The Anniversary Gift
By Gileswench

Date: 16/03/2001
Spoilers: None. Set in a sweet and blissful B/G future
Summary: Giles has forgotten an anniversary. Or has he?
Rating: PG-13 for mild sexual innuendo.
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Distribution: Gabi if she wants it, UCSL. All others, ask and ye shall receive.
Feedback: Constructive criticism always welcome. Praise abjectly sought.
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Joss, Mutant Enemy, etc., etc., etc. I just let them have all the fun Joss won't. I own nothing except my twisted mind which you really don't want. Please don't sue.
Dedication: This one goes out to Dee who is celebrating her sixth wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Dee! Seek that mischief!

"Happy anniversary!"

Buffy settled herself in Giles' lap and kissed him.

"A-anniversary?"

The Englishman wracked his impressive brain to discover the meaning of Buffy's statement. The young woman shot him a disgusted look.

"Anniversary, information guy. Sixth anniversary, to be exact. Come on, think. What happened six years ago today?"

"We've only been married eight months, so it can't be that. I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I can't for the life of me think what it is. Especially if you keep wiggling like that."

He moved his hands to her hips, at first to still her, but finally to pull her closer to his growing arousal. He brought his lips to hers for a kiss, but her pout dissuaded him from trying to distract her with sex.

"Six years ago today?"

Buffy nodded.

"Let's see, six years ago...well, you were in high school and it would have been illegal for me to do what I wanted from the very first time I laid eyes on you."

"Flatterer."

"Absolutely true, I assure you. You waltzed into my library wearing that minuscule skirt and those sexy little boots and I wanted nothing more than to ravish you on the spot."

"Gotta admit, the tweed did more for me than I ever told you. Not that I'm not loving the current look."

She swept her eyes over his half naked form to the silky black pajama pants that outlined his muscular thighs so well. Her hand followed the contours of his chest, toying lightly with the hairs there.

"So, high school...laying eyes on me..."

"I still have no idea what you're on about, love."

"Boy! If you're that dense, it's a good thing you're so darn edible!"

She giggled as part of him stood up and took notice at the word "edible".

"Don't you ever get enough?"

"Not of you. Not ever."

She rewarded him with a tender kiss.

"Now come on, seriously. Six year anniversary. You have to guess."

"Buffy, I can't. Would you please just tell me so I can feel like a cad and get it over with?"

"Fine. If that's how you're gonna be. Six years ago today I waltzed into that library of yours in those sexy little boots and stomped on your heart in them."

"Last week."

"Huh?"

"That anniversary was last week, Buffy. Wednesday to be precise."

"I could've sworn it was today."

"Off by more than a week, love."

He grinned in triumph only to pull her in for a comforting hug as her chin began to wobble and she burst into tears.

"Hush, sweetheart, I could be wrong. And anyway, it doesn't matter what the date was. We're together now, that's all that's important."

"But I saved it up so I could tell you on our anniversary."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's alright."

"But now it's ruined. I wanted it to be your anniversary gift."

"Well, can't we just say today is the anniversary and I'm wrong? Would that make you feel better? I know you love it when I'm wrong."

His coaxing tone almost comforted her in spite of herself. She did love to have one up on him. Unfortunately, the fact that he was the one to think of it sent her into fresh paroxysms of grief.

Giles had been married long enough to know when to shut up and just hold Buffy, so he proceeded to do just that.

When her sobs quieted themselves to a slight hiccoughing, Giles daubed her eyes with his breakfast napkin and kissed her forehead gently.

"Can you tell me now?"

"What?"

"Can you tell me? What you were saving for our anniversary? I'd like to know what it is."

Buffy wiped her eyes a bit more and sniffled before answering him

"It's...it's just that...I wanted it to be your gift."

"It still will be, what ever it is. And I'm certain I'll love it. After all, it's from you and I love you. I always will."

"Even when I'm the size of a house?"

Giles' lips twitched into a smile

"Buffy, love, you'll never be the size of a house. Perhaps a small garden shed, but never a house. And I would love you even then."

"Wait a few months and see."

Giles blinked.

"Whatever are you talking about?"

"I'm pregnant."

"You are? Really?"

"Happy anniversary. Is that okay?"

"Oh it's a great deal more than okay, love. It's wonderful news!"

As he kissed her, he sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving that he was such a good actor. It had been nearly impossible spending the last three days pretending not to know.