Okay, for some reason on Chapter 3: Reunion that last few paragraphs won't show up no matter what I do and I just realized it. So here they are and I'm really sorry I didn't notice before and I included a few lines above to:

"What am I gonna tell Willow?" Angel said.
"The truth." Cordelia said. "She deserves to know. Stephen too. That's his little brother or sister."
"How am I supposed to tell him that because he hurt his mother, his little brother or sister is permanently damaged forever?" Angel said.
"Well, not so much that, as that it wasn't his fault. You have to tell him that it wasn't his fault." Cordelia said. She pointed inside where Stephen and Willow were. "And it looks like know's your chance, she waking up." Angel looked at her as if he didn't know what to do. "Go on, I'm gonna go call the gang."

Cordelia watched through the window as Angel went into Willow's room and went up to Willow and Stephen. Willow looked up at Angel and smiled that geeky grin of hers. Stephen, too, smiled at Angel.
Angel sat beside Willow and held her hand. Willow's smile instantly turned to worry and panic. Her lips moved, but Cordelia couldn't understand what she was saying. Angel, his back facing Cordelia, stroked Willow's face and went through her hair. For a few moments, Willow just stared at Angel, a fearful expression on her pale face. Cordelia assumed that Angel was talking now, telling Willow about what had happened. Cordy could see Stephen standing by, looking at the floor as if he were ashamed. Then Willow started crying, and Cordelia could hear the redhead loudly and clearly through the door.
Not able to watch any longer, Cordelia went down the hall to use the phone. And even when she was at the end of the hall, she could still hear Willow crying and sobbing.
To Be Continued . . . once again.

Parenthood

Summary: Willow shows up in Angel's room instead of Darla. A month and a half later . . . The next chapter should be coming soon.

Chapter 4: Joy To The World

Depression. It's such a negative word, isn't it? In the case of Buffy's best friend Willow, it was really more of a double negative. In the last two years, Willow and her fiancé Angel had gone through more than Buffy thought any one person, let alone two, could be capable of. But all that had been just the tip of the iceberg compared with what they were dealing with now.

