A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my Beta, the utterly amazing Geliot99, for helping this story come into the world, the best writing-midwife this author could ask for!
The bell tinkled overhead as Xander returned to the Magic Box. Anya was just finishing up with a customer as he pulled out a chair at the back table, sitting on it backward to face his wife. As soon as the door had closed behind the customer, Anya came around the counter to stand in front of him.
"Did you find out where this Ethan guy is staying?" she asked, crossing her arms over her stomach.
Xander huffed out a long breath. "My tailing skills are not the greatest, Sam Spade I am not. I lost him somewhere between the hospital and a cluster of abandoned buildings over there. I figure he's probably staying in one of those."
Anya glanced out the front window at the golden sunlight glinting off the reflective surfaces outside. "Well, I guess that sort of gives us a smaller haystack. It might be enough for Spike and the Bot to track him down. I'm sure Buffy is going to want to inflict pain on the guy too; even though she's starting to resemble one of those bulbous children's toys that can't be knocked down."
"A Weeble Wobble?"
"Yes, that's it. Don't you think there is a resemblance?"
Xander frowned. "Don't let Buffy hear you say that. She'll be back to the butt-kicking in no time once—"
The phone rang and Anya quickly went around the counter to answer it. "Oh hey, Giles. Xander was just getting ready to call you about-"
"Anya, please. I'm with Buffy and Spike at the hospital. Buffy is in labor."
"Right now? I thought she wasn't due until next week," Anya replied.
"Funny thing about babies, they tend to disregard calendars altogether," Giles replied with exasperation. "Could you please ask Xander to pick Dawn up from school and let Willow and Tara know what's happened? Buffy has been asking for them and they aren't answering the apartment phone."
"Yeah, sure we will, but Xander really needed to tell you—"
The sound of Buffy practically growling through labor pains in the background made Anya cut short.
"I really must go. I'll talk to Xander when he gets here," Giles said in a rush.
The line disconnected leaving Anya staring at the phone in her hand. "Yikes, I hope I don't sound like that when I push out our first baby."
Xander's eyebrows went up. "First?"
(*)
Buffy sat upright on the edge of a hospital bed with her arms locked ramrod straight for support, fingers clutching the edge of the mattress and panting for breath between contractions.
"Are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable laying down?" Giles asked, concern laced within every syllable.
Buffy shook her head but leaned into Spike's touch as he gripped her shoulders, providing gentle support. "Best watch yourself, Rupert, I've no doubt she could still lay us both flat."
She was nearly 8cm dilated already. It wouldn't be much longer but the very thought of laying down was making her skin crawl. She needed to be up, at least for now.
Buffy laughed hoarsely and took a long steady breath, letting herself ease back slightly. "Did you get a hold of the gang?"
"I spoke with Anya. I'm sure Xander will be here with Dawn soon."
Gripping into Spike's bare forearms, Buffy pulled herself up to stand awkwardly. "Steady on, Luv, what do you need?"
"Something to stake and maybe a spa day," she groaned.
Spike chuckled. "Best I can do is one of those back and belly massages you like so much."
"Pretty sure those have a higher content rating than Giles's glasses can handle," Buffy huffed.
Giles slipped off his glasses. "I'll just get some ice water for you then, shall I?"
Buffy bowed her head as another contraction hit. Spike held on to her as she breathed through it, her jaw clenched.
Giles shifted uncomfortably as Spike cradled her to him where they stood. He picked up the little plastic water pitcher on the bed stand, stepping toward the door. "I'll fill this and just wait for everyone in the waiting room."
Spike acknowledged him with a nod as Buffy groaned into his shoulder. Giles slipped out of the room discreetly, leaving the two of them alone. He returned fairly quickly, setting the water pitcher back down and slipped out again. She knew the situation was making him uncomfortable, but just knowing that Giles was nearby was a comfort.
Buffy lifted her head up to look Spike in the eye once they were alone again. "These two sure have timing don't they?"
"What'd you expect?" he chuckled in reply. "Here, sweetheart. Know you fancy being on your feet right now so why don't you just lean over the bed and I'll work on some of those knots of yours."
Buffy nodded slowly, allowing him to turn her around as she placed her hands flat on the bed, leaning over slightly. The position helped ease a small amount of tension in her lower back as Spike slipped his hands beneath the hospital gown to massage her back and hips. Buffy moaned in appreciation as he pressed his thumbs in tight circles on either side of her lower spine, working downward very slowly.
"You know, under different circumstances…" Spike murmured, letting his fingers glide over her smooth skin.
"Don't even—" Buffy ground out with an odd little sound somewhere between a moan and a laugh.
