Honourable Sons

-------------- PART 30 -------------------

“Connor?....” Angel was aware that his son’s study concerns were real so interruptions had, to date, been avoided when possible.

His son looked up and put his pen down in the process. “Hey…”

“Are you..um .. cause I can come back and um….”

Connor smirked a little, but answered near deadpanned and mock annoyed… “No …Critical moment in understanding lost…. but hey…. no big!” It was intended to be a flippant comment, yet as he turned he saw his father retreating miserably into the shadows. He held up his hands in supplication and sent love and reassurance through the link…. “Hey!!! Kidding…! What’s up?” He reached down, threw a marker in the book he was reading, then closed all three large texts over each other.

Spike chose the moment to barge past his mate and pull Dawn into the somewhat muted light of the patio. “Right . Well... If our ol’ Da here has gone schtum, allow me to present the Li’l Bit…. Mistress Dawn Summers…Lately of England, but hailing from the Summers of Sunnydale and sister to Slayer Buffy Summers, Wiccan in training and about to become your study partner.”

Connor was smiling politely at the initial intrusion but as he processed the information, went wide eyed remembering a few chats with Cordy pertaining to family history re Buffy/Angel relationships. “You’re Buffy’s sister?”

As Dawn stepped around Spike to see her ‘meet and greet’, she ventured a small smile at the rather androgynously pretty young man who stood wide eyed in front of her. As Spike had promised… he was indeed 'her type'. His eyes were dark blue, bordering on the color of the deep ocean, the hair was long straight and rakish, the body lithe, muscular and fine boned. If Angel had been a large lion then his son was more reminiscent of a jaguar. Dawn suppressed a giggle as she imagined what large cat Spike might be… definitely a sle
nder white tiger.

Under the carefully constructed ‘hesitant but not afraid look’, Dawn gave a “Hey… Um and that would be a yeah … but Sooooo not a slayer… just so we’re clear!”

“Oh yeah….. ummm….. of course…” Connor appeared extremely uncomfortable, “And… ummm… hey… sorry… for the… umm…”

Dawn was a little tired and had spent more than a day traveling, so simply plonked herself down on the outdoor lounge right beside Connor and began to work toward a more relaxed level of conversation. It progressed as easily as it might, given Connor’s relatively quiet nature, coupled with the fact that both individuals knew they were being brought together as ‘study buddies’ in the magical arts.

“No big…. Hey watcha studying?”

“Um just finishing off the last of my Economics degree – one more exam then I’m done… finished Arts last year… You?”

“Oh Languages and History… totally my gig.” Dawn grinned and all but bounced, “I studied for two years in Italy under this really cool professor called Senor Augusto… he was like a *dream*… Half our lectures were in coffee shops and we did stuff like go around all the old relics and, oh, and he even took us shopping … Can you believe that?! ‘Cause the Italian guys in our class (Oh my god totally dreamy but so… so not into magic or anything otherworld….) anyways, they were *so* into the shopping! It is *so* not a wonder that US guys have no fashion sense … that is except for the gay ones and obviously your dad…’s’ and given that they’re… oh now I am really boring you so… um….” She suddenly switched gears leaving Connor momentarily confused, “What’s the topic for the final?”

Connor had been in the ‘can’t get a word in so I’ll just be quiet’ category, but smiled a little as he noticed Dawn blushing profusely. He knew she was as thrown as he with all the magical training with him and the coming to this side of the world again. Nevertheless he was somewhat pleased that she was obviously impressed by the pile of texts on the low table…. titles on the spine like ‘Strategic Management of Multinational Business’, ‘Challenging Adam Smith’s Economics in a Global Market’ and ‘Sustained International Trade and Growth in Knowledge Industries’… not the stuff of an idiot.

It had not escaped Connor that this woman was beautiful, all long auburn hair and piercing blue eyes, tall, lean… and friendly. As she touched his arm, he pulled a random hefty text from the table and threw it open on his lap rather than embarrass himself with his rather ‘obvious interest’, then stammered his reply. “Oh um C..ComparativeInternationalTrade… You know, looking at various world conglomerates, implications, management and advantages for…” He looked up to see her blinding smile though noted eyes that had glazed over a little and immediately fell silent, then offered, “Sorry… just…”

“Hey no need! I’m sure the joys of ionic pillars in Rome and me explaining it in Italian won’t interest you either…”

Connor was too quick to protest “Oh but it would!”

Dawn grinned and snorted, “OK well don’t say you haven’t been warned!”

Willow took out a homemade punch and finger food encouraging them both to partake and making it clear that they would be left alone for as long as they wished.

Dawn began as soon as Willow left, “So… you?”

“Yeah me….” Connor waited not sure what Dawn knew or how….

“You’re Angel’s pure blood son?” Dawn saw Connor’s face fall so quickly added, “That is *so* cool!!”

“Wha?”

“Well you know I’m Buffy’s sister right?”

Connor simply looked up and confused…”Well I was actually originally ‘the Key’ just a big old ball of energy when a bunch of monks decided on a pre teen to dump it into… using my sister’s DNA blah blah blah... the usual Helmouthy thing...”

The bizarre circumstance of both their creations, and the last exclamation were so odd that both parties fell about laughing, resulting in Dawn sitting against to Connor on his ‘outdoor lounge’.

“Yeah well, sounds like your protector and my ol’ Da are now lovers…”

“Only after both of them slept with my sister!”

“Wha???!!”


“Oh don’t even go there …..” Dawn was now stroking Connor’s arm and gave the still worried 'lad' a warm and knowing smile, “You know I think this magic study stuff might just work out….”
Two vampires with preternatural hearing and two witches who saw Angel and Spike’s smirk… Smiled and hoped… It might just be a wonderful summer after all…..

------------- Part 31 --------------

In the two weeks that followed Connor finished his finals and it was suggested he take on a Master’s course in the new semester. Meanwhile Dawn shopped and enjoyed San Francisco and surrounds with Willow and F’Iaid, the two wiccans rejoicing in the excuse of showing a little sister ‘their town’.

Late into the third week of Dawn’s visit, the two young people met again at Angel and Spike’s apartment, and this time it was to begin their magical studies. Suddenly things became very serious.

F’Iaid tossed some crimson shaded dust over the two and both young people were amazed by the effect. A blinding green light replaced the shape of Dawn while Connor’s form was enveloped by crimson series of tiny lights leaving trails not unlike the classic depiction of an atom….

Dawn’s magical abilities were still developing but she still felt the roll of unearthly power coming from him, it was exciting rather than disturbing as it held apparently no urgency or malice.
l
Angel and Spike had chosen to depart for the following three evenings… It seemed best to let the first few lessons progress without interruption… They ‘hunted’ for a few hours then filled the remainder of the evening with a leisurely stroll home.

On the third evening Spike launched himself onto their balcony and moved just in time for his Sire to land grinning…

“Well?!”

“Well what?”

“Well I thought you would…”

“What…. have to go around?!!”

“No have caught me on the way up you pillock!”

Angel captured his mate’s lips but they both lost contact as neither man could stop grinning…

“Knew you’d be ready and willing so took my time…. You always were ready and willing *William*’ The last word so growled that it all but vibrated Spike’s chest as he was pulled into a possessive embrace.

With a twinkle in his eye belying the sentiment behind his words he pushed in effectually at the broad chest, “Bugger off ya ol’ ponce!” but gave in quickly to a cascade of light kisses whilst still in the hold.


By week four of the training, Spike and Angel had given up trying to keep out of their own abode. Instead, they retired to their bedroom until lessons were complete. The guest bedroom and ‘study’ were now permanently set for occupancy so Connor and Dawn might retire when they chose. It was a Monday evening. They heard the click of the door as Willow and F’Iaid left for the evening. The vampires pleased themselves then fell asleep… both feeling an odd tingling sensation as they did so but discounting anything odd as they snuggled down together.



Spike sat forlornly on the now enormous pillow, the ethereal light he apparently gave off in his new form only making the problem seem worse. Angel quietly dropped down to join him, landing a little inelegantly, but better than his first few attempts. At least his hover was improving.

He caressed the silky wings of his mate with his nearest hand, admiring the pale rainbow of color that ran through them, then shifting his hand to caress the beloved face. He barely restrained a giggle as he noted the now rather fetching pointed ears poking beyond the blonde curls of his mate. He leaned forward and kissed the pale complexion sending love through their link which thankfully had survived the change. At least with the coloration of their skin the nudity was a little easier to cope with. The swirling patterns in pale aqua giving Spike the appearance of wearing a custom designed body suit. But the greatest thrill was that they appeared to have heart beats and felt warm to the touch.

“So how long?”

“How long what?”

“How long ‘til Red and F’Iaid fix this?”

“Um… well… might have to be Thursday now… According to Dawn they’re both on a wiccan retreat.”

“Well bloody well get ‘em back again!! How the hell are we supposed to go around for four days like this… and what exactly are we supposed to eat anyway!?? Haven’t seen a whole lot of vampire faerie takeout have you??!!”

“Connor thinks…”

“Oh yes, do pray tell, what the bloody hell does ‘boy wonder’ think… given that he and the bit are at the bottom of all this in the first place! Need bloody magical training wheels… or muzzles… on the both of them!” he grumbled several other insults and turned away, forcing Angel back a little as Spike’s passing wing threatened to sweep him from his position on the pillow.

Angel ignored the anger and simply continued, “He thinks that we are simply faeries, no vampire traits at all. There was no malice in the spell so there should be no bad side effects…” Spike snorted his disdain openly, as Angel continued, “I’ve tried it … I can’t seem to do a game face no matter how hard I try to shift. So perhaps the food thing is the same… in which case honey or nectar should do us for a day or two… at least… ‘til the ladies return and we can be restored. Come on sweetheart, it could have been worse….”

“Oh yeah…. What??? … You suggestin’ there was a chance they’d call us bent or bitches or a couple of old queens!….” Spike spun to stare angrily at his mate,, “And bone to pick here Sire….. since *when* have they been referring to us as a couple of faeries - with associated giggles apparently! - anyway!!?! Bloody Cheek!… Bahhhh!!!!”

Spike stood in a huff, his wings unfolded, and he took off without thinking, flying to window. Arms folded, he hovered and stared out angrily at the changing colors of the landscape in predawn.

Angel lay back on the pillow and wrapped his wings around himself, comforted by their silky warmth. He knew that his childe, his mate, would not be approachable just yet so took the time to examine his own ‘state of affairs’.

Judging by Spike’s size against the window they were probably both around four and a half inches tall (Spike a little less of course) with wingspan maybe double that. Angel’s own skin was pale shades of purples and blues covering every inch of his body. He stroked the soft mauve down of his right wing, following the nap, and was shocked by the instant effect the caress had on his nether regions. Curious he repeated the gesture but dwelt on the very edges of the wing where he could see the membrane was so fine that every blood vessel was apparent… He’d felt nothing like it before… it was so unbelievably sensitive! He imagined Spike blowing over it, licking it, stroking it in time with…. and to his absolute amazement, promptly came, profusely and all over his torso, narrowly missing said wing and evoking a welcome chortle of laughter from Spike!

“Ho now what brought that on??!! Got a wing needs caressin’??...” but he stopped mid insult and added an amazed ‘Hey!!’ as he realized several sunbeams had just touched his feet with no effect…. He let out an emotion filled groan and a whispered invitation, “Ohhh pet… Luv…. Please… just… oh please you’ve got to… just come here!”

Angel was already in flight with no thought of how. He rounded on his beautiful partner, their wings beating in tandem, and wrapped himself around the beloved body. Entwined, they landed effortlessly on the sunlit windowsill. Angel gently lowering his lover onto his back, the pale wings spread like a stunning backdrop, then proceeded to kiss his Childe, his mate, his pretty aqua faerie partner, on the warmed ledge, their passion lit by early morning sunlight.

