Chapter Twenty-Six
The next morning Angel woke to find his wife's blue eyes looking into his.
I can't believe I am so lucky," she said.
"Why is that, love?'
"A lot of people never find their soul mate, and I have found you twice." Susan ran her fingers down over his jaw line feeling the softness of his beard which being human had given him. "I have heard that everything happens for a reason. Who would have thought that being possessed by a demon would bring me back to you?" Her fingers gently travelled down over his neck to his broad, strong shoulders. "I was wondering how I would have found you if that hadn't have happened. We didn't recognize each other at first, but I felt something. It wouldn't have happened if you didn't take care of me."
Angel pulled her close to him so that her head rested on his shoulder, wrapping both arms around her. "The first time I saw you in my office I wanted so much to protect and take care of you. I thought I had loved before, but not like this, not so completely. When I took care of you I just wanted to keep you safe with me. When Solcaprodee took you away and when you were so sick after the exorcism, I was terrified you would be taken away from me. Even then I felt like it had happened before." He loosened his grip a little. "I'm sorry I had to force myself on you when you didn't want it – but I couldn't let you die, there was no other way."
"Truth be told, I did want it, but I didn't want it to be the end of you. Those kisses were real." She half sat up beside him, "Just like this one." As their lips parted she continued. Looking deep in his eyes, "Will we grow old together, Angel?"
"What do you mean?"
"When I met you, you were a vampire with a soul. Are you completely human now?"
"I don't know. I guess we will be visiting Lorne when we get home."
"When do we go home?"
"Day after next, on Saturday. I guess if we want to see anything we best do it today."
"Let's find the creek, it was our place,"
"Okay, but only if you eat a good breakfast. Take your time getting dressed, I'll make it for you and pack a lunch."
"I've said it before, you are going to spoil me."
"Glad to love," he kissed her gently before leaving the room.
It took a couple of hours to find the spot that had been theirs; at least it looked like the same place. The important thing was that it felt the same.
While Angel went to get the picnic basket from the car, Susan spread the quilt on the ground and when he returned she was sitting on it watching the creek. On impulse he lay down and placed his head on her lap. He looked into her face and for a moment saw the fifteen-year-old Elizabeth. Her fingers brushed the hair back out of his eyes. The birds sang in the trees as the creek and the leaves whispered sounds of the past. Angel reached up and ran his finger down over her nose bringing them both back to the present.
"This is a place of peace," Susan said taking in the feeling of calm, "Nothing bad happened here."
"I remember how the moon light would dance on the water while I waited for you to come back to me. Then you did come back to me right here." Angel reached into his pocket and pulled out the black iron heart and cross pendant now completed with a chain. He reached around her neck closing the clasp. "Our love surrounding all," he said with a gentle kiss.
After eating their lunch they both slept for a while lying on the quilt. Their dreams were of the happy times this place had given them.
On the drive back to the cottage they took advantage of the beautiful weather and stopped at a few sites along the road.
"There is so much history here isn't there, Angel? Lots of it older than you are – can't say that much at home."
"Hey, you are almost as old as I am," he returned.
"I've never thought of it that way – sure don't feel two hundred and fifty years old," she said in deep thought.
"With you here I feel like a teenager again," he said taking her by the hand.
They walked along part of Hadrian's Wall then stopped in the nearby town of Hexham for an evening meal.
"Isn't this where Brother Francis, or I guess Mr. Francis as we know him was from? Susan asked. "Isn't that what Margaret said."
"I think so," he answered, " from the Abbey here. I hear it is very old, started in 673."
"Let's go, we may never have the chance to again." Susan's eyes were sparkling. "We can tell Mr. Francis we were there."
The Abbey was indeed a very old place of beautiful architecture. When Susan saw the Midnight Stairs, which were obviously worn away by the many footsteps from so many years, she swayed a little feeling the presence of many spirits. The warmth and peace that surrounded her felt almost like arms of protection encircling her. "Can you feel it, Angel?"
"What is it?"
"The love of God," Susan's eyes shone with the knowledge. She swayed a little again. This time Angel held her to steady her.
"Do you want to sit down? He asked.
She took a deep breath as if to absorb every ounce of the presence. "Feel it, Angel."
"I can't."
"You will, maybe not today, but you will."
"You okay?"
'Very!"
Suddenly the cooing of a dove could be heard and they turned to see it sitting on a windowsill nearby. A tour director rushed over to it carrying a broom. "How in the world did you get in here?" he questioned. "Shoo-shoo," he waved the broom in the direction of the bird. It flew around the sanctuary only to come back and rest on Susan's shoulder.
