By the Early Morning’s Light
By Michelle McKague
Disclaimer- Not mine. They belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, 20th Century Fox, and Mutant
Enemy. So please don’t sue me.
Spoilers- Passion and back.
Author's Notes- To Serena for helping me with ideas and feedback every step of the
way. Thanks. And to T.S for giving me the idea in the first place, your the best.
Prologue
Buffy stared at the doctor in shock, how could she be PREGNANT?! It was impossible,
Angel couldn’t have kids. Yet it was true, she was 6 weeks pregnant. She was having
a BABY! She was still in shock as she thanked the doctor and walked home. *How do
I tell mom? And Angelus? I have to tell him, it is technically his child.* She thought
as she prepared to tell her mother she was pregnant. This wasn’t going to be pretty,
she has freaked out enough just hearing Buffy wasn’t a virgin, Buffy couldn’t imagine
what she would do when she learned about the baby. Buffy wasn’t sure she wanted to
find out.
* * * * *
Part One
Buffy and Joyce were sharing another awkward, silent dinner when Joyce spoke up.
“Buffy is there anything ELSE you’d like to tell me?” Joyce asked bitterly. Buffy
looked at her mom before nodding slowly, “Yes. I’m pregnant.” Joyce dropped her fork
in complete shock. “What?! You’re not keeping it I won’t let you.” Buffy looked at
her mom in shock. “You won’t LET me? It’s my baby and my body, so it’s my decision.
I’m having my baby.” Joyce looked at her daughter in blind
fury. “No you’re not. You’ve been enough of a disappointment as it is. Getting kicked
out of school, always getting in trouble, and now getting knocked up at 17. Have
an abortion or get out.” Joyce ordered with steel in her voice. Buffy looked at her
mom with pain in her eyes before turning to go. She packed in record time before
leaving without a second glance.
* * * * *
Buffy went to the only place she had always felt safe. Angel’s old apartment. Angelus
didn’t live there so she knew she would be physically safe, also her baby had been
conceived there so being there would make her feel closer to Angel. the real Angel,
the father of her baby. Buffy smiled softly at the thought of having Angel’s baby.
She rubbed her stomach gently and began talking to her child. “Hi little one. I know
it won’t be easy, but I think we can make it work. Also I haven’t given up hope of
getting your daddy back, but if I can’t maybe Angelus will help us. I hope so, Just
remember that I love you, and that somewhere Daddy does to.” Buffy laid down and
made a silent prayer that Angel be returned to her before falling asleep.
* * * * *
Angelus was bored with annoying Spike so he decided to spend the night at his old
place. His eyes widened in shock as he saw who was in his bed. *Buffy! What’s she
doing here?* He asked himself quietly. It would be so easy to kill her, yet he couldn’t.
He sensed something different about her, and he wanted to know what. He turned around
and left the apartment. He would let her sleep in peace, he owed her that. He had
no idea why he felt this way, but he did. He still cared for her. And as much he
tried to stop, he couldn’t.
* * * * *
Buffy he woke up the next morning with a heavy heart, she still had to tell her friends
and Angelus about the baby. How did she tell Giles? He would be so disappointed in
her. She felt so alone, but at the same time more connected to Angel than she ever
had before. She got dressed and headed to the library to tell her friends.
* * * * *
Buffy walked into the library and saw all her friends, she decided to just blurt
it out. “Um guys?” They all turned to look at her, she swallowed nervously. “I’m
Pregnant.”
“What” “Wow” “You SLEPT with him?” “Harsh” As the others blurted things out Giles
was silent finally he walked over to Buffy and put his arm around her. “Are you okay?”
He asked softly.
“No. Mom kicked me out, and I just feel so confused.” Giles and the others didn’t
say anything they just gave her a group hug. When they pulled away she looked at
them seriously. “Giles about Angelus, it is his baby I have to tell him. But how
do I tell him? And should I? If I did would he hurt the baby?”
* * * * *
Part Two
Giles looked at her for a second, before he slapped his head and said “Of course.”
He proceeded to run off to the stacks. The slayerettes stared at him in shock he
was acting weird even for Giles.
