A belated but nonetheless heartfelt Happy New Year to all readers!
Balance chp 28: Words and Gifts
Connor reached out and stroked Calista's cheek. She sighed slightly in her sleep and turned to his touch. He smiled and kissed her brow, and then turned to the plastic crib beside the bed. The babies were lying snug in it, head to feet. He leaned in close and studied each carefully. Their skin was darker then either his or Calista's, but that was normal with newborns, and the girl had a full head of dark hair, like him and their son, much to his joy, had Calista's hair. Both had tiny button noses and round slightly fuzzy cheeks. His daughter was sucking on her hand and her little feet gave a small kick, narrowly missing her brother. Connor grinned; he could already guess she'd be the spunky one, the one who was always up to mischief. She'd be like him. His son was probably going to have his mothers attributes, his hair was almost colourless, and thin. Connor noted that they both had a large forehead that no doubt came from Angel. Spike would have pitied them. He smiled wider; he couldn't believe how perfect they were, down to their tiny fingers and toes.
"I'm so glad you're here." he whispered to them as he took in their heavenly scents. He looked up as someone knocked softly on the door. He walked over and opened it. Angel and Buffy were on the other side, their eyes wide and shining and a bright smile on both their lips.
"Hey. Can we come in?" Angel whispered.
"Yeah sure." Connor whispered back, stepping aside, letting them. Angel slipped past and Connor saw the flowers in Buffy's hands. "Those are nice." he commented. She held them up
"Yeah, we just thought she might like something to say well done on having them… or congratulations, which sounds much better." She smiled as she came in and set the flowers down on a chair then they both turned to Angel who was staring at the babies, looking awed. His mouth hung slightly open and his eyes were wide.
"They're so small." he muttered. Buffy stood beside him and her whole face lit up,
"Oh, they are the cutest! Oh hello you two."
"Aren't they just?" They all looked up; Calista was smiling tiredly at them, lying on her side to see them better. Connor immediately moved over to her and took her hand.
"Hey, did we wake you?"
"It's fine." She told him as she smiled up at him, her face looking so content and peaceful. Her eyes moved to the crib and her eyes went tender as she reached out to the babies. "My babies." she called lightly. At once both babies opened their eyes and shifted restlessly, as if they'd heard their mother's call. Buffy giggled in delight. Connor went over and scooped their son up and passed him to his mother who held him close. He then picked up their little girl and settled her in his own arms and sat on the bed. Calista gently stroked their son's face, her eyes moving over him as she drank him in. Connor looked down at his daughter and then back at his mate, she looked so awed and happy, happier then he could remember.
"So perfect." she whispered, then giggled as their son turned his face towards her, his little mouth puckering up, asking for food. Without hesitation she undid the front of her hospital gown and put him to her breast. He began to suck greedily his whole body curling up in effort. Calista held out her free arm and silently asked for their daughter. Connor passed her and she too was put to the breast. After a few moments of silence Buffy asked
"What are you going to call them?" Connor and Calista looked up at her.
"We don't know yet. We have a list but we can't choose." Connor admitted.
"Any suggestions?" Calista asked knowingly. At once Buffy pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to Connor saying
"Just a couple." Connor unfolded it and raised his eyebrows.
"Just a couple?" he held it up and they all saw it was covered in small writing. Some of the names had their meanings written beside them. Buffy shrugged.
"And that's just her list." Angel gave them another sheet covered in names from him. Unsurprisingly most of them were Irish. Calista laughed
"Don't tell me! Everyone's got their own list." Angel shrugged. Connor groaned.
"We have a problem." he stated and then looked up at his dad patronisingly "Dad. While I appreciate your input we will not be calling our daughter Faoiltiarna." Both girls stared at the vampire who shifted from foot to foot sheepishly.
"I figured, but it's a nice name." Calista laughed again and then glanced at the clock.
"Angel it'll be getting light soon, you'd better head back." The room they were in was already beginning to getting brighter. Angel groaned and said
"I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll send some of the others over, they're dieing to see you all." he kissed Calista on the cheek and hugged Connor tightly. If the babies weren't still feeding he'd have kissed them too. He smiled radiantly at Buffy and then left. Buffy smiled after him, thinking to herself,
'I haven't seen him this happy before.' Her eyes widened suddenly and she turned around to Connor saying.
"I'm, uh, gonna get some coffee, you guys want anything."
"Uh, mocha?" Calista asked
"Same." Connor added. Buffy smiled tightly and then rushed out feeling panicked. She hurried to a pay phone and dialled up the hotel. After many rings Fred answered.
