Tara came down stairs looking tired but happy. "I guess Giles isn't back from the baby run with Angel's friends yet."

Spike directed his attention to her from where he still sat on the couch with Buffy's feet in his lap as he ran his hand absentmindedly over her lower legs. "No, but I can't imagine they'll be much longer. They just need enough stuff to get home with right?"

"Yeah, it's just that we kinda need diapers," Tara replied.

"How is everything going up there?" Buffy asked, shifting herself to sit straighter.

Tara nodded timidly. "Fine, kinda intense. Angel is starting to calm down a little, he sort of freaked me out when he saw Conner's diaper rash. I thought he was going to throw something. He's just playing with him in the tub now and they both seem to be a lot better. We just finished the protection spell on Connor. He's a little sweetheart."

Dawn chewed on her lip. "So he's going to be okay then?"

Tara smiled sweetly. "Yeah, a little diaper cream, and some fresh clothes and he should be fine. He doesn't seem to be malnourished or anything. He was trying to drink the bath water though so he might be a little thirsty," she smiled. "We're just waiting on the diapers and stuff, unless someone wants to donate an old t-shirt or two to the cause."

Spike gave her a sour look that clearly said "not mine", but was saved from having to answer verbally when there was a soft knock at the door. It opened revealing Giles carrying two full bags of clothes and a large pack of diapers. He was followed in by Gunn who was hefting a new car seat. Fred came in, laden so heavily with bags that she looked like she might topple over.

"Oh here, let me help you with those Freddie-kins!" Lorne exclaimed as he rushed over to her.

Gunn set the car seat down next to the coffee table where Giles had deposited the diapers, stood up and ran a hand over his shaved head. "Did we miss anything? Where's Angel and the little guy?" He asked looking around.

Buffy sat up, awkwardly shifting her legs off of Spike's lap, feeling like she was carrying a bowling ball around. "Still upstairs, I think they are just waiting on you guys."

Fred immediately started pulling out baby wipes and a new set of footed pajamas with cute little dinosaurs printed all over them. "Gosh, I really hope these fit… we didn't know what size to get so we kinda went a little nuts," she giggled nervously.

Giles opened the pack of diapers, handing one to her. "I'm afraid it was guess work all around, I do hope these work well enough for him."

Fred took the diaper gratefully and gestured towards the stairs with a questioning look at Buffy and Spike. "Is it alright if I just—" she asked timidly, letting the sentence hang in the air.

Buffy nodded and waved a hand. "It's fine, Tara can show you where the bathroom is."

Tara smiled. "Oh, yeah sure, come with me." The two of them grabbed a few of the bags, quickly exiting the living room.

Buffy tried to hide a yawn and relaxed into Spike's side. "Tired, pet?"

"I'm fine. Hostess lady can't go to bed until everyone is squared away..." she yawned again.

"She can if she's actively growing a couple of tiny humans and has the option to delegate responsibilities," Spike replied.

"I think you should listen to him, Buffy. For all your strength you really should still listen to your body and rest," Giles interjected.

Buffy gave them both a skeptical glare. "Fine. I'll go upstairs. I'll take care of the upstairs people and you two can handle all the downstairs people."

Spike chuckled. "Meaning you're going to send 'em all down here."

"Hey, it was your idea," Buffy laughed as she leaned in for a quick kiss.

Giles gave a nod. "I've already offered to take Mr. Gunn and Miss Burkel back to my flat. It should help take a bit of the strain off here."

"I don't mind taking the couch, I don't want to make a fuss," Lorne said reassuringly.

Buffy gave Giles a grateful smile and turned to Lorne. "I'll send Willow down with some extra bedding for you."

"I appreciate it, sweetie," he smiled in return as Buffy stood up from the couch.

She let out a little groan, holding a hand to her lower back. "How can I have three more months of this?" She grumbled as she started up the stairs.

