Author: Shannon
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, UPN, WB.
Distribution: My site: http://www.shadesofgrey.us/home.html ; Fanfiction.net, NHA, any one else who already has my stuff, anyone else just let me know.
Feedback: Sure. angels_soul_1@yahoo.com
Spoilers: Nothing really specific but anything through S6.
Author's Notes:
1. Spike is still chipped and never left Sunnydale.
2. Takes place about 4 years after Magic.
3. I pretty much ignored stuff I didn't like, such as Giles never left and Xander and Anya are still together (or back together whichever you prefer.
4. The previous two fics in the series can be found at http://www.shadesofgrey.us/prophecyschild.html
Summary: A few years have passed and things seem to be going well for Willow, Spike, and Breanna until an old friend returns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~Part: One~
Spike groaned when he felt the weight land against his stomach barely missing more sensitive areas. He kept his eyes closed hoping if he stayed still he would be able to sleep longer. He didn't know the time but he was sure he had only had a couple hours sleep at the most. He had been out most of the night patrolling with Buffy, she was looking for the latest Big Bad, and needed the extra muscle lately.
"Daddy! C'mon time to wake up." The cheery voice looming above him said.
"What time is it Bree?" Spike asked without opening his eyes.
He felt her weight shift on his stomach as she stretched to see the clock. "The clock says six, three, oh." She said stretching out across his body.
"Then it is not time to get up." Spike said. "It's still time to sleep." He finished trying to move the child to lay next to him.
"Today's my first day of school and I need to get ready so I look good." Breanna explained, "And you need to help me."
"Can't your Mum help you?" Spike asked not wanting to get up just yet.
"Mommy's sleeping." She stated simply.
"So was I." Spike argued sitting up and swinging his feet off the edge of the bed bringing the child with him.
"But Mommy needs to sleep." Breanna explained, "She gets very cranky if you wake her up before the sun comes up."
"She does, doesn't she?" Spike said standing the child up and leading her out of the bedroom, "So we better get out of here and get you dressed."
"Breakfast first Daddy." Breanna said turning toward the kitchen. "I don't want to get my new clothes dirty."
"Right." Spike mumbled as she followed the child. "Lack of sleep is making me stupid."
By the time Spike made his way into the kitchen Breanna was already standing on the counter rummaging through the cupboards. Spike walked up behind the child grabbing her waist he swung her off the counter.
"You know Mommy will kill us both if she sees you up there." He said setting the child on the floor.
"I want Frosted Flakes. And yogurt." She stated turning her attention to the refrigerator.
Spike quickly gathered the requested items and placed them in front of the child. He watched her as she silently ate her cereal as he warmed a mug of blood for himself and sat down across from the girl. She looked so much like Willow that it amazed him, from her red hair to the dark green color of her eyes. When she finished the last of her yogurt she climbed off the chair, picking up the bowl and spoon and placing them in the sink she then returned for the empty container and threw that in the trash can.
"I'm gonna go find a dress 'kay." Breanna said already heading for the bedrooms.
"Be right there." Spike said placing his mug in the sink and running hot water over the dirty dishes.
"I can do it myself."
"Then why'd you wake me up?" Spike asked following behind the child.
"Fine." She answered, "But I get to pick." She consented. ~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Now you're sure this is what you want to wear?" Spike asked as the child slipped on yet another dress. "We still have to wake up Mommy."
"Yes." Breanna said smoothing the white dress down across her stomach and admiring the small sunflowers adorning the hem at the bottom and the end of short sleeves. "This one is perfect."
"You are going to be hell as a teen-ager." Spike mumbled as she watched her turn to dig through the drawer filled with barrettes, headbands, hair-ties and other assorted accessories.
"I'm telling Mommy you said a bad word." She said turning to face Spike, holding up a hair-tie to match her dress. "I want a ponytail."
"Go get the brush then." Spike said, "And you better not tell her."
