Wow, I think a few people are really mad at Calista now. Well, prepare to continue feeling annoyed at her. Lol.

Enjoy!

Chapter 26

"This is only temporary of course. I was thinking we could get a Moses basket for each of them for the first while, 'cause it's so much… well… cuter than the crib, plus they'll fit better in the room you guys have now than two cribs." said Angel as he and Connor put together Connor's old crib.

"Well we're certainly doing better than Connor's first crib." said Cordy as she and Buffy watched.

"I thought that was Connor's first crib." said Buffy, frowning in confusion.

"No, Connor's first crib was a drawer." said Cordy matter of factly.

"Oh."

"I fit in a drawer?" asked Connor, looking perturbed.

"You weren't much bigger than the twins when you were born sweetie."

"Ok… fair enough. But…"

"What?"

"You didn't close the drawer did you?"

"No!" exclaimed Angel, sounding insulted and alarmed all at once.

"Sorry." Connor shrugged, widening his eyes. "But according to Wesley you couldn't even change my nappy properly even with two hundred years of experience behind you."

"Hey! For the record, the last time I changed a diaper before you were born was two hundred years ago and they were done rather differently back then. We didn't have sticky bits."

"And you thought that newborn Connor would take the bottle from you and drink from it like a two year old." reminded Cordy, smiling. Angel grimaced. That had been hard to live down.

"Ok, even I knew better than that dad." said Connor, staring at his dad incredulously.

"Want to know the creepy thing?" asked Cordy, an evil grin on her face.

"What?"

"He spent about ten minutes trying to show you how to use the bottle, first by demonstrating with your teddy, and then pretending to drink himself, all the way saying, 'This is how you drink from your Ba-ba'."

"Ba-ba?" asked Buffy looking wigged and amused. "Angel said Ba-ba?"

"Many, many, many times. It was funny, but also cute because he refused to let anyone else hold Connor for ages, he was so paranoid about someone trying to take him from him. I didn't get my first cuddle until he was a day old. And now look at him. Now he's a hormone raging, Destruction sensing, hair-gel free version of Angel." Cordy gestured at the two men sitting on the ground while they tried to put the crib together from Angel's memory and having very little actual success.

"Hey! I'm not like dad." said Connor, narrowing his eyes. "I'm much cooler."

"So aren't Connor, I'm way cooler than you." said Angel, kidding.

"Oh yeah right dad."

"Boys! That crib won't build itself." said Buffy, smiling. Both Angel and Connor muttered 'sorry' before returning to the crib.

"Anyway, what were we saying before Cordy decided to embarrass me?"

"We were making plans for the babies' nursery."

"Oh yeah, I was thinking. Why don't we convert one of the rooms into an apartment for you two? With a kitchen, fancy bathroom, bedroom for you and Calista, and a nursery for the babies and when they get older we can expand into the next room."

"Would all that fit in one of the rooms in the hotel?" asked Connor,

"Well all we have to do is knock down a few walls and rebuild… I think. Construction's not my thing."

"Destruction's mine." said Connor sagely. Angel rolled his eyes at the joke.

"Xander's in the construction business. I bet if you gave him the location, what you wanted done and the money he'd get it done with little hassle." said Buffy.

"Oh, really? Well… good to see he made something of himself besides bait for you guys to lure giant praying mantis." said Cordy smirking.

"Giant praying mantis?" asked Connor looking concerned.

"Oh don't worry sweetie, she went after virgins."

"Oh. Ok then." Connor went back to the crib. "Dad I think we should look for those instructions again."

"I'll go look. You stay here." sighed Angel, getting to his feet.

"So Connor… Calista comes home tomorrow, excited?"

"Absolutely. I can't wait!" Connor grinned at the two women like a kid in a candy store. Buffy smiled at him.

"I'm glad you guys are working things out."

"Well… to be honest I've no idea what we're sorting out. I mean… just before she went into labour, we shared a kiss… but we haven't talked about it yet."

"Well… once her hormones settle down you two can talk rationally. Or as rationally as two teens actually can talk."

"Yeah. I guess. Too bad we can't… you know. I know Calista doesn't want to get pregnant again… especially not so soon." Connor was muttering by the time he was finished, looking embarrassed. Both Buffy and Cordy were wide eyed.

"Um… Connor, did no one ever tell you that there are ways to prevent pregnancy?"

"There are?"

"That's a no then. Yeah, there's several ways."

"I didn't know that."

"Well Holtz wouldn't exactly know Safe Sex 101." muttered Cordy. Connor winced. "Well… I'm sure Angel will expl… no, Angel would be useless. Gunn! Or Wesley, they would tell you."

"Erm…" Connor was blushing pink. He never went red, just a delicate pink. It was cute.

