Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox,
etc... except of course the ones I make up.
Summary: Spike and Buffy are going to have a baby together!!! I know, I know, it's been done about a million times but I promise that this one is different. Anyway, it also deals with all different types of families that could exist in the Buffyverse.
Spoilers: None really
Continuity: It's the sequel to "Apocalypse now... Again". However, you don't really need to read it to understand this fic. It picks up a few weeks after where "Apocalypse Now... Again" leaves off. Also, I just thought I'd point out that Tara is alive and with Willow, both witches are living with Buffy. Also, Xander and Anya are married and Anya is pregnant.
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FAMILY
Chapter 22: Beautiful
Dawn handed the glass to Spike who placed it carefully on her nightstand. She leaned back and felt as if her body would melt into her bed. She tried to pull her comforter up over her body but even the weight of her blanket was too much. Spike tucked her in snugly and ran his hand over her forehead and threw her hair.
"Poor girl."
Dawn nodded in tired agreement.
"At least you get out of school tomorrow. Or until you get better."
"That shouldn't take long," Dawn strained to get out the raspy words, "slayer healing and stuff, I should be better in a day or two... hopefully..."
"Well, now we know, even the Slayer isn't safe from the flu."
"Yeah, I remember Buffy getting it a few years ago. She was in the hospital and stuff..." Dawn trailed off as she began to cough violently. Spike watched helplessly until finally her lungs decided to give the girl a break. She groaned and rolled over onto her side.
"Get some sleep now, Bit, the Tylenol should kick in a few."
But the time Spike had finished speaking the Slayer was fast asleep. He could tell by her slowing heartbeat and the evenness of her rattled breath. He sighed in sympathy with the girl and kissing her gently on the forehead before getting up and leaving as quietly as possible. He could still slightly feel the heat on his lips as he entered his bedroom where Buffy greeted him with a warm yet tired smile.
"How is she?"
"Ill, very."
"Poor Dawnie," Buffy said, her heart aching with sympathy for her sister, "should I go in and-"
"I don't think so," Spike interrupted as he climbed into bed beside his girlfriend. "She just fell asleep and plus, I think it would probably be wise to minimize contact until she's not contagious at least."
Buffy sighed and crossed her arms defiantly. "She's a sick teenager, Spike, not a leper."
"I know that," Spike said, narrowing his eyes, "I just think it's better safe than sorry is all."
"Oh right. And when exactly did you start thinking that?"
"When I found out that I was going to become a father."
Buffy leaned back against the bed, "fair enough. But that doesn't make careful any less fun."
"Tell me about it. I spent a hundred and twenty years as one of the most powerful vampires alive. Now look at me. I'm playing maid for a bunch of women. But..."
"But what?"
"I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"That's good to hear."
"Maybe for a smoke though-"
Buffy laughed and slapped his chest playfully as she leaned lazily onto Spike's chest. He smiled and ran one hand over her long blonde hair, and his other he ran gently up her leg. His fingers played lightly against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh and Buffy gasped with pleasure. She shuddered and laughed, and just as Spike's fingers slipped under the thin cloth of her pajama bottoms the phone rang.
"Who do you think is calling this late?" She asked, a little annoyed that Spike pulled back at the last minute.
"Dunno. Probably important, I'd wager."
Buffy listened carefully and she heard Willow pick up in the kitchen. Almost as soon as she did, she heard feet begin to softly pound their way in what she assumed was the direction of the stairs. She was sure when she heard Willow feet running up the stairs. She ran to Buffy and Spike's room and threw the door open without knocking. She was holding the phone tightly to her chest. Her face was bright and her eyes were filled with tears.
"That was Xander! Anya's having the baby!"
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Spike drove to the hospital with Buffy in the passenger's seat and Willow in the backseat practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. All were excited, of course, but because the baby's arrival was imminent and the redheaded godmother-to-be was about to lose the "to-be" from her title, she just couldn't contain her enthusiasm. When the hospital was in sight, Willow could even help letting out an ecstatic squeal.
Willow ran into the hospital followed by Buffy who was walking as briskly as she could, and Spike was at her side. Immediately they saw Giles nursing a cup of hospital coffee and he waved them over to chairs. Willow ran into his arms and he smiled gently down at her.
