It always seemed to be dripping in the sewers, but it was better to not think about what could be in that water when they were patrolling. The noise of the water gave them some freedom to move more quickly, though, having to do less to hide the sound of their movements. Buffy was in the lead, Faith watching her back, and the blonde signaled her counterpart to stop while she peeked cautiously around the corner as they reached an intersection in the pipes.
They'd been following a demon that had escaped from them on the surface and fled into the underground for safety. Unfortunately for the demon, Faith had been busy at home for the last several months with her pregnant girlfriend and this was her first hunt in a long while, so she wasn't eager to let the fight slip through her fingers.
Buffy seemed to think they'd almost caught up to their prey, slowing the pace and taking more care to be quiet. However, Faith had let her pregnant girlfriend out of her sight and was subsequently clinging to her phone. If they weren't trying to be quiet, Buffy knew she'd have been teasing her fellow Slayer relentlessly about her attachment to her cell phone, constantly checking for a missed call from home. She could never admit it, of course, but sometimes it was just sweet how Faith had turned out.
The sudden, loud, echoing ring from the device in the brunette's hands made it less sweet, and Buffy shot a look over her shoulder. Faith shrugged it off, lifting one finger as she answered. "Will? Is everything okay?"
"Mama…"
Faith felt her heart skip several beats. "Joy? What are you doing on Mom's phone?" she demanded, struggling to keep her voice steady. Apparently it wasn't her best effort as Buffy sidled up to listen.
The little girl sniffled, her distress clear. "Mama, there's something wrong with Mommy," she said hoarsely.
The Slayers exchanged panicked glances in the dark, both already turning to retreat back to the surface. Unluckily for them, the hunch that they were close to their goal had been correct. And their distraction gave the demon a perfect opportunity.
The phone was crackling in her ear as they walked, heedless now of the noise they made, and Joy's voice was trembling and scared, but barely audible. "I'm coming. Don't be -" Then there was pain exploding across the back of her head and the sound of frenzied splashing and the deep cocoon of black as she went down.
It was louder as she woke up, the noise dimming suddenly as someone shut a door. She fought to remember what had happened and where she was. The memories came back slowly, but the first thing that rose to the surface was Joy's panic.
Her eyes shot open and she gasped. "Shit," she groaned, thrashing as hands held her down.
"Faith, you need to be still." Buffy's voice reassured her and she relaxed slightly. "What do you remember?"
"Will," Faith said hoarsely. "What's wrong with Willow?"
Buffy hesitated to speak, hands holding Faith in place gently but firmly. "You just need to calm down…"
"No!" the dark-haired Slayer insisted. "I need to get to Willow."
"She's here," Buffy said quickly.
"Where's here?" Faith demanded, looking around. "Hospital?" Her voice dropped as she cursed under her breath. "Is she okay? Where's Joy?"
"Xander's with Joy. They're in the waiting room," Buffy promised.
"Where's Willow?" Faith asked clearly, feeling her heart pounding in her head. The sensation was painful, but she ignored it. "B, Buffy, where is she?"
The blonde Slayer sighed, not meeting her eyes. "She's in the delivery room," she confessed, voice heavy. "She took Joy to the store after we went out, but…" She swallowed. "I guess she started having contractions or something. I'm not sure about that. Joy was really freaked out and didn't really know what was happening."
"Contractions? She's still got a month and a half! Is she okay?" Faith asked desperately, pushing up against Buffy's hands. "Let me go!"
"I can't," Buffy said firmly. "You've lost a lot of blood and you have a bad concussion. You can't get out of the bed."
"Bull!" Faith denied. "I'm getting out of here and I'm going to Willow!"
"The doctor -"
"B, I don't give a rat's ass about the doctors," Faith insisted sternly. "Now, are you going to help me, or do I have to hit you?"
Their argument was interrupted by a nurse, the older woman drawing back in surprise at the scene. "Oh, Miss Lehane, you're awake."
"I've got to get out of here," Faith said quickly. "Do whatever it takes to make that happen."
"Well, that was a pretty nasty fall. We'll want to keep you in observation," the nurse told her, surveying the Slayer's chart.
"You don't get it! I'm having a baby. I've got to get out of here!" Faith protested loudly, Buffy helpfully keeping her locked down.
That drew the nurse's eyes up from the paperwork, but she frowned. "You're not pregnant, Miss Lehane."
"Not me! My girlfriend! She's having the baby right now, so I really don't have time for this!" Faith growled, her impatience obvious. She shoved Buffy's hand off her shoulder and started to sit up, but the other Slayer had her back against the mattress almost instantaneously.
