~Part 6~
 

"Let's go, or we'll be late," Amy hurried as she took her house keys
from the side table.
"Do we have to go?" Willow whined.
"Don't you or do you want to look good for Angel?"
Willow grabbed her purse and pulled Amy with her out the door.
Ten blocks down, Amy and Willow entered the beauty salon with accessories
in hand.
"Hey Wills. Hi Amy. Ready for tonight?"
"Getting there. Need to do our hair," Amy replied.
"What about you, Buffy?"
"I'm up next with Maurie's. Cordelia was able to get me an appointment
with him today. Will's did you have enough time to get a dress?"
"She got more then just a dress," Amy smiled.
Willow bumped her, hoping to quite her.
"Cause if you still need one I'm sure I can still find some old dresses
or something I have in the attic."
"Thanks, Buffy, but I have one.
"Good. Well I have to go. Cordy is waiting for me on the second floor."
"Go, go, get made over."
"Coming with us in the limo?" Buffy asked before she left.
"No, Angel said he was going to pick me up."
"All right, then. That way you can ask him in the car or something. See
you tonight."
They both nodded and looked at her leave.
"You haven't told her, have you?"
"That Angel might want me and not her?" she squeaked out.
"No, that Angel wants you instead."
"Haven't had a chance to."
"Then I'm sure he'll tell her."
"Let's get our hair done," Willow said as she pulled her to the
receptionist.
She had enough to worry about, but tonight all she wanted was to have fun
and spend time with Angel.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Willow took a deep breath as she stepped back and looked at the spread before
her. She had unpacked everything from the boxes she would be wearing,
including the undergarments he had sent her, which only made her blush more.
She turned around and looked at the image looking back at her. She was in
complete contrast with herself.
She had spent a little over three hours in the beauty salon with Amy. As she
looked at there handy work, she was pleased with the result. They had showed
her how to arrange her hair, cutting it slightly up to below her shoulder,
layering it, giving it the bounce it needed, making some of the strands curl.
The manicure on her hands looked flawless and the body oils and lotions
smelled of peach.
Now all she needed to do was soak in the tub for a bit and get ready. She
rushed to get her towel and grabbed the new bag of goodies she had bought.
She had four hours to get ready before Angel came.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Three hours to go and Angel was rolling out of bed. He'd never been this
excited before. Yes, he admitted, he had found the slayer alluring, but he
had found Willow intoxicating. With her red hair and green eyes that seemed
to sparkle each time he saw her. He hadn't found the courage to go up to her,
but she had and because of that he was now brave enough to live a part of his
life he had convinced himself he did not deserve.
He pulled out an address book from his nightstand drawer and began to plan
the rest of the night with a smile on his face.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Willow was nervous, giddy, excited, and anxious all in one. In two hours
Angel would be coming to Amy's door for her. Or so she hoped. He could have
changed his mind. She chided herself for such a thought, knowing that Amy
would hit her again if she thought it aloud. She finished adding the last of
the crystal-beaded clips in her hair making it complete. She moved to the
small vanity table, her cover-up, gloss and blush ready for her use.
Once she was done she looked at the task at getting dressed. She looked over
at the clock on the nightstand.
An hour to go.
 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Amy and Willow waited in her living room for their dates to arrive. After
wowing not only themselves but also each other both women were content of how
they looked.
"Nervous?" Amy teased.
Willow's hand moved to her stomach, trying to settle down the butterflies
that were somersaulting in her stomach.
"A little."
"It's going to be fine. You're going to have fun. A tall, mysterious man
will try to woo you and maybe you'll do something naughty tonight," she
teased.
"Amy!"
"What? Like you weren't thinking about it."
Willow remained quite, knowing at times that her thoughts strayed to that
area unknown to her.
Before Amy could comment of how red she was turning, the doorbell rang. Both
women looked at each other, unsure of whom it was for. It was Amy who finally
went to the door, looking though her peephole. Dear God, it was him. She
quickly opened the door, her face quite expressive of how great he looked.
"Hello Amy. Is Willow ready?" he asked.
She remained staring. He wore a black three-piece suit, perhaps Armani, with
a button down vest, just low enough to reveal his satiny black tie with a
collar black shirt. Everything seemed to fit him perfect. Broad shoulders and
a nice waist, geez, Willow was one lucky woman, she thought.
"Amy?" he asked again, trying to get her attention.
"What? Oh, Willow, yeah, right, she's here, and ready, in the living room."
Angel thanked her and stepped inside her home. Angel couldn't help but feel a
bit uneasy around her. But all thoughts and feelings left him, as he stood
speechless when Willow entered the room. The same look that Amy had held a
moment ago now covered Angel's face as he took in the beauty of the redhead.
Her red coppery hair was twisted up into a clean French twist, showing off
the delicate curve of her neck. Her shoulders looked soft to the touch, his
fingers aching to feel the smoothness of them. The white gown defined her
waist as the top embrotery emphasized her perky breasts. She wore off white
gloves that covered up to the middle of her upper arms, her hands together in
front of her. She was a vision, one that smelled of peaches.
They remained looking at each other for some time, mesmerized by each other,
until Amy spoke.
"Are you guys okay?" she couldn't help but tease.
"No. I've been bewitched," he replied with a devilish smile.
