Author Note: This chapter is set November 1st, 2005.

Birth Day

"Congratulations," said the doctor. "It's a boy."

"A… a boy?" the ex-vampire stammered. "Oh."

Somewhat crestfallen at his reaction, the physician assured him, "Most fathers want a boy."

"Oh," Spike repeated, before his mind snapped back into functioning thought.

"Oh! A boy!" he beamed, suddenly. "Sorry, doc. Just a shock, is all. We were expecting…" his sentence trailed off as he caught sight of his child again, curled in Buffy's arms as she gave him his first feed. The doctor was relieved when a look of total awe overcame his face once more. Kneeling beside his mate, Spike repeated what the doctor had just said – for she was so focused on the little boy he was sure she hadn't heard a word.

"A boy?" she asked, with a little confused pout. Spike chuckled.

"Yeah, luv. Might need to repaint the nursery."

Later, back at the balloon and streamer covered house, Dawn laughed when she heard the news. Punching Spike's shoulder, she teased him. "So much for instinct. I'm guessing both Joan and Joyce are out as name suggestions?"

"Indeed," Giles agreed.

"So, what are you gonna call him?" asked Xander.

Buffy looked at her mate, silently communicating with him, in a way she still didn't fully understand. Then, after a long moment, and a shrug from Spike, the Slayer declared, "We'll call him Jay."

Everyone else seemed to approve. Then the new aunt finally saw the tyke, and she laughed harder. Spike couldn't help but bristle. "You making fun of him?"

"No!" she said, with earnest. "He's beautiful. It's just funny cause he's brunette. And the curls! Totally cute!"

Spike let out a relieved breath, then laughed a little himself, before asking Buffy, "Which one of us is gonna take the rap for not being a natural blonde?"

The Slayer glared at him, without saying a word – silently or otherwise.

"Can't tell me yours isn't outta the bottle, luv, I've seen the evidence."

The glare got harsher.

"Shut up!" she said, slapping lightly at his arm. "It's a good thing I love you."

"Think so too," he agreed, leaning down to kiss her.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear, when their lips parted.

"You too," he replied, without needing to ask what for. The happiness was coming off them in waves. Giles was loath to interrupt it, but he felt the timing was right.

"Right," he said, clearing his throat. "So, ah…"

"You've finally figured out what he is?" Xander guessed, gesticulating to the baby, and earning himself a dig in the ribs from Dawn.

Narrowing his eyes at the younger man, the watcher suggested he perhaps employ some tact in the future, before stating that, indeed, he had reached some conclusions about the child.

"Don't leave us in suspense all night, Rupert," said Spike, trying to sound casual. Looking down at his son he commented that he "Smelled human enough."

Buffy wrinkled her nose at the comment, which her mate found adorable, and helped ease his discomfort with the shift in conversation.

"So…?" Dawn prompted, with a nervous smile. "My nephew got any cool prophecies with his name on?"

Giles cleared his throat again.

To be continued...