Faith was glaring daggers at her and Buffy grimaced apologetically. "It really would be easier if you could just let her go be with her girlfriend," she told the nurse. "Are there some kind of quick tests you could run and then do the other stuff later?" She shot a look down at her counterpart. "She promises to stay in observation or whatever all night without a peep too," she added pointedly.
Faith nodded quickly, her desperation clear. "Yeah! Whatever you want! I'll do anything once I know Will and the baby are okay," she pleaded. "Please!"
"This really isn't something I can do. You were hurt pretty badly," the nurse hedged.
"I'm fine," Faith insisted. "I'll take whatever you want me to, I've just got to get to her!" She was pale and banged up, but her eyes were clear, if desperate.
Buffy added her pleading look to Faith's and the nurse sighed. "I suppose we could arrange for you to be there in the delivery room, but you will be in a wheelchair, and if anything happens, we will remove you from the room and you won't be allowed out of this room for the next twenty-four hours," she explained, pinning both girls with a stern look. "Understood?"
"Got it!" Faith agreed immediately, already pushing herself up.
"Hold it! Let me run a few quick tests and we can go," the nurse interjected, smiling soothingly when the Slayer flopped back into the bed with a huff.
Faith stuck her arm out impatiently. "Just get it done," she instructed hoarsely. Her blood pressure was checked, pupils tested for light reaction, and the bandage at the back of her head changed before she could move, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed before the nurse could return with the wheelchair. Buffy helped her into it, the brunette moving slowly in spite of her declarations that she was fine.
The elevator couldn't move fast enough for her, Faith twitching in her seat, but she dutifully stayed in the chair as the nurse got directions to Willow's delivery room. Buffy squeezed her fellow Slayer's shoulder as she spotted Joy and Xander in the waiting room. "I'll be out here with them. Good luck."
Faith sent her a panicked glance over her shoulder, swallowing hard. "Thanks, B."
Willow's painful groans as they entered drew Faith up from her seat, only the nurse's hand on her shoulder keeping her in place. "You need to get a mask on," she instructed firmly, handing it over. "And stay seated or you will leave."
Faith nodded, slipping the mask into place and letting the nurse park her next to Willow. "Will, babe, I'm here," she said, taking her lover's hand and squeezing tightly.
"Faith? You're here?" Willow groaned. "Where are you?" she asked breathlessly, looking from side to side.
"Down here." Willow couldn't move to look down at her, barely able to glimpse the top of her girlfriend's head over the edge of her bed. "I can't stand up right now, but I'm here."
The monitors started beeping more quickly as the redhead's heart rate increased. "What? Why can't you stand up?" she demanded shrilly, a contraction stealing her breath and dragging another groan from her chest.
Faith let her girlfriend squeeze her hand, pressing her forehead against the back of the witch's hand. "You've got this, baby. You're the strongest person I know."
Willow laughed roughly through a groan. "Liar." The contraction subsided and she relaxed limply. "Why can't you stand up? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Faith promised reassuringly. "I've got a concussion and lost some blood and the wheelchair was the only way they'd let me come see you." She shot a look up at her caretaker. "If I stand up or am disruptive in any way I'm getting escorted out."
"Please don't do that then," Willow pleaded, clutching the Slayer's hand tighter with both of her own. "I'm glad you're here."
"I'm not going anywhere," Faith stated. "What about you? The only reason I went out today is because you weren't supposed to go into labor for another month!"
"Your baby kind of made the decision without asking us," Willow shot back, her breath coming and going more quickly as the next contraction started. "Faith!"
The Slayer held onto her hand as the redhead rode it out, squeezing her eyes closed. "How's it going?" she asked the doctor suddenly, realizing that she didn't know how long she'd been unconscious.
"You got here just in time. Just a few more minutes. You're doing great, Willow," the OB assured them, giving each woman a reassuring nod. "Just relax for a minute and get ready for the last big push, okay?" she coached the redhead.
Faith looked up at her nurse, the older woman raising an eyebrow at her. "You've got to let me stand up," she pleaded. "I need to see her! And not from this stupid chair." She gave her best pathetic look. "Please!"
"You're a stubborn one," the nurse sighed noncommittally.
"Please," Willow added from the bed, her face pale and streaked with sweat and tears. "Please let me see her."
The nurse's eyes traveled between the pair, her hands checking Faith's pulse in her wrist and leaning over to look into her eyes. "You can stand up until the baby is born, but when they move your family to recovery, you're going back to your room," she declared finally.
