Chapter 18/?
Moments after Joyce leaves Angel enters the room. “Hey Buff” he greets quietly
“Hi Angel” Buffy acknowledges, “Katie look your Daddy’s here.” The baby just yawns.
Angel smiles at the baby’s reaction. “How are you feeling Buffy?”
“Better now that your here” she answers. ‘Katie and I get to go home tomorrow.”
“You don’t sound excited about it” Angel observes
Buffy sighs sadly. Looking down at Katie, ‘It was just two days ago I was excited about bringing them home...now I feel kind of’ she frowns, ‘sad I guess. I think its because I was excited about bringing both home but now...” She trails off
“But instead of taking both home we’re burying one” Angel finishes sadly
Buffy nods reluctantly. “Before we got the chance to know him” The two sit there silent in their thoughts when the baby begins to fuss. “I think Katie wants her Daddy” Buffy states handing the baby to Angel. She watches in fascination as Angel holds the baby tenderly.
As Angel holds his daughter he gently takes her hand and watches her little hand curl around his forefinger. He grins as she squeezes his finger tightly, “Katie you have a great grip there.” As he watches her eyes open he glimpses a flash of gold in her eyes. He looks up at Buffy stunned.
“Angel whats wrong?” Buffy asks concerned
Angel looks back down at Katie. “Her eyes flashed gold”
Buffy leans forward and touches Katie’s head. “She is more like you than me” Buffy says lightly
“What do you mean?” Angel demands with a growl. Katie looks up at him startled. “Sorry little miracle” he apologizes.
Buffy leans down and kisses her daughter’s forehead gently. Buffy looks up at Angel and begins to talk, “This morning I took my cross out from under my shirt and Katie started to cry. When I realized that her reaction was from the cross Giles tried an experiment’ seeing Angel’s startled look, ‘it was a harmless test. Anyway Giles held it over her. She reacted by squirming and waving her hands. Giles didn’t touch it to her skin but since she didn’t get the burn reaction that fledglings get he thinks that she might just have a reflexive reaction. You know like you get when you walk in a church.”
“So she’ll never have the protection of a cross” Angel remarks
Buffy shrugs, “Giles went to research it. He thinks that she might be able to control her reaction to it as she gets older.’ Buffy stops and watches the look on Angel’s face. ‘Ooh I forgot the good news’ she says excitedly. Seeing his quizzical expression she continues “She won’t burst into flames going outside”
Angel smiles sadly, “So she’ll be a normal little girl who just happens to be stronger than the others. Her eyes will most likely go gold when she is surprised or angry. Then lets not forget the fact that she has a vampire for a father.” Buffy smacks him on the side of the head. “What was that for?” Angel demands
“I told you no teaching her to brood” she reminds sternly
“Sorry” he apologizes sheepishly
“Angel you don’t have any reason to feel guilty. So what Katie won’t be exactly like all the other kids.”
“Thats the point Buffy. She won’t be like other kids”
Buffy takes Katie’s hand and kisses her fingers. “But Angel thats what makes her even more special”
Angel nods. “Yes it does” he agrees. A knock is heard at the door and in comes a nurse.
“Miss Summers its time for her feeding’ the nurse hands Buffy the bottle then leaves.
“Here” Buffy hands Angel the bottle. She watches as Angel gives Katie the bottle. She soon falls asleep. Angel finishes giving Katie her bottle. He moves from the bed to the rocking chair. Angel cradles the baby close as he talks to her quietly. “Well sweet Katie it is good to finally meet you. Your mommy and I had been waiting for you and your brother to enter this world.’ Angel looks over at Buffy asleep. ‘Katie your mommy is one strong person. She the strongest person I know. Last night was the first time I have ever seen her so sad yet so happy. She was really looking forward to having both you and your brother. So was I. Don’t get me wrong baby girl we are glad to meet you and to have you here we are just sad that your brother isn’t with us. I bet you miss him too huh? All people need siblings your mommy is an only child but she, Willow, and Xander are like siblings. They fight, they agree, but they always stick together not matter what.’ Angel takes her hand and kisses it. ‘I had a sister a long ime ago. Besides you, your brother and your mom Kathy was the most important person to me. I guess though in a way you do have siblings...I mean if you count all of the vampires I sired then yeah you do have some. But if I have my way they will never be able to hurt you. Spike knows about you but I think he will be very protective of you. Normally I’d say to anyone to stay away from Spike but I trust him for some reason. Spike will take care of you, your mom and your grandma. Katie my girl I won’t always be with you but remember I love you, your brother, and your mom. If you ever need me I’ll be here as soon as I can.” Angel cradles the baby against his chest as he rocks her to sleep.
