Chapter Nine – Aunts and Uncles
"There you are," Wesley called out from the doorway.
Faith was in the kitchen, raiding the refrigerator. Pulling out a carton of ice cream, she dove in with a spoon without scooping any into a bowl.
"Hungry. Again. All the freakin' time. God, I'm not gonna be able to get through the door pretty soon."
Wesley walked towards her, and then put his hand over her stomach. She liked the feel of his large hand, protecting what was theirs and only theirs. Earlier in her life, she wouldn't have wanted anyone to touch her like he did. But now, she always wanted him to have his hands on her body. Not that she was horny, but from the telling look in his eyes, she knew he enjoyed it. Being close to another human was important, especially when that human happened to be a person she loved deeply.
"Tomorrow?" Wesley started.
"Tomorrow what?"
"We should tell the others. Before we do the spell."
Faith swallowed. She had grown so used to her link with Wes, she really hadn't thought about how it would feel not being connected to him. But she knew it was for the best.
"I know. It is," he answered her mind out loud.
"I'm scared. Don't tell anyone else about the scared thing. What if something goes wrong?"
"Nothing will go wrong. Eat your ice cream before it melts."
Faith took another big spoonful and slowly licked it off of the spoon. "Wanna bite?"
Wesley laughed, knowing that she was playing with him. Faith accidentally dribbled some down her chin. Wesley moved closer to clean it off. Instead, he licked it off of her.
"And you complain about me," Faith sighed as Wesley took the spoon from her and dribbled it down between her breasts.
His mouth traveled down past her throat, cleaning up the intentional mess that he had left. Just when he was getting to the good part, someone squealed from behind them.
"Sorry," Denise yelled from the door, slamming it just as suddenly as she had appeared not two seconds before.
Faith laughed as she laid her forehead on his chest. "Once this is over with, we are so out of here."
"We should get up. The sun is coming up and we have lots to do," Willow giggled.
Giles's head popped up from underneath the blankets behind her. "Dear, just a few more minutes," he told her as he kissed her bare shoulder.
"A few more minutes turn into a few more, then all of a sudden, it's been an hour. And we really do need to talk. And I don't know what Dawn is doing this morning, and I have to get ready for that ritual."
"You're rambling," Giles pointed out. "And yes, we do need to talk about this."
Willow was afraid that Giles would tell her that all they had shared was a mistake and nothing more. So if it was a mistake, then why was he still in bed with her, she thought? Her mind worked way too much sometimes.
"Now tell me what really is happening with you," he finally got around to asking.
"Well, Kennedy broke up with me, my best friends are scattered across the globe, I'm depressed as hell, but not right now mind you, I am so glad you're here right now, and you'll go back to England and I won't get to see you anymore."
Giles sighed as she finished her long, long sentence.
"One, I am truly sorry about Kennedy. Two, I know that Buffy and Xander are scattered across the globe, but we do get together occasionally. Call them, ask them to meet us. Three, you didn't tell me you were depressed. Is there something that I can do to help?"
"See, lots more sentences, but rambling just the same. And you are helping, just by being here. I realize that now." Willow turned towards Giles in the bed, cuddling close.
"You will get to see me, Willow. I'm not going anywhere just yet," Giles told her as he placed a small kiss on her forehead.
"But you will, just like everyone else. And then where will I be, huh?"
Giles shut Willow up with a passionate kiss. "With me, of course. Wherever you want to go."
"Well, I certainly don't want to stay here. Too much going on here. I want it quiet and subdued."
"You'd get bored in a week," Giles pointed out.
"Yeah, you're right. But hey, since I have an in with the new boss, maybe I can be with you."
Giles laughed at her comment. "I will have to have a chat with that new boss and get back to you. In the meantime . . . ."
Willow climbed on top of him, pinning him to the bed.
"Hey, Will, I was just wondering . . . ," Dawn started as she entered the room, until she saw that something wasn't right.
