Redemption

by kinoa

This is the final book in the The PTB'S Boss Sends Help trilogy. Angel will become human a little at a time. He is being given time to adjust. The families will increase. Who will die first Angel or Cordelia?

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I PRESENT TO YOU

David William Wyndham Price

And

Robert Patrick Wyndham Price

Born

November 15th at 3:20 P.M.

Wesley hit the ground running as soon as the helicopter landed on the Los Angeles Hospital emergency landing facilities. Giles was there to meet him and they almost ran down to the maternity ward. Giles took Wesley to Fred's room. Just as they approached the room Dr. Martin came out.

"Congratulations Daddy. Fred is sleeping right now. Would you like to see your boys before you see Fred because she'll be sleeping for the next few hours at least?" "Yes please." Wesley said. Dr. Martin took his hand and guided him over to the intensive care unit for babies. Giles waited outside while Dr. Martin took Wesley in and helped him with a gown and mask after she had put her own on. Dr. Martin took his hand then and guided him through all of the machines and tiny beds with tubes going in and out of tiny premature babies that he guessed were no more than 1 to 3 lbs. Next to a post he saw two incubators with towels draped over them. On each incubator a sign read Wyndham Price. When Wesley saw these he stopped and found that he couldn't move. "Come on Wesley it's only a few more steps and you'll see your sons." "I can't move, my legs won't move." Dr. Martin turned to him then and took both of his hands in hers.

"There is nothing to be afraid of Wesley. They are the sons that you and Fred created with Gods help. They are a reflection of your love for each other." Wesley tried moving one foot at a time and found that he could move now. He swallowed a couple of times then and moved so that he was standing in front of the incubators. Dr. Martin lifted the towels so he could see his sons. "This is your oldest son he was born first and this is your youngest son." "Can I touch them?" "Yes, but you have to put your hands in through these gloves for now. So far we haven't found anything wrong with them. We have them in these incubators just as a precaution. As you can see they have good color to their skin and they are breathing on their own. Dr. Thompson, Hunter and I talked about it when we saw the last sonogram and we believe they were conceived earlier then what we thought. As you can see they are a nice size for being 7 months so we are guessing that Fred and you conceived them at least 4 weeks earlier. They are through developing into babies and all of their organs seem to be working just fine. We are waiting for the results of the last tests to be given to us, but we are all confident that they will show that your sons are in perfect condition."

Wesley slowly put his hand into the gloves for the first incubator. He could feel the warmth of the interior. "It feels so warm inside." "Don't forget where they have been for the last 8 months Wesley. They were in a constant temperature of around 98 degrees." Wesley moved his hand over his sons head. He looked at his tiny hands and feet and then he unfastened his diaper and checked him. Everything that was supposed to be there was where it was supposed to be. He refastened the diaper then went to his youngest son and did the same thing.

"Can I write my sons names on their charts?" "Yes you certainly may Wesley." Dr. Martin picked up the chart for the oldest baby and gave Wesley a pen. "Put his name here." She pointed to a line then gave him the chart. Wesley wiped his tears with his sleeve so he could see what he was doing. Then he carefully wrote down the name

Name: David William Wyndham Price

Then she gave him the chart for his youngest son and pointed out the line where he could write the name. Wesley had to stop and think for a second before he remembered the name they had decided on.

Name: Robert Patrick Wyndham Price

Dr. Martin took the charts and put them back. "Those are good names Wesley. Fit for a Wyndham Price." "Yeah we thought so to. We thought about it for a long time and finally settled on these just last week." Wesley continued to look at his sons. "They are beautiful aren't they?" "Yes they are Wesley. Let's go and see Fred now okay?" "Yes, let's go." Dr. Martin talked to the nurse for a second and let her know that the father had wrote the boys names on their charts. After removing their gowns they returned to Fred's room. Dr. Martin opened the door carefully and walked in while pulling Wesley behind her. She stood to the side while Wesley went to his wife and gave her a gentle kiss. Dr. Martin pulled a chair over to the bed for Wesley. He thanked her then sat down.

"Wesley I brought you a pair of your sweat pants so you could change into them and then you can lay down on the bed with Fred. I don't think it would feel very good to have your rough jeans next to her skin. If you want to you can take a shower in the private bathroom here. Later tonight at 8:30 Rupert and I will come and get you." Wesley started to say something when Dr. Martin put up her hand. "Don't argue with me on this Wesley I want Fred to have a good nights sleep tonight. I'll bring you back when I come to check on her and your sons are brought in for their first meal. I'll see you later." Dr. Martin left then and closed the door carefully. She stopped at the nurses station and gave instructions as to her care and the fact that she would be back to pick up Mr. Price at 8:30 tonight. She found Rupert sitting in the father's waiting room.

"What are you doing sitting in here?" "I'm having fun watching the expectant fathers. See the man with the blue suit over in the corner." "Yes." His wife answered. "When the nurse came in to get him so he could attend the birth of his baby he got half way out of the room and fainted." Rupert put the paper he was hiding behind up higher so they couldn't see him laughing. "You see the other man in the corner with his leg shaking a mile a minute. His leg hasn't stopped doing that ever since he came back from the delivery room. I suspect he fainted also and the nurse had to bring him back. She gave him a cup of water and a cold wash cloth then left." "You're terrible laughing at those poor men. Let's go home I'm tired." Giles put the paper down and put his arm around his wife and pulled her close to him so he could give her a kiss. "You spend so much of your time taking care of others that I think I will take care of you the rest of the day. Let's go."

Back at the camp site Angel was sitting down at one of the logs they were using as a chair of sorts. He had nonchalantly poured himself and Mike a cup of coffee since nothing was put away. When he had returned with Mike they had found three strangers at the camp site and one of them had a rifle barrel pointed at the back of Connors head. Spike was tied up so tight that if he had been human he would have lost the circulation in his hands and legs. Apparently he had been hit in the head with the butt of a rifle because he was also out cold. Gunn was sitting beside Connor and Toby had his leash on him and was sitting in between Connor's legs.

"So to whom do we owe the honor of this visit?" "You, Angel, owe it to your many fans. Did you know that you are what is called a living legend among our kind and most of the demon world. Even out here in this primeval forest your exploits have reached my ears. Your kindness and concern for your clients is also legendary. They are even talking about how you took on the Demon Court for having the audacity of beating up and raping your adoptive mother. And last but not least apparently the Vampires that tortured you talked a lot at the local demon bars before they were killed."

"In other words you came all this way and went through all this trouble of tying up my Childe and threatening my son with a loaded gun just to get my autograph."

Mike looked at Angel. He couldn't believe he was so calm while dealing with this man or Vampire or demon or whatever he was. While he was about ready to pee in his pants he was so scared.

"No Angel I don't want your autograph but I do need a huge favor from you. If you agree I will be eternally grateful to you and we know how long that could be." "Before I listen to your request I would appreciate it if you would untie my Childe and put your rifle down."

The stranger put his rifle down and signaled to one of the others to untie Spike. Mike went over to Spike and checked him as soon as he was untied.

"He's going to have a headache but I think he'll be okay." Mike told Angel.

"Okay now I would like for you and the other 2 to sit down and tell me who you are and what it is that you want."

The stranger sat down next to Angel and put his rifle between them. "We are real hungry I don't suppose you can spare some food and some blood if you have any?" "Sure, if you tell me your name first." Angel asked once again.

"I was christened Daniel Francois D'Chambeau but I am more commonly known as Chambeau. These are my children. Like you I didn't think that their mother and I could have children. You see, just like your son, their mother was a vampire also. My children are paternal twins and possess many of their mothers and my vampire powers. Unlike you though I do not have a soul and neither did their mother. Our demons just were not that dangerous. My wife, more or less, died in child birth when she bled dry and after several months I decided to end her suffering and drove a spike through her heart. I had my hands full with taking care of two normal human babies after that." While Chambeau was talking Angel had started to cook some food for them and warm up several bottles of blood for himself, Spike and Chambeau.

While Chambeau was explaining who he was Spike had come to and was sitting up and listening as well. Mike had taken some ice out of the ice chest and gave him some to put on the back of his head where a sizable bump had formed. Chambeau's children though stayed alert and held onto their rifles.

