~Chapter 11~
"Where is everyone?" Angel asked as he sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.
"Um, I asked them to entertain themselves for the evening. I wanted to talk to you," Willow said as she curled up next to the vampire as he wrapped his arm around her.
"About what?" Angel asked as he put a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
"Mmm, good. Um, I found this spell that I want to do," Willow said as she pushed away from him so she could see his face. "It is for your soul."
"Um, what would it do?" Angel asked nervous.
"It would make your soul permanent."
"Oh."
"My sentiments exactly," Willow said as she stood up and went to his book case. Grabbing the book that she had gotten just three nights ago she handed it to him. "The woman that cursed you wrote the cure for your clause problem."
"Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have even mentioned it to you if I thought for one moment that it wouldn't work. I wouldn't want to see you hurt that way," Willow said as she sat next to him.
"Thank you," Angel said as a tear fell down his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Willow whispered as she looked into his eyes. He surprised her as he pulled her to him and kissed her with everything in his being. He never wanted her to hurt or worry or do anything that wasn't being happy and content.
Before he knew what he was doing he lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. She stood up and the kiss deepened as his hands roamed across her skin as he slightly lifted the back of her shirt. "God, I love you," Angel moaned as his lips moved to her pulse point.
"Oh, goddess, we can't do this yet," Willow moaned as his hand moved further up her back and found she didn't were a bra under the tight tube top.
"I know," Angel said as he sighed and laid his head on her shoulder. His roaming hands stopped and fell to her hips. "I want you."
"That's a good thing," Willow said as she patted his back. "Soon though."
"Sometimes I don't want to wait," Angel said.
"Sometimes neither do I," Willow said as she pulled away from him. She slowly undid her dark jeans and let them fall to the floor before climbing into the bed. "Hold me?"
Angel nodded as he took off his shirt and pants to climb into the bed. He pulled her back to his chest and held her close to him. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight, my Angel.
~~~
Willow turned onto her back as she woke from her peaceful sleep filled with Angel. She was surprised to see the dark vampire sitting in the chair next to the bed instead of still holding her. "What's wrong?" Willow asked as she went over to him. She kneeled in front of him and took his hands.
"Nothing, I have just been thinking," Angel said as he looked down at his love. Her red hair was tousled from sleep and her skin was pale with the remnants of sleep slipping away from her eyes.
"What were you thinking about? The spell?"
"Yes, the spell. What if something goes wrong? What if I lose my soul? What if something happens to you?" Angel asked as he looked at her with concern and sadness.
"Angel, like I told you last night I have checked this out thousands of times. You wouldn't know about it if I wasn't totally sure that it would work. Nothing will go wrong... it can't. Listen, when I gave you your soul the last time the women that cursed you came into my body and spoke for me. I could feel the pain she felt. She wanted to end the agony and pain we were feeling at having lost you, someone we love. She helped me to give you your soul. She will help with this. Jenny will help with this. Giles will help with this. Cordy, Buffy, Anya, Xander, Riley, and Gunn and Wesley. Everyone is going to help with this. Nothing can go wrong when you have that much love and faith and trust. Please, don't worry," Willow said as she caressed his cheek.
"I love you. I don't want to be the reason you get hurt. I never want to see you in pain," Angel said as he closed his eyes and leaned into her caress.
"I know," Willow said before she kissed him gently on the lips. When she pulled away their foreheads rested together as they looked into each others eyes. Again they kissed but this time more passionately. "I love you."
~Chapter 12~
"Well, that was easy," Cordelia said as she wiped off her hands. She looked over at Anya and Buffy as they did the same.
"Yep, now we just have to make sure that it worked," Willow said as she climbed off the ground.
"Yeah, well, we will leave that up to you," Cordelia said as she took a seat on the couch.
"I don't know if I'm ready," Willow said as she looked at her hands. "I love him more then I have ever loved anyone. I want him... oh, goddess I want him. But am I ready?"
"Seems like it," Buffy said as she sat next to Cordelia.
"Will it change things? Will he still hold me like he does now? Will he look at me the same way? Will I be what he wants? Will I make him happy? There are just so many things that could change. I like the way things are right now. I like him loving me so completely that I don't need him to say it. I see it in his eyes," Willow said as she paced in front of all three of her friends.