Angel signed in the visitor's log and went to put the sanitary scrubs on. They really weren't necessary, but the hospital didn't know that. They wouldn't understand that Angel was an vampire and therefore didn't carry or spread germs. But, Angel put them on anyway.
He stepped into his fiance's private hospital room and went over to her. She was lying on a sterile bed that was surround by a clear plastic bubble to keep the germs away. There were two gloves, however, so that he or someone else visiting her could hold her hand or possibly play a game with her, when she was lucid enough.
Her eyes were half-closed, but Angel knew she was awake. She just had so many prescriptions and vitamins in her that she wasn't always conscious of what was going on around her. He also knew that she knew he was there, she just couldn't respond by voice or much movement.
He sat down and put his hands through the gloves. He held her hand and her eye twitched. Her stomach was bigger now, just as it had been when she had been pregnant with their first child, Connor. Because Connor had been kidnaped and grew up with his kidnaper, he had only remember his name to be Stephen. Now that he had been for almost a year, he had changed his name back to Connor. He said it was because he was sick of people saying Connor instead of Stephen, but Angel knew the real reason. He was doing it for his mother.
Angel looked into Willow's half-closed eyes and said, "Baby, I'm here." her lips curled ever so slightly, and Angel wouldn't have seen it had he not been looking directly at her. Her fingers squeezed Angel's gloved hand just a little bit.
"W-Where's Connor?" Willow whispered.
"Cordy came by a little while ago and took him to get something to eat. He's gonna come back when they're finished." Angel said. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." she whispered.
"I talked to the doctor and he said he wants to run another test. And tomorrow he's gonna do an ultrasound. We're gonna find out whether we're having a girl or a boy." Angel said. "Personally, I hope it's another boy. But it really doesn't matter. As long as he or she is healthy."
"When?" Willow mouthed, her voice clearly going from lack of use.
"Tomorrow at noon. He has another patient that needs something or other."
"Are X-Xander and Buffy still coming?" Willow whispered.
"I was gonna call them while you were still sleeping, but a nurse told me you were awake. I'll call them while you have your morning dose of vitamins."
"Okay." Willow said. Her eyes were a little more open now, and her voice wasn't as rough as it had been.
Angel heard someone tap on the clear glass door and turned to see who it was. Cordelia, dressed in sterile scrubs and gloves, opened the door and came in. Connor, dressed similarly to Cordelia in scrubs, followed behind her.
"How's Mom?" Connor said.
"She's fine. She's a little more awake than before." Angel said. "You can sit with her while I talk to your aunt Cordy."
"Okay, Dad." Connor said and sat down. Angel went over to Cordy and they went outside the room. They took their sterile clothing on and went down the hall to the family lounge. Cordelia sat down, but Angel, to antsy to sit, stayed standing.
"Angel, what's going on? Everything was fine when I came to pick Connor up." Cordelia said.
"It was, but the doctor said he was gonna take another test." Angel said.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Cordy asked, confused.
"The last time they took a test, the baby's heart rate dropped and Willow had a seizure!" Angel said. He sat down next to her and rubbed his forehead.
"Okay. So maybe you're right about that, but it all turned out okay, right? Well, except for the fact that Willow's practically in a plastic bubble because of it." Cordy said. "Oh, don't give me that look."
"What look?" Angel said.
"That 'don't go there' look you've been giving everyone way to much lately." Cordy said.
"I have not!" Angel protested.
"Yeah, actually, ya have been." Cordelia said. "So, what else did ya wanna tell me?"
"Oh. They're gonna do an ultrasound tomorrow to find out whether the baby's a girl or a boy." Angel said.
"What did Willow say? Is she excited?" Cordy said.
"Yeah, she is. She's just tired, that's all." Angel said. "You know, the doctors said she would get better as the months went along. Willow's just been getting worse."
"Once the baby's born she'll get better." Cordelia said. "I promise.""But that won't be for at least another three weeks." Angel said.
"Just be happy that your baby's survived for eight months. The doctors said that it wouldn't make it for three, but three months was five months ago. And you've gotta remember that Willow is the one who is suffering the most because of this."
"I know, and I hate to see her suffering. I remember what she was like after Tara died." Angel said. He looked down at the floor. "I don't know what to do to make her happy."
"Just be there for her, mostly. She's going through another rough time, and she just doesn't want to be alone." Cordy said.
"She'll never be alone as long as I'm around." Angel said.
"So tell her that." Cordy said. "You know what else she's thinking about. It's two weeks until Christmas, and she gonna be sad about it."
"But why? Christmas is her favorite time of the year?" Angel said.
"Well yeah, last year it was because she was happy. That and it's her first Christmas without Tara and without Buffy or Xander or the rest of the gang around." Cordelia said.
"She just asked me if Buffy and Xander were coming to see the ultrasound." Angel said.
"And you've been wondering why she hasn't gotten any better." Cordelia said. "She's depressed. She isn't around the people she's used to. And it's been how long since she's seen her parents?"
"Ah, I really don't know . . ." Angel said.
"So why don't you call them? And maybe when the baby's born and Willow's feeling better, you four can go visit her parents." Cordy said.
Angel looked up. "How are we supposed to explain Connor? They're going to be pretty curious how their twenty-two year old daughter can have a nineteen-year-old son." Angel said.
"That's a very good question. You guys'll figure it out. Willow's smart, she'll think of something." Cordy said.
"Speaking of Willow, I better get back to her. It's almost noon." he stood up and went for the door. "Oh, and Cordy?"
"What?" she said.
"Could you call Buffy for me? I would, but if I don't get back to Willow . . ." Angel said.
"I know. She'll start freaking out as if you were never coming back." she said. "Go on, and say hi from me."
"Okay." he said and went down the hall back to Willow's room. He put on another pair of scrubs and sterile shoes on and went in.
Connor was sitting beside his mother, holding her frail hands through the big gloves. Willow was sleeping, as she often was. The doctor said it helped her stay healthy. Connor, too, was asleep. Angel went up to him and gently shook him awake.
"Huh?" Connor said rather loudly, causing Willow to stir. But luckily, she fell back asleep.
"Sshh. You wouldn't want to wake your mother, now would you?" Angel whispered. Connor drowsily rubbed his eyes and shook his head. "Why don't you go back to the hotel and get some sleep? Fred, Gunn, Wesley, and Lorne are there."
"But Dad," Connor whispered, "I can't leave Mom."
"She's exhausted. She'll be out for at least twelve hours. I'll tell her you went home." Angel whispered.
"Okay Dad. When can I come back?" Connor said softly.
"Tomorrow, around eleven thirty." Angel said.
"Why eleven thirty?" Connor said.
"Because at twelve we're going to find out whether you're going to have a little brother or a little sister." Angel said.
"Cool," Connor said, "This is great, Dad!""I knew you'd be exited." Angel laughed. "Now go on and get some rest."

