Dawn pushed open the door and stepped inside, shutting it carefully behind her. She had been glad to get out of the house for a few hours and see her Mom; the house seemed so empty without her. Dawn shuffled into the sitting room and looked around, surprised that no one was here. The house had been full to the top, literally, for the past few weeks and she didn't understand why no one was here now.

'Buffy? Angel? Willow?' called Dawn, walking back into the hall way.

Dawn walked through the dining room and into the kitchen, deciding to grab herself a drink before searching the house. Although she was surprised to see Buffy at the table, a bowl of ice cream in front of her and another bowl across the table. A magazine lay wide open in front of Buffy; a picture of a baby was visible from where Dawn was stood.

'Hey,' said Dawn casually.

Buffy raised her head and smiled at her sister, closing the magazine.

'Hey Dawnie, take a seat,' smiled Buffy, nodding towards the other bowl of ice cream.

Dawn walked around the table and took the seat in front of the bowl, which was filled with chocolate ice cream; her favourite. Dawn picked up the spoon and scooped up some of the ice cream, dropping it into her mouth and savouring the flavour. Her spoon hesitated in the air when she noticed Buffy watching her, a frown plastered over her face.

'What? Do I have some ice cream?' questioned Dawn, waggling her finger in front of her mouth.

Buffy shook her head, a small smile tugged at her lips.

'I would never forget about you,' said Buffy, her eyes staring into Dawns.

Dawn dropped the spoon back in the bowl and pushed it away. She turned her attention away from Buffy, looking out of the window.

'Dawn, whether you think it or not, you are my real sister. And just because I'm having another baby it doesn't mean that I won't love you any less,' added Buffy.

Buffy had been heart broken when Spike had came to her, telling her about what he overheard Dawn saying to her Mom. Buffy had never once thought about how Dawn would feel about her pregnancy, neither had she asked. She always expected Dawn to be happy to be another aunt; she always loved taking care of Phoebe. Buffy had been so wrapped up in the 'Prophecy' and Phoebe's first birthday that she never thought about Dawn. Buffy felt ashamed of herself.

'How do you know?' asked Dawn, turning back to face her.

'That isn't important, it doesn't matter. I was so wrapped up in everything that I never thought about how you were dealing. I am so so sorry, Dawn, and I understand if you hate me forever,' frowned Buffy.

'Good, 'cause I will hate you forever,' replied Dawn, shrugging her shoulders.

Buffy bowed her head to the floor and frowned, she had hoped this wasn't Dawn's response.

'Because you have eaten all the ice cream now,' laughed Dawn, a grin exploding over her face.

Buffy looked back up, a huge smile plastered across her face as she jumped up from her seat. She shuffled around to Dawn and pulled her into a hug, which earned a groan from Dawn. Buffy stroked her hair as she gave a sigh of relief. Dawn snuggled her head into Buffy's neck, finding it awkward as Buffy's bump squashed against her, but she still smiled; grateful for this sister time.

'Can I just ask where everyone is?' mumbled Dawn, pulling away from the embrace.

'Oh, I sent Angel, Willow and Oz for some stuff for Phoebe's party. I think Cordelia is looking for an outfit for the party, even though it is only a small one. And Xander, Anya and Giles are at the magic box,' said Buffy, shrugging her shoulders.

'What about Faith and Spike?' asked Dawn, raising her eyebrow.

'I think they've gone to pay the last amount for their new apartment,' shrugged Buffy.

'So, after they move out and Cordelia, how many people will be left?' said Dawn, trying to count of her fingers.

Buffy chuckled.

'Me, you, Angel, Phoebe, Willow, Oz and the little one 'ere,' grinned Buffy, nodding towards her bump, 'and listen, Dawn, my scan is in a few weeks to find out the sex of the baby –'

'Already?' interrupted Dawn, raising her eyebrow.

'Yes. I would like you to come along with me,' smiled Buffy.

Dawn pulled her sister back into a tight embrace and thanked her. Buffy shrugged and continued to hug back, secretly fighting off the urge to throw up as Dawn pressed against her bump.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Sunnydale Mall …

'I have honestly forgotten! Purple or pink?' questioned Angel.

Angel held up two packets of balloons; one pack was full of pink, the other full of purple. Willow and Oz stood in front of him, cocking their heads to the side as they tried to remember what Buffy had asked for. Phoebe sat in her pram, making a lot of mess with the ice cream Oz had brought her.

'I think pink is more girly stuff,' said Oz, nodding his head.

'So, the pink balloons?' asked Angel, sighing in relief.

'I thought she asked for purple,' replied Willow, raising her eyebrow.

Angel groaned and looked back down at the packets. An idea suddenly formed into his mind and he bent down in front of Phoebe. He called Phoebe's name, which made her look up from her destroyed ice cream, and held up the two packets.

'Now, baby girl, pink or purple?' questioned Angel.

Phoebe let out a small giggle and turned back to her ice cream, which had almost melted.

'No, Phoebe, which balloons do you want?' repeated Angel, holding up the balloon packets.

'Pwink!' cried Phoebe, giggling once again.

Angel grinned and kissed her on the forehead. He straightened up and put the purple balloons back on the shelf, dropping the pink ones into the basket that Oz was holding.

'Either way, Buffy is gonna kill you!' chuckled Willow, following Angel to the next aisle.

'Why?' questioned Angel, raising his eyebrow.

'Have you seen the state of Phoebe?' replied Willow.

Angel stopped pushing the pram and walked around to the front. He looked down at his daughter and groaned. Phoebe was covered in strawberry ice cream. It was all smeared across her face and had melted all over her clothes, causing her to look like a pink polar bear.

'I'm never gonna get used to this,' mumbled Angel, rolling his eyes.

I am sooo sorry! It has taken far too long to post this and I apologise deeply. I hoped you liked this part, even if there wasn't much to it. It was kind of boring, just settling out some things. Phoebe's party shall be in a few posts. Reviews are appreciated x