When Angel left the room to give the new mom some rest only Cordy and Wes were still in there with her. Doyle took his arm. "Come on my man. The time has come."

"The time for what?"

"You're young, you're- well that wasn't true. You're handsome."

"Thank…you?" Angel said

"It's time for you to get back on that horse. Sources tell me a pretty filly has been making the googly eyes at you every month for some time now. Is that or is that not the case?"

Angel sighed. "Doyle, I-"

"That was a rhetorical question. This Nina, do you like her?"

"Yes, but I-"

"And you don't love her right?"

"I don't really know her that-"

"Then there isn't a problem. I'll dial, you talk to her. Just be yourse- just be cool."

…

Wesley sat on Fred's bedside with the new mom leaning against him while she slept a peaceful and well deserved sleep. Her rhythmic breathing soothed him. "I don't want to go any more than you want me to." Cordelia admitted "I am happy where I am, and don't take this the wrong way but you don't really miss people up there. Everyone is with you. But I hate that all of you miss me so much that it causes you pain. I never want you to be in pain. I love you all."

"When do you have to leave?" Wesley asked

"There are some messages I am supposed to deliver, but if you could do it for me I can stay a little while longer." In response Wesley took out a pen and a pad of paper. She grinned.

"Just call me messenger boy."

"Some of the messages are for people you don't get along with all that well."

"I'll manage."

"The first one is for Xander. Tell him Anya said 'I know.' and tell him I did love him for a little while, and that was enough. Someone you don't know, his name is Jessie, wants to tell Xander to get over it. That's an exact quote. Tell Buffy her mom loves her so much and that no mother could be prouder of her daughters than she is of hers. Tell Dawn Joyce said being her mom was one of the best things that ever happened to her no matter how long it was for and why she entered the family. Tell Giles, or stuffy British man the original version," Wesley chuckled at that good-natured rib. "Jenny still loves him and she never ever blamed him. This next one is the biggie and it rounds out the scoobies." Cordelia closed her eyes. "This is verbatim. My darling dearest Willow. How can I begin to explain my love for you? You are one half of me and when we met I was complete. For so long I was only one half of my true self and when we touched for the first time I was yours completely. I was whole and I was whole because I was a part of you and you were a part of me. When we were apart I felt our bond and I drew strength from it. The farther apart we were the more I clung to our bond. When we were angry at one another I was at war, not with you, but with myself. But you are myself as much as I am. When you were in pain I felt it. When you are in love I feel it. Love and love well, for it is not a disservice to me, but the very opposite. I live through you now, through the parts of me in you. Let me love you by loving yourself and let me love others because you love them so that my life continues to be as vivid and rich now as it ever was. Until we meet again my darling, Tara."

Wesley looked down at the woman he loved. "That's beautiful."

"It had me all choked up. I'm sure it will do Willow good to hear it."

Wesley read over his dictation to make sure he hadn't missed anything. "Did Gunn's sister send a-" He stopped when her saw her withering look. "What?"

"I was getting there."

"Okay, sheesh,"

"Hers and the stuff from his parents I'll deliver personal." She said

"Good," Wesley said "I can't imagine there's anything for Lorne or I."

"No," Cordy said "Nothing for Fred either."

"So that's it then?"

"No," Cordy said "That's not it." She walked over to the incubator and stared at the baby resting quietly. "She has your eyes Wes. She has your beautiful blue eyes." She smiled.

"Many babies are born with blue eyes, only for the color to change as they get older."

"Wes, I can see the future, remember?"

"Oh," He looked down at the sleeping Fred, at the rise and fall of her chest. The pattern had a soothing stability to it. "What does she look like? Or should I not know?"