Within just a few minutes Angel had potatoes on the fire and bread and tortillas wrapped up in tinfoil and on top of some hot coals. Angel had the last of the chili in a small pan on the fire also just in case anyone wanted it. "Okay how do you want your steaks?" Chambeau answered for his children. "I'll take mine rare of course and my children each like theirs medium rare." "You guys can go over to the pale that is by the tent and wash up. Your steaks should be ready in just a few minutes. There are cold drinks inside the ice chest also if that is what you like." Angel told them.

As soon as the steaks were done the three men sat down and started eating as though they were starving. Angel gave Chambeau his bottle of warmed blood and he drank it greedily. When they were done Connor started cleaning everything up and packing it away into Gunn's truck.

"Now that you've all eaten do you think that you're ready to tell me what this is all about?" Angel asked Chambeau.

"I paid someone to investigate you and your family Angel. I wanted to know what kind of vampire you really were and how you treated everyone." While they were talking Gunn, Connor, Mike and Spike came and sat around the fire with them.

"Yes we know about the investigation. We just didn't know who was doing the investigation. My son and several other people in the family saw your man watching us and several people we know have told us about him asking questions about us. Are you here to tell us why you have been investigating me and my family?"

Chambeau looked at one of his children and gestured to the smallest one to come to him. "Take your hat and jacket off dear." What Connor saw when the person reached for their hat and pulled it off made him fall backwards over the log his father and him had been sitting on. "Angel I would like to introduce you to my daughter Louise. We call her Lou." Angel stood up and reached for Lou's hand and shook it. "Hello Lou." Connor stepped forward and when Lou reached out to shake his hand he took it in his but instead of shaking it he bent forward and kissed her hand. Angel and Chambeau looked at each other and looked at their children.

Lou stepped over to both Spike and Gunn and shook their hand. Chambeau then introduced his son. "Men I would like to introduce my son Tom." Everyone shook hands then Tom stepped back and stood behind his father.

"Angel, I have a considerable amount of money, like most of our kind that have lived long enough, stashed away in Swiss banks. The life that I and my children live is a hard life and we have chosen it and it's okay for my son and I because we are men, but it's a life that is very hard for a woman. I have told my daughter that I want her to live with other people and especially other women. She needs the companionship of other women." Chambeau got up and leaned in close to Angel. "Can we go away from the rest for a few minutes I don't want to say what I have to say in front of the others." Angel stood up then and they walked a short distance away where they were safe from Vampire ears.

"Angel my daughter needs other women to teach her about herself and what women go through every month. I am sure you can understand when I say that I didn't know anything about what women go through each month because my wife didn't have to deal with it anymore. I can't begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have to go into town and the library and read a book about these things then having to go to the store and buy all of the stuff she needed. Then I had to figure out how she was going to deal with it since we moved around and we couldn't carry around bulky items. When I went into town the next time to buy supplies I noticed that the woman at the register was in her 60's and looked very sympathetic to my problem as I stood in front of the shelf where they had all of that stuff. If I could have shown embarrassment I would have turned beet red. I was so frustrated with my situation that I told her about my wife dieing and that my daughter didn't have anyone to talk to about these things. She went into her apartment which was connected to the store and she came back with this old book that was made for young girls and told them all about what was happening to their bodies and how to take care of the problem. Then she helped me with getting everything else that she needed. I tell you Angel I was so grateful for her help that I actually hugged her. I haven't spoken to God since I was turned Angel but that day I did. I walked out of that store thanking Him for sending that woman to me."

Chambeau started walking back to everyone else then. "I am telling you all of this Angel because I would like you to take my daughter back with you and let her live with you until she has finished her schooling and she can then make an informed decision as to what she wants to do with her life. I am hoping that she will find someone that she can fall in love with and have a normal family life.

"Before I was turned I was a school teacher so I have taught my children the basics of reading, writing and math. She has a lot of catching up to do and I know you have a lot of smart people in your family that can help her. She is 15 years old and can help around the Hotel. Like I told you before my children have inherited a lot of their mothers and my powers and she has to learn how to deal with them around normal society. I can provide all of the money that she needs to live and I can even pay you to take care of her. I want her to go onto college if possible and I'll pay for that also." Angel looked at Lou.

"What do you want to do Lou?" "I want to stay with my father and brother but I will do as my father has said. He is my father and I know that he loves me very much but he wants what is best for me. I will miss him and my brother but I know that I need to do this." Lou spoke with a slight accent that he knew she picked up from her father. He then asked her in French if she spoke it. She answered with a yes. Angel looked at his son. He noticed that Connor hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

"Okay Chambeau I will take your daughter but you don't have to provide any money for her. I know that this is sudden but I need to know how to contact you if I have to. My associates will have to talk to you so that we can set up all of the papers that she needs to show that she is a citizen of the United States. I don't suppose you have birth certificates for your children?" "No I don't I delivered them myself." "Okay we'll take care of that also. Say good bye to your daughter Chambeau we have to get going as soon as we can break camp. My associate's wife just had their babies and we have to get back home as soon as possible. We have just come back from town where he was picked up by a helicopter to take him to Los Angeles." Angel then started helping to take the tent down and load up Gunn's truck. The last thing they did was to put out the fire and cover it with dirt and throw the last of the water on it.

Chambeau had walked off a little ways so that they could say good bye in private. Angel, Connor, Gunn and Mike watched them for a few minutes then they started to get into the vehicles. Gunn started up his truck as a signal to the Chambeau family that it was time to leave. They all walked back to the vehicles together and stopped in front of the SUV. "Chambeau I am pretty sure that Wesley is going to need to see you and talk to you about information he will need in order to make up a trail of paper work to show that you are American citizens. In two weeks we'll come back here and meet with you in town at a small restaurant in town that seemed to be the only one. We well meet you there at 12 noon two Saturdays from now." Chambeau and Angel shook hands then. Chambeau and Tom gave Lou a last kiss and hug then Angel opened the door for her. After closing the door he shook Chambeau's hand. "I'll take care of her as though she was my own daughter Chambeau." "I know you will Angel. Thank you, I will be eternally in your debt." Both Chambeau and Tom turned and left then without looking back.

All through the ride back to Los Angeles Angel and Mike could hear Lou crying quietly in the back until she finally went to sleep. Six hours later Lou woke up when she felt the vehicle stop. She looked up and saw that they were at a gas station. She was glad because she had to go to the bathroom pretty bad. She saw that Angel was outside at the pump and putting the gas in so she got out to go to him.

"Mr. Martin do you know if there is a bathroom here?" "Yes I saw a sign over on the side of the building on the left side." Lou went running over to the bathroom and just barely made it. When she was through washing up she went outside and back to the SUV. She was hungry so she searched through her things for a strip of dried deer meat. Angel smelled the meat. "Are you hungry Lou?" "Yes but I have some dried deer meat in my backpack." "You don't have to eat that Lou we'll stop at a restaurant up here and have something to eat."

"Thank you that will be nice. I've only been to a restaurant a few times in my life." "Well you are going to have to get used to it now Lou. The ladies back at the hotel like going out to eat when they are shopping. I am guessing that they are going to have a lot of fun shopping for you." Mike said as he turned around and talked to her. Gunn was done filling up his truck so Angel started up the SUV and got back on I-10. They were in San Bernardino County now and it was 9 at night. Through the link he shared with Cordelia he had told her that he was bringing a guest home with them and they would need a room for her.

Gunn and Connor must have been hungry also because Gunn sped up and signaled to Angel to follow him. He pulled off of the highway where they could see a Big Boys restaurant at the exit. Lou was nervous going into the restaurant and sitting with so many men.

"Lou, would you be more comfortable if you go and sit at another table with just Connor?" Angel asked. "Yes I think I would like that Mr. Martin." Lou flashed her big beautiful blue eyes and smiled at Connor. Angel could hear his son's heart start to beat faster when she did that. Connor managed to get up from his chair and took Lou's hand and guided her over to a table that was in the corner of the room and several tables away from the other men.

When the waitress came to take their orders Angel told her that he would be paying for the two teenagers in the corner. Lou wasn't used to ordering so Connor tried to encourage her by suggesting a few things. She ended up ordering herself a cheeseburger with fries and a coke. Connor ordered the same thing with a vanilla shake after he finished his burger.

Lou noticed Connor watching her again. "Why do you watch me all of the time? Do I have dirt on my face or something?"

