Chapter 36

January 25

"How are you doing, Kara?" Dr. Lee asked.

"I'm 37 weeks and sick of being pregnant. How do you think?" she grumbled.

"Well, that's why you're here, to assess how close we're getting to labor. Let's check the positions of the girls."

"Just once, I wish that gel wasn't cold. It makes my abs twitch, which makes them twitch, and I get a foot to the ribs."

"The larger twin has dropped down further into your pelvis. She'll be the first one out, unless they manage to jostle positions again. Her weight looks good, and development is right on time. Now, I'll move up to her sister...She's still slightly smaller, but in the healthy range, don't worry. We might have to turn her around at delivery time. She's looking face down."

"I have a feeling she'll be the girl marching to the beat of her own drum. Are we done? I'm supposed to meet my sister for lunch."

"Yep. Here's the towel. I'm surprised Spike isn't with you today." Dr. Lee handed Kara the latest ultrasound image.

"Yeah…he's kind of been driving me nuts for a bit. I sent him off to play with the guys. He hasn't done that in a long time."

"It was a good idea. You two will be very busy very soon. Have you arranged some help for the first few days while you recover?"

"Some. I have a few friends who are ready to come over and help so I can sleep. They almost seem more anxious to see the twins than I am," Kara stated, chuckling. "See you next week, if not before that."

"Bye, Kara.

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"Hey! How was the doctor visit?" Stephanie asked, hugging her sister. They walked up to the hostess to request a table.

"Pretty much the same as last week. The girls are ready to go, we're just not going, yet. The bigger one, and I really should start calling them by name, is down further, so it's most likely she'll be born first. Her sister is still up higher."

"And how is Spike handling impending fatherhood."

"I've been locking myself in the recording studio."

"That bad, huh?"

"Like a mother hen. He just – hovers. Like he's watching for the exact moment my water breaks."

"Ladies, your table is ready."

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"Did I wake up in the Twilight Zone? 'Cause you're Spike…"

"Yeah…"

"And you're standing in my office in the middle of the day. What gives?"

"Nothing, Harris. I was bored and picked you to annoy," Spike quipped.

"Kara kick you out?" Xander asked sympathetically.

"The moment she woke up this morning," he answered dejectedly.

"So…why come down here?"

"Just got in the car and drove. I figured I should stop here before I ended up in bleedin' Tijuana."

"Wanna grab a beer?" Xander asked, grabbing his coat. It had started to drizzle outside.

"Several, mate." Spike smiled gratefully.

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"What do you want to do next?"

"Anything, as long as I'm not sitting at home."

"The mall's nearby."

"That works!"

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February 1st…

Tara, Joyce, Kara, and Dawn were out to see a movie.

"Dawn, I don't know if we should let you pick movies anymore," Joyce stated.

"Oh, come on! It was funny!"

"I am so glad my honeymoon didn't go like that!" Kara added.

"You took a honeymoon?" Tara asked.

"Why do you think we weren't around for a couple weeks? God, I miss sex without support pillows!"

"Kara! Young ears present!" Joyce exclaimed, placing her hands on Dawn's head, who ducked away just as quickly.

"Mom! You're embarrassing me. Wait, you need special pillows?"

"Certain positions aren't comfortable to lie in when you're pregnant."

"Oh, that makes sense. Can we get ice cream?"

"Ooo, good idea!" Kara agreed.

"You always agree to ice cream," Tara teased.

"Yeah, and? Ice cream was one of the greatest inventions ever. Let's go to Coldstone."

The four packed into Joyce's SUV to head across the street to the shopping center.

"I don't know how you girls can eat ice cream today. It's cold enough, I need gloves! It looks like it will rain again, too."

"Nobody said you had to eat any, Mom. All the more chocolate for us."

Kara was rubbing her low back while they stood in line.

"You alright?" Tara asked.

"Yeah, my back's just sore. All this weight out in front is uncomfortable. I've gained 40 pounds, and it feels like it's all right here," she replied, patting her stomach. "Plus, it feels like she's sitting between my legs. Spike says I haven't been waddling, but I think he's lying."

"You're holding up very well, Kara. And walking around is good for you," Joyce stated.

"Do you think they'll be here soon?" Dawn wondered.

"Geez, I hope so! I mean, what are they waiting for? It's fun out here! Do you think bouncing on a trampoline would help?"

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Later, they were gathered in the Summers' living room with hot cocoa, and a small fire in the fireplace. Kara had most of the sofa, her feet propped on a pillow, with Dawn at the end. Joyce and Tara took the chairs.

"This is so nice," Kara said, out of the blue.

"What is?"

"Having no men around. I love Spike to pieces, but he is no substitute for girl time. Did I tell you I finished the blankets?"

"Oh! How'd they turn out?" Joyce inquired.

"Good…it was really hard stitching the kittens, but the quilts came out really cute." Licorice, Dawn's cat, hopped up on the sofa to curl up in between them. "It's amazing he kept his blue eyes. That's so rare. Most black cats have gold or green."

"You're a handsome boy, aren't you?" Dawn cooed, rubbing behind his ears. The cat purred and leaned into her hand.

