She felt as though she had been hit by a mack truck, a feeling that she unfortunately remembered all too well. When she had first come too, she was scared, confused, she didn't know what had happened or where she was. Her throat was so dry that she couldn't even force the words she managed to think of out. All she knew was that Angel was there, then suddenly the room was full of different medical personnel.

Panicking she tried to think of the last thing that she could remember, using her free hand she placed it on her abdomen thinking the worst. Thankfully, it was then that some nurse stepped forward, rushing to her side, making sure to hold eye contact with her, she began explaining what had happened, where she was, she kept telling her that everything was going to be okay, and reinforcing the fact that the baby sounded perfect.

Finding Angel's eyes it was all she could do to keep it together as the room full of medical professionals poked and prodded her. She had been in another accident, the longer she laid there, the more she began to remember. She had wanted to check out that new baby boutique that had just opened downtown, she remembered being on the highway, but then everything just went blank. Like last time, she couldn't remember much about the actual wreck itself, but she sure felt every bit of it.

One of the nurses had finally handed her a cup of water and instructed Angel to help her take small sips.

"I'm so sorry," she managed to choke out once her voice began to return. Unable to form words, shaking his head, silent tears streamed down Angel's face as he fought the urge to jump for joy, or possibly collapse from exhaustion, he wasn't sure. Lacing his fingers with her own, he kissed her knuckles, before ensuring her that it wasn't her fault, while constantly repeating how much he loved her.

It took them all a while to check her over, they had sent over a page to her OB to let her know that she was awake, but she was pretty sure she'd heard them say she might be a while. One of the lab coats asked her the standard questions in regards to head trauma, seemingly pleased with her answers, he told them that he would be by to check on her again in a couple of hours. Hanging her chart on the end of the bed, he was followed out by a couple of others, whom she could only assume were his assistants.

Soon after they were left with only Buffy's nurse who introduced herself as Hannah. Grabbing a marker she wrote her name, along with a four digit code they could dial from any line inside the hospital to reach her cellphone. She punched a couple of things into the computer, before turning back to the couple. Making sure to explain visiting hours, she reminded Angel that no one else would be allowed back until Buffy was also cleared by her OB. Glancing at her watch she noted that it was still just shy of six in the morning, and told him once again that it would probably be a while and suggested that each of them take the opportunity to rest.

Handing Angel a larger cup this time, complete with a lid and a straw she reminded both of them, "Small sips."Wheeling her computer out into the hallway, she sat up just outside the cracked door in order to give the couple a bit of privacy. "I'll be right out here if you need anything, anything at all," she told them as she peeked her head back inside to dim a couple of the lights.

As soon as they were alone she instantly burst into tears, she was still having trouble grasping the reality of the situation. How things in her life seemed to always go from blissfully perfect to completely upside down, there was no in between it seemed.

Lowering the bed rail between them, Angel tried his best to gather her in his arms despite all of the wires connected to her tiny frame. Taking extra care not to dislodge anything, he managed to sit at least half way on the bed beside her, slipping his arm behind her, he rested his head on top of her messy blonde hair.

"Shhh, beautiful." He knew she needed to stay calm for both her and the baby's sake but at the moment he was in just as much shock as she was. Rubbing his free hand across the sheet covering her pregnant belly, he couldn't keep his own emotions in check very well. "I thought I lost you, I thought I might have lost both of you," he whispered, barely choking the words out.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I don't even remember all of what must have happened... I keep trying and it's like I get so close then everything goes blank on me..."

"It's okay, Buffy. I am just thankful you are okay, that she is okay," he cut in, kissing the top of her head as he said another silent prayer of thank yous up to the heavens. The longer Buffy was out, the more he continued to worry she just wasn't ever going to wake. His thoughts would go too dark at times if he let them run wild and he'd had no idea how he would survive through any of this if things didn't turn around.

It was safe to say he had never been more terrified of anything else in his entire life.

"I-is she, though? Is she okay?" Buffy asked.

Angel pulled back a little and let out a little sigh. "I am sure all of them can explain everything much better than me," he began before doing his best to fill her in more of what he knew of the current situation. To her credit, having more answers seemed to calm Buffy down a little. She handled the flood of good and bad news much better than he thought he had. Tears fell from her eyes as she listened and you could tell she was still scared... but there was also a determined look in there about making sure nothing else happened to their child.

