Parenthood

by bjames238

Willow shows up in Angel's room instead of Darla at the end of season 2. A month and a half later . . . The last chapter will be coming soon.

1. Getting There

Parenthood

Summary: Willow shows up in Angel's room instead of Darla. A month and a half later . . . The next chapter should be coming soon.

Chapter 1: Getting There

"What have I done?" She said aloud as she drove. "How could I have given him up so easily?"
Tears ran down her cheeks.
Willow had given him up, and now it was eating her up inside. "How could I have been so
selfish?" she turned onto the Sunnydale exit. "How could I leave Angel with all the responsibility?"
She was sobbing now, and she couldn't stop. She was almost home, back to what she called
normal. But no, nothing would every be normal to her again. Every time she saw, hear, or thought about
anything related to babies, she would think about her, well Angel's too, child. She would never forget
how she had abandoned him and had changed everyone's memories but her own. To her, he would
always be her child. But to Angel, and the rest of the world, he would be his and Darla's.
Willow had had to do it. She had no other choice. Glory was out there. And if that hell god
knew that Willow had a child, she would go after him. And Willow didn't want that, she had to hide
him.
She thought about that night, the one when her son have been conceived. She had been
depressed because Glory had sucked out Tara's brain, leaving her mindless, crazy even. Her friendship
with Buffy and Xander had been dissolving. Then Cordelia had called and said that Angel needed her
help. So Willow had gone to Los Angeles. She found Angel in his hotel in his room.
He had been staring out the window, his back facing her. She had come in the threshold, but
staying in the doorway leaning against the wall.
"What do you want?" He had said harshly. He had said it almost as if he didn't want her there.
"I-I . . ." She had stammered. She didn't moved. She had almost been afraid of him.
"Stop stammering like an idiot and answer me." He was still facing the window.
"Cordelia called and-and said that you n-needed my help." Willow had said. He had laughed,
turned around, and then he was right in front of her. He had grabbed her arms, and shook her.
"You? Why would I need your help?" From a little girl who has absolutely no confidence
whatsoever? You need a reality check, witch." he had shaken her again and had such an evil smirk on his
face.
"B-but--"
"'But' what? Spit it out, little girl." he had made it so their faces were so close, their lips were
practically touching. Then he had done the unthinkable. He had kissed her. He had done it with so
much tongue for so long and so hard she had almost stopped breathing. She had barely managed to push
him away before she suffocated. She had backed away, trying to get as far away from him as possible.
But he was too strong and fast. He had grabbed her again. But this time, he had thrown her on his bed.
He had jumped on top of her and had dug his hips into her pelvis so hard she had begun to bleed. Then
he had bitten her on the neck.
She didn't remember much after that, but she did remember that she had wanted him. Not
because she loved, or needed him, but to just feel something other than the cold that had creeped into her
soul after Glory had attacked Tara. She remembered feeling like she was in a haze. There, but not really
there. She also remembered being just as brutal to him as he had been to her. He had said several time during that he needed her fire, passion, and power so much. And that if
he didn't have her, he would die. He had said that there was so much evil in the world, he just wanted to
get away from all of it. She had replied by saying that she would take all of that away.
The next morning, Willow had awoken to find that Angel was gone. His room had been a mess
from the night before. At first, she had thought that she had brought Angelus back. But then
remembered that she and Angel had a mystical connection. After Buffy had left town after sending
Angel to hell, Willow had studied up on Angel's curse. she had found that the person to re-ensoul Angel
did not have the same affect as other women. She could give him true happiness without making him
lose his soul. But she had never told anyone because first of all, she had been with Oz at the time, and
second of all she hadn't thought about Angel that way. And she had never expected him to either. Be he
had. Why, she did not know.
She had sat up, pulling the comforter over her nude body. She had found a piece of paper
on the pillow next to hers. She picked up the note and read it.
'My sweet Willow,' the note said, 'Thank you for giving me what I needed to have faith in
this world. If you will come downstairs, I have made breakfast for you. Love, Angel.'
She had giggled and raced to find her clothing. When she was dressed, she had wandered
down to the lobby and found a table with candles, roses, orange juice, plates of pancakes and
eggs, and red wine. But Angel had been no where in sight. She had sat down at one end of the
table. A second later, music came on. It was a Barry Manilow song she didn't know the title too.
Then Angel had walked in, wearing his usual black pants, black shirt, and black duster. There
was a towel on his arm, and a rose in his mouth.
"You're awake." He had said so much more calmly than when he had spoken the night
before. "How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thank you." She had said, beaming.
The rest of the morning had been spent talking and catching up, and well, kissing. He
had told her about the stuff with Wolfram & Hart, Darla, and Drusilla. She had told him about
Glory, Tara, Dawn, and how Buffy was really struggling with the fact that she hadn't defeated
Glory yet. They had s sympathized with each other, held each other. She had told him about
Tara, she had broken down crying and sobbing. She had kissed her n the forehead and said that
she would figured out how to reverse it. And she had cried into his strong chest for about an
hour.
She had headed for home around noon, knowing that she would be needed back in
Sunnydale. She had come back and found out that Glory had found out that Dawn was the key
and had kidnapped the Slayer's kid sister. Xander her how it had happened and that Buffy had
gone into a sort of coma. Willow had gotten her out of it. She had figured out a way to get Tara
back , but id didn't worked, sort of. She had done a spell that would take out of Glory what the
hell god had stolen from Tara. All it did was end up killing Glory and Tara was still the same.
But Glory didn't stay dead for long. She came back and said that she would kill Willow and all of
her descendants for what she had done. They had found Dawn and brought her to the Summer's
house.
She and Tara had moved in with Buffy and Dawn for protection. The two sisters also
helped Willow take care of Tara, especially when Willow got sick, which had seemed to happen
way too many times.
Buffy had dropped out of college after her mother had died so she could take care of
Dawn, but went back after Willow had almost killed the hell god. When Willow and Buffy wereat classes, and Dawn was at school at the same time, Anya would take of Tara. Giles helped too.
A week after Willow went to Los Angeles, Angel called. He said that he had re-hired his friends
and they had forgiven him. She and Angel had agreed not to tell anyone about what really
happened, that it would be between the two of them. They had told their friends that all that
happened was that they talked all night, nothing else.
But it wouldn't stay hidden in secret for long, until Willow did something about it.
About a month and a half after the big battle with Glory, she had found out she was
pregnant. She didn't understand how or why. Or why she had thought to take a home pregnancy
test in the first place. But she had felt so sick, she hadn't known what else to do. She had been
staring at the positive symbol when she remembered that Glory had said she would kill Willow
and all her children. So she had gone back to Los Angeles to tell Angel about the baby and what
she was going to do. Except he wasn't there. No one was. So she had sat down on the red
couch, crying. And waited for him to come back.
