Hey! Just to alleviate a few concerns from reviewers, Spike will not become a main character in the story. He may appear a bit here and there, but not as anything more than he has been already.

Also, the other stories I'm working on are all B/A. Some are human, some take place after NFA, some are AU but have vampires...they're literally all over the place. (I will finish my Charmed story). Aside from that, everything I'm writing is B/A. I'm hoping to finish a story before posting next time.

For the next chapter of this story, there will be a big time jump. May be a filler chapter because I feel like I can't skip holidays! Let me know what you think. I really want to get to their wedding/honeymoon.

Ch. 11

"Her spleen ruptured," the doctor explained. "She's bleeding internally."

"Oh my god," Angel said running a hand through his hair. "You can live without a spleen though, right? My dad had his removed."

"We try not to remove spleens anymore," the doctor answered. "We can manage this non-operatively."

"Someone called for a surgical consult?" said another doctor who burst through the door.

"I thought you said she didn't need surgery," Angel said now panicking.

"That's for me to decide," the surgeon replied, moving to examine Buffy's abdomen.

"This is Dr. Brenner," Dr. Hart introduced. "Our new surgical resident." The surgeon quickly used an ultrasound machine before handing it to a nurse and turning back to Buffy. "She needs the OR."

"No she doesn't," Dr. Hart argued.

"She has a Grade III hematoma," Dr. Brenner argued.

"Yes. One that can be treated with transfusions in the ICU while it heals itself," Dr. Hart pointed out and Dr. Brenner rolled her eyes.

"Unless it doesn't heal itself in which case you've wasted days and risked irreparable damage to her spleen," she shot back and Angel stepped forward. "Not to mention-"

"Shut up!" Angel exclaimed. "Both of you get over your damn power trip. My fiancée is lying there bleeding internally," he pointed out both doctors quieted immediately. "Now grow the hell up and figure out what's best for my fiancée. You," he turned to Dr. Brenner, "Don't cut just to cut. "And you," he directed to Dr. Hart, "Don't avoid an operation just to piss off surgery."

"Send her to ICU," Dr. Brenner relented ripping off her gloves. "If she doesn't respond after two units, we're cutting," she said before stomping out of the room and letting the door slam behind her.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Should I be calling her mom? She lives in LA," Angel asked the nurse after Buffy was set up in the ICU.

"If I were her mom I'd want to be here," the nurse replied. "And is there someone we can call for you?"

"I'll call some of our friends. Let them know what's going on," Angel nodded as he dialed Joyce's number. He hung up before the second ring. "What should I tell them?"

"Tell them that we're giving her blood," the nurse said patiently. "And that if all goes well she'll be out of here in a couple days."

"I'm not worried about what will happen if all goes well," Angel said quietly and the nurse looked at him in concern.

"We have to think positively. She's young and healthy. There's no reason-"

"My sister was young and healthy too but they couldn't stop her bleeding. And my dad just came to get an x-ray but he left with a cast and bone cancer. So tell me what happens if giving her blood doesn't work," Angel demanded and the nurse gave him a sympathetic look.

"If we can't stay ahead of the bleeding her vitals will drop again. We'll rush her to surgery to repair her spleen. If they can't repair it they'll have to remove it. Without a spleen you can live normally, but can be more susceptible to infection," she said knowing that this man needed the facts without it being sugarcoated. "But this injury should heal itself without surgery."

"Okay," he replied as he began dialing Joyce.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm so sorry Buffy," Angel finally said after she'd been in the ICU for two days. "This is all my fault."

"No it isn't," she replied as she reached for his hand. "It was an accident. And you brought me back here right away."

"This has to stop," he whispered and she gave him a confused look. "We've had two real fights," he began shakily as he sat down next to her bed. "And both times, you almost died."

"Angel-"

"I know they were both my fault," he rushed to say. "But I can't promise I won't screw up again and I can't lose you!"

"I don't do it on purpose Angel," she assured him and he nodded.

