Part 10

The following weeks went smoothly. Angel drove over to Sunnydale as often as he could. He came and took Buffy and the kids to the park, invited them for lunch, took them to the movies, they went to the beach together, they talked a bit more, laughed and talked again. Both enjoyed the time they spent with each other, became more and more comfortable in each others company. But still, even after three weeks they hadn't kissed once. They were even hesitant to touch.

It was almost as if they were both afraid to take the next step. And although both were by now sure about the feelings for each other none of them would talk about it. After the first day Angel had come to Buffy's apartment the conversations between them didn't touch the painful past anymore. It wasn't completely true, Buffy had to admit. They were talking about the past, about Xander and Willow, about Spike or some of their adventures, but never about  things regarding their relationship.

And after all the time they had spent together and because she was absolutely sure about her feelings towards Angel, Buffy sometimes wanted to scream, when he just said good-bye, bent down for a brotherly kiss on her cheek and promised the kids to be back soon. She was almost convinced that she'd understood him wrong that day in her apartment and that all he wanted was a friendship when she caught him looking at her one day at the beach

They were sitting on towels in the sand. David was trying to build a sand-castle nearby while Ashlynn played with other girls and Buffy was busy rubbing sun-lotion on her legs when she had the feeling he was watching her. Quickly looking up their eyes met and the expression of deep longing in his chocolate ones almost took her breath away. But he quickly turned his head and put his sunglasses back on.

And suddenly everything was so clear she almost wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. She was such an idiot, she scolded herself. He waited for *her* to make the first move. He waited, because he wanted her to feel comfortable, because he felt he had no right to press her, because he was afraid she would reject him and mostly because he was Angel. Sweet, caring, loving, wonderful Angel, so different from all the other men she'd ever met that she'd almost forgotten how special he was.

How could she've been so blind! Hadn't he himself told her that he'd already brought too much pain into her life and that he didn't want to be the cause of more? He would wait until she would give him a sign and after all the confusing signals she'd sent out at the beginning it was no surprise he was uncertain around her. So he would behave all gentleman-like and take whatever she was ready to give, even if it was choking him up.

Well, she thought, suddenly feeling light-hearted, he wouldn't misunderstand her from now on. She would make her wishes crystal-clear, "Angel?"

"Hmmm?," he was laying on his back beside her, the sunglasses covering his eyes, so she didn't know if they were closed or watching her.

She popped herself up on an ellbow and looked over to him, "I was thinking," she said, deliberately using a casual tone.

"About what?" he asked and didn't move or turn his head, but Buffy could feel the sudden tension in his body and maybe she was imagining it, but she could've sworn his breathing had quickened.

"About us," she answered and took some sand in her palm only to let it run through her fingers again

"Oh?"

"You know Angel," she said suddenly, "these one-syllable-reactions are getting old after some time."

He raised his upper body, removed the glasses and gave her an uncertain smile, "Sorry, but I honestly didn't know what to say."

"I see," she was looking at the ground, still playing with the sand. "Maybe it's because you don't have much to say about us." She didn't look at him but could feel he was suddenly speechless. And then when she wanted to scream because she couldn't stand the silence anymore, he said, "No. Of course I have something to say about ... us. It's just ... well, I don't know if ...," he began to stutter, "that is, if you ... I mean ... I don't want ... oh, hell, I'm not good at this."

"This?" She still didn't raise her head, because she didn't want him to see her smile.

"This," he motioned with his hand at her and him, "us. You and me." He ran a helpless hand through his hair, "I'm not sure how you feel about this. Us. You are friendly, all smiles and laughter, but you never...," he drew an unsteady breath, "you are so relaxed around me while all I can think about is pulling you in my arms and kiss you senseless." And then after a second he added, "There, now you know what I feel. Now you can tell me to go and never come back."

"Oh Angel," finally she did look up and her eyes were shining with happy tears. "Do you realise that I was afraid you were just interested in playing the good friend?"

"What," his voice broke and he had to clear his throat, "what do you mean?"