Spike smirked a little as he noticed the beginnings of a slight waddle to her gate. It was probably a result of the way she had been sitting but still, the next few months were going to be very interesting. A Slayer that couldn't move properly was bound to be a grumpy Slayer.

Upstairs Buffy could hear voices coming from the half finished nursery. The changing table and the little bookshelf were already up, but the cribs had not been assembled yet. Angel was in the room getting Connor changed into some pajamas, while Tara, Willow and Fred were going through the bags of clothes gushing over the cute little outfits.

Buffy poked her head in, knocking lightly on the door frame. "How's it going?" She asked in a hushed tone.

Angel's head whipped around, and he eyed her longingly for a moment before Connor let out a burbling little whine. He picked him up quickly and turned back around to face Buffy. The other three women in the room exchanged looks.

Willow cleared her throat. "So I think we're just going to—" she trailed off, slinking around Buffy and leaving the room, taking the other two women with her without protest.

Buffy stopped Willow briefly to ask her about the bedding before she watched them go surreptitiously. Leaning her shoulder against the doorframe, she turned back to Angel. "Okay, so nothing like making an awkward situation even more awkward, huhh?"

Angel gave a sad little chuckle, as he stroked Connor's little head tenderly. "Yeah you would think they would know better by now."

She shook her head. "Not at all. I don't think any of us really know what we're doing half the time."

Angel glanced down at Connor pressed against his chest. "I think this little guy is getting pretty tired. I'm probably just gonna see if he'll—" he looked around the room with its unfinished furniture. "do you have anywhere I can put him down?" he asked.

Buffy bit her lip, she had already anticipated the question. "We have one of those folding playpens. Xan and Anya bought it for us—" she hesitated a little. "umm, the basement is already all vamp friendly with a cot set up if you want to take him down there with you. Lorne said he'd take the couch. You can put him in the living room if you want. It's totally up to you."

"Thanks, I'm sure I'll figure something out…" he glanced at Connor and back to Buffy. "So vamp accommodations in the basement, huhh? Trouble in paradise already?"

"More like leftovers from getting his soul. He humm… wasn't really himself for a while…" she added quietly, looking down at the floor.

"Yeah about that. Are you sure he even has a soul? He seems like the same smug little asshole he's always been," Angel stated.

Buffy glared at him. "Spike made a lot of pretty significant changes before he got it. I think that helped with the transition. It hasn't exactly been rainbows and puppies but he's dealing with it alright. Honestly he's still pretty much the same guy I fell in love with, the soul has basically just given him a reliable moral compass."

Angel swallowed a hard lump in his throat. "You eh, you fell in love with him before he had his soul?"

"I did," she nodded. "but he went and got it anyway. Once they found a way to make it permanent without a curse."

His eyes had gone blank again. "Without a—"

"It was his idea. He really wants to be a good dad," she shifted her stance, watching the now sleeping baby in his arms and cleared her throat. "I really do love him," she paused, knowing that what she had to say next was going to hurt. "Spike and I are getting married. I actually didn't even have the chance to tell anyone before you called." She held her ring out, watching the brilliant red stone glitter in the light from the hallway. Buffy bit the inside of her cheek, meeting his hard, unreadable gaze. It was as though a heavy metal door had been slammed closed between them. She smoothed her fingers over the wood of the doorframe fidgeting with a small spot of chipped paint that must have happened when they moved her dresser out. "Are you going to say anything?"

Angel tilted his head back and blinked a few times before turning his attention back to his sleeping son. "But you're happy, right?"

Buffy gave a tired nod. "With Spike, very. As for the rest of the whole Slayer on the Hellmouth, legal guardian to a teenager, full-time job keeper, and twin mom-to-be, ah yeah… it's a lot but let's just say that the good days are definitely starting to outweigh the bad ones. It's a lot better now that I don't have to do it all alone. He's really great about helping out with everything. On the whole, I'm pretty happy, or you know, definitely getting there."

Angel nodded glumly. "I'll try not to mess it up."

