Chapter Ten: The Phone Call
(Here it is. The conclusion. I hope you all have enjoyed it. Thank you all who have read and reviewed this story. It was fun to write. A nice getaway from "I Move On". Don't worry though, I'm still writing "I Move On". Thank you again.)
"Dawn... I know. Okay, be mad then," A week had passed since her birthday party. She was on the phone with Dawn who was still upset at her for not telling them about Spike. "Dawn... Dawn... Shut up. I don't care. Yeah, okay. We'll come over tomorrow. Fine. Love you too. Bye." She hung up the phone. Good Lord that girl could hold a grudge.
"Mommy!" Hope came running up dressed in pink pajamas. "Are you going to tuck me in?"
"Yes, come on," she picked Hope up. Madison was already in bed. She stared up at the ceiling as Buffy kissed Hope on the head. She sat on Madison's little bed. "What is it?"
Madison whispered, "An angel told me sumping."
"What?"
"That my daddy isn't in heaven anymore. And my mommy's happy now," she replied looking at with her daddy's eyes..
Tears stung Buffy's eyes. "Go to sleep okay?" She got up and closed the door to their room, leaving it open just a crack. She went into the kitchen and started putting away the dishes. The phone rang and Buffy growled. She picked it up, "Dawn, I swear..."
"Buffy?"
"Angel?"
There was a pause.
"Happy Birthday," he said.
"You're a little late, but thanks."
"I know. I got held up by a pack of Cranglar demons outside of San Fransisco."
"Oh."
"How are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"Good."
"Good."
Buffy heard him shifting in his seat. "So..."
"How come you didn't tell me he was alive?" She asked.
He sighed, "Oh man. I expected this conversation a lot earlier. Now I'm not prepared."
"Well?
"He asked me not to. I knew what he was going through, so respected his wishes."
"You respected Spike?"
"It was out of pity."
"I saw him Angel."
"I know. He told me."
"No, I saw him two years ago. When David died."
"Oh. Oh... that's why he was so weird. Buffy, you should've seen him. He was a wreck. I figured it was about you. It's always about you. Finally, I told him to get out of my hair and just go see you."
"What'd he say?"
"Oh, uh 'I'll git out of your stupid, bloody hair when I feel like it, Peaches.'" Angel said in a perfect imitation.
Buffy giggled. "Did that take a lot to tell him that?"
"It did. But I couldn't stand him moping and brooding about in my office."
"Yeah that's really annoying," she said teasing Angel.
"Hey!" Angel tapped his foot on the floor. Any ways, I gave him your address against my better judgment."
"He found me."
"And?"
"We talked. A lot. Got it all out." She replied.
"Good. Buffy, I want you to know that he loves you. As much as I hate to admit it. You two belong together."
"You think that?"
"Call it a momentary lapse in sanity." She laughed after a long pause he said, "You know, I'll always be here, though. Not getting any older."
"Angel?
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Are you a cookie yet?"
She smiled. She walked into her bedroom and looked at the man sleeping in her bed. "I think so."
"Good night, Buffy."
"Good night Angel."
Buffy set the phone down on her night stand and climbed into bed. She settled next to him. He pulled her closer wrapping his arms around her. Buffy smiled. Madison was right. She was happy now.
The End
