"Are you sure you don't know how this happened to me?" Angel asked for the hundredth time. "Yes." Both Giles and Wesley answered. We were all inside Giles' apartment again, trying to figure out what happened to Angel. Wesley sat down in front of Angel. "I may have an idea. But of course it's only a theory." Xander snorted. Cordelia turned to him and gave him the evil eye. Wesley continued what he was saying. "Maybe you were meant to help Tai and Buffy as a human. A kind of test of some sort, probably to test if you can handle whatever you're supposed to do there." That made sense, not.
I shook my head and said, "Why us? And why human? Can't he do it by being a vampire?"
Angel looked at me. "Tai, the Powers work in weird ways. Sometimes they try to test me, because they want to know if I'm worthy or capable for something. It's not that they don't trust me, they don't want to loose one of their warriors just like that."
I couldn't fully comprehend what Angel was saying. But I nevertheless accepted it. Any help, supernatural or not, was needed. Just the presence of the people my mother loved will surely make her better, I hope.
The gang decided to leave that same night. Ayers was about a 4-hour drive from Sunnydale. They were going to stay at our house for as long as my mother wants them too. The Sunnydale people went home to pack while the LA people fixed their stuff.
I went to my room and gathered my stuff. I saw a picture of my mom that brought with me. In the picture, Dav, mom and me were playing in a park. She was so healthy then.
I got into Angel's car. We pulled out of the driveway and soon we were faced with seemingly endless roads and a whole lot of nothing. A few hours later, we passed the 'WELCOME TO AYERS' sign. Angel's cellphone rang shrill, breaking the freaky silence.
"Xander. Yeah, just follow me. Tai says it's only a few more blocks." He then glanced my way. "Just point me where to go." I sat up straighter and peered out into the darkness. I really hate it when the town guys shut off the streetlights at this time. People still do walk at this time of night you know. My mother would always say.
I saw a landmark and told Angel to turn right. After a few more turns, we were at our street.
"It's that beige house at the corner. The one with all the path and porch lights on." I smiled, before I left I told Dav to keep those lights open, so I can see the house. Angel parked in front and waited until the other cars had parked too. I got out and went to the door.
I motioned for them wait as I first rang the bell then opened the door with my key. I went inside and saw that Dav was at the living room with aunt Jasmine. I moved aside and let the others go in. aunt Jasmine's eyes opened slowly, then she got up and started to help with the bags. After that she hugged me then introduced herself. "How did you know it was us?" Willow asked. I answered for aunt Jasmine. "I rang first. It's sort of a signal that mom invented. Come on. I'll show you guys the rooms." Aunt Jasmine stopped me. "Unfortunately, Tai didn't call first so the rooms are still a bit messy. Maybe some of you could sleep in Tai's room so you don't have to sleep here in the living room." Angel started to shake his head when I interrupted. "Angel, it is my house. You guys are the guests. Besides, Dav doesn't like it when he wakes up and sees someone he doesn't know sleeping on the floor."
The next morning I woke up early and went to Dav's room. I wanted to warn him before he sees a lot of strange people sleeping in the house. Not that I thought Dav was a baby, it was that maternal thing, besides, mom told me to. I passed by the kitchen and saw Angel in front of the stove. Dav was with him. WHOA! "Dav, what are you doing awake this early in the morning?" I asked my little brother.
"Nothing." Figures. That was his basic answer to everything. Mom hates it when he keeps doing that. "Good morning Tai. Would you like some breakfast?" Angel greeted me. "Mornin'. I'd love some, are those bacon? Where are the others, still sleeping? I see you've met Dav." He smiled a little. "One thing at a time Tai. It's bacon, the others are still sleeping and yes I've met Dav. But I didn't get introduced."
That was a shock. Dav usually tells his name, good manners and such. I saw that he was laughing at something Angel said. Now that again is weird. Dav's not this relaxed until he's known the person for a week!
"Oh sorry, I didn't introduce myself properly. Name's Daven Wittman. I'm 10." Angel said nice to meet you and placed three strips of bacon in his plate and on mine too. "Um, Angel, mom says I should drink milk at breakfast. Is it okay if I don't?" Dav asked. Angel turned to me and I mouthed 'It's up to you'. "If your mom wants you to drink, you should. Sorry." A knock came from the door. It was Giles.
"Good Morning." He said. Most of them were standing beside him. I introduced everybody to Dav.
After breakfast we went to the hospital to visit mom. Aunt Jasmine decided to let me be absent for school. We went straight to mom's room. She was awake but I could see that she was really tired. I went in first and hugged her. When I did, she smiled so wide I thought her face was going to burst.
"Titania! You're back! Oh let me hug you baby." She sat up and hugged so tight. I was crying. I haven't seen her in a long time. "Hi." I managed to choke out. "I missed you mom." "I did too. Did you find them?" I nodded and motioned for them to come in. Giles and Willow were the first inside. Mom's eyes started tearing up. "Hi Giles. Hi Will." They both went to her bed and hugged her. The rest followed and mom said hi to every one of them. Angel stayed back. I saw him hesitate as he went in. Everybody cleared the way for Angel to see my mom. Mom saw Angel and her eyes widened. She looked shocked, relieved and happy. Something I haven't seen her be since my step-dad died 8 years ago. "Angel." mom said, "I knew you'd come."
I watched as mom and Angel talked. They were whispering so I thought they wanted some privacy. I ushered everyone out of the room.
Everybody went out, all of them going to the chairs in the waiting room. But of course, me being me, I stayed behind. I'm curious that's why. I decided to eavesdrop on mom and Angel's conversation. I know it's bad, but I just felt like I needed to.
Mom and Angel were talking in hushed voices, so it was hard to hear. But I could hear them very well. Must be those acquired Slayer-genes.
"Buffy, I'm so sorry." I heard Angel say. "Don't be. It isn't your fault. It's nobody's fault. Remember that my mother died of a tumor. It's only natural for me to die if it too." "Don't talk like that Buffy. You are not going to die. As long as I'm here." Angel's voice sounded like he was mad. "I won't, I was just illustrating for dramatic effect. Angel I asked everybody to come here because I wanted to prove something to them. I want them to see that I didn't destroy my life after all. I'm not really mad at them, but I vowed that when I left Sunnydale for good." Mom said. "What about me?"
"There's something really important I have to tell you. I remembered. The day you asked to be turned back. I remember every single moment of it. But that isn't what I'm going to tell you. It's something bigger. Angel, you have a daughter."
I gasped when I heard that. How can mom have another kid? And have it with Angel?
"Buffy, that's impossible." Angel said, shocked.
"Oh, she's all grown up now. Not entirely, but enough. Okay first let me explain. The day Dawn died, I started remembering all about the Lost Day. At first I thought they were just reactions to her death but somehow I knew they weren't. I started to feel different. I went to a doctor and she told me I was pregnant. One night I was sleeping and this guy that was shining told me it was yours. Apparently, the false memories of Dawn triggered what was supposed to happen on that day. I was supposed to get pregnant that day, but when you asked time to be turned back, that included the baby being conceived. Because Dawn wasn't real and her existence also played on time, the baby was put back in my body. Do you get what I mean?" Angel sighed. "I think so. It's Tai isn't it? She's my daughter." He said, perplexed. "Yes."
My eyes went wide and I gasped louder. I knew it! Angel is my dad! Suddenly, the door opened and there stood Angel. "Hi." I squeaked.