Chapter 20

They continued to look at each other for several moments, both afraid to speak of what the other would say. Spike looked at her piercingly as she looked away. He lifted a finger to raise her face back towards him. She had lost a little of her previous pallor, bright spots of colour stained her cheeks.

"Buffy? You okay?"

She looked on the verge of tears.

"Oh Spike, do you think Faith is right? I mean there was only that one time we were not so careful,"

Spike chuckled. "I don't know what they teach you about the birds and bees this side of the pond luv, but once is all it takes,"

"You don't have to sound so pleased about it," she pouted.

"And you're not?" asked Spike, looking a little hurt.

"I just don't wanna count my chickens-er chick before they hatch," said Buffy

"Well there's only one way to know for sure," said Spike as he started the car and drove away from the diner.

"What do you have in mind? It's too soon for a doctor's appointment," she asked.

Spike turned into the parking lot of the mall and turned off the engine, getting out of the car, he opened the passenger door for Buffy. She smiled at the charm of his manners, used to doing most everything for herself, but she found she enjoyed the pampering he was giving her. It was a refreshing change from other guys she had spent time with. They walked into the giant glass constructed mall, hand in hand, Spike pulled her along until they came to an all purpose drugstore.

"C'mon we're getting you tested," he answered her questing gaze.

She followed him without argument inside the huge store. Five minutes later they stood outside, pregnancy kit in hand as they searched for the nearest washrooms.

"Well this is where we part company, unless you want to get thrown out by security," she smiled weakly at him.

"You know where I am if you need me," he reassured her.

Buffy squeezed his hand and leaned up on tip-toe to kiss him before turning to enter the women's restrooms. Spike hung back and leaned against the wall earning him several strange looks from women coming to use the facilities.

Buffy, took a deep breath and removed the kit from the foil pack and after following the instructions she sat back and waited for the longest two minutes of her life to pass. Unable to take it no longer she left the stall and went outside to find her husband arguing with a security guard.

"He's with me, he was waiting for me," Buffy explained, leading him off.

"Well?" asked Spike, looking at her anxiously.

"I don't know, I haven't dared look yet," she answered, nibbling at her lower lip.

"Where is it?" asked Spike.

Buffy took the plastic stick out of her coat pocket and passed it to him.

Spike frowned at it. "How the bloody hell do you read one of these, it's just a couple of pink lines,"

"Wha-what?" she asked, as she thrust her hand in her pocket for the instructions. "It's a baby," she gasped, reading the leaflet.

"No offence luv, but I hope any offspring of ours is prettier than that…bloody hell," he exclaimed as her words sank in. "You're going to have a baby,"

The wonder in his eyes was evident, and she smiled up at him tearfully.

"I won't pretend this is the best time it could have happened, but I want this baby very much," she told him emotionally.

Spike picked her up and kissed her soundly on the lips. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too. Well I guess this is the season for giving, and you certainly gave me a little something I won't forget," she giggled as the joy bubbled up inside of her.

"Hey I wasn't the only one," he answered in mock outrage. "Buffy, you're having my baby," he smiled as he lowered her back down until her feet touched the floor.

Buffy looked serious for a moment. "What are Dawn and dad gonna say?" she asked.

Buffy lay asleep in the bed, Spike leaned over to kiss a shoulder before getting out, it was two in the morning, but he knew Angel would still be awake.

They had still not shared their news with Dawn and her father, enjoying the privacy of their secret to themselves for a while longer. He pulled on his robe and crept down the stairs to use the phone. He dialled his best friends number, after a couple of rings, Faith picked up.

"Hi, you'd better only be calling for reasons such as death, fire or flood," came the husky voice on the other end.

"Faith, it's Spike,"

"Hi Spike, and how's the mother to be, she is a mother to be, right?" asked Faith.

Before Spike got a chance to answer her, angel had taken the phone from her.

"Spike, who's been a busy boy then?" asked Angel, not able to resist a chance to tease his friend.

"Oh very bloody funny, I shall laugh if it happens to you as well mate,"

"Not a chance, what did you want daddy?" said Angel smugly.