"I know you don't. But…"

"And this wasn't even about our fight. It happened the next day," she reminded him and he sighed.

"How are things in here?" Joyce asked as she arrived for the day. She'd jumped in the car as soon as Angel called, and she'd done everything she could think of to make Buffy more comfortable.

"They're fine mom. Do you think you could run home and get me my fuzzy socks?" she asked pointedly and Joyce looked at her curiously. She knew that tone. That tone meant 'get the hell out, mom.' But then she saw Angel's face and she knew something must be wrong.

"Of course, Sweetheart. Anything else?" she asked but Buffy shook her head and Joyce left with an encouraging smile.

"You should still be mad at me about Faith," Angel said and Buffy turned back to him.

"Don't be so guilty Angel," she told him but he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"It's really hard not to be when you're lying there in a hospital bed with ribs bruised so bad you can hardly breathe," he whispered and she squeezed his hand tightly so he wouldn't pull away. "Be mad at me Buffy. Please," he begged and she could hear the fear in his voice. She wished she could pull him close to her and hold him.

"You did nothing wrong," she told him but he shook his head.

"Would you like a recap of the fight that led up to this?" he gestured to her in the hospital bed.

"I don't know what there is to say," she admitted. "You'd done nothing wrong but I was mad at you," she said quietly. "I was…am, mad that you could be with someone like Faith."

"I don't want to be with Faith," he said plainly.

"But you could be," she said quietly. "You could be with anyone."

"But I want to be with you because I love you," he responded earnestly. "Buffy, I don't have a doubt in my mind."

"I know you don't," Buffy whispered as she tucked some hair behind her ear. "But sometimes I do."

"What?" Angel asked immediately, feeling as if he'd just been punched in the stomach. She had doubts about them? Where had that come from? They'd been so solid. What kind of doubts could she possibly have?

"I'm afraid we're making a mistake," she admitted as he stood up off the bed. "Maybe we're rushing this."

"Buffy…" Angel trailed off running a hand through his hair. How did he even respond to that? "Where is this coming from?" he finally asked and Buffy let out a long sigh.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Just…what if everything changes after we've been together for a long time?" she asked worriedly. "What if the novelty wears off and you realize I'm not perfect? Then what's stopping you from going to someone like Faith?"

"Do you really think I'm that shallow Buffy?" he asked feeling a bit hurt by what she was saying. "That after a while I'll just get tired of you and move on?"

When she shrugged he realized that she was worried about exactly that.

"You're a catch, Angel. You are perfect," she sighed. "And I'm…not. I'm not perfect Angel," she whispered. "I screw up. A lot. And I can get selfish and unreasonable and mad for no reason. I say I want things that I don't want and I don't tell people what I do want. I'm complicated and annoying," she finished and Angel hid his smile.

"Buffy," he began and sat on the edge of her bed. "You're the best person I've ever met. You make me happy. Nobody's ever made me happy like you do," he said truthfully. "You remind me what's important in life. You reconnected me with my mom and you see past all the things wrong with me."

"Nothing's wrong with you. That's what I'm saying!" Buffy said now exacerbated. He wasn't getting her point.

"There are things wrong with me Buffy, but you love in me in spite of them. Just like I love you in spite of the things you think are wrong with you. Or maybe because of them," he explained and Buffy felt tears welling in her eyes.

"Did I also mention you're too smart for me?" she said in a small voice and Angel chuckled before leaning down to gently kiss her lips. "I just…I don't understand how you could be with Faith and me. We're so different."

"I was never happy when I was with Faith," he said simply and suddenly all of Buffy's insecurities flew out the window. He'd been sitting at her hospital bedside for two days. And he had already told her how he planned to help her recuperate once the hospital released her. It was then that she realized that there was another conversation she couldn't put off any more. One even less pleasant than the last one. She'd been thinking about it, and she didn't see a way around it.

"We have to postpone the wedding," she said sadly and Angel reared back from her, totally caught off guard.

