Part Three: A Fresh Start
Author Note: Welcome to part three of this story! Sorry this update is short. Really just a bridge chapter, but there is much more to come.
Everything's been going fairly well for our little Spuffy family, but what new challenges do they face back in California?
Crossing the Pond (June 2005)
Almost one year after Spike finished his transition into becoming human again, and was promptly reunited with Buffy - before moving to England to be with her - everything was in place for them to return back across the water to the United States where they would start their family. A family the ex-vampire was feeling anxious about.
"Will you stop worrying?" the Slayer reprimanded him. "The doctor said I was fine to travel."
He pouted like a petulant child. "Don't trust these modern flying contraptions, an' doctors say a lot of things. Quacks, the lot of 'em, if you ask me."
"Well, no one did ask you," interjected Dawn, cheerily.
Buffy rolled her eyes and relayed the logic of the situation to her husband once more – her patience only holding out because she understood his apprehension, and felt it herself.
"We decided this move was for the best," she reminded him. "And we're not exactly going to move by boat, or interdimensional portal, or by any other means. So we gotta do this, and you need to stop wigging me out, okay?"
He drew in a deep breath and agreed before changing the subject to take his mind off the whole situation.
"So what's gonna happen with you and yer boy, Niblet?"
Dawn frowned, telling him, "We're doing the long distance thing."
Spike raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Brave," he told her.
"Uh huh," she said. "Oh, look, we're boarding. Gate nine!"
The blonde couple looked up at the flashing screen in front of them in unison, then looked at each other.
"This is it," said Buffy, as Spike helped her to her swollen feet.
"That it is," he agreed, taking another deep breath and moving off in the direction of the other passengers, with her hand pressed tightly in his own.
The journey was long but uneventful. Buffy slept through most of it, curled tightly into Spike's side as he gazed out the window. He had a hand on her belly, and was listening to the heartbeat of the baby as he watched the sun set through the clouds.
"Bloody weird life I'm having," he commented to Dawn, who was on the other side of Buffy.
She grinned. "Yeah. But this is the good part. How long 'till we land?"
"About four hours, I'd say."
"Xander picking us up from the airport?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. Don't tell him, but I've kind of missed him."
Spike laughed, and Buffy shifted ever so slightly in response. "Yeah, Niblet, I've missed the wanker too."
To be continued...