Three's Company
by ABFan
Chapter 3
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"Nothing," Willow answered miserably.
"No, there's something wrong. I mean, more wrong than what's already wrong." Tara pushed.
"Don't you see?" Willow asked, her anger getting the better of her and she pushed off Xander's shoulder and faced Tara. "Me! Her best friend for years and she walked right past me like I didn't even exist and went straight into your arms. This is supposed to be an equal relationship. 50 — 50" Willow stopped for a second and then added "and 50, whatever, you know what I mean."
Tara rushed to her lover and wrapped her arms around her trying to comfort her.
"C'mon, Will. Maybe it's just because Tara's going to be a mom. Maybe Buffy just associated it with her own mom. You know, I have no clue what the hell's going on, but I can tell you easily that Buffy was not thinking straight right then." Xander offered some very logical advice and Willow couldn't really argue with logic.
"I, I guess you're right, Xander," Willow sniffled and then looked up to Tara who was stroking her back lovingly. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry I got mad at you, I didn't mean..."
"Shhh, it's okay." Tara held on to Willow a little longer until she calmed down some more. "Xander, it doesn't look like Buffy's up for any type of talking right now and it's not fair for us to say anything, so you might as well head to work. As soon as Buffy's ready we'll call you," Tara stated, her way of politely asking him to leave.
"Yeah, um, sure, whenever," he said, hurt that he just got the brush off. Old insecurities rose their ugly head and if he listened, he could almost hear Cordelia taunting him, calling him Zeppo. He hung his head and left the house, but sat in his car for a few moments letting his hurt die down. It would do him no good to go to the job site all upset like a big baby. He'd never hear the end of it that's for sure.
He never expected Willow to come flying out the front door so fast that she literally slammed into his car before she could decrease her speed enough to stop. "Xander! The baby, she's having the baby!" Willow yelled.
Xander jumped out of the car and ran into the house where he saw Tara sitting on the steps holding on to the banister for dear life, taking in rapid breathes. "Okay, okay, everything's cool. Everything's under control. I got everything under control."
"Xander," Tara grunted at him through gritted teeth.
"Right, um, can you walk?" he asked panic mode in full swing.
She took a few breaths and then nodded.
"Buffy! Tara's in labor!" Willow called out. The way the morning was going so far she didn't know if she should even expect a response or even see Buffy come out of the room. However, when the door slammed open and Buffy flew down the steps, neatly jumping over the railing and picking Tara up in her arms and making her way out the door, Willow and Xander barely had time to realize the bedroom door had even opened.
"Let's go! What the hell are you waiting for?" Buffy called out as she eased Tara into the back seat of Xander's car. Xander and Willow just shrugged and ran out the door and into the car, which Xander quickly threw into gear and sped down the street, his tires screeching, leaving marks in the road.
"Oh, damn!" Willow slapped herself in the head.
"What? What? Oh, damn, what?" Xander asked, jittery, as he swerved in between traffic and raced through stop signs.
"I forgot to leave a note for Dawn, she'll be worried."
"Here," Xander handed Willow his cell phone and Willow quickly dialed the house number and left a short message for Dawn telling her that everything was okay, but that Tara was in labor and they're heading to the hospital. She'd call back later and let her know what's going on.
The sirens and lights behind Xander caught him off guard. With a groan he quickly pulled over and as the cop neared the car Xander started freaking out. "We got a woman in labor here!"
The cop took his sweet time making his way to the car and looked into the window. He saw Tara in the back seat leaning up against Buffy. She was breathing fast, holding her stomach, her face already sweaty. Without turning back to Xander he simply stated, "Follow me," as he walked back to his car. He hit the lights and sirens again and sped up in front of Xander who quickly took the hint and sped behind the officer to the hospital.
The cop must have radioed ahead because there was a wheelchair and a nurse already waiting at the emergency room entrance for them when they pulled up. When the nurse went to take Tara from Buffy's arm, the slayer shot the older woman with a look that could have killed and the nurse wisely backed away, allowing the strong blonde to place her lover in the chair herself.
And then they were off, racing down the hallway and through double doors. The nurse at the check in station stopped Willow and Buffy before they could go any further. "Um, are you with the woman just brought in?" She asked.
"Yeah, why?" Buffy turned to the woman, daring her to stop her from seeing Tara.
"I need some forms filled out. Insurance and whatnot."
"Oh," Willow said stepping forward. "She's under my insurance. Can we do this a little later? I really want to get in there."
"I'm sorry, but only the mother and father are allowed back there right now, you'll have to wait here."
"We are the parents," Willow said pointing to herself and Buffy.
