Months had passed, trials had come and gone from the lives of the two lovers. Nevertheless, they had beat the odds..together. Everything they did, they did together. They were each other's hope and reason. Joyce had grown to understand their love, and wasn't at all surprised when Buffy had one day told her that she wanted to move in with Angel. Surprisingly, Joyce had been thrilled. Thrilled that her daughter, who had gone through so much, had found a love that most were lucky to even catch sight of. Dispite his being a vampire, Joyce had learned to accept him. The news hadn't surprised any of the others, either. Seeing as his apartment was farther from Sunnydale High, she'd have to get up earlier to get there in time. Buffy didn't mind this. Nothing changed after they moved in together. They were still just as in love as they had always been, and always would be. She enjoyed spending the nights in his arms, and despised having to leave with the new day. Then she'd go to school and hang out with the gang. She'd meet up with him again sometime after sunset, in the midst of slaying, going to the Bronze, or whatever else. Then she'd spend another night in his arms. Life was good; very, very good. As the Slayer she may die young, but she'd probably die the happiest Slayer as well.
**All because I'm
Comin' down the years turn over
And angels fall without you there
And I'll go on I will lead you home
And all because I'm
All because I'm
I'll become
What you became to me**
-exerpt from 'Black Balloon', the Goo Goo Dolls
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They walked down the beach, hand in hand. The moonlight illuminated the water, and the waves crashed at their feet. The stars in the night sky shone like guardian angels watching over all below them. It was a beautiful scene for the two lovers, who had over come so much to get to where they now were. They gazed into each other's eyes, which held the promise of love. They then stopped and looked out over the water. Angel spoke "Buffy, with every part of my being, I love you. I just want you to know that, and to know that whatever happens, I'll always love you." They turned to each other. Buffy smiled, the waves crashing in the background. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the moon. "I love you too, Angel. No matter what happens." They held their palms up together, and gazed into each other's eyes knowingly. This was a pledge, of their undying trust and love for each other. Their fingers folded, and they clasped their hands together. As they did this, their matching rings touched. Their gaze never wandered. The silent vow was made between them, witnessed and known only by themselves and the universe. This vow meant forever. That's how long they would be together..forever. Even when death's cruel hand made them part, their souls would inevitably live on..and never be seperate. They found a large rock farther away from the tide and sat together on it, gazing up at the stars. They fell asleep there, in each other's arms. No, they would never part. Every road in their lives would inevitably lead them back to each other. Forever.
That we will always be
Even though the road seems
To get a little rough
It's for you I live I can do anything
And it will never be too much
In my darkest hour you are
There to light the way
And when I'm down you
Always lift me up again
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You know me
Better than I know myself
You comfort me and let me know
With you I'm gonna win
Walk with me hand in hand
We help each other
Understand how to go through
There will never be a day
That we'll grow apart
So we'll forever be
Together hand in hand
Sometimes I'm wrong
And even in that case
You didn't go away you
Stayed right next to me
As time goes on I realize
That you're for me
And I will love you for eternity
In my darkest hour you are
There to light the way
And when I'm down you
Always lift me up again
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You know me
Better than I know myself
You comfort me and let me know
With you I'm gonna win
Walk with me hand in hand
We help each other
Understand how to go through
There will never be a day
That we'll grow apart
So we'll forever be
Together hand in hand
Walk with me hand in hand
We help each other
Understand how to go through
There will never be a day
That we'll grow apart
So we'll forever be
Together hand in hand
Walk with me hand in hand
We help each other
Understand how to go through
There will never be a day
That we'll grow apart
So we'll forever be
Together hand in hand**
-'Hand in Hand', 98 Degrees
~~~~~
The End