Part 23
A week later. (Saturday)
"That dress looks just great," Cordelia tilted her head and gazed at Buffy who was standing in front of a mirror in a very expensive boutique in L.A.
The ex-slayer grimaced, "The only thing is, I won't fit in this in about five or six weeks. I tend to grow big soon." She sighed, loving the dress already. She and Angel had driven to L.A. this morning where she had a date with Cordelia for a shopping trip. Her future husband had insisted on it and just pressed his credit card in her hand. With a sigh she had finally given in. She didn't like spending his money for expensive clothes, but he'd told her he wanted her to enjoy herself and she had to admit it was great fun.
At least for her. Once or twice she had caught Cordelia looking at her with a hint of envy, although the former mayqueen covered it quickly. It was no secret that the brunette loved expensive designer clothes, but it wasn't a secret either that she could no longer afford them, at least not as regularely as she used to buy them while she was in highschool and before the IRS had found about her father's tax-practice.
"But you'll fit in again it as soon as you've got the baby," Cordelia interrupted her thoughts. "Nobody would believe that you've got two of them already. You're still as slim as ever." "Yeah, and I can still eat as much as I want and don't grow fat. I always wonder if it's a slayer thing too. I mean, I'm not *really* a slayer anymore, but Giles told Willow that the ex-slayer thingy just changed my strength, not the rest and he once told *me* that slayers have a high energy burn rate."
"I'm sure all the women in the world envy you," the brunette sighed. "All of us who starve themselves to look nice and attractive. If I just remember about the huge icecream-cone you ate an hour ago. I'd have to skip lunch and dinner after something like that."
"That's just hormones. In the early stages of pregnancy I had always cravings for food. First comes the icecream-period, later it's chocolate and so on," she grinned evilly, "Angel's going to hate me being pregnant in no time."
"No, he won't," Cordelia replied simply and both knew it was true. "Nothing in the world could spoil this for him. He's finally gotten the woman he always loved and now you're even pregnant with his child. He'll never get tired of this."
"Probably not," Buffy sighed happily and looked at herself in the mirror again. "I'll take it. It's forbidden expensive and all, but I love it."
"Good for you. It's the perfect dress for you," the brunette smiled genuinely. The dark-green, strapless, knee-length and body-shaped dress was just smashing. Angel would loose it. "And don't feel bad about the price, your fiancée wanted you to buy something nice for yourself and I have a feeling he can aford it."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed looking at the diamond engagement ring she was wearing. Angel had bought it on Monday and she'd almost fainted seeing it. She didn't even want to know about the price.
"That ring," Cordelia pointed at the blond's finger, "is a rock."
"Uh-huh," she said, then suddenly grinned wickedly, "well then," she shrugged, "don't you think you need a dress too. Just say it's some bonus for effective work."
The brunette looked stunned for a moment, then began to smile, "If you put it that way," she replied while her eyes were already scanning the shop.
*****
"I still can't believe you bought Cordelia a dress as well," Angel shook his head and laughed as they passed the Sunnydale-sign.
"You should have seen her eyes when we were walking into that shop. Cordy just loves clothes and I thought the way you feel about her - like the older brother - you wouldn't mind." She gave him a sweet smile and he reached out and took her hand.
"I don't mind. Her eyes were shining like gems when she showed the bag to me. And you are right, I really feel as if I'm her older brother."
Buffy saw a flicker of pain in his eyes but it was soon gone. She squeezed his hand assuringly and he flashed her a quick smile while pulling into the driveway of their house. The former slayer had her eyes closed against the sun and was thinking about her appointment with the dressmaker on Monday. They'd set the date for the wedding on Sunday in three weeks and she had to hurry to get everything ready. At the moment she was trying to decide which colour the bridesmaids should wear when she felt Angel squeezing her hand.
Looking at him she saw him nod towards the entrance. She turned her head and saw a woman standing there. She was tall and willowy and was marching up and down, obviously waiting for somebody. Buffy raised a brow and gave Angel a quesitoning gaze when the dark haired woman suddenly looked up and waved towards someone. Only seconds later the door at Buffy's side of the car was pulled open and she came face to face with her fuming ex-husband.
"Hi, Brent," she said frowning. What the hell ... She couldn't even finish the thought because he almost spit into her face.
