Reminder I'm not a lawyer so I know nothing about the law
Chapter 8
Few days later
"I'll get it" Buffy says kissing Angel's cheek. She walks out of the kitchen to foyer. She opens the door to find her father standing there with a brown haired woman beside him. "Dad" she says surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Buffy" Hank smiles entering the house he hugs his oldest daughter "Oh I've missed you"
Once he releases her Buffy steps back looking at her father "Why are you here Dad?"
"I came to see you and Dawn" Hank says turning to the woman at his side "Buffy this is Claudia Monnta... my fiancee."
"WHAT?!" Buffy yelps
"Buffy calm down" Hank says calmly
"Buffy?" Angel enters the foyer stopping in his tracks when he sees Buffy glaring at her father.
Buffy crosses her arms over her chest "Angel this is my father and his fiancee Claudia" she says her voice calm "This is my boyfriend Angel"
Angel nods in acknowledgement
"Where's Dawnie?" Hank asks after nodding in reply
"She's out" Buffy replies "What do you want?"
"Why don't we go sit in the livingroom" Angel suggests. The four go into the livingroom sitting down "So what can we do for you?"
"Uhm we wanted to talk about Dawn" Hank says nervously
"What about her?" Buffy demands suspiciously
"Claudia and I have been talking" Hank squeezing the woman's hand "and we have decided we want Dawn to come live with us."
"WHAT?!" Buffy exclaims angrily
"I'm home" Dawn calls walking into the house she stops in her tracks seeing her father on the couch with a strange woman at his side "What is he doing here?" she demands
Hank smiles standing he goes over hugging her "Its good to see you Dawnie" he turns to Claudia "Claudia this is Dawn"
Claudia smiles "Dawn it is so good to meet you"
"She's Dad's fiancee" Buffy says
"That's nice" Dawn crosses her arms over her chest "What's going on?" she asks going over to her sister
"Dawn we were just discussing your future"
"What about it?" Dawn asks her eyes narrowing
Hank returns to the couch sitting down taking Claudia's hand "How would you like to come live with me and Claudia?"
Dawn looks at Buffy panicked "NO. I'm staying with Buffy"
Buffy hugs her sister "Dawn's staying here Dad"
"Buffy your only 19. Dawn would be better off living with me and your father" Claudia says "Why don't we sit down and discuss this"
"Buffy honey we just want to do what's best for Dawnie. She needs parental supervision."
Buffy glares at her father "I read the divorce papers Dad"
Hank pales looking down
"Buffy" Angel says nodding at Dawn
"Mom left custody of Dawn to me and Angel"
Hank looks at Angel "Your mother left custody of Dawn to a complete stranger?!"
"Angel's my friend. He's not a stranger" Dawn argues
"Who exactly are you and why would Joyce leave you custody of our daughter?" Hank demands
"My full name is Liam Angelus Sullivan." Angel says looking at Dawn "Dawnie go upstairs"
"But" Dawn protests
"Dawn this is adult stuff" Angel says "Now go upstairs"
Dawn looks at Buffy
"We'll talk later" Buffy assures
Dawn nods walking up out of the livingroom and up the stairs
Angel looks at Hank his arms crossed over his chest "Dawn is staying with us"
"I'm her father."
"Father?!" Buffy laughs harshly "You haven't even spent time with us since the first few months we moved here. You don't call. You have the balls to show up with her in our mothers house just days after we buried her. You didn't even bother to come and see us when Mom got sick. You were too busy traveling"
"Don't take that tone with me young lady" Hank says angrily "Claudia is going to be your stepmother"
"She is not my stepmother yet."
"Buffy calm down" Angel touches his girlfriend's arm
"Hank is her father. We just want to give Dawn a stable environment." Claudia says "You two are too young to raise a teenager"
"Buffy honey Claudia and I just want to do
what's best for Dawn"
"Why so suddenly Dad? I read the custody papers. You didn't want to pay child support for Dawn."
"Buffy that is the past. Things have changed. Besides you can't afford to raise Dawn."
"She can with my help." Angel assures "Joyce knew I'd take care of them."
"I am Dawn's father not you" Hank says angrily "Have Dawn packed and ready to go tomorrow"
"Dawn isn't going anywhere with you" Angel says his voice hard
Hank stands "Who the hell are you to speak to me like that? I am Dawn's father not you"
"Actually I am" Angel returns glaring at Hank
"Am what? Someone trying to weasel his way into my daughters lives"
"No I'm Dawn's biological father"
"WHAT?!" Hank yells
At the top of the stairs Dawn swallows heavily tears blurring her vision. She stands stepping on one of the creaking boards she panics silently hurrying into her bedroom she closes the door behind her as quietly as possible locking it. She throws herself on the bed tears flowing.
Buffy frowns hearing the familiar creak. She walks out of the livingroom she goes to the bottom of the stairs.
"Your her biological father?! Prove it"
"I can." Angel says
"Did Joyce know?" Hank demands
"Yes" Angel looks at Buffy as she enters the room looking worried "Buffy?"
Buffy looks at Angel her eyes wide "I think Dawn was listening in"
Angel pales
Buffy glares at her father "I swear to God I will never forgive you for everything you've ever done to Dawn." she takes a step out of the room "Get out Hank" she orders
"Buffy" Hank says uncertainly "let me talk to Dawn"
"You've done enough damage to her" Buffy says "both of you leave or I'll call the cops." she makes her way up the stairs
"Come on Hank lets let them talk with Dawn" Claudia stands taking Hank's hand. She glances at Angel "Our lawyer will contact you." she leads Hank out of the house
Buffy knocks on Dawn's door "Dawn can I come in?" not getting an answer she knocks again. "Dawnie we really need to talk." when she doesn't get an answer she tries the door knob finding it locked
Dawn lays on her bed ignoring her sister's pleas. 'Angel's my real Dad.' "He didn't want me. Neither did Hank." she sniffles hugging her teddy bear "No one wants me." she says softly
Buffy trudges downstairs to find Angel sitting on the couch his head in his hands. "I think she heard us. She's locked herself in her bedroom and won't answer me." she sits beside Angel pulling her knees up to her chest.