The nurse looked at her like she'd just gone crazy and Willow only rolled her eyes. "Long story, you don't want to know it, but the three of us are the parents of the same baby, so if you'll just allow us to go through, that'd be great."
Xander came running into the ER and asked, breathlessly, "Where is she?"
The nurse brightened up at the sight of a male. "Ah, you must be the father," she said, completely ignoring the statements made by the crazy redhead.
Xander was taken aback for a moment and then caught on. "Um, no. They're the parents," Xander corrected, pointing to his two friends.
The nurse looked at him with the same expression she'd reserved for Willow and decided that now no one was getting past her. That was until Buffy lunged across the nurse's desk, grabbed her by the collar, and stared at her deep in the eyes. She felt Willow and Xander pulling on her arms but they were no match for her slayer strength, especially when she was enraged. "Now listen to me you bigoted bitch. That beautiful woman in there is carrying not only my child, but her child as well," Buffy indicated Willow by a tilt of her head. "We're not asking for your blessing, personally, we don't give a shit, but I swear by any god listening, if you prevent me from being there for the birth of my daughter I will tear you apart limb by limb."
All the nurse could do was nod vigorously as Buffy slowly released her hold on her. Once she was finished with the nurse, she quickly threw her arms out of the reach of her friends and stormed through the double doors. Willow sent an apologetic look to the frazzled nurse that said, 'sorry, she's had a bad day, but you really did deserve it,' and she followed her lover through the door.
It took her and Buffy a moment to track down where they'd taken Tara, but all they had to do was follow the cries of pain and they found her soon enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After about an hour, the doctor determined it was a false alarm, most likely brought about by increased stress levels. She'd have to calm down, stay in bed for a while, maintain a healthy diet, and if she felt up to it, some exercise. Once Willow was assured, several times, that everything was fine and that this happens quiet often, she went out to the nurses station to finally fill out the paper work for her lover. Luckily her job didn't ask too many questions about why she had two non-related women as dependents covered under her insurance and the beneficiaries to any policies she'd get through the company. Considering this is Sunnydale, they probably just figured with the rate that people suddenly disappeared, it was probably best to have more than one person watching your back in case something happened.
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By the time they pulled up to the house most of the day had already come and gone and Dawn was pacing anxiously throughout the house until she saw them helping Tara inside. "What? No baby?" Dawn asked, not really sure what the hell was happening lately.
"False alarm," was all Willow managed to get out. She settled Tara on the couch and went to fetch some water for her while Buffy quickly made her way back upstairs and into their room leaving everyone in her wake.
"Okay, what was that about?" Dawn asked, a bit hurt by how her sister just ignored her, especially considering the shape she was in last night.
"No one's told me anything either, Dawnie, so don't feel bad." Xander may not be the quickest one to pick up things in the group, but over time he noticed how much Dawn had changed and how desperately she wanted to be considered one of the gang, especially in her sister's eyes. It helped her to know that for once she wasn't the only one being left out in the cold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week passed and Buffy refused to do anything more than sleep, eat, and use the bathroom and Willow was quickly losing her patience. Tara was feeling much better after the initial scare, so they were able to focus on Buffy once more. They both knew the slayer needed time to come to terms with what happened, but they also knew that if she didn't start talking about it Buffy would fall further into her depression and they couldn't really afford to have her go into another catatonic state, not with the baby already itching to get out so soon.
So now they sat, the trio of lovers, in the bedroom. Buffy stared sightlessly out the window while Willow and Tara flanked her on either side, each holding a book of baby names.
"Buffy, what do you think of the name Elizabeth?" Willow asked, hoping that coming up with a name for their baby would spark some type of life back into the slayer. Between the extra classes the witches were taking on and now having to care for Buffy, Dawn, and Tara, the only ones left to handle the slaying duties were Spike, Anya, and Xander. Buffy had to snap out of it soon because it was only a matter of time before their friends wouldn't be able to maintain the peace that had settled over Sunnydale.
"No? Don't like Elizabeth?" Willow asked, gently prodding the slayer.
"How about, um," Tara flipped through the book, "Stacey?" Tara didn't get a response either.
"I don't know, Tara," Willow started in a stage voice, "We might wind up calling our daughter 'hey you' for a while since we can't seem to come up with something we all agree on," Willow pressed her patience waning.
The slayer kept her eyes on the window, barely blinking. When the witches weren't around she'd cry; she'd let her mind wander replaying the scene in her head, trying to find where she'd gone wrong. When they were near she'd close up, refusing any contact, physical, verbal, and especially anything sexual. She knew she was being an ass, but she didn't know what else to do.
