Chapter 8

Helping Rose

"It's okay Cordelia. They'll help her." Buffy sat with Cordelia in the waiting room of the Sunnydale Springs Children's Hospital.

"I just don't understand Buffy," Cordelia said turning to her with tears in her eyes. "Why would they do something like this to her? She's defenseless against them."

"I know. But things will get better. I promise," Buffy gripped Cordelia's hand.

"Excuse, Ms. Chase? Ms. Summers?" Cordelia and Buffy got to their feet.

"Rose, is she going to be okay?" Cordelia asked, tears lingering in her voice.

"Please come with me. My name is Doctor Bronze and I will tell you everything you need to know about your little girl." Cordelia and Buffy followed. The doctor led them to his office then closed the door. The girls sat down and Doctor Bronze faced them.

"What you both need to understand is that Rose is a very sick little girl. It looks like it's something that's been going on for quite some time now. The abuse. The neglect." Buffy tried as best she could to give a very light truth of what Rose's life was like. She lied, telling him her former guardians were now in custody. Once Doctor Bronze was convinced he explained the prognosis.

"Rose's wounds will heal in time. We gave her some medication so she should be okay. We are going to slowly get her on track with eating. Too much at once can send the body into shock. We would like to keep her overnight for observation but a guest bed is already set up for one of you in her room."

"Thanks a lot doctor," Buffy shook the doctors hand then he led her and Cordelia to Rose's room. Once they were alone they opened the door. Rose looked so tiny and helpless as Cordelia and Buffy looked on to her. She had wires coming out of her arms, hooked up to IV's and other assortment of medicine and drips. She twiddled sadly at the bed sheet, not seeing Cordelia and Buffy. They neared and her face immediately brightened.

"Cordelia! Buffy!" her voice was excited but it came out as a tiny squeak. Cordelia went over to her side and pushed her hair back. It was damp with sweat.

"How are you holding up sweetheart?" Cordelia asked her.

"Fine. Will you stay here with me Cordelia?" Cordelia nodded her head as a small smile crept over her face. Buffy could tell that Cordelia was happy Rose was okay. Buffy talked for about a half hour with Cordelia and Rose.

"Alright guys, I think it's time I headed home," she said after a while getting to her feet. "Will you two be okay?"

"Yes, thanks Buffy," Cordelia smiled. Once Buffy was certain Cordelia and Rose were settled she headed toward the door.

"Buffy home!" Nicky cried as soon as Buffy walked through the door.

"Buffy!" Alex yelped after his brother. The two ran at Buffy and gripped her legs. She giggled.

"What's wrong boys? Did Angel not pay any attention to you?" she asked picking up a twin in each arm. It was a task she had been a master at ever since the boys were infants. Xander still wasn't able to.

"Where is Angel?" Buffy asked. No more than 5 seconds after the words left Buffy's mouth Angel tackled her and the twins onto the sofa.

"Angel! You weasel!" Buffy cried at him. The boys giggled.

"Okay, okay. Let's calm down," Buffy smiled and saddled Nicky and Alex back onto her lap.

"Say 'thank you Angel but you let us stay up way past our bed time and we have to go seepy now'." Nicky and Alex both kissed Angel on the nose. He smiled and so did Buffy. Here Angel was supposed to be some big, scary vamp but just a gentle smile from Buffy or a night with the twins or two wet baby kisses was enough to melt him into a little puddle. After the twins were asleep Buffy came back out into the living room and plopped down on the sofa next to Angel. He put his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on his chest.

"So did everything go alright?" she asked, twiddling with the button on his shirt.

"Always," Angel's voice was warm and soothing to Buffy's ears. She snuggled down into him.

"So what was Cordy's big emergency?" Angel asked. Buffy didn't answer and instead scratched the middle of his belly and giggled seeing his leg kick.

"Your evil do you know that?" Angel asked wrapping Buffy in his arms.

" That's why you love me so much."