OoOoO

Their nurse had taken a bit of time to fill the others in on the fact of Buffy waking up but he still felt better when he got to talk to them himself. He had been avoiding leaving the room as much as possible, and now that she was awake it felt damn near impossible for him to tear himself from her side but Buffy would insist. Anytime they got any sort of news or had spoken with one of the doctors he would drag himself back out to the waiting room and pass along everything they had. And to simply just check in, and on them as well.

He knew each and every one of them were in a state of distress as well. This was their family, too.

When they finally started to come in two at a time for short time frames he was just glad it meant he didn't have to leave the room as much. It also cheered Buffy up being able to see each of them.

Lindsey had finally been able to reach and had offered to hop on the first plane out. As much as Angel wanted him to do just that, he also wanted answers. Talking with the police had left a bad taste in his mouth for some reason and he figured Lindsey was his best bet on finding out if something more was at play here. So, instead, Angel had asked him to do some digging and see if this was actually an accident or perhaps his fears were right about Darla being behind this.

They hadn't seen or heard from the blonde wench for weeks on end but he knew she was always lurking somewhere, waiting to strike. The more he thought about things, the more his stomach hurt the more it kept scratching at the back of his brain that maybe she was behind this.

Lindsey had easily agreed and said he would get right on it and see what he could come up with. If he needed to come out their way for either them just needing him or if he couldn't get all the information from home then he'd be right out to get to the bottom of things back out their way.

OoOoO

Buffy seemed to grow more anxious the longer she was stuck in here. He couldn't say he blamed her, she'd had more than her fair share of bad experiences in hospital settings and then all the time she'd had to spend in the one down in Texas... but he felt more anxious about the idea of being sent home. It wasn't as though as enjoyed being here any more than her, but there was comfort in knowing she and the baby were both being constantly monitored here. That if something were to go wrong... they were already right here in the hospital, surrounded by people who knew what they were doing, people who knew how to help them if something went wrong.

They were told however if the bleeding stopped and the baby continued to remain in stable condition and without any signs of her going into labor they may send her home to continue resting there. Since there was no way to really treat the tear nor a way for them to reattach it, Buffy was going to be given medication to help mature their daughter's lungs and protect her developing brain in case of an early delivery. And then basically she would be placed on strict bed rest and hopefully have nothing else exciting happen from that point to the point of delivery.

They had already been given a large packet of information about home care options, how often she would need to continue seeing Dr Laurence, all of the do's and don'ts she would have from here on out. Obviously Buffy wouldn't be able to return to working at the preschool anytime soon, their sexual activities needed to come to a halt, very light exercise would be allowed but not much else.

OoOoO

Feeling like they needed to do something other than just continue waiting around, the gang had all gone to Angel first to ask his opinion about doing a little surprise for Buffy when she was released from the hospital. The baby shower might not have been able to come to pass and with her new health issues they really didn't think it wise to do a big party either, but they still wanted to make it special for her. They had also made sure to clear the idea with Buffy's doctors to make sure it wouldn't be viewed as too much.

Then, once they had all finally left the hospital their own selves, and all of them had much needed showers and changed clothes, everyone met back up at the O'Connor house. Decorations were hung and placed around the lower floor, they had all gone out to everyone's homes to get them to sign the baby shower guest book as well as gather any gifts any get well messages and such from neighbors, coworkers and other friends who had been meaning to come and brought everything back to the house as well.

Tara had offered to make a big meal for all of them once they knew for sure when she would be allowed to come home so they could eat, have the other goodies with the cake and cookies and all, and do the presents and just try and make something good out of the whole situation.

OoOoO

She was so glad to finally be able to go home, she was on day four of hospital food, and constantly being woken up by the nurses to check or adjust one thing or another. Not that she wasn't grateful, she was just exhausted, all she wanted to do was crawl into her bed, cocooned in Angel's arms.

As much as he tried to hide it, she could tell the toll the last few days had on him as well. She wasn't sure if he had slept at all while they were in the hospital, sure he'd dozed a bit here and there, but it seemed like he was awake until she fell asleep and he was by her side before she opened her eyes. There was more than one time she'd pretended to still be sleeping as she'd listened to him converse with their unborn daughter, his face resting gently against her abdomen.

