Angel and Spike stared at the tiny baby. She looked at them and blinked several times before opening her mouth and screaming.

"Shut the brat up" Spike said, holding his ears.

"You scared her." Angel said, looking at the crying child.

"Me? It was your ugly mug that scared her. I can understand. Makes me want to scream too."

Angel glared at him. "What do we do?"

"I was an only child. Don't ask me. You're the one who's mum popped them out."

Angel ran a hand through his hair. "That was over two hundred years ago. I don't bloody well remember what to do."

Spike smiled as his sire got more agitated. "Pick her up."

Angel nodded. He reached over and picked up the baby. She was so tiny. She was barely bigger than his hands.

Spike came up and looked at her as she quieted down. She stared at them with a puzzled look.

"Hello brat. I'm your Uncle Spike. This here is Peaches. We're taking care of you while you mum and Auntie Willow get away from you a bit. Seems your constant
squawking is getting on their nerves."

"Spike! Shut up. She's just a child." Angel shook his head. "Now, she'll grow up thinking Buffy didn't love her and she'll end up on one of those terrible talk shows talking
about how unloved she was."

"Mate, if she ends up on a talk show, I doubt it will be to talk about her mum. It will be an 'I was raised by cold hearted demons and I turned out perfect...what's your
problem' kind of things."

"Perfect? Don't you think that is a bit of a high expectation to place on her?"

"Nope. She'll be perfect. Look at who she has raising her? This kid will be something else. Won't you brat?" He tickled her foot smiling as she bubbled. "I made her
bubble." He said proudly.

Angel just glared at him. "Then you can take her."

"No way. I'm not gonna take her. I'd drop her and then she'd break. What would I tell Willow? Nope, sorry pops. You're the responsible one. Let's take her to the living
room...introduce her to hockey. The Stars are playing."

"Really? Hockey is good. It will teach her about team work and sportsmanship."

"And blood...and fighting" Spike added as they went downstairs with Rose.

***

Willow and Buffy walked into the living room and smiled. The TV was going. Laying on the floor were Angel and Spike. Rose was laying on Spike's chest. They were all
sleeping.

"Isn't that just the cutest thing?" Buffy said, smiling. She was in a great mood. She had seen Luc earlier. She was falling for him.

"Yes." Willow said, moving closer to them. She was worried that Spike would roll over and knock Rose off. She picked up the baby and handed her to Buffy. "You'd
better take her upstairs. Enjoy the quiet while you can."

Buffy looked at her sleeping daughter and smiled. "Did you hear that? Grandma Willow thinks you're loud."

"Don't start with that grandma bullshit." Willow said, warning her friend.

"Wills, you are married to my 'daddy' which makes you her grandma. OK. OK. I'll let her call you Auntie."

Willow smiled. "Good thinking. Besides, she might wonder how come her grandma Willow is the same age as her mother instead of the same age as Grandma Joyce one
day if you continued with that."

"I never thought about that. That's why I love you Will. Always thinking. I'll take her upstairs. You can deal with those two babies."

Willow leaned down next to Spike and licked his ear. He reached up and swatted at her. She giggled as she repeated the action. He opened one blue eye and stared at
her. "Some of us are trying to sleep here."

"How was Rose?"

"The brat was fine. She screamed some, but Angel took care of it. She likes sleeping on my stomach. She likes hockey. Stars won. All is good. Now, let me sleep."

Willow smiled suggestively. "Don't you think the bed would be better?" she got up and started to walk upstairs, deliberately swishing her hips.

Angel had woken up when he heard Willow. He watched her and then looked at Spike. Spike looked at him. They shrugged.

"Who needs sleep?" Spike said as they got up and hurried after Willow.

***

"Say Spike. Come on you little brat. Spike."

"Spike, you moron. She's only two months old. She won't be saying anything for awhile yet." Willow said, coming up behind him.

He jumped. "Do not ever sneak up on me again. I almost had a heart attack."

"Sorry babe" she said kissing him.

"Hmmm...feeling better." he said reaching for her. She stepped away and shook her finger at him.

"Not in front of our Grandchild."

He rolled his eyes. "Excuses excuses. You just don't love me anymore." he said in a frail voice. "You always have a headache. I feel so used."

Willow started laughing as she reached for Rose. "Poor kid. Surprised she doesn't have a cold. We seem to forget how cool to the touch we are."

"Not in this sauna. You have the damn thing set at 90 degrees."

"It's set at 85, thank you very much. A very good temperature for Rose. Quit grumbling."

"Yes mother" he said, sticking his tongue out her, causing Rose to giggle. He looked at her and made another face. "Say Spike. Spike. Come on."

