Chapter 14
Buffy and Angel were sitting on the couch in his house and they were kissing. She wanted him to take her to his house instead of drop her off at hers. Angel broke out of the kiss to let her breathe. He rested his head on hers. "I love you." He whispered and Buffy seemed surprised by that.
"You do?" She asked and he nodded and kissed her on the lips again. Buffy smiled at him when he pulled away. "I love you, too." She replied and he returned her smile as they kissed again. This time Buffy broke away and looked at him with a serious expression. "I'm going to tell my mom about us and not just her. I'm going to tell them all, I don't want to keep it a secret anymore." She said and Angel tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Buffy nodded.
"Now more than ever. I want to be with you like a real couple. I don't want to hide it anymore." Angel kissed her again.
"Do you want me there when you tell them?" Buffy shook her head.
"That's okay; I need to do it by myself. I need to prove that I'm not a kid anymore." They spent the rest of the time making out until Buffy had to go home. At the house, Joyce was pacing the kitchen and waiting for Giles to come home. Buffy called and said she was at a friend's house so she wouldn't be expecting her home yet. She was still pacing when Giles finally walked through the back door. He gave her a smile and she smiled back even though she wasn't feeling it. Giles could tell that something was wrong as he walked over to her.
"Are you alright?" He asked her and she took a deep breath.
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me what you were doing last night?" Giles seemed confused.
"I was working, you know that." Joyce shook her head.
"I mean after that. I saw you at the Espresso Pump, Rupert. I saw you with that other woman." Giles sighed when he realized what she was talking about.
"Is that what you're upset about?" Joyce nodded.
"I think I have a reason to be. You seemed really close. Are you having an affair?" Giles almost laughed at that suggestion.
"How could you think that I would have an affair, Joyce? You know how much I love you." He explained.
"I thought I knew, but lately I'm not sure. You've been all secretive and now I find you with her. I just don't know what to think anymore." Giles nodded and took a seat and Joyce did the same thing because she was tired of standing.
"Well, let me clarify it for you. Her name is Jenny and she's an old friend of mine. I knew her in England and she lost her husband recently. She came here to get away for a while and because she knew that I was here. So, she contacted me and we got together to talk because she knew that I could relate to what she was going through. I would never cheat on you, Joyce. You and the kids mean too much to me. I would never want to betray your trust. You must believe me." Joyce felt relieved at what he was saying. She knew there had to be a good explanation. She felt guilty and knew she should have trusted him more.
"I'm sorry, Rupert. I was just so confused and I jumped to conclusions. I do believe you, but you could have just told me that sooner. Why don't you invite her over for dinner one night? I would love to meet one of your old friends." Giles gave her a smile.
"I'm sure she would love that." Giles stood up and Joyce followed his lead again. He then grabbed her in a hug and she rested her head on his chest. Buffy chose that moment to walk in the door and she stopped when she saw them hugging. She smiled to herself and knew that they would work things out. She walked away without them even noticing and headed upstairs.