Changing Lives by Mabel Marsters

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Chapter 43

Author's Notes: Summary: Happy Christmas..........

Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

Author's Note: thanks as ever to Carol for betaing this fic---------thanks to everyone who voted for me at sunnyd awards! found out today I got the Best New Author Award

Chapter Forty-Three

The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas flew by. Principal Snyder had told Spike that since his grades had improved as required that the extra tutoring could stop after the holidays. Spike didn’t care as he was already seeing Buffy as often as he possibly could.

Dingoes Ate My Baby had played twice more at the Bronze, both times to great success; Oz and Spike’s original songs being particularly well received. Spike’s confidence on stage grew each time and to his own and Oz’s delight he hadn’t resorted to liquor before either concert. Although still almost physically sick with nerves beforehand, as soon as he walked on stage he relaxed and enjoyed himself. The other band members were thrilled that he’d agreed to be their singer as he had a charisma on stage that belied his youth and was all the more impressive as he seemed totally unaware of it himself.

Rupert and Spike had been invited to spend Christmas with Joyce and Buffy. They were going to stay over from Christmas Eve until the twenty-seventh when Rupert would fly out to London to sort out things with the solicitors regarding the Norman family house. Joyce had kindly offered to have Spike stay on with her until Rupert got back, joking that it would save the kids a lot of transatlantic phone calls. Spike and Buffy were, of course, delighted with this development.

It was Christmas Eve with about an hour to go before the stores closed and, in traditional male fashion, Rupert and Spike were doing their Christmas shopping.

Rupert, remembering what a jolly affair Christmas had been when he’d spent it with the Normans, was feeling slightly panicky about how Spike would cope with his first one without his parents. It was when he’d voiced his concerns to Joyce that she’d immediately invited them, and he’d accepted it with relief.

Little did he know that Spike’s normal Christmas consisted of him trying to prevent his mom drinking even more than usual as she failed to cope with the holiday season. He was effectively alone for most of it as she was usually passed out by mid morning. So although he had loved his mom and did miss her, Christmas wasn’t going to upset him any more than any other day. In fact he was actually looking forward to having a good time and a good meal for once.

Ooooooo

Spike wanted to get Buffy something special but he had no idea what to get. He’d split up from Rupert so he could look for it without getting embarrassed. For some reason his eye kept getting drawn to rings, but he knew that the time wasn’t quite ready for that just yet. Then he saw it - a silver bracelet. The chain was so intricately and delicately woven that it appeared to be fine lace. He went into the shop, gulped a bit at the price but came out smiling with it in its box in his duster’s pocket.

Buffy had tipped Spike off to what her mom’s favourite perfume was so he soon added that to his purchases. He struggled with what to buy Rupert. He’d never bought his dad a present so he had no experience of what would be liked. In the end he bought him a couple of books that Rupert had mentioned he’d wanted to read, and a really vulgarly coloured tie as a joke.

Rupert and Spike met up as arranged and went home. They were due to arrive at the Summers’ house for dinner at seven thirty. Spike went to his room to wrap his presents and pack his bag for the stay. Soon they were on their way out again.

Joyce opened the door and welcomed Rupert and Spike in. Buffy showed them to the guest room where they’d put up a cot for Spike to use until Rupert had left.

“I’m sorry it’s such a squeeze in the bedroom,” said Joyce, once they were all sitting in the lounge.

“It’s fine, Joyce. Thank you,” replied Rupert, “It’s very good of you to have us to stay.”

Spike helped Buffy set the table for dinner, managing to steal a few kisses as they did. The meal was a relaxed affair; the conversations and wine flowed effortlessly. Rupert was proud to see Spike decline Joyce’s offer of a small glass of wine as she’d forgotten about his previous problem. Buffy also refused so Spike wouldn’t feel that he was the only one missing out.

Spike lay awake for some time after he’d gone to bed, listening to Rupert’s snores and again acutely aware of Buffy’s close proximity. This time he was wearing his pyjama bottoms. He would have worn them even if he hadn’t been sharing with Rupert, not wanting to risk another embarrassing encounter. He felt too hot but had lost the argument about having the bedroom window open, so he just left off his top and kicked off the sheets.

Ooooooo

Spike was the first up on Christmas morning. He grinned as he went to get showered, feeling as excited about the day as a little kid. Buffy was waiting outside the bathroom when he reappeared, his hair all curly from the shower. She looked at his bare torso appreciatively before standing on tiptoe and kissing him. He wrapped his arms around her.

“Happy Christmas, Buffy,” he whispered in her ear.

“You too, Spike.”

“Ahem!”

They flew apart and turned to see Rupert standing there smiling at them.

“Are you using the bathroom next, Buffy, or may I?”

“Go ahead, Mr. Giles,” said Buffy, stepping to one side, “I’ll go in after you.”

