Title: Yule Traditions, Past and Future (11/11)
Author: Gileswench

(notes and disclaimer with part one)

Christmas Eve, 2010

Two small children sat beneath the brightly decorated tree. The little girl picked up boxes with her name on them and shook gently, trying to determine by feel what was inside. The boy grabbed anything within reach and manhandled it with abandon. He began to peel back the paper on one.

"Katie!" Buffy called. "Please get your brother out of the presents. He can't have them till tomorrow."

"I've got him," Giles said. "Now, Simon, we've talked about this. You can't open the gifts until everyone has had breakfast tomorrow. Remember?"

He swooped down and lifted his son away from the tree.

"Why do we have to wait, Mummy?" Katie asked.

"Because these are Christmas presents, and not Christmas Eve presents," Buffy explained patiently. "You wouldn't open your birthday presents when it's not your birthday, would you?"

"I would," Dawn said cheerfully.

"But you're a well-known bad influence. Don't give my kids ideas. They have enough of their own."

Buffy resettled herself in her chair and grimaced.

"Are you alright?" Giles asked. "Do you need anything?"

"Just a chastity belt to wear from about February to April next year," she said running a hand over her swollen abdomen. "All the birthdays in this family hit right during the holidays. Next year for Christmas, I want a waistline."

"That would be great," Dawn teased, "'cause you're so cranky the last couple months every time you have a baby."

"You try spending six months with someone sitting on your bladder and tell me about cranky, little sister."

"She does have a point, though," Giles said. "You do get cranky."

"And whose fault is that? It's not like I get this way all by myself, you know."

"How do you have babies, Mummy?" Katie piped up.

The parents grimaced at each other across the room.

"Katie, would you like to go to the station with me?" Giles asked, hoping the distraction would work. "Uncle Xander and Aunt Debbie and Summer are coming."

"Okay," she said. "And you can tell me about babies on the way."

"What if I told you a nice story about a princess instead?"

"Princesses are silly, Daddy. But you can tell me about horses."

Buffy laughed as her husband and firstborn headed out the door.

"It's hard to believe she's five sometimes. She's growing up so fast."

Dawn scooped up Simon and sat next to her sister.

"Well, with a father like Giles, you have to expect your kids to be smart," she said. "Now with Tim...well, he's a great guy, but I don't think he's the smartest ever or anything. We could be talking non-intelligent offspring."

"Is it that serious? Wedding and kids serious?"

"It...could be. I know we've only known each other a few months, but he's...he's sweet. And he makes me all tingly."

"Tingles are a good sign. Besides, your IQ should improve the odds of baby geniuses in the family. Dumb is something you aren't. Look, I can't tell you if Tim is the one for you. All I can say is, if he is...then don't waste a lot of time worrying about what could go wrong. Grab him and be happy. It's worth it."

"Okay, but I think I might do a little less grabbing than you've done," Dawn said. "Three kids plus a step might be more than I really want to cope with. Do you ever let Giles sleep through the night?"

"Sometimes. But then the tingles start...and I just can't help myself."

The women giggled together. They looked up when there was a knock at the door.

"You want to get that, Dawn? I just found a comfortable spot at long last."

"Motherhood has made you bossier than ever, you know."

"That's because I get so much more practice. Door. Answer. Now."

"Come on, Simon. Let's see who's at the door."

Dawn rearranged the little boy in her arms and did as she was told.

"Willow!" she cried. "It's so good to see you!"

"Hey, Dawnie. Tell me that isn't yours," she said, indicating the toddler.

"No, this is Buffy's. He's Simon. Katie's with Giles picking up Xander and his entourage at the station."

"Hi Simon," Willow cooed. "Gosh, the last time I saw him he was just an itty baby."

"Don't worry, Will," Buffy called from her chair. "According to the doctor, the next itty baby should be here in a week or so. I'm actually hoping sooner at this point."

Willow came over to the chair and hugged her friend.

"I thought you and Giles were gonna stop after last time."

"We were. Fate decided not to let us. But, we're still happy. After all those years of dealing death everywhere we went, it's kind of nice to make a whole lot of life to make up for it. Besides, you took yourself out of the gene pool. We feel a need to compensate."

"Just don't overcompensate, okay?" Willow laughed. "How are you feeling?"

"Gassy, thanks." She watched her friend place packages under the tree. "Oooh, goodie! More presents!" To the practiced ear, her voice sounded strained. "I can't wait."

