DISCLAIMER: All characters you don't recognize are mine; everything else is owned by you know who.
SUMMARY: The Warriors of Fate adjust to their new life together and enjoy some happy times
SPOILERS: Possible general series ones, but mostly for the stories in my Warriors of Fate Series. Takes place between Ripple Effect and Aftershocks.
DISTRIBUTION: Ask first just to let me know where it's going
FEEDBACK: Please? It feeds my addiction
AN: Read the first story in the series, Ripple Effect or you'll be confused as to what's going on.

"I'm so happy for you," said Cordelia, taking a sip of her bottled water.

Buffy grinned happily, spearing a cucumber in her salad with her fork.

"Thanks, Cordy. I'm pretty happy myself."

"Why are you happy?" asked Anya, as she brought her tray of Chinese food over and sat down with her friends in the food court of the mall. "Because you have tall and dark guy?"

Buffy smiled, nodding. "Everything has changed so much in the past few weeks."

"Big switch from a year ago, huh?" said Cordy.

"A year? Try just a few weeks. Less than 2 weeks ago I was huge, and pregnant, and depressingly single. Not to mention the fact that the father of my child still was an undead creature of the night. And now."

"You're putting all those near and dear to you into sugar shock," teased Anya. Since being with the group, or even longer, since she'd bonded with Cordelia, Buffy and most of all Spike, her attitudes had softened. She still had her moments, same as Cordy, but was a universe away from the persona she'd had in Sunnydale.

"Anya, you can't say it's not romantic," protested Cordelia. "The ultimate tragic love story, with them finally having a happy ending." Buffy blushed, playing nervously with the ring that Angel had given her when she'd been checked out of the hospital with their son. Cordelia noticed her motions and grinned. "You're playing with that rock again."

Buffy held her hand out, admiring the way it shown in the shafts of light that illuminated the eating area. The ring was simple, three diamonds in a flat platinum setting. Angel had said when he'd proposed that it represented their past, their present and their future. Buffy shrugged, twisting it slightly. "You're just jealous."

"Of the rock? Hell Yea! What girl in her right mind wouldn't kill for something like that? And considering my boyfriend, you're going to have to deal with me living vicariously through you."

"Doyle isn't that bad."

Cordelia scoffed. "Oh yea? Last week's paycheck? Three fourths of it was spent on whiskey and gambling."

"And the other quarter?" asked Anya, a knowing smirk on her face.

Cordelia blushed. "Our date to that French restaurant I like."

"See!" exclaimed Buffy, pointing her fork at her friend's face. "He loves you, and he does the sweetest things for you, so why do you always complain?"

"She's afraid of being hurt," pointed out Anya.

Buffy caught Cordelia's look and realized that Anya had gotten it right. She reached out over the table to touch her hand. "I don't think you have to worry about that Cordy. Especially not with Doyle. You can see how he feels just by the way he looks at you. He'd rather hurt himself before he'd ever hurt you." Buffy paused and pinned her gaze on their other friend. "And just in case you're worried, Spike loves you too."

Anya dismissed the remark with a wave of her hand. "Oh I know. He enjoys the orgasms I give him." Both Buffy and Cordelia blushed slightly before giving her a withering look. "Plus I think he'd be a little afraid of what I'd do to him if he hurt me."

Buffy and Cordelia exchanged glances, knowing that Anya wasn't ready to say what she really felt. The following pause was broken by the dark-haired actress slash secretary, who coughed and began to stand up. "All right, we only have five more hours to find the perfect dress for Buffy before the stores close."

Buffy grinned. "Yup. If I'm not going to get my childhood dream wedding, I have to at least have a knockout dress."

"If you really want that big wedding, Buffy, I'm sure Angel would try to make it happen," said Cordy as they threw their trash away.

Buffy shook her head. "I don't need that big wedding. All I need is Angel and my best friends that have supported me and our relationship, there with us. It doesn't matter where or how or how big. All that matters is that in three days I'll be Angel's wife."

****

"Angel? Liam?" Buffy slid the elevator door open and stepped into Angel's basement apartment where she'd been staying since her discharge from the hospital. Spike and Anya had taken over her old apartment, and she was perfectly content to be where Angel was. Worry tinged her heart. Today had been her first day away from Liam and the apartment was eerily quiet.

