Chapter Twenty-One

Shannon walked into the house and looked around. It was dark and quiet. Her mom sat in the living room, alone, wrapped in a duvet cover.

'Mom?' She asked, tip toeing into the room.

'Shannon?' Buffy sat up to check it was her daughter.

'What's wrong? Apart from…' Shannon winced. Losing her dad was the most painful thing that had ever happened to her and she couldn't imagine how her mom felt, losing him for a third time.

'Your dad left something behind.' Buffy handed her daughter a plain brown envelope. 'You're gonna have a little brother.' She whispered and Shannon looked at the picture inside the envelope. It was an ultrasound scan photo, depicting a small baby. The baby her mom was going to have.

'Typical of him.' Shannon said, and her mom smiled a little. She put an arm round her. 'Don't worry mom, you still got me. And Dad'll be looking after us.' She stood up. 'I'm gonna hit the hay. You are okay on your own?'

'Yeah. I'm gonna go to bed in a minute anyways.' Buffy said, yawning. She waited for Shannon to go to bed and then she got up, heading for her own bedroom. The bed was empty without Spike but she lay down and closed her eyes nonetheless. After a moment, she fell into a dream filled sleep.

'Hey, pet.' Spike said, walking towards her in the sunlight. They were in a wide open field. Buffy smiled at him and placed a hand on her stomach.

'Spike…it's a boy.' She whispered and he smiled coyly.

'I know, luv.' He pulled her into an embrace and smiled into her hair. 'Do you forgive me?'

'I guess. I could never stay angry at you.' She kissed him gently. 'I love you.'

'And I love you.' He looked around. 'Who would have guessed I'd get in here? They said it was sacrifice. Love got me in.' He rubbed a thumb over her cheek and kissed her again. 'I'll always be with you Buffy. And I'll try and come to you sometimes…in your dreams. Like this.' He saw the tears welling in her eyes and felt his own watering. 'Cordelia and Angel say hi, by the way.' He said. Buffy nodded and looked down.

'I'm going to miss you so much.'

'I know pet. But you gotta take care of our son, now.' He grinned. 'Don't forget to tell him how evil his dad was.' Buffy giggled in spite of her tears and suddenly everything began to fade.

'Please don't go, Spike!' She screamed but it was too late. The dream faded and she woke up.

And all she could do was cry.