The Prophecy Chapter Thirtyone, an angel fanfic

Chapter Thirty-One

For several days they travelled stopping occasionally at service stations and small town grocery stores. Everyone tried very hard to get along although the close quarters proved to be a little unsettling.

"Even Susy is starting to get irritable," Cordelia complained to Angel on the third day, "We should stop for a day somewhere so we could all get a little bit of space from each other."

"I know it has been a long trip, but we should be in Sunnydale in the afternoon tomorrow if we keep traveling. Can't you guys get along for another fourteen or fifteen hours?"

"Fourteen hours? We haven't been getting along for the last twenty-four."

"This is important Cordy, … try okay?"

"Okay," she frowned.

Susan came out of the washroom that she seemed to be frequenting more the last day or so.

"You okay, sweetheart?" Angel asked obviously concerned. "Has the baby dropped?"

"Dropped?" Cordelia sounded alarmed.

"He's been reading his books again," Susan winked at Cordy, "He's wondering if the baby is getting in place."

"In place for what?" Cordy asked.

"To be born!" Angel sounded annoyed.

"I don't think so. It feels the same as before. I just have to pee more often."

Angel motioned toward the bedroom.

"You worry too much." Susan protested.

"You don't worry enough," Angel said sternly, "We have to keep on top of things."

"Okay, okay," Susan gave in and went into the bedroom and lay down so he could feel the position of the baby. "You don't have to leave Cordy, this isn't the gross part."

As if it was totally irresistible, Cordy poked her head around the door and gasped. Laying on her back the bulge looked big enough to hold a basketball. Angel tried to feel the position through her clothes. "This isn't going to work. You sure you want all those curious eyes watching?" They both glanced over to the four pairs of eyes watching from the doorway.

"Better get them prepared too. They might end up seeing more than just a big belly."

Angel pulled up her top and pulled down the stretchy material of the maternity pants just enough the expose "the bulge". Being the gentleman, Wesley turned away and sat down at the table watching from the distance. Using both hands Angel felt the baby, it's head and it's bum and everything seemed normal. "Head's not engaged yet," he commented reaching for a stethoscope, and after a moment of listening to the baby's heartbeat, "Everything seems okay." Then putting her clothing back into place he added, "Okay, show is over!"

"See, I told you. Now you have to help me back up." Angel offered her his hand and helped her back to her feet.

"We have to be careful."

"I know … I love you for caring so much, but with all that pushing and prodding I have to go back to the bathroom."

Angel frowned when she closed the door, "Something isn't right," he said to the others, "Maybe I could use Spikes help."

It was Angel's turn to drive and as always Susan sat next to him. They always had something to talk about, the past, the present, or the future. Always good things, never bad … Angel's rule. Until tonight … Susy seemed very quiet, just said she was very tired, tired of travelling, tired of sitting, tired of being pregnant. Cordelia was right, she did seem irritated, but it was a long trip for anyone. Often she would take a walk to the back, sometimes to the washroom, then back to sit beside Angel. The sky was just starting to lighten in the east when Lorne sat up from one of the bench seats.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Susan asked.

"When are you going to tell Angel?"

"Tell him what?"

"How far apart are they?"

Susan hesitated before answering, "About six and a half minutes."

"Don't you think you should tell him?"

"He'll want to stop. And we should try to get to Sunnydale. Besides this could take hours."

Gunn had come out of the bedroom; it would soon be his turn to take over the driving, "Everything okay?"

"Yes," Susan quickly answered.

"I don't think so, " Lorne added.

"Should I get Angel?" Gunn asked, but they realized they were stopped on the shoulder of the road and Angel was coming to the kitchen area.

"You should have told me," he said to Susan.

` Her look was one of bewilderment; everyone knew she was wondering how he heard.

By now Wesley and Cordelia were awake and listening. "Vampire hearing," Wesley stated, "very keen."

"Gunn, you can take over for now. We are about eight hours to Sunnydale. Hopefully we will get there in time, but if not we will do this." Susan looked worried so he said again, "We will do this," as he put his arm around her.