"I was beginning to question my female attractivity, because you were so ... so friend-like. Just a kiss on the cheek and bye-bye, but you never even tried to kiss me once, on the mouth I mean. First you tell me you think I'm the most beautiful woman you know...,"

"You are," he interrupted her.

She smiled, "Thanks. But then you behave as if ... well, as if I'm a good friend. And today I just needed to know."

"But ... but I thought you... I was not sure, what you wanted me to do, that is. And ... I was so afraid I would do something wrong and mess this up. Besides the fact that Cordelia is threatening to quarter me in that case, the thought you wouldn't want me around anymore was more I could bear." He hesitantly reached out and took her hand in his, "So I thought that being your friend was better than nothing. I thought if you were comfortable around me then maybe you would ... one day ... Buffy, I have waited so long. Some weeks are nothing."

The meaning behind his words hit her full force and all she could do was stare at him with wide eyes. Finally she choked, "Do you ...," she cleared her throat, "do you mean you never stopped loving me?"

Now it was his turn to be stunned, "Did you ever doubt it?"

"I ..." again there were tears in her eyes, "I'm not sure. I mean, I wasn't sure about it. Maybe it was because I was so young when we first met, just a teenager, uncertain and without any experience regarding relationships, I don't know. Maybe I was just pushing the thought away because I was feeling so hurt after you left me," she shook her head at the certainty in his eyes, "You really never stopped loving me. Never?"

He had to smile, he couldn't suppress it, "Never. Buffy I already told you, falling in love with you was something I had no control about. It just happened and I instantly knew this was forever." He quickly glanced to the ground, then looked back into her eyes, "But of course I never expected you to feel the same. As you said, you were a teenager, I might have been your first love and your first lover, but ..."

"No," she interrupted him sharply. "You never were just a teenage-crush. And I might not have been so sure, might have doubted my feelings for you, might have wavered, but deep inside I never stopped loving you either." She drew a shaky breath, feeling suddenly weak after their confessions, "Would you now kiss me please?"

He had to laugh, but it was a bit uncertain, "Are you sure," his eyes darted to David, who was only some meters away. She followed and then grinned.

"I really don't care. They better get used to this, because I'm not going to let you go again and besides, they already love you. So..."

Now his smile was  genuine and the love shining from his eyes warmed her heart, "You don't have to ask me twice," he said and caught her lips with his.

****

"Hey Ashlynn," Karen, one girl around the same age as Buffy's daughter nudged her in the ribs.

"What?" the blonde girl asked.

"Isn't that your mom over there kissing? But didn't you say the guy was not your dad, but just a friend."

Ashlynn spun around and as soon as her eyes fell on the kissing couple her eyes went wide. The only man she'd seen her mother kiss before had been her father and they hadn't kissed very often. Brotherly kisses on the cheek like she gave Xander didn't count. And now Angel, the man she'd come to like a lot seemed as if he was stuck to her mother at the lips. His hands were all over Buffy's back and she clung to him as if her life was depending on it.

But to her great surprise Ashlynn didn't it mind at all. Until now she'd always thought it gross to think about kissing someone on the mouth, but with her mother and Angel it just looked ... right. Maybe it was because he'd already found a way into her heart, maybe it was because her mother had never seemed so happy before or maybe part of it was her longing to have a father around and her own didn't seem to care for her ever since her parents were divorced. Not that he had been the most caring father before.

She didn't hate her father, no she liked him a lot ... when he was around, but unfortunately it had never been very much. He'd always been so busy and now he didn't even live in the same town anymore. She'd been hurt at first that he didn't seem to care, but her mom seemed so sad that she didn't want to add more grief by telling her about her feelings. And David of course was too small to even miss his dad. But ever since Angel was around she didn't miss her dad the same way she'd before. He was laughing with her, was playing games with her or listening to her stories and she'd already silently thought about the possibility of him being around constantly.

She glanced back at her mother and Angel who were now looking into each others eyes and smiling and found herself smiling as well. People who kissed usually were married or lived together, right? And then Angel would live with them and she could cuddle to him whenever she wanted.

