SUMMARY: "It's the future and Buffy and Angel are married(yea!) but demons of the past are threatening to tearthem apart." <-- Quoting Michelle, who issued the challenge.
RATING: pg? pg 13? I dunno! =)
DISTRIBUTION: Land of Denial, Isa, Crystal, Tarina, Denial Bliss, etc.
DISCLAIMER: I own naught. Just the kids. I even stole the vows off a site. =)
THANKS: Tarina, quick beta and loads of praise. Same goes to Sam.
DEDICATION: For Michelle, it was her challenge. Love ya girl! Challenge requirements will be at the end of part 4. (Which is not to say part 4 will come TODAY ...)
"Happy birthday to you ... happy birthday to you ... happy birthday dear Harrison, happy birthday to you!"
"Blow out your candles," Buffy prodded, looking at her son as she bounced her daughteron her hip.
Harrison took a deep breath and blew out all the candles in one try. The room erupted intoapplause, and he grinned broadly.
"Happy fourteen, baby," Buffy whispered, kissing him on the cheek. She passed Hanna offto Angel and began to slice ... rather, butcher, the cake.
The entire gang of twelve sat smushed on the living room floor of Buffy and Angel'shouse, spooning down chocolatey cake, homemade by Cordelia (who had finally gottenthe recipe right, after fourteen years of practice). In the case of the littlest ones, they werepressing their faces into the frosting and then licking their lips.
"Why is it," Cordelia questioned, "That we're all 34 and up and yet Harrison is the only child over three?"
"Because there are so many flavors of condoms," Anya responded matter-of-factly, tryingto get a bottle into her daughter's mouth.
Harrison blushed at Anya's comment. "Aunt An-ya," he protested, focusing his eyes onthe cake.
"What?" she asked, tactlessly oblivious.
"I think he would like you to keep your sex life private," Buffy informed her friend, wipingcake off Hanna's face with a napkin. "You're a mess, Hanna, you know that?"
"Wh'about me?" Hunter asked, toddling over to his mother on chubby legs, his face covered in vanilla frosting.
"You're definitely a mess," Buffy agreed. "Go see Daddy and get him to clean you up."
"Hey, when our son is born, will we have a birthday tradition, too?" Willow asked, holding Oz's hand as she surveyed the room.
"Of course, Wills. We always need an excuse for more cake." Xander shoveled another piece into his mouth.
Anya swatted him on the back. "Don't give Kellyn ideas!" She motioned to Kellyn, who was trying to stick an entire piece of cake in her mouth.
"No you don't," Xander scolded, taking the piece out of her tiny hands. "You just stick with the frosting and --"
The sound of the doorbell being leaned upon cut into Xander's reprimanding, as Buffy stood up, her hand on her protruding belly, to answer it.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Faith greeted her, throwing her arms around her in a hug. "I miss my Buffy!"
"You're drunk," Buffy responded good-naturedly.
"Yeah, but not drunk and driving - Spike brought me over!"
"In his blacked out car?" Buffy stuck her head out the door and spotted Spike, wrapped ina black blanket, running towards the door. "What are you two doing here?"
"We were invited!" Faith chortled, wobbling into the house. "Hey! Birthday Boy! Give Auntie Faith a kiss!"
Harrison stood up and ran to Faith, kissing her cheek. "Thanks for coming, Aunt Faith."
Buffy's eyes bulged. "YOU invited her, Harrison?"
Harrison nodded, an innocent look on his face. "I never got to see her when I was little,but she's better now and I want to know her."
"Y'see, Buffy ... it's all good, isn't it?"
Buffy frowned. While she had been becoming friends with Faith again, and while Angel already was, she wasn't sure she liked the idea of Harrison inviting her to the family party."Uh, yeah. Why don't you sit down?"
"An' me," a British voice muttered as a blanket flew across the room, hitting Hunter'shead.
"Watch it," Buffy snapped, then sighed. "What the hell ... get in ... you know better thanto snack on us, anyway."
"Damn straight, you're as slayer-feisty as ever." Spike slid onto the couch beside Faith,who was braiding her hair in front of her face.
"Cake?" Buffy questioned, as Angel went over to talk to the two, kissing Buffy's foreheadon the way.
"Yeah ... cake is GOOD!" Faith announced, giggling. "Do you have a screwdriver?"
"We have!" Hunter shrieked, running over to Doyle. "Unc'Doyle, iss downstairs!"
Doyle chuckled as Cordelia snorted with disgust. "You see what you did, Faith?" Sheturned to Hunter. "Auntie Faith doesn't want a tool, she wants a drink."
"Oh. Milk!" Hunter ran into the kitchen, returning with a sippy-cup filled with milk and presenting it to Faith.
Faith took it with a smile, pulling one knee up to her chest as she struggled to remove thetop. "Thanks, Hunt."
"Give me that," Buffy demanded, taking the cup from her and in turn giving her cake. Shehanded the cup back to Hunter. "This is for you, not Faith."
"Aw Jesus Buffy, he was being nice!" She cut into her cake, choking it down with a fit of coughs as Spike shook his head.
"You're more piss-assed drunk then I get," he muttered, taking the cake from her andscooping a glob of frosting up with his finger. Licking it clean, he smacked his lipstogether. "Vanilla. Delicious."
"Hey ... Spikey, we gotta sing to the birthday boy!" Faith grinned widely, standing up."Harrison, dance with me." She grabbed him by his hands and began spinning him around,singing off-key. "Happy birthday to you ... hap-py birthday t'you! Happy BIRTHDAYdear Haaaaarison! Happy birthday to youuuu!" No sooner had she finished the song thenshe stopped dancing, collapsing onto the floor dizzily. "Oooh ... you're all spinny," sheinformed Anya.
"No, you're just crazy," Anya snapped back, pulling her one-year-old into her lap andkissing her cheek. "That's a sweetie, Kel-Kel."
Buffy was about to say something when there was a sharp knock on the door. She shuther mouth quickly and glanced around. "Everyone's here, right?"
"Wh'about Giles?" Faith questioned, her eyes closed as she leaned against the side of the couch.