Spike sat in the center of the small bed and waited for the little girl to return. The big bad styling hair for children, Spike thought, yeah I'm really scary now. He was quickly pulled out of this thoughts by Breanna jumping on the bed and sitting with her back to him, holding up a hairbrush.
"Can we curl it too?" She asked.
"You can ask your mum when we wake her up." Spike answered the last time he had tried that he had burned her cheek.
Spike silently brushed the tangles out of her hair and began gathering it into long tail at the back of her head. Quickly wrapping the cloth tie around the base he let go of her hair and lifted her off the bed.
"Time to wake up Mommy?" She asked.
"Yep." Spike said following the child across the hall to the other bedroom. "Careful don't mess up your clothes already."
"Mommy, Mommy!" Breanna shouted running into the bedroom and bouncing onto the bed next to Willow. "It's time to get up!"
Willow moaned and rolled away from the way too happy noise coming from her daughter.
"Mommy, c'mon it's time for school."
"Already?" Willow moaned not quite ready to get up, but opened one eye and glanced at the clock. "eight o'clock! Damn it I overslept. How the hell am I going to get you to school on time now." She said jumping out of bed without looking at her daughter.
"Mommy I'm ready." Breanna said crawling over to sit on the edge of the bed and watch her frantic mother search for clothes.
"What?" Willow said grabbing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. "Honey go find a dress to wear."
"But Mommy."
"Just do what I ask okay." Willow said impatiently.
"Red. She's trying to tell you she's ready." Spike said from the doorway. "All you have to do is curl her hair, and I already plugged in the curling iron.
"What?" Willow said turning to look at her daughter for the first time that morning. "Oh, you look so sweet." Willow said smiling and moving to hug her daughter.
"You're going to mess up my hair." Breanna said pulling away from her mother, "And I don't look sweet, I look like a princess. Right Daddy?" she said turning toward Spike.
"Always." Spike answered, "Now why don't we go get Mommy's breakfast while she gets ready."
"'kay." Breanna said following him out of the room.
~Part: Two~
"How long have they been out there?" Buffy asked, watching from the window as Spike ran along side the small bike as they crossed the parking lot again.
"They went out right after the sun set so I guess about an hour." Willow said not looking up from her book.
"How long is he going to keep doing that?" Xander asked.
"Until Bree wants to come in I imagine." Willow answered. "When she gets tired."
"You've got to be kidding. When I took her to the park the other day I think I pushed her on the swing for an hour." Buffy said sitting on the chair across from Willow and picking up her own book.
"Tell me about it. Last week after Spike suggested she learn to ride without training wheels, she decided she wanted to surprise him and learn how without him. So I took her out there." Willow said, "An hour and a half later I was begging for mercy and she wasn't even tired."
"And he'll just keep going?" Xander asked.
"Yep." Willow answered, "All I can say is thank God for vamp stanima. And we should get all the research done as fast as we can while she's outside."
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
"She asleep?" Willow asked when Spike walked into the living room.
"Finally." Spike said sitting next to her on the couch. "We need to find some new books for her. If I have to read the Cat in the Hat again I'll go insane."
"You are insane." Willow said kissing him lightly, "But I'll take her to the bookstore this weekend. Which reminds me, Dawn wants to come home for the weekend and surprise Buffy."
"Great she hasn't been home in a while." Spike said.
"You sound like Buffy, she only left to go back to school a month ago. But anyway she needs a ride, so I said I'll drive up and get her." Willow replied.
"'kay. Want me to go with you?"
"That's the problem. I'm going to have to leave before Bree gets out of school. Giles is going to pick her up and take her to the Magic shop with him. Can you go pick her up from there after sunset?"
"No problem." Spike said, "She can stay there that long? I can take the tunnels to get her if you want."
"No. She can wait at the shop." Willow said not sure Breanna should be in the tunnels anymore than necessary. "She likes it there anyway."
~Part: Three~
Giles walked over to the table carrying a plate with several cookies and a juice box. Setting the items next to the child he watched as she studied the pictures in the book in front of her.
