A/N It's time for some quiet time away from the angst well for a little while anyway.
The next week passed quickly as Buffy and Spike sorted through the things Angel had brought from LA and set up a room for Jake in Buffy's old room. Spike put the crib together as Jake watched from his baby seat. "Yes, this is your bed." Spike smiled at the baby as he finished putting the last bolt in and made sure the rail would move up and down the way it should. Buffy grinned as she watched her husband with the baby, Spike seemed to have a easygoing way with the baby that she still lacked.

Papers had arrived from Chris and Dawn's lawyer about Jake's custody. Information about his medical records and college funds was included. Buffy had yet to sit down and examine all the information, taking care of the baby was still too new, and the paperwork saying she and Spike were now Jake's "parents" just made her think about Dawn and that pain was still too fresh.

"Here's a little snack for you, " She handed a warm mug to him and then knelt to the floor beside Jake, "And here's something for you." She picked the baby up and gave him his bottle.

"Thanks, " He smiled as she sat down on the floor beside her, "We need a rocking chair in here, every baby needs a rocker in his room."

"That's a good idea." Buffy agreed as she watched Jake's eyes follow her as he drank his formula.

"We'll look for one tomorrow night."

"Okay, we'll look at that little antique store on Main Street." Buffy watched as Jake's eyes began to droop, "If you'll put those sheets on the crib, we'll put him in his bed ."

When the crib was made up and Jake lay sleeping peacefully they turned out the light and went across the hall to thier own room. Buffy changed into her nightgown and joined Spike in the bed. "What you reading?" She asked as she cuddled close to him. She had missed this being close to him the last few days.

"One of those baby books, Angel brought. Tells what the baby should be doing at what age and such. Our Jake's right on schedule from what I can see." Spike read aloud from the book, "Attempts to hit or swipe at moving objects with hands , he's good at that specially with that ugly sesame street rattle thing."

"That's Elmo and he's cute." Buffy grinned in amazement at how seductive Spike's voice could be even as he read from a baby care book.

"Cute to you maybe, but I fnd him annoying and scary looking and that voice coming from under that red mop - suprised it doesnt' give kids nightmares." Spike shook his head and grimaced before he began to read again, "Change of expression at the sound of your voice, a big smile is good, he smiles alot,"

"Uh huh, he does." Buffy smiled at Spike as her hand crept under the covers and up his chest teasing one nipple.

Spike stopped reading for a moment, he playfully batted her hand away and grinned at her, then started reading again, "Seems to enjoy interaction with others .Attempts to use hands and eyes in coordination."
Buffy pretended to pout as she leaned in closer to him and whispered, "I could use some interaction with others and I'm sure your very good with the hand coordination." She sucked on his earlobe gently, before pushing the book out of his hands and straddling him, "I can think of better things to do then read in bed."

"I was just trying to......." The rest of the sentence was slurred as her mouth covered his in a searing kiss.

"Buffy, you sure?" He asked as he pulled away, this was the first time they had been this intimate since before the whole LA tragedy.

"Yes, I'm sure. I need you Spike." She kissed him again.

He didn't need to be told twice. As he she lifted her arms ,he helped pull the soft satin of the nightshirt over her head. He sat staring at her for a moment before reaching for her, mesmerized by her beauty. So much strength held in this tiny, very feminine body.

"Okay, do I have something on my face?" Buffy began wiping at her cheeks.

"No, " He took her hands away from her face holding them tightly in his own, "You're perfect."

Buffy blushed at his words and his adoring stare, after all these years he could still do that, make her feel shy at his compliments. "Not really perfect, I think your biased." She kissed the tip of his nose before her hands pulled the covers back from around him and settled her self on top of him. He moaned slightly as she began a soft, steady movement against him. "Not biased at all, luv." He groaned out as he met her movements, "Just in love."

She smiled at him seductively as began to increase her pace leaning down and whispering in his ear, "Me, too."
They danced their own private dance for each other set to the perfect music of soft spoken declarations of love. The music ended with Spike's voice calling out her name as she fell against his chest and cuddled there unwilling to move, "I'm gonna stay right here until morning." She murmered smiling agianst his hard chest.

"Fine with me, Pet." He kissed the top of her silky head and settled under her to get comfortable.

"Night," She replied drowsily as her eyes fell closed.