Connor almost didn't realize that she had spoken to him. "Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize I was staring, but you are so beautiful that I find that I can't take my eyes off of you." Lou put her head down when she felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

When she felt she could control herself she looked up at her cheeseburger. "I bet you say that to all of the girls you pick up in the mountains." She flashed another smile at Connor and he almost dropped his drink.

While all of this was going on Angel, Mike and Spike were glancing over at them and watching mostly Connor. "Men I believe my son has found his Cordelia." Both Mike and Spike agreed except Spike was thinking of Buffy and Mike was thinking of Hunter.

When everyone was done Angel picked up the bill as usual he left a sizable tip for the waitress which put a smile on her face. As soon as everyone had paid a visit to the restroom they continued their journey home and arrived at the Hotel at midnight.

They were all tired from the long day that was finally coming to an end for them. Cordelia had left a note on the front of their door telling Angel where to put their new guest. Angel gave the note to Connor and said goodnight and went into his room. Connor took Lou up to the 3rd floor room that the ladies had fixed up and showed her where everything was. He told her to sleep as late as she wanted to then said goodnight and closed her door behind him. Toby followed him to bed. He was one tired dog. He also had about an inch thick layer of dirt on him that Connor knew he had to get rid of first thing tomorrow. For now though he was dead tired so he just got undressed and fell into bed.

For the first time in her young life Lou had a room to herself. Best of all she had a bathroom with a tub in it. Since she had slept while they were traveling she wasn't very sleepy yet so she filled the bathtub. She let herself soak in that tub for 30 minutes before she finally noticed how her skin was getting all wrinkled. Lou was reluctant to get out because the closest she had ever come to having this kind of luxury was when she would go to the hot springs to bathe. It was almost 5 o'clock by the time she climbed into bed.

The next morning Cordelia was awakened by her daughters cry for attention. As soon as Kathleen saw her Mother she smiled and jumped up and down in the crib while holding onto the side. "Shhhhh, Daddy is still sleeping." Kathleen copied her mother and put her little finger up to her lips. As Cordelia changed her diaper and removed her sleeper Kathleen was smiling all of the time. "What are you so happy about?" "Daddy funny. He's playing with Toby." When she said that, Cordelia knew that Angel was still sleeping, but projecting his dream to Kathleen's mind.

When she was done changing Kathleen she went back to the bed and climbed in with her. Angel's daughter got to her knees and patted Angel on the back because he was turned away from her. He turned his head towards her but didn't open his eyes. Kathleen snuggled up close to her Daddy and put her hands on each side of his face.

"Wake up Daddy, I missed you." When he didn't open his eyes she looked at her mother. "Mommy Daddy won't wake up." While Kathleen's head was turned Angel opened his eyes and winked at Cordelia then pretended to be sleeping again.

"Kiss Daddy's eyes like this." Cordelia gently kissed each of his eyes. "Then lets use magic and make him wake up. Put your hand on his forehead and say 'I command you to open your eyes.' Then snap your fingers." She did everything just as her mother told her but when it came to snapping her fingers she couldn't do it. She sat their and tried making the same kind of sound with her fingers that her Mother had. "I can't do that Mommy." "Oh well I guess we will just have to wait until he wakes up on his own. Let's go downstairs and get some breakfast." Cordelia got up and got dressed then dressed her daughter. They went out of the room and closed it quietly.

The only other people that were up was the Sanchez family. Buffy was just coming downstairs also and joined Cordelia at the table after getting herself some breakfast and coffee. "Good morning everyone." Buffy said. "How is the princess of the house doing this fine morning?" By now Kathleen knew that when people said princes they meant her. Buffy came over and gave her a kiss then sat down.

"So do you have any information on the new guest?" Buffy asked Cordelia. "Not a thing. Angel is still sleeping. He should be down pretty soon though." Giles came down stairs as they were talking. He said good morning to everyone then went to the buffet to get his breakfast and coffee. Instead of sitting at his regular chair he came down to where Buffy and Cordelia were.

"Is Mom still in bed?" Cordelia asked Giles. "No, Mary and Wesley already left to go to the hospital to see Fred." "Can you believe it, we are going to have 5 babies in the hotel when Fred and her babies come home. I think I'll have to buy diapers by the truck load and all different sizes to." Cordelia said as she cleaned Kathleen up after feeding her. She went to the buffet then to get some breakfast for herself. Connie had made pancakes for her and she eagerly dug into them.

Tara and Willow came down next and greeted everyone. "Good morning everyone Tara and I are going to go and see Wesley and Fred's new babies this morning. Does anyone want to go with us?" "Yes I'll go with you." Giles said.

"I think I'll wait for her to come home with them." Buffy said.

"I think I'll wait also. I'm going to work on her bedroom and get it ready to receive our newest family. Hey speaking of new additions has anyone seen the new girl that the men brought back with them?" Cordelia asked. No one answered since no one had seen her or spoken to any of the men about her.

Cordelia was done eating her pancakes so she was just relaxing with her coffee. "Isn't this nice, we don't have to get up and start cleaning the kitchen." Hey Connie, if your not busy get yourself a cup of coffee and come and join us." Connie came out with her coffee and sat down with everyone.

"I've been meaning to ask you Connie why are you still nursing your son? Doesn't he chew on you? I'm having a hard time with Kathleen chewing on my nipples when her gums are bothering her." Cordelia asked.

"My mother and grandmother all said that they nursed their babies into their 2s. My family was poor so nursing them for so long helped to save money. We can afford the milk now but I like the time that I get to spend with my son. It's the only time now that we get to spend some quiet time together." "Your husband doesn't mind having to share you?" "No he likes watching me nurse our son. He says that when he watches me he thinks of Jesus and how the Blessed Virgin must have done the same thing with her son. Sometimes when I look at him I'll see tears coming down his cheeks. I asked him once why he was crying and he said sometimes he wonders if the Blessed Mother knew what would happen to her son when he got older. He said he cries because his heart aches for her. He said he thinks she knew that something terrible was going to happen to her little boy but it had to happen so that the gates of heaven would be opened again and we could join him in heaven again if we were good." She looked up then and saw the other women's eyes misting up.

Cordelia was looking at the other women and a thought came to her. "You know girls Angel had mentioned that he would like to build a chapel here in the hotel. He was kidding at the time but I think it would be nice to have one here. I was just thinking maybe we could clean out the rooms that are on the first floor and turn that into a chapel."

"What rooms on the first floor? I didn't know that there were any." Buffy said in surprise. "Yeah we have them loaded with supplies and general storage. They're right over their across from the bathroom. Didn't you ever notice it when you used the bathroom under the stairs? Xander used some of the rooms to expand Moms clinic. There are two left though. I think I'll call Xander up later tonight and ask him if it would be possible to take out the wall in between the two rooms and make them one. I want to keep it a secret if we can.

"Well I think it's time for the others to get up don't you Buffy?" "Yes I think vacation time is over for them. Besides I am dieing of curiosity about the new addition." Cordelia put Kathleen in the playpen with Junior then went upstairs. Ever since Toby had disciplined her about biting Junior she had been a good girl and played with him nicely.

Buffy went to her room and Cordelia carefully opened the door to her bedroom. The bed was empty so she looked in the bathroom. The mirror was still steamed so he evidently had just taken a shower. Cordelia went to stand by the bed. She closed her eyes and searched for his mind.

Angel came up behind her and slowly put his arms around her. "You don't have to search for me my love. I am right here." He pulled her hair from her neck and gently kissed it. His arms surrounded her and he let their minds touch one another. He instantly found the gentle touch of her mind on his. He let all the love he had for her envelope her as his arms could never do.

Cordelia turned around and reached for his lips. She was hungry for his touch. She was hungry for the taste of his lips on hers and for his very scent. Cordelia started to take her clothes off and Angel pulled her blouse over her head instead of waiting for her to unbutton it. With one swift motion he had her bra off and he lifted her up into the air and took her breast into his mouth. He suckled at her breast greedily until he emptied it of its sweet milk. When he could get no more he bit down lightly until her blood trickled into his mouth.

