Chapter Twenty-Seven
"You are very good at what you do," Susan said smiling as they held each other in the oversized bed.
"Well, if the doctor is right and this is the fourth time we've been lovers, we've had lots of time to get it right."
"You sure this is what they call the "Mile High Club"?"
"So I've heard."
"Don't suppose we'll ever know this luxury again. But as long as I'm with you, a log cabin will suit me fine." Susan paused for a moment then continued, "Maybe it was because of baby Faith, but I really thought this baby was a girl." She rubbed her belly over the sheet that covered them.
Angel's hand went over hers. "We're not going to worry about this now. Besides it is possible that this isn't even the baby in the prophecy."
"As long as I'm with you I'm not going to worry," she said holding him tightly.
Susan was asleep when the knock came at the door. Angel pulled on his jeans and welcomed the doctor into the living area.
"Now that you have had a little more time, do you have any questions," the Doctor asked.
"You said that possibly we could find someone to help deliver the baby. Who would be able to help us?"
"That is a tough one. An evil being that can only do good. Someone you can trust. Sounds impossible, but there is a chance."
"This worries me about delivering this baby."
"Be prepared. Babies are born without assistance everyday somewhere in this world. Keep her healthy and there really shouldn't be a problem."
"Will you be there to help?"
"The Powers are able only to advise. You must find the way. How is Susan feeling now?"
"She is resting."
"Good. I'll explain to you a few tests that should be done every few weeks and what should be done if the results show anything. Then we will wake Susan and make sure everything is okay."
The jet arrived in Edmonton as scheduled to refuel, then was very soon on it's way to L.A. and home. Susan was getting used to the feeling of pressure when they landed and took off, but the baby had not, making constant movement with being uncomfortable. As they were just starting to ascend Susan said, "It is good to know that the doctor thinks everything is going well and is normal."
"I'm sure everything will go well as long as I can do my part in this."
"I have no doubt that you will manage well. It is you that gives me peace in all of this."
"I wish I had as much confidence in me as you do."
"We'll get through this, Angel."
As they were going back to the living area of the jet, Angel went to telephone the others in L.A.
Susan was watching the big screen T.V. when he returned.
"They will meet us at the airport. Everything seems good at home. They are working on a new case, but mostly it has been quiet."
Susan didn't say anything, nodding that she had heard him, but not able to turn from what she was watching. He lay down on the couch placing his head on her lap. Turning to the TV, he saw a younger version of himself at the creek. There too his head was resting on her lap. It was the same video he had seen earlier. "Susy, you shouldn't be watching this again."
"I found this D.V.D. in my hand luggage. I just wanted to see what it was."
They both sat spellbound watching their past lives, feeling the pain of their separation and the happiness of their union. As if well planned the television shut off and the D.V.D. player rejected the disc as Elizabeth and Alexander were standing in the drawing room corner and Darla had just walked into the room.
The captain's voice came over the intercom. "We will be landing at L.A. Ex in fifteen minutes. Could you please return to your seats for decent." Susan returned the disc to her carry on bag. As she was returning to her seat she took the old quilt and held it tightly. They both sat in silence as the plane landed and taxied toward the terminal.
"I love you, Susy," Angel said just as they were reaching their final stop.
Susan looked at him and smiled, "I know … I never realized how much we loved each other then, until seeing that again. We will get through this Angel."
As the plane came to a stop again two men came on board to get the luggage. Angel and Susan followed them out of the exit down the stairway where the captain and the flight attendant waited to give their well wishes. Their luggage was placed on a small electric cart that they were also directed to sit on and were driven into the terminal.
Waiting at the baggage claim area Cordelia turned and saw the couple. She said to Gunn and Wesley, "Is that Angel and Susan getting off of that cart?"
"Angel has a beard." Wesley was totally amazed, "He must be human again. And Susan looks so … thin." he said at the exact same time as Cordelia said, "Fat".
They looked at each other when Gunn said, "No, she looks pregnant."
"Oh, my," Cordy and Wes said together.