"She needs glasses and refuses to wear contacts except for in the field. She hates the way they make her eyes itch. But Fred loves when she takes her glasses off and she can see your eyes on her face. They are like oceans, there is so much in there. She has long brown hair she forgets to brush when she gets caught up studying. It gets all tangled and Fred is the only one who can work a comb through it. Nobody believes her when she says she remembers you reading to her as a toddler, but she swears she does. She says she remembers every story and falling asleep in your lap knowing she was safe because you were there. Whenever she's scared or has a secret she comes to you because she knows nothing could make you not love her. She's so pale that too much time outside gives her sunburn. She once turned your garage into a chemistry lab and accidentally ruined the paintjob on your car. Fred was so proud of her. She refuses to wear dresses or skirts. She's as painfully thin as her mother. And her eating habits are…ew."

Wesley stood up, careful not to disturb Fred. He walked over to the incubator. She was so tiny and fragile. He was terrified and excited at once. "Do you want to hold her?" He whispered

"Please,"

Wesley opened the incubator. He gently lifted the new life out and handed her to the glowing woman. Cordelia cradled the child. "Be careful Wes." She whispered "I can't see everything and some things are uncertain. No matter what happens, stick with the family."

"I promise." He said

…

Angel sat at his desk thinking about the events of last month. Cordelia and Doyle coming to visit had rejuvenated him somehow. Watching them leave again had hurt, but the memories they left him with were a gift he cherished. They had washed away a great deal of pain and badness, fixing problems he hadn't even known existed. It seemed as though there was a spring in everybody's step these days and Angel couldn't be happier. Well he could, but that was for the best, all things considered. He was even in a (just happy enough) relationship now. He had been out with Nina the werewolf girl a few times and last night's rendezvous had ended rather well for both of them. They had stayed in for breakfast and now that she was gone he was ready to get to work on the last day of Fred's maternity leave. He was glad she had taken a break, but he really missed her and was equally glad to soon have her back. Angel smiled to himself as he flipped through his files, remembering the feel of Cordelia's last hug and her parting words. "I will always love you." Angel remembered hugging Doyle as the two vanished, returning home.

…

Wesley picked up his phone, noting it was an internal call. "Hello Faith."

"I just wanted to warn you."

"About what? I haven't seen any apocalyptic omens all week."

"Fred just got here. She brought her parents."

"Mr. and Mrs. Burkle? I didn't know they were coming here." Wesley said

"You might want to come downstairs."

Wesley left his office to head to the elevator. When the door opened his girlfriend exited with her parents. Trish was holding baby Evi, showering her with affection. "Wes!" Fred threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Guess who popped in for a surprise visit!"

"I'm going to go out on a limb and guess your parents." Wesley hazarded

"See how smart your daddy is Evi," Trish said "Almost as smart as your mommy."

"One day maybe," Wesley said "You two seem to be getting along." He gestured to his daughter who seemed very content in her grandmother's arms.

"I'm going to take her back with me." Trish joked "We've been all alone ever since our Fred went off and abandoned us for the glamorous L.A. life. We were so excited to come visit you when the baby came, but then she got here early and we rearranged our schedules so we could come as soon as possible. We're already a month late to meet our granddaughter."

"Impatient tyke huh?" Roger asked "Couldn't wait to see the world?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Burkle!" Angel came out of his office. "When did you get in town?"

"A couple of hours ago. We left at the crack of dawn." Trish pointed her thumb at her husband as she spoke. "This one can't leave any later than the sun itself. He's impossible."

"I am." Roger admitted "But that's how we men are. Right Wes?"

"Sure," Wes said "Honey am I impossible?"

"In every way." Fred kissed him on the cheek. "It's impossible to fit so many good qualities into one person. Yet here you are." She chuckled at his embarrassment as he blushed.

"Staying long?" Angel asked

"Just the night." Trish said "Fred told us we can stay with you two." She told Wes

"Well that's-"

"Don't tease the man Trish." Roger said "We got a hotel."

"It's really nice. Not as nice as the one you guys used to have, but nice. They give out these free tiny soaps and you can take some home when you leave. I love them."

"You're more than welcome to stay with us." Wesley assured them

"We appreciate it." Roger said "But that's fine."

"We're just glad that we can spend the whole day fussing over this adorable little baby."

