Part Two

BACK IN LA

Monday morning, Cordelia came walking through the doors of Angel Investigations more nervous than she ever been before in her life. Thankfully Wesley was there and no sign of Angel.

"I trust you had a good visit to Sunnydale Cordelia." The Brit said.

"Uh - yea, it was a real swell time." She was stumbling over her words. She sat at her desk and began shuffling papers.

"Angel killed that vamp for Kate last night. So you shouldn't be bother with a phone call from her today." Wesley was trying to guess what was wrong with Cordelia, without any avail, he asked, "Might I ask what seems to have you so unnerved this morning?"

Cordelia smiled, "No."

Wesley was quite taken back by her answer. "Did something happen while you were in Sunnydale?"

Cordelia stood up and escorted Wesley outside into the sunlight. "Wes, you have to promise not to say a word to Angel."

Wesley was surprised by her request, "I don't think I can do that Cordelia. Angel is our boss and we should not keep secrets from him."

Cordelia gave Wesley a doubtful look, "Even if the secret is about Buffy."

Wesley started to understand, "Oh well, if it's about Buffy we probably should keep it a secret."

Cordelia started filling Wesley in on the happenings last November. "And so Buffy's going to give birth to Angel's baby on Wednesday," she finished.

Wesley was quite shocked, "I read about this in that scroll that Angel stole from Wolfram and Hart. I had no idea that the prophecy had already started to come forth. I figured we would have years before -"

Cordelia was now offended, "You knew this was going to happen and you didn't tell Angel or I."

Wesley explained, "I didn't want to jeopardize the prophecy by telling Angel that one day he would father the slayer's child. The very same child that would also become the greatest slayer of all time. I only assumed this was to take place way in the future."

IN SUNNYDALE

Buffy literally crawled out of her bed this morning. She knew she had gained more weigh over night. Her back was killing her. How can a body gain 30 pounds in one week? Her body was undergoing a great strain. She got herself ready and Joyce took her to Dr. Chung as scheduled.

"You look good Buffy, would you like to see the progress your baby has underwent." He pulled out the ultrasound equipment and turns the monitor so both Joyce and Buffy could see.

As the doctor rolled the device over her belly, both mom and daughter saw the beautiful miracle before them. Dr. Chung proudly announced, "It looks like a girl."

Buffy looked up at her mom, "Well, it's a good thing, otherwise the clothes Cordelia bought would have to go back."

When Buffy and Joyce arrived back home Willow, Xander, Anya and Riley were waiting for them. Willow walked up to the car; "We wanted to help set everything up for the baby. Is that okay?"

Buffy reassured her it was. They spent the afternoon laughing and giggling. Putting crib together and rearranging Buffy's room. It was something the group needed. It had been so long that Willow, Xander and Buffy got to be immature. It felt like old times again.

Before they knew it darkness had fallen. And outside Buffy's house were a couple of vamps. "Hey slayer, wanna come out and play? Oh, that's right you can't. Well guess what slayer, while the town of Sunnydale is unprotected your friends are going to die!" The vamps were yelling catcalls to the house, how ludicrous she thought to herself.

As Buffy made her way to the door, Riley stopped her. "And just where do you think you're going?"

Buffy looked at him in disbelief. "Riley they are challenging me, am I suppose to let them run free and cause mayhem?"

"No." Spike said coming through the back door. "We are going to stop them. Fish Boy, I want you to cover me. Xander I want you to cover Finn. Buffy you need to shoot arrows from your bedroom window and mums, how about making us some hot chocolate."

Everyone was shocked at the way Spike was giving orders, but listened. Riley looked out the front window. "Okay, I see 2 at 12 o'clock and 3 on each side of them. So there's a total of 8."

Spike grabbed his stake and said, "Fine, Finn you get the ones on the left and I'll get the ones on the right. Xander, you make sure neither of us die. Oh, and slayer, try to take down the big, burly vamp before he pounds me into the ground okay?"