Willow screeched at being interrupted. And then Dawn saw who was in bed with her and screamed too.
"I am scarred for life, Will," Dawn shouted, backing out of the room quickly.
"Oh, as usual, dear," Giles told Willow as she collapsed in a fit of giggles on top of him.
Dawn scooted down the hall quickly, wondering what had possessed Willow and Giles. She was certainly scarred for life. She wasn't kidding when she said that statement. Two of the people she trusted the most in the world were having sex. Willow was naked as a jailbird. Thank goodness she hadn't been able to see Giles except for his head and maybe an arm.
As she walked into the conference room, Connor leaned in close to Celeste and laughed at something the girl said. After just witnessing the scene with Willow and Giles, Dawn was not in the mood to fight a slayer over her maybe-boyfriend. So Dawn continued to march down the hall until she came upon Wesley and Faith leaning against the wall, thoroughly engrossed in each other.
They hadn't spotted her yet, since they were tucked into an alcove where no one could see them. She really didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it happened.
"So we tell them?" Faith asked Wesley.
"It will be fairly obvious in a couple of month anyway. Besides, you might as well have everyone get used to the fact that you will be a mother in a short time."
Dawn's mouth dropped open. God, the place was like a soap opera, she thought. She really did not want to grow up, or at least when she did, not keep all of the secrets everyone kept.
She continued on through the building, coming upon Cordelia as the woman entered the building.
"Hey, where is . . . ," Cordelia managed to get out before Dawn stuck a finger up at her to warn her.
"Why? That's what I want to know. You people," Dawn growled before heading off outside to cool off.
"Teenagers," Cordelia scoffed and went to find the others.
An hour later, they all gathered in the large conference room, minus Dawn, who was still sulking on the steps outside the building.
"The ritual is quite simple," Giles started, handing a copy over to Wesley to study.
"Why on earth my father didn't have me complete this is beyond me."
"Maybe because he's an asshole," Faith added.
"There is that," Wesley agreed.
"Rupert, did you perform this before you arrived in Sunnydale?" Wesley asked the older watcher.
"No, I did not. Roger told me that a relative might stand in if the watcher is not present. Apparently my mother performed the ritual. To this day, I never knew."
"Is she still alive?" Wesley asked.
"Yes, which means many questions to ask when I go back to England," Giles replied looking towards Willow, who was setting up for the ritual.
"So first, we break the spell that Cordelia performed," Willow started. "Then we do it properly. If that's what you want."
Faith and Wesley looked at each other. Faith nodded her head, as if to tell him that no time like the present.
"Before we proceed, Faith and I have something to discuss with you all."
"About time," Dawn said from the doorway, scowling towards everyone.
"Dawn, sit down," Connor commanded, taking her hand to lead her to a chair. He didn't let that hand go.
"We need to make sure that Faith cannot be injured by unbinding us," Wesley wanted to know from Willow.
"It shouldn't hurt a bit. Matter a fact, you shouldn't even notice any changes right away. It's like weaning someone off of drugs or alcohol. The link should disappear slowly, maybe over the next six months or so."
Both Faith and Wesley let out held breaths.
"OK, so get discussing," Dawn waved at Wesley impatiently.
"Faith and I wanted everyone to know . . . ."
"Oh, good grief, just spit it out already," Dawn added, getting a harder squeeze from Connor.
"The relationship we have is very close, as you all know."
"Oh my God, are you guys getting married?" Cordelia wanted to know.
"Well, we hadn't thought about it," Faith slowly spoke, looking at Wesley for more words.
"Haven't discussed it as of yet," Wesley added to Faith's comments.
"It's just we decided . . . ."
"Pink or blue?" Dawn piped up.
"Pink or blue?" Cordelia questioned. "Oh, crap," she said, finally realizing what the two were getting to.
"Gee thanks, Cor," Faith told Cordelia.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Giles looked at the two pointedly.
"You know how you guys are always saying to the teenagers, use protection."
"We did," both Faith and Wesley answered simultaneously.
