Thanks for the reviews. Skipping ahead in time again...

Chapter 13

August, 2004…

"Breathe, Ahn! Just a few more pushes!"

"I hate you, Xander Harris! I am never, ever going through this kind of pain again for you!" She pushed through another contraction. "Oh, D'Hoffryn, this hurts like a bitch!"

"You're doing great, Anya. Just one more push when the next contraction hits," the doctor said. She nodded, panting.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" The baby's cry sounded a moment later, and their son was handed to the Harris'.

"You did it, Ahn. He's so beautiful…ten fingers, ten toes…and a bit slimy…"

"Well, duh, Xander! He's been submerged in fluids for 9 months and I just squeezed him through my vagina. Did you think he'd be squeaky clean!" She cradled him protectively, close to her breast. "Your daddy is a dumbass, Thomas Alexander Harris. Yes he is…"

"Hey…!"

"Would you like to cut the cord, Dad?" the doctor asked.

"Uh, sure…I can do that…"

Later, once Anya was settled back in her room, the group came in to visit and see the newest addition to their big, eclectic family.

"Aww, he's so cute! Look at that full head of hair…"

"And the big brown eyes…"

"Awww, he's yawning!"

"I think our women have a new love affair," Sebastian noted, standing with the rest of the men.

"Nah…it'll only last until the first stinky rotten nappy," Spike added. "Then, they're all 'Honey, you do it!'" he said in falsetto.

"Is it really that bad?" Xander asked, looking fearful.

"Put it this way, whelp…it's one of the worst smells I've ever experienced in over 120 years as a vamp. Ana can put a bloody fertilizer plant to shame."

"Oh, god…"

"Don't listen to him, Xander. Spike's just yanking your chain," Giles said.

"You ever change the nappies when the girls stay over, Watcher?"

"Heavens, no!"

"Rest my case," the vampire smirked. Kara looked up at him and shook her finger in reproach. He just blew her a kiss.

"It's all very nice that you came and brought gifts, but could you all please leave?" Anya said. "I'm exhausted, and you people are very noisy."

"Of course." "Get some rest. We'll come back tomorrow." "He's beautiful, Ahn. You should be very proud."

The group shuffled out after giving the new parents hugs and kisses, and saying goodbye to the baby. Xander sank into the chair next to the bed as Anya sighed in relief.

"Go ahead and sleep, Ahn. You've earned it."

"Damn right I have," she said through a yawn, and closed her eyes. She was soon snoring softly.

Xander went over to the cradle and picked up his son. He settled back in the chair, and marveled over becoming a father to this tiny person. He hoped he would be a much better example than his own father, and vowed not to make all those mistakes. Thomas yawned, and blinked.

"Go to sleep, little man. Dad's got you."

-----------------

Dawn's birthday was spent moving her into the freshman dormitory, since classes started in just a few days. Her roommate hadn't shown up, yet, and she kinda hoped she wouldn't have one, after Buffy's story of the demon who tried to suck her soul out.

"Having super-strong movers rocks!" Dawn said, as the last of the boxes was brought into the room.

"At least your dorm has an elevator close by. I'd have hated to try to move all this up three flights of stairs," Buffy replied.

"I'm surprised the room is this big, when the university is so crowded," Kara added.

"I'd definitely prefer my own apartment, but this isn't too bad. I'm only sharing a bathroom with 3 other girls. I'll probably get more studying done with my own space…" Dawn hinted.

"Not happening, Dawnie. You want an apartment, you have to earn one. Is that the last from the truck?" Sebastian said.

"Yeah. Spike's moving it out of the tow zone."

"Well, we should be going. You have a ton of unpacking to do," Buffy said, heading for the door.

"But…"

"Mom will be by after she gets off work. Have fun, Dawnie." The three of them were out the door before she could protest.

"Well, crap."

----------------

"Did she suspect anything?" Spike asked, when they met him at the truck.

