Laura Joyce Summers
A/n: Final Chapter of Part Two (Betcha thought I was already done eh? Well the third part is well...something else. Do me a huge favor. REVIEW let me know if you are still reading this and if you like this and your hopes desires. PLEASE!!)
***
Everyone stood around Buffy's bed looking at the tiny creature. Nine months ago she had been prepared to die. Now she was one of the elemental figures of the Council that had ran her life, she had a man who would never leave her and she had created life with one who had been her enemy. Xander and Dawn had flown in two days ago in preparation for the birth. Willow and Tara had never left.
"Ooh look at the little head," Willow said in admiration.
"Look at the fingers," Tara cooed.
"And no fangs," Xander said appreciatively.
"You're so funny Harris," Spike said with as much of a growl as a proud father could. He had secretly been scared that perhaps there would be vampire taint on the child. He didn't want to be the reason that he child was less than perfect.
"Well let's hope she gets her mother's sense of humor," Xander mocked, "And fashion sense."
Tara and Willow looked down at the little child. Tara was leaving in two days to go to help Melinda. Melinda needed a familiar face. Xander had convinced Tara to go and be with her for awhile. Tara was ordained by the Council, under the head of Giles to go and be an aid. Wilson was her Watcher and Tara was her Council Wicca. She had broken up with Willow. They had asked to have privacy over their break up and they had been given it. Willow was throwing herself into studies at the Council resources. Willow was strong, she was refining her techniques.
Dawn was looking forward to moving to England to be with Buffy. She had never really fit in at school and she was tired of living with Xander and Anya. They were wonderful but Sunnydale wasn't home without Buffy. Besides English men were hot.
Giles, leader of the Council of Watchers, had finally found his element. As a young man he had always been uneasy due to the archaic way that the council was run. He had fought tooth and nail to change some things. It was hard, but Giles felt very comfortable. Buffy was his right hand. He couldn't do what he had done without his surrogate daughter. Slayers now were paid and, in the tradition of Buffy, the program of Slayers were being altered. The many girls who were training were given a more rounded education, one that included being taught how to be a little spunkier and inventive.
Spike was the proprietor of a bar. He had turned down a job working at the council. As much as he was on the side of the Slayer, he couldn't see turning against everything that he was and getting an official post. It was a bit much. So he simply created his own bar, a dark and dusty place that accepted all kinds. It was a dive, but it was loved. The bar had character. He also was amazed everyday by Buffy and their child.
Spike looked down at Buffy, "Why don't you guys let Buffy and Bite Size get some rest."
The Scoobies were reluctant, but they filed out.
Spike stayed and sat next to his girls. He watched them, expecting it to disappear in a second.
Then in walked the one thing that could dampen his mood.
"Hey peaches," Spike growled.
Buffy looked up and held Laura closer. Spike had never learned of Angel's role to her lately. She didn't really want him to know. She was scared that Angel was here to ruin something perfect on this day. This was supposed to be a glorious day.
Angel walked wordlessly into the room and he was quickly followed by the little warlock that had made it all possible.
Spike had the very strong urge to hug the little man and punch out the other vampire.
Instead he put his hand on the baby's head.
The Warlock walked up to the baby and looked down. Buffy held her baby closer.
The warlock sighed, "Well she's a beauty."
"And you are here because?" Spike asked.
"Well there are some things that you need to know."
"No," Buffy said weakly. She feared the worst. What else could it mean to have such a child.
"That is great, what is the gelled wonder doing here."
"He came with me."
"Male escort part of your resume now?"
Angel was non committal, "He asked me to come and I am here."
Buffy and Spike knew that he was omitting quite a bit so they turned back to the warlock.
"Start talking," Spike growled.
"Well there are some things that were wrong before. The Powers can't make anyone do anything. They can only give the opportunity. Well you Ms. Summers are adamantly defiant of anyone else's powers."
Spike gave Buffy a look of utmost appreciation.
"Ms. Summers you refuse to die. You choose the way that you live and love. The Powers didn't expect Angel. Your love defied all the rules. It could never really be. There were too many reason why not, he was supposed to be your partner, not your lover."
Spike's smile faded and he once again contemplated throwing Angel out the window.
"Angel's duty was to be your protector. He was supposed to facilitate your relationship with William. However you were very lost and Angel's comfort extended to a relationship of love. You two threw everything into a dither. When finally William came, the only one who could match Buffy, Buffy was already too entrenched in Angel. One relationship with a vampire that turned badly had turned Buffy against loving vampires. It took years to get you two to realize your feelings. The rather nice side effect is that you two bonded and became friends. You two have a deeper relationship than was every expected."