Sunnydale, California: 11:00 A.M. the next day
"Xander, step on it!" Dawn Summers yelled from the back seat. "We're gonna be late!"
"Well, it's kinda hard to drive with all the extra things in the van. Jeez, did you guys clean out the entire store?" Xander Harris said.
"We did not!" Buffy Summers protested beside her sister. "It was only at least half."
"My point exactly!" Xander said, his eyes still on the road.
"I don't get it," Anya said suddenly next to her fiancé Xander in the front passenger seat.
"Get what?" Dawn said.
"This pointless tradition of a fat man wearing a red suit and trees with glass on them. It's ridiculous." Anya said. Buffy and Dawn rolled their eyes.
"I think they just call it 'Christmas' nowadays, Ahn." Xander said, "Ya know, 'the spirit of giving'."
"It should be called the season of greed." Anya retorted. "All people do is get drunk and greedily rip apart boxes of things that will just eventually be broken or forgotten. It doesn't make any sense, and it's pointless."
"Okay Scrooge." Buffy said, "No 'ba-humbugs' allowed."
"Why do you insist repeating references to pop culture that I have no possible way of know about?" Anya said.
"It's not pop culture." Dawn said. "It's a classic."
"But--" Anya started to say.
"Okay, okay, break it up." Xander said. "When we get there, I don't wanna hear anymore Scrooge's. Buffy's right.. No 'ba-humbugs' allowed. Willow doesn't want to hear any of that. Is that clear?" the three girls nodded.
"What's a Scrooge?" Anya asked. Buffy and Dawn groaned.

Willow woke up and felt dull and dismal. When she slept, she dreamt of her first Christmas with Angel and Connor. When she was awake, however, all she could think of was that she would have to spend this Christmas in a sterile plastic bubble in a hospital. She was sad, and she was lonely. No one she was used to spending Christmas with was around. Buffy and the gang were in Sunnydale. She didn't know where her parents were at the moment. And worst of all, it was her first Christmas in three years that Tara was not with her.
She was sad and depressed and sore and lonely and tired, and she missed her family and friends. She turned her head to look at the clock on the side table. It said 11:17 A.M. Weren't Angel and Connor supposed to already be here?
Without even realizing it, tears had begun to fall down her face. She didn't understand why, though she didn't want to stop. And amidst all the crying and depression she felt, she fell asleep. And though she didn't know she was asleep and well, therefore dreaming until later, it still felt very real.
In the dream, she was where she had been when she was awake, in the bubble in the hospital room. Everything was in the exact place as it had been in her waking life, except . . .
That same swirl of bright and blinding bluish-white light formed, and she covered here eyes. When the light was gone, Tara was there.
"T-Tara. . ." Willow squeaked, "It's you, it's really you!"
"Yes, it's me. Just as it was before." Tara said. "Now, we have a lot to cover, so we need to get moving."
"'Get moving'?" Willow said. "I don't understand."
"It's all right. You'll understand shortly." Tara said and stepped forward. She touched the bubble and it disappeared."B-But the doctor said I needed to stay in here to keep the baby safe . . ." Willow said, in serious panic-mode.
"It's okay. I promise you, you'll be safe. In the dreamworld, there is no illness or sickness. The baby will be fine. If you'll just take my hand, I show you what's going on." Tara said.
Willow willingly held out her newly-strong hand and held on to Tara's. As if by miracle, she felt none of the pain she'd felt when getting up to got to the bathroom.
Suddenly a white rectangle-shaped burst of light appeared, and Tara was leading her through it.
"Where are we going?" Willow asked.
"The past." Tara said and they went into the door.

Angel, Cordelia, Connor, Buffy, Dawn, Anya, Xander, Fred, Gunn, Wesley, and a camouflaged Lorne jumped into Willow's room and yelled "Surprise!"
A few minutes of unexpected silence passed by and on one said anything. Angel pushed through everyone and went up to Willow. Her eyes were closed, but Angel could still hear her heart beating, as well as the baby's heart.
"Is she sleeping again?" Connor said.
"Someone, go get a doctor!" Angel shouted. Cordelia instantly ran out of the room.
"What's wrong with her?" Dawn said.
"I don't know. But she's breathing, and her heart's still beating." Angel said.
Everyone dropped the presents, decorations, or food they had been holding and went up to the bubble Willow was inside of.
"She looks so peaceful." Xander said. "Like she's dreaming."
"Is she sleeping, I mean . . ." Buffy said.
"I think so." Fred said.
"She's so beautiful." Angel said.
"Yeah. Even though she may be dead or close to it," Anya said.
"Anya!" Xander said.
"Although if you think about it, it makes sense that she would die . . ."Anya said.
"Anya!" Dawn said.
"She basically has nothing left. She's just a shell that would have died eventually. Why not sooner than later? And--"
"Anya!" Everyone shouted.
"Okay, okay!" Anya said, rubbing her ears. "You don't have to shout!"
Everyone rolled their eyes.
"The doctor's here!" Cordelia said coming in, Willow's usual doctor behind her.
"What seems to be the problem?" The doctor said.

