Coming Together

Author: Angel's Kuuipo

Author’s Note: Here’s a little glossary of the Gaelic phrases that are sometimes used in this story.
Gráim thú= I love you
leannan= sweetheart
mo myrneen= my beloved
mo chroí= my heart
Tá tú go h-álainn= You are beautiful
álainn= beautiful

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~Part: 16~

“What the hell did you think you were doing cloaking my memories like that?”  Willow asked Cordelia.

“It wasn’t time for anyone to know then, but we had to tell you something.”

The witch stood there fuming for a few moments before regaining her center.  “All right fine.  I take it now is a good time for things to be known?”  Moira and Cordelia shared a glance.  Willow sighed, “Apparently not.  When will the time be right?”

“When the children are older.  Let them live a normal life before they are told.”  Moira said softly.

Willow snorted, “Right, because normal is just how we live.  Their birth brings about the balance right?  So what does is matter if I tell the family?  If it gets out that Angelus and his mate are going to be parents we’ll have every psycho cult and demon after us, not to mention the friggin’ government.  To use one of Lacey and Spike’s expressions ‘what a cock up.’”  She ran a hand through her hair, “Why is this happening now?  Cordy you said something last time that the axis had shifted.  How has the Darkness become so strong?  I will admit that we have been fighting more than our fair share of badness lately and the state of the world is rather grim.”

“We’ll make sure they are safe.”  Then the former Seer bit her lip, “To be honest we don’t know how the Darkness acquired so much power so far ahead of schedule.  All we were told was that the Flame had to be ignited now.  If it’s any consolation even the reps of the Darkness agree that the balance that They will bring is necessary.  I don’t think there will be much, if any, interference from their forces.”

Willow stared at her old friend, “You really believe that?”  Cordelia wouldn’t hold her gaze.  “That’s what I thought.  Look I have to tell them something.  Nico already knows something’s up and Lacey will only make herself more ill researching until she finds something to explain how this happened or the Powers let her access it.”

“I’ll take care of my daughter.  For now just tell everyone that this is a gift from the Powers and leave it at that.”  Moira said.

Willow shook her head, “That won’t wash Moira.  I’ve already repeated part of the prophecy twice.  Instead of all this secrecy I think it would be much wiser to tell the truth.  It’s not fair to Lacey or Angel to go about raising their children without them knowing just who they are.”

Moira sighed, “You’re right Willow.  Tell them what you will.  Gods help us.”

Willow said, “They’d better.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Do you need anything love?”  Angel asked for the fifth time in fifteen minutes.

Lacey tried not to roll her eyes.  She really did.  It didn’t work, but at the hurt look on her mate’s face she felt bad.  She said as nicely as she could, “Angel I’m pregnant, not an invalid.  I didn’t need anything when you asked me five minutes ago and I don’t need anything now.  Quit hovering and come hold me.”  She held out her arms from her place on the couch and breathed a sigh of relief when he sat down next to her.  He positioned himself so that his head was in her lap as he stretched out propping his feet on the arm of the couch.  He turned his head so his ear was pressed against her stomach.  They sat quietly for a few minutes, Lacey absently running her fingers through his soft, thick hair.

Angel opened his eyes and the look on his face made Lacey want to weep.  “What is it myrneen?”

“Two heartbeats.  They’re faint but they’re there.”  He reached a hand up to lovingly stroke her face his voice full of wonder.  “We’re having twins.”

Lacey laughed brokenly and leaned down to kiss him.  He met her halfway.  When they broke apart Lacey started to cry.  Angel sat up immediately and pulled her into his lap.  She buried her head in his chest and sobbed as he rocked her and stroked her hair.  “Shh mo chroí.  Everything will be fine.  I won’t let anyone hurt you.  I don’t know why the Powers have blessed us this way, but I’m for damn sure not gonna let anything mess it up.”

Lacey hiccupped, “I do.”  At his ‘hmmm?’ she continued turning her head so he could understand her, “I know why the Powers did this.  By claiming each other in that sacred place, we set a prophecy in motion.”  Lacey sat up straight in Angel’s lap and looked him in the eye.  “’When the Darkness threatens to overtake the Light the Keeper and Warrior shall unite lighting the Eternal Flame.  And from the Eternal Flame the Two shall come forth to bring balance back to the world…’ wanna guess who the ‘Keeper’ and ‘Warrior’ are?”  Angel looked at her for a long time, but didn’t say anything.  Lacey lifted her right hand and looked at her tattoo.  “This is the mark of the Eternal Flame so is my hair.  The ‘Keeper’ not only holds the knowledge of the Powers, but serves as a protector as well, hence my nifty abilities to create fire and move things about with a wave of my hand among other things.  Apparently this wasn’t supposed to happen for another hundred years at least, but something happened and the Darkness moved the timeline ahead.”

“We weren’t supposed to claim each other for a hundred years?”  Angel asked in confusion.

Lacey shook her head, “No luv.  We weren’t supposed to ignite the Flame for another hundred years.  When I woke up I was the Keeper and immortal in my own right.  Our claiming each other was just the excuse the Powers used that night for us to do Their bidding without revealing the true reason.”  Both Lacey and Angel recalled being told specifically by their guides to claim the other in that sacred place.

“Why do you know this now?”

Lacey shrugged, “I’m not sure.  It’s like I said at the hospital earlier.  I had a feeling it was there in my mind, but I couldn’t access it.  Then you told me we’re having twins and it was like a veil was lifted.  Our children are going to save the world my Angel.  At least I think they are.”  She frowned and ran a hand over her belly, “Are they really ours Angel?  I mean did we really create them or am I just a vessel for some new Power?”

Angel turned her face to look into his chocolate brown eyes and said firmly, “They are ours no matter what my love.  Regardless of the how you have two lives growing in you that come from the both of us in some way and that’s all that matters.”  He kissed her gently to affirm his words.

When they broke apart Lacey looked at her mate with a small smile on her face, “I can’t wait to meet them.”  He kissed her again.  When she pulled away Lacey smirked, “Guess this makes the decision of which vehicle I’m buying next.”  Angel looked at her curiously.  She said, “Not that I’d ever get rid of my Camaro, but I’ve been looking at the Dodge Ram SRT 10 truck, it’s supposed to be hell on wheels literally 500ph Viper engine…but I digress, anyway I’ve been looking at that and the Dodge Magnum.  Now that I’m gonna be a mum the Camaro is definitely not the car for carting around rugrats and neither is that truck, so the Magnum it is.”

Angel just smiled, “Only you would be thinking about cars right now Lace.”

“I have a lot of thoughts.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Later that night as Angel and Lacey slept Lacey dreamed.

Opening her eyes Lacey found herself back in the old world library she’d visited three and a half months ago.  She walked towards the wingback chairs in front of the bay window.

“Mama?”

“Hello child.”  Moira stood and moved to hug her daughter.  Lacey stepped back causing her to frown.

“You forgot to tell me a few things when we last spoke mama.”  Lacey eyed her mother, not really angry, but not thrilled either.

“Don’t take that tone with me baby girl.  I may be dead, but I can still turn you over my knee.”

Lacey smirked.  “I’d like to see you try.  Come on let’s sit down and talk about this like the adults we’re supposed to be.”  They took their seats and Lacey asked the one question that covered everything, “Why?”

Moira was silent for a moment.  Then she said, “At the time I told you what I could.”

“You weren’t allowed to tell me that when I woke up I was going to be immortal or that I was going to be a bloody mother?  Do you have any idea what it felt like to have that doctor tell me I was pregnant?  I’m mated to a vampire for gods’ sake not to mention the fact that I can’t have children anyway!  Jesus mama I’d think the fact that I was going to live forever whether Angel claimed me or not and that we were going to have children was a little too important to have left out.”  Lacey closed her eyes, “Did I have any choice at all?”

Moira watched her daughter carefully.  How to answer?  <Powers be damned I’m going to be honest> “No Lacey you didn’t have a choice.  You were pre-destined to become the Keeper.  You and Angel were fated to be together and light the Eternal Flame.”  Lacey opened her eyes and looked at her.  Moira asked, “If you had had a choice would you have decided against this path?”

Lacey chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about the last seven months.  So much had happened in such a relatively short amount of time.  Then her thoughts went back further to include her disaster of a marriage and the subsequent aftermath.  She’d become a completely different person in the past two years and she like who she was and what she did now.  She met her mother’s blue-gray gaze.  “No mama I would have chosen this life.  But the next time the Powers want to make a change, I’d appreciate the whole story up front instead of the piece meal method I’ve been subjected to these past couple of years.  If They trust me enough to be the Keeper They should trust me enough with all the facts.”

Moira smiled softly.  “As you say so often baby girl, ‘They play Their games as They will.’”

Lacey stood up and hugged her mother finally.  “So what to you think about being a grandmother?”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“Why are you here?” Amy demanded when Lacey walked onto the set the next afternoon.

Lacey cocked her head before taking a sip of the herbal tea Trick and Willow had created for her.  Now that they knew what her problem was Trick could help her.  He was still berating himself for not seeing that Lacey was pregnant sooner.  The special blend took care of the nausea and made her feel pretty much like her old self.  After a discussion, read as an argument with Angel, and a lot of explaining by her and Willow to the family that morning Lacey finally finagled her way to work. “Um…because I work here?”

J. shook his head, “Very funny Miss I-had-to-go-to-the-hospital-last-night.  You should be home resting.”

Lacey took a deep breath as Alexis, David, James and Andy joined them.  Andy put a green hand to her forehead while David checked her pulse.  She couldn’t help but laugh,  “I’m fine honest.  Now that I know what’s wrong I know how to handle it.”

David smirked, “I had no idea getting engaged could put a woman in the hospital.  Liam was scared shitless when you passed out after saying yes.”

Lacey cringed at the volume but smiled at the exclamations coming from her co-workers.  When they’d quieted she said, “Thank you and Liam proposing had nothing to do with me passing out last night.”

“Then what’s wrong?”  Alexis asked.

Lacey said, “Y’all might want to sit down.”  They looked at her for a moment before taking seats.  She smiled, “I’m pregnant.”  She scrunched up her face and covered her ears at the volume of her co-workers reaction to her little bombshell.  David picked her up and she said, “No spinning please.  That’s what got me into trouble last night.”  He settled for hugging tightly and kissing her on the cheek.  She was passed around to the other guys and received the same treatment.

Finally she was back on her own feet and Amy gave her a hug too.  “When are you due?  Have you set a date for the wedding?” she asked.

“Sometime in September and not yet though I think it will be soon.”  The call came for the first set up of the day and the workday officially began.  Word spread and Lacey was bombarded by well wishers for much of the evening.

During a lull Andy came over to her.  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for your make-up call today.”

He waved her off, “Not a problem sweet.”  In a low voice he asked her, “How did this happen?  Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond thrilled for you both, but I thought the two of you couldn’t…”

Lacey gestured to her tattoo, “Again with the mystical.”  She met her friends’ concerned red eyes, “It’s of the good Andy.  All’s well except that I can’t fit into my jeans anymore and will soon be in need of a new wardrobe.”  He smiled as she hoped he would.

He hugged her again, “You know the boiler plate.  If you need anything yada, yada, yada.”

Lacey smiled, “I know and thanks.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

A week later Angel looked up from his computer and out the window of his office when the front door to the agency open.  A pleasant looking older man with gray hair and a tan wearing a bright purple Hawaiian shirt with parrots on it and khaki slacks came in.  Dru looked up from the reception desk where she’d been sanding a new batch of wood bullets, “Good evening, may I help you?”

He smiled at her.  Dru couldn’t help but smile back.  “I’m looking for Caleb Trixter.  He’s expecting me.”

“May I have your name?”

“Julian Callahan.”

Dru’s eyes widened and she smiled brilliantly, “Oh I’m so glad you’re here.  Liam has been such a grouch waiting for you.”  Though the family all called him Angel and Lacey still sometimes referred to him as ‘my Angel’ around the cast, around clients and the like he still went by Liam.

“I’m standing right here Dru.”  Angel said from where he was leaning in his doorway.

She turned slightly downcast eyes towards him and said, “well you have been a grouch” as she pressed the call button under the desk to bring the others into the office.

Dr. Callahan watched the byplay with a small smile on his face.  The door to the library opened as Trick, Willow and Joshua walked out.  The door leading to the upper floors opened and Nico, Will and Kassie emerged fresh from training.

Trick looked at the visitor and smiled, “Dr. Callahan thank you so much for coming.  How was your flight?”  The two men shook hands.

“Uneventful.  You can call me Julian now Caleb.  You’re not studying under me anymore and technically I am retired.”

“Yes sir and please call me Trick.  No one uses my given name.”  The old doctor nodded.  “Let me introduce you to everyone.  Dr. Julian Callahan I’d like you to meet my girlfriend Kassie MacKenna, Nico Woodson, Willow Rossendale, Will Cavanaugh, Dru Montgomery, Joshua Standish and Liam McAilaster.”  Everyone exchanged ‘hellos.’

Julian looked at Trick, “So who is my patient?”

Angel answered him, “That would be fiancée Lacey and she’s at work right now.”  He grimaced and looked at the clock on the wall.  It was 7pm,  “if all goes right she’ll be home in about five hours.”  Once he’d discovered Lacey was pregnant he hadn’t wanted to let her go to work at all, but had quickly and decisively lost the battle.  It had to be one of the shortest arguments in the history of arguments and his demon mocked him repeatedly for even attempting it.  It had gone something along the lines of ‘I don’t want you to go.’  ‘Kiss my white Irish ass you arrogant vampire.  Try and stop me.’  He had then found himself suspended in midair by his fiancée who was gloating smugly below him.  Willow’s infamous ‘resolve face’ had nothing on Lacey.  <I really am whipped> he thought to himself.  He didn’t notice the small smile that thought put on his face.

The elevator opened just then and a very brassed off Keeper walked into the office.  Everyone gasped at her appearance.  Her lime green linen button-down was dirty and torn as were her white linen capris.  There was a scrape on her cheek that was healing, she had a spilt lip and the knee of her pants was ripped and stained with blood.  The only good thing was that she was not blazing.

“What the hell?” was the collectively asked question.  Angel swooped in and grabbed her by the arms, but when her eyes flashed at him he let her go.  He followed her closely as she limped over to lean on the counter.

“Will, we have a problem.”  Lacey said, not noticing the stranger in the room.

He was at her side in an instant.  “What’s wrong luv?  What happened to you?  Why aren’t you at work?”

“You’re daft bint of an ex-girlfriend tried to run me over as I was walking back from the café down the street from the studio.  I thought it prudent to come home before anyone saw me and started asking questions.  I called Andy, told him I was feeling poorly and they sent me on my merry way.”  She looked at Angel, “I didn’t even get to have my cinnamon roll.  It got squished.”  Angel just growled.  Since her illness had abated with the aid of the tea she’d had a serious yen for cinnamon rolls with nuts and raisins and the café two blocks from the studio provided her daily fix.

Will’s eyes flashed gold; “Sasha did this to you?”

“Technically I did this when I dove out of the way.  Sasha was behind the wheel of the car trying to turn me into street pizza.  And before anyone asks yes I know it was her because I recognized her car and license plate.  She may have turned homicidal, but she’s got a sweet ride.”

Angel was looking her over unknowingly in game face and growling.  He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her pressing his ear to her stomach to hear the reassuring heartbeats of his unborn children.  Lacey stroked his hair her voice softening, “They’re fine myrneen.  I was caught off guard or I would have been a whole helluva lot more graceful.”

“I’ll drain the bitch myself.”  Will growled also in game face.

Lacey shook her head, “Nope.  If I’d wanted her dead I would have killed her myself earlier.  I’m not saying she won’t be taken care of, but I would like to know why I’m on her shit list before I do anything.”

“She has been somewhat…” Will broke off searching for the right word.

Lacey said, “What?  Catty?  A hell-bitch?  Crazy stalker girlfriend of the ‘Fatal Attraction’ persuasion?”  No one, not even Angel, could help but chuckle at that.  It was strange to see the fearsome vampire on his knees with his face buried in his mates’ stomach laughing while in game face but he quickly sobered when Lacey winced.  Lacey heard unfamiliar laughter and looked around finally noticing the newcomer.  “Uh…hello.  Are you a new client?”  <Please say no.  Please say no.>

Julian smiled, “Are you Lacey?”  She nodded.  “I’m Julian Callahan your new doctor.  Would you like me to take a look at your injuries?”

Lacey’s eyes widened.  <Oh this is a lovely first impression to make.>  “Um…I don’t think that will be necessary thanks.  I just need to wash up and I’ll be good as new in a couple of hours.”  She looked at her family, “None of you thought it was a good idea to let me know we had company?”

Nico smiled faintly, “You caught us by surprise baby.  Are you sure you’re all right?”

Lacey moved slightly and winced again, “The adrenaline seems to be wearing off now.  I’m beginning to feel like one big bruise.”  Angel stood without a word and picked her up walking towards the elevator.  “And apparently that’s all we’re going to talk about for the moment.  Dr. Callahan, I’m sorry about this.  Could we talk in a little bit?” she said as Angel punched in the code for their floor.  The good doctor nodded and looked on curiously as his patient was taken upstairs by a very shaken vampire.

There was silence in the office as everyone looked at each other.  Will was still in game face until Kassie casually brushed a hand across her forehead.   He took the hint and changed back to his human seeming though his blue eyes were still heavily tinged with gold.  Without a word he headed for the stairwell and left the office.  Willow, Kassie and Dru shared a look and Dru left to follow him.

Julian looked at Trick, “So just how many vampires do you work with Trick?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Angel I’m fine, just a little sore.”  Angel just growled low in his throat and tightened his hold on her.  Lacey was somewhat enjoying this more primal side of her mate.  He hadn’t said a word since she’d come into the office, just growled when spoken to.  In truth her body was beginning to hurt like the devil, but she didn’t want to worry him anymore than she already had.  He set her down on the closed toilet lid in their bathroom and started filling the tub.  He turned back and proceeded to undress her.  Lacey sat docilely throughout the process.  He took the peroxide and cotton balls he’d gotten out of the medicine cabinet and cleaned the scrapes on her cheek, hands, elbows and knee.  Her knee was the worst.  It was a serious case of road rash.  She inhaled sharply cursing a blue streak in her mind, but didn’t say anything when he began cleaning it.  His growl became deeper as he looked over her nude form and saw the various bruises she had gained from her impromptu meeting with concrete.  He stood and shed his own clothes then carefully picked her up and settled them both in the tub.  Lacey hissed at the initial burning she felt as the hot water met her skin, but soon the heat was a welcome balm.  Lacey rested her head against Angel’s chest and the deep rumbling emanating from within soon put her to sleep.

Angel held his mate and tried to calm down, but wasn’t being overly successful.  <I will find that woman and beat her to an inch of her life.>

<No you won’t luv.  She’s sick and needs help.>  Angel looked down at Lacey and saw that she was asleep.  Over the past few months they’d learned that Angel and Nico could talk to her with their thoughts when she was relaxed or sleeping.  Otherwise Lacey had to be the one to make the connection.

<Oh I’ll help her all right.>

<Angel…please.  Before anyone goes ballistic let’s find out why.  We need to talk to Will.>

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“William where are you going?”  Dru asked.

“Not now Dru.”  Will said as he made his way to the garage.

“SPIKE!”

Will turned around at the tone of his sire’s voice and found himself on his knees before her with her hand wrapped tightly round his throat.  She said in a dangerously precise voice,  “I may not be the insane vampire that needs constant looking after anymore, but I am still your sire and you will treat me with respect.  Are we clear?”

Will nodded his head in submission and kept his eyes downcast, “Yes sire.”

Dru released the grip on his throat and said, “Good.  Now where are you going?”

“To see Sasha sire.”

“I thought Lacey made it clear that no one was to do anything quite yet.”

Will raised angry eyes to meet Dru’s soft blue, “Lacey could have been seriously hurt today because of me.  I need to fix this.  What if she lost the babies?  I couldn’t live with myself if a mistake I made cost Angel and Lacey the one true thing they ever wanted, not to mention the fact that the kids are supposed to save the world.”

Dru regarded him for a moment, “Are you done?”  Will just looked at her.  Dru sighed and held out her hand, which he took.  She pulled him to his feet and led him back into the stairwell.  The sat down together midway up the flight of stairs with her still holding his hand, “I told you the day the two of you broke up that she was unbalanced.  I thought that the two of you not being together would help her heal, but it appears I was wrong.  She’s fixated on you.  William you’re not to blame.”  She nudged him and he reluctantly met her gaze, “You’re an unbelievably sexy man…vampire.  You’re also a vicious hunter, killer and warrior, strong and smart and cunning and fiercely protective and loyal and kind and compassionate and funny and an amazingly accomplished lover.  I can understand her not wanting to let you go, after all those qualities are why I turned you, but her obsession is not your fault.”

Will ducked his head, “She wouldn’t know about the lover part.  We didn’t get that far.  But thank you for the compliment.”  He sighed, “Lacey noticed it first at her birthday party.”  He smiled faintly at the memory.  “I’d given her and Angel a suite at the Four Seasons.  It was for their first real night together as lovers.  She flew across the room and kissed me, I mean really kissed me, surprised some of the others that’s dead cert.”  He looked at Dru, “You know how we are sometimes.”  Dru just smiled a little.  “Well anyway she pulled back and happened to see a look on Sasha’s face.  She whispered to me that she thought Sasha was jealous and that I should see to her.  When I looked at Sasha the look on her face was…scary.  I got to thinking and realized I’d seen that look on her face before whenever I was around Lacey.  After the party we talked and I thought she understood.”  Will glanced at Dru then went back to studying their clasped hands.  “The night you showed up threw me for a big loop Dru.  The whole kissing thing we did…after I put you to bed I decided to get pissed and I called her while she was away on business.  I told her pretty much everything about me, you and Angel.”  At Dru’s sharp intake of breath Will winced.  “I know.  I told Kassie it may not have been one of my more stellar ideas, but in my defense I was drunk and the only person I would have felt comfortable talking to was halfway around the world and we couldn’t reach her.  I suppose I could have talked to Willow, but she was taking care of Nico…so I called my girlfriend.  When she showed up after the fight with Gabriel I just kind of knew that it wasn’t going to work, especially after she insulted you that way.  I’ve had the feeling of being watched on occasion, had some strange phone calls and I’ve seen her a few times since then and it hasn’t been pretty, but I never thought she’d try to hurt anyone.  She’s such a complete amateur when it comes to stalking compared to us that I was just ignoring it.  I can’t believe I, William the Bloody, Spike, The Big Bad for Christ’s sake was such an easy mark.”  Will shook his head and fell silent.