"Excited are you?"
Tears once again welled in her eyes as she looked up at him. "Very, very."
"They not letting you in, Rupes?" Spike asked as he helped Buffy settled herself into a chair.
"Not exactly. Anya decided she didn't want a big crowd in the room while she was in labor. After the baby's born they're going to send someone to let us know we can go in." He paused and took off his glasses so he could wipe them on his shirt. "How's Dawn doing?"
Spike rolled his eyes and sighed. "Not well. Very, very unwell as a matter of fact. High fever, congestion, typical flu. Tara's there with her, she didn't want Dawn to have to be alone."
"That was very... responsible of her."
Willow smiled and choked a short laugh. "That's my girl."
"Indeed," Giles agreed with a nod and a smile as he put his glasses back on. "Anyway, it shouldn't be long now. Last I heard, they said she was progressing quickly."
"That's definitely a good," Buffy said, her voice tired, "have you seen Xander?"
"No, he's in with Anya and has been since they got here I'm assuming. Anyway, the nurse said that they knew we're here at least."
"That's good," Buffy said, and she paused to yawn. "But you know, it was kind of inconsiderate of the kid to decide to come so early in the-"
"Mr. Giles?"
The watcher turned around and a young, blonde, thrashed looking nurse was looking at him intently. She smiled warmly and nodded her head at the gang.
"So, I'm guessing this is... everyone else?"
"Uh-well-uh yes, for now anyway," he stuttered with a slight smile.
"All right. Well, Anya had the baby about..." the nurse checked her watch, "half an hour ago. They're all settled so if you'd like to go see them now- "
"Yes, yes, yes!" Willow interrupted, her excitement once again bubbling over and out from the effervescing young woman. It took a moment for Willow to realize how loud she was being in a hospital at three o'clock in the morning. She stopped once she saw Giles raising a superior brow, Buffy stifling a laugh, and Spike's amused smirk. She shrugged her shoulders apologetically and the nurse just smiled understandably.
"All right," she told them with a nod, "I'll take you to them."
Willow walked beside the nurse and Giles followed close behind but careful not to step on the witch's heels. Spike helped Buffy to her feet the way he had helped her sit and she smiled at him as she leaned her head on his muscular shoulder.
They were led to a small, off-white walled room with a hospital bed by the single window. Anya's tired form sat tucked into the bed. Xander was running has hand over her head and through her hair, but his eyes were focused on the bundle in her arms. His eyes were completely lost on the little body. He didn't even notice that anyone else has entered the room.
Anya looked up at the group and smiled a tired smile, but she made up for it with the warmth in her eyes. "Hey."
Xander was snapped out of his daze and he noticed his friends. "Well lookey lookey. It's the reinforcements."
Willow, knowing better but still unable to control herself, ran to Xander and wrapped her arms around his neck. She latched onto him and squeezed with all her might while Xander hugged her around her waist with equal enthusiasm.
"I can't believe it," she said, as her tears spilled over, "I can't believe you."
Xander merely laughed and placed a palm sweetly on his best friend's cheek. Willow put her hand on top of his own and smiled.
"Alexander LaVelle Harris a father. Okay... still adjusting..."
"You too, huh?" He asked and he gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead before going back to Anya's side. Willow did the same. She walked beside Xander and leaned over Anya to take a first look at the small form that was sleeping soundly in her arms.
"Wow," was all Willow could manage as a few more mesmerized tears slipped down her flushed cheeks. She looked at Anya and smiled widely as she gave her a gentle hug.
"Congratulations like, a million times."
Willow pulled back and Anya smiled. She looked from the baby and to her friends that were all beaming with delight around her. Her eyes filled with tears and she shifted against the hospital bed pillows.
"Thank you all for coming," she said, her voice cracked as she spoke, "it really means a lot to me that you want to be here."
Buffy walked over and hugged Anya, a few tears of her own threatening to fall. "It means a lot for us to be here."
Anya looked at Buffy and Buffy looked back at Anya and for once they completely understood one another. Before that moment, all they had really had in common was Xander. Obviously Buffy cared about Anya and Anya about Buffy but they never connected the way they had just then. Of course the fact that she had spent over eleven centuries as a demon was quite the barrier to break through, but they always managed somehow.
