disclaimer: what I own: Liam Angelus III. What Joss owns: everything else.
Author's Note: My series now has a name! It's going to be called "Trials and Tribulations" This story takes place six months after "Love's Labor." The entire series takes place five years into the future.
Author's Note 2: My muse for The Ring, My Way has gone on Labor Day vacation and will be back shortly. (I hope!)

Buffy groaned as her son woke up again. Angel, who was snoring lightly beside her, grumbled. She nudged him slightly.

"It's your turn, Love. I took care of him two hours ago."

"Why is he crying?"

"He's coliciky. And when he's like that, he cries a lot. Please, Angel, comfort your son. I start my hospital rotation tomorrow. I need to be well rested if I'm going to learn anything tomorrow." Angel got out of bed, put his robe over his semi-naked body and moved around the apartment they shared in Chicago. (A.N.-this is also going to be a crossover with ER. that's why I have them living in Chicago. For you ER fans-this takes place in an alternate reality where Doug never left and Mark and Elizabeth are engaged.) Liam was standing up in his crib, not crying, looking up at his daddy. The baby started to giggle and blow raspberries.

"You know mama needs her sleep. So why do you always have to cry? Please don't cry anymore."

Liam just smiled some more at him and grabbed onto the Claddagh ring hanging from a chain around the baby's neck. He began to gum on it and his thumb at the same time. Angel laughed. He couldn't imagine a life without Liam anymore. He was amazed at how much he loved Liam. How much he wanted Liam to stay a baby forever. Not grow up nad get married and have babies of his own.

Angel knew he had a good 25 years to prepare, but even then, he doubts he will be ready. Liam grabbed onto one of his dad's fingers and squeezed. HARD. Angel laughed again. and pried his finger out of his son's grip.

He was turning out to be more like his mother everyday. Liam began to cry again and Angel began to sing the first song that came into his head.

When the Visions around you
Brings tears to your eyes
And all that surround you
Are secrets and lies

I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when its gone
The one you should call
Was standing here all along.

(Chorus)
And I will take you in my arms
And I will hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you

I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will hurt anymore

(This I Promise You by N'Sync))

Buffy stood in the doorway of the nursery and listen to Angel sing. She had never heard anything so beautiful. She had never seen a sight that filled her with so much happiness as the sight before her. Angel was sitting in the rocker that faced the window, singing, as their son lay sleeping on his chest. She went back to the bedroom and allowed Angel these precious few moments with his son and namesake.

Go to the next story Day One

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