Ireland
By Breniah

Disclaimer: Don’t own them, Joss and Co do. Please don’t bother to sue me, it’s not worth the effort. (Haven’t we covered this already?)

Authors Notes: Follows on from No Way and Brother to Brother, about 7 months or so after. Also, I know, I suck at titles. Feedback would be much appreciated.

***

“Why am I here? What am I doing? What was I thinking? Was I thinking?” Buffy shrieked. “Honestly Angel, this is wrong. We can’t be getting married. It’s against the laws of god and man.”

Angel smiled at his fiancée. Buffy, Angel, Oz, Cordelia, Willow and Xander were driving up to Angel’s ancestral home days before the wedding to do some last minute partying before Giles and Joyce came. Ever since they had flew over Buffy had been getting cold feet. Now as they approached the castle where they were getting married, her feet were icy.

Angel had insisted that they be married in the house he grew up in, so he could finally say goodbye and put the past to rest. Since his transformation, Angel had been a lot happier but guilt and misery were still present in a lot of his moods.

“I mean, I don’t see why we have to get married. We are perfectly fine as it is. I am only 20 and besides we can live in sin. We’re no strangers to sin. We sin all the time. But marriage! That’s…”

“We’re here,” Angel cut her off. They saw a vast castle up the drive, rich green fields complementing the sandstone building.

“I take it back,” Buffy said quickly. “Marriage is a good idea. A great idea even. This is where you grew up?”

Angel nodded.

“Uh, Angel?”

“Yeh?”

“Why did you never tell me you were wealthy?” Xander asked.

“It never came up I guess. Vampires generally amass large fortunes over the years.”

“Do you mean to tell me that I could’ve been swanning around the Caribbean for the last year instead of…” Oz slapped Xander on the back of the head, signaling him to shut up. Everyone laughed at Xander’s disgruntled expression. Still laughing, Angel said, “Xander, if you had known, you would not be in college now and you know it.”

“Damn straight! I’d be lying on a beach with loads of lovely women in bikinis…”

Again Oz slapped him on the back of the head. Xander glared at him and continued to do so long after Cordy had turned the car off and everyone was piling out of the van they had hired.

Angel pushed open the huge doors, allowing everyone to stagger in, the weight of the ladies luggage killing them.

“Wow! I expected it to be all musty and dirty,” Cordelia said, looking around.

“I hired someone to have it cleaned before we got here,” Angel murmured, his eyes everywhere but the present. Just then a man stepped forward from the next room. Angel shook his hand. The butler said, “Shall I show everyone to their rooms?”

Angel nodded but said, “Let me introduce everyone first. Richardson, this is Oz, Willow, Cordelia, my brother Xander, and my fiancée, Buffy,” putting an arm around her.

Richardson nodded at them all and then began to shuffle up the stairs, expecting them to follow.

***

Hours later, Buffy awoke stretching. When Richardson had shown them to their rooms he had suggested a nap after their journey and they didn’t dare disagree. Buffy was grateful that she didn’t, she felt much better. She sat up and looked around for Angel before remembering Richardson had pointedly put them in separate rooms.

Feeling cheeky, she threw on some clothes and set off to find him. Soon she realised she had no clue as to where he was and the castle was so large that she couldn’t possibly search every room. So she just wandered, hoping sheer chance alone would find him for her.

She ran into Xander, who was happily snacking in the living room. “Where is Angel?” she asked.

“Outside, last I saw,” Xander said through a mouthful of food.

Buffy raced outside into the afternoon sun smiling broadly and skipping along joyfully enjoying the lush scenery. She had almost forgot about finding Angel, till she went sprawling over a tree root, landing face first on the ground with an inelegant, “Oomph.”

Angel heard her and came rushing over as she was picking herself up off the ground.

‘What happened? Are you ok?”

“Yeh, I’m fine. Just uncoordinated. Where were you?” she asked, noting his teary face.

“Saying goodbye,” he said rubbing a hand over his eyes. She immediately became concerned and asked, “Will you show me?”

He nodded and led her over to the small family graveyard. He knelt in front of one of the larger tombs. He showed her all his family, introducing her and telling them all about her. Buffy felt tears stream down her face as she felt his pain. They spent all afternoon there until he finally pulled himself away. They turned to go but Buffy ran back up to his mother’s tomb and began speaking quietly.