"Do you really think I'm going to leave *my* children with you and this, this," his gaze flew to Angel, an expression of pure disgust on it, "this bloodsucker."
*
"Would you please calm down now," the former slayer stood in her living-room, her arms crossed in front of her chest and watched her ex-husband pacing, throwing his hands in the air from time to time, while Angel was in the kitchen preparing tea, accompanied by the dark-haired woman they'd seen in front of their door before who appeared to be Danielle.
"Calm down!," he snorted and stopped his pacing. "How the hell would you react to the news that your children are living with a vampire." He lowered his voice because he'd never told his new girlfriend about that part of his past.
"For the hundreth time, he isn't a vampire, not anymore that is and how did you find out at all?"
"That's not the point here, is it? The point is that my two children are living under the same roof as a mass murderer."
*
"Do you prefer regular tea or green tea?," Angel asked looking into the cupboard. The question was directed towards Danielle who was sitting on a chair in the kitchen, studying her perfectly filed and red painted nails.
"Sorry, what?," she looked up and smiled.
"Nevermind," he replied and took a box containing some new Darjeeling. He'd just figured out that this woman didn't look like someone who'd know different kinds of teas.
"You sure have a nice house," she commented, letting her gaze wander through the spacey kitchen. "Quite big."
"Yeah. We like it." Intelligence didn't seem one the qualities Brent had looked for when he'd decided to date Danielle, Angel thought.
"I never thought Brent's ex-wife would look like that. So, so ordinary."
The former vampire winced inwardly. This woman had no idea what she was talking about. To use the word ordinary in connection with Buffy ... he shook his head and chuckled.
"I mean ... hey, I didn't mean to offend you or ... her for that matter," Danielle added quickly, thinking she'd said something horrible. "I'm sure she's nice and all."
"She is," Angel agreed, the way he pronounced the words cleary telling how deeply he felt for his lover.
"When I met Brent I couldn't understand that she let him go. He's so attractive," her eyes were full of admiration when she spoke and Angel had to suppress the urge to tell her that attractivity was in the eyes of the beholder. When he turned around he was taken aback by the open display of lust in her eyes, and this time it wasn't directed towards her current boyfriend. Her eyes were roaming his body and with a hoarse, throaty voice, that was clearly seductive, she added, "But now, that I've met you, I can see the reason."
*
Buffy sighed and leaned against the doorframe, "Angel isn't a mass murderer. There was a demon in his body that ... hell, why am I trying to explain that to you. You already know the facts."
"I still can't believe you slept with a vampire. He might be human now, but he clearly wasn't before," he looked at her as if he'd never seen her before. "Just to think that I touched you after ... after," he shook his head, "I wouldn't have gone near you at a mile's distance if I had known."
"Oh really," she was smiling now. Knowingly. "I remember the first time we ... well ... you could hardly wait to get my clothes off. And anyway. Angel is human. When his demon killed people he wasn't in control. The Powers That Be thought he earned his reward. Do you really think you can judge him now?"
"I'm not letting my children stay with him," he repeated his former demand stubbornly.
"Your children love him," she shouted, getting angry now. "Ashlynn adores him. And do you know why? Because he's a wonderful man, because he loves her and is there for her. You are never there for her. In about three months you came once and never called. I think you're hardly in a position to judge Angel's qualities as a step-father for your children."
"He has blood on his hands," Brent insisted.
"You know that line is getting old. Just tell me what you intend to do and let's get over with." "Believe me, I am perfectly serious," she hissed through gritted teeth,
desperately trying not to lose control at his annoying attitude, at times like these the slayer was close to the surface. "What sort of person are you? You don't even know Angel. How can you judge him?"
"I don't need to know him, the fact that he's a vampire is all I need to know," he replied. "For the last time, he is no vampire. Or how do you think he would've managed to
drive in a convertible with the sun shining down on us? Besides there aren't any vampires on this earth anymore. You may remember that little incident called 'closing the hellmouth forever'?!"
"Don't go all slayer on me," he hissed, "I know this attitude and I can't stand it. This haughty 'I'm so much better than all you lower beings' isn't working
with me. I've had all of your attitudes I could take." Buffy was speechless for a moment. "I never...," she began, but then decided this
wasn't the subject she wanted to discuss, not with a man who wasn't even important anymore. "You still haven't told me how you heard about Angel?"