"What?" he asked standing up and she felt a few tears sting her eyes. She knew he'd be upset.

"We're supposed to get married in five weeks," she reminded him.

"Yeah," he nodded not seeing the problem.

"My ribs aren't going to heal for at least a month," she pointed out and he let out a breath. He'd thought she was having more doubts about them. "There's still so much left to plan and I can hardly breathe when I'm not hooked up to pain meds."

"I can finish planning it Buffy. I'll get your mom to help," he assured her but she sighed.

"I'm still supposed to wait at least six weeks before doing anything strenuous."

"Buffy-"

"I don't know about you but I was going to dance at our wedding and I had some eventful things planned for the honeymoon. And the wedding night," she added and Angel stepped forward and grabbed her hand.

"We could work it out," he said sitting back on her bed. "If you want to still get married in August, we could make it work."

"I don't want to be worrying that my dress will hurt my ribs or that my spleen will rupture in the middle of the YMCA," she said and Angel nodded. "I want to get married when we planned," she whispered wiping away a tear. "But I don't think it's a good idea."

"Then we'll push it back a few months," he suggested. "Maybe make it a Christmas wedding?" he smirked as he saw Buffy's face light up at the thought.

"I told you you were too smart for me!" she grinned as she sat up and kissed him soundly. At the sudden movement she whimpered in pain and pulled back. "Ow," she frowned. "I can't even kiss you right. That's got to be the worst part of all of this."

"We can find a way," he assured her as he leaned down and kissed her. He kept his weight off her and she moaned into his mouth. It was the first real kiss they'd shared since the night they'd fought.

"You know what's going to be torture?" she asked as she smiled against his lips.

"What?"

"Not being able to touch you until everything heals," she pouted and he groaned but for the first time in days felt like they were back on track.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"You're thinking of buying a gallery space?" Joyce asked Angel who shrugged. Buffy had been home from the hospital for just over a week. He wasn't thinking about much of anything aside from her getting well.

"I was. I'm not sure it's the right time," he hedged but Joyce was very interested.

"Well, your work is good enough to be displayed in any gallery," she said and Angel was flattered by the comment. Joyce had actually worked in an art gallery, so she knew what she was talking about. "But I think there's definitely room in Sunnydale for a new gallery."

"I don't know if I want to commit all the time. Or if I'd even know how to go about it," Angel admitted and Joyce looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"This might be crazy," she said and Angel looked at her. "But what if I helped you run the gallery?"

"I'm not sure you could do it from LA," he replied but Joyce smiled.

"Your mom and I have been talking. I'd move in with her. At least for a while. I hate being away from Buffy," she said and Angel's mouth opened in shock. "Don't feel obligated to say yes," she rushed to tell him. "I'm moving back regardless."

"Does Buffy know?"

"Not yet," she said. "I wanted to work out some details first. She'll offer for me to stay here, but I don't think that's a good idea. You two deserve your space and frankly I'm done cleaning and taking care of a house."

"And Giles?" Angel wondered and she shrugged.

"He's considering it," she said and Angel could tell it was a source of conflict for the two. "He could get his old apartment back, but he'd have no job. He doesn't want to be a high school librarian again."

"He could run an art gallery with you," Angel offered and Joyce's face lit up in surprise.

"Are you sure?"

"I don't want to run it. I want to own it," he clarified. "I want to choose art to display, give newer artists a chance…" he trailed off and Joyce grinned. "But I do not want to have to be in there all day every day to run it. I can't see a better option than you. And Giles if he's interested," Angel added and Joyce couldn't help herself as she pulled Angel into a hug.

"Thank you so much," she gushed and Angel chuckled.

"Don't thank me. You're the one doing me a favor," he said as Buffy slowly came down the stairs.

"What's going on?" she asked and Joyce turned to her daughter.

"Angel and I are going to be business partners!"

