Summary: In the sequel to Collide, there are unexpected consequences to the ritual Buffy did to break the curse on Spike, Dawn is trying to figure out what it means to be the Key, and Willow is coming home. And that's just the beginning.
Rating: PG-13
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Spike had never thought he'd be grateful to have a doctor from the Council around, but Dr. Wilkes had understood why Buffy needed to be released after dark without being told. Although Giles could have driven Buffy home from the hospital, Spike didn't want to let her or their son out of his sight.
"Let me get that," he said, rushing to open the front door.
Buffy shot him an amused look. "Spike, I'm fine. Slayer healing is an amazing thing." She eyed the baby carrier that he was holding. "How's Jack?"
"Sleepin'," Spike said, his eyes following her gaze. He felt a sense of awe wash over him; Spike hadn't thought that anything could compare to the feeling of holding his son for the first time, and that was probably true. He still felt just a little bit of that wonder every time he looked at little John William Summers.
Buffy smiled. "Let's see how he likes his new room, huh?"
Spike carried Jack upstairs, his fingers entwined with Buffy's. "Where's Dawn?" Buffy asked.
"She called earlier to let us know that she'd be eating dinner with Willow and Bracken," Spike replied. "Figured she'd give us a chance to get settled before the mob descends."
"I asked them not to come over until tomorrow," Buffy replied. "I wanted some alone-time with my guys."
"That right?" Spike asked, watching as Buffy lifted Jack out of his carrier. He didn't even stir, and she went to lay him down, pausing.
"Would you mind if he slept in our room tonight?" Buffy asked suddenly. "I don't—" She looked down at him, his pink cheeks a testament to his good health.
Jack was a good-sized baby, Spike knew. That might have been because he was two weeks late; Buffy had been getting really tired of being pregnant by the time she'd gone into labor. His lateness had caused her anxiety to flare once again, but Spike had known that they wouldn't fully relax until the baby was born, and they knew he would be okay.
Jack was more than okay; he was perfect.
"'Course not," Spike replied softly, knowing that her fear had everything to do with the dream she'd had before Travers had taken her. "Think that might be best for tonight. Don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at him."
The baby chose that moment to wake, beginning to whimper. "I think somebody's hungry," Buffy murmured, immediately beginning to unbutton her blouse.
Spike watched with pride and joy as she sat down in the rocking chair he'd purchased for the baby's room and began to nurse him. Maybe every new father felt the same way, but Spike was quite sure that it was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.
He was even more certain that Buffy was the most beautiful woman who had ever lived.
Spike moved to her side, caressing Jack's tiny arm with a gentle finger. The infant responded by waving his fist. Spike allowed him to grasp his finger, and his free hand came to rest on Buffy's shoulder. "Thank you, Buffy," he murmured. She'd given him so much—
"I should be the one thanking you," Buffy replied. Looking up at him, Buffy smiled. "I love you, Spike."
"Yeah," he murmured. "Love you, too."
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