Summary- Angel raises Buffy and his kid for 8 years. Buffy comes back.
Rating- PG13
Disclaimer- Not mine.
AN- Yes, I am working on the sequel to 'Barely Surviving', but I'm having a small case of writer's block. And, Buffy's has a scar on her lips like in 'the Wish'.
CHALLENGE REQUIREMENTS: Angel is a single father, raising his and Buffy's child. Buffy is not dead, but upon its birth she gave the child to Angel and disappeared-no one knows why and no one knows where she went, etc. When the child is ten or eleven (Not a teenager!) she reappears in LA, not contacting them but watching from a distance still slaying.
Requirements:
~Angel is still a vamp-do what you want with the curse
~The child can be male or female (although Garnet requests a girl, please.) But he/she CAN'T be a Slayer or supernatural in anyway
~There must be a note, and a teddy bear (cuz I love them), left with the child from Buffy to Angel i.e.This is Sarah and I love her. I know you will, too. Love, Buffy(For info he is given the child by Willow or Cordy or even Whistler if you want...)
~There must be a GOOD reason for her to have done what she did, something agonising for her, that maybe she could have worked out with Angel, maybe not
~A big confrontation, duh...lots of yelling, tears,from Buffy as well as Angel...but away from the child-I hate when parents argue in front of kids
~A sweet love scene, at least implied but preferred full
~ happy ending cuz those are the best-so nobody DIES!(of Buffy, Angel, child, at least!)

July 2001

Buffy looked tiredly at the small baby girl she held in her arm. She had soft blond curls and deep brown eyes.

~Like Angel~

Buffy then knew that this child was indeed Angels. It didn't matter how, or why. It just was. But this had to be the worst time to have a child. There was a price out for her head. She couldn't raise a child and protect herself at the same time.

There was no way.

*

One week later

Buffy stood in the rain, shielding her child from the hurtful drops. She stood in front of Angel apartment. The lights were still on and she could see Angel and Cordelia walking around. Buffy tucked the note and the small bear in the bassinette. Buffy pounded on the door and waited until the last second and jumped into the bushes. Angel answered and looked around. He saw the child and picked everything up and took them inside. Hot tears coursed down Buffy's cheeks as she faded into the shadows and ran away.

*Angel walked into the main room and looked at Cordelia.

"What's that?" Cordy asked.

"A baby." Angel answered.

"No, I mean, that. There's a note tucked into the side." Cordy pointed.

Angel took it and opened it.

*Angel,

This is your child. Our child. Her name is Caroline, or Carly. I don't know how it happened, but it did. I trust you to raise her and protect her. Keep her safe. I hope you love her like I do. I know you will.

Love,

Buffy

PS- This is her bear, Mr. Fuzzels. Its keeps her calm.*

Angel let the note flutter to the floor. He uncovered the baby and saw that it was, in fact, his child.

"Oh my God." Cordy murmured.

She had read the note.

Angel carefully held the small child. Cordelia was calling Sunnydale. Angel gazed at the child. His child.

Cordy came back into the room with a somber look on her face.

"She's disappeared. No one can find her." Cordelia mumbled.

Angel's first thought was that she couldn't handle motherhood, but he looked at the well taken care of baby. No, there was another reason. It didn't matter though. He would take care for his child. His child.

***

8 years later

A high pitched scream woke Angel from his slumber. He sat upright and rubbed his eyes.

"Carly?" Angel called.

Her giggle floated into his room.

Angel got up and wandered into his daughters room. He saw Carly and Cordelia playing.

"Cor? What's going on?" Angel asked, leaning on the doorframe.

"Oh, nothing. Just messing around." Cordy answered.

Carly laughed and tried to hide the mess of water on the floor.

Angel shook his head.

"I really don't want to know.."

Angel walked down the stairs and looked at the mess that was his living room.

"Aye, havin' an 8 year old wearin ya down?" Doyle chuckled from the kitchen.

Angel shook his head.

"No, an 8 year old *and* Cordy." Angel said.

Doyle shook his head and laughed.

Shortly after he had gotten Carly, Angel, Cordelia, and Doyle moved into a bigger mouse and lived together.

Carly ran down the stairs in her Barbie Princess PJs.

"Caroline Anne, what have I told you about running down the stairs?" Angel asked, trying to be tough macho Dad.

Carly sighed dramatically.

"Not to run cuz I'll trip and fall and break my head open and there'll be blood and brain stuff all over your precious carpet." Cordelia and Doyle laughed.

"Not in so many words.but yeah." Angel smiled and hugged his daughter. Even after 8 years he still couldn't grasp the fact he had a daughter.

"Daddy, stop brooding." Carly said and wriggled out of his arms.

She was so much like Buffy. Her long golden hair, her nose, her smile, her laugh.