“Hush.  From what I saw the short time I was around her she could be very convincing.  What’s changed?”  Dru asked almost to herself.

“Lacey introduced him to Miranda.”  Said a voice from behind them.  Both vampires jumped.

“Christ Kassie how do you do that?  Not even Lacey can sneak up on me like you can.”  Will scowled at her as she moved to sit on the step in front of them.

Kassie smirked, “I’m just gifted that way I guess.  Anyway, I wasn’t sneaking.  The two of you were just too involved in your musings to hear me.”  She sobered.  “You never told Lace why the two of you broke up did you?”

Will shook his head, “no I didn’t and she didn’t press.  What does my meeting Miranda have to do with anything?”  He didn’t notice the small smile on his face when he said the empath’s name, but Kassie and Dru did.  They both smiled at each other before turning serious once more.

Kassie answered him; “You hadn’t been on a date with anyone since the two of you broke up.  I was only kind of joking when I made that crack about her going ‘Fatal Attraction’ on you.  I had no idea she really would.  Last week Lacey introduced you to a wonderful woman at the awards benefit whom you’ve since spent quite a bit of time with.  After Lacey’s encounter this evening I got to thinking and had Willow do some checking.”  She handed Will a computer printout.  “Sasha was on the guest list.  I’d bet she’s been following you and seeing you with someone other than her set her off.”

“But why try to hurt Lacey?” Dru asked.

“One because Sasha’s never liked her, two because it was Lacey who introduced the competition for Will’s affections to him.”  Kassie said.

“I’ve got to call Miranda.  Let her know to be on guard.”  Will said making to pull out his cell phone.

Kassie stayed his hand.  “I already called her.  I gave her the bones of the sitch and told her to be careful.  She’s been with her contractor all day and is planning on calling you later this evening.  Okay?”  Will nodded and Kassie removed her hand.  “Now why don’t we go back to the office and take Dr. Callahan out to dinner?  Keep him entertained and try to learn if we can really trust him like Trick says we can.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“You have two very healthy growing human babies in there Lacey.  Will you want to know the sex or do you want it to be a surprise?”  Dr. Callahan asked as he finished up the ultrasound the next day.

He was fairly awed with how protective this young woman’s adopted family was of her.  She and Angel had not joined them again the night before so the rest of the family had kept him entertained.  The three vampires that had accompanied them to dinner the previous night had made it very clear that if any harm should befall her while in his care he would heartily regret it, but the one he was truly wary of was Nico.  His love for Lacey was absolute which made him a fierce adversary and one that Julian had no wish to cross even if he’d been so inclined.  The doctor had a feeling that the only other one more dangerous other than Lacey herself would be her fiancé Liam.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be one of each doc.”  Lacey said smiling at the older man.  He reminded Lacey of her father so she was more relaxed around him that she thought she would be.  Angel sat next to her looking in awe at the picture on the screen.  His mouth quirked at the corner at her words knowing somehow she was right <I’m going to have a son and a daughter.>

“If you don’t mind me asking Lacey why did you think you couldn’t get pregnant?”  Julian laughed at the expression on her face which clearly said, ‘are you high?’  It had been agreed that unless circumstances dictated otherwise they would not tell the good doctor that the children were borne of a prophecy.

“Um…vampire mate, a species not overly well known for actual procreation?  And I was brutally beaten and raped by my ex-husband about two years ago.  He made that dream somewhat an impossibility.”  Angel growled and squeezed her hand tightly.  She said the latter so matter-of-factly that the doctor almost missed the actual words.

He blinked, “I…I’m so sorry to hear that.  I had no idea.  He is in custody?”

Lacey smiled a grim smile as she cleaned the solution off of her stomach and put her clothes to rights, “In a manner of speaking.  He’s in hell.”  She looked at her doctor.  “He was turned after the trial.  Liam dusted him about four months ago after he kidnapped me.”  Julian gaped at her.  “Huge drama, long story.  Now why would you ask me why I thought I couldn’t get pregnant?”

Julian regained his composure.  His patient really was something.  “Well it is exceedingly rare, I can only think of two instances in which it’s happened the last being a millennia ago, but when a vampire male and human female become mates, if the bond is strong enough it is possible for them to conceive.  Just by what I’ve learned from your family the two of you are very strong together.  I of course had no idea of your rather painful history.  Again I’m very sorry to have dredged up those memories.”

Lacey and Angel were looking at each other, “have you ever?” Lacey asked.

Angel shook his head, “no you?”  Lacey shook her head no.

“Huh.”  They both said in unison.

The shorthand conversation made Julian laugh again.  “That’s what I mean right there.  The two of you don’t even need to speak in complete sentences.  How long have the two of you been together?”

“Seven months.”  Angel answered as he helped Lacey off of the exam table.

The doctor shook his head leading the way to his office, “fascinating.  I have some items for you Lacey.”  He proceeded to load her up with conventional and not-so-conventional pre-natal care.  When he was done explaining everything he said, “Now I want to make sure you aren’t going to be going out trying to beat up on demons and the like.  You’re to take it easy and not overtax yourself.  You were very lucky the incident yesterday didn’t cause any permanent damage even with your accelerated healing abilities.  You may continue to do your yoga and tai chi routines; I have some sheets on how to adjust your routines to accommodate your pregnancy, but no fighting or sparring.  Are we clear?”

Lacey stuck her lower lip out, “Yes Dr. Callahan.  I won’t go out looking for trouble.”  She looked at him from under her lashes.  Angel groaned.  That look usually didn’t bode well.  “But if it comes looking for me can I kick its ass?” she asked hopefully.

Julian dropped his head into his hands.  “You are going to be a handful aren’t you.”  It was a statement not a question.  He was quickly discovering that his patient was a smartass and tended to say pretty much whatever was on her mind.  He liked her.

Lacey laughed.  “Don’t worry doc.  I don’t plan to do anything that would jeopardize my children.”  She took Angel’s hand and kissed his knuckles.  “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to saying that.  My children.  Is there a possibility that we could actually be parents more than once or is this a one time thing?”

“Well Lacey that I really can’t answer.  I honestly don’t know.  As I said earlier the last documented case of this happening was a millennia ago and the details available today are sketchy at best.  But I wouldn’t discount the possibility.”

Lacey nodded thoughtfully.  “Is there anything else?”

“No I believe we’ve covered everything for today.  If anything untoward happens or you have any questions don’t hesitate to call.  Otherwise I’ll see you in an official capacity next month.”

As Angel drove them home he asked, “Do you think it’s possible that our children aren’t part of the prophecy?  That it could be like Callahan said and we’re just that strong together?  The timing could be a coincidence.”

Lacey leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.  After a few minutes she said, “Anything’s possible Angel, but you know how I feel about coincidences.  I’ve gone through every scrap in my head and didn’t come across the tidbit about vamp/human babies and you would think that would be something the Powers would record.  I get the feeling that there’s more to the prophecy than just what I told you the other night.  We just need to find it.”

Angel smiled faintly, “I know.  I was just wondering.”  He was silent for a while then said, “Was that not the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?  To see our babies inside you.”  He reached for her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers, “I love you Lacey.”

“I love you too Angel.”

They were silent for a time before Angel took a deep breath and said, “We need to talk about your safety Lacey.”

Lacey opened her eyes and rolled her head on the headrest to look at him.  “What?”

“You’ve made an impression on the demon world in the last few months love.  Your pregnancy can’t be kept a secret for long and I know that we’ll probably be making public appearances before the babes are born.  I don’t want you out alone.”

“Are you or Will or Dru or Joshua planning to go to work with me every afternoon until the series wraps?  That’s not feasible.  I’ll admit that I could be in danger, but I could also get hit by a bus at any time.  I am capable of taking care of myself.”  Angel opened his mouth to protest but Lacey continued, “I don’t plan on doing any fighting Angel.  I have other abilities that can keep me safe and give me the opportunity to get away.  I’m not going into hiding just because I’m pregnant.  I’m not a coward, but I will be cautious.”

Angel sighed softly, “I just don’t want anything to happen to you leannan.  You’re my world and you’re the mother of my children.  I want to keep you safe.”

Lacey smiled faintly, “I know you do, but I can’t be wrapped in wool and put on a shelf.  I’m not helpless luv, just somewhat impaired for the next few months.”

Angel smirked at that, “Impaired huh?”

Lacey’s smile grew, “Well what would you call mood swings, weight gain and the uncontrollable urge to eat everything in sight?”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Two weeks later Lacey and Dru were in Chinatown on a shopping expedition.  The women had completed the items on their list of things to do and were now hunting for clothing bargains.

They’d just come out of a dress shop when Dru heard a scream from a block over.  She looked at Lacey.  “There’s trouble mum.”

“Let’s go.”

Lacey followed Dru keeping an eye out for other dangers as they approached the alley Dru had heard the scream come from.  When they reached the mouth of the alley both dropped their bags.  Dru looked at Lacey.  “Let me.”  The redhead nodded curious to see what her stepchilde would do.

The pair saw two vampires and a Nolak demon had two young men and a woman cornered near a dumpster.  Lacey tapped Dru’s arm, “To kill the Nolak just break its neck,” she whispered.  Dru nodded.

Lacey leaned against the wall and watched as Dru approached the demons.  “The stars sing such a lovely song of pain.  Can I play?  The blood of the innocent is so sweet.”

The three demons turned at the interruption.  One of the vamps snarled.  “Piss off bitch these are ours.  Go find your own dinner.”

Dru pouted.  “You don’t want to share?  That’s not very nice.  You’re being mean to Princess.”  She closed her eyes and swayed slightly back and forth.  “Miss Edith says no cakes for you.”

The Nolak grew impatient and rushed the vampire.  Dru opened golden eyes and moved to the side before the demon could get her.  She clotheslined it and quickly caught it in a headlock.  There was an audible snap as she broke the demons neck.

“Tsk, tsk.  This is no way to treat a guest.  Miss Edith says if you share the stars will sing for you.”

“Who the fuck is Miss Edith?” the more vocal of the two vampires asked.

The quiet one pulled at his companions arm.  “I think I know who she is.”  He looked at Dru.  “You’re that nutty bitch that shacked up with Gabriel before he was dusted right?  Priscilla or something.”

Dru scowled.  She hated it when people got her name wrong.  “Drusilla you naughty boy.  Show some respect to your elders.”

They scoffed at her.  The first one said, “How’s ‘bout we have a little fun?”

Dru smiled sweetly and clapped her hands like a child.  “Oh yes.  I do like to play.”

Seeing that the attention was firmly off of them, the three young people near the dumpster made their escape out the other end of the alley.  Lacey sighed in relief as she kept an eye on her ‘daughter.’

The two vamps approached Dru.  The second one boldly reached out and ran a hand down the front of Dru’s body.  Her demeanor changed abruptly and just before she plunged the ratcheted stake into his heart she snarled, “Never touch without permission.”

The first vampire watched in surprise as his companion turned to dust.  Then he turned on Dru and caught her with a hard slap.  “You bitch!”

Dru went with the blow.  As she straightened her clenched fist came round in a beautiful left cross.  The vampire stumbled back and soon joined his friend as dust on the ground of the alley.  Dru dusted herself off and turned to Lacey.

Lacey was impressed.  She hadn’t had the opportunity to see Dru in action before.  As she started toward her she paused at the look on Dru’s face.  Then the sensation of danger hit her and Lacey ducked and rolled out of the way of another Nolak demon that had come up behind her.  “Damn.  I forgot they hunted in pairs.”  Lacey came to her feet smoothly.  She went on the defensive so as to not open herself to any body blows.  When the Nolak backed off for a brief moment Lacey took advantage and threw up her hand.  The demon flew back against the wall.  Lacey moved her hand and with a swift motion there was a sickening crack as she snapped the demon’s neck without ever touching it.

Dru was at her side in an instant.  “Mum, are you all right?”  She ran her hands over Lacey in an effort to ascertain damage.

“I’m fine Dru.  No harm done.”  She ran a hand through her hair and grimaced as she felt something sticky in it.  “Blech.  Something’s in my hair and I don’t think I want to know what it is.”  Lacey felt a draft on her arm and looked down.  “Damnit it ripped my sleeve.  I liked this jacket.”  She looked at Dru and saw the bruise on her cheek.  “Come on.  I think there’s a small spa on the next block where we can clean up.  I’d rather not mention this to Angel if I can help it.  He’ll be pissed if he knows I got into a fight, even if I didn’t really fight.”  She wrinkled her nose.  “It kinda sucked not being able to let loose.”

Dru hugged her then they gathered up their bags.  “Just think of the babies mum.”

Lacey smiled.  “Yeah.”  She patted her slightly curved belly protectively.  Sobering she looked at Dru, “You’re good Dru.  It was damn scary watching you act the loon.  Do you do that often?”

“It comes naturally.  Opponents tend to underestimate you if you’re going on about singing stars and talking dolls.  Gives me an edge.”  It bothered the vampiress some just how easy it was to slip into that role, but she had found that it did help her in a fight.

Lacey looped her arm through Dru’s and kissed her cheek.  “I’m glad you’re on our side sweetie.”

~Part: 17~

The next month flew by.  Dru and Lacey were unable to hide their exploits from Angel, but the outburst was milder than expected and life went on in relative peace.  The incident did result in Angel putting his foot down about Lacey going out unescorted.  Angel had decreed that if Lacey were going to be out and about either he or Will at least would accompany her.  Lacey had wisely held her tongue and had agreed.  Since Sasha had tried to kill her last month she’d disappeared and they hadn’t been able to find her.  Her bookshop had closed and her house was empty.  They all knew she hadn’t gone away though.  Miranda had told them she thought someone was following her and she had received strange phone calls at odd hours, but no trace of the formally sweet bookseller was found.  With the combined computer skills of Lacey and Willow they’d discovered at least a dozen cases on the west coast that were similar to what was happening to them.  In four of those instances people had died.  That didn’t sit well with anyone at AI.  Lacey was trying to figure how it was possible that none of this had come to light when they’d taken Sasha on as a client.  The only explanation she’d come up with was that Sasha was a pro at hiding her activities.

The series wrapped with much fanfare, practical jokes, tears and several fabulous parties.  A lot of film had been wasted over the course of filming.  Lacey was going to miss all of them, but they had promised to keep her in the loop as to what projects they were working on.  Since it appeared that demon butt kicking in the physical sense was indefinitely on hold for her Lacey was spending her time managing her investments and getting ready for the babies.  She was also for the time being the receptionist and research girl extraordinaire for Angel Investigations.

Lacey and Angel had set a date for the wedding, June 21st, the summer solstice.  It was to be held at Angel’s beach house.  Lacey had come across a spell in her mental archive that would allow Dru and Joshua to go about in the sun temporarily so they would be able to attend the day of festivities.  She had introduced the couple to the wonders of sunless tanning lotion so they wouldn’t blind the other guests with their unnaturally pale skin.  It was going to be a small and casual affair, a wedding combined with a summer barbeque and beach party.  Only the former cast of ‘Angel’ and their significant others, a few other close friends and the family.  No black tie, in fact shoes weren’t even a necessity.  Harry’s was catering complete with chocolate cake.

Despite his hesitancy to get more deeply involved with Miranda in light of the whole Sasha thing, Will and she were now seriously dating and Lacey couldn’t be happier for them.  They looked so right together.  Since Nico had moved in with Willow freeing up one of the third floor lofts Trick and Kassie had moved into that one so Angel and Lacey could convert the fifth floor into one large living space.  While the renovations were taking place she and Angel were staying at his beach house.  If she needed to rest while at the office she used the spare bedroom in Nico and Willow’s place.  Her latest appointment with Dr. Callahan had gone well.  Everyone was healthy and happy, though no progress had been made on finding out more on the prophecy.

Lacey was shopping for maternity clothes having finally reached the point that she didn’t want to stretch out her pants and knickers anymore than she already had, that and she needed to find something to wear to the grand opening of Haven.  Will, Miranda and Lacey were just finishing lunch in a restaurant located in one of the many malls that graced Los Angeles when a hate-filled voice came from behind Will.  “Well, well, well if it isn’t the vampire and his whores.”

“Hello Sasha.  What brings you here today?”  Lacey said in a lazy voice privately congratulating herself that she was able to keep such a calm demeanor in place considering she wanted nothing more than to rip the woman apart limb by limb.  If she’d taken time to look closer at her reaction she’d have been shocked at the violence of her thoughts, however all she knew right now was that the woman standing behind her step-grandchilde was responsible for a lot of pain in her family and others.  Will was battling to keep his demon in check.  Miranda was patting his hand soothingly.

Sasha blinked at the casual tone then sneered, “You’re letting yourself go a bit aren’t you Lacey?  Looks like you’ve put on some serious weight.”

Lacey just smiled and patted her tummy.  The black Happy Bunny baby tee that read ‘Cute but kind of evil’ she was wearing had ridden up revealing the growing swell of her belly above the drawstring waist of her red pants along with the silver hoop that had a baby rattle charm dangling from it in her belly button.  “Twins will do that to a girl.”  Sasha looked nonplussed at the comment.  Lacey picked up her bags and stood up, Will and Miranda following suit.  “Why don’t we go somewhere a little less crowded, hmmm?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you whore.”  Sasha spat.

Lacey turned and the woman took a step back at the glow coming from her light green eyes.  In a low voice she said, “I’d watch what you say to me Sasha.  We can do this the easy way or the hard way.  I really don’t suggest the hard way, because it would cause a scene and I do hate scenes.  Now why don’t we all go someplace a little less crowded.”  Lacey left a fifty on the table for their meal, plus tip <and won’t the server be surprised at that tip> without ever seeing the check and led the way out of the restaurant.  Will had taken Sasha’s arm to prevent her from bolting and Miranda followed behind them curious to know what Lacey had planned.

Lacey led them to a service hallway away from mall goers checking to make sure no one noticed them entering.  Once the door shut behind them she waved her hand to lock it.  “You can let go of her now Will.”  He did and Sasha found herself pinned to the wall with Lacey in her face.  “Now you listen to me you psychotic bint.  I don’t know why you’ve fixated on William and I don’t really care.  What I do know is that if you ever come near him, his girlfriend or his family again I will personally see to it that you will cease to walk this earth.  Do you understand me?”

Sasha sneered, “He’s mine whore.  Just because I can’t be with him doesn’t mean he can be with anyone else.  It’s all your fault anyway.  If you hmmph.”  Lacey slapped a mystical gag over her mouth and stepped back.  Sasha stayed pinned to the wall by the same green bonds.

“You really are a bloody fruit loop aren’tcha?”  Lacey turned to Miranda.  “I hate to ask this of you, but can you make her forget that we even exist?  I really don’t want to have to kill her, but…”she shrugged the rest of the sentence.

Miranda took a deep breath.  The hate and anger radiating off of this woman was nauseating in its intensity.  “I’ll try chica.”  She moved in front of the glaring woman and took her head in her hands.  “Close your eyes por favor.”  Sasha kept them open.

From her place against the opposite wall Lacey moved her hand and both Will and Miranda could see Sasha’s throat constricting.  “Close them Sasha or I’ll end you here and now.”  Sasha’s eyes closed and Lacey released the hold on her throat.  Lacey wrapped her arms around Will’s waist and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they watched Miranda do her thing.  Miranda moved back after a few moments and shook her head, tears slowly coursing down her cheeks.  Sasha opened her eyes.

She turned to Lacey and Will.  Will moved to take her in his arms.  “I’m sorry Lacey I cannot.  There’s too much anger and rage and sickness there.  I don’t think even Kassie could help this woman.  Will she was this way long before she met you.  You’re just the latest in a long line.  She’s very good at convincing her marks that the feelings of jealousy and possessiveness are new to her, but she has always been this way.  She’s bad.”

Lacey looked at Sasha and removed the gag.  “How many Sasha?  How many lives have you destroyed with your sick games?

“More than you’ll ever know.  Why?  What do you think you can do about it bitch?”  Once again Lacey gagged her.

She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.  “What are we going to do?  We can’t let her go.”  She thumped her head against the wall a couple of times.  Lacey was beyond angry and that was clouding her normally sound judgment.  “Miranda you and Will leave now.  Wait for me by the fountain on the first floor.  I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”  Lacey felt a presence in front of her and she opened her pale green eyes to stare into Will’s tortured midnight blue.

“I’m not going to let you do this Lacey.  I won’t have you get blood on your hands.  She’s my problem.  I’ll handle it.”

Lacey shook her head; “I don’t plan on laying a hand on her Will.  I was thinking more along the lines of throwing her to play in traffic like she tried to do with me.  Human or not that woman is a monster and she needs to be dealt with.  If we leave her be who knows what she could do or who she could contact.  She knows who you are, who we all are.”

While Lacey and Will argued Miranda made a phone call.

“Angel Investigations how may I help ya?”

“Trick?”

“Miranda?”

“Yes.  We have a problem.  Sasha showed up while we were finishing lunch and made a scene.  Lacey, Will and I are with her now in a service hall at the Pavilion.  Those two are arguing over who is going to kill her.  Sasha is a very sick person.  I cannot help her and I don’t think Kassie could either.  While I agree she needs to be stopped I don’t necessarily think killing her is the best plan.  Do you think your doctor friend would have any suggestions?”  Miranda heard a growl of frustration then the arguing stop and she turned to see what was happening.  Will had Lacey backed against the wall and was kissing her passionately.  Lacey had her hands buried in his hair kissing him back.  She shook her head <anything to keep them from killing her right now> and turned her attention back to Trick.

“Miranda are ya there?”

“Yes sorry.  It got quiet; I was worried.  What was it that you said?”

“I said Angel is on his way.  He should be there in about a half an hour and Julian thinks he has a solution.  Where’s the service hall located?”

“Third floor midway between Macy’s and Nordstrom’s on the south side.  I’ll have Lacey unlock the door and go wait for him.  Thank you Trick.”

“Not a problem Miranda.  We’ll get this taken care of.”  They disconnected and Miranda turned back to her boyfriend and friend.

“Are you done yet?”  At the sound of her voice directed at them they broke apart.

Lacey was breathing hard and her lipstick was smeared.  Will was also breathing hard out of instinct, not necessity, and he had Lacey’s lipstick around his mouth.  Lacey looked at her friend, “I’m sorry Miranda I had to shut him up somehow.”

Will glared at her for a moment before turning sheepish eyes to his girlfriend.  “I’m sorry pet.  Um…ahh,” He looked at her helplessly.

