I really wanted to write a Christmas story and this all just started coming together. It's all human, all romance, and very Christmas movie-esque. Please leave some feedback and let me know what you think!
PART 1
"Buffy, how could you do this? I thought you loved Riley," Willow lamented as she looked up at her friend who sighed sadly.
"I care about Riley," she answered honestly as she sank onto the couch next to her best friend. "But I wasn't in love with him."
"Then why did you agree to marry him?" she wanted to know and Buffy shrugged.
"Everybody wanted me to marry him," she replied and Willow looked over at her questioningly. "And he was good to me…" she trailed off. "I think you guys loved him more than I did," she mused.
"We didn't meant to push him on you," she assured her and Buffy nodded. "We just wanted you to be happy. You seemed happy," she whispered and a few tears leaked out of the redhead's eyes. "I'm sorry," she apologized feeling responsible for the broken engagement.
"It's not your fault, Will," Buffy assured her. "It's mine. I shouldn't have said yes in the first place," she pointed out. "I just know that I should want that normal life in Iowa," she muttered as her head fell against the back of the couch.
"But you don't," Willow finished for her and Buffy shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know what I want," she admitted feeling lost and alone. "I just know that Riley isn't the answer."
"What about your mom?" Willow asked knowing that Joyce had been the conductor of the 'get Buffy married' train. "You told her you were bringing your fiancé to Christmas," Willow reminded her and Buffy squeezed her eyes shut.
"I don't know," she whispered feeling exhausted as the day's events caught up with her.
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"She what?" Cordelia exclaimed as she walked into her brother's dark apartment. "How could she do that?"
"Cordy," Angel said tiredly wondering why he had even bothered calling her. He knew she would come over once she heard the news.
"Who does Darla think she is?" she ranted as she slammed her purse onto the kitchen table. "Breaking up with my brother the week before Christmas," she scoffed and Angel sighed as he watched her pace around his apartment. "How are you?" she finally asked as she calmed down and Angel shrugged.
"Fine," he answered and Cordelia's face softened as she took in his appearance. He hadn't showered, shaved, or even gotten dressed that morning.
"Angel, you were together for almost two years," she reminded him and he merely leaned against the doorframe in response. "She couldn't have just walked out. What happened?" she wanted to know but he stayed silent for a long time. Cordelia let him gather his thoughts having known him long enough to understand he needed time to sort through things himself before he'd share them.
"We hadn't been happy for a long time," he finally admitted and Cordy looked at him sympathetically. "She was cheating on me. I ignored it," he told her and Cordelia shook her head in disgust. She had never liked Darla and she hadn't bothered to hide that fact from her brother. "I wanted to take her out tonight," he continued, his eyes staring at the floor. "Just the two of us. I thought maybe I could try to be better for her. Maybe we could get things back on track for the holidays," he shrugged and Cordelia felt her heart break for her brother. He always put the needs of others before his own, whether he should or not.
"Angel, it's not your fault," she assured him knowing that he would blame himself for a problem that had Darla written all over it. "She used you, Angel," Cordy said gently and Angel glanced up for a minute and then nodded solemnly.
"I know," he agreed and suddenly Cordelia brightened up.
"Doyle and I are taking you out tonight," she announced and Angel rolled his eyes. "We are," she insisted and he sighed knowing there was no way to convince her otherwise. "We'll go to the Bronze. Maybe you can meet someone, you know, have a little fun of your own," she hinted and Angel contemplated his options.
He was going out tonight. Cordy had made that clear. He could go out and sit silently at the table or he could go and try and pursue someone for the night. It was never difficult for him to get any girl's attention and it might help get his mind off Darla… He shook his head knowing he would only feel guilty afterwards. The girls there were usually younger than him, still in college, and he couldn't help but feel he was taking advantage of them.
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"Are you sure this is okay?" Willow asked as she followed Buffy into the Bronze. "Oz would understand if we missed the Dingoes' gig tonight. What with the whole Riley thing and everything," she rambled but Buffy grabbed her hand and pulled her into the club.
"Willow, I NEED this," she insisted and Willow sighed as they got to a table but Buffy didn't stop there. "I'll be at the bar."
