*Chapter 9*
Disclaimer: BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. Charmed characters belong to WB. Anita Blake characters to Laurell K. Hamilton. The Songs belong to Alison KI claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.
A/N: Thanks to my beta for her help... mmooch.
A/N2: Ok here it is. Sorry it took me so long. I couldn't get onto the internet from school. It was virtually torture. I also enjoyed everyone's reviews, they're the reason I keep writing.
"Oz! What are you doing?" Willow shrieked in surprise.
The original Sunnydale group watched in shock as Oz settled on top of Xander and growled in the young man's face. The rest of the St. Louis bunch shivered in pleasure as they smelled the fear coming off of Xander.
Anita stepped forward to get Oz and try to explain the situation to the 'humans'. "What Oz is doing is trying to defend Buffy. If you take the time to notice anything about the 'monsters' you fear so much, maybe you would know better. Any were-animal or vampire that has proven trustworthy and been around her long enough grows protective of Buffy. As a result, if you insult Buffy, you insult them. I also have to say this, lay off of my sister or else I'll let him eat you next time."
Cherry stepped forward to get her boyfriend. She put her hand on his shoulder and stage-whispered, "Ok, baby. Let the human up. You can't kill him just because he's stupid and a jerk."
"Ok, let's get this done. I just did the spell, been doing them my whole life, I didn't make any specifications, ok? I left it all up to the magic. Now, it's late and Melinda needs to get to sleep, so good night," Buffy said smartly before walking through Melinda's door.
Giles watched as she walked away, then turned to face the group. A hint of Ripper came through as he reminded them, "I brought her here to help us. She is risking her family and her life to protect us. If any of you continue to insult or degrade her, you are on your own." After his threat Giles turned and followed Buffy into the room. He was followed by the eldest Halliwell children and Faith, leaving the rest to wander the hall looking for their rooms.
When they walked into the room, they saw a little girl's paradise. The walls were a soft, pale pink, with a fairytale castle in the center of one wall. A light pink canopy bed was centered on another wall, with toys filling the room. Giles tripped over a stuffed animal that was knocked to the floor as he stepped to the side. He stood at the back of the room as he observed the family put their youngest member to sleep.
"Ok baby, what do you want to hear tonight? I know it's been a while since I've done this, but I'm sure I've still got it," Buffy said, smiling as she tucked in her daughter and climbed in next to her.
Melinda smiled that special smile. The smile that every child knows will get them almost everything they want. "I want two."
Buffy smiled back at her, "Alright baby, but only because it's a special night, ok?"
"Yay!" Melinda cried as she bounced and clapped her hands, "My Baby, My Baby and Lull-i-by."
Everybody grinned at her speech. "Okay, Baby Mine and Lullaby. You heard her, guys," Buffy relayed before starting the first song – the rest joining in for the harmony.
"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine
Little one when you play
Don't you mind what you say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine
If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you
From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you
From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine
Baby of mine."
Giles listened in shock at how he never knew that the girl, now a woman – who was like a daughter to him – could sing like an angel. Something she obviously had in common with the rest of her family. He leaned back against the wall as Buffy began to sing to Melinda again.
"Good night my angel; time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away
Good night my angel; now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me
(Musical Bridge)
Do do do do..."
Before Buffy finished, the little girl was already losing the battle to stay awake.
"Goodnight my angel; now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child will cry and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die; that's how you and I will be."
Buffy ended on a soft note as she watched her beautiful little girl sleep. As she watched, she realized that she needed all the help that she could get to protect her little miracle. As she slowly got up – in order to not wake the sleeping child – she shared a speaking glance with Faith and the rest of her family. They all smiled supportively as they realized that she was finally going to share her secret with the father of her child, whoever he may be – although they all had their suspicions.
Buffy patted Giles on the arm as she passed him, "I have something to tell you later, ok?"
Giles started to follow when Faith lightly grabbed his arm, met his eyes and shook her head, "She needs to do this first, Giles. Give her some time and space. This has been waiting for four years."
Buffy walked down the hall and knocked on the door with 'his' name on it. She knotted her fingers as she waited for his reply. When the door opened, she looked up with a nervous expression on her face, "We have to talk."