Part Seven:

Next day:

Buffy coughed in her sleep causing Angel to wake up. He hadn't really been around sick people before... or atleast taking care of them. He had no idea what was wrong with his... girlfriend? fiance'? wife?

Angel looked at her, and she rolled over, looking for him. When her hand didn't reach his chest her eyes immediatly opened, and she looked at him. He was trying to get off the bed without making a noise.

"Where you going?"

"To get you some more medicine."

"No.. don't I fine."

Buffy put her head back on the pillow and tried to think.

"Angel."

"Mmmm?"

"If I'm sick.. then yesterday wasn't a dream?"

Angel thought he'd play with her.

"Uh... you mean fighting demon's, and then talking a little.. you sleep practically all day yesterday."

"What?!" then she looked at him and he had a huge grin on his face.."Liar...I spent most of the day awake with you."

"Yes you did."

Buffy sat up and pulled him in for a kiss.

"I love you." Angel said after a minute.

"Mmmm who wouldn't?"

Buffy smiled at him.

"I love you too... more then you'll ever know."

The two stood up.

"You know what Angel?"

"What."

"Christmas is in a few days. I'm thinking we can go shopping, see the Oracles about the human thing, read up for any prophecy's w can take care of before Christmas, and then I take you guys beack home with me.. and we have a whole family reioun."

"Family reioun?"

"Yeah.. we've been like a family for almost four years.. My mom and Giles are your inlaws.."

"Inlaws mean marriage Buffy.. we aren't married."

"You are so wrong about that one."

"Uh?" *Oh god she knows.*

"This ring..." she said showing him hers "are irsh wedding bands, and in order for a marriage to be official.. you have to consumate.. that we did."

"How do- did you know that?"

"When Angelus was about... I missed you so much, and I did anything I could to be near you... so I read about Ireland and their traditions. But I took off the ring... I took it off around the time you were brought back, I placed it where the acthla had stood, said goodbye, and that I will love you forever.. not even death can change that. Then you were back.. and I found it when I chained you up."

Angel went to kiss her, but she took off to the bathroom. Angel followed her and held back her hair.

"This- blah- is hor-blah-able."

"I know baby, I know."

Buffy was done for the moment. She took a deep breath and flushed the toliet.

"Are you okay now?"

"Yea.. better. God... I hate it went I throw-up in the morning."

"This happens alot?"

"Not.. well sometimes. For about a month."

Angel looked at her.

"I know I know.. I'll make a doctors appointment.on the 23... todays the 22nd, and I still need to go Christmas shopping."

"Okay, and while your at your appointment I'll see the Oracles."

"Great. Oh what did Kate want?"

"She wanted to see if I had worked on a file. And to take us out to dinner."

"Us? or you?"

"Us.. she said I can bring however I like, and that she has a cousin thats coming."

"Oh.. well-"

"You guys better be dressed because I'm coming down!" Cordiela shouted as she came downstaires.

Cody looked at them.

"Wanna go shopping Cor?"

"Sure... I still have some Christmas shopping left."

"Guess what?"

"You, Angel, and Doyle are coming home for Christmas."

"Really? Were invited?"

"Yes.. now.. we need to get into regular clothes so.. go.. before we start undressing infront of you."

"I'm gone."

Buffy and Angel each went to get their clothes. Buffy saw Angel removing the shirt he had on, and threw her clothes on the couch.
She walked in his room.

"Yes?" He asked.

Buffy walked up to him and kissed him.

"I have a problem."

"What is it."

"Well... I can't seem to unbotton these things." She said pointing to the button up shirt of Angel's she was wearing.

Angel kissed her and unbottoned the shirt.

"And now.. I just don't want to get dressed." Buffy said grinning.

They both fell back on the bed.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8

Buffy and Cordiela roamed the food court.

"So who is left on your list?" Cordy asked.

"Angel."

"We've been here five hours and you still don't know what to get him?"

"No.. I mean what do you get a guy thats seen everything?"

"You've got a point. When are you going to do the ritual?"

"Tomorrow.. he's gonna go to the Oracles and see what its about. See is it was done properly. I have this feeling there's more to it though.. like I don't know." Buffy sighed "I kinda wish he wouldn't be made human."

"Why?"

"Because then maybe... something could be done and we could be together forever. I don't want to die.. even if I fight evil forever."