"You should think about the happy thing too… just you know— not too much," she smirked sadly.

"Yeah. I think Connor might be able to help with that."

It was Buffy's turn to swallow hard, as she studied the side of the little boy's face. He certainly had Angel's dark hair but that was about it. "What about his mom?"

Angel shifted Connor in his arms, shaking his head solemnly. "Dead. It's just us."

"I'm sorry— did ah, did you love her?"

"I— it was complicated. She was complicated— always was…"

There was an expectant pause that hung in the atmosphere around them. Buffy shifted her body in an attempt to dispel some of it. There was more she needed to say but she wasn't sure how to say it. "I'm really glad your son is safe and your friends seem really great, I like them a lot..."

He made a face like he had just swallowed glass. "There's a 'but' in there somewhere."

"Yeah… I just want to be totally clear that I'm really happy we could help. We will always help with the big stuff if you need us and your son is kinda the biggest of deals. I get it. I know it wasn't on purpose, this time, but— you can't just keep showing up when I least expect it. My life is finally starting to get better again after- everything… it's not easy. It's actually been super hard until pretty recently. Hell I know it's about to get infinitely more complicated once these two get here," she paused, gesturing to her very round belly. "the only thing that keeps me from turning into a pile of blubbery goo most days is Spike. He's good for me… well I guess we're good for each other really… but ah, I guess what I'm trying to say is, for the sake of both of our families, please— just—"

He shook himself and cleared his throat. "You want me to stay out of your life…"

She dipped her head. "If you need help, call, and we'll do the same. You're invited to the wedding, and I'm not opposed to being Connor's Aunt Buffy but— anything other than friendship between us is totally off the table. For good."

Angel closed his eyes, swallowing hard. "I understand. I ah—" he paused looking for all the world like he'd been hit by a truck. He dipped his gaze slightly before turning back to her, stealing his resolve. "Where did you say that playpen was?"

"Spike can help you. I'm going to get ready for bed. Play nice with my fiancé. Don't make me have to come back down to knock some sense into you two. Don't think I can't."

Angel gently bounced Connor as Spike flicked on the little space heater Buffy kept in the basement and started to pull the playpen out of the box. He unfurled it in an odd lump that looked a little like a couple of preschoolers tried to put up a tent. "Well that can't be right," Spike muttered, eyeing the instructions. He gave a curt nod, straightening two of the edges easily before turning to snap open the other two sides. And they wouldn't snap. Again and again he tried but the weird joints just folded down like a pterodactyl's wings. "Bloody hell," he grumbled, consulting the instructions again.

"Oh come on, how hard can it be?" Angel griped, his jealousy and disdain for Spike became a muddled quagmire at war with his desire to honor Buffy's wishes. The last thing he wanted to do was to disturb the happiness she had found. Even if it was with Spike.

"Like I've ever done this before? You're the one with the finished product there, mine are still baking."

Angel glared at him. "Connor hasn't used his yet. How hard is it to just follow the instructions?"

Spike swore under his breath, gave the playpen a few more experimental jerks and pushed down on the center of the floor, clicking it in place. "Gotcha!" He gave a triumphant grin.

Angel rolled his eyes. "Congratulations, you conquered a playpen."

"What's your sodding problem anyway? This all just because Buffy's moved on with the likes of me?"

Angel bit the inside of his cheek as he laid his son down carefully. The baby fussed briefly before settling back to sleep with a gentle hand on his stomach from his father.

Angel stepped back from the playpen gingerly, heading toward Spike. He gripped Spike by the back of the arm, forcing him up the stairs, through the kitchen and out onto the back porch. Angel shoved Spike, sending him stumbling a few steps as he closed the door and rounded on him.

"My problem? I got a soul so you had to go get a soul. I had a relationship with Buffy so you had to go and do it too. You're nothing but a copycat and somehow, you have everything, you little shit!" Angel retorted angrily.