Buffy acknowledged and manned her window. Willow handed her the arrows and the games began. Buffy had 1 vamp down before the guys even opened the door and charged out. She had 2 down and Spike's first pile of dust was a skinny vamp. Riley was jumped from behind but Xander staked that one. Four down and four to go. Buffy created another dust pile and Riley finished off two in one swift motion. The last big burl vamp came straight for the bedroom window. He jumped on the roof like Angel use to do. Buffy was so startled she fell back on the floor. Willow grabbed the arrow and stuck it through the vamps heart. Red had done her share, too.

By the time they were done Joyce had the hot chocolate waiting. "Thanks mums, needed that." Spike stated.

Xander asked, "Spike what made you decide to join us this evening? I figured you would have been lurking the cemeteries for a place to sleep by now."

Spike merely chucked, "Are you kidding. One day Angel will find out that Buffster's carrying his orgasm and he'll stake me dead if he knew I didn't protect her. I'm simply looking out for my well being." Spike hissed. "Oh and by the way, Mums can I spend the day in the basement. I kinda been relocated, some slum demon took that mausoleum I was in and it smells terrible."

Joyce joyfully agreed, "Sure Spike, my house is your house."

"I can't believe my mom is best friends with one of my worst enemies. Mom do even realize he trying killing me on several occasions?"

"Oh honey, that's in the past, Spike wouldn't hurt you if he wanted to." Joyce replied.

Buffy shook her head in disbelief. "You tell Angel to get out of my life, but you let Spike right in. I don't think I'll ever understand that."

Spike laughed, "It's simple Buff, I won't lose my soul if I have sex with you. Now Peaches, well, that a different story." Spike laughed as he made his way downstairs.

As the Monday night came to an end, Buffy realized tomorrow morning would be her last day pregnant. On Wednesday she would be somebody's mother. Buffy went to sleep and dreamt of her baby girl.

Tuesday morning, Buffy got a picnic basket together and she waited for Riley to pick her up. They were going to have lunch in the park. They had their favorite spot, under an oak tree. The slayer had not been out of the house very much lately. She could hear people snickering and pointing. She felt like blurting out and yelling at them. She protected the residences of Sunnydale and they dare laugh at her.

Riley held Buffy's hand as they strolled down the path to their spot. They looked like a happy couple expecting a baby any day now. If you knew them, you'd know otherwise. Buffy didn't think much of it and she tried to block the people out, but she could have sworn she heard a camera go off. As they sat and talked about the future, Buffy pulled out the lunch. "Sorry, I'm not Martha Stewart", she pulled out chicken and potato salad. They had fun. Riley said he would support her any way he could. Buffy knew he didn't mean financially, but that didn't matter. Buffy was negotiating with the watcher's council. She advised those Brits in England that if they give her a gold card and an apartment, she would join their team again. No news on that offer.

Tuesday came and went. Buffy was became more and more nervous and the day disappeared. She paced the hallway of her mom's house until shortly after 2:00am. Spike walked in the door for the night and noticed the slayer in her bathrobe. She looked frazzled and worn. "Luv, you better get yourself to bed. You're going to have a long day ahead of you." Spike actually seemed concerned.

Buffy acknowledged his politeness with some of her own. "I keep thinking, if I don't go to sleep then I can stall this motherhood thing a little bit longer." Buffy tried to smile.

Spike walked over to the slayer and started to escort her to her own room. "Look, Peaches will kick my arse, if you aren't taken care of. Now get your butt to bed missy. I don't know what you're so worried about, you always end up on the right side. You can do no wrong. Remember me, the guys whose plan you always seem to screw up," Spike realized he was getting too mushy, he needed to regain his masculinity, "no matter how stupid you are."

Buffy understood what the vamp was going through. It was difficult for Spike to actually be sensitive and nice.

Buffy finally fell asleep around 3am. And that's when it began. The first major contraction hit. Oh, it hurt so badly. She felt like someone grabbed her insides and twisted them around. She woke up in a cold sweat screaming - "Angel!"

