Author: Desdemona
Rating: PG-13 to a light NC-17(part fiveish)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss and his lackies do.
Distribution: Want, take, have. If your going to post it, just tell
me where + URL
Spoilers: Whole B/A Canon
Summary: AU. What if there were no vamps and Buffy arrived now
(season 6)? Would things go as planned? Do they ever?
Author's Notes: -'s mean thoughts and <'s mean writing
**********************************************************************
-1-
It was a warm mid September afternoon when a large white moving truck pulled into the driveway of 1630 Revello Dr. It was followed closely by a dark green SUV. Out of the car stepped a middle aged woman with greying blonde hair. She quickly unlocked the door and directed the moving men into the house. Once everyone had been ushered in, a young girl stepped out of the car. She looked around the street critically then pulled her large sunglasses from her face. She sighed, "Buffy! Come on! You need to tell them where to put your things!" her mother called from the doorway.
Buffy walked through the hallways careful to stay out the way of the groups milling around there. She read the sign hanging in the arch above her. It would point her in the direction of the Art, English and History wings but of course there was no directions for school library and book shop. "Hey, you need some directions?" someone asked beside her. Buffy spun around quickly knocking her heavy back pack into his shoulder. "Okay, Ow! Was that a no?" he asked, teasingly. His blond hair fell into his eyes as he grinned at her. "I'm so sorry. Um.. Yeah I do need some directions. Preferably ones to the library and campus book store." Buffy said as she smiled at him sheepishly. He nodded his head, still rubbing his sore arm. " I'll take you there, I need to grab some books too. I'm Riley Finn, by the way." She followed him down the hallway to her left, grateful for someone to walk with, just so she didn't look so pathetic. "I'm Buffy... Summers, uh sorry. I just gotta get used to this whole open friendly small town deal." "Oh? Where are you from?" he asked curiously as they walked. "I just moved here from LA, with my mom. My parents split and since I kinda had a bad wrap in LA she thought a nice little suburban town would do me good... Gee! Aren't I in share mode today!" she rambled. "So do you live in residence?" he asked, ignoring her babbling. "Not yet, I'm supposed to but, they have to do some searching to see if they have a room. I won't know for a couple days." "I see. Good luck with that, I hear they're pretty filled. Anyway, we're here." he gestured to the door in front of them. She looked into the quaint book store than back at him, "so... thanks for helping me. I guess I'll see you around?" Buffy asked, dreading the fact that once again she'd be alone. "Yeah. Actually, I was kind of hoping you'd meet me somewhere tonight, it's this club, the Bronze, it's on the west side of town, by the docks, you can't miss it." Buffy smiled gratefully, "I'd love to" "I'll see you here at 8?" he called as he faded back into the crowd. She smiled and nodded in response, watching him go. She was smiling to herself as she entered the book store, Yeah Buffy you already have a date on your first day at school.
"Excuse me? Hello?" she called over the desk as it seems no one was there. A large stack of books were piled in front of her, waiting to be bought. Suddenly a middle aged man stepped from his office behind the counter, "can I help you?" Buffy nearly leapt in fright, "God! Are all you Brits so sneaky?" He smiled tersely and walked to the counter to sell her the books. "I'm sorry, there should be someone else taking care of the counter but apparently she's not here, and she's the only other one working"he explained as he rang up her total. "Am I detecting a lack of staffing?" she asked hopefully. "Indeed, and some of the staff I have don't seem to do their job very well." "Well, then let me introduce myself. Buffy Summers, strong, capable, friendly and desperate for a job." "Yes, well Miss Summers, I generally need a bit more from a potential employee, such as a resume" he pointed out. "Not a problem" she answered, rummaging through her bag, producing a perfect resume, and handing to him. "No previous work experience?" the owner asked as he skimmed the paper. "I never really needed one `til now. Which is where I'm actually headed once I get out of here... to find a job I mean." He simply looked at her. "By the way how much does this job pay?" she asked. "I'm afraid not much. So if you really need the income, I suggest you look elsewhere" he replied. "Oh! I'm not desperate or anything I just want some extra cash now that my budgets a little tighter." "I see" he answered and handed her the resume. "I think you best look elsewhere, Miss Summers. I don't think I'll be hiring right now." "Okay... thanks for your time..." she mumbled as she handed over her money and collected her books, "...you tight assed tweed wearing loner" she mumbled as she left the store.
"Mom?!" Buffy called down the stairs. Joyce Summers came up a few moments later. "What is it honey?" "Do you think Sunnydale is more New York Chic or LA Cool?" Buffy asked holding up the two separate outfits. The New York chic being a black sleeveless shirt, with "Sexy" studded into the front with faux rubies, and black leather pants. The LA cool being a white backless halter top and a breezy light blue knee length skirt with small white flowers. "Go New York. It is a night club right?" Joyce suggested. "Thanks Mom." Buffy said and threw the other outfit into her closet. Joyce left the room to let her daughter change. 10 minutes later Buffy breezed down the stairs, her long hair pulled up into a high ponytail and dressed in the black leather pants, the white tank top and a black leather jacket over the top. "I see you changed your mind." Joyce commented as Buffy grabbed her keys off the hall table. "Yeah. I'll be home by one at the latest." Buffy called as she left the house.
Buffy was threading through the crowd by ten after eight. She stopped for a moment beside a wrought iron scooped chair. She scanned the crowd for Riley and didn't see him so she headed to the bar. She stepped up to the counter and shrugged off her coat as she waited for someone to take her order. She felt a pair of eyes on her back, so she turned around to see if it was Riley. There was still no sight of Riley, and she didn't see anyone looking at her so she turned back to the counter. She ordered herself a cherry coke and then went back to waiting. She turned around so she could look around the crowd again. There were plenty of people hanging around in the club, most sitting at tables or on couches, talking, but there were many people on the dance floor gyrating wildly or swaying seductively and some had just taken up the pretense of dancing so they could grope in public. She began to idly twist her rings and daydream. Her beverage arrived and she sipped it slowly, sitting at the bar, watching what seemed to be all the patrons of the Bronze walk past giggling with their friends or significant other. Buffy still sat alone at the bar. After an hour, she gave up on Riley and put on her jacket, to leave.
She was walking through the darkened alley ways, trying to remember her way home, when she felt the eyes watching her again. She picked up speed and ducked around a corner hoping to get away from them. It was just her luck that the corner she ducked around lead to a dead end. "Shit!" she cursed as she walked farther into the alley looking for someplace to hide. She felt a hand touch her arm, she kicked out backward, connecting with this person's mid section, knocking them to the ground. She placed her foot on his chest to keep him down. "Why are you following me?" she interrogated. "Can you take your foot off me first? You're making it a little hard to breathe," he asked. When she hesitated, he added, "I don't bite." She pulled her foot off his chest and let him stand. "Why were you following me?" He looked her over, "It's not safe for a girl like you to be wandering around back here, plus you looked a little lost." She smirked at him, "So you thought you'd scare the shit out of me too?" He smirked back, at her, and she had to admit he was gorgeous - No! Bad Thoughts! This guys a jerk. Bad thoughts.- "I was going to offer to give you directions but, since you just kicked the crap out of me back there, I'm thinking you can handle yourself." He turned to walk away, she took a couple of quick steps to catch him, "Okay! I'm sorry, about that, now can you please tell me how to get to Revello Dr.?" He stopped and smirked at her, "I could do that, but I could just walk you myself since I'm headed that way." He started to walk off and Buffy had no choice but to follow him. "So... what is so scary in the back alleys of Sunnydale?" Buffy asked, just to make conversation. "Drunken molesters." Angel answered bluntly, not facing her. Buffy just looked at him, then mumbled to herself, "gee.. Thanks." They continued the rest of the walk in silence, only stopping once they reached the street sign, labelling Revello Dr. "Well, Thanks" she said and turned to go on, on her own. "This is going to cost you." he called after her. She turned around and walked back to him, "what do you mean, `this is going to cost me'?" He smirked at her, "one date. Tomorrow at the Bronze, at eight." He walked away leaving her in silence under the soft glow of the street lamp.
-2-
She sat at the bar again tonight. She was hoping tonight turned out better than the last time she sat at this bar. She was starring down at her drink, watching the ice swirl in the glass. She heard some air rush by her ear, and caught something moving in her peripheral vision. She looked to her left and saw a long stemmed red rose being held out for her. As she reached for it his voice whispered in her right ear, "wanna dance?" She took the rose from his hand and turned around. She nodded and took his proffered hand. He lead her to the dance floor, where a soft rock ballad was being played by the house band. He pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head. She was wearing a cropped navy blue shirt and the soft skin of her lower back was caressing his palm. He had to admit she was one of the most beautiful girls he'd ever seen. - No! Don't think that. You don't want something like this. Why are you even here?- She was content to be dancing with him, she fit so perfectly against his chest. She cleared her throat before her thoughts drifted to inappropriate areas. "I don't even know your name," she whispered. "I don't know yours either," he reminded her. There was a silent lull, then she told him, "my name's Buffy." "Nice name. Where'd that one come from?" he teased. She pulled away to look him in the eye. "Yeah? And yours is so much better?"she asked. His smirk grew larger, "I never said that." She was pulled back against his chest. They didn't say anything for a while, "mine's Angel," he whispered into her ear, sending pleasurable chills down her spine. "Nice name. Where'd that one come from?" she repeated.
It was midnight when she finally got out of the club. "Hey, do you want a ride home? Angel offered. "I don't want you to go out of you way or anything. I can walk, it's not that far" she said. "Um, okay..... I'd really like to meet you again, though" he said before he even thought it out. She smiled, "yeah we should have coffee some time... Like say Monday?" she asked. He bit his lip, he knew he should say no but, "yeah, I could go for coffee... Monday at two?" She smiled and nodded. "I'll meet you at the Expresso Pump, on Main" he told her. "Sounds good." He gestured to his car and started to turn away, "Yeah right I'll see you then."
Buffy nearly skipped in the door at twelve thirty, she quietly shut it, locked it and crept up to her bedroom. Her mom's door was still open and the light was on so Buffy entered, only to find her mother asleep in bed with a book in her lap and the reading lamp on beside her. Buffy silently put her mother's book aside and turned off the lamp then tucked her mother in. Buffy closed the door behind her then headed to her own room. She shed her clothes and pulled on some loose pyjama pants and a tank top, then climbed into her bed. She quickly drifted off, to sweet dreams of a certain tall, dark and handsome specimen of male perfection.
Angel walked up to his apartment. He never should have said he'd go out with her again but for some reason all he wanted was to see her again. He put his key in the lock and opened the door. The lights were on, and a small blonde girl sat on his sofa, waiting for him. "Darla? What are you doing here?" She looked at him and smiled through the remnants of tears that stained her face. "I can't do it anymore," she told him, before dissolving into tears again.
Buffy was even happy as she skipped into school, Monday morning. She walked to the housing offices, and waited in a chair, all the time having a goofy smile on her face. "Miss Summers?" the secretary called. Buffy promptly went into the office and sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair. "I'll get straight to the point, Miss Summers" the housing official told her, "we simply don't have any on campus rooms open." Buffy's chipper mood dimmed slightly. "We do, however, have a few other students who are looking for roommates, if you're interested" the official told her. "Yeah, I could handle that," Buffy said, grinning broadly. The housing official smiled politely and handed her a list of students who were looking for roommates, "Is there anyone on this list that you know?" Buffy skimmed over the list, "I think Willow Rosenberg, is in my Psych. class." The official nodded and told her, "I tell Miss Rosenberg that you're interested. Here's her number, you'll need to speak with her soon." The official gave Buffy a small slip of paper than dismissed her. Buffy, still ecstatic about her date with Angel, bounced off to her first class of the day. Her good mood even over shadowed her hate of History.
