Fate Sealed
By Janine Ose

Title:  Fate Sealed (Courtesy of Claudia)
Author:  Janine Ose
Rating:  R/NC17
Spoiler Warning:  Mild Graduation 2
Disclaimer:  All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, 20th Century
Fox, WB and Mutant Enemy.  I'm just giving them a different life for a while.
 The song is "Will Be Yours" by boyzone.  Copyright 1998 by Polygram records

I force myself not to think of the pain as I climb to my feet.  The proof of our battle lies around us, the injured people mixed in with the rubble that was once Sunnydale High School.  My mind dimly registers the wounded as my eyes search frantically for my heart.  There, she's there, lying not fifty feet from where I stand.  A gasp of pain escapes my lips as I stumble towards her but I stubbornly push the pain aside in my desperate need to reach her. 

The last thing I remember is falling and the sounds of explosions filling my ears.  Then nothing but the darkness that surrounds me now.  I know I must have hit the ground because the pain cuts through me like fire.  Pain, pain is good, it means I'm still alive.  Maybe.  The darkness scares me; it's so empty and so black.  My mind is screaming, his name over and over again.  Screaming for him to save me, to take me away from this ugly place and to stop the pain.  Oh God, it hurts so bad.  And I'm so cold.  Please Rupert, find me, take me away from here.  Make the pain go away.  Please Rupert, make it go away.

I drop to my knees beside her, wincing as the motion sends pain jolting through my body.  Again I push it aside.  Oh God, she's so still. Please, let her be alive.  Her lips move, and I lower my head to hear her words.  "Rupert."  My name.  I wonder if that will be the last time I hear her utter it.  Again I hear it, this time said with such love and devotion my heart pounds in my chest as I gather her to me.  "Rupert, I love you."  I can feel her body shaking violently against mine and I look around for someone, anyone to help.  A hand lands on my shoulder and I look up, not caring who's there as long as they help.  "Please, help her."  My mind grows hazy, as I can no longer deny the pain I'm in.  Dimly, I hear a voice ask me who she is.  "My lover.  Please, help her."  A pair of hands lifts her gently from my arms and the darkness closes in around me.  My lover.  As I succumb to the darkness I realize that in my heart she is indeed my lover.

Dark, it's so dark.  I know I opened my eyes so why is it so dark?  I strain to see, something, anything.  There, a light in the distance.  If I just get to the light the pain will go away and he will be there, waiting for me.  He always waits for me.  I focus intently on that light and force my feet to move; taking one pain filled step after another.  Somewhere, beneath the pain, I hear a voice calling me.  It's soft and so filled with love it can only be his.  I stop for a minute and listen intently.  There, I can hear it now but it's so faint.  "Buffy, luv, wake up."  I shake my head and start to walk again.  "I'm coming Rupert, I'm coming," I whisper as I move to the light.

I watch as her chest rises and falls beneath the sheet.  As long as I can see it move I know she's still alive.  My voice is hoarse from crying and talking to her.  They've told me she can hear me so I continue to talk, telling her how much I love her and how much I need her to come back to me. I tell her of the home we'll have, filled with laughter and friends and family.  Family, I talk to her about that a lot.  Of the children we'll have and how Joyce and our friends will spoil them rotten.  She and our friends have been here often these past three days.  Forcing me to eat and sleep, bringing me clean clothes to wear and holding me while I cry.  The doctors have given up trying to force me to leave, instead bringing me a cot to sleep on.  The nurses smile and look the other way when I climb onto the bed and hold her in my arms, preferring to sleep with her in my embrace than to sleep alone.  God luv, please, open your eyes.  I'm waiting for you; I'll always wait for you.

The light is closer now, brighter than it was before.  I've been walking for so long I never noticed when the pain stopped.  Doesn't matter, pain or no pain I'm gonna reach that light.  I have to reach that light.  I need to reach that light.  He's there, so close, so close.  But I'm so tired.  Maybe if I just stop a minute and rest.  "Yes, rest," a voice whispers seductively from the dark.  "Rest.  The light will be there after you rest."  NO!  My heart and soul refuse to let me stop.  Can't stop until I'm in that light.  Won't stop until I reach it.  I grit my teeth and keep walking, ignoring the dark, ignoring that singsong little voice, keeping my eyes on the light.  And on him.