Bags in hand, she moved quickly toward the back bedroom, coming to a halt in the doorway. Angel lay on top of the comforter, Liam sleeping peacefully on his chest, a book discarded beside them. As silently as possible, she tucked her 'special' bags into the back of her side of the closet, leaving out two others and placing them beside the dresser.

Staring at her "boys" for a long moment, she slipped out of her sandals and carefully moved to lay beside the two men in her life. Putting the book on the bedside table, she stretched out against the length of Angel's body, her head on his shoulder, and a hand on Liam's back as she drifted off to sleep.

***

A tiny cry pulled Buffy from her peaceful slumber, and she stirred, opening her eyes and finding Liam fussing. Miraculously, Angel hadn't woken up, even though small hands were grabbing at his light sweater. He did wake up though when Liam was taken from his chest as she sat up on the bed, taking Liam into her arms. The infant calmed only slightly in his mother's arms, and Buffy automatically checked his diaper.

"He might be a little hungry," whispered Angel, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. " He wouldn't take that last bottle."

Buffy frowned. "I don't think I like giving him bottles so soon."

Angel reached an arm out and pulled her against him as she lifted her shirt and unlatched her nursing bra, bringing Liam to her chest. "Sometimes it's going to be unavoidable. Especially with our kind of work."

Buffy nodded slowly, caressing her son's cheek as he nursed. "I know, I know. But I'm his mother. You know?"

Angel gave her a soft smile and pressed a kiss to her temple, one of his hands resting on top of hers as she held their son. "I know. I'm his father."

Buffy noticed the goofy grin that appeared on his face as he said that, and she smirked at him. "You're never going to stop looking like that when you say that, are you? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I just think it's cute."

"Can you blame me? I never thought I'd ever be able to be with you again, let alone have a child with you."

Buffy pressed a kiss to his lips, breaking it off as it became more involved to switch Liam to the other side. "I love you."

Angel smiled. "I love you."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching as Liam breast-feed, until he finished, at which time Buffy handed him over to Angel. "If I have to be the designated cow, you can at least do the dirty work," she said with a smirk, both of them knowing that Angel had more than pulled his weight in taking care of their son.

Angel complied, placing a clean rag on his shoulder to burp Liam. "How did the shopping go today? Did you girls find what you wanted?"

Buffy gave a nod as she readjusted her shirt, clambering off the bed and taking possession of her bags again. "The girls found knockout dresses."

"And you?"

"You're just going to have to wait and see on that one, aren't you?"

"Buffy, are you sure a small wedding..."

Buffy cut him off. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" she asked with a huff. "Angel, I love you. It wouldn't matter if we had a wedding to rival Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's or if it was just you, me, and a judge at a Las Vegas drive-through wedding, presided over by the worst Elvis impersonator in history. I'll be happy as long as its you I'm marrying."

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" asked Angel.

"Mmm. You know, a girl can never be told too many times."

"Ok, so I'm guessing whatever is in those bags isn't stuff for the wedding."

"Actually," began Buffy, "I bought an outfit for Liam to wear, and I bought you some clothes in lighter shades."

"Buffy, I have enough clothes."

"In shades from grey to black and more black, with the varying white t-shirt. You don't seem to realize we live in Southern California, and that it can get very hot in the sun." She shot him a look as she placed a couple of items on the top of the dresser. "And you can go into the sun now, so you don't have an excuse."

"Yes ma'am."

Buffy turned from putting the clothes away to give him an impish smile. "You'd better believe it."

****

Buffy shifted in the backseat of the convertible, fiddling with the toy that Liam had discarded upon being rocked to sleep by the movement of the car. Angel, driving, caught her gaze through the rearview mirror and gave her a consolatory smile.

"Well, Mrs. O'Connor."

Buffy threw her lover an impish smile, as she turned her attention to the real estate agent in the front seat. "Actually Ms. Burke, its Miss Summers."

The older lady gave an affronted look, replaced quickly by a cool mask. "I am sorry. I just assumed."