"Bastard,"

"Thank you," replied Angel, his voice laced with amusement.

"I need some help with arranging a wedding," Spike replied waiting for the witty comeback.

"Who's getting married?"

"Me," Spike answered.

"Hate to break it to you, but you already been there and done that," laughed angel.

Spike sighed impatiently. "Yeah I know, but I want to do it right this time, marry Buffy or at least have a blessing of some sort in a place we are both comfortable with,"

"Does she know?" asked Angel.

"No, I wanted to surprise her, that's why I am asking you to help me. Well will you or won't you?" asked Spike.

"So, when do you want this second wedding?" asked Angel.

"Two weeks today, on Christmas Eve,"

Angel whistled, "You certainly don't let the grass grow under your feet. Well you got Buffy knocked up in record time, so why am I surprised,"

Spike heard some tussling for the possession of the phone on the other end, before Faith came back on the line. "So you're planning another wedding, does this mean I get to be flower girl as you cheated me out of it last time?" she asked.

"I hadn't thought that far along, but the job's yours if you want it," Spike replied.

"Sweet, Willow Dawnie and I…maids of honour," said Faith.

"There's nothing maidenly about you," Spike heard Angel whisper under his breath to Faith.

"Look the whole bleedin' female population of the US can be in on it as long as it remains a surprise," said Spike impatiently.

"Grouchy, someone's not getting any, but that can't be you, especially with a kid on the way," laughed Faith.

"It's me that's not getting any," growled Angel, as the phone went dead.

"Buffy?"

"Yeah?"

"What's up with you lately?" asked Dawn.

Buffy looked at her innocently. "I don't know what you mean,"

"Well, not that it's a big compliment, but you usually hate my cooking and that's the third mini anchovy and peanut butter pizza of mine that you've finished off," said Dawn raising a sceptical eyebrow at her sister.

Buffy shrugged. "These are good, got anymore?"

Dawn rolled her eyes and switched on the TV, settling down to watch MTV.

"Has there been any news about the test results?" asked Dawn, suddenly remembering.

"Test? Who's been tested? I haven't had any tests," said Buffy, confused, wondering if Dawn knew something she wasn't admitting to.

"Where's your brain today Buffy? I was talking about the tests to see how my bone marrow transplant was taking, duh. What kinda tests were you talking about?"

Hank walked in the room and looked at both his daughters. "We have an appointment to see the specialist next week Dawn and I am sure Buffy will tell us what she is talking about when she is ready,"

"I get it, more secrets," huffed Dawn.

"Don't worry, Buffy's secret isn't the kind that's easily hid," said Hank, winking at Buffy.

Buffy's mouth dropped open. "H-how did you know?" she asked.

"Look, I may not be father of the year, but I am a father, I've been through this twice before already," said Hank.

"Look can you two stop talking in another language and tell me what is going on here?" asked Dawn.

Buffy sighed, she and Spike had wanted to tell her family together, but it seemed the secrets had a way of letting themselves be discovered. She just hoped that Spike would understand and not be disappointed that she had told them all, although it seemed her father had guessed for himself.

"Okay, okay…Dawnie, I'm gonna have a baby,"

"There that wasn't so difficult was it?" asked Hank.

"Oh my God," squealed Dawn as she got up from the sofa and hugged her sister,

"Not so tight sis, unless you wanna be re-acquainted with your cooking," said Buffy, feeling a little nauseous. "I think I may have over done it on the pizza,"

Hank walked over to Buffy and patted her on the shoulder. "It'll pass honey. Your mom was as sick as a dog for the first three months then she sailed through her pregnancy,"

Buffy looked up at him. "So how do you feel about becoming a grandfather?" she asked him.

"Proud," he answered simply.

Buffy felt the sting of tears in her eyes as she blinked them back, she was saved by further embarrassment as she heard the key turning in the lock. Spike threw his keys in the dish and headed straight for his wife.

"Hey," she smiled getting up from the sofa.

"Hey yourself," he replied before lowering his lips to hers and kissing her.

"You guys have a room for that," smirked Dawn. "Oh, but then maybe you have been getting a little too much alone time of late,"

Spike and Buffy broke apart and he looked at his sister in law. "And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked her.

