Angel was ready for his nightly patrol. He grabbed his jacket from the bed and checked his duffel bag once more, making sure he had everything he needed. He left the bedroom and headed to the front door of the mansion. He stopped as his eyes caught sight of something by the fireplace. He changed his direction and went to inspect the box he knew he had never left there.
“What the...” he said as he heard a strange sound emanating from the it. He walked over to it carefully, prepared for anything.
Living in the hellmouth he had encountered many things, but he wasn’t prepared for what he saw inside.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow surfed on the net angrily. She had been left in Sunnydale alone for the weekend. Cordelia’s family had invited Xander to spend the weekend in San Francisco and Buffy was in LA with her dad for his birthday. To add more to her loneliness, her parents would be gone for a month.
She had already called Giles to check in. Hellmouth activity was at in all time low and she would not be needed for research tonight.
“A whole Friday night free,” Giles had told her.
“Great,” trying to sound enthused by the news.
Now at 7:00 p.m., she was in her room, on her computer, bored. She clicked on one of her links and became frustrated as the computer froze once more. She hit the screen, making it go black.
“Damn!”
She tried pushing the power button, but it didn’t respond. She nearly jumped out of the chair as she heard a knock at her window. She turned and saw him standing outside. She hesitated going over, <It’s Angel, remember>.
She gave him a quick smile and opened the window.
“Hi.”
“Willow, I know I shouldn’t be here, but I don’t have anyone to turn to - I need your help.”
Willow looked at him surprised. Those were words that had never been directed at her.
“What do you need?” she asked, seeing the panic in his eyes.
“I need you to come back with me to the mansion.”
“Angel, I...”
“I know I have no right to ask you to trust me or even ask you for anything, but I need your help. Will you come?”
<How many times has he saved your life without a moments hesitation?> a voice in her commented.
“Let’s go.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow stayed close to Angel as they walked to the mansion. He had remained quite since thanking her back at her house.
She hoped she knew what she was doing.
So many things had changed since he had returned from hell, she wasn’t sure how to act.
As they entered the mansion, she was surprised to hear giggling.
“Whistler.”
“Hey Angel, that was fast.”
Willow looked on confused as she saw the short man Angel had acknowledged, making faces. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to his bright wardrobe as she looked at him completely.
“What’s going on?”
“Didn’t tell her? It’s best she saw it anyway,” Whistler said as he motioned for her to walk over to the box.
She looked over at Angel, who was looking into the box intently. She walked over cautiously, a bit worried to see what was inside.
“It’s a baby,” she said with a smile.
“Good, now you have help, now I can leave,” Whistler said as he headed for the door.
“You said you’d help,” Angel reminded him.
“I just did.”
“Whistler wait, we might need you.”
He turned to look at Willow, who was already playing with the baby.
“I found the baby when I woke up tonight.”
“All alone?”
“Just the box and a note.”
“Did you call the police, someone might be looking for their child.”
“I thought about that, but then I read the note.”
Angel took out the piece of paper from his jacket
and handed it to her. She unfolded it and read it out loud.
Angel,
With you I leave my child. I trust no one else to guard him from the evil
that seeks him. You are the only one who can
protect him. Please take care of him until my return, and a different fate
shall take.
Willow handed him back the note and looked at him, a question pressing in the back of her mind.
“Angel, is he yours?”
“No....vampires can’t...we can’t...”
“Reproduce,” Whistler finished.
“But you can....you know...you can...maybe...,” she tried to say as her cheeks turned red.
“We can, Willow, but we can’t have children...There’s no way,” he replied.
“What are you going to do, Angel?” Whistler asked.
“Protect him, figure out who left him, find out why they picked me.”
“Here?” Willow asked, looking around.
“I’m not sure where.”
“Are you sure this is the best thing to do?” she asked him.
“I’m positive. Someone knew I wouldn’t turn my back on him, they knew I would protect him, and that’s what I intend to do, but...Willow, will you help me?”
Willow looked at the adorable baby that was smiling at her, his light brown eyes looked brightly at her. She turned back her gaze at Angel and knew her answer.
“I’ll help you, Angel.”
“Thank you.”
“Now that that’s settled, you can’t stay here, any creep can walk right in,” Whistler commented.
“I have a safe house.”
“We’ll need to get him some food, diapers, bottles..”, Willow said as she began to make a mental list of the things they would need.
“Are you both sure you’re going to be able to handle this?” Whistler asked amused.
Angel and Willow looked at each other, a child depended on it.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel and Willow stepped into the aisle and nearly collapsed as they saw the selection of baby products.
<Where do we start!?>
On one side there were ten different kinds of diapers, while the other side housed hundreds of different formulas.
They turned to look at each other with panic in their eyes.
They had left the baby with Whistler, heading over to the supermarket, shopping for the things the baby would need. They had managed to spend two hours solely in the baby aisle, trying to make out which items they would need from the multitude of products. After inspecting each product, consulting five store clerks and three mothers, they had managed to buy ten bags of baby products and one bag of solid food.
They had driven back to the mansion where Whistler had been relieved to see them and had practical raced to hand the baby off to Willow. He rushed out before they could even thank him.
Angel led Willow back to the car and headed to the safe house he had by the Bronze.
After a ten minute ride, they parked in an underground parking. Willow held the baby closer to her body as they stepped out of the car. Angel led them to the elevator, staying close to her as his senses scanned the dark garage.
