Love of a life-time

Summary: Because of a prophecy, Angel is given what he wants the most. Buffy gets her wildest dream come true. The star-crossed lovers find out they're going to start a family.

Timeline: After 'Love of a un-death'. Set in 'BtVS' 4th season and 'AtS' 1st season.

Spoilers: 'Enemies', 'The Prom', 'Earshot'. And, of course, 'Love of a un-death'.

Author's notes: Let's pretend Doyle and Cordelia didn't fall for each other. This will be, beside a B/A, a Doyle/Anya, C/X and W/O.

I'm alone, yeah don't know if I can face the night

I'm in tears and the cryin' that I do is for you

I want your love let's break the wall between us

Don't make it tough, I'll put away my pride

Enough's enough, I've suffered and I've seen the light...baby...




You're my angel, come and save me tonight

You're my angel, come and make it alright

You're my angel, come and save me tonight




Don't know what I'm gonna do about this feeling inside
Yes, it's true; loneliness took me for a ride

Without your love, I'm nothin but a beggar

Without your love, a dog without a bone

What can I do, I'm sleepin in this bed alone
 
You're the reason I live

You're the reason I die

You're the reason I give when I break down and cry

Don't need no reason why

Baby, baby, baby

(Aerosmith, Angel)

Angel looked at the silver ring between his fingers. It was the female Claddagh ring he had given Buffy two years ago, on that special night that changed everything in their world. With a smile, he kissed it, and looked at his own Claddagh, with the heart pointing towards him. It was a Monday and Buffy had left the night before to Sunny-dale. Doyle stormed into his office, interrupting his thoughts.

'Anything wrong?' Angel asked, a shadow of worry clouding the happy glimmer in his eyes.

'They want to talk to you' The half-demon smiled at the vampire, clearly uncomfortable.

Angel nodded and shoved the ring carefully into his pocket. He stood up, picked his duster up and left to the sewer system.

The Oracles stared in silent respect at the vampire with a soul in front of them. Angel had an ancient sword on his hands and a shadow of worry on his chocolate-brown eyes.

'What did you bring us?' The male asked. Angel threw the vase in their direction.

'The ancient sword the slayer used to kill Angelus' He replied, feeling his heart clench in agony. 'What do you have to tell me?'

'The Powers asked us to tell a prophecy' The female answered. Angel's eyes widened.

"Oh, God. Please don't tell me my soul isn't really mine" He thought desperately. Buffy and he were so happy, Angel was sure both of them wouldn't be able to deal with the heartache.

'This prophecy' The female smiled calmingly at him 'speaks about a slayer'

Angel never thought he could actually lose his breath. But he did.

'Buffy will die?'

'No' The male answered 'This slayer is child of a slayer with a former vampire'

Buffy felt Angel-feeling growing in her stomach, but ignored it. It wasn't possible. It was a bright sunny day, and Angel was still a vampire. Her vampire. The father of her baby. A smile spread across her face.

The bell rang indicating the end of classes. Sighing thankfully, the slayer got up, and followed Willow out. When they stepped outside the classes. Distracted, it took time to Buffy notice Willow's wide eyes at something. Better, someone.

The blond felt tears burning in her eyes as she recognized her boyfriend standing in plain sunlight. With a squeal, she dropped her books at the floor and ran to Angel. With a smile, he lifted her up and spun her around. Willow was smiling when she picked Buffy's books up and walked calmly to join the couple.

'What do you mean, it was prophesized?' Giles asked Angel, some minutes later. The vampire answered:

'The Oracles called me this morning. They told me about a prophecy that spoke about a future slayer. She is born from a former slayer with a former vampire' He signaled Buffy and himself as he explained.

Buffy jumped up and ran to outside, startling everyone else. Angel followed her, and ran into her in Giles' yard.

'Hey, baby, what's wrong?' He asked worried. Buffy was crying softly and hugged him in despair.

'I don't want this baby to be a slayer' She answered as she put his hand at her belly 'I'm expecting a baby, Angel' She sniffled. 'I found out this morning'.

Angel's eyes filled with tears as he kneeled in front of his lover and kissed her still flat belly. He had created life. With Buffy. They would have a child.

'I can't stand if something happens to the baby, Angel' Buffy whispered as she put her hand over his 'She's so important, so special to me. To us. It's something we never dreamt having, and now we'll have'.

'She'll be powerful' Angel said calmly 'And we are powerful, my love. While she is helpless, we'll fight to protect her. You're still the slayer, and the Powers allowed me to keep my vamp abilities, like healing, hearing, strength and stamina'

Buffy wiped her tears and Angel got up and embraced her, caressing her back.

'Don't worry. It'll be okay. I'm with you now'

It took Buffy a good night of sleep in Angel's arms to get used with his humanity and the fact that her baby was destined to be a slayer. The previous morning, she woke up before her lover, and sighed contentedly as she watched his sleep. He seemed so peaceful. After a few minutes, he lazily opened his eyes.

'What? It's my hair or something else?' He asked playfully.

'Something else' She replied, remembering the first time they had spoken these words to each other. It had been the last time they had an after-patrol-nap together. Suddenly, she made him stand up.

'What's wrong?' Angel asked, as she pushed him towards her mirror.

'I want to look at your reflection' She said as he stood in front of the mirror. Buffy stood on the bed, looking in awe at his features reflected on the crystal. Tears filled her eyes. Angel spun around and hugged her.

'Hey, why the tears?'

'I'm afraid I'll wake up all by myself, you being vampire in LA and me not carrying your baby'

Angel smiled mischievously and said:

'Well, maybe the question I'll ask you will cheer you up'

'A question?'

'Yeah' Angel said as he kneeled in front of her and produced a velvet box from one of his pockets. Buffy's eyes widened in shock.

'Oh…My…God' She whispered.

'Buffy Anne Summers, in two-hundred-forty-three years I loved one person, you. I love you; I always have and always will. You still my girl?'

'Always' She whispered. Angel smiled.

'Will you marry me?'

'YES!' Buffy shouted and gave him her hand. With tears shining in his eyes, Angel opened the velvety box and pulled out the Claddagh. He kissed each finger of her right hand before shoving the ring into the third finger.

'I love you' He whispered before he kissed her.

Three months later, all their friends were looking with teary eyes at the couple at the altar. Buffy Anne Summers and Angel O'Connor were getting married at a sunny morning, at the beach, with the sun and the sea as testimony of their love.

Buffy's swollen belly was starting to show. Before Angel kissed his wife, he kissed her belly and whispered:

'I love you, my daughter'

Then, he stood up and kissed his soul-mate.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you Mr. and Mrs. Angel O'Connor' The priest said happily.