Wesley smiled at them. "It really is very nice to see-"

They were interrupted by heavy footsteps on the stairs. Gun came running toward them and was so focused on what was on his mind that at first he missed the visitors. "Angel we have a serious- Mr. and Mrs. Burkle! Hey! I didn't know you were coming to town." He stuck out his hand for Roger to shake. "It's really great to see you again. Came to see the new grandkid?"

"Of course," Trish said "Fred wanted us to come over and say hi to everyone, but it looks like you might be busy." She looked at the file in his hands, recalling the urgency in his voice.

"We can go downstairs." Fred said "And I can show you my lab, it's gorgeous."

"Only you can find a bunch of glass beakers and whirring machines gorgeous." Roger said and then he kissed his daughter on the brow. "I wonder if little Evi will inherit that trait."

"I hope so." Trish said "How else will she keep up with her brilliant parents?"

"Do you need me?" Fred asked Angel "For the case?"

"Technically you're still on leave, I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Okay," She smiled at all of them. "Bye hon, we'll see you later." She kissed Wes on the cheek before leading her parents down to where her lab was. Wesley watched them go, unable to completely avoid thinking about his own parents and how he hadn't told them about Evi yet.

"We've got trouble with a capital T." Gunn said

"New information on Lindsey?" Wesley asked

"No, he's dust in the wind, him and that necklace. I put Lilah in charge of a special task force devoted to searching for him and we've got nothing so far. He doesn't want to be found."

"Was it wise to put Lilah in charge?" Angel asked

"She's the most capable person on my staff." Gunn said "And she hates Lindsey."

"If he isn't responsible for the capital T trouble, who is?" Wes asked

"No idea, but it has seven kids in the hospital so far."

Wesley took the proffered file and opened it to a page with a picture of a little girl lying sprawled on the ground. She had long blond pigtails and was wearing a pink dress covered in blue and green flowers. Her face was frozen in a twisted grin. Wesley shivered. The thought of his own daughter falling prey to some malicious malady horrified him and even though this little girl had next to nothing in common with his own he couldn't help picturing Evi in her shoes.

"Are you okay Wes?" Angel asked

"I'm fine." Wesley said

"A little too close to home?" Gunn asked

"I just…" He attempted to change the topic. "It says here the doctors have been able to find no neurological or physiological cause for the symptoms. There probably isn't one."

"You thinking magic?" Gunn asked

"A curse of some kind seems likely, though it is odd that one curse would be used on the same seven children in such a short time in a limited geographical area. The children appear to have no connection besides all falling in the same age range. This could be part of a sacrifice."

"Okay," Angel said "Wes you research the curse. Gunn dig up as much as you can on these kids to find a connection between them. I'm going to send Lorne to the hospital to see if he can get anything from the kids' auras. I hate to say it, but we could really use Fred on this one."

"She's already in the lab." Wesley said "I'm sure she wants to help."

"Okay, I'll send Harmony down there. We need a cure for these kids, and fast. This is top priority everybody. Let's go to work." There was no way Angel was letting any more kids get hurt or letting the ones already afflicted deteriorate. He thought about Conner, there was no way.

…

"Who's the cutest little girl in the world? You are. Yes that's right. It's you."

Roger Burkle watched his wife dote on the baby in her arms. He stared at her with adoring eyes. With effort he turned his gaze from the woman he loved to the daughter he revered and put his arm around her. "She's beautiful baby. She's almost as pretty as you were."

Fred put her hand over her father's. "Thanks daddy."

"Are you happy?"

She thought about the question. It was a serious one and deserved consideration. "I never thought I could be this happy. Everything in my life is just the way I want it. I was so nervous when we first got here. But I love my job and I love my family. I love Evi and Wesley so much."

"I have to tell you I thought you would get hitched before you started a family."

"Everything just happened so fast. We never really got to talk about the future."

"Don't you think now would be a good time for that?"

"I-"

"Fred!" Harmony ran into the lab. "Angel needs you to run some tests for the new case."

