Four's A Family
by ABFan
Chapter 4
[reviews]
Pushing herself from the bed, Buffy limped toward the bound slayer, a grimace the only display of the pain she desperately tried to hide — from who, no one was quite sure. She hovered silently, in the dimly lit room, close to Faith. Two slayers stared into the souls of each other discovering the same dimness, the same duality where neither black nor white won. Here they warred in silence, each pushing the other to retreat and surrender; each aching and begging the other to keep close and guard their secret; each making that vow; without a single word spoken.
With slow movements, Buffy untied Faith, who, though free, remained seated, not really sure what to do. She flinched when the blonde raised her hand and for a moment both paused — Faith waiting for yet another strike, Buffy waiting for Faith to relax before she reached out and gently stroked the battered skin. "Thank you for helping." Words whispered and almost lost in the tidal wave of sensations that rose and swarmed through and around Faith. Almost, but Faith heard them, and somehow it was enough.
Faith's body jerked and she gasped before the tidal wave crashed and she slumped forward, her eyes flooding and released. She cried into her hands, her face pressed firmly against them, as she hunched forward and let it all flow. Buffy came along side her, pulling the seemingly broken women close against her, and stroked long, dark, disarrayed hair while softly cooing words of comfort.
How much time passed, neither was sure, but they knew it was a lifetime — another lifetime. Joy crept silently into the room and watched her mother and the crying woman before finally piping up and announcing her presence with a gentle tug and a whispered, "Mommy, why is she crying?"
Buffy looked down to the always inquisitive child and smiled as she remembered the times where only her slayer speed managed to get the rug-rat out of some tight jams she worked herself into because of her curiosity. The smile grew as she reached down and gently stroked the stray bits of hair away from the small, up-turned face, before turning back to Faith who watched intently while trying to sniff back her tears. Slowly, a smile crept to Faith's lips as she looked from Joy to Buffy before she answered instead, "Because I'm happy."
~~~
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Maybe we should..."
"I'm just worried that..."
"But what if..."
"GO!!!!" Faith shouted and watched with a smile the startled features of the redhead in front of her. "Look, Red, the runt is fine here, just go. If I need anything, I'll call, okay?"
"Okay, well," Willow started as she walked over the small table in the living room and picked up the pad next to the phone, "I left all the important phone numbers I could think of in case you need help."
Faith took the pad and burst out laughing as she saw the items neatly listed in order of urgency, written in varying colors that the meaning of which only Willow knew. Giles, Buffy, Tara, Willow, Xander, Anya, the hospital, poison control, police, the fire department, even a pizzeria with late night delivery was included. Cell phones, main phones, and beepers all listed clearly and neatly. "You're a trip," Faith chuckled as she replaced the pad on the table. "Just go, I think if I can handle all the vampy badness that's out there I can handle one little child."
"Ha!" came Buffy's bark of disbelieving laughter as Tara helped her down the stairs. "I can't wait to get back home and see just how good you did." Willow, Tara, and Buffy took quick glances at one another, all three remembering how a certain slayer faired with a one-week old Joy. It certainly would be interesting to see how Faith would handle a two-year old version of that same child.
"Let's play! Let's play!" came the pleading voice as Joy relentlessly tugged on Faith's hand, urging the slayer over to the couches where some odd contraption sat sprawled out in every direction. Faith cocked her head at it and turned a puzzled gaze back at the three women.
"Let the games begin!" Buffy announced as the three women shrugged and started to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait," Faith called out and started to rush forward, only to find herself face first on the floor and a two-year-old firmly attached to her legs. "Help! You can't leave me like this. I don't know how to play these things. You can't leave!" she begged and pleaded, even as the door clicked shut. She growled as she heard them still laughing outside until the sound of car doors opening and closing cut off the sound.
The dark slayer turned and shimmied until she was on her back, planning to work the little hands free from around her legs when suddenly Joy let go and launched herself at Faith. She landed with a thud, quickly followed by a loud OOF from Faith, right on the slayer's stomach. She bounced up and down prattling off at a million miles a second about some story — or maybe it was the instructions on how to play the game. Faith desperately tried to listen and follow the speed talking, but she quickly resigned herself to her fate. "Can they put me back in jail?" she said and slumped to the ground.
