Chapter 124: The Day the Magic Died

Buffy, Dawn, Piper and Phoebe are sitting on chairs looking up at a green mist in the sky as Paige walks out.

"It's even brighter than it was an hour ago." Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "It's like magic and science and fairy tales all rolled up into one."

"Actually, it's ion speeding into the earth's magnetic field and then they collide with air molecules. Hm." Paige says as she sits down on a chair. "Do you guys think it's weird that the Aurora Borealis is happening the night before the Wiccan Festival of Lights?"

"I don't know about Piper, but between planning for my baby and the revelation that Glory is a god, I forgot tomorrow is a Sabbath." Buffy says.

"Yep, it's definitely a time for renewal and growth." Paige says.

Piper shivers, "Uh, please, don't say growth. If this little thing gets any bigger, I'll never be able to snap back."

"Hey, was that a shiver? I think I detected a shiver. Lady, you should go inside with that shiver." Paige says.

"Shh, I'm fine, I'm feeling fine." Piper says.

"You didn't look so fine when you were bent over the toilet puking your guts out today." Phoebe says.

"Nausea, headaches, all a normal part of pregnancy. Along with gas, heartburn, constant need to pee." Buffy says. "It surprises me between me and Piper you three get any time in the bathroom."

"Sounds fun," Phoebe says.

A goose squawks. They see a white goose in front of them lay a golden egg. It flies into the house.

Paige gets up. "Uh, another golden goose." She picks up the golden egg.

"You'd think the magical community could find maybe something else to give to mine and Buffy's babies." Piper says.

"Well, that's the hot item this year." Phoebe says.

"Clearly," Dawn says.

Paige nods, "Yeah, I could definitely melt this down and make a fashionable ring."

"You are not keeping that." Buffy says.

Inside, Leo walks past the door. "Goosy, goosy, goosy." He dives for the goose and lands on the floor. Buffy, Dawn, Piper and Phoebe laugh. Leo gets up and runs through the house.

"As much as I am enjoying the spectacle, I think we should really send those things back. Dad is in town tomorrow and he wants to stop by for a visit." Piper says.

"I forgot Uncle Victor was coming." Dawn says.

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, he does get very Darin Stevens about our whole magic thing."

"Yeah, we should maybe have Leo ask the Elders what the policy is on magical gift returns. We don't want a curse put on the family or anything." Paige says.

Leo walks outside.

"Yes, good idea." Buffy says.

The Elders call Leo.

"I wonder what the Elders want this late." Leo says.

"Well, I don't know, but you go find out and keep it down when you come back because I'm gonna head up..." Piper says as she stands up and feels dizzy. "Ohh. Or maybe down." She faints back onto the chair.

"Piper!" Phoebe says as she, Dawn, Paige and Leo rush to her side. No one notices as Buffy starts to stand and then faints back into her own chair.

"Piper." Leo says.

Dawn turns back to Buffy to ask if she needs help when she notices Buffy is passed out, "Buffy!" She runs over to her sister.

"Leo..." Phoebe says as she looks between Piper and Buffy.

Leo tries to heal Piper.

"What's going on?" Paige asks.

Leo shakes his head, "I don't know, I can't heal her, she won't come to." He turns and tries to heal Buffy with the same results, "Same thing with Buffy."

"Okay let's get them both to the hospital. Come on." Phoebe says.

In a hospital room Piper and Buffy are lying in two beds with Dawn, Phoebe, Paige and Leo surrounding them.

"You two scared us." Phoebe says.

"Me too." Piper says. "I guess Buffy and I are not so invincible after all."

"Yeah, maybe we need to start taking better care of both of you." Paige says.

"I second that," Dawn says.

Piper shakes her head, "No, it was my fault, everybody was telling me to slow down."

Buffy nods, "It was my fault also. Between the deal with Glory and the planning for the baby."

Leo shakes his head, "It's neither of yours fault. We're all in uncharted territory. The Elders said that Piper and my baby was a special child. The Powers that Be's Oracles said yours was also, Buffy. Anything can happen. Let's not forget that."

A female doctor, Amanda, walks in carrying two file.

"How are you two feeling?" Amanda asks.

"Eh, tired and weak," Piper says.

"About the same," Buffy says.

Amanda nods, "I've got both of your test results here but I can't find either of your charts. When are you both due?"

"Uh, six weeks." Piper says.

"Two weeks." Buffy says.

"And who is your regular doctor?" Amanda asks.

"Uh... we don't have one." Piper says.

Leo nods, "Buffy and Piper have sorta been seeing alternative medical practitioners."

"You both don't have an OB/GYN?" Amanda asks.

Phoebe shakes her head, "Paige, Dawn and I have been training to be midwives."

"I'm open to all forms of healing but a woman in her third trimester should've had ultrasounds and blood work done by now." Amanda says. "A medical doctor could have caught both of your conditions earlier."

"Our conditions?" Buffy asks.

Amanda nods, "Toxaemia. It's a form of high blood pressure in pregnant women. Do you both deal with unusual stress in your lives?"

