Title: Visiting Hours
Author: Xandria
Rating: PG m/m
Pairings: Xander/?
Spoiler: Nope
Summary: Sequel to Two Weeks Late. Xander's still not happy - but visitors are good
Warning: Mpreg and slash, don't like, don't read
Archive: Ooh, if you like. Anywhere at all. Just let me know so I can look.
Date: Saturday, 29 March 2003
Feedback: Yes please. I love it. And it leads to more stories usually.
E-mail: xandria1969@y...

Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine, they belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy etc. and that's that. *SOB!*. Heck, if I did own them, I wouldn't be studying for my second degree right now so I can get a job would I? No, I'd be in Queensland with all the boys attending to my every little whim! {I can dream can't I?} The plot, however? That's mine *EG* and I have an army of feral Smurfs and rabid teddybears to back me up.

An hour later Xander was staring at the wall again, but this time he wasn't sulking. No, really he wasn't. He was thinking. Okay, so his lip stuck out a bit and it looked like he was pouting, but he just had a lot to think about.

One, his lover had asked him to have his children and he had said yes.

Two, when his lover had said children he didn't expect it to be three all at once. Though to be fair, neither had his mate, it had just worked out that way.

Three, he hadn't expected the morning sickness. Or feeling so weak.

Four, nearly losing them at four months had really scared both him, and his lover. So he had taken the doctor's advice and cut down drastically on what he did, quit his job altogether instead of doing desk duties at the site. It was too stressful and stress was so not a good right now.

He still caught up with the Scoobies, yeah, but even the Research parties would be too much, not to mention Buffy's attitude. He couldn't figure her out, anyway. She didn't like the crush he used to have on her, but then when he moved on she didn't seem too happy about that either. Well, the others were okay about the whole Bi thing and she was coming round too, just, a bit slower than the others, that's all.

Five. That was bad. He hadn't stopped enough and this time not only the children but also he had nearly died as well. So he was to have complete bed rest until the birth now. Any time he got out of bed his mate carried him, and while he was strong, Xander was certain that one day he'd get a hernia.

Six. He was due two weeks ago. Four months in bed was bad enough, but four and a half? Maybe that was because it was through magic that he was able to carry the children? Who knew when the Hellmouth was involved.

There was a knock on the door and he turned around to see who it was. It was his lover and he sighed. How could he ever be sad with him around?

"Xan? You sulking again?"

"No, not really. Just thinking deeply is all."

"Okay then, you up to a visitor?" Xander's eyes lit up and he smiled.

"You kidding?! No offence, Love, but I really need to see a different face for a change." His mate chuckled and waved to someone out of sight.

"None taken. Come on in, Dawn." Smiling, she entered and headed towards Xander to give him a kiss. Putting his arm around her he held on as she sat down beside him on the bed, both smiling widely.

"Hey Xander. What you been up to?" Watching carefully, Dawn wasn't too happy with the state of her first and still favourite crush. He was too thin, but his stomach was so large, and he had huge black shadows under his eyes. And even though he smiled she could see he was trembling slightly and seemed to be in some pain.

"Hey Dawnie. This and that. Watched TV, then for something different, watched a different channel, read a little, threw a tantrum, got bored, you know, the usual."

"Guess you're ready for a visitor then? Unless there's something you want to watch right now?" Weakly, Xander batted at her with his free hand. He didn't even have the strength right now to throw a pillow at her.

"Hey! Enough of that, missy! Come to think of it, why aren't you in school?" Dawn looked at him funny.

"Ah, unlike the original Scoobies I don't hang around there after hours? It's after six Xander."

"Oh. Well, it's hard to keep track of things right now." He replied, losing his smile. He looked a little lost and Dawn desperately looked for something to say to bring him out of it. Why had she put it like that? She'd been warned how fragile he was right now and she still managed to hurt him. Sighing, she put her arms around him.

"I remember once when I was sick, and I lost track of time too. Buffy had me convinced it was next month and I'd missed out my birthday and wouldn't get a party or presents that year as I'd slept through it all. I started crying and didn't stop, and it scared Buffy and she ran out screaming for Mom." Xander smiled, the lost look gone.

"So were you really that upset?"

"Nah, I was just getting her back." They looked at each other and giggled, holding on to each other as they did so. A comfortable silence fell and they sat, watching the sunset through the large picture window in the wall at the foot of Xander's bed.

End