Buffy stifled a giggle. She did like the older woman, but they had spent most of the day after lunch traveling the city looking for a home, with no luck, and she, like Liam, was getting cranky. "It's quite all right. We are engaged, Liam just arrived earlier than we'd planned." A whole lifetime earlier, she amended to herself.

"Well then, I do hope this next house is what you have been looking for," smiled Ms. Burke. "It is further outside the city than you had requested, but it isn't a difficult drive. Turn here please," she instructed Angel. "And here we are."

Buffy stopped completely from unbuckling Liam from his seat so as not to awake him to look at the modest home they had stopped in front of. It was set in a neat little neighborhood not ten minutes outside LA, one of those developments where the houses all looked the same excepting for different stylistic touches. The front lawn was a little overrun with neglect, but the white house with blue trim was well kept.

"It's rather a nice home," chattered Ms. Burke, breaking her trance. Buffy carefully lifted her son, handing him to Angel as she climbed from the car and they followed the agent to the front door. "The previous owners had barely moved in when they were out again."

Buffy raised an eyebrow at that as she stepped inside. "Do you happen to know why they left so suddenly?"

Ms. Burke broke off from her spiel, looking confused for a moment. "Why they left? Oh, well I do believe the husband was given a new job opportunity that he was unable to refuse. Why do you ask?"

Buffy lifted a shoulder, avoiding Angel's twinkling gaze. "I just wondered." Like Angel hadn't thought of that himself.

"Ah. Well, it's two stories, four bedrooms, and two baths, not including the master bathroom that adjourns the main bedroom. Living room, kitchen, dining room, family room, and a glassed in back porch that runs the length of the building, overlooking the back yard. The back is enclosed by a brand new wooden fence for privacy."

Buffy took a tentative step forward, unwilling to break the hope that was slowly forming. It sounded like a dream so far. With a quick glance at Angel, she darted up the stairs, intent on checking out the rest of the home.

Half an hour later, she was standing in the sunroom in the rear of the house, her arms wrapped around her stomach.

"Well? What do you think, my love?" asked Angel's soft timber.

Buffy turned her head, smiling softly at him as he cradled their son in his embrace. "It's the best house we've seen all day."

"I won't argue with you there, but that's not what I meant, and you know it."

"Angel, can we afford this? I mean, can you afford this? I'm not exactly contributing to our accounts, and with me working for you and not at the restaurant."

Angel gently rested a finger against her lips, silencing her. "Buffy, you don't need to worry about money, all right? I've got it covered." He glanced sideways at her. "Money isn't the reason why you suggested a small wedding, was it? I know Cordelia thinks that I don't have much."

"Angel, I told you before. I don't care about the wedding, so long as we get married." She paused, placing her hands on her hips. "What do you mean, Cordelia thinks?"

Angel blushed, a novelty with him that she was growing to like, before he spoke. "Well, I have been alive for quite awhile you know. I don't really like to touch the funds, because of the means that I acquired them, and because I'm trying to be as normal as possible, but I am quite well off."

Buffy was silent.

"Buffy?"

"Huh? What? Oh. Um, Angel? I love this house by the way."

He broke out in a wide grin, laughter ringing in the room, waking Liam from his sleep. "Well then, let's go talk to Ms. Burke about that. I think this house is perfect for us."

*****

"Is this really necessary?" asked Angel as Cordelia herded him toward the steps leading up into the office. He craned his neck to try and get one last glimpse of Buffy and his son before being pushed up the stairs.

"I've told you before, Angel. Yes! It's not like you two don't have enough things trying to destroy your relationship. You don't need to go breaking superstitions."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Cordy," supplied Buffy, a smile on her face as she watched her best friend manhandle her husband-to-be. "I think we've got things going right for." Buffy stopped suddenly, shaking her head. "I'm not going to jinx this. You better listen to her, Angel."

"All right, all right I'm going," relented Angel, taking the garment and overnight bags that Cordy thrust at him.

"Finally!" cried Cordelia. "You three will stop by in the morning to pick up Liam. And you, Angel, had better stay in that car, or else."

Blowing a kiss to his soon-to-be wife, Angel hurried up the stairs to where Doyle and Spike were waiting. Cordelia turned around, hands on hips, grinning at her two friends. Anya emerged from the small kitchen, a tray of margaritas in her hands. "Drinks are served. Don't worry Buffy, I know you don't drink when breast-feeding, so yours is a virgin."