Five days, it's been five torturous days since we sent that demon screaming back into hell where he belongs.  Since we made him go boom as Willow so quaintly put it.  Five days since she looked at me with love in her eyes.  Five days since she smiled at me, the words "I love you" falling from her lips.  I hold her hand, stroking it lightly with my thumb.  Watching her chest rise and fall as I have done every waking moment of the past five days.  It helps somehow, to concentrate on that motion.  Our friends have given up trying to get me out of the room.  They bring me things to eat and sit with me to make sure I do, indeed, eat.  They've done that ever since Xander caught me throwing my dinner in the rubbish one night.  I want to scream at them to get out, to just leave us the hell alone but I won't.  Instead I ignore them, eating mechanically, refusing to acknowledge their presence.  The part of me that is Ripper revels in it, wanting to cause them as much pain as I'm feeling right now.  Five days since this seemingly never-ending stream of pain began.  Five days since I stepped into hell.

"Rest."  The voice slithers around me as I walk, growing more insistent with each step I take.  "No."  My voice is strong and clear.  I will not stop, I will not rest.  I know now that if I rest I will die.  And I don't want to die, I want to live.  Ignoring that ugly voice I continue to walk, the light almost within reach.  "Rest," it hisses again.  Clapping my hands over my ears I shake my head.  I won't listen, I won't stop.  "Rest."  It echoes through my mind trying to force me to listen.  "NO!  No resting.  No dying.  NO, NO, NO!" I scream into the dark.  Just a few more steps now.  Almost there.  "Ressss."  The voice trails off abruptly as I step within reach of the light.  So warm, so pretty.  I hear his voice and I realize he's singing to me.  The music fills the light and I reach for it, grasping at it, trying pull myself further up out of the dark.

Oz and Willow came today.  He brought his guitar.  As I listened to him play my eyes moved from her chest to his guitar.  A soft whisper invades my mind.  "Sing."  Unthinking, I reach for the guitar.  His surprise is evident as I take it from his hands.  He tries to stop me but Willow shakes her head so he lets me be.  Damn, it's been so long since I've played.  I wonder if I still can?  Slowly, hesitantly I run my fingers across the strings, smiling slightly as they respond automatically to my commands.  Ignoring our friends I scoot the chair closer to her and begin to play. 
I look here now
Read my lips
Focus on my fingertips
D'you understand these open hands
I give to you all that's true
So sail away and free your ghost
Give for whom you love the most
Give away and you'll believe
All good things you'll receive

Beautiful, so beautiful.  His voice is so sweet, so strong.  I can feel his love reaching to me in the light, pulling me towards him.
The more you give, the more you get
Always try not to forget
So give it all away hey
All that you want
Will be yours
Mine.  The light is mine, his love is mine.  So close, so close.  "I am yours Rupert!"  The words leave my lips before I can stop them.  "I am yours." 

I hear Willow's slight gasp but I ignore it, more determined than ever to bring her back to me.  Glancing down at the bed I see her fingers twitch and the pain that has been my hell these past seven days starts to recede.  I concentrate on her face and continue to sing, my heart and soul willing her to open her eyes, to come back to me.
If I'm the one you're looking for
Then open up that bolted door
Let me in and lead me through
You know I'll do the same for you
Step by step you'll be aware
Heart to heart if truth is there
Now give away and you'll believe
All good things you'll receive

Taking a deep breath I jump, my arm stretched above my head, my fingers reaching for my lover.  At that moment I realize that in my heart that's what he is.  My lover.  Smiling, I reach higher, stretch a little further and THERE!  I can feel it; the music is in my hand.  Come on Buffy, climb.  That's it, climb.  He's waiting for you.
The more you give the more you get
Always try not to forget
So give it all away hey
All that you want
Will be yours

Willow is crying now, sitting next to her with tears running down her cheeks.  Oz has gone to find the doctor.  I look away from her face briefly, my own tears starting to fall as I see her clench Willow's hand.  That's it luv, come to me.  Listen to my voice, follow my voice, and let it lead you to me.  Her body jerks slightly and I can see her eyes moving rapidly beneath her lids.  Come on baby, you can do this.  You're almost here, just a little bit more.
So open up your eyes
And look at me now
See the one who loves you
For the one you really are
And I've been waiting for so long
For this love to come my way
All good things
To those who wait
And all that you want will be yours

