One Week Later ...

Buffy had become less distant over the week, steadily getting back into her usual self as the days passed by. Although, a few 'nerds', as Faith called them, had been terrorising them. Warren, Andrew and Jonathan; trying to fufill their goal of ruling over the world.

"Are you joking ? They are a bunch of freaking nerds, I'm not even bothering to train," chuckled Faith after she had heard.

Also, Angel hadn't worried either, infact he had just chuckled aswell. Buffy, however, had began to train again and wouldn't mind a good fight to get her kicking again. Angel had helped her along the way, but he couldn't help notice that she had been more focused on her training recently. Buffy had found out that Giles was in England, she had been devastated to learn that he wouldn't be returning for another couple of weeks. Apparently, he had some work to do before he could return. However, Willow came up with the perfect soloution to relieve the stress that was on everyone's shoulders ...

"The beach ?" scoffed Faith.

"Yeah, we ain't been for a while," smiled Willow, looking at Angel for some support.

Angel had been the one who had grateful for Willow's idea, he had wanted to get away from the tension for a while. Angel looked over at Buffy; she had Phoebe in her arms and was rocking her gently.

"I think it's a good idea," replied Angel, putting his hand on Willow's shoulder.

Faith rolled her eyes. Xander slipped his arm around Anya's waist and gave her a quick squeeze, they both smiled. Tara nodded and took Willow's hand in hers. And, Dawn squeeled and ran out of the kitchen.

"What do you think, Buff ?" asked Xander, "You up for it ?"

Buffy looked up from Phoebe, a small smile on her lips. She looked hesitant, as if she was going to refuse, although she looked at Angel before nodding. Angel smiled and walked around, slipping his arm around her waist. Thankfully, she didn't flinch or pull away like she had done before a few times, she fit perfectly in his arms as she held their daughter.

--

"Come on, Angel, put your foot down!" complained Faith, sunglasses covering her eyes.

"Can you even drive, Faith ?" asked Dawn.

Faith turned around and shook her head, before turning back around to look out of the window. Buffy and Dawn were in the back of the car, Phoebe slept in her car seat in between them. Buffy had wanted to sit in the back, she had missed so much of her daughters life in the last few months and wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. Faith had offered to sit in the back with Buffy, although Angel thought Faith would begin questioning Buffy about her death expirience, so Angel put Dawn in the back instead. Unluckily for Angel, he didn't know Faith would be a pain in the ass with him whilst he drived, although he bit his lip as he pushed the thoughts away.

"Are we there yet ?" asked Faith.

Buffy rolled her eyes; sometimes Faith's voice could be so irritating. She turned back to Phoebe, she had found it hard to get her mothering personality back, although it finally came.

"No, grumbled Angel, keeping his eyes on the road.

Faith sighed and leaned back in her seat. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, hoping they would wake her when they arrived. Angel gave a sigh of relief when he realised she was asleep, Dawn chuckled when she heard and earned a smile from Angel.

--

Ten Minutes Later ...

Finally, they had arrived at the beach. Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara were already setting up a spot, Xander had brought a parasol to protect Phoebe from the sun. Buffy stepped out of the car; she had a green bikini top , which matched her eyes, and black shorts on, with green flip flops. She felt the sun against her skin, the warmth made her feel a tingle run down her spine as she looked around. A small smile appeared over her face, she loved coming to the beach, this smile didn't go unmissed by Angel who smiled aswell. He stepped infront of Buffy and pulled the carseat out, Phoebe had woken up about five minutes before.

"Hey baby girl," grinned Angel, tickling her under the chin.

Dawn joined Buffy, Angel and Phoebe. A towel wrapped around her thin frame, a bikini lay underneath, although Dawn always worried about her figure since she was younger. Dawn looked around the beach, she spotted the others and headed off in their direction. Angel began to follow, Phoebe's car seat still in his arms, when he realised that Buffy wasn't following.

"What's up ?" questioned Angel.

"Aren't we going to wake Faith up ?" asked Buffy, looking back at the car.

