*~*~*~*

The next five months passed in a blur. Willow grew bigger, started school, and installed a brand new computer system for Angel Investigations, courtesy of David Nabbit. He had enjoyed doing the spell so much, he continued to hang around the office. He and Willow became friends, since the both of them could talk on the same level.

Xander was practically living with Willow, only going back to Sunnydale for two or three days at a time. Anya had decided to break up with him, after the fraction of the Scooby Gang. The ex-demon and the Slayer got along really well, both bonding over their dislike for Willow and the decision she was making. Anya, of course, wasn't happy with Willow's situation because it took Xander away from her. However, no matter how selfish her reason, it brought her and Buffy closer together.

Giles was practically the only person in Sunnydale Willow still talked to. The former watcher actually agreed with Willow and thought she was making the right choice. He would call her every Sunday afternoon at three p.m. to check on her; he made sure she was doing well in school, and that the baby was coming along fine.

Willow waddled into the office, sighing softly. Cordelia glanced up. "Hey, Shamu."

The redhead frowned. "I do look like a beached whale, don't I?"

Cordelia grinned at her friend. "No, Willow, of course not. You look beautiful. You. . .glow, or something."

"If one more person tells me I glow," Willow said, sitting down with her hand on the small of her back, "I'm going to violently kill them."

Cordelia opened her mouth and started to speak when the door opened. David walked in. "Hey, Cord, Will." He grinned at Willow, still somewhat feeling bad for all the times he'd accidentally made the pregnant woman cry. "You are glowing!"

Willow growled angrily at him. "Kiss my ass, David." She got up and shuffled out of the office.

David frowned and looked at Cordelia. "I just can't seem to ever get anything right with her."

Cordelia laughed. "If you ever get married and have kids, David, just take a nine month vacation when she gets pregnant. That's pretty much the only way you will survive the birth of your child."

David chuckled.

Willow went upstairs to her apartment. Xander was in Sunnydale for a couple of days, getting more stuff that he owned. When he returned, Spike and Angel were going to help the mortal find an apartment, so he could move out of Willow's.

She went to her bedroom, standing in front of her six-foot long mirror. She turned to her side and pulled her maternity shirt tight over her belly. "I am a beached whale. I look hideous!" Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had circles under her eyes. She hadn't been sleeping well the last couple of nights.

"You look beautiful, pet," a soft voice said in her ear.

Willow jumped away, yelping in shock. "SPIKE!" she hissed, slapping his arm as hard as she could. "Don't *ever* scare me like that! You've seen the couple of times I thought you two were in danger? You don't want me to turn you into dust, do you?"

"Couldn't happen," he grinned. "When you start doing that energy thing, it doesn't affect me." He chuckled. "What's wrong, Red? Why do you feel bad?"

"I'm fat, Spike. I'm a big beached whale. I mean. . ." Tears fell down her cheeks. "Look at me!"

"The doctor, she says that you are normal for a woman your size?"

"Yea," Willow said dejectedly. "I just have such a small frame, it makes me look bigger."

"Eight months, pet," he whispered. "You don't have much time before the baby is going to be here." His eyes danced with happiness.

"You are really happy about this, aren't you?" Willow asked, leading him to the couch. Together, the two sat down. She curled to him, and he automatically put his hand on her stomach.

He smiled when the baby started to kick. "Yea. I never thought I'd have an actual *child*. I mean. . .it's. . ." He glanced around, lowering his voice. "Ok, Red, this is going to sound completely like the Poof, and if you ever repeat this, I will. . .I will. . .well, it won't be good."

She looked at him curiously, running her fingers through his hair. "What?" She moved to the back of his neck, scratching it like she knew he liked. He closed his eyes in pleasure, a low rumble emanating from his chest.

"Red. . .can't talk when you entice me like this. . ." he purred.

She giggled, pulling her hand away. "What, Spike? What about the baby?"

"It's amazing," he said softly. "The thought that I will have a little girl. . .I mean, there is going to be this great child that is going to look at me and know me as daddy." He turned slightly. "I feel like Peaches. I mean, it makes me even want to cry! *Me*! The Big Bad, Master Vampire, half of the bloody Scourge of Europe. I've caused so much damage my entire life, enjoyed hurting people, and now. . .I'm bloody domesticated."

Willow giggled softly. He turned angry eyes at her. "Don't laugh," he pouted.

"No, no, when you said domesticated, I had this vision of you walking around the house in a frilly lace apron, cooking Rice Krispy Treats or something."

Spike stared at her before he started to chuckle. It wasn't long before the two on the couch realized there was another person laughing with them. They both turned to see Angel standing at the doorway, watching them with an amused expression on his face. He had his arms crossed over his massive chest. "Peaches," Spike groaned.

"Don't worry, Spike," he said, walking to the couch. He sat on the other side of Willow. "I didn't hear about your frilly white lace apron or anything."

Spike glared at him. Angel chuckled. "Willow, how do you feel?" Angel asked.

"Fat," she pouted.

"Not fat," Angel corrected her. "Just carrying our child."

"The product of our love," Spike chorused. He chuckled. "We are going to be a daddy!"

Angel rolled his eyes. "I already *am* a daddy. I sure hope to god that this girl doesn't give me as much trouble as a certain blonde hair blue eyed demon does."

"But, daddy," Spike pouted with a baby voice. "You wouldn't love me as much if I didn't give you such a bloody hard time."

Angel leaned forward, kissing Spike softly. "True, true. You'd be like the others if you actually *did* what you were supposed to."

"So anyway," Willow interrupted them, "I've thought of a name."

"What would that be, pet?" Spike asked.

"Angel Willimina," she replied. "We will call her Mina."

Angel cocked his head, thinking about it. "I like that. You are naming her after us."

Spike grinned. "Two Angels, three Wills. . .poor kid is going to be confused."

Willow chuckled. "That's why I'm saying we should call her Mina."

"Mina," Spike replied. "I like it. A lot. I think that you've finally decided on a name, pet."

She grinned. "Thanks." She leaned forward and kissed him, then turned her head to kiss Angel. "I'm going to take a nap. I'm tired." She stood up and waddled to her bedroom, closing the door slightly.

Spike leaned against Angel, resting his head on the older vampire's chest. "Are you nervous, Peaches?"

"A little. I'm not worried about hurting her, and I'm not worried about you hurting her. . ."

"It's just everyone else," Spike finished. "They might hurt her. And I promise you, Peaches, this child is not dating until she is fifty."

Angel laughed, wrapping his arm around Spike. "Fifty it is, my boy."

*~*~*~*

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