Chapter 15

He let out a soft chuckle, “Passion was never our problem, luv. Just all the rest of the stuff.”



Their eyes met and without another word they reached for each other, pulling closer until there was no room for anything or anyone else. Time seemed to slow as their kisses became desperate for more. Hands became greedy, needing to feel bare skin beneath them. The sound of breathless kissing and the rustling of clothes being torn away was all that could be heard in the dim bedroom. “Spike, I want you!” Buffy moaned.



Spike answered her by picking her up and placing her on the bed. Buffy laid there, eyes wide with passion, breath coming quickly, as she watched him stand over her, searching for any sigh of rejection.



He wanted her with every ounce of his soul and he could tell that she wanted him as much. But he wanted her to love him this time. Not just passion. Love. He wouldn’t settle for less.



Buffy noticed his hesitation. She sat up and took his hand. “What’s wrong, don’t you want me?”



He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath to slow his racing heart. “It’s not about the wanting, luv. I think that’s pretty damn evident, but...you don’t remember this but the two of us have a history. Not pretty, but it’s there.” He didn’t want to think about their past, especially how he had tried to hurt her after the breakup. He wasn’t going to hurt her now. “Ah...look, Buffy. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” he said as he stepped away from the bed, getting some much needed distance between them.



Confused, Buffy sat up on the side of the bed. “I don’t understand. You want me and I want you, why can’t we be together?”



Spike looked at her then sat beside her on the bed. “It’s not all ‘bout the wanting, luv. I love you and you don’t feel the same. I just can’t do this again without that.”



Buffy studied his face, noting the lines of hurt mixed with pain. “It’s true; I don’t exactly remember the past. But, what I do know is that right now...it’s more than just want. When I thought you were with Drucilla…” She stopped and frowned, “You didn’t…with her? Did you?”



Surprised Spike answered quickly, ‘No! There was no ‘that’ with Dru. Too busy trying to figure what the hell she was up too.”



Relieved Buffy continued, “When you were with Drucilla, I thought I would go crazy. All I know is that I didn’t want you to be with her, wife or no wife.”



Spike smirked, “Jealous uh?”



Buffy punched him in the shoulder, “Yeah, but don’t let it go to your head. I don’t know about the past but maybe somewhere in here,” she said pointing to her head, “the feelings are there. And somewhere in here,” pointing to her heart, “the feelings ‘are’ there.” Spike looked at her small hand placed over her heart. During all their times together, she had never been this open and honest with her feelings. “So if it’s here in my head and it’s here in my heart, don’t you think I really feel it?”



“That’s…well, yeah, possible.” A slow seductive smile cross his face, “Tell me you want me.”



Buffy’s smile spread as she played alone with vaguely familiar words, “I want you.”



He reached over and ran his finger along the edge of her lace bra that showed through her unbuttoned blouse. “Tell me you love me,” he asked, holding his breath for her answer.



Never breaking eye contact, she laid back on the bed, “Spike, I love you. You know I do.”



His chest became tight and his heart pounded at her words. Words that he had thought he would never hear. He closed his eyes and laid his forehead on hers as tears threatened. She could barely hear him when he whispered, “I’ve waited my whole life to hear you say it.”



Buffy’s heart broke with the emotion she heard in his voice. There was no doubt in her mind that this man, no matter what he was in another world, loved her completely. She took her hand and raised his face to look at his beautiful blue eyes, her own tears blurring the sharp planes of his face. “Now that I’ve said it, let me show you,” she whispered as she pulled him down for a kiss that would erase any doubt in his mind.






Spike could tell by Buffy’s resolve face there was no talking her out of this. She was going back with him and that was that. A part, a huge part of him, was glad that she was returning with him, but there was that part that wanted her to stay here and be safe.



“Are you sure about this, luv?”



Buffy finished tying her shoes and looked up, “Yeah Spike, I’m sure. And you know what? It feels right, that I’m doing the right thing.” She reached for her jacket as she turned and asked, “There’s something I still don’t get. If the First sent me here and made it all perfect-like for me, and you came here to get me, but you weren’t suppose to be here, then why was Drucilla here? So you would want to stay?”



