Chapter 10

Dawn came home to find it vacant. She checked the downstairs, and then headed upstairs. All the doors were open except Buffy's. She knocked on it. "Buffy, you in there?"

Inside, Buffy jarred awake. She shook Spike. He moaned, rolling over.

"Yeah, Dawnie, I'll be out in a sec," Buffy called.

She shook Spike again. "Spike, Dawn's home."

He mumbled something that was gibberish to her ears. He sat up, trying to open his eyes. The blinds were open, allowing light to stream in through the window. He still wasn't used to it.

Buffy started to get dressed. Her heart raced. What would she tell Dawn?

Spike smiled. His bare chest became exposed from the sheets. "I'm cold here without you."

The sight of him almost got her to jump back into bed. Almost. But she couldn't forget her present situation.

She tied her hair back into a pony-tail. She shifted in the mirror. She jumped as the image of a man came up behind her.

Spike examined himself. His hair was disheveled, his blue eyes sparkling. He wrapped his arms around the slayer.

"I'm pretty sexy," he remarked at his reflection.

Buffy rolled her eyes. It was true, though, he was damn good-looking. For a second she forgot everything. Then it came back to her. She turned to face Spike.

"How am I going to explain this to Dawn?" she questioned.

Spike raised an eyebrow. "About what, luv?"

"Oh, please." She sighed. "You, me. If we go out together she's going to know what we did."

Spike gave her a dubious look. "I think she knows about the birds and the bees. Besides, when you tell her about the baby she's bound to figure it out."

Her eyes widened. "Oh God! The baby!" She shook her head. "I . . . I can't do this!"

He took her by the shoulders. He met her gaze. "Yes, you can."

"I'm not as worried about Dawn. But what about the others? What will they think of me?"

"They're your friends, Buffy. They'll love you no matter what."

"That's not. . ."

Pounding rang loudly from the other side of the door. "Buffy!" Dawn yelled. "What are you doing in there?"

No use putting it off any longer. Buffy broke away from Spike, going to the door. "Hurry and put on your pants," she hissed. He nodded and scrambled for his jeans.

Dawn about fell over as the door flew open. She steadied herself. Then she studied Buffy. Her sister had an expression of great worry on her face. Surprise came over Dawn as Spike unrepentantly came out into the hall as well. His eyes never left Buffy.

"You, you guys were in there together?" Dawn said in shock.

Flustered, Buffy replied," Yeah. Uh huh, talking. Having a long conversation."

Dawn smiled. "Sure," she said sarcastically. She noted Spike's mussed hair.

Spike ran a hand down Buffy's back. He said, soothingly, "Just tell her the truth, luv."

Buffy spun around. "Fine, Spike, you want me to say it outright." She then spoke to Dawn. "We slept together. And I'm pregnant."

After it was out, she took in a ragged breath. Her eyes began to sting.

Dawn stood there quietly in shock. It took a moment to process the information. When she did, she was confused. Why was Buffy upset? She should be happy.

"Buffy, that's wonderful. You should be ecstatic.." Dawn smiled. "I'm going to be an aunt. And you're going to be a mommy. It's so exciting."

The slayer hugged herself. She was trying to calm down. Spike's hand on her waist comforted her a little.

"I know, Dawn. I want to be a parent, and have a family. I like the idea of having a kid with Spike." She glanced at her boyfriend. He gave her an adoring look. "I'm just so scared. What am I going to tell the gang? Xander. . . And, I can hardly manage with money for you and me. Patrolling is going to cause complications. Someone else will have to take over," Buffy expressed. The stress was overwhelming.

"You know I will, luv," Spike offered. She could feel his hot breath on her neck.

Dawn watched the intimacy of her sister and best pal Spike. It was so romantic. She'd been waiting for this so long. They made such a cute couple. I guess this means Spike is not going ot ever move out, she thought happily.

++++++++++++++++++++

Later, that evening, Buffy and Spike entered the magic shop. Spike held her hand reassuringly. He hoped this would end without any bloody noses.

"Hello, Buffy!" Willow greeted. She was at the table reading a college text.

"Oh, and she brought sun-boy with her," Xander observed verbally.

Spike cringed at the new nick-name. He preferred ex-dead boy than that. Spike decided to let it go, with the situation and all.

Buffy surveyed the scene. "Anya's not here?"

"No," Xander replied. "She has a migraine. Left us in charge of the store. Haven't been any customers, though."

"Good." Buffy moved closer to Spike. The others noticed the way his arm went around her, possessively. "We sort of have something to tell you both.

"Oh, God, I knew it!" Xander exclaimed. He looked at Willow. "Didn't I tell you?"

Willow's mouth parted, but she said nothing.

Xander's head turned to the standing couple. His expression was accusing. "You are going out with him. I knew that letting him stay at your house would lead to this. Buffy how can you do this?"

The heart inside her chest had sped up. "Xander, I didn't mean for it to happen. It just did. You can't control who you fall in love with, and you know it."

Buffy crossed her arms. "You have to accept it. I don't expect you to like it, only let it be. For my sake."

Willow got up. She gave Buffy a hug. "As long as you're happy, so am I."

Willow didn't hate Spike, and she suspected the slayer had a soft spot for him long ago. As long as he treated her right, it was okay with her.

"Look Buddy," Xander began. He went over to Spike. His finger went to the blond's face. "If you ever hurt her by leaving, I'll hunt you down and kill you."

"I would never leave her," Spike said. "Especially now, when she needs me most."

Buffy's two friends gave her questioning looks. She swallowed. Here goes. "I'm pregnant," she stated.

"Wow," Willow whispered. Her eyes went huge.

Xander's balance became unsteady. "I think I might faint," he moaned.

Buffy rushed over to help him. "You okay, Xan?"

He blinked a couple times. "Baby?"

"Yeah."

"With Spike?"

"Uh huh."

Willow's head tilted to Spike. "Congratulations," she said.

"Thanks, Red." He couldn't help but crack a grin at Xander. There wouldn't be any punches today at least.

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I'm working on getting this done, guys. Sorry that it's taking me so long. I only have like 3 more parts, which will be out very soon.