This is as fluffy as I can get (sorry, it's not very.)
Disclaimers: None of these characters are mine, la de dah, don't sue... And anything else I should mention up here, pretend I mentioned it. `Cause I really don't know what I'm supposed to say. The song belongs to *NSYNC, it's "This I Promise You", and the lyrics are beautiful…
Spoilers: Up to Something Blue and IWRY, and my stories, "Christmas Day" and "Together Again."
Summary: As you can tell from the previous two stories, life is never perfect for long with Buffy and Angel. Except I let them have a little happiness in this story, so this is pretty fluffy and hopefully sweet. Lemme know what you think… And I'm sorry, but I have a hard time writing fluff, so this isn't very… you know, fluffy.
Distribution: If you have any of my stories in this series, take it. If not, ask me. I'll probably say yes. And I like keeping a list of where my stories are so I can send more later.
Feedback: Always!
Rating: Implied sex, talk about sex, and sex. But nothing graphic or anything. So, this is probably PG—14. If that.

The morning after the attack on Angel by Riley and the commandoes, Buffy's birthday, Buffy spent in the arms of her lover. After they'd made up the previous night, they'd gone to bed… not to sleep of course.

But the night had been enjoyable for each of them.

Now, in the early morning before the sun had even risen, they laid in bed, talking. Buffy was curled up next to him, the blankets wrapped around her as much as possible, and her own body wrapped around Angel as much as possible. "You've really gotta heat this place," she murmured sleepily.

He chuckled a little. "Buffy, this place doesn't have heat. I have to build a fire in here," he said, sighing as he looked at the fireplace at the end of the bed.

"Don't even think about leaving this bed," she said, tightening her hold on him.

He kissed her forehead. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Good."

They laid in silence for a few moments. "Happy birthday," he added after another moment.

"I was wondering if you'd remember," she teased lightly.

"I remembered when you first came this morning even," he reminded her. "I'd never forget something related to you."

"Especially my birthday," Buffy said glumly. She cheered up suddenly. "Ooh! Idea. We'll just stay in bed all day." She shifted her position so she was on top of him, and smiled seductively. "Good with you?"

He smirked and began kissing across the top of her breasts. "I don't know," he murmured. "I think I might need convincing." She nodded a little, trying to look serious. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I think I'm just the person to convince you to stay in bed."

"Really?"

"Really."

His smile deepened. "Wanna make a bet?"

She scowled at him. "I can't believe you're arguing this." She sighed. "What's the bet?"

"If I can get you out of this bed within ten minutes, I get to do whatever I want to your body tonight. All night long."

Buffy smiled slowly. "And if I win?"

"What do you want?" he questioned, rolling her over and laying on top of her.

She looked at him breathlessly. "Same to your body then," she demanded.

"Fine." He kissed her, sealing the deal.

"Ten minutes starting… now." Buffy looked at him expectantly. He smirked and got out of bed, pulling on his boxers, then a pair of black pants.

She smirked and stretched out on the bed, slipping out from under the covers. He glanced at her and nearly groaned. "That's not gonna work." He informed her. "Not that it isn't very damn tempting, but no."

"Why's that?" she questioned, drawing a line across the top of her chest.

He just smirked at her and left the room. Buffy scowled in disappointment.

She heard the front door open, then close. "Great," she muttered. "Leave me in bed alone." She sat up, pulling the sheets loosely around her, and laid down, closing her eyes a little. She rolled on her side and began counting the minutes.

*

Angel went into the kitchen smirking.

After a few moments, he heard Buffy scream, then a loud thunk as she fell out of bed. "You cheated!" she yelled indignantly from the bedroom.

Spike was smirking as he came out of the bedroom again. He glanced at his sire. "That was fun. I wish I had a bloody camera though. Got a nice view of the Slayer's-"

Angel sent him a long look. Spike shut up. Angel nodded. "Now, what'd you see?"

"Not a bloody thing." Spike said, sighing. He waited until Angel had gone into the bedroom again. "Except her tits and ass."

*"Cheater, cheater, cheater, cheater, cheat-umpf!" Angel cut off his lover with a kiss, and scooped her up off the ground and back onto the bed. He began taking the sheet off of her, all the while kissing her.

