I am sorry that it has taken me so long to complete this story. Like so many people in America I have had a lot of financial worries and if you have ever had to deal with or know of someone that has been in a situation where they didn't know if they were going to have a roof over their heads next month then you know how hard this is on you. Needless to say this frame of mind is not conducive to writing. Things are looking a lot better now though and I was able to think about the last chapter again. I hope you like the way I ended it and I want to thank all of you for all of your reviews. Kinoa
Chapter 14
At 7 p.m. Kathleen woke up with the feeling that someone had just kissed her but no one was in the room with her. She looked around the room carefully and somehow she knew that her mother and father were in the room with her. She picked up the phone and called downstairs for Sean. Fred, as usual, picked up the phone. "Aunt Fred?" "Yes." "Aunt Fred if Sean is down there would you tell him to come to our room and bring the baby with him. I want just him for now, okay?" "Okay Kathleen he'll be there in a few minutes."
It only took him five minutes to pick up his daughter and make his way upstairs. He turned the light on and came in and closed the door behind him. Kathleen was sitting up in bed and waiting for him. Sean went to the side of the bed and gave his daughter to her mother. Without saying anything to him she took her daughter in her arms and pulled the blankets back to fully expose her daughter. She looked up and towards the middle of the room. To Sean's surprise she said "Momma and Daddy I would like to introduce you to your Granddaughter Mary Cordelia McConnell."
Angel and Cordelia became more solid then as they approached the bed. Sean got up when he was able to see them and went to the end of the bed. Cordelia sat on the side of the bed. "She's beautiful Kathleen. You and Sean did real good. I wish that I could hold her." Cordelia put her finger in her granddaughter's tiny hand and to her surprise she grabbed onto her. Cordelia looked at Angel. "She knows I'm here and I can feel her hand." "Take her Momma. You'll be able to hold her for awhile."
Cordelia carefully took her granddaughter from Kathleen. Angel bent down and gave his granddaughter a kiss on her forehead and then kissed her hand and Cordelia did the same. She gave her back to Kathleen before she became incorporeal again. She gave her daughter a hug and kiss then turned to Sean and gave him a hug and kiss also. Angel shook Sean's hand and gave his daughter a hug and kiss also. Kathleen continued to hold onto her father for as long as she could. He whispered in her ear. "I am very proud of you Kathleen. I love you." Angel stood up then and they said goodbye.
"Why were we able to feel them?" Sean asked. "Jesus gave them this small gift." With tears in her eyes Kathleen kissed Sean and then her daughter. She gave her daughter to Sean then while she went to the bathroom. When she came out she brought a washrag and a hand towel back to the bed and got under the covers again. She pulled her nightgown off her shoulders and prepared her breast for her daughter's first meal. While she was doing this Sean had come over to the other side of the bed and sat down beside her. Kathleen leaned against him while her daughter learned where her meals were going to come from. "I've seen women feed their babies many times but this is special because this baby is mine also. I've never understood completely the look of wonder on the fathers faces until now." He kissed his daughters head gently as she suckled at her mother's breast.
When Kathleen was through feeding her daughter she gave her to Sean to burp. When he got the tiny burp he changed her and wrapped her up again. They heard a knock at the door. Sean went to open the door. "Come in Fred and Wesley." Fred came in first and then was followed by Wesley who had a tray of food. "I thought you would probably be hungry now so I made a sandwich for you."
"I'm starving, thank you Aunt Fred." Fred and Wesley sat down at the kitchen table while Kathleen ate her sandwich. When Kathleen was done and leaning against the headboard sipping on her cup of coffee that Sean had made she said "Momma and Daddy came to see their new granddaughter."
"I bet Angel's smile reached from one side of his face to the other." Wesley said. "It did but the biggest thing was that Jesus gave them the gift of being able to touch and hold her for a few minutes." Kathleen said. "Before they became incorporeal again I got to hug and kiss them again." Kathleen said with tears in her eyes. Fred hugged her and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "You are a very lucky girl Kathleen."
Both Fred and Wesley left after a few minutes and took the tray down to the kitchen. Sean placed his daughter in the bassinet so she could sleep. "I think I'll go and take a shower then lie down for some more sleep. Giving birth is exhausting work and I think I need some more rest." "Do you want me to come and help you?" "No I think I'll be okay. Why don't you go downstairs and get yourself some blood. You're looking more pale than usual." "Yah, I am feeling a little weak. I've had nothing on my mind but you and our daughter."
Sean went downstairs and saw his brother in-laws Nicky and Mike at the dining room table having some coffee. After he warmed up his mug of blood he went to sit down with them.
"How is Kathleen and our new niece doing?" Nicky asked. "Okay, Angel and Cordelia came to see their new granddaughter. For a few minutes they became solid enough for Cordelia to hold her granddaughter for a few minutes. Both Angel and Cordelia gave her a kiss then gave her back to Kathleen before they became incorporeal again. When they left I asked Kathleen why they were able to touch their granddaughter. She said that Jesus had given them this small gift." Sean waited for a few minutes to ask his own question. "When are you two going to start your own families?"
Nicky and Mike hadn't expected that question. "We both have girlfriends but we haven't said anything to them yet about who we are and what we do. I want to finish my schooling first before I make a more serious commitment. " Mike said.