"He's in England," Buffy responded quickly, walking hastily to the door. She pulled itopen. "Can I help ..."
Angel heard Buffy trail off in shock, and hurried to the door to see who was there.
Riley Finn and Lindsey McDonald.
Buffy visibly blanched. "R-Riley ... what are you ... what are you doing here?"
"Lindsey," Angel murmured quietly.
"I'm here for my son," Riley told her, stepping into the house, Lindsey following him.
"W-What?" Buffy gasped, storming after Riley. "What son?"
"That one." Riley jabbed a finger in the direction of Harrison, and Lindsey nodded,scrawling something down in a notebook.
Angel had to clench his hands at his sides to keep from knocking out Riley. "He's not yourson," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "He's ours."
Riley opened his mouth, then paused, as if just noticing everyone in the room. "HelloXander, Willow."
"Hi Ri --" Willow stopped off the looks of her friends, putting on her resolve face. "Whatdo you think you're doing? Claiming Harrison is your son?"
"He is, Willow," Riley whispered, his voice overcome with emotion. "His age ... his looks... look at him." He motioned to Harrison's blond hair, and Harrison backed up into hismother's arms.
"Harrison, go upstairs," Buffy demanded of her son, not moving her eyes from Riley.
"But --"
"Go," she ordered, the tone of her voice leaving no room for argument. Harrison slippedout of the room and up the stairs. Xander stood up, picking up both Kellyn and Hanna,and ushered everyone upstairs until only Buffy, Angel, Riley, and Lindsey were left in theroom.
"Well, now that we have the room to ourselves ..." Lindsey murmured, trailing off. "Whydon't we sit down and talk about this."
"I don't want to talk about this," Buffy hissed. "I want you out of my house."
Lindsey held up his hands as though in surrender. "We're not here to fight. My client justwants rights to what is his."
"Harrison is not a car or a house or any other kind of object. He is my son. Mine andAngel's."
"I'm sorry, Buffy, but he's not," Riley said, his voice now barren.
Buffy was ready to pounce on her ex, and Angel had to hold her back. "Shh, Sweetie," he whispered in her ear, kissing her neck gently. "It'll be okay. Let's sit down and get thisover with."
Buffy nodded, allowing Angel to lead her to the table. She turned and looked up at him,her voice hoarse as she said, "But he's ours, Angel."
Angel stroked her hair gently, pulling her close to him. "I know, Baby, I know. We'regoing to get this all straightened out." He looked up at Lindsey and Riley. "Sit down," hebarked.
Lindsey sat down across from the couple, putting his briefcase on the table, and Riley satin the chair next to him.
"What is this all about?" Angel asked, rubbing Buffy's hand soothingly with his own.
"My client," Lindsey began, motioning to Riley, "Has become aware of the fact that youare raising his son as your own without the legal documentation to do so. He wants to bea part of his son's life, and you aren't allowing him that."
"He's not your son," Buffy snapped in a fit of rage, before anyone could stop her. "He ismine, and Angel's. I never had your child, Riley, and so help me God I never will."
"Ms. Summers, please," Lindsey asked, his voice a little too calm. "I realize you are pregnant and your hormones cause attitude problems, but you simply can not act thatway."
"I'm not acting any way," Buffy snapped. "He's not yours, Riley, now leave."
Angel moved his hands up and down her arms in a calming motion, whispering inaudibly in her ear.
"My client --"
"Shut up about your client and say his damn name!" Buffy screamed, glaring at them both. Her breath was jagged and tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks.
Lindsey turned to Angel. "Mr ... Angel, Angel, if I could just ask you a few questions ... if you would rather have a lawyer present, I underst --"
"My friend is a lawyer," Angel cut in. He turned towards the staircase and yelled, "Willow!"
Willow was down in a heartbeat, running as best she could being six-months pregnant.Lindsey's eyebrows went up at the sight of her, and he glanced at Riley.
"You can go ahead," Angel informed him flatly.
"You two are married?" Lindsey asked, looking from Buffy to Angel. When Angel noddedshortly, he continued. "How long have you been married for?"
"Fifteen years," Buffy responded without hesitation, smiling bitterly when Angel squeezed her hand.
"And you are ... 35? So you would have been 20 when you got married." Lindseyscrawled this down. "And how old is Harrison?"
"Fourteen," Buffy whispered, not meeting his stare.
"So you birthed him when you were 21, after nine months of pregnancy, right?"
"Eight months," Buffy shot back, and Lindsey continued.
"That means that you became impregnated when you were 20?" Buffy nodded again, eyes downcast, and Lindsey finished. "My client ... Mr. Finn ... has told me that at the age of20, you two were still involved in an intimate relationship."
"You want to know what happened?" Buffy hissed. "You really want to know? We were together until April. I found out Angel was going to be granted humanity, we weremarried in May. Harrison was born the following January."
"Interesting ... so in other words, it is possible you became pregnant by Mr. Finn in April and gave birth nine months later?"
"No. No, it's not possible ... not possible it all," Buffy whispered, a forlorn look in hereyes.
~~~~~
June 24, 2001
"Eeks!" Willow shrieked gleefully, throwing her arms around Buffy. "You're so beautiful.I can't believe you're really getting married!"
"I know, I know!" Buffy moaned, tugging on her veil. "How do I look?"
"You're amazing," Willow cried, straightening her lavender dress. "I can't believe it ...you and Angel ..."
Buffy and Willow stood in the mirror together, looking at themselves together. Willowwas the only bridesmaid, Xander the best man, and Giles was to give her away. She hadwanted a small wedding, so other friends were invited, they were the only ones involved inthe wedding party. Buffy closed her eyes, keeping a tear under her lashes. "Thank you,Will."
Willow raised her eyebrows in surprise. "For what?"
"For being here," Buffy gushed out, sobbing into a tissue. She took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. "Okay. I'm ready. Let's do it."
Because there was no flower girl, no petals coated the aisle. But in her hands, Buffy held a beautiful bouquet of pink roses, which had become the symbol of her and Angel'sromance.