Spike placed his hands on his hips and frowned in thought, “Want to run that around again pet? ‘Cause frankly, I don’t know. I ‘s’pect the First wanted to keep this reality close to believable so that you would want to stay and not question any lingering memories. By the way, do you have any, lingering memories that is?”



“Yeah. Sort of. Things seem more real to me, after you know,” she suggested, glancing at the rumpled sheets on the bed. “I do feel this world isn’t really mine. But that doesn’t answer the question, why Drucilla was here. To make it perfect for you?”



“Hell no! Drucilla ‘is’ not what I want, but maybe the First didn’t know that, so he sends Dru here just in case. Didn’t work. You’re what I want.” He stepped closer and pulled her in his arms.



Buffy snuggled closer but continued her questions, “So you’re saying that Drucilla was a back up?”



“Yeah, maybe. That just proves it though.”



“Proves what?”



“That the First is a stupid git.”



“Uhh?”



“I didn’t need a backup to keep me here. If I was staying for anyone, it would be for you. Don’t you know that by now?”



Buffy laid her head on his chest, enjoying the feel of his heart beating under her. Things were clearer to her. Once she had accepted the possibility that all of what Spike had said was true, the fog had started to lift. Keeping her head against his chest she said, “Yeah, I do know that you love me. If I know anything for sure, it’s that.”



Spike stood there, holding her, rubbing absentminded circles across her back. He wanted to stay this way forever. Once they got back, would things change? Would things go back to the way they were? That was just a chance he had to take in order to do what they had to do. He pulled away and looked at her, “Alright now, we best be on our way.”



“Ah Spike? How exactly are we getting back? I seem to remember trying but not succeeding.”



“I’ve got a theory on that,” he said confident as stepped away. “First we need to...” He could tell she wasn’t listening by the worried frown on her face. “What is it, luv? Cold feet?”



She raised her eyes up at his and whispered, “I need to do something before I go.”



Spike sensed what that was, “A’right then, but be quick. We have no way of knowing how long we’ve been gone. There’s that whole time wonky factor to think about.”



“I just need to say goodbye to Mom.” Buffy turned to leave the room. Spike watched her, wishing there was another way.



“Buffy! Wait!”



When she turned to look at him, he said, “Why can’t we bring Mum, Nibblet and the l’ittle knickers with us?” He knew the minute he said it that it wouldn’t work. “Right...Not their world. They belong ‘ere.”



“Yeah, I wish that too, but you’re right. They do belong here.” Buffy frowned in thought then looked at Spike.



He could see something else was bothering her, “What is it? What’s the matter?”



“The twins.”



“What about them? The First somehow manufactured them to make me want to stay, give me something I wanted but couldn’t have in my own world.”



“And...”



Confused, Spike asked, “And what?”



Buffy walked closer and tried to explain, “Well, if I came here and took over my coma’ey body but you weren’t suppose to be here, so the First sent Drucilla here. What happens to me and the twins when we leave?”



Frowning, Spike started to pace. “This is making my head ache.” He shook his head and continued pacing, his black coat swinging behind him. “Don’t rightly know what’ll happen. It’s possible you’ll go all coma again, but I don’t know what will happen to the l’ittle ones. No mother or da’ to take care of them. Doesn’t seem right. But hell if I know what to do.”



“We ‘could’ take them home with us. Raise them together,” Buffy suggested.



He stopped his pacing and stared at Buffy. “Are you completely sack of hammers? Love it that you want to be June Cleaver and all, but do you really want to bring them to our world. We don’t even know if we have a world to go back to.”



“That’s just the point. We don’t know if they will have a place here either. Once we’re gone anything could happen to them. They could vanish, or grow up without a mom and dad. Who knows what will happen to them.”



Spike interrupted her, “Or they could grow up to be happy, normal men living in a world that isn’t surrounded by evil with a Slayer for a mum and the undead over here as their da’. Let’s face it Buffy, life is a gamble either way.”



Buffy shrugged, “You’re probably right. But you know, other than all the bad energy, our world isn’t so terrible. They would have the Slayer and the ‘big bad’ looking after them. At least they would have somebody to take care of them.”



