Part 19

"Hi Buffy," Willow smiled at her approaching friend over the table.

"Hi," with a deep breath the former slayer fell down on the chair, her face wearing a disappointed expression. "Sorry, I'm a bit late, but Cordelia called to tell me that Angel would be late."

The red-head studied her friend's face for a moment and then smiled, "Well then it'll be dark when he arrives and everything will be much more romantic."

Buffy brightened instantly, "Yeah, right."

"I've already ordered two waters and salads, I hope that's okay with you?"

"Sure," the blonde nodded, then suddenly laughed, "I think Angel's gonna faint. He was so sure he couldn't have kids."

"Oh, oh, that reminds me, I talked to Giles about it." Buffy's eyebrows shot up, "You talked to *Giles*? To *Giles*? About *me* being pregnant? Willow!"

"Calm down," the red-head grinned. "He sends his congrats by the way. No, but I thought he might have an explanation for all this, I mean for Angel not being able to procreate at first and then with you ... well, you know."

"And how do you think Giles would know that or did he become an OB-gyn since last time we saw him?"

"No, of course not, but hellmouth closed or not, Angel is still an ex-vamp and you are an ex-slayer, right? So I thought that explanation might need some special Watcher-knowledge." Willow sipped from her water the waiter had just brought before and watched the blonde with an expression of amusement as the words sank in.

"Oh," was all Buffy said and settled back into her chair she had been sitting upright on. "Right."

"Okay. And besides being a bit grumpy because he seemed to have female company, it's evening in London, you know," the both women grinned, "well, he of course went into full watcher-mode and called back. And yeah, it seems that even vampires could have had kids ... with slayers, as the slayers vaginal fluid seems to have revitalising qualities."

"Wow," the blonde replied, "you mean that I could've become pregnant on my 17th birthday and that Angel's whole 'I can't have kids speech' was for nothing?"

"Not for nothing, vampires are infertile, unless they mate with a slayer of course, which is not quite likely, or do you know any vampire-slayer-couples besides you two?"

"No," Buffy sighed. "But hello, I'm no slayer anymore."

Willow gulped the water down she'd been drinking and gestured with her hand, "Right, but it seems the ex-slayer thingy just changes your strength, not the rest of your body."

"Wow again," the blonde said and nodded at the waiter who brought the salads. As soon as he was gone, she grinned, "And you talked about this, I mean vaginal fluids and stuff, with *Giles*, without him going into total embarrassment overdrive?"

"Well," stuffing a tomato in her mouth, the red-head grinned too. "There was some coughing involved, and clearing his throat and stuff."

"I bet," Buffy laughed. "Poor Giles, being bothered with something like that." Then she suddenly did a double take, "Did you just say he had female company?"

"Yeah," Willow confirmed. "I don't think it's anything serious, probably Olivia."

"And then you say it's nothing serious? He's seeing this woman for years now. And frankly I'd like to see him happy with a woman. And Angel would too. He's really over this 'I feel guilty because my demon did all that stuff', but if it comes to Giles it's a different chapter."

"But he seemed really relaxed at the dinner we had and during the picnic," Willow stuffed another slice of tomato in her mouth. Thinking about it, she added, "But then this is Angel and he's the master of not showing any emotions. Centuries of practice probably do that to you."

"Yeah," the blonde sighed. "But he's so much better these days. I mean, he laughs a lot, especially with the kids. David is like drooling over him, he adores him so much and last Sunday he called him Daddy. Angel had to struggle really hard not to immediately cry like a baby. And he's good for Ashlynn too, she misses her father and of course Brent hasn't called ever since he was standing in front of my apartment door after the first night Angel spent there." She had to grin at he last words.

"Oh, how I would've liked to see that," Willow grinned as well. "To see Angel all possessive," she giggled, "and with Brent of all people. I never told you before, because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but he was never one of my favourite people."

"I knew," Buffy said with a smile.

"You did?"

"Willow, you've never been one for hiding your feelings. But if it sets your soul at peace, Brent didn't like you either. In fact he was really repulsed by your chosen lifestyle. To say it in his words 'that's just not healthy'."

The red-head narrowed her eyes, "He actually said that? Well, next time he's around I won't try to be polite. Arrrgh. I wished I could still do some witchcraft, I would turn him into something slimy or do a spell so he get warts or ...," she broke off and gave the ex-slayer a sheepish smile. "Sorry. But he is such a ... hypocrite. I mean, he doesn't care for his own children and allows himself to say something about my lifestyle. At least our kids are not neglected."

"I still think it's fascinating that the girls don't get the mommies mixed up."

"Yes, isn't it? But they never had problems with it. But to say the truth, I never thought I'd end up like this, I mean living happily with Oz *and* Tara, and even sharing Oz with her." She shook her head and laughed, "But then, so many crazy things happened in Sunnydale and compared to this we're almost normal I suppose. But the most surprising thing is that I'm not jealous, I'm just plain happy. I probably got used to sleep with two other people in a bed. It's warmer too." She grinned at ther last statement. "And your mom seems cool with it now."