"Does this one start with a G?" Breanna asked pointing to a picture of a zebra.
"No. Zebra starts with a Z. You know what a G sounds like right?" Giles asked.
"Like you're name." She answered seriously.
"Yes like my name. So you need to find pictures that sound like the beginning of my name." Giles explained, "And remember this time only the books on the table okay?"
"Yeah."
"You'll be okay if I go in the back with Aunt Buffy?" He said still not sure about leaving her alone, and Anya wasn't back from the coffee shop yet.
"I'll be fine. And I can call you if anyone comes in to buy stuff." Breanna answered, "I am not a baby."
"All right." Giles said leaving her alone and heading for the back room.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
Breanna glanced up from the paper she was writing on when she heard the bell ring. Anya had already come back and was upstairs putting some books away.
"Hi." Breanna said turning to face the visitor. "Do you want to buy stuff? I can go get Uncle Giles."
"Uh no." The man answered, "I was looking for someone. You know Giles."
"Yes. He's not really my uncle but Mom says he kind of is so I call him that." Breanna explained, "He's in the back with Aunt Buffy. She's not really my aunt either."
"Oh." The man said, he had heard that Xander and Anya were getting married a few years ago so maybe. he thought.
"I'm waiting for my Daddy to come get me." The child was explaining. "Mommy had to go to L.A. to get a surprise for Aunt Buffy."
"I need to talk to you're daddy, do you think I can wait with you?"
"Sure, but I'm not supposed to talk to strangers so you have to tell me your name."
"Oz." The man answered.
"Hi Oz." The girl said then giggled, "Like the Wizard of Oz."
"Yeah I guess." Oz said smiling at the child, she reminded him so much of. No that's not possible, he thought, last time he was here Willow wasn't with anyone.
"Okay I've got to finish my homework now." She explained, "I'm have to write five big G's and five little G's and find five pictures of things that start with G."
"Sounds like a lot of work."
"It kind of is. But Daddy says I have to do it so I can read my books to myself." She explained.
"He's right."
Oz sat quietly watching the girl as she bent over the table and copied the letters onto her piece of paper. Watching her he again thought how much she seemed like Willow. Breanna set down her pencil and held the paper up in front of his face pulling him out of his thoughts.
"All done." Breanna said proudly. "Now I have to find pictures. Wanna help?"
"Sure." Oz answered picking up a magazine from the center of the table.
"Thanks." Breanna replied grabbing a book. "But we can only use the books Uncle Giles left on the table for me. One time I used a different book and he was very angry."
"I bet he was." Oz said smiling at the child.
The pair searched through the magazines and books for a while. Oz occasionally pointing out a picture for her. Suddenly Breanna set down the scissors and climbed off the chair and started making her way toward the back of the store.
"Daddy's here." She shouted back to the startled Oz.
Oz watched the child disappear from sight wondering why Xander would be coming in from back there, instead of the front entrance.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
"Daddy! Daddy!" Breanna shouted as she opened the basement door and flung herself toward Spike. "You took too long."
"Sorry Pet." Spike said scooping her up and kissing her forehead. "Had to wait for the sun."
"I know." She said kissing his cheek and wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's okay though. Your friend's been helping me with my homework."
"My friend?" Spike asked wondering what friend he had that would try to help a four year old with her letters. Clem maybe but unlikely, he thought, other than that he was drawing a blank. "Clem is here?"
"No Daddy a different friend." She answered wiggling out of his arms. "C'mon." She said grabbing his hand and pulling him to the main part of the store.
Spike followed the child interested to find out who this friend was. He certainly couldn't think of anyone. He froze just inside the room when he spotted Oz sitting at the table in the center of the room.
"Spike?" Oz questioned when he saw the child return to the room without the expected Xander.
"Bree Luv, Go in the back and play with Aunt Buffy." Spike said not taking his eyes from the man across from him.
"She's training Daddy."
"Tell her I want her to play with you." Spike said quietly.