Spike cocked an eyebrow. "Course that's how you'd see it. You self-centered, woe-is-me, royal bloody pain in the ass. The thing you fail to realize is that I asked for mine because I fell in love! I did it for her. For Dawn and our girls. I sure as hell ain't the same as you!" Spike huffed sourly. "Tell me, Liam. What would happen to that sweet little babe of yours if you got yourself another one of those perfectly happy moments?"

Angel growled. "That's not gonna happen."

"Swearing off women all together, along with your sense of humor then, are you?" Spike countered.

Angel charged him, grabbing the front of Spike's t-shirt with both hands and shoved him against the side of the house with a crack to the back of his head as he hit the door frame. "Don't you ever know when to shut up?"

"Have you ever thought about doing something more permanent bout that Jack-in-the-box you call a soul?"

Angel dropped his hands, releasing Spike, taking a step back. "What are you talking about?"

"Not to state the obvious, but if anyone can set that thing in concrete, it'd be Willow and Tara. It's how I got mine. Course there was the whole willing participant thing. Don't see Angelus going all willing, do you?" He finished with a smug grin, straightening his shirt.

Angel relaxed his stance. "Do you really think they can do it?"

"Brought Buffy back from the dead, sprouted not one but two wee ones from my dead seed, and put my soul back where it belongs. Might take a bit of time, but I think it could probably be done. Wouldn't hurt to ask," Spike said with a shrug.

Both of them suddenly turned their heads upward as one of the upstairs windows opened. Buffy stuck her head out glaring daggers at the two of them. "Are you two going to kiss and make up or do I have to come down there and knock some sense into you idiots?"

Angel crossed his arms glaring at Spike. "I don't know what he's told you but I'm definitely not kissing him."

Buffy rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I didn't mean literally. Oh my god."

Spike rubbed at the back of his head, massaging the sore spot forming there. "Thought you'd gone to bed, pet."

"I was trying to…" she scowled.

Spike looked up at her and cleared his throat. "Right, sorry. I'll be up, Luv."

"Now, please," she answered curtly before ducking back inside and closing the window.

Spike glanced at Angel, rubbing his neck with a smirk. "Girl gets a bit out of sorts if she doesn't have her favorite body pillow to snuggle up with."

"Body pillow?" Angel grinned. "You're so whipped."

"Oh shut it, like you'd be anything else in my place. Don't even try to deny it." Spike turned smugly going into the house leaving Angel standing out on the back porch alone.

"Knock, knock! Does everyone have their naughty bits covered?" Lorne asked in a cautiously jovial tone as he slowly cracked the door open with his elbow.

Buffy rolled to sit up in bed, jostling Spike awake as well. "Huhh? What is it?" Buffy asked groggily.

"Breakfast!" Lorne announced, pushing the door open wider with his shoulder and turning to reveal a heavily laden bed tray. He brought the tray over laying it on the unoccupied section of bed. Buffy adjusted the neckline of her cotton nightgown as Spike pulled the blanket more tightly around his hips.

Buffy leaned toward the tray taking in a plate of French toast with sliced banana, orange juice, water, her prenatal vitamins, and Spike's blood-mug. "Wow, Lorne. I don't know if I should be happy or freaked out about you snooping around."

Lorne chuckled. "Your sister gets the credit for the vitamins and Mr. Pale-and-Chiseled's butcher-shop-cocktail."

Spike raised a dubious eyebrow. "Cocktail?"

"That one wasn't my idea, I just delivered," Lorne said, raising his palms with a dubious grin. "I wanted to show my gratitude for hosting this little reunion."

Buffy pulled the plate of food toward herself taking a bite of French toast. "Ohh my god, Dawn definitely didn't make this."

"The secret is a touch of vanilla," Lorne beamed. "anyway, I'll let you two do your morning what's it. Dawn is downstairs with Connor. I managed to get him before he could wake up papa. Little guy seems to like my scrambled eggs."