"What's she doing here?" Cordelia asked over the phone. "I don't know. She said she'd be back later today to tell me." Angel told his friend. "When?" Cordy asked. "She said sometime this morning" Angel sighed, really wishing Darla wasn't here at all, "It's easier to forget her, when she's not here." He heard Cordelia make a sound of confirmation, but also held a little rage toward Darla. "I'll remind you that, it was Will that set you up with her, and I was always against it" Cordy reminded. Angel laughed slightly at that but stopped when he heard the soft knock at his door. "Cordy, I have to go. She's here." Angel hurriedly stated. Cordy snorted her disgust, "Yeah, good luck" she told him before hanging up. Angel hurried to open the door for his ex-girlfriend. "Darla" he acknowledged coldly. She walked past him setting the baby seat and two large bags of things down on his coffee table. She turned back and replied, "Angel" softly, and slightly dejected. Angel closed the door and walked over to her. He ignored her and picked up the baby instead. "How's my little guy?" he asked the sleepy infant. The baby stared at him with big brown eyes then grinned at his father. Darla watched the whole exchange from a foot away. "I can't do this anymore" she repeated, the only coherent thing she had said Saturday night. "Can't do what?" Angel replied, never taking eyes off his son. "I can't take care of Sean anymore." Angel looked at her then, his gaze was startled and angry. "So you thought, what, you'd thrust him on me, after you insisted you didn't want me around for the past year and a half?" Angel asked angrily, putting Sean back into his carrier. "I just can't do it any longer, Angel. It's too hard. He never sleeps through the night, he cries the whole time I'm gone, if I try and go out. I can't have friends over either because he'll never be quiet. He's always dirty, or crying, or hungry, he won't even call me `mommy'..." Darla ranted. Angel interrupted with, "He's eleven months old! What do you expect from him?!" Darla started to back toward the door, as Sean began to cry from all the loud shouts around him. "Darla don't do this..." Angel pleaded. "I'm sorry," Darla whispered, "Mommy loves you." Angel told her sharply, "If you walk out that door I'll make sure you'll never get him back. You can't waltz in and out of his life." Darla opened the door behind her, cast one last look at Sean then left. Angel growled at the closed door she'd just exited. Sean was still crying in front of him. Angel picked him up and rocked him, "It's okay, buddy. Daddy's here. It's okay."
"Hi, are you Willow?" Buffy asked as she stood in the hallway. Willow was a small girl with bright red hair but what looked to be a very mousy personality. "Yeah, you must be Buffy" Willow opened the door a little wider and Buffy entered. Buffy looked around the small apartment, it was all cream with beige furniture and simple pictures and accessories scattered around. Buffy had to admit, from what she'd learned from Willow over the phone, it was very `Willowy'. "It's a nice place," Buffy complimented, and it was, if you added a little colour and pizzaz. Willow smiled happily and lead Buffy toward a door to the right. It was an empty room, with an adjoining bathroom. "Here's your room" Willow told her. There was a whole corner that was window, and a large closet, plus the private bathroom. "This is amazing! I thought you said the rent on this place was reasonable" Buffy teased. "Oh! It is! It's only four hundred a month plus utilities! You'll only have to pay two hundred fifty a month I swear!" Willow ranted excitedly. "It's okay Willow. I was only teasing" Buffy soothed. "Oh, right" Willow murmured, "sorry, I'm a little jumpy." Buffy nodded and smiled knowingly. "So you want to be my roomie?" Willow asked after a pause. "Why I'd be delighted" Buffy told her happily.
At one fifty Angel arrived at the Expresso Pump, after leaving Sean with Cordelia. He had thought on his drive here, he had to tell Buffy he couldn't see her anymore. Buffy was surprisingly already there. "Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked. "Waiting for you" she reminded him with a smile that made his patented break up speech, fly straight from his head.-God! She's beautiful in the sunlight- Angel sat beside her, while she started the usual coffee date chat. "I got myself an apartment today, you know" she told him. "Really? Where is it?" he asked, though all the while looking for an opening to make a clean break. "It's on Selton Blvd." she told him proudly. He smiled and let her tell him all about her new roommate, and the major decorating she's gonna have to do. He smiled and nodded in the appropriate pauses, while he thoughts darted from how the sun shone through her golden hair and how he was going to break up with her, never really hearing a thing she said. Eventually her story ran out and an uncomfortable pause hung over the table. "I don't think we can see each other anymore" he blurted, then regretted it as she nearly chocked on her sip of iced mocha. "Excuse me?!" she asked after she stopped coughing. "I think we should stop seeing each other before it goes too far?" he repeated a little more carefully. "Too far?" she repeated. "I really need to go" Angel said, glancing at his watch then standing. He threw some bills down on the table for her drink. She looked shocked for a moment still then recovered, "take your money. I don't need it." She then stood, threw a few dollars down on the table and left. He watched her leave and wished to whatever god there was, that he didn't have to do this.
Buffy walked back to her mother's and changed into some baggy overalls and a white T-shirt. She hauled a few large boxes from the basement to her room and began to re-pack her things. Some tears made wet paths down her cheeks as she roughly shoved a jewellery box into the brown cardboard box. A sob broke from her throat, and she sat back on her heels as they over took her. She didn't even know why she was crying over him like this, they'd only had two dates. -because you've already fallen for him....hard-
-3-
It was Saturday before Buffy actually got to move in with Willow. She had her mother help drive them over to the apartment, then Willow had got a friend to come and help. Buffy was promptly introduced to Xander Harris. Soon the four of them had got all of Buffy's boxes into the apartment and all she had to do was paint and decorate, and put her stuff away. Her mother had left by noon and it was just the three of them left. "So, Buffy have you decided on a major?" Willow asked conversationally. "No, I'm still torn between sleeping and cramming" Buffy replied. "My kind of girl!" Xander cheered. That had everyone laughing, while they ate pizza in the middle of the living room. After a good five minutes, of laughing Xander stood up, "well, Willster I've got to go. Anya wants me home so she can drag me off to her parents." Xander said dramatically. He gave Willow a kiss on the cheek and left the apartment to the girls. "So, have you and Xander been friends long?" Buffy asked as she took her plate and glass to the sink. "Since we were in a playgroup together" Willow said. Buffy nodded appreciatively. "I'm assuming Anya's his girlfriend, but how `bout you?" Buffy asked. "How `bout what?" Willow replied innocently. "You know Willow." "Oh! No! I'm not seeing anyone! Are you?" Willow answered. Buffy winced slightly at the last innocent question, she sighed, "I thought I was." "Oh, I'm sorry" Willow apologized. "Hey, no biggy!" Buffy brushed any pain aside, "but we have to fix your lack of boy toyage." Willow groaned, realizing this roommate may be a lot of trouble.
Buffy found the week flying by, she went to classes and came home, to drag Willow out shopping. The following Saturday she insisted Willow call Xander and Anya and get the to come and help them paint her room. And after a day of covering every one in soft blue coloured paint, they all headed out to the Bronze for a little fun. They were sitting at a table on the second floor, chatting and sipping drinks, when the house band started. The sign out front had called them `Dingos ate my Baby' and Buffy had admit that their, purposefully sucky music created an interesting sound. Before they left Buffy had insisted Willow borrow some of her clothes. Currently, Willow was trying to pull the midriff bearing green halter down to cover her stomach and the low riding, short cut denim skirt any way that would cover more flesh. "C'mon Wills, let's go dance." Willow unhappily obliged, she was unsteady in the brown suede boots Buffy had given her as she walked down the stairs. Buffy pulled her through the crowd until they were right in front of the stage. Buffy began to swing her hips and move to the music, indicating Willow should as well. Willow insecurely began to mimic Buffy all the while conscious of how short her skirt was and how revealing her top was. All too soon the band's set was over and the Club began to play some slower songs for the couples. Buffy and Willow began to thread through the crowd toward the stairs. A hand rested on Buffy's arm, "Hey cutie, Want to dance?" a guy with peroxide blonde hair, in a Billy idol imitation asked. Buffy smiled and was about to decline, until she noticed Willow walking toward the stairs giving her a thumbs up sign. "Yeah" she said instead and walked back onto the floor with him. He put his arms around her and she did the same, all the while thinking how different this guy was from Angel. "You here with Red and Harris?" he asked, pulling her from her thoughts. "Yeah, you know Willow and Xander?" she asked. He nodded, "Harris used to go with one of my friends." Buffy smiled and nodded. After a moment he said, "My name's Spike" She raised her eyebrow at that, he chuckled, "Okay it's Will" She grinned at him, "I'm Buffy" He raised his eyebrow, "really" she dead panned. He laughed at that and she had to join him, it was infectious. "Are you here with friends?" she asked after their laughter faded. "Yeah, and I can't wait til I tell Cordy that Harris is here!" Buffy laughed at that, not even knowing Cordy, but assuming it would be bad. "You should come and meet them," he proposed. She smiled and nodded. Once the song ended, Will took her hand and lead her back to his group. "Hey guys...I want you to meet Buffy." Buffy looked over the group of people. Will began to introduce everyone, "here is the beautiful, perfectly coiffed, Cordelia Chase. Her sloppy, fixer upper of a boyfriend, Allan Doyle, but he goes by Doyle. Here's the lovely, independent Kate Lockley, and her pompus boyfriend, `Wesley Windham Price'. Finally, my buddy Gunn, who forbids me to say his first name." Buffy greeted them all, "Buffy Summers, I'm Willow's new roommate." They all nodded their heads in understanding, "I see you got Willow in something decent for a change. I like you" Cordelia told her forwardly. Buffy looked perplexed for a moment for but thanked her anyway. She spoke to them for a while, danced with Will for a while then drifted back to her friends only to find Willow talking to the guitarist from the band and Xander and Anya had left when Xander saw Cordy.
Three weeks later, Will and Buffy were an official couple, while Willow and Oz, the Dingoes' guitarist, were having definite `sparkage'. Buffy had found out Will was a med. Intern at Sunnydale General, and as of last week he was on constant call. Will was loving the position of power this held over the rest of the interns and Buffy was proud of him and also thinking he was so cute when he rolled out of bed in the morning and had no idea what was going on, when his pager rang. It was a Satuday afternoon, and Will was coming to pick her up so he could take her to a friend's kid's first birthday. Will had been adamant that she come even though she'd insisted that she'd be left out. He'd told her that his friend wanted to meet `the girl that'd caught Will's eye'. Buffy was currently holding up two dresses for Willow's approval. "Okay, which one?" Buffy held one soft pink floral printed summery slip dress, and one deep red velvet halter top and an ankle length denim skirt. "Since it's for a kid, I'd say the pink, but I really like that skirt." Willow told her as she ate a spoonful of ice cream on Buffy's bed. "Oh! What If I did this?" Buffy rummaged through her closet and found a spaghetti strapped tank top that was pink with a layer of black mesh over the top, randomly studded with rhinestones. She held that to the skirt for Willow's approval. "I love it!" Willow cheered. Buffy grinned and slipped the outfit on. "I don't know wether I'll be home tonight or not Wills" Buffy said as she rummaged through her jewellery box for a necklace and some earrings. "Oh Okay!" Willow replied, "I'm going out with Oz tonight anyway" Buffy smiled, "You guys are getting along pretty well." "I like his hands!" Willow told her excitedly, she was excited about anything pertaining to Oz. "Sounds like you got it bad" Buffy said as she left the room to get a jacket so she was ready when Will came.