Giles came back a big book in his hands. “I’ve found a solution to your problem listen.
If between a slayer and a vampire a child is conceived a doorway to a world of possibilities
is opened. If it was out of pure love that the child was conceived then it’s father’s
humanity can be returned. For this to happen the slayer must love him with an unselfish
love and sacrifice something she cares about.”
The kids all looked confused.
“Giles, in English, could you please tell me what you just said,” Buffy asked impatiently.
“Of course. Basically it said that if you loved Angel with an unselfish love and
made a sacrifice he would become human.”
Buffy looked ecstatic, “well I’ve already made a sacrifice. I gave up my mom to keep
my baby, and I’d give up just about anything for Angel.”
“Okay then, sit down as I explain what you have to do.”
Obediently all the slayerettes, even Xander, sat down to learn what had to be done
to bring back their vampire friend.
* * * * *
Buffy found Angelus in the graveyard, he was obviously waiting for her. Well he wasn’t
going to get a fight this time, more like the shock of his un-life. “Hello lover.”
She drawled as she approached, he began to speak but she cut him off. “Un huh, no
you don’t. I have something to say.”
He looked at her impatiently and she began to speak as she also performed the ritual
Giles told her to. “I’m pregnant.” Angel looked shocked, ‘good’ she thought. It would
give her the time she needed to perform the ritual. She quickly grabbed his arm and
cut him so she could take a little bit of blood. ‘Here goes nothing.’ She thought
as she mixed the blood with some holy water and a little bit of her own blood and
pored it on him as she began to recite he spell. “From two sworn enemies a child
was conceived. Not in hate or lust, but in love. A true love which could stand anything.
This love is unselfish, and for the one I love no sacrifice is so to great. I’ve
given up my family for his love, and for the chance that he could be human again.
So out of our blood combined allow him to regain his humanity.”
She felt exhausted after she finished and noticed that Angel had passed out. She
hoped that meant the spell had worked. Giles had told her it would be about 12 hours
before he awoke, so she dragged him off to Giles.
* * * * *
For the next 12 hours the slayerettes each took 1 hour shifts watching over Angel,
except for Buffy and Giles who were there pretty much the whole time.
“Giles thank you.” Buffy said softly.
“For what?” Giles asked genuinely puzzled.
“For putting aside any feelings you might have towards Angel to help me. I know you
blame him for Ms. Calender’s death.”
“No, Buffy, you’re wrong. I blame Angelus, Angel isn’t the demon, he’s our friend
and he needs our support.”
Buffy leaned over and hugged the watcher. She quickly pulled away as she saw that
Angel was waking up. She ran over to the bed and smiled at the father of her baby
hopefully. She put all her hope into it as she hesitantly asked, “Angel?”
* * * * *
Part Three
Angel looked at her groggily and whispered her name so softly she could barely hear
him. “Oh, Angel!” Buffy cried running over to hug him. After they parted Buffy told
Angel what brought him back. “Honey I’m pregnant.” Buffy said smiling hopefully,
Angel looked shocked. “Is that possible?” He asked, Buffy nodded. His face broke
out into a huge smile and he pulled her closer to him, hugging her tight.
After they broke away again, Giles started to explain the spell that made him human.
When he was finished the slayerettes rushed in, they all gave Angel a hug, even Xander.
Xander surprised everyone by offering Angel his hand, “Let bygones be bygones?” He
asked, Angel agreed and shook his hand.
“Let’s go to The Bronze. Harmony has a crush on Angel and I’d love to rub it in that
sheep’s nose that he’s dating a ‘freak’.” Cordelia said grinning mischievously, the
others nodded going to get their stuff. They arranged it so that it would be Cordelia,
Xander, Buffy, and Angel in her car. And Oz and Willow in his van, they left for
The Bronze.
* * * * *
Joyce looked at a picture of Buffy as a child. What had happened to her little girl?
She was probably living with that boy, Angel, Joyce wouldn’t stand for it. She decided
to call Hank, he’d help get Buffy away from that boy.