"This is Angel. God, I don't think he could stop loving you if he had to. Willow, in my opinion I think he won't change. I remember when I got pregnant and he came over. He was so wonderful to me. He needed to protect me. I think that's what would happen if you guys share something that is so special to both of you. If anything it will bring you closer," Cordelia said.
"Yeah, Will, I don't think you should have anything to worry but just incase why don't you ask him," Buffy said as she tilted her head at Willow.
"I am afraid of the answers," Willow said as she sat on the chair across from her friends.
"This is Angel we are talking about. It isn't Oz and it isn't Tara. This is someone that you love and that loves you back. I think you are underestimating the power of love," Anya said as she rested her head on her hand.
"Did you tell him about it yet?" Cordelia asked as she sat between the two blondes with her feet under her.
"Yes, I told him about it last night," Willow said as she rested on her knees.
"Has he asked you to do the spell?" Cordelia asked.
"No."
"Has anything changed between you two?"
"No."
"My thoughts are that he has the same concerns or it is something that he knows will never change the way he feels about you," Cordelia said as she stood up. "We should go. I'll send him up if I see him."
"Bye, Willow," the girls said before heading out of Angel's apartment.
<Oh, boy,> Willow thought as she moved over to the couch and curled up. <I have to believe nothing will change for the worse. They have to be right. If anything this should make us closer. He isn't some teenage boy that is going to use me and leave me... No he is a two hundred plus year old vampire that for most of his twenty-seven years alive he used women and left them.>
Willow sat up at her las thought, <But that isn't him anymore. He saves people and he has let himself love someone. He couldn't have loved those women.>
"You are having second thoughts about us, aren't you?" Angel asked as he stood at the door watching her.
"I'm afraid of being hurt," Willow said as she stood up.
"I know but you have to know I would never hurt you. Not you, your mind, your heart, or your soul. You mean too much to me to ever let me hurt you," Angel said as he moved over to her. "What do you think is going to hurt you?"
"I'm afraid of having sex change how we are together and what we mean to each other," Willow said as she lowered her head.
"God, Willow. I'm sorry. I know you haven't really had the best experiences in this department," Angel said as he raised her chin, "but I love you. I'm not going to use you and then leave you. If anything you are going to have an insatiable vampire that won't let go of you."
"That wouldn't be a bad thing," Willow said before giving him a little kiss. "I never thought Oz would but when we had sex we seemed to start getting farther apart. He stopped wanting to learn more about me. It was like he thought he knew everything there was to know about me," Willow said.
"But you can never know everything about a person. People are always changing. I mean look at me. I used women and then left them. I would never do that now," Angel said hoping by him voicing what he thought was bothering her he could get her to talk.
"That was a different person," Willow said defending him to himself. She stopped and looked up at him surprised. "Everything done in the past is just that, the past. You don't kill now and you aren't a Scourge of Europe or an Irish farmer's son."
"Nope, I'm someone that is totally different from all of those people. I am a new person now that has love in his life and has changed since getting friends in his life," Angel said as he held her hand.
"Your right. You made me realize something important. I have no worries now," Willow said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. With a gentle tug on his neck she brought her lips to his.
~Chapter 13~
<God, she is beautiful,> Angel thought as he watched her sleep. Her hair fell around her face in a halo of bright red hair. Her skin was pale with the flickering of light freckles on her arms, shoulders, and on her chest. Angel smiled at the sight before him. There lay his beautiful mate. The side of her neck held his mark for all the world to see. Every demon and person would know that she had let him claim her. This wonderful goddess had wanted her to be his.
After he had bitten her and said, "Mine," she had smiled deviously before biting him and repeating his words. His hand flew to his neck as he remembered the touching moment. She had just bound herself to him for eternity and... she knew it. He had seen it in her eyes. She knew just what she was doing when her teeth bit into his flesh and her mouth started to taste his borrowed blood.
He couldn't help but smile. She was his and he was hers. He looked over her again as his hand trailed lightly over her side. The white silk sheet looked wonderful against her red hair and pale skin as she laid on her side against him. <God, I love her. Thank you.>
Smiling he laid back down against her back. Slowly he fell to sleep as the sound of her constant breathing soothed him.
~~~
"Bye, guys. It was good getting to see you all. I don't know but everything felt so right these last few days," Cordelia said as she helped her new-found friends pack the SUV.
"Yeah, and I don't think we have ever solved a case that fast," Gunn said as he took the bag from Cordelia.
"I wish I could say goodbye to Willow," Buffy said as she looked up to Angel's window that was covered with a thick drape.