XXXXXXXXXXX

"I can't believe you and my mom are going into business together," Buffy giggled as she rested her head on Angel's chest. "But I'm glad she's moving back here. I miss her," she said and Angel ran a hand through her hair.

"I know you do. We're going to call the realtor tomorrow morning to try and find a space," he said and Buffy sighed.

"So I guess that means you need a good night's sleep then, huh?" she asked and he could detect a bit of disappointment in her voice. She rolled over slightly and he saw a glimmer in her eyes that he hadn't seen in a while.

"Well, your mom's really doing all the work. I just write the check," he shrugged and Buffy smiled.

"Good," she said before pulling his mouth down to hers. A moan escaped her lips and she felt her toes curl. His kiss felt so good. His tongue slid against hers and she pulled at his arms until he crawled on top of her. He was careful to keep his weight off of her, but it had been a long time since they'd been together like this.

"Buffy," he pulled back but she shook her head.

"Less talking. More kissing," she demanded and he immediately complied. She wasted no time in peeling his t-shirt off. Her hands roamed across his bare chest, his shoulders, and his back. All the while they never broke the kiss.

"Buffy, maybe we should stop," he breathed heavily. He was already straining against his boxers. It had been weeks, and he didn't think he'd have much control if they went farther.

"I need you," she said and he groaned inwardly. "I'm probably just going to lie here and not do much, but please Angel," she begged.

"I don't want to hurt you," he told her but his hand had crept under her tank top.

"You won't," she assured him but he looked unconvinced. She grabbed his face in her hands and looked right into his eyes. "I promise, you will not hurt me. My spleen is healed. My ribs are sore, but they'll be fine. Now please Angel," she said and without another word he pulled her tank top over her head.

"Your mother's down the hall," he reminded her.

"Then you better keep my mouth covered," she warned and he smirked before kissing her. He trailed his lips down her neck, gently kissing every spot he knew was sensitive. He hadn't touched her skin like this in what seemed like forever.

His kisses and hands were awakening Buffy's body and she couldn't hold back a moan. Her tiny hands were on his back, but she was nearly paralyzed from his ministrations. When her eyes rolled shut she briefly considered rolling them over, but she didn't think it would be a good idea.

"I missed this," Angel murmured and Buffy grabbed a handful of his hair. "You have no idea how much," he breathed as she placed light kisses along his jaw. He slid his hands inside her pajama shorts and slid them down her body.

"Yes I do," she whispered as his hands slowly caressed her hips. She couldn't seem to catch her breath and she felt her ribs ache with the strain. But when his fingers inched closer to her center she hardly felt the pain. He touched her lightly. She opened her legs and dug her nails into his shoulder. "Don't tease me Angel."

She saw that infuriatingly gorgeous smirk cross his face. The next second he slipped a finger inside her and Buffy couldn't hold back a moan. His mouth silenced her quickly with a kiss.

"You have to be quiet," he reminded her but he moved his finger slowly pleasuring her. "We don't want your mom hearing," he whispered in her ear. But his voice in her ear only turned her on more. When he saw her squeeze her eyes shut he gently bit her earlobe. She let out a soft whimper. He really did have a way with the soft and slow…

"Angel," she breathed heavily. She was about to scold him for teasing her, but then he pushed another finger inside her.

"Does that feel good?" he asked and she moaned lightly. "I think you feel incredible. So wet," he husked out surprising her. She'd expected more teasing, not dirty talk. She was already so close to coming. If he kept talking he'd have her there in seconds. "I can't wait to get inside you."

"Then don't!"

"But I want to see you come first," he said calmly. "I love to watch you come apart, bit by bit. It's so sexy," he rasped. "That's why I like to take things slow sometimes," he revealed as he brought his thumb up to her clit. She gasped when he pressed hard. "I get to watch how you react to every single thing I do."

"Angel," she groaned as she felt her body tighten up, right on the verge of release. "Please Angel." She didn't have to say another word. His thumb made small circles around her clit and in seconds her body was reeling. Her moan was muffled by the hand that had clamped down over her mouth. She grabbed his wrist, clutching onto anything that was near as she rode out her orgasm.

