Chapter 17

Buffy was in a meadow. Yellow dandelions dotted the green carpet spread out before her. She gazed up to see a clear, bright blue sky. She wished Spike was by her side. He’d love to see such a scene, now that he no longer needed a sunscreen level that no one made. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling very content.

“Like it?” a voice asked. “I wanted somewhere cheerful.”

Buffy spun around quickly. There stood a girl, maybe 19. She had long golden hair that cascaded down to her waist. She wore a flowing white gown that looked like something out of a fantasy painting.

“I know,” the girl said, looking down at herself. “It is a bit much. But I always dreamed of being in a fairytale. So I couldn’t resist creating this attire.”

Buffy opened her mouth to speak, but then shut it again. She simply stared in confusion.

“Oh, uh, yeah, this is a dream by the way,” the woman told Buffy.

Coming out of her stupor, the slayer asked, “Who are you?”

“Call me Elena,” the girl answered.

“Okay, Elena. . . So, this is a dream?”

Elena grinned. “Yep! Pretty wiggy, huh?”

“Hey, that’s my word!” Buffy protested.

“Chill, and get over it.”

A sigh escaped Buffy. “So, is there a point to this dream or what?”

“Oh, yeah.” Seriousness came over Elena. “I came to warn you. She’s coming. You have to be ready for her.”

“Ready for who?”

“Medora. She’s powerful. You have to be ready.”

“Medora?”

“I don’t have time to explain anymore. Just be ready for an enemy, k?”

* + * + * + *

Buffy’s eyes shot open. She sat up off Spike, making him stir. He mumbled something unintelligent.

Buffy let her eyes focus, and tried to clear her head from slumber. She glanced around for the time. When she found it, she reached over to shake Spike.

“Wake up. We fell asleep on the couch and now it’s past seven. We’re late,” Buffy exclaimed.

He moaned, sitting up straight. “Huh, wha?”

“Past seven, as in late to meet up at the magic shop,” she informed.

That got his attention. “Oh, we better go then.”

They stood up together.

Buffy went over to the foot of the stairs. “Dawn!” she called. “Are you coming with us!?”

There was the sound of a door opening. A few seconds later, Dawn appeared. She stared at them for a moment, then stammered. “Uh. . . Y-yeah.”

“Hurry up and get your jacket. We’re late.”

The three walked in silence. The sky was overcast with no moon, making the night dark. Spike began to hum a little diddy, not being one for quiet. Dawn fell back behind the two.

“What’s that you’re humming?” Buffy inquired.

“Oh, nothin much. Just somethin my mum sang to me.”

“It’s pretty,” she commented. He’ll have to hum it to the baby, she thought to herself. I bet he’ll be a good father. She took her hand and interlocked their fingers.

Behind them Dawn watched, not sure what she thought of all this. She liked Spike, really she did, and she had rooted for Buffy and Spike to get together for a long time. But he had tried to rape her sister, and that confused her. She wanted to completely forgive him, yet that also didn’t seem right. And now he was human and, she still couldn’t comprehend it, had gotten her sister pregnant. Which, surprisingly Buffy was totally content with. Except for the telling her friends part.

Buffy looked back at Dawn. “Get your vocab done?”

“Oh. . . Yeah,” the teen lied. In reality she hadn’t even started the unit.

“Good.”

They made it to the Magic Box. Buffy took a deep breath before opening the door and going in. Spike and Dawn followed.

The rest of the scoobies, including Cleo, were sitting at the round table. They all raised their heads, eyes going on Buffy and Spike. Dawn shied away, to stand to the side. She hoped she could go through the meeting without much involvement.

“So, Buffy, please tell us your story,” Anya said, eagerly.

“Yes, Buffy, tell us why you went across the globe to bring back a vampire that tried to kill and rape you,” Xander said.

“Xander!” Willow scolded.

Buffy fought to hide the hurt that Xander was causing her. She composed herself, collecting her strength.

“I love him,” she announced. “I love Spike. I’ve been denying it ever since he confessed his feeling for me. I told him it was hopeless, that there was no chance. But I was lying to myself. We understand each other.” She smiled sadly.

“After Willow . . . brought me back, the only one I could turn to was Spike. He was the only one that knew what it was like. He knew death.” She paused. “I used him. I took what I needed to feel better. But I hurt him. I wasn’t interested in a relationship. A relationship is give and take, but all I did was take. I finally realized what I was doing and ended it. The thing is, I told him it was over so many times in the past when I didn‘t mean it. No meant yes. So, in the bathroom . . .”

She surveyed her friends. Xander was still angry. Willow was puzzled. Anya seemed enthusiastic for her to go on. Cleo was interested.

“Spike went to get a soul. Which he did, but got a little humanity along with it. I missed him when he was gone. When Cleo came with Willow we did a location spell, finding him in England. I went, found him, and came home. We‘ve worked our issues out and now we‘re together.”

“That’s it, huh? You love him, went to get him, and that’s it?” Xander spoke up.

Buffy met his gaze. “Yes. I love him. End of story. Better get used to it.”

“That’s not the end of the story,” Dawn said softly.

Buffy turned. “What did you say, Dawnie?”

Dawn stepped forward. She glared at Buffy. “Aren’t you going to tell them?” she demanded.

“Tell them what?”

“I know,” Dawn told her.

Buffy faltered. She couldn’t know? Could she? How?

“Come on, Buffy, aren’t you going to tell them?” Dawn urged on.

“I. . . I,” Buffy stammered.

Spike looked over with worry.

“I overheard you both in the living room. I know your pregnant, Buffy,” Dawn accused.

Buffy covered her mouth. “Oh, god!”

___________________________________________

Chapter 18

If it were possible, the eyes on Buffy became even more intense. She stood there, not sure what to do. Beside her, Spike took her hand. He squeezed it, trying to give support. Inside, he was trying to calm the demon that lay deep within himself. It wanted to leash out at Xander for making his slayer so upset.

Out of nowhere, taking everyone by surprise, Xander exploded with laughter. The attention switched from Buffy to him.

“What?” he questioned. He gestured toward Buffy. “You all actually believe she would be dumb enough to get knocked up? Besides, he would have had to be a vamp at the time, and we all know that is a no go.”

Buffy’s eyes widened and her mouth parted.

“Yes,” Anya quickly agreed. “Vampires are dead, and their reproductive organs stop working.”

“Hey!” Spike shrieked. “I’ll have you know my bits and pieces worked just fine.”

“Oh, well, I know that. I experienced them first hand, remember? They were quite working. All I meant was that your semen were no longer able to reproduce.”

“It isn’t possible, is it, Buffy?” Willow asked.

“Well . . . No, not normally,” the slayer confessed.

Xander pointed a finger. “See! So, what is with the pregnant declaration?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Cleo said. She stood up, looking out of place. She gave a small smile. “But Buffy is pregnant. I saw her aura, and I sensed another mixed with it. I‘m the one who diagnosed her, and I’m positive there isn’t a mistake. ”

“There isn’t. I went to the doctors,” Buffy told them.