"I had a business meeting last weekend and met an old byfriend of yours. You might remember him, Riley Finn." The former slayer gasped, "Riley!"
"Oh yeah, Riley. You can't imagine how surprised he was that you were my ex-wife. I showed him pictures of the children and then told him you were living with an
old flame of yours." He settled back in the chair, "He immediately became suspicious and when I told him your lover's name he told me all about your dirty
little secret. He was really shocked that I allowed my children to live under the same roof than a killer." "And of course you believed a complete stranger, did you?"
"He had no reason to lie." "Oh didn't he? How about the fact that he was always jealous of Angel? How about his inferior complex and ... oh that might be of interest for you, how about the
fact that he paid vampire whores for sucking his blood?" Brent did a double take, "He what?" "Interesting piece of news, isn't it. And unexpected too, don't you think,"
Buffy's eyes glittered dangerously when she stepped closer, her gaze never leaving her ex-husband's. "He was a demon hunter when I met him, working with
this paramilitary-group. They were catching vampires and experimenting with them. Ask Spike if you don't believe me, he had some first-hand experience with them.
And those people indoctrinated him. If it comes to vampires Riley's the most narrow-minded person on this planet. And you call that source reliable?"
"I...," now it was Brent's turn to be speechless. The man he'd met the previous weekend had looked perfectly normal to him. But the idea of letting vampires suck
your blood and paying for it? Brent shuddered in disgust. Still, it didn't change the facts. "But I still don't want Ashlynn and David to live with him," he nodded
pointedly towards the kitchen and frowned. What the hell were Danielle and that person - oh, no he wasn't really a person, or was he? - so long?
At that moment Angel entered the room, his eyes darting back and forth between Buffy and her ex-husband when he placed the tray on the table. Danielle followed
him, seductively swaying her hips. "Tea anybody," he asked plolitely and realised that Brent was avoiding his gaze. Ah, he thought inwardly and sighed. This wasn't
something he wanted to deal with, but then ... and although he wasn't a vampire anymore he hadn't been able to avoid listening to the conversation in the living-room, they'd been loud enough.
"Hi honey," Danielle walked over to her boyfriend and sat down on the arm-rest beside him, putting an arm around his neck.
Absentmindedly he flashed her a quick smile, "Do you understand?," he asked, looking at Buffy. "Either he goes or I'm going to fight you in court for custody."
"What?," the former slayer felt her heart constricting. "No," she shook her head in shock. "You ... you can't do that. There's no reason, I already told you the
children love Angel and ..." "Buffy," Angel put a gentle hand on her shoulder and when she looked up to him he
gave her a smile. Then he sighed and turned towards Brent, "Maybe I should take over here." "I really don't care what you have to say," the other man hissed, completely
forgetting about his girlfriend. "Too bad," the former vampire replied, his voice almost annyoingly neutral and polite, "but you will have to now. So you want to go to court and fight for
custody. How?" "What do you mean how. I'm just taking a lawyer. I'm the father of these kids in case you have forgotten," Brent said, his voice rising.
"*I'm* not the one forgetting about it," Angel sat down on the sofa and poured himself some tea. His hands were steady and his features calm. "Did you even know
that you're son barely remembers you and that Ashlynn avoids looking at pictures of you because she's so hurt by your neglection? No, of course not. How should
you. You're too busy with your job. And now tell me, how do you think you get your children fitting into your new life?"
"I will hire a baby-sitter or a nurse or whatever and there's Danielle too," Brent replied cooly, not noticing that his girlfriend's eyes widened in shock.
Angel on the other hand registered it immediately. "I see," he said over the rim of his cup. "And you think that's an alternative for living with their mother?"
"I don't have anything against them living with their mother," the other man hissed again. "I don't want them living with you. If Buffy gets rid of you the whole thing is off."
"Brent ...," Buffy began but was silenced by Angel's intense glance he sent her way. "That's not going to happen," the former vampire replied softly, but Brent
recognised the dangerous glimmer in his eyes, he'd already seen the first time. "In fact Buffy and I are going to be married in three weeks," he informed the ex-husband casually.
"M... marriage?," Brent almost choked on the word. "Are you mad?," he directed the question at his ex-wife. "Uh, honey," Danielle spoke for the first time.