In the middle of the night Buffy awakens to find Angel watching her silently while holding the baby against his chest. “She asleep?”
“Hmm. She’s been asleep for awhile.’ Angel smiles shyly at Buffy. ‘I didn’t feel like putting her down” He gets up from the rocker and joins Buffy on the bed. Buffy lays her head on his shoulder and laces her fingers with his on Katie's back. Angel kisses the top of Buffy’s head. “She’s beautiful just like you” he whispers against her head
“I think she looks like you.’ Buffy observes she props her chin up on his chest. She touches his face with her fingers. “She has your eyes, your nose.’ Buffy glances down at the baby and notices the baby’s hat had fallen off. She chuckles at the sight of the bald head. ‘I guess we’ll have a while to see what color her hair will be” She puts the hat back on the baby.
“I think she looks like you” Angel states. Seeing the look of disbelief he continues, “She may have brown eyes but there is a light in her eyes that reminds me of you. She has your hands and your sweet personality.”
“God you two make me sick” Spike states from the door
Buffy glares at Spike “Then go away” then puts her head back down
“Gee Slayer thats a nice way to great a family member” he grins leaning against the door frame
Angel looks at Buffy questioningly. “It was what mom said when my father tried to kick Spike out of the house” she explains
“well in a way its true” Angel remarks. When Buffy looks up at him puzzeled he explains why. “See in the vampire chain since I’m his sire all others I sire are in a way his siblings.”
“So in a weird way he’s Katie’s brother. If you count all the weird connections” When both vampires nod she groans. “Great so I take it this means I’ll have to see him more often.”
“Yep” Spike smirks. Spike stays for a few moments then leaves. Angel stays until mother and daughter are asleep.
The next morning Buffy awakes to the baby fussing. She gets up and changes Katie’s diaper and takes her back to the bed. “Morning little Katie” she greets kissing her hand. “Well today we get to go home. You get to sleep in your own bed tonight’ Buffy says excitedly. Buffy then frowns, “I wish William was coming home with us. But he’s in heaven.’ she looks up at the ceiling then back down. ‘I know Merrick’s keeping an eye on him.” Buffy looks over to the bedside table and sees a note. Picking up the note she smiles when she reads it:
“To my favorite girls, Have a good morning. I will be at the house after sunset. ~Angel”
The doctor walks in. “Good morning Buffy” she greets
“Hi Dr. Jones” Buffy smiles
“Today you and your daughter get to go home. But first we want to do an exam of both of you. Just to make sure everything is all right” Buffy nods in agreement. Buffy watches as Dr. Jones checks over Katie. When she’s done she hands Katie back to Buffy.
“So is my girl OK?” Buffy asks
“Yes she is great. I’ll need to see her in a week for a check up. Now about you lets check you out’ Dr Jones says. Buffy puts the baby down in the basinet. She sits there fidgeting as the doctor checks her out. “Buffy calm down” she soothes
Buffy shrugs “I hate having a check up. I get really anxious. Mom used to hold me down.”
The doctor chuckles, “I understand. Good news I’m done. Buffy your healing quite fast. I still want to see you in a week not just for Katie’s checkup but to check and see how your healing.’ Buffy nods. ‘Also Buffy I think it would be a good idea for you to meet with a counsler.’ When Buffy is about to protest the Dr. continues, ‘I know that you don’t want to but I think it will be of great help to you”
“Seeing a counsler is not a good idea. I mean if I let it slip that I was the Slayer then I’d have some troubles”
“Counslers can’t reveal what they are told. I just think that going to a counsler will help you come to terms with your son’s death”
Buffy nods. “Maybe I will. Besides I won’t have to talk to the counsler about being the Slayer. I have Giles for that”
The doctor nods in agreement, “Call my office and make an appointment” She gets up and leaves.