Breanna turned and headed to the back of the store again. She didn't understand what was going on but Daddy seemed upset so she knew she needed to do what he said. Maybe Aunt Buffy would understand what was wrong.
"I'm sorry Spike." Oz said still not sure what was going on. "She said she was waiting for Daddy then she came back with you and I."
"I'm her father." Spike answered.
"But I. Xander and Anya.." Oz said trying to make sense of the situation.
"No." Spike answered.
"She referred to Buffy and Giles and Aunt and Uncle but not related." Oz said beginning to connect the pieces in his head, "So if Xander and Anya aren't her parents then Willow."
~Part: Four~
"What the hell am I going to do?" Willow asked curled into a ball on the couch next to Spike. "I can't let Oz take her from us."
"We don't know that he'll even try." Buffy said trying to reassure her friend.
"She's right." Xander said, "He may not even know he's her father."
"That's right." Anya said brightly, "All he knows for sure is that you're her mother. Maybe he won't figure it out."
"It's only a matter of time before he does the math Anya." Willow said sadly. "But thanks for trying."
"Maybe he won't Will." Buffy suggested, "It's been a long time."
"She's right Red." Spike said, "Five years is a long time. Maybe he won't figure it out. 'Course I'd feel better if we could be sure of it."
"Maybe we could do that memory spell thing. Like Willow did that time." Xander suggested.
"Great idea Xander." Spike said. "She knew what she was doing and botched it and we all completely lost our memories."
"He's right." Willow said, "It would be too risky. And I can't risk doing it myself."
"Oh I know." Anya said excitedly. "You wish vengeance on him."
"For what Anya?" Buffy asked.
"For getting her pregnant." Anya said, "Usually vengeance is immediate but it doesn't have to be."
"Thanks Anya." Willow said smiling. She knew the demon was only trying to help. "But I can't wish something bad on Oz."
"Well it doesn't have to be bad. Does it?" Buffy suggested. "Couldn't she just wish he not remember his last visit?" She asked turning to Anya.
"Well sure. I mean it's not as fun as what I was thinking but yeah." Anya answered looking slightly disappointed at the idea.
"Thanks guys really." Willow said, "But I can't ask for vengeance for something I don't regret."
"She's right." Giles said from the corner. "She doesn't want vengeance. But I also think maybe we should wait and see what happens. Oz may not realize he's her father, and even if he does that doesn't me he will try to take her."
"Right and if he doesn't do the math who's going to tell him?" Dawn asked. "No one outside of this room knows right?"
Right." Spike said, "And we aren't going to say anything."
"Angel and Cordy know." Willow said, "Maybe the others in L.A. too."
"I'm on it." Dawn said already reaching for a phone.
"Bree doesn't know. So she can't say anything." Buffy said.
"Okay then I say the plan should be not to tell Oz any more than we have too." Giles said, "If he doesn't ask if he's her father no one offer the information."
"It feels so weird having to lie to Oz." Xander said.
"Xander I need to know now if you're on my side with this." Willow said sitting up and facing her friends. "You too Buffy.
"Of course we are." Xander said slightly angry. "How can you doubt that."
"Neither of you have ever made a secret about your feeling about Spike. So if you two can't back this then tell me now." Willow said.
"Will I know I haven't always been supportive of your relationship with Spike, but you love him and so does Bree. I would never do anything that would hurt you or her that way." Buffy said hugging her friend.
"She's right." Xander said, "I don't like Spike. But he's a great father for Breanna so that means I have to live with it right?"
"Thank you guys." Willow said.
"Talked to Angel." Dawn said setting the phone down. "Only he and Cordy know who Breanna's father really is and they won't say anything. He also said he'll let the other's know that if anyone starts asking questions about her to let him know and not to say anything."
"Okay so that's taken care of." Willow said, "And Giles is right we don't want to jump the gun and make Oz suspicious so let's call it a night and wait to see what's going to happen."
