A\N: Time for the baby Summers countdown! The next few chapters will be short and sweet extracts of life up to the birth.
2 and a half months later...
6 weeks to go...
Last minute baby shopping wasn't the easiest of tasks. Buffy thought that most of it was out of the way now since clothes, furniture, toys and all the essentials had been bought. Then Willow had called this morning and reminded her about the dreaded packing of her hospital bag. She was only 33 weeks pregnant but as her friend reminded her, babies sometimes tended to be unpredictable and come early. The list felt endless. Originally she thought she'd only need some clothes for her and her baby, once she'd arrived, but turns out it was a hell of a lot more complicated. Willow, as per usual, was always handy with research and had emailed her a list of what she needed. Comfy clothes for labour, sensible clothes to wear home, baby's first outfit, baby's coming home clothes, basic toiletries and some creature comforts for afterwards. She'd even suggested something called a TENS machine for pain relief. Shouldn't she know about this stuff being weeks away from giving birth and all? In a way, Buffy wished that Willow hadn't overcomplicated the list. Now she was constantly going to be worrying about things she might forget to pack.
Crap. She'd just dropped a pile of clothing. She tried to bend down and reach for the shirts but her now gigantic stomach was making that completely impossible. She even struggled to regain her balance after attempting to bend over.
"Shouldn't be doing that", a voice called from the other room. She turned to see Spike watching her closely.
"Says who?"
"Says me." He retrieved the creased clothes and refolded them before placing them in her hands.
"You should be taking it easy mum."
The word mum stil felt strange to her even after almost 8 months. The only person she thought of was her own mother. She was still accepting the fact that she was going to be one in a matter of weeks.
"And I will. Once I've got this stupid bag packed. Willow's been on my back about getting everything done before I'm too exhausted to stand."
"Well whether you're finished or not, tomorrow you start to spend the next month and a half relaxing."
Buffy sighed in frustration.
"How am I supposed to do that aching all over, worrying about last minute prep and puffed up to the size of a balloon?"
"I have solutions to 2 of those problems. Painkillers and me. The last one I think you'll just have to live with."
Buffy stared blankly at the floor.
"Hey." He tilted her chin upwards and cupped her cheek.
"6 weeks. 6 weeks and then she'll be here. Not long when you think about it pet."
"I just need her to be where I can see her. Where I know what's happening to her. Where I know she's safe. The sooner she's out, the sooner I can regain my strength and protect her. I feel helpless not being able to look after her"
"You think you're not looking after her? You're sharing your body with her and bringing her into the world. More than anyone else can ever do."
"Then why does it feel like everyone else is being a better parent than I am. Even Willow seems to know everything about labour and she doesn't even have kids."
"Just wait love." He kissed her forehead.
"Soon as she's in your arms, you'll realise how important you are to her..."