"Sure thing Harmony, what's the case?"

"A bunch of kids in a coma, pretty terrible." Harmony didn't look too broken up. "Evi is here! She's so adorable!" Harmony walked over to Trish and Fred instinctively tensed up.

Trish had no idea the woman was a vampire. "Isn't she just?"

"Thanks Harmony," Fred said "Do you have a copy of the file?"

Harmony brought it over to Fred. "Can I hold the baby?"

"I-" Fred looked at Harmony's pleading eyes. Her resolve dissolved. "Sure,"

"New moms are always nervous to hand their kids over." Trish said as she handed Harmony the baby "I never wanted to put Fred down for a second. Then she learned to walk, so that was tricky. She learned to run pretty fast as well. Then she ran all the way to California."

"Oh mom," Fred said "You can't miss me that much."

Trish walked over to her daughter and wrapped her in a hug. "The only thing that keeps me from going crazy is knowing you're happy where you are. I miss you so much sweetie."

"I love you mom." Fred enjoyed her mother's embrace, but never took her eyes off Harmony while the vampire cradled her child. "I love you so much, and don't go crazy."

Fred felt a surge of relief when her father asked for the baby and Harmony reluctantly handed the warm bundle of blood over. Roger stared at his granddaughter. "Hey kiddo,"

"Well I better go do my job." Harmony said "Whatever it is."

Trish chuckled when Harmony had left. "How can she do her job if she doesn't know what it is? Or is that a big city thing?"

"She sort of just does whatever Angel tells her to." Fred explained

…

Harmony entered Wesley's office. "You need me?" She asked

"Yes," He took out a pile of papers. "Bring these to Gunn. I think they might assist him with narrowing down who might want to harm these children." The stack of paper was high.

"Doesn't look very narrow." Harmony noted

Wesley ignored that. "I need your help with one other thing."

"What?"

He took a small black box from his desk drawer. He opened it, revealing a diamond ring flashing in the filtered sunlight. "Do you think she'll like it?"

Harmony squealed with excitement. "It's-"

"Shhh. Sh. Harmony calm down. Stop shouting." He pleaded

She lowered the volume of her squealing, but persisted. "She's going to love it!"

"Please lower your voice."

"Sorry. I'm sorry. She's going to freak out!"

Wesley sighed. Why had he asked for her advice? "You think?"

"I know. She's going to go nuts."

…

Faith sighed as she pulled up to Wolfram & Hart. "Are you sure you-"

"Faith," The familiar growl came from an unfamiliar form. Angel was sitting in the passenger seat even though they were in his car and he had driven to the puppet company Gunn had directed them toward. He could no longer reach the pedals because he had been turned into a felt creation. "Just don't tell anyone. It'll wear off and nobody ever has to know about this."

"We don't actually know that it'll wear off." Faith reminded him "You're guessing."

"If you tell anyone I'll-" Angel couldn't think of a good threat in his current condition so he settled for a pathetic one. "I'll be very disappointed in your violation of my trust."

"Angel there could be a counter spell. We just tell Wes-"

"No,"

"But,"

"No! Okay?!"

"Somebody's grouchy," She said in a sing-song voice

Angel got out of the car and walked slowly to his private elevator. "Not a word."

"You got it boss." Faith said

"And make sure nobody comes into my office!"

"Yes sir!" She gave a big fake salute. "This is so going to blow up in his face."

…

Spike entered the lab cautiously. He hadn't expected Fred to be entertaining an elderly couple when he came to say good-bye. But he wasn't going to turn back. He cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Fred," When she turned around and saw him her face lit up.

His heart melted. "Spike! It's so good to see you!"

"I heard there was an incident last month."

She waved it off. "Everything worked out. Come say hi to my parents."

"Parents, right." He shook Roger's hand and then his wife's. "Nice to meet you."

Fred took her baby from her father. "And this is someone else you haven't met."

"Evi is it?" Spike asked

"Evangeline, but no one wants to take the time to say the whole thing."