"Oh she is," Willow's grin even widened, "she just denies that it's happening. With friends she talks about Oz as her son-in-law and Tara is just my best friend, but she loves her grand-daughter and can't turn from Amy's charm, so last time when her friend Sara was there, she told her they were twins and both mine."

"She didn't?," Buffy said in disbelief.

"Oh yes," the red-head shrugged, "but I really don't care. At least she's stopped glaring at Tara all the time, that's a great plus. As I said, I didn't see me living with two people at the same time, but when Oz came back all these years ago I wasn't able to decide between those two, I loved them both and still do. I almost couldn't believe it when Oz agreed to live with us both. He liked Tara from the start and the love between them grew gradually, although it's completely different from what we feel for each other, Oz and I, I mean. Maybe that's the reason I'm so comfortable with it. Oz loves me passionately, completely while his feelings for Tara developed from a deep friendship as did hers." She sighed, "But coming back to the previous subject. Did you say Brent didn't call since he came down to Sunnydale four weeks ago."

Buffy nodded and swallowed the piece of lettuce she'd been chewing, "Yeah. And I could strangle him. But thanks to Angel she doesn't feel the loss as much as she did before." She thought about it for a while and then said, "Maybe it would've been good if mom would've remarried as well."

"Maybe," Willow tilted her head, "but then there was Giles and he always acted as if he was your dad and if I recall it correctly the man your mother considered to marry ended up being a robot, collecting ex-wifes in a basement."

The blonde shuddered, "Don't remind me. He really gave me the wiggins. And remember those cookies he used to bake, making everone like him and being all friendly."

"Oh yeah," the red-head nodded, "he was a good cook, Xander immediately fell in love with his pizzas."

They both shared a laugh. Then Willow's eyes suddenly took on a certain expression. "What do you think, after telling Angel about the baby, do you think he might drop a certain question?"

*****

Buffy stood in the living-room of the house she and kids shared with Angel now, staring out into the darkness. She'd arrived back home only an hour ago, after she'd brought her children to Joyce. They hadn't been spending a night with their grandmother for the last four weeks and Joyce had kept begging to have them with her again.

So her daughter had decided that this was the perfect oportunity. She wanted to be alone with Angel when she told him about the baby, not being disturbed by David's wailing or having Ashlynn around who'd refuse to go to bed and regularely cuddled up with Angel on the sofa, falling asleep there in the end so that he had to carry her into her bedroom. As much as Buffy enjoyed to see her kids with the man she loved, tonight she needed to be alone with him. She could only guess the rush of emotions the news would cause in him.

She whirled around when she heard the key in the door and ran into the hallway throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply for a greeting. He was laughing when he pulled back and his eyes were shining, "Hey, what a way to say hello! Not that I'm complaining, in fact I was looking forward to it, although I'd never have dreamt ...,"

She covered his mouth with her fingers and gazed deeply into his eyes, "Shut up," she whispered and again caught his lips with hers.

When they parted again there was concern in his eyes, "Is something wrong?"

"No," she assured him quickly and smiled, "nothing is wrong. Actually everything's perfect, it couldn't be any better. But come in and sit down. We both need to talk."

"We do?," he asked and let her pull him to the new leather sofa they'd just bought last week. "What ever about?"

"About ... well," she beamed at him when they sat down, looking at each other, Angel's face wearing a quizzical expression. "I have some news."

"News, huh?," he still didn't look more intelligent.

"Uh-huh. And good ones. At least I hope they are good. Well, for me they are good, and I suppose they'll be good for you too, although of course we never talked about it, but ..."

"Buffy."

"Uh, sorry, babbling. But I'm nervous."

"Who could've guessed," he teased. "You wanted to tell me some news."

"Right, the news," she bit her lower lip and entwined her hands in her lap, "okay, you know that I had a date with my OB-gyn this morning. A routine check, so nothing special, but then it appeared that there was something special after all," she again bit her lower lip, then took a deep breath and said, "I'm pregnant, Angel. We're having a baby."

Silence.

Angel's eyes widened, he could all but stare at her, it almost seemed as if he hadn't understood what she'd told him, if it hadn't been for the shock slowly entering his eyes. She was about to reach out for his hand when he suddenly stood up and walked over to the window overlooking the garden, his hands stuffed deeply in his pockets.

She watched his back, his unmoving form for a while and then cautiously asked, "Angel?" He still didn't react, so she stood up and went over to him, but stopped at a foot distance, not touching him. She cleared her throat, "I know this came like a shock to you, because you thought you couldn't have children and for this we never took precaucions while making love, but Giles said that it's a slayer-vampire thing," she let out a short laugh, "funny if you consider that we are both human now, but not so average as it seemed. Slayer vaginal-fluid had revitalising qualities and ..."

She couldn't finish because the very moment he turned back to her and the words stuck in her throat seeing his eyes. Besides the tears that were standing in them there was such tenderness, such joy and peace shining from them, she couldn't help her own eyes filling as well. Then he suddenly reached out, pulled her to him and held her so tight that she had problems to breathe properly. His voice was muffled in her hair, when he finally spoke, "God, Buffy. You can't possibly know what that means to me."