Susan went to throw the carry on bags over her shoulders, but Angel took them away from her, "We'll find a trolley." But at that moment the three arrived to greet them, totally speechless.
Finally Cordy hugged Angel saying, "Never thought I would tell you, you need a shave."
"I thought it was a new look," he answered stroking his chin.
"Susan, it is so good to see you again," Wesley smiled.
"It's good to be home," she said, slipping under Angel's arm.
Cordy couldn't keep the question contained, "So is Gunn right? Are you two having a baby?"
They both just smiled back at the three answering their question.
"I guess there is a lot we need to catch up on," Gunn said as he grabbed two large suitcases.
Cordy tried to lift a suitcase but it was much too heavy. "What did you do? Bring home Hadrian's Wall in this?" They all looked at her puzzled. "I did a little surfing to where you were. Some special things over there."
"You don't know the half of it, Cordy," Angel said as he took the bag from her.
Wes grabbed the fourth bag and even though it was obviously heavy for him he tried not to show it. By the time they walked to the exit Gunn had already driven the convertible to meet them opening the trunk for the luggage. Angel saw the supply of demon fighting tools and sighed, "I guess the holiday is over."
When they arrived back at the hotel, everyone seemed to be unusually quiet, not knowing what to say.
"It is so good to be back," Susan said looking around the lobby. "But I'm so tired. Angel, I'd just like to go to bed."
"Sure sweetheart, I'll go upstairs with you," Angel said grabbing two of the suitcases. "You guys wait here for a few minutes I'll be back down."
A couple of minutes later Angel returned with the D.V.D. in hand.
"Is everything alright Angel?" Wes asked, "Susan seems very quiet."
"It is an awfully long story. Susy and I both feel that we should let you in the whole thing right from the start. This shows our lives before I became a vampire. After you watch this we'll explain the rest in the morning. There is a lot we have to do."
"How is Susy … the burning? Cordy asked.
"It is worse than before. Wesley, later see if there is any information about the Capro Curse in any of your books. For now I best go back upstairs."
As Angel turned to go back to Susan, the three went to the office to watch the video.
Susan was asleep when Angel returned to their bedroom. The C.D. player was playing a selection of love songs quietly. As he slid into the bed beside her, she turned and placed her head in the crook of his arm. How he loved and needed her and if anything happened to her how could he possibly go on? He wondered how he had survived until now without her.
"What is with all the love song Cd's?" she asked quietly, sounding half asleep.
"I missed you," was his simple reply.
She held him a little tighter and fell back to sleep.
Angel was not able to sleep and after awhile he went back downstairs. He wanted to see if Gunn or Wesley had a razor he could borrow to remove his beard. He stood in the door way to the office just as Elizabeth, wearing only the bed cover, stood in front of Angelus and asked him to take her with him, then promising her love forever. His teeth sank into her neck, and without a sound of pain or sorrow she slowly lost all energy – only a lone tear trickled over her cheek. Angelus tried to cut himself to let her drink but Darla was furious, throwing him across the room. He just laughed back at her, showing his true soulless self.
The D.V.D. showed a little more than either of them had seen before. The law was summoned and Charles acted as the inconsolable husband whose wife had been murdered. A view of the cemetery again showed his false tears. One lone white primrose bloomed next to her grave beside which a translucent white light shimmered for a moment. The picture faded then turned black as the video was over.
There was not a word spoken from the three. Both Wesley and Gunn felt the need to blow their noses while Cordelia sniffed and finally said, "That must be the saddest thing I've ever seen."
"I second that motion," Gunn added quietly.
Wes glanced up at the door and saw Angel standing there. He walked over to him, saying, "My gosh man, it must be almost unbearable knowing what really happened." He put his hand on Angel's shoulder.
"Believe it or not, when I saw Susan for the first time in England, she asked if I could forgive her for causing my condemnation. The consolation is that I have her back at last."
"At least she was able to rest until she was brought back, not like you, walking for an eternity," Cordy said.
"Did you see the light near the grave at the end?" Angel asked. "That was her ghost. She too walked for two centuries looking for me."
Cordy gasped, "Susy was a ghost?"
