Chapter 9

Six months later

Buffy drove into the garage after a long hard day at work. She couldn't wait to kick off her shoes and sit in front of the fireplace with a good book and large glass of wine.

As she entered, the house was quiet, which wasn't unusual. She placed her bag and files she intended to look through later before bed on top of the bureau near the door and dropped her keys in the decorative bowl that served as a container for her knick knacks.

She entered the living room and a smile came to her as she saw the fireplace roaring. A glass of her favourite wine with the latest crime novel she was currently reading was on the side table next to the armchair adorning in front of the fireplace.

Masculine arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. Her head leaned back finding its familiar place on his shoulder, "Hi girlfriend", he whispered before kissing her neck.

"Hi", she replied reaching up to cup his neck turning her face towards his, giving him a chaste kiss.

"Hmmm…how is it you know exactly what I want", she asked, gesturing to the wine and book.

"I'm just that good", he smirked before resuming his kisses on her neck.

Buffy leaned back and enjoyed his attention. His hand began travelling up to her chest, cupping her breast squeezing them.

"Mmmmm, you gotta stop", she whispered.

"Don't want to".

"I need to shower. I'm icky and I probably smell of stale cigarettes from Henry Bogart. I swear that man smokes worse than a chimney and he doesn't even try to hide it. You can smell him before he walks in the room."

Angelus took a deep breath as if smelling her, briefly catching a whiff of the unpleasant smoke but otherwise, it was her unique, lingering scent of vanilla, strawberries and sunshine he caught, "You smell amazing".

"Ugh…gross. You know I hate it when you smell me".

"Not my fault, you're so intoxicating".

"You're so dramatic".

"No, I'm not. I'm just in love".

"Okay lover boy, can you keep your hormones in check for 10 minutes? I really want to shower real quick".

"Baby, you've never been able to finish showering in 10 minutes."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No, just a fact."

He reached around and began unbuttoning her shirt, "How about I help you shower? Pretty sure my hormones can't wait a minute more", he said, pressing into behind letting her feel his desire for her.

His touches manipulated her with his lips nipping and biting that spot on her neck which was usually her undoing. His fingers thumbed her breasts, caressing them in the way that drove her crazy. Angelus turned her around in his arms and proceeded to latch her lips, biting and suckling it leaning down and wrapping his arms around her waist.

His hand cupped her ass, squeezing it momentarily, eliciting a moan from Buffy, before pulling her up against him. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his hardening shaft against her core.

He started moving upstairs, expertly manoeuvring the familiar route to the master bedroom, letting instinct lead him with his concentration fully on his blonde lover. Upon reaching the bathroom, he placed her on the sink, insinuating himself between her thighs, ripping her shirt and blazer off, buttons flying off from the motion.

Buffy whined, slightly annoyed that it was the third shirt he ripped this month but his hand cupping her breasts made the ill-feelings go away. She lifted herself slightly as he tugged her skirt pulling it down her legs with the thong coming off simultaneously. She broke away, reaching for the hem of his undershirt, pulling it up and tossing it on the floor. Her hands stroked his chest, arm and abs, marvelling at his physique. Angelus' desire heightened, wanting nothing more than to bury himself deep inside her but his needs will have to wait. He simply enjoyed the seductive vision before him and allowed her to set the pace.

She tugged on his pants, unbuttoning and unzipping unhurriedly, dawdling, teasing him. Angelus let out a moan as she gave him a sweet smile. Soon, he was nude before her, hard and ready. It was an exhilarating feeling for Buffy, to know that she could still affect him powerfully after all their time together. She kissed him again, leisurely, as her fingers caressed his face. Her lips travelled over his face, tracing her fingers, kissing his forehead, his eyes and nose before settling on his lips again.

Angelus returned her kiss passionately, allowing her to feel his hunger and need. Ever so slowly, she held his strength, stroking it, making him lean down and groaning into her neck. He found it hard to breathe as her dainty, talented fingers teased and manipulated the member, driving him insane.