Cordelia moaned with the intense feeling that his action gave her. She held onto his head as he drank the blood coming from the punctures around her nipple. As he continued to drink from her she almost lost it each time his tongue circled her nipple and then sucked hard on it. The nourishment that he had taken from her did not quench the fires of love and desire that he felt for her. He took her to the bed and quickly removed the rest of her clothes. Angel hadn't put anything on after taking a shower. He had just finished shaving and was about to get dressed when he heard Cordelia and Buffy coming up the stairs. Right now he was glad that he hadn't dressed yet because it would have delayed him getting what they both wanted from each other.

For the next hour Angel and Cordelia made love to each other. When they were done Angel collapsed on top of Cordelia. He was covered in sweat and it dripped onto her and then the sheets. When his breathing returned to normal he concentrated on cleaning the wound that he had left on her neck. When he rolled off of her she turned over and started to lick the salty sweat from his chest.

"Didn't you have enough yet?" "No." "Well your old man needs some rest, but I'm still hungry. You were just barely a snack." "Don't tell me you really are tired. I'm not letting you go camping anymore if it tires you out that much." "It's not the camping that has me tired it's what I did that tired me out." "What did you do and don't you think that it's time for you to tell me why we have a young girl as a guest upstairs?"

Angel turned on his side and started to rub her breast. "What will you give me if I tell you?" In answer Cordelia kissed her way down his right leg then up his left and to his lips. She bit his lower lip and pulled on it. "I will do all of the work tonight." "I'm going to hold you to that promise." Angel jumped up and pulled her up with him. Cordelia wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel him getting aroused again. "Ewww are we going to do an S&B?" "What's an S&B?" "Spike and Buffy." Angel dropped her on the bed then. "Now I have to take another shower." Angel said as he walked back into the bathroom. Cordelia followed him in and took a shower with him.

By the time they came down to the dining room it was time for lunch and Angel was starving. Connie had a buffet of fixings for cheeseburgers and potato chips and Fritos. Cordelia checked on Kathleen and found her sleeping in the play pen with Junior. Connie had put a blanket over both of them.

"Good afternoon Connie and Lucinda." Angel said as he went to the refrigerator that held blood for the Vampires in the house. They both answered with a "Good afternoon Mr. Martin." "Please Connie and Lucinda call me Angel." Joaquin's mother though wagged her finger at him and said in Spanish. "No, no, that would not be proper Mr. Martin." "Okay, okay it's Mr. Martin then." Angel finished fixing his mug of blood and went out into the dinning room and made a big cheeseburger.

Everyone else was coming down stairs also including Dr. Martin and Wesley. Connor had gone up to the 3rd floor and was more or less dragging Lou downstairs with him. He went over to his grandmother first. "Grandma I would like to introduce Lou Chambeau to you. Lou will be living with us from now on I think. Lou this is my grandmother, Dr. Martin and this is her husband Rupert Giles my grandfather." That took Giles by surprise because Connor had never referred to him as his Grandfather before.

Both Dr. Martin and Rupert greeted her. "Hello Lou." Lou shook their hands and said hello in return. He went around the table and introduced Lou to everyone. He explained to her that Fred was the only one missing because she was in the hospital after giving birth to 2 boys.

Connor brought a chair over to the table and put it right next to him. After making their cheeseburgers they sat down at the table. After everyone ate for a while Angel thought it was time to tell everyone who Lou was.

"Can I have everyone's attention please? Connor would you and Lou go out to the patio for a while. I am going to be telling everyone about Lou, her brother and Father." He waited until they went through the doors. "I know you are all curious as to who our new guest is. Lou is going to be living with us for at least the next few years or maybe longer if she chooses to go onto college. I have been asked by her father to take care of her. Lou's father is Daniel Francois D'Chambeau. Chambeau, as he prefers to be called, is a Vampire. Unlike myself, Spike and Hunter he does not have a soul. He said he has a rather easy going demon and he never really did much damage other then what he needed to survive. Most of the time he said he lived in the forest and fed off of animals." Angel proceeded to tell the rest of the story about Lou, her brother and father.

When he was done telling everyone about Lou and why she was here he waited to see if anyone had any questions or objections. "No questions or objections?" Angel asked. He looked at his Mother and saw her smiling.

"Willow is their any thing you can do to prevent Connor and Lou from hearing us?" "No I don't know of anything Angel. Do you Tara?" Tara thought about it. "Yes I believe I do. She said a few words in Latin and the patio doors shimmered as though they were water. "I used to do this when I was talking on the phone to a girlfriend and I didn't want my brothers and sister listening in. The spell creates the same affect as a water fall. Connor and Lou will hear a loud water fall on the other side."

"Thank you, can you write that down for me it sure would come in handy sometimes. I wanted to ask Mom something and I didn't want them to hear it. Mom have you been told anything by Sister Margaret or St. Michael about who Connor will marry?"

"Funny you should ask that Angel." Dr. Martin put her hand over her mouth and tried to keep from laughing. "It just so happens that last week Sr. Margaret paid me a visit. She said that a young lady would be coming to live with us and this young lady would be Connor's future wife. Let me ask you a question now. How did Connor act when he saw that Lou was a girl?"

It was Angels turn to laugh. "Have you all heard of the Thunderbolt hitting a man when he finds the woman he will marry?" "Yes, I remember the two guards that were guarding Al Pacino in The Godfather said that when he first saw his future wife." Cordelia answered.

"Yes exactly but that was nothing compared to what happened to Connor when her father told her to take her hat and jacket off. Connor was sitting next to me on a log we had by the fire. When Lou took her hat and jacket off he took one look at her and fell backwards off of that log. That is how hard the thunderbolt hit him. When Chambeau introduced us to Lou Connor took her hand and kissed it. I am sure that you all noticed how he waits on her hand and foot. Your grandson Mom is in love and I mean it has hit him hard."

"You mean like it hit you when you saw me?" Cordelia asked him. "No the Thunderbolt never struck me out of the blue. It was more like a sly cat that slowly crawled up behind me then came and sat in my lap and when I least expected it, it reached up with it's paw and bared its claws and latched onto my heart. Those claws are still in it." He pulled her over to him and gave her a kiss.

"Break it up, break it up. I presume then that we need to create some papers then to show she was born here in the United States." "Yes I thought you would never ask. I thought you and Willow could work on creating a paper trail for not only Lou but for her brother and Father also. Chambeau has a heavy French accent and Lou and her brother sound like him. They all speak the Canadian French which is different from your Parisian French. So I thought you could have him coming from somewhere in New England or Main and somewhere close to the Canadian border. According to Chambeau he has a sizable amount of money in a Swiss bank and he would like to set up an account for Lou but he has the problem of getting into town and being able to show identification. Do you think you could solve that problem for him also?" "Yes I don't think that will be a big problem. We should be able to have everything in at least 2 days, right Willow?" "Yes my fellow partner in crime I don't think that will be a problem." Willow laughed.

"If you need any other information and Lou can't supply it I have set up an appointment for us to meet Chambeau in 2 Saturdays from now at 12 noon at the local towns only restaurant."

"Now that we have that out of the way I have something for Cordelia to do." Cordelia's eyes lit up. "My dear wife I am going to ask you to make a supreme sacrifice and take Lou out clothes shopping. From what Chambeau told me she needs everything. She lived with men and she dressed like a man. She does not know anything about the frilly little things that women wear. So get her everything she needs. Use our personnel account for this. Connor and I can take care of Kathleen today while you two go out and have fun. Be careful with her because according to her father she has inherited almost all of his Vampire powers like Connor inherited mine."

"Can I take the screen down now Angel?" "Yes I think we are through talking about them now." Tara said a few words and the shimmer over the patio doors disappeared.

Cordelia got up and squirmed her way into Angels lap. She gave him a kiss on his forehead. "What was that for?" Angel asked. "That was for being such a good and kind man. Few people would have done what you've done. I consider myself very lucky and honored to have you for my husband." Cordelia got up then and went to the patio doors.

"Connor and Lou would you come in now please?" Cordelia picked up Kathleen and sat down with her so she could nurse her. After putting Kathleen to her breast she put a receiving blanket over her shoulder.

"Why are you doing that now? I thought you were going to wean her. Besides I already have your special T-Shirt on order." "What T-Shirt?" "You know the one that says over each breast

"MINE MINE

No Touch

Her Husband"

"Then I won't have to share with you anymore you little Rug Rat." Angel said as he pointed his finger at his daughter.