He managed to open the door and carry all eleven bags with him at the same time. He let them enter, telling her to stay by the door. He left them for a moment, looking over the deserted apartment making sure it was safe. He placed the bags on the counter of the kitchen and went to get Willow.
She walked up the stairs and stepped into the spacious living room. White sheets covered the few furnishings in the room. She looked up to see an open second landing. He looked around the apartment once more then began to take off all the dust filled sheets. Willow remained standing silently in the middle of the room, wondering what she was supposed to do. Angel motioned for her to sit on the oversized white sofa. She sat down as he went up the stairs to the second floor.
Willow’s arm began to feel heavy. She had never held a baby for that long. She was glad to see Angel return quickly.
“Angel, where is the baby going to sleep?”
“On the bed. I don’t have a crib.”
“Okay, where? she asked as her arms drooped lower, and moved over to him.
“Upstairs,” he replied as he helped her up the spiraling staircase.
Willow walked into the large bedroom and looked at the king size bed in the middle of the room.
She carefully placed the baby on the bed, as Angel grabbed the pillows and placed them around the sleeping newborn. They both looked down and smiled.
“He doesn’t have a name,” Willow realized out loud.
“What should we call him?”
“I think you should have that honor.”
“What if we both think of a name and call him that?” he said as he looked at her with the same smile.
Willow nodded in agreement. The both looked back down at the baby and tried to find a name. It only took Angel a second to know what he wanted to call the baby he had been entrusted to protect.
“Sean”, he replied softly, his mind drifting away to memories of the past.
Willow liked it, but added hers in.
“Nicolas.”
Angel looked up at her as he heard her selection. He looked at her a bit surprised.
“Don’t like it?” she asked as she tried to hide the disappointment from her face.
“No, I do, it just...it was my grandfather’s name.”
“We can just call him Sean”, she told him as she bit her lower lip.
“No, I like it....Nicolas Sean McNab,” he replied with a smile.
“Rosenburg,” she added, glad she had made him smile.
Angel chuckled.
“Yes, of course, Nicolas Sean McNab Rosenburg.”
Willow couldn’t help but giggle at the long name they had given him.
“We can always just call him Nicolas.”
Angel kept smiling as he turned his attention back the sleeping infant.
An awkward silence hung over them, making Willow nervous.
“I’m heading...going downstairs to start on some bottles.”
Angel nodded as she walked to the stairs.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel didn’t know what to do. He began pacing, wondering what the hell to do. His mind raced back to the past.
<Hell, I helped raise four kids>
He panicked and looked over the railing.
“Willow, the baby’s crying”
Willow fumbled with the bottle, splashing her hand with a bit of boiling water. It had taken her half an hour to prepare it and tested the warmness on her hand. It was too hot.
“Willow...”
She could hear the desperation in his voice and ran upstairs, handing the bottle to him. Willow picked up the crying baby in her arms and rocked it, unfortunately that did not work.
“The milks too hot, can you cool it down?”
Happy with the task given to him he rushed down the stairs, emerging minutes later with the bottle in hand.
She tested it on her hand once more and smiled at him. The baby quieted as it began to drink its milk. Willow sighed in relief and sat on the bed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel sat on one of the stools, his elbows on the counter, his head in his hands. Willow sat across the table, surveying the damage in the kitchen. Some of the powder formula had scattered on the floor, three bottles of different colors, held different milk formulas. Eight bags full of food remained on the counter untouched.
They were just happy the baby had stopped crying. Angel looked up at her and could see she was tired.
“I’ll unpack,” he told her as he got up and grabbed a bag, looking at the contents inside.
“Look at all this,” he commented as he began to take out all the items they had bought.
Willow joined him, helping him store all the food in the cabinets. She looked over and saw the clock on the wall.
“Wow, it’s 2. I should be heading home.”
He stopped what he was going as he heard what she said.
“I can’t take you, I don’t want to leave the baby alone.”
“That’s O.K., I can walk by myself.”
“No, Willow it isn’t safe, it’ll at least be a twenty minute walk.”
“I’ll be fine, everything’s been pretty quite.”
“No, Willow, it doesn’t matter, it’s not just demons you have to worried about. It isn’t safe.”
“Angel...”
He walked over to her, and touched her hand.
“Will you stay the night?”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow looked at the two sleeping forms next to her on the bed. She smiled as she saw the baby resting peacefully in sleep. She chuckled as she saw them both wearing matching black T-shirts. It turned to a soft laugh as she looked pass the baby to Angel’s sleeping form. All three had black shirts on.
She looked at her watch and pressed the indiglo button, illuminating part of the darkness with a soft blue-green glow. It was 5:56 a.m.
It had been a long eventful night. The baby had woken up crying. They changed his diapers three times, tried to feed him twice more and rocked him in their arms, but nothing worked - not until they both laid down on the large bed next to him.
After two burps and one vomit, followed by a change of clothing for both of them, Nicolas finally fell asleep.
She smiled as she remembered with what expertise Angel had tried to change Nicolas’ clothing. The baby giggled, his arms and legs moving all around. After a pair of scissors, a stapler, and much creativity they both managed to make a suitable covering for the time being. She had never heard Angel laugh before and it caused a small tingle in her.
The oddest thing she had noticed was when the baby awoke crying. Somehow it sensed when either Angel or she left their side of the bed. Nicolas would instinctively begin crying. Now in the their third hour of not leaving his side, the baby slept without waking.