"Oh, and Buffy?"
"Yeah, Anya?"
"It's not so bad."
Buffy put her hand on her belly as if it were a reflex and looked at it for a moment. She laughed, "thanks."
"Of course."
Spike stood and watched this exchange from just over the threshold of the room. For whatever reason, he somehow felt he didn't belong there. Though he knew he was very welcome, his gut was telling him that this wasn't his life so he merely watched from afar with a slight smirk on his face.
He took a moment to study Anya who was watching her new son sleep restfully in her arms. He recognized Anya's look. Not just in her eyes, but the look of her whole body. The way she sat, the way she breathed, it was a look that Spike realized almost right away that he recognized well. It may have been over a century since he had seen it but there was no question in his mind, it was the look of a new mother. He realized how lame that sounded in his head but it made perfect sense to him. He had seen that look on his mother when he was finally allowed to see her after his sister was born. The matted hair, the tired but warm eyes, that all around glow that anyone could pick up on from being within ten feet of the mother and her child. Spike's happy smirk became a reminiscent smile as he thought of the when he had seen Katie for the first time. She was so tiny, but so powerful to him...
Buffy turned to see Spike standing by the door ginning sadly at his feet. He felt her eyes on him right away and looked up at the Slayer. She furrowed her brow, trying to figure him out but didn't have the energy. Instead, she put out her hand and beckoned him to her with her bright green eyes. He obeyed, as she knew he always would and he took her hand. She gave it a tight squeeze, kissed his neck and mumble, "I love you so much."
Spike nodded and allowed her to lean her head against his shoulder. He sighed and shook his head more at himself than anything else as he realized that he was wrong. This was where he belonged.
"So, have you picked out a name yet?" Giles asked as he wiped his glasses for the hundredth time that night.
Xander nodded. "Yeah. Nicholas Preston."
"That's beautiful," Willow told them.
Xander nodded at his best friend and then looked to his wife who beamed up at him. He kissed her gently on the temple. "Yeah. Beautiful. There's a lot of that going around."
TBC...
Summary: Spike and Buffy are going to have a baby together!!! I know, I know, it's been done about a million times but I promise that this one is different. Anyway, it also deals with all different types of families that could exist in the Buffyverse.
Spoilers: None really
Continuity: It's the sequel to "Apocalypse now... Again". However, you don't really need to read it to understand this fic. It picks up a few weeks after where "Apocalypse Now... Again" leaves off. Also, I just thought I'd point out that Tara is alive and with Willow, both witches are living with Buffy. Also, Xander and Anya are married and Anya is pregnant.
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FAMILY
Chapter 22: Beautiful
Dawn handed the glass to Spike who placed it carefully on her nightstand. She leaned back and felt as if her body would melt into her bed. She tried to pull her comforter up over her body but even the weight of her blanket was too much. Spike tucked her in snugly and ran his hand over her forehead and threw her hair.
"Poor girl."
Dawn nodded in tired agreement.
"At least you get out of school tomorrow. Or until you get better."
"That shouldn't take long," Dawn strained to get out the raspy words, "slayer healing and stuff, I should be better in a day or two... hopefully..."
"Well, now we know, even the Slayer isn't safe from the flu."
"Yeah, I remember Buffy getting it a few years ago. She was in the hospital and stuff..." Dawn trailed off as she began to cough violently. Spike watched helplessly until finally her lungs decided to give the girl a break. She groaned and rolled over onto her side.
"Get some sleep now, Bit, the Tylenol should kick in a few."
But the time Spike had finished speaking the Slayer was fast asleep. He could tell by her slowing heartbeat and the evenness of her rattled breath. He sighed in sympathy with the girl and kissing her gently on the forehead before getting up and leaving as quietly as possible. He could still slightly feel the heat on his lips as he entered his bedroom where Buffy greeted him with a warm yet tired smile.
"How is she?"
"Ill, very."
"Poor Dawnie," Buffy said, her heart aching with sympathy for her sister, "should I go in and-"
"I don't think so," Spike interrupted as he climbed into bed beside his girlfriend. "She just fell asleep and plus, I think it would probably be wise to minimize contact until she's not contagious at least."
