A Little Easier, Maybe Not

Author: Pumpkin Belly

Previously: "Maybe I should wait for Dawn?' He thought before dismissing the idea.  He was Connor's father he could handle this. Well that's what he told himself. 

Thank You

Angel quietly pushed open the door to Connor's room, trying not to make any noise incase Connor had fallen asleep.  A part of him hoped that he had fallen asleep.  Angel pushed back all his thoughts of doubt and went into the room.

He found Connor staring out the window.  Connor turned towards Angel and then back to the window. 

"Where's Dawn?" He asked.  His voice had a distant quality.

"She went to find a doctor." Connor nodded.  Angel moved into the room, taking a seat across from Connor's bed. 

"So," Angel cleared his throat slightly, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel," Connor paused, considering this question instead of offering his father a generic answer of 'fine' "confused." He finally said. 

"About what?" Angel asked trying to hid the excitement in his voice about Connor opening up to him. 

"What's been happening since I've been out." Connor turned to face Angel.

"What did Dawn tell you?" Angel was getting nervous, not wanting to have to hid the fact that Connor was having a child but not wanting to tell him either.

"Don't worry," Connor said with a hint of laughter in his voice, "she already told me she's pregnant."

Angel relaxed noticeably, "Good, good.  I don't really know what to say to you about that, except that you better watch out for Buffy when you guys tell her."

"Dawn didn't tell her yet?" Connor asked, getting very scared about telling her. 

"No." Angel said.  The look of fear on Connor's face was priceless. "I'm sure she won't go to hard on you." Angel said trying to make Connor feel more at ease. 

There was a moment of silence between Connor and Angel.  Then Connor continued,  "When I was asleep," Connor began again, "I could hear people talking to me. I heard you and Dawn and everyone else."  Connor took a breath to steady himself,  "When Dawn was talking to me, before I woke up, she said some things and I don't know if what she said was true but I want to know." 

Angel stiffened; preparing himself for what Connor was going to tell him next. 

"She said that we were having a baby, which she confirmed when I woke up.  She also said that you were going to have my memories taken away or give me new memories.  I'm not to clear on that, but she said that you were going to do it to give me a better life."

Angel nodded confirming Connor's thoughts that what he thought was true and then started to say something but Connor interrupted him. 

"I don't want you to say anything about it.  It didn't happen, obviously, cause I remember everything.  Just thank you." Connor said.

"Thank you?" Angel questioned. 

"Yeah, thank you," Connor said, "You were going to give me up so that I would be more than a vegetable, so that I could have a better life.  I know how hard that would have been for you."

Angel stared at Connor, wondering where his angry, aggressive son went. 

"But," Connor added, "If you ever try it again I will kick your ass."

'There he is' Angel thought sharing a smile with Connor. 

"I finally found a doctor." Dawn announced as she and a doctor entered the room. 

The doctor moved over to Connor, ushering Dawn and Angel out of the room and into the hallway to pace as they waited for the doctor to give the ok that Connor really was fine.  

A/N:  I hope all of you who read this enjoyed this chapter and review telling me if you enjoyed it.  Or if you hated it.  If you have anything you really, really want to happen with this chapter tell me in a review and I'll most likely make it happen.