Her eyes moved to the figure whose face looked tired and worried. Even in sleep he didn’t seem to rest. It had been five months since Angel had returned from Hell. She had been the first to see him. The slayereets had began patrolling in Buffy’s absence. They were good, getting better and perhaps it was that new found cockiness that had been their downfall. That night they had been ambushed by five vampires. Two had grabbed her and dragged her deeper into the park, away from her friends. She had tried as best as she could to get away, but it was useless, she was going to die.
It was then that Angel had appeared, killing both vampires and helped her from the ground. She was shaken at first, have an almost died and received a postcard from Buffy telling her Angel was in Hell, she was terrified to say the least. It was until she looked into his eyes that she recognized him. They we’re not the evil, blood thirsty eyes of the killer that had caused them so much harm, Angelus, they were the soft, guilt ridden, haunted eyes of Angel, their Angel.
“Angel?”
He remained silent then disappeared as her friends had come to look for her. She had told no one of his return, going to visit him in the mansion a couple of nights after her rescue. They spoke shortly, Angel still feeling too ashamed to talk to anyone yet. She could feel him watching them when they went out patrolling every night, even saving her life once more.
Then the explosion came. Buffy had returned and in a months time everyone knew Angel was back. She had been patrolling with Buffy when they had found him staking a vampire. All her emotions had overpowered her. She was about to stake him, when Willow threw herself in front of him for protection.
After a time the gang accepted his existence, but loathed his presence. It was on a particular night patrolling that she noticed something different about him, something she had never expected.
As they fought some vampires, instead of going to aid the slayer as he had always done before, he remained protecting her. It was something that had surprised both her and Buffy. They hardly spoke, but she knew that each night as she walked the streets of Sunnydale he was lurking in the shadows protecting her. He had become her guardian and didn’t want to know why he had, she was just grateful he was.
Now that he needed her she would not let him known, she only hoped she was strong enough to help her friend.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow was hesitate in waking Angel, but she needed to leave. She shook him lightly, jumping back once she heard a small growl. She knew waking a vampire in the middle of the day was not the best thing to do, but she had no choice.
Angel shook his head, hoping to focus his blurred eyesight. He focused on the young woman shifting from side to side with a nervous smile on her face.
“Willow?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you , I’m sure you don’t like to be wakened up at this hour, especially since you have to sleep in the day, I guess it would be like waking me up in the middle of the night, I would be grumpy too after a night like last night, so I understand why you would be a little mad if you are, maybe I would be too, but I had to because I didn’t just want to go without telling you, that would have been rude and with the baby.....”
Angel tried to keep listen to everything she was saying, but it was too hard, she was talking too fast and low, he did, however, catch an important word.
“Your leaving?” he asked worried.
“Just to change, pick up some things, then I’ll come back here,” she replied, hoping it was okay.
“Sure, I just thought maybe you weren’t coming...” he said relieved.
“Be back? No, I’ll be back later.”
“Okay.” he said with a smile.
She gave him a reassuring smile.
“I’ll be back.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow took a quick shower. She dried her hair and called Giles. Everything was relatively quite and having Faith around offered them both a bit more of reassurance. Giles told her to have a pleasant night away from t he library, research could wait until Monday. She hung up, promising to call him again tonight in case he changed his mind.
She pulled out a duffel bag from her closet and began picking out clothes. She had made a decision last night, a decision that had led her to this conclusion. She would help Angel and by doing that, she would have to stay with him. She wasn’t an expert in baby care, yeah, she did baby-sit when she was younger, but never for more then five hours at a time. She wasn’t sure how much experience he had with children, but she was more then sure things had changed in the past 200 hundred years. If that baby had any way of surviving their rookie crash course into baby caring, they needed each other.
She pulled out some books and closed her laptop, stuffing them into the bag carefully. If something evil was out searching for the baby they needed all the help they could get. A warm feeling swept over her - for the first time she was the one aiding a friend and not being the one aided. She smiled and pulled the duffel bag over her shoulder, heading towards the door.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel looked at the clock on the dresser. After Willow had woken him up he wasn’t able to go back to bed. He needed a shower, but didn’t want to leave the baby alone. Willow had said she would be back and he believed her.
Since he had returned from Hell everything had changed. The memories of Angelus still haunted him and every time he managed to sleep the anguishing nightmares of his time in Hell replayed themselves. It had been horrible when he returned. He was alone, weak and disgusted. It had been a struggle for him to stop from going into the sunlight and ending his misery, but three things kept him from killing himself.
He was Catholic, and even if he was a demon, his mother had raised him as so. The second reason was his grandfather - he had taught Angel never to give up - he could still hear his words - ‘A coward gives up on life choosing the easy way out - a brave man lives each day and I didn’t raise any cowards.’
Then there was the last reason, Willow. He knew who had given him back his soul, not just a curse, but a permanent soul. That was all the proof he needed to show him she had stilled believed in him. He had later learned she had not only tried it once, but twice, never hesitating to risk her life. Now it was his time to risk it for her. He would protect her until death, no matter where.
His time in hell, 150 earth years, had changed him. All the torture, all the pain, all the suffering had made him see things clearer, see himself in a new light as well as the people who had been around him. Then a month after his return Willow had been attacked. He had heard what had happened, Buffy had left, leaving her duties, her friends, her watcher, and lastly him. Once he regained his strength, he followed the Slayettes in patrol, trying to keep them safe in the shadows, but mostly protecting Willow.