As she walked down the aisle with Giles on her arm, her friends faded away from her andall she saw was Angel, looking at her with the utmost love in his eyes.
"We are gathered here today," the minister began, "To celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishesto the words that shall unite Buffy and Angel in marriage."
He paused, looking from Buffy to Angel. "Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold theirpeace."
He turned to Giles, looking at him gently. "Who is it that brings this man to this woman?"
Giles choked up a little as he murmured, "I do." With a final smile at Buffy, he took a seat in the front row next to Anya, and Angel took Buffy's hand, looking at her lovingly.
"Buffy and Angel, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learntogether," he told them, his voice soft. "Love is given to us by our family or by ourfriends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of thegreatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of married life."
The minister turned to Angel, addressing him. "Do you, Angel, take Buffy to be your Wife?"
"I do," Angel responded without hesitation, looking at his love.
"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"
"I do," Angel whispered, giving Buffy a small, secretive smile.
The minister then turned to Buffy. "Do you, Buffy, take Angel to be your Husband?"
"Yes," Buffy murmured, tears evident in her voice. "I do."
"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only onto him?"
Buffy's lips curved upwards when he said "protect", and she looked into Angel's deep chocolatey eyes as she responded. "I do."
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this women inmarriage," he informed the guests before turning to Buffy and Angel again.
Angel took the slim gold band he was holding and slipped it onto her ring finger, followed by the engagement ring as he spoke. "I, Angel, take thee, Buffy to be my Wife - to haveand to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise to love youforevermore."
As Buffy slid the larger golden ring onto Angel's hand, she could barely speak over theemotion in her voice. "I, Buffy, take thee, Angel to by my Husband - to have and to hold,in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise to love you," she paused,a sob escaping, and then finished, "Forevermore."
The minister then faced both of them, gently touching their clasped hands. "Buffy andAngel, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, havepromised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the givingof these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife. Whom God hath joinedtogether, let no one put asunder. Congratulations, you may kiss the bride."
Beaming at his love, Angel lifted her veil gently and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. She moaned quietly, standing on tip-toes to get closer, loving the feeling of his warm lipson hers. When they broke apart, the small group of guests cheered, and even the ministerbroke into a smile.
"I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Summers."
As Buffy and Angel moved to greet their friends, they were inseparable and beaming.
"Oh, Buffy," Willow whispered. "I'm so happy for you ..."
"I know, and thank you, Willow," Buffy choked out. She hugged her friend tightly.
"Congratulations, man," Xander greeted Angel with a handshake, no sign of roughness inhis voice. "I hope you two are happy. And if you hurt her --"
"I'll kill myself," Angel finished with a smile, squeezing Buffy's hand tightly.
"Good. Just checking." Xander grinned, pushing Anya towards the couple and mutteringto her, "Say something nice."
Anya smiled at the couple sincerely. "Congratulations. Be nice, Angel, or I'm going towork some magick on you, just as soon as I get my powers back."
Angel chuckled. "I hear you."
There was no formal reception, just a nice dinner at Willow's that she and Anya hadcooked the previous night. The newlyweds mingled and chatted with their small group offriends, but not once did their eyes stray from each other, and not once did they let go ofeach other's hands.
Eventually, night fell, and the gang began gathering their things to leave Willow's house.As each friend left, Buffy presented them with a single pink rose from the bouquet she hadchosen not to toss. ("I hate that stupid tradition," she had informed them grumpily.)
In a mere few minutes, Buffy, Angel, and Willow were the only ones left in the house. "Thank you, Will," Buffy murmured, leaning over and hugging her friend tightly.
Willow gave her a broad smile. "It was my honor," she vowed, kissing her friend's cheek."Have a good night, okay?"
Buffy raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "I'm sure we will."
Willow blushed furiously. "Oh, Buffy, I didn't mean like that, I just meant --"
"I know what you mean," Buffy promised, hugging her friend again. "I'll call youtomorrow afternoon?"
"Please," Willow nodded. She wrapped her arms around Angel in a friendly hug,congratulating him again. "Have fun. Or, um, you know what I mean ..."
"I know." He returned her hug, and then took Buffy's hand again. "Thank you again, Willow."
The couple had decided not to go on a honeymoon, instead spending the night at Angel'sold Sunnydale apartment, where they had made love for the first time.
It was nearby to Willow's house, and they arrived quickly. Angel unlocked the door and pushed it open, then picked up Buffy and carried her over the threshold, setting her downon the bed. "I cleaned it up a bit," he told her, stating the obvious. "It hadn't really beentouched in years."
Buffy ran her hand over the black silk sheets, looking up at Angel radiantly. "I like it."
He knelt in front of her, kissing her cheek gently. "I hoped you would."
Buffy leaned forward, kissing him gently. "I missed you, for so long ..."
"I missed you," Angel echoed, his voice choking with emotion. "With everything in me."He ran his hands through her blond hair gently. "I love you so much ..."
"I love you," Buffy sobbed, falling forward into his arms.
"Don't cry, my love," Angel endeared pleadingly. "Think of the now." He lifted her upand gently laid her back on the bed, settling himself next to her and pressing his mouthonto hers lovingly. As the intensity of their kisses grew, so did their need for one anotherand soon their were laying skin-to-skin under the sheets.
"Angel ..." Buffy murmured. "There's a chance ... there's a chance ..."
"A chance what?" Angel prodded, running his hands over her shoulderblades.
"There's a chance I could get pregnant if we make love now," she rushed out.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked seriously, looking into her hazel eyes.
"No," she shook her head. "Never stop."
And he didn't. He didn't care if she got pregnant, as long as she didn't mind. And he would be damned all over again if he didn't make love to his wife on their wedding night.
*
"Ms. Summers."
Lindsey McDonald's harsh voice snapped her back into reality.
"Y-Yes?"
"I asked how it was that you were certain he was not Mr. Finn's. You must admit, he looks a great deal like him."
"He doesn't look a thing like Riley."
"He's blond, Buffy," Riley cut in. "And you don't fake it well enough for me to believeyou're a natural blond."