She had ended up waiting almost four hours before he walked in the door. She had looked up in his eyes,
her face still tear-stained.
"Buffy?" He had said. She had shaken her head no and said she needed to talk to him in private.
She had told him everything. Afterward he had tried to convince her not to do it, that he would protect
her and the baby. But she had refused. She had gone upstairs saying she needed to rest before going
back to Sunnydale. But she had cast the spell and slipped out the window.
The spell had caused everyone to think it was Darla who had slept with Angel that night. That
Darla was the mother of Angel and Willow's child. Of course Darla wouldn't appear for several months.
While doing the spell, she had gone inside of her womb and saw that the child she was carrying
was a boy. She had transferred her son into Darla's body, fully knowing he would be safe because of the
barrier she had put around him. No one would be able to get through it. Once Darla figured that out, she
would go to Angel.
Giving up her son had been the hardest thing she had ever done, but she knew he would live a safer
life because of her choice. Glory would never know about him. And Angel, his father, would keep him
safe. When Glory was gone, she would reverse the spell.
Now she was on her way home to help defeat Glory once and for all. And she was crying because
her unborn baby boy was not inside of her, but a vampire. And her heart ached for two people, a man and
a woman. For Angel, and for Tara. For Angel, there was still hope. But Tara was lost, and Willow would
never find her.
She was on Revello Drive now. In a few short minutes she would be at the Summer's house which
was now her home. Buffy and Dawn didn't know that Willow had been in Los Angels. They think she had
gone to get groceries, which were actually in the back seat.
It was a little confusing because the old memories and the new ones were mixed in her brain.
She pulled up in the driveway and shut off the Jeep that used to Mrs. Summer's. She got the
groceries out of the backseat and went in the house. It was late, she knew, but Buffy would still be awake.
She went into the kitchen to put the stuff away and found Buffy sitting at the counter, staring a something,
probably tea.
"Hey." Willow said. Buffy looked up.
"Hey." Buffy said. She looked at the bags in Willow's hands. "What'cha got?""Groceries. I couldn't sleep, so I went shopping." Willow said.
"Oh. No run-ins with our resident hell god I hope."
"Thankfully, no. How's Tara?" Willow sat down next to Buffy.
"Sleeping. She got a little restless a little while ago. I went up to check on her and found that
Dawn was already in there."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Ya know, sometimes that sister of mine really scares me. She can hear things faster than I
can. How does that work?" Buffy sipped her tea.
Willow shrugged. "Maybe it's a Key thing."
"It could be. There's just so much we don't know about what Dawn being the Key really means.
We've known for almost a year, and we haven't been able to figure it out. And we still haven't killed
Glory."
"We will. I know we will."
"It's just so confusing. I know that she wasn't always here, but it feels like it. Like when Angel
was Angelus. I know she wasn't there, but it feels like it."
"Yeah, I know the feeling. I remember Dawn catching me and Oz kissing a bunch of times, but
she wasn't there."
"Buffy!" Dawn yelled from upstairs.
"Glory." Both Willow and Buffy said at the same time. They ran upstairs to Joyce's old room.
"No! It's coming!" Willow heard Tara say.
"Buffy, help!" Dawn screamed.
"Coming!" Buffy shouted beside Willow. When they reached the room, Willow saw that Dawn
was struggling with a wild Tara. Dawn's eye was blue. Willow pulled Tara off Dawn and held her tight.
Buffy went to Dawn.
"Tara! Sshh. It's okay, I'm here. Ssshh." Willow said softly. But Willow couldn't hold her
anymore. Tara pushed her and she fell to the floor. Tears ran down Willow's cheeks. Buffy grabbed Tara
and held on to her.
"It's coming! It's coming!" Tara said.
"What's coming?" Buffy asked.
"No." Dawn said from behind Willow. "She's already here." Willow looked at Dawn and saw that
Glory was stand behind the teenager. Glory's hands were around Dawn's neck. Buffy moved toward
them, but Glory shook her head.
"Hey now. You know that she'd be dead before you got to her. So why even bother?" Glory
looked at Willow. "Hey there witch. How's your girlfriend? Still crazy?"
"Buffy!" Dawn squeaked. Glory squeezed her neck tighter.
"Hey now Dawnie. You really think big sis can save you?" Glory laughed. "She can't even get to
you."
"Let her go." Buffy snapped.
"Or what? You'll bore me to death? Nah. I think I'll play with her a little. She may not open
anything anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't want her dead." Glory raised her hand in a fist but stopped
in mid-punch. "Wait. The witch is hiding something. Not just from me, from the world." Glory dropped
Dawn and yanked Willow to her feet. "What's in that brain of yours? Should I do to you the same thing I
did to your girlfriend?" Willow shook her head. "Nah. I think it would be more fun to beat it out of you.
So tell me witch, whatcha hidin'?""I'll never tell you." Willow snarled. Glory punched her hard in the mouth. Willow tasted blood
and spit it out.
"Tell me!" Glory yelled. Willow refused too. Buffy and Dawn just stared in awe. Willow's
stomach grunted and she clutched it with her arms. Glory noticed and laughed. "Looks like Red conceived
an heir."
"No. It's impossible. I haven't been with a man in over a year." Willow said.
"Ah. But my sources say differently. Seems like there was one a couple of weeks ago." Glory
looked at something beyond Willow and smiled. "Mmm. He was a yummy one."
"Willow, what the hell is going on?" Buffy said. Willow looked over her shoulder and sawn that
Buffy was still struggling to calm Tara down.
"I don't know." Willow lied. She knew exactly what was going on. But how did Glory get past
her spell?
"Red knows exactly what's going on. Did you think you could hide him from me? Did you thing I
wouldn't find him sooner or later? He reeks of you."
"No." Willow pleaded.
"Oh, yes. I'll get you my pretty. And your little brat too." Glory dropped Willow and
disappeared.
"Willow, who is she talking about? Who's 'him'?" Dawn said.
"First, let me reverse the spell and call Angel. Then, I'll tell you everything." Willow said. She
ran to her room and slammed the door. She made a circle of magic black powder. She put candles around
the circle and lit them. She sat cross-legged in the middle of the circle. "Let the spell be ended!" She said
in Latin. White light that felt like fire circled around her and went into her stomach. She screamed in pain
and agony as her son was put back inside of her womb. When it was finished, she put another barrier
around her son. Her stomach bulged until her blouse ripped. She fell to her side and passed out.

When she woke up, she was in her bed. She still had the same shirt on. Light came in the window
and hurt her eyes. She sat up and grabbed the phone off of her side table. She dialed Angel's number.
"We help th-"
"Cordelia! I need to talk to Angel. It's extremely important."
"Willow? Is that you?" Cordelia said.
