QUE SERA, SERA (22/22)
 

Willow snuggled against Angel, resting her head on his chest as she sighed
softly. She felt Angel shift, his mouth by her ear as he said softly,
"Something wrong, bella?"
 

She smiled at his endearment. Beautiful, in Italian. She loved it, knowing
that she was the first person he had ever called that name. He had started
calling her that their first night together, whispering in her ear as he had
shown her such pleasure and taken her to such heights. After spending the
last few weeks with him, hearing his voice soften every time he spoke that
name, she felt almost as if it was a caress or a soft I love you. "Not
really," she said finally, just enjoying being in his arms, "just feel sad
that we're leaving."
 

"Isn't it awful?" Cordelia said, shifting in place as she stared into the
night. "I love Rome."
 

"It's been wonderful," Faith agreed, smiling at Wesley before looking at her
friends. "I mean, look at what we were like when we first got here and now
what our lives are like."
 

"Yeah, I'm an engaged man," Xander said, smiling his off kilter smile as he
pulled Cordelia into his arms.
 

"And it's been confirmed that I must be insane," Cordelia said, laughing as
she kissed his cheek.
 

"I think it's rather obvious what I get to bring home from Rome," Angel said
lightly, his chin resting on Willow's shoulder as he pulled her closer to him.
 

"Yes, well, I believe we are all much better off than before," Wesley said.
 

"I second that," Faith said, her hand in his.
 

"But I still hate to leave," Willow said wistfully.
 

"Yeah, me too," Faith agreed.
 

"We'll be back," Cordelia said nodding, a determined look in her eyes. "I
know it."
 

"Here, bella," Angel said, handing Willow a coin from his pocket. He saw her
look at him and he smiled, "The fountain? Haven't you heard the stories? If
you toss in a coin, you get to return to Rome."
 

Remembering the first day they arrived in town, and the wish she had made,
she smiled, holding the coin tightly. "Yeah, I heard," she glanced at Faith
and Cordelia and saw the slight widening of the other girl's eyes as they too
remembered their wishes. She looked at them and laughed, "What do you say
girls? Should we risk a second wish?"
 

Faith laughed, digging in her jeans pocket for a coin, "Fuck yeah. Who knows?
It might come true too."
 

Cordelia nodded, shaking her head as she found a coin, "I can't believe I'm
doing this. I so don't believe in this stuff," she continued to protest as
she moved forward to join the others. The men moved together, watching as
their lovers looked into the fountain and then at each other. All as one,
three coins were tossed into the air, making a small splash before settling
on the bottom. The girls turned, moving into their lovers' arms and taking
one last look at the fountain.
 

"Ok, we're ready," Willow said, smiling as she started to walk towards the
waiting taxi.
 

"Yeah, back to the old grindstone," Faith said, making a face.
 

"Hellmouth and all," Cordelia added, rolling her eyes as she and Xander got
into a taxi.
 

"You comfortable?" Angel asked as Willow got into the car.
 

"Yes," she said, kissing him gently before laying her head against his chest.
 

He smiled, holding her close as he said, "I love you, bella."
 

"And I love you," Willow said softly as she settled beside Angel in the cab,
his arm around her as they started off towards the airport and home.
 

*********THE END***************

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