Angel found his wings were as much a sexual instrument as any other organ or extremity, as were Spike’s. Rather than taking their erections in hand, he chose to rub their mutual interest together while kissing the blonde and stroking the outer edges of his resting, though occasionally twitching, wings. Spike began arching, panting lightly and begged for ‘proper’ contact.

Angel’s own wings had been lying flat to surround both of them but as he rose to enter his mate, the extraordinary new additions stood erect and strong, automatically fanning both small forms.

Using the result of his solo satisfaction, he embedded in one stroke, not an unexpected event given their frequent coupling of late. But as he began to move, Spike’s wings pressed back to ninety degrees forcing the blonde’s body to an almost upright position, met with enthusiasm by his mate.

As Angel began to move and Spike responded, their wings kept time, indeed double timed to the point where the two were airborne. Safe with Spike’s legs around Angel locked at the small of his back and Angel’s arms anchoring Spike, they rose and hovered half way to the ceiling. The sensation of sun and air rushing past super sensitized wing membranes and the glorious feel of being filled and… not connected to anything but each other was exquisite. They kissed desperately, passionately and both came so hard and long that neither could believe they managed to land safely…..

They were face to face, lying on their sides on the warm windowsill, their upper wings providing a calming and reassuring cover while they caressed each other’s faces and kissed gently….

If that was a first encounter perhaps the whole faerie scenario was not going to be so bad after all.





Part 32………….



The two tiny forms woke late morning, as the sun rose too high in the sky and its rays moved beyond their window sill. While still in the haze of sleep, Spike tried to work out why he felt so very warm, and wondered vaguely where the velvet covers had come from. Opening his eyes, he met his mate’s smiling pale purple countenance, and the memory of where they were, and why, flooded back in.

Angel reached out and stroked Spike’s upper wing, eliciting a definite purr from his companion, “Hey.”

“Hey” Angel noted the twitch of Spike’s pointed ear along with the answer.

“Plans of today?”

“Can hardly lie here forever can we… Bloody nice though…” Spike grinned and pulled himself up to standing, unfurling his wings in a post nap stretch. Angel marveled once more at Spike’s stunning appearance in his current form.

“Gahh Spike…. I wonder if we have reflections now, ‘cause you should see….” He all but purred, “Wish you could see how very beautiful you are!….”

“Yeah, yeah, come on ya ol’ pouf. Shall we go find sprog and the bit, and guilt trip ‘em some?… Lord knows they deserve it! Look… even me privates are in techicolor! Not to mention bloody microscopic, so are yours – well compared to this time yesterday!”

“Didn’t hear you complaining, or pulling out the magnifying glass for mine, this morning! I seem to recall I was rather a snug fit for your tiny ass.” Angel felt the blood heading to the said anatomy as he recalled their coupling.

Spike tried to look insulted but ended up grinning as he mumbled, “Yeah well… Pillock…. Oi, since we’re all sun resistant, how’s about an explore of the garden…?

Angel moved to sitting, his knees pulled to his chest and wings resting easily behind. “Garden might be nice… strange to see it in the day.”

“Done. Communing with the flowers it is…. Well come on! Only three days of sunshine to go. Time’s a wastin’ mate…” Spike offered his hand, hauled his favorite faerie to standing, then simply lifted off and kept going. Angel snapped his own flying equipment into action as Spike faltered a little with the extra weight.

They quickly established that maneuverability was greatly enhanced when they weren’t connected. Spike immediately took the opportunity to test his ‘dive’ technique, plunging toward the floor, wings near folded, and snapping them open at the last minute to pull up, only soar back toward the ceiling and do it over again. He even managed a couple of ‘barrel rolls’ in a few of the flights back up. All was going well until he accidentally clipped a chair leg in one particularly low swoop and ended up somersaulting his way to a crash landing, much to the amusement of his partner. Angel landed lightly next to his disheveled mate, relieved that no real damage had apparently been incurred, other than to Spike’s dignity.

Angel grinned, but the “You OK?” belied his genuine concern. He carefully lifted Spike to standing, brushed off some dust collected on the velvet wings during the tumble, and checked for signs of injury.

Spike looked rather embarrassed and mumbled, “Yeah, well…Had ta give it a go didn’ I”.

The comment earned him rather an incredulous look, though Angel was satisfied all was well. He reached around to give a squeeze to Spike’s pretty aqua backside then took off. “ K… come on Red Baron… I guess we’d better see if Connor is in the mood to let us out.” Angel was already half way to the door when Spike realized the possible flaw in their outside adventure plan... and resolved to have a quick chat to his Sire before they braved the garden.

Dawn and Connor were both in the study, piles of ancient texts and open spell books strewn all over the desk, while the spare chairs and floor seemed to hold more on the history and anatomy of faeries. Angel and Spike were able to simply flit into the room and hover above the younger two. They were staring at a website which seemed to be devoted to folks who happened to ‘love the little folk’ though on closer examination it was more “loved little folk lovin’. The only odd part was that all the faeries were depicted as female.

Spike recognized the ‘Victorian etchings’ for what they were, female erotica disguised as fantasy. Spike flew closer to their human sized relatives and yelled, “Bloody indecent that’s what that is!! And where does it say all faeries are girls … hmmm!!!??” But his tiny size determined that Spike’s protests went utterly unheard.

His purple companion hovered near him, “Umm You need to get onto the keyboard Spike… It’s a bit slow but …”

Spike rounded on his partner looking utterly incredulous…. “You … *typed* your conversation with the boy??... You did the two footed jig to ask him a question???” Spike went from livid to hysterical with laughter, almost losing altitude as the rhythm of his wing beat faltered a little with his chortling. But eventually he calmed and they both landed on the key board gaining immediate attention from the humans.

The voices of the larger beings seemed loud to the point of painful.

“Oh Oh…. Look at you Spike, you are *so* pretty…. I mean I’m really sorry and all that, but you are just… Well you make a beautiful faerie… oh and Angel…you too.” Dawn was grinning madly with barely a hint of remorse, then giggled as she saw the little aqua figure stamp his foot furiously and take off again. It wasn’t until he took hold of a tiny handful of hair and pulled with all his might, giving her a tweak of pain, that she stopped her giggles. “Oww… Oww!! OK, OK!!!”

Angel jumped onto the keyboard and leapt from one letter to the next until he’d managed “outsde” skipping the ‘i’ as it was simply too far to bother. He gestured to the door, Connor understood and moved to open the sliding door to the patio.

Angel was about to head outside when Spike (who had ceased tormenting Dawn) called him back to the kitchen.

“Weapons!”

“What?”

“Weapons, Sire!! If we’re going to be out and about…”

“Oh right… so… what do you th…”

Spike threw him a toothpick from the small container on the side bench and took one for himself, testing the pointy end and hoping it would be enough … even as a deterrent for… whatever… With no fangs or vampire features he felt vulnerable and in their current form he surmised that they would no doubt qualify as prey for a variety of the local fauna unless suitably armed.

Connor smiled ruefully and wondered what it must feel like as he watched his two tiny fathers fly through the open door and into the sunlit garden. He knew the reason they were in their current state was because of his and Dawn’s error, however seeing Spike do a complete vertical loop as he flew into the sunshine, and Angel following him in a wider arc, he felt a little more jealousy than remorse.

Spike led his fellow faerie on a convoluted route toward a stand of five large silver birch surrounded by a variety of flower bearing shrubs and broad area of ground cover. Angel blanched a little as he saw his tiny aqua mate dive headlong into the dark foliage of a camellia bush, and dearly hoped there were no broken branches or sharp sections of twig that might impale his lovely little partner. Nevertheless he followed, albeit more cautiously.

As he pushed through the shiny greenery he found Spike seated at a fork, leaning casually against one of the thick uprights, swinging one leg and twirling the toothpick like a baton. Spike grinned at his partner, gave him such a lascivious wink that Angel’s newly beating tiny heart skipped a little and he thumped down onto the branch rather more abruptly than intended. Regardless of his inelegant landing (and current position straddled across a side limb of Spike’s camellia) his mate appeared like such a wanton youth welcoming all comers that he attempted (ineffectually) to growl.

Spike laughed with such glee at his Sire’s annoyance that he almost lost his balance and was grateful for his wings. Before Angel could react Spike moved forward and snagged his partner with a lightening fast arm, pulling him down for a passionate kiss…

Angel seemed to forget himself for a moment and dropped into his Irish brogue for the first time in ‘forever’. Spike wondered if, like himself, his Sire felt more akin to the original human they had been. Perhaps their demons had departed or at least withdrawn for the duration of the faerie experience. “T’ be sure y’ must be the naughtiest of the wee folk I’ve ever had the displeasure of kissin’! I’ll put it down to yer breedin’. Nothin’ really special came from that god-aweful isle to the east. Now let’s us find a higher spot…. if ye only…”

Angel was cut off as a very large ginger tabby stalked through the underbrush below them. They both sensed the acute danger.

Chapter 33

Spike was on the wing in seconds and attempted to haul his partner out of reach, as the cat launched itself toward the two tiny ‘birds’. A claw snagged Angel’s lower leg muscle, slicing a deep painful line down his calf and tearing at the instep, finally embedding in the underside of his foot but luckily, Spike’s swift reaction meant it failed to get full purchase on his Sire and the claw slid out as Spike lifted off. In his panic, Spike was able to fly them both free of the foliage and headed for safety, high up in one of the silver birches.

Angel was heavy and Spike was panting by the time he eased the bleeding figure down to rest on the fifth branch from the base. It was only up fifteen feet or so from the ground, but Spike judged it to be high enough to be out of trouble, at least for the moment. Angel was barely conscious as the blonde lowered his mate to lie flat on the broad and very solid branch. He winced as he examined the damage.

The claw had gone in deep, tearing muscle and flesh, and leaving a bloodied mess. Unable to think of anything else to do, Spike cradled the maimed and bleeding limb in his lap then lifted the foot and began to gently lick the wound. Spike’s own tiny heartbeat gradually steadied as the familiar act gave comfort even though, unlike his vampire saliva, the faerie version seemed to be doing little to assist. He registered the somewhat unusual flavor of his faerie partner’s blood and was distressed to only barely detect his mate through the link. He looked up in time to watch helplessly as Angel passed out completely.

They had to survive this. It was his fault they were outside and now, after all these months of struggling to renew his Sire’s strength, he had jeopardized it all with a simple suggestion and cocky attitude. The guilt cut him to his tiny core and tears of distress dropped onto the wound. What followed was odd. A sparkle of light marked the touch of the tear on marred flesh but then almost instantaneous healing occurred at the site of the drop. The ensuing droplets were as much from joy as sadness but all had the same effect. As the last precious drip was spread along the wound by tiny aqua fingers, Angel began to rouse. Spike could still see the line of damage but the healing was extraordinary.

“Bloody hell!!”

Angel’s first conscious act was to pull his partner down and kiss him in gratitude. His second was to hold him there and kiss him all the more.

Spike was enjoying the attention but facing the ground was able to see the cat tracking the scent of blood and beginning to circle the base of the tree with the intent to climb.

“Can you fly Sire?”

“I… um I think so…” Angel pushed up to standing, placing his injured foot gingerly on the ground though without weight on it, and stretched his wings

“Then… we’d best go now pet!” Spike took off vertically with Angel at heel not even questioning his partner’s insistence. The cat landed on their previous resting place a few seconds later.

They held onto the sturdiest upright as they sat in the uppermost branches, perched like two odd little Christmas ornaments on the very top of the tree. The breeze swayed their perch as both waited for some time until tiny heartbeats calmed. Angel’s leg was still throbbing but continuing to heal rapidly.

