Part 7

"How cute!" Cordelia exclaimed at the little outfit Buffy held up for inspection by the crowd of women that were crammed together around the couch.

Buffy had come home after class to find the apartment decorated in blue and pink streamers and full of friends and family and baby shower gifts. Cordelia and Tara had decorated when they had gotten out of class, while Willow and Anya bought food and wrapped gifts. Her mother had come too. The shower was women only by tradition, but there were gifts from the men in her life as well.

So far there had been several cute outfits from old friends of her mother, a purple teddy bear from Xander, a teething guitar made of red rubber from Oz, several children's books from Giles, a crib from her father, and a car seat from Wesley -of all people. The Slayer smiled at that, remembering that she'd have to get a second one. She still hadn't told anyone other than her mother about the twins. There had also been two beautiful receiving blankets, one in blue, and one in pink, since no one had been told the gender of the baby. They were made of thick cotton, and edged in satin. Willow and Tara had chipped in and bought a changing table, while Anya had bought a cute stuffed walrus. Strange, but cute, and definitely better than some presents Buffy could have thought of. Her mother's present was somewhere in the mail, according to the people who were shipping it, so it would come later.

Buffy was in enthroned in an overstuffed chair, and perfectly happy to be the center of attention. She put the little green pajamas with singing frogs on them down and reached for another gaily wrapped present. She grinned. "This is almost better than Christmas!"

"But it's not for *you.* It's for the baby." Willow grinned. "That one's special."

Quickly the blonde removed the sparkly silver paper. Inside the wrapping was what looked like a large white and silver bound book. Buffy opened it. Inside were pages of clean lined paper interchanged with clear pages that would hold photographs. Every page was decorated in small, beautiful illustrations of baby animals, real and fantasy. The front page had a blank space and written in Calligraphy below it "child of Buffy Summers." The space was obviously meant to be filled with the name and date of birth. Buffy felt tears coming to her eyes. She looked up. "It's beautiful. Who's is this?"

Cordelia looked around the room before answering. "It's from Angel. He made it himself."

"Angel knows?" Buffy's head turned sharply.

The brunette nodded a little uncomfortably. "Yeah, it kind of slipped one day over the phone. I hope you don't mind."

Buffy looked down at the gift in her hands, and ran one tenderly over the cover. "Tell him....thank you."

As Cordelia nodded, Joyce Summers decided it was time to change the subject. "Anyone up for cake? We do have a table full of treats."

Quickly the women converged on the counter that was covered in snacks. The best dessert was undoubtedly the cake that was covered in icing and decorated with an icing drawing of baby kittens and the words Congratulations Buffy. As they happily munched away at cake, veggies and dip, and other hors d'oeuvres, the conversation quickly turned to something much lighter than a certain vampire.

"Carmine!"

"No!" Willow moaned. "Carmine's the name of my second cousin, and she's a real witch....well, not really. You know what I mean!"

Everybody chuckled.

"What about Tyler?" Tara suggested.

"That's not bad," Cordelia agreed. "What do you think, Buffy?"

The Slayer laughed. "I think there's still a few months before I really have to worry about a name."

"So you'll actually get something done early for once instead of at the last minute," Cordelia grinned.

Buffy stuck her tongue out at her. "And I'll probably end up changing my mind again anyway!" She leaned back in the chair and took another fork-full of cake. Miss Kitty batted at her shoe lace. Buffy leaned awkwardly to the side to see the kitten without her stomach in the way. "You want some?" she asked the cat, who meowed loudly and stood up against her leg.

The blonde put her fork down in reach of the kitten who took a small nibble of icing. A small dab of icing was left on her nose, and everyone laughed as she tried to lick it off, crossing her eyes in the process. Finally she batted it with her nose and licked it off her paw with all the dignity she could muster. Then she stalked over to the window and jumped up on the sill to watch the world go by. They let her go.

"We still haven't found a good boy's name," Cordelia reminded the group, bringing the conversation back to topic.

"Or a girl's name," Willow reminded her. "Not unless Buffy *likes* Carmine, Mildred, and Hulga."

"Ick," Buffy grimaced. "I will *not* give a girl a name that'll get her laughed at, or has stupid things that rhyme with it." She looked pointedly at her mother.

"There's nothing wrong with the name Buffy," Joyce replied in good natured defense.

"Except that it rhymes with muffy, scruffy, huffy, toughy, puffy and fluffy!"

"I didn't write the English language."

"But you *did* pick my name!"

"Seems you *are* a bit huffy sometimes."

Buffy glared at her mother for a moment, then began to laugh. The shaking woke her daughter, who kicked, startled by the sudden movement. Her son was right behind. The laughter subsided to chuckles interspersed with groans. "Kicking," she explained to her roommates, who were all staring at her. "They woke up."

Everyone continued to stare. "What?"

"They?" Willow said.

"Oh!" Buffy smiled, finally understanding. "I guess the secret's out."

"It's more than one?" Anya looked perplexed.

The Slayer nodded. "Twins. A boy *and* a girl."

Tara looked thoughtful for a moment. "That means you only carry for seven and a half months doesn't it?"

"Thank the Powers that Be," Buffy grinned, rubbing one hand across her stomach. "A month and a half less of this. I don't think I could last nine months!"

"I don't think your stomach could stretch that far!" Willow giggled. "Though twins does explain why you've been famished all the time."

"And the fact that I don't fit into maternity clothes for most people my size," Buffy sighed. "And why I walk like a goose, *and*--"

"And we get the message," Cordelia cut her off. "You've already got all the sympathy you're going to get."

"Oh rats," the petite blonde smiled. "Then can I at least have another slice of cake?"

Angel set down his pencil and glanced at the clock. 2:45 in the afternoon. Not that he could tell down in his apartment without windows. He hadn't slept in three days. Sighing he took a drink of water and looked at the pile of sketches scattered across the floor and couch. His bout of insomnia had also been the source of his inspiration. There had to be at least fifteen drawings there; some in color and others in black and white. They all had the same theme.

The sullen vampire looked down at the one he had just finished. It was a tender black and white rendering of Buffy asleep, curled naked in the sheets of his bed, her long hair flowing out in all directions. There was another of just her face; also black and white, except for the intense green eyes in the center that seemed to be looking right into his heart. One by his feet was a color sketch of *just* those eyes.

There were others of things he had never seen, but could so vividly see in his mind when he thought of Buffy that the drawings had almost forced his hand to draw them. The compulsion was too strong for him to resist it. One was a full color of Buffy, naked, her body expanded and softened with the curves of pregnancy, resting on a bed of wild flowers native only to the fields he had played in as a child. Surrounded by the greenery she looked like an Irish goddess. There were three or four other drawings on the same thing, with Buffy in various stages of undress and pregnancy. The second pile of drawings concerned the child inside her. He had half a dozen sketches of Buffy and a baby. Sometimes it was a girl, and sometimes a boy. In all cases both were clearly peaceful and happy. The most compelling one was a color piece in which there were two infants, both feeding at their mother's breasts as she rocked in a rocking chair.

Angel sighed and lay back on the couch, carefully avoiding his pencils, and stared up at the ceiling. He had tried in vain for weeks to get Buffy out of his head. For some reason now he couldn't do it. He wasn't sure if it had been the news of her pregnancy, or her lack of significant other that drove him mad with dreams of going back to her, raising a family, making love.

Or perhaps he just had to admit that he was lonely. It had been a month since Wesley had left, and now except for the occasional job where Gunn was needed, or the random drop in from David Nabbitt, he was almost entirely alone. And that left him plenty of time to brood. He often toyed with the idea of going to Sunnydale to visit them before dismissing it as a bad idea. Intruding on Buffy's territory had proved to be a bad thing the last year. Besides, they hadn't expressed an interest in being visited. Oh, Cordelia still called at least once every week or two, and Wesley had even called once to *chat* as he called it. But it wasn't the same. The vampire hadn't realized how much he had come to depend on having friends around.