~Part: Five~
Oz lay on his back on the motel room bed thinking about the events of today. That little girl was Willow's child. Spike hadn't confirmed it one way or the other of course, but he didn't say he was wrong either. Willow had to be her mother, it was the only thing that made sense from what the child had said to him.
What really had Oz puzzled right now was why she called Spike Daddy. That wasn't possible, Spike can't have children, he's a vampire. On the other hand, he had heard that Angel had a son, so maybe it was possible.
Willow and Spike. How was that possible? He had known for a long time that Willow had a little crush on the vampire, but how did it ever go beyond that? He also found it hard to believe that the vampire was interested in Willow. Not that he couldn't understand why someone would be of course, just she didn't seem like the vampire's type.
The last time he was here, it was a while ago sure but, Willow was still getting over Tara's death. The girl's death had all but crushed Willow, and from what he understood the whole town, and she certainly wasn't involved with anyone else back then. But the child had to be about four or five years old he would have guessed. So she would have had to have been born not long after he had visited.
Willow hadn't been pregnant when he was here last. She would have told him, and besides she had only been with Tara for a couple years at that time. They hadn't spoken since he had left again. He hadn't heard from her at all in the last five years. That was one of the reasons he had come back to make sure she was okay, they had always kept in contact but he had heard nothing from her.
Five years. He had been here five years ago. Right around this time five years ago he was sure of it. And the child was around four or five. Was it possible that she was. No that can't be, Willow would have said something right, he thought. On the other hand it would explain the lack of contact from Willow. It would also explain Spike's reaction to seeing him.
None of this was making sense. Why would Willow not tell him she was pregnant with his child? Why does the little girl think Spike is her father? He knew he wasn't easy to get a hold of but Willow knew if she left messages with certain people he would get it eventually.
What he needed now was answers. He doubted Willow was going to give them. He could try Xander or Buffy but chances were slim they would tell him anything. They were going to first and foremost protect Willow from any perceived danger, they always had. Same with Giles, if he thought it would hurt Willow he wouldn't help him any. So that left Anya as his only chance for answers. All he could do was hope that Anya was still as bluntly honest as she used to be.
~Part: Six~
"Hi." Oz said as he walked into the magic shop.
"Oz." Anya said smiling nervously.
"Anya." Oz said returning the smile, not sure exactly how to go about finding his answers.
"Are you here to purchase things?" She asked hopefully not wanting to deal with answering the questions she was afraid he would ask. Willow really should have just taken her up on the vengeance offer.
"No. I wanted to talk to you. About yesterday." He prompted.
"I heard you had been here." She said brightly. "Sorry I missed you."
"Uh, yeah." Oz responded, "I was here for a while. I talked to a little girl, said she was waiting for her daddy."
"Breanna." Anya supplied, "Willow was out of town so she had to come here after school."
"That's what she told me." Oz said then hesitated, he knew he had to be careful if he pushed Anya would probably stop talking. "Spike came and picked her up."
"That's right. She was waiting for Spike."
"Spike's her father?" Oz asked.
"Yes."
"But how?" Oz asked, "Spike's can't."
"Willow and Spike have been together since before Breanna was born. Spike is the only father she knows." Anya answered simply, she knew she was leaving things out but she still wasn't lying to him either.
"So biologically."
"No but Breanna doesn't know her biological father." Anya said, "And Spike is a great father."
"Anya who is." Oz began when the door opened and Xander walked in.
"Hey An." Xander said walking up behind Oz. "Oz, heard you were back."
"Xander." Oz said turning toward his friend. "Anya and I were just talking about Breanna."
"Adorable isn't she." Xander said smiling, " Looks just like Willow when she was a kid."
"He wants to know about her father." Anya said nervously wrapping her arms around Xander.
"Spike?" Xander said casually, "What about him?"
Looking at his two friends eyeing him suspiciously he knew they weren't going to tell him anything. He wasn't surprised by the knowledge, they would never betray Willow. Unfortunately it also told him he was probably correct. He was Breanna's father.
