Chapter Text
Part One:
“You’d think the bitch would let me at least talk to the Bit,” Spike groused. Dawn was still healing from the broken arm, compliments of magic-mad Willow. There was a bitter wind that did little to improve Spike’s equally bitter musings.
“Thought we were becomin’ friends at least there for a while. Had to go bugger it up with sex when the Slayer was already halfway to wantin’ a dance with real death not just yours truly.” He raised his eyes to the pitch dark sky in reflexive supplication. “Can’t you give a break to your own bloody Chosen?“ His tormented yell into the void startled some feral cats but wasn’t expected to be heard by any other creature. After all the great halls of the Powers that diddle with people and ignore vampires were as cold and empty as the night sky, at least to one such as him.
All he had wanted to do was check on his Niblet, make sure the arm was healing nicely. Christmas was a bad time to be laid up especially a young vibrant girl like Dawn. “Bad influence, bah humbug!” Spike appropriated the phrase made famous by Dickens,’’sight more appropriate under the circumstances if you ask me,’ he grumbled to himself. “Plenty good influence all this past summer.”
Spike felt himself slipping into a nice wallow in self pity. Nothing for it but a trip to Willies for a bottle or six to help get that ball rolling. Maybe even pay for a couple in the spirit of the holiday.
He was rounding a corner with the demon bar in line of sight when he heard the moan. ‘Keep walkin’ Spike, none o’ your concern,’ he tried to tell himself even as his steps faltered and he felt himself turn, involuntarily, towards the sound. “What’s any sane human doin’ out here in this neighborhood anyway?”
Like as not some idiot who didn’t know what was what in Sunnyhell. Spike sighed and raised put-upon eyes back to the heavens and went to deal with the looby. All those years with Dru and he still seemed to attract the crazy ones like he was a magnet!
The girl was young, couldn’t have been more than Dawn’s age. She was also clearly up the spout. ‘Some nonce got to the poor Bit then left her to fend for herself and his get. They say vampires are evil!’
“Hey,” Spike reached out a hand to the girl who was cowered in the doorway of a closed shop seeking shelter from the piercing wind. “Not a good place for a wee Bit like you even if you weren’t carryin’ extra baggage.”
“I’ve nowhere to go,” the girl whimpered as the babe within her kicked his displeasure.
“Should go home, let your mum and da tend to ya if the kiddies dad isn’t willin’.”
The girl turned dark doe eyes on him and he felt moved to pity. More than once in his long existence he’d been left alone and needy. ‘Sides the chit reminded him a bit of his own Niblet all young and dealin’ with too much.
“Too far away. Besides I’ve not any parents to go to,” she admitted sadly. “The baby’s father isn’t here either.”
“What’s your name luv?”
“Miryam.”
She reminded Spike a bit of Tara with her shyness and surrounding aura of serenity. Even in her clear distress she had a feeling of peace about her. Should have been right off-putting for a Big Bad like himself but it wasn’t.
“Well Miri, can’t have you layin’ about in doorways ‘specially not in a neighborhood like this one.”
“I don’t really have anyplace to go,” she reminded him.
Spike put a hand in his duster pocket and fondled the small roll of cash he had earmarked for a date with Mr. Jack Daniels and a few of his closer fiends and made up his mind. “Best come with me then. Can’t afford anything fancy but reckon we can find a room out of the chill at least.”
The girl turned a grateful look at him and gave him a genuine smile. The first he’d had turned his way in an age. He felt the warmth suffuse his body at the acceptance and trust he felt come from the unfortunate girl. No one had looked at him that way save his Niblet and he’d seen precious little of her since her big sis had returned to hearth and home.
The pair made their way to a small motel a step up from a fleabag but still in Spike’s price range. He paid for a few nights for her and helped get her settled. She really was heavy with child!
“Maybe wouldda been better to take you to the hospital. Looks like you’re about to pop any time.”
“I am due. I can’t afford a hospital though. I’ve read up on it and will have the baby on my own. Women have been doing it for centuries,” she tried to reassure him.
“Might be but you’re a few years from bein’ a woman in spite of the baby. Look a bit fragile too. Don’t think you should be dealin’ with this by yourself.”
“Well God did provide you,” Miryam smiled up at him as she settled on the not uncomfortable bed with a sigh of relief.
“Doubt any God worth the name would pick me to provide for anyone, Pet.”
