Sorry for the wait. I've been sick, started school...you know, the usual excuses. Sorry. It's a bit short, but hopefully you'll enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. The feedback will really help me because I've been a bit stuck recently with this story.

Ch. 29

"I'm really glad you're coming home with us Mom," Angel said as he drove his mother's car towards Sunnydale. "There's plenty of room in my apartment and-"

"And I'm just coming for a visit," she insisted and she held back a laugh at how he set his jaw. He could be so stubborn. "I know you think the neighborhood isn't safe, and I'll take that into consideration. But I'm not moving in with my son. You don't need me cramping your style."

"You wouldn't cramp my style, Mom," he chuckled and she smiled as she glanced over at the sleeping blond in the passenger seat.

"I take it you spend most of your time at Buffy's house?" she asked and he glanced up at her in the rear view mirror in surprise.

"What? No, I-"

"Relax Angel," she said leaning back in her seat as she extended her broken leg next to her. "You're a grown man. You can do what you want."

"Mom-"

"Are you sure she's asleep?" she questioned and Angel smiled slightly.

"Yeah. She's like a dog. The car always puts her to sleep," he explained and Victoria smiled fondly at the happiness she could see on his face.

"Can I ask you something Angel? I don't want you to be offended," she began and Angel sighed. He'd been expecting this conversation. He nodded knowing he may as well get it over with. "Are you sure she's right for you?"

"Mom," he groaned as he shook his head. He couldn't believe his mom was asking him if Buffy was right for him. His mom had barely spoken to him for the past year. How the hell did she know what he needed?

"I'm sorry. But I'm your mother, and I have to ask even if think I already know the answer," she said and he forced himself to relax. His mom had always been like that. And if this was Kathy he would be doing the same thing. Actually he'd probably be doing a whole hell of a lot more than just asking.

"I love her, mom," he said simply. "You just spent the last few days with her. She's amazing," he said quietly keeping his eyes on the road. "So why don't you tell me your concerns and we can get this over with."

"You know me well," she grinned and he smirked. He really did. "How old is she? I know she's still in school."

"22. She'll be 23 on the 19th," he answered easily. "She only has one semester left and when she gets out she wants to work as a counselor at an elementary school."

"Have you talked about where you'll live?" she asked and Angel sighed. She was really going all out in this interrogation.

"No," he admitted. "But I assume we'll live in her house. It's where she grew up and she loves it. But if she wants to move out then it doesn't matter to me. I just want to be with her."

"And you can afford it of course," she added and Angel sighed.

"So that's what you're worried about," he realized and his mother shrugged.

"You've never dated seriously with this much money. Angel, I'm not sure you realize how much you have," she whispered as if it were a national secret.

"First of all, I know every cent of what I have because I tried to give it to you," he shot back and he saw his mother shrink back in the seat. He felt slightly guilty but at the same time he felt like she deserved it. "Second, I had a serious relationship recently. Not a healthy one, but I have dated with money. And third…Buffy's not after my money. In fact, she hardly ever lets me pay for or buy her anything. It kind of pisses me off actually," he mumbled before shaking his head slightly to get rid of that thought. "So she's not after my money."

"How can you-"

"And even if she was then she deserves it. She can have every penny," he told his mom with a tone of finality in his voice that even his mother couldn't argue with.

"Why did she lie to her mother during Christmas?" she finally asked and Angel finally understood that his mom had a big problem with Buffy lying to her mother. After the rocky relationship between Angel and his mom, the last thing Victoria wanted was a vindictive or conniving daughter-in-law.

"She had been engaged when she told her mom she'd bring her fiancé home," he began as he switched lanes on the highway. "But she wasn't happy with him so she ended things not long before Christmas. She didn't want to upset her mom by not bringing a fiancé and then we found each other," he shrugged hoping the short version would be enough. He wasn't sure it was his story to tell.

"And her mother had never met this man?" she queried and her voice was skeptical.

"Buffy lives in Sunnydale and her mom moved to LA this past summer," he explained. "Buffy just wanted to have a good Christmas."

"And a good Christmas requires a fiancé?" Victoria deadpanned and Angel tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"Not that it's any of your business, but it was their first Christmas without Buffy's father and Buffy was trying to make it easier on her mom," he said through gritted teeth. He'd forgotten how damn frustrating his mother could be.

"What happened to her father?" she wondered and Angel could tell she was beginning to soften towards the idea of Buffy creating such a story.

"Heart attack," Angel answered simply and Victoria sighed. "And I would have done the same for you," he added.

"I had to ask," she said and Angel nodded.

"I know. But don't doubt her again. Because I love you mom," he assured her, "but I will choose Buffy over you."

