Rating: G (pure fluff)
Disclaimer: As usual nothing except Maddy belongs to me, all recognisable characters belong to Joss and Co. and the song lyrics Baby Mine belong to the beaches soundtrack and I think on the Dumbo film by disney.
Couples: B/A
Spoilers: none, in this universe B/A are together with no clause in the curse and have a child and another on the way.
distribution: Of course please just let me know where it's going
Dedication: to my niece and nephew who have re-introduced me to the wonderful world of Disney, and to CAT for the virtual chocolate which was much appreciated.
author's note: this story kind of wrote itself, but I don't know where it's going there may be a sequel if anyone is interested at the moment its a bit in the air. Feedback would be greatly appreciated

Angel let the door slam behind him, to announce to his family that he was home. Generally this sound would be accompanied by his three year old daughter, the apple of his eye, Maddy, bounding down the stairs and launching herself into his arms. Maddy had never accepted that Daddy had to go out without her and despite Buffy and his best efforts to explain that Daddy had to go to "work" the three year old still shed tears as she watched him disappear from her view. But today the only sight which greeted him was an anxious Buffy shushing him with frantic gestures.

"Angel, please be quiet, she's just settled down if she hears you I'll never get her to sleep." Buffy cautioned him as she grazed her lips over her husband's. "We've had a tough day"

"What do you mean? is she ok, if she's hurt you should have called me, I would have come straight home..."

"OK count to three and relax, she's fine physically, the problems mental, she's realising she's different from other kids and their realising too and it's making life difficult."

"I think you'd better explain to me what happened" Angel said over his shoulder on his way to his daughter's room. "I thought you were going to play group today?"

"We were, we did and that's what got her so upset. She was playing with some other little ones, I think they were playing house, when Willow and I went outside. Then next thing I know, she's running into my arms crying her little eyes out, Angel she was so upset nothing I said could calm her down, it broke my heart, she's so little her life should be filled with laughter and games, not tears." Buffy recounted, clearly upset herself.

"I couldn't make sense of what she was saying, why she was so upset so Willow went to ask the others what had happened, they had been playing pretend with the dolls and she had shattered hers, she had hugged it too hard, so she was pretending to make dinner with the pots and pans when she opened the door it came off it's hinge. the other kids all became scared and now no-one wants to play with her, she doesn't know what she did wrong."

"She has your strength beloved, just not the control yet or the understanding to temper her enthusiasm. You know that she will learn that in time." Angel replied enfolding his wife in his arms.

"I know, but how do you explain this to a three year old, she just wants to play with her friends like a normal three year old, but now she's scared of herself and them, she needs friends Angel"

"Well, she'll have a brother or sister in a few months who will be the same, that should help her," his hand absently rubbing her swollen stomach.

"I just hope it's enough for her" Buffy replied as they left their daughters room.

Later that night Buffy awoke alone in their large bed, hearing voices down the hall she crept silently to her daughters room careful not to disturb the father/daughter interaction. Peering through the doorway the sight before her warmed her heart and reassured her that all would be well. Her daughter sat in her father's lap, their favourite position, as he brushed back the chocolate curls from her face and the tears from her cheeks. His soft voice filled the room.

Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
rest your head close to my heart
never to part, baby of mine.
Little one, when you play,
pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
never a tear, baby of mine
If they knew all about you,
they'd end up loving you, too.
All those same people who scold you,
what they'd give just for the right to know you.
from your head down to your toes,
you're not much goodness knows.
But, you're so precious to me,
sweet as can be, baby of mine.

"I love you daddy" Maddy sighed settling into his arms to sleep.

"I love you too my sweet one."

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