Chapter 4
Daddy
Buffy pulled up to the Hyperion and turned off the car. She was severely nervous. She sat in the car and took deep calming breaths like Angel had taught her to do during their Tai Chi workouts. After a few seconds, she had calmed down enough to get out of the car and walk up to the doors. She peeped inside, but didn't see anyone. Buffy blew out a breath and walked in. She was half way through the lobby when a tall, handsome black guy came from behind the counter.
"Hey, can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm looking for Angel. Is he here?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I could be wrong. It's a big hotel! Oh! I'm Gunn."
Buffy chuckled and gave him her hand.
"You look familiar. Do I know you?" Gunn asked.
"I lived in LA once." Buffy replied.
"Maybe. What's your name? I'm better with names."
"Buffy. Buffy Summers."
"Wait! Buffy Summers?"
"Yeah, why? I am a little famous around LA. I burned down Hemery High School's gym a few years ago."
"Are you from Sunnydale?"
"Yeah."
"So YOU'RE Buffy! Angel talks about you all the time. You're the one he fled to a monastery for three months over."
"Really?"
"He sure did. You know, he said that he had betrayed you by living."
"He told me."
"Yeah, he said something like that because he was okay and you were, well, you know, that he felt he was betraying you. That no one had mattered as much as you had, or do, and when he lost you, it didn't kill him."
"Wow."
"I know. Cordy reassured him that he was honoring you by living."
"Oh. Where is Cordy?"
"She's out with Wesley."
Then, a demon walked in a bright sit and introduced himself as Lorne. They started to talk in Wesley's office, but Cordy and Wesley walked in.
"Buffy?" Cordy and Wesley murmured when they saw her. Buffy stood up and looked at them. Cordy rushed over and hugged her. Then Wesley came up and hugged her too. They began to shoot too many questions all at once at her and it wigged her out a little. She tolerated it as long as she could, or at least till THAT FEELING came over her. The feeling she always got when Angel was near. Buffy walked out of the office and saw him walking up the stairs. She followed him up to a door that he walked through and shut. When she walked up to the door and knocked, he called, "Leave me alone right now! I had a weird day, come back later." Buffy knocked again. The door swung open suddenly and Angel was standing there saying, "I thought I said." his words trailed off as he saw who was at his door. She smiled at him weakly and he ushered her into his apartment slash hotel room. Before she could turn around he pulled her into a tight embrace, then, forgetting himself, tilted her head up and kissed her passionately. They had talked a lot since those few days between LA and Sunnydale at that little hotel near the beach. When she broke the kiss he immediately knew something was up and it wasn't him, yet.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Matter? As in problems?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Well, in that sense, not a darn thing. But there is something."
"Come here. Sit down. What's up?" She followed him to a stuffed chair and sat down. He sat in a chair that he brought from the other room, across from her.
"Well, I've never exactly had to say something like this to anyone except Xander and Giles, and all of them. I practiced it though, in the car all the way here. Maybe I can get it right." When he didn't answer, she went on. "Ok, I. was sick the past couple of weeks. I fainted on patrol a few nights ago." He sat up straighter and looked at her. "Spike was with me, don't worry. Anyway, he took me to the hospital. They checked me out and determined that there was nothing wrong with me. But they did have news for me. News that will change my life. and yours."
"Buffy?"
"Angel, I'm pregnant."
"What?"
"And it's yours."
"Excuse me, I'm hallucinating. Did you just say you're pregnant and it's mine?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible!"
"I know, but it's not cause it's happening."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. The doctor even did a blood test on me and confirmed it. He said that the baby was conceived around October 28."
Angel went silent. It made Buffy very nervous and suddenly uncomfortable.
"Angel, say something!"
"I love you."
"I love you."
"Buffy, we're going to have a baby!"
"I know."
"We're going to be parents! Together!"
"I know."
Angel jumped out of the chair and pressed kisses all over her face and then her stomach. Then he took her downstairs and announced it to everyone. They all were stunned at first. Then a girl, Fred was her name, burst forth and threw her arms around both of them and congratulated them. Then Cordy came up and did the same. Followed by everyone else. Buffy was a little freaked, but she quickly got over it.
