I want to say that this story has been a great read! You dont see many buffy writers anymore but you did a wonderful job! Thank you so much for your time and effort and I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories. I've already read ch3 of the surrogate. Again thank you so much!

...And they lived happily ever after. :)

Now that was a satisfying ending to a truly epic story. I love the way you wrapped everything up, especially the way you showed that the Scoobies are a family. The little slice of life moments were awesome, especially early in the chapter when we got to see Buffy and Xander being parents to CJ. They both felt like naturals. I was particularly impressed with Xander's skill at changing a diaper and the fact that he didn't flinch when called upon to do so. I also love that Buffy wasn't fazed by getting puked on by CJ. And seeing Buffy and Xander work as a team, both as parents and as a couple was great. It's almost hard to believe that at one point in this story, Xander was pissed at Buffy to the point where their friendship was basically over, and now they're in love and have a child and are expecting another child and getting married. Didn't mean to jump ahead, but I'm glad we got to see Xander's marriage proposal to Buffy and her revealing to Xander that she's pregnant again. I thought Xander's proposal was very clever. I had no clue what was going on at first, but I had an inkling that his graduation present to Buffy was going to be an engagement ring. Like Buffy, the whole picture thing didn't make sense, and then Xander started cluing her into the words attached to each pictures, and then it was SO cool that Xander proposed the way he did. I wasn't the least bit surprised that Buffy immediately said yes. And after the proposal, I had a feeling that Buffy's gift to Xander might be something related to her being pregnant again, so the pregnancy test was really sweet. Thanksgiving was a treat. I really felt the love that everyone had for each other. I was really impressed by Faith throughout this chapter, the way she felt like part of the family and was eager to remain in touch, promising to visit often. I also love how comfortable she was with CJ. I honestly didn't know if Faith would like kids, much less be so great with them. Now that I've seen it, it makes me want to see Faith with some kids of her own. Hmm, maybe she can talk Buffy and Xander into having a threeway relationship, where they all live together, and Buffy and Xander are married, and Faith is their girlfriend, and both women have Xander's children. Oh wait. That's gonna be what happens in the story Poke Her Night, right? lol

Anyway, I love that Xander and his grandmother kept up with their relationship and that Xander didn't feel like he was a mooch, but instead just enjoyed having a relative who was a decent person and treated him like he mattered and was loved. It was great seeing Val at Thanksgiving and hearing her say such kind and loving words about Xander. Likewise, it was great hearing Joyce say similar nice things about Xander. It still seems funny that Joyce would be happy that Buffy got pregnant while still in high school. Although, that pregnancy did bring Buffy and Xander together, and since Joyce knows how much Xander loves Buffy and CJ, and Joyce also loves Xander like a son, it's not surprising that Joyce would not only be okay with Buffy having a child so young but actually be happy about it. I was a little surprised that Val wanted to start a home for wayward girls. At first, I thought it might be some kind of front for slaying activities, but it sounds like she just wanted to help those less fortunate. Anyway, I really enjoyed how Buffy kept pushing Xander to do the right thing, even when it meant having to deal with his scumbag extended family. She really felt like a wife during those moments, definitely Xander's better half. Somehow, I was a little surprised that no one except Xander and Buffy showed up to help work on Val's building project. Then again, I shouldn't have been surprised, since Xander's relatives, save for Val, are complete assholes. I was sad to see that Val died before Buffy and Xander graduated, but I knew she'd probably die at some point before the story was over. Again, I love that Buffy more or less made Xander go to the reading of the will and that she fully supported her man in the face of the insults from the moochers. I figured that Xander would get a hefty inheritance, and I was hoping he'd get everything, but it looked as though he'd only get the apartment building he and Buffy called home. And then there was that moment when Val said that the rest of her estate would be split among the people who showed up to help with her charity project, and I couldn't help but smile when I realized that only Buffy and Xander had shown up and would be getting everything Val had. It was priceless seeing those scumbags bitch and moan and even cry at the loss of what never belonged to them and that they didn't deserve.

I really enjoyed the final sequence of the chapter, where the Scoobies were all touring Buffy and Xander's new house. Obviously, they all loved it, because how could you not. Still, the more we got a hint of how grand the place actually was, the more I feared that Xander would sell it or give it away, because he didn't want to be like all of his relatives and take advantage of his grandmother's generosity. Still, I love how each of the Scoobies in turn made a case for keeping the house and even hinted at wanting to live there. I could see having Joyce live there, because she's Buffy's mom and CJ's grandmother, but I didn't think Buffy or Xander would be on board with any of the other Scoobies living there. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much Buffy liked the idea of having the Scoobies together under one roof. I was also pleasantly surprised that Xander didn't seem to mind the idea, either. Although, the thought did occur to me that with single people living in the house, there could be 'overnight guests' which could make things awkward. But, maybe the place is big enough that any 'strange' noises would be unheard or muffled. Either way, I love that the Scoobies are gonna be one big happy family living under the same roof. I know you're probably done with this story, but I wouldn't mind seeing a followup one-shot or two set in this universe so we can see how things are going for the Scoobies in the years to come.

In any event, this has been a wonderful journey, entertaining and emotional and ultimately very satisfying. It's been a pleasure reading this story, and I can't thank you enough for writing and sharing it. :)

Things are winding down, which is nice but also kinda sad. After being on this ride for so long, part of me doesn't want to see it end. But, all things come to an end eventually.

I had to laugh when Xander carried Buffy into the hospital. I get that he's gone into protector mode, but Buffy's having a baby, not dying of some horrible wound or disease. Still, Xander's about to be a father for the first time, and given that his own father is a scumbag, I can understand why Xander would be nervous and generally freaked out. Plus, he loves Buffy, and he wants to do anything and everything he can to make sure she's okay, even if he's going overboard. At least Buffy appreciated his over-protectiveness rather than get annoyed by it. And since we're on the subject of Xander being overprotective, I had to smirk and roll my eyes when Xander was reluctant to hand his son off to anyone and even made sure Joyce washed her hands before letting her hold the baby. Dude's gotta learn to relax. Joyce is a mother, and has been one for nearly 20 years, so I think she knows more than Xander does about taking care of babies. But, some people need to learn the hard way that they don't know everything and that it's okay to ask for help and advice.

As I suspected, Xander wasn't exactly on board with Buffy declaring her feelings for him and wanting to date him, not because he didn't want to date Buffy, but because he's so used to her not having feelings for him, he wasn't just gonna believe that she suddenly had feelings for him. Plus, it was a little convenient for Buffy to declare her love for Xander and want to date him just as their child was about to be born. Add in the fact that Angel just broke up with Buffy, and it's not surprising that Xander would be skeptical of Buffy's feelings and desire to be with him. I did enjoy the continual interruptions of Buffy and Xander's conversation about whether they should date or not. They should get used to those kinds of interruptions, because they'll happen a lot now that they'll have a child to take care of. Anyway, I thought the list of pros and cons for them dating was a good idea, at least to get them talking about the possibility of dating. Although, deciding whether or not to date someone shouldn't come down to a list of pros and cons. Ultimately, I think the best solution is for Buffy and Xander to give dating a try and see where it leads. And I very much like Xander's idea of the two of them holding off on sex for a while and starting from scratch on the dating front, treating it like they've never had sex and don't have a child, like they're dating to find out if they have a future together or if they're better off as friends. I also like Buffy's revelation to Xander about her having fantasies about him long before the two of them started having sex. I'm sure Xander appreciated the ego boost.

The inclusion of Anya and D'hoffryn was unexpected, but I thought it was a nice way to kinda wrap things up without having to drag the story out. At first, I didn't understand why those two foreign doctors were dealing with Buffy, but then I took a closer look at their names and realized who they were, and my suspicions were confirmed shortly thereafter. Just like Anya, I still didn't quite understand why D'hoffryn would care about Buffy's well being, but by the end of Anya and D'hoffryn's conversation, I realized that the reason D'hoffryn gave a damn is because he was trying to protect Anya from the fate she suffered on the show. Apparently, the best way to protect Anya was to keep her away from Xander, and since Xander has always loved Buffy, the best option was to get Buffy and Xander together. It just so happens that D'hoffryn protecting Anya meant giving Buffy and Xander a happy ending. I really enjoyed D'hoffryn's rundown of Buffy and Xander's future, including that Joyce doesn't die, and neither does Buffy, but also that she and Xander have another child and eventually get married. Although, it did surprise me a bit that it sounded like Buffy and Xander will have another kid before they get married. Seems a little odd, but whatever. Oh, and I was surprised to hear that Xander is going to be a teacher. Didn't think he'd want any part of school if he could avoid it. However, I did think Buffy being a cop was kinda perfect.

I'm glad Angel stayed away from Buffy and Xander in the hospital. Him being there just would've been awkward. Still, I'm not really surprised that he stopped by to see the baby. After all, part of him wanted to be that child's father. It was kinda sad to see Angel staring at Carter through the glass, but it also felt like he was saying his final goodbye to Buffy and to Sunnydale. Plus, having Giles there was a nice final touch, sort of a way to send Angel on his way without things getting too emotional while acknowledging Angel's contribution to the fight and to Buffy's life.

Since things have been pretty well wrapped up in this chapter, I'm curious to know how many more chapters are left. Obviously, there's at least one, but there could be a few more, depending on how much of Buffy and Xander's future you want to show. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing how this ends, and maybe we'll get lucky and get one last round of Buffy/Xander sex, possibly even pregnant sex, before all is said and done.