For a while, she didn't resist. Then he started to slip out of his own clothes again, and she shoved him back. "No way."

He looked at her for a long moment. "Buffy."

"No. I'm not going to have sex with you. You just cheated to win a stupid bet."

He looked at her desperately. "Buffy. Please, baby,"

She smirked and sat up. "Let me think about this. No."

Angel sat up as well, pulling on the sheets. "Baby, please," he begged. "I didn't cheat. You never said anything, and there weren't any rules. It was just a stupid bet."

She smirked. "Hell no. You'll have to wait until tonight now, just because you had to win so badly."

"This isn't funny."

"I know." She said, smiling anyway. She stood up, not bothering with the sheet anymore. "Have a nice shower."

Angel closed his eyes, laying back down on the bed. Yeah. A nice shower. A nice COLD one.

*

The whole gang had gathered in the front room by the time Angel was done in the shower, and he made his way out there, going over near Buffy. She smirked at him, but let him pick her up and put her in his lap. Of course, it was probably a mistake on his part because she began wiggling around…

"So, everything's good with you two?" Cordelia questioned, eyeing the couple oddly.

"No."

"Yes."

Buffy and Angel exchanged looks, Buffy amused, Angel annoyed. "That doesn't count, lover," she murmured, smiling.

"Yes it does." Angel said confidently.

"He won a bet." Buffy explained. "And now he can't handle the consequences."

"Payback's a bitch, dear," Angel reminded her. The rest of the gang was confused, except for Spike, who'd demanded to know why he'd gone in the room earlier. And of course, he'd noticed their odd behavior, and had figured out everything else that was going on as well.

"I know," Buffy said cheerfully, wiggling around a little more. He finally got her to stop, and she leaned back, resting against him.

"Uh huh." Xander said slowly. "Moving on."

"Definitely," Willow agreed. "So, what are the plans for the big day, Buff?"

Buffy flashed her a smile. "Well, start out by everyone praying nothing bad happens. Then what I had planned on happening won't be occurring due to Angel's cruelness."

"You're the one who said it." Angel argued. Buffy rolled her eyes and they began kissing, effectively ending their conversation.

"What?" Xander questioned, lost.

"You don't want to know." Spike said, rolling his eyes.

Xander looked at him, then at the couple on the couch. "Oh god. That's too much info."

"Plug your ears," Anya suggested.

"Wow," Willow said softly, staring at Buffy and Angel, who were still kissing. She glanced at her watch. "Okay guys, we don't really have time to break the longest kiss record now."

"Damn." Buffy muttered as they parted. "Okay. Anyway, I've decided to go on a shopping trip today." Buffy announced.

"Ooh, goody," Cordelia said happily. "I haven't been to a mall in a week."

"Damn," Angel said dryly. "It's the middle of day, so I can't go."

"You look real broken up about it too, Dead Boy." Xander muttered.

"Don't call me that." Angel said automatically.

"And Xand, you don't have to come with," Buffy told him. "This is a girl thing."

*

"You are so awful," Willow said, giggling hysterically.

"You really are," Cordelia agreed.

Buffy smiled smugly. "Not awful. If he hadn't been so damned determined to win the stupid bet, we'd still be in bed right now. So it's his fault."

Anya rolled her eyes.

Cordy started giggling again.

So did Willow.

And then they continued looking for lingerie.

*

Later that night, everyone gathered at the Bronze again. While it may not have been commando-safe, it was still the best place for a birthday party. Even if the guest of honor refused to admit that's what it was. Buffy was too busy remembering the last party she'd had, and trying to repress it.

But she decided that this one wasn't as bad. After all, Angel was there, so were her friends. It couldn't be bad. Right?

*

Angel smiled a little as Buffy looked up at him, confetti in her hair and a smile on her face. "You look beautiful," he told her honestly.

She smiled. "Thanks." She looped her arms around his neck. "You don't look so bad yourself." And he didn't. Even if he was wearing his normal all black attire, he just looked extra special tonight. "When do I get my birthday gift from you?" she questioned.