Willow turned a sharp eye to Buffy when she started squirming uncomfortably.

"Um...Buffy? Are you sure you're okay? You don't look so hot."

"Actually...Will, did you drive here?"

"No. I...sorta...*poofed*. I know I shouldn't have, but all the flights were booked and I wanted to be here in time."

"Great. Rupert just took the car and I think I need to go to the hospital."

"Buffy, what's wrong?" Dawn asked anxiously.

"What do you think? I'm going into labor."

Willow and Dawn hurried to Buffy's side.

"It's okay," Willow said, trying to stay calm. "Babies take a long time, right?"

"With Simon, we left for the hospital on the second labor pain and barely got there in time," Buffy panted. "My doctor says I'm more like shelling peas than birthing babies."

"She was only in labor for three hours with Katie," Dawn confirmed. "And Simon took even less time."

"Must be a Slayer thing," Willow surmised. "When Rona had her baby last year, she only took about four hours. My mom said I took almost two days to come out."

"So what do we do?" Dawn asked. "Should I boil water and stuff?"

"Will, how much do you remember about medical stuff?" Buffy wheezed. "Did you ever read up on delivering babies?"

"Once, a long time ago. Oz. Back when I was thinking I might, y'know, have kids someday."

"Couldn't you poof us to the hospital?" Dawn suggested.

"Takes too much power," Willow said with a shake of her head. "And I just poofed. Buffy, are you sure you're in labor, and it's not just gas or something?"

Buffy lurched out of the chair, grimacing in disgust.

"Considering the fact that my waters just broke, I'd say this is the real deal. Besides, I've done this before. I know what labor feels like. Dawn, you keep an eye on Simon and watch for Rupert. Will, looks like you're going to have to remember how to deliver a baby pronto, 'cause we don't have time for anything else. Let's go to the bedroom."

*****

Giles strode along the platform with Katie riding on his broad shoulders.

"Hurry, Daddy," she cried. "I see Uncle Xander!"

"Hey, Giles!" came a cheery call from several feet away. "Look, Summer, it's Uncle Giles!"

"Xander! Debbie! It's good to see you. And Summer, how you've grown!" Giles took his daughter down from his shoulders so she could greet the other little girl.

They were a study in contrast. Katie Giles had long, soft blonde curls and her mother's heart-shaped face and soulful green eyes, while Summer Harris was stockier with short, straight dark hair and brown eyes that glinted with dangerous mirth. She reminded Giles of what Xander must have been like as a small child. The two little girls immediately fell to chattering and comparing winter coats.

"Buffy didn't come to the station?" Debbie asked, craning her neck for a view down the platform.

"No, she prefers not to move around too much at this stage. I hope you don't mind if we wait for Olivia and Dominic to get here. They should be on the next train."

"I still can't believe it. Who would ever have thought that Buffy and Olivia would get to be buddies? Then again, six years ago I wouldn't have believed that you and the Buffster would be having kids faster than a speeding bullet, either. Do you guys ever sleep?"

"Not very often, between late night feedings, imaginary monsters under the beds, Katie's endless need for drinks of water, and Buffy checking that they're still breathing at three in the morning."

"Isn't Simon a little old for late night feedings?" Debbie teased. "He's, what? Three now?"

"Next week. I can't believe how big he's got. But there's about to be another infant, so the cycle begins again."

"Yeah...listen...it's gonna be okay this time, right?" Xander asked. "I mean...she's okay? Really okay?"

"Buffy's fine," Giles assured him. "The doctor doesn't expect any complications, this time." A shadow crossed his face. "It was...it was a blow, but it shouldn't happen again. All the tests indicate that this baby will be perfectly healthy. And Buffy hasn't fought at all through this pregnancy. We've had a Slayer staying in town. Kimiko. She comes by and gives us updates on the local demon activity every week."

"Good," Debbie said. "We were so sorry.

"Yes...well...one carries on."

"Rough, man," Xander said sympathetically. "But you and Buffy are both pretty tough. And Buffy, the next generation over there," he nodded at Katie, "has to be a handful."

"So is her little brother," Giles smiled. "And we're reliably informed that this baby is going to be another boy."

"One kid was plenty for us," Debbie said, "but I have to admit, I miss that new baby smell. There's nothing like it."

Xander and Giles smiled and shook their heads at the strangeness of the women they'd married.

*****

"Okay, Buffy, you've gotta keep breathing," Willow said. "Nice and steady, okay?"