I'm glad that Xander talked with his grandmother and that he was willing to listen to her and not just dismiss her offers of help because of something his father said. I especially like that Xander's grandmother wouldn't take 'no' for an answer and was willing to work within Xander's boundaries of pride and self-reliance while still doing everything she could to help him. While I don't agree with Xander's reluctance to accept help when he clearly needs it, I applaud him for having his priorities straight, namely taking care of Buffy and their baby. Yes, going to college will help Xander take care of his family in the long run, but he has to take care of them RIGHT NOW, too, and that means he needs more than college. He needs a job and someplace for him, Buffy and the baby to live. Although, I'm sure Joyce would've let Xander live with Buffy and the baby at her house, but I doubt Xander would've been okay with it. Anyway, I love that Xander's grandmother had all of her bases covered and anticipated Xander's insistence that he need a place to live and a job to take care of his family. Granted, it was a little convenient that the maintenance man for one of Xander's grandmother's apartment buildings was retiring and thus his job would be available for Xander, but sometimes lady luck smiles down on you. However it came to be, it sounds like things are shaping up nicely for Xander. He gets to go to college, put a roof over his family's head and earn the money he needs to both clothe and feed his family. The only question is whether or not Buffy will make their little family complete by at least living with Xander while they raise their child. There's always the chance that Buffy will opt to remain living with her mother. And even if Buffy does live with Xander, will they actually be together, or will they just be two friends living under the same roof and raising their child together?

As awesome as it was to see Xander and his grandmother talk and work things out, it was just as awesome to see Buffy and Willow talk and work some things out. I particularly love that Willow was the voice of reason, and that she was able to get the truth out of Buffy about what's been happening between her and Xander. It's kinda funny to think that Buffy was so worried about keeping her sex hookups with Xander a secret, and yet she's the one who keeps telling people about it, first Faith and now Willow. It was also funny to see Buffy so worried about Willow's reaction, first about her and Xander having sex and then about her possibly being in a romantic relationship with Xander. I know Willow had feelings for Xander in the past, but so much has happened since then. Plus, Willow would never stand in the way of her two best friends being happy, especially not when those friends have a child together. I really liked that Willow set Buffy straight about not being so negative, always expecting the worst. Sure, things might not work out with Xander if Buffy decides to date him, but Willow was right that things might work out great, and Buffy and Xander could end up getting married and spending the rest of their lives together. Instead of worrying about what might go wrong, Buffy should focus on trying to make things work, and that starts by taking a chance and telling Xander how she feels and what she wants. After all, you'll never know if you don't try. Of course, after Buffy made a big deal about her and Xander's relationship being strictly about sex, Xander might not believe she's serious about being in love with him. It would serve her right if she had to work to convince him that she's serious in her feelings for him and about wanting to give a relationship with him a shot.

I'm not sure how I feel about Buffy going into labor. Sure, I wanna see whether she and Xander are having a boy or a girl, but I was hoping for some more pregnancy sex first. Although, if Buffy and Xander are in a relationship, there's a decent chance that she'll get pregnant again, so pregnancy sex might be on the table again in the future. I really enjoyed the way Willow handled that punk who was on the phone. I also love that you held true to the technology of the time this story is set and didn't have Willow just whip out a cellphone. I also love that you included Xander having a pager. I'd all but forgotten about those, but it brought back some fond memories of that time when Buffy had to page Xander after getting his answering machine at his apartment. I thought it was funny that Xander had been right next door to Buffy and Willow the whole time, first when he was having pie with his grandmother and then when he was at the apartment building across the street. Some would say that was a little too convenient, but others would say it was fate. Either way, I love that Buffy's first thought after she realized she was going into labor, other than she needed to get to the hospital, was to call Xander. I also love that the two of them are headed to the hospital together. I can't wait to see what happens once they're in the hospital and especially after the baby is born. I wonder if Buffy will tell the doctors and/or nurses that Xander is her boyfriend. I also wonder if Xander will believe her when she tells him she loves him.

I'm a little sad that this story is coming to an end, but I'm also excited to see how everything plays out. And I'm curious to see if there will be a flash forward at the end of the story, so we can see how things are going for Buffy and Xander and their child. Even though I don't want to see Xander's grandmother die, part of me is curious to know if she'll leave her entire fortune to Xander after she's gone and whether Xander would accept it. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

As I hoped, Buffy talked to Xander about accepting his grandmother's offer to pay for college. Granted, Xander had to remind Buffy about why she came over to his apartment, since she got distracted by how hot he looked in sweatpants and a stained t-shirt and the two of them ended up having sex. Seriously, who thinks sweatpants and a stained t-shirt is sexy? I know Buffy blamed the pregnancy hormones, but I think it's more basic than that. I think Buffy is just madly in love with Xander and anytime she sees him, she wants to have sex with him, thus explaining why she thought seeing him in sweatpants and a stained t-shirt was super sexy. Anyway, I loved that quiet moment in the very beginning of the chapter where Xander was holding a sleeping Buffy and thinking about how beautiful she is. That guy is MAJORLY in love, and it's so obvious. I also love the true-to-life sexiness of the sheet slipping and exposing Buffy's nipples while she was trying to talk to Xander and convince him that he wasn't a mooch and that he should accept his grandmother's offer. It was funny and sexy and I'm sure that's happened to many couples throughout history. I also love that Buffy didn't take offense to Xander staring at her bare breasts instead of listening to her. But I digress. I really hope Xander listens to Buffy and ignores what his father said and takes the help from his grandmother. I think Buffy made two great points, the first being that Xander's grandmother was investing in him and his future, because she believes in him and wants to see him succeed, and the second being that Buffy herself believes in Xander. Personally, I think Buffy telling Xander that she believes in him is what's gonna convince him to take the help and go to college.

Things got pretty hot and interesting when Buffy got up to shower and get ready to meet Angel. Like Xander, I was wondering why Buffy bothered to cover herself with the sheet. I mean, they've seen each other naked. Hell, they've had sex multiple times, so there's really no need for her to be modest or embarrassed around Xander. Although, from what Buffy said, I think she's feeling insecure about her body at the moment, due to the pregnancy, and that's the main reason she covered herself. Of course, after Xander made it clear that he likes her body and has no problem with seeing her naked, I think Buffy had more confidence and that's why she dropped the sheet and proceeded to gather her things in the nude. I had to laugh when Xander asked if he could join Buffy in the shower. Can't say I blame him. I would've done the same thing if I were him. I also found it amusing that Buffy said she didn't have a lot of time, but after she saw Xander's cock hard and ready to go, she didn't seem to mind having some shower sex. The shower sequence was both hot and romantic. I was impressed, as was Buffy, that Xander had stocked the bathroom with Buffy's preferred products, including body wash and shampoo. To me, Xander not only knowing what kind of body wash and shampoo Buffy uses but having them available in his bathroom for her to use tells me that he's in love with her. If he pays that much attention to the little things in Buffy's life, then it's love. Anyway, the sex was hot, and pretty impressive considering they were in a shower, which I'm assuming wasn't that big. Even more impressive is the fact that they did it face to face rather than Xander taking Buffy from behind. Things got a little awkward when Xander told Buffy that he loved her, which isn't surprising. It also wasn't surprising that Buffy tried to make excuses for what Xander said in an effort to brush it aside and make it meaningless. However, what was surprising was Xander not backing down, initially, and having the guts to tell Buffy again after she'd showered and dressed that he loves her. It was disappointing that Buffy didn't want to hear Xander say that to her and continued to talk him out of it. It was even more disappointing that Xander finally gave in to Buffy's desire to ignore the truth of his feelings and made up an excuse of playing a joke on Buffy because Faith dared him to do it. Something tells me that Xander won't tell Buffy he loves her again, unless she tells him she loves him first, and even then, she might have to convince him she's telling the truth and not just trying to ease the pain of losing Angel by pretending to be in love with Xander.

My favorite part of the chapter, not surprisingly, was when Angel broke up with Buffy. Granted, the Buffy/Xander sex almost took the top spot, but I had to give that to the end of the unholy union of Buffy and Angel. For once, I thought Angel acted like a mature adult rather than a spoiled, entitled little kid. Even though it was hard for Angel to break things off with Buffy, it was clear that he'd made peace with his decision and knew it was the right thing to do. And while Buffy was upset at first and clearly didn't want to break up with Angel, I think she also knew it was the right thing to do. It's kinda like when you know something is inevitable, but you ignore it, hoping that it will go away, but once the inevitable finally happens, you're able to face it with some dignity rather than being blindsided by it. So, while it was a nice end for Buffy and Angel, I had to shake my head at Buffy's denial of her feelings for Xander, even when Angel pointed out that she definitely had feelings for Xander, the same feelings Xander has always had for her. I don't know if Buffy is just being stubborn, or if she's afraid to admit to her feelings for Xander and embrace them. Obviously, if she lives in denial about her feelings for Xander, there's no chance for her to screw things up between them, or so she thinks. The truth is, she could lose Xander by not admitting to her feelings for him, just like she could lose Xander if she admits to her feelings for him and tries to have a relationship with him. Nothing is guaranteed in life, but if you don't take a chance, you'll never achieve anything. I just wonder what it will take for Buffy to accept her feelings for Xander and admit them to both herself and to Xander.

As much as I hate to admit it, something tells me there will be a few bumps in the road for Buffy and Xander before they finally get their act together.

I'm honestly surprised that your version of Angel didn't cave into Buffy and already knew about her having sex with Xander. I'm glad that he gave her his blessing to be with Xander (even if it's totally unnecessary). So, will Buffy act on her true feelings and tell Xander that she's in love with him and has been slowly falling in love with him over the past few months?