"I never wanted her to find out like that" Angel whispers
"I know"
Angel looks at Buffy "How am I supposed to explain why I didn't tell her?"
"Angel Dawn's smart I'm sure she'll understand."
"What am I supposed to tell her?"
"The truth Angel. She's a big girl."
"She probably won't speak to me"
Buffy shifts putting her arm around Angel's shoulders "She might she might not. Try Angel. Dawn adores you."
"Think I should try right now?"
"No time like the present" Buffy says kissing his cheek
Angel looks at her with a small smile "I love you Buff"
"Want me to come with you?"
Angel shakes his head "No. I need to do this myself." he stands walking out of the room
Dawn stares at the wall her back to the door. She glances at the door as she hears a knock.
"Dawn its me we need to talk" Angel calls
Dawn looks back at the wall
Not getting an answer Angel searches the doorframe finding the key he unlocks the door. He enters the room "You overheard us talking huh" he remarks closing the door behind him.
"I don't want to talk to you" Dawn says angrily
Angel runs his fingers through his hair "Dawn I know your angry with me."
"You lied to me" Dawn accuses sitting up
Angel goes over the the bed sitting down. "I know Dawn. I'm sorry for that. I just... I just thought it was for the best if you didn't know."
"Why?" Dawn demands looking at him angrily
Angel looks at his hands "Because I was scared you'd hate me. I didn't want who I am to interfere with your life."
"If you didn't want me why did you come to Sunnydale in the first place?" she demands a tear falling "You didn't me. He didn't either." she sniffles "No one but Mom wanted me and now she's gone." she looks away from Angel as tears fall
"Oh Dawn" Angel touches her shoulder
Dawn pulls away "Leave me alone."
"Not until we talk."
"I don't want to talk to you" Dawn says angrily
"Then don't talk just listen." Angel takes a deep breath "Dawn its not that I didn't want you... I just didn't know you existed until you were five. When I found out I wanted to get you back but I didn't know who you were or where. All I knew was that I had a daughter and I knew the approximate date that you were born but it wasn't enough. Your records were sealed and my parents wouldn't tell me where you were and I didn't know where your birth mother was." he pauses "Even so Darla didn't know who adopted you."
Dawn looks at him wiping at her face "You didn't know?"
Angel shakes his head reaching out he wipes away a tear from her cheek "I was 13 when my parents sent me away to boarding school in Ireland. It was sudden. I didn't even have time to call my friends and say goodbye. I didn't know Darla was pregnant her own parents had sent her away and she wasn't allowed to see anyone but her parents and mine. Spike and Drusilla our best friends didn't even know where she was. I was 18 when I found out what my parents had done but it was too late."
Dawn hugs her teddy bear her head down
Angel reaches out tucking a strand of hair behind her ear "I've loved you since I found out you existed."
"Why didn't you try and find me?"
"I did but after a while I stopped because I realized that you had a family. I wanted you with me but I didn't want to take you away from what you knew
as your family. Buffy and Joyce love you very much."
"He doesn't"
"I'm sure he does"
"If he loves me why does he want to take me away from you and Buffy?"
"I don't know Dawnie. But I promise I'll do whatever I can to keep you here with us."
Dawn nods wiping at her tears she looks at Angel "I don't want to leave here" she gives him a sad smile "I'm glad your my Dad." she kisses his cheek
Angel smiles "So am I." he pulls her into a hug "I love you Dawn." he says kissing the top of her head
Dawn hugs him back "Love you too"
After a few moments Angel releases her "Now how about we go downstairs and let Buffy know your OK" he suggests standing he holds his hand out to Dawn
Dawn nods standing she takes his hand.
In the kitchen Buffy looks up as Dawn and Angel enter. She pulls Dawn into a hug looking at Angel "Dawnie are you OK?"
Dawn nods hugging her sister back
Buffy steps back looking her sister over "Dawn I'm sorry you overheard that. We never meant for you to find out like that."
"I know. I shouldn't have been listening in"
"No you shouldn't have." Buffy says "Next time maybe you'll listen when we tell you to go to your room."
"You two shouldn't have kept it from me." Dawn returns
"We shouldn't have but we wanted to wait until you were ready" Angel says
"I know"
"Dawn do you want to talk about anything?" Angel asks
Dawn shrugs "I guess... I don't know." she sits at the table "Angel can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead" Angel sits across from her
"Angel what's she like? Darla I mean?"
Angel smiles faintly at the mention of his best friend "Darla... she's complex. We grew up together... she's one of my best friends. She's very stubborn... like you."
"What's she look like?" Dawn asks curiously
"Well" Angel removes his wallet from his back pocket. He removes a picture of blond haired Darla with her husband Lindsey McDonald on their wedding day. He hands it to Dawn "That's Darla and her husband. They were married six months after I left Sunnydale"
"You have a picture of your ex?!" Buffy says
Angel shrugs "Darla and I are still friends. Besides I was the one who gave her away." he removes another picture of a brown haired infant "And this is your brother Tyler Christian he's two." he hands the picture to Dawn
"I have a brother" Dawn grins
Angel nods "Yeah you do"
"Cool."
"And these are my parents" Angel removes another picture handing it to Dawn "My Dad's name is John and my Mom's name is Moira."
