May 14, 2006 – Mother's Day
A smile spread across his features as Angel watched Buffy sleep.
He loved her peaceful expression, the slow rise and fall of her chest, the soft, warm wisps of her breath on his skin, the slightly moist spot growing on the pillow beside her mouth…ok, maybe not that last one.
As slowly and quietly as he could, he slipped from bed and pulled on his sweats. He tiptoed out of the room and headed downstairs towards the kitchen, only detouring to check that the kids were still soundly asleep.
Once in the kitchen he, as quietly as possible, went about cooking Buffy her favorite breakfast.
He wanted everything to be perfect today.
...
After finishing the waffles, eggs and bacon, he filled two glasses, one with Oj the other milk and added them to tray.
It had taken him a full twenty minutes to figure out how to get the coffeepot running, but finally a piping hot cup of coffee made it to the tray along with a little vase with a single red rose.
Satisfied the ensemble was complete, he picked up the tray and headed upstairs to surprise his wife.
Thankful he had the foresight to not completely shut the door, he wedged his foot into the crack and pried it open since his hands where occupied with keeping the tray balanced. Slipping back inside he crept over to the bed and eased in.
Buffy shifted when she felt the bed depress, and slowly opened her eyes when something hard and flat slid across her lap.
"Angel?" She yawned, wondering what he was doing.
"Morning." He whispered, kissing her temple.
She smiled up at him, "Morning." She repeated back, and then added, "What's with the sneaky?" upon seeing a strange glint in his eyes.
She looked down and noticed the tray he had deposited in her lap.
"What's this?" She asked, the aroma of hot coffee filling her nose and the idea of food making her mouth water.
"Nothing, just your wonderful Mother's day breakfast in bed." He said nonchalantly.
Her grin widened, "I get breakfast in bed?" She asked, all eager and happy.
"Of course you do." He replied, snuggling up and reaching for a piece of bacon.
She swatted his hand away. "Hey, mine." She defended her food.
He grinned and sat up against the headboard.
A moment later she sat against his chest, using him as a backrest.
Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, stealing a kiss on her neck every now and then.
As she looked down at the food she shook her head, "Did you purposefully make way too much so I would share with you?"
His eyes shifted back and forth a moment, "Ahh, no?" he lied, looking guilty.
"Then why are there two forks?" She dead panned.
"Well that's so you can eat with one, and I can feed you with the other." He offered smoothly.
"Liar." She stated.
"Points for trying?" He asked with an arched eyebrow.
After a moment she surrendered, "I suppose. Eating alone is no fun anyways, especially if I have you drooling over my shoulder the whole time."
She handed him one of the forks and they spent some quality time feeding one another in between chuckles and kisses.
...
Once the food was gone, they lounged contently in their bed, talking and just enjoying being together.
"Can we do this more often?" Buffy asked, looking up at Angel, her fingers absently toying with his.
"Sure." He smirked, "How about on Father's day? I expect chocolate chip pancakes…and I'll eat them off your naked body." He fantasized with a lustful grin.
Her jaw dropped and she stared at him, "Why didn't I get that!" She demanded.
"Sorry, just thought it now. Next year, I promise." He appeased with a chaste kiss.
"Ok, but make it chocolate chip waffles." She expressed.
"Mother's day, chocolate chip waffles, naked. Got it." He grinned and kissed her ear.
"I didn't get breakfast in bed last Mother's day…" She realized with a slight pout.
"Last year Mother's day was May 8th, Katie was born May 9th." He stated.
"I was still carrying your child, that counts." She countered.
"That's why I bought you flowers and a gallon of cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip ice cream." He countered back.
"Oh yeah, which you ate most of by the way." She accused.
He shrugged, "Guilty."
After a beat, "Besides, I couldn't have served you breakfast in bed anyways, with your belly out to here, where would I have put the tray?" He joked holding his hand a foot out from his stomach.
"Hey!" She turned and whacked him a few times.
He ducked back from the playful blows, pretending they hurt.
After a second she tackled him, their play fight dissolving into lustful kisses.
...
When they finally pulled apart, she closed her eyes and stretched out onto his chest, full and happy and enjoying the lazy early morning before the kids woke and the chaos began.
She felt his hand slid along her arm, when she opened her eyes again Angel held a small box in front of her.
"What's that?" She asked, knowing but excited for a present.
"Your Mother's day gift." He said, dropping the box into her cupped hands.
As she sat up, she joked, "And here I thought the breakfast in bed idea was just you being cheap."
"I'm not cheap…I'm old…there's a difference." He defended.