"The problem is not that I don't trust you. It's just that I don't understand how this can be possible!" Willow yelled at Tara.
"You really don't need to shout." Tara said. "I'm right here."
"Why can't you just tell me how this is happening!" Willow said in frustration.
"I've already told you, you'll understand when you're ready to understand." Tara said. "No, turn around and tell me what you see."
"What do you mean? All it is, is the portal." Willow said, confused.
"Just look and see." Tara said.
"Fine." Willow said. She stubbornly turned around. "See? I told you--" she had intended to say that all it was was the portal, but instead saw her living room at her parents home in Sunnydale. "Oh my--" The decorations were the same as when she was five. "It's my parent's house. What are we doing in Sunnydale?"
"You'll see. Just watch." Tara said.
"What am I supposed to be looking at?" Willow asked.
"Just watch." Tara insisted. Sure enough, two voices appeared as if out of thin air.
"Xander, give it back!"
"You can't make me, Willow!"
A little girl with red pigtails and a little boy with brown wavy hair ran into the living room, the boy first. The boy held a Barbie doll that had a pink dress on.
"Xa—nder!" Little Willow said.
"What . . ." Adult Willow said. She looked at Tara. "This was the Christmas we were pretending to date, but he stole my Barbie!"
"Com and get it!" Little Xander teased. He ran around the room and around the Christmas tree. Adult Willow and Tara stood in the background, watching as the two little ones were chasing around the room.
"Xander, I'm gonna tell my mommy on you!" Little Willow said, tears now falling down her face.
"Not if you can't find me!" Little Xander said and ran up the stairs and out of sight.
Little Willow just stared at the stairs where her best friend had been. Her bottom lip went out and she started to pout and cry. She plopped down on the floor and sat there, bawling her eyes out.
"I don't remember this." Adult Willow said to Tara.
"You probably don't remember because you didn't want to." Tara said.
"But--" Adult Willow looked down at her younger self and hesitated. There was something vaguely familiar about the look in her mini-me's eyes.
"What's wrong?" Tara said.
"I remember this, I know something is about to happen, I just don't know what." Adult Willow. Suddenly, someone came in the room and adult Willow jerked her head to see who it was
"Willow, honey, what's the matter?" Willow's mother said as she knelt down next to her daughter.
Little Willow looked up at her mother with red, tear-stained eyes. "Xander stole my Barbie!" the little girl sobbed.
"Oh, sweetie. I'm sure he was just teasing. Where did he go anyway?" Mrs. Rosenberg said. Adult Willow stood in the background with Tara. All of a sudden, there was a bang and a clatter coming from somewhere upstairs.
"Oh god." Adult Willow whispered. She knew what was happening.
"Mrs. Rosenberg!" Little Xander screamed from upstairs.
"I think it's time we move on to the next memory." Tara said.
"Which one?" Adult Willow asked.
"Christmas, 1998." Tara said.

2 ½ weeks later (Christmas Eve)
"Dad, when is Mom gonna wake up?" Connor asked his father.
"I don't know, son." Angel said. "But I hope it's soon. It's almost a week away from her due date."
"Was Mom sick like this before I was born?" Connor asked.
Angel looked at his now comatose fiancé. The doctors didn't know why she had gone into a coma again.
"Dad." Connor said.
Angel continues to look into Willow's eyes, but all of a sudden someone hit the back of his head. He jerked and looked up.
Connor was staring at him and laughing. "Dad, I think you're losing your hearing." Connor said."What?" Angel said.
"I said I think you're losing--"
"No," Angel said, cutting Connor off. "What did you say before?"
"Oh. I asked if Mom was sick like this before I was born." Connor said.
"Yeah, she was. It was mostly because of Glory." Angel said.
"I know you and Mom told me about Glory, but I don't remember. Could you tell me again?" Connor said.
"That's something you'd have to ask your uncle Wesley. He's expert when it comes to things like that." Angel said.
"Or," Connor said, "I could ask Mom when she--"
"No," Angel snapped, startling the teen. "I don't want you to ever mention Glory's name with your mother around."
"But why, Dad?" Connor said.
"Because it will bring back too many memories for her." Angel said. "Memories of someone your mother lost who was very dear to her."
"Memories of who?" Connor asked.

