A/N: Okay, just so you know, those aren't spelling errors in Asiaree's
dialogue. She's three years old, and she has a little trouble with her r's.
:)
Chapter 18: Seventeen, Falling Fast, and the Honeymooners
One Year Later
"Okay. I'm going to ask her."
"All right!" Journey yelled excitedly. Then, catching himself, he calmed down, adding, "Why, Dad, I think that's an excellent idea."
Angel stopped pacing to look at his son. "You think so? 'Cause I'm not all that sure—"
"Da-ad! Come on! You know it's a great idea. Plus, it's only a dream come true for the both of us. My mom and dad will finally be married! And besides, you've been in love with Cordelia since – well, most likely since before I was even born. Okay? So, basically, it's about damn time."
"Journey," Angel said, sighing, "What have I told you about—"
Journey shook his head. "Cool it, Dad. I'm going to be 18 later this year, okay? So, I think I can pretty much say what I want to."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Okay, you know at this point, I don't even care. I'm not going to argue with you about it."
"Good! Finally after 16 years, you realize that arguing with me is like arguing with a brick wall."
"You know, those Powers decide to send me one miracle in all my years and it just has to be you." Angel took one look at Journey and shook his head. "If I ever meet these powers, I'm gonna ask them for a refund."
"Whatever." Journey paused. "So.. when? When are you going to ask her?"
"Tonight.. I think."
"Oh, this is exciting! Do you have a ring already?"
"Yes. It's just this." He held up a modest gold band with a diamond set in the middle surrounded by four tiny emeralds.
"Just this?! Dad, she'll love it. Trust me. So, what all do you have planned? And please, spare me the X-rated details if there are any."
Angel frowned at his weird son. "Uh… okay. I had planned a moonlit picnic on the rooftop. Do you think that'll work?"
"Oh, sure. It'll be great."
"And don't even think about following us up there."
Journey tried to act offended. "Dad… I'm shocked. How could you even think that I'd do something like that?"
"Journey." Angel said, warningly.
"Okay, okay. Fine. I get ya. I'll stay down here.. or something."
Angel shut his eyes tight and sighed as all his thoughts centered on the night before him. "Oh, Journey, I am so nervous. I feel kind of sick—"
Journey jumped up and headed toward the door. "All right, that's my cue to leave. I will not be thrown-up on again. Once is enough, thank you." Journey opened the door and left his Dad alone, calling out "Good Luck!" behind him.
* * *
Journey made his way slowly downstairs. He was getting so bored lately. He was beginning to consider accepting the full scholarship offer that UCLA had given him 3 years ago when he'd made a 31 on his ACTs and an 1400 combined on his SATs. He'd told himself that he didn't need school. But 3 years later, he was having trouble finding ways to keep himself occupied.
As he came into the lobby, he noticed a pretty girl with long curly brown hair standing in the middle of the room, trying to get little Asiaree to behave.
"Asiaree Traedor Gunn!" The girl reprimanded. "Sit down, now, or I'll call your mom. I swear I will!"
Asiaree cocked her little braided-pigtailed head and stuck her tongue out.
Journey noticed the girl's jaw had dropped and she now placed her hands on her hips. "I'm supposed to be watching you, Asiaree. Which means you are to do as I tell you."
Asiaree frowned at her sitter. But then, she saw Journey as he stepped into the lobby, and her face lit up. She ran to him, her arms open. "Jowney! Jowney!"
He knelt and picked her up, swinging her into the air. He hugged her tight and kissed her chubby cheek. "How's my girl today?"
Asiaree beamed at him. "Fine."
"Fine? Well, that's excellent. You want to do something for me?" Asiaree nodded. "I was looking at my room up there, and I realized that there's a spot on the wall that's totally empty. And I thought to myself, 'Self, do you know what you need up on that wall?'"
Asiaree giggled. "What did he say? What did he say?"
"He said that I need a picture made by Asiaree up there." He looked at her. "So, will you do me a favor? Will you make me a picture for my lonely wall?"
Asiaree nodded and grinned. "I'll color five pickures for you, Jowney."
