Inell's Fanfiction Archive

May 2004 - Toronto

Willow sat the invitation on the dresser in front of her. It had taken three months to catch up to her. The postmark showed that it had been sent to her old address in London. She hadn't lived there in three years. It had been forwarded to her place in Paris. She had just moved to Toronto five months before. It was the first time she had been this close to the U.S. in seven years.

She felt hands on her shoulders. They began a massage that felt wonderful. The invitation had brought back memories. She reached forward and ran a red fingernail over the engraved words.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Buffy Anne Summers to Mark Allen Roberts on June 15, 2004.

There was the usual rsvp information and some more, but the she couldn't get past the name. Buffy. After seven years, she still wanted Willow to go to her wedding. Willow sighed loudly. She hadn't spoken to anyone from Sunnydale in six years. She still sent short email to Giles, but he knew nothing of her life. No one did. She had grown up. She had had to.

Buffy had returned to Sunnydale right after school had started. Willow had heard about their struggles with the Mayor. She knew that Angel had been released from hell. It had been such a long time. Willow had kept tabs on all of her friends. Xander had attended UC Sunnydale. He had gotten a business degree and now ran a couple of successful video stores. Cordelia was in real estate. She and Xander had been married two years after graduation. From all reports, they were extremely happy. Buffy had been able to retire as slayer when she turned 22. She got a degree in nursing. She now worked at Sunnydale General. This Mark was a doctor she had met at work. Giles had retired from the council the same time that Buffy had. He had married a very nice woman named Darla. They had two children. He worked at the public library. Their lives were almost normal. They still fought the evil that was attracted to the Hellmouth, but it was no longer a duty. There was a new slayer, Marcy, that had been called after Buffy retired. She and her watcher, Brian, patrolled, only using the others for assistance when necessary. Willow smiled. She had met Marcy once, right after the girl was called. She was a hellcat. A bit wild but very good at her job. She had a good support system in Sunnydale. Willow knew that she would probably make it through several years.

She leaned her head back against her lover. She looked up into his blue's eyes. "Buffy is getting married. Next month."

"And?" he asked softly.

"I think we should go. It has been so long...I miss them." she smiled wryly.

"Do you think that's a good idea? They know nothing about these past few years..."

"I think it's time that they found out." She said smiling at his concern.

Her life had not gone anything like she had planned. She still found herself surprised at the events that had taken place.

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "If you go, we all go." "Spike....are you sure?"

"Yes luv. I can't send you to face the wolves alone. You might not make it back." he said smiling. "Besides, we could use a vacation. What better place than Sunnyhell?"

"Love you baby."

"Me too."

They shared a gentle kiss. The bedroom door opened. Turning towards it, Willow smiled. "Guess what?"

"A surprise? I love surprises. What is it Red?"

"We are going to take a little trip down to Sunnydale. Buffy's getting married and we have been invited."

"Hmm....I think YOU were invited. I guess we can't send you back alone though. Does she have any idea who you will be bringing?"

"Nope. It did say Willow and guest(s). We can go early and see how things go. Toronto is rather slow right now anyway."

Spike looked between the two and had to laugh. "I bet the slayer kicks us out of town as soon as we get there. She never was the type to listen to explanations."

Willow rolled her eyes. "She's older now. More mature. Besides, when she sees me with you two, she'll be dieing to know what's going on. They all will."

"What exactly do you plan on telling them Red?" a voice asked concerned.

Willow got up and moved forward. She pressed her lips gently across the others. "Everything lover." she said smiling in reassurance. "No secrets, remember?"

Spike moved towards them, kissing Willow's neck. His arms encircling her waist. His blue eyes looked into brown eyes, smiling.

Drusilla smiled. She really hoped the folks in Sunnydale were prepared to learn about Willow's life these past seven years.