Then Buffy had returned creating problems he would have preferred avoiding. Now everyone knew he was back and once again it was Willow to defend him. It was true, he didn’t know her well, nor she did she know him, but she had agreed to help him.
He looked forward to spending more time with her, to get to know the soul he would protect for eternity, and perhaps in the process find a friend.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow rushed back to the warehouse. It was a difficult task with two heavy bookbags over her small shoulders. She reached for the buzzer, not sure where she had left her keys. She was buzzed in and headed for the elevator to the main floor.
She stepped out to see the baby on the floor, wide awake crawling over a blanket that had been placed on the hardwood floor. A cascade of pillows had been thrown around it, securing possible ouch-I-hit-my-head furniture. She walked up to the baby. He stopped his crawling as it met her feet and looked up, smiling. Willow’s heart melt. She placed the bags down and picked up the baby in her arms. The baby kicked happily, his hand curling its fingers in her hair. Angel emerged from the kitchen, testing the temperature of the bottle on his wrist.
“Did he wake you up early?”
“Not really, we’ve drifted back into sleep on and off. I think it’s time to feed him.”
Willow smiled at him and handed him the baby. He backed away, not sure he wanted to.
“You have to feed him, Angel.”
“I just thought since you were here that...”
“No pressure Angel, but you are sort of his dad for now.”
Angel smiled, liking the sound of being called a dad.
“It’s been a long time. The last baby I held was Mary.”
Willow knew what he meant and her heart broke.
“Trained arms never forget, nor do good big brothers, come on, Nicolas is hungry.”
Angel looked at her surprised, and silently thanked her with his eyes. He placed the bottle down on a table near by and prepared his arms to receive the precious package.
Willow smiled, trying to encourage him.
His trembling arms took the infant in his arms, glad to see the baby giggle at him.
“See, a pro, even maybe better then me.”
Angel remained looking at Nicolas, an array of memories coming to mind.
Willow grabbed the bottle and handed it to him. He sat on the couch and Nicolas began to eat happily. She looked on amazed, able to feel the happiness radiate off Angel.
“Though I have to commend you on such a good job on putting on that shirt on him, I think he might need clothes.”
“I was thinking about just doing some more of my clothing inventions on him,” Angel commented seriously.
“Oh....well...um....”
Angel chuckled at her response.
“I was just kidding, Willow. We can go to the mall and pick up anything we think we might need.”
Willow was relieved and chuckled a bit, not aware Angel had a sense of humor. She didn’t know him very well, but was looking forward to getting to know the true Angel McNab.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow walked through the crowded mall. She held the baby protectively in her arms, as Angel walked next to her, his hand on her back, keeping her close to him. To their relief, they spotted a store they needed, “Baby Wonderland”.
Willow’s face lit up as she saw the array of baby furniture. They moved deeper into the store, to the crib area. Willow felt drawn to one on the far corner of the store and headed towards it. Angel followed her, looking at all the gismos babies now used.
The oak crib looked like an antique, sparking an interest in Angel. The detailed molding and carvings placed the style of the crib in a different century. Willow turned to look at Angel, they had found their crib.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” the petite blond sales clerk woman asked.
“We wanted to purchase the crib,” Angel replied.
“We have one more left, just came in time,” the woman said with a smile.
An hour later, they had purchased a whole nursery for Nicolas. Everything would be delivered by tomorrow. They headed back into the mall, Christmas carols greeting them by the overhead radio. Christmas was a week away, the height of late minute shopping in full swing, assaulting all the stores in Sunnydale. They next store to lure them in was ‘Cuttie Booties’.
As they looked through the different kinds of clothing, Willow couldn’t help but smile as she saw Angel’s face. It wasn’t guilt ridden or dark, nor was it sad or hard. It was soft and light, and full of curiosity.
She jumped slightly as she heard the sales clerk’s voice. She blushed a bit as she realized she had been staring at Angel. The woman looked at Angel then Willow, her eyes settling on the baby in the redhead’s arms.
“He’s adorable, looks like his father”, the brunette sales women commented.
Willow was about to say something, but Angel beat her to it.
“Thank you.”
“But I must say, the smile is her mothers.”
Willow thanked her, feeling a bit motherly.
“If you need anything, just let me know, my name’s Kate.”
They resumed shopping.
“What to do think about this one?” Willow asked as she showed Angel a small white and blue sailor suit.
Angel smiled and showed her an identical one he had in his hands. Willow giggled, then showed him another one with Winnie the Pooh on it. After a bit of discussion, Pooh had survived the selection.
It was safe to say Barney had been glanced over, not liking the dinosaur at all. They left with a multiple number of sizes of clothing and bags, shocking ‘Kate’ with the amount of clothes they were purchasing. Angel carried the six bags as they headed back into the mall, looking for another baby store.
At ‘Baby Bundle’ they found the most essential items they would ever need, a stroller and a baby carrier. Willow happily deposited the child into the comforts of the stroller. They purchased a car seat as well as a collage of blankets, pillows, matting, playpens, and a walker. And for good measure a rattle, a pacifier, more bottles, a teething ring, baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby power, baby whips, and almost left before purchasing the baby bathing base. They rushed back, realizing that they didn’t buy what they would need the most, a baby bag.
Willow helped Angel carry some of the bags as she pushed the stroller to the food court. Angel remained with the baby as Willow went to get her Big Mac. She returned to find Angel feeding Nicolas his bottle. She smiled and sat across from him.
Angel wasn’t quite sure how to start the conversation, or how to ask her. But if he was to protect both of them, it was something he could have to ask.