Spike relaxed a little and realized they were safe. He grinned with relief then began to snigger, “We’re quite the pair.”

Angel’s injured leg throbbed, he shivered with residual shock and was in no mood for joviality, “What?!”

“Oh *come on* Sire! You’ve got to admit it is all very bizarre” The aqua faerie stood on his branch and bounced a little, smiling broadly at his recovering mate. The tree swayed in the breeze and he sobered quickly as the still tender limb of his Sire connected with the upright causing the other faerie/vampire to pale and sway dangerously.

Spike dropped all mirth and was by his Sire’s side instantly, attentive and on the wing.

“All this sun is goin’ to me head… reckon I need a bit of a kip and don’t fancy fallin’ off here… Don’t know about you Sire but shall we head back in?”

The offer was transparent in its untruth… but Angel appreciated the sentiment. He smiled, nodded then spread his own wings to follow his tiny friend down through the foliage and on a direct path to the sliding doors of the patio.

The hawk was unseen, only heard at the last minute and happily veered off as the large human form of Connor stepped forward yelling “Bahhh F@#$ Off” in terror as the two small forms attempted to regain the balcony.

Realizing they were in danger they both accelerated toward their target. Hawk induced panic seeing Angel land in a sprawling heap on the patio table as Spike crashed into Connor’s chest but recovered to flutter up to hover close to the young man’s shoulder. As Angel began to untangle himself from his rather embarrassingly inverted heap of wings and limbs, Connor spotted the nasty red stripe down his father’s leg. Without thinking he swiftly grabbed the tiny figure from the table, pinching Angel’s wings between two fingers like some enormous butterfly, and leaving the slightly bewildered purple vampire to dangle helplessly from his own pretty appendages.

Spike saw a look of helplessness and shame pass over his Sire’s face, noted the utter powerlessness of the position and was incensed. He flew to his mate’s aid, landing near Connor’s wrist and biting down as hard as he could.

“Oww!!” Connor swiped at the tiny assailant and dropped Angel. He had closed his eyes in the hands of his son. Shamed by his own… everything in that position, but opened them as he fell some distance, thankfully it was into free space. He had time to regain his wings and catch onto the now diving Spike desperate to aid his Sire.

He snagged the plummeting aqua figure by the arm, doubled his own wing speed then smiled as they both recognized they were safe. Connor on the other hand was quite frantic, too many confusing events in too few minutes, he backed up to the frame of the open patio door looking bewildered and worried.

Spike and Angel took the opportunity and flew inside.

Some hours later found them perched on the breakfast bar, Angel making faces and Spike grinning with a sticky smile as they shared an eggcup full of pure maple syrup using two mustard spoons that had the relative dimensions of soup ladels.

“It’s disgusting!”

“Not that bad.”

“You know it’s disgusting and you’re just doing that to annoy me, aren’t you!”

“C’mon Sire… give it a go at least.”

The disgruntled older vampire swung his legs dejectedly. “How many days until Willow…?”

“Tomorrow… Dawn contacted her, they’ll be home early.”

“So the morning…?”

“We can spend in the sun and by tomorrow night… big again…”

“Guess the sun is a bonus…”

“Bloody hell yeah…. Sorry ‘bout the cat… should have seen that coming… Want to poison it when where big?”

“What? NO!!! Of course not…”

“Keep your kit on… was only jokin’!”

“Oh… sorry…”

Spike stood and held out a hand to his tiny friend. “C’mon, think we’ve earned a soft pillow don’t you?” He hauled Angel up and the two flew to their bedroom, noting the son and the ‘key’ in a rather intimate embrace in the study as they went past.

…………….

Willow and F’Iaid arrived around midday to a tearful Dawn and very contrite Connor. They were led into the master bedroom and though they should have been shocked, Willow smiled. Sleeping happily on the windowsill were two tiny intertwined figures covered by their upper wings. Each had their eyes closed but were obviously awake. They both sported very relaxed and satisfied smiles, Spike’s hand stroked Angel’s shoulder while he reciprocated by ‘exploring’ Spike’s face.

Willow squeezed F’Iaid’s hand, “Oh they are so beautiful!”

“Indeed Mistress, but it is not their natural form.”

“Oh… Oh of course… but look…. And in the sun….” Willow released her hold on her partner and walked toward the window.

Spike roused and stood, his partner followed the lead. They both stood, wings backlit from the light from outside. But the wiccan didn’t miss the hopeful look on both tiny faces. She gestured to them to follow and the group moved to the shuttered office.

“Just tell me what you said… again”

Dawn appeared panicked again, “Um… we …. Umm… well we were kind of doing a reveal spell but … well then we were talking about Angel and Spike, and we were kind of giggling and I just kind of …. Well…. Said… you know that they were really a couple of faeries and too cute together and…. Oh I may have said some other stuff…..But… can you??”

“Of course.”

She indicated a silk sheet that had been placed carefully on the floor and the two small forms dove under.

Spike rolled toward his Sire,“You regret us changing back?”

“Sun was nice”

“Was wasn’t it.” He stroked the pretty wings for the last time.


There was a blinding flash and two full sized vampires blinked dazedly at each other, before an annoyed head of tousled blonde curls pushed his way out to announce, “Alright shows over, now shove off and give us a chance… bloody naked under here!”

Willow grinned Spike was most definitely back in the building.



………….. Part 34 ……………


Spike rolled over and snuggled into his larger partner, his mate, his cool vampire friend. The electric blanket underneath them both provided an artificial, but no less welcome, warmth.

Spike latched onto his Sire’s exposed neck taking two long drafts before he extending his own and waiting.

A still sleepy Angel bit down and took back what had been drawn. The older vampire had yet to truly regain consciousness after their ‘fairy’ experience. Spike grinned a little and rolled onto his mate pressing their ‘morning’ erections together and moving a little. It elicited the right response. “C’mon ya big fairy, know you’re awake… how about some decent sized action for a change.”

Angel, who had apparently been half asleep, grabbed his partner and flipped them. Spike was now trapped under the significantly larger body, which apparently suited him fine. He grinned up at his larger partner then wriggled just enough to feel his mate’s erection twitch against his own rapidly increasing hardness.

…………….

They had been out until almost dawn patrolling, so woke late afternoon to the familiar sounds of Willow, F’iaid and the studying witches moving about chatting and ‘practicing’.

It was just over four months after the faerie incident and the students had doubled their efforts to *never* allow that situation recur. They were far more adept at their skills and Connor was also pleased that, of late, he had not let his fangs fall during any of their rituals or spells. Indeed it was only when his fathers were present, or when being given permission by those around him, that he would allow the dark magic through. But F’iaid indicated that for Connor, the dark magic was also part of his strength and that he needed to release it.

Connor was still worried by the incident in the park many months ago, and knew he was capable of draining and turning a human. He was terrified by what he knew he could do, but at some level also concerned that at some level he *wasn’t* worried by his new status or abilities.

His night vision, hearing and speed was so enhanced that now, when the fathers and the son were training, it was a moment of joy. Adding to his Quort’oth experiences and training, and his own natural talent, his confidence grew.

No longer the impetuous youth, he always seemed calm amidst unimaginable confusion when in a fight, something indicative of old masters like his father as Spike. And as far as his own origins were concerned, the regular exchange of blood and the close link with his vampiric line centered him. Connor’s increasing magical prowess gave him a link to ‘the other’, and his ongoing contact with Dawn and his human family grounded him. He felt compelled to bind himself all his families. After so much of his life feeling lost or ‘wrong’, he knew what he wanted but still waited.

Almost half a year on in their training together, he always returned to his wiccan Dawn… his partner in almost everything… with a sense of relief and happiness. There was little to be said, because she seemed to know. They had found each other during the summer break. Staying in his fathers’ home five days out of seven and working/studying together all day every day had helped, but the connection had been instant. Splitting his time between his Masters studies, his schooling in magic and his training with his fathers was always going to be a challenge but at least for a third of the day he spent time with his best friend, his Dawn.

Most evenings, he left with the two elder Aurelians as the sun went down, initially heading out for a run, but ultimately patrolling and training, then exchanging blood and finally taking his leave of his fathers as they disappeared into the night for more adventures.

It was now habit that around midnight, Connor would return to his fathers’ family home where he and Dawn were staying permanently. More and more the fathers noted that the son was not in his own bed when they came in, but rather, had let himself in to Dawn’s bedroom. It had begun slowly, both magical beings gently, caringly, lovingly gave each other what was needed at the time: comfort and friendship with no other agenda.

Spike noticed the increasing connection between ‘The Destroyer’ and ‘The Key’, and even Angel received the message as Connor, in the throws of passion in the two youngsters’ fifth month together, forgot to close the familial link and conveyed his feelings openly, causing both fathers to wake in the early hours of the morning rather bleary, but filled with transferred lust, a natural adoration for each other, resulting in an inevitable joyous partnering. Nothing was ever said.

……………

Connor had been back at university for just over five months, his Masters degree underway and fast tracked. His research was local and he was studying hard and writing as much as possible. His two supervising professors were thrilled at his progress. He was on track for a year to finish and the faculty was talking of a scholarship to go further… But…

Real life kicked in to mark the eighth month of Dawn’s and his wiccan studies.

After well over eighteen months clear of symptoms, his mother fell ill once more. After diagnosis Dawn returned to Spike and Angel’s apartment with an almost inconsolable Connor. His mother was apparently out of remission and would back on treatment. They had not found the primary source of cancer and it was spreading fast.

Dawn received the desperate call from the private cancer clinic. She had consequently joined her friend by his mother’s bedside rung Willow and F’Iaid, then driven him back in F’iaid’s car from across town at nearly two in the morning, the distressed young man sobbing all the way back to his fathers’ apartment to find solace in Angel’s arms.

Connor’s whole adoptive family was out of town so he had spent the previous night with his mother as she received the news. He had then spoken to his distraught adoptive father who was unable to return home until a day and a half later, and promised to be strong amidst his own tears. His mother, despite her own pain and fear, did not fail to notice that Connor was holding tightly to the hand of the beautiful brunette whom he had previously introduced as his best friend and partner at his birthday, thanksgiving, and their traditional Christmas Eve meal. Colleen
resolved to talk to her husband when he saw her the following afternoon.

She was not scheduled for surgery for two days, and she knew her time was limited. Her boy was happy, and she predicted, just needed a slight push to marry his beautiful Dawn. She would hold on for that alone. Her lovely boy… he deserved that. He was always special and had *never* done anything but made them proud. And now… he had the chance to partner with someone he deeply cared about.

On the way back to the apartment on the second evening, Connor was desperate, his fathers were out and Dawn saw the distress so offered her neck without thinking, his incisors dropped and…

……………


It was two weeks later when Connor and Dawn appeared at the door to his fathers’ rooms, looking contrite and rather worried. Dawn was sporting the marks of claiming on her neck, but there was more.

Spike was the first to smell it, Angel only moments later. It was a rather puzzling mix, so they merely waited.

“Um Dad? Spike? Um can we… Well can we talk for a minute…”

It was Spike who answered, “Hey Bit, Sprog, always know you’re welcome. Pull up a pew.” Spike smoothed the bed in front of him, Angel remained silent, his arm draped over his beautiful lover. The two intruders sat, Dawn’s tight grip on Connor’s hand and their raised heartbeats not missed by either of the Master vampires. The two young wiccans sat on the right side of the bed and faced the two vampires, their hosts and relatives in so many ways.