They both fell silent, considering the possibilities. Spike was the first to shake himself back to reality. “Go on now, say goodbye to Joyce. I’ll be here when you get back.”



Buffy turned and slowly walked down the hall, leaving Spike alone, lost in thought.



She knocked softly on her mother’s door and opened it after Joyce answered. “Mom? Can I talk to you for a minute?”



Joyce cleared the newspaper she had been reading off the bed to make room for Buffy to sit down. “Of course, dear. What’s on your mind?”



She took a deep breath and walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. She studied her mother’s face, trying to remember every detail to take with her. Buffy’s throat was tight with emotion when she said, “I just wanted to say goodnight.”



Joyce reached across to give her daughter a hug and was surprised when Buffy returned it was such force that it made it difficult to breath. Laughing, Joyce pulled away and started to joke about her strength when she noticed the tears in Buffy’s eyes. Worried, Joyce brushed them aside and asked, “Honey, what’s wrong? Did you and Angel have a fight?”



Unable to answer, Buffy just bowed her head and shook it from side to side. Worried, Joyce asked, “Then what is it?”



Determined to be strong, Buffy brushed her tears aside and said, “I just really love you and no matter what happens, I always will.”



Joyce frowned at her as something vaguely familiar played in her mind. “I love you too, sweetheart.” She paused then said, “Are you sure you’re alright?”



Buffy could tell that Joyce was getting suspicious so she put a smile on her face and lied, “I’m fine. Just down moody all of a sudden, but really Mom, I’m fine.” She hugged her again then turned to leave. At the door, Buffy looked back at her mother and said, “I’m glad you and Giles are getting married. I want you to have somebody to love and be happy.” Before she changed her mind, Buffy closed the door and went back to her room only to find it empty.



Continue Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16

Buffy stood in the empty hallway and whispered loudly, “Spike! Spike, where are you?” A ball of fear was forming in her stomach as she thought of the possibility that he had left without her, to save her. “Stupid, selfish vampire. He better not leave without me, I’ll...kill him…deader!” she muttered under her breath as she went in search of him.



With each minute that passed she became more and more certain that going home was the right thing to do. She remembered who she was and why she was here. She was also remembering her and Spike’s troubled history. She understood now why he was so hesitant to make love to her, especially after what he had tried to do to her in the bathroom. It was something they would have to work on when they got back home. If they got back home that is. The thoughts of him leaving without came flooding back. “Spike! I mean it! Where are you?”



She noticed movement as she passed Dawn’s darkened bedroom. She stopped and looked in, only to find Spike kneeling beside the bed, watching the twin boys sleep. Quietly she walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Without turning around he whispered, “ ‘Gonna miss the l’ittle ones. Didn’t get to spent much time with them, but somehow…I just knew them. Like they were part of me.” He cleared his throat as he stood up, wiping his eyes, trying not to let Buffy see how affected he was by the little boys that were suppose to be his. “Guess it’s the First’s mojo or some such nonsense making me all soft like some nancyboy.”



Casting one last glance at the sleeping kids he turned and said, “Ready then? Said your goodbye and all?”



Buffy didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer as emotion stopped all speech. He knew what she was feeling because he was feeling a bit of it himself. He nodded his head in the direction of Joyce’s bedroom and said, “Would like to say my own goodbye’s to your mum, but that would be a bit awkward coming from Giles’ nephew, I guess,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood for Buffy who raised her eyes at him but didn’t answer.



He placed his finger under her chin as he raised her face to look at him. “Not too late to change your mind, luv. I can go this alone. Wouldn’t want to, but I will. You know that, don’t you?”



A faint smile curved her lips when she answered, “I know. Now where’s this portal thinga- ma-gig?”



Spike led her back to her room and closed the door. Buffy started to protest, “Spike, I searched this room all over and there is no portal here.”



Spike released her arm and explained, “It’s not the place that matters. See, I figured it out. It was something Drucilla and Red said that got me thinking.”



“Wait a minute! You’re going by something psycho-Dru said? And what did Willow say?”