As they went into the bedroom Cordelia raised her voice, "I have my oven mitts," and then to Wesley and Lorne, "This is exciting." The door closed without anything said.

"Rather scary if you ask me," Wes looked very concerned.

After a few minutes Angel came out of the bedroom looking worried. I must be reading things wrong, she's already three centimetres and the head I'm sure isn't engaged. I don't think I'm qualified for this."

"I'll call Giles from the next pay phone," Wesley suggested. They had already decided not to use their cell phone in case Charles had a way to track the signal. "Possibly they could meet us half way."

Susan came out of the other room wearing her nightgown. "Now, its my turn. What are you not telling me?"

"I would just like to have Spike to help," Angel replied.

"A few days ago you didn't want Spike too …" Susan's eyes widened as a contraction started, bending her at her waist until she was leaning on the table. Everyone jumped to their feet, but only Angel reached out to steady her until she was able to stand straight. "They are definitely getting harder."

"I want you to lie down," Angel said to her.

"Can't I sit for awhile?"

"It might slow it down if you lie down, less gravity," Angel took her arm and turned her toward the bed. "Wesley, can you get the suitcase on the floor in the closet and bring it in here. Immediately Wes responded, everyone was eager to help.

As Susan turned she stopped suddenly, "Oh shit," she exclaimed. Everyone turned her way and noticed the puddle forming one the floor, "My water broke."

"Okay," Angel grabbed some towels out of the small linen closet. "There is no turning back now. We are going to have a baby, ready or not." But as he reached for the suitcase Wesley held out to him everyone saw a look of panic in his eyes.

At the next small town Gunn drove the mobile home to a pay phone, and waited as Wesley placed the call. When he climbed back into the vehicle he said they were to stay on the same highway until the gang from Sunnydale met them, in about four hours.

Angel handed Cordelia a stopwatch directing her to time the contractions.

Wesley volunteered to boil water.

"What for?" Angel asked.

"I don't know, they always do it in the movies."

"Books never mentioned anything about boiling water," Angel responded.

Time passed slowly and Angel was able to relax a little when he realized it wasn't going to happen this instant. He lay down beside Susy, talking and holding her through contractions and resting quietly in between. Gradually time lessened until it was only about a minute and a half between.

"I don't want to do this anymore," Susan remarked after a particularly painful contraction. "I want to go home."

Angel tried hard to force a smile on his face, "I don't think it will be much longer."

He was right. The next contraction Susan almost sat up, I need to push, Angel!"

No, Susy, not yet. You are in transition. The book says four to six contractions. Lets go for six to be safe."

"Let's go for two – I can do two."

"Five more, Susy."

Angel called the others and asked Lorne to tell Gunn to pull over. The last thing they needed right now was to hit a bump at the wrong time.

"Oven mitts, Cordy, how many do you have?" Angel asked urgently.

Suddenly another contraction started.

"Don't push, Susy, don't push." He held her hands with his and looked deep into her eyes.

"Okay," she said breathing heavily. When the contraction was over she asked for a drink.

"A few ice chips … Cordy."

"Okay, okay, ice chips," Cordelia responded as she handed him two pairs of oven mitts.

"And a cool damp cloth," Angel added. He directed Wesley and Gunn to sit one on each side of Susy. They propped pillows behind her and as to Angel's instructions sat behind the pillows to give support. Each held a hand in their oven mitt covered one. Everyone moved as quickly as their limited space allowed.

"What can I do?" Lorne asked.

"The C.D. player," Susan said breathing heavily, "I need music."

"Of course, I knew something was missing," Lorne pushed the play button.

Another contraction and again Angel repeated the words for her not to push. "Only three more, Susy … don't push … Susy … you're pushing … stop pushing."

The contraction slowed then stopped, "Damn why did I tell you that story?"

Wesley removed his hand from Susan's for a second. He couldn't believe the strength she had when she squeezed so hard.

Angel gave her a spoon of ice chips then wiped her forehead with the damp cloth. "You are doing good, Lamb. Not much longer."