Carly was full of energy. She bounced around the kitchen, eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

"Guess what, Daddy!" She yelled, as she finished the last bit.

"What, sweetheart?" Angel asked, making eggs for everyone else.

"Cordy's taking me to the mall today!" She cried happily.

"Really?" Angel asked.

"Yup!" Carly said.

"Yeah, you go get ready, Lee." Cordelia said, using her nickname for her.

"Kay!" Carly yelled as she ran up the stairs, picking Mr. Fuzzels off the stars as she ran.

"Kids gonna break 'er neck." Doyle observed shaking his head.

Angel looked out the window and saw a black Jeep pass his house. There was a blond in the front seat and he swore that it was Buffy. He was surprised that his dead heart didn't jumpstart.

"What'cha looking at?" Doyle said, behind him.

"Nothing, just a car drove by an I." Angel trailed off.

"And you thought you saw her." Cordelia said.

It was like this for years. Part of Cordelia hated Buffy for leaving him with her child. The other part yearned with curiosity at why she left.

"Yeah." Angel answered.

"Its not her. She's been gone this long. Angel, we don't even know if she's alive." Cordelia said slowly.

Carly listened from the doorway. She hated when they talked about her mom. Daddy always got said. He missed her. Carly had a picture that Aunt Willow gave her. It was of her mom and dad when they were real young. At Mom's prom. Carly thought her mother was beautiful. Cordelia insisted that she looked like her.

"Where is my Mom?" Carly asked, coming into the conversation like she always did.

The room got silent, just like it always did.

"Carly! I *love* your dress!" Cordelia said, a little too enthusiastic.

Angel looked uncomfortable.

"Where is she?" Carly asked.

She was stubborn, just like her mom.

"I don't know, sweetie." Angel answered, like he always did.

Carly shook her head and stomped off to the garden. She *hated* this. No one ever wanted to talk about her Mom. There was so much she wanted to know. What was she like? Did Mom love the smell of vanilla like she did? Did Mom love Daddy like Daddy still loved her.

Carly took out a small picture of her mom that Xander had given her. He said it was her 'dreaded Junior year picture'.

"Not really my best photo." A voice behind her said.

Carly turned around fast and looked at the stranger behind her. She was blond and had on dark sunglasses. The lady had a big scar on her lip. Carly was curious about it. It was her mother, but she didn't know that.

"Who are you?" Carly asked.

"You're Caroline? Carly?" The women asked.

"Yeah. Daddy says I can't talk to strangers." Carly said.

"I'm not a stranger. I'm an old friend." The women said.

"Daddy also said I can't talk to people who say they're his friend cuz they usually aren't." Carly said in a monotone voice.

Buffy laughed.

"Angel's still overprotective, isn't he?" She asked.

"Yeah. Who are you?" Carly asked, kind of liking her.

"An old friend." She answered, smiling.

"Maybe I don't want a friend!" Carly shot at her.

Buffy cracked a smile.

Yes, this was her daughter.

"I never said I was yours." Buffy smirked.

Carly still didn't know that this was her mother she was talking to.

"What happened to your lip?" Carly asked.

Buffy traced the gruesome scar going across her lips.

"I fell." Buffy lied.

"Carly!" A voice yelled.

The women, Buffy, looked around hurriedly.

"I have to go!" She said turning around.

"But, wait! You didn't tell me who you were." Carly protested.

"I told you, a friend." Buffy said, needing to leave before she was found.

"Will I see you again?" Carly asked.

"I-uh-I don't know." Buffy faltered, "Maybe, I have to go now."

Carly watched as the women ran to the back roads and climbed into her Jeep and drove off.

Cordelia came up then and noticed that Carly was watching the road.

"What are you looking at?" Cordy asked, as she put her hand around Carly.

Carly didn't answer. Something about that women.

*

Buffy drove away from the house and into the city. Her daughter was beautiful. And Angel had raised her well.

~Will I see you again?~

Carly's voice echoed in her head.

Buffy hadn't thought that she would see her again.

She thought it had been too long. 8 years. Carly had grown without a mother. Why barge into her life now? Buffy fingered the scar under her right eye nervously. She remember how she got that. A Master Morah demon.

Buffy parked in front of a Starbuck's.

She saw Dawn sitting there, waiting for her.

"Hey." Buffy mumbled as she sat down after she had gotten her latte.

"Hey. Did you see her?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah. She's beautiful." Buffy answered.

Dawn smiled.

"What about Angel?" Dawn asked.

"I didn't see him. Besides, I can't. I've been gone too long. They don't need me." Buffy answered.

"You're wrong. Angel will always need you." Dawn said, with a small smile.

"No. I don't know." Buffy said, putting her head in her hands.

"Buff's, she's your daughter. You're her mother." Dawn went on.

"Don't you think I know that? I think about the 'what ifs'. What if I stayed. What if I was there with Angel." Buffy said, her eyes tearing.

