REVIEWERS:
Qwerty: LOL Yeah it is. You'll find out in this chapter. Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying.
G-flea: Don't worry. I fully intend to finish this story. I hate it when someone starts a story and doesn't finish it. It's like when you go to the movies and the power goes out right in the middle of the film! LOL I think cliffhangers have to do with getting reviews. LOL Actually I thought that would be a good place to stop, cause this chapter is gonna be long.
Ch. 18 Welcome to the World
The trip back to Selene and MIchaels apartment was swift and silent except for Selenes breathing and cursing.
When the car stopped, Fred and Spike jumped out. Spike went for the apartment complex doors, and Fred opened Selenes' door so Michael could get her and go.
Michael lifted her easily and thanked the other two. They followed him up to the apartment and he told them where everything was.
Spike and Fred went to get is supplies and Michael took Selene into thier bedroom to help her change into the nightgown she wanted to wear.
She was huffing and puffing and swearing angrily. "Michael, I'm going to kill you." She told him breathily.
He chuckled. "Do you want those pain killers I got for you?"
She nodded, her face paling as a contraction tore at her. He helped her lay down in bed, and went to get them from Fred and Spike.
"Want me to help?" Asked the pretty Texan.
"I'm sure Selene would love it if you did. She won't admit it; but I know she's scared. I didn't tell her; but I'm scared too. I want both of them to come through this allright. Can you two help me to do that?"
Spike and Fred nodded solemnly.
"She'll be okay, mate. Better even."
"We promise." Added Fred.
"Thanks." He breathed easier knowing the two were going to keep a close eye on her.
"Michael! Hurry up! This is killing me!" Selene cried out.
"Coming!" He called back. "Come on."
They went back into the room and found Selene up and walking around the room clutching her stomach.
"Come and sit, and I'll give you the painkillers." Michael said.
As he was injecting her, she turned her head and remarked, "I wish we had some of those drugs they gave us in the Initiative. I was out cold."
MIchael smiled a little painfully at the memory.
"Sorry."
"Did you say the initiative?" Asked Spike, before Michael could reply.
They turned to look at him.
"Yes." Said Michael. "Do you know about them?"
"Unfortunately. Nasty bunch of wankers! They shoved a chip inside my brain so that I couldn't harm humans before I got my soul. You happen to see a guy named Finn?"
"Riley Finn?" Asked Michael, looking up after he had removed the needle from Selenes' back.
"That's the one. Stupid pillock."
"Didn't he date Buffy?" Asked Fred absently as she separated towels.
"Yes." Spike ground out. "Bloody bastard!"
Selene was watching the exchange while she waited for another contraction. When it came all she felt was pressure.
"Thank you Michael, the pain is gone."
He turned back to her. "Do you want to walk some more, or rest a bit?"
"Rest."
"Allright. Let me check to see how far along you are."
While he did, Spike asked, "You two were in the Initiative?"
Michael nodded, "Yeah, we got captured in Brazil."
"What's fish boy up to down there?" Spike asked. He was wishing for a smoke; but didn't want to light up in thier apartment.
"Capturing demons and things like that. He sold us to another agency and we escaped." Michael patted Selenes leg, and replaced the covers. "It'll be a while. Want to take a little nap?"
Selene was already halfway asleep and she nodded. Her eyes slipped shut, and the others went silently into the other room to talk.
"So who's Buffy?" Asked Michael, getting out blood for himself and Spike. "Would you like some tea or coffee? We have soda too." He asked Fred.
"Soda please." Replied Fred.
"Buffy's the love of my undead life." Spike replied. "She's a vampire slayer. The best there ever was. Fish boy used to live in Sunnydale,and the initiaive used to be based there. I got caught and chipped by them. I went to Buffy and her friends for help. Thanks mate." He said as Michael handed him a mug of blood. "Anyway, they kept me chained in a bathtub so I wouldn't run off, and I could tell them about the military boys."