Dawn crossed her arms. She stared at Buffy with bitterness. “You knew!? Before you left you knew and you didn’t tell me!”

“Dawn . . .”

“We’re supposed to be sisters.”

Buffy blinked, feeling guilty.

Spike couldn’t stand being silent any longer. “Shut your holes all of you! You’re supposed to be her mates. The ones who care about her and stand by her side when things go wrong. And I’ll give you credit for that. You rush off to fight apocalypses whenever she asks. But when things are going right, and she finally figures out what she wants, and has got it; you lot turn your back. It’s bloody disgusting!”

“Are you saying she wants your kid?” Xander said, appalled.

Spike shot him down with a dirty look. “Yeah, Harris, that is exactly what I’m saying. Me and her are soul mates. That’s why we could create life. It’s a bloody miracle.” He said the last part with his face toward Buffy, his expression full of love.

Abruptly, Xander stood up. “I can’t take this,” he affirmed before heading to the door.

“Xan?” Buffy squeaked, hurt.

Xander turned back. “Sorry, Buff, but I need some time.” With that he stepped outside.

“This isn’t fair,” Anya pouted. “I want to have children. I can’t do that until I get married, though. Doesn’t look like I ever will.” She seemed as if she were about to cry, clearly thinking back on the ‘Xander leaving her at the alter’. She caught herself, though, and collected her emotions. “Wait! Vengeance demons do not have offspring! I shouldn’t even want them.” She frowned, puzzled.

“Uh . . .” Buffy began. For some reason she actually felt sorry for Anya. Which was a weird thing.

“Buffy?”

Buffy shot her gaze to Willow.

“Soulmates? I don’t understand.”

Buffy shrugged. “Neither do I really.”

Willow tugged a smile to her lips. She was trying to be a good friend and be happy for her. “I can research!”

“Okay,” Buffy said. She smiled back. “Giles is looking into it too.”

“I’m tired,” Dawn announced. “I’m going home.”

Buffy’s face turned to worry. “Are you sure you should go home alone? Spike and I can walk you back.”

“NO!” Dawn snapped. “I’ll be fine.”

Buffy sighed as she watched her sister flee the store.

Spike touched her shoulder. “She’s sixteen, luv. The bitty slayer can walk home. Besides, you’ve been teaching her all your moves, and she always carries a stake.”

Nodding, she said, “Yeah.”

“I’m going home too,” announced Anya. “I have to get up bright and early to sell things.”

“Bye, Anya,” Buffy found herself saying.

Anya seemed surprised. Then she smiled. “Bye, Buffy. Oh, and congratulations on the baby. I’m sure you will be a good mother, despite the slaying.”

“Th-Thanks.”

Buffy turned to Willow and Cleo. “You guys can go too if you want.”

“But, Buffy, I can research for a while. I really want to help,” Willow offered.

“Nah. There’s no rush. It’s been a long day. For all of us, I’m sure.”

The red-head shut her Apple labtop, that she always carried to the magic box just in case it was needed. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

“Yeah, I am.”

Willow got to her feet. She went over to Buffy and gave her a hug. The slayer held her back, glad that at least Willow wasn’t against her. Even if she knew that the witch did find the situation bewildering.

Pulling back, Willow said, “Buffy, I want you to know that I love you. And if having a baby and being with Spike makes you happy, then I’m all for it. It is wigging me out some, but I’ll try to get used to it. I mean, you did the same for my relationship with T-Tara.” She still had trouble saying her demised lover’s name. The hurt was still fresh and painful. Not to mention the guilt that came along with it.

Buffy’s eyes misted. “Wills, I love you too. And thanks.”

The two girls hugged again. Then Willow grabbed her computer, preparing to leave.

Spike caught her before she went out the door. “Thanks, Red. For trying to be understanding. She really needs it right now. The whelp has her all distressed. I know you hate me, so I’m thankful even more for you putting that aside for Buffy’s sake.”

Willow’s eyes grew larger. “Hate you?”

Uncomfortable, he said,” Well, yeah, with the . . . incident before I left and all.”

“Oh.” She paused. “I don’t hate you, Spike.”

Surprised, he replied, “You don’t?”

“No. How can I? I’ve done worse things than you ever have?”

“I doubt you murdered hundreds of people, draining them dry, pet.”

“No,” she admitted. “But I killed and turned against the ones dearest to me. I did it all with a soul. ” She turned away. “Goodbye, Spike.”

Spike came back to stand next to Buffy. “That Wicca really is having it rough.”

“I know. I wish there was something I could do,” Buffy stated.

He shook his head. “No. She’s gonna have to deal with that on her own. Not that your support won’t help, mind you.”

Buffy headed toward the backroom. He trailed behind. “Luv, I thought we would be off toward home.”

“I can’t go home. Not yet.”

She went over to the punching bag and began to hit it fiercely. She let out her anger and frustration on the swinging device.

“Ah, I get it,” Spike remarked.

Suddenly Buffy stopped her beatings. There was fire in her gaze. “Let’s go patrol.”

“I dunno, Buffy . . .”

“Come on, please. I need to kill something.”

He sighed. “Oh, all right. On two conditions.”

“Depends.”

“Number one, you make an appointment to see the doc. And two, if there is anything really nasty lookin, like somethin with sharp claws, I’m doing the killing. I’m not taking any chances of you getting punched in the stomach, you hear.”

She frowned. “Deal.”

They walked over to the exit. “You are going to be one of those overprotective fathers, aren’t you?”

He smirked. “They’re the best kind, Summers.”

She nudged him. “I know.”

As they stepped out into the cool night, he said, “You know you will have to stop patrolling eventually. How do you plan to release your tension then?”

She grinned evilly over at him. “That’s where you come in,” she muttered.

Images of a very hormonal slayer, letting out her stress filled on him his mind. It was enough to make him want to let her patrol as long as possible. With him chaperoning that is.

______________________________________________

Chapter 19

Buffy paused outside the door. They had just returned home from patrolling. The stimulation had been refreshing, giving her the satisfaction of four kills: three vamps and a demon. Now she had to face her troubles once more, which she wasn’t ready to do.

Behind her, Spike touched her shoulder. “Okay, luv?”

She shook her head. “I feel like I’ve totally let down Dawn.”

“She’ll get over this. She’s just upset cuz you didn’t tell her what was going on.”

“I was too scared. Otherwise I would have.”

He gave her a slight squeeze, and then released her shoulder. Buffy took a deep breath and grabbed the doorknob. Bracing herself, she turned it. They stepped inside, the place dimly lit from the living room lamp.

Dawn stood up from her place on the couch. She came over to meet them. Her expression was unreadable.

“Can I talk to my sister alone?” Dawn asked Spike.

He nodded and turned to Buffy. “Right then. I’ll be taking a shower.”

The slayer watched him retreat up the stairs. When he was out of sight, she faced her sibling with uncertainty.