Is it weird that I'm a little sad that the Scoobies have graduated from high school? I knew it was gonna happen, but I really enjoyed the combination of the dangers of the supernatural world combined with the dangers of the high school. Still, I thought it was kinda neat to see the Scoobies all gather in the library one last time and reminiscing about all the things that had happened there. It as a little strange to realize that the school wouldn't be blown up and that the Scoobies could go back and visit anytime they want. And once I realized that there was still gonna be a school, it made sense to wonder what Giles would do now that Buffy would no longer be a high school student. After all, if the slayer isn't in high school, then the watcher doesn't need to be there either. However, without the librarian job, what's Giles gonna do for a job? Will he buy the Magic Box just like on the show? Or will he take some other job, perhaps start a different business or even get a job at UC Sunnydale? In any case, I'm curious to see what the next chapter in the lives of the Scoobies looks like, assuming this story carries on that far and doesn't end shortly after Buffy has the baby.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting that Cordy seemed to know right away that something was different between Buffy and Xander. Although, to be fair, Cordy already knew how Xander felt about Buffy, and based on some of the things Buffy said during the slumber party a while back, I don't think it was too difficult for Cordy to spot the signs of something going on between Buffy and Xander, even if they were rather subtle. At least Cordy is keeping her nose out of it and not causing trouble. Then again, Cordy might have offered Xander some friendly advice about going after what he wants, in this case Buffy, and not letting her slip through his fingers. I enjoyed the awkwardness between Buffy and Xander as they discussed having sex again. It seems they still don't know exactly what it is they're doing, meaning if they're just hooking up to relieve Buffy's horniness, or if there's something more going on between them. Regardless, I kinda liked seeing them trying to pick a day and time for their sexcapades, with Buffy finally choosing a time to, pardon the pun, squeeze Xander in between their various obligations. I really wish they had more time before the graduation ceremony started, because I would've loved to have seen Buffy and Xander have sex in the school at least once before they graduated.

Speaking of graduation, I thought the ceremony went pretty well. No one died, so that's a plus. I did feel bad for Xander, though. Seeing Buffy's mom and Willow's parents in the crowd was to be expected, but when Xander searched for his own parents, even though he knew they wouldn't be there, it was heartbreaking that there was no one in that crowd supporting Xander, other than Joyce and Giles. I was kinda hoping Xander's grandma would be in the crowd. I'm sure that would've surprised the hell outta Xander, in a good way. I suppose it could've been worse, with Xander's parents showing up drunk and making a scene. Still, I really enjoyed the after graduation festivities, namely the picture taking, especially the picture with Buffy, Xander and Willow. It felt like old times.

I was very surprised when it seemed that Buffy was going into labor. Again, I thought she had much more time before she was due, but with only three weeks to go, it's not that surprising that she could go into labor. Something else that surprised me was Xander's reaction to Buffy going into labor. He acted very much like an expectant father, and while I know he agreed to take on the role of father, I didn't think he'd already become so invested in this child that he'd pace and practically freak out with worry about Buffy giving birth. Actually, I'm pleased to see that Xander is that invested, and I think both Buffy and Joyce are equally as pleased to know that Xander cares so much. Gotta say, I was stunned that Angel showed up. I mean, it was the middle of the day, and it's not like it's even his kid Buffy is having. Still, I did enjoy the visual of Faith shoving Angel in the trunk of his own car and driving him to the hospital. I kinda hope Faith did some aggressive driving and got Angel tossed around a bit in the trunk. lol I'm really glad Buffy didn't have the baby yet. Sure, I want to see how having the baby in the world changes things for Buffy and Xander's relationship, but I was hoping to see more pregnant sex before that happened.

It seems really strange to think of Angel hosting a graduation celebration, even if it was just a fancy dinner, for the Scoobies. I can understand him wanting to do something special for Buffy, but to include Willow and Xander felt odd. Maybe he's just trying to make nice with everyone before he leaves. Either way, I was really surprised that Angel gave Xander money as a graduation gift. Granted, it wasn't a lot of money, but it amazes me that he gave Xander anything. At least things there weren't any awkward situations, like Angel kissing Buffy in front of Xander. Although, it might have been interesting to see Xander's reaction to seeing Angel and Buffy kiss now that Xander and Buffy are having sex.

The surprises just kept coming with Buffy inviting Xander to dinner with just her and her mother. That seemed kinda suspicious to me. At first, I thought maybe Joyce knew about Buffy and Xander having sex and wanted to congratulate them on their new relationship. But, Buffy didn't seem to be apprehensive or worried about the dinner being awkward, so I wasn't sure what was going on. So, I was very and pleasantly surprised when Joyce and Buffy were taking Xander to a graduation party that his grandmother was throwing for him. It was nice to see that Xander's grandma didn't forget or not care about his graduation. And it was another pleasant surprise that all of Xander's friends were at his graduation party. I had to laugh at Jonathan for trying to hook up with Buffy. He does know she's having Xander's baby, right? Anyway, it wasn't surprising that Xander's grandma offered to pay for the first year of Xander's college. Likewise, it wasn't surprising that Xander kinda shied away from accepting such a generous gift. Although, I'm not sure if he had reservations simply because of the size of the gift, or if he was thinking that he couldn't go to college because he had to get a job to support Buffy and the baby. Maybe it was a bit of both. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that Xander's father showed up and started poisoning Xander's mind with bullshit about being under his grandma's thumb, being a mooch just like his cousins. What was even more surprising is that Xander was actually listening to what his father was saying and possibly taking it to heart. Seems to me, if Xander was smart, he'd ignore everything his father said, because that guy has never had Xander's best interests at heart. Plus, if Xander is serious about taking care of Buffy and their baby, then he should ignore his stubborn and foolish pride and do whatever he has to do in order to get the job done, including accepting his grandma's offer of financial help. I'm thinking that Buffy's gonna be the one to talk some sense into Xander, that she's the only person who can convince him to do the right thing. I guess we'll find out. Hmm, maybe we'll find out after he and Buffy have sex again, which sounds like it will happen quite soon, now that Faith has given him the night off.

There are a lot of interesting questions that need to be answered, and I can't wait to see what those answers are. I'm also looking forward to seeing if this story continues after the baby is born, even if only for a short while. After all, just because Buffy and Xander are having sex before the baby is born, it doesn't mean they'll be together after the baby is born. And now I'm wondering if Buffy's gonna end up pregnant again before this story is over. After all, Faith is still around to help out. Guess we'll see.

Well, that was fast. And from the sound of it, the rest of this story will be going by rather quickly. I don't mind, though. I've been eager to see how everything turns out since we found out that Buffy was pregnant with Xander's kid. Plus, now that we're at the point where Buffy and Xander are having sex, things should be rather interesting.

So, the Scoobies are getting their caps and gowns for graduation. I only vaguely remember doing that for my graduation. Anyway, I like the banter between Willow and Xander as they wait in line, especially the part about Oz cutting in line. I know some people get really upset when others cut in line, so I'm glad no one got pissy about it here. Although, since everyone is waiting to get their outfits for graduation, I don't think anyone would care if people cut in line. I also really liked it when Joyce dropped Buffy off and how Xander went over to meet Buffy. I was wondering if things would be super awkward between Buffy and Xander, since they decided to have sex, but I thought both of them handled things pretty well. Although, there was a moment when I thought that Joyce knew about them intending to have sex when she wanted to talk to Xander. Part of me wanted Joyce to know and for her to not only be okay with it but offer Xander some encouragement or praise for his choice. That would've been HILARIOUS. :P Then again, I liked the interaction between Joyce and Xander and how she asked Xander to look in on Buffy from time to time because Buffy was getting close to her due date. Speaking of which, I was under the impression that Buffy was only 6 or 7 months pregnant, but from what Joyce was saying, it sounds like Buffy might actually be 8 or 9 months pregnant. Either way, I thought it was sweet of Joyce to ask Xander to look after Buffy, and I love that Xander was more than willing to oblige. Oh, and I love that Buffy didn't exactly appreciate them talking about her like she wasn't standing right there. I also like that Xander offered to give Buffy a ride home, which allowed Joyce to head off on her trip to L.A. early. By the way, is it just me, or was it kinda convenient that Joyce was gonna be gone for the whole weekend, and her trip just happened to coincide with Buffy and Xander planning on having sex? Or, maybe it's just a sign that Buffy and Xander are doing the right thing and are getting the green light from the universe. Although, maybe Joyce does know what Buffy and Xander are up to, and instead of letting on that she knows, Joyce is making up a story to be out of the house in order to give Buffy and Xander time and privacy for the sexing they'll be doing.

Anyway, I thought Buffy and Xander acted pretty normally while they waited in line for the caps and gowns. I kept waiting for one of them, probably Xander,to make a comment or act strangely and for Willow to pick up on it and say something. Apparently, Buffy and Xander are capable of acting like adults when they need to. Or, they just got lucky. Either way, I love the conversation between Buffy and Xander once they were alone together in Xander's truck. I like how they're worried about people finding out about them having sex, as if they're doing something terrible. Sure, Buffy would technically be cheating on Angel, but I don't think Willow or Oz or anyone close to Buffy and Xander would really be upset if they found out that Buffy and Xander were planning on having sex. In fact, I think most everyone would think it was about time the two of them got together. Still, it's fun to watch Buffy and Xander try to keep secrets and sneak around. I also like that both of them have some worries and insecurities when it comes to them having sex, and neither of them really has anyone to talk to about it, except each other. By the way, I really enjoyed Buffy's reaction to Xander saying 'fuck' when referring to them having sex. The fact that Buffy didn't like Xander calling them having sex fucking tells me that the two of them having sex is important to her, that it means more than just her getting some relief from her horniness. And I think both of them had valid concerns about having sex. For instance, I completely understand Xander not wanting to disappoint Buffy, and considering that Angel has TONS of sexual experience, especially compared to Xander, it's not surprising that he'd worry about not measuring up, so to speak, with Buffy's expectations. Likewise, Xander has had sex with Faith and Cordy, both incredibly beautiful women, who both have more voluptuous bodies than Buffy, at least before Buffy got pregnant, and now that Buffy is very pregnant and feeling fat and unattractive, it's not surprising that she'd be concerned that Xander would find her lacking or that he'd basically have to close his eyes and pretend he was with Faith or Cordy to get through having sex with her. Both of them have valid points, and I could see either or both of them pretending that everything is fine, even if it's not, in order to protect each other's feelings and their friendship. Although, I think both of them are putting too much pressure on themselves, especially since they're just having sex, and it's not like it's a one-time thing where it has to be perfect. The best part of their conversation, though, was when they agreed to stay friends, no matter what happened once they had sex. After everything they've been through to this point, I believe they will stay friends, assuming they don't become more than friends.