Spike chuckled. "Can I…"

"Of course," Fred handed him the child.

Spike's vampire senses were aware of the life in his hands more than mere eyes were capable of being. She was warm and throbbing. Blood flowed through her, clean and as fresh as any blood ever could be. "This is some kid you made here, I bet she turns out well."

"Thank you,"

Spike handed the baby back. "I came to say goodbye."

Fred looked confused. "Where are you going?"

"Rome, for a bit. Then if things don't work out there I'll head over to the old motherland for a visit, see how things have changed. After that… I don't know. I have a lot of time to think it over so there's no reason to over plan. But I need to get out of this city, it's bad for me."

Fred looked into his eyes. He did appear to be a little off. "I hope you'll visit."

"Maybe, might come by and see how the little nipper is doing."

Fred hugged Spike. "Good bye,"

He didn't want the embrace to end, but eventually it had to. "Bye love,"

"Who was that?" Trish asked when he was gone

"Someone I helped." Fred explained "I think,"

…

Wesley ran into Faith on his way downstairs. "Did Gunn's theory pan out?"

"Yep, problem solved. Demons were killed, the kids should already be up."

As if on cue Wesley's pager went off. He read the message. "That was easy."

"Well Angel got hit by a blast of mojo, so he's resting in his office. He requested not to be bothered by anything less urgent than the apocalypse. Not a pending one, a here one."

"Is he okay? If he was hit by magic he should be checked out."

"He said no." Faith said

"All right then, I have to go… do a thing."

"Ooookay," She watched him flee. "I'm not sure what that was."

Harmony walked up to Faith. "He's going to propose." She whispered

"No way!"

Harmony nodded.

"Let's go spy on him."

…

Roger was surprised when Wesley approached him in the hall while the elder man was on his way back to the lab from the bathroom. "Hey Wesley, did your case work out?"

"Yes," Wesley seemed extremely nervous. "It did. It worked out well."

"Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"I…" Wesley felt like he had a bunch of cotton balls in his mouth sucking away the moisture and he couldn't speak. "I…" Wesley flushed, this wasn't going the way he wanted.

"Spit it out man, you're not the first to ask someone for his daughter's hand. If I managed to stutter my way through it you can too." Roger chuckled at Wesley's shocked expression.

"How did you know?"

"I was once where you are now. Of course I proposed to Fred's mother before we conceived her. But I'm not going to complain about my beautiful granddaughter."

Wesley flushed again. "I would like to ask you- That is to say I would like your permission to- I mean to request- I…" He took in a deep breath. "I want to marry your daughter."

Roger clapped Wesley on the back. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"

Wesley took in another deep breath. "I've faced demons before, but none of them frightened me the way doing that just did." He gave Roger a hopeful look. "So is that a yes?"

"Well you're a foreigner, and that counts against you. But you make my daughter happy and that's all I really care about. If she wants to marry you I wholeheartedly approve."

Wesley released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you,"

"Just so we're clear, if you ever do anything to hurt my daughter I'll have to kill you."

"Good," Wesley said

Roger chuckled. "You'll be in my shoes some day and I hope you'll be talking to a fellow like you and not some punk. I really lucked out with my daughter's good taste."

"Thanks,"

"Well I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." Roger assured him

…

Spike approached Angel's office door. Harmony wasn't at her desk so Spike just walked right into the room. The sight that greeted him was so incredible, so glorious, that if Spike's soul came with the caveat that he couldn't experience perfect happiness it would have been evicted from his body forthwith. Spike didn't even know how to react to the incredible sight that was a puppet version of Angel brooding at his desk. Puppet Angel turned his gaze to Spike and his felt face contorted into an expression of horror. "Spike!" Angel stood up on his chair.

"You-"

"Get out of here Spike." Angel growled

"You're a bloody puppet!"

Angel leapt from his chair and attacked Spike. Spike hadn't been prepared to be attacked by a puppet today, and he was laughing too hard to defend himself. Angel's tiny felt fists smacked into Spikes face while the younger vampire giggled helplessly. "Oh my God!"