"I guess same here. Although I don't really do the fighting, it'd be nice to get some sort of power or something to help out more."

"I really just want to live with Angel forever, then live to see the day that good would previal."

"Me too."

"Okay well, come on lets get back to shopping for my boyfriend."

Both girls got up, and left.

**********

An hour later:

"God Cor what the hell am I gonna get him?"

"I don't know... I wish I could help, but I can't."

Buffy sighed in fustration.

"After my appointment tomorrow.. I'll go shopping again. See if maybe anything sticks out."

"Alright come on. lets go home."

They made their way home. Or back to the office.

"Cor do you want me to get Doyle, or are you coming up?"

"Just tell him to come down. I'm really tired."

"Sure.

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

Upstaires:

"Hey you guys."

"Buffy hi." Angel said.

"What are you two doing?"

"Nothing." He answered too quickly.

"Well Doyle Cordy's in the car, she's tired and wants to go home."

"Guess that's my que. Angel I think you should do it. Bye Buffy."

"See ya."

Doyle left.

"Angel what were you two doing?"

"Nothing.. just something for your Christmas present."

"Awe! Now I feel bad."

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't find anything for you."

"Don't worry about it." He said pulling her into his arms.

"Well I mean your getting me something..."

"Don't worry about it. All I want is you."

"Angel."

"Yea?"

"Can we talk? I mean about us."

"Sure. Lets go downstaires."

He led her down to his apartment. They both sat on the couch. Angel was a little worried, he didn't know what was going on.

"Angel... " Buffy sighed "What exactly are we? I mean... I know what the ring means, are we going to go by that.. are we going to take things slow, fast?"

"We can take things however you want them. Just because of what we did yesterday doesn't me we have to go fast."

"Well what do you want to do?"

"It doesn't matter to me. I am ready for anything you are."

"Well I don't want things to go slow. I'm sure Willow has already told everyone about us by now, but " she sighed "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want to do it soon. I want to close this chapter and begin another Buffy and Angel one."

"It will.. I promise. Me and you forever."

"Okay... I love you."

"I love you too Buffy. Are you okay?"

"Yea."

"Sure?"

"Kinda... just something feels off. I don't know. I just feel icky."

"Could it be because your sick?"

"Maybe.. its that and something else. Like maybe somethings going down ."

"Buffy everything will be okay.. alright? Maybe your tired. "

"Yea I am worn.. come on lets go to bed."

" Alright..." Angel got up, and she kissed him.

"I thought you wanted to sleep?" He asked as she broke the kiss.

"I said I wanted to go to bed.. not sleep. Besides I'm not that tired."

Angel grinned.

"This time we do things my way." He said.

"Works for me."

Angel picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, and he closed the door. Strange sounds could be heard from his home all night.

Chapter 9

Buffy awoke the next day, moving her hand over to where Angel should usually be, and found he wasn't there. Immediately her eyes flung open to find a note pinned to his pillow.

Buffy,

Sorry I wasn't here this morning. I have something to do with Doyle. We'll be back in the office around 10:00 10:30 am. Come upstaires when your awake.

Love Always,

Angel

Buffy rolled over and looked at the clock. Its was almost eleven.

She got up, went to shower, got dressed and went to lift.

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

"Kate, I can look into it, but I don't think your friends missing boyfriend deals with a demon."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes it doesn't seem like it at all. Are you sure before he left there was nothing unusual about him?"

"No. They got into a fight, he left, and hasn't been back in two days."

"Maybe he didn't want to be with her anymore? Kate, I'm stuck here. They broke up alot, and he usually went missing. Have your friend check around for him. If no has seen him in a few days call me, I'll see what I can do. "

"And if it turns out to be a human case?"

"I'll still help. Listen," he said opening the door to his office, walking into the main office, "If you have any cases about missing people, non demon let me know and I can try to help. If its adults, give it a few days to see what you can do, if its children and you want to come straight here, then come. "

"Alright thanks, Angel." Kate said, taking the folder.

Just then Buffy came up the lift, she was looking herself over.

"Buffy, hey..." Angel said smiling.

"Hey yourself, all you left me was a note. You could have woken me."

"You looked too peaceful."

"Yeah well I don't like to be asleep when everyone else is working. So what's going on, new case?"