Buffy looked at Spike and flushed guiltily. "Seems our secret wasn't so secret after all, Dad had us figured from the start so it seems, and little-miss-have-to-know-everything demanded to be let in on it all," said Buffy.

"That figures," said Spike as he grabbed Dawn and tickled her until the tears were nearly streaming down her face. "That'll teach you," he grinned, hugging her to finish. "So, you up for a spot of babysitting when the newest member of the family arrives?"

"Will I get paid?" Dawn asked hopefully.

"I am sure we can arrange something," Spike replied.

"I'm just gonna put your dinner in the microwave," said Buffy as she got up to leave.

"I love that your homemaking skills lie in other areas," grinned Spike.

Buffy looked at him indignantly. "One day I am gonna make you eat your words Mr Sutton and cook you a meal like you never tasted in your life," she d told him.

"Now that I would like to see," he whispered to Dawn, making her giggle. "Talking about secrets, she still has no idea about Christmas Eve right?" asked Spike.

"Nope not a clue," Dawn replied smugly. "As far as she knows you are booked for a romantic meal at a restaurant in town,"

"Let's keep it that way," Spike answered.

CHRISTMAS EVE

"Buffy you really didn't have to help out today, I am sure that there are things you need to do at home," asked Rupert.

"Look I am pregnant, not made of glass Mr Giles," she snapped. "Sorry I'm a little tired that's all,"

"Which is exactly why you are going home," said Willow handing Buffy her coat.

"And look Angel has just turned up to drive you," said Faith.

"What's really going on? You've all been acting weird for the last couple of days," said Buffy suspiciously.

"We just taking care of you," said Angel as he took Buffy by the arm and led her out of the diner.

After Buffy had gone, Faith peeked out of the window to make sure Angel had driven away, and she turned over the open sign to closed and locked the door.

"Right that's Buffy outta the way, we have a wedding to prepare for," said Faith as she collected her own belonging and they shut up shop quite literally.

"Angel you notice anything strange back there?" asked Buffy.

"Nope," he replied noncommittally before leaning over and switching on the radio and turning it up, making all conversation impossible.

Buffy sighed and sat back in the seat. Maybe she was sensing something that wasn't there after all. A smile came to her lips as she thought of Spike and their planned dinner together. It would be the first real date they had been on since their marriage and she was looking forward to it as if it was a proper date and they were not already married. Angel dropped her off at the house and after a hasty goodbye was off again.

Buffy let herself in the house and was surprised to see her sister, looking rather flustered.

"Hey Dawn, I thought you were going to spend the evening at Jenna's until I got back from my dinner," said Buffy.

"Yeah I am sis, Just had to pack my bag," said Dawn picking up her holdall.

"That's a big bag for one evening, you know you can't stay overnight its Christmas day tomorrow," said Buffy.

"I can read the calendar like everyone else," said Dawn rolling her eyes. "I er took a few DVDs as I couldn't decide on which, as well as some snacks, I have a real case of the munchies,"

Buffy took her sister's hand and looked at her. "You know what the doctor's said, just because the test results were good doesn't mean you still have to take things easy,"

"I'll be fine," said Dawn as she kissed her sister and ran out the house.

Dawn glanced behind her as she turned the corner and got into Angel's waiting car.

"All set?" he asked.

"You bet ya," grinned Dawn conspiratorially.

Spike placed his rented tux in the trunk of his car, whistling happily to himself. He patted the diamond and ruby engagement ring safely installed in his jacket pocket. He just had one more stop off at the bridal shop before getting himself home and preparing for the big event.

When he arrived home the house was in silence, he took the dress and suit upstairs and hung them on the rail in the wardrobe before heading for the bathroom, almost jumping out of his skin at the sight of Buffy up to her chin in bubbles.

He smiled at her, aware they were alone. "Room in that tub for one more? I'm very dirty," he smiled as he removed his clothing and dropped it to the bathroom floor.

"Yeah, that's what I am afraid of," she arched an eyebrow at him as he got in the bath with her, causing the water to slosh over the sides and onto the floor.

