Chapter Thirty-Three: Christmas
A couple of weeks later everyone joined forces to try and figure out how Angel had lost his soul. Willow tried to put it back only to find it was still in him. Everyone decided as it was Christmas they would forget about their problems, just for the day, as nobody had seen Angelus or Riley for a while. During that time Willow and Kennedy had decided to adopt a young girl called Rachel. She is five years old and a nice playmate for Alex. Also Xander had got in a relationship with a woman called Sarah. Dawn had got in to a relationship with a young man called Zack - she had met him in college.
It was 5:00 in the morning and Buffy and Spike were sound asleep in each other's arms when Alex crept into their room and climbed on, then Alex started to jump up and down frantically
"MUMMY, DADDY, WAKE UP ITS CHRISTMAS!" He screamed while jumping up and down on Buffy
Buffy moaned and rolled over to look at the clock on her bedside table.
"Alex baby, it's still really early," Buffy said.
"No, its time to wake up and open presents" Alex replied. Alex jumped on his father's stomach and started to wiggle around.
"Okay, fine I'm up, I'm up" Spike said sitting up in the bed.
"Yay, presents!" Alex squealed. Buffy rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, thinking that Spike would take care of Alex.
"Oh no you don't!" Spike exclaimed "If I don't get to sleep neither do you" he pulled Buffy onto her back and started to tickle her with help from Alex.
"Stop, SPIKE, sssssttttttttoooooooooppp" Buffy cried, "This is no fair, it's two on one!"
"Come on mommy, its Christmas, its Christmas" Alex squealed
"Ok let's go" Buffy said climbing out of bed
"YEY!" Alex said grabbing Spike's hand,
"Ok you two go down, I'll just make up the bed" She said As they got to the door Buffy walked backwards towards the bed and climbed back in
Spike turned around and walked back to the bed and grabbing her by the waist and picking her up said,
"Yeah right like I'd fall for that one"
Buffy groaned as he carried her to the door where Alex stood, Alex grabbed both their hands and walked down the stairs
*~*~*~*~
Once Buffy, Spike and Alex had got down stairs Alex ran to the tree and started to rip his presents open, Buffy and Spike stood back and watched their son, Spike wrapped and arm around Buffy's waist and brought her closer. Alex unwrapped all his presents until he got down to the last one
"This one's from me" Spike whispered into Buffy's ear
"WOW!" Alex yelled as he pulled out a long black coat "It's just like yours daddy"
"Wow, I guess it is" Spike said with a grin
Alex jumped up and put on his new coat "Now I look like daddy, look mommy I look like daddy" Alex said jumping up and down
"I know, Just what the world needs, two Spikes, one is bad enough" Buffy said jokily
Alex picked up his toys and ran up stairs
"Hey, you love it baby" Spike said pulling Buffy to him and kissing her passionately before she pulled away and smiled up at him before walking away
"Where are you going?" Spike asked
"I've got to get breakfast ready, then start Christmas dinner" She said
"Bit early innit luv?" He said clearing up the paper all over the floor
"Spike, I'm cooking for 16 people, I have to get started. Your job today honey is to watch and play with your son"
"That I can do, but don't you want any help?"
Spike said walking into the kitchen and standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist
"No the girls are coming round later, and Spike baby your second job", She said turning around and pushing him backwards with her finger
"If you or Alex set foot in this kitchen or any where near the food without my permission, you will not live to eat it okay?" She said as he stepped outside the kitchen
"Ok" He said with a worried look on his face
Buffy smiled and leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips
"Love you" She said before turning back into the kitchen "Oh and Spike, I got a surprise for you later" She said before going in to the kitchen
"What kind of surprise, Buffy?" He shouted before shaking his head and walking up stairs
*~*~*~*~*~
5 hours later, Buffy was still in the kitchen cooking, Spike and Alex stayed upstairs away from the kitchen. Buffy turned around to see the front door open and Willow, Dawn, Cordelia and Fred came in holding food
"Hey, merry Christmas Bu...whoa" Dawn said as she came in to watch Buffy running around the kitchen trying to do various things at once
"Guys, oh thank god you're here I need your help" She said "Dawn stir, Willow peel, Cordy chop, Fred mash, come on people move it!" She said putting people to their tasks
"Buffy why isn't Spike helping?" Dawn asked as she stirred 2 pots at once
"I kinda banned him from the kitchen" Buffy said
"Why?" Fred asked
"Because every time me and Spike try and cook together it takes twice as long because we end up getting distracted with the kissing and the groping and the sex on the counter" Buffy said
"Ewwww" Everyone said in unison as they started to back out the kitchen
"Hey, hey come back I'm kidding"
"No you're not", Cordy said as she went back to her task
"No I'm not, but I still need your help" Buffy said as she went back to basting the turkey
"What time is everyone coming?" Willow asked as she peeled the potatoes
"Err around 3 o'clock, Giles' flight comes in at 2"
*~*~*~*~
An hour later Spike came down with Alex on his back and stood out side the kitchen
"BUFFY?" He shouted through the kitchen door
"Yeah?" Buffy shouted back
"I'm gonna take Alex round to Kennedy and Rachel, I'll be back soon" He said
Buffy came through the door and kissed Alex goodbye
"Have fun baby, have you got some of your toys?" Buffy asked her son
"Yep, I bet I've got more toys then Rachel" He said bouncing up and down on his fathers back
"I'm sure you have, make sure you play with your girlfriend" Buffy said teasingly
"Ewww she's not my girlfriend she's a poo poo head, she said bad things bout Santa" Buffy and Spike chuckled at their son
"How's it going in there pet?" Spike asked
"Ok, I suppose, why did we decide to have everybody over for Christmas?" Buffy said rubbing her neck
"'We', no luv I'm pretty sure it was you, don't you remember? You said 'Oh Spike, wouldn't it be great if we had everyone over for Christmas?' "Spike said in a mocking girly voice
"Yeah but you agreed with me" Buffy said
"No I didn't" Spike said
"Yes you did, you said 'Yeah luv that will be great, a piece of cake'"
"I don't talk like that" He said grinning at her
"And I don't speak like the cheap imitation you did of me, but I've decided, if the dinner goes wrong its your fault because you jinxed it by saying it was going to be a piece of cake" She said proudly
"Oh thanks for the honour pet" He said sarcastically
Buffy shook her head and kissed Spike goodbye before he turned round and walked away,
"Eugh you and mommy always kissing"
