Author: enigmaticblue

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Well, it's possible that Wesley and Spike could be under the tree this year, but I doubt it. Which means that they're still Joss's. Of course, Nika and Enid are still mine. So there.

Summary: The return of Enid, pre-wedding parties, pre-wedding jitters, and, oh yeah, the actual wedding. Set after "The Company We Keep" in the CMNA-verse.

Archive: Wherever my stuff is already. Anywhere else, just let me know.

A/N: Paid a bod yn wirion is Welsh for "Don't be foolish."
 

Part III

"Is everything ready?" Wesley asked. He was supposed to be changing for the ceremony, but he'd wanted to make sure all the details had been taken care of. They were not having the wedding in a church—for rather obvious reasons—and so the large ballroom would serve as both chapel and reception hall.

"Of course," Spike replied, hands in pockets. He was keeping a very careful eye on the time. As the best man it was his duty to ensure that the groom arrived on time and properly dressed, and he had every intention of seeing that duty through. "Rupert's got your parents, Enid can take care of herself, an' the other guests should be here in no time. Willow's got the marriage license, I've got the rings an' the plane tickets, an' Nika should have your bags packed." He smirked. "With any luck, you won't even have to talk to the old pater before you're off on your honeymoon."

Wesley sighed. "I appreciate that. Last night was bad enough." His father had called from the L.A. airport, informing his son that he had several other errands to take care of, but that he would be happy to meet him later that evening. Since Giles had given him a heads-up, the call didn't come as a complete surprise, but Wesley hardly had time to cater to his father's whims. There was a rehearsal dinner, the rehearsal itself, and a hundred other last minute items that had to be taken care of.

In the end, both his father and mother had ended up coming to the dinner and rehearsal at the hotel, and Wesley had been subjected to a series of comments about why he wasn't having the wedding in a church—because Wyndam-Pryces had always been married in the church. And why was there a vampire as his best man? Watchers didn't suffer a vampire to live—unless of course it had a soul, and then it might be okay. And why on earth hadn't he come back to work for the Council? They could always use a good researcher. In fact, there was an opening in Bath. Roger knew that Wesley was terribly negligent about thinking of the family name and posterity, but getting married should remind him that he couldn't play at fighting demons any longer.

Since that last comment had Spike's eyes glowing faintly—with only Buffy's firm hand on his arm to prevent bloodshed—Giles had stood and announced that he needed Roger's help with a Council matter. After that, Giles made certain that the elder Wyndam-Pryce didn't go near Wesley or Spike. And Wesley, for once, had a very nice time with his mother.

"Your mum's nice," Spike commented. "She wants a backbone, but she seems alright."

Wesley sighed. "It's always been that way. Mother never could stand up to him. I have a feeling that's half the reason she married him."

Spike made a noncommittal sound, unsure of what he could say to that. "You ready for this, mate?"

Wesley smiled. "Sometimes I think I've been waiting my entire life for this."

The vampire nodded, thinking of the Slayer. "I know exactly what you mean."

~~~~~

Willow's hotel suite was buzzing with women in all states of dress. Buffy and Dawn were both ready, and were helping Enid put the finishing touches on the bride. Nika was alternating between calm and panicked, every time she thought of something she had forgotten. "The flowers—" she said, half out of her seat.

"Connor's picking them up," Dawn assured her. "And Fred's already taken care of the centerpieces. The bouquets should be here any minute."

"The rings—"

"Spike's got them," Buffy assured her. "Trust us, Nika, we've thought of everything important, And if there's something we've forgotten it's not something that's going to prevent you from getting married."

That comment seemed to settle her. Nika sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just—"

"Excited," Enid said, finshing the flowers in her hair and taking a step back to look at her handiwork. "It's perfectly natural, cariad. But relax. Enjoy your day." Enid patted her cheek. "Now—the dress. Stand up."

Between the four of them, they managed to get Nika into the dress without ruining either hair or makeup. Buffy, Dawn, and Enid couldn't help the collective sigh that went up. "You look perfect," the Slayer declared.

"Wesley's going to be speechless," Dawn said with a little smirk. "I hope you planned for the scenario where he can't say his vows."

Nika just stared at herself in the mirror. The gown was classic in style—a simple sleeveless sheathe dress that hugged every curve. Enid had braided flowers and ribbons into her hair, causing her to look timeless rather than overblown. The only jewelry she would wear would be the heirloom amulet Enid had given her the night she'd gotten officially engaged and—later—the wedding ring.

A knock came on the door to the bedroom, and Willow stuck her head in. "Hey, guys! Connor's here with the flowers." She paused, catching a good look at Nika for the first time. "Oh wow. You look great. All of you guys."

The silvery gray fabric Nika had selected for her bridesmaids was much more flattering than the green that Anya had chosen once upon a time, and the dresses were in the same simple style as the bride's dress.

Just then Connor stuck his head in next to Willow. "Hey—oh." He paused, speechless, admiring eyes only for Dawn.

"You need to finish getting dressed," Dawn told him firmly, taking the large box holding the bouquets from him. She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "So shoo."

He shook his head as though dazed. "Uh, yeah." Then he grabbed the younger Summers and gave her a deeper kiss, as the other women looked on amused. Whispering something in her ear, Connor dashed out the door.

"Do I even want to know what he just said?" Buffy asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Dawn shook her head. "No, probably not."

Enid rolled her eyes, waving her arms as though she was shooing chickens. "We're running late, ladies. Let's not keep the groom waiting, as he usually takes that as a very bad sign."