More water was spilt as he manoeuvred her around until he was on the bottom of the bath and she was straddling him.

"Hey this was my bath," she pouted. Spike pulled her head down for a long deep kiss, when they parted, both were breathing raggedly. "But I guess sharing is good too,"

Half an hour later, the water had grown quite cold, what was left of it that hadn't ended up on the floor. Spike slapped her naked behind, before she got up out of the bath while he watched her.

"Now there's a sight I could never grow tired of," he grinned as he followed her.

"Say that when I am at term. Well we'd better get moving the dinner reservations are for seven and it's six-thirty now,"

"Oh bugger, you're kidding me right?" he asked.

"Nope," she replied as she wrapped herself in a fluffy white towel and left the bathroom, with Spike hot on her heels.

Buffy walked into the bedroom to see a dress bag hanging in the open wardrobe. "What is it?" She asked.

"Pretty dress, most women like them or so I am told," he smiled. "It's an early Christmas present. Open it,"

Buffy walked over to it and unzipped it. She smiled in pleasure as she touched the silky material, before taking it from the hanger. It was a beautiful floor length dress in warm red. There were beads on the bodice, which sparkled as they caught the light.

"Oh Spike it's so beautiful," she sniffed, close to tears.

Spike walked over and put his arms around her. "Don't cry, we can have you looking all red eyed for our date now can we?" he teased kissing the tip of her nose. "We'd better get moving, I want everything about tonight to be perfect,"

He moved away and began to dress in his tux; it was a perfect contrast to hers, the cummerbund around his lean waist the same colour as her dress. She turned to fix his necktie, standing back to study her efforts. The breath caught in her throat as she looked at him. She turned away to sit at the dressing table to fix her make-up and hair, piling it on top of her head in a halo of curls.

Spike walked over to her, his hands resting on her bare shoulders. "Hmmm, not bad, but you are missing something," he reached inside a bag, that had been lying unnoticed on the floor. He took out two small diamante combs and fixed them into her hair.

Buffy smiled at him before throwing her towel away, and putting on her underwear, before stepping into the dress. He turned her around and zipped her up. They were both surprised by the sound of a car horn blaring in their drive way.

Spike handed her the red wrap that came with the dress and smiled at her. "Your carriage awaits Madame,"

"But I thought we were taking the car?"

"Well, let's just say you were wrong," he grinned as he led her down the stairs to the limo that was waiting outside.

She settled back into the luxury of the seats and held his hand. "Thank you," she sighed.

"For what?" he asked.

"For making this evening so special,"

"Well hopefully it will just get better and better," he smiled.

"Spike?"

"Yeah, luv?"

"Didn't we just miss the turning for the restaurant?" asked Buffy. The car came to a stop outside city hall. "Why are we here?"

"Don't worry, all will be revealed," he winked at her.

"And why are Dawn and Willow and Faith waiting on the top steps?"

"Every bride should have her bridesmaids Buffy,"

She sucked in a breath. "Just what are you up to William?"

"Marry me Buffy…again?" he asked.

Tears started to fall down her face.

"What is it love?" he asked, wiping them away.

"Sorry, I'm hormonal girl at the moment. It's the best thing anyone has ever done for me. What made you think of it?"

"I was having a chat with the nibblet at the hospital one afternoon when you were at the diner and she told me about the dream wedding that you had always wanted,"

"Interfering brat," joked Buffy. "For a change this is one time I'm glad she piped up, I believe we have a wedding to attend,"

Spike took her hand and helped her out of the car. All of their friends were waiting outside for them. Buffy looked at them. "I am so gonna kill you guys later,"

Dawn handed her sister a bouquet of red roses, a smug grin pasted on her features.

Hank smiled down at Buffy, "Mr Giles is ready to give you away…if you want…I didn't want to presume,"

Buffy linked her arm through his. "C'mon Dad, Christmas is the season of families and I am all for second chances," she smiled at him. He returned her smile, patted her hand and led her inside the building.

TBC

A/N The final chapter will be in the form of an epilogue, thanks to everyone for reading and supporting the story and a very Merry Christmas to you all :)