Chapter 8 – 'Tears In The Zoo'
Her packed bag sat in the corner ready to go home. She had been in hospital with Allen for 5 days now it was time for them to go home. She stared down at her baby as he lay on her made bed, now dressed in a blue baby grow courtesy of Fred. The flowers and the balloons were still tied to the bed where everyone had showered her with gifts. Cordelia was looking forward to going home. Home. When had she started thinking off the hotel as home? The answer hit her like a brick wall. She had thought of the hotel as home since a few weeks after Angel had come back from Darla with his epiphany. Buffy , Tara, Willow, Glies, Xander and Spike had left three days after she had went into hospital. She was glad. The last thing she needed was Buffy flinging her insults left, right and center. They had all been invited back for the christening and all had agreed, even Buffy. The shadow descended across the room from the door.
"Hi Gunn." She said without turning around.
"How'd you do that Barbie? It's creepy. You ready to go yet?" Gunn asked impatiently.
"Yep, bag is in the corner, the flowers and balloons are being picked up later and this little bundle of joy..." She picked up Allen and cradled him close to her chest before putting him into his baby carrier. "...is coming home today to meet the family, again." Cordelia smiled down at Allen but he was asleep and never seen it. "So how come Angel didn't pick me up?"
"Cordelia, look outside. It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon. What did you want? A flaming ball of ash or a souled Vampire as a boyfriend?" Gunn joked.
They left the hospital and headed straight back to the hotel. Cordelia felt good walking through the doors of the hotel, walking into her home. There were balloons and streamers everywhere. A big banner over the arc at the staircase gave the occasion. "IT'S A BOY, IT'S A BOY." It exclaimed. Angel stood in the corner a lop-sided grin displayed on his face, unable to hide his joy and thanking the Powers time and time again. It was the one thing that they managed to get right.
Once Allen was tucked up safely in his spell protected room, one of Willow and Tara's many gifts, Cordelia went back downstairs to the party, which by now was quieter and more subdued. Fred sat on the couch talking happily with Wesley, Gunn looking disgruntled in the corner. Angel sat by the stairs waiting for Cordelia to come back down.
"Well I am going to go and get Taco's so I'll see ya when I get back." Fred announced. "Gunn could you give a ride?"
Gunn stood up, a happy grin now in place of the frown. Wesley looked a little hurt by the obvious change of affection of Fred.
The two left now chatting happily to each other about Mexico and how Fred would like to visit there. When Gunn was with Fred he seemed totally different to the hard man act that he put up. Angel like the change in Gunn and was happy that he could at last be himself.
"Well Cordelia I am glad you home at last. Angel gives the saying 'Bear with a sore head' a new meaning. I am so proud of you both. I just hope that you will let little Allen call me Uncle Wesley."
Cordelia flung her arms around him. "Of course Wes. You are his Uncle Wes. Just hope that means you're up for baby-sitting duties and me and Angel were wondering if you would be Allen's godfather. I mean you are the one we have known the longest."
Wesley grinned from ear to ear and forcefully hugged Cordelia back. He went to hug Angel but thought better of it and instead he shock Angels hand vigorously. "I would be honored. Thank-you so much." Wesley walked from the hotel still muttering 'Uncle Wesley' and 'Godfather Wesley.'
Angel and Cordelia lay in bed later that evening both exhausted by the day and nights events.
"So if Wesley is the godfather, who is gonna be the godmother then?" Angel asked, his arms protectively wrapped around Cordelias waist
"Fred of course. That kinda leaves Gunn left out huh? What do we do there?" Cordelia wrinkled up he nose like she did when she was confused.
"Well since each parent is meant to pick out godparents why don't I have Gunn and Buffy?"
Cordelia exploded in laughter. "I will not have Buffy as a godmother to my child. She hates me and plus Gunn doesn't like her so it wouldn't work. How about Willow? She has always treated us fairly and was the only one that didn't judge us for being together."
"OK, Gunn as a godfather and Willow as a godmother. So Allen is going to have a witch, ex-homie, ex-watcher and a Pylea refugee as godparents. Lets just hope he never finds out or he is going to be one confused little boy when he grows up."
"Cordelia he is already going to be one confused little boy when he grows up. How do you tell your son that he is never going to have any brothers and sister and that he is going to be the only one that can save the world from demons and Vampires?" Angel added sadly.
Cordelia muttered something and turned over to sleep. Angel smelt salt and realised Cordelia was crying. He wrapped his arms further around her and cursed himself for bring up the issue.
Next Day
Cordelia tiredly descended the stairs, wearing Angels robe and looked around. There wasn't a soul around. She heard the lock slid out of the main door and looked over to see Fred trying to sneak in. She was still wearing the clothes that she had had on the night before. This didn't go unnoticed by Cordelia.