He talked her through three more contractions and even though she almost wasn't able to comply with what he asked she did it for him. "Okay, that was six. We should be alright now, you can push as hard as you want."

"Well, you put your catchers mitt on because we going to do this in one shot!"

There was a sheet pulled up over Susan's knees to try and retain some modesty, but at this point she wasn't thinking much about being modest.

"What can I do? Lorne asked anxiously.

"Wipe Susy's forehead with the cloth," Angel suggested.

"And yours too," Lorne added as he patted Angel's forehead.

"Vampire's don't sweat!"

"Could have fooled me. You look like you are running the hundred mile dash."

Another contraction started and this time Susy didn't need to be told to push, but half way through she started to hold back.

"Keep pushing, Susy, we are almost through it."

She tried to bear down again, but the labour pain slowed and ended.

"Take a deep breath and rest," Angel instructed and everyone did as he said.

Lorne did his job of moping foreheads. Cordelia was using the wall for support. "I changed my mind, I don't think I could do this."

During the next pushing session the sheet slid down over Susy's legs, but Wesley carefully put it back in place.

It took about six more to make much progress when finally halfway through the next; Cordelia's eyes grew wide. Angel quickly remarked, "Stop pushing, the baby is crowning." Susan started puffing out breaths of air.

"Something wrong?" Lorne asked.

"No, everything is as it should be," Angel tried to give his wife a reassuring smile. "If we rest here for a moment hopefully we will avoid any tears. Breath through the next one Susy," to which she nodded and complied.

"Okay, let's have a baby," Angel gave the go ahead.

Part way through the next labour pain the sheet slid down again. Everyone seemed mesmerized as slowly a tiny head eased its way into the world. Angel ran his finger around the baby's neck, "To check for the cord," he told the others. "All clear, Susy." Another push brought out one then the second shoulder, and quickly in a fluid motion he held the tiny baby in his hands. Immediately without any coaxing a cry of a newborn filled the room. Susan let out a huge sigh that reminded everyone to breath and Angel said, "We've got a … girl? We've got a baby girl." He was grinning from ear to ear. Susan reached for her daughter as Angel placed her on her mother's stomach.

Susy laughed, "I told you guys … Hello little Angeline Faith Lockwood."

"Boy am I red," Lorne remarked, "I sure missed that one."

"Look she's yawning," Wesley said totally amazed.

"Wow" was all Cordelia was able to say.

"You did great, mom," Angel kissed Susan and they both admired their new daughter.

"I couldn't have done it without you," a tear slid down over her cheek. "You guys will think I'm a real cry baby."

"After what you've done, you can cry all you want. You deserve anything you want," Gunn commented.

The room was full of congratulations and thanks when suddenly Susan remarked, "Angel, I need to push again."

"It's okay Susy, it's just the afterbirth. I'll cut the cord after it is out." How he dreaded this moment. Sure enough, as soon as the baby became totally independent of her, Susan let out a cry. Being prepared Angel grabbed the baby and set her on a towel on the bed.

"Oh my God, I can't even hold my own baby," she cried. Everyone showed a look of disbelief. Angel quickly tied and cut the cord – wrapped the baby in the towel and handed her to Wesley who still seemed to be in shock of the whole situation.

"Swoon over the baby in the other room. Give us a few minutes." He held his wife as she cried into his shoulder.

Finally she asked," You knew this would happen?"

"Dr. McKay said that there was a chance, but I didn't want to alarm you in case it never happened."

"How can things be so unfair?" Susan said as she put her hand to her nose, and then pulled it back to see blood on her fingers.

"Oh my God," they both exclaimed together as there was suddenly a commotion in the other room.

The others had been sitting at the table admiring the new baby when Charles burst through the doors. In an instant he held the baby and a wail of protest came from the bundle.

Susan bolted out of bed into the other room and demanded, "Get your bloody hands off of my daughter!"

"Daughter?" Charles questioned, and then opened the towel to check for himself. "A girl! This isn't the baby … this is the wrong baby!" He was furious.

In a flash Angel had hold of the baby at the same time that Spike came in through the door and hoisted Charles out of it to the feet of Giles and Willow.