Connor was obviously upset but spoke first, “Dad, Spike, I… We… Ummm… We had already kind of decided that we want to be together… for all time… you know?! But then, with Mom, and it was late and… Gahhh!!!!… So we sort of… Ohhh!” Connor looked at the roof then took strength from the extra squeeze he received from his partner. “I claimed her! Properly! Willingly! You know Vampire claimed!... But then… Oh Da??!!” Connor looked at his partner, now claimant and claimer let tears begin to spill. He squeezed Dawn’s hand and kissed her passionately, though the act was interrupted as he hiccupped with emotion. Fortunately Dawn, though not particularly calm, still managed to take over the commentary.

“He needed it and…. so I offered… and… he bit me, and gave me some of his blood, and we… well we kind of said the words – ‘cause you know we *have* been reading a lot about this stuff – and then it just felt different. And it was ‘right’…. You know? It is right isn’t it?? ‘Cause it felt…” She looked hopefully at first Spike then Angel as her tone dropped, “And then we kind of kept going… and um… It had *never* happened before, so we didn’t… and then… Ohhh…. But we *wanted*… and um … Ohh….” The young wiccan trailed off and burst into tears.

Spike stopped the difficult conversation by a simple act. His eyes narrowed then he leaned over, placed his free hand over Dawn’s ever so slightly swollen belly and whispered, “We’ll only be happy if you two are Pet.” At which point the young wiccan began to sob even more and her partner shifted his hand to caress her stomach. Through her sobs managed to say, “I think we are… if you are… Oh Spike, I do love him… I really do!” She then pulled away from Connor and fell into the blonde vampire’s welcoming arms.

Angel left Spike to their embrace but reached up to pull his son into a warm hug. Spike shifted to accommodate the two new additions to their bed. He shifted to sitting and moved his Li’l Bit to sit across his lap then continued to hug and reassure her in a way that only a dear relative might.

The following week the announcement was made to Connor’s adoptive parents. She had met them a few times as ‘a friend’ spending thanksgiving, the first part of Christmas, and Connor’s birthday party with them at his invitation. The family liked her immensely, and the announcement that they were to be married came almost as a relief. The previous two years had been a challenge with Connor’s mother’s health and a couple of issues with his father’s work, now, finally there was something to celebrate.

Dawn and Connor opted for completely civil ceremony in the early evening. Connor’s parents were initially worried at the request for a minimum of ceremony, but the two seemed to be determined. Less than two weeks later Giles arrived to give Dawn away in the absence of her biological parents (her real father apparently non-contactable). Giles was one of Dawn’s formal guardians, and the elderly gent obviously moved to be given the right to ‘give Dawn away’.

The ceremony was short, the vows heartfelt and self written, and the partnered couple radiant. They would couple again according to wiccan lore at the new moon in five days’ time, but for now were legitimately partnered in society’s eyes… and if only that Connor’s ill mother might see her son happily married, it was enough. As it was, Connor had the joy of whispering to his adoptive parents “So do you want to be Nanna and Pa, or Gramma and Gramps?” He was given a slap for his trouble, but both parents were moved by the possibility of grandchildren, and Spike heard something that warmed his heart courtesy of his vampire senses and felt the joy through the familial link as Connor’s adoptive father whispered, “We would be *so* blessed… Oh son… she is… just be happy OK?? Like your mom and I… cause you never know…” Then there was incredible sadness as Connor pulled his father into a tight hug and they both let their fear and desperation be conveyed.

Angel watched from the shadows, his partner’s arms now surrounding him, and let a tear track down his cheek. “’S alright luv, he’s got the best of both, so’s she… and just think the joy they’re bringin’ to his lot! Look at ‘is ol’ Mum, hardly keep herself from bucklin’ with the pain but happy as Larry… just look at her! Pain forgotten! And he’s yours Pet. Look at the joy he’s bringin’, they’re bringing!”

Angel was unrecognizable as the Wolfram and Hart CEO they had met several years ago. His illness had stripped any extra flesh from his body and face, and the extra bulk had failed to return. Instead there was a tall, lean, brunette with a tie holding back unruly dark locks appearing slightly younger than the attractive young man he stood beside.

Spike and Angel were introduced to Connor’s adoptive parents by Giles, Connor and Dawn as cousins (Spike being Angel’s ‘life partner’ and long time protectors of the bride’ interests which was odd on one level but sped things along as the family on the groom’s side was apparently ‘broad minded’ enough to welcome the new friends of the bride into their fold.

Connor’s parents were pleased to greet the two men, who were, by all reports independently wealthy, and influential friends of Dawn’s. They thanked Willow, Angel and Spike for their assistance with Connor’s Masters and engaging the men in small talk regards the financial and political climate in America. Both Angel and Spike noticeably allowed Connor to shine in all matters economic. Though in a quiet moment Connor’s father identified Spike’s accent and was unsurprised that the pair had significant international market knowledge that spanned decades. Spike was rescued from the dialogue as a toast was raised to the wedding couple.

Shortly after, the delightful evening finished abruptly as Connor’s mother paled. The vampires noted the change and hearing and smelling the illness first, and Connor sensed it too. They called an ambulance and she was whisked to hospital, plied with pain medication and attended to by a new doctor, a dark woman Dr F’Iaid Alahzir. It seemed the new doctor came highly recommended and had skills others could not offer.

Within the hour Connor’s mother was resting comfortably, breathing easier and could swallow a little water. She squeezed her husband’s hand as he sat by her bedside and agreed to yet another round of tests being ordered. The loving husband felt the physical relief as his lovely partner relaxed a little. Though still obviously struggling, she squeezed one hand of her desperate husband’s and lifted her other to caress the features that were so aggrieved.

Connor and his sisters watched through the glass of the door. Connor’s acute hearing picking up the conversation easily.

“Oh my love… wasn’t it a lovely ceremony [stops to breath heavily for a few seconds] ummm… jus…. Ohhh!! Sorry… so sorry… sweetheart… I’m fine… I … really am… it was just… the excitement… Aren’t they beautiful together… oh my love … so… [panting shallowly] so were we… Ohhh…. Don’t!! Not for me…” Connor’s father kissed the pale forehead of his wife and let the tears flow, finally resting his forehead on their combined hands as F’Iaid pushed enough painkillers to alleviate the pain for the woman that *was* his heart, his friend, his other half for close to thirty years.


Dawn’s pregnancy was announced to Connor’s parents within the month, earlier than would be normal but necessary. His mother was so sick, but the result was one of happiness. His mother cried as Dawn held her hand and asked for her blessing while Connor held his own adoptive father as he cried tears of joy.

There could be no jealously on Angel or Spike’s part, the wondrous emotions of a soon to be father permeating their connection and allowing great cause for celebration. That evening they pleasured each other and sent the resultant exuberant feelings through their connection.

………………

As his mother continued to struggle with her affliction, Connor worked hard on his Masters degree and his magic studies in equal portions, but was also attentive to his lovely Dawn. Angel in particular, watching with pride as the young couple reveled in the knowledge that there really was a new life of their making inside the beautiful wiccan.

F’Iaid was an attentive physician but also a Mistress of white magic in her own right. At the end of Dawn’s first trimester, there was a difficult conversation to be had. At her insistence Willow took Dawn aside, and the fathers addressed the issue with Connor.

If they were to continue to practice their craft, to safeguard the unborn child, they needed to partner, as a wiccan pair, though F’Iaid suspected it would not just be that, their heritage would dictate more. She assured them that it was necessary to keep the unborn children safe.

Dawn dissolved into tears almost as soon as Willow began explaining that the children might be at risk. “Oh sweetie! We’re not trying to put the pressure on you, we’d just like to know... and you have already partnered vampirically and in human terms… is it that much of a stretch?”

“No!! and *Of course!!* I have his child inside me and Connor is sweet and smart and working so hard and with his mother… Oh Goddess Willow, what if it hurts the baby? How could I live with that?” Dawn dissolved into tears yet again then gave in to a bout of nausea and raced for the bathroom.

They formally joined in wiccan terms in the twelfth week of Dawn’s pregnancy. There had been no pressure, just support, though Willow could not help but notice the relief on Angel and Spike’s faces as the young couple exchanged blessings and vows then walked three time around the sacred circle before stepping inside and being enveloped sparkling golden light, both their auras suddenly becoming one. It was only later that F’Iaid pointed out that there had been two ‘hot spots’ of light over Dawn’s belly not just one. It was confirmation of something they had all suspected. Dawn and Connor were to have twins.

Immediately following the wiccan ceremony Dawn could feel her partner at a profound level and something else. She struggled with the sensation and finally spoke to F’Iaid. It was confirmed, the link she now felt with Connor also applied to their two children in vitro, and, it seemed, also strangely to their vampiric grandparents. When she sent calm messages, she was returned love and calm, and her perpetual nausea abated and the children seemed to calm.

Blessings flowed in from around the wiccan world and Giles who had returned to England after their joining ceremony called with a rather uncharacteristically tearful congratulations.

………….

Dawn and Connor’s twins continued to grow according to the boringly slow nine month schedule. Dawn had been suffering morning sickness all day, every day for more than four months. Her stoicism was one thing but her lovely Connor was frantic, appealing to both Willow and Fiaid for assistance. It seemed there was little they could do. For all the pregnancy appeared normal, it was anything but.

Connor was out, attending to his University studies late afternoon. She was in the last part of her fourth month, and Dawn had had a particularly awful day of vomiting and nausea. Spike had woken to the noise then heard the quiet crying. He slipped into the family suite (formerly known as the guest room). Dawn was lying on her side, her stomach obviously distended and breasts full with her pregnancy. She was hugging a pillow and trying to suck on an ice cube whilst sobbing into a hand towel, apparently aware that her distress might be heard.

She felt the bed depress beside her and allowed her head to be lifted and maneuvered until it was in a cool lap and her hair was being stroked rhythmically, soothingly. She was amazed as a pale hand took away the ice then replaced it with a dripping wrist. Rather than being repulsed, she felt surprisingly compelled to take the offering. She sucked gently and lovingly, until the wound closed over. For the first time in nearly five months, her stomach settled and she began to drift. She fell asleep to the strains of a very old lullaby sung by her wonderful blonde vampire, and woke to the embrace of her partner in all things, the father of her children.

It was the first of the daily feedings, from both vampire grandfathers, and from Connor. F’Iaid approved it and Dawn craved it, not the blood of others, simply that of family. By the fifth feeding from Spike, she thanked her surrogate father with a loving kiss, then whispered cheekily, “If I knew you were that tasty I would have bitten you years ago!”

She was graced with his full game face for an instant, then it was replaced by a wicked human grin and a quick peck on the cheek before he departed, quipping, “That’s what all the girls say luv…”

………….

The wards around the home were increased, to the point where Spike and Angel felt distinctly uncomfortable for a few seconds as they reentered their own home.

With Dawn’s improved health, their wiccan lessons increased in number and the two younger witches once more reveled in honing their craft.

Also with the improvement in Dawn’s wellbeing, visits to Connor’s mother were recommenced. Previously carsick almost as soon as any vehicle began to move, the obviously pregnant brunette slung the seat belt under her ever increasing belly and squeezed her husband’s hand as they visited his ailing mother for the first time in weeks. Connor warned her of the changes.

F’Iaid had done a sterling job. His mother was comfortable after one surgery, one round of radiotherapy and two of chemotherapy. Indeed it seemed that she was on the improve, yet Dawn was still shocked. The formerly slim, fit woman was now barely able to lift her hand to her son as he reached down to kiss her forehead, and was a visibly yellow/grey color and unbelievably thin.

Dawn sat on the side of the bed, Connor behind her, his chin on her shoulder smiling tenderly as Dawn picked up her mother in law’s hand and placed it on a moving belly. Both women began to cry.