Suddenly, Dawn gave Buffy a hard hug. Surprised, it took Buffy a minute to respond. She slowly wrapped her arms around the teen.

“I’m sorry, Buffy,” Dawn told her.

Buffy blinked. “Dawn?”

The former key lifted her head. Strong emotion showed on her face. “I was just confused. I’m good now. You being with Spike is cool.” A smile lit up on her lips. “And the baby, I’m all for it. I fully take on the aunt responsibility.”

This was definitely not what Buffy had expected. She thought she would be walking into a yelling zone. Either that or the silent treatment. Instead her sister had switched into acceptance mode. With everything that had happened it was a big relief. Her eyes began to water.

Not knowing what to say, Buffy said the only thing she could. “I love you, Dawnie.”

A few moments later, Buffy walked into her bedroom. Over the summer, while Willow had been away, she had transferred into the master bedroom. She had reasoned that her friend would want to avoid the location of her lover’s death. Now that Willow had her own apartment the spare room could be converted into a nursery. A smile crept up on her mouth.

“It went well I take it?”

Buffy’s eyes fell to the bed. Spike lay here, still damp from the shower, naked from the waist up. He looked. . . edible. Buffy licked her lips.

“Yeah, it went well. She’s all right with us . . . this now,” Buffy answered.

He nodded.

Buffy headed over to the bed. She climbed ontop of Spike, straddling him. A seductive gleam showed in her gaze. She leaned down to murmur in his ear.

“Dawn’s going to sleep.”

The scent of her, the warm breath on his skin, the weight on his chest, set him afire. He smirked up at her. “Yeah?”

She stroked him. “Yeah. And I won’t be so flexible in a while. I say we take advantage of my time left.”

Spike narrowed his eyes. “You sound as if you’re dying. This isn’t an end, this is a beginning.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I . . .”

Her sentence trailed off as Spike crushed his lips to hers. When they pulled away he touched her cheek.

“Don’t act like you won’t be sexy pregnant, Buffy. You’re going to be adorable. I’ll always want to make love to you.”

She kissed his chest. “Good to know.”

He sighed in pleasure as she started to do miraculous things to his body.

*********************************

The sun bathed Buffy in its glorious intensity, making her groan. She rolled over with displeasure. Her eyes were shut tight, trying to block out the light.

An arm snaked around her, pulling her near. She snuggled even closer. The man lying beside her pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

Buffy’s eyes fluttered open. They met swimming blue pools of love. “Mmm, what a wonderful way to wake up,” she mumbled.

“Breakfast, my lady?”

“Nah,” she replied. She delighted in the sound of Spike’s heart pumping in her ears. It was the most beautiful music she had ever heard. “Sleep more.”

“It’s past ten, pet.”

She lifted her head from his chest. “Ten? How did I sleep so long?”

“Musta been tired.”

She grinned. “Musta been. Wonder what could have possibly worn me out so much.”

A smirk passed over his lips. “Slaying?”

They both laughed.

“Dawn made it to school okay?”

“Heard her get up around six. I snuck out to check on ‘er. She was fine, pet. Fixed a bowl of cereal and was ready when Harris came round.”

“Xander? Did he say anything to you?”

“Surprisingly no. He honked the car horn and didn’t even come in.”

Nodding, she said, “Oh.”

“So, you gonna come downstairs and eat, or do I gotta carry you?”

A groan escaped her. She dragged herself out of bed. Then she went to the closet and searched through her clothing. She grabbed a pair of jeans and began to put them on. She was fine until she tried to zip them up.

“Troubles, luv?” Spike questioned, amused.

She sent a death glare his way. She tugged the jeans off and went for her black slacks. These fit, but still were snug.

“We’ll have to go shopping,” Spike stated.

Buffy hated to admit it, but he was right. She was beginning to show.

Spike fixed some pancakes and they both had a nice breakfast. At three, after Passions, Spike suggested he go and fill out some applications for a job. Buffy insisted she go along. They left a note for Dawn, telling her where they had gone. While out, they also went clothes shopping and stopped at the Espresso Pump.

By the time they came back it was getting dark. They walked up to the door hand-in-hand. The couple entered, finding the house completely dark.

“Dawn?” Buffy called. Surely her sister wouldn’t be asleep at this hour.

All of a sudden the lights came on. A chorus of ‘Surprise!’ rang in the slayer’s ears. She took a step back, startled. She glanced around seeing balloons and streamers. Willow, Xander, Dawn, Anya, and Cleo came rushing at her.

“What is all this?” Buffy asked.

“A baby shower!” Dawn exclaimed.

“Yeah, Buffy, we wanted to show you that we were all ok with this,” Willow said.

Buffy smiled. She turned her head to see the happy expression mirrored on Spike’s face.

“Thanks, guys,” Buffy said.

“It was Xander’s idea,” Dawn told her.

Buffy’s eyes shot to her male friend. He took a few steps toward her, giving her a hug. “I’m sorry, Buff.”

Her vision misted. “It’s ok. You were in shock. I’m sure everybody was. Thanks for the party, Xander.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I suggested having it in a few days, but when I brought Dawn home we found you gone. It was the best opportunity.”

The slayer took in all her friends. “You all are the greatest.”

Hesitantly, Xander went over to stand before Spike. He offered his hand. The ex-vampire took it, shaking it.

“Congrats, man,” Xander said.

The men looked at each other awkwardly.

“Let’s open the presents,” Anya suggested. “That is what parties are for.”

Xander and Spike took advantage of Anya’s statement and separated.

Anya thrust a big box at Buffy. She led the slayer to the couch and made her sit down to open it. A rush of contentment came over Buffy. She was alive, in love, having a baby, and with her friends. Who could ask for more? Life was perfect. At least for the moment.

__________________________________________________________

Chapter 20

Buffy flipped through the pregnancy magazine. She stopped when she came to an article about the merits of breast feeding. It went on about how the baby was so much better off when it got the mother’s vitamins.

“This is taking too long,” Spike complained. He sat in a green chair next to hers. He shifted in the seat.

The slayer put down her reading material. Then she took Spike’s hand and entwined their fingers together.

“It will be worth the wait,” she assured him.

“Of course it will be worth the bloody wait. But meanwhile. . . “

“Buffy Summers,” the nurse called.

The couple stood up. Hand-in-hand they followed the dark-skinned woman. She led them to a sterile room with a bed and monitor. The nurse directed Buffy to lay down while she waited for the doctor.

Spike huffed. “More waiting.”

Buffy squeezed his hand and chuckled. He was so cute. She couldn’t believe how much she loved him. And it kept increasing everyday. Months ago, when she had been using him, seemed like another lifetime entirely.

It didn’t take long for the doctor to arrive. Her name was Dr. Stouffer. She was in her thirties, with short black hair. She greeted Buffy and Spike with a wide smile.

“Are you both ready for the show?” Dr. Stouffer asked.

With a twinkle in her eye, Buffy replied, “Most definitely.”