Journey set her down gently on the floor and Asiaree ran over to her coloring book and crayons.
Journey turned to Asiaree's sitter. "And that, my dear, is how it's done."
"Easy for you to say. She hates me."
"She doesn't hate you."
"Yes, she does."
"Okay, so maybe just a little." They laughed.
"So, where's Gunn and Faith?" Journey asked.
"They went to kill some Slogtorth demon." She paused. "Of course, I think they just fed me that excuse so I wouldn't say no to watching the devil child."
Journey looked at the girl, realizing how truly beautiful she was. She had big brown eyes that peeked out from under long lashes. She had high cheekbones with a cute button nose resting in the middle of her face. She was also tall, but not too tall. She seemed to know about their entire way of life and Journey wondered if he'd ever met her before. 'Of course, you haven't.' He told himself. 'You'd remember a beautiful girl like that, wouldn't you? Unless, of course, you're stupid. Which you've been known to be from time to time.'
Asiaree looked up from coloring. "Hey! I'm thirsty!"
The girl sighed. "And I suppose you want me to do something about that." She started to the kitchen. "Don't move. I'll be right back."
Asiaree waited until her sitter had disappeared around the corner before standing up and moving the left about two feet.
Journey laughed as he watched her. "I've certainly taught you well." He paused. "So, Asia baby, who's that girl? I mean, what's her name?"
Asiaree looked to the kitchen door, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "THAT is stupid, stupid Chawlie." She stuck out her tongue. "She's stupid."
"Really? I had no idea that you felt that way about her." Journey looked towards the kitchen. "So, that's Charlie?" He sighed, thinking about the times when he hated her. Of course, it'd been years since he'd talked to her or even seen her. And now, she didn't seem all that… well, hateable.
Charlie walked back in, holding a juice box for Asiaree. Asiaree pouted.
"I wanted a Coke!" She protested.
"Well, it's this or nothing."
Asiaree took the juice box slowly, frowning. She looked at Journey. "See, I told you she was stupid."
"Asiaree!" Charlie dropped her face in her hands for a moment. "Stop it, okay? Why can't you just pretend to like me? We can just sit here silently, you here, me there. And I'll study for my final exams while you color. Do you think you can do that?"
Asiaree stared at her, before simply replying, "No."
Journey looked back and forth between the two of them. "Hey, I have an idea. How about I go upstairs and find a book for me to read to Asiaree, and when I get back, I'll take her off your hands while you study for your.. finals, is it?"
"Yes. I have to pass them to move on to the eleventh grade." Charlie confirmed.
Journey smiled. "Okay. Will that plan work?" He looked at the two girls, who nodded. "All right, I'll be back in a few minutes. And Asiee, behave for me, okay?" He winked at Asiaree before going upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time.
Charlie watched him go, then turned to Asiaree, smiling. "You know, he's kind of cute."
Asiaree's little face clouded over, and she threw the crayon in her hand at Charlie. "Ouch!" Charlie exclaimed as the crayon hit her in the arm. "What was that for?"
"He is not yours!"
Charlie shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
"Jowney! He is not yours. He mine!"
"I didn't say he was mine!"
Asiaree squinted her eyes. "I saws the way you was lookin' at him. He not yours. He mine. MY boyfwiend." She threw another crayon in Charlie's direction.
"Ow!" Charlie held up her hands in surrender. "All right! All right! He's yours. I'm sorry I even looked at him."
"Yeah, you should be sowwy. I could poked your eyes wight out." She held up a crayon menacingly.
"Don't! Please. I need my eyes." Charlie dropped her hands, placing them behind her back. "I promise not to think such thoughts ever again." She crossed fingers on both hands as she said this.
"Good."
"Okay." Journey said, coming back downstairs. "I've decided that we're going to start on the first Harry Potter book. It's a classic, Asiaree, you're gonna love it."
"Will ya use funny voices?" She asked, standing up, leaving her crayons behind.
"Of course, I will." He grinned at her.
"Okay." Charlotte walked over to her books, which were sitting on the lobby desk. "I'll be over there if you need me. The little brat's all yours."
