Summary: Set after the end of Cast Me Not Away and its follow up stories. This sequel is longer and darker than the intervening short stories. It deals with family, children, immortality, life and death, and making amends. We will also be jumping around in time a bit, so look sharp.
Author's Notes: I debated for a long time before writing this one, although the idea was there before I even finished CMNA. Some of you will believe that I have ruined the previous stories, which is fine. All I ask is that if you're unhappy with where this goes that you'll go back, re-read Cast Me Not Away through Silver Bells, and then you can flame me if you'd like. I'll calmly pull out the fire-extinguisher and ignore you, but that's alright. The themes have been there; I just hadn't quite managed to elaborate on them yet. (Oh, and before anyone screams Nika, Wesley, Spike and Buffy will survive. More than that I won't promise.)
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 8: January 2017
Nike didn't have to try to appear upset; she had thought they had dealt with this problem already. Davey had been doing so much better in school, and now he was failing social studies and falling dangerously close to it in reading and math. He'd never been quite the student that Will was, but this was unlike him.
Still, she hated to see the disappointment on his face that bordered on betrayal. "It's not fair!" Davey exclaimed. "I got invited over to Chris's ages ago!"
"I'm sorry, Davey," Nika said, glad she could keep her voice even. "You know the rules. You won't be going out with friends until your grades are back up where they ought to be."
Davey's lower lip trembled a little. "It's not fair," he repeated. "Mrs. Howard hates me!"
Nika bit back a sigh. "I doubt that's true, Davey. Now be honest. Have you not been doing your homework?"
"I've done it all," Davey said, his eyes welling up. "She just doesn't like me. Honest, Mum. I've been trying!"
"Your father and I know that you're capable of doing better," Nika replied. "Until you're working up to your potential—"
"Uncle Spike knows," Davey said rebelliously. "He understands that a guy can't spend all his time with books."
Nika raised an eyebrow. "I happen to know that your Uncle Spike got top marks in school. That's hardly a reason for you not to do your best."
"It's because you love Will better 'n me," Davey shouted. "You love him best because he does everything right! I'm not him!"
He dashed off before Nika could make any reply to that, and she put her head in her hands. What she wouldn't give to have Wesley with her, but he wouldn't be back for days yet. Even if he wasn't quite as close to Davey, at least he would have been moral support.
A thin arm snaked around her shoulders. "Are you alright, Mum?"
Nika made a sound that was half a laugh and half a sigh, looking into blue eyes that were so close to Wesley's. "I'm fine, Will." She hesitated. Usually they never asked the boys to tattle on each other. It was unfair, but in this situation Nika wanted to know what was going on. "Will, Davey keeps saying that the teacher hates him. Is that true?"
Will chewed on his bottom lip, troubled. He knew that Davey was trying to tough things out, but it hurt to see his brother so upset. They didn't have the same friends, and their personalities were night and day, but they were still close. "It's not all Davey's fault," he said quietly.
Nika frowned. "What's been going on, cariad ?"
"I heard Mrs. Howard say that Davey should be on Ritalin, and she's angry that he isn't," Will explained. "She cuts him down in front of the class and makes him stay in at recess."
"How long has this been going on?"
"Since school started almost," Will admitted. "Davey said not to say anything, maybe because he kind of started it. We were talking in Welsh, and she got angry with us, and he back talked."
Nika sighed. It wasn't right for a teacher to hold a grudge against a little boy. Davey was active, but no more so than any other boy his age. At the school's urging, they had gotten him evaluated, but there was no sign of hyperactivity. When he wanted to, Davey could concentrate for just as long as his twin. Wesley had flatly refused to either medicate him or punish him for his high activity level. "The boy should be allowed to be a child," he had insisted.
Nika happened to agree, but she also thought that Wesley was deeply afraid of breaking his son's spirit, and he refused to risk it. They had talked about finding a different school, but it looked as though the time for talking was over.
"What would you think about going to a different school?" Nika asked. "Not that you will, mind you."
Will hesitated, and then he asked, "Would Davey be going with me?"
"Absolutely," Nika replied. She knew that most schools had a policy of splitting siblings, but they hadn't liked that idea. Davey and Will were good for each other. Davey made sure Will didn't get picked on, and Will often settled Davey down.
"That's okay then," Will replied decisively. "I don't want to get split up from him."
Nika hugged her son. "I know you don't, sweetheart. Now, why don't you go do your homework, and see if your brother will do his?"