Buffy sighed and crossed her arms defiantly. "She's a sick teenager, Spike, not a leper."
"I know that," Spike said, narrowing his eyes, "I just think it's better safe than sorry is all."
"Oh right. And when exactly did you start thinking that?"
"When I found out that I was going to become a father."
Buffy leaned back against the bed, "fair enough. But that doesn't make careful any less fun."
"Tell me about it. I spent a hundred and twenty years as one of the most powerful vampires alive. Now look at me. I'm playing maid for a bunch of women. But..."
"But what?"
"I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"That's good to hear."
"Maybe for a smoke though-"
Buffy laughed and slapped his chest playfully as she leaned lazily onto Spike's chest. He smiled and ran one hand over her long blonde hair, and his other he ran gently up her leg. His fingers played lightly against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh and Buffy gasped with pleasure. She shuddered and laughed, and just as Spike's fingers slipped under the thin cloth of her pajama bottoms the phone rang.
"Who do you think is calling this late?" She asked, a little annoyed that Spike pulled back at the last minute.
"Dunno. Probably important, I'd wager."
Buffy listened carefully and she heard Willow pick up in the kitchen. Almost as soon as she did, she heard feet begin to softly pound their way in what she assumed was the direction of the stairs. She was sure when she heard Willow feet running up the stairs. She ran to Buffy and Spike's room and threw the door open without knocking. She was holding the phone tightly to her chest. Her face was bright and her eyes were filled with tears.
"That was Xander! Anya's having the baby!"
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Spike drove to the hospital with Buffy in the passenger's seat and Willow in the backseat practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. All were excited, of course, but because the baby's arrival was imminent and the redheaded godmother-to-be was about to lose the "to-be" from her title, she just couldn't contain her enthusiasm. When the hospital was in sight, Willow could even help letting out an ecstatic squeal.
Willow ran into the hospital followed by Buffy who was walking as briskly as she could, and Spike was at her side. Immediately they saw Giles nursing a cup of hospital coffee and he waved them over to chairs. Willow ran into his arms and he smiled gently down at her.
"Excited are you?"
Tears once again welled in her eyes as she looked up at him. "Very, very."
"They not letting you in, Rupes?" Spike asked as he helped Buffy settled herself into a chair.
"Not exactly. Anya decided she didn't want a big crowd in the room while she was in labor. After the baby's born they're going to send someone to let us know we can go in." He paused and took off his glasses so he could wipe them on his shirt. "How's Dawn doing?"
Spike rolled his eyes and sighed. "Not well. Very, very unwell as a matter of fact. High fever, congestion, typical flu. Tara's there with her, she didn't want Dawn to have to be alone."
"That was very... responsible of her."
Willow smiled and choked a short laugh. "That's my girl."
"Indeed," Giles agreed with a nod and a smile as he put his glasses back on. "Anyway, it shouldn't be long now. Last I heard, they said she was progressing quickly."
"That's definitely a good," Buffy said, her voice tired, "have you seen Xander?"
"No, he's in with Anya and has been since they got here I'm assuming. Anyway, the nurse said that they knew we're here at least."
"That's good," Buffy said, and she paused to yawn. "But you know, it was kind of inconsiderate of the kid to decide to come so early in the-"
"Mr. Giles?"
The watcher turned around and a young, blonde, thrashed looking nurse was looking at him intently. She smiled warmly and nodded her head at the gang.
"So, I'm guessing this is... everyone else?"
"Uh-well-uh yes, for now anyway," he stuttered with a slight smile.
"All right. Well, Anya had the baby about..." the nurse checked her watch, "half an hour ago. They're all settled so if you'd like to go see them now- "
"Yes, yes, yes!" Willow interrupted, her excitement once again bubbling over and out from the effervescing young woman. It took a moment for Willow to realize how loud she was being in a hospital at three o'clock in the morning. She stopped once she saw Giles raising a superior brow, Buffy stifling a laugh, and Spike's amused smirk. She shrugged her shoulders apologetically and the nurse just smiled understandably.
"All right," she told them with a nod, "I'll take you to them."