She turned to Kate and grinned, "His name is Angel. And he isn't just my mom's friend. He is mine too."

Part 11

"Morning Mom," Buffy greeted Joyce when she breezed into the house at Robello Drive, David on her arm and a smile on her face.

"Hi honey, you look ... radiant, I say," Mrs. Summers eyed her daughter curiously.

"I feel great," the former slayer replied and walked into the living-room to put her son down, he was already becoming impatient in her arms. He wanted to play on grandma's floor where all his toys were still lying around from the last time he'd been here.

"I can see that." Joyce wasn't quite sure what to think about her daughter's attitude this morning. But she was sure something important must have happened. Buffy looked as if she wanted to conquer the world, the energy was radiating from her and her eyes were shining. Joyce might have been oblivious once but she had a certain idea what could be the cause of all this. She casually leaned against the doorframe and when her daughter turned and looked at her, she said, "I guess you and Angel talked."

It wasn't much of a question, Buffy noticed immediately. Of course her mother knew that she and Angel were seeing each other, but obviously she'd also noticed that it hadn't been going the way her daughter wanted for a while. "We have," Buffy replied, "yesterday I suddenly saw everything so clear before me. He was just afraid to take the next step because he wasn't sure how I'd react." She smiled, "so I took the matters in my own hands."

"I see," one corner of Joyce's mouth twitched. "Is it safe to say that you've taken the next step now?"

"Well, we kissed for a start. God, mom, you should've seen him. He was so hesitant, so uncertain ... if I hadn't been in love with him before I would've fallen in love with him then." She laughed and shook her head.

"Love?" Mrs. Summers raised a brow and stepped closer, "Honey are you sure about it? Are you sure it isn't just because you feel alone and Angel reminds you of happy times when you were young?"

"What's this," Buffy frowned at her mother, "I thought you were okay with this?"

"I am," Joyce replied quickly. "And the way your eyes are shining I don't think you'd really care what I say. No, I just want to be certain that you're sure about this."

"I am sure. Mom, I love him. I always loved him. And the things connected to Angel and our past are ... let's just say they aren't that nice. In fact these were the things that stood between us, but we talked about it. The first day he came to my apartment and yesterday after we kissed we talked again. Mom, I love him so much and because I knew it all the time it scared me to death. With Angel there is no half-way, it isn't safe, I cannot just hide some part of me. I have to open up and make myself vulnerable.

"And he hurt me before, but we talked and I understand now why he did the things he did and there were a lot of misunderstandings too. And I trust him, I know he would never hurt me deliberately. And I know he loves me too," she took a deep breath and smiled at her mother, "Does this answer your question?"

Now Mrs. Summers smiled as well, "It does. And I didn't want to give you the third degree, but you are my daughter and I love you and I don't want you to get hurt again."

"I know and I'm not angry or something. But I just feel this is right and this brings me to my next question," she bit her lower lip. "Angel wants to take me out for dinner tonight and ... well ...," she blushed slightly.

Her mother grinned, "You want me to take the kids for the night?"

"Yeah," Buffy let out a breath of relief. "I don't know what's going to happen after dinner, we didn't talk about it, but ...," she trailed off and blushed a bit more.

"Honey," Joyce laid a hand on her daughter's arm. "I understand. Of course I take the kids. David can stay here and I get Ashlynn after school. You know how they like to stay with me for a night."

"Thanks," the former slayer hugged her mother. "You're the best. I owe you for this."

"No you don't," Mrs. Summers replied and pulled back. "Just be happy. That's all I need."

"I am," Buffy said dreamily, "I really am."

*****

"So you're taking her out for dinner. Does that mean you stay there overnight?" Cordelia grinned at the former vampire who was going through his wardrobe.

"You're having naughty thoughts, Cordelia," he replied, not looking at her, "Ever since your honeymoon your thoughts only seem to go into a certain direction."

A laughter escaped her throat, "Haha, very funny. Because you never have these thoughts when you look at Buffy!"

