A/N: Hey, guys! I'm sorry I've made you wait as long as I have for this chapter, but this past week I've had AP tests and I've been so busy, I haven't had time! Okay, that's a lie. The truth is that I had AP tests that I didn't study for because I was busy writing the first nine chapters of my Hunger Games fic. Yeah, I know, shame of me.

But! Alas, I have finished this chapter. Yay! However, well, um, this is the last chapter of Love's Gift . . . until the epilogue that is. Yes, yes, I know. I thought that this fic would be longer. And honestly, I had it outlined to rewrite three more episodes and then write my own version of the finale. But, well, when I started writing this chapter everything just came together and it started to sound like the end. And, if you think about it, this whole story has been about waiting for Connor to arrive. It kinda makes sense to end it here.

That being said, this chapter is very bittersweet for me. It's my last Buffy chapter for the foreseeable future, if you don't count the epilogue I'll write. I've basically been writing Buffy everyday for the last year and it's insanely weird to know that I'm done. It's like when I was writing Two Sides, I was thinking, 'oh, and next I'll rewrite Season 5 and Angel Season 2, oh, and I'll kill Darla in an epic chickfight battle with Buffy!' and then when I was writing AISHB, I was thinking, 'ooo, what if I did a Season 3 rewrite and Angel doesn't go to to hell?' and then during that I was planning this fic. My thoughts have been consumed with Buffy for the longest time. It's odd letting go.

But I can't end this saga without thanking you guys, my ever faithful, ever wonderful readers. You guys have been so, so, so incredibly kind to me. I mean, check out the reponse I've gotten from my fics! AISHB is only four reviews shy of 700! 700! And Two Sides has over 500, and then Eye of the Beholder has over 600! Love's Gift is almost at 400. This is phenomenal. On FF, an author is lucky to get 100 reviews, but you guys have blown that goal out of the water many times over. I will never be able to thank you enough. Some days the only way I finished a chapter was because of your feedback and encouraging words. I mean, it's hard not to finish a chapter when someone reviews and says that they wish they could grab my stories, shove them in Joss Whedon's face, and tell them that 'This was how it should have been!'

Again, I will never be able to show enough gratitude. You all are really far, far, too kind.

So . . . I guess I'll do my last Random Disclaimer.

Random Disclaimer: (I don't own Buffy).

Me: Hey, guys!

Buffy: (breathing hard) I really don't like you right now.

Angel: (also breathing hard) Seriously! Buffy's in labor and you have me fighting in a death match! Outnumbered!

Me: Oh, come on! Buffy, just hang in there, babe! You're doing great! And, Angel, honey, we all know that you're totally badass and look utterly lickable staking other vampires who are trying to rip out your throat.

Angel: Lickable?

Me: You betcha.

Angel: That's a little creepy.

Me: You going to talk to me about being creepy? Seriously?

Buffy: I think we're forgetting something here . . . I AM IN LABOR!

Me: Oh, then I should probably get the chapter shouldn't I?

Angel and Buffy: YES!

Lullaby

Angel growled as he ripped the teeth of a vampire from his forearm. He and Gunn were holding their own, and had eliminated half of their foes, but they were still outnumbered five to one. A movement to his right caused Angel to turn just in time to see a stake driving towards his heart. Angel caught it deftly, twisted the vampire's wrist, snapping the bones, and then drove his own stake into the vampire.

A sharp impact, followed by the loud pop of his shoulder dislocating from its socket, caused Angel to howl in pain and turn to meet his new foe. His attacker came at him and Angel met him head on. Grabbing the vampire with his good arm, he shoved him into another attacking vampire, causing an accidental suicide when the vampire was impaled on the other vamp's stake.

A movement out of the corner of his eye, followed by Gunn's loud curse, prompted Angel to move to his left. He raised his sword just in time to block the blow that would have taken off Gunn's head.

"Thanks," Gunn breathed as he took off the head of another vampire.

Angel grunted as he snapped his shoulder into place. "No problem."