“Haven’t you ever heard that God can use anyone even the least likely?” She looked serious in spite of the teasing tone.
Poor Bint seems mighty religious, maybe one of those Amish kids let loose in the real world for a season and got herself in trouble. “Well you should talk to that God of yours and ask for better in the future.”
“I think He did just fine.” Miryam shifted to try to find a comfortable position. “What’s your name?”
“Spike,” at the girl’s startled grin and surprised look he amended, “William actually but not been called that in more years than you’d believe.”
“Spike,” she intoned with near reverence as if he were some sort of hero or saint. Spike knew well he was neither. “Thank you for helping us.”
“Didn’t do much, luv.”
“You did more than most people would do. Sadly so many are so busy with their own lives and problems they no longer see the plight of others much less care.”
“Well,” Spike felt like blushing at the praise, “Not exactly like most people, or people at all really.”
“What an odd thing to say!”
“Best you not lose those rose colored glasses at least till you have the kid. Shocks not good for someone in your condition. Let’s just say I’m not a very nice guy and leave it at that yeah?”
“Well I think you are wrong Spike. I think you have plenty of nice in you, a really decent soul no matter what things you might have done.”
Spike laughed ruefully. Yeah...if he had a bloody soul maybe Buffy would treat him a bit better!
Miryam cried out as a sharp pain hit. Seemed her baby was looking forward a bit too much to Christmas day.
Spike could smell the fluids as her water broke and fought the urge to run for the hills. A line from Gone with the Wind went through his mind, something about not knowing anything about birthin’ no babies. Still he couldn’t just help her in a half-arsed way and the abandon her when things got rough.
“Really need me to get you to the hospital, luv. Baby lookin’ to see Santa and I’m nobody’s idea of a proper doctor, not even one of those odd cab drivers you read about deliverin’ babies as part of their fare.”
“No!” Miryam reached out a hand to prevent Spike from scooping her up and taking her to Sunnydale General. “Don’t take me. I’m fine here.”
“Not fine.” Spike’s mind was racing with all manner of horrifying situations that might arise in this mess he found himself in. There was a time when the solution to this dilemma would be to let Dru eat the baby while he dined on mommy but even the thought of that made him queasy.
“Okay. You won’t go to the hospital and don’t have anybody but me to help you,” he sighed. “Can’t get you all worked up fightin’ me on this. Don’t have a clue what to do though.” Suddenly a light went off in his muddled, panic stricken mind and he brightened. “Got a friend that might be able to help though.”
Spike headed towards the door, “Just gonna fetch the white witch and be back in a tick.” Spike looked back at the girl on the bed who was in the early stages of delivery and sent up a silent prayer to whomever that the baby would take at least a little time in coming. “Be right back, chit lives just up the street.”
Spike raced to Tara’s new apartment. He was suddenly very glad that the lovebirds had separated causing Tara to move from Buffy’s home. It would have taken far too long to get to Revello Drive from where the motel held the laboring girl.
Tara answered the frantic and insistent knock on her door. ‘Who on earth would that be at this hour and on Christmas eve?’ She was glad she hadn’t turned in yet in case it was an emergency. Maybe Buffy needed her help with Willow or something.
She opened the door cautiously. She had lived in Sunnydale long enough to know that much at least.
“Spike?”
“No time to explain much but need you to come with me right now!”
The vampire was panting which struck Tara as odd especially given that he didn’t need to breathe. He seemed to have run all the way from wherever the emergency was to her home. ‘Goddess! Please don’t let anyone be hurt badly,’ was her heartfilled plea.
“Do I need a spellbook?”
“What?” Spike blinked clearly startled.
“What do I need to bring?”
“Prob’ly just yourself and that lovely brain of yours. Figure you learned lots of healin’ and medicine from your mam, right?” he asked hopefully.
“Some. My mother did teach me more than just magic. Who’s hurt?”
They were walking at a fast pace, Tara struggling to keep up.
“Not hurt but needs someone knows what they’re doin’,” Spike looked panicked and that served to worry Tara to no end.
She was surprised to see where Spike had taken her. The motel was rundown but clean and respectable enough. Goddess had Willow also moved from Buffy’s? Was she hurt?
“In here. I hope we’re in time. Not sure where I can get boiled water but maybe it’ll come out of the tap hot enough,” Spike muttered as he threw open the door.
Tara looked in astonishment at the girl on the bed. Clearly little more than a child herself she was deep in labor and all alone.