Willow rolled her eyes as she went to the living room, Spike walking behind her making faces at the baby. Rose bubbled and said "sa"

Spike stopped. "She said Spike!"

"No she didn't. She made a small baby noise that was nonsensical" Willow explained in a patient voice.

He just smiled at Rose. "We know what you meant, don't we brat?."

***

"You have the number?"

Willow rolled her eyes. "Buffy. I know where you're going. It will be fine. We'll be fine."

"I don't know. Luc, maybe we should stay here."

"Buffy, we can take her with us" Luc said softly.

"Really?" Buffy smiled at her boyfriend.

Rose watched them with curiosity. "Wiwow"

Willow turned and picked up the girl. "Buffy, go. Rose will be fine here. Won't you sweetie?"

"Stay, Wiwow." Rose said, grabbing onto Willow's hair.

"Ok. I guess you brainwashed her." Buffy smiled at Willow. "We'll be back Sunday. Rose, you be a good girl while mommy's gone."

"Mommy. Stay." Rose looked at her mother, her blue eyes blinking back tears.

"Mommy has to go away Rose. You get to stay here with me, and Uncle Spike and Uncle Angel." Willow said.

"Spick." Rose said and giggled. She had developed an intense liking for her blond uncle. He always made her laugh.

"Yes, Uncle Spick will be here with us all weekend."

"Bye Mommy" Rose said making her fist into a bye bye gesture.

Buffy smiled. "Oh my, this is the first time since she's been born that I've left her."

Willow looked at Luc. "Get the mom out of here. Have fun. If we see you before Sunday night, I'll sic Dru on you."

Buffy kissed Rose and hugged Willow. "Not that, please. Be good for Auntie Willow, Rose."

Willow watched them leave then smiled at Rose. "I didn't think they'd ever leave. What do you want to do baby girl?"

"Spick. Play."

Willow smiled. "Oh Spike....your niece wants you to play with us."

She heard his good natured cursing before he came into the room. He smiled as he kissed her.

Rose went, "Yuck."

Spike pulled away and laughed. "Keep thinking that Brat. It will make mine and Angel's job much easier when you grow up. Let's see if Scooby Doo is on, ok, brat?"

"Scoo Doo" Rose repeated and giggled. Willow walked over to the couch and sat down with the girl in her arms. It would be nice for Buffy to get away for the weekend.
She also knew that Luc intended to propose. If things went well, he would be moving in at the end of the week. The house kept getting more full. She was glad that
Angel had bought such a big one. They had more than enough room for everyone.

***

"Hey honey, I'm home" Spike called from the door.

Willow looked up and smiled. She saw him wearing a cape and face make up. Her eyes fell to the four year old beside him. Rose was wearing a black witch's hat and
green make up. "How is my favorite vampire and my little witch?"

"Got lots of candy, mom" Spike said, grinning.

"They were both very good" Buffy said walking into the room. Luc came up behind her smiling. They shared a kiss before continueing. "Your husband charmed several
women out of entire bowls of candy."

Spike kissed Willow then grinned, "What can I say? I'm irresistable."

Rose giggled, "We got a lot of candy, auntie Willow. Uncle Spike ate most of it though."

"Spike! You ate the poor kid's candy?" Angel said, laughing.

"Only my half" Spike said, glaring at his sire.

"Why don't I believe that?" Angel taunted, slipping an arm around Willow's waist. The two men continued their bickering as Rose listened, smiling and eating her candy.

Willow looked at Buffy, "Why can't my husbands be nice and quiet like yours?"

Buffy laughed, "Luc isn't that quiet. He was sharing the candy with Spike."

"What? I love chocolate." Luc said defensively.

Buffy and Willow laughed, sharing a smile. They took Rose upstairs to get changed and ready for bed. Willow called down to Spike, "Count, I'll deal with you soon.
Candy napper."

Spike and Angel laughed, going into the living room. Luc followed, taking a seat. "That was fun."

"Family life. What a blast" Spike said smiling.

Angel smiled. "Can't believe we've been married to Will for five years."

"Seems like only yesterday she and I had that dream together."

"Buffy and I are working on our third." Luc said. "Never thought I'd be married to an ex-slayer."

"Who would have thought we'd be married at all? Seems so human of us." Spike said smiling. It had become a joke amongst them, how human they all were now. Not to
say they still weren't demons. They just fought those urges rather well.

"Couldn't be happier" Angel said, looking at the pictures of Rose dotting the mantle.

"Ahh...isn't this sweet? Male bonding. And so sappy too" Willow's amused voice came from the doorway.

The three men looked up guiltily. They saw Buffy and Willow smiling at them.

"Rose was worn out. She barely made it through her nightly rituals."

