That's it guys. The last story in this series! You don't even have to ask for a sequel or anything. There won't be one, because with this story the ring is closed. I hope you enjoyed and that all of you will read it with a smile - in the end. Please send feedback: Connemara.Scarlets@t-online.de
Disclaimer: No, I do *so* not own them. SIGH! So don't sue.
Distribution: Land of Denial, Sunlight & Shaddow, everyone who has any of my other stories, others just ask!
Summary: The Baby is born!, Buffy's POV (of course!)
Spoilers: The whole TV-show; and of course the previous stories in this series
Timeline: Immediately after "Delivery Surprise"
Feedback: oh yes, please!
Dedication: to all of my readers who have "suffered" through the first six parts - and sent feedback nevertheless!
AN: anemic means that one has not enough red blood cells!

Pain.

It was everywhere in my body. I couldn't remember having felt that amount of pain before. And that's pretty impressive for a slayer to say such a thing. Demons have beat me up, I was bitten by vampires (and I smile when I think about it) but this is beyond imagination.

This baby wanted to be born and I had the feeling my whole body or at least the lower part was thorn apart. I refused the anesthetics Dr. Bradshaw offered me, but only for an hour. After an hour of that pain I would've taken anything. So she injected something in my spine and it was better then, but the cramps I could still feel.

Angel was beside me all the time as was Willow. While my husband was holding my hand my best friend stood at the end of my bed and tried to help me with her eyes and words. They were both great as was Dr. Bradshaw. Willow told me that after she'd called my mom and Riley she also called Xander and had instructed him not to let the father of the child into my room. Under no circumstances. And he had obliged. I am sure, Riley was disappointed, but I couldn't have him there. I was giving birth to his child, but the birth itself was too private. He wasn't anything I connected with the word 'private'.

And then a cry and he was born.

Yes.

He.

It is a boy. I have a son.

"You have a wonderful, healthy son, Mrs. Donnelly," Dr. Bradshaw said and smiled at me, while the nurse was cleaning the baby.

That was the first surprise. Well, frankly I didn't mind the baby being a boy. I didn't care, all that counted was that it was healthy. For a moment I was completely and utterly happy. I fell back on my pillow and sighed. With a smile I looked at Angel and saw him smiling back. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. Then he kissed the back of my hand. I had the feeling everything was right in my little world.

That was the very moment, the nurse brought my son and laid him on my chest. I looked at him for a moment and then closed my eyes. I always thought fate hated me, but now I knew it for sure.

He has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Oh god!

Willow who sees my look and who obviously remembers what I said to her in the restaurant takes one of my hands: "All babys have blue eyes," she says and the nurse nods at her statement.

"Your friend is right, Mrs. Donnelly. All babies are born with blue eyes. The real colour you usually see after ten days."

I nod. So there's still hope. But by god at the moment this baby is the incarnation of my nightmare.

I reach out and stroke the baby's head. The hair is like silk. I take the other hand and take his head to my breast. Hungrily he takes the nipple in his little mouth and begins to suck. It is the most wonderful noise in the world and I feel a smile spread over my face.

He's my son. He's my baby.

I look at Angel again and see him watch me in awe. "This is most wonderful picture I have ever seen," he breathes. "You with our baby at your breast."

Again he says 'our baby' and I fight the tears in my eyes. But for the first time I have no resentments against that little miracle in my arms.

I just love that baby.

My baby.

Slowly his sucking decreases and the nurse smiles: "I'll take him to the nursery now, Mrs. Donnelly. We have to do some tests and then he and you should sleep for a while. You're both exhausted."

I nod and look at Angel again: "I love you," I say to him.

"And I you," he replies. "Now sleep. I'll be outside."

"Hmm," I mumble and fall asleep almost instantly.

******

And now I'm laying here in my bed, my eyes still closed, I don't know what time it is, but I must have slept for a while, because I feel much better. I think about many things, Angel, Riley, the baby. He still hasn't got a name, we have to name him. Riley enters my mind again. He probably wants to have a say in choosing the name.