Strong, his voice is so strong now.  I can hear it clearly, his love poured into every word he sings.  Just a little bit further.  My chest heaves and I breathe deeply, gulping in air.  Eyes, gotta open my eyes.  Bright, so bright it hurts but I can't close them, I won't close them.  I gotta see his face.  Oh God, he's crying.  Move I command my arm and slowly it obeys as I reach out to wipe away his tears.  As my fingers touch his cheek my own tears start to fall.  I hear the words he's singing and I smile through my tears, repeating them as he sings.
The more you give, the more you get
Always try not to forget
So give it all away hey
All that you want
Will be yours

My tears run freely as she opens her eyes.  She reaches out a trembling hand to gently wipe them away even as her own start to fall.  She smiles and her lips begin to move.  It takes me a minute but I realize she's singing with me, her voice nothing but a whisper but the words are there, every one of them.  It is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.  The guitar slips out of my hands and crashes to the floor as I reach for her, my arms wrapping around her and crushing her to my chest.  "You heard me calling you and you came," I whisper in her ear.  Sobs shake her body and she clutches me tightly but I feel her nod against my chest.  Carefully I lift her up and slide onto the bed, pulling her onto my lap and rocking her in my arms.  I can hear footsteps pounding down the hall and the door bursts open.  The doctor runs in with our friends following right behind him.  He walks to the bed and looks at me.  I can see the questions in his eyes.  "She came back to me."  And I grin.

Home, I'm finally home.  He rocks me as I sob, holding onto me as tightly as I hold onto him.  I hear his whisper and nod.  I heard him.  I followed his voice.  I followed it out of the dark, I followed it home.  The doctor is here now, along with all our friends.  He must have said or done something because I hear Rupert tell him that I came back to him.  Slowly my sobs stop and I wipe my face with his shirt.  I can hear him chuckle at that and the low rumble in his chest soothes me.  I lean back and look up at him. "I followed your voice.  It led me home."  My voice is hoarse from disuse but I know he understood the words because his eyes light up and he leans down to kiss me.  Gently his lips brush against mine.  "You're home luv.  You're home," he murmurs against my cheek before releasing me and sliding off the bed so the doctor can look at me. 

When she stops crying she wipes her face on my shirt and I laugh.  When she looks at me I see love shining in her eyes.  Her voice is hoarse, no more than a whisper but I hear the words and I understand what they mean.  I kiss her gently and softly agree with her before allowing the doctor to look at her.  She clutches my hand as he examines her; amazement in his voice when he pronounces her completely fit.  He wants to keep her for one more night but she shakes her head vehemently.  She wants me to take her home.  After getting my promise to look after her and make her rest for a few more days he reluctantly agrees and leaves the room to take care of discharging her.  Our friends gather around the bed, laughing and crying at the same time.  Joyce glances at me and I take a step back so that she can pull Buffy into her arms.  I marvel at the fact that even while she hugs her mother she refuses to let my hand go.  I can feel Joyce's gaze on our hands and for an instant Ripper takes over, raising an eyebrow and looking at her intently, daring her to say something.  She has been the least accepting of the change in Buffy's and my relationship, just as I knew she would be.  But when faced with the proprietary face of Ripper she backs down, resignation evident in her features.  I squeeze Buffy's hand reassuringly and shepherd the others from her room so Joyce can help her dress.  We're going home.

Mom knows I'm not going home with her, I can see it in her eyes.  She starts to say something but stops and shakes her head.  I try to think of something to reassure her but can only come up with three words.  "I love him."  She sighs resignedly.  I know she's hurt but there's nothing I can say or do to make it better.  My home isn't with her anymore; it's with him.  So I hug her tightly, hoping it will be enough, before pulling on my clothes. He comes back into the room pushing a wheelchair.  I glare at him but he just shrugs.  "Doctor's orders."  With a sigh and a nod I settle myself into the chair and let him push me out the door.  When we leave the building, Xander is waiting next to a new car.  With a grin he hands the keys to Rupert and leans down to kiss my cheek.  "We'll see you in a couple days," he whispers before standing.  I hug him and nod.  I hug each of our friends in turn before mom comes up to me.  She smiles slightly before hugging me.  "See you in a couple days."  A feeling of relief washes over me.  She'll try to accept this.  In time I'm sure she'll succeed.  Rupert helps me from the chair and leads me to the car.  Seeing my questioning look he blushes.  "Mine went boom with the school."  Laughing, I get in and he shuts the door.  I guess something good came out of that boom.  I really hated his old car.