"So, what's Will's girlfriend's name again?" Angel asked. "Oh no you don't! I'm not going to tell you about her. It's a surprise, but I'll tell you one thing. You'll love her!" Cordelia told him. Angel smiled in defeat then went to check on Sean. "Hey there little guy? What's going on?" Sean gave his father a big drooly baby grin and pointed at the TV where the muppets from Sesame Park were dancing, "Da!". Angel rumpled his son's hair then went back into the kitchen to help Cordy with the snacks. "Where's Doyle with the cake?" Cordy asked. "He'll be back soon" Angel assured her. The doorbell rang on cue and Angel left to get it, "see, that's probably him now." Angel opened the door, and broke into a grin at the sight of Will directing Doyle around, seeing how he couldn't see over the large cake box, very well. When he looked again his grin dropped from his face, "Buffy?" Buffy was just as shocked. "Oh sorry, baby," Will called as he came back and took his girlfriends arm. "Buffy this is Liam. Angel...Buffy" Will made introductions. "We've met" Buffy said, a little hostilely. "Really? Where?" Will asked interested. "At the Bronze" Angel filled in, closing the door behind them. Buffy and Angel fell silent again and only looked at each other. Will looked between the two, who were holding each others gaze unwaveringly. Sean's clapping and excited scream, broke their staring contest. Buffy looked down at the gift bag she was still holding, she gave it to Angel, "from Will and I." He nodded in thanks then went back into the kitchen to escape the tension forming in the living room. "Was that Will I heard?" Cordy asked when he re-entered. "Yeah" Angel replied still in a daze. "What did you think of Buffy?" she asked innocently. "She's... great for him"Angel finished unhappily. He hated to admit it but jealousy was forming in him, directed at the peroxide blonde sitting in his living room, with the girl he hadn't stopped fantasizing about for the past four weeks. He heard more people being let into the apartment. Cordelia promptly left to mingle with his guests. Angel stayed in the kitchen as long as possible. When he finally did leave he walked into the living room to find Sean sitting in Will's lap while Buffy played with him. - Damnit! How can she be more beautiful than I remember?-
Buffy felt awkward through most of the evening, but not the way she had thought she would've. She was afraid of being thrust in with another group of people she didn't know from the mother's side. Somehow being stuck at a party hosted by the ex that had dumped you after two dates for no reason and now suddenly has a kid, is worse. - It's not possible for him to look better than I remember!- She was pulled from her thoughts by Will's pager going off. " Sorry, Sean. I gotta go, buddy!" He apologized to the child who was more interested in trying to put his hand in the chocolate cake reading `Happy Birthday Sean Nicholas Roarke' Will leaned over to her, "sorry to run out on you like this." She smiled to tell him it was okay. Will gave her a lingering kiss, which made Angel want to jump out of seat and yank Will away. He smiled apologetically to everyone else then, left the apartment. Angel was almost relieved by this, except for the fact that he now had to deal, with the fact that Buffy was alone, and he wanted to make her forget anything about Will, by showing her the way a real kiss is done. Instead he went with the flow as Cordelia started an extremely badly done rendition of Happy Birthday for his son.
Everyone had pretty much cleared out by nine o'clock. Sean was fast asleep in his playpen, still covered in chocolate and had a piece of metallic wrapping paper clutched tightly in his tiny fist. Cordelia, Doyle and Buffy, were the only ones left. "You guys start the dishes. Buffy and I'll clean up the little munchkin" Cordelia dictated. Cordelia picked up Sean and lead Buffy down the hallway to the bathroom, all the while trying to wake him. He eventually woke with a disgruntled cry, as Cordelia rubbed his back to try and soothe him. "Here, you take him I'll get him a sleeper and a fresh diaper for after" Cordelia passed Buffy the baby as she left the bathroom. Sean calmed immediately as he went into Buffy's arms. He rested her tiny head on her shoulder and went to sucking his thumb. "Hey there!" she whispered to him. He looked at her with big brown eyes, then put his head back on her shoulder. Carefully, she lay him down on the bathroom counter and took off his dirty T-shirt and overalls. Once he was naked she placed him in the baby seat Cordelia had placed in the bathtub she'd filled. Buffy gently washed him as Cordelia came back. "Hey Buffy?" Cordelia called, "Are you okay in here?" Buffy nodded to the brunette. "Good, cause Doyle needs to get out of here. Angel said he'd take you home." Buffy nodded, again, even while her thoughts were screaming - Take me with you!- Cordelia placed the sleeper and diaper she'd found, on the counter and grabbed the dirty clothes. "I'll drop these off in the hamper, and....um Sean's room is the second on the left." Buffy nodded one more time as she went back to bathing Sean. "See ya! Tell Will I want you guys to drop by soon for some dinner." Buffy smiled, "I'll do that" Cordelia left and soon Buffy heard the outside door close. "So what are you wearing tonight Sean?" Buffy asked as she dried Sean, and picked up the outfit Cordelia had chosen. It was blue with little white puppies on it. Buffy diapered and dressed Sean then carried him to his room. It was fairly sparse and looked like it had just been converted to Sean's room, on a whim. It was a dark red colour, not exactly cheerful. Buffy laid Sean down in his bed and watched for a couple of minutes just to make sure he'd nod of again, but it was pointless because as soon as his head hit the pillow he was sound asleep. "`Night Sean" she whispered.
-4-
"You ready to go?" Angel asked as soon as she stepped into the living room. "Yeah" she replied softly. "My neighbour's going to watch Sean while I drive you home. So just let me tell her we're going" Angel said as he led her out the door. Buffy watched as Angel knocked on a door and a plump older lady answered the door then walked across the hallway to Angel's apartment to watch Sean. Angel was then beside her walking her to his car. They reached the black corvette quickly and as Buffy slid in she murmured to herself, "real family car." Angel drove her home, only breaking the silence when he had to ask for a direction. They pulled up to her building at about nine thirty. "Thanks for a great time tonight" she whispered. "Yeah, I'm glad you enjoyed it." "Well, your son's so cute, you have to love him. If you ever need a babysitter, I'd love to" Buffy told him as she left the car. She smiled at him once the closed the door behind her. He watched her walk up to her building, he watched the way her hips moved just enough to make it sensuous but not overly provocative, and he watched the way her hair fanned out behind her like a waterfall of gold falling over her shoulders. - God! I've got to stop this! She's with Will!- On that thought he pulled away from the building and drove back to his son.
She felt his eyes following her up to the building and more than anything she wanted to turn around go back to the car and kiss him until he couldn't leave her. - Man! He's got a kid, maybe an ex wife... or a current wife! You've got to leave him alone!- She heard him drive away, and so she quickly opened the door to her building, ran up to her apartment and barricaded herself into her bedroom, with a pint of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. -No one cares if I get fat! And I don't care whether Will likes it or not!-
"Hey baby!" Will said, on the other end of the line. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" Buffy answered groggily. Will replied, "it's nine am, love." "On a Sunday!"she added, exasperated. Will chuckled into the phone, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you got home okay and everything." Buffy was instantly awake and aware, "Why wouldn't I be?!" "I don't know, pet, it was really just an excuse to hear the voice of my angel," he teased. Buffy sighed. "I just got back from the hospital, babe, but I only have a few hours `til my next shift starts, so I wanted to talk to you, before I hit the hay." "Yeah well, now you know I'm not exactly chipper at nine in the morning on a Sunday" she replied. "Well, then I'll let you sleep" he told her. "Thank you" she sighed dramatically. He chuckled again before actually biding her farewell. She hung up the phone, and flopped back in her bed. - Why do I have to dream of Angel, when I have a perfectly good guy like Will?- No one answered her mental rhetorical question, so she simply went back to her dreams of her Angel.
Halloween was well on it's way and the school was beginning to see posters for Halloween inspired frat parties, aside from the usual `it's a day that ends in y' inspired frat parties. She walked through the hallways to meet Willow and Oz for lunch. She stopped short when she saw Will waiting with them. She picked up the pace to reach them. "Hey there doll!" Will said with a smile. She gave him a quick kiss, and smiled friendly at Willow and her boyfriend. "What are you doing here sweetie?" Buffy asked. "Well... I came to take you away for a while," Will said nervously. "Okay!" Buffy smiled happily and bid her friends farewell before leaving with Will.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked as they sat at a quiet bistro. "I got an offer I can't refuse" he told her softly. Buffy's good mood faded slightly, "what kind of offer?" "I got offered a chance to tour Europe, and study the latest in medical discoveries they have" he told her. She was silent. "H-how long?" Buffy whispered. Will sighed softly, and took her hand in his, "six months to a year." Buffy looked at him sadly, she closed her eyes to hold back tears, " what does that mean for us?" Will sighed again and shook his head wearily, "maybe we should call it quits." Buffy's eyes snapped up to meet his. "I mean, let's be practical. It's a year in Europe. I really like you Buffy, and if when I come back, we're both single, I'll be right back at your door, but right now, we just..." Buffy pulled her hand back, "I get it!" Will nodded sadly. "I lo-" Will started. "Don't!"
Buffy was curled up on the couch when Willow came home from school. "You missed your classes this afternoon," Willow reminded her. Buffy didn't answer or even look at Willow, and on closer inspection Willow saw the tear stains running down Buffy's face. "I take it that will didn't have good news," Willow observed. Buffy sobbed loudly, and Willow ran to comfort her. Once the ragged sobs subsided, Buffy rasped "do I have a built in guy repellant, Wills?" Willow looked at her in confusion, "I mean first I date Angel, and after two dates I get no explanation, but a total brush off. Will lasted a little over a months, but he's running off to a different continent. None of my old boyfriends lasted more than six months and my dad left after twenty years" Buffy clarified. Willow sighed and pulled her friend into a tight embrace. All Willow could do was stroke Buffy's hair as she broke into a new set of sobs.
By October thirtieth, Buffy'd had a week to cool off since her break with Will. Until of course she got a really odd message on her machine from Cordelia. "Hey Buffy! I know this is really last minute but I have a favour to ask of you for tomorrow night. Call me back when you get in! Thanks!" Buffy picked up her cordless phone and pressed in Cordy's number. "Hello?" Doyle asked on the other end. "Hey Doyle, it's Buffy, I need to talk to Cordy." He told her to wait a moment then she heard a slightly muffled yell for Cordelia. "Hey Buffy" Cordy said when she finally picked up. They went through the necessary chat but neither had spoken in the past week since Will had broken up with her. "Look, we're all sort of having a cross between a Halloween party and a farewell Will party tomorrow and Angel was going to have his neighbour watch Sean but that fell through so..." Cordelia trailed off. Buffy sighed, "you wanted me to watch Sean so Angel could go?" Cordelia made a sound of confirmation. "Yeah, that's fine" Buffy agreed. She really had enjoyed playing with Sean, and she had absolutely no plans for Halloween. Cordelia thanked her profusely and went through her goodbye, saying she'd let Angel know that Buffy'd be there at six o'clock. After Cordelia had hung up, Buffy held the phone to her ear, realizing just how low her life had sunk. - I'm babysitting my ex's baby, so they can go to my latest ex's farewell, which I wasn't invited to. God! My life sucks!-
Friday night, Halloween night, at six o'clock, she knocked on Angel's door. A muffled call came from inside before the door was opened. He was carrying a sleepy looking Sean in one arm and a coat in the other. "Hey! Thanks so much for doing this" he said as she took the baby from him. "Not like I was invited to the party anyway" she said with a wry smile, and began to play with Sean's small hands. Angel was caught off guard by that, he knew she and Will had broken up but he'd assumed they were on better terms than that. "Um.. So, I think you know where everything is" he said as he put on his coat and prepared to leave. She nodded but kept her attention on the baby. "I'll be back around midnight" he said. "We'll be fine," she replied, but quickly put her attention back to Sean, "We're going to play some, then have a bath and hopefully go to bed early." Angel nodded though she couldn't see it, "well... have fun." He left and softly closed the door behind him. - You have no idea how lucky you are Sean. You have no idea-
The party was in full swing when he arrived. There was music blaring from speakers set up all around the living room, and tables and other surfaces were already littered with empty paper cups and napkins. Cordelia was close by, trying to clean up some of the worst messes. "Hey, how's the party?" he asked. Cordelia smiled wryly and went back to cleaning up the mess. "Any hot girls?" he asked and ducked out of the way before she could slap his shoulder. - the hottest girl is currently sitting in my apartment anyway- "You're a parent! You're supposed to be more mature!" she chastised him. He laughed a took a full cup beer off the buffet table nearby. He gave her a final smirk and a wink before disappearing into the crowd.