"Cause I love her mate, and when you're a bit older I'm sure you'll be kissing Rachel" Spike said as he opened the front door
"Yuck" Alex said as they closed the door
*~*~*~*~
"Where's Spike going?" Willow asked as she carried on cooking
"To your place, Alex wants to show Rachel that he has got more toys than she has" Buffy said
"Rachel said the exact same thing this morning" Willow said
"According to Alex, Rachel is a poo poo head because she has been saying bad stuff about Santa" Buffy said shaking her head
"Oh yeah, sorry bout that Rachel knows all about the none existent jolly Saint Nick" Willow said
*~*~*~*~
Half and hour later Spike came back through the front door with a bag in his hand
"Hey, what you doing back?" Buffy asked him as she came from the kitchen wiping her hands on a dish cloth
"Got a little surprise of my own" Spike said smiling
"Really" Buffy said trying to peek in the bag only to have Spike slap her hand away
"No peeking" He said running up stairs
*~*~*~*~
Buffy, Willow, Dawn, Cordy and Fred all sat in the front room as the food cooked when they heard Spike start to come down the stairs
"Buffy, can you come to the stairs pet?" Spike shouted
Buffy walked to the stairs and looked up as Spike walked down
"Oh- my -god" Buffy said as she covered her mouth as she watched her husband come down the stairs in a Santa suit
"Like it? Its for Alex" He said itching at his beard
"Girls, get out here you have you got to see this" Buffy said The rest of the girls came out and gasped at Spike
"Well do you think Alex will like it?" Spike asked
"Oh its for Alex" Fred said
"Yep," Spike said
"You do realise that in the last five minutes you have lost all trace of big bad left in you" Dawn said
"Hey I'm still the big bad to Buffy aren't I luv" He said stepping closer to her
"Yeah you are and you look great honey Alex will love it" Buffy said wrapping her arms around his waist
"Oh look Xanders here" Willow said as she saw his car pull up
"Oh great, now the whelp's gonna take the piss out of the suit, well I'll show him" Spike said
Buffy rolled her eyes at the fact that after all these years Xander and Spike still bantered and argued
She opened the door with Spike right behind her and greeted Sarah
"Hey Sarah merry Christmas" She said
"Hey Xand... uh oh" She said as Xander stepped in wearing a Santa suit
Spike and Xander looked at each other
"HEY I'M SANTA, NO YOUR NOT, YES I AM" They said at the same time
"Hey Xander, hey you're Santa too" Willow said looking at Xander
"Not too, I'm Santa I was Santa first, captain peroxide stole my idea" Xander said
"No I didn't, I had this idea way before you whelp" Spike growled
There was another knock at the door, so Buffy went to answer it, she opened the door, she took one look at Giles and burst out laughing
"What is it Buffy" Willow said coming to the door
"Giles, is that, oh no not another one" She said as Giles came in wearing a Santa suit
"Another one, what an earth do you..." Giles stopped as he saw Xander and Spike stop arguing and look at him
"GILES WHAT THE HELL..." Xander yelled
"I CANT BELEVE THIS..." Spike said as he looked over at Buffy still laughing
"Oh you think this is funny do ya?" Spike said to Buffy
Buffy nodded as she held her stomach as she laughed
"Well ok, since you find it so hilarious you my dear wife you can pick which one gets to be Santa, cause we can't all stay like this" Spike said pulling Buffy in the middle of them
Buffy's laughing died down as she looked at the position she was in; she had Spike to her right, Giles behind her and Xander to her left
"What, why do I have to pick?" Buffy whined
"Come on Buffy, you're the only one that has a connection to all three of us, so Buff, fancy being my Mrs Santa Claus?" Xander said pulling Buffy by the waist
"HEY, hands off" Spike said pulling Buffy back towards him "She is *my* wife every other day so she is *my* Mrs Santa Claus right baby?" Spike said looking at Buffy
"Hey you have to remember all those years I was by your side as your best friend Buffy" Xander said looking at Buffy
"Oh no Xander, using emotional blackmail? I didn't know you would sink that low, I mean if I was going to do that I could say" Giles turned his head and looked down at Buffy who was looking at him "All those years I was your watcher, helped train you into the amazing slayer you were and to remember when I walked you down the aisle at your wedding, but all that is irrelevant as it is Buffys decision" Giles said
Buffy whimpered at the look in Xander and Giles face
"Oh please, you two are unbelievable, ok you gonna play it that way, ok" He said slowly sliding his hand round Buffys waist and leaning down and whispering in her ear, Buffy giggled and pushed his shoulder playfully
"Hey, hey no fair, that's sex stuff, we can't use sex stuff on her"
"Not that I'd want to, "Giles said to him self
"And you had better remember it Harris, my wife, my sex, Oww" Spike yelped as Buffy stamped on his foot
"So Buffster, whose it gonna be?" Xander said
Buffy looked round at the three men all looking for an answer, then she heard a ding from the kitchen
"Oh, the pies done, excuse me" She said running into the kitchen before one of them had a chance to stop her
"Talk about saved by the bell" Willow whispered to Dawn
*~*~*~*~
Buffy went in to the kitchen and heard Giles, Xander and Spike still arguing, she shook her head, took off her gloves and walked back to them
"Ok guys stop" Buffy said standing in the middle of them again
"I think, Giles should be Santa"
"WHAT?!" Spike and Xander yelled
"Well, Xander you did get to be the Indian at Thanksgiving and tell all the stories, and plus I think the kids will get confused if Santa's doing the Snoopy dance" She said, Xander nodded
"And what about me?" Spike said
Buffy turned around and put her arms round her husband's neck "Well you I was hoping we could save the suit for later and we could play Mr and Mrs Claus when were alone maybe" She said pecking him on the lips
Spike smiled at his wife "Alright then," He said "Congrats old man, you are Santa", He said patting Giles on the back not taking his eyes of Buffy
"Well I'm glad you all saw sense" Giles said smugly
"Nice save Buffy," Willow said
"Just call me the Christmas queen" Buffy said
*~*~*~*~*~
After a while everyone had gathered in the living room, there was Buffy, Spike, Dawn, Willow, Xander, Kennedy, Sarah, Zack, Cordelia, Fred, Gunn, Wesley, Lorne, Giles and Alex and Rachel who played with their toys in the next room Giles had finished his Santa routine and changed into normal clothes Everyone had opened their presents, the kids had gone to play with their toys and all there was left was the exchange of Buffy and Spike's presents
"Where's your present Spike?" Dawn said
Spike lowered his head and walked over to Buffy and handed her a black velvet box, she inhaled sharply in genuine surprise when she saw what the box contained; a delicate gold chain, with a heart shaped locket, nestling in a bed of black velvet.
