AN: Yea! I've actually written something else in this universe! What can i say? The bug hit me and i had a good idea, so i had t o use it!
DISCLAIMER: Do I look like a Riley-pushing, crack smoking, making-my-fans-angry writer? No? Then I don't own them.
SUMMARY: Its Christmas. They're happy.
SPOILERS: My Bliss series. Find them either at my site ( or Land of Denial if you wanna know what's going on.
FEEDBACK: Please?
DISTRIBUTION: Tell me where its going.

Cheery Christmas music played over the loudspeakers of the Sunnydale Mall, its hallways packed with holiday shoppers. Southern California was unseasonably cool this year, and quite a few of the patrons were wearing light coats that would be considered spring weight anywhere else.

Buffy O'Roake grinned as she stepped from the latest store to be ransacked by her shopping, stuffed bags held tight in her hands as she made her way through the crowd to a surprisingly empty bench. Sitting down heavily, she dug through her purse for the water bottle she had saved from lunch, taking a quick gulp of temperate water.

She'd been shopping since the stores had opened early this morning, and it was already two in the afternoon. Mentally going over the list of presents that she had to get this year, she realized she only had one more store to go to, and all her shopping would be done. Not to bad either, considering that the holiday was only 2 days away.

It wasn't that she'd waited to the last minute, she had thought she'd been finished even before Thanksgiving, but the shopping bug had hit her again, and she'd had to go out and get a little bit more.

"Oh my God!!" The squeal of a voice interrupted her thoughts, and Buffy looked up to see a couple of teenagers standing in front of her, their faces lit up in excitement.

"Can I help you?" she asked, surprised by how young they looked, or how old she felt, even though she was only 26, almost 27.

"Are you Buffy Summers?" asked the dark haired girl.

Buffy smiled softly, nodding. "That's my professional name, yes."

"Oh God!" exclaimed one of the blonde girls. "We love your books! And the movie was fantastic!"

"I've read every single one of your books at least 10 times each, and we went to see the movie 6 times in the theater!" said the other.

"I'm glad you like them. Do you want me to sign something for you?"

"Oh would you?" gushed the first girl, digging around in her bags for something for her to sign, finally pulling out a worn paperback copy of Buffy's first book. "I carry this with me everywhere. No one is going to believe that I met you!"

Buffy just smiled. The fact that she was recognized as the author of the screenplay for Soulmate still amused her, and she was usually willing to talk to her fans for a little bit. "Oh I'm not so sure. Most people know that I live in Sunnydale," she said, signing the last girl's magazine. "Do you girls go to Sunnydale High?"

The second girl nodded vigorously. "We're seniors. Oh wow! Do you think you could speak at our graduation next year? That would be awesome."

Buffy laughed softly. "Bring it up to your class, and then possibly. Now excuse me girls, but I have to finish my shopping. Have a good holiday."

"Bye, Ms. Summers! Merry Christmas!" chorused the girls as she stood and disappeared into the crowd.

A smile on her face, Buffy almost didn't see Willow until the Wicca was right in front of her. "Willow!"

Hugging her friend, which was a little awkward considering the load of bags they were both carrying, Willow grinned. "Hey Buffy. You are too nice to your fans, you know that right?"

Buffy giggled. "I can't help it, Wills. They're the people that I write for, so I have to keep them happy. What are you doing here? I thought you hated the whole Christmas idea."

Willow made a face. "Yea, well, considering that all my friends usually forget the whole "I'm Jewish" thing, I'm usually forced to buy them gifts." Willow's tone was playful though, and Buffy smiled back. "So you look like you've bought out the entire mall."

Buffy grimaced, shifting her bags to get a better grip. "I think I probably have. Money is a bad thing. Cuz the more of it I have, the more of it I want to spend. How about you?"

"Oh I understand that perfectly, but Oz and I don't want to spoil the kids, so we try not to spend a lot on them."

"You two are like the perfect parents. Well, you'd tie for first I think with Anya and Xander. Those two are like the happiest family I've ever seen."

Willow nodded in agreement. "Which is strange, considering who they are, but it's cute, and Xander is happy."

Buffy nodded. "And seeing as Angel and I don't have any kids yet, I get to spoil all my favorite nieces and nephews."

Willow laughed. "I better be careful or else my daughter is going to sue for divorce and want to go live with you."

"Oh she wouldn't do that. She might like having a famous writer as a mom, but she'll love having a musician as a father…especially when she hits high school."

"Please, don't talk about Alexa growing up. I burst into tears when she wouldn't fit into her tiniest outfits anymore."

"Awww...Willow. I'm sorry." A tiny hint of a smile tugged at her lips, and she tried to hide it as she shifted her bags again. "Well I have to finish shopping, so I'm going to get going. You guys are coming to our house Christmas Eve's Eve, right?"

Willow nodded. "I'm glad you guys took pity on us tired parents and made it an adult only party. Goddess knows we'll need the break."

