". . .and she'll be okay" Buffy faintly heard the voice of Spike ask.
"Yeah, she'll be fine, just a little fall, to much going on around her I guess" the doctor said.
"Thanks doc" Spike said and the doctor left.
"Spike?" Buffy said softly and Spike went over to her side and took her hand.
"Hey baby, how are you feeling?" Spike asked.
"I'm okay, is the baby okay?"
"Yeah, the baby's fine, it's okay" Spike said and kissed her hand.
"I want to go home" Buffy said.
"Well you can't go home yet, they have to take some tests and stuff" Spike said.
"When?" she asked.
"Soon baby I promise" he said.
"So, what time is it, did I make you miss the prom?" she asked.
"Luv don't worry about that okay, and no, it was almost over anyway, besides you mean a lot more to me than some dance" Spike said.
"Okay" Buffy said. Just then Joyce entered the room with Dawn and Willow.
"Hey honey" Joyce said.
"Hi" Buffy said quietly.
"here Buffy, these are for you" Dawn said and gave Buffy some flowers.
"Aw, thank you" Buffy said.
"Here" Spike said and took the flowers and put them in the pitcher of water that was next to Buffy's bed.
"So how are you?" Willow asked.
"I'm okay, a little tired" Buffy said. "Did I make a huge scene?"
"Not really, not many people were outside" Willow said.
"Good" Buffy said. "When can I go home?" Spike laughed at that.
"Baby relax" he said.
"It's just that hospitals wig me out" Buffy said.
"Why?" Willow asked.
"My and Dawn's cousin Celia died in a hospital" Buffy said.
"Oh" Willow said.
"Okay, hello miss Summers, I'm doctor Hanks, how are you feeling?" the doctor said as he entered Buffy's room again.
"I'm okay" Buffy said.
"All right well I'm going to take some blood okay, do some tests" he said.
"Uh. . .blood, as in mine?" Buffy asked.
"That's right" the doctor said.
"Heh, heh, fun" Buffy said unenthusiastically.
"Okay, the vampires will be in soon for your blood" Dr. Hanks joked and left.
"Eh. . .blood, isn't that nice" Buffy said. Spike kissed her on her head.
"Honey it'll be okay" Joyce said.
"Yeah, it will be fine" Dawn said, trying to reassure her.
"No, no not okay, this is me, I'm afraid of needles, really afraid, they just. . ." Buffy said.
"Wig you out?" Spike asked smiling.
"Yeah" Buffy said.
"It'll be over fast" Spike promised.
"Will you hold my hand?" she asked him.
"Yeah, sure" he said. A couple minutes later the nurse came in with a needle, a rubber band and some alcohol pads.
"Okay miss Summers, you ready" she said.
"No" Buffy said. Spike and Joyce chuckled.
"It won't hurt" the nurse said.
"Well of course it won't you're not getting a sharp needle jabbed into your flesh taking your blood, the very blood you need to live and-" Buffy began to rant and Spike kissed her on her lips which stopped her in her tracks.
"It'll be okay baby" he whispered.
"Get it done" she sighed. The nurse found the vein and tied the rubber band around her arm. She then whipped the skin with the alcohol pad. After doing that she took out the needle.
"Okay, ready?" the nurse asked and Buffy took Spike's hand and squeezed it. "Okay." The nurse put the needle in Buffy's skin and began to take the blood. Buffy squeezed Spike's hand harder.
"Uh, honey, can you loosen you're grip please, honey, ow, ow, you're breaking- she breaking my hand" Spike said to Joyce and Willow, and Joyce smiled.
"Okay, there" the nurse said after taking the needle out of Buffy's vein. "All done."
"Wow, that didn't hurt at all" Buffy smiled and let go of Spike's hand.
"Not you" he mumbled and she smiled at him and kissed him.
"Thank you for being here for me" she said.
"Any time baby" he said.
"Okay, just some questions, um how old are you?" the nurse asked.
