Chapter 3
Couple weeks later
"Angel are you paying attention?" Darla demands
Angel looks at his former girlfriend "Huh"
Darla sighs "What's wrong Angel? You've been so distant lately"
"Nothings wrong. I've got a lot on my mind"
"Dawn?"
"No" he says quickly
"Okay" she drawls suspiciously "Well I heard some news"
Angel takes a drink of his water "Yeah?"
"I got a call from Danielle"
"How is she?" Angel asks at the mention of their highschool friend
"She's pregnant... due in 7 months"
Angel pauses "That's great." he glances at his watch. "Darla I have to go." he kisses her cheek "I'll see you later"
Darla frowns watching Angel hurry out of the restuarant 'Something is up with him. I swear it has something to do with that kid.'
Hour later
Angel enters the house to find the stereo blaring. He walks into the livingroom where he finds Dawn dancing around. He smiles watching as she dances 'God she's beautiful' he takes in her short shorts and cropped tank top 'What am I thinking? Its Dawn'
Dawn stops dancing when she notices Angel standing there "Angel" she says surprised "I thought you were working late" she says turning off the stereo
"I was going too but I changed my mind." he tosses his suit jacket on the couch "How was school?"
"Good but way too long"
"I know the feeling" he smiles sitting on the couch
Dawn sits beside him "Long day huh?"
"Definately" he groans
"What do you want for dinner?" she asks
"Your cooking?" he asks surprised
"Its my night to cook" she reminds
"Let's see what we have around and we'll make dinner together" he says patting her leg
Dawn grins "We haven't made dinner together in a while"
"I know. We've been off in our own directions lately" he says apologetically "I'm sorry"
Dawn gives him a smile "Its OK. Come on lets go scour the freezer for something to eat." she grabs his hand pulling him to his feet
Hour later
Angel looks at Dawn as she cuts vegetables for their salad "Have you talked to your father?" he asks
Dawn starts at his question her finger sliding over the blade "Ow" she yelps
Angel goes to her side "You OK?"
Dawn nods sucking on her finger "Cut myself"
Angel grabs a paper towel wrapping it around her finger "Sit down" he instructs
Dawn sits on the stool watching as Angel grabs a bandaid out of the drawer
"Want to tell me about it?" he asks unwrapping the paper towel
"My bastard father got married"
Hearing the pain in her voice Angel frowns "What's wrong with that?"
"After he called I did some checking. I found the announcement in the newspaper. He told me it was a last minute thing. It wasn't... the bastard had been engaged for six months." she looks away "She's a couple years older than you"
"Dawn he probably had his reasons for not telling you"
Dawn stands reaching into her pocket she removes a piece of paper "Here read it"
Angel unfolds the paper to find a print out of a engagement announcement. He reads through it then looks at Dawn "I'm sorry Dawn" he hugs her
Dawn hugs him back "My father ignore my existance that isn't new. I don't know why this hurts."
"He's your Dad. He shouldn't be like this"
Dawn sniffles "He has only a few more months of child support before he can totally shove me into the shadows"
Angel kisses the top of her head "It'll be OK"
Dawn pulls back wiping at her tears "I know" she gives Angel a small smile kissing his cheek "Thank you Angel... for everything"
Angel turns his head so their lips are inches apart. He wipes away her tears "I'm here for you Dawn... always"
Dawn nods her eyes locked on his "I know" after a few seconds she swallows "We should uh get back to making dinner"
"Uh yeah" Angel pulls away
Few weeks later
"Dawn what's going on?" Lauren demands following her frantic best friend into the girls bathroom
Dawn checks each stall then leans against the sink looking at her friend "Lauren you have to swear to me you won't tell anyone"
Lauren frowns at Dawn's tone "You know I won't tell"
Dawn closes her eyes taking a deep breath "I'm late" she opens her eyes meeting her friend's gaze
Lauren stares at her "What? When? Who?"
"I'm two weeks late"
"When did you?" Lauren asks
"Last month."
