Oh my goodness. holds hand over heart You are so sweet =D All of you! You make me smile =D Smile big =D

Bunny: Yah, I know, lol. Thank you, I'm glad you like it so far. I only did the journal entry so you would kinda see what's going on... You know?

cowgirl4life: Damn you. I wish I had to get up in two hours and work horses. But, I'm a poor girl, and can't offord one, lol. Maybe some day. Thank you, you are so nice. You made me smile with your reviews.

wicked-angel3: I want to answer your questions, but no. lol. Then it'd all be ruined, and that wouldn't be good. You'll just have to read and see ;)

Thank you for all of your reviews, you're so kind, I love you all! lol.

Oh, and shit. I forgot to mention in the last chapter, that Darla and Hank are married, and she took his last name. K? But Angel didn't. But she did. K? K.

Buffy and Spike walked down the streets of Sunnydale, hand in hand. It had been a year since Faith's death, and Buffy had accepted it pretty well. Or, the better way to say it, was that she understood.

"I can't believe you want to do this luv," Spike said, looking down at her.

"It's Christmas Spike, and they're my family. Besides, Darla is your aunt, this baby is like your half cousin, and sort of like my baby brother," she said. "They invited us, and although I may not want to go, it's a must. Dawnie's already there and she's never going to want to leave once she sees Connor. Let her have some fun, will you? She's only just getting over Faith's death."

"I'm sorry luv. I just know the pain that your father put you through, I don't want you to have to relive that," he said, wrapping his arms around her.

"I have Giles now," Buffy said. "He's all the dad and more that I could ever want. And you, you no longer are parentless. You have two fathers who love you... But not, together... Seperately... Shutting up..."

"Things sure have changed since last year, eh pet?"

"Yeah, they have."

The two walked in silence up the driveway of the Summers house. Buffy squeezed Spike's hand tightly as they knocked on the door.

It opened, and Darla stood there, a smile on her face, a baby on her hip. "Buffy, William."

"Spike," he mumbled.

"Hello Cutie," Buffy said, playing with Connor's little hand.

He giggled loudly and Darla looked at the two before moving aside. "Come in, Hank's setting up the table and Dawnie is in the living room."

Buffy smiled and followed her inside, Spike behind her. Hank came out of the dining room and a small smile formed on his face when he saw his daughter.

"Buffy," he said. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you," she said, still gripping Spike's hand. "Thank you both for inviting us."

"Of course," Darla said. "You're family."

"Right," Buffy said. "Spike, lets go and sit with Dawn."

"Supper will be ready in ten minutes," Darla called after them, then turned to Hank. "Angel better be home."

"He'll be here sweetie," Hank said, leaning forward and kissing her forehead.
Ten minutes later, Buffy was sitting on the sofa watching Spike and Dawn play on the floor. She was glad they got along, it made things a lot easier.

The door opened, and you could hear giggling coming from it. Buffy perked up, and waited to see who had came home. She thought it might be Angel, but he wouldn't be with a girl... Would he?

Angel appeared in the living room, a smile on his face. "Buffy, you came. I'm glad."

Buffy smiled and stood up. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I wouldn't miss it."

She pulled away, and he noticed the cross necklace on her neck. "You're still wearing that?" he asked. "I gave it to you last Christmas."

"I like it," she said. "Besides, it's kind of a reminder of everything that's happened since we first came here last year."

He smiled, then turned towards the doorway. "I'd like you to meet someone..."

A blonde girl appeared beside him, and she wrapped her arms around his torso.

"Buffy, this is Nina. My girlfriend."

Buffy was speechless for a minute. "Your girlfriend? Wow. Um... I'm happy for you."

"Maybe I should go..." Nina said, looking at Buffy's expression.

"No, sorry. I'm just a little surprised. But no, don't go," Buffy said. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too," Nina said. "Angel's talked a lot about you."

"Really? Just what did he say?" Buffy said, smiling. She felt Spike wrap his arms around her shoulders. "Spike, this is Nina, Angel's girlfriend."

"Angel's got a new girl?" Spike asked.

"Why is this such a surprise?" Nina asked, looking up at Angel.

He looked down at her, then over to Buffy. "It's just Angel doesn't usually bring home girlfriends. He had a bad break-up, and it um... Broke him," she said.

"You never told me this," Nina said. "When'd you break up?"

"Last year, 'bout this time," Spike answered for him.

Angel just glared at his cousin, before turning back to Nina. "It isn't important. It's over, I'm with you now."

Buffy could see the pain in his eyes as the memories of Faith filled his mind. It had been a year, and he hadn't moved on until now. He had been so settled with Faith, it had felt so right, and the two were deeply in love. And then she was gone.

Poor Angel, Buffy thought.

"Angel," Dawn said, running over to him. "Who's she?"

"Nina, my girlfriend. Nina, this is Dawn," he said.

"Pleased to meet you," Nina said, extending her hand, but Dawn just stared, so she brought it back. "Angel talks about you all the time."

"Funny, he never mentioned you," Dawn said, and walked past them into the dining room.

"Dinner's ready!" Darla called.

"If this isn't awkward," Spike whispered into Buffy's ear as the two walked into the dining room. "But then again, this is the Summers' house."