Angel hugged her and picked her, spinning her. She smacked him on the back and he put her down. She went to the settee and sat down, trying to get that feeling of nausea out of the way.
"Buffy, are you ok?" Gunn asked.
"Yeah, just give me a sec. I got a little dizzy there." Buffy said.
Angel came over and sat next to her to steady her. "How far along are you?"
"I'm in my seventh week." Buffy sat up a little straighter and leaned into Angel.
"When will we know what it is?"
"I don't know. Maybe five months. I still have to find a pregnancy doctor."
"Oh."
"When will that be, do you know?" Lorne asked.
"Soon, I hope. But I have to find out about Giles."
"What about him?" Wesley asked.
"Well, he says he's going back to England for good. He broke the news to me today.right after I told him I was pregnant."
"Oh Buffy." Angel said, pulling her into a hug.
"It's ok. He says that I need to learn to depend on myself now. He said that this huge responsibility has been put on my shoulder and I need to learn on my own."
"That's so selfish! I mean, look at you! You're pregnant, something Giles always said was something a slayer could never experience and to top that all off, it's Angel's! We all know that you two had, like, the forbidden love of all time and all you could do was dream of having at least one kid together and now here you are, pregnant with your dream and able to be happy. Can't Giles at lest stay and be a grandpa or something?" Cordelia said.
Buffy looked up at her and smiled. "He explained that to me. I even used those excuses."
"What did he say?"
"I have no clue, but it was something along the lines of, blah, blah, blah, grow up, blah, blah, blah, learn to take care of yourself."
"You know, I always knew that Giles was selfish on the inside!"
"He's not. He's doing what he feels is best."
"Well, you're in a fragile condition. You could lose the baby with one kick to your stomach. And all he can think about is going back to see the Queen Mum." Cordy turned to Wesley. "And if you even start to say 'God Bless' I'm going to use some of this stuff Angel's been teaching me."
Angel stood up and took Buffy's hands. "Come on, let's go back upstairs."
Buffy came willingly. She was too tired to argue. The worst part was over with; she had told Angel he was going to be a dad. By the time she reached the doorway to Angel's room, she was dragging her feet. Angel opened the door and swept her up into his arms. He carried Buffy to the bed and laid her down. By the time he came back from shutting the door, Buffy was fast asleep. Angel crawled in next to her and lay down. Buffy turned onto her back and Angel stared at her stomach. After a few seconds, he reached out slowly and put a hand on her stomach. Buffy instinctively put her hand on top of his. He smiled. This was the beginning of a brand new path for him. He had been down the road of fighting the good fight. Now he was on the road to being a father with the woman he loved.
Buffy woke up about two hours later and Angel was asleep next to her. Buffy stroked his jaw with her index finger and his hand shot up and caught hers. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
"You know, this is going to bring us back together." Buffy said.
"Of course it will. And I'm going to do it properly." Angel stood up and Buffy sat on the edge of the bed. "Buffy, will you be my girlfriend again?"
"Of course I will." Buffy stood and Angel seized her up into his arms. She laughed as he kissed her forehead.
Angel put Buffy down. "Now, you have to tell me everything! When did you first suspect?"
"I didn't. The doctor did. Spike and I were on patrol in the graveyard and a vamp attacked us. I went up and started punching like I always do and the vamp got in one punch that sent me backwards. Spike came in and started in on the vamp. I was going to go help, but this real big wave of dizziness hit me. Spike dusted the vamp and turned around, saying something. I looked at him, managed to get his name out, then I fainted."
"I wish I could have been there."
"There was nothing you could do. Anyway, when I woke up, a doctor was shining a light in my eye. I tried to leave because I hate hospitals. He put me back on the table, asked me a few questions, told me he had a theory as to what was wrong, took a blood sample, told me that he thought I was pregnant, and sent me on my way saying that the test results would be in sometime that week."
"What kind of questions did he ask?"
"Um, did I get headaches, food cravings? When was my last period? Did my breasts or stomach show signs of swelling? Stuff like that."
"Are you sure it's mine? I mean, not that I'm not happy, I just always thought I couldn't."
"You're not the only one. But, yes. I'm 100 percent positive that it's yours. You were the only one I slept with around the 28th of October."
"Are you sure want this? It's a big responsibility."
