Buffy walked tiredly down the dark hallway. She had just come back from a late night patrol. After stopping by Giles, she went straight home. All she wanted now was crawl into bed and sleep. She stepped into the guest room and dropped her gun bag on the floor, too lazy to put it all away now. She went into the bedroom and stood still at what she saw in front of her. The two most important people in her life lay asleep on the bed. It was the most adorable sight she had ever seen. It was these little things that filled her heart with joy. Her baby was sleeping on his father's chest. Angel's large hand supported the baby's head. Buffy smiled and turned off the light. The room was dark now. She slipped out of her black hunter's outfit and into her cotton pajamas. She walked over to the bed and carefully lifted the baby from Angel's arms, taking care not to wake either of them. Angel stirred, however, and opened his eyes.

"Buffy?" he muttered sleepily.

"It's me, honey. I'll put Evan in his bed," she whispered. "Go back to sleep."

"Mmmm hmm" he managed before falling asleep again.

Buffy came back shortly afterwards. She pulled the covers back from her side of the bed and crawled between them. The cool sheets felt nice against her skin; she snuggled up against the body next to her. Angel's arms cupped her and pulled her close. She gently touched his lips with hers, whispered "Goodnight" and fell into an exhausted sleep.

***

A few hours later, the couple was awakened to a child crying. Angel started to get up, but Buffy stopped him.

"I'm going," she said, a little dazed. "He may be hungry and then I have to feed him."

She rubbed her eyes and made her way to Evan's room. Leaning over the cot, she stretched out her arms toward the wailing child.

"Shhh, I'm here, dear," she said softly, hoping to calm the baby down. She put it on her shoulder and turned to the antique rocking chair. Buffy gasped when she saw a woman standing in the room with her.

The soft glow of the night light lit the woman's face. She stood very still, her eyes fixed on the baby in Buffy's arms. Buffy held Evan tight, her eyes wandering the room as she soothed the baby. Where did she come from? She was middle-aged, with pale skin and dark hair. She was wearing an old-fashioned dress. A ghost? The thought crossed Buffy's mind and she took a step back in fear.

"Who are you?" the Slayer asked gently. "What do you want?"

The woman didn't answer. Her face remained unchanged. She just kept staring at the now calm child. She posed no threat as she slowly reached out her hand and walked towards mother and child.***

Buffy started in bed, eyes wide open. She was trembling and her heart was racing.

A dream.

Two strong arms found their way around her waist.

"Buffy" She heard Angel's soothing voice in her ear as he pulled her close.

She was grateful for his presence and leaned against him.

"Oh, it was a dream" She sighed and rested her head on the curve of his neck.

"The baby ..." She felt fear in her heart and pulled away from Angel. "I have to check on him."

"He didn't make a sound, dear" But Angel knew his words wouldn't calm her much. He saw her leave the room and come back a minute later.

"He's fine," she said to him. She sounded relieved and then took the seat next to him again.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” He took her hand in his and kissed it gently. "Was it the same?"

"The same one," she replied softly. "She's getting closer and closer to us, Angel"

Buffy had had dreams about this woman for a while now. They were coming more often lately and she was wondering if they were predictions.

"What if they come true, Angel? What if she wants to hurt Evan? I know I said she looks harmless, but she scares me. Because she just stares like that."

"I'm sure it's only dreams, Buffy. Nothing is going to happen to our baby," he assured her.

"But-"

"Shhh. Try to get some more sleep."

She sighed knowing that there was little she could do in the night.

"Oh, but we'll talk to Giles tomorrow."

***

Joyce was reading a book in her daughter's living room. She looked up when she heard footsteps approaching.

"Hello sweetheart, you're back early. How was the patrol?"

Buffy groaned. "It was a bankruptcy. No vamps. That's why we're back early." She hopped next to her mother.

"Where's Angel?"

"He's just putting things away. Evan-"

"He's sleeping. He was a perfect little angel today," she informed Joyce.

"Thanks for looking after him."

"You don't have to mention that, Buffy. You know I always enjoy hanging out with my grandson. If you need me, just ask."

Buffy kissed her mother on the cheek. "You are the greatest."

"I know" Joyce grinned back. Then she got serious. "Did you have that dream again?"