Kathleen looked at her Daddy pointing his finger at her and let go of her mothers nipple. Her chin started to quiver as she looked at him. Then the tears came with a loud wail of overwhelming sadness. "What's the matter?" Cordelia asked her.

"Daddy is mad at me. He doesn't want to share you with me. I don't want Daddy mad at me." Kathleen looked around for Connor and when she spotted him she reached out her arms for him. "Connor." She pushed her Mommy away and reached for her brother. Connor came and took her from Cordelia. She went into his arms and put her head down on his shoulder and continued crying. "What's wrong sweetheart? Don't you want your Mommy any more?" "Yes but Daddy is mad at me because he doesn't want to share Mommy with me. I don't want Daddy to hate me Connor so I won't take Mommies milk any more."

Everyone was giving Angel dirty looks but they couldn't possibly make him feel any worse then he felt now. He felt like a worm. He couldn't stand it when he was the cause of making his daughter cry. He had his hand over his eyes and was leaning on the table. They could see he was crying almost as much as Kathleen. He finally raised his head and looked up at Cordelia. "I was only joking with her I didn't mean it." Cordelia leaned forward and ran her hand through his hair. "I know it sweetheart but sometimes you forget that she is still a baby. We forget she is only 11 months old because her language skills are way beyond where she should be. She doesn't understand what a joke is. In fact I don't know if she could grasp the concept of a joke yet. Now I want you to say you're sorry to her and make her understand that you were not serious about what you said. I don't think you understand Angel how much your daughter loves you. The fact that she is willing to give up her Mommy's milk for her Daddy should tell you how much she loves you. The only example that I can give you that would make you understand what she is feeling is to tell you that Mom has just told you that God has said that you can't make love to me anymore. You can sleep beside me but you cannot make love to me."

Angel wiped his eyes and reached for his daughter. Kathleen willingly went to him but when her Daddy held her in his arms he started crying when she started crying again. Kathleen pushed back from him. "Don't cry Daddy you don't have to share Mommy with me anymore." Angel hugged her to him even tighter.

"Daddy was only joking with his little girl. I didn't mean it. Daddy is very sorry that I made you cry. You can have all the milk you want from Mommy. Daddy will wait his turn with Mommy. Okay? Do you forgive Daddy?" "Okay Daddy I forgive you." Kathleen reached up to his face and brushed the tears away. "Don't cry anymore Daddy okay." She gave a gentle kiss on each eye. "There Daddy I kissed your tears away like Mommy does mine." "Thank you." Angel kissed Kathleen's eyes also. "Their Daddy kissed yours away also. Do you want to go back to Mommy and finish your lunch?" Kathleen turned around and looked at her mother then turned back to her Daddy and put her arms around his neck. "I love you Daddy." "I love you to my little princes." Kathleen turned and reached for her mother so she could continue where she left off.

"I hope the rest of you Daddies are taking notes because sooner or later your going to find yourselves in the same boat." Dr. Martin said.

Dr. Martin got up then and called to Lou. "Lou would you come with me please? I would like to talk with you for awhile." Lou followed her into the clinic. When Kathleen was done and falling asleep in her mothers arms Cordelia gave her back to her Daddy while she cleaned, hooked, and buttoned herself up. "Have fun with her today Daddy and be good. Don't make her cry anymore or you will find yourself on the couch tonight." "Yes dear." Angel said with a smile. Cordelia left then to go to the clinic. She found Dr. Martin and Lou involved in a deep discussion so she walked back out and waited for her to come out. In a few minutes both of them came out and Cordelia stood up. "Well are you ready to go shopping Lou?" "Yes I am Mrs. Martin can Connor come with us?" "No this is a girl's only day. Lets go up to your room and see what you have and what we'll need to buy for you, okay?" Lou didn't look to happy. "Okay Mrs. Martin." "Please Lou call me Cordelia. You make me feel old when you call me that." Lou smiled and said "Okay."

For the next ten hours Cordelia, Lou, Willow, and Tara were gone. When they came back the mini van was full of boxes and bags. They had even put down the back seat so that they could have more room. Everyone had to make two trips just to take it all upstairs. The girls had bought Lou everything from a tooth brush and tooth paste to a gown to go dancing which Cordelia promised she would teach her. They had all had dinner already so they were pretty tired. Lou went into Connors room and was telling him all about her day. It was 10 o'clock at night when they both went downstairs to fix themselves sandwiches and take them back upstairs.

Dr. Martin's room was right by Connors and she thought it was time for them to go to bed. She went over to Connors room and knocked on the door. Connor answered it. "Oh hi Grandma were we keeping you awake?" "No not really but don't you think you should go to sleep now since you have school tomorrow." "Yeah I guess it is late. Goodnight Grandma. Sorry about the noise." Lou went to the door. "Goodnight Connor." "Goodnight." Connor said. The way she said it though made his heart start to beat faster. As soon as the door closed he went running to the bathroom and jumped into the shower. Poor Connor was going to be taking a lot of cold showers until the night he was finally able to take her to his bed.

The next day started early for Wesley because he was bringing his new family home. Tara and Willow had bought a new bassinet as a baby shower present for Fred so they helped to set everything up. All of the new baby clothes and blankets had been washed and were neatly folded on the shelves they had for the baby clothes and diapers. Dr. Martin and Giles went with him to pick up his family after breakfast.

Wesley was so nervous about having to hold one of his sons as they came out of the hospital that they had to put him in a wheelchair also. They had already set up the seats for the boys so all they had to do was place them in the car seats. This was a smart move on Dr. Martins part because Wesley was handling them as though they were made out of fine crystal that would break if he sneezed.

Before Wesley got into the vehicle Dr. Martin put her hand on his arm and stopped him. "Wesley if you don't relax your going to cause something to happen. I want you to take a deep cleansing breath then let it out slowly." Wesley looked at her as though she was crazy. "Come on Dr. Martin I want to get my family home." "Wesley do as I said, your nerves are wound up tight." Wesley looked at her and decided that it would be better to just comply. Wesley turned towards Cordelia's mini van that they had borrowed and put his hands at the top of the door. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He immediately felt his nerves start to unwind. He took another breath and let it out slowly. His color improved which meant his blood pressure was going down now. "See isn't that better now?" "Yes I feel much better now." "Get in then and let's go home."

When they arrived back at the hotel everyone was downstairs and waiting for them. Fred came out of the van after Wesley and took one of her sons then Wesley took the other one. After everyone was unloaded Giles parked the van. Cordelia guided Fred into the Dinning room and showed her to her chair which was decked out in beautiful flowers all around it. Wesley sat down next to her while they still both held their sons. Willow and Tara brought over a bassinet to lay the babies in while Fred took a breather.

"How are you feeling now that they are finally here?" Cordelia asked. "Well I feel about 15 pounds lighter for one and even more I am so happy that I can get up and walk around again. But most of all I feel happy. I know now how you and Buffy feel when you nurse your babies. Because I feel the immense joy that only a new mother can feel. And best of all I didn't have to go through all of the pain of delivery that you two had to go through." Fred laughed as she said the last part. Wesley put his arm around his wife and gave her a kiss.

Dr. Martin saw Fred looking at Lou and thought it was about time she was introduced to her new pupil.

"Angel don't you think it's time to introduce Lou to Fred?"

"Fred this is Louise D'Chambeau. She is going to be living with us for as long as she wants. She is here because her father knew that we had a lot of smart people living here and he asked me if she could stay with us while she goes to school. Lou's father is a Vampire, her mother was a Vampire also but she died shortly after Lou and her brother Tom were born. Lou is a lot like Connor and has inherited many of her father's powers. Lou's father does not have a soul but he said that his demon is very mild and he never did too much damage since he preferred to live in the mountains. Chambeau was a teacher before he was turned and has taught his children the basics of reading, writing, and math but he wants Lou to learn about the world outside of the mountains. He also wants her to be around other women since all she has known is her brother and her father. I was hoping that since you are done with teaching Connor you could take on a new pupil and get her caught up to the rest of the kids her age then she could go to a regular high school."

"Well I guess Wesley and I have a new student then. Welcome to the family Lou." Fred extended her hand and Lou stood up and shook her hand. "Thank you Mrs. Price I look forward to our time together."