Dawn spoke first, “I would have liked my mom to see them you know… So… ummm… Ohhh… “ Connor kissed the mark on her neck and sent strength through their link, waiting while she finished, “But I want you to see them OK… Please?! You *are* the mom, and we *all* love you and I’m sorry I couldn’t come before, I’m so sorry… But you’re going to hang around until they can bug you for candy right?!” Just then two tiny bodies adjusted their positions simultaneously and the older woman smiled tearfully, “Oh my… it seems they agree with you, so how could I refuse.”

Connor leant down and kissed his mother. They stayed for another half hour but were aware of the cost. His mother was snoozing lightly as Connor and Dawn both spoke a blessing of health and sprinkled some magical dust around the bed before departing.

………………..

Connor held the hand of his beautiful partner and they displayed the photos from the eighteen week scan to his fathers, ‘the destroyer’, Connor, finally felt something he had never really experienced before. He felt ‘normal’. He was no longer just some supernatural being, rather he was someone in love with the mother of his soon to be children. It was an epiphany of sorts. He was to be a father of human twins, extraordinary without a doubt, given their heritage, but certainly beginning their lives as human. He had heard their heart beats, could sometimes feel them move and had seen his little boy sucking his own thumb in utero.

Now, like so many other dads of modern times, he was sitting with his beautiful, now obviously pregnant partner, showing his own fathers something neither of the elder gents could ever have imagined in their days as humans, pictures of two tiny people, their grandchildren, before they entered the world.

Spike fell very quiet but then abruptly excused himself and left the room for a smoke.

Angel joined him moments later.

He approached the blonde vampire with caution, “What’s up lover?”

“Jus too good to be true, innit?!... Always wanted you and wanted a family… and now got both… An’ I’ve gotta keep ‘em safe Angel… kept you safe… and… ahhh Pet… I’m so happy and that makes me terrified!”

Angel took his mate into his arms and threw the cigarette over the balcony. He then eased them both onto the outdoor lounge to enjoy a reassuring kiss.




Part 35


Dawn was heavily pregnant, lying back against her partner with her feet up on the arm rest of the couch. Connor did as he had for so many weeks, relaxing back behind her and stroking the drum tight, distended belly and enjoying the occasional feel of his children moving.

His fathers were out and they had taken a night off from study. The plasma screen television (Spike’s idea) was showing a DVD, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, not Connor’s own favorite, but there was enough action to make the romance stuff bearable, and he loved to see his beautiful partner’s reactions as much as the movie itself.

Dawn and Connor had been staying permanently at Angel and Spike’s for almost the whole of the pregnancy, and it was still three weeks until her children were due to be borne. The intention had been to find their own place yet remain in the same complex since they first announced their joining, so when an apartment only a few doors down had become available two weeks previously, the intention became reality. Some negotiation and the Aurelian funds allowed a paint and refit, and in the next few days, essential new furniture items of their own choosing, and a few lamps and one or two ‘non essentials’ of Spike and Angel’s choosing would arrive.

Dawn had been forced to take bed rest on and off for the previous month, her slight form pushed to the limit by the two bodies growing inside her. Earlier that day she had independently struggled to their new abode to investigate the nursery – the previous afternoon a brand new cot, change table and all the accessories one could think of had arrived, courtesy of Connor’s mother and father, the rest of the apartment was something Angel and Spike had gifted them. She had taken photos for her mother-in-law then returned ‘home’ to wait for her partner.

They had been to see Connor’s adoptive mother and father at home in the late afternoon for a short visit. His mother was still unwell, but allowed to return to their family abode as there seemed to be a good chance that she was once again moving toward remission. She was thrilled by the images of the new nursery and then had spent some time chatting to Dawn about her own motherhood, after which she gave the young couple a few treasured items for their babies. Two tiny, hand knitted pairs of booties, two hand stitched, minute sleeping gowns and a new picture frame containing a hand written note in her rather unsteady writing, “Connor and Dawn’s twins on day one”, with strict instructions to fill the space with the real thing and return it to her.

It was the first time Connor had felt hopeful for a long time regards his mother. He kissed his mother and wife then stood to leave the bedroom. Connor’s adoptive father was standing at the door with tears in his eyes looking at the two women chatting easily: his lovely wife so drawn and ill; and the radiant daughter-in-law, heavy with his son’s new children. He was not an overly demonstrative man, so Connor was deeply moved when his father took him into a strong hug, and whispered, “Oh son… the Doc thinks she might be on the improve, so you tell Dawn to hurry up and have those kids OK?? And I’ll get her to the mall to worry about shopping for baby things that grandparents are supposed to spoil the little ones with… alright?!”


Now, on that same evening, despite complaining of a backache, Dawn and he were lying contentedly on the couch. At least they were until, some hour or so into the movie, just as the pirates invaded the commander’s ship, Connor felt the skin under his fingers tighten impossibly then began to panic as his lovely brunette arched, cried out in pain, and sent unfettered distress through their link.

The twins were apparently on their own timetable and choosing to arrive early. Never had he been more grateful for cell phones, or more terrified.

……………………

F’Iaid, a midwife and a nurse attended Dawn within the hour, as she had opted for a home birth, spending her time in the bath, half lying on the bed and finally in a birthing chair. A car was waiting ready to transport them all should anything begin to go awry.

Only seven hours later, at four am in the morning, then again at four ten, Connor caught each tiny slippery body in awe as his children were born. Under the kind supervision of one of the nurses, he had clamped their cords in turn, and gently wrapped them as his wife delivered the placenta then was thoroughly checked over. Dawn held them both in wonder and was kissed by a still overawed Connor, who had tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.

Connor had then shakily given the two tiny figures their first bath under the supervision of the wonderfully patient nurse named Ruth. Willow, meanwhile, attended the new mother, assisting her to the shower and then helping her to her bed, and finally the medical team cleaned up the birthing space and checked the children.


An hour later as Spike and Angel entered the guest bedroom, they paused at the door to share a heartfelt hug at the sight before them.

Connor was lying on the covers of the double bed, his lovely partner resting back on a pile of pillows, cradling a tiny girl who was already attempting to suckle. Connor was trying to coax their son to do the same but the little lad fussed for a moment then simply fell asleep. The distraught new dad was being reassured by Dawn as the rather overawed grandfathers entered the room.

Of the two, Angel was surprisingly the more emotional. He reached out and touched first one tiny figure then the other as though they might disappear at any moment. Then stroked Connor’s hair and whispered in a voice thick with tears, “You were that small once… so beautiful…” then fell into his Irish brogue without thought and continued, “Oh Mother Mary, Lady of Grace… They are *so* special… so special… An’ you’re Da now… keep them safe… keep them safe.”

Spike moved to the opposite side of the bed and gave Dawn a hearty hug then kissed the tiny figure in her arms firmly on the forehead. He then pushed the rather dumbstruck Angel out of the way with a trademark smirk and “Well c’mon ya big lump, congratulate the Bit!” before repeating the same with Connor and his charge for good measure, and eliciting smiles all around from the new parents.

Angel kissed Dawn, she saw his lips trembling as he touched the tiny female grandchild, then turned to accept Spike’s embrace.

“Would you like to hold him, Da?” Connor offered up the tiny bundle, Angel quickly dropping to the chair beside the bed and taking his grandson in his arms. With his now slender form, Angel and Connor appeared around the same age, Angel having been turned in his very early twenties, but the tears and the sentiment belied his true age, being those of a joyful father and even prouder, grandfather.

Spike too gave in to his own feelings as a tiny girl was placed in his arms, the yawn and complete trust in the person holding her, tugging at all manner of horrific memories that were quickly suppressed as his finger was gripped by a minute fist.
……………….

The Grandfathers departed shortly after, leaving the young couple on their large bed, two tiny figures sleeping, utterly relaxed, between them and both parents slipping into an exhausted sleep, their fingers entwined.

Spike and Angel presented each of the two lovely nurses with a huge flower arrangement that included a thank you note and a little additional money on top of their fee, then had the awaiting car drive them both home.

It was just after five am as they wandered out to the balcony where they found a rather exhausted F’Iaid and Willow silently sitting, hand in hand, and staring into nothing.

“You look a bit done in Red…”

Willow looked up, and smiled weakly, “F’Iaid did all the work.”

“Nah, ‘team effort’ as they say in the corporate world. Lemme make you a cup of tea… fixes everythin’ I’ve been told.”

He winked and made for the kitchen as Willow replied weakly. “That’d be nice…”

Spike dragged his partner back into the apartment and forced him to focus on selecting a few tiny gourmet cookies, and filling the milk jug, and finding the sugar. Meanwhile he loaded the tray with tea, cups and cutlery.

He pulled Angel into a tight hug and kissed his partner before they took their bounty out to the balcony, whispering, “Finally domesticated ya, ya ol’ ponce… Nice job with the bikkie arrangin’…” Another kiss… “Hmm Grandsire Angelus, then Grandpa Angel… or p’raps should you be Poppa or just Pa…”

“How about this Grandsire tans your behind and we drop the titles, Mister ‘also a grandparent by partnering’!? You could be O’Pa… or some stupid name like that… English upper classes always did that rubbish, I seem to recall!”

“Ho the comeback king!” Spike dropped into his true accent “And for your information it was always ‘Grandfather’ in our household…” Angel noted the fall in tone then the dropping of bravado, and heard the sentiment of William with Spike’s accent say, “Plus the git died afore I was even borne so pretty pointless innit.”

Angel kissed Spike on the temple, squeezed his hand, then turned to heft the tray and carry it out to where their lovely wiccan friends were sitting. The sun would be up in an hour or so, but it was still time for a good cup of tea.


Willow turned as the two brought the refreshments through, but the look on her face was one of slight worry not happiness, and her partner’s demeanor matched it. Spike ignored it until all parties had a cup of perfectly steeped and politely poured, steaming tea in their hands.

He stared intently at Willow then broke the silence, “OK Spill… Red? F’Iaid?”

“Well it seems the babies both have a magical signature… a really *strong* magical signature.”

“And in the King’s English that would mean??” He put down his tea.

“Well they shouldn’t have… at least not yet! It should only happen when they’re coming up for puberty or you know…”

Angel’s hand had slid into Spike’s free one as his Sire put down his cup also, then looked worriedly at the witch. “Alright so out with it! What do you bloody well mean? Is it dangerous? Are they dyin’? In danger? Bloody hell, witch… spell it out !”

“It means they are incredibly powerful! They’ll be targets for magical beings with black intent until they’re old enough to protect themselves…. we really *should* take them to a safer….”

Both Angel and Spike were instantly on their feet in gameface and in unison growled “*NO*!!”

But it was Angel who was most panicked and angry. Moving with lightening speed he grasped the back of both wiccans’ necks and ground out, “No one takes them… No one!!” before the combined power of the two witches repelled him, pushing the vampire backwards into the apartment and half way across the lounge. After which the two women fixed their two very deadly friends in place with a hastily chanted spell.

Willow rose to her feet and took complete command of the conversation “Enough! You *will* listen… I said we really *should* take them… but not that we *would*! Now fangs in Mister… you too Angel… and listen to what *we* have to do to protect the children, Dawnie and Connor, and you two for that matter!”

Frozen in place unable to move or answer, the two vampires had no choice but to hear the proposal.


……………… Part 36………………

Willow straightened up, eyed each if the senior vampires in turn with her most frightening ‘resolve face’ then allowed just a little leeway in the inanimate spell so both could return to their human features, though were still unable to comment or move.

“F’Iaid, the coven and I, can ward their family apartment of course, as yours is. You must be aware that your son and Dawn are fast becoming powerful and skillful witches, and soon it will be possible for them to ward their own home without outside assistance. For now we think it best to assist them as it will take some time for Dawn to adjust to her new motherhood and recover from the delivery.

“Our concern is primarily the children. With such a strong connection to you all, thanks to Dawn’s taking of your blood while they were within her, and of course their own heritage, they will have an extraordinarily robust feeling of being loved, cherished… and protected so long as you are all close.