"We'll talk about this later. Wait, do you even really get how pregnancy happens?"

"Well… like, how? As in what I have to do?"

"No, I'm sure you know that but the science behind it."

"There's science involved now? Isn't that all those numbers and letters Fred likes?"

"Oh wow… ok. We'll sort that out soon. You just go back to trying to build that crib."

"Trying is the operative word here I think."

Lucky for them, Angel was able to find the instructions and they set to work again building the crib. Angel worried about leaving Calista alone with just Spike guarding her.

"What if this all turns into another thing like when Connor was born with vampire cults trying to worship the babies and other demons wanting to read their glorious future in their entrails?" he said, starting to sound panicky.

"Spike will get them out of the hospital and he'll call us if anything happens. Don't worry. He might be willing to leave you out in the sun, but he cares about Calista and the babies."

"They are technically his cousins." agreed Connor, sounding disturbed as he said it. Angel grimaced.

"Let's try to tone that fact down please."

"Ok." Connor stood up then wavered on his feet. "Woah." he groaned. Cordy grabbed his shoulder to steady him. "That was weird." he said, rubbing his brow.

"What's wrong?"

"I just got a weird feeling. Like a wave of… something hitting me."

"A wave of what?"

"I'm not sure… but it felt… powerful."

"The First?" asked Buffy, sounding grim.

"No. Not the First. That's just darkness and devastation in the most evil sense. This is like… a promise. A promise for destruction, but it's an offering to someone. Offering them a promise." Connor shook his head. "Sorry, I know that doesn't make much sense."

"It's ok. Maybe when I get my link to the Powers back and they send me visions again I'll get a better idea of what you're talking about."

"Yeah… maybe."

"Ready to go luv?"

Calista looked up to see Spike smiling at her. She nodded smiling back, although hers was forced.

"Yes, just about." She folded her nightgown and put it in the bag. She'd changed into jeans and a loose grey maternity top that just fell around like that was the style. She'd brushed her hair out and washed her face, so she felt better. Walking was easier now too. But she almost wished she could stay in the hospital a little longer. She didn't want to go back to the hotel.

"Good, 'cause the mini-pouf and Gunn will be here any minute."

"Thank you Spike."

"You ok luv?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Calista forced another smile. Spike looked at her like he didn't believe her. "Really, I am. I'm just tired."

"Ok luv, whatever you say." Spike left the room and Calista's smile fell. She pinched the bridge of her nose, silently cursing herself for being so difficult. Why did she have to keep making a mess of things?

"Some angel I am." she sneered to the babies, who were both wrapped up tight in three layers of blankets to keep them warm in the October weather. "I can't even give the people around me peace."

There was a knock on the door. "Come in!"

Shreya entered, smiling as always. "Hey, how are we today?"

"Oh. We're, we're good. Really!" Calista forced another bright smile onto her face. Shreya gave her a look over, just as dubious as Spike.

"You know, no one would think any less of you if you weren't deliriously happy right now. From what I hear you've been through a lot, it's ok to be having trouble enjoying the arrival of your babies. Teens especially. With all the social stigma about it, they struggle to enjoy what they've achieved."

Calista's smile fell a little and she looked away. "I don't want to talk about it thank you."

"Ok, but don't keep it bottled up. It's not healthy for you."

Calista snorted, "Neither is being beaten for being pregnant, but that happened."

Shreya's eyes widened in surprise and horror. "Oh."

"Forget it. It's done." said Calista, grabbing the teddy bear in the crib and stuffing it into her bag with more force than was necessary.

"Was it Con-"

"No!" snapped Calista, "It was… it was the man who raised me. That's all you need to know about it. Now if you don't mind… I'd like one moment of peace before we go home."

"Of course. It was nice to meet you Calista Holtz."

Calista flinched as Shreya left. She would have to change her name. No, she needed to get a last name. Holtz was only down because the others hadn't been able to think of anything else at the time.

About two minutes after Shreya left, Connor came in, a huge smile on his face. Calista tried to match it.

"Hi!" he said, walking over and kissing her cheek. Calista pulled away before she could stop herself. Connor's smile faltered for a moment, before setting back in place and he said, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Bag packed and babies wrapped."

"Ok, let's go home."

Home? The hotel didn't really feel like home. More a place to be, to stay around the people who could understand and talk about the freaks of the world. Just like her and Connor.

"Ok."

Connor smiled down at his son as he sat in the back of the car with Calista. She had their daughter in her arms, but she was staring out the window. Connor wondered if he should ask her if she felt what he had last night, but reasoned that this was not the time.

Connor didn't need super senses to know something wasn't right with Calista. The dark, gloomy look in her eyes worried him. Why wasn't she happy that the babies were finally here? Why wasn't she excited? Connor didn't understand it.

