*-*-*-*

:::RING, RING, RING:::

Willow wiped the tears from her face. "I'm not answering it. I don't care
who it is," she said to her empty apartment. "The only person I want to
talk to would be Angel, and he wouldn't call right now, cause Buffy should
be here. Well, I'd talk to Spike too, but he hates calling here. Again, I
stress the problem is Buffy. Why is it that my closest friends hate my best
friend? Why am I talking to myself?" She pulled her knees to her chest and
put her head on her knees, crying harder.

"Hey!" The answering machine clicked on. "This is Buffy!"

"And Willow!"

"We aren't home right now!"

"Probably out saving the world!" Willow giggled.

"Or having delusions of grandeur, since we tend to be prone to that."

"Buff's at Riley's, I'm sure!"

"And Will's hanging out with Spike. . .why I don't know, but to each her
own. . ."

"So just leave a message, and we will call you back!"

"Bye!"

:::BEEP:::

". . . " There was silence. Then, "Willow?"

Willow's head shot up. Angel *never* spoke on the machine. He always had
Cordelia talk for him if he called. Usually he would either email the
redhead or she would call him. She reached over and snatched the phone off
the cradle. She hit stop on the machine to stop the recording. "Angel?"
she sniffed.

"Willow, I know I don't usually call. . .but. . .I figured you were back
from the doctor, and I wanted to see what was wrong with you." Willow had
been sick the last couple of weeks, and Angel had insisted that she go to
the doctor. "Are. . .you ok?"

"Three months," she whispered.

Angel's heart dropped. "Three months? You only have three months to live?
Oh, my god. Wills, I. . .I don't. . .oh god. What will they do without
you? No, that can't be right, it can't be your time yet. . ."

Despite herself, Willow started giggling. Her tiny giggles turned into all
out laughing. She had to lie down on the bed she was laughing so hard.

"Oh, Willow, you are delirious! Is there anything I can do? Are you in
pain?" Angel asked.

Willow's laughter finally died down to a sob. "Angel, I'm not dying," she
said sullenly.

"Oh, thank god. Then. . .what happens in three months?"

"Nothing, Angel. It's not three months till something happens, it's three
months since. . .since something happened."

Willow could hear the gears in the vampire's head turning. "What? What do
you mean?" he asked.

"Angel, I'm. . ."

"Oh, bloody hell," Angel said, using his favorite childe's most used curse.
"You aren't. . ."

"I am."

"Is it Oz's baby? I know. . .I know that you two slept together when he
came home a couple of months ago. . ."

Willow snapped at him. "Of course it is! I haven't fucked anyone else,
Angel," she snarled angrily.

"Willow. . ."

"I'm sorry, Angel." Willow started crying. "I'm so scared. What am I
going to do? I'm too young to have a baby! What am I going to do? I don't
even know where Oz is, and even if I did, I don't want to have anything to
do with him. It hurts too much to have him around. And what if the baby is
half werewolf? That's not even fair to my child. And. . .I don't even know
if I'm going to be a good mother, and I live on the Hellmouth, and what if
someone tries to hurt my baby? I'm in school and I don't have a job and how
am I going to afford having a child? There's so much I haven't done, Angel.
. .I've only slept with one man my entire life! Who is going to want a
woman who's 21 and has a baby?"

Her words were running together and only broken up by her sobs. "Shh. .
.baby, it's ok. I have a job opening here at the firm. . ."

"What?" Willow cried. "My life is falling apart and you are telling me
about a job opening?"

Angel ignored her interruption. ". . .for a Technical Advisor. She would
hook up and run the computer systems, mainly office work. There will be
some fieldwork with Wesley, Cordelia, and I, but for the most part, it's a
cushy office job. I'm mainly interested in finding someone who is going to
school also, because I can't promise that there will always be something for
her to do, and I don't want her to get bored. She will be paid for a full
week though, forty hours on every check. If I like her enough, I'm even
willing to turn the top floor of the building into a living area for her.
It's nice, has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. Just
enough room for a person, and perhaps a child, if she had one."

"Angel, I -" She paused. "Are you asking me to come to LA?"

"What?" he asked innocently. "I would never ever suggest something like tha
t. I was only telling you about the opening we have at the Agency. . ."

"Can I think about it and call you back?"

"That would be fine," he said. "Let me know."

"Angel, thank you."

"Willow, you know that I'm here for you. You've done so much for me, and it
's the least I can do."

Willow smiled, feeling better than she had since the doctor told her she was
pregnant. "Thanks. I'll call you later."

"Bye, Will."

Willow hung up. "Gotta go see Spike." She sighed.

*-*-*-*

Willow had a key to Spike's apartment. She quietly opened the door and
walked in, shutting the door behind her. She smiled softly at the blond
vampire who was asleep on the couch. He had his black jeans on, the top
button unbuttoned. His pale muscular chest was bare, and his arm was slung
over his eyes. She went to him and ran her fingertips over his arm.

"Pet," he said, without moving, "why do you have two heartbeats?"

She paled, sitting on the couch next to him. He shifted, turning to his
side. He curled around her, putting his hand on her thigh possessively.
"What's going on, Red?"

"I'm pregnant, Spike."

She felt his body tense. She didn't understand why he seemed to be angry
about it, and sighed. < Wait till he finds out I might go to LA. >

"Who does it belong to?"

"Oz."

Blue eyes opened and looked up at her. "Dogboy? When did you. . .you slept
with him when he was here? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to kill him."

"I wouldn't have killed him," Spike said sullenly.

"Yes, you would have. You would have assumed that he took advantage of me,
or some crap like that. Do you know why I did it? I was lonely. I missed
his touch. I missed. . .I missed being with someone. I didn't want him to
stay, I didn't want to have anything to do with him after the fact. But for
that one night, I wanted everything to be perfect."

"And now you are pregnant."

"Yeah."

"What are you going to do, pet? You know the Slayer and I aren't going to
let you patrol now."

"It won't matter," she whispered.

He sat up. "It won't? Why not? What are you going to do?"

"I'm thinking of leaving."

His eyes grew wide. "Leaving? No, Red, you can't leave. You need to be
here where your friends can take care of you."

Willow laughed bitterly. "Like Buffy can pull her pelvis away from Riley
long enough to put up the pretense of taking care of me. And Xander? He
can barely take care of himself. You will hate the baby, just because you
hate all the rest of us." She looked down, tears filling her eyes. "My
parents are never home, and won't come home for this. I'm going somewhere
that I know I will be taken care of, and I can raise my baby in some
semblance of peace."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "You are going to let bloody Peaches play daddy,
aren't you?"

Willow opened her mouth, then shut it. She nodded her head yes.

"No," he growled.

"What?" she asked, looking at him. "I can go to LA if I want to. I can go
to UCLA there, and he's going to give me a job, and I'm going to rent the
top floor of his building from him and. . ."

"I'm coming with you."

Willow blinked in shock. "What?"

"I'm coming with you, pet. I hate Sunnydale. And you need someone who can
take care of the baby." Willow opened her mouth to speak, but Spike held
his hand up. "And when he loses the soul and goes all Angelus on you? What
then? He will hurt the child."

"Spike, he's not going to go Angelus -"

Spike laughed. "You have no idea, do you?"

"What?"

"How much he cares about you. With the two of you being in such close
quarters. . ."

< I could never love him like I love you, stupid demon, > she thought.
"Yeah, whatever. Like I ever want to have sex again."

Spike smirked at her. "I've known pregnant women, pet. Their hormones go
out of control. They tend to get. . .well, let's just say you will want
sex." He shrugged. "And my Sire, you know he's a beautiful man. So if I
come, then either A. I can protect you and the baby when you sleep with him
and he looses the bloody soul or B. You can just sleep with me and we can
forget about the whole Angelus angle."

"You. . .and me?" Willow asked. "I. . .I don't know if. . ." She blushed,
looking down.

Spike chuckled. "Pet, let's leave tonight. I can't get out of this town
fast enough."

"But I have to. . ."

"Nope. Go get the most important things. For now, we are just taking a
vacation. We will come back later and get everything else."

"What do I tell everyone?"

"That we are taking a vacation to see Peaches." Spike smiled. "I will even
grumble and tell them that I hate him and don't want to go, but you are
forcing me." He slipped his hand under her shirt. His fingertips danced on
her spine. "We will have a good time, and you can decide if you want to
move there with him, or if you want the two of us to go somewhere else."

"Why are you doing this, Spike?" she asked softly, trying to ignore his hand
on her skin.

Spike shrugged. "Gives me an excuse to get away from Slutty. Plus, you fed
me all those times. Payback, I suppose." < Because I've fallen in love
with you, and I want to make sure you are taken care of, witch, > he
thought.

"Yeah," she said. "Guess it's a good thing that I'm the nice one." < Why
couldn't it be because you love me? > she thought dejectedly.

"Go on, pet. Go get packed. Do what you gotta do, and I'll meet you back
here in a couple of hours."
 

*-*-*-*

Angel glanced up at the door, frowning. He felt a familiar presence outside
the building. It was Spike! He rolled his eyes. "Great," he said to
himself. "Now I have to deal with the bleached blond wonder." As he got
closer to the door to sling it open and tell his childe to go bother someone
else, he began to hear two soft heartbeats. He frowned. "What the hell is
going on? I know he's not bringing dinner. If that's the case, I swear, I
will stake him so fast. . ."

Angel pulled the door open. Spike grinned. "Dad! Red and I are home!"

The older vampire blinked. Willow was in Spike's arms, curled up to him,
her face in his neck. She was obviously sleeping. "Spike," he said softly.
"What are you and Willow doing here?"

"You said she could come, and I wasn't letting her come by herself. She's
got a little one to watch out for. I thought I'd help."