“The difficulty comes as you all face the day to day trials of adult and vampiric existence. You *must* shut down the link with them unless you are at peace! This is the same message F’Iaid and I will give Dawn and Connor. If you are upset or worried, or on patrol, their ability to sense the emotions and thoughts is *not balanced* by an understanding of what is going on or why.”

Despite their inanimate state Willow could not fail to see tears tracking down both the vampire’s faces at the thought their grandchildren might be injured by their own experiences, and even worse, that they had to cut themselves off as a consequence. Both ensouled vampires had the feeling that their demons and souls would not allow being ‘at peace’ to occur, which would mean a total shutting out of the new little two.

Spike felt the distress and longed to embrace his mate. They had only just held the grandchildren and felt the connection… and Angel had been so happy… Now the distress was flowing so freely through the link that an utterly disorientated and extremely distressed Connor lurched into the lounge room to embrace his father. Thankfully his wife and newborns were still sleeping and oblivious.

Seeing the tears and the inability of his father to move, he reacted as only the destroyer might, but Willow was faster and Connor was also, very suddenly, inanimate.

“Oh sweetie we don’t mean to hurt you… but you too need to hear this too.”

Angel was watching as the sky began to lighten and the panic for his mate mixed with terror for his grandchildren and he heard Connor’s heartbeat accelerate with the same realization.

Seeing the very real distress of her friends and suspecting the cause Willow continued quickly, “Your demons will not hurt them, they are of your line and Dawn took your blood when they were still growing… so *please* listen… when you are with the children, you *can* open the link… let them feel the love and adoration, the knowledge and the wisdom. But you *must* shut it down at all other times.

“We also need to bind the children’s magical abilities until they are able to be schooled. It is so rare to have children with this level of power, and until they understand how to use it, they will be a danger to themselves and all around them. By binding it we are also cloaking it when they are away from the home.

“Now… Is everyone calm enough for us to have a *civil* conversation? Because Spike needs to be getting inside soon.” Angel looked at the sky then pleadingly at Willow and she knew the truth. It was barely minutes before the sun would peep over the horizon.

As the spell was released, all three relieved individuals collapsed, then Spike and Connor immediately joined Angel inside. The exhaustion and emotion of the last few hours causing all three to sink to the floor in a desperate three way embrace, drop their fangs, and share familial blood in an effort to find balance.

Willow and F’Iaid gave them a few minutes before joining the distraught group.

F’Iaid spoke first, her deep, soft voice, strong presence and quietly accented ‘th’, soothing all present “We are sorry to have had to still you, gentlemen, but you gave us little choice. We must bind de babies’ power by morning. You must also be aware … de wards will not be able to conceal dem from ones who might truly do harm.”

It was Connor who looked up with a yellow tinge to his eyes and stood resolute, the protective father. “What do we need to do?”

Willow squeezed her partner’s hand and F’Iaid continued, “Dey must wear a circle of white gold, a bracelet removable any time dey are ready, or replaced if needed. Blessed by us, it will bind de babies’ powers but dey also must bear a mark of Aurelius to tie dem to you for protection and complete what was started as Dawn carried dem.

“Such a mark must happen as soon as you can, Connor may do it, and bracelets we can obtain in de mornin’ from my coven. We will return to bless and fit dem before midday. Your children are *very special*, we *will* not take *any* risks.”

Willow moved to squat in front of a kneeling still visibly upset Angel and took his large hands in her tiny ones.

He refused to catch her eye, instead stared at the floor and all but whispered, “I would have hurt you…”

She kissed each hand in turn then whispered, “Only to save the children honey … And I understand… OK?! We have to do this and you had to know…”

Angel looked up with pleading eyes, “Thank you …. But… I am *so* sorry… you know… for grabbing you… and frightening you.”

“Oh… It’s OK sweetie… And in case you didn’t notice, it was us who threw *you*… So let’s just forget it… Anyways it’s been a long night for all of us… so…” With that Willow stood and moved toward Angel, though his flinch was unnecessary as she pulled him into a hug and shot an affectionate sisterly smile to Spike. F’Iaid meanwhile had taken Connor’s hand and led him to the couch where they were speaking quietly as he had not been privy to the whole of their dialogue.

Shortly after, the new father excused himself, looking very tired and worried, and returned to the family bed.

……………

Two days later painted a very different picture.

The twins now had names - Luka Lawrence and Talia Joyce. The first names the parent’s choice, the second, familial favorites, Lawrence being Connor’s adoptive father’s name, and Joyce a favorite for all of them. What stunned the vampires was the third name registered for each before Connor and Dawn’s official surname – Reilly-Summers. Angel stared, speechless at the printout of the birth certificate… Aurelius. For all time, the name would now be on the *birth* register… Their family name. The children’s heritage acknowledged.

The little folks both were both sporting tiny white gold, enchanted bracelets, and the emotional link was only ever opened when they were held by family as recommended by their wiccan doctor and her partner Willow.

The remainder of Dawn and Connor’s furniture arrived on the third day, and with the combined efforts of the Grandfathers, Willow and Connor, the apartment was picture perfect by the fourth day of the children’s lives. It was heavily warded and the family moved in.

Connor’s mother and father came to visit around midday of the following day. His mother still requiring a wheelchair, but Connor insisting on carrying her from the car and across the threshold, his father trailing behind with all manner of ‘goodies’, returning to the car to collect a large bunch of flowers and a helium balloon arrangement.

Luka and Talia were both feeding well, though Connor had been worried as he observed his wife Dawn’s discomfort as cracked nipples and very sore breasts made each feeding more and more painful. Colleen was relaxed in a huge reading chair Connor had bought especially for Dawn, a pillow on her lap in case the tiny figure of Luka she held became too much for her. But the new grandmother was not about to give in to fatigue, not for the world. The little boy had snuffled a little then relaxed against the older woman while Dawn fed his sister.

Colleen could not help but notice the wince of pain as the little mouth dropped off then tried to reengage. She quickly advised rubbing mother’s own milk onto the nipples after the feed then if needed applying papaya cream to the abused nubs. She went on to show Dawn how to express and grinned as the rather stunned young woman managed to send a thin squirt across the room. Cabbage leaves sounded like a bit of a stretch for sore breasts so Dawn was most surprised when, that evening, F’Iaid confirmed their beneficial effect was far more than an old wives tale.

It would still be several months before Connor’s mother could truly be said to be in remission once more, but Connor could still smell the hope and love flowing from his father. They were sharing the task of putting away the ‘care package’ Colleen insisted they brought with them, and despite his protests, Connor was truly grateful.

“You know your mother wants to be called Nanna right?”

“What?”

“Nanna”

“Oh… yeah sure… but what about…”

“She is so darned happy son… you’ve made us so darned happy. It’s like this was the little spark she needed… not that the girls and you aren’t worth it … just… Ahhh geez.” Connor saw his father turn away for a moment and compose himself again. “I can’t tell you how… [deep breath] I can’t tell you how incredible it is to have a grandson bearing my name… incredible.”

Connor pulled his father into a tight hug and gave him a ‘manly’ few slaps on the back. He knew his adoptive father had not received the memory ‘reinstall’ that he had, but still retained the implanted ones, and they felt no less real. And given that he had hugged Angel for pretty much the same reason late the previous night, he was beginning to understand both men a little better. The fierce protectiveness he felt toward his children and partner not a small part of the same.

……………

After a few more days of experience at feeding the children, the young couple was reassured as the raw tissue healed and toughened to the point that Dawn actually enjoyed the feeling of a tiny bodies taking from her. It was a profound realization for the young mother. Her children cried and her breasts filled and began to leak, and despite the inconvenience of wearing tiny pads to catch the spills, it was still amazing to the young couple.

Connor had been back at the University trying to catch up on a bit of study as Dawn sheepishly admitted her pleasure to Spike who’s sleeping habits dictated that he was awake and restless in the early afternoon, well before Angel. He had taken to visiting and chatting to the new mother, even changing a nappy, though his vampire sense of smell made the task rather horrific until Dawn swiftly dealt with the tiny but very stinky offering.

Dawn brought up the topic in the third week of the children’s lives, as the two gave the little people a warm bath, Spike utterly amazed by tiny arms and legs thrashing with obvious delight as the babies were immersed almost fully at opposite ends of the plastic baby bath. Their feet barely touched but it was easy to see that it would not be long before the ‘big bath’ was no longer adequate and the full sized bath would need to be accessed.

“’S like that for Sire ‘n Childe pet… Best feelin’ in the world to give… and bliss to take.”

“So when you and Angel… It feels…”

Spike wiggled an eyebrow and smirked as he said, “Try it durin’ sex, guaranteed to blow your head off love!” Dawn blushed deep red and felt her milk come in at the mere suggestion from the ‘naughty’ O’Pa as he lifted the tiny female figure from her warm bath and into a waiting fluffy towel. The name had indeed stuck.


Dawn recalled her conversation a few days later. Late one evening in the third week, Connor pleasured his now voluptuous partner with a loving massage and careful kisses. Connor was very aware of his partner’s still healing body and her fatigue, but she was so responsive and his hour long ministrations with no sign of relief were driving her to distraction. He had pleasured her in every way he could think of, aware that the bruising around her pelvis was only just starting to heal. But her clitoris seemed a viable option, and he hoped she could obtain pleasure from that alone, yet now she needed more and it seemed was inviting him to taste his children’s meal. He kissed her firmly on the lips then gently laved around the full nipple and lightly massaged her sex as he reverently took the offering. She came hard as she felt the milk drop.

Breast milk was an odd combination of salty and sweet and … something else. It occurred to Connor that it was almost like tasting his first draft of blood, it was just… different. He opened his own wrist with two fine puncture marks and grinned as Dawn took some of the precious fluid. It was a fair exchange, and the children would benefit.

……………..

Angel and Spike were standing in silence on their balcony staring out at the trees and the lights of the bay, the larger vampire’s arms around his smaller companions while the blonde smoked.

The cell phone at Angel’s hip broke the peace.

“Hey Dad? Do you know what it’s like if someone is trying to break through the wards? ‘Cause, we’re all a little freaked here and the babies have both just lost it!”

“We’re on our way… Ring Willow and F’Iaid!”

The cigarette butt had not even hit the ground before the two vampires were at Dawn and Connor’s door.

……………………..









Part 37


Angel and Spike did not even bother with the conventional corridor, instead the two master vampires hurdled to the next story from their own balcony then dropped onto Dawn and Connor’s. It was expected. And Connor let them in. Spike shivered as he passed the extraordinarily strong wards.

The babies were crying, Dawn was frantic and Connor’s eyes had changed and his fangs were down ready for attack. Like any devoted father he stood ready to protect two wailing children and a crying partner… Realizing who it was, he fell into his fathers’ arms. His fangs found their mark immediately and he took straight from his true father’s jugular.

Spike took Dawn into his arms, then calmly pulled her to the bed, rising only to collect the two wailing children tucking the pair between them and whispering, “Let’s try somethin’ Pet.”
She then accepted Spike’s offered wrist. The babies seemed to calm as their parents stilled with the imbibing of familial blood. Dawn was propped up on pillows and two tiny mouths found their mark with a little assistance.

They were all barely relaxed before they felt and saw the crackle of another attack as Connor curled up on his father’s lap while Dawn continued to lap Spike’s wrist rhythmically as he supported her little girl with the other hand and both children tugged at her breasts.

The two vampires growled at the attempted intrusion but Connor looked up, calmer yet now feeling rather like a little boy instead of head of a family. He looked up at his father rather apologetically then began to shift but found himself even more tightly embraced and a loving smile greeting his angst.