"I think we're winning," Gunn continued as he dodged a blow.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and a dozen commandos stormed in. Angel just knew that they were from Wolfram and Hart. Of course they were. They could never be left out of a prophecy. Honestly, Angel wished that they would stay out of his damn business.

However, the vampires, who were so overcome in their bloodlust, didn't care that technically they were on the same side as W&H and immediately attacked them. No amount of firepower could stop them. Seeing the distraction, Angel and Gunn began to make a break for it.

They hit the back alley behind the Hyperion at a dead sprint, only to be immediately brought up short by a new group of foes—one that had Gunn cursing and Angel staring at a ghost.

"Angelus," the leader of the group finally spoke. "I've been waiting for you."

"Holtz." Angel couldn't believe his eyes. "My, god."

"You have no god, demon."

Two of Holtz's demons grabbed Angel's wrists to hold him, and Angel was so surprised he didn't fight them. All he could do was stare at Holtz, at his nightmare that had come back to haunt him.

"Whoa, whoa," Gunn rose up his hands and looked at Angel. "Holtz? The Holtz? As in the guy whose life you totally and thoroughly ruined?" Angel didn't respond. Gunn made a face. "Aw, damn it, man!"

The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place inside Angel's head once the shock of Holtz's appearance wore off. "The Tro-clon—the prophecy—raised up from darkness to bring darkness. That's you. Holtz, whatever brought you here. . ."

"You did," Holtz replied furiously. "You and your demon bitch. For two hundred years I slept. For two hundred years I dreamt of nothing. . ." Holtz raised his sword to Angel's throat. "But this moment."

"Which would explain why you look so well-rested."

Holtz pulled the sword back in disgust. "You haven't changed."

"You're wrong." Angel began to work on a plan. He had to get to Buffy. "I've changed. Things have happened Holtz. Things that I can't even begin to explain. . ."

"Save your lies!" Holtz shouted. "Don't mock me!"

"It's the truth, man!" Gunn spoke up. "He's got a soul and everything! And, more importantly, a very nice blonde honey that's in labor as we speak."

Holtz scoffed. "Vampires can't have children, idiot."

Gunn shrugged. "Nope. But humans can, and well, I really want to meet my little nephew, so. . ." Gunn looked at Angel. "I go this way, you to that way?"

Angel understood. "Okay."

The next second Angel threw off the two demons that held him and Gunn's ax met the neck of the demon to his left. Holtz began screaming furiously and the rest of his demons attacked. However, they were quickly dealt with and when the coast was clear, Angel and Gunn took off in the direction of Caritas, an enraged Holtz shouting after them.

Thunder shook the sky as Wesley pulled up in front of Caritas. Throwing the car into park, he immediately got out and helped Fred and Cordelia maneuver Buffy out of the car.

"Oh, dammit, dammit, dammit!" Buffy cursed painfully as she cradled her belly. "Dammit all!"

"It's okay, Buffy," Cordelia tried to assure her friend.

"Okay?" Buffy repeated incredulously as she slowly made her way to the doors of Caritas. "Everything is most definitely not okay! The love of my life may be dead! I'm in labor! It hurts like a motherfu—"

"Language!" Cordelia chided. "God, you've been putting a sailor to shame!"

"Does it look like I care?" Buffy returned with a withering glare. "I. Am. In. Labor. I can say whatever the hell I want!"

"Maybe we should just let her curse," Fred whispered not so quietly.

"I can hear you!" Buffy shouted. "Stop treating me like I'm this crazy person!"

"Crazy person in labor," Wesley muttered under his breath.

"I heard that!"

Suddenly, Lorne threw open the door. "Hey, hey, hey! What's with all the yelling? It's hurting my delicate ears. Oh, Buffy! Good to see you! And, oh my. . ."

"She's in labor," Cordelia explained. "We need Cassie, like, now."

"Oh, yes, yes, yes, come in my darlings!" Lorne hurriedly rushed them inside. "Um, sit Sugar Plum in that chair for now."