It was well after two in the morning before Buffy heard the key turn in the lock. The door swung open and Angel helped by Doyle staggered in. She flipped on the light, and helped Doyle lead him to his bed. "What happened to him?" she hissed, careful not to wake Sean as they lowered Angel onto the bed. "One too many beers" Doyle supplied. Buffy snorted her disgusted and Angel grunted as he fell into his satin sheets. Doyle and Buffy looked on as he slumped back in the bed, "well, have fun!" Doyle said as he made his way to leave. Buffy ran after him. "Whoa! What makes you think I'm staying here with him?" she asked. Doyle smiled, "Sorry Buffy but Cordy's going to kill me if I skip out on the clean up" He left before she could protest again. She sighed and headed back into the bedroom. Angel was currently trying to roll off the bed and so she ran to push him back on. "Where do you think your going?" she asked. He grunted once then passed out. "Well, at least you won't wake up Sean" she reasoned, as she pulled off his shoes, then pulled the covers around him. She shut off the light behind her and left the room. - Good Night Angel-
She woke on a soft leather couch to the sound of Sean screaming. She rolled over, and nearly off the couch and looked at the clock. She grunted as she saw it was only 7 AM, "I'm coming Sean" she whispered. She padded through the apartment to Sean's room, she stuck her head into Angel's room to find him still blissfully unconscious. - Well, at least one of us is going to get to sleep in- She finally entered Sean's room to find him simply look at her and stop crying. She smirked at the baby, "you know, you're better than an alarm clock." Sean giggled at her and lifted his pudgy arms to indicate he wanted to be picked up. Buffy lifted him out of the crib and placed him on the ground where he quickly toddled away. She followed him as they walked back to the living room. Buffy walked past him to get some food for him out of the fridge. Sean followed to the kitchen door where he plopped down, stuck his thumb in his mouth and watched her prepare his breakfast. She gave him the warmed bottle and went about finding him an outfit for the day. "Hey, little guy, wanna go play in the park across the street so daddy can sleep?"
Buffy and Sean spent the morning at the park, and came back at 11. Buffy opened the door and put Sean on the floor, just as she heard a loud groan from Angel's room. She made sure Sean had toys and was safely in his playpen where he couldn't cause any damage then she went to check on his father. She walked into the room as he rolled out of bed, groaning the whole time. "Morning" she said, surprising him. He whipped his head around, just to groan again as the nausea hit him. She smirked at him, "I'll get you some coffee." She was still in the kitchen as he stumbled into the living room. Sean laughed and clapped his hands when he saw his father, "glad you find it so amusing" he grumbled as he ruffled his son's dark hair. Buffy entered the room again, handing his the mug of hot coffee. He nodded his thanks as he sank into the couch with it. "Apparently, I enjoyed my night out a little too much" he joked. She laughed lightly and went to handing Sean a bottle of juice. "You don't have to stay" he told her as she sat across from him in a large armchair. She smirked again, "I doubt your in the mood to watch Sean right now. So we were thinking of going shopping this afternoon." Angel smiled gratefully. "You should sleep this afternoon, we'll be back before dinner" she told him. He nodded and put his head back against the couch. Buffy got up again, when Angel had kept his eyes closed for a good five minutes. She gently removed the coffee from his hands and placed it on the coffee table in front of him. She placed the blanket she had used all night over him, then quietly prepared Sean for an afternoon out and grabbed some keys. When they left Angel still hadn't opened his eyes, but he wasn't asleep. When he heard the door close behind them, he opened his eyes. He could smell her perfume on the blanket around him, and all he wished was that it really was her with him, not just her scent. He closed his eyes again and dug deeper into the couch and the heavenly scent she left on the blanket.
When Buffy finally got home Willow was in a frenzy. Buffy, still holding Sean, was swept into an enormous hug as she entered the apartment. "Okay... Wills you're going to suffocate the child, and myself in the process." Willow quickly backed off but kept her eye on Buffy and Sean. "Who's kid?" she asked, as Buffy gave Sean a toy and placed him on the floor. "This is Angel kid. His name's Sean" Buffy explained as she took off her jacket. Willow nodded, "so, why is he here, and where were you last night?" Buffy sighed as she moved into her room, and began to pick out clothes for the afternoon. "I was at Angel's, he came home drunk, so I stayed to watch Sean. Sorry if you were worried" Buffy told her worried friend. Willow glanced at Sean who was playing happily with his stuffed puppy. "But that doesn't explain why he came home with you" Willow pointed out. "Angel's nursing a massive hang over at the moment, so Sean and I are going to do a little shopping this afternoon" Buffy yelled from her bedroom. Willow went back to watching Sean play, until Buffy came back into the room. "Wills, could you please watch him for like five minutes while I shower?" Buffy asked. Willow smiled and nodded. Buffy headed into the bathroom and Willow heard the water running seconds later.
Buffy had showered and changed in record time and was now just touching up her makeup. She watched in the mirror as Sean waddled into the room. "Hi Sean! Ready to go?" she asked him. The baby smiled as Buffy picked him up and headed back out to the living room. "So how long is Sean staying with Angel?" Willow asked as Buffy got Sean's things together. "What do you mean?" Buffy replied. "Well, Sean must have been with his mother, cause when Xander and Cordy were dating, Angel didn't have a kid with him." Buffy asked, "Sean hasn't always been with Angel?" Willow nodded, "first I heard of Sean was when you came home from his party, and said he was Angel's kid. I didn't even know Angel had a kid." Buffy smiled politely to her friend and went about getting Sean ready. "Well, I'll be home around six" Buffy said as she left. All the while thinking, - Angel didn't have his son here until after we went out?-
They spent hours wandering through toy and children's stores, before sitting down to have something to eat. Buffy pushed Sean's rented stroller up to a table then placed down the tray carrying the plate of pizza. She took a seat and turned his stroller to face her, "Want some?" He looked up at her from his baby conversation with the stuffed puppy. He smiled at her as she ripped off a piece of crust and handed it to him. He went about chewing on it as she ate the rest of the pizza. "He's so precious!" someone exclaimed beside her. There were two older women smiling and cooing at Sean who was entertaining the with his babbling and showing them his toy. "Are you being good for mommy?" one of the women asked as he held his puppy out to her. The women smiled knowingly at Buffy acknowledging how difficult it was to raise a family. " He's not my son" Buffy told them with a smile. The women looked between Sean and Buffy for a moment and seemed rather perplexed, "I'm sorry we just assumed..." Buffy smiled again accepting their apology. There was a long pause and Sean began to get antsy when no one was watching him. "C'mon Lynn, we better leave these two to their lunch" one of the women said then pulled Lynn away. Sean turned his attention back to Buffy, while she fixed his jacket and placed a hat on his head. "Let's go Sean, Daddy's waiting for you!" She packed up their things and pushed the stroller out of the mall.
At six Buffy knocked at Angel's door. She had his keys but since he'd probably be up she decided to be polite. Angel opened the door and ushered them in. "How was your afternoon?" he asked. "Well...we bought a new toy for the little guy here," she said while tickling his tummy then placing him in the playpen,"and Buffy got some new toys too!" Buffy put Sean's diaper bag and a bag from the toy store down on the coffee table. She walked over to him and offered him the keys, "I had to get the car seat out of your car, but it's all in there now, and I didn't damage it at all." He took the keys from her hand and threw them down on the hall table. "You really didn't have to take him out this afternoon, I mean you already watched him all morning" Angel said as he picked up his son. Buffy shrugged, "It's no big deal, we had fun didn't we, buddy?" Sean clapped his hands as a gigantic grin split his face. She turned to go as Sean called out, "Ma?" Buffy turned back, "what you say buddy?" Sean held his arms out to her, "Ma!" Angel looked down at his son who was still waiting for Buffy to hold him. "Buffy's not you mommy Sean" Angel explained, - no matter how much we wish she was- Sean still held out his arms to her and repeated Buffy's new title. Buffy sighed and took Sean from Angel's arms. "I'll come see you again soon buddy, but now you stay with daddy" Sean easily accepted being passed back to his father and looked perplexed as Buffy left but didn't make a fuss. -I wish I could stay buddy but I can't. Your Daddy and I have quite a few things to work through first- "She really likes you a lot," Angel told his son as he walked them back to the kitchen for dinner, " and you have absolutely no idea how lucky you are."
-5-
Buffy dropped her grocery bags and quickly picked up the phone, "Hello?" "Can I speak to Buffy Summers?" a male voice asked on the other end of the line. "Speaking" she said as she took of her coat and kicked off her shoes. "Oh, hi Buffy. It's Angel" Buffy stopped her movements for a second, a slow smile spread across her face, "how'd you get my number?" "Cordelia" was the reply. - maybe he's finally going to ask me out again- "What do you need?" she asked as she sorted through the bags of groceries for the items that absolutely had to go into the fridge right away. There was a long pause on the other end of the line as Angel thought out what he actually wanted to say, "I wanted to ask you..." He faded off into silence again. -he's really going to ask!- "..I wanted to ask you to...babysit for me on Saturday." -It's not a total lie I do need a babysitter for Saturday- "Oh... well... I can't. I have plans of my own." -I don't but I can make some. It's only... Friday?!- "Right, okay then" -She probably has a date. But it's not like you asked her out anyway... coward!- "Sorry... so, bye" He left a long silence as he considered just sucking it up and asking her out, like he'd planned to, but in the end "yeah, thanks anyway. `Bye"
It been over a week- nearly two- before Buffy ran into anyone connected to Angel. She been pushing through the crowd in the Bronze to accompany Willow. The red head was currently hanging just off the stage as close to Oz as possible. She literally ran into Cordelia as she went to meet Willow. Cordelia had thanked her again for watching Sean and consequently Angel at Halloween. She mentioned how Angel was in sore need of time to go out and enjoy life and everyone was trying to spend some time watching Sean. Buffy therefore was now headed to Angel's simply to tell him she'd watch Sean for a couple of hours do he could go out. She heard Sean crying as she got nearer to the apartment. She knocked on the door and waited until someone opened it. Wesley was not the one she had been expecting to stand there. "Wes? What are you doing here?" she asked. "Babysitting, but I could ask the same of you" Wes returned. "I- I came to talk to Angel" she stuttered, for some reason nervous under his gaze. Sean's wails got louder as Kate carried him to the door to see who it was. Wes shuddered as the cries increased in volume the closer Kate came. Sean saw Buffy and pushed himself away from Kate toward Buffy with his arms outstretched. "Ma!" he cried, causing Wes and Kate to look at him. Buffy sighed and took him from the other woman's arms, "you really need to learn my name." Sean's cries faded to whimpers and then the occasionally sniffle only a minute after he reached Buffy's arms. He contentedly watched Wes and Kate stare as he placed his thumb in his mouth and rested his head on Buffy's shoulder. "I take it Angel's not home then?" Buffy asked as she closed the door behind herself and Sean. "No, and how come he's quiet for you? He's been screaming since we got here and Cordelia said he wasn't much better for her and Doyle" Kate asked hotly, obviously frustrated with Sean's oddly improved mood in Buffy's presence. Buffy simply shrugged and placed Sean in his playpen with the stacking rings she'd bought him at the mall a few weeks ago. "Well, I'm going to go..." Buffy said going to the door but as soon as her hand touched the doorknob Sean started screaming. Wes was quick to pull Buffy from the door, "Why don't you stay? We've never really talked before." Once Buffy stepped away from the door and Sean watched her sit down on the couch he quietly went back to his rings softly babbling to himself.