"Shut up, stupid ugly Chawlie."
Charlie looked at little Asiaree, and threw her hands up in the air. "Ugh!"
"Come here, you little tiger." Journey said, picking up the giggling girl. "We're going to read at the top of the stairs. Won't that be fun?"
"But.. my mommy says I can't be on them." She told him as he carried her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "She says I'll fall."
"Nah, I'll protect ya." He set her down gently on the landing at the top of the stairs, then sat down beside her, leaning up against the wall. Placing Asiaree on his lap, he slowly opened the book and began to read.
After a few minutes, he stopped reading, his attention on Charlie. "You know, Asia baby, you should be nicer to her. I mean, what has she done to you?"
"I don't care. I don't like her."
Journey thought back to when he was Asiaree's age. "When I was your age, I didn't like her either." He said, with a laugh. "But that's no excuse for you to treat her like that." He looked at Charlie, pausing for a moment. "She's really pretty…"
Asiaree's jaw dropped and she crossed her arms. "Not you too!"
"Not me what?" Journey asked. "Asia, what's wrong?"
"You can't like Chawlie! It's not fair." She said mournfully.
"What's not fair?"
"I don't want you to like Chawlie. Please don't like her. Please."
He looked at her, not knowing what to say. "Why? Why don't you want me to like Charlie?"
"Just pwomise me that you don't like her." Her deep brown eyes began to water.
"All right, Asiaree, if it means that much to you."
She hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you, Jowney."
"Will you tell me someday what the problem is?" She nodded. "Good." He stroked her hair and said softly, "Asiaree?"
"Yeah?"
"You know, that no matter who I like, whether it's Charlie or some other girl, you'll always be my girl. No matter what." He looked at her for a moment, then kissed the top of her head gently. Then, he turned his attention back to the book and his reading.
* * *
A few hours later…
Angel was pacing the rooftop, playing with the ring in his hands. Cordelia took a sip of her champagne and laughed. "Angel, come on, sit down, and relax."
"I can't. I'm nervous." He said quickly.
"Nervous? About what?"
He sighed, and then turned towards her. "Cordy, I was wondering…" He got down on one knee and took her hand in his. " I was just wondering… Cordelia, will you marry me?"
He didn't wait for an answer, but continued on. "I know it's all kind of sudden. But, you're the only person I'd ever want to marry. You've stuck with me through good times and bad—"
"Angel.."
"When I was good, when I was evil, throughout Journey's entire life…"
"Angel.."
"And that one time, I almost lost you.. I thought I was going to die. Because without you, I AM lost…"
Cordelia placed her free hand in front of Angel's mouth, quieting him. "Angel, would you let me get a word in once in a while? Don't you want to know what my answer is?" She then used her hands to cup his in hers.
He looked down. "I'm kind of scared too."
"Why, sweetie?"
"Cause you might say no.. and I'm not sure what I'd do. But you might say yes, and then I'll be so happy that if it were three years ago, you would have had to stake me…"
"Yes."
"Yes, you would have had to stake me?" Angel asked, confused. "Or yes, you say no? Or yes, you say yes?"
"Yes." Cordy confirmed.
Angel blinked.
"Yes, I say yes." She cocked her head to one side and smiled. "What else would I have said?"
"I don't know." He hugged her and kissed her lips softly. "Oh, Journey will be happy when he hears."
Cordelia looked around. "You mean, he's not up here already?"
"No." Angel sighed. "You've made me the happiest man alive. You know that, don't you?"
"Yeah." Cordy replied nonchalantly. "I just have that effect on people."
Angel smiled. "So, now what do we do?"
"We get married, you idiot!" Cordy paused. "Hey, wait! I have an idea!! If you're up for it, anyway."
"As long as you're by my side, I'm up for it."
* * *
"By the power invested in me by the state of Nevada, as well as the Wee Kirk o' the Heather Wedding Chapel, I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The elderly minister smiled at them kindly. "You may now kiss the bride."
He leaned in, whispering as his lips moved to hers. "Are you sure we did the right thing?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm sure."