"Yeah, but we have to let her enjoy this," Xander said. "Oh, God. I just condoned my little buddy and Angel having sex."
"And it didn't bother you one bit," Anya said as she grabbed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "You even like it."
"Yeah, I do," Xander said before he kissed the top of her head.
"Well, we should be going," Riley said as he closed the back of the vehicle.
"Yeah," Buffy said as she went to Cordelia and Gunn. She gave both of them a hug then went to Wesley who was standing off to the side. "Hey, watcher-boy. You aren't getting out of a hug. We are all friends." She pulled him into a tight hug.
"Thank you," Wesley said as he hugged the blonde back.
A few more moments later all the goodbyes were said and all of the Sunnydale gang were in the car heading down the street. "I am going to miss them," Wesley said as he stood next to Gunn and Cordelia.
"Yeah," Cordelia said as she put her arms around the two men. "Let's go out."
~~~
"Oh, my goddess," Willow said as she bolted from the bed with the sheet wrapped around her. She ran to the hall and went to Buffy's room. Everything was gone. "They left without saying goodbye," Willow said as she sat on the stripped bed.
"Willow, honey, they tried to come in but we were still... um, you know," Angel said as he sat next to her. He had thrown on a pair of boxers before he left the room.
"I miss them already," Willow said as she looked at her hands wrapped around the sheet. "Sorry for running out like that."
"It's okay," Angel said as he looked over to her. Something just behind her caught his attention. "Look at that. I think they left you a letter."
Willow lifted her head and looked over at the envelope. "Yeah, it is Buffy's handwriting," the redhead said as she gently opened the letter.
"What does it say?" Angel asked as he watched her read the letter.
"It says congratulations on our relationship and to make sure I don't let you go... I don't think that will be a problem," Willow said as she felt his bite mark on her neck. "Mine."
"Mine," Angel said before he pulled her to him kissing her lips.
~Chapter 14~
"We should go downstairs before Cordelia sends up a search party," Willow said with a smile as she stood up and tried to move forward. With a tug on her sheet Angel pulled her back to him.
"Love you, sweets," Angel said before he kissed her and then let her go to get dressed.
Willow giggled the whole way back to her room. She had never felt this wonderful. She had never felt this much love as she did when Angel just looked at her. She was his and he was hers.
She knew he was quietly following her and she didn't mind. Going to her closet she looked through everything. The redhead wanted to wear something that she looked as sexy in as she felt at this moment as brown eyes followed her from their bed. Pulling out a pair of leather pants and an emerald green silk corset she started to get dressed. Angel just sat there watching the person he loved more then anything.
~~~
"No one is here either. Did they all leave?" Willow asked as she was finally able to make it down the stairs. Angel hadn't wanted her to leave the bedroom after she had bent over to zipper her boots.
"Now, can we go back to bed?" Angel asked.
"No, come on. I don't want to waste this wonderful glow and this great feeling and these clothes. I feel good and I want to go out and share this great, wonderful, marvelous feeling," Willow said as she spun around.
"Well, I guess you were always right," Angel said as he came and hugged her to him.
"How was I right?" she asked with a smile that wouldn't go away.
"Love makes you do the wacky. Come on. Let's go have some fun," Angel said as he led her out the door after grabbing their jackets.
~~~
"Hey, Lorne," Angel said as he saw the green demon coming towards him.
"Hey, Angel-cakes. How is the witch?" Lorne asked as he sat down next to Angel.
"She is doing great," Angel said as he pointed to the redhead dancing alone on the dance floor.
"Shouldn't you be out there with her?" Lorne asked confused.
"I don't dance," Angel said a little saddened.
"You couldn't be happy without losing your soul before she came around. Maybe since you changed in that department you would be able to change in this one. Just go with her movements. That is all that you need to do," Lorne said before getting up and moving to talk to another customer in need of some friendly advice.
Smiling Angel got up and moved to the same dance area and took the redhead into his arms. The two moved and melded together in perfect motions. Angel took her hand and spun her out and then pulled her back to him so they were facing each other. "I thought you didn't dance," Willow said with a smile as they moved to the music.
"I couldn't be happy before now. Things change," Angel said just before he dipped her and brought his lips to hers. "The only thing that won't change is my love for you."
~~~
"Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless," Willow said into the phone. "Sure... Ten minutes.... Yes, thank you."