"If you don't tell me why you are reminding me of the past, and get to the part that we don't know then I'm going to reverse that little rescue that I did for you about a year ago."
"The master's line is strong. Darla, Angel, Drusilla, William, all master vampires. The blood of the master is passed down, into each one. Now it is passed into this child."
"No," Buffy said defiantly, "This baby is human. Sunlight and all."
"Yes Ms. Summers, she is human. But she's more than that. William didn't return to his old self when he became human in those moments. He was vampire form made human. This child is the descendant of the Master, she is the reborn soul of her father. She is also the essence of the Slayer."
"She's my soul?" Spike asked hoarsely. His heart was tied to Buffy, that is why he chose not to kill the innocent. Now he had more reason than ever to fight the nature of the beast. Everyday his soul would be sitting before him. His soul was a bit of a wussy soul, but he could teach the little girl to be a bit tougher. She did have the essence of the Slayer to work with.
"Yes William. Now you see why it would not have worked had Angel been given the chance. His soul is tainted. He was, well let's just say his soul isn't worth much. He pays now for mistakes made as a human and as a vampire. He has only half a soul because the soul is not his. That is why he is in limbo, until he pays his price. None of the other of the Master's line is any more likely. Darla was a whore her past is as jaded as Liam's and Drusilla is insane, her mortal soul was driven from her before she was ever turned. They would never have been able to create a child that is this beautiful.
" Now William's soul contains the greatest power to love. He retained the ability to love even through the possession. This created a vampire who was stronger than any other. This created a vampire that fought with passion."
Buffy grimaced, "No, my child will not be another tool of the fates. She will not be some destined creature. I gave my entire life. I will not give my daughter that life."
"Ms. Summers I assure you that things will be a little different with her. She will be raised by a loving family who knows of her calling. She is not alone, that provision has been made."
Buffy was seething.
"So are you done?" Spike asked coldly, "My girls are tired."
The Warlock shook his head and looked down at Laura.
"Well little girl you've only got one more thing to do today."
"And what is that."
"Well you two have kind of altered the plan. The wishes that you made are good, but there are consequences. Your wishes put things right, but there is a negative problem with the way that you two worded it. Buffy you will have your normality and love that will stay. Your daughter will live with you and have a normal life. You will always have love. However she has a destiny to perform. You two now are her teachers, there to watch over her. However her parents, her protectors, will die when she reaches her destiny."
"Excuse me," Spike interrupted, "That was plural. "
"Yeah that is the kicker. Since Buffy asked for love to stay it will stay with her into death."
Spike looked up at Buffy with wonder. When she had died in the first place he had been devastated. He couldn't imagine not living with her in his life.
"You will never live without her. When she dies you will go with her. You will be by her side always. I cannot control things like the fact that she will never age, due to her death three years ago. I cannot control your wishes, but I can assure her safety. your daughter is something more than normal. Therefore she is to have the three of you as…"
"No," Spike growled, "I will not share my child with him."
"I gave you that baby," the warlock leaned into him, "I gave you everything you ever wanted in your breathing and un-dead life. You will listen. You need him. The champion of your child."
"What happens if he looses his soul again, then he'll just come and kill off the baby and Buffy, then apparently I will die too."
"He will not loose his soul. This has to happen or else things will go very badly. He will have no contact with your child until you die."
Spike growled, but Buffy reached out her hand.
"Spike," she said looking up at him. She was torn. She was going to have a few years of wonderfulness. Then she was going to abandon this beautiful child. She was going to die and bring Spike with her. She had to know that as the consequences of her wish was being allowed, that the child would still have someone there for her.
Spike growled.
"Please," she asked.
Spike said nothing, but stepped back. The Warlock began to chant. He held the child and stood before each of the people in the room.
'Slayer, mother, Protector, this is your body. Do you swear to watch this child for the rest of your days and provide that no harm comes to her. Do you swear to help her to be all that she can, to teach her all that you know?"
Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "I do."
"Vampire, father, Advocate, this is your soul. Do you swear to see her though all of her trials. Do you swear to cleave to this child and give her all of the understanding that you possess."
Spike put his anger aside for his child's sake and said softly, "I do."
"Of both and neither, Guardian, this is your blood. Do you promise to be her hope when she has no where else to turn. Do you promise to be the answer to her need."
Angel looked at Buffy and nodded. He couldn't be the father, but he would be everything else for her.
"I do."
"I bind you to this child. I bind your lives to this child."