"Will, it's gonna be fine," Buffy managed between gasps. "I've done this before. You're mainly here to catch...and cut the cord."

Willow's face filled with panic.

"Cut...? You didn't say anything about cutting stuff. I - I don't have anything clean enough. It's gotta be sterile."

"Then go tell Dawn to boil water. It's what she wants to do, anyway. We've got plenty of knives to choose from. Just don't use the big carving one."

"'Cause the blade's too long?"

"Because I'm gonna use it to carve the goose tomorrow night."

*****

"Liv!" Giles called. "Over here!"

Olivia took her bags and herded her son over to the crowd waiting for them.

"Ripper!" She said as she kissed him on the cheek. "You're looking well. Did Buffy come with you?"

"She stayed at the house with Simon. Her sister's with us, too."

"I look forward to seeing Dawn again. Dominic, you haven't said a word to your father yet."

"Hello, Dad."

"It's good to see you, son. How are you doing in school?"

The boy shrugged and smiled shyly.

"Top of his class, and ridiculously bashful about it," Olivia said with a mixture of pride and exasperation. "And he's the star of the rugby team."

"That sounds like a Giles," Xander laughed.

The group gathered together and headed for Giles' Range Rover, laughing and sharing holiday cheer.

*****

Buffy grunted and strained through another push. Willow kept up an encouraging monologue while watching the progress of her friend's labor.

"The baby's almost here. I can see the head now."

"I could have told you that, Will." Buffy gritted her teeth against another cry.

"It's okay, Buff. Let it out. Screaming's good."

"Not with Simon in the next room. He shouldn't hear me scream."

He's okay. Dawn took him out to the barn to keep him out of the way."

Buffy let loose a yell that tore through the house, finally giving voice to all the pain of the last two hours.

"Woah, Buff! I can see why you didn't want Simon to hear that."

"My God, what was that?"

Buffy and Willow locked eyes.

"That sounded like Olivia," Willow said at last.

"Oh great. Everyone's here." Buffy felt another spasm rip through her. "Including the baby. Will, I need you now. This is it."

She bore down, yelling in pain and determination. Without being aware of it, she grasped for Giles' hand. Miraculously, it was there.

"Holy moly!" Xander yelped from the doorway.

"Shut up, Xander," Willow ordered. "You've seen a woman in labor before."

"Yeah, but it wasn't Buffy."

"Just keep the kids out until I'm decent," Buffy panted.

"You're doing fine," Giles soothed her. "I'm here, Buffy."

She pushed again.

"It's here!" Willow crowed. "It's here!"

"Is he okay?" Buffy asked anxiously. "Will, is he alright?"

A thin wail pierced the air. Giles leaned his forehead against his wife's shoulder in relief.

"Yes, I rather think he is," he said.

"Ummm, except for one thing," Willow said. "Which is that he's...kinda a she."

"What?" Buffy asked. "The doc said to paint the nursery blue."

"Well, the doc was wrong. Happens sometimes. Take it from me, you've got a little girl here." She cut the umbilical cord, wrapped the newborn in a blanket and handed her over to her parents. "So...what will you call her?"

Buffy looked up at Giles in puzzlement.

"I guess Rupert, Jr.'s out now, huh?"

"Yes, I suppose so," Giles giggled. "Unless we want her to be humiliated at school and never get a date."

"That actually has possibilities. In fact, I think that's how my parents chose my name."

Dawn appeared in the doorway.

"Hey," she said. "Xander said everything's okay. Can I let the kids in to meet the new arrival?"

Willow adjusted a blanket around Buffy.

"Yeah. Bring 'em in to meet their new sister," she said.

Dominic and Katie rushed to Buffy's bedside. Dawn followed, holding Simon's hand. Xander, Debbie, and Olivia stood further back, craning to get a good look at the baby.

"Hey guys," Buffy said as she pulled the blanket back from the tiny, red face of the newborn. "Here she is. What do you think?"

"She looks like Winston Churchill," Dominic decided. "I saw a picture of him in one of my schoolbooks."

"Son, all new babies look like Churchill," Giles laughed. "She'll improve in a day or two."

"What's her name?" Katie demanded.

"Alexa Rose," Buffy said firmly.

"Alexa Rose," Giles repeated. "Yes, that's quite pretty. That'll do, I think."

"How'd you come up with that one, Buffy?" Willow asked.

"After the two best friends anyone could ever have," Buffy said.

Willow looked confused.