*At least Buffy has friends. She'll need them desperately now. More so than I do.* She would need them for support, friendship, in fighting these demons Cordelia had said were giving them all a little bit of trouble. Cordelia told him a lot of things. When she had mentioned the baby shower he had put his creative outpour into his gift for Buffy. But he didn't dare call to ask the brunette if the Slayer had liked it. The thought of her rejecting it made his heart grow cold, and Angel was sure he couldn't take the disappointment. He wasn't strong enough to anymore.

He could make excuses for not going, like a random demon problem or a book he was really into, but they were all lies, and he knew it. Angel was afraid. Of what he wasn't exactly sure. Rejection? Pain? He'd felt both before. And it had been *him* who left Buffy in the first place. He should have been happy that she had gone on with her life. Instead, all he felt was an insane jealousy. A jealousy of every man she'd ever dated, of her friends who could spend time with her every day and protect her, and even of Buffy herself, for being able to go on and *have* that life. It was a life he had desperately wanted for himself a couple of years ago. For him and her. Together.

Shaking his head, Angel stood slowly and went into the kitchen. The fridge was almost empty save one small bad of blood. *Need to get more,* he thought absently as he reached past it for the bottle of beer behind it.

"Trick or treat!"

Buffy smiled at the tiger and ghost in front of her. "Well we don't have any tricks, so I guess you'll have to settle for treats," she dropped mini snickers and sweet tarts into each outstretched bag. "Now remember to ask your parents before you eat them," she reminded them, getting a smile of approval from the tired looking father behind them.

"Thank you!" the two chorused as they waved goodbye.

The apartment complex was one of several that allowed children to trick-or-treat inside, giving them a safe environment and plenty of places for younger kids to go without going too far from home.

Buffy closed the door behind her and returned to the television, where Arachnophobia was playing on the television. Absently she pulled a snickers out of the Halloween candy basket and took a large bite. She felt she deserved a little junk food after months of eating healthy. Besides, it wasn't like any weight gained from a chocolate bar would be noticeable. And in her large orange sweater with the jack-o-lantern face on the front she *looked* like a pumpkin. She was so tired of being pregnant! She certainly hadn't planned on putting on thirty pounds when she'd entered the frat house that night.

The doorbell rang again and, with a sigh, Buffy began to pull herself up from the couch. A laborious chore at best. She was only half way up, however, when the door opened and her friends entered. They had gone out to a costume party. Buffy had been invited, but had declined the offer as gracefully as possible. What would she have *done* anyway? Certainly not dancing! "How did it go?" she asked.

"Fantastic!" Cordelia grinned, sweeping dramatically into the room in her Athena costume. She did make a breath taking goddess. Wesley trailed behind her dressed as Apollo, Sun god. It was rather amusing.

"The music was great!" Willow gushed as she entered, followed by Tara. "And we won best literary costumes," she grinned. The two girls had decided to go as the Bronte sisters. A strange choice, Buffy thought, but the costumes looked pretty good. "The dancing was even better," Xander swept in, throwing his black cape out behind him and smiling behind his mask. Quickly he draw his rapier and swished a letter in the air that looked like it was supposed to be a Z...or an X. "And with my lovely lady Esperanza at my side I saved the day."

"Not quite Zorro," Anya replied dryly as she trailed in behind him in a Spanish looking dress. "You haven't gotten to the good part yet."

"Later tonight my little Spanish rose," Xander grinned, gallantly bowing before her.

"Did you get a lot of trick-or-treaters?" Tara asked as they all joined Buffy around the television, still in costume.

Buffy nodded. "Two tigers, a demon, seven ghosts, three witches, a warlock, a bunny, two robin hoods, one Britney Spears, four Spice Girls, one Gonzo, and five black cats."

"Sounds like a good night," Cordelia smiled, reaching for the candy dish. "How much did you give them?" She exclaimed. "It's almost empty."

The Slayer blushed slightly. "Is it? We were a little hungry."

"Eating for three huh?" Willow teased.

"Been there," Cordelia laughed. "At least yours are human."

The others chuckled. Cordelia had told them the whole story. And upon Wesley's return they had gotten *his* version of events as well. Which proved to be very interesting.

"Doesn't make me feel any better," Buffy replied tiredly. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. It was becoming annoyingly difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in. The last couple of nights she had taken to sleeping in the chair by the couch.

Everyone was silent through the last few minutes of the movie. Cordelia even screamed as the big daddy spider lunged at the main character. As the credits began to scroll up the screen Xander and Wesley made their farewells and left. Astoundingly enough the two men were splitting an apartment only a few minutes away. Xander had finally gotten a better paying job working for the local Video store, and been able to move out of his parents' basement. Anya changed and followed them out soon after, saying she'd be back in the morning after classes.

Tara fed Miss Kitty and Amy before vanishing into the shower, and Cordelia went into her room to finish her English Composition paper, leaving Willow and Buffy alone in the living room.

"So you had fun," Buffy commented.

"Yeah," Willow smiled. "You should have come. They had music, and munchies, and a cool costume competition."

"Peachy."

"Buffy, are you okay."

The Slayer smiled. "I'm fine, Will. Just really tired, and uncomfortable, and *huge,* and...well, you get the picture." She sighed. "I'll just be happy when this part is all over. I sound depressing don't I?"

"Only mildly," Willow assured her. "But I've kind of gotten used to cranky-pregnant-Buffy. It'll be nice to have happy-Slayer-Buffy back though."

"You make me sound like a series of Barbie dolls," Buffy replied.

"Except that Barbie's never had kids," her best friend replied. "Only siblings. And she doesn't even have *parents!* And they're all sisters. Poor Ken is completely out numbered."

The tired blonde had to chuckle at the image of Ken surrounded by all those mostly-teenage, going-through-puberty, anorexic women. It was kind of funny. "Thanks, Will. I needed that."

"So you're happy...-er at least?"

"Yeah," Buffy smiled. "I think I'm gonna try and get some sleep in my own room tonight. I think Miss Kitty would like the chair back."

"Probably," Willow replied as Buffy stood and stretched, carefully so as to keep her balance. "G'night."

"Night," the Slayer yawned as she retreated to her bedroom for the night. She could hear the shower turn off as she got ready for bed, and then turn on again as Cordelia invaded the bathroom. She knew is was the brunette because of her insistence on singing in the shower. Fortunately she was a much better singer than an actress.

Carefully pulling her pajamas over her head, Buffy snuggled up against the huge pile of pillows she used as a back rest while she slept, gently picking up Angel's gift to place it out of the way. She paused once again, as she had for the past two nights and several times during the day, to look at the beautiful work he had done. She could hardly believe that he had put so much thought and time into a gift for someone who had treated him so badly. A tear came to her eye, and she wiped it away absently with one hand. *I should thank him.* But she knew it would likely never happen. Oh, she would do so if they ever ran into each other again, but she certainly couldn't call him. He probably wouldn't even want her to.

Trying to put the image of Angel out of her mind, Buffy snuggled deeper under the covers. The days were still warm, but the nights were actually cool, and sometimes could actually be called chilly. The though of Angel's warm body pressed against hers rose unbidden in her mind, and she couldn't shove away as determined as she was. His strong warmth. The sense of safety and stability she got from his presence in those few peaceful moments they had shared.

A slight bump on her tummy caused the tired mother-to-be to look down. It always amused her how she could actually *see* the little lumps and bumps caused by kicking feet and waving hands inside her. It was proof that she was actually carrying little lives instead of just having horrible indigestion and extreme weight gain and waist expansion. It made the aching back, swollen ankles, tender breasts, and sleepless nights worth it in some odd, twisted way that she still hadn't figured out.

*My babies.* The words sent a pleasant thrill through her. *I love you.*

Buffy slipped into the bathroom right after class as she had become used to doing. She was used to the pressure on her bladder from her pregnant belly, and the ache in her back, but she did not expect to see blood. *Oh damn!* Quickly she finished her business and moved with as much speed as she could safely handle, hurried to the outdoor tables where Willow and Cordelia were waiting for her. Willow waved at her, then noticed the look on her face. "What is it?" she asked as Buffy approached. "Bleeding," she replied, a little short of breath. "Not time yet." Willow looked a little confused, but Cordelia caught on immediately. "My car is close. I can drive you to the hospital. I'm sure it's nothing too serious." Her expression was full of concern as she tried to speak lightly. Buffy just nodded and followed her friend to the car, Willow walking beside her with a slightly scared look on her face that the Slayer hadn't seen since Willow had first started fighting demons and vampires. She managed a small smile for her friend's sake. "I'm okay, Will."