"I know. I love your gifts, they're always perfect." She eased his mind and placed a kiss on his lips.
Smiling, she excitingly pulled off the little pink bow. She knew he always got her something amazing and was looking forward to his next surprise.
She pulled the cover off the box and pulled out a charm and a braided silver chain.
"Oh Angel, it's beautiful." She said looking down at the charm in her hands.
It was a small silver heart with a Claddagh design on the bottom. Hanging from the bottom heart were two stones, an emerald and an amethyst.
"It's a birthstone pendent" Angel explained, "The emerald is for Katie who was born in May and the amethyst is for Liam since he was born in February. There is a Garnet in the middle for you, January."
She turned around wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, "Thank you, I love it, it's amazing."
"Can't breathe." He choked out, her grip on his neck a little too tight.
She immediately loosened and began kissing him an apology.
After a minute she pulled back, "Hey, where is your stone?" She asked, looking at the pendent again and not seeing one for him.
"I'll be the little hands holding yours." He offered, wrapping his arms around her and pointing to the friendship hands of the Claddagh.
She accepted that and turned over the charm, noticing there were words engraved around the heart on the reverse side. 'Love, Loyalty, Friendship, Family'.
"Put it on?" She asked, handing it to him to fasten around her neck. She pulled her hair back as he clasped the small lock.
She looked down and frowned, the necklace length clashed with her silver cross, which she hadn't taken off since her wedding.
"It doesn't go with my cross." She pouted.
"You don't have to wear both at the same time, you can leave one in your jewelry box." He emphasized her Valentines day gift.
"Is that why you made me that? Because you plan on burying me in jewelry?" She teased. "Give me so many I can't possibly wear them all at once?"
"You don't want more jewelry?" he asked.
"No, no I do. Please bury away." She quickly amended, knowing she could never have too much jewelry, especially if picked out by her incredibly tasteful and practical husband.
She slowly took off her beloved silver cross and looked down at it a moment, then she turned and slipped the necklace around Angel's neck. "I want you to wear it." She told him as she fastened it in place.
He looked down at the object, feeling strange to have a cross against his skin.
"It doesn't burn does it?' she asked, momentarily unsure at his reluctance.
"No, it…it's just different. I haven't worn a cross in…since I was a child." He admitted, running his fingers over the charm, remembering the day he'd picked it out with intentions of giving it to the Slayer he was charged with helping. The Slayer he'd already fallen madly in love with upon first glimpse.
"Well it's about time you start. It offers a lot of protection, trust me; it saved me more than once." She stated, remembering the times she utilized it to her advantage, knowing Angel could use the same protection.
"All the most reason you should keep it." He countered, not wanting to leave her neck unprotected.
She shook her head, "No, it kept me safe; it's your turn now."
At her resolve face, he nodded, "Alright…but if I get my ass kicked for wearing woman's jewelry…" he left the empty treat hanging.
She grinned, "Yeah, I don't think you'll have a problem there, it's not a very feminine piece."
"Are you criticizing my taste?" He asked, since he picked it out to begin with.
"No, I love your taste." She kissed his lips then licked hers, "Mmm, all your tastes."
He grinned, "Me too." He leaned in and captured her mouth in his own for a taste.
Of course that's when the 'I'm awake' cry came from the nursery across the hall…then another from Katie's room down the hall.
"Why do they always wake up when things are just getting good?" She asked, rolling out of bed.
"Just think, the earlier they get up…the earlier they go to bed." Angel winked and headed down the hall to get Katie.
Buffy grinned and headed to grab Liam and start her first real mother's day.
'Hmm, this time last year I technically had no kids, only one year later, I have two…and I wouldn't change it for the world.' She thought happily as she picked up her 3 month-old son. "Not for the world." She whispered.
AN: Buffy's Necklace Idea: www. bradfordexchange .com, Product #107799001, "An Irish Mother's Love" Personalized Diamond Pendant
October, 2006 - The Talk
'Now' Angel thought, 'Get you're ass over there and talk to her right now. Katie and Liam are napping, and Buffy is painting her toes, so she can't kick your ass without ruining them.'
Walking over to the couch and sliding down beside his wife, flashed his best 'there is nothing wrong' smile.
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked, seeing right though him.
His smile dissolved and he sighed. "Listen Buffy, I've been meaning to talk to you for awhile now...actually I've been putting it off for almost three years now…"
"You've been alive for almost three years." She stated, not liking where this conversation sounded like it was going.
He nodded, "Yeah, it's related.