"Yes. Put Angel on!" Willow shouted.
"Oh, right. Here he is." Cordelia said.
"Willow! I was hoping you'd call. Listen, I remember ev-"
"That's great, but we have more pressing issues at the moment. Glory's coming there looking for
him, but she's not going to find him. He's here, with me." Willow said. She rubbed her stomach.
"Right. I'm coming there. I told you I'd protect both of you, and I am."
"But Angel, the sun!"
"I'll take the sewer. Did you tell Buffy yet?"
"No."
"Tell her now. She can protect you until I get there. And Willow, lay low. I love you too much to
lose you."
"I love you too Angel." Willow put the phone back on the receiver. She pulled the covers off and
jumped out of bed. She ran down the hall and downstairs.
Buffy, Tara, and Dawn were all in living room. Buffy looked up. She had a grim expression on
her face.
"You owe us a really big explanation." Buffy said harshly."I promised I'd tell you everything. So I am." Willow sat down on the chair and told them
everything. When she finished, she sighed.
"Wow. So that's . . . everything." Dawn said.
Willow nodded. "Yes. Every last detail. Only not, because well, duh! Personal stuff. But yeah.
What I told you is true."
"What the hell were you thinking? You could have brought Angelus back!" Buffy snapped.
"I wasn't thinking, Buffy. I was hurt, and depressed. All I thought about was getting rid of this
feeling that I'm not needed. Angel wasn't thinking straight either. His foot was so far in the puddle of evil
that all he wanted was to feel. Neither of us thought about the consequences of our actions. And besides.
Because I re-ensouled him, I can't make him lose his soul. No matter how many moments of true
happiness I give him, his soul stays put."
"Oh. So you just took advantage of that. You decided to sleep with my ex-"
"You know what, Buffy. That's right. He is your ex. As in, he's single. He's not yours
anymore."
"So he's yours now?" Buffy snapped.
"Stop it!" Dawn shouted. "Right now Glory is after three of the five people in this house, and you
two are fighting over a guy? Get over it."
"Five?" Buffy looked at her sister.
"Yeah. Me, you, Tara, Willow, and Willow's unborn baby. That's five." Dawn said.
"Yes. Dawn's right. Angel told me to lay low until he got here. Which I am happy to do because,
whew! This kid is only two months along and he's already kicking up a storm." She wiped her forehead
and collapsed into the chair.
"Really? Can I feel?" Dawn asked.
"Sure. Come here." Willow said. Dawn came over and sat on the arm of the chair. Willow took
Dawn's fingers and put them where the baby was kicking.
"Cool!" Dawn said. She made a face. "But also creepy."
"Why is it creepy?" Willow asked.
"Because there's life in there. Human life. And he's moving. And it's on the inside of someone I
know. Like I said, creepy, but in a good way." Dawn said.
"Willow, I'm sorry I got so mad at you. I shouldn't have blown up like that. You're right. Angel
and I aren't together anymore. I guess I was just a little jealous, though I had no right to be. But I've just
gotta ask. Are you in love with him?" Buffy said.
Willow really didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she loved him or not. "I-I . . . I don't
know."
"How can you not know?" Dawn asked.
"Because. If I say yes, then that means Tara and I were really over. If I say no, then I'll be lying
to myself and our child." She looked at her best friend. "What do I do, Buffy?" Willow looked at Buffy,
then Tara, then Buffy again.
"I don't know, Wil. I just don't know." Buffy said.
"We're going to take down the filthy s.o.b. hell god that wants my son." A voice said from the
kitchen. Angel stepped in the living room, a blanket on his head. His hands were burned very badly. His
hair was gone, his face barely even recognizable. His clothes were torn and ragged. Buffy fidgeted and
Willow knew she was uncomfortable."Angel!" Willow jumped up and ran to him. She hugged him tight, and he hugged her back.
"Angel!" She croaked. "I . . need to . . . breathe." he instantly let go of her.
"I'm sorry." Angel said.
"That's okay." Willow kissed him heavily on the lips.
"Get a room!" Dawn giggled. Buffy laughed too.
"Rooms are for the people." Tara said. Willow couldn't help but laugh, even thought it was
disappointing that Tara was still like that.
"Angel, what happened?" Willow asked, edging on panic.
"Sun. Nearest sewer access was two blocks away." Angel said.
"Oh, baby. I'm sorry." Willow said.
"I'm fine. Just a little scorched. Where's this Glory?" Angel asked. Willow sat back down on the
chair, and Angel sat on the arm of the chair next to her.
"We don't know. She attacked not to long ago. Then she disappeared." Buffy said. It was the
first time she hand spoken since Angel had gotten there.
Angel looked at Buffy. For a second, Willow was just a little jealous. But when Angel put his
hand on Willow's thigh and gave it a squeeze, she was convinced that Angel was hers and hers alone. The
look he gave Buffy was just that of an ex ?acknowledging their former girlfriend or boyfriend. Willow
wasn't worried in the least.
"What's Glory's deal?" Angel asked.
"Well, as you can see by looking at Tara, she sucks people's brains out because being here on
earth is driving her insane, literally. She wanted Dawn because Dawn is the Key. But we got to her before
she did the ritual." Buffy said. "The ritual is-"
"I know what the ritual is. Willow told me." Angel said.
"When did she tell you?" Dawn said.
"When she came that night." Angel said. "The morning after we talked for awhile."
"Oh." Dawn said. Willow snuggled into Angel's chest and moaned. She was so tired and felt so
weak.
"O comes after N." Tara giggled. Willow was sorry to say it, but she was in no condition to take
care of Tara tonight. She looked at Buffy and Dawn with her famous pleading expression, with a hint of
Resolve Face. It must have worked because Buffy nodded at her and laughed.
"I promise Dawn and I will worry about Tara tonight. You just rest up. And Angel, just let her
sleep." Buffy said.
"What?" Angel said innocently.
"Don't be shy, Angel. I know about the two of you and I'm fine with it. You and I, we're over. I
understand that. But, if you hurt her I'll kick your vampire behind and stick Mr. Pointy through your
heart." Buffy said. Dawn nodded.
"And I'll take your ashes and throw them in the fireplace and burn them until there's nothing left."
Dawn said.
"Hey!" Willow said. "There are little ears in the room! He can hear you! No mention of death,
violence, ashes, or burning in front of the baby." She pointed to her stomach. "And besides. We don't even
know what his powers are going to be." They looked at her strangely. "I read in one of Giles' books that a
witch passes on her magic to her children. Which in turn gives them active powers."
"I hope he can't read minds. Or you two are going to have a serious problem." Buffy said. Theyall laughed, except for Tara, who just sat looked strangely at them. Then Willow felt a sharp jab in her
stomach and gasped in pain. She stopped laughing.