"Are you sure," the red-head asked. "I mean....could it be?" Buffy shook her head. "I don't *think* so. There's no pain. No contractions." *Please don't let it be a miscarriage,* she prayed to whatever powers were listening. "Oh. Okay," Willow nodded. They reached Cordelia's car and she drove quickly -without speeding, but barely- to the hospital. Fortunately Buffy's OB-GYN didn't have an appointment and was able to see her immediately. Something almost unheard of in Sunnydale.

"So what is it?" Buffy asked nervously.

Doctor Santner finished her examination. "You can sit up now," she told her. When Buffy was back in a sitting position she continued.

"There's nothing wrong," Dorothy told her patient.

The blonde blinked. "Than what's with the bleeding? I've never had it before."

The doctor smiled. "It's called spotting. It happens sometimes. Usually around the time a woman would normally have her period if she weren't pregnant, though it can happen anytime. So it's perfectly normal. You may have it again or you may not, but don't worry."

"Great," Buffy sighed in relief. "Anything else?"

Doctor Santner shook her head. "Not really, though while you're here we might as well finish up with the rest of your usual exam since you were supposed to be in tomorrow anyway."

"Okay," Buffy agreed, and went through the usual somewhat embarrassing rigors of being weighed and measured, her *favorite* pass-time nowadays. "So how am I doing?"

"Just fine," her OB-GYN smiled. "Congratulations, you've officially put on thirty-five pounds in six months."

Buffy felt her face flush pink.

The doctor laughed. "Don't worry. I was more worried about you being underweight than a little over. I don't think you want to know the inches on your waistline."

"You're right, I don't," the Slayer nodded emphatically. "You can tell me *after* I give birth."

"Deal," the older woman laughed. "Don't forget to bring in your birth plan when you come in next week. We can go over it and I can answer any questions you still have."

"All right, thanks." Buffy left the office feeling much better than when she'd arrived.

Cordelia and Willow were waiting nervously in the outer lobby. "Well?!" they both asked in unison.

Buffy grinned. "I'm fine, fat, and healthy." She explained about spotting.

"This is just so much more complicated than I thought," Willow sighed. "So what took so long?"

"We got tomorrow's exam out of the way today," the pregnant Slayer shrugged. "Can we go home? I'm starving."

Part 8

Buffy handed Joyce the last dinner plate to be dried and turned off the sink. Looking around the kitchen she sighed at the amount of work left to be done. There was still plenty of leftovers to be put away in the fridge, and the table cloth and cloth napkins had to go in the washing machine. The floor needed to be swept, and the oven needed a good scrubbing. Fortunately for her the oven would not be her responsibility.

"That was a great Thanksgiving dinner, Mom," she smiled, taking the saranwrap out of a drawer. "Everyone really liked it."

"Well you all helped cook it," her mother smiled. "I was glad to do it. I don't get to see you or your friends much anymore." Joyce had invited everyone over for a huge Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone had insisted on helping as well as enjoying the meal. She had shoed everyone else out afterward however, wanting to spend some time with her seven-months-pregnant-with-twins daughter. It wouldn't be very long until her grandchildren would enter the world. They were due in the next two weeks.

"I'm really sorry about that, Mom," Buffy sighed. "Everything's just been so crazy this semester."

"I understand," Mrs. Summers smiled. "That's why I have a great idea. You don't have anything planned for tomorrow. You said so yourself. I have to go down to LA to look at some paintings the Los Angeles Museum is loaning us, and I thought we could have lunch, maybe do a little shopping if I get done early."

"LA?" Buffy blanched slightly. "I don't know, Mom, I–"

"There's no way you can weasel out of this, young lady," her mother smiled, but her tone was firm. "I want to spend some time with my daughter and that's exactly what I intend to do."

The Slayer winced. "You're not going to let me out of this are you?"

"Not a chance."

The tired blonde sighed. "All right. I'm sure we'll end up having a great time. I'll just have to let the girls know I'll be gone all day."

"Wonderful," her mother smiled as she helped wrap the leftover turkey. "Take some of this back with you. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning around seven. They want me there by nine."

Still feeling somewhat remiss about the entire foray, Buffy just nodded and smiled as sincerely as she could. She certainly didn't want to get up at six in the morning! And that was what she'd have to do to be ready in time. "I'll take some extra back. I'm sure Xander and Wesley will think of us as goddesses for the next year if they don't have to eat their own cooking for a few days."

Joyce laughed, remembering the trouble the two had had trying to chop vegetables. "I'm sure they'll be appreciative. Do you want a ride home?"

"No, that's okay," Buffy shook her head. "Cordelia said she'd be back in a couple of hours to get me."

"Oh good," Joyce smiled. "I would have had a fit if you'd planned to walk home."

"Like I'm capable of walking home," Buffy sighed, rubbing one hand over her stomach as her son began to kick very hard against her very full stomach. "Ooh."

"Kicking?"

"And I think I ate too much," the younger women smiled with chagrin. "He's kicking my stomach."

"Well I don't think there's much you can do about that," Joyce chuckled. "Now let's get this finished before Cordelia arrives."

*So much for "just a few more minutes,"* Buffy sighed as she watched her mother talking animatedly with two curators as they carefully wrapped a very large painting in protective material for shipping. They had been at it for hours, and there were still a few more paintings to get finished before they could leave.

They had arrived early, had lunch, and came straight to the museum. After several hours Buffy had grown bored with wandering the exhibits and listening to her mother talk. She also couldn't walk or stand for hours at a time. So now she was sitting in the middle of the Most Influential Artists of the Renaissance exhibit.

And she was starving! She just couldn't take it anymore. "Mom?"

"Yes, dear?" Joyce asked, turning around.

"I saw a deli down the street when we were driving in. I'm going to go get something to eat. Can I bring you something back?" she asked.

"Sure. I'll have a ham and provolone on wheat." Then she was back to work.

Slipping out the empty museum doors, Buffy stepped into the slightly cool LA autumn air. It felt wonderful to be alone for a little while. The evening was peaceful and quiet, with only a few people out on the street in the artsy part of town. Breathing deeply and enjoying the brisk walk, Buffy stepped around the corner–

–and was nearly run over by a demon that darted past. Spinning around as fast as she could, she saw it dart around a corner. She took a step to go after it but didn't make it any further as another demon crashed into her from the same direction the first demon had come from, sending her crashing heavily to the ground. *At least it's only my tail that's bruised.* Pulling a stake out of her handbag, the Slayer looked up–

– and just stared in surprise.

Standing above her, panting heavily, Angel stared back. He was stunned all at once by the feel of her presence, the piercing green of her eyes, and the swell of her pregnant belly. He could smell her, see her, sense her, almost taste her from where he stood. "Oh, God. I'm so sorry."

She was suddenly painfully aware of his presence, his scent, his looks, his....mustache? Still dazed, she took his hand as he helped her to her feet. Smiling sheepishly, she put the stake back in her bag. "It's not you?"

"What?" he blinked in confusion.

Buffy grinned. "The mustache. It's....icky. It's not you."

"Oh," Angel put a hand to his face. He had almost forgotten he'd grown the thing in the past couple of months. "Well I'm sorry if you disapprove."

"Aren't you going to catch him?" Buffy motioned awkwardly in the direction the demon had gone.

Angel shrugged. "I can catch him anytime. I know where he lives. Are you all right?"

"I'm fi-ine!" she grabbed her stomach. Immediately Angel was there, holding her up. She looked up into his big dark eyes. They were so deep, and full of concern, and– she tore her gaze away. "Babies upset," she said by way of explanation.

Angel nodded, though what he heard was *baby's upset.* "What are you doing here?" he asked. And in your condition? His eyes asked.

"I'm here with Mom," she replied. "She wanted to spend some time with me before I go and be a mom myself in a couple of weeks, but she's wrapped up in her work." Her stomach growled loudly. "I was on my way to the deli to get some dinner."

