The next couple of weeks blew by in a whirlwind of routine, Once Angelus and I had declared our love for each other we decided that we wished to make it known, only to my family but at least known, somehow that made it more real and special then keeping it to ourselves would have done.

During the course of these weeks there was one, which filled my very essence with dread that was the night in which Angelus took me to his home to meet his family.

I spent hours in the day preparing myself for that meeting, Esther had helped me do my hair in an elegant twist and had spent an hour securing it with grips ensuring that it would not fall down even in the most violent of winds.

I wore one of my ma's dresses which I brought down from the attic, although the style was old and out of fashion, it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, it was a scarlet red colour, which set off the colour of my hair perfectly, it was cut lower than the rest of my gowns but not to daring, it was gathered under the bust and fell down straight to my ankles, around the waist there was a tiny strip of silk which tied at the back and on the bust there were tiny flowers.

It was light and wonderful feeling against my skin, being made of silk. It made while wearing it, do you understand? There some clothes that when you put them on they just make you smile for no reason at all over than the way they feel on you and the way which it makes it feel.

Bronnie leant me her necklace the one which ma had left her it was gold and had gathered at the front to form a point on which hang a solitary pearl.

I felt beautiful, and I felt loved especially when I walked down the stairs and into Angelus' eyes. He had come earlier than I had expected and had been waiting for me in the kitchen, he stood up as he saw me coming and his eyes lit up, I felt like they embalmed me, and knew that if I died tomorrow and he lived til the end of time then I to would live til the end of time in that moment in his heart.

Bronnie and Esther were giggling as we left but I hardly noticed, I was too wrapped up in my own love filled world. It was quite a walk to the house, which he was residing in, but it was a pleasant night, and the ground was nice, and firm no mud splashed on my gown marring the perfection of my dress.

The walk was filled with small talk, nothing important but nothing I'll forget, when we got to his house we stopped outside for moment and he handed me a small box, I was surprised not knowing what it was but he smiled at in giddy child like way and waited for me to open it, my breath was taken away when I did, it was a ring, a simple gold band with the most beautiful diamond I had ever seen actually the only diamond I had ever seen then, he kissed me and placed it on my index finger telling me it was an eternity ring symbolising his love for me which would exist and surpass eternity.

I was on the verge of tears, he took me into his arms and held me for a moment before asking if I was well enough recovered to go in and meet his family I nodded slightly still shocked from my gift.

We entered his house through the side door, it was exquisite, I had never seen anything like it, the main entrance hall was painted a royal blue colour had wood carving every where and heavy drapes on the windows, there were several doors and corridors leading off in all directions, I felt like I would need a thousand eyes in order to take in all the majesty and beauty which existed in this one place.

Angelus sensing my awe placed his arm across my waist and lead me forward saying

"Here Betsy, take your time, it'll still all be here later and every single time you come back here, lets go, Drusilla and Spike are in the garden I think, Drusilla's prepared a small meal for us I believe so it should be an............. experience"

He said the last part with a wink I suppressed a giggle as we left through a side door and entered the magical garden, for in the moonlight the garden did indeed seem to be magic, ethereal almost.

At the far end under the shelter of some willow trees, there was a large white iron table round which two figures were seated, as we drew nearer to them I could make out the forms more clearly,

The first was a woman she was seated opposite the man, She had long dark maybe black hair which hung down her back reaching down to the base of her hips, rippling in the light evening wind. When she sensed us coming she turned to face us and I got a better look at her, she was beautiful, full innocent eyes which had a childlike imaginary to them and yet hid knowledge her lips were the colour of blood and her skin refracted the pale light of the moon and shone like a new star landed on earth. The dress she wore was in the same fashion as mine but it was an earth green colour which suited her perfectly, it was not a colour which she favoured though as I was to learn from her later on in our friendship. She stood to greet us as, running forward hugging Angelus saying

"The stars told me Daddy would bring a pretty powerful one and here she is on the arm of the king of night all ready for our tea party."

Angelus had warned me of the way in which she spoke but yet I found myself slightly surprised still I did not hesitate though at returning the welcoming hug, which she offered me, she grabbed my hand and kissed it whispering to me

"At last I shall have my own friend to talk to Daddy and Spike can be so boring in their manly talks sometime"

I instantly warmed to her friendship and held her hand in my own kissing it back and telling her that I too would be grateful for a friend.

Angelus smiled when he heard this and squeezed the hand which he still had held of, we approached the table together Drusilla pulling me to sit down near to her and Angelus taking a seat next to the man who had remained seated during our descent down through the garden, he watched me silently observing, I could sense his indecision about me and chose to ignore it, he was sat on one of the iron chairs leaning against the bark of one the trees his arms folded and a cap on his head blonde brown curls spilling out from round the sides of it. He was thin and tall I guessed although I was not really able to judge by his seated position, his bone structure was clear through his skin which also refracted the moonlight and his blue eyes were so painful to look at as they reminded me of my beloved Mary, it was his eyes which warmed me to him, everything else about him showed a hardness which I would have to work through to gain his approval, but his eyes showed the same intelligence, humour and insecurities that had shone through Mary's so I was not worried about his first impression of me.

He observed me fore several more minutes before turning and starting a conversation with Angelus in whispered tones, this conversation lasted several minutes, during which time Drusilla turned to me and asked me if I would like some tea which she poured out for me and the two of us ate a cake while drinking it, Suddenly though she had a change of heart putting her cup down and whispering,

"They stars they sing to me, my lovey, do you hear them? They sing of you, it's such a pretty song."

I felt guilty having to confess to her that I heard nothing but she put a finger up to my lips and whispered softly "Listen closely and you'll hear it."

I closed my eyes and suddenly after minutes of silence I heard the rustling leaves and the music which the night makes, it was so inspiring I could understand why Drusilla spent so much of her time listening to it."

She put her hand over mine disturbing me from the nights serenade and said

"The stars demand a dance will you please them Lovey?"

she asked standing up and offering me her hand, without hesitation I stood up taking her outstretched hand in mine own and followed her into the open space of the middle of the garden she took both my hands in hers and we span around and around in circles mimicking the actions of small children giggling at our antics as we moved to the serenade of the night, we spun so fast that my legs gave way and I fell from the spinning and into the waiting arms of my love who had come to my rescue, he smiled as he caught me and joined in the dance of the stars.