"What time do you call this Fred?" Cordelia asked in a stern tone but giggled when she saw Freds frightened face. "I didn't man but serious where have you been? You didn't come home last night from the looks of it."
Fred looked down at her clothes. "Oh I stayed with Gunn last night. He asked me out and I said yes." Fred said as if it was an everyday occurrence.
Cordelia squealed. "Sit down, I'll get coffee an you'll till me all about it." Cordelia was back within seconds with two mugs of brewed Coffee. "So. What happened?"
"Well we went to get Tacos and then I realised that I had never seen where Gunn lives. He was a bit hesitant 'bout showin' me but he took me to his little apartment. It's small but he's got it lookin' real nice. Well for a guys place anyhow. So we sat up and talked 'till 5 in the morning. I said that I would get a cab home but he said I could just stay. It was as he was pulling the blankets out for the couch when he just came out and asked me. I couldn't believe it. I said yes but I don't love him, I just really like him. Do I have to love him to go out with him?"
"No. I didn't love Angel at first, we were best friends first but something changed. You have to learn to love someone. I don't believe in love in first sight. So what happened after he asked you?"
Fred giggled shyly and then smiled brightly. "We kissed. He has the softest lips and he's really good. Anyway he took the couch and gave me his bed. Then he gave me a ride back this morning."
The two women were still gossiping when Wesley strode through the door. He was whistling the tune to 'Danny Boy' and had a happy swagger in his step.
"Oh. Two women gossiping. Men beware." He jovial.
"No we're just discussing Fred and Gunn. he asked her out last night and she said yes. Isn't that great."
Wesley stopped whistling and his face turned ash white. Fred looked guiltily at the floor. "That's...that's great Fred. I hope you are happy." Wesley said, putting on his best fake smile while all the while his hear t was breaking.
A wail from upstairs disturbed the tension. "Well that would be my son. Feeding time at the zoo I think." Cordelia fled to the stairs, her robe billowing behind her.
"Wesley..." Fred started.
"Don't Fred. I am happy for you...I really am. I mean you and Gunn will make a lovely couple." Wesley said, his grin still in place, only slipping a little when he seen Freds grief stricken face.
"I didn't mean to hurt you Wesley. I really didn't. I wanted to tell you in private but Cordelia sprung me this morning. Wesley please say we'll still be friends." She pleaded.
"We'll always be friends Fred. You will never lose that from me. I promise. Now if you will excuse me I have a lot of work to." He let Fred sitting on the couch while he hid behind the door of his office and let the tears fall and his heart to break even further.
Her packed bag sat in the corner ready to go home. She had been in hospital with Allen for 5 days now it was time for them to go home. She stared down at her baby as he lay on her made bed, now dressed in a blue baby grow courtesy of Fred. The flowers and the balloons were still tied to the bed where everyone had showered her with gifts. Cordelia was looking forward to going home. Home. When had she started thinking off the hotel as home? The answer hit her like a brick wall. She had thought of the hotel as home since a few weeks after Angel had come back from Darla with his epiphany. Buffy , Tara, Willow, Glies, Xander and Spike had left three days after she had went into hospital. She was glad. The last thing she needed was Buffy flinging her insults left, right and center. They had all been invited back for the christening and all had agreed, even Buffy. The shadow descended across the room from the door.
"Hi Gunn." She said without turning around.
"How'd you do that Barbie? It's creepy. You ready to go yet?" Gunn asked impatiently.
"Yep, bag is in the corner, the flowers and balloons are being picked up later and this little bundle of joy..." She picked up Allen and cradled him close to her chest before putting him into his baby carrier. "...is coming home today to meet the family, again." Cordelia smiled down at Allen but he was asleep and never seen it. "So how come Angel didn't pick me up?"
"Cordelia, look outside. It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon. What did you want? A flaming ball of ash or a souled Vampire as a boyfriend?" Gunn joked.
They left the hospital and headed straight back to the hotel. Cordelia felt good walking through the doors of the hotel, walking into her home. There were balloons and streamers everywhere. A big banner over the arc at the staircase gave the occasion. "IT'S A BOY, IT'S A BOY." It exclaimed. Angel stood in the corner a lop-sided grin displayed on his face, unable to hide his joy and thanking the Powers time and time again. It was the one thing that they managed to get right.
Once Allen was tucked up safely in his spell protected room, one of Willow and Tara's many gifts, Cordelia went back downstairs to the party, which by now was quieter and more subdued. Fred sat on the couch talking happily with Wesley, Gunn looking disgruntled in the corner. Angel sat by the stairs waiting for Cordelia to come back down.
"Well I am going to go and get Taco's so I'll see ya when I get back." Fred announced. "Gunn could you give a ride?"
Gunn stood up, a happy grin now in place of the frown. Wesley looked a little hurt by the obvious change of affection of Fred.