"Thank you," Faith gasped, already standing up shakily. She brushed Willow's hair back with both hands, leaning over to check her out. "You look incredible," she gasped. She kissed her forehead through the mask, both of them breathing hard as Faith left her head leaned against the witch's.
"You must have really gotten knocked in the head," Willow said with a laugh. "God, I'm glad you made it."
"Me too," Faith agreed. "Joy called me, and she was so scared, Will…"
The witch grimaced. "How is she?"
"I didn't have time to see her. B and Xander are with her now in the waiting room. It was all I could do to get them to let me come up here," Faith explained. "Buffy said she was freaked out, but she's a strong kid. I'm sure she'll be okay once she can see you."
"Are you ready to push, Willow?" the doctor interjected from the foot of the bed, drawing both of their eyes.
"One second," Willow requested, free hand shaking as she reached up and pulled the mask down from Faith's face. The Slayer knew instinctively what her partner wanted and kissed her softly before she leaned back and pulled the mask back into place. "Okay, ready."
"Squeeze as hard as you need to, Will. You know I can take it," Faith advised her, leaning over to talk into her ear. Her head was still pounding, and leaning over made her lightheaded, but she was determined to keep her feet until their child was born.
Willow groaned deeply as she put everything she had into pushing, Faith's hands clenched tight in her own. Then another cry joined hers and they both looked down as the doctor lifted their baby into sight. "It's a boy," she announced, smiling to the proud parents. A nurse handed over a stethoscope and the doctor gave a quick listen to the newborn's chest. "He's a little small because he's so early, but his heart and lungs sound good. You've got a perfectly healthy little boy."
Neither one of them could tear their eyes off of their son, naked and squalling and slimy, but theirs. "Oh shit," Faith gasped as the realization settled in.
Willow dug her nails into her girlfriend's hand. "We're never going to tell anyone that that was your first word when you saw him," she instructed firmly, not moving her eyes off of the baby.
"Got it," Faith agreed hoarsely. "It won't leave this room."
"Do you want to cut the cord?" the doctor offered, giving the brunette a smile.
Faith blinked, surprised, and glanced down at her partner. "Go on," Willow coaxed with a tired smile.
The Slayer moved from her side slowly, fingers twitching as she cut the cord. The baby was whisked away for his complete check up and cleaning, but returned to them quickly and delivered into Willow's arms. "He's so beautiful," the witch whispered. "Isn't he?"
"Can't we say handsome?" Faith requested. "He's a boy."
Willow rolled her eyes, but obliged. "Fine. Isn't he so handsome?"
"Yeah," Faith agreed breathlessly. "He's got your nose."
"Poor little guy," Willow teased, jumping as Faith pinched her.
"Hey, I like that nose," the Slayer chided.
"Pinching me after I pushed out your baby! So much for gratitude," Willow joked tiredly.
Faith leaned over to press her lips against Willow's sweat slicked skin. "Hey," she murmured. "Thank you."
"Anything for you," Willow said softly, her eyes growing heavy. "Think your nurse will let you hold him?" she asked.
"I'd like to see her try and stop me," Faith challenged, though she wisely kept her voice down. Willow sat up as much as she could, transferring the baby carefully to Faith. Green eyes couldn't help staring as she watched Faith interact with their baby, hand unsteady but gentle as she cradled the back of his head.
"You're a good mom, Faith," Willow whispered, unable to keep her eyes open further.
"I hate to interrupt, Willow, but…"
"I know," Willow said, forcing her eyes open again. "My part's not done yet."
"I'm afraid not quite yet," the doctor said, giving her a smile. "But we'll take little…"
"Jack," Faith supplied.
"Little Jack back for some tests and his shots and we'll have him back to you by the time you're in recovery," the doctor promised. "He's doing astoundingly well for such a preemie. He must have some strong genes."
Faith reluctantly handed her son over to another nurse, Willow's hand finding hers again as they both watched him go. "What else do you have to do?" Faith asked, gaze dropping to her girlfriend as the door closed behind their baby.
"More pushing," Willow answered. "Can you stay, or do you…?"
They both looked to Faith's nurse, but the older woman nodded with a sigh. "Just sit down," she directed.
Faith complied only after she kissed Willow again, once on her forehead and again on her lips. The nurse fussed with her bandages, but Faith ignored her, focused on the memory of her baby in her hands. It was the same feeling she'd always gotten holding Joy when she was younger, but their daughter had never been so very tiny in her hands.
Willow was breathing hard, her exhaustion obvious as she was cleared to go to recovery, and Faith's nurse wheeled her resolutely back from the bed. "I'll be there as soon as I can," Faith promised.
