Part 1

It was a beautiful autumn evening as Angel, Cordelia, and Doyle began setting up their new office on Hollywood Boulevard. A few months had passed since he had left Sunnydale and Angel's longing for Buffy still weighed heavy on his heart. Leaving was the right thing to do. Buffy needed to get on with her life. He wanted her to do normal things with normal people. And even as much as it hurt him to imagine, she needed to start dating normal guys.

As the trio were unpacking boxes, Doyle noticed that Angel looked a little out of sorts. "Hey man, you all right?" he asked in his heavy Irish brogue.

Angel was pulled out of his reverie. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind.and a lot of work to do."

"Yeah, right. Sure. You wouldn't still be broodin' over a certain blonde Slayer now, would ya?"

Angel looked away. Was he that transparent? "Nah. Like I said, just way too much to do before we can open this place."

Cordy breezed into Angel's office. "Hey, what are you two so serious about? Who died?"

"Nobody died. Seems our bossman is still pining for a certain Slayer."

"Doyle, I am not. I told you. I've just got a lot to do before the sun comes up." Angel walked away, shaking his head. Why couldn't everybody just stay out of his love life?

Cordelia's voice cut through the air like nails on a chalkboard. "You were not. You were talking about Buffy. I've seen that look on your face before. Man, I hate it when you're like this. It's not very becoming, you know. I almost liked you better when you were that Angelus guy. At least you had a little backbone then. You weren't moping around, whining about your lost love. God, Just get on with your life."

Angel and Doyle looked at each other. Doyle shook his head. "She's very subtle, isn't she?"

Angel smirked. "Yeah, a real princess."

"Oh, come on you two. Does everything always have to be so serious? Geez, lighten up a bit. Oh, hey, anyone hungry?"

Doyle snickered. "You offerin'?"

Cordy looked appalled. "Ewwww, no. Of course not! I thought I'd go pick up some Chinese if anyone was hungry."

Angel frowned disapprovingly. "No thanks. Last Chinese I had was centuries ago. I can still feel the heartburn. Way too much sodium in their blood."

Cordelia stood looking disgustedly at Angel. "Gross much. I meant Chinese food. Not a real Chinese person."

Doyle laughed. "Yeah, man. We could bring you back someone.I mean, something."

Cordelia threw her hands in the air and rolled her eyes. "I give up. It's like being stuck between two adolescent boys. Sick!"