Buffy’s shirt was lifted. Her belly was only slightly rounded, not very noticeable at all. The ultrasound wasn’t necessary yet, but Buffy had wanted to see her baby. It was a miracle and she felt the need to witness it first-hand.

Cold gel was rubbed on her skin. The doctor took a probe and spread the substance over her stomach. Dr. Stouffer moved the instrument around until she found the target.

The mother-to-be watched the screen intently, looking for the slightest form of a baby. All she saw was gray designs that didn’t make any sense.

Dr. Stouffer pointed to a small blob. “There it is.”

“That’s it?” Spike asked with doubt.

“It’s still very small. But if you look closely you can make out the head.” The doctor indicated where it should be.

Buffy’s eyes stung. “Oh my God,” she murmured. “Oh my God.”

The slayer had never seen anything so beautiful. To others it probably would have been a figureless nothing, but to her it was everything.

“Would you like pictures to take home?” Dr. Stouffer questioned.

“Yes!” Buffy eagerly answered.

“At a later time we could do another ultrasound. More can be seen then. Do you want to schedule one?”

Buffy nodded.

She was given a towel to dry her stomach off. She left, holding the photos as if they were precious diamonds.

The parents were quiet on the way to the SUV. They were both submerged in their own thoughts.

Spike got behind the wheel, while Buffy settled on the passenger side. The bleach-blonde didn’t make any move to start the car.

“Are you all right, Spike?” Buffy asked, concerned.

“Can I see those pictures?” he inquired.

She gave him the pictures. He looked at them for a long time. Then he turned his face away.

“Spike?”

He slowly turned toward her. His blue eyes shined with tears.

“Oh, Spike.” Buffy cupped the side of his face.

“We made ‘er,” he choked.

Buffy smiled. She leaned forward and gave him a deep kiss.

* + * + * + *

The cloaked figure knelt before her, humbly. She stared at him with contempt.

“You failed,” she said.

“Yes, Medora,” the Eliminator replied.

“The ex-vampire lives.”

“Yes.”

Medora rose to her feet. She wore a long black dress, tightly molded to her form. She had flowing red hair that fell to her waist. She was exotically gorgeous, and lethal.

“I hired you for something gravely important. I thought I made that clear!”

“You did, my lady.”

“And still you fail!”

The Eliminator raised his head. “I drained the male as you asked. But still, he managed to survive.”

“I don’t care!” Medora shouted. “It is not acceptable.”

“They are extremely strong.”

“Yes. That is why I want them disposed of. They are strong. Especially when they are together.”

The witch stepped toward the reaper. “I’m going to have to do this on my own now.”

She put her hands on the sides of the Eliminator’s head. He struggled, but was too weak to escape. Even if he was not lacking energy from his encounter with Buffy and Spike, Medora would still have the advantage. She closed her eyes. Heat pulsated from her fingers. It spread into the Eliminator, catching him on fire. She moved away then, watching as he burnt up.

A new Eliminator would take his place. The hell dimension needed someone to do away with unwanted individuals.

Medora went back to her chair and sat down. Soulmates usually did not give her so much trouble. Yet, this Buffy and Spike wasn’t your typical couple. They were special. They were chosen to use their love against evil. And she was included in that cluster. She had to get rid of them before they got rid of her.

The only problem was that being together made them so damn powerful. They were destined to overcome everything that they encountered. If the Eliminator couldn’t do away with them . . .

Maybe killing them shouldn’t be the first step, Medora thought. Her lips rose into a sinister grin. Maybe splitting them up should be the first priority.

* + * + * + *

“Right there,” Buffy told her sister, pointing.

Dawn squinted. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Buffy insisted firmly.

Laughter came from the teen. “Sorry, Buffy, but I only see something that resembles an inkblot.”

The slayer withdrew the photograph. “Hey, that’s my baby you are making fun of!”

Dawn laughed some more. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I was just teasing. You have to admit it doesn’t look like much.”

“Well, no,” Buffy admitted. “But she is going to be cute. I can tell.”

“I’m sure she will be. All the Summers gals are.”

Just then Spike came into the room. He held a mug of steaming hot chocolate. He set his drink down on the coffee table and then went up to Buffy. He snaked his arms around her waist, sniffed her hair.

“And this is the cutest one of them all,” he remarked.

“Aw, thank you, honey. Will you still think that when I’m big and fat?” Buffy asked.

“Especially then.” He nibbled on the side of her neck.

“Ewww,” Dawn commented. “I’m leaving so you can have your make-out session alone.”

The youngest left, a secret smile on her face.

___________________________________________

Chapter 21

Buffy reached for the bag of potato chips. Barbeque flavored. Spike, however, held them away from her. She crossed her arms, pouting.

“You’ve eaten half the bag, luv,” he told her.

“So? Pregnant lady here. We eat a lot,” she whined. She tried again, ineffectively to retrieve the bag.

He sighed. “Okay, I am going to tell you the truth. I don’t want you to eat anymore because I want some.”

“Oh.” She relaxed. “All right then.”

Surprised, he lowered the bag. “You’re just going to let me have them?”

She shrugged. “Yeah.” After a moment she went on to say, “And we have mint cookie dough ice-cream in the fridge.” With that, she quickly got to her feet, rushing toward the kitchen.

Spike rose as well. He hurried after her.

“Hey, that sounds good!” Spike called.

The ex-vampire arrived to see his slayer take out the carton and open the lid. He made a dash for it, but she kept it at bay. Giggling, she dipped a finger into the frozen ice-cream. She waved it in front of him. Then she popped it into her mouth, sucking the substance off.

Spike froze. He stared at Buffy, mesmerized as she seductively ate the ice-cream. He growled, snatching for her. The carton slipped from her fingers and landed on the counter. He managed to pull her to him. He nuzzled her neck, nipping at the skin.

“I thought you were hungry for ice-cream,” Buffy said.

“You taste much better,” Spike whispered.

“Dawn’s at school.”

“I know.”

Spike pushed Buffy against the island. He began to knead her breasts through her sweatshirt. She arched toward him.

“Ahh, Spike,” Buffy moaned. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” he mumbled.

His hands traveled under her shirt. They slid over her belly, making their way upward.

Just then the doorbell rang.

“Ignore it,” Spike instructed.

They continued to grope at each other, and so did the sound of the doorbell. Their passion grew, so much so that they couldn’t stand to stop. The shrill of the bell became more insistent.

“We s-should answer it,” Buffy panted.

Spike swept his tongue into her mouth. She tasted of sweet ambrosia fallen from the heavens above. He inwardly laughed. Must be the poet inside of me coming out, he thought.

“Can’t stop,” he got out.

Their actions prevented them further with words.

Suddenly somebody burst into the room. A figure hurdled at Spike, tackling him off Buffy. Buffy struggled to get her breathing under control and clear her head. When she did, she threw the attacker away from Spike.

“Who do you think you are? Coming in here and attacking my boy-. . . “ Buffy’s eyes grew wide. “Angel?”

