Going Back To My Roots
Chapter 23
"She's so beautiful Buffy," sighed Willow.
"She's tiny, I could just crush her," said Anya as she rocked the baby in her arms.
Several pairs of worried eyes all fixed on Anya.
"Just kidding, can't any one take a joke around here?" asked Anya.
"Let me hold her now sweetie," said Xander, talking the baby from her.
"So what you gonna call her?" Asked Oz.
"We decided on Aimee Elizabeth," said Spike.
Giles looked at Buffy and smiled fondly.
"I can say in all honesty Buffy, this is your finest mission yet," said Giles, as he leant forward and kissed Buffy on the forehead.
Buffy yawned tiredly.
"Thanks you guys, couldn't have done it without you all," she smiled.
"I think the new mom's feeling a little frazzled, think it's about time we left her to get some rest," said Willow.
"Is that a nice way of saying I look like a hag?" grinned Buffy.
"Of course it is, have you looked in the mirror?" asked Anya.
"That's my girl, all full of the sweet talk," said Xander
A few minutes later Willow, Oz and Anya and Xander left, Joyce and Giles watched Buffy and Spike as they fussed over their child.
"I almost feel envious when I look at them, Hank and I never had that kind of closeness, I didn't think it was possible until I met you Rupert," said Joyce.
Giles kissed her.
"Can you two not do that here, it ruining my happy vibe," teased Buffy.
"The amount of time I had to be witness to your goings on," said Giles.
Joyce squeezed Giles's arm.
"I think she was joking honey, humour seems a bit wasted at the moment, guess we're all a little tired," said Joyce.
"Especially Buffy here," said Spike.
"Before we go, I wanted to let you know that you can all stay with me until you get a proper place to live," said Joyce
"What's wrong with the crypt?" asked Buffy.
"Come on love, be realistic, it was okay when it was just the two of us, but even I can see it's not suitable to raise a child in," said Spike.
Buffy's bottom lip trembled, Giles looked at his watch.
"Oh is it really that late, maybe we'd better be going Joyce," said Giles.
Joyce kissed Aimee and Buffy and gave her son in law a big hug.
"See you guys in the morning," said Joyce.
Joyce and Giles exited the hospital room.
"Really, what is wrong with our place?" asked Buffy.
Spike sighed.
"I love that place as much as you do, but I am earning now, real money, I just want the best for you and Aimee," Spike explained.
"Okay, but we can keep the place, I couldn't bear to get rid of it, we could you know keep it as a little weekend retreat for the both of us, when mom looks after Aimee," said Buffy.
"Sounds like an excellent idea," said Spike.
He placed the sleeping infant back in her crib and settled down in the unwelcoming chair next to the bed, he yawned and rubbed his eyes, he glanced over at Buffy before finally closing his eyes, she was already fast asleep with a contented smile on her face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy awoke, it was morning, she frowned as she sniffed the air, there was a faint smell of burning in the room, she looked to Aimee who sleeping soundly in her little cot, she then looked to Spike was also fast asleep in the hospital chair, her eyes zoned in on his hand, it was smoking as the early morning rays shone brightly through the blinds.
"Spike, wake up!" shouted Buffy.
"Uh, what is it, where's the fire love/" he asked.
"On your hand actually," she said as his little finger burst into flame.
Buffy crawled out of bed and quickly closed the blinds as Spike stuck his fingers in a vase of flowers on the bedside table.
"That was a close one," said Spike
"I know, should have thought of it before we went to sleep, but I was so tired," she said.
They were both distracted by the knock on the door, expecting it to be the nurse, Buffy and Spike were both surprised as Forrest poked hi head around the corner. He looked at them both uncertainly.
"Is it okay if I come in?" he asked.
Buffy beamed at him.
"Of course," she said.
Spike looked at Forrest.
"That's a nasty cut you got there, how did that happen," asked Spike.
Forrest came in and sat down on one of the chairs, wincing slightly from several large bruises he's sustained.
"So you haven't heard then?" Asked Forrest.
"Heard what?" asked Buffy.