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"Come on Angel," Doyle stated as he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "There's plenty of girls out there that would love a little attention from you," he assured him but Angel shook his head and made his way to a table in the corner. "Alright," Doyle trailed off. "I'll get you a drink, how's that?" he offered walking off with Cordelia before Angel could respond.
Instead he rested his elbows on the table and scanned the crowd around him. As usual most of the girls there were in high school or college, but at least spending the night here would get Cordelia off his back. He quickly grabbed the drink Doyle placed in front of him and then Doyle disappeared onto the dance floor with Cordelia. Angel raised the glass to his lips, weighing the possibilities of the night. He could find a girl. He could get drunk. He could get drunk and find a girl. Or he could wait until Cordelia finally let him go home.
He let out a tired sigh before he quickly drained his drink. He looked around the room again and this time his eyes were drawn to a girl clearly encouraging her redheaded friend towards the backstage door. The redhead seemed reluctant to leave her friend, but she wasn't giving her much of a choice. Angel could hear them laughing before the redhead walked away and he had an unobstructed view of the friend. His breath caught in his throat as he took in her appearance.
She was gorgeous.
Just absolutely out of this world, drop dead gorgeous. Her blond hair curled softly and his fingers clenched around his glass as he unconsciously thought about running them through her hair. He couldn't see what color her eyes were from here, but fortunately for him he could see her body. She was dressed in tight jeans that hugged her every curve and he found himself reconsidering his decision to go home alone tonight.
As the blond sat back down at her table, the bright smile faded from her face and a deep sadness seemed to take over her features. She ran a hand through her hair and blew out a breath before downing her drink in one swallow.
He couldn't help but wonder why she was putting on such a show for her friend. The redhead seemed to think she was happy, but clearly this beautiful blond was anything but. How was nobody with her? He ran a hand down his face as he fought with himself over what to do. His body was practically screaming at him to go to her, talk to her…just do something with her. But he'd just gotten out of a serious relationship this morning. And clearly she had a lot going on…she looked heartbroken.
"Fuck it," he muttered under his breath pushing away from his table and walking to hers before he lost his nerve. When he was a few steps away he saw Doyle give him a thumbs up from the bar and he sighed knowing he'd never hear the end of it now. He ignored Doyle for the moment and slid into the chair across from this girl that had captured his attention. She glanced up from the table she had been staring at, clearly surprised she had company. She offered a small smile that didn't reach her eyes and Angel returned it.
"I'm sorry to bother you," he told her and she finally gave him a real smile.
"No you're not," she replied at he looked up at her in shock. "Well, you came over here for a reason. You obviously intended to bother me," she pointed out and Angel found himself smiling despite himself.
"Fair enough," he stated and she nodded slightly before the smiles faded from their faces. They fell silent and he noticed her staring at him.
"I come here a lot. I've never seen you here before," she said and he shrugged slightly.
"My sister made me come," he admitted as he gestured to where Cordelia and Doyle were dancing happily.
"Your sister is Cordelia Chase?" Buffy exclaimed with a hint of something in her voice that Angel couldn't decipher, and he looked up in surprise. How did they know each other? "We graduated high school together," she answered his silent question and she turned to look at him. "You didn't go to Sunnydale High," she stated rather than asked and he shook his head.
"Cordy's my half-sister," he told her. "We have the same father but didn't know about each other until his funeral," he explained as his mind travelled back to the day he'd met Cordelia. "Then I moved here to be closer to my family," he shrugged and Buffy nodded as she took in the information.
"She might not like you talking to me," Buffy warned but Angel merely shook his head.
"She's grown up a lot since high school," he assured her and Buffy sighed.
"I'm sorry," she said taking a deep breath. "I'm sure you're right. We all have. It's just been a long day," she admitted before her eyes widened slightly. "A REALLY long day."
"Yeah, I know the feeling," Angel agreed before locking eyes with her. "You want to get out of here? Go somewhere else?" he asked and she nodded immediately, obviously not wanting to be at the Bronze another minute. She picked up her things and stood up from the table, and Angel didn't hesitate. "Do you need to tell your friend you're leaving?" he asked but she shook her head.