A/n: Final Chapter of Part Two (Betcha thought I was already done eh? Well the third part is well...something else. Do me a huge favor. REVIEW let me know if you are still reading this and if you like this and your hopes desires. PLEASE!!)
***
Everyone stood around Buffy's bed looking at the tiny creature. Nine months ago she had been prepared to die. Now she was one of the elemental figures of the Council that had ran her life, she had a man who would never leave her and she had created life with one who had been her enemy. Xander and Dawn had flown in two days ago in preparation for the birth. Willow and Tara had never left.
"Ooh look at the little head," Willow said in admiration.
"Look at the fingers," Tara cooed.
"And no fangs," Xander said appreciatively.
"You're so funny Harris," Spike said with as much of a growl as a proud father could. He had secretly been scared that perhaps there would be vampire taint on the child. He didn't want to be the reason that he child was less than perfect.
"Well let's hope she gets her mother's sense of humor," Xander mocked, "And fashion sense."
Tara and Willow looked down at the little child. Tara was leaving in two days to go to help Melinda. Melinda needed a familiar face. Xander had convinced Tara to go and be with her for awhile. Tara was ordained by the Council, under the head of Giles to go and be an aid. Wilson was her Watcher and Tara was her Council Wicca. She had broken up with Willow. They had asked to have privacy over their break up and they had been given it. Willow was throwing herself into studies at the Council resources. Willow was strong, she was refining her techniques.
Dawn was looking forward to moving to England to be with Buffy. She had never really fit in at school and she was tired of living with Xander and Anya. They were wonderful but Sunnydale wasn't home without Buffy. Besides English men were hot.
Giles, leader of the Council of Watchers, had finally found his element. As a young man he had always been uneasy due to the archaic way that the council was run. He had fought tooth and nail to change some things. It was hard, but Giles felt very comfortable. Buffy was his right hand. He couldn't do what he had done without his surrogate daughter. Slayers now were paid and, in the tradition of Buffy, the program of Slayers were being altered. The many girls who were training were given a more rounded education, one that included being taught how to be a little spunkier and inventive.
Spike was the proprietor of a bar. He had turned down a job working at the council. As much as he was on the side of the Slayer, he couldn't see turning against everything that he was and getting an official post. It was a bit much. So he simply created his own bar, a dark and dusty place that accepted all kinds. It was a dive, but it was loved. The bar had character. He also was amazed everyday by Buffy and their child.
Spike looked down at Buffy, "Why don't you guys let Buffy and Bite Size get some rest."
The Scoobies were reluctant, but they filed out.
Spike stayed and sat next to his girls. He watched them, expecting it to disappear in a second.
Then in walked the one thing that could dampen his mood.
"Hey peaches," Spike growled.
Buffy looked up and held Laura closer. Spike had never learned of Angel's role to her lately. She didn't really want him to know. She was scared that Angel was here to ruin something perfect on this day. This was supposed to be a glorious day.
Angel walked wordlessly into the room and he was quickly followed by the little warlock that had made it all possible.
Spike had the very strong urge to hug the little man and punch out the other vampire.
Instead he put his hand on the baby's head.
The Warlock walked up to the baby and looked down. Buffy held her baby closer.
The warlock sighed, "Well she's a beauty."
"And you are here because?" Spike asked.
"Well there are some things that you need to know."
"No," Buffy said weakly. She feared the worst. What else could it mean to have such a child.
"That is great, what is the gelled wonder doing here."
"He came with me."
"Male escort part of your resume now?"
Angel was non committal, "He asked me to come and I am here."
Buffy and Spike knew that he was omitting quite a bit so they turned back to the warlock.
"Start talking," Spike growled.
"Well there are some things that were wrong before. The Powers can't make anyone do anything. They can only give the opportunity. Well you Ms. Summers are adamantly defiant of anyone else's powers."
Spike gave Buffy a look of utmost appreciation.
"Ms. Summers you refuse to die. You choose the way that you live and love. The Powers didn't expect Angel. Your love defied all the rules. It could never really be. There were too many reason why not, he was supposed to be your partner, not your lover."
Spike's smile faded and he once again contemplated throwing Angel out the window.
"Angel's duty was to be your protector. He was supposed to facilitate your relationship with William. However you were very lost and Angel's comfort extended to a relationship of love. You two threw everything into a dither. When finally William came, the only one who could match Buffy, Buffy was already too entrenched in Angel. One relationship with a vampire that turned badly had turned Buffy against loving vampires. It took years to get you two to realize your feelings. The rather nice side effect is that you two bonded and became friends. You two have a deeper relationship than was every expected."
