Epilogue

A/N: Well, folks, this is the last chapter. There is a brief mention of mpreg but nothing detailed. Oh, and I'll apologise in advance for the sheer sappiness of the chapter.

Epilogue

One year later

Xander bounced excitedly as the carriage headed toward their destination. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Draco and Spike’s face. They weren’t expecting it to be done for at least a year, but Xander had gotten his Mastery after only a month of intensive tutoring from Professor McGonagall and had apprenticed under Archibald Downing for the last six months to become proficient enough to build Draco’s dream house. But now it was done, and so could not wait to see the blonde duo’s reaction.

The carriage finally pulled to a stop, and Xander almost fell to the ground in his haste to exit the carriage. He quickly turned back to the other two occupants, making sure they still had their charmed blindfolds on, and helped them out of the carriage. Leading them to the perfect spot to view their home, Xander said the counter charm, causing the blindfolds to fall off.

“Bloody hell,” whispered Spike, staring at the magnificent house in awe.

Draco was even more awestruck. “But how? I thought you wouldn’t start your construction apprenticeship for another month or two.”

Xander grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, about that. I got my Transfiguration Mastery nine months ago while you guys were in Sydney, and then I got an apprenticeship under good old Archie. He deemed me worthy to build wizarding homes three months ago, and I got started on your dream home right away. I finished just last week.”

“Damn, whelp, you’ve certainly been a busy bee, haven’t ya?” asked Spike.

“Well, after the two of you left, I guess everyone else decided it was time for them to leave, too. As you know, Harry and Lucius left two weeks after you did, and Cordy left a week after that. She got this awesome contract with her favourite designer. She calls once a week to make sure I’m staying out of trouble. Oh, and Fred and Dad decided to get hitched four months ago.”

“What?” Draco just gaped at Xander in shock. Why was he just now hearing about this? “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“Dad wanted it to be a surprise,” said Xander. “Of course, he probably wanted to tell you himself, and my big mouth just ruined it. Oh well. Let’s go inside. If you think the outside is impressive, you should definitely see the inside.”

Xander lead them to the front door and gestured for Draco to open it. Draco smiled nervously and slowly opened the door. He couldn’t see inside, though, because it was completely dark. Spike just pushed him inside and stepped into the house behind him. Before they could take another step, though, the room lit up.

“Surprise!”

Xander suddenly howled in laughter. Draco had actually jumped into Spike’s arms when everyone had yelled. “Oh man, that was too funny. I so needed that.”

“Ha ha,” said Draco, releasing his vise-like grip on Spike and dropping to his feet. He was surprised to see the whole family there. Severus and Fred were there, as were Harry and Lucius. Hell, even the Weasley’s were there to celebrate.

“What did I miss?”

Draco turned around and saw Cordelia standing in the doorway. Xander grinned and hugged the Seer. “Cordy, it was hilarious. Draco practically swooned like a damsel in distress.”

“I did not, Xander. You take that back,” snapped Draco.

“Okay, it wasn’t exactly like that,” Xander conceded. “It was more like- well, just picture a frightened cat, clinging to the curtains or whatever it can its claws into. That’s what Draco was like.” Draco sputtered indignantly, but Xander suddenly pulled him into a tight hug. “Welcome back. It just hasn’t been the same without the two of you around to help wreak havoc on the unsuspecting.”

Draco relaxed, a smile tugging at his lips. Truthfully, he’d missed his best friend fiercely. It was good to be back. “Thank you, Xander. I missed you, too.”

Xander grinned impishly. “That’s not all you missed. Come on. There’s someone I want you to meet.” He dragged Draco up the stairs and to the second bedroom on the right.

Draco looked inside and saw Angel, siting in a rocking chair. In his arms was a tiny baby with dark hair on its head. “Who..? Xander?”

“Meet Ryder Sebastian Snape.”

Angel held out the baby, and Draco nervously cradled the infant in his arms. Ryder blinked curiously at the blonde before stuffing several fingers in his mouth and drifting off to sleep. “He’s beautiful, Xander.” He reluctantly handed the baby back to Angel and punched Xander in the shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me? We would have come back if we’d known.”

“It wasn’t intentional, Draco,” said Xander defensively. “I didn’t realise for the first four months, and then we had so many plans to make. Elven pregnancies only last six months, you know.”

“And it took you four months to catch on?” asked Draco incredulously.

Angel snickered at that. Xander glared at his mate and turned back to Draco. “Yeah, well, I’m a little slow. I’m a guy. It was definitely not the first idea that popped in my, that’s for damn sure. I just thought I was getting chubby.”

Draco turned to glare at Angel. “And why didn’t you say anything? As a vampire, I’m sure you smelled the changed long before Xander would have noticed anything different.”