"Nope! She thinks we just left her with her unpacking and room situating," Buffy replied. "I can't believe my baby sister is 18!"

"Just means it's legal for her to get in more trouble. I'm still not impressed with this bleedin' neighborhood. And those college wankers can't keep their hands to themselves! You see it on the news all the bloody time."

"What can we do? Try to lock her up until she's 30?"

"It's a start," Sebastian agreed. "What about this Michael lad? We don't know anything of what he might have become since he moved away, and now, he's in the dorm right next to hers!"

"Well, we could always put the 'fear of God' into 'im," Spike replied.

"Oh, no you won't!" Kara argued. "He's a perfectly good kid, and Dawn's been in touch with him practically every day for years. She's got good instincts. Until there's a problem, keep your noses out of her business. She's an adult now."

Spike sighed. "Well, she's gotta have better taste than the Slayer at her age."

"Hey!"

----------------

"Hi, Mommy! Welcome to Casa Dawn."

"It looks like you got quite a bit done in the past few hours."

"Well, there was nothing else to do once the others ditched me. I'm ready to go eat when you are."

"Okay, honey. Make sure you have your keys, and such."

Joyce maneuvered the streets with ease, knowing Los Angeles very well after either living there or working there all her life. They finally pulled up in front of a restaurant.

"Mexican food. Cool beans," Dawn said, as they crossed the street.

"I used to eat here a lot when I was your age. Unless things have really changed, the food is really good."

"When was the last time you were here?"

"Uh…with your father, before the divorce, so it's been a bit." She stepped up to the hostess' stand. "Hi, I'm Joyce Summers…I called ahead?"

"Ah, si. This way."

They rounded a partition, and Dawn shrieked in surprise.

"SURPRISE!"

"Oh, my god! You guys! You are so evil!" she said, pointing to the four who'd helped her move. "I thought my party was on Saturday."

"Well, it wouldn't be a surprise if you knew about it ahead of time, silly," Joyce said. They had the whole back part of the restaurant to themselves. All the Scoobies were there, plus some of Dawn's friends, who were still in town. The crowd moved, revealing someone she hadn't expected to see, yet, and she screamed again, before racing to hug him.

"I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow!"

"Didn't think I'd miss your 18th birthday, did you?" Michael replied.

"I – I…"

"I think she's in shock," Xander teased.

"Shut up!" Dawn cried, blushing. She was glad to see Amanda there, too, whom she'd gotten to know this past year. "This is so awesome! Okay, food, cake, presents…hit me with your best."

"Well, I guess you can open a few presents while we're waiting…" Joyce conceded.

"Cool! Who's first?" After a bit of shuffling, Kara handed Dawn a small box with a card on top, made of construction paper.

"That's from the girls." They'd drawn a picture with big crayons, which basically meant it was a multi-colored scribble. Inside the box was a little plush horse, the same color as the one she used to ride all the time. "They picked it out when we were at the mall."

"Thanks, it's really sweet." Dawn opened Amanda's next, then her other two friends' that had come. The girls had all given her jewelry. "Thanks, guys."

The waitress came and took their orders. It was a huge party, and she was trying to handle it as fast as possible. There would be another 20-minute wait for food, so Dawn opened more presents.

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A cake had been stored in the kitchen for after the meal. Their waitress carried it out upon Joyce's signal, all 18 candles lit.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Dawn….happy birthday to you." "Make a wish!"

"Not out loud!" the Scoobies hastened to say. There was a shared private snicker.

"Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate, Dawnie. Did we get the order right?" someone teased.

"I'll say. This is really good!" she said around a mouthful, then blushed.

Dawn opened the rest of her gifts after eating part of her piece of cake. It was all really great stuff. The only one who hadn't handed over a present was Michael, but she suspected he wanted to give it to her when they were a little more alone. He'd always been shy about giving her stuff.

When it was time to leave, Dawn pulled her mother aside. "I'm going to get a ride back to the dorm with Michael, okay?"

"You sure, honey? I thought you might want to come home for a bit before classes start."