"What?," her boyfriend asked impatiently. "I just wanted to say that I have absolutely no idea how to deal with kids. I do
love you, you know that, but children were never part of the deal," she pointedly looked at her manicured hands. Brent didn't reply to that, just glared at her for a moment, then turned back to
his ex-wife's new lover. "Do you really want to risk Buffy losing the children because of you?," he asked, his voice containing an open threat.
Oh God, the former slayer thought, oh God and her eyes flickered to Angel, the man who'd sacrificed his life for her, the man who had wanted her to kill him so
his demon couldn't kill her friends. Would he leave her now? Would he do the noble thing? No, she said, she wouldn't let him. Not this time. She held her breath at his next words.
"No, I don't want that," Angel said simply. "But it won't happen." He leaned back and watched Brent's face, "Tell me what exactly you want to say to the judge?
Buffy is there for her kids, every day. She holds them when they cry, she feeds them, she buys clothes for them, she loves them and most importantly they know it. So how do you intend to argue?"
Brent laughed, feeling utterly superior, "Do you really have to ask?" Now it was Angel's turn to laugh, and it sounded genuinely amused. Buffy raised a
brow in surprise. He wasn't backing out, no he actually seemed to enjoy the situation. Try to understand men, she thought. No, rewind that, make that ex-vampires and the confusion was perfect.
"Are you planning to use me? I want to see that, really I'm looking forward to it. Brent," Angel smiled, thanking all the gods in the universe for his years of
exprience of dealing with people like him, "you do not mind me calling you Brent, do you?" Not waiting for an answer he continued, "I'm going to marry your ex-wife
in three weeks, I'm financially settled. I have several businesses running smoothly, I have friends who would gladly speak up for me." No need to tell him
that these friends were former watchers, witches, werewolves or seers. "And you think that would count the moment the judge knows what you are ... or were?"
"Honey, what are you talking about?" Danielle asked confused. Not really liking the subject she'd spent the time comparing her boyfriend with Buffy's future
husband and come to the conclusion that the other woman had made the better deal. Angel flashed her a smile before he turned back to Brent, "And what do you think
will happen when you tell the judge about my past? What do you think he'll do when you just tell him that your ex-wife's new husband was a vampire?" "Vampire? Honey, did he just say vampire?"
"He will say the same thing as I. That you aren't fit to be with children," Brent insisted, ignoring his girlfriend.
"Oh, you think so," Angel smiled cooly, "I would rather get used to the idea that he's going to lock you up. Safely and for a long time. Or did you forget the fact
that most people are ignorant and tend to deny the existence of supernatural things. These days anyway. Or how do plan to prove your accusations to be true?"
"Honey," Danielle whined, "I'm sure I heard him use the word vampire and ..." "Shut up," Brent hissed at her and his girlfriend's mouth closed with a loud
snap. He didn't want to deal with her right now. All he could do was glare at the other man and accept that he was right, as much as he hated to admit it. His eyes
darted to this wife and he wanted to shout at the love and admiration shining from her eyes while they were watching her future husband.
"Danielle, would you like some tea now?," Angel offered ignoring Brent for a moment, sensing what was going on inside the other man.
The dark-haired woman flashed him an open smile, "Yes, thank you so much, Angel." She left her spot at Brent's side and moved to a sofa opposite from the
ex-vampire. "Maybe he's still suffering from a minor jet-lag," she whispered conspiratively, "he's usually a nice guy."
Angel bit his cheek not to laugh out loud and handed Danielle her cup, while Buffy watched in amusement how Brent's girlfriend was flirting with her fiancée.
"Brent, you too?," the former vampire asked. "No, thank you," the other man's voice sounded exactly the way Angel had expected
it. Angry, disappointed, defeated. He had admitted to himself that this was a no win situation. Shooting his ex-wife and her fiancée hateful glances he stood and
grabbed his girlfriend's arm, "Danielle, we go." "But, Brent, Angel just got me that nice cup of tea...," she protested.
"We go," he hissed at her and pulled her with him. "You'll hear from me," he promised while walking towards the door. "Tell the children I'll be in contact with them."
"Sure," Buffy replied but he'd already slammed the door shut. She turned and looked at Angel with open amazement. He smiled, stood up and came over to her. Stroking her cheek with the tip of his
forefinger, he asked, "Hey, are you okay?" "I ... I can't believe that really happened," a laugh escaped her mouth and she
leaned her forehead against his chest, slowly encircling his waist. "I was expecting you to do the noble thing and let me go for the children's sake." He could feel a shiver running through her body.
