The most important thing

The next morning Buffy awoke to the sound of crying. She stretched and tried to put the events of last night together. Then she heard Dawn cooing, "It's okay, Anna. You are such a pretty baby. Yes, you are. Are you wet? Is that what you are trying to tell me? I'll fix it. Shh. I'll make it better."

Then Buffy rushed out into the hall. She remembered finding a baby on patrol last night and bringing it home with her. She called to her younger sister. "Dawn, how is she? Did she sleep alright? Bring her downstairs and get ready for school. I'll worry about giving her a bottle and getting her dressed."

Dawn did as she was told. Anna gurgled and cooed when she caught sight of Buffy. Buffy smiled but then her smile faded. "Oh crap! I'll have to call Xander. We don't have bottles, formula, or diapers. How did you change her, Dawn?"

Dawn answered, "The diapers for that live parenting baby work just fine. I just put one of those on her. We should get real diapers though."

After Dawn was at school Buffy called Xander and he answered on the third ring. "Buffy, why are you calling so early? Is Dawn ok?"

Buffy laughed. "Yeah Dawn is fine. I have a rather stupid question slash favor to ask you. Could you please go to the store and get bottles, formula, diapers, and a crib? When I brought Anna home last night I wasn't focused on the little details. I only cared about making her safe."

Xander sighed. "I'll be over in about half an hour with the stuff. Is she doing alright? Do you need someone to watch her while you are in class? I can take one day off work."

Buffy started to answer Xander when Anna began to cry. Buffy quickly picked her up and bounced her on her hip. While still bouncing Anna she answered, "That would be nice. Thanks Xander. I'll see you when you get here."

An hour later Xander was sitting on the couch holding baby Anna in his arms. Anya sat next to him. She reached out a hand and timidly stroked the baby's cheeks. Xander smiled. "You can hold her if you want. I'm going to go get those baby toys out of the car. She'll really like that teddy bear."

Anya took Anna from Xander and held her gently to her chest. Before Xander left she asked, "How could anyone leave such a sweetie all alone? Xander, I just don't understand."

Xander put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be ok. Do you want to feed her?"

Anya nodded and Xander handed her the bottle. Then he went to go get the toys out of Anya's car. While Xander was away Anya held the bottle to Anna's lips. Softly she began to sing, "La Lu, La Lu, oh my little star sweeper I'll sweep the star dust for you. La Lu, La Lu, little soft fluffy sleeper here comes a pink cloud for you. La Lu, La, Lu, little wandering angel fold up your wings close your eyes. La Lu, La Lu, let love be your keeper. La Lu, La Lu, La, La, Lu."

When Xander came back into the house with several bags full of toys he was happy to see Anna sound asleep in his girlfriend's arms. Quietly he walked over to them. "Buffy mentioned it took awhile to get her to sleep last night. How did you do it?"

Anya smiled. "I don't know. There is just something about this that feels so right. Its like all of the darkness in this world fades."

Xander nodded slowly. "I should put her in her cradle. Anya? What's with that look? Come on baby, talk to me."

Anya handed Xander the baby without a word, but that silence spoke volumes. Anya wanted nothing more then to have a baby of her own. Gently Xander stroked his girlfriend's cheek. "Anya, taking care of a baby is a big responsibility. I don't know if either one of us is ready for that. Don't get me wrong… I think you'd be a great mom. It's just the whole saving the world thing… helping Buffy doesn't really leave a lot of extra time… come on honey, don't cry."

Anya snapped, "Shut up! You don't understand! Men will never understand why women act the way they do around babies… Just leave me alone! I'll walk home!"

Xander reached out to grab Anya's hand only to find that their fight had woken up Anna. Xander calmly soothed the baby. "Shh. I'm sorry. Uncle Xander is just a big goof. You are safe. Shh….. Go back to sleep."

Just then Buffy came home. She took one look at the two of them and heard Anna crying. She rushed over as quickly as she could without scaring her. Xander handed her the baby and then turned to Anya. "Honey, sweetheart, I never said we wouldn't try. I love you more then anything. You are my whole world. I know I messed up, but I love you."

Buffy came back into the room after placing Anna in her crib. "Anya, I don't know what happened here. What I do know is that Xander has never been happier then when he is with you. He loves you so much."

Anya opened her mouth and closed it again. Once she could speak she said. "Xander, I'm sorry. I love you too, it's just… taking care of Anna made me see how nice it would be to have a baby of my own. I'm not going to live forever and I don't want to miss out on the chance."

Buffy smiled at her friends. Then she pulled Anya into a hug. "You can take care of Anna anytime you want. And one day, if it is meant to be, you and Xander can have a little one of your own. The important thing is that you have each other now. Love is the most important thing."