuckled as he came to greet the group. "This was all Max’s doing." Dawn blushed at her faux pas. Even as curious as she was, she knew that questioning someone’s financial state, even a friend was not good manners.
"I didn’t know Max was rich," she blurted out, then slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. "I’m sorry. Forget I said that."
"It’s okay nibblet," Spike assured her. "I think we all thought it."
"Actually," Lorne drawled, "my little angelcake has quite the talent for gambling," he shared conspiratorially. Spike’s eyes lit up.
"Does she now?" he queried with a grin.
"Yep," Lorne nodded. "Took a little trip to Vegas we did. A nice vacation. She made us all a little richer."
"Maybe I’ll have to have a little talk with her," Spike mused, only to feel the sharp elbow of his lover in his side.
"I don’t think so Spike," she shook her head, good-naturedly. "You already have enough bad habits."
"An’ gamblin’s one of ‘em," he protested.
"I’d say you already hit the jackpot baby," Lorne crowed, with a wink for Buffy. She smiled again, then tugged on her boyfriend’s arm. Kennedy had already moved into the lobby, snagging a glass of champagne and was taking in the new décor. Lorne turned to greet some more people and the trio followed after Kennedy. Spike handed Buffy some champagne, then grabbed a glass for himself. Dawn looked expectantly at him, but with a small grin, he shook his head.
"Oh come on Spike," Dawn whined. "Just one glass?"
"No pet," Spike sighed. "Your sis would hang me," he muttered, glancing towards Buffy. She was still taking in the changes to the hotel and waiting for Willow to show up.
"Jeez Spike, its no big deal," Dawn huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "In a few days I’ll be eighteen. That’s legal in Canada, you know?"
"But we’re not in Canada, are we?" he replied smugly. He could almost feel a headache coming on. He’d always been Dawn’s co-conspirator, but things between them to where he was taking on the role of protective big brother more and more.
"She’s right," Buffy murmured, finally turning back to them. "One glass of champagne is no big deal," she continued. "You can have a glass." Dawn squealed and clapped her hands quickly. "But why don’t you wait until later, when everyone’s making toasts?" she suggested. Dawn nodded quickly, not wanting Buffy to change her mind. She hurried off to go mingle.
"So what’s Dawnie all excited about?" a perky voice asked from behind them. Buffy and Spike turned to see that the wedding party had arrived at last. Buffy smiled widely as she embraced her best friend.
"Hey Wills," she greeted cheerfully. She pulled back; admiring how great her friend looked in her bridesmaid’s dress. The last time they’d been in this position, the dresses were much more…neon glowy. "Oh, you know Dawn. What isn’t she excited about?"
"Oh, I see your point," Willow chuckled. Buffy noticed her glancing about nervously. She turned her own head, looking in Kennedy’s direction. She jerked her chin in her friend’s girlfriend’s direction. Willow followed her line of sight and sighed audibly.
"What’s the matter Willow?" Buffy asked softly, glancing at Spike meaningfully. He gave them a half-smile and moved off to find someone to torment. Once he was out of earshot, she continued. "Is it Kennedy?"
"Kind of," Willow shrugged. She seemed to deflate a little under her friend’s knowing look. "Well, it’s just, we haven’t really been connecting lately. I mean, yeah in the physical sense, but not in the sit down and talk our day over type of connecting. And the bossiness factor, kinda getting off the scale. I mean, I don’t mind a take charge gal. Wouldn’t have you for a best friend if I didn’t. But I don’t want to be told what was going to happen or where we’re going all the time…"
"Want to wear the britches in your relationship, huh?" Buffy teased, although she understood completely.
"No, no pants for me," Willow denied. Then rolled her eyes as Buffy giggled. "You know what I mean. I’m just starting to think that me and Kennedy, we aren’t making the kind of sense we used to."
"I know Will," Buffy reassured her, squeezing her hand in comfort.
"But hey!" Willow smiled. "Enough of that. This is supposed to be a happy day."
"Yes it is," Buffy agreed.
Spike meanwhile, had finally honed in on the bride. She’d been greeting her guests, explaining that Angel was settling their daughter in. Of course, a few minutes after that, Angel had reappeared, child in tow. He’d handed Eva off to Max with an apologetic smile as the child fussed in her mother’s arms. He wrapped one arm around he waist and smiled down at the child as Max soothed her easily. Spike paused, watching them. He felt a small pang of jealousy in his chest. Not caused by their obvious display of love, but their solidarity, their togetherness. They already knew who they were and where they were going.
It felt as if he and Buffy had been struggling with that very issue for years now. And honestly, they had. Back in the day, before his soul, before her death, they’d been working towards this. Separately then, they’d always been trying to find themselves. Find a place in the world. And even now, knowing who and what they were, it still felt like they were struggling. And Spike couldn’t understand why. It should have been simple. They were human, they were Slayers and they loved each other. With a sigh, Spike exchanged his empty glass for a full one. Now was the time for merriment, not introspection. And what better way than greeting the bride, whose bridegroom had just slipped from her side?
"Congratulations, Maxine," Spike drawled teasingly. Max responded with a casually raised eyebrow.