"No way," he put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up, "I'm not leaving you. Never again," he whispered and pulled her close.
"You almost seemed to enjoy this," she she said in wonder and looked deeply into his eyes. "No, I didn't. But Brent didn't know that and that's what's important if you deal
with people like him. He had to think we were extremely self-confident about this." "Is this all demon experience?," she asked curiously.
"Only partly," he told her, kissing the tip of her nose. "Most of it comes from dealing with trash during my time in L.A. He's not the first husband threatening
to take the kids away, you know." "I guess," she sighed and snuggled deeper into his embrace. "We probably should
go and get the kids from mom," she said, not wanting to leave his arms, where she felt safe and protected. "We could call her," he suggested and a slight grin crossed his features. "She
certainly won't mind having them for the night." Buffy had to grin as well, "You're a bad man, you know," she scolded playfully.
"I know," he sighed dramatically, and she laughed out loud. "I'll call her." "And maybe you should tell her not to let the kids go with Brent today. I don't
see him as the kidnapping-type, but he's really angry right now..." "Good idea," she agreed and went for the phone. When she returned five mintues
later, she told him, "Mom knows about Brent and she's happy to keep the kids with her." She grinned mischieveously, "And now, maybe I could show you how much I appreciate what you did today."
Part 25 The red rose whispers of passion,And the white rose breathes of love;O, the red rose is a falcon,And the white rose is a dove.
But I send you a cream-white rosebud,With a flush on its petal tips;For the love that is purest and sweetestHas a kiss of desire on the lips
- "A White Rose" by John Boyle O'Reilly (Irish Poet 1844-1890) "This is lovely," Buffy rested her head on Angel's shoulder while they were
sitting together on their sofa in the living-room. Ashlynn had fallen asleep on his other side only minutes ago, while David's head rested in his mother's lap.
Angel put the book of poetry, he'd been holding, down and smiled at her, "Yes, it is. Do you feel better now?," he asked and gave her a concerned glance.
"Much better," she replied with a smile of her own. "It wasn't that I was really feeling sick or so, just Brent made me so angry yesterday and although you
distracted me last night, the anger still lingers under the surface. Maybe it's a slayer thing or an ex-slayer thing for that matter." She sighed, "Do you think he will try anything?"
"I don't think so, but then you'll never know. But one thing is for certain, he won't succeed in a court. As I said yesterday, he can hardly go there and tell
the judge, hey, I want my kids because my wife's living with an ex-vampire." "You know, Brent isn't that sort of guy actually. I don't know what Riley said to
him, but it must have been bad to cause that kind of reaction." Maybe it would be nice to have Riley right in front of her now, to pummel him or hit him --- very
hard. But then, she had to admit with an inward sigh, she wasn't the slayer anymore and for that her strength had gone. So, no such luck to torture Riley slowly and ...
"Well, I never liked him," Angel interrupted her thoughts. "Yeah, you told me before," she replied and hid a grin thinking back to that
special event. "And of course you weren't jealous at all when you told me that." "It was only one part of me dislinking him. I don't usually develop sympathies
for people who attack me without introducing themselves first." "In Riley's defense you have forgotten to mention the fact that you were a vampire at that point," she gave him a pointed look.
"And?," he raised a brow and turned his head to look at her. "I wasn't running around to eat little commando boys alive."
"Just put yourself in Riley's position for a moment..." "Do I have to?," he winced, but a smile was in his eyes.
She playfully punched him his arm, "Angel! Well, anyway. Try to see things from his point of view. You're a demon hunter and you're basically human, trained and
stuffed with drugs but still human, and on your patrol you meet a vampire. Would you ask for his name first?" "I might," now he grinned.
"Yeah, sure," laughing she shook her head. "And then find out that said vampire has some connection to the girl you're ... er ... uhm ... that is...," embarrassed she broke off.