"Very funny," Angel replied. "No, I'm fine. You two go ahead and pick something up. I really don't want Cordy walking around by herself at night."

~~~~~~

Meanwhile, back in Sunnydale, Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Oz were getting equipped for their freshman year at UC Sunnydale. They were grouped at Giles' bookstore which was situated right off campus; the second floor of which served as their headquarters.

"Buffy," Giles announced, walking into the room, "I would like you to go out on patrol later than usual. I am sending Spike with you. You seem a bit distracted lately. I would feel better if you had a little supernatural protection."

"Spike!!! Why Spike!?!" Buffy screamed as she glared at the blonde vampire.

"Watcher, do I have to go with the Slayer? It's bad enough the vamps here know I'm helping you people. I think it would be better if I not go. Or maybe hide in the shadows and help only if she needs it," Spike said.

"Okay?" Xander asked. "Please explain why we're trusting our Slayer with a cold blooded killer just because he came back and told us he was going to be a good guy and help out?"

"Because," Giles explained, "ever since the Ascension, the vampires in this town have been without a leader, and they have gone crazy. Buffy needs help fighting them. Spike is the best we have available."

"Yeah, but...Spike? Don't we have a second choice here? Why don't you go with her? You're her Watcher. You watch...her." Xander giggled to himself at the play on words.

Willow also giggled a little. "That was funny...get it...Watcher...watch her??? Funny." Everyone turned to her with sour looks on their faces "Sorry," Willow mumbled as she blushed a deep crimson. Oz glanced at his girlfriend and grabbed her hand, giving her his reassuring little half-smile. She smiled back at him gratefully.

"Funny, Will, real funny. Giles isn't going to budge, so I better book. Spike, are you coming?"

"Yeah, Slayer, let me grab some more stakes and I'll meet you outside."

"OK, fine. Hurry up though, I have a lot of things to do before school starts next week."

Buffy and Spike left the bookstore quickly and headed through Restfield Cemetery, encountering three vampires and dusting them with ease. Buffy's thoughts, however, were preoccupied as she thought about all the time she and Angel had spent in the cemeteries patrolling...or rather, making out. Everywhere she looked she saw markers and stones that they'd leaned against...sat against...kissed against.

Spike noticed her wandering mind and decided her pull her back to the land of the not so living. "Excuse me, Slayer...can we get back to business here? Stop wallowing in your self-pity and get back to the task at hand."

"Hey! I am entitled to self-pity. You know what I go though every night. Add to that the fact that I put up with you and your smart-alec comments all the time and I think I deserve a one way ticket to Never-Never Land."

"It might help, pet, if you stop moping and get out more."

"Who are you to talk about my life? Mr. I-Love-Loony-Tunes-Drusilla."

"Don't start with that, ducks," Spike warned menacingly.

"Then don't start talking about my life, and moving on from Angel. I won't ever be over him. No matter how hard I try." Buffy threw her hands up and stalked away, leaving Spike standing alone in the cemetery.

Cordy and Doyle strolled out of the Chinese restaurant, their thoughts still with Angel.

"I hope Angel gets Buffy out of his system soon. He's beginning to make me sick," Cordelia announced. "He needs to stop brooding, and get over it."

"I agree." Doyle said. "He is acting whipped, which he is, but either do something about still loving her, or get over it."

"Then, he's got this whole curse thing hanging over his head. What's up with that?"

The pair didn't notice, but as they were talking they were being stalked.

"The stupid happiness clause is still on the curse," Doyle told his companion.

Suddenly, Cordy stopped and whipped her head around. "Did you just hear something?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I did. Just act normal but lets get out of her as fast as we can," Doyle murmured quietly. They began to walk again, though they picked up their pace.

Cordy heard a growl and smelled a foul stench. "Vamps," she muttered. "Really smelly ones too."

"I know I defiantly heard that...and smell it too." Doyle grimaced. They sprinted down the street, but they were no match for the vampire's speed. As Cordy and Doyle withdrew the stakes from their jackets, the vampire caught up to them. It was a necessity now. The vampire attacked Cordy first. Although she tried to stake it, it knocked the stake out of her hand and pounced on her.

"God, Doyle!!! Get this foul thing off of me. NOW!"

Doyle leaped forward, trying to stake the nasty smelling vamp, but it knocked him down also.

Angel, having begun to worry about his friends, wandered around the alleys around their office building. An awful sewage smell assaulted his senses and he followed it, stumbling onto the sight of Cordy and Doyle trying to fight off a massive vampire. Swooping in on the three, he picked up a discarded stake and plunged it squarely into the vampire's back. It shriveled to dust and covered Cordelia.

"Oh My God!!!! Get this stuff off of me!!! NOW!!" Cordy screamed. "I appreciate the help Angel, but do you realize how hard it is to get vamp dust out of my clothes and hair? I am making you pay for my dry cleaning this month."

"Well, your highness," Doyle told her, "we could have left him whole. You could try to get him off that way."

"Umm, ewww. No thank you." Cordelia stumbled away toward the apartment.

Doyle and Angel just looked at each other and shook their heads. "Next time...I don't care what you say, I'm lettin' the nasty have it's way with her. It could only improve her disposition."

"Nah, wouldn't improve much. She'd just have a bigger attitude and fangs to go with it," Angel told his half demon friend.