"Her boyfriend's in the band. She'll go home with him tonight anyways," she told him and he nodded before she led him out of the club.
"Where to?" he asked and she sighed.
"Well if your day has been anything like mine, you want to get drunk," she said and he nodded enthusiastically.
"You read my mind," he murmured as he wondered why they didn't just stay at the Bronze to get drunk. But this was better. It was too loud in there and they couldn't talk.
"Can we go to Willie's?" Buffy asked and he glanced down at her in surprise. Darla had never wanted to go there. He supposed it wasn't high class enough for her tastes. "My fiancé would never let me go there because it was 'too gross,'" she said rolling her eyes. "Please," she asked when he didn't answer.
"Yeah. Sure," he replied as soon as his surprise faded and she led the way to the bar that was a few blocks away.
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They both sat at the bar, on their second drink only seconds after arriving. The guys in the bar had been staring at her since they'd walked in and Angel felt his protective streak rise to the surface. He moved a little closer to her, making sure it was clear to everyone that they were there together. As she swirled the ice in her drink Angel sighed knowing he wasn't going to be able to get this off his mind. He was going to have to ask.
"So," Angel began and she spared a glance in his direction. "Fiancé?" he asked raising his glass to his lips yet again.
"I told you it had been a long day," she reminded him and he nodded waiting for her to elaborate. "We were always on and off," she explained, the alcohol loosening her up enough to discuss this. "Everyone pushed for us to get married, so a few months ago, when Riley proposed I said yes," she stated simply and he found himself selfishly hoping that they had ended things.
"Do you love him?" he asked, his voice strained so he quickly took another drink to hide how much her presence seemed to be affecting him.
"Sure," she shrugged and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. What the hell was she doing here then? "Like I imagine I'd love a brother if I had one," she finished and he glanced over at her to see nothing but honesty in her eyes. "So I ended it this morning," she stated and he watched as her lips curved around the glass as she sipped. "Right before Christmas," she added guiltily.
"Well you and my girlfriend have that in common," he murmured as he signaled for more drinks for the both of them.
"Do you love her?" she repeated his question but he shook his head.
"Hell no," he answered surprising her with his vehement response. "I did once. We were together over a year and a half. Things were good for a while," he began when his fresh drink arrived and he downed over half of it quickly before continuing. The alcohol was starting to get to him and he wondered how this tiny girl next to him could hold her liquor. She'd had just as much to drink as he had.
"What happened?" she wanted to know and Angel was forced back on track.
"Everything," he answered with an eye roll. "She cheated on me all the time. God only knows with who," he muttered angrily. "I tried to be enough for her, tried to fix things, but I couldn't," he sighed and Buffy could see the sadness in his eyes. Her head was already spinning from all the drinks she'd had, but rather than stopping she grabbed the one in front of her and drank that too. "Cordelia always said Darla wasn't good for me," he said with a bitter laugh when Willie glanced over at him.
"Darla?" he asked and Angel nodded wondering why the bartender was talking to them. "Blond, beautiful, husky voice?" he asked and when Angel nodded again Willie shook his head. "Sorry man, but she came in here at least once a week. Always left with somebody different," he told him and Angel snorted before downing the drink in front of him and shoving the glass towards Willie for a refill.
"Of course she did," he murmured quietly and Buffy could see that hurt him. "That's why she refused to come here with me," he mused and he drained the new drink Willie had provided him with.
"We're both better off," Buffy stated firmly as she raised her glass in a toast. Angel grabbed the new drink that magically appeared in front of him and clinked it against hers.
"It seems we are," he agreed and they both took a drink before setting their glasses down on the bar.
"What's your name?" she asked suddenly and he stopped as he realized he'd spent over an hour with this girl and he didn't know her name. "What is it?" she asked impatiently as she tugged insistently on the sleeve of his leather jacket and he knew the alcohol was starting to affect her.
"A-Angel," he stammered as he looked into her eyes, twinkling with happiness for the first time since he'd met her.