Both Fred and MIchael were listening intently. Fred had never heard the whole story and had been curious.
"Eventually I was allowed to roam the house and Buffy found out that her boyfriend, the afore mentioned fish boy was a commando type. Later I realized that I couls still hurt demons and vampires, so I kind of became a member of the group. Sort of. I still wanted the chip out, and I was still a git, so I usually showed up to annoy the slayer and her chums. That is, until I fell in love with the little bint." Spike left out the part with thier relationship. It was too painful, and it wasn't the focus of his tale anyway.
Michael was perplexed by Spikes story. "So you were a good vampire before you got your soul?"
"Well, I wouldn't say good; but I helped save the world a few times. And I actually saved it months ago. At first I only did it because I could hurt something and that something was demons. Later I did it for Buffy and for her sister. The last time it was for her, and for her only. I got my soul for her. I wore the amulet for her. I died for her."
Michael was impressed to say the least. "If you died, how can you be here?"
"I was inside the amulet. When peaches opened the package it was in I came out, but I was a bloody ghost. Fred here was trying to work out how to get my body back and I got this package. I had someone open it for me and all that was in it was this flash of light. I don't know what it was; but it made me corporeal again."
"So where is Buffy? And why didn't you go find her?"
"She's in Rome with her new boyfriend, the poofy immortal. I decided to let her go. She doesn't need me; but LA does. And it's way too much fun to stick around and annoy peaches."
"You and Angel don't get along, I take it?"
Fred laughed. "That's the understatement of the millenium."
Spike smiled at Fred. "The bird's right. I hate peaches and he hates me. Been that way ever since Drusilla made me a vampire."
They continued talking until Selene woke up. Michael and Fred went in, and Spike went outside for a smoke, saying he wouldn't be much help anyway and he'd be back in a few.
Michael checked Selene again and was surprised to see she was fully dialated.
He propped her up on pillows and said, "Okay honey, when you feel the next contraction I need you to push."
She nodded, and watched as he told Fred to get a lot of towels and a blanket ready.
When the contraction came, Michael coached her through it, counting back from ten until she could stop. Fred had gotten everything ready, and came over to hold her hand, and mop the sweat off of her forehead.
Spike came back in after washing his hands and stopped when he reached the door. "Time for the little one is it?"
Selene held out her free hand to him. She looked scared. Spike went over and took it. "You'll be fine luv. You both will."
She felt another contraction and pushed with all of her strength while Michael counted. She could hear him inside her head, calming her and telling her it would be over soon.
"I can see the head." Michael announced to the room.
Fred patted Selene's hand, which was crushing her own. She didn't mind; but she might have to get it looked at afterwards.
"Two maybe three more big pushes." Michael said out loud. Through the link he praised her and assured her that everything was going allright.
Within ten minuets, Michael pulled and Selene pushed a screaming baby into the world.
"It's a girl." MIchael said, voice filled with emotion as he laid his daughter on Selenes' belly.
She was crying and touching the baby, making sure that everything was allright with her. Michael enlisted the others help in getting the cord cut.
"Okay honey, I'm going to get her cleaned up, and then you. I'll be right back."
Michael took his screaming child and went to clean her up. He put on a diaper and a little outfit that Selene had picked. Then he swaddled her and took her back to her waiting mother.
Selene took her daughter and unbuttoned her nightgown so the child could nurse. She latched on immediately, and Selene beamed at the others while Michael cleaned her up.
Spike was standing by the side of her bed with his arm around Fred, who was crying happy tears.
"She's beautiful." Spike said smiling down at the little baby who was making noises of contentment while she nursed.
Michael finished cleaning up, and sat by her side on the bed.
"What are you going to call her?" Asked Fred, sniffing a little.
Michael and Selene shared a look, they had talked about it months before. And decided on names either way.
"Sonja. Her name is Sonja."
AN: Okay, I hope you all liked it. That was rough. I'm really not so sure about this one, so review me, and tell me what you think.