Spoilers: Of course, the previous two stories.

Summary: Buffy and Angel deal with their lack of parenting experience, and Andrea is born.

Disclaimer: The characters, except for Andrea, belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox and WB.

Love Series #3 - Loving My Baby

"No!" Buffy O'Connor bolted awake, sobs shaking her petite body. Her arms found their way around her grown belly, wrapping tightly like the pregnant girl was trying to reassure herself that she still had her baby. Next to the slayer, her husband sat up, instantly wrapping his arms too around her.

"Hey, love, what's wrong?" Angel asked softly. It just took one look at her haunted, fearful eyes for him to know what had happened. "The dream", he said quietly. A loud sob escaped Buffy's lips as she nodded. Her husband frowned slightly, kissing her golden head.

For the previous two weeks, Buffy was being haunted by dreams where she watched helplessly their unborn daughter being eaten up by the Hellmouth. At first she didn't give it any thought, but when it repeated itself for more than seven days she started to get nervous. For almost all of her dreams were prophetic.

"We're going to be okay", Angel whispered lying on his back and pulling her to lie next to him. Buffy took his hand and entwined his fingers with hers, resting them on the top of her belly.

"Angel?" She called softly.

"Hmmm?" He made.

"What if I'm a suck-y mother? I'm the Slayer... A Slayer", she corrected quickly, remembering Faith. "And you're a Warrior for the Good. What if demons kidnap your baby to get to us?"

"Buffy", he put a finger under her chin and made her look up at him gently. "The three of us will be just fine. As long as I have a breath on my body, you and our baby girl will be safe".

Buffy smiled tearily at him and fell asleep. The same did not happen to her husband. Angel stayed up the whole night, just holding her.

Joyce noticed the bags under her son-in-law's eyes, and got worried. She knew about Buffy's dreams and how they were freaking Buffy out, but to affect Angel something had to be very wrong. She sat on the bench in front of him, across the table.

"Angel", she called. No response. "Angel!"

He blinked twice and blushed faintly.

"Hello, Joyce. Were you saying something? I wasn't paying any attention, I'm sorry".

"I wasn't saying anything, so, no need to be sorry. I'm just... Worried with you".

Angel smiled a little to the older Summers-lady. She, he and Buffy were living at the mansion in Sunnydale while Buffy finished her semester at college. Since the baby was going to be born in August and they didn't want to raise Andrea on the Hellmouth, they were moving to Los Angeles a week after Buffy's classes were over.

Joyce had moved in with the newlyweds after Angel had invited her. He had said that once in a while he was needed in Los Angeles and didn't want Buffy to stay all by herself at the mansion. So Joyce had agreed and was going with them when they went to LA.

"I'm fine, Joyce", he lied, and she gave him a look.

"I'm a mom, Angel, and I know you're lying", she studied him carefully and sighed. "What's wrong with Buffy?" She added as she got up and put a plate with bacon and eggs in front of him. "Eat", she demanded. He shook his head negatively and sipped from his coffee.

"It's the dream", he finally admitted. Joyce sighed.

"Again?"

"Yes. Joyce, I can't help it. I know Buffy is going to be a great mother, because, well, you're a good role model, but the same doesn't apply to me. My relationship with my father was the worst in the world. What if I fail and something happen to the baby?"

Joyce patted his hand comfortingly.

"Everything you said tells me that you're going to be a great father. And, please, I was in denial about Buffy's calling for over three years. The best parent doesn't exist, Angel. We just give our best".

"Do I have to go?" Buffy whined. Angel and his wife were in Los Angeles for her monthly appointment with her doctor, and sadly the professional's office was in a hospital. The former vampire clenched his teeth and steeled his heart against her pleas. Joyce would have his head if he didn't take Buffy to see the doctor.

"Yes, you do. C'mon, baby, it's not that bad. What will happen when it's time for the baby to be born?"

"I'm having her at home", she pouted. Angel chuckled.

"Don't be so bratty. Doctor Shannon is running a sonogram. We'll see our baby's face, then we're going to shop".

"Fine", she relented. "But you're sleeping on the couch".

"As long as you go see the doctor".

"Mrs. O'Connor! Mr. Angel!" Shannon Oliver, the OB, greeted the beautiful young couple with a smile. "So, how many days is Angel sleeping on the couch, Buffy?" She asked. Buffy lifted her chin with determination.

"Until next month", she replied. Over her head, Angel and dr. Shannon shared a smile; both knowing it was an empty threat. Buffy didn't like to sleep on her bed without her Angel. According to herself, she and Angel had already had their share of lonely night, a share long enough for two lifetimes.

Angel took Buffy's hand on his and kissed her knuckles gently. Dr. Shannon smiled at them.

"Shall we?" She asked gently to the young couple. A few minutes later, Buffy and Angel were looking at their daughter, Andrea Katherine, amazed. Their hands were entwined together, resting on the curve of her belly; their eyes were focused on the black and white image of their child.

"Apparently, we'll greet Andrea earlier than expected", the physician told the parents to be. "She's big for her age. And soundly asleep. Do you see here?" She pointed a spot on the screen. "She's sucking at her finger".

Buffy looked up at her husband, who was smiling slightly at the screen. Angel knew he would do everything he had done, again, if they led to where he was now. In moments like this, he just couldn't wait to be a daddy.

Five months later...

Buffy, Angel and Joyce had moved in a huge apartment on a noble area of Los Angeles. The pregnant slayer had booked a suite for the labor at the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been born, and the baby was due any day now.

Andrea's nursery was next door to her parents' bedroom, connected to theirs and Joyce's by two doors, one in each wall. The walls were creamy yellow with pictures of Hello Kitty, theme chosen by Buffy. Angel, never a man to say 'no' to a woman, especially when this woman was who he loved and who was carrying his child, complied.

A week before Buffy's chosen date to the birth, Joyce went to the movies with Hank's sister, leaving her daughter and son-in-law all by themselves. They were lying on the couch, Angel's hand caressing his wife's swollen abdomen. They were talking quietly about their plans to take the baby to Ireland, when Buffy felt the first contraction.

"Huh, Angel?"

"Yes, love?"

"Drive me to the hospital, will ya?"

IT'S A GIRL

ELIZABETH ANNE and ANGEL O'CONNOR

happily announce the birth of their daughter

ANDREA KATHERINE O'CONNOR

52 cm, 4.082 kg

Buffy and Angel looked in awe at their baby girl. She was so adorable. Joyce was outside with Hank and his sister, calling Giles and the gang.

"Well, I bet no one will ever doubt she's the daughter of Angelus", Buffy teased lightly. "She's your miniature".

Angel laughed.

"I love you", he whispered.

"I love you too".