"What is it, sweetie?" Angel said. She barely hear him. She grabbed his shoulder and squeezed as
hard as she could.
"Is the baby kicking again." Dawn said. Willow jerked her head from side to side to say no. She
knew it wasn't a kick. But something, no someone else. It was Glory, otherwise called Glorificus.
"G-Glory!" Willow gasped.
"What!?" Angel shouted.
"S-She's . . ." Willow groaned and clutched her stomach. "S-she's ripping the b-baby out!"
Willow panted and tried to catch her breath. In the background, she heard Tara whimpering and crying.
"I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something?" Willow heard Glory, but didn't see the hell god. Then
Glorificus appeared, her hands inside of Willow's stomach. "Oh, well. I'll just carry on then." Glory dug
her hands in Willow's stomach even deeper. Willow could feel her grab a hold of the baby.
"A-Angel!" Willow mouthed. She tried doing magic, but she couldn't think straight. She couldn't
even breathe. She knew that if she lost consciousness, she would probably never wake up, and her baby
would be dead. She tried with all her strength and power to stay awake. She tried, she really did. "I t-tried
. . ." She whispered. The world went dark.

Angel saw his Willow collapse and go limp. "No!" He screamed.
He and Buffy were trying to get Glory off of Willow. Dawn was with Tara on the floor. Tara was
screaming her head off and struggling to get away from Dawn. But Angel couldn't think about Dawn or
Tara or Buffy. All he could think about was this evil hell god that was killing and his Willow and his
unborn child. He could hear a human heartbeat from within Glory. If he could draw the human out, he
could kill the male and that would hopefully get rid of Glory.
"Hey. You're the yummy honey who fathered Red's brat." Glory said.
"Who's inside of you, huh? Why don't you tell him to come out and play?" Angel taunted.
"You think I'm afraid of a vampire? I took out the blonde one without so much as breaking a nail.
You'll be easy." Glory said.
"Really? Was that blonde one Spike? Well. You'll be pleased to know that Spike is the biggest
wuss I've ever grand-sired. Of course you could beat him. But what about me? Be him. Be the man
who's inside of you. Be him! Be him!" Angel bellowed.
"Alright, alright. Stop screaming . . ." Glory stopped mid-sentence and changed into the male.
" . . . like an idiot." The male finished. He looked at Angel. "Who are you?"
"I'm a very pissed off vampire. And you're human." He picked Willow up off the ground and
gently shoved her at Buffy. The Slayer caught her and set her on the couch. Angel saw Dawn go over to
Willow and kneel beside the witch. Angel vamped out and leapt at the man. Angel growled and bit down
on the male's neck. He drank the blood, and it gave him a rush. Glory's power was in it. Convinced he
had enough to get rid of Glory, he stopped drinking. He punched Glory's alter ego and the male went
flying back. He went through the wall and crashed to the outside. The man changed back into Glory.
"I'll be back for what's rightfully mine!" Glorificus shouted. Then she disappeared.
Angel ran back into the house and straight to his Willow. Buffy and Dawn were kneeling beside
the red-haired witch. Tara was sitting on the floor, her knees up to her chin.
"Buffy? Is she-" Angel couldn't bring himself to say it. "She's alive. But her pulse is weak, and her breathing's shallow. We need to get her to a doctor."
Buffy said. Angel looked out side. The side was just about set.
"I'll take her there. You guys stay here, lay low." Buffy and Dawn nodded. Angel picked Willow
up and flew out the door.

"Help! Somebody help her! Please!" Angel kicked open the door of the hospital's emergency
room. Everyone stared at him. Then a man in a white lab coat and a nurse ran up to him.
"What happened, sir?" The man asked. Angel set Willow down on a nearby bed.
"S-She was attacked. Please, you have to save them!" Angel said. He couldn't lose Willow or
their child.
"Sir, was someone else hurt? Is someone else coming?" The doctor said.
"No! The . . . baby. Glory, she tried to--"
"Tried to do what, sir?" The doctor said.
"Never mind. Just help her! She's . . . she's" He looked down into Willow's closed eyes.
"Is she your wife?"
"Uh, no. She's the mother of my child." He looked down at Willow's stomach. There were two
huge bruises where Glory had dug into her.
"She's pregnant?"
"Ah, yeah. She's about two and a half months along. But . . . but you have to save them!"
"Okay sir. I'll show you to a waiting room." The nurse said. The doctor wheeled Willow down a
hall and disappeared through doors. The nurse led him to a chair and he sat down, completely unfazed as
the nurse talked to him. He only caught a little of what she said.
" . . . family . . . call . . . attacked . . ." On the last word he jerked, remembering the horrible
encounter with the hell god. "Sir?"
"Huh?"
"I asked you if there was any family of Miss Rosenberg's that you need to call."
"No. No family. Just friends. Her parents . . . they're not close anymore." Angel said. He had
never even met her parents.
"Okay. There's a pay phone in the lounge, if you want privacy."
Angel nodded. "Thanks." He knew he should call Buffy and tell her he got there in time. And he
should call his friend in Los Angeles. And Giles. And Xander. And even though he hated to admit it, Mr.
and Mrs. Rosenberg. But he didn't know the number. Buffy probably knew. He should call Buffy first.
That's what he should do.
He stood up and walked to the lounge. A mental patient was ranting and getting restless beside
him, but he didn't even care. It was like he was completely unaffected by the world around him. He
pushed through the lounge doors. Angel sat down at a chair where the phone was. He picked it up and
dialed Buffy's number.
"Angel?" Dawn said.
"Yeah. Can I talk to your sister?" Angel said.
"Sure. She's in the kitchen." Dawn paused for a minute. "Here she is."
"How is she?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know. I just got here." Angel said. In the background he heard something clatter to the
floor.
"Tara, no!" Angel heard Dawn shout."What happened?" Angel asked Buffy.
"Tara's been antsy since the attack. It's because Willow isn't here."
"Oh." Angel said, his voice flat.
"Angel, you don't have to worry. Willow's your girl. She's not going anywhere. Even if Tara . . .
get better."
"I know."
"And besides. Willow's not the kind of person to intentionally hurt someone. No matter who they
are."
"Oh, do you know Willow's parents' number?"
"Yeah. Sure I do. Wait, why do you need their number? Is Willow dying?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. Don't you think they should be called?"
"Hell no. They won't care."
"Think, Buffy. It Dawn had been hurt while you were on that quest, and no one had even tried to
contact you."
"That's different, and you know it. Dawn's my sister, not my daughter. And besides, that
wouldn't happen. They would try. Willow would--" Angel heard a series of sobs come out from Buffy.
"What's the matter, Buffy?" Angel asked.