"What about the Price boys?" Sean asked. "They have prospects also. I think David is about ready to pop the question but Bobby is tied up with his schooling right now. We've all gone out together a couple of times and Jeanie says that Bobbie's girlfriend, Debbie, has set the hook and is getting ready to reel him in." Mike said.
"I am going to go over to Mrs. Benton's and check on the two girls that delivered their own babies yesterday. Anyone want to go?" Wesley was just coming out of the kitchen when he heard Sean. "I want to go with you. I have to check with Mrs. Benton and make sure that she has enough money to feed everyone. I'll meet you in the back in a few minutes." Sean took off to the back and Wesley went to his office to pick up some papers. As promised he met Sean in the back and they left.
Fred went up stairs to her mother's room and knocked on the door. "Mother can I come in?" "Yes Fred." By now Mrs. Burkle had all of her own furniture in her 5th floor room. Fred entered to find her mother sitting in her rocking chair and watching T.V.
"How are you doing Momma? I haven't seen you all day except at the evening meal." "It's a little too busy for me Fred. All of the activity in the hotel is a little too much for me. Your Father and I led a quiet life. The foreman only talked to your Father once each day. The only times we went out was on Sunday to go to church and visit with friends. You know Fred, I was thinking that maybe I should go and live with my sister Julia. She is all alone now also. Your Uncle John died 2 years ago and she called me today and asked me to come and live with her." "But Momma, she lives all the way over in Florida." "I know but her son lives close by her and checks on her twice a week to make sure she is okay and to see if she needs anything. His wife takes her to her Doctor appointments and they go to the store once each week. We'll be good company for each other." Fred had a tear falling down her cheek when she looked up at her mother. "Okay Momma, if you really want to go I'll talk to Wesley." "Thank you dear. I'll be fine and you and Wesley can come out and visit me each year." Fred kissed and hugged her mother for a long time then left. When they went to bed that night she talked to Wesley about her mother's decision.
"She'll be okay Fred. We can fly to Florida with her and make sure that she is okay. We can have what furniture she wants with her sent over later. Anything that she needs we'll make sure that she has, okay?" Fred just kissed Wesley and said "Okay, I guess it's for the best. Good night." Wesley kissed Fred and they went to sleep.
The next morning Wesley told everyone that Fred's mother had decided to move to Florida and they would be taking her the following Wednesday. "Why does Grandma want to leave us Uncle Wesley? Doesn't she like us?" Gabby asked. "Yes she likes us but Grandma is older and needs more quiet time. Besides her sister needs her right now because she is lonely." "Okay Uncle Wesley, I guess if her sister needs her we can let her go."
That was the end of the discussion about Grandma Burkle's leaving. Everyone realized how noisy the hotel could get sometimes and they all agreed that it would be best for her to move to a more quiet location. Wesley and Fred were gone for two weeks while they got Fred's mother settled in.
The next few months were busy ones. Kathleen was kept busy taking care of her daughter. She would have at least two visions each week that sent everyone running for the doors. Even Sean was asked to go on a few when Spike was busy at the hospital or Mrs. Benton's clinic.
While they were gone one evening Fred received a surprise call from Marissa Morgan. "Angel Investigations." Fred answered. "Hi Fred this is Marissa Morgan." "Marissa. Hi, how have you been? I haven't heard from you in so long." "Hi Fred I called to invite you to our daughters graduation party this weekend. She graduated from Yale last weekend and we are having her party this weekend since her Daddy couldn't go to the graduation. Can you all come on Saturday at 7?" "I have to talk to the rest but I'm sure we can all come. I'll call you back tomorrow afternoon and let you know how many will be coming." "Okay Fred Good-bye." The next morning at the breakfast table Fred told everyone about the party and they all said they wanted to go.
Next Saturday they all loaded up in the vans in the family. Joaquin and Connie were the only ones that were not going so Daniel and Gabby were left with them. Since Cordy was so young Kathleen had to take her with her plus Sean said he wanted to show their daughter off.
Long tables had been set up outside since they were having a barbeque. They had slaughtered one steer for the barbeque so there was plenty of food along with blood for all of the vampires in the group since all of Morgan's guards were at the barbeque also. David Morgan had asked Kathleen to put up a shield around the parameter of his property while the party was going on so all of the guards could participate also. Nicky, Mike, Eddie and Will came without their girlfriends because of where the party was being held. As they all took seats at the table Kathleen got Sean's, Spikes and Connors attention and told them to watch the boys as they sat down. Four of the female guards sat down across from them. When their eyes met they heard a loud clap of thunder, yet there were no clouds in the sky or even in the distance. It was apparent that no one else but Willow, Tara, Kathleen, Sean, Spike, Connor and Hunter had heard the loud thunder and knew what it meant.
Wesley and Fred saw the looks on every ones faces. "What's wrong?" Wesley asked Connor.
"Apparently God has chosen wives for Nicky, Mike, Eddie and Will. When their eyes met with the ladies across the table from them we heard a loud thunder clap." Just as Connor got through explaining to Wesley and Fred what they had just heard David Morgan and Marissa came over and sat on either side of the table next to the rest.