Buffy shook her head. "You were all able to find a baby sitter who would watch the kids?"

Willow nodded. "Cordy said that Doyle's ex-wife Harrie was going to do it with her new husband. I guess she's pregnant and they want the practice."

"She doesn't know what she's getting into, does she?"

Willow grinned and shook her head. "Not a clue in hell."

*****

"Buffy! Everyone is going to be here soon! Are you ready yet?" called Angel from the bedroom as he sat on their bed and pulled on his shoes.

"Perfection takes time!" answered Buffy from behind the closed bathroom door.

Angel groaned and shook his head. "Baby, how many times do I have to tell you that you're already perfect?"

The door opened then, and his breath was taken away by the vision she made standing in the doorway. "As many times as I want you to. So? How do I look?"

"More gorgeous than usual," he answered, drawing closer to her. "How is it that every time I see you I fall more in love?"

Buffy's smile grew wider, and she stood on her toes to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. She'd chosen a soft green and red blanket skirt that fell to mid-calf, paired with a dark, cream-colored, long sleeve, fitted shirt and black ankle boots. Her long hair was straight, pulled up on the sides with small clips. "It works both ways, sexy," she answered, taking in his dark slacks and grey sweater.

Angel caught her hand, intent on pulling her into a deep kiss, when the doorbell rang throughout the house. "Do we have to get that?"

Buffy pulled away and laughed at him, pausing in the door. "You were the one that was so insistent on me being ready on time, so yes. We can't just leave them waiting outside. We're the ones that invited them over."

"Oh yea. Well then. I guess we should go and answer it huh?"

Buffy laughed and headed down the hallway. "I'll answer the door, you go check on that roast in the oven."

"You just don't want to be stuck in the kitchen."

"I'm not crazy enough to poison my friends right before Christmas," Buffy teased, because she really wasn't that bad a cook.

The doorbell rang again, and Xander's voice called through the door. "Come on, we know you're in there! We wanna party!"

Buffy laughed and jumped the last two steps, opening the front door.

"Xander Harris, will you ever grow up?"

Anya laughed and shook her head, handing off a bakery box. "I doubt he will. Here, we brought food."

Buffy grinned, peaking inside. "Ooo, this pie looks delicious. Oh, come in!"

Xander and Anya stepped inside, Xander carrying two wrapped presents. "Merry Christmas, Buff. Where's Angel?"

Angel came down the hallway, hugging their friends before taking the gifts. "Merry Christmas guys. You want something to drink?"

Buffy began to follow her friends into the rec. room, but turned back when the bell rang again. Smiling as she opened the door again, she faced her mom and Giles. "Mom! Giles! You said you might not be able to make it!"

"I hope it's not a problem," said Giles, as he pulled out of the hug she gave him.

"Why would it be a problem. We have plenty of food. We'll be eating leftovers into the New Year. Anya and Xander are in the rec. room with Angel, can I get you anything?" asked Buffy, beginning to shut the door.

"Hey! You trying to tell us something?" called out Cordy, holding the door open with her hand.

"Cordelia, Doyle, I didn't see you. Come on in."

Cordelia smiled at her friend as she shut the door. "Are we the last ones here?"

Buffy shook her head. "Sorry hun. Still waiting on two couples."

"Oh. Wait. Two?"

"Yup. Willow and Oz of course, but Spike and Amy are driving in for tonight."

Doyle grinned. "Where's Angel?"

"In the back with the group. Follow the voices. You know where every thing is."

*****

"All right, I'd like to make a toast!" said Buffy, as she stood up in the rec. room where they had all gathered after dinner. As her friends lifted their glasses, some filled with champagne or wine, some sparkling cider, she smiled at them all. "I just want to thank you all for coming tonight and helping us make this a memorable holiday. You are all the best friends we could ever have."

A round of cheers goes up, and couples clink glasses in unison. After everyone has finished the toast, the room breaks out in conversation.

With a soft smile, Buffy moves to the doorway to watch her friends. Angel moves to stand beside her, his arm going around her. "We're lucky to have such good friends," he said, kissing the top of her head.

Buffy turned more fully into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up at him. "Hey. Look."

Angel looks up, his face breaking out in a wide smile at the sight of the mistletoe hanging up above them. "Hmm. I guess I'm stuck kissing you. Wouldn't want to break with tradition, now would I?"

An indignant look on her face, Buffy smacked his back. "Some stuck…." The rest of her reply was cut off as Angel's lips descended on hers and she got lost in his kiss.

"Oh come on you two. Can't you wait until the rest of us leave?" cried out Xander, getting laughter from all their friends.

****

Warm lips caressed her own, and Buffy moved closer to the warmth beside her as she enjoyed the dream. A chuckle made her realize it wasn't entirely a dream, and she opened her eyes tiredly. "Wuz going on?"

Angel's smiling face hovered above hers, and she closed her eyes as he kissed her again. "Merry Christmas, Buffy."

