Part Thirteen -
//David: Sam! That Was brilliant!
Sam: Plan didn't work though
David: Tell her then.
Sam: What?
David: Tell her that you love her!
Sam: No way! Anyway, they fly tonight.
David: Even better then. Sam, you've got nothing to lose, and you'll regret it if you don't, I never told your mum enough, I should have told her everyday because she was perfect everyday. You've seen the films kiddo, it ain't over 'til it's over.
Sam: Okay, dad, let's do it. Let's go get the shit kicked out of us by love.
- Extract from 'Love, Actually'//
Three months passed. After the first week of silent treatment, from a sulking Kat, Angel left for Europe and threw himself into work on his next film, 'Entropy'. Left behind Kat became moody and unresponsive, mostly for her own reasons. Giles and Joyce broke up a few weeks after she returned to Sunnydale with Buffy. Buffy meanwhile attempted to go to school for those few weeks before giving up and opting for home schooling instead. She never said exactly why. While she never left her friends behind she saw them less and less as more and more roles were offered her. Well, except Cordy who broke up with Xander after a horrendously public argument in the quad to Sunnydale High. Barely a month since she had first been dragged to LA she was offered a role in 'Cruel Intentions' and she accepted, leaving California and spending the next two months in New York.
Both kept track of each other's every move.
Angel anxiously glanced around the leather interior of the black limo he was sitting in. One hand ran through his hair while the other straightened his tie for the hundredth time.
"Jeez! Angel, stop it!" Kat finally yelled at him. Snapping out of his trance he turned to glare at her, she poked him in return. "I'm never sitting next to you ever again."
He laughed at her. "You know you'd put up with anything from me so long as you can go to the Oscars."
"Maybe." She admitted. "But that's no reason to be so annoying." Sighing, she put one hand on his arm and softened her tone. "You look fine."
"But will it be enough?" He questioned brow furrowed in concentration.
Kat quirked an eyebrow. "You know your fans. They'd love you if you were a blood-sucking vampire… Actually, they *did* love you when you were a blood-sucking vampire."
Angel said nothing in return, just shifted his attention to the streets moving past outside.
"We're nearly there." Kat told him, and he nodded mutely.
"Won't be enough." He muttered.
The flashing light bulbs were blinding, and so, Buffy suspected was her smile. She couldn't believe she was actually *here* the Oscars. When she curled up in front of the TV watching the Academy Awards with her mom she always imagined being here, what she'd wear, who she was with, talking to the reporters. And now she was here… living the dream. Of course she hadn't actually been nominated for an award, but was presenting a nomination for best song, and her date was not Luke Perry but instead a heartbroken just-been-dumped Lindsey. Not perfect, but definitely amazing.
Lindsey took her hand and fake smile in place he took her hand to lead her up the catwalk. The whole place was incredibly loud something she'd never imagined, and the soft carpet was not made for her Jimmy Choo's, hiding a sigh and the faintest wish that her first Oscar experience was not with… she pushed the thought away. Posing for a photo with Lindsey she listened with half an ear to the questions they presented to Lindsey, she almost didn't notice they had switched their attention to her.
"They're talking to you." Lindsey whispered in her ear, smiling in thanks for the save she stepped closer to the reporter.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Who're you wearing?" The man repeated.
"Actually it's a vintage dress a friend of mine, Janna Calendar, found in her basement. It's an early New Look piece by Dior. Janna made the jacket to go with it." Stepping back she let the photographs get a better look at the silk dress and jacket, the skirt was full and black reaching right to the floor. The skirt pulled in tight at the waist with a tightly fitted bodice style sleeveless top. A fitted white suit jacket completed the outfit, with a collection of black barcode style stripes running off-centred down the back.
Remembering what Wes had told her about how to be photographed well she stood at an angle head slightly tilted and smiled without showing too many teeth. As soon as the camera flashes began to slow she gave a polite wave before setting off in search of Lindsey who had moved up the line of reporters to talk to someone else. She'd thought the red carpet was the fun bit, she began to reconsider, but then, noting with wide eyes that Lindsey had paused to talk to Tom Cruise she changed her mind again. It couldn't be better.
Angel stepped out of the limo first, then gave Kat a hand to help her out, behind him. She looked stunning he had to admit, in a simple red silk dress, that floated over her skin, in far too sexy a manner for his liking. Glaring at the reporter who rushed over to photograph them he waited for Wes and Gunn to step out behind them before leading Kat away, thoroughly alarmed by the flirty smile Kat gave the cameraman. Waving at the first lot of reporters as he passed he headed instead to one he knew fairly well.
"Angel! Here!" Penn yelled at him, and Angel nodded in recognition leading Kat through the crowd that was beginning to form on the carpet.