IN LA

Angel woke up in a cold sweat. He felt Buffy's pain. Angel could feel Buffy's life and he knew she was alive, but she was hurting. This had happened in the past on several occasions, every now and again, Angel's fist would ache or his head would pound. He knew those were feelings Buffy was experiencing. It was too late at night for Angel to call Buffy's dorm. So he waited to see what else would happen.

IN BUFFY'S BEDROOM

Spike came running upstairs to the slayer's room. "Luv, are you okay? Can I come it?"

Buffy bellowed out in pain, "God - Spike, it hurts."

Spike took on the fatherly role and Joyce walked into Buffy's room, too. "Honey," Joyce said concerned. "This is normal, you are experiencing contractions and they are only going to get harder. We need to get you to the hospital, can you stand up?"

"Mom, I'm about to curse and scream alot, I think it would be best if you knew how much I love you, upfront - " Just then another contraction started.

"Well mums, it looks like pets' contractions are 9 minutes apart. I'll get the car, it's still dark outside. You call the hospital and let them know we on our way." Joyce obeyed the vampire and ran to the phone.

IN LA

For every contraction Buffy was having Angel felt the pain. After a half-hour or so, he gave up and called the dorm.

A groggy Willow answered, "yea?"

Angel heard nothing but silence in the room and almost hung up, "Willow, it's me Angel, is Buffy around?" The sudden feeling of being wrong was overtaking Angel as another pain began.

Willow started rubbing her eyes, "Angel it's 4am. What's going on?"

Angel stated, "Look I feel like Buffy is in pain, like someone is kicking her in the abdomen. Is she there? Am I wrong?"

It was when Angel said 'kicking' that Willow realized what was going on. "Angel don't worry, Buffy had some bad, bad Chinese, you know from one of those little oriental restaurants on the campus, well, she's been throwing up all night long. I think she has food poisoning. So it's okay, try to go back to sleep, I won't even tell her you called - if you want?"

Willow was about to hang up the phone when Angel started a reply, "Oh, okay. I feel better, know that she isn't lying on the campus getting her ass kicked. Yea, if you could leave out the part, that I feel her and ya know - "

Willow reassured Angel that she wouldn't mention his sense to Buffy. She politely but quickly hung up and phoned the Summers' residence. After letting the phone ring twelve times, Willow finally got the idea that they were already at the hospital. She turned off the light and tried to fall back asleep. Her best friend was about to become a mom.

SUNNYDALE GENERAL HOSPITAL

"Oh GOD! The pain is so incredible." Buffy sobbed. She grabbed a hold of Spike's hand and squeeze any life that was left in it.

"Damn, slayer, must you break my hand!" Spike complained the entire time, but deep down he was touched that the blonde had him at her bedside.

"I need drugs, I don't care what kind, I don't care how much, I need drugs noowwwww!" she said.

"Buff, look I will get the doctor and let him know -" Spike was cut off.

"Nooooo stay with me. I don't want you to leave me. Everyone leaves me, don't go. Please don't go." Buffy whined.

Spike was starting to enjoy this, "So Slayer, if I stay can I get the placenta?" He thought he might sneak that one in between contractions.

"You can have whatever you want, just don't go."

Part Three

Buffy's daughter, Braelyn Angelica Summers, was born a two days ago. Buffy's body was quickly returning to her normal sleek figure. She hadn't told anyone but she was planning a trip to visit The Oracles. She needed to know if her daughter's destiny was to be a slayer. Buffy phoned Cordelia, or at least she hoped Cordelia would answer. After four rings Wesley answered the phone. "Angel Investigations, how can I help you?"

"Hi Wes, it's Buffy. Is Cordelia around?"

"Nice to hear from you Buffy, I trust everything went well." He hinted but didn't want to say the words in fear Angel would walk in.

"Yes, I have a beautiful daughter 7 pounds, 12 ounces and 18 inches long." Buffy said proudly.

"Oh, wonderful, I am so happy for you. What did you name her?"

"Braelyn Angelica Summers." Buffy wondered if Wesley would catch the obvious middle name.