He gave her a quick grin, stopping to give Hannah a hug as he left the kitchen. The Slayer had come in on the tail-end of the conversation, and she returned his embrace with affection. Will had been more than a bit stand-offish when the girl had come to stay with them, but something had changed things. One day he'd been reserved, the next they were best of friends.
Nika had decided that she didn't need to know why.
"How are you?" Hannah asked, giving Nika a quick hug in turn. "It sounds like you were dealing with World War Three in here."
"You're not far off," Nika said ruefully. "You saw Davey's report card. I had to inform him he wouldn't be going to Chris's birthday party this weekend."
Hannah winced, knowing how much the boy had been looking forward to it. "If that's what it takes to get his attention, I guess."
"Except that Will tells me his teacher has some sort of grudge against him," Nika replied. "If that's the case..."
"Are you thinking about that private school?" she asked. "It might be better for both of them. I mean, Will's not doing all that great in public schools."
"I know," Nika sighed. "Wesley and I have discussed it, and we both had thought things might get better, but that's not the case. We don't want to teach them to run from their problems."
"Except sometimes retreating is the only thing you can do," Hannah pointed out. "If Davey gets too discouraged, he'll just stop trying, and that won't do anybody any good."
Nika gave her foster daughter a grateful look. "That's a good point, cariad . When did you get so wise?"
She shrugged. "Somewhere along the way, I suppose."
Changing the subject, Nika said, "That Sam seems like a very nice boy."
"He is," Hannah replied, her tone troubled.
"That's a problem?"
"He wants me to go out with him." Her voice was so low that Nika had to lean forward to catch her words.
Nika frowned. "Do you not like him?"
"No, I—I think I do, it's just, what am I going to tell him?" Hannah asked. "I mean, what happens when he finds out what I am? If he freaks—"
Nika pulled Hannah into an embrace. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm sorry this has to be so difficult."
"What if he hates me when he finds out?"
"I highly doubt that will happen," Nika responded. "You'll just have to wait for the right moment, I suppose."
Hannah shook her head, troubled. She wished her Watcher was present. Wesley would be able to help her either decide to tell her secret or be able to advise her how to keep it. "How does a Slayer date?" she asked finally.
"Why don't you ask Buffy?" Nika asked with an encouraging smile. "She might be able to give you some pointers."
Hannah frowned, but then nodded. "Maybe. I'll give her a call tonight. It might help her take her mind off Spike being gone."
~~~~~
The house felt terribly empty without him. The silence seemed to echo. It got better when Meg came home, since the girl seemed to need the reassurance of her mother's presence. Still, it wasn't the same.
Buffy actually managed to cook dinner for the both of them without burning it. "Good dinner, Mom," Meg said, trying for cheerful. She almost managed it.
"Thanks, sweetie," Buffy replied, leaning across the table to run a hand down her daughter's hair. "How are you?"
Meg hesitated and then admitted, "I really miss Dad."
"I know, Meg. Me too." The Slayer smiled bravely at her daughter. "I'm sure he'll be just fine, though."
"He was going really far away," Meg pointed out softly. "What if something happens? What if he doesn't come back?" She still remembered the last trip her parents had made together. Spike had been stuck in bed for a few days recovering. She had hated seeing her father like that.
Buffy took a deep breath. "He promised. Your father always keeps his promises."
"I know that," Meg said impatiently. "But what if he just can't this time?"
It was Buffy's greatest fear too. "Then we'll keep going for him. That's what he would want." She took a deep breath. "Let's get this mess cleaned up. Hannah's going to be here soon."
They cleaned up the kitchen in silence, and Buffy wondered if she should have said something else. Had she dismissed Meg's fears too quickly? She had a tendency to do that, just as Spike usually shot straight from the hip. In a situation like this, Spike would have known exactly what to say to soothe.
Buffy wondered if she wasn't still using him, this time for running interference between her and those she loved best. She asked him to translate for her, to explain what she meant, to be gentle when she couldn't help being harsh.
They were yin and yang, and Buffy needed him now.
"I'm scared too."
The words were spoken into the silence of the kitchen, and Meg looked up at her mother gratefully. "But he'll come back."
"Of course he'll come back," Buffy said, a nostalgic smile lighting up her face. "He always does."
~~~~~
Hannah and Nika had decided that the younger Slayer ought to invite herself over for the night. The next day was Saturday, so she didn't have to worry about school, and she could keep Buffy company. Nika knew all about having an empty house.
"So what's this I hear about a boy?" Buffy teased gently. Their relationship had become much easier over the last couple years.
Hannah shrugged. "His name is Sam. He's nice."