"Spike, this is...it's beautiful." As she lifted the treasure from it's setting, Buffy saw the words engraved on the back of the locket
*~Love Never Dies~*
Buffy opened up the locket and inside was a picture of Spike, Alex and herself on one side and Joyce, Dawn and herself on the other side
"I just thought now you would always have your family close to your heart" Spike said
"Oh, Spike" She said getting up and kissing him passionately with tears in her eyes, she broke the kiss and rested her forehead on his with her eyes still closed
"Its perfect, thank you"
"That's ok luv, you're worth it" He whispered
She smiled and kissed him again
"Ok, enough with the love dovey stuff you two come on, I want to see what Buffy's got for Spike"
"Oh of course I almost forgot, its upstairs", She said detaching herself from him and running upstairs
Five minutes later she ran back downstairs with Spike's coat on and a package in her hand
"Why are you wearing my coat?" Spike asked
"Just open the package" Buffy said
Spike shrugged and opened up the package, he gasped at the contents of the package, it contained a silver pocket watch and carved on it was a big W+B Spike lifted it and looked at the back that read
~*Our Love Will Last Forever*~
Spike looked up to Buffy and took her hand and kissed the back of it
"Do you like it?" Buffy asked
"Of course I love it, thanks luv" He said trying to pull her in for a kiss only to have her pull back,
"Wait, I've got one more present" She said stepping back so everyone could see what she was doing
She smiled at everyone before opening the coat and placing it on the chair, underneath the coat was a red Mrs Santa Claus dress that came up just above her knees she smiled as everyone looked at her confused
"Err Buffy, shouldn't we be saving sex outfits for when everyone isn't looking at you?" Spike said
"Its not a sex dress you pig, the dress is just part of the day, but I just wanted to ask if anyone noticed anything different about me?" Buffy said her hand on her hips
Everyone shook their heads Buffy grinned and turned side ways to them
"Ok, well how about now?" She said
Everyone looked at Buffy and her hands that were wandering over her stomach
Everyone started to realise what she was talking about
"Buffy, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Willow said
"What, what is she saying?" Spike said not quite getting it yet
"Spike honey, looks like there's a new edition to the Crawford family" She said rubbing her stomach
"You mean..." Spike said putting his hand on her stomach
"I'm pregnant" She said looking at him as all her friends and family screamed around them as they kiss passionately
*~*~**~
Buffy and Spike stood in the corner whispering to each other between kissing and ignored everyone around them
"How far are you gone?" Spike asked as he rested his forehead on hers
"8 weeks" She said
Spike thought for a second then smiled as he remembered when his baby was conceived
"Our anniversary" He said
"Yeah" She said leaning up and kiss him, he broke the kiss and once again the rested the foreheads against each others with there arms around each other
"How long have you known?" He said
"I found out a couple of weeks ago, I went to the doctor after Angelus... you know, tried to..." She cut herself off as he stepped back a little and looked into her eyes
"Buffy why didn't you tell me pet?" Spike said
"Because a) Everyone was worried about stuff with Angelus b) If I told you, you would go out your way trying to protect and look after me and I needed you to be there for Alex and c) I wanted to save the surprise for Christmas, I wanted it to be a present for you" Buffy said
Spike pulled Buffy to him again
"Best present ever" He whispered before kissing her passionately again
"You know, you two are way too snuggly for a married couple, its like you act like your in the first stages of a relationship all the time" Dawn said
"I think its sweet" Fred said
"Don't they say that after the first year or so of marriage all the passion is supposed to disappear?" Xander said
"There's no chance of that" He said pulling Buffy towards him and nuzzling her neck
Buffy giggled then saw Alex come in with Rachel "Look your mommy and daddy kissing again" Rachel said
"I know they always kissing" Alex said sticking his tongue out in disgust
Everyone started laughing and Buffy and Spike looked at each other in defeat
"Fine we kiss a lot, can we please move on?" Buffy said embarrassed
Buffy looked at Spike and nodded her head towards Alex, Spike nodded understanding
"Alex baby come here" Buffy said
Alex ran over to his parents, Buffy sat down and pulled Alex onto her lap "Alex, how do you feel about having another kid around the house?" Buffy asked
"Can I play with them, are they gonna bring toys like Rachel does?" Alex asked excited
"Well the kid will be living here, because mommy's going to have a baby" Buffy said
"Where is it?" Alex asked confused slightly
"The baby, is in mommy's tummy, growing" Buffy said placing his hand on her stomach
"Hey Alex you're going to be a big brother" Spike said
"Big brother?" Alex asked
"Yeah like, your aunt Dawn, I'm her big sister" Buffy said glancing at Dawn Everyone in the room started to listen to them, Dawn smiled briefly
"But aunt Dawn's bigger than you mommy" Alex said