Angel silently spoke a quick prayer of patience, took a deep breath and said, "Honestly, that's none of your business."

"Hey," she grinned, "I think this really embarrasses you, doesn't it? For all the years you were around you just can't get over your 18th century Irish-catholic upbringing." She laughed out loud, "I can't believe it."

He slightly shook his head and turned to look at her, "No, Cordelia, it doesn't embarrass me. I just don't want to talk about it. Whatever Buffy and I are going to do is between us. I'm not going to discuss this with you. Period."

"You wouldn't even be together now if it wasn't for me."

"Maybe," he admitted, "and I'll be eternally grateful for that, but now it stops. Buffy and I are together and it's for us to decide where and how to go from here." He shot her a stern glance, then decided for the dark green jacket Cordelia had persuaded him to buy some weeks ago.

"Fine," she pouted, "but don't blame me if something goes wrong."

He gave her a smile, then grabbed his wallet and checked the pockets of his trousers for his car keys. On his way out he stopped in front of her, "I love you, Cordelia. And thanks." He kissed her on the cheek and walked down the stairs. When he opened the door that led towards the garage, he heard her behind him, "Have a nice evening and give my love to Buffy. Oh and don't think I'll forget the part about you being eternally grateful."

Angel groaned when he climbed into his car, he should really be more careful with words, especially around Cordelia.

****

"I'm so glad that you could come over," Buffy gave Willow a grateful smile while she applied her makeup. She'd called the red-head an hour ago and told her she needed a second opinion about clothes.

Willow had raised a brow at the other end of the line because she wouldn't have thought of herself as the first choice when it came to fashion, but the nervous tremble in Buffy's voice had told her that the question had merely been an excuse. The former slayer wanted someone to talk to and listening had always been one of Willow's best qualities, plus she'd seen the change in Buffy's behaviour ever since she and Angel were seeing each other again. The fact that the couple was on the brick of something serious again hit right to the core of the red-head's romantic heart. And it made her feel good. Hadn't she always thought Angel and Buffy were just right for each other?

"When will Angel be here?," she asked.

"At seven thirty," Buffy replied and glaced at the clock. A slightly panicked look entered her eyes. "It's already six thirty. Only an hour left. And look at me, I'll never going to be ready in time."

Willow had to laugh, "I think Angel won't mind to wait," she assured her friend. It was heartwarming to see the former slayer like this. Buffy might have been happily married for some years, she might have felt comfortable with Riley for a while but she hadn't radiated this kind of happiness since her 17th birthday. It was of the carefree kind and Willow decided that if anybody had earned to feel like this it was Buffy. And Angel of course, she added quickly.

With a doubtful look that made Willow laugh again, Buffy stood up and walked over to the three dresses she'd selected before. "What do you think?"

"Buffy, you are going to wear it," she reminded the blonde.

"I know," the former slayer sighed. "Angel said I should dress up a bit. A bit! What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The red-head grinned, "Not too fancy, I guess."

Buffy shot her best friend a nasty look, "You're a great help you know."

"I'm not really the fashion expert here," Willow defended herself. "The only one who would be good in that department is in L.A. I'd be better if you wanted to shop online."

"Very funny," the blonde crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared at the three dresses. "Do you think red is ... I dunno ... too obvious?"

Willow cocked a brow, "Too obvious?"

"You know, sexually. In psychology I learned that red is a sexual aggressive colour." She stopped and bit her lower lip, a sure sign that she wasn't feeling too comfortable about the subject, "I don't want to make Angel uncomfortable. I don't even know if he's planning to ... not that I wouldn't want ... I mean," embarrassed she interrupted herself and her shoulders sagged. "God, Willow, I behave like a nervous teenager on her first date."

"That's because it's important to you, Buffy," the red-head said gently. "And frankly I don't think a sexual hint would make Angel uncomfortable. If you want to hear my opinion, I think he would welcome it."

"God, I hope you're right," Buffy said without thinking, only to blush furiously. "Maybe I better keep my mouth shut tonight before I completely embarrass myself."