Their daughter whimpered and let out a warning cry. Calista jiggled her automatically, barely sparing her a glance. It worked and the baby fell quiet. Connor shared a look with Cordy, who was in the passenger seat. She looked concerned.

"Has nursing gotten easier Calista?" Cordy asked, trying to break the strained silence in the car. Gunn, driving, looked relieved someone had spoken.

"It doesn't hurt so much anymore I guess." said Calista, her voice lacking emotion.

"That's always a good thing." smiled Cordy, "Still no ideas for names?"

"No. I haven't thought of any."

"Connor?"

"A few ideas, but nothing solid. I was wondering if I could use the computer to look more up?"

"Good idea. Just promise me you won't call the girl one of Angel's names."

"Which one?"

"Faoiltiarna."

"What? He's not serious!"

"I think he is a little. But it might be nice to call one of the babies by an Irish name. You know, since Angel's Irish."

"What about Aisling? That's Irish, I remember reading it somewhere." said Connor, looking at Calista. Calista shrugged, not looking away from the window.

"I don't know."

Connor sighed and threw Cordelia a helpless look. She looked the same as he felt. But Cordy seemed to understand things better than he did. Maybe this was a girl thing. Then again, maybe it was just because she understood this world and people better than he did.

"Ladies, and junior, we've arrived at our destination." said Gunn, smiling at them from the mirror. Calista just opened the door and slid out, the baby in her arms secure. Connor didn't find this fact a comfort as he got out too. Calista led them into the hotel, looking like she had somewhere to be. Bed, probably.

"SURPRISE!" cheered everyone the second they stepped into the lobby. Spike, who'd beaten them to the hotel through the sewers, rolled his eyes at them all. Calista blinked.

The lobby had been hurriedly decorated with blue and pink streamers, with two beautiful reed bassinettes to one side, each with a blue or pink bow on it. A large chocolate cake was set with pride on the lobby desk.

The Scoobies, the A.I's and the Potentials were all there, all beaming with toothy grins, party hats on many, or streamers in their hair. Angel stepped forward.

"Welcome home guys. I know it's not much of a party but-"

"No. No it, it's just right." said Calista, sounding choked. Angel grinned, thinking this meant she was choked with happiness. Connor looked around with a grin.

"I smell cake!" he said with a cheer, then he looked down at his son. "Sorry son, you can't have any, but as soon as you're able, I'll sneak you some."

"And make him obese. I think not buster. No, this child will have a healthy diet thank you. We can't all have your metabolism, even with your genes." said Cordy, plucking the baby out of Connor's arms and walking over to the bassinettes. She lay the baby in the one with the blue bow, and, after making sure he was ok, she straightened the bow. "Calista, why don't you put the baby in her bassinette for a while."

Calista nodded and walked over, laying the girl down as quick as she could without looking strange, or hurting, or frightening, the baby. Still, Cordy's eyes were probing her when she looked up and Calista had to look away.

Almost at once everyone, eager to see the babies, surrounded the bassinettes. Molly elbowed Calista out of the way, by accident most likely, but Calista still narrowed her eyes in annoyance. Turning away from the 'cooes' and 'awws' coming from the group she walked over to the lobby desk and eyed the cake. It was chocolate, with chocolate frosting, with a little male stick figure done in blue icing, holding the hand of a female stick figure done with pink. It was very pretty. Andrew had obviously put a lot of work into it.

Calista picked up the knife and cut a slice out, separating the two stick figures, then went and sat down on the steps, eating away, while everyone else admired the babies. Angel had an arm around Connor and was saying how proud he was of him. Calista felt annoyed. What had Connor done besides enjoy himself while making the babies? She'd been the one to carry them, nourish them, give birth to them. No one was saying anything to her.

"Ok, ok, we've all seen the adorable babies." said Andrew, ignoring the fact that he'd been the one cooing the loudest, "Now let's eat cake!"

"Yes! Lets!" agreed Anya, following him. Andrew looked down at the cake and let out a shriek of horror. "What's wrong chew-bacca?"

"Someone took a huge slice out of my precious cake before everyone got to see it." Andrew wailed, sounding like the world had ended. Calista rolled her eyes. "Who did this? Xander was it you?"

"Hell no. I wouldn't dare, not with the threat of being shrieked to death hanging over my head." said Xander, rolling his eyes, glancing at Willow, who gave him a sympathetic look.

"Well someone did and I want to know who!" Andrew had his hands on his hips, eyes narrowed in an attempt at looking scary. He just looked sulky.

"Me." said Calista, standing up. "Got something to say to me Andrew?"