"Thank you William," she responded gently. She rearranged her daughter on her hip, then smiled back up at him. "You know, Angel told me all about how you got your nickname."
"Did he now?" Spike refrained from grimacing.
"Mm hmm," she nodded, "and if you ever call me by that name again, you’ll find out what fun I can have with a glass tube, a hammer and your dick!" she proclaimed gaily. His eyes widened in shock and he visibly paled as the implication of her words made their way through his stunned mind. Then he threw his head back and roared. She was a spitfire! Angel had done well. She was definitely a girl after his own heart. But it was to his utter surprise when she unceremoniously handed him her daughter. The laughter stopped as he quickly adjusted the squirming child in his grip, while trying not to drop his glass.
"What’s this?" he spoke softly, grinning down at the little girl. He set his glass down on a nearby table, and hoisted her up higher in his arms. One hand stole up to caress the soft brown baby curls that covered her head. Before he could stop her, Eva had centered on his bright blue tie and was furiously grabbing at it. She had a strong grip, but luckily was more interested in gumming the tie than strangling her fathers ex-arch-enemy. "Oy! She’s droolin’."
"I know," Max shrugged, then glanced down at her dress. "Better on you than me," she grinned. Spike rolled his eyes. Angel returned then, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Spike handed the baby over a little reluctantly. No one could say that he didn’t like kids. But Eva had different ideas. She refused to let go of her new toy. Spike was about to remove the tie, welcomed the chance even, but Angel waved him off.
"She’s teething," he explained, distracting the girl with an obviously familiar icy cold teething ring. "But ties aren’t good for her." At Spike’s amused expression, Angel went slightly defensive. "Well, they’re not. She could choke…"
"It’s not that Peaches," Spike chuckled. "Look at you, handin’ out advice on the little ‘uns." Angel grinned, Spike grinned, Eva teethed and Max sighed.
"I’m going to go find Dad," Max muttered, dropping a kiss on her daughter’s head, then lifting her cheek for her husband. She turned to Spike. "And you, remember what I said." She glared a moment, then whirled around to the best of her ability in her heavy gown. Angel watched her walk away, then turned back to the bleached blonde
"What did she say?" he asked curiously. Spike eyed him, then turned to retrieve his champagne.
"Believe me Peaches, you don’t want to know," he quipped as he turned to find someone new to continue what he did best.
Buffy and Willow had had a quick heart to heart before Cordelia summoned the redhead for bridesmaid’s duties. So Buffy was left by herself to watch idly as people she did not or barely knew whirled by her. She finally caught sight of Giles and was about to intercept him, but his daughter caught him first. Buffy slowed to a stop, then backed off from them. Part of her mind warred within her that she had just as much right to Giles that Max did. But the other part registered that this was a special day for them both. It wasn’t as if Giles was going anywhere. So she returned to her solitary post at the edge of the room, watching and wondering where her friends were.
"What’s got you so down in the mouth?" a soft voice whispered in her ear. Buffy squealed, startled by the suddenness of that voice. She spun around with a grin on her face.
"Connor!" she laughed. She reached up to hug him around the neck as his arms slid around her waist in a gesture old and comfortable to them both.
"Hey Buff," he laughed. She pulled back from him, then took in his attire.
"Looking good Connor," she complimented him easily. "Of course, you look pretty good in whatever you choose."
"Just like you Buffy," he returned. "Like tonight. You look wonderful."
"Thanks," she smiled shyly, then looked around for his girlfriend. "So how’s…?"
"Alyssa?" he provided. "She’s doing good. How’s…?"
"Spike?" she chuckled. "Same as always. So, how’s school going? It is school, right?"
"Yeah, criminology," he enthused. "Doing great. How’s uh… uh?"
"Don’t worry,’ Buffy grinned. "I’m still out of work and still okay with it."
"Yeah, right," Connor nodded his head enthusiastically. He noticed Alyssa gesturing him over, and Buffy saw Spike heading her way. With a grin, they stepped around each other, making their way to their respective partners, neither realizing just how stilted and awkward their conversation had been. Spike wasn’t quite wearing the expression he had on earlier at the chapel. The one that spoke of wanting to warn off an encroaching male, preferably by ripping said male’s arms off and beating him with them, but it was close enough.
"So, the whelp again?" he sighed theatrically. Buffy giggled.
"I told you," she protested softly. "It’s just Connor. We were just catching up with each other."
"I can see that," Spike grinned, not really worried. The boy seemed fairly devoted to his own girlfriend. And he’d heard Willow comment on the boy’s manners. But if he didn’t have something to tease Buffy about, what on earth would become of them. "Just remind me to get a stick to beat the rest of these blokes off you," he chuckled.
"Spike," she sighed, then pulled him towards the now free ex-Watcher Giles. "Really, Connor is a good kid. I’ve known him since he was in diapers."
"So I’ve heard," Spike muttered under his breath. Then a little more loudly, not wanting to upset her, asked, "so what’s his last name?" Buffy stopped short, absolutely befuddled. What was Connor’s last name?
With This Gift Comes Love
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