Title: It Had to be You

Author: Alicia08

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: B/A, B/S, C/A

Distribution: Yeah, sure, if you want to. Just leave my name on it.

Disclaimer: Well let's see. My first name is not Joss, and I don't have a penis, hence I own nothing.

Description: Buffy and Angel are engaged to be married, but not to each other.

Author's note: AU

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mom please. Can we not talk about this right now"

"Honey. Sweetie. I love you. You know that. But I just think you haven't given this much thought is all"

Buffy paced back and forth between the confinements of her small New York apartment. Her frustrations rising with every step. Her mom, had a way of making her feel like a child. She was 23 years old. Old enough to make her own decisions. Old enough to marry when she saw fit, whom she saw fit. So what If William was overly committed to his work? He's ambitious. She knew this about him the day they met.

"Mom" Buffy warned. "I'm not having this conversation with you again"

"Fine.I won't say anything else" Joyce Summers sighed. "Except this"

"Mom please. Don't" Buffy warned again

Disregarding the warning, Joyce continued, rising from the beige couch she had bought her daughter as a house-warming present. "Do you remember as a little girl how you'd tell me stories of how you pictured your future? You use to tell me that you wanted the fairytale. A handsome night and shining armor to sweep you off your feet. The two of you would fall madly in love with each other, like...? Who was it again?" she faltered as she searched her brain.

"Romeo and Juliet Mom" Buffy finished. "Romeo and Juliet." Taking her mom's hand in her own, leading her back to the couch, where they both sat down. "that was years ago. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm all grown up and I live in the real world now. Not a fantasy. Plus, you should be happy I gave up on that fantasy. Romeo and Juliet both died"

"My god" Joyce rolled her eyes. "You fucking sound like me" she chuckled. "Forget the real world. Go for the fantasy. Make it Snow White then. That fairytale had a happy ending. I was so very wrong. Don't settle for Joe smoe. Find your prince charming" . Joyce's brow furrowed at the slight as she studied her daughter. "Sweetie. I just want you to be happy" she finished pushing an uncomely strand of hair from Buffy's face.

"And I am happy. Why can't you be happy for me?" Buffy questioned, a single tear finding it's way down her cheek.

Joyce blanched and studied her hands and how they intertwined with that of her only child. The day she gave birth to Buffy was the happiest most joy filled day of her life. The doctors had told her that she was unable to bare children. The horrific news was like a sword through the gut, but then six months later, she was pregnant. It was a blessing. A miracle even. Every day since then, was spent doing every and all things possible to make life more pleasant for her daughter. She wanted more than anything for Buffy's upbringing to be nothing like hers.

"I am. I really am" Joyce soothed her daughter's pain. "Even if it breaks my precious heart" she finished with a slight smile. " I think you can do much better than William, but if you say your happy, then I'm there for you. I'll support you in whatever you decide"

Wiping tears from her face with the back of her sleeves, Buffy enveloped her mom into a tight embrace. "I love you mom" she said through sniffles.

"I love you too sweetie. I love you too"

Parting, Buffy regarded her mother questionably. "So, is that the last of your complaints in regards to my fiancé?"

"Of course. Would I lie to you?"

"You seriously don't want me to answer that. Do you?" Buffy conveyed with a laugh, as she rose from the couch and walked to the hallway closet to retrieve her jacket.

"Where are you going" Joyce asked curiously

"Remember. Willow is meeting me for lunch, and then later I have to go make reservations at the Sheraton."

"Why?"

"Mom geez. How forgetful are we. William thought it best with the wedding approaching so quickly, that it would be easier for me to plan everything, if I was actually in Manhattan, where everything is. The caterer, the church, yada yada. Every single one of them is in Manhattan. I told you all this before" Buffy sighed in exasperation.

"Ah, it must be psychological" Joyce chuckled. You're a teacher. You must know how this works. It's has to do with the wedding I'm not so thrilled with, hence it was blocked out subconsciously"

"Mom" Buffy scowled

"What? I didn't say anything. Remember. I'm happy for you."

