See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers
Protector Part 2
Willow is holding Kennedy's hand as they lie in bed in Buffy's extra room. The twins are sleeping between the young Slayer and her redhead, she whispers as she speaks, "You're right."
"What about?" Asks Willow.
Kennedy's eyes meet Willow's but then look at their children. Her fingers trace a path down each little hand. "You have to try it-this has to stop. I don't want them to grow up afraid."
"Yeah-I've been thinking about that too. They're Slayers-but mostly they're little girls and this- they shouldn't have to deal with this yet."
Kennedy looks at her, "Tomorrow-we'll train, then when you're ready, you'll kick ass."
"Damn straight," smiles the witch. "Now sleep-"
"And if I'm not tired?"
"Sleep anyway-the rest is good for Junior." Her hand touches Kennedy's stomach.
"Don't call him that."
"Then what do you want to call him?"
"Don't know-how about you? Have you thought of a name?"
"None, I'm still trying to figure out where the Y came from," admits the redhead.
"A little confused about that too-just figured it was the magic," smiles the young Slayer.
The days pass and Kennedy supervises Willow's training. Finally the young Slayer and the witch are satisfied that she is ready to face the Ancient. Buffy walks in with the scythe and hands it to the redhead. "Keep this with you-to get the feel. We'll plan on setting things up tomorrow."
"I'll be ready." Buffy nods as she sees Kennedy's hand take Willow's. They exchange a glance and a smile, Buffy smiles too and leaves. Kennedy and Willow both look at the scythe.
"Did I thank you for the last time you used this," asks the young Slayer.
The redhead smiles and blushes a little, "Once or twice."
"Is that all?" She raises her eyebrow suggestively. "Maybe I should thank you again?"
Willow looks nervously at the door, "Someone could come in-"
"They could-" she slips her arms around her witch. "Want to chance it?" She leans in and kisses her lips. As she breaks the kiss she asks again, "What do you say Red?"
Willow nods and leans in to kiss her Slayer. It escalates quickly, lips move against lips playfully then passionately. Needing to breath they finally pull away. She leads the redhead across the room to the corner. Willow sits on the mat and Kennedy looks down at her. The witch runs her hand up the young Slayer's leg-Kennedy bites her bottom lip. "Sure you're up to this?" She asks softly her eyes resting on her loves rounded stomach.
"I-we, we're good." She slowly lowers herself to the mat beside Willow and their lips meet again.
The next day Willow has the scythe strapped to her back. She looks at her Slayer and her girls, "Be back in a little while."
"We'll be waiting-" says Kennedy as her strong facade threatens to crumble.
"Can I go with you Mommy?" Asks Aly.
"Not this time sweetie-you keep Mama company and make sure she takes a nap." The child nods.
"Do we have to take a nap? asks Annie.
"You should-"she smiles.
"Okay," says the child reluctantly.
Willow hugs them all then whispers in Kennedy's ear, "Always baby." She kisses Kennedy's lips then touches her stomach with her hand. "Keep 'em safe." Kennedy starts to speak, but nods instead as tears start to fall. Willow kisses her again and hugs her tighter. "Love you-I gotta go." She lets her go.
Xander, Dawn, and Giles stand beside her as the redhead leaves with the band of Slayers; Faith, Buffy, Vi and Rona.
Later at Willow and Kennedy's house the witch is sitting on the playroom floor inside a circle. There are pictures of Annie and Aly. She is chanting, her hand raised as an image of the girls appears in front of her. Keeping her mind focused on the job at hand, she stands and walks to the door opening it. Buffy and Faith look at her and she nods. They wait some what impatiently to see if the plan works.
An hour later a group of six suited demons appear from the closet door. The witch smiles because they have fallen for the trap. As the demons grab the "girls" the Slayers rush into the room and surprise them. Seeing the Slayers prepared to fight causes the demons to decide to leave. As they start to disappear, the Slayers and the witch tackle them. Because of the contact with the demons, the room is left empty.
Seconds later they all reappear-they are in a demon dimension. It is an underground cavern with mountains surrounded by water, much like the picture drawn by the child. They all stand before the Ancient; demons, Slayers, and Willow. Buffy and Faith smile at each other a silent signal-then look to the redhead. She lets the magic of the glamour dissipate and the "girls" are no more.
The Ancient roars, "Fools!- You have failed.-"
"You got that right," says the dark Slayer ready to rumble. She swings at the nearest demon knocking him to the ground and the fight is go. Slayers and demons exchange blows-Willow watches the Ancient.
"Witch your powers won't work here!"
She pulls the scythe from the strap on her back and smiles at him. "No, but I'm betting this will." She holds it in both hands in front of her-she speaks barely a whisper and it starts to glow. The Ancient toward her and her eyes turn black, but then fade to her normal green as the power of the scythe begins to transform her again.
Her now white hair blows as the power surges through her. She stares at the Ancient-with her mind she propels the being across the room and against the throne he had been seated on. He stands and with a raised hand creates an energy ball of his own which he throws toward the witch. She moves the scythe toward it and it turns to nothing before it reaches her.