"Buffy," he cupped her face to make her look at him, "I know you and Riley were sleeping together." The grin suddenly returned, "Although I could hardly believe
it then. What did you ever see in that guy anyway?" When he saw tears well up in her eyes he sobered instantly, "Hey," he said softly, "I fear that came out
wrong. I didn't want to make you sad. I don't mind you sleeping with him." Seeing her raising a brow, he grimaced and amended, "No rewind that. That would
take things too far. Of course I didn't like the fact you were with him, hell, I hated it, when I found out who he was I wanted to dismember him, slowly,
painfully, but," he paused for a moment and looked deeply into her eyes, "I could hardly blame you for being with someone else after I'd left you. You found
exactly what I wanted for you, someone normal or almost normal, human, who could take you into the sunlight and ease the darkness in your life. It was my problem to deal with the burning jealousy in my gut."
"Burning jealousy, huh?," she smiled, the tears forgotten. "Hmmm," he replied, pulling her head closer for a kiss.
Their lips only an inch apart she whispered, "Maybe we should get the children into their beds now." "And then what?," he asked, his eyes darkening with passion.
She grinned, "You'll just have to wait and see." "I think I'd like that," he said and gently scooped Ashlynn in his arms. *****
"I think that's a beautiful colour," Willow sighed flipping through the bridal magazines. She, Cordelia and Buffy were sitting in the dressmaker's studio and
trying to decide on the dresses for the bride and the bridesmaids. Buffy had decided to wear a sort of ivory white and Mrs. Collier, the dressmaker, had
congratulated her on the choice. The colour was much softer than the hard bright white, brides usually wore and the material, a combination of silk, satin and lace was pronouncing her body at the right places.
"You really improved your taste," Cordelia complimented and nodded her head approvingly when Buffy held her arms out to model in front of the mirror. "That's a beautiful dress."
Mrs. Collier glanced up from where she was pinning the dress and gave the brunette a quick smile. "Have you decided on the colour for the bridesmaids yet?
I really need to know to make certain everything will be ready in three weeks." "Three weeks," the ex-slayer sighed happily. "Just tink about it. Only three more
weeks and I'll be Angel's wife. I still feel like walking in a dream." Cordelia and Willow exchanged an amused glance before they coninued flipping
through the magazines. "I like that colour," the former mayqueen poninted at a pale sort of green." The red-head thought about it for a moment, then nodded approvingly, "Yeah,
that's lovely. What do you think?," she took the magazine from Cordelia and held it up so that Buffy could see it.
"I like it," she agreed. "We take that, what do you think Mrs. Collier?" "It's a good choice," she nodded, "It's a bit of a contrast to the bride's dress
but not too much to make the eyes hurt. There's one thing though. The groom and the other men should wear black or dark blue then. No pale blue," she shuddered, "that would be bad."
"We'll take care of it," Buffy promised and grinned, "I kinda like Angel in black." "Not really surprising, it was his favourite colour for a long time," Cordelia
replied, "if you go hundreds of years in black it's kinda hard to break the tradition." Suddenly realising that they weren't alone, she amended, "Uhm ...
that is ... I mean, I don't mean hundreds of years literally, but you get the feeling it has been so long. With the guy wearing the same colour all the time."
Her concerned gaze was on Mrs. Collier, but the dressmaker was only grinning at her and then said. "I know what you mean, my husband has a thing for green and sometimes you think
he hasn't changed at all over the years we know each other." The three women exchanged glances and grinned, the citizens of Sunnydale were as oblivious as ever. *****
Dr. Barabara Greene smiled at the young couple sitting in front of her. She knew Buffy Summers or Davenport for some years now and had already delivered her first
two children. She'd been happy then, but today in the company of her new life-partner she looked radiant and the way he looked at her ... she sighed
inwardly, she would give a year's salary to have a man look at her that way. "Alright then, Buffy," Dr. Greene smiled, "would you please remove your clothes
and ...," when she saw the ex-slayer smile, she laughed, "well, I believe you know the procedure. Just get ready for the ultrasound." She looked at Angel, "Mr.
uh ... I don't think I remember your name?" "It's Angel. Just call me Angel." She nodded, "Fine, Angel. I suppose you want to watch?"
"If it's okay," he said hesitantly. "Of course," she gave him a bright smile. "We encourage the expectant fathers to
participate as much as possible in the pregnancy. The times when fathers were merely watching from a distance are fortunately over." She motioned Angel to
follow her to the table where Buffy lay outstretched and now only wearing her bra and panties. "Okay then," she began, put gel on the ex-slayer's abdomen, and then
began to move the ultrasound-probe over Buffy's skin. Angel followed everything fascinated and with awe and his future wife seeing the
expression on his face fell in love with him deeper and harder than ever. How was it possible to feel so much happiness and not to burst?