"Maybe not," she against his chest. "But could you let go a bit," she tried to give her voice a joking note.

Immeditaly he loosened his embrace and concern was in his eyes, "Did I hurt you?," he asked searching her eyes.

She reached out and touched his cheek, "No," she said with a smile.

He cupped her face between his hands and kissed her tenderly. Gazing deeply in her eyes, he whispered, "This is like a dream coming true. I mean being with you after all," his voice broke and he had to clear his throat to continue, "it's almost unreal, but this ... a child ... with you. Yours and mine," he kissed her again, not finding the words to express his feelings. The kiss was sweet, then passionate, then sweet again and Buffy could smell the salt of the happy tears they were sharing.

When they were finally out of breath they were smiling into each others eyes, then embracing each other again. "I want to make love to you now," he whispered in her ear, "I want to show you how much I love you, how much this means to me."

"I want that too," she replied and planted a kiss on his jaw.

With entwined hands they climbed up the stairs to their bedroom. 

Part 20

Buffy woke up to the wonderful feeling of a warm hand stroking her bare belly. Seconds later that hand was replaced by silky lips alternatively kissing or moving with silent words. She lay perfectly still, not wanting to interrupt this perfect moment. Of course she knew what he was doing, he was talking to the baby that was safely protected in her womb.

After they'd made gentle love, Angel being hesitant at first, irrationally afraid of hurting the baby, so Buffy had taken the lead this time, they'd been falling asleep in each others arms.

The former slayer was washed in the emotions Angel's actions caused in her. Not only the feeling of his lips on her skin but more because of the deeper meaning behind his actions. He was happy, completely, genuinely happy and it showed in his eyes. All the shadows that had been so much a part of him were gone from them, only some residual hint that he'd gone through a lot showed his past, but only people knowing him very well could see it.

Suddenly his hair tickled her skin and she couldn't suppress a giggle. With a smile in his eyes he looked up into her face and their eyes met. This was definitely heaven, Buffy decided and thought one couldn't probably be happier. "Hey," he said softly and his lips moved up to meet hers.

"Hey back," she replied when they parted again.

"Sleep well?"

"Hmmm," she made and stretched like a contented kitten in the sun. "Perfect."

"Good," he rolled on his stomach and gazed at her, "do you even realise how beautiful you are?"

She blushed slightly, although she should be used to his constant compliments by now, she told herself. "Why, thank you sir. Pregnant women need this, especially when they're looking like houses later on."

"You'll never be anything but beautiful to me. I can't wait to see you grow big with our child," he confessed with deep honesty once more touching her stomach with his hand.

She rolled her eyes, "You will change your mind, believe me, when I'm like a whale, not able to stand up on my own in the end or paddle around like some penguin."

"No," he replied without hesitation. "Nothing would change my mind. Don't you remember, I told you once, if you were covered in slime I would still love you."

"Yes, I remember," she whispered and stroked his cheek. "This is like a miracle. Our very own, private miracle. We're going to have a baby, Angel. You and I," she couldn't stop the tears now running from her eyes, "I can't believe this is really happening. Although the hellmouth is closed I still expect some evil demon to take this away from us again, like the Powers took the day."

He averted his eyes for a moment and when he looked back at her she wanted to kick herself for the remark. And when he miserably whispered, "I'm sorry," she couldn't do anything but reach out and take him in her arms.

"No," she said, "I am the one to be sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. And it wasn't your fault, not really. If I would've been in your place I would've done the same. And anyway, we shouldn't let this ruin our happiness. We have all we wanted now, that's all that matters. Past pain is in the past and should stay there."

She heard him taking a deep breath and then he slowly pulled back. "You're right," he agreed and to her joy the pain was gone from his eyes again. "Talking about the baby and happiness, who else does know it besides Willow and Giles."

"Nobody. I actually wanted to tell you first, but I was so excited and didn't want to talk to you through the phone and just *had* to tell someone. And then Willow called Giles, but only to find out why it was possible. But Willow assured me she wouldn't tell anybody else and I trust her in this."

"So your mom and the children don't know?"

"No," she confirmed. "Not that this is of any interest for David anyway. We will tell him of course, but he will just smile and say 'fine' or something," she smiled thinking of her son. "He isn't old enough to really understand what it means."

"Probably," Angel agreed. "What about Ashlynn?"

"We'll just have to wait and see, but I don't expect her to be a problem. She loves you. And when I was pregant with David she was excited."

He smiled and there was suddenly an odd expression in his eyes, Buffy couldn't quite put her finger on, "What?," she asked.

"Nothing ... well, I was just thinking what you're going to say to her?"

"Say to her? That she's going to get a sister or brother in about eight months, why?"

"It's quite some news for a little girl, don't you think," he asked, the look in his eyes still not gone and the former slayer was getting a bit annoyed with his attitude.