"Angel loves you," Willow replied. "I think he'll understand perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's even more nervous than you."

*****

She couldn't have been more right. The former vampire sat in his car on his way towards Sunnydale and his thoughts ran wild. What would she expect him to do? Would she just say yes because she thought he wanted to make love to her? Would she feel uncomfortable again? He ran a hand through his hair, then put it back on the wheel.

Calm down, he told himself. You're over 250 years old, you're going to conquer this. Just let the evening happen and you'll see.

He just wished it would be as easy as it sounded

Part 12

Angel pressed the doorbell and then shoved his free hand deep into his pocket feeling like a schoolboy on his first date. The other hand was holding a single yellow rose, but the moment Buffy opened the door all he could do was stare and the flower was instantly forgotten.

"Hi," she smiled at him. When he didn't say anything she frowned slightly, "Angel?"

"Oh, sorry," he gave her a loopsided grin, "You're just so beautiful."

Her smile grew wider, "Thank you. I'm glad you like the dress."

"Yeah," he breathed, hoping that his heart would stop racing, "I mean, I do," he said quickly, feeling suddenly breathless. Then he reminded the rose in his hand and held it out to her, "That's for you."

She took it from him and held it to her face, "Hmmm, smells wonderful. I just put it into a vase, then we can go. Why don't you come in for a moment?" She turned towards the kitchen, while Angel entered the apartment and closed the door behind him. He'd been here many times before, but tonight everything seemed different. After two minutes she was back and Angel was glad he had had the time to get himself under control. The red-dress she wore had caused more than only a slight arousal in him and he was glad he wasn't wearing tight leather pants that night.

"Okay, I'm ready now," she smiled at him expectantly.

"Fine," he smiled back. "Do you need a coat or something?," he asked looking pointedly at the strapless dress.

She shook her head, "No, it's warm outside and it doesn't look like raining. So I'll be alright."

He just nodded and opened the door for her.

*

Buffy glanced around the expensive restaurant Angel had her driven to. She'd already read about it in the newspaper. It was Italian and the gourmets were singing praises over it. Never, not in her wildest dreams, Buffy would've expected to dine here. But now that she sat there with Angel, she felt great. "This is like a dream," she said smiling at him. "I feel like Cinderella and you're the prince spoiling me."

He smiled back, "I'm glad you like it. I wanted this to be special. It's the first dinner we ever went to."

"It is, isn't it?" she said with an odd look in her eyes, "For all the years we know each other, we never went out for dinner."

"Well, I wasn't much for food before. And I doubt they would've served liquid diet in a restaurant."

Happiness flodded her heart to hear him making a joke about him having been a vampire. He was so relaxed about it now, the familiar pain was gone from his eyes, sometimes there was a flicker of it, like the moment he had told her he couldn't have children, but the fact that the PTB had given him his humanity seemed to make all the differece. He had redeemed himself, he had earned to experience this and he didn't refuse it anymore.

The waiter came and took their orders, then disappeared again. "Cordelia sends her love," he said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks," she grinned, "I'd never expected Cordelia to feel love for me."

He grinned as well, "Yeah, well, it's a post-honeymoon thing I think. Ever since she and Gunn came back, she's floating around the office. There's no other way to describe it." He laughed, "When I first met Gunn, I'd never thought he and Cordelia would fall for each other."

"They are very different, but then who could have been more different than a slayer and a vampire," she gave him a smile. "Cordy looks very happy. And Gunn seems to be a nice guy."

"He is," Angel confirmed. "And a good friend. He had it tough though. When we first met each other he tried to kill me." Seeing her gasp he shook his head, "Not me as in 'I want to kill Angel', but he was the leader of a bunch of kids fighting vampires. And I was one, no doubt at that. Then his sister was turned and he had to kill her." He paused for a moment thinking about a time when he had done the same or more specifically his demon. "After that he helped me from time to time and then came to work full time for Angel Investigations."

"So he's a street kid?"