Wesley, "I see she carries some of her father's name. Don't worry he doesn't know." Wesley knew he was chancing saying that, but he didn't hear or see Angel.

"I actually called for a different reason. I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find the Oracles?"

Wesley reported, "Ah yes, I remember Angel telling me that the entrance is under the post office. You would need to bring a gift and say a few magical words to enter".

Buffy, "Great what do I have to say!?"

Wesley, "I'm not exactly sure. Angel never told me, but tell you what, if you give me a few hours I'll see if I can get that information for you."

Buffy agreed and thanked Wesley. Wesley hung up the phone thinking, what a shame Angel doesn't even know he has a daughter. It was Buffy's decision; he could only try to keep it a secret.

A few hours later like Wesley promised, he phoned Buffy back with the directions to gain access to the Oracles. Now all Buffy needed was a ride. She looked at her watch, it was another hour to sunset, Spike would have to be the one to take her. Giles was out with Olivia, Xander was on a date with Anya. And Joyce was going to watch the baby.

As much as Buffy didn't want to ask Spike for a favor, she knew she had no choice in the matter. Buffy knocked on the basement door, "Bloody hell, it's it sundown already?" came from the door.

"No, Spike, it's me. I need you to drive me to L.A. as soon as the sun goes down." Buffy told the blonde vamp.

"What the heck do you think I am, a taxi cab? I don't think so slayer, I have plans."

"You have plans, doing what? Wandering the streets of Sunnydale hoping Harmony will ask you home. You don't have anything to do. So you better get your act together and drive me before I stake you."

"Oh, I get it, your gonna threaten me with death every time you want something, well let me tell you this slayer, it won't work!" The vamp turned and walked down the stairs.

Buffy was sick of men turning their backs on her and walking away. She followed the vamp downstairs. Buffy changed the tone in her voice to one of concern and love "Look I need you to drive me for Braelyn's sake. You keep referring to her as your sister, well do your sister a favor and drive her mom to LA."

Spike was about to crack, "Are you going to tell the Poof that he is her dad?"

Buffy dropped the coy smile, "Not exactly, I need to speak to the Oracles about my daughter's future. I need to know if they are going to summon her to be a slayer."

Spike, "Oh, alright, let's go. Who's the bloody Oreo's anyway?"

Buffy thanked Spike and flew upstairs to change. "We will talk in the car."

Spike yelled at the stairs, "Oh and I don't want to hear anymore favors out of you!"

Two hours later in LA

Underneath the post office was the gateway to the Oracles. Buffy spoke the magically words and was given access. She was bolted into a room with bright white. Just like she had dreamt a few nights before. This was the same room where Angel gave up his mortality.

The male Oracle spoke, "Why are you bothering us, lower being?" she sneered

Buffy felt like she was in the wrong place, but didn't back away. "I need some answers."

The female Oracle spoke, "What have you brought me?"

Buffy held out her hand a showed a silver cross from the turn of the century. The cross floated in the air to the hand of the female. "Very nice".

Buffy started, "You were the ones who sent me those dreams, right?"

The male responded, "No the Powers That Be, thought it was necessary for you to know those details. Is that all?"

Buffy knew she needed to get to the real point quick. "My daughter was born two days ago. I need to know - I don't want her to be a slayer. I want her to have a chance at a normal life - "

The male interrupted, "Her destiny has been chosen. She's the daughter of a slayer and vampire with a soul - under special conditions. She will be the most powerful slayer ever to walk the earth. You should be proud!"

Buffy fears came true, "No! No, I am asking that she not be a slayer, change her destiny. Give her what I can't have."

The female Oracle stated, "You are being selfish, the world will come to peace with her on guard. You can not imagine the balance that Braelyn will bring to the world on her own."

Buffy felt sick when she her the female oracle call her daughter by name. "Look, if you won't grant me that request, I have one demand to make."

The male and female oracle glared at her, "You are going to make a demand?"

Buffy, "Braelyn's father has done nothing but sacrificed this life for others -for mine - I want him to be granted happiness."