Joyce picked up the phone and called Buffy’s father. “Hello Hank. (Pause) It’s me,
Joyce. (Pause) It’s about Buffy, she’s pregnant. (Pause) Hank her boyfriend’s older
than her, and I don’t like him Hank. (Pause) I can’t forbid her to see him. (Pause)
You see, I was so angry when she announced her pregnancy that I told her to abort
it or get out. (Pause) Yes. The thing is I’m SURE she’s with him. (Pause) Do you
think you could? (Pause) I’ll settle for letting her keep the baby, just to keep
her away from him. (Pause) Thank you. (Pause) I’ll see you then, Bye.”
Joyce hung up the phone suddenly feeling a lot better. Hank was coming, he’d help
keep Buffy away from Angel. He had to. She just wished that she could have had a
good child, instead she got Buffy.
* * * * *
Harmony and the other “sheep” kept looking at Buffy and Angel, who were dancing as
close as humanly possible, with daggers in their eyes. “I don’t know what he sees
in her!” Harmony complained, Aura was about to sooth her when Cordelia broke in.
“Maybe it’s the fact that she’s a decent person, or maybe it’s the fact that she’s sweet, kind, and really cool. Either way, even if they broke up he’s not going to notice you.” Harmony glared at her.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not half the person she is.” Cordelia said, turning around before Harmony could reply. Her former clique glared at her retreating form, and then they all when back to soothing Harmony.
* * * * *
Buffy and Angel returned to the group’s table, where Cordelia was once again seated,
they noticed that everyone was grinning. “What’s up?” Buffy asked, Xander put his
arm around Cordelia. “Cordy just totally told Harmony off.” Buffy applauded while
Angel whistled. The gang chatted for a while before they decided to head home.
As they were leaving Harmony purposely tripped Buffy who went flying, landing on
her stomach. She was about to get up when she felt a sharp pain coming from her stomach.
‘Oh no, the baby.’ Buffy thought as Angel carried her to Oz’s van.
They hurried to the hospital with Xander and Cordy following them in her car.
She HAD to be okay.
* * * * *
The doctor approached the group, Angel jumped out of his seat. “Is Buffy okay?”
The doctor nodded slowly, “She’s fine. We just want to keep her over night to be
sure.”
Angel then asked the question they were all wondering. “And the baby? Did she loose
our baby?”
* * * * *
Part Four
The doctor looked at them seriously. “No she was very lucky.” The entire gang breathed
sighs of relief and waited for Dr. Patterson to finish. “However she still could.
I need to speak to her parents, could you tell me where I could contact them?”
The gang shared uneasy looks and then Angel gave Dr. Patterson the needed information.
Dr. Patterson went to call Mrs. Summers telling them they could see Buffy now if
they wanted. Only Willow, Angel, and Giles went in. The others would see her in a
little while.
* * * * *
Joyce was filling Buffy’s father in on the situation when the phone rang. She answered
it. “Hello. (Pause) This is Mrs. Summers. (Pause) Is she okay? (Pause) Thank God.
(Pause) Who gave you this number (Pause) Oh. (Pause) Of course we’ll be there in
a little while. (Pause) Goodbye.” She hung up the phone and turned to face her ex-husband.
“Hank, that was the hospital. Buffy almost miscarried.” Hank looked worried, Joyce
finished telling him what the doctor had said. “She and the baby are still in danger.
They want us to go down there.” Hank didn’t say anything he just grabbed his keys.
They drove in silence praying their little girl was okay.
* * * * *
Joyce paused outside Buffy’s room, unsure how her daughter would react upon seeing
her. Hank was filling out all the necessary paper work, and then he was going to
talk to the doctor. Joyce was about to go in when she heard voices from inside. “Angel
what if I loose the baby?” Joyce felt shocked, was that really her confident daughter
in there?
She listened for Angel’s answer.
“We would get through it together. I love you Buffy, and no matter how much I
want our child, I f you loose
it, it won’t change how I feel about you.” Joyce realised she was wrong about Angel.
She turned to go, Buffy didn’t need her right now, she would see her later. And apologise
for acting so badly.
Willow saw Buffy’s mom leave and realised that she must have over heard a conversation
between Buffy and Angel. She hoped that Buffy’s mom finally understood just how much
Buffy and Angel loved each other.