Buffy closed her eyes as a contraction hit. "Oh, ow, ow, ow! Somebody hold my hand!"

Obliging, Wesley took her hand.

Immediately, he regretted it.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" he screamed along with Buffy as the pressure on his hand increased.

"Sorry!" Buffy apologized.

"Ice! I need ice!" Wesley cried as he cradled his hand.

"How are you feeling? You good?" Cordelia asked hesitantly.

Buffy nodded as the pain receded, a faint smile on her lips. "As good as I can be."

"I'm trying to get a hold of Cassie, Sweetheart," Lorne assured her. "Just hang on."

Buffy looked to Cordelia. "I need him Cordy. He should be here."

Cordelia felt a pang of sympathy shoot through her at her best friend's words. "I know, Buffy. I know. He'll be here. Just give him time."

"I just—I—I need him. He should be here," Buffy repeated tiredly.

"I know."

Another contraction hit Buffy the next second. "Oh, ow, ow, ow, ow! Ah! Somebody hold my hand!"

"NO!" was Fred, Cordelia, and Wesley's vehement response.

Buffy growled in annoyance. "Dammit, Lorne! Where's Cassie?"

"Uh, that's a good question Sweetness. . ." Lorne trailed off. "I can't seem to get a hold of her."

"Oh, well that's just brilliant! Great! Don't mind me I'm just having a baby!"

Suddenly the doors opened and Angel and Gunn burst in. "Did we miss anything?" Gunn asked.

Angel was at Buffy's side in a heartbeat. "Hi," he smiled gently, pushing a lock of hair out of her face.

"Hi," Buffy smiled softly. "You came back."

"I had someone to come back to," Angel replied. "That's a lot of motivation."

"Sorry to break up the reunion, but I think we need to address a very pressing matter," Gunn spoke up. "Kinda important." When it was obvious that Angel wasn't going to be the one to explain, Gunn sighed. "Holtz is back."

"Holtz?" Buffy repeated, looking to Angel to confirm.

"Yeah," he admitted.

"The vampire hunter that tracked you and Darla. . ." she continued, disbelieving as he had been.

"Through the late seventeenth century, yeah," Angel confirmed.

"Oh." Buffy rubbed her belly. "Well that sucks."

"Maybe he's a part of what's supposed to rain down ruination upon mankind," Fred suggested. "The Nyazian Prophecies did say that the Tro-clan was going to be a confluence of events."

"And the sudden appearance of an 18th century vampire hunter in the 21st century does seem a bit confluey," Cordelia added.

"You think he's here for the baby?" Gunn asked and a tense hush fell over the group as they considered the possibility.

"I don't even think he knows about him," Angel finally spoke.

"He wouldn't have to. That's the tragic beauty of a cosmic convergence. I-I mean, he just plays his own small part. He comes here looking for Angel and Darla, and in the process ends up finding Angel's unborn child, who, as it turns out, wasn't evil at all as we feared, but was actually meant to be some sort of Messianic figure. But Holtz kills it before it's even born and his vengeance somehow triggers the end of the world!" Seeing everyone's looks, she hastily added, "Or not! It could go either way."

They were all silent for a while before a thought occurred to Angel. "Where's Cassie?"

Buffy huffed in annoyance. "Now, that is the million dollar question."

Remembering Holtz's pursuit, Angel voiced another question. He looked to Lorne. "Did you fix the spells on this place?"

"You are in luck, my friend! Arnie just left. This is a violence-free zone!"

Buffy sucked in a sharp breath as another contraction hit. "Oh, ow, ow, ow! Ah, dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!"

"It's okay, you're okay," Angel tried to reassure her, but Buffy quickly interrupted him.

"It. Is. NOT. Okay!" she seethed. "This is all your fault, dammit! Ow! Hold my hand!"

Naively, Angel held her hand.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow," Angel began to mutter under his breath, but he didn't dare try and take his hand back.

