“Thanks,” Willow cried as Xander leaned on her.  “We’ll tell Buffy and Spike you said goodbye.”

“Thank you,” True replied.  “And I’ll tell Faith you said hello.” 

“In prison?” Willow asked a little surprised.

“Oh yes,” True answered.  Without another word, the god disappeared.

“Did you hear that?” Xander said amazed.  “Not even a poof or bam or anything.  He just disappeared.  No special effects.”

Willow and Giles exchanged glances, but nothing could change their mood.  They were happy.  Their team was together…their family was together.  Bigger  and better.  Willow, Xander and Giles, the original scoobies, hugged and cried.  They sat downstairs and chatted happily for the first time in over a year.

*****  

Joy lay between Buffy and Spike.  Just fed, she was sound asleep.  Spike held her little hand in his finger and kissed it. 

“She’s so beautiful,” Buffy said smiling so much her cheeks hurt.

“Just like her mother,” Spike said leaning over Joy to kiss her mother.

“I’m so happy,” Buffy kissed Spike back then kissed her daughter.  “are you sure we won’t crush her?  We really need to get a crib.”

“We won’t crush her.  I won’t be able to sleep all night…or morning.  I think I’m gonna stay up all night starring at her…and you,” Spike replied leaning over for another kiss.  “And I’m sure Dawn’s dragged someone to go buy stuff for the baby already.”

“Anya,” Buffy said looking at Joy.  “I bet Dawn lured her in with the promises of ‘purchases’.”

“Yeah,” Spike sighed. “I know I’m supposed to be good and all that, but do I still get to kill things?”

“Sure,” Buffy said rolling her eyes and smiling.  “Bad things like vampires, demons, giant snakes, evil gods…you know, the usual.”

They both stared at Joy with giddy, silly expressions of their face.  Buffy looked up and watched Spike; she had to smile.  He looked so sweet and proud, she had to set the record straight once and for all.  “Spike,” she said softly.

“Yeah?” he said not looking up.  She moved his chin and he looked up and her questioningly. 

“Do you know how much I’m in love with you, cause if you didn’t I just wanted to tell you,” Buffy said with tears filling her eyes.  “I’m so in love with you.”

Spike not only heard it; he felt it inside of him.  “I love you,” he replied tears falling from his eyes.  “I love you and Joy more than myself, more than anything.  Never forget that.”  Buffy leaned in and they kissed.  Buffy cuddled Joy on one side while Spike cuddled their daughter on the other.  They held hands intertwining their fingers.  “This is like a dream,” Spike said softly.

“Were just not used to being so happy,” Buffy replied.

“Get used to it,” Spike said leaning over kissing her one more time.  “We won’t be able to help it with this little one around.”

Buffy smiled and had to admit, “Ain’t that The Truth.”

THE END