Angel shrugged, he noticed the look Buffy gave him and began to walk back over to the car. He set Phoebe on the ground, still in her carseat, and tapped on the car window. Faith immediantly jumped up, smacking her head on the roof and yelling in pain. Angel bit his lip, trying not to laugh, as he opened the door. Faith groaned as she stepped out, she slammed the door behind her; Angel was surprised the door hadn't come off with the force she used. Faith dodged Phoebe's car seat and jogged off towards the others, Buffy was amazed how she could wear sweatpants in this weather.

Angel picked up the car seat and began to follow Faith, Buffy by his side. They finally joined the others, Dawn and Faith were all set up with their towels and already in conversation with the others.

"Did you walk or something ?" asked Anya, lifting up her sunglasses.

"No, but we might as well of! Angel drove that slow," mumbled Faith, grinning slightly.

Willow rolled her eyes and patted besides her for Buffy to sit. Buffy threw down her towel and lay besides Willow, closing her eyes. Angel placed the car seat down next to Buffy and sat down on the sand, he picked up Phoebe and sat her on his knee. Phoebe began to wriggle about, Angel finally decide to put her down on the sand although still supporting her back. However, this turned out to be a bad idea as she tried to eat the sand.

--

A few hours later ...

Buffy and Angel stood in the sea, well, their feet were in the sea. Buffy held Phoebe in her arms, Angel's arms wrapped around her as the family watched the sunset. No one spoke, even Phoebe didn't gurgle, the family stood in silence and watched the beautiful scene unfold infront of their eyes. Buffy felt tears brim in her eyes, this was one moment that she'd never forget. She was stood with Angel, the love of her life, and her beautiful daughter, watching the sunset on the beach. And, she suddenly realised something; this was heaven. Since she had returned, this had been the first moment where she felt like she was in heaven again; it was peaceful and nothing could ruin it. Suddenly, another thought popped into her head ...

"This was where it first happened," whispered Buffy, stroking Phoebe's head.

"What did ?" questioned Angel, rubbing his thumb against her stomach.

"Where I first felt Phoebe kick. I remember my toes were in the sea, tingling my feet when I felt her kick. I knew that she'd be strong like her Father, I just knew," replied Buffy, staring out into the distance.

Buffy, suddenly, gasped.

"What ? Is everything Ok ?" asked Angel, panicking as he noticed Buffy's pressed his against her stomach.

He noticed Buffy's lips turn into a smile and he gave her a questioning look. Minutes passed, his hand was still held on Buffy's stomach.

"What am I -"

Angel stopped in mid sentence, he felt the baby kick!

"Oh my god, " whispered Angel.

He turned to Buffy, tears welled up in her eyes. Angel leaned forward and kissed her passionatly, only breaking apart when he needed air. A grin spread across his face, he stood behind Buffy and wrapped his arms around her stomach.

"We're a family," whispered Angel.

"I remember when Phoebe was crying, I began to talk about you and she stopped crying, it was beautiful. I knew she was going to be as beautiful and strong, yet slightly stubborn, as her Mother," smiled Angel.

Buffy smiled, rolling her eyes. She kissed Phoebe on top of the head, she gurgled and sucked on her dummy.

"She missed you. She may be a baby, but I could tell she missed you. So did I," whispered Angel, a tear falling from his eyes.

Buffy closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I stayed behind for a while, I watched you and Phoebe. I couldn't leave you. I know that I was in a good place, but I belong here with you and Phoebe. And, I think that I'm finally getting to see the beatiful side of reality," whispered Buffy, turning around.

She gently kissed Angel. Whilst, all her problems washed out to sea.

Sorry it took so long! I had high school opening evenings for my little sister, I have been incredibly ill and I've had loads of homework! I know that Buffy took longer to cope in the series, but she didn't have Angel or a child. And, I hate depressed Buffy - she a quirky girl. Anyway, I needed Warren & co. in the story, but they won't be the big bad. No, I'm trying to cook something up for that. Let me know what you thought x