AUTHOR'S NOTE: Some of you may consider me a hopeless romantic at the end of this chapter. . .but it is the end of my ficlet, and I felt it would just be wrong not to have a happy ending. Enjoy and review!

Part 3: Reunion at the Birth of a Champion

6 months later

Night had fallen on the small town of Sunnydale, and the Slayer had been ready to go out patrolling. At that time, Xander, Willow, Dawn and Giles had been in the house.

In the past 6 months, they'd gone through a lot of change. Xander had come back to his friends, but actually tried to make sure he never saw Anya or Spike, for the reasons that he would feel too much pain, or would want to kill one of them.

Spike had moved into Anya's apartment, so that he could keep a close eye on her and his future son. He'd promised he'd be there for him, and he did everything he could to fulfil that. However, Spike and Anya remained just friends, as they always had been.

When Anya had found out what her son was, she didn't know quite how to react. A part of her was terrified for him, and yet another part was ecstatically happy - her son was going to make a difference in the world. Not to mention he wasn't evil.

Just as Buffy was about to leave the house, the phone rang. Xander, Dawn and Willow were sitting on the couch playing Risk on the coffee table and Giles was in the kitchen.

'Dawn, could you get that?' Buffy called out in the house as she put on her coat.

'Got it!' Dawn called back, as Buffy heard the phone stop ringing and Dawn's polite voice down the phone saying 'Hello?'

Buffy smiled as she stepped out, but then she heard Dawn gasp. She stepped back in as Dawn screamed to the person on the other end ecstatically: 'We'll be right there!'

She slammed the phone down, jumping up and down on the spot. 'That was Spike. Anya's in labour!'

Everyone reacted; Willow leapt up from the sofa excited, Giles walked in from the kitchen, tripping over himself on the way, and Buffy stepped back into the house, slamming the door for dramatic effect and yelling: 'What?!'

Xander was the only one who didn't budge an inch.

'Oh, screw patrolling!' Buffy said enthusiastically. Giles gave her a look for using what he considered was bad language. She went on. 'We've got to get to the hospital!'

Buffy, Willow, Dawn and Giles made their way towards the exit, all grabbing coats and stepping out, shutting the door behind them. However, it was only a few seconds before they stepped right back in.

'Xander, come on!' Buffy encouraged. In all the excitement, they'd forgotten to take him with them. He looked at them as if they'd just asked him to jump of a cliff.

'Oh yes, I'll come. . .come and witness the birth of the kid of my ex- fiancée and a vampire I hate.' Then he added sarcastically: 'Why don't you come and saw my arm off so I can declare that this is the best day of my life?!'

Buffy scowled at Xander. Willow looked hurt as she said:

'Xander. . .you have to come! I mean, OK - granted, the parents of the baby aren't the most ideal for you, but still - first male Slayer! Big woo! You have to be there!'

There was a pause as Xander glared at them. 'Guys - trust me when I tell you that I'd rather *swallow a bowlful of acid* than be anywhere near this birth.'

Buffy sighed, as she tried to think of a way she could convince him to come with them. And then it hit her, and she pictured a little light bulb turning on at the top of her head.

'But you have to come! You. . .have to drive us!'

'Giles can drive you,' he replied blandly as he turned away from them.

Buffy gave Giles a look, urging him to help her. He acknowledged it. 'Oh. . .but I uh. . .can't. My. . .driver's licence expired.'

Xander turned back to face them, a suspicious look on his face. 'You?' he said disbelievingly. '*You* let your driver's licence expire? You, king of the organised? You, who's always ahead in all planning?'

Giles hesitated, as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation desperately. 'Oh. . .well. . .the more dangerous, daring Ripper side of me always emerges when it comes to driving.'

Xander raised his eyebrows, but finally gave in. 'Alright. But let me just get this straight - I drop you off and I leave. That is my entire contribution in this. I do not even step into the hospital.'

They all nodded, knowing secretly that they would eventually find a way to get him in there.

**********

Xander's car pulled up at Sunnydale hospital. The other four jumped out simultaneously, but before Xander could drive away, Buffy knocked on his car window. She had an idea.

'Yeah?' he said, hand on the wheel as he prepared to drive off.