"Anya, where did you get the alcohol? You're not 21, well, not in human years anyway."

The ex-demon turned warrior stuck her tongue out at Buffy as she placed the tray on the coffee table. "Spike got it for me. I threatened to withhold sex."

"And if he did get it for you?" asked Cordelia, settling into the couch and taking a sip of her drink.

"I'd let him use the chains and whips we keep in the closet."

At her remark, a spray of liquid burst forth from the brunette's mouth, putting Buffy, who had wisely not taken a sip yet, as she had realized where the conversation would go, into a fit of giggles. "You walked right into that one Cor."

Cordelia glared, a failed attempt as her lips were twitching with laughter, as she wiped her mouth. "I know. Serves me right."

"So you guys found a house today?" asked Anya, slipping her shoes off and tucking her feet under her as she sat.

Buffy nodded as she swallowed, her eyes brightening at the thought. "We signed the papers and everything. It's a wonderful house, four bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and a sunroom in the back that we'll use for training. I can't wait to move in."

"And that will be?" prompted Cordy.

"We can move in next weekend." Buffy sighed, thinking of all the things that would be going on before that. "Along with the renovations that have started upstairs," she said, thinking of the expanding that they were putting into the office, "I have to think of what we're taking with us from here, and what we'll need there."

"Oh, don't worry about that, we'll help you out," smirked Cordelia, winking at Anya.

"I never even considered you two not helping with that side of things," grinned Buffy, shaking her head. "So, we have everything for tomorrow?"

Anya nodded. "One new dress. Cordy's earrings. That antique silver cross, and the blue garter. Everything traditional is accounted for."

"And we'll run by the florist tomorrow morning to get the flowers," added Cordelia. "Reverend Carson said he'd meet us at the spot at the appointed time."

"And everyone has their outfits," said Anya. "So it's just going to be the six of us?"

"Plus the priest and Liam," granted Buffy. "I talked with my dad about it, explaining that I wanted it to be just the people that knew what Angel and I had gone through. He was upset about my decision, but seemed to understand where I was coming from. He's taking us out for dinner in a few days."

"I'm glad things are better between you two," said Cordelia, knowing first hand the pain of a father that didn't make time.

Buffy nodded, patting her friend's hand in understanding. "It's nice that I'm able to count on him more, but I have my friends that have proved more and more often just how much they mean to me."

"To friendship," toasted Anya.

"To friendship," chorused the girls, raising their glasses before clinking them together.

****

"I can't believe this is actually happening," breathed Buffy as her two best friends fluttered around the apartment.

"Just feel lucky that you lost all that weight. You look good for a woman who gave birth less than a month ago."

"Thanks so much Cordy," replied Buffy, turning to look in the mirror at the dress that they'd found after four hours of searching. It was an ivory silk sundress that clung to her curves, which had gone back to her pre-pregnancy shape, except for her breasts, which were full because of nursing. Thin straps held up the ankle length sheath that swirled around her legs as she walked, and her sandals were died to match the exact color of the dress. A tiny antique silver cross lay in her clavicle, suspended on an invisible chain. A blue garter belt had been positioned on her upper thigh, and the pearl earrings that she'd borrowed from Cordy fulfilled the old saying.

Anya had left the room and returned with a florist's box. Both of the girls, dubbed both her maids of honor, wore nearly identical silk sundresses to hers, both of theirs stopping at their knees. Cordelia had picked a light blue with tiny white flowers, and Anya had picked an aqua green color. "Here are your flowers, Buffy."

Seeing as how Liam would be in the small wedding party as well, she had decided to not carry a bouquet. Instead, a crown of ivory rose buds and ivy would be placed on top of her soft curls. Cordelia deftly pinned it in place, and stepped back, nodding her approval at the outfit.

"Angel's not going to know what hit him."

Buffy smiled softly, nervously smoothing the fall of her dress before turning and looking at her friends. Reaching out, she took grasped their hands. "I'm glad you two are here. There isn't anybody else I would rather stand up with me. You've both came to mean so much to me since this whole thing began, and it wouldn't be right without you."