"Yeah, you can say so. Cordelia's parents were shocked, to put it mildly, when she told them she was going to marry him."

"I didn't see them at the wedding," Buffy said slightly frowning.

He shook his head, "They didn't come. They simply refused to go. It hit her hard. Cordelia tries to be tough all the time and she tried to cover her disappointment and in the end she was okay somehow, but I wanted to go and strangle them for it. How can parents do such a thing to their child? I will never understand it."

"It's their loss. Just thinking that I couldn't go to Ashlynn's wedding," she suddenly laughed and at Angel's confused look she explained, "She would kill me, if she'd heard me saying this. For her boys are just stupid idiots. She isn't in that age where they become interesting."

"She's a wonderful child," he said warmly. "And David too. You can be very proud of them. And you're a wonderful mother, exactly how I always pictured you to be." A sad expression entered his eyes and he quickly tried to cover it, not to ruin the mood, but she'd already seen it

She reached  out and covered his hand that was laying on the table with hers, "I'm very sorry you cannot have children of your own, but ... well, don't understand me wrong. Brent loves his children and they love him too, but he's always so busy. Almost like my dad was. Ashlynn and David adore you, so dependent upon how serious this 'us' is going to be you could be their second father." Suddenly realising what she'd said, she tried to amend, "That is, I mean ... I didn't want to ..." She pulled her hand back, but Angel caught it and held it in his.

Locking his eyes with hers, he asked, "How serious do you want this to be, Buffy?"

"I ..." she began, but they were interrupted by the waiter who brought their drinks and the food. But Buffy had suddenly lost her appetite. His eyes had been so intense when he'd asked the question. Did it mean what she thought it did? And more importantly what was she going to do?

*****

Buffy lifted her face towards the stars and smiled while marvelling in the feeling of her fingers entwined with Angels. After dinner he had asked her if she would like to go with him for a stroll at the beach. She had been thrilled by the thought and now she was walking beside him, both of them carrying their shoes in their free hands.

"It's a perfect evening," she said after they'd walked in silence for quite some time.

"It is," he confirmed and then stopped abruptly and pulled at her hand so that she was facing him. She shivered at the gleam she saw in his eyes and her heartbeat quickened. "There's just one thing. To make it entirely perfect I really need to do this." And with this he pulled her in his arms and caught her lips with his.

All rational thinking - did she ever think rationally she wondered - instantly fled her mind. They had already kissed yesterday, but tonight it was different. Tonight it seemed there were no barriers anymore. The kiss swept them back to the time of sweet innocence, when they'd still believed everything possible.

The shoes fell from her hand and Buffy's fingertips moved to his shirtfront and felt the skin warm through the cotton. His hands flattened on her warm, bare back, drawing her nearer as his tongue slipped between her silken lips, warm now, but bringing back some long-remembered essence as individual as a fingerprint. A sound rose in his throat and came a second time while his tongue duelled with hers.

"Buffy ... Buffy," he murmured, the name a bit slurred between their hungry mouths. And as the kiss grew greedier their bodies became more intimate with each other. Their mouths experimented, recalling how it had been in the past - a scrape of teeth against a soft inner lip, a gentle bite, an interchange of tongues, a suckling that seemed to tug deep within.

Buffy's body seemed to shimmer in response. It had been so long ... so long. His body pressing at hers was vital, resilient, healthy. Her breast peaked and yearned for the warmth of his hands.

But the kiss ended and he backed away to look down into her eyes, "Buffy," Angel whispered in wonder. "Is this real?" he asked. "It's almost as if we've never been apart. Do you feel it too?" Her wrapped her in two tight arms, her cheek resting against his chest as he rocked her, not able to let her go. "God, this is like a dream," he murmured into her hair.

She smiled against his chest and hugged him back, "Yes, it is. But it's reality."

"This night is like magic," he whispered, then smiled, "or maybe it's the magic of us, I don't know. And I honestly don't care."

She pulled back and smiled up at him, "It could be. But whatever it is, it could become a habit of mine."