"Umm..night." He replied his arm possesive around her his hand resting on the small of her back as he closed his eyes.

"WAHHH,,,,,,,," The cry startled both of them, Buffy jumping from her place on Spike's chest her eyes scanning the room, Spike sitting up beside her.

"Jake!" They said simultaneously as Buffy pulled on her robe and Spike searched for his sweat pants.

"It's okay, sweetie." Buffy told the crying baby as she picked him up from the crib. Spike soon joined her in the baby's room.

"Is he okay?" Spike asked as paced the room with the baby in her arms.

"I don't know, his diaper is dry, maybe he's hungry again?" She asked over the crying.

"He shouldn't be, it's not been that long since he ate." Spike took the baby from her and began to inspect him, "Maybe that binky thing?" He searched for the pacifier on the dresser.

"He did sneeze a couple times earlier? Do you think he has a cold?" Buffy looked worried.

"Don't think a couple of sneezes makes a cold, luv." Spike offered the baby the pacifier. Jake scrunched up his nose and spit it out.

"Okay, he doesn't want the binky" Spike put the pacifier down..
"Let's try the bottle?' ."

"Okay, but the book says it's not good to just stuff a bottle in his mouth every time he cries." Spike told her as he followed her down the stairs.

Buffy looked over he shoulder and glared at him, maybe she would rethink how sexy he sounded quoting from that book.
He took the baby while Buffy warmed the bottle talking to him as he bounced him gently in his arms. Buffy gave him the warm bottle and sat down in the chair across from him, her robe opening to show quite a bit of leg.

Spike stared at the bare leg remembering all the ways she had used it earlier, he lay his hand on her bare knee and winked at her, "I think I've got my second wind."

She grinned at him, "I think the fun's over for the night." She nodded down at the baby in his arms.

Jake was alternately taking a sip of formula and then spitting the nipple out and fussing.

"It's a wonder anyone ever finds the time to have a second baby if this is what happens after you have the first one." Spike sighed as Jake spit the nipple out again letting the formula roll down his chin.

"He really doesn't want that bottle. Guess you were right." Buffy sat the bottle on the table.

"No, but he has at least lowered his decibel level." Spike took the babys small hand in his, Jake gripped it tightly and stopped crying, giving him the sweetest smile.

"I think he just woke up in a strange room maybe?" Buffy offered as Jake turned towards her voice and offered her the same sweet smile.

"That's probably it. He seems happy now though."

"Yeah, he does." Buffy kissed the baby's forehead, "He's really amazing isn't he?"

"He is, " Spike answered, "But he comes from a pretty amazing family. Joyce, Dawn, you."

"And you. Earlier did you realize you said "our" Jake? Thats kind of scary, because he is ours now. Probably the most wonderful scariest gift we've ever receieved all rolled up in this one little chubby cheeked baby.Things are never going to be the same are they?" Buffy asked as she wiped the formula off the babys face.

"No, they aren't. But didn't you figure that out before now? Like when we tried to go to the grocery store the other night and realized we had to pack a small suitcase just to get out the door or when I spent an hour yesterday morning looking for that darn binky when we lost it, " his voice was light and teasing, "or..."

"Or the fact that you actually said the word darn instead of your usual word." Buffy added raising an eyebrow.

"There's that saying about little pitchers and big ears or something like that. One of these days he'll start talking and I'm guessing you won't be happy if he goes to school spouting profanities."
Spike shifted the baby as Jakes eyes began to get heavy.

"You are so sure of this...this parenting thing, and I'm still worried that I'm not cut out for this job, you know?" She sighed and picked a bit of fuzz off Jake's jammies.

"I know, but everyday it's gonna get easier. I promise." He kissed her hand as the baby's heavy eyes finally closed in sleep, "Buffy, you've done the parenting thing before, with Dawn and you did a good job of it. Jake's just a bit smaller and hey he can't talk back or argue yet."

"And Dawn trusted us to do this." Buffy added in a soft voice.

"Yeah, and we aren't gonna let the Niblet down." Spike rose from the chair carrying the sleeping baby protectively towards the stairs.

*****

Angel smiled at the information he had written down. He had finally found a source into Wolfram and Hart. His notes held vital information about Chris and Dawn's death. He just needed to call Buffy now.
TBC

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