He stands before her again, this time wielding the weapon she lands blow after blow on him. The others now watch amazed-the witch's eyes again flash black as the anger and darkness within try to take over. They change back however the power of the scythe more then a match for Willow's inner demons. He falls to the ground and she stands over him. Willow lets the weapon fall to her side- "You stay the hell away from my kids!" she screams- "Stay away."
"As you wish Guardian-as you wish." He vanishes.
Buffy is standing at Willow's side. "Where did he go damn it?" She is near panic.
Faith speaks as her hand touches Willow's shoulder- "Relax-he's not coming back-it's over."
She drops the scythe and her hair begins to return to normal. Her body drained, she struggle to stay on her feet. Buffy and Faith hold her arms helping her stand as she starts to cry, "It's really over?"
"Yeah," smiles the oldest Slayer, "Let's get you home-Kennedy's probably still pacing."
Vi speaks a little unsure, "How exactly do we get home?"
Exhausted the redhead tries to focus on the cavern-she points to the left, "There-it's a portal."
They walk that direction Buffy holding onto Willow and the once renegade Slayer carrying the scythe.
Going through the portal drains Willow more as they end up back in the playroom. The redhead collapses on the floor. Buffy kneels beside her as Kennedy and Xander stop in the doorway- "Will!" She runs to her and kneels too.
"She's okay-"says Buffy "She's drained worst than before but otherwise," she stops as Willow opens her eyes and struggles to smile at her Slayer. Buffy smiles and stands-then walks away.
"I'm okay-you okay?" Asks the redhead worried.
Kennedy sits beside her, "Now that you're here-yeah."
Willow's eyes close again but she forces them open to look at the young Slayer. "Tired-sorry."
"No-sleep Red-sleep." She pulls the woman to her and Willow lays her head on Kennedy's lap.
Faith covers her with a blanket and her yes meet Kennedy's, "You'd have been proud of her, she kicked ass." Kennedy nods. "You want me to carry her to your room?"
Kennedy strokes the exhausted Guardians cheek as she looks at her. "Nah-we're good but thanks-for you know, everything."
"It's cool-" Faith leaves. Kennedy watches her redhead sleep, as she lays in her arms.
Willow and Kennedy are in their bed. Kennedy is awake, her arm encircling the sleeping Guardian whose head rests on her shoulder. She kisses the top of her head. Willow's eyes slowly open and she turns meeting the eyes of her Slayer. She smiles, "Morning."
"Actually it's night," says Kennedy as she stretches trying to work out the kinks.
"Night? - How long have I been sleeping?"
"Awhile but it's okay-"
"How long?" she asks upset.
"A couple of days-"
"Days?" interrupts the guardian,
"Yeah-"
"The girls?"
"With Faith-she took them to the zoo, then they are having a sleepover."
"With Faith?" she asks unsure. Kennedy smiles- "Faith?"
"Faith-"
"Alone with our kids and you're not worried?"
"About?"
"Oh-let's see, them coming home in tattoos and leather."
Kennedy laughs for the first time in a long time, "Faith's cool-they're fine."
"You're right-she's good with them. Panic over," she joins hands their fingers locking together.
"Hungry?" asks the young Slayer.
"No-still kinda -food just isn't a good idea."
"Go back to sleep then."
"You don't mind?"
"Nope, close those beautiful green eyes and I'll be right here next time you open them." Willow kisses her lips and then puts her head on Kennedy's shoulder. Kennedy whispers, "I love you."
"I love you," she says but her eyes are soon closed as sleep overtakes her.
Just Living Life
Faith and the twins have left the zoo and are now at the mall having dinner. "All finished?"
"Yep-" answers Aly.
"What now?" asks Annie.
She looks around at the stores. "Want to get a video and watch it at B's?" She spots the tattoo shop- "I got an idea-we could play a game on Red-ah your mommy."
Annie looks unsure, "What kind of game?"
She smiles, "Come on, I'll show you." They stand and she takes the hand of each child. They walk toward the shop.
The next day Willow is up sitting on the couch. The door opens and Faith walks in with Annie and Aly. Faith smiles, "Hey Red-good to see you're up and at 'em."
"Well, I'm up-" the twins run to the couch and hug her as they crawl beside her. She hugs and kisses each of them, fighting to keep tears at bay. "I missed you."
"We went to the zoo-" announces Aly.
"Mama told me-did you have fun?"
"Yes Mommy," they say in unison.
The tired redhead looks at the once dark Slayer and smiles, "Thank you-"
"It was fun-in a G kinda way."
Kennedy walks in and smiles when she sees the girls. "I thought I heard voices."
Faith sees her opportunity and look at Annie and Aly, "Show 'em what you got."
Willow looks unsure as the girls remove their jackets to show barbed wire tattoos. "Faith!-" Willow's eyes meet hers. "Tell me you didn't." Kennedy stares amazed. Willow glares at Faith.
Faith smiles, "Easy-Red don't go blasting me to some other dimension."
"Give me one reason I shouldn't?" She looks at the tattoo on Annie's arm, "My four year olds have tattoos."
"Relax they're not real-just a little joke."
The girls start to laugh, Willow looks at the artwork closer. "Not real?"