"Very unusual," Paige says.

"Is it serious?" Piper asks.

"Toxaemia restricts blood flow and food and oxygen to the placenta. It can result in a small baby, premature delivery or it can lead to other complications, none of which you both need to worry about now. Most women respond quickly to the treatment." Amanda says.

Buffy nods, "Okay, so give me the treatment."

"Same here," Piper says.

"The treatment involves a no salt diet, no stress and lots of bed rest. Do that and the symptoms should reverse? I'll be back later to check on you both." Amanda says and she turns and leaves the room.

"That's probably why I couldn't heal either of you. High blood pressure isn't just physical, it's a state of mind." Leo says.

"No stress and bed rest. Do you think you two can handle that?" Paige says.

"Yeah, I can handle that. I'll do anything." Piper says.

Buffy nods, "For her, anything."

"So will we," Phoebe says.

Dawn nods, "Buffy you just prepare to be pampered when we get home."

Upstairs in Piper's room Phoebe places a vase of flowers on the bedside table. She then walks over to a candle and lights it.

Dawn walks in, "Was that the last vase of flowers?"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah. How are the preparations in your room?"

"Everything's good. You don't mind my sleeping with you do you? That way Buffy can have the bed to herself." Dawn says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "No I don't sweetie."

Paige orbs in holding a bucket of bubbling mud. "Greetings from the dead sea."

"Oh. Pew! What'd you eat over there?" Phoebe says.

"It's not me; it's the sulphur in the mud. It has healing properties. You know, people come from all over the world just to get this stuff." Paige says.

"Yeah, well, we want Buffy and Piper to feel like they're in a spa, not some sewer." Phoebe says.

Paige nods, "I guess you're right, I just wanted the best for them."

"I know, sweetie, we're gonna take good care of Buffy, Piper and the babies. I promise." Phoebe says.

"Hello?" Piper calls from downstairs.

"There they are." Dawn says, excited.

Dawn, Phoebe and Paige race down the stairs to find Buffy, Piper and Leo in the foyer.

"Welcome home, sweeties." Phoebe says." Or should I say your highnesses? Because from now on we are your loyal subjects." She gives Piper and then Buffy a big hug.

"We even turned both of your bedrooms into a royal throne room." Paige says.

"Let me take you there now, my queen." Leo says.

Dawn bows before Buffy, "Let me take you to yours, your highness."

"Alright, knock it off before Buffy and I cut your heads off. We don't want any special treatment. Right, Buffy?" Piper says.

"Right," Buffy says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "Piper, Buffy, we love you, let us love you."

Paige nods, "Yeah, I mean, as your sisters and your midwives, we feel it's our duty to provide you with solitude and serenity and..."

A goose squawks and three golden geese walk into the living room.

"A gaggle of geese," Piper says.

Leo frowns, "I thought you guys were gonna get rid of those."

"You said you were gonna ask the Elders on magical gift return policies." Phoebe says.

"Okay, you guys, it's fine, everything's fine." Buffy says. "It's not gonna bother me."

Piper nods, "Nor me. Buffy and I are not gonna let anything bother us for the sake of our daughters."

Leo nods, "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

"Come on Buffy, I'll take you upstairs too." Dawn says.

Piper, Leo, Buffy and Dawn go upstairs.

"I thought you said you tied them up." Phoebe says.

"I did, but the little flockers got loose." Paige says.

"Okay, we have to do better than this for Buffy and Piper. I mean, if we can't keep geese away from them, how are we supposed to protect them from demons?" Phoebe says.

"Okay, you're right, you're right; you, me and Dawn should take turns guarding the manor. You know, who knows what kind of weirdo stuff's gonna show up..." Paige says as they hear a neighing noise coming from the kitchen. "Here?" They walk into the kitchen to find a white unicorn standing there. It has gotten into all the food. Phoebe panics. "Oh my goodness, it's a unicorn."

"Yes, it is. In our kitchen. Is that another baby present you think, maybe?" Phoebe says.

"Yeah, the best one ever," Paige says as she goes over and pets the unicorn.

"Okay, Paige, while unicorns may be very magical and cool, I'm not so sure it's appropriate for two babies." Phoebe says.

"Oh, come on now. Our little nieces will grow into it." Paige says.

"I'm not so sure about that. Have you seen those hooves? And how are we gonna baby proof that horn?" Phoebe says as Dawn comes into the kitchen.

"Woah a unicorn. Another baby gift?" Dawn says.

Phoebe nods, "We think so. How come you're not upstairs?"

"Buffy was thirsty. I told her I would get her a bottle of water." Dawn said.

Paige notices a card tied around the unicorn's neck. "Hey, look, there's a card. "From El." El? Do we know anybody in Spain?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "Paige, I don't care who it's from, okay? It just can't be here now. It's way too much stress for Piper and the baby, okay? So just orb it out of here."

"I can't. Unicorns are mythical beasts from another world. Where do you propose I orb it to?" Paige says.