"Everything's falling apart, Angel. Mom's dead. Tara's lost. Glory wants Dawn. And now
Willow's . . ." Buffy cried again.
"It's gonna be okay Buffy." Angel said. The door to the lounge opened and a nurse came in.
"Sir, the doctor needs to speak with you." The nurse said.
"Is she okay? Is she okay?" Angel slammed the phone back on the receiver.
"The doctor should talk to you." Angel followed the nurse out of the lounge and to a chair in the
lobby. A doctor came up to him.
"Are you Mr. Angel?" The doctor said. Angel wondered how the doctor knew his name.
"Yes. Is Willow okay? Is the baby okay?"
"Both of them are fine. She's been asking for you ever since she woke up. The baby is perfectly
healthy. No real damage occurred. Though Miss Rosenberg will be quite sore for a few weeks. Would
you like to see her?"
"Yes, please." Angel thought he'd never ask.

"Angel!" Willow whispered breathlessly as he came into the room. She leaned forward and
reached for his hand, but yelped as her stomach stretched. She pulled her hand back and panted. The pain
had made her lose her breath for a minute.
Angel came over to her and sat beside her. She squeezed his hand. She slowly sat up and leaned
into his strong chest. He put his arms around her shoulders.
"Is the baby okay? Am I okay? No one will tell me anything." She said hoarsely.
"Everything's fine. The doctor told me that neither of you suffered any real damage." He kissed
her on the forehead.
"Angel, I can't live like this anymore! Glory's taken so much from me. Tara's gone. And almost
our son and my own life. And Dawn and Buffy almost died too. I can't bear to think if she had gotten you
too."
"We're going to get through this, I promise you. We're going to kill that hell-god." Angel said.
Willow looked into his eyes. "Our child will be safe."
"You promise?" She said in her most innocent voice."I promise." Angel said. She gave him a quick kiss and looked into his eyes again.
"Promise?" Willow said again. She was just teasing him now.
"I promise." Angel said. He didn't even seem to be annoyed or angry. He was mellow, like Oz
was. Willow kissed him again, but this time made it last longer.
"Shame on you!" Willow and Angel broke the kiss and looked over at the door. It was Buffy,
Dawn, and Tara. "Here we are, worried that Willow was dead, and here you two are, making with the
smoochies." The three girls came in. "We were worried sick! Angel, why did you hang up on me?"
"The doctor wanted to talk to me. To tell me that Willow was awake and asking for me."
"Oh. But that's no excuse for making out while your friends are worried." Buffy said. "And
besides. We're in the middle of a crisis."
"Hel-lo! I'm in pain here! Stop fighting!" Willow said. Everyone looked at her. Buffy's face
went from anger to guilt.
"I'm sorry, Wil." Buffy said. "You know how Angel and I fight. But don't worry. He's yours
know, and I accept that."
"Thanks Buffy." She looked at everyone else. "Ah, could I talk to Buffy? Alone?"
"Sure." Dawn said. She grabbed Tara by the arm. "Come on, Tara. Let's go get a snack." the
teenager led Tara out of the room. Angel didn't move.
"Please, Angel? I'll be fine. Go with Dawn and Tara. Be protecto-man."
"Okay. Buffy, come get me if anything happens." Angel said. Buffy nodded. He walked out of
the room.
"So, what's up?" Buffy said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not ready for this!" Willow said.
Buffy raised her eyebrows. "Not ready for what, talking to me?"
"No. For everything else. For being in such a delicate relationship, with a guy no less. I mean,
Buffy, do you really think I'm ready to be a mother?"
"Yes, I do. You're going to be a great mother, Wil."
"I've been wondering how this all happened. I mean, vampires aren't supposed to conceive a child.
So, why did Angel?"
"I don't know. I think that's Giles' department, ya know? I'm better with the killin'."
"Buffy!" Willow pointed to her stomach.
"I'm sorry!" I'm not used to having a baby around."
"You had Dawn!"
"That's different."
"How is it different?"
"I'm the Slayer now. I wasn't when Dawn was born. And now I'm an adult. And the father of
your baby is my ex-boyfriend."
"Well yeah, but still. You have more experience with babies than I do. I've babysat before. But
then I only had to watch them for a little while, then I gave them back. Now, this baby won't be leaving.
It's like a permanent deal. What if I, like, lose him or something."
"You're gonna be fine, Willow." Willow just ignored her.
"How are Angel and I going to take care of him? I don't have a job, because, well, college girl.
And Angel just has a detective agency. Oh God, where are we gonna live? He's in Los Angeles, and I'm
in Sunnydale. And Tara, I have to take care of her too! And what if she never comes back?"
"Willow."
"And how is Angel going to feel, having Tara around. What about Glory? What if she takes him? No, I won't let her. I'll kill that bi--"
"Willow! Ears, remember!"
"Oops. Guess I entered babble world." She pulled the plastic gown up a little just above her
stomach. "I'm sorry, baby." She put her gown back down.
Buffy laughed. Willow just stared at her. "I'm sorry! I can't help it. It's just so adorable!" Buffy
laughed again.
"Buffy!" Willow whined.
"I always thought you would be the whiner." Buffy and Willow jerked their heads to face the voice.
Glory. Buffy stopped laughing. Willow crouched behind the Slayer, hoping that her best friend could
protect her and the baby. Her bruises stretched and she screamed in pain.
"Wil, stay down." Buffy said. Willow was more than happy to obey. Buffy stood up. "You know,
I'm really getting sick of you, Glorificus. You tried to kidnap my sister, we got her back. You tried to kill
me, it didn't work. You thought you had the Key, but it was just my friend. And you may have sucked her
brains out, but we'll get her back. You tried to rip my best friend's child out of her own womb, but as you
can see, she's still alive and pregnant." Willow yelped in pain as she crawled off the bed and behind a
chair.
"Barely. Where's the boytoy? Off raidin' the blood bank?" Glory said. Willow said nothing. She
just looked at Buffy, pleading with her to stop this. "Oh well. I can kill a little witch and her baby without
an audience. Just makes it that much more fun. Come on Red, let's go." Glory reached around Buffy and
grabbed Willow's hand. The hell god dragged the witch along the floor.
"No!" Willow screamed. She saw Buffy try to stop Glory, but the hell god punched the Slayer
sending her flying out the door and through a wall. Buffy didn't move. "Angel!" Willow shouted at the top
of her lungs.
"Here!" Angel said two seconds later. Willow and Angel's eyes met, and as soon as Angel saw
Glory, his face morphed into his vampire visage. "Get your hand off my girlfriend!"
"Hmmm. What are you going to do about it? Make Ben come out? Beat up a human? I'm so
scared. Don't think so." She punched Angel with her free hand, but Angel moved out of the way. Yes,
Willow thought. Glory punched Angel again, and this time hit his face. He dropped to the floor, out cold.