"Who was that?" Cordelia asked as she moved over to sit on the edge of the desk. Willow had been there working on the new computer while Cordelia finished filing.
"She said her name was Kate and that she needed help and would be over in ten minutes," Willow said.
"Kate... oh, I can't stand her," Cordelia whined as she looked up at the ceiling in frustration.
"Oh, I've never met a person you didn't like... Something must be really wrong with her," Willow said in a joking tone.
"Fine, you make fun now but wait till you see her and Angel," Cordelia said leaving it open for interpretation.
"Why? What about him and this Kate?" Willow asked worried.
"They... don't worry. You will see in about five minutes," Cordelia said as she got off the desk and walked over to the courtyard where she told Gunn and Angel to clean up and come in.
Five minutes later Kate walked in her hand on her gun and watching for anything suspicious. "Can I help you?" Willow asked as she looked around and found she was the only person there.
"I want to talk to Angel," Kate said in a flat demanding tone.
"Well, at the moment he is preoccupied. Is there something I can help you with?" Willow asked kindly.
"No. Now get him here now. I don't know who you are and I don't care. I want to talk to him now," Kate said with anger seeping from her and her hand holding her gun.
"I don't know who you think I am but if I were you I would treat me just a little bit better," Willow said before walking back over to the desk and tying up her hair with a stray pencil. Picking up the paper she had left off on Willow put on her tinted glasses and continued to update the demon database.
"What are you doing I need him now?" Kate yelled as she slammed her hand on the desk. "Get me him now. If you don't I'll...."
"Tache," Willow said as she brought her hand up in a silencing movement.
Ten minutes later Angel and Cordelia came down the stairs with Gunn in tow. "Hey, I thought that Kate was going to be here. I don't hear any demanding," Cordelia said as she walked down the rest of the stairs.
"She is in the corner," Willow said as she continued to work at the computer and papers. All three looked in the corner to find Kate on the floor huddled in a ball trying to find her lips which were covered in skin.
"Willow, what happened to her?" Angel asked as he tried to hold back his snicker.
"She kept yelling at me. Then she started to threaten me and itching to grab her gun. I deserve more then to be yelled at by some... some bad name of a woman," Willow said as she took off her glasses and stood up. She waved her hand and then the room was filled with Kate's screams. "If you aren't quiet I will do it again."
The room was suddenly silent. Angel looked at Cordelia with wide eyes. Gunn and Cordelia were in the back laughing. "Willow, honey. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah... Kate, I'm sorry. I just don't take to being yelled at too well. I apologize. Would you like something to drink?" Willow asked as she went over to the now silent woman.
"No, thank you," Kate said as she looked at Angel. "Can we please talk?"
"Shoot," Angel said as he sat on the edge of the desk.
"Um, maybe we should go into your office," Kate said as she looked around uncomfortably.
"This is my office," Angel said with a smile. "Kate, if you have something to say, please say it."
"Fine. You were present when a police officer was killed the night before last and I need to know what happened. I'm not going to take it was an accident anymore or that you don't know. He was killed by a vampire. He was the one that tried to stop you the other day," Kate said as she looked at the dark vampire.
"He couldn't have been there," Willow said.
"How would you know what he was doing at 2 A.M.?" Kate snapped then shrunk back again remembering who she was talking to.
"Because he happened to have been doing me at the time, thank you very much. My name is Willow, I'm his mate."
"His what?" Kate asked.
"Here let me simplify do you. She is his everything. He wants her for the rest of eternity. The other night they made it official by becoming mates in the vampire culture. Believe me they were going at it well into the morning when I got here at eight. He was here the whole time. He didn't kill anybody," Cordelia said.
"You don't know what you are getting yourself into," Kate said directed to Willow. "He is a demon."
"I know what I got myself into," Willow said as she pulled down her collar to bare her mark from the vampire next to her. "I love Angel. I wouldn't care if he was a purple skinned monster or a human. I love him, everything that he is."
"Are all of you crazy?" Kate asked.
"I guess so. I've been doing this since I was sixteen. How long of you been dealing with demons?" Willow asked.
"A year. How old are you?" Kate asked.
"I'm twenty-one," Willow stated as Angel wrapped his arms around her.
"Is there anything else you wanted from me other then accusing me of killing a police officer?" Angel asked.
"That is all I wanted," Kate said defeated.
"There is more then one vampire in L.A.," Willow said as she let her head fall back onto his chest. "Maybe you should try one of them."