“Willow, I’m not really sure how to ask you...”
Willow swallowed the bite of the burger in her mouth and cleared her throat.
“Just ask me?”
Angel looked her straight in the eye, hoping she said yes.
“Will you stay with us in the apartment?”
Willow gave him a reassuring smile, but remained silent for a moment, scaring Angel.
“I’m not sure I can take care of Nicolas by myself. I need your help, and I understand if you wouldn’t want to, but we need you and....”
“Angel, I’ll stay with you as long as I can. My parents will be gone for a month, and after school I’ll go right over. I packed some clothes already and brought them over to your house. When I need more, I’ll go over to my house and get some. I’ll help you Angel, as much as I can.”
Angel knew he didn’t deserve her trust, let alone her help, but he was grateful he had it.
After eating they enjoyed the mall a bit more, they left and headed home.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“What will the spell do?” Angel asked her as he bounced Nicolas on his legs as they moved up and down. Nicolas began to giggle, uttering baby talk.
“This one will protect the house, you know, sort of the uninvited spell, but this includes evil spirits, even some demons.”
“And the other?”
“While I was home I did some research. I found one for you. It’ll protect you from the spell I place over Nicolas and me, but also against anything other then wood. It really isn’t that explicit so we’ll have to try it once were done. The one I’m going to place on Nicolas and myself will protect us against demons to a certain extent, again this is all new, so I really don’t know how much it’ll protect us.”
“Only one way to try I guess.”
“I don’t even know if I can do this..”
“I know you can Willow, I trust you.”
“What if I turn you into a frog?” she asked him worried.
“Then I’ll start a new breed, but I don’t think that’ll happen Willow. I know you can, you just need to believe you can.”
Willow smiled and thanked him.
“Oh, there’s one more. I found one where we can be in sync with each other. You know, sort of feel the baby when his awake or where he is, that sort of thing.”
“Sort of a monitor?”
“Kind of I think, but I’m glad we bought the baby radio monitors.”
“We should start.”
Willow took a deep breath and looked at the books and supplies around her. It was now or never.
The first spell she worked was for the house, then moved to the baby, then Angel. The next one required both Angel and the baby as well as Willow and the baby.
Angel looked on in amazement as he saw her work the magick with ease. The baby looked on in curiosity as he saw the many colors Willow made glow. The last spell was hers.
By dawn Willow was done and fainted from exhaustion. Angel picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down next to Nicolas and pulled a cover over her. He joined them in the bed a moment later, his body demanding sleep. He looked once more at the two sleeping forms before he closed his eyes, and smiled, thankful he had been chosen to take care of them.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow looked around the apartment, wondering were to place the furniture that would be arriving in less then three hours. The delivery company had woken her from her sleep, informing her they would be delivering the items around 3 p.m. She walked back into the bedroom, careful not to wake them. Curiosity got the best of her as she looked at the door at the other end of the bedroom. Expecting a closet, to her surprise found a second room instead. She walked up the few steps to a raised floor. She searched for the light switch, feeling her way against the wall. Unlike Angel’s bedroom, this was a closed room. She found what she was looking for and switched it on, a light glow appeared from the single bulb on the ceiling. She walked to the only window of the apartment and pulled up the blinds and opened it. A soft breeze swept inside, with a little sunlight entering.
It was perfect. Excited as ever, she headed downstairs, finding a second door with a second set of hidden stairs. She went down and walked over to the kitchen. With a broom, bucket, a sponge, and soap, she headed back to the room, ready to prepare Nicolas’ new room.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It only took half an hour to clean the room. The apartment had been kept clean, only a bit of dust had been accumulated. An hour later, Willow greeted the delivery people who took the items as far as the living room.
Angel awoke hearing men voices. He instantly got out of bed and looked over the railing. He saw Willow handing a clipboard to one of the three men. Further inspection revealed the furniture had arrived. He rushed down the stairs in his sweats. He smiled as he saw how excited Willow was.
Willow took care of Nicolas as Angel took all the items to the room. She met him there as the last piece of furniture was placed inside.
“I hope you don’t mind that I picked this room, it was just that I didn’t find anything else and I wasn’t sure where else we could place the stuff and I didn’t want to wake you ‘cause I know you were...”
Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. She was still nervous about all this, her ramblings were his proof.
“Willow, the room will be perfect, this is your house as well, I want you to think of it as yours. As for waking me, when ever you need to, just wake me up, okay?”
Willow felt herself relax.
“Okay.”
“Good, now, which one should be start on?”
Willow looked at the selection and knew which one would take longer.
“The crib.”
“That looks easy.”
Two hours later, with four breaks in between, the crib looked ready.
“Do you think it’ll collapse again?” Angel asked, remembering their past attempts.
“Only one way to find out.”
Willow placed her hand in the middle and pressed down on it. The left side collapsed.
Angel sighed in frustration having lost all patience will that damn thing. Willow had a different view on it, she celebrated and starting laughing.
“Half way their.”
Angel let out a full, healthily laugh, something completely new for Willow.
“Maybe, we just have to figure out how we did that part.”
“Don’t you have perfect memory?” Willow asked amused.
“I do, but you helped me in that part.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the baby’s cry in the bedroom.
“I’ll go check on him.” Willow said.