Buffy looks at the picture of Angel's parents "Dawn looks like your mom."
"Yeah I know."
"I have a brother and Grandparents" Dawn says amazed
"Darla's parents are alive but I haven't seen them for years and Darla doesn't speak to them."
Dawn looks at the pictures
Buffy puts her arm around Angel's shoulders kissing his cheek watching her sister look at the pictures
"Angel" Dawn looks up hesitating for a moment "do you think I could meet Darla some time?"
Angel smiles "I'm sure she'd like to meet you. I'll give her a call an invite them over sometime" he looks at Buffy
Buffy nods in agreement
"If she doesn't that's OK" Dawn says quickly
"Dawn she thinks about you all the time. I'm sure she'll love to meet you."
* * * *
Chapter 9
Next Evening
The group sits around the livingroom all but Willow stunned by the news "Guys?" Buffy asks amused by her friends reaction
"Wow" Xander says
"Didn't see that one coming" Oz remarks
"Uh Buffy what about your father?" Giles questions removing his glasses he cleans them
"He knows." Buffy says stroking her sister's hair "He wants custody of her"
"But you have custody" Willow protests
Buffy nods looking at Angel as Dawn snuggles inbetween them
"We're going to keep it that way" Angel smiles over Dawn's head "No matter what"
"Think your Dad will fight it?" Cordelia asks
Buffy shrugs "We'll have to see"
"Well you got us in anyway" Willow chimes
"Yeah we like having Dawnie around. She's our mascot" Xander grins
"Except she's not fuzzy" Oz says
thoughtfully "or an animal."
"Can a person be a mascot?" Xander wonders
Buffy rolls her eyes at Willow as the two teens discuss the mascot theory
2 Days later
"OK we'll see you then" Angel hangs up the phone looking at Buffy "Darla said they'd be here Saturday afternoon"
Buffy smiles "Dawn will be excited to hear that" she says as the doorbell rings "I'll get it." she walks to the front door opening it to find a man standing there "Yes?"
"Elizabeth Summers?" the man questions
"Yes"
"Sign here" he hands her a clipboard
Buffy signs her name
"Here you go" the man hands her an envelope "Have a nice day"
Buffy closes the door opening the envelope she reads the paper paling "What the..." she trails off walking into the kitchen "Angel" she says looking at Angel
"What's wrong beloved?" Angel asks wiping his hands off
Buffy hands the paper to him "Dad and the woman are challenging Mom's will and suing for custody of Dawnie"
"WHAT?!" Angel reads through the papers
"I can't believe he's doing this to her" she sits down at the kitchen table
Angel sits down beside her "We'll fight this love"
"I know. Its just... I can't believe this."
Angel looks at the papers "We have to go to court on Tuesday. Tomorrow I'll call the company lawyers and have someone sent out here."
Buffy moves over to his lap "What are we going to do about Dawn?"
Angel kisses her temple "We promised no more secrets or lies. We'll tell her this evening"
Buffy sighs resting her head on his shoulder "I can't lose her Angel. Not so soon after
losing Mom."
"I know baby. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that doesn't happen."
After dinner
"Dawn we need to talk" Buffy says sitting beside her sister on the couch
"Yeah sure" Dawn turns the TV off "What's up?" she asks looking at Buffy and Angel expectantly
Buffy looks at Angel briefly "Dawnie we got some good news and bad"
"OK give it to me" Dawn says
"Well Hank and his girlfriend are taking us to court" Buffy says
"Why?" Dawn demands
"They are going to challenge Mom's will." Buffy says
"We're going to fight them on it Dawn" Angel assures "Don't worry about it"
Dawn looks at Angel knowing he's serious "What's the good news?"
Angel smiles "Well tomorrow Darla is coming over with Lindsay and Tyler"
"Really?" Dawn grins
Angel nods "She said she can't wait to meet you" he looks at Buffy "both of you"
Next Afternoon
Buffy looks at Dawn sitting on the steps of the back porch "She hasn't said must since last night"
"She's had a lot of news in such a short time" Angel replies his around Buffy's shoulders "She'll be OK"
Dawn sits on the steps lost in thought as barely reacts hearing the doorbell ring
Angel makes his way to the front door opening it to find Darla standing there with Lindsey right behind her with Tyler on his hip. He grins "Come on in" he steps aside allowing them to enter he hugs Darla "How are you?"
"Great" she hugs him back
"Dawn's out back" he leads them into the kitchen "Buffy"
Buffy turns away from watching her sister to find the light haired couple entering the kitchen with a baby.
"Buffy this is Darla, Lindsey and Tyler"
Buffy smiles "Nice to meet you."
"How is she?" Darla asks
"She's doing better. She's out on the porch" Buffy says giving the blond woman a smile
Dawn senses someone behind her. She looks up to see a blond woman standing there 'Darla' she realizes
"May I?" Darla gestures
"Sure" Dawn replies
Darla sits down "I know all of this has been a surprise... scared you even. I'm sorry about that."
Dawn shrugs "Its not your fault."
"Dawn" Darla looks down "I'm sorry for any pain I've caused"
"You didn't" Dawn assures then frowns "well maybe briefly"
"I did what I thought was best. I wanted you to have a family... one better than mine."
Dawn nods "Angel explained it to me."
Darla smiles "You've grown up to be quite a young woman. Your mom raised you to be what I thought you'd be... even more than I hoped."
Inside Angel looks at Lindsey "Coffee?"
"Sounds good" Lindsey smiles
"Buffy?"
Buffy looks up from playing with Tyler on the floor "Would I say no to coffee?"
"No" Angel chuckles pouring two cups of coffee
As the phone rings Buffy jumps up grabbing it "Hello?"
