Angel stared at me for a long time before answering rather understatingly, "Hi back." He then hugged me so tight I thought I might suffocate. "Um, Angel. I kinda need to breathe here." when he didn't let go I said, "Dad, I need to breathe." He pulled back. I couldn't read what his face said but I think I know. I didn't mean to say dad, it just came naturally. Angel stroked my hair. My hair that's the same color as his; lightened a little because of my mother's genes. I smiled too. I now know why his embraces felt natural, if not familiar. It was the embrace of a father. I only felt that when my step-dad hugged me. Since his death I've never felt that way again. Safe and loved and protected. Like nothing could go wrong. Maybe that's why mom got sick, because none of us felt safe anymore.
"Tai come in here." mom's voice was soft and excited at the same time. Angel held out his hand and I took it, and went into the room.
Mom was sitting up in her bed when we went in. She had the biggest smile on her face. She stretched out her hand, the universal motion for 'come here and give me a hug'. I ran to her and she buried me in her arms. "Oh honey. You found your father." She whispered in my ear. I nodded and whispered back, "Yes. I know." She let me go and patted the side of her bed, then motioned for Angel to sit down near the bed. We both did as she asked.
"Tai, baby, I suppose you'd want to hear our love story?" I smiled. "Yes mom."
"I had just moved from LA to Sunnydale and was walking to a club, The Bronze. I felt somebody following me. I was right. From that point Angel would often come and warn me about some dire prophecy then disappear into the night. One night I found out he was a vampire. But that didn't stop me. Us. We grew more in love and on my 17th birthday, we made love. But there was a curse, and when your father achieves perfect happiness, he reverts back to his evil self. It was the hardest and most painful time of my life. It gets worse. He wanted to open some sort of portal and the only way to stop him was to kill him. I didn't know that Willow was restoring his soul, so I impaled him with a sword just when he got his soul back. I sent angel to hell. It was too much for me. So I skipped town. When I came back, I was more withdrawn. Then I found out that Angel came back. But now, it was hard for us to be together. We knew that simply being together could make your father lose his soul, so he broke up with me. He wanted to leave but before he could do that, he was poisoned. The only cure was a Slayer's blood. I made him drink me. He still left. Then at Thanksgiving the next year, I went LA. He became human, but he asked to be turned back. To save me. All the rest is really bad history. It isn't necessarily poetic, but to say the least, we weren't in good terms."
I looked at mom and Angel. I saw mom had tears in her eyes. "Wow." Was all I could say. I walked over to Angel and hugged him. "Nice that I've found you dad." He smiled and carried me to the bed so he can hug both mom and me. "Tai, you do know that things will be more complicated right?" mom said. "What do you mean mom?" "First of all, you now know who your dad is. There may be a lot of things that you'd want him be a part of. It will be up to you what's going to happen." She smiled and pushed back some hair that has fallen into my face.
After a pretty long time talking about things, I realized that there were still people outside. I excused myself and went outside. They must've seen my smiling face because they immediately asked what happened. "I think you should ask mom yourself." I told them. I smiled at aunt Jasmine and told her that I was going home.
It was still morning. Well, more like afternoon now. Lunch time. I walked until I got to my school and saw my best friend Gilbert. He ran towards me. "Hey there, playing hooky-girl. I see you're back and you didn't even tell me. I'm hurt. Why were you absent today?" I smiled at him. "Hey. I'm not playing hooky. Aunt Jas told Principal Meyer I needed more rest. This is rest. I visited mom in the hospital. Brought some friends of hers." We walked to the bench. "So you found them. That's great! Did you find your dad too?" I never told him that I was going to look for my dad, but he knew that I would. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. It's better left for later." I heard the bell ring. "Gil, you should go. Biology's starting." "Okay, I'll come over later with your favorite things i.e. homework and you're going to tell me what happened." I smiled at him. Gil always understood me. For a guy, he's the most understanding person I know.
Once I got home, I went straight to my room and slept. It wasn't that I was tired but my mind was having a field day with all the information I gained. I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep. My dreams were filled with images of mom and Angel. I kept seeing them when they were younger. From what my mom told me just now of course. I was having a nice nap when I heard the doorbell ring. I glanced at my clock and saw that it was 4:30.