“It’s ok now,” she said softly, tears still falling. “I’m going to look after your little boy for the rest of our lives. I promise you he’ll be fine.” She stood and slowly walked over to Angel, who grabbed her and hugged her so tight she thought her ribs would crack.

“C’mon, let’s go party,” Angel said releasing her. And hand in hand they strode up to the mansion.

***

“You know Xander, I don’t think having a joint buck’s party and hen’s night is such a good idea,” Willow said as they walked into the living room where they would be celebrating.

“Nah Will, it’s a great idea,” Xander grunted under the weight of the tequila and champagne.

“It’s a good thing Buffy decided she wanted to be married at night,” Willow said as she eyed the numerous bottles. “At least we have time to recover.”

Oz nodded in agreement, keen for a big night.

“Well be thankful responsible G-Man isn’t here,” Xander muttered, unscrewing a bottle of tequila.

“Or Buffy’s mum,” Willow added.

“Yeh and when they come tomorrow it’ll already be too late. Well except to yell at us,” Oz chimed in.

“And that would be a new experience,” Xander said sarcastically.

“Where are the guests of honour? It feels weird starting without them,” said Willow.

Oz and Xander looked at her oddly. Then at each other. Shrugging they started pouring. Willow sighed in resignation.

Just then, the door opened to reveal the always stunning Cordelia Chase. She looked as perfect as ever. Xander held out a glass and whistled appreciatively.

“Xander you alcoholic!!! You couldn’t wait for us?” Angel roared from the doorway. He and Buffy entered the room, totally disarrayed.

“Well we couldn’t wait for you two. We didn’t know how long the pre wedding night celebrations would go on for,” he replied cheekily.

Buffy blushed and Angel began to yell again but was forestalled by Willow who pointed out that the buttons on his shirt were in the wrong holes. He quickly remedied his error and glared at Buffy.

“What?” she asked innocently. “You were the one who knocked the lamp over and broke it.”

“But that was because you…” he paused and looked at the grinning faces of his friends. “Never mind,” he finished lamely.

And so the night passed on. Bottles were opened, dancing begun and laughter reigned. Xander was in the middle of his wacky Xander dance when the music he was dancing to was suddenly replaced with the Lambada, which Buffy had stealthily put on. Her and Angel began to dance off in one corner.

“Cool, the Lambada,” said Oz, hauling a giggling Willow to her feet.

Xander groaned. “Cordelia, care to dance?” he asked suavely.

She looked up at him and smiled slowly, holding out a hand. They were only dancing a new moments before Willow stumbled, falling to the floor and taking Oz with her. Xander and Cordy collapsed on the couch in each other’s arms, laughing uncontrollably. Angel and Buffy were completely oblivious and they just kept on dancing.

It was upon this scene that Giles and Joyce walked in on. Bottles lay everywhere, some empty, some shattered. The music was deafening and Oz and Willow were still on the floor. Xander and Cordelia looked especially suspicious and Buffy and Angel were still off in one corner dancing, unaware of their presence.

“Buffy!” Joyce said shocked.

“Oh hi mom,” she said, turning her head slightly.

“Busted!’ Xander and Oz cheered.

Buffy and Angel both stopped dancing as they realised what was going on and blushed. “Hey mom, it’s ok we were just dancing!” She paused. “Wait a minute! You know what we get up to, we’re getting married. Who I am trying to kid here?” she said cheerfully.

Giles nodded slowly. He seemed to be speechless. Oz and Willow sat up quickly, straightening their clothes. Joyce looked over at Xander and Cordelia. “I didn’t know you two were back together.”

Xander and Cordy quickly untangled themselves and he said, “We’re not. I mean its not like… well… what I mean to say is…”

“Xander, shut up!”

“Shutting up… now.”

“Well, I’m glad you all had a good time,” Giles muttered running a hand through his hair.

“Mom, Giles, you guys are early.” Buffy stated.

“A good thing too,” Joyce said. “We have to make sure you and Angel stay apart tonight.”

“Great! Any ideas on how to keep our happy little smoochers separated tonight? Keeping in mind that one has slayer strength and the other still has vampire strength?” Xander queried.

“Yes,” Giles said. “Angel is in my room and Buffy is with Joyce.”

The lovers looked crestfallen. “It is only for one night, I guess.” Buffy muttered. Angel nodded and they began to kiss.

Joyce and Giles shared a look and she said, “Now’s probably a good time.”