“Escape while you can. You should order something to eat, have it delivered.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow sat on the floor by the crib eating pizza. Angel sat across from her, feeding Nicolas his bottle. Willow couldn’t help but stare at him in complete amazement. It looked so natural for him to hold a baby. Seeing him across from her now, it was hard for her to think of him as a 200 plus age old vampire. The baby always looked happy in his arms.
“Have you always been this great with children?” Willow asked as she took a bite out of her pineapple pizza.
“Not at first. But by the time Mary was born, I had helped raised them all.”
“Your mother must have been proud.”
Angel looked at her, not sure how to respond.
“I never had brothers or sisters. Xander’s the closest I have to a brother. All my relatives live too far and I really don’t have much in common with my cousins.”
“What about your parents?”
“They travel a lot because of their work. I really don’t see much of them when their here. I guess we don’t have much to talk about.”
Angel could sense her sadness.
“My father traveled a lot. He was merchant. He spent most of time in the city, “securing our futures”. As soon as he came back from one business trip, he was off to another. My mother took care for us, a huge accomplishment with two boys and three girls.”
“But you were there and I’m sure that counted the world to them.”
Angel couldn’t help but stare into her green eyes.
“How do you do it?”
“What?”
“Manage to turn all your sentences into compliments?”
Willow smiled, her cheeks turning a bit red.
“I just point out what’s already there.”
“Your amazing.”
Willow blushed a deeper red at the compliment.
“So, do you get as hungry as we do?” Willow asked changing topics.
She finished off her second slice of pizza and reached out for her third.
“I can last 2 days without feeding - give or take - depending on my condition.”
“But do you feel hungry?”
“The demon always wants, but I’ve learned to control it.”
“How do you do it, Angel?”
“I’ve had a couple of years to practice.”
“Then your always in a struggle with it?” she asked saddened by the thought.
“Not as much as it had been before. When you did the restoration spell, something happened. Maybe because my soul is permanent now, the demon forever caged that it’s become weak. I don’t fight the same urges as I did before. I have complete control over the demon. And that would all be thanks to you.”
“I just wish it could have found it earlier. Then none of it could have happened, none of this.....”
“That is past, Willow. As much as we would like to, we can’t change what happened. I can’t ask for forgiveness. What I did was...”
“What you did was nothing. It wasn’t you, Angel. It was the demon, the demon that used you, the demon that controlled you.”
“Not everyone shares your opinion.”
“It was hard on them, it was hard on me, but I’m sure it was worse on you. Angel, your my friend, and I will never blame you because it wasn’t you.”
Angel was left speechless. He looked down at Nicolas in his arms, then looked back at Willow. She smiled at him, her eyes looking deep into his deep brown eyes, reassuring him she had meant what she had said. She needed to say it, for him, but as well as for her. That was the truth, the truth she felt. The last of her hidden fears vanished as she finished up the slice she had in her hand.
“Come on, no more breaks. We finish this crib tonight.” she said, her resolve face firmly in place.
Angel nodded in agreement and stood up carefully, taking Nicolas to the bed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
By three a.m. the room was mostly done. The crib was safe and built, as were the shelves and the small “change” table they had bought. Angel brought up the rocking chair and placed it by the window. Willow helped Angel bring up the small dresser and put in one of the corners of the room. Everything looked ready and began to fold up all the clothes they bought. As Angel folded, Willow placed all the baby supplies away. By four, Willow was ready to pass out, but the only thing left was the curtain to cover the window during the day. She went up the latter as she shook her head, trying to fight off the sleep that beckoned her. All she needed to place were the brackets and clip the rod into place, a difficult task considering her both hands held both items in place and had left the screwdriver on the floor.
“Angel.”
Angel turned to see Willow on the ladder, her arms stretched painfully above her head.
“What happened?” he asked, trying to hid his grin.
“I need the screwdriver, but I don’t have another hand to put in the nails.”
He walked over to her and grabbed the screwdriver from the floor and went up the ladder in back of her. He tried to find the bolt, but Willow’s hands were in the way.
“Willow, you need to turn around.”
Willow bit her lower lips and carefully began to turn, Angel’s hands holding her by her waist. He moved up a step, his body up against hers. He heard Willow’s intake of air as they touched, which caused him to swallow involuntary.
“Um..just move your hands a little higher...so I can...um. put my head through them.”
Willow nodded nervously and did as he asked. Angel carefully moved his head in the gap between her arms, able to see where the bolt needed to go. His arms left her waist and began to screw in the necessary bolt. Willow stared into his chest, her nose touching the smooth fabric of the shirt. She began to fidget, her nerves getting the better of her.
Angel tried to concentrate on the damn bolt, but it was difficult. Willow moving against him was not helping. He took an intake of unnecessary air, his mind riling in the sensations he was feeling.
It was too tempting for Willow. Her head begged for her to lay it on his chest. The will too great, she granted her minds request, her hearing catching what seemed to be a beat of a heart before her eyelids closed.
Angel was glad he was done, but before he could step away Willow’s arms fell around his neck, as her body pressed against his.
He looked down at her sleeping form and carefully positioned her in his arms. He carried her over to the bed and laid her down next to Nicolas. He went back to the room and began to clean up.
* * * * * * * * * * *
After a quick shower and a large breakfast/lunch, Willow felt as good as new. Nicolas had woken her up with a swift kick to her stomach. After she feed him his bottle, she placed him in the playpen with his teething ring and a small teddy bear. She had stepped out of the shower to see Nicolas playing peacefully, fascinated by the small bear. She looked over at Angel and smiled, glad he was still asleep. She picked up Nicolas in her arms and headed down to the kitchen and placed him in the playpen downstairs. Once she finished eating she pulled out her laptop and connected to the web.