Buffy shot him a smile "Well, thanks for the yummy breakfast! I'll be down in a bit."

"I'll be getting more sleep," Spike grumbled into his mug.

"You nocturnal folks," Lorne huffed with a grin. "Angel-cake was up all night per usual. He won't be up for a while I'm sure. There's no rush."

As Lorne closed the door behind himself, Buffy snuggled in against the pillows next to Spike. She shifted the breakfast tray closer, loading her fork with banana and French toast. "Do you wanna bite?"

Spike smirked. "Always," he murmured into his mug.

"Of French toast, you goof."

He snorted a microscopic laugh, "You enjoy your breakfast treat. This actually isn't half bad, the tabasco is a nice touch," he said, gesturing to his mug with a nod. He cast an eye at the clock. "Got a jump on the day at least. Have a slow morning before work."

Buffy let out a squeak of distress around a bite of food and swallowed. "Crap, I almost forgot."

"How's Dawn getting to school?"

"She's off today, some teacher thing," Buffy answered, taking a sip of water.

Spike finished the last of his blood and shifted off the bed just as Buffy's alarm clock chimed. He turned toward her in all his naked glory. "You know, you're ahead of schedule. What do you say to a little company in the shower? Really start the day off right," he smirked.

She swallowed another bite. "I thought you were going back to sleep."

"Would sleep better if you tired me out first, darlin'."

Buffy eyed him as she took her vitamins and practically chugged her orange juice. She moved the tray to the side. "You're on."

When Buffy came home from work that day it was to find Spike laying on his stomach on the floor playing with Connor. Spike grinned up at her in greeting as Connor attempted to use him as his own personal jungle gym. He had crawled onto his back and was patting his shoulder blades like he was telling him to "go!". Spike shifted himself back slowly into what almost looked like a half formed yoga pose that forced Connor to grip onto his shirt with a squeal of delight as he held on. Connor started to wobble and Spike shot a hand back to steady him as he dropped down onto his stomach again. "Wohhh there little fella, steady on."

Buffy stood there watching them while Connor proceeded to crawl over his shoulder giggling as Spike pulled him toward him playfully. He shifted himself to sit with his legs crossed and the squirmy child in his lap as Lorne came in through the kitchen.

Lorne smiled broadly when he saw Buffy. "Well now, there's the lovely lady of the house!"

"Are you always such a sweet talker?" Buffy smirked in response.

"It doesn't cost anything to make folks feel good about themselves in this drab little world," he smiled warmly.

Dawn came in carrying a soda in one hand and a sippy cup in the other. "Hey, how was work?"

"Dead."

Dawn glared at her sister, a small smile pulling at her lips. "How long have you been waiting to use that one?"

Buffy shrugged and sat down on the couch. "Where is everyone? I kinda expected to come home to a living room full of people."

Connor suddenly lost interest in Spike and took a few very wobbly steps towards the coffee table, grinning up at Buffy happily.

"Giles called a few minutes ago. They should be here soon. Tara and Willow are coming after class, I'm surprised they aren't here yet." Dawn answered as she sat down next to Connor on the floor, putting her arms out to him. Connor giggled and flopped himself face first into her chest awkwardly, making Dawn giggle as she readjusted him onto her lap.

Spike pulled himself to his feet going over to sit on the armrest of the couch next to Buffy, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "How are you feeling, Luv? You want me to make you a cup of tea?"

"That sounds like a seriously good idea. Thanks, I think I could use it."

Spike flicked off the burner as the tea kettle whistled just as Angel came up from the basement. "Spike," he huffed in way of greeting.

"Sleep well?"

"Not really. Where's Connor?"

Giles appeared in the doorway, distracting Spike from answering. "I heard the kettle. Is there enough water for another cup of tea?"

"Plenty, help yourself. I've got a stash of good English tea in the cupboard, just there," Spike answered Giles, pointing to the cupboard next to the stove.