Things took a bit of an unexpected turn once Buffy and Xander got to Buffy's house. Yeah, I know they were planning on having sex, but, like Xander, I thought it would happen a little later and with more prep and fanfare. However, I think, after their little chat in Xander's truck, Buffy couldn't wait any longer. Still, I like that Xander had a whole romantic evening planned, that he wanted to make it special for Buffy. To me, that says that sex with Buffy means more than just relieving her horniness, which is what I'd expect from him. Although, when Xander came back with Buffy's water and saw her standing there in nothing but her bra and panties, I think romance kinda went out the window. lol Then again, Xander picking Buffy up and carrying her up to her bedroom was pretty damn romantic. Plus, Buffy seemed to enjoy being carried like that. I'm glad there was plenty of kissing. Honestly, I didn't quite know what to expect, since this arrangement between them was pretty much just about sex. It could've been nothing but the sex, kinda like having sex with a prostitute. But, given the history between Buffy and Xander, it makes perfect sense that they'd treat this moment like it's important, like it means something, and they did. I had to laugh at Buffy's eagerness to get her hands on Xander's dick. I know she loves his dick, but it felt like she'd been denied her favorite toy for a long time and couldn't wait to play with it again. I loved Xander's reaction to Buffy's hand on his dick, how he was so excited that he had to fight not to blow his load as soon as she touched him. In some ways, I kinda wish he had blown his load when she first touched his dick, if only so she could see just what her touch can do to him, how excited she made him. Besides, he's a teenage boy, so he'd be ready to go again in a couple of minutes. ;) Anyway, I really enjoyed how eager both of them were to see and explore each other's bodies. I especially liked the little touch of Buffy being relieved to be free of her bra, mostly because I assume her breasts are sensitive because of the pregnancy. And I love how Xander couldn't wait to have at Buffy's pregnancy enhanced boobs, lavishing them with attention. Guess Buffy was worried about nothing when she thought Xander might not find her attractive. Throughout the encounter, I love how both Buffy and Xander appreciated the newness, the profoundness of being together sexually, both of them stopping to admire the other and showing their appreciation through their actions. I had to laugh when Xander stopped and asked about using a condom. Dude, Buffy's pregnant. You can't get her MORE pregnant. Plus, unless you picked up some disease from Faith or Cordy, you've got nothing to worry about, because the only person Buffy has had sex with in the last nine months is you, well your body.

Anyway, the sex was really well done, descriptive and hot and yet also sweet and filled with emotion. I love that the emphasis was on how Buffy and Xander felt rather than the mechanics of what they were doing. I especially love that we got to see Xander's inner thoughts, how he was so elated to finally be having sex with Buffy, the girl he'd been in love with since the moment he first saw her, the girl he'd been pining for for three long years. Clearly, Xander never stopped being in love with Buffy, even when he was dating Cordy and Faith, and even when Buffy betrayed his trust during the body swap incident. Now that he's had sex with Buffy, I don't think Xander will be able to let her go or keep it as just sex. I just hope he doesn't let her pull the 'just friends' card, because I have a feeling she might do that at some point, probably when she has to decide to either stay with Angel or let him go, assuming Angel doesn't dump her first. As much as I loved seeing Xander's thoughts and feelings about Buffy, I especially loved seeing her thoughts and feelings about Xander. I was particularly intrigued when she almost told Xander that she loves him but caught herself and said that she loved having sex with him instead. Much like Xander, I think Buffy has been in love with Xander for a while, not as long as Xander has been in love with her, but I think Buffy's been in love with him for a few months and has been doing her best to hide it from him and from herself. Knowing that they both love each other as more than friends, I'm curious to see which one of them will admit it first and actually say it out loud. Seems like the obvious choice would be Xander, since he's loved her for years and she's known it. Although, Buffy might just be the one to admit it first, especially if she thinks she's gonna lose him because of Angel.

The immediate afterglow of the sex was a thing of beauty. I love how they were both blown away and didn't quite know what to say. And yet, they still managed to be Buffy and Xander with a little light and fun banter. So far, it doesn't seem that having sex has changed their dynamic, at least not how comfortable with and around each other they are. That's a good sign. Of course, now that they've had sex, what are they gonna do for the rest of the night, or the weekend for that matter? Something tells me that this isn't the last time they're gonna have sex, tonight or over the weekend. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Xander spent the whole weekend at Buffy's and the two of them just hung out, watched TV, ate some food and had sex. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if, after their nap, they have sex again, either before showering or during a shared shower. Either way, I love that they decided to both get some sleep and didn't get awkward about sharing the bed or cuddling. In fact, the way Buffy curled into Xander's side and he wrapped his arm around her, I'd say these two are completely smitten with each other and already well on their way to being in a relationship, even if neither of them are ready to admit or face it.

As great as it is to finally see Buffy and Xander together in the biblical sense, I'm eager to see if there's any fallout to what they've done, either between the two of them or with regards to the Scoobies. Hell, I'm looking forward to Faith teasing both Buffy and Xander about finally having sex. Something tells me Faith won't just act like nothing happened and would enjoy giving Buffy and Xander a good natured ribbing. I'm also looking forward to seeing if Buffy and Xander will be able to keep their hands off of each other now that they've opened this new aspect of their relationship. Ooh, and I'm hoping Joyce comes home and either catches them in the act or finds them in such a state that it's obvious what Buffy and Xander have been doing. Instead of being upset, I think Joyce would be quite pleased to know that Buffy and Xander are moving toward being a couple. In fact, I think it would be all kinds of funny to have Joyce catch Buffy and Xander having sex and not bat an eye, and actually offer to make them some food, breakfast or whatever meal would be appropriate for the time of day. Of course, things might not be smooth sailing for Buffy and Xander, and something tells me there's gonna be a little more drama for those two before all is said and done. I just hope the drama is kept to a minimum and the sex is at a maximum. :)

Buffy trying to talk Xander into having sex with her was strange and funny and just plain...strange. When Buffy first brought up the idea of the two of them having sex, I can just image the look on Xander's face, with him probably wondering if he was dead or dreaming. I mean, never in a million years would Xander have ever thought that Buffy would be asking him to have sex with her, especially since she's still dating Angel. Then again, I'm sure Xander never thought he'd be having a kid with Buffy, especially when he technically has never had sex with her. Anyway, I thought Buffy's reasoning for why it was okay for the two of them to have sex was funny and a little nonsensical and yet perfectly logical for Buffy. Not sure I buy the whole 'It's not cheating' thing. If Angel doesn't know that Buffy is having sex with someone else and didn't make it clear that he was okay with her doing that, then it's cheating. Basically, it seems like Buffy is trying to convince Xander to have sex with her and convince herself that she's not doing anything wrong if she does have sex with Xander. I'm sure Buffy would be upset if she was the one who couldn't have sex, and Angel went around hooking up with random women and didn't at least talk to her about it beforehand. Still, I don't really care that Buffy is gonna cheat on Angel. I just don't like that Buffy is okay with cheating, regardless of her reasoning. I do, however, like that Xander isn't okay with Buffy cheating, even though he hates Angel. It's good to know that Xander has principles and sticks to them no matter what. I also like that Xander struggled to follow Buffy's logic at times and actually needed a fair amount of convincing, that he didn't just say 'okay' and start tearing Buffy's clothes off. Personally, I think the main reason Xander hesitated was because he loves Buffy and doesn't want to let himself believe that she might love him the same way only to find out that she's just using him and will choose to stay with Angel no matter what.

I did enjoy some of Buffy's arguments in her efforts to convince Xander to have sex with her. The 'it's not cheating' argument was kinda dumb. However, I thought her stating, in no uncertain terms, that she would be having sex with someone regardless of what Xander decided was a powerful argument for Xander to say yes. I mean, I don't think Xander would want Buffy hooking up with some random guy or guys, especially since she's carrying his baby. And I had to laugh at Xander's reaction to Buffy saying that she might hook up with Jonathan. That alone should've been enough for Xander to say yes. But Buffy was right that Jonathan would totally be down for having sex with her. Some of Buffy's reasons for why Xander was the perfect choice to have sex with were much more logical than others. For instance, the whole vampire sense of smell thing. If Buffy started having sex with some random guy, Angel would definitely know about it, and that could lead to trouble. However, since Buffy already smells like Xander because of the baby, then Angel would never know if Buffy and Xander are having sex. The strangest metaphor Buffy used was the one about the car. I know she was trying to be subtle, but she could've just come out and said that she really loved Xander's dick and wanted another chance to enjoy it. I'm sure Xander would've been flattered by that and thus more likely to say yes. Although, I understand Xander not wanting to be compared to Angel, maybe not in the size of their dicks, but Angel has much more experience, and I don't think Xander would've been okay with just being a living sex toy that wasn't that great/satisfying. I thought Buffy made a great play at winning Xander over when she pulled the 'you don't think I'm sexy' card. I'm not sure if she was just trying to work Xander, or if she truly thought he didn't want to have sex with her because she's pregnant and not exactly a prime piece of ass at the moment. Personally, I believed Xander when he said that he does find Buffy incredibly beautiful and sexy, and I hope Buffy believed him, too. Him having sex with her would've gone a long way in convincing her.