"Then let me escort you there," Angel's eyes were pleading, though Buffy was sure he didn't know it.

She smiled. "I'd love to have the tour from a native." Her tone was light and teasing, trying to cover over the awkward tension that had suddenly filled the air.With all the strength she had, she made herself take his arm.

Without a word they finished the two block walk to the deli. Angel followed her in and took a seat at a two person table in the corner by the front window while Buffy ordered food. She came over and joined him a few minutes later.

For a while they sat, not speaking, until Buffy was almost through eating her sandwich. "I know this sounds terribly, but I'm still starving," she sighed. "I know I don't look like I'm starving or anything, but I–"

Angel silenced her with a simple touch of his hand to hers. "Buffy.....you've never been more beautiful." The Vampire sat, waiting for a response. Would she run out? Would she get mad? If he had been alive he would have been holding his breath.

Buffy looked into his eyes, searching for a reason for his sudden emotions. Her own eyes were damp and watery. All she found was his soul, laid open before her. "I....thank you," she whispered, suddenly uneasy again. Once more she averted her eyes.

Angel sighed. "I'm sorry, I–"

"Don't be," Buffy cut him off. "It's just....after this past year...Riley and I broke up," she said suddenly. " I mean....I broke up with *him.*" God, why did she have to feel so nervous?

"I know." Angel didn't look in the least surprised. "Cordy mentioned it when she told me about the baby."

"Ummm...babies," Buffy smiled shyly. "Plural."

Angel was floored. Slowly a grin spread across his face. "You're carrying twins?"

The Slayer smiled dryly and patted her stomach. "Don't tell me thought all *this* was one baby?"

"Well, it could have been cookie dough fudge mint chip." His tone was teasing.

Buffy froze. "How did you know that was my favorite?" she asked suspiciously.

*Damn!* "Just a guess," he covered quickly. "So you're due?"

"Two weeks," Buffy sighed, finishing her sandwich. "If I can survive that long."

Angel squeezed her hand. "I'm sure you're doing just fine."

"Yeah, and I have more friends being helpful than I can stand. They won't leave me alone!" She sighed. "I never get time to myself anymore." As Angel's smile faded, the Slayer cursed her tongue. "I'm sorry. That was careless of me. How are you, Angel?"

The Vampire looked at the beautiful woman in front of him. How could he tell her about the emptiness in his heart? Or how lonely he was? Or about the liquor he occasionally put in his blood? She was looking at him expectantly. Gathering his strength, Angel opened his mouth. "I've got something I have to tell you, since we're being all honest and truthful."

Buffy wisely decided not to say anything, but simply waited.

*She's learning*, Angel couldn't help but smile slightly.* She's not going to try and change the subject.* "Wesley found a prophesy. It says that after lots of evils are over... I become human."

*Human?!* Buffy's heart skipped a beat. How long had he known about this? "Why the hell didn't you tell me?" she snapped.

Angel's expression was one of shame. "I... thought you were happy. You told me you were happy."

"Oh," the petite blonde was stunned, then angry with herself. "I should have apologized a long time ago," she said at last. "That was cruel of me... and... and a lie. One I was telling myself." After her initial embarrassment, Buffy found that if felt good to have admitted her mistake. She met his eyes again, and this time without looking away. "I wish you'd told me."

"And I'm sorry I didn't call."

"I'm still mad at you ya know," Buffy smiled. "I want to know the details of this prophesy. And I am *definitely* going to have to have a talk with Wesley and Cordelia about this."

Angel couldn't help but chuckle a little. He was still amazed at how well they were getting along considering how things had been between them the last year. Perhaps things could be better now. How badly was he really needed in LA? What was he *thinking?* "I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige."

"You miss them don't you."

Her perception cut straight to the center of his being. Buffy could always tell what he was really feeling... even when he didn't let her know she was right. Angel looked deeper into her eyes, searching for what she wanted him to say, what she expected, and what *he* wanted to say. He found the latter. "Buffy." He paused, finding it so hard to say the next words. "I was wrong... about us. I don't know if we can ever be what we wanted, but... I want to come back with you, at least until you're back to slaying."

"Angel...I don't know..."

"Please," he begged, startled that he didn't feel embarrassed by being forced to beg. "From what Cordelia tells me about this Vei-rogk, you all need me right now. And I couldn't live if anything happened to you."

"You're already dead." The statement was cold, but something in her expression told him to keep going.

"Yeah well, some things about me haven't changed lately," he managed a small smile. "Buffy, please let me take care of you."

It wasn't a question, or a command, but a request. It struck the Slayer that *asking* for her permission was something Riley had never done. He had just taken over, assuming that his role as father meant being *husband* as well. Something she had known immediately in her heart to be wrong. Angel was asking; not to start their relationship again, or for marriage, or even a permanent place in her life....but just to take care of her while -she had to admit it- she needed help. And she wanted his help. She wanted *him.* And if he was supposed to be human again someday.... "Yes."

The Slayer's silent deliberations had taken so long that Angel had pretty much convinced himself that he'd messed up when he heard her speak. "Do you mean that?"

Buffy smiled. "I do. I need someone right now. Not just a friend, or someone who can sympathize with my pain, but someone who understands me. But it's a probationary period," she stipulated. "If you start getting demanding, or domineering and controlling, or trying to tell me what's best for me again, then out the door you go."

Angel nodded. "I understand, and I think I've learned better than that by now."

"I hope so." Buffy squeezed his hand, which still held hers.

The handsome man across from her smiled back, then winced as her grip tightened. "Buffy, what--"

"Someone's saying hello," she smiled through the discomfort of her daughter's kicking. She had learned over the past few months that her son usually punched, and was facing towards her stomach, while her daughter liked to kick outwards. "Come here," she pulled his hand the rest of the way over the table without giving him a choice in the issue.

Before Angel could say a word, his hand was on Buffy's stomach. His first thought was wonder at the tightness of the skin as it stretched around the roundness that was the Slayer's womb. The second was the wish that he could rub his hands over that expanse forever, discovering its nuances and the sensuality the contact would bring. His thoughts didn't get any further, however, as the surface of her belly bounced under his hand with a visible lump. Leaving his hand there, he was quickly rewarded with another kick. Looking up at Buffy, he found her smiling warmly in a way that was very.... motherly. She had been changed by her pregnancy, he could tell that, in some way he did not understand yet, but it made her shine with the radiance of a goddess. "Amazing," he smiled, referring to both her and the lives she carried.

Buffy blushed, obviously pleased, and placed her hand on his.

Just then the clock above the sandwich bar began to chime.

"Shoot!" Buffy moaned. "It's nine o'clock! Mom was probably expecting me back half an hour ago!"

"It's all right," Angel smiled as the Buffy *he* knew re-emerged from the serene perfection that had held him entranced seconds before. Standing, he came around the table and offered his hand.

Beaming back, Buffy accepted it and got to her feet. Picking up her mother's sandwich, she looked up into Angel's eyes. "Well, I guess I should be getting back."

"May I walk you to the museum?" Angel asked. Being bathed in the light of her presence was like being immersed in good Irish Whiskey; intoxicating and far too addictive. He had to spend as much time with her as possible.

Buffy nodded and took his arm. "I'd like that."

The walk back to the art museum was uneventful, and far too short to both the vampire and the Slayer. The night seemed sweeter; the air warmer. At the doors, Buffy turned to face him, unsure of exactly what to say, or how to say it.

Angel smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. Straightening up again, he turned and faded into the night.

When she could no longer sense him in the immediate vicinity, Buffy turned and went inside. She found her mother still talking to the other curators. Joyce glanced down at her watch as Buffy handed her the sandwich. "My goodness it's late. I'm sorry, Buffy. I got a bit wrapped up in this. I hope you weren't too bored."

Buffy shook her head, barely managing to keep a straight face. "No, Mom. Not bored at all."

Angel awoke the next morning happy for the first time in months. For a moment he couldn't remember why he should feel almost giddy. But then the memories of the night before flooded into his mind, and he was almost certain he hadn't dreamed it. Climbing out of bed he pulled a suitcase out from under his bed and began tossing clothes into it. He was packed almost before sunrise.