"Oh boy," Willow added to the conversation.
"We're pregnant," Wesley finally said out loud, hanging his head.
"Oh thanks, Wes. This just sucks, you know that," Faith added, standing to march out of the room.
"Sit down, Faith," Wesley commanded.
"Did you just tell me to sit down?" Faith fired back, anger apparent to everyone in the room.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Now if you would please take a seat."
"You unthankful, stupid jerk," Faith suddenly said, trying to think of a better name to call him.
"She's right about that one," Cordelia mumbled to Willow.
"Faith, this is not helping things." Wesley stood toe-to-toe with Faith.
"And this is not good for either one of you, now could you please sit down," Giles finally commanded, stepping in to take charge.
"I can't do this. I can't be here. I have to leave," Faith rambled, trying to escape the room just as Wesley caught her arm.
"Faith, we have to," Willow implored. "Because if we don't do it soon, we may never be able to break the link. It will eventually kill you both."
Faith turned to look at the group. Wesley pleaded at her with his eyes only, chanting to her in his mind that everything would be all right. And that he would take care of her no matter what.
"OK, but you're still a jerk. And this is all your fault."
Faith plopped down in a chair next to him. She pointedly did not look him in the eyes, but underneath the table, she grabbed his hand to steady herself.
Willow quickly went through unbinding them. No one could tell the difference, even the two that were affected. Then Wesley went through the ritual for real, which was just more ritual than anything since it didn't link the two mentally. It just made the two more in tune with each other so they could work better together as watcher and slayer, nothing more, Giles had explained to them earlier. Now Wesley saw why Giles and Buffy were always so close and worked so well together.
Afterwards, both Willow and Cordelia gathered around Faith to ask all sorts of questions about babies. Giles drew Wesley aside as the rest talked.
"Don't say it. I know you don't approve," Wesley started.
"I did not say that I didn't approve. But this does change everything. Faith is out of commission for the next year or more. Which doesn't get her fired, mind you. But you are out of a job. I was wondering if you could do some consulting work for me."
Wesley smiled at Giles, knowing that Giles didn't have to offer him a job. "That would be acceptable."
"But first, do you love her?" Giles asked him.
"Deeply, immensely and with all my heart."
Giles shook his head in acknowledgment. "Then I wish you luck. And the job I have for you is to translate a book." Giles pulled the book from the table and handed it to Wesley. "This is what your father was going to give Ethan. It's a book of prophecies. One that I've never seen nor heard of before."
Wesley shook his head in wonder. "I don't exactly have the best track record with prophecies."
"Well, I don't either. This is in a language that I do not recognize. If anyone can translate it, you can."
Wesley was glad that the older man finally had confidence in him to do a job.
"Two?" Wesley heard Cordelia exclaim.
"Whoa. You two don't do anything easily, do you?" Willow added.
"Umm, are they referring to the two of you?" Giles questioned Wesley.
"No, not exactly. Faith is having twins."
"You're joking," Giles told him.
Wesley glared at his new boss. "No."
"Oh, dear. Willow is right."
"Two?" Dawn repeated. "Wow. OK, I call first dibs on holding them."
"Nu uh," Cordelia disagreed.
Faith watched as the three went back and forth talking about babies. Wesley watched her as her head literally spun out of control. As if getting the hint, Giles pulled Willow aside to whisper in her ear. Connor got Dawn's attention and drew her aside. This took some pressure off of Faith for the time being.
"Wes, can I talk to you, outside?" Cordelia asked, shaking her head to Faith.
Wesley and Cordelia made their way to the corridor outside the conference room. Wesley crossed his arms, standing against the wall in a defensive posture, not knowing why she would want to talk to him again. They had already settled their differences.
Cordelia stood on the opposite wall, arms crossed over her chest, mirroring Wesley's stance. "So, congratulations are in order," Cordelia started.
"Thank you."
"It's great news. I can't wait to tell Angel."