The male oracle snapped, "Again slayer, you are being selfish, if that warrior is given happiness it'll benefit you, too. We do not deal in matters of the heart." Buffy choked back tears; she needed to remain strong. "I am not asking that Angel be given happiness with me. Just pure at happiness with whoever crosses his path. Surely there is something I can do to win this rite. He gave up his humanity for me. I need to return that gesture."

The female oracle likes challenges. "If you think you can fulfill a challenge, then we will grant Angel his soul permanently, but there are stipulations. You will not advise him that his demon has been banished."

The male added, "Furthermore, you will not go to him to proclaim you love, he needs to come to you."

Buffy recapped, "Got it, he will never lose his soul, I don't tell him and he needs to come to me. What's the deal?"

The female oracle looked into the heavens, "You must kill 1000 demons within 1 year. You will return to us 1 year from tonight. At midnight we will review your count."

With that stated Buffy was thrown out of the room. As she dusted herself off. She thought, how hard could that be, two maybe three vamps a day. I can do this in my sleep.

BACK HOME IN SUNNYDALE

Giles sat with his hand to his head as Buffy explained the plan, "So I dust some vamps and in a year, Angel will be saved. Whether he wants me or not, as long as Angel can experience happiness without consequences, I'll be happy. That's what love is all about -right? Loving someone unconditionally, doing anything you can for that person. That's love. It's not walking into the sunshine, it's not having sex, it is your feelings and how you express them. I love Angel and I want him to - " Buffy sighs, "Be happy and know love again." Buffy looked down at her hands, "even if it's not with me." Buffy states again, trying to convince herself that if Angel choose someone else, she would be okay with it.

Giles looked at the women who stood in front of him, how she has grown so much over the last several years. He was taking it all in. Her soulmate has given up life for her and now she is trying to save his life with this gift. "I'll support you in anyway possible. What do you need me to do?"

Buffy grinned and started walking around the room, "Okay, first I need someone to take my officially count and keep track of my record. I'll probably need lots of info on vampire nests and - gosh - it's too bad the initiative is destroyed I could have gotten at least a hundred vamps and demons in one night." Buffy's thoughts started racing in her mind.

"Slow down, Buffy. You are going to have a tough year in front of you. Three vampires a night may not seem a lot, but it really is."

Buffy was not about to hear the lecture she stood up, "Your right, I better get going and count some dust piles." Buffy left Giles in search of the key to her lover's happiness.

TWO HOURS LATER

"I hate it when Giles is right," Buffy mumbled under her breathe. She scared a couple who was kissing under a tree and a rabbit who was hopping around looking for something to eat. It was at her moment of despair she heard some fighting behind the trees. Buffy ran to see what was causing the racket. It was Spike trading punches with a vamp. "Spike don't kill it!" She yelled as loud as she could.

Spike was thrown off his guard and the vamp gained the advantage over the blonde vampire. With Spike on the ground and the vamp standing over him laughing, Spike did the only thing he could. He grabbed a tree branch and staked the vamp in the heart. When the dust settled he saw the Slayer standing over him with a disapproving look on her face. "Now what in the hell did you do that for!" She frisky blonde demanded.

Spike jumped to his feet and lunged at the slayer, "What you want me dead? After all I have done for you - you are through with me?" The vampire demanded in return.

"No, I was suppose to kill him!" Buffy rebutted.

Spike shook his head, "Who cares who does the killing as long as it gets done."

Buffy explained, "I have to kill 1000 demons in 365 days so that - well the reason isn't the point, the point is I have to do the killing around here. Now you can stay out of my way or you can be number 1."

Spike took a step back; "Does this have anything to do with you visiting the Oracles today?"

Buffy forgot that Spike was the one who drove her there. "Yes, it does. It's about Braelyn and her future."

"Okay, that's all you got to say, you can have your space, pet. Just don't stake me!"

Buffy, "Okay, now have you seen any other vamps or demons tonight?"

"No luv, this was the only one, oh and his friend I killed ten minutes before you showed up." Spike smiled meekly.