Everyone in the room snickered as they realised the four year old was right Dawn was taller than Buffy and had been for quite a while Buffy elbowed Spike in the chest to stop him chuckling
"Yes, she is taller than me but I'm older than her, like you will be older than your new brother or sister"
"Ok" Alex said smiling brightly before jumping off Buffy to Rachel
"Rachel, I'm going to be a big brother" He said to her Buffy and Spike smiled as there hands met on her stomach
*~*~*~*~
Later on everyone sat down and ate, once they had finish everyone groaned from the fullness of their stomachs
"Buffy that was great" Xander said
"Err yes, Buffy truly lovely meal" Giles said
"Oh, thanks everybody but I suppose nobody is in the mood for apple pie?" Buffy said
"I couldn't eat another bite" Willow said
"I'll try this pie, Buff" Xander said
"Pfft yeah right whelp, you couldn't eat another bite" Spike said looking at Xander who was sitting in front of him
"Oh and you could?" Xander said
"Damn right" Spike said
"Please, I can eat way more than you, had more practice" Xander said patting his stomach
"Yeah I can see that, pretty obvious you eat way more than me, chubby" Spike said
"CHUBBY? I am not chubby" Xander said
By now everyone had got up and was standing around watching them argue as the kids got bored and ran off to play
"Course your not... chubby" Spike said
"See your just calling me these names because you know you can eat the pie" Xander said smugly
"Is that a challenge Harris?" Spike said
"You bet your ass it is" Xander said
"Buffy... pie" Spike said staring at Xander straight in the eye
"Guys you do realise this pie was made for sixteen people, it's a least 15 inches"
"I can handle it, I don't know bout monkey boy here"
"Oh I can handle it" Xander said back
Buffy shook her head and went and got the apple pie and a knife, she placed it in the middle of Spike and Xander and cut it in half The both picked up a fork
"You don't have a chance peroxide boy"
"Have more chance than you...chunky" Spike said before they both dived in to the pie
Buffy and Sarah stood side-by-side watching their guys stuff their faces
"By the way guys gluttony, big turn on" Buffy said sarcastically
The guys just groaned in response, Buffy and Sarah looked at each other and rolled their eyes
*~*~*~*~
15 minutes and an apple pie later both guys could hardly breathe "Ok Xander time to go home" Sarah said helping him up
"I won right? I beat him?"
"No way whelp, I won fair and square" Spike said sitting on the couch not being able to move
"You wanna go again?" Xander said leaning on Sarah
"Anytime any place" Spike groaned
"Buffy... bake another pie" Spike said
"Ha yeah right honey" Buffy said as she opened the door as everyone started to leave,
"Bye Rachel" Alex said
"Bye Alex" Rachel said from Willows side
"Bye Willow"
"Bye Buffy congratulations about the baby" Willow said
"Thanks, suppose at the moment I better look after the baby I got now" Buffy said
"Alex is big boy now ain't ya little man?" Willow said ruffling his hair
"Oh Alex is fine, it's the other one I got to deal with, the one who decides he can eat his body weight in Christmas food" Buffy said
"I heard that sweet cakes" Spike said
Buffy and Willow smiled and hugged before she left
Buffy looked at her husband and laughed, his jeans were unbuttoned and his arms hung over the side of the couch, his mouth hung open as his chest heaved up and down
Buffy shook her head
"Spike, you look like you're gonna throw up so I'm going to the convenience store to get something to settle that stomach ok."
Spike looked up at his wife still in her Mrs Santa Claus dress
"You're not going out like that Buffy not in your condition" He said trying to get up only to find he couldn't
"Oh my God Spike, stop whining. I'm fine. Just stay here, I won't be long. The store is five blocks away. I'll take the car. It will take me ten minutes max."
"Can I come mommy?" Alex said
"Its past your bed time Alex," Buffy said
"Pleasssssse, "Alex begged
"Fine but straight to bed when we get back."
"Ok." Alex said happily
"I mean it Alex, no, mommy, daddy said I can stay up ok, we both fell for that one before but not again" She said slipping his new coat on over his shoulders
Before Buffy opened the door she reached for the camera again she walked over to Spike and snapped a picture of him, he groaned from the flash
"Good, last one, I'll take these to get developed, love you baby" She said pecking him on the forehead
"Mmmm" He groaned
"Too full to get out words now sweetie?" She laughed as she made her way to the door
"Buffy, I love you" Spike said
She smiled and left the house with Alex
*~*~*~*~*~
The sound of Buffy's high heels echoed in the empty night, with Alex falling asleep on her shoulder and a bag in her other hand she made her way back to her car. Convenience store was completely deserted and the orange light at the corner of the building gave it an eerie feeling. Buffy put the bag on the floor so she could unlock the driver's door and put Alex in the back. She scolded herself for buying way too much useless stuff when she was only supposed to buy a couple of items, but giggled a little at the thought of the two containers of ice cream she brought because she hadn't been able to decide which one she wanted.