Angel sets the mugs on the table listening to Buffy's speak
"This is Buffy. Yes that's mine... and my sister's. No I thought my Mom took his name off the account after the divorce. His parents" Buffy sighs "I'm not surprised. Let me find the papers and I'll call you back. What's your name?" Buffy grabs a pen writing "Thanks" Buffy hangs up "Bastard" she growls
"What's wrong?" Angel asks
"Darling Hank cleaned out our accounts. Mom never took his name off the accounts considering he put money in them." Buffy runs her fingers through her hair "Officially we now have no savings account. Dawn's college account was wiped clean. I have two accounts one and the one with Dad's name is wiped clean." she sits down "Other than my account and Mom's insurance money which isn't much and the money once we sell the Gallery we're broke."
"Your father had a legal right to your account?" Lindsey asks
"Yes but they had an unsaid agreement that the accounts wouldn't be touched by either of them." Buffy says "Now I have to go find all the statements and see if I can find any possible written agreement on the accounts. Which I don't think they ever had. Mom trusted him to keep his word. Guess he couldn't." she says bitterly
"Do you have any stocks and bonds in his name?" Lindsey asks
"I think so. I'm not sure" Buffy shrugs "I'll have to check through all the papers we have"
"My advice gather all the papers you have that links you to him especially financial and when give them to your lawyer." Lindsey says "I'm betting a judge would order him to repay the money."
"If he doesn't want to pay back my money its fine since I have my one account but Dawn doesn't."
"Mama" Tyler demands squirming on his father's lap
Lindsey stands going over he sets Tyler on his feet "Mama's right there."
Tyler grins toddling over "Mama"
Darla smiles hearing the voice turning she holds her hand out "Come 'ere you" she pulls Tyler to her kissing his cheek "Dawn this is Tyler. Ty say hi
to your sister Dawn"
"Hi Tyler" Dawn grins at her brother
Tyler buries his face in the crook of his mother's neck "hi" he says shyly
Darla laughs "Feelin' shy huh little guy"
Tyler sticks his fingers in his mouth regarding the girl beside his mother
Couple hours later
Darla and Buffy sit in the diningroom as Dawn and Tyler play in the livingroom and the guys talk in the kitchen going over paperwork "Dawn's just like I thought she'd be" Darla remarks
Buffy smiles "She's the best little sister. Growing up when Christmas came around Mom would ask us what we wanted from Santa. From the moment she could
talk she'd ask for one... OK two things"
"What?"
Buffy looks at Darla "A brother and a puppy."
Darla laughs "Well she's got one. Is she going to get the other?"
"No way" Buffy laughs
"Yeah well hope you told Angel that" Darla says with a smile
"Oh he'll know" Buffy says solemnly
Darla looks at Dawn "How is is she taking all of this?"
"Sometimes good other's bad." Buffy says
"Those two are awfully quiet"
"Which one?" Buffy asks with a smile
"I'll check on the kids" Darla says
"I'll check on the boys... make sure they haven't run away" Buffy laughs. Buffy heads into the kitchen as Darla heads into the livingroom.
Darla enters the livingroom to find Dawn and Tyler on the floor asleep infront of the TV. She smiles 'My babies in one room' she grabs an afghan from off the back of the couch covering the two. She enters the kitchen joining Buffy and the guys "They fell asleep infront of the TV."
Buffy nods "Good. She needs some sleep." she says as the phone rings she grabs it before it rings again "Hello?"
"I need a favor"
"No Xander."
"Why not?" Xander demands
"Last time I did you a favor I almost got arrested." Buffy reminds
"Well you didn't"
"Its your fault I had to wait two more years to get my drivers license"
"It was an emergency" Xander protests
"Xander an emergency is blood or broken bones not the store running out of Twinkies." Buffy says annoyed
"That was an emergency. I have to have my Twinkies. I am not my Xander self without Twinkies."
"What do you want Xander?" Buffy asks exasperated
"I need to borrow Dawnie tomorrow."
"Xander you are not borrowing my sister to hit on girls again."
"Hey that's not the reason."
"Good because Cordy would kill me" Buffy laughs "So what do you need Dawn for and is it legal?"
"Very funny. I need to buy a birthday present for one of my cousins"
"Why not ask Cordy?"
"She's mad at me right now"
"What did you do this time? Wear a Hawaiian shirt? Or the orange pants?"
"Both" he admits
"I'd be pissed at you for that. Where'd you wear them?"
"Dinner at her parents."
"You wore that to her parents?! No wonder she's mad at you."
"Look can I borrow sister or not? Its only for a few hours."
"Its up to her."
"I could kiss you"
Buffy shakes her head "Harris we've had this
conversation."
"Whatever. I'll pick her up at 11."
"Harris is taking Dawn shopping?" Angel lifts his brow
"Needs to buy a birthday present for one of his cousins." Buffy shrugs "Dawn adores him. It'll do her some good to spend time with him."
That Night
"Night" Dawn says kissing Angel and Buffy's cheeks
"Night sweetheart" Angel says watching as Dawn walks out of the kitchen
"What did you and Lindsey talk about?"
"He helped me with some ideas for how to deal with your father. He offered to help us out with anything" Angel says closing the cabinet
"God I am so not looking forward to dealing with him." Buffy groans
"It'll be OK love" Angel says putting his arms around her waist he kisses her cheek.
"I hope so" Buffy sighs leaning into his arms
"Don't worry"
"I can't help it" Buffy sighs "I just can't imagine not having Dawnie here with me everyday. She's more than my baby sister. She's my little buddy. When Mom and Dad brought her home I slept on the floor in her room for days. As annoying as she can be I can't see my everyday life without her."
