Part Seven

Arriving at the house Angel was immediately taken by how large and impressive it was, and was astounded at the idea that Alexander must be immensely rich. Now that did feel wrong, money and Xander just didn't mix, but then this *wasn't * Xander. He had to keep reminding himself of that.

'We have another house in San Francisco, we're actually going to be heading down there soon, but we rather like the Los Angeles house, during the winter.' Alexander told them.

'Of course.' Angel politely offered but was slightly confused to think that Alexander and Anya clearly lived together, despite the fact that they weren't married yet. It was certainly against the customs of his time. Although this was a different world perhaps things were different here Angel thought and pushed his unease away.

The doors of the carriage were opened and footmen helped them out and they were lead up into the house where a doorman opened the door, tipping his cap as he passed. The foyer of the house was huge and almost imperial there were two grand stair cases sweeping down from either side leading upstairs, and for a moment Angel was reminded of the Hyperion. The whole place was richly decorated with reds and gold and a huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Wow, quite frankly didn't cover it.

A servant had gone ahead to tell the house of their arrival and a whole wing had been prepared for Buffy, Angel, Dawn and Connor. The wing was just as impressive as the Foyer, only more so, there were separate rooms for Dawn and Connor as well as a room for Buffy and Angel, with a suite of rooms to go with it, Parlours, and dressing rooms and bathrooms. Given that there were several suites of similar sizes, Angel was surprised to hear that there was no one else staying there. 'I was never as interested in socialising as my father was, but he rather instead on having a party house for me. Still, it comes in handy sometimes.' Alexander had told him when he had asked him. The house certainly didn't lack in servants either and from his experience Angel knew that there were undoubtedly a lot more behind the scenes.

After a supper in the winter dining room Dawn had gone to bed and the adults settled in to the living room and sat playing cards until late. After that Angel's desire to be alone with Buffy totally overtook him and he made an excuse and he led Buffy up to their room.

Buffy kissed Angel gently as he carried her into their room, he put her down at the foot of the four-poster bed, and they stood kissing intensely arms wrapped around each other. After a moment's consideration, Angel pulled away from her sending a questioning gaze into her eyes. She just pulled his face back down to hers and kissed him hungrily, she pressed herself against Angel's chest, while his hands ran up and down her back searching for the fastenings.

Waking up next to Angel for the first time had to be one of the best experiences of Buffy's life. Angel hadn't told her but she somehow had that feeling that on that forgotten day, he hadn't been there when she woke up. Angel was still asleep, so she kissed him gently to wake him up. He grinned wickedly and tightened his hold on her.

'How are you?' He asked nibbling at her ear.

'Fine. I like this, you being here when I wake up.'

'You're right, it's wonderful being woken up by you.'

'I love you.'

'I love you too.'

'Do we have to get up?' Buffy asked him as he started climbing out the massive bed.

'Yes, we do.'

'Why?' Buffy said collapsing back into the pillows. 'I want to spend all day in bed, with you. Don't you?'

'I wouldn't want anything less lover, but we have to keep up appearances, or what will they think?'

'Who cares?' Buffy said, but struggled out of bed anyway. She sighed and looked around for some clothes. 'Angel, where are our clothes?'

'The servants will have picked them up while we were asleep,' He tossed her a night-gown. 'If you go down to the dressing room, they'll dress you for breakfast.'

'Oh, do they dress me all the time?' She shrugged the night-gown on and looked up at him puzzled. 'How many times do I have to get dressed a day anyway?'

'When I was young, it was a lot. At least three times if not more, depends, on the occasion.'

'I think I could get used to this.' Buffy told him, and kissed him sweetly. 'But I really wish we could spend all day in bed, preferably with lots of ice-cream.' Angel laughed and then guided her to the door.

'The sooner we get out of bed, the sooner we can get back in.' He promised her.

Weeks later Angel and Alexander were talking to each other in the drawing room, discussing the future.

'Angel,' Alexander started, 'Anya and I are going to go away to San Francisco, and are to be married there. I've been building the house their for years. I've had to use my own money to build it and some financial security for us you see.' He added, after Angel gave him a questioning look. 'My parents don't approve of me marrying Anya, she's not wealthy enough or something.' He said bitterly. 'So we are going to elope, sort of go missing, for all intents and purposes, and I'd like very much for you and Buffy to keep this house. And, I have a job arranged for you an art dealer, I was offered the position but… it would be a reason to keep me here so I suggested you, they said the jobs yours.'

'Won't your family mind?'

'They won't have much choice about it. I went to my lawyer a few days ago and told him that's what I wanted. He's a trusted friend of mine, he won't tell my family he knows where I'm going.'

'In that case it is very, very kind of you to offer but I'm not sure if…'

'Don't you dare say no.' Anya's cry came from the doorway, Buffy was standing next to her and the look she was giving him said quiet clearly he had to except.

'We're very grateful.' Buffy finally said when Angel refused to say anything. 'You've shown us so much kindness, when you could have just left us. So, thank you, we'll look after the house for you. Just in case you ever decide to come back and claim it.' Alexander looked pointedly at Angel, and after weighing the decision in his head he nodded his consent.

'Good, we're leaving now, if any of our relatives try and make you leave then this is the address of my lawyer. Send them over to him and he'll set them straight.'

Angel and Buffy followed Alexander and Anya out; where they once again thanked the couple profusely for their kindness, and watched as there carriage left the grounds into the dark night, never to return to The Priory again.

Angel turned to Buffy who smiled up at him leaning into him so whispered happily 'Welcome to our home.'