Chapter 13
Spike sat on the couch next to Angel, they were both laughing about something on the television. They heard the vacuum running upstairs. Buffy was going through her nesting phase, and both men were trying their hardest to deal with it. Dawn came running down the stairs, she stood in front of Spike, her arms folded.
"SPIKE, DO SOMETHING ABOUT BUFFY!" Dawn yelled.
Spike looked at Angel and sighed. He got off the couch and headed upstairs. Dawn flopped down on the couch in Spike's spot. She looked at the TV and saw that Interview with a Vampire was on.
Spike walked into Dawn's bedroom and saw Buffy, busily dusting and picking up some dirty laundry. He noticed Dawn's homework scattered on her desk. He took a deep breath.
"Pet, why don't you have nidbit do her room, instead of you?" Spike asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Buffy stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
"She won't do it, and you know that. Plus….hey!" Buffy protested, as Spike took the towel and cleaner from her hands.
"Love, you have been cleaning non-stop. I want you to cuddle up in bed and read one of those romance novels that you love," Spike looked serious.
Buffy sighed and kissed him softly on the lips.
"Fine," she replied.
She walked past Spike and left the room. Spike walked downstairs and put the things away. He heard a loud thumping, coming from upstairs. He cringed and closed his eyes.
He came out of the kitchen and he saw Angel get up from the couch and walk past him, and go upstairs. He followed him and they both went into the baby's room. They found Buffy, moving things around.
"Buffy!" Angel said sternly.
He took the crib from her and set it back where it was. Spike took Buffy by the arm and pulled her out of the room.
"Come on, pet. You are going to get nothing, but rest and relaxation until the baby is born," Spike said, as he took her to their bedroom.
They walked into their bedroom and she sat down on the bed. He studied her expression, noticing how uncomfortable she looked. He sat down next to her and started massaging her back. She groaned.
"Spike, I'm so miserable," Buffy complained.
Spike stopped what he was doing and looked over at her.
"I don't mean…oh Spike, I love you. I'm just really uncomfortable," She explained.
Spike nodded and carried on massaging her back. He could feel the tension in her, as he started to massage her lower back. He pressed harder and continued to massage that area.
"Love, you need to relax. You have done nothing, but clean ever since we got home," Spike said putting his chin on her shoulder. She looked over at him.
They had been home for two weeks. Buffy was due any day now. She got increasingly uncomfortable with each day that passed. He hated watching her discomfort, but was helpless.
"Ow!" Buffy hissed.
Spike took his hand away from her lower back. Buffy hunched over in pain, She got up and ran to the bathroom. Spike watched her flight, stunned.
"SPIKE!" Buffy yelled from the bathroom.
Spike got off the bed, ran towards the door, and opened it. Buffy was bent over in pain, standing in puddle of clear liquid.
"What is it, love?" Spike asked concerned.
He took her hand as they walked out of the bathroom.
"My water broke," Buffy, said in a frightened voice.
"Your water broke? Oh God!" said Spike.
"Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to panic!" Said Buffy.
She groaned as another wave of pain hit her. Spike was ready to time the next contraction.
When the next one hit, they saw it was fifteen minutes apart. He grabbed the bag for hospital and yelled for Angel. He instructed Angel to help Buffy to the car, while he got his things. Angel did the exact opposite. He told Spike to take Buffy to the hospital and he would bring the bag. Spike nodded and took Buffy to the car.
"It's gonna be all right, love," Spike said, as they drove to the hospital.
He drove with one hand on the steering wheel, and the other on Buffy's stomach. Buffy placed her hand over his. She would squeeze it, when another contraction hit.
When they arrived at the hospital, the nurses got Buffy a private room. Spike stood by her side, holding on to her hand.
When Dawn and Angel walked into the room, Spike was sitting in the chair by her bed. Buffy was already soaked with perspiration and cringing in pain. Spike hated seeing her like this. Wishing with all of his heart, that he could take the pain for her.
"Hey," Dawn said, walking into the room.
She held up the bag. Spike smiled.
"Hey nid bit. Hey peaches," Spike greeted them both.
Dawn put the bag down on the table, and walked over to the other side of her sister. Angel stood next Spike.
"How are you holding up?" Angel whispered.
Spike looked over at him.
"I'm doing fine, it's Buffy, that's doing all the hard work," Spike answered.
Angel nodded
"Then why is your hand turning purple?" he asked Spike.
Buffy finally let go of Spike's hand.
"It's nothing I can't handle," Spike shrugged.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Four hours later, Buffy was screaming at Spike. Angel sat back amused by the whole situation. Spike way trying to calm her down, but she cursed at him. Dawn yelled at Buffy for yelling at Spike, but Spike yelled at Dawn for yelling at Buffy.