~Chapter 15~
"Sorry about Kate. I hadn't realized she was here already," Angel said as he held his mate close.
"That's okay," Willow said as she snuggled closer to him before pushing away. "I have to do something with Cordy."
"Okay," Angel said letting her go and Cordelia looked up.
"That computer is done so don't touch it till I show you how. Also there are papers on Cordy's desk that need to be put away," Willow said as she grabbed Cordelia.
"Okay," Angel said as he shook his head. How could someone love another person so much?
~~~
"What are we doing?" Cordelia asked as she followed the redhead up the stairs.
"We are going to open my presents," Willow said as she opened the door. On the coffee table was a pile of wrapped presents.
"Okay," Cordelia said as she skipped into the room and sat down. "Okay, start."
They started from the first present and moved their way through all the presents skipping her eight and eighteenth presents. There were tons of things from jewelry to stuffed animals to books and beauty supplies. Each present had been deeply thought about by the brunette and each present fit Willow. At times in her life when things seemed bad Cordelia gave a stuffed animal. When Willow was just thinking about guys and clothing and make up there it was. "Okay, now you can open the one from your eighth birthday."
Slowly she ripped through the paper. She stopped when she saw the jewelry box. <What could this be?> Opening the box she found half a heart with her birthstone framing the shape in small stones. "Cordy, this is gorgeous."
Cordelia didn't say anything but pulled out hers. Placing the two together made a full heart. "Read the letter."
Willow did just that as she pulled it out of the top of the box. <I don't know if you open these but I will send you something every year just like I have before. This is something I would like you to wear and I will do the same. Happy Birthday, Willow! Love your secret friend, Cordelia.>
"Cordelia, I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. The fact that you took the time to be so thoughtful of what I would like is a great feeling," Willow said as she hugged Cordelia tightly.
"Willow, I need to breathe," Cordelia choked out.
"Sorry," Willow said as she pulled back wiping away her tears.
"Oh, come here," Cordelia said as she hugged her friend. "Wait. There is more," Cordelia said pulling away and grabbing the last package. "Open this."
"Okay," Willow said as she opened the package. Inside was a folded letter and cray paper. Willow opened the letter and started to read, <I saw you today. You looked so sad. I hope it wasn't because of the Xander and you thing. I'm only mad at him. I know you think you like Oz but... the way you looked at Angel. I don't think Oz is the one for you. Angel- I think he is. But then there is Buffy. You did something for Angel. I don't know yet but you did something to save him. Happy Birthday! Save this for the right one. Love, Cordy.>
Willow looked up surprised. "What?" Cordelia asked confused.
"Do you remember what you wrote in this letter?" Willow asked.
"No, I don't. I think it was something about the right guy. Why?" Cordelia asked.
"Read it," Willow said as she handed it to Cordelia. She watched as Cordelia read the letter and her facial changes turned to one of surprise.
"Well, I guess I was always a seer," Cordelia said with her hand to her cheek.
"Yeah, apparently," Willow said as she pulled out the gown in the box. "Cordy?"
"Yeah," Cordelia said looking up from the letter. "Isn't it just wonderful?" she asked as she stood up taking the gown into her hands. She held it up to the redhead and smiled. "I had thought of seeing you in this with your longer hair but this still looks wonderful."
"Oh, goddess this is beautiful," Willow said as she looked it over again. It was an emerald green night gown with a deep v-cut down the front of the gown edged with a thick lace that flowed down to her ankles.
"Yeah, I have really good taste. This is something you can wear on a special night with Angel," Cordelia said with a smile.
"That would be nice. Thank you," Willow said with smile.
"You don't sound so happy," Cordelia said as she put the gown on the table.
"Oh, I'm happy but I have just been thinking of how to make a night really special for the two of us. Everything is just moving really quick but everything is falling into place. Buffy and the others have no problem with us being together. I want one night that isn't rushed by pent up frustration from him just getting his soul or something that I have to get up from because we have to work. I want two or three days where we can just go slow," Willow said with a smile.
"Why don't you let him think about that?" Cordelia asked.
"Because... what? Is he planing something?" Willow asked with a smile.
"Maybe. Just give it a little bit, okay?"
"Okay," Willow said not worrying about anything and giddy at the prospect of getting a couple of days to spend with her love.
~Chapter 16~
"Is everything scheduled?" Angel asked as he sat with Wesley in the office.
