A/N: Okay guys…here it is!!!! The first chapter of the sequel to Break My Heart! PLEASE let me know how you feel about this, even if you hate it (which I hope you don't!). Anyway, enjoy!!!

Kathryn Finn watched the clock with one eye, and her history teacher with the other. Two minutes until freedom. The freedom of her birthday. Her eighteenth birthday. She couldn't wait to get out of the hell hole of a school she was forced to go to and spend time with her family.

"Angel," Alyssa, Kathryn's best friend hissed, using her childhood nickname.

"What?"

"Would you stop that please?" Kathryn frowned at Alyssa and then realized she was tapping her pencil against her thick textbook.

"Sorry." She set her pencil down so that she wouldn't be tempted to tap it again and sighed. She looked at the clock again, thirty seconds to go.

When the bell finally rang, Kathryn and Alyssa were out of their seats and into the hall before their teacher could say another word. They made their way through the crowded halls of Sunnydale High School to their lockers.

"So, when are you getting to celebrate your birthday with your dad?" Alyssa asked as she shoved her books into her locker and grabbed her purse. Kathryn rolled her eyes.

"I don't know. He was supposed to fly in tomorrow, but he's on assignment and he said they didn't finish what they needed to so he's got to stay," Kathryn explained. Her biological father, Riley Finn, was a military man who was often gone for work. Kathryn lived with Willow Rosenberg, her mother's best friend.

"Does it suck to not really have parents?" Alyssa asked in a rare show of curiosity. Alyssa rarely asked about Kathryn's family situation, just accepted it as it was and let it go.

"I have parents, Alyssa," Kathryn snapped.

But what Alyssa had said was right, Kathryn didn't really have parents. Her father was gone except for a few weekends a year, and her mother…well Kathryn had never met her mother. Willow had shown her pictures, and talked about her often, and every six months or so they got a postcard, but Kathryn had never seen the woman in person. She'd taken off when Kathryn was a few months old, and she hadn't ever been back. Kathryn used to hate her mother, bitching about how a mother couldn't just leave her child, and how selfish and stupid hers must have been. Those were the only times Kathryn had seen Willow truly mad. She'd always jumped to her mother's defense, saying that Kathryn couldn't possibly know what had been going on, and not to judge things she didn't understand.

"Sorry. Hey, Willow's waiting, let's go." Alyssa grabbed Kathryn's hand and pulled her towards the waiting car.

Buffy Summers sighed as she washed blue demon goo from her body. It was the third demon she'd killed in as many days. Brazil was a relative demon hotspot, apparently. After Buffy had cleaned up and changed into jeans and a tank top, she sat down at the desk in her hotel room and pulled out a blank postcard from Africa.

Willow

All is well. Give Kathryn my love and wish her a happy birthday for me.

Buffy

When Buffy was finished, she put a stamp on the back and set it down, reminding herself to take it to the mail box later, when she went out for the night.

She went to her tiny mini-fridge and took out a to-go-box of left-over tacos from the night before and put them in the microwave to heat up. Then she went to her closet and pulled out a tight, black halter top and some black boots. There was a decent club less than a mile away, and Buffy needed to let herself unwind. She'd only been in Brazil for two weeks, and there were more demons here than anywhere else she traveled, besides Sunnydale.

Buffy flipped on the television and started flipping through the channels. In all her time abroad, she'd picked up on the major languages; Spanish, French, German, and even some Japanese. She never stayed in one place longer than a month at a time, although there were places that she liked and re-visited every so often.

It had been 18 years since she'd left Sunnydale, and it was torture. Every day was filled with guilt for leaving Kathryn, and every night was filled with heartache over losing Angel again. Even after almost two decades, the pain in her heart had not subsided.

After Buffy had finished her dinner and relaxed in front of the tv for a while, she decided to head out. She dropped the postcard into the mailbox on her way by and then headed to the club.

Inside, she drew appreciative stares from the men and jealous ones from the women. Her skin held an even tan, and at 38 years old, Buffy Summers didn't look a day over 25. Perks of being a slayer she guessed. She went straight for the bar and ordered a fruity drink, then turned to watch the dancers on the floor.

She saw some faces that she'd begun to recognize from around town; the butcher, the girl that ran a ceramics shop, and…Riley Finn.

Buffy almost spit out her drink when she saw her ex-fiance and the father of her child. He was dressed in his army fatigues, surrounded by buddies, some of whom Buffy knew, most she didn't. Graham was there, as was Forrest, but Forrest was now sporting a nasty scar that reached from his chin to his hairline. Riley looked weathered, wrinkles had started to form around his eyes and mouth.

It was only a moment later that Riley noticed Buffy. For a moment, Buffy knew he didn't recognize her, and when he did, his face lit up. She was surprised by the reaction, she'd have thought he would be angry with her for leaving, especially without saying goodbye. She hadn't said goodbye to anyone but Willow.

"Buffy!" Riley was across the room and in front of Buffy in the blink of an eye. He swept her into a bear hug.

"Hey Riley." She pulled away and he held her at an arms length, looking over her.