Their lips met and they kissed. But this time, it was different. Because now, they weren't only dating. They….. were married.
TBC
Chapter 18: Seventeen, Falling Fast, and the Honeymooners
One Year Later
"Okay. I'm going to ask her."
"All right!" Journey yelled excitedly. Then, catching himself, he calmed down, adding, "Why, Dad, I think that's an excellent idea."
Angel stopped pacing to look at his son. "You think so? 'Cause I'm not all that sure—"
"Da-ad! Come on! You know it's a great idea. Plus, it's only a dream come true for the both of us. My mom and dad will finally be married! And besides, you've been in love with Cordelia since – well, most likely since before I was even born. Okay? So, basically, it's about damn time."
"Journey," Angel said, sighing, "What have I told you about—"
Journey shook his head. "Cool it, Dad. I'm going to be 18 later this year, okay? So, I think I can pretty much say what I want to."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Okay, you know at this point, I don't even care. I'm not going to argue with you about it."
"Good! Finally after 16 years, you realize that arguing with me is like arguing with a brick wall."
"You know, those Powers decide to send me one miracle in all my years and it just has to be you." Angel took one look at Journey and shook his head. "If I ever meet these powers, I'm gonna ask them for a refund."
"Whatever." Journey paused. "So.. when? When are you going to ask her?"
"Tonight.. I think."
"Oh, this is exciting! Do you have a ring already?"
"Yes. It's just this." He held up a modest gold band with a diamond set in the middle surrounded by four tiny emeralds.
"Just this?! Dad, she'll love it. Trust me. So, what all do you have planned? And please, spare me the X-rated details if there are any."
Angel frowned at his weird son. "Uh… okay. I had planned a moonlit picnic on the rooftop. Do you think that'll work?"
"Oh, sure. It'll be great."
"And don't even think about following us up there."
Journey tried to act offended. "Dad… I'm shocked. How could you even think that I'd do something like that?"
"Journey." Angel said, warningly.
"Okay, okay. Fine. I get ya. I'll stay down here.. or something."
Angel shut his eyes tight and sighed as all his thoughts centered on the night before him. "Oh, Journey, I am so nervous. I feel kind of sick—"
Journey jumped up and headed toward the door. "All right, that's my cue to leave. I will not be thrown-up on again. Once is enough, thank you." Journey opened the door and left his Dad alone, calling out "Good Luck!" behind him.
* * *
Journey made his way slowly downstairs. He was getting so bored lately. He was beginning to consider accepting the full scholarship offer that UCLA had given him 3 years ago when he'd made a 31 on his ACTs and an 1400 combined on his SATs. He'd told himself that he didn't need school. But 3 years later, he was having trouble finding ways to keep himself occupied.
As he came into the lobby, he noticed a pretty girl with long curly brown hair standing in the middle of the room, trying to get little Asiaree to behave.
"Asiaree Traedor Gunn!" The girl reprimanded. "Sit down, now, or I'll call your mom. I swear I will!"
Asiaree cocked her little braided-pigtailed head and stuck her tongue out.
Journey noticed the girl's jaw had dropped and she now placed her hands on her hips. "I'm supposed to be watching you, Asiaree. Which means you are to do as I tell you."
Asiaree frowned at her sitter. But then, she saw Journey as he stepped into the lobby, and her face lit up. She ran to him, her arms open. "Jowney! Jowney!"
He knelt and picked her up, swinging her into the air. He hugged her tight and kissed her chubby cheek. "How's my girl today?"
Asiaree beamed at him. "Fine."
"Fine? Well, that's excellent. You want to do something for me?" Asiaree nodded. "I was looking at my room up there, and I realized that there's a spot on the wall that's totally empty. And I thought to myself, 'Self, do you know what you need up on that wall?'"
Asiaree giggled. "What did he say? What did he say?"
"He said that I need a picture made by Asiaree up there." He looked at her. "So, will you do me a favor? Will you make me a picture for my lonely wall?"
Asiaree nodded and grinned. "I'll color five pickures for you, Jowney."
Journey set her down gently on the floor and Asiaree ran over to her coloring book and crayons.
