A/N: Here it is guys the final chapter! Well except for the epilogue which will be up soon! I hope you've enjoyed reading this story as much as I did writing it, big thanks to everybody who reviewed or favorite this story

And a big thank you to my Beta Hulettwyo for all of her hard work!

CHAPTER TWENTY

Spike drove down Revello Drive like a madman, screeching into Buffy's driveway and slightly denting Angel's car. 'Great, the Poof's here,' he thought to himself as he slammed his car door and rushed up to the front door then started knocking repeatedly.

Buffy had just brought her last suitcase down and smiled at Angel as she set it next to the others. Angel wrapped his arms around her. "This is going to be great, Buffy, a fresh start for us both," he smiled, kissing her on the forehead.

The front door suddenly started rattling in the frame from the force of the knocking and Angel glanced at it then looked at Buffy. "Are you expecting anyone?"

"Nope, I'm meeting the guys later for a farewell at the Magic Box," she said, walking toward the door and opening it. "Spike," she said coldly, "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk to you."

"I'm done talking," she said, starting to close the door.

Spike wedged his foot between the door and the frame preventing her from closing it. "Amelia is my daughter, isn't she?"

Buffy's mouth fell open and she swung the door back open. "Who told you that?" she demanded.

"The look on your face says it all, pet. It's true isn't it, she's really mine?"

"You better come in," she sighed, stepping out of the way.

He entered the house and Angel immediately went on the defensive. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"I came to see my daughter," he said with a smirk. 'Take that, Peaches!'

Angel looked at Buffy harshly. "That true? He's the father?"

"Yeah, he is," she said, looking around the room as she tried to avoid making eye contact with either man. "Angel, can you give us a few minutes?"

He was hesitant at first then nodded slightly. "Sure, I'll put the rest of the bags in the car," he said, picking up the suitcases and walking slowly out the front door.

Spike raised an eyebrow. "Going somewhere, luv?"

"Yeah," she giggled slightly, "You're not the only one who gets to leave town, you know. How'd you find out?"

"Niblet. She didn't want me to leave, said you needed me."

"Well it's pretty obvious I don't."

"Maybe you don't, but what about her?" He gestured to the sleeping baby in the stroller.

"She has Angel," Buffy said icily.

Spike drew in a deep breath; those words had stung him, and he said in a low, dangerous voice, "Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged, Spike," Buffy retorted, just as low and dangerous.

"Buffy, there's no way you're taking her away from me. No matter what there is or isn't between us, don't punish her."

"What does it matter? In a few days you won't even be in this country!"

Spike took the plane ticket out of the inside pocket of his duster and held it up so Buffy could see what it was. Then he ripped it into tiny pieces and tossed them at her. "Happy?"

She waved the fluttering bits of paper away from her face. "Oh yeah, Spike, I'm ecstatic! But throwing stuff at me doesn't prove a damn thing!"

"So what do I have to do to prove to you that I'm not going anywhere? I want to be a part of her life, Buffy, you can't deny me that!"

"Yeah, NOW you want to be a part of her life, but what happens in six or nine months' time when the novelty wears off?"

"Not gonna happen," he said firmly.

"Spike, I know you, you're not the commitment type. You said it yourself. More than once."

"People can change, Buffy. I've changed."

"No, you haven't. You're still the same old Spike." She took hold of the stroller handle and turned it toward the door. "Now, you've talked and I've listened and I think it's time for you to go. Angel's waiting and I have to go say goodbye to the guys," she said, pushing Amelia's stroller out the front door. She stopped at the edge of the porch and looked back over her shoulder, a sad look on her face. "Goodbye, Spike."

XXXX

By the time Spike had managed to shake himself out of his heartbroken stupor, Angel's car was just rounding the corner at the end of the block. Spike sprinted to his car and dove in, speeding to catch up. He followed Angel's Viper to the Magic Box then sat there, trying to get himself together as Angel helped Buffy unload the stroller and settle Amelia into it. They were pushing it through the door when Spike decided that he was as together as he was ever going to get and he'd better shift his arse if he wanted to stop the love of his life from walking right out of it.