Doyle nodded in agreement. "What I wouldn't give to knock her down a few pegs. You sure we really need her, man?"

"Cor helps sometimes. Besides, we need someone to file stuff, because you and I won't do it. She knows about demons, and won't tell anyone anything. At least she better not," Angel said as he and Doyle headed back to the makeshift office/apartment. When they arrived, Cordy was already sitting down at the table, eating her take-out.

"What took you two so long? The food is getting cold. Not that it matters to you Angel."

"Well, I'm glad that the attack didn't seem to rattle you much. Still as nasty as ever..."

Cordy shot him a nasty glare

"Can we call a truce here, guys? I'd like to eat in peace, if it's okay with you?" Doyle asked.

"Yeah" Angel responded as he walked over to the answering machine and pressed the play button. Willow's soft voice filled the room.

"Angel, it's Willow. Give me a call when you get this. I have some information you might like to know."

Angel immediately lifted the receiver and dialed Willow's number.

"Hello?"

"Willow, it's Angel. What's wrong? Is it Buffy?" his voice was half panicked as he waited to hear her news.

"Buffy's fine. Well, at least I hope she is. Giles sent her out on patrol with Spike."

"Spike!?! Giles sent Buffy out with Spike? What was he thinking?" Thoughts flew through Angel's mind, including how he'd gut his childe if he laid a hand on Buffy.

"I don't know. But I'm worried. I still don't trust him."

"Neither do I and he is my childe. I am really surprised that Giles is putting this much trust him. Something doesn't feel right." Suspicion ran rampant through his body, taut with anxiety.

"What's wrong Angel?"

"I don't know. I just don't have a good feeling about this whole thing. I'm on my way up. I can be there in a few hours. Where can we meet?"

"How about the campus bookstore? Giles runs it so he will be there to let you in."

"Okay. I'm on my way." He hung up the phone and shoved on his jacket, mindless of Cordy's and Doyle's shocked looks.

"And he says he's over the Slayer," Doyle mumbled as he dished lo mien into his mouth.

Cordy nodded. "Well, at least he's doing something about it. Finally," she muttered.

Part 2

Willow hung up the phone and smiled. She'd been secretly looking for a way to take the happiness clause out of Angel's curse for a long time now. Giles was helping her, of course, though he'd had his reservations at first. Now he just wanted his Slayer happy again. Through their endless months of research, the two had kept their plotting a secret. It had been hard, especially since Spike had shown up. But together they'd finally found a way to take the clause out of the curse and to enable Angel to have true happiness. Which was why she'd called him.

Angel arrived only a mere forty-five minutes after they'd hung up the phone. Hugs were exchanged along with terse words of welcome. But soon there was nothing left to say and Willow could feel the tension radiating from Angel's body. The trio walked upstairs and Willow sat Angel down gently.

"I...I called you because.... Well, because Buffy's been absolutely miserable," Willow said bluntly.

"Yes. Ahhh, ever since you left, that is, she's been.... Well, she's been distracted and melancholy. She's not being the best Slayer she can be. And you and I both know why," Giles said with only a hint of reproach. In truth, he'd thought Angel's leaving was for the best too...at first.

"She can't be in 'normal relationships', Angel," Willow told him. "It just makes her even more withdrawn. I think.... I think she can only remember what the two of you had."

Angel stared at them in shock. He couldn't be hearing what he was hearing.

Giles continued. "I will never forget what Angelus did to Jenny, but I am willing to get past it for Buffy. I want her to be happy. I don't know why, but it appears that that can only happen with you."

Angel looked at Giles, trying to weigh the truth in his words. "You want me to come back to Buffy? You want us to get back together? What about the clause?"

"That is why I called, Angel," Willow interjected. "Giles and I found a way to make it permanent. You and Buffy can be together without worrying about Angelus coming back." She smiled softly as she saw the amazement enter his eyes. Buffy had been right when she said you could read Angel's every emotion in his dark, intense eyes.

"I want you to know that the only reason I am doing this is because of Buffy. She is the daughter that I never had. I want her to be happy. She will be as a result of this."

Angel was silent for a long time before he lifted his gaze to the Watcher's. "Thank you so much," he whispered, his voice full and deep. "You don't know what it means to me to know that Buffy and I can be together. I...I left so that she could try to lead a normal life," he stood up and raked his hands through his hair. "But I realize that that can never happen. My life has been meaningless without her...and if she's been going through half of the misery I have.... I've put her through too much pain as it is. Now I want to make her the happiest person in the world."

Willow grinned. "And I know the perfect time you can tell her. There's a dance welcoming all the freshmen to UC Sunnydale. She doesn't want to go because she doesn't have a date. But...you can send her a letter asking her to meet you there, but don't tell her who it's from. Then, when you see her there, you can tell her about the curse. Make sure she doesn't know who the letter is from, let her remain in the dark until the dance." She'd dreamed up the plan on her own, and thought it was ever so romantic.

"I will as soon as I get back to LA. I have to leave now so I can get back before sunrise. I'll call you later." Angel smiled and leaned down, kissing her softly on the cheek as he enveloped her in a brotherly hug. "Thank you so much Willow. You are the greatest."