____________________________________________________

Chapter 22

Spike picked himself up from the linoleum. He glared at his grandsire with malice. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

Angel had his game face on, his golden eyes almost matching that of Angelus. “I could ask you the same thing, ‘Spike’.”

“Now, see here, I live here. I have every right to . . .”

The elder of the two males wrapped his hand around Spike’s throat in a strangling manner. He rammed the blonde into the kitchen counter.

“What game are you playing here, Spike!?”

With fury, Buffy took hold of Angel and flung him off Spike. The vampire staggered backwards, almost losing balance.

Buffy eyed Spike worriedly. “Are you all right?”

Spike rubbed his neck. He cast Angel a threatening look. Then he turned back to Buffy. “Fine, pet.”

The slayer shifted toward her ex. She put her hands on her hips.

“What is up with you rushing in and attacking my boyfriends?” she asked, not in the least bit happy.

“What!?” Angel roared.

Just then someone else rushed into the kitchen. Spike eyed her, vaguely recognizing her as the cheerleader Buffy used to hang around with during high school. What was her name? Cor. . . Cordelia!

Cordelia Chase’s eyes widened when she noticed Spike. She reached into the pocket of her jeans, revealing a wooden cross. She held it in front of herself.

“Back evil vampire!” she shrieked.

“Oh, balls,” Spike muttered.

Spike reached out and grabbed the cross. He took it and dropped it to the floor without any sizzling at all.

Cordy pointed at him, dumbfounded. Beside her, Angel sniffed the air. He concentrated hard.

“You aren’t a vampire,” Angel stated.

“That’s right, Einstein,” Spike replied.

“What are you?”

“He’s human,” Buffy announced.

“He can’t be.”

“He’s human enough.”

Something suddenly occurred to Angel. He spun toward Cordelia.

“Where’s Conner?”

“Relax,” Cordy told him. “I left him in the car with Wes.”

“Why are you here anyway? I told you to wait there too.”

“I wanted to know what was up. You rushed in here like a maniac.”

A frown marred Buffy’s face. “Excuse me?”

Both Cordy and Angel focused back on Buffy.

“I want to know why you are here. And I want to know ‘now’. You can’t just barge into a person’s home. Even if you know the person. It’s against the law, you know.”

“I thought you were in danger. You weren’t answering your door. It was unlocked . . .” Angel sighed. “Sorry, I was wrong.”

“Damn right you were!” Buffy shouted.

A smirk formed on Spike’s lips. Just to piss of Angel further, he put his arm around the mother of his child. Spike glanced down at Buffy, noting the baggy sweatshirt she wore. So Angel hadn’t noticed her ‘condition’ yet. Hmmm. . .

“So, why the hell are you here?”

Angel opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a baby’s cry.

“Angel!” another voice called from the living room.

“Wesley, is that you!?” Angel shouted back.

“Yes. I uh . . . Conner needs to be changed,” the ex-watcher informed.

“The diapers are in the zipper part of the bag.”

“I know.” There was a pause. “But he is your son.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow at that. “Son?”

***********************************

The five of them, along with a newborn, gathered in the living room. Buffy and Spike settled on the couch, while Cordy relaxed in the recliner. Wesley and Angel stood. Conner was in a car seat, situated by his father’s side.

Buffy’s mind was boggled. Angel had a son? Angel was a father? The notion was so strange. And yet, why should it be so astonishing? She glanced over at the black-clad male next to her. Spike had been a vampire when he gave her a little parting gift.

“So, Darla’s the mum?” Spike said. “That explains why the kid isn’t totally deformed.”

Angel fought losing control. “I understand that we don’t get along, Spike. But insulting my son is over the line. ‘Don’t do it again’.”

Spike became serious. He understood that that was a subject he could never tease his grandsire about and get away with it un-bruised.

“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” the slayer declared.

She wanted to stop thinking about Angel with another woman. She may love Spike, but she would never stop having feelings for her first boyfriend. She also wanted to get this visit over with. The sooner the LA gang left, the better. Angel and her together equaled badness. Angel and Spike together equaled badness. It was total badness all around.

“What do we have to fight?”

Wesley opened an archaic book he had brought. It had a mark, indicating a certain passage. He took a finger and skimmed to the part that was relevant.

“We did not come across a specific mention of an adversary, but it does mention ‘obstacles’,” Wesley informed.

“Uh huh. Obstacles for what? What exactly are you reading?”

“Oh, sorry,” Wesley apologized. He realized his mistake. He had been going on, before even explaining their find.

“This book contains a prophecy about ‘the children given to life by vampires’. I have concluded that Angel’s son is one of these children.”

“And what does are these children supposed to do?” Buffy asked.

“Bring light or darkness, blah blah blah,” Cordy said.

Wes gave her a dirty look.

“What? I basically said what that book does, although I didn’t use as many words.”

“The children: one boy and one girl, possess the power to transform the world. Together they will bring darkness upon the land or bathe it with white light,” Wesley said.

“Like I said.”

“This still doesn’t explain why you guys are here,” Buffy remarked.

“Yes it does, luv,” Spike stated.

She looked over curiously. “Huh?”

“Children. As in plural. The other kid is here in Sunnydale.” The bleached blonde turned toward Wes. “Am I right?”

Wesley nodded. “We tracked it down to this very town.”

“Yeah,” Cordelia said. “And we were figuring that you might be able to help us locate the other baby so we can protect it.”

Buffy took a deep breath. She lay a hand on her middle. “Uh, guys, I don’t think you’ll have to look very far.”

_______________________________________________________

Chapter 22

At first Angel didn’t comprehend what Buffy’s words meant. Then he took in where Buffy’s hand lay. He realized how she had taken on some weight. Beside her Spike smiled, beaming with pride instead of displaying his usual smirk. His head swam, finding the blow too much to handle.

Cordy was the first one to speak. “Congratulations. Really freaky and all that Spike is the father, I take it. But what do you expect on the hellmouth?” She shrugged.

Angel gave his associate a look that clearly said ’are you crazy?’.

“What?” Cordy said, now to Angel. “Don’t tell me you are going to go all broody on us. It isn’t any worse than you and that hoe Darla.”

“That was different,” Angel shot back.

“How?” she challenged. “I don’t see much of a difference. Buffy slept with an evil vampire and got pregnant. You slept with an evil vampire and got her pregnant. The only thing different here is that Spike is a human now. Which doesn‘t seem to be a problem in my eyes. I mean, Buffy doesn‘t have to worry about ever having to stake the father of her child.”

That got Angel, and he couldn’t find anything good to say.

Spike grinned, this time letting his regular arrogance show. “The cheerleader got you there, huh, peaches?”

Angel glared at Spike.

“This is quite remarkable,” Wesley commented. “A slayer with a child is a very rare occurrence. Many don’t survive long enough to conceive.”

“So, yay me,” Buffy chirped. “Do I get a prize?”

“In nine months,” Spike answered.

“It is vital that we keep this child a secret. Evil must not get their hands on it or the world is at stake,” Wesley said.