"Angel, are you going to tell me what this is all about or what? You're behaving strange."

"Do I now?," he asked and grinned. "I was just thinking, you know, I mean you're going to give her some news, so ... would it be too much of a shock to tell her anything else?"

"Anything else? What do you mean?," to say she was confused now was putting it mildly. What the hell was he talking about? "What do you want me to tell her?"

"You could for example tell her that we're going to get married," he said and the teasing expression was instantly gone from his eyes. Now they were watching her seriously, hopefully and was she imanining it or was he really holding his breath. God, he was cute when he was like this, so insecure, still expecting her to say no when he offered her to make her most secret dreams come true.

For a moment she considered to play along, but she knew she couldn't do it, couldn't tease him with something that was so important to him. So she slowly nodded, "I could do that too," was all she said.

"Is that a yes?"

"Was it a proposal?," she shot back.

"You know it was," he replied but began to smile again when he saw the expression in her eyes, the joy that was radiating from them.

"Then the answer is a yes."

Instantly she was in his arms, "Oh, Buffy," he murmured in her hair, "Buffy, Buffy," he repeated her name again and again and she could feel his body tremble for a moment, then he pulled back and kissed her soundly on the mouth. "I love you."

"And I love you. Don't you know that becoming your wife and having a child with you was what I always wanted but never allowed myself to dream?" It was her term to kiss him now. "But we should better get up and see mom and the kids. There's really a lot we have to tell them."

***

Joyce greeted them with a smile when she saw them coming into the living-room, as Buffy had entered the house using her key. David jumped up and launched himself at his mother, then streched his arms out for Angel and the former vampire took him in his arms, holding him close for a moment before putting him down again.

"Hi mom," Buffy smiled at Mrs. Summers but was interrupted when Ashlynn bolted down the stairs and hugged first Angel and then her mother.

"Hi," she beamed at them. "I was playing with my dolls upstairs."

"I see," her mother grinned at her.

"Hello Joyce," Angel smiled at his future mother-in-law. He had to inwardly laugh at that. Who would've thought.

Mrs. Summers raised a brow, "You both look very happy, is there a reason for it?"

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Oh mom! But yeah, there's reason, actually there are two."

Joyce's second brow rose as well, "Oh?"

"Yes," her daughter confirmed, then looked at Ashlynn, "Honey, why don't we all sit down. Mommy and Angel have some news for you all." As soon as they were seated, Buffy took her daughter's hand, "Ashlynn, you like living with Angel in the big house, don't you?"

Ashlynn beamed at her, "Oh yeah," she quickly flashed the former vampire a smile, then looked back at her mother, "It's great." Suddenly a frown appeared on her forehead, "We're not going to leave?"

"No," Buffy assured her quickly. "Not at all. No, quite the oposite," she shortly glanced at her mother. "Angel and I want to get married. What do you think of it?"

"Married?," she asked and looked at her mother for a long moment, then turned her head towards Angel, "Would you be my dad then?"

"I would be your mom's husband, and your step-father, if you want that, but your dad will be still your dad," he replied smiling at her, "I don't want to replace your real dad, little one."

"But I could say you are my dad, couldn't I. I mean you would come to school events and stuff?," she looked at him hopefully and Angel realised that he'd completely misunderstood her feelings. She wasn't afraid that he would try to  replace her father, she was actually hoping he would. Anger welled up inside him against the man who didn't seem to care at all how his wonderful, little daughter felt and compassion for a child that felt abandoned and was probably wondering if she'd done something wrong.

He exchanged a quick glance with Buffy and when he saw her nod, he said, "If you would want that, I think it'll be alright. I wouldn't mind at all, if that's what you want to know."

The doubt in Ashlynn's eyes was instantly replaced by joy and she beamed, looking back and forth between her mother and he. "Alright, I would like you two getting married."

"Good," Buffy smiled at her daughter and gazed at her own mother who smiled as well and was obviously fighting with tears. "And there is something else." She could see Joyce's face change. She'd obviously expected them to announce their engagement, but she clearly had no idea what was to come next.

The former slayer looked at her fiancée wanting him to announce the other good news. He smiled and took Ashlynn's other hand, "Little One, your mother and I, well, we're going to have a baby."

Buffy heard her mother gasp in surprise and turned her head. Their eyes met and when she nodded Joyce began to smile. How could she not, seeing so much happiness in her daughter's eyes.

"A baby?," the blonde heard Ashlynn ask and turned her attention back to her.

"Yes," Angel nodded, then stroked the girl's cheek.

"Is it like when mom was getting David?," she asked.

"Not exactly. David is your father's son, while I am the father of this new baby," he explained.

Ashlynn frowned for a moment and seemed to think about something, then  she asked, "Could you make it a girl, please? Because I would prefer a sister, you know."

Angel and Buffy smiled at each other over her head and then the former slayer said, "We can't do anyting about it, honey. We just have to take what we get."