A few hours later Joyce comes into the room. “Honey are you ready to go?” she asks
Buffy hops off the bed dressed in jeans and a t shirt. “Hi Mom. Of course I’m ready.’ she picks up the napping baby. ‘Katie went back to sleep just a while ago”
Joyce goes to the door and calls, “She’s ready to go” a nurse comes in with a wheelchair. Seeing that her daughter is about to complain Joyce holds up her hand, “Not a word Buffy. Its the hospitals policy. Now sit” she orders. Buffy sits down. The nurse pushes Buffy in the wheelchair out to the car.
Joyce opens the car door and Buffy places Katie in the car seat. “So mom did I do it right?” she asks her mom.
Joyce looks over Buffy’s work and nods. “Good job honey”
Buffy gets in the car and buckles her seatbelt. “Mom I take it that they planned a welcome home party” Buffy states wearily
Joyce glances at her daughter and notices her look of sadness. “Sweetie are you thinking about William?”
Chapter 19/?
Buffy nods wiping the tears away. “Mom I’m not ready to go back to the house yet. Can we just go somewhere and I don’t know talk?”
Noticing the tone of Buffy’s voice Joyce replies, “Sure honey” Joyce drives towards the park. She parks the car and turns to her daughter. “Buffy whats wrong? Is this about Angel? Or William?”
Buffy shrugs. “Its not about William. I just feel like I can’t do this.”
“Do what honey? Be a mother?”
Buffy shrugs, “I’m not really sure. I know I want to be Katie’s mother and that I can do it. Angel is leaving as soon as Katie and I are settled in. I love him and I don’t want him to go but I know he has to. I know its the best for us and the rest of the world for us to be apart.’ she glances to the back seat. ‘But I’m scared that it won’t be good for Katie. I know Angel won’t do what Dad did to me because he’s excited about being a Dad and he wants to be there for her. But when he’s not here I worry that something will happen to him and Katie and I will lose him.”
“Buffy he adores you and Katie. I know I was never for the relationship but I’ve seen how much he loves you.”
“I know he does. But I don’t think I can stand having to keep saying goodbye to him.”
“What do you mean?” Joyce asks
Buffy fidgets with her ring as she stares sadly out the window. “I want him to be in Katie’s life but I’m not sure how I can stand having to say goodbye everytime I see him. Or to be near him and not be with him”
“Have you two talked about it?”
“Somewhat. He wants me to be happy. To live a normal life.’ she glances to the back seat. ‘I don’t think I can have the life he wants me to have if I keep seeing him everytime he comes to see Katie. But I can’t tell him he can’t see her because I want him to see her.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“Mom I’m thinking about not being home when he comes to see Katie. When Katie’s older and she wants to visit Angel I don’t think I can take her.”
“So your thinking of having a middle guy when he visits or Katie visits him?” Joyce asks
“Yeah mom I am.”
“Honey you know you can count on me. If you want me to be home when he visits so you can be gone then OK. I’m sure Spike will take Katie to visit Angel when she’s older. But honey are you sure about this?”
Buffy nods. “Yeah I am. I can’t deal with my heart feeling like its being ripped out everytime I see him”
“Honey I think you and Angel should talk about this before he leaves”
“I will tomorrow. I can’t do it tonight”
Joyce nods in agreement. “Are you ready to go home now? Everyone is waiting for you... well Spike isn’t he was asleep when I left.”
Buffy laughs, “Why am I not surprised. I take it he is going to be staying with us for a while?”
Joyce nods starting the car. “Yes. Giles, Angel, Spike and I thought it might be a good idea for a while.”
“Oh well. I guess I have to get used to having him around then” Buffy sighs
“Think of it this way honey. You can now keep track of him”
“Plus a live in babysitter” Buffy chuckles
“True. Talking about a babysitter what about school? Snyder called and said he will expell you if you are not in school by Monday.”
“Thats in four days” Buffy whines, “Who’s going to watch Katie?”