"I'll drive up tomorrow after I finish unpacking. It just makes sense, since we both live in the same place…"

"Okay…I know you probably want to catch up. Be good, sweetie. And be in bed at a sensible hour."

"Yes, Mommy. I love you, too." Kisses and hugs, and then Dawn was running off towards Michael's car.

"My baby's all grown up," Joyce wistfully sighed.

"They always do, dear. I had them box up the leftover cake," Giles said softly.

"Thanks. I'm going to need it tonight. Let's go."

---------------

"So…this is my room. Same as everybody else's. Obviously, I haven't finished unpacking, yet."

"Looks like you got most of it done. Your bed is made, which is more than I can say for my room," Michael observed.

"I'll bet. You hate cleaning."

"I'm not opposed to it…I just usually have other things to do."

"Like giving me my present?"

"What makes you think I got you one?" he retorted.

"Because you're sweet and thoughtful, and you know I'll kick your ass if you didn't," she replied saucily.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm a wuss. Here." He handed her a little box for jewelry.

Dawn opened it up, and found two necklaces inside, each chain holding half of a pendant. "Best Friends" was etched in the gold.

"I love it, thank you. Put one on me?" She handed the box back to him, and turned around, holding her hair up. His fingers brushing the back of her neck as he fastened the clasp sent tingles along her spine.

"All done," he said, stepping back. "Obviously, the other half is mine. I hope we can always stay close friends, wherever life takes us. That's really what these are about."

"Me, too. Um…we should compare schedules, see if we have any of the same classes."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I, uh, don't have mine with me, though I should probably tattoo it to my arm by Monday."

She smiled at him. "You are such a dork."

"Hey, I'm not the one who gets lost in hallways."

"The doors weren't numbered!"

"Likely excuse, Summers. The numbers were there, they were just faded."

"Well, they weren't at eye level back then, so it was hard to tell."

"Yeah, I noticed you're way tall now. Where did that come from?"

"Hell if I know. Do you not like tall girls?" she asked defensively.

"Nope, not a problem. The long legs are a plus," he replied with a smile.

"Pig…"

"What did I say?"

"You're being a guy again," she answered, wrinkling her nose at him.

"Uh, kind of stuck with that…I can go, if I'm cramping your style…" He took two steps towards the door, pretending to leave.

She laughed, even as she grabbed his hand to stop him. "No, please stay. Until curfew, anyways. It's been a long time."

"Yeah, it was," he softly agreed, and bent down to kiss her.

-------------

Time flew by, as it always does, and soon, it was Thanksgiving, then Christmas again. Dawn kept her promise to still come home often, until finals made her stay in and study. She brought Michael as her guest on holidays, since his family was still up north. Thomas was growing like a weed, Connor had an uneventful 3rd birthday, and the twins were still at the tall end of the chart for their age group. Christmas was held at the Browning's house this year.

As they were all seated at the table, and prepared to eat, Sebastian stood, claiming everyone's attention.

"I'd like to make an announcement." He paused to smile down at Buffy, who returned it. "I asked Buffy to marry me last night, and she said yes."

"Oh!" "Oh, my god!" "Congratulations!" "Whoa…that's great…"

"Show us the ring!" Dawn encouraged.

Buffy's grin became a mega-watt smile as she held up her left hand. Simultaneous coos of approval sounded from the women at the table upon seeing the large diamond.

"I knew you were hiding something all day! You've had that look," Joyce exclaimed. "Goodness, there's so much to plan! I was worried for a while, because of your slaying…but this just makes me so happy! My daughter's getting married!" she gushed.

"Have you talked about a date, 'cause you can't have our anniversary," Anya added.

"We haven't had time, yet, Anya, but don't worry. Valentine's Day is safe from us," Buffy reassured her.

"Dibs on maid of honor!" Dawn stated.

"Oh, shoot!" Willow said, scowling that she didn't think of it first.