"You? You thought you would help Willow?" Angel asked, surprised.

"Well, yeah, Peaches. I actually like her. I know, I know, shocked the
hell out of me too. But I'd rather be here with you and her and the baby
than the bloody Slayer."

"That I can understand," Angel smirked. "Come on in, Spike."

Spike walked in, putting Willow on the couch. He watched her for a moment,
then turned to Angel, who still had the same dopey look on his face the
younger vampire had seen moments before. "I'm warning you, Angelus. If you
loose the soul and hurt Red or the baby, I will stake you."

Angel's demon bucked. "I can't do this," he said softly. "He wants her, I
want her. . .I didn't think. . .I wasn't thinking about wanting her this
much. Hell, it's been a year since I've seen her, I figured that my
feelings had changed."

"Don't worry, Peaches. We'll figure something out," Spike said. He looked
up at his sire. "As much as I completely can't stand you, I would feel
better if we were here with you. If a human tries to hurt her, I can't
protect her. You can. Plus, I think that the soul would make a good role
model for the little one."

"Thanks, Spike."

"Yeah, don't let it go to your head. I still hate you," Spike grumbled.

"Yeah, I know, Spike."

*-*-*-*

"Hey, mate."

Wesley glanced up, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "Er. . .hello,
Spike. And how are you today?"

Spike took a deep breath. "You know, Watcher, I like you. You are still
scared of me. I don't get that often anymore. Even the bloody cheerleader
doesn't 'eep' around me anymore. You have a great healthy dose of fear
about you."

"W. . .W. . .Well, Spike, er. . .you may not be able to. . .hurt me, you are
still a. . .dangerous man," Wesley said. "I know Angel would not allow you
to harm me. . .but that doesn't stop the reaction. . .of fear."

Spike clasped Wesley's shoulder, the former watcher visibly jumping. "I won
't hurt you, mate, if you do me a favor."

"What could I possibly do for you?"

"I need a spell. Something to make the Poof's soul permanent. I don't want
Angelus coming back. Not with the baby coming."

"You care a. . .great deal about Willow and the child, don't you?" Wesley
commented.

"I know, it surprised me too. Imagine, William the Bloody, caring about a
human and her kid." Spike shrugged. "But then I'm not your typical vamp, I
guess. Gotta thank dad for that one." He glanced at Angel, who was smiling
at Willow.

"I will try to find what. . .I can," Wesley said softly. Spike scared him,
but he could see the depths of concern in the blonde vampire's eyes about
his boss, and the pregnant red head that had come to LA. "I think I might
have a spell that will work, but. . ."

"But?" Spike asked.

"Let me look it over before I say anything."

"Ok," Spike agreed.

*-*-*-*

Willow smiled at the new man who had joined the group in Angel's office. He
was young, maybe her age or younger. "Hi, I'm Willow," she said softly.

"Gunn. Angel's told me a lot about you, and your friends back in
Sunnydale."

"Really?" she asked. "Was it good?"

"Most of it. Except for there's some annoying little shit that gets under
his skin. Xander or something like that."

Willow giggled. "My best friend. Yeah, he hates Angel. It's a long
story." She sat on the couch in the office, wrapping a blanket around her
legs.

"So the blonde, he's a vamp too?" Gunn fiddled a little with his jacket
pocket. Willow realized with horror that there was a stake in his jacket.

"Uh, yeah, but Spike is fine. He's not going to hurt you. Well, not
physically anyway. He can't. There's a chip, it's a long story. Don't
kill him."

"If Angel trusts him, then I trust him."

Willow sighed a breath of relief. "Thank Goddess."

Gunn smiled at her. "So you like him?"

"What?" Willow shrieked.

"You like the blonde. It's obvious."

"No. . .no I don't. He's just a friend of mine. . ."

"Uh-huh, I'm sure," Gunn grinned.

"Hey, guys!" Wesley said, interrupting them. Willow was thrilled that
Wesley had saved her from the embarrassing conversation on how she felt
about Spike. "Ok, here's the deal. Spike and Angel and I have been talking
a great deal this afternoon. There is a good chance that Willow and Spike
will be staying with us in LA. Now, Willow, as everyone knows, is
pregnant."

"Not one of the vamps' kid, is it?" Gunn whispered.

"Vamps can't get you pregnant. No, my baby's daddy is a werewolf," Willow
whispered back, her hand on her stomach.

Gunn looked at Willow strangely. "You guys are a bizarre lot in Sunnydale."

Willow grinned at him.

"Anyway," Wesley continued, "we want to make sure that Angelus won't come
back, because if he does, he will hurt the baby. So I have found a spell
that will intertwine the demon and the soul, binding the two, so that the
soul can never be lost."

"Cool!" Cordelia cried. "But I have a question. If his demon and soul are
intertwined, does that mean that the demon will be closer to the surface?"

"It does," Wesley said.

"And does that mean he will brood less?" Gunn asked.

"It should," Angel said. "The demon doesn't brood."

"Let's do it!" both Cordelia and Gunn sung.
 

*-*-*-*

"Well, there is more," Angel said softly. "This is the most difficult part.
I have to. . .bind my demon to a demon and my soul to a soul."

Spike chewed his bottom lip, then growled at Angel. His eyes flashed
yellow. "Hell no!" he hissed. "I am not letting your demon bond to my
demon!"

Willow was quiet. She knew, as soon as Angel said what would happen, that
her soul was to be bonded to his. She would do it for the safety of her
baby. But without Spike's help, they couldn't. There wasn't another demon
that they could trust for him to bond his demon to. She looked down at her
hands, tears filling her eyes. She had decided in the short time she'd been
there that she wanted to stay in LA. She and Cordelia were getting along
really well, and she had decided that she adored Wesley and Gunn.

And of course, she loved Angel.

Spike glanced over and saw the crushed look on Willow's face. He knew she
wanted to stay, and that she wouldn't if the soul couldn't be anchored. She
was too scared for her child's life. Spike panicked, worried that she would
bolt from him, knowing he wouldn't help her. "Baby," he said softly, going
to her, taking her hands. He knelt in front of her. "I can't. . .I can't
spend the rest of my life bonded to Peaches. I will kill him." And yet,
deep within, his demon was roaring with the knowledge that he could be
bonded to the demon of his Sire, permanently and forever.

She glanced up at him, tears in her green eyes. "That's fine. I should go
back to Sunnydale anyway. I have school there."

"Willow, I don't want you on the Hellmouth," he whispered quietly.

She shivered when he said her given name. "Spike, I wanted. . ."

"To stay here. Yes, I know." He swallowed hard, looking down. He sighed
unnecessarily and then looked up at her. "Fine. If you want me to bond to
Peaches, I will. But. . .I better get something in return. Blood, or sex,
or cigarettes or something."

Willow burst into tears, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you, Spike,
thank you thank you!"

Spike held her close, burying his face in her neck. He took a deep breath,
inhaling her scent. He closed his eyes and tried to keep himself from
falling for her more than he already had. Of course, it didn't work.

She pulled away and smiled at Angel over his shoulder. "And the soul. . .?"

"Yours," he said softly.

Spike turned his head, growling softly at Angel. "So you will be bonded to
her too?"

"Yes," Angel replied.

"No," Spike said. "Do the cheerleader, or the watcher. Or even the hunter
here. But not Red."

"Spike," Angel said in an enticing voice. "If I bond with Willow, she won't
age unless I'm dead."

Spike opened his mouth, then shut it. "She'll be immortal?"

"As long as I'm alive," Angel said. "So she will always be here to be with
us. . ."

Willow digested that information. "What about my baby? Will she age?"

"I. . .I can write a clause that will protect the baby from the bonding,"
Wesley said.

"Ok, then I say let's do it," Willow said.

"I have everything, we just need another person. We have Cordelia, Gunn,
and me. . .we just need someone to sit in the fourth corner," Wesley said.

"Who do we trust enough to do that?" Angel asked.

"I don't know, we could get someone from Sunny -" Wesley started.

"NO!" Spike, Willow, and Angel all yelled at once.

"Ok, not Sunnydale," Wesley said, sitting back. "Who?"

There was a loud crash outside the door. Angel walked to the door and
pulled it open. "David Nabbit?" He frowned at the genius lurking around
the office. Then he brightened up. "David Nabbit!! You want to help us
with a spell?"

"Really?" David brightened. "Can I?"

"Sure, come on in. We have our fourth," Angel chuckled, shutting the door
behind David.

"This is so cool! I'm going to be a part of a spell!" David exclaimed.

"Who are you?" Willow asked softly.

"David Nabbit. Who are you?"

"*You* are David Nabbit? I'm Willow Rosenberg. Wow! I have read all about
you! I have some of your programs on my laptop. I really like the database
you did. I use it to keep up with the. . ." Willow paused, looking at
Angel for help.

"It's ok, Little One," he said. "David knows about demons."

"All the demons we've encountered," Willow finished.

"Cool!" David cried. "You use my program for demon hunting?" He frowned.
"Unless you like them. . .then that's not too cool. . ."

"Just Angel and Spike." Willow nodded to Spike.

David turned to the blonde vampire. "You are a demon?"

Spike, who wasn't enjoying the attention that Willow was giving David, let
his game face slide on. "I'm a vampire."

"Like Angel! Have you known him long?" David asked.

Spike stared at the man eager for knowledge. "Aren't you scared at all?"

David crossed his arms and smiled. "I would be, if we met in a dark alley.
But with you standing here with Angel and Cordelia, I figured you wouldn't
hurt me. So have you known him long?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Dad, when did you change me again?"

David spun to Angel. "You made him? Cool!"

Angel grimaced. "Cool isn't exactly the word that I would have used."

Spike laughed, sauntering to his Sire. "Come on, dad, you enjoyed it that
night." He waggled an eyebrow at Angel.