Connie and Lucinda came in then with lunch. Connie put a plate with 2 tacos covered in cheese along with fried rice and a bowl of pinto beans with mostly the juice from the beans when they were cooked. Besides this plate she had a small bowl of tapioca pudding and a large glass of milk. "Eat Mrs. Price you have two babies to feed now and you'll need all of the calories you can take in." Fred was hungry and quickly took her first bite of the taco. "Oh Connie please believe me when I say that while I was laying in my hospital bed and had to eat that food I was making believe that I was eating your food. It was the only way I could eat it." The rest started eating also but for them Connie and Lucinda had made burrito fixings.

Cordelia whispered to Angel "With so many women nursing and two teenagers I am going to have to start buying a lot more milk." "Do you think we need to go shopping today?" Angel asked. "I'll check our supplies with Connie then I'll let you know." "When we get done here I'm going upstairs to work on our portrait." "How is it coming along?" "I finished the drawings and now I am starting the painting. I may have to go out and get some painting supplies later."

"Connor, do you have to do any studying tonight?" Angel asked his son. "No I did all of the studying my poor little brain can do. My evening is open. Why, do you want to do something?" "Yeah I want to take Lou out tonight and see what she can do. We'll go up into the San Gabriel Mountains and see how she does playing Tarzan and Boy. That should be a good enough test to see how much she inherited from her father."

Cordelia cleared her throat rather loudly. "I take it you are trying to get my attention my little turtle dove?" "Don't be funny. I was trying to get your attention because you're scheduling Lou's time as though she isn't a person. I believe it would only be polite if you were to ask Lou if she would like to go out with you tonight."

"My wife is correct Lou please forgive me. Would you like to go out with Connor and I tonight? The game we play is very physical if you don't feel up to it tonight maybe we can do it on Friday when Connor can join us." "I am rather tired Mr. Martin, if you don't mind I would like it very much if we could wait until Friday. I had a big day yesterday and I've seen so many new things I would rather stay and rest for tonight if it's alright with you and Connor?"

"That would be quit alright my dear." Angel stood up then and bowed to Lou then he turned to Cordelia. "Thank you my dear wife for pointing out to me how uncaring and self centered I was being." He bent over then and took her hand very gently and kissed it. Cordelia returned his gesture by slapping his face and not to gently I might add.

"What did you do that for?" Angel said as he sat down and put his hand to his cheek. "That was for being a microbe." Cordelia said. He looked at his mother for an explanation. "I believe she is calling you the smallest kind of ….bug." She said with a smile.

"Why you little rat. Kathleen I want you to turn your mother into a toad with a big wart on her nose." Angel said as he managed to produce some tears.

In Kathleen's eyes her Daddy couldn't do anything wrong. She turned and looked at her Mother. "Mommy toad." Kathleen said then tried to snap her fingers. "That's my little girl you'll take care of your Daddy won't you." He gave her a kiss then. "Have you seen Uncle Wesy and Aunt Fred's new babies?" "Oh Daddy, more babies?" Unfortunately for Dr. Martin she was just taking a drink of her coffee when Kathleen said this. She started to choke on the coffee and laughing so hard that Giles had to pat her on the back.

When Angel was finally able to talk he told his daughter "Well Uncle Wesy and Aunt Fred said 'Oh look isn't Kathleen so cute and pretty let's make one of our own so we can have a beautiful baby like her.' But you know what they got instead?" Kathleen looked so serious as though she could understand everything Angel was saying. "No Daddy what did they get." "Two baby boys. Your Mommy and Daddy went over to them and we said 'tsk tsk tsk, to bad but at least their cute but not as beautiful as our Kathleen'." Angel gave Kathleen a kiss then took her over to the boys bassinet. Kathleen looked at them and said "But Daddy babies are little. Will they get big like me?" "Yes but first they have to drink lots of milk and sleep a lot so that they can grow big and strong like you."

"I think it's time for Kathleen to take her nap also. Let's go my little princes." Cordelia came and took Kathleen from her father's arms. Before Cordelia went up stairs she stopped to tell Wesley and Fred something. "Wesley I called your Mother and she is coming in tonight at 8. Fred your parents won't be coming in until tomorrow morning at 10. I'll give you the airline names, flight numbers and times tonight, I'll pick up your parents tomorrow morning Fred and Mom and Giles will pick up your Mother Wesley." "Thank you Cordelia." Fred and Wesley said in unison.

"It looks like she accepted what you told her. She seems to feel confident that she still has you all to herself." Dr. Martin said. "Yeah that's my little girl, cute as a button and a genius also. I tell you when I make babies, I make babies." Angel said as he put his hands behind his head and leaned back on only two of the chair legs. "Yeah, yeah stick a sock in it." Spike was getting tired of listening to Angel gloat.

"Don't forget Spike that when Joyce grows up she'll be able to kick everyone's ass. Then you'll be the one gloating." Giles said when he thought he needed to defend his granddaughter.

"Yeah that's right when she grows up then we'll see who is entitled to gloat." Spike was smiling now.

"I think it's time for my nap also. I'll see you all later. Hunter are you going to be free later today because I have to go to the pharmaceutical supply warehouse to order some items?" Dr. Martin asked. "Sure Mary I'll go with you can Mike come with us?" "I guess so. I know why you want him to come with us though." "Why?" "So he can drive. I don't understand why no one trusts my driving. I always get where I'm going and all in one piece with no dents or scratches." Giles went up the stairs and put his arm around his wife's shoulder. "My poor dear, I tell you what next time we go somewhere together I'll let you drive."

"Poor Giles he better take an extra pair of shorts and pants." Spike said. "I'm going upstairs also Spike. I need to change Joyce and after I feed her I think I'll take a nap myself. Then I think I'll go downstairs and work out. Since we're going home next week I need to get back in shape. I have to get rid of Joyce's living quarters for the last 9 months." Buffy picked up her daughter from the bassinet and started for the stairs. Spike got up and followed her. Angel left to go to his studio and Lou went in to help Connie with the kitchen.

At 4 in the afternoon Lou heard people start moving around. She had her fathers hearing so she knew when Buffy and Spike were up. They left their baby with Willow and Tara and headed downstairs. Lou thought she would join them. She changed into her new sweat suit that Cordelia had bought her yesterday.

When Lou arrived at the basement she found not only Buffy and Spike but Angel and Wesley also. For the next 2 hours everyone was exercising to either keep themselves in shape or get back into shape.

Buffy was breathing hard when she finally stopped. "This isn't fair you know that?" Buffy asked Spike as he got up from the floor after doing 100 sit ups. He had barely broken a sweat and he was breathing hard but it quickly returned to normal for him. "What's that Luv?"

"When I was pregnant we would say 'we're' pregnant. Or other people would say that 'we' were pregnant, but I want to know why if we were pregnant how come I'm the only one that has to suffer so much to get back into shape?" "Poor Buffy, why don't you put him on a torture diet like Cordelia did to me." Angel said. He was just waiting for this day when Buffy would make Spike suffer just like Cordelia had done to him. "That's a good idea, he does have a little too much fat around the middle. I can't even see his six pack anymore." "What do you mean I'm in good shape for a man my age." Spike stood up and flexed his muscles. "Yes dear. We start our diet tomorrow morning." Buffy patted Spikes stomach as she got up to go upstairs.

"You looked like you were doing pretty good there Lou. Do you know how to fight using one of the Marshal Arts?" Angel asked. Lou just looked at him. "What's Marshal Arts?" "Okay I guess we know where we have to start then. Tomorrow after breakfast we'll start with your training. For now though I am going upstairs and soak in the good old whirlpool." Buffy and Spike left also so Lou thought she might as well go and take a shower. After she showered she went to see if Connor was free but he was busy with some kind of project for school so she knocked on Cordelia's door. "Who is it?" She heard Cordelia ask on the other side of the door. "It's Lou can I come in?" "Sure Lou we're taking a bath but you can go and watch the television and we'll be out in a few minutes."

Lou did as Cordelia suggested. Television was something new to her. She had seen it on occasion when going through town or on the rare occasions that her family stayed in a motel room but this was something entirely different. In her room she had her own color TV and cable which gave her access to all kinds of information. She especially enjoyed the music channels that gave her an insight as to how teenagers her age acted. She settled herself down on the couch to watch one of the local news channels tonight.