Spike took Buffy’s hand. “So, no patrolling, luv.”

A cute pout formed on the slayer’s face. She wasn’t liking the thought of being cooped up indoors. Her slayer nature made her restless at night, begging her to go kill something. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“So that’s it then?” Buffy asked.

“Excuse me?” Wesley asked.

“The prophecy? All I have to do is protect my baby from evil and we’re all good?”

“Well. . . Yes, essentially. The children will bring light unto the world as long as they aren’t corrupted by evil.”

Buffy covered her mouth and yawned. “Great. I’m going to bed. You guys got a place to stay?”

“Yes,” Angel replied. He didn’t elaborate.

A small smile formed on Cordy’s mouth. “We’re staying at the crappy motel downtown. We’ll be good for one night. It better be just one night anyway.”

Buffy quickly stood. She pulled Spike up with her.

“Goodnight then.”

The slayer and former vampire headed up the stairs without even showing the AI team out.

Cordy rolled her eyes. She gestured toward the direction where Buffy and Spike had disappeared. “Huh, how do you like that!?” she exclaimed in annoyance.

“It was rather rude,” Wes agreed.

Angel gathered Conner. He snuggly bundled him up with a blue blanket. Then he headed out the door without saying a word.

“I can’t wait to get home,” Cordeila muttered. “He gets so moody around Buffy.”

They began to exit the house, heading toward the car.

“And he isn’t moody back in LA?” Wes questioned.

“Okay, yeah.” She sighed. “But that is a ‘different’ kind of moody. That’s a ‘I’m a tortured vampire with a soul and need to make amends’ kind of moody. This is a ‘I’ve lost my one true love and will never get her back’ kind of moody. And if I had to choose between the moodies. . .”

Cordelia was cut off by Angel. “Stop right there. I can hear everything you are saying.”

“Vampire hearing. Right.” A frown came on her face. “Darnit, it is so unfair. We can’t ever talk behind your back.”

Angel just looked at her blankly.

“Hey! That’s what normal people do. They talk about their friends behind their backs.”

The brown-haired vampire gripped the stirring wheel. “Get in the car, Cordelia.”

She shut up and complied.

***************************

Buffy shed her clothes. Naked, she slipped under the covers beside Spike. She had gotten into the habit of getting into bed nude. There was no point wearing pajamas or a nightgown, as she was out of them a few moments later.

A sigh of relief escaped her. “God, I’m so glad that is over.”

Spike looked at her with surprise. “Really? You are happy he is gone?”

“Yeah, why would. . .? Oh.” She propped herself up on an elbow. “Geez, Spike. I know you think Angel is my idea of perfect or something. Maybe he was once, but not anymore. I won’t lie to you. I still love him. But when we’re around each other it is weird. It’s like I don’t even know him anymore. Don’t worry, kay. You are my guy. Soulmates, remember?”

Spike was quiet for a moment. Finally he nodded. “I remember.”

She leaned over and kissed him. She snuggled up to his body, wrapping an arm over his chest.

“Mmmm, love you.”

He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I know, luv. I know.”

“And you love me back, right?”

“Course. Always.”

She smiled. “Baby loves you too.”

He laughed. “And I love her.”

Her smile grew larger. “Our little girl. She’s going to be so cute.”

“Cause of her mum.”

“And her daddy,” Buffy insisted. She glanced up at him. “He’s quite the looker.”

He smirked. “Am I now?”

Buffy reached down and pinched his butt. “Well, he’s got a nice ass.” Her hand roamed to his front. She tugged at him playfully. “He’s also equipped with some other pleasant parts.”

“Want to see how pleasant my parts work?”

“Maybe.”

Spike swung her ontop of him.

___________________________________________________

Chapter 24

Months passed. The AI team went back to Las Angeles, completing their mission with telling Buffy about the prophecy. Buffy was extra careful. She stayed indoors most of the time. When she did venture out, she was always accompanied with someone else. She fell into stir craziness. She felt useless, weak, fat, and unattractive. As she entered her eighth month of pregnancy, she fell into depression. She made no effort at going out of the house at all. She lay around and vegged out in front of the TV.

Spike hated to see his usually vibrant slayer like this. He made an effort to tell her how much he loved her more often. He expressed how beautiful she was to him as well. The words hit Buffy with deaf ears. He never stopped, though.

“I’m going out on patrol,” Spike declared. He swung his leather duster onto his back. Then he grabbed a stake.

Buffy didn’t bother to look up from her television program. Some cooking show, Spike noted. She was practically salivating over the chocolate cake.

“We have cake, right, Spike?” she asked.

“Yeah, think so. Pet, did you hear me? I’m going patrolling. Dawn is upstairs if you need anything.”

She nodded, not saying anything.

Spike sighed with exasperation. “Be back in a few.”

**********************************

Dawn came down to find her sister staring at the television. The weird thing was that it was off, only displaying a blank screen.

The teen entered the living room and stepped over to Buffy’s side. “Um, Buffy, what has your attention?”

Buffy didn’t reply. In fact she didn’t even look over.

“Buffy?” Dawn moved a hand in front of the slayer’s face. She didn’t even blink.

“Oh God!” Dawn exclaimed. She thought hard, trying to decide what to do. “I’m gonna get help. Maybe Xander.”

She rushed out of the room and went into the kitchen. She grabbed the phone with fumbling fingers. She furiously punched in Xander’s number. Before Dawn could reach the last number the receiver was thrust out of her grasp. She was violently thrown against the wall.

A cry escaped Dawn’s throat. She turned to see Buffy in front of her.

“Buffy? What is wrong with you?”

Her sister hit her. Why? She couldn’t even begin to comprehend what was going on.

The last thing Dawn saw before she was knocked out was Buffy’s eyes. They were blank. There was no life in them at all.

**************************

Buffy had thought she was trapped before in her house. She had no idea what trapped was until she was locked away in her mind. Her thoughts didn’t control her body anymore.

She watched in horror as she attacked her own sister. Then she walked out into the night. She went on and on. People gave her weird looks as she passed them. A couple even asked if she was all right. One direct gaze in her trance-like stare and they backed away.

Buffy silently screamed. What is happening to me!?

*************************

Spike came back after a long patrol. He had dusted five vamps and two demons. It helped a little with his worries. He felt better. . . . A little.

With his first step going up the driveway, he knew something was wrong. The Summers’ door was wide open. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he ran inside. There was nothing to be found in the living or dining rooms.

He entered the kitchen to find a crumpled Dawn. He hurried to her side. Kneeling, he reached to check her pulse. He halted before he did, not needing to. He could hear her heartbeat. Loud and strong.

Spike gently shook her. “Dawn? Nibblet?”

She let out a moan, stirring slightly.

“That’s it, bit. Come back to us,” he urged her on.

Gradually Dawn rose to consciousness. “Spike?” Her voice was groggy.

“What happened? Where’s Buffy?”

Dawn’s eyes suddenly focused. She jolted upward, fully awake. “Something is wrong with her. She was in a daze. And then she hit me.”