“Lacey said you were affectionate with each other.  I just didn’t realize you were that affectionate.  Have you two slept together?”

Will and Lacey looked at each other both remembering the night after the battle with Gabriel and Lucinda…

***************

Lacey groaned and opened her eyes.  She found herself staring into Will’s confused midnight blue.  “Wha?”  She lifted her head and realized what a mistake that was.  <Hangover.  Oh Gods I haven’t felt like this in a long time.>  She swallowed and made another effort to sit up and take in her surroundings.  That’s when she realized she was naked, so was Will, they were in Lacey’s bed and Angel wasn’t in the room.  She pulled the sheet up to cover her and closed her eyes, “tell me we didn’t do what I think we may have done Will.”

She felt the vampire sit up next to her.  “I wish I could luv, but I’m not really sure.  Last thing I remember was carrying you in here then waking up with you in my arms.”

Then their memory returned.

The previous evening had seen the members of Angel Investigations get piss-assed drunk in celebration of Angel and Lacey being okay, Dru’s newfound sanity and the defeat of Gabriel and Lucinda.  They’d had a barbeque on the roof and been having a grand time until it started to rain.  The party had then moved into Lacey’s loft.  Much liquor had been brought forth, from where Lacey wasn’t certain as she didn’t keep any in her home, her movie collection had been pawed through and numerous drinking games had been thought up to go with whatever they’d been watching at the time.  Lacey had put her reservations concerning her and alcohol consumption aside and joined in the fun.  The movies had later been abandoned in favor of her CD collection and she and Angel had been snuggled up on one of the loveseats with Will sitting silently in a chair across from them listening to an eclectic mix.  Will had mentioned that he and Sasha had broken up that afternoon, but hadn’t given any details and was currently trying to find the bottom of a second bottle of Jack.

Angel, the most sober of the whole bunch, though he was feeling very mellow and not a little horny, had leaned over and whispered into Lacey’s ear, “I think my grandchilde could use some cheering up love.  Don’t you?”

Lacey who had a pleasant buzz going looked at Will appraisingly.  She catalogued his features, so handsome even in his current morose state, and sighed the alcohol having loosened her tongue.  “I believe he could my Angel.  Even when he’s sad he’s completely shaggable.”

Angel had looked at his mate then at his grandchilde, “Would you like that Lacey?  Would you like to know what he’s like in bed?  I know from my own experiences that he’s very skilled with his mouth.”  Angel inhaled and took in the faint hint of Lacey’s arousal.  Despite his possessiveness when Will had kissed Lacey at the airport the thought of watching the two of them together made certain parts stir.  He smirked and continued speaking softly in her ear, “He could make you come so hard just with his tongue, but he’s quite talented with…other parts as well.  He could make you scream love.”

Lacey licked her lips and turned her eyes to her mate, “Are you trying to tell me you want me to seduce your childe?  How drunk are you?  For that matter how drunk am I that I’m considering it?”

Angel had leaned in and kissed her thoroughly.  Lacey moaned into the kiss and moved until she was straddling his lap.  She was dimly aware of the rest of the family continuing on with their assorted activities around them.  He pulled back to let her breathe and said, “If you want him I won’t object.”  He pulled Lacey down more firmly into his lap and she felt his erection, “The thought of watching the two of you together is very…tempting.”

Lacey tried to make some sense of what was going on with her lust and alcohol hazed mind.  She couldn’t deny that she found the younger vampire attractive <more than attractive, be honest with yourself Lace>, but could she really make love, and it would be making love, to another man when she was blissfully happy with another even having said mate’s permission?  And should she even be contemplating this at all in her currently inebriated state?  The last time she’d gotten drunk her very existence had been destroyed.  <But things are different now.  You’re different now> whispered a voice in her mind.  Lacey turned her head to look at Will again.  She found him watching her and Angel with something akin to wistfulness.  Decision made she smiled at him and held out her hand.  He blinked then slowly rose from his chair to take it.  She pulled him down onto the couch and moved into his lap.  “Why so sad pet?” she asked as she leaned in to nuzzle at his neck.

Will sat unmoving as Lacey nipped at his ear.  He looked at Angel and was puzzled by the satisfied expression on this grandsire’s face.  Lacey growled a little and placed a hand on his cheek bringing his eyes back to hers, “I asked you a question.”

Will looked around and saw Trick and Kassie, Nico and Willow and Dru and Joshua were all lost in each other, much as Angel and Lacey had been just a few minutes ago.  “I’m alone luv.  Again.”

Lacey leaned in and kissed him softly lightly running her tongue across his slightly parted lips.  <So soft> she thought as he opened them and she slipped her tongue into his mouth to taste the whiskey he’d been drinking.  Will groaned and deepened the kiss, bringing his hand up to cup the back of her head.  He growled when she pulled away and reluctantly opened his eyes.  Her soft light green gaze bore into him and he sucked in an unneeded breath at the desire he saw there.  “You don’t have to be alone tonight Will.”  He flicked his gaze to Angel who nodded.

<Bloody hell this could be a dream come true.  But what if she freaks out tomorrow?  I know she’s been drinking…oh gods what is she doing?>  Lacey had undone a few buttons and slipped her hand into his shirt lightly flicking at a nipple while she nipped along his jaw.  Her hips had begun to roll, gently rocking her against his rapidly growing erection.  It was all Will could do to pull her up and force her to look at him, “Lacey are you sure about this?  I don’t want you to regret anything in the morning luv.”

Lacey’s mind had cleared a little and she looked back and forth between her mate and her friend.  Then she looked around her loft and saw that the three of them were alone now, the rest of the family having departed in the last few minutes.  The desire present on both men’s faces made her a bit lightheaded, of course that could also be the alcohol she’d consumed making its presence felt.  Angel turned to face them and said softly, “There’s no pressure love.  Neither of us will force you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Lacey smiled, “Right now what I want is another drink.  Then I want to dance with my vampires.”  She smoothly rose from Will’s lap to get another shot.  Then she put in a CD she’d burned that held some of her favorite dance tunes.  They all had a Middle Eastern flavor and laid down a sensual rhythm for when she worked out.  The first track started and she moved back in front of the loveseat Angel and Will were sitting on.  Lacey removed the sticks holding her hair up and shook out the long tresses as her body moved sensuously in time to the music.  She proceeded to give her men a very impressive show, though she didn’t remove any of her clothing, which now simply consisted of faded jeans and a yellow tank top as she’d taken off the sweater she’d worn on the roof when they’d moved inside.  Will and Angel sat mesmerized by her movements.  At one point Will heard Angel breathe, “So that’s how she learned to do that.”  Eventually Will stood up and Lacey moved around him slowly, barely touching him.  Will caught her to him and kissed her deeply running his hand from the nape of her neck to her bum.  Angel continued to watch from the loveseat.

Will slowly moved one thin strap of Lacey’s top down exposing one full breast and following the movement with his lips.  Lacey sighed in contentment and looked at Angel over Will’s bent head.  Angel smiled a slow, devastatingly sexy grin and Lacey felt her knees give way.  Will held her up and continued to kiss his way across her chest moving the other strap down and taking one taut nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue.  Lacey moaned at the sensation, similar to and yet so very different from Angel, letting her eyes close and her head fall back.

Angel couldn’t take it anymore and rose from the couch to join the couple still moving slightly to the music.  He caught Lacey’s lips in a drugging kiss as she moved to finish unbuttoning Will’s shirt and slide it off his shoulders.  The younger vampire started at the touch of Angel’s hands as the older vampire caressed his neck, but quickly went back to concentrating on Lacey’s breasts.  He pulled away to remove her tank completely and stood back to admire her half-clad form.  Angel stood behind her and ran his hands over her stomach, lightly flicking the hoop in her belly button making her shudder at the sensation, then up to cover her breasts before moving back down and undoing the fastening of her jeans and sliding them over her hips to pool at her bare feet.  Stepping out of them Lacey leaned heavily against her mate clad only in her skimpy knickers.  She stared at Will who was now clad only in a pair of low-slung jeans through half-closed lids, her lips swollen and red from their kisses.  Angel’s dark voice surrounded them as he continued to move his hands over her warm body, “Isn’t she exquisite William?”

“She is sire.  Are you sure this is all right?”  Will’s hands were shaking.  He’d seen Lacey in a bikini before, but seeing her now in only a pair of innocent white cotton hipsters was almost more than he could take.  Her body was soft and firm at the same time and he could hardly wait to taste every inch of her.  He licked his lips and both Angel and Lacey moaned at the sight.

Before Angel could answer his childes’ question Lacey said in her husky voice, “She is standing right here and it is ultimately her decision to make.”  She turned her head and caught Angel’s lips.  When they broke apart she moved out of his embrace and stepped up to Will, lightly brushing her breasts against his bare chest.  They both shivered at the contact.  Lacey wrapped her arms around his neck and said; “Angel tells me you have a very talented mouth Will.  Wanna show me?”

Will groaned and muttered, “Gods yes” before crushing her lips beneath his once again.  He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his lean waist without breaking the kiss.  He moved one hand into her hair and the other down to hold her against his straining erection.  When air became a necessity for her he pulled back and caught Angel’s eye as she trailed kisses down his throat and shoulder.  Angel had removed his shirt as well and was enjoying the show before him.  He moved forward and sandwiched Lacey between them as he took Will’s mouth in a deep kiss.

When he pulled back he murmured, “If you ask nicely William she may show you how good she is with her mouth as well.  Wouldn’t you love?”  He moved her hair aside and kissed his mark on her neck as Will nipped at her lips.

Lacey arched her back and got out a strangled, “Mmmhmm.”

As the two vampires continued to tease her Angel said, “It really is a special treat.”

She started to pant lightly.  “Bed.  Now.”  Angel chuckled and allowed the younger vampire to carry his mate into her bedroom.

He hung back to turn off the stereo and lights and made sure the door was locked before joining them.  The sounds he heard from the bedroom hastened him in his tasks.  When he stepped into the dimly lit room Lacey was on her bed with Will making his way leisurely down her body.  Eventually he buried his head between her spread thighs.  She was writhing on the sheets with her eyes closed and her head thrown back as Will set about proving Angel correct in his estimations of his skill.  The sight was so beautiful to Angel that he was compelled to draw the scene before him.  He quietly removed his sketchpad and pencils from one of the bags he’d brought back with him and moved the reading chair to give him the best view then set to work.  Lacey’s scream of completion a long time later was music to his ears.  He looked at the couple on the bed and met her passion-glazed eyes, “I told you he could make you scream love.”

Lacey stretched, “So you did.  I think it’s my turn to return the favor.  Will darlin’ you’re wearin’ too many clothes.”  She pushed the vampire off of her and slid off the bed then pulled him up next to her.  She kissed him deeply, tasting her essence on his lips, as she carefully undid his fly and pushed his jeans and boxers down so he could step out of them.

She trailed kisses down his hard body, licking and nipping a wet path towards her goal.  Will could only stand there clenching and unclenching his fists as she knelt in front of him.  When he first felt her warm breath as she breathed, “Oh my” against him he thought he’d died all over again.  Then she took the sensitive tip of his shaft into her mouth and he started reciting baseball stats to keep it from ending too soon.  It had been so long.  He managed to open his eyes and look down at the beauty before him as she took more of him inside her wet heat, one of her hands snaking between them to gently cup his balls.  Lacey looked up meeting his heated gaze and smiled around him making Will groan at the sight.  She took her cues from the sounds he made adjusting the firmness of her grasp and the speed at which she moved and soon he had his hands clenched in her hair, “Lacey, pet, I’m gonna…OH BLOODY HELL!”  He hadn’t even realized she’d moved her other hand to his ass until he felt her enter him with one manicured finger.  She unerringly found that special place inside and he came hard.  She drank him down, not spilling a drop.  He fell back on the bed as Angel swooped in and claimed his mate’s mouth to taste the remnants of his childes’ release.

Angel picked her up and lowered her onto the bed next to Will, entering her with one quick thrust and making her cry out again.  Their coupling was fast and furious as Will watched and soon Angel was sinking his fangs into his mark on Lacey’s neck as she did the same to him and both found their release in each other’s arms.  Lacey was asleep before Angel eased out of her tight channel.  He looked at his grandchilde after licking at her wound to close it, “Are you okay?”

Will looked at him then at Lacey, “How is this going to change things?”

Angel sighed as he put Lacey under the covers and motioned for Will to get in beside her.  The queen size bed was a little cramped for the three of them, but they’d make do.  He got in on the other side of her and answered the question, “That is entirely up to her.  It’s quite possible that this is as far as it will ever go, but she could surprise us both in the morning.  Are you sorry William?”

Will shook his head and gently brushed stray strands away from Lacey’s face.  “No I’m not sorry.  She was amazing.”  He met Angel’s dark gaze, “Why?”

Angel didn’t pretend to misunderstand.  “She was curious, even though she would never admit it, you needed some comfort and I wanted to see the two of you together.  Tonight seemed like the right time.”

Will nodded as Angel turned off the bedside lamp.  The two of them maneuvered the three of them into a reasonably comfortable position and soon sleep was coming to claim the two vampires.  Just before he slipped into dreams Angel heard Will say, “thank you sire.”

Angel awoke first the following day and slipped out of the bed to make coffee and get some aspirin for them.  When he returned with the tray he found Lacey and Will awake and in a state of shock.  “Good morning love, William.”

Lacey opened her eyes and looked at her mate.  “Are we okay?”

Angel smiled a little, “Of course we are Lacey.  Last night was a mutual decision by all of us.  It’s completely up to you where we go from here.”

Lacey looked at Will who returned her gaze nervously.  <He’s afraid I won’t want him around anymore.  Was last night a fluke?>  Lacey thought long and hard about what she wanted and came to the conclusion that she really only wanted Angel in her bed.  The night before had been wild and erotic and she would treasure it, but she was glad that she and Will hadn’t actually had intercourse with each other.  She belonged to Angel and he belonged to her.  Lacey lay a hand against Will’s cheek, “Last night was an incredible experience for me and I hope I pleased you as well,” she giggled as Will vigorously shook his head ‘yes’ but sobered as she continued, “but last night is all there can be.  I’m just not comfortable with the thought of anyone other than Angel being inside me.  I love you Will and I really hope this hasn’t fubarred our friendship, because I don’t want to lose that.”

Will stared into the clear green depths and realized that she was right; they were much better as friends.  He really had no desire to compete for a woman’s affections again.  He’d been there, done that already.  For once he wanted to be the only one in the picture and knew he couldn’t and wouldn’t find that with Lacey.  He’d thought maybe with Sasha, but there was just something off about her and he was relieved he’d ended things the day before.  He smiled tenderly before gently kissing her, “No worries pet.  We’re good.  I love you too.  Thank you for last night, it was most definitely incredible.  I still get to kiss you senseless every now and again though right?”

Lacey grinned, “You’d better mister.”

***************

… then Will looked at Miranda, “We almost did once just after Sasha and I broke up.  Things did happen, just not the actual shagging.”

Lacey picked up the thread, “We love each other too much to ruin it with sex.  We’re much better as friends who occasionally kiss each other blind.  Angel knows and is fine with how we are.  This isn’t going to be a problem is it ‘cause I really don’t see us changing anytime soon?  We’re not on with the naughty anymore and it’s not like you and I haven’t been together before.”

Will looked back and forth between his two loves.  “When was this pet?”

Lacey flushed slightly.  “When I was traveling.  We became quite close for a short time.  I guess subconsciously I needed something soft to counteract what I was running away from even if I didn’t know I was running.  It didn’t last long and we’re better friends because of it.”

Miranda conceded that point as she looked back and forth between them.  All three had forgotten Sasha’s presence for the moment though the woman was still pinned to the wall by Lacey glaring daggers at all of them.  Miranda looked at Lacey and said, “Sing for me.”

“What?”

“Sing for me.  I don’t care what I just need to read you and Will.”

Lacey said, “Right.”  She cleared her throat and sang the first thing that popped in her head.  Her husky sweet alto rang out in the deserted hall:

I know you think that I shouldn’t still love you or tell you that
But if I didn’t say it well I’d still have felt it, where’s the sense in that
I promise I’m not trying to make your life harder or return to where we were but

I will go down with this ship and I won’t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door, I’m in love and always will be

(AN: Song ‘White Flag’ by Dido off of Life for Rent.  Doesn’t belong to me.)

“That’s good.  Now you Will.”  Lacey could read nothing from the expression on Miranda’s face.

Will looked mightily uncomfortable.  “Are you sure you want me to sing ducks?”

“Yes William I’m sure.”

Will took a deep breath and started to sing in a rich baritone that brought tears to Lacey’s eyes.  She’d never heard him sing before and was amazed that he knew anything by Garth Brooks.

Well I'm shameless when it comes to loving you
I'll do anything you want me to I'll do anything at all

And I'm standin’, here for all the world to see
Oh baby, that's what's left of me Don't have very far to fall

You know now I'm not a man who's ever been
Insecure about the world I've been living in
I don't break easy, I have my pride But if you need to be satisfied

I'm shameless, oh honey, I don't have a prayer
Every time I see you standin' there I go down upon my knees

(AN:  Song ‘Shameless’ by Garth Brooks off of Ropin’ the Wind.  Doesn’t belong to me.)

“That’s enough.”  Miranda turned away from them for a moment.  <Ay dios.  I had no idea Will felt that way.  He loves and desires Lacey just as she does him, but they’re content to leave things as they are; very odd considering what I know of vampire relationships.  But the way he feels for me…is it getting hot in here?>

Will and Lacey looked at each other in worry.  This so was not the place to be having a discussion like this.

Miranda turned back to them.  “We’re all good.  The two of you have a strange relationship but it works.  I cannot even begin to understand it, but it will not interfere with Will and I and I won’t try to come between the two of you.  And may I say that was some of the best impromptu singing I’ve been subjected to in a long time?”

Lacey and Will both sighed in relief.  Miranda said, “That lipstick really doesn’t suit you Will.  You’d better wipe it off before Angel gets here.”

“Angel’s coming?  Why is Angel coming?” Lacey asked as she dug a tissue out of her purse and handed it to Will.  She fixed her own appearance with the aid of a small mirror.

“He’s coming to deal with the reason we’re in this hall.  Dr. Callahan has a different solution.  You should go wait for him Lacey.”

“Right.  Well this day couldn’t have turned into anymore of a pisser.”  Lacey looked at Sasha and said in an admonishing tone, “Now you stay there and don’t cause anymore trouble.”

Will laughed and Miranda turned her back to hide her grin.  “That was bad luv.”  He swatted Lacey on the bum as she moved to unlock the door and step outside.  She just looked at him, “I may not like being called one but I can be a right bitch when I want to be.”

Once she was gone Miranda led Will a little further down the hall out of earshot of Sasha.  He kept a wary eye on the furious blond, but focused completely on Miranda when she spoke, “Did you mean it?”

“Mean what pet?”

“The song.  You really love me that way?”  This was the true test.  When she’d made her demand she knew whatever song each of them picked would be their subconscious’ way of expressing their feelings.  Miranda already knew he meant every word, but she didn’t know if he would be honest enough to admit it.  She’d received a very vivid image of what Will wanted to do with her and if he was truthful with her then she would make every effort to make it happen.

Will looked at her for a long moment before closing his eyes and leaning back against the wall.  <This is the problem with dating an empath.  They have the tendency to see more than you want them to.  I didn’t want to scare her.  We’ve only been seeing one another for a month.  Hell I haven’t even taken her to bed yet, chivalrous nonce that I am.  She’s already seen what there is to see…Love’s bitch takes the plunge again…>Will opened his eyes and looked at her, “Yes Miranda I meant it.  I know it’s probably way to soon, we’ve only been seeing each other for a month, but I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in lo-“ his words were cut off by her mouth suddenly covering his.  They stayed that way until Lacey and Angel entered fifteen minutes later.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey leaned against the wall next to the alcove leading to the hallway watching the people pass her by.  She picked out several demons that were passing for human.  They were laughing and joking having a grand time.  A couple of them she knew were deadly killers, but for the moment they were co-existing peacefully with their prey.  She glanced back through the window in the door and saw Sasha pinned where she’d left her.  Lacey had a lot more control over her powers now and she could be some distance away and still have the bonds hold.  She could make her eyes glow at will and also move things or people without blazing.  She noticed Will and Miranda had moved further down the hall and were apparently having an intense conversation.  <How is it that I can spot evil at a glance now, but I never saw it when it was right under my nose?>

<You weren’t looking for it so close to home>

<Angel?>  She hadn’t realized she’d opened a connection to him.

<Hello love.  I understand you were trying to convince my grandchilde to let you commit cold blooded murder.>

<Sasha called Miranda and me whores and she called me a bitch.  Never much cared for those words considering the context they’ve been used on me in the past.  Not that I can’t be a bitch but…Besides I told you once that if a human threatened one that I held dear I more than likely wouldn’t hesitate to take him or her out.>

<I remember, but a crowded mall isn’t necessarily the place to do that.  Dr. Callahan has a different solution.  He knows of an institution where she can be placed without fear of her escaping or harming anyone again.  It’s possible with time that she can be healed, but I don’t think she’ll ever re-enter society.>

<Well I suppose that is a better solution than chucking her into traffic.>

Angel laughed in her mind <You’re terrible Lace.>

Lacey smirked <Eye for an eye and all that, but you love me anyway.  I love hearing you laugh Angel.>

<You look very sexy standing there with your belly showing like that.>

Lacey looked around and smiled when she saw her love making his way towards her.  “That’s why I went shopping today.  Not that I mind showing my belly, but it is getting a little big.”  He leaned down and kissed her.  “Hello my Angel.”

“My heart.  Shall we take care of this?”  Lacey nodded and opened the door once again making sure no one was paying attention to them.

She and Angel checked at the sight that greeted them.  Will had Miranda up against the wall and she had her legs wrapped around his waist.  The couple was very much in their own little world.  Lacey smiled and could feel Angel trying not to laugh behind her.  She heard him mutter, “It’s about damn time.”

Lacey moved forward, “Um…guys?  Angel’s here, we should probably take this back to the office.  Or in y’alls case to a bedroom.”

Will and Miranda broke apart and they both scowled at Lacey’s last comment.  Then they looked at each other and smiled.  Will let Miranda down and said, “Now that’s a lovely idea pet.  Let’s go.”

Angel eyed Sasha.  He could hardly believe this was the same seemingly sweet woman he’d met several months ago.  Reining in the urge to snap her neck for all the trouble she’d caused he said quietly, “I believe we have a solution that will not end in your death.  I hope you’ll be reasonable.”  She just glared at him.