"Did you hear that thunder clap?" David asked. "Yes, we all did except for the eight people down there." Connor pointed to his brothers and the Summers boys down at the end of the table and the 4 women guards. "I take it that the ladies are all Vampires?" Connor asked. "Yes, they joined my guards just 5 months ago." David answered. "Have they been given their souls back yet?" Wesley asked. "Yes that is a pre-requisite for joining my crew now. Once they have been given time to get through their re-joining, as we like to call it, they go through some training then become a part of my team." David said. They watched the interaction between the men and women for awhile. You could have exploded a firecracker on the table and they wouldn't have noticed it.
Everyone looked at Kathleen. "Does Grandma have anything to say about these new pairings Kathleen?" Connor asked. "Yes she does but we need to go into the Library for awhile, if that's okay with you Marissa?" "Yes, I can have some coffee ready for everyone once you're through eating." They all turned back to their suppers then and once everyone was done they got up and went into the house. Marissa gave the butler orders to bring coffee into the Library for everyone. When she came back everyone was sitting except Kathleen who was changing Lil' Cordy. When she was done she took a seat next to Sean who put a baby blanket over her shoulder and his daughter as Kathleen started to feed her. By the time she was done several servants came in with the coffee.
They all watched as Sean took his daughter from her mother and gently put her on his shoulder to burp her. Marissa was curious why he gave the baby back to Kathleen when he was done burping her. "Why don't you hold her for awhile Sean so she can get used to you?" "She doesn't sleep very well when I hold her for very long. When Kathleen holds her she can hear her mother's heart beat and she stays asleep for a longer period of time. My heart doesn't beat fast enough for her to be lulled into sleep. Didn't you ever notice that when you held Stacy in your left arm that she slept better?" "No I didn't." Marissa said.
When Lil' Cordy fell asleep she put her in the baby carrier. "Okay everyone this is what I have been told by Dr. Martin and my father. The 4 women Vampires will become a part of Angel Investigation when they marry Nicky, Mike, David and Bobby. Like Aunt Hunter each woman will be able to produce one child. They will all be boys. In this way the boys will replace themselves only and like Aunt Hunter their wives will lose their ability to have any more children. This will also keep the Vampire strengths in the family line without anyone having to become Vampires. If anything unforeseen should happen to one of the boys, like Grandma always said, 'God will provide'. David and Marissa, Angel Investigations and Morgan Enterprises are destined to be together. How this will happen I don't know yet, but I suspect it will have to do with who Stacy marries. I have been given this information because God does not approve of the type of business you deal in and He wants you to start to become more traditional. Of course this is up to you, but because of who Stacy will marry, eventually it will happen. If you decide to do as God wishes you will of course be scoring a lot of, as they say, 'Brownie Points' with Him." Everyone laughed at Kathleen's choice of words.
"What about Jeff Kathleen? Have you been told anything about him?" Hunter asked. "All I can tell you Aunt Hunter is that he will do well in the Navy Seals. The skills that he will be taught will be very beneficial to the group." "But will he be alright? I know that the Seals are always being sent into dangerous situations." "I can't tell you Aunt Hunter. All I can tell you is that he will be alright." Hunter was hoping for more but she had to be content with what she had. After all it couldn't be any worse than what he could get into with them.
After talking for awhile they all left the library and returned to the barbeque. When Hunter stood to leave Kathleen called to her. "Aunt Hunter, could you stay a minute please?" Hunter returned to her seat across from Kathleen. Sean had taken Lil' Cordy so he could show her off to the others in Morgan's group of guards. The women, especially, gathered around to see her. Many were new and had not been around to see Stacy when she was a baby. The women that were destined to be with Angel's and Spike's sons were especially interested. "Not being able to have children is what I regret the most about being a Vampire." Diana, Nicky's future wife said.
"See that little woman over by Fred?" Sean asked. When Diana said yes Sean continued to tell them who she was. "That petite woman is the oldest known Vampire in existence. She is over 4,000 years old and yet she found a man to love and who loved her. He was an OB/GYN and he explored the possibility that she could conceive. Usually when a woman is turned into a Vampire she is unable to become pregnant because her menstrual cycle stops. Her ovaries continue to produce eggs but her body is too cold to sustain a pregnancy and doesn't produce an adequate amount of blood for the egg to be nourished. Mike, her husband, started giving her hormone shots to kind of wake up her system again. Plus she has always been too thin so she started to eat more so that she would have the proper fat ratio in her body for her to have a normal period. Somehow, between the extra weight and the hormone treatments, she was able to conceive and carry one baby to term. After she delivered though, Mike had to take out her uterus because of its condition." "Where is her son now? Did he die?" Diana asked. "No he is attending Annapolis now. He wants to be a Navy Seal." The Vampires departed then and Sean could see renewed hope in their eyes.
Everyone separated and returned to their tables. Some of the guards started to make a large bonfire so they could sit around it as the evening wore on. All of the tables were cleared of any food and everyone went into the formal dining room where Stacy was given a place of honor at the head of the table where her father usually sat. All of the presents that everyone gave her were stacked up on a table that was right by her. When everyone was settled the servants brought in a large cake, with 'Congratulation Stacy' written across it. Everyone clapped and congratulated her on her accomplishments. Stacy was the apple of her Daddy's eye and treated her accordingly. After she had opened all of her other presents she unashamedly looked to her father. "Where's your present Daddy?" "I was saving it for last my princes. I want to put this blind fold on you first so you won't see your present until the last second." Marissa put a large black silk scarf over her daughter's eyes so she couldn't see. Her father took her hand then and slowly and carefully led his daughter outside to the front. Everyone followed. Two of the servants opened the double doors as they approached the front of the house. When everyone was gathered on the front steps Marissa removed the scarf from her daughter's eyes.