"What? How could you even think that? Of course I want this! I want this and I want you Angel! My God!"
"Buffy, calm down. I only meant."
"You know, you and Giles! I swear. All you want is for me to grow up! I am grown up. I am ready for this!" Buffy started to cry.
Angel got up and pulled her into his arms. "Shh, I didn't mean it. Buffy, please stop crying."
Buffy pulled away and wiped her eyes. "What's wrong with me? I never over react that way!"
"Hey, I have an idea. How about we go out? We can go shopping for some books that explain what you're going to be going through over the next nine months."
"Actually, it's the next seven months and one week."
Angel laughed. Buffy took his hand and they headed out the door. Angel told everyone that they would be back later as they walked through the lobby and out the door. When they returned, they had bags full of books and food. They handed out Burger King burgers and fries and drinks then went to the settee. Buffy pulled out one of the baby name books. She and Angel sat side-by-side and flipped through the pages.
"That's a pretty name for a girl." Buffy said.
"Which one?" Angel asked.
"This one. Blaire. Or..or possibly Aurora."
"Aurora?"
"Yeah. I have this thing for Disney and 'Sleeping Beauty' was one of my favorites."
"They're not Irish. Besides, we're having a boy."
"We've already had this argument."
"Who won?" Cordy asked coming up and sitting next to Buffy.
"Actually, we agreed to disagree, but Angel here begs to differ." Buffy said.
"I like Aurora. It's exotic. Not of the norm."
"It's not Irish." Angel said.
"Shut up leprechaun boy." Cordy said.
"Hey!"
"Well, not everything has to be Irish. American is just fine."
"See: someone who agrees with me." Buffy said.
"I didn't say it wasn't. I just think Irish is better." Angel said.
"Buffy." Wesley called from his office.
Buffy stood and went to the office. "Yeah, Wes?"
"I hate to interrupt, but your sister is on the phone. She would like to speak with you."
"Oh." Buffy took the phone from Wesley. "Yeah?"
"Buffy?" Dawn asked. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Giles told us the news. I thought that you were heading home when you left so quickly after you told us your news."
"No, I came to tell Angel."
"Is he there?"
"Yeah," Buffy turned and looked at Angel who was standing in the doorway. "He's here."
"Can I talk to him?"
"I guess." Buffy held the phone out. "She wants to talk to you."
"Dawn?" Angel asked.
"Dawn."
Angel took the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Angel! Congratulations!" Dawn said.
"Thank you. Congratulations to you too."
"Why?"
"You're going to be an aunt."
"Oh yeah, I am! I forgot, what with the news Giles gave us and everything."
"Yeah, your sister told me about that."
"He's not as smart as I once thought he was."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Buffy just gives him this huge news that she's the first slayer ever to become pregnant, by a vampire no less, and then he turns around and says he's leaving for England for good! That's about the meanest thing you can do to a person. Especially to Buffy, who was dragged out of heaven and brought back to Earth and then finds out she's going to have a baby in nine months."
"It is a pretty rotten thing to do."
"Tell me about it!"
"How are you doing in school?"
"I'm good. I mean, I'm struggling a little bit in certain areas, but it's not as bad as before." Dawn paused.
"Before what?"
"Before Buffy died. I was a devil kid after mom died. I skipped classes, I mouthed off to the teachers, I let my grades slide, and I pretty much resented Buffy for not being mom."
"She told me that she thought that you were getting too much to handle. But she also said she didn't want to lose you. That she was afraid that you wanted to leave and go to your dad's."
"For a time there, I did want to go. But I knew that wouldn't solve anything."
"You're a good girl Dawn. I know you made the right decisions."
"Thanks."
"Welcome."
"Well, can I talk to my sister again?"
"Sure. Goodnight Dawn."
"Night Angel."
Angel handed the phone back to Buffy. "Yeah?"
"Are you staying there tonight?"
"I don't know. Maybe, if it's all right with Angel."
"Ok. Willow just wanted to know."
"Oh."
"Well, I gotta run. Willow's going to try to talk to Tara tonight."
"All right. I love you Dawn."
"I love you too, Buffy."
"Night." Buffy hung up the phone.
"If what's all right with me?" Angel asked.