"Spike, stop it," Angel growled. "Let's just do the spell and get it over
with!"

"What kind of spell are we doing?" David piped up.

"We are binding Angel's soul to Willow, and his demon to Spike," Gunn
answered.

"Why would you do that?" the genius' eyebrows knitted together.

"I'm pregnant. . .before you ask," Willow said, noticing that David's mouth
was opening to ask who the father was, "the father is my ex-boyfriend. He
was a werewolf."

"Do you think your baby is going to be a little puppy?"

Willow started to finish her story, then paused, thinking of that. "Oh,
goddess, I hope not." Her bottom lip quivered and fresh tears filled her
eyes.

"Bloody hell, look what you did!" Spike exclaimed, hugging the witch.

"I'm. . .I'm sorry. I didn't think that. . .I didn't mean to. . ." David
stuttered.

"It's ok, David," Cordelia said smoothly. "She's emotional, and didn't plan
this at all. Why don't you and I go into the kitchen and I will tell you
the story. We will give her time to calm down."

David nodded, his face filled with concern. He looked at Angel. "I didn't
mean to hurt your friend."

Angel clasped David's shoulder. "I know, David. Cordelia will explain the
story to you."

David followed the former cheerleader out of the room.

Willow was sobbing on Spike's shoulder. He was looking at Angel with a look
of pain on his face. "Can you help me here? She's a wreck!"

Angel went to his childe and friend. He started stroking her back.
"Willow, I'm sure that the baby won't be a dog." He winced at his choice of
words. "I'm sure that it will be just fine."

Willow looked up at Angel, her eyes red from crying. "Do you think that she
will be ok?"

"I'm sure she will be 100% human."

"Goddess, I hope so. I want a baby, not a dog!" She sniffed, wiping her
nose.

Spike ran his fingers through silky red hair. "And if she is a puppy, pet,
we will still love her all the same."

She glanced at Spike. "You will love my baby?" Her green eyes were filled
with hope.

"Just like I love her mother," he replied softly.

She smiled through tears. "Spike, thank you for everything." She hugged
him tightly. She sniffed. "Now, someone go get David and Delia so we can
get this spell going. I'm tired."
 

*-*-*-*

Cordelia and David had rejoined the group, helping Wesley and Gunn set up
the materials for the spell. Willow, Angel, and Spike had gone to the
kitchen to make sure one last time that they were ready for what was about
to happen.

"Are we ready?" Wesley asked the other three people in the room.

Cordelia and Gunn nodded their heads in affirmation while David Nabbit
seemed to be bouncing around excitedly at finally being able to help his new
friends.

"Okay, Cordelia, you need to sit here, across from me. Gunn, over there,
on her right. Mr. Nabbit. . . David, please sit on her left." Wesley
directed the small group.

Once everybody was sitting where they were supposed to, Wesley called out to
the next room, and waited for Angel, Willow and Spike to join them.

*-*-*-*

"Are you sure about this?" Angel asked Willow carefully. He knew he wanted
this, more than he thought he could want anything. His soul being bound to
the woman he loved, while his demon would be bound to his childe. His
favorite Childe. Oh how he had missed William.

Willow smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure. I want to stay." She turned to look
at Spike who was watching the exchange carefully. "We want to stay."

Angel looked over at Spike and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Oh, Bloody Hell, Peaches, why do you have to make everything so difficult?"
he asked exasperated.

Angel's lips quirked slightly, recognizing that that was the best he could
hope for in reassurance from Spike.

"They're waiting." Willow spoke softly, silently questioning whether he was
ready.

"Lets go then." Angel entered the room in question and felt a sense of
extreme anticipation hit him. Soon, everything would be different.

He would be bonded to both Willow and Spike, quite possibly for eternity.
His demon wouldn't plague him with the struggle anymore, however it would be
much closer to the surface. How would that change him? How would that
change his relationship to those people in this room? Those people he
considered friends, and in some cases, family?

Wesley instructed the three to sit in a circle inside the circle they had
already made. He handed a dagger and a medium sized bowl to Willow. "You
first."

Willow smiled slightly as she took the knife. She cut herself before anyone
even realized what she was doing.

"Easy, Luv." Spike told her gently as he watched her blood drip into the
bowl. He could smell the intoxicating aroma as it wafted through the room.
It was strong, and powerful, and utterly Willow.

Angel could smell it too. It was arousing his demon as he watched Spike
take the knife and slice into his pale skin, adding his vampire blood to the
bowl. His demon howled in anticipation as the scent of the mixture hit his
nostrils.

Spike's blue eyes locked with Angel's brown as he handed the weapon and bowl
over to Angel. The older vampire took it hesitatingly at first, knowing
this was his last chance to back out. What did he want to? Sure it would
change his life, but more than that, it would change the lives of the two
people he loved more than life itself. Was that fair to them? His demon
roared at him, telling him to be selfish for once in his souled existence.
He wasn't condemning them to an eternity of darkness, just an eternity with
him. That wasn't so bad. Angel agreed.

He took the tip of the blade and cut into his skin, watching as his blood
started to drip into the bowl. As his blood mixed with theirs, a new scent
seemed to overwhelm his senses. He heard Wesley and the others start to
chant as he brought the bowl to his lips. He felt his demon roar as the
power of the blood washed over him.

Turning towards Spike, Angel held the bowl out. Spike's hands reached out
and together they guided the bowl to the younger vampire's lips as Angel
spoke the words which would forever change him.

"To you, I bind my demon. For now, for eternity."

Spike repeated the words before allowing Angel to take full possession of
the bowl.

Angel turned to Willow, who had been watching the exchange in fascination.
She couldn't help the anticipation that was beginning to overwhelm her. She
wasn't concerned about the ritual itself, or about the blood she had to
ingest. Wesley had assured her it was harmless to the baby. But the
magnitude of what they were undertaking was enormous. This was her life.
Forever changed by the two men she loved though, beyond reason. The two
men, she knew, despite their constant protests to the contrary, loved each
other deeply as well.

Willow reached out with her hands and clasped the outside rim of the bowl.
Wesley continued to chant with their friends as they guided the bowl to her
mouth. As the thick liquid slid down her throat, Angel spoke the words
which would connect them together for all time.

"To you, I bind my Soul, for now, for eternity."

As the empty bowl was placed on the ground, and the chant was completed;
there was a bright light that engulfed the three of them. It circled them
in a swirl of colors, moving from one vampire to the other, and then through
Willow, and back again.

Soon it was all over, and the room was enveloped in silence.

*-*-*-*

"Well," David said, sitting back. "How does everyone feel?"

Willow stood up and stretched. She edged at the circle of salt with her
toe, breaking the circle. "I don't feel any different. Do you two?"

"I still hate Peaches here," Spike nodded, standing up. He walked past
Willow, going to the kitchen to get blood.

"I just want to sit in a corner and read. Away from him," Angel said,
nodding his head towards the kitchen where Spike went.

Willow sighed. "Didn't work."

"But I saw all the swirling lights and all that," David said, disappointed.

"It's ok, David," Cordelia said. "Sometimes spells just don't work at all."

Willow wrung her hands. "Or, they work wrong," she said softly, remembering
her luck with the My Will Be Done spell.

Angel put his hand on Willow's shoulder. "It's going to be ok, Willow. I'm
sure nothing bad will happen. Though, I still think it's funny that Spike
had to go fall in love with the Slayer."

"Yea," Spike said, sticking his head out from around the corner. "She was
bloody marvelous to shag." He smirked, knowing his sire would hurt for days
over that thought.

Cordelia winced. < Great, > she thought. < He's gonna brood. . .why is he
smiling? >

Angel grinned at his childe, a hint of mischievousness dancing in his brown
eyes. "You know, Spike, I can say, other than myself, I think you are the
only vampire to ever shag a Slayer. I have an excuse, having the soul and
all. And of all the vampires in the world, you, the Big Bad, slept with the
Slayer."

Spike's mouth dropped open, as did everyone else's. "You aren't upset?"

Willow frowned, crossing her arms. She looked at Spike. "You slept with
Buffy? She didn't tell me that."

"What?" Spike asked, looking at Willow. "Slept with Buffy? Oh, god no! I
didn't sleep with Buffy at all! I was just saying that to upset him. . .and
he didn't get upset."

"William, my boy, I've been around for over two centuries. Buffy may have
been a beautiful girl, but she's moved on, and so have I. Besides, she'll
be dead soon. She is the Slayer." He glanced at Willow. "I know she's
your friend, and I'm sorry, Wills, but it's the truth."

Everyone stared at him. "What?" he asked.

"Bloody insane if you ask me," Spike muttered, walking back into the
kitchen.

"You aren't upset?" Cordelia asked.

"Over the Slayer?" Angel laughed, causing everyone's eyebrows to rise.
Then his laughter stopped. "Oh, Christ. I'm not upset." He looked around,
a look of fear in his eyes. "I should be upset, right?"

"You should go into spiraling depression for days," Cordelia said. "Brood
endlessly, driving us nuts."

Angel crossed his arms, a frown on his face. "I just don't. . .feel it. I
mean, she's the *Slayer*. What the hell was I thinking?"

"Who's Buffy? What's a Slayer?" David interrupted.
 

*-*-*-*

The next day was even more awkward than the day before. Spike walked around
the office grumbling about life in general. Angel locked himself away in
his office, brooding in the dark. Willow and Cordelia were in front of the
computer, doing research for the current case they were working on.

"I just don't get it," Willow said softly. She rubbed her face. "This case
makes no sense."

"Sometimes the ones that are just off the street are so much harder than the
ones the PTB send me. With them, we know exactly what we are dealing with,
what to stop. With these, we actually have to detect things." Cordelia
visibly shuddered.

