THE FUTURE PT FOUR
~ * ~
"Willow, I need your help." Angel said, after entering her room. She was putting away clothes.
"Ok, what can I do for you?" He sat awkwardly on the bed.
"Well..I need your advice. Do you think it's too soon for me to.."
"Propose?"
"Yeah." He sighed.
"Angel! That's awesome that you're thinking about proposing!" She hopped onto the bed next to him.
"Do you think it too soon?"
"You guys have technically been dating for almost ten years, Angel."
"But we haven't seen each other in seven."
"But you still care deeply for each other. You can tell. It's obvious."
"Really?" he asked, self consciously.
"Totally! When you two are in the same room, everyone around you can feel it! Trust me, I've felt it. But then, it could just be me. I think I might be a minor empath, but that's besides the point. When you two are together, it makes me feel peaceful. And it's not a huge lusty type thing, that I get from Faith and Robin, yours is a totally comfortable, peaceful, lovey type feeling."
"After all these years, the one thing I fear the most is being rejected." He said, sighing.
"I'm almost certain she'll say yes. And she may not be ready to get married, but she's been worried, before, that you'd want to go farther, and she wouldn't be ready. She's afraid that you'll leave her, if she hesitates. Or at least that's how it was a month ago."
"I'd never leave!" He was astonished that she would think he would.
"And she'd never reject you. Angel.she probably doesn't want you knowing this, but before.she had a boyfriend, for almost a year. But she dropped him like a hot potato, when you showed up."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. And that left him seriously confused, but he understood that she needed to be happy, and you gave her that."
"Thanks, Will. You're great at giving advice."
"Is that why everyone comes to me, then?" She joked.
~ * ~
"Will, Angel's acting strange." Buffy confided in her later that week.
"So? He's newly human. Remember how Anya was?"
"Yeah, but Angel's been around humans that whole time, and it's just been this past week that he's started acting this way."
"Well.maybe some past issues are bothering him. An anniversary, or something. He'll get over it, he always does." She tried to sooth her friend, without giving anything away.
"But why doesn't he come to me for comfort? He should know I'll always be there. Do you think he knows that?"
"I'm sure he does. Just give him a few days, and if he keeps acting this way, confront him about it. Show him you care enough to worry." She counciled.
"Ok. Thanks Will. You're the best." She hugged her friend.
"I know."
~ * ~
"Uh.Will? Could you help me with something?"
"If it's keeping a secret, no. I know too many already."
"No, actually. I've gone back to school, and I need help. It's been so long since I studied, I think I've forgotten how." She said sheepishly.
"Faith! That's awesome! Of course I'll help you!"
"So, what are these secrets."
"Opps. If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets anymore." She said. She stood up, easing her way away from Faith.
"Don't be childish." She followed.
"Faith, please. They're secrets, that were told to me in trust that I wouldn't tell!"
"So?" She maneuvered closer to her.
"Faith! Please, no!"
"What can I say, I'm just yearning for knowledge, and you have it. Now I want to know."
"no!" Willow made a run for it, out the door. Faith smiled and jogged after her. Willow wasn't looking where she was going, and ran into someone. Robin grabbed her so she wouldn't fall.
"Willow? What's wrong?"
"Faith's chasing me!"
"I wasn't gonna hurt her. She has something I wanted to know. She told me so that she knew herself, and now she won't tell. That's not fair, now, is it?"
"Faith." He said, looking at her. She pouted. "Why don't you leave Willow alone?"
"Yeah, they don't concern you, anyway. And you'll find out soon enough." She said, emboldened by Robin standing up for her. Faith walked towards her, giving her a violent smile. Willow squeaked, and ran down the hall. Faith just laughed.
"Faith, that wasn't very nice." He scolded.
"Since when do you like nice girls?" She teased.
"Since I thought you were one." He taunted right back.
"oh, really."
~ * ~
"Angel."
"Yeah?"
"Buffy's on to you."
"What?"
"She came to me, concerned that you weren't acting like yourself. I calmed her down, but she's nervous."
"Thanks."
"So, Will," Faith walked up. Willow swallowed. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. About that study help."
"Wait, Faith and studying?" Angel teased. She hit him lightly, and turned back to Willow.
"Go get whatever you need help on, and meet me back here. We can work in here."
"Where it's crowded, I gotcha. I'll let it slide, for now, but you really gotta start trusting me. Angel does."
"Well, I'm not Angel. If I was.that'd be scary. No offense, Angel."
"None taken."
~ * ~
"Buffy. There you are."
"Hi, Angel. Where you looking for me?"