“Cool,” Xander chimed in. “Giles you can help all us lads struggle up the stairs singing bawdy drinking songs.”

Cordelia hit him.

“What? We can’t sing bawdy drinking songs? It’s a time honoured tradition.”

“No you can’t. I’ve heard you sing Xander. My ears can’t take the abuse again,” she said shuddering theatrically.

Willow giggled. Xander tried to protest but was cut off by Giles who hauled him and Oz to their feet, deciding they had drunk enough and it was time to go to bed.

***

“C’mon big bro. Time to get you to the altar. And as best man, I feel it is my duty to hold the sacrificial lamb, that’s you Angel, so you can’t run away and destroy Buffy’s happiness.” Xander paused, noticing Oz was the only one in the room. “Where’s Angel?”

“I think he left during your monologue. Very stirring by the way,” said Oz.

Xander began to mutter to himself and stormed out of the room with a chuckling Oz following. They caught up with Angel just as he was reaching the area Buffy had chosen as the site of her wedding. It was on a hill over the graveyard where Angel’s family was buried. White candles burned everywhere and both the altar and the aisle were covered in white silk. To top it all off the entire scene was drenched in moonlight.

Angel looked up at the three quarter moon and smiled, knowing that the night would be perfect. He began musing on the moon, how she had been there of all his life, through all the things he had done, until the priest coughed returning Angel to the present and the arrival of his beloved.

Buffy was preceded by Willow and Cordelia, with Giles and Joyce walking next to her. Buffy stepped up to Angel and their friends created a circle around them. Angel was oblivious to the ceremony happening around him. He could only look at Buffy in awe. She was so radiantly beautiful he forgot all about the wedding, making the appropriate responses unconsciously.

With a start he heard the priest say, “you may now kiss your bride.” Reality came crashing down on him as he realised he missed the most
important ceremony of his 200 plus years. Then he looked at Buffy and everything was ok. She smiled up at him and he bent down and gently kissed her, their first as husband and wife. Angel looked up to see his friends and family smiling at them.

“Alright!” Xander cheered. “Time to party!”

Angel glanced up the moon one last time before walking back to the castle with Buffy, his Buffy, on his arm. Halfway back to the castle Buffy froze and looked around sharply.

“Great! Just friggin great! They can’t leave me alone for one night?” She began pulling stakes out from under her clothing before Angel’s amazed eyes. She sighed as she handed him one.

“What ever happened to romance?” he asked.

“You married the slayer honey. No choice, remember?”

He was about to reply when 4 vampires burst out from the bushes. The gang fought them easily, overwhelming them with sheer numbers as well as skill. One vamp got in a particularly lucky shot, which sent Buffy flying.

Even though he was no longer a vampire, Angel growled at them and said, “that’s my wife!” He quickly dispatched the remaining vampires with savage brutality. Buffy had picked herself up and was watching amusedly as Angel went berserk on the remaining vampires. When he was done he walked over to check her for injuries. Seeing that she had none, he picked her up and carried her back to castle, while Buffy was smiling smugly to herself.

“Ok, now can we party?” Xander asked.

“I thought we just did,” said Oz with a straight face.

“That was a mere appetiser, let’s raise some hell.” Everyone stopped and looked him. “What?” he asked, raising his hands in protest. “Not literal hell. Jeez, you people, always with the hell.”

“Can I throw the bouquet now?” asked Buffy, tossing it over her shoulder, right into Cordelia’s stunned face.

“Hey that’s not funny. I’m not getting married. Way too young for that. Not that you marrying Angel is bad but young, to young.”

“Does anyone else think Cordy has a bad case of Xander babble?” Buffy asked.

“You never know Cordy when some tall, spiky haired, wacky kinda man will come in and sweep you off you feet,” Willow said as they entered the dining room. Oz smiled at her, knowing she was completely and utterly over Xander.

Cordelia began to scoff at the laughing faces of her friends when Xander bowled into her, knocking her over, exclaiming, ‘FOOD!’

Willow began laughing at Cordelia’s disgruntled expression and Xander’s confused one. As Xander helped Cordelia up he began asking, “What? What did I miss?”

Buffy laughed at him. “You’ll figure it one day, Xand.” She paused. “Hopefully.” Then she glided into Angel’s arms wanting to enjoy the night with her new husband. Angel leant down and kissed her forehead in a gesture of love and hope. She smiled up at him and they kissed knowing everything was alright in their world.

The End