Joyce approached Hank, “Hank. Buffy doesn’t need us here, I think we should go.”
Hank looked at his ex-wife and nodded, giving her a you-better-explain-in-the-car
expression. They walked out to the car together, leaving their daughter in peace
for a while.
* * * * *
Angel and the others were just getting to leave for the night, as Buffy and the baby
needed some rest, when the doctor came in. Buffy looked nervously at the doctor.
“Am I going to be okay?”
Dr. Patterson smiled, she liked this girl. “You’ll be fine, however we found something
interesting when running tests on the baby.” Everyone looked scared, Dr. Patterson
noticed this and smiled. “Oh no nothing bad. You’re having twins.”
Buffy and Angel looked at the doctor in shock. Buffy finally found her voice. “Are
you sure?”
* * * * *
Part Five
“Yes, I’m absolutely positive.” Dr. Patterson said, slightly concerned for this
girl who was little more than a child herself.
Angel went over to his girlfriend and threw his arms around her, holding her close
to him. Buffy pulled away slightly to look at her friends. “Could you guys give me
and Angel some time alone to talk this over.” Everyone agreed at once. “Of course
Buffy, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Willow said as she and the others left. Dr. Patterson
stayed a minute longer, then she left the room too.
Angel put his hand on Buffy’s stomach and smiled as he realised that inside were
two little people, his children. Buffy looked up at Angel nervously, “Angel is this
what you want? I mean I know you were excited over one child, but are you okay with
having two?” Angel smiled at her before leaning to kiss her cheek.
“Buffy I love you, and I can’t wait for our children to be born.” Buffy smiled reassured and the two spent a few minutes together in quiet before Angel had to go.
* * * * *
After Oz dropped Willow off she sat in her bedroom trying to decide what to do. Finally
she decided to call Mrs. Summers and tell her the news. She had seen how Buffy’s
mom was softening towards the news of this pregnancy, besides it wasn’t her fault
that she didn’t understand Buffy.
*I hope Buffy isn’t too mad at me for calling her mom.* Willow thought as she picked
up the phone and dialled the Summers house.
* * * * *
After Hank headed back to his hotel Joyce thought about everything, she was startled
out of her thoughts by the ringing of the telephone.
“Hello. (Pause) Willow? (Pause) Is Buffy okay? (Pause) Twins? Are you sure? (Pause)
Tell Buffy I love her. (Pause) Maybe I will. (Pause) Okay, Bye Willow.”
Joyce put the phone down and realised that she had been to harsh on Buffy, it’s just
that she didn’t want Buffy to go through what she had. She decided that in the morning
she would pay her daughter a visit and tell her exactly why she had reacted so badly.
* * * * *
(A.N- This came to me suddenly, I know it’s twisted but go with it. It’s fanfic
it’s not supposed to be that realistic)
The next morning Buffy was startled to see her mom there. “What are you doing here?”
She asked coldly, Joyce sat down in the chair beside the bed. “Buffy I’m sorry I
reacted so harshly, it’s just I don’t want you to get hurt like I did.” “What to
you mean?” Buffy asked softening slightly.
“It’s a long story. When I was 15 I fell for this guy. His name was William and he
represented everything I craved in life. Danger, mystery, excitement, and passion.
I fell in love with him, and I thought he loved me. But there was this girl, her
name was Drusilla she was always in the shadows. She wasn’t all there, she even told
me she was going to kill me, she creeped me out big time. Eventually William left
me for her, I was devastated, and had no idea what to do. After he left me I attempted
suicide and landed in a mental hospital because I was considered a danger to my self.
When Angel told me that you two had been intimate and I saw the way you reacted to
him, I was afraid that it was me and William all over again. However last night I
realised that Angel’s not going to hurt you. So please forgive me.” Joyce finished
looking at her daughter pleadingly.
Buffy barely noticed her mother she was too in shock. *She can’t be talking about
Spike and Dru. It’s not possible, is it?* Buffy finally found her voice and looked
at her mom seriously. “Mom, did William have a British accent, extremely pale skin,
and bleached hair? And did Drusilla have long brown hair, empty looking eyes, and
always wore long dresses?”