"Hello?"
"Fred? It's Buffy!"
"Hey Buffy, what's up, you sound worried. Is something wrong?"
"No at least not yet, see, uh, well… ok, you know the way Angelus is released by perfect happiness?"
"Yes."
"Well he just left the hospital looking very, very happy!" There was a brief silence, and the
"Oh."
"Yeah, I just thought I'd give you a heads up. He may not be released but don't take any chances."
"Ok Buffy, thanks, we'll be on our guard. Is that all? How do the babies look?"
"Oh their tiny! And the girl has a mop of dark hair on her head!" Buffy gushed
"Aw!"
"And the boy, he's got this downy fair hair that's nearly clear! They have the cutest little fingers and faces."
"Ooooh I can't wait to see them!"
"Angel said he'd send some of you over."
"Ok then, see you later Buffy."
"Bye Fred." Buffy hung up feeling much better, and then remembered she'd promised to get Connor and Calista drinks. Unfortunately the button for mochas was broken on the machine so she settled for three hot chocolates. She returned to see the two teens gently getting the babies wind up.
"Well what about Rebecca?"
"No she doesn't look like a Rebecca at all!" Calista wrinkled her nose and looked down at their daughter. Then she looked at their son,
"What about David?"
"Nah, too strong a name, he looks like he'll be gentle and sweet."
"Hmm, true." Buffy then stepped into the room saying
"Hey! No coffee so I got you some hot chocolate, an even better substitute." She set them down and sipped her own, observing the four. They looked like that family you see in couch commercials, all smiles and laughs. She felt a twinge of envy in her heart as she thought this. Suddenly the boy burped, quite loudly, and then let out a small wail. Calista giggled again and held him close, gently rocking him in her arms. He quickly quieted and his mummy looked proud of herself. Daddy pressed a sweet kiss to his daughter's brow, and then another to her cheek. Baby girl yawned widely, letting out little noises and her daddy obligingly set her back in her plastic cot. Buffy wrinkled her nose at it; it was so ugly.
'Good thing we got them nice bassinets and cribs.' she thought to herself. She couldn't wait till the four of them came home and they saw the surprise they had in store for them. The two teens had nearly walked in on it more then once, so it'd be a relief to finally show them. The baby boy fell asleep in his mummy's arms and his daddy placed him beside his sister. Then daddy yawned.
"Tired Connor?" Calista teased. Connor just smiled.
Two nights later Calista was dozing after a 3am feed, she'd convinced Connor to go get some sleep in the Hyperion that night so she was alone in the room save the babies. Suddenly she sat up and stared at the darkened corner. She smiled softly,
"Hello Spike." Spike, almost sheepishly stepped forward.
"Hullo luv." he muttered sounding embarrassed. She smiled at him knowingly.
"You came to see the babies?"
"Well, seeing as I helped protect them and all I figure it was a due."
"Protect them? From what?" her forehead creased in confusion. Spike mentally slapped himself
'Nice going William!'
"You know what never mind. I never should have come."
"No no, Spike! Don't go!" she reached out and caught his arm in a vice grip. He had little choice but to stay if he wanted to keep that arm, and he was rather fond of it. He let her pull him over to the edge of her bed and he slowly sat down on it. She then leaned forward and carefully pulled the plastic cot closer for the two of them to see. She switched on the lights, but kept them dim. Spike leaned forward to see the babies.
"Bloody hell those foreheads!" he breathed. She grinned and laughed silently. Slowly as if he had no control over his digits he pressed his forefinger into Baby girl's open hand. She instantly gripped it, Spike's eyes widened. "Bloody hell what a grip she's got." Calista lightly slapped him on the arm
"No cursing in front of the babies." she mock scolded.
"Yes mummy." he teased back. She cocked her head to the side and then said
"Will you leave again after this?" Spike looked at her in confusion, then looked away. She put her hand on his arm again. "I wish you would stay. Connor would like it too. He likes having you for a nephew." Spike's lips twitched in amusement. "He likes talking to you, you don't sugar coat everything like Angel has a habit of doing, and I know he likes that you can show a lighter side to Angelus."
"I can't! Not if poof and slayer are gonna be all lovey dovey. I love her."
"Maybe but that doesn't mean you were meant to be."
"I got a soul for her!"