But Glory still had a hold of her. She had to get away. Now. She wrapped her legs one of the bolted
chairs, trying to make Glory let go of her hand. But Glory just squeezed tighter. Willow heard her own
bones cracking as Glory squeezed it. Blood dripped out as Glory dug her sharp fingernails into Willow's
flesh.
"Aaahhh!" Willow screamed. She looked down and saw a large puddle of blood on the floor.
"How does it feel, witch. It's exactly what I did to your little girlfriend. She didn't scream quite as
much, though. Oh well. Just goes to show who had more spine, or bone."
Then Glory flew across the room for what seemed like no apparent reason. Where Glory had been
standing, Buffy now stood. She looked ragged and disheveled looking. Glory disappeared.
"Come on, we have to get out of here." Buffy grabbed Willow good hand. She went over to Angel,
picked him up, and flung him over her shoulder. Willow struggled to keep up as Buffy led her running
through the hospital. "Dawn! Dawn!" Dawn and Tara appeared, coming from the cafeteria. "Buffy, what happened?"
"We have to go. Glory attacked again." They ran out of the hospital and to Mrs. Summer's old
Jeep. Willow crawled in the back with great discomfort. Her hand was still bleeding and it really hurt.
Buffy got in the driver's seat. Dawn went up front. Tara was next to Willow. Angel was passed out on
the floor at Willow's feet. As soon as the last door was shut, Buffy drove off.
"Buffy," Willow said breathlessly. "Where are we going?"
"Los Angeles. To Angel's hotel. We're gonna pick up Giles, Xander, Anya and Spike first. We'll
get a van or something so we can all travel together." Buffy said. "Dawn, there's a towel in the glove
department. Give it to Willow so she can put it on her hand."
Dawn took the towel out and handed it back to Willow. Willow took it from the teenager and
wrapped her hand. She squeezed the towel to stop the bleeding. But it hurt, a lot. She hissed in pain.
"Does it hurt?" Dawn said softly.
"Very much. Just wish I had some, ah, pain reliever or something." Willow answered. She held
up her wounded hand. She carefully picked up Tara's injured hand. "See, baby. We match now."
"Ah, Willow. When we get to Angel's hotel we'll take you to a doctor for your hand. But once
you're done, we're leaving, okay?" Buffy said.
"Okay." Willow said.
"Why don't you guys get some rest. I'll keep driving. Oh, Dawn? There's also a bag in the glove
box. It has Tara's pills. Can you give them to her?" Buffy said.
"I got it. Could you just hand them back? And please don't make me reach. It hurts." Willow
said.
"Sure." Dawn said. Her voice was flat and expressionless. The teenager handed the pills back to
Willow. Willow took them and opened the bottle.
"What's wrong, Dawnie?" Willow asked.
"Nothing." Was all Dawn said.
"Yes there is. What's wrong?" Willow asked again.
"It's just, everyone keeps getting hurt because of me." Dawn said.
"That's . . . that's not true Dawn." Buffy said, her eyes still on the road.
"Yes, it is. Tara got hurt because Glory thought she was the Key, but I am. And because Willow
tried to fix Tara, Glory's after her and the baby. And Angel's out cold. And Willow's hand is hurt.
Wouldn't it just be better to let her kill me?"
"No, Dawnie. No." Buffy said.
"Dawn, none of this is your fault." Willow said. "Glory's after me and the baby because of
something I did. Not you. You didn't ask to be the Key. I understand that. It's not your fau- Whoa!" All
of a sudden there was a sharp pain in her gut.
"What's is it? What's wrong?" Buffy asked. She looked through the rear-view mirror.
"The baby, he kicked!" Willow said. She looked at Tara. "Tara, do you wanna feel the baby?"
Tara didn't answer, so Willow picked up her hand and placed it where the baby was kicking. The baby
kicked again and Tara's finger's bounced on Willow's stomach. "Wasn't that cool?"
Tara's eyes went wide and her gaze shifted from Willow's stomach and face. "Too much! Too
much!" Tara said. She rocked back and forth and started crying. She started stomping her feet. Willow
tried to calm her down, but it wasn't working. Willow went to touch Tara's cheek, but Tara pulled away.
She slapped Willow's hand and kept hitting her shoulder.
"Tara, stop it!" Willow said."What's she doing?" Buffy said.
"She won't stop hitting me!" Willow said.
"Evil, evil! All evil!" Tara said over and over. She started whimpering and crying.
"What is she talking about?" Dawn said. Some of Willow's blood from her hand dripped on the
floor.
"I don't know. She started freaking out when she felt the baby kick." Willow said. Angel moaned
on the floor. He got up and sat beside Tara.
"Where are we?" Angel said.
"Headed to your hotel." Willow said. He looked over at her.
"Are you okay?" Angel said.
"Not completely, but yeah. What about you?" Willow said.
"Groggy. And a little hungry." Willow looked over at him. "Pig's blood, honey. Not humans."
Willow relaxed and sighed in relief.
"Well, you can probably smell mine. Glory crushed my hand. Which, by the way, hurts like you
wouldn't believe."
"I know." Angel said.
"You had your hand crush before?" Willow asked.
"No. I knew you were bleeding. The smell of it was what woke me up."
"Okay, is anyone else creeped out by that?" Dawn asked.
"No, it smelled like . . . strawberries. Did you know that you can tell a lot by the way their blood
smells?" Angel said.
"And somehow, it must gets creepier." Buffy said.
"I think it's . . . sweet." Willow said. Dawn gagged.
"It aroused me." Angel said. Willow gave him a goofy grin and giggled. Buffy gagged now.
"Over share!" Buffy said.
"Get a room!" Dawn said.
"Okay, I think we will." Willow said. Angel laughed.
"No, no!" Buffy and Dawn said at the same time. Buffy turned the corner and Willow's stomach
stretched.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Angel said.
"Yeah." Willow said. "Just sore."
"We can grab some aspirin at Xander and Giles' house." Dawn said.
"That would be good." Willow said.
"We're closer to Xander's place." Buffy said. "In fact, we're there now." The car stopped.
"Angel, why don't you stay in the car with Willow and Tara. Dawn and I'll go in."
"Okay." Angel said. Dawn and Buffy got out of the car.
"Don't leave me with the evil!" Tara shouted as the car door closed. She started waving her arms,
but Willow held them down.
"What is she talking about?" Angel asked.
"I wish I knew." Willow sighed.
"And you said she's been like this for almost three months?" Angel said. Willow nodded. "It has
to be hard on you. So much stress."
"Yeah, it is. But I have to be strong. For everyone. If I wasn't here, Buffy would still be in a
coma and Glory would have Dawn." Willow said.
"That's why I love you. Because you're a hero." Angel said.
