Since leaving the hospital, the first 6 months after Elizabeth’s birth seem to fly by. Plans for the wedding had been made. They had decided on a ceremony just after dusk in LA, at The Bluff. This allowed for Drusilla to attend, who Buffy had asked to be her maid of honour. Buffy had also asked Dawn to be her bridesmaid. She had accepted while swelling with pride and immediately got excited at the prospect of getting a new dress to wear. William had no hesitation in asking Xander to be his best man and asking Giles to be his Groom’s man. Both men had accepted, trying to hide the fact that they were so happy for the man that stood before them.
But the biggest surprise for the group was when Buffy had approached Giles one day in the Magic Shop and asked him if he would do her the honour of giving her away to William. He had stood there, baffled for a moment before accepting with his British stumbling grace. Buffy beamed before wrapping Giles in a warm hug, thanking him and saying how much it ment to her.
Elizabeth was simply thriving and her alertness and stamina was amazing to say the least. She would often babble away while watching her mother and father. She could sit by herself now and was starting to get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth. She had one tooth and Buffy was sure she was cutting another. But besides being a little advanced for her age, there were two very distinct things that no one could miss about Buffy and William’s daughter. She was extremely strong, having snapped and broken many of her toys due to frustration and annoyance. She was also very well protected.
The first attempt of an attack on the Summers home was when Elizabeth was only 3 weeks old. Buffy had been home alone at the time. Buffy had been in the kitchen when a strange thumping sound came from the lounge where she had left Elizabeth sleeping in the porta-cot. Going to investigate, Buffy walked to the lounge room, only to be knocked to the ground by the intruding demon. Jumping to her feet, Buffy went to lunge for her daughter. Before she had a chance though, she watched as Elizabeth start to glow brightly. Frightened, Buffy had looked on and gasped as Elizabeth de-materialised into many bright blue and white lights. They swirled around the demon, almost taunting it before the lights flew into Buffy’s arms and re-materialising into her daughter.
The demon made a strange gurgling noise as Buffy placed Elizabeth safely behind the lounge chair. She could only imagine it was in as much shock as she was. She then lost no time in tearing the demon to pieces, letting her rage take over as she plunged her hand into its chest and ripping out its heart. She let the heart drop down onto the demon’s chest and stared at the blood that now ran down her arm. William walked in the door just at that moment, panic filling him as he stared at Buffy. Soundlessly, he helped her to the kitchen, spying Elizabeth behind the lounge chair as he did so. She was quietly staring at the chair as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. He uttered a silent prayer of thanks to the Powers that Be as he helped Buffy clean up. While she had her hands running under the tap, William made a quick sidestep to put Elizabeth back into her porta-cot and disposed of the demon remains. By the time he got back to Buffy in the kitchen she was smiling and back to her cheery self, asking if Elizabeth was ok. William put her strange behaviour down to the shock of everything happening.
The second attempt was when Elizabeth had been four months old. Elizabeth had been in her room, asleep when William went in to check on her. As he slowly opened the door, he was confronted with a large demon wielding a long sword that was pointed straight at Elizabeth. Before William could take a step closer however, the demon was thrown back with such force that when it hit the wall behind it, its neck snapped on impact, killing the beast instantly. William rushed over to his daughter who looked up him, smiling sleepily. Kissing her forehead, William laid his daughter back down before tossing the demon out the window. The message was clear. Don’t mess with the Slayer’s daughter. Don’t mess with Elizabeth Summers.
Of course that did nothing to deter Buffy on insisting that Willow put up a supernatural force field around the house. For all their houses, for that matter. Her reasoning was that even though Elizabeth had shown she could hold her own, it wouldn’t stop them from hurting any other person who was close to her. It was written in the spell that no demon could enter the dwelling without invitation. This seemed to satisfy Buffy. The moment Willow had announced the barrier was up Buffy seemed to relax, smiling as she grabbed her to do list for the wedding before falling into deep conversation with Dawn about the dresses and when they would be arriving at the Hyperion.
As the day neared the whole gang prepared to go up to LA. Drusilla had told them that they were all welcome to stay at the hotel and had even had the rooms already set up. She said she had taken particular care with Dawn’s room and insisted that Elizabeth wouldn’t leave her side for a moment while she cared for her. The reception had been arranged to be held at the Omni Hotel’s function room. Buffy had also booked a room for the night, one with stunning views of the city. William had joked that it would be their mini honeymoon when Buffy had confirmed the booking on the phone not days before. She couldn’t help but feel like it was true.
It was arranged for everyone in Sunnydale to travel up to LA on the day of the wedding. Once they arrived at the Hyperion with their bags, everyone there seemed to be ready for them. There was a buzz of excitement in the air as everyone found their rooms and got comfortable. Arrangements had already been made for bags to be dropped off at the hotel Buffy and William was staying. Buffy and Drusilla had decided that the men would get ready downstairs, in the office areas while the girls would get ready upstairs. Buffy’s dress had arrived the day before along with the bridesmaid dresses and were waiting up in the room Drusilla had picked for all the girls to get ready. Eagerly, Buffy affectionately kissed William before bounding up the stairs, leaving Elizabeth with Willow and Tara.