~~~
"I think we still have the bibs from Joy, but they're packed up," Tara informed Willow who was holding up a few packages.
"Yeah, but these have some really cute sayings that the others don't," Willow countered, very close to whining. "Come on, 'Spit Happens'... Isn't that just the cutest?"
Tara couldn't help the small smirk that played along her lips as she gave her lover a slight nod. Clapping in child-like glee, Willow dropped the packages into their cart and the duo walked down the aisle of the baby store. "Okay, where to next?" Tara asked.
"Ummmm," the redhead stalled as she leaned around the end of an aisle and spotted the Slayer. "Looks like Buffy's got things under control.
The witches made their way toward Buffy, and Tara couldn't help but chuckle at the pathetic look of being lost that Buffy's eyes held. Knowing her lovers were coming up behind her, the slayer didn't even turn around before she started her complaining. "Why in god's name are there so many?"
"A matter of taste?" Tara ventured.
"Affordability?" Willow offered.
"Popularity?" Tara went on.
"Oh, yeah, or..." Willow went to provide another answer but the slayer put an abrupt halt to any future words with a solid kiss. "I should huff that you shut me up, but what a way to do it," the redhead joked.
"Any more from you, Tara?" Buffy asked, her eyes narrowed in a mock threat.
"Ohhhh, I think I can probably come up with a few more suggestions. I'm not sure I can stop myself..." Tara's lips were covered in kisses as well.
Pulling away, Buffy smirked. "Speechless?"
"Humph," came from behind them and the trio turned to see a woman giving them an arsenal of dirty looks. All three women arched an eyebrow, daring the woman to make a comment. She turned on her heels quickly and stormed off, probably on her way to report their obscene behavior to a manager.
"Grumble, grumble," Willow muttered.
"Ignore it, baby," Tara soothed, putting an arm around her lover.
"Okay, so," Buffy tried to get them back on track. "Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer, Teletubbies, or Elmo?"
"Hmmm, not to mention the various ballerinas, animals, letters, numbers," Tara supplied.
"Plus there's the standard blocks and shapes, pastels seem to be a hit, clowns, stars and hearts. Not to mention you have classic pooh verse today's pooh — or even just picking group Pooh, single Pooh, Tigger, or Eyeore. And Sesame Street too — which character to pick or should it be a group thing," Willow expounded.
Buffy's eyes widened with each new option until she just plopped herself into a nearby rocking chair and groaned loudly. "Can't we just stick with standard wood like we did when Tara was pregnant?"
The witches walked over and flanked the slayer, each offering their best efforts to comfort her. "Because, baby, she's a big girl now and needs a big girl bed. She has to be 'cool' for when her friends come over," Tara explained.
"How about you rest here and we'll get a sales person to help us with one of the beds, okay?" Willow offered.
Buffy narrowed her eyes once more, knowing they were trying to placate her, but she couldn't hold the look for too long, before she wound up smiling instead. "You're the one who should be resting, Will. Tara and I will go scout out someone."
The redhead opened her mouth to debate the issue, but when she saw the solid looks on both Buffy and Tara's face she knew she was bested. With a mock pout she sat on a display rocking chair and crossed her arms over her chest. Satisfied, the two blondes began their trek to find the ever elusive sales person who they would have to wrangle in just to take their money. Buffy shook her head with wry amusement knowing something was terribly wrong with that scenario but resigned herself to the hunt.
It really didn't surprise either woman to find that, when they returned to the aisle, Willow was not in her seat, but rather, had a stack of sheets, accessories, and toys piled up next to the bed that she obviously decided on during their absence. "Uh, glad you got to relax a bit, Will," Buffy quipped.
Tara crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes in an attempt to look stern. It worked and Willow meekly turned away. Buffy burst out laughing but when the same look was sent in her direction she too backed down quickly. Years of being the woman of the house back home and a few years of raising the hellfire rugrat that was Joy leant strong validity to that look. Content that her lovers were now properly put in place, she turned with a disarming smile to the sales clerk who looked absolutely bored. "We'd like to get the Pooh bed set, please."
With a nod that bordered on being curt, the young man shuffled off to the back of the store like he was on a stroll through the park and clearly in no hurry. Rolling her eyes, Tara turned around and scanned the items that seemed to be forming a mountain in the middle of the floor. "All this?"