“We’ll need to talk about that.” Joyce agrees pulling the car into the driveway. “Maybe she can spend a couple days with Angel and when Angel leaves maybe Spike will watch her”
“OK maybe. Lets talk about that later’ Buffy gets out of the and opens the back door. She unbuckles Katie from her car seat and starts to lift her out. Katie opens her eyes and fusses at being moved. “Hey Katie girl its OK. Sorry to wake you.’ kisses the baby’s head. ‘Look we’re home.” She follows her mother to the house when the front door is flung open and Willow rushes out.
“Buffy welcome home” she laughs jumping.
“Willow have you been drinking coffee again” Buffy teases hugging her friend briefly
“Hey Katie’ Willow greets. ‘Welcome home”
“Willow can you take her” Buffy asks. Willow nods excitedly taking the newborn.
Xander hurries up to Buffy. “Hey Buffster. Welcome home” he greets happily. He hugs her.
“Xan good to see you too” Buffy laughs following Willow into the house. She walks into find Cordelia with Willow.
Cordelia looks up at Buffy. “Hey Buffy didn’t take you long to lose the weight” she observes
Buffy rolls her eyes at the remark. “Thanks Cordy. Nice of you to notice”
“Buffy good to see you” Oz greets
Downstairs in the basement Spike is awakened as he senses the Slayer and the baby enter the house. He listens as everyone upstairs is talking. He tries to go back to sleep but can’t. He growls in frustration. Getting up he goes to the top of the stairs and opens the door. “Will you guys keep it down’ he yells. ‘Bloody hell I’m trying to sleep”
“Sorry Spike’ Joyce says coming to the basement door. ‘Want me to make you some hot chocolate with marshmallows?”
“Sure Mum” Spike answers
Buffy enters the kitchen with the baby. “Hey Spike why don’t you come out and join us the sun is nice and bright” she smirks
Spike growls, “Slayer go away”
“You go away Spike. I live here so you go away” Buffy retorts
“Sorry Slayer. Mum said I can stay so there.” Spike smirks
“Mom why are you letting him stay” Buffy whines
Joyce closes the kitchen blinds. Spike enters the kitchen and sits at the counter. Joyce hands him the mug. “I like having Spike here. Besides at least this way when he’s here I won’t have to worry about you and Katie being home alone at night”
“Mom’ Buffy whines, ‘I don’t need Spike to babysit me”
“Slayer your right you don’t need a babysitter you need a keeper” Spike remarks
“Shut up Spike” Buffy growls. The others enter the kitchen to join Buffy.
“Mum she told me to shut up” Spike whines. “Bloody Hell Slayer you are annoying”
“Spike’ Buffy growls warningly. ‘Watch your mouth”
“Or what Slayer?” Spike demands
Buffy hands the baby to Willow. Putting her hands on her hips she answers, ‘I’ll hurt you bad”
“Yeah right Slayer. Bloody hell you couldn’t hurt me if you tried”
Glaring momentarily at Spike Buffy turns away and then quickly she spins on her heel and smacks Spike on the head. “I told you watch your mouth” she glares at Spike as he lays on the floor.
Spike gets up on his feet his face changed to his demon side. “What was that for Slayer?” Spike growls
“Like I said watch your language” Buffy smirks. “Swear again around Katie and you will wake up one morning staked out in the back yard”
Spike glances over at Willow and notices that Katie is dozing. “Okay Slayer I will try not to swear around Katie. After all I wouldn’t want to corrupt my little sister” He promises getting up he heads back to the basement door. “Can you guys try and keep it down? I’m going to bed” He heads back to the basement cot.
The others turn to stare at Buffy questioningly. “Uh what was that about Spike, William the Bloody being Katie’s brother?” Xander asks confused
Buffy shrugs as she takes Katie from Willow’s arms. “Angel said something about how since he sired Spike that Spike is in someway Katie’s brother. Giles maybe you can explain it to them. I’m going to go put Katie down and take a nap.” She turns to the kitchen door.
Joyce then calls “Buffy do you want me to heat up a bottle for Katie and bring it up?”
“Sure Mom. Thanks for being here you guys. I’ll see you tonight” Buffy says heading up the stairs.
They watch as the Slayer leaves the room. “Giles what did Buffy mean?” demands Xander
“Uh children why don’t we go to the library and I’ll explain it. Buffy needs to rest and I think Spike will appreciate it too.” Giles says walking towards the front door the teens following.
