Part 9
Angel awoke an hour later to the wonderful feeling of warm arms holding
him tightly. After a long, brutal internal battle, he carefully lifted
himself up with her in his arms and moved to the stairs, up to their
bedroom. It was as he placed her down on the cool blue sheets that Angel
felt his eyes tear a bit as a realization came to mind. He could give his
very soul for the opportuniy to have this night just once more with Willow
and Nicolas. His hand stoked her hair and smiled as she leaned into the
caress. This was something he prayed would be one of many nights to come.
To
take his love to bed and check up on the small child in the other room
that
had come to be like a son to him.
He carefully pulled the covers over Willow and smiled as she frowned a
bit
as his touch left her. He took a pair of boxers from a drawer and quickly
pulled them on, willing away the erection that had formed the moment he
had
moved her from the couch with him. He walked into the dark baby’s room
and
smiled as he saw Nicolas sleeping soundly, the two puppies in their own
deep
sleep just beneath the crib. He pulled a second blanket that layed at the
corner of the matteress and placed it on Nicolas, making sure the baby
would
not be cold. He caressed the baby’s head for a moment a tear finally falling
knowing that this was what his heart had always wanted and it scared him.
Because as quickly as he had found it, it would as quickly be destroyed
and
that was something he vowed would never be done. He’d go back to Hell
willingly for three more centuries to hold on to what he had. Reinging
in
his powerful emotions, he placed a kiss on the baby’s soft hair and moved
back to his Seileach.
He quickly shed his boxers and joined her in bed, taking her in his arm,
thanking whoever had truested him enoucht to love both charges.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“Ready Rupert?” Faith called out from their living room as she packed up
the numerous gifts they were taking with them.
“Do I really have to wear this?” Giles whined as he joined her.
Faith couldn’t help but smile.
“If I have to wear this, you are at least wearing that,” she replied. “And
if you’re good, I can help you take it off tonight.”
“Then I will must definetly wear it,” he quickly replied as he took her
hands and pulled her into an embrace.
Once the heated kisses stoped, the couple looked into each others eyes
lovingly and repeated what they had finally said last night.
“I love you Rupert.”
“You are my world Faith.”
A while after, the couple left hand in hand, and went off to spend
Christmas Day with their friends.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It was in the second hour of their visit that Faith was finally able to
pull Willow away with an excuse to the kitchen. Curiosity had gotten the
better of her and it was eating her inside.
“Have you, or are you going to?” Faith asked her quickly.
“What?” Willow asked a bit confused as she placed the plates in the sink.
“Oh God, you did,” she released with a smile.
“Did what?”
“Slept with Angel.”
At the revelation the remaning plates in her hands fell into the sink,
one
breaking in the process.
“How did...” Willow began to say in surprise as she was begining to turn
a
bright red.
“I knew it,” Faith replied with a large smile on her face.
“But how?”
“No man looks at a woman like that that hasn’t... seen her completely.”
Faith chuckled a bit, not aware someone could turn redder then the
embarresed redhead in front of her.
“We... it.... I mean... we.... How does he look at me?” Willow asked
curious as she turned a bit giddy.
“The way Giles looks at me.... and you know... he loves me,” she said
proudly.
Willow smiled and hugged her friend.
“He told you?”
“Last night,” Faith revealed with tears in her eyes.
“Do you?”
“So much Will that it scares me.”
“Don’t be scared Faith. This is wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
Faith hugged the redhead tighter wondering when she had deserved to be
so
happy. She had a man who loved her and friends who cared for her as no
one
else had.
“Thank you Willow.”
“For what?” she asked surprised.
“For being my friend.”
“Always Faith.”
“Always.”
* * * * * * * * * * *
Twenty-five gifts later, and two puppy outings, Nicolas finished his last gift from Uncle Giles and Aunt Faith. Santa had visited him earlier that day, Willow and Angel having splurged a small fortune as well. Now, with an entire new set of rattles, bears, teeters, clothes and toys he seemed set for at least three years. Faith had taken the honors of sleeping him and placing him inside the cheery oak rocker that Giles and Faith had brought over as a gift. Giles rocked him as the two still nameless puppies snuggled on Willow and Faith's lap.
They began to exchange gifts among themselves by the large Christmas tree as they drank some cocoa and coffee, talking animatedly. It was something new and welcomed to them all, something they enjoyed very much. Clothes, CD's, nick-nakes and even antiques were exchanged, the largest gift of the night for last.
"This is too much," Giles said as he looked over the gift once more.
"No it's not. Take it Rupert. It's for you and Faith."
"San Francisco here we come," she replied happily already making plans in her head.
"But…"
"No "buts" Giles. It's for you and Faith. You both deserve some time away," Willow added.
"So do you guys… we should all go," Faith suggested.
"Maybe," Angel considered.
The rest of the night was spent in conversation with light music. They spoke of past Christmas' and plans for New Years. No one mentioned what the return of the others would bring, nor did they find the need to speak of it yet. They were enjoying their time together with no worries.
It was half past one when Giles and Faith left to retreat to their home with a promise of seeing each other tomorrow, leaving a tired Willow and a tired Angel behind. The couple moved upstairs to their bedroom, taking a sleeping Nicolas with them to his crib.
Once Willow settled the baby in, Angel left to make sure everything was closed tightly. The phone rang, Willow glad to hear Faith on the other end, letting them know they had arrived safety at home. She left the baby's room and walked into her bedroom, not sure what do. Last night had been wonderful and Angel seemed to have enjoyed it as much as she, but she couldn't be sure. Old insecurities died hard. They hadn't had time to talk about what had happened… or what was next. They had woken up to a call from Faith letting them know they would be over in an hour. She hadn't noticed her nudity, until she had put the phone down reaching for anything to cover herself. She turned to see Angel smiling in bed, looking at her intently. She just blushed, rushing to get the house ready for their guests. Now, she wasn't sure how to act. She really did want to make love to him again; she just wasn't sure how to approach the subject. She was brought out of her thoughts by a pair of warm arms.
Angel wasn't sure why Willow stiffened in his arms and asked, hoping it wasn't because of his actions.
"Willow?"
"I… I was… well I was going to…" she stuttered, her face turning red.
"What's wrong…? Is it this?" Angel asked worried as his arms began to pull away.
Willow stopped them, pulling them around her once more.
"No… this is what I want," she replied blushing.
Angel turned her in his arms, wanting to see her lovely face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes… but I'm not sure… when… or how…" her face turning a darker shade of red.
"What do you mean when… how?"
"You know… when we can… or if you want to…" she replied, avoiding his eyes.
"Willow."
His soft, husky voice called to her and she looked up, his eyes looking deeply into hers.
"I will always want you."
He pressed her into him with urgency and kissed her making her knees buckle.
Willow pulled back breathless, her forehead leaning against his.
"And about the when or how… anytime you want Willow… I'm yours…"
Willow looked up, her hands moving to his face, caressing his cool skin.
"I'm yours too… always…"
Angel groaned, his lips pressing against hers. He lifted her up and took her to their bed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
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