"If I stay the night here. I mean, it is pretty late and I'm pregnant and all and that has fatigue attached to it and knowing my driving skills, I might end up killed or something."
"Buffy, it's fine by me. It wouldn't be the first night we've spent together."
"It's a party!" Gunn said, as he, Cordelia, Fred, and Lorne entered the room. "You know, Buff, hopefully now that you two are back together and going to be raising a family, Brood Boy here will be a lot happier."
"Yeah, cause I'm sick of seeing him mope all the time! I wanna see more smiles!" Cordelia said.
"Hey! Let's stop ganging up on Angel!" Angel said.
"Well, we would pick on Blondie, but she's the one carrying a little bundle of joy. And she has more strength than you Big Guy." Lorne said.
"You paid them, didn't you?" Angel asked Buffy.
"Nope. Just charmed them with my wily Buffy charm." Buffy said.
"Is this the same charm I fell under?"
"I would say so, yeah."
"Well, listen. I'm going to throw you two a congratulations party at Caritas!" Lorne said. "I've just finished redecorating from that little skirmish we had not to long ago and I need to reopen it with a bang. What better way to open it than the happy news of this wacky couple gettin' back together and making a family?"
"When is it going to be?" Gunn asked.
"I don't know. Soon. Maybe when Buffy gets a little bit of a bulge on her. We need to show everyone!"
"Boy, I just love it when they can't wait to throw a 'Buffy's Got A Bulge' party." Buffy said.
Angel came over and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Don't worry, it'll be a beautiful bulge."
"Geez thanks to all of you. You all make it so easy to know that I'm going to be getting fat soon."
"You're welcome!" They all said.
Buffy yawned and stretched. "I'm tired. Can we go to bed?" she asked Angel.
"Anything you want." He replied.
"Angel, what if we get a client?" Wesley asked.
"You guys can handle it. I put my full faith in you."
"Well, what if it is a case that we really need you on?"
"Then.I don't know. Make it something spur of the moment." With that Angel scooped Buffy up and took her upstairs.
"Spur of the moment indeed." Wesley mumbled as they all went back to what they had been doing.
Daddy
Buffy pulled up to the Hyperion and turned off the car. She was severely nervous. She sat in the car and took deep calming breaths like Angel had taught her to do during their Tai Chi workouts. After a few seconds, she had calmed down enough to get out of the car and walk up to the doors. She peeped inside, but didn't see anyone. Buffy blew out a breath and walked in. She was half way through the lobby when a tall, handsome black guy came from behind the counter.
"Hey, can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm looking for Angel. Is he here?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I could be wrong. It's a big hotel! Oh! I'm Gunn."
Buffy chuckled and gave him her hand.
"You look familiar. Do I know you?" Gunn asked.
"I lived in LA once." Buffy replied.
"Maybe. What's your name? I'm better with names."
"Buffy. Buffy Summers."
"Wait! Buffy Summers?"
"Yeah, why? I am a little famous around LA. I burned down Hemery High School's gym a few years ago."
"Are you from Sunnydale?"
"Yeah."
"So YOU'RE Buffy! Angel talks about you all the time. You're the one he fled to a monastery for three months over."
"Really?"
"He sure did. You know, he said that he had betrayed you by living."
"He told me."
"Yeah, he said something like that because he was okay and you were, well, you know, that he felt he was betraying you. That no one had mattered as much as you had, or do, and when he lost you, it didn't kill him."
"Wow."
"I know. Cordy reassured him that he was honoring you by living."
"Oh. Where is Cordy?"
"She's out with Wesley."
Then, a demon walked in a bright sit and introduced himself as Lorne. They started to talk in Wesley's office, but Cordy and Wesley walked in.