"Nah-you think I'd get your kids a tattoo without clearing it first? Not even I'm that crazy."
Kennedy laughs and moves closer to inspect them. "They're good-" Willow nods in agreement.
"Can we keep 'em Mama?"
"Please Mommy."
They both look at Faith, "They last a couple weeks."
Willow looks at Kennedy- "What do you think?"
"Up to you Red."
Willow looks into the expecting eyes of her kids and smiles, "Sure why not." They hug her again. Faith and Kennedy smile.
The weeks pass quickly; the twins seem to be happy, healthy little girls, the affects of the past few months not long lasting. They are helping their mothers paint the nursery. Things soon turn playful as paint ends up on clothes and people. "You are in so much trouble," says Willow to Kennedy as she tries to look upset, but her laughter escapes and she begins to chase the screaming and laughing twins around the room with a dripping paintbrush.
Kennedy watches and a smile crosses her face. She looks down at her rounded stomach and puts her hand there, "You're gonna love it here," she whispers.
A few days later Kennedy is taking a nap on the couch. The twins are kneeling in front of the sleeping young Slayer. Aly whispers, "Do it."
"I will-shhh," says Annie as she carefully places the car on her stomach.
Surprised, "You really did it."
Annie smiles. "There see," the car moves as the baby kicks. "I told you." They continue to watch.
Willow watches them from the doorway trying to figure out what they are doing. She quietly moves toward them but they look her way, their Slayer hearing picking up her footsteps. They look worried. The redhead whispers, "What are you doing?"
Whispering back, "Watch-" says Annie as the car moves again. "Isn't it cool."
Willow smiles, "It is-" again in a quiet voice.
Aly asks not completely convinced, "Is the baby really making it move?" She looks up at her mommy.
Willow hesitates at first but then answers, "Yeah-" she smiles. "Your little brother did that."
"How?" is the baby Slayer's next question.
She dodges the question, "The two of you should find something else to do."
"I want to watch-" protests Annie.
"Go-before you wake up Mama and get into trouble."
"Okay," they leave, going toward the playroom. Willow sits on the coffee table and watches as the car moves again. Kennedy begins to stretch and her eyes slowly open. Willow catches the car as it falls and the young Slayer smiles unsure as their eyes meet. "Hey-" smiles the redhead.
"Hey yourself- how long you been watching me sleep and why was there a car on my stomach?"
"Not long and our children put it there."
"Why did they do that?" She sits up slowly and Willow moves onto the couch beside her.
She kisses her lips softly then answers, "They were watching it move when the baby kicked."
Kennedy unsure, "They understand that the baby made it move?"
She makes a face and motions with her hand wiggling it back and forth, "Sort of-we should probably talk to them about it."
"They're four-"
"They're pretty smart-"
"And whose faults that?" she asks with a smile. Willow blushes and kisses her again. "So what do we tell them?"
"Not sure what to tell them-maybe just answer their questions."
"I get it don't volunteer any information-"
"Exactly-" says the redhead
"I can do that-"
"Good, cause I don't know if I can." Willow looks unsure-Kennedy smiles and hugs her.
A few days later Kennedy is in bed getting ready for a nap, both girls are with her. They lay one on each side of her-their heads resting on her shoulders. As Kennedy and Aly close their eyes Annie speaks, "Mama when is brother going to get here?"
Kennedy opens her eyes, "Not for a little while longer-"
"How's he going to get here?" questions Aly.
"How?"
"How?" repeats the child.
"Well-he, when he's ready he'll let us know and then we'll go to the hospital and-" she hesitates, the redhead watches from the doorway.
Annie adds, "Get him?"
"Neat-" says Aly- "Why can't we get him now?"
Willow walks in the room, "Cause now you guys are supposed to be asleep." She crawls in bed with them as Aly moves to Annie's side of the bed. She sees Kennedy grimace in pain, "Kennedy?"
"He's voting against sleep." Willow puts her hand on Kennedy's stomach-the young woman moves it slightly right and the redhead smiles as he kicks again.
"Did he move?" Willow looks at them and nods.
Kennedy takes Annie's hand and puts it beside Willow's then does the same with Aly's. They look up at Kennedy amazed as the baby kicks again. "Feel him?" asks their mama.
They nod- Aly lays her head on Kennedy's stomach then Annie does the same. Kennedy puts her arm around them as they lay quietly waiting for him to move again. Willow smiles and so does the mother-to-be. Willow snuggles closer wrapping her in her arms. Soon all are sleeping but Kennedy who looks at her family and smiles.
The gang gets together the following week to throw a baby shower. Kennedy is surprised, she looks at Dawn, "This your idea?"
The young woman looks at her unsure- "That would depend."
"On what?"
"Whether you like the idea or not."
"I like it-" she smiles and hugs her, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Later Kennedy is opening packages and the others watch. Annie and Aly can't understand why they don't get to open them. Willow tries to quietly explain without drawing too much attention from the others.
"Why does he get all the presents?" asks Annie.
"It's like a birthday," says the redhead. "In a couple of weeks when you're five you get to open all then presents."