"Actually, yeah. I was. Do you have a minute?"
"For you, always."
"Walk with me, then."
"Ok." He led her out of her room, and down the stairs. They went out the back door, and out onto the porch. They crossed the porch, and Angel led her to the bench by the lilac bushes, now void of flowers.
"Buffy, I've done a lot of thinking these past few weeks-"
"Oh no. I don't like the sound of this. You aren't leaving again, are you?"
"Of course not. Where was I?"
"You have this rehearsed?"
"It's hard sometimes, expressing my feelings. So yes, I rehearse some things, to make sure I don't sound. stupid. But yeah, I've been thinking a lot. About us, both here and in Sunnydale. And I keep coming back to the same thought. Or the same train of thought. I love you. And I want to give you the world. And I couldn't in Sunnydale, but now I can. And I'd very much like to do just that." He took a deep breath, soothing his nerves.
"Angel?"
"Buffy, I have a very important question for you. And I want you to think long and hard, before answering me, ok? I only want what's best for you. That's all I've ever wanted." He took another deep breath, and slid from the bench, so he was kneeling on the ground.
"Oh my!" Buffy's hands flew up to her mouth.
"Buffy, would you make me the luckiest guy in the world, and be my wife?" he looked up at her, and saw the tears running down her cheeks. His life depended on what those tears meant.
"Only if you will make me the luckiest girl alive, by being my husband." She said, smiling. He looked up at her, a delighted smile on his face, at her own smile, and her tears. She slipped from the bench and into his arms. "I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." He replied. "I love you more."
"Never." She said, smiling. She kissed him lightly. "So, aren't I supposed to get a ring, or something?" She teased.
"I gave you the claddagh ring. What else could you want?" he recognized her teasing tone, and gave his own teasing reply.
"Fine. Be that way." She pouted. He smiled and dug into his pocket.
"You could say I've been saving up for this my whole unlife." That made her smile in anticipation. He finally located the small box and pulled it out. He opened it, for her to see. It took her breath away.
"oh! Angel!" She cried in delight.
"So, you like?"
"Like? I love it! And I love you!" She cried, throwing her arms around him once more.
~ * ~
"Willow!" Buffy cried, running up to her friend.
"thank god, he finally did it." Willow breathed in relief.
"What?"
"Oh, Angel's had me in on this whole thing from the beginning. I'm sorry to take away your thunder, Buffy, but it's been so hard keeping a secret! You know how bad I get, I start to babble, and act really hyper and-" she started speeding up until she was in a frenzy.
"Will!" Buffy laughed, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I know you have a hard time keeping secrets. Take a look at this!" She held up her hand and Willow looked at the huge ring on her finger.
"wow! It's gorgeous!"
"I know!" Buffy squealed. "I just can't believe it! I'm engaged! And I'm getting married! I can't believe it!" She hugged her best friend. "Will, will you be my maid of honor?"
"Of course I will! I would be insulted if you didn't ask!" Willow joked.
"Let's see, you and Dawn and..." Buffy trailed off, thinking.
"Have you set a date for it yet?"
"No."
"Then don't worry about it yet." Willow advised. "Oh, one thing though, I don't know about slayer traditions, but no blood larvae, and no green taffeta dresses, ok?"
"But I love blood larvae." Buffy teased. "Seriously, Will, I wouldn't do something like that to you. You're my best bud."
"Just remember that."
"I can't believe I'm getting married!!!!!" Buffy cried, jumping up and down.
~ * ~
"Um.I have an announcement to make. Settle down, guys." Buffy said, standing at dinner that night. "I figure you guys have probably already figured out that me and Angel are dating, and have before, and have been for awhile. Well, I'd just like to let you guys know that we're getting married!" Buffy cried. The students and faculty alike cheered. Xander pouted a moment, before coming up to hug Buffy and give his congratulations to Angel. "I hope that you guys can all attend the wedding." Buffy said, after it had quieted down. "It's gonna be next spring, early summer." She told them. "And, uh,.that's all. Thanks!" She said, sitting down. Giles, Faith and Robin came to congratulate the pair.
"Faith, I'd like you, Will and Dawn to be my bride's maids. And Giles.would you give me away? You're more like a father to me than mine was."
"I'd be honored."
"Aw, shucks, B. Sure. I'll be in your wedding." Buffy swept the younger girl into a hug. She then went to hug Angel. Buffy let her, no longer jealous. She knew that Angel was hers, forever and for always. And she knew that that would never change. She smiled once again, a smile that reached not just her lips, but her eyes, cheeks, mind and heart. She knew that more smiles like this was sure to come.