"Buffy?" Cordy and Wesley murmured when they saw her. Buffy stood up and looked at them. Cordy rushed over and hugged her. Then Wesley came up and hugged her too. They began to shoot too many questions all at once at her and it wigged her out a little. She tolerated it as long as she could, or at least till THAT FEELING came over her. The feeling she always got when Angel was near. Buffy walked out of the office and saw him walking up the stairs. She followed him up to a door that he walked through and shut. When she walked up to the door and knocked, he called, "Leave me alone right now! I had a weird day, come back later." Buffy knocked again. The door swung open suddenly and Angel was standing there saying, "I thought I said." his words trailed off as he saw who was at his door. She smiled at him weakly and he ushered her into his apartment slash hotel room. Before she could turn around he pulled her into a tight embrace, then, forgetting himself, tilted her head up and kissed her passionately. They had talked a lot since those few days between LA and Sunnydale at that little hotel near the beach. When she broke the kiss he immediately knew something was up and it wasn't him, yet.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Matter? As in problems?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Well, in that sense, not a darn thing. But there is something."
"Come here. Sit down. What's up?" She followed him to a stuffed chair and sat down. He sat in a chair that he brought from the other room, across from her.
"Well, I've never exactly had to say something like this to anyone except Xander and Giles, and all of them. I practiced it though, in the car all the way here. Maybe I can get it right." When he didn't answer, she went on. "Ok, I. was sick the past couple of weeks. I fainted on patrol a few nights ago." He sat up straighter and looked at her. "Spike was with me, don't worry. Anyway, he took me to the hospital. They checked me out and determined that there was nothing wrong with me. But they did have news for me. News that will change my life. and yours."
"Buffy?"
"Angel, I'm pregnant."
"What?"
"And it's yours."
"Excuse me, I'm hallucinating. Did you just say you're pregnant and it's mine?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible!"
"I know, but it's not cause it's happening."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. The doctor even did a blood test on me and confirmed it. He said that the baby was conceived around October 28."
Angel went silent. It made Buffy very nervous and suddenly uncomfortable.
"Angel, say something!"
"I love you."
"I love you."
"Buffy, we're going to have a baby!"
"I know."
"We're going to be parents! Together!"
"I know."
Angel jumped out of the chair and pressed kisses all over her face and then her stomach. Then he took her downstairs and announced it to everyone. They all were stunned at first. Then a girl, Fred was her name, burst forth and threw her arms around both of them and congratulated them. Then Cordy came up and did the same. Followed by everyone else. Buffy was a little freaked, but she quickly got over it.
Angel hugged her and picked her, spinning her. She smacked him on the back and he put her down. She went to the settee and sat down, trying to get that feeling of nausea out of the way.
"Buffy, are you ok?" Gunn asked.
"Yeah, just give me a sec. I got a little dizzy there." Buffy said.
Angel came over and sat next to her to steady her. "How far along are you?"
"I'm in my seventh week." Buffy sat up a little straighter and leaned into Angel.
"When will we know what it is?"
"I don't know. Maybe five months. I still have to find a pregnancy doctor."
"Oh."
"When will that be, do you know?" Lorne asked.
"Soon, I hope. But I have to find out about Giles."
"What about him?" Wesley asked.
"Well, he says he's going back to England for good. He broke the news to me today.right after I told him I was pregnant."
"Oh Buffy." Angel said, pulling her into a hug.
"It's ok. He says that I need to learn to depend on myself now. He said that this huge responsibility has been put on my shoulder and I need to learn on my own."
"That's so selfish! I mean, look at you! You're pregnant, something Giles always said was something a slayer could never experience and to top that all off, it's Angel's! We all know that you two had, like, the forbidden love of all time and all you could do was dream of having at least one kid together and now here you are, pregnant with your dream and able to be happy. Can't Giles at lest stay and be a grandpa or something?" Cordelia said.
Buffy looked up at her and smiled. "He explained that to me. I even used those excuses."
"What did he say?"
"I have no clue, but it was something along the lines of, blah, blah, blah, grow up, blah, blah, blah, learn to take care of yourself."
"You know, I always knew that Giles was selfish on the inside!"
"He's not. He's doing what he feels is best."
"Well, you're in a fragile condition. You could lose the baby with one kick to your stomach. And all he can think about is going back to see the Queen Mum." Cordy turned to Wesley. "And if you even start to say 'God Bless' I'm going to use some of this stuff Angel's been teaching me."
Angel stood up and took Buffy's hands. "Come on, let's go back upstairs."