The girls seem to be weighing her words. They look at each other then back their mommy- "Okay-" states Aly.
"We get it," says Annie.
Willow smiles, "Good-so wanna watch Mama finish?" They nod. Kennedy sees them return and looks at Willow unsure. The redhead mouths "Okay," they both smile.
That night Kennedy is lying wrapped in Willow's arms. "Happy?"
"Happy," answers the young Slayer.
"But-"
"I'm getting a little nervous-"
The redhead touches her face reassuringly, "Nothing to be nervous about-you're going to graduate from Lamaze class in a couple of weeks, you're ready." Kennedy doesn't seem convinced. "Besides," continues the redhead, "We've done this before."
"No, you've done this before I just-well I watched."
Willow looks into her eyes, "Don't worry-"
"I try not to but-"
Willow leans in and kisses her lips stopping the babble that was about to happen. Her hand slides down Kennedy's body as she pulls out of the kiss. "You were saying?"
"Saying?" asks the young Slayer her focus lost-Willow's hand is still caressing her body. "Was I?" She leans in to another kiss and her hands trace similar patterns on Willow's body.
"Mmmmm-" moans Willow as she pulls out of the kiss and stills her hands. Her breathing is ragged as she tries to talk- "We-we shouldn't-I mean-" her hand rests on Kennedy's stomach. Their eyes meet.
"It's okay-I can-I want to-" her lips brush down Willow's jaw and then her neck. She gets lost in the touch as she feels the studded ring on her skin.
"Goddess-oh-I-" words fail her.
Xander carries a wooden crib into Willow and Kennedy's bedroom. He sits it in the light of the morning sun and looks toward the redhead for her approval. "A little to the left-" she says and he moves it slightly. "Perfect."
"Anytime Will-so when are the girls coming back? We have big plans."
"Plans which you won't tell me about-last time that happened Faith brought them back with tattoos."
"I promise no tattoos-"he smiles.
"And no ice cream, they haven't had dinner yet."
"Can't promise that."
"Xander-!"
Her voice is lost as the girls run through the hall, "Uncle Xander-" they call as they enter the room.
"Hey-how's my two favorite girls?"
"Good," they say in unison.
"Are we ready to go?"
"Ready." Says Annie.
Kennedy walks in and puts an arm around Willow. Xander looks at them. "We'll be back in a couple of hours."
They start to leave and the redhead tries again, "No ice cream." Xander doesn't answer and Kennedy just smiles.
Just after dark Willow and Kennedy are sitting on the balcony with Annie and Aly. The girls are lying on a blanket looking up at the stars. They are sitting together in a lounge chair. "That's Orion-" Aly tells Annie. Willow looks and smiles because she is right.
"What's that one?" asks the girl looking at her sister.
"I don't know-Mama?"
Kennedy looks up in the direction the child is pointing. "That one-I don't think it has a name." She looks toward Willow.
"I don't think so either," says the redhead.
"Can we name it?" asks Annie.
"I don't see why not-"
"What would you name it?" asks the young Slayer.
The girls talk quietly then look at their parents, "We decided on Brother," says Annie.
Kennedy smiles-tears threaten to fall, "Brother-" Willow tightens her hold on the woman and kisses the top of her head.
"Is that okay?" asks Aly.
Willow answers for her Slayer, "That's a nice name."
Finally Willow has the girls in bed. They are talking about the baby as she sits in the chair between their beds. "Why is he going to sleep in your room?"
"He'll need fed during the night and it will be easier for Mama-" tries the young mother hoping they accept the answer.
"He'll cry won't he?"
"Sometimes, that's another reason we want him in our room. If he's there he won't wake you up."
"We could sleep in your room," volunteers Annie.
"You use to, when you were little like your brother will be."
"We did?" Asks Annie.
"I don't remember-" adds Aly.
"Well, it's late tonight but tomorrow I'll show you pictures."
"Okay-" the girls agree.
She stands and kisses each of them. "Goodnight girls-I love you."
"I love you," echoes the twins. Willow walk across the room and turns off the light.
In the bedroom Kennedy is already in bed her eyes open as Willow slides in next to her. "Everything okay?"
"They had questions-"
"Baby questions?"
Willow smiles, "Not those kinds of questions-little jealous about him being in here with us."
"But you talked to them and they understand?"
"I talked- I think they understand, but when he gets here, they're gonna be jealous for a while."
"I guess-I just- I don't want them to think we love him more."
"We won't let that happen. Maybe we should enroll them in the Big Sister class the hospital offers?"
"Maybe-"agrees Kennedy as she snuggles closer to Willow and rests her head on her shoulder as she faces her.
They lay that way quietly for a few minutes and the redhead speaks, "Something still not right?"
"We haven't talked about a name for the baby lately."
"Things have been a little crazy with the demons and the decorating." She kisses her lips softly. "Any ideas?"
"Still not a clue."
"Well, there's Kenny-" she says with a smile. Kennedy makes a face- "Or we could go British and name him Rupert."
"I love too Will-but no-we're not naming our kid that."
"Then I'm all out of ideas." She sighs. Kennedy looks worried. "We have time-relax."