"I believe, Buffy," he kissed her eyelids, "it could become one of mine too." The next kiss came down on her nose.

When his mouth again opened over hers she found herself clinging, kissing him back with nothing held back. His hand caressed her hip, then sought her flat stomach stopping right above her warm center.

His breath came hard and fast when he finally pulled back, "I think we better stop," he said with a little smile on his lips, "This could easily get out of hand."

She took one of his hands in hers, pulled it to her mouth and kissed it. "Don't stop because you think you have to," her eyes were shimmering brightly with love, "I want it too you know."Again this expression of wonder entered his eyes, as if he couldn't believe the words she'd said. God, how she loved this man. And how much she wanted him right now. "But not here," he said. "We're not alone," he added with a pointed nod towards a couple who was coming towards them - obviously enjoying the summer night as well.

"We could go to my apartment," she suggested.

"But what about ..."

"The kids are with my mom," she told him with a wink.

In response he laughed, realising she had expected it to happen. Sweeping her up in his arms he whirled her around, "Buffy Summers, your are amazing, and I love you."

"And I love you."

Part 13

Angel woke up the next morning quite disoriented. The bed he was laying in wasn't his, it smelled different, female, and it felt different. And somehow the warm body beside him, the warm legs entwined with his ... his eyes popped open only to fall on Buffy's sleeping form and a smile crept across his face. He wanted to reach out to touch her face, to trace the line of her jaw, her brows, just touch, maybe to claim, but he didn't want to wake her.

She looked so relaxed and comfortable slumbering on her pillow and so he contented himself with studying her face. She had matured a lot, she wasn't the girl anymore he remembered but a woman, a beautiful, desirable woman with an ex-husband and two children, a life of her own. He felt a sharp pain in his chest thinking about everything he had missed in her life but he quickly pushed the dark thoughts away. There was no use dwelling on the past. Nothing would change it, all they could do was move forward and try to make it work in the future. They were both still young and had a whole life ahead of them. A chuckle escaped him at that thought. Had he just referred to himself as young? He shook his head in disbelief, it seemed he was more and more becoming human, judging the age of person by their appearance.

And he had to admit he was glad she had two kids. It had been one of the reason why he'd left her and for he still wasn't able to give her children he at least didn't have to feel guilty for taking something away from her.

Looking back at Buffy he saw her stirr and slowly blinking her eyes open. When they finally focussed on him she smiled. "Hi," she leaned forward and their lips met in a sweet kiss. "Hmmm," she made and streched beside him. "This is heaven. Waking up like this, you by my side, looking at me...," she stopped and suddenly frowned, "Why were you watching me?"

He chuckled again, "Are you afraid I'm discovering any of your secrets because you talk while you sleep."

"Do not," she replied. "I don't talk in my sleep. I have slept beside men for some years and none of them ...," she broke off realising what she'd said and reached out to take his hand, "Angel I'm sorry. It's not how I wanted to start the day after..."

"Shhh," he pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "Don't worry. That was the past. This is the presence and hopefully the future and I just thought while I was watching you," he gave her a little grin, "that dwelling on the past will not help. We both have a past and I can guarantee that mine is much more colourful than yours. I can't even count the women I was with."

"That was your demon," she said firmly.

"Only partially, Buffy. But before I became a vampire I wasn't a saint either and there was Anna after I became human and ...," he broke off suddenly feeling uncomfortable and not willing to let the mention of Darla destroy this morning after their wonderful night together. He would tell her about it, he vowed, but not right now. And it wasn't important anyway. Not anymore. Darla was non-existent, sucked into hell like all the other demons that once roamed the earth.

"What I wanted to say is that it's not what was that counts." He kissed her palm and then gazed deeply into her eyes, "I love you. That's all that matters and I don't want you to tap around the men you've been with all the time we're together. I want you to feel comfortable around me, that's the only way we can make this work."

"I love you too," she said and blinked, "God, you're really turned me into a fountain." Smiling a bit shakily, she added, "This has to stop soon or everybody will think something terrible has happened to me, all red-eyes and puffy cheeks."

