Title: Please, Don't Leave Me

Rating: PG-13

Author: Michele          

E-mail: WP82787@aol.com

Couples: Cordelia/Angel,
Feedback: Yes please! Much needed!
Disclaimer: Angel and crew belong to the magnificent Joss Whedon and company. Nothing is mine, just my imagination. *g*     

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Epilogue (Angel's POV)

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I stand here, staring at the engraved letters and numbers of a very special person who died one year ago today. I set the flowers on her gravestone, which is in white marble carved in a perfect arch.

Cordelia Chase

1981 – 2006

Beloved Friend and Mother

She sacrificed everything

To save others

I can still feel her presence. It surrounds me and gives me strength when I think I can't go on. I swear I can still see her beautiful face sitting at her desk, smiling brightly, as the gang and I talk about meaningless nonsense. I can feel her wrap her arms around me when I wake up from a nightmare about how she left me.

She's always there even though I can't see her.

I kneel at her grave and talk to her as if she could here me.

"Fred and Gunn have come back to work and Connor started to go to college here in L.A. He wanted to keep an eye on me. Make sure I don't get into any trouble.

That's my boy just like his Mom. The Scoobies are doing well. They sent us a signed card by everyone, even Spike, of sympathy today. They still think about you. You were a very special person. There is and well never be anyone like you, you know that? I miss you so much and I can't help but think of all the things I never got to tell you. Please forgive me."

I stare down and run my cold fingertips over the engraved writing. I promised myself I would never forget and always come and visit her. She deserves that much.

We've pretty much moved on but never stop without thinking about her. She will always remain a part of us no matter what.

Her belongings still remain where they are except for her apartment. We moved those things to the hotel. We invited Dennis to come and stay with us and he accepted thinking Cordy would have wanted it that way. He misses her too.

"Come on Dad. Lets go." My son calls to me from the car. We both came here to see her but that was 2 hours ago. Connor seemed to be getting a little restless so I think it's time to go.

With one last goodbye, I brush my lips lightly against the top of her grave and rise to my feet.

"I love you Cordy." I turn to leave and get back into my car. With one last look, my son and I drive away to return to the lives she wanted us to continue. But not a day goes by do I not think of the words she spoke to me before I made the biggest mistake of my life.

"Please, Don't Leave Me."

How ironic is that?

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"Angel, are you trying to say you love me?"

"What?"

"I love you too."

"You do…?"

– Cordelia and Angel in 'Offspring'

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Soooo? What did you think? I tried my best and I worked a long time on it. No you get why the title is what it is? Cool huh? Well, let me know hat you think and I hope to continue to write more stories and get better at it. Thanks again Corinne for your support and suggestions! Peaceout! ~Michele~