"Well, I was just thinking that we gave Xander and Anya a lot of the toys and things when they had their son so there really isn't too much left over to hand down. Besides, who wants second choice stuff, right? I know I don't like it," Willow tried to sell her point.
"Will?" Buffy interjected. "You're an only child, how can you get hand-me-downs?"
"Thanks, Buff," she muttered before straightening up to ready herself for a full on debate.
"Okay," Tara announced and started to pick up items.
The suddenness of it all caught both the hacker and the slayer off guard, especially Willow as she stood there with her mouth open and poised to unleash a stream of thought. Buffy was brought from the moment when Tara started to load her arms with the bounty.
"Slayer. Pack mule. Same thing," Buffy groused under her breath.
"What?" Tara asked as she stood up with the last of the supplies in her arms.
"Nothing, just wondering where a cart would be."
"We should see if Xander can come by with the truck so we can fit the bed in it," Willow offered.
"Cell phone is in my front pocket," Buffy offered, angling her hips to present said pocket to the redhead. An evil gleam glinted in Willow's eye at the thought of rummaging through her lover's pocket. "Be good, Will," Buffy warned, noticing the look.
Willow huffed, "No fun," before she dug out the phone with only a minimum amount of groping. She dialed and waited for her best friend to answer. "Xander? Yeah, I can barely hear you too. We're in the baby store, probably too much interference. We were wondering if you could come by here with the truck? No, I didn't buy out the store, ha, ha, very funny. We bought a 'big girl bed' for Joy and I don't think it'll fit in our car with all the other bags and things. Fifteen? Sure, might be a few days or so before the sales guy comes back with the bed anyway. Ha, ha, never mind you kind of have to be here. Okay, we'll see you in a bit." Flipping the device closed, she slid it into her own pocket as they turned to make their way to the front of the store and check out.
"We should stop by the Magic Box too and pick up some more protection and blessing charms," Tara presented
Buffy winced. She knew that Tara didn't mean anything by it. Catholic families hung up a cross in a baby's room and other religions were sure to do similar things as well. But the slayer couldn't help but note that their children really did need that protection just because of who their mother was. The slayer. The one person in all the world who was chosen to fight against all evil. The one person in all the world who wore the largest bulls-eye that encompassed all those she loved, especially her children.
"Buffy?" Willow's voice broke through the slayer's morose thoughts.
The blonde blinked a few times and noticed she was standing off to the side of the line while her lovers moved up several places ahead. Shooting a smile to her lovers, Buffy moved to catch up to them, now only third in line.
Both women could tell the smile never reached Buffy's eyes; that it was meant to placate them, but the lost and almost tormented look in her blue eyes told the women that for a few moments the slayer was not with them. The doctors all said there may be moments like this and thankfully there was only one other before this, at least as far as they knew.
Tara gave the blonde a soothing smile as she wrapped her arm around the smaller woman's shoulders and pulled her in close. Some of the tension seeped from Buffy's body as she let herself take in the comfort of Tara's body next to her and suddenly wished they were back home where they could curl up together. Neither witch was sure if they should make a comment about it, but the opportunity was lost when Xander came sauntering up and grabbed Willow and Tara into a hug.
After giving them both a kiss he moved over and took some of Buffy's load and gave her a nudge as a form of greeting now that they both had their arms full. "Women. They sure do know how to spend," he joked. Somewhere over time the relationship between Buffy and Xander transformed into something more along the lines that fathers share together. Not that the triad of lovers made any clear distinction of roles that way, but as the Slayer it was pretty much assured that Buffy was the protector and that translated into something that Xander could relate to now that he had a son to watch over.
By the time the group made it to the register the bed was finally brought up. It seemed like everyone there worked in slow motion but everything was finally tallied and Buffy groaned as Willow happily turned over the credit card, watching as the triple digit charge was made with a single swipe of the plastic. Once more they were loaded, but at least now things were a little more compact in bags, but now Buffy carried the awkward and heavy bed set.
With some cursing and grunting, Buffy and Xander managed to win the fight over the box and got it secured in his truck while Willow and Tara filled the trunk of their car with the bags. Leaning back against the side of his truck to take a breath, Xander asked, "Okay, where to now? Another store or back home?"