"Count....we have some unfinished business don't we?" Willow asked.

"I vant to suck your blood" Spike said in parody, wriggling his eyebrows.

"OH gawd...." Angel muttered as he started up the stairs. "Willow, next year, we chain in the basement and don't let him out until after Halloween."

"Jealous Peaches? You just know how good I look in this cape." Spike started up the stairs, his arm around Willow.

Angel snickered, "In your dreams Blondie."

Buffy sat on the couch next to Luc. "Anything good on the tele?"

Luc kissed her lightly as he turned on the television. He chuckled softly, "The bride of Dracula."

"I thought she just went upstairs?" Buffy said laughing as she settled into his embrace.

Luc smiled and said softly, "Family life. What a trip...."

***

17 Years Later

Rose Summers Loriente looked at her mate and smiled. "Ettiene, what are you hiding?"

"You'll see" he replied, a smile on his handsome face.

She tossed her dark golden hair over her shoulders as she followed him. She moved with easy grace as she entered the room.

"Surprise!" She jumped back, a smile crossing her pretty face.

"You guys!" she said, laughing. She saw the cake, her eyes tearing for a moment.

"Happy first birthday" Angel said, kissing her head.

She smiled slightly, "Only in this family would a 21 year old be celebrating her first birthday."

"Makes us unique and interesting, luv" Spike said, giving her a loud smacking kiss.

"You have said that since I was five and wanted to know why mommy didn't go out during the day," she pointed out.

"Give him a break. He's old. He can't think up new catchy phrases" Willow said, hugging her daughter. "I sometimes wonder why I still put up with him."

"Because he loves you to death and is completely devoted to doing your will?" Rose said, laughing at her aunt. "Mum, you can't convince that you don't love him
anymore."

"I've been trying to convince her to dump him for ages" Angel said, moving to sit beside Willow.

"You three. What a bad example you set" Buffy said, laughing as she moved to her daughter. "Rose, happy birthday."

"Thanks Mom. Hello, Dad" she gave Luc a kiss. "Where are grandpa and grandma?"

"Dru called. She and Nic are on the way." Willow said. "Speak of the devils" she laughed as Dru ran in.

"Precious!" she sang out, hugging Rose to her. "How do you feel?"

"Fine. Hello Grandpa" Rose kissed Nic before sitting down.

"Sorry we're late" Xander said, coming in. Cordelia walked in behind him, three children of various ages laughing and running to hug various people.

"You're always late, Uncle Xan." Rose said, smiling at the older man. He and Cordelia were in their late thirties, the only human friends her family had anymore. Her
uncle Giles had died when she was fifteen, the year that she had been called. Her mom thought it rather sad that he hadn't been able to see her grow into a fine
slayer.

"Where's the food? I am choosing to ignore the remark my goddaughter made" Xander said, giving Willow and Buffy a hug. Cordelia did the same after also hugging
Angel and Spike.

"He always ignores everything I say too" Cordelia whispered loudly to Rose.

"Well, everyone is here finally" Willow said, looking around the room. Such a vast array of people. All of them her family. Rose had received her mother's calling,
becoming a slayer at age fifteen. She had lasted over five years, dying on shortly after her twentieth birthday. Willow had been with her, making the decision to
change her without thinking. Rose was Willow's only childe. She had been happy when an attraction had been stirred up between the newly made vampire and Ettiene
when he had come to visit.

Spike pulled her closer to him, kissing her head. "She's a keeper" he said softly.

Willow smiled, "I know. I can't imagine the last twenty two years without her can you?"

"Nah...just don't make me admit it to the chit. She's cocky enough as it is."

"Wonder who she got that from?" Willow asked pointedly.

"Me?" he replied innocently. "Must have been her mother. Yep, Buffy was always a bit arrogant."

"What was that, blondie?" Buffy said, her hearing picking up on his words.

Spike smiled, "Just saying that you are my favorite childe, pet."

"Uh huh. Why don't I believe that?" Rose asked, sitting back against Ettiene.

"Because, Spike lies to cover his ass" Dru remarked, causing them all to laugh and Spike to scowl. She felt Nic's arm around her a smile crossing her lips.

"That's ok, Daddy. I love you anyway" Buffy said, laughing at the sickened expression on Spike's face. She leaned over and kissed Luc's cheek when he made a face at
her, "Not as much as you, hon."

"See, Spike. That's what a GOOD childe is like" Angel pointed out, his hand holding Willow's as she leaned against Spike.

"Damn family. Who needs them?" Spike asked, glancing around. He rolled his eyes, having to join in their laughter. Looking at Willow, he knew that the last twenty
years were just the beginning for them all. Together, they would be happy.

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