Willow giggled. "I hope everything works out between the three of us. I
really want to stay."

"God, Will, I want you to. There are no women in this office! Just men!
However, things have gotten to be more fun since Gunn's been around; he goes
out with me. Wesley feels too self conscious, and you know Brood Boy."

Willow glanced towards Angel's office. "I can't believe he's going to brood
because he wasn't upset about Buffy. I'd almost rather him brood about
her."

Cordelia giggled. "Let's go out tonight."

"What?"

"Let's go out. Gunn'll go. We will have a great time. Maybe pick up a man
or two."

"Like I need another man," Willow moaned.

Cordelia smiled. "We will have a great time. I promise."

*-*-*-*

Spike pulled out two mugs, humming to himself. He opened the small
refrigerator and pulled out a bag of blood, filling the two mugs full. He
put the mugs in the microwave and watched the green numbers count down to
zero.

He pulled the mugs out after the beep. "Dinner time," he said to himself,
carrying the mugs into the main office.

Willow glanced up and smiled. "Hey, Spike. How sweet! You are bringing
Angel lunch."

Spike stopped in his tracks, looking down. He stared at the second mug in
shock. "Bloody Hell! I'm bringing Peaches lunch!"

Cordelia's perfectly shaped eyebrow rose. "You didn't know you were
bringing him lunch?"

"I. . .I wasn't even thinking, I was just doing my normal routine." Spike
frowned. "I don't like this. I don't feel. . .sod it! I'm leaving." He
tipped his head back, drinking his mug quickly. "I can't be here with
*him*," he nodded to Angel, who was standing at the door to his office
watching his child.

"Can't I at least have my blood?" Angel asked.

Spike narrowed his eyes and walked to the trashcan. Keeping his eyes locked
with his sire's, the younger vampire poured the blood in the garbage. "No,
you can't."

"EWW!" Cordelia said, jumping up. "Look, here, Spike, you may have some
issues with Broody here, but damn it! I have to clean this office, and I
would appreciate it if you wouldn't make a mess!"

Spike turned to Cordelia, game face sliding on. "Guess what, Cheerleader.
I don't give a damn what you appreciate. I'm not here to make your life any
easier. I don't want to be here at all!"

Angel growled, launching himself at Spike. He slammed the younger vampire
into the wall, gripping his neck tightly. He squeezed, his yellow eyes
glaring into his childe's same yellow orbs. "Apologize," he hissed.

"What?" Spike choked.

"Apologize to Cordelia for saying that. You will not treat her with
disrespect, Spike, or I will dust you myself," Angel hissed angrily.

Spike stared into the depths of Angel's eyes, amazed. He could see glimpses
of Angelus, the *real* Angelus. "I'm not apologizing to the soddin' human."
Angel may have been on the verge of being his true sire, but Spike refused
to apologize to a human.

"Give me a stake, Cordelia," Angel said calmly. "I'm putting an end to this
right now."

"NO!" Willow cried. "Stop it! STOP YOUR FIGHTING!"

Everyone turned to her, shocked that she had tears running down her face.
"Let him go, Angel," she sniffed.

"And let him wreck havoc on my life as usual?" Angel asked. "I don't think
so, Willow."

Spike pushed Angel away angrily. "Wreck havoc on *your* life? Yea, do you
know how much the whole soul issue has completely been a bloody mess of *my*
life? Things were great; we were a family. Then you had to go off with
Darla and eat the gypsy girl. And then you left! How do you know Dru and I
would have turned you away?"

"Darla did," Angel said, crossing his arms, locking his jaw.

"Well, we weren't Darla." He shoved Angel angrily. "Get out of my bloody
way." He stormed out of the office.

Willow glared at Angel. "Don't you *ever* try to kill him again. If you
do, so help me Goddess, you will never see either of us again."

Angel blinked in shock. "But, Willow. . ."

"No, Angel. I don't want to hear anything from you right now. I'm going
upstairs to help Wesley and Gunn work on the apartment." She stormed out of
the office.

Cordelia sat back. "Thanks for defending my honor."

Angel sighed, sitting down. "What's happening to me, Cordelia? I would
have said something, but normally, I wouldn't have gone that close to
staking him. Only back. . .only when he angered me before the soul would I
have even considered dusting him."

Cordelia leaned forward. "Sounds like part of the spell worked. Your demon
is coming a little closer to the surface." She clasped his hand. "As long
as you don't turn the demon on us, I don't mind."

Angel looked at Cordelia in horror. "No! I could never! He likes you guys
too much. I mean, not may people stand up to him without that much fear.
Both you and Wesley. . ." Angel closed his eyes, pain flashing on his face
at the memory of being Angelus for a night.

"Because we knew it wasn't real. If it were real, Angel, I'd run like
hell."

Angel chuckled softly. "Thanks, Cordelia."
 

*-*-*-*

"How do I look?" Willow spun around. She was wearing a pair of comfortable
leather pants and a dark green silk poet's shirt. A pair of black Doc
Martins and a black leather vest completed her outfit.

"Gorgeous. You will find a man tonight," Cordelia proclaimed.

"I don't need a man!" Willow giggled. "I have plenty around here. Sex is
bad, remember?"

"If you say so," Cordelia smiled. "I'm not convinced yet, I might have to
look around and see if I can learn that lesson myself." She winked.

"Well, when there are demon babies in the morning, don't come crying to me."

Cordelia's laughter rang through the office. "Fine. Come on, let's go see
if Gunn and Wesley are ready."

The elevator ride down to the first floor where the two men lived was short.
Willow opened the door and looked up, a small smile gracing her features
unconsciously. "Hey, Angel," she said softly. She hadn't seen him all day,
and had been somewhat worried about him, but being in his presence calmed
her. She could already feel her frazzled nerves dissipating.

He turned around and smiled warmly. "Little One." He hugged her. "You
look. . .you look wonderful."

"Thanks," she blushed. "Are you going with us?"

"Yea," Angel said. "I am looking forward to having a good time."

Cordelia looked at Angel in disbelief. "You? Going out? Having a good
time? Where is the Angel I know, and can you keep him there?"

Angel smiled. "I don't know if I should be complimented or offended."

"Complimented," Cordelia smiled.

"Ok," Gunn said into the phone. "I'll see you there. . .yea, we are coming.
. .I promise! We aren't like that. . .telling you to show up somewhere, and
then not showing up. . .ok, see you in a few. . .bye." He hung up the
phone. "I called David, he's gonna meet us there."

"You are inviting David?" Cordelia asked.

Gunn shrugged. "It was our illustrious boss' idea."

Cordelia turned to Angel. "I thought he annoyed you."

"He does, but he helped us with the spell. And besides, everyone needs to
get out and have a good time every once in a while. If I can do it, David
Nabbit can do it. So come on," Angel said.

The group gathered their things, Wesley taking the quiet moment to
compliment Cordelia on her outfit. She threw him a smile.

"Are you ok, Little One?" Angel said softly, allowing himself to drop back
with Willow. They followed the group at a leisurely pace.

"I am worried about Spike."

Angel closed his eyes. "He's ok, kitten. I would know if something were
wrong."

"I just wish you didn't have to hate each other so much," Willow scowled.

"I don't hate my childe," Angel said, glancing at the redhead. She looked
at him in surprise. He continued, "Most of what I do is a reaction to the
anger he feels for me. And his anger is more that I left him, not because
he really *hates* me, per say. Plus, I'm not that good of a vampire. . ."

"Oh, don't say that!" Willow said, putting her hand on his arm. "You are a
great vampire! You have the whole stealth thing going for you, and you look
really cool with the game face, and you are strong, and I'm sure that if you
applied yourself more, you could be an even better vampire."

"Willow, when vampirism constitutes as killing innocents, drinking their
blood, and causing general mayhem, I don't really mind that I'm a bad
vampire. However, it does put a strain on the whole sire/childe
relationship."

She interlocked her fingers with his, marveling at how much bigger his hand
was than hers. "Do you regret changing him?"

"Not for one second. Willow, William was the most beautiful man I'd ever
laid eyes on. From the second I saw his soft brown hair and those blue
eyes, I knew he would be mine." Angel ran his thumb across her palm. "I
never let him go. I held him the entire time he was going through the
change." He smiled softly. "He was a bastard from the beginning, always
defying me, standing up to me. . .my first childe, Penn, hated him. Penn
would disobey me and I would hurt him. Badly. William would disobey me,
and I would laugh with joy. I don't know what it was about him that amused
me so, but he did. I loved every minute of it. He was the closest thing to
an equal that I've ever known."

"Will he come back?" Willow asked softly.

"He loves you, Willow. He will be back. He won't allow himself to leave
you here with me."

Willow sighed. "Yea, I guess so."

"I know my boy too well. He will be back. Now stop worrying, Little One,
we are supposed to be having a good time tonight."
 

*-*-*-*

Willow sighed, resting her chin on her hands. She'd danced most of the
night, and just wanted to sit for a while. Angel had hovered around her
most of the night, making sure no one tried to hurt her. Cordelia was on the
dance floor, dancing between Gunn, Wesley, and David. All four of them had
drunk a little more than they usually would, and were at the point in the
night where they were just partaking in the party and having a good time.

Willow hadn't drunk anything, with the baby coming. Angel also remained
sober; he decided he would be the one who took care of everyone. Willow
smiled softly, feeling Angel run his fingers through her hair. "You have
such silky hair, Little One," he said softly into her ear.

She shuddered, closing her eyes. His voice was low and deep, and rather
seductive. "Angel. . ."

"Bloody hell, Peaches, can't keep your hands off her, can you?"

Willow's eyes flew open and she turned, seeing Spike standing there. She
jumped off her chair and into his arms. "You are still alive!" she cried,
hugging him tightly.