~~~~~

Wesley's usually nimble fingers were faltering. The blasted tie had something wrong with it. "Hold still," Spike commanded imperiously, brushing the ex-Watcher's hands aside. "You're makin' a mess of it."

"Spike, I hardly think—" Whatever disparaging remark Wesley had been about to make about Spike's tie-knotting ability disappeared when he saw the perfect specimens Spike and Connor were sporting.

"Just because I don't wear the idiotic things doesn't mean I don't know what 'm doin'." The vampire stood back, admiring his handiwork. "Perfection, if I do say so myself."

Wesley looked in the mirror, hardly able to recognize the man standing in front of him. Spike was, of course, absent in the frame, and he turned to see a strange look on his friend's face. "Don't normally mind not seein' myself," Spike said quietly.

"Then don't look," Wesley said quietly. "Sometimes the mirror lies."

A knock came on the door and Willow stuck her head in. "You guys all ready to go? Because we're supposed to start in about 15 minutes."

Spike shook off his suddenly-somber mood. "Let's get you married, mate."

~~~~~

The music had already started—not the usual wedding march, but something with flutes and harps, ethereal and haunting. Nika had, quite frankly, wanted a completely different wedding than the rather traditional one she'd had for her marriage to Danny. The dress she wore was simpler, the colors more muted, and venue completely different.

The only thing that had remained the same was the person walking her down the aisle. "You look splendid," Enid whispered in Welsh. "Your mother and father would be so proud of you."

Nika smiled tearfully. "I like to think that they would adore Wesley." She paused. "I can hardly believe I'm here, doing this now."

"Are you ready?"

Nika nodded. "Nain, I feel I've been waiting my entire life for just this moment."

"Then let's not wait any longer." The two women watched as Dawn and then Buffy marched down the aisle, between the seated guests.

After that, time seemed to speed up, to pass by so quickly Nika hardly had time to take a breath. One moment she was watching her bridesmaids walk down the aisle—the next moment she was standing there herself and Wesley was taking her hand from her grandmother's.

And then time seemed to slow again—to hang in priceless moments that crept by one after another. She forced herself to listen to Willow's words—the ceremony a mixture of the old and the new. "We are here today to join these two people in marriage. They have chosen to marry as a formal and public declaration of their love and devotion to each other, and also so that they might ask their friends and families to share in the celebration."

Willow looked over at Spike. "Do you have the rings?"

Spike—who for once seemed to be restraining his drama prince impulses—pulled out the rings and placed them in Willow's waiting hands. "They have asked that they might speak their own vows."

Nika went first, although only by virtue of a coin-toss, since neither one of them had cared about the order. She took the ring from Willow's hand and spoke in a clear, strong voice. "Wesley, you have taught me what it means to love fully, because I know how short life can be now. I treasure every moment I have with you because we have no guarantees in this life." She placed the ring on his finger with a steady hand. "With this ring I give you myself, body and soul, for your care and service, till death parts us."

Wesley was rather pleased that he was able to speak past the large lump in his throat, and that his voice did not shake too badly. "Danika, you have given me a place to belong, and you have taught me what it is to have a home. For you are my home whatever might happen." His hands were not quite so steady as he placed the ring on her finger. "With this ring I give you myself, body and soul, for your care and service, till death parts us."

"Let nothing part these two, joined together today, when we celebrate year's end," Willow said. "Let your lives together be filled with light and joy—" She paused to give both of them a cheeky grin. "—and may you be really fruitful."

There were a few chuckles from those gathered. "It's my honor to declare you husband and wife." Willow smiled at both of them. "You may now kiss the bride—and the groom."

Their kiss had a number of cheers and whistles going up from those gathered, and after a few minutes—when it appeared that they might never stop—Spike stepped forward. "Dinner's gonna be served in about an hour. Until then, you're free to congratulate the bride an' groom when they can be bothered to separate."

At that point, Wesley and Nika broke apart sheepishly, and the guests started streaming up to congratulate them. Spike and Connor took that as their opportunity to steal kisses from their own respective girlfriends.

The next hour was a period of joyful chaos as old friends were greeted and new acquaintances were made. Faith had managed to make it, and she surprised Wesley by bringing her current Watcher—a solid stocky man with long hair and an earring.

(Wesley had actually heard his father complaining that Faith's new Watcher wasn't up to snuff, and had been one of Giles' choices, pushed through by some high-ranking friends. Upon meeting the man, Wesley understood perfectly. He also had to hide a rather smug smile, since it appeared that Giles knew exactly what he was doing.)

Speaking of his father—Wesley glanced around to see if he could see the man, but Roger Wyndam-Pryce was nowhere to be found. Shrugging, he decided that it didn't much matter. They certainly weren't going to be eating at the same table. "Food's bein' served, mate," Spike said, as efficient as the best of butlers—or the best man.

He turned to Nika, who had her hand tucked in his arm. "We'd better eat then," she said with a coy smile. "I have plans for you tonight."

Wesley, having heard about the hen party, could just imagine.