Buffy dropped her arms to her sides and sighed deeply. "This is going to be harder than I thought." The pretty blonde turned and walked towards her dorm. Day one, Vamps zero.

It was late and Buffy wanted to go see her daughter. Joyce was watching Braelyn tonight, so Buffy made her way over to mom's house.

She walked into her bedroom, now being shared with her daughter. Braelyn slept silently. The peace was nice. The last few days the baby had been up crying and wanting to be fed. Buffy took advantage of that situation and stepped out onto the roof where she sat with her legs curled in. It had been so long since she sat there and reflected. She could almost picture Angel walking down the street and leaping onto the roof. If seemed so long ago, it was so long ago. How she wished for those simple times to return. It was a starry night, thousands of stars throughout the sky. That was when Buffy did something she hadn't done in so long. Star light star bright, the first star I see tonight . . . Buffy thought, what did she really want. She wished for, of course, happiness, a family, Angel by her side with their daughter. With that Doyle smiled down from the heavens "It's coming my pretty, it's coming."

DAY TWO, TRY AGAIN

Buffy took a deep breath, "Okay Giles, I've got some making up to do. Have you heard of any vamp activity - anywhere?"

Giles rubbed his forehead and removed his glasses. "Actually, no. It's been fairly quite."

Buffy threw her arms down to the sides, "Ah, come on, how come the demons only come out and try to reopen the Hellmouth when - they want to? Just once, I would like it to suit my purposes. Is that too much to ask?"

Giles merely shook in head in dismay. "Buffy, give it time, I'm sure they will pop up, This is the Hellmouth you know. I'm sure evil is just lurking outside."

"I need to bag at least six vamps tonight if I want to even the count. I'm going out and see if I can stir up some trouble." Buffy grabbed her staked and breezed out the magic shop.

Buffy checked all the popular spots and again, no vamp to be found. It was at that time Buffy ran across Riley. "Hey Buffy wait up. I was expecting you to call before you went patrolling tonight."

"Oh, Riley. I'm sorry. I'm kind of on a solo mission. But hey, you’re more than happy to help out - just don't kill anything."

"Okay, one of us isn't making sense. Why can't I kill anything?" The solider boy was a bit confused. "We're still on the same side right?"

Buffy sighed, "Yes, yes we are. It's just - okay, long story short. I have to kill as many vamps and I can within the next year for Braelyn's future." It was entirely a lie; just enough to get the point across.

Riley, "Okay, so what's the big?"

Buffy, "Actually, 1000 demons in a year."

Riley, "Whew, that 2.73 hostiles a day."

That was Buffy's little solider boy, everything had to be exact. "Actually, I was figuring 3 a day would give me a nice cushion."

Riley, "So how long have you been at it? What's the count?"

Buffy, "Day two, vamps 0."

Riley, "I think we can change that number very quickly. . ." Riley pointed off into the brush.

It was then that Buffy heard some twigs breaking, her heart raced, yea the first one! Buffy ran towards the bush and saw a newly borne vamp chasing a freshman. The vamp looked vaguely familiar. It was Parker. Parker was a vamp. When did this happen? What poetic justice, Parker was finally going to get what he deserved.

Buffy, "Stay behind me and put away that stake Riley." Buffy made her way to Parker. "Parker, Parker Abrams is that you?" Buffy teased.

Parker regained control of his facial features and he heard the sweet sound on Buffy's voice. He became rather confident in his ability to bite this girl. She was easy after all, "Buffy, I've been trying to call you. Your roommate hasn't been giving you my messages has she?" Parker tried turning on the charm.

Buffy smiled, "No Parker, gosh - she hasn't."

Parker, "I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk with me you know- resume where we left off. Would that be okay or are you still mad at me?"

Buffy tossed her golden tresses to reveal her neck. "I would love, too."

At that moment, Parker could barely stand the vibes running threw his body. He ran up to Buffy and was greeted with a stiff kick in the chest. Parker was thrown back several feet, and stood up in game face. "I'll take that as a no." He ran towards Buffy figuring she got a lucky shot.