At midnight when Angel got home, he was nearly toppled by Kate and Wesley trying to leave as fast as possible. In his living room he found Sean fast asleep in Buffy's lap, while she read a magazine Cordelia had left at his place. "Hey" he whispered. She smiled and lifted Sean from her lap and handed him over to Angel. "What are you doing here?" Angel whispered even though Sean had been woken when he was passed to his father. Sean stayed quiet in his fathers arms but watched Buffy hesitantly. "I ran into Cordy the other day and she mentioned you were looking for people to watch the little guy every so often and I was going to offer you a night off. When I got here, Wes was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Kate was probably decided she'd never have kids and Sean was screaming is head off. Your little guy decided he'd be quiet if I stayed so I was practically tied to the couch and forced to do anything that would keep Sean happy" she told him. "Sorry" Angel said with a sheepish smile, but was secretly quite happy he got to see her again even if she was being held hostage by his friends and infant son. Buffy smiled to showed she accepted his apology and began to leave, which caused Sean to start his fit again. Buffy stopped turned back and gave Sean a very stern look. The baby merely closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep in his father's arms. "Very funny, Sean" Buffy told the baby. "Just go. I'm sure he'll just cry himself to sleep," Angel assured her. Buffy sighed and moved for the door again and nearly got out before Sean noticed. "Why don't I just help you put him to bed?" Buffy offered as they walked down the hall to Sean's room which had been steadily getting more and more infant appropriate but the walls were still dark and created a thick blackness when the lights weren't on and the blinds were pulled. Angel placed Sean down in his crib and they both watched as his eyes drooped and waited to make sure he was actually asleep. Together they left the room, only to have Sean start his wails once they were behind the wall. Angel walked back inside the room and picked him up and brought him out to where Buffy was, once Sean saw they were both there he stopped his crying. "I think don't think he's going to sleep unless I'm with him" Buffy said with a resigned sigh. - Sean, you really know how to get a girl to spend the night- Buffy wearily lifted Sean from Angel's arms a moved to walk back to the couch. "You can have my room" Angel offered before she reached the living room. "No, I don't want to inconvenience you" Buffy said automatically. "I'll sleep on the couch, I think your being slightly more inconvenienced" Angel reminded her. Buffy smiled slightly and shifted Sean in her arms who was sleepily watching his father. Angel directed her to his room and watched as she pulled off her boots and lay down on his bed, and watched as Sean snuggled against her chest. - How are you so lucky, Sean? You don't even know the privilege you're getting.- He watched for a moment longer before turning to go to the living room. As soon as he stepped away from the door Sean cried again. Angel stepped back in the door frame and watched as Sean, who was still pressed closely to Buffy, stuck out his arms to his father. Angel stepped into the room and went to lift Sean away from Buffy who was outwardly quite prepared to leave once Sean was fine on his own. As soon as Angel got close enough to lift Sean away, he snuck back closer to Buffy. "I think he wants you here too" Buffy said sleepily. Buffy shifted over, pulling Sean over slightly as well so Angel could sit on Sean's other side. Sean positioned himself equally between them and relaxed into a sleep while Buffy softly stroked his back. Once Sean had been asleep for half an hour Angel silently shifted off the bed, Buffy watched him take a step away from the bed before Sean woke again. Sean didn't cry, just looked at him and let his lip tremble slightly, enough to make Angel climb back onto the bed. The small child placed himself securely on his father's chest and went back to his sleep, but all the while was careful to keep a small hand tightly wrapped around Buffy's thumb. Buffy and Angel exchanged a quick resigned glance and went back to trying to get some sleep for the night.
When Buffy woke the next morning she was assaulted with strange surroundings. She was wrapped in black satin sheets and everything had a distinct manly appearance. A far cry from her room that was soft blue walls and a bed of white lace. The most disturbing part was that her head was pillowed a well defined male chest, and her arm was draped casually across said males abdomen. After thinking about it she remembered what she done the night before. She remembered Sean insisting that Buffy and Angel stay with him all night which resulted in all three of them falling asleep in Angel's bed. -Now, where is Sean?- Buffy carefully lifted her head from Angel's chest and extracted herself from his arm which was loosely wrapped around her waist. She got off the bed carefully so to not wake him, then checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was presentable and her makeup, though faded and slightly smudged, not horrid. She left the room to find Sean. She passed his room and on a chance peaked inside, not really expecting to find him there, but Sean was asleep on the carpeted floor. Somewhere in the night Sean had pulled a blanket down from his crib which he'd pulled over himself. Buffy quietly pulled the door shut to let the baby sleep, only to back into Angel. She gave a soft yelp and placed a hand over her racing heart, "God! You scared me!" Angel smiled and motioned for her to following him away from the room. Once they were in the kitchen and Angel had the task of making them coffee to keep his mind of the fact he'd spent the night with her he could apologize. "Well I don't intend to spend to many early mornings creeping around your apartment, so I guess don't have to worry about it happening again" she teased. -I wish you were here every morning- -God! I can only dream I get to wake up like I did today, every day- After a lengthy silence he handed her a cup of coffee then poured one for himself. Once he was seated at the table and there was nothing to distract either of them they noticed how heavy the silence hung in the air. "So..." Angel started but had completely no idea where he was going with that. "So..." she repeated, "you know, even though we went out a couple of times, I seem to know absolutely nothing about you." Angel sipped his coffee and looked at her seriously, "what do you want to know?" "I don't know. Maybe what you do for a living?" she suggested. "I don't work, I own a few companies in New York. They run themselves and pretty much pay for anything I want" he told her. She looked at him oddly, "you wanted to live in a one Starbucks kind of town like Sunnydale?" He chuckled, "I lived in LA for a while but once I wanted something quieter, Sunnydale seemed like the place." "Is that after Sean came?" she asked innocently. Angel hesitated for a moment, "no, Sean came after I moved here." "So where is Sean's mom?" "I don't know" Angel answered honestly. Buffy was speechless, she assumed that there was a joint custody agreement or something not that Sean had been abandoned. "Oh" was all she could come up with for a reply. " Darla and I were together while I still lived in New York. We broke up and I left for LA. After I left she phoned me and told me she was pregnant and I just assumed it was a ploy to get me back, but she really was and so we had to come up with some sort of arrangement. I didn't want to get back together with her but still wanted to be a part of my child's life. Darla blew up saying she didn't want my money and if I wasn't going to be with her then I couldn't see my child. She was staying in New York and I was still in California so even when she said I could see Sean I couldn't see him enough to really be a part of his life. A couple months ago she showed up here and dumped Sean on me saying she couldn't take care of him anymore, so I don't know where she's gone or with whom."Buffy was silent as that sunk in. She smiled to him and went back to sipping her coffee. "I have to head back to New York next weekend" he told her. "Why?" she asked, raising startled eyes to him. "It's Thanksgiving" he told her with a chuckle. Buffy smiled sheepishly at him and turned her eyes back to he coffee. "I need someone to watch Sean while I'm there while I work, and I was kind of hoping you'd come with us" he asked her softly. She looked at him oddly, "You're asking me to go with you and Sean to New York for a weekend. Why not just take Cordelia or Doyle?" "Because Sean only seems to behave for you. Plus, they have family here and wanted to stay... but you probably have family you want to stay with as well." "No!" she said, "my mom's away for the next two weeks, she's in Seattle for some gallery gig." Angel smiled softly, "so, would you care to join us?" -Please say yes!- - This is the one time I'm happy mom's not home for a holiday!- "I can't think of anyway I'd rather spend it" she told him happily. He grinned at her, "We're leaving on Thursday night, I have to be there Friday to check out my businesses, and we'll be back for Tuesday morning." She smiled and was about to reply when Sean appeared in the doorway "Da! Ma!" Both turned to face the obviously pleased infant who was dragging his puppy behind him. He crawled to his father and was happy when he was lifted into Angel's lap. The three shared a breakfast of cereal than Buffy left so she could go home and change before her classes. Once she had left Angel asked Sean, "did you have all this planned?" The baby clapped his pudgy hands and toddled out of the kitchen.
-6-
Friday couldn't come fast enough for Buffy and Angel. Willow had been slightly upset that Buffy and she couldn't have a Thanksgiving at home even though due to her beliefs she really didn't celebrate Thanksgiving. After Buffy reminded her that Oz would be more than happy to come over and celebrate the red head was pacified. Now Buffy was free to enjoy her long weekend from school. At four on Thursday, Buffy arrived at Angel's apartment. She was let in by Angel and she was quickly distracted by Sean trying to show her everything he found interesting. Angel was still packing up Sean's things and was happy to have Sean busy while he did it. By five thirty they were boarding a plane at the Sunnydale Airport destined for New York.
When they arrived in New York it was dark but the city was still busy. Buffy had to pull her sweater tighter around her as they waited for a cab. "You're cold" Angel noted and shrugged off his coat. He handed it to her, and watched as she pulled the large coat around her. It looked good to see her in his jacket, it was an almost possessive feeling. - We're not even going out, I shouldn't feel like that- Buffy was caught up in the feeling of the warm soft leather around her that still smelt like Angel's aftershave. He had to put his arm around her to direct her to the cab he'd called. They rode in silence to his parents house just outside the city. After half an hour of staring dazedly out the cab window, Buffy realized they'd pulled up in front of a large white house with dark green shutters. The house looked old but comfy, like any family home should. Angel passed her the sleeping Sean and carried their bags up to the house. The door was thrown open by a friendly looking woman who was probably only ten or fifteen years older than Angel. "Liam!" she exclaimed and came down the steps to meet them. He gave her a quick hug and then continued to carry the bags inside. The woman came up to Buffy and lifted Sean from her arms, "How's my favourite grandson?" she asked the sleeping baby. Buffy walked beside the woman up to the door. Once inside, she closed the door, and left Buffy and Angel in the foyer as she walked into a doorway to the left. "That's my step mother Marianne" Angel told Buffy. "I really don't know how old you are but she looked a little young to be your mother" Buffy told him in return. Angel led her into a parlour where there was a large fireplace that was heating the large room. An older gentleman was sitting in an armchair there, reading a newspaper. "Did you have a good flight?" the man asked coldly without even acknowledging their presence. "Fine," Angel replied just as stonily, "Dad, this is my friend Buffy, she came with me to watch Sean while we're here." The older man looked up and actually received them. "What's a lovely young girl like you doing with the likes of my son?" he asked bluntly. Angel snapped, "where'd Marianne take Sean?" Angel's father told them she'd taken Sean upstairs. Angel took Buffy's hand and lead her out of the room and upstairs to find Sean. As Mr. Roarke had said Marianne was upstairs, putting Sean to bed when Angel told her they'd be leaving. Marianne had been confused as was Buffy when Angel pulled them outside again and borrowed a car from the garage and drove back toward the city. He checked them into a hotel suite with three rooms. Once he'd calmed down enough that he wasn't livid Buffy decided to ask him what that was about. "My father and I don't get along, and I'd hoped we could a least be reasonable for a weekend but apparently not. "What did you do so wrong?" Buffy asked. "I killed my mother" he told her. Buffy stayed silence and took in his demeanor, he was pacing and doing anything to keep busy and not have to look at her. "How?" she asked softly. "How did I kill my mother?" he responded almost bitterly, "I was born." Buffy let that sink in as he fastidiously unpacked Sean's things. "That wasn't your fault" she told him, softly placing her hand over his, ceasing his pointless work. He turned slowly and finally looked her in the eye. "Logically we both know that," he whispered, " but that doesn't stop me from feeling guilty and my father resenting that I took his wife, and the love of his life, away from him." Buffy carefully wrapped him in a hug which he fell into gratefully. "I never told anyone that before" Angel whispered in her ear. Buffy didn't reply but strengthened her hug. After a moment, they both pulled away reluctantly. They both looked deeply into each others eyes, and unconsciously their mouths drifted closer. Though the kiss started as gentle it soon progressed to fevered heights. Buffy's arms wrapped around his shoulders and her hands began to run languidly over his upper back. Her moans were the most powerful aphrodisiac he'd ever dreamed of. Angel was nearly aching to press her against a close wall and ravage her but the thought of his son in the next room kept him from that. He painfully pulled himself from her embrace, "We can't do this now." She looked perplexed for a second before nodding and rearranging her clothing which had risen up some under his hands. Watching her fix her skirt, he was almost ready to forget about any decency he possessed and hike it up to her waist and screw her into the couch. "Right, we haven't even gone out on three dates" she said smoothing her hair back into place. " No, it's just I really don't want to wake Sean up and I wasn't prepared for this, this weekend." Buffy smiled ruefully and walked away from him. He practically lost it watching her hips sway as she left the suite's living room to head to her private room, closing the door behind her. Angel groaned and flopped down on the couch, to watch TV. - Anything to take my mind off the completely fuckable woman in the bedroom next to mine-