The group was with them, except for Xander and Anya, who were in the waiting room. Giles sat at the table on the other side of Angel, rubbing his temples. It made him so glad that he wasn't a part of the mayhem.
"This is the beauty of nature," Angel said wryly to Giles.
Giles chuckled softly.
"One huge headache, is what I'd call it," Giles said softly.
Spike looked over at them both and frowned.
"I heard that you dimwits. I still have vampire hearing, you know," Spike snapped.
He looked worn out. Buffy looked the worst though, but Spike was pulling up a close second. He was trying to keep everything calm, but it was anything, but.
"Why don't we all let Spike and Buffy have some alone time," Angel suggested, getting up.
Everyone looked at Angel and nodded. They cleared out, and Spike finally sat down in his chair and leaned back. Buffy ran her fingers through his hair.
"Spike, why don't you…." Buffy stopped in mid-sentence and waited for the contraction to pass.
Spike held her hand, and let go of it when the pain had passed.
"I'm not leaving," Spike said firmly.
Buffy put her hand on his face.
"You look worn out," Buffy whispered.
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Please, love, if anyone needs rest, then it's you. Why won't you let the nurse give you an epidural?" Spike suggested.
"I think it's too late for that now. Besides, I'm a slayer remember? I can handle the pain," she panted.
He kissed her hand and smiled down at her.
"That's what I love about you, pet. You are such a strong little bugger," said Spike, the admiration shining from his eyes.
Buffy smiled, but it quickly faded as another contraction hit.
Doctor Baker came into the room and examined her. Spike stood by her side holding her hand.
"All right, Mrs.Winston. You're fully dilated. It's time for you to push," Doctor Baker announced.
Buffy looked up at Spike, the fear evident in her eyes. She squeezed his hand. He caressed it, trying to assure that everything would be fine. Doctor Baker summoned the nurses. They had everything ready.
"Ok, Buffy its time to start pushing, on the next contraction," Doctor Baker instructed.
Buffy did just that. They counted to ten, then Buffy let out a breath. They did that three more times.
"Ok, Buffy just one more push," Doctor Baker said, pleased with her progress.
Buffy shook her head.
"I can't push anymore, I'm so tired," Buffy said, in a weepy voice.
"Yes, you can, love," Spike reassured her.
Buffy started pushing, until the doctor told her to stop.
The next thing they knew, the baby was crying. Buffy sighed, relieved that it was all over. Spike smiled and kissed Buffy on the forehead.
"I love you," Spike whispered.
Buffy smiled, with tears in her eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dawn crept into the room. Spike was standing at the window holding his daughter. She could see the pride in his face. She smiled at the look of pure joy on his features. Dawn glanced over at Buffy. She was sound asleep.
"Hey," Dawn whispered walking up to Spike. Spike turned, as he registered her presence for the first time, and smiled at her.
"Hey, nidbit," Spike greeted.
Dawn looked down at the baby in his arms. She had Buffy's eyes, but her father's eye color. She had her mother's nose, but her father's lips.
"She's so beautiful, Spike," Dawn whispered.
Spike smiled and softly ran his finger down the baby's cheek.
"She is at that. You want to see something?" Spike asked.
Dawn nodded.
Spike gently ran his finger over the baby's tiny fist. The baby grabbed a hold of her father's finger.
"Aww," Dawn cooed. "Can I hold her?"
Spike nodded and carefully placed the baby into Dawn's arms.
The baby started to fret. Dawn, uncertain about what to do, cautiously put the baby back into Spike's arms. The baby settled down and quickly went off to sleep.
"I think we have a daddy's girl," Dawn whispered with a smile.
She looked at Spike's face. He had this glow to him. He was a proud papa. The sunlight was hitting them just right.
"Well, I'm going to spoil her rotten," Spike said, smiling dreamily.
"Hey you two," a tired voice said over their shoulders. Spike looked up and
smiled.
"Hey, I think someone wants to meet you," Spike said, walking over to Buffy.
He placed the child into her mother's arms. The baby cuddled up against her mother.
Dawn quickly grabbed her camera and took a picture of the three.
"Dawn," Buffy whined. "I look horrible. This is no time for pictures,"
" It's the perfect time for pictures! I'm going to go and get everyone. They
have been dying to see the baby," Dawn said, heading towards the door.
Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy.
"This is our life now," Buffy whispered to him, as everyone came into their room.
He looked down at his daughter and smiled.
"That is it, love. That it is," Spike agreed softly.
A/N: Well guys the story is winding down. There is only a few chapter left of the story. But threat not. There will be a sequel. Yep you heard me right a sequel. Now you are probably wondering why there would be a sequel well only a few people know why. My Beta, and my two best friends. Thanks everyone for the reviews and I hope to get more soon.