~~~~~

Enid loved a good wedding—and this was one of the best she'd seen in all her long years. Not only was her granddaughter married to a fine man, but Nika would soon be presenting her with great-grandchildren.

In fact, everything was absolutely perfect, save one small detail. Roger Wyndam-Pryce was getting on her last nerve.

The old woman had a speculative gleam in her eyes that would have alarmed Nika had she not been too distracted to see it. Enid was amazed that Wesley had turned out as well after meeting his father, and she was quite convinced that the elder Wyndam-Pryce did not deserve having a son such as Wesley.

Now, while Enid had a very laid back approach to most things in life, believing that it was often better to simply let things be until they sorted themselves out, she wasn't above meddling. And she was most certainly not above giving someone a taste of his own medicine.

After all, it was only fair.

Depending on one's point of view, it was perhaps unfortunate that Giles didn't see anything wrong with Enid wanting to get to know Roger a little better. Or with her pulling the man off to the side for a private conversation about Nika and Wesley.

No one seemed to notice when Roger Wyndam-Pryce didn't show up for dinner.

And if Enid Rhys looked like the cat who'd gotten into the cream, well, it was only to be expected. After all, she'd just seen her granddaughter married.

Vengeance is sometimes sweet.

~~~~~

The lack of a seating arrangement made things a bit more difficult momentarily, but Nika refused to care. She found herself seated with the rest of the wedding party, Giles, Enid, and Willow and her girlfriend. Wesley's mother, Evelyn, had joined a table full of Nika's friends of the hospital and seemed to be doing quite well.

Xander looked a bit uncomfortable at a table with Faith and Angel, as well as the rest of the AI gang, but he seemed to be valiantly attempting a friendly attitude, which she saw as a great improvement. "You know, I could almost like Xander these days," Nika said, leaning over to whisper in Wesley's ear over the salad course.

"As could I," he agreed. "Xander's grown up quite a bit recently."

Giles caught Wesley's eye from across the table. "Ah, Wesley, I did want to get a chance to talk to you about the Council."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Rupert, you ever gonna give that a rest? The man's at his wedding."

"Yes, well, this happens to be in regard to his future," Giles said, refusing to rise to Spike's bait.

Wesley shook his head. "I'm sorry, Giles, but if this is in regard to the researcher's position in Bath—"

Giles harrumphed. "Don't be ridiculous, Wesley. You'd be wasted there, and if your father wasn't such a jackass he'd see that. No, this is about reinstating you as an active Watcher here in L.A."

Wesley blinked. "Giles—"

"Before you say anything, there aren't any strings attached, and we wouldn't ask you to relocate," Giles assured him. "In fact, we wouldn't ask you to do much more than you've been doing for us already, helping with research and translations."

Wesley shared a look with his new wife, who answered for him, since he seemed to be having trouble finding the words. "Then why reinstate him, Giles? Why not simply leave things be?"

"Because we are planning on asking him to be the Watcher to the next active Slayer called."

The silence that descended on the table was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. "I don't think I heard that right," Wesley said weakly.

"I think it's a really good idea," Buffy said. "Wesley, you have the experience and the knowledge now. You'd really be perfect."

Spike was looking thoughtful. "An' where's my role in all of this, Watcher?"

"I was hoping that you might act as an unofficial liaison," Giles admitted. "We could use you, Spike, although there are a number of fuddy-duddies still on the Council who won't admit it." He sighed. "They refuse to see that we cannot go on as we've been doing. One girl in all the world is, quite frankly, not good strategy." He gave Buffy a fond look. "And while she might do an admirable job, the strain it places upon her is rather too much."

Buffy smiled back. "I think I can agree with that. What else did you have in mind?"

"Something like what I'm doing," Willow said, grabbing her girlfriend's hand. "Our coven is overseeing the Hellmouth, and we're in contact with others around the world. We're trying to organize others too."

Giles nodded. "What your father refuses to see, Wesley, is that teams such as yours and Angel's perform an invaluable function. It's not that we would like to end your autonomy, but we want to recognize the service you do, and offer what support we can."

It was more than he might have ever hoped for or dreamed of. To have the Council's approval—and to find they wanted him—it was more than pleasant. "I'll have to think about it, and discuss it with Spike and Nika, of course."

"Of course," Giles agreed. He then glanced over at Connor and Dawn. "You know, I'd like to talk to both of you before I leave as well."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "I knew you weren't coming to L.A. just to see us," she teased. "You're recruiting."

"I only recruit the best," Giles returned.

Connor and Dawn shared a look. The young man shrugged. "We can talk."

Giles nodded, satisfied for the moment, sharing a knowing glance with Willow. He and the witch had been talking the plan over for quite a while—since Buffy had moved to L.A., actually. Giles had not been content with the status quo recently. He thought that the Council's complacency was narrow-minded and dangerous. It only made sense to gather one's resources—and after all, why accept that things are precarious without trying to turn the tide?

Giles had, it seemed, rediscovered youthful optimism in his middle age.

