Part 5 – “Tequila…It Makes Me Happy…”
“Smile for the camera!” Said the annoyingly chirpy photographer.
Through gritted teeth, although still smiling, Cordelia spoke over her shoulder, “I told you…we act all nicey nice like a family should for Xander and Anya’s sake.”
Angel sighed, “Cordelia…” They pulled away and he looked at her, “Cordelia, I said I was sorry, how many times do you want to hear it?” He asked quietly.
“Don’t do that! Don’t do the Puppy Dog Eye thing! Connor does it too!” She snapped, taking a sip of her water.
“Angel, this jealousy thing…you do it EVERY single time. The other night with Spike was no different. Imagine had that actually have been a real date!” She hissed. “I mean, come on! You don’t OWN me Angel.” She said, shaking her head.
“I never wanted to own you…I just…forget it.” He sighed, walking away from her, leaving her wondering what the hell that was supposed to mean.
***
“Y’know, I seriously think Anya doesn’t like me.” Said Dawn, shuffling uncomfortably in her dress. The bridesmaid dresses Anya had picked out were nice, but a little too frilly for Dawn’s liking, “I look like…a…a…I look ridiculous!” She said, frowning.
“They’re not that bad…and…come on.” Said Buffy, smiling. “We’ve gotta be at the front of the church like…now!”
Dawn, Buffy and Willow ran to the front of the church quickly, just in time to see Anya standing outside, arm clasped around Giles’. “Giles!” Said Willow breathlessly, “When did…when did you…get…”
Giles smiled, “It was a surprise…Anya asked me to give her away…I said yes…”
“I’m all nervous.” Interjected Anya, “What if he runs away from me? I’ve seen that movie, with the woman with the big hair where she runs all the time…” She panicked.
“Anya…the WOMAN runs away!” Said Buffy, trying to reassure her.
“Well…what about that guy? The gay one…where the other gay one comes and convinces him he’s gay and then he *is* gay and…I heard stories about Xander from Larry! He could be having homosexual tendencies and Tom Selleck could be there waiting!” Anya said, shaking.
“Uh…WHAT stories from Larry?” Asked Dawn. “And who’s Tom Selleck?”
Buffy shook her head, “Never mind…point is, if he didn’t want to marry you, he wouldn’t have ASKED you, would he? He loves you Anya.” She said softly.
Anya’s eyes were brimming with tears, “I’m glad you’re not dead any more.” She whispered. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you…”
Buffy smiled, “Thanks. Okay, are you okay to marry him now?” She asked, grinning.
Inside, Xander frowned, “I KNEW there was a reason I wanted this service during the daytime. So *you* couldn’t come.*
“Oh, shut the hell up. I’m no more bloody pleased about being in this penguin suit than you are, Nancy Boy.” Said Spike, adjusting his tie yet again.
Xander looked nervously at the clock, “What if she’s had second thoughts?” He asked.
“Then I’d say bloody hurrah and bring on the Jack Daniels – the girl would’ve grown some brains!” Said Spike, rolling his eyes.
“Shut up Spike! Why I let Buffy talk you into being my best man is bey…”
“What?” Said Spike, glancing at Xander, “Buffy talked you into this?”
Just then, the notes for ‘Here Comes The Bride’ began to play…
***
“I can’t believe I’m Mrs. Xander Harris.” Said Anya, laughing.
Cordelia, was miserable. Angel had avoided her gaze all evening, spent most of it with Buffy and she was annoyed about it. He hadn’t even talked once to her. And from the look of it, Spike noticed too.
Willow, Dawn, Gunn, Fred, Xander and Lorne helped keep the spirits up – Buffy and Angel being away from the table most of the time. She knew she’d been a little harsh with him but there was no need to ignore her all damned night.
At least Connor cheered her up.
Bouncing him on her knee, her eye caught a flash of Buffy and Angel, darting into the hallway. Slowly, she stood, following them and when she got there, balancing Connor on one hip, she listened as Angel spoke, silent tears running down her cheek…
“I wanna hold you so much…at long last…” She spun, not hearing any more of the words and went over to the table, handing Connor to Lorne, “Look after him.” She whispered.
Fred stood, knocking over her drink, “What’s wrong?” She asked softly, “Cordelia?”
Cordelia moved quickly, covering the distance of the floor until a voice over the microphone stopped her. “Uh, Spike…Cordelia?” Slowly, she turned, seeing Angel and Buffy in the spotlight. Folding her arms across her chest, Cordelia watched as the first notes of a song kicked up…
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I’m alive
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
I love you baby and if it’s quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don’t bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I’ve found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you
Angel and Buffy sang…making an idiot out of themselves albeit good naturedly and as the end notes finished, Buffy grabbed Spike and kissed him to cries of, “Can I be blind?” From Xander.
Angel walked over to her. “You’re crying.” He whispered, reaching out and stroking her face gently. Cordelia tried to look daggers at him but all she could do was giggle.
“I thought you loved Buffy again…I heard you! In the hall!”
Angel gasped, “Practising…we were…I didn’t know the words!” He said quickly.
Cordelia nodded, “Angel I…”
“I love you.” He said simply, looking at her, “That’s why I acted the way I did over Spike and all the other guys. I love you. I want you to…be a mother to Connor. He loves you about as much as I do.”
Reaching out, Angel pushed back a strand of her hairand smiled, “I love you baby, and if it’s quite alright, I need you ba…”
“Angel?” Said Cordelia softly. His eyes met hers and he nodded. “Don’t sing.” She whispered, reaching up and kissing his lips, gently. “I love you too.” She whispered softly.
“ABOUT TIME!” Called Lorne across the reception room, then, “Jeez…get a room…”
End