“Tara...Miryam,” Spike tossed over his shoulder in introduction as he headed to the bathroom to check on water temperature. “How much water you need?”
Tara couldn’t help but smile even with all the confused thoughts running through her head. “Um...mostly menfolk are sent to boil water to get them out of the way. Could use it to clean things up and the baby too when it comes.”
Tara shifted her gaze to the girl, Miryam. “Hello, I’m Tara. I’m not a doctor or midwife but I have helped a midwife a time or two.” She smiled reassuringly at the girl. “Wouldn’t you rather have Spike take you to emergency?”
“No! Please,” the girl grunted as she gave a bit of a push. The baby was already well on the way.
Tara bit her bottom lip and rolled up her sleeves. Looked like she was going to need all her wits about her for the time being. Time enough to be nervous after. She prayed there would be no complications. The youth of the mother worried her. She only hoped Miryam would be up to what her body was requiring.
“Well lets see about getting you more comfortable then. Try not to push too much until we have an idea of how everything is progressing, okay?”
Minutes turned into hours as the vampire and witch did everything they knew to help the girl and her child make it successfully to the baby’s birthday.
Finally with a great final push the boys head left the comfort and shelter of his mother’s womb and the rest of his perfect body followed after.
Tara picked up the squirming infant and wiped the liquid from the baby’s nose and lips then tried to get the newborn to draw his first breath. The plaintive wail relieved Tara’s nerves somewhat. It looked like all had gone without a hitch. A Christmas miracle indeed and she had helped! She felt blessed to have been a part of it.
Baby wiped off and wrapped in Spike’s tee-shirt the two exchanged relieved looks and smiled at one another as Miryam cuddled her newborn.
“Don’t think ‘bout namin’ the tyke Spike,” he teased. “Was Tara did all the work and that’s not a fit name for the nipper, neither of ‘em actually.”
Miryam let out a soft chuckle and smiled at her benefactors. “Already have a name for him. Meet Joshua,” She nodded to the baby.
“Good strong name, that.” Spike couldn’t help the slightly goofy grin as he took in the sight of the mother and child that he had somehow been called upon to help.
Was the oddest thing. It was as if all the peace and love in the universe had somehow descended into the motel room. He felt it and could tell by Tara’s expression that she felt it as well. No cares or worries. No guilt or regrets. It reminded him of the description Buffy had given him of heaven. Strange.
The baby, Joshua, looked from Tara to Spike in a way that should be impossible for a newborn. Their eyes weren’t even supposed to be able to focus for quite a while after all. The eyes were old and knowing and Spike wondered for the first time if the child’s da was human. Type shouldn’t be that aware, but he was!
Spike and Tara both gasped at the same time as feelings of unconditional love and acceptance flooded them. Spike had never felt anything like it. It seemed to emanate from the wee babe staring at the two of them in a far too knowing manner. Spike felt oddly clean, renewed in a way he couldn’t have explained if he had to save his worthless life.
As they gazed at the pair on the bed the new mother and her remarkable child disappeared as if they had never been there. Even the sheets were unbloody and clean.
"Spike!” Tara trembled next to him clearly shocked by the disappearance.
“I didn’t do it!”
“Of course not,” Tara lay a reassuring hand on his arm. “Any idea what just happened?”
“Not a clue sweetness.”
The two erstwhile midwives looked about in shock and horror worried about what might have happened to Miryam and her sweet baby. There were no clues to be had in the room and neither had any ideas to offer.
Suddenly there was a rush of wind, not cold like out in the bleak nighttime outside the motel room. It was warm and comforting.
As Spike and Tara looked about frantically to find the source of this latest oddity a man appeared before them. Well man was likely not the proper term. He was clearly not human in any sense in spite of the outward appearance. Didn’t seem to put out demon vibes either. He exuded age and power though in a way that should have been frightening yet was not. It wasn’t due to his appearance, he was a slight man for all of it. His face radiated tranquility and even humor. Nothing terrifying in the least yet Spike knew better than to challenge this being. Pretty sure he’d be dust before he could so much as raise a fist or pop out a fang.
The being began to applaud and not in any way sarcastically. “OH well done indeed,” he beamed.
He turned his smiling face directly towards Spike. “Wonderful. You’ve passed the test and won me a tidy sum from my bet all in one glorious set of actions.”
Tara was looking at the being with an awestruck expression. Clearly her witchy senses were seeing even more than the vibes Spike had picked up upon.