"Mmm, too early," she mumbled, turning on her side and trying to ignore him.

He pressed a kiss to her ear, pulling back to whisper softly. "Come on, baby. Time for presents. We're supposed to go to your mom and Giles' later today. It's already 9."

With a huff, Buffy flopped onto her back, looking up at her husband with a reproachful look as she locked her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a proper good morning kiss. As it ended, she rolled out of bed, reaching for her robe to cover her sleep pants and tank top, and pulling her hair into a ponytail. "All right. Presents. But first, I need some coffee. We were out way too late last night."

Angel laughed holding out a mug that he'd left on the bedroom dresser. "Coffee made. And you're complaining that two is late? I remember a time when we could stay out all night and still function the next day."

Buffy threw him a look as she gulped her drink, not caring as it scalded her tongue. "Well as I remember, I was a vampire slayer with super powers and you were a vampire that could go days without sleep…so I'm not seeing a comparison." They'd gone to the midnight mass which Father Callahan, the man who had done Cordy's as well as their wedding, had presided over, and hadn't made it home till late.

They went downstairs laughing good-naturedly at each other, pausing in the doorway to their living room where they had set up the tree in front of the dormer window so that it could be seen from the street. There seemed to be more presents than there had been last night, and Buffy looked at Angel suspiciously. "Angel…?"

He laughed, reaching for the light switch to turn the tree lights on and going to the sound system to put some holiday music on. "I couldn't help myself."

Buffy gave him a look and disappeared from the room, returning a few seconds later with a pile of presents in her arms. Depositing them under the tree, she gave him a sheepish look and shrugged. "Neither could I."

Laughing, Angel drew her down to sit beside him on the floor in front of the tree. Reaching for a brightly decorated round box that looked like a hat box, he slid it in front of her. "You go first."

Curious, Buffy tried to gauge the present by his look, but Angel wouldn't reveal anything. Lifting the lid, which had been wrapped individually rather together with the bottom half, she gave a surprise gasp as a tiny furry face peeped up at her. "Oh Angel, it's adorable!" Lifting the golden brown and black puppy with a red bow attached to its collar up and cuddling him close, she leaned over to kiss him in thanks. "Thank you."

"I knew you wanted one before, but with the film taking up so much time, it wasn't very reasonable. I went with Xander when he picked up the kitten for Anya at the S.C.P.A, and when I saw him, I knew you'd love him."

Buffy lifted the puppy up to her face, laughing as it's tongue darted out to lick her nose. "What kind is it?"

"They weren't sure, but I think she has some German Shepherd in her. She was barely old enough to leave her mother when they found her."

"How could anyone just leave this darling dog?"

Angel leaned back against a nearby chair, reaching out to gently stroke the puppy's head. "What are you going to call her?"

Buffy placed her on the carpet, smiling absently as she scampered over to a piece of ribbon that Angel was dangling in the air. "I'm not sure. Something Christmas-y seeing as she was my present. Maybe Kringle? Nah, that sounds weird. I kind of like Noel. What do you think?"

The puppy barked happily, and Angel laughed. "I think she likes it."

"All right then, I dub you Noel," said Buffy, petting the newly named puppy. "Okay Angel. Your turn."

****

"I think that's it," said Angel, surveying the mess of boxes and wrapping paper that was scattered around the floor. Noel was curled up asleep in a pile of discarded paper, and it didn't look like they'd be able to clean anytime soon.

Buffy grinned. They'd spent the better part of an hour unwrapping gifts from each other and those from their friends, and they'd both gotten some nice stuff. Buffy had gotten some clothes and a pair of diamond earrings from Angel, and she'd given him some nice sweaters that she'd commandeer before he wore them, and a boxed paint set. But she still had one more present to give him. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Huh?" Angel watched, confused as Buffy got up from their position on the couch, curled up next to each other, and reached into the tree branches. She returned with a smallish sized box that she handed him as she sat back down beside him. "What's this?"

"You're not going to know unless you open it," she said, a mysterious smile on her face.

Glancing sideways at her, Angel carefully undid the wrapping, ignoring Buffy's groan at his insistence to be so proper in the process. Clearing the paper away, he lifted the lid, his hand shaking and unable to say anything at the contents. "Does this…"

Buffy nodded solemnly, a wide smile on her face as he tackled her and lay half on top of her, half off, one hand still gripping the contents of the box as the other gently reached up to trace the features of her face.

"God, Buffy. Do you know how much I love you?"

Her face was serene has she replied, her smile turning loving as his hand trailed down her body to rest on her stomach. Both of her hands came up to hold his hand there. "I think I have a pretty good idea. Merry Christmas, Daddy."

Angel's lips met her in a loving kiss that quickly turned passionate as the silver rattle that had been in the box fell out of his hands to the floor, waking Noel, who looked at her owners and barked happily before settling back down to sleep.

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