"I know you will," Willow assured her. "I love you."
"I love you," Faith answered hoarsely.
She didn't speak as the nurse wheeled her out of the room, feeling overwhelmed. Willow had gone into labor when she wasn't there, but their son was whole and healthy and she'd made it in time to see his birth. That was what mattered. Ten perfect, tiny fingers and toes that they were responsible for keeping safe. Now that she'd seen him, the idea of being confined in her own recovery room was inconceivable.
However, the nurse looked as though her patience for special requests from her bullheaded patient was at an end, so Faith kept her mouth shut. She knew she'd be able to sneak out later and not have to bother anyone for permission. Until then, she'd just have to stay docile and keep herself out of trouble. She submitted to the rest of the tests without a word, gratified when they finally left her alone, pulling the curtain around her bed.
She tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn't rest, too full and excited. She was a mother again. With Willow. She had a son. She'd never anticipated having a family until Joy had fallen into their lives, but now she couldn't imagine who'd she'd be without her daughter. All the major changes in her life, Willow and Joy, they'd snuck in quietly, but had more impact on her than anything else in her world.
Her musings were distracted as she caught the sound of the nurses bringing someone else's bed in on the other side of the curtain from her. "Just rest here and we'll send in your family whenever you're ready."
"Now," a voice whispered quietly, its owner obviously exhausted.
"Yes, ma'am," the nurse said kindly. "You just rest."
Faith couldn't help the instantaneous stab of jealousy. Everyone else got to be with their family and she was stuck by herself. She knew Willow wanted to be with her just as badly, but at least the redhead had Joy and Jack and Xander and Buffy to keep her company.
Just as her fellow Slayer's name crossed her mind, though, she was sure she could hear the blonde's voice. Faith blinked, shaking her head. "I'm going nuts," she muttered to herself, hearing the door open as her roommate got their visitors.
Buffy's voice was unmistakable now, and she pushed herself up as she heard Joy talking. "Hey!" she barked, leaning over but barely able to reach the curtain with the tips of her fingers. "Open the curtain!" she called.
"Mama?" Joy asked, confused. "Are you over there?"
"Yeah, baby, it's me! Open up and let me see you," she requested. "Is Mom…" Her voice trailed off as Joy jerked the bottom of the curtain out of the way, running and diving into her bed.
"Gently," Buffy chided as she finished moving the curtain. "Mama's hurt."
"Will?" Faith called, her vision obscured by her daughter's unruly hair.
"I'm here," the witch called back, her voice soft and weak. "How come you're over there?"
Faith laughed helplessly. "I don't know! I thought for sure we'd be on different floors."
"I guess that nurse has a soft spot after all," Buffy commented with a smirk. "Did you behave yourself in the delivery room?" she teased.
Faith nodded, hugging Joy to her. "Of course I did! I was an angel!"
"Mama!" Joy said with a laugh, squirming to get away. "Where's my brother?"
"They're bringing him now, sweetie," Willow said, telling Joy as well as Faith. She yawned helplessly, and Faith sat up, intending to join her family on the other side of the room. There was only five feet between them, but it was too much.
"No, no! Miss Lehane, you promised to a perfectly cooperative patient, did you not?" her nurse interjected as she entered, followed by the pediatric nurses with Jack's clear plastic carrier.
"Yeah, but…"
"No buts! You will stay in that bed or we will find another room for you."
"That's just mean!" Faith whined as Joy jumped down to run across the room and inspect her baby brother. "They're right there! I can't move six feet?"
"No, you may not!" she answered promptly, though it was clear that she was hiding a smile. "Now, I'm going to check on you once more tonight just before my shift ends, and then I'll be back in the morning to see if you can get your hard head released."
Faith nodded eagerly. "Thank you." She sat still, though impatiently, through the checkup, throwing her legs out of bed as soon as the door shut behind the nurses.
"Faith," Willow rebuked her gently even as traitorous hands reached out for her. "You're supposed to be in bed!"
Faith considered her for a brief moment before she rounded the bed to slide in next to Willow. "There. I'm in bed," she announced, pleased with her compromise. "There's my guy," she breathed in wonder as she leaned up to watch Jack over Willow's side.
"You guys did good," Xander said, smiling at the pair. "He's cute."
"Damn straight he's cute!" Faith agreed proudly, huffing when her language got her an elbow in the gut. She slipped an arm around the witch's shoulder and lifted her gently so she could slip herself in underneath her exhausted girlfriend. "Don't listen to those words, Joy."
The little girl rolled her eyes, leaning over to inspect the baby. "He's so little," she whispered, poking at his hand tentatively while he waved it over his head.