Journey turned to Asiaree's sitter. "And that, my dear, is how it's done."
"Easy for you to say. She hates me."
"She doesn't hate you."
"Yes, she does."
"Okay, so maybe just a little." They laughed.
"So, where's Gunn and Faith?" Journey asked.
"They went to kill some Slogtorth demon." She paused. "Of course, I think they just fed me that excuse so I wouldn't say no to watching the devil child."
Journey looked at the girl, realizing how truly beautiful she was. She had big brown eyes that peeked out from under long lashes. She had high cheekbones with a cute button nose resting in the middle of her face. She was also tall, but not too tall. She seemed to know about their entire way of life and Journey wondered if he'd ever met her before. 'Of course, you haven't.' He told himself. 'You'd remember a beautiful girl like that, wouldn't you? Unless, of course, you're stupid. Which you've been known to be from time to time.'
Asiaree looked up from coloring. "Hey! I'm thirsty!"
The girl sighed. "And I suppose you want me to do something about that." She started to the kitchen. "Don't move. I'll be right back."
Asiaree waited until her sitter had disappeared around the corner before standing up and moving the left about two feet.
Journey laughed as he watched her. "I've certainly taught you well." He paused. "So, Asia baby, who's that girl? I mean, what's her name?"
Asiaree looked to the kitchen door, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "THAT is stupid, stupid Chawlie." She stuck out her tongue. "She's stupid."
"Really? I had no idea that you felt that way about her." Journey looked towards the kitchen. "So, that's Charlie?" He sighed, thinking about the times when he hated her. Of course, it'd been years since he'd talked to her or even seen her. And now, she didn't seem all that… well, hateable.
Charlie walked back in, holding a juice box for Asiaree. Asiaree pouted.
"I wanted a Coke!" She protested.
"Well, it's this or nothing."
Asiaree took the juice box slowly, frowning. She looked at Journey. "See, I told you she was stupid."
"Asiaree!" Charlie dropped her face in her hands for a moment. "Stop it, okay? Why can't you just pretend to like me? We can just sit here silently, you here, me there. And I'll study for my final exams while you color. Do you think you can do that?"
Asiaree stared at her, before simply replying, "No."
Journey looked back and forth between the two of them. "Hey, I have an idea. How about I go upstairs and find a book for me to read to Asiaree, and when I get back, I'll take her off your hands while you study for your.. finals, is it?"
"Yes. I have to pass them to move on to the eleventh grade." Charlie confirmed.
Journey smiled. "Okay. Will that plan work?" He looked at the two girls, who nodded. "All right, I'll be back in a few minutes. And Asiee, behave for me, okay?" He winked at Asiaree before going upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time.
Charlie watched him go, then turned to Asiaree, smiling. "You know, he's kind of cute."
Asiaree's little face clouded over, and she threw the crayon in her hand at Charlie. "Ouch!" Charlie exclaimed as the crayon hit her in the arm. "What was that for?"
"He is not yours!"
Charlie shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
"Jowney! He is not yours. He mine!"
"I didn't say he was mine!"
Asiaree squinted her eyes. "I saws the way you was lookin' at him. He not yours. He mine. MY boyfwiend." She threw another crayon in Charlie's direction.
"Ow!" Charlie held up her hands in surrender. "All right! All right! He's yours. I'm sorry I even looked at him."
"Yeah, you should be sowwy. I could poked your eyes wight out." She held up a crayon menacingly.
"Don't! Please. I need my eyes." Charlie dropped her hands, placing them behind her back. "I promise not to think such thoughts ever again." She crossed fingers on both hands as she said this.
"Good."
"Okay." Journey said, coming back downstairs. "I've decided that we're going to start on the first Harry Potter book. It's a classic, Asiaree, you're gonna love it."
"Will ya use funny voices?" She asked, standing up, leaving her crayons behind.
"Of course, I will." He grinned at her.
"Okay." Charlotte walked over to her books, which were sitting on the lobby desk. "I'll be over there if you need me. The little brat's all yours."
"Shut up, stupid ugly Chawlie."