His manly sighs and gasps against her ears were like music to her. Giving the shaft a slight squeeze, she pulled him nearer, taking his hard strength and positioned it at the entrance of her slippery folds and swallowed him whole. Both gasped at the contact as she placed her hands on his shoulders steadying herself. For moments, they kept still, glorying in the feeling of being one. Angelus embraced her, his fingers roaming across her back. It was perfect. They fit each other just as they usually do, just as they were supposed to. Their eyes glued to each other, his spoke volumes of love for her and although she never admitted or confessed her love, in moments like this, he would see that glimpse of affection and tenderness that made Angelus hoped she would feel the same.

He crushed her naked form to his, his hands flexed on her shoulders as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, both wanting the other close. He could feel her nipples pebbling against his chest, loving the feeling of her naked skin against his. Loosening his grip, he bent down and suckled her left breast as she began grinding. Letting out a moan, arched helplessly against his mouth, with him licking and biting the nub. She gradually increased the pace taking him into her hungry core, slightly faster, angling her hips to take him deeper. Wanting his spicy, masculine lips, she tugged his hair pulling his attention away from her breasts and cupped his face with her hands and pressed her lips to his.

He kissed her back with vigour, with so much passion and love, his tongue delving into her warm mouth, seeking its mate. Letting his hands roam her exposed back, he lets the hands rest on her pert behind as she kept on riding his velvet length. He didn't push her, didn't hurry her; he simply held her and allowed her to move on her own while he relished the lusty feelings she awakened within him. He wanted this time to be about her.

She broke the kiss and rode him harder, her eyes locking onto his as she moved, her breathing became erratic with each movement. She closed her eyes and hovered her lips over his, as if leaning for a kiss but she just kept on riding. She felt so gloriously full as she held on to him tightly. Angelus could feel his strength brimming, his eyes never leaving her face, loving the erotic expressions and moans she made. It made him harder and closer to the edge. She opened her eyes from time to time, locking them with his. She felt desirable, wanted and loved.

She moved harder and faster, sinking her nails into his shoulder, taking him deeper as she feels ecstasy was within reach. Angelus kissed her, tangling his tongue with hers as she moaned against his mouth, caught up with reaching that release only he could give her. She fastened the pace, sealing him completely inside her and broke the kiss to let out a seductive cry. She was so very close. He was so hard and strong.

A few moments later, she let go of her hold on reality and came, shrieking his name as she reached that earth shattering, godly climax. Angel couldn't tear his eyes away from her face, mesmerized by her beauty when she came. It was just moments later that he joined her in eternal bliss. He held her close as she shuddered in his arms, trying to recover.

When he felt her calm down, Angelus gently kissed her, mumbling sweet nothings against her lips. Still heady from the amazing peak, she could hear him murmur but her mind couldn't register his words. 'You're so beautiful', 'You're perfect' and 'I love you' were among the ones that she could make out. The kiss ended naturally and Buffy laid her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"I really needed that", she said.

"I'm here to tend to your every need".

"What time did you get here? I thought you were meeting a partner that might end late" she asked, rising from his shoulder to look at him.

"It got cancelled. Turns out that the partnership isn't that useful for CGI".

"That's too bad".

"Meh…I'll get over it".

He cupped her face, caressing her cheek as he told her he missed her.

"We saw each other two days ago", she said cheekily.

"I know but…that's a whole lot of hours and if I want to miss my girlfriend, that's my right".

"True…I think your girlfriend missed you too."

"Does she now?"

"Sorta…kinda…you enter her mind sporadically".

"Well, she's on my mind all the time".

"You're soo cheesy".

"Call it what you want. I'm just a man in love".

She smiled. Every time he confessed his love for her, the smile came instinctively. Her heart was warm and fuzziness came over her.

Later that night

Buffy suddenly sat up feeling terrible, her stomach was queasy and felt the need to hurl. She grabbed her robe and ran to the bathroom, reaching just in time for her dinner to come out into the toilet bowl. Angelus was jolted awake by her abrupt movement and was rubbing his eyes, still recovering from sleep but the moment he heard her retching, sleep immediately disappeared, replaced by worry and concern as he moved swiftly to the closed bathroom.