The two left now chatting happily to each other about Mexico and how Fred would like to visit there. When Gunn was with Fred he seemed totally different to the hard man act that he put up. Angel like the change in Gunn and was happy that he could at last be himself.
"Well Cordelia I am glad you home at last. Angel gives the saying 'Bear with a sore head' a new meaning. I am so proud of you both. I just hope that you will let little Allen call me Uncle Wesley."
Cordelia flung her arms around him. "Of course Wes. You are his Uncle Wes. Just hope that means you're up for baby-sitting duties and me and Angel were wondering if you would be Allen's godfather. I mean you are the one we have known the longest."
Wesley grinned from ear to ear and forcefully hugged Cordelia back. He went to hug Angel but thought better of it and instead he shock Angels hand vigorously. "I would be honored. Thank-you so much." Wesley walked from the hotel still muttering 'Uncle Wesley' and 'Godfather Wesley.'
Angel and Cordelia lay in bed later that evening both exhausted by the day and nights events.
"So if Wesley is the godfather, who is gonna be the godmother then?" Angel asked, his arms protectively wrapped around Cordelias waist
"Fred of course. That kinda leaves Gunn left out huh? What do we do there?" Cordelia wrinkled up he nose like she did when she was confused.
"Well since each parent is meant to pick out godparents why don't I have Gunn and Buffy?"
Cordelia exploded in laughter. "I will not have Buffy as a godmother to my child. She hates me and plus Gunn doesn't like her so it wouldn't work. How about Willow? She has always treated us fairly and was the only one that didn't judge us for being together."
"OK, Gunn as a godfather and Willow as a godmother. So Allen is going to have a witch, ex-homie, ex-watcher and a Pylea refugee as godparents. Lets just hope he never finds out or he is going to be one confused little boy when he grows up."
"Cordelia he is already going to be one confused little boy when he grows up. How do you tell your son that he is never going to have any brothers and sister and that he is going to be the only one that can save the world from demons and Vampires?" Angel added sadly.
Cordelia muttered something and turned over to sleep. Angel smelt salt and realised Cordelia was crying. He wrapped his arms further around her and cursed himself for bring up the issue.
Next Day
Cordelia tiredly descended the stairs, wearing Angels robe and looked around. There wasn't a soul around. She heard the lock slid out of the main door and looked over to see Fred trying to sneak in. She was still wearing the clothes that she had had on the night before. This didn't go unnoticed by Cordelia.
"What time do you call this Fred?" Cordelia asked in a stern tone but giggled when she saw Freds frightened face. "I didn't man but serious where have you been? You didn't come home last night from the looks of it."
Fred looked down at her clothes. "Oh I stayed with Gunn last night. He asked me out and I said yes." Fred said as if it was an everyday occurrence.
Cordelia squealed. "Sit down, I'll get coffee an you'll till me all about it." Cordelia was back within seconds with two mugs of brewed Coffee. "So. What happened?"
"Well we went to get Tacos and then I realised that I had never seen where Gunn lives. He was a bit hesitant 'bout showin' me but he took me to his little apartment. It's small but he's got it lookin' real nice. Well for a guys place anyhow. So we sat up and talked 'till 5 in the morning. I said that I would get a cab home but he said I could just stay. It was as he was pulling the blankets out for the couch when he just came out and asked me. I couldn't believe it. I said yes but I don't love him, I just really like him. Do I have to love him to go out with him?"
"No. I didn't love Angel at first, we were best friends first but something changed. You have to learn to love someone. I don't believe in love in first sight. So what happened after he asked you?"
Fred giggled shyly and then smiled brightly. "We kissed. He has the softest lips and he's really good. Anyway he took the couch and gave me his bed. Then he gave me a ride back this morning."
The two women were still gossiping when Wesley strode through the door. He was whistling the tune to 'Danny Boy' and had a happy swagger in his step.
"Oh. Two women gossiping. Men beware." He jovial.
"No we're just discussing Fred and Gunn. he asked her out last night and she said yes. Isn't that great."
Wesley stopped whistling and his face turned ash white. Fred looked guiltily at the floor. "That's...that's great Fred. I hope you are happy." Wesley said, putting on his best fake smile while all the while his hear t was breaking.
A wail from upstairs disturbed the tension. "Well that would be my son. Feeding time at the zoo I think." Cordelia fled to the stairs, her robe billowing behind her.
"Wesley..." Fred started.
"Don't Fred. I am happy for you...I really am. I mean you and Gunn will make a lovely couple." Wesley said, his grin still in place, only slipping a little when he seen Freds grief stricken face.
"I didn't mean to hurt you Wesley. I really didn't. I wanted to tell you in private but Cordelia sprung me this morning. Wesley please say we'll still be friends." She pleaded.
"We'll always be friends Fred. You will never lose that from me. I promise. Now if you will excuse me I have a lot of work to." He let Fred sitting on the couch while he hid behind the door of his office and let the tears fall and his heart to break even further.