SUMMARY: I think the title sums it up. Takes place after matrimonial bliss
DISCLAIMER: Not mine...we know that by now, right?
FEEDBACK: Of course!
SPOILERS: None really now...helps to read the other two stories, Future and Matrimonial Bliss to know what is going on, but its not required...stands on fluff by itself.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry its taken so long to get out....on the plus i have the next story waiting to be typed!
DISTRIBUTION: My site and anyone who wants it...just tell me where its going.

Buffy O'Roarke yawned and leaned back against the plush leather of the first class seat.

"Tired?" asked the soft voice beside her.

Nodding, she turned to meet the deep brown eyes of her love. Her husband. A small, tired smile slipped onto her face, and she sighed, shifting in her seat. "Just a bit. Willow and I were up early yesterday, and then with the wedding, and all the dancing at the reception..."

"And not getting much sleep last night couldn't have helped either," he answered, a hint of guilt coloring his words.

"Yea, but that was good no sleep." She blushed then at her words. "I can barely believe this is happening."

Angel leaned to press a soft kiss to her lips, and his eyes were lit up with laughter. "You've been saying that ever since we stepped out of the church yesterday."

"And I'll keep on saying it until my brain finally comprehends the fact that you're mine. Forever," her voice was low, and full of love.

"I was yours forever from the moment I saw you, my love."

Buffy knew that she was going to end up melting in a puddle on the floor sometime soon, as her insides quivered at his words. She just knew that a goofy, loved filled grin was on her face. "I love you Angel," she said, bestowing a kiss that was supposed to be as sweet as the one he'd given her, but was quickly turning passionate. Reluctantly, she pulled away as another yawn rose to the surface, and she covered her mouth with her hand, embarrassed. "Sorry."

One of his large hands rose to gently brush back her hair. "Don't be sorry. We still have a few hours till we get to Hawaii, why don't you try to sleep?"

A disbelieving look crossed her face. "Angel, this may be first class, but the seats aren't very conducive to sleeping."

He grinned then, that sexy half grin that made her quiver. But as she thought about it, just about everything Angel did or said made her quiver. "Here," he said, taking the small square they called a pillow and placing it against the armrest. "You can use me as a kind of pillow. How's that?"

Buffy smiled her thanks, and did as he suggested, her body curled up in her seat, and her upper half pillowed on his lap. She turned, looking up at him through a stray strand of hair that had fallen across her face. As she unsuccessfully tried to blow it out of her face, he smiled and pushed it away for her, his hand remaining in her hair, gently stroking. "Thanks. But what about you? Aren't you tired at all?"

"Don't worry, Buffy. I'll be fine. Just relax and sleep." Her eyes closed of their own volition then, and she was just beginning to drift into that place between awake and dreaming, when she heard him whisper. "Dream of me."

Her reply was soft, slurred by the comings of sleep. "I always do."

******

It was almost 24 hours since she'd become a married woman. The woman standing out on the penthouse balcony gave a small sigh of happiness as she rested her elbows on the brick wall in front of her, as she stared out onto the wide expanse of water that could be seen even with the darkness that was setting in over the island. She'd been married for a day.

Buffy grinned, still barely able to believe it. Yesterday at this time, they'd been leaving the church, hand in hand toward the limo that would take them to the Bronze, where another wedding reception was about to take place. The dance club had been decorated in the blue of the attendant's dresses, with silver accents of Celtic knots and Claddaghs. The guest list was somewhat small, as both Angel and Buffy really only wanted their close friends and family there. She'd loved every single moment of it, more so than any of the other weddings she'd been too, and she knew that it had something to do with the bridegroom.

He'd been wonderful. The whole day had been wonderful. They'd danced to just about every slow slong together, other than the ones they'd danced to with their friends. They'd done all the traditions of a wedding, feeding each other cake, in which she'd somewhat gracefully smeared on his face, even after he'd been very careful with her own piece. They'd barely escaped a food fight.

