Banner by Selene

Set sometime after the third (and as yet, unwritten) fic in the Forever!verse.

“I swear to god, if those two don’t stop already, I’ll—I don’t know what I’ll do, but it’ll be something drastic!” Buffy growled as she stormed into Cordelia’s bedroom. 

“Shhh!” Cordelia shushed her with a frantic wave of her hand. 

Buffy skidded to a halt and glanced at where Cordelia was gesturing with her head. Her annoyed expression disappeared and in its place— 

“I know, huh?” Cordelia grinned conspiratorially. 

Buffy and Cordelia shared a knowing look and a huge smile – Cutest. Thing. Ever. – and turned back to the wolf dozing on a pink and purple baby’s blanket in the corner, a toddler nestled comfortably in his fur, sound asleep. The wolf, as if sensing their regard, cracked one eye open briefly, expression clearly conveying: go away. 

“Maybe we should…?” Buffy began, more sensitive to Xander’s moods than anyone else. Especially lately. 

“Are you kidding? We need a camera. And fast. I totally have to get a picture of this.” 

This time Xander’s head came up off his front paws. And Buffy was sure that was a glare he was giving them this time.  

“Cordy.” 

“Alright. Fine. Let’s go. Not like it’s my room or anything. Besides, it was my turn to play with Willow, and that overgrown mutt just nosed his way in here and took over. Would serve him right…” 

Buffy made a soothing noise and ushered Cordelia out of the room. Behind them, Xander laid his head back down on his paws and closed his eyes. 

“Come on. You can help me get Spike and Angel to quit one-upping each other with the birthday gifts. When I left Spike was thinking about buying Willow a pony. A pony, for chrissakes. The girl is only two. What does she need a damn pony for?” 

Cordelia raised one brow at Buffy’s language but refrained from saying anything. That changed however when she reached the end of the hall and looked down on the main lobby of the hotel. There were more presents than furniture in the room. 

“Angel!” 

The room went quiet. Even Spike shut up at hearing the sheer outrage in Cordelia’s voice. 

“No. Just no!” She glared at Spike and Angel as she stomped down the stairs. Pointed a finger at them and said, “Have you two lost your damn minds?” 

Behind the counter, Fred, Wesley, Gunn, and Lindsey, watched with wide-eyed interest. Gunn was struggling not to laugh outright. Lindsey was wondering if he would have been better off staying in Wolfram & Hart’s torture reality because everyone at the hotel was obviously crazy. Wesley had his arm slung casually around Fred; both had smiles on their faces. 

At the top of the stairs, Buffy was looking rather smug. Until she noticed that both Connor and Dawn were suspiciously absent. And the party was due to start soon. 

“Where’s Dawnie?” she wanted to know.  

That got Spike’s attention, and he looked at Buffy somewhat sheepishly. 

“Well?” Buffy demanded. She was one step away from tapping her foot in annoyance. 

“She left. Took Connor with her.” 

“Left where?” 

Spike mumbled a reply, but vampire hearing easily picked up what he said: “Said something about making another sprog so Angel and me wouldn’t have to fight over Willow anymore.” 

“Wait? Huh?” Angel turned away from placating an irritated Cordelia to join the conversation. “When did she say that?” 

Buffy was waiting for an answer as well.  

“Few minutes ago. When you were traipsin’ out to the car to get those.” 

Those were nearly a dozen bags of clothes from a local children’s clothing boutique piled on the couch. Cordelia’s face went “Ooh! Shiny” and she left off haranguing Angel and Spike to delve into the various bags. 

Angel’s smirk clearly said that he’d won the battle of the best birthday gift. Spike looked ready to throttle him.  

Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes, already imagining having to play referee. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Dawn and Connor returned an hour or so later, smiling and flush faced. Dawn waved a quick hello to everyone then darted upstairs to retrieve Willow and get her ready for the party. Connor flopped onto the only available piece of furniture not boasting a wrapped gift looking worn out. 

Spike, of course, took exception to his smug manner. Or would have, if Buffy hadn’t snuggled up to his side just then and distracted him. The distracting went on for some time until there were distinct clearing of throats heard.  

“Get a room, Spike,” Xander griped good-naturedly, nudging Spike as he passed by. He leaned up against the counter a few feet away to wait for Dawn to return with Willow. 

Buffy’s not-so-subtle jab to the ribs kept Spike from replying. Xander wasn’t quite up to the vampire’s verbal ribbing just yet, even if he did tend to instigate things.  

“All set then, love?” Spike said instead. 

Buffy nodded. “Yep. Gunn’s got cake duty. Fred and Wesley have the ice cream. Just need the birthday girl and we can get this party started!” 

Birthday girl and mom soon appeared at the top of the stairs, and there were smiles all around and a few misty eyes as Dawn helped Willow walk down the stairs. 

Pictures were taken, a happy birthday was sung, cake and ice cream was devoured. 

The opening of presents went a lot slower. Willow seemed more content being passed from person to person instead of tearing into gift wrap. In the end, it was left to Dawn and Connor to open everything. And there was a lot thanks to Spike and Angel. Although, Cordelia and Buffy had a lot of explaining to do as well.  

It was a perfect night, or nearly perfect. Buffy just wished that Giles had been able to make it. Unfortunately, he’d been tied up with Council business and wasn’t due to arrive until the end of the week. 

Just then, a commotion sounded at the front doors. Everyone turned and saw… 

“Giles!” Buffy shouted and rushed to meet him, enveloping him in a bone-crushing hug. 

“Hello, Buffy. Sorry, I arrived so late. I would have checked into a hotel and waited until the morning to call round, but Spike insisted I come, no matter the time.” 

Buffy turned and gaped at her mate. 

His smirk said it all.  

His, clearly, was the best gift tonight.

The End

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