Lacey released Sasha with a warning to behave as Miranda gathered the bags.

Sasha snarled at her.  “I knew you were a whore.  You just couldn’t wait to get your hands on my William.  You-“ Her tirade was cut short by Lacey decking her with a solid right hook.  The faint upside down impression of Lacey’s rings could be seen on her cheek.

Lacey pinned her against the wall again with her forearm across Sasha’s throat.  “Listen up you dozy cow.  I could have had William anytime I wanted long before you ever came along.  What happened between us happened out of love and healing old wounds.  Keep your goddamn mouth shut and you just might make it out of here under your own power.”

Apparently whatever Sasha saw in Lacey’s glowing green eyes convinced her and she shut up.  Angel and Will stood quietly by knowing not to interfere.  Miranda truly understood just how much Lacey cared for the blue-eyed vampire and kept quiet as well.  She led the way out with Lacey, Angel and Will following with Sasha between them.

Lacey couldn’t say what made her look behind her, but as they made their way to the parking garage she turned in time to see Sasha remove a stake from her pocket and try to plunge it into Will.  Time seemed to move in slow motion.  Angel and Will were both caught off guard and Will didn’t block in time.  Lacey reacted out of pure instinct.  She turned fully and threw her hand up moving it to the right just as the stake hit Will’s chest.  The stake fell harmlessly to the floor and Sasha didn’t make a sound as she was forcefully flung to the side.  She hit the banister of the third floor railing and went over.  There were screams from onlookers and a sickening thud when her body landed on the flagstones below.  The foursome looked at one another then at the people around them.  There was a pair of police officers at one end of the walkway, but they didn’t even glance in Lacey’s direction.  In fact no one was paying attention to them, the crowds attentions all focused on what was happening below them.  Lacey risked a look over the side.  Sasha’s body laid in a broken twisted heap three stories below.

“Do we stay?” Lacey asked quietly.

Miranda looked at her friend then at Angel and Will.  She glanced around them one more time.  The officers were making their way to the nearest escalator and no one had yet approached them to ask what happened.  People were so caught up in their own little worlds that many never saw what really went on around them.  Lacey hadn’t physically laid a hand on the crazy woman so the masses could explain everything to their satisfaction and go on about their lives.  Sasha’s death would be nothing more than an interesting sidebar quickly forgotten; ‘hey did you hear about that chick that offed herself at the Pavilion?  Yeah I was standing right there.  She just took a running leap and went over the third floor balcony.  Crazy man.’

She shook her head, “No chica.  Let’s go.”  Miranda turned on her heel and resumed walking to the parking garage.  Lacey, Angel and Will followed silently behind her.  By some unspoken agreement Will and Miranda went to his car and Lacey followed Angel to his.  The occupants of both vehicles were silent on the ride back to the agency.

Lacey and Angel arrived a couple of minutes after Will and Miranda.  The family and Dr. Callahan, who had taken to spending most of his time at the agency since Lacey was his only patient, were assembled in the library.  All eyes turned expectantly to the somber foursome that walked in the door.

“Where’s…”Kassie didn’t finish her question once she got a good look at their faces.

“Sasha is no longer a problem.”  Angel said quietly as he sat down on the couch.  Lacey moved onto Angel’s lap when he tugged on her hand.  Miranda mirrored her position on the other end with Will.

“What do you mean she’s no longer a problem?” Julian asked.

“She tried to stake me.”  Will said.

“Lacey saved his life.”  Miranda contributed.

Nico looked at Lacey.  “What did you do baby?”

Lacey met his eyes and he flinched at the icy calm he saw in her normally warm green depths.  “Threw her over the third floor balcony at the Pavilion.  Flagstone can be very unforgiving from three stories up.  She’s dead.”  Everyone shivered at the emotionless tone of her voice.

“Did you talk to the police?”  Julian asked.

Miranda answered, “No.  No one was aware we were involved.  It was as if-“

Lacey interrupted, “There’s no ‘we’ Miranda.  I’m the one that did it.  Her death is all on me.  She came after one of my own.  I told her what would happen, but she decided to ignore me.  No one messes with my family.”  Lacey stood up.  “I’m tired.  I’m going upstairs to take a nap.”  She walked out of the library without a backward glance.  Angel was about to go after her, but decided to give her a bit of time to herself.

“What happened?”  Kassie asked.

Between the three remaining participants the story was told.  When they were done the group was silent for a time.

Willow finally spoke, “Well that’s that then.  Come on people we have work to do.”

Miranda stood and pulled Will up with her.  “We have some things to discuss.  If you will excuse us.”  The empath led the vampire out the door and up to his loft.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey went up to Nico and Willow’s loft, but didn’t stay.  After about fifteen minutes of staring out the window she gave up and went down to the training room.  She removed her katana from the weapons cabinet and moved to stand in front of the mirror that ran along one wall.  Holding the sword in front of her she bowed then gracefully began moving through her forms trying to calm her racing mind.  The blade swished and swirled through the air about her in an eerily beautiful and deadly dance.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the library Nico became very quiet.  A faraway expression was in his eyes as he lost himself in Lacey’s thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel stopped at the door to the training room knowing his mate was in there.  He opened the door silently.  Soon he was lost in Lacey’s mind as he watched his mate work with her sword.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The scene at the mall constantly replayed itself in Lacey’s mind as she moved, tears tracking unnoticed down her cheeks.  <Was there something I could have done differently?  Yeah.  I could have flung her the other way.  Then she would have gone over the other side.  You were on one of the crossways.  Oh right.  I could have jerked her backwards.  True.  There’s plenty you could have done differently, but you didn’t.  Look at it this way.  You made it very clear that if she continued to threaten your family that you would end her.  That was a promise not a threat.  You made good on your promise.  But she was human.  Did that make her any less of a threat?  No.  You heard what Miranda said.  She was bad.  You have no idea how many people she destroyed.  True.  Today was a turning point for you Lace.  Saying you would is one thing, actually doing it is another.  You proved to yourself and your mate that you are willing and able to kill humans to protect your family.  That’s a decision most are never faced with.  Did you take pleasure in ending her life?  No.  How do you really feel about it?  Sad that a human life was lost, but I would do it again if put in the same or similar situation.  Does that make you a monster?  No.  It makes me human.>  A sense of peace worked its way through her at the last thought and the tears stopped.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nico’s expression cleared and he nodded to himself.  Lacey was going to be fine.  He wasn’t sure what had just happened.  Lacey hadn’t made a conscious connection with him, but he was able to hear her internal debate.  She’d made peace with what she’d done today and somehow he’d been privy to the account.

Willow and Kassie looked at him.  Kassie asked, “Nico where did you just go?”

“Lacey is going to be fine.”  He said by way of explanation.  The two women traded glances as he went back to the tome he’d been studying.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey stopped her movements bringing her sword up in front of her.  She bowed to end her session.  Still gazing into the mirror where only she was reflected she asked, “How long have you been there Angel?”

He came up behind her and handed her a towel.  “Since you started.  I won’t tell the good doctor that you were working with your sword.”  Lacey turned to look at him as she wiped the perspiration and tears from her face but didn’t say anything.  “I heard you in my head.  I don’t know exactly why, but I heard you.  You’re right Lacey; what happened today doesn’t make you a monster.  You did what you had to do.  None of us think any less of you.  I don’t think any less of you.”  She allowed him to draw her into his arms and he kissed her slowly and thoroughly.  When he pulled away he said softly, “Let’s go upstairs love.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Will closed the door to his loft not sure what Miranda wanted to talk to him about.  “What did you want to talk about pet?”

Miranda turned to look at him and he drew an unneeded breath at the heat in her eyes.  “It is not so much a matter of talking as it is showing.”  She held out a hand, which he took, “Come show me how much you love me William.  See if what I saw when you sang for me compares to the real thing.”  She pulled him to her and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

When she pulled back to breathe his shirt was unbuttoned and she was running her hands over his muscular chest.  Will leaned his forehead against hers, “Are you sure luv?”

“Very.”  Miranda pushed his shirt off his shoulders and it fell silently to the floor of his living room.  She trailed kisses along his jaw and down his neck nipping lightly as she went.  With a low growl Will picked her up and carried her into his bedroom.

No one saw them for two days, but occasionally the couple could be heard even in the office three floors below.

~Part: 18~

“Do you Liam take Lacey to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?”  The justice of the peace asked as the afternoon sun shone brightly on the gathered.

“I do.”  Angel said clearly and without reservation.

Any nervousness he’d had faded at seeing Lacey walking towards him barefoot in the sand on Nico’s arm.  She was stunning in the lavender halter and yellow floral handkerchief hem skirt she’d chosen to wear.  Her long red-gold hair hung freely down her back topped with a wreath of brilliantly hued wildflowers that matched the small bouquet she carried.  She wore the necklace and anklet he’d given her for her birthday, small silver studs in her ears and her rings.  Angel, also barefoot, was wearing a gauzy royal purple shirt with a split collar that had cream embroidery around the collar and sleeves and loose fitting cream-colored linen slacks.  Lacey’s breath had been taken away as she walked towards her soon to be husband.  With the bright light of the summer solstice sun shining on him she had no doubt that he was the handsomest man, vampire, she’d ever seen.

“Do you Lacey take Liam to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love honor and obey as long as you both shall live?”

“I- obey?”  Lacey asked the justice with a raised brow.  Angel was grinning broadly wondering what the gray-haired bespectacled man was thinking throwing such an archaic, traditional phrase into the decidedly non-traditional ceremony.  The family and guests were trying with varying degrees of success to smother their laughter.  Will couldn’t believe the old man had actually had the stones to say it.  He’d only been kidding when he’d made the suggestion to him before the ceremony.

The officiator of the wedding ceremony stuttered,  “Ah…well…that is…Lacey, do you take Liam to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?”

Lacey smirked, “That’s better.”  Returning her gaze to Angel’s she said, “I do.”

They exchanged the rings they had chosen together and with a smile the justice said, “With the exchange of these rings as a symbol and token of your love and commitment to each other and by the power vested in me by the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss the bride.”

Angel grinned wickedly and drew Lacey into his embrace.  Resounding applause, whistles and catcalls rang out on the private beach of Angel’s home as the kiss went far beyond the traditional.  Nico, laughing at the look of embarrassment on the justice’s face, finally spoke up from his place as man of honor next to Lacey, “Uh…Liam get your hands off her ass and let her breathe.”  Lacey laughed into the kiss and reluctantly pulled away to lean her forehead against his.

“I love you Liam Angelus McAilaster.”  She said for his ears only.

“I love you Lacey Mikayla McAilaster.”  He said right back kissing her softly one more time.  Standing to his full height and wrapping an arm firmly around his new wife’s waist Angel turned to their guests and said, “Only rule is once the sun sets don’t go beyond the torches.  Now, let the games begin!”

At that music poured forth from the sound system that had been set up and the chairs were quickly moved out of the way.  Lacey and Angel signed the necessary paperwork then sent the justice off to enjoy him self.  The couple stood together and received congratulatory hugs, kisses and handshakes.  The wedding was done, now it was time to party.  A volleyball net and horseshoe pit had been set up and a large tent had been erected for food, beverages and sitting away from the sun.  When night fell numerous torches would be lit to give light and warmth to the festivities along with several high-powered floodlights.  No one needed to know that the torches also served as a protection ward for those within the perimeter.

Lacey wound her hair up and secured it with a clip and exchanged her skirt for a pair of denim capris, thankful that maternity clothes had evolved from nauseatingly foufy and unflattering into stylish and comfortable.  She couldn’t help the cheeky grin as she looked at her men.  Joshua was sedate in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  Nico was handsome as always in a pair of black board shorts with red and orange flames and a red tank that molded to his well-defined chest and abs.  Trick was sporting a funky short-sleeved plaid button down and denim shorts.  But it was Will and Angel that really made her drool.  Will’s light brown hair was now streaked with gold from the amount time he’d spent in the sun in the last few months and he was wearing a white No Fear t-shirt that read ‘Losing is nature’s way of saying you suck’ and a pair of light blue board shorts.  Angel had changed into a pair of dark green board shorts and a tight lighter green tank.  The combination set off his golden skin and it was all she could do not to drag him back into the house and have her wicked way with him.

Dr. Callahan gave her permission to play volleyball for a little while so Lacey made good use of the order.  As the day passed she and Dru played in the light surf for a bit.  The vampiress was beside her self at being out in the daylight.  Joshua was in a similar state and Kassie and Willow made sure that much video was shot and many pictures were taken.  Lacey and Willow weren’t sure if they’d be able to re-use the spell so they’d told Dru and Joshua to make the most of their day in the sun.  The vampire couple had disappeared when the sun rose in order to take in as much as they could.  They returned to the beach house an hour before the guests were due to arrive only to disappear again.  Lacey had a pretty good idea that they’d discovered the hidden cove about a half a mile away.  Her suspicions were confirmed when they showed up at the house to get ready for the ceremony sporting fresh claim marks.  A simple glamour hid them from view now.  Later in the afternoon Lacey stood with Angel and Christian watching them play horseshoes with Alexis and J.  Everyone was enjoying the longest day of the year.

As the solstice sun set Lacey stood with her family and friends watching for the green flash as sun sank into the ocean.  Dru and Joshua both embraced Lacey and Willow thanking them profusely for allowing them this day in the sun.  Lacey smiled, “It was the least we could do.”  She eventually rubbed her growing tummy and said, “I think I need to sit down.  Maybe get something to eat.”  Angel immediately escorted her into the tent and set her down at a table while he went to get her food.

Lacey sat quietly watching her friends and family.  It had been a little over a month since the ‘Sasha Incident’.  The police had never contacted them and her death was ruled a suicide.  The AI crew was no closer to discovering if there was more to the tale of the Eternal Flame.  Willow had agreed with Lacey that there was probably more to the prophecy but even talking with Cordelia again had revealed no more insight.  They were still looking though.

Lacey was shaken from her musings when she was picked up and promptly repositioned on Will’s lap. “You have pensive face.”  He said as she turned to look at him.

Lacey smiled and said the next line, “I always have pensive face.”

Will followed up, “Pensiver face then.  And if you ever tell anyone I know those lines by heart I’ll…”his face scrunched in thought for a moment before clearing with a devilish smile, “I’ll hold you down and tickle you till you pee your pants.”

Lacey laughed, “In my present condition that wouldn’t take long.”  She quieted and laid her head on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong luv?  Not regretting your decision to marry the poof already are ya?  ‘Cause if that’s the case you can always get an annulment and run away with me.”

Lacey giggled, “Hush Will.  I don’t think Miranda would appreciate hearing you say that.”  He smilingly said “true enough” into her hair absently scanning the crowd for his girl.  He found her in conversation with Alexis and Alyson.  Lacey sobered, “I was thinking about the prophecy.”  She unconsciously placed a protective hand over her belly.

Will shook his head bringing his attention back to the woman in his lap, “No thinking about world changin’ events this night pet, tonight’s all about havin’ fun.  Come dance with me?”

Lacey said, “maybe in a bit.  I’m a bit knackered right now.  Who knew standing could make a girl so tired.  Then again I could be tired from playing volleyball or playing with Dru in the surf or…”she leaned into the hand that was rubbing her back and purred, “Mmm that feels good Will”.

“Are you hitting on my wife boy?”  Angel asked good-naturedly as he returned to the table with a plate of food and a glass of fruit juice for Lacey.

Will just grinned at him, “You know me, never could resist a beautiful woman.  Especially one that can purr like one of us.”

Lacey sat up, “stop you’ll make me blush.”  She moved out of Will’s lap to sit in the empty chair between him and Angel and attacked her food with delicate greed.  Both vampires watched her for a moment with smiles on their faces.  Feeling the weight of their stares she looked up, “What?  Haven’t you ever seen a woman eat before?”

A new voice joined the trio, “I’m sure they have sweet, just not one who does such an impressive impression of a Hoover.”

“Bite me Andy.  I’m eating for three now.”  Lacey paused in her eating long enough to lift her cheek for Andy’s kiss.  “Besides I’m much, much quieter than a vacuum cleaner.”  All three men laughed at that.

Their attention was drawn a short time later to Trick who was standing at the microphone.  He looked around at the gathered and said, “I’d like ta make a toast.  To Liam and Lacey, ‘May the most ya hope for be the least ya get.  May the best times ya’ve ever had be the worst ya will ever see.’  Slainte.”  He raised his glass with the last and the assembled followed suit.

Lacey got up and went to give Trick a hug, “Thanks Trick that was really sweet.  Are ya havin’ a good time?”

“The best princess.  It’s nice not ta have ta worry ‘bout demons and the like for a change and I just jinxed us didn’t I?”  He said as he returned her embrace.

She pulled back and looked around.  Everyone was laughing and having a wonderful time.  She said, “If the baddies know what’s good for them they’ll leave us alone tonight.  I really don’t think they’d like to come up against me if they ruin my wedding night.”  Trick led her back to the table so she could finish her dinner and the party continued on with more toasts, dancing and general fun.  There was also karaoke, which Miranda pointedly ignored though she did manage to goad both Lacey and Will into singing and Andy, Christian and James graced them with several songs apiece.  All in all it was a great party.

A couple of hours later the sound of Angel’s full on laughter reached her and she turned from her conversation with Christian, J., Alexis and Amy to see what was so funny.  Apparently it was something Will had said.  He and Angel were playing cards with James, David and Andy.  Lacey was struck by the physical similarities between Will and James.  They could have been brothers much like David and Angel though in Lacey’s opinion Will was much more handsome than the actor that had portrayed him for nine years.  He was certainly taller.  There was a strong resemblance between Willow and Alyson as well. <The fates are fickle and funny creatures.  I wonder if two hundred years from now there will be someone who looks like me?> she thought as she excused herself and walked back over to the table.  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

Will was shaking his head at Angel, but the dark vampire ignored him.  He had a devilish grin on his face when he said, “William was just telling us that he’s the one who made the suggestion of you ‘obeying’ me for the rest of our life together.”  Will had stood, abandoning his cards, and was slowly inching his way out of the tent.  The other players watched with interest, the card game forgotten, as he prepared to bolt.

Lacey looked at him, “Oh you did, did you?  Yeah you better run.”  Lacey was laughing as she took off after him.  The other guests looked confused for a moment seeing the pregnant bride running after one of her closest friends, but quickly went back to what they were doing.  Lacey chased Will towards the far north end of the torch perimeter near the tide line, their laughter ringing in the night.

Will caught her up in a hug and kissed her soundly, “I was only kidding luv.  I never thought he’d have the stones to actually do it.  I mean honestly, who uses that word in vows anymore.  Not that I’ve been to too many weddings in my day, unless it was to eat the guests, but still.”

She said, “Well nothing about our lives is ever normal so this was just par for the course.  It was pretty funny though.“  The two settled into a comfortable embrace as they watched the waves crash on the sand.  Will stood behind her with his fingers laced loosely on Lacey’s stomach as she leaned against him.  “So how are things with you and Miranda?” she asked.

Lacey could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “Things are absolutely marvelous pet.  We’ve talked about claiming.  She’s not quite ready yet, but she’s not unopposed to eternity with us either.  Have I ever thanked you for introducing us?”

“No but it’s unnec-“ she broke off when she felt Will stiffen behind her and she felt that itchy sensation she got when there were unfamiliar demons around.  Both looked toward the torches and groaned.  Lacey said, “This isn’t happening.  Please tell me this isn’t happening.”  <Angel get out here now.>  Will and Lacey moved to face the group of vampires that were approaching the perimeter.  Lacey’s eyes and tattoo started to glow in warning.

“This is a private beach and a private party.  You are not welcome here.”  Will said in a low voice as Angel came to stand with them.

One of the vampires leered at Lacey and tried to step past the torches.  He hit the invisible barrier and said, “But we’re hungry.  Come on let us in.”  Will growled in warning, but stopped when the vampire turned to dust in a flash of green fire.  The other vampires stepped back in fear not knowing where it had come from.

Angel said coldly, “My childe said you are not welcome here.  I say you are not welcome here.  If you don’t want to join your friend in hell then you will leave now.  This is my beach, these are my guests and are protected by me.”

Another fledgling said, “And just who are you?  What makes you think you can protect them after they leave here?”

Lacey looked at him, “You’re not from around here are you?  Angelus protects his own.  For that matter, so do I.”  With that the fledgling went the way of his friend.

The remaining four vampires looked at one another finally realizing that they had made a grave mistake.  One finally found his voice, “So sorry to have bothered you.  We’ll go somewhere else.”  They turned and started to walk away.

Lacey looked at Will and Angel and they both nodded then stood back from her.  She raised her hands and a large fireball formed between them.  She said, “No I don’t believe you will hunt anywhere else” as she launched it at the retreating figures.  The music from the party covered the sounds the hapless vamps made as they turned to dust.  Lacey fell to her knees panting slightly, “That was fun.  Can we now return to our regularly scheduled entertainment of the not slaying vampire kind?”  Will was scanning the area making sure none of their guests had witnessed what just happened and also checking to see if there were anymore baddies about.  He didn’t see the dark figure watching from the bluff some distance away.

Angel sat next to Lacey and gathered her in his arms, “Are you all right love?”

Taking several deep breaths she finally said, “I’m fine.  That just took a bit out of me.  It takes a lot of energy to create a ball that large.  We can go back to the tent now.”  Angel stood with her still in his arms and started walking back to the tent.  She laughed, “Honey put me down.  What would everyone say if you walked in with me like this?”

Will smirked, “They’d say he was practicing for tonight when he carries you over the threshold.  You did good ducks.  That really is a handy little gift from the Powers.  Kinda makes me wonder what your kids are gonna be like.”

At Lacey’s sharp intake of breath both vampires looked at her in concern.  She said, “Quick put me down and lay your hands on my stomach.”  Angel let her down and they stopped walking.  Angel and Will hesitantly laid their hands on her.  After a few moments they felt it.  She said, “Did you feel that?  They moved.”  She looked at her vampires and smiled.  Will and Angel were staring at her belly with looks of wonder on their faces.  The babes moved again.  It was a very strange feeling for Lacey, but not altogether unpleasant.

They stood just outside the tent for several minutes before being brought back to reality by Joshua asking, “Are you two copping a feel out here or what?”

Lacey burst out laughing.  It was the first time she’d ever heard Joshua say anything like that in her presence.  “Kind of.  The babies moved.”  Angel wrapped his arms around his wife nuzzling her neck and keeping a possessive hand pressed to her belly.  Will kissed her on the cheek and went to find Miranda.  She looked at Joshua, “Joshua I’m shocked you would say such a thing.”