To everyone's astonishment, Charles turned into a large red scaled demon, complete with horns and ran into the wooded area they were parked beside.

As Angel checked his daughter, Spike rushed past him to Susan's side as her knees started to give way. "Susan, I presume?" he said as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. "You really shouldn't be up yet, it could cause complications."

Angel handed little Angeline back to Wesley and followed Spike into the bedroom. He hesitated for a moment when he noticed a small puddle of blood on the floor where Susan had stood, then rushed into the room closing the door behind him. Susan let out a loud groan when Spike set her on the bed and his hands immediately went to her belly that had deflated greatly, but still held a small bulge. "You ready to do it again?"

"Again?" Angel asked.

"We've got another baby here."

Giles and Willow had accompanied Spike to find the mobile home on the highway. They all sat together, waiting for Spike and Angel to emerge from the bedroom. There were greeting and introductions for those who had never met before.

Gunn was the one who brought up the question of how Charles found them right after the baby was born.

"Susan has a brand of a seven pointed star inside a septagon under her navel. It is the symbol of Solcapprodee, who as it turns out was Charles' son, so no doubt he has a connection that way. He probably even knew when the contractions started and everything."

Cordelia held the baby while Willow cooed over it and listened to all of the birthing details that Cordy just had to share.

Angel came out of the bedroom looking rather anxious. Immediately Giles extended his hand to congratulate him and Willow rushed over with a hug.

"Everything okay?" Wesley asked cautiously as Angel reached in the closet for more towels.

"Looks like we are going to have to do it again. Spike says there is another baby."

"Twins?" Gunn remarked. Both he and Wesley rubbed their hands that Susan had held so tightly. "Need our help?"

"We should be able to manage this time. Labour hasn't started yet, hopefully Susan can rest a little while.

Lorne grinned, "So that's why I missed it."

Wesley was concerned; "We think Charles knew about the last baby by the brand. Its like he can keep track of her through it."

"I knew I might be able to help," Willow offered. "I should be able to put a spell of protection around us. It should block out any communication waves going through."

"That would be great Willow." Angel turned to Giles, "Could someone use your car to go to the nearest town to get a few baby things. I was caught a little unprepared for this part. We need diapers, formula, bottles, what ever you think … for two." He went back into the bedroom while Gunn and Cordy went to get the supplies. As soon as they left, Willow put a barrier spell around the temporary birthing home.

Spike met Angel at the door. "Susan is sleeping right now. Could I talk to you privately?" They walked to the front of the home. "I know that you don't like me much, but I am here to help. It has been an awfully long time since I delivered a baby but I'm sure it is like riding a bicycle."

"Things have changed a lot since you delivered a baby."

"True, but I'm sure the process is the same."

"Okay, okay. I'm glad you're here. I didn't even consider two."

"Sounds like no one was planning on twins. Right now the baby isn't presenting properly. But it could shift before we will consider it a problem. It looks like you did a find job the first time around. Congratulations, "Spike extended his hand to Angel.

"Thanks," Angel shook his hand, "thanks for coming."

"Let's go look at this little girl of yours."

Angel stayed for a moment to hear that everything was fine with his daughter, who amazed him totally. He excused himself to be with Susan who worried him greatly.

"Call me if labour starts," Spike said as Angel went into the other room. He sat down beside Wesley and Giles. "Is it true about Capro Curse?"
"It's a sad thing really, Susan can't even hold her own baby," Wes answered.

"I tried to find something in my books," Giles said, "but there was no mention of lifting it."

"Susan has lost more blood than she should have. Normally a blood transfusion would be in order if she could, but with the curse it would be quite fatal. It would burn her from the inside out."

"How serious is it?" Wesley asked quite alarmed.

"We haven't reached the serious point yet, but we still have another birth to go through."

"Maybe we should take her to the hospital," Giles suggested.

"No one could touch her in a hospital and certainly they wouldn't let Angel or Spike touch her, we seem to be between the rock and a hard place. Does Angel know?" Wesley asked.