Harmony had entered the room. Angel looked up at her. "Go away Harmony!"

"Angel what happened to you?" Harmony asked

Faith had come in right behind her. "I thought you were hiding." Faith said

"I was! Harmony why weren't you at your desk?!"

"We were spying on-"

"Harmony don-" Faith attempted to silence her.

"Wesley. He asked Fred's dad for permission to marry her."

"What?" They all turned their eyes to the newest people to enter the room. Fred had just came in holding her daughter accompanied by Wesley and her parents. She looked at her boyfriend, her surprise evident. "Is that true? You asked my dad if you could marry me?"

"Thanks Harmony," Wesley muttered

"Oops,"

"What's with the puppet?" Roger asked in an attempt to help Wesley

"That's Angel." Faith said

Angel sighed, removing himself from Spike. "When Faith and I shut down the magic that was effecting those kids I got hit with a bolt of magic. There were… side effects."

"Does this kind of thing happen often?" Trish asked

"No," Faith said "Not often,"

"Not ever," Angel growled "Wes, is there a cure for this?"

"I'm sure there is." Wesley sounded relieved. "Why didn't you come to me earlier?"

"I was hoping it would wear off in its own." Angel admitted

Spike was overtaken with mirth. "He was embarrassed. I would be too."

"Angel," Wesley scolded "Mystical transformations are nothing to be ashamed off."

"Says the man not currently made of felt." Angel said

"This is the best day ever." Faith said "I literally cannot imagine a better day than this."

"Bleeding fantastic," Spike agreed "I can't believe I might have missed this."

"My life just feels complete now." Faith said

"Enough!" Angel shouted "If we're all done enjoying my pain!"

Evangeline began to cry. "Angel," Fred scolded as she held back giggles

"Sorry," He said "I'm sorry Fred, sorry Evi."

"You're going to give her like a puppet phobia or something." Harmony said

"I hate my life." Angel said "I hate it."

"It's a good thing you're dead then." Spike said "This is just wonderful."

"I love working here." Faith said

"Wes," Angel pleaded "Please tell me you can fix this."

"I think I know a spell that might work." Wesley said "We can go to my office."

"Great," Angel said "That's great." His relief was palpable

Fred was still trying to shush her baby. "It's okay. There, there,"

…

Gunn was listening to Lilah explain the current status of the Lindsey case when Lorne burst through the door. "Wesley is going to propose to Fred! Have you heard? Did you hear?"

"Well he certainly has now." Lilah said in a biting voice

Lorne completely ignored her. "He asked her dad's permission and everything!"

Gunn jumped to his feet. "That's fantastic!"

"Come on!" Lorne said "Let's go pester them."

"Lilah you finish up here." Gunn said "I'll look everything over in the morning."

Lilah gave a silent nod. That was best because they wouldn't have heard a word she said anyway as they ran into the hall. She started to clean up the files, but her emotions took over and she had to sit down at Gunn's desk and take a moment to compose herself. Her vision began to blur with tears and she pressed against her sinus canals in an attempt to stop them. She tried to tell herself that she wouldn't be reacting at all if it weren't for the fact that her newfound citizenship in the land of the living made everything feel that much more potent. She told herself she didn't give a damn that Wes was going to marry little miss sweetness and light. She put her face in her hands and began to cry. Once the first drops were free she couldn't stop the flood and racking sobs shook her body. She almost didn't notice when the door opened. She looked up and gave the intruder a hateful glare. "What do you want Harmony? I'm a little busy."

"Do you want to talk?" Harmony asked softly

"I know you're not very bright, but try to remember that we hate each other."

"I don't hate you." Harmony said "I don't hate anybody. I can't anymore."

"You can't?" Lilah was curious despite herself.

"Angel can, because he cares. He can love, so he can hate. I can't do either."

Lilah considered this. "You're lucky Harmony."

"I wouldn't mind being able to love and hate again." Harmony admitted "I kind of miss it a little bit. I try to connect to people now, but it's hard. Plus the whole blood-sucker thing."