Dawn gets a bottle of water out of the fridge.

"I don't care where you orb it to, just get it out of here, okay?" Phoebe says.

"Fine, I'll orb it somewhere safe and tie it up until we figure it out." Paige says as she touches the unicorn and tries to orb out. She glows in white orbs for a second and then the orbs vanish, leaving Paige still in the kitchen.

"What was that?" Dawn asks.

"I can't orb it." Paige says.

"Okay, stand back. Uh, take this beast, before I end her, ship her back, return to sender." Phoebe says but nothing happens. "Wait, why aren't my powers working? Dawn can you shimmer it somewhere?"

Dawn sets the water bottle down and walks over to the unicorn. She puts her hand on it and tries to shimmer but nothing happens, "I can't shimmer."

"Uh, apple." Paige says but nothing happens. "Nothing."

"Oh, no." Phoebe says as she tries to levitate but can't. "I can't levitate, I'm grounded."

Leo rushes in, panicking. "Something's wrong, something's wrong, I can't orb. I was trying to go to the Elders to find out how to get rid of the golden geese and why is there a unicorn in the kitchen?"

"Forget the unicorn, our magic's down too!" Paige says.

"It is?" Leo asks.

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, whatever hit us, we have to assume also hit Buffy and Piper. Okay, and they can't find out about this until we know what's going on because they..."

"Hello? Where is everybody?" Piper calls down from upstairs.

"Dawn where's my water?" Buffy calls from upstairs.

"Why are they out of bed?" Leo asks.

Phoebe shakes her head, "I don't know."

"You two go put them back." Paige says.

"Go, go!" Phoebe says.

Dawn picks up the bottle of water and she and Leo rushes out of the kitchen.

On the staircase Buffy and Piper are coming down the stairs as Dawn and Leo comes around the corner.

"Why are you two on your feet?" Leo asks.

"I was coming down to get some food. A person could starve around here." Piper says.

"I was coming for my water I asked Dawn to get." Buffy says.

Dawn holds up the bottle of water, "Here it is Buffy. I was just coming to bring it back to you."

Phoebe runs around the corner. "Hi. Bye." She runs up the stairs.

"Alright, come on upstairs, I'll get your food, Piper. Both of you are supposed to be on bed rest."

"Okay, well, bed rest doesn't actually mean..." Piper says.

Dawn smiles, "Yes, it does. The doctor said for both of you to stay off your feet and relax."

Piper, Buffy, Leo and Dawn goes back upstairs.

Buffy and Dawn walk into their bedroom. They can hear Piper and Leo as they walk into Piper's bedroom.

"Relax. Everybody keeps telling me to relax, like it's something you do. Like, like switching off a light." Piper says.

"You need to learn how to do it, Piper, if you're gonna get your blood pressure under control." Leo says.

Dawn smiles as she helps Buffy back into bed. "I know your first instinct is to get up and get everything yourself, Buffy. But please if you need anything ask me and I'll get it. I want my niece to be born nice and healthy."

Buffy lets out a sigh, "Dawn do you think it was a good idea for me to forgo the hospital? Even with my little fear?"

Dawn smiles, "Buffy while I have to agree with the doctor on one thing. You should have had regular checkups. I think for you, you're doing the right thing. Besides you couldn't make me give up being your midwife for anything. Just as I told you before I want to help bring my niece into the world."

Buffy smiles, "That's a sweet gesture, Dawn."

They hear the phone ring. Before Dawn or Buffy could answer it, it stops and they hear Piper answer it.

"Hello? Uh, sure." Piper says. "It's one of your charges. Since when do they use the telephone?"

"Since I've been ignoring them to spend more time with my lovely wife." Leo says. "Excuse me. Hello?"

"Now will you tell me what's going on?" Buffy asks.

Dawn frowns, "What do you mean?"

"I suddenly felt weaker a few moments ago, around the time I sent you to get me some water." Buffy says. "What's going on Dawn?"

"Hold on one second." Dawn says before she walks out of the room and up the stairs into the attic where Phoebe is getting the Charmed Book of Shadows. "Pheebs."

Phoebe looks to Dawn, "Dawn just the person I wanted to see. Can you look in your Book for me."

Dawn nods, "Sure." She walks over to her and Buffy's Book. "We may have a problem. Buffy is no longer the Slayer. She just said she felt weaker around the time we lost our powers."

"Wasn't the First Slayer supposed to be created by magic?" Phoebe asks.

Dawn nods, "Yes."

"So without magic, there is no Slayer." Phoebe says. "Is your book blank?"

Dawn opens it and flips through several blank pages, "Yeah."

"Okay grab it and bring it downstairs." Phoebe says as Dawn grabs hers and Buffy's Book and follows Phoebe downstairs into the basement.

"Okay, look at this, check this out." Phoebe says as she flips open the Charmed Book. "The whole book has been erased. Dawn show her yours."

Dawn nods and shows Paige her Book, "Blank, too."