"The big explosion last night, the one they are blaming on a gas leak," explained Forrest.
"Is that what it was? Thought it was the beginning of another apocalypse," said Buffy.
"It was in fact the sound of the Initiative going up in smoke, the place had been rigged with C4 explosives, courtesy of Agent Riley Finn," said Forrest.
"How do you know?" asked Spike.
"Well I was in there with several of the other agents from my squad, when the sirens start going off and Riley's face appeared on the surveillance screen, he'd made some little home movie, telling us how pissed off he was, gave us all 90 seconds to get out. Finn told me; just before he died that he'd have the last laugh, guess that's what he meant. Walsh stayed, trying to deactivate the bomb, she's dead along with everyone who worked with project 314, there's only one person left who has any knowledge of it, me and I won't be talking, now where's that baby," he grinned.
Aimee started to stir as if on cue, she started wailing, Spike picked her up out of her crib and rocked her gently. Forrest looked at them both. Seeing Spike holding his child, made Forrest realise how wrong he'd been about demons. They were capable of deep emotion just the same as humans were, it had been his deep-seated initiative training that had originally allowed him to cloud his judgement.
"Would you like to hold her?" asked Spike.
"Can I?" asked Forrest.
Spike put the tiny infant into Forrest's arms. He looked a strange sight, dressed in his military gear holding a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.
"So what you gonna do now there is no more initiative?" Asked Buffy.
"Thought I'd get out of the military and go back home and help with the family business," Forrest replied.
"Which is?" asked Spike.
"A sweet little jazz bar in the French quarter of New Orleans, you two could look me up some time," said Forrest.
"Yeah, we'd like that," grinned Buffy, Forrest really had hidden depths, thought Buffy to herself.
Aimee started wailing in earnest, Forrest handed her to Buffy.
"Someone's hungry," said Buffy, starting to unbutton her nightgown,
Forrest looked uncomfortable; he looked at his watch.
"Is that the time, I'd better go check on my men, some of them are in a bad way," said Forrest.
"Goodbye and thanks," said Buffy.
"Take care and good luck with the little one and all," said Forrest as he left the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike and Buffy went up to their old room at her mom's house, they'd been back from the hospital for over an hour, the beautiful crib that Xander had made for their baby, graced one corner of the room, filled with frilly pink bedding. Spike walked over to it.
"Is it pink enough for you, kinda makes me feel nauseous," he grinned wickedly.
"Well it's not for you to like, is it?" she asked airily.
Spike sat on the bed.
"Kind of poetic isn't it, back where we started from," said Spike.
"Well it won't be for long, we can go apartment hunting next week," said Buffy.
"Sure you will be up for it love?" asked Spike.
"I feel fine, apart from a little soreness, never better," she grinned, placing the baby in the crib.
Aimee nearly disappeared under all the bedding.
"Poor kid," said Spike as he removed some of the offending articles.
"Was just talking to Giles downstairs, he has some good news about my book, says there is a lot of pre sales interest in it and there might even be a movie deal in the offing, we really are moving up Buffy," he smiled and kissed.
Buffy drew back.
"You know the money does not mean anything to me, don't you, I would still be as happy if you were the bar tender at Willie's, you know that right?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah, I know that, but what kind of a man would I be if I didn't try and do the best for my family?" he asked.
"The most wonderful man, I'd ever met, that's who, in the words of "Jerry Maguire" you complete me, you and Aimee, I don't know if there will ever be any brothers or sisters for Aimee after this miracle, but I am more than content with what I have been given," Buffy said giving him a lingering kiss.
"Me too, I still wake up every morning and wonder just what I have done to deserve such happiness after a life of such wickedness," he sighed.
"William don't ever feel unworthy, you have changed, love has done that to you, you faced your nature to become the person I love, Aimee is lucky to have such a wonderful father, my father he well.." Buffy's voice broke.
Spike put his arms around her.
"Sshh, love, don't waste your time thinking about Hank, you have a wonderful man called Rupes who had been more of a dad to you than that man will ever be," soothed Spike.