"Yeah," Lilah said "I get it. They don't want to give you a chance."

"No, but I'll keep trying."

"Why?"

"This is a good job and… Cordy wants me here."

"Right, Saint Cordelia." Lilah rolled her eyes.

"When I listened to her, those were the best days of my life. I want them back."

"They're gone Harmony, forever. You lost them. Once a thing is lost you can't regain it."

Harmony shrugged. "So I should just wallow in my misery like you?"

Lilah grinned at Harmony. Her grin was cruel and off-putting. "No sweetie, you shouldn't do that." Lilah stood up and smoothed her outfit. She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "I'm Lilah Morgan. All I need is a courtroom and a few dumb men and the world is mine. I have nothing to be miserable about. Get out of my way." Lilah headed for the hall, making it clear that if Harmony didn't move Lilah would simply walk into her. Harmony hopped out of Lilah's way. For some reason the super-strong vampire found this living woman with no special powers intimidating. Harmony watched Lilah walk away and you would never have known from her posture that she had just been crying. She looked like she was on her way to be crowned queen of the universe. Harmony shrugged and headed back over to her desk.

Faith was there talking to Spike. They were laughing. "Hey Harmony," Faith said "We're going out for drinks to celebrate just how fucking fantastic this day was. Want to come?"

"Sure, I'd love to-" Harmony yelped in pain. She put her hands on the sides of her head and fell to her knees. She squirmed as she tried to hold in the brains that felt like they were oozing between her fingers, hot and gooey. She whimpered as she watched a man sprinkle something on a necklace. She recognized it at the necklace Spike had come from. She felt strong hands, slayer hands, lift her and then carry her away. When Harmony opened her eyes she was in Faith's office while the slayer and Spike looked down at her. "What happened?" Harmony asked

"We were going to ask you the same question." Spike said

"My head… I saw things."

Faith appraised the vampire. "What did you see?"

"The necklace, the one that got stolen. Someone had it."

"Lindsey?" Faith asked

"Maybe, he was chanting, but I didn't understand."

"I need to tell Angel about this." Faith said

"You need a drink now more than ever pet." Spike said "Let's go celebrate my last night in the States while Faith fulfills her obligations to the man who signs her checks."

"I think Harmony should stay here." Faith said "She might have had a vision."

"A vision?" Harmony asked

…

Angel clenched and unclenched his fists. "Thank you," He said

Wesley and the Burkles were in Wesley's office, making no attempts to hide their collective amusement. "How long were you going to wait to ask for help?" Fred asked

"Well I'm immortal so…"

Wesley rolled his eyes. "You and your vanity."

"It wasn't a vanity thing."

"Really?" Fred asked

"Well we need to go check into our hotel." Trish said "You kids want to help us out?"

"Sure," Wesley said "Are you okay Angel?"

"I'm fine."

"Can you watch the baby until we get back?" Fred asked

Angel brightened up. "I'd love to."

She grinned at him. "Here's her diaper bag." She handed him the bag decorated with teddy bears. "Her bottle is in there. If she starts crying she's probably hungry. You might have to change her diaper. Changing a diaper is super easy. All you have to do is-"

"Fred I know how to change a diaper."

"You do?" This surprised her.

Angel was confused for a moment as to why this would be a shock to her until he remembered that she didn't have any memory of him caring for Conner. "Yes, I got it."

Fred kissed her baby on the forehead before handing her over to Angel. "Be good for Uncle Angel okay Evi?" Evi made a gurgling sound probably unrelated to Fred's request.

"I think she likes you." Wesley said

"I like her too." Angel had said the words before realizing that he was mimicking the exchange he and Wesley had before Angel had handed over Conner, condemning his son to grow up in an alternate hell dimension. He pushed the thought away. "I like you lots Evi."

"Bye sweetheart." Trish said "We'll see you soon." She kissed her granddaughter.

"Bye-bye," Roger said "Don't grow up as fast as your mommy."

