Chapter 9

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Anya said "so the plan was coming together"

Buffy said leaning on the wall "yeah it was, we were together… and he had asked me to marry him, dad loved it… but me, I loved him and that night I went to sleep and had the most horrible nightmare…"

Early The Next Morning

Buffy had fallen asleep after two hours of what seemed like the best sex in the world, and she started to dream Buffy was in the church on the day of the wedding she looked beautiful and Angel looked charming in his tux

the priest said "do you take this man as your lawful wedded husband to love and to cherish all the days of your life"

she said "I do"

he said "Liam do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to love and to cherish all of the days of your life"

he smiled genuinely from ear to ear at her "I do"

she caught a glimpse of her father and he said "the most important thing is family"

she kissed Angel and when she pulled away she noticed blood it was like he was bleeding from the heart she looked in his face and he looked like a zombie, she looked at his family and they also were zombies and they disincarnated to ash she looked back at him

he said in anger "I LOVED YOU… YOU KILLED ME!!" and he burned to death and she screamed she woke up with a start it hit her like a lighting bolt, what was she doing… if she married him she would destroy her life and if she didn't her family sure would what could she do. She looked over at her sleeping Angel and she wanted to cry

They all took the limo back to the apartment that morning Cordelia's limo came for her and she went home they went up to her apartment.

They went in sat down. Buffy said "um Angel do you mind if we don't tell anyone for a while… keep this between us"

he said confused "why"

she said "I'm just worried about my dad he might not like it to well"

he said "that all"

he laughed "then you don't have to worry about that… I already talked to him"

she said "what"

he said "yes… he gave me blessing… I was raised you have to go through the father in order to ask the daughters hand in marriage"

she said "oh I forgot you were raised like me… I guess we'll get them together tonight and announce the engagement"

he said smiling "that sounds great to me"

That night they all gathered in the Bandicetti compound, Buffy was nervous, she didn't want to do this the more she did the deeper she got but she had to protect him and she couldn't back out of the engagement with out her father scorning her and then killing him.

Angel said "are you ready"

she nodded "yeah… let's do this"

they stood in front of all her friends and her father in the living room,

Buffy said "we have an announcement to make"

Faith said "wow what's up it must be big you would have called us all here"

Buffy said "it is"

Spike said "Spill it… we don't have all day" she glared at Spike,

then said to the group "well your all gathered here tonight because… Angel asked me to marry him… and I said yes"

Willow squeal going over to hug her the guys shook with Angel Spike said "you have your self an amazing woman"

he smiled at her she wanted to cringe she hugged all of her girl friends Faith said "congrats on your getting hooked up"

Willow said "it's fantastic… I'm so happy for you B- Annabelle" she blushed saying sorry she hugged her friend and saw her Father standing off to the side with a cruel smile and it made her heart hurt.

Two Months Later

The family set up for a big engagement party at the compound that all of the Bandicetti family and friends were invited to party the night before they went to the Johansson compound to announce it to his father. They went to the house and his father was in his office as usual. Angel said "dad"

he looked up. "Hello Angel… Annabelle, what brings you here unannounced, I mean I can barely get you here when I call you"

Angel said "every funny dad"

he said "was I laughing"

Angel said "there something we need to tell you"

he said "yell I see… come sit I don't bite"

Angel said "I want to tell you, Cordelia and Connor all at once"

he said "okay, we'll all meet in the living room"

Ten minutes later they all gathered in the living room, Connor said "what's so important"

Cordelia said "yeah, I need to get my beauty rest… I have a date tomorrow"

Angel said "just sit down and shut up" they all sat in the living room

his father said " so what's on your mind son that you had to bring everyone here to speak"

he said "well as you know me and Annabelle have been seeing each other for over a year now" he looked at her smiling she smiled back shyly he continued "and I love her, more then anything… she makes me feel things I never felt before about any woman and I guess what I'm trying to say is… I asked her to marry me and she said yes"

Cordelia said "oh my god that's great"

she got up hugging Buffy "if you hurt him I'll kill you" and then hugged him and said "what took you so long… thought you had already did"

he kissed her cheek "I did… two months ago" after they split up Connor came over and said "congrats big brother, she a good one… I'm glad"

his father said "congrats Angel son… I'm glad that your happy and she makes you happy"

he said "thanks dad"