"Just a few weeks-and we have the girls' birthday party to plan, we could forget."
"We won't forget." She kisses her again trying to reassure her.
Kennedy says, "How about Xander?"
"Xander is my best friend and I love him but he doesn't get to name our son."
Kennedy and Willow have the garden decorated for the twins' birthday party. A group of about eight five-year-olds are running around the yard laughing. Willow is laughing too as she watches them. Kennedy is taking pictures, but she stops as her hand goes to her stomach-her breath taken away. She looks toward Willow- "Red?" Willow looks up when she hears her name and sees the fear in the young Slayers face. She runs toward her.
When she reaches her Kennedy is still having the contraction, "Breath baby-" Kennedy does what she is told. "Contraction?" The young Slayer nods and Willow smiles her initial fear gone. Kennedy smiles too as the pain ends. The redhead kisses her softly.
Buffy walks up to them, "Everything okay?"
"The baby-" smiles Willow.
"Now?" questions her friend.
"No-not right now, there's lots of time."
Kennedy doesn't seem convinced as she grabs hold of Willow's hand as another contraction starts. "Red-"
"Again-already?"
Kennedy nods both are seconds from panicking Buffy sees this a tries to control her fear. "Just breath-" they both do. "Xander-" she stops him as he walks by- "Get your car."
"Why the party-" he stops when he sees Kennedy trying to breath through the pain of the contraction. "I'm getting the car." He runs toward the gate.
Growing Up
Hours later they are back home. Kennedy looks frustrated and near tears, upset because it was a false alarm. Willow kisses her on top of the head as she sits on the bed beside her. "It's okay." She smiles.
"I ruined the girls' party," she says sadly.
"You didn't, they had a great time-and Dawnie video taped it all."
"Braxton Hicks contractions-I thought they were real-they felt real."
"I know baby." She kisses her lips softly, "Why don't we watch the video and snuggle?"
Kennedy smiles at the redhead- "Snuggle?" Willow nods. "Can we have popcorn?"
"Anything you want-"
"Chocolate?"
"Anything but that-no caffine sweetie."
"Pleeeease?" she pouts.
Willow smiles as she touches her cheek with her hand. "It's not gonna work-" she gives her the resolve face. "Resolve face see?" Their eyes meet. "It's much stronger than your pouty face. No chocolate."
Kennedy rolls her eyes, "Fine."
A few days later Kennedy and Willow are walking through the park with the twins. The girls are ahead of them a few feet. The couple hold hands, "Buffy called while you were in the shower," says the young Slayer.
"Did she need something?"
"No, just wanted to know if we were up for a movie night at her place tonight."
"It's up to you- if you're too tired-"
"No-I mean maybe one movie then come home and snuggle?"
"Like that idea." Kennedy's hand goes to her stomach as she stops walking. Willow looks concerned as her Slayer begins a breathing exercise. Kennedy blows out a cleansing breath and looks at her redhead. "Contraction?"
"Feels like before-"
"Braxton Hicks?" She nods her reply. "You sure?" Kennedy shakes her head. "Want to call the doctor?"
"I want to feed the ducks with my girls," she smiles and pulls Willow closer.
"Your girls?" Questions the redhead.
Kennedy nods- "All three of them-" She leans in and kisses Willow, who smiles. The twins come running back to them excitedly.
"Mommy-" says Aly.
"Mama-" says Annie.
"Look-" they chorus together. They point to the baby in the stroller coming toward them. The couple smiles. Kennedy's hand goes instinctively to her stomach and her eyes meet Willow's.
"Soon-" says the redhead.
"Yeah-" is Kennedy's soft reply. "Can't wait."
Willow and Kennedy are helping the twins get into their pajamas for movie night. Finally finished Kennedy turns to get their bag and she gasps as she has a hard contraction. Willow looks at her. "We ready?" she asks as the pain eases.
"Kennedy?"
"Yeah-but it was the first one in hours-relax will you?" The redhead nods and the young Slayer smiles as she takes the toy bag from her hand. "I'm not helpless-" they smile as they go out the door.
At Buffy's Xander and Buffy are sitting on one couch, she is snuggled against him. Willow smiles as she looks at them. She is snuggling on the other couch with Kennedy, while Faith and Dawn are on opposite sides of the room in oversized chairs. Each has their feet dangling from one end and their heads from the other. Kennedy shifts against Willow trying to get comfortable. The redhead whispers, "You okay?"
"He's having a rough night but yeah-" answers the youngest Slayer in the room as she forces a smile.
Willow puts her hand on Kennedy's stomach and rubs it gently. She leans down to whisper to it, "It's past your bedtime little guy-sleep." He does settle a little and Kennedy smiles at Willow. "Better?"
"Better-" she leans and kisses her lips softly.
Xander whispers to Buffy and then stands- he looks toward Willow, "Want to help me in the kitchen?"
She looks at Kennedy, "Ah-sure. Want another juice?"
"No-hurry back," she kisses her again and rests her hand on her stomach.
In the kitchen Willow and Xander wait for the popcorn to finish. Willow is sitting on the counter she smiles at Xander. "What?" He asks as he catches her look.