"Uh, eighteen" Buffy said.
"Are you sexually active?" the nurse asked. And Buffy smiled.
"Uh, I'm married and pregnant" she said.
"Oh, right" the nurse said and copied down what Buffy told her. After doing that she left.
"God I want to get out of here" Buffy whined.
"Oh come on Buffy it's cool, y-you get to lay in bed all day and watch soaps and eat chocolate and people are nicer to you and you get your way more" Dawn said.
"Well I hate being here, I can do all that stuff at home" Buffy said.
"Honey relax, you'll probably be able to leave soon" Joyce said.
"I just want to go and lay in my comfy bed and. . .sleep" Buffy said.
"Well pet you want to sleep, sleep we'll leave you alone" Spike said.
"Don't' you dare leave, any of you" Buffy warned.
"Okay, what ever you want" Willow said.
"Well if it's whatever I want, let me go home" Buffy pouted. Spike sat on the bed next to her and she rested her head on his upper chest and he held her and kissed the top of her head.
"Shhh, baby it's okay" he whispered.
"Mmm" was all she said. She closed her eyes.
"Uh, Buffy, I'm gonna go and get some coffee okay" Joyce said.
"Okay, will you get me something?" Buffy asked.
"What do you want?" Joyce asked.
"Skittles" Buffy said.
"Honey you're not allowed to have skittles, you can have-" Joyce began.
"Mom! I'm sick and wigging and in this horrible place I deserve some sugary goodness" Buffy pouted.
"Okay, okay fine, skittles it is, anything else?" Joyce asked.
"Um. . .yeah, some grapefruit juice and orange juice, since they don't make the drink I like I'll have to" Buffy said.
"Right, two parts orange one part grapefruit, I'll do it for you" Joyce said.
"Thanks mom" Buffy said and closed her eyes and snuggled into Spike again.
"Anyone else want anything?" Joyce asked.
I'll come with you" Willow said.
"Me too" Dawn said.
"Spike?" Joyce asked.
"Uh. . .just some. . .they don't have beer here do they?" he asked Buffy.
"No honey" she said her eyes still closed.
"Okay then just a soda" he said.
"Okay" Joyce said and her, Dawn and Willow left. Just then Xander Oz and Cordelia walked in all holding presents.
"Hey Buffster" Xander said.
"Xand, Cordy Oz" Buffy said and sat up.
"Hey Buffy" Cordelia said.
"Yo, Spike" Xander said.
"Hey" Spike said.
"Well Buff, it's tradition that when someone gets sick they are issued presents so here you go" Xander said. She opened a brown paper bag to find three movies, Steal Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes and Message in a Bottle. "You know, chick flicks for the chick."
"Thank you" Buffy smiled. Next Cordelia gave her a wicker basket full of goodies. There was face cream, a compact, a teddy bear, a tabloid and. . .
"What every girl needs, Vogue" Cordelia smiled and held up the magazine.
'Thanks Cordy" Buffy said. Oz gave her a box of chocolates. "Ooh chocolate, thanks."
"You're welcome" Oz said. Soon after Joyce, Dawn and Willow walked in.
"Okay, here are your skittles and juice" Joyce said.
"Thank you" Buffy said.
"And Spike, your soda" Willow said and handed to him.
"Thanks Wills" Spike said. They all sat with Buffy for a while and then left one by one. First Willow, then Xander, next was Cordelia and last Oz. Finally Joyce, Dawn, Spike and Buffy were the only ones left in the room.
"Honey, I'm gonna run home real quick okay" Joyce said.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked.
"Well I wanted to take a shower and changed, come on Dawn you can to, get into your pajamas" Joyce said.
"Uh, if you're going out will you stop by my and Spike's place and get Mr. Gordo?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah" Joyce said.
"And my pajamas, and my blanket and my pillow" Buffy said. Joyce smiled at her daughter.
'Okay" she said and her and Dawn left. Buffy and Spike were left alone.