"What is it?" She demanded, twisting the top back on to her favorite pink nail polish, and giving him her full attention. Actually a little mad he had kept something from her for so long.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He looked down at his fingers a moment then into his wife's hazel green and slightly worried eyes. Figuring he might as well jump right in he blurted, "Buffy, I want to go home."
She blinked a moment and stated blankly, "You are home…we live here."
He sighed, "No, I mean…I want to back home to Ireland. To where I was born…where I died." He clarified.
"Oh" She said, not sure what to say to that. After a moment of silence she asked, "You want us to go to Ireland why?"
He winced, "Well actually, I meant me…alone." He admitted.
"Alone?" She repeated, hurt and angry.
He wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her in closer to him, she tried to pull back but he was persistent.
"My Love, I'm not leaving you, and this isn't because I want to get away from you. Two weeks tops, that's all I'm asking for."
"What's your reasoning then? Why all of a sudden?" She demanded, looking up into his dark eyes.
"It isn't all of a sudden, I've been thinking this over since I became human again. As for why…I was born there Buffy, both the man and the demon. Some part of me…I don't know, I have a lot of skeletons buried there, and that's fairly literal. I just…I need to go back. This is just something I have to do."
"Right now?" She asked, not comfortable with him skipping town...actually the country... with Liam less than a year old.
"No, it doesn't have to be right now, if you need me here...I've waited this long, I can hold off a little longer." He comforted.
"Why did you put if off so long?" she asked, curious, while curling up against him.
He grinned, running his fingers down her arm, "Lots of reasons. The biggest is…well you got pregnant with Katie. I knew I couldn't leave with you expecting, then the wedding, an apocalypse, then Liam…I needed to be here for those…for you." He confessed.
She nodded, her anger dissipated as he talked to her first, sharing his feelings and plans before just showing up with a plane ticket. She looked up at him with a little pout she knew he had a hard time resisting, "Could you wait 4 months, at least until Liam's 1?"
He nodded, pulling her in to kiss her cheek, "Next year, I can go this time next year." He appeased.
"What will you do there?" she asked.
He shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know. It's just something I need to do. Closure I guess."
"Ok" She reluctantly agreed, "But only two weeks…one day more and I'll be coming to find you." She warned.
He grinned, "You won't need to, two weeks without my Buffy fix and I'll be crawling back to you." He smirked, pulling her in to kiss her neck in thanks for agreeing to his request.
"Stop" she whispered with little to no force. Her lips curling into a smile from the pleasure he generated with such simple touch. "I'm still mad at you." She sort of lied.
He pulled back, a crease marring his brow. "Why?" He asked, not knowing.
"Well you did just make verbal agreements to vacation without me for two weeks..." She accused, folding her arms across her chest and staring him down.
He crossed his arms too, "So I'm being punished now for doing the very thing you asked me to do...talk and share with you instead of going behind your back?" He asked, astounded.
"Well, actually I was going for getting you guilt tripped into painting my toes for me..." She admitted sheepishly, unfolding her arms and shrugging.
He uncrossed his arms, "Oh." He said, realizing she wasn't actually mad at him, just trying to manipulate him to do her bidding. It could be worse...
After a moment he picked up her nail polish bottle and tapped his lap for her foot. "I don't mind, but next time, just ask." He stated as she settled her foot onto his lap.
"Yeah...I'll try that first next time." She agreed.
After a few moments of silence as he painted, "Thanks...for sharing with me...even if it did take three years...I appreciate having a say in our decisions."
"Always." He muttered, focused on keeping the polish on her nails and off the smooth skin of her toes.
She watched him then, remembering back when she was heavily pregnant for the first time with Katie. She had been sitting on the couch much as she had been when he sat beside her earlier, trying in vein to paint her toes with a virtual beach-ball in the way.
He had just slipped in, taken the polish from her, and gave her the most amazing foot rub of her life. Afterwards he silently painter her toes with a look of concentration equaling that if he was painting the Mona Lisa. The final result just as professional.
Needless to say, he'd gotten laid that night. A lot.
She was wondering if he thought the same thing would happen tonight. 'We'll see.' She mentally toyed.
She thought over what he'd said today, about needing to go home for a few weeks.
She knew he carried a lot of guilt still, despite what he might have claimed to the Scooby gang. The depth of his guilt was nothing compared to what it used to be, but still present none the less. She knew his instincts were sharp and well honed, she trusted his 'gut' feelings as well as her own. If he claimed he needed to go, he probably did.
She hadn't a clue how she'd handle the kids (or her bedroom cravings) without him for two whole weeks, but if there was even the slightest chance he'd come back to her more at peace with himself, she'd gladly give him the time he needed.