Spike rolled his eyes then said, “First of all the Red isn’t...Red, it’s what’s his name...Whistler.” He snapped his fingers glad that he still remembered his name.



“Who’s Whistler?”



“He’s a what do ya call it? A go between.”



Confused she asked, “Go between what?”



Narrowing his eyes he said, “Don’t ask. I’ll explain later. And for the record Drucilla talked nonsense but if you took the time to listen, it generally made sense...well part of the time. And it was what she said when she vanished through a portal that stuck with me.”



“A portal? Dru made a portal? What was it a crazy portal-a-Dru?” Buffy wisecracked.



Spike eyed her and raised his left brow, “Oh you’re back al’right. Smart mouth and all.”



Buffy raised her eyebrows and tried to look innocent, “You didn’t complain about my mouth earlier.”



He smirked, “Not complaining now, luv. I actually missed that mouth of yours…in more ways than one.”



Giggling, Buffy turned and sat on the edge of the bed. “Okay, Einstein, impart the wisdom of Drucilla on me. I can’t believe I just said that.”



Spike laughed under his breath, “Well, it’s not so much as wisdom as it is what she did when she did it.”



“Uhh?”



Spike walked over and sat down beside her, “When Drucilla opened the portal, she closed her eyes and said something a’long the lines of ‘I want to go home with all my heart’. Or something like that.”



Buffy interrupted, “Spike, I tried just wishing and it didn’t work.”



“Yeah, but did you want to go with all your heart? Did any part of you want to stay here…with your mum and all?”



Buffy thought for a minute then answered, “I guess a part of me did want to stay here. But a part of me still wants to stay here, with Mom and Dawn. Does this mean I’ll never get to go home?”



They both set there in silence, thinking of the possibility that what Buffy had said was true. Spike turned to Buffy and took her hand, “Buffy, do you really love me, like you said you do?” He watched her eyes for any sigh of hesitation.



Buffy returned his glaze and without hesitation replied, “Yes, Spike, I do love you.”



Bracing himself he said, “Then I’m leaving with or without you.” Buffy’s mouth fell open but before she could interrupt Spike continued, “Let me explain. I think that if you want to be with me and go back with me, then your heart will let you go.”



“What does that have to do with magic and portals?” she asked as tears threaten to spill alone her lashes at the thought of losing him.



“Don’t you get it? Magic, true magic comes from the heart. That’s where all the power comes from. Whistler tried to tell me. You have to want to go back more than you want to stay here, and I’m bettin’ and hopin’ that when I leave that your heart will make the magic that’s strong enough to get you back.”



She thought about what he said then asked, “Is your heart’s wish strong enough to get you back even if I don’t?”



He knew what she was asking. That if his wanting to go back was stronger than his need to stay here if she couldn’t. Choosing his words carefully, Spike whispered, “I have to go back. I don’t belong here. I don’t think I have a choice in staying. It’s all about you, luv. I’m just here for the ride. To get you back where you belong.” When he saw the look of doubt on her face he continued, “Don’t worry, pet, it’ll work out. I’m sure to bloody hell not going to find you then lose you again. I’ll keep coming back for you till the sodding portal wears out. The thing is, you have to really want it, in your heart.”



Buffy watched his face as she leaned in to kiss his lips. Stopping a breath away, she whispered against them, “I want to go home with you, with all my heart.”



Neither of them noticed as the air in front of them started to shimmer, so lost in the kiss. When the air started to crackle and pop, they separated and looked at the churning air before them.



“Guess this is it. Ready for a little trip down the rabbit hole?” she asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.



Spike watched as the colors of the portal shifted and swirled. Gathering his courage he replied, “Bloody well right I am.”



They stood together and held each other, hoping the contact would keep them connected. The air in the room started to blow. Buffy’s hair swirled around her. She raised one hand to brush it out of her eyes, when she noticed a shape on the bed. Her eyes widen as she recognized her own form asleep in the bed. Spike saw it at the same time. They were both surprised to see Buffy’s twin self lying there, so peaceful and quiet.