"Uhhhh," Willow broke in, her voice holding a touch of pain to it. "How about the hospital?"
"Will?" Buffy called out and rushed forward.
"Honey?" Tara questioned, taking hold of Willow's arm to hold her steady while the redhead bent over in pain.
"Contractions. Baby... coming... go... now..." she gasped.
"Tara, you get in the backseat and we'll lay her down on your lap. Xander? Can you help me get her in?"
He was there in an instant, taking Willow's other arm while Tara moved around the car and got into the backseat. Taking it slow and easy they walked the redhead to the door and gingerly helped her into the seat. Tara was there instantly, brushing back hair from her lover's face, which quickly began to stick to her forehead as beads of sweat started to form.
"I'll drive," Buffy announced the obvious. "Xander, can you drop that monster off at the house and let everyone know what's going on and meet us back at the hospital?" she called out as she moved into the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Already on it," he called over his shoulder on his way to his own truck.
Tires squealing and rubber burning, Buffy took off for the hospital. Normally the drive to the hospital for a second child wouldn't be as drastic, but then again, this was Buffy driving.
"Damn it, not again!" Buffy groused as she slammed her fist against the steering wheel. She leaned out the window and called out, "We have a woman in labor here!"
The officer moseyed up to the window and studied the three women carefully. "Wasn't it you the last time?" he asked, pointing to Tara.
"Uh, yes, it was me."
He rolled his eyes, put on his ray bans, and strolled back to his cruiser. Hitting the lights he waved at Buffy as he sped past, the slayer hot on his heels as they once again got a police escort to the hospital. Jumping out of the driver's seat as the car still lurched from it's sudden stop the blonde threw open the backdoor.
"Should I expect you in a year?" the cop called out to Buffy, who just ignored him as she carefully shimmed her lover from the backseat. Shaking his head the officer pulled away sending a quick wave to the women who never noticed.
A nurse came speed walking out with a wheel chair and made an immediate U-turn going back into the ER with an empty chair. Apparently no one forgot this triad, even after two years. Buffy carried the redhead into the lobby where a stretcher awaited them and Buffy was forced to relinquish Willow over to the doctors.
It didn't take long for them to have the hacker hooked up to the monitors, dressed in a gown, and examined. "You've got a while yet, Ms. Rosenberg. If you want your friends to call anyone now would be a good time."
"Thank you, Doctor," Willow smiled weakly up at the man before turning her attention to the women who stood beside her.
"Xander probably made the announcement already," Buffy answered Willow before she could even voice the question.
A smirk crossed her lips and nodded. "Will you go see if they're here yet, then?"
"Sure thing, Will," Buffy assured and leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on Willow's forehead before leaving.
~~~
"BABY!!!! Where's the baby? She's okay, right? I hear it hurts, but she's strong, right? She'll be okay. The baby's okay, too, right? What happened? Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?"
The receptionist stared at the weirdo in front of her desk with a look of fear mixed with humor. Frankly she was amazed that someone could say that without taking a breath.
Hearing the doors swish open, everyone turned to see Buffy walking out. Xander and Anya stood but waited where they were, knowing how overwhelming it can be when you're waiting for your child to be born.
"BABY!!! What is it? Boy or girl? How big, how heavy?"
Buffy stared with utter confusion, clearly stunned, before shaking her head and answering, "Uhhh, no baby yet. They said it would be a while so we're here for the long haul."
"Crap!" Faith expelled before slumping into a seat completely deflated.
Dawn, Anya, and Xander shook their heads as they moved up to Buffy. "I had no idea she would get so psyched about a baby being born," Dawn chuckled.
"I think she terrified the nurse over there," Anya nudged her head over to the desk.
"Who would have thought?" Buffy muttered as she looked past her friends and family to watch the fidgeting slayer. No one would have imagined Faith's complete turn around and solid redemption, but this is beyond simple atonement. 'She's not here because she's obligated. She's not here because it's part of her duty. She cares.' The blonde slayer was drawn from her thoughts when Dawn wrapped her long arm around her sister's shoulders.
"So, you're going to be a mom again. Are you ready for it?" Dawn inquired.
"Late night feedings," Anya chimed in.
"Colic," Xander added.
"Dirty diapers," Dawn helped.