"We've got to be really careful with him," Willow reminded her. "We don't want to hurt him."
Joy shook her head solemnly, giggling as he yawned. "He's sleepy!"
"He's had a long day," Faith pointed out, smiling as Willow relaxed against her. "So has Mommy," she added, voice lower.
"Do you care if we hold him?" Buffy asked, giving her counterpart a smile.
Faith shook her head, feeling Willow's breathing slow as she succumbed to sleep. "Of course not."
The blonde gingerly lifted the baby, smiling happily as he curled into her while he dozed. "Hey there, Jack," she murmured. "I beat up your Mama for fun!"
"Don't lie to my son," Faith called from the bed, her eyes closed as she rested her head against Willow's hair. She knew they had a limited window before she needed to get back to her own bed, but she wanted to savor the peace. It was rare in their lives, and on today of all days, she wanted to bask in it. Xander was leaning over Buffy's shoulder to look at the baby, the blonde bouncing him lightly as he slept peacefully.
Willow only stirred when Faith moved under her several hours later, the witch bolting up from sleep. "Where is he? Is he hungry?"
"He's asleep, babe. It's okay," Faith whispered, pressing a kiss to her lover's shoulder. "I didn't mean to wake you up. I've got to get back in my own bed before that nurse comes back to check on me. I don't want to get bounced."
Willow whimpered pathetically, one hand grasping the Slayer's wrist and hauling her arm back around herself. "I don't want you to go all the way over there. I want you to sleep here with me," she whined.
Faith nodded, kissing behind her ear. "I know. Me too. Believe me, I'm not sleeping without you. I've just got to be in the right bed at bed checks." She groaned. "That sounds like we're at some kind of weird chaperoned summer camp, or something."
"We'd have gotten kicked out of that camp so fast," Willow said, leaning back into her and closing her eyes.
"Damn right," Faith agreed, reluctantly squirming herself out from under Willow. "Unfortunately…"
"I know," Willow agreed, her petulance obvious. "Go do what you've got to do and get back to me."
Faith leaned over to kiss her quickly as she climbed out of bed, smiling against the witch's lips as Willow's fingers curled through her hair. "I promise you, I'll be right back."
"Go on," Willow said, her eyes closed and one hand shoving at the Slayer's shoulder. "M'sleepy."
"Okay," Faith agreed with a laugh, her sharp hearing catching the sound of footsteps coming in their direction, and she dashed for her bed, throwing herself under the thin blankets and trying to look sleepy as she rolled over to scowl at the nurse framed in the light from the hall.
"You're fooling no one, Miss Lehane," she said wisely as she leaned over to test the Slayer's reaction to light. "But I'll see you in the morning at seven when I come in."
Faith smirked, winking as the nurse closed the door, and slipping back across the room to slide back into the space behind Willow. The witch moaned as she squirmed backward to be closer to Faith's warmth. "How'd you get knocked out today?" she asked, voice soft and sleepy.
Faith chuckled into her hair, curling an arm protectively around Willow's middle. "Joy called to tell me that there's something wrong with you. I was a lot distracted and got taken down. It would have happened to anyone." She buried her nose in red hair and took a deep breath. "But that doesn't matter anymore. You're here, and safe, and Jack's healthy, and so, just so perfect, Will! And we did that!"
Willow whimpered, fingers lacing tightly through Faith's. "Yeah, we did," she agreed hoarsely. "I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."
"Shut up," Faith denied. "You know I'd take more than some little knock to the head for you." There was a pause, the Slayer drawing in another deep breath. "You and our kids." It was the first time either one had used that word in the plural, and it drew a shocked breath from the witch.
"I like how that sounds," Willow confessed. "Me and you, and our kids," she whispered. "Faith…"
The Slayer cleared her throat gruffly. "I know, Will. I know." The witch yawned heavily and Faith drew her in closer. "You need to sleep," she coaxed softly.
Willow nodded, keeping herself close to her girlfriend. She knew that neither of them would be getting much sleep once they got home with a newborn and their always hyper daughter. Fortunately, they were both used to going without sleep. They'd make it work. And it would be totally worth it.
Faith heard her nurse coming the next morning, but couldn't drag herself away from Willow. "I know. I'm in the wrong bed," she grumbled without opening her eyes. "Too bad."
"I don't believe I ever said congratulations yesterday, Miss Lehane," the nurse said instead of confronting her. "Your son is beautiful." Faith peeked out and saw the nurse leaned over the baby's carrier. "Such a sweet boy!" she cooed.