"Buffy?" he knocked on the door seeing that she had locked it.

"Babe, you ok?" he called out.

Then, there was silence.

"Buffy?" he knocked again, turning the knob this time, distress for her welfare making him want to force the door open.

What felt like very long moments later, he heard the door unlatch and out came Buffy looking every bit green and sickly.

"Hey", Angelus immediately cupped her face and looked into her eyes.

"What's wrong?", caressing her cheeks to soothe her.

"It's probably just something I ate. I'm fine. Let's just go back to sleep."

Angelus wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she welcomed the comforting gesture and leaned completely on him. He guided her to bed and laid her down, caressing her face and pushing the straying strands of hair away before leaning down and kissing her forehead.

"You're having a fever", his lips feeling her skin warmer than usual.

"I'm just hot from all the puking. I'll be okay in the morning. Can you just hold me?"

"Of course".

Angelus slid in bed and Buffy moved to lay her head on his chest, wrapping her arm around his abs in its signature position. She snuggled further into him, taking solace in his warmth.

"Hmm, I feel better already", she whispered, her eyes heavy wanting to go back into slumber.

Angelus smiled wistfully, kissing her temple and wrapped both arms around her, cradling his petite lover protectively.

The next few days, Buffy doesn't seem to be recovering and after much prodding, she finally relented to Angelus' nag to see the doctor.

"Ten minutes and I'm there", Angelus said, already taking his jacket and walking out his office.

"Angel, you have that big ass meeting that you've been prepping for the past few months. I'll be fine. I can manage the doctor on my own".

"My team of senior officers can handle the meeting without me. I'm already out of the office."

"Angel…."

"I'll see you in abit".

"Ang…"

The phone went dead and Buffy sighed, knowing that there was no winning against the stubborn man.

Thirty minutes later, the doctor's office

Her mind boggled, trying to comprehend the news presented to her.

"Are…are you sure?" she asked.

"Well, I could run some tests to confirm it but I'm pretty sure that…"

"Ok, let's do the tests", she said hurriedly, cutting him off.

The doctor raised his eyebrows at her reaction. Buffy, realising that she probably caused the doctor to have the wrong impression, tries to cover up.

"I just want to be sure before…what if it's nothing", she fibbed, internally scoffing at her own lousy lying skills.

"Sure, we'll run some tests to be conclusive."

The doctor paged his assistant to bring in the necessary apparatus and moments later, a brunette middle-aged woman came into the cabin with a tray of the required items.

Buffy's mind was riddled with uncertainty and mind-numbing fear but she took a deep breath as the doctor did the necessary of swabbing her skin with alcohol, tapping her arm lightly to reveal a vein before driving the needle in. Buffy didn't register the slight prickle as she stared into nothingness.

"Okay, we're done".

Buffy blinked back and noticed that the doctor was taping over the wound with a band-aid.

"We'll call you in about three days of the results".

"Three…three days?...can't you make it shorter?"

"I need to send this to the lab and it will take some time".

"Isn't there like an express service?"

The doctor sensing her hastiness, informed her that it will cost slightly more to have the results released within 24 hours.

"Do it. I'll pay just…I can't wait for three days".

"Of course. I'll give you a call tomorrow".

"Thank you, Doctor".

The moment Buffy walked out of the doctor's office, she heard a familiar voice calling her. Bracing herself, she took a deep breath and turned towards him.

"Hey, sorry but traffic was horrible. When I got here, they said you've already gone in."

Buffy instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist and his presence and warmth soothed her, as always. Angelus wrapped her tightly in his arms, sensing her distress. Her behaviour was alarming to him and his heart raced, afraid for his lover.

"What's wrong?"

He felt her head shake and she mumbled nothing in his chest. He released her and cupped her chin to look into her eyes that could never lie to him.

"What is it?"

Buffy pulled away and laid her head back on his chest.

"I'm just sick…and a little needy. I want my man to coddle me. Is that a problem?"

Angelus was unconvinced but he could never refuse her. His arms automatically reciprocated, wanting to comfort her and in return assure himself that she was okay.