She carefully placed Alex in his seat and smiled at how gorgeous he was and how much he looked like his father, lost in her thought while gazing at her son she didn't hear the foot steps come up behinds her and stick a needle in to her neck. She gasped at the sudden pain then passed out
"Merry Christmas Buffy" Riley said smiling as he looked down at her in his arms then at her sleeping son and smiling
A couple of weeks later everyone joined forces to try and figure out how Angel had lost his soul. Willow tried to put it back only to find it was still in him. Everyone decided as it was Christmas they would forget about their problems, just for the day, as nobody had seen Angelus or Riley for a while. During that time Willow and Kennedy had decided to adopt a young girl called Rachel. She is five years old and a nice playmate for Alex. Also Xander had got in a relationship with a woman called Sarah. Dawn had got in to a relationship with a young man called Zack - she had met him in college.
It was 5:00 in the morning and Buffy and Spike were sound asleep in each other's arms when Alex crept into their room and climbed on, then Alex started to jump up and down frantically
"MUMMY, DADDY, WAKE UP ITS CHRISTMAS!" He screamed while jumping up and down on Buffy
Buffy moaned and rolled over to look at the clock on her bedside table.
"Alex baby, it's still really early," Buffy said.
"No, its time to wake up and open presents" Alex replied. Alex jumped on his father's stomach and started to wiggle around.
"Okay, fine I'm up, I'm up" Spike said sitting up in the bed.
"Yay, presents!" Alex squealed. Buffy rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, thinking that Spike would take care of Alex.
"Oh no you don't!" Spike exclaimed "If I don't get to sleep neither do you" he pulled Buffy onto her back and started to tickle her with help from Alex.
"Stop, SPIKE, sssssttttttttoooooooooppp" Buffy cried, "This is no fair, it's two on one!"
"Come on mommy, its Christmas, its Christmas" Alex squealed
"Ok let's go" Buffy said climbing out of bed
"YEY!" Alex said grabbing Spike's hand,
"Ok you two go down, I'll just make up the bed" She said As they got to the door Buffy walked backwards towards the bed and climbed back in
Spike turned around and walked back to the bed and grabbing her by the waist and picking her up said,
"Yeah right like I'd fall for that one"
Buffy groaned as he carried her to the door where Alex stood, Alex grabbed both their hands and walked down the stairs
*~*~*~*~
Once Buffy, Spike and Alex had got down stairs Alex ran to the tree and started to rip his presents open, Buffy and Spike stood back and watched their son, Spike wrapped and arm around Buffy's waist and brought her closer. Alex unwrapped all his presents until he got down to the last one
"This one's from me" Spike whispered into Buffy's ear
"WOW!" Alex yelled as he pulled out a long black coat "It's just like yours daddy"
"Wow, I guess it is" Spike said with a grin
Alex jumped up and put on his new coat "Now I look like daddy, look mommy I look like daddy" Alex said jumping up and down
"I know, Just what the world needs, two Spikes, one is bad enough" Buffy said jokily
Alex picked up his toys and ran up stairs
"Hey, you love it baby" Spike said pulling Buffy to him and kissing her passionately before she pulled away and smiled up at him before walking away
"Where are you going?" Spike asked
"I've got to get breakfast ready, then start Christmas dinner" She said
"Bit early innit luv?" He said clearing up the paper all over the floor
"Spike, I'm cooking for 16 people, I have to get started. Your job today honey is to watch and play with your son"
"That I can do, but don't you want any help?"
Spike said walking into the kitchen and standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist
"No the girls are coming round later, and Spike baby your second job", She said turning around and pushing him backwards with her finger
"If you or Alex set foot in this kitchen or any where near the food without my permission, you will not live to eat it okay?" She said as he stepped outside the kitchen
"Ok" He said with a worried look on his face
Buffy smiled and leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips
"Love you" She said before turning back into the kitchen "Oh and Spike, I got a surprise for you later" She said before going in to the kitchen
"What kind of surprise, Buffy?" He shouted before shaking his head and walking up stairs
*~*~*~*~*~
5 hours later, Buffy was still in the kitchen cooking, Spike and Alex stayed upstairs away from the kitchen. Buffy turned around to see the front door open and Willow, Dawn, Cordelia and Fred came in holding food
"Hey, merry Christmas Bu...whoa" Dawn said as she came in to watch Buffy running around the kitchen trying to do various things at once
"Guys, oh thank god you're here I need your help" She said "Dawn stir, Willow peel, Cordy chop, Fred mash, come on people move it!" She said putting people to their tasks
"Buffy why isn't Spike helping?" Dawn asked as she stirred 2 pots at once
"I kinda banned him from the kitchen" Buffy said
"Why?" Fred asked
"Because every time me and Spike try and cook together it takes twice as long because we end up getting distracted with the kissing and the groping and the sex on the counter" Buffy said
"Ewwww" Everyone said in unison as they started to back out the kitchen
"Hey, hey come back I'm kidding"
"No you're not", Cordy said as she went back to her task
"No I'm not, but I still need your help" Buffy said as she went back to basting the turkey
"What time is everyone coming?" Willow asked as she peeled the potatoes
"Err around 3 o'clock, Giles' flight comes in at 2"
*~*~*~*~
An hour later Spike came down with Alex on his back and stood out side the kitchen
"BUFFY?" He shouted through the kitchen door
"Yeah?" Buffy shouted back
"I'm gonna take Alex round to Kennedy and Rachel, I'll be back soon" He said
Buffy came through the door and kissed Alex goodbye
"Have fun baby, have you got some of your toys?" Buffy asked her son
"Yep, I bet I've got more toys then Rachel" He said bouncing up and down on his fathers back
"I'm sure you have, make sure you play with your girlfriend" Buffy said teasingly
"Ewww she's not my girlfriend she's a poo poo head, she said bad things bout Santa" Buffy and Spike chuckled at their son
"How's it going in there pet?" Spike asked
"Ok, I suppose, why did we decide to have everybody over for Christmas?" Buffy said rubbing her neck
"'We', no luv I'm pretty sure it was you, don't you remember? You said 'Oh Spike, wouldn't it be great if we had everyone over for Christmas?' "Spike said in a mocking girly voice
"Yeah but you agreed with me" Buffy said
"No I didn't" Spike said
"Yes you did, you said 'Yeah luv that will be great, a piece of cake'"
"I don't talk like that" He said grinning at her
"And I don't speak like the cheap imitation you did of me, but I've decided, if the dinner goes wrong its your fault because you jinxed it by saying it was going to be a piece of cake" She said proudly
"Oh thanks for the honour pet" He said sarcastically