"Spike?"
"Yeah pet?" Spike answered.
"I'm sorry" Buffy said.
"Bout what luv?" he asked.
"I was a jerk, I guess it's these hormones" Buffy said.
"Don't worry about it" he said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Absolutely" he told her. She soon fell asleep and he followed. When Buffy woke it was morning and the sun was shining. She groaned a little bit and sat up, trying not to wake Spike, but it was no use. He was the lightest sleeper she knew.
"Hey pet" he said quietly after she got out of bed. "Where are you going, you're supposed to resting?"
"I'm going to the bathroom" Buffy smiled and went into the bathroom. She saw a window and decided to make a break for it. She opened the window, which set off an alarm. She panicked and tried to get out the window fast. Spike came into the bathroom and caught her just in time.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing?" he asked and grabbed her.
"No! I need to get out of here! Please let me go! Let me go damn it!" Buffy shouted.
"What's going on in here?" an orderly asked when she came into the bathroom.
"She's going a bit mad, I think it's this place it's wigging her out a lot" Spike said as he forced Buffy back to bed.
"No, please, I want to go home!" she said struggling.
"Can I get some assistance in here!" the orderly said into the intercom that was above Buffy's bed. A couple seconds later three more orderlies came into the room, one with a needle.
"No! Don't please! No, leave me alone, Spike help me please" she begged.
"Baby this will help you relax okay, just calm down" he said warmly to Buffy and she began to cry. One of the orderlies gave her the shot and instantly she began to relax.
"No. . .I. . .I want to g. . .go home, please. . .please" she said and began to fall asleep.
"She should be okay now" one of the orderlies said to Spike.
"Thank you" he said. "Uh when can she go home?"
"Um, I'm not sure, you'd have to ask the doctor, he'll be here in like fifteen minutes" one of the orderlies said.
"Thanks" Spike said, and all the orderlies left. Spike sat on the edge of Buffy's bed stroking her hair. "It will be okay baby, I promise." Just then Joyce and Dawn walked in.
"Hey" Joyce said.
"Hey, you missed quite as show" Spike said.
"What happened?" Dawn asked.
"Well Buffy went all crazy, she started screaming that she wanted to go home, they had to give her a tranquilizer to calm her down" Spike said.
"Oh, she's okay now?" Joyce asked.
"Yeah" Spike said. Joyce went over to the other side and sat by Buffy.
**********************
"Buffy, honey wake up, Buffy" Buffy heard Joyce say and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Mom?" she whispered.
"Yeah honey, listen you can go home" Joyce said. Buffy's eyes shot open.
"I can! When?" Buffy said happily.
"Here soon, they did tests and they. . .well I'll let the doctor explain" Joyce said and the doctor walked in.
"Hello Buffy, how are you feeling?" he asked.
"Groggy" she said.
"Okay, well that should pass, now we did the tests and it confirmed that you have toxemia, it's a blood pressure condition" Dr. Hanks said.
"Is it serious?" Buffy asked.
"No, not if you do exactly what I tell you, now if not treated correctly it can result in a small baby, or possible pre-mature delivery, but most of the patients I've seen have responded quickly to the treatment, it entails lots and lots of bed rest, minimal if no stress and no salt" the doctor told her.
"Okay, but what about school? I mean I still have four days until I graduate?" Buffy asked.
"Well those four days can be missed, as for graduation-" he began.
"No, I'm not missing my graduation" Buffy said.
"Well you can go to that, but I suggest you stay home from school okay" he said.
"Yeah, okay" she said. A couple hours later Buffy was allowed to go home. The treatment worked well and Buffy did everything the doctor told her.
* Graduation *
Buffy stood in front of the mirror in her and Spike's bedroom. Today was her high school graduation. She was very happy and yet more nervous. She was wearing her outfit that she chose to wear. A tan and light blue dress with a light blue cardigan to match. Her hair was curled and left down. Spike walked into the room with only his black jeans on.