"You two aren't going to help me at all are you?" Oz finally asked.
"Willow is Bree's mother. Spike is her father." Xander said, "If you want to know anything else you need to talk to Willow."
"Xander." Oz started then knowing it was useless he turned to leave, "I'll see you guys later."
As soon as the door closed behind Oz. Xander reached for the phone.
"Will." Xander said as soon as heard the voice at the other end.
"Hi, Xander." Willow said cheerfully.
"I think Oz knows."
"Knows?" Willow said nervously her good mood fading. "Did you tell him."
"Of course not. But I think he's figured it out." Xander said, "He started to ask. I told him he has to talk to you."
"Thanks." Willow muttered, "Guess We'll be dealing with this sooner than I thought."
"Yeah. So if he wants to know how to find you?"
"Tell him. Give him my phone number and address." Willow said, "If he wants them bad enough he'll find them anyway. And I can't hide forever."
"Got it." Xander said, "And if you need anything."
"I can still do the vengeance." Anya said from behind the counter.
"Thanks again Xander, and tell Anya no vengeance, but thanks." Willow said, at least not yet she thought. "And I'll talk to you guys later."
~Part: Seven~
Spike watched quietly as Breanna lay on the floor going through magazines looking for pictures for this weeks homework. He had promised her if she finished it all tonight they would go for ice cream after it got dark. Willow had objected at first that she didn't need the sugar so late at night, but had eventually consented.
He thought about Oz too. It had been a couple weeks since they had found out he was back and Oz had not tried to contact Willow yet. They were of course hoping that Oz would just leave and not make any problem. He was worried that Oz would take Willow and Breanna away from him. He didn't think he could survive that. He loved both of them more than he ever imagined possible.
"He can't you know." Willow said quietly reading the vampire's mind.
"What?" Spike whispered not wanting Breanna to hear them.
"Take us. We aren't going anywhere I promise." Willow said hugging the vampire.
"You said we could get ice cream!" Breanna said turning around angrily. "You promised."
"Anywhere but for ice cream." Willow amended just as the phone rang. "Hello." She said into the receiver.
"Oz." She said quietly. "Um just a second."
"Can you take her for ice cream alone. Oz wants to talk and I don't think." She said her hand covering the phone.
"Yeah. Want me to call before we come back." Spike said, not sure he liked Willow meeting him alone but he didn't want Breanna to have to deal with it either.
"No but." Willow said then shrugged, "Okay in an hour then?" She said to Oz.
"Okay see you then."
"You sure about this Luv?" Spike asked. "It's the only way to know what he wants." Willow said, "Just um, you know if his van is still out there when you get back."
"We'll play outside for a while." Spike said.
"Thanks."
~Part: Eight~
Spike walked over to the table carrying two ice cream cones. Handing one two Breanna he sat down in the seat across from her. He watched as she dived into the ice cream. He had let her get two scoops instead of one, Willow was going to kill him, the child was going to be on a sugar high for hours. He was trying not to think about what was going on at the apartment. If Oz wanted to see Willow he doubted it was to say he was just going to quietly leave town and let them continue their lives in peace.
He knew these last few years had been going to good to last. They had been so happy. Even Buffy and Xander had come around. He still argued with them a lot, but that was more for the sheer enjoyment of it than any real anger they were feeling. Now Oz was here, he knew he shouldn't worry, Willow loved him, Breanna loved him. He also knew that it didn't matter how much Bree loved him, Oz was her biological father and could force certain rights if he wanted too. Willow may stay with him, because she loved him but Breanna could be taken from both of them, and Spike wasn't sure he could handle that happening.
"Daddy are you listening to me?" Breanna said realizing Spike hadn't responded to anything she had said since he sat down.
"Sorry Princess." Spike replied returning his attention to the little red head in front of him.
"I said we're having a party at school, and you have to come." Breanna said obviously annoyed at his lack of attention.
"Bree you know that." He began.
"It's at night." She said stubbornly.