"So what's going on with you and Buffy?" She smiles.
"What?" He asks again with a playful smile.
"You're looking kinda snuggly in there."
"Oh-that-" still playing with the redhead. "Not sure yet."
"But you're seeing each other?"
"Yeah-for a couple of weeks now," he confesses.
"How much are you seeing of each other?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
"Willow-"
Now it's her turn to act innocent, "What?"
"I don't kiss and tell-"
"So you're kissing?"
He decides to come clean, "Yes-"
"You been to second base?"
He rolls his eyes at his lifelong friend, "Yes-"
"Third base?"
Before he can answer they hear Faith, "Hell no Junior-"
Then Buffy- "Willow!"
"Kennedy!" Willow tries not to panic as she jumps from the counter and runs out of the kitchen. Xander follows her. When she gets to the room she sees a scared Kennedy surrounded by two terrified Slayers and a calm Dawn.
Dawn looks up at Willow, "Her water broke."
Willow kneels in front of her and Kennedy has a contraction- "Will-I-oh-" the Slayer is trying to stay calm and remember the things she learned in class.
"It's okay baby-you're okay. Deep breath in then blow it away-" Kennedy follows her directions. "Good-now he-he-he-" again Kennedy follows her lead. She breathes through the contraction-it ends and she slows her breathing. "Over?" The young Slayer nods. Willow looks at Dawn, "Call the doctor have her meet us at the hospital-tell her it's the real thing."
"Got it," says the young woman as she walks to the phone.
"Buffy-Xander the two of you get the girls up and meet us there." They move toward the bedroom without a word. Willow looks at Faith- "Are you okay to drive?"
Faith now composed- "Sure Red- 5 by 5-" Willow smiles.
All bases covered she turns her attention back to Kennedy, "Okay?" Her Slayer nods- Willow stands in front of her and takes Kennedy's hand. "Time to go have a baby."
Kennedy stands and then deadpans, "I've changed my mind."
Faith laughs and Willow shoots her a warning look, "Sorry, I'll get the car."
Faith leaves and Willow pulls her scared Slayer into a hug. She steps back so their eyes can meet, "You can do this."
"Promise?"
"Promise-come on, I can't wait to see him." She puts an arm around her and they walk toward the door."
Hours later, Kennedy is breathing through a contraction as Willow quietly reassures her. "Cleansing breath-" Kennedy blows it away and closes her eyes. "Good job-" She kisses her cheek. Kennedy concentrates on returning her breathing to normal. Willow sits on the bed beside her. She strokes her stomach with her hand softly.
Both Kennedy's scared voice and her words surprise her, "I can't do this-"
"You can-you are. He'll be here soon-shhh-rest."
"Please Will make it stop-" her eyes open full of tears as they look up into Willow's.
"I can't-" Kennedy begins to cry.
"It's okay-" Willow hugs her tightly. "Listen talk to me-" Kennedy tries to stop the tears.
"What if -I'm scared-" tears start again.
"It's okay to be scared-I was scared and you held my hand and told me how much you loved me and that everything would be okay-remember?"
"Yeah-"
"And you were right." Willow is quiet giving her words time to play in Kennedy's mind- "You can do this-"
"I can do this-" Willow nods- and leans forward kissing her lips gently. "I can."
"You can-" Willow smiles. The door opens and Xander and Faith walk in each is holding a little girl.
Kennedy smiles. "Hey-what are the two of you doing here?"
"Is the baby here yet?" asks Annie.
"Soon-" says Kennedy as she forces a smile.
"You okay Mama?" asks Aly. Willow squeezes her Slayers hand.
"Mama's fine-" she takes a deep breath-and looks at Willow.
"Another one?" Kennedy nods- "Deep breath blow it away." She does and then starts her breathing exercise.
Faith looks at Willow, "So Red we should go?"
Willow looks up, "Ah-no-they can stay."
Faith looks unsure- "Then ah I should go." She hands Annie to Xander and leaves.
Kennedy smiles through the contraction as she leans her head on Willow's shoulder. As the contraction ends she whispers to Willow, "I guess it's a Slayer thing-"
Willow laughs and stands up, she turns to Xander. "You don't have to stay either- the girls will be fine."
"I will if you need me to-"
"We're good-" says Kennedy with a smile.
Xander puts the girls down and they walk toward Willow. "I'll be in the waiting room."
"Thanks Xander-"
He nods and leaves. Annie looks at Kennedy, "Can I sit on the bed with you?"
"Sure just be careful climbing up." The child is beside her before her sentence is finished. Aly crawls up too. Willow smiles at them.
Later the doctor walks in; she smiles when she sees Annie and Aly sitting on the bed with Kennedy. Willow is timing a contraction as the girls hold Kennedy's hands. The contraction ends and Kennedy takes a breath letting it out slowly. "Wow-" she looks toward Willow.
"Strong one?"
"Yeah-" she looks at the faces of the twins and they seem worried. "Hey-I'm okay." She kisses each of them. "Why don't the two of you find Xander and get ice cream?"
"Ice cream?" questions Willow.
"Can we really Mama?" asks Annie.
