Chapter 6

Spike entered the kitchen, smiling at Joyce and rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sorry, guess I fell asleep on the couch again. Why didn’t Buffy wake me?”

She smiled in return. “Buffy said that you looked too cute, she didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

If vampires could blush, Spike would have at that moment. “Not bloody cute,” he mumbled.

“You know, Spike, we could fix the basement up for you, if you don’t want to keep going back to your crypt. It’s like you practically live here, anyway.”

He looked sheepish. “I didn’t realize I was here that much, I hope I haven’t put you out.”

Joyce waved her hand in the air, used to his politeness by now. It still amazed her that this was the same vampire she hit on the head with an axe a few years ago. “It’s not a problem; I know Buffy doesn’t mind having you around. We could always use the extra help.”

Spike nodded. “Well, thanks for the offer, but I think I should keep the crypt. A bloke needs his own space, after all. I have my reputation to think of, it’ll all get shot to Hell if I move in with the Slayer and her mum permanently.”

Joyce accepted his answer, even though she knew it was all a front. Spike had stopped caring about his reputation long ago.

A baby crying put on hold whatever else they would have said.

“I’ve got her,” Spike commented before making his way out of the kitchen.

Joyce smiled once again as she watched him leave. Yes, having him around really did come in handy. Now if only Buffy would open her eyes more to the wonderful man that Spike was becoming, he would be perfect for her little girl. Joyce gave up wanting a normal life for her daughter, knowing it wasn’t in the cards and Buffy would hardly be happy with normal. While a vampire wasn’t exactly her first choice of a companion for her daughter, Joyce knew that no one else would be good enough. She had a feeling Buffy knew that as well.


* * * * *


“I’ve never been so tired in my life.”

He chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze and cuddling the sleeping child resting in between them.

They were both lying in Buffy’s bed, her being exhausted after a tiring day of school, work, and patrol.

“I feel like I’m nineteen going on thirty,” she claimed.

Spike gazed over at her. “And you have a birthday coming up, how does it feel knowing that you won’t be a teenager much longer?”

She thought about it. “I’m relieved, actually. I never thought I would make it this long.”

Spike squeezed her hand again, a tremor going through him at the thought of her not being there anymore. It wouldn’t happen, not while he was around.

Buffy turned on her side to stare at him, taking in a deep breath. “Why are you so different?”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know of any other vampire that would be here with me right now, watching my kid. The way you care for her, it’s like nothing I’ve seen before and you’ve only been here for a month. I wouldn’t be surprised if her first word was ‘Daddy’ at this point.”

It was as if his heart came to life at those words, but he tried to act casual. “And if that did happen? Would you be okay with it?”

Buffy didn’t hesitate with her response. “Yeah, I mean, you’re already better than her actual father. I can’t see Parker rocking her to sleep when she wakes up crying, or singing to her. I think he might be tone deaf. Although, he hit a pretty high note from the top of the flagpole.”

Spike laughed, still not ashamed by his actions, but she wasn’t finished.

“It’s just that you don’t have a soul. Angelus would never be in this position right now, but you’ve always been different from him. What’s a soul, anyway?” she whispered, closing her eyes as the day finally caught up with her.

Spike felt guilty as he watched her sleep. When the time was right, he would finally tell her the truth about where he was before returning to Sunnydale. He just hoped that it wouldn’t scare her away.


* * * * *


“Hey, can we talk?”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Vocal-cord-wise, yes. With each other? No.”

Parker grabbed her arm before she could take off. “I’m sorry, okay? I’ve been a jerk, I know that. I’m in college and I’ve never even had a real relationship, when you told me about the baby, I panicked. I don’t know how to handle stuff like that, but I’m willing to try.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Who are you and what have you done with Parker Abrams?”

He grinned. “Yeah, it’s this whole new thing I’m trying. I really like you, Buffy. You’re the only one that I’ve ever developed real feelings for. When I realized that, I got confused and ended things. I guess what I’m saying is that I would like another chance. I know there’s probably no possibility of that, but I would at least like to be there for my daughter. She’s going to need a father in her life.”

Buffy didn’t know what to say. This was always what she hoped would happen, Parker finally stepping up and taking responsibility for his actions, but that was before Spike came back into her life. Now, she didn’t know what to do.


* * * * *


“There’s no bloody way!”

Buffy sighed, knowing he wouldn’t take it well. “What was I supposed to do, Spike? Tell him that he can never see his daughter? I know Parker is an ass, but this is the first time he’s ever offered to do something right. I’m not going to get back together with him. That’ll never happen, but if he wants to be in Dawn’s life, there’s nothing I can do about it. He has every right to want to get to know his daughter.”

“She’s my daughter, dammit!” he growled. “You practically said so yourself. What? He decides to be a father for all of a second and you’re just gonna let him? I’ve known blokes like him before, Buffy. He’ll never keep up with it; wankers like Parker aren’t capable of that. You’re only going to set yourself and Dawn up for heartache if you let him into your lives. I don’t want him to hurt either of you again.”

Buffy placed a calming hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re concerned. I am, too, but we should at least give him a chance. If all you said is right, then he’s gone, but everyone deserves a second chance. You should know that better than anyone.”

Spike nodded and headed over to the front door, turning back to her one more time. “Right, and let’s say he does actually become a good father for the nibblet. Where would I fit in, then?” he said sadly, leaving the house without waiting for a response.