"Hey, Penn."
"So *you* are favourite to win best actor for your part in 'Make Me Smile' how are you feeling?"
Angel laughed. "Nervous… I mean I'm up against some pretty amazing actors, I'd be shocked if I actually won. But it's always great to know that your work was recognised enough to even merit a nomination. Amazing feeling."
Penn nodded, and making a show of turning off his microphone so the other reporters would turn to more interesting prey he waved Angel closer. Glancing at Kat to reassure himself she was okay, she waved him away and chatted freely to another reporter Wes hovering beside her.
Stepping in, he motioned for Penn to go on. "Dude, did you know your girl is here with Lindsey?"
Angel's eyes widened with shock. "Lindsey? I know she was coming but…"
"And he's up against you for best actor."
Angel waved a hand in a dismissive manner. "I don't care about that…"
"Just the girl." Penn sighed, "listen I know you're all hot for her, but maybe she's not worth it. She looked pretty tight with Lindsey earlier."
"I have to try." Angel replied stubborn as ever. Seeing the press hovering again, Angel stepped away from Penn, and moved down the line to talk with Wes, eyes scanning the crowds for Buffy as he moved.
Buffy stood in the wings of the Kodak Theatre trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Clutching the small gold card that told her exactly what she needed to say, she listened to the stars clapping in the audience as the winner of best art direction was led of the stage. Buffy smiled at the glowing woman, as she passed murmuring her congratulations. Her cue arrived, a short introduction simply saying that she was working on 'Cruel Intentions' at present. A stage hand pushed her forward and she stepped into the view of the audience, and with as much grace as she could manage, what with her inclination to stop dead in fear at the huge round of applause she was receiving. She made her way up the sloping path to the balcony she had been directed to in rehearsals. Stepping up to the microphone, she noted it had been shortened for her benefit and almost laughed aloud. Stopping herself from tucking her hair behind her ear for fear of unsettling the arrangement of curls plaits and threaded in silver beads that was pinned to her head. She glanced down at the card and took a deep breath.
"I'm probably the only person that when asked to present best director asked if she could present a nomination for best original song instead, but I meet these guys when I first stepped onto the set for 'Cruel Intentions' and they reminded me of something I'd forgotten was true." Swallowing painfully, her eyes flickered over the audience searching for those familiar brown eyes.
"I love you, Angel. And I couldn't let life go on having never told you that." Feeling her eyes fill up with tears, she blinked heavily and seeing her speech clock ticking down past zero she quickly moved on. "'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' written for the film 'Make Me Smile' by Justin Hawkins and performed by The Darkness, is nominated for best original song written for a film." Stepping away from the microphone she heard the crowds uncertain applause, and the opening bars of heavy guitar from The Darkness, but she couldn't look, couldn't bear to see what Angel's reaction might have been. She brushed her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket and headed back to the wings. Around her the stagehands watched as she passed in silence.
Angel's hand was being painfully crushed by Kat in an attempt to stop him from rushing onto the stage. But he couldn't help it! Gods, she loved him! She'd announced to the whole world and his brother such and there was absolutely no way she was going to get away without him admitting his feelings as well. But she loved him. Nothing could be better. Relaxing back in his seat, and ignoring the concerned looks and whispering from those seated around him he smiled softly to himself. There was hope.
An hour passed before Angel had an opportunity to do anything, he had tried to find her during the short five minute breaks in the broadcast but every damnable person in the theatre seemed to enjoy getting in his way. Finally they began to read out the nominations for the last Academy Award, his award - Best Actor, and ignoring the camera they shoved in his face, he bit his lip. Maybe if he… maybe.
Renée Zellweger took the now open envelope from Colin Firth and paused to read the winner, smiling she read it aloud. "Angel Mac Lachlan, as Jamie in 'Make Me Smile'." Most of the second half of her sentence had been drowned out in applause and Angel stared at the clapping faces around him for a moment before realising he was probably meant to stand up and get his award. Standing on shaky legs he managed to get up. After a gentle shove from Kat he started the shaky walk down to the stage. Fumbling in his jacket pocket for the list of people he had to thank from Wes. Making his way up the steps he shook Colin's hand, hearing his words of congratulations but not taking them in, he absently kissed Renée and made his way toward the mike. The paper in his hand fluttered to the floor. Feeling the award being pressed into his hands he took, and stood for a moment staring at it.