Buffy shook her head and kissed Spike goodbye before he turned round and walked away,
"Eugh you and mommy always kissing"
"Cause I love her mate, and when you're a bit older I'm sure you'll be kissing Rachel" Spike said as he opened the front door
"Yuck" Alex said as they closed the door
*~*~*~*~
"Where's Spike going?" Willow asked as she carried on cooking
"To your place, Alex wants to show Rachel that he has got more toys than she has" Buffy said
"Rachel said the exact same thing this morning" Willow said
"According to Alex, Rachel is a poo poo head because she has been saying bad stuff about Santa" Buffy said shaking her head
"Oh yeah, sorry bout that Rachel knows all about the none existent jolly Saint Nick" Willow said
*~*~*~*~
Half and hour later Spike came back through the front door with a bag in his hand
"Hey, what you doing back?" Buffy asked him as she came from the kitchen wiping her hands on a dish cloth
"Got a little surprise of my own" Spike said smiling
"Really" Buffy said trying to peek in the bag only to have Spike slap her hand away
"No peeking" He said running up stairs
*~*~*~*~
Buffy, Willow, Dawn, Cordy and Fred all sat in the front room as the food cooked when they heard Spike start to come down the stairs
"Buffy, can you come to the stairs pet?" Spike shouted
Buffy walked to the stairs and looked up as Spike walked down
"Oh- my -god" Buffy said as she covered her mouth as she watched her husband come down the stairs in a Santa suit
"Like it? Its for Alex" He said itching at his beard
"Girls, get out here you have you got to see this" Buffy said The rest of the girls came out and gasped at Spike
"Well do you think Alex will like it?" Spike asked
"Oh its for Alex" Fred said
"Yep," Spike said
"You do realise that in the last five minutes you have lost all trace of big bad left in you" Dawn said
"Hey I'm still the big bad to Buffy aren't I luv" He said stepping closer to her
"Yeah you are and you look great honey Alex will love it" Buffy said wrapping her arms around his waist
"Oh look Xanders here" Willow said as she saw his car pull up
"Oh great, now the whelp's gonna take the piss out of the suit, well I'll show him" Spike said
Buffy rolled her eyes at the fact that after all these years Xander and Spike still bantered and argued
She opened the door with Spike right behind her and greeted Sarah
"Hey Sarah merry Christmas" She said
"Hey Xand... uh oh" She said as Xander stepped in wearing a Santa suit
Spike and Xander looked at each other
"HEY I'M SANTA, NO YOUR NOT, YES I AM" They said at the same time
"Hey Xander, hey you're Santa too" Willow said looking at Xander
"Not too, I'm Santa I was Santa first, captain peroxide stole my idea" Xander said
"No I didn't, I had this idea way before you whelp" Spike growled
There was another knock at the door, so Buffy went to answer it, she opened the door, she took one look at Giles and burst out laughing
"What is it Buffy" Willow said coming to the door
"Giles, is that, oh no not another one" She said as Giles came in wearing a Santa suit
"Another one, what an earth do you..." Giles stopped as he saw Xander and Spike stop arguing and look at him
"GILES WHAT THE HELL..." Xander yelled
"I CANT BELEVE THIS..." Spike said as he looked over at Buffy still laughing
"Oh you think this is funny do ya?" Spike said to Buffy
Buffy nodded as she held her stomach as she laughed
"Well ok, since you find it so hilarious you my dear wife you can pick which one gets to be Santa, cause we can't all stay like this" Spike said pulling Buffy in the middle of them
Buffy's laughing died down as she looked at the position she was in; she had Spike to her right, Giles behind her and Xander to her left
"What, why do I have to pick?" Buffy whined
"Come on Buffy, you're the only one that has a connection to all three of us, so Buff, fancy being my Mrs Santa Claus?" Xander said pulling Buffy by the waist
"HEY, hands off" Spike said pulling Buffy back towards him "She is *my* wife every other day so she is *my* Mrs Santa Claus right baby?" Spike said looking at Buffy
"Hey you have to remember all those years I was by your side as your best friend Buffy" Xander said looking at Buffy
"Oh no Xander, using emotional blackmail? I didn't know you would sink that low, I mean if I was going to do that I could say" Giles turned his head and looked down at Buffy who was looking at him "All those years I was your watcher, helped train you into the amazing slayer you were and to remember when I walked you down the aisle at your wedding, but all that is irrelevant as it is Buffys decision" Giles said
Buffy whimpered at the look in Xander and Giles face
"Oh please, you two are unbelievable, ok you gonna play it that way, ok" He said slowly sliding his hand round Buffys waist and leaning down and whispering in her ear, Buffy giggled and pushed his shoulder playfully
"Hey, hey no fair, that's sex stuff, we can't use sex stuff on her"
"Not that I'd want to, "Giles said to him self
"And you had better remember it Harris, my wife, my sex, Oww" Spike yelped as Buffy stamped on his foot
"So Buffster, whose it gonna be?" Xander said
Buffy looked round at the three men all looking for an answer, then she heard a ding from the kitchen
"Oh, the pies done, excuse me" She said running into the kitchen before one of them had a chance to stop her
"Talk about saved by the bell" Willow whispered to Dawn
*~*~*~*~
Buffy went in to the kitchen and heard Giles, Xander and Spike still arguing, she shook her head, took off her gloves and walked back to them
"Ok guys stop" Buffy said standing in the middle of them again
"I think, Giles should be Santa"
"WHAT?!" Spike and Xander yelled
"Well, Xander you did get to be the Indian at Thanksgiving and tell all the stories, and plus I think the kids will get confused if Santa's doing the Snoopy dance" She said, Xander nodded
"And what about me?" Spike said
Buffy turned around and put her arms round her husband's neck "Well you I was hoping we could save the suit for later and we could play Mr and Mrs Claus when were alone maybe" She said pecking him on the lips
Spike smiled at his wife "Alright then," He said "Congrats old man, you are Santa", He said patting Giles on the back not taking his eyes of Buffy
"Well I'm glad you all saw sense" Giles said smugly
"Nice save Buffy," Willow said
"Just call me the Christmas queen" Buffy said
*~*~*~*~*~
After a while everyone had gathered in the living room, there was Buffy, Spike, Dawn, Willow, Xander, Kennedy, Sarah, Zack, Cordelia, Fred, Gunn, Wesley, Lorne, Giles and Alex and Rachel who played with their toys in the next room Giles had finished his Santa routine and changed into normal clothes Everyone had opened their presents, the kids had gone to play with their toys and all there was left was the exchange of Buffy and Spike's presents
"Where's your present Spike?" Dawn said
Spike lowered his head and walked over to Buffy and handed her a black velvet box, she inhaled sharply in genuine surprise when she saw what the box contained; a delicate gold chain, with a heart shaped locket, nestling in a bed of black velvet.