Once it passed, Buffy looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I love you. I really do. I promise. It's just . . . I'm just saying things . . . and well . . . I do mean them . . . at the time, but I love you. Really. There's no other reason why I'd go through all this agony that's all your fault."

Angel really didn't know how to respond to that. "Um, thanks. Love you too."

"Let's get her up to my bedroom," Lorne suggested. "We can work from there."

"Yeah, okay," Buffy breathed as Angel helped her out of the chair. They came to the stairs and Buffy whined. "Stairs. . .why did it have to be stairs?"

Angel solved that problem by sweeping her off her feet and carrying her up the menacing stairs. He sat her down gently on the bed and Buffy patted his arm. "I knew you were good for something."

"Yeah," Cordelia agreed. "Men are good at lifting heavy objects."

Buffy's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you calling me fat?"

Cordelia realized her blunder. "Uh. . .no. . ."

A soft pop suddenly echoed throughout the room and there stood Cassie at the center, looking fashionably late.

"Someone call for a doctor?"

"Where have you been?" Buffy cried frustrated. "You're late."

Cassie grinned. "Oh, you know me. I like to make an entrance."

"Yeah, well I'd like my kid to make an entrance into this world pretty soon," Buffy quipped back snarkily. "So come on! Let's get to it."

"Uh, guys! We gotta move!" Gunn came barreling up the stairs, Fred right behind him. "Holtz is here and he brought friends!"

"But they can't use violence!" Lorne smiled triumphantly. "I fixed that."

"Oh, yeah? Did you make so they couldn't roll a time bomb in here?" Gunn shot back. "Cause they just did."

Lorne's face fell. "Oh. Not good."

"Oh, hell no!" Cassie's eruption caught them all by surprise. Everyone watched as her ears became more pointed. Her teeth followed the same pattern. Fingernails the size of small daggers descended from the tips of her fingers, gleaming maliciously in the light. Her skin began to adopt a lilac-like hue and she seemed to pulsate. Buffy noticed that her eyes had become completely black. "Someone is threatening my patient? My patient!"

Cassie began to chant fervently in such a dark sounding language that no one wanted to know the translation. Great, black energy cackled around her, concentrating around her hands and winding like tendrils up her arms. The energy in the room was alive and Buffy was in a terrified, awed stupor as she watched her doctor—her funny, quirky, cute and lovable fairy doctor—become the single most terrifying supernatural creature she'd ever seen.

Suddenly, Cassie's chanting stopped and all was still for a moment. Then, Cassie whispered one final word. "Marwolaeth."

The sound that echoed after the final word passed through Cassie's lips eclipsed the loudest clap of thunder Buffy had ever heard by ten. Light so bright she was blinded enveloped the entire room and she heard Cassie speaking quickly, but didn't have time to think about it.

One minute she was surrounded by chaos and the next all was quiet. Slowly, Buffy opened her eyes and to her surprise, found herself in her usual check-up room in Cassie's house. She was in the Cottage again.

She looked around and saw that Angel, along with the rest of A.I. and Lorne were gathered about as well. Cordelia looked around. "This is so cute! Who knew Angel could decorate?"

"Now, if human hospitals were like this, I wouldn't hate them so much," Gunn said as he looked out the window, seeing the blue-grey water rock against the cliff face. "This is sweet."

"Um, guys?" Buffy asked. "Where's Cassie?"

"Here, I'm here!" Cassie walked into the room smiling brightly as ever. It was like the last five minutes hadn't happened. "Sorry you had to see me in one of my moods. It only happens a few times a century. I just really don't like it when someone threatens my patients."

"So, Holtz. . .?" Angel trailed off.

"Is dead," Cassie said simply. "I hate it when I have to take life, but, well, I got nothing but evil from him. Nope, he had to go."

"O-kay," Cordelia said slowly. "Bipolar, much?" she whispered to Wes who merely shrugged.

"Alrighty! Now, unless you guys want to see the nitty gritty of birth, I suggest you shoo yourselves out that way." Cassie addressed them all and motioned towards the door.