"I'm sure his is quite worried about it, although I haven't said anything yet. Quite smitten with her isn't he?"

"Smitten? More like his reason for being." Wesley continued, "If anything happens to Susan, it's hard to say what he would do."

"I don't want to do this again," Susan said quietly into Angel's shoulder after her first contraction stopped.

"I'm afraid there isn't too much we can do about it now, sweet. I know you are tired but you'll be able to rest soon."

"I can't even hold my own babies."

"You can use Cordy's oven mitts."

"I can't bath them when I'm wearing oven mitts, or change diapers, or nurse them. What about when they are ready to go to school, I won't be able to hug them goodbye."

"I know, Lamb. We'll find a cure for this damn curse."

Another contraction started and Angel checked his watch while he held her, trying to absorb her pain and sorrow. After the pain diminished he looked at his watch again, "Three minutes for a minute and twenty. I best tell Spike." But at that moment a light knock came on the door and Spike stepped inside.

"Sounds like maybe we are ready to get things going again," he said as he started to check the position of the baby. He felt the muscles tighten as another contraction started, and said, "That wasn't three minutes."

"A little over two," Angel checked his watch.

"Okay, things are progressing quickly, we shouldn't be too long at this." When it was over he added, "The baby isn't presenting normally, Susan. I'm going to try in between contractions to move it. It might make you uncomfortable but mild compared to what you have already been though." Spike started using both hands to move the baby pushing with one and guiding with the other.

"I thought twins were born minutes apart, is there something wrong?" Susan asked.

Spike started to explain but had to wait while she went through another pain. He continued as he reached under the sheet to do a quick examination. "Some twins share the same water sac and will be born close together. Others, like yours, are in separate sacks and afterbirths and can sometimes be a few days apart." Suddenly there was a gush of water. "There, that should help. You are fully dilated, Susan, but the baby wants to come bum first. Until we get it coming you won't really get the urge to push. I'm going to have to get its feet coming first. After that I'm going to have to keep helping by pulling on its feet. It is going to hurt, Susan."

"Is this the only way?" Angel was anxious.

"In the hospital they would probably do a Caesarean, but it isn't an option here."

"Okay, lets get it over with," Susan said quickly as another contraction started.

Spike instructed Angel to sit behind her so he could hold her from behind and offer support to help her push.

Susan took a quick breath as Spike pulled the baby's feet into place. As a contraction started she finally felt the need to push but as Spike tried to help, the pain was so intense that she couldn't help but fight against it.

"Don't fight it Susan, relax," Spike urged.

The pain was obvious and Angel held her tightly.

During the next break Spike told her, "Push with it, don't fight. It makes it harder and will take longer."

"I'll try, but it hurts so much." Again another contraction started.

"They must be having problems," Wesley said as they could hear Susan, obviously in a lot of pain.

"She never made a sound the first time," Lorne said very concerned.

It lasted for a long eight minutes until finally the cry of another new baby was heard and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Little Angeline was sleeping peacefully in Lorne's arms. He looked down at her and said, "You've got a new baby … brother I would presume."

Spike had to work quickly after the baby was born to use a small suction device to clear the baby's airways. He placed their new son in Susan's arms and through tears she welcomed little Alexander Quinn Lockwood until once again the burning started and Angel wrapped him in another towel and took him to the others.

Spike massaged Susan's abdomen and when Angel returned encouraged him to do the same. "We need to get the womb to firm up. To slow the bleeding," he said looking into Angel's eyes – the message of concern was relayed without words. "There," he said after a few minutes, "That's what I want."

Susan lay on the bed, her eyes closed, but she breathed out heavily every time the uterus contracted, until it was finally tightened to the size that satisfied Spike.

As he turned to go to wash up he asked Angel, "You got beer in your fridge?"

"Sure do! Help yourself man," Angel shook his hand, "Thanks for coming, I couldn't have done that."

"Its nothing," Spike smiled back, "You've still got the hard part ahead of you … noisy kids." He faked a shutter but as he walked past the table he couldn't help but stop and admire the bright eyed baby boy that Willow held.

