The Nearness Of You

I bought my baby car his first pair of snow tires! He's growing up so fast. I'm like such the proud mom with my new baby car. Ok enough about Gambit…

La Diosa: No Darmian is not a vampire. He is immortal, but has no cool powers. He really has no clue what he is, but 'the powers' tell him what to do.

Thank you all for reviewing! I feel so special, hug! I feel ridiculous giddiness over having 108 reviews! I love you all! Discord Marie bounces up and down with excitement, then falls off her chair.

Please keep reviewing!

-----Twist-----

Emma watched as the grown ups argued and she wasn't sure why. After she had yelled for them to stop, she surprised herself with how deep and primal her voice sounded. Now everyone in the room stared at her, but Emma's attention was on her mum who was kneeling on the floor crying. Buffy said she was fine, but Emma could feel her mum's hurt.

"My name is Willow and this is my friend Tara," Willow introduced. Tara gave a little wave to the child. "I'm so pleased to meet you," Willow said looking uncertain for a moment, before hugging the small girl tightly.

"I know," Emma, said simply, "I know all of you. Mummy told me all about her friends," the little girl was distracted by the sight of a baby. Emma was in awe she loved babies.

"Is this Connor?" Emma asked playing with Connor's tiny baby fingers. Connor made giggly cooing sounds in return.

"Yeah, he is my son. Maybe when he's a bit older you two can play together," Angel offered.

Emma's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and she looked up to make sure everyone got to hear that she would get to play with the baby. She couldn't wait for the boy to grow up so that she wouldn't have to play alone anymore.

"I can watch him sometimes," Emma offered.

Angel smiled warmly at the little girl, she was more charming then either of her parents and they were professionals at getting what they wanted. Connor simply drooled on Emma's fingers a little.

"You are Giles?" Emma asked looking at the older British gentleman.

"Yes I am. What has Buffy told you about me?" Giles inquired leaning forward towards little Emma Summers.

"Mummy says that if she had to choose a father, you would have been it. Dad says that's a ridiculous idea since all watchers are eunuchs," Emma said parroting her parents and not comprehending what she was saying. Which made her statement even more comical.

"Children, where so they get these crazy things?" Spike laughed out, before covering up Emma's mouth to keep her from repeating the entire conversation she had heard earlier.

"Indeed," Giles said slowly, making sure to emphasize that he did not believe a word Spike uttered.

"Emma, interesting name. I'm Xander," the brunette young man introduced himself.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Emma asked staring at him with wide-eyed curiosity.

"I'm sorry what?" Xander asked with a furrowed brow.

"You can never have her. You hoped that my mum would come to her senses and fall madly in love with you. But she didn't and now I'm proof that you can never have her. I can feel your feelings," Emma said quietly absorbing Xander's emotional anguish.

"Neat parlor trick. You tell her to say that shit Spike?" Xander glowered.

"I t-think Emma is empathic," Tara said softly, looking at the girl with perfect acceptance and understanding.

"She can read minds?" Faith asked fidgeting with a dagger.

"She can read people, their emotions," Giles explained to the clueless girl. "Emma is drawn to intense emotions. It is seductive and hard to resist at first. But I must say Buffy, if your daughter is empathic she is the youngest one I have ever met," Giles said cleaning his glasses absentmindedly as he tried to think of a book he might be able to reference on the subject.

"Would that explain the whole booming voice thing?" Angel asked studying Emma.

"It may actually, what with all the emotional chaos," the watcher replied excitedly.

"I'm sure you know this, but please don't tell the watcher's council about Emma. They would want to run tests her," Buffy said leaving the rest of what she was thinking out. She knew that the group could fill in the blanks.

"A child of a slayer and a vampire, exciting. Is that everything Buffy? All the secrets," questioned Giles, "if not, I recommend you get everything else out now and not let it fester for another five years," Giles said studying Emma the whole time as she studied him with equal intensity.

"Funny you should say that, because actually there is more," Buffy said hesitantly.

"Let me guess, you're pregnant again?" Xander said sarcastically. Buffy remained silent looking down at her hands as they fidgeted. "Oh god, you are pregnant!" exclaimed the boy.

"Damn B, you are fucking awesome," Faith laughed out clapping her hands.

"Thanks. I think," Buffy mumbled awkwardly shifting her feet around.

"That it?" Willow asked calmly.

"No," the blonde slayer replied tentatively. "Emma has like a body guard type guy and I'm sure you will run into him. Just want you all to know he is a good guy, even if he isn't entirely human. Xander met him earlier today," Buffy said staring into the area where she assumed Darmian was hiding.

"Yeah he's a real charmer," Xander spat out. "Trusting your daughter with a violent maniac. Great maternal instinct Buff, but then let's look at Emma's homicidal father," he scoffed.

"You don't know anything Xander," Buffy sighed.

"Darmian is my angel. If you can't say anything nice then be quiet," Emma said shaking her finger at Xander. For the first time that night Xander had nothing to say.

"Listen whelp, I don't care what you do for fun, but you will be polite for Emma. She has done nothing wrong, even if her father has," Spike growled menacingly. Xander just walked to the back of the room and slumped down into one of the chairs.

Emma let out a little yawn and hugged her father sleepily. Spike picked her up and cradled his little princess in his arms. "I think it's time to take our baby home," Spike said taking Emma and waiting outside the Magic Box for Buffy.

Buffy looked hesitant to leave things unfinished. "Are we ok?" she asked Giles.

"We are fine Buffy. I'm glad you are safe and happy," Giles said hugging the girl.

"Are you happy?" Angel asked.

"How many times do I have to assure you? Yes I am blissfully happy. Being home in Sunnydale with all the people I love plus Emma and now this new baby. This is as close to perfect as my life may ever get," Buffy responded rubbing the area where she knew her baby was growing.

"This may be the first time in my life that I envy Spike. Not only does he have you, but he has a family with you," Angel said sadly.

"Don't be too envious, you have quite to cute family yourself," Buffy said playing with Connor's little baby feet.

"Crazy how children quickly become your whole world," Angel smirked.

"Crazy how stupid vampires who don't seem to listen to logic, keep creating amazing little babies," she laughed, before leaving the shop.