Chapter 15: As Time Goes By
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story. I've been really touched by all the great reviews for my first story. Please keep the reviews coming. Thanks also to my beta Darla Winifred who has been a great help.
The news of Anthony being Buffy's son had come as a shock to Buffyand Spike's friends. They had all thought something strange was going on, however, no one ever thought it could be that. Buffy could
remember their reactions when she had told them.
"Anthony is my son."
"Great googly mooglie." Xander cried.
"Ha ha Buff, very funny." was Willow's responded quite nervously.
Oz as ever seemed unaffected, and showed no real emotion. The other two teens had looked carefully at Buffy and Spike for some sign that they were kidding, but saw none.
"Guys, come on this isn't funny." Xander insisted.
Spike had finally spoken up when he saw the desperate look on the boy's face.
"Xander, it isn't a joke. Anthony is Buffy's son."
"How? When? How?" Xander was flabbergasted.
"Well, I'm guessing you probably know how." Oz spoke with a hint of a smile
Buffy and Spike both sniggered at his attempt to lighten the mood and Spike couldn't resist getting a dig in.
"Well after what he told us last night I wouldn't be so sure he knows how." he smirked.
"Hey." the brunette protested.
"Ok guys settle down," Buffy said "it happened just over a year ago. I met a guy, thought I was in love and slept with him. My dad's a powerful guy, big shot lawyer in LA. He wasn't happy, wanted me to have an abortion, I refused, so he sent me here. On condition I
didn't tell anyone. He'll flip if he knows I've told you all. So you
can't tell anyone. Not yet anyway. But I am going to stop pretending now and act like his mother" she told them, an emotional edge to her voice.
Willow still hadn't said anything, but a thought occurred to her and she spoke.
"Um, what does that mean for you and Spike?"
Spike was the one to answer the question.
"All it means Red, is that I'm going to help her out even more now. I love her, I love Anthony, and I want to be with Buffy and take care
of both of them. So that's what I'm going to do." He told her.
Buffy had tears in her eyes, she was about to speak again when they
heard the front door open and Giles walk in. He looked surprised when he came into the living room and saw all five teens, two of whom looked very emotional, two very shocked and Oz looking, well like Oz.
"Dear Lord, is something wrong?" he asked concerned.
"No, everything's fine dad." Spike told him.
"Well then what is going on?"
"I told them." Buffy said.
She didn't need to elaborate she could tell Giles knew what she
meant. Just then she had an idea, she whispered something in Spike's ear, he nodded and both walked to the door telling the others they would be right back.
Upstairs Buffy looked very nervous.
"You don't have to do this if you're not ready pet." he told her.
"I am. It's just I wanted to do this for so long, I'm kind of
anxious." she said.
"You'll be fine sweetheart. Come on let's do this".
They went back downstairs, everyone turned to look at her and noticed she was holding the baby. Both she and Spike wore huge smiles as Buffy began to talk, Spike squeezed her hand and looked at her lovingly.
"Everyone there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Anthony."
She paused for a moment as tears threatened to spill from her eyes,
Spike gave her hand another squeeze and she continued.
"This is Anthony, my son."
Everyone noticed that she and Spike looked every inch the proud
parents and Spike never even registered the fact that he wasn't his
real father. As far as he was concerned he loved Anthony like a son,
and he wanted to take care of him. He wanted them to be a family.
When he looked up he saw that everyone in the room wore a smile.
"Well, I guess it's a bit overdue but congratulations Buff, I'm happy for you". Willow was the first to speak this time as she walked over to hug her friend.
"Yeah Buff, congratulations." Xander said next.
Even Oz spoke
"Congrats guys."
Buffy let her tears fall.
"Thank you all so much for understanding." she said tearfully.
"Oh of course we understand Buffy, we love you." Willow told her as she wrapped an arm around her friend.
"I love you guys too. One of you in particular." she said pointedly
looking at Spike
"I love you too baby". he told her as he leaned down and placed a
soft kiss on her lips.
He then leaned down and placed a kiss on Anthony's forehead.