"How's that possible?" Paige asks.

"I don't know but both Books are not the only thing with no Magic. The Slayer is no longer in the house." Dawn says.

"What?" Paige asks.

"The First Slayer was created by magic and each Slayer after is activated by that same magic that created the First Slayer." Dawn says. "No magic, no Slayer."

"Anyways without either Book, I don't even know how to find out. It's like someone's taken the magic and erased it from our entire family." Phoebe says.

"I think it's bigger than just our family." Paige says as they look at the squished egg on the floor.

"Oh, is that from one of our golden geese?" Phoebe asks.

Paige nods, "Yeah, I don't think we're gonna be able to return them now."

"What is going on?" Dawn asks.

"You know, this all started when El mystery mare arrived. Maybe she's a Trojan unicorn sent to suck away our magic." Paige says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, I doubt it. Unicorns are the essence of good magic. If anything, they should enhance our powers, not steal them. What about the sky last night?"

"What, the northern lights on the Eva of a Sabbath? Yeah, it could be a mystical sign but don't those normally come in threes? Where's the third?" Paige says.

"Have you been experiencing uncontrollable emotional mood swings in the last week?" Phoebe asks.

"Am I that transparent?" Paige asks.

"No, but read your horoscope." Phoebe says.

Dawn smiles and remembers the lesson Buffy gave her for last night, "Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are all in Gemini. That only happens once every three hundred years."

"Holy Hannah. It's like the universe is practically screaming at us to get our attention." Paige says.

"Yeah, but what is it trying to say?" Phoebe asks.

Dawn shrugs.

"I don't know. But I've got a lot of research books in the attic. I'm gonna go up there and check it out." Paige says.

"Okay, I'll meet you up there. I'm gonna try to figure out a way to wrangle the geese." Phoebe says.

"I'm going to go check on Buffy. What do I tell her?" Dawn asks.

Phoebe sighs, "Tell her the feeling weak is part of her high blood pressure. And pray she doesn't question it."

Dawn nods as she and Paige goes up the stairs.

On the stairway, Stanley is sneaking up the stairs as Dawn and Paige comes around the corner.

"Hey! Who the hell are you?" Paige says.

"They call me Stanley." Stanley says as a fireball forms in his hand and then vanishes. "I was afraid of that."

"At least it's a level playing field." Dawn says.

Stanley runs down the stairs and attacks Paige.

Dawn runs up the stairs and into Piper's room. "Leo uhm Paige needs you downstairs."

Leo looks up at Paige and nods, "Would you mind finishing cleaning this mess up."

Dawn nods, "Sure." She switches spots with Leo and he heads down stairs.

"Tonight, Tabitha is going to get her revenge. On all of harmony."

"Hm. Like that spell would've worked." Piper says as they hear a thump coming from downstairs. "What was that?"

"What?" Dawn asks.

They hear another thump.

"That." Piper says.

"Oh, that. That's probably Phoebe and Paige trying to run down the geese. They were having a little trouble wrangling them up. That's why I sent Leo downstairs." Dawn says. "Why don't I turn the TV up so it will drown out the noise down there till they get the geese wrangled." She turns up the volume on the TV and smiles at Piper. "I'm going to go check on Buffy. Let me know if you need anything." She leaves the room and heads into Buffy's room.

"Dawn what's going on downstairs?" Buffy asks. "And why do I feel so weak?"

Dawn smiles, "Oh Phoebe and Paige were trying to wrangle the geese. Got loose again. And about you feeling weak it's probably just because of the high blood pressure. You relax and rest and you should feel better in no time."

Buffy sighs and nods as they hear the doorbell downstairs ring.

"Somebody get that?" Piper says.

Dawn makes her way over to the door and sees Piper heading for the stairs.

"Dawn?" Buffy says from next to Dawn.

"I don't know." Dawn says.

"Well I'm going to go check it out." Buffy says.

"Buffy why don't you just…" Dawn started, but Buffy was already out the door of their room and heading for the stairs.

Piper and Buffy goes down the stairs, followed by Dawn. They spot Victor standing in the Foyer next to a woman they've never met.

"Hey, dad!" Piper says.

"Uncle Victor!" Buffy and Dawn says.

Victor smiles, "Hey, Piper! Buffy! Dawn!" He goes over and gives Piper, Buffy and Dawn a hug. "Oh, I heard the news. You two shouldn't be on your feet."

"Dad's got some news of his own." Phoebe says. "Gently though, dad, we don't want them to drop those calves right there on the stairs."

"Piper, Buffy, Dawn, I want you to meet Doris, my new bride." Victor says.

Buffy, Dawn and Piper's eyes widen.

"Yeah," Phoebe says.

Doris walks over to Piper, Buffy and Dawn. Buffy and Piper fake a smile.

"Hello, Piper. Hello, Buffy. Hello, Dawn."

"Hi, hi, uh, Doris. W-w-welcome to the family, I guess." Piper says.

"Hello Doris," Buffy and Dawn says.