~ * ~
"Willow, I need your help." Angel said, after entering her room. She was putting away clothes.
"Ok, what can I do for you?" He sat awkwardly on the bed.
"Well..I need your advice. Do you think it's too soon for me to.."
"Propose?"
"Yeah." He sighed.
"Angel! That's awesome that you're thinking about proposing!" She hopped onto the bed next to him.
"Do you think it too soon?"
"You guys have technically been dating for almost ten years, Angel."
"But we haven't seen each other in seven."
"But you still care deeply for each other. You can tell. It's obvious."
"Really?" he asked, self consciously.
"Totally! When you two are in the same room, everyone around you can feel it! Trust me, I've felt it. But then, it could just be me. I think I might be a minor empath, but that's besides the point. When you two are together, it makes me feel peaceful. And it's not a huge lusty type thing, that I get from Faith and Robin, yours is a totally comfortable, peaceful, lovey type feeling."
"After all these years, the one thing I fear the most is being rejected." He said, sighing.
"I'm almost certain she'll say yes. And she may not be ready to get married, but she's been worried, before, that you'd want to go farther, and she wouldn't be ready. She's afraid that you'll leave her, if she hesitates. Or at least that's how it was a month ago."
"I'd never leave!" He was astonished that she would think he would.
"And she'd never reject you. Angel.she probably doesn't want you knowing this, but before.she had a boyfriend, for almost a year. But she dropped him like a hot potato, when you showed up."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. And that left him seriously confused, but he understood that she needed to be happy, and you gave her that."
"Thanks, Will. You're great at giving advice."
"Is that why everyone comes to me, then?" She joked.
~ * ~
"Will, Angel's acting strange." Buffy confided in her later that week.
"So? He's newly human. Remember how Anya was?"
"Yeah, but Angel's been around humans that whole time, and it's just been this past week that he's started acting this way."
"Well.maybe some past issues are bothering him. An anniversary, or something. He'll get over it, he always does." She tried to sooth her friend, without giving anything away.
"But why doesn't he come to me for comfort? He should know I'll always be there. Do you think he knows that?"
"I'm sure he does. Just give him a few days, and if he keeps acting this way, confront him about it. Show him you care enough to worry." She counciled.
"Ok. Thanks Will. You're the best." She hugged her friend.
"I know."
~ * ~
"Uh.Will? Could you help me with something?"
"If it's keeping a secret, no. I know too many already."
"No, actually. I've gone back to school, and I need help. It's been so long since I studied, I think I've forgotten how." She said sheepishly.
"Faith! That's awesome! Of course I'll help you!"
"So, what are these secrets."
"Opps. If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets anymore." She said. She stood up, easing her way away from Faith.
"Don't be childish." She followed.
"Faith, please. They're secrets, that were told to me in trust that I wouldn't tell!"
"So?" She maneuvered closer to her.
"Faith! Please, no!"
"What can I say, I'm just yearning for knowledge, and you have it. Now I want to know."
"no!" Willow made a run for it, out the door. Faith smiled and jogged after her. Willow wasn't looking where she was going, and ran into someone. Robin grabbed her so she wouldn't fall.
"Willow? What's wrong?"
"Faith's chasing me!"
"I wasn't gonna hurt her. She has something I wanted to know. She told me so that she knew herself, and now she won't tell. That's not fair, now, is it?"
"Faith." He said, looking at her. She pouted. "Why don't you leave Willow alone?"
"Yeah, they don't concern you, anyway. And you'll find out soon enough." She said, emboldened by Robin standing up for her. Faith walked towards her, giving her a violent smile. Willow squeaked, and ran down the hall. Faith just laughed.
"Faith, that wasn't very nice." He scolded.
"Since when do you like nice girls?" She teased.
"Since I thought you were one." He taunted right back.
"oh, really."
~ * ~
"Angel."
"Yeah?"
"Buffy's on to you."
"What?"
"She came to me, concerned that you weren't acting like yourself. I calmed her down, but she's nervous."
"Thanks."
"So, Will," Faith walked up. Willow swallowed. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. About that study help."
"Wait, Faith and studying?" Angel teased. She hit him lightly, and turned back to Willow.
"Go get whatever you need help on, and meet me back here. We can work in here."
"Where it's crowded, I gotcha. I'll let it slide, for now, but you really gotta start trusting me. Angel does."
"Well, I'm not Angel. If I was.that'd be scary. No offense, Angel."
"None taken."
~ * ~
"Buffy. There you are."
"Hi, Angel. Where you looking for me?"