Startled, Spike wrapped his arms around Willow. "Yea," he said. "Did you
think I wouldn't be?"

"I just worried," she said softly.

He smiled down at her. "Thanks, pet. Not many of you worry about me
anymore." He threw a dirty look at Angel.

Angel's face remained emotionless.

"Spike, do you want to join us?" Willow asked softly.

"Sure," he grumbled. "Why not?" He pulled up a chair between Willow and
Angel.

Angel raised an eyebrow. "You are sitting next to me?"

"Rather sit next to you than to let her sit by you," Spike muttered angrily.
"She's mine, Peaches."

Willow crossed her arms. < I'm so tired of their fighting. I cannot handle
this for eternity, if the spell really did work. I'll kill them both. > "I
happen to not belong to anyone, thank you."

Both of them looked at her. "Now that's not true, pet. You are mine."

"But, Willow, my soul is bonded to your soul!" Angel cried.

"Actually," Willow said, "I don't think the spell worked. I think Angel is
just in a wiggy mood. And as for you, Blondie, you haven't even tried to
kiss me or ask me out on a date, or anything. I'm going to dance with
someone."

"Who?" both of them asked possessively, leaning forward.

"It doesn't matter, as long as he's not either of you." Willow spun around
and walked out to the dance floor. It didn't take but just a minute for a
tall, handsome guy to sweep her up in his arms and dance her around the
floor.

Spike leaned back, growling low in his chest. "I say we kill him."

"Eviscerate him," Angel agreed.

Spike turned his head slightly, eyebrow cocked. "Really?"

Angel caught Spike's hopeful look and smiled. "I wish. The soul is still
too much in control. But that doesn't mean I can't dream."

"Evisceration. It's best with the spikes, you know," Spike murmured.

"I always wondered where that came from."

"Some chit I was trying to eat in. . .I think 1912, she tried to kill me
with a rusty old spike. I turned it on her. Fortunately, there was a
Watcher and a Slayer near by, and the Watcher went on and on in the diaries
about the insane brown haired vampire who killed with spikes. So I kept a
few for the fun of it. Dru started calling me Spikey, and it stuck." Spike
shrugged. "I have a hard time remembering my name is William now."

"William," Angel said softly, his lips inches from the blonde's ear.

Spike suppressed a shudder. "You. . .you were talking about gutting the
bloke with his hands on Willow?"

"Can you imagine how warm the blood would be if we cut into him, slicing the
flesh so cleanly, drinking him as he howled in pain. . .the screams. . .I
miss the screams, William. . ."

"So do I," Spike murmured, his eyes locked on Willow's dancing form.

Angel was watching her too, imagining being with her, sharing her with his
favorite childe. He ran his fingertips along Spike's neck. "And then going
to his house and finding his sisters. . .listening to their pain filled
cries as we shove the dead body in the house. . ."

"Would we burn them to death?" Spike asked, his voice hopeful. He was lost
in the moment, in the memories of pillaging with his sire.

"If you wanted to, my boy," Angel whispered. He brushed his lips against
Spike's ear, causing the younger vampire to jump slightly. "Watching the
fire roar, watching the shadows play on your face, bringing out the
highlights in your brown hair. . ." He chuckled softly. "Though I suppose
now I would be watching the fire make your hair shine."

Spike turned suddenly, grabbing Angel's shirt and pulling him inches from
his face. "I can't kill, damn it. I cannot kill with this bloody chip in
my head. I think we should shag."

Angel blinked in surprise. "What?"

"You wanker! You have gotten me so turned on now, I want to shag or kill,
and I can't kill! We need to leave. Now."

Angel smirked, slipping his hand in Spike's lap, cupping his erection. "So
I see." He stood up and pulled his jacket on. "Gotta get the kiddies.
Most of them are sloshed, and I can't leave them here to their own devices."

"No," Spike growled. "Now. I need this now. I don't want the Poofy
Ballerina. . ."

Angel grabbed Spike by the shirt and yanked the younger man to his body.
"If you don't stop calling me a ballerina, I'll make it hurt, boy."

Spike shuddered. "With holy water and crosses?"

A devilish grin formed on Angel's lips. "Holy water and crosses."

"Get the children. We are leaving now."
 

*-*-*-*

"I don't understand something," Cordelia slurred. "We were having such a
good time. Why are we leaving again?"

"Because," Angel said softly, "we needed to get back home."

"Wait, wait," Wesley said, spinning around. He had his finger pointed
straight up, as if to make a point. "I. . .have. . ." Gunn caught him and
held him up as he swayed. "I have alcohol in my apartment. We can. . .move
the furniture and turn the radio up, and get pissed!"

Cordelia's laughter rang through the street. "I think that sounds like a
great idea!" She turned to Willow. "Willow, would you dance with me?" She
took the girl in her arms and spun her around the small group.

Giggling, Willow pulled out of her arms. "No, I think I'm going to call
Sunnydale. I need to talk to Xander."

Cordelia smiled. "Xander," she purred. "I miss him sometimes.
Occasionally. Tell him I said hello."

"I'll be sure to do that." Willow glanced at Spike and Angel. They were
walking next to each other, with a good three feet between them. They were
both tense - Willow could swear that Spike's eyes flashed yellow when he
glanced at her. She sighed, looking away. They were fighting, again. It
was because of them Willow was calling Xander.

*-*-*-*

Willow sighed, waiting for the phone to be answered. "Hello?"

"Anya?"

"Yea. . ." Her voice sounded suspicious. "Who is this?"

"It's Willow. Can I talk to Xander?"

"Well, are you going to keep him long? We were about to. . ."

"I don't need to know about it," Willow said, shifting uncomfortably. "I
promise I will try not to keep him long, I just need to talk to him."

"Fine, just hurry," Anya said, her voice bored. "Xander, phone."

"Hello?" Xander sounded like he'd just woken up.

"Xander," Willow said softly. She lay down on her bed, curling into a ball.
She didn't know if it was good to call Xander, but she needed to talk to
someone. She figured Buffy wouldn't be the right person to call. Of all
the people in the world, Xander still understood her the best.

"Willow," Xander said, picking up on the distress in his oldest friend's
voice. "What is it? Is everything ok?"

"Xander, there's so much going on right now, and. . .I don't even know where
to start." Tears filled her eyes. "I have to tell you some things, and you
won't be happy with it at all. . .but I need you to listen to me, not judge
me."

Xander swallowed hard. "Willow, you are my best friend. I love you. There
's nothing you could do that could make me not love you." He fidgeted with
his tee shirt, worried about what she would say. He imagined the worse: he
was never going to be able to see her again, for some horrible supernatural
reason.

"First, I'm pregnant. It's Oz's. . .when he was here, back in May, we slept
together."

"Oh, god, Willow, are you. . .ok?" Xander suddenly felt much older than he
ever had his entire life. He was twenty years old, as was his best friend,
and she was having a child! "I can't even take care of myself. . .granted,
you do really well taking care of yourself, but still! How. . .how are you
going to do this?"

"I'm not staying in Sunnydale."

Xander's heart dropped and tears filled his eyes. "No," he whispered. "You
can't leave home. Where are you going? Are your parents. . ."

"No," Willow spat. "My parents wouldn't notice, nor would they probably
care. I'm moving to LA."

"Ok, LA is better, I can come see you in LA. . ." Xander was suddenly quiet
as his mind tried to make the connection.

"Xan -"

"Shh. . .I'm thinking about this for a moment." Xander was quiet, then:
"DEADBOY!?"

Willow pulled the phone away from her ear, wincing. She waited for a
moment, listening from afar as Xander rant and raved, cursing everything
Angel ever was and ever would be. Willow sobbed softly, her best friend's
words about the souled vampire hurting her more than she thought possible.

"Ok, I'm sorry," Xander said softly. "Willow, honey, are you crying?"

"Xander," she sobbed. "He wants to take care of me. Him and Spike, but. .
."

"Him and Spike? Willow, they don't get along. And what about Angelus?
Aren't you worried about that?" Xander got up and started pacing. "Aren't
you worried that he will come back and kill the kid?"

"That's why we did the bonding spell."

"The. . .what?" Xander asked. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his
stomach. "The what kind of spell?"

"We bonded his soul to me, and his demon to Spike. Angelus will never fully
come back. He is more Angelusy now, but he's still really good." Willow
sighed. "I'm supposed to live forever."

"Forever? Willow, forever is a really long time," Xander said, his mind
swimming. "What are you going to do 500 years from now?"

"I don't know," Willow said softly. "I just can't stay in Sunnydale, and I
can't be in LA with Angel and run the risk of him turning into Angelus."

"How is Spike handling all of this?" Xander asked, settling back into the
bed. Anya had long since fallen asleep, which pleased Xander. The girl
didn't have any idea about anything that was going on, therefore, she
couldn't
accidentally tell Buffy about it.

"Not well. They are fighting. That's all they do, is fight. I honestly
don't know how I'm going to handle an eternity with the two of them."

Xander lay down, burrowing under the covers. "Willow, it's going to be ok.
I'm. . .I'm glad that you called to tell me this, even if you did tell
Deadboy and Deadboy Jr. first."

"Please, Xander, don't tell Buffy," Willow begged, lying on her bed. She
pulled the covers to her neck and sighed, closing her eyes. Tears slid down
her cheeks, she'd been softly crying through the entire phone call.

"I won't," he promised. "I love you, Wills."

"I love you too, Xander." She leaned over and hung up.
 
 
 

*-*-*-*

Angel slammed Spike against the wall. Spike closed yellow eyes in a mixture
of pain and pleasure. He growled and clawed at his Sire, who dodged the
younger man's nails. "I'll get you," he hissed with a mischievous smile.

Angel's smile matched his childe's. "No, my boy, I will get you. That's
the way it always will be. I'll always be in control."

