At the Mall
“Here’s one.” Spike picked up the video box. “I want to rent this.”
Buffy took the box from his hand. “Barnum?” She smiled at him. “Suppressing some boyhood desire to run away and join the circus?”
“No, look.” He pointed to the cast list on the back. “It’s got Timmy from Passions.”
“Okay. Barnum for you, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon for me.” They walked towards the till.
“And this has nothing to do with you wanting something romantic.”
“No, of course not.” She wrapped her arm around him as they stood in the line. “It’s all the educational martial arts moves.”
“Uh huh.”
Blockbuster bag in hand, they walked through the mall. “Oh, wait,” she exclaimed. “I have to run into the drug store. We’re low on bandages and disinfectant.”
“Sure.” Ten minutes later, he grew impatient standing in the makeup section. “No bandages here, love.”
“No, but lipstick’s three for ten dollars, and I’m not sure which shades I want. Help me pick.”
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I’d rather hurry home. I have an idea that involves a feather, nudity and some chocolate syrup.”
She grabbed three colours from the shelf. “These’ll do.” As they turned the corner towards the checkout she exclaimed. “Look, honey, there’s Anya. I’m going to say hi.”
He rolled his eyes. “So much for hurryin’ home. I’m goin’ to the frozen yogurt place. Meet you there. You want chocolate?”
“What else?” She kissed him and watched him leave, then ran over to Anya. “Hey.”
Anya stopped, her hand resting on the box on the shelf. “Oh, hi Buffy.”
Her friend realized which aisle they were in, and what Anya was buying. “Anya, that’s a...You think you’re...?”
“I’m almost sure. Though this human body can be erratic. Things were much clearer when I was a vengeance demon. Less messy.” She picked up the box and put it in her basket.
Buffy gave her a hug. “Does Giles know?”
“I think Rupert suspected something when I vomited this morning. And at lunch time. I don’t want to say anything to him until I’m sure.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Buffy looked into Anya’s face. “You are happy, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes,” Anya smiled. “Very happy. I just hope Rupert is. We haven’t discussed this. He may think he’s too old. Which he isn’t. You’d be amazed how limber he is.”
“Thanks, Anya. Mental image deleted.” She squeezed her hand. “Trust me, he’ll be thrilled. He’s been like a father to me, you know. But it’s not the same as having one of his own.”
Spike had run into Giles on the way to the yogurt place, and now they sat waiting for their women. “Amazing how they get into this shopping thing, eh Rupe?”
“It never ceases to amaze me, Spike. I knew Anya liked earning money, and saving money, but I never suspected that she would occupy such an exorbitant amount of time spending it.”
With that, the women appeared. They were both beaming. “Sorry, honey.” Buffy kissed Spike. “We were busy. In the ladies room.” She winked at Anya. “Come on, we have to hurry home. Anya and Giles want to talk.”
“We do?” Giles asked.
“Oh, yes.” Anya took his hand. “We do.”
“But what about your yogurt?” Spike asked, as Buffy pulled him towards the exit.
“Changed my mind.” She stopped, put her arms around him, pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, “I want to leave room for the chocolate syrup.”