When it was over she released Angel's hand and they both moved to take off his boxers. Their hands got tangled and Buffy giggled before she reached inside his boxers instead. She wrapped her hand around him, stroking slowly as he shed his boxers.

"Buffy," he said shakily as he removed her hand. "I'd like to try and make this last," he smiled crookedly and Buffy pulled him down on top of her.

"I missed this," Buffy repeated his earlier sentiment as their eyes locked. Without another word spoken between them, Angel nudged her legs apart with his knee. Slowly he entered her, holding back a groan even as her nails dug deep into his shoulders. "Yes," Buffy whispered when he was fully seated inside her. "You feel so good Angel."

"Damn," Angel swore as he felt himself already on the verge of losing it. He stayed still, hoping to gather some control.

"Please Angel. I need you to move," Buffy begged as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I'm so close."

"God Buffy," he groaned as he slowly pulled out before thrusting back in. Buffy couldn't stay quiet so she buried her face in Angel's shoulder. His rhythm was perfect so Buffy just clung to him, desperately trying not to scream.

But when her teeth sunk into his shoulder Angel couldn't hold back. Muffling his own groans with the pillow, he moved his hips harder and faster. He felt the tingling at the base of his spine and he exploded deep inside Buffy. Distantly he felt her nails scrape down his back. He quickly found Buffy's clit, pressing on it hard as he thrust a few more times. She tightened around him, her own orgasm rocking her body.

Slowly both their bodies calmed down and Angel rolled to the side. He pulled Buffy close and kissed her soundly, feeling more connected to her than he had in a while.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Angel slow down!" Buffy exclaimed from the passenger seat. "You just got a ticket. You don't need another one."

"What if something's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"Fred said she was fine," Buffy assured him. "She's only three weeks early. That's still considered a full term pregnancy."

"Really? So it's not premature?" Angel said and Buffy sighed. She'd tried to tell him all this at the house.

"No. And they can tell how big the baby is so they'd know if there was a problem. Especially since Fred's been at the hospital for over eight hours already," Buffy pointed out and Angel let out a sigh of relief.

XXXXXXXXXX

"PICK A NAME!" Fred yelled as she squeezed Wesley's hand so tight he really thought it would break.

"Fred, Honey, can we just-"

"NO! This baby will have a name before it's born," she insisted and Wes tried to pry his hand free but couldn't. "Or do I have to remind you about our conversation last night? The one where you told me you didn't have to finish painting the nursery yet because we still had plenty of time?" she exclaimed and Wes winced. "What kind of parents don't have their nursery ready? It's not like we didn't know the baby was coming!" she snapped.

"I'm sorry Honey," Wes begged for forgiveness. "I really thought we had more-"

"AAAAHHHH- Pick aaaaahhhhh name!" she yelled with such fire in her eyes Wes wouldn't dare argue.

"We liked W-whitney if it was a girl," he stammered. "And William for a boy," he determined.

"Okay mom. A big push on the next one."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"We'd like you to meet William Wyndham-Price," Wesley beamed as Buffy and Angel walked into the room a while later.

"He's beautiful," Buffy nearly melted as she saw him wrapped in a little blue blanket in Fred's arms.

"You want to hold him?" Fred offered and Buffy nodded right away. Buffy took him gently and smiled at the little baby in her arms.

"Hi William," she cooed and Angel smiled at the sight before him. "You're so little!"

"Hey little guy," Angel chuckled as Buffy leaned towards him. "You've got a lot of hair, huh?"

"Yeah. Lots of hair and big eyes," Wes grinned.

"He's perfect," Buffy said cuddling him to her chest. "I call babysitting duties."

"Only if I ever let him out of my sight," Fred said sheepishly as she rested back against the pillows. She was exhausted. "Now if only our nursery was finished!"