'One last thing Xand,' Buffy said. She raised her fist and punched him hard in the nose. The painful contact was heard, as Xander lifted his face back up, covering his nose with a hand.

'Hey! What was that for? And - ow!'

'Are you OK?' Buffy asked, genuinely concerned.

'I think so. . .again, ow!'

'There's no blood. . .' Buffy said vaguely, staring at his nose.

'Yeah, well that was lucky...' Xander said honestly, but she lifted her fist again and punched him harder. This time, a crack was heard, and in the background, Giles, Willow and Dawn winced.

A small trickle of blood started leaving Xander's nose. 'What the hell are you doing?!' Xander exclaimed. 'You just broke my nose!'

'Oh, I guess I did,' Buffy said in a fake way. 'Oh, well - I've got to take you to the hospital now!' She opened the car door, took his arm and started dragging him towards the large revolving doors. 'Giles - you park his car!' Buffy called behind her.

'I thought his licence expired!' Xander pointed out, as Giles stepped in his car.

'Xander, head back, don't let the blood pour out,' Buffy avoided what he had said, as the two, Willow and Dawn all walked into the hospital - two looking for the maternity ward, two for the emergency room.

**********

Half an hour later, Buffy was sitting with Xander on a hospital bed, as a female doctor put a small bandage over his nose.

'This should heal in a couple of weeks,' she said kindly. 'You can go now, but if you're feeling any excruciating pain, come straight back to me. Although everything should be fine,' she assured. She walked out of the room as Xander stood up.

'Does that mean the excruciating pain I'm feeling right now isn't normal?' he called after her, but she was already gone. Now he turned to Buffy, as they walked out, going in no particular direction.

'OK, I've gotta ask - what was with the nose-punching?!'

Buffy shrugged. 'Oh, there was. . .uh. . .something on your nose.'

Xander's eyes narrowed. 'And you felt the need to punch it?'

'Well. . .I thought it was. . .a demon. Yeah - you know me, workaholic- Buffy - vampires and demons always on the brain.'

'A demon?' Xander said slowly. 'On my nose?'

Buffy's eyes widened. 'A tiny demon.'

They had been walking through the corridors, and they finally stopped. Xander turned to face her. 'Buffy, quit making stuff up. What's the real reason you punched my nose?'

Buffy didn't answer, but instead looked up at the sign of the area they had reached. Xander followed her gaze and read what it said.

Maternity Ward.

'I knew it!' he exclaimed. 'You just want me to be here to see Anya and Spike's baby!' he shouted accusingly.

'Well, duh. . .' she muttered quietly, as she rolled her eyes. 'But seriously, Xander - you haven't even seen or spoken to them in 6 whole months. Would it kill you to spend a few minutes with this baby, perhaps congratulating the parents?'

Xander clenched his fists. 'Actually, it would. Why can't any of you see how much it hurts? How can I just come and say "hi" to them when there's so much hidden away? It kills me every time you mention them or their baby - *every single time*. I can't face them - accept that.'

He started walking away, but Buffy grabbed his shoulder. 'Why does it hurt so much Xander? Be honest. Is it because you still love her?'

He took a deep breath, and turned back around. 'What difference does it make? She has her awesome-Slayer child, and the baby has a father that has made sure he will always be there. Where do I fit in? Nowhere. So I don't see the point in my hanging around.'

Buffy fired back quickly. 'God, you really don't see it, do you? Well, I guess you wouldn't, considering you haven't even seen Anya in so long. . .'

'What, Buffy?!' he answered back angrily. 'What don't I see?'

Buffy pursed her lips together, as she looked right into his eyes. 'Perhaps something you could give this child Xander, is a happy mother. Yes - she has Spike supporting the baby too, there's no doubt about that. . .but what about supporting her? Who's going to catch her when she falls?' Buffy paused.

'The man she loves - that's who it should be. You really think just because she has a child to occupy her time now that she'll not have time to stop and think about you?...She misses you. That pain won't go away with time - she will love you and she will hurt day after day knowing that you aren't there for her. Believe me; I know what that pain can be like.'

Xander looked down, unable to look at the seriousness in Buffy's eyes. She went on.

'Couldn't you just swallow your stupid pride, and tell her you feel the same way?'