"Yes, it should be wonderful. All you have to do is pick up one more thing," Wesley said as he gave Angel all the paperwork.
"Yeah, I want to give her the one my father gave my mother. It was one of the few things that I kept with me since I was turned. It will be perfect," Angel said with a bright smile.
Wesley took off his glasses and smiled. "Willow makes you very happy doesn't she?"
"Yes, she does," Angel said as he leaned back on his chair with the paperwork wrapped to his chest.
"I think that will be wonderful. Now don't forget the times. They are all written down on the paperwork there. Also the things you will be needing will be delivered this evening," Wesley said before standing up. "I should be going."
"Okay, goodnight. I'll see you in a couple of days," Angel said as he stood to shake Wesley's hand. "Thank you."
"Your welcome. I hope everything goes well. I'll make sure that the others don't come by and there will be a sign on the door," Wesley said as he headed for the door.
"Thanks, again," Angel said as he saw the ex-watcher to the door.
~~~
"Angel, the door bell is ringing. Can you get it?" Willow asked as she wrapped herself in a towel. When no one answered she sighed and started to rush down the stairs. She made it down one flight of stairs before she heard the door open and Angel start talking. When the door closed she continued down the stairs. "Hey, who was it?"
"It was someone delivering a package for you," Angel said as he walked over to her.
"Oh," Willow said as she took the package he handed her. "What is it?"
"Why don't you open it and find out?" Angel asked with a playful smile on his face.
"Okay, Mr. Mysterious-man, I'll do just that," Willow said as she placed it on the couch and started to tear into the paper surrounding the package. "Oh, Angel, what have you done?"
"I thought you would like it," Angel said with a pout on his face.
"Like it? I love it. But you have spent enough on me. You bought me a new wardrobe and everything I will need to live here forever if I don't want to go home. You aren't a millionaire... are you?" Willow asked rambling.
"Sorta but anyway, everything will be fine. I want to get you so many things. This is just something small I wanted to do. You go ahead upstairs and get dressed and meet me down here in half on hour," Angel said as he kissed her forehead and sent her to get dressed.
~~~
A half hour later Willow came down the stairs dressed in a sea foam dress. Angel came to her with a smile and gave her a kiss. He motioned for her to spin around as he looked at her. The halter top had silver beads going in a dispersing pattern down her chest until they disappeared around her breast area. In the back the cut went low down her back ending just above the tail bone. The dress shimmered from a sea foam green to a lavender purple.
"You look like a goddess," Angel said as he pulled her back to his chest. Gently trailing his hand over her bare shoulders and covered neck brushing away her untied hair he kissed her bare skin.
"Thank you. You look wonderful too. That tux is wonderful," Willow said blushing at his touch.
"Thank you. Here, follow me. I have something to show you," Angel said as he took her hand and led her to the courtyard. He smiled at her gasp when she saw the lit courtyard. The yard was lit with candles and white lights. The water fountain had been cleaned, much to Gunn's disagreement. It had also been fixed and at this moment left the yard with a soft tinkling noise.
"Angel, this is gorgeous. I... thank you," Willow said as a tear fell from her eye.
"Don't cry, sweetling," Angel said as he wiped the tear away.
"I'm just so happy. I know that I have sorta been crying a lot lately but it is because I'm happy. Angel, I have never been this happy before. As a child I didn't have any friends and no parents. You... you have made me so happy," Willow said as she hugged him tight. She pulled back and looked into his eyes with a smile. Pulling him down to her she kissed him trying to make him feel just an inkling of what she felt at this moment.
When they separated Angel led her to the table and sat her down were dinner was already served. Together the two ate in simple conversation. When dinner was finished Angel rose to his feet and cleared the table while Willow watched with a smile. He went over to a covered tray and then brought over the desert. "You remembered," Willow said as she took the plate from him. Chocolate covered strawberries. She had mentioned it to him during one of their late night talks when he would hold her to his body and just listen as she talked.
"I remember everything you tell me and everything that you don't," Angel said as he caressed her hand. Together they finished the strawberries and just sat there talking.
"What do you want to do with the rest of your life?" Angel asked.
"I don't know. Being one of the Scooby gang you don't think about your future. Since I got here I have been thinking about you and me. I don't know though. There are so many things changing," Willow said as she leaned back a little on her chair.
"Have you though about marriage?" Angel asked. Willow had just taken a sip of her drink and was now choking on it. "Are you okay?"