Charlie looked at little Asiaree, and threw her hands up in the air. "Ugh!"
"Come here, you little tiger." Journey said, picking up the giggling girl. "We're going to read at the top of the stairs. Won't that be fun?"
"But.. my mommy says I can't be on them." She told him as he carried her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "She says I'll fall."
"Nah, I'll protect ya." He set her down gently on the landing at the top of the stairs, then sat down beside her, leaning up against the wall. Placing Asiaree on his lap, he slowly opened the book and began to read.
After a few minutes, he stopped reading, his attention on Charlie. "You know, Asia baby, you should be nicer to her. I mean, what has she done to you?"
"I don't care. I don't like her."
Journey thought back to when he was Asiaree's age. "When I was your age, I didn't like her either." He said, with a laugh. "But that's no excuse for you to treat her like that." He looked at Charlie, pausing for a moment. "She's really pretty…"
Asiaree's jaw dropped and she crossed her arms. "Not you too!"
"Not me what?" Journey asked. "Asia, what's wrong?"
"You can't like Chawlie! It's not fair." She said mournfully.
"What's not fair?"
"I don't want you to like Chawlie. Please don't like her. Please."
He looked at her, not knowing what to say. "Why? Why don't you want me to like Charlie?"
"Just pwomise me that you don't like her." Her deep brown eyes began to water.
"All right, Asiaree, if it means that much to you."
She hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you, Jowney."
"Will you tell me someday what the problem is?" She nodded. "Good." He stroked her hair and said softly, "Asiaree?"
"Yeah?"
"You know, that no matter who I like, whether it's Charlie or some other girl, you'll always be my girl. No matter what." He looked at her for a moment, then kissed the top of her head gently. Then, he turned his attention back to the book and his reading.
* * *
A few hours later…
Angel was pacing the rooftop, playing with the ring in his hands. Cordelia took a sip of her champagne and laughed. "Angel, come on, sit down, and relax."
"I can't. I'm nervous." He said quickly.
"Nervous? About what?"
He sighed, and then turned towards her. "Cordy, I was wondering…" He got down on one knee and took her hand in his. " I was just wondering… Cordelia, will you marry me?"
He didn't wait for an answer, but continued on. "I know it's all kind of sudden. But, you're the only person I'd ever want to marry. You've stuck with me through good times and bad—"
"Angel.."
"When I was good, when I was evil, throughout Journey's entire life…"
"Angel.."
"And that one time, I almost lost you.. I thought I was going to die. Because without you, I AM lost…"
Cordelia placed her free hand in front of Angel's mouth, quieting him. "Angel, would you let me get a word in once in a while? Don't you want to know what my answer is?" She then used her hands to cup his in hers.
He looked down. "I'm kind of scared too."
"Why, sweetie?"
"Cause you might say no.. and I'm not sure what I'd do. But you might say yes, and then I'll be so happy that if it were three years ago, you would have had to stake me…"
"Yes."
"Yes, you would have had to stake me?" Angel asked, confused. "Or yes, you say no? Or yes, you say yes?"
"Yes." Cordy confirmed.
Angel blinked.
"Yes, I say yes." She cocked her head to one side and smiled. "What else would I have said?"
"I don't know." He hugged her and kissed her lips softly. "Oh, Journey will be happy when he hears."
Cordelia looked around. "You mean, he's not up here already?"
"No." Angel sighed. "You've made me the happiest man alive. You know that, don't you?"
"Yeah." Cordy replied nonchalantly. "I just have that effect on people."
Angel smiled. "So, now what do we do?"
"We get married, you idiot!" Cordy paused. "Hey, wait! I have an idea!! If you're up for it, anyway."
"As long as you're by my side, I'm up for it."
* * *
"By the power invested in me by the state of Nevada, as well as the Wee Kirk o' the Heather Wedding Chapel, I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The elderly minister smiled at them kindly. "You may now kiss the bride."
He leaned in, whispering as his lips moved to hers. "Are you sure we did the right thing?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm sure."
Their lips met and they kissed. But this time, it was different. Because now, they weren't only dating. They….. were married.
TBC