Hearing her laugh about my car, I can't help but laugh with her.  She runs her hands over the dash and I can see that she approves of my choice.  Actually, Cordy picked it out and I just signed the papers.  It is nice though, and as long as Buffy likes it that's all that matters.  As we drive home I frantically try to remember if there's food in the fridge and clean sheets on the bed.  Sod it.  Doesn't matter really.  All that matters is that we're going home, together.

I can tell he's nervous as he leads me into the house.  I think it's sweet.  Hearing his gasp of surprise I look around as he shuts the door.  The table is set and fresh flowers stand in the middle of it.  Tantalizing smells are coming from the kitchen and my stomach growls.  We both laugh as we read the note Cordy left on the table.  It has instructions for us.  Bath, dinner and bed, in that order.  He helps me upstairs and goes into the bathroom to start filling the tub.  I run my hand over the bed, grinning as I feel the cool satin beneath my fingers.  He comes out of the bathroom with an amused expression on his face, telling me that there are things for me on the counter.  Cordy sure was busy.  Nodding, I get up and cross the room, stopping to kiss him before going into the bathroom and shutting the door.  My mind wanders as I lay in the tub.  I think about what's happened and what's to come.  Deciding I've soaked long enough I get out of the tub and quickly dry off before getting dressed.  Cordy surprises me again with her choice.  The nightclothes are a simple white cotton nightgown and matching robe.  Slipping them on I head downstairs to eat.

While she takes her bath I get dinner ready.  It's nothing fancy, just homemade soup and bread but it looks and smells better than ambrosia right now.  Until this past week I hadn't known that Cordy could cook. Smiling to myself I turn on the radio then turn as I hear her coming down the stairs.  My breath catches in my throat as she gives me a shy smile.  She's beautiful.  There's nothing at all fancy about what she's wearing but it suits her.  Swallowing nervously, I motion towards the table.  She takes a seat and I place her dinner in front of her.  Inhaling deeply she grins before attacking her food with relish.  I return her grin before doing the same.

After dinner we sit on the couch and he holds me as I tell him what happened.  He tells me what happened here and then his tears mingle with mine as we cry.  They are healing tears, allowing us to put the past week behind us.  I ask him to sing for me and he does so, shyly singing along with the radio.  His voice is beautiful and I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing it.  Unbidden, a smile comes to my lips and he asks me what I'm thinking.  Blushing, I tell him.  I'm thinking about how he'll sing to our children.  He grows silent and for a minute I think I've said something wrong.  But then he smiles and tells me that he thinks he'll like that.  As I snuggle next to him, his strong arms around me, I feel the desire of a week ago start to build within me again.  I wonder if he's ready for that yet.  His next actions send all my doubts flying straight out the window.  With a whispered "I love you" he kisses me.  It is more forceful than his other kisses and as his tongue flicks across my lips I open up to him eagerly, tasting him as he tastes me.  Gently he lifts me into his arms and carries me upstairs.

A fleeting doubt as to whether or not this is the right time enters my mind but as she returns my kiss I realize that there couldn't be a better time.  Her arms wrap tightly around my neck as I carry her upstairs and I shiver slightly as her fingers run through the hair on the nape of my neck. I set her gently on her feet and look at her.  "Are you sure?"  I need to know one last time that this is what she wants.  Instead of answering she shrugs the robe off her shoulders and smiles.  In the moonlight that cascades in the window I can see her body outlined beneath the thin cotton of her gown.  I swallow to rid myself of the lump I suddenly find in my throat before reaching out a trembling hand to slowly untie the ribbons that hold the gown closed.  Christ, I'm as nervous as I was the first time I ever made love.  She senses my nervousness and smiles, gently clasping my hand and kissing my palm.  "Relax Rupert."  Relax, huh not bloody likely.  A bit hard to relax when your heart is pounding so hard you think it'll jump out of your chest.  Or when you can feel fire running through your veins instead of blood.  Or when you're so damned hard your stomach actually hurts from the pressure.

I feel his hands trembling as he unties my nightgown and gently tell him to relax.  He quirks his eyebrow and I can almost hear the words 'not bloody likely' running through his mind.  With a grin I reach out and unbutton his shirt, sliding it slowly off his shoulders.  I think as I run my hands across his chest.  The feeling of his hair beneath my palms is new, so I repeat my actions, laughing as his muscles ripple beneath my fingers.  He's quite muscular; not buff like Angel was but muscular just the same.  As my fingers trail over his nipples I hear him groan slightly and lean over to run my tongue lightly across first one, then the other.  He gasps in pleasure as I rasp them between my teeth before standing me up to kiss me hungrily.  Ah, the passion I felt is here now, fierce in its intensity.  Knowing he won't hurt me makes him let go completely and be who he really is.  He wraps his hand in my hair and pulls my head back, running his tongue lightly up my throat before whispering in my ear.  "I love you.  I want you so badly my blood burns with it.  And tonight," he nips my vein lightly, "tonight I'm going to make you mine."  My knees shake and I grab his arms to steady myself.  His words send fire racing through me to pool between my thighs and I whimper his name.  God, I want him more than I ever thought it possible to want another human being.   

