***** Chapter 3: Trouble in Paradise *****

"May I present to you, Baby Girl Sinclair," Spike said proudly, holding his daughter in his arms.

"Oh, she's so cute," Dawn cooed, scrunching up her nose to make faces at the baby.

"You haven't thought of a name yet?" Buffy asked.

"We were supposed to have two more months to pick. Not my fault she's an impatient little bugger. Gets that from 'er mum." Ben nodded enthusiastically.

"And she's healthy?" Giles asked, concerned. He'd come to care for Andrea and her previously unborn child almost as much as he did Buffy. Spike grinned, swollen with pride.

"She's perfect."

"Can we see Andrea?" He nodded and led them all into the hospital room.

She smiled weakly at her friends. She was glad for all the support. Some of her colour had returned and her hazel eyes once again had a devilish twinkle. She reached out her arms and took the baby from Spike, then scooted over so he could join her on the bed.

"So what do you guys think we should name her?" she asked.

"Name her Monday," Dawn said. When everyone frowned at her, she explained. "Then you can name all your other kids Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Bob." Spike laughed, but Andrea's eyes grew wide.

"No way. If Spike wants more kids, he can get himself pregnant. I'm not going through that again."

"That's what they all say," April taunted from behind the camera.

"Shouldn't you be calling Cody?" Willow suggested.

"Oh, my God!" April tore out of the room, in search of the nearest pay phone.

"Thank you," Andrea breathed. "I love her and all, but the camera's starting to piss me off." Xander happened to glance toward Spike's right hand, which he'd kept in his pocket in the waiting room.

"What the hell happened, man?" Two of Spike's fingers were in splints.

"That's what he gets for knocking me up," was the only explanation offered.

"Look, honey, the tiny human is cute," Anya said, smiling up at Xander. She surprisingly hadn't said anything earlier.

"Yeah, she is," Tara agreed, grinning sentimentally and grasping Willow's hand.

"Let's have a baby, Xander," Anya requested. Andrea grinned in anticipation of his reaction.

"But. . .but. . .but. . .but we're not even. . .married yet," he stammered nervously. She could almost see the sweat forming on his palms.

"Any more name suggestions?" Spike pressed.

"Spike Junior," Ben said.

"It's a girl," Andrea reminded slowly.

"Benjamina."

"Two words: God. . .no." Uncle Ben pouted childishly.

"What about Tabatha?" Buffy suggested. Andrea thought that one over.

"Maybe."

"Torsten," Xander said.

"Are you trying to get my daughter beat up?" Spike asked, absently rubbing Andrea's shoulder.

"Hey, found a name yet?" April said, returning with camera in place.

"Not yet."

"Cody says Alyssa." Andrea was taken aback, mostly because she liked it.

"Alyssa what?"

"Loren." That was from Anya.

"I like it," Spike said.

"Me, too," Andrea admitted. "Alyssa Loren Sinclair."

* * *

"God, I hate hospitals," Andrea said, pushing the new baby-filled stroller out of the hospital.

Everyone else had gone home, leaving Spike and Andrea to themselves. Evidently, she still hadn't forgiven him for making her go through labor and delivery.

"Now we're going to go home, you're going to flop onto the bed and wait for me to make you a luxurious dinner."

"No sex."

"What?"

"Dr. Peters said I had to come back in two months to see if I'd healed." He paled. Two months was a very long time. They hadn't gone two months without sex since. . . They had never gone two months without sex.

"But. . .but you're a fast healer."

"That's what I said. He said come back in two weeks and we'll see." He looked visibly relieved.

"Thank God." Andrea smiled softly.

The sun had set about an hour before, but the moon provided enough light to see to make it to the car.

"Hey, did Ben tell you where Megan went?"

"Yeah, said she buggered off jus' before they left for the hospital."

"Don't I feel loved," she muttered sarcastically.

"Aw, kitten. I love you," he said, bracing her against the passenger side door of the sleek, black car.

"Love you too." She let go of the stroller with one hand, allowing her fingers to travel lightly up his muscled arm to entwine in his silky hair. He pressed his lips against hers, parting them easily with his tongue. Andrea moaned softly. After five months of marriage, the passion between them still flared at the faintest touch. She heard a low growl and it took her a moment to realize it hadn't come from Spike.