"Thank you," Faith answered, reluctantly forcing herself up. "What do I need to do to get out of here and be able to take him home?"
"Just a quick check and you're free to go," the older woman promised. "I'm not at liberty to clear your son or your girlfriend, I'm afraid. Everything went fairly smoothly yesterday, though, so I'd guess that they'll only be in here for a few days at the most. As long as nothing goes wrong."
"Thank you," Faith repeated, standing up slowly so she wouldn't wake Willow. "I appreciate you letting me get away with so much yesterday."
The nurse smirked, lifting an eyebrow as she slipped the blood pressure cuff onto the cooperating Slayer's arm. "You don't seem like the type to take no for an answer, Miss Lehane."
"She's not," a sleepy voice chimed in from the bed. "But thank you for obliging us," Willow said, yawning as she turned over to look at them. "I don't know what I'd have done without her holding my hand."
Their elder smiled as she jotted down Faith's blood pressure results and loosened the cuff. "You two seem like a very loving couple," she observed. "And your daughter is adorable. All these cute kids you two have, you should make an honest woman of her," she said, glancing up at Faith.
The Slayer choked, pounding her chest with a fist as Willow watched with wide eyes. "Don't die," she advised. "We need you around." She stood up from the bed and stretched just as Jack started moving in his carrier. "And I don't need a ring to know she's mine," she told the nurse proudly, standing on her toes to kiss Faith quickly before she shuffled over to pick up their son from his bed. "Good morning, baby!" she greeted him cheerfully. "Did you sleep good? I slept good!"
"I didn't mean any offense, just an old woman sticking her nose in where it's not asked." She finished with Faith's chart and smiled to the pair.
"None taken," Willow assured her. "I'm happy to share my life with the Lehanes."
Faith blinked, frowning. "Wait, what? You gave Jack my name?"
Willow nodded, distracted by the baby. "Of course. Joy has your name. It just made sense." She looked up. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No, but…" Faith wasn't sure what about that bothered her. Joy had taken her name once the adoption was finalized, and it did make sense that their second child share that with his sister. "You're the only one left out," she realized.
"I'm not left out," Willow objected. "I'm a mother to your kids. And I'm your partner." She smiled happily as Jack made some small baby noise. The nurse slipped out without either of them noticing. "And we've talked about getting married. We don't need that." She fumbled with the collar of her nursing shirt. "Can you help me with this?"
Faith was quick to get to her side, slipping the buttons out and turning her back as Willow tried to get Jack to nurse. "What are you doing?" Willow laughed when she noticed. "It's nothing you haven't see before!"
"I don't know! Maybe it's something private!" Faith objected. "Joy was pretty much eating regular food when we got her!"
Willow's free hand reached up and tugged on the Slayer's wrist. "Come here," she coaxed. "You are just as much his parent as I am," she reminded her girlfriend. "And there's nothing that you can't see or do."
Faith lifted both hands quickly. "I think I'll just stick with giving him a bottle, or whatever."
Willow laughed, grip shifting to the waist of Faith's hospital issued pants. "That's fine. Just come here," she prompted. "If you won't look at me when I'm feeding him I'm not going to get to see you much for the next few months."
Faith took a deep breath as she sat on the edge of the bed. Her weight shifted unconsciously, the sudden realization that Willow was the only one of them without her name bothering her. "Will…"
"Don't you dare propose to me because of what that nurse said," Willow cut her off, demonstrating impressive insight. "You still don't want to get married. We've discussed it. It doesn't mean anything to you, so there's no reason to do it." Faith didn't answer and Willow leaned over to rest her head against the brunette's shoulder. "Does it bother you that I don't have your name?" she asked softly.
"I think it does now," Faith confessed, leaning back against her hands as she planted them on the mattress behind her. "Even though it seems like some old school possessive thing. Like I want to brand you or something. But we have kids together, Will. Kids with my name."
"And they know who their parents are," Willow answered. "Or Joy does, and Jack will."
"Did you never want to get married when you were a kid?" Faith asked curiously, looking down at the top of her girlfriend's head.
Willow shrugged, yawning as she watched Jack eat. "I think it crosses every little girl's mind at least once." She smirked, poking the Slayer's leg with two fingers. "Except maybe yours."
"Yeah," Faith agreed, chuckling. "But what about you? You never saw the big white wedding? I know you were probably marrying a dude in those fantasies, but you don't want any of the rest of it? You can't have a dude, though," she clarified pointedly.
Willow giggled, rolling her eyes. "No, no dudes," she agreed. "Faith, I'm so unbelievably happy with our life right now. Aren't you?"
Faith nodded quickly. "Of course."