"Okay, that's enough," Willow yelled, throwing her book down on the bed and jumped in front of Buffy. "Buffy, you've got to snap out of this. You've got to let us in. We're your friends, your lovers, and your family. You need to talk about what happened and let it go. Okay, fine, you may never forget what happened, that's fine, but you've got to start putting it in the past."
Willow searched her eyes, green piercing blue, pleading with her to break out of her daze. They needed the slayer, not just because she was the slayer, but because the baby was going to be brought into this world in about a month and she was going to need all her mothers there for her. Willow concentrated; her eyes sending that very message to Buffy, and the slayer began to blink. Slowly at first and then more rapidly until her eyes watered and she broke down in tears throwing herself off the bed and into Willow's arms, knocking them both to the floor.
"I'm so sorry," Buffy cried, "It's all my fault."
Willow held on to her lover as though their lives depended on it, and perhaps, in a way, they did. "Shhh, it's okay. It's not your fault. What happened... that was most certainly not your fault." Willow gently ran her hand up and down the slayer's back to comfort her. She felt the muscles that littered the blonde's back tense, but she kept moving her hand up and down in a soothing motion until the tension slowly began to leave the powerful muscles. Buffy's body shook as wracking sobs were finally released. "That's right. Let it out; let it all out. You can cry here, you're safe here. Nothing's going to hurt you while I'm around."
Tara cautiously slid down to the floor, which took a little while considering the bulk in front of her now, but once she made it she added her warmth and support to Buffy. Willow's words reminded her of a lovely song and she began to softly sing, not just for the slayer, but for all of them, for Willow, Buffy, the baby, and herself.
Nothing's gonna harm you
Not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you
No sir, not while I'm around
Demons are prowling everywhere
Nowadays
I'll send them howling, I don't care
I've got ways
No one's gonna hurt you
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there
Demons'll charm you with a smile
For a while
But in time
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around
Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to, I would never hide a thing from you
Like some
No one's gonna hurt you
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there
Demons'll charm you with a smile
For a while
But in time
Nothing's gonna harm you
Not while I'm around
Not while I'm around
(-Barbara Streisand)
Tara's soft, melodic voice swept over them, soothing hurts, and cleansing away the pain. Buffy stared at the blonde witch, always enjoying the rare occasions she'd let her talent of singing come through and was deeply touched by the words sent to her through the song. Fears were slowly stripped away and with a deep breath she slowly began to retell what happened that night a week ago.
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A week later the Scooby gang, this time minus Dawn, were assembled at the Magic Box, each taking a seat at the round table in the center of the shop. Hesitantly, Buffy once again relived the night of her attack. When she was finished silence surrounded them, each taking in the words of the slayer. Willow and Tara had heard it before, had been there for the very end of it, but it was still hard to hear it told and still needed their own time to digest the horror that befell the mighty slayer.
Anya was unusually silent but the rage was clearly burning in her eyes. For over a millennia she had sought revenge on men for the wrongs they'd caused women and she had come across the occasional rape victim. Whenever she was called to exact revenge on scum like that she made sure it was the slowest most painful event in their lives and she was praying that she could have been a demon once more, just for a moment, before Willow destroyed the vampires so she could enjoy tormenting them. The women who called her were always strangers to her, but she'd always felt their pain, being a woman herself, but now, sitting across from someone she considered a dear and close friend, she was ready to explode with rage.
Xander was silent as well, but his body began to steadily increase with the shakes as he fought valiantly to hold back the hurt and anger he felt. His eyes misted over as tears threatened to fall for his friend and he too wished he was there to get some shots in on the vampires who had done this.
Buffy observed each one of her friends, reading clearly what they were feeling, and she knew she was protected and loved. These were not superficial emotions or pity. Her friends felt her pain, felt her rage, felt her humiliation, though not to the fullest extent she did. She'd always known they'd do anything for her and they've proven that time and again each time they stood by her to fight an apocalypse, each time she screwed up, and now, they'd take her hurt and carry it with them too and transfer it to love to help her heal. To say these were friends was a vast understatement. Each person who sat at the table was a part of her soul and the two women on either side of her held the largest parts.
It was a long and tiring day, emotions were always draining and once Xander and Anya confirmed that they, with the aid of Spike, would take over patrolling again, Buffy called it a day and went home with her lovers.
"Um, are you hungry?" Willow asked Buffy.
"No, no thanks. I think I'm just going to go upstairs and rest," The recovery was a long way from complete, but Buffy was on the right path. She just needed to rest, get her strength up, and then she'd be able to start a fresh day tomorrow. What she'd do the next day was yet to be seen, though. For now, she climbed the stairs as though the weight of the world had just been lifted from her shoulders, but she still slumped, so used to carrying its weight.