"I'm Buffy," she offered and he reached into his wallet and grabbed a few bills. It was too much…but his muddled brain couldn't do the math so he threw it all onto the bar and wrapped his arms around her. "What are you doing?" she asked even as she stood up with him.
"I'm taking you home," he stated simply even as he stumbled slightly on his way out the door. "But I don't know where you live."
"That way," she pointed sideways to the left and he hoped that she was coherent enough to remember correctly. She could barely walk, he realized as they began the journey to her house. She would trip over her own feet and giggle at her clumsiness.
"I shouldn't have let you drink so much," he mused as he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and held her up as they walked.
"Since when am I your responsibility?" she challenged and he sighed realizing she was right. It wasn't his fault. "Besides, this has been one of the best nights I've had in a long time," she admitted and Angel silently agreed with her. "I'll be paying for it tomorrow though," she muttered and he was amazed at how coherent her thoughts were even when she could barely walk. "Oooh, we're almost to my house," she exclaimed and in her excitement she stumbled slightly. He caught her and held her tightly; pulling her closer to him to make sure she didn't fall.
"You need to be careful," he scolded, worried she was going to hurt herself and in his own inebriated state he wouldn't be able to stop it.
She shrugged before she pulled him in the direction of a house. "That's my house," she stated as she reached into her back pocket and pulled out a key. She hurried up the stairs, tripping slightly up the last one and catching herself against the door. "That wasn't too graceful," she giggled as she slid the key into the lock. "I guess stairs are not on the agenda tonight," she mused aloud as she stepped inside.
She stubbed her toe on the door and with a frown she took off her shoe, rubbing her toe. He couldn't leave her like this. She needed help. With a sigh Angel walked up the stairs and into the house behind her.
"We need to get you to bed," he told her but she shook her head defiantly. He shut her front door and locked it, not sure how long he would be there.
"When Buffy's drunk, Buffy sleeps on the couch," she pointed to the couch in the living room and Angel felt a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"When Buffy's drunk does Buffy always speak in the third person?" he asked but she shrugged with a smile.
"When Buffy's this drunk she doesn't remember things the next morning so she doesn't know," she explained soundly as she reached for his hand distractedly. "You are a very nice man," she told him and all joking tones were lost from her voice.
"You're beautiful," he offered, his brain working too slowly to control the words coming out of his mouth. "Really beautiful," he whispered as his fingers tightened around hers. His eyes locked on hers as her free hand met his chest. He rested his other hand on her hip, telling himself it was so she wouldn't fall.
"Angel," she murmured before she stood on her tiptoes and captured his lips in hers. She kissed him softly and he felt her moan at the first contact of his mouth. He increased the pressure of his lips, finding it impossible to control himself after all the alcohol he had consumed. His tongue slid into her mouth and he felt her body melting into his. She pulled away rather abruptly and he was left feeling the loss of her lips. "Stay here tonight," she whispered kissing his jaw lightly. "You're drunk. You shouldn't walk home alone," she told him and he felt himself nodding even as she stepped away from him.
She disappeared for a moment and he ran a hand through his hair. What the hell was that? His lips still tingled from hers, but he couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on. He didn't know this girl. She clearly had a lot of baggage. But she did something to him.
"You can sleep on the floor," she offered as she dropped two blankets and two pillows onto the floor near the couch. "And just so you know, I don't understand why Darla had to cheat on you. You're a fantastic kisser," she stated confidently which shocked him into silence. How could she act so nonchalant about this? "Good night," she yawned before collapsing onto the couch and promptly falling asleep.
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"Oh God," he heard a groan and it took him a moment to remember where he was. He looked around and realized he was still on the floor at Buffy's house and she had just woken up on the couch. "Angel?" she asked and he stared up at her silently. "How did I get home last night?" she wondered and his breath caught in his throat.
"You don't remember?" he asked and she shook her head but grimaced at the pain it caused. "We walked. Then I just stayed here," he finished dumbly and she nodded before falling back against the couch.
She didn't remember. If she didn't remember how they got here she wouldn't remember kissing him either. He sighed out loud knowing that he should just forget about it. They'd both been drunk, vulnerable, and severely depressed. It didn't mean anything. But damn, it had been a good kiss. It was hazy, but he remembered that much.