"I'll change my name if that'll make you happy," the witch offered. "But I'm completely fine without getting married." She shifted Jack to her shoulder as he finished eating, standing up to walk with him. "It wouldn't even be legal anyway," she pointed out.
Faith blinked, shaking her head. "I don't think that's the point of getting married," she said earnestly.
Willow was distracted, but Faith's sincerity reached her and she paused, bouncing Jack lightly against her shoulder. "Are you being serious right now?" she asked. "Because we've talked about this." She met Faith's brown eyes directly. "Honey, if I thought you actually wanted to marry me, I'd run down an aisle. But if you're just talking like this because some stranger who doesn't know anything about us said something, I'm going to say no."
Faith frowned, elbows relaxing and dropping her backwards onto her back. "I'm not proposing. I'm just…asking. We're talking," she insisted. "So you would marry me, but not if I'm asking?"
Willow sighed as Jack yawned. "Sweetie, where is this coming from?" she asked. "I'll get the paperwork started tomorrow to change my name if that'll make it better."
"You deserve better," Faith said, voice gruff. "You deserve more than just changing your name. You deserve commitment and rings and a big ass cake, or whatever."
Willow stared at her lover for a long moment. "Faith, no. We have everything we need. We're committed. Cake does sound good, but I think that's mostly because I'm starving."
"I'm not kidding," Faith pushed. "Willow…"
"Faith, I'm asking you not to do this," Willow cut her off, Jack asleep in her arms.
The Slayer growled in frustration. "What do you want for breakfast?" she asked instead. "I'll go get you whatever."
Willow glared at her for a moment before her expression relaxed and just became tired. "Anything you can find is fine."
"Great," Faith agreed, her own annoyance not fading as quickly.
"Faith," Willow called her back as she reached the door. "Thank you."
"Yeah, sure," the Slayer agreed without turning.
Willow sat down wearily as the door closed behind her girlfriend, leaning her head down to kiss the top of their son's head. "That didn't go well, did it, Jack?" She was pacing a few moments later, unable to help herself. "Your Mama doesn't want to get married. And that's fine," she said, telling herself that she was talking to the sleeping baby on her chest rather than talking to herself, but it didn't make her feel any better. "All that matters is that Mama and I love each other so much." She pecked a soft kiss to the baby's smooth skin. "And we love you and your sister more than anything."
"But we've been together for almost fifteen years now. That's commitment!" She sighed. "She doesn't want to marry anyone. I'm not taking it personally. I just don't want Mama to feel like she has to do anything." She turned for another lap. "I love her. I'm not going anywhere."
"Talking to yourself, Will?" Buffy interjected as she entered. "Ooh, baby! Gimme, gimme," she directed, putting down a bag and lifting both hands for the baby. "Where's Faith?"
"She went to get us something for breakfast, but she's also a little bit mad at me, I think," Willow answered as she handed Jack to her friend.
Buffy was happily inspecting the sleeping infant and didn't look up. "Mad? What's she mad about? Did that nurse bust her in the wrong bed this morning?"
"Yes, but that's not what she's annoyed at me about. The nurse made a comment about making an honest woman out of me and Faith started talking all this stuff about getting married."
Buffy lifted her head at that, smiling. "Whoa. I mean, she was the one who didn't want to do it…" Willow chewed on her lip without saying anything. "Will, you didn't turn her down, did you?"
"She didn't propose! I just said that I know that she doesn't want to get married and that I'd change my name to match hers and the kids if it would make her feel better about it."
Buffy winced, shaking her head. "Willow, no…" she groaned. "Faith's never been interested in getting married before. If she seriously is thinking about it, even just starting to, you should be trying to help her."
"I thought I was helping her!" Willow protested. "I'm completely fine if she never brings it up again. We're a family. That's what matters to me. There's no pressure from me. And I don't want her to put pressure on herself because it's what she thinks I want!"
"What if marrying you is what she wants?" Buffy challenged. "I know Faith is impulsive and doesn't always think things through, but if she wants to marry you what difference does it make if it's spontaneous?"
"Because I don't want her to wake up some morning after that spontaneous decision and resent me for it," Willow answered, letting herself flop back into the hospital bed. "Ugh, it's too early for this! I just had a baby yesterday and now my girlfriend's not talking to me! What are you even doing here this early?" she demanded grumpily.
"That's one of the benefits of not having an actual job," the Slayer joked. Buffy paused before she spoke again, considering her words. "Will, you're not running again, are you?" The witch just groaned, crossing her arms over her face. "Come on, Will! The first two years you were with Faith you panicked anytime she made a move to go further. But you're telling me that's not what you're doing now?"