"I know it's kinda sudden but sometimes when life drops a peach at your feet, you've gotta stop and make some cobbler." Victor says.

The closet door opens and Stanley's leg falls out. Just as that happens, Victor leans in and kisses Doris, so they don't notice.

Paige quickly pushes Stanley's leg back in the closet and slams the door. "That is always my motto, isn't that funny?"

Phoebe nods, "Uh, uh, apparently they met on a singles cruise. Did you know dad goes on singles cruises?"

Doris smiles, "Oh, it was like in the movies. Our eyes met across the buffet bar, your dad's so handsome and, well, I told him, don't eat the rolls, you know, too much processed flour." Stanley's green blood escapes from under the closet door. "Anyway, we stayed up all night long talking," Paige drags the rug along the floor with her foot and covers the blood. "And by the morning we just knew."

Victor nods, "Mmm, she devastates me."

Leo walks in. "Okay, I put away the uni..." He sees everyone. "Cycle."

"What unicycle?" Piper asks.

"It's a baby gift. Hey, Victor." Leo says.

Victor nods, "Leo."

"Hello, I'm Doris." Doris says as she shakes Leo's hand. "I'm your new mother-in-law."

"Oh, hi, I guess I missed a lot, didn't I?" Leo asks.

"Okay, now that we've all met, maybe the two lucky newlyweds should check into the hotel because it's really crazy here and then we'll call you..." Phoebe says.

Doris shakes her head, "Oh-oh, no. We're not going anywhere."

"You're not?" Buffy asks.

Doris shakes her head, "No, I used to volunteer at the hospital. We can stay and help take care of you two."

Buffy and Piper put on a fake smile.

"You can?" Piper asks.

"I look forward to some real mother-daughter and aunt-niece bonding." Doris says.

"You do, huh?" Piper and Buffy says.

The doorbell rings.

"Oh." Phoebe says.

"Well, you know, now that we've figured out you're staying here, let's get Piper and Buffy off their feet, shall we?" Paige says.

Buffy, Dawn and Piper walks over to Phoebe and Paige.

"You can't leave us alone with her." Piper, whispers.

"Yeah, yeah, Paige and I have to. Because what if it's another magical baby gift?" Phoebe says. "Dawn will stay with you and Buffy."

Buffy and Piper are not happy. They turn back towards the stairs.

"Come on, upstairs." Leo says as he, Piper, Buffy, Dawn, Victor and Dorus go upstairs. The doorbell rings again.

"Why don't we put the two of you in one room together? That way it will be easier to take care of both of you." Doris says.

Buffy and Piper look at each and then nod as they enter Piper's bedroom.

Moment later Doris is unpacking a gift basket. "I knew this gift basket would come in handy. And lucky for the two of you I am always ready for emergencies."

Dawn rolls her eyes.

"You should've seen our first date." Victor says.

Doris smiles, "Oh, Victor spilled steak sauce all down the front of his shirt."

Victor nods, "And Doris pulls out a bottle of stain remover from her purse."

"Of course I licked it off your chin first." Doris says.

Victor and Doris kiss. Buffy, Dawn and Piper turn their heads.

"Oh, that's so sweet." Piper says as Leo walks past the room carrying saltpetre and cayenne pepper. "Hi, honey, what are you doing?"

Leo comes back and stands at the door. "Uh, I'm just taking Paige some spices. She's gonna make the two of you a homeopathic remedy to help you both relax. See ya." He leaves.

"Homeopathic medicine? You two are into homeopathic medicine? I knew I was gonna love this family." Doris says. "This is unbelievable. My first husband passed away a couple of years ago, heart attack. And the first thing I did when we got home from the cruise is put Victor on a low fat, high fibre diet."

"And a monthly colonic." Victor says.

Buffy turns her head and sees Phoebe walk into the room. "Hi, Phoebe, come sit, talk with us, please."

"Oh, I can't, I have a big meeting at work. Piper, do you have any hairspray I could borrow?" Phoebe asks.

"You have hairspray," Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but mine's non-aerosol and it's a really big meeting, so I need aerosol for that super firm hold, you know."

"Check my bathroom." Piper says.

Phoebe walks past them and goes in the bathroom.

"Oh, honey, you know what? There's no cheese knife here. Would you mind going downstairs and getting it." Doris says.

"Absolutely, baby doll." Victor says as he kisses Doris. "Dawn why don't you walk me downstairs. We can catch up."

"I'd like that Uncle Victor." Dawn says as they head for the door.

Victor turns around and smiles, then he and Dawn leaves.

Phoebe walks back in the room with the aerosol can.

"Uh, girls?" Doris says motioning towards Phoebe and Piper. "I just wanted to let you know how I feel about your father. I, I just feel so lucky. He's the most special man I've ever met."

"Thank you." Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "That's the sweetest thing you could ever say to us."

"It is." Buffy says.

"Well, it's true, you know. He's so, he's so kind and he's so sensitive. And, oh, he's the most exciting lover. Oh! I mean, girlfriends, he can go all night. I'm not kidding." Doris says as she squeals.