"Sort of... Kate has a friend whose boyfriend is missing, I've decided to help out in human cases as much as possible."

"Thats great Angel! " She turned to Kate, "I hope your friend finds her boyfriend. Must be tough."

"Yea its taken a toll on her." Kate said.

"Does she love him?"

She nodded.

"Must be really hard then. If there's anything I can do to help let me know."

Kate chuckled.

"What?" Buffy got defensive.

"Nothing, its just.. I don't think you could do much. Besides maybe file or go to school and keep the place clean."

"Excuse me? But do you know who I am?"

"Uh-oh. Kate your in for it." Cordeila said jumping in.

"You Angel's ex-girlfriend, whose in a sense merely a child."

"Just because I'll be nineteen in a few months, does not make me a child. I'm willing to garuntee I've been through a hell of a lot more in my young life than you have."

"Really now?"

"You really don't know who I am do you?"

"No.. I don't, just because you know about vampires and demons doesn't make you able to just go out and say 'I've been through alot'."

"Your one to talk," Buffy replied "I'm the Slayer. Look it up... Slayer comma the."

"The slayer?"

Kate was at a loss for words. There's a slayer?

"Yea." she sighed " In every generation there's a chosen one, she alone must fight vampire's and the force of darkness.... she is the slayer."

"Slayers are real?"

"As real as vampires, and demons. God, I figured you would have known there was a slayer atleast. Someone has to balance out evil and good, and it ain't you."

"I-I..." She felt really dumb, and turned to Angel "Dinner Wednesday 8:00 at the new french resturnat in uptown LA." then she turned to Buffy, "Sorry, I didn-didn't know."

Then she aburtly left.

Buffy broke into a grin.

"I really don't like that woman."

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

Buffy left the doctor's office with a smile on her face. This was some of the best news of her life. Everything was perfect. Now she knew excatly what to get Angel.

Buffy walked into Wal-Mart, to the card section, and found the perfect card, words on the outside, no words inside.

Her next stop... Victoria Secreat

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

Angel stood before the Oricales, he'd just thrown them their gift.

"Its wonderful worrior. Why have you?" The female asked.

"I need answers."

"Ah.. yes. You wish to be human, but need to know if its right." She said.

"Lower-being." The male said, "You've been human before, yes?"

He nodded. "You took back... to save the slayer. And now you want it back."

"Yes.. no. Yes, this spell. Will have me human with strenth so that I can protect her. I've heard talk of shanshu. No one knows who or when or why. And I am familiar with the word. Is it me?"

"Yes worrior, not in the way you think." The female said.

"Please. I need to know. I am going to stay with the slayer until her last breath, and then I see my finale sunrise, weather the sunrise bring me death or not. I won't go on after she has died."

The female chuckled, as did her brother.

"We know you wouldn't. Listen to me worrior, and listen well. Over the next few days, months, and years. Things will shift and change among the mortals, due to an unbringing. Its up to you and the slayer, to make sure its good. Forever."

"She won't be forever."

"Listen... look upon prophecies, you'll understand only a little. Do not come back, only come back, when you've recieved life alutering news from the slayer. Its like a puzzel, worrior, and puzzel without all the peices, once you've recieved all the peices you'll be able to read it. Yes?"

"Yeah, don't do the spell?"

"No..." she saw his disapointment "Worrior," she said smiling "Don't be sad, you will have your light by the ring of the next New Year."

Angel looked up, knowing she meant sunlight. "No... I already have my light. You've given me Buffy."

She smiled again. Seeing the future. "Go now worrior. Go to your slayer, and give her news. Be happy, and watch carefully for the pieces."

Angel nodded, and was thrust out.

Doyle was standing there.

"What happened?" He asked.

"I'm not to do the spell."

"What?!"

"I know why. By next year I'll be human, or by next New Year. That I'll understand everything as things in my life change. I think too much would change if I could grow old."

"Oh.. well come on Deila called, and said Buffy's back. Lets go tell'em."

Angel smiled. "You gonna do what we talked about?" He asked referring to her present.

"Are you?" Doyle replied.

"Lets go the presents before we head back, drive'em crazy." Angel said, heading for the tunnels.

"Yeah, lets."