~~~~~~~~~

Angel ducked into the building just before sunrise and was met with the sight of Doyle and Cordelia impatiently sitting in the apartment.

"Where did you go, man?" Doyle asks.

"Sunnydale," Angel murmured, unable to hide the grin on his face. "Willow and Giles needed some help on a prophecy."

"Cut the BS Angel, your expression has changed. You look happier than you have been in months." Cordelia said with her usual lack of tact.

Angel laughed. "Fine. I knew I couldn't lie to you, Cor. Willow and Giles found a way to anchor my soul, so Buffy and I can be together again."

"That's great," Cordelia smiled. "Now you can finally stop moping."

"I agree." Doyle added. "At least the brooding will go down to a minimum."

"Thank God. I was getting tired of it. So when are you breaking the news to Buffy?" Cordy asked.

"Willow told me about a dance the college is throwing for freshmen. She wants me to send Buffy a letter telling her to come. But not to tell her who the letter is from."

"That is so romantic. You should also buy a dress and send it to her. Give me your gold card. I am going shopping today to find a dress for Buffy." Angel shot her a doubtful look. "I won't buy anything for me. At least not much. I will pick out something nice, and bring it back so you can see it."

Angel withdrew his wallet and slipped out his gold card. "Buy what you think Buffy will look good in. Find something for me too since I know you will want us to match. You might as well pick out something for yourself since I am sure you'll want to come to see how Xander is."

Cordy scrunched up her nose. "I am so over him."

"Delia, Angel and I both know that you are still in love with him, so why not just admit it?" Doyle teased just to get her riled.

It worked and Cordelia stomped off down the hall, making her way to the elevator so that she could go up to her floor of the rented warehouse.

Angel groaned. "What have I done? I just gave Cordy the credit card that has a $10,000 max."

"Stupid move, boss. But I know that you want the best for your beloved, and Delia will buy the best. Best meaning most expensive. Be prepared for a big bill next month." Doyle grinned and went off to his own part of the building.

Angel sat down, his thoughts focused on the one woman who'd managed to melt his icy heart. It seemed as if they'd finally be able to have the future they'd both dreamed of. They were still from two different worlds, but Angel knew they could overcome most of that.

Anything would be better than the Hell of living without her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy and Willow sat in the former's apartment, poring over the recent letter she'd received.

"Wow. Byron," Willow commented as she read out loud:

&"She walks in beauty, like the night &Of cloudless climes and starry skies, &And all that's best of dark and bright &Meets in her aspect and her eyes, &Thus mellow'd to that tender light &Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

"That's so romantic," Willow sighed. She continued, "Your light does far outshine any star in the heavens; this dress cannot begin to do justice to the beauty in your heart. Meet me at the dance."

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Buffy said wistfully. It was unclear as to whether she was referring to the poem or to the dress in her arms. "I don't know, Will. I wonder who it's from? What if it's from some really bad geek who can't ask girls out in person? Or...or...it could be from a complete psycho. A stalker, even. Or a pedophile!"

"Buffy, you're over the age of majority. You're not even a child anymore. Besides, I'm sure the guy is perfectly sane. Just look at the letter. This guy must care a lot to send such a romantic letter...not to mention that gorgeous dress." Her eyes roamed over the dress that Buffy held in her arms.The bodice was of offwhite silk embroidered with delicate white roses, strapless with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt was long and slinky and a lucious, vibrant saphire blue that seemed to shimmer in the right light. To top it off, there was a matching blue silk wrap, embroidered with the same white roses. With Buffy's beautiful blonde hair and her golden tan, Willow thought the dress would be exquisite.

"I'm not so sure I should go. I know this guy said he would meet me there, but I'm afraid of what might happen."

"Why?"

"Will, you know I'm not over Angel. I don't think I'll ever be," she sighed, reverently touching the dress.

"I know, Buffy, and I understand. You and Angel are soulmates. We all know that. But I really think you should go. This guy could be really nice, and who knows what will happen. I think Angel would want you to go," Willow said, praying to the Goddess that she'd agree.

"Okay," Buffy relented grudgingly. "I'll go. But you and Oz better be there for backup incase something bad," she grinned, "OR good happens."

"Don't worry. Oz and I will be there, along with Xander."

"Thanks, Will, you're the best."

Willow smiled and hugged Buffy, hoping that everything would work out smoothly.

Part 3

Xander, Willow, Oz and Buffy walked into the Bronze, decked out in their finery. It had been reserved for the dance, and only UC Sunnydale freshmen, their dates, and a few other "special" people were allowed inside. Buffy's hands fluttered over the dress as she tried to calm her nerves. It had taken Willow and Xander thirty minutes to talk her into coming out of her bedroom. Her anxiety levels were sky high, though she knew they shouldn't be. She was a Vampire Slayer. If this guy was a creep she could put him down in no time. Couldn't she?

Willow watched her friend, aware that Buffy was torn between bolting out of the door and hunting down her secret admirer. She hoped that Angel would arrive soon. She didn't know how much longer Buffy could stay in suspense.

"I'm not enjoying this, Will," Buffy said twenty minutes later. She'd seen neither head nor tail of her supposed secret admirer and she was beginning to feel like a fool.

Willow forced a bright smile to her lips as she turned to her friend. "I'm sure he's just waiting for the right time to surprise you," she said. "Look, maybe I should go, you know, mingle. That way you'd be alone and he -" She yelped as Buffy pinched her arm.

"Don't even think it," Buffy said warningly.

"Willow!" they both turned as they male voice called out to Willow.

"Oh. Hi, Riley," Willow said with a bemused smile. "What's up? Didn't expect to see you here with all of the freshmen."