* * * * *
Part Six
Joyce looked at her daughter puzzled before answering slowly. “Yes, how did you know?”
Buffy reached for the phone and dialled Giles number. “Giles. Get Angel and the others.
(Pause) You’re kidding. Okay don’t get Cordeila and Xander. (Pause) I’ll tell you
when you get here. (Pause) Take Oz’s van. It’s faster. (Pause) Bye, Giles.”
Buffy hung up the phone and turned to her mom. “Mom, in a few minutes a lot of things
are going to make sense I hope.” Joyce was even more puzzled but decided to trust
her daughter, they talked about the babies until the others arrived.
* * * * *
As soon as they arrived Giles when straight into his old routine. “This world is
older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a
paradise. For untold eons demons walked the Earth. They made it their home, their
Hell. But in time they lost their purchase on this reality. The way was made for
mortal animals, for, for man. All that remains of the old ones are vestiges, certain
magics, certain creatures...” Buffy gave him that-get-on-with-it-look, so she finished
for him. “And vampires.” Giles gave her a fatherly smile. Giles began to explain
about the slayers.
After he finished Buffy started on everything that had happened since moving to Sunnydale.
An hour later she had finished, Joyce looked at her daughter through teary eyes,
hugging her close. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I love you.” “I love you too.” The two women
hugged, Joyce finally getting a chance to know her real daughter.
* * * * *
Spike was sitting in his bedroom, he was thrilled. Now that it looked like Angelus
was gone, he was boss again, also Dru was his again.
“Spike.” One of his minions called, handing him some video tapes. “These are the
surveillance tapes from the last few days.” Spike didn’t really want to do this,
but he had promised Dru he would try and find out what happened to Angelus. So he
had ordered his minions to get him all the tapes from the surveillance camera Angelus
had had planted in the grave yard.
He put in a tape of the night Angelus disappeared. he was shocked by what he saw,
so Angel wasn’t dead just a lap dog again, good riddance. Spike looked at the slayer
closely and then saw something he had never seen before, a resemblance to a woman
from his past. The one person besides Dru he had ever felt anything for.
*She can’t be* he thought, but just to be sure he called to his minion. He was going
to ask for pictures of the slayer’s family. He needed to know once and for all if
she was related to his Joy.
* * * * *
The day after Buffy told her mom the truth she was released from the hospital, she
chose to go home with Angel. Joyce understood that Buffy belonged with Angel, she
did however say that she wanted Buffy to call every day. Buffy agreed, she had gone
home to rest. and enjoy the day with Angel.
Now it was night and Angel had gone out hunting for her, he had kept most of his
former strength so he wasn’t in much danger. She tried to go to sleep but all she
could do was think about what her mom had told her.
It was hard to imagine that her mom had once loved SPIKE. She shuddered as she burrowed
down in the blankets and waited for Angel to come home. She wondered if Spike had
ever cared for her mom, she knew he had some emotions because of his love for Dru,
was it possible that he had cared for her mom? Buffy shuddered again, just the thought
of it creeped her out.
* * * * *
Spike looked at the pictures that his minions had found for him for the hundredth
time. There was no doubt about it Joyce Summers was his Joy Richards, she had changed
with age but not much, he could easily see the resemblance.
Suddenly the door flew open and Dru walked in. “Spike, Miss Edith said you’ve been
a good boy, you can have some tea.” She walked towards him about to give him a reward
when she caught sight of the pictures in his hands.
Her some what clouded mind seem to react to one picture in particular, when she suddenly
realised why. It was that girl, the one who had almost taken her Spike away! She
looked at Spike, her usually empty eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. “What are
you doing with a picture of HER?”
Part Seven
Spike panicked, Dru’s jealousy had forced him to disappear from Joy’s life to keep
her alive. He covered quickly. “She’s the slayer’s mother, pet.” Dru looked confused,
as her eyes returned to being empty. “But she’s that girl, the one who tried to steal
you away from me.” “Yes pet, but she grew up, now she’s the slayer’s mum.”
Drusilla seemed to accept that as she sat down on Spike’s lap. Spike relaxed, for
some reason he still felt he had to protect Joy, and if Dru thought he still cared
for her that would be impossible.