"And he wants to ask you out?"
"He's been following me for a while," Hannah admitted.
Buffy's eyes widened. "He's been stalking you?"
"No!" Hannah quickly replied. "Sam's harmless. He just follows me sometimes and asks if I need him to carry my books, that sort of thing."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Carry your books?"
"I'm pretty sure that was supposed to be funny, but it's hard to tell with Sam." Hannah looked away. "I like him, Buffy, but I'm the Slayer."
Hannah was the Slayer, and Sam was a regular guy, although Buffy was fairly certain that they could be grateful for that. After all, boyfriends were enough trouble; throw in being undead and you have a recipe for disaster.
Unless the vampire in question was Spike, and then all bets were off.
Buffy understood what she was saying without any other explanation. "How do you think he'll feel about the super strength?"
"I think he'll think it's pretty cool," Hannah admitted. "Sam already knows I'm a little different since I stopped a couple jocks from shoving him in a locker."
"You have to play it by ear," Buffy said eventually, once she'd considered what Hannah was saying. "I've had human boyfriends in the past, and it doesn't always work out. If he's not okay with your strength, then you know he's not the right guy for you."
Hannah looked up to meet Buffy's eyes. "I like being the Slayer. It's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me, and it brought me to Wesley and Nika. Sometimes, though, it just sucks."
"Yeah, it really does," Buffy replied, a depth of feeling in her tone of voice alone.
"Will it ever get easier?"
Buffy pondered Hannah's question—unwilling to lie, and yet unwilling to tell the whole truth. "Maybe," she finally decided. "It doesn't always get better. Sometimes it has to get worse first."
"Gee, that's comforting," Hannah said wryly.
"Not really," Buffy agreed, realizing that she was letting her own mood set the tone for their conversation. "Sometimes people surprise you, sweetie. Maybe that's what Sam will do for you."
Hannah looked uncertain. "I think he's going to ask me to prom."
"Are you going to go?"
"I don't know," Hannah replied. "I mean, it's kind of silly, isn't it?"
Buffy knew that tone of voice all too well. It was the "I'm not going to be able to go, so I'll convince myself it wasn't worth it anyway" tone. She remembered her senior prom, and while it hadn't been the prom every girl dreams of, it had ended up okay. Hannah, however, deserved to have a dream prom with the pretty dress and the hair and everything else that went along with it.
She decided to appoint herself the one in charge of ensuring Hannah's happy day. "It's not silly," Buffy said firmly. "It's supposed to be a magical night."
Hannah didn't have magical nights. She had nights when she dusted half a dozen vamps. "Buffy, that's not—I mean, I don't even know if he's going to ask me."
"He'll ask," Buffy said with a smile. "How could he not? And then we'll just have to make sure it's the best night yet."
Hannah smiled at that. She knew Buffy's resolve-face, which meant come hell or high water, she would have the best prom ever. For the first time, Hannah thought it might just work out.
~~~~~
Wesley alternated between pacing and sitting outside the cave. It hadn't been nearly as hard to find as they'd feared, nor had it taken them long to get there. He almost wished they'd had more time, and as he waited, apprehension filled him.
Spike had gone in alone, since that was the way it worked, but how would he know if the vampire had survived? He had no idea how long the trials would take, only that there was more than one of them. What was he going to tell Buffy if Spike never came out?
What would he do?
Wesley didn't have a problem with Spike's choice. When the vampire had come to him months before, the Watcher had understood exactly where he was coming from. In truth, he didn't see another option. Even if Willow had done the glamour to throw off the outside observers, Spike would still be forced to watch everyone he loved age and die. It wasn't fair in the least to ask that of him.
Now, however, standing outside the cave, waiting for the outcome, Wesley wondered if he had been right to support Spike's decision. Perhaps he should have encouraged the vampire to wait until they found something less risky. Perhaps there would have been another solution that gave them the same outcome.
Wesley didn't want to lose him.
He knew that there was a good chance that if Spike did walk out of that cave he would be human, which meant having a soul. He also knew that Angel had spent almost a century half-crazy with guilt after he'd received his soul. The differences between Angel and Angelus were stark; Wesley had experienced that for himself.
If Spike came out drastically changed, if he wasn't Spike anymore, Wesley had already determined that it didn't matter. He owed the vampire everything he had. Whatever was to come, Wesley would be there. He would take care of him.
A sound came from inside the cave, and Wesley turned to face the entrance and the emerging figure. It was finished.