Stacy opened her eyes and let out a loud scream. David and Marissa had bought their daughter a Viper. It was a bright red color and had a large white ribbon on it. Stacy turned to her father and mother and hugged them both. "Thank you Daddy and Momma, thank you, thank you, thank you." "There is still more Stacy. Go and check out the inside of your new car." David said.
Stacy ran to the car and opened the door. On the driver's seat she found a large manila envelope. She quickly opened it and found 5 round trip first class tickets to Hawaii. When she came running back to her father and mother she looked at them questioningly. "Those tickets are for you to take four of your girl friends with you. Wesley and Connor have given you their house in Hawaii to stay at for the next two weeks. The house comes with servants that normally take care of the property year round. I have only one rule for you to follow Stacy and that is that four of our guards will go with you. They will keep you safe for me while you are gone." "But Daddy!" "No ifs ands or buts about it little girl." Stacy put her head down and said "Okay." Then she jumped in his arms and kissed him then went to her mother and did the same.
"Can I pick the guards?" Stacy asked. "Yes you can, but make sure that they are all women." David said. Stacy looked at her mother and had just one word to say. "Rats".
The party broke up then and people started leaving. Before the Angel Investigation team left Wesley told Stacy to call him and let him know the flight they would be on so he could call Mr. Kianoa to let him know when to pick them up at the airport.
Before she left Kathleen went to hug Stacy goodbye and congratulate her again. Sean heard her whisper something in her ear, but he couldn't make out what it was. When they were sitting together during the ride home Sean asked her "What did you whisper to Stacy?" "I told her that she sure had her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. She whispered back to me "I learned from an expert"."
Connor had heard the conversation and added in "These women start learning how to control us men at an early age Sean. We men don't stand a chance." "Not me. I'm not going to let that happen. When I say no it will mean no." Sean said.
Connor and Wesley cracked up laughing. "As I recall Sean those were Angels famous last words, just before Cordelia gave him Kathleen to burp after nursing her. He looked at us and said "Ouch, she's squeezing my ribs"."
The ride home was quiet the rest of the way. Li'l Cordy was being rocked to sleep by the motion of the van. Both Kathleen and Lou were sleeping also. By midnight they arrived back at the Hotel. The men woke the women up and Sean carried Li'l Cordy up to their bedroom where he gently put her in her crib.
Everything was quiet at Angel Investigation after the party until just two weeks before Christmas when Jerry Lee Gunn and Jeff Thompson came home for the holidays. Since Jerry Lee was going to a seminary and did not belong to a religious order he had regular vacation days just as though he was going to college. Jerry Lee had returned home on Saturday morning and Jeff was picked up at the airport at 6 that same night. Tom (Lou's brother) had been in England for the past month and taking care of Council business so he came in just one hour after Jeff. Connie went all out in preparing food for the boys. Three women were in 7th heaven with their men coming home. Hunter had her son Jeff and Cylindia had her son Jerry Lee.
Joyce and Tom were married now. They had, had a small ceremony with only the family attending several months before. They had decided to have just a wedding ceremony without the benefit of a mass just so that Fr. Max could perform the ceremony. Joyce stayed home while Tom was in England. She had taken over the teaching of Daniel and Gabby while they were in their elementary school years so she was tied to the hotel while school was in session. Daniel was in his last year of elementary school and Gabby was in the third grade now.
On Christmas Eve the Morgan family, along with several of David's guards, went to midnight mass and returned with the rest to the Hyperion to spend the night. The guards took over guarding the hotel for the night.
Christmas morning started early, as usual. Without Buffy, Spike had lost his childish antics and Connor had finally grown up also. The childish antics were left to the youngest in the Martin and Summers families now. Daniel and Gabby ran over to everyone's bedroom doors and pounded on them until they got a response. They ran through the hallways yelling at the top of their lungs, 'Merry Christmas everyone it's time to get up and open presents'. They ran downstairs then and quickly started to bring out all of the cereal boxes and jugs of milk and put them on the side bar so everyone could get their breakfast as fast as possible. Daniel started to make all kinds of toast and had put out jars of jelly and jam along with butter. It was clear that they didn't want any delays. Without Spike and Connor pushing to open the presents Fred was able to get the children to wait until everyone had their breakfast.
Today was going to be the first day that Stacy would meet Jeff Thompson since they were teenagers. Stacy was five years older than Jeff and had been busy with her schooling in another state while Jeff had been growing into the handsome young man that he was today.
Jeff had grabbed some scrambled eggs and sausages that Connie had made and was already sitting at the table. With the extra people they had actually run out of coffee and another pot had to be made so Stacy was helping Connie by filling up coffee cups for those that had not been able to get any the first time. When Stacy filled up Jeff's coffee cup their eyes met. No thunderclap was heard but Kathleen knew that the thunderbolt had hit Jeff. Hunter had seen what happened and she looked at Kathleen questioningly. Kathleen just gave her a smile and a slight nod.