"Yeah, I'm going," Gunn said quickly. "Good luck, Buffy! Push that little guy on out here!"

Wesley tried a more delicate approach. "You can do this, Buffy. After all, woman have been doing this for thousands of years. In fact—"

"Save it Wes," Cordelia interrupted before shoving him out the door.

"Okay, you do this like you do everything else, alright?" Cordelia smirked. "110% got it? You're golden honey, golden! Oh, and I'll be right outside. Yell if you need me!"

Fred, being the last one out, lingered. "It'll be okay, Buffy," she said softly. "I know it will. You've been through so much, this should be a piece of cake. . .and cake is good, right?"

Buffy smiled. "Right."

"So, sweetie," Cassie said casually once it was just them and Angel left in the room. "How's it going?"

"Laborious."

Cassie laughed. "Oh, I do love the jokesters. Makes this experience even better."

A golden glow emanated from Cassie's hands and she placed them on Buffy's stomach. "Well, everything's looking good in there sweetie. He's sure ready to get this show on the road. We'll get you changed and into a gown and then I'll take a lookee-loo down there."

Angel helped Buffy change into the gown. As it was, Giles could probably walk in and Buffy wouldn't care. Modesty seemed to escape her at the moment. Once she was changed, Cassie checked her out and told her that there was still a ways to go.

"You've got to be kidding me," Buffy groaned.

"Sorry," Cassie said with a smile. "But, as you so helpfully pointed out before, having a child is laborious."

The next several hours were a rollercoaster.

Buffy couldn't believe that her body could go through this, and she'd been punched, kicked, stabbed, and blown up. Hell, she'd died twice! But this . . . this thing so simply named 'labor'. . . was by far the most painful and arduous experience of her life.

And it wasn't even over yet.

"Oh, god, Angel I hate you," Buffy whined as her head slammed back onto the pillow. She felt as though she had been pushing forever.

"Come on, Buffy!" Cassie smiled from the foot of the bed. "A few more and you're there, I promise!"

Buffy grit her teeth and began to push. "I'm never having sex with you again!" she screamed at Angel.

Angel, who had stayed resolutely by Buffy's bedside the entire time, winced. He had never felt so guilty in his entire existence than he did in this very moment. And that was quite an accomplishment.

He'd also never heard Buffy curse so much.

Or threaten him with bodily harm of a . . . very, painful nature.

Gently, he brushed back her hair, and squeezed Buffy's hand reassuringly with his other hand. "You've got this Buffy," he whispered softly. "Come on, Muirnín, you're almost there. Our son is almost here. Come on, Buffy."

"I can see the head!" Cassie was practically bouncing. "I love delivering babies!"

A loud scream escaped Buffy's lips as she bore down and pushed once more. She was determined. Determined was actually too loose a term for how she was feeling at the moment. Exhausted. In pain. Anxious. Every other emotion in between. But she was focused. So, extremely focused.

And then there was the tiny feeling of impending joy at the back of her mind. After nine months of carrying Connor, she was finally going to meet him. Face to face.

It was with this thought in mind that Buffy pushed harder than she ever had.

And a tiny, high-pitched wail broke through the air.

"Oh, Buffy." Cassie had tears shimmering in her eyes. "He's beautiful."

"Give him to me." Buffy held out her arms. "Please."

Cassie passed over the newborn, grinning like a madwoman.

Buffy felt a swirl of emotion when she held her son in her arms for the first time. She'd thought she'd known love at first sight. She'd experienced it with Angel. But this was different. A warmth flooded her from her head to her toes. The fiercest wave of love she'd ever felt washed over her. She would die for her baby. She would kill for her baby.

She would never love anything more than this baby. Her baby.

Buffy didn't even realize that she was crying until a tender hand brushed her tears away. She looked up and saw her favorite pair of chocolate brown eyes. "Angel," she whispered, looking back at Connor. She gently trailed a finger over Connor's soft, chubby little cheek. "Look what we did, Angel."