"Shh!" Calista quieted him so he didn't wake the babies then she said "Maybe so, but consider this. Maybe you got a soul for her, but has it really made things any better? What if you got a soul so someone would love you, but that doesn't mean it has to be Buffy. A relationship that's more tears then laughter isn't really a relationship. You and Buffy have something, but I don't think it's what she and Angel have. They are soul mates; no one could ever deny that." Spike sighed and stood up. He paced the linoleum floor slowly feeling her eyes on him watching him intently. "Having a soul means you can give any person true love, not just obsession Spike. Come back to the hotel."
"Give me one good reason." he growled.
"You're family." she answered simply. He sighed again.
Three days after they were born and they were taking the babies home. Calista was washed and dressed and Baby boy and Baby girl, as they were known as at present, were wrapped up in so many blankets that they were lost. Connor took Baby girl in his arms and Fred carried Baby boy leaving Calista with nothing to carry. They wouldn't even let her carry her own bag, Buffy had it. She offered to carry something and they just waved her away telling her to take it easy. She eventually gave in but not before a lot of insisting that she was fine. They got in the car and drove back to the hotel. At this point Calista demanded to be given one of her children. Fred handed him over. They walked inside, Calista cooing to the baby, whose face was only just visible.
"SURPRISE!" She jumped and stepped back in shock. The others all laughed, and Dawn rushed forward to take a picture. Connor was laughing at her surprised face. The lobby had been decorated with cheesy banners and streamers. Obviously a hurried project, but the sentiment was what counted. She smiled in delight and exclaimed
"Oh my God! This is so great!"
"No it isn't." smiled Anya, "But we have cake, lots of cake." And she held up a slice on a plate.
"Anya! You were meant to wait!" scolded Andrew.
"Why? I was hungry." Anya stared at him in bewilderment. Calista laughed.
"It's fine, really I'm so hungry I'd eat a whole herd of slucks." Connor grimaced, apparently slucks, whatever they were, were not appetising.
"Since you'll need free hands to eat why not put the twins in these." Angel waved an arm at two beautiful woven bassinets, one with a pink bow and the other with a blue one. Calista squealed in delight and ran over to them, baby and all.
"Oh Angel, oh my god, they're so beautiful. Thank you!" Calista abruptly burst into tears. Alarmed, Angel wondered if something was wrong. Connor smiled and set down Baby Girl in the pink bowed bassinet and then took Baby Boy and put him in the other. Calista wiped her eyes, and sniffed loudly
"I'm sorry, I keep crying for no reason."
"The doctor said it was hormones." Connor explained "It'll pass in a few days."
"The doctor also said she'd made a remarkable recovery, apparently she tore something during to the labour and it was already healed up." Fred commented thoughtfully. Anya nodded,
"Fascinating, cake?" and held out another slice.
"Oo chocolate!" Fred helped herself. Calista meanwhile had managed to control herself and now smiled sheepishly. Connor smiled softly back and stroked her face.
"You want some cake?" he asked. She nodded. Wesley and Giles came over and stared at the babies. Calista raised her pale eyebrow at them curiously and asked dryly
"Are you looking at them as Watchers or two men who have absolutely no clue about babies?" Both looked up and blushed slightly
"There's no real way to answer that." Wesley decided.
"For your information Calista I happen to have quite an extensive knowledge of taking care of babies." She smirked slightly and said a little louder,
"Minding Buffy and the others while they were still in high school is not quite the same Giles." Giles grinned devilishly back at her.
"Well I afraid I can't agree with that statement, you, young lady, have never had to listen to Xander's teenage woes,"
"Hey!" Xander exclaimed. Cordelia laughed
"Or Cordelia's pettiness,"
"Hey!" she exclaimed
"Or Buffy's-"
"Ok Giles, we get the point!" Buffy interrupted, Angel was chuckling behind his hand and she elbowed him in the ribs. Quite hard. Connor laughed this time and passed Calista her cake with a kiss. She smiled and dug in. He didn't seem to have eating on his mind as he stroked her stomach and discreetly kissed her neck. She didn't mind the attention at all, it had been too long since they'd had any kind of real intimacy; the pregnancy had taken over. She noticed that no one else seemed aware of what Connor was doing, and she knew that he was good at hiding what he was doing. Why was he good at doing that? She suddenly wondered why she couldn't remember but as Connor's lips brushed her ear she shrugged it off, it didn't matter. Suddenly she looked around again and noticed someone was missing.
"Where's Spike?" she asked upset. Connor pulled away slightly in surprise at the question.
"Spike?" he asked perplexed. "Spike's been gone for days."
"But he promised he'd come back!" she exclaimed, "He said he would when he came to visit me in the hospital yesterday."