Without taking her eyes off her twin, Buffy whispered, “Do you think I’m...I mean she’s in a coma?”



Before he could answer, the Buffy on the bed turned her head and looked at them with wonder. A faint smile crossed her lips as she watched the couple shimmer and disappear.



The air was filled with sounds of wind rushing around them. Spike held Buffy tight, not willing to let her go. She raised her head and looked into his eyes that watched her, pleading with her to stay with him. She thought she detected a touch of fear in them. Fear not only because he wanted her home with him, but fear that things would change for them when they returned. She rose up and kissed him, reassuring him that her feelings wouldn’t change.



They were lost in the kiss until the silence around them brought them back to reality. They were back in the basement, surrounded by Xander, Willow, Dawn, Faith and Anya. All stood stunned and opened mouthed at the couple in front of them.



Xander was the first to break the silence. “Did you have to drag her back by her lips?’



Spike started to move away from Buffy out of habit, but she pulled him back and smiled at them, “Miss me?”



Dawn came out of her stupor then ran to Buffy, pulling her in for a tight embrace. “Oh God, Buffy, I thought I lost you, again.” They both had tears spilling down their face until Buffy, wiped them away and asked, “So, what have I missed?”



The others looked at each other in confusion when Xander asked, “What do you meant missed? You were only gone a couple of days and the undead you were locking lips with was only gone a minute or so. And by the way, what’s with the mouth play with Spike?”



Buffy took her time as she looked around the room, looking each person in the eye. “Listen up, I know that it’s been a few days for you guys but for me, I was gone six months and I’ve changed. Spike saved me…he came and got me and brought me back.”



Xander interrupted and asked, “And that was just a…what…thank you kiss?”



Buffy glanced at Spike who had not moved since coming back. He had that look he gets when he’s trying to be brave and confident. She tried to reassure him with a smile. “No, Xander that wasn’t exactly a thank you kiss…well it’s not that I wasn’t thankful…it’s just.” She paused then started again, “I learned a lot while I was gone. Not how to defeat the First, but I learned that if you want something with all your heart, things work out. And I want...” She turned and looked at Spike, “him!”



It was hard to say who was more surprised, Spike or the gang standing around him. No one said a word until Willow stepped forward, “I think that’s cool. We’re just glad you’re home where you belong.” Buffy hugged her to thank her.



Dawn stepped up and grabbed Buffy and squealed, “I’m glad you and Spike are together.” She stepped aside and included Spike in the group hug, surprising the vampire. “I knew you’d bring her back like you promised.” Spike was still speechless but a smirk had started to form on his face.



One by one the gang gathered around and welcomed Buffy and Spike back, even Xander who reluctantly acknowledged Spike as the man in Buffy’s life. No one expected the biggest challenge was yet to come for the recent portal-hopping couple.



Continue Chapter Seventeen

 

Chapter 17

Later that night, Buffy was in the kitchen staring into the refrigerator when Spike walked in. He walked up behind her and placed his arms around her waist, “See anything you like, pet?”



She straightened then turned into his arms. Her face was drawn and sad. Worried he asked, “What’s wrong?”



Buffy shrugged, “I just miss Mom.”



He tightened his embrace then kissed the top of her head. “I know. I miss her too. It’ll get better. Just give it some time, luv.” He kissed her head again then said, “I just wanted to…uh…thanks for what you did earlier...when we got back. You know, letting everybody know how you felt.” He looked down at his shoes and asked, “You do feel that way, right? Now that we’re back… to our old selves again?”



Touched by his insecurities, she placed her arms around his neck and answered him, “Yeah Spike, I still feel the same.” His eyes looked up as a relieved smile started to spread across his face. “I felt that way for a long time now.”



Surprised he asked, “Why didn’t you say something?”



She shrugged, “Don’t know. Scared of getting involved…much less with a vampire. But you’re more than that, and it took me awhile and another life for me to really see it. I’m sorry it took me so long.”



With a cocky grin he added, “Knew it all along. Can’t resist my sinister attraction.” Buffy raised an eyebrow at him but he continued, “Bad boy, ya know. Women go for that kind of thing.”