Andrew looked at Calista and quailed under the dark look in her eyes. "Um… no… never mind." He scurried away into the kitchen, mutter about 'all his hard work for nothing'. Calista walked back to the lobby desk and took up the knife again. She cut the whole cake into even slices with such a speed it was almost a blur. Connor gulped and walked over to her and put his arms around her, subtly taking the knife out of her hand as he held her, trying to offer her comfort for whatever was bugging her. Calista pulled away and sat down again. Connor sighed.

After an awkward moment, the others began to eat the cake, letting out noises of appreciation.

"Mmm, Andrew may be an annoying dork, but he makes a mean chocolate cake." said Kennedy, stuffing her face. Willow grimaced just a little at her.

Connor took his slice and sat by Calista, who tensed as he did.

"Want some more?"

"I've had enough." Calista didn't look at him, staring at the ceiling.

"So Calista, I bet you're glad to see your toes again." joked Xander as he walked over.

Calista shrugged, "I guess. Nice not to feel like someone's trying to kick my spine out of my back, or like I weigh as much as a big car, or having to see my fat self in the mirror."

"You weren't fat Cal." said Connor, sounding irritated. Calista shrugged again and propped her chin in her hand. Her mind wandered, and soon she was thinking about Kevin. How she wanted him to be here. Then this would be bearable. But all she had was a bunch of people she wasn't sure really cared about her.

"Are you tired Calista? You look tired. Why don't you go and get some sleep? We'll get you when the babies feeding comes up." said Angel, smiling at her, although his eyes were questioning her. Calista nodded,

"I think I will. I am tired and-"

The babies began to cry. Loudly. Calista closed her eyes and sighed, before walking over to them. "Looks like feeding time is now. I'll bring them upstairs and feed them."

"You could just feed them here. My aunt never minded nursing her kids in front of others." said Amanda.

"Well I'm not your aunt!" snapped Calista, wrapping her arms across her chest in a defensive manner. Amanda recoiled. She already missed that quiet, gentler girl that had been around in the beginning, even though she'd said very little to her.

"She's just saying it. God! No need to get all defensive on her." said Kennedy, narrowing her eyes.

"I'm not defensive! I'm saying something back." Calista's eyes flashed, and the babies' cries increased in pitch. Angel stepped in,

"Look, we'll bring the babies up so you can feed them, and then we'll bring them downstairs so you can sleep some more."

"Fine. Whatever." Calista stalked up the stairs.

Lorne pulled off his party hat. "I'm suddenly not feeling so jolly."

"Me either." sighed Fred.

"Come on. Lets get these babies fed."

Angel, Spike, Connor and Gunn carried the bassinettes upstairs between them and brought them into the room. Calista was sitting on the bed, staring at the wall, her jaw tense. Connor picked up the baby boy and placed him in Calista's arms. Spike, Angel and Gunn left. Calista undid her top's buttons and began to nurse the baby, while Connor rocked the baby girl, trying to keep her quiet until she was fed.

Connor couldn't ignore the fact that Calista didn't even look at the baby as he nursed and barely glanced at his sister when they swapped the babies. Connor burped the boy, and smiled as the baby rested his tiny head on Connor's bony shoulder.

"I was thinking." Connor said, looking at Calista. Calista looked up at him. "What if we gave the babies two names each. That way it won't be so hard to decide."

"Maybe." Calista winced, looking down at the suckling baby, "She's hurting me!"

"She's just hungry Cal, she's not trying to hurt you."

"I know that! Doesn't take away from the fact that it hurts!"

"I know… but don't be angry with the baby." Connor felt so helpless. He felt like he no longer knew Calista anymore.

"I'm not angry with her. I'm just angry." sighed Calista.

"At what?"

"At nothing. At everything. I don't know! I'm just angry. Why do I need a reason?"

Connor looked away from Calista, unable to meet her eyes anymore. Calista sniffed, sounding tearful, but her eyes were dry.

"She's finished." said Connor after a few minutes, nodding at the baby. Calista looked down and saw he was right. The baby had finished nursing. Calista sat the baby up, supporting her head and rubbing her back. The baby burped and then threw up a little, over Calista's hand. Calista's face screwed up like she was fighting the urge to scream. Connor quickly got some tissue and wiped it all up.

"Just a little accident. No harm done." he said, feeling like an idiot. Calista's eyes were hard and jealous as she looked at him. Connor felt like he'd been dropped in a pool of cold water. He put the babies, now sleeping, in the bassinettes and sat beside Calista, taking her hands in his. Calista didn't look at him.

"Cal? Calista, look at me, please."

Calista looked at him. Connor held her hands tighter. "What's wrong?"

Calista's face crumpled, and she burst into tears. Connor put his arms around her and he held her close, tucking her head under his chin, rocking her. She was so small in his arms again, she almost felt lost. Maybe that was because she was.

More very soon if I get lots of reviews! ;-)

Night's Darkness