Gunn and Cordelia arrived back with supplies including a bottle of champagne to congratulate and toast the couple.

Angel took a basin of water, a washcloth and towel to clean up Susan who was totally weakened and exhausted from her endeavour. He had come well prepared and was able to easily remove his extra supply of sheets and towels from under her. He gently started to wash her, starting with her face.

"That feels so good", she said opening her eyes to look deep into his. "You are still too good to me," she said weakly.

"You've given me two beautiful babies. What I can do for you is so small in comparison."

As he finished she asked for her clean nightgown she had packed in the bottom of the suitcase. He pulled out a beautiful long satiny sky blue gown and helped her put it on. He hesitated when he brushed her shiny blonde hair that seemed to be a little longer than he had remembered. She was pale, but how beautiful she was as she lay back against the white pillow.

"Can I see everyone, and hold my babies for awhile," she asked quietly, still very weak.

Angel called everyone into the bedroom and propped a pillow under each arm then placed a baby on each side. They had been dressed in tiny little baby clothes and had little knit caps covering their heads, each dressed in their appropriate colours of pink and blue. They were both wrapped in towels to help prevent the burn. Cordelia had her camera and insisted Angel sit in behind Susan for their first family portrait. He held her tightly while everyone lifted a glass of champagne in the air, congratulated the couple and wished them much happiness.

"Susan needs to rest," Spike demanded. "You can catch up on world events later," he said first taking Angeline then Alexander from her arms that were blistered and red, but she had not made a sound. Angel took the jar of cream out of the suitcase and quickly applied it, but Susan said nothing, as she was already asleep.

Angel asked Spike to sit with her while he had a quick shower. When he returned she still slept, so peacefully he checked her breathing just to be sure.

He climbed in under the covers beside her and as she always did Susan rolled over to have him put his arm around her and hold her close, her head resting on his chest. Her movement was very slow and he could tell that she was still very weak.

"They are beautiful," she said of their babies.

"They are very beautiful," Angel agreed.

"You smell so good," she said taking a deep breath, then rested and seemed to go to sleep.

He stayed awake, loving her so much, and for some reason feeling so sad. Finally he decided that it was because of everything she had had to suffer.

After quite some time she said to him, "Take me with you."

"What?" Angel asked alarmed. He looked at her and found those blue eyes looking back.

"I'll always love you, Angel. I'll never leave you." Her voice was very quiet and her eyes seemed too heavy to stay open.

Angel realized that her breathing was very shallow. He held his fingers to her neck to feel a pulse and found it was rapid but very weak. Immediately he sat up and shouted, "SPIKE!"

Within seconds Spike was in the room and threw back the covers to find the sheets marked red. "Damn" he exclaimed trying to massage her again, until they both knew it was too late. She lay there on the bed; no different than if she was sound asleep.

"My God, don't take her away from me again," Angel cried taking her into his arms.

Spike went into the other room. The others were all alerted by Angel's call. When Spike came out of the bedroom no one had to ask what had happened, his face showed it all.

Cordelia had been giving Angeline a bottle, got up from her seat and handed the baby to Willow. She quietly went into the bedroom, Wesley following, and closed the door behind them. Angel sat on the bed beside Susy, brushing the hair off of her face.

"This must be my punishment for all the wrong that I have ever done." Angel said as Cordelia put her hand on his shoulder.

"Susy would be the first one to say that God doesn't punish people," she answered.

"Then why?" He took Susan's hand and held it against his cheek, tears marking her skin.

Suddenly from nowhere a light filled the room. It seemed to pull itself into one energy and gathered completely into Susan's body. In front of everyone's eyes she turned into that light which continued to compact into a small brilliant ray. There was a clatter of metal on the bed and the light quickly moved to the cross hanging on Angel's chest and was absorbed into it. In an instant the black iron cross turned to a brilliant gold. Angel reached under the bedcovers to find Susan's heart and cross too had turned to gold. He held it in his hand, walked out the room, stepped out the entrance door and disappeared into the darkness.

Gunn went to follow, but Wes stopped him, "He needs time alone."