"Tara, when is this gonna be over." A very frustrated Willow snapped.
"We just have one more Christmas to go too." Tara said.
"Which one? We've practically been to every one from my whole life. What could possibly be left." Willow said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Your future." Tara said patiently. They stepped into another portal and came out inside of a room Willow did not recognize.
"Where are we?" Willow asked.
"You'll see." Tara said. The room was more metallic and modern than Willow had ever seen. It was like something from the Jestsons, only more silver. There was a silver couch with metallic purple and black pillows. The floor was grey concrete with black plush rugs. The walls were black with too were metallic purple trim.
"What is this? The set of While You Were Out?" Willow said. Tara looked at her as if she didn't know what she was talking about. "Never mind. So, is this where I live in the future?"
"You could say that, I guess." Tara said.
"What do you mean, 'I guess'?" Willow said.
"You'll find out in about two seconds. Look at the door that about two feet away from where we are." Tara said.
Willow looked at the door that Tara had said too. It opened, revealing an old woman in a futuristic wheelchair and . . . Angel.
"But how--" Willow said. "Who—who . . . who is that?" she pointed to the old woman.
"Don't she recognize her?" Tara said. Willow shook her head. "It's you. You in the future, anyway."
"B-but Angel . . . he's the same." Willow said.
"Well yeah, he's a vampire." Tara said.
"But what about . . . what about Connor? A-And the new baby?" Willow said.
"Whoa! Slow down." Tara said. "There isn't much I can tell you. But I can tell you that Connor is fine."
"What about the baby?" Willow said anxiously. "Is there something wrong with my baby?"
"Like I said, I can't tell you much. But what I can tell you is that you and Angel's second child is a girl." Tara said.
"What did we name her?" Willow asked.
"I can't tell you. You two have to decide for yourselves. There's this whole 'freewill' thing that gets in the way. It's the rules." Tara said.
"Is she okay? Can I see her?" Willow said. "Please, just let me see her?"
"I'm sorry. I wish I could show you, but I've been told not to." Tara said.
"By who?" Willow said.
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you that either. But I'm counting on you to trust me that I'm not lying." Tara said.
"Fine. Just tell me what I'm looking at." Willow said. Angel and Willow's future selves were in front of the tv watching something.
"You know what you're looking at. Your future, as well as Angel's. this is what it's going to be like for the rest of your lives together. You're going to age, and he's not." Tara said.
"So?" Willow said. "There's nothing I or anyone else can do about it now, our destinies are written in stone."
"That's what you think?" Tara said.
"It's what I know. What I've learned since I found out about Slayers and vampires and witches. Nothing can change who we're meant to be or what we're meant to do." Willow said stubbornly.
"There's this witch I met after I died, and she taught me something. She said, 'There's always a reason for everything'. Now, to me, that makes much more sense than what you were saying." Tara said.
"Which witch told you that? Would I know her?" Willow said.
"You probably wouldn't know her, she's been dead for longer than you've known you were a witch." Tara said. "Anyway, she told me that there was a reason I died and became a whitelighter. And now, I know I became a whitelighter to guide witches and future whitelighters go where they need too. Just like I've guided you through this. The Elders sent me because they knew that you would trust me, and I knew you would trust me. My job is to make sure that you understand--"
"I can change my future?" Willow said.
"Right. Now, how do you feel about going home? How about giving birth to your daughter?" Tara said.
"Really? I can go home now?" Willow said.
"Yes. In fact, speaking of giving birth, I think it's time for you to wake up." Tara said.