Angel woke at six thirty the next morning. He had to get up so he could check his company's assets, but now he was seriously wishing he could spend the day with Buffy and Sean. Sean was awake when he went into his room. Angel lifted him from the playpen he'd set up for Sean to sleep in, this weekend. "Let's go see if Buffy's up, shall we?" he asked the small baby. "Ma?" the baby asked hopefully. Angel chuckled softly at Sean's association, "not yet buddy, but we can both hope." He softly knocked on Buffy's door but got no response so he quietly opened the door. Buffy was still asleep in the large bed, and made no indication she was going to wake anytime soon. He placed Sean on the floor and walked closer to the bed to wake her. "Buffy?" he whispered. Leaning over her he noticed that she was wearing a very revealing neglige to bed and was now wishing even more that he could spend his entire day with her. - Preferably while Sean spends the day with Marianne- Buffy grunted and rolled onto her back so he could look at her face. He gently kissed her lips and waited til he got a response. Once Buffy began to kiss him back he pulled his lips away. She groaned at the loss and opened her eyes to look at him. "Morning" he greeted. She grunted and attempted to roll away from him. He chuckled and pulled her back onto her back. "I've got to get going" he told her. "What time is it?" she asked groggily. "Six thirty" She groaned and pulled a pillow over her head. Angel laughed at her misfortune, she was ignoring him so he decided to let Sean wake her up. Angel hoisted Sean onto the bed. Sean happily pushed at Buffy, wanting to play. Buffy finally gave into the fact that her day started at six thirty today. Angel watched Sean for the half hour it took her to get showered and coiffed for the day. She was still wandering around the suite in a robe and her barely there silk pyjama set when he left. - I'll be home by four o'clock then I can spend the night with her-
He wasn't actually home until closer to six. When he opened the door to the suite he was hit with the scent of heavenly food. "Buffy? Sean?" he called into the quite rooms. There was silence for a long moment while he shed his jacket, tie and briefcase. He knew someone had to be home because of the wonderful smells wafting from the kitchenette. "We're on our own tonight" Buffy told him from the doorway. Blood red velvet was erotically flowing over her curves from the thin straps around her neck and it made her look as though she floated when she moved toward him. "Where's Sean?" he asked distractedly. She ran a finger down the front of his chest to his belt then traced her finger over the top of the belt as she moved behind him. "Marianne is watching him for the night" she murmured in his ear. He wasn't given a chance to process that when Buffy's tongue ran slowly down his neck Her voice floated into his ear again, "Do we really want to talk about Sean tonight?" Angel nodded dumbly, watching as she sauntered away from him to the kitchen. He couldn't help himself from following, and was happily surprised to find her carefully tending to their dinner, her back to him. He stealthily walked behind her and nuzzled his head into her neck. She moved her head aside to offer him more neck to caress. "What did you order us?" he whispered before going back to kissing along her collar bone. "Nothing" she answered pulling away from him and taking two plates to the table. "I made it myself" she explained as she set the table, making sure she bent forward enough to give him an ample view of her cleavage. Buffy carefully took her seat and motioned for him to join her. "Do you always pack such dresses when you go away for Thanksgiving weekend?" he teased while he ate some of the chicken parmigiana she had made. "No, Sean and I went shopping today and he helped me pick out a dress for this evening" came the reply. Angel smiled at her and went back to his dinner which held none of the same flavour her skin had, but was still delicious . As she cleared the table after dinner, he followed he back to the sink. She carefully placed the plates and cutlery in the sink before turning back to him and placing her arms around his neck. "Can you guess what dessert is?" she said as she lead his lips to hers. Angel moaned as their lips met passionately and her tongue invited his to play. Her fingers worked feverishly at the buttons on his shirt and quickly pulled it from his pants to slide it from his shoulders. Angel's hands were running up and down her back but as she made her intentions completely clear his hands dipped lower to run over her velvet covered backside. The fabric created a deliciously soft feeling against his palms. Buffy's discarded his shirt and were working the muscles in his broad shoulders. When they were both pleasurably and sufficiently deprived of oxygen Buffy pulled her lips from his. He was still mourning the loss of contact when her lips fastened to his chest and began to nibble up his neck, alternating between soft bites and even softer kisses. Since he'd seen her in the doorway he'd been hard for her but now she was working him into a frenzy. He pulled her tighter to his body to show her exactly how badly he needed her. "Buffy... not here" he said, desperately hanging onto any sanity he had, but her continued attentions to his ear weren't helping. She leaned in close to his ear, "What are you going to do about it?" Angel swift swept her into his arms and carried her out of the kitchen to her room which held a king size bed. He gently set her on the bed and took a moment to admire the woman he'd be dreaming about for the past two months. - She actually is waiting for me to make love to her- She crooked a finger at him, inviting him to join her on the bed. He was immediately over her, supporting his weight on his arms by her head so he could take in the sensual girl beneath him. Buffy's hands gently ran up his back while his hands worked at unfastening the strings around her neck. - He's going to make love to me- Accomplishing that, Angel pulled away from her to run his hands along her curves while he removed the dress. Buffy wasn't wearing anything underneath the velvet. Angel slunk back up her body to her chest, where he latched his mouth over one of her nipples. She hissed in pleasure and moved her hand down to remove his belt. While he worked at her breasts she pushed his pants and boxers from his hips and used her feet to remove his shoes and socks. In an almost surreal moment he remembered why they hadn't done this the night before. "Buffy, I don't have anything" he told her. She smiled at him, " I told you I went shopping" she motioned to a box on her bedside table. Her hands worked through his hair, massaging his neck and head while the put on the condom. "Oh God Buffy" he whispered. She pulled his face up to meet hers, smashing his lips to her own. Angel embedded himself in her in one smooth motion. He swallowed her cries of pleasure in his mouth, savouring the feeling of being inside her. - I could die right now- When the feeling was too much, he created a smooth even pace for her to match. As slow as it started, it ended in a harsh, violent primal mating. All ideas of seduction were beyond their control. Their bodies were coated in perspiration and with a final deep thrust they shattered over the precipice they'd been leaning over since she'd appeared in the doorway. Angel collapsed on her, forgetting her diminutive size, but she welcomed his weight on her. "I love you" she whispered to him in the darkness. He lifted his head from her chest to look her in the eye, "I love you too."
He woke to an empty bed, and was almost afraid he'd dreamed the whole thing. - None of my dreams have ever been that vivid - He realized quickly he was in Buffy's room which brought a contented smile to his face. He got out of the bed and pulled on his boxers before looking for Buffy. She was making breakfast in the kitchenette when he found her. "Well, you're quite the homemaker" he teased. She smiled sarcastically and went to flipping the pancakes she was making. Angel pulled the silk robe off her shoulder and bent over her shoulder to worsen the mark he'd left on her collarbone. "I'm trying to not be a nympho" she teased though her voice was hoarse with pleasure. "I gave up on that last night" he whispered before going back to her shoulder. "Well, you have to at least eat the breakfast I worked hard on, " she ordered, "then we can go back to bed for the rest of the day." He moaned when she covered her shoulder again but was appeased when she placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. They ate in relative silence, both trying to eat quick enough that they can go back to bed. "So what time is Sean coming back?" Angel asked over his coffee. "Marianne said your sister was coming in and would watch Sean until we go there for dinner tonight" she told him with a secretive smile. There was a pause before Angel asked, " How did you find Marianne?" "Telephone book. I'm not that blonde!" she mocked. Angel smiled before sweeping his arms around her and pulling her back to the bedroom. "What about the dishes?" Buffy mock protested.
-7-
At four o'clock that evening Buffy and Angel returned to the Roarke household on the outskirts of New York. "I can't believe you gave me a hickey this big. You knew I'd have to come here later." she whined while fixing a scarf tied around her neck to hide the purple spot there. "Sorry, It wasn't planned. You're just too damn tasty...but if you're objecting I'll never do it again" he teased. "I wouldn't go that far"she returned. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side while they walked up the driveway. They went inside to hear muted laughter and conversations coming from the parlour. They entered silently to find Marianne and Mr. Roarke on the sofa facing the fireplace, supervising as a very pregnant woman and another man playing with Sean on the floor. The pregnant woman spotted them first, "Liam!" she smiled happily and struggled to her feet. "How are you Reanne?" Angel asked as they embraced. She smirked, "big as a house, but otherwise okay" Angel noticed Buffy standing awkwardly beside him. "Buffy, this is my sister Reanne. Reanne, this is my friend Buffy" Reanne smiled knowingly and shook hands with Buffy. "Buffy, that is my husband Rick over there" she introduced the man still on the floor with Sean. "Good! We're almost all here now!" Marianne piped in. "When's Laura coming?" Angel asked. "She couldn't make it back but we have another guest coming" Marianne explained, avoiding the topic of who the guest was. Angel let it slide when Sean began to tug on his pant leg. "What is it, little guy?" he asked the baby. Sean put his arms out to be picked up. Angel bent down to lift him up just as the doorbell rang. Sean grinned at Buffy, "Ma!" "Ooh, she's here!" Marianne said as she bustled from the room. Sean was happily resting in his fathers arms and waving at Buffy, until he looked over Angel's shoulder. Sean began to cry, and Buffy followed his gaze to the blonde in the foyer. She was looking longingly at Sean, and looked on the verge of tears herself. Angel was trying to quiet Sean, oblivious to her presence behind him. Sean looked away from Darla and put his chubby arms out to Buffy. Buffy took him from Angel and walked Sean away from the door and the woman that upset him, without a word. Angel finally turned around to see her. "Darla" he whispered. She smiled sadly , but otherwise staying completely still. "What are you doing here?" Angel hissed at her. "Marianne invited me for dinner" she replied softly. "Buffy! We're going!" Angel called into the other room. She stayed where she was, with Sean perched on her hip and Reanne playing with his tiny hands. She looked at him with a confused expression, "Why?" Angel looked at her and Sean, Sean was burying his head into Buffy's neck trying to hide himself from his mother. - smart kid- "Please Liam, don't go!" Marianne begged. He glared at Marianne for a moment, before seeing Buffy's disapproving glance and relenting. "We'll stay" Angel declared softly. Marianne beamed and dashed back into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on dinner. Angel walked over to Buffy and took Sean back into his arms, while discretely watching Darla's every move with an angry stare. Darla talked with his father happily, - a fitting pair those two make- "Who's she?" Buffy whispered into ear. Angel looked down at her, "Sean's mother" "Oh" was what she replied dumbly. He could see the hurt in her eyes and noticed the way she seemed to eye Darla very suspiciously. - It was so much easier to just not think about Sean's mother! Why did she have to come back? Does he still love her?- "Oh God!" he heard her murmur to herself. "Just another awkward holiday at my house" he whispered sarcastically in his ear. "Yeah, well we'll just have to go to my house for Christmas" she teased back. He leaned in to kiss her, "your family doesn't know about us just yet, I think this might tip them off" she whispered. "Yeah, I'll just have to make it up to you later" he teased. "Dinner's Ready!" Marianne called, interrupting the tender moment. Reanne took Sean from Angel's arms and into the dining room, while Sean looked anywhere but at his mother. Buffy moved to follow the rest of them. Angel held her back, "they're not going to see us now." She smiled and let him kiss her softly. "Are you two coming?" Mr. Roarke yelled at them. "Coming!" Angel yelled, adding softly, "you pompous bastard" causing Buffy to laugh at his side and carefully remove any traces of lipstick from his mouth.