Spike leaned up, nipping at his sire's skin. "No, you won't, Peaches. I'm
much stronger than I was when you left me years ago. I was merely a childe
of Angelus. . ."

"Favorite childe," Angel purred.

A slight smile surrounded fangs. "I was merely favorite childe of Angelus.
Now I am Spike! The Big Bad! Master Vampire! Favorite Childe of Angelus!"

"And I'm still Angelus," Angel purred, leaning down to sink his fangs in his
childe's neck.

Spike groaned, running his fingers through his sire's hair. It had been so
long since the older man had drunk from him. Spike clutched brown hair
tightly and pulled his head closer to him. Angel drank eagerly, enjoying
the taste of his childe's blood. He pressed his body against the smaller
body of Spike, wanting to feel skin against skin.

Spike blinked, jolting out of a lust induced haze. "Wait. . .wait, this isn
't. . .this isn't right." He pulled Angel's head away from his neck.
"Stop."

Angel growled. "What is it, boy? What's not right?"

"Willow. We need her, we need to be with her."

Angel blinked, his human mask smoothing out his features. "You're right.
This wouldn't be complete without her."

Spike leaned up and licked the remaining blood off Angel's chin and lips.
"Come on, Pops, let's go get our girl."

Angel grinned. "I like the way you think, Master Vampire."

Spike shivered at Angel's acknowledgment. He couldn't remember the last
time the older man had acknowledged that he was more than just his childe.
"Yea, yea, come on," he grumbled, not wanting Angel to know how much that
recognition affected him. "Let's go make it up to our woman."

Angel shook his head, chuckling. "Our woman."

Spike flashed Angel a grin. "She's the mum of our child, pops."

Angel laughed out loud at that thought. "Never thought we'd have a kid."

"You know what the worst part is?" Spike grinned as they stepped into the
elevator to go upstairs to Willow's apartment.

"What's that, William?" Angel asked.

"We are probably gonna be soddin' poofs around the kid. Cuddling it and
loving it and changing diapers. . .baby talk. . ." He made a face.

Angel coughed to hide his chuckle. "Yea, how horrible," he said in a
monotone voice.

"You are going to bloody love it, Poof."

*-*-*-*

"Willow. . ."

"Red. . ."

Willow moaned, her mind swimming. She was trying to pull herself out of a
crying and sleep-induced haze, but she just wanted to remain in the dark
where she knew nothing could bother her.

She gasped slightly, feeling fingers caress her nipples. "Oh goddess," she
moaned. There were hands all over her body. Caressing her skin, teasing
her nipples, stroking her thighs, her feet, and her arms, even dipping into
her sex. . .She forced open her eyes to find Angel and Spike were leaning
over her, smiling.

"Wake up, luv," Spike said.

"Little One," Angel grinned.

She looked from Spike to Angel, back to Spike. "What's wrong? What are you
doing here? Why are you two getting along?" She said sitting up quickly,
covering her now naked body with the covers. She wasn't scared, or even
mad, just surprised by the way the two of them seemed to be suddenly getting
along so well. "How did I get naked?" she asked, narrowing her eyes and
looking at Spike.

Spike laughed, sitting back on his heels. "Not me, pet. Poof did that."

Angel grinned, failing an attempt to look innocent. "Sorry sweets, couldn't
restrain myself."

"Oh, god, you two are possessed," Willow whispered.

They both laughed. "No, pet, not possessed," Spike said, leaning forward.
He stole a kiss from the startled redhead. "I just think the bond finally
taken effect."

"You mean. . ." Willow said, realization washing over her face.

"Undoubtedly we will still fight," Angel said, "but not like before."

She frowned. "Why are you still going to fight?" the witch asked softly.

Angel stole a glance at his childe. "Because Spike, being my equal, will
try to best me. It's our way."

Spike turned to Angel, his mouth gaping open. Angel reached over grabbed
Spike's chin, and snapped his mouth shut. "That's not an attractive look
on you, William."

"Equal?" Spike whispered. "That's better than you calling me Master
Vampire."

"That's not saying much," Angel smirked. "Remember, I have a soul."

Spike frowned, mulling over that thought. "Why you. . .bloody poof!" He
launched at Angel, knocking the older vampire off the bed. The two started
to wrestle.

Willow yelped, fearing the worst. She leaned over the edge of the bed so
concerned about them, she forgot about her very obvious nakedness. It took
her a moment to realize that they weren't really fighting, only pouncing on
each other and growling for effect. Willow sat back. "They are like. .
.big playful tigers." She smiled, watching them. They were both shirtless,
wearing nothing but jeans. They weren't in game face, and actually appeared
to be having a good time.

A heat filled Willow's loins watching them as, after slamming Angel to the
floor, Spike leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on his lips before the
older vampire flipped them. Willow smiled softly. Becoming aware of her
nakedness she cleared her throat and dropped the sheet, "Excuse me. . ."
she said. "but I believe you came up here for me. . .?"

The vampires stopped, looked up at her. Angel gave Spike a lascivious
grin... "I say we get her," the brunette said.

"Most definitely," the blonde said.

Willow's delighted squeals were heard throughout the building when the two
vampires leaped into her bed.

*-*-*-*

Spike growled at Angel, low and dangerous.

Angel growled back. "I'm still in control, boy."

"I can take control from you, Sire."

"I doubt it." The two launched at each other, game faces on, fighting with
a roar.

Willow stirred on the bed, waking up from the noise. She looked over at the
fighting vampires. "Goddess, will you two *stop* please?"

The two vampires looked at each other, then Willow. "Sorry for waking you,
pet," Spike said. He snaked his arm around Angel subtlety.

"Yeah," Angel said sheepishly. "It's just that this whelp thinks he can
take control over me, when he *knows* I am the dominant one here."

Spike growled, putting Angel in a headlock. "Got ya, dad." He threw his
head back and laughed.

Angel roared at his childe. He twisted his body and managed to lock his
legs around Spike's waist.

"GUYS!" Willow cried.

"Ok, this is uncomfortable," Angel said, his legs around Spike and his head
still in a headlock. "Let go, William."

"Not until you do, Angelus."

"On the count of three," Angel said. "One. Two. Three."

They held on to each other, neither letting go.

"You didn't let go," Spike said.

"You didn't either," Angel replied.

"NOW!" Willow yelled.

The vampires pulled away from each other quickly. "Sorry," both of them
said again.

"Stop being sorry and get in bed with me," Willow said. She smiled.

The two vampires grinned at each other and crawled into bed with Willow.
Angel was on her left, Spike was on her right. They curled to her and
placed a head on her chest. She sighed, wrapping her arms around her two
mates. "I love you guys," she said softly.

"Love you too," they both said softly.

The three mates slipped into a deep slumber.

*~*~*~*

Willow fidgeted outside of Giles' apartment. "I'm not looking forward to
this."

"She won't hurt you," Spike said. "I will kill the Slayer if she tries."

"Spike has a point. We won't let her hurt you," Angel agreed.

"She's going to be so mad," Willow whispered. "At least Xander knows, and
won't freak." She sighed, resting her hand on her belly. She was starting
to show somewhat.

"Let's just go in and get it over with, pet," Spike said softly.

Willow pushed the door open. "Hey, guys," she said softly, glancing behind
her at Angel and Spike.

"Wills!" Xander cried, jumping up. He ran to his best friend and hugged her
tightly. He glanced behind Willow and smiled slightly. "Spike, Deadboy.
How are the two of you?" The two vampires nodded at Xander, glad the man
was putting Willow before any feelings of animosity he might have against
them.

"Angel?" Buffy asked quietly, glancing at Riley. Riley grimaced.

"Come on in, guys," Willow said. The three walked in and sat down on the
couch. "I have to talk to you, everyone."

"Don't interrupt her, or I'll rip your bloody heads off," Spike growled.

"Wait," Anya said, "before you start. Willow, are you gaining weight? You
look. . .different."

Willow glanced down at her slightly swelling belly. "Yeah, well. . .there
is a little weight gain there. . ."

"She's having our baby!" Spike beamed, wrapping his arm around Willow.

"SPIKE!" Willow cried.

"WHAT?" Buffy and Riley yelled at once.

Xander sat back, crossing his arms, waiting for the fireworks to start. He
glanced at Willow with a nod, letting her know he was there for her. Willow
smiled at him.

"Both of them at the same time?" Anya asked. "I didn't think that was
possible."

"Angel," Willow looked up at the older vampire, a pleading look on her face.
"Help."

Angel growled. "Ok, this is how it is," he said angrily. "Willow's
pregnant. She and Spike came to me. He is mine, she is mine, I belong to
them. Spike and I are the father. If any of you have a problem with it,
then Spike'll rip your head off."

Willow blinked at her mate. "O. . .k. That's not exactly how I would say
it, but yeah, that's pretty much it."

"No," Buffy snarled. "You do *not* belong to him. No one belongs to Angel.
He. . .he was mine."

"He's mine now," Willow's eyes flashed angrily.

"And mine," Spike chuckled. He squeezed Angel's shoulder, glancing over the
redhead to smile at his sire.

"And I'm theirs." Angel's eyes caught Buffy's. His chocolate orbs flashed
yellow. "And if you dare try to do anything to change that, I will kill you
myself, Slayer."

"Angel," she said quietly, "you are different."

"It's the demon, Bitchy," Spike said. "Demon hates you. Always has."

"How? Why? What's going on here?" Buffy said, her voice close to breaking
into sobs.

Willow sighed. "I am moving to Angel's. I don't want to raise her on the
Hellmouth. Too dangerous here." She caressed her stomach possessively.
"Spike and I went to Angel's, but we were scared Angelus would come back and
hurt her. We don't want that at all."

Angel growled dangerously and placed his hand over Willow's. "If someone
even thinks of hurting Willow or the baby, it won't be pretty."