"Not so much. With the hero, I mean. But I could see why you love me."
"No, really. You are a hero. You've sacrificed everything to help Buffy." "Yeah, I guess I have. But it's no big deal. You know, I've never told anyone this, but I had the
biggest crush on you when I was in high school."
"Really?"
"Yeah. But I didn't tell anyone because you got with Buffy. Then I met Oz. Then you left. And
Oz left. And Tara came." She looked at Tara. who was asleep. "But now, Tara's gone."
"Don't say that." Angel said. "You'll get her back."
"And then what? I'm having a baby, Angel. Our baby. And I'm freaking out. How do I choose
between the two of you?"
"You have to let your heart decide. You'll choose what's right when the time comes."
"And when is that time gonna come? Now? Tomorrow? When I'm in labor? When, Angel?"
"I don't know. But when the time is right, you'll know."
The door opened, and Buffy appeared. "Guys, we're gonna rent a van. I'm gonna go get Giles
and the van and come back here. Why don't you guys go up until I get back?"
"Okay." Willow said. Buffy disappeared as she ran down the street. Willow looked at Angel.
"Could you please carry Tara in? If you're up to it, I mean." Angel nodded. "It's just, she's finally asleep,
and I don't wanna wake her."
"Sure." Angel said. He climbed out of the Jeep and Willow helped him slide Tara out of the
vehicle without waking her. "What about you? Are you okay to walk? I could hold your hand, just in
case."
"That would be wonderful." she slowly climbed out and stood up. She felt dizzy and stumbled a
little. Before she even knew what was happening, Angel hand was on her shoulder. "Thank you sweetie."
Willow slowly walked up Xander's driveway, Angel and Tara behind her. It seemed to take forever, but
she finally reached the door. She pressed Xander's button on the buzz-in machine.
"Who is it?" Came Anya's voice.
"It's Willow. Buzz us in."
"Okay. Wait, who's 'us'?"
"You'll see we get up there." Willow said. The machine buzzed and Willow opened the door. She
slowly climbed the steps to the first floor. She was about to climb the second flight when she felt a tap on
her shoulders.
She turned around. It had been Angel. "Ah, honey. Why don't we use the elevator?"
"Right. That would be easier than walking up four flights of stairs." She walked over to the
elevator, all the while holding her stomach. All this walking made it hurt. She pressed the up button and a
few seconds later the door opened. They stepped in. Willow pressed the four on the key and the elevator
went up. 1. 2. 3. 4. Ding! The door opened. They walked out and Willow led Angel up to Xander's
door. She knocked and waited.
"Who is it?" Xander said from the other side of the door.
"It's Willow. Let us in." The door opened. Xander came at her and hugged her. But he was
squeezing too hard. "Ow! Xander, let go!" He immediately did.
"Sorry." Xander said. " Come in. Where's Tara?" He obviously didn't see Angel.
"Angel's got her." Willow said. Xander's eyes went wide.
"It's true!?" Xander shouted. Tara stirred.
"Ssshhh!" Willow whispered. "Tara's finally asleep."
"You actually slept with him?" Xander shouted in whisper."Don't start. I'm in too much pain to deal with this. Can I please sit down?"
"Yes. Yes you can." Anya said. The ex-vengeance demon looked at Angel. "Xander was just
being an insensitive jerk, as always."
"Anya!" Xander said. "Come help me clear off the couch so Dead Boy can set Tara down." Anya
seemed unfazed at Xander's attempt to mock Angel. She went into the living room. Willow followed
Anya, as did Angel and Xander. Willow sat down on a chair and winced in pain.
When the couch was clear, Angel set Tara down and stood behind Willow. Xander and Anya sat
on the other chair. Willow looked down at her hand. It was throbbing, and still bleeding. She pressed
harder on the towel.
"So. Everything Buffy told us was true." Xander said.
"Yes." Willow said. Angel rubbed her shoulders and she sighed in pleasure.
"And he's still Angel right, not Angelus?" Anya said.
"Yes. I still have my soul." Angel said.
"Really. 'Cause I mean, Buffy told us, but I still don't understand. How in the hell does this
work?" Xander said.
"I re-ensouled him, so I can't make him lose his soul."
"So, let me get this straight. You slept with him, and now you're pregnant." Willow nodded. And
Glory wants both you and the baby dead."
"Yes." Willow said.
"And now, we're goin' on a field trip to Dead Boy's house." Xander said. Angel nodded.
"Hey, where's Dawn?" Willow said.
"She's asleep in our bedroom." Xander said.
"Oh. Well, sleep sounds really good right now." Willow said. "I am so tired." Angel stopped
massaging her shoulders. "Hey, why'd you stop?" She turned her head to look at him.
"Sorry." Angel said. He started again.
"Thank you." Willow said.
"Why don't you do that, Xander?" Anya said.
"Do what?" Xander said.
"Massage my shoulders with your manly hands." Anya said.
"I don't know." Xander said.
"You massage me other places, but never my shoulders." Anya said. Willow looked at Xander and
saw that he was blushing.
"Do you remember that talk we had?" Xander said.
"The one where you told me that our personal life is between the to of us?" Anya said.
"Yes. Right now, you are over sharing." Xander said.
"But I'm confused. Angel and Willow are talking about their s-"
"Hey! We're right here!" Willow said.
"Yes, but we're talking about your personal life. The one that's causing all the problems. The one
that made a baby who Glory wants to kill. And now we have to leave our comfortable homes to go to Los
Angeles, a place we've never been. And the only two who have every been there are the two of you."
Willow just stared at her. "Did I mention I'm confused?"
"Once or twice." Angel said. "You know, you're just like Cordelia."
"How?" Xander said.
"Yeah, they are." Willow said. "They both say what's on their mind without thinking about it first.
They both have dated Xander. They only real difference is the color of their hair. But even Cordelia acted
like a blonde.""Actually, Cordy dyed her hair blonde and cut it shorter." Angel said.
"Oh. I didn't notice. They really are alike." Willow said.
"Who's alike?" Dawn came in from Xander and Anya's bedroom. She rubbed her eyes.
"Anya and Cordelia." Willow said. "How was your nap?"
"Good. Is Buffy back yet?" Dawn asked.
"Nope." Willow said. Dawn sat on the arm of the chair where Tara was sleeping.
"I have a question." Dawn said. "How exactly is going to Los Angeles going to help us?"
Well, you'll have more people to help out. More room. You can all stay in the hotel. Maybe
resources." Angel said.
"That's my guy. Always got a plan." Willow sighed dreamily. She stopped when the door opened.
"Got a van. Let's go." Buffy said.Six and a half months later; Los Angeles, California
"Angel!" Willow whined. "I am so sick of being pregnant!"
She was lying bed on her side with Angel right next to her, his arms around her. Her stomach was
killing her, and she had a massive headache.