"Who?"
Dawn shakes her head
"You don't know?!" Lauren yelps
"I know" Dawn snaps "trust me I know"
"Have you taken a pregnancy test?" Lauren asks
"No"
"Let's skip and get you one"
Dawn swallows nodding
Hour later
Dawn closes her eyes "Oh god"
"It'll be OK Dawn" Lauren says
"I can't be pregnant" Dawn looks at the indicator stunned
"Second opinion?"
"It has to be a mistake" Dawn says desperately
"Those things are pretty accurate"
Dawn tosses the test in the garbage can. She takes out her cellphone dialling information "Hi I need the number to Planned Parenthood. Yes please connect me." after a moment she speaks "Hi I need to make an appointment. Oh yeah I'll take it. Thanks. Uh Dawn Summers. Thanks" she hangs up
"Well?"
"They had a last minute cancellation at Planned Parenthood. Lauren will you go with me?"
"Sure" Lauren gives her friend a comforting smile
"The appointment is in half an hour"
2 hours later
"Well Miss Summers you are indeed pregnant. Do you know who the father is?"
"Yes"
"You have options"
"I can't have a baby" Dawn says sadly
"Don't you think you should discuss this with the father?"
"He's in love with someone else." Dawn whispers
"We have a 48 hour wait for abortions"
Dawn nods "I'm not going to change my mind"
"We suggest you have someone pick you up after the procedure"
"I will"
"You can make an appointment at the front desk"
Dawn nods standing she walks out of the exam room going to the front desk
"Need an appointment?"
Dawn nods
"The next opening is Thursday afternoon at 3."
"I'll take it"
"Be sure to have someone here to take you home"
"I will" Dawn takes the appointment card offered "Thanks" she shoves it in her pocket walking out to the waitingroom where Lauren is sitting
"Ready?" Lauren asks
Dawn nods following her friend outside
Once in the car Lauren looks at her friend "So?"
"I can't have a baby"
"Your having an abortion"
"I have no choice" Dawn sighs "Lauren will you come with me?"
"Of course I will. Are you sure you don't want Angel to be there?"
Dawn looks away "He can't know ever"
Lauren gasps "Oh my God. Dawn is it Angel's?"
Dawn nods reluctantly
"Dawn why don't you tell him? Angel's an adult. He could take care of you and the kid."
"He loves Buffy. If anyone found out there would be trouble. He could get arrested. They'd accuse him of rape." she looks at Lauren "It wasn't. It was comfort... a one time thing. I don't want him to get into trouble over a one time thing."
"Dawn its his kid too."
"I'm not doing this for only me. I'm doing this for all of us" Dawn swallows "Lauren he'll get into trouble. If I keep this child it might not have a father. I can't do that to my child... or too Angel."
"Dawn are you in love with Angel?" Lauren inquires
Dawn sighs "I love him so much Lauren. I don't want to hurt him but I have no choice."
"Dawn you know I'll be there for you."
"Thank you"
"Do you want me to drop you off at home?"
Dawn shakes her head "My car is at school"
Couple hours later
Dawn sits on the shower floor silently crying as she hugs herself rocking. "Oh God. I'm sorry... so sorry" she whispers
Evening
Angel looks at Dawn moving her food around her plate absently "Dawn is there something you want to talk about?"
Dawn looks at him shaking her head
"You sure?"
"Yeah. May I be excused? I got a ton of homework to do"
"Sure" Angel watches as Dawn carries her plate to the sink "Dawn if you want to talk... I'm here" he offers
Dawn nods giving him a weak smile "I know"
Angel watches as Dawn leaves the kitchen 'Something is going on with her.'
Thursday Evening
Dawn settles on her bed wincing slightly at the pain. She opens her journal
i 'I went through with it. If Angel ever found out... he'd never forgive me. Maybe one day I'll tell him... he deserves to know the truth. I don't think he'll forgive me but maybe he'll understand.' /i
Dawn closes her journal laying down she curls up "I hope he will"
Couple weeks later
"Angel are you paying attention?" Darla demands
Angel looks at his former girlfriend "Huh"
Darla sighs "What's wrong Angel? You've been so distant lately"
"Nothings wrong. I've got a lot on my mind"
"Dawn?"