"Oh," her daughter made, then shrugged, "oh well, it's okay. I mean David might be annoying sometimes, but I like him. So I guess I will like the new baby as well." She turned and looked at her brother who was playing on the ground, "Did you hear David, we're going to get another baby."

"Gweat," the little boy replied, but didn't even bother to look up from his toy.

Buffy chuckled, "What did I tell you."

"Oh Buffy," Joyce reached out and took one of her daughter's hands and one Angel's, "This is wonderful. And I know how happy you are. It's wonderful news."

"It is," Angel agreed. "There is another thing," he smiled at his future mother-in-law, "Could you keep the kids for the day, we would like to drive to L.A. and tell it Cordelia, Gunn and Wesley. They are the closest I have for a family and I need to tell them personally. But we'll be back tonight. We have invited the friends from Sunnydale for dinner to tell them."

"Of course they can stay with me," Joyce replied.

"Is that okay with you honey?," Buffy asked her daughter. "Mom and Angel want to go and see some friends, but we'll getting you tonight and later Aunt Willow, Uncle Xander and their kids will be at our house."

"Okay," Ashlynn nodded. "But please don't make me play with the little kids again," she pleaded. "They are so annoying."

Her mother grinned. "No, I won't, I promise." She looked at her watch, then at Angel, "Maybe we should get going now. Otherwise we're never going to make it. Don't forget there's some dinner to prepare."

"You are right," her fiancée agreed. "Let's go. And thanks Joyce."

"No problem." She smiled and waved them off. Then she settled back on the sofa and looked at her grand-daugher who was smiling happily. How could she ever have doubted that Angel was the right man for her daughter, she wondered.

Part 21

Cordelia's eyes widened when Angel strolled through the door of the Hyperion hotel around noon. The door shut behind him and she kept staring at it but nobody seemed to follow him.

"Hi," she said, but frowned. Angel. On his own. On a Saturday. In L.A. Something wasn't quite right.

"Hello Cordelia," he flashed her a smile and then walked over to his office and sat down on his leather chair flipping through the mail.

The brunette's frown became harder and she shook her head before she stood and followed the former vampire, stopping before completely entering his office and leaning at the doorframe. When he didn't instantly look up she patted her hand impatiently against her thigh.

He raised an eyebrow but not his head, "You wanted something?"

"What the hell is going on here?," she asked, watching him through lowered lashes.

"What should be going on?"

"You tell me and didn't anyone tell you not to answer a question with another. It's very impolite." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her face clearly showing that she was expecting an explanation.

Angel sighed and put the mail away, then finally looked at her, "Nothing's going on here, Cordelia."

"But it is Saturday and you're here."

"And? You're here too, right?"

"Right," she agreed, "but that's just because Gunn had to work on a case this morning, but he'll be here soon and ... and I'm *so* getting off track here. What I meant was that you're in L.A. On a weekend. On your own. Where's Buffy?"

"Parking the car," he replied, an amused smile playing around his lips.

She relaxed a little bit, "So she is with you, well then I think ... wait, what did you just say? She's parking the car? But you never ever let anyone drive that car! And Buffy even can't drive very good."

"She can drive very well," he said, grinning now, "and it's her car as well as mine."

"Her ...," further thoughts were interrupted when Cordelia felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hi Cordy, nice to see you," Buffy gave her a smile and then walked over to occupy the other chair in Angel's office.

"Something odd is going on," Cordelia's gaze went back and forth between former vampire and slayer. "There has to be a reason why you're both here."

"There has to be?," the blonde raised a brow.

"Yo, Angel," came Gunn's voice from the hall and a second later he stood beside his wife in the doorway. "What's up? Already tired of good old Sunnydale?"

"Not quite," the former vampire smiled slightly, "Hi Gunn."

"Buffy," the black man made a bow. "What honour to have you here."

She giggled in response, "Did anyone tell you that you're crazy."

Gunn put a flat hand over his heart, "Me?," he raised a brow in mocked annoyance, "You can't possible mean me?"

His wife punched him on his arm, "Stop it. She's taken. There's no need to flirt and by the way, if you've forgotten it, you're married."

He scratched his blank head, "I knew there was something."

Cordelia shook her head and rolled her eyes, but then turned back to Buffy, "Would you now please care to tell us what's going on here. Angel's in full cryptic-mood and driving me crazy."

The former vampire winked at Gunn, who grinned and the brunette shot both a nasty look.

"Actually," the former slayer began and instantly Cordelia spun around, "there's something we wanted to tell you. Angel and I are getting married."

"Congrats," Gunn gave his friend and the blonde a genuine smile. "But are you sure what you're getting yourself into?," he joked.

"Well, of course you're getting married," his wife wasn't impressed. "I pretty much expected it sooner or later. And for this you came to L.A.?"

"Well," Angel grinned. "There's something else." He exchanged a loving glance with his future wife and then said, "Buffy and I are going to have a baby."

"A ... a baby?," Cordelia stared at both for a long moment, while Gunn grinned beside her and winked at the expecting parents.

Seeing that his wife seemed frozen in place he tentatively touched her arm, "Cordy, are you alright?"