Chapter 9: October 2014
Meg grinned as she saw her uncle leaning against his pickup outside the school. Her mom and dad had told her she was going to be staying with Uncle Xander for the duration of their trip, which was the best thing about it. Staying with Uncle Xander and Aunt Teri was always fun.
"Hey, munchkin!" Xander said, giving her a hug. "How was school?"
"Good," Meg replied, letting him give her a boost into the truck. "I got an A on my spelling test."
"That's great!" he replied, giving her a lopsided grin. "I was lucky to spell my name right."
Meg giggled, knowing that he was kidding. Mostly. She buckled herself in, and looked over at him. "Did you talk to Mom and Dad today?"
"Yeah, they're leaving a little later today." His eyes were kind. "How are you doing?"
Meg knew what he was asking. He had been the one she stayed with during her parents' last mission that had left them both severely injured. While Wesley and Nika were her godparents, they were often busy with their own kids. Xander, on the other hand, had been unencumbered at the time, and he was always willing to look after her. It had only been within the last year that he'd gotten married. Meg had been the flower girl.
"Okay," Meg replied. "I'm sure they'll be fine," she said, trying to sound grown up.
Xander smiled and gave her ponytail an affectionate tug. "I know they will be. They're both tough." Deciding it was time to change the subject, he said, "So guess what?"
"What?"
"I've got the week off, and we're going to Disneyland ."
Meg grinned. She'd been to Disneyland before, of course. Her dad had taken her, although it had been after dark, and she'd gone with her godparents and the twins once. Xander, however, could be counted upon to spend the entire day there, go on every ride, and let her do pretty much whatever she wanted to do.
Her mom often said that Xander had never completely grown up. Meg didn't really care. "Cool! What about Aunt Teri, though?"
"She's off on a business trip this week," he replied. "So it's just you and me, kid."
Meg sighed happily. She liked Aunt Teri, but Uncle Xander understood things better. Even though her aunt knew about her dad's sun allergy, she didn't know everything, and so Meg always had to watch her tongue when the woman was around.
She also knew that Xander's decision to take the time off work and go to Disneyland was mainly to distract her from thinking about her parents and their mission. She wasn't stupid. She knew that they could get hurt—or worse. "I like it when it's just us two," she confided.
"Me too, Meg," he replied. He and Teri had discussed having kids, and they were going to try. For now, however, Xander liked playing the doting uncle, loved having Meg look at him as if he was the best thing since sliced bread. In her eyes, he was a hero.
It was nice to be a hero again.
~~~~~
Hannah was grateful when Enid asked for her help in the kitchen, and even more grateful when the older woman sent her to get cleaned up. She felt bad, not being able to help. She felt useless, as though she ought to be doing something and didn't know what.
It was easier to just get out of the way and try to forget everything that had just happened. It was easier to pretend that it was simply a new house with a new family, that there was nothing else to it.
Enid kept her in the kitchen, and Hannah relaxed in her company. She insisted Hannah call her nain , just like everyone else did. She talked about Wales and Nika when she was Hannah's age, and generally made the girl feel as though she might belong there after all.
Wesley entered the kitchen after a while, giving Hannah a warm smile. "I'd wondered where you'd gotten off to."
Hannah hesitated. "I thought I was in the way."
"Hardly," Wesley replied. He wasn't quite sure what to say to this girl. He was used to the boys, but he'd never thought to suddenly be responsible for an adolescent. "You know," Wesley began, sounding a bit hesitant. "It's been a very long time since I was a Watcher. I imagine we're going to have to feel things out together."
Hannah managed a shy smile. "Okay."
There was the noise of a door opening and slamming shut, and then a boy's shout. "Uncle Spike!"
Hannah watched the smile on Wesley's face wistfully. She wished there was someone who would look like that, like they were happy to have her there. The next moment he glanced back at her and met her hazel eyes with his own. "Are you ready to meet my sons?"
"Okay," she said, and then was surprised when he put a large hand on her shoulder to lead her into the living room. It felt—it felt good. Hannah hadn't had so many people show her such casual affection in—well, never, actually. Even though the other Slayer hadn't been very nice, Wesley had been, as had the others.
Maybe—maybe this would work out after all.
~~~~~
Wesley had felt Hannah stiffen and then relax under his touch, and he was grateful for Nika's influence on him. He was much more comfortable with physical affection these days. His wife had something to do with that, as did being a father. Hannah struck him as being a little lost, and he didn't blame her. She was very young, and this was probably overwhelming for her.
Tonight he would sit down with her and they would talk more in depth, but it would have to wait until the others left.