Angel sat next to Willow while the doctors did a C-section to deliver their second child. They had done a C-section because one, Willow was in a coma, and two, because they didn't think the baby could survive a natural birth.. The doctors hadn't started the operation, which Angel knew because he didn't smell Willow's blood yet.
"Okay, Mr. Angel. We're going to start now. I can't guarantee that your fiancé won't wake up. So, if she does, I need you to comfort her and tell her what is going on." The doctor said. "Can you do that?"
"I'll do anything for her." Angel said.
"Alright then. Here we go." The doctor said. Angel heard a slicing noise and instantly smelled Willow's blood. He kissed Willow's forehead and squeezed her limp hand. She didn't move or react. "Almost there. Almost there." The doctor said.
Angel stroked Willow's face and hair. "It's gonna be okay," he whispered in her ear. He kissed her nose and then her lips. He looked in her eyes and saw that she blinked.
He felt her hand in his own begin to twitch and jerk. Her eyes opened and she looked at Angel with a tearful expression.
"Angel?" she said. "What's going on, where am I?"
"Ssshh, calm down. It's okay, you're alright. You're in the hospital. Just calm down." Angel said.
"Where's Connor? Where's my daughter?" Willow said.
"Willow, honey, we don't have a daughter." Angel said.
"Yes. Yes we do. Tara said . . . Where is she? Where's my daughter?" Willow said."Sweetheart, Tara died. Remember?" Angel said.
"I know that. But she's . . . she's . . . I can't remember!" Willow sobbed.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Angels aid.
"Where's my--"
"We're about two seconds away until you two become parents for the first time." The doctor said, cutting Willow off. Angel hadn't told the doctors that Connor was his and Willow's son, because, well, it was just to hard to explain.
"Really?" Angel said.
"Yes," the doctor said. A little cry filled the air. "I am now pleased to announce that you have a daughter!"
"Is she healthy? Is she okay?" Willow said.
"We'll have to take some tests to know for sure, but right now I'd say your daughter looks very healthy." The doctor said. "Mr. Angel, would you like to cut your daughter's chord?"
"Me?" Angel said. "But I don't know if I know how."
"That's okay. Just come over here and I'll show you how to do it." The doctor said.
Angel kissed Willow's forehead and went over by the doctor.. The took the scissors from him and the doctor held out the newborn's tube.
"Now, all you have to do is cut just below where it's clamped." The doctor said.
"It's not going to hurt her, or Willow?" Angel said.
"No. It won't hurt either of them." The doctor said. And put the tube in between the blades on the scissors and cut it. "Okay, would you like to hold your daughter?"
"Yes, please." Angel said. Angle held out his arms and the doctor handed the baby to him.
"Angel, is she okay?" Willow said.
"Yes, sweetie, she's fine." Angel said. "It's perfect."
He went back over to Willow and held out the baby so she could see her. The baby had a full head of red hair, just like her mother. She had Willow's cheeks and nose, but she had Angel's eyes.
"Guess what, Mom and Dad," The doctor said. "It's after midnight. Your baby was born on Christmas Day!"

A few hours later, Angel, Willow, Connor and the new baby were in Willow's hospital room. Connor was asleep on a chair. Willow was lying on her bed, and Angel was sitting in a chair holding her hand. The new baby was in the plastic crib the hospital had provide, sleeping also. They hadn't named her yet, because Willow said she wasn't ready yet.
"How are you feeling, Willow?" Angel said. She didn't say anything. She just stared off in space, as if she were in a trance. "Honey?"
"I don't wanna talk about it!" Willow shouted.
"Ssshh, you're gonna wake the kids up." Angel said calmly. "Besides, I never asked you if you wanted to talk about it."
"I know you were thinking about it!" Willow snapped. The baby stirred and let out a few squeaks and squalls.
"Honey, you're gonna wake up the baby." Angel said.
"Don't change the subject! You know I hate it when you force me to tell you something that I don't want too." Willow said.
The baby was crying now, woken up by her mother. Amazingly though, Connor was still asleep. "Honey, I'm not trying to change the subject. You're really waking the baby." he got up and went to the crib. He picked the baby up and held the newborn on his shoulder. He rocked her up and down. "Ssshh." he whispered.
"Angel, I'll tell you when I'm ready!!" Willow shouted. This time, Connor did wake up."Huh?" Connor said groggily.
"Son, why don't you tell the nurse that the baby is awake. Please?" Angel said.
"Okay Dad." Connor said, understanding that his parents were having a fight and that they wanted to be alone. He left the room without another sound.
When the door closed, Angel went up to Willow, the baby still in his arms. Although, the little newborn had ceased crying now.
"Would you just hold her?" Angel said. Willow shook her head and cringed. "Why don't you want to? She's our daughter. You haven't held her at all since she's been born."
"Angel, I'm just tired. Maybe later?" Willow said.
Angel was about to protest, but knew better. "Alright. When the nurse gets here, I'll tell her to take the baby to the nursery." Angel said. "But sooner or later you're gonna have to hold her."
"I know," Willow said and snuggled under the covers. "'Night."
"Goodnight, honey." Angel kissed Willow on the lips and waved the baby's hand goodbye. "Say goodnight to Mommy!"
"'Night." Willow said again and closed her eyes.
Angel rocked the baby up and down as he walked over to the rocking chair. He sat down and rocked the baby some more. He started to sing an old Irish lullaby his mother had sung to him when he was little, but halfway into it the door opened again.
"Angel," Connor said, as he always did when strangers were around, "I got the nurse."
"Thank you, Connor," Angel said. He stood up and went over to them.
"Connor says that the baby's awake?" The nurse, whose name was Katie, said.
"Yes." Angel said. "Could you take her to the nursery? My fiancé is asleep, and I don't want the baby to disturb her."
"Certainly." Katie said. Angel went over to the crib and gently laid his daughter in the plastic crib. The nurse wheeled the crib out of the room.
"Dad, why is Mom so angry?" Connor said.
"I don't know, son. But I hope she tells me soon." Angel said.
"And when is the new baby gonna get a name?" Connor said.
"When your mother's ready." Angel said simply. "Come on, why don't we go to the cafeteria and get you something to eat?"
"But who's gonna be here when Mom wakes up?" Connor said.
"I've got someone in mind." Angel said.