Angel smiled sheepishly. Xander glared at the vampire even more. “He was too busy laughing at me to say anything. Besides, we sent a letter, but the owl returned with it. You guys wouldn’t stay in one bloody place long enough to get the damn thing.”

“So who have you named as godparents?”

“We haven’t,” said Xander softly. “We had to wait for you and Spike to get back.”

Draco’s whole face brightened. “Really? You want me to be his godfather?”

“Who else would I ask?” asked Xander seriously. “You’re my best friend, and I know that you would protect Ryder with your life if anything ever happened to me and Angel.”

“And his godmother?”

“Do you really have to ask that question?” asked Xander wryly. “Cordy, of course. She’d have my hide if I denied her this.”

“Have you told Buffy and Willow?”

“I sent them a letter after Ryder was born, but I haven’t heard back from them. After the way we parted, I kinda don’t expect to really. We did not leave on a happy note, if you’ll remember. Giles wrote back, though. He’s coming to visit in a couple of weeks.”

“XANDER! GET YOUR BUTT DOWNSTAIRS AND BRING THAT BABY WITH YOU!”

Xander and Draco snickered at the command. “And her royal highness calls once again.” With a rueful smile, Xander took Ryder from Angel and went downstairs, leaving Draco and Angel in the room.

“He looks really happy,” said Draco softly.

“He is,” said Angel. “He’s doing something he loves, and his friends and family are there for him.” Angel stood and started for the door. He suddenly stopped and turned back to the blonde. “Welcome back. Hope you like the house. Xander worked his arse off to make sure it was perfect.”

“He succeeded. The house is perfect,” said Draco with a touch of reverence in his voice. It was exactly the way he’d envisioned his home to be.

***

The naming ceremony was held one week later. Draco held the tiny one month old as he and Spike were named Ryder’s godfathers, and Xander watched in amusement as Draco reluctantly handed the infant over to Cordy when she and Minerva were named as godmothers. He still couldn’t believe that he was a father now, but he knew he would try his hardest to be a good dad to that boy. Ryder would know just how much he was loved.

Of course, Xander and Angel weren’t the only ones who doted on the newest Snape. Severus was positively delighted with the arrival of his grandson. He was determined to be there for the little tyke since he’d been denied that pleasure with Xander. Judging by the speculative looks Severus kept giving Fred, Xander figured he would have a new sibling within the next year or so.

Xander looked over at Lucius and Harry and saw a wistful look on the older man’s face as Lucius watched Harry hold Ryder. Xander smiled. Maybe Ryder would have a new playmate soon, too. He couldn’t wait.

Xander tried to hide a grin as several guests suddenly started singing. Half the affected guests glared at the twins while the other half glared at Xander, uncertain as to which one was the culprit. Xander just shrugged and tried to look innocent. It wasn’t that hard since the singing prank wasn’t his. Now when they started barking and meowing, that would be his fault.

The twins suddenly caught Xander’s eye again as the surrounded Cordy. To his surprise, Cordelia smiled brightly and looped an arm around each twin. Xander could honestly say he’d never seen that coming. They just better make sure she was happy because if they hurt his friend, friends or not, they would pay dearly.

Xander sighed happily. So much had changed over the last two years. Losing Buffy and Willow had been devastating, and he would always feel that loss and hope they would return to him. But he had also gained so much: a loving father (okay, Severus would probably never be described as ‘loving’ because he was so damn ornery all the time, but Xander had no doubts that he was loved.), a devoted mate , a beautiful son, a cousin, and a new best friend. Life was good now.

***

Buffy and Willow cried as they read Xander’s letter again. The cost of their betrayal was written all over the pages. Willow picked up the picture and smiled wistfully. Xander looked happier than she’d ever seen him. Angel, too, for that matter. Photograph Xander smiled and waved Ryder’s hand at them while Angel looked on indulgently. To be honest, Willow was kind of surprised that Xander had even wrote them in the first place. She certainly didn’t deserve it for what she’d done to him. Setting the photo down gently, Willow swore silently to accept the olive branch Xander had extended and prove herself to be a true friend to him.

Buffy took the photo and smiled sadly. She’d always love Angel, but even she could see that he was truly, deeply in love with Xander. And the feeling was most definitely returned. Buffy didn’t know why it had taken her so long to see, but now she realised just how much she’d hurt Xander with her actions. She and Willow were supposed to be his best friends, and yet, they had hurt him the worst.

“You feel up to a trip to England?” asked Buffy abruptly.

Willow looked up with hope shining in her eyes. “Really?”

“Apologies are best left face to face, right?” said Buffy determinedly.

“Right,” Willow agreed. “We have a lot to make up for.”

“Yes, we do,” said Buffy softly, tracing Xander’s smiling face. She didn’t know how they would do that, but she was determined to find a way. Maybe her mom and Dawn would like to visit, as well.

The End