"Yes... and yes," Willow said gently holding her throat.
"Good," Angel said as he reached into his back pocket. Getting on one knee Angel held out the jewelry box and asked, "Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on the earth?"
"Oh, goddess, yes," Willow said as she knelt with him. Angel couldn't keep his excitement to himself as he hugged her and started to kiss her all over her cheeks, lips and eyelids.
"I love you so much," Angel said before kissing her again.
~Chapter 17~
"Willow! Willow! Come here, girl. I want to see the ring!" Cordelia yelled as she ran through the hotel. Wesley had made her stay away for three days now and she couldn't wait any longer.
"I'm here, Cordy," Willow said as she came out of Angel's room.
"Oh, congratulations. Wesley told me that he would be asking you. How was it? Was it romantic and beautiful?" Cordelia asked jumping up and down.
"Yes, it was all those things and so much more. We were just talking and he asked me what I want to do with the rest of my life. I started telling him that you never know what will happen as a Scooby and then he asked if I thought about marriage. Well, I started to choke on my drink and then after I calmed down he asked me if I would marry him and make him the happiest man on the earth," Willow said with a bright smile.
"Oh, that is so wonderful," Cordelia said as she wiped away a tear of happiness, "Where is the ring?"
"Right here. Isn't it gorgeous? It was his mother's," Willow said as she held up her friend. She giggled when she saw Cordelia's stunned expression. On Willow's long slender finger was an ornate emerald ring with diamonds surrounding the heart shaped stone.
"Willow, that is... that's... WOW," Cordelia said in a low whisper. "You are so lucky."
"Thank you," Willow said as she pulled Cordelia into a hug. "He will come around just you wait and see."
"Thanks," Cordelia said with a smile. "Oh, God. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"No, you weren't. Angel and I were just laying in bed talking."
"When someone started yelling for my lover and mate," Angel said as he came up behind Willow.
"Well, I just wanted details and to see the ring," Cordelia said backing away. "I'll go now."
"It is okay. Would you like to join the newly engaged couple for breakfast?" Angel asked.
"I would love to join you two," Cordelia said as she headed down the hall. "I'll set everything up for you guys."
"Oh, Cordelia... Can I have a glass of blood? I can't eat anymore human food," Angel said still wrapped in his embrace with Willow.
"Of course," Cordelia said over her shoulder.
~~~
Together they ate breakfast as they talked of the past and the future. Everything was simple and just between three friends. "When are you going to be getting married?" Cordelia asked as she finished her scrambled eggs.
"As soon as possible," Willow said as she let her head fall back into the rays of sun shine the fell in the courtyard.
"I thought you were complaining that everything was going so quickly," Cordelia said without thinking that Angel was sitting there.
"I know but we aren't given all the time in the world. Why not do what I want? I mean one of us could die or get injured at anytime. Why waste what we have?"
"Yeah, your right," Cordelia said as she stood up. "I have to go find Gunn."
"Okay, have fun."
~~~
A month and ten cases later everyone from the L.A. and Sunnydale gang were gathered together in the courtyard. Seats were set up and flowers adorned the polished marble and tile. At the front of the courtyard stood Angel in tuxedo with long tails. When the music started Buffy started down the aisle accompanied by Spike in a tuxedo. When they made it to the end of the chairs the bridal march started. Willow started down the aisle with Giles at her side.
Angel watched as his beautiful wife-to-be walked down the aisle. "Who gives this woman away?"
"I do," Giles answered the priest. "You look beautiful," Giles whispered after giving the redhead a kiss on her cheek.
Together Angel and Willow stood reciting their vows as their friends and family watched. Everyone listened as the two bonded themselves together for life.
~Chapter 18~
"That was a wonderful wedding, Willow," Joyce said as she hugged the redhead.
"Thank you for all your help and... for being such a good mother to me. Before you I didn't have someone that worried about me and what happened to me. Thank you," Willow said with a smile.
"Your welcome, sweetie. Don't forget to check in with us in Sunnydale," Joyce said before she headed to the door. "Come on, Dawn."
"Bye, Dawnie," Willow said as she gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye, Mrs. Mc Laughlin," Dawn said with a laugh.
"That sounds so good," Angel said as he wrapped his arms around his wife.
"Yeah, it does," Willow said with a smile.
"Well, all of us have to get back home. We have demons to slay and people to save," Buffy said as she gave Willow a hug and then headed to the door.
