OLDFIC: What's in a Name?

I also remember a B/W piece by Tony McD, where, a few years into the future, the girls look into artificial insemenation. Kind of a bittersweet ending, as I recall. Hey, Tony, any chance of reposting that one? Kirayoshi

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Here you go mate :)

Tony McD

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Title: What?s in a Name? (1/1)
Author: Tony McD
Disclaimer: Joss and the Mutant Enemy own the characters. I borrow them without permission for fun not profit.
Rating: PG
Distribution: Anywhere, just let me know.
Spoilers: N/A. Set in my own happy world.
Summary: Buffy and Willow decide to have a child through IVF.

Author?s note: This was my very first Buffy fanfic.

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It was a sight to behold. The sun shining through her hair, the wind playing gently with her blond locks, her smile radiating warmth and love. Willow looked at her lover as they enjoyed the picnic by the lake and for the millionth time she thanked the Powers That Be for bringing them together.

Willow loved her with all her being. They shared the love only known by those who have found their soul mate. Willow would do anything, go anywhere for Buffy. She would even die to protect her. All these feelings were mirrored by Buffy for Willow, she could see. They shared something special and Willow wanted them to share something even more.

?Buff, I want to ask you something very important.? Willow announced to her lover. Buffy sat up at the tone of Willow?s voice. <whoa! Will?s got that serious look on her face>

?What is it?? Buffy asked.

?I... I... I want us to have a child. Together.?

?Um, Will. Unless I was sleeping through biology when they taught human reproduction, I?m fairly sure that two females can?t make children without some form guy being around.? Buffy joked to Willow.

?Buffy, I?m dead serious. I want to use artificial insemination to have your baby.? Willow insisted.

?But who are you going to get the sperm from?? Buffy asked, her mind spinning.

?We can get an anonymous donor from the clinic. I?ve checked it all out and we can do it. Please Buffy, I want to have a baby we can call our own child.? Willow implored.

Buffy sat for a minute thinking. They could afford the treatment and bringing up the child. Willow?s Internet company, wickedwicca, had exploded onto the web and meant that money was not a problem.

?I need to think it through Will. It?s not something that I can decide on straight away.?

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18 months later.

Willow shifted to try to ease the pain in her back as she and Buffy sat going through names for their unborn son. Willow?s slender figure was distorted by the life growing inside her. Initially they hadn?t wanted to know the sex of their baby until it was born but curiosity became too much.

The ultra sound picture showed a healthy baby boy waiting for the day three months hence when he would make his appearance to the world. Sighing, Buffy tossed the book of baby names on the coffee table and flopped her head down on the arm of the sofa.

?How do people name their children? I mean there are thousands of names to choose. What if the name you give your kid totally doesn?t fit them. I don?t want to give our kid a crap name but I can?t decide which names I like.?

?I don?t know Buff and it?s going to have to wait. I have my check up with Dr. Freeman, remember?? Willow said as she struggled to get out of her chair. With another sigh Buffy got up.

?Why?d I get stuck with naming the baby?? Buffy complained to herself.

?Tell ya what Buff, we?ll swap. I?ll name the baby and you put up with the swollen feet, back pains, and the hell of 14 hours in labour.?

?I take it back.?

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?I?m here for an appointment with Dr. Freeman.? Willow informed the receptionist at the front desk.

?Oh, yes. Dr. Freeman is waiting for you Ms Rosenberg-Summers.? Sara, the receptionist said. Willow entered the doctor?s office while Buffy talked to Sara.

?Dr. Freeman is incredible.? Buffy told her. ?I mean he did the procedure to implant Willow and he?s doing regular checks and even wants to be the delivering physician. Is he this committed to all his patients?? Buffy wondered. The Sara smiled.

?He takes great interest in all his patients. He even sends birthday cards to the children he?s delivered. He just loves children and he?s so good with them. I guess that he likes to see the life he helps create.? she revealed. Smiling Buffy sat down in the waiting area.

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Willow emerged half an hour later with Dr. Freeman. ?Everything?s going fine Willow but remember what I said about looking after yourself. No running around doing silly things.? Dr. Freeman told her with a cheeky grin. He knew fully that Buffy ensured Willow did absolutely nothing. Buffy was the most doting partner he had ever seen.

?Don?t worry Doc. Buffy will take me home and wrap me up in cotton wool.? Willow assured with a smile as Buffy came up to her and hugged her.

?You better believe it.? Buffy told them.

?OK I want to check up on you in two weeks. When Sara gets back you can book a time with her. And remember you have my number if you need anything at anytime.? he informed them.

?Doc, you?re the greatest.? Buffy told the doctor.

?I do my best.? he allowed, then placed Willow?s file on the desk and departed. Buffy kissed Willow.

?You go to the car and I?ll make the appointment for you, OK?? Buffy suggested.

?Cool, I?ll meet you in the car.? Willow replied as she left.

While Buffy waited for Sara to show she looked at Willow?s file sitting on the desk. Looking around to see if there was anyone else around Buffy opened up the file and flicked through it.

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Later, back at their house, Buffy was in the study crying. In her hand she held a picture taken back in high school. It was the original Scooby gang. Giles, Willow, Buffy and Xander all in the library. Buffy could remember how Willow set up the camera timer for too long.

Everyone had thought that it was broken and Xander made that comment that made everyonelaugh. It was that moment, all of them laughing, that the camera caught. On the table was another photo taken a year ago by her Mom. It was the Scooby Gang. Minus one.

Xander.

Buffy could still remember Xander straining to hold up the supports in the cave roof, yelling at Giles to get the nearly crippled slayer out of the cave before it collapsed. She remembered Giles looking helplessly as the cave behind them collapsed. She remembered the tears at Xander?s funeral. She remembered that in this, their darkest time, she and Willow had found each other.

Xander had given his life for Giles, Buffy and Willow. It was Xander, Buffy was sure, that the Bible was talking about when it said ?have no man a greater love than one who lays his life down for another?.

Now, as she wept, she knew how she would name their child. She would name the child after a true hero and best friend. She would name their child after his father.

Willow Rosenberg-Summers
implanted with Donation Number: 30467
Donor: Alexander LeVelle Harris (deceased)