"Buffy and I agree that any boy she dates is going to have to compete with that cat for Dawn's affection," Joyce teased.

"Hey, I'll take a pet over the dating scene, any day," Kara said.

"I wouldn't know. I date women, so we speak the same language," Tara put in.

"Ooo, ouch! She could have a point, though. Even Rupert will look at me sometimes like I'm speaking Swahili," Joyce added, laughing.

"Except that he probably speaks Swahili," Kara said. "So, Tara…did you ever go on a date with a guy?"

"Once, in high school. He was a good friend, and we'd grown up together. It was before I was sure I preferred women, and there was a dance, so…he was a nice kisser, but it was just that…nice. Willow's the first woman I've had a relationship with. You all know how shy I used to be."

"Hey, your first love is your true love! That is so cool!" Dawn realized. Her face fell into a pout a moment later. "I miss Michael."

"Aw, sweetie, I know it's rough at this age. At least you two can keep in touch," Joyce said comfortingly.

"Yeah, I know, but every other guy at school is, like, so annoying. And they're all obsessed with the cheerleaders. Michael's just…different."

"Excuse me, ladies. Baby's leaning on my bladder again." Kara swung her feet to the floor and stood, with some help from Dawn. She trudged up the stairs to the bathroom.

"She's right. Spike lied," Dawn said quietly, giggling. The other two nodded in agreement, sniggering in amusement.

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Kara had an odd look on her face as she came back down, and turned towards the kitchen. She dialed a number on the phone, spoke for a few minutes, then came back and sat down.

"Who'd you call?" Dawn asked immediately.

"Dr. Lee. My water broke." They started to talk all at once, and she held up her hand to signal she wasn't finished. "It's fine, sit. I'm not having contractions, yet."

"But don't you need to go to the hospital?" Dawn wondered.

"Not yet. This just means I'm going into labor in the next day or two. What were you three laughing about?"

"How are you so calm?"

Kara smiled beatifically. "Simple, it's not time, yet. Ask me how I feel when the pain starts. How about some more hot chocolate?"

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Spike walked to the entryway when he heard the front door close.

"Hey, sweets, have a nice time with the girls?"

She happily accepted his kiss of welcome. "Mmm-hmm. We saw a funny movie, had ice cream, chatted over hot chocolate…oh, and my water broke, but it's no big deal," she said, hanging her coat up in the closet.

"No big deal! Kara, we need to get you to hospital…"

"I already talked to Dr. Lee, Spike. She said not to bother coming in if I'm not having contractions, and I'm not. We'd be wasting time there just waiting for something to happen. Don't worry," she said sweetly.

"So…how long do we have to wait?"

"I don't know. I'm not a pre-cog. It'll happen in the next couple days. Did you start dinner?"

"What?" he voiced absently. Next couple days…he was going to be a father in the next couple days…oh, god.

"Spike?"

"Hmm?"

"We'll be fine." Kara pressed against him, nuzzling her mark in affection. "Now, did you start dinner? I'm really hungry."

"Uh…yeah…pasta and sauce. Luv, what if I screw them up? I don't have the faintest clue how to be a father." Worried blue eyes gazed down into hers, desperate for reassurance.

"Sure you do. You know how to love. The rest, we'll figure out along the way. This is scary for me, too, you know."

He snorted in disbelief. "You don't act like it."

"Well, somebody has to hold it together," she teased. "Seriously, though, I'm just as nervous. Newborns need all kinds of attending, and we'll have two. We can memorize all the books, but all that will probably fly right out the window the first time one of them has a fever or an earache in the middle of the night. And I wish my mother were here to show me what to do. So, yeah…I'm freaked out, too. The important thing is that we're doing it together, right?"

"Of course. I love you, Kara Rae Taylor Browning. Don't know what I'd do without you…" Spike buried his face into the side of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin, her hair, the blood rushing beneath the surface. He glided his tongue sensuously over his mark, causing the speed of her breaths to increase. "Want you…"

"We can't…well, not all the way…"

"But I can still please you?" he asked, nipping along the pale column of her throat.

"Oh, yeah…might even speed things along…"

"Bedroom?" he suggested, picking her up.

"Turn off the stove first. You're not burning down my kitchen," she commanded.

He growled in frustration over the delay, set her down on the bed, and rushed out of the room again. Spike was back in a blink.

"Someone's eager," Kara purred.

"Always, baby. Gonna eat you all up." He dove for the sensitive spot on her throat and growled lustfully against her skin. She squealed in delight.

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"Wow."

"Liked that?" he asked smugly.

"Mmm. All the blood's left my brain. What about you?"

"Still stuck on that thing you did with your tongue." They were lying on the bed, naked and sated. Spike rolled to his side to face her.

"I like being creative," she smirked.

"You can test a new idea on me anytime, kitten."

"Such a giver."

"You know it."

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"Dinner in bed? You really know how to spoil a girl."

"'S the least I could do, since I tuckered you out. Just let me know if you want more."

Kara slurped up a noodle before replying. "I think I'll be good with this, honey. There must be a pound of noodles on this plate."