Cordy gave her a watery smile, but held back tears. "You cry and I'll wring both of your necks. There is no way I'm going to do my make-up again, let along yours."

"I love your sentiment," laughed Buffy, taking one last look in the mirror before turning around to face her friends. "Ok, let's go get me married."

****

Buffy took a deep breath and adjusted the straps of her dress, a shaky hand touching her necklace for a moment. "Do I look okay?" she asked Anya.

"You look fantastic, Buffy. Why are you so nervous?"

Buffy shook her head. "I have absolutely no idea."

"Well the men are there, and so is Reverend Carson."

"How do they all look?" asked Buffy.

Anya peeked around the archway made by the bushes, looking across the boardwalk to where the ceremony was to take place. It was where Angel had first seen Buffy in the sunlight, and there was a fantastic view of the beach and the ocean. Those passing by looked curiously to the three men in neat black suits standing by the railing with a minister. "Yummy. Spike is holding Liam."

Cordelia smiled at her best friend. "Are you ready?"

Buffy nodded, exhaling once more. "I've never been more ready in my life."

Anya and Cordy stepped out onto the pavement and Buffy fell into step behind them, her gaze automatically seeking out Angel's. He gave her a wondering smile as she stopped beside him, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, his free hand covering her left hand as it rested on the right. Buffy smiled up at him then turned to look at the patiently waiting minister.

****

"You may kiss the bride," announced Reverend Carson.

With a grin, Angel pulled Buffy into his arms, bending her into a dip as his lips found hers. Laughter and clapping rang out around them, and they straightened, stunned to find a group of strangers had stopped to watch their ceremony. There were so many people that the surrounding boardwalk was packed with onlookers.

Buffy blushed at the attention, unconsciously stepping closer to Angel's side, and the crowd cheered a round of congratulations before beginning to disperse. Spike handed Liam over to Angel, and the little boy gave a small yawn and settled in against his father's shoulder.

"Congratulations," said the Reverend.

"Thank you," replied Angel.

"Yes, thank you for coming out here for us," added Buffy.

The older man adjusted his collar, shaking his head. "It wasn't a problem. I hope you two will be very happy."

"We will be, but thank you again," answered Buffy. "We were going to go out for dinner now, would you like to join us?"

"That's kind, but I must get back. I hope I'll see you again."

The six friends said their good-byes to the priest, looking at each other as he left. Liam began to fuss, and Buffy held out her arms for him, holding him close as Angel handed him over. "He needs to be fed," said Buffy. "We'll meet you guys at the restaurant, all right?"

"No leaving us waiting, you got that?" warned Cordelia as she took Doyle's car. "You two will have plenty of time for all that stuff later."

****

"Liam's asleep," said Buffy as Angel parked the car in the parking lot of the small restaurant they'd planned to meet the others at.

"You mean we might make it through the main course?" grinned Angel, leaning into the back and unhooking the car seat that converted to a carrier.

Buffy giggled and shouldered the huge diaper bag she'd taken to carrying around, shutting the car door behind Angel as he stood up. Taking his hand in her own, they made their way into the quiet establishment, waving off the hostess and heading to where their friends were seated.

"Oh good, you guys got a table," said Buffy as Angel placed the carrier on the empty seat between Buffy and Spike.

"I doubt we would have fit at a booth," said Anya, taking a sip of her water.

Buffy nodded, reaching up at the feeling of extra weight on her head, and touched the wreath of flowers that still crowned her head. "Oh, I still have this on. I'll be right back."

Angel's hand was gentle on her shoulder as he stilled her movements to get up. "Leave it on?"

A soft smile lighting her features, Buffy relaxed back into her seat as Angel took his place beside her, his hand grasping hers under the table.

"Oh god," moaned Spike. "You two are going to be even worse than usual, aren't you?"

"I'm afraid so Spike," laughed Angel, looking through the menu with one hand. Buffy leaned against his shoulder, ignoring her own menu and looking at his along with him. "You do have your own menu you know."

Buffy looked up at him without moving from her position against him. "I know, but I like yours better." Angel simply laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead as he removed his hand from hers and wrapped it around her shoulders.