Deciding it would probably be wise to eat and shower before he appeared on Buffy's doorstep. For that matter, where *was* Buffy's doorstep? He knew Cordelia had moved in with the girls, but not the actual address. It was then that he noticed the blinking light on his answering machine. He crossed the room and hit the play button.

"Hi Angel, it's me. I wanted to thank you for what you said last night, and for coming. And... I thought you might think it was all a dream. So I called. I guess you're still asleep. Well, I thought you might like some information, like where I live. The address is U.C. Sunnydale Apartments, Apartment twenty, on Tulane Avenue." Her voice was like music, even slightly nervous as she sounded. "Ummm.... let me think. Oh, you don't have to worry about a place to stay. Xander and Wesley said you can crash at their place. Giles also offered his couch if you'd prefer. Where ever you stay, we've stocked up on blood over here, so don't worry, we won't let you starve. Oh... gotta get to class. See you this afternoon. Thanks again... and *please* shave the mustache off! Cordelia said if you show up even looking like something out of a bad fashion nightmare she'll stake you herself. Bye!" Click.

Angel couldn't help but smile. He hadn't been dreaming, and he was being welcomed back. It was more like a dream come true. Even if it was probably only temporary. Whistling he headed for the bathroom. The hot water coursing over his body made him feel clean and fresh, just like the world seemed to him that morning. Shaving carefully -so he wouldn't show up with cuts on his face like a high school freshman on his first date- Angel dressed in the only pair of blue jeans he owned, and a deep green shirt. Wishing he could see himself in a mirror, the vampire went into the small kitchen and warmed some blood for breakfast.

The vampire sat down at his new kitchen table–

--and it hit him. One year. It was exactly one year since the day that never happened. One year since he and Buffy had made love in his old kitchen, on his bed, and all over his former apartment. One year since he had erased the memories of that day to spare the love of his rather *long* life the pain of remembering.

Angel would have been lying if he had told himself that he didn't regret undoing the miracle that had given them such happiness, and if he tried to tell himself that he didn't still harbor some small hope that he and Buffy would someday be together. There were times it had been all he could do to keep himself from picking up the phone and calling her, spilling out the entire story, and begging her to allow him to come back.

Maybe it could still happen. Or maybe she just wanted to be friends. If that was all she wanted, then he would just have to be strong and accept it. His heart would ache, but he would understand.

At least he had another chance.

Hi Journal,

Yeah, I know I haven't written in a while, but school's been hectic and Buffy's due in the next couple of days. Angel arrived two weeks ago, and things have been... interesting would be putting it mildly. Things are more chaotic than the last time one of my spells went wrong. Well, maybe not that bad.

Anyway, it was so cute! Angel's arrival I mean. He showed up at the door Saturday evening of Thanksgiving weekend with a dozen pink and white roses for Buffy and the makings of a fantastic dinner. He cooked for *all* of us, and wouldn't even let us in to help. Cordelia had said he was a pretty good cook, but this was amazing! He's cooked every night since.

It's so cute everything he does for Buffy. Every night he has a scented bath ready to soak away her tension, and dinner waiting. He helps her get comfortable every night, and has breakfast ready in the morning. He's even been doing her laundry! And he puts up with her whining, which there's a lot of now. Her back's been hurting a lot lately.

He helps the rest of us too, with the dishes, some of *our* laundry, and all sorts of other little things like feeding Amy and Miss Kitty, and doing research when we need someone else to help. He's even taken over some of the patrolling.

I don't know what they think is going on, but Buffy and Angel sure look like they're moving towards being together again. They've both been so happy the past week and a half. Hardly fighting at all. And it's just *so* cute how he takes care of her, and reads to the baby every night before Buffy goes to sleep.

Oh, he hasn't left since he got here. Even though he was going to stay with Xander and Wes he always ends up falling asleep on the couch. If it were any other guy I'd think he just liked sharing an apartment with five college girls.

Angel's very different now too. His aura aches of sadness, and loneliness. It's obvious he's endured much since he left, and especially since Wesley and Cordelia came back to Sunnydale. But he's so happy now. I've never seen him smile this much. Or Buffy so happy since she first started dating.... umm..... the Fishboy. I don't want to curse things by saying his name...you know, like saying the name of the evil Scottish play.

Anyway, we're secretly running a bet as to whether Angel and Buffy will get back together after the baby is born. So far all the girls say yes, and all the boys say no. So it's four to three. I think the majority should be right. Of course, Buffy's mom doesn't know he's back yet. So who knows how she'll take it if they do. But oooooh I hope they do! Especially cause Tara and I have been working on a spell that might make them both very happy. Of course, I don't want to say anything yet until we're sure it'll work.

More later, Journal!

Willow R.

9

*The sons of Henry the second were...Oh, I know this. The Robin Hood guys, ummm....Richard and...John!* Buffy scribbled the answer down before it could slip out of her mind and slumped back against the uncomfortable lecture hall seating. *Finished at last.* A sigh of relief escaped her lips, and she stood carefully to take her test up to the front. *Oww...damned cram–* she stopped mid thought. Six hours. Definitely *not* cramps. Moving as quickly as she could, Buffy picked up her bag, turned in the test, and headed outside.

The sun was almost completely down when she got outside. *Gotta love evening exams,* she thought sarcasm evident. Stopping by the street, she looked around for her ride.

"Right here," came a voice from behind her.

Buffy turned, and smiled as Angel stepped out of the dusk. "Angel, you brought the car right?"

"Of course," he replied, pointing at the black classic sitting across the parking lot. "I told you I would."

"Good, cause I've been having what I *thought* were cramps..." she trailed off.

A look of concern crossed the Vampire's face. "And they're not?" he asked, just to make sure.

"Not for six hours," Buffy smiled nervously. "And not getting closer together."

Angel smiled as they began walking toward the car. "Get in. I'll call Willow on the way and have her bring your bag."

"Thanks," Buffy eased into the passenger seat as Angel walked around to the other side. "You look a little tired."

"Well someone's been running me ragged," he grinned, starting the motor. "I just woke up an hour ago to make dinner."

"Better tell Willow to put it in the fridge then," the Slayer leaned her head over against his shoulder. She didn't know what she would have done without him for the past couple of weeks. They weren't dating, but they weren't keeping an entirely professional difference. Buffy had never been just *good friends* with Angel. It felt kind of nice. It was like being lovers without the arguing and the pain.

"I guess there isn't really a point in asking about your exam now, is there?"

Buffy chuckled. "Not really. Maybe *after* I give birth."

"Okay, Mrs. Summers. See you there," Willow sighed as she hung up the phone. Angel had called to tell her that Buffy was in labor. That in turn meant that she'd had to put dinner away, call Buffy's mom, and Giles, and everybody else who was home, to tell them the news, and now *finally* she could take Buffy's bag to the hospital.

Looking around the empty apartment she wondered if there was anything else she had to do. She'd left a note for Tara and the others telling them where she had gone and what was happening. Miss Kitty and Amy were fed. "That's it then," she said aloud, grabbing Buffy's birthing bag by its large shoulder strap. It was heavy; stuffed with clothing, duplicates of all the necessary paperwork in case something was lost in the hospital filing system, the receiving blankets Cordelia had given Buffy, and some basic snacks since it would most likely be several *hours* before anything really began to happen. It had taken Willow an hour just to get everything ready. *Well then, it's a long walk to the bus stop.*

The redhead opened the door-

- and nearly ran into someone on the other side. She looked up, stunned. "Riley!"

"Willow, where's Buffy?"

"Why are you here? I'm kind of in a hurry," Willow babbled.

Riley frowned. "Did she tell you not to let me in? Figures. I saw them, Willow."

"Them?" She drew a blank.

"Buffy...and Angel. They're back together again aren't they? She left me to go back to *him,* didn't she?" His voice was angry and accusing.

Willow sighed and shook her head, having doubts about what she was about to say next. "She's not here, Riley. So quit with the childish tirade. Buffy's at the hospital. She's in labor. Angel took her there straight from her exam. So you can shut up and go away, or come with me." She tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?"

Riley blinked. "Sorry, she's...now?"