~~~~~

Roger Wyndam-Pryce was not missed until after dinner, when the dancing started. As per tradition, Wesley was expected to dance once with Enid, and Nika was supposed to dance with Roger. Not that there were any hard feelings about the elder Wyndam-Pryce going missing, but it was generally agreed that to not at least look would be in bad form.

Everyone also agreed that no one need look very hard.

It was the twinkle in Enid's eyes that gave the game away. Nika had once seen the very same look in her nain's eyes when the lady had finally allowed herself to be caught by the gentleman chasing her.

"Nain!" Nika hissed, drawing the older woman off to the side. "What did you do with Wesley's father?"

Wesley, who was close enough to catch the opening question, scooted closer. He wanted details.

"Nothing," Enid said, her innocent face fooling no one. Spike—as best man—and Buffy—as maid of honor—had also moved in for the conference.

"Nain," Nika said. "I know you did something. You look altogether too pleased with yourself."

Enid humphed. "I simply gave him a taste of his own medicine. He's lucky it wasn't worse."

"What did you do?" Spike asked, although his tone was not at all condemnatory. In fact, it looked as though he was going to take notes.

Enid shrugged, unconcerned. "Just one little hex. Oh, well, two, I suppose, but really, they were both very small."

Nika, for all her threats to do the very same thing, was appalled. One did not hex the groom's father on his wedding day—and she said as much. "Actually, I think I want to hear what happened," Wesley said mildly, sounding rather amused by the whole thing.

Buffy also had a smile—perhaps because she was thinking of asking Enid to do something similar to her own father.

"He was being a git," Enid said, as though that explained everything. Judging from the nods, it probably did. "In any case, I took him off and put a hex or two on him. Let's just say he won't be sleeping terribly well for a while." And then she smiled—a rather evil smile that suggested you did not want to see her bad side. Ever. "And he won't be saying anything unless he has something nice to say."

Wesley started laughing. He couldn't help it. It probably should have upset him that someone put a hex on his father, but, well, the old man had been a thorn in his side for his entire life. "That will probably kill him," he predicted.

Unwillingly, Nika smiled. "Nain, you can't just go around hexing people like that."

"I didn't do it lightly, cariad," Enid replied, sounding put upon. "Besides, it won't last more than a year or two without reinforcement. Consider it a wedding present."

When Nika opened her mouth to argue again, Wesley cut her off. "Will he show up any time soon?" Enid nodded to the doorway where Wesley's father was entering, looking none the worse for wear, though a little dazed. "Perfect," Wesley stated, kissing her weathered cheek. "I, for one, love the wedding present, nain."

He led Nika off to dance, and Spike and Buffy quickly followed suit, both chuckling. Having both been bystanders and receivers of Roger's more pointed comments, neither were particularly bothered by Enid's actions.

In fact, Buffy was rather relieved. She'd been concerned that Spike, Angel or both would find a way to get rid of the man if something wasn't done.

The Slayer laid her head on Spike's shoulder as they danced to a slow song. "So what do you think about Giles' offer?"