A soft knock came on the door and Spike pulled the hospital gown back in place over her as the door opened a crack, letting a fine stream of light into the dim room from the hall. "How are we doing in here?" Came Dr. Gail's now familiar voice. Buffy had been relieved when she learned she could still see her even after her new health insurance kicked in.
Buffy took a deep breath, gritting her teeth. "Like I'm about to push two pumpkins out of a hole built for a banana."
"Oi! Who you calling a sodding banana?" Spike retorted.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Fine, a cucumber… a big— freaking— gahhh— cucumber! Happy!?" she bit out harshly.
"Ohh, let's leave the produce out of it for a good six to eight weeks, you two," the doctor chuckled soothingly. "Where are we on contractions?"
Buffy tensed visibly, ducking her head down as she clutched the edge of the bed. Spike hooked an arm around her and ran his hand up and down her spine. "Bout a minute or two apart I'd say," Spike answered, with a glance at the clock.
Dr. Gail gave a curt nod, patting the bottom edge of the bed. "I'd like to take a look and see how you're progressing."
A worried look passed over Buffy's face and she glanced at Spike. "Where—" she started but words failed her as she tried to catch her breath.
Spike shook his head, not needing her to finish to understand. "I know as much as you do, Pet. Could be a whole waiting room full of people out there for all I know."
"There was an older Englishman asking for an update just before I came in," Dr. Gail interjected.
Buffy nodded dismissively as she started to maneuver onto the bed with Spike's help.
"Just Grandpa. Probably getting restless," Spike replied as he slid a few pillows behind Buffy's back.
Buffy nodded as she shifted herself further down for Dr. Gail. The doctor had barely taken a look when she moved quickly to the door calling out to the nurse's station.
"What's— Ahh— what's wrong?" Buffy rasped out with a harsh breath.
Dr. Gail turned back to Buffy with a bright smile. "Just getting my catcher's mitt and my assistant ready, Mama."
(*)
Ethan smiled pleasantly as he leaned against the counter at the nurse's station. Getting into the maternity ward was much too easy. A few smiles and a simple confusion spell here or there and he had found his way in soon enough. It was nice to use magic again. Like sipping brandy by the fire after a long day. His skin was singing in anticipation of the spell he had planned. The magic calling out to him.
He had been under the impression he was preparing for the spell well in advance of the blessed event when he had stopped by the local magical shop. After which he took the few necessities he would need and got everything set up in the empty house he'd found to stay in— he didn't dare rent a room after his last disastrous visit— and took a short walk to the hospital. It wasn't long before he found out the Slayer had already been emitted to the maternity ward. Ethan couldn't believe his luck. Surely it meant he was on the right track.
He had spent the majority of the day milling about, checking in, and slowly increasing his power over the sweet young nurse currently in front of him. He casually handed back the pen he had borrowed from her, transferring the enchanted oil he'd been using on her for hours now. He could feel her easing under his control. The magic heady within him.
"You know what I need then don't you, my dear?"
The nurse nodded, eyes focused on him yet unseeing.
"That's a good girl. You're to come to me just as soon as Miss Summers delivers. There's no time to waste, understand?"
Another blank nod.
"Lovely. Just lovely."
(*)
The three-year-old magazine in Giles's hand served to do little more than present a calm and collected exterior. Nothing short of a miracle since his mind was anything but. Having been at the hospital for several hours already certainly wasn't helping matters.
His heart and head were stretched to their limits. The most important thing on his mind of course being Buffy and his granddaughters. Despite her status as a Slayer, he was still worried about her health and wellbeing throughout the birth but staying in the room seemed far more intrusive than he was comfortable with. Despite the honorary title of "Grandfather", he still couldn't shake the feeling that the only non-medical professional who should be in the room with her should be Spike and perhaps Dawn, and only if Buffy herself wished her to be there.
He was trying to convince himself that he could simply wait quietly for his granddaughters to make their entrance. He longed to meet them, hold them, and tell Buffy what an amazing mother she was already. However, Ethan showing up at his home only the night before and making an extravagant declaration seemingly out of the blue the way he had, kept popping up in his mind. It was enough to make him scream.
A slight bustling commotion from the end of the hall where the elevators were located snapped him out of his thoughts. He got up from his seat to peer down the brightly lit hallway to see the missing members of their little appropriated family breeze right past the nurse's station, coming straight toward the little sitting room he was tucked away in.
Dawn pushed past Xander to the front of the group, practically running toward him. "Giles! Did she have them yet? Which room is she in? Where—"
"Settle down, settle down, I haven't been in for some time now but a nurse did come by a moment ago to say it shouldn't be much longer."
"Really?" Dawn squeaked.