Buffy, Phoebe and Piper fake a smile.

"Did ya hear? Gotta go to that meeting." Phoebe says.

"Don't leave us." Piper says.

Phoebe leaves the room.

Later Buffy and Piper are eating crackers. Doris is sitting on Victor's lap. They are doing a magazine quiz. Dawn sits in a chair on Buffy's side of the bed.

"Okay, the last question is, what is your lover's favorite article of clothing? Hm. Oh, it has to be your grey cardigan. Am I right?" Doris says.

Victor smiles, "As always, baby doll." He kisses Doris.

Piper lies back in her bed and gets under the covers. Buffy and Dawn roll their eyes as they look at one another.

"Okay, that's nineteen out of twenty. That makes our romance rating jalapeno hot." Doris says.

Victor growls and Doris giggles. Buffy and Piper spots Phoebe, Paige and Leo walking past the room.

"Hey! Somebody get in here." Buffy says as Phoebe and Paige leave Leo. Leo goes in the room.

"Hi. We may be stuck in bed but we're not stuck on stupid. We know that something's going on." Piper says.

Buffy nods as she looks at Dawn, "Do either of you want to tell us what's going on?"

"Well, you wanted a doctor, Piper, and she told both you and Buffy to relax, so, relax. " Leo says, chuckling.

"Mmm, how can we relax when we know that you're hiding something from us?" Buffy asks.

Piper nods, "All the strange noises and weird behavior. Why don't you or Dawn just tell us what's going on?"

Leo nods, "Okay, um..." He looks to Victor and Doris. "I'm sorry, you guys, we need a moment, a magical moment."

"Oh." Doris says.

Victor nods, "Oh, alright, then."

They get up and leave the room.

Leo closes the door as Dawn stands up.

"Okay, uh, well, it's really nothing to worry about." Leo says.

"Magic has disappeared from the world." Dawn says. "Buffy that's why you feel so weak. No magic, no Slayer."

Leo nods, "And Phoebe and Paige went to have a summit meeting with evil so they can fix it. See? Nothing to worry about."

Piper frowns, "I see. Okay, I am not gonna get upset about this. I am just gonna blow you to pieces." She tries to blow him up but nothing happens. "Buffy?"

Buffy tries to power up a fireball but again nothing happens.

"See, I tried to tell you." Leo says.

"Oh, no!" Piper and Buffy says at the same time.

"Listen, I-I'm sure it's nothing. Phoebe and Paige..." Leo says.

Piper shakes her head, "Leo, no. My water just broke."

"I know it's a big coincidence but my water just broke also." Buffy says.

Moments later Piper is panicking. "What are we doing? Why are we sitting here? We need to go to the hospital now."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

"You need to relax. Your water broke; it's no need to panic." Leo says.

Piper shakes her head, "No, you are wrong. My due date is six weeks away. Buffy's is two weeks away. The babies are not ready to come out. Please, take us to the hospital."

Buffy sighs, "Despite how much I hate hospitals. You better listen to her Leo. You better make us both an appointment."

Leo nods, "Okay, okay."

Doris walks in. "I just got off the phone with your doctor and she said don't move until she gets here."

Piper looks to Buffy and then at Doris, "She's coming here?"

Doris nods, "She's on her way now."

"There. See? Everything's gonna be okay." Leo says.

"I need Phoebe and Paige, they've trained so hard for this, they should be here now." Piper says.

"I called Phoebe's cell phone, there was no answer. Besides we do have Dawn, remember she's trained also." Leo says.

Buffy shakes her head, "Leo unless a miracle occurs, Dawn needs to be free for me or Piper not both of us. If we deliver at the same time…"

"Well, can't you just, you know, pop over there and get them in that special way you do?" Victor asks.

Dawn shakes her head, "We kinda got a problem with that right now, Uncle Victor."

"Ooh!" Piper and Buffy says as they hold their stomachs.

"Contraction?" Dawn asks.

Buffy and Piper nods.

"Okay, okay, just breathe." Doris says as she does breathing exercise. Buffy and Piper copies her. "Buffy, Piper needs all the love and support we can give them right now, Leo. Go and get Phoebe and Paige."

"Please." Piper says as Leo kisses Piper on her forehead and leaves. "Okay, it's over, okay."

"Now, the doctor said I need to keep you both warm, so I'm gonna change all the sheets and all these wet blankets, alright?" Doris says as she looks at Dawn and Victor and they nod. They go out into the hallway.

"Hey, what if the babies come before the doctor gets here? Do you know what to do? You know in case they do deliver at the same time?" Victor says.

Doris kisses Victor and smiles. "I know exactly what to do." She pulls out a knife and stabs Victor in the stomach. He falls to the floor. She turns to Dawn who's running down the stairs. She gives chase and Dawn runs out the front door. Doris turns and walks back upstairs.

In Piper's room, Buffy and Piper have changed into new nightgowns. They sit on the edge of the bed.