Chapter 8
Few days later
"I'll get it" Buffy says kissing Angel's cheek. She walks out of the kitchen to foyer. She opens the door to find her father standing there with a brown haired woman beside him. "Dad" she says surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Buffy" Hank smiles entering the house he hugs his oldest daughter "Oh I've missed you"
Once he releases her Buffy steps back looking at her father "Why are you here Dad?"
"I came to see you and Dawn" Hank says turning to the woman at his side "Buffy this is Claudia Monnta... my fiancee."
"WHAT?!" Buffy yelps
"Buffy calm down" Hank says calmly
"Buffy?" Angel enters the foyer stopping in his tracks when he sees Buffy glaring at her father.
Buffy crosses her arms over her chest "Angel this is my father and his fiancee Claudia" she says her voice calm "This is my boyfriend Angel"
Angel nods in acknowledgement
"Where's Dawnie?" Hank asks after nodding in reply
"She's out" Buffy replies "What do you want?"
"Why don't we go sit in the livingroom" Angel suggests. The four go into the livingroom sitting down "So what can we do for you?"
"Uhm we wanted to talk about Dawn" Hank says nervously
"What about her?" Buffy demands suspiciously
"Claudia and I have been talking" Hank squeezing the woman's hand "and we have decided we want Dawn to come live with us."
"WHAT?!" Buffy exclaims angrily
"I'm home" Dawn calls walking into the house she stops in her tracks seeing her father on the couch with a strange woman at his side "What is he doing here?" she demands
Hank smiles standing he goes over hugging her "Its good to see you Dawnie" he turns to Claudia "Claudia this is Dawn"
Claudia smiles "Dawn it is so good to meet you"
"She's Dad's fiancee" Buffy says
"That's nice" Dawn crosses her arms over her chest "What's going on?" she asks going over to her sister
"Dawn we were just discussing your future"
"What about it?" Dawn asks her eyes narrowing
Hank returns to the couch sitting down taking Claudia's hand "How would you like to come live with me and Claudia?"
Dawn looks at Buffy panicked "NO. I'm staying with Buffy"
Buffy hugs her sister "Dawn's staying here Dad"
"Buffy your only 19. Dawn would be better off living with me and your father" Claudia says "Why don't we sit down and discuss this"
"Buffy honey we just want to do what's best for Dawnie. She needs parental supervision."
Buffy glares at her father "I read the divorce papers Dad"
Hank pales looking down
"Buffy" Angel says nodding at Dawn
"Mom left custody of Dawn to me and Angel"
Hank looks at Angel "Your mother left custody of Dawn to a complete stranger?!"
"Angel's my friend. He's not a stranger" Dawn argues
"Who exactly are you and why would Joyce leave you custody of our daughter?" Hank demands
"My full name is Liam Angelus Sullivan." Angel says looking at Dawn "Dawnie go upstairs"
"But" Dawn protests
"Dawn this is adult stuff" Angel says "Now go upstairs"
Dawn looks at Buffy
"We'll talk later" Buffy assures
Dawn nods walking up out of the livingroom and up the stairs
Angel looks at Hank his arms crossed over his chest "Dawn is staying with us"
"I'm her father."
"Father?!" Buffy laughs harshly "You haven't even spent time with us since the first few months we moved here. You don't call. You have the balls to show up with her in our mothers house just days after we buried her. You didn't even bother to come and see us when Mom got sick. You were too busy traveling"
"Don't take that tone with me young lady" Hank says angrily "Claudia is going to be your stepmother"
"She is not my stepmother yet."
"Buffy calm down" Angel touches his girlfriend's arm
"Hank is her father. We just want to give Dawn a stable environment." Claudia says "You two are too young to raise a teenager"
"Buffy honey Claudia and I just want to do
what's best for Dawn"
"Why so suddenly Dad? I read the custody papers. You didn't want to pay child support for Dawn."
"Buffy that is the past. Things have changed. Besides you can't afford to raise Dawn."
"She can with my help." Angel assures "Joyce knew I'd take care of them."
"I am Dawn's father not you" Hank says angrily "Have Dawn packed and ready to go tomorrow"
"Dawn isn't going anywhere with you" Angel says his voice hard
Hank stands "Who the hell are you to speak to me like that? I am Dawn's father not you"
"Actually I am" Angel returns glaring at Hank
"Am what? Someone trying to weasel his way into my daughters lives"
"No I'm Dawn's biological father"
"WHAT?!" Hank yells
At the top of the stairs Dawn swallows heavily tears blurring her vision. She stands stepping on one of the creaking boards she panics silently hurrying into her bedroom she closes the door behind her as quietly as possible locking it. She throws herself on the bed tears flowing.
Buffy frowns hearing the familiar creak. She walks out of the livingroom she goes to the bottom of the stairs.
"Your her biological father?! Prove it"
"I can." Angel says
"Did Joyce know?" Hank demands
"Yes" Angel looks at Buffy as she enters the room looking worried "Buffy?"
Buffy looks at Angel her eyes wide "I think Dawn was listening in"
Angel pales
Buffy glares at her father "I swear to God I will never forgive you for everything you've ever done to Dawn." she takes a step out of the room "Get out Hank" she orders
"Buffy" Hank says uncertainly "let me talk to Dawn"
"You've done enough damage to her" Buffy says "both of you leave or I'll call the cops." she makes her way up the stairs
"Come on Hank lets let them talk with Dawn" Claudia stands taking Hank's hand. She glances at Angel "Our lawyer will contact you." she leads Hank out of the house
Buffy knocks on Dawn's door "Dawn can I come in?" not getting an answer she knocks again. "Dawnie we really need to talk." when she doesn't get an answer she tries the door knob finding it locked
Dawn lays on her bed ignoring her sister's pleas. 'Angel's my real Dad.' "He didn't want me. Neither did Hank." she sniffles hugging her teddy bear "No one wants me." she says softly
Buffy trudges downstairs to find Angel sitting on the couch his head in his hands. "I think she heard us. She's locked herself in her bedroom and won't answer me." she sits beside Angel pulling her knees up to her chest.