Until then, she'd bask in him just being with her, because he is all she ever wanted.
November 2006 - Night Terrors
Something woke him; Angel wasn't exactly sure what, but his senses alerted his body that he needed to be awake.
He waited a moment in silence, then he discovered what roused him from slumber. His sensitive ears picked up of the wail of his year and a half old daughter from down the hall.
Carefully easing from Buffy's grasp, he quickly slid from the room and headed down the hall to answer his child's cry. It took him under three seconds, barely enough time to wonder why the baby monitor had failed to transmit the sounds of the distressed tot as it was intended to.
Upon entering Katie's bedroom his sensitive ears were assaulted by the child's screams.
"Hey honey, shh, you'll wake the Hellmouth." He soothed as he approached the crib.
A quick glance towards the crib side monitor showed a lack of power, perhaps when Buffy vacuumed she forgot to plug it back in?
Dismissing the thoughts he reached down into the crib, Katie practically clawing at his arms to be picked up.
"Whoa, easy sweetheart, Shh, I'm here. It's ok baby girl, you're safe." He soothed, holding the toddler tight and rocking her in his embrace. He could clearly smell and feel the fear radiating from her, her small body trembling with it.
He kissed her cheeks, as he glanced around, searching for the source of his daughters distress.
Katie relaxed in her father's arms, feeling safe and secure.
After checking the room, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
Satisfied there was nothing to harm his child, he slowly began to lower the now dozing tot back into her crib.
Katie lazily opened an eye, suddenly realizing he was putting her back in the crib she wailed and wrapped her little arms around his neck, squeezing as if her life depended on it.
Half choked, he draw her back from the crib and held her tight, realizing she was terrified of her bed. "Ok, ok, no crib. Shh, I've got you. Nothing is going to hurt you, there is nothing to be afraid of, I promise. " He soothed again, rocking her and moving away from the crib.
Katie's tears slowed as she acknowledged her daddy wasn't going to put her down again.
He kissed her temple, "Hush now sweetheart, I'm not letting you go. You can sleep with me and mommy tonight, Ok honey?"
The baby rested her head on her father's shoulder, feeling content and safe in his arms.
After quickly checking on Liam in his room and doing a last minute walk-through of the house to make sure nothing was wrong, he headed back to his and Buffy's bedroom.
Katie was fast asleep on his chest as Angel slid back under the covers, Buffy sliding up beside him and slowly opening her eyes.
"Angel?" she questioned for an answer, seeing Katie with him.
"She was crying, didn't want to go back in the crib." He explained quietly.
She nodded and leaned up to kiss her daughter's head, running her fingers threw the dark brown locks. "Good, I can snuggle with two of my three favorite people tonight." Buffy smiled as she settled back down, resting her head on Angel's free shoulder.
He grinned and kissed his wife's forehead, "Likewise." He agreed.
December 4, 2006 – 2nd Anniversary - Cotton/China
Angel dropped to the ground, momentarily stunned by the last blow.
"Angel!" Buffy yelled, slicing the nearest demon in half with her trusted Scythe and cutting a path to her fallen husband.
Angel blinked the blood from his eyes and looked up in time to see the business end of a sword headed for his face.
Before Angel could react, Buffy slammed into the attacking demon. "Nobody is killing my husband..." she announced as she swung the powerful weapon in a deadly arc, "...on our anniversary!"
Angel recovered and rolled to his feet, collecting his fallen sword and joining his wife back to back. "Just like old times." He smirked as he decapitated the nearest demon.
"Are you referring to the apocalypse or me saving your butt?" She quipped as she ducked a vicious claw swing and sent the wooden stake end of her weapon into the offender's eye.
"Funny." He replied, busy with his own demon massacre.
He glanced behind him at Buffy and noticed she was focused on the hulking form she was fighting, but not the small demon sneaking in to disembowel her. He quickly pulled out the knife from his boot and launched into the offending demon's chest.
Angel grinned and spun, sending a high kick into the face of his attacker then swinging his sword around to finish it off.
Sensing more approaching, he grabbed Buffy's hand and swung her around, using her as a weapon as her legs made short work of the nearly demons.
"You know, you could warn me before you do that." She playfully scolded as he set her back down.
"Why? You're a natural." He smirked.
She rolled her eyes and hefted her weapon onto her shoulder, "Ok, Will needs me back on the eastern front, will you be able to handle the western without me?" She teased.
"Oh yeah, we'll be fine…I have Xander…you know he's a force to be reckoned with." The sarcasm was thick on his tongue.
Then tension between Angel and Xander had dissipated nearly a year ago, after Angel confronted the Scooby gang shortly after his demon and soul merged.