Buffy threw herself onto the bed and buried her face into the pillows. She fought with all her strength to keep the tears from flooding through her while at the Magic Box. She knew it was silly, but she still didn't want her friends to see her break down and now that she was alone she could let it all out.
Her eyes slowly closed and her sobs gradually subsided and sleep finally took her.
"Buffy," a gentle voice called to her through the dream mist.
"Who's there?" Buffy called out, her guard up, ready for anything.
"Buffy," the voice called again, this time closer.
Buffy spun around trying to pin point the voice. It seemed like it was all around her and closing in, but she still couldn't make out any form. The mist was too thick, gray and obscuring, she blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes hoping to clear her vision, but it did little to help.
"Buffy," the voice called, this time seemingly right next to her ear.
Buffy spun on her heels, ready for anything, anything but the sight of her mother smiling down at her.
"M-mom?" Buffy asked, not sure if the vision before her was real or illusion.
"Yes, Buffy."
"But, but it can't be you. You, you," Buffy broke down and cried, dropping herself into the waiting arms of her mother, not caring if the figure was real or not.
"Shhh, Buffy, it's okay. I've been watching you, you know. I'm so very proud of you. The way you've helped Dawn grow up so much and how you're going to be a mother soon. Oh, Buffy, I know you'll make a great mother and I'm so happy that you've finally found love, especially with Willow and Tara. They are both beautiful and wonderful women."
"Oh, mom," Buffy cried not able to really speak her mind.
"Shhh, I know," her mother comforted her. "I've also seen you take your hits. I've watched with dread as you sacrificed yourself when Glory came around, I've seen you fend off the darkest creatures, and I was there when you were attacked by those fiends. I'm so sorry that I was never there for you, never truly knew what you went through each night, and that I couldn't stop those demons from hurting you the way they did. I've made mistakes and I'm sorry," Joyce confessed.
"No, mom, you did the only thing you could. It's not like there's a handbook for parents of slayers, you know," Buffy tried to defend her mother against herself.
"No, Buffy, there isn't. But I could have done things better. Now, now that I get to watch you each night as you leave the safety of the house and fight any number of demons, my heart fills with pride, but also with fear. I know that you can't just stop being the slayer, but I need you to do me a favor?"
"Anything, mom, anything," Buffy agreed through her tears, desperate to never let go over her mother.
"I need you to realize that you now have a beautiful daughter coming soon and she will need all her mothers. I need you to share the slaying. Team up with Spike. I know you never really liked him, but he's been so helpful to you, especially when you don't see him. I've watched him too and though you may not always see him, he is constantly there protecting you and the others. I need to know that you'll be safe. That my granddaughter will have a protector. Don't let that stubborn 'Summers' pride get in the way, be safe Buffy," Joyce ended.
Her mother slowly began to pull away, fading into the mist and Buffy jumped to her feet and raced after her mother. "Don't go! Mom! Please don't leave me again!" Buffy pushed her way through the fog and the further in she went, the thicker it became until it seemed like she had to literally cut through it. A knife mysteriously appeared in her hand and without a second thought she stabbed it through the fog and pulled down hard making a long tear through the fabric of her dream and a blinding light filled her eyes forcing her to keep them shut. By faith alone Buffy stepped through the tear and into the light.
"Buffy," the voice called to her. "Buffy, wake up," Willow pushed, gently rocking the slayer's body.
"Mom!" Buffy called out jumping out of bed startling Willow and Tara.
"Well, I guess we know who she was dreaming about," Willow offered to Tara.
"Honey," Tara called to Buffy, her hand out stretched, beckoning the slayer to her side. "Want to talk about your dream?"
The slayer simply turned a weak smile on her face. "What about Joy? Short for Joyce and because she is such a joy to our lives?" Buffy asked completely off the topic.
It took her lovers a second to realize she was referring to the name of their daughter and then the witches shared a look, broad smiles on their faces. "It's perfect," they responded in unison.
"I, um, I have to go see someone. I should be back before," Buffy turned and looked at the clock which showed it was 6:00 and she looked out the window, still not getting her full barring. "Um, what the hell time is it?"
"Six," Tara offered.
"In the morning or night?" Buffy asked, roughly rubbing her eyes hoping to jump-start her sluggish system.
"Morning." Tara provided.
"Oh, okay. I'm going to see someone, I'll be back before breakfast."
Buffy seemed rather insistent and the witches didn't know if they should try to object to her going out or if they should press her to find out who this mystery person was she was going to see. They watched as Buffy made her way around the room collecting her jacket and some basic protection — holy water, stakes, and cross.