Her hands are at my waist, frantically undoing my pants as I assault her neck with my lips, tongue and teeth.  Soft gasps and whimpers escape her lips and I smile.  Her passion is an even match for mine and neither of us attempts to hide it from the other.  As I kick off my pants, her hand slips inside my boxers and she strokes me lightly.  I groan into her ear and my hips thrust against her, eliciting a pleased chuckle from her.  With a low growl, I push the straps of her gown off her shoulders and it falls to the floor to pool at her feet.  Jesus, she is more beautiful than I had imagined.  To me she is perfection itself.  Her skin is like silk over the muscles hidden beneath it.  Her breasts, high and full, her nipples puckering invitingly as the cool air hits them.  A waist so small I can wrap both my hands around it.  Hips flaring slightly before turning into long slim legs.  Her legs changing, in turn, to dainty ankles and feet, her toenails painted a shimmery pink.  God, what the hell did I ever do to deserve this?  Whatever it was it must have been good and I am beyond grateful that I did it.

I can feel the blush creeping over my body as he looks at me and I wonder what he's thinking.  I hear his sharp intake of breath and the soft whisper.  "Beautiful.  So beautiful."  My heart leaps in my chest, I am so glad he thinks I'm beautiful.  I was afraid, no it doesn't matter now.  Nothing matters now.  I look up and lock my eyes with his as I push his boxers over his hips.  He kicks them aside and stands before me, waiting for my reaction as I waited for his.  I let my eyes feast on him fully before tracing his shape with my hands.  Broad shoulders and muscular chest.  A trim waist that flows into lean hips and long muscular legs.  His strength wouldn't be obvious to the casual observer but I can see it now, the way his muscles bunch under my light touch.  Flat stomach, laced with scars that I trace delicately with the tip of my finger.  He hisses slightly but makes no move to stop me.  I raise my hands to his chest and run my fingers through the hair there.  Looking up at him, I trail my hands down the hair as it narrows into a line leading directly to his erection.  His eyes close as I circle him and he groans my name.  I ignore him; intent on learning all there is to know about this man that I love.  His hand reaches down to cover mine and I halt my movements, instinctively understanding his unspoken plea.  Then he lifts me into his arms and places me gently on the bed before stretching out beside me.

In an instant it is obvious to me that she likes what she sees.  I was worried, no there's no need to think about that.  I let her explore until her movements become too much for me to handle.  I place her gently on the bed before stretching out beside her and beginning an exploration of my own. I don't leave one inch uncovered as I use my mouth and my hands to imprint her body in my mind.  With soft words I encourage her to explore my body as she wishes and she takes the invitation eagerly, imprinting her mind with my image.  I take my time even as she whimpers my name, wanting to find every place, however small, that brings her pleasure.  I know that I'm succeeding because I can feel her body vibrating with need as I lower my head and taste her for the first time.   Honey, she tastes like honey so sweet and pure.  She trembles wildly beneath me so I grip her hips tightly, forcing her to remain still as I take her to the edge time and again before allowing her to step off.  It is wonderful to watch her as she comes, her muscles rippling beneath her skin as her back arches and she screams my name. 