"I'm not," Buffy snapped back, glaring at him. "My mother is, and so is everyone on herside of the family."
"He has my face," Riley continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling out an old pictureof Harrison.
Buffy's eyes widened in horror. "You've been stalking him?" she choked.
Riley shook his head. "No. For several years, we were still friends, remember, Buffy? You sent me pictures."
"I didn't know how much of a jerk you were at the time," Buffy snapped harshly.
"Buffy, I have been thinking about it a lot. I was going back over the old letters you sentme when I was cleaning out my attic, and I realized that it all adds up. The nine months,the blond hair, the face ... he's mine, Buffy, and I've come to claim him."
"Blond hair does not make him yours, Riley," Buffy said, choosing her words carefully. "He was conceived on my wedding night. He is mine and Angel's."
"Ms. Summers, I would be much obliged if we could settle this out of court," Lindsey said tightly.
"And I would be much obliged if you would get out of my house," Buffy snarled in return.
Lindsey stood up. "Why don't we set up a date for a more formal meeting, with Harrison present." He looked down at her bulging stomach. "When are you due?"
"March," she snapped at him, "Now get out."
Lindsey took out a business card and a pen and scribbled something down, then handedthe card to Buffy. "How about the Espresso Pump, January 19th?"
"I have other plans."
"Like what?"
"That's not your business, but for your information, it's my birthday, and Angel and I are going out."
Riley coughed. "I'll bet you are."
Buffy glared at him menacingly, then snatched the pen from Lindsey, crossed out the information, and replaced it with her own before handing it back. "We'll see you atWillow's office on the 21st. Now get out of my house before I call the police."
Lindsey nodded, motioning to Riley. "Thank you, ma'am."
Buffy waited until they had left the house before collapsing onto Angel's lap in a fit ofsobs. "He's not his, Angel, he's not his and I don't know how to prove it."
Angel opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment everyone rushed down the stairs, all speaking at once.
Harrison looked at his mother questioningly, and she shook her head sadly. "I don't know,Harrison."
"Am I ... am I his?"
"No," Buffy responded vehemently. "You are mine and Angel's. Not Riley's."
"Who is Riley?"
"An old boyfriend." Buffy bit her lips, scooping up her three year old in her arms. "Heythere, Hunter. You want to stay at Aunt Cordelia's for a little while?" she asked, glancingat Cordelia, who nodded.
"Yeah!" Hunter shrieked, delighted.
"Are we all going?" Harrison asked, and Buffy nodded.
"Willow, Angel, and I need some time to figure out what to do about this, and I think itwould be best if you three aren't here in case Riley and Lindsey show up again."
Harrison nodded sharply, looking at the ground. "Okay."
"Go upstairs and get your bag," she asked him, and Doyle took Hunter and Hanna up toget clothes for them.
"Man," Faith murmured, still a little tipsy, "That's one fucked up mess you got there!"
Buffy eyed Faith wearily. "Thank you, Faith, because you know I couldn't see that formyself."
"Anytime, B," Faith slurred, falling back into Spike's arms.
Buffy sighed. "Why don't you guys just ... go ... and we'll call you, tomorrow ..."
"Want me to stay?" Willow asked quietly.
Buffy shook her head. "No, thanks. Can you just come by tomorrow morning? I think I need a little time with Angel now."
Willow nodded understandingly, catching Hanna as she tried to totter down the stairs. Shekissed Buffy's cheek, and whispered, "It's all going to be okay, Buffy. I just know it."
"I wish I could believe you," Buffy whispered tearfully. She kissed her three children, andthen collapsed back into Angel's arms again, watching the fleet of people somberly walkout of her house.
Buffy didn't even have to say anything for Angel to know how scared and upset she was.He took her hand and gently led her towards the stairs, then stopped and picked her up,holding her close to him and whispering terms of endearment in her ear.
The house was quiet in a way it hadn't been in fourteen years - no friends talking, no baby screaming, no one asking for ice cream or juice. Just the two of them, alone, and the tearsthat were now swimming in two sets of eyes.
"I'm scared," Buffy admitted hoarsely when Angel set her down on the bed, curling upinto a cramped fetal position.
Angel knelt in front of the fire place and struck a match, dropping it onto the ready-lightlog inside, then joining Buffy on the bed. He uncurled her and lay her on her back,massaging her spinal cord with both of his large hands.
She sighed, trying to relax, taking deep breaths, but nothing worked. Angel slowlyunzipped her top to have better access to the skin and bones beneath, sliding it off herarms. She felt weak and useless, more than she ever had before. What if they took herbaby away? The thought was too much to bear, and she began heaving with sobs.
Angel immediately stopped his ministrations and gently lay on top of her so his chest was pressing into her back and his face was right next to hers. "It's going to be fine," hevowed, stroking her hair gently. "Just fine."
Buffy moved so she was next to him, her hand on her enlarged stomach. "Angel, what ifthey take him away? What if they say I'm a bad mother and take them all away?"
Angel reached down and placed his hand on top of hers on her stomach. "That could never happen. It would be crazy."
"We live in a crazy world," she murmured hoarsely.
"Not that crazy." He tilted her chin up and looked directly into her eyes. "I promise you,Buffy, I PROMISE you that this will clear up and we'll have our three - four beautifulchildren with us. We'll go to the Caribbean right after the new one is born and have awonderful time, okay?"
"O-Okay," Buffy agreed softly, closing her eyes and curling herself closer to Angel. "Ilove you more than anything ... promise me you'll never leave me."
"I promise," Angel swore, and Buffy knew he wasn't lying.
*****
Buffy was more composed when the meeting time rolled around - she had just celebratedher 35th birthday, her sonogram had told her she was having a little girl, and Willow andAngel were being calm and collected about the whole matter. So when she showed up atWillow's office in brand new maternity clothes, Angel and Harrison by her side, she feltmuch better than at the previous, unexpected meeting.
Lindsey and Riley showed up a few minutes later, sitting across from the four others.
"I know this is not very professional, not at all how these things are usually done,"Lindsey started off by saying, "But my client has expressed a great interest to settle thingsout of court, as I said before. I hope you will be willing to cooperate."