Rolling her eyes, Buffy headed for the door. "Make sure you lock the door when you leave ok. This isn't the best time for me to get robbed. And stay out of my room" she adding, her voice fading as the door closed, leaving Joyce Summer's sitting on the couch alone.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Don't you think we should be more discrete" Cordelia playfully retorted

"Oh come now. Don't tell me you're shy all of a sudden" her fiancé exclaimed, nibbling slightly on the tip of her earlobe.

Giggling in delight "You do realize I have a meeting with a client in less than five minutes. I'm sure he'll be here any minute now"

"Don't worry. Harmony will page you when he arrives" He countered, as his hands found the zipper to Cordelia's skirt.

"She will page me, but that's not the point here Angel" she hissed, pushing her soon to be husband from her body and straightening her clothing. This meeting is very important. I can't afford to have anything go wrong." the tall brunette proclaimed as she made her way around the office desk. "You knew I had this meeting today. After all the time I fretted over it, I don't even know why you came here today of all days" she finished, falling back into her chair.

Angel's good mood evaporated in the face of her condescension. Sighing, Angel narrowed his gaze at his fiancé, but held his tongue for close to a minute. When he finally spoke it was with icy control "I'm sorry. I didn't realize my presence in your life had such low priorities" he finished calmly.

"Angel please. Can we not go into this now." Cordelia spat as she rose from her seat. "I'm about to dive into one of the most impor..."

A knock on the door interrupted her sentence. Giving Angel the evil eye, she walked over and opened the door to her office. "What is it Harmony?"

"Sorry to disturb you Ms.Chase, but Mr. Wyndham-Pryce is here to see you now" the long haired blond uttered nervously

"Why didn't you page me" Cordy questioned impatiently

"I..I did Ms. Chase, but you didn't respond" Harmony tried to explain.

"Really? Cordelia asked off handedly. I didn't here it. Well, send him in would you please" she drawled on before closing the door and turning to face Angel. "We'll discuss this when I get home" she said firmly

Angel laughed lightly under his breath, and approached his fiancé. He pursed his lips together and looked at the women he's known for nearly 5 years. The women he was going to marry. The woman he loved. The woman he planned to spend eternity with. He looked long and hard, but couldn't find any trace of that woman. In her place stood someone with her face, her figure, her mannerism, even her personality. What was lacking was the heart. This women standing directly in front of him was cold, far from the women he fell in love with. He didn't want to kid himself though. He still loved Cordelia, he just wasn't sure if he wanted to spend his life growing old with her. "Don't do me any favor's dear" Angel scowled, turning to exit the office.

Walking down the hall and into the receptionist area, Harmony greeted him with a smile. "Where's the client?" Angel asked looking around the room.

"Oh...Mr. Wyndham-Price is on his way up." Getting up and making her way over to Angel she whispered. "I kinda heard the almost argument you and Ms. Chase were having"

Angel gave her a questioning look

"The intercom was left on" she elucidated with an embarrassed smile. "I thought it best if I interrupted"

"Thanks" he replied nonchalantly, turning and moving on his way

"Wait" Harmony jumped, quickly tottering over to block his path. Lowering her gaze, she continued. "I know it's none of my business, but you shouldn't be upset with her. This has been a very stressful week for her. For all of us actually. This meeting is uber important. If she closes this deal with Mr. Price, her career will soar."

Angel ran a hand through his hair. He knew Harmony's intrusion into his personal life was with best of intentions, but it still irked him to have her prying. He hadn't known her well. To him, she was his fianc's secretary, and nothing else. He didn't even know her last name, whether she was married, had kids. Truthfully, he hadn't bothered to find out, or even had the desire to know. "I appreciate the counsel, but it's really none of your concern" he offered as politely as he knew how. Bidding her farewell, he made his way into the elevator and out to the chilly streets of New York City.

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