Popping herself up upon an ellbow she ran a hand through her hair, "Yuck," she exclaimed feeling it all sticky from the sea-water. "I think I need a shower," lowering her lashes, she smiled, "And you too. The one in my bathroom is big enough for two."

In response he grinned and was about to get up and pull her with him, when her phone suddenly rang. Quickly glancing at the clock she groaned and reached for the receiver, "I can't believe this. Who the hell is calling us at nine on a Saturday morning? ... Yeah," she snorted into the receiver, not caring whoever was at the other end of the line.

"Buffy?"

The blonde's eyes widened in disbelief and her gaze locked with Angel's who of course had no idea who was calling.

"Cordelia?," the former-slayer said. The ex-vampire's eyes now mirrored hers when he let himself fall down on the bed again.

"Sure it's me," the former mayqueen chirped. "How are you?"

"Are you alright?" Buffy asked, annoyance clearly audible in her voice. "Because there has to be very good explanation why you're disturbing us at this time of the morning."

"Did you just say us?"

The blonde rolled her eyes and Angel couldn't suppress a chuckle, he could imagine very well what she had to listen to.

"Yeah," Buffy replied, "you remember. Me and the kids."

"Try again. I just called your mom and she told me the kids are with her," Cordelia shot her husband a nasty look when she saw him shaking his head. Gunn was sitting opposite to her at their kitchen table and could hardly believe his ears. His wife was actually checking up on Angel and Buffy.

The ex-slayer's eyes narrowed, "You called my mother?"

"Sure," Cordelia said without any sign of embarrassment. "I didn't want to call unprepared."

Buffy was speechless for a second. How did Angel manage to work with her and not strangle her twice a day, she wondered. "I think you don't want to hear what I want to do at the moment, I suppose," the blonde asked sweetly.

"Just tell me, after hunting demons for years nothing can shock me," the brunette replied.

"No trust me," the former slayer said with a certain tone in her voice, "you *don't* want to know."  When she saw Angel signaling her, she handed the phone over to him.

"Cordelia," he said into the receiver, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"So there you are," she ignored his question, "you sound a bit angry. I thought you'd be quite happy this morning."

Now it was his turn to be speechless, looking at Buffy he saw her smile and smiled back, then his attention was on the call again, "I really can't believe you did this."

"I just wanted to know if everything was fine. I'm your friend and I care for you," she sounded a bit hurt, "So sue me!"

And of course he couldn't stay angry at her words, "It's okay and I really appreciate your concern. But there's no need."

"Alright," she replied mollified, "Have a nice weekend."

"I will, you too. And Cordelia."

"Yes."

"Don't. Call. Again."

"I love you too," she replied and then the line went off.

With a groan Angel fell back on the pillow and shook his head, laughing. "I can't believe this."

"Neither can I," Buffy laughed as well. She quickly leaned over and kissed him on his chest. "Now, you're still up for this shower?"

*****

Much later they sat in her kitchen over breakfast, feeding each other, smiling, touching from time to time, just enjoying the togetherness. Angel was dressed in sweetpants and a shirt, he'd brought with him, just in case, and Buffy was wrapped in her robe when suddenly the doorbell rang. Smiling a bit sheepishly, she looked at him over the rim of her cup, "Maybe another check up. Xander probably or Willow," she shook her head and was about to get up when she realised she wasn't really dressed for visitors. "Uhm ... uh ... Angel would you mind, I mean, could you," she asked and pointed at the robe she wore, the robe and nothing under it. "Sure," he replied and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before he left the kitchen, "I'll be right back. Maybe you want to change?" he suggested. "Just in case I can't send whoever it is away."

"Good idea," she turned and quickly ran into the bedroom, pulling a trouser and a t-shirt from a drawer, not really caring how it would look on her. Anything was better than just standing there in a bathrobe. She heard Angel open the door and then silence.

Then suddenly a well known, angry male voice shouted, "Who the hell are you and where is my wife and my kids?"

Go to Part 13