"Yes," Buffy gritted out. "I think that's a great idea."
Lindsey smiled wickedly. "Great. Let's proceed then. Mr. Finn?"
Riley slowly moved his eyes across the four people sitting across from him. "As I've said," he began in a composed manner, completely unlike the Riley that Buffy remembered, "Ihave plenty of reason to believe that Harrison belongs to me. But --"
"Why come forward with this now?" Buffy asked sharply.
"I told you, it only occurred to me when I was cleaning out the attic and looking at whatyou had written before. Buffy, we made love in April, and nine months --"
Buffy cut in on him again. "We had sex," she corrected shortly. "Protected."
"Protection isn't always enough," he told her, his voice sad, and she snickered.
"In this case it was. It doesn't make SENSE, Riley!" Buffy told him, her voice pleading."I'm sorry things went down so horribly, but it doesn't make SENSE!"
"Ms. Summers, may I ask you a personal question?" Lindsey looked directly at her.
"I don't suppose that 'no' is an applicable answer, so shoot."
Lindsey smiled grimly. "Did you menstruate at any time between when you last had intercourse with Mr. Finn and when your first son was born?"
Buffy blushed hotly, but forced herself to answer the question at Willow's nod. "No, I didn't."
"So therefore, it is quite possible that this is a result of impregnation by Mr. Finn."
"It's a result of it not being the right time," Buffy corrected shortly. She sighed. "I don'tknow what you're trying to get me to confess to, but it's not going to happen." Shesucked in a breath. "I know, without a doubt in my heart, that Harrison is Angel's son.Only Angel's son. Just look at his eyes." She looked from Harrison to Angel, her eyes,though shining with tears, also sparkling with love for her family.
"If hair is not a basis to believe that he is Mr. Finn's son, why should eyes be basis to say he's not?"
"You don't know me anymore. You don't know anything about me, or about my life,Riley. Either of you. Life screwed you over, Riley, I'm sorry for that. That happens everynow and then. You didn't get married, didn't have kids, and that's too bad, but I WON'Tbe put in the middle of your mid-life crisis."
Willow took over then. "If you don't mind, Mr. McDonald, I would like to ask somequestions now myself."
Lindsey nodded curtly. "Proceed."
Willow turned to Harrison, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Harrison, do you believe that Angel is your true father?"
Harrison's voice was soft and scared as he spoke. "Yes."
"Have you ever been given any reason to believe otherwise?"
Harrison shook his head. "No."
"If it turned out he wasn't, would you still consider him your father?"
Harrison looked from Buffy to Angel almost fearfully. "Yes."
Willow turned back to Lindsey and Riley. "The child hath spoken," she proclaimedover-dramatically. "I don't care if your petty crap is what you really believe or not, butregardless, you have to look at the child's best interest. Angel is the man that Harrisonknows as 'Daddy', he is the man that has raised him and been there for him. If he matteredthat much to you, you should have been there. He's not yours, Riley, and even if he was,Angel is the one who has always been there for him. The one who taught him to ride abike, who took him camping in the rain, who taught him how to say 'I love you' in Gaelic.Angel is the one who held Buffy's hand when she gave birth, Angel is the one who makeslove to her at night. Angel is the one who is always there - and who always has been. AndAngel is not selfish. You've never been there, Riley, and so help me God you never willbe."
"Was that a threat against my client?" Lindsey asked coolly.
"That was a promise," Willow negated firmly, a wicked smiled crossing her face. She stood up, one hand on her belly, the other on her chair, and turned to her friends. "C'mon,let's go. I'll treat you to lunch."
Buffy didn't look at Riley and Lindsey as she stood tall, following the rest of her familyout.
Lindsey watched with rage in his eyes. "This isn't over, Ms. Summers. I promise youthat."
Buffy didn't turn back.
*****
"So ... what's good here?" Buffy asked quickly, barely looking at her menu.
Willow frowned. "Buffy, this is your favorite restaurant."
"Oh. Yeah, you're right. What's good here?"
"Uh, the salmon ... the salmon is good."
Buffy nodded, then turned to the waiter. "I'll have the chicken."
"Baked or fried, ma'am?"
"Just chicken!" Buffy cried in frustration.
The waiter nodded quickly, writing down her request. "What about a drink? Would youlike a bottle of chilled wine?" he asked the group.
"Are you trying to kill my baby?" Buffy asked, her voice rising. "Is that what you want?Do you want my children, too? You can't have her! You can't HAVE her!"
The waiter backed away from the table as Angel touched her arm gently, trying to calm her down. "He was just asking," he assured her softly, then turned to the waiter. "Justwaters, please."
The waiter nodded, not taking the menu from Buffy as he hurried off.
"He didn't take my menu," she muttered, frowning. "I wonder why not?"
Willow, Harrison, and Angel didn't respond.
"So," Willow began, trying to make small talk, "Have you chosen a name for the baby?" She glanced over at Harrison, who, though normally outgoing and cheerful, was sittingquiet and reserved.
"I liked Hope," Buffy whispered quietly. "But now I don't know."
Willow felt her heart break. Damn Riley for doing this to her and her family. "I like Hope," she seconded quietly, smiling. "It follows the 'H' tradition."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed softly. "I guess so."
Harrison looked at Willow questioningly. "What about you, Aunt Willow?" His voicecould barely be heard. "What do you think?"
Willow broke into a wide grin at the question, despite all the tension. "Oz and I werethinking of Adrian or David."
"Those are nice," Buffy agreed conversationally. She smiled as the waiter set down thefood. "Thanks."
"Quite welcome," he told her nervously.
She looked at her plate of chicken and frowned. "Didn't I order salmon?"
*
"I'd like to move," Buffy announced suddenly in the beginning of February, lighting upseveral friendship candles Willow had given her. She peered closely at one, murmuring toherself, "I wonder if the charms inside burn up?"
"Move?" Angel asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her, restinghis hands on her belly. "To where?"
