It wasn't every day an expectant mother actually chose to give birth at home above a hospital. But if the father of your baby happened to be a benevolent vampire who couldn't be out in the daylight, which was exactly when it appeared the child would be born, it was more or less necessary.
Such was the case with Buffy Summers, an incredibly stubborn girl in her early twenties. Against the wishes or advice of her boyfriend or many friends, she had insisted on doing it this way. So, at the moment, she lay on an air mattress in the cellar of her own home, her head cradled against Angel's stomach.
Buffy took a few labored breaths, feeling exhausted and weary and bathed in a pool of sweat. She could hardly believe she'd been planning this moment for weeks, making all the needed preparations to ensure that her baby would be delivered under the best conditions. There had been only one thing she hadn't factored into it: the contractions were killing her. "God, I can't take much more of this," she moaned, wincing slightly.
Angel reached down, brushing the damp locks of blonde hair from her face. "You're doing fine," he said softly. "Don't quit on us now, sweetie."
Despite the discomfort she was in, Buffy managed a small smile. "Just make it be over soon," she said between clenched teeth, riding out another wave of pain.
Angel laughed softly, surprised that something as simple as this could make her so irritable. With all she'd had to endure in terms of injuries from her nightly vampire slaying routine, all the personal losses she'd suffered from the very creatures she fought, it was quite startling to see that childbirth of all things was taking its toll. He had thought her strong enough to weather anything.
Buffy had gone into labor towards the middle of the night, the pains starting off slow and simple, and she had thought it would be a piece of cake. But when they had started building momentum, soon coming fast and furious, her attitude had taken an abrupt turn. At one point, she had even been begging to be knocked out until it was finished.
Their only companion was Jenny Calender-Giles, an older friend of Buffy's and the only one she felt qualified enough for this. Anyone else, a doctor or someone, would have asked too many questions that Buffy and Angel weren't prepared to answer.
Of all things, Jenny was a computer science teacher, as well as a technopagan. She was a good person though, and both Buffy and Angel trusted her. She had been amazed and honored when Buffy had approached her not too long ago with the request that Jenny help deliver her baby. Having acted as a midwife previously for a friend, she felt she could handle it barring any complications.
Jenny looked up at her two friends, her hands resting on Buffy's knees. She instructed Angel to help the tired young girl sit up straight, then said, "Buffy, I'm going to need you to push... Okay?"
Buffy nodded with a groan, eyes clenched shut and even more sweat beading on her pale forehead. After a few moments, she fell back, releasing the breath she'd been holding. "How am I doing?" she asked weakly, for maybe the tenth time.
Jenny glanced up with a smile. "We're almost there. I can see the baby's head now. Just a few more big pushes from you, and it'll be over," she encouraged, moving her hands into position.
Angel, meanwhile, stroked Buffy's forehead, wishing he could lend her some of his strength, for she looked completely worn out as it was. Instead, he did the only thing he knew to do, leaning forward to whisper in her ear. "I love you," he said softly.
Buffy turned her head to look at him, green eyes bright with unshed tears. "I love you," she whispered back, those mere three words, coming from him, a big comfort to her. Just knowing he was by her side for this was invigorating in itself, and it made her believe she could do it.
Buffy leaned forward slightly, and Angel put his hands to her shoulders to support her better, watching as her small body tensed up once more. He listened to her take several panting breaths, fearing needlessly that she wouldn't have enough energy to see this through. But, she continued to surprise him in that respect.
It was over in a matter of minutes, and Buffy collapsed against his chest, eyes closed while she took time to rest herself. Angel wrapped his arms around her, looking on anxiously as Jenny cleaned the newborn and wrapped it in a blanket.
Buffy worked her eyes open with some effort when she heard her baby crying, her heart leaping with infinite joy. Seeing this, Jenny beamed. "It's a girl," she announced, handing the infant to its mother.
Buffy began crying joyful tears now, smiling widely as she cradled her daughter in her arms, angling her so Angel could see more clearly. Their baby girl was absolutely perfect, she thought as she gazed down at the tiny bawling face. From her thin patch of black hair and eyes that contained specks of green to her cherub-like features, she was, in a word, beautiful.
Buffy and Angel both took a few long moments to marvel over the newborn, then she looked up at Jenny. "Thank you," Buffy said. "I'm so glad to have a friend like you..."
Jenny shrugged. "Hey, it's no problem. Knowing you two, I suspect this won't be the only time I'm called upon for this," she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some other friends of yours to notify, and some paramedics to call... Like we talked about." With that, Jenny stood, heading for the staircase.
Buffy reached for Angel's hand, clasping it tightly in hers. After a minute, she looked up at him, regretting that their time together was limited. But she knew they had agreed that going to the hospital was necessary and that he would join her there as soon as he could.
For now, she just cherished every moment they had, truly a family. "I can't believe we still haven't decided what to call her," Buffy commented. "Any suggestions, Angel?"
Angel paused, gently caressing their daughter's forehead with one hand. Then, he looked back at his girlfriend. "How does Ivory strike you?"
Buffy blinked her eyes in astonishment. "Ivory, huh?" she said, sampling this new exotic name. "Where'd you come up with that one?"
He gave her one of his enigmatic smiles, shrugging his shoulders. "Someone I once knew... I think it suits her," he said simply.
Buffy shook her head, laughing softly, then looked back at their baby. But she had already agreed to Angel's suggestion. "Welcome to our world, Ivory Summers," she said with a grin. "You're going to love it here..."