Nika was in the living room with the twins as they chattered to the others. Well, Davey was chattering. Will, on the other hand, looked rather subdued, and Wesley bit back a sigh. He knew very well that his son's silence meant another bad day in school. "Come meet Hannah," he said.
Will was the first to turn, and he immediately came over and hugged his father. Wesley put his arms around the boy, knowing all too well the hurt that came from being teased by the other boys. "Will, this is Hannah," he said gently. "Hannah, this is Will, and that's Davey."
"Pleased to meet you," Will said politely, sticking out his hand formally.
Hannah shook his hand with a smile and then glanced over at Davey, who was staring at her in awe. "You're the new Slayer? Can you do any cool tricks like Aunt Buffy?"
Wesley shook his head. "Not now, Davey. You can ask her questions later. I'm sure you both have homework?"
Will shook his head. "I got all mine done at school."
Davey made a face. "Aw, Dad, can't I do it later?"
"Dafydd," Wesley said, a warning in his voice. "Homework first."
The boy heaved a deeply put upon sigh. "Fine," he muttered.
Will, knowing when the adults wanted to talk alone, said, "It was nice to meet you, Hannah."
Hannah had no idea how to take the boy's formality. Actually, she didn't really know what to do with either of them, having never had siblings. "Nice to meet you, too."
Nika smiled at her. "What do you say we get out of here, Hannah?" she asked. "I'm sure they can do without us, and I think we have some errands to run."
Her eyes met Wesley's with the silent promise that they would speak later, probably much later. She gave her husband a quick kiss, and then met Spike's eyes. "Be careful."
"Always am," the vampire replied easily. "I'll see you when we get back."
~~~~~
There was a certain horror inherent in assigned seating on airplanes. This time it had to do with the fact that Spike and Angel were seated next to each other two rows up from Willow , Connor and Buffy. "Maybe we should switch," Buffy said when she realized the problem.
The flight attendant shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we can't do that. You have to sit in the seat that's on your ticket."
"We'll be fine," Angel assured her. "At least, I know I can behave for a couple hours."
Spike rolled his eyes. "Right, Peaches. Play the saint."
The other three exchanged looks, and Willow smiled at them sweetly. "I could still turn you both into fluffy kittens for the duration of the flight," she suggested. "That way you could ride in the cargo hold."
"Don't think so," Spike said quickly, knowing just how capable Willow was of carrying out her threat. "We'll play nice. 'Least I will," he muttered, heading to his seat.
The two vampires didn't speak as the plane taxied down the runway and then took off. In fact, they had been in the air for a good thirty minutes before Angel finally spoke. "Buffy doesn't appear to be very happy."
"She's not," Spike murmured. "She feels guilty for leavin' Meg, pissed off that Faith's dead, an' she's not thrilled about the new Slayer. Add it all up, an' what do you get?"
"A month of sleeping on the couch?" Angel suggested, tongue-in-cheek.
Spike smirked. "That's why I have a comfortable couch. 's more like campin' that way."
Angel chuckled. "What do you think of the new Slayer? Hannah, right?"
"Good kid," Spike said after a moment. "Giles said she's had it rough."
Angel nodded. "You could see it in her eyes. She's going to give Wesley hell, you know. He'll be beating off the boys with a tire iron."
"We both will." Spike was quiet for a moment, and then said softly. "Wesley won't ask, but he'd probably appreciate your help with trainin' her. B'tween the two of us an' him, she might be the best trained Slayer yet."
Angel knew what it had cost Spike to make the suggestion. Contrary to popular opinion, neither of them hated the other at this point, although there were appearances to keep up. Of course, they still sniped and snarked and generally annoyed each other, but they weren't in competition anymore. That changed everything.
A few years ago, Angel Investigations had become a loose affiliate of Wesley's business, so while they weren't partners, they did work together often. And although Angel's relationship with Wesley would never be what it once was, they were friends of a sort.
He and Spike, on the other hand, were family. It changed things.
"Might do," Angel said after a moment. "It would probably take some of the pressure off." He was quiet for a moment. "How are they? Wes and Nika?"
"Looks like she'll carry this one to term," Spike said with a sigh of relief. "We were worried there for a while."
Angel nodded. "That's good."
The next silence that fell was more comfortable. "You know how bad this is going to be, don't you?"
Spike glanced over at his grandsire in surprise. "What are you talkin' about?"
"Faith was good, Spike."
"I know." There was a pause. "Didn't want Buffy to come."
"I'll bet that went over well," Angel commented, his tone dry.