Chapter 10

Buffy POV:
I don't think I've ever been so happy. Angel's cooking and he just seems so sexy standing there, cooking.
I smile. I can't wait to tell him my news. Our news. I hope he likes it, because there is really no way around it. I'm pregnant. I can say it... I'm pregnant. However, how do I explain it's yours. He can't have kids. Well, he could have a month ago. I wonder if he'll believe me. God I hope so.
Cordiela seems happy here. Happier than ever. And with Doyle. Gunn seems nice, he hasn't been around much, though. Said he had to take care of some business. I wonder how Anne is. I haven't heard from her in a while. I hope she's okay, seeing as how she took on my fake idenity.
Angel seems happy too. I hope he really is. He'll be Immortal with the rest of us soon. Everything will be perfect.
***********************
Cordiela's POV:
I've changed since I got here. Being with Angel. And Doyle. I love Doyle. I can't believe I am admitting it, he knows I do, but I don't say it. I LOVE DOYLE.
I'm pregnant, I just found out recently. Wonderful ain't it? Yeah, I may be young, but living my life style, I won't live forever.
I smile at that. Yes I will.
Wonder how Mommy and Daddy will take it. Angel? Buffy? Doyle for that matter? What about the scoobies?
Christmas is coming soon, and I can't wait.
I hope maybe I could hook Gunn up with someone. He's supposed to come by today. He has been down ever since his sister, and detached. I can sorta understand. After Buffy killed Angel, left and came back, she was still really upset.
Things HAVE to turn out for the best. If not for us, but for the world.

**********************
"Angel?" Buffy asked.
"Yea." He said, giving her the hot plate.
"I want to go to down town LA later tonight."
"Why? It's kinda dangerous."
"I'm a dangerous girl that's why." Buffy smiled as did Angel.
"Really, I want to see an old friend. Anne. I kinda saved her from hell a few Summer's ago."
Angel nodded and kissed Buffy.
"Love you." He said.
"Mmmm, you too." She said smiling.
Oh yeah, if this ain't heaven, then what is?
************************
"Hank, calm down! Damn you!" Joyce yelled at her ex husband.
"I saw her kill a vampire on Thanksgiving. I can't believe they're real, I thought that lady was just lying! You've known she kills things, ground her!"
"I tried! And she's an adult now. Besides she's the slayer. The one girl in every generation who has to kill them!"
Hank sighed. "And she lost her innocents to one!"
Joyce nodded.
"Don't worry. They aren't together anymore. I took care of that. Buffy's heart broken, and Angel thinks he's looking out for her."
"Joyce! Your gonna kill her! I've heard the story from you, and judging from those diaries, they love each other, and the notes. How could you? I just wanted to meet the guy."
"No! I will not let her throw her life away."
"Like you said, this is what she was born to do. Buffy has never been able to control any important aspect of her life, atleast let her chose who she wants to spend her life with."
Hank had calmed down. He now realized, after reading up on slayers and such, and then cooling, his daughter could take care of herself. Joyce was the problem.
"She'll be here for Christmas, I'll see if she wants to bring Riley."
"Damn you! This is why she has such a problem with you. You refuse to let her make her own desicions!"
Hank got up off the couch. "I'll be here tomorrow for Christmas dinner, and I am telling Buffy everything. She deserves to know the truth. The WHOLE truth. From the day she was born. I will tell her. I'll tell her before they do, and I will be behind her every desicion. Goodbye Joyce." With that he left.
Joyce broke down into sobs. *My baby, she can't know she's not my baby. The note, I wish they had been lying.*

Chapter 11

Buffy and Cordiela walked into the office laughing. "You're really...." Cordy whispered.
Buffy nodded, "And you.. you're not lying?" Cordiela broke out into a grinn.

"I can't believe this!" Buffy shrieked!

Angel and Doyle ran out of Angel's office.

"What' going on?" They both asked in a panic.

"Nothing, you two, just talking about Christmas presents." Buffy said.

Just then Gunn walked out from the bathroom, and a girl with blonde hair came into the office.

"Is the screming done?" Gunn asked.

They nodded. Then Cordy turned to the woman.

"Angel Investigation... can I help you?"

The woman just looked at her and then saw Buffy. She sighed.

"Buffy!" She ran to her.

Buffy grinned and hugged her friend. "Anne... ewww.. I missed you so much! Did you get my letters?"

Anne nodded. "And you got mine!" They both smiled.