"Um, sure, ah, where are you going?" Tara asked.
"I'm sorry, hon, I can't really say, but I'll try to explain everything later, okay?" Buffy reached over and gave Tara a loving kiss on the lips and repeated the gesture with Willow.
It was the first real contact they had with Buffy in what seemed like an eternity and the witches didn't know if that was necessarily a good or a bad thing. Before they could really decide Buffy was already out the door and rushing down the steps and out of the house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy's senses were alert, more so than before. She focused on everything around her, the slightest sound made her jump, even though she knew that if there were any vampires out at the moment they'd be rushing for cover and wouldn't be interested in picking a fight. Still, she couldn't get herself to relax as she cautiously made her way through the cemetery, early morning mist swirling around her body, her sneakers getting damp from the dew that would quickly dry up once the sun rose a little higher and the traditional California heat set in.
She stopped at the musoleum and studied the door before knocking. She wasn't sure if she really wanted to do this, but knew that if her mother made it a point to come to her in her dreams it was important. A gloved hand peaked out from behind the door and a seemingly disembodied voice called out, "What do you want?" Buffy welcomed herself into Spike's crypt, which was followed by some British-type curses. "Alright, luv, what's going on? Since when do you knock?" Spike closed the door behind the slayer and tossed the glove off to the side.
"I had a dream," Buffy simply stated, almost expected the bleached blonde vampire to know exactly what that meant.
Normally he would have taken things down a familiar path, closing in on the slayer, pressing up against her with a lustful sneer, even though he knew she was already with Willow and Tara, but he knew not to cross that line. Not after what happened. Not only was it out of basic respect for her, but also because he valued his unlife. Instead, he simply asked, "Okay, and?"
"It was my mother," Buffy added as she slumped onto the couch Spike had set up. He decided to keep his distance and remained standing, leaning up against one of the pillars. "She told me a lot of things, but she asked me one favor. She asked me not to patrol alone anymore. She had seen what happened and now with the baby on the way she doesn't want anything to happen to me again. She named you, specifically, to turn to. She said that even when I don't see you, you're always there watching, protecting." Buffy looked up into the eyes of the dead man in front of her. She didn't need to say it. He didn't need to hear it. They both knew that Buffy was thanking him and even though she always gave him a hard time, she truly did appreciate the way he watched over her family.
"Right," Spike said, pushing off the pillar and went to grab a medical bag of blood. "Whatever you need, luv." Spike stated simply as he bit into the bag and began to sip the liquid.
"I'd like to try a patrol tonight," Buffy added.
"I'll meet you at your house at sun down," was all Spike needed to say. He knew that for Buffy to come to him was a major step and he didn't want to push her by playing their normal games. Games where he'd normally force her to actually ask for her request outright. A line had been crossed and they knew it and it was time to put the pettiness aside. That morning, just as the sun crested over the distant mountains, a new partnership was formed. A little bit of the slayer returned, and a mother smiled down on her daughter.
Buffy made her way back to her home where she found her lovers and sister at the table looking at her expectantly. She knew they deserved an explanation and decided to get some food into her rumbling stomach first. She'd only had a small lunch and then skipped dinner the day before and she was starving. "Breakfast first and then I'll spill," Buffy stated simply though her tone was a little lighter than it had been in recent memory.
Her family didn't need to hear anything further and knew better than to push. Everyone got to their feet and went into the kitchen ready to make the slayer anything she wanted. Eggs, pancakes and cereal were set out on the table and everyone dug in heartily. Midway through, Buffy decided to spill the beans.
"I had a dream," Buffy started and all eyes went to her, "about mom." Buffy watched Dawn closely knowing she'd taken it really hard when Joyce passed away. "She said that she's been watching, she knows what's been going on and she's happy and proud." This seemed to please Dawn, knowing their mother was there, even if they couldn't see her. "She's very proud of how much you've grown, Dawn," Buffy added. She watched as Dawn's eyes teared up. She'd given her mom a hard time, she knew, but was so glad to hear her mother's words coming from Buffy's mouth and it only solidified Dawn's resolve to try as hard as she could to be the best sister and aunt she could be. Buffy looked to Willow and Tara next. "She also said she's very happy that I'm finally settled down and that you two were the best thing to happen to me. That you're both great, wonderful women. She knows about the baby and is looking forward to watching her granddaughter grow up." Tara was the first to let the tears fall but Willow was quick to follow. "She also said that she's been watching me and doesn't want to see me hurt again. She asked me to do her one favor," Buffy had to stop for a second to bite back the tears that threatened to fall. Just talking about her lost mother was tough and she realized that she never really had the time to thoroughly mourn her. "She asked me to team up with Spike whenever I patrol. Apparently he's been keeping an eye on us no matter how many times I've told him to go to hell. No matter how often I've beat him up, he'd still wait in the shadows to make sure no one was hurt. She wants him to watch over me on patrols because she doesn't want to see her granddaughter lose a mother."