"Buffy, if you stayed they would be dead. You now it. Its not you left her for no good reason." Dawn said.

She knew first hand. While Buffy was in LA 8 years ago, Dawn had caught up with her and traveled with Buffy everywhere. She knew that Angel and the baby would have died.

"I know. But Angel might not understand. And besides, they could still be in danger." Buffy said.

She was right too.

"You have to see him. And besides, I want to see my niece!" Dawn cried.

Buffy laughed.

"Go, see her." Buffy said.

"Can I tell Angel?" Dawn asked.

"That I'm back? I don't know." Buffy mused.

"Ok, I won't. But I'm going to now." Dawn said getting up.

"Now?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, now. Bye!" Dawn laughed as she walked away.

Buffy's face was a mask of confusion.

She shook her head and decided to walk around LA, for old times sake.

*

Angel heard the doorbell go off and he opened the door and at first thought he was seeing Buffy. He looked closer and aw it was Dawn.

"Dawn!" He said in surprise.

"Angel! Hi!" Dawn cried, hugging him.

Angel hugged back, so glad to see the girl he always thought a sister.

"What are you doing here?" Angel asked, and motioned her inside.

"Oh, I was talking to Willow and she told me where you lived. So I wanted to see my niece." Dawn explained.

"Oh, she and Cor went out, but they should be back soon."

"Ok. Its alright if I stay?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah. Of course, You're family." Angel said.

Dawn smiled.

"How is. How is Buffy?" Angel asked slowly.

Dawn squinted. She didn't know how to answer this.

"I....uh." Dawn stammered.

"She's not. Is she. Dead?" Angel asked.

"Oh! No, no!" Dawn cried.

"Then, where is she?" Angel asked, is voice holding accusation.

"I can't say." Dawn said, looking down.

"Does she even remember Carly? Her daughter?" Angel hissed.

"How can you ask that? Of course she does!" Dawn yelled.

"Then why did she leave her with me." Angel asked.

"Because she had too. It wasn't safe." Dawn said.

"Why doesn't she come and see her daughter.?" Angel asked.

"That's for her to answer." Dawn said.

"Why?" Angel asked.

"Because I said I wouldn't say anything about where we've been or why,. Its her story to tell." Dawn said getting up.

"You know where she is." Angel stared.

"Of course. I think I should go." Dawn said opening the door.

"Wait." Angel said sighing.

"No, its ok. I'll talk to her." Dawn said getting into the black Jeep.

~The one from this morning.~

*

Dawn found Buffy sitting in the park, reading a magazine.

"Buffy!" Dawn called.

Buggy's head snapped up and she saw Dawn. She put her fingers to her lips and nodded to the far left.

Cordelia and Carly were swinging on the swings.

"You went to Angel's?" Buffy whispered, hoping thy didn't hear Dawn shout.

"Yeah. I talked to him. Talk about anger issues." Dawn said.

Buffy sighed.

"What did he say?" Buffy asked.

"He's pissed that you left. Saying things like, 'Does she remember her own daughter?"." Dawn mocked.

"Damn." Buffy said softly.

"You have to see him. He needs to know." Dawn advised.

"I know. But, I'm scared." Buffy whispered.

"I know you are. But everything will work out. You'll see." Dawn said, hugging her older sister.

*

Buffy parked the jeep and sat in it for a few moments. God, she was so scared.

Buffy slowly got out and looked in the mirror. Her hair was in a messy bun. Her dark glasses hiding the scar under her eyes and hiding the dark circles. She shook her head and walked up to the porch. She rang the doorbell and waited.

*

Angel once again heard the doorbell and he walked to it. He hoped it was Dawn so he could apologize for being an ass. He opened it and gasped when he saw who it was. Buffy. She looked skinny. Her hair messy. Her glasses dark. Her beautiful lips, scarred. None of that mattered. She was back. Finally.

* Buffy looked up at him and flinched under his emotional gaze.

"You wanted answers?" She asked softly.

Angel nodded, still in shock as he let her in.

She noticed that he was in the sunlight. It didn't surprise her. She saw he wore the Ring of Amarra that she had sent him, with no return address.

"You wear the ring." Buffy said, nonchalantly.

"Yeah. So?" Angel answered.

"I sent it." Buffy said.

"You." Angel said.

"Yup. Found it in Europe." Buffy said.

"Is that what you've been doing? Traveling for 8 years." Angel asked bitterly.

Buffy flinched.

"I deserved that. But, yeah, kind of." Buffy said softly.

"What do you mean kind of? Leave with a man? Decide parenthood wasn't for you?" Angel shot at her.

Buffy closed her eyes and pursed her lips. She wasn't going to get mad, but she so desperately wanted to!

"Nope, no man. Just me and Dawn." Buffy said.

"Well why?" Angel asked.