Giles placed his hands gently onto Dawn's shoulders with care. "Should we go see how things are progressing? Perhaps see if she would like you to be there?"
He watched as she licked her lips nervously and nodded. "If Buffy wants me there, I'll be there."
Xander tugged Anya along with him into the somewhat cozy waiting room. "We'll just hang out here until the coast is clear."
Willow and Tara exchanged looks. "I- do you want to—" Tara started to ask her girlfriend, gesturing toward the uncomfortable-looking couch in the waiting room.
Willow chewed her bottom lip, looking anxious. "Are you sure about this, Dawn?"
Dawn nodded. "It's Buffy."
A loud scream echoed through the hall from Buffy's room and Willow quickly took a seat next to Tara in the waiting room. "Go on, Aunt Dawn, sounds like you don't have much time."
"Right then," Giles said as he dropped one hand and guided Dawn toward the room.
They could hear Buffy let out a loud groan as Giles knocked on the door. A nurse promptly cracked open the door. "Terribly sorry for the interruption, but—" Giles started awkwardly.
(*)
"That Dawn out there?" Spike called from his position on the far side of Buffy's bed, his arm wrapped around hers, hands clasped in a gesture that was only slightly more intimate than if they had been arm wrestling.
"I'm here," Dawn answered as the nurse took a step away from the door.
Spike glanced from the door to their entwined hands and to Buffy's strained face. "Nibblet's here, beautiful. You want her to come in?"
Buffy's head bobbled in something like a nod just before she let out another scream.
"Best make it quick then!" Spike answered, waving Dawn into the room with his free hand.
The nurse quickly directed Dawn to sit at her sister's head as Giles backed away, closing the door. Spike watched as Dawn picked up a washcloth from a bowl of ice water sitting on the table and began wiping sweat from Buffy's brow, earning her a nod of approval from him.
Buffy grit her teeth so hard Spike could have sworn he heard one of her teeth crack. Just then Dr. Gail spoke up. "Almost there, mama, twin one is crowning."
Buffy drew in a harsh breath, her hand nearly crushing Spike's fingers as she pushed.
"That's it… here comes the head… alright here we go, Mom, and—Oh!" Dr. Gail exclaimed as she moved quickly.
Spike stood up as best he could with Buffy still crushing his hand, to try to see past Buffy's knees.
"What!? What's wrong?!" Dawn started in alarm.
Seconds later the cries of the first baby filled the room.
A wide smile broke over Spike's lips as he turned to catch the look on Buffy's face as she released his hand to reach for their daughter. The nurse brought the baby up to lay high on Buffy's stomach and it was easily the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
"God, Buffy, she's gorgeous," Spike breathed in awe, leaning in to caress the tiny goo-covered baby's damp hair and capture Buffy's lips in a sweet kiss.
"Hi baby," Dawn whispered in adoration.
A million thoughts rushed through Spike's head as he felt the warmth of his daughter's impossibly soft skin and tiny fast heartbeat under his fingers and the taste of sweat and tears on Buffy's kiss. He wasn't sure how long they had stayed like that before Buffy broke the kiss with a joyful sob, quickly followed by another contraction.
"Seems your sister is eager to join the party too, my little love," Spike cooed as he gently scooped his child into his arms for the first time.
The nurse came over to help him with the umbilical cord. It took him a moment to relinquish his hold on her before letting the nurse take her even a few steps away to do all of the necessary new baby things. He slipped back to Buffy's side as she continued to breathe through yet another contraction.
"Did you want to take her back now, Daddy?" the nurse asked as she brought the now perfectly swaddled child (wearing the little pink hat Clem had made) back over to him.
Buffy let out a scream of pain, gripping Spike's arm once again and jerking him down to her violently. Spike yelped in surprise and twisted back to the nurse from his already awkward position. "Sorry, luv, daddy's a bit tied up at the mo'."
Buffy groaned, tightening her grip on him as Dawn stood up with her arms outstretched. "Ohh me, me! I want baby snuggles!"
The nurse chuckled softly as she walked around to the other side of the bed to hand the baby over to Dawn, once she sat back down in her seat.
Dawn sat back cradling her new little niece like she might break her and glanced up to find Buffy struggling to keep her focus glued to the small girl as she began to push again. "You're doing great Buffy, I got her," Dawn soothed.
Buffy jerked her head, grinding her teeth as she squeezed Spike's hand harder still. He could feel the bones in his hand shift and grind, a shooting pain told him he had at least one broken bone but he didn't care. She could turn the bones to gravel if it meant having two healthy babies.