* * * * *
Buffy woke up and reached over for Angel, she freaked out when he wasn’t there. She
sat up in alarm when suddenly he came out of the kitchen. She got out of bed and
ran to him, throwing her arms around him.
Angel was startled at first and then realised what she must have thought. “I’m sorry,
I just thought I’d make you breakfast in bed.”
“That’s so sweet that I’ll forgive you for scaring me half to death,” Buffy said
reaching up to kiss him, he responded and soon the kiss grew passionate. Suddenly
they were interrupted by the fire alarm going off, after they put the fire out, Buffy
started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Angel asked testily, Buffy stopped laughing.
“I’m sorry sweetheart, it’s just when’s the last time you cooked?” Angel looked down at the ground sheepishly.
“1778.” He mumbled, Buffy laughed again, before a glare from Angel made her stop.
“I’m sorry honey it’s just that you can’t expect to be great at cooking your first
time trying. Or at anything for that matter.” “You were.”
Buffy started to speak when she realised what Angel was implying. “Flattery will
get every where. Now, since breakfast’s ruined why don’t we go back to bed,” Buffy
said kissing him, he responded by lifting her up and putting her down on the bed.
“How long before you have to go to school?” he murmured into her ear, Buffy cuddled closer to him.
“It’s Spring Break, I have the next six days off.” After that they didn’t do any more talking.
* * * * *
That night Buffy talked Angel into going to The Bronze on the condition she would
avoid Cordelia’s ex-clique. When they got there they found the gang all sitting down
deep in discussion, as soon as Buffy and Angel approached everyone was silent. Buffy
found that slightly curious but figured she talk it out of Cordelia later.
“Hey guys. Buffy, did you here about the baby furniture sale at The Rocking Chair?”
Cordelia asked, soon the guys were staring in shock as the girls discussed decorating
the nursery.
While they were busy Angel had something to discuss with the guys. “Can I talk to
you two?” Angel asked pulling Oz and Xander away from the table.
“What is it man?” Oz asked, Angel pulled something out of his pocket. Both guys gasped at the sight of the very large diamond ring.
“Wow.” Was all Xander could muster, Oz nodded in agreement.
“It’s for Buffy, I’m going to ask her marry me.”
“Congratulations.” Oz said.
“Yeah, when are you going to pop the question."
“Tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?” Xander asked.
“It’s the one year anniversary of the day we met for the first time.” The boys
gave their approval before heading back to their table, before the girl’s realised
they were gone.
From the shadows Spike was watching them as soon as he saw Buffy he realised how
like her mother she was, it was like seeing Joy all over again. Spike rolled out
of the Bronze, he was in no shape to fight the slayer if he got caught. Besides he
didn’t want Dru to know he was gone, she was already jealous just knowing Joy lived
in Sunnydale, he didn’t want to risk her thinking he had been to see Joy.
* * * * *
The next day Buffy came home tired from shopping with Cordelia, only to find a candlelight
dinner waiting for her.
She looked at Angel, who grinned at her. “Do you know what today is?” Buffy looked
puzzled. “March 11th. The one year anniversary of the day we met!?" Angel grinned
as Buffy ran over and threw her arms around him.
“How sweet. It’s hard to believe that we’ve only known each other a year.” Angel said.
“I know it feels like I’ve known you my whole life,” Buffy gushed, and then Angel
took her hand and led her to the table he had set up.
Buffy looked down at the wonderfully smelling food suspiciously. “Angel did you cook
this?” “No, I ordered it from that knew Italian restaurant.” Buffy smiled thankfully,
she wasn’t sure she wanted to taste Angel’s cooking.
They ate in silence for a few minutes before Angel got up and knelt down before Buffy,
he took something out of his pocket. “Buffy I’ve loved you since the first time I
saw you, will you marry me?”
* * * * *
Part Eight
Buffy jumped up. “Yes,” she whispered. Angel’s face lit up and he carefully slipped
a beautiful diamond ring on her finger. Her eyes lit up at the size of the diamond.
Before she could ask, Angel smiled at her. “It was my mother’s, I don’t know why
I kept it, but I did.”
