Chapter Fourteen

Five Months Later

In the long run of things, drinking blood was the only downside to the whole pregnancy. And by now, she'd gotten used to it. The couple had set up home in their own apartment and Spike was fussing over her all the time, spending pretty much every day with her. Apart from when he patrols. Faith had returned to the city and was doing Buffy's side of the work until she was ready to get back out there. And Dawn had also returned to LA and was studying her degree there. Buffy was preparing to return to her studies once the baby had arrived and had spent hours taping education programmes off of the telly. She intended to be a teacher, but at the moment, she had a few more important things to concentrate on. Like shopping; which was high on her priority list.

Spike had done up the second bedroom in a great nursery, but Buffy was insistent that the first month, the baby would sleep in a cot in their room. She was hoping it would strengthen their bond. Spike had been really patient with her the last three months, since she had refused him in fear of hurting the baby. He had said it wouldn't do any harm but she wasn't taking any chances. But he had remained good natured, occasionally coming to bed later than she did and she knew exactly why.

He was really good about everything and she could have sworn this once wild master vampire was now completely house broken. She had seen him doing the shopping once and almost wet herself at the normal image. The coat had gone, replaced by blue sweaters and jeans. But inside, he insisted he was still evil.

She could hardly believe that now, especially seeing that at the precise moment, they were sitting together on the sofa in the living room watching the telly like a normal couple. And he was commenting on the crap plot and special effects of some made-for-TV movie.

That was the point at which their baby decided it was going to put in an appearance. Her waters broke. She panicked, but Spike remained calm and picked her up with very little effort, carrying her down to the car he had bought for her to learn to drive in. Turns out she was actually a nightmare on the roads and Spike was the one who drove it most of the time.

It took him two minutes to get her to the hospital and he carried her in quickly, calling out for a doctor in the packed emergency room. She was transferred to the maternity wing in a flash and seconds later, Spike was pacing nervously outside as the doctor was examining her. He was called in when the contractions started, and soon regretted the fact that his missus was a slayer.

Fred, Angel and Wesley arrived an hour later, shadowed closely by Giles. Dawn had rung them in a panic, saying she was on her way. Spike was standing in the reception of the maternity ward, waiting for them. A bruise was slowly spreading over his face, taking route from his eye and his hand was bandaged and in a sling. Angel chuckled when he saw him, assuming that Buffy was the culprit for his childe's injuries. Spike merely lifted his good hand and gave him the finger.

The scientist was quick to hug the vampire and Wesley followed it up with a firm handshake. The vampire couldn't keep his mouth shut anymore and beamed proudly.

'It's a girl. Took an hour to get her out, I'm so proud of Buffy. Even if she did break my hand. Doctor said we got a healthy little girl.' He motioned for them to follow him into a side room, where Buffy was sitting, half asleep. The baby girl lay gurgling in the crib next to her. Buffy looked guilty when she saw Spike but didn't say anything. He went straight to her side. Fred bolted round to the baby's crib and swooned over her.

'God, she's so gorgeous!' The brunette gushed and Buffy smiled sleepily. Fred looked up. 'What's her name?'

'Well…err…we haven't actually decided. We had a boy's name picked out but we couldn't decide on a girl's name. But her middle name is Joyce.' The vampire said.

'What last name is she taking?' Wesley asked. Buffy replied sleepily.

'Summers.' Wesley opened his mouth to ask another question but Spike beat him to it.

'I'm not telling you my last name. It's bloody poncy. And don't ask Angel either. In nearly two hundred years I wouldn't give it up. He even tortured me.' Wesley looked to Angel who nodded in confirmation. Fred giggled and changed the subject once more.

'What about Shannon? It was my sister's name.' She said and Buffy smiled.

'I like it.' Spike agreed and Fred smiled as the baby grabbed hold of her finger.

'Hello little Shannon Joyce Summers. Welcome to the world.' She looked up at Buffy who was very slowly falling asleep. Giles looked over at Buffy and grinned broadly. Spike looked up at the old man and offered his hand.

'You're a granddad now Rupes.' Giles frowned at the use of the word and Spike chuckled as he shook the librarian's hand. Angel left the room silently as a screech was heard from outside. 'Nibblet is here.' He said and the three remaining guests made their excuses. Spike kissed Buffy on the cheek as Dawn entered, armed with a camcorder. 'Just going outside for a quick smoke babe.' She nodded and watched him leave as her baby sister gushed over her newborn niece.

Spike found Angel outside, looking up at the full moon. 'Kinda ominous really isn't it? Got a feeling that little cutie is gonna be a hell raiser.' He said, lighting up a cigarette. Angel nodded.

'She is a beautiful baby, Spike. You're very lucky. But you can't run away now, Spike.' The blonde turned to his sire and nodded.

'I ain't going anywhere. I wouldn't leave them. Not now, not ever…if I can help it. Wild horses, mate, wild horses.' The brooding vampire looked to his childe and a serious glint hit his eye.

'I had a son. With Darla. His name was Connor.'

Spike didn't say anything, just looked at the other in shock.

'Remember Holtz?' Angel said and received a nod from Spike. 'He took him to another dimension. He reappeared all grown up with an intense hate for me. Tried to kill me. Went kinda evil. And then I gave him up. Took over Wolfram and Hart on the condition they gave him a life away from me. So he could live normally. And he does now. Totally normally. No one remembers him. Except me.'

Spike stood in silence for a moment. 'I'm sorry mate. I had no idea.'

'It's okay. No one does.' He sighed and went to walk back into the hospital. 'I'm gonna join the others for a coffee.'

'Good thinking.' Spike hesitated before calling out to Angel. 'And anyway, mate, you got duties as an uncle now.' The brunette laughed a little under his breath.

'Uncle Angel. It's got a ring to it.'