"Buffy could you please explain?" Angel asked.

Buffy nodded. "Oh, sorry. Anne is the one I saved from that hell dimesion I told you about. When I was here.
Anyway we've kept in touch, and I asked her to come for Christmas dinner with us. I was kinda
hoping to get her out of 'Hell's Kitchen' and have her work here."

"Hell's Kitchen?"

"Hellen's Kitchen. I worked there for awhile, but when I left I gave her my apartment, my name, and job.
I've asked her to come to Sunnydale, but she said LA was who she was. So can she?"

Angel smiled. He stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Angel, Buffy's boyfriend, and you're new boss. Any friend
of Buffy's is a friend of mine."

Buffy squealed with delight. "THANK-YOU!" She said hugging Angel.

Anne too thanked him.

"Anne," Buffy said "This is Cordilea..."

"Hello." She said smiling.

"And this is Doyle..."

" Hi" He said very irshly

"And finally Gunn."

"H-Hi, I mean hello, uh nice-nice to meet you." Gunn said staring at her.

She smiled. "You too."

Cordeila and Buffy shared a smiled, while Angel gave Buffy a look.

"Well, we shuld probably be getting to Sunnyhell, or else we'll be late, and I'm going to need time to explain everything."

They all headed out to the cars. Doyle and Cordy in one, Buffy, Angel, Gunn, and Anne in his black corvette.

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

Joyce prepared dinner nervously. She had invited Riley to dinner, knowing her husband would make a secne

infront of him, besides he seemed really nice when they had met and Buffy needed a man like that.

They had met when Joyce came to pick Buffy up for a brunch. He was in her room helping her study, however

when he asked Buffy for coffee , she had declined. That's when Joyce meddled, she invited Riley to little

lunches with Buffy and her friends. With any luck, he's be her son-in-law in a few short months and this whole slaying

thing would be done with.

*I wish Buffy hadn't gone to see Cordeila is weekened, she spends too much time with her. God knows how badle
she's been hurting. Poor thing, probably has to see Angel all the time. No wonder she isn't moving on, she probably
doesn't feel like she's worth a good man like Riley.*

Xander walked into the kitchen and saw Joyce staring off into space.

"Ms. Summer's is everything alright?"

"Oh yes. What do you need?"

"Mr. Summer's is here, as well as Riley. I didn't know Riley was coming."

"Oh yes, I invited him for Buffy. Speaking of which, do you know when she'll be home?"

Xander nodded No. "I was going to ask you th same thing. She's most likely on her way here now."

He smiled and left. As soon as he got to Willow his Smile turned to a frown.

"Ms. Summer's invited Riley for dinner on Buffy's behalf. This should be interesing, The whole LA gang, Buffy and Angel together,

and Buffy's mom."

Willow sighed dreadfully. "This isn't going to work out very well I can feel it. Something is going to happen."

Xander nodded. "Let's just hope Buffy gets here soon."

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

They all pulled up to the Summer's residents. Buffy looked at the cars. She saw her mother's, Xander's,
Willow's, that meant Anya, and Oz were here too, she saw one that looked familiar, and then she saw it,
her dad's car.

Buffy smiled. "Daddy's home! Well, visting. He never visits. Angel this is going to be perfect!"

They all got out of the car.

Buffy walked in.

"I'm home! With friends!"

The scoobies all greeted her and her guests. Riley wasn't there, he was in the bathroom talking

to himself about Bessie, his favorite cow.

Buffy's dad came from the kicthen and hugged her.

"My little girl!"

She hugged him back.

Riley came down staires and Joyce came from the kitchen.

"Daddy, meet Cordeila, Doyle her boyfriend, Gunn, Anne, and Angel, my boyfriend."

"ANGEL?!?" Joyce said with concern.

"Boyfriend?!?" Riley excliamed. "Joyce I thought-"

"Riley?!? What are you doing here? Yes mom, Angel is here with me, we're together again."

Joyce stood stunned.

"We'll discuss this afer dinner." She said going to the kitchen.

"I guess dinner is almost ready." Hank said, starting to leave.

"Dad wait until she says."

He nodded. He took a seat in the living room and watch Buffy and Angel.

*So this is the man to captured her heart. Well, as soon as I can, I'll test him. But not harshly
, this one seems different. All after dinner.*