Disclaimer: No I do not own them, I just play with them for I while and give them back afterwards. So don't sue.
Distribution: Land of Denial, Sunshine & Shaddow, everybody who has any of my stories; anybody else: just tell me where it goes
Summary: The Title says everything; Buffy's POV
Spoilers: The whole BtVS and AtV-Series to be safe; the previous story "Christmas Surprise". I highly recommend you read that first or you'll not understand this.
Timeline: 19th January 2008 (Buffy's birthday)
Feedback: do I have to beg? Oh well, I do: please, please, please
Dedication: To Ryan who was the first to ask for a sequel
AN: After some requests and because of the begging of my two pre-readers, Helen and Kathy, I decided to start a series. It will be called: "Surprise"-Series.

It's my birthday and my wedding day and I feel utterly and completely happy. A feeling I had almost forgotten over the years. I still feel as if this is a dream. Only four weeks ago I dreaded that day more than anything and now I can hardly wait to get married. There's one word that makes the difference.

Angel.

I cannot believe he came back into my life and I still have to get used to the fact he's human now. I giggle inwardly while I am staring into the mirror. This happy person with the goofy grin on her face. Is that really me?

And I am still smiling although the last weeks weren't all happiness. Everyone was shocked by my announcement to break my engagement with Riley. And a deadly silence settled over my friends when I told them I would marry Angel instead. We met at Giles' apartment one night, my former watcher, Willow, Claire, Xander, even Cordelia and Wesley were there. A side note: I cannot believe they are married. It's too weird. Nevermind. I even invited mom, better face the whole squad in one.

So I told them and they wouldn't say a word for about five minutes. When I think back to that evening I wonder if it was the way Angel behaved what made them look so shocked. The whole time he was standing in the back of Giles' living-room, smiling. I cannot believe the self-confidence that's radiating from him. Maybe that was the reason nobody said a harsh word, because his whole attitude was crying out "this is right and don't you dare to doubt it". Even my mother smiled in the end. Is he a wizard? Maybe I should also say, that Cordy and Wes were absolutely delighted with our announcement. That helped a lot too.

And then I told them about the baby. And again the same reaction. Acceptance. Willow even said this wouldn't be unusual, a baby wasn't a reason to marry. She's really changed from the shy girl I met all these years ago. Her new partner in life, Claire, is anything but ordinary. She's a witch too. But then I saw Willow's shining eyes when she looked back and forth between Angel and I and I can see the same old romantic red-head. Some things never change.

My mother even took my hand to show her understanding.

It went so well, I couldn't believe it.

That was two days after Christmas. Christmas itself and the day after Angel and I didn't leave his apartment. I couldn't believe he kept his old apartment all these years. He said it was a sign of his hope to come back one day. He's never given up. I did. And I'm ashamed of it today.

I stopped believing in us and that got me with child.

Riley's child.

Well, Riley, that was another chapter. After he had recovered from is first shock he was furious. I cannot really blame him, I wouldn't have taken it well in his situation.

Angel came back with me to our house to get some of my things and Riley attacked him the moment we came through the door. Not physically but with words.

And again Angel smiled. But that smile was different. It was a quiet smile of someone who'd gained everything he wants. And that everything was me. My smile was so broad that I thought my face would burst from it and that got Riley even angrier.

He thought I should feel guilty and I really did. The thing was just, I couldn't show it. The happiness was much stronger and the feeling to live again. Really live.

So Riley shouted at us but when we saw we weren't affected by it, he tried to hit Angel in frustration. That was the moment I learned he'd kept his preternatural strength. Good thing that! Riley flew back on the sofa - stunned.

I really like Riley, I swear I do, but I prefer to see him hurt instead of Angel.

After that we left and I haven't seen the father of my child again since then.

I raise my head when I hear a knock on the door: "Come in," I say softly.

Willow enters with a grin on her face and she has Cordy in tow. "We came to help you," she announces.

"Yeah," Cordy adds. "And from the look of your hair I can see you are in urgent need of help." She rolls her eyes, but she smiles all the time. She's changed a lot and I like it.