"Actually, yeah. I was. Do you have a minute?"
"For you, always."
"Walk with me, then."
"Ok." He led her out of her room, and down the stairs. They went out the back door, and out onto the porch. They crossed the porch, and Angel led her to the bench by the lilac bushes, now void of flowers.
"Buffy, I've done a lot of thinking these past few weeks-"
"Oh no. I don't like the sound of this. You aren't leaving again, are you?"
"Of course not. Where was I?"
"You have this rehearsed?"
"It's hard sometimes, expressing my feelings. So yes, I rehearse some things, to make sure I don't sound. stupid. But yeah, I've been thinking a lot. About us, both here and in Sunnydale. And I keep coming back to the same thought. Or the same train of thought. I love you. And I want to give you the world. And I couldn't in Sunnydale, but now I can. And I'd very much like to do just that." He took a deep breath, soothing his nerves.
"Angel?"
"Buffy, I have a very important question for you. And I want you to think long and hard, before answering me, ok? I only want what's best for you. That's all I've ever wanted." He took another deep breath, and slid from the bench, so he was kneeling on the ground.
"Oh my!" Buffy's hands flew up to her mouth.
"Buffy, would you make me the luckiest guy in the world, and be my wife?" he looked up at her, and saw the tears running down her cheeks. His life depended on what those tears meant.
"Only if you will make me the luckiest girl alive, by being my husband." She said, smiling. He looked up at her, a delighted smile on his face, at her own smile, and her tears. She slipped from the bench and into his arms. "I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." He replied. "I love you more."
"Never." She said, smiling. She kissed him lightly. "So, aren't I supposed to get a ring, or something?" She teased.
"I gave you the claddagh ring. What else could you want?" he recognized her teasing tone, and gave his own teasing reply.
"Fine. Be that way." She pouted. He smiled and dug into his pocket.
"You could say I've been saving up for this my whole unlife." That made her smile in anticipation. He finally located the small box and pulled it out. He opened it, for her to see. It took her breath away.
"oh! Angel!" She cried in delight.
"So, you like?"
"Like? I love it! And I love you!" She cried, throwing her arms around him once more.
~ * ~
"Willow!" Buffy cried, running up to her friend.
"thank god, he finally did it." Willow breathed in relief.
"What?"
"Oh, Angel's had me in on this whole thing from the beginning. I'm sorry to take away your thunder, Buffy, but it's been so hard keeping a secret! You know how bad I get, I start to babble, and act really hyper and-" she started speeding up until she was in a frenzy.
"Will!" Buffy laughed, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I know you have a hard time keeping secrets. Take a look at this!" She held up her hand and Willow looked at the huge ring on her finger.
"wow! It's gorgeous!"
"I know!" Buffy squealed. "I just can't believe it! I'm engaged! And I'm getting married! I can't believe it!" She hugged her best friend. "Will, will you be my maid of honor?"
"Of course I will! I would be insulted if you didn't ask!" Willow joked.
"Let's see, you and Dawn and..." Buffy trailed off, thinking.
"Have you set a date for it yet?"
"No."
"Then don't worry about it yet." Willow advised. "Oh, one thing though, I don't know about slayer traditions, but no blood larvae, and no green taffeta dresses, ok?"
"But I love blood larvae." Buffy teased. "Seriously, Will, I wouldn't do something like that to you. You're my best bud."
"Just remember that."
"I can't believe I'm getting married!!!!!" Buffy cried, jumping up and down.
~ * ~
"Um.I have an announcement to make. Settle down, guys." Buffy said, standing at dinner that night. "I figure you guys have probably already figured out that me and Angel are dating, and have before, and have been for awhile. Well, I'd just like to let you guys know that we're getting married!" Buffy cried. The students and faculty alike cheered. Xander pouted a moment, before coming up to hug Buffy and give his congratulations to Angel. "I hope that you guys can all attend the wedding." Buffy said, after it had quieted down. "It's gonna be next spring, early summer." She told them. "And, uh,.that's all. Thanks!" She said, sitting down. Giles, Faith and Robin came to congratulate the pair.
"Faith, I'd like you, Will and Dawn to be my bride's maids. And Giles.would you give me away? You're more like a father to me than mine was."
"I'd be honored."
"Aw, shucks, B. Sure. I'll be in your wedding." Buffy swept the younger girl into a hug. She then went to hug Angel. Buffy let her, no longer jealous. She knew that Angel was hers, forever and for always. And she knew that that would never change. She smiled once again, a smile that reached not just her lips, but her eyes, cheeks, mind and heart. She knew that more smiles like this was sure to come.