Buffy came willingly. She was too tired to argue. The worst part was over with; she had told Angel he was going to be a dad. By the time she reached the doorway to Angel's room, she was dragging her feet. Angel opened the door and swept her up into his arms. He carried Buffy to the bed and laid her down. By the time he came back from shutting the door, Buffy was fast asleep. Angel crawled in next to her and lay down. Buffy turned onto her back and Angel stared at her stomach. After a few seconds, he reached out slowly and put a hand on her stomach. Buffy instinctively put her hand on top of his. He smiled. This was the beginning of a brand new path for him. He had been down the road of fighting the good fight. Now he was on the road to being a father with the woman he loved.
Buffy woke up about two hours later and Angel was asleep next to her. Buffy stroked his jaw with her index finger and his hand shot up and caught hers. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
"You know, this is going to bring us back together." Buffy said.
"Of course it will. And I'm going to do it properly." Angel stood up and Buffy sat on the edge of the bed. "Buffy, will you be my girlfriend again?"
"Of course I will." Buffy stood and Angel seized her up into his arms. She laughed as he kissed her forehead.
Angel put Buffy down. "Now, you have to tell me everything! When did you first suspect?"
"I didn't. The doctor did. Spike and I were on patrol in the graveyard and a vamp attacked us. I went up and started punching like I always do and the vamp got in one punch that sent me backwards. Spike came in and started in on the vamp. I was going to go help, but this real big wave of dizziness hit me. Spike dusted the vamp and turned around, saying something. I looked at him, managed to get his name out, then I fainted."
"I wish I could have been there."
"There was nothing you could do. Anyway, when I woke up, a doctor was shining a light in my eye. I tried to leave because I hate hospitals. He put me back on the table, asked me a few questions, told me he had a theory as to what was wrong, took a blood sample, told me that he thought I was pregnant, and sent me on my way saying that the test results would be in sometime that week."
"What kind of questions did he ask?"
"Um, did I get headaches, food cravings? When was my last period? Did my breasts or stomach show signs of swelling? Stuff like that."
"Are you sure it's mine? I mean, not that I'm not happy, I just always thought I couldn't."
"You're not the only one. But, yes. I'm 100 percent positive that it's yours. You were the only one I slept with around the 28th of October."
"Are you sure want this? It's a big responsibility."
"What? How could you even think that? Of course I want this! I want this and I want you Angel! My God!"
"Buffy, calm down. I only meant."
"You know, you and Giles! I swear. All you want is for me to grow up! I am grown up. I am ready for this!" Buffy started to cry.
Angel got up and pulled her into his arms. "Shh, I didn't mean it. Buffy, please stop crying."
Buffy pulled away and wiped her eyes. "What's wrong with me? I never over react that way!"
"Hey, I have an idea. How about we go out? We can go shopping for some books that explain what you're going to be going through over the next nine months."
"Actually, it's the next seven months and one week."
Angel laughed. Buffy took his hand and they headed out the door. Angel told everyone that they would be back later as they walked through the lobby and out the door. When they returned, they had bags full of books and food. They handed out Burger King burgers and fries and drinks then went to the settee. Buffy pulled out one of the baby name books. She and Angel sat side-by-side and flipped through the pages.
"That's a pretty name for a girl." Buffy said.
"Which one?" Angel asked.
"This one. Blaire. Or..or possibly Aurora."
"Aurora?"
"Yeah. I have this thing for Disney and 'Sleeping Beauty' was one of my favorites."
"They're not Irish. Besides, we're having a boy."
"We've already had this argument."
"Who won?" Cordy asked coming up and sitting next to Buffy.
"Actually, we agreed to disagree, but Angel here begs to differ." Buffy said.
"I like Aurora. It's exotic. Not of the norm."
"It's not Irish." Angel said.
"Shut up leprechaun boy." Cordy said.
"Hey!"
"Well, not everything has to be Irish. American is just fine."
"See: someone who agrees with me." Buffy said.
"I didn't say it wasn't. I just think Irish is better." Angel said.
"Buffy." Wesley called from his office.
Buffy stood and went to the office. "Yeah, Wes?"
"I hate to interrupt, but your sister is on the phone. She would like to speak with you."
"Oh." Buffy took the phone from Wesley. "Yeah?"
"Buffy?" Dawn asked. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Giles told us the news. I thought that you were heading home when you left so quickly after you told us your news."