He grinned and shrugged. "Comes with the territory of having a secret life. Teacher's assistant by day, bouncer by night."

Willow looked at Buffy at the mention of a "secret life" and they shared a bleak smile.

"So, uhhh...did you need something?" Willow asked.

Riley nodded towards the entrance. "Actually, yeah. There's someone at the door asking for you."

Willow's eyes opened. "Oh. Uhhh. Yeah. Ok. I'll be right back, Buffy."

Buffy watched as her friend walked off, the grin falling from her face. This was turning into a miserable evening. Her gaze wandered to the stage where the band was playing.

"Willow," Cordelia sighed gratefully. "Would you please tell these PEOPLE that we're with you? They won't let us in, like we have some kind of social disease? Puh-leeze."

Willow looked up at Riley. "Can you?" she asked him.

He pretended to think it over before nodding. "But only for you." Willow smiled up at him and turned to walk back into the club.

Buffy's brows furrowed as she felt the presence enter the crowded dance. The vampire was moving, stalking the shadows. Just what she needed. A fight. And in this great dress. Her eyes followed the movement she sensed, and her entire body tensed when the crowd parted. And she saw him.

Angel stopped when he saw her gaze land on him. She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was his. He watched as she stood up, almost as if she was in the midst of a dream, and walked toward him. Unconsciously he moved towards her, as if drawn by some invisible force. Their eyes were locked on each other as the world seemed to fade away.

They met in the middle of the dance floor, their arms wrapping around each other as if nothing had ever come between them. Their bodies swayed to the music, though their attention was only on one another. They held each other close, not ever wanting to let go. Angel leaned back and took her in, her beautiful smile lighting up the room.

"Do you like the dress?" he asked softly.

Buffy's eyes widened. "It was you?"

He smiled and shrugged lightly. "Of course it was me. Did you think anyone else could love you as much as I do?"

She laughed slightly and shook her head. "I should have known. My heart told me it was you, but my head didn't want to believe it. I'm glad it is though. And yes. I love the dress. Thank you."

"You're very welcome. You look beautiful."

Buffy smiled once again as they moved closer together. He leaned down and she leaned up, and their lips met in a gentle yet passionate kiss that seemed to Buffy more natural than breathing. It was more than a kiss, it was a merging of souls.

Angel stepped back and took her hand in his. "Would you want to go outside and take a walk?"

Buffy nodded. "I would love to," she said quietly.

Willow and Oz were dancing not far away and watched the scene unfurl between the two lovers. Oz looked down at his girlfriend, suspicious of her self-satisfied smile. "You knew about this didn't you?"

"Yeah," Willow admitted. "I did. I just wanted them to be happy. Now they finally are."

"What about the curse? I thought Angel couldn't do the happiness thing."

"I didn't tell you, did I? Well, Giles and I have been looking for a few months, trying to find a way to take out the happiness clause...and we found one."

"My little witch," Oz murmured softly as he tightened his grasp around her.

Willow blushed and turned her head in time to see Buffy and Angel walk out of the Bronze. Things were good.

The moonlight shone down as Buffy and Angel walked through the park. For a while, they walked in silence, content to lose themselves in each other's company.

"Not to say that I'm not glad you're back," Buffy started slowly, "but you know we can't be together because of the curse."

Angel nodded slowly. "That's the reason I came back. Willow called me last week and I came down to help her and Giles on a prophecy. Well, I thought that was the reason they called...."

"So what was the real reason Angel?" Buffy asked, her heart beating loudly.

"My soul is permanent," he told her. "Willow and Giles have been looking for a way to remove the clause and they found one. I'm here to stay. There is no reason for me to stay away from you.... Well, no reason we can't overcome." Angel gazed down into Buffy's eyes, smiling slightly as he saw them widen in realization. Without warning, Buffy jumped into his arms and he spun her around, tears of happiness streaming down both of their faces.

"I love you, Buffy," he told her earnestly.

"I love you too," she said, planting random kisses all over his face. "Oh God, Angel. We can finally be happy!"

"Yes. We can. I'll never leave you, Buffy. Never again. What we have is too special."

They stood together, basking in the pale moonlight and the soft breeze that blew around them. They tightened their grasps on each other, taking in the knowledge that they'd never have to be lonely again, that their hearts were once again joined for all time.

"We should probably head back," Angel murmured against her hair.

"I know," Buffy sighed. She didn't want to leave this feeling of utter completeness. "Wouldn't want them to worry about us."

They linked hands and walked back to the Bronze, looking forward to telling the Gang their news. When they arrived, everyone was excited to hear the happy news, even Xander.