The Next Morning

Buffy and Angel were having breakfast Buffy said "you know you can invite your friends to the party as well I'm sure they'll want to come"

he said "I told them about it they said "they would like to"

she said "that's good… this is going to be a nice party"

Angel said "and now everyone in my family is planning one and oh… Cordelia's coming tonight"

Buffy said "what, she is coming I thought she didn't want to ever do it again"

Angel laughed "evidently her and Xander hit it off"

she said "wow… never saw that coming"

Angel said "I did because she wanted to hang out with us more mostly to see him"

Buffy said "they were making out when they slipped away from us weren't they" he nodded.

She said "weird, very weird" they laughed and talked through breakfast.

That Night

Buffy had talked to the caterers and the party was just getting started Xander and Faith were sitting in the living room Faith said "you look great B"

Buffy said "thanks"

Xander said is there any chance that a certain some one will be showing up"

Buffy smiled "yes Xander Cordelia will be here"

Dawn walked up in her black cocktail dress and her hair was pinned up and curled she said "Xander's got a date… weird, but great"

Buffy said "yeah"

Faith said "and spike's here"

Buffy said "why…"

Gunn said "you guys are friends and it only makes sense"

Buffy said "but he hates Angel and he will cause trouble"

Xander said "don't look at me"

Buffy said "yeah… I'll keep that in mind when I throttle you" Buffy walked out of the room.

Buffy got to the front door Angel came in she kissed him hello and Buffy said "Cordelia you made it"

she said "you think I would miss it your nuts"

Angel said as the next two came in "this is Wesley Windom Pryce… and his wife Winfred Berkal"

they smiled "hi"

Wesley said "nice to meet you Annabelle, Angel here can't stop talking about you"

Buffy said "oh I'm sure that he can't"

Fred said "you have a wonderful home here Annabelle"

Buffy said "thank you"

after a moment she said "go… mingle, have fun" she kissed Angel goodbye and Cordelia stayed.

Cordelia said "how are you doing" Buffy said "good… mostly, sometimes"

Cordelia said "so… is Xander here"

she said "yes he's here, he can't miss any big event… with food"

she said "you like him don't you"

Cordelia said "yeah… I really do"

Buffy said "what are you going to let anyone know"

she said "not ready to come out yet, I'm all stay in right now… I don't know how your dad is but my dad would not be happy"

Buffy said "I know… my dad's that way with Dawn"

Xander was taking a good look at himself in the mirror

Buffy said "so how are you really doing"

Cordelia said "don't go there"

Buffy said "hey were all here for"

Xander walked up she said "I have to… go to the party, party of the party"

she said looking around "Angel! Did you call me" she went off into the party.

Cordelia smiled at Xander he said "hey"

she said "hey… you look good"

he said "you two, ravishing" she blushed "thanks"

she said "so how have you been" he said "good… really good"

Xander said "you want to go upstairs and make out"

she said "god is that you think about" he smirked

she said "okay" and they jogged upstairs.

Buffy was getting drinks for her and Angel she was headed foir the kitchen when Spike and his friend Clement came in Spike had a bottle of scotch in his hand.

Buffy said "Spike"

he said "hey thought I would swing by… wish my girl best for her up coming wedding"

Buffy said "not your girl… why did you bring Clem"

Clem smiled and said "hi"

Buffy said "hi"

he said "remember we met at the poker game"

Buffy said "yeah… that was one wild night that I will never share because I got drunk"

Spike smirked "and danced on the table… in nothing but"

she slapped him "shut up"

she turned to go he said "it's something up with you… I can't put my finger on it"

Angel came in "Buffy… I thought you were getting drinks"

she said "I was… I was just greeting our guests, come on help me carry" she and Angel walked away she looked at spike whispering no trouble she held up a fist

Dawn was talking to Faith, "so what's up with Xander and Angel's sister"

Faith said "things you don't need to know about"

Dawn said "um I'm 17, I do know about relationships"

Faith said "right" not paying her much attention

Dawn said "I do know theses thing"

she said "right pip squeak"

she saw Robin smiling "excuse me" she went to him.