"Spike, this is...it's beautiful." As she lifted the treasure from it's setting, Buffy saw the words engraved on the back of the locket
*~Love Never Dies~*
Buffy opened up the locket and inside was a picture of Spike, Alex and herself on one side and Joyce, Dawn and herself on the other side
"I just thought now you would always have your family close to your heart" Spike said
"Oh, Spike" She said getting up and kissing him passionately with tears in her eyes, she broke the kiss and rested her forehead on his with her eyes still closed
"Its perfect, thank you"
"That's ok luv, you're worth it" He whispered
She smiled and kissed him again
"Ok, enough with the love dovey stuff you two come on, I want to see what Buffy's got for Spike"
"Oh of course I almost forgot, its upstairs", She said detaching herself from him and running upstairs
Five minutes later she ran back downstairs with Spike's coat on and a package in her hand
"Why are you wearing my coat?" Spike asked
"Just open the package" Buffy said
Spike shrugged and opened up the package, he gasped at the contents of the package, it contained a silver pocket watch and carved on it was a big W+B Spike lifted it and looked at the back that read
~*Our Love Will Last Forever*~
Spike looked up to Buffy and took her hand and kissed the back of it
"Do you like it?" Buffy asked
"Of course I love it, thanks luv" He said trying to pull her in for a kiss only to have her pull back,
"Wait, I've got one more present" She said stepping back so everyone could see what she was doing
She smiled at everyone before opening the coat and placing it on the chair, underneath the coat was a red Mrs Santa Claus dress that came up just above her knees she smiled as everyone looked at her confused
"Err Buffy, shouldn't we be saving sex outfits for when everyone isn't looking at you?" Spike said
"Its not a sex dress you pig, the dress is just part of the day, but I just wanted to ask if anyone noticed anything different about me?" Buffy said her hand on her hips
Everyone shook their heads Buffy grinned and turned side ways to them
"Ok, well how about now?" She said
Everyone looked at Buffy and her hands that were wandering over her stomach
Everyone started to realise what she was talking about
"Buffy, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Willow said
"What, what is she saying?" Spike said not quite getting it yet
"Spike honey, looks like there's a new edition to the Crawford family" She said rubbing her stomach
"You mean..." Spike said putting his hand on her stomach
"I'm pregnant" She said looking at him as all her friends and family screamed around them as they kiss passionately
*~*~**~
Buffy and Spike stood in the corner whispering to each other between kissing and ignored everyone around them
"How far are you gone?" Spike asked as he rested his forehead on hers
"8 weeks" She said
Spike thought for a second then smiled as he remembered when his baby was conceived
"Our anniversary" He said
"Yeah" She said leaning up and kiss him, he broke the kiss and once again the rested the foreheads against each others with there arms around each other
"How long have you known?" He said
"I found out a couple of weeks ago, I went to the doctor after Angelus... you know, tried to..." She cut herself off as he stepped back a little and looked into her eyes
"Buffy why didn't you tell me pet?" Spike said
"Because a) Everyone was worried about stuff with Angelus b) If I told you, you would go out your way trying to protect and look after me and I needed you to be there for Alex and c) I wanted to save the surprise for Christmas, I wanted it to be a present for you" Buffy said
Spike pulled Buffy to him again
"Best present ever" He whispered before kissing her passionately again
"You know, you two are way too snuggly for a married couple, its like you act like your in the first stages of a relationship all the time" Dawn said
"I think its sweet" Fred said
"Don't they say that after the first year or so of marriage all the passion is supposed to disappear?" Xander said
"There's no chance of that" He said pulling Buffy towards him and nuzzling her neck
Buffy giggled then saw Alex come in with Rachel "Look your mommy and daddy kissing again" Rachel said
"I know they always kissing" Alex said sticking his tongue out in disgust
Everyone started laughing and Buffy and Spike looked at each other in defeat
"Fine we kiss a lot, can we please move on?" Buffy said embarrassed
Buffy looked at Spike and nodded her head towards Alex, Spike nodded understanding
"Alex baby come here" Buffy said
Alex ran over to his parents, Buffy sat down and pulled Alex onto her lap "Alex, how do you feel about having another kid around the house?" Buffy asked
"Can I play with them, are they gonna bring toys like Rachel does?" Alex asked excited
"Well the kid will be living here, because mommy's going to have a baby" Buffy said
"Where is it?" Alex asked confused slightly
"The baby, is in mommy's tummy, growing" Buffy said placing his hand on her stomach
"Hey Alex you're going to be a big brother" Spike said
"Big brother?" Alex asked
"Yeah like, your aunt Dawn, I'm her big sister" Buffy said glancing at Dawn Everyone in the room started to listen to them, Dawn smiled briefly
"But aunt Dawn's bigger than you mommy" Alex said
Everyone in the room snickered as they realised the four year old was right Dawn was taller than Buffy and had been for quite a while Buffy elbowed Spike in the chest to stop him chuckling