"Dunno," Spike confessed. "Nothin' like what I expected, that's for sure. What about you, luv? You're nearly retired."

Buffy smiled. She had been picking up a lot of the physical action for Wesley, both because of his shoulder and because of the upcoming wedding. There was an unspoken agreement that no one wanted to risk the groom before the big day. So there hadn't been much retirement going on. "Not really retired, and I don't want to be," she admitted. "Before, I hated it because it was something I had to do. Now, it's more like I can do it because I want to. And I really want to."

Spike's grip tightened, thinking of the risks inherent in slaying. He'd thought she might be out of it, and that idea had comforted him. "You wouldn't be yourself if you didn't want to save the world, luv." They moved in silence, appreciating the quiet moment, the opportunity for a night out with friends, the baby safe at home with a babysitter. "Do you still want to get married, pet?"

"Do you?"

"I asked first," he replied.

Buffy sighed. "Yes, but not like this. I'm thinking small, just close friends and family. I want the white dress and all that, but Nika's been going crazy, and I know it's put some strain on her relationship with Wesley. We don't need that."

"Whatever you want, luv," Spike said. "Doesn't much matter to me as long as you're happy."

"I'm already happy, Spike," Buffy replied. "You know, I'll support you either way—if you don't take Giles' offer. It's up to you and Wes."

Spike smiled, giving her a tender kiss. "Thank you, Slayer. I appreciate that."

They danced the night away, thinking about the future.

And Spike's thoughts were tinged with melancholy.

~~~~~

"Did you hear what all the commotion was about?" Dawn asked. She watched as Nika and Wesley said their good-byes to his parents before slipping out. They had spoken earlier that evening, after dinner was served. Dawn couldn't help but be a little envious. A whole week in the British Virgin Islands sounded like a lot of fun, and she knew that Connor loved the ocean. (In spite of the fact that he'd sent his father to the bottom of it for a few months.)

Wesley and Nika would be back in time for New Year's, when they would have a belated Christmas celebration. Dawn thought it a little strange that they'd want to get married over the holidays, but Nika had explained that they'd chosen to celebrate it on the winter solstice to recognize that their lives were the brighter for the joining. It was the celebration of the beginning of a new year, and that Dawn could understand. She had her own guy to celebrate with.

It was hard to believe that they'd been dating for over a year.

Connor smiled. "Nain put a hex on Wesley's dad. He was getting on her nerves."

Dawn, who'd had Spike as a tutor and had absorbed much of his sense of humor, giggled. "Serves him right. Do you think she'd do one on my dad?"

Connor shrugged. "You could ask."

Dawn frowned, tempted, then shook her head. "Probably not a good idea," she said regretfully. "Buffy might kill me."

"It would be cool to get married someday," Connor suddenly announced into the contented stillness that had fallen over them. At Dawn's surprised expression, he hastened to clarify. "Not for a really long time, but I think it would be cool."

"It would be cool," Dawn agreed, assured that Connor wasn't talking about eloping tomorrow. "I didn't think you'd want to do something like that."

He considered that for a moment and then shook his head. "It'd be nice, you know, to be normal for once. To do the normal thing."

"What? Get married, have kids, all that?"

"Yeah," Connor said. "Not for a while, but still." He smiled down at her with a boy's face, but the promise of manhood was there, soon to be fulfilled. In a few years' time, Dawn realized, they might be ready for something like that. "I don't think I want to be with anyone else."

And Dawn, who knew a good thing when she recognized it, could do nothing but agree.

~~~~~

Enid's skill with a good hex was proven when Wesley's father approached him and couldn't say anything at all. His mouth opened and closed a few times—Nika thought he looked like a fish out of water—before he finally managed to say, "A very nice wedding, Wesley."

Wesley just smiled, since his father appeared to be nearly choking on the words. He gave his mother a warm hug, and Nika managed to do the same, even though she still thought the woman was spineless.

Nika did not have a high opinion of women who did not protect their children.

Once that duty was taken care of, they slipped out to change into traveling clothes and to grab their bags. "Do you have—"

Wesley pulled the tickets out of his jacket pocket before Nika could finish her question. "Spike gave them to me a little while ago. He said to 'have a good time' as well as giving a few other suggestions I might take him up on."

"Oh, really?" She wrapped her arms around his waist. "So absence does make the heart grow fonder, huh?"

"Now that would not be possible, since I don't think I could love you more than I already do," Wesley said softly, leaning down to taste her lips. "You ready, Mrs. Wyndam-Pryce?"

"For you?" Nika asked, smiling. "Always."

It was the perfect start to a new year.