Willow walked beside the nurse and Giles followed close behind but careful not to step on the witch's heels. Spike helped Buffy to her feet the way he had helped her sit and she smiled at him as she leaned her head on his muscular shoulder.
They were led to a small, off-white walled room with a hospital bed by the single window. Anya's tired form sat tucked into the bed. Xander was running has hand over her head and through her hair, but his eyes were focused on the bundle in her arms. His eyes were completely lost on the little body. He didn't even notice that anyone else has entered the room.
Anya looked up at the group and smiled a tired smile, but she made up for it with the warmth in her eyes. "Hey."
Xander was snapped out of his daze and he noticed his friends. "Well lookey lookey. It's the reinforcements."
Willow, knowing better but still unable to control herself, ran to Xander and wrapped her arms around his neck. She latched onto him and squeezed with all her might while Xander hugged her around her waist with equal enthusiasm.
"I can't believe it," she said, as her tears spilled over, "I can't believe you."
Xander merely laughed and placed a palm sweetly on his best friend's cheek. Willow put her hand on top of his own and smiled.
"Alexander LaVelle Harris a father. Okay... still adjusting..."
"You too, huh?" He asked and he gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead before going back to Anya's side. Willow did the same. She walked beside Xander and leaned over Anya to take a first look at the small form that was sleeping soundly in her arms.
"Wow," was all Willow could manage as a few more mesmerized tears slipped down her flushed cheeks. She looked at Anya and smiled widely as she gave her a gentle hug.
"Congratulations like, a million times."
Willow pulled back and Anya smiled. She looked from the baby and to her friends that were all beaming with delight around her. Her eyes filled with tears and she shifted against the hospital bed pillows.
"Thank you all for coming," she said, her voice cracked as she spoke, "it really means a lot to me that you want to be here."
Buffy walked over and hugged Anya, a few tears of her own threatening to fall. "It means a lot for us to be here."
Anya looked at Buffy and Buffy looked back at Anya and for once they completely understood one another. Before that moment, all they had really had in common was Xander. Obviously Buffy cared about Anya and Anya about Buffy but they never connected the way they had just then. Of course the fact that she had spent over eleven centuries as a demon was quite the barrier to break through, but they always managed somehow.
"Oh, and Buffy?"
"Yeah, Anya?"
"It's not so bad."
Buffy put her hand on her belly as if it were a reflex and looked at it for a moment. She laughed, "thanks."
"Of course."
Spike stood and watched this exchange from just over the threshold of the room. For whatever reason, he somehow felt he didn't belong there. Though he knew he was very welcome, his gut was telling him that this wasn't his life so he merely watched from afar with a slight smirk on his face.
He took a moment to study Anya who was watching her new son sleep restfully in her arms. He recognized Anya's look. Not just in her eyes, but the look of her whole body. The way she sat, the way she breathed, it was a look that Spike realized almost right away that he recognized well. It may have been over a century since he had seen it but there was no question in his mind, it was the look of a new mother. He realized how lame that sounded in his head but it made perfect sense to him. He had seen that look on his mother when he was finally allowed to see her after his sister was born. The matted hair, the tired but warm eyes, that all around glow that anyone could pick up on from being within ten feet of the mother and her child. Spike's happy smirk became a reminiscent smile as he thought of the when he had seen Katie for the first time. She was so tiny, but so powerful to him...
Buffy turned to see Spike standing by the door ginning sadly at his feet. He felt her eyes on him right away and looked up at the Slayer. She furrowed her brow, trying to figure him out but didn't have the energy. Instead, she put out her hand and beckoned him to her with her bright green eyes. He obeyed, as she knew he always would and he took her hand. She gave it a tight squeeze, kissed his neck and mumble, "I love you so much."
Spike nodded and allowed her to lean her head against his shoulder. He sighed and shook his head more at himself than anything else as he realized that he was wrong. This was where he belonged.
"So, have you picked out a name yet?" Giles asked as he wiped his glasses for the hundredth time that night.
Xander nodded. "Yeah. Nicholas Preston."
"That's beautiful," Willow told them.
Xander nodded at his best friend and then looked to his wife who beamed up at him. He kissed her gently on the temple. "Yeah. Beautiful. There's a lot of that going around."
TBC...