After a quick search through the police database she found no children had been reported missing. She ventured through her bookmark links and found nothing odd. Not even any new bodies with ‘strange marks’ on there necks.
After an hour she disconnected and shut down her computer. Angel joined her a moment later, refreshed by the shower he had taken minutes ago.
“Did you find anything?” Angel asked her.
“Nope, nothing, nada. Everything seems normal in Sunnydale. I’ve searched everywhere I could think of. No mention of a baby.”
“This might be a lot harder then we thought.”
“Maybe we should call Giles. There might be a prophecy.”
Angel wasn’t sure.
“Do you think he’ll help?”
“I’m sure he will, then we can all research...”
“No, Willow. I don’t want anyone else to know. The least people that know, the best. I don’t know what we might be up against and I can’t protect everyone.”
“I understand. I can just casually ask Giles if he has something?”
“I would appreciate.”
“No problem. I’ll call him later.”
“What did you want to do today?”
The first task at hand was taking Nicolas a bath. The baby seemed to love slashing them both with water. By the time they were done, Willow and Angel were wet. They laughed as they saw how soaked they were. Angel picked out his clothes as Willow dressed him. They moved the playpen to Nicolas’ room and finished up his room. By late evening, they moved to the living room for some dinner and began to talk as the baby crawled around the floor, his giggles filling the room. By bed time, Nicolas refused to fall asleep. When they placed him in the crib, he cried, never stopping. Angel tried to rock him to bed in his arms, but every time he placed him back in the crib or on the bed, he would start crying once more. It was until he reached the fireplace that Nicolas stopped. Angel looked at Willow. She smiled at him as an idea popped into her head. Angel looked on as she rushed up stairs. The baby began to cry as she pulled the comforter off the bed and grabbed as many pillows as she could carry. She carefully went back downstairs, walking over to Angel. Nicolas cries subsided once Willow returned next to them. She laid out the comforter on the floor and threw all the pillows she had found on the floor for cushioning. Angel smiled as he realized what she was doing. He slowly got on his knees, carefully placing Nicolas on the nest of pillows Willow had formed. They laid down on either side, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace in front of them. Angel reached for one his books on the end table. He looked to see Nicolas and Willow looking at him. He gave them both a half-smile, knowing what it was they were waiting for. His voice filled the apartment, as his audience listened intently.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow awoke as the door shut behind him. She looked over at Nicolas, thankful he was still asleep.
“Angel?”
He appeared next to her in a second.
“Is anything wrong?” he asked worried.
“No....I was just making sure it was you”, she replied with a crooked smile as she tried to surpress a yawn.
“I’m back.”
“Did you find anything?”
“Nothing. I went to all my sources, they didn’t know anything.”
“Do you think they told you the truth?”
“I’m sure they did. I’ve asked Whistler to ask around, maybe he can come up with something.”
Willow nodded in agreement as she covered her mouth, a yawn escaping her.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Thirsty.”
“I’ll get you some water.”
Angel went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup, filling it with water. To his surprise, he found Willow seated on one of the stools by the counter.
“So...when does Buffy return?”
“Tonight. So does Xander.”
“Then....you...did..you want to go see them?”
“I’ll call them. I’m sure they’ll be tired from their trips.”
“That means you go back to school tomorrow,” he said a bit worried.
“Yeah. My three day weekend is over, but I start break next week.”
“That’s good....so that means...you’re leaving tonight?” he asked, trying not to sound fretful.
Willow looked at him surprised and a bit hurt.
“Do you want me to?”
“No!...no...but I know you must have plans and taking care of a baby isn’t what...well...you’re young and have friends...school....Oz. I don’t want to take you away from things that you have planned. I need your help, but I’ll understand if you can’t stay...”
Willow smiled at him.
“Angel, if you let me, I want to stay and help you. School will be out by next week for Christmas Break. Cordelia already invited Xander to go to Aspen with her and her family for the break and Buffy told me that this year it was her father’s turn to have her for the holidays. Since Faith is here, Giles said it was okay. Oz is touring, so you aren’t taking me away from anything, just from two very lonely weeks by myself.”
Angel smiled in relief.
“And, I like playing mami for Nicolas.....and....I like the idea of getting to know my friend Angel more...” she said as she blushed a bit.
“I’d like that too.”
“But you know that means we have to get a tree and lights..maybe some garland, ohh! and presents. This will be our first Christmas/Hanukkah together,” she said excited.
“That would mean we have to go...”
“Shopping!”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow passed by Giles apartment before she made a stop off at her house. She was surprised to see him in normal looking jeans. They spoke briefly, Willow checking in, making sure everything was all right. She once again was not needed for research, Sunnydale seemed peaceful, as peaceful as a town on a Hellmouth could be. She asked him if he had heard about any new prophecy, but Giles had found none. She informed him of her new home until her parent’s arrived - she would be staying with a friend of her mothers, her parent’s not wanting to leave her alone. She told him she could be getting a cell phone, her mother ordering it as a gift for her, to keep in touch with them. She would give Giles the number later.