Cordelia sat in Willow's room, reading a People magazine, waiting for the sleeping redhead to awake. The magazine was actually rather interesting. Apparently some actors she'd never heard of named Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof got married. Cordelia didn't have the slightest idea who they were, but from the picture they looked happy.
Anyway, she was really bored waiting for Willow to wake up. Angel had asked her to talked to Willow and try to get her to tell what happened during her Christmas tour with Tara. She herself was about to fall asleep when she heard Willow groan and wake up.
"Angel?" Willow said.
"He's, ah, out with Connor." Cordy said and looked up from her magazine.
"O-oh." Willow said.
"He'll be back. In the meantime, you're gonna spill about what happened with Tara." Cordy said.
"I already told Angel that I didn't want to talk about it." Willow said.
"Yeah, I know." Cordy said. "That's why I'm here. Call me your in-house therapist."
"I didn't ask for one!" Willow protested."Tough. You need one, seriously." Cordelia said. "Besides, if you don't hold that kid of yours, you're gonna give her a complex."
"I'm not ready." Willow said.
"Did I ask if you were ready? Okay now, tell me." Cordy said.
"No." Willow said.
"Come on, you know you want to." Cordy egged.
"No." Willow repeated.
"Don't make me bring the baby in here!" Cordy said.
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" Willow said.
"I'll wake her up, and she'll cry, and cry, and cry until you give in and hold her. You know, that's probably why she cries all the time. Because she things her mother doesn't love her." Cordy said.
"That's ridiculous! Of course I love her, she's my daughter." Willow said.
"Well, you've got a funny way of showing it!" Cordy said.
"I'm just not ready." Willow said.
"Why?" Cordelia said.
"Because . . . because . . . because . . ." Willow said. Cordy looked at her expectantly. Willow let out a frustrated groan. "You almost had me, but I didn't give in!"
"You almost did!" Cordy said. "You might as well just tell me! You know that I won't give up until you tell me!"
"No. I won't tell you. But I would like to talk to Buffy. Is she here, in Los Angeles, I mean?" Willow said.
"I'm afraid she's not. She didn't want Dawnie to miss school, but she really wanted to be here. She just couldn't let Dawn get behind in school." Cordy said.
"Oh. That's okay." Willow said.
"You could probably call her. I'm sure she's there." Cordy said.
"I guess." Willow said. Cordelia handed the phone to the redhead. "Could I talk to her in private?"
"Oh, sure. I'll just go see if Angel and Connor are back." Cordelia said. She got up and head toward the door.

