A Summer's Life
Author: Buffy 21
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Chapter 4
Later that evening...
Buffy and Spike met Faith and Robin at the club. Walking in together, they went up to the maitre'd's podium and waited to be acknowledged by him. Buffy noticed how nice the couple looked; Faith wore a slinky black dress whose skirt fell to her calves, which complimented Robin's dark suit. Buffy lay one hand over the slight bulge of the dark Slayer's abdomen and smiled.
"Boy, that so takes me back."
"I can't wait to say that myself, B."
"Why, what's going on?" Buffy asked.
"I'm tired of being wicked sick all day," Faith replied.
"Oh yeah. I totally understand. How far along are you now?"
"I'm four and a half months pregnant."
"Wow! You're hardly showing. When I was four months pregnant, I was out to here," Buffy said, illustrating her size with her hands.
"How long did you suffer with morning sickness?"
"My first three months and then it went away."
"I wish that was me."
"Don't worry, it will be."
Spike and Robin were standing off to the side, chatting politely, when the maitre'd returned to his podium.
"Yes sir?"
"We have a reservation for four," Robin said.
"And your name, sir?"
"Robin Woods."
"Ah yes, the Woods' party. Right this way, please," the maitre'd said, leading them to their table.
As Spike and Robin seated their wives and then themselves, a waiter came to their table.
"Good evening. My name is Mario and I will be your waiter tonight. Here are your menus and, while you look them over, would you like to hear about our specials for this evening?"
"Yes, please," Robin replied.
"We have Chicken cordon bleu with peas and baby onions, we also have the Lobster Thermidor with butter sauce and a side of sliced mushrooms and a tossed salad."
Buffy saw Faith turning green at the mention of all the rich foods and patted her hand, trying to help her be strong. The small group indicated that they weren't interested in either of the specials.
"Very well then, what can I bring you to drink?"
"I would like a scotch and soda," Robin said.
"Same here, mate."
"And for the ladies?"
"I'd like a banana daiquiri, please," Buffy replied.
"Just bring me a ginger ale."
"Very well, I'll take your orders when I return."
Having said that, Mario left. They each opened their menus and scanned them.
"The chicken sounds tasty," Buffy said.
"I think I'll have a salad," Faith said.
"A salad? You're eating for two now; you need more than that," Buffy said to her friend.
"She's right honey, maybe you should consider something else," Robin replied.
"I'm afraid that if I eat anything heavier than that, I'm going to toss my cookies."
"Okay, maybe that would be best then. It does get better with time, believe me," Buffy reassured her.
"Thanks B."
Buffy smiled.
Within minutes, Mario was back at their table, serving the drinks.
"Alright then. The gentlemen ordered the scotch and sodas," he said, setting the tumblers down in front of Robin and Spike.
"And for the ladies, a banana daiquiri and ginger ale," he said, setting the glasses down in front of them.
"Now, if I may, I'll take your orders."
Buffy spoke up first, "I'll have the chicken with potatoes and peas."
"Excellent choice. And for you, madame?"
"I'll have a tossed salad with a light dressing," Faith replied.
"Anything else, madame?" Mario inquired.
"No, thanks."
"And the gentlemen?"
"I'll have the rainbow trout," Robin said.
"And you, sir?"
"I'd like some Buffalo wings, mate."
"Would you like anything to go with them?" Mario asked.
Looking over the menu, Spike replied, "How about a side of nibblet corn?"
"Yes sir?"
"Thank you. I'll be back shortly."
Mario picked up all of the menus and started towards the kitchen.
"And uh, Mario, keep the ginger ale coming," Faith said, holding up one finger.
"Yes ma'am." And with that, Mario walked away.
"Are you guys going to sign up for the Lamaze classes?" Buffy inquired.
"Yes, my doctor recommended that we take them."
"Spike and I took them and they were a lifesaver. I don't know how I would have gotten through Brianna's birth without them."
"What do you learn in those classes besides how to push the baby out after forty hours of labor?"
"There's more to it than that. You learn how to use your breathing exercises to help ease the pain of your labor and about the alternate to natural childbirth. Your coach helps you every step of the way, right up to the birth."
"Believe me luv, it is the experience of a lifetime. Buffy kept promising to stake me when her pains got really bad. We still laugh about that today."
"Labor sounds really painful, B."
"It is, but it has a beautiful ending. When you hold your baby for the first time and look down into that tiny face, you'll know that it was all worth it."
At that point, Mario brought their food out. They enjoyed their meal and each other's company and afterwards went out on the dance floor to dance the night away.
TBC...