He immediately dropped his eyes and murmured, “Sorry Mistress.”

Lacey rolled her eyes and moved from Angel’s embrace to stand before the tawny-haired vampire.  “Look at me Joshua.”  He raised his hazel eyes to her green.  “That was a joke.  I thought we had moved beyond the whole ‘Mistress/Servant’ thing.  You are your own vampire.  I thought what you said was funny.  You never say anything even remotely raunchy around me, which is kind of surprising considering you’ve been subject to my sense of humor for several months now.”  He smiled at her.  “Now were you looking for us?”

Joshua nodded, “Dru wants to try the cake and I wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong.  Angel took out of here in a hurry not too long ago.”

Angel laughed and Lacey smiled and said, “Then cake she will have.  Actually that sounds very good.  And everything’s fine Joshua.  We just had some uninvited guests to take care of.”  With the exception of her cinnamon roll habit, which she’d cut back to twice a week, Lacey was eating very healthy.  The thought of gaining too much weight in her pregnancy was enough of an incentive to not pig out.  There was no way she was going to let herself ever get as big as she’d been for most of her life again.  This was a special occasion though and she felt she’d earned the right to splurge.  The couple followed the vampire back into the tent.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The dark figure on the bluff turned away as the couple walked back into the tent.  The hooded one made its way to a car parked at the bottom of the hill.  It opened the door and climbed in.

“Well?” a woman asked as the figure drew back the hood of its jacket revealing a handsome face.

“There is no doubt.  She is the Keeper.  That would make Angelus the Warrior.  I will send the book to them.”

“It doesn’t bother you to know that Angelus works for the Powers Aeric?”

Aeric shrugged, “He and his mate have made no move against us.  As they said months ago all they wanted was to be left alone.  Angelus understands the roll we play in the scheme of things.  The Keeper is as important to the Darkness as she is to the Light as are the babes she carries.  I like this world the way it is.  It took us a very long time to reach our current positions and I have no desire to continuously battle upstarts to keep it.  The birth of the Two will begin the restoration of balance and our unlives can go back to normal.  So no I’m not bothered at all and I know you aren’t either Patricia.”

Patricia nodded, “True.  Who knew we’d wind up helping the ‘good guys.’”

Aeric smirked, “I knew there was a reason I liked that Lacey.  She certainly has livened up what could have been a very boring century.”

“That she has Aeric.  That she has.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Have you chosen names yet?” Jaime asked as she, Lacey, Miranda, Amy, and Dru sat on the back porch steps enjoying the cake.  Lacey had kept a couple of wedding traditions such as throwing the bouquet and garter.  She had thrown her bouquet before cutting the cake.  Kassie had been the lucky one to catch it.  Will had taken great pleasure in removing the garter she’d worn earlier that afternoon.  Trick had caught it and the couple had been subjected much ribbing that they were next.  Neither one of them had disputed the statement, but no formal announcement had been made.  After the cake had been cut the guys and a few of the women had decided to have a late night football game and the ladies on the porch were playing cheerleader in a manner of speaking.

Lacey smiled, “We have the boys name picked out, Aidan Nathaniel, but we’re still working on a girls name.  I think we’re leaning towards Arianna Trinity, but it’s still up for debate.  Gaelyn Isabel is running a close second.”  Turning her attention to the football game Lacey said, “I will never understand this game.  Giant gaping hole over here, but nooo I have the ball and I’m going to run straight into the cluster of people over here.  Give me a baseball or hockey game any day.”  The others laughed.  “Now hockey is a game you can sink your teeth into.  It’s kind of like a two for one deal.  You go to watch a bunch of guys missing teeth and in some cases gray matter bat a little black puck around a pond while on thin blades of metal and lo and behold a boxing match can break out at any time; controlled or in some cases uncontrolled violence in the form of sportsmanship and entertainment.  It’s great.”  The women just laughed harder.

Calming Jaime said, “Speaking of violence, providing the studio doesn’t change its mind David’s new movie will premier next month.  I’ll let you know the details once we’re sure, but you’re all invited.”

“Can’t wait.  It’ll be nice to see him not play the psycho baddy even if he does do it so well.  I like him being the hero.  Better yet I’d love to see him do another comedy.  He’s such a funny guy.”  Lacey wrinkled her nose, “will I have to have my picture taken?”  She mentally smacked herself for asking that, but over the past few months she’d done a fairly good job of keeping a low profile in the demon world and showing up even peripherally in publicity photos with Angel could be a bad thing.  <Oh well just go with it.>

Amy laughed, “That usually happens when you go to a premier Lace.  You know that.”

Lacey stuck her tongue out at her then yawned delicately.  “Ah know, but Ah usually don’t look as big as a house when Ah go either which Ah’ll be close tah when the premier rolls around.”

Dru looked at her and realized what she was doing.  “Please Lacey you look great pregnant and will only get prettier the closer you get to delivering.”  Lacey threw her a ‘thank you’ disguised as a ‘yeah right’ look as the other women were nodding their heads in agreement.  What Dru had said was true though.  Now that she wasn’t plagued by the morning sickness that couldn’t tell time the redhead practically glowed, not that she noticed it.

Lacey sighed dramatically, “Fine.  Liam and Ah will be theh.”  She shook her head in false torment, the smile on her face belying her words.  “The things Ah do for your husband Jaime.”

“What things do you do for me Lacey?”  David asked as he flopped down in front of his wife and put his head in her lap.  Apparently the football game had come to an end.  The other guests were going back into the tent for more refreshments.

She smothered another yawn before saying, “Expose mah pregnant self to the vicious paparazzi just to watch your handsome mug on the big screen for one.”  She said as Angel mimicked the actor’s position.  She leaned down as best she could and kissed her new husband upside down.  “Hello luv.  Who won?”

Angel and David looked at each other.  They had captained the teams.  In unison they said, “It was a draw.”

Lacey smiled then covered another yawn.  “Sorry.  Ah think mah day just caught up with me.  If y’all don’t mind Ah’m gonna say mah g’nights tah ev’ryone and retire for the evenin’.  Thank y’all for bein’ here today.  It means a lot tah me and by all means please continue to enjoy yourselves.”  Angel moved out of her lap and helped her to stand.  She received hugs from the group.

David kissed her on her forehead.  “I miss that drawl of yours though it is nice to hear it not directed at me in anger.”

Lacey laughed, “Sleepy now.  If yah hadn’t pulled some of the stunts yah did yah’d not have heard it so often.  Give Jaden a big hug and a kiss for me.  Yah know yah could have brought him with y’all.”

“He wanted to spend the day being spoiled by his grandparents.”  Jaime said as she hugged her.  “Congratulations Lacey.  I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Thanks.  G’night.”  Lacey moved to the tent and said her farewells to the rest of the guests.  Half an hour later she was finally able to go inside.

Angel was waiting for her at the door.  “Do you want me to come up with you love?”

“Only if yah want tah.  This has been a very long day and the three of us need our beauty sleep.”  She looked up at her husband.  “Yah don’t mind if we postpone our wedding night till tomorrow do yah?”

Angel pretended to ponder the question for a moment before kissing her softly.  She could barely keep her eyes open.  “Of course not mo chroí.  I’ll be up in a bit.  Things are starting to wind down.  Be careful going up the stairs.”

“’K.  I love you Angel.”  Lacey kissed him again then headed up the stairs.  When Angel came up an hour and a half later she was fast asleep with MacGyver and Magonagall curled around her head.  The sight made him smile and he had the urge to draw the scene before him.  After he finished his sketches Angel watched her for a long moment.  <My wife> he thought as he climbed in bed beside her and gently pulled her into his arms.  The cats protested the movement, but grudgingly moved to the foot of the bed.  Lacey snuggled against him in her sleep bringing a tender smile to his face.  Placing a hand over her stomach he started slightly at the movement he felt.  <Hush little ones.  It’s time to sleep.>  The babes seemed to settle at his thoughts and Angel soon fell into a peaceful sleep.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“Good afternoon.  May I help you?”  Lacey asked the man who entered the agency a week later.

“I have a delivery for a Lacey McAilaster.”  He said holding a small package in his hand.

“That would be me.”

“Sign here.”  She signed the clipboard, smiled brilliantly and thanked the deliveryman.  He walked out of the agency with a rather glazed look on his face.

She unwrapped the plain brown paper and revealed a small book.  It was very old and bound in aged red leather.  There were flames very similar to those that ran up Lacey’s right arm embossed on the cover.  She carefully opened the front cover and a single sheet of paper fell out.  Lacey carefully set the volume down and unfolded the sheet of very modern stationary.

She read, ‘Keeper, This volume is from my personal library.  It contains the writings of Bellibros and I believe holds the answers you seek on the Two.  Congratulations on your nuptials to the Warrior Angelus and your impending motherhood.  Should you need my aid in the future you need only ask.  Joshua will know how to contact me.  Glad tidings, Aeric.’

“ANGEL!”

Angel came barreling out of his office along with Dru, Joshua and Willow who had been in the library.  The others were out working various cases.  They found a very pale, shaking Lacey sitting at the reception desk.

Lacey turned wide eyes to her husband, “Aeric knows whom we really are.  He knows about our children.”  She switched her gaze to Joshua.  “His note says that you would know how to contact him Joshua.”

Angel looked at her for a moment before taking the note from her hand and reading it for him self.  He raised golden eyes to the vampire.  “Do you have something you want to tell me Joshua?”

The vampire returned Angel’s gaze calmly.  “I had contact with Aeric when I was with Gabriel.  It wasn’t so long ago.  I’m sure his numbers have not changed, but I have not seen or heard from him since you defeated Gabriel and Lucinda.”  He turned his hazel eyes to Lacey.  “Mistress I have not and will not betray you or this family.  I don’t know how Aeric found out about you, but he did not hear it from me.  You know that we all walk a fine line, avoiding discovery.”

Lacey searched his eyes for a long time not saying anything.  He held her gaze without flinching.  The others held their tongues waiting.  Just as Lacey opened her mouth to reply Drusilla broke the silence as she clutched her head and moaned softly.  “Joshua speaks the truth mum.  Aeric has been waiting for the Keeper to arrive.  He has played his part and will be a solid ally when needed.  He holds no danger of exposing us.”

Lacey finally spoke.  “I believe you Joshua.  This caught me by surprise.  Things have been surprisingly quiet concerning my pregnancy.  No cults or assassins attempting to acquire the children of a vampire and the like.  I suppose I had succumbed to the hope that it would remain unnoticed.”

The tawny haired vampire nodded then looked at Angel.  “Would you like me to get those numbers for you?”

Angel closed his eyes for a moment thankful that he had not been betrayed.  It made sense that the vampire would have had contact with the old one not so long ago now that he thought about it.  He opened his eyes again.  “Yes Joshua.  You understand our concern?”

He inclined his head, “Of course.  It will take some time to prove my unwavering loyalty to you.  After all I didn’t hesitate to turn on my former master.  But I give you my word that I’ll not be switching sides again.  What we do goes against everything that I am, but it feels right.”  He smiled faintly without any humor, “Besides I don’t want to lose Dru and I have no desire to meet a fiery death at the hands of your Lady.”  He looked at the Keeper, the two vampires and the witch.  “I’ll be back in a moment,” he said then turned to go to his and Dru’s loft.

The four in the office looked at each other for a moment.  Willow said, “Well that was fun.  Why would a very old master vampire who apparently knows that we are aligned with the Light offer his aid to us?”

“We’re going to find out.”  Angel answered.

Lacey had reopened the book and was carefully turning the yellowed pages quickly becoming lost in the words and symbols.  The writing was a jumbled mixture of Latin, Greek, Rilshacum, and Craeshach.  She pulled out several pads of paper and mechanical pencils from the desk and started making notes.

Dru came to stand behind her.  She looked at the words and symbols and asked, “You can read that?”

“Yeah but it’s going to be a challenge.  I read and speak all of these languages, but translating it is going to take some time.”

Joshua returned and handed Angel a card.  “Here you go.”

“Let’s see what Aeric has to say shall we?”  Angel dialed the number and waited somewhat impatiently for it to be answered.  He scowled when he was greeted by a voicemail message.  “Aeric this is Angelus.  We received your gift and want to talk to you about it.  Call me back at 555-1533.”  He disconnected and sat back.  He finally realized that it was only around three o’clock in the afternoon and that the vampire was most likely asleep.  “All we can do now is wait.”

The others went back to what they’d been doing.  Lacey nodded absently.  She was in full on research girl mode.  Angel watched his wife for about a half an hour, becoming increasingly turned on watching the way her tongue darted out now and then in concentration, before he carefully removed the pencil from her hand.  “Oi!  I was kind of using that.”  Lacey scowled at him before catching her breath at the hungry look in his eyes.  “Angel?”

He casually stood up and gently pulled her from her chair leading her into his office.  He pulled the blinds and locked the door.  Pulling her into his arms he said, “Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you’re working?”

“Several times.  Angel this is impor-“ he silenced her with a kiss.

“I know it’s important love, but right now I need you to be with me.”  He said against her lips.  Those were the last words spoken for a very long time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Are you all right?”  Willow asked Joshua.  He had been staring at the same page of the text he was reading for ten minutes.

He looked up.  “I’m fine.”

Dru shook her head.  “No you’re not ducks.”

Joshua sighed, “It hurt.”  He looked back and forth between the two women.  “That they would question my loyalty hurt.  I understand it, but it doesn’t make it any less painful.  It’s an odd sensation.  I shouldn’t care one way or the other.”

Willow smiled softly, “Welcome back to humanity Joshua.”

Dru said, “Everything will be all right luv.  You’ll see.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Do you know who this Bellibros is love?”  Angel asked once the couple was dressed again.

He watched Lacey go into a light trance as she combed through the vast amount of knowledge stored in her head.  A few minutes later his wife blinked and answered his question.

“He was an ancient mystic, a Power that walked the earth.  He was a fence-straddler.”  She smiled at the confused look on Angel’s face.  “Kind of the Switzerland of the Powers, neither fully of the Light or fully of the Darkness, but a balance of the two.  He was a neutral party in the petty wars the Light and Darkness fought.  That’s all I know of him.”  She kissed Angel and said, “I’m going see what I can make of the book.”

Angel smiled.  “Alright love.  Don’t force it.  The translation will come in its own time.”  Lacey nodded absently as she walked out the door, her mind already on the monumental task before her.

Two hours later Angel’s cell phone rang.  Lost in the report he was writing for a client he answered it absently.  “Hello?”

“Angelus.”

Angel’s attention was fully on the call as he recognized the voice. “Aeric.  What’s going on?”

“I was in a position to help you and your Lady.”

“Why?  Now that you know who and what we really are why would you help us?”

“I like this world Angelus.  Things for the most part are as they should be, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed things are changing.  More and more evil is coming forth.  A few centuries ago I would have been all for the chaos that has been running rampant the last few months, but I’m much older and wiser now.  It just means more work for me and I for one am enjoying my twilight years.  The thought of battling incessantly to keep what is mine holds no appeal any longer.  You and your Lady hold the key to restoring the balance.  Make no mistake, the Keeper is just as important to the Darkness as she is to the Light as are your babes.  I’m just doing my part to make sure it happens smoothly.  Patricia and I are both at your disposal should you need us.”

“Patricia is aware of us as well?”   <How is it that I’ve kept my Champion status a secret for so long and now it’s out of the bag?> Angel asked himself.

“Yes, but no need to worry.  We will not divulge the fact that you work for the Light.  As you have made no moves against us, we still have no quarrel with you.”

“You know that only lasts as long as we stay out of each others way.”

“I am aware of that, but I am not worried.  We don’t have much business in Los Angeles but we do have people there.”

“Fair enough.  Thank you Aeric.”

“Give my regards to your Lady.”

Angel disconnected and sat back in his chair steepling his fingers under his chin.  On one hand he knew he should eliminate Aeric and Patricia for the simple fact that they were evil and were in a position to cause his family great harm, but on the other hand both vampires had been around for close to a thousand years each and in his time working for the Powers not once had he come up against any of their ‘people’ in battle.  The old ones kept a tight rein on their empires and the thought of the anarchy that could ensue should they be eliminated was not something he wanted to deal with.  The old ones served a purpose, as did he and his.  <Well that wasn’t a very difficult decision after all.  As long as they don’t cross us or reveal us then we’ll be fine.>  The dark haired vampire stood up and went to find his wife and the others to fill them in.

~Part: 19~

“I swear by my pretty floral bonnet I will end you.”  Lacey said before taking a sip of her fruit juice.

“Mal Reynolds, Firefly.”  Kassie said rolling her eyes.  “Too easy.  Okay.  Aren’t you one of those guys?  You know you send them out into the wilderness with a Q-tip and a pocketknife and they build you a shopping mall?”

“Oh, oh Anne Heche, what was her character’s name?  Monroe, Robin Monroe, Six Days, Seven Nights.”  Willow answered and Kassie grinned at her nodding.  “Um…That is the sound of inevitability.”

“Agent Smith, the Matrix.”  Dru said.  “You know what the difference between you and me is?  I make this look good.”

“Agent J, Men in Black.”  Will replied.  “Dishonor on you, dishonor on your family, dishonor on your cow…”

Angel smiled, “Mushu, Mulan.”  Everyone looked at him.  “What?  I thought Eddie Murphy was hilarious.”

The family laughed.  They were relaxing on the roof playing ‘Who Said That’ and enjoying the late summer night.  It was part of the routine that the AI crew closed the office for at least an hour every night and just enjoyed being a family without worrying about whatever big bad they were currently fighting.  Most would be going on patrol shortly.  Lacey, Willow and Kassie were staying at the office.  After receiving the book from Aeric six weeks ago Lacey had quickly become frustrated with the translation process.  She was no closer to making any sense of what the text held.  At the rate she was going by hand the children would be out of high school before the translation was done.  To that end she and Willow were writing a computer program to do the work for them.  They were going to test it later tonight.

Angel thought for a moment then said in a dark, sexy voice, “The things I do for my country.”

Everyone sat there stumped.  He grinned wickedly, “No one?  Want me to give you a hint?”

Lacey sat up straighter next to him, “Xander Cage, XXX.”  He nodded and everyone clapped.

“How’d you know that Lace?”  Nico asked.

She grinned, “We just watched it the other night.”  She tapped the side of her head, “Mind like a steel trap.  Literally.  So it’s my turn again?”  The others nodded.  “Okay.  I had that dream again…the one where I did…terrible things to penguins with…croquet mallets.”

Joshua spoke up, “The horse from Dave the Barbarian.”  It was his turn to receive incredulous stares.  He ducked his head, “Yes I watch cartoons.”

Lacey smiled, “I love that horse.  He’s like a cross between William Shatner and Christopher Walken, very weird.  It’s a disturbing show isn’t it?  But at the same time strangely hypnotic.”

The vampire nodded sheepishly.  “It’s like watching a train wreck sometimes, but you can’t help but keep watching.  So it’s my turn now?”  The others nodded.  “Alright…Fire bad, tree pretty.”

Lacey, Nico and Kassie laughed.  As one they said, “Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

The rest of the group looked at him again.  He huffed, “And yes I watched the blasted show, though I always liked ‘Angel’ better.  That Buffy really got on my nerves.”

There were murmurs of agreement, not only of the show, but also of the real life version of the long dead slayer.

Lacey smiled again, “Nothing to be ashamed of Joshua.  Look at me, I’ve got all seven seasons of ‘Buffy’, though I usually only watch the first three seasons cause Angel was on it” her husband and Will laughed at that, “Hey Kassie and I thought Boreanaz was the sexiest thing we’d ever seen.”  Angel cleared his throat and Lacey amended, “That is of course ‘til I met you honey.  Anyway I also have all five seasons of ‘Angel’, am eagerly anticipating the sixth and seventh when they come out, plus I’ve got the Firefly series and the movie on DVD.  You are surrounded by Whedonites.  Between Kassie, Nico and I we could play this game with just those three shows and tell you which episode each line came from.”  She scowled for a moment, “We are very strange people.”

The others laughed.  Trick said, “No arguments there princess, but we love you anyway.”  He looked at his watch, “It’s time ta go kiddies.”

Popcorn littered the roof from the food fight they’d had earlier.  The group got up from their various seats and picked up their empty glasses and bowls.  They deposited them in the dishwasher.  The roof had quickly become a favored hangout after the family had come together so Lacey had had a covered outdoor kitchen put in complete with refrigerator, grill, stove, sink, dishwasher and prep area to go with the enclosed heated lap pool and spa.  There were several groupings of patio furniture and a couple of hammocks scattered about as well.

The renovations to fifth floor were done and she and Angel now had a four-bedroom two-bath loft.  Lacey loved the beach house, loved hearing the surf through the open windows at any hour, but she had missed her home.  The renovated warehouse was the first home that was completely hers and she didn’t want to give it up.  The design blended both her and Angel’s tastes and the finished product was open, airy and peaceful.

With some effort and some assistance from Angel Lacey made it down the stairs, then she took the elevator to the training room.  Stairs and being eight months pregnant were beginning to be a not good combination.  She had a feeling she’d spent her last night on the roof until after the babes were born since the service elevator didn’t go past the fifth floor.  Once in the training room those going on patrol loaded up on weapons.  Lacey wished them well.  “Please try not to get too beat up.”  She kissed Angel, “Be careful myrneen.”

“I will love.  Love you.”

“Love you too.”  She continued her waddle on down to the office eager to try the program she and Willow had written.  She prayed it would work, because doing it by hand really was a total bitch.

Kassie and Willow came in a few minutes later as Lacey returned the few calls they’d received while taking their nightly break.  Kassie unlocked the office door, turned the sign back to ‘open’ then turned on the stereo.  Both she and Willow grabbed some books from the library so they could research their respective cases.  The three women worked in companionable silence for about two hours.  The quiet was broken by Lacey’s shout of “Eureka!”  She looked at her friends, “Did I actually just say that?”  They smiled and nodded.  She shrugged it off, “Oh well.  Anyway, Willow we are geniuses.  Do the Happy Dance for me, because I can’t do it with any kind of style for a few more weeks yet.”  Her friends laughed and she stuck her tongue out at them.  “This program is going to work.  I’m going to scan the rest of the book into the computer so it can-“ she broke off when the front door slammed opened.  All three turned to see a very bloody and beaten Joshua come stumbling in.