In the end, I'm glad that Xander didn't give Buffy an answer right away. I know she felt a little rejected when he didn't immediately say yes, but at least there was still hope, because he didn't say no. It was very mature of Xander to want to take some time to at least think about it. Although, it would've been more mature of him to say no, even if Buffy followed through on her declaration that she was gonna have sex with someone even if it wasn't Xander. Speaking of mature, Xander wasn't exactly mature when he went to Willy's seeking alcohol. I get that things are weird for Xander right now, but drinking isn't gonna solve anything. Still, I did enjoy the interaction between Xander and Willy. And even though Xander didn't exactly spill his guts about his troubles, having someone to talk to about some of the stuff that's bothering him had to be a great relief. I just hope that Xander has learned from watching his father that alcohol isn't the answer to your problems. I'd hate to see Xander turn into his father. Granted, Xander only had a few beers, but alcoholics have to start somewhere.

Can't say I'm surprised that Buffy spilled the beans to Faith about asking Xander for sex. I know Buffy said that she just wanted someone to vent to, but I also think there was a part of Buffy that wanted Faith to try to convince Xander to say yes. If that's the case, then mission accomplished. I'm really surprised that Faith would actually help Buffy get laid, and with Xander. I know Faith is the one who broke up with Xander, but that doesn't mean she has to get Xander and Buffy into bed together. I suppose it could be that Faith just wants Xander to be happy, and she knows that Xander would be happiest with Buffy, so getting the two of them together, even if it's just for sex, is something she's more than willing to do. Either way, I thought Faith's story was interesting and compelling, but also questionable. I didn't believe that Faith had a cousin that was paralyzed, but I never expected that Faith got that story from watching Lifetime. Regardless, the movie plot and what's happening with Buffy aren't exactly the same. In the movie, the guy is well aware that his wife is cheating on him, and he's basically given her his blessing. However, Angel didn't give Buffy permission to cheat on him, and he certainly doesn't know that she's thinking about doing it and has already propositioned Xander. Anyway, I'm not sure if Faith persuaded Xander one way or the other, but it was funny watching her try.

I wasn't expecting Joyce to invite Xander over for breakfast, and I was curious as to why she would do it. At first, I wondered if Joyce somehow found out about Buffy asking Xander to have sex and was trying to convince Xander to say yes. However, I can't see Joyce doing that. I mean, what mother would pimp out her daughter like that? So, I was surprised when Joyce told Xander that breakfast was an apology for telling Xander's grandmother some of his personal business, specifically that he wasn't sure if he was going to college even though he'd tested extremely well on the SATs. Although, now that the cat's out of the bag, I get the feeling that Xander's gonna have a talk with his grandmother, and she's gonna offer to give him the money to go to college and maybe even take care of Buffy and the baby. By the way, I loved the part where Buffy basically pouted about Xander forgiving Joyce immediately, while it took him months to forgive Buffy, and the only difference was that Joyce gave Xander bacon, and Buffy didn't. Bacon fixes everything. LOL

The ending of this chapter wasn't unexpected. Obviously, Xander had to give Buffy an answer, and I felt like Xander was leaning toward saying yes. So, it wasn't surprising when he actually did say yes, at least until Buffy has the baby. I really liked the mood and the setting for Buffy and Xander's conversation at the end. It felt very...cozy. I also like that Xander wanted to lay down some ground rules, like neither of them could tell anyone that they were having sex and that they'd reevaluate things once the baby was born. I thought it was interesting that neither of them said anything about their little arrangement being over once the baby was born, that they left the door open for it to continue. Makes me wonder if both of them already know that things between them are moving toward something new and profound, that it's not just about Buffy being horny and Xander being a willing dick for her to use. I had to laugh when they talked about when their arrangement would begin, and Buffy said, "Soon. Please?" I swear, I could practically hear the pleading in her voice. lol

Now that Buffy and Xander have agreed to have sex, I'm curious to see how their first encounter goes. Will it be at Buffy's house, or will it be at Xander's apartment? I just hope it's not someplace where they have no choice but to fuck rather than make love, like the janitor's closet at school. Personally, I think their first time will be rather awkward, at least at the beginning. I mean, they both know why they're gonna have sex, and they both want it, but when it comes time to actually do it, I can imagine both of them having trouble getting things started. However, once they do get started, I think they'll find it difficult to stop. Also, after their first time, I could easily see them finding a few minutes and some privacy in order to have a quick fuck, including at school. I'm looking forward to seeing how things go with Buffy and Xander's new arrangement.

I though Buffy's conversation with Joyce about kissing Xander was hilarious! I mean, did Buffy really think Joyce wouldn't see through the whole "I've got this friend..." routine? But, I suppose Buffy is still young and naive and not thinking straight. Plus, Buffy was desperate to talk to someone about kissing Xander, and since she didn't feel like she could talk to any of the Scoobies and didn't want to outright tell Joyce that she kissed Xander, it makes perfect sense that Buffy would bite the bullet and try to hide the fact that she was talking about herself when she wanted Joyce to think she was talking about some girl named Betty. By the way, I love the names Buffy came up with, Betty and Bob. Betty sounds hot, but Bob...not so much. I'm talking strictly about the names. When I hear the name Betty, I think of an attractive woman, but when I hear the name Bob, well, I think of the the TV show, That 70's Show, and the character Bob Pinciotti, who wasn't exactly a looker. lol Anyway, I thought Buffy's scenario of Betty and Bob was kinda cute, and I love that Joyce knew Buffy was talking about herself and Xander but didn't call Buffy out on it...right away. I was kinda hoping that Joyce would tell Buffy to make a play for Xander, since that's who Joyce wants Buffy to end up with. However, I understand why Joyce didn't do that. After all, Buffy has to make her own decisions when it comes to men and relationships, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Still, I thought Joyce gave Buffy some sound advice. Buffy can either stick with what she has, or she can take a chance. If you ask me, it's not really taking a chance if Buffy chose Xander, because the guy loves her, and he's already proven that he'll support and be there for her no matter what. Granted, Xander did just get out of a relationship with Faith, but like with Cordy, I don't think Xander was actually in love with Faith. Sure, he cared about her, maybe even loved her to a degree, but Buffy has always been number one in Xander's heart. Both Cordy and Faith knew that, which is why neither one of them fought to stay with Xander. Both girls knew they couldn't win against Buffy, so they decided to bow out rather than lose an unwinnable fight.

By the way, I'm a little surprised that Buffy owns a track suit, let alone that she would wear it to school. Then again, maybe Buffy actually wore the thing to work out in? Either way, I like that she isn't obsessing over her looks. Yes, she wants to look good, but she knows she's not gonna win any beauty pageants while she's pregnant, so she opted for being comfortable, and there's nothing wrong with that. Plus, I love that she isn't trying to hide her pregnancy anymore. After all, everyone in school already knows she's pregnant anyway. I'm just wondering if Buffy's tracksuit is made of velvet. For some reason, when I heard tracksuit, I immediately thought of George from Seinfeld wearing a velvet tracksuit. Not exactly a sexy image, but imagining Buffy wearing a velvet tracksuit, with nothing but a bra and panties underneath, and the zipper on the top pulled down enough to reveal a little cleavage... Well, let's just say that THAT image is quite lovely. :)

Buffy's welcome back to school was beautiful. I wasn't expecting the whole senior class and even some of the teachers to greet Buffy when she walked in the door. Nor was I expecting there to be a giant banner welcoming Buffy back. I'm surprised that Buffy didn't break down into tears of joy at the gesture. She held it together pretty well, and I thought her little impromptu speech was very nice.

Staying on the topic of school, why am I not surprised that Buffy was avoiding Xander? I get that she doesn't want to talk to Xander about their kiss, because she isn't quite sure what to do going forward. However, she owes him a conversation, even if it's to say that she's confused about her feelings and doesn't really know what she wants right now. I thought Xander handled the situation pretty well, being nice to her and trying to be understanding and patient. I really like that Xander at least tried to get some alone time with Buffy so they could talk, even if that alone time was a ride over to Angel's. Buffy was kind of a coward, choosing to go with Oz and Willow rather than have to be alone with Xander. Still, it was nice of Xander to offer to carry her book bag, even if Buffy objected at first. Personally, I think she liked that Xander was being chivalrous, but that only made her feelings for Xander stronger, which confused her more about what she should do regarding Angel and Xander. Oh, almost forgot. I love that Willow told Xander to compliment Buffy on her looks. Obviously, Buffy isn't feeling all that attractive at the moment, what with being pregnant and all, so hearing a man tell her that she's beautiful and/or sexy is a nice boost to her ego. Of course, Xander has always thought Buffy is beautiful and sexy, so him telling her that isn't a problem. In fact, I lover Xander's attitude about Buffy's pregnancy and her physical appearance. I think Xander truly does think Buffy looks more beautiful and sexier since she's been pregnant, and unlike Buffy's assertion, I don't think Xander feels that way simply because Buffy's boobs are bigger. Some men like the way a pregnant woman's body looks, and I think Xander is one of those men. I'm not surprised that Buffy didn't really believe him when he told her that, but I'd like to think that on some level, Buffy did believe Xander and loved the fact that Xander found her appealing in her current state, even if she feels like a whale.

The Buffy & Angel interaction was a bit disappointing. I was hoping that Angel would break the news to Buffy that he's leaving soon. If nothing else, it would make things easier for Buffy knowing that she didn't have Angel anymore and would be free to pursue a relationship with Xander without guilt. Sure, the interaction between Buffy and Angel was sweet, but it felt like Angel was leading Buffy on, making her think things were good between them and that the future they'd talked about was still in play. Of course, since we know that Angel is leaving, it did feel like he was trying to tell Buffy that she'd be alright without him, like he was preparing her for the day when he'd be gone. And I do think Angel would be there for Buffy if she ever really needed him, but she'd have to call him in L.A. rather than just drop by his house in Sunnydale. It was disappointing that Buffy took the easy way out and basically decided that she was sticking with Angel and that nothing was gonna happen with Xander, no matter how she feels about him. I get that she doesn't want to hurt Angel by breaking up with him, but she needs to think about herself and what will make her happy and what's best for her and the baby. Sadly, that's not Angel. It may not be Xander, either, but at least there's a shot at happiness with Xander, which can't be said for Angel.

