Author: Buffy2
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, same as always.
Chapter 12
Springtime in Cleveland was nothing like the ones that the Summer's girls remembered back in California, it was much colder. They longed for the hot sun and sandy beaches that the West Coast had to offer. This particular spring was different for them because the entire household, except Spike, came down with the flu. He made sure that his girls were well fed, warm and comfortable. As the week progressed, Dawn and Brianna had gotten better, but not Buffy.
Spike gave her soup and tea to keep her nourished but nothing would stay down, he took her temperature and it was 101.2. He had never seen Buffy as sick as this before and it worried him that her Slayer healing powers weren't kicking in. Deciding that she needed medical attention, Spike waited for sunset and got her ready to go to the hospital. He told Dawn to stay with Brianna and that he would call her after they gave her sister the once over. Spike then wrapped Buffy in a blanket, put her in the car and drove to the nearest hospital.
After parking near the ER entrance, Spike picked her up and rushed inside. A doctor saw them come in and got a gurney to lay her on.
"What's wrong with her?" the doctor inquired.
"My wife has the flu, mate. She can't keep any bloody food down and her temperature was 101.2, before we left home."
The doctor lead them to Exam Room 1, where he started checking Buffy's vitals while Spike stood by her side.
"Well . . . uh, Mr...?" the doctor inquired.
"Summers. William Summers and this my wife Buffy."
"I'm Dr. Smith. Mr. Summers, after checking your wife's condition, she now has a temperature of 102 degrees. We're going to start an IV and bring her temperature down, and we'll also do some lab work to make sure there aren't any other infections that we're dealing with."
"Okay, mate."
Buffy was so congested that she could only take short breaths, which made it a chore for her to talk. The doctor put an oxygen mask on her and had one of his nurses get an ice blanket to place over her to help bring her temperature down.
"Is she going to be alright, doc?"
"She'll be fine. We've had a lot of cases like hers this season, so it's not that uncommon. But we'll know more after the labs come back," the doctor answered.
Buffy opened her eyes and looked at her husband, making his non-beating heart melt for her. In the course of their wait, several people had come in and out of that room to either draw blood, check her IV or to perform some other task. A couple of hours later, the doctor returned to check on Buffy's condition. He took her temperature again and it was down to 100.2 degrees and she was breathing easier. A nurse entered the room and handed Dr. Smith a folder, he opened it and scanned its contents.
"Well doc, what's the verdict?"
"According to the results, we didn't find any other infections present, just the flu; which we're handling."
"How soon can I take her home, doc?"
"I'd like to admit her for a few days," the doctor replied.
"Is that necessary?" Spike asked.
"I'm afraid it is, Mr. Summers. We need to keep her on the medications that she's receiving."
Dr. Smith paused for a minute and flipped through a few more pages in the folder, paying special attention to one page.
"Well, here's an unexpected surprise," he said.
"What's that, mate?" Spike inquired.
"Well, it seems that Buffy is pregnant."
"What?" Spike said in astonishment.
Buffy had a shocked look on her face and saw the same on Spike's. Neither of them could believe what they just heard.
"Could you repeat that, mate?"
"Buffy is pregnant," Dr. Smith, repeated.
Spike's mouth dropped open.
"Buffy, we can perform an ultrasound, if you'd like," the doctor said.
"Yes. That would be great," Buffy said, answering him.
"Alright. I'll call someone from that department and see if they have any openings."
After a quick call, he went back to Buffy to tell her the news.
"I'm sorry, but the ultrasound department's schedule is pretty full right now, but they said they could fit you in tomorrow morning," the doctor said.
"Oh, what's one more day," she replied.
"They'll be coming to take you to your room soon. I'll check on you after you get settled in."
"Okay, thank you doctor," Buffy said.
"No problem. See ya later and congratulations," he said, before leaving the room.
"Thanks," she replied.
Spike being at a loss for words finally found his voice.
"Luv, how is this possible?" Spike asked in disbelief.
"The usual way," Buffy replied.
"Pet, you know bloody well why I'm asking."
"Spike, don't you remember Giles explaining to us how I got pregnant with Bri?"
Spike stared at her with a puzzled look on his face.
"Well!"
"Sorry luv, didn't pay much bloody attention to what the Watcher had to say."
"Men! He said that when you bit me during sex, my blood made you become fertile again," Buffy explained.
Spike's puzzled look turned to one of astonishment.
"So, you're telling me . . ."
"Yes, that's how it happened. And we've been given another little miracle because of it, so Brianna got her wish," she said, excitedly.
TBC . . .