"Hey baby, you look great" he said. She turned to him.
"Thank you" she smiled.
"Honey have you seen my red and black stripped shirt?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, it's in the closet" she said turning back to the mirror. "God I look like a cow."
"No you don't baby you look beautiful" he said retrieving the shirt and then going over to the dresser and getting out a black t-shirt. Her put on the t-shirt first and then his over shirt.
"Well at least the gown will hide it" she said and he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"You would look breathtaking no matter what you wore, especially if you didn't wear anything" he said putting his face into her neck. She giggled and turned around to face him.
"I love you" she said.
"I love you too" he said. "All right, you ready to graduate?"
"Definitely" she said and they got their stuff together and left.
The hurried to the school. They were so anxious to get it over with.
Welcome class of 1999, today is the first day of the rest of your life, today you will graduate, feeling may intertwine, both feelings of happiness and terror. Yes you are happy to get out of here of course, but what about growing up, doing things on your own. This day is a symbol that you can do anything. Surviving four years of high school is good, but next is college, if of course you're going to college, some of you may not be, but that's okay. If you're brave enough to start in the real world with out a degree that's up to you. Now to announce the valedictorian of this year's class. . .Willow Rosenberg, and as usual the valedictorian will give her speech, Miss Rosenberg" the principal said and Willow shyly got up and went to the front of the auditorium.
"H-hi, I'm Willow, uh. . .okay, I-I see graduation a-as a new beginning, a new start for all of us to. . .do whatever it is we're planning on doing, whether it's going to college or whatever we have all these different paths in front of us, and it's our job to choose one. We've been babied so to speak these last four years, having our parents pay for everything, relying on them for support. I can't lie, I'm scared. I. . .I was so busy wanting to get out of here that I didn't realize that I don't know how to be a grown up. I have to move out, I have to get a job and get my own place and it scares the hell out of me, because if I fail, I lose everything, but when I get scared I just think of one two people. People that have had their whole lives changed, but that didn't stop them. My two best friends, Buffy Summers-Bryson and Spike Bryson. They realized that they had to grow up fast to be able to take care of this tiny life and they did. I have never seen any two people love each other more. And I know that that baby is gonna be the most loved baby I have ever seen. For them it won't be any different, see because they've been on their own for a while, but the rest of us have got a hell of a ride ahead. And if you're not ready for it, then you should have failed and not graduated because it's over now. All the pampering and hand holding is done, and all we're left with is us, and if that's not enough, well then you're pretty much screwed. As we say goodbye to this school we miss certain things, but now we have our lives to plan. It is better to look forward, then back, looking back would just make you. . .bump into things, you can't go back, and you're being pushed forward whether you like it or not, so I say, make the best of it, live your lives, 'cause you have nothing else to do, thank you" Willow said and everyone clapped as she went back to her seat.
"Okay, thank you Willow, and we all wish for a healthy delivery for the baby of William and Elizabeth Bryson, now the diplomas, let's start, Kathy Aaron, Chester Abrigottle, Leonard Axting, Celia Barker, Pat Barker, Marti Beckston, Harold Bhelitle, Lilly Bline, Chad Bonnor, Michael Britlan, Tami Brittle, Elizabeth Bryson" he said and Buffy walked up and took her diploma and shook the principal's hand. "William Bryson" Spike followed and did the same process. "Cordelia Chase, Kelly Connor, Milton Conock. . ."
* Later *
"So, how does it feel?" Joyce asked her daughter.
"it feels great" Buffy said with a smile.
"Well congratulations honey, I'm very proud of you" Joyce said and gave Buffy a kiss on the head.
"Thanks mom, I'm proud too" Buffy said.
"Come on pet, party time" Spike said and took Buffy's hand. As she was led towards Spike's car she looked once more at the school. She smiled as she thought to the future ahead. At the same time a single tear slid down her cheek and she got inside Spike's car and he drove away. To Buffy they weren't just diving away from the school, they were driving towards forever.