"Mustn't forget this." He finally said. "Uh, there are a whole load of people I should thank… and well consider yourself thanked, especially Kat, Giles, Wes and Gunn. Couldn't have made it without you. If I ever get another Oscar I'll thank the rest of you but now… I can't let the moment pass without trying to straighten everything I've managed to get so terribly wrong before. Buffy…" Scanning the crowds for the blonde goddess he was searching for he finally spotted her about a third of the way back sitting next to Lindsey by the aisle. Lindsey appeared to be trying to attract her attention. But she was staring at him. Glancing anxiously at his rapidly counting down speech clock. "Come here… please, Ionuin." Sharing an understanding glance with Lindsey, Angel watched as Lindsey got up to allow Buffy to get up. Every moment was shot with fear, her big green eyes somehow even wider with fear. Having helped her to stand Lindsey propelled Buffy down the red aisle and she walked down every eye in the place watching her, in a silence deeper then had ever been in the Theatre.
Angel met her halfway up the steps and taking her hand led her up to the microphone. "I have spent the last three months trying to work out exactly what I did wrong… and I thought at least, I should have told the truth." With one of her shaking hands still gripped in his, he used his other hand to raise her lips to his, dropping a gentle kiss, he smiled against her mouth. "I love you, Buffy Summers… changeable and outspoken and determined to be whoever you want… I love everything about you, even the bit that walked out on me, 'Cos I know there's another bit that made you tell the whole world you loved me, on stage, at the Academy Awards. And I'm not going to let you get away anymore. I want you to be mine. And I want you to be my wife.
Dropping Buffy's hand to search through his jacket pockets he finally pulled out what he was looking for, slightly anxious that she hadn't said anything yet, he picked up her hand again, and pausing with the ring bare millimetres from her ring-finger, he smiled at her. "When we finally got into the room in the basement we found that dress… it was my grandma's I think," he shrugged "I gave it to Janna to give to you." Seeing her pleased surprise, he was encouraged and went on. "We found these as well, these rings… the hands stand for friendship, the crown for loyalty… and the heart. That's for love. Ionuin… will you marry me?"
Buffy stared at him, he was so beautiful, it was as though in those few months away she had thought her mental image of him had become embellished, but no here he was. Adonis as ever. "The ring is beautiful." She finally murmured, taking the silver band from him she ran it through her fingers. Quirking her lips at him, she slipped it onto her ring finger. "But not as beautiful as you and I think I love you more." Angel grinned back at her, and as the crowds beat their feet and clapped in applause Angel moved to sweep her up in a hug, but Buffy held up one hand to stop him. "But uh… before you decide you really want to marry me, I think I ought to mention something too."
"Nothing could make me change my mind."
"Heh, you think so huh?" Shaking her head she stopped herself from pacing. "You see… you know that, er, night before… I left… well, Uh, I'm kinda pregnant."
Angel's brow creased in confusion before he passed out.
When Angel came around he was lying on the floor… or a stage… and Buffy was kneeling next to him, a host of stagehands and security personnel were also crowding around. Running a hand over his brow Buffy's eyes were full of sadness as they met his. "I guess you can have the ring back if you want. You don't have to have any involvement with the baby if you don't-" Angel clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Don't ever say that." Letting his hand drop he ran it down over her stomach, and felt the slight bump he hadn't noticed before. "Our boy's going to be beautiful."
Relived Buffy quirked an eyebrow at him. "Our boy? What makes you think it's not a girl?"
"I'm just getting a guy-vibe."
Buffy shrugged. "Yeah, me too, don't know why." Putting her hand over his, she smiled hopefully. "So I guess you still wanna get married."
"Definitely." Pulling himself up into a half sitting position, he pulled Buffy into his lap and meeting her lips in a gentle kiss, he felt a rush of heady pleasure run through his senses. If his entire life was going to be filled with Buffy… he wanted it to last forever. This kiss quickly spiralled into passionate.
//I think… when it comes down to it, life is always perfect, when it sucks and when it doesn't there will always be that tiny glimmer of beautiful hope that things can be better, and that they will. As Richard Curtis said "If you look hard enough, you'll discover that love, actually is all around." – love actually//
Sigh. It's the end. I can hardly believe it, thanks so much to everyone who's been reading this. You are infinitely amazing and I couldn't have done it without all the encouragement.
There is definitely *not* going to be a sequel. Use your imagination. And be safe in the fact that there was plenty of sex, fame and kids… with the odd set back that is resolved with plenty of making up.
Oh slight point, I realise that 'I believe in a thing called love' was not written for any film particularly but is just The Darkness' genius creation. Also that I imagine a fair amount of people stateside may not have heard it… but just the title on it's on was too perfect not to use.
I am now semi-retiring for the next … two – three months, so anything I haven't finished (ie Pulse) will be continued then. But waaay too much work to be posting at the mo.
Anything you wanna say, please send it to me at halfevilkids@yahoo.co.uk or leave a review at ff.net.
Weasy