He climbed out of his car and took a few seconds to breathe deeply then ran inside and interrupted the farewell exchanges going on with an anguished shout of, "Don't go, Buffy!"

Buffy was startled and broke free from Xander's embrace as Angel shouted, "Not this again!" He pushed past Xander and stepped up in front of Spike, his fists clenched.

Buffy stepped between them and laid a hand on Angel's chest. "Angel, I'll handle this, okay?" She smiled at him reassuringly and he nodded, backing off slowly then stalking across the store to sit beside Tara at the table.

She turned and faced Spike, folding her arms across her chest as she screamed, "Why the hell shouldn't I leave?"

"Because I love you!" he yelled back.

Tears formed once again in Buffy's eyes as she whispered, "No you don't."

Angel rose from his seat and started to walk toward the blonde couple, but Xander stood in his way, shaking his head. "Park your carcass, Gel Boy. They need to work this out themselves." Angel glowered, but backed up, dropping into the chair with a thump.

Spike nodded his thanks to Xander then took a step toward Buffy. "I do. I love you."

"Spike, please..." The tears fell freely from Buffy's eyes as he took another step forward.

Looking into her emerald eyes he spoke softly, "Buffy, I love you. I tried so hard not to, but I do. I made the biggest mistake of my life when I left. I know you probably can't forgive me for that and I don't blame you, I can't forgive myself, luv, but trust me when I say that I love you. There is no other girl out there for me, nobody could ever measure up to you and nobody could drive me crazy like you do. I love everything about you, Buffy. When I look into the future all I see is you and me and Amelia and that's all I want, luv."

Buffy blinked away more tears as she cried, "It's too late for that, Spike, it's just too late!"

"Marry me?" he blurted.

Gasps were heard from around the room and Anya was pretty sure she was hallucinating. She leaned over and whispered to Dawn, "Can you slap me? I think I'm dreaming." Dawn just rolled her eyes and carried on watching the exchange between her sister and the man she'd classed as a brother-in-law.

"What?" Buffy couldn't believe her ears. 'Did he just say what I think he said?'

He dropped to one knee and reached for her hand, clasping it tightly in his. "Will you do me the greatest honour and become my wife?"

He smiled nervously up at her as tears coursed down her cheeks. "You're just asking me to marry you because you don't want me to go with Angel!" she cried.

He bolted to his feet, still holding tightly to her hand. "That is not the bloody reason! Buffy Anne Summers, I want to marry you! Do I need to repeat my 'I love you' speech? I love the bones off you, you infuriating bint!"

She smiled even though tears were still rolling down her cheeks and took a deep breath. "You really want to marry me?"

He grinned, "I do."

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, Spike, I'll marry you!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

The shop erupted into cheers and applause as everyone converged on the lip locked couple. Everyone except Angel, who looked down at his feet as he awkwardly cleared his throat. The kiss broke and Buffy glanced at Angel then looked at Spike. He nodded slightly and she gave him a quick peck then walked over to Angel. "I'm sorry, Angel, you're a great guy and I know you would've taken care of me and Amelia, but a wise friend once told me that I have to follow my heart." She smiled at Willow, who in turn smiled brightly back. "And Spike is my heart, I'm sorry," she said sadly then reached out and touched his arm. "You should follow your heart, too, and we both know I'm not it."

Angel smiled sadly and nodded. "I'll get your bags. Goodbye, Buffy." He laid his hand over hers for a second then quietly left the shop.

The gang rallied round the blonde couple, sharing hugs and handshakes and a lot of congratulations. Dawn hugged her sister tightly then stood back with a smile. "I'm sorry I blabbed, but honestly, aren't you glad I did?"

"I suppose you can have a get out of jail free card just this once, considering I just bagged myself a hot fiancée," giggled Buffy as she slipped her arm round Spike's waist.

Spike wrapped his arm over Dawn's shoulders and pulled her into a hug, placing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Thanks, Niblet. Without your blabber mouth, God only knows what would've happened."

Buffy reached up and grasped his chin, pulling him into a soft kiss then murmuring against his lips, "We won't find out now, will we?"