"Yeah, she'll be fine, just a little fall, to much going on around her I guess" the doctor said.
"Thanks doc" Spike said and the doctor left.
"Spike?" Buffy said softly and Spike went over to her side and took her hand.
"Hey baby, how are you feeling?" Spike asked.
"I'm okay, is the baby okay?"
"Yeah, the baby's fine, it's okay" Spike said and kissed her hand.
"I want to go home" Buffy said.
"Well you can't go home yet, they have to take some tests and stuff" Spike said.
"When?" she asked.
"Soon baby I promise" he said.
"So, what time is it, did I make you miss the prom?" she asked.
"Luv don't worry about that okay, and no, it was almost over anyway, besides you mean a lot more to me than some dance" Spike said.
"Okay" Buffy said. Just then Joyce entered the room with Dawn and Willow.
"Hey honey" Joyce said.
"Hi" Buffy said quietly.
"here Buffy, these are for you" Dawn said and gave Buffy some flowers.
"Aw, thank you" Buffy said.
"Here" Spike said and took the flowers and put them in the pitcher of water that was next to Buffy's bed.
"So how are you?" Willow asked.
"I'm okay, a little tired" Buffy said. "Did I make a huge scene?"
"Not really, not many people were outside" Willow said.
"Good" Buffy said. "When can I go home?" Spike laughed at that.
"Baby relax" he said.
"It's just that hospitals wig me out" Buffy said.
"Why?" Willow asked.
"My and Dawn's cousin Celia died in a hospital" Buffy said.
"Oh" Willow said.
"Okay, hello miss Summers, I'm doctor Hanks, how are you feeling?" the doctor said as he entered Buffy's room again.
"I'm okay" Buffy said.
"All right well I'm going to take some blood okay, do some tests" he said.
"Uh. . .blood, as in mine?" Buffy asked.
"That's right" the doctor said.
"Heh, heh, fun" Buffy said unenthusiastically.
"Okay, the vampires will be in soon for your blood" Dr. Hanks joked and left.
"Eh. . .blood, isn't that nice" Buffy said. Spike kissed her on her head.
"Honey it'll be okay" Joyce said.
"Yeah, it will be fine" Dawn said, trying to reassure her.
"No, no not okay, this is me, I'm afraid of needles, really afraid, they just. . ." Buffy said.
"Wig you out?" Spike asked smiling.
"Yeah" Buffy said.
"It'll be over fast" Spike promised.
"Will you hold my hand?" she asked him.
"Yeah, sure" he said. A couple minutes later the nurse came in with a needle, a rubber band and some alcohol pads.
"Okay miss Summers, you ready" she said.
"No" Buffy said. Spike and Joyce chuckled.
"It won't hurt" the nurse said.
"Well of course it won't you're not getting a sharp needle jabbed into your flesh taking your blood, the very blood you need to live and-" Buffy began to rant and Spike kissed her on her lips which stopped her in her tracks.
"It'll be okay baby" he whispered.
"Get it done" she sighed. The nurse found the vein and tied the rubber band around her arm. She then whipped the skin with the alcohol pad. After doing that she took out the needle.
"Okay, ready?" the nurse asked and Buffy took Spike's hand and squeezed it. "Okay." The nurse put the needle in Buffy's skin and began to take the blood. Buffy squeezed Spike's hand harder.
"Uh, honey, can you loosen you're grip please, honey, ow, ow, you're breaking- she breaking my hand" Spike said to Joyce and Willow, and Joyce smiled.
"Okay, there" the nurse said after taking the needle out of Buffy's vein. "All done."
"Wow, that didn't hurt at all" Buffy smiled and let go of Spike's hand.
"Not you" he mumbled and she smiled at him and kissed him.
"Thank you for being here for me" she said.
"Any time baby" he said.
"Okay, just some questions, um how old are you?" the nurse asked.
"Uh, eighteen" Buffy said.