Buffy, "It's too bad you didn't know how to treat women, maybe you wouldn't have been somebody's lunch. You have to tell me how sired you. Was she scorned by your love, too?"

Parker threw a punch at Buffy, she blocked it and returned it. "This is for all the women, you've screwed!" She kicked him in the groin. "And this is for all the women, you left the following morning," She grabbed him by the collar and threw him into the trees, "And this is for you sob stories, oh you life growing up." She kicked him in the face.

Parker could hardly believe this petite sophomore was kicking his ass. "And Parker, this is because I'm the slayer and you're a blood, sucking demon." Buffy finally put the boy out of his misery and staked him. Parker's look of disbelief was the last thing that crossed his face.

Riley stepped out of the shadows, "Remind me not to piss you off - okay?"

Buffy laughed, "That felt so good. I feel like a weight of shame has been lifted off my chest."

Riley, "Buffy you had nothing to be ashamed of. It was a mistake. That's all."

Buffy, "Come on, let's find something else to kill. I've got some making up to do."

By then end of the night, Buffy killed 4 vamps and Riley killed one. He had, too. Buffy was way to busy with the others and he was about to die. Buffy understood. She was glad Riley was alive, but she secretly wished she could have killed that last one.

"Not a bad night, Day Two and the score is 4!" Buffy said proudly.

As the weeks flew by Buffy held her own. She continuely killed vamps, not as many as she would like, but enough to keep her goal in sight.

After two months, Braelyn had grown the size of a 4-month-old baby, rather than a 2-month-old. Braelyn's rapid growth was a mystery. However, the PTB said she needed to grow quickly so she would be out of harms way. Buffy felt that secretly the PTB wanted her to join their side quicker. The way the PTB explained it is she would age twice as fast as everyone else until she reached the age of 10. At that time her life would slow to a normal aging process. Basically, in 5 living years, Braelyn would be 10. In reality, that meant Buffy would be 25 years old with a 10-year-old. What people would say?! Braelyn had also inherited her father's beautiful eyes, which turned gold when she was pissed.

At any rate, two months had past and motherhood was joyous and tiresome for the slayer. Buffy was trying to spend as much quality time as she could with her daughter. Their time together would be short. With Buffy being a slayer, she had a short life expectancy and Braelyn's rapid aging would make it all the more difficult to relax and take it easy.

In the last two months, the score was pretty good. Buffy had dusted 132 vamps. She still had ten months to go. 868 more dust piles to count. This goal was seeming to be pretty challenging. When she thought about it, it was worth it. A chance for her love to be free from his brooding. He would be able to find happiness.

IN LA

Angel has been living his life quietly. He was still saving the souls of Los Angeles and Cordelia and Wesley were by his side. They moved in a hotel. One that Angel use to live in 50 years ago. It was a huge place for the 3 of them. Every now and then Angel would let a victim of LA spend the night in one of the many rooms. Still, life was quiet.

Angel would have dreams, dreams of Darla. Dreams that tested his loyalty to the PTB. Darla forever haunted his dreams. Angel remained in control. He didn't love Darla; he was merely infatuated with her. At least, the demon inside of him was. He knew true love and that was with another.

SUMMER'S RESIDENCE

It was now a normal sound of the Summer's house, a crying baby. Spike came walking to the bedroom with a bottle for baby Brae. "Ya know Slayer, isn't it funny, all the men you love leave you and here, your worst enemy feeds your baby!"

Buffy came storming into her room and grabbed the bottle from Spike's hands. "I am trying to teach her that I can not come every time she cries. I admit the crying is getting bad but she has to learn."

"Shit, Summers the child is 2 months old. Where'd you get a stupid idea like that?"

Buffy thought for a moment, "It was in one of those parenting magazines, mom and I thought it was a good idea."

"I say if the babe is crying stick something in her mouth to shut her up."

Buffy gave Spike a look that could dust him, "Look, I don't need advice from you Spike, after all you've never had a child." With that Buffy started feeding her own child.

Spike grinned and left the room.

Go to Part 4