"Yes, she is taller than me but I'm older than her, like you will be older than your new brother or sister"
"Ok" Alex said smiling brightly before jumping off Buffy to Rachel
"Rachel, I'm going to be a big brother" He said to her Buffy and Spike smiled as there hands met on her stomach
*~*~*~*~
Later on everyone sat down and ate, once they had finish everyone groaned from the fullness of their stomachs
"Buffy that was great" Xander said
"Err yes, Buffy truly lovely meal" Giles said
"Oh, thanks everybody but I suppose nobody is in the mood for apple pie?" Buffy said
"I couldn't eat another bite" Willow said
"I'll try this pie, Buff" Xander said
"Pfft yeah right whelp, you couldn't eat another bite" Spike said looking at Xander who was sitting in front of him
"Oh and you could?" Xander said
"Damn right" Spike said
"Please, I can eat way more than you, had more practice" Xander said patting his stomach
"Yeah I can see that, pretty obvious you eat way more than me, chubby" Spike said
"CHUBBY? I am not chubby" Xander said
By now everyone had got up and was standing around watching them argue as the kids got bored and ran off to play
"Course your not... chubby" Spike said
"See your just calling me these names because you know you can eat the pie" Xander said smugly
"Is that a challenge Harris?" Spike said
"You bet your ass it is" Xander said
"Buffy... pie" Spike said staring at Xander straight in the eye
"Guys you do realise this pie was made for sixteen people, it's a least 15 inches"
"I can handle it, I don't know bout monkey boy here"
"Oh I can handle it" Xander said back
Buffy shook her head and went and got the apple pie and a knife, she placed it in the middle of Spike and Xander and cut it in half The both picked up a fork
"You don't have a chance peroxide boy"
"Have more chance than you...chunky" Spike said before they both dived in to the pie
Buffy and Sarah stood side-by-side watching their guys stuff their faces
"By the way guys gluttony, big turn on" Buffy said sarcastically
The guys just groaned in response, Buffy and Sarah looked at each other and rolled their eyes
*~*~*~*~
15 minutes and an apple pie later both guys could hardly breathe "Ok Xander time to go home" Sarah said helping him up
"I won right? I beat him?"
"No way whelp, I won fair and square" Spike said sitting on the couch not being able to move
"You wanna go again?" Xander said leaning on Sarah
"Anytime any place" Spike groaned
"Buffy... bake another pie" Spike said
"Ha yeah right honey" Buffy said as she opened the door as everyone started to leave,
"Bye Rachel" Alex said
"Bye Alex" Rachel said from Willows side
"Bye Willow"
"Bye Buffy congratulations about the baby" Willow said
"Thanks, suppose at the moment I better look after the baby I got now" Buffy said
"Alex is big boy now ain't ya little man?" Willow said ruffling his hair
"Oh Alex is fine, it's the other one I got to deal with, the one who decides he can eat his body weight in Christmas food" Buffy said
"I heard that sweet cakes" Spike said
Buffy and Willow smiled and hugged before she left
Buffy looked at her husband and laughed, his jeans were unbuttoned and his arms hung over the side of the couch, his mouth hung open as his chest heaved up and down
Buffy shook her head
"Spike, you look like you're gonna throw up so I'm going to the convenience store to get something to settle that stomach ok."
Spike looked up at his wife still in her Mrs Santa Claus dress
"You're not going out like that Buffy not in your condition" He said trying to get up only to find he couldn't
"Oh my God Spike, stop whining. I'm fine. Just stay here, I won't be long. The store is five blocks away. I'll take the car. It will take me ten minutes max."
"Can I come mommy?" Alex said
"Its past your bed time Alex," Buffy said
"Pleasssssse, "Alex begged
"Fine but straight to bed when we get back."
"Ok." Alex said happily
"I mean it Alex, no, mommy, daddy said I can stay up ok, we both fell for that one before but not again" She said slipping his new coat on over his shoulders
Before Buffy opened the door she reached for the camera again she walked over to Spike and snapped a picture of him, he groaned from the flash
"Good, last one, I'll take these to get developed, love you baby" She said pecking him on the forehead
"Mmmm" He groaned
"Too full to get out words now sweetie?" She laughed as she made her way to the door
"Buffy, I love you" Spike said
She smiled and left the house with Alex
*~*~*~*~*~
The sound of Buffy's high heels echoed in the empty night, with Alex falling asleep on her shoulder and a bag in her other hand she made her way back to her car. Convenience store was completely deserted and the orange light at the corner of the building gave it an eerie feeling. Buffy put the bag on the floor so she could unlock the driver's door and put Alex in the back. She scolded herself for buying way too much useless stuff when she was only supposed to buy a couple of items, but giggled a little at the thought of the two containers of ice cream she brought because she hadn't been able to decide which one she wanted.
She carefully placed Alex in his seat and smiled at how gorgeous he was and how much he looked like his father, lost in her thought while gazing at her son she didn't hear the foot steps come up behinds her and stick a needle in to her neck. She gasped at the sudden pain then passed out
"Merry Christmas Buffy" Riley said smiling as he looked down at her in his arms then at her sleeping son and smiling