"I never wanted her to find out like that" Angel whispers
"I know"
Angel looks at Buffy "How am I supposed to explain why I didn't tell her?"
"Angel Dawn's smart I'm sure she'll understand."
"What am I supposed to tell her?"
"The truth Angel. She's a big girl."
"She probably won't speak to me"
Buffy shifts putting her arm around Angel's shoulders "She might she might not. Try Angel. Dawn adores you."
"Think I should try right now?"
"No time like the present" Buffy says kissing his cheek
Angel looks at her with a small smile "I love you Buff"
"Want me to come with you?"
Angel shakes his head "No. I need to do this myself." he stands walking out of the room
Dawn stares at the wall her back to the door. She glances at the door as she hears a knock.
"Dawn its me we need to talk" Angel calls
Dawn looks back at the wall
Not getting an answer Angel searches the doorframe finding the key he unlocks the door. He enters the room "You overheard us talking huh" he remarks closing the door behind him.
"I don't want to talk to you" Dawn says angrily
Angel runs his fingers through his hair "Dawn I know your angry with me."
"You lied to me" Dawn accuses sitting up
Angel goes over the the bed sitting down. "I know Dawn. I'm sorry for that. I just... I just thought it was for the best if you didn't know."
"Why?" Dawn demands looking at him angrily
Angel looks at his hands "Because I was scared you'd hate me. I didn't want who I am to interfere with your life."
"If you didn't want me why did you come to Sunnydale in the first place?" she demands a tear falling "You didn't me. He didn't either." she sniffles "No one but Mom wanted me and now she's gone." she looks away from Angel as tears fall
"Oh Dawn" Angel touches her shoulder
Dawn pulls away "Leave me alone."
"Not until we talk."
"I don't want to talk to you" Dawn says angrily
"Then don't talk just listen." Angel takes a deep breath "Dawn its not that I didn't want you... I just didn't know you existed until you were five. When I found out I wanted to get you back but I didn't know who you were or where. All I knew was that I had a daughter and I knew the approximate date that you were born but it wasn't enough. Your records were sealed and my parents wouldn't tell me where you were and I didn't know where your birth mother was." he pauses "Even so Darla didn't know who adopted you."
Dawn looks at him wiping at her face "You didn't know?"
Angel shakes his head reaching out he wipes away a tear from her cheek "I was 13 when my parents sent me away to boarding school in Ireland. It was sudden. I didn't even have time to call my friends and say goodbye. I didn't know Darla was pregnant her own parents had sent her away and she wasn't allowed to see anyone but her parents and mine. Spike and Drusilla our best friends didn't even know where she was. I was 18 when I found out what my parents had done but it was too late."
Dawn hugs her teddy bear her head down
Angel reaches out tucking a strand of hair behind her ear "I've loved you since I found out you existed."
"Why didn't you try and find me?"
"I did but after a while I stopped because I realized that you had a family. I wanted you with me but I didn't want to take you away from what you knew
as your family. Buffy and Joyce love you very much."
"He doesn't"
"I'm sure he does"
"If he loves me why does he want to take me away from you and Buffy?"
"I don't know Dawnie. But I promise I'll do whatever I can to keep you here with us."
Dawn nods wiping at her tears she looks at Angel "I don't want to leave here" she gives him a sad smile "I'm glad your my Dad." she kisses his cheek
Angel smiles "So am I." he pulls her into a hug "I love you Dawn." he says kissing the top of her head
Dawn hugs him back "Love you too"
After a few moments Angel releases her "Now how about we go downstairs and let Buffy know your OK" he suggests standing he holds his hand out to Dawn
Dawn nods standing she takes his hand.
In the kitchen Buffy looks up as Dawn and Angel enter. She pulls Dawn into a hug looking at Angel "Dawnie are you OK?"
Dawn nods hugging her sister back
Buffy steps back looking her sister over "Dawn I'm sorry you overheard that. We never meant for you to find out like that."
"I know. I shouldn't have been listening in"
"No you shouldn't have." Buffy says "Next time maybe you'll listen when we tell you to go to your room."
"You two shouldn't have kept it from me." Dawn returns
"We shouldn't have but we wanted to wait until you were ready" Angel says
"I know"
"Dawn do you want to talk about anything?" Angel asks
Dawn shrugs "I guess... I don't know." she sits at the table "Angel can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead" Angel sits across from her
"Angel what's she like? Darla I mean?"
Angel smiles faintly at the mention of his best friend "Darla... she's complex. We grew up together... she's one of my best friends. She's very stubborn... like you."
"What's she look like?" Dawn asks curiously
"Well" Angel removes his wallet from his back pocket. He removes a picture of blond haired Darla with her husband Lindsey McDonald on their wedding day. He hands it to Dawn "That's Darla and her husband. They were married six months after I left Sunnydale"
"You have a picture of your ex?!" Buffy says
Angel shrugs "Darla and I are still friends. Besides I was the one who gave her away." he removes another picture of a brown haired infant "And this is your brother Tyler Christian he's two." he hands the picture to Dawn
"I have a brother" Dawn grins
Angel nods "Yeah you do"
"Cool."
"And these are my parents" Angel removes another picture handing it to Dawn "My Dad's name is John and my Mom's name is Moira."