"If you don't tell me why you are reminding me of the past, and get to the part that we don't know then I'm going to reverse that little rescue that I did for you about a year ago."
"The master's line is strong. Darla, Angel, Drusilla, William, all master vampires. The blood of the master is passed down, into each one. Now it is passed into this child."
"No," Buffy said defiantly, "This baby is human. Sunlight and all."
"Yes Ms. Summers, she is human. But she's more than that. William didn't return to his old self when he became human in those moments. He was vampire form made human. This child is the descendant of the Master, she is the reborn soul of her father. She is also the essence of the Slayer."
"She's my soul?" Spike asked hoarsely. His heart was tied to Buffy, that is why he chose not to kill the innocent. Now he had more reason than ever to fight the nature of the beast. Everyday his soul would be sitting before him. His soul was a bit of a wussy soul, but he could teach the little girl to be a bit tougher. She did have the essence of the Slayer to work with.
"Yes William. Now you see why it would not have worked had Angel been given the chance. His soul is tainted. He was, well let's just say his soul isn't worth much. He pays now for mistakes made as a human and as a vampire. He has only half a soul because the soul is not his. That is why he is in limbo, until he pays his price. None of the other of the Master's line is any more likely. Darla was a whore her past is as jaded as Liam's and Drusilla is insane, her mortal soul was driven from her before she was ever turned. They would never have been able to create a child that is this beautiful.
" Now William's soul contains the greatest power to love. He retained the ability to love even through the possession. This created a vampire who was stronger than any other. This created a vampire that fought with passion."
Buffy grimaced, "No, my child will not be another tool of the fates. She will not be some destined creature. I gave my entire life. I will not give my daughter that life."
"Ms. Summers I assure you that things will be a little different with her. She will be raised by a loving family who knows of her calling. She is not alone, that provision has been made."
Buffy was seething.
"So are you done?" Spike asked coldly, "My girls are tired."
The Warlock shook his head and looked down at Laura.
"Well little girl you've only got one more thing to do today."
"And what is that."
"Well you two have kind of altered the plan. The wishes that you made are good, but there are consequences. Your wishes put things right, but there is a negative problem with the way that you two worded it. Buffy you will have your normality and love that will stay. Your daughter will live with you and have a normal life. You will always have love. However she has a destiny to perform. You two now are her teachers, there to watch over her. However her parents, her protectors, will die when she reaches her destiny."
"Excuse me," Spike interrupted, "That was plural. "
"Yeah that is the kicker. Since Buffy asked for love to stay it will stay with her into death."
Spike looked up at Buffy with wonder. When she had died in the first place he had been devastated. He couldn't imagine not living with her in his life.
"You will never live without her. When she dies you will go with her. You will be by her side always. I cannot control things like the fact that she will never age, due to her death three years ago. I cannot control your wishes, but I can assure her safety. your daughter is something more than normal. Therefore she is to have the three of you as…"
"No," Spike growled, "I will not share my child with him."
"I gave you that baby," the warlock leaned into him, "I gave you everything you ever wanted in your breathing and un-dead life. You will listen. You need him. The champion of your child."
"What happens if he looses his soul again, then he'll just come and kill off the baby and Buffy, then apparently I will die too."
"He will not loose his soul. This has to happen or else things will go very badly. He will have no contact with your child until you die."
Spike growled, but Buffy reached out her hand.
"Spike," she said looking up at him. She was torn. She was going to have a few years of wonderfulness. Then she was going to abandon this beautiful child. She was going to die and bring Spike with her. She had to know that as the consequences of her wish was being allowed, that the child would still have someone there for her.
Spike growled.
"Please," she asked.
Spike said nothing, but stepped back. The Warlock began to chant. He held the child and stood before each of the people in the room.
'Slayer, mother, Protector, this is your body. Do you swear to watch this child for the rest of your days and provide that no harm comes to her. Do you swear to help her to be all that she can, to teach her all that you know?"
Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "I do."
"Vampire, father, Advocate, this is your soul. Do you swear to see her though all of her trials. Do you swear to cleave to this child and give her all of the understanding that you possess."
Spike put his anger aside for his child's sake and said softly, "I do."
"Of both and neither, Guardian, this is your blood. Do you promise to be her hope when she has no where else to turn. Do you promise to be the answer to her need."
Angel looked at Buffy and nodded. He couldn't be the father, but he would be everything else for her.
"I do."
"I bind you to this child. I bind your lives to this child."