3 weeks Later Riley's Apartment
Even though Buffy felt like things were moving quickly with Riley she decided to take him up on his offer. She did not want to feel like a burden to her mother, Joyce had begged her to stay and told her that her and the baby would not be a burden and that they were more than welcome to stay as long as they needed to but Buffy felt if she were to give this baby any sense of normalcy, she felt like moving in with Riley would be the safe choice. A normal stand in father and her a not so normal mom who slays the undead. Speaking of the undead there was also thoughts of Angel and how different things would be if he were involved in this pregnancy. And on top of moving to Riley's apartment this week, she would also be meeting his parents today something she wanted to hold off doing for a bit longer, but Riley insisted she meet his parents. The way Riley spoke about them she knew they were the type of people who would want them to get married especially if they're going to be raising the baby together. Marriage was not something she saw in her future at least not a future with Riley because in her future when she is getting married, she is walking down the aisle and in a simple elegant dress and as she looks ahead of her, she sees her soul mate the one with the chocolate brown eyes and dark hair the one whose soul sings to her. "Hey, you what are you doing in here, are you feeling okay?" Riley asked, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned around and gave him a smile wrapping her arms around her midsection "Yeah, I'm great more than great peachy with a side of keen. Im just thinking that I want today to go perfect" She walks towards Riley he opens his arms, and she lays her head against his chest. They stood like that for a minute and then Buffy felt his body tense. "Buffy. There is something I need to tell you before my parents get here." Buffy felt her heart start to race, and her mouth go dry, she looked at him waiting for him to speak. He takes a deep breath "Buffy we both know I'm not the biological father of this baby and I care for both of you deeply, but I know how my family is and I know they will have something to say about me raising another man's baby. So, I kind of told them that..well that the baby is biologically mine." Buffy's eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her skull and then she started to feel anger burn in her veins. How could Riley think that this was an okay thing to do? This child was Angels, her soulmates, a baby made from love. Riley saw her fuming "Buffy I'm sorry, i just didn't want their judgment..." Buffy took a deep breath knowing her emotions were not good for the baby. Taking another deep breath she looked over at Riley "You and I both know that is a bad idea and if its going to be a problem then maybe I should move back into my moms house. " running his hands through his hair he stepped forward and looked right into her green mossy depths "Buffy look, I more then care about you im falling each and every day for you and that little blessing in your belly...and I know it wont be in the next 6 months but im hoping within the next two years to get one knee and make you my wife and that not only will you share my last name but so will little tinker. I want a forever with you Buffy I am in this till the end with you." Buffy felt tears welling in her eyes all she wanted was normal for her baby even if she couldn't give that to herself she could at least give that to her child and Riley was the safe option Riley could provide security for herself and for her baby so maybe forcing herself into this life may not be what she wants but for her baby she's willing to do anything. Before she can respond there is a loud knock on the door its Mr. And Mrs. Finn. They both head down the stairs to greet the older Finns.
Willows Dorm
Willow was running around her dorm she was going to be late to her Wicca meeting if she did not find her favorite purple shirt. She had planned to wear it tonight at one of the frat parties. *Ring Ring* SHe did not have time for phone calls but it could be the scoobies. So, she made her way over to the phone. "Hello?" she said, "Hey willow its me...Angel." Willow sighed Angel was going to be the death of her. Three weeks ago when he came back to her dorm in a panic letting her know that he caught Buffy in bed with Riley. she told him that it was nothing that they probably just fell asleep in bed talking but she could not convince Angel of that and now he had spent the last three weeks brooding and going back and forth with her whether he should just go back to LA and let Buffy and the baby try and have a normal life with Riley. In willows mind little tinker deserves to have both of his or her biological parents in it's life she felt as if it was unfair to the baby if Buffy and Angel did not get their heads out of their butts and work things out between the two of them. "Have you talked to Buffy yet?" there was a pause "I was planning to do that today... I was wondering if you could come along for a little support?" Willow smiled to herself, and Angel could sense the grin in her voice "well Angel I did have plans for tonight but since, helping you is more important...I'm all yours." "Thanks Willow can we meet at around 9:30?" "YEah that works ANgel..Hey I have to go im already late for my meeting." She felt bad for hanging up but she was missing out on important things "See ya later willow"
Back at the Apartment
Things with Riley's parents had gone smoothly, they were the doting grandparents excited for their first grandchild. there was small talk and even some jabs towards Riley about when he would make an honest woman of Buffy. but while all that was going on in the back of Buffy's mind again her thoughts drifted towards angel, yes angel's parents were dead long gone but it did not stop her from imagining them in the exact same situation and how it would have been different how Angel would have been caressing her swollen belly while they spoke with his parents how they would have already been married or engaged to be married before their baby came, how after his parents left, they would fall into each other's embrace and make Love well into the night, but this was her reality Riley and his parents not the beautiful picture she painted in her mind. "So when do we find out the gender? Im so excited to start buying more things but I would like to know the gender so i can start buying more things," Said Mrs., Finn Riley looked over at Buffy "Well Buffy is not wanting to really know the gender mom." And that's when her tune changed, and she looked towards Buffy "Well Buffy sweetie don't take this the wrong way but Riley is the baby's father, and we are the grandparents and we have just as much say in knowing the gender. You cannot just up and decide that you do not want to know and that is it. I know I raised my boy to be kind, loving and gentle, but at times he has no backbone. So again, I ask when do we find out then gender?" Buffy's face went red, and she spit out "You find out the gender when I pop the kid out. Don't like it? Then to bad...Riley im tired im going to be heading to bed I'll see you in the morning." And with that she went up to their room and started crying into the pillow. She knew riley's mom and dad seemed too good to be true, They came here to take over and let her know that they were the ones that would be in charge.
In Angels Car
Angel was nervous he and Willow were on their way to Riley and Buffy's apartment he was going to confront Buffy about the pregnancy and convince her to leave riley's home and to move herself in their baby into the mansion he had to get it through her head that they deserved a shot at being a family that they could make this work that they needed to do it for their baby and we will help in persuasion he thought he'd be able to do that tonight. there was no way he was going to allow Riley Finn to raise his child as his own his child needed to know about its Irish roots and about his traditions and about his people. He wanted to be the father he needed growing up. He wanted to guide his child, teach it right from wrong and watch it grow and live a fulfilling life. He wanted his child to see that its parents loved each other more than anything. "Getting nervous?" Willow asked smiling " Just a little bit but I know what needs to be done I need to try, and if Buffy decides that she doesn't want to get back together well then we need to do what's best for our child and she can have the baby during the week and I can do the weekends we'll have to work something out but we will be in each other's lives our child deserves it," Willow looked at Angel " For some reason I do not think you will need to do much convincing. Ohh looks like we are here!" They were right outside of the house. They both stepped out and walked towards the door. Knocking firmly angel took a deep Shakey unneeded breath. The door opens and its Riley he first sees willow. "Hey Willow andddd who are you?"