Buffy smiled through her tears.
"True, how about we get some shut eye before the little madam wakes up for her next feed," said Buffy.
Buffy and Spike lay back on the bed, Buffy rested her head on his chest.
"I love you William, give me a few weeks and I'll be back to showing you how much," said Buffy saucily.
"I'm counting on it love," leered Spike.
"I bet you are," She replied sleepily.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Six weeks later, Buffy and Spike stood in their crypt, the first real home they had shared together as husband and wife, Aimee was asleep in her stroller.
"Can I just have one last look around the place, to make sure we haven't forgot anything?" asked Buffy.
"Sure you can Buffy, but I think we got it all, there wasn't that much to take," said Spike.
"Just give me a moment, okay?" she asked.
Buffy descended the stairs to the lower level, she silently wept as she remembered how happy they had been here, Spike silently came up behind her and put his arms around her.
"Come on love, I know how you feel, but we'll make more memories at the new home, ones that include Aimee," he said kissing the top of her head.
Buffy turned around in his arms resting her head against his chest.
"How about we give the place a proper send off," she murmured.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked.
"Considering how old you are, you're very slow on the uptake, the doctor gave me the all clear today," she said looking into his face.
"You mean?" Spike said.
"Yes," said Buffy slowly unbuttoning her blouse, leaving him in no doubt of her intentions.
"What about Aimee?" he asked.
"She's fine, won't be waking up just yet," said Buffy throwing her blouse on the floor and walking over to the bed.
"I don't need asking twice," said Spike, throwing off his leather duster.
"Bright boy, you're getting smarter by the second," said Buffy.
Spike growled deep in his throat, he crawled up the bed and pinned Buffy's arms above her head. Her breathing became erratic as he covered her body with his own.
"Shut up and kiss me," he said.
"Oh I intend to do more than.." His lips covering hers cut her off.
TBC
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N The next chapter will be a sort of epilogue chapter and mixed in with a few thank yous to everyone who has supported me during the writing of this story.
SB
Chapter 23
"She's so beautiful Buffy," sighed Willow.
"She's tiny, I could just crush her," said Anya as she rocked the baby in her arms.
Several pairs of worried eyes all fixed on Anya.
"Just kidding, can't any one take a joke around here?" asked Anya.
"Let me hold her now sweetie," said Xander, talking the baby from her.
"So what you gonna call her?" Asked Oz.
"We decided on Aimee Elizabeth," said Spike.
Giles looked at Buffy and smiled fondly.
"I can say in all honesty Buffy, this is your finest mission yet," said Giles, as he leant forward and kissed Buffy on the forehead.
Buffy yawned tiredly.
"Thanks you guys, couldn't have done it without you all," she smiled.
"I think the new mom's feeling a little frazzled, think it's about time we left her to get some rest," said Willow.
"Is that a nice way of saying I look like a hag?" grinned Buffy.
"Of course it is, have you looked in the mirror?" asked Anya.
"That's my girl, all full of the sweet talk," said Xander
A few minutes later Willow, Oz and Anya and Xander left, Joyce and Giles watched Buffy and Spike as they fussed over their child.
"I almost feel envious when I look at them, Hank and I never had that kind of closeness, I didn't think it was possible until I met you Rupert," said Joyce.
Giles kissed her.
"Can you two not do that here, it ruining my happy vibe," teased Buffy.
"The amount of time I had to be witness to your goings on," said Giles.
Joyce squeezed Giles's arm.
"I think she was joking honey, humour seems a bit wasted at the moment, guess we're all a little tired," said Joyce.
"Especially Buffy here," said Spike.
"Before we go, I wanted to let you know that you can all stay with me until you get a proper place to live," said Joyce
"What's wrong with the crypt?" asked Buffy.
"Come on love, be realistic, it was okay when it was just the two of us, but even I can see it's not suitable to raise a child in," said Spike.
Buffy's bottom lip trembled, Giles looked at his watch.
"Oh is it really that late, maybe we'd better be going Joyce," said Giles.