She ignored him, but her eyes narrowed and under her lowered lashes her eyes shot daggers at the former slayer, "How could you do this to him?," she hissed.

"Cordelia...," Angel tried to interrupt her, but she would have none of it.

"You ... you bitch," she stepped closer to Buffy, "And I thought you loved him. How could you betray him?"

"I...," Buffy started, but had no chance to tell her explanation. "And of course because he loves you so much and is the perfect gentlemen he takes it as if it's his," she stopped only a feet away, planted her fists at her hips and stared down at the blonde. "God, if I had known how you really are, I'd never have tried to get you two back together. I really should've known. You were always a superficial, shallow ..."

"Cordelia!" This time Angel's voice was loud and demanding and her head snapped around in response.

"What?," she asked irritated.

"This is my baby, Cordelia. I am the father."

"But that's not possible, you told me yourself that you're infertile and ..."

"That's what I thought. But it is possible if the partner is a slayer or an ex-slayer for that matter," he explained, his voice soft now.

"Oh," was all she said and wanted to die on the spot. She felt the colour creeping up on her face and closed her eyes in embarrassment.

Angel stood up and walked over to her, laying a hand on her shoulder, "But it's very sweet of you to protect me like this. I'm really moved."

She slowly opened her eyes again, "Can you please forget about it. Please? God, Buffy," a little laugh escaped her lips, "I am so sorry! I just ... God, I'm sorry. You must think I'm crazy."

"No," the blonde replied softly. "I just think you love him very much."

Cordelia cleared her throat and frowned before looking at Angel again, "Sorry," she smiled sheepishly.

"No need," he smiled back and kissed her lightly on the cheek, "Thanks for being my friend," he whispered in her ear.

"You're welcome," she whispered back and they both shared a smile.

"Alright then, after we now know it's my baby, Buffy and I thought about inviting you for lunch. What do you say? And by the way, where's Wes?"

"Who knows?," the brunette sighed. "He has a girlfriend, did you know?"

"A girlfriend? Wesley?," Buffy burst out laughing.

"Yeah, well. And she's even nice," Cordelia assured her. "Anyway. Said girlfriend took him for a short trip to Mexico. She loves Tacos and Tequilla she said," now the brunette grinned, "Wes will be back tomorrow night and only God knows in what condition."

They all laughed thinking about the ex-watcher in some Mexican bar drinking too much alcohol and they laughed even harder about the hangover he'd probably have afterwards.

***

"This was nice for sure," Buffy unlocked the door to their house and opened it wide for Ashlynn and Angel who was carrying a sleeping David.

"What was nice?," the little girl asked.

"Your mother and I went to lunch with Cordelia and Gunn," the former vampire explained, shifting David in his arms who was getting heavy. Incredible how much a little boy could weight.

"I'll better put him into his bed," Buffy reached out her arms and took David from Angel. "He's out cold," she grinned and walked towards the stairs. "Maybe you could start preparing dinner?," she gave Angel a pleading look and then turned to her daughter, "Ashlynn, please set up the table, will you. There'll be," she closed her eyes for a moment, thinking, "Eight of us, seven if you don't want to eat with us, it's up to you."

"I'll eat with you," her daughter replied quickly, not liking the idea of having dinner with the smaller kids. When the friends met, they usually got the kids fed and then went to their own meals. But Ashlynn felt much too old already to be treated like them. She liked the idea of dining with the grown ups.

"Little One," Angel stroked over her head and she beamed up at him in response. He couldn't have loved her more if she'd been really his, he thought. Genes did only count so much. "Take the dishes in the living room, so you won't have to carry everything from the kitchen, okay?"

"'kay," she answered with a smile. How could a father not be enchanted by someone like this. How could he just leave town and not care how she was. Brent probably thought Buffy would inform him if something happened to Ashlynn. But how could he bear not to be with her as often as possible. See her smile, see her falling asleep? Angel shook his head, his thoughts would be leaving nowhere and he also had to admit that the idea of having Brent around all the time wasn't that appealing to him. Well, at least he would do his best to make her forget her father was obviously caring so little for her.

"Heavy thoughts?," Buffy's voice came from the doorway.

"No, not really," he replied and opened to fridge to get the vegetables. "I just can't understand how Brent can stand to be apart from her."

"Oh Angel," she smiled, her eyes filling, and came over to him, hugging him around the waist and leaning her head against his back. "I don't know. To think she'd be far away from me ... I would miss her so terribly."

He turned around to face her, "I'm sorry I've brought it up, I didn't mean to make you sad," he apologised.

She shook her head, "It's okay. You should've seen him when she was a little baby. He was so fond of her. He was carrying her around all the time. But when he realised our marriage wasn't working the way he wanted it, he grew distant. Not only with me, but especially with her." She sighed, "I don't understand what was going on in his head, still don't."

"It's his loss, that's for certain," he told her with a smile. "This way I get to be around her all the time."

"I love you," she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. The kiss was about to deepen, when suddenly Ashlynn's voice disturbed them.