"He's beautiful." Angel too, had tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He had a son. He and Buffy had a son. He was a father.

Vaguely, he realized that he had a lot to worry about. The real world still existed. Wolfram and Hart. And though Cassie had killed Holtz, Angel still had to deal with whatever force had brought back Holtz back in the first place. His battles were not over, and there were forces that would be after his son.

But all that didn't matter right now. Right now, all that mattered was that his son, his little warrior, his Connor, was safe and warm and happy in his mother's arms.

Angel caressed Buffy's face, an elated chuckle escaping him. "We have a son."

Buffy's answering smile was the most beautiful he'd ever seen. "We have a son," she repeated. She looked back at Connor. She couldn't take her eyes off him for long. "And he looks just like you," she laughed. "I mean, look at that head of hair."

Angel chuckled as he saw the large tuft of dark hair.

A soft knock caused Angel and Buffy to look toward the door. Cordelia poked her head in. "Mind if we come in?" she asked with a smile.

Buffy nodded. "There's someone we'd like you to meet."

One by one, the members of A.I., including Lorne, filed into the room. But, to Buffy and Angel's surprise, the Scoobies began to walk in, Dawn in the lead. All of them crowded around the bed to get a good look at the new arrival.

"Oh, Buffy," Cordelia whispered, teary-eyed. "He's perfect."

"Hey, goodlookin'," Gunn grinned, waving at Connor.

Wesley stepped forward to look at the child. "Oh, my, he does have a lot of hair, doesn't he?" he chuckled. "He looks just like you, Angel."

Angel grinned proudly.

Fred slowly walked up to the bed, peering over to look at the bundle of joy in Buffy's arms. "He's so tiny," she said with a smile. "Cute."

"Buffy!" Dawn squealed as she looked at her new nephew. "He's so adorable!"

One by one, everyone offered their congratulations and compliments. Willow wore the sweetest smile, and looked at Oz with longing. Oz grinned and whispered, "One thing at a time, baby." Absently, Willow turned the small, diamond engagement ring on her finger.

Anya, on the other hand, was very blunt as usual. "Oh, god that must have hurt," she said when she reached Buffy. "I mean, how will you ever be the same down there?"

Everyone in the room shuddered. "Hey, Anya, how about you, uh, tone it down a little, huh?" Xander chuckled nervously, before mouthing to Buffy. 'Sorry.'

Buffy just shook her head, a smile on her face. Nothing could bring down her bliss.

Except for one thing, an absence that she had noticed. "Where's Giles?"

As if acting on a cue, Giles strode through the door. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized with a smile. "Transatlantic flights are always a horror."

"Giles!" she beamed.

Giles approached the bed and stared at Connor for a long moment before he looked back at Buffy. "He's absolutely, without a doubt, the most beautiful child I will ever see," Giles declared with a soft smile. "Much like his mother."

The Watcher's gaze moved to Angel. "I was wrong about you," he admitted. He glanced back at Buffy. "You are the only one for her."

Angel smiled, not realizing how much Giles' acceptance meant to him until he felt the huge wave of relief that flooded him at Giles' words. However, nothing could have prepared him for the shock he received when he looked up.

"Whistler!"

Whistler appeared exactly as he had the last time Angel had seen him. Same suit. Same hat. Whistler grinned, "Well, look at you. Told ya that there were good things in your future, didn't I? Aren't you glad I hauled your ass at out that alley?"

Angel could do nothing but chuckle. "Not that I'm not glad you're here," he began. "But what exactly are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? This is my house," he grinned. "I live here."

Angel and Buffy both stared at Whistler blankly, and everyone else in the room was watching the interaction curiously. "Come again?" Buffy repeated.

"I live here with this lovely lady," Whistler said as he dragged Cassie, who was smiling brightly, into the room. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist, letting her back rest against his chest.

Buffy stared at Cassie. "I thought you said your husband's name was Michael!"

"It is," Cassie grinned.

Whistler grinned, looking down at Cassie. "Think we should show them?"