"I get the picture, thanks," Buffy interrupted their litany as a smile and groan broke out at the same time. "Been there, done that, and yeah, I'm ready again." That sense of assurance in her voice came through again as she answered, just as it always did whenever the slayer made up her mind about a certain course of action.
"Well, if it's going to be a bit before there's any action we're going to head back to the house and check on our own son," Xander informed. "We'll be back in a little while. Does anyone want something to eat that we can bring back?"
"Not right now, but how about someone gives you a call later with an order if we get hungry?" Buffy answered.
"Sounds good to me."
"Dawn, are you staying here or coming with us," Anya asked.
"Uhhh, I'll hang here for a while. Just send Freddie over here when you get back?" Dawn asked, referring to the fact that her boyfriend offered to watch the baby while everyone else made the mad dash across town to be with Willow at the hospital.
Anya nodded and linked her arm through Xander's as they walked through the lobby.
"I'm going to head back in to let Willow know what's going on and see if there's any updates on that side of the field," Buffy smirked. It was sometimes dizzying playing the messenger, but at least it helped kill some time during the wait. She leaned in close to her sister and whispered, "Keep her out of trouble, please?"
Two pairs of eyes turned to see Faith picking up one magazine, flipping threw it, and then tossing it back on the table. She'd sit with her legs bouncing and hands twisting in her lap before leaning over to pick up another magazine to start the cycle all over again.
Dawn rolled her eyes and groaned, "Oh, yeah, sure. It'll be a pleasure."
Buffy laughed and gave her sister a pat on the back before walking through the large double doors back to her lovers. With a sigh of resignation, Dawn took a seat next to Faith and the two sat in awkward silence for a few moments.
"So," Dawn ventured.
"So," Faith answered.
~~~
Buffy walked in as Willow was grunting through a contraction. "How'd I ever let you guys talk me into this," she bemoaned as the muscles started to relax.
"Oh, no, you had an equal part in this," Tara informed in a friendly warning tone.
"Aren't you supposed to be agreeing me?" Willow pouted.
Buffy shook her head and smiled as she walked over to the women. "Going well, I see?"
"Hardy-har, very funny," Willow gripped.
"What?" Buffy protested, turning to Tara for some backup.
The blonde witch simply shook her head, letting the slayer know she was on her on in this battle. Having already gone through what the lithe redhead was experiencing, she knew there was no way to rationalize with the normally logical hacker. Right now there was pain and waiting; little else mattered right now other than focusing on getting through the next contraction.
Groaning, Buffy pulled up a chair and resigned herself to a long wait. She just hoped that the redhead didn't spout out some weird spell during one of her incoherent cries of pain. Better yet, she hoped Tara would be ready just in case something did slip out of the redhead's mouth.
Another contraction slammed hard into Willow and she grabbed hold of Tara's hand, squeezing so tightly that both their knuckles instantly went white. Tara's face crinkled as she grimaced in pain, but tried to ride it out with her lover. "I swear, if you had a dick I'd rip it off!" Willow ground out through gritted teeth.
Well, that certainly wasn't Willow-esq, Buffy thought. And, though it was kind of scary, at least it didn't have any magick behind it. The slayer couldn't help but take a discrete look down to her lap, just to make sure, though. Relieved, Buffy was brave once more and offered to take Willow's hand so the blonde witch could take a few moments to recover. It was a switch pattern the duo quickly fell into as the time slowly ticked by on the clock.
~~~
After six hours, many foul words and threats, pleas for it all to be over with, and plenty of soothing words, the end was drawing near. The doctor began to check in more frequently, ignoring or simply smiling at the pain induced insults thrown his way by the redhead and the openly begging stares of her lovers. Pulling up a stool and nestling himself between the redhead's legs, he cautiously examined the patient, aware of the low warning growl that came from Buffy.
A nurse came in moments later and suddenly the place was abuzz with activity as Willow was instructed to push. Tara and Buffy gave her support, breathed through the harsh contractions with her, and allowed their hands to be bruised as the hacker pushed with all her strength. Ice chips were rubbed along the quickly drying lips and along her overheated neck while sweat dripped from Willow's trembling body. Buffy brushed back strands of hair that normally was perfectly styled, but now were a matted mess sticking to the redhead's sweaty forehead.