After her brief conversation with him, Willow headed to her house, needing to pack a bit more clothes and take anything else she thought she might need. She checked her messages on the answering machine and closed up the house tight. She checked her fridge and took some food with her. Before she left she took a look back at the dark and empty house. She had a strange feeling that chilled her to the bone, but shrugged it off. She looked at her watch and hurried out, closing the door behind her. It was almost sunset and she was looking forward to go shopping with Angel.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Willow walked up the stairs and suddenly stopped as she heard the sounds from the living room. A smiled appeared on her face as she heard a familiar voice with a familiar giggle.
“Gaga...gaga...peek a bo, peek a bo.....gugu..gugu...gaga....”
Willow slowly walked up the stairs and looked at the pair on the sofa, she couldn’t help but stare. It was sweetest thing she had ever seen.
Angel stopped the moment he felt someone looking at him. He looked up to see Willow smiling at him. If it was possible, the vampire would have turned red in complete embarrassment. Willow couldn’t stop smiling as she walked over to Angel, leaving her bags by the stairs. The baby looked up at Willow and began to giggle and talk.
“We were waiting for you since you wanted to go shopping,” Angel told her in a low voice.
“I’ll prepare his bag,” she said, not able to stop from smiling.
“Already prepared it.”
“Then we can go.”
“I was getting Nicolas ready,” he said, still not able to meet her eye.
“I heard.”
Angel looked up at and saw her still smiling, but found that it wasn’t one that made fun of him, but one of sweetness. He returned her smile and gathered Nicolas in his arms, as Willow grabbed the bag that was on the floor by the sofa and the stroller.
* * * * * * * * * * *
They walked in the crowed mall, Nicolas biting his teething ring in his stroller as Angel and Willow window shopped. They shared decorating ideas as they went from store to store, deciding what would best fit the house. They passed by the toy store to see what would be nice for Nicolas as they both made personal notations of each other likes and dislikes.
By the end, they had bought garland, snow, stockings, little miniature santas and reindeers, candles, and a fuzzy mat for the front door, which had been Willow’s idea. They had to go back to buy ornaments for the tree.
Angel had been hesitate in buying Christmas decorations, the last time he had celebrated the holidays was more then two hundred years ago. But there was something about Willow - her resolve face - that changed his mind. He was looking forward to spending the holidays with Nicolas and Willow.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Have you no mercy?” Willow asked him.
“None. Do you surrender?”
“Never! France shall never concede,” Willow declared as she moved her pawn forward.
“Then suffer the consequences,” Angel replied as he finished the game a victor. “Checkmate.”
Willow looked at him and smiled.
“That would be four for you and...”
“None for you,” Angel replied with a smug look on his face.
“It isn’t fair you know,” she pouted.
“And why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because you have had 200 years to perfect your game. I only started last year.”
Angel wouldn’t help but smile.
“I knew there was an upside to eternity.”
“That and fashion trades. I would love to have seen you during the 60’s.”
“Let’s just say multi colored shirts and bell bottoms were not my style.”
Willow giggled as she imaged him with longer hair, a bandanna and a peace sign around his neck.
“Then I take it you weren’t into the 70’s?”
“That had to be a nightmare of some kind. I enjoyed the swinger times.”
“Ohhhh...I’ve always wanted to learn how to swing,” Willow told him excited.
“I’ll teach you some time if you like.”
“You know how to dance?” she asked in complete surprise.
“Which one - the east coast or west coast swing?”
“Wow....I never really thought....you know...”
“There’s a lot of things that no one knows about me. I’ve lived a long time.”
Willow smiled, becoming more and more fascinated by the mysterious man that had saved her life countless times.
“When do we start?” she asked thrilled.
Before Angel could answer, Nicolas began to cry. They both stood up and went see what had happened.
“I think he’s hungry,” Angel told her.
“I’ll get the bottle.”
A minute later, Angel was feeding Nicolas on the couch
* * * * * * * * * * *
Angel left to make a quick sweep of the cemetery, leaving Willow and Nicolas alone.
Willow took a quick inventory of her books and clothes and went exploring the rest of the warehouse. She took Nicolas in her arms and went up the second pair of stairs heading to the third floor. She was immediately surrounded by darkness and headed to were the moonlight offered some light. To her complete surprise she did not find a window, but sliding glass doors. She flicked open the lock and pulled the doors apart, stepping into what looked like a garden. She stepped deeper inside, enjoying the deep cool air. She walked down a corridor full of flowers and plants hanging on either side of her as well as above her. To the end of the corridor, she found an open platform, with a table in the middle with tulips, roses, carnations, and lily’s all around. The view was nice, but with a building next to it, made it limited.
Nicolas began to giggle as a breeze picked up and began to play with Willow’s hair. She looked around her, feeling something around them. She peered through the darkness to find only the night. A cold wind swept by them, chilling her to the bone. Nicolas’ giggles stopped and remained quite in her arms.
Willow could sense something close and headed back to the doors, but before she could make it, she saw them close. She frantically tried to pull them apart, but found them locked. She turned around, holding Nicolas closer to her body, and began to chant the words that she knew would protect them. She was brought out of concentration by the sound of a snarling growl. She quickened her words, glad to see a soft blue glow surround them.
“Give me the child,” a menacing voice called out to her in the wind.
“No!”
“Give me the child,” it repeated, sounding deadlier.
“The child most die.”
“No, I won’t let you.”
“Spare yourself, give me the child.”
“Never. I won’t let him go.”
“Then you shall die as well.”
Willow looked around frantically trying to look for the source of the voice, but found no one. The voice quieted as she waited nervously for the monster to appear. Her only thoughts surrounded on the one person she hoped would come soon.
“Angel”
* * * * * * * * * *