Last Time: Lies don't last long, and Buffy learns that the hard way, when Harmony tells Cordelia about the pregnancy and the other Scoobies and Joyce find it out too.

Children Of Darkness

Seventh Chapter – Loyalty

Being a Saturday, Buffy stayed home dressing a loose pair of shorts and a black T-shirt with 'property of Angelus' written in red, especially made for her – a gift from Angelus on the early days of their relationship, right after they found out about their babies. For the first time since she realized she would be a mother, Buffy was wearing clothes that showed her swollen stomach.

"You look lovely, honey", Angelus kissed her soundly.

"Maybe you should take my stuff upstairs while I clean this mess", she said when he stood up to his full height. As always, she felt little, safe and secure next to him. Angelus nodded and went upstairs. Buffy was folding the sheets when her spidey-sense kicked in, and four vampires surrounded her. The leader was apparently a woman with violet eyes and black hair.

"Well, well, well", she said with a smirk, game-face on and fangs gleaming under the dim light. "The Slayer stopped by. How nice of you", the soulless lilac orbs traveled up and down Buffy's body, stopping at the protruding belly. "And you brought an appetizer!"

"Touch the slayer and daddy will kill you, Rosabella", Drusilla said as she walked down the stairs. The vampires fell to their knees, but not the woman the brunette seer called Rosabella.

"She will kill us, mistress Drusilla. And so will her child after her", Rosabella said.

"None of them will", Angelus said. Rosabella's face shifted from the demonic visage to her normal face. Buffy recalled how Angel preferred that she didn't see him in game-face and squeezed Rosabella's neck tightly.

"I can snap your neck right now if I feel like it" She threatened. "Angelus is mine. Touch him and you'll be dust".


"Siblings!" Drusilla repeated over and over again. The brunette vampire took the blonde slayer in her arms and spun her around, making Buffy laugh. The whole scenery made Angelus chuckle, but, as Buffy paled, he warned:

"Enough of that, Dru, otherwise mummy will throw up".

"I have to tell Miss Edith", Drusilla put Buffy down and kissed her cheek. "I'm sure she will help me take care of the babies".

Buffy looked up at Angelus.

"You have now an officially shocked slayer", she announced with a perplexed grin. "Drusilla is happy I'm having babies".

"She has the mentality of a child. Dru always wanted to sire a baby, but people don't walk around with babies at night, so…"

"I don't like that Rosabella-chick", Buffy changed subject in true Buffy-style, "she has the hots for you, I can tell".

Angelus chuckled throatily, the way that made her knees go weak. Buffy turned on her spot facing him; he leaned and purred seductively into her ear:

"She can burn for me if she feels like it, but I like my woman alive".


Drusilla came in her and Spike's bedroom, skipping happily, only to find her lover looking appreciatively at Rosabella, who was pacing on the hall, obviously upset. Drusilla snickered loudly and ran to her dolls.

"I have news. Great news, Miss Edith", she said casually, knowing fully well that Spike had now his attention focused on her. "Daddy brought me a new mommy and two shiny new siblings!"

"Angelus did what?" Spike exclaimed. He wheeled back and forth. "But the wanker was brooding over the slayer!"

Drusilla looked at her child like he was a silly little boy.

"Daddy brought a powerful mommy, Spikey. The one his soul loves as well".

"Dru! Spike!" The slayer's melodic voice flowed from her and Angelus' chambers until Drusilla and Spike's. "Can you come here, please?"

The brunette seer skipped all the way to the couple's rooms; her child followed her in his wheelchair. When Spike caught sight of the Slayer – who was happily nestled on Angelus' arms – he almost felt his jaw hitting the floor. Where once had been flat muscles, there was now a proud growing belly. The Slayer was glowing with happiness. And so was Angelus.

"What's up, mate?" Spike addressed Angelus.

"We need help", Angelus said. Despite the fact that he was speaking to his children, his eyes were on Buffy's face.

"What for, daddy?" Drusilla asked gently.

"We are family" Buffy spoke up. "Mine doesn't accept the babies and Angelus, so we need your help to protect him and the babies".

"While Buffy is in school, she wants one of you to be around", Angelus explained to the vampires. "Only the two of you and not Rosabella", he added at her glare, and yelped when she smacked his arm. "Or any other female vampire".

"The two of you are the only ones I can trust around Angelus. Any other female, vamp, demon or human, you can do whatever it pleases you", Buffy got up and kissed Drusilla's forehead softly. "If any of my so-called friends come too close from here, don't let them in".

Spike stared at the couple. Buffy seemed young, innocent and anxious, more like the seventeen-year-old she actually was. Angelus looked almost normal, even peaceful, but Spike knew him too well – one of the perks of being raised by him.

And Angelus was nervous. That was a surprise for Spike, because Angelus never lost his cool, never got nervous with anything. Angelus being anxious meant the Slayer and the brats meant something for him.

"Relax, mate. We'll help".

To Be Continued

Next Time In 'Children Of Darkness': Chapter Eight – Dangerous. Someone of the group betrays Angelus, but is discovered. Buffy and her vamp make a decision.

AN: Just for the record, I'm not Rosabella!