"The only reason I'm happy about this is because Buffy is finally happy. If you hurt her, I'll stake you myself, Dead Boy," he told Angel.

"I'd hand you the stake," Angel replied seriously. The two men shook hands as Buffy turned to say her good-byes. When all was said, the couple turned and Buffy led him to her apartment. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, smiling as she turned to him. "Come in, Angel," she invited.

"Thanks." Angel grinned and shut the door behind himself. Buffy reached out and took his hand, leading him on the tour of her home.

Her bedroom was their last stop and she smiled slightly. "I'm just gonna change. Would you mind...y'know...waiting in the living room?" A pretty blush stole over her cheeks and Angel smiled.

"No problem," he assured her as he left the room and backtracked to the living room.

Minutes later Buffy emerged and saw her lover sitting comfortable in the middle of her small apartment. It was overwhelming, seeing him there. How many times had she wished for just this sight? With a smile, she sat down next to him and leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder.

Angel wrapped his arms around his one true love and they cuddled in silence, content for the moment to be alone in each other's arms.

Buffy broke the silence. "I'm so glad you're here. I have missed you so much. I'm miserable without you," she confessed.

Angel agreed. "You don't know how good it feels to have you in my arms once again. It's been too long. I belong here. With you. No one else."

"This feels so right," Buffy sighed.

"I couldn't agree more," Angel murmured and leaned down to give her a kiss.

Buffy jumped up abruptly.

"What's wrong?" he asked quickly.

"Nothing, unless you want to be dust in the morning."

"I can't believe I forgot about that. See what you do to me? You're all I can think of." Angel stood up and followed Buffy to her room.

"This will be the darkest room in the place once I get the window covered. Can you hand me the blankets in the closet?"

"Sure," he told her as he moved to the closet and reached a blanket on the top shelf. He walked back to her and helped her pin it up over the window in order to block out the approaching sunlight.

"Now," Buffy murmured as she turned to him. "Where were we?"

"I believe..." Angel pulled her to him and fell backwards onto the bed with her in his arms. "We were here."

Buffy laughed and pulled the blankets up over them. "I love you," she whispered. She laid her head on his chest and succumbed to the first peaceful sleep she'd had since before graduation.

Angel placed a gentle kiss on her temple and gazed down at the beautiful woman in his arms. This was what he'd been missing. And he couldn't believe she was his. "I love you," he whispered against her silken hair and slipped into sleep next to his beloved. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Diary,

It's been a month since I received the best news in the world, and could I be any happier? Angel and I are living in a renovated warehouse. Can you believe it? Me. In a warehouse. Believe me, it was a daunting experience at first. But a few feminine touches, an interior decorating class and Angel make it perfect. Of course, I'd be willing to live anywhere as long as Angel was with me. How crazy.

So, school's still way too much fun. Let me tell ya, I much rather patrolling. It's so much like before Angel left. Before he lost his soul. Albeit, we do spend most of the nights making out against the tombstones -- is that too morbid? -- but we still average about three to five vamps a night. Add all of them up and they make a lot of dust.

Giles is still running the campus bookstore. Making good money too, as I hear it. It really is like nothing's changed at all. Well, except for the fact that Cordy's still in LA with Doyle, and Angel's sent Spike there to work for the "good guys". Even Whistler drops in up there from time to time.

Like I said. Could I be any more happy?

Part 4

Joyce gaze a nervous glance around the room. Any moment Buffy would arrive. She smiled, looking at the group of friends. She hadn't been sure that they'd all agree to come over, but she'd felt it was necessary to offer to throw them a Graduation party. Especially since she hadn't been around for the last one.

They were almost like her own children, she thought. It made her happy to know that Willow and Oz were computer majors who planned to open their own shop where they could make and sell their own ingenuus software. Xander had majored in the performing arts, much to the amusement of Giles and Buffy. And her own Buffy had surpassed her highest expectations by majoring in Forensics. Of course, it was a useful too, in case she ever needed a cover for her Slaying duties. But Joyce didn't like to think about that. She didn't really like to think about her daughter's romantic relationship either, but she was coping. As long as Buffy was happy, she could live with her being involved with a three hundred year old vampire. It was a pretty big accomplishment in her view.

"Hey Mom, we're here," Buffy called out as she walked in the door.

"Hi sweetie," Joyce smiled. "Hello Angel."

"Hello Mrs. Summers," Angel greeted politely as he took Buffy's coat and his own and hung them on the coat rack. As he followed her into the living room, Angel grabbed her hand, just wanting to have contact with her. Buffy smiled up at him as they sat down.

Willow, Oz, Xander, Giles, Joyce, Cordelia, Spike, and Doyle were all sitting around, eating cake and talking about various things.