Grunts, growls, and howls tore through the small witch as she felt each labored push move their daughter closer to the outside world. Through the haze of exertion Willow almost didn't hear the order to stop pushing, but this time found it hard to keep her muscles from doing that very thing. She strained, using all her willpower, to keep her body relaxed until she felt a sudden flooding sensation and a mighty wail reverberated through the room. Through the flutter of activity, the trio of lovers smiled through their exhaustion.
"Uh, which one of you would like to cut the cord?" A nurse asked, her voice unsure, but at least not condescending like so many others.
Buffy and Tara shared a look and then both smiled, not needing to share words as the Slayer stepped over and took the scissors. She watched Willow do this with Joy, but Buffy still paid very close attention to the instructions the nurse gave before carefully placing the scissors and snipping. A moment of bliss, where everything seemed to fall suddenly quiet, before it all erupted again in a blur of actions. The baby was swept away for the routine checks and the Slayer was forgotten once the scissors were removed from her limp hand. Slowly moving back over to her lovers, an almost goofy smile plastered on her face, she leaned down and kissed Willow lovingly on the lips. Pulling away, Buffy leaned further over the bed and shared the same kiss with Tara, both a silent 'thank you' and 'I love you.'
Tara went with Willow as they settled her into the room she'd be staying in for the next two days while Buffy went to spread the news to those waiting in the lobby. The instant she walked through the double doors she was surrounded and the questions immediately began in earnest, each Scooby vying for her attention. When she held up a hand everyone fell silent and a smile slowly formed on her face until it easily reached her eyes. "Guess I don't have to tell you that it's a girl?"
Everyone lunged forward at the same time, each trying to fit their arms around the Slayer, until the distinct clearing of a throat broke them up. The group pulled away and all eyes turned to the tall Englishman who stood poised and waiting patiently. A hush feel over the group as Buffy took a staggering step forward, then another, until her arms were wrapped tightly around Giles in an almost bone-crushing hug, which he eagerly returned.
"I'm so glad to be here this time," he whispered as his voice choked with emotion.
"I didn't know I could be any happier until I saw you were here."
There was indecision regarding Giles on whether or not he'd return to England or remain in Sunnydale. His job as a Watcher was no longer needed, but now, with his petite Slayer in his arms, he knew there was no place in the world he'd rather be. He may not be needed as a watcher, but now he had a new job; a new purpose in life. It was to be the best grandfather he could be to those two children, and he couldn't be any happier than he was right here on top of a Hellmouth. Pulling away and locking eyes, both Teacher and Student realized that a decision had just been made and a smirk played on both of their lips.
"Come on, gramps," Buffy teased as she tugged on his hand, pulling him forward. The others filed behind them and trekked through the double doors, up an elevator, and down a stark white hallway until they came to a window with Looney Tunes babies and Sesame Street stickers plastered along the edges.
Buffy stepped aside as the Scoobies ran to the glass like a trampling herd of elephants and couldn't help the laugh as she noticed Giles barely managed to hold onto his stoic decorum as he quickly followed suit. Various imitated baby sounds emanated from the group as they 'ohhed' and 'ahhed' at the tiny baby on the other side of the glass, who was unfortunately being poked and prodded to ensure her health. The doors opened and a nurse came out, scanning the faces until she noticed the one standing apart from the others. "Do you have a name picked out?"
"Oh, yeah, it's Jenny Dawn Rosenberg"
With a quick nod the nurse returned to her station and began to fill out the birth certificate, which for now would display the last name of Rosenberg. Silence reigned as all eyes turned to Buffy and then to Giles. His face was unreadable until a small smile began to slowly come to his lips. "Well done, Buffy. I think Jenny would be very happy."
Breathing a sigh of relief Buffy's smile grew when an overly excited sister suddenly slammed into her. "Thank you!" Dawn exclaimed as she wrapped Buffy in a bear hug.
Laughing, the blonde patted her sister's back before forcibly extracting herself. "No problem, Dawnie," Buffy answered with a playful ruffle of Dawn's hair.
Tara strolled down the hall, her step light and happy. The lovers quickly embraced and shared a kiss before the witch parted with a gentle squeeze to Buffy's shoulder. "I'm going to check on Willow," the slayer announced while the others greeted Tara with just as much fervor as they did to Buffy a few minutes earlier. Waving and agreeing to meet up again later, the Slayer made her way down the hall until she came to Willow's room.