Then, when the time had come to leave, they'd gone back to their home, and he'd carried her over the threshold, not putting her down until they'd reached the bedroom. She blushed then, just thinking about it. It wasn't as if they hadn't made love in the year or so that they'd been living together, no, that was pretty much a nightly routine. But last night had been special. He'd been so loving, so gentle; she'd been able to feel his love in each look, each caress, each kiss. It had been like their first time again, only he'd been there when she'd woken the next morning.

Hands suddenly snaked around her waist, pulling her back against a long, lean body that was strong with muscle. She gave a gasp of pleasurable surprise before burrowing more fully into his embrace as he spoke. "What were you just thinking about?"

"Hmm? The past day. Do you realize that this time yesterday we had just been married?"

"You mean this time yesterday we were being pelted by birdseed by Spike and Xander? Yes."

Buffy gave a short burst of laughter as she turned in his arms, slipping her arms under his own, wrapping them around his slim waist. She leaned back as he bent his head to look at her. "This is wonderful, Angel. Just being together. No real interruptions from our friends. Don't get me wrong, I love them all..."

"I understand. We really haven't had a lot of time together since we got back from Ireland." Angel nodded, pulling her closer against him. They stood there, wrapped in each others embrace, swaying lightly to a tune only lovers can hear. Angel spoke again, his lips close to her ear, his words soft. "Have you thought about what you want to do tomorrow? There's a few different tours, or...."

"If you don't mind, I was hoping we could just go and lay on the beach?" she asked, leaning back again, her lower body pressing deliciously against his pelvis.

"Mm, sounds good to me." He suddenly surprised her by stealing a kiss, his lips sealing over hers as their passion grew.

Buffy gave a low moan of pleasure in the back of her throat, and her lips parted. Angel took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, as he pulled her closer, their bodies pressed against each other. One hand wound itself in her hair, the other wrapped around her waist, pulling her up her body until her feet were dangling above the floor. Seeking to be closer, Buffy's legs wrapped around his waist, and her head fell back as Angel worked a path down the column of her throat.

"Oh...yes...Angel." Her voice was breathy, pleading for more. Her hands gripped his shoulders, one weaving into the short hair at the nape of his neck.

His lips stopped their heavenly torture long enough to speak, his voice thick with passion. "What do you say we move this inside?" He was answered by a gentle, but demanding tug on his head, pulling his mouth back to hers. Their lips met once again, and Angel somehow made it back into the bedroom of their suite, tumbling backwards as the bed hit the back of his knees.

******

Buffy's eyes opened sleepily, squinting closed as the glare from the bright sun hit her eyes. Keeping them shut, she reached around on the blanket beside her until she found her sunglasses, and slipped them on. Only then did she open her eyes fully as she rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow. Angel lay beside her, asleep, his sculptured chest bare, turning a light pink, despite the lotion she'd put all over him. Her stomach clenched at the memory of her fingers playing of the smooth skin stretched over strong muscle. For a brief half second she believed that she was going to be sick, as she had woken up this morning with a great urge to be sick, a urge that had passed only after a few slow breaths.

She stood, tugging her jean cut-offs on, over the blue bottoms of her two-piece. She'd had a hell of a time picking out the suits for the trip. She'd wanted things sexy, but demure enough that Angel wouldn't have a fit when other men looked at her. The suit she wore was a pale blue, setting her tan off perfectly, and fitting her just as well.

Lost in thought, as she often seemed to do lately, she walked down to the water's edge, her feet just at the tide line. She walked the edge of the beach, gently splashing at the water as she took in the beautiful surroundings. She faintly realized that she had walked so much that their spot was off in the distance. She turned, intent on getting back, hopefully before Angel woke up and worried.

She was halfway there when she saw Angel walking towards her. Black trunks clung to strong thighs, and his chest was bare, causing many women on the beach to stare openmouthed after him. "There you are. I was wondering what happened to you."

Buffy smiled, taking his hand. "Sorry. I didn't want to wake you. Were you worried?"

