A/N: Thanx to my beta darlawinifred for helping me out with yet another chapter.

Spuffy101- I took your hint. There's not much, but it's something. Please keep reviewing everyone. I love reviews.

Chapter 5: Not My Son Anymore

It had been 3 days since the birth of baby Anthony and he and Buffy were being released from the hospital. Buffy had spent those three days thinking about everything. She had doted on her beautiful son and still couldn't believe how blessed she felt that he was hers. But she also felt unbelievable pain at the fact that tomorrow would be the last time she could openly call him her son for a long time. She had also thought a lot about Angel. She had called to tell him he had a son but he simply sneered, declared he wanted nothing to do with it and hung up. Buffy had decided then and there that she didn't want anything more to do with him. It was one thing to hurt her, but to deny their son was unforgivable they didn't need him.

"Buffy, your parents are here to take you and Anthony home"

Buffy looked up and smiled at the nurse in a silent thank you. She went over to the baby's portable crib and gathered him up in her arms. "Come on baby boy, let's go"

She walked out of the door of her hospital and met her parents. She followed behind them to her father's car. She strapped him into his car seat and settled in beside him. As the car drove her back to her parent's house, she thought about what awaited her in Sunnydale. 'Oh well, guess I'll find out tomorrow' That night after she had put Anthony to sleep, she set about getting everything ready for leaving tomorrow. She packed up her most treasured possessions as that was all her father was allowing her to take from his house, those few things like pictures and keepsakes, along with her clothes made up all of her worldly possessions. She was relieved that her parents had at least been kind enough to buy Anthony some baby clothes and essential baby things. But there wasn't much. After everything was done, she settled down for one last night in her own bed. They were leaving first thing in the morning. She knew her parents were eager for her to be gone. Needless to say, she didn't sleep well that night.

Next Morning: Summer's Car

Anthony hadn't been of any trouble the night before, having woken only for his feed before nodding off to sleep again. Since he was born, Buffy had noticed that he was a very good baby. He slept well at night, and only cried for feeds or diaper changes and the like. But Buffy still hadn't slept well. She was nervous, she had no idea who the people she would be staying with were. She knew it was a man of about her father's age and his son, but that was all she knew. She was also replaying the fact that she could not call Anthony her son and it was tearing her apart inside.

"Buffy" she heard her mother's through the haze of thought swirling in her mind

"hmm?"

"Buffy did you hear a word I just said" her mother asked

"sorry mom, I was miles away. What did you say?"

"I said we will be there shortly, so make sure you're all set to meet the Giles'"

"Ok mom" she said absently Her mother just frowned and went back to looking out the front window, while Buffy went back into her thoughts.

Same time 1630 Revello Drive- Sunnydale

"William, will you come down here please" Rupert Giles called to his son.

He was waiting impatiently at the foot of the stairs when a his teenaged son came stomping down the stairs. A tired look on his face.

"Yeah dad, what can I do for you?" his London accent coming across very strong as he spoke.

"William, our new lodgers will be here any time and I want you to be here when they do." Rupert said irritably .

"Dad I can't I'm meeting the guys today, we have practice I can't miss it."

"William, please, can't you just miss it this once, I'd really rather you be here when they arrive."

"I would if I could but I really can't. I'm sorry" Giles let it go as his son did sound genuinely apologetic.

"Ok, if you really can't. But I want you back here by 5 for dinner. We will have a proper meal to welcome the girl here properly."

"Yeah, dad, why exactly is she coming here anyway?" he enquired.

"I told you a distant relative of mine died during childbirth last week. I'm her only relative so I was asked to take the child in. I couldn't let them pot him in foster care. The young girl was my relative's best friend, she is going to look after the baby, serve as his nanny. She has been caring for him since he was born." He had practiced the story so many times that the lie rolled easily off histongue. William just shrugged

"Ok, see you later dad."

"Bye." he called to his son's retreating back.

15 minutes later Rupert heard a car pull up into the driveway. He went out to the door to meet with his old friend and Colleague.
"Rupert" Hank said cheerily "How have you been?"
"I'm doing alright thank you, Hank"
"Good I'm glad. Rupert I can't tell you how grateful I am that you are doing this favour for me."
Giles cleared his throat "Perhaps we should take this conversation inside, Let's get everything into the house."