Stacy was so enamored with Jeff that she almost made the coffee go all over him when Marrisa called out to her, "Stacy, be careful". "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me." Stacy said as she put the coffee pot down and looked at Jeff. "You're Jeff Thompson, Hunter's son?" Jeff stood up and pulled out the chair next to him for her. "Yes, you're Stacy Morgan?" "Yes. How is it that we haven't seen each other before?" "We have but I don't think you would remember me from among all of the other teenage boys in the hotel. We have often been described as a herd of elephants running through the place." "You were the youngest in the group and the smallest weren't you?" Stacy asked. Stacy was finally able to pull her eyes away from Jeff when her mother placed a dish of scrambled eggs in front of her daughter. "As you can see I'm not the smallest anymore."
They continued with their conversation while eating their breakfast. Stacy was having a hard time taking her eyes off of Jeff. Like he said, he was no longer the smallest in the group of what used to be referred to as the boys. Jeff was now 6'1". All of the exercise that he had been put through had made his shoulders more muscular and he could have passed for a model. His natural light brown skin gave him a look of having a perpetual sun tan. Stacy was sure that he sported six pack abs. She was practically salivating as she looked at him.
Marissa saw the affect that Jeff was having on her daughter and she nudged her husband in the side. When he turned to look at her she pointed towards their daughter. "I guess he is the one." David said. Marissa had the feeling that her husband, for some reason, didn't approve, but she let it go. Stacy looked happy and that was all that Marissa wanted for her daughter. If she was anything like her mother Marissa knew that nothing would stop her from getting who she wanted.
Kathleen had seen what was going on also but decided not to say anything. Daniel and Gabby were standing over by the Christmas tree patiently waiting for everyone to finish. Gabby was the first one to lose her patience.
"Come on everyone it's time to open the presents. Mommy, Daddy, come on." Connor, Lou and their Uncle Wesley and Aunt Fred finally got up and went to the Christmas tree. Everyone else followed also. As soon as everyone found a seat Nicky and Mike got on the floor and started to hand out the presents. It was traditional to let each person open all of their presents before the next person opened theirs. Of course with Gabby being the youngest she opened hers first, then it was her brother's turn. Gabby had so many presents that she almost couldn't see over the top of the stack. She made sure that as she opened each present she showed everyone what she got and thanked whoever gave it to her. In the mean time Kathleen's Border Collie, Lorna Doon, was having a ball playing among all of the paper and ribbons. She was interested in each and every present that Gabby opened and inspected it carefully. Just as Kathleen had done with Toby, Connor's dog, Gabby was Lorna Doon's primary companion except at night when she dutifully took up her station in front of Lil' Cordy's crib.
It took almost 90 minutes for everyone to open their presents. Papers, boxes and ribbons were all over the place. Gabby and Lorna Doon were making even more of a mess as they played among all of the wrappings.
As usual Fred had bought Wesley a new and more powerful computer along with research books. She had complained to Kathleen that it was getting harder and harder for her to find a book that he didn't already have. She had finally called the library at the Watchers headquarters and faxed them a list of all of the books that Wesley already had and asked if they had any suggestions of books that she could get to add to his own personal library. Two weeks later she received a call from the head librarian. He had found a very rare book that had been hand written and it contained references to Hunter. The book was over 500 years old and in pristine condition. Wesley had immediately gone into his office and was carefully starting to read it while wearing white gloves. Fred knew that he would be in there the rest of the day.
Later in the day, after Christmas dinner was over and all of the food and dishes were done and put away Kathleen went over and sat next to David and Marissa. As soon as she sat down with Lil Cordy Marissa asked if she could hold her. After she gave the baby to Marissa Kathleen thought that now was just as good a time as any to talk to David about the problem he was having with Stacy's and Jeff's relationship.
"You seem to have some misgivings about Stacy and Jeff's relationship David. Why don't you like it?" David took a moment to answer. He finally took a drink from his glass of Royal Crown and said, "He's too squeaky clean." Hunter had heard what he said and came over to join in the conversation.
"Did I hear you correctly David that you think Jeff is too squeaky clean?" Hunter asked. "Don't get me wrong Hunter. I like Jeff and I respect him for the life that he has chosen for himself, but for him to join my family brings me into too much contact with the government. I have all of my employee's to think about. I have a hard enough time keeping us out of the public eye." David said.
Kathleen just looked at Hunter to see what she would say, or do.
Hunter looked over to Jeff and Stacy. "Jeff, would you and Stacy come over here for a minute please?" Jeff and Stacy came over. Jeff pulled over a couple of chairs so that they could sit down by the group.
"Jeff, we believe that God has chosen you for Stacy. Stacy's father, David, is having a problem with His choice though. He thinks that you are too squeaky clean for you to be associated with his current business." They all had their eyes on Jeff. Before he could speak though Stacy put her hand on Jeff's arm and said, "Let me answer this Jeff." Jeff just nodded at her.
"Daddy, Jeff and I have been talking about this situation. First of all we've only just met. We have both heard of what Kathleen has told you that I would marry someone in the Angel Investigation group. I really don't think that you have to worry about him being too squeaky clean to be associated with your business because he has a long time before he will be leaving the Navy. He plans on being with them for at least 10 years and maybe more. By the time he starts working with you I am sure that you will be way onto your way of changing over to more ethical businesses. While we are on the subject though, I would like to ask you to leave the gambling and prostitution businesses. While I was away in college someone found out about the prostitution business that you have. I thank God though that they didn't know what "kind" of prostitution business you were in. I had a difficult time talking my way out of that rumor. Fortunately I was able to convince people that you had been given a bordello as a form of payment for a debt owed to you and that you were working towards getting rid of it." Stacy's face was red with embarrassment when she got through talking.
