A/N Sorry it's so short. I've been crazy busy lately! I went to a HIM concert in Myrtle Beach, my brother's getting married in a couple of months, my friend Lana is getting married next month, my friend Tammy's baby is due in July, my job has been keeping overly busy, etc. etc. etc... Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 19

Angel watched Buffy as she sat, unmoving, unblinking, staring out at the New York skyline. Since returning to the apartment, she hadn't said much. She'd barely smiled. It worried Angel because they were going to be parents together and she didn't seem happy about it. He offered her a glass of water and she took it without a word. "Baby?"

"I'm letting it sink in." Buffy said quietly.

"Who are we calling first? My dad or your mom?"

"Neither."

"What?"

"Not right now."

"Why?"

"Angel, just... Go away and let me deal with this, ok? I need to let this sink in."

"But..."

"Please? I just need some space." With that, Buffy walked out onto the balcony. It was freezing outside now that the sun had gone down and she didn't have a coat. Angel thought about bringing one out to her, but he decided it was best not to. Instead, he headed into the guest bedroom and laid down on the bed.

Out on the balcony, Buffy didn't feel the cold. There was a life inside of her, growing, waiting to come into this world... And she was terrified of it. Tears ran down her cheeks as she thought about what her plans had been before this. She wanted to act. She wanted to travel the world. She wanted to be free of kids until she was older and ready. Now... Without thinking, she picked up the phone and dialed Ville's number. He picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hello?" He asked in a sleep ridden voice.

"Ville?" She sniffled.

"Buffy?" He was awake now. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what to do. I'm scared."

"Of what, sweetheart?"

"Can you come to New York?"
"When?"

"As soon as possible."

"Uh... I'm in Australia."

"Then I'll come to you. I just... I'm scared."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll be out there tomorrow."

"Ok, sweetie. I'll see you then."

Buffy hung up, tears falling faster down her face. She went back inside and up to her room and started packing a bag. When she came out of the bathroom, Angel was standing in the doorway. "What's going on?" He asked. "Where are you going?"
"Australia."

"Australia? Why?"
"I got a call. I have to leave tonight."

"A call? For what?"

"A movie."

"Buffy, this isn't about the baby, is it?"
Buffy emitted a strained laugh. "No." She packed her toothbrush and toiletries. "Of course not. I just got a call for a part I've been wanting."

"Don't you have to work."

"My agent will call the studio and let them know. They'll work around me."

Angel watched her warily. "What about my week here with you?"

Buffy kept her back to him. "I'm sorry, Angel, but I really have to go. It was sweet of you. I loved the surprise, really I did, but..."

"You have to go. No, I get it. It's your job."

Buffy sighed with relief. As long as he couldn't see her eyes, he wouldn't know she was lying to him. After she closed her suitcase, she turned and put on her best smile. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck." Angel kissed her gently, wanting to make it deeper, but Buffy moved away too quickly and headed downstairs and out the door.

On the flight, Buffy had called Mandy and had her inform her manager that she had to go to Australia on an important errand for a few days and that she would be in contact, but please don't ask questions. Ville was waiting at the airport for her and Buffy managed to hold in her tears until he got the door closed behind them at his hotel room. As soon as the latch fell into place, the tears started streaming down her face again.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Ville sat down on the bed with her and held her gently in his arms, rocking her slighly.

"Oh Ville, it's all messed up." Buffy sobbed.

Ville rubbed Buffy's back. "What's all messed up? Did something happen between you and Angel?"

Buffy nodded. "But he just doesn't know it."

"Was it something he said?"

"No." Buffy took a deep breath, calming herself long enough to say, "I'm pregnant." And then she lost it again.

Ville stared in bewilderment for a long moment before he snapped out of it and gently lifted Buffy's chin. "Sweetie, that's good news."

"No, I know it is, but..."

"But what?"

"I'm not ready."

"You have 9 months to get ready."
"It's not enough time. I'm only 24. I can't be a mom."

"Buffy, you already are."

"What?"
"Look around. When you're not around, I have no one to make me clean my room. And you should see the guys' rooms! It would make you so disappointed."

"Ville, please..."

"I'm being serious Buffy. You take care of us."

"It doesn't matter." She sighed. "I'm screwed up Ville. I've been through so much and it's fucked with my head. I'm going to screw this kid up."
"Everyone is destined to screw up their kids. No one is immune from it. And you're not screwed up."

She snorted. "I've never taken care of anything in my life. Not really. My bills are paid by someone else, my house gets cleaned by someone else, I've never done my own taxes, I don't know how to run a washer or dryer, I..."

"Buffy, none of that matters. Women have this beautiful instinct when it comes to their children. They know exactly what the kid needs without really thinking about it. Someone else will still pay your bills, someone will still clean your house, someone else will still do your taxes, someone else will still do your laundry...And you'll have more time to bond with your beautiful new baby."

Buffy shook her head. "Do you remember what I told you when we were together? About my plan?"

"You know I can't remember anything that happened yesterday."

She laughed. "I always said that once I had children, I would stop acting and focus on them."

"That's rediculous. Why would you do that?"

"Because I want to spend as much time with them as I can."

"Then you take a year or so off, but don't stop acting. You love acting. You once told me yourself that nothing's made you this happy since ice skating." He paused with a devilish grin. "And then Angel came along and he became first." Ville pulled Buffy to his chest and held her tightly. "Buffy, you're going to be a mommy and you're going to be spectacular at it."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Cheer up, Buff."

"I'm still scared shitless."
"Well, that's natural. But you know what's even greater?"

"What?"

"You have this huge family that will help you take care of this baby as well as Angel." Buffy still looked confused. "What? Uncle Ville and Uncle Bam Bam are going to spoil this kid rotten! Phil and Ape will have another grandchild. Your mother will have her first grandchild. Face it. Your baby is doomed to a life of royalty."

Buffy laughed. "I guess so."

"So, when can I tell the world?"

"Wait. I want to be able to tell mom and Bam and everyone before I let the world know."

Ville looked disappointed. "My first chance to be Uncle Ville and I can't share it with the world."

Buffy smiled and placed her hand on Ville's cheek. "I love you, Ville. You know that, right?"

"Of course I know that." He gave her another devilish grin. "I love you, too, kid."

"I told you not to call me that."

"Doll?" She shrugged. "I love you, too, doll."

"Do you have a gig tonight?"

"Of course. It's the neverending tour." Ville leaned back and looked at Buffy. "Now see, you're all splotchy." He reached across and picked up a T-shirt hanging on a chair and gently wiped at her face.

"Thanks." She shook her head. "I have no clue how to break the news to everyone."

"Well, you don't need to treat it like it's a burden. Break the news sounds so... Depressing." He hought for a moment. "Get everyone together for a nice dinner somewhere, fly them in if you have to, and tell everyone before dessert."

"Why dessert?"

"Because I hear if you share good news before dessert, it makes everyone think it tastes better."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Some magazine. You know I'll never remember." Buffy laughed and wrapped her arms around Ville's waist, laying her head down on his shoulder. "Hey, you want to come to the show tonight? We'd love to have you."

"Sure."

"Can I tell the guys at least?"

"No. Not until the dinner." Ville pouted playfully. Buffy just shook her head. "No." He pouted some more. "Not budging."