"You too little bit."
Buffy's tears increased at the show of love from someone who had no need to accept her son. After all he was only eighteen, he didn't
need to be a father to someone else's child. However, she was
ecstatic that he seemed to want to.
Buffy was still awe struck at how well her friends had taken the
news. Her father however had not reacted well when he found out she
had revealed all. He had found out courtesy of Riley, that had been
Buffy's fault too.
Buffy and Spike had been strolling peacefully in the park, Spike
pushing Anthony in his stroller. Her friends had known for a little
over a month and things with her and Spike were going great. Giles
had allowed her to more or less move into Spike's bedroom. They
couldn't get enough of each other and Giles saw no point in having
them sneaking around. So he left them to do as they wished. He was
hardly ever home anyway as his relationship with Jenny went from
strength to strength.
So they had been walking through the park, Buffy had her hand around Spike's waist as he pushed the stroller, they were perfectly content until they saw Riley notice them and start to come towards them. There had been no use in trying to ignore him so they waited for him to approach, he looked at them with a sneer as he walked up to them.
"Well if it isn't the slut and her lap dog."
"What do you want Riley?" she asked
"Just thought I'd see if you'd had enough of bleach boy here and
wanted to give a real man a go." he leered at her.
"Um, thanks Riley, but if I wanted a real man I wouldn't be coming to you," she said "that and the fact that I have a real man right here. And he has me. God, he had me while I was seeing you. If you know what I mean." she laughed.
"Just shows what a whore you are." he said.
"Or it could just be proof that you aren't good enough, don't know
how to please a woman, Riley you never managed to get me at all
worked up. Spike can do it with a look. So who's the real man here?" she laughed at him. He wore an angry look.
Spike stood back with a smirk as the scene unfolded. He was proud,
his girl had a razor sharp tongue, and he almost felt sorry for
Riley. But only a little.
"You bitch, you wouldn't know what a real man was. Want me to show you?" he pulled her hand forward and placed it on his crotch.
Buffy let out a laugh.
"Um Riley, it's no wonder men have to set you up with their
daughter's if you think that's all a real man has to offer. I'm
certainly glad I chose Spike. But I chose Spike even before I was
seeing you. Not that it matters."
Spike let out a laugh, if she said that to him he would be
humiliated, Riley seemed to be getting increasingly angry as he
started screaming and grabbed her wrist.
"Now you listen to me you bitch, no one says that to me or cheats on me and gets away with it. So I suggest you take your freak and the brat and get the hell out of here before you regret what you just
said to me-"
He didn't get any further, Spike grabbed him by the collar and got in his face.
"What you going to do cardboard?" he asked threateningly "Now I suggest you listen and listen good, don't ever threaten my girl again or you will be the one to regret it."
He punched him on the jaw.
"You already said too much about the kid, you don't get away with
that. And lastly, you lousy piece of shit, lay a finger on her again,
I will really hurt you". he hit him once more for good measure as he
let him go.
Buffy walked over to him and swiftly brought her knee to his crotch
hard.
"And that brat is my son you asshole." she yelled.
Riley did now look humiliated. He watched as Buffy and Spike walked away. They would regret what they did, and he knew exactly how to make it happen. He took out his cell phone and made a call.
The source of that showed up a few days later. The gang were all at
Giles' for Sunday dinner. It was part way through the summer, and
Buffy had just told them about considering returning to school. They were all behind her and offered to help whatever way they could. She
decided to wait until Anthony was a year old before making any
decisions. Their discussion had been interrupted by a loud knock at
the door. Giles went to answer it, and everyone looked up to see a
furious Hank Summers storm in.
"Elizabeth Summers, we need to talk in private. NOW!" he screamed.
But Buffy wasn't afraid of her father anymore, she had a support
network, friends and a boyfriend who loved her she could do this.
"No dad, if you have anything to say, you can say it front of
everyone." she told him confidently.
"Listen to me young lady..."
"No dad, you listen everyone here knows and is involved, so you can say what you have to say in front of them." she interrupted.