"As you should," she replied quietly with a smile. "If she's going to be your wife, she should come first. Until you have children. Then they should come first. Have you discussed children?" she asked, growing more excited by the second. Now that she was assured Buffy was the lovely woman she'd thought she was, Victoria couldn't wait to welcome her to the family.

"We're not even engaged yet, mom," Angel reminded her and Victoria looked at him curiously.

"You're wearing the claddagh rings," she said in confusion and he glanced down at his.

"I gave it to her before we went to her mom's," he shrugged but Victoria leaned forward and rested a hand on her son's shoulder.

"And neither of you took them off," she pointed out and she watched him spare a quick glance in Buffy's direction. Victoria smiled at the look of consideration on her son's face. They may not be officially engaged, but in their hearts they were.

"It's not official," he finally said. "She deserves a real ring like Doyle got for Cordy," he said remembering when Cordy had threatened to shove the ring up Doyle's nose if it had been "an old boring claddagh ring."

"You don't have to have a ring to be engaged," his mom responded but Angel shook his head.

"I'm giving my fiancée a diamond ring. So she can show her friends and her mom and anyone else who wants to see," he insisted and his mother grinned from the back seat.

"And Buffy wants another ring?" she asked and Angel opened his mouth to answer before he chuckled.

"Probably not," he admitted. "But she's getting one. And she'll have to accept it because I'll make sure there's no way to get a refund," he smirked already planning on how he'd get her to take it.

"Well now that we've cleared that up," Victoria said conversationally, "have you two discussed children?" she asked brightly and Angel smiled and shook his head at his mother's obvious attempt to lobby for a grandchild.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Mrs. O'Connor, I'm so glad to see you," Fred gushed as she walked into Angel's apartment to greet them. "Wes and I have missed you."

"I've missed you too, Fred," she smiled as Fred bent down towards the couch and hugged her. "Where's Wesley?"

"He's finishing packing our bags and then he'll be over. Our apartment should be completely repainted by next week," she said excitedly and Victoria smiled at the young girl who she had always thought of as another daughter. "It's so nice of Angel to let us stay here. And I'm glad we'll get to spend time with you too!"

"Yes, Angel planned that well," she said knowing her son had likely planned everything he could to try and show her that Sunnydale would be the perfect place for her to live.

"He loves you," Fred told Victoria who smiled.

"And I love him. Even if he is overprotective," she smirked as Fred handed her photos of her and Wes' new apartment.

"Can you imagine if they ever have a daughter? He'll never let her date," Fred giggled and Victoria laughed at the thought of Angel interrogating a young boy. "He was bad enough with Kathy."

"Maybe we should hope they have a son first."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Buffy, I need to talk to you about something," Willow said nervously and Buffy turned to face her best friend.

"What is it, Will?" she asked and Willow sighed. She gestured for her to follow her and they both sat on the couch. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing's wrong," she assured Buffy who was now worried. "I mean, I don't think it is. It's good, what I have to say. At least, I think it's good. It's at least more good than bad."

"You're rambling," Buffy smiled at Willow who nodded and blushed slightly. "Just tell me."

"Um, Oz asked me to move in with him," she said quietly and Buffy could tell that Willow was excited about it. "And I said yes."

"Will, that's great!" Buffy exclaimed as she leaned over and hugged her best friend. "I'm really happy for you. You basically spend all your time together anyways."

"I hoped you wouldn't be upset," Willow admitted and Buffy's smile faltered a little bit.

"Well, I'm a little sad. I'll miss you, but you won't be far. And you love Oz. It's about time you two take the next step," she replied and Willow grinned.

"I was thinking the same about you and Angel," she said and Buffy blushed and shook her head.

"It might be a little soon for us. We haven't been together that long," she reminded Willow who merely shrugged.

"You two have had an accelerated relationship. Everything has happened fast because it was meant to be. And with his mom staying at his apartment, and Fred and Wes staying there to take care of her while their apartment gets painted, it's the perfect time to try it out!" she gushed and Buffy looked suspiciously at her friend.

"Exactly how often do you talk to Fred?" she wondered.

"Enough to know that you and Angel should live together," she smiled and Buffy didn't reply but she couldn't help but admit that she did always miss him when he went back to his apartment and neither of them liked living away from each other.

"Maybe in a few months," Buffy said rationally but Willow merely shook her head.

"It's time for us to move to a new chapter in our lives, Buffy," she encouraged. "You and I hardly ever see each other anymore because we're always rushing off to see our boyfriends!"

"Will-"

"No, it's okay," she rushed to say. "But if we lived with them then we'd have more time with them and more time to spend with each other because we wouldn't have to try so hard to make time with them," she explained and Buffy realized that Willow had been thinking about this for a while. "I-I didn't want to move out a few months ago. I didn't want you to be alone after everything that happened with your parents," she said quietly and Buffy looked up in surprise.