He fell to the floor just inside the door and kicked it shut.  “Full lockdown now.  Hurry.”  He gasped out.  Willow and Kassie were already in motion activating the various security measures for the building as Lacey retrieved the first aid kit then tried to help Joshua to one of the couches in the lobby.  When in full lockdown the building was as impenetrable as Fort Knox, perhaps even more so because of the mystical wards thrown in on top of the conventional.  Angel had seen to the installation of the security system and Willow had taken care of the magick.

Lacey was cursing her lack of grace and mobility, as she couldn’t get a very good grip on the vampire to haul him away from the door.  She was also hesitant to use her power to move him, because doing so took a lot out of her right now.  She hoped that was just a side effect of being pregnant and that it would go away after the babes were born.  “Joshua I can’t move you.  Can you make it to the couch on your own?”  He nodded weakly and half crawled half dragged his way over to and up onto the nearest couch.  “Where are the others?  Joshua stay with me.  What happened?”  Lacey asked as she put on a pair of gloves then removed his torn shirt to see the extent of whatever damage he had sustained.  His lips moved like he was trying to answer her, but no sound issued forth.  There were several deep gouges across his left side oozing blood and some sort of purple goo and his right leg was bent at several odd angles.  Without hesitating she reached for his belt buckle and started to undo his pants.  He was too weak to make even a token protest.  She couldn’t lift him up so in the end she removed her knife from her boot and simply cut his pants off.  “I’ll buy you a new pair.”  She muttered once she had him stripped to his boxers.  “Joshua you still with me?”  Before he could try to answer there was frantic pounding on the door.  Lacey glanced towards it, but didn’t make any move to answer.  She stayed focused on the vampire before her.  His right leg was broken in at least three places and his left knee was badly swollen.  Lacey swallowed at the sight of bone pushing through skin, but refused to let her self be sick.  She shifted his leg as gently as she could and he passed out from the pain.  “My Gods Joshua what happened to you?”  She absently noticed that Kassie had moved back towards the door with a crossbow in hand.

Kassie yanked open the door when she saw who was on the other side and Dru flew in, “Close it quick!”  Kassie slammed the door shut just as something large and scaly came flying at it.  Dru threw her weight against the door as well and the demon was unable to get in.  The vampiress had several cuts on her face, her right eye was almost swollen shut, and her shirt and jeans were torn in several places though there was no evidence of any of the purple goo, but all in all she was in pretty good shape compared to her mate.

Willow returned from the back of the office, “Move!”  Kassie and Dru both dove out of the way as the now black-eyed witch threw out her hands and began chanting.  There was a bright flash of light then apparently nothing though they could all hear muted banging coming from outside.  Willow’s eyes returned to normal as she moved to peer out the windows and explained, “In essence it’s a temporary force field that surrounds the whole building.  Only members of the family can get through.  Once they’re in it’ll dissipate and we can complete the rest of the lockdown to keep us safe.  Now what the hell is going on?  Why are there a bunch of nasties trying to get in?”

Kassie and Dru picked themselves up off the floor and the three rushed over to help Lacey with Joshua.  Dru said, “We split into pairs to cover more ground like we usually do.  Joshua and I were attacked by a group of Rimlosh demons about a mile from here.  We were making a final pass and thought we heard someone scream for help.  It was a trap.  He took the brunt of the blows while I called the others for help.”  She glanced at Lacey who was assembling the first aid supplies.  “I overheard two of the demons talking about finding the Keeper.  We couldn’t get back to the car so we ran, but as you can see Joshua was badly hurt.  I held them off best I could to give him time to get here.  Then I got hit by a Lorask demon.  The others should be here any time now.”  Dru paused to look at her mate.  Unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

“Rimlosh did this?  That’s not good.”  As she carefully cleaned the wounds on his side Lacey said quietly, “Kassie get me three bags of blood from the fridge in Angel’s office please.”

Kassie ran off and was back in a matter of moments.  She said apologetically, “It’s not heated, but I figured he needs it sooner rather that later.”

“Will he be alright mum?” Dru asked shakily.

“The poison from the Rimlosh won’t kill him, but he’s going to be a very sick vampire for a couple of days.  Make sure you don’t touch any of the purple goo yourself alright?”  Dru nodded as Lacey cut the bag and held it to the unconscious vampires’ mouth letting the fluid trickle in.  Joshua’s face shifted and he sank his fangs into the first bag.

“What about us Lace?  Will the poison harm us and more specifically you since you have some on your shirt?”  Kassie asked as eyed the blood and gore on Lacey’s tunic.

Lacey glanced down and her shirt, “Damn I liked this shirt.  No Kass surprisingly enough Rimlosh poison is only effective against other demons.  It won’t hurt humans.”

By the time Joshua was done with the third bag Lacey had his side bandaged and was studying his leg trying to figure the best way to stabilize it.  The vampire had started to sweat and was running a fever, but there was nothing Lacey could do about it at the moment.  Her concentration was broken when the stairwell door opened and Trick and Will came in.  They seemed to have not had any trouble.  Dru fell into her childe’s arms and sobbed.  Will made soothing noises as he looked worriedly at the vampire on the couch.

Trick immediately came to help Lacey.  She said, “Rimlosh.”

Trick nodded, “I’ve got some things upstairs that’ll help.”  He placed a gentle hand on the unconscious vampire’s shoulder, “Don’ worry man.  We’ll get ya fixed right up.”  He left the office to gather what he needed.

Lacey sat back on her heels rubbing her swollen belly and tried to contact her husband <Angel?>  He didn’t respond.  She tried again, <Angel?>  Still nothing.  Lacey tried not to panic.  He and Nico had learned how to block the mental communication if she happened to ‘call’ when they were occupied with a fight.  <That’s all this is.  He’s fine> Just then both she and Kassie cried out, “Nico!”  Lacey hit her knees clutching her chest over her heart and moaned, “nooonononononono” as Kassie fell down next to her sobbing.  Willow, Dru and Will knelt down around them.

Willow took Kassie by the shoulders,  “Kass talk to me.  What about Nico?  What’s wrong?”  Kassie just shook her head and cried harder.  Willow raised green eyes bright with unshed tears to Will’s.

Will pulled Lacey into his arms, “Luv what’s happening?”

Lacey took several shuddering breaths.  The pain in her heart was almost overwhelming and the babes picked that moment to start doing the rumba.  “Ca…can’t feel Nico.  It’s like a part of my heart’s been torn out.”  She raised pain filled eyes to Willow, “When Xander was alive and the two of you were inseparable you could tell when the other was hurting right?”

The witch nodded.  She flicked her gaze to Dru then back to Lacey, “When I went into the coma the first time I tried to restore Angel’s soul he told me it was like a part of him was missing…Oh Goddess you don’t think…”she couldn’t even finish the question.  Dru gathered Willow into her arms and gently rocked her back and forth as she cried.

Kassie hiccupped, “He’s…he’s not dead, but he’s hurt bad.”

Will’s cell phone rang.  He was tempted to ignore it until he recognized the ringtone he’d designated for Angel.  All he said as he handed the phone to Lacey was, “Angel.”

She nodded and answered, “Talk to me Angel.  What’s wrong with Nico?”  Her voice was more raspy than usual because of the pain still in her heart.  Add to that the acrobatics show the babes were currently putting on inside her and she was not at her best at the moment.  The front of her bloodstained tunic moved with the force of their kicks and she cursed softly, “Holy hell.  I’m sorry Angel I can’t tal-“She dropped the phone and laid down on the floor rubbing her stomach and breathing deep.

Will picked her up and laid her out on one of the other couches as she tried to calm them down.  “What’s going on luv?” he asked her quietly.

Lacey panted, “I don’t know.  It’s like they want out right now.  Ow!  Come on lit’lins give me a break, you’re not done baking yet.”  Trick came back into the office and looked back and forth between the couches not know who to go to.  Lacey saw him and said, “help Joshua.”  The healer nodded and went to work stabilizing the vampire’s broken leg.

Kassie had picked up the phone, “Angel?…the kids are making a fuss…no I don’t think she’s in labor,”  Lacey said as loudly as she could, “I’m not in labor.”  Kassie repeated to Angel, “She says she’s not in labor…Angel please what’s wrong with Nico?”  She paled, “Oh gods…you are?  Will he be safe there?…alright.  We’re kind of under attack here…I don’t know what’s attacking us yet; we haven’t gotten that far in the explanations.  Joshua is hurt pretty bad and Dru’s hurt a little.  Trick and Will are back and they’re fine.  Willow’s got a temporary barrier up around the building.  We were waiting ‘til the two of you got back to finish the lockdown…here you talk to her…be careful Angel.  Lacey says she loves you…I’ll tell her.”  Kassie handed the phone to Willow, “he wants to talk to you.”

With a shaking hand Willow put the phone to her ear, “Angel?…Is he going to be okay?…I see…yeah we’ll see what we can do…They were looking for her too?…right.  Will you be back tonight?…I understand.  I’ll tell Lacey…you too Angel.”  She hung up the phone.

Before she could say anything Lacey screamed.  Everyone who was conscious turned to look at her then hit the floor as her whole body was engulfed in green fire that soon spread through the building and beyond the barrier keeping whatever was trying to get in out.  The green flames moved over the contents and occupants of the office without harming anything.  The muted banging that had become a persistent drumming against the barrier Willow had put up stopped as the fire faded as if it had never been.  Will cautiously raised his head up and said, “Lacey?  Are you alright pet?”

“Yeah.”  Lacey was still laying on the couch taking deep gasping breaths.  The babes had settled down after the mini firestorm.  She struggled to sit up and Will moved to help her.  The others were watching warily.  “What the hell was that?”  Kassie asked as she sat up.

Dru was sitting on the floor next to the couch Joshua was on hugging her knees and rocking back and forth.  She was murmuring softly, “The stars are screaming.  Their music is so loud.  The Darkness and the Light wants to take Them away, but They can’t.  The Two are so strong, so very strong.”  She clutched her head and sobbed, “Make them stop!  Make the stars stop singing.  I don’t want to hear them anymore.  I’ve been doing so well.”  Dru started crying harder and no one could make any sense of what she was saying.

The others glanced at each other then back at Dru.  She hadn’t mentioned the stars in months unless she was playing the loon.  This was no act.  Will moved from Lacey’s side to take his sire in his arms as she cried.  Lacey asked, “Where did Angel take Nico?”

Kassie took a shaky breath.  “He’s taking him to Dr. Callahan’s.  He and Angel were attacked by three Sormac demons.  The demons were looking for you Lace.  They defeated them but not before one of them gored Nico.  You want to tell us what all the fire was about?”

Lacey forced herself not to cry yet.  “Okay.  I don’t know.  I didn’t do it.”  She ran a hand over her belly.  “I think the lit’lins took care of whatever was out there for us.”

Willow said, “Stranger things have happened.  You think I can take the barrier down?”

Lacey struggled up off the couch to peer out the windows.  There was no visible sign of any baddies and she couldn’t feel any lurking outside.  “Yeah I think you can, then we’re going to take Dru and Joshua to Dr. Callahan and check on Nico.  I need to see him for myself and I want to see my husband.  Kassie help me close the office up.  We’re done for the night.  Is the Navigator in the garage?”  Will answered in the affirmative.  “Good.  Will and Trick get Dru and Joshua settled in the Navigator.  Kassie, Willow and I will follow in the Magnum.”

“You sure you’re up to driving pet?”

“I’ll be fine.  It’ll help keep me calm.”  She looked at her ruined shirt again.  “I’d better change or Angel will pitch a fit and fall in it.”  Everyone set about his or her tasks without protest.  Lacey helped Kassie secure the office, then she gathered up her laptop, a handheld scanner and the Bellibros book.  Willow looked at her curiously and she told her, “That damn book is getting translated tonight one way or the other.”  Then she went upstairs to change into clean clothes.

Forty-five minutes later the rather battered crew of Angel Investigations knocked on Dr. Callahan’s door.  Angel answered with his broadsword in his hand.  “What the hell?”

Lacey smiled tiredly, “Hello luv.  May we come in?  We have more patients for the Doc.”  Angel moved aside and Lacey walked in, kissed him, the headed immediately for the bathroom.

All of the vampires had been issued invitations so Will carried Joshua over the threshold followed by Trick carrying Dru.  Kassie and Willow followed.  Julian came to the door leading to the exam rooms, which were also guest rooms, “Caleb, Will please follow me.  I’ll be back shortly to talk with everyone.”

Angel looked at Willow, “What happened to Dru?”

Willow shook her head, “Let’s wait until we’re all together before we talk.  I…I need to see Nico.”  The tears started again and Angel gently wrapped the witch in his arms.

He noticed Kassie standing a bit away with her arms wrapped tightly around her middle and drew her into his embrace as well.  “Hush now.  Julian is doing the best he can for him.  I got the bleeding stopped and got him here as quickly as I could.  I think he’s going to be okay.  Come on let’s sit down.”  Angel settled the three of them on the couch and held the girls tightly.  His ribs protested, but he ignored the pain.  This had not been a good night.

Lacey returned from the bathroom to find her husband comforting two of her closest female friends.  “Is there room for me?”  Kassie and Willow sat up a bit and Angel patted his lap then wrapped his arm around Kassie again.  Lacey situated herself there and laid her head on his chest.  “Are you alright myrneen?”

“A little banged up, but for the most part I’m fine.  What about you?  What happened when we almost spoke earlier?  You scared me.”

Lacey rubbed her belly protectively and started to tell Angel about their night.  When she got to the part about Dru and the Lorask Lacey sat up, “That’s why she was going on about the stars.  It must have scratched her.”  At Angel’s questioning look she explained, “Lorask talons contain a powerful hallucinogen.  After I caught on fire she went a little starkers.”

“You did what?”  He couldn’t have heard her right.

“Let me go back.  Don’t worry I’ll explain.”  Lacey laid her head back on his chest and continued the tale.  When she got to the part about the fire she said, “Just after you hung up I felt like I was burning from the inside out.  Green fire engulfed my whole body and spread out through the building and into the street.  None of the family was hurt, but whatever was trying to get in was gone.  I’m pretty sure our babes worked a little in utero mojo and saved us.  After that was over we found Dru huddled in front of Joshua muttering about the stars screaming at her and that she wanted it to stop.  We packed up and came here.  What happened with you and Nico?”

“Do you want to see him?”  The question came from the doorway.  The four on the couch turned to the voice to see a rather haggard looking Dr. Callahan leaning in the doorway.  He had heard everything and now some of his questions about his patient had been answered.  He’d always known that there was more to Lacey than met the eye, he just hadn’t been able to figure out what it was.

Willow and Kassie stood up and Lacey struggled, without success, to get off of Angel’s lap.  “I will be so glad when this is over and I can move of my own free will again,” she muttered.

Despite the seriousness of what was going on around them Angel couldn’t help but chuckle.  He stood up with her in his arms and said, “I don’t know mo chroí, I kind of like having you be dependent on me for some things.”

Lacey stuck her tongue out at him.  “Put me down please.  I can waddle just fine on my own thank you very much.”  Angel put her back down, but kept his arm around her waist as they followed Julian and the girls through the door.

The doctor led them into a bedroom that was much more homey than any traditional hospital room.  Nico was laid out asleep on the bed with his left leg in a cast and in traction and numerous tubes coming out of a myriad of places.  Kassie and Willow moved to either side of him, but Lacey held back.  She felt her composure start to break and looked at Julian, “You couldn’t just whip up an herbal cocktail and have him drink it?”

He said, “You know the way I work.  I’m doing everything I can for him.  He’s going to be fine, but he lost a lot of blood not to mention that his femur snapped in half.  I’ve repaired the tissue and ligament damage, but the rest is going to take time.  I want to keep him here for a few days to monitor him.”  He turned his attention to Willow.  “Willow, if you want you’re more than welcome to stay here with him.”

“Thank you Julian I think I will.”

Angel caught the doctor’s attention, “How are Joshua and Dru?”

The three women listened closely but didn’t look away from the man in the bed.  “Lacey did a good job of cleaning the poison out and Caleb stabilized his leg as best he could.  He’ll be fine, just in a lot of pain for the next few days, but I’ll try to remedy that.  I gave Dru a sedative and she’s resting comfortably.  Lacey you said she was attacked by a Lorask demon?”

She nodded, “and Rimlosh.  She didn’t say if the Lorask had scratched her, but with the way she was acting I’m pretty sure it did.  I just didn’t realize it ‘til we got here.”  Nico stirred on the bed and Lacey made her way to it to stand next to Kassie.  Angel and Julian quietly withdrew from the room to give the four of them some privacy.

Nico opened his eyes and blinked a few times.  He looked at the women surrounding him and gave a ghost of his normal sexy grin, “What a way to wake up; a fantasy come to life being surrounded by my girls.”  He grimaced, “’Course I could do without the marching band in my head or the cotton in my mouth.”  Willow poured him some water and held the straw to his lips.  When he was done he said, “Thanks chere.  Hey now, no tears from any of you.  You know any of us could get hurt at any time.”

Lacey couldn’t take it anymore and said, “I’m so sorry” as she left the room as quickly as she could.  She brushed past Angel and Julian and made it to the kitchen before she broke.  Angel found her huddled on the kitchen floor sobbing a few minutes later.  He settled on the floor next to her and gently gathered her into his lap, rocking her back and forth stroking her hair.  “Shh love.  It’s all right.  Everyone is going to be fine.”

“The…they’re hu…hurt because of…of…me.”  She sobbed into his chest.  “I’ve put ev… everyone in…in dan…danger.”

“Hush Lace.  That’s not it at all.”  Angel tried to soothe.

Lacey sat up and angrily wiped away her tears, “don’t lie to me Angel.  I know bloody well that the demons were looking for me.  They want the Keeper and the Two I carry.  I don’t know for what, but if what Dru said was true and she’s pretty much never wrong then it has something to do with the Darkness taking our children away.  I’ll be damned if I’m going to let my family be destroyed protecting me.”  Her coherent outburst fell apart again as the tears started anew, “I al…almost lost Ni…Ni…Nico tonight.  I can’t lo…lose him Angel.  I just ca…can’t.”  Her strength gone she fell back into her husbands’ arms and cried.

Angel looked up when he felt a presence in the doorway and met Will’s sad gaze.  Will had never seen Lacey completely lose it like this before and it broke his heart.  He was seeing the self-conscious vulnerable little girl that she had once been and it made him appreciate who she was now all the more.  Angel motioned him closer and Will moved to hunker down next to them.  He unconsciously started rubbing Lacey’s back trying to comfort her, but she didn’t seem to notice.  Angel said quietly, “My cell is in my jacket.  Aeric is on speed dial.  I want you to call him and let him know that our family was attacked.  I’m taking him up on his offer of assistance.  Between him and Patricia they should be able to find out who was responsible for this and eliminate other threats.”

“Yes sire.”  Will placed a gentle kiss on the back of Lacey’s head and went to make the call.  Angel continued to hold his wife and started a gentle purr in his chest that soon lulled her to sleep.

Julian came in about twenty minutes later.  “Would you like to move her to a bed Angel?”

Angel’s head snapped up, “You called me Angel.”

“Yes I did.  That is the name you prefer isn’t?”

Angel eyed the doctor.  There was nothing in his person that said he meant harm.  “How long have you known?”

“I’ve had my suspicions from the beginning.  I really can’t think of many vampires that would help the helpless as you and yours do.  Realizing that Lacey is the Keeper of the Flame tonight just confirmed it.  Oh don’t look so surprised Angel, I overheard her recap of the events of the evening.  No worries, your secrets are safe with me.  Now do you want to move her?”

Angel nodded and smoothly rose to his feet without disturbing his sleeping wife.  Though she complained about how heavy she was now Lacey still weighed next to nothing as far as Angel was concerned.  Julian led him to a quiet room with a double bed and left the couple alone.  Angel laid Lacey down and watched her for a few minutes before quietly withdrawing to check on the rest of the family.  He found Kassie in the living room/lobby scanning the Bellibros book into Lacey’s laptop.  “What are you doing Kass?”

Kassie looked up, “Nico and Willow needed some time alone.  I wanted to feel useful.  Lacey had said the translation program was going to work so I thought I’d take care of this part for her.  Is she okay?”

“She’s holding herself responsible for them getting hurt.”  Kassie opened her mouth, but Angel forestalled her, “I told her it wasn’t her fault and its not.  She didn’t ask to be the Keeper and she didn’t ask to carry the Two.  As far as I’m concerned Lacey is my wife and we were lucky enough to be blessed with the gift of children.  The other is secondary.  Will is calling in Aeric and Patricia to take care of any more threats.”  Kassie nodded in agreement.  “I’m going to see how the others are.”  Angel went back into the hall to look in on Dru and Joshua.  He opened the door quietly so as not to disturb them if they were still sleeping.  Dru was awake staring at the painting on the wall.  “Dru?”

She turned to look at him, “Sire.  Is Joshua going to be okay?”

Angel made his way into the room and sat down next to his childe then looked at the vampire next to her, “Julian said he’s going to be fine.”

Dru scooted into a sitting position and pulled her knees to her chest, “The stars started singing to me again.  I used to love their melody, but tonight it was awful, so out of tune.  Why did they sing to me again?”

Angel took her hand and lightly ran his thumb across her knuckles, “Lacey said you were attacked by a Lorask demon.  Its venom can make you hallucinate.  It scratched you.  Did you have a vision Dru?”

“The Darkness and the Light want to take my brother and sister away, but we have supporters that will not let them.  The babes are strong sire, so very strong.  Others will try to take mummy away.  They will hurt her if they do.”  Dru cocked her head to the side like she was listening to something.  “Mummy is sad.  Is it because of Nico?”

Angel said quietly, “Yes and because of you and Joshua.  No one is going to take Lacey away.”

“She thinks it’s her fault.”

Angel nodded.

Dru shook her head, “it’s not her fault.  No, not her fault at all.”  Joshua stirred and opened his eyes.  She turned to look at her mate.  “Hello my lovely,” Dru said as she leaned down to kiss her mate.

Joshua smiled weakly, “Drusilla, you’re okay.”

“I am now.”

Joshua noticed Angel sitting beside the bed, “Angelus.”

“Joshua, how are you feeling?”

“Like I’m floating on a cloud.  Whatever Callahan gave me is working well.  Is everyone else all right?”

“Nico was hurt.  He’s down the hall.  I’m about to go check on him.  Thank you for what you did tonight, protecting Dru and Lacey.”

The tawny-haired vampire shrugged awkwardly from his prone position in the bed, “It’s what we do right?”