"You're sure?"
"Yes. My teacher said it's a daddy dance so it's at night." She explained.
"Well if it's a daddy dance then I guess I have to come uh?" He questioned smiling.
"Yes." She replied taking another lick of her ice cream.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Willow took a deep breath and pulled the door open. Oz was here. Five years ago his return would have made her so happy. Today however she dreaded the thought of opening the door and having to face him.
"Hi." Willow said opening the door after pasting a false smile on her face.
"Hey." Oz said quietly.
Willow stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. "Do you want anything to drink or anything?" She said nervously.
"Willow you don't have to pretend you want me here." Oz said softly.
"Oz it's not that I don't want you here but."
"You don't want me to see my daughter."
"Not exactly. You can see her I mean. I just don't want you to tell her who you are." Willow said quickly.
"She's my daughter." Oz said angrily.
"Biologically." Willow said, "But not emotionally. Spike has been her father since before she was born. He protected her and loved her before her birth."
"That's not my fault Will. You didn't."
"What tell you?" Willow said now becoming angry too. "I didn't even know where you were, why you left. You came back after Tara. I thought everything was great then one day you're gone."
"Willow I was afraid."
"The wolf would come back." Willow finished for him. "That's a great excuse Oz. Love using that one too don't you. Used it when you left after Veruca. Used it when you came back and found out I loved Tara, then wow big surprise used it again to explain leaving me yet again."
"Willow."
"No." Willow said now shouting at Oz, "You've gotten to explain the wolf excuse to me already. Now you listen to my reasons. I figured that was why you left five years ago. Then I found out I was pregnant. Alone and pregnant. I could try to get a message to you, but not exactly reliable is it? But who could know how long it would take for you to get it. Then would you even come back? And if you did would you stay?"
"Will."
"My turn to talk now Oz." Willow said, "While I had to think about those things. I also had to tell my parents something. Something better than the father of my baby was off trying to control the werewolf in him. Spike helped me. He pretended to be the father for my parents. He paid for this apartment when my parents said I couldn't come home. He protected Breanna and me when I was pregnant and Ethan Rayne and Amy tried to kidnap me to get to her. Somewhere along the way I fell in love with him." Willow said finally stopping to breathe, "Since she was born he has been there to take care of her and love her. So if you think I'm going to say okay Oz is back so he gets to be the daddy now you're wrong. I won't do that to her or Spike."
"I'm here now." Oz said quietly.
"For how long?" Willow said, "I can't tear our lives apart for you to be here a few days, or months, or a year and leave again."
"I want to know my child."
"You can I already said that. She knows you went to school with us. So come over talk to her, get to know her. Hell take her for ice cream or the park or something if that's what you want but don't tell her you're her father. Don't hurt her like that."
"It's better for her to think a soulless vampire is her father?"
"Yes. Breanna has never seen that part of Spike. The part that tried to kill us all. And she never will. You can't begin to understand how much he loves her." Willow said.
"Can I think about this?" Oz asked.
"Of course." Willow said, "What choice do I have. If you wanted you could take me to court and try to take her. I know that. You might even succeed. All I can do is hope you will see this all my way and either leave or just let her know you as the friend you have always been to her mother. But we both know the choice is yours."
"I call you in a few days." Oz said before walking out the door.
Sighing Willow leaned against the closed door. "Please let him see this my way." Willow whispered to the empty room.
~Part: Nine~
"Are you ready Daddy?" Breanna yelled from the living room. "It's dark out now."
"Just a minute Princess." Spike called back from the bedroom, then facing Willow, "I can't believe I'm going to a preschool dance."
"It is kinda funny isn't it." She said smiling. "Mr. Big Bad spending the entire evening in a room full of four year olds."
"I so don't want to do this." He muttered again grabbing his jacket.
"Yeah. But you will because she wants you too." Willow said following him into the living room.
"Ready Pet?" He said holding his hand out to Breanna.