"Ahem…I think it's time we raise a toast," Giles interjected. "To Buffy and Sebastian. May you have a long, happy, and healthy future. I love you both."

"Aww, Giles…" Buffy sighed, blinking tears back. This was the happiest day of her life.

"Rupert, that was lovely," Joyce complimented. "Well, shall we eat before this excellent feast gets cold?"

"Please," Sebastian agreed.

Conversation during dinner drifted to other topics, but once they had moved to the living room to exchange gifts, the women drifted back to wedding talk. They all wanted to get a closer look at the ring, and find out how Sebastian proposed.

Sebastian stood off to the side with his cousin, watching Buffy recount the tale, her face glowing with love and happiness.

"I'm happy for you, Bas, if this is what you really want," Spike said quietly.

"Thank you. That means a lot. Can you handle a Slayer in the family, William?" he teased.

He shrugged. "What's one more stubborn supernatural bird? I'm already outnumbered 3 – 1."

"It would seem we're in trouble, aren't we?" Sebastian mused.

"Yeah, mate, but it's one hell of a ride. Best join in before your fiancée starts feeling neglected."

"Daddy! We got horsies!" Ana exclaimed, taking his hand and pulling him to the rocking horses she and Lillian had just unwrapped.

"You are terrible at spoiling them," Kara lightly chastised Sebastian.

"I know," he agreed, smiling. "But they were so pretty, and I knew they'd love them…I just couldn't resist."

"Thank you, Uncle Bas," the twins said in unison.

"You're very welcome, sweethearts."

Lillian patted her horse on the neck, then went back to her pile of gifts to find something new. Ana followed suit.

Little Thomas blinked, startled, when Xander took a picture of him with a bow stuck to his head.

"Xander, that's the end of your second roll of film," Anya pointed out.

"So? It's his first Christmas. We won't get another one of those."

"Give it up, Ahn. Proud papas are incorrigible," Kara said.

"Did she just insult us?" Xander asked Spike.

"Don't worry, Whelp. I'll punish her later."

"Okay! TMI!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Thank you, Aun' Tara!" Lillian broke in, holding up her new book. Kara tried to read to the girls every day, though Ana didn't have as much patience for it. Lillian, though, would sit on her lap and point to things, always asking questions. She soaked up every answer like a sponge. At the rate she picked things up, Kara was figuring her youngest would be reading by two and a half.

"You're very welcome, sweetie. I know how much you like kittens."

When she saw the Slayer have a spare moment, Kara tapped her on the shoulder. "Come upstairs for a minute?" she asked quietly.

"Uh, sure…" Buffy followed Kara up to her bedroom, wondering what this was about.

Kara went to the closet, and Buffy heard her rummaging around. She brought out a large box and placed it on the bed.

"In light of your announcement tonight, Merry Christmas," Kara said, gesturing to the box.

"Okay…" Buffy replied, curious. She lifted the lid off, then peeled back the layers of tissue paper. "Oh my god…" Buffy lifted the dress out of the box and held it up.

"Do you like it?"

"It's gorgeous, but Kara, I can't –"

"Yes, you can. My mother left this for me. I didn't actually find it until Spike and I were already married. Since you're going to be family, I thought it was perfect for you. We're about the same size, so it should only need very minor alterations. Go try it on."

"I-I couldn't…this isn't too special for you? I mean, your mom…"

"Well, I'm already married, so when would I wear it? This dress was one I fell in love with when I was 20 and engaged, but I couldn't afford it. Different guy, different dreams, different me. My mother went back in secret and bought it for me after she became ill, knowing she would miss my future wedding. I love her like crazy for doing it, and I'll always have the letter she put with the dress, but a young bride should wear this dress. It's fit for a princess, and every woman should feel like that on her wedding day. Go try it on!"

"Okay…okay. Give me a couple minutes." Buffy took the dress into the giant closet and started changing.

When she'd been in there a while, Kara started to wonder if she needed help. "Do you need help with the buttons?"