"Not getting it. I think I need the notes for this one."

"Alexa is for Xander, 'cause she came early and just when all our houseguests showed up, and she wasn't even supposed to be a girl at all. Nobody does the inappropriate like Xander. Alexander, Alexa...it sounded good, and like Xander."

"Okay, I see that now, but where's the Rose from?"

"Willow *Rosenberg* ring any bells?"

"Aw, Buffy...really? After me?"

"Really after you."

Willow's smile lit the entire room.

"I never had anyone name a baby after me before," she said.

"Me neither," Xander said with a suspicious quaver to his voice.

"Well you have now," Giles said. "Of course, Aunt Min will haunt us, now that we've had a second girl and failed to use her name. She was terribly disappointed when we didn't name Katie after her."

"Great. Just what we need. Our very own ghost."

"Though, come to think of it, her middle name was Rosamund. We can tell her she's got a share in Alexa's name, after all."

"I think perhaps we'd best all go away and let Buffy rest now," Olivia suggested.

The crowd left the room slowly. Xander draped an arm around his wife, and one around Willow.

"I gotta say, one thing never changes: nobody knows how to throw an exciting party like the Buffster!" he exclaimed.

Giles looked down at his wife and new daughter with a warm smile on his lips. He kissed first Buffy, then Alexa softly.

"He's right, you know," he said. "I've scarcely had a dull moment in my life since the day you walked into it."

"Yeah, but I could say the same thing about you, y'know," she agreed sleepily.

"Yes, I suppose so." He caressed her cheek gently. "Why don't you rest now?"

"You'll take care of everyone?"

"Everyone here is family. They'll be fine on their own. Go to sleep, dearest."

"But I haven't talked to Xander or Olivia at all yet."

"They'll be here when you wake," Giles assured her. "Rest now. Watcher's orders."

"And you're the World's Best Watcher," she teased.

Giles smiled remembering the tacky statue she had given him so long ago. One day he might admit he still had it, tucked away in the back of his closet.

"And you're the World's Greatest Slayer...a wonderful wife, and an amazing mother. Sleep now."

"Okay. Just for a little while," she slurred.

He watcher her drift off to sleep, still cradling the infant in her arms.

"And you still give me the best Christmas presents," he whispered in her ear. "I do love you, Buffy."

With a final kiss to her temple, he left the room. After all, he had a family to share his holiday with. He didn't want to miss a moment of the day.

THE END

____________________________
Joann's Christmas Challenge, 2003

I know there are lots of stories out there where the Scoobies exchange heartfelt gifts, and Buffy and Giles fall in love, etc., etc. All well and good, (and some very good!) but what I'd like someone to address is the fact that, at least as far as canon goes, Giles doesn't ever seem to be part of the various celebrations. I seem to remember one ep early on where there's one of those traditional tacky stockings with the glitter name Mr. Giles or Giles hanging in the library, so obviously the man thinks about Christmas, and maybe even celebrates it in his own way. What do some of you think? Would he be lonely and maudlin, and get drunk because he's alone? Or would he phone home to talk with his family? Maybe he volunteers to work in a soup kitchen?

Anyway, the parameters I'd like to see are these:
1) I'd prefer the story be set early in the series. Season two would be a favorite, though I would accept anything from any time, even future AU fic set after the last ep.
2) If you could stay mostly true to canon, again that would be good, though hints of possible BG involvement are not discouraged.
3) Doesn't have to include steamy sex, but that would be okay, too.
4) I want Buffy to think about the fact that Giles is alone, and to decide its not a good way to celebrate the holiday.
5) A discussion of different English/American differences in holiday traditions is great. The traditions don't have to be completely cultural, they can be individual family traditions, too.
6) Giles has to confide in Buffy about his very favorite Christmas as a child. Mentioning toys he received is a plus.
7) Bonus points for working in things like
Marbles // A pet bunny (please!), puppy, or kitten // Giles sneaking eggnog and not knowing it was laced with rum // A favorite ornament on the tree // Some distinctive Gilesean relations (goofy cousins, doting aunts and the like) // A tender, possibly romantic moment between Giles and Buffy, or Giles and one of the other Scoobies // Giles and someone female under the mistletoe. This doesn't have to happen at his place. It could be at the Summers' home, too. // Giles baking cookies // Giles depressed and lamenting about spending another holiday on his own away from home // Buffy discovering the Giles family photo album and laughing at Giles baby pictures, but being impressed with teen Giles being dangerously cute