“She hit you?” he inquired incredulously.

“Yeah. And let me tell you, even pregnant she’s mega strong.”

Spike helped Dawn to her feet.

“We have to find her,” he announced.

She nodded in agreement.

They searched everywhere. They told Willow, Xander, Anya, and Cleo, who helped comb the town. There was no sign of Buffy.

The group finally relented in exhaustion. Except Spike. He kept looking for hours afterward. Eventually even he had to stop for a break.

Spike fell on the bed, not bothering to change clothing. He breathed in the scent of Buffy until he fell into slumber.

**********************************

The ex-vampire was in a meadow. Birds chirped from above. The sky was bright, blue, and sunny. Flowers surrounded him in all directions.

“What the sodding hell is this?” he muttered.

“A dream.”

He hadn’t been expecting an answer. He spun around to come face-to-face with a young woman. She wore a white dress. Her golden hair blew in the wind, flowing in her azure eyes.

“And who might you be, luv?”

She smiled. “Elena.”

The name meant light. Fitting. This girl seemed to illuminate with her own radiance.

Spike scanned his surroundings. “Not my type of dream.”

“I know,” Elena stated. “Yours are more dark. Sometimes scary. You still hold guilt, don‘t you?”

“Your point?”

She laughed. “No point.”

“Look, I think I should wake up now.”

“No. Not until I’ve told you what you have to know.”

“And what’s that then?”

“I know where Buffy is,” Elena told him.

He perked up at that. “Where is she?” he growled.

“She’s with Medora in another realm.”

“Another. . . Another dimension?”

“Yes. She put a spell over Buffy. She took over Buffy’s body and took her to where she is.”

“And where’s that?”

“It is a dimension she created herself. It has no name.”

“Bloody fabulous. Whose this Medora bint anyway? What does she want with my slayer?”

“She sent the Eliminator to separate you both before. Her whole reason for being is to tear apart soulmate bonds. You were special, though. She thought you were the chosen couple.”

Spike rose an eyebrow at that.

“But she was wrong,” Elena continued.

“So we’re your average couple after all?”

Elena chuckled. “Oh no! Not at all! You are chosen to do something, but not for what she thought you were for. You are chosen to give birth to one of the Children of Light.”

“I’m getting a sense of déjà vu. This wouldn’t happen to be the prophecy about Angel’s kid and mine, would it?”

She nodded. “Exactly. Conner is the other chosen Child of Light. They will someday join to bring light upon the land. As long as evil doesn’t steal them, that is.”

Spike held up a hand. “Hold on a sec. Joined? They aren’t soulmates! Bloody well tell me that my daughter isn’t soulmates with Peaches’s kid!”

A smirk formed on Elena’s mouth.

“Oh no,” Spike muttered.

“Oh yes. And Medora thought Buffy and you were the Children of Light. She obviously didn’t get the full info. I mean, she didn’t know until recently that the couple would be made by vampires.”

Spike felt the air leave him. He couldn’t breath. And now she knew. She wasn’t after Buffy or him anymore. She was after their daughter.

“You can wake up now,” Elena said.

Spike blinked.

“Wake up,” she repeated.

********************************

Spike jarred awake. He jumped out of bed, prepared for action. He needed to find Buffy before it was too late. He had to save his girls.

Chapter 25

Buffy awoke to find that she couldn’t move. It wasn’t that she didn’t have control of her body like before. She could blink when she chose to. The rest of her, however, was a dead weight.

“So, your awake then? Good.”

Buffy tried to open her mouth to speak, but found that she couldn’t. Great. The only thing working seemed to be her eyes.

“I bet you are wondering what is going on, don’t you, precious?”

The speaker was deadly beautiful. She had long fiery hair. A black dress molded to her form, displaying gorgeous curves.

“My name is Medora,” the woman said. “I’m not a demon. I’m a witch. I’m more powerful that anything you’ve encountered. Even your little magic friend. I’ve moved past the mortal form. The body is only capable of holding so much power. I’m pure energy now. You only see me this way because I chose for you to.”

Buffy closed her eyes. She wished she could tune out the words. If she had functioning vocal chords she could have come up with a good pun. Something about how evil beings could never just get to the point.

Medora loomed over Buffy. She stroked Buffy’s cheek. Buffy wished she could spit in the witch’s face.

“Such a pretty thing. No wonder your man loves you so much. I bet you want to go back to him, don’t you? Love.” Medora laughed. The sound was like chalk on a chalkboard. “It is funny how close love and hate are. I don’t think you know how close.”

How very wrong you are, Buffy thought. I know perfectly.

“Even soulmates can hate. Two halves. Two opposites to form a whole. Hate and love are opposites. Yet they are so interchanging. They can change from one to the next in a flash.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. She was proud that she could manage that at least. Would this Medora ever shut up? If she was going to kill her she wished she would get on with it already.

“I had a soulmate once,” Medora confided. “I was human then. We loved each other very much. But then he died. He died and left me.”

Boo hoo for you, Buffy thought.

“He killed himself. Suicide.” Medora said this with rage. “He hung himself and left me all alone!”

“That was when I knew that the soulmate principal was bullshit.”

Buffy begged to whatever deity there was that she could go deaf. Was this a new form of torture?

“I shed my shell and let the magic consume me. I devoted my existence to ending soulmates all together.” There was a pause. “And then I heard of them. The Children of Light. I thought you and your handsome devil were it. I was wrong.”

Buffy could feel a hand press against her swollen belly. The baby kicked against it almost as if in anger.

Medora’s face grew close. She whispered into Buffy’s ear.

“Your little girl is special, slayer. Did you know that?” She laughed. “Of course you did. She’s going to bring light, Buffy. Light and love. Banish the hate and darkness.”

Medora straightened. She grinned evilly. “Unless we change that.”

Oh no! Buffy’s mind cried. Not my baby. What was she going to do with her baby?

***********************************

The whole Scooby gang was gathered at The Magic Box. They scoured through book after book. Willow typed furiously on her labtop. They searched for hours and hours, not giving up.

“I found something!” Cleo shouted.

Spike quickly got up out of his seat. He rushed to the witch’s side. He grabbed the book she had in front of her and began to read aloud.

“Medora: the heart snatcher. A witch who transcended mortal form into one of a spiritual body. She dwells in a lair, in a dimension of her own creation. She seeks out soulmates relationships to destroy. Popular rumor has it that Medora is out for revenge. She was once in love with her own mate, who left her when committing suicide.”

Spike looked up from the book. He slammed the volume onto the table, making everybody jump. “And that is so bloody helpful!”

“I have an idea,” Cleo announced.

“What’s that?”

“I can do a spell. You have a connection with Buffy, right?”

“Yeah. We can sometimes feel what the other is feeling. If we concentrate hard enough.”

“I think I could use that to transport you to where she is.”

Hope formed in Spike. “Let’s get started then.”