Dinner was fairly smooth. Mr. Roarke croaked about how Angel's assets had declined 8% the past year, and Marianne was trying to coax Angel to stay in New York to look after them. Reanne helpfully changed the topic, gushing about her first child , and it was quite obvious Corwin Roarke and Marianne were much more pleased about this grandchild than they had been about Sean's impending arrival. During the conversation Buffy picked out that Reanne and the absent Laura were actually Marianne's children from a previous marriage. Darla had been oddly quiet through the whole dinner, she watched avidly as Buffy and Angel fed Sean. Her eyes were glassy through dinner though she hid it well. Buffy was feeding Sean some squash when Marianne addressed her, "so what do you do Buffy?" "Oh, I'm a student!" Buffy replied anxiously. "What sort of student?" Darla asked sweetly, but with a false smile. "I'm majoring in Psychology at UC Sunnydale" she clarified, returning the false smile to Darla. Marianne looked at her interested, " that must be rather demanding. What are you intending to do with your degree?" Buffy smiled politely, "I don't know yet!" "What sort of psychology are you studying, Buffy?" Darla interjected. " Just general" Buffy told her. "I see" Marianne said, stopping the discussion. "So, Rick, have you and Reanne bought everything you're going to need for the little one?" Marianne changed the topic.
After dinner they retired to the parlour again for the remainder of the evening, but by nine o'clock Sean was asleep on Buffy's shoulder. Sean had left Buffy's side as little as possible all evening. "Maybe we should get going" Angel said, excusing himself, Buffy and Sean. Marianne nodded her head, Corwin seemed pleased, and Reanne insisted on help Buffy get Sean ready to go outside. Angel went to grab his and Buffy's coats, only to be followed by Darla. "I see a baby doesn't cut into your social life" Darla stated. "Don't do this Darla, you dumped Sean to me, Buffy helps me take care of him. That's all there is to it" Angel justified. Darla looked at him skeptically, "you think I didn't notice the way you were by her side all night, or the way Sean called her `mommy'?" Angel sighed but didn't respond. "I'm still his mother, Angel, and I don't want her anywhere near him! She's too young for you and she doesn't know how to take care of a baby!" Darla nearly screamed. "Yeah, because you've been supplying such excellent care as of late" Angel accused, angry at her for doing this to Sean and for everything she said about Buffy. Darla stayed silent, but the anger and tension in the air was palpable. Buffy and Reanne came back down the stairs with Sean, to see them staring at each other, in the foyer. "I'll call you tomorrow Buffy" Reanne said getting away as fast as she could. Buffy watched them a little longer before breaking their glares, "are we ready to go?" Angel looked at her smiled shortly and handed her, her own coat. "We need to get going" he hissed at Darla. Sean watched as Darla approached him, "bye baby" she whispered. Sean snuggled deeper into Buffy's arms, with a grimace on his face, when Darla went to touch him. "We're going" Angel hissed as he stepped between her and Sean. Angel escorted Buffy from the house, but before he closed the door he hissed, " do not follow us" Darla watched from the window as they pulled away from the house and headed back into the city.
It was nine thirty before they got back to the hotel, so Buffy immediately went to get Sean ready for bed, giving Angel time to cool off. Sean woke up half way through, being dressed in his pyjamas. "So you don't like your mommy either hunh?" Buffy asked the baby who just stared at her with big brown eyes. "That makes three of us" she whispered as she did up the last snap on his sleeper and gave him a kiss on the nose. Sean snuggled as close to her as possible when she picked him up. She rubbed his back lightly, trying to get him back to sleep. She gently walked him back out to the living room, to see Angel flopped on the couch tiredly rubbing his eyes. Sean was safely asleep in her arms so she gently went back into his room and placed him in the playpen. Coming back into the living room, Angel was exactly as he had been. She quietly walked over to him. She gently lifted his head, and replaced it in her lap once she was seated. She placed her hands on his temples, gently massaging. "What did I ever see in her?" Angel groaned. "I don't know" Buffy whispered to him. Angel was getting drowsier by the second, "I love you" Angel whispered, realizing what her just said and opening his eyes to look at her. - Please let her say the same, I need her to love me back- Her hands had stopped moving, and she silently looked him in the eye. - Did he really just say that to me?- After a long pause, "I love you too" she whispered. Gently he pulled her hands away from his head and cradled them against his chest as he sat up. "Stay with me" he whispered, it wasn't a question or an order, merely a statement. "Forever" she replied. He grinned and leaned in to kiss her. It wasn't a fiery kiss, merely an act to seal their agreement. "I'm tired, let's go to bed" she whispered. He nodded in agreement and lead her to her bedroom.
He woke to the sound of Sean's happy squeal in the next room. He quietly got out of bed to find his girlfriend and his son. He padded into Sean's room to find Buffy singing `Itsy Bitsy Spider' to a laughing Sean. Angel walked behind Buffy, motioning to Sean to stay quiet when he spotted his father. Buffy was still playing with Sean when two strong arms grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her against a solid chest. "`Morning buddy" Angel said with a grin not putting his girlfriend down. Sean laughed happily, at his chosen parents. "Can you put me down now?" Buffy asked through a laugh. "I could" he teased as he hoisted her over his shoulder and grabbed his waiting son. "Have you eaten yet, little guy?" Angel asked his son. "If you put me down I'll make you breakfast" Buffy compromised. Angel smiled to his son, "See this is how you get exactly what you want, from a woman" he explained to the laughing baby. He gently put Buffy back on her feet. "If you ever end up with any sisters, I'll teach them how to get exactly what they want from men" she told the baby as she ran a finger along Angel's chest, then retreated to the kitchenette. "If you end up with any sisters we're screwed" Angel told him with a laugh.
-8-
They were back in Sunnydale two o'clock Tuesday afternoon. They loaded their things in his car and headed back to his apartment. "I'm gonna miss you guys, when I'm back home" Buffy told him as they moved her stuff from his car to her own. "You don't have to be gone long" he told her. He held out a small black velvet box. She gingerly opened it and smiled when she saw the silver ring. "It's beautiful" she whispered through happy tears. "It's a Claddagh ring....the hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart....you know. Wear it with the heart facing towards you, it means you belong to someone." Buffy smiled and gingerly pulled it out of the box, "put it on me?" He obliged, and she caught sight of the one on his finger. She gently pressed her lips to the cold silver. "I love it. Where did you get it?" she asked. "It belonged to my mother, my aunt gave it to me, a while back, to give to the one I love" She grinned, "I love it" She kissed him softly on the lips. "Here" he said as he passed her a key. She smiled gratefully and pocketed the key. "I gotta get out of here" she whispered, "I'll call you tonight. Love you" She went back to Angel's convertible and kissed the sleeping Sean on the cheek. "See you later, buddy, bye" She, then, got into her car and drove away, leaving Angel smiling after her.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Buffy called as she entered the apartment. She saw Willows bedroom door open but it was Wills who came into the living room. "Oz!" Buffy said, deeply surprised Willow and Oz had moved that fast. "Hey" he whispered, implying that she had to stay quiet. "Is Wills still asleep?" Buffy whispered as she threw her things on the couch, knowing Willow didn't have any classes on Tuesdays. "Nah" Oz denied, "she just conked out while we were studying" Buffy smiled, "oh! Did you guys have a long weekend?" Oz chuckled softly in reply, "not in the way you're implying." Buffy smiled softly and nodded, "I gotta get my things away then I'm gonna catch up on my sleep," she told him as she headed to her room. "Did you have a long weekend?"Oz mocked. She turned back and smirked before closing her bedroom door.
Buffy woke in time for dinner and caught herself a shower before padding out the kitchen in her pyjamas. Willow was sitting at the table eating some stew, when Buffy came in. "Hey!" she cheered at the sight of one of her best friends. "Hey Wills!" Buffy said in reply. She quickly got herself some stew and sat across from Willow at the table. "So....How was your Thanksgiving?" Willow asked coyly. Buffy grinned, "Fine." Willow looked at her in a disbelieving fashion. "Okay, so it was wonderful!" she gushed. "What'd you do?" Willow asked excitedly, "Ooh! Did you meet his family? Did you get to see the Empire State Building? Ooh! How was Sean? Was he all clingy like before?" "Whoa, one question at a time, Inquisitive girl!"Buffy mock scolded. Willow blushed slightly. "Yes I saw all those things, and no Sean was oddly un-clingy, and I spent most of my days inside buildings so I didn't get to do much. I did go shopping and bought this dress that, Angel totally loved" she said the last part slightly dreamily. Willow smiled at her friends obvious mental disappearance. "Are you going to call your boy toy, tonight?" Willow kidded. "Yeah" Buffy replied, she slowly stirred the stew she had only touched a little. "Can I go before you get all mushy?" Willow teased. Buffy jerked back into the present, "where are you going?" Willow smiled, "I'm going to a Digoes practice." Buffy smiled knowingly, and watched as Willow cleared up her dishes. "I'll wash `em Wills, you'll find I became oddly domesticated, this weekend" Buffy told her. "The result of spending a long weekend with two men" Wills teased. Buffy smirked. "I'll be home late, don't feel like you have to wait up." Willow said as she got her coat to leave. "Bye" Buffy called after her. Buffy quickly finished her dinner, so she could phone Angel. She grabbed the cordless, and quickly dialled Angel's number. "Hey" she said when he picked up. "Hi" he said in return. "So how's my favourite guy?" she asked. "Oh he's good. He's currently learning the joys of throwing anything he can get his little hands on" Angel replied. "Oh? And how's his dad?" she asked conversationally. "He's been better since you phoned." Buffy smiled and cleaned the dishes with the phone cradled against her cheek.
Angel carefully picked up his son at eight o'clock. "I gotta put the little guy to bed" he told her, over the phone. "I wish I could help you" she told him sadly. "I wish you were here too" he told her honestly. "So what are you doing tomorrow?" he asked after a long pause. "I gotta pick up anything else I missed while I was away and go to a couple of lectures" she responded, as he quickly undressed his son and put him into a sleeper. "What are you doing tomorrow evening?" he asked. "Nothing, why?" she asked in return. "Well I was thinking you could come over tomorrow for dinner. We miss you" he invited. "I'll be there at four" she told him. "You could stay the night" he suggested. "Would that involve me getting any sleep?" she teased. "I find sleep is highly overrated," he threw back, "the best kind of sleep is the thoroughly sated, exhausted one." She laughed on the other end, "you're going to teach your son nasty habits, later on, you know?" she returned. "You know you love it" he told her. "That I do, I love everything about you" she said. "So you'll stay?" he asked hopefully. "Yeah. I can sleep through History" she agreed.
She was there at quarter after four, the next afternoon. Angel opened the door promptly, after she had knocked. Sean was on his hip, "Ma!" he happily screamed when he saw her. "Hi there little guy" she said with a smile, trading with Angel, her overnight bag for the baby. Sean threw his arms around her neck and acted like he'd never let her go. Angel bent over her and gave her a gentle kiss. "Mmm. This is of the good" she said with a contented smile. "How was your day?" he asked as he took her bag into his room. She smirked , "I've had better" she groaned. "Well, I promise to make your day better" he said grace her with another soft kiss, on his return. "It's already better, she told him" pulling him back to her for a slightly more passionate kiss. After they broke away she looked down at the sleeping baby on her hip. "Looks like we'll get a little more alone time tonight" she commented. Angel gently smoothed his son's hair, "good thing I already fed him." "I'll put him to bed and you can get our dinner together" she told him, with a smile. He watched as she took his son, to his bed, then moved back into the kitchen to get dinner together.
When Buffy returned ten minutes later she found a sumptuous feast spread out on the dining room table. The whole room lit by candles. Angel was standing by her seat, he smiled gently. "This is beautiful" she whispered, almost afraid to break the tranquillity. "Anything for you" he whispered back. She smiled graciously, and a bestowed a loving kiss on him. The kiss was lingering, and was quickly increasing in passion. "Believe me when I say, I'd really like to continue this, but I worked hard on this dinner and it's getting cold" he said, breaking their kiss. She smiled, and laughed softly, "Trust me when I say I'm grateful, and you will get a full explanation of how very grateful I am........later" Angel groaned as she came millimetres away from kissing him, then pulled back. They ate in relative silence, occasionally sharing food off their plates. But by the end of the meal, Buffy was itching to touch him. She gracefully rose from her chair and moved to stand in front of him. His eyes flowed down the curves of her body, as she walked toward him. He took in the tight black pants encasing her legs and the white V neck tank with a layer of black laces covering her, but showing him, ample amounts of her chest, and a nice couple inches of tanned, toned midriff. She swung a leg over his hips and sat in his lap. "What's for desert?" she whispered huskily. He leaned in and devoured her mouth, pushing her back against the edge of the table. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue joined hers in their delicious battle. He slowly stood, keeping her legs wrapped around his waist. She groaned her pelvis against his, creating friction, causing him to speed up his advances. He quickly swept her up into his arms, and walked them toward his bedroom.
