Build An Emerald City: The Next Morning, Part 1
by Wolfkin
AN For those who think no one would propose like Kennedy did last chapter, *I* did. Except for the obvious Buffy parts, the K/W interaction at the end of chapter 2 happened, just to me and my then girlfriend. 'Course, we split 6 months later, but K/W'll fare better!!


Chapter 3

Deep brown eyes flutter open, followed by a groan of annoyance, as Kennedy wakes enough to know she needs to head for the bathroom. Stopping first to kiss the shoulder in front of her, she gently untangles her and Willow's legs and eases out of bed.

"Huh? Kenn?"

'Damn!'

"Sorry, Will. Bathroom run. Back in a minute, so go back to sleep, ok?"

'' 'K."

Kennedy stands for a moment, til the redhead's breathing evens out as she returns to whatever dream she was in. Smiling at her love, the brunette starts for the bathroom, but the memory of the couple's last conversation returns and Kennedy's eyes widen.

'Holy shit! I proposed last night!' she thinks. Now, she really needs to pee as the realization that she and Willow are engaged sinks in. 'Sure, *now* I get nervous!' She rushes into the bathroom, closing the door so the light won't disturb the witch.

After taking care of business, she comes back into their bedroom, still a little dazed, then smiles. 'On the other hand, I have just been looking for the right time. Guess that was it!'

Still smiling, she nods to herself and picks up her robe, slipping it on, along with a pair of sandals. Heading downstairs, the Slayer goes through the kitchen, snagging her keyring as she passes by, and into the part of the converted warehouse the group uses for their garage and workshop.

Threading her way between cars and other stored items, Kennedy reaches her motorcycle, currently in storage due to the approaching winter months. Unlocking the underseat storage compartment, she opens it long enough to retrieve a small, cloth wrapped object. She closes the seat again and heads back into the living areas, removing the cloth and tossing it onto a work bench as she goes by.

Holding the deep maroon velvet box in one hand and her sandals in the other, the brunette softly pads back upstairs and into her bedroom, errand complete. She takes off her robe and opens the box, a glint of light reflecting off the contents. Setting the box on the dresser, directly in front of the clock, the Slayer sights down along line between the clock and her sleeping lover. Satisfied the box will be the first thing Willow sees, Kennedy smiles and moves around to her side of the bed and climbs in.

Spooning around Willow, the dark haired beauty breathes in deeply, then sighs her way back into sleep, smile of anticipation still in place.

***

As Faith rolls over, Dawn wakes easily from the light doze she's drifted in and out of all night. Looking down, she watches her fiance sleep, lost in the simple, child like expression she sees there. Gone is the bad ass Slayer facade the woman shows everyone but the brunette teenager. In her place, all that's there is a young woman, beautiful, but vulnerable and deserving of love.

Dawn presses a soft kiss to her girl's forehead, thinking 'She is loved. More than she'll ever know.'

Settling back down, the former Key props her head up and is lost in the simple joy of watching the woman she loves so deeply sleep. The hours slip by.

***

A groan sounds in the heavily shadowed room, followed by an annoyed whine. Hazel eyes slowly open and look at the nearby clock, then close quickly, determined to get more sleep. After several minutes, she admits defeat and carefully separates herself from the man sleeping behind her.

Moving quietly, Buffy enters the bathroom, stretching and yawning. After using the toilet, she brushes her teeth, then turns on the shower, getting a couple towels ready while the water warms up. Opening the shower door, she steps under the pounding spray and instantly start to feel muscles unknot and relax.

She gasps slightly as she feels arms slip around her waist. She spins and finds Xander smiling at her as he steps partly under the water, pushing her a little out the warm cocoon of the shower.

"Morning, beautiful." he murmurs before kissing her lips, softly at first, then with rising passion.

Buffy returns the man's ardor, letting her tongue slip out to tickle and tease his, before the couple reluctantly pulls apart, panting lightly.

"Morning." the blonde sighs, before planting little licking kisses all along Xander's chest and the base of his neck. Moving swiftly, she lunges and lightly bites one of his nipples, releasing it just as quickly.

Xander growls low in his throat, quickly becoming aroused again as he caresses and strokes his Slayer sides for a moment before bringing his hands higher. Buffy hisses as he lightly flicks his thumb across the rising cap on the blonde's breast.