It had taken several weeks for Xander to work through his own personal issues with the living vampire in his head before seeking out the man in question. Xander finally put to rest his own feeling for Buffy he'd been carrying around with him practically from the moment he saw her. He knew she would never love him beyond a friend, and now he could truthfully say he was ok with that. She was happy, that meant he was happy too.
The hatred he'd felt for Angel had also been put to rest. He deemed any sins Angelus caused in Sunnydale had been paid with Angel's centry long torment in hell.
Xander's eye had opened at the foolishness of his anger when Angel himself questioned the reasons. He'd never realized that Anya had walked a similar path as Angel, and he'd loved her with all his heart regardless of who she had been on the past. He realized he had no right to judge Angel's past when he never thought to judge Anya's. Angel was different now, he deserved to be treated as he is…not as he was.
Also he knew if he didn't change his feeling real soon, Buffy's friendship would be forfeit.
Neither man considered the other to be his best friend, but they could be civil now at least. Xander would still make the occasional wise crack at Angel's expense, but in good nature and without spite.
A few times in recent months, the two had even shared drinks at the bar, they didn't share many common interests, but they could stand each other's company comfortably enough.
She shook her head at her husband, knowing he was trying to keep her from worrying. "I'll see you later." She stated. Not a question, he wasn't allowed to not survive this.
"You will." He promised, pulling his boot knife from the demon he killed earlier.
"Nice save by the way." She grinned and ran off towards the east.
Angel grinned, realizing she had known about the demon sneaking up on her, and had 'let' him save her.
He turned and jogged west.
Neither said goodbye, they never did. Both of them hated being separate during a battle, but the truth was they were both natural leaders, and in a battle they worked better apart. Their battle strategies complimented one another, the ability to run a entire slayer army from two directions was a testament to that.
…
"We missed our anniversary." Buffy mumbled as she collapsed next to Angel in their bed.
It was late the following evening, the battle over and won, as proof both sporting a variety of colorful bruises and bandages.
They had spent the morning cleaning themselves up, raiding the fridge then spending much desired quality time with their kids.
It was amazing how much a fight to the death helped dispel the monotony of an everyday life and make you realize how very wonderful the simple pleasure of changing a dirty diaper was.
The neighbors that babysat thought the couple went on a last minute anniversary trip, Willow's glamor disguising their injuries so as not to arouse suspicion.
"No we didn't." He muttered into his pillow.
"Ok, we spent our 2nd anniversary of our wedding battling an army of demons..." She rolled her eyes.
He turned over, carefully to minimize the ache in his ribs, "Just try and say you didn't enjoy it…I dare you."
She looked over at him, shock clearly written on her face. "I absolutely did not!"
He just stared her down.
She cracked, "Ok maybe a little."
He grinned and kissed her cheek. "Me too."
"You liked risking our children growing up without parents?" She lashed.
He deflated a little, "No, not that part…but we both have the essence of a demon in us Buffy, deep down, we need a little carnage every now and again. Keeps us sane."
She snuggled against her lover, "You keep me sane."
"Really?" he question with a grin.
"Usually…it's either that, or you're the one that drives me insane…I forget which."
"Likewise." He mumbled, his body desperately wanting to sleep.
"Angel?" Buffy asked, her voice heavy with drowsiness.
"Hmm?" He breathed out, eyes shut.
"I love you." She whispered.
He pulled her closer, the ribs on his right not as painful as his left. His arm wrapping tightly across her lower back, avoiding the slash she got on her shoulder.
She snuggled her head on his shoulder, pressing her face against his neck.
"I love you more." He answered when she was settled.
"Oh don't start that…we'll be arguing all night." She mumbled against his skin and drifted off to sleep.
He smirked and let his eyes drift shut again.
Soon after, the lovers slept a healing sleep.
…
The following morning, Buffy noticed with relief that Angel's limp was gone. She hadn't been happy to learn he'd had a sword driven threw his upper thigh during the battle. A little higher and their love life could have come to a disastrous end. She shook that thought away and buried it.
"Morning" She smiled, pouring a generous amount of coffee into the special mug she bought Angel for their 2 day late anniversary. "Feeling better?" she asked, settling herself down onto his lap and kissing his forehead, figuring if he wasn't limping he was fully healed.
"Am now." He grinning, taking the offered beverage and kissing his wife's lips good morning.
After the kiss Buffy eagerly awaited Angel to notice the mug.
After a long swallow he looked down at it, his eyebrow rising in surprise.
"You like it?" She asked.