Buffy just smiled at him before she finished off her dinner, she was eating for three.
“I’m going to be huge.” She complained, Angel walked over and carried her to the
bed. “You’ll still be beautiful.” She smiled at him and then they were silent as
they lost themselves in their love.
* * * * *
Cordelia was sitting in the library with a pen and paper. “Angel’s in right? About
the baby shower tomorrow?” Xander nodded, “Yep. Dead boy’s in on the plan.” Cordelia
smiled. “great, now all we have to do is get Buffy hear and have the party.”
Willow frowned, “who’s all invited.” “Amy, Mrs. Summers, Mrs. Harris, Oz’s mom, Xander’s
sister, your mother, Jennifer Ramsey, and Heather. I had to invite one member of
THAT group, and I figured she’s the most harmless. Oh and the guys have insisted
on going, I think Angel wants to be able to protect Buffy. Which is really sweet.”
Willow nodded, feeling a little nervous about meeting Oz’s mother for the first time.
He said she’d love her but Willow wasn’t so sure.
* * * * *
Spike paused outside The Summers’ home. He knew he shouldn’t do this, but he needed
to see Joy. He had no real doubt that by now she was aware that she knew what he
was. She was the mother of the pregnant slayer, she had to know.
He knocked on the door. Joyce yelled, “come in!” Spike did as she said and walked
into the house. He followed her sent into the kitchen.
She was doing the dishes, he couldn’t believe it. His Joy standing right in front
of him, she was still as beautiful as ever. “Hello Joy.” He said nervously, what
if she pulled a cross, or worse a stake? Joyce filled with shock and slowly turned
around. “William?”
* * * * *
Part Nine
“It’s me.” Joyce looked at him with a mixture of shock, hate, and longing.
“What are you doing here?” She asked coldly. “I know you know the truth now Joy,
about what I am. Now let me tell you why I left.” Joy glared at him, “fine.”
She led him to the living room and sat down directly facing him. “Speak.”
“I had PLANNED on making you a meal after that first meeting, but I was intrigued
by you. My feelings got deeper as I got to know you better, eventually Dru got jealous.
She told me that if I didn’t leave with her, she’d kill you. I couldn’t let that
happen so I left. But I still care for you.” Joyce looked with cold fury in her eyes.
Prove it.”
“how.”
“Stake her.” Spike stared at her in shock, she was asking the impossible, he and
Dru had been together A hundred and
fifty years! “I know it seems extreme, but I have the safety of my daughter to think
about. That bitch will never leave her alone after she finds out about the baby,
plus considering how fast she jumped into Angelus’ bed she can’t have any real feelings
for YOU.” Spike sighed, it was a tough choice but he had to make it.
“I’ll do it.”
Joyce smiled, she had hoped he would. She had never stopped loving him, and her heart
leapt at the possibility of a reunion.
* * * * *
The next evening Buffy walked into the library, with Angel by her side. “We’re here.”
Buffy called, suddenly several people rushed out of Giles’ office.
“Surprise!” Cordelia yelled giving Buffy a hug.
“Thanks Cor, this is SO sweet.” She then sat down to talk and open presents.
Willow sat beside Oz’s mom, they had gotten along okay. Which was a BIG relief since
Willow loved Oz and all.
The party turned out to be a success, with Buffy getting lot’s of presents. The guys
did however sneak out half way through, except for Angel they weren’t missed.
* * * * *
Meanwhile Spike was waiting for Dru at the park. He saw her talking to a child, her
back was to him. He knew what he had to do. Sneaking up behind her, and easy thing
to do if you’re a vampire, he stuck a stake in her back. She turned around to face
her attacker and a look of shock and betrayal crossed her face before she whispered
“Spike?” and crumbled to dust.
Spike stood there long after the child had run off just starting at the ashes which
had for so long been his lover, his other half, and the closest thing a vampire got
to a friend. They had been together for a Hundred and Fifty years and then he killed
her. He got a hold of himself and picked up her ashes and the antique locket he had
given her for their one hundredth anniversary, as proof that he killed her. Before
he went he flashed back through some of the most important moments in their life
together.