Angel smiled a little, “So it is.  Take care of each other.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”  Angel left the room closing the door behind him.  His last stop was Nico’s room.  He listened at the door to make sure he wasn’t interrupting anything personal though what he thought the couple could do he wasn’t sure.  Satisfied he knocked then cracked the door, “Little One can I come in?”

“Yes Angel.”

Angel stepped into the room.  Willow was curled up in bed with her love, but she was still fully dressed.  Before he could say anything Nico said, “Why won’t Lacey answer me?  I know she’s sleeping, I should be able to talk to her.”

Angel sighed and sat down in the chair next to the bed.  He waved his hand to encompass the whole situation, “She thinks this is all her fault.”

Nico’s voice was much stronger than it had been earlier.  “That’s bullshit.”

“I know.”

“When she wakes up I want to see her.  I don’t care if you have to drag her in here kicking and screaming.”

Angel smiled, “Yes sir.”  He looked at Willow, “Kassie is scanning the book into Lacey’s computer.  When she’s done can you start the translation program?”

Willow nodded, “I need to go home and get some clothes and stuff, not to mention my car.  I’ll do it when I get back.”  She kissed Nico before getting out of bed, “I’ll be back in a bit.  Angel can I take your car?  Lacey drove Kassie and I here.”  She smiled at the pained look on Angel’s face, “Oh don’t be such a baby-man.  I won’t hurt your precious Goat.”

“Hey I love that car almost as much as Lacey loves her Camaro.”  He stood up, “Let me get my bag out of the trunk then you can have it.”  Angel had learned a long time ago that it was wise to always have a bag packed and ready to go.  When he and Lacey had gotten together he’d included some of her stuff as well.  Now it included some of her maternity clothes.  They were prepared for an impromptu overnight stay.  “You may want to ask Dru and Joshua if they want you to pick up anything for them.”  Willow nodded and headed off.

Nico’s voice stopped Angel before he left the room.  “How are we going to protect her Angel?”

He looked at his wife’s best friend, “I had Will call Aeric.  He should take care of any other threats.  Don’t mention protecting her to her.”  Nico nodded in understanding and Angel went to get his overnight bag.

After he sent Willow off in his restored 1970 GTO Angel found everyone who was awake and mobile at the kitchen table drinking coffee.  “It’s a little late for caffeine isn’t it?”

“Like any of us will sleep tonight anyway.”  Will muttered.  “Aeric has said not to worry.  He’ll have his people make the rounds and spread the word to leave Lacey alone.  He’ll also make inquiries as to who’s responsible.  Do we have any idea who’s behind this?  I mean it’s been so quiet concerning her and the babes.  Why come after her now?”

Julian answered, “She’s getting close to delivering.  My guess would be that it’s more the babes that are wanted than her.”

Angel said, “Willow is going to translate the book when she gets back.  Maybe then we’ll finally have some answers.”  The others nodded and fell into a companionable silence.

Ten minutes later Lacey’s terrified scream brought Angel running into her room, “Lacey! Love what’s wrong?”

She was huddled back against the wall, tears streaming down her face, “Nico’s gone.  He loved me and now he’s dead.”

Angel cradled her against him, “No baby he’s not gone.  It was just a bad dream.  He’s right down the hall.  Come on, I’ll show you.”  He picked her up and effortlessly carried her down the hall.  Angel opened the door to Nico’s room and walked in with her in his arms.  “See love?  Nico’s right here.  He’s a little beat up, but he’s alive and well.”  She wouldn’t move her head from where it was buried in Angel’s chest.  Nico was trying to sit up and cursing his leg.  He’d heard Lacey scream and wanted to know what was wrong.  He looked at Angel and the vampire mouthed the word ‘nightmare.’  Nico nodded and patted the side of the bed next to him.

Angel gently laid his wife down next to the other man then sat in the chair he’d occupied earlier.  Nico stroked Lacey’s hair, “Come on baby look at me.  Let me see those beautiful green eyes.”  Finally Lacey opened her eyes.  Nico smiled, “Hey there.”

Lacey ran a shaky hand over his face, “You’re really here?  I didn’t get you killed?”

Nico scowled at her, “Of course I’m here.  Whatever gave you the idea that you were responsible for me or Dru or Joshua getting hurt?”

“They were looking for the Keeper.  It’s my fault.”

“Bullshit.  If anyone is going to take the blame it’s gonna be the damn Powers.  You didn’t ask for any of this.  The Keeper is only a title baby.  You’re Lacey McAilaster.  Your husband is sitting right behind you and he really hates seeing you hurt like this.  I hate seeing you hurt like this.  What we do every night is dangerous.  Any one of us could get hurt at anytime and you know that.  If you weren’t about to pop with my niece and nephew you’d be out there right along with us.  I got a little careless tonight, but Angel was there to back me up and made sure that I’d live to see another day.  Please baby, don’t blame yourself, we don’t.”

Lacey searched Nico’s eyes for a long time and found nothing in his whiskey colored depths that told her he was just trying to make her feel better.  He really didn’t blame her.  “I love you Nico.”

“I love you too Lacey.”

Lacey looked back at Angel, “I’m sorry I scared you.  Would you mind if I stay here with Nico for a bit?”

Angel smiled tenderly, “No love.  The two of you rest.  I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”  He kissed her softly and silently thanked Nico.  Nico nodded back at him as Lacey snuggled up against him.  Angel left the pair and closed the door behind him.  He leaned against it and closed his eyes trying to sort out his emotions.  He knew how close Lacey and Nico were, that they were like brother and sister, but some small part of him was jealous.  He wanted to be the one that soothed her fears.  Angel shook his head; there was nothing to worry about.  He was just tired.  Angel headed back to the kitchen.

Lacey and Nico talked for a few minutes, before he drifted off the sleep again.  She waited until she knew he was deeply asleep before sliding out of the bed.  She checked to make sure there was no one to see her leave then she grabbed her purse and slipped out the door.  She knew Angel was going to be angry with her for sneaking out, but she had someone to see.  She purposely turned off her cell phone.

Twenty minutes later she walked through the front door of Haven.  The club was packed which normally Lacey would be thrilled to see, but in her current state she couldn’t drum up too much enthusiasm.  As she moved through the crowd the patrons all stopped and stared at her, many bowing their heads as she passed.  <What’s up with that?>  With her being pregnant Lacey had made a point of not mingling too much in the demon world so as not to draw attention to herself.  Much to her regret that meant that she hadn’t spent much time with Miranda at the club.  In fact this was the first time since the grand opening that she’d been in, so she was unsure why those around her acted like they knew her or why they were bowing to her like she was royalty.  Lacey made it to the bar and asked the bartender, “Where can I find Miranda?”

The guy looked at her briefly and asked, “Who wants to know?”

Lacey scanned the crowd and found her friend in a secluded booth on the other side.  “Never mind.”  Without another glance at him she headed towards the booth.

Miranda was finishing up a consultation with a loose-skin demon so Lacey hung back.  When they were done the demon slid out of the booth and looked at Lacey.  It bowed its head and quickly walked away.  Lacey shook her head.  “Miranda?”

The empath stood up and smiled in welcome, “Lacey, it’s good to see you.”  Her smile faded when she got a good look at her friend, “Chica what’s wrong?”

Lacey sniffed, “Will hasn’t called you yet?”

Miranda hugged her and shook her head, “No hija.  He’s supposed to be here in about an hour.  Come on and sit down.  Tell me what’s wrong.”

Lacey sat and fiddled with a cocktail napkin.  “Nico, Joshua and Dru were hurt tonight.  Doc says they’re gonna be fine, that’s not the point.  The point is that they were hurt protecting me.  Someone is after the Keeper, me.  I need you to read me.  I need to know if I can keep my babies and my family safe.”  Lacey looked up and found many of the patrons staring at her.  “And why is everyone acting like I’m the bloody Queen Mum?  This is only the second time I’ve been here.  I’ve been keeping a low profile until after the lit’lins are born you know that.”

Miranda smiled, “You radiate power chica.  It’s stronger now than ever before.  The babes are also sending out their own signature.”  She cocked her head, “That’s new.”

Lacey smirked, “They made their presence felt tonight.”  She relayed the events of the evening.  When she was done she said, “So you see why I’d like you to read me?”

Miranda nodded, “I do.  There are some already scheduled, but I think I can get you on in about a half an hour.  You know what you want to sing?”

“Yeah.  Have you got a guitar I could use?  If not I can do it a cappella.  I’m pretty sure you don’t have this in your catalogue.”

“As a matter of fact I do have a guitar.  Someone left theirs here about a month ago and never reclaimed it.  It’s in my office.  Come on.”  The two women stood and headed back to the bar.  When they got there Miranda said, “Jerry this is Lacey.  Anything Lacey wants she gets on the house.  What would you like to drink?”

“Nice to meet you Jerry.  I’ll have orange juice and a glass of ice water with lime please.”  Jerry smiled and served it immediately.

“I’ll get that guitar.”  Miranda went behind the bar and disappeared through a curtain returning a few minutes later with a very fine acoustic guitar.

Lacey smiled, “Thanks chickie.  Just lemme know when I can go on.  I’m gonna find a place to sit down.”  Miranda went to introduce the next singer and Lacey managed to find a table in the back.  She tuned the guitar, managing to find a comfortable position for it on her fairly non-existent lap and sipped her juice and water just watching the crowd.  She didn’t see Miranda make the phone call the brought her husband and Will through the door just as she was taking the stage.

Angel hadn’t been as scared or as angry as he was since Lacey had been kidnapped.  When Nico woke up wanting to know where she was and no trace of her could be found in the house Angel had gone a little wild.  She wasn’t answering her cell phone and no one had seen her leave, but her car was gone.  Then Miranda had called to tell him that she was going to be singing soon and that he might want to hear what she had to say.  Angel and Will had hightailed over as soon as he’d hung up the phone.

Miranda saw them as she finished Lacey’s introduction and got to them before either could cause a scene.  “Calm down Angel and just listen.  Hello mi amor.”  She kissed Will and led them to her favored booth.  All three of them listened carefully.

Lacey sat on a stool and adjusted the mike and the guitar.  She said, “This hasn’t been one of my better nights so I hope I don’t embarrass myself.  Forgive the Christian overtones.  This is called ‘Godspeed’.”  She played a few chords to get the feel then started the song.  After the first few notes the audience was listening in rapt attention as she sang:

Dragon tales and the “water is wide”
Pirate’s sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night and I love you

Godspeed, little man, Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, Sweet dreams

The rocket racer’s all tuckered out
Superman’s in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, we’ll find the mouse and I love you

Godspeed, little man, Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, Sweet dreams

God bless mommy and matchbox cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears “Amen” wherever we are and I love you

Godspeed, little man, Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, Godspeed, Godspeed, Sweet dreams

(AN: Song ‘Godspeed’ by the Dixie Chicks off of ‘Home’.  Doesn’t belong to me.)

Angel had tears in his eyes when Lacey finished, but the anger and fear he felt at her having snuck out on him gave him the ability to stand stoically by the table when she walked up.  Will was in a similar state.  Miranda just shook her head at the two vampires muttering something about ‘macho, testosterone laden fools’.

Lacey finished the song and there was silence in the club for about ten seconds then the applause started.  She knew the lullaby was unlike anything that was usually sung in here, but that’s what she’d been compelled to sing.  Lacey smiled and bowed her head in acknowledgement then made her way off the stage and to Miranda’s booth.  She found her husband and Will standing next to the table in identical poses with their arms crossed over their chests and matching scowls on their faces.  Lacey ducked her head and tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear, “Uh, hi.  How did you know where to find me?”

“Miranda called us.”  Will said quietly.

Lacey glared at her friend who shrugged apologetically, “I thought they should be here chica.”

Lacey finally looked up at Angel.  She flinched at the look in his eyes.  It was a mixture of anger, relief, love and sadness.  “I’m sorry I snuck out on you, but I needed to do this and I knew you wouldn’t let me go.”

“How would you know that Lace?  You didn’t bother to ask me.  You know damn well you shouldn’t go out alone right now and especially not to a demon bar.  Aeric hasn’t had enough time to secure your safety.”  Angel stopped and ran a hand through his hair, “I’m sorry love.  No I’m not.  Damnit Lacey why didn’t you tell me you wanted to come here!”

Miranda broke in, “Enough.  The three of you sit down right now.”  They sat.  “Haven’t any of you read the baby books, hormones running rampant and mood swings?  Any of that ringing any bells?”  She looked at all three of them.  “Lacey made a decision under great emotional stress.  Should she have told you?  Yes.  Did she?  No, deal with it.  The two of you acting all disapproving isn’t helping her or the babes so cut the attitude.  Now do you want to know what I saw or not?”

Lacey sat back and thought about what Miranda had said.  She realized that she wasn’t acting like herself at all.  She didn’t know who she was acting like, but it definitely seemed that her normally sound judgment was very much askew.  She really had no idea why she hadn’t told Angel she wanted to see Miranda.  Then it came to her and at the time it seemed like the right thing to do.  “I was trying to protect you,” she said quietly.

Angel looked at her.  “What?”

Lacey met his gaze, “I was trying to protect you.  If someone or something wants me then it’s better if I’m alone so no one else I care about will get hurt.  That’s what I was thinking at the time.  I’m sorry I scared you, but I’m not a helpless little mortal.  Even though it tires me out I am still capable of defending myself.  Pregnant or not, I’m still the Keeper, Lacey McAilaster and I can kick ass with the best of them.  I would appreciate it if you would treat me like you used to, like your equal, not someone beneath you to be coddled and sheltered.  I’ll admit that I’ve let it happen and not said too much about it, but it needs to stop.  I once said I wasn’t going to hide, but that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.  Tonight was not a good night and I had a major wiggins.  Nico and Kassie were my only family after my parents died until I met all of you.  The thought of losing either of them is bad enough, actually being faced with that possibility was a little more than I could handle tonight compounded with Joshua and Dru.  Miranda is right, my hormones are running rampant and my emotions can be all over the place.  For the most part I’ve been on a pretty even keel, but as we’ve seen that is subject to change.”

Angel stared at his wife.  Had he really been treating her as though she was beneath him?  He replayed the last few months and realized that in some ways he had.  He’d fallen into the stereotypical pattern of woman weak/man strong and it had started as soon as he found out Lacey was pregnant.  He’d forgotten just whom he was with.  “I’m sorry love.  I just don’t want to see anything happen to you or our children.  Sometimes I forget who it is I married.”  He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss her.  When he pulled away he said, “You’re one of the strongest people I know Lacey and seeing you break down like you did tonight tends to bring out my more primitive instincts.  We’ll do better though right?”

“Yeah.  I’ll let you know if you go all caveman on me and if I start to do a Darla just tell me, ‘k?”  At his blank look at her mention of his sire she explained, “Third season?  Pregnant Darla throwing everyone out of the car?”

His expression cleared and he smirked, “Deal.”  They turned to see Miranda and Will watching them intently.

Lacey smirked, “Have you enjoyed this installment of ‘Lacey and Angel Have a Growing Moment’?”

Will smirked back, “the two of you are always entertaining pet.”  He looked at his girlfriend then at Lacey, “So luv what did you see when Lacey sang?  That was a nauseatingly sweet song by the way.”

Lacey shrugged, “It felt right.”

Miranda took Lacey’s hand from across the table, “Everyone is going to be fine.  No one is going to take your children away and anyone who tries will meet a swift end.  These babes have a purpose that no amount of outside interference will change.  The people you have surrounded yourself with are a good mixture of Darkness and Light and have provided the proper atmosphere for them to gain their strength.  Rest easy chica, all will be well.”

Lacey smiled, “Thank you Miranda.”  She looked at Angel and Will, “I guess I have some apologies to make at Julian’s huh?”

“I’m sure Nico wouldn’t find one amiss.  He wasn’t happy when he woke up and you were gone.”  Will replied.

“Let me go do some groveling.”  Lacey slid out of the booth followed by the others.  She turned from the table and was confronted by several different species of demons.  Angel put a protective arm around her, but stayed silent.  She looked over the beings and said, “May I help y’all?”

One of the demons, a Kora, moved forward slightly and spoke in its native tongue, “Keeper, you and your babes have been threatened no?”

Lacey eyed the group before answering.  It was a mixture of peaceful and not so peaceful demons including some vampires.  She looked around the rest of the club and saw that the other patrons were watching with interest.  She responded in English, “You know who I am?”

The group nodded.  The Kora was apparently the spokesdemon and said, “Your reputation precedes you.  Is it true your people were attacked this evening?”

This time she responded in its native dialect, “It is.  All survived.  Do you know who gave the order?”

The Kora shook its massive head, “We do not, but we do not want to see you or your babes harmed.  Our clans will see to your safety.”  Then he repeated the last in English, “Our clans will see to the Keepers safety.”  The demons behind it nodded.

“What is your name?”

“Micah.”

Lacey smiled though she didn’t offer her hand as it was considered an insult to this type of demon,  “Nice to meet you Micah.  I’m Lacey and I’m sure you know my mate Angelus and his childe Spike.  Miranda of course owns this joint.”  She addressed the group at large, “Thank you for your offer of protection.  Should any of you discover who has such an interest in me I would be most pleased with the information.  Deliver it to Miranda and she will see that it gets to me.”  She inclined her head in a slight bow and continued; “Now if you will excuse me I have other business to attend to.”

The demons parted and the foursome made their way outside.  They looked at each other.  Will said, “Well that was unexpected.”

Miranda shrugged, “Not really.  If the Two are harmed this world will not be a fun place to live in.”

Lacey looked at her, “How do you know that?”

“Think about what you know of the prophecy chica.  Without your babes this world will turn into a hell dimension and regardless of how much hell spawn already resides in L.A. no one wants to see that happen except for a very few and tonight you received the pledge of protection from several of the more powerful demon clans in the SoCal region.  I told you all would be well.”

“So you did chickie.”  Lacey yawned.  “I’d better get back to Julian’s before I fall asleep.  Good night Miranda and thank you.”

“No problema.  I’ll talk to you soon.”  She looked at Will, “Are you staying?”

Will and Angel traded glances.  Angel said, “I’ll take the Navigator back to Julian’s so if Kass and Trick want to leave they can.  We’ll see you sometime tomorrow William or make that later today.”  Will thanked him as Angel kissed Miranda on the cheek, “Don’t let him get into too much trouble.”  Then he whispered, “Thank you.”  The empath just nodded.

Lacey hugged Will then kissed Angel, “I’ll see you at Julian’s.”

~Part: 20~

‘My time on this plane grows short, but I will return in the spirit of the Two when I am needed.  A balance between the Light and the Darkness must always be kept, as one cannot survive without the other.  Of course knowing it is so does not prevent the Others from trying to destroy themselves.

When the Darkness threatens to overtake the Light the Keeper and Warrior shall unite lighting the Eternal Flame.  And from the Eternal Flame the Two shall come forth to bring balance back to the world.  Protected by the childer of the Warrior and also by a nightwalker pledged of his own freewill to serve They represent the Darkness.  Protected by the Seer, the two Healers, the Messenger and the Empath They represent the Light.  Within this Circle the Two will grow and draw strength and knowledge.  Just Their presence on this plane will begin the restoration of balance and in doing so the Earth will continue to thrive.

Though some will try, nothing will break the Circle of this I have made certain.  It is eternal upon the birth of the Two, a council to keep the balance.  Help will be given from unexpected sources if the zealous become a threat.  This Circle, this family will be blessed with the laughter and joy of children as a new breed of human will spring from the well of their love.  These new humans shall be known by the mark of the Flame, a small birthmark of three flames.  The Keeper and Warrior need not fear for the safety of the Two.  I am strong and therefore so are They.

I must go now.  I know not when I shall return but I look forward to seeing what changes have been wrought.

As it is written so it shall be.

Bellibros’

Willow finished reading the translation and looked at Nico who was also nearing the end of his copy.  Instead of a standard book of vague prophecies, though there were a few, the writings of Bellibros were more of a diary.  It was a fascinating read, but Willow had grown frustrated at not finding anything pertaining to the Two.  That was until she’d reached the end of the book.

“I’ve always known on some level that our lives were guided by an unseen hand towards an unknown goal.  That no matter what choices we make we ultimately wind up where we were supposed to be good or bad, but to actually see it in print is a bit of a wiggins,” Nico said quietly as he finished.

The couple was lying in Nico’s bed at Julian’s the following afternoon.  When Willow had returned the previous night she’d walked into bedlam.  Lacey had disappeared and wasn’t answering her phone.  Then Miranda had called and Angel and Will had taken off immediately.  When Angel and Lacey had returned two hours later Lacey had apologized and tried to explain her actions as best she could.  Basically it had come down to ‘I’m sorry.  Crazy pregnant lady took over for a while.’  Julian had made Lacey stay the night so he could examine her today, which meant that Angel also stayed.  They had left after Julian pronounced her and the babes fit so they could help Trick and Kassie at the office.  Trick and Kassie had taken the Navigator and gone home the night before explaining that someone needed to be around the open it the next day.  Before she’d retired for the night Willow had started the translation program.  It had taken the rest of the night and well into the morning for it to finish, then she’d printed out two copies and she and Nico had settled in to find out what they could.

“I know what you mean.  I’ve gotten used to it for the most part, but it still throws me once in a while.”  She looked at her love and smiled, “Everyone’s going to be fine.”

Nico returned the smile and gestured to the pages next to him, “I know.  This really wasn’t what I was expecting to find.  Compared to the texts we’ve read over the last few months, this was like a New York Times bestseller.”

“Yeah.”  Willow looked away then back again.  “Nico?”

“What chere?”

“How do you feel about immortality?”

“Willow I was willing to let Angel turn me last night so I could stay with you.  I don’t want to leave you ever.”

The witch stared at the seer, “You’d willingly become a vampire?”

Nico closed his eyes as the events of the previous night played in his mind.  He and Angel had dusted a nest of vampires without incident, but as they worked their way back to the car they’d come upon the Sormac demons talking about finding and destroying the Keeper.  Nico had attacked without a plan and had paid the price.  “It wouldn’t be my first choice for spending an eternity with you, but yeah as long as I could keep my soul I would have done it if that had been the only way for me to live.”  He opened his eyes and held Willow’s gaze.  “From the sound of this it may not be an issue if I can keep myself alive until Aidan and Arianna are born.  Do you want to spend eternity with me?”

Tears fell slowly from her eyes, “Oh yeah.  I was terrified that I would lose you last night.  I’ve lost lovers before, but you’re my soulmate Nico.  I’d take you any way I could get you if it meant not giving you up.”

