Buffy rushed back inside the house as fast as a pregnant woman could. Today was Phoebe's first birthday and all her plans had suddenly swarmed her head. She waddled into the kitchen and was greeted by Spike and Faith, who were sat eating breakfast at the table.
'What's got your knickers in a twist, love?' asked Spike.
Buffy threw him a glare as she strolled passed them. 'Today is Phoebe's birthday!'
Buffy heard Faith mumble a 'shit!' before standing up and hurrying past her towards the front door. She didn't even bother to ask where she was going; Buffy had to set the house up! She was thankful that Phoebe was only one and would never remember how unorganized her Mother was on her first birthday. Hopefully, if Buffy could wake up Dawn, she would be able to keep Phoebe busy whilst she set up downstairs.
Buffy pushed open the door quietly and stepped inside. She was immediately greeted by a Wal-Mart bag in her face and had to take a couple of steps back before she walked into it. Angel lowered the bag and grinned at her, pressing a wet kiss to Buffy's forehead. He was already dressed and had all of Phoebe's party things in the Wal-Mart bag, ready to welcome Phoebe's birthday into their home. Buffy felt ecstatic that Angel was more prepared than her; Angel had been a vampire for a long while and she knew he never expected to have a child, or even deal with one!
Buffy pressed a hard kiss upon his lips before pulling back, giving him no time to respond.
'Come on!' Buffy grinned, pulling him out of the room.
Angel laughed at her happiness and let her drag him down the hallway. She stopped in front of Dawn's door and instructed Angel to go downstairs and tell Spike to help him blow up the balloons. Buffy noticed Angel bite his lip as a smirk spread across his face.
'What?' she snapped.
'It's just that I had no breath for centuries,' Angel said, laughing quietly. 'And now you're asking to blow up balloons with Spike for our daughters' birthday!'
Buffy laughed at the thought and rolled her eyes, completing forgetting Angel's past. He pressed another sloppy kiss on her forehead before jogging down the stairs, the Wal-Mart securely in his grasp, and headed towards the kitchen. Buffy pushed open Dawn's door and stepped inside, cringing as the smell of perfume made her feel queasy. She shuffled over to Dawn's bed and pulled back her covers, rolling her eyes at Dawns pathetic attempts to retrieve her covers.
'Dawnie! If Phoebe wakes up then bring her in here and play games with her,' Buffy said.
'Right,' mumbled Dawn, succeeding in grabbing her covers and pulling them back around her.
Buffy sighed at her. 'Did you even here what I said?'
Dawn groaned from under her covers and mumbled, 'Yes, you told me to get breakfast then play bowling with Spike.'
Buffy groaned and dropped my head in her hands, wondering how this girl was even related to her.
'Never mind,' she grunted.
Buffy walked out of her room, forcing herself not to slam the door as she didn't want to wake up Phoebe. Buffy waddled down the hallway and knocked on Willow's door – she knew Willow needed more privacy than Dawn. Thankfully Willow opened the door, fully dressed, with a huge smile over her face.
'One already!' she grinned, clapping her hands together.
Buffy laughed and nodded. One year old, it seemed so unreal. Buffy remembered dreaming in class about having children with Angel, though she thought that they would never come true and were just a figure of her imagination. Wow, Buffy was surprised at how wrong she had been. She looked around Willow and noticed Oz sprawled over the bed, snoring loudly.
'Will, could you do me a favour?' Buffy asked.
'Anything,' smiled Willow, stepping out into the hallway and shutting the door behind her.
'Could you play with Phoebe if she wakes up?' Buffy smiled, hoping that Willow would be more reliable than Dawn at this time of morning.
Willow nodded. Buffy gave her a huge hug, pressing her bump into Willow's stomach, and thanked her repeatedly. Willow laughed and shrugged her thanks off, promising that she would always help to the best of her ability. Buffy began to wonder why she deserved such an amazing friend.
'So, what do you want Oz to do?' asked Willow, clapping her hands together.
'He can stay in bed, Will, he doesn't need to get up!' said Buffy quickly.
Willow shook her head. 'Have you heard him snore? I'm pretty sure that people in china can hear him.'
Buffy and Willow began to laugh uncontrollably. It reminded Buffy of High School slightly; all the responsibility washing away for a second whilst she enjoyed herself. The girls were suddenly joined by Xander, who looked just as amused as they did.
'Buffster! I can not believe that you have got the two ex-dead boys blowing up balloons!' laughed Xander, clapping Buffy on the back.
Buffy and Willow laughed again at the amused expression on their friends face. The old school gang were once again laughing.
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An hour later, the sitting room was filled with birthday banners, balloons and a neat stack of presents. Faith had now returned with an average size present, looking proud of herself. Cordelia had joined them, carrying a present that was only slightly smaller than Buffy and Angel's. Giles had shown up with a collection of small gift, obviously unaware of what to buy a one year old. Anya was eyeing up the presents and Xander was explaining to her why she couldn't open them instead of Phoebe. Spike watched in amusement as Buffy fidgeted nervously with all the decorations and Angel glared at Spike, forcing him not to annoy Buffy when she was already stressed enough. Dawn was sat on the sofa, stacking up the presents in a different order each time. Oz and Willow were amusing Phoebe upstairs.
'Honey, I think we should get her now,' said Angel.
Buffy nodded and took his hand, dragging him towards the stairs. Buffy hoped everything would be perfect for her little girl.
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Authors Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! No worries, there shall be another two or three pieces on Phoebe's birthday. I already have Buffy and Angel's present prepared, plus Cordelia's, but if anyone has any suggestions for the others, besides clothes and teddies, then feel free to share. Thanks again! x