Chapter Twelve
Three weeks later, Buffy walked into the hospital. Some on the staff greeted her and she smiled back. Her friends weren't here yet but they were used to her being up at the crack of dawn and heading for the hospital. She was there for eighteen hours a day, and always made sure he wasn't alone at night. Angel, Willow and Giles were staying in the hotel with her. Fred had returned to LA the previous week, knowing there was nothing she could do to help.
Willow had been trying different spells to wake him up but to no avail. Buffy had told her the previous night that she was losing hope but Willow had told her to stay strong.
'What was the point in bringing him back if they are going to leave him like this?' Buffy had argued. Willow had calmed her down.
'Maybe it's Spike that needs hope Buffy. Maybe he needs something to pull him through.' The witch had told her and Buffy had accepted it. She hadn't slept well, and she could feel the pull of tiredness on her as she took her usual seat next to Spike's beside. He looked so peaceful, like he always did. The steady beeping of the heart monitor reminded her he was still alive and she began to talk to him again, resting her head on the side of the bed.
After a while, she shut her eyes, running out of things to say. She knew Willow would be there with lunch any moment. She sighed, and whispered to him.
'I wish you were talking to me, baby.'
As she was about to fall asleep, a kick from inside her brought her to. She sat bolt upright, feeling the unborn baby inside her move around. It was the first time she had felt it. She looked to Spike and picked up his hand, laying it across her swollen belly. The baby kicked again and Buffy prayed, hoping Spike could feel it, that it would be the reason he needed to wake up.
'Wake up Spike. You have to wake up and be a daddy.' She closed her eyes, tears flooding her eyes as the baby stopped moving. When she opened her eyes again, she met bright azure orbs. Spike was looking at her.
'Spike?' She whispered.
'Boy or girl?' He asked and she grinned, letting the tears fall. She leant over and embraced him, hugging him tight. 'Buffy…need to breathe luv.' She loosened her grip and then let go, sitting beside him and holding his hand tightly. 'You didn't answer me.'
'I don't know. I didn't want to know.' She said. 'I'm so sorry I didn't believe you were coming back, Spike. I just…I couldn't see it. I thought they were punishing me.' She reached over him and pushed the call button for the doctor.
'I had to do it, Buffy. I know I shouldn't have left you but I knew you could cope. Then they told me I was coming back and…' He was cut off as the doctor entered. He looked pleased to see the vampire awake and turned to Buffy.
'How did you…?' He asked. Buffy grinned.
'The baby kicked.' She announced. Spike looked up at her and squeezed her hand.
'You go get the others, pet. Doctor's gonna have to check me over.' Buffy pouted but did as she was told, rushing to ring the hotel room and tell the others. She then ran back to the room Spike was in. He was sitting up now and the doctor had left. 'Clean bill of health, babe. I can go home tomorrow.' He frowned. 'Where is home?'
'Wherever you are.' She whispered.
'You sad bint.' He said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. They stayed like that for a few moments before the door burst open and Angel, Willow and Giles stormed in. Spike grinned at Willow, but seemed to ignore the other two. 'Hello Red.'
'Spike…thanks to the goddess you are awake. We were starting to worry.' Willow hugged the vampire. Angel looked to his childe.
'Spike, I just want to say…I'm sorry. I won't behave like that again.' He looked sheepish and Giles stepped in front of him.
'Buffy…I've been doing some research on this situation and I have several theories on the pregnancy…' Spike cut him off.
'Honestly, Rupes…can we leave it? I don't care about how it came to be, I know it's mine. And that's all I care about. I just want to get out of this hospital and take Buffy home so I can look after her.' Spike put his arm round Buffy and Angel coughed.
'I'll make the arrangements for us to travel back to the states. I'm sick of Buffy complaining about the weather.' Buffy looked at Spike and grinned.
'Well, it is crap. Rains all the time.' She shrugged. 'I miss California.' Giles nodded.
Willow frowned. 'How did you wake up anyway?' She asked. Buffy jumped in before Spike could answer.
'I felt the baby kicking and put Spike's hand on my stomach so he could feel it. Then, bam, he wakes up and asks if it's a boy or a girl.'
'Maybe it was what I suggested last night. He just needed a reason to hope.' The witch grinned and hugged her friend, before leaving the room. Giles and Angel said their goodbyes and left also, leaving the two blondes alone. Spike looked to Buffy.
'I missed you.' She whispered, curling up on his lap. He nuzzled her neck, brushing his mark gently.
'Missed you too, pet. Now, how about getting me some clothes?'