Giles watched the three, his mind clicking. "You bonded with him," he said
softly. "Both of you."

Willow nodded. "I am bonded with his soul, anchoring it."

"And I have his demon," Spike continued, "bringing him closer to the
surface. But he still does the poofy detective thing, and I suspect he
always will. He is still one of the good guys." He sighed loudly for
dramatics.

Angel reached up and slapped his childe on the back of the head. "Respect,
boy. You need to learn some."

Spike's grin was devious. "When you give me something to respect, mate, I
will."

Angel's demon came forth completely. "Boy. . .don't make me embarrass you
here in front of everyone."

"Oh, goddess, you guys." Willow sighed. "Ever since their demons bonded,
they've been so playful."

"Playful?" Buffy choked. "This is playful? I'd hate to see what they were
like if they were angry with each other."

"Not pretty," Willow replied, wincing at the memory of the two vampires'
first fight after the bonding spell.

"Willow, I don't agree with this," Buffy said.

"I don't care," Willow said.

Buffy sighed, standing up. She went to Willow and kneeled before her.
"Willow. . ."

Spike and Angel growled dangerously. Buffy ignored them. "Willow, come
on."

"What?" Willow asked. "I'm not going with you."

Buffy stood up, grabbing Willow's hand. She pulled the redhead up. "Come
on, Willow. You are staying with us. We will help you watch the baby.
Vampires, go back to LA before I stake the both of you."

Spike stood up. "Get your hands off of her," he hissed.

Angel followed Spike to his feet. He put his hand on Spike's shoulder.
"Let me. I've been wanting to do this for so long."

Spike smiled. "Be my guest, luv."

Angel smiled at Buffy, his human mask looking soft and caring. "Buffy, she
is mine. If you don't remove your hands from her at this instant, I will
remove them for you." Even though his face was soft, his voice was filled
with malice.

"I'd like to see you try," Buffy retorted.

Angel looked at Giles. "Giles, please tell your Slayer to leave Willow
alone." His soul didn't want to kill Buffy, even though the demon was
screaming for her blood on his hands. However, his soul knew that if she
didn't cease and desist, he would kill her with no hint of guilt.

Giles stepped forward. "I. . .would do what he says. He will hurt you."

"No, he won't," Buffy said, flipping her hair behind her shoulder. "He
couldn't two years ago, and he can't now. He still has feelings for me."
He looked at Willow, whose rage was clear on her face. "Sorry, Wills, but
he does."

Angel reached out and grabbed Buffy's ponytail. He yanked the Slayer to his
body. His demon pushed forth and he wrapped his arm around her body,
running his fangs along her neck. "I could kill you right now," he said,
his voice dangerous and silky.

Buffy shuddered in his arms, realizing just how close she was to death.
Angel was serious. "Angelus," she said. "Don't do this."

"Leave my mate alone," he hissed. "If I ever see you touch her again, I
will rip your spleen out and eat it. And then I will let my boy drain you.
You aren't even worth me taking the time to drain." He pushed the Slayer
away. "Not even worth draining," he repeated angrily.

Buffy spun around in a rage. "You bastard!" she hissed. A stake fell out
of her many hiding places into her hand. She had a look of fury in her
eyes. She launched herself at her ex-lover.

Time seemed to slow down to the occupants of Giles' home as Buffy sailed
through the air.

"Buffy, don't!" Giles cried, knowing that if Angel caught the Slayer, she
would be dead.

"Angelus!" Spike howled, his demon pushing forth to help his Sire.

"NO!" Willow choked, closing her eyes. She felt a white hot power pass
through her veins. She didn't know what was going on, only that she had to
protect Angel.

A scream of pain jostled Willow out of her concentration. She opened her
eyes and gasped at the scene before her.

An unknown force had thrown everyone back. Everyone but her, Angel, and
Spike. Buffy was pulling herself up from her place beside the wall she'd
hit. She cradled her head gingerly. "Fuck, Wills! That hurt!"

Spike stared at the witch in shock. He had never seen anything like what he
had seen moments before. The redhead had closed her eyes. He felt a
dangerous energy swirling around the room, tugging at his body, but not
enough to move him. However, everyone else in the room had been thrown
back, away from them. The three bonded mates were being protected. "Damn,
pet."

Willow turned glowing emerald eyes to the dazed Slayer. "If you ever touch
either of my mates again, I will kill you myself."

"Fine," Buffy said, swallowing hard at the thought of losing Willow. "I
hate this, I just want you to know. However, if you think that you have
dedicate your life to two undead demons -"

"You are such a bitch," Willow hissed. "You have no clue what I'm going
through, and obviously, you don't care."

"You are right, Willow. I don't care. You are throwing your life away to
two demons, and this baby?" She waved her hand over Willow, indicating the
child she carried. "It's going to grow up to be one fucked up child," she
hissed out of anger.

"Buffy!" Riley cried, shocked that his girlfriend would say something like
that to her best friend.

Willow's lips were a thin line of rage. "I hate you, Buffy Summers." She
turned and walked out, the two bewildered vampires on her heels.

"Perfect, Buffy," Xander hissed. "Now she's *really* going to want to come
back to Sunnydale to visit us."

"God, shut up, Xander," Buffy grumbled.

"Listen, Slayer," Xander said quietly, "she's been my friend for fourteen
years. I'm not going to let your stupidity keep the two of us from being
friends. She's going through a hard time, and I need to be there for her."
He spun on his heel and walked out.

"Willow!" he cried, trying to stop the three before they left Giles'
courtyard. They turned as one and watched Xander. The two vampires were
watching him cautiously, while Willow was holding herself back from hugging
him.

Xander shuffled his feet under the trio's glare. "I'm sorry about that,
about Buffy being a bitch. But don't let that stop you from coming home."

"Why would I want to come back here?" Willow asked, looking down as tears
filled her eyes. "Buffy hates me, she probably thinks I planned this to get
Angel."

"Buffy's self-centered. She thinks the entire world revolves around her."
Xander stepped forward. "It doesn't, you know. It revolves around your
little one." He reached out and gingerly put his hand on Willow's tummy,
ready to step back if the vampires decided to attack him.

Willow placed her hand on top of Xander's. "Thanks, Xand."

"Hey, what can I say?" he asked, engulfing her in a hug. "You are my best
friend. Besides, kiddo's gonna need his Uncle Xander."

Willow lit up. "Yea. I mean, who will she have to teach her the Scooby
Dance?"

"Yea," he smiled at her. "I'm. . .glad you are doing this. I know that
they will protect you, and the baby. I'm just going to. . .miss you."

Willow hugged him tightly. "You know you can always come and visit whenever
you want to," she said, pulling back enough to grace him with a beautiful
smile.

"As long as Deadboy and Deadboy Jr. don't try to kill me, I would love to
come visit," he chuckled.

Willow smiled. "I'll make sure they don't."

Xander laughed. "Because of Bitchy back there, I think I will be spending a
lot of time in LA."

Willow glanced back at the vampires, smirking at them. "Good," she said,
turning back to Xander. "I need to have time away from them every once in a
while." She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
 

*~*~*~*

The next five months passed in a blur. Willow grew bigger, started school,
and installed a brand new computer system for Angel Investigations, courtesy
of David Nabbit. He had enjoyed doing the spell so much, he continued to
hang around the office. He and Willow became friends, since the both of
them could talk on the same level.

Xander was practically living with Willow, only going back to Sunnydale for
two or three days at a time. Anya had decided to break up with him, after
the fraction of the Scooby Gang. The ex-demon and the Slayer got along
really well, both bonding over their dislike for Willow and the decision she
was making. Anya, of course, wasn't happy with Willow's situation because
it took Xander away from her. However, no matter how selfish her reason, it
brought her and Buffy closer together.

Giles was practically the only person in Sunnydale Willow still talked to.
The former watcher actually agreed with Willow and thought she was making
the right choice. He would call her every Sunday afternoon at three p.m. to
check on her; he made sure she was doing well in school, and that the baby
was coming along fine.

Willow waddled into the office, sighing softly. Cordelia glanced up. "Hey,
Shamu."

The redhead frowned. "I do look like a beached whale, don't I?"

Cordelia grinned at her friend. "No, Willow, of course not. You look
beautiful. You. . .glow, or something."

"If one more person tells me I glow," Willow said, sitting down with her
hand on the small of her back, "I'm going to violently kill them."

Cordelia opened her mouth and started to speak when the door opened. David
walked in. "Hey, Cord, Will." He grinned at Willow, still somewhat feeling
bad for all the times he'd accidentally made the pregnant woman cry. "You
are glowing!"

Willow growled angrily at him. "Kiss my ass, David." She got up and
shuffled out of the office.

David frowned and looked at Cordelia. "I just can't seem to ever get
anything right with her."

Cordelia laughed. "If you ever get married and have kids, David, just take
a nine month vacation when she gets pregnant. That's pretty much the only
way you will survive the birth of your child."

David chuckled.

Willow went upstairs to her apartment. Xander was in Sunnydale for a couple
of days, getting more stuff that he owned. When he returned, Spike and
Angel were going to help the mortal find an apartment, so he could move out
of Willow's.

She went to her bedroom, standing in front of her six-foot long mirror. She
turned to her side and pulled her maternity shirt tight over her belly. "I
am a beached whale. I look hideous!" Her hair was pulled back into a
ponytail and she had circles under her eyes. She hadn't been sleeping well
the last couple of nights.

"You look beautiful, pet," a soft voice said in her ear.

Willow jumped away, yelping in shock. "SPIKE!" she hissed, slapping his arm
as hard as she could. "Don't *ever* scare me like that! You've seen the
couple of times I thought you two were in danger? You don't want me to turn
you into dust, do you?"