"Let's do presents," Buffy said after a while, a gleam in her sparkling eyes.

Xander laughed. "Single minded women...all they ever care about are presents."

Buffy stuck her tongue out at him and laughed. "Maybe..." she said mysteriously. The gifts were passed around and Willow gasped loudly as she opened her and Oz's card from Buffy and Angel.

"Buffy! This is too much!"

Buffy shook her head. "We want to do it, Will. And since we can...why not?" She smiled up at Angel, remembering when he'd come up with the idea of helping Willow and Oz start their business by starting a small account in their names and giving them a lease to a place in town where they could set up shop.

Xander agreed with Willow as he looked down at the plane ticket in his hands. Everyone knew how much he wanted to get out of Sunnydale, and Angel and Buffy had given him a ticket to travel around the world. "I don't think I can accept this," he murmured, looking at Angel. Memories of their past flew through his mind, and he couldn't help but feel guilty in the face of this kindness.

Angel grinned, knowing what he meant. "You can. And you will. Don't look at it as a nice gesture. How else do you think I'd get you out of my hair?" Buffy elbowed him playfully and he chuckled.

"Well, when you put it that way...." Xander smiled.

Cordelia looked expectantly at the group. "Well...what about our gifts? I mean, sure, it's not a store or a trip around the world, but sheesh. You people are hard to shop for. God knows if I got something of style and taste for you people, you wouldn't know what to do with it."

Doyle wrapped his arm around her shoulders and looked at the gang. "What she means is she spent the past week worrying over what to get you, and couldn't come up with anything, so she decided, in her infinite wisdom, to give the gift that keeps on giving."

Willow and Oz held up their respective mall and music shop gift certificates, and Xander held up a fifty dollar bill. "Money, always good, straight forward and pretty much necessary," he said, smiling at Cordelia.

Buffy opened the box at her feet. "Books," she said with a grin, looking up at Giles. "You got me books."

"Yes, well, ahhh.... I figured, you know, you're graduating college. You're probably literate by now."

Buffy looked at him. "Ooohh...Giles made with the funny." She smiled and leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek. "Thanks. It'll help with all my research."

Giles blushed and nodded, turning to Willow. "I didn't really get you anything. I'd just like to offer my services for anything you'd possibly need help with in opening and running your business."

"Sounds great," Willow smiled.

"Oh. Woah. Look who's up with the books, too," Xander said, lifting a large, shiny book out of the box on the floor. "Oooohhh...pictures."

Joyce laughed. "We thought you might enjoy reading up on the places you'll be seeing."

"Thanks."

"Thanks, Mom," Buffy said softly, abut the load of things Joyce had given her and Angel for their place.

"Don't mention it, honey. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." She laughed and looked to Willow and Oz. "I'm afraid my gift goes along with Giles'. I have lots of tips on starting your own business, maybe we can sit down and talk sometime?"

Willow and Joyce talked and Spike looked to Buffy. "Sorry, luv. I didn't get you anything. Don't be heartbroken. To tell the truth, I'm only in Sunnyhell to see your mum and to get some hot chocolate."

Buffy shook her head at him. "You do realize you have some serious Oedipal problems?"

Once all of the gifts were given out, the gang sat around and talked about the future. Xander said he was going to head out to LA to help Spike, Doyle and Cordy with the slaying, Willow and Oz practically glowed with the news of their business, now aided by Giles and Joyce, and Angel revealed that he was planning to bring Buffy to Ireland so that he could show her where he was born and grew up. It had been almost two hundred years since he'd been back, and he was looking forward to spending the time with his love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy and Angel left a week after Graduation. When they arrived in Ireland, Angel was enthusiastic about showing her all of the main tourist attractions. However, Buffy could see how elated he was to be so close to home, so they soon made their way to Galway. Days and nights flew by, and Buffy couldn't remember seeing Angel happier.

The sun had just set as Angel led a blindfolded Buffy up the side of a cliff that overlooked the ocean. The sky was a dusky purple that reflected onto the darkening water. If that wasn't wonderful enough, a picnic was set out before them. He gently untied the blindfold and sat down, pulling her into his lap.

"It's so beautiful here, Angel. I love it. Thank you for brining me," she sighed, giggling as he fed her pieces of fresh fruit from a silver platter on the blanket.

"You're what makes it so beautiful," he whispered in her ear, placing a light kiss on her soft skin. "I've been wanting to bring you here. To show you a part of me no one else has seen.

"You're too sweet. I love you so much," she murmured as she leaned back to kiss him lightly on his lips.

Angel wrapped his arms around her and they held one another tightly, just enjoying being together in the still of twilight.