Before she could comment they were distracted by a noise from outside. Buffy dropped her arms from around his neck and headed for the back door, picking up a large wooden spoon on the way out. They stepped outside on the back porch, peering into the darkness. Make-shift stake in hand, Buffy shouted, “Okay, come on out. We know you’re out there.” A movement in the corner of the yard caught their eye. Whistler stepped from the shadows.



“Nice evening for a walk, don’t ya think?” he said as he came closer to the couple standing on the porch.



Spike was the first to react, “Well, Well if it isn’t Mr. Go-Between,” he said with sarcasm, “what are you doing here? Come to play more games or just to coordinate my wardrobe?”



Buffy looked at him in confusion, “Uhh?”



He caught the look and added, “Never mind. Long story.” He turned his attention back to the short red-head and asked, “So what’s with the visit?”



Whistler started to answer but Buffy interrupted, “I know you. We met when…I had to…kill Angel, to stop him from destroying the world.”



Spike added, “That’s when we first worked together, remember?”



Whistler cleared his throat, “Yeah, kid, we met before. The Powers have had an eye on you two for some time.”



Spike stepped closer, with a threatening look said, “Oh have they now. Seems to me these here Powers aren’t doing much but lookin’. If they’re all powerful and such, why don’t they lend us more than their eyeballs? Could use some help, what with the First and al’ pulling our strings.”



Whistler wasn’t the least bit intimated by Spike’s attitude. He just shrugged. “It’s not their style. They generally don’t interfere directly, just guide and help things along that are meant to be.”



Buffy asked, “So our little trip was meant to happen?”



“The general plan is preordained, but the how’s and why’s and little details are improvised as they go.”



“I don’t call hopping around to other dimensions, a l’ittle detail, mate,” Spike added.



Whistler walked over and sat on the bottom step, making himself comfortable. “Had to be that way or the next step couldn’t happen?”



“What next step?” asked Buffy, totally confused?



Instead of answering her, Whistler asked, “You feeling alright, kid?”



Surprised by the change in conversation, Buffy answered, “I’m fine. I mean I’m a little queasy since I got back but I just figured that was from the out-of-dimension experience.”



Concerned, Spike placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “You a’right, pet. Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”



She shrugged again, “No big. It’ll pass.”



Whistler laughed, “Yeah in a few months or so.”



They both looked at him in shock. “What’s that suppose to mean?” Buffy asked as she placed a hand over her abdomen, already knowing the answer.



“It means that the Slayer has a little surprise, or rather two of them.”



Spike didn’t have any idea what he was talking about, but was alarmed when Buffy turned pale and slumped down on the step. “Buffy?”



Ignoring Spike, Buffy turned to Whistler and said, “That’s impossible. I mean…we just…this morning…and he’s a...I mean…that’s impossible.”



Spike knew something terrible was wrong by the look and her face and the fact that she wasn’t making any sense. He looked back and forth between Buffy and Whistler who sat there with a huge grin on his face. “Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on!”



Buffy continued to stare off into space, no longer able to form words or coherent sentences. Whistler watched Spike’s face as he told them the truth. “The Slayer’s gonna have a baby or rather twins that is.”



It shouldn’t be possible, but the blonde vampire’s face got even paler than usual. He looked down at Buffy, who was still staring into space, speechless.



Cocking his head to the side, as he figured out the math, Spike straightened his shoulders and said with more bravado than he felt, “Well, pet, congratulations. Too bad tall dark and forehead isn’t around to share your good news.”



Buffy came out of her state of shock long enough to register what he had said. “What! You think this is Angel’s baby? How could you think that?” hurt mixed with anger and shock filled her voice.



Spike shrugged with indifference he did not feel, “Timings al’ wrong. You were there six months with that pouf, more than long enough for a l’ittle reunion with your lost love.”



She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Anger flared as she punched him in the arm. “You big dope! I wasn’t with Angel. You’re the only man I’ve slept with in...years!”



His' own anger matched hers, “Well that’s the rub, innit. Other than this morning, we haven’t been together and unless vampire history has changed, ‘I’ can’t have any kiddies’…all dry shots for the likes of me. But, the Angel where you were, was human now wasn’t he!”