"Will, you didn't have to stay," Buffy said feeling guilty for holding her friend back.

"I wanted to. It wasn't the right time, but I think now it is. You have Angel, and Oz and I are in a really good place," she said and Buffy fell silent. "Are you really okay with me moving out?"

"Absolutely," Buffy insisted looking Willow in the eye. "Like I said, I'll miss you, but I understand. And as long as we still hang out all the time, I'm cool with it."

"Oh we'll hang out all the time," she assured Buffy. "The first thing we do can be move all yours and Angel's stuff into the master bedroom!"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Buffy sat on her couch, clutching a pillow to her chest as she watched Beaches for probably the tenth time. But tonight after Willow had gone out with Oz to shop for furniture and had decided to stay at his place for the night, the movie was hitting a little too close to home. Okay, so her friend was just moving across town, not dying, but still. It made her sad. She really was happy for Willow, but she didn't even want to think about living all alone in the house she grew up in.

Tears fell down her cheeks, but she wiped them away when she heard a key in the lock. She hadn't been expecting Willow and she didn't want her best friend to know she was this upset she was moving out. But when the door opened, instead of Willow, Angel walked in and briefly she wondered where he got a key, but then decided it really didn't matter. She put the pillow down hoping he hadn't noticed, but as soon as he saw her, his eyes filled with concern.

"Buffy, what's wrong?" he asked hurrying over and sitting next to her on the couch.

"Nothing," she said shaking her head. "I'm just watching a sad movie," she told him gesturing to the TV. She turned it off feeling silly and embarrassed, but at the same time relieved that he was there with her. She could really use a hug from him right now.

"Buffy," he admonished lightly and as if reading her mind he pulled her into his arms. "Talk to me."

"It's stupid. And it's not even bad really," she said as she pulled back to look into his eyes but she was still leaning into him. "Just…Willow told me she's going to move in with Oz. And I'm happy for her, but…"

"You're going to miss her," he finished in understanding. When she nodded a few more tears leaked out but he quickly wiped them away with her thumbs. "You'll still see her."

"I know. Like I said, it's stupid, it's just…I don't even know why I'm so upset," she admitted and she dropped her head to rest on his shoulder. "But I feel better now that you're here."

"Why didn't you call me? I would have come sooner," he told her, his voice soothing and she sighed.

"I didn't want to bother you. I knew you were with your mom and you two need that time," she rationalized but he shook his head.

"You needed me too."

"Well, you're here now," she said wrapping her own arms around his middle. "Why is that anyways?" she asked as it occurred to her that he should still be at his apartment with his mom.

"My apartment was a little crowded with my mom, Fred, and Wes," he answered even though he knew that was hardly the reason he'd come over. "My mom fell asleep in my room. The pain medication still makes her tired…" he trailed off as he found himself wondering what the hell he'd been doing at his apartment in the first place. He should have been here with Buffy when she was upset.

"You have two bedrooms Angel. Where are you sleeping?" she asked assuming Fred and Wes would take the guest room.

"The couch," he shrugged and Buffy glared at him.

"That couch doesn't even pull out."

"I told my mom it did," he admitted and Buffy sighed.

"You're staying here tonight," she said firmly and he opened his mouth to protest.

"That wasn't what I came here for Buffy. I…I just, I missed you. I wanted to see you," he finally said and he reached out a hand to grab hers. "If you want to spend some time with Willow tonight I understand."

"She's with Oz," Buffy dismissed and Angel felt a moment of annoyance for the redhead who had so carelessly left an upset and emotional Buffy all alone. Especially when she had been the cause of Buffy's distress in the first place. "Please Angel," she whispered suddenly feeling like if he turned her down her world might collapse. "I don't want to be alone tonight."

"Baby, the last thing I want to do is spend a night away from you," he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers. "Of course I'll stay. I just thought you might be sick of me," he smirked teasingly, but there was a hint of seriousness to his tone.

"Definitely not sick of you," she assured him as she leaned forward to press her lips to his for a sweet kiss. "I don't know how to explain it, but when you're not here…it's not that I miss you. I mean, you're just at your apartment and I know I'll see you again tomorrow. But when you are here I just feel…I don't know…"

"Peaceful," he finished for her and she smiled nodding. He pulled her into his lap finding himself a bit overwhelmed by how accurate that description was. Lately he'd found himself hating going to his own apartment. He didn't like sleeping without her, eating breakfast without her, watching movies without her…hell he didn't even like doing laundry without her anymore.