"Yes now!" Willow yelled. "So get out of my way or I'll turn you into a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach!"

The blond TA jumped backwards. "Okay! Look, my car's outside. Let me drive. It's faster than the bus."

The witch took a deep breath. "Fine. Now let's go," she pushed past him, feeling a little sorry for him, and still annoyed that he'd picked *now* of all times to show up and talk to Buffy, instead of several months ago. *It's going to be a long night.*

Angel winced as Buffy's hand dug into his. The half-moon ditches in his skin deepened further. Just when he thought he might have to scream, the pain eased. He smiled encouragingly at her. "Sometimes I wish you were a *little* less super-strong."

Buffy looked up at him, panting heavily. She looked down at his hand. "Oh, sorry!"

"No, it's fine," he smiled. "I can handle it."

"How sweet," the tired mother-to-be laughed slightly. "Being all manly. Can't I push yet?" she snarled at the doctor who was looking at the fetal monitor.

"Not yet," Doctor Santner nodded calmly. "Though you're well into the second stage of labor." She had not questioned Angel's presence yet, but the vampire knew that wouldn't last forever. "It shouldn't be too much longer." An male nurse rushed in and spoke to the her quietly. As soon as he was gone she turned to Buffy again. "I'll be back soon. We have a few people in your position tonight. The woman down the hall needs me first."

"Okay," Buffy nodded. "Go ahead. We won't leave without saying goodbye."

"I didn't think you would," Dorothy said dryly. "Back in a few minutes."

When she was gone, Buffy turned to him again. "Thank you. I know the past couple of weeks haven't been easy for you."

Angel was a little startled, but he'd begun to get used to this new, understanding, emotion Buffy. She was a far cry from the pod-Buffy he had met briefly the year before. He caressed her hand. "It's been hard," he said honestly. "But you couldn't have *paid* me to be anywhere else."

"Even when they're someone else's?" she asked, and Angel could see plainly how vulnerable she was feeling.

"They're part of *you,* Buffy," he reached out and gently brushed a damp blonde curl from her face. "And you're my girl." Angel knew what he was chancing by saying that, but he had to know how she felt.

Buffy blinked away what looked suspiciously to Angel like tears. Chewing on her lip in that cute way she had, she opened her mouth to speak as the next contraction hit. Whatever she had been about to say vanished as her concentration was stolen from him. Angel just smiled supportively as her nails dug back into his hand.

"Buffy!"

The hairs on the back of Angel's neck stood at the voice, and he had to fight to keep his fangs from showing. The stunned expression on her face told Angel that it was the *last* person Buffy had expected to show up. Still it was all he could do not to swing at the blond TA that ran through the door to Buffy's hospital room.

"Riley, what are you doing here?" Buffy exclaimed as the contraction ended.

The man didn't answer immediately. He was staring at Angel with an expression that left him cold. "What's *he* doing here?" Riley asked at last.

"Doing what you should have been," Angel growled quietly.

"Watch it," Riley snapped. "It wasn't exactly my fault I was *told* to stay away."

"Not the way I hear it," the vampire glowered. "You obviously didn't try very hard to stay."

"Neither did y–"

"Would both of you shut up?!" Buffy barked, cutting Riley off. "I am *so* tired of dealing with rivalry. Angel, Riley has the right to be here because they're *his* kids, and Riley," she turned that smouldering gaze from one man to the other. "Angel has been better to me in the past two *weeks* than you were the first few *months* of this whole thing. So *both* of you can stuff it! I'm the one who's about to push two *cantaloupes* through an opening smaller than your brains! I *could* have you both castrated you know! I'll do it myself if you like."

"Easy," Angel squeezed her hand. "No need to get insulting."

Much to Angel's satisfaction Riley looked extremely disgruntled at the way Buffy immediately quieted down.

"Sorry," the Slayer said for the hundredth time that night.

"It's okay," he smiled. "I'm here for you." He glanced up at Riley, then said the hardest thing he ever had in his life. "We're here for you. But I still don't like him."

Just then Angel heard quick steps on the floors outside, and Willow bounded into the room. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not much, Will. Just sweat, tears, and testosterone poisoning," Buffy quipped. "What *took* you so long? It's one in the morning!"

Willow set down Buffy's hospital bag by the bed and stood at the end since Riley had quickly occupied the seat opposite Angel. "Well, after I called everybody on the planet Riley showed up at the door, and insisted on coming with me cause I had to tell him why you two ran off and you weren't home, and then we ran into these demons, and there were...well...a lot of them. And a Vei-rogk. So I had to cast the spell while Riley fought it and–"

"I got the picture," Buffy nodded, closing her eyes and wincing. "Owww! Okay *that* was interesting."

"What?" Riley nearly jumped out of his skin like a scared rabbit. "Are you okay? I could get–"

"Fine," Buffy gasped. "I'm *fine.* It was just....different."

Angel glanced up at the monitors, then closed his eyes and felt for their old link. A surge of happiness went through him when he found it, dormant, but still pulsing in a beat that matched both their hearts. He gently felt it for information. It didn't take long to find what he was looking for. As he opened his eyes he met Buffy's. She was smiling. Returning her grin, Angel looked up at the redheaded witch hovering at the end of the bed. "Willow, I need you to go down two rooms and find Doctor Santner, or any nurse who knows where she is and tell her that Buffy's reaching the third stage of labor."

The witch nodded. "You got it," she smiled encouragingly before rushing out.

Angel glanced over at the now panicking father-to-be and sighed silently. It was going to be a *long* night.

It was most decidedly the strangest sight Willow had ever seen; like a tableau of some piece of modern artwork; the dark and the light fighting over the goddess.

"Damn it! I swear I'm going to kill you for this, Riley Finn!"

Or perhaps it was a comedy. Two men fighting over the same woman in the middle of the labor scene in the hospital, when the woman wasn't dating *either* of them. Definitely a comedy.

The redhead had been allowed to remain in the room, watching supportively from her spot leaning against the wall. There had been no other choice of positioning since Angel had Buffy's right hand, and Riley her left. Willow was fascinated by the energies in the room. Pulsing from Angel was a pulsing dark purple mix between absolute concern and love for the woman whose hand he held, with a tinge of bitterness that she could only define as something stolen from him. Willow filed that thought away for later.

Riley was a distinct yellow shard of near panic for Buffy and his children, and a spike of jealousy aimed in the direction of the vampire holding the other hand. The two men were almost a perfect contrast.

Buffy was a completely different story, though very easy to read. The energies around her screamed *pain.* Though from the outside it was actually not as obvious. She was bitchy, but that wasn't unusual for Buffy. She was dripping with sweat, and her stomach was visibly rippling with each contraction, but she wasn't crying or yelling or complaining about the pain she was in. The room was pulsing with life-giving energy, made stronger -so Willow could only surmise- by her Slayer powers.

Then the colors changed, shifting in a swirl of color, and a high pitched scream filled the air.

"Girl!" Doctor Santner grinned triumphantly, holding the baby up above Buffy's body so that those at the head of the bed could see.

Willow privately thought that the tiny girl looked a bit like a red-and-white-slime demon. Wisely she kept the thought to herself while the doctor cut the umbilical cord, and male nurse -she now knew his name was Andy- took the tiny girl to get her cleaned up. Then attention focused on Buffy once more. This wasn't over.

"Stop staring people!" Buffy sighed. "I just did this *once.* Give me a minute here!"

"You don't have a minute," Dorothy replied. "Here he comes." Almost as if listening to the doctor's voice, Buffy's second child made his appearance, just as slimy and wrinkled as his sister. And, if possible, crying even louder. But it wasn't a good loud. The energies around him warned Willow immediately that something was wrong. Doctor Santner had obviously reached the same conclusion as she took him into the other room to be cleaned, weighed, and checked out.

Meanwhile, Buffy had collapsed back on the bed, no longer tense with straining muscles, but loose, letting her body deal with the afterbirth of its own accord. She was *done.*

Riley was grinning like an idiot. "You were amazing, honey," he beamed proudly, forgetting for the moment that Buffy hadn't been talking to him for several months. "I'm so proud of you."