"Leaving before the sun again?" Angel asked

Trish sighed. "Yes, you know how this one is."

"Don't be a stranger." Angel requested

"We'll be seeing you." Roger said

Wesley and the Burkles left Angel alone with the baby. He took her and the diaper bag into his office so he could watch her while he worked. The work thing didn't end up happening as he spent the whole time making funny faces at the baby and talking to her. When she began to fuss Angel fed her, only slightly creeped out by the fact that he was handling breast milk, it wasn't worse than blood after all. A little while later he had to change her and soon the baby began to look sleepy. Angel went through his mental rolodex of lullabies and looked for a nice one to serenade the little girl with. "This is a nice Irish classic. I know your daddy is an Englishman, but they aren't the most musically gifted of nationalities. Sure, the Beatles were great, but what else have they contributed to music really? Don't answer that." Angel began to sing to the little girl and soon she was asleep in his arms. He tried so hard not to think about the son he had lost, the son who was happy without him. That had nothing to do with Evangeline.

"Angel,"

Angel had rarely heard Faith speak in such a soft unobtrusive voice. "I think you need to come check this out. The day's weirdness isn't over. Something is up with Harmony."

"I'm sort of busy."

"It's important." Faith insisted

"Harmony and important-"

"Angel," Her voice sharpened

Angel sighed as he picked up the phone to call Lorne. Within a minute the Pylean was in his office cooing over the baby while Angel followed Faith to the security office.

…

Lilah watched Spike head for the exit. "You're leaving then?"

"On a high note, that's how I like to go." Spike explained

"Not running away from the possibility you'll have to congratulate the woman you love on her engagement to another man?" Lilah asked cruelly "Not fleeing her perfect happy life?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "No, I'm not."

"Good, I hate cowards."

"I don't much care what you think of me."

"I know. The thing is, you're leaving. I've been wondering what that stuff we did while I was dead feels like. I remember it, but there weren't any sensations. I like sensation."

"That stuff would probably kill you."

"Well you're leaving town anyway, when better to commit murder?"

"You are one crazy broad."

"Want to see just how crazy?"

…

Wesley sighed as they drove away from the hotel. "I'm sorry." Fred said

"For what?"

"That it's not going to be a surprise."

Wesley looked over at her. "I'm glad you found out."

"Really? Why?"

"I might have procrastinated until our daughter was in school before I found the courage to ask you. Now I have to do it soon because you know. So it all worked out I suppose."

Fred looked out her window at the orange-yellow sunset. It took her a moment to realize they were going the wrong way to get to the office. "Honey, where are we going?"

"The park,"

"Are you going to propose to me in the park?" Fred teased

"Let's find out."

When they got to the park she let him lead her down a path through the trees to a secluded spot under a large oak. He got down on one knee. "You don't have to-"

"Fred,"

"Sorry, do your thing."

"Winifred Burkle, love of my life, mother of my child,"

"Yes Wesley,"

"Will you marry me?"

She looked down at his blue eyes. From the moment that Harmony had let the surprise slip Fred had been picturing this moment. They hadn't talked about it at work or at the hotel, but it had been on her mind every second. She had imagined herself saying yes a million times and a few times she had imagined a few silly speeches. Now she couldn't imagine herself saying anything at all. All she could think about was the way Wesley read to Evangeline every night even though there was no way she would ever remember. She thought about the way he held her daughter and the way he held Fred herself when they were alone. She thought of the way his eyes were kind, if often sad. She thought about how he always seemed to understand her even if she couldn't understand herself. She thought about how she loved him. She couldn't speak.

"Fred?" He sounded concerned.

She blushed. She'd had hours to prepare for this and yet still wasn't ready. "I will."

She hated the way her voice shook. "Are you sure?" He sounded scared.

"I love you." She said "With all my heart." She watched him grip the ring and with shaking hands put it on her finger. He stood up and he kissed her. She felt safe in the warmth of his embrace. "Wow, this is real." She said "You really want to marry me."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He said "I have for a long time."