The baby shower was lovely. I didn't think there would be so many people there. I especially didn't think Xander's grandmother would be there. Although, it makes sense that Joyce would invite her. After all, Xander could use all the love and support he can get, since he's going to be a father soon and didn't have the greatest role models for parenting. I really loved that Xander's grandmother thinks Buffy and Xander are a couple and that no one had the heart to tell her the truth. Maybe having to pretend to be a couple will help Buffy and Xander realize that they'd actually make a damn good couple. In any event, I love Xander's grandmother, and I hope we see more of her as the story continues. I have a feeling that she's gonna end up giving Xander the money he needs to go to college and to take care of Buffy and the baby.

Can't say I'm surprised that Xander intentionally hung around so he could have some alone time with Buffy. After all, she's been avoiding him for most of the week, and they really need to talk about the kiss. I was surprised that Buffy was able to admit, at least to herself, that she's in love with Xander. I didn't think she'd be able to accept that truth just yet. However, I'm disappointed that she's denying her feelings in order to stay in a relationship with Angel. I mean, there's so much she can't do with Angel, things that she CAN do with Xander, and she and Xander are having a baby together, so why continue to fight against what seems inevitable? I'm not the least bit surprised that Buffy and Xander started arguing about the kiss and their feelings. I think they both know how the other feels and want the same thing, and yet they can't quite seem to bridge that gap and make it happen. There was a moment when I really thought that Buffy and Xander would start making out and then have sex. It would be so like them to deny their feelings, then end up fighting about it and finally end up just humping each other's brains out. I kinda wish that had happened. However, I really liked Buffy's water metaphor. Although, I don't know how she went from trying to decide between being in a relationship with Angel or Xander to contemplating having sex with Xander while still being in a relationship with Angel. Plus, what happened to her not wanting to cheat on Angel? Seems like she let that go in a hurry. Although, she did try to justify it by making it seem as though having sex with Xander was something she needed to continue living. Sadly, sex isn't something anyone NEEDS to live. To me, a need is something you can't do without. For example, if you don't have food, water, oxygen or sleep, you'll die, which makes all of those things needs. However, no one ever died because they didn't have sex. Sure, life may not be as fulfilling without sex, but you won't die without it. And I'm suddenly wondering why I'm trying to make it seem like Buffy having sex with Xander isn't necessary. lol Anyway, I love how Buffy was more or less talking to herself about the water metaphor, and Xander was trying to follow along, and then Buffy finally decided that she could have sex with Xander and not be cheating on Angel, because she needed sex and Angel couldn't give it to her, and Buffy just turns to Xander and asks him if he wants to be her water pump. For some reason, that question was too damn funny. :) But what I think made it even funnier was how serious Buffy was when she asked it. I'm almost disappointed that we didn't get to see Xander's response to that question. I'm not even sure if Xander will immediately understand what Buffy is asking of him. I can just imagine Xander looking confused, and Buffy clarifying things by asking him if he want to fuck. Although, I don't think Buffy would be so crude. Then again, she seems pretty desperate to have sex right now. I just hope Buffy doesn't bring up Angel while trying to convince Xander to have sex with her. Call me crazy, but thoughts of Angel don't exactly seem conducive to Xander getting a boner. I suppose Xander might not object at all to the idea of having sex with Buffy, which would be nice. However, I think he'll be resistant at first, not because he doesn't want to have sex with Buffy, but because he doesn't want to JUST have sex with her. I think if Xander has sex with Buffy, he'll want it to mean more than her being horny and him being the nearest available dick. Personally, if Xander is hesitant to have sex with Buffy, I hope she decides to seduce him, maybe by removing some of her clothes and letting Xander get a good look at her body, which he finds oh-so beautiful and sexy in its pregnant state. Either way, I just hope Buffy and Xander have sex right there in her bedroom. I love me some pregnant sex. :P Plus, it sounded like Joyce was coming back from the gallery soon, and I think it would be funny as hell to have Joyce come into the house and hear Buffy and Xander going at it upstairs. I can just imagine the smile on Joyce's face at the knowledge that Buffy and Xander might just be moving beyond friendship into something more.

Can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter! I think Buffy/Xander sex is inevitable at this point, but I really hope things don't get super weird between them afterward. I'd hate for them to ruin their relationship because they're both too scared to admit how they feel about each other and that they want to be together.

Sadly I think Xander will reject Buffy's suggestion but i hope he doesn't. He might as well get something out of this fiasco.

As for Buffy, well she has just become more unlikabele. She seriosuly seemed to feel more guilt for kissing Xander than she did for using his body for her own personal sex toy when Angel was behind the wheel. I'm hoping that she end's up all alone as its what she deserves. It would be so funny if Xander moved on with someone else and then Angel left because this iteration of Buffy doesn't deserve a happy ever after.

Well, that was unexpected.

I was really curious about why Snyder wanted to talk to Xander, and I had an inkling that it was to try to thwart Xander's plan to derail graduation if Buffy wasn't allowed to participate. Gotta say, I thought you nailed Snyder's voice, his smugness, his arrogance, his intolerance for anyone who doesn't fall in line with what he wants. I really liked the back and forth between Xander and Snyder as they each tried to get the other to back down and admit defeat. Although, I did think Xander was a bit out of character with how disrespectful he was while dealing with Snyder. I know Xander doesn't think much of Snyder and wouldn't have a problem talking shit about Snyder behind his back, but it felt odd seeing Xander talk to Snyder like they're on equal footing, like Xander isn't a teenage boy dealing with an adult in a position of authority. Then again, Xander has had to deal with a lot in his life, especially regarding those he sees as above him in some way, and I think Xander has finally had enough and decided to take a stand. Plus, Xander has shown that he'll do just about anything when it comes to his friends, so standing up to Snyder would fit into that. What I found really interesting was how the two of them went back and forth, each pulling out something new in the hope that it would cause their opponent to back down. Both made compelling arguments, and there were times when I really thought Snyder was gonna win. I was really surprised that Snyder brought Willow into the office and the argument. At first, I thought Snyder was gonna threaten to suspend Willow and prevent her from graduating if Xander didn't back down. Going after Willow might have worked. Then again, Snyder never would've been able to get away with that, because Willow is a model student. Plus, going after Willow would've only pissed Xander off even more. In the end, I was impressed with Xander's forethought, how he planned ahead and covered all of his bases. I truly believed Xander had enlisted the help of Cordy's dad, and thus would've humiliated Snyder if Snyder had stuck to his guns. I was completely shocked when Xander admitted to Willow after Snyder had caved and not only dropped Xander's suspension but also let Buffy back into school and permitted everyone to participate in graduation, that Xander had been bluffing about holding a private graduation function for the seniors and that it would've been sponsored by Cordy's dad. I didn't see that coming at all. I really thought Xander had actually thought things through and made all the necessary preparations to carry out his plan. Turns out, his plan was to bluff his way into defeating Snyder. Of course, I think what really won the day for Xander was threatening to repeat his senior year of high school, thus forcing Snyder to deal with him for another year. Sometimes, the price of victory is too high, and for Snyder, winning would've meant having to put up with Xander for another year, and that just wasn't worth it. Lucky for Xander and Buffy that Snyder preferred peace of mind rather than winning. I just hope no one spills the beans about Xander bluffing, at least not before graduation, because Snyder could still ban both Buffy and Xander from graduation. But, I don't think that'll happen. In fact, I don't think Snyder will be giving them any more trouble, because he just wants to be rid of them, and the quicker the better.

Why am I not surprised that Buffy was waiting for Xander in his apartment when he got home from school? Obviously, she'd heard the message Snyder left for her on her answering machine. However, I wonder why she wasn't there to pick up the phone when he called. Hmm, considering she's pregnant, she was probably in the bathroom at the time. lol Anyway, I just knew Buffy would wanna see Xander after hearing that he not only got her allowed at graduation, but he also got her back into school for the remainder of their senior year. Although, I wasn't sure if she'd just be grateful for what Xander did for her, or if she'd be a little upset and then grateful. I'm glad that she was just grateful. It was really nice to see her practically speechless over what Xander did for her. And she was right to question what she ever did to deserve a friend like Xander. I mean, she's treated him like shit at various times during their friendship, the worst of which happened during the body swap, and yet he forgave her, got her all the baby stuff she could ever need thanks to his grandmother, and now he's given her a slice of normal by getting her back into school and able to participate in graduation. If you ask me, Buffy doesn't deserve a friend like Xander, so I hope she knows just how lucky she is to have him. Based on the hug she gave him, I think she does know how lucky she is. Of course, with Xander being so nice to her and going to bat for her, it's not surprising that she'd start to question her feelings for him. Plus, she's already physically attracted to him, so when you add in Xander stepping up to be the father of the baby and now standing up to Snyder on her behalf, it's no wonder why Buffy would be wondering if she should be with Xander as more than friends. I'm sure the pregnancy hormones are contributing to her growing feelings for Xander, but I really think Buffy is finally opening her eyes and beginning to see what a great guy Xander is, and she's realizing that she could do a lot worse than Xander. I was THRILLED with the kiss. I was hoping Buffy would kiss Xander at some point, if only to express her gratitude for everything he's done for her. That said, I wasn't expecting her motivation for kissing Xander to be based on the brewing romantic feelings she's having for him. Yes, she's grateful for what Xander did for her, but I got the sense that the kiss was about her love for him and wanting more than friendship with him. Obviously, they both enjoyed the kiss, which could either complicate things or make things clearer. I don't think Xander would have a problem being with Buffy as more than friends, but only if he knew that Buffy was over Angel and not just settling for a guy that treats her well and will be there for her in ways that Angel can't. Buffy's feelings are a bit more complicated. I firmly believe she wants more than friendship with Xander, but she's conflicted over Angel. She's still clinging to her relationship with Angel, and I'm not sure if she's ready to let it go just yet. I think part of her knows that it's inevitable that she and Angel are done, but pulling off that band aid could be very difficult for her, even if she knows she'll feel better once it's done. Knowing that Angel is gonna break up with Buffy makes things interesting. Will he break up with her, or will she decide to break up with him and do so before he can do it? Or, will Buffy be unable to let Angel go and yet still pursue something with Xander while still, technically, being with Angel? At this point, I think Buffy and Xander know that there's something between them, and they both want it. The question is will they act on it, and if so, when?

