WOES
NOTE: I own none of these guys except for Skylar and any character that you haven't seen before.
A/N: This is the third Skylar story in the Skylar series. Like I said before each story has a different length. This one might be longer or shorter than the others. I don't know yet. But since this story goes with Angel's gift and Valentine's Surprise you might want to read those before you read this.
CHAPTER 4Knock! Pounds on the doors at the crack of the dawn the next morning stirred nearly everyone in the hotel. Angel, Dawn, Connor, and Skylar all headed downstairs. Sky sat down on the bottom steps, hugging a white teddy bear, as the others went to the doors in bathrobes. Angel opened the door for Spike, Willow, Xander, and Anya. All four had single bag luggage.
"Hi," Dawn greeted eagerly. She started to hug all of her old friends. "Guys, you're finally here. Buffy's going to be psyched."
"Hey, pet, it's been a while," said Spike.
"I know," said Dawn, brushing back her messed hair. She turned to Angel and Connor. "You guys remember Angel. This is his son, Connor."
"Hi," said Willow.
"How you doing?" Xander greeted.
"Hey," said Anya.
"Um, hi," said Connor.
"So wonderful to see you again, peaches," said Spike dryly.
"Likewise," Angel shot back. Skylar walked up and clung to Angel. Angel lifted her up. "This is my daughter, Skylar."
"A.K.A the mysterious princess that Buffy's been telling us so much about," said Anya.
"She's cute," said Willow.
"Thank you," said Skylar. "You're really pretty."
"Thank you," Willow smiled.
"I like this kid," said Xander.
"You like any female," said Anya. "Where's Buffy?"
"I'll get her," said Dawn. She looked up at the ceiling. "Hey, Buffy!"
"Nice call," said Angel, sitting Skylar down on a couch. "That reminds me. I'd better get out of here. It's bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the wedding or something." Angel made his way into the kitchen.
Spike sat down next to Skylar. "So, pet, I've heard you're a "Restorer" as they call it. What might that be exactly?" Skylar clung to her bear and hung back from Spike. "Come on. You can tell me."
Skylar smiled, her sweetness taking the better of her, leaned into Spike. She whispered, "I have magic powers. Daddy and Mommy say I'm really special."
"I see," said Spike. "And when you say "Mommy" who do you mean by that exactly?"
Before Sky could say anything Buffy walked downstairs. "Oh, God! Willow, Anya, Xander!" She began to hug them all at once as if they'd just come home from war. Spike cleared his throat to get the slayer's attention. Buffy gave him a glance. "Oh, uh, hey, Spike." She turned to the others, leaving Spike looking discarded. "So where the hell have you guys been? You were supposed to be here yesterday!"
"Long story," said Willow. "There were some problems with the train and well… we're here now."
"Good. Willow, Anya, Dawn, you are the bridesmaids you know," said Buffy.
"Yes," said Anya. "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." She shot Xander a sardonic look. He shrugged it off.
"Guys, I hate to interject but this is about me! And that vamp I'm marrying," Buffy pointed out. "Now let's get a move on."
"Buffy, it's five in the morning," Dawn moaned.
"And we just got here," said Willow.
"Yeah, deal with that," said Buffy. "Move, people! Move!"
Everyone moved grudgingly up the stairs. Hours later the hotel was buzzing. The organist had gotten there early but the minister was late. Angel was busily tying his bow tie. His appearance was hard for him to tell, considering he didn't have a reflection in mirrors. A small knock came at his door.
"Come in," said Angel. Skylar walked inside. She looked beautiful in her white dress and white Mary Janes. Her hair had been curled for the occasion. Her purse was hanging from her shoulder. "Oh, Sky, you look terrific." Angel knelt down to her.
"Thank you, Daddy. Can I tell you something?" Skylar asked.
"What is it?"
"Promise not to get mad?"
"All right. What is it, Sky?"
"Aunt Buffy said I can call her Mommy now. Is that OK?"
Angel was surprised. He had no idea. "Of course you can call her Mom, Sky. Because, as of today, she is your mother, Sky. In fact she always has been. Don't forget it."
"I love you, Daddy." Skylar wrapped her arms around his neck. Angel hugged her back.
"Oh." Angel looked up. Connor had just walked in. He was wearing his tux. His bow wasn't tied, though. "I can come back."
"No, son. It's OK," said Angel.
"Bye, Daddy. Good luck," said Skylar, leaving.
Connor watched her leave. He turned back to Angel and gave him a once over. "You look like a lame penguin."
"Right back at you," said Angel with a smirk. "At least I'm neat." Angel walked over to Connor and began to fix his tie. "I'm guessing you never learned how to tie one of these things."
"No."
"Don't worry. I got it." Angel finished tying the bow. "There you go."
"Thanks." Connor started to leave but turned back. "Oh, and you'd better hurry. The bride could still run off." Angel sneered and shut the door on him.