Spike snorted. "She's a stubborn bint."
"Who's staying with Meg?"
"Xander. He said he was gonna take her to Disneyland ." Spike looked over at the other vampire. "You ought to come over for dinner some time. 's been a while since you've seen her. I think she's grown a couple inches."
Angel nodded. "Might be good. I could bring Cordy."
"Wouldn't mind seein' her again either," Spike admitted.
There was a silence that was perfectly comfortable, and then Angel had to ruin it. "You know I'm right."
"Don't start that again, you ponce," Spike groaned.
Angel shook his head stubbornly. "I'm telling you that Ireland should have won."
" Ireland couldn't tie their shoes properly," Spike snorted. "It was ManU all the way."
"The ref was blind."
"You keep tellin' yourself that."
"Idiot."
"Wanker."
They were family, after all.
~~~~~
Nika had always wanted a little girl. As much as she loved her boys, there were simply activities they didn't care to do. Shopping was, of course, one of them.
Besides, Enid had called her at work and informed her of Buffy's reaction to the new Slayer. It was probably best to get the girl out of the house while the rest of them chatted things out.
"Have you thought about how you might like to decorate your room?" Nika asked the girl.
Hannah looked at her with wide eyes. "Decorate?"
"Are there colors that you like?"
She hesitated, and then said softly. "Red. Dark red."
Nika chuckled. "You and Spike would certainly see eye to eye on that." She looked down at the girl. "So what did you think of all of them?"
"Everybody seemed really nice," Hannah said uncertainly, not wanting to bring up Buffy's reaction.
"You'll have to give Buffy some time," Nika said gently, reading the girl's uncertain expression for what it was. "She doesn't much care for change, and Faith was a friend." Nika didn't bother adding that Hannah's youth probably made Buffy feel old, since that wasn't something either of them could do anything about.
"I kind of understand." Hannah knew that sometimes being liked or disliked didn't have much to do with who a person was. After all, her mom hadn't much liked her either.
Nika put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I'm not sure that anyone told you, but we have permanent custody, cariad . This isn't a temporary home, and I want you to know that."
Hannah had some idea, but it seemed strange that her placement came about through some mystical roulette wheel. If not for being the Slayer, she'd still be floating around the foster care system until she got booted on her eighteenth birthday. "Thanks," was all she said.
Nika smiled. "I'll bet you're curious about all of us," she said quietly. "Let me tell you how Wesley and I met, and we can look for things for your room."
To Hannah's surprise, Nika did exactly that, and then managed to draw out her own story. No one had ever really wanted to know everything before.
~~~~~
"How was the shopping trip?" Wesley asked much later. He and Enid had seen to the boys while Nika was out with Hannah. The Watcher knew his wife was better suited to making sure the girl felt at home. Judging from the number of bags, that task had been accomplished.
Nika shook her head. "The girl has nothing, Wesley. She barely has clothes to put on her back."
"That should be easy enough to fix," he replied. "I'm drawing a larger salary now, apparently, to go into her support."
"I'm not concerned about the money," Nika replied. She turned to him. "She's never really had a parent, cariad annwyl . Never. Have you seen the way she reacts when someone touches her? It's as though she's never been hugged."
"Perhaps she never has been," Wesley replied gently. "That's why she is here, love. The Council believes we might manage to keep her grounded." He smiled. "According to Giles, you're a large part of that."
Nika snorted. "Right. As if you aren't a very successful parent yourself." Worry entered her eyes. "Can we do this, Wesley? I wouldn't abandon Hannah for the world, but can we really do this? If something happens to her, the boys—"
"It will be fine," Wesley said, steel in his voice. "I promise you that. I have no intention of my Slayer dying young. There is no reason."
"Don't be putting yourself at risk," Nika said sharply.
Wesley smiled. "I love you too much to leave you for any reason at all." He pulled her to him, placing a hand over her swollen abdomen. "Just as I love the boys and now this little one as well."
She laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you."
Wesley wrapped his arms around her, thankful that this last pregnancy was going well. After the last miscarriage, he had thought Nika might despair in her grief. He had held her as she cried for hours, and then he'd gone with Spike and gotten drunk.
After that, they had agreed to stop trying. Nature had a way of surprising a person, however, and it wasn't six months later and she was pregnant.
And now they had a new addition of a different sort.
"Thank you," Wesley murmured.
"For what?"
"For being okay with this," he replied. "I need—I need to do this."
"You have nothing to prove, Wesley," Nika said in reply. "But you're welcome anyway."
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