It should be interesting to see how things are between Buffy and Xander once they're both back in school. Will there be awkwardness, or will they both pretend nothing happened and act normal around each other while they both secretly think about the kiss they shared and want more? I know Buffy jokingly mentioned being bummed about having to go to school and miss out on her soaps, but she may just be living in a soap opera of her own, complete with a very interesting love triangle.

It's kinda nice to see the heart-to-heart chats. I love the honesty, but I REALLY love that Faith is at the center of it. It's nice to see her be an integral part of the group and to know that people trust her enough to have actual conversations about things other than slaying and sex. Personally, I LOVE when Faith is portrayed as a relatively normal person, especially when she's still got a few of her rough edges intact. I also love when Faith opens up to people, shows some vulnerability and trust. Her conversation and interaction with Xander and even Angel had all of that.

I really like the playful tone between Faith and Xander, how they're competing to see who can stake the most vampires by the end of the night. I imagine patrolling can become tedious, and making a game of it can keep it interesting. Plus, when you face the real possibility of death each and every night, making light of it can help keep your mind off of how serious what you're doing actually is. I wasn't the least bit surprised that Faith was leading the competition, but I was surprised that she let Xander not only catch up but win. I can't help but wonder if her feelings for Xander made her want to give him the win, or if maybe she was being honest when she said that she didn't want to be associated with dusting vamps that were so incredibly stupid, like it would be an insult to her reputation as a slayer. Or, maybe Faith was feeling generous after Xander made it clear that the Scoobies cared about her deeply and thought of her as family. Either way, it was nice of Faith to give Xander the win. It's probably one of the very few times he's won at this particular game.

Anyway, the topic of conversation between Faith and Xander was interesting and a bit surprising, at least when it comes to the Mayor. Honestly, I thought Faith had put that behind her, but maybe it's been haunting her. After all, Faith has been an outcast/outsider for most of her life, with very few, if any, people who truly cared about her or loved her, so when she pretended to turn evil and worked for the Mayor, she undoubtedly was stunned by how he treated her. After all, the guy was evil, and yet, as Faith pointed out, just because you're evil, it doesn't mean you aren't capable of loving someone and being kind to them. The Mayor was extremely evil, but he wasn't completely evil. He had some kindness and even goodness in him that made him an interesting and even likable villain. I kinda like that Faith equated her relationship with the Mayor to Buffy's relationship with Giles, where the Mayor and Giles served as father figures to the slayers. It sounds odd, but I think Faith was right. So, even though Faith was only pretending to be on the Mayor's side, I think part of her actually liked the guy and kinda misses him. Of course, Xander was right, too. The Scoobies care about Faith, and there's nothing they wouldn't do for her. I really love that Faith and Xander hugged. It was a very touching moment, and it made me miss the two of them being a couple. For a moment, I really wanted Faith to kiss Xander, but she knows she doesn't have a shot with Xander, because his heart belongs to Buffy and it always has. Speaking of Buffy, part of me really wishes Faith would just tell Xander how Buffy feels about him and tell Buffy how Xander feels about her. Although, anyone with eyes and a brain can see that they love each other. Xander's actions practically scream that he loves Buffy, and the way Buffy talked about Xander's dick and having sex with him makes it more than obvious that she loves Xander. Still, both of them are living in denial, so it's impossible for them to see what's right in front of them. Still, Faith did tip her hand a little when she said that Xander's actions made him a hero in Buffy's eyes, to the point where he could use his status with Buffy to have sex with her. Also, mentioning that Buffy talked about Xander at the slumber party pretty much gave away how Buffy feels about him. Of course, I don't think Xander just wants to have sex with Buffy. If that were the case, then he wouldn't care about Buffy and Angel's relationship. Hell, after what Angel and Buffy did during the body swap, Xander would be justified in having sex with Buffy while she's still with Angel. A little payback would be nice. The problem is that Xander loves and respects Buffy, so he doesn't just want to have sex with her, assuming he wants anything from her at all beyond friendship. However, Xander didn't seem opposed to the idea of having sex with Buffy or being with her in general. I just think that he still believes Buffy doesn't have anything but friendly feelings for him and never will have anything but friendly feelings for him. But, maybe Faith has planted a seed in Xander's head about Buffy and Angel being done and there being a real chance that Buffy could want more with Xander than just friendship. I guess we'll have to see. Personally, I think Buffy will have to make the first move, if any moves are going to be made, and even then Xander will probably resist, for a little while.

Finally! Angel seems to have grown up and realized that Buffy might be better off without him and that love isn't always enough. Sometimes, love means letting go and letting the one you love flourish with someone else. After over two hundred years, you'd think Angel would've learned that lesson. Well, better late than never. I like that Angel is planning on setting up a base or business or whatever in L.A. It's a nice reference to the fact that Angel had his own TV show. By the way, as much as I hate Angel, especially when he was on Buffy's show, I actually preferred Angel to Buffy, both the character and the show once he had his own show. Funny how that works sometimes. Anyway, I was a little surprised that Angel would tell Faith about his plan to leave Sunnydale and that he was breaking up with Buffy. I get that Faith would need to know that he's leaving, but you'd think he'd want to tell Buffy first, since he's breaking up with her and basically walking out of her life completely. But, maybe Angel needed to say it out loud to someone before telling Buffy, get used to the fact that it was really happening. Plus, with Angel gone, Faith would be taking more responsibility when it comes to fighting vampires and demons, at least until Buffy was ready to start slaying again after the baby is born. While I love that Angel is gonna be gone, I'm sad that Faith is also going to leave. I really like her in this story. Hell, I love her in this story. But, I suppose she doesn't wanna stick around and watch her first and only boyfriend live happily ever after with Buffy, which is what Faith is convinced will happen. I can't blame her. I wouldn't wanna witness that, either. But, I do like that she's gonna continue the fight and that she's gonna sign up to help Angel in L.A. At least she won't be alone, and she won't be that far from Sunnydale. I think Faith and Angel would make a good team. Now, how soon will Angel be breaking the news to Buffy that he's dumping her and leaving? I hope it's really soon, because I'm sick of Buffy holding onto something that she should've let go of long ago. Plus, I wanna see what she does once she's free from Angel, what choices she makes.

Hmm, I wonder what Snyder wants to talk to Xander about, and why couldn't he just do it over the phone? Seems like that would be easier than forcing Xander to come to school. Then again, maybe Snyder just likes bossing others around and wanted the satisfaction of making Xander do his bidding. Regardless, something tells me that Snyder is gonna make and offer to Xander, some sort of compromise that will allow both Xander and Buffy to participate in graduation. I don't know if Buffy will be allowed back in school, though. I just don't think Snyder would cave completely, because he wouldn't want to look weak, even if he was beaten by Xander and his plan to turn the public against Snyder in order to get Buffy allowed at graduation with the rest of the students. I was a little surprised by Xander's attitude toward Snyder, specifically that Xander was being so sarcastic and combative. You'd think that Xander wouldn't want to risk pissing Snyder off further for fear that he'd dig in his heels and expel Xander from school and ban both him and Buffy from graduation. I just hope everything works out and both Xander and Buffy are allowed at graduation and maybe even back into school. I'd also like to see Buffy's reaction once Xander succeeds in his mission, and I do think he'll succeed. Maybe she'll finally kiss him in a moment of joyous celebration and thanks. It certainly wouldn't surprise me.

Xander's conversation with Buffy went better than I was expecting. I thought there'd be more yelling and possibly some name-calling. After all, Xander did what Buffy told him not to, and by doing so, he risked his own chances of not only being allowed at the graduation ceremony but possibly even graduating at all. Then again, I don't think Snyder could prevent Xander from getting his diploma, even if he could keep Xander out of the graduation festivities with the rest of his classmates. I don't know how things work in California, but where I went to high school, you earned credits for passing various courses, and you had to earn a certain amount of credits in order to graduate and receive a diploma. I remember that I earned the required amount of credits by the end of the first semester of my senior year, so it didn't matter what I did with the last semester of high school. If Sunnydale High has a similar system, then perhaps Xander has already earned enough credits to graduate, which would mean that he's gonna get his diploma no matter what Snyder does. But I digress. I think the point I'm trying to make is that Snyder isn't God, and even though he may have the power to suspend Xander and keep him from participating in the graduation ceremony, he can't deny Xander his diploma if Xander has met the requirements to earn it. Plus, if word gets out to the parents that Snyder is unfairly treating Xander and Buffy, then he'll have no choice but to cave and let both Buffy and Xander participate in graduation. The only question is whether there will be enough support for Buffy and Xander to force Snyder's hand. If there is, then Xander has nothing to worry about, and Buffy will get to enjoy graduation with her friends. If there isn't enough support for Buffy and Xander, then Xander might in a world of hurt, at least until he gets his G.E.D. So, while I understand Buffy's concern and frustration and even anger over what Xander did, I think she's only upset because she didn't want to see Xander jeopardize his ability to both earn his diploma and attend graduation simply so she could have a chance to walk across a stage with the rest of her classmates. I did love Xander's reasoning behind why he did it, though. He knows how much Buffy wants to be at graduation, to be a part of it, how happy it would make her, and he would do anything to make Buffy happy, even if it meant risking his own neck. Plus, Buffy's part of the Scoobies, and the Scoobies stick together and stand up for each other. So, while Xander may have acted impulsively, he did it for good and noble reasons, and I simply love that Buffy realized how lucky she is to have someone like Xander in her life, someone who's willing to fight for her, to risk everything for her simply so she can be happy. I especially enjoyed the Buffy/Xander hug. It was really sweet. Hell, the whole scene between them was sweet and felt very domestic, almost like a husband and wife having an argument and then making up at the end, except they aren't married, and they didn't have sex or even kiss.