"Buffy, hurry up," said Dawn. She was pacing in Buffy's room. Dawn was wearing a long lavender bridesmaid's dress. It had spaghetti straps. Buffy was in the bathroom.
"Come on," said Willow. Her dress was lavender as well. It resembled Dawn's only it had a shawl attached to it.
"Unless you want to call this entire affair off while you have the chance," said Anya. Her lavender dress was strapless.
"All right," said Buffy, from inside her bathroom. "I'm coming." The door slowly opened. Buffy walked out. She was wearing a gorgeous silk wedding gown without sleeves. Her shoes were white high heels. The lacy veil covered her up hair do. "Go ahead. How do I look?"
"Buffy, you look excellent!" Dawn exclaimed. She turned to the others. "Doesn't she?"
"You look fantastic, Buffy," Willow agreed.
"Well, now that the gawking is over can we start this thing?" asked Anya.
A knock came at the door. "Come in," said Buffy. Fred walked in. She was wearing a dark purple dress. Her hair was down and curly.
"Wow, Buffy. You look great," said Fred.
"Thanks, Fred," said Buffy.
"Things are ready downstairs," said Fred. "Are you?"
Buffy sighed as Dawn handed her the bouquet. "Let's do it."
Chad appeared in Angel's bedroom. He was wearing a white tux. "Hey, dude."
"Oh, hey, Chad," said Angel, straightening his tie. "Where's your date?"
"She's here," someone said. Suddenly a gorgeous woman appeared next to Chad. She was wearing a short red dress. Her thick brown hair was over her shoulders. "The name is Veronica, AKA the angel of death."
"Wait. You're the angel of death?" Angel asked. "Where's the—"
"Black is so out of season," said Veronica. "Something you might want to remember." Angel looked perplexed. "Relax. I'm not here to "kill" anyone. In fact I don't kill. I'm pretty much an usher. I just show people where to sit after they take the plunge."
"Haven't I seen you before?" Angel asked.
"Yes. You're hard to keep down," said Veronica. "Don't worry. I won't keep coming at you or anything."
"Isn't she perfect?" Chad put his arm around her.
Downstairs everyone began to take his or her seats. Chad and Veronica came down and sat. Tammy and Richard were there as well. Spike was already seated. Lorne sat in the back. The minister stood at the top steps that led to the double doors. When everyone was organized the organist began to play the normal wedding march.
Gunn and Fred came down first, arm and arm. The walked down the stairs, very elegantly, up to the doors. Next came Connor and Dawn. They were on the opposite side of Fred and Gunn. Anya came in on Xander's arm. They walked up and stood near Fred and Gunn. The next to come was Willow. She was alone, carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She stood in front of Dawn. Skylar came down then, sprinkling flower petals out of a small basket. Angel walked down then, slowly. His facial expression showed that he'd calmed down a little. He stood next to Gunn.
Finally the organist turned the music to "here comes the bride." Everyone began to stand. Buffy began to walk down the stairs. Her veil covered her face. She stood in front of the minister. Angel walked down. Buffy and Angel stood facing each other. Angel took hold of the front of the veil and pulled it over, revealing Buffy's face. Angel and Buffy turned back to the minister.
"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. But first, if there is anyone who objects to this union, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Spike began to cough loudly. Everyone turned and looked at him. Buffy gave him an icy glare. Spike finished clearing his throat.
"Sorry," he apologized. "Something in my throat. Please… continue."
"All right." The minister turned his attention back to Angel and Buffy. "Buffy, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Buffy replied.
"And, Angel, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I…" Angel began to trail off. He released a groan. "Oh, I do."
"Angel?" Buffy whispered to him.
"I'm fine," said Angel. He sounded strained. "Continue."
"May I have the rings, please?" Gunn took the two diamond wedding rings and handed them over to the reverend. "Buffy, place this ring on Angel's finger and say "with this ring, I thee wed."
Buffy took Angel's ring and began to slide it onto his finger. "Angel, with this ring, I thee wed."
"And, Angel, place this ring and Buffy's finger and say "with this ring, I thee wed."
Angel slowly put the ring on Buffy's finger. "Buffy, with this ring, I thee wed."
"I'd like to present the new Mister and Mrs. Angel!" the reverend announced. "You may kiss the bride!"
The entire room began to rise up and cheer. Angel and Buffy joined in a passionate kiss. Angel quickly pulled away. Buffy looked at him strangely. Angel started to groan in pain. He got down to his knees, clutching his chest.
"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed. Angel looked up at Buffy. His eyes glowed a devilish red. "Oh, my God! Angel!"
"Not exactly," Angel replied. He stood up. He had an ominous smile on his face. "Not even close!"
The room began to gasp in fear. Buffy quickly realized the problem. "Angelus…"
A/N: Whoa! What a place to leave it, huh? This should make you review.