"Fine, we'll do this in the sitting room." he told her angrily.
Everyone followed behind Hank. Buffy took hold of Spike's hand and didn't let go as they entered the other room. This was not unnoticed by Hank.
"Who is this punk?" he asked "Another of your worthless boyfriends. Slept with him yet, he knocked you up too?"
Spike looked both furious and hurt. Both he and Giles went to answer him but Buffy beat them to it.
"This is Spike, my boyfriend and Giles' son. And what I do with him
is no business of yours. I don't live under your roof anymore, so
what I do is nothing to do with you." she told her father angrily.
"Buffy Summers, I am still your father and you will do as I say."
"That's a joke, Giles has been more of a father to me than you ever
were." she yelled.
"Look Buffy, just pack your things, you're coming back to Los
Angeles. And before you say anything it isn't coming with us."
Spike could see tears in Buffy's eyes and it took a moment before he
registered what the it was that Hank was talking about. When he
realized he refused to remain silent. Buffy could see he was going to
yell and say something and made no move to stop him.
"Now wait a minute, you may be Buffy's father but to be honest I
don't care. That child there," he pointed to where Anthony lay asleep in a crib in the corner "he is not a thing. He is your grandson whether you like it or not. I love that boy like he was my own son and I won't have you or anyone else talking about him like that. He has a name. His name is Anthony and while you are in my home you will use It." he shouted.
Hank turned on him then.
"Love him like he's your own, I bet it just kills you. Because he
isn't yours. Someone else beat you to it. He will never be yours. Can
you honestly raise and love another man's child."
"Yeah, I can," Spike shouted "because you can't call his father a
man. A real man would have been there to look after him-"
"You haven't managed to knock her up yet, bet you don't feel like a
real man haven't managed to do what someone else did." Hank said cruelly.
Spike wanted to hit him, his face was red with anger. But he was
Buffy's father so he tried to let his anger go. Buffy however did
not. She stormed in front of Spike and started yelling.
"Are you calling Angel a real man. He wasn't dad. He wanted me for sex and that was all. Spike doesn't need to take care of Anthony,
doesn't need to take on another guys responsibility but he does it
willingly. So don't you dare come in here and talk to him like that."
Everyone else in the room watched in stunned silence. Giles looked
like he wanted to kill Hank for the way he was talking to his son and surrogate daughter. But he wanted to see how they would handle it by themselves. So far, they were doing rather well.
"Buffy get your things we are leaving now. There will be no
arguments. And I'll say it again it isn't coming with us."
Buffy looked at him sadly but had resigned herself to the fact she
would be going back. She was still under eighteen she had no choice. She looked at Spike, they both had tears staining their face. She turned and ran upstairs. Spike looked around and saw tears in the eyes of all their friends. Just then Anthony cried, he moved to pick him up. He cradled him in his arms, clinging to him, thinking that he would be all he would have left of the woman he loved soon. Giles had other ideas but he wanted Hank to think he had won first.
Twenty minutes later Buffy came down with the one suitcase she had arrived with. Her father immediately got up to leave. Spike handed Anthony to Willow, he didn't want to let him go, but he had to for a moment. Buffy ran to Spike and crushed her lips to his. He
immediately granted her tongue entrance. The kiss was urgent and
needy, they were trying to pour everything they felt into that one
last kiss. As they finally pulled apart she brought one hand up to
cup his cheek and intertwined the other with his
"I love you." she told him.
"I love you too, so bloody much, you're my world. I don't know what I'll do without you." he replied tears rolling down his cheeks.
She led him over to Willow, who held him out for Spike to hold. Buffy placed a kiss on his forehead.
"You'll take care of him for me, promise me that."
"I'll always take care of him." he promised.
"I'll be back, I promise, he can only keep me away for a few months, when I'm eighteen I'll be back. Remember that I love you".
"I love you too, Always." he repeated.
With tears in her eyes she walked towards the door her friends close
behind, Spike clinging to Anthony for dear life. Buffy was about to
put her suitcase in the trunk when Giles walked out and called to her.