Wesley stiffened at the prospect of him knowing about the babies.
"He'll be happy for you. He's forgiven you. Look at Connor. He's healthy, somewhat happy now, I hope."
Wesley hoped that Angel was past all the grief of the last couple of years. "We don't know that."
"Well, if Dawn has any say in it, he'll be in good hands."
"What about you? Are you happy? Have you forgiven me?"
Cordelia drew in a deep breath. "Am I happy? Good question. One I'll have to work on. Have I forgiven you? Damn, Wes. You're my best friend besides Angel. We all make mistakes. Don't you ever think that way again."
Cordelia's eyes started to form tears. She quickly tried to get them to go away, but wasn't having any luck. Wesley slowly walked over to her, and tipped her chin back to look at him. Her bottom lip quivered just slightly as she searched his face for forgiveness.
"What are you going to do now?" he asked her.
"I don't know. I'm just a girl now. No special powers. Nothing."
"You are more than just those visions. And you aren't just a girl. You're Cordelia Chase."
Cordelia shook her head in agreement. "Damn straight," she told him trying to hold it together, but not succeeding. "It's just, I'm afraid. We won't be together anymore."
"You can come and visit. I suppose we'll need help after the babies are born."
"You suppose? Ha. You better believe it."
"Are you alright now?" he asked her as he pulled her into a hug.
"Yeah, I will be."
"Faith, I do believe that you will need a leave of absence," Giles told her as he sat down beside her at the table.
"Yeah, probably for the best. Besides, who would want to deal with a pregnant slayer? Might take all the demons out on one of my hormonal rampages."
Giles chuckled slightly until he looked at Faith. She was quite serious. "I hope you don't mind. I gave Wesley a consulting job, just to tide you over."
"He needs to be Mr. Hyper-focused. It'll do him good to actually sit for a while and not get punched in the face. The last year has been hard on him."
Giles looked at her like she had grown two heads, yet again. "I just have never seen you that concerned about someone else. It's a good thing, I assure you. How do you feel, by the way?"
"Fine. Eating like there's no tomorrow."
"Good," Giles shook his head.
"There's something I wanted to ask you," Faith told the watcher before he got up from the table. "I was wondering, since the babies don't have any, you know, family, if down the road you could help out a little, because all kids need an older guy kind of thing."
"Just as long as they don't call me grandpa, I'd be honored," Giles beamed back.
"How about Uncle Rupert then?"
"Oh, are you an uncle then? Can I be an aunt?" Willow asked as she came by.
"Yeah, Aunt Willow it is. These kids are gonna have so many aunts and uncles, they won't need any blood relatives."
"Don't call me Aunt Dawn, because I'm just not old enough," Dawn joined in. "But I can babysit."
"Yeah, me too," Connor added, everyone looking at him like he was crazy. "You guys can teach me. I'm not stupid."
"Yeah, right. Not stupid," Dawn chided him.
TBC
Next: Another chapter up next. I know, I know. None of you wanted me to end it. I still haven't resolved Giles/Willow and Dawn/Connor. And I want a little scene with Angel. I know he's just a secondary character in this fic, but I want to write his reaction to the good news.
Author notes: First, I really did feel like I was spinning my wheels on this chapter. I really didn't feel the need to explain the ritual or the spell. Blah, blah. I'm not sure why. So I'll just leave it up to your imagination. I still don't think that Angel and Wes will resolve their feelings before the end of this fic. And Dawn and Connor aren't yet really together yet. And I was planning on a sequel for years down the road. Those kids of theirs probably have lots of interesting qualities that would be fun to explore. I also want to start this challenge I saw on another site, and I have to finish my other fic too. AHHH! Not enough time in the day to sleep.
Thanks to: pari106, Maineiac, qkith, slayerfan, Insane Sketchbook, Steph, and everyone else. People have been screaming, OK, well just asking for a sequel. We'll see. Not that I haven't already written some. Wes and Faith just won't leave me alone. See ya soon. And please review!!