Everyone was quiet for a moment then someone started laughing at the situation Stacy's father had put her in. No one could keep a straight face then and they all started laughing. "I know it sounds funny now but at the time it wasn't." Stacy said. Jeff put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her.
When everyone quieted down David said, "I'm sorry Baby. It never crossed my mind that someone in the group of people you associate with might find out about that business. I promise that tomorrow I will start working on a way to get rid of the business." David got up and went to his daughter and hugged her. He then turned to Jeff and shook his hand. "I know it's early to say this but welcome to the family Jeff." "Thank you Sir. Although Stacy and I have just met for the second time we feel as though we are destined to be together." Marissa came over and hugged her daughter and her future son-in law also.
Everyone started to pack up their things and prepared to leave. It was dark outside and safe for David and his guards to leave. Jeff borrowed someone's van so he could help take the presents and Stacy home to the Morgan's. He didn't have to be back to school until next Monday so both Stacy and Jeff knew that they would have at least a week to be together and get to know each other.
By 11 p.m. everyone was in bed. It had been a long day and everyone was worn out, but not to worn out for some evening activities.
After Kathleen put Lil Cordy to bed after feeding her she went to take a bath. Sean had already taken a shower and was sitting on the couch and watching his newest cartoon DVD that Kathleen had given him for Christmas. As Kathleen stopped and looked at him and just shook her head she thought "Well I guess since Daddy had Tarzan it's okay for Sean to have the Road Runner and Bugs Bunny." She laughed to herself and went in to take a nice long soak in the whirlpool bath.
After almost 45 minutes she came out feeling refreshed and ready for some activities of her own. Kathleen removed her robe and got under the covers. Sean was still in front of the TV so she called out to him. "Sean, come to bed." From the way she said it Sean knew that they were going to be exchanging more gifts. Without any further encouragement he turned the TV off, turned the lights off on his way to the bed, removed his robe and climbed into bed with his wife.
They took the love making slow and easy tonight. Kathleen didn't want to wake up their daughter so she did her best to keep her response to Sean's administrations as quiet as she possibly could. At the end though as she started to achieve an orgasm, and they rose into the air above the bed, she was sure that she heard the earth move.
Ten minutes later as they settled back onto the bed again and tried to regain their normal breathing pattern they not only heard the earth move but they felt it also. The earthquake was so strong that Kathleen pulled herself from underneath Sean and grabbed Lil Cordy from the crib. She quickly got back onto the bed and placed a bubble around the bed. The earthquake lasted a good two minutes before everything settled down. When they were sure that it was over both Kathleen and Sean went out to the hallway to see if they had any damage to the hotel. They found everyone else in the hallways also.
Connor and Lou ran up to check on Daniel and Gabby. They found Gabby scared and crying but Daniel had already been through enough earthquakes to not be frightened by it. Connor checked on Kathleen next. When he saw that they were okay they all made their way downstairs. Wesley was already at the TV and checking for any news on the earthquake.
They all gathered around the TV and were all looking for just one thing. After 10 minutes of reporting on other locations around southern California they finally got what they were looking for.
Reporter: "We had only one major building in downtown Los Angeles succumb to the 6.5 earthquake this Christmas evening. The Wolfram & Hart building collapsed in on itself and as you can see has been completely destroyed. We were able to interview the guards that were in the building when they earthquake hit." Two uniformed guards stepped over to the reporter and the lights. "Can you tell us if anyone else was in the building when the earthquake hit." The reporter asked the guard. "Yes, the three owners of the building were having a short meeting. My partner and I looked for them to come out before the building collapsed but we didn't see anyone. I was able to flip on the fire alarm before we ran out but it all happened too fast. The building started to fall in on itself right after we ran out and got to the front. We knew that they were still in there when we spotted their cars over here."
Reporter: "In a way it was fortunate for all of the employees of Wolfram & Hart that this tragedy occurred on Christmas. They might all be out of a job now but they are still alive and it would have been a different story if it had happened on Monday."
The hotel was quiet for a moment when Wesley turned the TV off. They all just looked at each other and then started shouting for joy. "You did it Kathleen, you did it. That terrible place that caused so much suffering for your father and others has finally been destroyed. It will be a long time before the Senior Partners can set up their business of Evil Incorporated again." Connor came over and picked up his sister and twirled her around. Lil Cordy didn't like all of the commotion though and started showing her disagreement with all of the noise. All and all it was a big and noisy celebration that included all of the dogs bouncing up and down and barking.
One hour later they had all gone back to bed and the hotel was quite once again. It took a long time for everyone to get back to sleep though.
In Wesley and Fred's room they lay awake and talked about their missing friends and how much they missed them. Both Wesley and Fred were in their 60s now and Wesley had been having a few problems with his heart. Scar tissue from the surgeries to repair his heart when he had been shot several times were starting to give him problems. Fred had had a cancer scare when Sean found cancer in her uterus and he had to remove her ovaries and uterus. When Sean told her what he was going to have to do her reply was, "That's okay I don't need them anymore anyway." When her Oncologist wanted to put her through chemo therapy though, after talking with Wesley, she had refused. Her reason for it was that she remembered what Dr. Martin had gone through and what it had done to her and she didn't want to go through the same thing at her age.
