Spike was shocked. He didn't see that one coming. "I'm sorry Bit. I'm sorry you had to go through something like that." He told her, kissing her on the forehead. Dawn pulled away and wiped the tears from her face. "Will has been so sad since then, he really misses him."
"Almost three years."
"Poor kid."
"Yeah. He's been having nightmares ever since. They come and go, but when it happens, it's hard." She looked up at Spike. "Spike, I don't know what to do."
Spike pulled her to him. "It is all going to be okay love. "I'll help you. I'm here for you, as long as you want me. Plus you have Angel."
"Thank you Spike."
"I love you Dawn." Spike whispered once silence began to rain supreme in the room.
Dawn's head shot up. "What?"
"I love you, that's the real reason I came back. I missed you so much. I couldn't stay away any longer." He confessed.
Dawn looked into his big blue eyes. "I love you too. I have since I was 14 years old. I tried not to, it didn't work." She told him. She leaned forward and captured his lips in a passionate embrace.
Spike pulled away so Dawn could breath. "Maybe you should go downstairs. I'm sure Will is waiting." He said, still holding her.
"Yeah." She replied. Dawn got off the bed and left the room.

Downstairs
Dawn entered the kitchen and saw Will and Joyce eating their breakfast. Liam was playing with his cheerios. She grabbed a mug and Angel poured her a cup of coffee.
"Spike awake." He asked.
"Yeah."
"I got him some 'food'."
"When? It's like eight in the morning."
"I've been up for two hours. I couldn't sleep." He confessed.
Dawn smiled. She knew the reason he couldn't sleep was because Spike was sleeping in her bed with her. Angel had always been over protective of Dawn, especially after John. "I'll go see if he's hungry." She said moving out of the kitchen.

Upstairs
"Spike?" Dawn called as she entered her room.
"Yeah Bit."
"Hungry? Angel went to the butcher's this morning."
"Yeah. I could use some food." He said getting up from her bed.
"Okay. I'll go cover the windows. Come down when you're ready." She said exiting the room.

"Dawn I'm taking Joyce and Will to school. Can you get Liam ready for
me?" Angel said as he handed Joyce and Will their coats.
"Don't I always?" She said with a smirk.
Angel opened the door, handed the kids their backpacks, and then left to start the car. "Don't forget your lunches." He called.
"Bye Mommy." Willow said.
Dawn bent down and hugged her son. "Bye sweetie." She said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Have fun and behave."
"I know. I will." He replied to his mother. William looked up and spotted Spike. "Bye Spike."
"Bye kid."
"Bye Aunty Dawn." Joyce said giving Dawn a hug and a kiss. "Come on Willy." She said pulling her little cousin out the door to the car and her waiting father.
Dawn closed the door and went to the kitchen. She took Liam out of his high chair. "Spike, it's in the fridge. Don't forget to wash out the mug when you're done. I have to go get Liam ready."
"This Angel's then?"
"Yeah. Liam this is Spike." Dawn said to the little boy.
"Hi, Spike." Liam replied.
"Hello Liam."
"I gotta get him ready." Dawn said as she moved up the stairs.
"Yeah. Go ahead."

Liam and Will's Room
"Aunty Dawn." Liam said as Dawn pulled his outfit from the closet.
"Yes, Liam?"
"Who is Spike?"
"He's and old friend of mine and your daddy's." She said as she took off his pajama top.
"Did he know my mommy too?"
"Yes, he did." She said helping him out of his pajama pants.
"Oh." It looked as though he was pondering it for a moment before asking his next question. "Is aunty Willow and Uncle Xander coming tonight?" He asked as he tried to wriggle is hands through his shirt.
"Yes."
"With Uncle Oz and Auntie Cordy?"
"Yes Liam."
"And Uncle Wes and Gunn and Auntie Fred?" He asked as he zipped up his zipper.
"Yup."
"With Lizzy, Alex, Danny, Kimmy and Alana?"
"Of course."
"Good." He said slipping on his socks.
"Come on, go see if Spike will help you put on your shoes. Then wait for daddy. I need to go take a shower." She said lifting the young boy off the bed.
"Okay" he said as he grabbed his shoes from the closet and ran down the stairs to the living room.