"Yuck," she made and covered her eyes. "Will this go on the whole evening, because if I'll better go upstairs."

Angel pulled back from his future wife, "You," he said in a playful threat and approached her. She began to giggle and ran towards the living-room. He caught up with her and scooped her up in his arms, tickling her and making her squeal.

"N-no, N-no," she stammered between laughter, "Angel, noooo," she shrieked.

He stopped tickling her, but still held her close. Her arms came to encircle his neck. "I really love you, little one," he said, kissing her cheek.

"I love you too," she tightened the hold around his neck. "I'm so glad you're living with us now. Are you glad?"

"I am," he replied. "Very much," his voice was hoarse and muffled because his face was burried in her hair. When he looked up again he saw she was watching him. "What?," he asked.

"Grandma said you were alone for very long. Now that you've got us, you won't be alone anymore," she kissed him again, then wriggled down from his arms. "I set up the table, but now I've got to go for a moment. April (her doll) needs to go to bed." With this she raced from the room and up the stairs, leaving Angel to get a hold on his emotions. How did he ever get so lucky, he wondered. 

Part 22

"I don't want to spoil the mood or something," Xander after swallowing the last bite of his Fetuccine and licking his lips, "but I somehow got the idea that this dinner had a reason." He looked at Angel and wiggled his brows.

"I th-thought that t-too," Tara nodded and put her fork down.

"Uhm ... well," Buffy began and exchanged a glance with her lover who smiled at her warmly.

"Come on Buffster," Xander grinned. "Tell us!"

"You're still behaving like a teenager," Oz shook his head at the dark haired man. He would never really understand Willow's childhood friend. Just too weird.

"Maybe Ashlynn wants to tell the news," Angel suggested with a smile at the girl who was sitting beside him.

Her eyes shot open, "You mean ...," she swallowed hard, "uh... yeah," she smiled a bit shyly. Her mom had told her that she mustn't talk about the news and she hadn't expected they would leave it to her. Pride and joy filled her heart and a huge smile was on her face when she finally said, "Mom and Angel are getting married and I'm going to get a new brother or sister."

The first reaction was silence, but then everyone talked at the same time.

"I told you he'd popp the question."

"Th-that's w-wonderful."

"Well, well, well, you really didn't lose time, did you."

"Congrats."

"I thought vampires couldn't have children. I never met one that ...," Anya's voice trailed off when she realised that everyone was looking at her. "What? I've got experience here. And I'm absolutely sure that vampires can't have kids."

"Angel is human now," Xander reminded his wife. "And besides it doesn't really matter, because they are expecting one."

"Who says it's Angel's?", she asked mercelessly.

"Anya!" Tara exclaimed, truly shocked by such bluntness.

"Honey, maybe you should just keep quiet here," Xander gave Angel and Buffy an apologetic look.

"Actually," the former vampire said with a smile twitching his lips, "Cordelia thought the same."

"She did?"

"Really?"

"See, I told you!"

"Why?" Tara's eyes rested on the couple who was holding hands under the table.

"Uhm ... well," Buffy began to explain, "it seems that vampires or ex-vampires can only have children with slayers or ex-slayers. It never occured before because they are mortal enemies of course. I mean Angel was the only one with a soul."

"You mean, you could've become a teenage-mother?," Xander grinned.

The blonde shot him a nasty look, but his grin didn't fade. "We didn't know then, okay? But Angel thought he couldn't ... I mean ... well, but fortunately it's wrong and so we're expecting a baby in about eight months."

"That's so great," Willow beamed. "I'm still so excited. When you told me yesterday I ..."

"Wait, wait," Xander frowned, "Will knew it yesterday already?"

"Uh-huh." Buffy nodded.

"And Cordelia got the news today, right?"

"What's this all about, Xander?," Willow asked, clearly confused.

"They knew it all before I did," he stated and crossed his arms. "We're your oldest friends Buff, and you told Cordelia first?!"

"Oh, get over yourself," his wife hit him on the shoulder. "Just ignore him," she added and grinned. "But I'm glad my informations about vampires were right. I really thought that wizzard lied to me when he told me. Although it would've been surprising, considering that I was about to pull out his brains."

Xander closed his eyes and shook his head, his wife was much better then years ago, but 1100 years in the vengance business were sometimes shining through.

"Hello, children at the table," Willow said with a glance at Ashlynn who had listened curiously and of course asked. "Aunt Anya didn't really pull out someones brains, right?," there was an expression of disbelief in her eyes.

"Of course not, little one," Angel told her, giving the former demon a warning glance, "that was just a term to describe that they were ... uh ... fighting. You know arguing."

"Uh-huh," Ashlynn grinned. "I have to remember that expression, it'll be fun in school."

"Uhm ... honey," Buffy stroked her daughter's hair, "Maybe you shouldn't use it. It isn't all that common and maybe the teachers won't like you using it."

"Okay," the girl nodded with a smile. "Can I go now? I wanto to read."

"Sure, honey," her mother said and Ashlynn was gone in a flash.