"No" he says quickly
"Okay" she drawls suspiciously "Well I heard some news"
Angel takes a drink of his water "Yeah?"
"I got a call from Danielle"
"How is she?" Angel asks at the mention of their highschool friend
"She's pregnant... due in 7 months"
Angel pauses "That's great." he glances at his watch. "Darla I have to go." he kisses her cheek "I'll see you later"
Darla frowns watching Angel hurry out of the restuarant 'Something is up with him. I swear it has something to do with that kid.'
Hour later
Angel enters the house to find the stereo blaring. He walks into the livingroom where he finds Dawn dancing around. He smiles watching as she dances 'God she's beautiful' he takes in her short shorts and cropped tank top 'What am I thinking? Its Dawn'
Dawn stops dancing when she notices Angel standing there "Angel" she says surprised "I thought you were working late" she says turning off the stereo
"I was going too but I changed my mind." he tosses his suit jacket on the couch "How was school?"
"Good but way too long"
"I know the feeling" he smiles sitting on the couch
Dawn sits beside him "Long day huh?"
"Definately" he groans
"What do you want for dinner?" she asks
"Your cooking?" he asks surprised
"Its my night to cook" she reminds
"Let's see what we have around and we'll make dinner together" he says patting her leg
Dawn grins "We haven't made dinner together in a while"
"I know. We've been off in our own directions lately" he says apologetically "I'm sorry"
Dawn gives him a smile "Its OK. Come on lets go scour the freezer for something to eat." she grabs his hand pulling him to his feet
Hour later
Angel looks at Dawn as she cuts vegetables for their salad "Have you talked to your father?" he asks
Dawn starts at his question her finger sliding over the blade "Ow" she yelps
Angel goes to her side "You OK?"
Dawn nods sucking on her finger "Cut myself"
Angel grabs a paper towel wrapping it around her finger "Sit down" he instructs
Dawn sits on the stool watching as Angel grabs a bandaid out of the drawer
"Want to tell me about it?" he asks unwrapping the paper towel
"My bastard father got married"
Hearing the pain in her voice Angel frowns "What's wrong with that?"
"After he called I did some checking. I found the announcement in the newspaper. He told me it was a last minute thing. It wasn't... the bastard had been engaged for six months." she looks away "She's a couple years older than you"
"Dawn he probably had his reasons for not telling you"
Dawn stands reaching into her pocket she removes a piece of paper "Here read it"
Angel unfolds the paper to find a print out of a engagement announcement. He reads through it then looks at Dawn "I'm sorry Dawn" he hugs her
Dawn hugs him back "My father ignore my existance that isn't new. I don't know why this hurts."
"He's your Dad. He shouldn't be like this"
Dawn sniffles "He has only a few more months of child support before he can totally shove me into the shadows"
Angel kisses the top of her head "It'll be OK"
Dawn pulls back wiping at her tears "I know" she gives Angel a small smile kissing his cheek "Thank you Angel... for everything"
Angel turns his head so their lips are inches apart. He wipes away her tears "I'm here for you Dawn... always"
Dawn nods her eyes locked on his "I know" after a few seconds she swallows "We should uh get back to making dinner"
"Uh yeah" Angel pulls away
Few weeks later
"Dawn what's going on?" Lauren demands following her frantic best friend into the girls bathroom
Dawn checks each stall then leans against the sink looking at her friend "Lauren you have to swear to me you won't tell anyone"
Lauren frowns at Dawn's tone "You know I won't tell"
Dawn closes her eyes taking a deep breath "I'm late" she opens her eyes meeting her friend's gaze
Lauren stares at her "What? When? Who?"
"I'm two weeks late"
"When did you?" Lauren asks
"Last month."