But Buffy was hardly hearing a word he said. From her expression, Willow had a feeling her friend's Slayer senses had picked up on the fact that something wasn't quite right with her son.

"It's okay," Angel said. That was all, but it was enough. Buffy burst into tears, tearing one hand from Riley's to cover her face.

The blond TA was *not* pleased. Her other hand was still in Angel's, and she hadn't even tried to pull it away.

Willow wasn't sure whether to feel sorry for Riley or cheer. She did neither. Instead, she stepped over to the bed to help comfort her friend. Slipping past a staring Riley, she perched on Buffy's left on the bed and put an arm over her shaking shoulders. "Buffy, things'll be fine. He'll be okay."

Angel began to rub the Slayer's back with one hand. "Let's wait til they come back before jumping to any conclusions." It was then Willow knew that Angel had sensed the problem too. She was learning all sorts of interesting things today.

While they waited, Willow helped Angel and Andy get Buffy cleaned up and change the sheets on the bed. Andy took the sheets down to laundry.

Several minutes later Doctor Santner returned, carrying both infants in her arms. Buffy wiped away her tears and smiled as she took her babies, and held them for the first time.

The tiny girl looked up at her mother, dark brown eyes awkwardly coming into focus. The damp down on top of her head was so dark that it was almost black. Of course, it might change as she grew. Her mouth opened, and a tiny cooing sound came out.

Buffy's face lit up. "Hi," she ran a finger over her daughter's tiny cheek. "Nice to finally meet you in person. And you," she gently kissed her son's head.

The little boy blinked his blue eyes. His hair was a thin layer of blond, like his father's. He didn't respond to her the way his sister had.

Buffy frowned, and looked up at the doctor. "Why doesn't he respond?"

Doctor Santner sighed. "I don't know. After they're fed I need to take them down for their blood work and all the other required tests. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Buffy nodded, worrying her lip with her teeth. "Thank you." Gently slipping one hand up around her son, she unbuttoned her pajamas, shoving them back enough to expose her left breast. She moved her daughter toward it, not completely sure what she was doing, but figuring the tiny baby would know what to do. Buffy winced slightly as her daughter latched on to her mother's sensitive nipple and began nursing hungrily. "That's my girl," she smiled.

She tried the same thing with her son, holding him up to her right breast. He didn't latch on as quickly, but eventually he began suckling as well, if slower than his sister. Buffy gently kissed his head as he nursed. "What a good boy you are," she spoke quietly.

"Amazing," Angel smiled.

Willow moved out of the way as Riley pushed forward to reclaim his place by his children. "You were wonderful," he smiled. "And so were you," he beamed at his children. "But we can't just keep calling them *you.*"

Buffy smiled a little. "I know. I already picked names."

"And I'm sure they're wonderful," Riley smiled. "Riley Junior?" he asked hopefully.

"Nope," Buffy shook her head. "Liam Thomas."

Willow couldn't help but notice the way Angel jumped, as if stung. She liked the name. Liam meant `determined guardian,' and Thomas `a twin.' A very appropriate name, and interestingly Irish. Which might explain Angel's jump. The name did remind her of Angel. A guardian. Determined. *A Guardian Angel.*

Riley looked a little surprised, but smiled. "I like it. And my girl?"

"Amber Maeve," Buffy smiled, and Angel's eyes lit up.

Willow couldn't help but smile too. Amber Maeve: fierce joy. Something her friend deserved to feel now.

Riley smiled, completely oblivious to the meaning of his children's names. "Beautiful." "Perfect."

Buffy smiled at Angel, which only made Riley glare at the vampire again while he knew Buffy wasn't looking.

Amber pulled away from her mother's breast and began to cry.

"Oh, it's all right," Buffy smiled, picking her daughter up and trying to burp her. "Ummm..."

"Here," Angel smiled, taking the baby and putting her against his shoulder like an expert. "I remember watching my mother do this."

"Good memory," Buffy laughed. She looked down. Liam was asleep at her breast. "Poor baby."

"I'll take them now," Doctor Santner said, gently reaching down and taking Liam. Angel handed her a no-longer crying Amber. "We'll be back soon," she promised, exiting the room.

When they were gone again Buffy buttoned up the front of her pajamas again and slumped against the pillows that held her up, obviously exhausted, emotionally as well as physically. She looked up at Angel and Riley. "Can I be alone for a while?"

"But Buffy–"

"Of course," Angel cut Riley off. "We'll let you get some rest." He stood, gave her one last smile, and left the room with Riley trailing like a punished dog.

Willow turned to follow them.

"Wait, Will."

She turned around and stepped back to the bedside. "Of course, Buffy." She took a seat in the chair Angel had vacated. She didn't know what Buffy wanted to talk about, so she waited.

"What am I going to do?"

"What do you mean?" Willow asked. "About them?" the exhausted Slayer motioned in the direction Angel and Riley had just gone. "Their Riley's....but I don't love him."

"And Angel?" Willow asked. *Finally we're going to get to the bottom of this.*

Buffy sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "I don't know. I thought we were over. Especially after the way I treated him last spring." She plucked at the blanket absently with one hand. "But he's been amazing. And so much better to me than I was to him."

"He loves you," the witch nodded. "But so does Riley, in his own way."

"Which just makes it that much harder," Buffy sighed. "I broke up with him because we just weren't meant to be together. There was something missing. But I can't keep him out of their lives completely when they're half his."

"That's true. There has to be some way to work it out with both of them."

"If Angel still wants to be with me," Buffy pouted.

Willow had had enough. "If he wants to be with you? Buffy, have you even *looked* at him for the past two weeks."

"Of course I have," Buffy snapped indignantly. "He looks as wonderful as always."

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Willow replied. "For two weeks he's cooked, cleaned, prepared hot baths, given you massages, driven you *everywhere,*...and you think he might not want to be with you? Are you blind?"

Buffy stared at her. "I...didn't think of it that way."

"Obviously," the redhead smiled. "Angel loves you, Buffy. He always has."

"And he's learned how to be less smothering," the Slayer admitted. "Something Riley still hasn't. I'm so tired," she looked over at Willow. "Why does everything have to be so hard?"

"Makes life interesting, I guess," she smiled, standing. "I'm going to go see how the others are surviving. I don't know if they've even been told."

Buffy smiled back. "Thanks, Will. You're a good friend."

Willow gave her a hug and left. She found Joyce, Giles, Tara, Cordelia, Anya, Wesley, and Xander all crowded into the waiting room down the hall. Joyce stood as she entered. "How is she?" she asked.

"Just fine," the witch told the new grandmother. "Amber and Liam are both beautiful."

Joyce smiled. "Can I see her?"

"Sure. She's resting now."

When Buffy's mother was gone, Willow told the rest of them the details of what had occurred. As the room burst into eager chatter, she pulled Tara aside. "Tara, I think I know what your spell did."

"It switched Riley's DNA with Angel's didn't it?" she asked. "The twins are Angel's."

Buffy's mother had just left when Doctor Santner returned, Angel and Riley trailing behind her. "How are they?" she asked, suddenly worried that the doctor had not brought her babies back.

Dorothy looked down at the papers she held, looking decidedly uncomfortable. "As I expected, Amber is perfectly healthy. No problems at all."

"And Liam?"

"It's a genetic defect. His kidneys and liver aren't fully functioning. I'm afraid he's dying."

Buffy didn't feel Riley's hand on her shoulder as her heart sank. "There's nothing you can do?"

Doctor Santner shook her head. "They've tried everything. Excepting a miracle, he won't live more than a week."

"Oh, God," Buffy burst into tears, collapsing into the arms that caught her. She recognized them. They were Angel's.

"But if it's genetic, why is Amber all right?" Riley asked, obviously stricken by the news.

The doctor frowned. "That's what I was wondering. It seems that Amber and Liam had different fathers."

"What?!" Buffy sat bolt upright. "That's impossible!"

"Apparently not," Dorothy sighed. "Liam's DNA matches Mister Finn. Amber's does not."

"You!" Riley lunged across the bed, over Buffy at Angel. "I was right. Admit it. You two *did* do something while Buffy was in LA."

Angel's fist barely missed Riley's nose.