"Sure-" her breathing gets faster again- "Ohhh-" she starts the breathing exercise again.
"Again?" asks the redhead.
Kennedy nods the look of fear back in her eyes. Her breathing is rushed. She reaches for Willow's hand and squeezes- "Will-I-"
"Relax- slow even breaths-" Kennedy tries to do what she's told. The door opens and Buffy is there the redhead sees her. "Buffy-take them for ice cream."
"Ice cream?"
"Ice cream-now." She looks toward Kennedy and back.
"Got it-come on girls." She helps them down from the bed and they leave quietly.
The contraction ends and the doctor stands beside the bed. "I need to check your progress-" Kennedy nods her head, her eyes closed. Willow looks concerned. "You'll feel pressure-"
"Just do it-" her breathing quickens again as another contraction starts. "Damn-" she holds her breath.
"No-breath-come on-" she kisses her forehead. Kennedy does as she told though she is tired and scared. "That's good."
When the contraction stops the doctor checks her and finds that she is dialated to eight centimeters. Willow smiles relieved and Kennedy smiles to as she realizes it's almost over.
Later the doctor is looking up at a tired young woman. After sixteen hours of labor and forty-five minutes of pushing the baby still hasn't made his appearance. Willow looks at the clock. "He's still really high-" the doctor explains. "But he's handling everything well-"
Kennedy looks at Willow unsure- Willow holds her hand. "What are you saying?"
"As long as he's okay we can give him time to move down."
"But?"
"But if the heart rate drops-"
"C-section?" asks the redhead. The doctor nods.
Kennedy closes her eyes and tears slide out. "No-I can do this-" she looks at the two of them. She begins the breathing as a contraction starts.
Willow helps her sit up and starts to count as her Slayer pushes. "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-again-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10" Kennedy lies back down and waits for the next contraction.
In the lobby the twins are sleeping on Xander. Buffy smiles as she takes his hand. "I'm worried," says the Slayer.
"Want me to go check?"
She looks at the sleeping kids in his arms, "No-they'll wake up-I will."
"Thought this kind of thing made you nervous?" He smiles.
"It does-but I need to make sure Will's okay." He nods and kisses her softly as she leans down to him. Dawn smiles as she sees them. Buffy stands and walks toward the room.
Inside the young Slayer is still pushing. Willow is now sitting behind her propping up her tired body. "Push-" instructs the doctor as Buffy walks in.
"That's it baby-" says Willow as she sees the head start to crown- "Kennedy open your eyes-" as she does the baby's head emerges. The doctor suctions the mouth, as Buffy stands amazed.
"One more push-" says the doctor and as the young Slayer does the baby arrives screaming loudly.
Kennedy looks down at the baby as the doctor puts him on her stomach. Willow cries as she cuts the cord. Buffy slips out of the room unnoticed.
Kennedy tentatively reaches forward and touches him. "He's here-" he quiets a little.
"Yeah-he's here." She softly kisses her Slayer. "Look at what you did." She smiles as she touches his head gently.
"We did-" he begins to fuss again. "Shhh-baby boy it's okay. Mama's got you-shhh." She picks him up and he nuzzles against her.
Willow smiles as her eyes meet Kennedy's, "He's hungry."
"It's okay-they can clean him up in a few minutes," says the doctor. She walks across the room.
Willow holds him as the new mother adjusts her gown so that he can nurse. Willow hands him back to her after she kisses his head. Kennedy helps him latch on and he begins to nurse. Kennedy gets lost in him-she touches his hand, each of his fingers; "He's so little-"
"Yeah-hard to believe the girls were ever so tiny. He's beautiful-"says the redhead.
"Just like his mommy." Willow kisses her softly.
Outside the door Buffy leans against the wall noticeably moved by what she saw. Xander can see something is wrong from where he sits and carefully raises leaving the girls in the chair. He jogs to Buffy- "Buff?"
"I saw him-being born. God it was the most amazing thing-" Xander smiles relieved and hugs her.
Faith walks over to them, she smiles slightly as Xander kisses the blonde Slayer's forehead. "Cut out the touchy feely crap- what's happening inside?"
"He's finally here-"
"About damn time-those chairs are not made to sleep in." She smiles- "I'm gonna jet."
"No-" Buffy touches her arm, "Stay long enough to see him."
"I guess-I've waited this long."
Later after the baby has been weighed, measured and examined the gang is allowed in. Annie and Aly are sitting on the bed with Kennedy as she supervises the girls as they hold their baby brother for the first time. Willow smiles as she watches them. "That's it be gentle," say the young Slayer.
"He's so little-" says Annie as he begins to wiggle.
"You were even tinier-" says the redhead as she takes the baby from their laps.
"Really Mommy?"
"Yep-"
Kennedy adds, "Your bottom would fit in my hand-" she smiles as the girls giggle.
"No way-" they say together after the giggles stop.
"I'm serious-" they roll their eyes and this time it is Willow who laughs as she realizes how much like their mama they are. "What are you laughing at?" asks the young Slayer.
"Who me?" plays the redhead- "Nothing-" she rolls her eyes playfully.