Suddenly the ringing of his cell phone jerked him from his thoughts. He pulled it from his pocket, groaning aloud when he saw Darla's name on the screen. What the hell did she want?
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked and he sighed.
"It's Darla," he answered wondering whether or not he should answer it. He held the phone with his thumb hovering over the ignore button but Buffy yanked it out of his hands.
"Hello?" she answered, not bothering to hide the sleep from her voice. Angel's eyes widened as he realized what she was doing.
"Who the hell is this?" Darla demanded and Buffy couldn't hide the smile from her face, but her voice didn't betray anything.
"Who is this?" she countered and Angel felt his mouth curving into a smile. "You called me."
"I called my boyfriend," she retorted and Buffy raised an eyebrow as she put the phone on speakerphone so Angel could hear.
"Oh I think I grabbed the wrong phone…" Buffy played innocent and Angel scooted closer to the couch to hear the conversation better. "I guess you want Angel?"
"Yes!" Darla exclaimed and Buffy fought off a laugh at the defiance she could hear from the other woman.
"He's still sleeping. We were out late last night celebrating," Buffy told her and Darla scoffed on the other end of the phone. "I'll tell him you called," she assured her.
"Don't bother," Darla huffed before hanging up abruptly.
"That was mean," Angel chuckled as Buffy tossed him his phone.
"Ironically I learned it from Cordelia back in high school. She dated my friend Xander," she explained and Angel moved to sit on the couch next to her.
"Well Darla definitely deserved that," he stated and Buffy nodded before they both fell back asleep on the couch.
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"Buffy Summers?" Cordelia asked as soon as she walked into Angel's apartment later that day. "Harmony saw you leave last night with her. She's engaged, you know," she accused and Angel looked up from his book and sighed.
"Not anymore," he told her and Cordelia looked at him curiously. "She broke it off yesterday morning. That's why she was so upset last night," he explained and Cordelia took a deep breath before sitting in a chair across from Angel. "She doesn't like you, by the way," he offered and Cordelia shrugged.
"I don't blame her," she sighed settling into the recliner and making herself at home. "I was a real bitch to her and Willow. Especially after I dated Xander."
"Be nice to her Cordy," Angel ordered and she stared at him as a huge smile took over her face.
"You like her?" she exclaimed in excitement but he shook his head. "You do Angel! That's adorable," she squealed and Angel rolled his eyes.
"I don't know her Cordy. We just got drunk together last night, okay?" he replied but she wasn't going to drop it.
"What happened between you two?" she questioned and Angel groaned at how persistent his sister could be. "I know you didn't come home last night."
"Nothing," he insisted. "I slept at her house. On the floor," he continued at Cordelia's excited expression. He decided not to tell her how he'd woken up with Buffy's head on his shoulder after falling asleep next to her on the couch this morning.
"Well, Buffy is certainly a step up from Darla," she assured him. "So just so you know, I approve."
"Gee, thanks Cordy," he deadpanned but she ignored him.
"Me and Doyle are staying here for Christmas this year," she announced and Angel's head snapped up to meet hers.
"Why?" he asked wondering why the two of them would end their tradition of taking a ski trip for Christmas and New Year's like they had for the past three years they'd been together.
"We just think it's time for something new," she shrugged but he shook his head seeing through her lie.
"I'm fine Cordy," he promised. "Go on your trip," he ordered but Cordelia shook her head.
"We're not going to leave you here alone on Christmas," she told him but he glared at her. "You had Darla last year. And that was when you two were still happy," she reminded him. "And before that you still had Kathy…" she trailed off and stopped as soon as she saw the sadness take over Angel's face. "Look Angel, we're staying. That's it."
"I don't want you to stay here because of me," he told her feeling guilty for ruining his sister and best friend's Christmas.
"We love you Angel. Think of it as a family Christmas," she offered cheerfully but he sighed trying to think of a way to get her to still go on the vacation she deserved. Besides, Doyle had told him he had something special planned for her this year on their ski trip. He couldn't let them miss it.