Doris walks in carrying a pile of sheets. "Alrighty, then."

"Where's dad?" Piper asks.

"And Dawn?" Buffy asks.

"Oh, Victor decided to go with Leo." Doris says. "And Dawn is downstairs preparing everything she needs to help you deliver. So don't worry."

Outside Dawn watches the Manor from across the street as she pulls out her cell phone dialing, "Come on Phoebe answer."

"Hello?"

"Pheebs? It's Dawn." Dawn says.

"Dawn listen to me. There is trouble in the house. We don't know which but the wizard we went to talk to is after either Buffy or Piper's baby or both." Phoebe says.

"I kinda figured that when Doris stabbed Uncle Victor and then tried to stab me also." Dawn says. "I ran out of the house and am watching from across the street. Wait there is a guy walking up the front steps."

"That's probably the wizard. We're on our way back." Phoebe says.

Upstairs in Piper's room Piper and Buffy are in bed, their backs to the door. Doris sits down beside them as Cronyn walks into the room.

"Finally..." Piper says as she and Buffy turns around and sees Cronyn. "Who are you?"

"I'm here for both of your babies." Cronyn says.

Piper and Buffy looks at Doris and she smiles. They begin to panic.

"It'd be easier if you'd both just relax, Piper, Buffy." Cronyn says as he puts a medical kit on the bed. Buffy and Piper gets a contraction and they groan. "Breathe deeply... and push."

Moment later Doris covers Buffy and Piper back up with the blankets.

"They're both fully effaced and dilated. It won't be long now for either of them." Dorus says.

"You can't have my baby, I won't- Aahh!" Buffy says as she screams as she gets another contraction.

Downstairs Down, Phoebe and Paige walk in from the back door. They hear Buffy scream. Phoebe starts to go to her and Piper but Paige stops her.

"No, no, he's not gonna hurt either of them while they're in labor." Paige says.

"Okay, well, dad's hurt!" Phoebe says.

"There's only one way to save them." Paige says as they head for the basement and Paige grabs a knife on her way past.

In the basement Paige scrapes the knife along the unicorn's horn and catches the dust in a scooper. "A unicorn's horn is pure concentrated magic. See, I told you all magic wasn't down."

"How did you know that?" Dawn asks.

Paige smiles, "Because the wizard stole the prophecy from an apothecary, an agent of good magic."

"Wait, which would mean that the Elders knew what he wrote." Phoebe says as she looks at the card around the unicorn's neck. "Look, the card says "From El", that's gotta be for the Elders. They knew magic was going to go down and that we'd be in danger."

"Why didn't they just tell us?" Dawn asks.

"They tried. Leo got a call from the Elders, remember? And then Piper and Buffy passed out and we had to take them to the hospital." Phoebe says.

"And then they sent us this little present. I guess your magic is not affected by what happens on earth." Paige says.

Upstairs Piper and Buffy are breathing heavily. Doris is wiping her forehead. They hear a neigh.

"What was that?" Cronyn asks.

"The witches?" Doris asks.

The unicorn neighs again. Cronyn grabs a knife. "You stay here."

"Where is my father? What did you do to him?" Piper asks.

Doris shakes her head, "Shh, don't worry about such things. Child birth is painful enough."

"If you do anything to our babies, we will kill you." Buffy says.

Piper nods, "We will hunt you and kill you. Even if it means coming back from the dead and don't think we won't find a way to do that."

Doris smiles, "We're not going to hurt either of your babies, Buffy, Piper. We're going to raise both of them as our own. They're going to be powerful leaders, a great force of evil. You two should be proud, very proud." She turns away and squeezes the cloth into a bowl.

Piper reaches over and grabs a vase of flowers off the side table. She smashes it over Doris' head, knocking her unconscious. She and Buffy gets out of bed.

In the basement Phoebe is pouring the unicorn dust into a satchel. Paige finishes writing a spell.

"Okay, one vanquish spell." Paige says as they hear creaking floorboards.

On the stairway Piper falls down the stairs, falling onto Buffy causing her to fall down also.

"Stupid witches. You two could've killed the both of you and the babies." Cronyn says as he comes back from the kitchen.

Doris runs down the stairs holding the back of her head. "Ohh, she caught me off guard."

"Just get down here." Cronyn says.

Doris walks to the bottom of the stairs. Cronyn goes up to Piper and Buffy.

"Get away from us!" Buffy says.

"Their contractions are less than a minute apart." Doris says.

Upstairs Victor regains consciousness.

"Oh, god, please not now." Piper says as another contract hits her and Buffy at the same time.

Dawn, Phoebe and Paige come around the corner.

"Step aside, bitch!" Paige says.

"Yeah, that's our job." Dawn says.

Cronyn holds the knife up against Piper's neck. "Move, even breathe and they're dead.

"Vanquish him, Phoebe." Buffy says.

"Your sister and cousin will die." Cronyn says.

"It's to save the babies." Piper says.

"Oh my god." Paige says.

