Title: Didn't Have To Be
Author: Jacinta
Disclaimer: Joss and Co. owns everything. I own nothing but my warped mind. The song "He Didn’t Have To Be" is sung by Brad Paisley
Pairing: X/Anya established relationship
Rating: G
Spoilers: Set a few years in the future – Buffy is alive again and Xander and Anya have been married for a year or so.
Distribution: Sure, you want it you can have it, just let me know where it goes
Summary: Xander’s thoughts while in hospital for the birth of his child.
Dedication: To Gill – get well soon hun, we miss you
Feedback: yes please ;)
Notes: Thanks again to my beta Milk ;)

Xander stood with his hands flat against the glass window, grinning like an idiot at his newborn son. The entire Scooby gang surrounded him, as they looked at the little boy resting in the arms of the nurse. As she held him up for them to see, they all grinned.

"Aw, he’s so beautiful," sighed Willow.

"Yeah, he must get that from his mothers side," smirked Buffy.

"Just for that, Aunt Buffy can change all the dirty diapers," replied Xander.

"Oh no, my expertise stops at slaying. No diaper changing in my resume."

"Chicken."

"Hell yeah. Do you know what horrible things those little bundles can create? In a word, Ewww."

Chuckling, Giles interrupted their little debate,

"Well regardless, congratulations you two. You’ll both make wonderful parents."

Wrapping his arm around Anyas’ shoulders Xander replied,

"I hope we do."

"I know you will," Giles stated matter-of-factly.

As he stood there looking at Giles, all he could see was the total sincerity in his face. He then remembered a song he heard playing on the radio not too long ago, that seemed to fit this moment very well.

I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in
And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Throughout their first years together at Sunnydale High, they had given each other their fair share of teasing and mocking. But at moments when he really needed support or advice, Giles had always been there, with a kind word, a comforting hand on his shoulder or even just a look. In more ways than one, he had treated him better than his own father had.

Giles had been the first person he had told about his engagement to Anya. In response, Giles had closed the shop early to take them all out to celebrate. He had also gone with them to Xanders’ parents house. Upon hearing the news, his father had looked at them in disgust and said,

"Don’t know why ya bothering… ain’t gonna last. Who in the hell’d be desperate enough ta want you?"

Xander and Anya turned and walked away, but were still close enough to hear what Giles said, or more correctly growled, in the most vicious Ripper tone either had heard.

"How a person so loyal, caring and compassionate as Xander could come from such filth as you is beyond comprehension. You don’t deserve to be even called his parents."

With an icy glare at both, he then turned and followed after the pair.

"Come on you two, we have wedding plans and parties to prepare," he said, wrapping an arm around each of them.

Giles had not only been Xanders’ best man, but had also given Anya away. They had both wanted him involved but could not settle on how and had argued over it for days, until Giles had volunteered to do both. Even after that disastrous visit to his parents place, Xander had still sent them an invitation. Not surprisingly, neither of them showed up, a fact that Xander really didn’t seem to mind strangely enough. The people who really cared about him were here and that’s all that mattered to him.

Giles had also been the first person they told when Anya was pregnant. Again he had closed the shop early, almost literally throwing customers out to begin the celebrations. He spent most of the time fussing over Anya, not letting her get up for anything and shaking Xander’s hand or giving him a quick hug every now and then.

He was there for them each time he and Anya had a fight during the pregnancy, as her mood swings came and went with full Vengeance Demon like force.

And just over 24 hours ago, Giles had been there for him when he had rung in a panic as Anya went into contractions. All he managed to get out was,

"Anya… contractions…"

Giles new immediately what was happening and told him to get her to the hospital, he’d take care of everything else. True to his word, he turned up 5 minutes after they had, Anya’s overnight bag in his hand.

"I don’t know what to do! I’ve forgotten everything from Lamaze classes!"

"Xander, calm down. It’ll be all right. All you need to do is be there for her, okay?"

Xander looked into his eyes, still in a panic.

"Just be there for her," he said again, giving the younger man’s shoulder a squeeze.

With a nod, Xander went with Anya while Giles called the others. Not long after they all had arrived, so did the newest little member of the Scooby gang.

Turning to Anya, Xander whispered something in her ear, receiving a nod and a wide grin in response. He kissed her gently on the cheek with a soft thank you and then turned to face Giles.

"Uhm Giles. We were wondering, Anya and me, if you wouldn’t mind, that is… if it’s okay with you, … we would like to name our son Anthony Rupert Harris."

Giles just looked back with a stunned expression on his face; masking the internal emotional roller coaster he was experiencing. The pride and love in his heart swelled up through his body and soul, causing tears to well in his eyes.

"I would be honored," Giles replied breathlessly, uncaring of the tears that fell.

Both men stood smiling for a few moments before engulfing each other in a hug, Giles’ arm snaking out to pull Anya in as well.

After a few moments, they released each other and turned back to look through the glass, Giles keeping a hand resting on Xander’s shoulder.

Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be
You know he didn't have to be

END

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