Pulling his head down, Buffy presses a scorching kiss onto her lover's lips, thrusting her tongue boldly forward. She moans as Xander sucks gently on it for a second before releasing her mouth and moving to her neck.

Buffy just stands, lost in the fire Xander has started in her body. She moans louder as he nibbles and sucks on her earlobe. "Oh...yes... God, Xander. That's making me crazy!" When she feels his hardness against her hip, she wraps one hand around him and begins to slowly pump.

The Slayer pulls away slightly, then attacks her lover's mouth again, her kisses almost bruising in their intensity. Giving his lips one last lick, she draws back and smiles at him, then starts to go to her knees.

Xander's hands grip her shoulders, stopping her. She looks at him, confusion in her eyes. "It's ok, Buff. Just not what I want this morning." He smiles hungrily. "I was thinking of some breakfast. A side of Slayer, with juice. Do you serve that here?" he teases.

Buffy pouts. "What if I wanted breakfast?"

"I'll make you waffles later."

She smiles at him. "Ok!" easing back, she sits on the bench seat he'd installed. "In that case, I think we have one more serving of your order." she kids, grinning seductively.

Xander smiles back, kneeling in front of her. Leaning forward, he kisses his love again, his hands roaming freely but lightly as the dance intensifies.

***

Willow opens her eyes, then smiles as the first thing she sees is her beautiful Slayer. She loves it when she wakes up before Kennedy. All the tough Slayer image is missing from the girl's face, leaving her more lovely in the redhead's eyes. It's a side of Kennedy that even Willow sees only occasionally and she treasures it every time.

Reaching forward, the witch presses a soft kiss to her girlfriend's forehead. As she leans back, she remembers their last conversation and her eyes widen a bit, then begin shining as she smiles. She tries to resist, but finally loses the internal battle and kisses her Slayer's lips, once, twice, before pulling back.

Kennedy stirs and groans softly. Waking up isn't one of her favorite things, but since she started doing it in Willow's arms, she's begun to really enjoy it. Opening chocolate orbs, she sees her redhead smiling at her for a second before she kisses the brunette again.

"Mmm. Morning, Red."

"Morning, baby. Ask a question?"

"Always. You know that. What's up?"

Willow smiles again, biting her lower lip. "Just wanted to check. You *do* remember you proposed last night, don't you? Did you mean to?"

Kennedy reaches up and rubs at her face, but it's just to hide her grin. "Uh, yeah. About that... Uh, Will?" She suddenly opens her eyes, like she's forgotten something. "Oh, uh, what time is it?"

The witch's smile fades as Kennedy appears to be backing out, but she's confused by the request. "You're looking at the clock, not me." she says, flatly.

"Yeah, but my eyes aren't focused yet. Please?"

Sighing with frustration, Willow turns enough to see the red numbers on the dresser. She turns back, then stops and whips her head around again. She feels her eyes open wide and her jaw drop.

She spies the red velvet box and the gold ring inside it. She gets lost in the jewels, a half carat diamond with a small emerald on either side. Surrounding the green stones, stones the same color as Willow's eyes are smaller rubies, three per side.

Kennedy smiles at her fiance's reaction, then gets up and walks around the bed. Kneeling in front of her redhead, she picks up the box and removes the ring. "Yeah, I remember, Red. To do things more traditionally, Willow Rosenberg, will you please marry me?"

Willow shakes off her stupor and rolls over, falling into her fiance's arms. She joyously kisses her, lips moving for a moment before she moves back onto the bed. Still smile rapturously, she says, "Said yes last night, didn't I? Same answer this morning! Although," she swats the Slayer on the shoulder. "That's for making me think you were gonna back out!"

Kennedy smiles easily. "Told you before, Red. Only way you're ever getting rid of me is to tell me you don't love me and send me away. 'Fraid you're stuck with me!"

Willow holds out her hand and the Slayer slips the engagement ring onto the proper finger. The witch stares at it for a minute, always smiling, before shifting her line of sight to her girl. "I think I can handle that. Never gonna let you go!" she declares, pulling her soon to be wife back onto the bed and into her arms.


AN Sorry for the short chapter, but this was a good breaking point. Next chapter Buffy and Xander talk. After they calm down, that is! ;)

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