"I'm warning you." Cronyn says.

"Kill him." Piper and Buffy says.

"How can I?" Phoebe says.

"Do it!" Piper says.

"But I..." Phoebe says.

"Phoebe, if you love us, you will send this crazy bastard straight to hell." Buffy says.

Victor makes his way down the stairs and pounces on Cronyn. With all his strength, he throws Cronyn over the railing. Paige throws a handful of unicorn dust over Cronyn.

"Now!" Paige says.

"Beast of legend, myth and lore, give my words the power to soar, and kill this evil evermore." Phoebe and Dawn say.

Cronyn and Doris run for the door but are vanquished before they can get there. Stanley, dead in the closet, explodes and disappears.

"Is everybody okay?" Paige asks.

"I feel like I'm dying." Piper says.

Moments later Phoebe races into the dining room carrying a doctor's kit. "Both babies are coming, both babies are coming!" She puts the bag down and covers the dining room table with a sheet. She gets several pillows and places them on the table. Dawn and Paige help Piper and Buffy up onto the table and they lean back on the pillows back to back.

"Okay, you're doing great, sweetie. Yes, you are. Let's see what we have here." Phoebe says as Dawn moves around between Buffy's legs. Phoebe pulls up Piper's nightgown as Dawn does the same. "Oh! I see a head of dark hair."

"I see a head of blond hair." Dawn says.

Buffy and Piper starts to cry.

"You do?" Piper and Buffy says.

Leo runs in through the front door. "What'd I miss?"

"A lot!" Piper says.

Leo runs over to them.

"Victor needs help. Here, try this." Paige says as she throws Leo the satchel of unicorn dust. Leo goes over to Victor.

"Okay, breathe. Keep breathing, keep breathing." Phoebe and Dawn say to both Piper and Buffy.

"It's okay. Breathe, just breathe." Paige says.

Leo sprinkles unicorn dust onto Victor's wound and heals him.

"Very good. Okay, relax, relax, you're okay." Phoebe and Dawn says.

"Dad?" Piper asks.

"Yeah, honey?" Victor asks.

"I'm sorry about your demon wife." Piper says as she and Buffy cries.

"Oh, hush. Don't think about that." Victor says.

Leo walks over to Piper and puts his arm around her. "I'm right here, baby."

Victor walks over to Buffy, "Would you like a hand to hold?"

Buffy smiles at Victor, "I'd be honored, Uncle Victor."

"Okay. You okay?" Phoebe says.

"You're alright. Okay." Dawn says.

"You're doing great, you're doing great." Phoebe says.

"Push, okay? Last push." Phoebe and Dawn say.

"I can't." Piper and Buffy says.

"You both have to. A big one. Big one! Push!" Phoebe says.

"You can do it." Leo and Victor say.

"I can't." Piper and Buffy says.

"You can, you can." Phoebe and Dawn say.

Paige smiles, "Yes, you can."

"Okay, push." Phoebe and Dawn say as Buffy and Piper pushes. "Push. Come on, push!"

Buffy and Piper squeezes the edge of the table and pushes. Buffy also squeezes Victor's hand. A blue light shines down on them.

"Oh, I guess magic's coming back." Paige says.

Victor grimaces, "You can say that. I forgot you're a Slayer, Buffy."

"Here we go, here we go." Phoebe says as Piper and Buffy cries. "Oh, I see a shoulder."

"I got a shoulder." Dawn says, "And an arm."

Dawn and Phoebe help the babies out.

"Oh, and something else, something else." Phoebe says as she and Dawn pick up a pair of scissors from the medical kit and cuts the umbilical cords.

Phoebe picks Piper's baby up which is glowing in orbing lights. "Hi, baby. Hi."

Dawn picks Buffy's baby up which is glowing in bright flames. "Hey."

Phoebe and Dawn use a suction and clear both of the babies mouths. The babies cry. Dawn and Phoebe walk to the side of the table so both Piper and Buffy can see the babies and they turn them towards the group and show them. "Look!"

Their eyes widen.

"Oh. Is that what I think it is?" Paige asks about Piper's baby.

Phoebe nods, "Uh, if you're referring to Mr. Winkie between the legs, yes."

"You mean, I got a boy?" Leo asks.

Phoebe smiles, "Here you go, mama." She hands Piper her baby.

Dawn smiles and hands Buffy her baby, "Here you go, sis."

"Hi. Hi, little guy, what are you doing? Look what we did." Piper says to Leo.

"I see." Leo says.

Buffy looks at the girl in her arms and smiles, "It's a miracle."

Piper nods, "Two little miracles."

Phoebe nods, "They're both beautiful."

"They are both safe, they're both loved, and they are both wise." Piper says as she looks back over her shoulder at Buffy who is looking over her shoulder back at Piper. "How ya doing?"

Buffy smiles, "Wonderful."

Author's Notes: I know it's a bit of a coincidence that Buffy and Piper gave birth at the same time. But that's how I wanted it to go. I wanted them both to give birth back to back at the same time.