She spoke to the guide, "Obviously someone's pet, I'll take it outside." She walked carefully so as not to frighten it, but it sat peacefully still, occasionally nibbling on her earlobe. As they went outside she let it sit on her hand and said to it, "I'd take you home in a second." She lifted her hand to send it flying.
"Now I think I've seen almost everything, " Angel said smiling.
She grinned back at him, "Almost!"
Suddenly the dove started swooping down at a small man wearing a trench coat and large brimmed hat. He took swipes at the bird with his arms, but still it dove down at him. A group of tour students visiting the Abbey swarmed around the couple mesmerized by the commotion. Angel and Susan didn't realize they were being pushed apart by the crowd until Angel saw the man was only a few feet away from Susan. Again the bird swooped down at him, but this time the man's hand came up and hit it down to the ground. Susan watched wide-eyed. He looked up into her face; "You took my son, now I'll take yours." His hand brushed against her belly. The scar of the brand burned like the day it had been placed there. The man turned and disappeared into the crowd. Angel pushed his way to Susan who by now had slumped to the ground. She was silent as she held the body of the white dove.
Angel knelt down beside her and handed her a tissue saying, "You've got a nose bleed. What happened?"
"It was him," she whispered.
Angel stood up trying to locate the man in the hat, but could not see him anywhere. Susan reached up for his hand and with his help stood up, but Angel could see the far away look of pain. "What's wrong? He asked.
"I need the cream." Beads of sweat formed on her face.
They walked slowly back to the car, Angel's arms around her trying to absorb some of the pain she felt. Susan looked around cautiously, worried that she may see him again.
"What happened?" he asked.
"He touched the scar and said 'You took my son, now I'll take yours.' The burning started again." Susan stopped a moment taking a deep breath.
"The baby?"
"I think it is okay, it moved when he touched me and hasn't stopped since."
Angel unlocked the car. Susan lay down on the back seat exposing the burn to the cool air. He handed her the jar of cream, which had been in her carry bag in the trunk of the car. "What does it look like, Angel?"
The scar that had been a healed white that morning was now a bright shiny red like that of a fresh burn. "It's very red," he answered her.
Susan put some cream on the wound and sighed as coolness came over it. The baby also seemed to slow its motion and rested again. The cream helped but she still felt the burn and the redness stayed bright. It was obvious that they had something to be very concerned about.
"We best go back to the cottage." Angel helped Susan out of the back seat. Suddenly the old taxi pulled up in front of the car. Henry and Martha got out, both with a look of deep concern.
"We didn't know he was here," Martha went to grab Susan's arms, but Susan pulled back in alarm the burn made her gasp. "Oh my gosh, he must have touched you."
Henry spoke, "Arrangements have been made for you to leave tonight. You must get as far away as fast as you can. He will try to follow."
Martha added, "We packed the suitcases, hopefully we have everything. If anything was left behind we will see that it is sent."
"Margaret," Susan started, "I told her I'd see her again."
"We'll get word to her that you had to leave, but we best be careful, she may be his connection. You best be one your way. Henry will drive you to Newcastle and I'll take our car home."
Henry and Angel moved the hand luggage to the old taxi as Martha and Susan said their goodbyes. As much as she wanted to go back to L.A. Susan hated to leave her home of the last five months. Martha took the quilt from the car and handed it to her. "This holds a lot of your memories, you should take it with you. We won't be able to keep in touch for safety sake but we will hear how you are. Keep well, Susy."
"Thank you, keep well, too." Susan responded trying hard to hold back the tears.
The drive to the Newcastle Airport took about an hour, an hour of almost complete silence. Everyone worried of the consequence that this encounter would bring. Angel wanted nothing more than to take his wife home where he could hopefully keep her safe. As much as he was happy to once again be human he also worried about his capabilities to ward off evil if his powers were indeed limited.
There was little time for goodbyes as a porter waited for their arrival and immediately loaded the luggage on the trolley. He whisked them away through the airport bypassing the baggage check and inspection areas, through "Staff Only" doors out to the loading area. There waiting for them was a medium sized jet – engines already running. Two men dressed in airport coveralls carried the four bags of luggage up the portable stairs. A flight attendant greeted the couple at the bottom directing them up to the jet. Angel swung both carry on bags over his shoulder and put his other arm around Susan to steady her up the steps. He knew that the rapidness of their escape would be hard in her condition. She held tightly on to the quilt, this all seemed too hard to believe. The flight attendant followed up the steps. They stepped aside when the two luggage handlers exited, both wishing the couple a safe trip home.