"Spike came to visit you?" butted in Dawn looking hopeful. Calista nodded, still searching for the blond vampire. She looked quite sad as she realised he wasn't there. Connor hugged her from behind and kissed her neck gently to comfort her.
"Maybe he'll be along later, when the sun goes down." he suggested. She nodded, holding his arms in place around her waist with her free hand.
"Yeah." she sighed then perked up "Yeah! He'll be along later." she seemed to believe her words and then dug into what was left of her cake smiling again. Connor held her close against him, resting his chin on her shoulder. His eyes scanned the group with contentment and joy. He'd never looked so peaceful she thought to herself then wondered why that was. Why was Connor so different now? What made him sad? To her growing frustration she couldn't remember. She hadn't forgotten what Spike said, that was why she'd suddenly thought of him, that he'd helped protect her babies. Protect them from what? She couldn't for the life of her remember.
"So any names for these little guys yet?" Dawn wondered hopefully. The two parents shared looks.
"Well… we've been considering a few names, but first we needed to sort something out." Calista began slowly, sitting down on the pouf chair, Connor following her.
"What's that?"
"Whether we want to name them Angel or Holtz." The room went eerily quiet. Connor explained
"I've decided my name is Connor Steven Angel and Calista is Calista Sarah Holtz, but we don't know if we want the babies to have Holtz or Angel as their last name.
"Why not Holtz-Angel?" Connor shook his head.
"That doesn't feel right to us… considering the mutual feelings between Daniel and Dad it wouldn't work. So it has to be one or the other."
"We know Angel is their grandfather by blood, but Daniel did so much for us, he's equally their grandfather. So we've been trying to decide."
"We considered giving one Angel and the other Holtz, but we want them to have the same name." Both avoided Angel's eyes, ashamed that they couldn't instantly pick him. Angel meanwhile was gripping Buffy's hand tightly, feeling old pain well up inside him. Still he understood, Daniel Holtz would always be important to the two, no matter how'd he'd treated them or what he'd done. Connor held Calista's hand, their fingers entwining. Calista looked very different now that she was no longer pregnant. She'd already regained her figure, although she'd sworn she used to be thinner, which, if it was true, would have meant she'd been unhealthily thin. She had a large bust, although that was probably from the pregnancy and her milk, but everywhere else was skinny and toned. Now she didn't look quite as soft, she was much tougher looking, although her face was still quite innocent, her eyes still large. Now they looked a little lost as she thought carefully. She turned to Connor slowly.
"Maybe… maybe we could give the twins one name, and then the next child we have could have the other name." Angel looked up sharply, his neck cricking.
"N-next child?" he squeaked eyes massive. She suddenly turned back to the near shaking vampire and gave him a devilish grin.
"Only joking Angel, relax." He did, quite violently, nearly dropping to the ground in relief.
"Not funny." he gasped. Connor chuckled, then leaned closer to her and nuzzled slightly against her face. She responded in kind, smiling more sweetly. Gunn and Wesley chuckled to themselves, while Xander laughed out loud. Anya looked bewildered,
"Why would you want more of them? All they do is cry and eat and poop. I don't know why anyone would want them." Calista smiled patiently at her while Connor scowled faintly.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out, now how about the first names?" Willow asked eagerly, no doubt hoping that one of her name suggestions had been picked.
"Well we've narrowed it down to about twenty each." Connor admitted. "Maybe Aurora orFiona or Selene for the girl, maybe Michael, orSeamus or Jason for the boy."
"Are those your main ones?"
"No, just a few of the options."
"I'd like something a bit exotic." Calista mused softly, "Something different, interesting… but not like Faoiltiarna."
"Will you let that go!" exclaimed Angel looking embarrassed. They all laughed and the mood lightened again. Buffy whispered to Angel and both Connor and Calista heard her say
"Can we show them, I can't wait much longer."
"Show us what?" Connor grinned as the Slayer jumped guiltily, "Well?" Angel and Buffy shared a look and then grinned at each other.
"Ok, come on, we'll bring the babies too." Between them all the bassinets, with sleeping babies secure within, were carried up the stairs. They went past Connor and Calista's room and to another room. They stopped outside the door.
"Ok you two, close your eyes." Buffy grinned at them. They shared a bewildered look and then Connor took Calista's hand and they closed their eyes.