Soon everyone had left and the married couple were left alone. "Sweetie, let's go to bed. You look tired," Angel said as he took his wife his arms.
"You don't have to carry me, you know?" Willow said as she cuddled into Angel's shoulder. "But I'm not complaining."
"I like holding you. I like being close to you," Angel said as he started up the stairs.
"Mmmm... me too," Willow said in a sleepy voice as her eyes fluttered closed.
"Goodnight, my love," Angel said as he carried her through the apartment to his bed. Gently he laid her on his bed and went to his dresser to get out a pair of silk pajama pants. After getting changed he went to the bed to watch his beautiful bride. She was still dressed in her wedding dress. She had been amazed to have found the dress she had always dreamed out at her first try. It was a white dress with vines of beads going down the skirt and up the abdomen. She looked wonderful in it.
Angel looked up from his thoughts as he heard her groan. "Well, I guess our honeymoon will start tomorrow," Angel said as he stood and started to get her out of the wedding dress. Once he had gotten her out of the full dress he tucked her in under the covers. Looking around he sighed. He wasn't tired yet so he headed downstairs to finish cleaning up the reception.
He had been down there almost an hour and he had finally finished. He had cleaned up all the dishes and utensils and had brought all the gifts up to the living room. Everyone there had given presents and even those that couldn't be there had sent things. All of the old clients had sent something.
He was just about to bring up the last of the presents when a loud noise sounded and smoke filled the lobby. Turning around the vampire found a demon standing in the lobby. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, my name is D'Hofferyn," the demon said as he stepped towards Angel.
"I've heard of you. What can I do for you?" Angel asked as he placed the last packages on the steps and then stood back up waiting for the answer.
"I actually am here to help you... Well, the little redhead you married today. See a while ago I tried to get her to work for me. She has one hell of a fire in her but she wouldn't come to my side. Still, I want to see her happy and she seems to be happy with you. Give this to her and she will know what to do with it," the demon said as he handed the vampire a scroll.
"Okay, thank you," Angel said not really knowing what to say. A demon was in his lobby giving a wedding present of sorts to his wife.
"Well, take care of her. The ceremony was beautiful." Then he was gone. Angel just shook his head and started up to his room. He was tired and couldn't wait to get in bed with his beautiful wife.
~Chapter 19~
"Honey, thank you for the tea," Willow said as she sat on the couch in front of the pile of presents.
"No, problem. I just thought it was a tea morning," Angel said with a smile when he saw her happiness.
"Yeah, I was so tired last night. I am now but I feel good and rested," Willow said as she folded her feet under her and got comfortable.
"We have been so busy this last month. It is nice to just be here with you."
"Yeah and we get to open presents," Willow said as she jumped up and hugged her husband. "My husband and I get to open presents.... Hey, that sounds so good. My husband and my mate."
"Yes, your husband and your mate," Angel said holding her close. He kissed her as he carried her over to the couch laying her down. He continued to kiss his wife as he laid above her supporting himself with his arms.
Willow moved up so she was fully on the couch. When she moved her hand hit the table and there was a loud noise as her tea fell off the table. The two separated and WIllow started to laugh. Angel just sighed and sat up. "I'll go get something to clean that up with. You wait here."
"Okay," Willow said still laughing as her husband got up and went to get something to clean up the spilt tea.
When the tea was finally cleaned up Angel and Willow sat down and stared at the presents. "I think we should open the gifts. For some reason we can't seem to get away from them," Angel said with a sigh.
"Oh, does someone feel deprived?" Willow asked with a fake pout.
Angel dove for her, "Oooh, little girl. I'll get you."
"What are you going to do?"
"Tickle you," Angel said as he tickled her. She squiggled around knocking a scroll onto her chest. "Oh, for loves sake. Here. Read this thing before I never get to kiss you again," Angel said as he sat back on his legs.
"Okay, I promise we will do anything and everything you want to do," Willow said as she opened the scroll. "Honey, where did this come from?"
"D'Hoffryn," Angel grunted as he sat on the end of the couch. "He stopped by last night after you feel asleep."
"Oh, um.... honey, this is a ceremony to close the Hellmouth forever," Willow said as she reread the scroll.
"I guess we go to Sunnydale now," Angel said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Sorry honey but it has to be done tomorrow night. That is probably why we keep getting... um... interrupted," Willow said as she looked at her husband.
"Okay, lets pack."
THE END....