She shrugged. "I don't know ... somewhere else. Somewhere different ... what aboutMaine? It's cold there. Or ... or Italy. Italy is different, they speak Italian."
Angel was very familiar with what she was doing, he had done it himself. "You can't run, Buffy, the problems'll still be there."
Buffy didn't answer. "When are we seeing them again? I thought you said we'd have this all cleared up by now."
"I thought we would. Maybe we should just go to court with it. Lindsey is tricky in court,but Willow knows a thing or two herself ..."
"No," Buffy answered without hesitation, pinching out a match. "I don't want our kidsdragged through that. I was Harrison's age when my parents divorced, and I would neverwant our kids to deal with a mess like that."
Angel nodded, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Whatever you want, baby, it's allup to you."
Buffy pulled out of his arms and eased herself onto the couch, picking up Hanna's teddybear and hugging it tightly to her chest. "I never thought things could spin out of controllike this," she confessed softly. "I've lived here a long time, and I've seen a lot of crazythings happen ... but this ... this isn't supernatural. I don't know how to handlenon-supernatural demons."
"Just be yourself," he told her gently, taking the bear from her and kneeling in front of her,resting his head against her stomach. "If I still had my vampire hearing, I could hear herlittle heart beat."
Buffy felt herself choke up as she nodded. "I bet you could."
"Mommy?" asked a small voice, and Buffy looked up to see her blue-eyed 3-year-old watching her intently.
Buffy motioned to her son, who promptly climbed up on the couch and hugged hismother. "I miss you, Hunter," she whispered to him, kissing his hair. "Mommy never getsto see you anymore."
"I miss you," Hunter echoed in a childish voice. "I miss you!"
Buffy didn't know weather to laugh or cry as she hugged the young child to her side.
Angel stood up, opening his arms to Hunter, who jumped into them. As Angel twirled himaround, he spoke to Buffy. "Why don't I take them to the mall and give you a break?"
Buffy sighed in relief. "Could you? I'm so tired ..."
Angel set Hunter on the floor. "Go put on your shoes, and tell Harrison to get Hanna.We're going to give Mommy a break."
"Mall!" Hunter squealed delightedly, stumbling up the stairs as fast as he could.
Buffy moved to get off the couch, which was a struggled being eight months pregnant.Angel reached his hands out to her and pulled her up, hugging her briefly. "Go upstairsand rest, you need it."
Buffy nodded tiredly, rubbing her hands over her stomach. "I think she'll be here any daynow. The other three were all early ..." She gave him a quick peck. "What do you think ofHillary?"
Angel gave her a more lingering kiss before answering. "I still like the idea of Hope."
"Maybe when this all blows over, I'll actually have some," Buffy responded, a note ofbitterness in her voice.
Angel didn't acknowledge that as he motioned to the stairs. "Go rest, Sweetie ... you needit."
*
The sun had set by the time Faith and Spike arrived at the house.
"He's going to be asleep, pet," Spike muttered as Faith picked the lock. "And his lawyer won't be there."
"Shut up, Spike," Faith demanded, pushing the door open. "I know what I'm doing." Shemotioned triumphantly to Lindsey and Riley sitting at the kitchen table. "C'mon in,Spike."
Spike grinned, his cheekbones poking out, and followed Faith into the house.
Lindsey stood up quickly. "What are you two doing in here? Get out."
Faith walked over to where the two man sat and straddled a chair facing Lindsey. "No,"she said flatly.
"The police won't --"
"Be happy?" Faith finished, giggling madly. "Do you think I care? What are they gonnado?"
"Plenty," Riley cut in, snarling.
"They couldn't handle us ... neither can you."
"I was a vampire hunter," Riley informed her, growling. He looked to Spike, "Isn't that right, Hostile 17?"
"And a bloody awful one at that," Spike nodded.
"I'll have you know --"
"Faith here's taken out more than you and your whole team combined." He grabbed Rileyaround the neck and pressed his head down against the table. "By the way ... that bloodychip's been gone for awhile."
Lindsey glared at Spike but made no move to help his client. "The firm I work for is very... adapt ... to demon problems like this."
"Yeah?" Faith's lips curved into a smile. "What about Slayers?"
"Well, uh, I've --"
"Never faced one, have you? I'm a Slayer. Buffy's a Slayer. You don't stand a chance."
"I --"
"Shut UP!" Faith demanded, grabbing Lindsey by his shirt and shoving him against the wall. Breathing down his neck, she informed him hotly, "You're full of bullshit, and so isyour 'client'. If you so much as come NEAR my friends again, I will beat you to a pulp. Are we clear?"
Lindsey grabbed Faith's hands and pushed her away. "No, we're not clear."
Faith hooked him across the jaw, leaving him clutching at it painfully. "Didn't I just warnyou about Slayers?" She glanced backwards at Riley and Spike. Riley was miserably tryingto get out from Spike's hold, and failing.
"I could kill you in two seconds," she told Lindsey, "But I won't. Because I've changed."
Lindsey laughed a little too loudly, looking at her.
She punched him in the stomach. "That doesn't mean I won't beat the crap out of you."
"Ohhhh," Lindsey moaned, doubling over, and Faith smiled sweetly, innocently.
"You - can't - get away - with this," Riley choked out. "When we - take - it to court, - they'll - charge - you and - your friends. - We'll - win."
"Hmmm," Faith murmured thoughtfully. "That's a good point." She looked at Spike. "Guess you're going to have to kill them, Babe."
Spike bared his fangs. "My pleasure," he growled, leaning towards Riley's neck.
The door flew open. "Riley, Honey? I'm home!"
Faith quickly drew a finger across her throat, execution-style, signaling to Spike to get away from Riley, which he did quickly, switching back into human visage.
Riley staggered to his feet. "Kate ... you're not supposed to be home for another three weeks. Wasn't it a three-month deal?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?" Kate pouted, and Faith noticed how ... normal she looked. Tall, blond, nicely dressed.
"Of course I am," Riley told her, hugging her quickly.
"You don't seem it -- who are these people?"
"Well, uh, I was hoping to have this settled before you returned ..." Riley motioned toLindsey. "This is Lindsey McDonald. My lawyer."