As my screams die away and I lay shaking on the bed he climbs up over me and grins.  He licks his lips before scooting between my open thighs.  "You taste good."  The words and the husky voice that whispers them re-ignite the fire I thought he had just quenched and I growl, thrusting my hips towards him.  He leans down and plunders my mouth.  I can taste myself on him and it just sends the fire raging higher.  As he kisses me he enters me, not slowly, but with one smooth stroke, filling me completely.  God he feels good.  I wrap my legs tightly around his waist, sending him deeper inside me.  A low groan rumbles through his chest and I feel him harden even more within me.  Gasping for air, I break the kiss and order him to move.  He teases me for a minute before giving me what I'm begging for.  Oh shit, I can feel the tightening in my stomach and thrust harder against him.  He chuckles and whispers for me to let go.  I do as he says, unable to stop it and another climax rips through me.  He gasps slightly as he slows his movements and rides it through with me before speeding up again.  My senses are reeling; my body is consumed from the inside out with the fire that is our love for one another.  There, I can feel it a third time but am determined that he come with me.  I pull him to me, kissing him savagely before whispering in his ear.  "You feel so good inside me."  A low growl sounds deep in his throat and he moves faster.  I groan as he whispers against my neck.  "Being inside you feels better than I had imagined.  But this time you wait for me."  Gasping for air I dig my nails into his shoulders.  He trembles slightly and bites my neck.  "You are mine luv.  Forever mine."  "Yours, forever yours."  A pleased smile crosses his face.  "Come with me now baby.  Now."  The words are seductive and I willingly surrender myself to them, clamping my legs tightly around his waist before shaking violently and screaming his name again and again.

I feel her legs tighten around me as she topples into another massive climax.  My body stiffens and I thrust into her one last time before my climax overtakes me, tearing her name from my lips and leaving me gasping for air.  As I collapse on top of her I can hear her heart thundering in her chest and I grind my hips into hers to prolong the pleasure as the aftershocks of her climax ripple through her body.  When I can finally breathe again, I roll onto my back and pull her across my chest.  I stroke her damp hair from her face and feel a contented sigh brush across my skin.  She is mine now.  Forever mine.  I feel different somehow.  As if for the first time I am whole.  It's a good feeling and I smile.  She whispers something and I strain to hear it.  "Not empty now.  Whole.  I love you."  "I love you too baby."  She snuggles against my chest and yawns.  It's contagious because I also begin to yawn.  Tiredly I pull the covers over us and tighten my arms around her.  I think we'll sleep now.  For the first time in a long time we'll sleep.  As I feel sleep start to claim me a strange thought enters my mind.  I owe Oz a guitar.

God, I'm so tired.  I can't do this.  I grip his hand tightly as another spasm wracks my body.  He wipes my face and moves to sit behind me, supporting me.  "You can do it luv.  Just one more.  Come on baby, just one more push."  Gritting my teeth I do as he says, gasping as I feel the small body slip from mine.  I collapse against his chest and wait impatiently.  A minute later a small cloth wrapped bundle is placed in my arms.  "It's a girl."  I smile down at her, our daughter, when suddenly I'm gripped with another spasm of pain.  A nurse whisks her out of my arms and I turn frightened eyes to Rupert.  The pain intensifies and automatically I push again, groaning as I feel another body slip from my womb.  "Bloody hell."  His shocked whisper brings me to my senses and I stare as the doctor hands me another small bundle.  "And a boy."  "You never said anything about there being two!" I shout as the nurse hands me back our daughter.  The doctor shrugs apologetically.  "Sometimes it happens.  He obviously wanted to be a surprise.  He didn't show up on anything."  "Ah shit.  Rupert I'm so gonna kill you."  His laughter echoes around the room and unbidden a grin comes to my lips.  I place our daughter in his arms and watch as he cradles her gently, a mixture of love and awe on his face.  He takes our son and holds one in each arm rocking them gently as he begins to sing.  Everyone in the room stops and listens to his song of love and hope.  He's gonna be a wonderful daddy.

I am cursing myself as the pain rips through her body.  Never again.  This is it; I don't care what she says.  I sit behind her and speak softly, encouragingly in her ear.  I am awestruck as I watch our daughter slip from her body.  We created this.  Our love created this.  She looks so peaceful and content holding her in her arms.  Then I feel her muscles tighten again and another spasm of pain rocks her.  The nurse takes our daughter and I can tell Buffy is frightened by this unexpected turn of events.  To be honest, so am I.  Suddenly she groans and instinctively pushes again and our son slips from her womb.  "Bloody hell."  The words fall from my lips as this strange twist of fate unfolds before me.  I hear her shout about the doctor not telling us there were two.  He's as surprised as we are.  Then she tells me she's going to kill me and I start to laugh.  She grins up at me before placing our daughter in my arms.  So damned tiny but so beautiful, just like her mother.  I remember that night long ago when she told me she couldn't wait to hear me sing for our children so I take our son into my other arm and rock them as I sing.  A song of love and hope I learned long ago.  She smiles up at me and my heart is filled to overflowing with my love for her, the mother of my children.  She is going to be the most wonderful mother.  As I sing I send up a silent thank you to whoever decided we were fated to be together.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

END