"Ok wait here." Angel ordered as he opened the door and he carried the bassinets in one at a time. He then made sure everything was set up and finally called in the two teens. "Alright open your eyes." They did and gaped at what they saw. This wasn't just a room it was an apartment, with a kitchen, a living area, a nursery and a bedroom with side bathroom. The whole place had been redone with new furnishings and paint jobs and electric work. It looked like a different world compared to the rest of the hotel, much more modern with all the trimmings. The kitchen was a warm yellow, with cherry wood cupboards and drawers, which had silver handles. There was a fridge and freezer in a corner beside a cooker and gas stove. There was a table and five chairs of more cherry wood. Serving as the counters was black marble. The living area was a warm amber colour with white curtains and it had a wide screen TV with a red suede couch and matching seat. There was a side table and coffee table, which rested on an African styled rug. The bedroom was a contrasting cool compared to the warmth of the other two rooms. It was full of icy colours, so it looked like a winter wonderland, light blue and silver. The bed was a large four-poster bed with gauzy white and silver material wrapped around the posts. The walls were light blue with silver linings, giving off a romantic feel in it. Angel had lit a few candles to enhance the feeling as well as put the bassinets nearby the bed. The bathroom was fairly standard with a bath and shower, toilet and sink. The nursery was filled with stuffed animals, and was a wondrous mix of colours, purples, blues, pinks, greens, reds and yellows were covering the walls in a wonderful spatter effect. The ceiling was dark blue, navy almost black with all the constellations shining in silver on it. The carpet was soft and furry under their feet and everything was childproofed. In the centre of the room were two cribs, one blue and one pink. At the wall was a changing table, with all the trimmings, nappies, bottles, more stuffed toys, everything they needed, even an old fashioned rocking chair in the corner.
"Oh…" Calista gasped, all words robbed from her. Connor couldn't even manage an 'oh', they looked so shocked that Dawn had to take another picture. The flash seemed to wake them up and Calista squealed in pure delight and started dragging Connor from one thing to another. "Oh look Connor, the fridge even has food in it already! Oh and plates and everything. Guys how… how did you…" she spun around gesturing to everything, words again escaping her.
"Well most of this was done during the days you two were sleeping, with Xander's construction knowledge and a little help from Willow's magic. We bought a lot of the stuff while you were in hospital, since Connor was nearly always there he wouldn't have noticed. So… you like it?" Angel grinned as Calista bounced over to him and hugged him tight enough to crush his ribcage. He winced slightly and hugged her back. Calista let him go and hugged Buffy and then Dawn and then everyone else. She then hurried over to Connor and threw herself into his arms, lifting her legs so all her weight was on him, feet kicking the air screeching with delight again. Connor wrapped his arms around her and spun her around, laughing with joy and glee. "We can take that as a yes."
"Oh absolutely." Connor agreed over Calista's shoulder.
"Great now we only have to get you both some new clothes to match everything else that's new and this'll all be complete." Cordelia said eagerly.
"New clothes?" asked Calista sounding dazed.
"Yeah, I mean you sweetie only have clothes that were designed for a pregnant woman, not an unfairly skinny teenager. Look at this will you guys just look at this!" Cordelia leaned forward and wrapped her fingers around Calista's waist, "Stick thin with curves, you are a woman's deepest desire and nightmare if it's her friend who has it." Calista squirmed away with a giggle
"Watch it I'm very ticklish!" she exclaimed. "Anyway, when could I go clothes shopping? I have to take care of the babies."
"Oh don't worry mamma bear." Lorne smiled, "Uncle Lorne will take care of any and all tiny tots."
"You will?" Connor looked surprised.
"Well I can't very well go with you shopping now can I kiddo?"
"Good point, oh thank you Lorne, this is so amazing, you guys are so amazing."
"Hey you two deserve it." Gunn smiled broadly
"Totally." agreed Kennedy. Calista was smiling radiantly and she ran a hand through her hair. Cordelia gasped and grabbed her wrist,
"Oh my god! Look at your nails, you are a biter aren't you?" she accused the bewildered teen.
"I sometimes bite my nails if that's what you mean."
"Buffy we need to book this girl a manicure straight away. Look!" Cordelia brandished Calista's hand at the Slayer who gasped in horror.
"Oh absolutely."
"And a haircut." Dawn put in remembering the conversation she'd been having with Calista when she'd gone into labour.
"In fact lets take you to a beauty salon for a full work up!" Buffy clapped her hands.
"Oh we could all go!" Fred exclaimed in delight. All the girls began talking at once as they made plans. The boys were left standing there a tad intimidated. Connor turned to his dad
"Do I really need to go shopping?" Angel just smiled.
Ok next chapter I will have the babies names up so get reviewing because the more reviews I get the quicker it'll be up.
Night's Darkness