Joyce kissed Aimee and Buffy and gave her son in law a big hug.
"See you guys in the morning," said Joyce.
Joyce and Giles exited the hospital room.
"Really, what is wrong with our place?" asked Buffy.
Spike sighed.
"I love that place as much as you do, but I am earning now, real money, I just want the best for you and Aimee," Spike explained.
"Okay, but we can keep the place, I couldn't bear to get rid of it, we could you know keep it as a little weekend retreat for the both of us, when mom looks after Aimee," said Buffy.
"Sounds like an excellent idea," said Spike.
He placed the sleeping infant back in her crib and settled down in the unwelcoming chair next to the bed, he yawned and rubbed his eyes, he glanced over at Buffy before finally closing his eyes, she was already fast asleep with a contented smile on her face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy awoke, it was morning, she frowned as she sniffed the air, there was a faint smell of burning in the room, she looked to Aimee who sleeping soundly in her little cot, she then looked to Spike was also fast asleep in the hospital chair, her eyes zoned in on his hand, it was smoking as the early morning rays shone brightly through the blinds.
"Spike, wake up!" shouted Buffy.
"Uh, what is it, where's the fire love/" he asked.
"On your hand actually," she said as his little finger burst into flame.
Buffy crawled out of bed and quickly closed the blinds as Spike stuck his fingers in a vase of flowers on the bedside table.
"That was a close one," said Spike
"I know, should have thought of it before we went to sleep, but I was so tired," she said.
They were both distracted by the knock on the door, expecting it to be the nurse, Buffy and Spike were both surprised as Forrest poked hi head around the corner. He looked at them both uncertainly.
"Is it okay if I come in?" he asked.
Buffy beamed at him.
"Of course," she said.
Spike looked at Forrest.
"That's a nasty cut you got there, how did that happen," asked Spike.
Forrest came in and sat down on one of the chairs, wincing slightly from several large bruises he's sustained.
"So you haven't heard then?" Asked Forrest.
"Heard what?" asked Buffy.
"The big explosion last night, the one they are blaming on a gas leak," explained Forrest.
"Is that what it was? Thought it was the beginning of another apocalypse," said Buffy.
"It was in fact the sound of the Initiative going up in smoke, the place had been rigged with C4 explosives, courtesy of Agent Riley Finn," said Forrest.
"How do you know?" asked Spike.
"Well I was in there with several of the other agents from my squad, when the sirens start going off and Riley's face appeared on the surveillance screen, he'd made some little home movie, telling us how pissed off he was, gave us all 90 seconds to get out. Finn told me; just before he died that he'd have the last laugh, guess that's what he meant. Walsh stayed, trying to deactivate the bomb, she's dead along with everyone who worked with project 314, there's only one person left who has any knowledge of it, me and I won't be talking, now where's that baby," he grinned.
Aimee started to stir as if on cue, she started wailing, Spike picked her up out of her crib and rocked her gently. Forrest looked at them both. Seeing Spike holding his child, made Forrest realise how wrong he'd been about demons. They were capable of deep emotion just the same as humans were, it had been his deep-seated initiative training that had originally allowed him to cloud his judgement.
"Would you like to hold her?" asked Spike.
"Can I?" asked Forrest.
Spike put the tiny infant into Forrest's arms. He looked a strange sight, dressed in his military gear holding a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.
"So what you gonna do now there is no more initiative?" Asked Buffy.
"Thought I'd get out of the military and go back home and help with the family business," Forrest replied.
"Which is?" asked Spike.
"A sweet little jazz bar in the French quarter of New Orleans, you two could look me up some time," said Forrest.
"Yeah, we'd like that," grinned Buffy, Forrest really had hidden depths, thought Buffy to herself.
Aimee started wailing in earnest, Forrest handed her to Buffy.
"Someone's hungry," said Buffy, starting to unbutton her nightgown,
Forrest looked uncomfortable; he looked at his watch.
"Is that the time, I'd better go check on my men, some of them are in a bad way," said Forrest.