Buffy ran her fingertips along his hands, frowning when she didn't get a reaction. His thoughts were obviously preoccupied. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.

"Nothing's wrong," Angel smiled as he kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. "I was just thinking about how much I love you and how much you mean to me."

Buffy reached back and caressed his cheek, smiling as he placed a lingering kiss into her open palm. "You mean the world to me," she told him. She closed her eyes and leaned back against him, content to let the world fade away.

Angel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He wrapped his arm around her and held the box in front of her.

"Will you marry me?" he whispered in her ear.

Her breath caught in her throat at the words and Buffy slowly opened her eyes. As she did so, Angel opened the box and revealed the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Even in the dim light it sparkled and seemed to glow.

Angel cleared his throat. "Will you marry me?" he asked a little louder.

"Yes! Yes! Of course I'll marry you!" Buffy exclaimed.

Angel slipped the ring out of the box and carefully placed it on her ring finger. Arms still wrapped around her, he stood up, lifting her in his arms. He raised her up and spun around, watching the way her golden hair billowed around her face, exquisite with joy. He knew he himself looked just as radiant. This moment was the happiest in his life since the night Buffy and he had first made love. "I love you so much," he told her. "You're my life."

"I love you too," Buffy said despite the tears trickling down her cheeks. "It's absolutely beautiful," she said, gazing at the ring.

Angel let her feet hit the ground, but kept his arms wrapped around her. "It was my mother's. It was one of the only things I kept once I was turned. I don't even know why I did, but I'm glad now." He looked down at her and smiled, his voice wistful with memories. "My mother told me to give it to my one true love, my soulmate. I never found her when I was alive." Angel cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing lightly over the curve of her lips. "But now...I've finally found you," he murmured. "In two hundred and forty-five years, I've loved exactly one person. That person is you."

"You're too good for me," Buffy told him quietly. "But I'm so glad that I'm finally yours...and you're mine."

They kissed beneath the blanket of twinkling stars, the full moon beaming down on them in appreciation. A light breeze drifted around them, carrying the calming scent of Ireland, of the sea, of tranquility.

~~~~~~~~~

Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia, Doyle, Spike, Giles and Joyce flew to Ireland one month later, care of one joyful groom. The ceremony was to be held on the same cliff where Angel proposed to Buffy.

Buffy stood perfectly still at the end of the makeshift aisle. Her dress was a beautiful white silk concoction that Angel had bought for her and given to her as a wedding present. It was as simple as a long sheath or slip dress, but adorning it was exquisite handmade lace trim at the neckline and hem and lots of tiny handsewn pearls. Giles looked at his Slayer while Willow and Spike walked down the aisle together, maid-of-honor and best man, respectively. He'd been rather surprised at the choice, but Spike was the closest thing Angel had to a relative, after all.

Buffy looked pale and Giles smiled. "I think this is the most subdued I've ever seen you, Buffy." Buffy turned to look at him and smiled her ten thousand watt smile. This tiny woman was the closest thing he had to a daughter and he'd been proud that she'd asked him to give her away. Looking down the aisle, he saw the tall, dark and handsome vampire that held his Slayer's heart. Angel would make Buffy happy, and for that he was grateful.

Buffy took a deep breath as they headed towards the altar. This was the single most important moment of her life. Nothing compared to this, and as she and Angel exchanged vows, the whole world seemed to slip away, except for them. With shaking hands, they exchanged Claddagh rings, each turning the bands so that the heart face inwards. Sharing a smile, they were pronounced man and wife for eternity. She was now legally Bufy Summers-Boyle. Nothing had ever seemed so right to her.

The gang partied through the night, long after the newlyweds departed on their honeymoon. Angel had planned everything. He'd take her to London first, then Paris, both by private jet. There were some things he wanted to try that wouldn't have been appropriate on a commercial airliner.

Two weeks later, they arrived in Paris. As soon as they stepped off the plane, a car was waiting to transport them to their dinner reservations. The restaurant was richly decorated and the candlelight caused the romance to permeate the atmosphere. The entrees were expensive with names Buffy couldn't even pronounce. Still, they laughed and enjoyed themselves. Besides, Angel spoke the language fluently, of course. It seemed to Buffy that at every turn she was met with a new piece of Angel she'd never known about, and she loved all of them.

After their meal, they decided to take a walk around the city. They ended up at the Eiffel Tower and Buffy persuaded him to bring her to the top so that she could see the view of Paris. Wind whipped around them as they stood looking down on the world. Angel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. I love you so much," he told her. "I want you to know, this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. And it's all because of you."

Buffy sighed and smiled down at the world. "I love you too, Angel. I love you too."

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