He looked back up, as he followed her into the maternity ward, not even sure about why he was doing so, or what he would do next. All he knew was that something was pulling him towards his love. . .

**********

A few incredibly painful hours later, with Spike by her side, Anya gave birth. The remaining five of the gang were finally allowed into the room to see the proud mother and father.

They walked in slowly, Xander trailing behind last, almost hiding himself. He caught sight of Anya, lying there in a hospital robe, tears in her eyes, holding her baby. Spike was looking over her shoulder, but as soon as he saw everyone, he welcomed them in.

'Check it out - I'm a dad!' he whispered proudly. 'He weighs 10 pounds - it's bloody fantastic!'

Anya looked away temporarily from her son to glare at Spike. 'You know, I'd really appreciate it if our baby's first word isn't "bloody".' He gave her an apologetic look.

She looked back at her Slayer son, at that moment entranced, not able to take her eyes off of him. He was beautiful. . .and one day he would change the world.

Everyone crowded around her, eager to get a better look. 'Aw, he's adorable!' Dawn squealed. Willow was already making cute faces at him, and Giles was looking proudly. Buffy had walked over to Spike.

'So, how does it feel?' she asked gently.

He shook his head. 'Like something I never thought I *could* feel. Emotions that have been drawn out from deep inside me. It's. . .surreal, y'know? I can't wait to see him walk. . .hear him say his first words. I've got so much love for him I just wanna give away.'

Buffy smiled at him, as she entwined her left hand with his right, hidden away from everybody else. He shivered inside, but pleasantly, as he just enjoyed this perfect moment of bliss.

Anya lifted her head to see everybody in the room, and shock flew through her as she caught sight of someone she really hadn't expected there.

'Xander?' she barely whispered, after all those painful hours of screaming. He nervously came to the front, not saying anything. He thought he'd just come see the baby and leave - he thought he could, but he just didn't feel in place here at all.

He came right next to her, and glanced at the new Slayer. But it was more than a quick glance. . .once he had looked at him, he couldn't stop. He was. . .unbelievable. Something so small, and yet so powerful, it was almost a magical moment for him.

Anya smiled at the man she loved, water welling up in her eyes. 'You wanna hold him?' she said quietly. Xander just nodded, as he carefully took the baby out of her arms and held it tenderly, examining each of its perfect features. This was what he had been so cruel about these past few months. . .this little innocent thing. . .

'Guys. . .' he looked up at them all, although with difficulty. 'Could Anya and I have a moment alone please?' They stood still for a moment, but then they walked out, leaving the two and the baby on their own.

'You came,' she said to him finally.

He smiled weakly. 'Somebody opened my eyes.' He looked back at the baby. It had to be using some spell to keep him so absorbed in it. . .

He resisted as he handed the baby back to its mother. 'He's beautiful,' he told her. 'Congratulations.'

She smiled warmly. 'I really appreciate you being here. It's the first time I've felt myself strong once again. . .'

Xander didn't know what made him do what he did next, but he assumed afterwards it was the glow she was emitting that was just drawing him to her. 'How about now?' he leant in, and kissed her so lightly on the lips, yet so powerfully in that tiny moment.

He hardly backed away, but kept his face close to hers, as their foreheads leaned against each other.

'That helped,' she said quietly. 'I just wish I could have it more than just once, just today. . .'

He stood up straight, but didn't take his eyes off her. 'You can.' He took her hand, and she held her baby with the other one.

'Anya. . .I love you. More than anything I thought possible. And I don't want to be apart from you any longer. I'm not the father of this baby. . .but I will care for it with my life if you accept my offer.' He got down on one knee.

'Will you marry me?' He paused before adding: 'Again?'

She let out a sob, but one of happiness. The reply didn't take long. 'Yes.'

He smiled widely as he leant in once again and kissed her. This time, after he'd backed away, he looked back at the baby in her arms - its beauty hadn't lessened at all.

'It'll be this way,' he promised her, 'forever.'

**********

A/N: That's it I'm afraid, but I am considering a sequel that will be set a few years in the future, depending on how good the feedback is. Also, if you liked this, I'd love it if you checked out my three stories which are set as a kind of Season 8, set in San Francisco, complete with both Anya and Spike back from the dead. Nat xxx