Tears were shed, hearts were lifted, fears were comforted. Joyce was watching, loving, and, in any way she could, protecting. A healing was beginning.
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The next month passed in a flurry of action. Each day meant that the baby's birth date was closer on the horizon. They made sure the room was all set up, Willow was almost ready to finish her degree and was hitting the books harder than before to prepare for the finals and term papers that were just around the corner.
Buffy had only just returned from her patrol that night. It took her a while to get used to being a teammate of Spike's but after a while he was actually pleasant company. As much as she loved her friends, there were just certain things that she could only tell Spike.
It was four in the morning by the time Buffy threw on her nightclothes and crawled into bed, but the sudden gasping cry from Tara had her up and back out of the bed in an instant. "Tara, what is it?"
"The baby," Tara gasped, her breathing going from deep and long in sleep to completely alert and rapid to help her through the pain.
"Willow!" Buffy jumped around the room, grabbing clothes, barely throwing them onto her body, while grabbing the suitcase that they set aside for just this purpose. Willow bounded out of bed and had just enough time to see the suitcase being thrown into her arms.
Unfortunately, in Buffy's enthusiasm, and her rush to get things ready, she had used near-half Slayer strength and Willow was promptly knocked to the floor with a thud. "Oh, shit! Sorry, honey! You okay?"
Willow, taking the hand held out to her, simply said, "For that: You're holding Tara's hand."
"Deal. Um, could you get Dawn," Buffy asked as she went to Tara's side and began to ease her out of the bed.
"Dawn! The baby's coming," Buffy could hear Willow calling out as she knocked on the door. Amazingly, Dawn was dressed and out the door faster than anyone else and even grabbed the keys to the jeep off the end table and had the car started.
Buffy and Willow helped Tara down the stairs, which, considering how narrow the stairs were, was rather comical and Tara couldn't help but let out a chuckle, saying, "Wide-load! Coming thr-OH!!" until a new wave of pain struck her.
Buffy broke the land speed record and if she could, she probably would have broken the sound barrier along the way, but they arrived at the hospital safely and they rushed Tara into the emergency room. As luck would have it, the nurse from a few months back was at the desk and she certainly remembered 'those two dykes,' but she also remembered just how strong the blonde was and when Buffy shot her a look that said, 'don't even try to stop me this time,' the nurse backed off.
"Dawn, can you give them Tara's information," Willow asked as she followed her lovers beyond the double doors, not really giving the teen a chance to answer.
Dawn walked up to the check in station with a smile. "Um, I'd like to check in Tara Maclay, I guess."
The nurse typed in the name given to her and saw the information come up on the screen. "Confirm the address please," the nurse said any pleasantry her voice would normally hold was certainly not there.
"1630 Revello Drive, Sunnydale," Dawn offered.
"Insurance coverage still under Willow Rosenberg?" The nurse requested.
"Yep."
"That's fine. If you want to take a seat, the wait could be a while." As much as the nurse hated the other women she couldn't help but like the young girl. Maybe she didn't know the perversity of the other women with her.
Dawn smiled and left to the payphone. She dug into her pockets pulling out some coins and started to dial some numbers. It rang several times before she heard the other end pick up.
"What's wrong," came the groggy voice from the other end. Xander knew that if a call was coming in at this odd hour something was up.
"The baby's on the way," Dawn started but there was suddenly a lot of noise on the line. She could vaguely hear Xander calling to Anya to get up and figured that he was running around the room to get his stuff together. Dawn figured that's all she needed to know so hung up. She was going to ask him to call Giles before he came by but guess not. Besides, it would just make the watcher nervous until there was further news.
She'd been sitting for about five minutes and started to wonder how long she'd have to wait when Xander came in dragging a practically still sleeping Anya. "Any news?" Xander asked, winded, as though he ran from his apartment to the hospital and not just the short trip from the parking lot to the ER door.
"Nope, they've only been in there about ten to fifteen minutes. The nurse said it could be a while though." Dawn filled them in on the little information she, herself, had.
Xander gave the nurse a passing glance and then did a double take as he recognized her as being the same one that gave Buffy and Willow a hard time during Tara's false alarm.
Hours passed and the friends were getting anxious, but their wait was just about over because a few minutes later Buffy came bursting through the door and skid to a halt in front of her friends. "It's a girl!" Buffy announced even though everyone knew the baby was going to be a girl.