Buffy frowned. "Not since that other night. Giles hasn't found anything either. But it's not like he's not very busy. Angel always says I shouldn't worry, but I know he's just saying so I feel better. I know he's worried too. "

"I'm sorry. I'm sure Giles will find something soon, or better yet, the dreams will soon stop."

"I hope so."

"What do you hope?" Angel asked when he entered the room. "Hi Joyce," he greeted as he put his long coat on a nearby chair."That my dreams stop," she explained.

"Oh," he said and came over to her, cupped her face and kissed her on the temple.

"I told you everything would be fine. We'll be fine with it."

Joyce looked lovingly at the couple. Had she really tried to take all of this away from Buffy? She hadn't understood them then. Didn't understand how deep their love was. Now couldn't be more grateful that Buffy had Angel by her side. And she wouldn't trade her grandson for anything in the world.

"I should go now," she said and got up.

"Thanks for staying with Evan, Joyce," Angel said to her.

"At any time."

"I'll take you outside."

"You don't have to, Angel."

"Mom, it's dark and-"

"I'm going straight to my car. And I always have a cross and holy water in my pocket. I'm fine."

She kissed her daughter goodbye and hugged Angel.

"Kiss Evan for me. Good night."

She left, leaving Buffy and Angel alone. He wrapped his arms around her and looked into her beautiful nut-brown eyes.

"Why don't we go see our little miracle and then you let me distract you from these things for the rest of the night."

She smiled at his suggestion. "And what do you have in mind?"

"Oh, this ..." His lips covered hers in a sweet kiss.

"Is that all?" she teased. Her fingers played with the collar of his shirt.

Angel turned his head to the side and chuckled, "And a little bit of it ..." His mouth followed her throat to the nape of her neck. He kissed her shoulder while his hands slipped under her top and caressed her back.

When the baby was safely in bed a few minutes later, the two lovers staggered down the hall to their bedroom. They did not notice the figure appearing at the door of Evan's room. The woman moved quietly inside.

Angel woke up when he realized she was no longer there. Buffy had fallen asleep snuggled up against him and her head on his chest. The bed was empty now and he could hear shuffling around. Angel could just see her before she left the room. The house was quiet and the baby hadn't made a sound all night. He quickly got out of bed, put on a few clothes, and followed her down the hall.

"Buffy," he called softly.

She jumped at the sound of his voice and pulled her dressing gown closer around her body.

"What do you do?" he asked her.

"I had a bad feeling and then I thought I heard ..." she broke off when they reached her son's room.

Angel saw her nervousness and ran to her.

Both froze when they saw the woman. She held the baby in her arms and rocked it gently in the antique chair.

Her face was hidden in shadow, but you could hear her voice.She hummed a sweet lullaby Angel recognized.

Aware of her presence, the woman slowly stood up. She turned and made it possible for the light to show her face in front of both of them.

Angel gasped loudly. Buffy glanced at him and saw the look of shock on his face.

"Angel" Buffy saw the pain and fear on his face too.

Angel shook his head in disbelief.

"No ... how?"

His mind wandered to one Christmas a few years ago when he had been haunted by visions of his past.

"Don't be afraid" The woman's voice was anything but threatening.

Buffy wasn't sure whether to approach her and Angel's reaction frightened her even more.

"Come on" the woman held out her free hand invitingly.

Angel walked slowly but surely towards her. An inner feeling told him that this had nothing to do with the evil.

"Angel," Buffy hissed. What was he doing there?

His big hand found the woman's smaller hand and clutched it tightly. He lifted it to his cheek and leaned into the feeling.

Buffy carefully stood next to him. The woman turned to her and motioned for her to take the baby.

"He's beautiful," she said to them. Buffy took Evan into the safety of her arms with relief.

Angel was still holding the woman's hand and Buffy was surprised that Angel had tears in his eyes. The woman now embraced his face.

"My dear, I never meant to worry you and Buffy. I just wanted to see the baby. I wanted to let you guys know I was coming."

He became aware of "Buffy's dreams".

"I wanted to have come to you, but you weren't ready yet"

"I'm so sorry" His voice cracked at the words and he lowered his eyes. He remembered the blood, the fear, and the desperate pleading ...

"No ..." she lifted his face so that he could look into her dark eyes.

"My dear Liam, it wasn't you"

"But before that, I-"

"Shh. It was all taken for a long time." She smiled sadly at him. "I'm so proud of you. Of the man you've become. The