Buffy looks at the picture of Angel's parents "Dawn looks like your mom."
"Yeah I know."
"I have a brother and Grandparents" Dawn says amazed
"Darla's parents are alive but I haven't seen them for years and Darla doesn't speak to them."
Dawn looks at the pictures
Buffy puts her arm around Angel's shoulders kissing his cheek watching her sister look at the pictures
"Angel" Dawn looks up hesitating for a moment "do you think I could meet Darla some time?"
Angel smiles "I'm sure she'd like to meet you. I'll give her a call an invite them over sometime" he looks at Buffy
Buffy nods in agreement
"If she doesn't that's OK" Dawn says quickly
"Dawn she thinks about you all the time. I'm sure she'll love to meet you."
* * * *
Chapter 9
Next Evening
The group sits around the livingroom all but Willow stunned by the news "Guys?" Buffy asks amused by her friends reaction
"Wow" Xander says
"Didn't see that one coming" Oz remarks
"Uh Buffy what about your father?" Giles questions removing his glasses he cleans them
"He knows." Buffy says stroking her sister's hair "He wants custody of her"
"But you have custody" Willow protests
Buffy nods looking at Angel as Dawn snuggles inbetween them
"We're going to keep it that way" Angel smiles over Dawn's head "No matter what"
"Think your Dad will fight it?" Cordelia asks
Buffy shrugs "We'll have to see"
"Well you got us in anyway" Willow chimes
"Yeah we like having Dawnie around. She's our mascot" Xander grins
"Except she's not fuzzy" Oz says
thoughtfully "or an animal."
"Can a person be a mascot?" Xander wonders
Buffy rolls her eyes at Willow as the two teens discuss the mascot theory
2 Days later
"OK we'll see you then" Angel hangs up the phone looking at Buffy "Darla said they'd be here Saturday afternoon"
Buffy smiles "Dawn will be excited to hear that" she says as the doorbell rings "I'll get it." she walks to the front door opening it to find a man standing there "Yes?"
"Elizabeth Summers?" the man questions
"Yes"
"Sign here" he hands her a clipboard
Buffy signs her name
"Here you go" the man hands her an envelope "Have a nice day"
Buffy closes the door opening the envelope she reads the paper paling "What the..." she trails off walking into the kitchen "Angel" she says looking at Angel
"What's wrong beloved?" Angel asks wiping his hands off
Buffy hands the paper to him "Dad and the woman are challenging Mom's will and suing for custody of Dawnie"
"WHAT?!" Angel reads through the papers
"I can't believe he's doing this to her" she sits down at the kitchen table
Angel sits down beside her "We'll fight this love"
"I know. Its just... I can't believe this."
Angel looks at the papers "We have to go to court on Tuesday. Tomorrow I'll call the company lawyers and have someone sent out here."
Buffy moves over to his lap "What are we going to do about Dawn?"
Angel kisses her temple "We promised no more secrets or lies. We'll tell her this evening"
Buffy sighs resting her head on his shoulder "I can't lose her Angel. Not so soon after
losing Mom."
"I know baby. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that doesn't happen."
After dinner
"Dawn we need to talk" Buffy says sitting beside her sister on the couch
"Yeah sure" Dawn turns the TV off "What's up?" she asks looking at Buffy and Angel expectantly
Buffy looks at Angel briefly "Dawnie we got some good news and bad"
"OK give it to me" Dawn says
"Well Hank and his girlfriend are taking us to court" Buffy says
"Why?" Dawn demands
"They are going to challenge Mom's will." Buffy says
"We're going to fight them on it Dawn" Angel assures "Don't worry about it"
Dawn looks at Angel knowing he's serious "What's the good news?"
Angel smiles "Well tomorrow Darla is coming over with Lindsay and Tyler"
"Really?" Dawn grins
Angel nods "She said she can't wait to meet you" he looks at Buffy "both of you"
Next Afternoon
Buffy looks at Dawn sitting on the steps of the back porch "She hasn't said must since last night"
"She's had a lot of news in such a short time" Angel replies his around Buffy's shoulders "She'll be OK"
Dawn sits on the steps lost in thought as barely reacts hearing the doorbell ring
Angel makes his way to the front door opening it to find Darla standing there with Lindsey right behind her with Tyler on his hip. He grins "Come on in" he steps aside allowing them to enter he hugs Darla "How are you?"
"Great" she hugs him back
"Dawn's out back" he leads them into the kitchen "Buffy"
Buffy turns away from watching her sister to find the light haired couple entering the kitchen with a baby.
"Buffy this is Darla, Lindsey and Tyler"
Buffy smiles "Nice to meet you."
"How is she?" Darla asks
"She's doing better. She's out on the porch" Buffy says giving the blond woman a smile
Dawn senses someone behind her. She looks up to see a blond woman standing there 'Darla' she realizes
"May I?" Darla gestures
"Sure" Dawn replies
Darla sits down "I know all of this has been a surprise... scared you even. I'm sorry about that."
Dawn shrugs "Its not your fault."
"Dawn" Darla looks down "I'm sorry for any pain I've caused"
"You didn't" Dawn assures then frowns "well maybe briefly"
"I did what I thought was best. I wanted you to have a family... one better than mine."
Dawn nods "Angel explained it to me."
Darla smiles "You've grown up to be quite a young woman. Your mom raised you to be what I thought you'd be... even more than I hoped."
Inside Angel looks at Lindsey "Coffee?"
"Sounds good" Lindsey smiles
"Buffy?"
Buffy looks up from playing with Tyler on the floor "Would I say no to coffee?"
"No" Angel chuckles pouring two cups of coffee
As the phone rings Buffy jumps up grabbing it "Hello?"