With one finger on the screen Barbara Greene began to explain, "See here, that's the baby's head," she said with a smile and Angel's eyes widened. He could do
nothing but stare on the monitor where he saw the child, his' and Buffy's, it wasn't even eight weeks old and yet it was perfect.
"And here you can see the legs," she pointed at the screen again and Angel had to admit that he wouldn't have recognized one single thing without her help.
Ultrasound seemed to be a tricky business and his admiration for doctors grew. "At this early state of pregnancy it's not always possible to find a heartbeat,
but that's perfectly normal and ... oh ... oh," she stared at the screen for a moment, then turned to Buffy and Angel. The smile on her face was a bit
surprised, "Well, it seems you're going to have twins." "Twins?," ex-slayer and -vampire asked incredulously.
"Uh-huh?," she nodded on a laugh. "Definitely. Here see," she pointed at the second head that was now visible behind the first."
"Twins," Angel repeated and this time in awe. He reached out and took Buffy's hand. "Just imagine," he breathed.
"Oh, Angel," Buffy was on the edge of tears again. Inwardly she shook her head over herself. It had to be a side-effect of her pregnancy, she decided. Or maybe
it was the way the man she loved looked alternatively at her or the screen where Dr. Greene now tried to get a better look of the second baby.
"That one is shy," she smiled. "Doesn't want to show." With a shake she finished her session and handed Buffy some tissues to clean herself off. "This is
certainly a surprise but from the looks on your faces it's a pleasant one." "Yes, definitely," Buffy assured her. "Oh yes," Angel agreed. "It's a wonderful surprise."
"Good," Dr. Greene opened a drawer and pulled out some sheets to hand them to the expectant father, while Buffy was busy putting her clothes back on. "I know Buffy
is an old pro when it comes to pregnancies, but a twin-pregnancy is special and can cause problems." Hearing the expectant parents gasp, she hasted to continue,
"But not regularely. We're only taking more precautions. Twin pregnancies tend to end early. Most twins are delivered during the eigth month, mainly because there
isn't enough room for them anymore. But Buffy is young and healthy, there have been no problem with her first two children and I don't expect any now. I just
want you to read those informations so you know what could come your way." She gave them an encouraging smile. "But having twins doesn't mean you have to be especially careful," she went on,
"you can behave the same way you did during the last two times." She flipped through her timeplaner. "But we will monitor the pregnancy more closely
especially as the second twin was so reluctant to show himself today." "How often do I have to come," Buffy wanted to know.
"I'd like to see you every two weeks for a start and when everything is fine after the end of the 12th week we can stretch it to four weeks," the doctor
replied, then told her the date for the next appointment. The former slayer thought about it for a moment, "Okay, that's okay. Then the
appointment after that will be ... uh ... a week after our wedding. We'll be back then." Barbara Greene looked up, "When will the wedding take place?"
"Sunday in three weeks," Angel told her. "If you'd like to come we would be pleased." "Thank you," she nodded, "I'd like to do that. Including the twins it's the
fourth baby I'm involved with regarding Buffy. Will you go on a honeymoon?" "Yes," Buffy answered and smiled, "A week to Hawaii." She sighed happily and Dr. Greene had to chuckle.
"It is okay for her to fly?," the former vampire asked, suddenly concerned. "Sure," the doctor assured him. "No problem. But I will give you the adress of a
collegue of mine who lives on the main island. Just in case. Alright then, see you again in two weeks." * "I can't believe this," Angel held Buffy in the circle of his arms. They were
standing in the parking-space of the hospital and he was inhaling the scent of her shampoo. The smell sent pleasant shivers through his body. "Twins," his voice was full of awe.
"Isn't it wonderful. I can hardly wait to tell mom and our friends. And Ashlynn of course." She chuckled, "now she's going to insist that at least one of the babies has to be a girl."
"Probably," he agreed. One of his hands moved down and came to lay on her abdomen, "Hi you both. Mommy and daddy love you very much."
"Let's go home, Angel," she said and pulled back. "And then let's get the kids from mom. And then let's celebrate. I have suddenly a major craving for ice-cream."