The first cabin of the jet held twelve luxury seats. One lone gentleman sat in the first row next to the window. He smiled a hello to the new arrivals. Susan walked to the last row and sat next to the window from where she could see several people watching the jet that was preparing to leave, almost immediately after they sat down the jet started to move, taxiing slowly to the runway. The fight attendant asked them to put on their seat belts advising Susan to make sure it was placed securely under the baby. "The captain will come back to speak to you when we have levelled off. If there is anything you need please let me know," she said before taking her seat in the front row to prepare herself for takeoff.
Susan reached for Angel's hand as the plane arrived at the run way and without stopping turned on to it and sped up to take off. Several larger commercial planes waited, as their escape seemed to take priority.
Angel noticed that she trembled a little as her hand held tightly to his, not wanting to loose its grip. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.
She turned away from the window saying, "I've never flown before."
Angel put his arm around her and pulled her close. "We'll be fine. If The-Powers-That –Be have gone to this much trouble they won't let anything happen to us."
Susan relaxed a little but as the pressure of take off came over them she gasped and her hands rushed to protect the baby. "Oh, she doesn't like this."
Angel reached over and felt the movement that seemed like a protest to the change. "Give it a minute, this doesn't last long."
It took about five minutes before they relaxed but soon mother and baby settled into their flight home. Angel continued to hold them both, leaning to her ear and whispering sweet nothings, which made her smile and eventually even blush a little.
Susan opened her eyes to see the Captain standing beside them and when she straightened in her seat Angel turned to the gentleman.
"Hello, I am Captain Black," he said shaking Angel's hand and nodding to Susan. "If you could come with me I will show you your quarters for the flight back to L.A." The Captain led them through the doors behind the first cabin to a place that looked more like a home than a jet. The first room contained a living area with entertainment centre, bar, dining area and kitchenette. They were then shown the ensuitte bedroom complete with king-size bed and their luggage.
"Please feel free to make yourselves at home. The kitchen and bar are fully stocked, complete with non-alcoholic beverages for you, Madam. We will be flying directly over the North Pole to L.A. stopping in Edmonton to refuel. We anticipate that the complete flight will take nine hours and we will be arriving at L.A. Ex. at 9 p.m. Pacific Time. We ask that for landing and take off that you use the regular flight seats for your safety. If there is anything you need please use the telephone to call the attendant. If you would like to call home sir, please use the same telephone. I will return to the cockpit, but first I will introduce you to someone who will explain everything a little better to you." As he opened the door the other passenger that they had seen earlier was waiting there and stepped inside.
"Mr. And Mrs. Lockwood, this is Dr. McKay." The Captain exited as the three greeted each other.
Angel still held her close to him and felt Susan tense when she saw the medical type bag that the man carried.
He set the bag on the table and headed for the refrigerator. "Would you like something to drink while we talk? Please help yourself to whatever you like." He was obviously pleased to see Susan pour herself a large glass of milk. Angel took a beer while the doctor helped himself to a cup of hot coffee, brewing in the maker on the counter. They sat down at the table that was large enough to seat twelve. Everything was secured in their places; chairs were bolted to the floors.
It was quiet for a few moments while the doctor added cream and sugar to his coffee. Angel leaned toward Susan, keeping his arm around her. With what had happened earlier he was taking no chances with his family's safety. He could feel her tension and held her tightly to let her know that she was safe, but he knew she was terrified of this man. It got the best of her and she excused herself to use the washroom.
"Just a second," the doctor said, reaching for his bag and retrieving a plastic container. "Just need a small specimen. Leave it in the washroom. I can test it later." Susan frowned when she reached for the jar and gave a slight sigh before leaving the room.
Angel seemed a little puzzled at first, having been a vampire for so long, and never a father, he really didn't know what to expect from the doctor. After a moment and Susan's sigh he realized what the doctor was here for and her apprehension.
With Susan out of the room, Angel thought he could find out more about this man. But it was also obvious that the doctor was relieved to have a few minutes alone with him to discuss the situation.
"I can see that Susan is rather apprehensive that I am here," Dr. McKay started.
"She told me that she had a very bad experience with a previous doctor."
"Yes, I understand that the Capro Curse has been greatly intensified."
"The Capro Curse?" Angel asked.
"It is used by demons to make an innocent rely almost completely on evil doers. In the lesser degree contact with good humans creates a burning, all immortals, good or evil do not. In the highest degree, as Susan is inflicted with now, she can only be touched by evil entities, mortal or non. Before Susan comes back I must tell you that there is a chance that the baby will also cause burning after the umbilical cord is cut, unless you can find a way to remove the curse. A baby is the only truly pure being and the symptoms will be severe." They heard the door open to the bedroom. "Unfortunately as yet there is no known way to remove the curse, and experimenting while Susan is pregnant could be extremely dangerous for them both." Susan returned to the table, quietly leaning into Angel where she felt safe.