“Stay for a bit son. Nothing wrong here now and you did the right thing. For Spike and I, there’s nothing more important than your two… well… four now… nothing!”

Spike pulled his wrist away and patted his ‘daughter in law by Mating’ and struck up, “C’mon Sire, time for the granddads to placate the littlies then, while the young lordship here sorts out his lady.” The wink and grin from the blond was seen by Connor and Dawn, and lightened their mood a little. Angel and Spike let love flow through the link knowing Connor had just fed from his father he would be privy to the emotions at least for a time, but Angel did not miss the very real worry in the look Spike shot him while the parents gently changed and wrapped the two tiny people.

It was decided that Angel and Spike would play grandparents, nursemaids and protectors to the twins for a few hours that night, and give the young parents time to regroup. When ready, Dawn and Connor would join them at the vampires’ apartment. The problem was still the question as to who was trying to break the wards and why. A very sleepy Willow and F’Iaid arrived around midnight – along with an elegant looking young man who introduced himself as Hugh. They shored up the wards for the second time... this time with a local male witch grounding the pull of energy at the location.

……………………..

Their apartment was quiet, though the sparks through the wards indicated that someone had been targeting the vampires as well. But for now, all seemed settled.

Two tiny bodies had been disturbed with the move, so were about to be fed. Dawn had done a sterling job at expressing milk for the first time – F’Iaid’s lessons paying off and her own breasts used to feeding two, full to the point of pain far too often anyway. Her body would eventually adjust but for now… expressing was a sensible option.

Spike wandered into their bedroom with two bottles of Dawn’s warmed breast milk. He handed one to Angel then settled himself beside his larger lover as Angel cradled the two tiny figures in his arms and eased a teat into the minute mouth of his grandson as Spike did the same with Talia.

Spike smelt it and looked across to his lover, his Sire had tears tracking down his cheeks… The little lad had curled his tiny hand around the pinky of Angel’s free hand, and the memories of Connor at the same age were a little too acute… and then the loss of his son… twice… but now… this, these *beautiful* children… grandchildren! Spike leant over and kissed away a tear on the closest cheek. Then saw more spill.

Spike knew that words would be inadequate, so opened his free wrist and let his Mate suckle as their grandchildren enjoyed their meal.

Eventually, at much the same time as his tiny charge released her bottle, Spike felt his wrist fall free. He pulled away and felt surprisingly tearful himself as he observed the babies sleeping contentedly, snuggled together on their snoozing grandfather’s cool torso, the larger vampire’s strong arms cradling the minute humans easily with their baby blankets surrounding them.

Spike eased himself away then returned with food for both he and his mate. Angel woke slowly to the gentle attentions of his partner.

Angel carefully eased the two tiny figures onto the bed between them, then stretched up to kiss his mate. Their fingers touched as they simultaneously reached over the grandchildren, and their legs intertwined in a show of protection like no other.

The wards were hit again but it wasn’t noticed by the mated couple, their physical boundaries prevented the protagonist from detecting the presence of the children.

...........

It puzzled the attackers.

The key and her partner were present, and making love.

The Sire and Childe were in their space sleeping together… but the children had apparently… disappeared.

The order came as two of their number disintegrated. “Find them!”

…………..

Spike and Angel woke a little stiff, having kept the same position for almost four hours. Their two tiny grandchildren were just beginning to stir and there was a quiet knocking at the door.

Spike squeezed his partner’s hand then rose to answer the call, feeling Conner seeking out his children through their own familial link.

Dawn was standing looking on the edge of panic as the door was answered and they were ushered in.

She fell into her favorite inlaw’s (or should that be outlaw’s) arms and was relieved to hear a quick report.

“Oh come on Bit! They’re *fine*. Couple of hits on the wards no big… The ol’ Poof an’ me will see off any nasties – you know that!”

“I know but…” Connor squeezed his wife’s hand then turned to Spike. There was still high anxiety flowing freely through the link, before his partner managed to hold back her tears and managed a very halted, “F’Iaid and Willow think it is a big deal!!!”

The blonde vampire pulled the rather frantic young mother to Angel and his shared bedroom to reveal two tiny forms just beginning to squirm and a blissful grandfather enjoying the moment. Angel moved off the bed allowing the two young parents to take care of their children, Dawn’s milk leaking before she had even made it to the bed. Connor assisted and tiny mouths latched on to breasts replete with mother’s milk.

Dawn’s pallor was indicative of her genuine terror for her children and Angel saw the parental anxiety. It was too reminiscent of another vampire’s child.

Connor barely held his composure as he felt the related distress, worried for his own children and felt his wife’s panic.

Dawn’s pleading eye’s met Spike’s as he took her hand and they all settled onto the huge bed that graced the master bedroom of their apartment. She allowed tears to flow as she accepted her perfectly safe twins back, felt her milk flow drop and relaxed as two welcoming tiny mouths latched on. The combination of relief and worry saw her own tears fall as those around her made sure her two children continued with their meals, propping them up on pillows and coaxing them to stay attached, before gently lifting the two sleeping babies and tucking them into their temporary bassinette – a nest of pillows in the middle of the spare bedroom’s queen sized bed.

Angel was still fascinated by the feeding, but Spike seemed strangely comfortable. His connection and commitment to Dawn was absolute, and now as she had become a mother, he felt a pride in her, and adoration for the new little humans of their family. And he still kept his oath to protect her, even after years of separation, most seriously.

She faced her former protector, now relative. “Someone is trying to get them, Spike… They’re so tiny and already someone’s trying to get them… They probably want them for parts or something horrid like that and then there’ll be Connor and … even me and Ohhh Spike!!”


Reassurances were made and blood exchanged with Connor, the circle of three males resolute… so it eventually twice a week the young couple forgot about the external threats and simply enjoyed each other. Three months later, Angel and Spike minded the children for the evening and within a week, could smell it. Connor and Dawn had been amorous, and although it was unexpected … indeed should not necessarily even been possible, given that she was feeding twins, she was pregnant again.

Spike and Angel’s apartment’s wards were hit hard the evening the young couple announced their news, though they now expected it. It occurred every time the small folk were with them, or Dawn and Connor but this time Willow and F’Iaid were summoned. Dawn drank from her partner’s wrist as he bit down harder into her jugular than ever before and took from her while pressing an already dripping wrist back to her mouth. Dawn felt that something within her had changed but was too worried by other issues with the babies, to worry about her own state.
……………………………………………


Spike rolled his eyes as his Mate, his Sire, sighed and reached over to stroke his lovely partner as the music began on the sound system.

Louis Armstrong’s ‘Dream a Little Dream’ followed ‘What a Wonderful World’. The easy pace and sweet melody all contributed, the wards quieted, and the babies relaxed and slept. Spike reflected as Angel also yawned, Satchmo style strangely always seemed to calm the children, and his Sire… with the advantage that his lovely partner in all things was always amorous afterward.

This time however, it had been for comfort, and after the ‘compulsory’ kiss, they had focused on the feeding then sleeping children before relaxing, still stroking each other.

‘Louis’ was still on a loop and quietly playing in the background as Dawn and Connor let themselves into the apartment. As they entered, ‘Hello Brother’ was playing… and the parents could see the two grandfathers curled apparently snoozing around two tiny figures with spent bottles by their sides and the obvious signs of feeding on their wrists. Both children were sleeping, arms akimbo carefully circled by the protective bodies of two of the strongest vampires on the planet. But Dawn was not to be fooled.

She saw the slow tears tracking down the man who was her step father and had defended her beyond his own final death… and now protected her own children.

As she approached the bed, as the recording of Louis began to sing and Spike’s azure eyes opened to her. The love they held was astounding and the combination gave her no option but tears.

A man wants to work for his pay
A man wants a place in the sun
A man wants a gal proud to say
That she'll become his lovin' wife
He wants a chance to give his kids a better life, yes
Well hello, hello, hello brother

Connor sidled up behind her, slid his arms around her and smiled at the conscious Spike and the scene, then began to really listen to the words. Spike saw the shift and the babies stirred a little but did not wake. Connor turned to his beautiful wife and reached to wipe away her tears after she too witnessed the touching scene. Her recent worry had just been obliterated by a lovely private evening, and now the very old fashioned song reminded her of just how very lucky she really was.

Connor’s rather teary adoring look caused her to bury her face into his neck and as the next stanza began, he pulled her close, mirrored her position and the two slow danced in the doorway of the Grandfathers’ bedroom.

You can travel all around the world and back
You can fly or sail or ride a railroad track
But no matter where you go you're gonna find
That people have the same things on their minds

A man wants to work for his pay
A man wants a place in the sun
A man wants a gal proud to say
That she'll become, his lovin' wife

He wants a chance to give his kids a better life
Well hello brother, hello, yeah

Grandpa Spike stayed put and the twins slept on, as did their ancient grandfather.

Connor and Dawn smiled at the blonde as the song finished and availed themselves to the spare room.





PART 38

Dawn emerged from the bedroom looking a little refreshed after feeding then napping with the children briefly, she seemed perpetually exhausted at seventeen weeks pregnant and still feeding the now nine month old twins. The ‘war meeting’ was in full swing with members of the local coven, F’Iaid and Willow, Spike and Angel and her dear partner in all things, Connor.

Since the twins’ powers had been bound, there had been only a few attacks on the wards and then silence, and after a few initial nerves, the quiet allowed Dawn to properly adjust to her role as mother.

Unlike her rather flighty teenaged days she proved immensely capable and calm with her increasingly energetic pair, and really (despite numerous ‘normal’ frustrations of the primary carer of twins) was enjoying her role immensely. She felt grounded and centered, more so around family.

Her days consisted primarily of tending to Luka and Talia’s needs, preparing an evening meal for Connor and entertaining the two fast growing children and herself. Some days she would visit Spike and Angel late afternoon – often simply chatting idly with Spike or watching the latest soap opera on the television or the History channel while the children snoozed with their other granddad.

Dawn also had a habit of wandering downstairs to the central garden area with a child on each hip, lowering each crawling little love down into the sandpit or onto the play equipment purpose built in the top corner of the common green of the apartment complex. On other days she would take the children swimming in the apartment building’s pool– with Willow’s (or if late afternoon, Spike’s) assistance. And if she really wanted to get away she would go for walks to the local shops – even heading for the park or the shoreline to enjoy a sunny afternoon. The children thrived and Dawn’s belly grew as the three became used to the necessary glamour when out and about

They all saw it as she began to ‘show’ rather more quickly than in her first pregnancy, but motherhood suited Dawn, and with loving partner and children and extended family, for the first time she felt… ‘normal’. Meeting other young mothers at the supermarket, having an older lady or gent complement her on her beautiful children, or conversing with Connor’s supervisor’s partner on what to expect in the two to four age brackets was a reminder that she was to the outside world at least… one of the millions of women each year who bore and raised their children worldwide.

After the rather frightening start to his children’s lives, the wards went quiet and Connor returned to study for his Masters and was also doing some RA work for his supervising professor. of total quiet after the night of despite all their concerns over his safety and Wolfram and Hart). It seemed the law firm were biding their time, or had lost interest, after the University informed the company that Connor was on scholarship and in no way interested in joining their firm as indicated on their website.

Angel and Spike continued to keep a low profile for Connor’s sake as much as their own, satisfied to survive from on investments made in the Aurelian name with their Swiss money. Their night time patrols were done surreptitiously – and to date they had managed to keep under the radar of all but a trusted few wiccans.

In her twenty second week, three weeks after a perfectly normal ultrasound, Dawn woke to a squirming and tightening sensation in her ‘bulge’ she rose and barely made it to the toilet bowl before throwing up violently and repeatedly. Connor woke with a start, panicked not just by the sound of his lovely partner vomiting but also the wards firing again after weeks of quiet, and by the abject distress flying through the family link – and not just from Dawn, but something else as well.