Cordelia came out with Kathleen and started to dry her off. "Lou do you think you could put Kathleen's diaper on her and dress her in this outfit I have next to her crib." "Uh Cordelia I've never handled a baby before. I don't know anything about them but if you show me I'll be able to do it the next time. I learn very quickly and I have a good memory."

"Okay then lets start, I usually bathe her at least once each day unless she has had a particularly nasty Nuclear Waste deposit, then it's easier to just give her a bath in the sink." "What is Nuclear Waste?" "That's what my husband calls her bowl movements that are loose and really stinky. All the Vampires, Connor and even Buffy smell it way before the rest of us do because of their increased sense of smell. Anyway you get one of her diapers that I keep on this shelf and this is how you put it on." Cordelia showed Lou how to do everything for Kathleen and even showed her where she keeps food for her and her milk that she puts in bottles.

"Let's go downstairs and I'll let you feed our little princes." Cordelia said as she put Kathleen down and told Lou to take one of her hands. This gave Kathleen a little practice in walking."

"How old is your daughter Cordelia?" "Eleven months but she is very advanced for her age because of her father. He can communicate with her inside her head without anyone else hearing them. I can do it also but no where near as well as Angel. We think that she talks to Toby also by putting pictures in his head, and he can do the same thing to her. You'll see when she wants to walk over to someone or place she calls Toby to her then holds onto his hair and pulls herself up then Toby goes wherever she wants to go while she holds onto him for balance. As you can see she can't walk by herself yet."

By the time she was done they had reached the Dinning Room. Connie was busily preparing the evening meal so Cordelia showed Lou how to fix Kathleen's food and then let her feed her.

This was how Lou's days went for the rest of the week. Help Connie, Cordelia, lunch, possible nap or play with Toby, work out with Angel, Buffy and Wesley then an hour with Angel learning one of the Martial Arts. Dinner and time with Connor was reserved for the end of the day. Wesley had told her that he would work with her next week to see what she knew and what she needed to work on to bring her up to date so that she could attend regular high school. Right now Wesley and Fred's time was being taken up with her parents and his mother and of course their sons.

Friday finally came and Lou was ready to go. When Angel and Connor came downstairs they found her sitting on the circular couch, dressed in the clothes they had first seen her in and anxiously waiting for them. "Let's go." Angel said. Connor and Angel stopped by the kitchen and grabbed several thermoses that Connie had filled with blood, coffee, and hot chocolate. Connor had told Toby to stay with Kathleen since they planed to be traveling in the trees. Everyone loaded up into Connor's van except Angel was driving. Connor wasn't used to driving in the mountains and didn't really know where Angel was going.

It took them two hours to get to the location in the San Gabriel Mountains that Angel wanted to go to. They went to a place that was frequented by day campers but where night time camping wasn't allowed. When Angel parked the van he placed a temporary sign on the van that said US Government Forestry Service.

Connor looked at the sign and held up his hand at Angel. "Don't tell me, this is from a former client." "Now you're catching on." Angel grinned at him. They took off up a trail that followed a stream that ran between two hills. They hiked half a mile then Angel stopped and put his back pack down.

"Okay Lou this is where we see what you can do. Connor, go up this tree and Lou follow him if you can. I'm going to watch you for a while to see how you do."

Connor removed his shoes and jacket. Lou noticed that he had a large knife in his belt as he started climbing up the tree. Without any problem Lou followed him as he jumped from tree limb to tree limb. Angel was satisfied that she could follow them in safety. He removed his own shoes and jacket and climbed up the tree that they were currently at. When he arrived at there level he stopped to give them the rules of the game.

"Okay these are the rules of the current game. I am going to hide somewhere in this area. It's up to you to find me. Connor I want you to let Lou lead the hunt. I take it Lou that your father taught you how to hunt?" "Yes sir. I often went on hunting trips with my brother and father." "Okay then, offer her suggestions only when she looks like she is hopelessly lost Connor." "Okay, how long of a head start do you want us to give you?" "Fifteen minutes should do." "See you in 30 minutes." Lou said with a smile.

Angel took off then jumping from tree limb to tree limb. Connor and Lou waited patiently and listening very carefully. Connor was watching his watch. "Okay let's go."

Connor lagged behind and let Lou take the lead just as Angel had said. He saw Lou smelling the trees and leaves and the air just as he would have done. She was also just as agile as he was. Connor felt his heart swell with pride in her achievements. The next thought came into Connors head unbidden. 'She will make a perfect wife for me once she is old enough.' He shook his head to get his thoughts back onto the hunt. He followed her as she jumped from one tree to another. Angels scent was real strong on this last tree.

Lou signaled to Connor to wait here. He watched her as she jumped to another tree and climbed higher. As she did this he spotted Angel sitting on a limb and eating pine nuts he had picked up off the ground under the tree they had started the game on. Lou was trying to get higher so that she could come down in back of Angel.

Lou was right above Angel now and she started to descend slowly in order to keep as quiet as possible. As she went to the last limb over his head she had to jump to it because it was so far forward. She didn't notice that the limb was cracked from a recent storm that had gone thru just six days before. The leaves on the limb were still green so it gave no hint that it was damaged. She made the leap to the limb and it broke the rest of the way under her weight. She screamed as she continued to fall. Angel caught her as she reached the limb, but under their combined weight the limb he was on broke also and they both fell. Angel held on to Lou's hand and with his other hand he reached for a limb that they were falling past. The impact on his shoulder and arm tore at his muscles but he held on.

"Lou I'm going to swing you over so you can get to the limb on the other side of the tree." "Okay." She yelled back. Connor was now on the limb that Angel was aiming for and he reached out his hand as Lou swung towards him. She reached out her other hand to him and he caught her and she let go of Angels arm. Connor hugged her close to him. On instinct he kissed her. He looked into her eyes and said "You are mine Louise D'Chambeau don't forget that. I love you with every fiber of my being. I feel as though you and I were meant for each other from the time we were born. I loved you the second you took your hat off and I saw how beautiful you are." He kissed her again with a long lingering kiss this time. He knew she felt the same way when she responded to him.

Angel's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "If you are done kissing her Connor would you come and help me down now?" Connor jumped up to the limb next to Angel and reached out his hand for his father to grab. When Angel grabbed his hand he let out a scream as he pulled his body away from the broken tree limb that was sticking through his body. He swung over to the limb Connor was on. Connor held onto him as he passed out.

Connor couldn't understand why he passed out. Then when he put his hand on his back he felt something cold and slimy. He pulled out his hand from his fathers back and he saw the blood all over it. He looked at the spot where his father had been hanging and he saw the stub of a broken limb sticking out from the trunk of the tree. It was covered in blood.

"Lou can you get back down and find your way to the van?" "Yes." "Here are the keys." He took them from his fathers pocket and threw them to her. He watched to make sure she caught it. "In the back of my van is a long rope, bring it back up here so I can use it to lower him down to the ground." "Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes."

It seemed like it took an hour even though it was only fifteen minutes before she came back up with the rope. Connor tied it around his father's chest and under his arms. He carefully pushed Angels body off of the limb he was on and using another branch to help him control the rope he began to slowly lower Angels body down. Lou went down the tree in record time so that she could receive his body down on the ground.

Once he was on the ground Connor picked him up and put him over his shoulder and ran back to the van. Lou had picked up their things when she was heading back to the van for the rope. She had already laid the back seat of the van down so Connor could put Angel on it. Lou had taken care of her father many times so she knew what to do until they were able to get back to the hotel. She took a blanket that was in the back and bundled it up then placed it under Angel. She didn't have anything else so she took her jacket off and pressed it against his chest. Lou noticed his arm hanging kind of crooked but she knew that was the least of his worries. Angels blood soaked her shirt.

"Connor can you give me your jacket. He's bleeding so bad that my shirt is already soaked with his blood." Connor pulled his jacket and T-shirt off and gave them to her. "Hurry Connor he's still bleeding." "I'm going as fast as I can Lou. If I go too fast the cops will stop me then they'll see him and take him to the hospital and you know we can't let that happen." "Yeah I guess your right."