"You've been out of the demon loop, haven't you?" Buffy asked.

"Well, you know, when you have a child, its kind of hard to fight. Oh, but wait, you wouldn't know, would you? You gave her up!" Angel said.

Buffy couldn't hold her tongue this time.

"Ok, shut the hell up, Angel! You have no idea!" Buffy said, pacing.

"Enlighten me, Buffy. And, please, no swearing. I don't want *my* daughter to pick up any language."

Buffy had had enough. Ok, maybe she deserved this, but she couldn't take it!

She took off for the door.

Angel knew what she was doing and blocked her way. She looked at him angrily.

"You are not going to run again." He told her.

"Why? It's obvious that you don't want me here! I mean, who was I kidding coming back? You've been raising Carly just fine. She doesn't even know me. Now, please move!" Buffy rambled, her voice shaking.

"No, you can't leave." Angel said firmly.

"Fine. What do you want?" Buffy said, wiping wisps of hair off her forehead.

"Why did you leave her with me." Angel asked

"Because you are her father, and I needed you to protect her." Buffy answered.

"Why did you leave?" Angel asked.

"Because, 8 years ago, before I knew I was pregnant., I killed the master or whatever of this all powerful demon clan and they were major-ly pissed. They sent put word to every power leader in the world that there was a price on my head. They didn't attack me while I was pregnant, but I received a message that once Carly was born, they were coming after me. And her." Buffy said n a small voice.

"Why didn't you stay here?" Angel asked, trying to understand.

"Did you not understand a word I just said. Hundreds of demons were after me! I was wanted, dead or alive! They didn't care. I risked a lot coming to you and giving her to you. They could have followed me." Buffy whispered

"I could have helped you." Angel argued.

"No, you couldn't! You. Would. Have. Died! And so would Carly." Buffy answered.

Angel tried to argue and Buffy took off her glasses, showing him the awful scar. Angel reached out hesitantly and traced it with his thumb. Her moved down to the one of her lips and traced that too. Buffy shivered at his gentle touch. She hated the jagged, ugly scars. With a fiery passion.

"What happened?" Angel asked.

"The demons. They were powerful. Almost nothing has been ever been able to scar me."

~Except you~

"But they did. They almost killed us. Me and Dawn. I couldn't have let them get you and Carly."

Angel then understood. He didn't blame her.

"Is it safe?" Angel asked.

"It was safe a year ago. We had to hide." Buffy said.

"Will you stay?" Angel asked.

"I-I don't know. There's so much lost time." Buffy whispered.

"It doesn't matter. Stay with me. It can be Carly, you, and me." Angel whispered, so desperately wanting to be a family.

"What if she doesn't like me?" Buffy whimpered, torn between living with Angel and her daughter and running away again.

"She will love you. She's just like you." Angel whispered, drawing her into his arms.

Angel held her. He held his love for the first time in 8 long years.

Somewhere along the line, they made it upstairs and were kissing passionately.

Buffy pulled away breathlessly, and whispered,

"I'll stay."

*

Buffy lay content and safe in Angel's arms. She ad fallen in a deep sleep. The first real sleep she had gotten in years. Angel lay, propped up by his arm, watching her. She was beautiful. No matter what she thought f the scars. Buffy mumbled something and rolled to face him. She peeked her eyes open, then shut them again.

Angel laughed.

"What's wrong, love?"

"If I wake up, you'll be a dream." She said sleepily.

"No, I'm real." Angel whispered, taking her hand and kissing it.

Buffy opened her eyes and smiled.

"Yay." Buffy smiled and sat up.

She looked toward the door.

"I smell something yummy." She said and looked at Angel.

He had to laugh at her look. He got up and threw her a pair of sweats and a shirt. Buffy passed the mirror and looked at her disfigured face.

"You're beautiful." Angel whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You're sure she will like me?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, go see for yourself." Angel said.

"No, not alone. You're coming." Buffy said as he took her hand. Together, they walked down the stairs and into the dining room.

Cordelia looked up and opened her mouth to say something. No words came out. Doyle just smiled.

"Aye, so this is the beautiful Buffy?" He asked.

Buffy blushed.

"Oh my God!" Cordelia finally got out and ran to Buffy, hugging her.

Carly came out to see all the commotion. She looked at her Dad and saw a women with him. Dad never had women over. Then she looked closer and that women resembled her Mom.

"Its you, the lady from this morning. Mommy?" Carly asked in a small voice.

Buffy looked up with fearful eyes and nodded.

"Mom!" Carly yelled and launched herself into her arms.

Buffy looked shocked.

"Does this mean we're really a family now?" Carly asked, looking up at her father.

"Yes, we will really be a family." Buffy answered, hugging her daughter and looking at Angel .

She finally was getting her life in order and living as it should have been 8 years ago.

She had finally come home.

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