"And here I thought I'd be resigned to drinking the swill Buffy normally buys," Giles responded and got to work fixing himself a cup.

Spike smirked. "I've been educating her a bit."

Angel pinched the bridge of his nose. "For crying out loud, you Brits and your tea. Spike, where is my son?"

"Just in through there," he gestured toward the living room. "think he's developing his skills as a lady's man. Sure better than climbing all over me," Spike chuckled.

Angel furrowed his brow. "You were playing with him?"

"Figured I'd get in some practice. Kid is pretty strong, smart too. Must get that bit from his mum along with the baby blues."

Angel cast an eye toward the living room where Connor was currently snuggled securely in Dawn's lap with Fred sitting next to them. He dipped his head and looked back up at Spike. "I'm a little nervous about what else he got from Darla."

Spike's eyebrows shot up and Giles swore as he nearly spilled his tea cup.

"You're telling me— Darla?" Spike exclaimed. "Dru said she was back but— a mum? How's that even possible?"

Angel shook his head sadly. "She's gone. She staked herself so Connor could live. There was nothing I could do to save her. It was all part of some kind of prophecy…"

"That's a hell of a way to perform a c-section," Spike said numbly as he stirred sugar into Buffy's tea.

Angel worked his throat. "It was a really rough night," he rasped.

Spike pressed his lips together, a dozen thoughts rolling through his mind. "Come on, Peaches. Sun'll be setting soon. Think Buffy wants to make an announcement before you all set out. Know she already told you."

Angel snorted. "Some announcement."

Giles tilted his head in question. "What's this?"

"Go on, Rupert," Spike gestured toward the living room with a jerk of his chin.

The three of them headed back into the living room. "Hail hail the gangs all here," Spike drawled as he sat down next to Buffy. "You ready for this, pet?" Spike asked.

She nodded. "We might as well do it before they head out."

Angel bent down to pick Connor up. "Hey there buddy, were you a good boy?"

Dawn smiled at Connor, still avoiding Angel's gaze. "We had a really good day. We played a lot and I started reading Harry Potter to him. We don't really have any baby books yet."

"Tara and I are already working on that for the baby shower," Willow grinned as she squeezed her girlfriend's hand.

Fred turned to them excitedly. "Ohh are you two putting together a little library? I just love baby showers, all the cute little things."

"I've already said too much," Willow said conspiratorially, making Fred giggle. "but seriously, you should totally come!"

"I'd really love that, maybe Cordy would like to come too."

Tara smiled. "We'll just send out a team Angel invite when we get things finalized."

Angel frowned and cleared his throat. "Oh ah, I don't know if—"

"Speak for yourself Angel-cake, I'm certainly not going to pass up a chance to visit with these delightful folks. If you're not opposed to having a devilishly handsome green fella there that is," Lorne added.

Buffy grinned. "It's totally going to be non-evil demon friendly. Spike's friend Clem is planning on coming too."

Giles shifted in his seat. "I do hope the guests are better behaved than they were at Anya and Xander's wedding."

Buffy pressed her lips together, casting an eye toward Spike and gripped his hand. "Well eh, speaking of… Spike and I have something we want to tell all of you." She beamed as Spike pulled her into him a little more. "Spike and I are getting married."

There was a happy squeak from Dawn as she pulled them both into a hug. "Eeek I knew it was coming but— eek!" In her enthusiasm she had managed to spill a little bit of her soda on Spike's shirt but he had hardly noticed it. A barrage of congratulations and well wishes soon engulfed him and Buffy. It ensued for several minutes before Spike's eyes caught sight of Angel. He had slumped against the wall by the fireplace, still clutching Connor to his chest. The look on his face was murderous. Angel's eyes bore into him even as he received hugs from Tara, Willow, and Fred.

His attention wavered when Fred asked Buffy if they had set a date yet. "Oh, eh, no we haven't. We're probably going to hold off on that until after the babies come anyway. Not really feeling the whole pregnant bride thing," Buffy replied with a mild grimace.