"Uh, yeah…actually. There are a lot."

Kara came in and fastened the remaining buttons while Buffy held her hair up. Once she was done, the older woman tugged on Buffy's hand and pulled her out into the room to look in the full-length mirror.

"Wow…"

"Uh-huh. That's what I thought when I first tried it on, too. Here." Kara gently twisted Buffy's hair up to expose her neck. "You look ready to be a bride."

"Oh, Buffy…" Joyce gasped, slipping into the room. She had noticed their absence.

"Hi, Mom. What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," she replied, her eyes starting to fill with tears.

"Mom, don't cry! You start, then I'll start, and we'll be one big mess!"

"I'm sorry…it's just…it's very nice of Kara to let you try on her dress," Joyce added, composing herself.

"Oh, it's not mine, not really. I've never worn it. Never even tried it on. This is Buffy's dress, if she wants it."

"Mom, can you ask Willow to come up? I need another opinion…"

Willow could soon be heard coming up the stairs. She entered the bedroom, followed by a curious Tara.

"Oh, goddess…wow!"

"It's good? You like it?"

"Yeah!"

Tara circled the blonde, looking with a critical eye. "It could use some slight adjustment in the bust, unless you want it to dip that low, but the rest of the fit is about perfect."

"Uh, probably. I wasn't exactly blessed with big boobs," Buffy replied, sending a teasing glare at her friend.

"They're not that big. I'm only one size larger than you," Kara retorted. "Especially since I'm not breast feeding anymore."

"Didn't those hurt your back?" Willow asked.

"Might have, if I was just human," Kara chuckled. "Can we not talk about my boobs anymore? I get enough of that from Spike."

"Yeah…moving on…this dress would save me a lot of time looking in shops. Are you sure you want to part with it?" Buffy asked again.

"YES! I wouldn't have offered, otherwise."

Buffy turned to the other three. "You think I should go with it?"

"Buffy, imagine yourself walking up the aisle in this dress, and standing up with Sebastian. Does the scene seem perfect to you, or is the dress just okay?" her mother said.

"Yeah, go with that! Your hair is all done up, and you're wearing a veil…" Willow added.

"How does he react when he first sees you?" Kara murmured.

Buffy's eyes were closed, and she smiled. "His jaw is gonna drop." She opened her eyes and faced herself in the mirror. "Okay. I'll take it."

"Oh, goodie! Now, we can put that time and money towards the flowers, and the cake, and the music…" Willow said gleefully, getting excited again. "You should pick a date soon so we can find a place!"

"I'm getting married!" Buffy squealed, for the first time. Downstairs, the men were wondering what all the commotion was about.

"Wedding talk?" Sebastian posed to the others.

"Oh, definitely," Anya and Dawn replied. They got up and hurried upstairs, eager to not be left out.

"Just smile and nod, man. It goes the easiest that way," Xander advised. "She's going to have the wedding her way, whether you give input or not."

"It's true, I'm afraid. The only thing Kara had me do was show up and remember my lines."

"I don't envy you, mate," Giles said, laughing.

"Just you wait, old man," Sebastian snarked back. "You'll be next."

Giles sputtered into his drink. "Surely not at our age?" he tried timidly.

The other three just looked at him.

"Oh, bugger."

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"Please, take leftovers. I won't be able to finish all this before it spoils," Kara said, pulling out plastic containers.

"Well, if you put it all through the food processor, the twins will be able to help you with that," Joyce suggested.

"Yeah, but they're still picky about food and won't eat much of the turkey. Take some for sandwiches."

"You just have a bad habit of making too much, luv," her husband teased.

"This from the guy who says 'Don't worry, I'll finish it', then leaves it to mold in the back of the fridge?"

"That only happened twice," he mumbled.

"Three times."

"Daddy uh-oh…"Ana said.

"I love it when she says that," Dawn added. "So, with Buffy marrying Sebastian, and you guys being first cousins, what kind of relations does that make us?"

"Bit?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."