"Goodbye and thanks," said Buffy.
"Take care and good luck with the little one and all," said Forrest as he left the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike and Buffy went up to their old room at her mom's house, they'd been back from the hospital for over an hour, the beautiful crib that Xander had made for their baby, graced one corner of the room, filled with frilly pink bedding. Spike walked over to it.
"Is it pink enough for you, kinda makes me feel nauseous," he grinned wickedly.
"Well it's not for you to like, is it?" she asked airily.
Spike sat on the bed.
"Kind of poetic isn't it, back where we started from," said Spike.
"Well it won't be for long, we can go apartment hunting next week," said Buffy.
"Sure you will be up for it love?" asked Spike.
"I feel fine, apart from a little soreness, never better," she grinned, placing the baby in the crib.
Aimee nearly disappeared under all the bedding.
"Poor kid," said Spike as he removed some of the offending articles.
"Was just talking to Giles downstairs, he has some good news about my book, says there is a lot of pre sales interest in it and there might even be a movie deal in the offing, we really are moving up Buffy," he smiled and kissed.
Buffy drew back.
"You know the money does not mean anything to me, don't you, I would still be as happy if you were the bar tender at Willie's, you know that right?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah, I know that, but what kind of a man would I be if I didn't try and do the best for my family?" he asked.
"The most wonderful man, I'd ever met, that's who, in the words of "Jerry Maguire" you complete me, you and Aimee, I don't know if there will ever be any brothers or sisters for Aimee after this miracle, but I am more than content with what I have been given," Buffy said giving him a lingering kiss.
"Me too, I still wake up every morning and wonder just what I have done to deserve such happiness after a life of such wickedness," he sighed.
"William don't ever feel unworthy, you have changed, love has done that to you, you faced your nature to become the person I love, Aimee is lucky to have such a wonderful father, my father he well.." Buffy's voice broke.
Spike put his arms around her.
"Sshh, love, don't waste your time thinking about Hank, you have a wonderful man called Rupes who had been more of a dad to you than that man will ever be," soothed Spike.
Buffy smiled through her tears.
"True, how about we get some shut eye before the little madam wakes up for her next feed," said Buffy.
Buffy and Spike lay back on the bed, Buffy rested her head on his chest.
"I love you William, give me a few weeks and I'll be back to showing you how much," said Buffy saucily.
"I'm counting on it love," leered Spike.
"I bet you are," She replied sleepily.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Six weeks later, Buffy and Spike stood in their crypt, the first real home they had shared together as husband and wife, Aimee was asleep in her stroller.
"Can I just have one last look around the place, to make sure we haven't forgot anything?" asked Buffy.
"Sure you can Buffy, but I think we got it all, there wasn't that much to take," said Spike.
"Just give me a moment, okay?" she asked.
Buffy descended the stairs to the lower level, she silently wept as she remembered how happy they had been here, Spike silently came up behind her and put his arms around her.
"Come on love, I know how you feel, but we'll make more memories at the new home, ones that include Aimee," he said kissing the top of her head.
Buffy turned around in his arms resting her head against his chest.
"How about we give the place a proper send off," she murmured.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked.
"Considering how old you are, you're very slow on the uptake, the doctor gave me the all clear today," she said looking into his face.
"You mean?" Spike said.
"Yes," said Buffy slowly unbuttoning her blouse, leaving him in no doubt of her intentions.
"What about Aimee?" he asked.
"She's fine, won't be waking up just yet," said Buffy throwing her blouse on the floor and walking over to the bed.
"I don't need asking twice," said Spike, throwing off his leather duster.
"Bright boy, you're getting smarter by the second," said Buffy.
Spike growled deep in his throat, he crawled up the bed and pinned Buffy's arms above her head. Her breathing became erratic as he covered her body with his own.
"Shut up and kiss me," he said.
"Oh I intend to do more than.." His lips covering hers cut her off.
TBC
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N The next chapter will be a sort of epilogue chapter and mixed in with a few thank yous to everyone who has supported me during the writing of this story.
SB