As soon as Rupert closed the door Buffy and Spike started to giggle.

“I’d better go and get dressed,” said Spike.

“Shame,” replied Buffy, staring at his bare chest.

“Yeah…well…” said Spike with a smile before going to his room.

Ooooooo

Soon all four of them were gathered in the lounge around the Christmas tree where Spike and Rupert had added their gifts to the others last night.

“Can we open our presents now please?” asked Buffy.

“Yes, honey,” replied Joyce.

Spike kept watching Buffy carefully, enjoying seeing her face as she opened her gifts. He’d pushed his small parcel to the bottom in the hope that it would be the last one she’d open. He was relieved that Rupert seemed pleased with the books and everyone laughed at the sight of the tie.

“You must wear that today, Mr. Giles,” giggled Buffy.

“Yeah, Rupert, I’ll be hurt if you don’t,” added Spike.

“Okay, okay,” laughed Rupert, admitting defeat, “I’ll put it on.”

So far Spike had received a set of expensive pens and leather bound notebooks from Joyce.

“They’re for you to use when you write your songs,” said Joyce as she watched him open the parcel.

“Wow, Mrs. Summers, thank you so much. They’re great,” said Spike.

“Open mine next,” said Buffy, pushing it into his hand.

He duly obliged. It was a necklace, a leather thong with a pewter pendant. The pendant was exactly the same shape as his tattoo.

“Do you like it?” asked Buffy anxiously as he just stared at it.

“No,” he said slowly, “I love it. Where did you find it?”

“I looked up designs that meant bravery on the Internet and found it there. It came from England, just like you,” she giggled.

Spike immediately put it on. Buffy picked up the final parcel from under the tree. She glanced at Spike; he was trying to act casual but was praying she’d like it.

“Oh my God! It’s gorgeous,” cried Buffy, flinging her arms around him.

“Um…I hoped you’d like it,” said Spike, staring at her intensely.

Both adults exchanged amused looks as the two were oblivious to them. Rupert hoped that the discovery that Spike and Buffy were obviously a little more than friends wouldn’t mean that Joyce felt awkward about Spike staying once he’d gone to England. He made a mental note to have a word with her about it when they were alone.

“Spike,” said Rupert.

Spike reluctantly tore his eyes away from Buffy to look at Rupert.

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry that you haven’t had much of a present from me,” said Rupert, “I just didn’t know what to get you.”

“Wot do yer mean? You gave me the Foo Fighters new CD, that’s great,” said Spike sincerely. He’d never received so many gifts at Christmas.

“That’s good. I can always treat you to something next time we go shopping to make it a little more special.”

“Honestly, Rupert, there’s no need. I love the album, thanks.”

“Oh, could you do me a favour please? I left the wine for lunch in the trunk. Could you go and get it?” said Rupert, smiling at him.

“Sure,” said Spike, getting up.

He didn’t notice that the others had followed him to the door. He walked to the car, opened the trunk and then froze.

“Christ,” he whispered.

He glanced back at the house. Rupert, Joyce and Buffy were standing there all smiling expectantly. He looked back into the trunk.

“Are you going to bring it in anytime soon?” joked Rupert.

“Um…yeah,” said Spike.

He reached in and carefully lifted out the guitar case. As he put his hand up to pull the trunk lid shut, he quickly wiped his eyes and blinked a few times. They all returned to the lounge and Spike sat on the floor. He laid the case in front of him and opened the lid. Inside was an acoustic guitar - a Taylor - one of the best. Spike stroked it reverently.

“Is it alright? Oz helped me choose it,” said Rupert.

“It’s amazing, it’s brilliant,” said Spike, “but it’s too much.”

“Nonsense, Spike.”

“No, really, you didn’t have to do this. After all the trouble I’ve caused you Rupert, I don’t deserve it,” he said, voice wavering slightly.

Rupert went over to him and gave him a hug.

“I wanted to do it for you, you more than deserve it. Now take it out and let’s all see it properly.

“Okay,” he murmured.

He picked it out of its case and went to sit on a chair. The guitar had a royal blue and white embroidered strap which he slung over his shoulder. He gently ran his thumb over the strings.

“Oz tuned it for me yesterday,” said Rupert.

“Are you going to play it for us?” asked Buffy.

“Um…I’m not very good,” said Spike, “I’m still learning.”

“Just a little, Spike,” urged Joyce

“If I have to wear that bloody tie I’m sure you can give us a bit of a tune,” joked Rupert.

“Okay, but I’m not singing.”

He started to play the introduction of the song that he had sung that first night at the Bronze. He glanced up at Buffy and winked at her. He played up to the first chorus and then stopped. Spike grinned as the others gave him a round of applause.

“That’s enough of that,” he said, putting the guitar back in its case, “Thanks, Rupert.”

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