"Enough!" Buffy yelled. "Both of you stop before you get yourselves kicked out!"

"Thank you," the Doctor said as the two men sat back down. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for a sample of your blood Mister..."

"Angel. Just Angel." The vampire looked at Buffy with concern, then glared at Riley. Willingly he stuck out his arm while the doctor drew out the blood.

Buffy was relieved that he had just fed. Otherwise his blood would not have registered as living during the test. She ignored the accusing look on the doctor's face as the woman left the room, promising that the test would only take a few minutes. Who could the other baby's father *be?* She hadn't slept with anyone else!

The next few minutes were long and tense. Riley and Angel glared at each other over her bed; silent, accusing. The look on Doctor Santner's face when she was returned did not make her feel any better. She waited breathlessly for an answer.

"Angel is Amber's father."

"I was right!" Riley yelled self-righteously. "You lied to me!" he growled at Buffy. "For months I didn't know, and all the time you lied to me! Whore," he spat. "And you, demon," he hissed at Angel. "Is this your idea of a joke? I'll bet you're getting quite a laugh out of taking one of my children from me. Tell me, was it *you* who poisoned my son? Perhaps it's not genetics that's caused this problem."

Angel stood, menacing, but silent. Instead of yelling, or ripping Riley's throat out -which Buffy could see he clearly wanted to do- he bent down and kissed her, shocking the Slayer by the suddenness of his move. The kiss wasn't hard, or sensually passionate, but warm and gentle. Energy flooded through Buffy, the likes of which she hadn't felt in nearly two years. It was soft and full of light.

Riley's face began to grow very red.

Angel broke the kiss off a moment later, much to the Slayer's deep regret. Standing straight, he looked directly at Riley. "When you grow up, maybe you'll realize what you've lost. I know that I have, and I regret it more every moment til my heart wails like a broken instrument. Neither of us deserves her, army boy. And we've both done things that we shouldn't. But at least I've never mistaken her for something she's not. We didn't touch each other when she came to Los Angeles. If you don't believe me, believe her. This is *her* day. Don't mess it up." He looked back down at Buffy and smiled. "I'll be back later. I'm going to go keep watch in the nursery." Glancing one more time at Riley, he vanished out the door like a wisp of memory.

Buffy could barely breathe for the pounding he caused in her heart. She had hardly recognized *her* Angel in the one who had just spoken. The pain in his eyes as he had spoken touched her deep within. He loved her. Knew he had made a mistake and had admitted to his faux pas. It took her a moment to realize that a seething Riley was still at her side. Finally she looked up at him, afraid of what she might see.

Riley was looking down at her, a betrayed and hurt look on his face. Once it might have hurt the Slayer's heart, but not anymore. "Why Buffy?" he asked at last, his voice much quieter than she had expected. "What did I do to you that you would torture me this way?"

"Torture you?" the petite blonde snapped, sitting up straight, any sympathy going out the window. "You treat me like a possession, smother me, make light of my duty, and expect me to let you do it: trample all over me? Over my life?! You never knew me, Riley! No matter how many times I tried to tell you! I was scared to get close to anyone, and yet I trusted you, told you everything. I know some of it came out before I could tell you, but that doesn't mean I was hiding it. And never *once* did I lie to you. Angel and I *never*–"

"Excuse me."

Buffy cut her tirade off mid-phrase to stare at Tara, standing uncomfortably in the doorway. She took a deep breath and let all of her anger drain away as best she could. She smiled. "Hi Tara."

The blonde witch didn't smile back. "There's something I have to talk to the two of you about. I–it's about the twins."

Buffy glanced up at her ex-lover, then back at Tara's girlfriend. "What is it? Do you know what happened?"

The girl nodded. "Angel told us about Liam, and the father mix up. I...the Powers that Be coerced me into doing a spell several months ago. In my sleep. Willow and I did some research. It was a DNA switching spell."

"You can use magic to change science?" Riley asked incredulously.

Tara looked completely miserable. "Yes. Anyway, when we figured out what the spell was, we thought that it might have been Buffy's child, and the prophesy that was with the spell when we found it said that Buffy's children were destined to be sired by a vampire with a soul." She shifted uneasily on her feet. "When Buffy told everyone it was twins, we thought that both would be Angel's then. We didn't want to say anything until we were sure."

Buffy could hardly believe what she was hearing, but it made a certain amount of sense. It was also the only explanation she had for Angel being Amber's father.

"How dare you not–"

"Shut up, Riley," the Slayer cut him off. "Tara, does that mean that you could still cast this spell on Liam?"

"Buffy!" Riley was taken aback. "Liam won't be mine either if you....or is that what you want?" he backed up, his voice getting loud again. "To get me out of the picture completely?"

"Don't be an idiot," Buffy sighed, tired of his foolishness. "Can you Tara?"

The witch nodded. "I could, and I think it would do what we want."

"Were you in on this too? From the beginning?" Riley's voice had gone up a full octave.

"Riley, I'm going to have them escort you out if you don't shut up and use your brain," Buffy glared at him. "If Liam's DNA is changed from yours to Angel's, then he won't have that defect, and he won't die."

The muscular TA slid back into the chair at her side, obviously thinking, and not happy with the solution.

Buffy turned back to Tara. "Thank you. Let me talk to Riley for a minute."

Tara nodded, grateful for the excuse to leave, and darted out.

Buffy looked at Riley. "You know it's the only way." She was startled when he looked up at her, his eyes wet with tears.

"I don't want him to die, Buffy," he whispered. "Even if I can't spend time with him, he's my son. Just like Amber used to be my daughter."

Her heart thawed as Buffy watched Riley's vulnerable side open up. She'd never seen it before, and likely never would again. "I won't have Tara cast the spell without your agreeing to it," she said at last. "They are yours as much as they are mine."

"They won't be after the spell," Riley sighed. Tears began to fall.

Unsure why she should care at all, but unable to leave him there, Buffy reached out and put one arm over his shoulders. Riley leaned down against her, and cried.

Angel wandered the hospital alone for as long as possible to avoid going back to Buffy's room. When he had told everyone about Liam's illness, Willow and Tara had pulled him aside and told him about a spell that had switched Riley's DNA for his in Amber, but somehow had missed the fact that there were two children. So he already knew that Doctor Santner would find him to be Amber's father, and that she would probably give Buffy hell by assuming that she had lied about only sleeping with one man.

He also wasn't sure how he felt about being the father of Buffy's child. Possibly both if they worked the spell on Liam to save his life. The thought of raising those two tiny angels with Buffy made his heart lighter than it had been even when he and Buffy were together. Therein lay the problem. Did Buffy want him there? Did she still love him? From her earlier response to his comment about her being his girl, he had been hoping for some affirmation of love. Angel should have known better. Of course Riley had interrupted him. But it was clear that he annoyed Buffy too. She didn't seem to want him around any more than she wanted Angel around these days.

The last two weeks had been a dream, like they were still together, and for a few days he had been able to imagine that they were a couple, and the babies in her womb were his. And now they were. Or at least, one was. What had possessed the Powers that Be to do this? He was sure he would never know.

Finally he could avoid Buffy no longer. *At least Riley is probably gone by now,* he thought with some slight satisfaction at the idea of Buffy telling the blond TA off. He took a couple of turns and found himself back outside her room, startled to hear the sound of crying coming from her room. *Poor, Buffy,* he slipped around the door and stopped dead. It wasn't Buffy who was crying.

Buffy was leaning forward, arms wrapped tightly around Riley, who was weeping. To Angel's horror she was whispering softly in the other man's ear and comforting him.

Before they could look up and see him Angel darted back out the door, his heart crashing to the floor in a million pieces. *Fine, if she wants Mister tall, bland, and normal, she can have him,* he thought as he stormed quickly down the hallways, looking for the nearest exit. Buffy obviously didn't want him in her life. And if she didn't want him he wouldn't press her. He had been a good servant and friend, but now it was time to go back to dependable and boring. *Isn't that what you wanted?* a voice whispered in his head. *She has him, and her children.* *No, my children," Angel answered himself. *Not by conception, but by intervention.* Did that make it any better?

The door parted before him and Angel disappeared into the night.