It was then that he knew without a doubt in his mind that he was going to spend the rest of his life with this girl. It didn't matter that they'd only known each other for a month. She was it for him and he was pretty sure she felt the same way. And if she didn't, well he was more than willing to spend the rest of his life proving that he was the right guy for her.

But judging by the way she was resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes shut and breathing slow, he had a feeling she already knew. They were so perfect together. It was what he'd dreamed of his whole life yet come to doubt existed. And this was even better than he'd dared to imagine. It was in that moment that he made a decision. It had been floating in the back of his mind for a few days, but now he was positive. It was time.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Oh god, I SO wish we were here for me, but since Buffy's birthday is coming up I'm guessing we're not, are we?" Cordelia asked as they pulled up the jeweler. When Angel shook his head Cordelia sighed. "As happy as I am that you did, why did you bring me along? For a guy you have really good taste, Angel."

"Because this present has to be perfect," he said as they climbed out of the car. "And I definitely don't want her exchanging it," he murmured.

"So what are you thinking?" she wondered as they opened the door. "Earrings? I always loved emeralds but they so don't go with my skin tone. Same goes for onyx. I-"

"Cordy," Angel cut her off sharply and she looked at him curiously. "I'm getting her a ring."

"Why?" she asked but as soon as the word left her mouth she saw the serious look on Angel's face and it all came together. "You're getting her an engagement ring?" she exclaimed and the man behind the counter smiled at Angel.

"May I help you, Sir?" he asked and Angel began to walk forward but Cordy grabbed his arm.

"Angel, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you two practically just met," she said gently and he looked at her, his face hardly showing any emotion although Cordelia knew that was usually when he was feeling the most.

"It's her Cordy. I don't know when or how, but I'm going to ask her to marry me," he said calmly and Cordelia searched his eyes for clues but found none.

"Angel…" she trailed off yet as she thought about Angel and Buffy's relationship she did have to admit it had progressed quickly.

"She's the one Cordy," he said simply and Cordelia smiled widely, pleased with his statement.

"Then let's find her ring!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Angel was being really weird this morning," Buffy commented as Willow handed her the coffee she had ordered.

"What do you mean?" she asked and Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know. He was in such a rush to get out of the house. And get me out of the house," she said biting softly on her bottom lip. "It's freaking me out."

"Was he weird last night?" she prodded and Buffy thought carefully before letting out a loud sigh. "I mean, I know he's not the easiest guy to read, but did you have sex?"

"Will!" Buffy exclaimed, always surprised when her once so innocent friend asked something so blatant. When Willow merely shrugged with a small smile Buffy gave in. "We did."

"And was he being weird then? Was everything you know…normal?" Buffy thought back to the night before after they'd been sitting on the couch together. She'd looked up and thanked him for coming over and before she knew it she was under him on the couch, clothes off, and his mouth suckling at her breasts. They'd only gotten to the stairs before he was inside her.

"It was good," she smiled slightly and Willow smirked knowingly. "And I mean, he held me afterwards and everything like always. It was just this morning."

"Maybe he's just having an off day," Willow offered but Buffy shot Willow a look.

"Angel isn't one to let an off day outwardly affect his behavior," she pointed out and Willow had to concede that Buffy was right. "He always talks to me. I don't know why he isn't now."

"What else happened last night?"

"I almost asked him to move in with me," she admitted and Willow's eyes widened. "And not just because you're moving out. It had nothing to do with that," she assured her friend. "It's just…when he's around I feel so safe and comfortable. And I told him that and he agreed and everything was so great."

"So why didn't you ask?" Willow wondered and Buffy slumped down a little in her chair.

"I was afraid it was too soon and he would think I was only doing it because you were moving out," she mumbled. "But still. I don't see why that would make him weird this morning."

"Did he kiss you goodbye?" Willow asked and Buffy nodded. "Did he tell you he loves you?" she continued and Buffy nodded once more. "Do you believe him?"

"Of course I do. I'm just…ugh I don't know. I feel like I've been in love with him for years and I've only known him for a month. It makes no logical sense and I have no idea if he feels the same way. He says he does and I believe him, but I don't know if he really understands how much I really love him," she rambled feeling as if she might burst if she didn't tell someone soon. When she looked up she just saw Willow grinning at her. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just happy for you. It took me and Oz years to get where you and Angel are," she smiled. "And trust me, he feels the same way. You should see the way he looks at you."

"Really? So you don't think the being weird this morning meant anything?" she asked and Willow chuckled.

"You want my best guess?" she said and Buffy nodded. "I would bet he was going to buy you a birthday present." When the words hit Buffy she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Knowing Angel that was exactly what he was doing. She grinned deciding she definitely liked that possibility.