"Are you sexually active?" the nurse asked. And Buffy smiled.
"Uh, I'm married and pregnant" she said.
"Oh, right" the nurse said and copied down what Buffy told her. After doing that she left.
"God I want to get out of here" Buffy whined.
"Oh come on Buffy it's cool, y-you get to lay in bed all day and watch soaps and eat chocolate and people are nicer to you and you get your way more" Dawn said.
"Well I hate being here, I can do all that stuff at home" Buffy said.
"Honey relax, you'll probably be able to leave soon" Joyce said.
"I just want to go and lay in my comfy bed and. . .sleep" Buffy said.
"Well pet you want to sleep, sleep we'll leave you alone" Spike said.
"Don't' you dare leave, any of you" Buffy warned.
"Okay, what ever you want" Willow said.
"Well if it's whatever I want, let me go home" Buffy pouted. Spike sat on the bed next to her and she rested her head on his upper chest and he held her and kissed the top of her head.
"Shhh, baby it's okay" he whispered.
"Mmm" was all she said. She closed her eyes.
"Uh, Buffy, I'm gonna go and get some coffee okay" Joyce said.
"Okay, will you get me something?" Buffy asked.
"What do you want?" Joyce asked.
"Skittles" Buffy said.
"Honey you're not allowed to have skittles, you can have-" Joyce began.
"Mom! I'm sick and wigging and in this horrible place I deserve some sugary goodness" Buffy pouted.
"Okay, okay fine, skittles it is, anything else?" Joyce asked.
"Um. . .yeah, some grapefruit juice and orange juice, since they don't make the drink I like I'll have to" Buffy said.
"Right, two parts orange one part grapefruit, I'll do it for you" Joyce said.
"Thanks mom" Buffy said and closed her eyes and snuggled into Spike again.
"Anyone else want anything?" Joyce asked.
I'll come with you" Willow said.
"Me too" Dawn said.
"Spike?" Joyce asked.
"Uh. . .just some. . .they don't have beer here do they?" he asked Buffy.
"No honey" she said her eyes still closed.
"Okay then just a soda" he said.
"Okay" Joyce said and her, Dawn and Willow left. Just then Xander Oz and Cordelia walked in all holding presents.
"Hey Buffster" Xander said.
"Xand, Cordy Oz" Buffy said and sat up.
"Hey Buffy" Cordelia said.
"Yo, Spike" Xander said.
"Hey" Spike said.
"Well Buff, it's tradition that when someone gets sick they are issued presents so here you go" Xander said. She opened a brown paper bag to find three movies, Steal Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes and Message in a Bottle. "You know, chick flicks for the chick."
"Thank you" Buffy smiled. Next Cordelia gave her a wicker basket full of goodies. There was face cream, a compact, a teddy bear, a tabloid and. . .
"What every girl needs, Vogue" Cordelia smiled and held up the magazine.
'Thanks Cordy" Buffy said. Oz gave her a box of chocolates. "Ooh chocolate, thanks."
"You're welcome" Oz said. Soon after Joyce, Dawn and Willow walked in.
"Okay, here are your skittles and juice" Joyce said.
"Thank you" Buffy said.
"And Spike, your soda" Willow said and handed to him.
"Thanks Wills" Spike said. They all sat with Buffy for a while and then left one by one. First Willow, then Xander, next was Cordelia and last Oz. Finally Joyce, Dawn, Spike and Buffy were the only ones left in the room.
"Honey, I'm gonna run home real quick okay" Joyce said.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked.
"Well I wanted to take a shower and changed, come on Dawn you can to, get into your pajamas" Joyce said.
"Uh, if you're going out will you stop by my and Spike's place and get Mr. Gordo?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah" Joyce said.
"And my pajamas, and my blanket and my pillow" Buffy said. Joyce smiled at her daughter.
'Okay" she said and her and Dawn left. Buffy and Spike were left alone.
"Spike?"