Since I brought up the whole domestic, husband/wife vibe between Buffy and Xander, I also quite enjoyed the part of their conversation when Buffy was lamenting how fat she feels and how often she has to pee and how she's worried that she might never get her figure back after the baby is born. All of those are pretty standard concerns for a mother-to-be, but I love how Xander handled the situation. He almost stepped in it when he started, which is typical Xander, but he recovered nicely. In his own Xander-y way, Xander reassured Buffy that everything would be okay, that she was just as beautiful pregnant as she was before she got pregnant, and that she'd get her body back after the baby was born with the added bonus that she'd have bigger boobs than before she got pregnant. The boobs comment was hilarious and such a guy thing to say, but I love that Xander was honest. I think Buffy loved his honesty, too, and was probably flattered that Xander still found her attractive even in her enlarged state. I also think part of her liked the fact that he was looking at her boobs. I mean, how else would he know that they've gotten so much bigger? lol

By the way, I really liked Buffy's suggestion that she and Xander could hang out during the day not that neither of them can go to school. Of course, my dirty mind immediately started thinking that with nothing to do all day, and with it just being the two of them, there might be some naughtiness in Buffy and Xander's future, and I'm talking naughtiness of the sexual variety. After all, daytime TV sucks, and they'll have to do something to pass the time, and I don't think they'll be playing Monopoly all day or reading. Also, I kinda felt bad for Xander when he learned that all the female Scoobies are gonna be at Cordy's slumber party, and he'd be all alone. It's a little sad that Xander doesn't have any guy friends. Sure, there's Oz, but I think Xander was right, that if it weren't for Willow, Xander and Oz would NOT hang out or even know each other. Still, Xander's friends with four extremely beautiful women, two of which he's had sex with, one he's kissed and the last one is having his baby. I'd say that's a pretty nice trade-off for not having any guy friends. ;) I can't help but wonder which woman Xander was talking about when he said that there was one woman who would be happy to spend time with him while the girls were at their slumber party. Could it be Joyce? Or maybe Xander would spend time with his grandmother? Or, maybe Xander was talking about the latest issue of Playboy magazine, specifically the centerfold? lol

The slumber party was...enlightening. I really enjoyed the varied array of topics the girls discussed. I was a little surprised that Cordy was getting the hell outta Dodge as soon as she receives her diploma. I knew she was leaving, but I thought she'd at least take a few days or weeks before she left. Then again, there's really nothing for her in Sunnydale, and she's always struck me as the big city type. I just hope her dreams aren't dashed. She may not be my favorite person, but she's grown on me a bit during the course of this story. I was very surprised to learn that Faith has also entertained thoughts of leaving Sunnydale. I always figured that Faith enjoyed the whole slayer thing, and where better to get the full experience than on the hellmouth? Then again, maybe Faith doesn't wanna stick around and watch Xander play house with Buffy, have the kind of life Faith maybe wishes she could have. I just hope Faith doesn't leave town as soon as the Buffy has the baby. I'd kinda like to see how Faith reacts to a baby, whether she likes them or is terrified of them and if she might want one of her own someday after she sees Buffy's. And since we're talking about Cordy and Faith, I thought their little heart-to-heart before Buffy and Willow showed up was sweet. The two of them don't seem like they could ever really be friends, but it's nice to know that they at least respect each other. Plus, I rather liked how they both knew that Buffy would always come first for Xander, no matter who he was dating.

Before I move on to other topics of discussion during the sleepover, I wanted to mention some minor...issues I had with some of the events during the sleepover. For instance, I love the idea of the girls all getting massages and talking about the various happenings in their lives during the massages, but I'm wondering how Buffy was able to get a massage. I mean, I assume she was lying on her stomach, but how could that be comfortable, what with her being pregnant and her belly expanding with the growing baby. Forgive my ignorance, but is it even safe for a pregnant woman, at a certain stage of pregnancy, to lie on her stomach? And then there was the hot tub. I'm pretty sure it's not safe for pregnant women to be in hot tubs. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall hearing that pregnant women sitting in very hot water for long periods isn't recommended by doctors. Maybe I've just watched too much TV and too many movies, but when Buffy participated in those two things at the sleepover, I kept thinking that she shouldn't be doing them or that it wasn't even possible in the case of the massage. But, it's just a story, so it doesn't really matter.

Anyway, back to the topics of conversation. Can't say I'm surprised that Willow had sex with Oz after prom. In fact, it was pretty much inevitable. Still, it seems weird to hear Willow talk about having sex with Oz in a group setting. The Willow I remember from the high school years never would've been able to be that open and honest with a group, not about sex. I could see Willow telling Buffy about it in private, but it just felt odd that Willow would tell Faith and Cordy. What's even more odd is Willow's rather subdued reaction to having sex with Oz. She didn't exactly seem thrilled by the experience. Granted, it could be that her first time wasn't mind blowing, but it almost felt like she was a bit disappointed by it, either Oz's performance or the fact that her first time wasn't with the person she wanted it to be with. In fact, it kinda felt like Willow was defending her decision to have sex with Oz rather than letting it be known how much closer to Oz she feels and how happy she is with Oz. Hmm, maybe we're seeing the beginnings of Willow's preference for women? That might explain her underwhelming reaction to having sex with Oz. Sure, she loves Oz and is attracted to him, but having sex with him didn't thrill her the way she thought it would, and that may be because what she really craves is the love of another woman. I could be reading way too much into things, though. And since we're on the topic of sex, I was really surprised when Willow brought up the fact that she was the only one of the Scoobies who hasn't had sex with Xander. I mean, it's true, but that's such a weird thing to talk about, especially since Xander's two ex-girlfriends were there along with the girl who's currently pregnant with his child. It's almost surreal. Anyway, I know Willow said that she's with Oz, but I have to believe that there's a part of her that would like to have sex with Xander at least once, not to be part of the club, but to experience the love of her oldest and best friend in a physical way. The talk about Xander and having sex with him was very revealing, especially when they talked about what sexual position they preferred. I was a little stunned that Faith liked doggy style. Based on what we saw on the show and given Faith's craving of control and/or power, you'd think she'd prefer to be on top. Then again, doggy style is less personal, because she wouldn't have to look at Xander while having sex with him. And since Faith has always been a bit emotionally distant from people, it makes sense that she'd want to maintain that emotional distance even during sex. I wasn't surprised by Cordy preferring to be on top during sex. Like Faith, Cordy comes across as a girl who craves control/power, so being on top would give her that feeling. Plus, being able to look Xander in the eye means there's true intimacy. So, even while Cordy wants the power in the relationship, she also wants emotional intimacy. I wasn't really surprised that Buffy likes the missionary position. She's always struck me as the type who wants someone else to take charge, to surrender her authority and control once in a while. I think that comes from being the slayer and having to make all the decisions, having to be the leader. Every now and then, I think Buffy just wants to follow where someone else leads, and the safest place for that is in the bedroom. Plus, I think Buffy craves love and emotional connection/intimacy more than anything. Sure, the physical pleasure/connection is great, but it's so much better when there's a strong emotional component. What was really telling was the way Buffy talked about sexual position and Xander's dick. Once she got started, Buffy was in her own little world. It could just be that she was fondly remembering her sexual romps with Xander's body, but the awe and reverence with which she spoke leads me to believe there's more to it than just remembering great sex and having been without sex for months. When she was talking about Xander's dick, she came across as a bit juvenile, like size is all that matters. However, after she got past the size of Xander's dick and started talking about the little details of it, like the slight curve and the head and how perfectly it fit inside her, it truly felt like Buffy was talking like a woman in love would talk about her man. And the way Buffy talked about looking into Xander's eyes during sex really made it seem like she has romantic feelings for Xander. Sure, she tried to cover by saying that she was thinking about Angel when she was looking into Xander's eyes, but I think that's total bullshit. In the heat of the moment, she'd be thinking about Xander, because it was Xander's dick inside her, Xander's hands touching her, Xander's lips kissing her, Xander's voice calling her name, Xander's eyes she was looking into. If you ask me, it would be almost impossible for Buffy NOT to have feelings for Xander after having sex with his body so many times. And seeing how great Xander has been, by first forgiving her for betraying his trust and then wanting to be the father to the baby and then getting things for after the baby is born and then going to bat for her with Snyder, I suspect her feelings for him have only gotten stronger. What gets me is that Buffy all but admitted that she has feelings for Xander, and yet she continues to hide behind Angel, like she's bound to him for eternity. Yeah, they're technically dating, but they don't see each other every day, and they aren't married. Hell, they can't even have sex, unless they want Angel to lose his soul and start killing people. So why does Buffy feel like she has to stay with Angel? If she's in love with someone else, then she should break up with Angel. She's a teenager. She's allowed to date someone and break up with them and then date someone else. It's really annoying to watch Buffy cling to a dead relationship, a relationship that will never work out and won't make her happy. She'd be so much better off if she admitted her feelings about Angel and Xander to herself and then decided to be happy by pursuing a relationship with someone who could give her the kind of life she's dreamed about.

I really hope Faith gets through to Buffy and that Buffy takes a good, long look at her life and makes some different choices. Even if Buffy doesn't end up with Xander, she'd be better off without Angel. I mean, life is short enough when you're a normal person who doesn't live on a hellmouth. When you're a slayer living on a hellmouth, you're living on borrowed time and should make the most of the time you have by finding and embracing happiness and joy whenever and where ever you find it. I'm looking forward to seeing where things go from here.

Nice tell the truth