"Who is it?" I asked. "Girl, it's me. Gil." I opened the door. "Hey." I said groggily. "You look tired Mai-Tai. Did you sleep? Never mind. Tell me what happened in LA?" "My dad's a vampire." I said candidly. Hey, Gil knew about vampires anyway. He looked at me confused. "What? Did I hear you right?" "Yes. My dad is a vampire with a soul. He was human when I was conceived though." "Honey, are you high on something? Why would a vampire be human?" "He got some demon blood in his hands and it restored him. Look Gil, it's a long story. But the thing is, I want mom and my real dad back together. You should've seen her with Angel. She was so happy." "Wait, back up a bit. Who's Angel?" I blinked. Oops, I forgot to tell him about Angel. "Angel is this vampire with a soul who runs a detective agency. He's, well, he sorta turned human. For some reason. We don't know yet." Gil looked confused for a moment, but it passed. "Okay, so what you're telling me is that your dad is an ex-vampire?" I nodded. "Ever since I've known you Tai, you've told me a lot of weird stuff. But this is by far the strangest. Even so, I'm happy for you. At least you found your real dad. And I know that you'd want him to stay. The question is, will he stay forever?" I stared at Gil. I didn't have an answer for him. I don't know if Angel would stay. I want him too. Maybe he will. I mean, I suppose he loves mom that much. He'll stay, if not for me, for her. But will it be forever? Will I have my father even after my mother takes her last breath? There are so many questions. I felt my eyes well with tears, but I kept them back. I won't get any answers by crying. The only way is to ask Angel.
Nightfall came and everybody came home. Dav and I were sitting on the couch when they came in. I had feeling that they didn't say goodbye to mom. Which is good, I think.
"Tai, are you about ready?" my eyes opened slowly. It was Dav waking me up. "Angel said we have to go to the hospital. I think mom's doctor called." I abruptly stood up and looked around my room for pants. After yelling at my brother to leave me alone, I was finally ready.
We arrived at the hospital just in time to hear an announcement over the PA. "Dr. Miller, please report to room 107." "That's mom's room." I said. All of us ran to the room. Dr. Miller was there adding something to mom's dextrose thingy. "What's that?" Dav's small voice asked. "I'm just adding a little more medicine for you're mother. It's going to be fine." She then motioned for Angel and Giles to come outside. I had a feeling about what she was going to say about mom's condition. But I didn't know if it was good or bad. I opened the door slightly so I can listen in.
"She's getting worse. We have no idea why but it just happened so fast. I don't think she's going to make it for another month. I'm so sorry." Dr. Miller said. Angel didn't answer for a long time. "Is there anything you can do? There must be something. She was okay yesterday. She was so happy." His voice sounded angry. "We can't do anything else." Dr. Miller placed a hand on Angel's shoulder then left. I came out of mom's room and nudged Angel. "What's gonna happen to mom?" Angel looked at me, no emotion in his face. "Nothing. Not if I can't help it."
Angel turned and went out of the hospital. I was torn. I want to stay with mom, but I have to find out what Angel's gonna do. I decided to discreetly follow him. He walked fast and I had no idea where he was going. First he went back to the house then took a bag. He continued walking. He stopped in front of a tree in the park. He took out something powdery and started chanting. I also saw that he clutched something in his hand that looked expensive. After he chanted, a white-light appeared. It enveloped both of us. The next thing I know I was standing in a room and in front of me were two weird looking beings.
"What do you want with us lower beings?" one of them asked. Angel looked around.
"Beings? I'm the only one here?" the other one gestured towards me.
"You are not alone." I stared at Angel.
"Tai, what are you doing here? Go back and stay with your mother." He said, sternly.
"No. I have to be here because I know your going to do something stupid that'll probably break her heart. And that is worse than just letting her die."
"Silence. State your business and make sure that it concerns us." One of them said. The other one smiled and reached out her hand to him. "Where is our gift?" Angel looked confused for a moment then paled.
"I do not have a gift. But I do have this." He took off his claddagh ring and placed on the being's hand. "Angel, that's your most precious thing. Mom said so. Take it back." He didn't answer me.
"Is it true then Warrior? This is your most precious treasure. It must concern the Slayer then, if you are giving up this symbol of your love." Angel nodded slowly. "Make her well again. Give her my life. She's dying and I don't deserve this humanity. Not yet. I haven't fought anything that could possibly end the world. My humanity should be given back to her."
No! My mind cried. "What do you think you're doing? Mom needs you; I need you. Dad pleases. Don't do this. You said you'd stay. You promised us." angel moved toward me. "It's the only way." "You promised me." I replied more quietly.
The two beings said together, "Quickly. We do not have the patience." "If you lose the Slayer, you lose me." angel said.
"The Slayer will not die. Your humanity will not be taken back. But it will have to be proven. Live with your family. Then and only then shall the Powers choose your destiny." Then we were back at the park.