It had taken them 2 hours to get to the mountains but it took Connor one hour to get home. It was 11 p.m. so everyone had gone to there rooms. Connor came in carrying his father over his shoulder. "Lou go and get my grandmother and Cordelia." Lou went running up the stairs and knocked on Cordelia's door then opened it without waiting for her to answer. "What's wrong?" Cordelia's heart turned cold at the sight of blood all over Lou. "There has been an accident with Angel. Connor took him to the clinic. I'm going to get Dr. Martin." Lou continued on to Dr. Martin's room without waiting for an answer. Dr. Martin had heard Lou telling Cordelia what happened since she had her door open. She met Lou at the door with her robe on. Everyone else heard the commotion and came out also.

As she entered the clinic she saw clothes on the floor that had been used to soak up Angel's blood. Cordelia was already by Angel's side. Connor had already taken most of his clothes off and with Cordelia's help they were busily cleaning the blood off of him so they could more clearly see what the damage was.

Dr. Martin came over to them and checked Angel's vitals. She looked at the peculiar bruising on the back of his neck and just below his skull. When Connor and Cordelia finished cleaning the blood off they all could clearly see where he had been injured, but thankfully a lot of healing had already taken place.

Dr. Martin could see that he had lost a lot of blood and his skin was even whiter then it normally was. "Spike you know the routine." "Yeah we have to replace his blood. How many pints do you figure we've put back into him since you first came?"

"Oh I figure about 5 to 6 gallons." While they were talking Dr. Martin had taken a neck brace from one of the drawers and was carefully putting it around Angel's neck.

"Why are you putting that on? Is his neck hurt?" Cordelia asked. "There are some bruises on his neck so I am just taking precautions. Connor and Lou let's go out to the Lobby so you can tell us what happened." Everyone but Spike went out to the Lobby. Connor and Lou told everyone what had happened and how Angel had been hurt. When they were done Dr. Martin asked Connor about Angel's neck and how his head laid when he was holding him.

"It went forward and pretty much stayed that way until I carried him back to the van." "That's good to know Connor you and Lou did a very good job why don't you two go and get something to eat I know you must be hungry." Dr. Martin saw Hunter coming in with Mike. "What happened, did someone get hurt?" Hunter asked.

"Angel was hurt during their Tarzan and boy game. He had wanted to see what Lou could do physically when pushed to the limit. She had tried to come up behind Angel and when she aimed for the limb that was just above him it broke but as she fell past Angel he reached out and was able to grab her arm. Of course he was pulled off of the limb he was sitting on and of course he grabbed onto a limb to keep them from falling any further. As that happened though his body was thrown against the tree and he had a broken tree limb go through him but Angelus seems to be working overtime to get him healed fast." They all followed Dr. Martin into the clinic.

"Hunter I want you to check these bruises on his neck and tell me what you think." They turned Angel over on his side and Hunter took the neck brace off while Mike held his head. Hunter carefully checked the area just below his skull. She carefully felt the bones in his spine just below the skull and on either side of it. When she was done she put the neck brace back on and they turned him on his back.

"Well Mary I think that Angel came very close to breaking his neck this evening. Of course I'm only guessing at his condition since we can't take X- Rays but I think that his neck is ok. Why he is still unconscious though has me more worried then his neck right now. I would say when Spike is done replacing his blood we should put him to bed and just wait for him to wake up but lets leave the brace on while Angelus finishes healing as much of his injuries as he can." "Yes I came to the same conclusion and I agree on how to proceed from here. I am going to leave taking care of him the rest of the night to you Spike. Lets hope and pray that he will be okay because he has to be able to go up to the alter to help baptize your daughter on Sunday. I am going back to bed. Goodnight everyone." Everyone answered goodnight and the ladies went back to their bedrooms while the men waited until Spike gave the okay to take Angel upstairs. Cordelia had gone upstairs to put clean sheets on the bed.

While waiting for the last bag of blood to empty into Angel Spike reset the broken bones in his left arm. Apparently when he slammed into the tree as he swung Lou over his arm broke from the impact. The break was easily taken cared of and Spike just put a light brace on the arm to hold it still. He knew Angelus would do the rest.

As the last bag of blood emptied into Angels vein Spike pulled the needle out of his arm then called Connor. "Okay Connor lets take him upstairs." Lou was still up so she helped. "I can help Connor I'm almost as strong as my Dad." "Okay then lets put this plastic board under him then we can pull him onto the gurney. Grandma just got this last week. She said it would make it easier to transfer people from a bed to the gurney." Spike pulled Angel toward him and Connor pushed the board under his body. They had him loaded onto the gurney and in bed in less than fifteen minutes.

"Thanks everyone I'll take care of him now." Cordelia said as she took the rest of his clothes off and covered him then crawled into bed next to him.

Lou had already gone back upstairs to her room. Connor waited for Spike to come out of the bedroom. Spike saw the look on Connor's face as he watched Lou go upstairs.

"If I'm not mistaken Connor I would say, by the look on your face, that you've found your future wife." "You are not mistaken brother. I told her tonight how much I loved her and how I felt that since our birth we were destined to be together. I wish I could go up to her bedroom right now and make love to her, but I know she is still young and should at least finish high school. I have college as well and she might want to go also. You know Spike Dad and everyone else has been saying how I would take over from him and lead Angel Investigation after he leaves this world, but it was always just something everyone said before and didn't seem real to me. Now with my visions of Lou at my side I know that we will be able to lead the next generation. It's all real to me now and not just something that we talk about."

Spike looked at Connor. As he looked into his eyes he knew that this is what he looked like when he realized how much he loved Buffy. He had seen the look in Angels eyes also whenever he was looking at Cordelia. "Well I think for now you had better go and take a cold shower before you break your zipper." Connor looked down and smiled. "Is this how it was for you when you fell in love with Buffy?" "You better believe it. You know that pond that is in the cemetery in Sunnydale?" "Yeah." Connor answered. "Believe me when I say that every day I thanked God for that pond because it was cold. Sometimes I thanked Him twice a day. It didn't matter how many times she put me down, I was in love with her and she could of cut my heart out and stomped on it. But before she would stomp on it she would have seen that the name Buffy was carved in its flesh." Spike stopped for a second and looked into Connor's eyes. If he could see his own he would have seen a mischievous twinkle.

"You should have seen us that first time she let me take her. I thought she was going to kill me but then she kissed me instead. Some how Connor I knew that was the beginning of the end of my life of celibacy. Buffy practically jumped on me. Her nails bit into my back and tore at me as she tried to get more and more of me. She was like a wild cat in heat. Her mouth was on mine and her lips parted mine as her tongue sought out mine. When she found it she practically pulled it out by its roots she was sucking on it so hard. Every part of that woman is strong, even her tongue. I bet Lou will be the same since both her father and mother are Vampires also." Spike stopped again and let what he had said swirl around inside of Connors mind. He could see the sweat starting to cover Connors face and he could hear his heart beating faster. He knew that all he had to say was just a little more and Connor would be beyond the point of no return.

"I swear to you Connor she couldn't get enough of me. I was so hard by the time she put her legs around me that she could of used me like a spring board. Instead though I slammed her up against the wall and I became the pursuer. I gave myself just enough time to unzip my pants and free my wild self while she raised herself higher and pulled her clothes to the side so that I could slip into her. She was so hot Connor that by then neither one of us realized that the building was starting to come down around us. She tore at her own clothes Connor so that I could get to her opening, she wanted it that bad. When she finally cleared the way she grabbed me and guided me into her and she lowered herself slowly. That first time that I entered her Connor I thought I was going to loose it right then and there." Spike stopped when he heard Connor go running to his own bedroom. He could hear him jumping into the shower and letting the cold water run over him.

Spike was laughing so hard that he didn't hear Buffy coming up beside him. She cleared her throat to get his attention. "Oh,…… Buffy! I didn't hear you. How long have you been in the hallway?" "Long enough you little monster. How can you be so mean to him? He's in love. Or don't you remember what that was like?" He put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him tightly. "Vaguely, why don't you refresh my memory." He put his arm under her legs and lifted her up into his arms. They went to their bedroom and Buffy spent the next hour refreshing his memory.

The next morning Cordelia woke up to find the bed next to her empty. She saw that the bathroom door was closed so she got up and went to it. "Angel are you okay?" "Yeah, why?" "Well after what happened last night and you were unconscious for so long I was worried about you." Angel opened the door and looked at her.

"Why? What happened last night that would make you worry?"

TBC……………………………………….