"The dress is classic," my red-headed friend says in admiration. "And Angel looks great. But we already knew that, right."

"Yeah," I breath dreamily. My thoughts are far away. I can only think about my honeymoon. We're going to Rome. Angel says he knows every corner there from his wild times, as he calls it now. It's winter there and he promises it's beautiful.

Another knock on the door and Giles comes in: "Only ten more minutes," he announces. "How do you feel Buffy?"

"Great," I answer without hesitation and it's the truth. At the moment Riley is far away and all the problems that will come when we come back from Europe.

I feel alive.

"I was a little bit surprised," my former watcher begins. "You know, when you and Angel told us you'd keep the wedding date."

I shrug: "Everything was planned. I just exchanged the bridegroom."

I can hear Cordy and Willow giggle behind me and cannot help but smile. It soundso easy. Like a snap with my fingers, but fact is that it changes my whole life.

"I guess you're right," Giles sighs. "What did Riley say?"

I bite my lower lip and don't look at him: "We ... uhm ... didn't exactly talk to him again. Or he didn't talk to us, that is."

"So he doesn't know you're marrying today," he asks incredulously.

"Nope," I reply quickly. "But it's not as if this is really his business. And probably he knows anyhow. We haven't tried to hide it either."

"He's the father of your child after all," he tries to remember me.

As if anybody had to remind me of that fact.

"I know," I groan. "But this is my wedding-day. And tonight is my wedding-night and then there is my honeymoon. So I'd rather not think about the father of that baby. Afterwards I will, but not now." And with that the chapter is closed for me.

For now.

"Alright, Buffy," Giles nods and I release a breath I've been holding.

Then it knocks at my door again. Mom.

"It's time, honey," she says and disappears again.

Willow and Cordy, my bridesmaids get up and the former cheerleader takes a last critical look at my dress, hair and make-up. When I see her nod I know I look good. I have to if she's approving. Giles smiles at me and offers me his arm.

And then we walk down the aisle. I don't see anything but him. Standing there, Wesley by his side, and waiting for me. So tall, so dark and so gorgeous.

And all mine.

Then the priest begins to speak but I don't hear any of the words. We exchange glances all the time and he squeezes my hand. That's when I finally know it's real. This is it.

I'm marrying Angel.

The moment he slips his ring on my finger I feel a tear slip from my eye. I look at him and see his eyes are wet as well. The feeling to be finally together is overwhelming.

I can hear the priest saying the magical words and then I can only feel his lips on mine. The cheering noises and the laughter interrupt our intimate moment and we turn to our friends and family.

"I never felt that way before," I whisper to him and he smiles in response. Without saying it I know he feels the same. We understand each other without words. We are two halves that finally managed to become whole again.

My friends run out of the church to wait for us there and when we step into the sunlight they throw rose-petals and bird-seed over us. I see Xander grinning and he nods towards Angel's car. He's 'decorated' it for us. Good old Xand.

Angel opens the door for me and then slides behind the wheel. We wave to our friends and they wish us good luck. From the corner of my eye I suddenly see Riley. He's standing in the shadow under a tree. So he knew about the wedding. I cannot see his face and I'm glad. I don't want to think about the fact if he's sad or not. He's probably sad, but I cannot - and I don't want to - deal with it now.

This is our day. We're married and happy. Rome is waiting and with it love-filled and passionate nights with Angel. The only man I ever really wanted.

Riley is a problem we dealwith when the time comes.

I glance over at my husband and smile. I suddenly know in my heart that we'll find a way to deal with all this.

Because we're together.

He looks at me and smiles: "Always," he whispers and I know he's read my thoughts again.

I'm glad I've woken up in time, that he never gave up on me. Us.

And I make a vow! I will never stop believing in us again.

Never.

So tell me what you think! Without feedback no new story in the series... grin .. . and I just know you're dying to know what'll happen with Riley and the baby ... huge grin ... so feedback me!

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