Dawn said "what ever"

Buffy came out of the main room and was headed to the kitchen she ran into Spike "what do you want"

Spike said "so what is it… what is your little secret"

she said "none of your business"

he said "I'll figure it out"

Buffy smeared "what are you jealous that I found a man that will do me a whole lot better then you"

he said "right, he may be rich and all but he's still from the other side of the tracks where you can't go" she pushed him away going back into the party.

They gave them gifts, Buffy opened Willow's "what is it"

she said "a time capsule, you can bury whenever at your home and 10, 20, 25, or 50 years down the road open it"

Buffy said sadly and then smiled "wow… thanks"

Dawn said "my turn"

she gave her a box and Buffy opened it she said "wow dawn it's beautiful"

it was a diamond heart pendent with a photo of them sealed inside she said "I love it Dawnie"

she said "that way where ever you are you have me with you" Buffy hugged her.

Xander brought in a box "this is for you"

she took it he said "it's a jewelry box, I had it made for you, with little compartments, and everything you would need and a handsome CD player built in so instead of it playing some tacky song you can put a CD in it and when you open t it will play it"

Cordelia said "he wanted you to have something original"

Xander said "plus I had no idea what to get the both of you… so I got this for you"

Angel said "it's fine"

Buffy said "thanks Xander" she kissed his cheek Buffy said "come on, shall we party now" everyone cheered. And they partied the night away.

Two Months Later

Angel's father was having an engagement party for him at the house, Eve went to his office to see him that morning. She said "you hiding in here or something"

he said "what"

she said "you stood me up"

he said "what are you talking about"

she said "we had a 9 O'Clock remember your son's party"

Henry said "oh god, is that tonight"

she said "yes"

he said "I'm coming"

she said "okay"

They walked down to the main room she said "you okay… you seemed stressed"

he said "that would be because I am, trying to run a company. Keep track of everyone and make sure no one is screwing me over… oh and making sure that my enemies don't have my family killed… so yes I'm stressed"

she said "it will be okay Henry"

they reached the down stairs people were all over putting up stuff and getting the food to be prepared Angel came in with Cordelia, she went off to check on something and he went over to his father. "hello"

Lorne the planner off all parties and weddings etc. the family had said "did Henry forget the party"

Eve said "yes"

Angel said "dad"

Henry said "were having it in the main house, I thought it was going to be had at your house in the back"

Lorne said "you didn't get the memos… I sent you like fifty"

he said "sorry I was busy"

Angel said "we don't have to have the party here… we don't have to have it at all we already had one with her family"

Lorne said "are you crazy, we have to have the party… this is he biggest party of the year, problem is no one's coming"

Angel said "my friends and her friends are coming plus the intermediate family"

Lorne said "you don't get it… yeah there coming but the right people in the business aren't coming"

Angel said "But I"

Henry said "I personally don't care, I have business to take care of"

Lorne said "if you get the people to come you can handle business matters all at once… this is a party, big one… we need to have, okay it's going to happen and I don't want to hear anymore about it"

Angel stepped back Henry glared at Lorne he smiled "I can see your in a bad mood and we can talk about this later okay… when your in a better mood."

He walked away so did Henry and Eve. Cordelia said "what was that about"

Angel said "the party, I'm almost not so sure I want to have it here anyone"

she said "it will be fine"

Later that afternoon they all gathered in the lounge waiting for Lorne, Buffy said "why are we here"

Angel said as she sat on his lap "Lorne wanted us all here"

Cordelia said "I have no clue why" she leaned over to Angel whispering "Dad looks pissed off" Angel nodded.

Lorne came in on his phone and shut it saying "what's everyone sitting here for"

Henry said "Waiting. For. You… YOU DAMN FOOL!!"

he said "oh sorry" he looked around the room and said "Annabelle your looking ravishing today" he kissed he cheek

she said "thank you"

he said "well anyway… I just want to express how important this party is to us all"

Angel said "we'll personally… we don't need to have it"

Henry said "he's right"

Connor said "well, I have to say that Lorne's right dad we need to have this party, we need to show the rest of the business people that we know what were doing"

Lorne said "as head of your party and event board, we need this party, parties for things like this are very important for family and big events for friend and business partners"

Angel said "I under stand that you need to keep up appearances but it's our party and I don't need them there messing it up… this is about me and Annabelle and our friends, not business and your evil people and plans"

he said "your still not under standing Angel-cake's… if we don't do this"

he looked at Henry "there could be a big out of control blood bath when the wedding rolls around"

he signed "listen Henry… Angel this is what I do, I ran a club for years mixing the good the bad and the most tempered, and everyone got along fine… business was settled best at parties"

Angel said "But"

Lorne said "shush" Eve came in with coffee handing it to Henry, "this is a important for appearances, for your partners and client, these parties are important… best bargaining tools and they draw good attention to you… simply put moral thing"

Angel said "excuse me" Buffy followed him out of the office.

