Chapter 4

Seemingly inexplicably over time things seemed to work themselves out. Buffy was not allowed back to school instead she was tutored Monday thru Thursday for four hours. William was in the process of teaching her how to drive. Angelus and Buffy only saw each other at dinner which Buffy begrudgingly made each night by six. Of course all good things must come to an end. Ethan had been pressuring his son on his last demand of gaining custody of Conner.

Buffy was sitting in the entertainment room with MTV blaring on the TV when Angelus came in. Buffy didn't look his way, but kept her eyes glued to the set. Clearing his throat he made his presence known, however Buffy still refused to look his way. With out a word Angelus sat his son on the sofa next to her then turned and walked away. Turning to look at the small boy she craned her neck to look towards the hall expecting to see Angelus there. Rolling her eyes she gently picked the child up then hoisted him on her hip. "And just who are you?," she asked out loud. Of course the child answered with nothing but happy gurgles.

Buffy made her way towards his office with the baby on her hip. She didn't know who this kid was or why he left him with her. Knocking on the door she winced when she heard the harsh reply. Opening the door she walked in and thought about setting the kid down and leaving, but couldn't fathom leaving a defenseless child with such a brute.

"What do you want Elizabeth? I'm busy here," he said exasperated by her mere presence.

"Well… I… who's the kid?," she asked motioning towards the baby cradled on her hip.

"My son Conner," he answered simply enough.

"Son? … I… we… no one said you had a son… and… what do you want me to do with him?," she asked a little incredulously.

"Just take care of him until I can find a suitable nanny. Now can't you just leave me be," he said annoyed.

"I've never really baby sat before," she said a little nervous about the prospect.

"God damn it Elizabeth! It's not that fucking hard now get out," he screamed his patience already gone.

Buffy sucked in a quick breath and bit back her tears as she turned to leave. Conner however began to wail out of fear. Buffy quickly fled the room and made her way down the hall to her own. What the hell was she suppose to do with a baby? She laid the baby down on her bed and was relieved that he had stopped crying. Hesitantly she sat down on the bed next to the small child. "So you're Conner?," she questioned. Buffy giggled as he cracked a wide smile and began to gurgle happily. "Well I wonder if you have a room?," she questioned then gently picked the child up.

Searching through the rooms didn't prove to be useful. Checking the time she saw that Tara wouldn't be back for a few more hours. She figured he was going to need to eat soon as well as get a diaper change. Making her way outside she found William sitting outside the guesthouse smoking a cigarette.

"Hey luv who you got there?," he asked as she approached.

"Um Conner, I guess he's Angelus' baby," she said as she sat down next to him.

"Oh yes I haven't seen the little tyke for a few months though. He's grown quite a bit," William commented as he stubbed out his cigarette.

"Yeah and he doesn't have anything here and I'm supposed to watch him. You think you could take me to town?," she asked.

"Sure luv I think the safety seat is in the garage somewhere," he explained.

Nearly 20 minutes later William had found the seat and had him buckled in. "To the mall then," William said as he got in the driver's seat. Buffy nodded her head as she buckled herself in. Soon a familiar silence enveloped the two.

"So how long is the tyke staying?," William asked breaking the silence.

"Not really sure, but I'm thinking a while. Angelus said he was going to find a nanny for him," Buffy reasoned.

"Really? Normally he stays for the day then the wench takes him home," William informed Buffy.

"The wench?," she asked.

"Sorry luv, his mother, Darla," William explained.

"Why aren't they together?," Buffy questioned.

"She was just a fling for Angelus. He hadn't meant to knock her up," William explained.

Buffy was about to ask another question when they parked and William hopped out. Buffy got out then grabbed Conner from the backseat. Making her way into the mall Buffy decided what she would do to anger Angelus. She would spend as much as she could using the two credit cards Angelus had given her. "How old is Conner?," Buffy asked curiously. William scratched his head thinking for a moment. "Let's see he was born in February so he'd be nine months," William answered. Satisfied with the answer Buffy made her way into the mall. William followed along behind her as she entered the first baby boutique. "Can you hold him a sec?," she asked as she handed him over. She picked up a few outfits and held them to Conner. "Hmm I think he needs the 12 month sizes," she said to herself. Not caring about the prices she picked out as many as she could hold. "Luv I'm going to get a baby buggy," William said as he left the store quickly.

William procured a mall buggy then made his way back to the store to find Buffy already paying. "$452.39 is your total," he heard the cashier say. Buffy smiled then handed over a card. Soon she was signing the receipt and stuffing the card in her purse. William had a half a mind to ask her what she thought she was doing, but decided she could handle Angelus herself. Buffy flashed William a bright smile then made her way to another store that sold Baby furniture. As soon as she entered the store a sales clerk was all over her.

"Good afternoon miss how can I help you?," the man asked.

"Well I need baby furniture. Everything you would need for a baby I need it," she laughed.

"Well over here are our cribs. I recommend you pick the one you like then we'll get you the matching items that go with it," the salesman explained.

"I like this one," she said pointing to the most expensive crib in the store.

"Excellent choice. Would you be taking the items tonight or we offer delivery," he asked.

"How soon can you have it delivered?," she asked.

"We may be able to fit you in at 5 pm this evening," he offered.

"That would be great. I also need bedding, um a high chair, and a stroller," she explained.

"Right this way miss is our bedding selection," he explained.

Four stores and two hours later Buffy had managed to spend over $5000 and procured everything a baby would need. She wondered how Angelus would react. She was really tired of his threatening nature and was going to work at standing up to him. Conner was gurgling happily as Buffy tickled him. She had to admit the little guy was already growing on her. Making a face at him she quickly buckled him in the back seat then got into the front seat.

"You sure bought out the stores luv," William said.

"Yeah I guess," she said not really caring one way or the other.

"Does Angelus know you were going to do this?," he asked concerned.

"He told me to take care of him so I had to buy things in order to do that," she reasoned.

"Good luck with that one luv," William chuckled as he drove out of the parking lot.

Promptly at four the delivery driver's showed up. Soon four men were unloading all the purchases Buffy had made and taking them up the stairs. Angelus was sitting in his office working on a case when the incessant racket got the better of him. Stepping into the hall he was surprised to see several men bringing in boxes and bags to one of the spare bedrooms.

"What is the meaning of this?," he bellowed to the men.

"We're just delivering the items as requested sir," the man explained.

"Requested? Who requested?," he asked.

"Mrs. Rayne requested the delivery by four sir," the man explained tired of this already.

Fuming Angelus made his way into his office slamming the door shut. How dare she go out and purchase furniture to be delivered. She had no right. He had not given her permission. Sitting down he began to drum his fingers up and down. What had she bought?, he wondered. She only had three ways to pay. Quickly he turned on his computer and brought up the credit card website. Soon he found the card she'd used. She had spent $5293.47 all on baby items. He was tempted to tell them to send it all back. However, he decided he would think of a better punishment for her.