Within minutes Spike and Angel were at the apartment door but the two adults were occupied in the bathroom, Dawn apparently trying to turn herself inside out while Connor did all he could think of, tucking a cushion under her knees so the tiles hurt less as she knelt at the bowl rubbing her back gently as her stomach lurched again and again and wiping her forehead and stroking her between the distressing waves of nausea.

The two grandfathers were distressed beyond belief as they heard the twins begin to cry. Angel was preparing to break the door down, but was saved the trouble. Spike had grabbed the ‘spare’ key as they sprinted for their relatives’ apartment and swiftly let them both in past the strong wards.

They could hear Connor tending Dawn in the bathroom so raced for the twins. Spike picked up Talia then raced for the phone as a panicked Connor called out “Call someone!!!”

The babies would not settle and continued to cry. Eventually Angel was lying on the lounge with both distressed little people on his chest, simply rocking and waiting for the witches to arrive. Spike moved to feed his distressed half brother before Connor lifted Dawn and carried her to their bed and gave Dawn opened his wrist for her. Her stomach was hot to touch and her night gown wet with perspiration. Spike swiftly wet a towel with cool water and draped it over Dawn’s torso.

The wards that had been so quiet for so long were now rippling with energy, Willow, F’Iaid and their friend Hugh arrived within the hour, bearing some rather surprising (and timely) news from the coven. But the first priority was Dawn. F’Iaid attended her as Willow and Hugh set about shoring up the wards and adding a spell that virtually cocooned the two children from all but the touch and love of family. The babies fell asleep immediately and Angel was able to rise and carry the two into the parents’ room where a different drama was taking place.

Dawn was alternately arching off the bed for minutes at a time then collapsing semiconscious, her breathing shallow and too fast. Rivulets of sweat ran from her form as Connor tried desperately to have her drink from him, or a water bottle, or simply suck on a wet sponge, all the while the panicked full blood whispering, “Please Dawn… *please* sweetheart don’t leave me… *please*… I love you… we all love you… Please!!!”

F’Iaid moved to kneel beside Connor and as Willow entered the room, looked pointedly at her partner, and a rather drawn looking Hugh. At least now the wards were holding and the two children settled. F’Iaid removed the cooling towel and placed her hands on Dawn’s bulge and began to rub gentle circles while chanting in a near whisper. The skin under her hands began to glow green with fiery red sparks singeing the massaging hands. Angel moved to hug his now desperate son from behind, the full blood sporting elongated fangs and golden eyes reflecting his distress. He bent his neck in front of the father of his *grandchildren* in an all time vampire tradition. Connor resisted for a moment but finally gave in and bit down hard.

F’Iaid chanted for the best part of an hour before collapsing, Willow taking up the sequence of words and hand movements without a break. By the third hour when Hugh stepped up, Dawn’s bulge was noticeably bigger and cooling to her normal body temperature. Willow gave the slim mage a pointed look. He simply nodded and returned to his vigil. Willow noted the young red headed man reaching for Connor’s hand and guiding it with his own to rest on the belly of the mother to be. It was a simple touch but made all the difference.

Dawn fell into an exhausted, light sleep as the agony of the past few hours subsided.

Angel took Spike’s offered wrist as his son pulled away and kissed his now (finally) relaxed wife.

F’Iaid had given the family time to address the immediate crisis, but now pulled their attention to the reason for the day’s difficulties as she addressed the group in her uniquely accented hushed tones. “De baby is of her mother’s origins. She will be de mos’ powerful shape shifter on dis plane if she is trained. Her energy is pure – like the other two offspring. She will arrive early, so be ready and keep her safe.”

Connor gripped his partner’s hand tight and kissed her on the now relaxed forehead. They had come together knowing their unique status, but really had not contemplated just what that might mean.

F’Iaid and Willow left Connor to attend his wife and tugged the two grandparents into the lounge room to convey their suspicions regarding the origin of the attacks on the wards in hushed tones. This time Hugh was the one who spoke. He was there on behalf of all the covens combining to protect the special family.

The fact that binding the children had been via white magic and his coven had been the source of the original successful shield suggested the involvement of an individual originating from the ‘white hat’ side, someone privy to a coven’s or watcher/slayer’s collective knowledge, and also susceptible to the blocking of the same.

There were a few of the new Slayers that had gone ‘feral’ since the final closing of the Sunnydale Hellmouth, almost equal in number with disgruntled newly appointed Watchers – proving to be extremists far too zealous to truly operate as field workers.

One combination of ‘rogue Slayer’, Lidia, and her recently suspended young watcher were very high on the list of suspects – and this latest attack had confirmed their worst fears. The energies fueling the attacks on the wards were corrupted, and the Watcher under suspicion (Fletcher Doffan) was a known student of the Dark Arts, expelled from the new Watchers’ council when called to account for the death of twenty five peaceful demons and the abduction of five youngsters in a single weekend.

When his claims that they were cornered were proved wrong and a large sum of money from a subsidiary company of Wolfram and Hart landed in his bank account, the two were called to London to answer to the charges. En route, he and his Slayer disappeared, turning up here and there, as ‘guns for hire’, their exact location constantly moving or masked but there was no doubt in any demon circles. They killed for dollars, but specialized in capturing demon babies for training and use by Wolfram and Hart, and apparently unworried that their actions resulted in tragedy on all fronts but those doing the purchasing. Apparently there was a price on Dawn’s twins

As Hugh finished, Spike spoke for all of the Aurelian men, “So how do we sort this Red… ‘cause soul or none, we’ve gotta do sommit! No one touches family!”

Willow leveled her eyes at the two very worried looking vampires, “I want your permission to contact Giles… and Buffy if we must… The original slayer may still hold a bit of clout with this Lidia - and certainly if there is a fight to be had, Buffy would be fine with this cocky newbie.” The red head High Mistress flashed black eyes at Spike before he even had a chance to let out a sound, “And before you say a word Mister, Dawn and I have already discussed this. Buffy is an aunty – and has never seen the twins – and doesn’t even know that Dawn is pregnant again. She would want to help and can, and she deserves to see Dawn… especially now. I am going to ask that she comes here.”

Spike did indeed protest but it was not with the argument Willow had expected. He held Angel’s hand tight as he let out an almost inaudible growl, then with a voice filled with pain, expressed a concern Willow had never considered. “Fly in your logic ointment Pet… Other than the inner circle, rest of the world don’t know we’re here... Angel and yours truly… Slayer don’t know we’re still around, ‘n if she does then I reckon the ol’ Wolfram an’ bloody Hart ‘ll turn up on our doorstep the next bloody day!

“If ya want her ladyship here, then me ol’ Sire and me need to get scarce and quite frankly, really don’t think that’s a good move for little brother, or the Bit … or the littlies…!” And Willow understood the missing “or us grandfathers” implicit in Spike’s statement.

She sat for a long moment before leveling dark green eyes at crystal blue and replied. “There may be a way… Spike, Angel… do you trust us to keep you safe?” Willow reached for, then squeezed F’Iaid’s hand. Her dark partner smiled with a pride that warmed Willow to the core, then nodded ever so slightly. F’Iaid knew what was needed.

The proposal made perfect sense. They would be constant companions to the family, Willow and Buffy (and more often than not F’Iaid) staying in Angel and Spike’s apartment.

Three days later the apartment had been stripped of their true owners’ more obvious accoutrements and Buffy was met at the airport by Willow ‘and friend’. Buffy was relieved to see Willow at the end of the gangway, and struck by her old friend’s relaxed demeanor given the reason Buffy had flown half way around the world to see her sister.

As soon as Buffy was definitely on her way, the two had agreed… blood was exchanged, arrangements made, and the afternoon of her arrival two washed and calmed in preparation. After a joyful, though somewhat tense, joint shower and they lay spooning naked under a light blanket covering the new, plushy cushion in the far corner of Dawn and Connor’s lounge room. Both vampires were in a state of high tension.

Willow had not missed the worried look from Spike as the two witches approached, “It’s got to be now sweetie… we have to pick her up by two. Just remember… tear off the collar and the spell is broken… But hey… with the change you’ll have the sun… that’s a bonus right?”

Spike’s tense, pleading baritone gave away the two vampires’ fears, and despite that, their resolve to keep the family safe. “Just give us the collars and get with the mojo Red.”

Connor knelt down, kissed his Father and attached the broad, rather loose collar, then repeated the process for Spike. As he buckled Spike’s enchanted accessory, the vampire saw the worry in the boy’s still yellow tinged eyes so whispered, “We’re still here for you pet… Don’t forget we’ll still be here.”

The chanting began and the changes struck hard, Spike and Angel crying out as bones contorted, internal organs shifted and hair sprouted. Their eye colour did not change but everything else did. The two animals passing out as tails pushed to their full length and the final shift in their status occurred.

Connor remained with them, stroking the amazingly soft coats and speaking words of comfort and encouragement until they finally came to and stood on rather wobbly legs, nuzzling Connor and feeling relieved that the familial connection had survived the change. Minutes later, Willow and F’Iaid left for the airport.



Several hours later Connor opened the door to his partner’s sister and felt immediately uncomfortable at a visceral level. He was flanked by two pedigree Siberian Huskies, one pale fawn and white with bright blue eyes, and the other black and white with dark chocolate eyes to match, both leaned against him, the dark one licking his hand as though to reassure.

The Slayer had not seen Dawn for nearly three years, their lives drawing increasingly apart, even when they were in Italy together. Now, as her pregnant sister’s husband, the handsome, young father of two, answered the door, Buffy realized just how different their two circumstances were. Willow had continued the edited version of Connor’s heritage and Buffy had seen the photos of the wedding with Connor’s ill adoptive mother and handsome late fifties father. Dawn had finally found someone ‘normal’. The Immortal knew the truth, but a quiet word from Willow three years previously had seen him grin and agree to keep his knowledge of the Aurelian line a secret.

Dawn was still feeling the effects of twenty four hours of pain, but was sitting up alert and smiling as her sister entered. The small one in her belly seemed to have made peace with the world and the green glow that had been the source of pain, now seemed to have settled. The whole family had discussed something she had not really considered since the ‘Glory’ days – her own origins. Her unborn child carried the signature of human, her pureblood vampire father, and the timeless energy of Dawn’s own powerful inter-dimensional beginnings.

Buffy had a strangely strong sense of magical ‘wiggins’ as she stepped into the apartment though initially put it down to the wards, Dawn’s pregnancy, the children and the witches. But there was something more niggling, particularly as she offered her hand to be ‘sniffed’ by the two family dogs. They felt somehow…familiar. Buffy resolved to ask but was distracted by Willow and niece and nephew, and pregnant sister and brother-in-law.

In the end, after some basic courtesies, Willow led Buffy to the ‘guest apartment’ and she was just too jetlagged to bother why she felt so rattled. When The Immortal rang her cell-phone to confirm her safe arrival, she simply grinned at the two Wiccans who were apparently sharing her temporary abode, and reassured her ‘sweetheart’ that all was well.

Back in the family apartment Spike whined a little but settled with his mate on the plushy ‘large pet cushion’ at the end of Connor and Dawn’s bed. Angel and he had enjoyed the sun (after Willow had taken charge of Buffy) but both were acutely aware that they had responsibilities… The arrival of Buffy should have made things difficult… but both vampires realized that their love for each other far exceeded any interest in an ex-Sunnydale slayer, indeed the notion was ‘barkable’.

Spike leaned against his partner's soft belly fur, his tail thumping the ground a few times without conscious thought as he got comfortable. Their first day as dogs had not been so bad really and now they lay relaxing but alert to anything unusual as they snoozed lightly.

TBC