Chapter 7
Buffy sailed through the rest of her pregnancy, she took her vitamins, and did her exercises, and enjoyed it, knowing that it was her ‘one shot’ deal.
It was the 14th of September, and Buffy and Spike were sitting on the sofa watching TV, it was a little after lunchtime.
“Baby…would you make me one of those raspberry leaf teas Willow’s got me on, they’re delicious, and she said it’ll help with the birth”
Spike went into the kitchen, and made one for her. When he got back into the lounge, Buffy wasn’t there; she was half way up the stairs.
“You okay pet?”
“Yeah, need a pee, Billy’s lying on my bladder…” Spike went and sat down, only to jump up like something possessed when he heard Buffy call out.
“What is it Kitten?”
“My waters have broke………it’s started!”
“Right, I’ll phone the hospital – is your case ready downstairs?”
“Yes, don’t panic, there’s hours to go yet”
************
At twenty passed midnight, on September the 15th, baby William James was born. It had been a textbook delivery, everything went perfectly, and Spike cut the umbilical cord, and the midwife took the baby away to wash and weigh him.
Their foreheads touching, Spike whispered how much he loved her and how seeing his son being born was one of the most amazing things he’d ever seen.
“There you go, congratulations, daddy!” the nurse put Billy in his daddy’s arms, and then went to sort out Buffy.
Spike stared at his son in awe – he felt like crying it as so moving; he took him over to Buffy.
“Hello my son…I’m your daddy………let’s take you to see your mum, shall we, hmm? Here’s your beautiful mum…say hello to your beautiful mum…”
Buffy smiled and gently touched his hand and whispered,
“Hello baby…he’s beautiful!”
“Course he is – just like his mum!” Spike said, kissing Billy’s forehead.
Spike was able to hang around for an hour with them, and saw Buffy feed him, but it would be getting light before too long, and so he had to go. He kissed his sleeping son’s downy head, and then kissing Buffy, he left.
“Ring me in the morning, okay?”
“I’ll make it nearer lunchtime babe, you need your rest too!” Buffy said
********
“Willow?”
“Spike – has she-?”
“Yes, couple of hours ago, 7lb 3oz – he’s beautiful!” Spike enthused
“I bet – oh, congratulations, Spike – when can I go see them?”
“Thanks Red…how about lunchtime – I obviously can’t go during the day”
“Great – what colour hair has he got?”
“He’s dark, got big blue eyes, little tiny, tiny nails…he’s just perfect!” Willow giggled and said she couldn’t wait to see him.
“Should I phone Xander now or shall I leave it until the morning?” Spike asked
“Oh, phone him now, he’ll be happy enough”
A sleepy voice said,
“Hello?”
“Xander – Billy arrived safely a couple of hours ago, 7lb 3oz, he and Buffy are perfect!”
“Oh Spike – Congratulations, so everything went okay?”
“Just perfect mate, I’ve phoned Willow, she’s going to see them lunchtime, if you want to go with her”
“I’ve got a lunchtime meeting, but I can go in the afternoon – visiting is all day isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’ll be great, then I can go in the evening”
“What has Giles said?”
“I haven’t told him yet, you’re only the second person I’ve phoned”
“Oh, um thanks! Wow…Buffy a mom eh – and you a daddy – man…I bet you never thought this day would come!”
They both laughed, and Spike said he’d better go and phone Giles.
“Rupe’s me old mate………”
“Spike! I take it she’s had the baby?”
“Couple of hours ago, 7lb 3oz, they are both perfect – it was amazing – he’s so beautiful!”
“I’m really happy for you Spike………and you say Buffy’s okay?”
“She did everything by the book – I’ve told Willow and Xander, they are going to see them later, if you want to pop along”
“Okay Spike, will do, thanks for telling me”
**********
12.30pm lunchtime.
Spike groped for the phone.
“Hey baby!”
“Buffy, love everything alright, you and Billy?” Spike woke from a deep slumber, and sat up
“Were fine –guess what? – The doc said as I did everything I was supposed to, and as I didn’t have any drugs, I can come home this afternoon – Billy just has to have a vitamin shot – oh Willow’s just arrived – oh my god, what a huge teddy she’s got!”
“Really – fantastic – Ah – aahhhhhhhhhhhh – s’cuse me yawning! Okay then babe, Xander will be coming later”
“I’ll get him to bring me home then”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, see you later, love you”
“Love you babe…give Billy a kiss for me”
“I will – bye”
“Bye Kitten”
*************
“Come in – oh, hi Wesley…everything okay?” Wesley put his head around the door
“Yes thanks, Angel…I um, I just thought you’d like to know…Buffy’s had the baby”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, early hours of this morning, so Giles told me”
“I see. What hospital is she in, I could send some flowers”
“Actually – Giles said she was being allowed home, everything went so well – she opted for natural childbirth so they’re letting her come out”
“Right…well, thanks for telling me, Wes”
“You okay?”