"The story gets more and more complicated," Gunn observed.
"Wait until I fill you in on the rest. Got a couple of hours or do you guys want to get home?"
"Who could sleep after this?" Wes commented.
They all sat around the desk in Angel's office listening and discussing their possible problems and solutions. Wesley went through his books trying to find information about the Capro Curse but found nothing.
Susan walked into the office wearing her cottage smock, carrying a tray of cups of coffee, cream and sugar and a stack of buttered toast. "You guys been at it all night?" she asked giving Angel a good morning kiss.
The three all said "Good morning," in unison.
"How are you?" Wesley asked with sincere concern.
"Amazingly well. I didn't realize it would feel so good to get back."
"New fashion statement?" Cordy asked, "or is this the style over in England?"
Susan pulled a chair up beside Angel's and as she sat down he pulled her in under his arm.
"I found this thing in the cottage where I was living. Probably Martha wore it forty years ago when she was pregnant. My clothes are just getting too uncomfortable."
"We better get you some new ones," Angel spoke up, "Gotta keep my family comfortable."
"Hey, a shopping trip," Cordy chimed, "I'll give you a hand."
"Cordelia, remember what happened the last time," Angel reminded her, "It took you months to pay off that bill."
"Okay, okay, I'll just offer some fashion advise. Just because a woman is pregnant, doesn't mean she can't be fashionable."
Gunn spoke up, "I thought that doctor guy said Susan and the pregnancy should be kept under wraps. And if anyone sees Angel with that beard the word will be out that he's no longer a vampire. No doubt the bad guys, mainly Wolfram and Hart will want to know why."
Wesley asked, "You're right. If this baby was just a normal baby and not part of some prophecy they would probably be thrilled that you are human, Angel. But as it is if they find out you are, they could storm in here, hire some demon to kill you and take the boy, before or after he is born."
Susan interjected," We don't know for sure that this is the boy in the prophecy," hoping with all of her heart that it wasn't and even more so that her baby was a girl so no one would wonder.
"From what I've seen and heard," Gunn said, "I think chances are pretty good that it is. I've never seen two people experience more unusual things than you two. Why stop now?"
"You're right," Susan agreed, "We really shouldn't take any chances.
"I'm sorry this is all so hard, Lamb," Angel pulled her close.
"As long as we are together, we'll get through this," she said looking deep into his eyes. "Have you told them yet who is suppose to help deliver this baby?"
They all looked at Angel, but he was silent so Susan spoke for him. "Unless we can find some guy who is evil but can only do good, which doesn't sound very promising, Angel has the job of chief obstetrician, which I don't think he looking forward to."
There was silence for a moment until Wes asked, "How long do we have to be prepared for the arrival?"
"The due date is July 25th. That gives us three and a half months, but we'll have to be well prepared before that."
"This must be very scary for you," Cordy said reaching to pat Susan's arm, but stopped when she pulled away suddenly. "Sorry … I know if I was having a baby under these conditions I'd be terrified."
"The scary thing is knowing that Charles is out there somewhere and he wants this baby. The comfort is knowing that I am among people who will do everything they can to do all they can, and I thank you for that. I just want to make sure this baby gets here safely."
Angel had silently been listening to this and held her a little tighter. "You think I've got time to go to midwifery school?'
Wesley spoke up, "Maybe we can find a way to get rid of this curse once and for all."
"Maybe it isn't as bad as it seems. Sure I wish it was the other way around, and it was evil that burned, but at least I do know who is evil and who is good."
"I feel really sorry for you," Cordelia said sympathetically.
"You know what? Even with all this bad stuff just having Angel back makes it all worth it."
Gunn spoke, "Hope I don't have to do this to find my soul mate."
"We have to find a way to get some new clothes … my wife shouldn't have to wear forty year old dresses."
"I've got an idea," Gunn stood up, "I'll ask Ann at the East Hills Teen Centre, no doubt they need maternity clothes occasionally. You guys need anything else."
Wesley answered, "You go see what you can find. Buy Angel a razor when you are out. We are going to have to get organized around here and make a plan.