Time was running short.

Buffy was rapidly heading towards becoming a Mom. She was dreading it, but looking forward to it at the same time.

One breakfast she was able to laugh about the baby’s father as she said that even from the grave Spike was still nocturnal – or at least his child was. As the months progressed the baby showed a real tendency to be active during the night and as dawn approached settled down to rest. Sharing her laughter, the others were also glad to be able to talk about Spike in such a relaxed way after all that had happened in the past.

####

Meanwhile in LA

What was Angel planning?

Would Illyria ever feel comfortable living on Earth? Would Wesley ever get over the loss of Fred?

Well at least it distracted Spikes from thinking of Buffy …. How could she move on? Moreover with The Immortal of all people?

Spike acknowledged that un-life was moving in a very sad pattern. Once he realises what Angel is up to he would head off on his own – Maybe see if there were any other Hellmouths to go and help with. He knew he couldn’t go and join Faith in Cleveland, much as he got on well with The Dark Slayer - now that she was married to Robin he knew that was an impossible location. Robin would never forgive him for having killed his mother, which Spike could fully understand. It had taken him over 100 years to forgive himself for what happened to his own mother after all.

He thought about contacting Giles and seeing if he could give any suggestions, but that would lead to too many complications. After all he knew that most of the Scooby’s didn’t like or trust him; and anyway he didn’t think that Andrew (or Angel) had let them know that he was alive again.

So at present all he could do was wait and see, letting time pass while waiting for Angel’s plans to unfold.

####

“Yes, I know, I’m nesting. Willow came in ½ hour ago and told me. So Dawn you can quit worrying, everything is under control” yelled Buffy. She had spent the last 24 hours panicking about quilts and diapers; and was getting fed up with people trying to feed her chocolate! When the hospital had asked her about her worries when she was last in, she found herself clamming up. She knew that when she first saw this baby she would wish that its father was there as well … it was no new sadness to miss Spike, but she was worried that those minutes would overwhelm her and so she would miss out on their child’s first few minutes of life.

Dawn had been voted to try to get Buffy to open up again, but knew that the best she could do at present was waiting, while also being there for her sister. She guessed that some of the tension was evoked by Spike’s absence, and not just the panic of impending motherhood.

Dawn had enjoyed her stay in Rome. It had given her the perfect opportunity to shop and party while using the excuse that it was all for her language research. She had also been pleased to help her sister’s cover story, even though it meant that she had to spend time with Andrew. However he had settled into the Italian lifestyle easily and through his contacts Dawn had got to meet The Immortal and found out quite a bit that would help Giles with his research. Dawn also discovered that The Immortal was as charming as his reputation stated - but then Darla and Dru had also found that out when their paths had crossed during the nineteenth century! She was able to use the fact that she knew Angel and Spike to learn much about all their last lives. So Giles was pleased. She was now glad to be back with her sister and looking forward to being an Aunt. She had also made a promise to herself to care for the child. She still felt guilty about having purposely distanced herself from its father in the last months of his life. Spike had been her best friend, yet she hadn’t treated him like a friend should. She hadn’t listened to Buffy, only to Xander’s jealous moans. So although she knew she couldn’t ask Spike for forgiveness, she felt the least that she could do would be to love and support his “family”.

“Willow, it’s time!” At long last the yell echoed through the building and everyone began to panic, except Buffy who calmly collected her overnight bag, and dragged Willow towards where the car was parked. “See you guys later” she shouted as she pulled the witch out of the main door.

Timing – However much you plan things, there are certain events that will always take their own time; giving birth being a prime example. Buffy and Spike’s baby was only going to make its appearance into the world when the time was right for it!

As they made their way, over Westminster Bridge to St Thomas’s Hospital, Willow began to take control. When they had their last appointment in the maternity unit they had been shown the room that they would probably be in and she had taken careful note of how tough the furniture was. Buffy had lost none of her Slayer strength over the last months and so both were concerned that if things got emotional or painful she would easily demolish the room. So over the past few days they had spent some time going through some meditation techniques, as well as Willow taking the precaution of buying some splints for her arm so that Buffy wouldn’t accidentally break her rather than the furniture!

Buffy tended to disagree with the midwife when she said that things were progressing well – and rapidly. However, time can do weird things to you. In one of the quieter moments Willow told her that she was thinking of asking out the trainee midwife. She seemed to be a nice girl, and Buffy was pleased to see that Willow was beginning to move on, although secretly she felt that her friend was hoping that Oz would come to The Watchers Council. And ask her out. Giles had been in touch with him over the last year, so only time would tell what he would decide.

As the time got closer and the pain got worse, neither Willow or the room suffered too much as Buffy began to focus on Spike; remembering those last few days, remembering how he had unconditionally given his love, support and strength to her. In the final few minutes before his child came into the world one phrase focussed in her mind, over everything – the pain, the future worries - everything

*You are the one, Buffy*

Then the time came for there to be another – a son to carry on Spikes name. A son for Buffy to love, support and give her strength to.


tbc