Chapter 3

They spent the whole night lying in bed together, just talking. Only taking a break when little William woke up screaming his head off, so Buffy brought him into her bedroom.

Spike glanced over at Buffy. His girl was now sleeping peacefully; William snuggled up to her side. It was the most gorgeous sight that he had ever seen. It was still hard to believe that he was a father, but Spike couldn’t be happier. He felt a bit peckish and quietly got out of bed, making his way into the living room. He found Dawn sitting at the counter, drinking coffee and eating cereal. Spike ran his fingers through his hair, not sure what to say to the teenager. It used to be that she was the only one he could talk to, but things were different now. They hadn’t exactly left things on good terms. For all he knew, she still hated him.

“Are you just going to stare at the back of my head forever, or are you going to join me?”

Spike was startled at the sound of her voice, wondering how she knew he was there. He just shook his head and took a seat next to her.

Dawn gave him a look. “So, I take it things went well between you two last night?”

He nodded. “Better than I expected, I told her about everything and she actually didn’t hit me in the nose. I would say that was progress.”

“You’re also easier to bruise now. I’m still pissed that you kept your return a secret from us, but I guess I can learn to deal. Buffy’s willing to give you a chance, but I know how lonely she’s been. I don’t think I’ve really seen her smile since William was born. She used to spend all her time in bed, would hardly even come out to eat anything. I hate that she works in that hellhole, but it pays the bills. She refused to let me get a job, saying how my education is more important. All I’m saying is that my sister finally seems to be happy again, and I don’t want anything to ruin that. If you’re not here for good, then you need to leave her alone. I won’t have you come back into our lives just to leave again. You’re human now, which means you have a lot more opportunities out there. If you have any doubts about being a father, then just walk away now. William doesn’t need to get attached to someone that plans on abandoning him.”

Spike was stunned by her speech. His bit had really grown up; it was hard to believe that she was only eighteen. “I’m here for the long haul, Dawn. You know how much I love your sister; being away from her the last year didn’t change that. And now finding out that I have a son? There is nothing in this world that can make me walk away from that. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll probably end up getting sick of me,” he finished with a smile.

Dawn nodded and stood up, rinsing her bowl and cup out in the sink. She turned back to him. “I have to get to school.”

Spike let out a sigh, hoping to get more than that. He supposed he couldn’t blame her; it would probably take Dawn longer to warm up to him again. Spike really missed the friendship they used to have; he would give anything to go back to that, but supposed he would take what he could get.

Dawn grabbed her bag and headed to the front door. She looked back at him one more time, then threw her bag to the floor and ran over to him, embracing him from behind.

Spike was caught by surprise, but quickly turned around to reciprocate the hug. He kissed her hair, whispering soothing words in her ear when he felt her tears.

Dawn pulled away, wiping her eyes in embarrassment and giving him a shy smile. “I’m really glad you’re back. I missed you so much.”

Spike felt touched, wiping one of her tears away with his thumb. “I missed you, too, bit. More than you could possibly know.”

Dawn gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then snatched up her bag and swiftly made it out of the apartment.

He couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face, until he heard the soft voice behind him.

“I was afraid that it might have been a dream.”

Spike turned to see Buffy standing there, William nestled in her arms.

She took a deep breath. “I woke up and you weren’t there. I’ve had so many dreams of you coming back to me, but every time I open my eyes, you’re not there.”

Spike hurried over to her, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame, being careful not to wake the still sleeping child. “I’m here, sweetheart. I’ll never leave you again. I love you too bloody much for that.”

Buffy gazed up at him. “I love you, too. I really want us to be a family, Spike.”

He caressed her cheek lovingly. “We already are, baby.”

Buffy couldn’t take it much longer. She went into the nursery, gently placing William back into his crib, then heading over to Spike. “I needed both hands.”

Spike laughed when she wrapped her arms around his waist, planting a firm kiss on his mouth. He pulled her closer, slipping his tongue inside to massage it with hers.

They both pulled away when breathing became an issue, touching their foreheads together in pure bliss.

“So, what are your plans for today?” he asked her, breaking the silence.

“I only have one thing that I need to do, then I’m all yours.”

Spike grinned; he really liked the sound of that.


* * * * *


Buffy entered the diner, a smile in place as she headed over to her boss.

“You’re late, Anne. Where’s your uniform?”

She slapped her nametag down in front of him. “First of all, my name is Buffy. I had to burn the uniform; the smell was really starting to get to me. I’m sure you won’t miss it. Second of all, I quit.” Buffy walked away, leaving him to stare after her in shock. She saw Lisa in the back, giving the girl a wave as she met Spike by the front door. She grabbed his shirt and planted a hard kiss on his lips, knowing that Lisa was practically burning holes in the back of her head, but Buffy could care less. She was finally done with that place. “Let’s get out of here.”

Spike didn’t need to be told twice. He took her hand in his and led her out of the diner, hoping to never have to see it again.


* * * * *


Back at the apartment, Buffy was busy telling Giles about her sudden change in plans. He knew how upset she was over the loss of Spike and just prayed that he wouldn’t give her a hard time, but he seemed to be understanding.

Spike was observing more of her apartment while he waited, mainly all of the pictures on the mantle. He picked one up and gazed at it closer. Buffy looked to be in the hospital, a newborn baby cradled in her arms. He could tell how exhausted she was, but she still managed to glow. Spike traced her delicate features with his finger, too lost in his thoughts to notice when she showed up.

“Are you okay?” she wondered.

He shook his head, placing the picture back and giving her a look. “I’ve missed out on so much. I missed the birth of my child, being there with you in the delivery room, taking care of you. If I had any idea, I would have been here the first chance I got.”

Buffy moved closer to him. “It wasn’t all that great. Apparently I broke some hands and a few noses when I was in labor, it was probably better that you weren’t around.”

Spike knew that she was only trying to make him feel better, but it wasn’t working very well. “Things are going to be different from now on. I’m not going to miss one more moment of this child’s life and when we have another one, I’ll get to be there through everything.”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “Another one? Maybe you should slow things down, I need to make sure I’m not going to screw this kid up first.”

Spike shook his head. “You’re a great mum, Buffy. I can already tell, but I think it’s a little too late to take things slow. I want to do right by you and the little one.” He got down on one knee, pulling a black box out of his pocket and opening it to reveal an elegant diamond ring. “Buffy Anne Summers, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Buffy didn’t know what to say, tears streaming down her face.

Spike was worried and decided to continue. “I know it’s still moving fast, but we’ve known each other for a long time. There’s so much more I can do now, things I never would have been able to if I was still a vampire. I want to share everything with you, if you’ll have me.”

Buffy nodded, finding that speech was difficult, but knowing he needed a voiced answer. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He was relieved and slipped the ring on her finger to find that it was a perfect fit.

Buffy gazed down at the jewel, staring up at him in wonder. “It’s so beautiful. When did you even have time to get this?”

Spike rubbed the back of his neck, which was sometimes a nervous habit of his. “I always had it, actually. It belonged to my mother.”

She felt more tears fall at his words. “I’ll take good care of it.”

He smiled. “I know you will. That ring was definitely meant for you, there’s no doubt in my mind.”

Buffy returned his smile, planting what was supposed to be a quick kiss on his lips, but instantly became more passionate.

Dawn chose that moment to walk into the apartment. She rolled her eyes at the display, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. “If you guys are going to be doing this every night, I think it’s about time I found my own place.”

They were too lost in each other to notice her there, finally pulling away when Dawn’s bedroom door closed.

Buffy caressed his cheek, gazing adoringly into his eyes. “Welcome home, Spike.”

The End