A few moments later the waitress approached the table, giving Buffy's headdress an appraising look and a shrug before she asked if they were ready to order. When she'd gone, Buffy glared at Angel. "It's going to be your fault if I get hauled off to the loony bin."

"I'll protect you," laughed Angel.

Their drinks came soon thereafter, prompting the group to begin toasting, a regular tradition whenever they were out together.

"Angel?" asked a female voice.

The entire group looked up at the intruder, Cordelia groaning into her napkin, and Buffy looking curiously at the woman that knew her husband. Angel gave the tall blonde a polite smile. "Oh, hello Kate."

"This is a surprise, Angel. It's been a while since I've seen you." Kate's gaze flicked to the windows, where the sun was just beginning to sink.

"I've been busy," he answered. "How are you doing?"

Kate waved off the question. "I'm fine. Are you celebrating something?" she looked slightly offended that she hadn't been invited to the party.

"A wedding, actually," answered Buffy, trying not to kill the woman with her glare.

"Oh? Angel? Did one of your friend's get married? How nice."

Cordelia grinned evilly, looking at the cop and speaking before anyone else at the table had a chance to open their mouth. "Actually, Kate, Angel was the one who got married."

It took a few seconds, but Kate finally pulled herself together enough to reply. "To whom?"

Buffy spoke up, pride in her voice as she placed her hand on Angel's upper thigh. "To me, off course, why else would I be wearing these flowers?"

"Aren't you awfully young to be married?"

Buffy arched an eyebrow. "Well let's see.I'm in love, I'm a mother. No, I don't think so."

"Angel, she's hardly more than a child!"

"At least I remember my childhood seeing as it was only a few years ago. How long has it been for you? Twenty, thirty years?"

Chuckles escaped from around the table at Buffy's jibe, and Kate glared at the younger woman. "At least I'm closer in age to Angel."

"Wouldn't count on it," muttered Cordy, barely covering her words with a cough.

"What could you two possibly have in common?"

Angel finally spoke. "A lot more than you could ever suggest that we did, Kate. I'm in love with Buffy," he said, ignoring Kate's grimace at Buffy's name. "Now if you'll excuse us, it's our wedding day, and we'd like to continue celebrating."

Kate huffed and turned on her heel, stalking from the restaurant. Buffy looked up at her husband, a knowing grin on her face. "It's a good thing I married you. How many more woman am I going to meet that seem to think you're theirs?"

"Oh, plenty," sighed Cordelia, an evil glint in her eyes. "He attracts them like bees to honey. It gets kinda disgusting after a while. At least I was never one of them."

Buffy broke into a fit of giggles and was unable to control them even after Cordelia's glared at her before smiling and the return of their waitress.

****

Buffy sighed and unpinned her hairpiece as the elevator began its descent into the basement apartment. Angel looked at her and gave her a soft smile, shifting his hold on Liam enough to allow him to press a kiss to her cheek.

The elevator doors opened, and Buffy stepped out, laying the wreath on the table nearby. "Home sweet home, well at least for a little more while."

"Tired, my love?" asked Angel as he followed her into Liam's makeshift nursery, gently placing their son on the changing table as she began to pull out his nightclothes.

Buffy nodded as they started to work together to put Liam to bed. It was a nightly ritual with them when they were both home, getting him ready and put to bed. "A good tired though. This day was one of the best days of my life."

"I love you," said Angel a few long moments later as they left Liam in his crib and went to get ready for their own trip into dreamland.

Buffy gave another sigh, this one full of the contentment that flowed through her limbs. Cuddling into her husband's side she looked up at him as he bent to bestow a kiss on her, reciprocating fully. "I love you too," she replied after the kiss broke.

Angel's arms pulled her around so that she was standing in front of him, pulling her flush against his front with unexpected passion. "I hope you're not to tired for a little workout."

Buffy stretched against him, pretending to be unconscious of the affect her movements had on him. She arched an eyebrow, looking at him in mock confusion. "What kind of workout did you have in mind?"

"Only the best kind there is," he replied, taking her in a kiss that quickly burned into rising passion.

"Hmmm. I'm suddenly finding myself with lots of energy."

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