"Thought so-" smiles Kennedy. "Guess they get that from me-huh?" Willow nods as she takes Kennedy's hand.
While they weren't paying attention Xander handed the girls a package. Willow now sees it. "What's that?"
"A present for the baby," says Annie.
"Uncle Xander helped us get it," adds Aly as she gives the package to Kennedy.
"The day you wouldn't tell me what you were doing?" She questions Xander.
"That would be the day."
Buffy smiles, "Does this baby have a name?"
"Name-ah-yeah he does," says Kennedy.
"You gonna tell us, or do I get to call him Junior-Junior?" Asks the once dark Slayer.
"We decided to stick with the "A" theme," smiles Willow.
Kennedy looks at the baby in Willow's arms and then to Xander, "His name is Alexander-"
Willow smiles fighting tears as she puts her son into the arms of her life long friend. Their eyes meet and he smiles, then looks down at the little boy- "Hey-Alex" he whispers. Buffy moves closer and puts an arm around him.
Annie and Aly look at Kennedy, "Open it Mama he can't yet-" Kennedy opens the present and Willow moves back to her side. They both smile when they see the little shirt with the big heart in the center- Kennedy reads it out loud, " We love our baby brother."
Everyone smiles even Faith though later she would deny it. "Think he'll like it?" asks Annie.
"He'll love it," answers Kennedy fighting tears. "Let's put it on him. Xander hands her the baby and she slips it over his head carefully. She turns him so the girls can see and they smile.
A few nights later Kennedy has Alex on the balcony. "This is the balcony-it's your mommy's favorite place. And see way up there, that little star beside the funny shaped one? That's yours-your sisters named it Brother just for you." She stands quietly holding him tightly to her.
She closes her eyes as she feels arms slip around her waist. She leans into Willow's embrace. "I thought you were putting him to bed?"
"I was then I remembered he hadn't seen the balcony-or the stars so we took a detour."
"So does he like it?"
"I think so-he isn't crying." She smiles.
"Good sign-come on, both of you need to sleep." She lets Willow lead her back into the house.
A few weeks later Annie and Aly are helping their parents give Alex a bath. They wash him with baby soap as Kennedy rinses him with a cup of warm water. Willow is holding him so he doesn't slip in the baby bathtub.
Annie and Aly whisper to each other then giggle. Willow looks at Kennedy unsure-Kennedy looks at the girls, "What are the two of you up to?"
"Nothing Mama-" says Annie, but Aly giggles.
"Right-" she looks at Willow- "See that, that they get from you. I can always tell when you're not telling me something."
"Is that right?" asks the redhead. Kennedy nods. While the grown-ups talk the girls fill a cup with water. Aly throws it on Kennedy. Willow looks at the young Slayers shocked expression then laughs. The girls laugh but then decide to run. Kennedy chases after them. Willow picks Alex up from the water and wraps him in a hooded towel. She follows the sound of squealing and laughter through the house to find Kennedy holding down each child tickling them. She watches from the doorway as the girls manage to get away. They jump on Kennedy and hold her down then start tickling her. She laughs and so does Willow.
Later Kennedy nurses Alex while Willow helps the twins with their bath. She smiles at the little boy as he eats-then looks toward the door as she hears laughter from the bathroom. Alex finishes and she moves him to her shoulder to burp him. As she pats his back she hums to him, soon he burps. After fixing her top she stands and walks to the crib, she kisses him then lays him down. "Sleep tight-Mama loves you." She walks towards the bathroom.
As she walks in the door she sees Willow get splashed with water and laughs. "You think that's funny?" asks the dripping witch. The others laugh and nod. She distracts them with conversation as she floats two cups over their heads. As the water hits the girls they squeal and the redhead laughs.
Fun and games over and everyone dry, Willow is reading the twins a bedtime story. She sits between their beds in a rocking chair as they listen to the end of the book. She finishes then stands kissing each of them. "Sleep tight."
"One more story?" asks Aly.
She smiles at the girl, "Not tonight you have a big day tomorrow-first day of school. You need to rest."
"Just one more?" Annie tries this time.
"You sleep and I'll read you another one in the morning before you leave."
"Okay-" they say in unison.
She kisses them again. "I love you both."
They chorus I love yous as she walks to the door and turns off the light.
Kennedy is already in bed as the redhead slips in beside her. The young Slayer can tell something isn't right so she spoons her body around her tightly. She kisses the back of her head. "You okay?"
"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" She answers softly.
"First day of school tomorrow-" She turns the redhead in her arms so she can see her, tears stream down Willow's cheeks. "Shhhh-baby." She kisses her lips gently.
"They're so grown up. Now it's kindergarten-the next thing you know they'll be driving and dating an-"
"No dating-" says the young Slayer seriously.
Willow laughs, "What?"
"You heard me-no dating. Not until they are at least thirty."
"You're not thirty-"
"So-"
Willow laughs again, "Thank you-you always know how to make me feel better." She kisses her lips.
"They'll always need you Willow-and so will I." They kiss again and as if on cue the baby cries.
The End
This story continues in Kindergarten Slayers
Or go back to Part 1(Chapters 1-5)
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