Angel sets the mugs on the table listening to Buffy's speak
"This is Buffy. Yes that's mine... and my sister's. No I thought my Mom took his name off the account after the divorce. His parents" Buffy sighs "I'm not surprised. Let me find the papers and I'll call you back. What's your name?" Buffy grabs a pen writing "Thanks" Buffy hangs up "Bastard" she growls
"What's wrong?" Angel asks
"Darling Hank cleaned out our accounts. Mom never took his name off the accounts considering he put money in them." Buffy runs her fingers through her hair "Officially we now have no savings account. Dawn's college account was wiped clean. I have two accounts one and the one with Dad's name is wiped clean." she sits down "Other than my account and Mom's insurance money which isn't much and the money once we sell the Gallery we're broke."
"Your father had a legal right to your account?" Lindsey asks
"Yes but they had an unsaid agreement that the accounts wouldn't be touched by either of them." Buffy says "Now I have to go find all the statements and see if I can find any possible written agreement on the accounts. Which I don't think they ever had. Mom trusted him to keep his word. Guess he couldn't." she says bitterly
"Do you have any stocks and bonds in his name?" Lindsey asks
"I think so. I'm not sure" Buffy shrugs "I'll have to check through all the papers we have"
"My advice gather all the papers you have that links you to him especially financial and when give them to your lawyer." Lindsey says "I'm betting a judge would order him to repay the money."
"If he doesn't want to pay back my money its fine since I have my one account but Dawn doesn't."
"Mama" Tyler demands squirming on his father's lap
Lindsey stands going over he sets Tyler on his feet "Mama's right there."
Tyler grins toddling over "Mama"
Darla smiles hearing the voice turning she holds her hand out "Come 'ere you" she pulls Tyler to her kissing his cheek "Dawn this is Tyler. Ty say hi
to your sister Dawn"
"Hi Tyler" Dawn grins at her brother
Tyler buries his face in the crook of his mother's neck "hi" he says shyly
Darla laughs "Feelin' shy huh little guy"
Tyler sticks his fingers in his mouth regarding the girl beside his mother
Couple hours later
Darla and Buffy sit in the diningroom as Dawn and Tyler play in the livingroom and the guys talk in the kitchen going over paperwork "Dawn's just like I thought she'd be" Darla remarks
Buffy smiles "She's the best little sister. Growing up when Christmas came around Mom would ask us what we wanted from Santa. From the moment she could
talk she'd ask for one... OK two things"
"What?"
Buffy looks at Darla "A brother and a puppy."
Darla laughs "Well she's got one. Is she going to get the other?"
"No way" Buffy laughs
"Yeah well hope you told Angel that" Darla says with a smile
"Oh he'll know" Buffy says solemnly
Darla looks at Dawn "How is is she taking all of this?"
"Sometimes good other's bad." Buffy says
"Those two are awfully quiet"
"Which one?" Buffy asks with a smile
"I'll check on the kids" Darla says
"I'll check on the boys... make sure they haven't run away" Buffy laughs. Buffy heads into the kitchen as Darla heads into the livingroom.
Darla enters the livingroom to find Dawn and Tyler on the floor asleep infront of the TV. She smiles 'My babies in one room' she grabs an afghan from off the back of the couch covering the two. She enters the kitchen joining Buffy and the guys "They fell asleep infront of the TV."
Buffy nods "Good. She needs some sleep." she says as the phone rings she grabs it before it rings again "Hello?"
"I need a favor"
"No Xander."
"Why not?" Xander demands
"Last time I did you a favor I almost got arrested." Buffy reminds
"Well you didn't"
"Its your fault I had to wait two more years to get my drivers license"
"It was an emergency" Xander protests
"Xander an emergency is blood or broken bones not the store running out of Twinkies." Buffy says annoyed
"That was an emergency. I have to have my Twinkies. I am not my Xander self without Twinkies."
"What do you want Xander?" Buffy asks exasperated
"I need to borrow Dawnie tomorrow."
"Xander you are not borrowing my sister to hit on girls again."
"Hey that's not the reason."
"Good because Cordy would kill me" Buffy laughs "So what do you need Dawn for and is it legal?"
"Very funny. I need to buy a birthday present for one of my cousins"
"Why not ask Cordy?"
"She's mad at me right now"
"What did you do this time? Wear a Hawaiian shirt? Or the orange pants?"
"Both" he admits
"I'd be pissed at you for that. Where'd you wear them?"
"Dinner at her parents."
"You wore that to her parents?! No wonder she's mad at you."
"Look can I borrow sister or not? Its only for a few hours."
"Its up to her."
"I could kiss you"
Buffy shakes her head "Harris we've had this
conversation."
"Whatever. I'll pick her up at 11."
"Harris is taking Dawn shopping?" Angel lifts his brow
"Needs to buy a birthday present for one of his cousins." Buffy shrugs "Dawn adores him. It'll do her some good to spend time with him."
That Night
"Night" Dawn says kissing Angel and Buffy's cheeks
"Night sweetheart" Angel says watching as Dawn walks out of the kitchen
"What did you and Lindsey talk about?"
"He helped me with some ideas for how to deal with your father. He offered to help us out with anything" Angel says closing the cabinet
"God I am so not looking forward to dealing with him." Buffy groans
"It'll be OK love" Angel says putting his arms around her waist he kisses her cheek.
"I hope so" Buffy sighs leaning into his arms
"Don't worry"
"I can't help it" Buffy sighs "I just can't imagine not having Dawnie here with me everyday. She's more than my baby sister. She's my little buddy. When Mom and Dad brought her home I slept on the floor in her room for days. As annoying as she can be I can't see my everyday life without her."