“Wait a sec,” Xander interrupted. “How are you going to defeat this uber-witch when you find her?”

“Don’t give toss,” Spike said. “Buffy and I’ll figure it out. We always do.”

“Up until now.”

***************************************

Medora had left the room. Buffy was so thankful for the peace and quiet. She spent the time trying to contact Spike with her mind. She knew it was hopeless but she had to try anyway.

Suddenly Buffy could hear footsteps approaching. Then chanting filled the air. A purple glow hovered over her. Buffy grew dizzy, which was ridiculous considering that she had remained in one place for she didn’t know how long.

The chanting stopped.

“I’m going to release you now,” Medora informed. “But let me assure you, escaping is out of the question. And attacking would be even a dumber thing.”

Buffy could finally move. She got off the table she had been lying on. She rushed at Medora with great speed. Well, as fast as her massively weighted down abdomen would allow. Her fist hit nothing. It went straight through Medora.

The witch giggled. “I told you, slayer. I don’t process a solid form. You can’t hurt me. So don’t even try. As for escaping, it is useless. You aren’t in your world. The only way to get out of here is magic. And you don’t have any of that.”

Pain suddenly engulfed her stomach. Her hands gripped her middle.

“Oh, and there’s that,” Medora said. She pointed to Buffy’s stomach.

Fire in Buffy’s green eyes, she glared. “What did you do to me!?”

“Why, you’re in labor, Buffy.”

Buffy cried out. She almost fell as another wave of agony hit her. She held onto the table in attempt to stay upright.

“This isn’t normal,” Buffy told Medora. “The contractions shouldn’t be so harsh yet.”

“Magic, slayer. I brought you into active labor. You’ll be delivering your bundle of joy in no time.”

Buffy sunk to the floor. She gritted her teeth.

“And then she’ll be mine. Mine to bring up. Mine to leash darkness over the land. After I get my clutches on that little Conner.”

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God!

Buffy let out a scream.

_____________________________________________

Chapter 26

The contractions were one upon the next now. Buffy could hardly think. She squatted in a corner. Medora was watching the whole thing, but the slayer had no time to care. She was too busy dealing with the pain.

“I think it is just about time to push,” the witch declared.

“Bite me!” Buffy growled.

“Hmmm.”

Things were a blur then. A sudden rush came over Buffy. She began to push. She tried to do the Lamaze breathing she learned, but she soon gave up. She let instinct take over. She could sense the baby coming. It wouldn’t be long now.

And then Spike was there. And things cleared for a moment.

“Buffy? Pet?”

“Sp-Spike?”

“It’s me, luv. Cleo helped me get here. She used the soulmate link.”

He brushed her sweaty hair off her face. Their eyes met then and Buffy drowned. She was drowning in Spike.

“The soulmate link shouldn’t be able to surpass your own dimension!” Medora stated. “I couldn’t feel my Wyatt after he left me!”

Spike snapped his head to the side. “Well, ours is stronger!”

Buffy grunted as she pushed some more.

“Ahhh!”

Spike took her hand. “Buffy? You can’t be having the baby now. It isn’t time. You have another week to go.”

“She. . . Used . . . M-magic,” Buffy managed to get out.

Spike stood up. He faced Medora and growled. “If you’ve harmed my daughter in any. . . “

“Relax, mortal,” Medora said. She sounded as if she thought she were a god. “I would not harm your child. I want your child. She will be a tool. A tool for darkness.”

“Over my dead body!”

Medora grinned. “That would be fun. But I know something even more fun. I think I’ll use you as well. Wouldn’t you like to play daddy for your own baby.”

Blackness swirled around Spike and Buffy. It wanted to engulf them.

“We can be together, you and I. Mated. Not soulmates, mind you, but mated just the same. We can raise your little girl together. Aren’t there times when you wish you could go back to the night? Wasn’t it more fun being a vampire?”

Spike could feel the power tugging at him. He suddenly knew what was going on. The magic wanted to tear at him. Tear him away from Buffy. It was hate.

Flashes of himself draining Buffy dry filled his head. He saw himself tasting the blood of the slayer. Bagging his third conquest. Fantasies, he realized. Fantasies when he was a vampire without a soul. Without a chip.

Spike heard Buffy yell. It snapped him out of the visions. He knelt by her side and took her hand. He squeezed hard.

The power fought against their grasp. It was hard to hang on.

“Hang on, baby,” Spike told Buffy. “Just hang on.”

Buffy met his gaze. “I’ll never let go.” She smiled a little. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He bent down and kissed Buffy on the lips.

Everything ended at that moment. And everything began.

Buffy let out one tremendous howl as she pushed. A tiny body slithered out of her, making its way into the world. Their world. Not Medora’s.

Somehow they had ended up home.

Things happened fast. Spike cut the umbilical chord. A baby’s cry surrounded them. Spike passed Buffy a squirming, sweet little girl. Mother and daughter stared into each other’s eyes. Green hit blue.

And Buffy knew. She could see it in her daughter’s face.

“Hello, Elena,” Buffy whispered.

********************************

A little while later, the new family met up with their friends. Buffy and baby Elena went to the hospital. Both were in excellent condition.

A full day later Giles arrived.

“Giles!” Buffy exclaimed.

She gave her watcher a big hug. They clung to each other longer than necessary.

“This is such a surprise! Did you come to see Eleana?”

“That, yes. Yes, of course. But also because of this.” He held up a dusty, old book.

“What’s that?”

“Answers. I discovered the prophecy you told me about. The one Wesley found. This one is more descriptive, however. It tells about the Child of Light’s parents.”

Buffy smiled. “I’m in there?”

“Yes. Spike as well. It talks about Angel and Darla too. Someday Angel will become human? Did you know that Buffy?”

She shook her head. Joy spread over her. “No, I didn’t.”

The middle-aged man opened the book. He scanned the words. “It talks about your conquest over Medora. About how the pair will give birth to love, and triumph over hate. It says that you were able to defeat the magic because love is far greater than hate.”

“She was wrong,” Buffy said with a laugh.

Giles lifed his head. “Wrong?”

Buffy fell into a laughing fit. “Medora seemed to be wrong about everything. She thought Spike and I were the Children of Light. She thought soulmate links couldn’t reach different dimensions. And, she thought hate and love were on the same par with each other. She was just wrong about almost everything.”

Giles closed his book. He met her eyes with warmth.

She smiled. “Want to see your granddaughter?”

That left Giles speechless. He followed the mother in silence.

She led him into the living room. Spike sat on the couch, holding Elena. The baby was bundled in a cozy pink blanket. She was sleeping peacefully.

Spike shifted his attention over to Buffy and Giles.

“Rupert? Are you wanting to hold her?”

Giles received the baby and looked down at her with awe. “Dear lord.” He had never seen anything so beautiful.

“She’s remarkable,” Giles announced.

The baby awoke. She gaped up at Giles with clear blue orbs. And he was bathed in love. He knew then what this creature was. What Buffy and Spike had created.

Pure love.

___________________________________________

The End.