"I love it." He replied, looking down at the pictures of his children on the clover covered mug, the words 'Our daddy is Irish.' written under it.
"The modern gift for 2nd anniversary is china…not a lot to choose from for a guy like you." She confessed.
"Are you calling me a bull in the china shop?" He said with mock offence.
"No…but you do tend to break things." She stated.
"Yeah, but it's usually do to me being thrown into them." He countered.
"True." She nodded.
"You did perfect Love" He said, kissing her cheek.
"I know you're Mr. Traditional and I play Mrs. Modern, but I did cheat a little this year."
"Oh?" He inquired.
"I got a little something cotton to wear for you tonight." She said with a sly smile and batting her long eye lashes.
He smiled lustfully at that. "Really? I look forward to seeing it."
"Cotton remember…" she explained while moving to straddle his lap and resting her arms around his shoulders. "…most of those sexy lingerie items you're picturing in your head are lace or nylon or silk…maybe satin." She clarified as to not get his hopes up.
"Well I've got something to wear for you too." He smirked evilly and pulled her closer.
"You?" She asked astounded, having never even thought of him wear sexy lingerie for her before and now really eager for it.
"I'll show you mine when I see yours." He whispered seductively against her neck.
She grinned, "You're on."
…
After feeding the kids breakfast and getting them cleaned up, Angel disappeared upstairs to bring his first gift down.
At a year and a half, Katie was fascinated with picture books and constantly chewing a frozen teething ring. She would just sit for hours and 'read' her books, which was so unlike the rambunctious tot but Buffy figured she was finally slowing down and picking up on Angel's 'sit and read for hours' trait.
As Buffy watched Katie in her playpen, she sat rocking a 10 month old Liam to sleep in her arms, until something soft and warm suddenly wrapped around her.
"What is that?" She asked her husband with a sprouting grin.
"Your gift." He replied cryptically.
"A blanket?" She asked, not being able to see it very clearly from its position around her.
He unwrapped her and opened it up for her to see.
Her eyes widened. "Oh Angel, it's beautiful…and soft…I love it."
The simple white blanket was bordered in green shamrocks. Inside the square of leaves was an embroidered Claddagh design, their names and wedding date written in fancy script beneath it.
"Wrap me back up?" She asked, feeling a chill in the house suddenly on that cool December day.
He happily obliged, leaving it open enough in the front for Liam to breathe, as he slid into the seat on the couch beside her.
"Daddy!" Katie called from her crib, standing and looking out at her parents and little brother sitting on the couch and not wanting to be left out. "Read?" She asked, holding a book upside down.
He grinned and rose to get her, scooping the tot into his arms and settling back onto the couch.
"What do you have here?" He asked, taking the book as Katie snuggled into the blanket with Buffy. "The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen." He read the cover then flipped the book open. "Far away out at sea, the water is as blue as the petals of the most beautiful cornflower and as clear as the purest glass, but it is very deep, deeper than any anchor chain will reach…" He read to his family.
…
Dinner was made and eaten and Katie's portion cleaned off the wall and ceiling.
They had to watch Katie like hawks to see if she actually ate any of her food or just played with it.
The youngest girl in the house was fiercely independent, which made it nearly impossible for either of her parents to feed her without a nuclear meltdown.
In all honestly, even when she made a huge mess, it was easier to just let her feed herself.
Afterwards, they went about their nightly rituals, bathing the kids, dressing them, tucking them in. Angel continued the mermaid story until Katie's brown eyes slid shut.
When it was at last 'mommy and daddy time', the couple retreated to their bedroom to exchange their last gifts…and more than likely some body fluids.
Buffy grabbed a bag from her closet and hurried into the bathroom to change, "No peaking" she called playfully as she went.
Angel smirked and pulled the item he bought from his underwear drawer, re-reading the words written on the black cotton boxers made him almost laugh out-loud as he pictured her face when she read them.
A few minutes later Buffy slid open the door and walked out.
Angel was standing by the bed, wearing his robe to hide his surprise.
His dark eyes focused on the simple red camisole and matching red shorts. It was nothing sexy, although on Buffy, he though everything was sexy.
On the chest of her shirt were two small hearts, written in elegant white letters between the hearts was "Angel's Girl."
He grinned at that, feeling a rush of possession.
"You like?" She asked, swinging her hips as she walked towards him.
"Very much so." He agreed, taking a few steps towards her.
"I showed you mine, where's yours?" she teased, eagerly anticipating him removing his robe and seeing what he was hiding underneath.
She reached out and fiddled with the tied belt on the robe as he stared hungrily down at her chest, his eyes lingering over her two nearly overlapping pregnancies swollen bosom and the little white letters declaring his ownership of what lay beneath the thin cotton.