That night, Buffy was soundly asleep next to him. After the doctors, they drove back to her house, he made her soup while she showered. After drinking whatever she could, she took her medication and pulled him to bed, asking him to spend the night. With his love unwell, he was more than willing to be with her.

The medication was quickly working through her system that the minute her head hit the pillow, she was out in mere moments. Angelus laid next to her restlessly, his mind was still clouded with worry and concern over his rather guarded lover. She tried not to make it obvious and to her credit, he could see that she tries hard to be as involved in this relationship as he was. But there were moments where she kept him at bay, not fully allowing him to see how she thinks or feel. If only she knew how fruitless it was. This was Angelus and she was an open book to him.

He knew when he pursued her, she wasn't like the girls he dated before. In fact, he was pretty sure there was no one like her. When they met, he knew her walls were like a steel trap, but he was determined that little by little, as time went by, he was breaking it down and she was opening herself up in ways she hasn't opened up to anyone. But of course, she would never admit it out loud. He saw through it all but today, her being tight-lipped was causing turmoil within him because he knew she was afraid. Of what he does not know and it was unnerving.

Feeling the need to be close to her, he laid his head on her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck, his hand laying on her waist pulling her in. She was still slightly warm but at least she felt slightly cooler than earlier. Buffy's body moulded herself around him in her sleep, circling his neck, holding him against her. Angelus took comfort in the closeness, his fingers stroking her waist and allowing slumber to come to him moments later.

Tomorrow…tomorrow, she will tell him. If she doesn't, he was determined to make her.

Buffy was on the edge of her seat, anxious to hear the phone ringing but at the same time, scared to know what the result would be. Earlier, after much prodding from her dark-haired lover, she told him that the doctor's took some of her blood and that she will know the results today. When asked why, she merely shrugged saying the doctor found some irregularities. Angelus held her close telling her that he'll be there for her no matter what and whatever it was, he'll face it with her.

She somehow managed to convince Angelus to go home by promising that she will tell him the moment she hears from the doctor. She just needed some time alone. Unconvinced, but sensing the seriousness of her tone, he forced himself to relent but told her he'll be back in a few hours, not wanting to leave her alone for long.

When the phone rang, she literally jumped in surprise. For some moments, she stared at the phone, afraid to answer. Steeling herself, she swiped the answer icon on her phone and the familiar voice on the other line was who she was waiting for.

"Hello, may I speak to Ms Summers please."

"Speaking", she said quietly.

"Ms Summers, I'm Dr. Boone. I'm calling regarding the results of your blood?"

"Yes?"

"It's positive, Ms. Summers."

Buffy's eyes widened and her mind rattled. She knew that the possibility was high but to scientifically prove that it actually was true was something else.

"Ms. Summers, are you there?"

"Yes", she whispered.

"We'll need to schedule you some appointments but unfortunately, not here. I could recommend you to a friend of mine who's a gynaecologist. She…"

"No, that's okay. I'll manage from here."

"Okay, if you could come by tomorrow, I'll write you up a prescription and perhaps advise you the next steps to take? I have an 11am slot free."

"Okay".

"Very well, I'll see you tomorrow".

Buffy hung up without saying goodbye. Her phone rang again shortly after and she jumped, startled. Seeing Angelus' name, she was hesitant to answer but did anyway.

"Hello".

"Hey…how are you feeling?"

"Slightly better".

"So, I'll stop by Okinawa's and grab some dinner ok? You want the usual?"

"Angel…"

"I'm coming over, Buffy", he said calmly but the firmness in his voice told Buffy she wasn't going to convince him otherwise.

Buffy took a deep breath and croaked an okay.

"So, the usual?" Angelus steered their conversation back.

"Ok".

"Hey".

There was silence for a few moments before she replied with a "Yeah?"

"I love you", he said earnestly.

Despite the apprehension, she smiled slightly and said, "I know".

"I'll see you soon."

Buffy sat on her sofa and leaned back, her mind exhausted. She was feeling a whole range of emotions. Confusion, uncertainty, anger but most of all, fear. How could this happen? She ran her hands through her hair, feeling helpless.