“W - w - who are you?” Spike hadn’t heard Tara stutter in an age. Clearly she was thoroughly rattled.
The man turned towards her and his face softened with obvious affection. “So sorry! Where are my manners? I was so overcome with joy that I have neglected the niceties of any civilized person.” He gave a slight bow in their general direction. “I am Hadraniel, Angel of love and part-time Christmas Angel at your service.”
Tara blinked but didn’t look overly surprised. Spike looked for the door and a quick exit. Surely any Angel worth its wings would be burning him to ash without a blink of an eye. The profane couldn’t stand in company with something so holy after all.
“Fear not,” Hadraniel said with a voice deep and pure. He than gave out a chuckle that would do Santa proud. “Haven’t used that phrase in centuries!”
He cast a benevolent look upon Spike and held up his hands in the universal sign of peaceful intentions. “You need not fear me William Pratt or should I call you Spike? Neither your human aspects nor demon are in any danger. Indeed, Spike, you’ve acted most honorably just as I swore to my old friend. Your proving me right has earned me an extra helping of Christmas ambrosia,” he patted his belly in clear pleasure.
Spike furrowed his brow in confusion. Made no sense being in the company of one of heaven’s host. This Hadraniel was obviously not one of the fallen version of his species. Being accepted in THAT company wouldn’t have surprised Spike but this did. He should be struck down faster than a holy water bath could achieve.
Tara had regathered her wits, “What happened to Miryam and Joshua?” She was obviously worried about the vanished duo.
“Oh they have gone home. Lovely of them to have accommodated me this way. You should feel honored. Not just everyone is privy to a Marian visitation and blessing much less with Him there as well. Could you not feel the love?” The Angel was nearly bursting with glee.
Spike decided to take the Angel at his word and tried to relax a bit. Seemed he was going to survive this otherworldly encounter after all. If what Hadraniel had implied...okay, said...was true then Spike had been in the company of beings far more holy than a mere Angel after all.
He cleared his throat and worked up the nerve to put a question to this unlikely visitor. “You said somethin’ ‘bout a test?”
“Indeed yes my undead friend.” Hadraniel grinned widely. “You were superb, just superb.”
Spike backed up a bit when he got the wild notion that he might even be hugged of all things.
“I knew you loved purely even if impure yourself. You certainly proved the potential when that horrid Glorificus tortured you so terribly. You didn’t expect to survive that but still protected those you loved. None of us questioned the truth of your love for the Slayer and the Key made flesh, it was obvious. Micah, however, wasn’t sure you could show that sort of love and concern for any other than the Summers girls.” Hadraniel seemed to puff up a bit with pride, well the pride that was okay with Angels that is. “I knew you had it in you!”
With that astonishing statement the wind rustled once again and another even more powerful being joined them. This one was also of the same species as Hadraniel even if his expression was more guarded and less gleeful.
Hadraniel turned a slightly smug look at the new arrival. “See! I don’t want to say ‘I told you so’ but I did tell you so.”
“So it would seem,” the other Angel glowered a bit at him. “The Lady Mary insists that there should be a reward given.” He looked at Tara easily but with a bit less enthusiasm at the vampire who had cost him his share in the holiday treat he had bet. “Said you both deserve a birthday wish along with her gratitude.”
“Truly inspirational,” gushed Hadraniel.
Spike was looking at the less friendly Angel and thinking about what sort of damage he was likely to pull off while granting this wish he clearly didn’t want to dispense with. “So who’re you? The ghost of Christmas presents?”
The newly arrived Angel drew himself up to his full and impressive height and delivered a hostile look at the vampire who had been so cheeky in the face of the unimaginable honor he had just been given. His voice in reply held a slight threat even though the words were benign. “I am Micah, Angel of Miracles and Divine Purpose.” He was clearly feeling insulted.
Hadraniel chuckled aloud at his affronted friend. “I said he loved and loved well not that he had good manners.”
Micah flashed a scathing glare at his Angelic companion then turned to the two ‘Good Samaritan’s’ being offered a wish as their reward.
“So about those wishes? This is Christmas eve and we Angels are quite busy. I’m hoping you will make them quickly.”
Spike scoffed to himself,’Just bet you are you Berk. More likely to wish something stupid that way. Wash your hands of the whole sordid business of having to reward a vampire.’
Tara brightened immediately. “I know what I want.”