“Me? (Angel let out a big sigh) I suppose so. You now, I hope Spike realises just how lucky he is………”
“Oh don’t you worry on that score – from what Giles tells me, Spike counts his blessings everyday”
“Really” Angel said flatly, getting up out of his office chair and looking out of the window.
Wesley came into the room and closed the door.
“Yes Angel, he really does – and luck didn’t really come into it, he earned what he got, don’t you think?”
Angel scoffed
“Earned – earned? – Don’t make me laugh…Spike’s never-“
“Angel – this ‘poor me’ act of yours is VERY tiresome, did you know that? I know you two have a history of bad blood between you, but I hardly think that the PTB go round giving away ‘gifts’ like that for no reason, do you?”
This was quite a shock to Angel – he’d only ever seen the Buffy/Spike relationship as just that, one of pure luck on Spike’s part.
“Spike’s gone against his very nature to get where he is today – he”
“SPARE me the details” Angel said, harshly at first, and then his tone softened.
“He’s done an awful lot of good Angel, you just refuse to see it”
“So have I – I’ve got a soul too!”
“Yes but…” Wesley bit his bottom lip.
Angel turned to face his co-worker
“But what, come on tell me, I’m dying to hear what you have to say”
“Well, okay. You were CURSED with your soul, Spike went out on his own volition to get his – he went through a terrible ordeal – ordeals to get it. No body asked him to he-“
“Did it for Buffy, yeah, you said………I’ve done good things – where’s my reward?”
“I don’t know Angel – maybe you get the swanky office and the fast sports car – anyway, have you ever thought about it the other way around, huh? – Ever thought that Buffy deserves a reward – the Chosen One, born to die young, not have a family or a normal life – ever thought it was her reward to have a family and a man she loves”
“Vampire” angel corrected him
“Vampire then – you’re just sore it isn’t you – I better be going. Don’t brood about this Angel, this was prophesied, written in tablets of stone if you like, nothing you could have done would have altered it. Now, I’m off, goodbye”
Moodily angel poured himself a very large brandy, and mumbled to himself,
“All I’m saying was, it could have been me…”
***************
“Er, did they have a bigger one in the shop?” Buffy surveyed the teddy bear almost as big as herself!
“I couldn’t resist it – So come on, where is he?” Willow couldn’t take the grin off her face.
“Come on Billy…say hello to your aunty Willow…” Buffy gently picked him up out of the cot and put him in Willow’s arms
“He’s awake – oh, can I………Oh Buffy – he’s SO beautiful! Hello! Hello there, oh goddess, look at you eh – whose got his daddy’s big blue eyes then………Buffy he’s gorgeous!” Buffy grinned
“I know – I can’t stop looking at him – I just…I wish that…mom was, oh!”
“Oh hey, um, look let me put Billy down and-“
“No, no it’s alright, I’m…just being silly – it’s the hormones, midwife said this would happen – you get teary…mom would have loved him” Buffy found a tissue and blew her nose and wiped her eyes.
Willow nodded, she too felt a little emotional, she cuddled Billy and he didn’t cry once.
*************
Later on that afternoon, Xander bought them home, he carried in Buffy’s suitcase while Buffy carried in the baby.
She kissed Spike and put the baby in his arms.
“There you go baby…go say hello to your daddy”
“I won’t be a sec – “ Xander said, and dashed back out to the car again, and took something from the trunk.
“Um, this is for Billy, I hope he - you like it”
Spike took the paper off to reveal a beautiful, intricately carved crib.
“Oh Xander! It’s lovely!” Buffy threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
“Wow, neat piece of work there mate – it’s great, thanks!”
“Well, I better be off – got the site manager coming round at five – I’ll see you in the week”
They all said their goodbyes, and Spike went to make tea.
For the first few nights, Spike just sat by the crib, watching his baby son sleep, he marvelled at the way Billy would hold onto his finger, or the way he nestled and fed. Buffy sat between Spike’s legs with her back to his chest when she fed Billy, and then Spike would reach round and rub the baby’s back to wind him.
Buffy woke to find Spike watching Billy fast asleep, and she smiled
“He’s not suddenly going to go ‘poof’ and disappear, you know!” Spike grinned at her and said softly,
“I know…he’s just amazing…look at those lashes, Willow said she’d kill for lashes like that! And those teeny tiny nails…I’m so lucky to have you both”
“I’m the lucky one. Come and give some fuss now, eh please?” Spike went to her and they both lay cuddled up until they slept.
In the deep mists of time, Aphrodite smiled down at the cosy domestic scene, she knew she’d made the right choice – there could have been another couple destined to have the ‘Wunderkind’ but she knew that Spike would never falter in his duty towards his family – that he loved them beyond words, and that for the goddess of love, was the MOST important thing of all……………
The End
Second story in the ‘Labour’s of Love’ Trilogy
1st Story, ‘You Only Un-Live Twice’
2nd Story, ‘Gift of the Gods’
3rd Story, ‘The Legend of Amun Rah’
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