"You look great Buffy. How are you?" Buffy smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. Riley had been good to her, and it was nice to see the face of someone she'd known during a better time.

"I'm good, I guess. Traveling a lot, killing demons, the usual. What about you? What are you doing in Brazil?"

"On assignment for a while. I was supposed to go home to celebrate Kathryn's birthday with her, but we aren't finished here yet." At the mention of Kathryn's name, Buffy's eyes filled with tears.

"I miss her," Buffy whispered.

"Are you meeting someone here, or would you like to get a drink somewhere…quieter?" Buffy considered for a moment, and then thought a connection to Sunnydale would be nice for the evening. And maybe for once she wouldn't be left by herself to think about Angel.

"I'm free. Let's go."

They walked a short way to a restaurant that was open late. It was surprisingly busy, but still quiet. Riley led Buffy to table in the back, where the lighting was low and they could talk about demons without being overheard.

"Tell me our little girl is happy Riley," Buffy asked as soon as they sat down. The waitress brought them both beer.

"She's happy, Buffy, I promise. Unfortunately, I don't see her often, but when I do I can't help but see you. She's exactly like you in almost every way…" Riley trailed off a little.

"Almost every way?" Buffy asked, curious to hear about her daughter. Riley laughed softly.

"Yes. Sometimes, she gets this look on her face and she starts to brood. I don't know where she gets that from," Riley shrugged. Buffy's heart was heavy, for she knew exactly where her daughter got that brooding from. Angel. Even though Kathryn couldn't possibly remember Angel, Buffy was sure that some of his mannerisms were hers now.

"How does she do in school?"

"Very well, from what I here. Willow is a good influence, forces Kathryn to put her intelligence to use. She plays soccer too, made varsity her first year of high school."

"Is she strong?" Riley knew the weight behind Buffy's use of the word strong.

"She is, but not quite as strong as you. She's fast, and her right hook could throw me halfway across the room, but she couldn't take on more than maybe two vampires at a time."

"Does she know about them?"

"Yes. I told her about them a few years ago, but she doesn't fight. She knows not to go out alone and she knows how to kill one in case of emergency. Willow and Xander keep her safe."

"Tell me how Willow and Xander are," Buffy pleaded. Riley took a sip of his beer and licked his lips.

"Willow and Tara are still together, married I guess you could say. They had a Wiccan ceremony a few years ago. Tara and Giles bought the Magic Box and run it together. Willow is a systems analyst for a big tech corporation. They do well for themselves, moved into the mansion not long after you left."

"And Xander?"

"He married Anya, believe it or not. They've got twins, a little boy and a little girl. As opposite as can be, the kids are. Xander worked his way up from construction to architect, he designs office buildings now. Anya stays home with the kids. For such a feminist, she sure does like being an old-school wife. The kids are about six, I think. They bought a house down the street from your mother's."

"How's my mom?"

"Oh God, I didn't know you didn't know. Buffy, she died. Only about a year after you left, she had a brain aneurism." Riley let the words sink in. A few tears slid down Buffy's cheeks, but she wiped them away.

"And Giles?" Buffy asked past the lump in her throat. She would grieve for her mother when she was alone.

"He moved into your mother's house. He was lost for a little while after you left, didn't know what to do now that he wasn't a Watcher, but the Magic Box gave him something to invest time in."

"Does Kathryn know about me and Angel?" Buffy asked. Riley's eyes clouded at the mention of Angel's name, but he continued unbiased.

"Willow and I talk a lot about you, and she's seen pictures. I think she has one of you and her from the day she was born in her room at Willow's. And she sort of knows about Angel. Willow misses him too, and can't usually bring herself to talk about him without crying. She's told Kathryn that she had another father who loved her very much, but isn't here now. Mostly I think that Willow thinks you should be the one to explain Angel to Kathryn. When she was little she insisted that she had a guardian angel, and when she described it, she described Angel as though she were staring at a picture. People started to call her Angel, and a few of her friends still do, though not in the house. Willow can't handle it." Buffy smiled, missing her best friend terribly.

"Angel wrote Kathryn a letter just before he died for her to read when she turned 18. Willow has it, I think. Are you angry at me for leaving?" Riley looked into Buffy's wide, sad eyes and loved her more than ever. He hadn't stopped, even after she'd run away and broken his heart.

"No. I know you were hurting, and I know that staying in Sunnydale would have been too much. I think that you needed to get away, and I'm glad you got to experience the world, which you wouldn't have gotten to do otherwise, but I also think that your friends and family miss you. And I think that our daughter needs her mother." Buffy couldn't deny that she wanted so badly to see her friends and the woman her daughter had turned into, but she was so afraid to be in Sunnydale without Angel.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered.

"How was school, Kathryn?" Tara asked as Kathryn walked inside the house with Willow and Alyssa in tow. She was sitting at the computer ordering more stock for the magic shop.

"School was school," she said with a shrug. Willow patted her on the shoulder.