Micah nodded in encouragement. He had no trepidation in granting a wish to a soul as sweet as the girl standing before him. No chance of mischief from her.
“Go on.”
“My girlfriend,” Tara colored brightly. Part of her wondered idly if it was proper to remind this emissary of the Almighty about her sexual orientation. According to many religions she was outside the pale at best and condemned at the worst.
She ventured a glance at the two Angels but saw no condemnation at all, in fact Hadraniel was smiling widely. “Ah yes the misguided young Willow Rosenberg.”
Well that answered that. Evidently that was another thing lots of religions got wrong too. She shouldn’t be surprised since those same religions also purported to hold love as the highest moral imperative. No one could love anyone more than Tara did Willow for all their current estrangement!
She cleared her throat and spoke from the heart. “Willow’s made some mistakes. She’s also really insecure and now she’s paying the price for both. I miss the girl I fell in love with, the way she was before she got all caught up in magic and power. I wish that Willow would be put on the right path. That she stop thinking of quick fixes or making other people be what she wants them to be just so she can feel secure.”
Micah nodded sagely. “A good wish! Much bad can be avoided in the granting of it. We might even find a way to ensure that in the granting we can cancel the Karmic debt owed by Willow.” He looked speculatively at Tara and she would have sworn he saw a flash of pity cross his face. “Granted!”
The Angel closed his eyes, sighed, then turned to face Spike. He only hoped he would be able to twist whatever thing the vampire wished into something that wouldn’t release mayhem or tragedy. “Now for your wish, vampire.”
Spike clenched his jaw and jutted it out in defiance. ‘Bout time the Wankers upstairs did something right,’ he thought. “Buffy…,” he began.
Tara looked at Spike in alarm then put a sympathetic but firm hand on Spike’s arm. “It wouldn’t be real, Spike,” she reminded him. “You don’t want it like that.”
Spike appeared to be oblivious to both the girl and what she was saying. He continued his locked gaze with the Angel who was bound to grant the most important wish Spike had ever made.
“Buffy Summers, the Chosen Slayer’s back from a too short vacation in heaven but I don’t think I need to tell you lot that.” Both Angels nodded. “She’s lost and miserable. Got responsibilities no normal adult could handle even if she didn’t also have to save the whole bloody ungrateful world on a regular basis. Got a kid sister to raise and her not that much older herself. Got debts that would choke a middle aged human too. Her Watcher abandoned her to the likes of me. She’s workin’ herself into a right deep pit and I can’t seem to help her no matter how I try. Don’t have a clue how best to help and everything I do just seems to muck it up more.”
He narrowed his eyes in challenge. “Fix it!, Fix her. That’s my wish, that Buffy Summers can finally be happy no matter what it takes to make it happen.” Spike took a deep breath. “Might mean you have to bring the Great Poof back, anchor that cursed soul of his and make him do right by her for a change. Maybe it might mean bringin’ the Farm Boy back to her side all normal and human-like. Hell, I don’t care if it takes dustin’ yours truly long as it does the trick just do it. Just help her. She’s owed that in her own right.”
Spike’s voice was shaking with emotion as he made his case.
Micah looked gobsmacked while Hadraniel just shot his friend another, ‘I told you so’ look loud enough to almost be heard audibly.
Tara ducked her head and shook it at herself and her lack of belief in how much Spike loved Buffy and just how selfless he could be when acting out of love. “I am SO sorry, Spike! I automatically assumed … I should have known better. I hope you can forgive my lack of faith in your true nature.”
Spike looked at the girl in surprise and ducked his head. If vampires could blush he would be crimson under Tara’s regard. “‘S okay, Ducks. Vampire here. Breed not well known for altruism.” He smiled at Tara and lightly touched her hand that had found itself on his arm again. “Hangin’ around you lot must have rubbed off some.”
Tara smiled with genuine affection. It was true that Spike had been right at their side ever since the whole battle against Glory. She should have known better than to let prejudice color her expectations of this unique vampire.
“Never want her love if it’s not really her free will choice. Too much in Buffy’s life taken out of her hands already.” Spike looked sheepish yet resigned. “‘Sides, like you said. It wouldn’t be real if it came from a wish. I know there’s not much chance of her ever lovin’ the likes of me but bein’ loved back isn’t the point is it?”
Micah had been following every word spoken by the surprising vampire and saw the depths of sincerity. “Granted!”