"When do you want it?" he questioned, smiling at her.

She kissed him gently. "Whenever you want to give it to me."

He pulled her off the dance floor, to the privacy of a dark corner. "I love you," he said softly.

She smiled. "I love you."

He handed her a small wooden box, with an ancient looking pattern. She took it, looking at it curiously. She smiled faintly as she saw the Cladagh design carved into the lid and around the clasp. Carefully, she opened it. A simple but beautiful necklace rested against a faded satin lining. "It's beautiful," she whispered, tracing her fingers over the pattern. There were three words carved into it, and the Cladagh ring symbol. "Amo sempar carus. What does it mean?"

"It's Latin. Forever to love darling," he answered quietly. "It was supposed to be handed down to my sister Kathy." Angel explained quietly. "But when she… died, I took most everything." She slipped off the necklace she'd been wearing, and lifted the one from Angel out of the box. He took it from her and fastened it around her neck. "My mother's first husband gave it to her before he died. Even after she remarried, she kept this as a symbol of her devotion to him." Their eyes met. This was more than Buffy had ever heard about Angel's family, and more than she'd ever expected to learn. "Things haven't been perfect with us Buffy," he told her softly. "And they probably never will be."

She nodded a little. "I know."

He looked down at the box that had held the necklace. He met her gaze again. "No matter what happens, what I say to you, what you say to me… I will always love you."

"Me too," she whispered. "Always." She raised her hands up to touch his face, marveling at the idea that he was hers… and she was his.

A slow song came on as they stood, looking at each other. "Dance with me?" he questioned.

She smiled. "Of course."

When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes.
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies.

Anya and Xander were in a far corner of the Bronze, dancing as well. Anya rested her head on Xander's shoulder. "This is nice." She said after a moment.

Xander looked at her, unusually pensive tonight. "It is," he agreed. He hesitated. "Anya?" she looked at him. "I know you pretty much are already, but I want to make sure it's official and everything. I really like you. Love you." She blinked. He hurried to continue. "I want you to move in with me, and officially be my girlfriend, and everything."

She stopped dancing, looking at him. "Are you serious? Because if you aren't and this is some kind of a joke I'm going to find a witch who'll put boils on your penis."

Xander winced. "Yes, I'm serious."

"Oh." She fell silent for a moment. "Then okay. I think that's good."

They resumed dancing. "Xander?"

"What?"

"I think I love you too."

I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone.
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along.
And I will take you in my arms,
And hold you right where you belong,
`Till the day my life is through,
This I promise you,
This I promise you.

Willow sighed softly as she watched the couples dancing, especially Buffy and Angel. It was times like this that made Willow long for Oz. When they were just so obviously in love with each other…

A hand touched her shoulder, and she turned. Her eyes widened. "Oz?"

I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before.
And I promise you never,
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word,
I give you my heart,
This is a battle we've won,
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun.

Spike sighed as he looked around the Bronze. Everyone had a girl friend of some kind, and they were all doing that googly eyed thing. The kind of thing that made him either want to vomit or to go find Dru again. He sighed again. Since vampires couldn't do the first one, he'd have to consider the second one.

Just close your eyes,
Each lovin' day,
And know this feeling won't go away,
`Till the day my life is through,
This I promise you,
This I promise you.
Over and over I fall,
When I hear you call,
Without you in my life, baby,
I just wouldn't be living at all.

Angel rested his head on top of hers, not closing his eyes, but choosing instead to look at her. Even after all this time, as many times as they'd proved it to each other… He still couldn't believe she could love him.

And I will take you in my arms,
And hold you right where you belong,
`Till the day my life is through,
This I promise you, baby,
Just close your eyes,
Each lovin' day,
And know this feeling won't go away,
Every word I say is true,
This I promise you,

Buffy closed her eyes as she rested her head against Angel's chest.

She loved him so much…

Every word I say is true,
This I promise you,
Ooh, I promise you.

(I know I'm not very good with fluffy things, but you're welcome to write and tell me otherwise. Or, I guess you can tell me if it just sucks too much and I should never write another one like this again. Just write and tell me. The next in the series is "Surprise." And as always, send feedback please.

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