"What about me?" Angel asked, "Why can I touch her?"
"You are true soul mates. Your entities have a need to be together and unless you are, part of each of you is actually missing. In a way we could say that you are a part of her and therefore you do not create the burn. Truth be told Alexander and Elizabeth was the third time your souls were together on earth. As human the individuals do not know of the previous lives, but usually from a young age they bond together."
"When you became a vampire your soul sat in limbo where Elizabeth's soul was not able to join it and that is why she wandered so long looking for it. When it was given back to you, you were countries apart and it took some intervention to put you together."
Angel straightened in his chair, "I got my soul back over a hundred years ago. Why did it take so long for my lamb to come back to me?"
"It may have been given back to you then, but if you remember you were very bitter. Even though you were no longer evil you were not good either. It wasn't until the 1950's that you even considered using your abilities for good. From that point we had to calculate when the planets would be in the same position as that fateful night in 1762 to coincide with your meeting again in Northumberland. Your pregnancy Susan, was to the same day as now."
"An angel placed you in that hospital in Canada. From that point on, it was fate that brought you together, with the help of a little intervention here and there."
Susan's eyes hardened a little as she asked, "So this thing with Solcapprodee was all planned?"
The doctor continued, "Intervention isn't always by the good, often evil gets a foot in the door. Solcapprodee was looking for his next victim when he found you at the Salvation Army. He knew you from before and this made him want you all the more. We knew that Angel was the only being on this earth that could stop him willingly so we did not try to stop it."
Angel seemed angry, "That little game you played could have killed Susan and cost me my soul."
The doctor was quick to respond, "Your soul was in no danger. It was not an external curse put on you that kept you celibate but an internal need to be with only your soul mate. As for Susan we knew that you would do anything to save her. Non the less we had the means to step in if need be."
"You said that as human we don't remember past lives," Susan started, "but I can remember being Elizabeth. More and more I can remember things like it was only a few years ago."
The doctor explained, "Angel's soul returned to his original body. Elizabeth's soul also had to return to the same body. It may have been regenerated as a baby, but if someone were to look in the grave it would indeed be empty. In time it will be returned there." Dr. McKay saw a look of alarm on Susan's face. "You souls are destined to stay together through eternity."
"Why in the world would anyone go to all this trouble just to bring two souls back together?" Susan asked.
"It is prophesied that early in the new millennium a boy shall be born to a couple who have seen great despair and have suffered the ultimate cruelties of this world. This boy will become a man of great influence and will change the world."
"Our son?" Susan looked down and ran her hand over the small bulge.
"We suspect it is your son, as we know of no other couple who has suffered or seen as much."
"Suspect?" Angel questioned, "You mean you don't know?"
"To protect the boy, the couple nor the location is indicated in the prophecy."
"Protect him from what?"
"The prophecy states that he
will have great influence and change the world. Of course evildoers will want him on their side. Once we land in L.A. it will be best to keep
the pregnancy and Susan's where-a-bouts known to only those you can trust."
"Okay, have I got this right?" Evildoers want this baby and I can only be touched by evil beings. Who is going to help me deliver this baby? Who will protect us?"
Dr. McKay was silent but looked directly at Angel.
"Hey, wait a minute," Angel was alarmed, "I know nothing about babies being born. And you guys have made me human again; you've taken away the power that being a vampire gave me. How can I protect them?"
"Fathers have helped deliver their
own children from the beginning of time, although you may be able to find
someone who can help. As for being
human, it was something you wanted and it was given back to you. If you feel the need you can go back to
being a vampire you can by removing the heart on the pendant, but the consequence
is that you cannot go back to being human. This is a one time gift."
"All this is making me so
tired," Susan said looking exhausted and close to tears.
Angel straightened in his chair, "I think this is enough, unless you have something very important to tell us."
"You are right, you should rest for awhile Susan. About an hour before we land in Edmonton, I'll come back to do a few basic medical tests. Don't worry I'll just teach Angel to take your blood pressure and we'll listen to the baby's heartbeat.
After the doctor left, they sat for a while in silence trying to take in this new information.
"You okay, Susy?"
She still sat with her back to Angel, leaned into him. His arm was still around her. She rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed.
"Susy?"
"This is really wild. I never thought for a moment it was going to be this complicated. How are we going to do this, Angel?"
"We don't need to worry about it now. Let's go and rest and when we get back home we'll figure out what is best."