"Couldn't happen," he grinned. "When you start doing that energy thing, it
doesn't affect me." He chuckled. "What's wrong, Red? Why do you feel
bad?"

"I'm fat, Spike. I'm a big beached whale. I mean. . ." Tears fell down
her cheeks. "Look at me!"

"The doctor, she says that you are normal for a woman your size?"

"Yea," Willow said dejectedly. "I just have such a small frame, it makes me
look bigger."

"Eight months, pet," he whispered. "You don't have much time before the
baby is going to be here." His eyes danced with happiness.

"You are really happy about this, aren't you?" Willow asked, leading him to
the couch. Together, the two sat down. She curled to him, and he
automatically put his hand on her stomach.

He smiled when the baby started to kick. "Yea. I never thought I'd have an
actual *child*. I mean. . .it's. . ." He glanced around, lowering his
voice. "Ok, Red, this is going to sound completely like the Poof, and if
you ever repeat this, I will. . .I will. . .well, it won't be good."

She looked at him curiously, running her fingers through his hair. "What?"
She moved to the back of his neck, scratching it like she knew he liked. He
closed his eyes in pleasure, a low rumble emanating from his chest.

"Red. . .can't talk when you entice me like this. . ." he purred.

She giggled, pulling her hand away. "What, Spike? What about the baby?"

"It's amazing," he said softly. "The thought that I will have a little
girl. . .I mean, there is going to be this great child that is going to look
at me and know me as daddy." He turned slightly. "I feel like Peaches. I
mean, it makes me even want to cry! *Me*! The Big Bad, Master Vampire,
half of the bloody Scourge of Europe. I've caused so much damage my entire
life, enjoyed hurting people, and now. . .I'm bloody domesticated."

Willow giggled softly. He turned angry eyes at her. "Don't laugh," he
pouted.

"No, no, when you said domesticated, I had this vision of you walking around
the house in a frilly lace apron, cooking Rice Krispy Treats or something."

Spike stared at her before he started to chuckle. It wasn't long before the
two on the couch realized there was another person laughing with them. They
both turned to see Angel standing at the doorway, watching them with an
amused expression on his face. He had his arms crossed over his massive
chest. "Peaches," Spike groaned.

"Don't worry, Spike," he said, walking to the couch. He sat on the other
side of Willow. "I didn't hear about your frilly white lace apron or
anything."

Spike glared at him. Angel chuckled. "Willow, how do you feel?" Angel
asked.

"Fat," she pouted.

"Not fat," Angel corrected her. "Just carrying our child."

"The product of our love," Spike chorused. He chuckled. "We are going to
be a daddy!"

Angel rolled his eyes. "I already *am* a daddy. I sure hope to god that
this girl doesn't give me as much trouble as a certain blonde hair blue eyed
demon does."

"But, daddy," Spike pouted with a baby voice. "You wouldn't love me as much
if I didn't give you such a bloody hard time."

Angel leaned forward, kissing Spike softly. "True, true. You'd be like the
others if you actually *did* what you were supposed to."

"So anyway," Willow interrupted them, "I've thought of a name."

"What would that be, pet?" Spike asked.

"Angel Willimina," she replied. "We will call her Mina."

Angel cocked his head, thinking about it. "I like that. You are naming her
after us."

Spike grinned. "Two Angels, three Wills. . .poor kid is going to be
confused."

Willow chuckled. "That's why I'm saying we should call her Mina."

"Mina," Spike replied. "I like it. A lot. I think that you've finally
decided on a name, pet."

She grinned. "Thanks." She leaned forward and kissed him, then turned her
head to kiss Angel. "I'm going to take a nap. I'm tired." She stood up
and waddled to her bedroom, closing the door slightly.

Spike leaned against Angel, resting his head on the older vampire's chest.
"Are you nervous, Peaches?"

"A little. I'm not worried about hurting her, and I'm not worried about you
hurting her. . ."

"It's just everyone else," Spike finished. "They might hurt her. And I
promise you, Peaches, this child is not dating until she is fifty."

Angel laughed, wrapping his arm around Spike. "Fifty it is, my boy."
 

*~*~*~*

"Thanks for coming with me," Xander grinned, glancing over at his best
friend.

Willow glanced around the mall, finally settling her gaze on Xander. "You
are welcome. Someone needs to help you decorate that place anyway. God
forbid we let just *you* take on that daunting task." She giggled.

"Hey!" Xander exclaimed. "There is nothing wrong with my decorating
skills!"

"Yep," Willow agreed with a chuckle.

"So it's not bad for you to be walking around, right?" he asked worriedly.
"Spike threatened me, you know. If I ever let anything bad happen to you,
he'd have Angelus rip my heart out. He would, you know. Rip my heart out.
That wouldn't be good at all, cause, well, then I'd be heartless. And most
likely dead too."

Willow stared at him for a full minute before laughing. "It's fine, Xand.
The doctor said I needed to walk. Helps with the labor and all that."

"So one month. Are you nervous?"

Willow stroked her belly lovingly. "Ready," she said. "So very ready. I
can't wait to be able to fit into my clothes again. Not that there is
anything wrong with maternity clothes, but. . ." She shrugged. "I just can
't wait till I'm normal again."

Xander wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I think
you are still beautiful," he said.

She blushed slightly. "Thanks, Xander."

The two spent the day together, shopping and buying things for his new
apartment. The two decided to go to the Food Court and have some dinner.
Willow winced slightly, rubbing her belly. "Are you ok?" Xander asked.

"Mild contraction," she said softly.

His eyes widened. "Are you ok?"

"Oh, yea," Willow nodded. "I've been having them on and off for the last
couple of days. Doctor says it's. . ." She grimaced again. She looked up
at him, her eyes wide. "Xander," she whispered. "I think we should go to
the hospital."

"Oh my god," Xander breathed. "Ok, come on!"

*~*~*~*

"I *need* to see Willow Rosenberg!" Angel exclaimed angrily.

"I'm sorry," the nurse said disinterestedly. "She has a visitor. She can't
have anymore."

Spike pushed Angel aside, a low growl coming from his chest. "Listen here,
chit. That's my bloody wife in there and if you don't let me and Peaches
in, he's going to seriously hurt you."

Angel nodded his agreement.

"You are her husband?" she asked, looking up at the Spike. "Then who is the
man she is with? He said he was her husband."

Angel turned to Spike. "Why would Xander claim to be her husband?" he
asked.

"Are you one of those poofy hospitals that won't let anyone in but the
husband?" Spike asked.

"Yes, we are," the nurse said, pushing her glasses up on her nose. "No one
is allowed but the husband, and since he's already there, you can't go in
there. Not until after the baby is born."

"Oh, no, ma'am," Angel disagreed. "There is no way that I'm letting my
child be born without seeing it."

The nurse looked up at him. "So you are the father, Blondie here is the
husband, as is. . ." she glanced down at her papers, "Mr. Harris?"

"No, you bloody chit, Mr. Harris is her best friend. Peaches and I are the
husband *and* the father."

"You realize that is physically impossible," the nurse replied.

Angel's features rippled to his demon, then smoothed back to human. "So is
that, but you just saw it, didn't you?" he growled.

The woman blinked, fear radiating off of her body. "Um. . .I think. . .yea,
we can make an exception for Ms. Rosenberg." She glanced down at her
papers. "She's in room 321."

"Thanks," Angel smiled. He grabbed Spike's arm and pulled him towards the
elevator.

*~*~*~*

"Push, pet," Spike encouraged.

Willow shook her head, sweat dripping from her skin. "Can't. No more. I'm
tired, Spikey, make them stop, please?" she begged. "I just want to sleep."

"If you don't push," Angel's voice whispered into her other ear, "she will
be there forever, and then it would be pretty hard for the three of us to,
well, you know."

Willow blinked. It had been a couple of months since she'd been able to
have nice normal sex with her two vampires. They'd continued to please her,
but she had been so tired and big, she wasn't really completely interested.

With that thought in mind, she grunted, pushing as hard as she could. It
wasn't but a few more before they heard a slap and a baby cry. Willow
collapsed against her pillows. "Water," she whispered.

Spike turned, to see Xander sitting there, his eyes wide at what he had just
seen. "Xander, go get some water for Willow," he said.

Xander looked up at the blonde and nodded, getting up to get his best friend
water.

The doctor walked around, placing the small girl in Willow's arms. "Here
you go, Willow," her doctor smiled. "A healthy baby girl. Born a little
early, but she seems to be fine."

Angel leaned down, placing his nose against the crying baby's forehead. He
inhaled, then looked at up at Willow and grinned. "Human," he whispered.

Willow started to cry, happy that her child wouldn't have to deal with the
aftereffects of being part of a werewolf/human union. Spike leaned down,
kissing Willow's forehead. "You ok, pet?" he asked softly.

"Just happy. Look, guys, it's our little girl," she whispered.

Angel smiled at Spike. The younger vampire returned the smile. "Not dating
till she's fifty, pet," Spike nodded.

Willow chuckled, more tears spilling on her cheeks. "You guys." She hugged
the baby close, then pulled her away. "Our little Mina. Angel Willimina. .
." She frowned. "We need a last name. I don't know if I want her to be
Rosenberg."

"O'Connor," Spike said, nodding to Angel. It was the older vampire's last
name while he had been human.

"I was going to say Bradley myself," Angel responded, thinking the child
should have Spike's former last name.

"Angel Willimina O'Connor-Bradley," Willow decided. "I think it sounds
good."

"Sounds perfect, pet," Spike said, brushing his lips along the baby's
forehead.

"Just like you," Angel smiled. "I love you, Wills. . .Spike, and Mina."

"Yep," Spike said. "Me too." He grinned at his family.

"I love all of you," Willow whispered.

~*~END~*~

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