"Lawyer? What?" Kate cried, dropping her bag on the floor. "Why?"
"I want to claim what's mine. My son."
"Honey, your hubby is a crock of shit," Faith informed Kate, and she glared at her.
"Son ... Riley, what are you talking about? Who told you?"
"I figured it out on my own," Riley said, his voice full of pride.
"But I'm only a few months along --"
Riley's eyes bulged. "You're PREGNANT?"
Kate bit her lip. "You don't have to yell ... isn't that what you were talking about?"
"No. My ex-girlfriend and her husband have been raising MY son for the past fourteenyears."
Rage filled Kate's eyes. "What ex-girlfriend? What are you talking about? Aren't you evenhappy?"
Riley embraced her tightly. "Of course I am, Baby, I can't wait."
Kate pulled away from him angrily. "Too little, too late, Riley." She stormed up the stairs, slamming the bedroom door behind her.
Riley glared at Spike and Faith. "See what you did now?"
Faith snorted. "US? You're the one who forgot to tell your WIFE."
"I didn't want to burden her while she was taking her course in Japan!" Riley snapped back, groaning. He turned towards the stairs, but Faith stopped him, slamming him againstthe wall and raking her sharp nails across his throat threateningly.
"We'll see you on the twentieth. Our place. Ninety-six Light Path. Noon. Got it? Bring your wife."
"I --"
Faith pressed a nail down until a trickle of blood appeared. "Got it?"
Riley nodded as best he could. Faith dropped her hand and raced up the stairs. She turned to Lindsey, smiling sweetly. "Make sure you're there."
Lindsey opened his mouth to answer, but Faith took the opportunity to sock him in thestomach again, successfully knocking the wind out of him. She grabbed Spike's hand,pulling him towards the door. "C'mon. I could use some hot, passionate sex."
Spike grinned wickedly. "You're on, pet."
---
"Do you think we'll ever be a real family again?" Buffy asked Angel softly, picking at herfood.
Angel watched her lack of eating, frowning. She hadn't eaten much at all lately, and withthe baby, she really needed to. Scooping up some carrot pieces on a fork, he fed them toher as though she was a young child. "I know we will. Without a doubt."
Buffy took the fork from Angel and stabbed a broccoli stalk, chewing it slowly. "What do you think of Voldina?"
Angel was thoughtful as he poured a glass of apple juice for his lover. "It's different. Whatdoes it mean?"
" 'Lost a child'," Buffy informed him, and then burst into tears, running out of the room,Angel following her.
*****
"I don't want to go," Buffy moaned, struggling to buckle Hanna into the stroller.
"C'mon, Buff, be a player," Faith prodded. "We're going to get their sorry asses."
"But Angel's not back yet," Buffy protested, growling at the stroller belt.
Faith knelt down beside Buffy and easily closed the belt around Hanna's waist. "He'smeeting us there, okay?"
Buffy sighed. "Faith, I am extremely pregnant and due in three weeks. I'm tired, I'mhormonal, I have three children - two under the age of four - to deal with already, and myex-boyfriend is a lunatic who wants my kid. I'm not in a good mood and I don't want todeal with this!"
Faith dangled her car keys in front of Buffy's face. "C'mon, I'm driving. Spike's waiting.You don't want him to snack on Riley, now do you? Wait, maybe you do." She shook herhead. "Whatever. Come ON!"
"We're DRIVING?" Buffy cried in frustration, yanking Hanna right through the seatbeltand out of the stroller.
"Whoa, calm down," Faith requested, taking Hanna from Buffy. "We're going to get thisall settled today. His wife's going to be there."
"He's MARRIED? When did you find all this out?!"
"Oh ... a few weeks ago."
"How?" Buffy demanded.
"Let's just say ... I know things like this."
"Great," Buffy muttered, shaking her head. "You probably threatened them and nowthey're going to sue us."
Faith's lack of response didn't comfort Buffy at all.
*****
Buffy bounced Hanna on her lap nervously, waiting for Angel to arrive. Hunter was sittingbetween Harrison and Willow on the couch, and the latter was sipping an ice-coldlemonade, arguing with Spike about how many weeks she had till she was due.
"So," Buffy began conversationally, looking from Riley to Lindsey, "I heard you'remarried."
"That's right," Riley responded curtly.
"Congratulations," Buffy gritted out. "How long?"
"Four years."
"How did you two meet?"
"Why do you care?" Riley snarled back.
Buffy was taken aback. "I was trying to make small talk, I'm SORRY."
"My friend is a cop like her. He set us up on a blind date five years ago."
Buffy nodded numbly. "How nice." She took a deep breath, then let it out. "Any kids?"
Riley smiled with pride. "She's expecting in August."
"How nice," Buffy repeated, then added hoarsely, "I hope, for her sake, and for your baby's sake, that you never have to go through what you're putting us through."
"I won't," Riley snapped back. "Unlike SOME people, there's no chance that the babybelongs to anyone else. We're monogamous."
"I'm sure you are," Buffy whispered. Before anyone had the chance to say anything else,the door opened and Angel stepped inside, heading straight for Buffy's arms.
"How tactful," Faith murmured, but her smile was joking.
Buffy smiled slightly, kissing Angel tenderly and then looking at everyone else. "So ... should we talk?"
"No." Buffy was surprised to hear Riley negate her suggestion.
"Why not?" she asked, her voice conveying her bewilderment.
"I'm waiting for my wife to arrive," he told her sharply, drumming his hands on the table."We can't proceed until she's here."
"Yeah, she was never here before," Buffy threw back. "She probably doesn't even know."
"She was in Japan, training," Riley cut in, speaking through clenched teeth. "Now she'sback, because she discovered she was pregnant. Not that it's any of your business."
"Then don't share," came Buffy's harsh reply.
Riley hesitated in responding when he door opened, and a tall blond entered the roomtiredly, sitting down without even glancing at anyone.
"This is my wife, --"
"Kate," Angel finished quietly, looking at the cop.
Riley and Buffy both got wide-eyed. "You've met?" Riley asked Angel.