"Daddy you didn't tell me I look nice." She said staring at him, "This is the new dress Aunt Buffy brought for me."
"You look beautiful." He said stepping back to admire the soft blue dress Buffy had given her earlier that day.
Taking his hand, satisfied with his response Breanna pulled Spike out the door.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Oz sat in the motel room thinking about his conversation with Willow. He had a daughter. That little girl that looked so much like Willow was his child. He should have the chance to be a father to her. Okay he wasn't here for her before but that wasn't his fault was it?
Maybe Willow was right maybe it was his fault. He left town without any word. Just disappeared because he couldn't deal with being back. Maybe had used the wolf as an excuse to runaway. But he was back now. He could stay here.
But could he stay? He could take Willow to court about Breanna. Make her acknowledge him as her father. Then he would have legal rights to the little girl. But could he stay here and watch Willow with another man. That's why he had left after he came back the first time. He couldn't deal with Willow being with Tara. Was he so sure that had changed? Because if it hadn't he was a danger to Willow, Spike and Breanna.
Maybe he should just leave. Just back his bags and take off again. Everyone had moved on without him anyway. That was one option but he did want to get to know his daughter. He could do this Willow's way and spend time with Breanna without telling her who he was.
Sitting up on the bed he grabbed the phone. It may not be the best option but it was the only one right now. He could make a decision about where to go from there later. Right now he wanted the chance to talk to his daughter again.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
Spike stood in the corner of the room watching the little girls playing in the corner of the large class room. Apparently a daddy-daughter dance for preschool was actually the children playing with Barbie's on one side of the room, while the father's watched and talked from the other side, while really bad pop music played in the background.
After what seemed like an eternity to Spike the teacher shut off the music and announced that it was time for everyone to gather their things and find their fathers so they could all go home. Breanna quickly grabbed her coat and located Spike.
"Can we get some ice cream please?" Breanna said as she took her father's hand.
"Your mum would kill me Pet." Spike said, "You already had the fruit punch stuff, which I'm sure contains no real fruit at all, and cookies, and a cupcake."
"But no ice cream." Breanna stated.
"No." Spike said "It's time to go home."
"Okay." Breanna said, "Tomorrow can I have ice cream then?"
"We'll see." Spike said leading her out the door.
~Part: Ten~
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Spike asked Willow again when she came into the living room carrying a small bag.
"Yes." Willow said tired of having this argument. "He wants to get to know her. It's best this way. There would be too much stress here. At Xander's he'll be more comfortable. Stop worrying."
"Still, what if he."
"He won't. He gave me his word. Besides Xander and Anya will be there." Willow said, "And she likes staying over there. And even more important it gives us a night alone." She finished moving closer to kiss him as the door bell rang.
Moving away from Spike she quickly moved to pull the door open. "Hey Xander." She said moving to let him past her.
"Uncle Xander." Breanna cried running from the hallway and launching herself into his arms.
"Hi Bree." He said picking her up and hugging her tightly.
"Are we gonna rent movies again." She said happily.
"Sure. Can we get Superman this time?" Xander asked.
"I like Spiderman better." She said frowning at Xander.
"Fine Spiderman it is then." He said setting her down. "Anything else?"
"Power Puff Girls." She said.
"Got it." Xander said, "It's a super hero night."
Breanna quickly gave her parents hugs and kisses as she headed for the door. Willow picked up Breanna's small bag and handed it to Xander.
"Maybe this time you could try to not rot her teeth all in one night 'kay Xander." Willow said as he took the bag.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He said winking at the smiling child next to him.
"I'm talking about the last time when Breanna said she had pizza for dinner, cake and ice cream for dessert, candy bars for a bedtime snack and twinkies for breakfast."
"And that's not good?" Xander said looking at his friend with a puzzled expression.
"Ever hear of fruits and vegetables?" Willow asked hugging Xander as he was being pulled toward the door by Breanna.
"Right I'll stop and buy and apple or something." Xander said, "And I'll bring her home in the morning."