"Who?"
Dawn shakes her head
"You don't know?!" Lauren yelps
"I know" Dawn snaps "trust me I know"
"Have you taken a pregnancy test?" Lauren asks
"No"
"Let's skip and get you one"
Dawn swallows nodding
Hour later
Dawn closes her eyes "Oh god"
"It'll be OK Dawn" Lauren says
"I can't be pregnant" Dawn looks at the indicator stunned
"Second opinion?"
"It has to be a mistake" Dawn says desperately
"Those things are pretty accurate"
Dawn tosses the test in the garbage can. She takes out her cellphone dialling information "Hi I need the number to Planned Parenthood. Yes please connect me." after a moment she speaks "Hi I need to make an appointment. Oh yeah I'll take it. Thanks. Uh Dawn Summers. Thanks" she hangs up
"Well?"
"They had a last minute cancellation at Planned Parenthood. Lauren will you go with me?"
"Sure" Lauren gives her friend a comforting smile
"The appointment is in half an hour"
2 hours later
"Well Miss Summers you are indeed pregnant. Do you know who the father is?"
"Yes"
"You have options"
"I can't have a baby" Dawn says sadly
"Don't you think you should discuss this with the father?"
"He's in love with someone else." Dawn whispers
"We have a 48 hour wait for abortions"
Dawn nods "I'm not going to change my mind"
"We suggest you have someone pick you up after the procedure"
"I will"
"You can make an appointment at the front desk"
Dawn nods standing she walks out of the exam room going to the front desk
"Need an appointment?"
Dawn nods
"The next opening is Thursday afternoon at 3."
"I'll take it"
"Be sure to have someone here to take you home"
"I will" Dawn takes the appointment card offered "Thanks" she shoves it in her pocket walking out to the waitingroom where Lauren is sitting
"Ready?" Lauren asks
Dawn nods following her friend outside
Once in the car Lauren looks at her friend "So?"
"I can't have a baby"
"Your having an abortion"
"I have no choice" Dawn sighs "Lauren will you come with me?"
"Of course I will. Are you sure you don't want Angel to be there?"
Dawn looks away "He can't know ever"
Lauren gasps "Oh my God. Dawn is it Angel's?"
Dawn nods reluctantly
"Dawn why don't you tell him? Angel's an adult. He could take care of you and the kid."
"He loves Buffy. If anyone found out there would be trouble. He could get arrested. They'd accuse him of rape." she looks at Lauren "It wasn't. It was comfort... a one time thing. I don't want him to get into trouble over a one time thing."
"Dawn its his kid too."
"I'm not doing this for only me. I'm doing this for all of us" Dawn swallows "Lauren he'll get into trouble. If I keep this child it might not have a father. I can't do that to my child... or too Angel."
"Dawn are you in love with Angel?" Lauren inquires
Dawn sighs "I love him so much Lauren. I don't want to hurt him but I have no choice."
"Dawn you know I'll be there for you."
"Thank you"
"Do you want me to drop you off at home?"
Dawn shakes her head "My car is at school"
Couple hours later
Dawn sits on the shower floor silently crying as she hugs herself rocking. "Oh God. I'm sorry... so sorry" she whispers
Evening
Angel looks at Dawn moving her food around her plate absently "Dawn is there something you want to talk about?"
Dawn looks at him shaking her head
"You sure?"
"Yeah. May I be excused? I got a ton of homework to do"
"Sure" Angel watches as Dawn carries her plate to the sink "Dawn if you want to talk... I'm here" he offers
Dawn nods giving him a weak smile "I know"
Angel watches as Dawn leaves the kitchen 'Something is going on with her.'
Thursday Evening
Dawn settles on her bed wincing slightly at the pain. She opens her journal
i 'I went through with it. If Angel ever found out... he'd never forgive me. Maybe one day I'll tell him... he deserves to know the truth. I don't think he'll forgive me but maybe he'll understand.' /i
Dawn closes her journal laying down she curls up "I hope he will"