"How do you feel about what happened tonight?" Fred asked Wesley as they lay in bed.
"I am happy that that terrible building has finally been destroyed and I know that this will set the Senior Partners way back in their plans." Wesley looked at Fred and pulled her into his arms. "I also think that we will now be allowed to join our friends. Connor is proving to have a long life span. Both Connor and Lou will be around to take care of the family for a long time yet. Kathleen can take care of just about anything that comes along I think. I believe that Lil Cordy will follow in her mother's footsteps also. God has provided future wives for our sons and the rest of the boys. We can finally rest now and not have to worry about the future of Angel Investigations. Let's go to sleep now, us old people need our rest if we are to get through the next day with all of these young people."
Ten years later
Saturday morning started late. Connie had already been up and had breakfast ready for everyone. Both Connie and Joaquin no longer worked very often. They were both in their 70's. She would cook only occasionally now. Lou, Kathleen and Joyce took care of most of the cooking and cleaning of the hotel now. Lou now took Fred's place as head of the hotel and in charge of supplying all groceries for the group and handing out work assignments when it came time for the spring and end of summer cleaning. All of the women had been trained in how to cook by Connie so they enjoyed the same type of food that they had all become accustomed to.
Joyce and Tom were expecting their first baby soon. Tom usually spent one to two weeks in England every two months but with their first child's appearance coming so soon he was staying close to home. He was taking care of alll council business from Los Angeles.
Nicky, Mike, David, Bobby and Eddy all worked with Connor in taking care of clients. With the closing down of Wolfram & Hart business had increased and they were all kept very busy. Angel, as Buffy and Spikes youngest son had chosen to be called, was following in his father's footsteps and was going to school to become a doctor. Daniel, Connor and Lou's son was headed for college to gain a degree in law enforcement. He had told his father that he had set his sights on the CIA.
Spike and Hunter were still together. Kathleen had made Spikes' appearance change as the years had gone by so that he appeared to age. Spike only occasionally worked at the hospital now and instead had his own practice that both Hunter and Sean helped him in. Kathleen helped them only when they had to do minor surgery in the office.
Cylindia had remarried and along with her husband had retired to Palm Springs.
Spike, Hunter and Sean still took care of Gunn's Kids and the local police knew that they would help with any sick or injured kids whenever they were needed.
Jeff was now a Navy Seal. Stacy and Jeff were now married and she usually followed him where ever he was stationed. Jeff was currently stationed in Iraq so Stacy was currently living with her parents. David had given the prostitution business to the Vampires that worked for the business so that they now worked for themselves. Connor had made it clear that the same rules applied to them as it did when David owned the business. If there were any clients that complained about how they were treated at the Business, then he would talk to them about the complaint but if it wasn't corrected to his client's satisfaction then he would step in and they would have to deal with him.
Willow and Tara were still together and were still actively running the Magic Shop that Giles had left them. Fr. Max was also frequently asking them to return a Vampires soul.
Fred and Wesley were now in their 70's and had pretty much retired from all of the Angel Investigation business. Mike took over all of the work that Wesley used to do, except for the Watchers Council. Six months after her 74th birthday Fred's cancer came back with a vengeance. Even though Fred was being given a lot of drugs for the pain she stayed at home and in her own bed. Wesley just woke up one morning next to her and found that she was not breathing. After coming back from Ireland where they buried her ashes in the family cemetery Wesley pretty much stayed in his room. The only times they saw him was in the evening at supper or if they went to visit him.
Wesley was having problems with his heart now as a result of all of the operations he had on it when he had been shot. His heart specialist had advised him to have a heart transplant but he had chosen not to go for it. He told Sean that he was tired and wanted to go and be with Fred and his friends.
Six months after Fred passed away Wesley had a massive heart attack. As his sons, their wives, Kathleen and Connor were gathered around his bed Fr. Max gave Wesley the last rites of the Catholic Church. When he was done Wesley called out to Kathleen. "I'm right here Uncle Wesley." She said as she picked up his hand and held it in both of her hands.
"Kathleen, am I going to go to heaven when I leave this world?" Wesley asked in a weak voice. "No one but God knows that Uncle Wesley, but you know Daddy, he'll probably call in some favors and pull another rabbit out of his hat and get you in." She said with a smile. "I hope so, I do so want to see him again. I have been afraid that since I didn't love my father like I should have that I won't be allowed to be with everyone as soon as I leave here. You'll pray for me won't you?" "Yes Uncle Wesley. I'll pray every day until I know you are in Paradise with Jesus." "Thank you. Take care of my sons for me." "I will Uncle Wesley. You don't have to worry about them. They have both grown up to be good men like their Father and from you they learned how to be good fathers also." Kathleen pushed back the hair that had fallen into his eyes. "Sleep now Uncle Wesley. I promise that you will feel much better when you wake up again." "Yes, I think I'll sleep for awhile now. I am so tired."
Within the next few minutes the alarm on the monitors went off and Sean turned them off. He gave Kathleen a chair to sit down in as she pulled her Rosary out of her purse. She was 8 months pregnant with their 5th child now and tired easily. He then went outside to let everyone know that Wesley had expired and they could come in. As Kathleen had done for Fred she started to say the prayer for Divine Mercy, then the Rosary. Everyone followed along with her. At the end she said "Please Heavenly Father take Uncle Wesley into your arms and welcome him to Paradise. No matter what he thought of himself I know that he was a good man." As she finished everyone answered with an Amen. Everyone but David, Bobby and their wives left then.