Regardless, they surrounded her with hugs and praise. "What's the skinny?" Xander asked.
"6 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches." Buffy provided further details. "I gotta, I gotta go, I'll be back. They'll bring you around the back when we're ready to go up," Buffy said as she headed back to the birthing room and her lovers.
As Buffy made her way to the bedside of her lover, she took one of her hands, while Willow took the other. "They said they're going to be bringing the baby upstairs in a few minutes so everyone can see her and give Tara a chance to relax," Willow informed Buffy.
Buffy looked down to Tara who was covered in sweat but smiling broadly. "You okay, sweetie?" Buffy asked, brushing aside some stray bits of hair that clung to Tara's face.
Tara nodded, "Hmmm. Just hurry back here when you're done."
"Do you need anything? Something to read? Ice chips?" Willow asked, doting over her lover.
"I'm good, honey, thanks. Go hang out with the gang for a bit and check on the baby. I'm just going to rest here a bit." Tara offered. She knew her lovers were anxious to share in the joy that was their baby with their friends and after hours of labor, all she really wanted to do was close her eyes for a few minutes.
"You sure?" Willow asked, hoping that she could go to her friends, but at the same time, not wanting to leave her lover.
"I'm sure, go ahead. Just be sure to come back."
After some kisses, hugs, and praises Buffy and Willow went back out to the main lobby. Willow received similar treatment that Buffy got when she first came out with the announcement. They led them up the stairs to the next floor and the group made their way down the hallway and huddled around a window. Joy, the baby of Willow, Buffy, and Tara, was wheeled into the room and the nurses quickly set about to check the baby's temperature, take her footprints, fill out the paper work. The group looked on with an occasional "Oh" and "Ah."
"Would the parents like the prints on their shirts?" one of the nurses called through the glass separating them.
Willow and Buffy looked at each other and then to the nurse, nodding. The nurse walked them through the double doors and just as they inked Joy's feet to take the foot prints, the nurse gently guided Willow, then Buffy, pressing their stomachs to the tiny feet of their daughter, leaving the ink prints on each of their shirts. When the new mothers looked to the nurse she just shrugged, "It's some new thing that started a little while ago. The fathers usually get the baby's prints on their shirts as a momento."
The moms were escorted back out and everyone ogled over the prints on their shirts, Xander, being the only one who managed to sneak down to the gift shop and buy a camera, took some shots to further memorialize this rather historic moment.
By noon the friends were allowed into the room to visit Tara who was quietly nursing Joy. Though excitement was practically buzzing in the air around them, everyone remained fairly calm and sedate so as not to startle the baby. Gifts, flowers, and balloons were abound, filling the room with sweet scents and well wishes.
"So, when can you break out of this joint?" Xander asked, referring to the hospital in terms of prison, which got polite chuckles from those in the room.
"Probably tomorrow," Tara answered, not really taking her eyes off the bundle of joy nestled in her arms.
"Did anyone call Giles?" Buffy asked.
"Oh, geez, no." Xander confessed.
"I went to ask Xander to call before he came, but I never got the chance," Dawn added and Xander looked rather sheepish, remembering how he just jumped into frantic mode when Dawn called.
"Well, visiting hours will be over soon, can someone call him once you guys get home? No sense in making an overseas call here," Buffy asked.
"Yeah, they'd charge you way too much," Anya piped in, her mind always on the dollars.
A nurse came in, which was their sign that it was time to leave. The mommies needed some time alone to finish the feeding and bonding time together and Joy and Tara needed some basic check ups to make sure all was well for their release tomorrow. Everyone got up, gave the new parents hugs and kisses and blew kisses to Joy, not wanting to disturb her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By early evening the next day Buffy, Willow, Tara, and Joy pulled up to the house. Dawn was anxiously waiting at the front door, holding it open so the girls could bring in all the gifts from the hospital and Tara could come in with the baby.
The gang was gathered around and in the far corner of the living room a tall figure stood waiting for a calm moment to come so he could step forward, but Buffy caught sight of him and lunged forward tossing the items in her arms to whomever was nearby. She threw herself into his arms, which wrapped around her in a firm hug. "Giles!" Buffy called out.
"How are you doing, Buffy?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips at the warm welcome he'd received.
"Great. How? When?" She couldn't really get the words out around her happiness.
"When Xander called me yesterday I decided to take the next flight out." Giles filled in, knowing exactly what his charge was trying to ask.