They went to the garden "I can't take this"

Buffy said "it's rather annoying"

Angel said "no this party is about us and he's making it about business"

Buffy said "I know… it's hard but in my family we shut up… and let it go, what ever happens is going to happen weather we want it to or not"

Cordelia said "there you two are"

Buffy said "yeah"

Cordelia said "dad is being a bit unfair but not"

Angel said "right"

Cordelia said "daddy doesn't even want to have the party… Lorne's making him have the party"

Angel laughed "that's one thing we can manage to agree on"

Angel ran his hands over his face Buffy said "it will be okay… you'll see, let them have there fun, all that matters is that were together"

he smiled "what would I do without you"

she said smiling "loose your mind" he kissed her.

Cordelia rolled her eyes "oh please"

she sighed "Buffy don't you have to go get ready… and then get your friend and get back here in three hour"

Buffy looked at her watch and said "Damn, I'll be back" she kissed his cheek and they left

That Night

That night Buffy was getting ready for the party, Willow had her two outfit out "what the hell do I wear…"

Willow held up the black long dress "conservative and not slutty" willow held up the other looser free for easy moving dress "or aggressive, sensual hottie"

Faith said "I say hottie"

Gunn said "if his dads going to be there the other one"

Willow said "why are you so nervous anyway, I need his father to like me… this is the first time I've had to spread a hole night in his presence"

Xander said "don't worry… why should be worried no you met him I haven't"

Buffy said "now that's what I call nervous, I'll wear the black dress"

she picked up her lipstick "should I wear the red or the gold"

Willow said "gold"

Faith said "red" everyone else said "red"

Buffy said "I guess red it is" Willow said "you better hurry up the limo will be here in 15 minutes to pick us up"

They arrived at the compound and went inside the place was set, Buffy said "wow looks like on of my parties"

Angel came over to her and smiled "hey" she kissed him hello.

Cordelia came over in a beautiful jewel studded dress Xander said "you look nice"

she said "thanks" they walked off together.

Buffy said "and they are so into each other"

Angel said "that would have to have been the best blind date she went on"

Willow said "this looks like a great party"

Oz said "super"

Gunn said "then lets get to the partying"

Angel said "we were lucky enough that we could get Lorne to have the party in another part of the house for there business"

Buffy said "so your saying we can cut loose"

Lorne walked over "you can have as much fun as you want, my gift to you for the party"

Faith said "then what are we standing here for"

Fred and Wesley we were standing over at the hors d'oeuvres, Buffy and Angel went over to them tasting the hors d'oeuvres Angel said "why are you two hanging over here"

Buffy said 'it is a party you know"

Wesley said "we don't like to do to much at parties"

Fred said "nothing's changed sense high school… I'm always here by the food all night long"

Wesley said "even now we tend to stay near the food"

Lorne said "why the hell are you over here"

Angel said "we were just trying the food"

Buffy said "nice any" as she bit the finger sandwiches.

He said "fine get back out there mingle at least with your friends if your not with family, dance sing have fun"

they walked off Buffy said "does he have stress issue"

Angel said "who knows"

Wesley drank his beer and said "this type of partying really isn't are thing"

Lorne said "no you're the young beautiful the radiant…"

Fred said "sorry were just wall flowers"

he said "none sense get out there… have drinks, mingle if not for me for them"

they looked at each other Lorne looked at them "there's your problem, your not drinking… is this not a party… you should be three sheet to the wind already, go drink, dance be merry" they nodded he walked away, and found

he and said "where's your dad"

Connor said "in his office"

he said "thank you"

He walked into Henry's office and said "what are you doing in here"

he said "sitting doing work"

Lorne said "your suppose to be out there mingling"

he said "I hate parties especially load parties… I like calm parties, casual"

Lorne said "newsflash… this isn't about you this about your son"

he said "my son who didn't want to have the party"

Lorne said "who cares… go out have fun shmooze, there are important people out there and the only one talking business to them is Connor… get up off you keaster and get out there"

he said "fine I'll go" he went out with him.