When they were introduced for the first time, the night they became lovers after
Angelus went back to Darla, him comforting her when Angelus was presumed dust, San
Francisco at the turn of the century, her getting a hang-over from killing everyone
in that speakeasy back in the twenties, Prague, and finally when they first arrived
here in Sunnydale.
It had been a good time, now it was over and he felt a pang of loss. Was it really
worth it? Was the love of a mortal who would eventually die worth the loss of his
lifelong lover? he hoped so. He gave the park one last sad look before leaving.
* * * * *
Buffy was at her mom’s and she turned when she heard someone come in to the kitchen,
she turned with a smile on her face thinking it was Angel from upstairs, the smile
froze when she saw Spike. “What the Hell are you doing here?” She demanded.
Spike handed Buffy a matchbox, “give this to your mother. She’ll know what it is.”
He said numbly, still reeling from killing Dru. “Also give her this.” He handed Buffy
an envelope. “I hope she understands.” He then turned to go.
As soon as the door closed behind him Joyce came down the stairs. “Buffy did I hear
someone?”
“Yeah it was Spike, William, he told me to give you these. Said you’d know what’s
in the box.” Joyce’s face lit
up.
“He did it, he killed Drusilla.” Buffy looked shocked, so Spike really did love her mother. If he didn’t he never would have killed Dru.
“How do you know it’s Dru?” Buffy asked still not ready to believe that Spike
actually killed the women whom had been for
centuries.
“This.” Joyce handed the locket to Buffy, Buffy instantly recognised it, kissed
her mom’s cheek, and whispered “good luck mom,” before going upstairs to tell Angel
the recent developments.
Joyce opened the envelope and was shocked by the letters’ contents.
Dear Joy,
I thought I could live with myself after killing her, but I can’t. The look of betrayal
on her face, now I understand how Angelus felt when he did the same to Darla. We
were together for a century and a half, and one night in the park separated us forever.
But that’s not why I wrote this letter. I love you always know that, which is why
I’m killing myself now instead of dying slowly when the inevitable happens and you
die. I have to accept that it will as you’re a middle aged women, and I’m a vampire.
Goodbye Joy, never forget me. Inside this envelope is a pocket watch, the only piece
of my humanity I have left. It’s yours.
Forever,
William
P.S- Give Angelus my regards, I really do respect him.
Joyce started to cry and rushed after him, hoping beyond hope that he would go to
kill himself in the same place he had killed Drusilla. She raced towards the park.
* * * * *
”William!” Spike turned and looked at the woman who had called his name, he had half
hoped she’d come. But he couldn’t let her change his mind. It was his time.
“Goodbye Joy.” was all he said before he rammed the stake he had used to kill Drusilla
into his own heart. As he exploded into dust, Joyce burst into tears. He was gone,
William was gone, she gathered his ashes in the same box as Dru’s were in and put
them together. That’s the way he would’ve wanted it, then she let them go into the
wind. Then she started home, her heart full of mourning for William, and his Drusilla.
She had loved him, and she knew he had loved her too, which is why it was so easy
to let go, and so hard.
* * * * *
Epilogue
Six Months later
“Congratulations Mrs. Eagleson, you have two healthy happy little girls.” The doctor
said handing one to Buffy and one to Angel.
“Oh, Angel they’re beautiful.” Buffy whispered holding the one in her arms close
to her heart. “I know.” Angel said leaning down to kiss his wife’s head. Buffy looked
up at Angel her eyes sparkling. “What should we name them?”
* * * * *
An hour later the Scooby gang was gathered all around Buffy’s hospital bed, issuing
congratulations. “What are their names?” Cordelia asked reaching for one of them,
Angel handed her the one in his arms.
“She’s Isolde. It’s from an old Celtic legend. Isolde Cordelia.” Cordelia beamed
down at her little name sake, she had never felt so honoured. “And this is Brianna
Alexandria.” Buffy said indicating to the baby in her arms.
“Hey!” Cordelia called. “What’s that.?” Everyone turned to the mark on Isolde’s shoulder.
Giles, Angel, and Buffy all recognised with dread. The mark of the slayer.
The End