Cassie giggled in delight, nodding quickly. "Oh, I can't wait to see their faces!"

"Why?" Angel asked.

Suddenly, Whistler's image began to shimmer. His entire form seemed to distort for a moment before suddenly he was solid once more.

And looking nothing like before.

Whistler was now tall, lean, and muscular. Shiny blonde hair fell to his broad shoulders, framing his chiseled facial features. Bright, piercing blue eyes shone with delight. His full lips were parted in a warm smile.

"Oh, hot damn," Cordelia whispered. "I've died and gone to heaven."

Cassie's eyes narrowed playfully. "Back off Seer. Me and seven hundred years of marriage stand between you and him."

"You're a fairy?" Buffy asked shocked.

"A different kind," Whistler, or rather, Michael, answered, his voice deep and melodious. "Cassie's people are healers. Mine are warriors."

"Which explains you working for the Powers," Angel said, putting the pieces together.

Unable to contain himself, Gunn looked at Angel, nudging his shoulder. "So, how does it feel not being the sexiest guy in the room?"

Everyone laughed, though Michael was looking at Gunn warily.

Gunn's hands went up in the air, defensively. "Hey, man, no worries. I only say that because I am completely secure in my masculinity."

Michael chuckles and Cassie looks up at him. "You should be used to this by now."

Michael merely shrugs, but holds Cassie closer, placing a loving kiss on her temple.

Buffy looked around the room, her eyes lingering on everyone in turn. She loved all of them. They had all been there for her more times than she could count. She owed them her life many times over. Willow's brilliance. Oz's ever-present calm. Xander's hidden bravery. Giles' knowledge. Anya's spunk. Dawn's perseverance.

Her years in Sunnydale would never be forgotten. Memories flit through her mind. The first day of school. Meeting Angel. Falling in love with Angel only to lose him in so many ways. Her mother's last days. The funeral. Dawn. Glory. Her own death.

And then she'd come back—broken, scared, and angry. The cottage. Ireland. Angel, so steady and loving. Her return. The months spent after, working with Angel and AI.

And now, here, with Connor. Her son.

Buffy looked down at the child in her arms, half Angel, half her, and she felt brand new. This was a new chapter in the crazy book that was her life. Buffy looked up at Angel, the one man who would forever hold her heart. He was gazing at her like she was the sun, like she was the only thing in the world.

The world would continue. Evil still existed. She still had a job to do.

She was Buffy Summers.

She was the Vampire Slayer.

She was a mother.

Life was perfect, and oh, so sweet.

End

Oh, my. This is crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy! I cannot believe that this is the end . . . aside from the Epilogue. I can't believe it!

This has been a wonderful journey with you guys. Like I said in the beginning A/N, you guys are spectacular and truly the best readers out there. I firmly believe it, and I'm truly honored that you've taken the time to read my stories. Some of you have been with me since the first chapter of Two Sides! I'm really gonna miss you guys. And I can only offer you my thanks, a million times over, and that's still doesn't even begin to eclipse the gratitude I feel. I love you all so very, very much.

For those of you who are interested, I think I'll be posting my Hunger Games rewrite fairly soon. I'm on chapter 10, and we're in the arena! If I continue to write like I have been, I might be finished and posting the first chapter next weekened. I hope to see a few of you follow me into the world of the Hunger Games! If you guys don't already have me on author alert, you can add me so you know when I start to post. The title will be Someone To Watch Over Me. Trust me when I say that my version is so like the original and yet completely different at the same time, much like I've tried to do with my Buffy rewrites.

I'll try and post the epilogue as soon as I can, but I graduate later on today! Yay! And then I'm going to Fayetteville for the weekend to watch the Hogs play. Woo Pig Sooie! Yes, I'm from Arkansas if you haven't figured that out yet. :D But I'll post the epilogue as a chapter, so don't take this story off alert!

Well . . . wow, I can't believe I'm doing this, but . . . bye, guys!

Signing off for the last time,

AC