WOOOT! Here is the next installment of Stuck in the Past – Life?

Enjoy and make sure you review!!!

Angel shivered as the expanding shadows wrapped the cold of the night around his body. It was strange that he could feel the change in temperature, considering he was dead and all, but he wasn't going to complain about that, what he really felt like pummeling somebody about was the fact he was standing in some strange alternate reality, when Buffy was somewhere else. They had only just found each other after that small spell apart, that being thrown into two different time zones was not his ideal plan.

Staring up at the large expanse of building before him, Angel pondered why it was he was here, and how it was going to make the decision (for which he already had the answer) any harder. Shrugging his shoulders, Angel glanced around.

"Looking for someone?"

Angel jumped at the voice. Spinning he turned his gaze on someone he had never in a million years pictured seeing. "Doyle?"

"In the ghostly flesh!" Doyle flashed a toothy smile, and extended his hand, his smile widening when Angel pulled him into a hug. "Ease up big guy. This body is only temporary, don't need you squishing me."

Angel stepped back, his hands raised in an apology. "Sorry."

Doyle shook his head. "Eh, no worries! Right, now I bet your wondering why we are standing in front of a big building huh?"

Angel tore his gaze away from his friend and considered the building. "Yeah, I was a bit curious."

Doyle chuckled. "Well, this building is what is left of Wolfram and Hart. You destroyed it – in this reality – about 4 years ago. It was a massive showdown, demons everywhere, blood everywhere, and bodies everywhere. The only disappointing thing was Buffy didn't show. Her team did, but she didn't."

Angel frowned. "Why didn't she show? I imagine that if asked, she'd come. Well the one I know would."

"She would have, but she was busy with her family. She couldn't leave her kids in the lurch, considering their dad was always away. Besides she gave up being the slayer when she first fell pregnant. The watchers council renounced her title and stripped her powers. Gave her the normal life she's always craved."

"Buffy has kids?" Angel turned away, not believing that the love of his life would move on so much that she'd start the family he promised himself he'd be part of.

"6 to be exact. But you should know that one of them is yours." Doyle waited for the outburst he was sure was going to erupt from his friend. He wasn't disappointed.

"ONE OF THEM IS MINE?" Angel looked around for something to pummel. Were the fates always going to be against them?

"She fell pregnant on the day you erased. The powers were not willing to erase a life, so they let her carry the baby. Liam is a happy, healthy 17 years old. Her husband – Riley – believes the boy is his, and she hasn't corrected him. You see him on weekends, and whenever her husband is away." Glancing down at his watch, Doyle tipped his hat. "Time to move, I believe we have an access visit to witness."

Wrapping his hand around Angel's arm, Doyle winced as the motion sickness rushed at him, the spinning sensation taking them to the one place he knew Angel would not like being. The Summers residence.

Angel watched with wide eyes, as his future self strolled to the Summers' door, his hands resting in his pocket. Crossing the street, Angel wedged himself inside the door behind himself, and glanced around the crowded house. Gasping as his eyes landed on future Buffy, Angel regarded her future self. She was heavily pregnant, glowing and most importantly happy.

"I'll just get him" Future Buffy smiled and slowly turned in a circle, her hands steadying the large expanse of tummy before her. "Liam, your fathers here." Turning back to face him she smiled softly. "You look good."

Future Angel rolled his eyes. "You say that everytime!" Angel shook his head. "What can I say? Life agrees with me."

Buffy laughed softly and moved to tuck her hair behind her ears. Wincing at the motion, Buffy thought against it and moved the strand against her cheek. Noticing the wince go across her features, Angel reached out and gently lifted the strand of hair. Seeing a nice purple welt against her skin, Angel growled low in his throat.

"What happened?" he demanded, taking her hand into his own.

Buffy smiled weakly. "I fell earlier. My centre of gravity is always off when pregnant. I got up to fast, lost my balance and fell over. I just caught the corner of the coffee table. Nothing too serious."

Angel's eyes regarded her face closely. Buffy had never been one to lie about a situation, not to mention to him either. He was always the one she stayed extremely honest with. Glancing past her he met the eyes of his Son, whose face was a mirror image of his own.

"Tell the truth Mom. We both know he will find out soon enough. Better from you than anyone else."

Angel glanced across at Doyle. "I thought you said she was happy."

Doyle took a swig from the bottle of scotch that appeared out of thin air. "I can only tell you so much, the rest you have to find out for yourself.

Angel turned back to the scene before him. Why they made him go through this was beyond him. They should have already known his answer by now. They had been through so much apart that they deserved to be together. Why didn't the rest of the world see that?

Angel strode past Buffy to hug his son. "Will you please tell me what is going on?" He asked, turning back to face Buffy.

"Daddy hit Mommy." Angel spun at the small voice which sounded from around the corner.

Buffy's strangled cry was enough to make Angel wish Riley was in the room at that very moment. "Buffy?" His voice was gentle, his out stretched arm a sign of confidence to the broken slayer.

"I don't know what came over him. We had a fight this morning. I don't want anymore kids after this. My body has had enough. The Doctors have warned me against it. I told Riley this and he hit the roof. He had this vision in his head of us all moving to the country, closer to his family and raising "our clan" as he calls it. I don't want that. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to the bottom of my heart, but I just can't take it anymore." Buffy took a deep breath and raised her face to regard Angel.

Angel smiled sadly. "So he hit you?"

Buffy shook her head. "I think I provoked him. All I know is I was yelling at him about it being my body and my decision, when he just stormed across the room, threw me up against the wall and laid one on me."

Angel growled again. "How long is he away for?"

Liam stepped forward. "Until Tuesday."

Angel nodded. "Right. Get your things. All of you."

Buffy reached out, her eyes fearful. "Angel? What are you saying?"

Angel took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm saying get your things, you are all coming back with me. I don't care what argument you have. I'm not leaving town without you."

Liam laughed with joy. "Nice one Dad, going all noble! I'll get the kids." Disappearing up the stairs, Liam danced down the corridor.

"Enough." Angel turned to Doyle. "I don't want to see anymore.

Doyle nodded. "Right this way.

Angel shut his eyes against the rush of moving through time again. Opening them as he spun to a stop in front of the Oracles he regarded them.

"You have made a decision warrior?" The female regarded him, a serene smile gracing her features.

Angel nodded. "I choose Buffy. I choose life."

The female grinned happily. "See dear brother, I told you he would choose her."

The male frowned and ignored the comment. "Well then wise warrior. We accept your decision and would like to give you a gift. We hope that you will treat this kindly and not abuse what we are about to bestow on you."

Angel nodded.

"In that case. BE GONE!" Pushing his hands forward he banished Angel from the room and out into the corridor, Buffy appearing only moments later.

Groaning, Buffy sat up. "Angel?" She glanced across and felt as though she had yet to wake up from a dream. Watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, she screamed and threw herself across at him.

Angel groaned as her body slammed into his. "Buffy? What is going –" He was unable to finish his sentence, his body taking notice of the major change.

"Angel!" Buffy squealed. "You're Alive!!!!"

TBC!

Phew! How long has it taken for this to come out? Sorry it took so long. I'm on holidays at the moment so I will try and get another chapter out. Thank you so much to all those who reviewed. It means a lot to know that you all took the time to read and review this! I'm a little unsure on where to go from here, so any suggestions, definitely welcomed!

Cheers, BeraMoon