"You're so much like your mother," she sighed. Willow scooted past Kathryn and gave Tara a chaste kiss. Kathryn looked back and rolled her eyes with a smile.

"You two are so in love it makes me sick," she giggled. Willow looked up at her and Kathryn noticed a rare sadness in her eyes.

"Someday I only hope you know the love that Tara and I, and your mother and father shared." Kathryn knew that this was one of those days that Willow missed Kathryn's mother like crazy. She was glad somebody did, because Kathryn felt almost nothing for the woman who'd abandoned her.

"My mother left my father when they were engaged and she was pregnant. Even Dad says that she never really loved him," Kathryn retorted. Willow sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"I meant Angel," she whispered, turning away from Kathryn. The young girl hadn't heard Willow's comment, and she was fine with that. There were times when Willow just didn't know what to do with Buffy's daughter. Looking at Kathryn every day reminded Willow of the best friend who might as well be dead, and it hurt more than she could bare.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" Alyssa asked, trying to break the tension and sadness that filled the room.

"Can we go dancing? I'm eighteen now, I can get into the Bronze!" Years ago the Bronze had adopted an age requirement. It was still the coolest place in town, and Willow and Tara still went with Anya and Xander occasionally. Kathryn had always begged for a fake id to get her in, but Willow refused.

"Alright. We can go to the Bronze," Willow sighed. The noise and the dancing would give her a welcome distraction anyway.

"Awesome! Angel, Dingoes Ate My Baby is playing tonight, they're so fetch, you'll love them!" Willow stopped dead at the use of the nickname. Kathryn noticed and whirled around on Alyssa.

"Shh. How many times have I told you not to call me that around family?"

"It's alright, Kathryn. And she's right, you'll love Dingoes."

"You know who they are?" Alyssa asked, astounded.

"They've been around a very long time."

"And we know one of the members," Tara clarified. Oz had come back to Sunnydale when Kathryn was four, and he and Willow still talked occasionally.

"Really? We know someone famous? Why didn't you tell me?" Kathryn asked, shocked that she didn't know someone Willow and Tara did.

"It's not important. Go get ready, we'll have dinner out first." Kathryn and Alyssa ran up the stairs of the mansion to pick out clothing.

The mansion itself had changed drastically in the eighteen years since Angel and Buffy occupied it. Colorful paintings were hung everywhere, and the floors were covered in carpets. Lamps had been placed on nearly every surface in order to brighten the room.

Willow wandered over to a chest at the end of the couch. It was ornately carved from cherry wood, Xander had made it a few years ago. Inside, Willow kept every postcard Buffy had sent to her over the past eighteen years, as well as pictures of them, pictures of Buffy and Angel, and the letter that Angel had written to Kathryn. Willow's fingers grazed the envelope.

"Willow, sweetie, not tonight. Let her have fun tonight," Tara whispered. She stood up and took Willow in her arms. She felt tears soaking through her blouse.

"I miss her so much, Tara. I just want Buffy to come home."

After the restaurant closed, Riley followed Buffy back to her hotel room. They sat and talked about everything they'd done since they'd last seen each other. Riley hadn't dated another woman since Buffy, and he'd traveled the world killing demons as well, the only difference being he went back to Sunnydale as often as he could.

"May I be frank?" Riley asked, looking intently at Buffy. She leaned her head to one side and smiled slightly.

"Sure."

"I think it's time for you to go home." Buffy laughed, and then leaned her head against Riley's shoulder.

"You know, I think it's time too."

"We'll go home together."

Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya sat at a high round table at the Bronze, listening to the Dingoes play. Their music was exactly the same, and it reminded Willow and Xander of easier days. Kathryn and Alyssa were dancing with two boys who looked like they were in college. Willow could see that it was taking every ounce of strength Xander had to keep from beating the boys to death.

"Xander, she's eighteen now, you can't control her love life," Willow laughed.

"Doesn't mean I don't want to," he muttered, holding Anya's hand.

"Just wait until your real daughter gets to the dating age."

Kathryn came bouncing up to the table, her cheeks flushed and her hair wild from dancing. She took a sip of Willow's water and laughed.

"Come dance you guys! Just because you're old doesn't mean you can't have a little fun!" Kathryn grabbed Willow and Tara's hands and pulled them to the floor, and Xander and Anya quickly followed.

Buffy nervously chewed her fingernails as she and Riley pulled up to the mansion. She would see her daughter for the first time in nearly eighteen years. Kathryn wouldn't even remember her.

Riley reached over from the driver's seat and grasped her hand. She smiled thinly at him, but kept her eyes on the front door.

Inside, Kathryn was doing her homework, lounging on her bed. She heard the rumble of a car engine and looked out the window, instantly recognizing her father's car. She threw her pen down and jumped from the bed, running down the stairs.

"Dad's home!" She screamed as she ran past Willow and Tara reading on the couch. They looked at each other and then got up and went to the door.

Kathryn bound outside just as Riley stepped from the car. She threw herself into his arms and he swung her around.

Kathryn didn't notice the petite blond that emerged from the passenger seat, but Willow and Tara did.

"Buffy?"