He didn't think he'd ever been this nervous driving in his life. He'd had both hands white knuckling the steering wheel before Buffy slipped her hand over in reach of his, not wanting to give her any indication of his nerves, he quickly laced his fingers with her own. Still, he was driving in the slow lane, ten miles under the speed limit, his eyes glued to the road ahead of him.

"How are you feeling," he asked her softly, as he risked a glance in her direction. Even bruised, bandaged, and obviously exhausted she was still the most beautiful thing in the world. His heart lurched as the recent memory of possibly losing her again crossed his thoughts. "Really?"

Lolling her head to the side so she could see him, she smiled slightly at his concern, "I'm okay," she promised. "No cramps, or anything, swear," bringing his hand to rest on her tender belly, she felt their daughter respond almost instantly.

Trusting that she was really okay, his attention shifted back to the road. She might feel okay physically, but he knew she was drained, and suddenly he was second guessing this whole surprise shower thing. What if it was too much for her, Dr. Laurence had stressed how important it was that she rest, but then again he knew how bummed she was about having to cancel the shower. Perhaps, this would cheer her up a bit, help to put both of their nerves at ease after the rollercoaster of the past week.

Walking from room to room was to be the extent of her exercise for a while, for the next week or so they were instructed that she should even avoid the stairs. One thing was for certain there was going to be a lot of cold showers in his future.

OoOoO

Neither of them had ever been more glad to pull into the driveway. Angel because it meant that they had safely made it home, he wasn't sure he would ever be comfortable with her in a vehicle again, and Buffy because this was the only place she'd wanted to be since she first opened her eyes again.

Back at home, safe, with her husband.

After putting the car in park, Angel hopped out of the driver's side door, circling the car so that he could help Buffy out. Despite her rounded belly she still seemed so much smaller than he was used to, so much more vulnerable.

With Angel's help she stepped out of his BMW, she paused for a second once she was standing in front of him, relishing in the look of him outside of fluorescent lights. Grabbing his hand, she slowly pulled him toward her as she leaned back against his car. Circling her arms around his neck, she scratched at the hairs behind his ears as she drew his face down to her own, hesitating for only a moment before leaning up to meet his lips with her own.

Each of them quickly lost themself in the other for a few minutes before Angel forced himself to pull away.

"Let's get you inside," he whispered before quickly kissing her one more time.

OoOoO

Buffy couldn't believe her eyes when she walked through the threshold of their home. Pink streamers hung across the entryway to the living room, a giant inflatable bouncing balloon bear floated around with the words "It's a girl" inscribed across its chest. It was filled with all sorts of sweet treats, pink cupcakes, pink gumballs, there were even those sugar rock candy suckers that she loved so much, and stacked against the fireplace was a mountain of gifts.

"Oh my god, you guys," she gasped, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"Thank you."

Wrapping his arms around her, Angel gently pulled her back into his chest as he nuzzled her ear. "It was Willow and Tara's idea," he told her softly.

"Well, we all just knew how upset you were about the shower. It's not much, but we figured it might make you feel a little better," Willow quickly told her from where she was standing in the living room. "But, if you're too tired-."

"No. Will this is perfect, I'm just glad to be home, and having all of the people I love here is a bonus… plus presents."

That caused Angel to chuckle from behind her, maybe she really was starting to feel better. "Okay, you, couch, now," he demanded, turning her towards the piece of furniture.

Following his orders, it took her a second to get comfortable, folding her feet underneath her, she patted the cushion next to her for Angel to sit as she listened to the gang gush about how much more real their baby seemed to be now that they were surrounded by baby supplies.

OoOoO

The evening was perfect, her friends were perfect, and she would be forever grateful for them putting all of this together for her. Much to Angel's dismay, Xander had busted out pin the sperm on the egg, which caused the entire room to explode into laughter. Of course she didn't participate, not wanting to move around too much, she did enjoy watching everyone take their turn. The best part was when Xander won, she would never forget the quips Angel kept making the rest of the night to Xander and Cordelia.

Tara had cooked homemade lasagna, and breadsticks, which Buffy was fairly certain was the best thing she'd ever tasted. Then she tasted the cake that Cordelia had specially made for her at her favorite local bakery, it was divine. Her and Angel opened the gifts from her friends, but had decided to wait to open the rest. Everyone could tell that the days events were starting to take their toll on her, as she yawned for the third time and buried herself further into Angel's side.

