Making their way back downstairs, Buffy and Angel returned to the
kitchen table to join Joyce and Hank for some tea. Buffy was surprised at
how polite and friendly her parents were being. The four discussed the
last two years, as Buffy explained a few events in her life and Angel
explained the last two years of his. As Joyce heard of the misfortunes and
trials that Angel had to undergo, her heart began to warm toward him. If
nothing else, she knew that Angel would give him life to protect her
daughter and grandson. Watching his face light up while listening to Buffy
tell stories of Michael, she decided to convey her acceptance to Angel.
Buffy watched as her mother left the room and began shuffling things around in the living room. A moment later, she returned with a small stack of books and a few loose photos.
"Well, I know it's not the same as being there, but at least you'll be able to see a few things. Also, these are some extras, I thought you might want a picture of your son. He was an adorable baby. He's growing up so fast. Buffy thought it could have something to do with her being a slayer and you a vampire. Michael started walking and talking early. I'm sure Buffy will fill you in. Hank, why don't we retire. I'm kind of tired." Joyce and Hank proceeded to leave the two alone to reminisce over Michael's short life.
The words to express his gratitude evaded him. Joyce had offered him an olive branch and he happily accepted. He glanced down at the loose photos. One was of Buffy and Michael after he was just born. The other three appeared to be spread out over the two years. The realization hit him harder. This was his son. He was a father. As he started to sink deeper into his thoughts, he was brought back by Buffy's voice.
"Mom and Dad took pictures all the time. I couldn't stand it. Here I was huge and miserable and they were always taking pictures. After Michael was born, I got the same way. Everything was so cute that you needed a picture to remember it. He's still that way." Buffy knew it was a bittersweet consolation, but it was all she could offer Angel. Buffy moved closer and began explaining all the pictures. The albums began with pictures of Buffy pregnant. To Angel, she never looked more beautiful. A few pages later, Angel saw his son. This was what he always wanted with Buffy. He would do anything for them to be a family. This was the life he always wanted.
He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. If his soul wasn't bound, he knew he surely would have lost it at that moment. Buffy's smiles and happy expressions as she explained the pictures brought so much joy and hope. He had a family. The thought was astounding. After all the years of pain and suffering, he had found his wife and their son. Granted Buffy didn't know they were married, but it didn't matter.
Angel was so caught up in his thoughts and absorbing as much as he could from Buffy that he didn't notice her eyes beginning to droop. He finally realized she was asleep when her head fell to rest on his shoulder. Not wanting to wake her, he quietly flipped through a few more pictures. The grandfather clock in the hallway struck 2 and Angel knew Buffy needed her rest. Carefully he carried her up the stairs. He marveled at how perfectly she fit into his arms. Her head was buried under his chin as she tried to snuggle further into his embrace.
Finding her room was simple. The door had been ajar and it was right next to Michael's room. Gently, he drew back the sheets and tenderly placed her down. He hesitated momentarily before removing her shoes and socks. Hoping he wasn't crossing any boundaries, he unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down her legs. He couldn't help but run his hands down her calf. The smooth, tan legs of his love were almost too seductive to resist. All he really wanted was to make love to her all night and ever night in the future. Pushing aside his urges, he reminded himself that he had much to atone for first. Covering her with a blanket, he noticed her beginning to stir slightly. "Shush, go back to sleep. It's late. I'll lock the door behind me. Goodnight beloved. I love you.?
"Love you too Angel." Buffy answered as she fell back into a emotionally exhaustive sleep.
Angel couldn't help but smile. She still loved him. He had assumed she cared for him, but hearing the words put him at ease and renewed his desire to make amends. After writing her a note, he moved toward Michael's room to check on their son one last time.
Buffy was ready to slay whatever was attempting to rouse her from her amazing dream. She was standing on a beach during the daytime, watching Angel and Michael play along the shoreline, splashing and giggling like they didn't have a care in the world. As hard as she tried, she couldn't force the dream to continue. Reality was calling her in the form of her son.
Buffy opened her eyes to find Michael jouncing on her bed and calling for her to wake up. Dressed in his pajamas, Michael was refreshed after a full night of sleep, unlike his mother. "Morning you. Come and give me a hug."
Michael stopped jumping long enough to hug and kiss his mother. "Morning. Can we go to the park?"
Seeing it was a bright, sunny day, Buffy couldn't deny the request as her son pleaded with a puppy dog look on his face. She laughed knowing that Angel had used the same expression on a few rare occasions. "Okay, but first breakfast. Go ahead and see if Grandma and Grandpa are up while I get dressed." Once her son left, Buffy began pulling out clothes. Grabbing a few things from her dresser, she noticed a note with Angel's handwriting.
Beloved,
Sorry to leave, but it was late. I hope you slept well. I'm going to Sunnydale tonight to deliver the books to Giles and collect a few more belongings. I'll be back the following night. Call me if you need me. I love you.
Forever A.