"I know honey. But remember, it could happen any day now. So don't stress yourself." Angel
said.
"I want him to come out now! It hurts, Angel. And I'm as big as a house." Willow whined.
"But you're a very beautiful house." Angel joked. Willow laughed for a minute then remembered
so was supposed to be whining. She hit him on the shoulder.
"You're supposed to be helping me. Not making fun of me."
"Who said I'm making fun? You are very beautiful." He kissed her.
"And you're very handsome." Willow smiled. She kissed him, but her stomach felt queasy. "Hold
that thought." She ran for the bathroom.
When she was finished, she got a washcloth wet and out it on her forehead. She went back to her
and Angel's room.
"Sweetie, I'm gonna go get some saltines." Willow said. She put her robe on and headed for the
door.
"Okay, but don't be gone for too long. Doctor Cordelia said you were supposed to rest." Angel
said. She gave him one last kiss and said she would only be gone for a minute. She went out into the hall.
She looked down to avoid seeing The Room. Out of habit, she looked at the door to The Room. Memories
flooded her brain. Memories of how Tara died. It all came back to her.
Over the months since they got to Los Angeles, Tara had gotten worse. Her rantings happened
more often, and she couldn't be calmed down. They had to restrain her arms and legs at night. They
couldn't take her out in public anymore because she would get extremely agitated and wild. She was
uncomfortable around everyone but Dawn. She didn't even know who Willow was anymore.
One morning Willow had awoken and had gone to check on Tara. She had gone in Tara's room to
bring her down to breakfast. She had seen that Tara was sitting up in bed, the restraints off her arms. But
she wasn't staring into space like she usually did. She was attentive, and alert. As soon as Willow had
opened the door, Tara had jerked her head to face Willow.
"Willow, where am I?" Tara had said.
To Willow, is had sounded like the old Tara. The one from before Glory's brutal attack. But
Willow had had to be sure.
"Baby? Tara, is that really you?" Willow has gone over to the bed and undid the leg restraints."Yes. Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" Tara had said. Willow was convinced.
"It's you! It's really you!" Willow had hugged her.
"What do you mean? What are you talking about?"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
"Glory thought you were the Key, so she attacked you. When she found out you weren't, she . . .
sucked out your brain."
"What!?"
"Yeah. I've been trying for months to bring you back. And now you're her."
"I guess I am. Wait, months? How long have I been . . . like this?"
"Almost ten months. A lot has changed."
"Like what?"
"Well, we're in Los Angeles, at Angel's hotel hiding from Glory. We haven't been able to get rid
of them."
"What about everyone else? Are they okay?"
"Yeah. I was going to bring you down for breakfast. Wanna say hi to everyone?"
"Sure. But first, tell me that you're all right. Tell me you're okay."
"I'm fine." Willow said. She looked down at the floor. "Listen Tara, there's a lot I need to
explain. About me and--" She looked up. Tara was lying back down on the bed, her eyes wide. Willow
noticed her chest wasn't rising and falling like it should be. She checked Tara's pulse. There wasn't one.
Willow screamed.
"No!" She sobbed. She got up, back away from the bed toward the wall. When she hit the wall,
she ran out of the room and downstairs to the lobby. Buffy, Dawn, Angel, and Cordelia were sitting at the
table. "S-she's-" Willow said. She fell to her knees and started crying. "S-she's dead!"
"Willow, who are you talking about?" Buffy had said.
"Tara." Willow sniffled. "She came back to normal. She was fine. We talked. She was fine. She
asked me how I was. I said fine. I looked up, and saw she was dead." Willow just let the sobs come out.
Angel came up to her and stood her up. "Why did she have to die? I could have taken care of her. She
could have lived." Willow said. "Why Angel? Why?" She pressed her face in his chest and cried.
"Ssshh. It's okay." Angel said. He kissed her forehead.
"How is it okay?" Willow snapped. "How is okay that she's dead?"
"She's at peace now, Willow. She's not suffering anymore." Dawn said.
Two days later, they had buried her.
Thinking back, Willow remembered being angry at Tara for dying. Now she was just sad. She
also remembered going into false labor that day. That was three weeks earlier. And with the baby coming
at any time now, Willow was on edge.
She grazed the door to Tara's old room with her fingers and continued down the hall. She went
down the stairs to the lobby. She just saw Anya and Xander at the table.
"Morning, Wil." Xander said. He was reading the paper.
"Morning Xander, Anya." Willow said.
"How ya feelin'"Xander said.
"Queasy. And achy." Willow said. She sat down. She saw Fred sneak down the stairs towards
the kitchen. "Hey Fred." Fred jumped, stopped, and turned to them."Ah, hi." Fred said. The girl was still traumatized from being stuck in a demon dimension called
Pylea for five years. She ran out of the room.
"When is she going to stop being crazy?" Anya said. "It's annoying."
Willow rolled her eyes. "Anya, she's not crazy." Xander said. "She's just . . . shy."
"If she's not crazy , then I'm rich." Anya said. The baby kicked and Willow put her arms around
her stomach.
"What's wrong!? Are you in labor?" Xander said. He got up and went over to her. He held out
his arms to her. Willow shook her head.
"No. He's just kicking." Willow said. She pushed his arms away.
"Don't worry me like that!" Xander said. He sat back down.
"I'm fine." Willow said. "Honest." Buffy and Dawn walked down the stairs.
"How's the mom-to-be?" Buffy said.
"Great. Well, as great as one feels when they're over nine months pregnant." Willow said.
"Exactly. You should be up in bed. Not down here." Buffy said.
"Or you-know-who isn't gonna be happy." Dawn said.
"You bet I'm not gonna be happu." Cordelia said as she walked in the room from her office. She
went straight over to Willow and stood her up. "Now shoo! Back to bed with you Missy!" Cordy gently
pushed her toward the stairs.
"But--" Willow pouted. They climbed the first few stairs. She flet a little queasy, but then it went
away.
"No buts. Now you're gonna go back in that bed and stay there until that boy of yours comes
out." Willow gave up. There was no way she was winning this by herself. She looked at Buffy and the
others for help. They were all staring at her wide eyed and silent.
"Ah, Cordelia--"
"Nope. You're gonna go up there and stay." Cordy said. "Doctor Cor--"
"Cordelia!" Willow shouted. Cordy stopped talking and they both stopped climbing. "What's
wrong with them?"
Cordelia looked back too. Willow could see that Cordy was just as confused. Then, Willow
watched as Cordelia looked down at their feet.
"Willow, don't freak out or anything, but your water just broke." Cordelia said. There was a fake
smiled on her face.
"Oh no! I'm in labor!" Willow screamed. She gasped as the first contraction hit her. "Aaahh!"
To Be Continued . . .