I had to get things moving, so some time has passed from the last chapter. I didn't want Katie to remain a baby forever and we're almost to the end anyway. I apologize for the mushiness of the chapter for those that aren't really into that; I guess I was just in a mood at the time. Riley won't be coming back to cause any problems. He only has a small part in the end, but it's nothing to worry about. Hope you guys like it!

Chapter 14

6 years later...

"Remind me to never have children. It's like a zoo out there." Dawn said as she rubbed her tired eyes and Buffy gave her a smile.

"Trust me; you'll want kids someday." She told her and Dawn wasn't convinced. It was Katie's 6th birthday and the house was filled with all of her little friends.

"I think I'm gonna lay down for a bit." Dawn stated as she left the kitchen and Buffy got back to decorating the birthday cake.

"What do you think, nibblet?" Spike asked the little girl as he showed her the object in his hand.

"It's shiny." She replied and Spike smiled as he put it back in his pocket. They were sitting outside away from all of the chaos.

"Do you think your mother will like it?" He wondered and a bright smile lit up the girl's face.

"Mommy likes shiny." Katie said and Spike smiled again as he picked up the child and placed her on his knee.

"Well, your mum deserves the best." He said as he placed a kiss on Katie's forehead. The girl looked up at him with her big, green eyes.

"Daddy, is it time for presents?" She said in a sweet voice and Spike shook his head.

"You are your mother's daughter. I think she wants to do the cake first, princess." He said as the back door opened and a little, dark haired boy ran out of the house.

"Come on, Katie. We're playing games." He said as he grabbed the girl's hand and Spike stopped him before he could pull her away.

"Charlie, is that frosting on your face?" Spike asked the boy and he nodded.

"Aunt Buffy let me taste the spoon." He said and Spike rolled his eyes.

"Of course she did. Go clean up before you play anymore games. I'm sure your father doesn't want you to have too many sweets." Charlie nodded again as he ran back into the house. Katie then looked back at Spike.

"Can I go play, daddy?" She asked and Spike smiled at the girl. He seemed to do that a lot around her.

"It's your birthday, bit. Just be careful." Katie nodded enthusiastically as she ran into the house. Spike decided to get a few more minutes of fresh air before he went in the house to join everyone else.

Buffy and Spike were lying on the couch after all of the kids left. They were beyond tired and it looked like Katie was also. She was passed out on the floor and snoring lightly, surrounded by all of her now opened presents. Buffy smiled at her little girl and then looked at Spike. "I think we should put her to bed." She said and Spike nodded.

"Yeah, I'll do it." He replied as he got up and walked over to Katie. He picked the child up gently and then carried her to her room. Buffy got up and started to clean up the house a bit.

Buffy found Spike in their room after she put away all of the leftovers. He was pacing the room and looking nervous. "You okay?" Buffy asked him after she closed the door and he nodded as he looked at her.

"Yeah, nothing for you to worry about." He told her with a smile and Buffy figured that it was time she told him her news. She couldn't wait any longer.

"Spike, there's something I have to tell you." He stopped pacing at the sound of her voice and looked at her with concern.

"What is it?" He wondered and she walked closer to him, taking his hand in hers. She took a deep breath and just decided to get it over with.

"I'm pregnant." She told him and his eyes grew big at that. He then had a huge smile on his face.

"You're pregnant?" Buffy nodded and Spike grabbed her in a hug and flooded her face with kisses. He pulled away to see the look on her face. "We're having a baby?" He said like he was just making sure and she nodded again.

"Yeah, we're having a baby. I take it you're okay with this." She said and Spike couldn't believe that she thought he wouldn't be.

"Hell yeah, I'm okay with it. I love you, Buffy." He told her with so much emotion in his voice.

"I love you, too." She said as she pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. Spike pulled away after a few seconds and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He looked nervous again and Buffy wondered about that.

"This now makes what I have to say even more perfect." He told her and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a black box. Buffy gasped when he opened it to reveal a beautiful, diamond ring. "Buffy, will you marry me?" He asked and awaited her answer. She looked into his eyes and wondered about something first.

"This isn't because I'm pregnant, right?" Spike smiled and shook his head.

"I've wanted to ask you for weeks now. I just had a hard time doing it. I can't imagine being with anyone else, Buffy. I love Katie and we're going to have a child together. You've made me the happiest man on earth and the only thing that's missing, is getting to call you my wife." He told her and Buffy started to feel tears in her eyes.

"Yes, I'll marry you." She replied and Spike felt tears of his own in his eyes as he placed the ring on her finger. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

"I'll spend the rest of my life making you happy." He whispered to her and she nodded as she caressed his cheek.

"You make me happy every day, Spike. You're the best thing that could have happened to me. I don't know what I would have done if you never came back into my life." Spike wiped the tears that were falling down her face and gave her a kiss on the nose.

"You never have to find out." He said as he kissed her sweetly on the lips and then held her, until she fell asleep. Spike watched her for a while as she was sleeping next to him. He placed his hand on her stomach and smiled when he thought about his baby being inside of her. He wrapped his arms around Buffy and held her tighter as he then fell into a peaceful sleep.