And I'm sure I have to talk to him soon. But not now.

I force myself to sleep for another while.

*******

When I wake up again the first thing I see is Angel's face, he smiles at me and ... has tears in his eyes. What is happening? Then I realise that he isn't alone. Dr. Bradshaw is with him and she smiles at me.

"What's going on?" I ask and look at them in total confusion.

Angel takes my hand and kisses it again. "Buffy," he begins but his voice is hoarse and cracks.

Dr. Bradshow raises a hand: "Maybe I better explain that."

"Is something wrong with my baby?" I am alarmed now.

"No, no, nothing," she assures me. "On the contrary." She exchanges a glance with my husband and continues then: "Well, first there was something wrong. Your baby was a bit anemic, probably because he was early. So what we did was a blood-transfusion. For this we prefer to take the blood of a parent, you weren't compatible, so we asked Mr. Finn, who was eager to help." She looks at me for a moment. "But it occurred his blood wasn't compatible as well."

"What does that mean?" I ask, more confused than ever.

"So we asked your husband for his blood and it fits. To be completely sure we did a DNA-testing as well and, well. Mrs. Donnelly, it occurs that this baby isn't Mr. Finn's. It's your husband's son. " And now she smiles broadly.

I stare at her, then at Angel and back at my doctor. "What?," I whisper and I have the feeling I'm going to faint any minute. "B-but the pregnancy test." My thoughts are racing, not Riley's baby but Angel's.

"As I told you, it's not 100% sure," she says grinning. "Obviously your period was just a little bit late as it happens if a person has stress. And then before it could occur you conceived by your husband. It's the only explanation. And I can tell you, that's not the first time something like that happened."

"Oh god," I whisper again and my gaze flies to Angel. "It's our baby. He's our son. All this time...", then I start to cry. I feel his arms encircling me and holding me close to him. I hear a door shut and realise Dr. Bradshaw has left the room. I slightly pull back and look at my husband: "It's like a dream come true," I say and see tears on his cheeks as well. "I am so happy."

"Me too," he replies. "I cannot even begin to describe my feelings."

I stroke his cheek: "Our baby," I repeat. "Our son. Your son. Not Riley's. Oh Angel," I throw my arms around his neck again. Suddenly I think about him: "How is Riley?"

Pulling back Angel looks at me: "He was very disappointed. But after a while he seemed relieved somehow. I don't know. He wants to see you, if you're okay with it."

"Yes, of course," I answer quickly and all my bad feelings for my ex-boyfriend are gone. "I want to see them all. Mom, Willow, Xander, all. I'm so excited now, I want to celebrate. We have a son, Angel."

"Yes my love. That we have." He kisses me again. "Do you want to see them now?"

I nod.

"Alright," Angel gets up and disappears for a moment.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply. The nightmare is over, it's our son.

I hear the door open again and look up. My mother and my friends enter the room behind my husband. I smile at them. "Hi," I greet them.

They smile too. Willow comes to me and hugs me softly. "Congratulations Buffy," she says and then whispers in my ear: "I am so happy for you. Isn't it the best surprise ever?"

"Yes," I nod. "The best ever."

Then my mother hugs me, then Giles and the rest. Then the door opens again and the nurse brings my son, our son, I think with pride. Angel's and mine.

I smile at the little human being who's laying in my arms. It's a wonderful baby and I don't care about the colour of his hair or his eyes. They don't matter anymore. Angel leans forward and kisses the head of his son. And I know he wouldn't have loved the baby less if it was Riley's. If these months had something good then it's the fact that I know now how wonderful Angel is.

Raising his head from our baby he meets my lips in a sweet kiss. I see his eyes shining with happiness and my heart almost bursts in joy.

And then I look at Riley - he also smiles at me. I know this must have been hard for him, but I can see he's relieved somehow. Maybe he feels the same than I. Maybe he's also glad that we can be friends again. Now that there's nothing left I hate him for. I won't have a reminder of my faults running around in my house.

And after all I've made a vow! I will never believe again in things unless they are 100% certain!

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