Fred gave a nod. "I can understand that. Besides, it's not like making it official would change anything since you're already living together."

Spike grinned, kissing Buffy's temple. "Slayer wants a wedding, I'll give her a wedding. She's already got me hook, line, and sinker."

There was a low scoff from Angel's direction, but he made a conscious effort to ignore it, basking in the glow of his hard won acceptance from Buffy's friends. He had made several changes over the last few years, some easier than others and this moment, seeing Buffy so happy, was making them all seem worthwhile.

A short while later nearly everyone was outside either packing up the car or saying their farewells. The only ones who remained inside the house were Spike and Angel who were both just waiting for the sun to set fully. Spike had gone upstairs to grab a clean shirt after Dawn's soda mishap and to get a sweater for Buffy.

Angel was making a final sweep of the lower floor, making sure none of Connor's new clothes or toys had been left behind. He had just finished folding up a small blue blanket when Buffy shot back into the house, practically running for the bathroom. She came back down several minutes later while Spike was still getting himself cleaned up.

Buffy paused on the stairs at the sight of Angel zipping up the diaper bag. "Did you get everything?" She asked.

Angel gave a disdainful snort. "Yeah, I'm ready to get out of here."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at his coarse tone. "What's up with you?"

He hefted the bag onto his shoulder, crossing his arms over his chest. "Like you don't know."

"Ahh no not really. It's not like I didn't already tell you I was planning on marrying Spike—"

"Do you really expect that to last? I've known that idiot a long time, Buffy, he's not exactly husband material. Do you really think he's going to stick around, even with kids in the picture? What kind of a father is he going to be anyway?"

"You have got to be kidding me right now," she snapped coolly. "Spike is literally the most reliable person in my life. You might have known him, but you definitely don't know him. Which really makes me wonder how much you ever really paid attention to him. I mean, after all the shit you pulled with Dru he still stayed. That's some freaking next level dedication there."

Angel laughed darkly. "Yeah and what if she came back? What makes you think he wouldn't just leave you alone with the twins?"

"How much time do you have? I have a pretty extensive list, starting with the fact that she came back last year before mom died and he was ready to stake her for me. Then there's the fact that he stuck around for Dawn while I was dead. I didn't hear anything about you even calling to check in on her."

"You were dead, I— This isn't about me it's about—"

"Dawn wasn't. No. I really think this is about you, or you want it to be. I love Spike. I already told you I'm marrying him and if the past year and some change is any indication, I'm pretty damn sure he's not only husband material but he's also going to be a freaking amazing father. Hell, he spent more time awake with your son than you did while you were here."

"Buffy—" there was a pleading tone in his voice.

"I'm done with this conversation. I'm happier than I've ever been in any of my relationships and you're still pulling the jealous ex card. It ends now."

Spike appeared on the stairs behind Buffy in a clean button down shirt, holding out a cardigan for her. "Well said, pet," he said, placing a hand on her hip and casting an eye outside at the darkening sky. "I think it's time for you to go, Liam."

Angel cast Spike a departing glare, heading for the door with Buffy and Spike following him out.

They stood in the front yard with Dawn, Willow, Tara and Giles to see them off. It was a tight squeeze with Connor's new car seat but Team Angel finally managed to settle into Angel's classic muscle car. Fred waved happily as a scowling Angel pulled out of the driveway.

Buffy turned into Spike's embrace as the tail lights of the big car disappeared from view. "I don't think I've ever been so thrilled to see him leave."

"I have," Spike muttered.

Giles cleared his throat. "Yes well as exciting as all this has been, I suppose I'd better be off."

"Oh, yeah us too," Willow interjected.

Dawn turned back into the house as their guests departed.

Buffy sighed, pulling Spike into a kiss. "I'm so glad that's over."

"You feel like watching a movie?"

"Does it come with popcorn?"

"Obviously," Spike smirked as he drew her in for another kiss before heading back inside.