Willow smiled and blushed a deeper red, unsure of how to react to such
attention. He moved closer to her, taking out a box from behind him that he
had hid upon enterering.
"This is for you."
Angel pulled out the beautiful lest red rose she had ever seen. It was large
and plump with a wonderful smell. He slipped in onto her wrist, and then
extended his arm to her.
"Shall we leave?"
Willow could only nod, not able to make words just yet. He escorted his date
out of the house and into a pearlized white 1945 Rolls Royce's. A chauffeur
appeared, opening the reversed door for them, Angel taking her hand carefully
and helping her into the large car. He sat next to her, taking her hand in
his as he told the driver where to drive. To Willow's surprise, they weren't
heading directly to the ball, but to dinner.
"Thought you might be hungry," he spoke, seeing the tint of confusion in her
eyes. "That and I thought you would look even lovelier by candlelight."
Willow couldn't help but blush, wondering if he could see her reaction to him
in the darkness. By the grin on his face, she elected he could, making her
blush even more.
He brought their hands up to his lips and planted a single kiss on her
covered skin.
"You look wonderful tonight," he expressed, his lips lingering, heating
her skin, his eyes remaining fixed on hers.
"And you look as handsome as ever," Willow replied unknowingly, her
forwardness something too new to herself.
Angel smiled, hiding his chuckle. So innocent, yet so enticing, that was
what Willow was and he was being driven mad with it.
The ride was short, stopping at the restaurant Willow would never have
been able to afford. She pulled his arm back a bit, making him turn around
and wonder why she did not want to exit the car.
"This is too expensive."
Angel could only grin.
"No, it's not. Don't worry."
"It isn't worth it, Angel. You've already given me too much."
"You're worth much more Willow. This is so little compared to what you
have given me."
"But I haven't given you anything," she replied confused.
"Yes you have. More then you can ever imagine. Your company is more then
I deserve let alone your small touches. Even the way you look at me. You've
managed to warm a heart that was left cold for so many years."
Willow's eyes grew misty. Her hand cupped his cheek.
"No one... no one has ever treated me like you have... Thank you...
sometimes I just don't think I deserve this...you."
Angel did the only he could. He kissed her. But he pulled away much to
quickly for her, her hand lingering on his cool cheek.
"Dinner?"
She smiled, letting him help her out of the car. They entered together,
turning a few heads as the hostess led them to their private table. Willow
couldn't help but feel a bit smug, smiling as she saw the countless stares
that were directed to her gorgeous date. Angel pulled out the heavy chair and
pushed it slightly in as Willow sat down. He joined her, the hostess leaving
the menus.
Too curious not to ask, Willow spoke aloud, making her turn slightly
pale.
"I can eat, I just don't find it necessary or as satisfying as you
would."
"I didn't mean to pry or anything, I'm sorry, I was..."
"It's okay, Willow. I don't mind... I actually like you asking me... means
you still know what I am... you don't shy away from that."
"I don't shy away from it, I accept it," she said naturally, looking
over her menu that was in French.
Angel was shocked. Did he hear her correctly? Was this even possible? No
one had ever said that to him, never. It was her question that brought him
out his thoughts.
"Would you mind ordering? Everything's in French, I'm not that fluent
yet."
"Are you sure?"
"I trust you. Just no frogs," she quickly added.
Angel looked down at the menu, not able to stop smiling.
The waiter came around, offering they're richest wine. Angel ordered in
French, Willow fascinated with his voice. He looked at her, and poured a
little red wine into her glass, not wanting to make her sick or drunk.
Conversation came easy to them, as Willow and Angel ate some form of meat
satauted in some kind of sauce. It didn't really matter what it was, Willow
enjoyed it, trusting Angel. They spoke of Angel's travels, sometimes speaking
of Angelus both knowing what he had been once.
"How can you accept me after all I have done?" Angel asked, afraid to
truly know if she did or not.
Willow placed her fork on the plate, as her hands moved to cover his on
the table.
"Because he isn't you. He's part of you, the demon will always be, put
you aren't him. He controlled you, now you control him. You decided this path
of good, Angel, you didn't have to, you could have continued being him, but
you didn't and you know why. Because you aren't him."
He bought her hands up to his lips and kissed them, thanking her and
praying that her heart my turn to look at him as his was beginning to look at
her.
Time didn't permit for desert, the ball already starting without them.
They left, Angel leaving a generous tip behind.
He escorted Willow to the car once more, the driver already knowing where
to go.
"So, I was hoping that the first and last dance are mine," Angel began.
Willow looked at him and smiled, hoping not only those.
"And all the ones in between," he added.
She looked up a bit surprised but she knew she wanted those as well and
nodded, blushing lightly.
Angel gave her a warm smile, once again placing a kiss on her hand.
They arrived in a matter of minutes, the final couples climbing the
stairs of the large mansion it was being held in. Angel could hear the slight
exhilaration of Willow's heart and squeezed her hand, letting her know
everything would be well. She smiled, making Angel feel warm inside. He
helped her out of the car, giving her a few moments to smooth down the
wrinkles in her dress. Dear God, she looked beautiful to him. She took his
offered arm and let him guide her up the stairs were soft music could be
heard.
She took a deep breath and held tightly the arm she held, knowing it would be
an unforgettable night.

* * * * * * * * * * *

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