"No, I came to tell Angel."
"Is he there?"
"Yeah," Buffy turned and looked at Angel who was standing in the doorway. "He's here."
"Can I talk to him?"
"I guess." Buffy held the phone out. "She wants to talk to you."
"Dawn?" Angel asked.
"Dawn."
Angel took the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Angel! Congratulations!" Dawn said.
"Thank you. Congratulations to you too."
"Why?"
"You're going to be an aunt."
"Oh yeah, I am! I forgot, what with the news Giles gave us and everything."
"Yeah, your sister told me about that."
"He's not as smart as I once thought he was."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Buffy just gives him this huge news that she's the first slayer ever to become pregnant, by a vampire no less, and then he turns around and says he's leaving for England for good! That's about the meanest thing you can do to a person. Especially to Buffy, who was dragged out of heaven and brought back to Earth and then finds out she's going to have a baby in nine months."
"It is a pretty rotten thing to do."
"Tell me about it!"
"How are you doing in school?"
"I'm good. I mean, I'm struggling a little bit in certain areas, but it's not as bad as before." Dawn paused.
"Before what?"
"Before Buffy died. I was a devil kid after mom died. I skipped classes, I mouthed off to the teachers, I let my grades slide, and I pretty much resented Buffy for not being mom."
"She told me that she thought that you were getting too much to handle. But she also said she didn't want to lose you. That she was afraid that you wanted to leave and go to your dad's."
"For a time there, I did want to go. But I knew that wouldn't solve anything."
"You're a good girl Dawn. I know you made the right decisions."
"Thanks."
"Welcome."
"Well, can I talk to my sister again?"
"Sure. Goodnight Dawn."
"Night Angel."
Angel handed the phone back to Buffy. "Yeah?"
"Are you staying there tonight?"
"I don't know. Maybe, if it's all right with Angel."
"Ok. Willow just wanted to know."
"Oh."
"Well, I gotta run. Willow's going to try to talk to Tara tonight."
"All right. I love you Dawn."
"I love you too, Buffy."
"Night." Buffy hung up the phone.
"If what's all right with me?" Angel asked.
"If I stay the night here. I mean, it is pretty late and I'm pregnant and all and that has fatigue attached to it and knowing my driving skills, I might end up killed or something."
"Buffy, it's fine by me. It wouldn't be the first night we've spent together."
"It's a party!" Gunn said, as he, Cordelia, Fred, and Lorne entered the room. "You know, Buff, hopefully now that you two are back together and going to be raising a family, Brood Boy here will be a lot happier."
"Yeah, cause I'm sick of seeing him mope all the time! I wanna see more smiles!" Cordelia said.
"Hey! Let's stop ganging up on Angel!" Angel said.
"Well, we would pick on Blondie, but she's the one carrying a little bundle of joy. And she has more strength than you Big Guy." Lorne said.
"You paid them, didn't you?" Angel asked Buffy.
"Nope. Just charmed them with my wily Buffy charm." Buffy said.
"Is this the same charm I fell under?"
"I would say so, yeah."
"Well, listen. I'm going to throw you two a congratulations party at Caritas!" Lorne said. "I've just finished redecorating from that little skirmish we had not to long ago and I need to reopen it with a bang. What better way to open it than the happy news of this wacky couple gettin' back together and making a family?"
"When is it going to be?" Gunn asked.
"I don't know. Soon. Maybe when Buffy gets a little bit of a bulge on her. We need to show everyone!"
"Boy, I just love it when they can't wait to throw a 'Buffy's Got A Bulge' party." Buffy said.
Angel came over and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Don't worry, it'll be a beautiful bulge."
"Geez thanks to all of you. You all make it so easy to know that I'm going to be getting fat soon."
"You're welcome!" They all said.
Buffy yawned and stretched. "I'm tired. Can we go to bed?" she asked Angel.
"Anything you want." He replied.
"Angel, what if we get a client?" Wesley asked.
"You guys can handle it. I put my full faith in you."
"Well, what if it is a case that we really need you on?"
"Then.I don't know. Make it something spur of the moment." With that Angel scooped Buffy up and took her upstairs.
"Spur of the moment indeed." Wesley mumbled as they all went back to what they had been doing.