He shrugged, sitting down next to her. "You said you were hungry, and you are feeding three. How are you feeling, pet?"

"Fine, tired, sick of being huge. It's weird sleeping down here. I miss my bed. And yes, I know going down the stairs while I'm in labor doesn't make sense, but I never thought I'd be sleeping in my own guest room." They'd moved down here two weeks ago in case Kara had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night.

"Finish up, luv. I'll go lock up for the night, and then we can settle in front of the telly."

"Okay. Don't forget to feed the dogs!" she called to him as he left the room.

"Already did."

Kara smiled and resumed eating her spaghetti. He really was well trained.

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Kara's eyes shot open as she was awakened by a sharp twinge in her stomach. She glanced at the clock. 4 a.m. Ugh. Spike was sound asleep next to her, snoring softly. She shifted around on the bed, trying to get more comfortable, and fall back to sleep. Kara was just drifting off, when she felt another twinge ripple through her abdomen. 4:20. Oh, you've got to be kidding me!

"You couldn't let me sleep a couple more hours?" she whispered to her belly, rubbing her hands over the squirming infants. No need to get worked up, yet. She'd wait and see if the contractions would continue at regular intervals. She was almost asleep again when the next one came. 4:45. Okay, I might as well stay awake for a while.

Kara used the bathroom, then padded silently out to the living room to sit and read. She put her watch on her wrist before leaving the bedroom. 5:05. 5:30. Ow! Kara left a voice-mail message for her sister to warn her. The contractions weren't too bad, yet, and were sticking to every 20-25 minutes. By 6 a.m., Kara was bored. She walked to the phone again, and dialed a familiar number.

"Hey, it's me."

"Hey! What are you doing up? It's barely six there."

"Contractions woke me up. They've been at 20 to 25 minutes apart for 2 hours, but it's not real intense, yet. How long was it like that with Kallie?"

Melissa considered for a moment. "By the 20-minute mark, I was already in definite pain and heading to the hospital. If your contractions don't feel urgent, you could be looking at a while, yet. I wish I was closer, to keep you company."

"Just talking helps. I tried reading, but I'm too restless, you know? You're the only person I knew would be awake right now on a Sunday."

"Yep, up at nine to get the kids to church by eleven. Kallie, honey, go help your brothers get dressed...Sorry about that."

"It's okay. I know you have stuff to do." Kara paused as another contraction hit, breathing like she'd been taught in Lamaze class. "Ow."

"You okay?"

"Yeah. That one just lasted longer than the others. The sun's coming up. Think the groundhog will see his shadow today?"

"You are such a goof, thinking about that while you're in labor. How long between the last two contractions?"

"Eh…17 minutes."

"Go wake your husband. I expect a call as soon as those twins are born," Melissa threatened teasingly.

"My sister's aware you're at the top of the list."

"Bye, Kara. Love you, miss you, be safe."

"Ditto, Mel. Bye."

Kara took the phone back to the charger in the kitchen, and took out the loaf of bread to make some toast. Shadow and Scrapper rubbed against her ankles, wanting breakfast.

"I can't bend down right now, guys. You'll have to make due with dry food this morning."

6:30. Every 15 minutes, now. Kara sighed, and waddled back to the bedroom. She dressed in sweats and a hoodie, brushed her teeth, and moved to shake Spike awake.

"Come on, sleeping beauty, I know it's a sucky hour, but I need you to wake up!" She'd shook him, poked him, tickled him – nothing. He chooses now to literally sleep like the dead. "Spiiiiike!" Okay, time for drastic measures.

Kara walked to the bathroom and filled her glass, then came back and stood over his head. She held the cup tilted right above his face, hoping he'd sense it before she had to douse him. "Spike!" He grunted and rolled away from her. "You asked for it." Kara dumped the very cold water on his face.

"Ahh! Bloody hell! What the f--…why are you dressed?" Spike shook his head like a dog, trying to clear the water out of his ear. "Really not in the mood for games, sweetheart. I was very happily sound asleep-"

"Hospital."

"Eh?" He'd been gearing up for a very nice tirade…

"I – need – to – go – to – the – hospital!" she enunciated. "My contractions are 15 minutes apart, and you wouldn't wake up! So, hurry up and get dressed, before I go drive myself." Kara left the room to go check her bag for the hospital.

Spike sat there, frozen, his sleepy brain trying to catch up to the fact the babies were coming, right now. What was he supposed to do, again?

"Spike! Go dry off and get dressed."

"Right." He was a sudden frantic body of motion, grabbing clothes from drawers. Towel…need a towel… No longer dripping, the towel got left on the floor, and he reached for his tee, not even noticing that he put it on backwards. Hike up the jeans…socks, he needed socks…stupid bootlaces! Screw it, he could tie them later. Spike barreled down the hallway and slid to a stop at the front door, where Kara handed him his coat. He shrugged it on and ran out the door to start the car.

She shook her head, smiling, and locked the door. Kara calmly placed her bag on the floor in front of her feet, and fastened her seatbelt as her mate sped through the gate that had just narrowly opened enough to let him through. She called her sister on her cellphone, then reminded Spike where to turn.

It was going to be a crazy morning.