He unraveled himself from his slayer and made his way to Willow and Tara who remained by the front door. Willow followed Buffy's lead and threw herself into his arms, though not nearly as forceful as the slayer did. After hugging and whispering his best wishes and congratulations, Giles made his way to Tara who was beaming.
"Tara, dear, how are you feeling?" He asked, wrapping an arm around her waist in a half-hug so as not to get in the way of the baby sleeping peacefully in her arms.
"I'm great, Mr. Giles. Thanks so much for coming."
"Oh, Tara, you can call me Giles, you know that. You're like a daughter to me," Giles turned to the group, "You're all like daughters and sons to me," he added until his eyes fell on Spike. They shared a look that silently conveyed that Spike was definitely not included in that statement. He brought his attention back to Tara and the baby and began to talk baby talk, lightly stroking the soft skin of Joy's cheek. "Tara, why don't you sit down," he offered knowing she must be exhausted.
She smiled and nodded and took a seat on the couch. Buffy ran upstairs and returned a second later with a bassinet. Tara laid the baby down and everyone huddled close by, but still kept their distance. Xander was snapping pictures almost every other second trying to capture every moment.
"I think Anya's going to kill Xander," Willow whispered to Buffy as the two of them stood slightly off to the side to allow their friends some time with the baby.
"Why?" Buffy asked raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Because with as many pictures as he's taking, when he gets them developed its going to cost a fortune."
No more needed to be explained. Anya's love for money was legendary within the Scooby gang and she'd go from loving to devilish in 3 seconds flat when it meant giving any of that money over to someone else.
The rest of the night was spent hovering close to Tara and the baby though not in a suffocating way. Giles and Willow went to the kitchen to begin dinner when Dawn came in. "Will, why don't you go into the living room with everyone, I'll help out here," Dawn offered.
Willow smiled and gave the teen's shoulder a thankful squeeze as she left the room. Giles eyed her for a second and nodded so delicately that you'd have to really be paying attention to notice. The two of them prepared a large dinner for everyone and the family gathered around the table and enjoyed a lovely meal.
Everyone shared their dreams for the baby, each making vows to love and protect Joy until the end of time, each telling stories of days they'd share with her in the future, adventures they'd have, things each Scooby would teach the child, and advice they'd impart on her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later Buffy, Willow, Tara, and Joy were at the doctor's office for a standard check up and were happy that all was going well. As they pulled up to the house Buffy saw Dawn at the front door and she became suspicious.
Getting out of the car and making their way up the walkway, Buffy began to question her, "Dawn? What's going on?" Dawn wasn't doing anything out right alarming, but Buffy's spidey-senses were tingling that something was up.
"Nothing. Nothing, I swear," Dawn let out in a blur of words though she tried to stay calm.
Willow and Tara joined the slayer on the front steps and cautiously made their way into the house as Dawn backed up, giving them room.
"SURPRISE!" Everyone shouted startling the three mothers, Joy, however, remained oblivious and kept sleeping.
Everyone was there to welcome the baby and to congratulate the new mothers. Angel, Cordelia, Wesley, Giles, Xander, Anya, friends of Willow and Tara from their Wicca group, and even Oz. Others they didn't know too well, but were considered friends, like Lorne and Gunn, and Cordelia's date were also in attendance. Even Spike was there, which would normally prove to be interesting at the very least — having Angel and Spike in the same room — but both men were on their absolute best behavior.
"We figured we'd combine parties, not exactly the best way to do it, but since some people are long distance, we thought it would be best, hope you don't mind," Dawn started to babble and Buffy had to look at her sister. Yep, Willow was definitely spreading her charms and she wondered if Joy would have the same endearing quality as she got older.
Buffy quirked an eyebrow at Dawn wondering what she was talking about, two parties in one, but noticed two cakes sitting on a table set up in the room; one for the baby and one for Willow's graduation from college which was only about a week away.
Yep, life was good, Buffy decided as she began to mingle among her friends. As the day wore on Willow and Oz were chatting happily, catching up on each other's lives since his last visit, Tara was chatting it up with everyone since she was the one with the baby, Giles and Wesley enjoyed themselves talking about stuffy book-worm topics, and even Spike and Angel engaged in civil conversation.
Buffy sat back from the group, observing and taking in everything. The love and camaraderie was thick in the house and Buffy was finally happy. A moment of sadness passed over her as she silently wished her mother could be here to share in everything, but a touch on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie. It was faint, almost like a gust of wind caressed her shoulder, and she turned to see a shimmering image of Joyce with a huge smile. No words were needed, Buffy knew, she knew that though Joyce was not there in body, she was there in spirit and Buffy felt the last slice of peace settle over her contentedly.
THE END
Continues in "Four's A Family" (WIP)