Buffy noticed a number at the bottom. The smile never faded as she dressed and headed downstairs. Angel was back and he loved her. He wanted to be a part of her life and his son's life. Nothing would put a damper on her mood today. As she heard her son laughing in the kitchen with her parents, Buffy knew a new and wonderful chapter of her life was beginning. She just hoped it would run smoother than the last.
TBC…. I'm thinking of writing a little more fluff then introducing the Scooby gang. What do you think?
Buffy watched as her mother left the room and began shuffling things around in the living room. A moment later, she returned with a small stack of books and a few loose photos.
"Well, I know it's not the same as being there, but at least you'll be able to see a few things. Also, these are some extras, I thought you might want a picture of your son. He was an adorable baby. He's growing up so fast. Buffy thought it could have something to do with her being a slayer and you a vampire. Michael started walking and talking early. I'm sure Buffy will fill you in. Hank, why don't we retire. I'm kind of tired." Joyce and Hank proceeded to leave the two alone to reminisce over Michael's short life.
The words to express his gratitude evaded him. Joyce had offered him an olive branch and he happily accepted. He glanced down at the loose photos. One was of Buffy and Michael after he was just born. The other three appeared to be spread out over the two years. The realization hit him harder. This was his son. He was a father. As he started to sink deeper into his thoughts, he was brought back by Buffy's voice.
"Mom and Dad took pictures all the time. I couldn't stand it. Here I was huge and miserable and they were always taking pictures. After Michael was born, I got the same way. Everything was so cute that you needed a picture to remember it. He's still that way." Buffy knew it was a bittersweet consolation, but it was all she could offer Angel. Buffy moved closer and began explaining all the pictures. The albums began with pictures of Buffy pregnant. To Angel, she never looked more beautiful. A few pages later, Angel saw his son. This was what he always wanted with Buffy. He would do anything for them to be a family. This was the life he always wanted.
He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. If his soul wasn't bound, he knew he surely would have lost it at that moment. Buffy's smiles and happy expressions as she explained the pictures brought so much joy and hope. He had a family. The thought was astounding. After all the years of pain and suffering, he had found his wife and their son. Granted Buffy didn't know they were married, but it didn't matter.
Angel was so caught up in his thoughts and absorbing as much as he could from Buffy that he didn't notice her eyes beginning to droop. He finally realized she was asleep when her head fell to rest on his shoulder. Not wanting to wake her, he quietly flipped through a few more pictures. The grandfather clock in the hallway struck 2 and Angel knew Buffy needed her rest. Carefully he carried her up the stairs. He marveled at how perfectly she fit into his arms. Her head was buried under his chin as she tried to snuggle further into his embrace.
Finding her room was simple. The door had been ajar and it was right next to Michael's room. Gently, he drew back the sheets and tenderly placed her down. He hesitated momentarily before removing her shoes and socks. Hoping he wasn't crossing any boundaries, he unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down her legs. He couldn't help but run his hands down her calf. The smooth, tan legs of his love were almost too seductive to resist. All he really wanted was to make love to her all night and ever night in the future. Pushing aside his urges, he reminded himself that he had much to atone for first. Covering her with a blanket, he noticed her beginning to stir slightly. "Shush, go back to sleep. It's late. I'll lock the door behind me. Goodnight beloved. I love you.?
"Love you too Angel." Buffy answered as she fell back into a emotionally exhaustive sleep.
Angel couldn't help but smile. She still loved him. He had assumed she cared for him, but hearing the words put him at ease and renewed his desire to make amends. After writing her a note, he moved toward Michael's room to check on their son one last time.
Buffy was ready to slay whatever was attempting to rouse her from her amazing dream. She was standing on a beach during the daytime, watching Angel and Michael play along the shoreline, splashing and giggling like they didn't have a care in the world. As hard as she tried, she couldn't force the dream to continue. Reality was calling her in the form of her son.
Buffy opened her eyes to find Michael jouncing on her bed and calling for her to wake up. Dressed in his pajamas, Michael was refreshed after a full night of sleep, unlike his mother. "Morning you. Come and give me a hug."
Michael stopped jumping long enough to hug and kiss his mother. "Morning. Can we go to the park?"
Seeing it was a bright, sunny day, Buffy couldn't deny the request as her son pleaded with a puppy dog look on his face. She laughed knowing that Angel had used the same expression on a few rare occasions. "Okay, but first breakfast. Go ahead and see if Grandma and Grandpa are up while I get dressed." Once her son left, Buffy began pulling out clothes. Grabbing a few things from her dresser, she noticed a note with Angel's handwriting.
Beloved,
Sorry to leave, but it was late. I hope you slept well. I'm going to Sunnydale tonight to deliver the books to Giles and collect a few more belongings. I'll be back the following night. Call me if you need me. I love you.
Forever A.
Buffy noticed a number at the bottom. The smile never faded as she dressed and headed downstairs. Angel was back and he loved her. He wanted to be a part of her life and his son's life. Nothing would put a damper on her mood today. As she heard her son laughing in the kitchen with her parents, Buffy knew a new and wonderful chapter of her life was beginning. She just hoped it would run smoother than the last.
TBC…. I'm thinking of writing a little more fluff then introducing the Scooby gang. What do you think?