Buffy woke to a soft whisper in her ear. She groaned, and turned her head away from the noise but keeping herself sprawled against his warm chest. "Beloved, you have to get up eventually, and since Sean will be up soon, now seems a good time." She grumbled but turned back to face him with open eyes. "Sean will be fine on his own for a few more minutes" she whispered as she kissed him. She smiled devilishly as her kisses made their way down to his neck and shoulders, then down to his chest. A deep rumbling purr from his chest, stopping her descent. She looked up at him again with a sly smile on her face, she was astride his waist, and they both were still conveniently naked. "You were saying something about getting up?" she asked. He growled good naturedly, and flipped them over so she was under him. "Forget it" he whispered, then showed her exactly what he wanted to do with her.
"Maybe I should leave some things here" she told him as she brushed her hair, getting ready for a long day of catching up at school. "Like what?" He asked as he came to stand behind her in his mirror. "I don't know, like say, an extra outfit, a toothbrush and some shampoo and stuff" she suggested. "I couldn't agree more" Angel whispered in her ear, kissing her neck. "I do not need any more marks on my neck from you!" she exclaimed and pushed him away from her neck. "I just find you so kissable" he pleaded. She smiled smugly, "good." Buffy straightened another piece of hair and then threw her hairbrush back into her bag. "What time is it?" she asked. He sighed in frustration as she backed away from another one of his advances. "Eight thirty. Sean is having a glass of juice in the living room and, our coffee is waiting for us in the kitchen." Buffy smiled and pushed him against the wall, pressing him to it with her body. She caught his lips in a firey kiss and then broke away to head to the kitchen. "Tease" he hissed as he followed her.
Days were too long for Buffy and Angel. They would spend their free times taking Sean to the local attractions, like Sunnydale Zoo and the local parks. Then they spent their evenings quietly relaxing in Angel's apartment, just watching TV, listening to music, or reading separately pressed close to each other. Neither expected the letter to come in the mail. Angel had recognized the writing as soon as he saw it, but waited until Buffy came that afternoon to open it. - What does the bitch want now?- After a lengthy dinner and putting Sean to bed, Angel and Buffy retired to the couch. Angel was nervous of what this letter would mean. "Beloved, I got a letter from Darla today" he told her. She was distracted with trying to find her latest Cosmo on his messy coffee table, "oh, what'd it say?" "I haven't opened it" he replied. Buffy looked at him and sat back against his chest as he pulled the letter off the table beside him. "What do you think she wants? I mean, it's been weeks since we've seen her at your parents place" Buffy stated. Angel shook his head and began to open the letter. - She might want to take Sean back! That'd crush Angel! I love Sean! The bitch better not, do that!- Angel slowly unfolded the letter, and read it over her shoulders as he wrapped his free arm around her.
< Angel,
I'm going to be in LA visiting a friend over the Christmas
break, and I was hoping to visit you and Sean while I was in the
area. I'm truly sorry for what I've done. I never meant to hurt you
or Sean like that. I'm ready, now, to be the proper wife and mother,
you and Sean deserve. I can never apologize enough for what I did. I
will be your wife now. See you soon.
Darla >
Buffy stared at the letter in shock. -I'll be your wife now!- She quickly divested herself of Angel's arms and jumped to her feet. "I'll be your wife now?!" Buffy asked him. Angel looked at her sadly, "She doesn't know what she's talking about!" he replied. "Well, I know what she's talking about! So, I finally find out you have a fiancée! Do you have any other children other than Sean?" she asked sarcastically. Angel sighed, "I know you're hurt, Beloved, but I'm not going to take her back." Buffy put up a hand to halt him, "It's not whether or not you're going to take her back, it's that you didn't tell me!" she hissed at him. "I'm sorry" he told her, gently placing his hands on her arms. "Damn it, Angel!" she screamed, " don't try to get yourself out of this! You didn't tell me you were engaged. Engaged! I should have known that!" Sean cried out at the sound of the yelling from the living room, interrupting his sleep. Angel sighed sadly, " would it have mattered?" he asked softly. "No" Buffy told him honestly. "Then why does it matter now?" he asked loudly, exasperated by her behaviour. "You just don't get it, do you?!" she yelled back at him. "No! I don't!" he yelled ignoring Sean's elevating cries. "You lied to me! I thought I knew you, but what else is there I don't know!" she threw at him. Angel stayed silent and looked at her. She was fuming, but her posture quickly slumped and she looked sad. "Go. Deal with your son" she whispered, "I'll call you soon." With that she left his apartment. At the closing of the door, Sean cried even louder. Angel walked toward Sean's door, not quite sure what just happened, but knowing he'd just messed up royally, and that she wasn't coming back for a while yet. - What am I going to do with out her? What are we going to do without her?-
-9-
- What the hell just happened?- Buffy walked into her apartment, quite pleased to find it empty. There was a note on the coffee table saying Wills was at Oz's place and wouldn't be back until late. - She really doesn't need to see me balling my eyes out while I fess up to the fact I just blew up over a tiny little thing that doesn't even mean anything. Add in the fact I just about ended the only serious relationship I've had in a long time! God! What the hell is wrong with me?!- Buffy threw her keys on the coffee table along with the note and then kicked off her shoes while she went to get herself a large amount of anything and everything they had that contained chocolate. She fell onto her bed with her arms full of the chocolate infused food products and a number of Xander's Twinkies from his extra snack cake stash at their apartment. After eating half of the food and watch at least two hours of mind numbing, Thursday night, prime time sitcoms, Buffy groaned. "Dear Lord, I'm sooo pathetic!"
At seven thirty the next morning Angel was dragged out of bed by a constant pounding at the door. He looked through the peep hole, staring at a clearly agitated Buffy still pounding on the other side of the door. He pulled open the door, "you could have used your key you know" he told her sadly. "Didn't know if that'd be acceptable" she told him softly. They stood staring at each other for a long moment. "What did you want Buffy?" Angel whispered. Her head drooped and she inspected her shoes carefully for a moment, "I came to grovel. I have to make up for my extremely unnecessary outburst last night."Angel sighed softly and placed his thumb under her chin to lift her face to meet his eyes. "It's not needed, you were right I should have told you I was engaged" he told her. She smiled softly to him, "I'm still sorry" He smiled back then bent down and kissed her softly. "Still doesn't explain why you're here at seven thirty in the morning" he whispered to her once their lips parted. She smiled sheepishly, "I've got a class at nine and I didn't know how long it would take me to grovel for forgiveness." He grinned, "your grovelling might have been more effective if you hadn't woken me up at this horrendous hour." She smiled again and brushed past him and into the apartment. "Where are you going?" he called after her, keeping his voice low, to not wake Sean. "I making my guys a huge, wonderful breakfast. I'm still making up for my outburst last night....I don't even know what caused me to flip out like that!" she rambled as she pulled out a couple pans and placed them on the stove. "I know a way you can make it up to me without trashing my kitchen in the meantime" Angel teased, from his spot in the doorframe. Buffy smiled back at him suggestively, "that comes later... but I have to make it up to Sean too, and I know that baby boy loves to eat!" so he let her continue making their breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
Sean heartily accepted her apology. The young boy happily ate
up the special breakfast, and was quite pleased to see his `mommy'
after she stormed out last night. "Sean go with Ma?" he asked as
Buffy collected her coat and purse to leave for her day at
school. "Not today, buddy" Buffy told him. Sean pouted, "Why Sean no
go?" She smiled at his lack of ability to grasp the concept. "Sean no
go, because I have to go to school" she told him, when his expression
became even more sad, she bargained, "but next week I don't have to
go to school, and I will stay home with Sean and Daddy all day." This
seemed to satisfy Sean, and he happily resumed playing with his
favourite stuffed puppy. Angel had already disappeared in to his room
to get changed, "I really have to go Sean. Can you give Daddy this
note? It's really important" she told the baby, who excitedly
accepted the `important job.' Buffy quickly grabbed her bag, kissed
Sean on the forehead and left the apartment, locking the door behind
her. The toddler ran into his father's room, waving the letter at his
father. "What's this, little guy?" Angel asked. Sean smiled
mischievously, "Ma" he told his daddy, then toddled away. Angel
quickly opened the note;
< Meet me at my place. Seven, sharp>
She hadn't signed it, but it wasn't needed. Angel promptly got on the
phone to look for a sitter for Sean.
Seven couldn't come fast enough for either of them. Angel tentatively knocked on the door, having no idea what she had planned for them. She swept open the door, wearing the red velvet dress he loved so much. He looked over her appreciatively, as she gestured for him to enter the apartment. "I thought we might need a little more privacy for me to apologize correctly" she told him. He leered at her comment, then proceeded to take in his surroundings. He noticed that the apartment looked decidedly more Willow, but there were the little touches around that screamed Buffy. "What are we doing tonight?" he asked her, turning his attention back to the beautiful blonde in front of him. "I think you know," she said, with a suggestive smile. He smiled back at her, " I meant besides that." "There's more to our relationship than that?" she mocked. He smirked. "Since I kicked Willow out of her own apartment, for you, I think you should appreciate this." He pulled her against his chest, "I do. Believe me I do." She gently retracted herself from his arms and proceeded to lead him towards one of the bedrooms.
Most of their weekend was spent with Sean. They saw the new Disney movie, discreetly making out in the back of the theatre as Sean was preoccupied with the film. On Sunday they took Sean to the park, to enjoy a lovely day, and to watch the town decorate for the upcoming holiday.
As it was only five days until Christmas, on Monday, Buffy went Christmas shopping with her mother and Sean, mostly because he remembered her promise to spend the days with him next week. Her mother nearly threw a fit, when Buffy brought Sean with her to her mother's house. Joyce Summers nearly passed out when she opened the door to see her daughter holding the smiling toddler, on one arm and carrying a diaper bag on her other arm. "Who- whose baby is that?" Joyce sputtered in shock. "Mall, Ma?" Sean asked innocently, sending Joyce into another wave of shock. "Mommy?" Joyce exclaimed, wavering on her feet. - This could be a long day- Buffy swiftly put Sean on the floor with a toy and helped her mother to the couch. "I know what your thinking and no.....I know I disappeared for like six months a couple of years but this is pure coincidence. He is so not mine" she told her mother. "But...he called you mommy" Joyce sputter some more. "We don't know where that came from" Buffy told her with a sigh. Joyce looked at her pointed ly, basically saying `we?' "He's Angel's son" Buffy explained. Joyce seemed pacified with that information, "how old is he?" she asked. Buffy smiled, getting to brag about her surrogate son. After Joyce was told everything about the nature of relationship between Buffy, Angel and Sean, it was a good hour. Finally, the three of them got to their Christmas shopping, Buffy constantly finding things that someone absolutely had to have. However, she found absolutely nothing she wanted to give to Angel. "How much do you want to spend?" Joyce asked, trying to help Buffy find something suitable. "It's not really important," Buffy said, not helping Joyce with any ideas. Joyce breezed ahead of Sean and Buffy, to scout out possible gifts. "How about a nice sweater" Joyce said as they passed a display of cardigans. Buffy just shook her head, "maybe from Sean but...." She passed her mother, and continued pushing the stroller on. "Gee, let's not get too personal, there mom" Buffy teased. She pushed the stroller Sean was napping in, up to a jewellery counter. "Jewellery?" her mom asked as she stepped up to the counter as well. "Not exactly" Buffy said as she pointed out a beautiful, antique pocket watch. "It's beautiful, but is that really practical?" Joyce questioned. Buffy smiled happily, "not really but it just screams Angel, so...." Buffy hailed a store clerk and swiftly bought the watch.
TBC…
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