"Buffy", she looked up "you may want to put that back in the house". he told her, a smug look on his face.
"What do you mean?" she asked tearfully.
"I mean you're not going anywhere." he told her.
"Rupert, I don't know who you think you are but she is my daughter and-"
"Oh Hank do shut up," Giles interrupted "you always were a
sanctimonious arsehole. Look, Buffy isn't going anywhere."
"I don't see that as being your decision." Hank told him "I could
take you to court if you try and stop me."
"And she could take you. Remember something Hank, when we worked together, you weren't the best. You were second best." he turned to look at the group.
"Can anyone guess who he always came second to?"
Everyone looked on in surprise and a hint of pride, Willow was the
person who gave him an answer with a smile.
"You." she guessed.
"Exactly." Giles said smugly "I was always better than you Hank. Now let me tell you why Buffy won't be going back"
Hank tried to protest but Giles put a hand up to silence him.
"She won't be going back not only because she doesn't want to, but
also because you won't make her. If you try and force her she will
apply for emancipation."
"Rupert." Hank warned.
"I don't believe I was finished." Giles yelled "Now as I was saying,
she will apply for emancipation. She will be eighteen in a few months and I will give her financial support. Also if she told them how you treated her in this situation and with me as her lawyer you can guarantee she would get the emancipation.
"I don't think that would be very good for you reputation, now would it" he concluded
"Well, I can see we've let Ripper out to play", Hank said "don't
threaten me."
"Now you should know by now I don't make threats, only promises."
"Fine, you can keep her, little bitch isn't worth the hassle." Hank
turned away, Buffy was now crying tears of joy. Spike handed her son to her and whispered an apology in her ear. She wondered why.
Spike didn't care anymore if it was his girlfriend's father or not,
he'd had enough. He walked up and tapped him on the shoulder when he turned around Spike punched him on the nose
"That is for insulting me." he said coldly.
He then brought his fist up again and landed a punch on his jaw
"That is for everything you put Buffy through." he yelled.
He threw another punch which hit him on the mouth
"That is for neglecting to do as I told you, his name is Anthony." he
stated.
He then brought his foot to his crotch hard.
"and that is just because I don't like you, you're a worthless piece
of crap". he spat as he went to walk away.
He saw Buffy standing next to him, Anthony now in Giles' arms. As
Hank stood up Buffy slapped him across the face.
"Stay away from me," she spat "you are not my father. Not anymore."
She took Spike's hand and they walked away. The group stood in the yard and watched as Hank got in his car and drove away. Spike picked her up and spun her around in joy.
"I love you, Buffy Summers". he declared as he put her down.
"And I love you, William Giles." she stated.
She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. Shutting out the
rest of the world. They were brought back by the sound of Giles
clearing his throat.
"I think you two need some privacy, I will take Anthony to Jenny's
for the night"
at Buffy's worried look he went on.
"Don't worry, you have the rest of your life to be his mother.
Tonight just be in love."
She smiled at his words and nodded her agreement and then Xander spoke.
"Yeah Buff, I think Spike has a problem he needs you to help him take are of." he teased ooking pointedly at Spike's crotch.
Buffy blushed furiously and Spike looked like he could spit daggers.
"All right all let's go." Giles requested.
He put Anthony in his stroller and everyone but Buffy and Spike made
their way down the street. Together they walked into the house. When
he closed the door Buffy turned to him
"Well, looks like we're all alone, what do you wanna do?" she asked
in a mocking tone.
"I wanna make love to you all night." he said .
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their room where he
did just that.
That had all happened six months ago and it was now the eve of
Anthony's first birthday. Buffy could hardly wait, and if it was
possible Spike was even more excited than she was. Their relationship
had gone from strength to strength, and Spike loved Anthony to bits.
He had started college and was studying writing. He made time every
night to play with Anthony and always helped tuck him in every night.
They went out every Saturday during the day to the park or something,
and Giles babysat at night so they could go out by themselves. Life
was perfect. Almost too perfect. They felt like a real family though,
so what could go wrong?