Buffy watched the hustle and bustle as everyone pulled bags from the car to the house. She stood in the driveway holding her precious bundle. Wanting to squeeze in as much time as she could where he was still "her" son. Eventually though everything was inside and she was called on to, go into the house.
"Rupert, you remember my wife Joyce."
"Yes of course. It's lovely to see you Joyce." he said as he shook her hand.
"And this" Hank continued "is Buffy, my daughter" he spoke the words with disappointment in his voice.
"It's very nice to meet you Buffy" he greeted "Please call me Rupert,
or Giles whichever you prefer. And please treat this place as what it
is your home."
Buffy just smiled at him gratefully still clinging to her son.
"And who is this." he questioned.
Buffy looked at him with a proud glint in her eyes as she spoke.
"This is Anthony, my-"
"Your cousin's son, Rupert" Hank cut in.
Buffy looked hurt and on the verge of tears.
"Dad please let me say it. Let me have this one time to say, please."
Hank did not look best pleased and was about to say something but Giles beat him to it.
"Of course you can say it Buffy."
Buffy felt an overwhelming gratitude to this man. And somehow, she knew that he wasn't a bad person.
"Thank you" she said, tears glistening in her eyes "This is Anthony, my son."
She looked down at him with so much love and it did not go unnoticed. Giles felt immense sympathy for the girl standing before him, but he knew that he had to go along with what Hank wanted. The man had too much power, he couldn't risk going against his wishes. And he had an idea that his daughter knew this too.

"Well," Hank started "I don't see any point in us staying any longer. Come on Joyce, this isn't our problem anymore. Don't worry Buffy we will come and see you sometimes. Maybe you can begin to redeem yourself." all of this was said with a hint of contempt. And it cut Buffy to the bone.
"Goodbye Rupert."
"Goodbye Hank."

Buffy watched as her parents left, and felt a mixture of both relief and hurt, but she didn't ponder on it. They were gone now, nothing could be done about it. When she turned around and Giles started to speak to her.
"Well, Buffy." he removed his glasses and started to clean them "
what do you say we put young Anthony in his crib and I'll show you where everything is?"
She shook her head frantically,
"No, I don't want to put him down."
"Why ever not" he asked surprise.
"Because if I put him down then it's real. The lies start. He's not my son anymore."
Giles could sense the hurt and fear and anger that she had felt for months roll off her in waves. He tried to comfort her with words.
"Buffy, dear, sit down"
she did as he instructed and awaited a lecture. She was surprised when all she heard was a gentle voice.
"Buffy, he is still your son. No one can change that."
"But no one can know. And if no one knows then it isn't real."
She was openly crying now.
"Buffy, whether people know or not he is still your son. You are the one who gave birth to him. Nobody can take that away from you" his voice was soft and soothing and she couldn't help thinking, ' his son is so lucky. This is the kind of person a father should be'
"But my dad-"
"Forget what your father has said to you Buffy, Anthony is your son. People may not know but you will still be here. You will be raising him, but you will have my help because of this arrangement. And what your father seems to have forgotten is that you are seventeen in a couple of months. And then there will only be a year until you turn 18. Think about it Buffy, when you turn eighteen, there is nothing your father can do. You will be an adult and be free to do what you
wish. That includes openly raise your son."
She couldn't help herself, she threw herself into his arms. She hugged him with tears in her eyes.
"Giles, thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much those words meant to me."
He was very flustered by her affection.
"Ah, well, you're uh you're welcome Buffy. Now, let's put him in his
crib and get you settled in."

After they were through with the grand tour and Buffy had freshened up a bit, she and Giles sat at the kitchen table talking.
"Giles, does, um, does your son know the truth?"
"No" he answered "William isn't aware of the situation. Your father requested that be one of the terms of the arrangement."
"oh, ok."
"You will meet him later, he wanted to be here to meet you this afternoon but he had a prior engagement I'm afraid."
"That's ok. I'm kind of glad. No offence it's just that I was a bit of a mess earlier."
"None taken" he told her with a smile on his face "I completely understand."

He looked up at the clock and noticed it had just gone 5 o'clock. And like clockwork, he heard the front door open. Buffy looked up when she heard someone call

"Hey dad, I'm home."

Buffy looked at the kitchen door and was met by a beautiful sight. Standing there was a boy of 18. He was little bit taller than average, he had cheekbones so sharp they should have been illegal. He was lean and had well muscled arms, and chest by what she could see through his tight black t- shirt. He also wore black jeans and black boots. He had bleached blonde hair, which looked stunning next to his features. But looking up she found herself looking at the best thing about him his beautiful, clear blue eyes. She couldn't think of a shade of the blue that matched his eyes.

Meanwhile, he was having similar thoughts about the girl in front of him. He took in her long blonde hair, eyes the colour of emeralds and beautiful face. She was a tiny little thing. Both of them shared the same thought of what the other was.

'Perfection'.

Both teens were snapped out of their thoughts when Giles cleared his throat.
"Buffy I would like you to meet my son." he said.
"Hi" she said to him "I'm Buffy."
"Hello pet," he replied to the vision in front of him. He held his hand
out to her, "I'm William, but you can call me Spike."