She pulled his belt off and pushed the robe down his broad shoulders, she grinned when she saw the tight form fitting boxers he wore, and the evidence he was getting aroused. Her eyes scanned the white lettering, somewhat obscured with Angel's swelling interest in her, but was still able to read it.
Her jaw dropped in surprise, obviously never thinking he would wear something so…vulgar? "I always have a (Heart) on for Buffy" she read aloud, trying to decide whether to laugh or smack him.
She smacked him.
"Oh my god! You're such a pervert!" She scolded, her rush of anger quickly condensing into a laugh.
"Only for you." He breathed, bending down and placing light kissed along her jaw, his fingers trailing up and grasping her slender forearms.
She tilted her head, giving him better access to her throat as his lips moved down to her scar, his mark.
"I love when you kiss me there." She breathed out, little tendrils of desire tingling to her nether region.
"I know." He whispered as he leaned forwards, slowly moving and leading her backwards to the bed.
Her hands had disappeared a few minutes ago into his hair, she loved to run her fingers threw the thick dark spikes.
A moment later she felt their headboard brush her back as Angel lowered them both onto the bed, his lips making everything else in the room seem blurred and unfocused.
Her camisole slipped over her head as he pulled it up, her shorts following soon after. He was pleasantly surprised to discover she hadn't been wearing anything underneath.
She knew nothing but his touch until she felt something fuzzy encircle her wrists.
Her eyes popped open when the cuffs clicked shut.
"Oh no you didn't just do that." She warned to him, pulling back and finding her wrists handcuffed neatly to the headboard with the magic cuff she got from Faith at her bachelorette party…the ones she had used on Angel on their wedding night.
He grinned back with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Oh I think I did."
"I had those hidden." She accused.
"Not particularly well." He retorted.
At her angry face he leaned forwards and kissed her forehead, "I wasn't snooping in your stuff, I swear. I found them on accident. Actually Katie did...you really shouldn't keep things under the bureau where she can reach them."
She frowned, not having thought of that since when she hid them, Katie was still growing inside of her.
Angel knelt over her, his body straddling hers as he kissed her neck again.
She tried to keep the frown in place, angry and embarrassed at being caught so off guard and a little wigged at the thought of him actually using the cuffs on her. She was rapidly seeing the changes in him since his soul merger, and still trying to get used to the idea of a more Angelus-like Angel.
She had seen his more demonic side countless times in battle recently, but more and more he was also making appearances in the bedroom…like now.
As hard as she tried, his lips on her skin was making that frown melt into a low moan of pleasure.
The way he secured the cuffs to the headboard, gave her the ability to sit up or lay flat. As he kissed, her face and neck, his hands slipped under her bottom and slid her onto her back. Before she could protest, he pulled a length of fabric from somewhere behind him and wrapped it around her eyes.
"Ok, not fair, I didn't use the blindfold on you." She complained, still unsure if she was liking this or not.
He simply grinned and kissed her cheek, "Now don't go anywhere Lover."
She felt him move off the bed and heard the bedroom door slip shut. "What?" She cried, "Angel! …oh I am so staking you when I get these off…" She fumed under her breath as she rattled the unbreakable cuffs.
Five minutes later she heard the bedroom door open and Angel's bare feet lightly pad across the room, she felt his weight settle onto the bed beside her.
"You're a dead man." She stated with an obvious attitude.
He grinned, "Was." He emphasized.
"Will be again…" Buffy grumbled from her position lying naked and immobile in their bed.
"You're so cute when you're mad." He nipped at her ear.
She moved her head away from him, really getting irritated with her husband.
"Someone's feeling sour." He smiled, "I've just the thing to sweeten you up."
She heard what sounded like a cardboard box opening and inhaled the fresh baked aroma of something from a bakery.
"What are you doing?" She asked, "I'm not really enjoying this, like seriously Angel, let me go." She ordered.
She felt him slide up against her, "That's the thing about revenge lover, you don't have a choice about when or where or how." He toyed.
"Revenge? For what?" She demanded.
"Oh I'm thinking wedding night…someone left me chained to the bed all night." He clarified.
"On accident!" She countered.
"Open your mouth." He whispered.
"Why?" She asked, wondering exactly what his intentions were.
"You'll like it, I promise."
Hoping that her trust in him wasn't misplaced, she obeyed.
A second later she felt a fork slid into her mouth, on it, the most yummy cake she'd ever eaten. A piece of cake that tasted very familiar.
"Mmm, what is that?" She asked, eager for another bite.