Joyce takes the bottle out of the microwave when she hears the basement door open. “Hey Spike’ she greets. ‘I was just going upstairs to give Buffy Katie’s bottle.”
Spike leans on the door frame. “Mum I’ll take it up” he offers
Joyce turns around surprised. “And why would you do that?”
“I can’t sleep.” he answers
“Okay. Promise not to provoke her into a fight?” she demands crossing her arms
“Yes mum I promise.”
“All right” Joyce hands him the bottle. “Be good Spike” she orders
“Yes Mum.” Spike says heading up the stairs. Outside Buffy’s door he knocks. “Hey Slayer can I come in?”
“Not unless you want to fry” Buffy retorts
“I have Katie’s bottle. I promised mum I would be on my best behavior. Besides I want to talk to you” Spike calls
Buffy gets up and closes the blinds and then carrying Katie she opens the door. “fine come in’ she invites taking the bottle from Spike she sits on the rocking chair. Holding the bottle she watches as Katie begins to drink. “What do you want Spike?”
Spike sits on the edge of Buffy’s bed. “I wanted to talk to you”
“About?”
“I don’t know. I just had this weird feeling that you needed someone to talk to” Spike answers
“Feeling? Hear that Katie Spike has feelings”
“Slayer your going to ruin my rep” Spike complains
Buffy laughs. “Don’t worry Spike no one but me and Katie will ever know about this.” The two former enemies sit there silent
“Slayer if you ever want to talk I’m around” Spike offers starting to stand
Buffy looks up at Spike, “I named him William after you and Angel because Angel has saved my life so many times. And because you protected us when we needed it the most”
Spike sits back down. “Slayer I know that we aren’t the best of friends but I made Angel a promise the night he asked me to watch over you. That promise won’t end just because your alive right now. Its a promise that will last for as long as it is needed.”
“But why Spike?”
“Like I said I made a promise and Katie’s my little sister. You know vampires we’re loyal to our own.”
“You have tried to kill Angel and me many times. Why should I trust that you won’t try and kill Katie?”
“That night I told you why I was here do you remember how you could tell I wasn’t lying?”
“Yeah. Your eyes and your attitude”
Spike nods, “Can you tell now”
Buffy stares at him then nods. “Yes I believe you. But why Spike?”
Spike holds his head in his hands. “I’m not sure why really. That night I felt a strong presence. At first I just thought it was because of both you and Faith being near. But after we left Faith I could still feel it. I still feel it. Its Katie Slayer. She holds a powerful force, a force that is telling me to protect her.”
“Thanks. Spike are you coming tonight?”
“Sure Slayer. He was my brother and mum said I had to”
“Spike why in the world do you call my mom mum?”
Spike shrugs, “I think its cause she has treated me better than my own mum did”
She stands up and walks over to one of the basinets. “Spike can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure Slayer.”
Buffy puts the baby down then turns around. “Angel is going to be here only until Katie and I are settled in. I have to go back to school on Monday and I’m going to see if he can watch her. I was wondering if you could watch her during the day when he leaves.”
“Slayer I sleep during the day” Spike whines. “I can’t watch her and sleep at the same time”
Buffy looks at Spike her eyes big. “Please Spike. Mom can’t watch her during the day and I don’t want to leave her in daycare. Its not that I don’t trust daycare but I’d feel better if her big brother can watch her. Besides I know Angel would feel better if you watched her.”
“But I sleep then” Spike whines
Buffy rolls her eyes in annoyance. “Look she is likely to sleep most of the day anyway.’ Buffy glances at the second basinet sadly. ‘We can move the other baby bed down to the basement. That way you won’t have to come upstairs everytime she wakes up.”
Spike shakes his head, “I’ll think about it Slayer”
“Thanks Spike. Now go.’ she points to the door. ‘Katie’s asleep. I need to sleep and I’m betting you need to sleep also.” Spike nods and leaves the room. Buffy looks down at her sleeping daughter. “Well Katie girl its almost time.’ She glances at the clock. ‘Daddy will be here in a few hours.’ she leans down and kisses her daughters head. ‘Sleep well baby.” Buffy changes into her pajamas and crawls under the covers and quickly falls asleep.
