A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update, i've just been a little off lately, as well as a little writers block, through in tones of homework and a term paper and you have my life right now. anyway i'm sure you don't want to hear about that so on with the story! review please!

Chapter 18

After all of the pretenses had be dealt with; the funeral, the legal complications, etc.; they were free to "move." The Funeral for William Michael Carinton was held on July 13, 1887, after the authorities had officially reported that they couldn't find him and that odds were he was dead. The Carinton's Lawyer and family friend had written up a document that stated that Margaret's family and descendants were to live in Carinton Manor and the Lawyer's family; the Carlyle's; would keep ownership of it until either Lauren and Dawn came back to live or a descendant of William and Dawn Carinton came to claim it. It was also stated that should a descendant claim such that he/she had to have physical proof that they were related.

The people of the London Community who knew the Carinton's, and that was a lot of people, sent them their regards and parting gifts for their journey to Dawn's "family." Mr. Carlyle bought them their train tickets and said if they ever needed anything to just ask. Dawn knew she needed help, but he definitely was not the person to be getting the help from. Dawn packed a minimal but essential amount of research books, as she thought about how helpful the Scooby's would have been at that very moment. "No. No I don't need the Scooby's help. I'm The Key, I can do this all on my own, with exception of help from Lauren. - No not can, I have to do this, for my babies and for William and Spike." Dawn said to herself while packing. Ever since she had gotten here she had found herself giving herself more and more pep talks, She chalked it up to being on her own and then becoming a mom.

When everyone was all packed, there were teary good byes with Margaret and Lauren's daughter Samantha, her husband Jeffery and their children Christopher and Annabelle. Then Lauren, Dawn, Michael, Danielle, Andrew, and Bitty Baby, as Dawn had come to calling the baby growing inside of her, boarded a train bound for Italy. That was the thing she loved about this time she didn't know what her babies were going to be until they were born. She had known that her babies would be born healthy, it was something that just came with being The Key, but she loved being surprised the day they were born. However, it was in that moment that she wished she had a sonogram machine to be able to see what her baby was going to be. She wanted a boy so she could name him William, but she also knew that their was a possibility that she could end up having a little girl, so if she were to have a little girl she planned on naming her Joyce.

Dawn had done some extensive research of all of Europe, through Nathan's books and journals. In Italy there was a community that was not far from Rome. The community was a small; quiet one that was occupied by demons and other mystical beings. They would be weary of them, but Dawn didn't plan on staying long enough for them to confront her about anything. There are some things you happen to pick up on, being a the baby sister of the Slayer and dating a vampire, but being a mother made Dawn even more determined than she had been before.

On her trip to the small town she found what she was looking for, a small magic shop, one that she could help but think, reminded her of the Magic Box, which Giles owned. She kept her smile to herself as she walked in. Gypsies ran the shop itself. She couldn't help but smirk internally as she looked around the shop, the owners played the shop off as a gift shop for travelers, but she could tell that it was full of magic. She could feel the magic call to her in a way that she hadn't felt in a very long time. She waited until the other customers cleared out, before she made her present known to the young man behind the counter. He eyed her suspiciously as he watched her walk around and look at things. She could feel his uncertain gaze in her the entire time. She knew he was about to ask her something when an elder Lady interrupted him. He eyed Dawn reluctantly and did whatever the Lady had asked of him. Dawn watched him close the shop and put her senses on overdrive, but let none of her concern show. "You have been expected," the elderly lady said to Dawn as she walked up to her. Dawn looked at her in confusion. "My family, we are the guardians of all things sacred to that of the key. We are even told how to detect its presence. And you my dear are the Key." The woman spoke through years of wisdom, Dawn could tell. "Yes, I am." The woman studied Dawn for a moment before speaking. "You are with child." Dawn nodded. "I have three others as well." "Your husband is human." "He was." Dawn said sadly, she missed William, but she knew she would see him again. The lady nodded as though finally realizing what Dawn was saying and what she needed. "Of course my dear. Follow me." Dawn followed the lady she all the sudden had an urge to trust completely. "You are right in your quest. Your children cannot learn here. They will flourish in their native dimension though. They will also e loved by everyone in it." The lady spoke as she was looking for something specific. Not a moment later she pulled out a sword and an ancient looking book. " This book contains anything you need to know for your journey home." The lady handed the perfectly preserved book to Dawn. "You have a daughter, yes?" The lady asked curiously. Dawn nodded. "Your little girl will be a warrior like you, her father and her aunt." Dawn looked at the lady confused. The lady smiled at Dawn sweetly. "The key is in human form my dear. That can only mean your sister is The Slayer. Your husband has become a vampire. But he will be different, he had felt the love and acceptance of the key and her babies. He will one day be good." Dawn nodded and smiled in understanding. She tried to hold her tears back as best she could, but some escaped. The lady smiled and wiped a tear away from Dawn's face. " Have no fear my dear everything will work out. Just be sure to give this sword to your daughter when she is ready. - Don't worry you'll know when she is ready."

Dawn left the shop with the book and sword magically hidden. There was a lot, she knew, she still had to figure out and learn. But she felt a bit more comfortable with the whole situation now. Who would have thought that little Dawn Summers would probably have just as many connections as her big sis, the big bad slayer. "Buffy would die if she ever found out." Dawn said to herself with a smirk. It still amazed Dawn how even after getting married and having kids, how much the thought of annoying or one upping Buffy still amused her. She shook her head in amusement and continued on her way to the hotel. They were leaving tomorrow and hopefully she would get the dimension hopping on the first try.