He leaned over and licked a bit of frosting from her lip, "You'll see later."
"Can I have more?" she asked.
"Sure." He cut a small piece and had a wonderful thought on how to get back at her for their wedding day, when she smashed their wedding cake into his face. "I'll just…whoops." He teased, purposefully dropping the slice onto her bare stomach.
She gasped as the cold pastry fell onto her skin, the sensation rushing up her spine.
"Silly me, I seemed to have dropped it." He said in a very unconvincing voice, a husky tone evident. "Guess I'll just have to…" He leaned over her and ran his tongue along the mess, "…lick it up."
She shivered again, this time not from the cold, but from the sensation of his tongue on her flesh.
It took several minutes, but Angel dutifully cleaned her abdomen of the spilled cake, her breathing heavy with desire when he finished.
"Mmm, I guess I'll have to try that again." He muttered, cutting another slice and grinning evilly. A second time, he 'accidentally' dropped a piece of cake on her, this time it landed neatly between her breasts.
"Oh, clumsy me. Guess I'll have to lick that up too." He teased, again leaning over his bound wife and using his mouth to pleasure her while devouring the cake.
Buffy moaned under his assault, her anger having dissipated almost the second his mouth had begun to explore her belly, the sensation of his tongue in her navel had nearly made her forget the fact she was cuffed. Now he was nibbling at her stiffened nipples, and his actions were driving her body crazy with desire.
"Angel" She moaned, wanting him to go to the next step.
He pulled back and cut a last piece from the cake on the nightstand.
"Open wide." He told her, holding the cake an inch from her mouth.
She remembered the taste and eagerly opened, expecting him to gently slid the sweet treat into her mouth.
She was wrong.
With an evil smirk, he smashed the cake onto her face, mimicking what she did to him at their wedding.
"Angel!" she snapped, not believing he just did that.
"Told you one day I'd get you back." He justified, leaned down to help clean her face with his fingers and mouth.
"That was two years ago." She countered, just now figuring out he was also getting revenge for the cake in the face incident.
"I can be a very patient man." He stated, licking the frosting from her cheek.
When her face was clean her lips found his, and wouldn't let go.
He could smell her arousal; it filtered threw this system like a drug, his own body reacting powerfully to it.
He slid over her hips, straddling her thighs and settling his weight down on her legs. "I need to be inside you." He whispered, slipping off his much too tight boxers and kissing her madly.
She kissed back, equally wanting him, as she lifted a leg and wrapped it around his hip.
He understood her need and eased his achingly hard arousal into her hot chamber.
They both moaned in pleasure as he moved inside of her, but shortly after he realized this wasn't to his liking.
He wanted her hands running threw his hair and over his shoulders and down back as she normally did.
He stretched up and whispered the incantation to unlock the cuffs.
A second later they opened, releasing Buffy to handle him as she desired.
One of Buffy's hands immediately laced threw his hair, grabbing handfuls of the dark strands as her other arm snaked around his shoulder. Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, drawing herself as close as possible, lifting her hips in rhythm with his movements within her.
Seconds, minutes, hours? They lost track of time, the world itself melted away as passion and pleasure filled their senses.
...
"That was amazing." Buffy sighed out from beneath Angel. Her arms wrapped tight around him, keeping him pressed against her.
He grinned, kissing her neck. "You're amazing." He praised into her ear, nibbling at the small silver hoop.
She turned her head at the tickling sensation, putting her lips in place of her ear.
Angel just as eagerly nipped at her lower lip.
After a few lip locked minutes, Buffy pulled away and pushed Angel onto his back so she could snuggle against his chest.
"Is there any more of that cake?" She asked after a happy and content silence.
"Maybe." Angel answered slowly, "...if I chose to share."
"Hey! You got to eat three slices off my naked body...I should get the same!" She reasoned.
His grin was wolfish, "Hmm...very tempting indeed."
Buffy sat up and snagged the cake off the table, breaking off a piece and popping it into her mouth.
"Mmm this is so incredibly yummy." She chewed. After a moment her eyes opened wide, "This is the same as our wedding cake!" she realized.
He nodded, "Had them make us a mini one tier version. It had our names...but I already eat that piece." He admitted.
"Off me." She added.
"You make it taste even better." he replied lustfully, his fingers going for her breasts.
"As I'm about to find out." She warned right before she smeared the cake slice in her hand onto his chest.
He simply smiled as she leaned down over him, slowly licking the frosting from his skin.
Her reward a moment later was his growl of approval as it rumbled beneath her lips.
Those kinds of noises she was discovering were a major turn-on.