A moment later, Buffy slumped back against the pillows as high-pitched cries filled the room once more. Her death grip on his arm released, and the second baby was laid low against her chest. Spike slipped his broken hand down to his side, keeping it out of sight while he watched in awe as Buffy examined the little girl laying on her chest and caressed her tiny back gently. Her gaze shifted between their daughters and up to Spike. Exhaustion, joy, and disbelief commingled on her face. Words seemed to escape her completely as tears of joy slid down her cheeks.
Spike was so enamored with the scene before him that he barely noticed when the afterbirth had been delivered, and they finished getting Buffy cleaned up.
The nurse let Spike cut the second umbilical cord before taking the baby to get checked and cleaned. She came back wearing the purple hat Clem made, matching her sister. Spike shifted onto the edge of the bed next to Buffy and accepted the tiny bundle, holding her closely to his chest with his good arm.
Buffy moved over slightly with a groan and reached over to Dawn for their first daughter. "Give her here," she insisted.
Dawn feigned an exaggerated pout, but gave up the baby easily enough.
Buffy trailed a finger over the baby's cheek as Dr. Gail came to the side of the bed. "In my professional opinion, you have two perfectly healthy baby girls. Excellent work, mom. Congratulations!"
"Thank you, doctor," Buffy responded softly as she let her eyes drink in the sight of their daughters.
Dr. Gail smiled brightly, excusing herself with the promise to check back in soon.
Dawn stood up to give them both baby accommodating hugs. "So have you decided which one is which yet?" Dawn asked, admiring the pink-hatted baby in her sister's arms.
Buffy caught Spike's eye, he gave a little nod. She shifted against the pillows, getting more comfortable. "This little lady is Lillian Joyce."
"After Mom," Dawn murmured in approval.
"Lily, for short. Seeing as none of this would have been possible without a little resurrection," Spike added with a nod and readjusted his hold on the baby he held against his chest. "Which makes this beautiful little miracle, Grace Ann."
"That's 'Ann' after Spike's mom," Buffy interjected before Dawn could say anything about it.
Dawn's face softened immediately, eyes glistening. "Middle names after the grandmothers they'll never get to meet."
"Never say never on the Hellmouth," Buffy entoned.
Dawn cast the twins a loving look, smiling. "I'll be back in a few minutes with the camera," she said before slipping out of the room to let everyone know the good news and to give Buffy and Spike some time to bond with their new little family.
(*)
Their quiet moment didn't last nearly as long as Buffy had hoped it would. Between the birth and the babies' first feedings, Buffy was ready for a ten-hour nap. Instead, what she got was the entire Scooby gang filtering into the room. Which was what she had wanted— or what she thought she wanted before the delivery, but now— now she only wanted sleep, but was too afraid to say it.
On the upside, at least they were being fairly quiet as they gushed over the twins, which had Buffy thanking the powers profusely.
She was nodding off against Spike's shoulder, the subtle weight of his arm draped over her a welcome comfort while the rest of them talked softly among themselves. Willow and Anya each sat in a chair on either side of the bed holding a sleeping baby with their significant others standing or leaning against the chair. She dimly registered the odd symmetry and wasn't surprised when she heard the sound of the flash going off as Dawn took more pictures.
I'll have to thank her later… sleep now… She thought hazily as she drifted off.
Buffy woke to the sound of Giles's concerned voice, feeling extremely disoriented. She had no idea if she had been asleep for minutes or hours but assumed the former.
"What do you mean gone?" Giles said in an angry stage whisper.
Gone? Oh God… the babies!!!
Buffy's mind exploded with a panic she had never felt before, propelling her upright in bed, her eyes darting around frantically until she caught sight of both her daughters securely snuggled in the clear plastic hospital bassinets next to her bed. It was only then that she realized Spike was rubbing her shoulders and upper arms.
"S'alright, pet. The girls are fine. See," Spike soothed.
Buffy felt herself nod and lean back against him, letting her heart rate drop back down. "Okay, girls are good- safe- sleepy- perfect—" she sighed. "So what's gone then?"
Willow worried her lip looking upset. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out, Buffy. It's just about that protection spell for the girls we talked about before. You know, like the one we did on Connor?"
Buffy nodded, remembering the conversation from the other day when she and Spike had asked Willow and Tara to be Godmothers— or was it Goddessmothers?
"Well like I explained before, we can totally do it without the placenta like Connor but it would be a lot stronger if we had it."
"Ehh yeah, still eww but yeah, Spike and I already gave you the mega green light, so what's up?"
"That's what I'm saying. I just checked with the nurse I talked to earlier about saving the babies's shared placenta and she just told me it's gone," Willow answered.
"Like it's already gone into the great medical waste beyond or—" she stopped, ice trickling down her spine. Or someone took it. "Ethan…"