He nodded, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes that she didn't like at all. Suddenly, he grabbed her waist, easily hoisting her onto his shoulder as he made a break for the clear blue water. She screeched, pounding lightly on his back as water splashed around his ankles. He was waist high before he stopped, unceremoniously dropping her into the water. She sputtered, blowing out inhaled water as she stood, her hair clinging to her face, looking something like a drowned rat.

"I am so going to get you for that!" she announced, slicing her hand into the water, sending a good sized splash straight into his laughing face.

What came then was about 5 minutes of chasing each other through the surf, laughing and splashing like children. It ended with Buffy in Angel's embrace, and them quickly leaving the beach heading toward their hotel.

*****

"Hello?"

"Willow."

"Buffy?" Willow's voice was surprised. "Is everything all right? Did something happen?"

"Calm down Willow. Everything is fine."

"Buffy, its your honeymoon. I wasn't exactly expecting a call from you. Now what is it?"

Buffy sighed, glancing surreptitiously at the closed bathroom door, from which faint sounds of running water could be heard. Angel was taking a shower; they were going out tonight seeing as it was their last night on their island paradise. "You know me too well Wills."

"Buffy." Her tone was demanding, and Buffy knew her 'resolve' face was on.

"I think I might be pregnant."

A happy shot sounded over the line. "Really? That's fantastic! How is Angel..."

"I haven't told him yet."

"Why not?"

"First of all, I'm not sure. Second, I don't know. I mean, we were just married. And we've been talking about how great it is being just the two of us. I'm afraid it's too early."

"Oh Buffy. You guys have been in love for how long? Nine years? I have a feeling he's going to be ecstatic."

"Maybe you're right."

"You know I am. So when are you going to tell him?"

"I'm not. Not yet anyway. I want to be absolutely sure."

"So you're hoping when you get back...."

"Pretty much. Will you?"

"Do you need to ask?"

"Thanks Willow." The water shut off then, and Buffy lowered her voice. "I'd better go. You won't say anything will you?"

"No of course not. Enjoy the rest of the honeymoon. Okay?"

"Bye Wills."

"Bye."

****

"Baby? You ready?" Angel's voice called from the bedroom.

"As I'll ever be," she answered, stepping into view. She was wearing a pale blue slipdress with tiny white flowers, the light material clinging to her curves before softly wafting to her feet that were encased in white sandals. Her blonde hair was softly curled around her face.

Angel smiled at her, holding out his hand for her to take. "You look fantastic."

She smiled demurely, her eyes traveling the length of him. Black slacks encased his legs and a blue cotton pullover did nothing to hide his strong form. "So do you. It's a good thing I married you. Every girl out there is going to be all over you."

He pulled her close, his dark eyes burning with intensity and love. "You're the only girl I've ever looked at."

Buffy smirked. "Good answer."

"Thought you might like that one." His large hands took hold of her smaller ones then. "Um, before we go down to the luau, I wanted to give you something."

"Angel, you don't need to. You've done so much as it is."

"I know its just..."

"You feel you have to? Angel my love, I've told you before. No regrets. We're together now. That's enough for me."

"Well I wanted to."

Her face lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. "What is it?"

He said nothing as he held out a flat white velvet box. Opening it, he tried to explain. "I know how much the other one means to you, but I thought that you might like this one too."

Buffy lifted the oval sliver locket strung on a delicate box chain necklace. The front had claddagh symbols rimming the piece, the word Forever engraved in the center. Opening it, she saw a picture of the two of them, looking at each other, lost in the other's eyes. On the opposite side, in small script was 'That's the whole point. Eternally, Angel.'

She felt her eyes tearing. "Its beautiful, Angel. Thank you." She kissed him then, and after a long moment, they broke away panting.

"How about we skip the party and stay in?" he asked, his voice husky with passion.

"Uh uh. I took my time to look good for you, and I want to show you off." She steered him to the door, and at his look she smiled. "We'll just leave a little early."

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