Buffy could feel her stomach flutter as she slipped on her white gown and she couldn’t help but smile. This was the happiest day of her life and she couldn’t be any more excited about the events that were about to unfold. She could hardly sit still as everyone else fussed around her, doing her hair and makeup. When Xander tapped on the door to notify the girls that the boys were leaving, Buffy fled out of her seat and to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Dawn doubled over with laughter as Buffy poked her head out of the bathroom, asking if it was safe to come out.
When Dawn and Drusilla finished taking out the last curler out of Buffy’s hair, Buffy stood up and walked to the door. Flashing a smile at the women in the room she started for the stairs. As she walked down the stairs, Buffy truly felt like a princess. Her dress swished around her as she stepped down the steps and she held her head high. She smiled brightly as she stepped out the front of the hotel, getting into the awaiting limo. Drusilla was already in the limo, how she had no idea but decided not to ask any questions. Dawn got in the soon after Buffy got in. Shutting the door, the limo started moving and Buffy managed to make some small talk with Dawn and Drusilla. She didn’t really know what to say. Then the conversation seemed to still and Buffy found herself staring out the window. That’s when Buffy’s nerves began to get the better of her. Maybe now wasn’t the right time, maybe something could go wrong...
The limo came to a stop. Buffy sucked in a deep breath, trying to dismiss her negative thoughts. William was out there, waiting for her. Drusilla pushed the door open to reveal that not only had the sun set but that The Bluffs was softly lit with hundreds of candles to provide the necessary light they needed. Buffy stepped out of the car to be met with Giles’ hand and a warm smile on his face. He looked stunning in his black suit and bowtie.
“You ready?” He asked. Buffy nodded and looked a head, her eyes searching for William. He stood in his place, his blue eyes shining. He too was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and bowtie. The soft drawl of music hummed though the air. Drusilla and Dawn walked in front of her and Buffy started walking in time with the music. The rest of the gang stood in front of their chairs, smiling. Buffy could of sworn she seen a hint of a tear in Gunn’s eye. She saw that Elizabeth was sitting on Willow’s lap, playing with her toy, not knowing what was unfolding in front of her on this night. Her attention was shifted abruptly however when she heard Giles speak.
“I have the pleasure of giving this woman away.” Giles turned to her and smiled with pride before gesturing to Buffy to take her place beside William.
“You’re beautiful.” William whispered taking her hand and turning to the priest. The priest began to start the ceremony. William gently squeezed Buffy’s hand. He couldn’t believe that he was here, marrying the woman he loved. He pulled himself from his internal thoughts as he heard the priest talking about their vows.
“Both William and Buffy have decided to write their own vows. William if you would like to go first.” William abruptly turned to Xander, who handed him Buffy’s ring. He then turned back to Buffy, clasping her hands with his own. He gazed into her eyes, showing her all the love he had for her.
“Buffy today I stand before you, a man in love. You are everything I dreamed of and thought I would never have. I never thought I would find someone who completes me, with whom I can be myself and that I don’t have to pretend. A person with whom I can be completely honest with, share my fears, dreams and thoughts with.” Buffy felt like she was floating. She smiled brightly back at him, feeling tears welling in her eyes.
“For the day we first met, I knew in my heart that we were meant to be together. That you are the one I had been searching for and not even knowing it. I believe that true love only comes once in a lifetime. My search is over. I’m here to promise you a love that will last forever, a love that will never waver in good times or bad. I’ll always be here whenever you need me. I will be loyal and true to you till the end of my days and I will never abandon you. This is my solemn vow, I love you with everything I am, you’re my always.” William finished, slipping a matching gold band that was his mothers onto Buffy’s finger. Buffy brought up her other hand to her cheek and brushed away a stray tear that had managed to fall during William’s vows. She felt simply amazing. Buffy glanced over at Elizabeth, who was now sucking on the handle of her toy, a small smile playing on her face.
“And Buffy.” the priest interrupted. Buffy took her eyes off her daughter and sucked in a deep breath, trying to remember what she wanted to say to the man standing before her. The man that she knew she loved and wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She turned to Drusilla, who held the simple gold band she had chosen especially for William. Drusilla handed it to her with a smile on her face, her eyes brimming with tears. Buffy turned back to William, clasping his hands in her own.
“William when you came into my life I never thought I could be good enough for you. I didn’t feel like I deserved you but you made me feel like I did, like I was worthy. I love you with all that I am; you help bring me to life when I was dead inside. When I thought humans only existed to hurt each other, you showed me I was wrong. You are the one that gave me breath, life, a reason to be here.” She smiled softly at him before continuing.
“I will stand with you forever. I will be there with you though thick and thin. I love what you are, what you do, how you try no matter how dire the odds are. I’ve seen your strength and you kindness. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you and I know with perfect clarity exactly that you’re an amazing man. You make me complete.” she finished slipping the band onto his finger. She could see William’s eyes shining with tears, truly touched by her words. The priest began to speak again.
“William Summers, do you take Buffy Winters to be your lawfully wedded wife?” William took a moment to look deep into Buffy’s eyes before answering.
“I do.” He replied, his voice full of pride.
Buffy Winters do you take William Summers to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Buffy didn’t hesitate.
“I do.” She breathed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.” the priest declared. As the newlywed couples lips met, everyone clapped around them. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
Back
Next