Refusing even Angel's help, Tara insisted that he sit there with Buffy while the rest of them cleaned up. Normally he would have put up an argument, but at this very moment, after everything the only thing he wanted to do was hold her in his arms. The buzzing of his phone startled them both, reaching into his pocket, he smiled when he saw that it was a facetime from his best friend.

Lindsey's face greeted them both on the screen just a few seconds later. Truth be told he didn't look like he was doing his best either, fitting right in with pretty much everyone they knew at this point, but he was doing his best to hide it. Angel thought he looked a little concerned at first as well but when it seemed he noticed Buffy with him Lindsey put a big smile on. "Hey, my beautiful bride!" he greeted, his smile only growing when Angel's eyes rolled and he groaned. "How are my two favorite girls feeling today?"

"I am much better now that we are finally back home," she answered. "I don't think I could have taken another minute in that hospital room."

"I bet," he responded before asking what all was new from the last time they had spoken. "Did you do the baby shower thing?" he asked. "You open my gift yet?"

Both of them seemed to look over to the largest box off in the corner. Buffy shook her head and explained how they had only done a few of the presents and kept things light at the makeshift party. "I was thinking I'd try a video chat with you tomorrow to do it. I figured it'd probably be saved for last and all due to its size."

"Sounds like a plan." Lindsey sighed after a little more of the small talk. "So, have you heard anything new about the accident? Or have you remembered anything else?"

Buffy shook her head. "I got a few flashes but I still pretty much have the accident itself blacked out from my mind."

"What about you, Linds? Have you learned anything?" Angel asked. The two shared a silent conversation of Lindsey questioning if Buffy knew about Angel's fears that it had something to do with Darla and he was looking into it all. Angel knew he didn't want to overstep or upset Buffy if he didn't but he had in fact already filled her in.

Buffy had told him she hadn't even thought about that possibility but it shook her to the core once it was planted.

Lindsey sighed again, settling back a bit into the chair he was in. "I'm trying to find a closer feed to the salon but one I saw from down the road... it looked like during the time Buffy was inside someone had been lingering around her car. I couldn't see too much though so I can't say much one way or another. But... I am inclined to because I did spot Darla on some of the traffic cameras when I was trying to follow Buffy and then attempting to follow her trail. So..." he trailed off.

Angel felt Buffy stiffen beside him and rubbed his free hand down her back while he fished for a little more information and thanked Lindsey for taking the time and continuing to try and help sort through this whole mess. He hated being right or seemingly right anyway. It only made the tension in the air grow thicker and made him more paranoid about everything.

He didn't think he would ever be comfortable with Buffy or the baby out of his sights again if Darla did in fact cause this shit. Not until she was taken care of and out of their damn lives for good anyway.

OoOoO

Another yawn in and the utterly exhausted look on her face had Angel telling Buffy they had better just call it a night. Today had been a lot as it were and he knew they were both in need of a good nights rest.

He was as careful as he could possibly manage as he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs since she was advised to not take the stairs herself right now. He knew neither one of them wanted to stay on the couch and needed to be in their own bed so staying downstairs just wasn't an option. They both cleaned up, used the restroom, and he helped her change into some new clothes to sleep in before he did the same. Buffy looked longingly at the bathtub but admitted there was no way she was going to be able to stay awake long enough to enjoy either a shower or bath tonight.

Crawling into bed, he pulled her into his arms and let them both get comfortable. "You sure you're alright?" he questioned, closing his eyes and breathing her in.

Buffy nodded. "Sore, scared and all of that... but I feel okay. None of the signs that I need to worry about happening. She's moving around just fine, nothing is out of sort. You know I would be the first one sounding the siren on anything being amiss."

Angel sighed. He was still worried and was pretty sure he was destined to be from here on out until the baby was actually born. He was just terrified out of his mind that something else was going to happen or her tear would grow or a million other things. The hospital had sent them home with bags upon bags filled with notebooks, information packets, medications and dressings for her wounds... and it was great, but he was still worried.

Placing his hands on her stomach, he felt the rush of kicks and jabs against his palms and he couldn't help but smile as he began talking to the little one until she settled down and Buffy drifted off.

ButImBroken:

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