"We were acquaintances in LA ..." Kate trailed off. "These are the people?"
"These are the people," Riley confirmed deftly.
Kate put her head in her hands, breathing deeply. "Let me see if I've got this right. Angeland his wife," she motioned to Buffy, "Are the people who apparently have your son.Harrison." She glanced at the boy as she spoke.
"Precisely," Riley agreed, nodding.
Kate groaned. "Okay." She turned to Angel. "And your side is ..."
"He is Buffy and my son."
"He's lying," Riley cut in angrily, and Kate held up a hand to shush him.
"Riley ... why do you say he's yours?"
"He is," Riley growled. "I explained it. The months. Nine months. He's blond, like me. Itall makes sense."
"It doesn't make sense," his wife negated gently. "Are you not happy? With me, with ourunborn child? Are you not happy with your life?"
"Kate ... how can you say that?" Riley asked in disbelief, grasping her hand across thetable. "I'm utterly happy."
"Then why would you accuse them of something like that?" Kate questioned bitterly.
Riley's jaw dropped. "You don't ... you don't believe THEM, do you?"
Kate didn't answer, nor did she look him in the eye.
"How can you believe ... THEM ... over me? Your own husband?" Riley spat out at hislover.
"I love you, Riley," Kate murmured gently. "More than anything. I don't necessarily thinkthat you're lying. I've been a cop for a long time, I've seen cases like this go down. And thisis Angel."
"Whose word you would take over mine."
"It's not like that, Riley, don't think that. I know Angel. If he says Harrison is his, then he is." She glanced at Angel, then back at her husband. "I know Angel always wants to dothe right thing. If Harrison wasn't his, he would admit it, no matter how badly it hurt himto do that."
"How can Angel be sure?" Riley asked his wife. "Without DNA tests ..."
"I sometimes though he had some kind of freaky sixth sense," Kate admitted with a laugh."I don't know what makes him who he is. I don't know what makes anyone who they are.But Riley ..." She reached her hand across the table, brushing his sandy-blond hair fromhis face, "Think about what this is putting them through, even the idea of having theirchild ripped away from them." She felt her throat constrict painfully as she continued. "Ilost my father, Riley, don't make Harrison lose his."
Riley felt his heart break at his wife's pain, but pushed out the questions held inside. "Butwhat if he is mine?" He whispered. "What if he is and I never know it?"
"He's not, Riley, but even if he was ... it's not your family. This is your family now. I'M your family," she stressed. "And I need you, Riley. I need you to be here and support meand our child 100%, not with half your mind on your ex-girlfriend and what could havebeen."
Riley stood up, not glancing at a glaring Lindsey, and sat next to his wife, holding hishands tightly in hers. "I'm going to be there for you, Kate. I'll always be here for you."
"Does this mean ... you're willing to let go of the past?" She choked out uncertainly.
Riley took a moment before he answered. "Yes," he finally put out. "Yes ... I'm willing tolet go." He stood up, moving to stand in front of Buffy. He patted Hanna gently on thehead. "You have three beautiful children," he told her gruffly.
She gave him a tiny smile. "Thank you."
"Both of you," Riley continued, looking to Angel. "I don't really know what to say, aboutthe past few months." He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Kate is the most importantperson in my life. And if she says Angel isn't lying ... then he isn't. So I guess what I'msaying is ... I'm sorry." He tugged a strand of Buffy's hair affectionately. "I could go onforever about what might have been, what I thought had been, but there's no point." Hemoved back over to stand with Kate, wrapping his arms around her and placing his handson the slight bump of her belly. "Kate is my life," he repeated carefully. "Now andalways."
"The last few months of my life have been, in a word, Hell," Buffy informed him, her voicenot angry but sad. "I didn't know you had the ability to rip it apart like that, for all of us,and I don't know why. But I need to move on. For me, for my children, for my husband. And I'm going to. It'll never be erased, but it will be forgiven, in time, eventually. Not today, or tomorrow, or the next day, but someday." Buffy stood up, passing Hanna toAngel and then taking hold of his hand, threading their fingers together. "Congratulationson your baby, both of you ... and I wish you the best in life."
*****
Buffy cradled the baby in her arms limply. She was red in the face and sweaty, but happy all the same.
Angel stroked her cheek gently, watching the sleeping girl. "What should we name her?"
"What do you think of Heidi? It means noble and kind."
"Heidi," Angel repeated, looking at the tiny baby with a mess of dark hair. "I like it."
"Harrison suggested a middle name I really liked. Shakira. Thankful."
"Heidi Shakira." Angel stroked his new daughter's head gently, and then kissed Buffy's cheek. "We have a lot to be thankful. Heidi Shakira it is."
She smiled sweetly, leaning her head up for a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he echoed, his passionate voice melting her heart. "And I'm so proud ofyou."
"I'm proud of all of us," she whispered, blowing on Heidi's hair. "Thank you for beingthere. And for being calm and collected. And for knowing Kate, for that matter."
Angel chuckled and kissed her forehead. "You're my angel, you know that?"
Buffy licked her lips. "I know. Now kiss me already."
Angel didn't need to be told twice, leaning carefully over his daughter to press his lips to Buffy's in an unyielding kiss.
Setup: It's the future and Buffy and Angel are married (yea!) but demons of the past are threatening to tearthem apart.
Requirements:
- Doyle has to be alive.
- Xander/Anya, Cordelia/Doyle, and Willow/Oz aretogheter.
- Buffy and Angel have three children and at lest one must be a little girl.
- Joyce is NOT in it.
- Riley comes back into Buffy's life after fifteen years and he's causing problems for Buffy and Angel.
- Riley's the villain in the story.
- Buffy and Angel MUST end up together at the end.
- It must be somebody's birthday and someone else get drunk and singing a very-off key redition of 'happy birthday'.
- Someone (Cordleia, Anya, Willow, or Buffy) must be pregnant.
- Spike, I love him.
- A teddy bear.
= Pink roses.
- A flashback to Buffy and Angel's wedding.
- And, a friendship candel. (you know the kind withthe charms inside?)
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