"Let's go home now Sean. We have to tell the children about their Uncle Wesley." Kathleen said as she rubbed her stomach. Sean put his arm around his wife's shoulders and took her home after he signed the death certificate.
The next evening it was very quiet at the supper table. Cylindia, her husband, Father Gunn and Jeff, who had been able to get an emergency furlough had arrived in the afternoon when they heard about Wesley. They were just having their last cup of coffee when they felt a cool breeze go through the lobby and into the dining room. They all immediately looked towards the stairs.
Just as they usually did Angel and Cordelia came down the stairs together. This time though they were followed by Wesley, Fred, Gunn, and Buffy and for the first time Dr. Martin and Giles. Everyone at the table stood up. As they approached the dining room Angel said "Please, everyone, sit down." After everyone sat down Angel took a step forward. "We have been given permission to see you. This is the last time that you will see all of us. Kathleen's main mission in life has been completed and the evil that lived in the Wolfram & Hart building has been destroyed. You will now just continue to help the hopeless as we did so many years ago. Kathleen Dr. Martin will continue to be your guide and advisor but you will no longer see us until you join us. We are all very proud of all of you and we know that Angel Investigation has been left in very capable hands. Buffy came forward then and said "Thank you for taking care of my William Hunter. I am happy that he has you to keep him company." Buffy stepped back then and stood beside Giles.
Kathleen spoke up then. "I see you made it Uncle Wesley." "Yes I did. Jesus was waiting for me just as He had for Angel. He told me that it was not my fault that my father didn't allow me to love him as I should have been able to do. Oh, and Spike, remember what we had wondered about when we died?" Spike didn't know what he was talking about at first then it suddenly dawned on him. "Do you get too?" Spike asked. With a big grin on his face Wesley just raised his eyebrows a couple of times and said "Ohh yes, indeed we do." He turned and gave Fred a kiss. "Well Buffy, our mansion had better have strong pillars because when I get there we'll give it a good test." Spike said. From the table you immediately heard Joyce say, "Daddy, shame on you." While Kathleen said "Uncle Spike!" Spike was becoming more human so his face turned a bright red. Everyone just laughed at him.
"You'll never change Spike." Angel said as Spike just hid his grin behind his hand and napkin.
"Sean I will continue to guide you. Thank you for taking care of my princes." Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, Wesley, Fred, Buffy, Giles and Dr. Martin turned then and walked back up the stairs and they were gone for the last time.
In the years to come Kathleen would hear Dr. Martin and occasionally see her in her dreams as she advised her on how to help others and keep them on, as the saying goes, the straight and narrow. After the birth of their 5th child Sean took birth control into his own hands. When he asked Spike to perform the vasectomy on him he said "If I don't do this then Kathleen will fill up this whole hotel with our children." "Well Cordelia did say that once that girl gets herself a man she is going to start having babies just like a regular bunny." Spike said with a grin. "No thanks, five is enough. I practically have to make an appointment with her to get some alone time for us."
Kathleen was happy with all of her children. Both Connor and Kathleen could always be found telling the children in the hotel about the original Angel Investigation crew. They didn't intend for them to ever be forgotten. One day Kathleen found her youngest son staring at the picture of his grandmother and grandfather that was in the Lobby. "Mommy, I saw that lady last night when I went to sleep." Connor came up behind them as Tommy was talking to his mother. "You did. What did she say to you?" Kathleen asked her son. "She told me to be a good boy because if Daddy can spank like Grandpa can than I'll be sorry if I ever get in trouble again. Then she rubbed her butt and walked away. I wonder what she meant when she said that." Connor spoke up then.
Connor took Tommy's hand and pulled him over to the couch. "I have to tell you what she meant by that Tommy because your Mommy was just a baby when it happened." "What happened?" Tommy asked. "Well before your Aunt Lou and I got married your Grandma kept on telling her how she could get me to kiss her. I asked your Grandpa to tell your Grandma to stop it. Your Grandma didn't stop though and I had to tell your Grandpa that she was still being a bad girl and telling Aunt Lou how to get me to kiss her. Do you know what your Grandpa did then?" "He spanked her?" "He sure did. Five times, whack, whack, whack, whack, whack." Connor made like he was spanking someone. "Did she cry?" "Well to tell you the truth I don't know, but what I do know is that your Grandma had to sit on a pillow the rest of the day. So if you don't do what your Mommy and Daddy tell you, the next time your Daddy just might have to do the same thing." Tommy looked at his mother and said "I don't want Daddy to spank me like that Mommy. I promise to do my best to be good, okay Mommy? Can you tell Daddy that Mommy?" "Okay, I'll tell him that you will try your best to be good. Why don't you go and play upstairs now until your brothers and sister get out of school." Tommy ran up the stairs as fast as his little legs could carry him.
Connor and Kathleen stood side by side and watched him run up the stairs.
"Do you still think he is your Little Angel?" Connor asked his sister as he put his arm around her shoulder. "Yes I do, Daddy had me for his little Princes, Sean has Cordy for his very own Princes and I have my
Little Angel.
The End