Lorne said "there's O'Rankin, important business partner, and O'Connor very important to stay on his good side…"

Angel walked over and said "well it's nice you could show up"

he said "right"

Lorne said "he's doing good, he's already not yelled at a bunch of people"

Angel sighed "great"

Lorne said "oh look there your prime business partner, get the best deals merging this… get you better profit, go mingle" they walked away Angel hook his head.

Buffy said as Angel came over to her and the group, "what going on"

Faith said "looks like daddy Warbucks came out of hiding"

Robin said "what's going on"

they looked over at the group of me talking Angel said "my father had business stuff to take care of"

Wesley and Fred came over looking a bit messed up. Buffy said "are you two drunk"

Wesley said "I would imagine so"

Fred laughed hysterically. Faith said "can you say smashed"

Buffy said "I only got smashed once in my life and I'm not telling that story"

Faith said "oh yeah I remember that… the poker game and you and"

Buffy said "shut up or I'll smash the glass over your head"

Henry was talking when he saw his daughter on the arm of some gentlemen he had never met before. He said "excuse me"

he walked over to her "Cordelia"

she said "oh hi daddy… this is Alexander Harris"

he glared at him "Alexander"

she said "um yeah… he's my boyfriend"

he said "oh really… how long have you two been seeing each other"

Xander said "oh about 2 ½ months"

he said "I see"

Cordelia said "I didn't tell you because you were busy and, a lots been going on"

he said "I see, and you invited him"

Xander said "actually, I'm a friend of Annabelle's"

he said "I see, why don't we go and take a walk" they nodded.

Lorne found Connor talking to Gunn, Connor said "great party"

Gunn said "it's really cool"

Connor said "I don't know how you do it"

he said "it's a miracle"

Buffy and Angel were dancing, and then Eve came over said "Wow, you two look nice"

Buffy said a bit angry "thanks"

she said "this is the most I've seen of you two talking getting around, and I mean Angel your really talking to your family"

Angel said "it's an act… I hate being with fifty feet of my family"

she said "didn't seem like it"

Lorne passed through "am I sensing bad energy here, go do something with yourselves"

he went by Buffy said "Eve, if you don't mind me and Angel were having a moment… in order for us to continue that" she smiled wrapping his arms around her waist "you would have to go away" she glared at them going away.

Buffy turned in his arms. "why don't we go upstairs"

he said "and ditch the party"

she said "yes, I have a lot of sexual tension I'm dying to release" she smirked at him "think you can help me with that"

he smiled "let's go and see what I can do about that" they went upstairs.

Faith said "sad skipping their own party to go have sex"

Robin said "and you have the right to talk"

she said "point taken"

Cordelia, Xander and Henry walked in the gardens Henry said "what do you do Xander"

he said "I'm a carpenter"

he said "I see and what do you plan to do with that in life"

Cordelia said "daddy"

he said "I just want to know"

he said "I plan on owning my own construction company some day"

he said "where are you from"

he said "here in Sunnydale, born and raised, my dads a dead beat and my mom has her own problems, both still live here and I work at a company in Los Angeles."

He said "any siblings"

he said "I had a brother but he died a few years ago"

Cordelia couldn't figure out he was telling the truth or not. Her father said "where are you from originally"

he said "well my family is natives to Boston, my uncles still live there" they talked for an hour and Cordelia was surprised at how calm and collected he was around her Father. They nearly stared each other down. But she knew that had to be from the way he was raised, the Italian background.

They walked back in to he party, She said "you did well"

he said "thanks…"

she said "a lot better then the last one"

he said "last one"

he said "last one"

she said "yeah Jimmy O Brian, he was nice but, my brothers gave him such a third degree, he nearly ran out of here for dear life" he laughed.

Faith and robin came over Faith said "hey Xand, you okay… look like daddy Warbuck's gave you a nice talking to"

he said "yeah" Robin said "you still alive"

he said "I'll be okay thanks guys" they partied the night away.