She pulled up a chair next to the bed, took the soft hand in her own, and watched as her exhausted lover slept. Buffy never tired of looking at and watching her lovers, especially when they slept and the stress of this life seemed a million miles away. It was during these times that the slayer enjoyed watching just how peaceful they were and hoped that she could make their waking lives just as comforting.
Glancing down she grimaced at how her body still ached, even though she did her best to hide it from her friends and family. It would not do to have the slayer gripping about the nagging pain and so she put on a strong face and went on as best as she could. She knew that this accident, regardless of her special healing abilities caused permanent damage, but she had a responsibility to keep the world safe, especially when she had so many precious people to protect... and that number just increased by one.
"You always were stubborn," came the soft reproach that brought Buffy out of her reverie.
Looking up Buffy confirmed that the husky voice was indeed coming from Faith. "The same could be said about you." The fact that Faith's stubbornness was centered on destruction was left unsaid, though they both knew it could easily have been tacked onto the end of Buffy's statement. The brief flicker of hurt across Faith's eyes made Buffy look away, feeling bad for her unprovoked attack.
There was a lot of damaged history between the slayers and everyone knew things weren't going to heal and be hunky-dorey right off the bat, but Buffy knew Faith was trying. For the most part a great deal of healing already happened between them, but once in a while a loose-lipped comment like that one would slip out from one or the other. "I'm sorry," Buffy whispered.
"Don't sweat it," Faith blew off the apology, her need to be tough and in control a natural reflex for her, even now. "Look, I just wanted to let you know that you can chill here all you want and I'll take over the patrols." They both knew that Faith wasn't offering a one-night break for Buffy, it was time to hand over the mantle of slayage.
"I can't ask you to..."
"You're not asking. I'm tellin' and for once will you just listen?"
Buffy smirked and slowly nodded as her gaze drifted back to the redhead who managed to sleep soundly through the entire conversation. "Thanks..." Buffy offered as she looked back to the door to find the dark slayer gone. Shaking her head with a rueful smile her attentions went back to Willow, lovingly stroking the soft, still slightly damp, tresses of fiery hair from her face.
~~~
People were in and out visiting Willow and the baby in a fairly constant flow and it was no secret that the hospital staff would be all too happy to see this rather odd family leave once more. They were pretty happy to be packing up as well and Buffy pushed Willow in her wheel chair down the hallway, while the hacker held her tightly wrapped daughter close to her chest whispering sweet nothings all the way. The entourage followed behind them, until they reached the car waiting just outside the main doors. Xander sprang into action and began to load the trunk with flowers, balloons, and all the things they brought for Willow and baby while Giles, always the gentleman, opened the doors and assisted with getting Willow and Jenny settled. Quick words were exchanged confirming that everyone was going to meet back at the Summers home before the sound of various car doors closing filled the air.
The trip back was silent, but comfortable as the triad sat staring at their baby with goofy smiles plastered across their faces. As they pulled up Dawn and Joy were eagerly waiting outside and with a burst of childish glee, the two-year-old sprang forward as they Scoobies began to pile out of the car. "Is she here? Is she here?" Joy cried out, anxious to see the baby sister she was already promising to love and protect.
Willow knelt down just outside of the car and turned the baby so that Joy could see her sleeping face. "Shhh, she's sleeping," Willow advised gently.
"Hi, Jenny," Joy greeted, her voice a whisper, although it sounded more like she was conspiring great schemes.
"Let's bring your baby sister inside, okay?" Tara said as she walked around to help Willow stand.
Joy bounced around in response before finally getting her legs to run forward toward the front door. Chuckles surrounded the yard at the adorable antics of this little girl who was sure to be a great big sister, even through the normal angst between siblings.
By nightfall all the children were in bed, Xander and Anya left, Dawn and Freddie were calling it a night, and the trio finally had a chance to be alone for the first time in what seemed like ages. Sitting back on the couch with the bassinet between them, the witches and slayer shared a long sigh of relief. The peace and quite and alone time seemed so foreign neither knew what to say, so they enjoyed the calm and the steady rhythm of Jenny's breath while the slight hum and gentle snore came from Joy's baby monitor, which sat on the table in front of them.
THE END
(Finally)