Whistler watched with interest the interaction between the two lovers, until he decided it was time to drop the other shoe. “Little news flash here.” Buffy and Spike turned to hear what he had to say, both still angry and hurt. “First of all, the little bundle the Slayer is carrying isn’t Angel’s…it’s yours,” he said as he looked at Spike, “And second, time gets all mixed up when you portal hop. I would say you’re more like two months along instead of a few hours. And third,” he added still watching Spike, “You weren’t a vampire in there, you were human. Full of potent ‘shots’ and all.” He waited for that to sink in before he told them the rest.



“How? How did this happen?” Buffy asked as she tried to understand. Spike stood in a daze, unable to comprehend what it all meant.



Whistler tried to explain, “When I said that some things were preordained what I meant was that some things ‘will’ happen. Like the two of you are destined to be together and have children, two of them as a matter of fact. How that was gonna happen wasn’t predetermined. But when the two of you were in there, and Spike was human, it became possible.”



Buffy was the first to accept the possibility that Whistler was telling the truth. “So what you’re saying is, Spike and I made a baby… or rather babies, and it was meant to be?”



“Something like that,” Whistler added.



Spike spoke for the first time, “Say this is true, why twins. Is that predestined, too?”



Whistler chuckled, “That was news to me, too. But it seems that one or both of you made a wish with ‘all your heart when you came through the portal. One of you wanted the boys as your own.”



Spike and Buffy looked at each other in question. “I guess I was the blame. I didn’t want to leave the l’ittle knickers there without a mum or dad. Didn’t seem right, is all. But I never wished this.”



“What exactly did you wish?” asked Buffy.



Looking guilty, Spike explained, “Al’ I wanted was for them to be happy in a place where they would be loved, that’s al’. I never dreamed it would be here...with us as the...” He stopped mid-sentence as a huge smirk formed on his face. Letting out a loud whoop, he grabbed Buffy around the waist and swung her around.



Caught off guard, Buffy held on until he stopped spinning. “Let me down you big ape! I’m going to get sick!” she said, while trying to keep from laughing.



Spike set her down as he placed a hand on her stomach, “Sorry. Didn’t mean to upset the l’ittle ones. Are you a’right?”



Smiling, she said, “I’m…I mean we’re fine...Dad!” Happy with the look of shock on his face, Buffy turned to Whistler who had stepped off the porch and was walking away. “Wait!” He turned and waited. “Are these babies the same twins as before?”



“Basically. Why?” Whistler asked.



She was unsure how to word her next question. Cautiously she asked, “Those boys were supposed to be from Spike and Drucilla. I mean they sure looked like it. James was blonde and quiet…alright not exactly like Spike, but Liam was dark and...bossy.



Spike laughed, “You do remember you’re not a natural blonde, don’t yea? And as far as the bossy part goes, well I say that hits the nail right on the head.” Buffy cut her eyes at him in aggravation as Whistler explained.



“Liam wasn’t even remotely a part of Drucilla. You just assumed that because it seemed logical for him to be, but those two are the product of the two of you. Your DNA.”



A worried scowl creased Spike’s forehead as he asked, “Are they…I mean…will they be part vampire, like me?” He hoped so much that they weren’t.



Smiling, Whistler answered, “No. They’ll probably have some super strength and stuff like that. Nobody really knows exactly, but what we do know is that they’ll be human and alive. Just your basic DNA from you and Buffy without the undead demon factor.”



Relieved, Spike pulled her close and said, “Our DNA is it? I like the sound of that. But, Buffy luv, can we name him something beside Liam. Never liked that name, maybe...Spike Junior.”



“Over my dead body!”



Whistler watched them arguing over names for a few minutes then turned to leave. When he got to the edge of the yard, he called over his shoulder, “Take care of those two. They play a big part in the future. Children of a Slayer and a vampire. Quiet a mix!” Seeing the stunned expression on both of their faces made him laugh. “Love to leave them guessing,” he said to himself as he vanished in the darkness, leaving Spike and Buffy speechless with a new future in store for the both of them.



The End