Nico brought his hand up and guided her head down to his.  He kissed her thoroughly.  When she pulled away he asked, “Do you ever regret giving your life over to the Powers?”

Willow shrugged, “Sometimes, but in the long run I’m happy with the choices I’ve made.  What I do is important.  What we all do is important.”

“When do you regret it?”

Willow ran a hand over Nico’s face and down his arm to hold his hand.  “Usually when I lose someone I’m close to, but Angel’s always been there to talk me through.  You eventually learn to distance yourself from mortals.  It’s not an easy life Nico.”

“I know that, but the ones who mean the most to me are all a part of this Circle.  We’ll always have each other and that will make it easier.”  His family would stay intact forever.  They were quiet for a while then a passage he’d read came to mind.  “Willow?”

“Hmm?”

“I think we’re going to get to be parents at some point.”

Willow smiled and snuggled against him.  “You got that out of the reading too, huh?”

Nico returned the smile, “Yeah.  It’s up to you though.”

Willow leaned up and said against his lips, “No my love.  It’s up to both of us.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I told you all would be well lovey.”  Dru said as she and Joshua finished reading the translation.

Joshua was dumbfounded.  “Yes you did Dru.  To borrow a phrase, ‘this is a total wiggins.’”  He shivered then winced at the pain the action produced in his leg.  He was healing rapidly, but the poison that Lacey hadn’t managed to remove was slowing the process.

Dru giggled, “The stars may not sing to me all the time anymore, but the tales they have to tell are vastly entertaining.  To think you and I were meant to be, well wiggins or not I’m pleased.”

Joshua smiled at the vampiress and drew her to him.  “So am I Dru.  So am I.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Will walked in the office from the stairwell carrying Lacey’s laptop case.  Dru had called him to ask if he would come by and pick everything up on his way home from Miranda’s.

Lacey was sitting at the reception desk translating a text for Angel.  She looked up and smiled, “Hey luv.”

“Hey yourself.  I come bearing gifts.”  Will said as he laid the case down and kissed her on the cheek.

Lacey opened the case and saw the printed pages.  “It’s done.”  She said and quickly pressed the call button to bring Kassie and Trick from wherever they’d disappeared to.  “Angel?”

“Yes dear?”

“Will brought home the translation.”  Lacey hooked her computer up and set it to print three more copies.  She looked at Will.  “Did Willow say anything about it?”

He shook his head, “No and neither did the others.  I’m guessing they want us to find out for ourselves.”

Four hours later the five of them sat looking at one another.  Trick was the first to speak, “Well then.  Look’s like everything’s gonna be fine.”

Kassie nodded, “yeah.  It’s all good.”  She sniffed and stood up.  “I have to go…be elsewhere for a while,” she said as she quickly left the office.

Trick stood to go after her, but Lacey stopped him.  “Give her a bit Trick.  She just found out she’s going to live forever.  It’s a lot to take in.”

The healer looked at her, “How did you deal with it?”

Angel took her hand as Lacey snorted.  “I wasn’t given any choice.  I took my little trip to Book Land and woke up Eternal.  Mama told me that Angel and I had to claim each other before we left that place, so I didn’t realize that his claim wasn’t responsible until I accessed the prophecy and the particulars of the Keeper.  I’ll be honest with you.  I wasn’t ready.  Angel and I had had that very conversation that morning and it hit me that I’d very likely have to watch you, Kassie and Nico grow old and die or worse.  I wasn’t ready to face it, but the Powers took the choice away from me.  I accepted it.”

Trick nodded and was quiet for a time, then said softly, “I always knew I’d live a lot longer than most, so this is a little easier for me.  Will ya go talk ta her princess?”

“Sure.  Caleb?”

Trick looked up at Lacey as she stood by his chair.  She’d never used his given name before but it sounded right coming from her.  <Maybe I should start using it more> he thought.  “What darlin’?”

“I’m glad you’re going to be around.”  Lacey kissed him on the cheek and headed for the elevator.  She had a feeling she’d find Kassie in the pool.  <Oh yay.  Stairs.>

Intuition paid off and Lacey found herself watching her best friend swim lap after lap.  She knew what Kassie was doing.  Lacey had done it many times herself; swim yourself into exhaustion to achieve clarity of mind.  It didn’t work for everyone, but it worked for them.

When Kassie finally stopped and got out of the pool she was breathing hard.  Knowing she wasn’t alone she looked around and spotted Lacey laying on one of the chaise lounges next to her towel.  She smiled wanly, but didn’t say anything as she walked over to dry off.  Lacey returned the weak smile and waited until Kassie had lain down on the chaise next to her.  “Did it work?”

Kassie shrugged, “I think so.  I’ll need to talk to Trick to know for sure.  It wasn’t so much the immortality thing as it was the children thing.”  She looked at Lacey and tried to keep the tears at bay.  “It’s one thing for you and Angel to be having kids.  We already know they’re human, but what about Trick and I?  Children are a topic that we’ve avoided.”

“You’re worried about them being part demon?”

Kassie sighed and stared at the pool.  “No, not really.  I like his demon side.  I just never really pictured myself as a mom.  Seeing it written that I most likely will be hit me hard.”

Lacey looked at her best friend.  “You never pictured yourself as a mom?  What about me?  You think I’m ready for this?  Damn Kass you’re almost a bigger mother hen than Nico is.  You’ll be a great mom.  I’ve seen how children flock to you at the mall.  I shut all thoughts and dreams of this away because it wasn’t possible.  Now look at me.  I’m scared to death that I’m going to screw this up and your worried about the possibility of being a parent?  The writings aren’t specific and not limited to just our Circle.  And all of that sounded really self-centered didn’t it?”  Kassie snorted and Lacey smiled a little.  “I came up here to ease your fears about immortality not unload on you about my fears of impending motherhood.”

Kassie reached over and patted Lacey’s hand.  “It’s all right.  This is the first time you’ve actually said anything about being scared.  And you’re right I do get along well with children.  I’ll get to practice with yours.”

“Yeah, just don’t spoil them so rotten that we can’t stand them.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Aeric sat waiting for Angel and Lacey in the café near the studio Lacey used to work at.  It had been a week since the attack on her family and Aeric had called with news.  The old one studied the couple when they walked in.  The possessiveness and protectiveness was very evident in the way they held each other.

Aeric stood and smiled.  “Angelus, Lacey thank you for meeting me.”

Angel shook the vampire’s hand.  “Aeric.”

Lacey held out her hand as well and was startled when he pulled her close and kissed her cheek.  “Lacey, you look wonderful.  Pregnancy agrees with you.”  He ignored the low growl coming from Angel and released the younger vampire’s mate.

Lacey lifted a brow at Aeric’s display of familiarity.  “Thank you Aeric.”  She said as she sat down.  Angel joined her and immediately took her hand.  “You have news for us you said?”

Aeric smiled as he resumed his seat.  “I do, but first I have a gift for your babes.”  He reached next to his chair and sat a large bag on the table in front of Lacey.  Lacey and Angel exchanged a look then Lacey cautiously opened the bag.  Her delighted laughter rang out and drew the attention of the other patrons.  Still giggling she pulled out two vampire teddy bears.

Angel chuckled and looked at the older vampire.  “If this gets out your reputation will be in ruins.  I don’t know if I’ll ever think of you as evil again.”

If he could have, Aeric would have blushed.  He scowled at Angel.  “Don’t let them fool you.  I’ll rip off your arms and beat you with them if you breathe a word of this.”

Lacey quit laughing as she stowed the gifts next to her.  “Angel, don’t tease and Aeric, no threatening my mate.  Thank you very much for the gifts.  And don’t worry your moment of weakness is safe with us.  If you want I’ll let you regale me with one of your more violent escapades if that would make you feel more demony.”

Aeric smirked.  “Thank you I think I will.  It’s actually a nice segue into why we’re here.  The leaders of those who wished to harm you have been taken care of.  You should no longer be in any danger.”

“Who was it?” Angel asked, all thoughts of vampire teddies gone.

“A small ragtag consortium of demons who were eager for the transformation of the world into a hell dimension.  The most vocal was a Rimlosh by the name of Keb.  Somehow he managed to convince a few Lorask and Sormacs to aid him.  After your appearance at Haven Lacey word spread quickly.  Others of their kind took offense at their actions and my people were able to…eliminate the problem.”

Lacey raised a brow again.  “You’re telling me this was a one-off?”

“So it would seem.  I will continue to keep my sources open to make sure nothing else comes to light.”

Angel nodded, “Thank you for your help Aeric.  I know it must be difficult for you.”

The old one shrugged.  “Not really.  This experience had been unique and entertaining.  One of the only drawbacks to unliving as long as I have is that I bore easily.  You and your Lady have livened things up considerably.”  Turning his attention to Lacey he asked, “What on the menu do you recommend Keeper?”

“Try the cinnamon rolls.  They’re delicious.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“I will be so glad when this cast comes off.”  Nico said as he and Lacey walked through the dealer room at the LA Comic Book Convention.  Lacey was on the lookout for ‘Angel’ merchandise.  Regardless of the fact that she was married to the real thing, the show would always be her favorite and she liked collecting stuff from it.  Nico had volunteered to come with her to look around.  The pair was supposed to meet the others in a half an hour for the ‘Angel’ Q&A session.  She smiled in anticipation of seeing Andy, J. and Christian.  She hadn’t seen them since her wedding, though she did talk to Andy about once a week.

“Two more days and you’ll be back to good.”  Lacey said as she rubbed her back again.  There had been a dull, but persistent ache in her lower back since she’d woken up that morning.  Her stomach had also felt tight off and on throughout the day, but the various aches and pains of her pregnancy were so commonplace that she’d learned to ignore them.  She looked at Nico on his crutches then at herself and chuckled.  “We make quite the pair don’t we?  You on crutches and me nine months pregnant, gimpin’ around a SciFi convention.”

Nico grinned at her, “Yeah well we never were ones to actually sit around and do nothing.”  He looked at his watch and sighed, “C’mon baby we’d better head back to the others.  At the rate we’re goin’ it’ll take us twenty minutes to get to the session room.”

Lacey fingered the axe she was looking at.  It was a good reproduction, but she’d seen better.  “Okay.  I’ll come back later.”  As they made their way back through the crowds Lacey looked around and couldn’t help the laughter at seeing a group of guys that were playing dress-up in homage to some long forgotten by the mainstream TV show.  She said, “This is really mean to say, but I can’t help it.”  Nico looked at her and she continued, “My children will be born any day now and they will still lose their virginity before some of these wankers.”  Nico laughed and shook his head.

Lacey jumped as a dark voice close to her ear said, “You’re right.  That was mean, true, but mean.”

She turned to see who had spoken and squealed when she saw David.  She threw her arms around him as best she could and said, “You were supposed to leave the stealth-guy behind.  I thought you were on location!  What are you doing here?”  She looked around, “Are Jaime and Jaden with you?”

David threw an arm around her shoulders and the trio continued towards the session room.  “They’re waiting with the rest of your crew.  I’m a surprise guest, here for one night only.”  He cast a look at Nico, “What’d you do?”

“Car accident.  It comes off in two days.  Howzit?”

“Life is good.”  He looked at Lacey again, “You’re due anytime now right?”  She nodded happily.  “Then what in the hell are you doing wondering around here?”

She smiled, “My loft is too small to contain me and I was driving Liam starkers about going somewhere.  ‘Sides tonight is the first anniversary of when we met and this is the place it happened.  As a matter of fact I met all of you here a year ago today.  Look who found us.”  She said the last as they reached her family.

Angel smiled at his wife and shook hands with the actor who had played him for so many years.  “We sent him to find you.  I was getting worried.  Come on let’s get seated.”

Everyone made their way inside and took the row that had been reserved for them.  David disappeared so he could be introduced properly and soon the session began.  The audience went crazy when David was announced and walked out on stage.  It was going to be fun.  Lacey shifted uncomfortably on the chair, as the ache in her back got worse.  Angel automatically started rubbing her back.  Her eyes grew wide when Andy said her name.  He started telling a story watching her reaction.  She scowled at him as he purposely twisted the events and held up three fingers.  Andy stopped abruptly then smiled evilly as he flicked her off in response.  He motioned for her to come up on stage.  She shook her head and he said, “Lacey why don’t you come up here and tell everyone what happened.”  Again she shook her head and he pouted.  “Aw come on sweet.  You just know these fine people are dying to hear all the juicy bits you picked up on in your time with us.”  He looked at the crowd, “Don’t y’all want to know we’re really like?”  The audience cheered and Lacey gave in and made her way to the stairs at the side of the stage.  She looked helplessly at David who just shrugged and grinned as she greeted J. and Christian with hugs and was given an extra microphone as Andy introduced her.  “Ladies and Gents allow me to present one of the finest personal assistants a cast could ever ask for, Ms. Lacey McAilaster!”

Lacey smiled and said for Andy alone as she hugged him, “You are so dead, you know this don’t you?”

He grinned cheekily at her, “Don’t be silly, you know you love this.  Besides this is payback for the three finger salute.”

Lacey took a chair and started answering questions and telling stories with the rest of the panel.  She drew in a sharp breath as her stomach tightened.  Placing a protective hand over her belly she continued, then it happened again only it was much more painful.  She gasped as realization dawned and she stopped what she’d been saying.  Wincing as the next contraction started she said, “I’m sorry folks, but I think I have a more pressing engagement.”  She caught Angel’s eye in the audience, “Honey I think I’m in labor.”  Pandemonium ensued as her family freaked and forgot that they were all intelligent adults.  The audience cheered and wished her well.  Andy and David helped her off the stage as J. and Christian cleared a path.  She looked at her former co-workers and grinned, “Never dull is it?”

J. said, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.  Have someone call us with the happy news.  Congratulations Lacey.”

“Thanks.  Ow!  I’ll talk to y’all soon.”  The guys transferred her to Angel’s care and went back to finish the session.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Breathe Lacey, let the water do its work…That’s it, try to relax.”  Julian said in his calm way.  She had decided that she wanted a water birth, as it was supposedly less traumatic for both mother and child.  It was also supposed to help with the pain.  Lacey wasn’t too sure about the pain part as she sat in the birthing pool with Angel sitting behind her to support her.  The rest of the family was in Julian’s living room waiting.  After Lacey had told him how she’d been feeling all day the good doctor told her she’d been in labor for most of the day, but she’d entered hard labor at the convention.  Her water had broken on the drive to his house, much to her disgust.  “Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost to get this thing detailed?”  She’d asked Angel as he drove his X5 like a maniac to their destination.  He’d just patted her hand and kept driving.

The contractions were getting fiercer and the air was turning blue as Lacey cursed in as many languages as she knew.  She grasped Angel’s hands and squeezed with all her might as she rode the wave of the latest one.  Something cracked and Angel moaned in pain.  Julian looked at him and he said, “She broke my hand.”

Lacey panted, “Don’t bloody well talk about me like I’m not here.  So I broke your hand, big fuckin’ whoop.  I’m about to push two watermelons out of an opening the size of a lemon.  You try doin’ that and then we’ll compare notes.”

Julian tried to hide his grin as he watched Angel’s expression.  The vampire was staring at his wife as if he’d never seen her before.  Lacey looked at the doctor and said, “I’ve changed my mind.  I don’t want to do this anymore.  I don’t care if they stay in there forever, I just want the pain to st-AAAHHHH!” she screamed and crushed another bone in her husband’s hand.

The contraction ended and Lacey collapsed back against Angel.  She looked up at him with tears running down her face, “I’m sorry luv.  I didn’t mean to hurt you.  I didn’t think I could do something like that.  Can you forgive me?”

He gently brushed his lips over hers, “Of course love.  It’s almost over.”  She grimaced as another contraction started and began cursing again.  Angel looked at Julian in bewilderment.

Julian said, “Hormones.  She’ll calm down in a while.”

Angel nodded in understanding then grinned as Lacey growled out, “Still right here.  Quit talking over me damnit!”

“Yes dear.”

“Don’t be patronizing.  Aaahhh…Julian I have to push!”

He checked her and said, “Go ahead Lacey.”

The only sounds heard for the next few minutes were Lacey’s panting and Julian’s quiet commands and encouragements.  Then Lacey screamed at the top of her lungs as green flames engulfed her body and spread through the house setting the Circle of the Flame for eternity.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those in the living room were too surprised at the sound of her scream to move and flames wrapped around them warmly, but caused no harm.  When the fire faded they all looked at each other to make sure everyone was all right.  The sound of babies crying reached them and everyone smiled.  “The new additions are here.”  Joshua said as he hugged Dru close to his side.

Willow smiled through her tears and said, “Welcome to the world little ones.”

Epilogue- Thanksgiving 5yrs later

“Arianna put your brother down right now.  What have I told you two about using your skills that way?”  Lacey said firmly to her daughter.  The little redheaded brown-eyed girl looked at her mutinously for a moment before grudgingly lowering her twin brother to the floor.

“But mama Aidan took my crayons.”

The dark haired green-eyed boy smirked, looking very much like his father as he said, “Did not.  They’re right where you left ‘em.”  Lacey covered her mouth to hide her grin as she watched her son move the crayons in question from behind the couch with a small movement of his hand and place them back on the coffee table.

Arianna looked at the table then back at her brother.  “You’re a brat.”

“Hey now, no name calling.  Besides it’s time for the two of you to clean up your mess.  The rest of the family will be here within the hour.”

The little ones jumped up and down.  “Yay!  I’ve missed Auntie Dru and Unca Josh.”  Arianna said.

Aidan scrunched his face up.  “Where’re they coming from this time?”

Lacey had to stop and think.  The vampire couple had been traveling extensively since about six months after the twins were born.  The mobile unit of Angel Investigations had grown to include several more team members and had made quite an impression all over the world.  After Aidan and Arianna were born there was a sharp drop off of violence amongst humans as the promised restoration began.  The demons were a little slower, but the Circle was making a difference.  Both Dru and Joshua had garnered  formidable reputations and were enjoying themselves immensely.  “Italy was their most recent stop.  There was some sort of cult demon raising they were trying to stop.  It went well from Dru’s last phone call.  Enough chatter.  Clean up your mess.”

“But mama,” they whined in unison.

“No whining.  Do as your mum says.”  Angel said quietly as he stood in the doorway to the kitchen.

“Yes Da.”  The five-year olds started to pick up after themselves.

Lacey smiled at her husband and mate.  “Dinner almost ready?”  She had been banished from the kitchen for stealing tastes of the myriad of dishes they were preparing.

“Soon.”  They talked quietly while watching their children put away their toys and art supplies.  Just as Angel lowered his lips to hers the doorbell rang.  He sighed and smiled lopsidedly.  “And so it begins.”

He went to answer the door.  Trick and Kassie came in with their one-year old son Caleb Jr.  Just as they got settled Nico and Willow arrived with their two-year old son Xander.  Half an hour later Will and Miranda arrived.

Lacey smiled as she hugged the empath.  “How goes the morning sickness?”

Miranda patted her slightly curved belly, but it was Will that answered.  “It’s bloody awful Lace.  I don’t know how you put up with it.  I’m a vampire for Christ’s sake.  I’m not supposed to be throwing up at all hours of the day and night.”

Lacey stifled a chuckle as Miranda said, “You’d think he’s the one that’s pregnant.  I do admit I enjoy his sympathy symptoms though.  I’m not as affected as I would normally be I think.”

Lacey leaned up and kissed Will on the cheek.  “Poor wittle Will.  Drink your tea and you’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Will narrowed his eyes and growled playfully at her, “Sod off Keeper.”  He looked around the great room.  “Dru and Joshua aren’t here yet?”

“No, but they’ll be here soon.  The kids are excited.”

Will smirked, “They should be.  It’s like Christmas whenever they pop round.”

“Yeah.”

The doorbell rang again and Lacey opened it to admit Dr. Callahan.  “It’s good to see you Julian.”

“You too Lace.”  Dropping his voice he asked, “Have you told him yet?”

“No I’m waiting for everyone to be here.”  The old doctor nodded and set off to greet everyone.

Dru and Joshua finally arrived bearing many bags of prezzies, much to the delight of the youngsters.

Dru hugged Lacey tightly then pulled back with a surprised look on her face.  “Mum you’re-“

“Shh.  I haven’t said anything yet.”

Dru smiled knowingly.  “How?”

Lacey drew the vampiress towards a quiet corner.  “You remember about three months ago we had that rather nasty battle with the Klorek horde?”  When Dru nodded Lacey continued.  “Well let’s just say that after we were too happy to be alive to remember to take precautions.”  After the twins were born Lacey discovered that her body had undergone some more changes.  The Powers had repaired the damage to her reproductive system and everything was fully operational.  The first monthly she’d had had scared the bejesus out of her.  Julian had done some tests to allay her fears.  It had been an interesting adjustment, but also quite pleasant.  Knowing of the possibility that she could conceive Lacey and Angel took steps to avoid an accident, but as she had told Dru they’d forgotten three months ago.

“Affirmation of life can do that to a couple.”  Dru said matter-of-factly.

Lacey studied her stepchilde.  “Do you ever wish you and Joshua could…”

Dru smiled wistfully, “Sometimes, but our lifestyle isn’t conducive to children.  The Powers have other plans for us and I’m content to see my nieces and nephews.  Who knows maybe someday, but for now we’re happy.”

Lacey smiled then took her arm leading them back to the mayhem.

As they family ate they started a round robin of what each person was thankful for that year.  When it was Lacey’s turn she took a deep breath and took Angel’s hand.

“I am thankful that we have survived another year with all bits and pieces intact.”  Everyone chuckled and she continued, “I am thankful for my children even though they drive me starkers once in a while, Aidan throw that piece of bread at your sister and I will tan your hide mister.”

The child looked at his mother in surprise and quickly stuffed the bread in his mouth.  “Sorry mum.”  The adults all laughed when they heard him mutter, “How’d she know?”

Lacey smiled and looked at Angel, “I am thankful for my husband and mate.  I can’t imagine my life without you.”  He smiled at her and kissed her hand.  “And finally I’m thankful that we have such a large home since our numbers will increasing by one in about six months.”  She watched him as she waited for her words to penetrate.

Everyone at the table with the exception of Julian and Dru had to take a moment to figure it out.  Then everyone was talking at once, but Lacey kept her attention on Angel.

He blinked.  “Really?”  She nodded smiling softly.  “When, how?”

“Klorek horde and the usual way.”

Angel stood and pulled Lacey up into his embrace.  When they broke apart the couple looked at their family.  Angel said quietly, “Life is good.”

Lacey had to agree, “Yeah, how fabulous is this?”

The end

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