"Yeah pet?" Spike answered.
"I'm sorry" Buffy said.
"Bout what luv?" he asked.
"I was a jerk, I guess it's these hormones" Buffy said.
"Don't worry about it" he said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Absolutely" he told her. She soon fell asleep and he followed. When Buffy woke it was morning and the sun was shining. She groaned a little bit and sat up, trying not to wake Spike, but it was no use. He was the lightest sleeper she knew.
"Hey pet" he said quietly after she got out of bed. "Where are you going, you're supposed to resting?"
"I'm going to the bathroom" Buffy smiled and went into the bathroom. She saw a window and decided to make a break for it. She opened the window, which set off an alarm. She panicked and tried to get out the window fast. Spike came into the bathroom and caught her just in time.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing?" he asked and grabbed her.
"No! I need to get out of here! Please let me go! Let me go damn it!" Buffy shouted.
"What's going on in here?" an orderly asked when she came into the bathroom.
"She's going a bit mad, I think it's this place it's wigging her out a lot" Spike said as he forced Buffy back to bed.
"No, please, I want to go home!" she said struggling.
"Can I get some assistance in here!" the orderly said into the intercom that was above Buffy's bed. A couple seconds later three more orderlies came into the room, one with a needle.
"No! Don't please! No, leave me alone, Spike help me please" she begged.
"Baby this will help you relax okay, just calm down" he said warmly to Buffy and she began to cry. One of the orderlies gave her the shot and instantly she began to relax.
"No. . .I. . .I want to g. . .go home, please. . .please" she said and began to fall asleep.
"She should be okay now" one of the orderlies said to Spike.
"Thank you" he said. "Uh when can she go home?"
"Um, I'm not sure, you'd have to ask the doctor, he'll be here in like fifteen minutes" one of the orderlies said.
"Thanks" Spike said, and all the orderlies left. Spike sat on the edge of Buffy's bed stroking her hair. "It will be okay baby, I promise." Just then Joyce and Dawn walked in.
"Hey" Joyce said.
"Hey, you missed quite as show" Spike said.
"What happened?" Dawn asked.
"Well Buffy went all crazy, she started screaming that she wanted to go home, they had to give her a tranquilizer to calm her down" Spike said.
"Oh, she's okay now?" Joyce asked.
"Yeah" Spike said. Joyce went over to the other side and sat by Buffy.
**********************
"Buffy, honey wake up, Buffy" Buffy heard Joyce say and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Mom?" she whispered.
"Yeah honey, listen you can go home" Joyce said. Buffy's eyes shot open.
"I can! When?" Buffy said happily.
"Here soon, they did tests and they. . .well I'll let the doctor explain" Joyce said and the doctor walked in.
"Hello Buffy, how are you feeling?" he asked.
"Groggy" she said.
"Okay, well that should pass, now we did the tests and it confirmed that you have toxemia, it's a blood pressure condition" Dr. Hanks said.
"Is it serious?" Buffy asked.
"No, not if you do exactly what I tell you, now if not treated correctly it can result in a small baby, or possible pre-mature delivery, but most of the patients I've seen have responded quickly to the treatment, it entails lots and lots of bed rest, minimal if no stress and no salt" the doctor told her.
"Okay, but what about school? I mean I still have four days until I graduate?" Buffy asked.
"Well those four days can be missed, as for graduation-" he began.
"No, I'm not missing my graduation" Buffy said.
"Well you can go to that, but I suggest you stay home from school okay" he said.
"Yeah, okay" she said. A couple hours later Buffy was allowed to go home. The treatment worked well and Buffy did everything the doctor told her.
* Graduation *
Buffy stood in front of the mirror in her and Spike's bedroom. Today was her high school graduation. She was very happy and yet more nervous. She was wearing her outfit that she chose to wear. A tan and light blue dress with a light blue cardigan to match. Her hair was curled and left down. Spike walked into the room with only his black jeans on.