Willow waited until Cordelia was gone to dial Buffy's number.
"'allo?"
"Spike, is Buffy there? Can I talk to her?" Willow said.
"Oh, you're out of your coma, eh?" Spike said.
"Yeah. Is Buffy there?" Willow said. "It's kinda important."
"Yeah, hold on." Spike said. "Hey Buffy! Guess who's on the phone!" he said off the phone. "Here she is."
"Willow? How are you? Are you okay?" Buffy said.
"Yeah, not really. Listen Buffy, I need to talk to you." Willow said
"Sure. What about?" Buffy said.
"Are you alone?" Willow said. "No, Dawn's in here doing her homework." Buffy said. "Why?"
"I just really need to talk to you alone. Could you go upstairs or something?" Willow said.
"I guess. Talk to me on the way." Buffy said.
"Okay. So, you and Spike huh?" Willow said.
"This is what's so important that you have to talk to me about?" Buffy said.
"No, I was just wondering. Anyway, so I'm guessing Angel didn't tell you that I was awake, or that I had the baby." Willow said.
"No, he didn't. Is the baby okay? Is it a boy or a girl?" Buffy said."A girl." Willow said.
"Really? What did yo two name her?" Buffy said.
"We haven't, not yet. That what I called to talk to you about." Willow said.
"A name? That's it?" Buffy said.
"No. Yes. I don't know. While I was in the coma, I saw Tara." Willow said.
"You were dreaming about her?" Buffy said.
"No. She was in the dream.?" Willow said.
"In?" Buffy said. "How does that work?"
"I'm not exactly sure. Anyway, she took me on this tip of my past Christmas's. and one of the future." Willow said.
"What happened in them?" Buffy said. "In the future?"
"It was horrible. I was an old woman and Angel was the same as he is now." Willow said.
"What about Connor and the baby?" Buffy said.
"I don't know. Tara wouldn't tell me." Willow said.
"Why not?" Buffy said.
"She said it was against the rules or something." Willow said.
"Rules? From who?" the Slayer said.
"She wouldn't tell me that either." Willow said.
"You don't even know what you and Angel named the baby?" Buffy said.
"Exactly." Willow said. "She said that I had to decide on my own."
"Maybe I can help you with a name." Buffy said.
"I don't know what to name her. I just wish you could come up here." Willow said.
"Diddo. But Dawn has to stay in school and I—oh! I forgot to tell you that I have a job now! Buffy said.
"You do? Well what kind of job?" Willow said.
"As a counselor at the new high school!" Buffy said.
"There's a new high school?" Willow said.
"Yeah. Unfortunately they built it over where the old high school was, if you know what I mean." Buffy said.
"Over the hellmouth? Oh, you're gonna have some problems." Willow said.
"Yeah. So, anyway, what kind of names were you thinking about? Girly names? Famous names? Unique names? Past-relative names?" Buffy said.
"There are different kinds?" Willow said.
"Yep." Buffy said.
"How do I choose?" Willow said.
"Well, what does she look like?" Buffy said.
"She's tiny. I mean, really tiny." Willow said. And she has a full head of red hair, like me. Angel says that she's like an exact replica of me. Except her eyes, she has Angel's eyes. I think she looks like a little angel. The biblical kind."
"Like a mini-me?" Buffy said.
"Yeah, almost." Willow said. "If I tell you something, will you think I'm crazy?"
"Depends, but probably not." Buffy said.
"Okay, you know about the dream I had when I was in the coma, right? Well, there's kinda more to it." Willow said.
"What kind of 'more'." Buffy said.
"Well, she said she's a whitelighter." Willow said.
"A what-lighter?" Buffy said.
"A whitelighter. Here, let me tell you what she told me." Willow said. She told Buffy exactly what Tara had told her, almost word for word. When she finished, she let a big sigh.
"Wow," Buffy said on the other side of the phone.
"Yeah, I know. It's a lot to take in." Willow said.
"Wow," Buffy said again.
"Are you okay?" Willow said.
"Wow," Buffy said.
"Breathe, Buffy. Breathe." Willow said.
"Are you sure you weren't just dreaming?" Buffy said.
"Yeah. I don't know how, but I do." Willow said.
"Well then, I believe you." Buffy said.
"Good, because I don't think I could deal with you thinking I was crazy." Willow said. "It felt good to talk to someone. I've just been dealing with a lot if stuff lately, and there just isn't anyone here in Los Angeles who would understand."
"I understand, totally." Buffy said.
"Yeah, 'cause you've got Dawn. You know how it is to have someone completely depend on you." Willow said.
"Exactly. And you've got Connor and the baby." Buffy said. "Speaking of the baby, we got off topic and forgot to help you pick out a name! Have you thought of one yet?"
"Not really," Willow said. "Why is this so hard?"
"I don't know. How'd you pick Connor's name?" Buffy said.
"It was Angel's best friend's name when he still alive." Willow said.
"Well, does Angel have any friends left?" Buffy said. "Or, it doesn't have to be something that relates to Angel's life. You could pick one that means something to you."
"Like what?" Willow said.
"Who means the most to you? Who do you constantly thing about." Buffy said.
"Angel?" Willow said.
Buffy nodded. "You said it before. She looks like an angel. So, why not name her that?"
"Name her Angel?" Willow said.
"No, you've gotta make it girly. Like Angela or Angelina. Personally, I'd pick Angela because it's shorter and easier to say. But that's just my opinion." Buffy said.
"Then Angela it is!" Willow said. "Now, we just need a middle name." Willow said.
"Michelle?" Buffy said.
"No, it doesn't sound right. Hey, how about my middle name?" Willow said.
"Marie? Hmm, let's try it out." Buffy said. "Angela Marie Rosenberg. Sounds good."
"Yeah, I like it too." Willow said.
"See? It didn't kill you to talk about Tara and Angela. Talking was the best thing for you. Now rest up and get better so you four can come visit." Buffy said.
"Okay. 'Bye Buffy. Thanks for listening to me." Willow said.
"You're welcome. Hey, when are you and Angel gonna get married?" Buffy said.
"Oh, we already talked about it. We're gonna start planning as soon as Angela can go home."
"Willow, that's wonderful!" Buffy said. "And guess who's gonna be my maid of honor?" Willow said.
"Who?" Buffy said.
"You." Willow said.
"Well, when does Angel get to go home? Have you picked out a date? How about colors, and flowers and . . ." Buffy said.
"You'll see . . ." Willow said.
To be continued . . . one last time. (I promise)