"Anya really," Willow looked at the former demon.

"Sorry," she replied and gave Buffy and Angel an apologetic look. "Sometimes it just happens."

"It's okay. At least none of the little ones were around." Willow checked her watch, "Talking about kids, I think we need to call it a night soon. They have to go to bed, it's almost nine."

"Tomorrow is Sunday," Xander said with a shrug, "We can all sleep late."

The red-head gave him a pointed look, "*We* would sleep late, but unfortunately our little monsters won't. They're up and running at six sharp."

"Oh no," Buffy grinned at her best friend, "Will that's horrible."

"Do tell!," the former witch shook her head, "and they're awfully awake, demanding breakfast and stuff and above all attention. Now you try to be attentive at six o'clock in the morning." The pure look of horror in her eyes made the others laugh.

With a sigh Tara stood, "W-willow is r-right. W-we n-need to g-get going. Amy? Emily?," she called for the girls.

"I suppose they are all crawling around in David's room," Buffy stood as well. "Why don't we just have a look."

The women walked together up the stairs while the three men stayed in the dining-room.

"Now Oz, still not tired of living with two women at the same time?," Xander asked.

The former werewolf rolled his eyes and sighed, he would never be able to figure out why Willow was so fond of him.

******

"This was a wonderful evening," Buffy said while she was putting the plates into the dishwasher.

"Yeah," Angel replied packing the leftovers for the fridge. Their friends had left half an hour ago and after getting the children in their beds they were now busy cleaning everything up.

"They all took it well," she thought aloud, then shrugged, "but why shouldn't they. Even Xander seems to like you now. Who would've thought."

"I'm just a likeable guy," he joked and closed the fridge.

"Oh yeah?," she turned and grinned at him, forgetting all about the plates still standing on the counter.

He grinned as well, "Yeah. Or don't you think?"

"Hmmm?," she said and tipped her chin with her forefinger, "likeable? I wouldn't go that far." Narrowing her eyes, her voice took a seductive note, "Sexy, attractive, good kisser, but likeable ... "

He turned and walked towards the dining-room to get the glasses, "Well, it's a good thing then," he said not stopping.

"Good thing?," she gave him a suspicious glance when he returned. "What's a good thing?"

"That I'm too tired to do anything but sleep. If you don't like me, you won't mind," he told her with a mischieveous glimpse in his eyes, "On the other hand, *if* you'd like me after all, I could probably manage to recharge some energy." He grinned at her now.

"Angel," she said, her voice a mixture of amusement and warning, "don't tease me."

"Why not? You're so easy to tease."

"Am I now?," she abandoned the dishwasher and stepped closer to him. "Are there any other things I'm easy with?," she asked, putting her arms around his neck and gazing deeply into his eyes.

"Hey," he grinned, "I thought you don't like me."

"Maybe I've changed my mind after all," she whispered and kissed him.

"So you do like me," he whispered back.

"Hmmm," she made and nibbled at his jaw. "You could probably convice me."

"Maybe ... we ... mmmh ... could ... clean ... mmmh ... up ... tomorrow," Angel suggested between kisses. "So ... I ... can  ... show you ... mmmh ... just ... how likeable ... I am." She smiled at him, "Good idea."

No words were spoken afterwards and when Ashlynn entered the kitchen the next morning the dishwasher was still open.

******

Riley Finn hated New York. Other people didn't like the city, they didn't like the fact that they had to live here, but Riley hated it. It had nothing to do with the city itself and he knew it. When he and his new wife had moved here he had been thrilled. There was a new job waiting for him, a new apartment, a new life. After the hellmouth hand been closed and all demons and vampires banished from the earth he had met Carla and they'd married after only two months.

And now after four more years they were divorced. And she was living in the apartment that had once blonged to both of them. And their little son was with her, she had full custody because the judge - a woman of course - had decided that Riley's job was too hectic to take care of a two year old. Screw her, he thought. She had looked like a bitter old maid and certainly hated men to the core.

That was when he'd first started to hate New York. As good as it seemed at the beginning, now it was full of bad memories, of lost dreams. He had wanted a family and now he got to see his son only once a month. He shook his head, these thoughts were leading nowhere. He couldn't just leave and move somewhere else. He had a good job here with a security company and he needed the money, for himself, but also to pay alimonies for Carla and Graham. They'd named his son after his friend who'd died fighting in Brasil.

Riley sighed and drove his car into the parking space in front of the restaurant. Usually he liked his job, but today he hated it. Business lunches on Sundays, talk about suck. But this law firm had problems with the security his company had installed lately and today he was meeting with one of them to discuss the problems and hopefully find solutions. He was just hoping it wouldn't take too much time, he and some friends would be playing Basketball in the afternoon.

He entered the restaurant and told the approaching waiter he had an appointement with a client. With a nod the waiter led him to a table where a guy about his age was already waiting for him. He stood up when he saw Riley and held out his hand, "Mr Finn? Good to meet you, I'm Brent Davenport."

Go to Part 23