"That was a long time ago, Buffy. Faith and me, we're solid now," Willow said wearily.
"But you do want to marry her, don't you? Hypothetically, if she wanted to marry you, what would you say?" the Slayer asked.
Willow groaned again, not moving. "Buffy, there's no point…" The blonde just cleared her throat insistently. "But if I was humoring you, and if she wanted to marry me, I would say yes. Of course I would."
"So if she brought it up, what's the harm in talking about it?" Buffy asked seriously. "People are allowed to change their minds." She laughed. "I bet it seems pretty crazy now that you two used to laugh about having kids, doesn't it?"
Willow let herself peek up at that. She couldn't imagine life without her kids now, and it did seem insane of them to have laughed more than once about the possibility of even having them. "Yeah, okay. We were wrong. Once. It doesn't mean we should get married, Buffy."
The blonde was obviously looking to argue her side further when the door opened to let Faith in. The dark Slayer drew up in surprise as she saw Buffy, a tray of drinks in one hand and a bag from a diner in the other. "I didn't know you were here. Didn't get you any coffee. Sorry."
"No problem," Buffy said cheerfully. "I had some at home."
"Didn't get you any coffee either," Faith said, presenting the cardboard tray and the paper bag. "You still can't have it, right? Cause I got you that tea you like."
Willow nodded, pushing herself up. "Thank you, babe."
Faith nodded without speaking again, perching herself on the arm of the chair against the wall, her feet in the seat. The redhead sighed, sorting through the bag and tossing Faith's breakfast across to her.
Buffy was still walking the baby and she blinked at the uncomfortable tension. "Come on, you guys! Are you seriously not talking? Your son was born yesterday!" she reminded them sternly. "Get married or don't, but you need to be happy about your baby boy!" She turned so Faith could catch a glimpse of Jack's sleeping face. "Isn't he just the cutest?" Faith couldn't help cracking a smile and Buffy grinned. "There we go! Get happy!" she ordered mock-sternly. She turned to Willow next. "Now you. Look at your sweet little baby boy, and the woman who gave him to you, and get happy!"
Willow couldn't keep from biting her lip, shyly meeting Faith's eyes across the room. "I'm sorry," the witch said softly. "Buffy's right…"
"That's what I like to hear!" the blonde crowed happily. "Now I'm going to kidnap this little cutie to be my date on a tour of this floor." She hesitated at the door. "He's not going to poop on me or anything, is he?"
Willow laughed, shaking her head. "No. He just ate, but he's got a diaper on."
Buffy leaned her head to check his butt, nodding. "Right. Good. In that case, we're out of here!" She was through the door a moment later, leaving the pair staring across the room in silence.
"I guess we should talk about earlier," Willow finally said slowly.
"I guess so," Faith agreed. "Or you could just marry me."
Willow stared at her, face frozen. "I…Faith…"
The Slayer pushed herself up from her seat, unconsciously mirroring Willow's earlier path as she paced the room. "B was right. You're running," she said, frowning.
"Hey!" the witch protested sharply. "You've kind of sprung this on me here, remember? Yesterday you didn't want to get married. Apparently, now you do! I get a minute to be shocked, okay?" She abruptly jumped to her feet, shoving the Slayer off her path. "And how could you think I would leave?" she demanded. "I just had our son!"
"I don't think you're gonna leave!" Faith shot back. "I think you're pulling away again. I finally want more and you're freaking out again." She laughed but the sound was almost bitter. "I guess I shouldn't be so surprised."
"Stop it," Willow said, her own voice soft now. "Faith, I can't stand hurting you, but I don't know where this is coming from. And I can't lose you if you resent me because some nurse dared you to propose."
Faith was still frowning, but her breath left in a huff as Willow's little frame collided with hers. She was helpless to do anything but wrap her arms around her partner and soothe her while the redhead clung to her. "Just forget about it, okay? You were right. I sprang this on you, and we don't need it, really. We're committed. Me and you and our kids. Right?"
Willow nodded against her chest, swallowing hard. "Right." Her voice was weak and unconvincing even in her own ears and she told herself that it was just because she was still tired and sore from forcing a baby out of her body less than eighteen hours before. "Faith…"
"Shh," the Slayer cut her off softly. "I've got a concussion and you just had our baby. We're tired, that's all. We're solid."
As they both lapsed into silence, though, neither one was sure that that was the truth anymore.
Umm... so sorry about the little cliffhanger/drama at the end - I promise the next update won't take as long to put up - we had bad storms in my area and my internet was down for two days...