He laughed when he opened the door for her. It felt great to be alive! Part 26 "I cannot believe this is really happening," Buffy sighed and snuggled deeper
into her husband's embrace. They were standing on the roof of the Hyperion hotel and looking down at the city lights shining in the darkness. "This day is almost unreal."
"Yeah," he whispered into her ear while they were swaying to the music that was sounding up the stairs. Their friends in the lobby of the hotel were dancing to
some soft tune, Willow had chosen. Ten minutes ago, Buffy and Angel had tiptoed away from the crowd to be alone together for a moment.
The day had been hectic at least. The day before the whole family and friends had gone to L.A., where besides the expected ones also Giles had waited for them.
Angel had arranged for him to join them as a special surprise for Buffy, knowing that she longed for him to lead her down the aisle.
Angel had stayed with Wesley for the night, following the old custom not to sleep under the same roof as your bride the night before the wedding and Buffy had missed him dearly.
In the morning Cordelia and Willow had stormed her room and kept her busy with make-up, hair, clothes while her mother was fussing around her and Ashlynn was
giggling most of the time. Buffy had released a breath of relief when the actual ceremony had finally started and Giles had come to her room to get her.
The rest of the wedding was more a blurr for her. All she could remember were Angel's face and his eyes looking at her with so much love in them when she
walked towards him. She remembered sniffing from all sides, but hadn't paid attention who was crying and who not, because she hadn't been able to tear her eyes away from her lover's face.
They'd spoken their vows and then his lips were on hers and they were running out of the church where their friends had been waiting. To Buffy's amazement Angel
seemed to have gained a lot of friends during his work in L.A. There was a police lady, she could remember from a short encounter years ago, lots of young people
who seemed close to Gunn and some rich software-producer who behaved quite oddly but who seemed to enjoy the company of the others.
Gunn, Cordelia, Willow and Xander had been riding back to the hotel with them for the reception and now they were alone for the first time that day.
When Angel chuckled slightly, she looked up to him, "What?," there was a smile on her face. "Just thinking," he lowered his head and softly kissed her mouth. "Not in may
wildest dreams I ever thought to see Spike in a church." "That's what weddings do to you. We met again on a wedding and now it ends with
one," Buffy said on a sigh. "It's turning full circle." "Yeah," he whispered, tightening his embrace. "Maybe it does. I met you in a dark
alley and you kicked my ass, now we're standing here looking down at the city lights. I was a vampire then and you a slayer, mortal enemies, and still we fell
in love. Now we're both human and going to have twins plus the two wonderful children you already have." "Oh Angel," she sniffed, "you're making me cry and all my make-up is going to be
ruined. Cordy's going to kill me, the party isn't even over yet. I still have to throw the bouquet and you need to get rid of my garter."
He laughed softly, "I was thinking about throwing it into Wesley's direction." She laughed too, "You think like giving him a hint. I wonder if he's even
realised the way Kathrina looks at him." "Probably not. Women aren't exactly his best territory."
"No. Certainly not," she agreed. "Do you remember when he lusted after Cordy and Xander was so jealous but pretended not to be." "No," he replied.
"Oh, right," she kissed his jaw, "you weren't actually around all the time then. It was when I got the aspect of the demon, the mind-reading-thing."
"I remember. You came to read mine too." She blushed slightly, "Yeah. Anyway. Xander couldn't think anything besides sex.
The hormonal overdriven teenager. Cordelia was flirting with Wesley and it drove him mad. Who would've thought that Xander would marry an ex-demon and have two kids."
"We all went a long way to get here, didn't we? But it's worth it, don't you think?" "Yeah, definitely worth it. I love you, Angel. Maybe everything, all the pain,
and the occasional happiness," she winced slightly at that word, but he didn't look as if he minded the unintended reference. "Maybe it was meant to happen this
way. Maybe we both needed that time to grow and realise how precious it is what we have." "I like your way of thinking," he smiled. "Destined to be together. Why not?
After all I read so much about destinies and prophecies I think everything is possible. But whatever made this possible, it's now up to us to make it work."
"We will," she said firmly. "This will work. I'm not going to let you go away again." "Neither will I. I love you Buffy. This is forever." "Yes, forever."
When the last tunes of the song faded their lips sealed the promise. Send feedback to Jill
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