"Hey baby, you look great" he said. She turned to him.
"Thank you" she smiled.
"Honey have you seen my red and black stripped shirt?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, it's in the closet" she said turning back to the mirror. "God I look like a cow."
"No you don't baby you look beautiful" he said retrieving the shirt and then going over to the dresser and getting out a black t-shirt. Her put on the t-shirt first and then his over shirt.
"Well at least the gown will hide it" she said and he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"You would look breathtaking no matter what you wore, especially if you didn't wear anything" he said putting his face into her neck. She giggled and turned around to face him.
"I love you" she said.
"I love you too" he said. "All right, you ready to graduate?"
"Definitely" she said and they got their stuff together and left.
The hurried to the school. They were so anxious to get it over with.
Welcome class of 1999, today is the first day of the rest of your life, today you will graduate, feeling may intertwine, both feelings of happiness and terror. Yes you are happy to get out of here of course, but what about growing up, doing things on your own. This day is a symbol that you can do anything. Surviving four years of high school is good, but next is college, if of course you're going to college, some of you may not be, but that's okay. If you're brave enough to start in the real world with out a degree that's up to you. Now to announce the valedictorian of this year's class. . .Willow Rosenberg, and as usual the valedictorian will give her speech, Miss Rosenberg" the principal said and Willow shyly got up and went to the front of the auditorium.
"H-hi, I'm Willow, uh. . .okay, I-I see graduation a-as a new beginning, a new start for all of us to. . .do whatever it is we're planning on doing, whether it's going to college or whatever we have all these different paths in front of us, and it's our job to choose one. We've been babied so to speak these last four years, having our parents pay for everything, relying on them for support. I can't lie, I'm scared. I. . .I was so busy wanting to get out of here that I didn't realize that I don't know how to be a grown up. I have to move out, I have to get a job and get my own place and it scares the hell out of me, because if I fail, I lose everything, but when I get scared I just think of one two people. People that have had their whole lives changed, but that didn't stop them. My two best friends, Buffy Summers-Bryson and Spike Bryson. They realized that they had to grow up fast to be able to take care of this tiny life and they did. I have never seen any two people love each other more. And I know that that baby is gonna be the most loved baby I have ever seen. For them it won't be any different, see because they've been on their own for a while, but the rest of us have got a hell of a ride ahead. And if you're not ready for it, then you should have failed and not graduated because it's over now. All the pampering and hand holding is done, and all we're left with is us, and if that's not enough, well then you're pretty much screwed. As we say goodbye to this school we miss certain things, but now we have our lives to plan. It is better to look forward, then back, looking back would just make you. . .bump into things, you can't go back, and you're being pushed forward whether you like it or not, so I say, make the best of it, live your lives, 'cause you have nothing else to do, thank you" Willow said and everyone clapped as she went back to her seat.
"Okay, thank you Willow, and we all wish for a healthy delivery for the baby of William and Elizabeth Bryson, now the diplomas, let's start, Kathy Aaron, Chester Abrigottle, Leonard Axting, Celia Barker, Pat Barker, Marti Beckston, Harold Bhelitle, Lilly Bline, Chad Bonnor, Michael Britlan, Tami Brittle, Elizabeth Bryson" he said and Buffy walked up and took her diploma and shook the principal's hand. "William Bryson" Spike followed and did the same process. "Cordelia Chase, Kelly Connor, Milton Conock. . ."
* Later *
"So, how does it feel?" Joyce asked her daughter.
"it feels great" Buffy said with a smile.
"Well congratulations honey, I'm very proud of you" Joyce said and gave Buffy a kiss on the head.
"Thanks mom, I'm proud too" Buffy said.
"Come on pet, party time" Spike said and took Buffy's hand. As she was led towards Spike's car she looked once more at the school. She smiled as she thought to the future ahead. At the same time a single tear slid down her cheek and she got inside Spike's car and he drove away. To Buffy they weren't just diving away from the school, they were driving towards forever.