Disclaimer: The characters of Tracey, Kenneth, Serena, Olivia, Professor Strang, and anyone else you don't recognize as well as the original plot are mine. Everything else belongs to the genius Joss Whedon.
Dedication: To everyone who reviewed and supported this story from the beginning, I love you all, and your kind words mean so much to me. lilsoccercutie55, Sanity Fair, Tara, Out-Of-Reality, mistymidnight, orlando-is-a-hottie, charisma, slayerchick33, Sarah A. David, LizaGirl, MackyPac, Grace, Lynn, Melanie, Lisa Anne1, anka-x, Jennifer-Phoenix, BA Shipper '99, SlayerGirl000.
Author's Note: Whew! Sorry for the delay, this is the chapter that would not end. 14 pages with the epilogue! But I am pleased with it, and I think you all will like it. Just so you know, this is not the end of my little universe. Soon I am planning to debut The Serena Chronicles. This will be a series of little stand alone stories from different points in Serena's life. Many of them will take place in between the conclusion of Part 12 and the beginning of the epilogue, but some will be from before this story and some may be from after this epilogue. While I am on the topic of the epilogue, you may notice that it is written a little differently than the rest of the story. There is no narration, because I wanted you to learn everything through the words and actions of the characters alone. I like how it turned out. Also, you know how I am with songs. The snippet in part 12 is from "I Could Not Ask For More" by Edwin McCain, I wasn't planning on using this but then they played it on All My Children a few weeks ago and I couldn't resist. And the one in the epilogue is "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain, a song that I think represents this story so perfectly. I hope you agree. Again, thanks to everyone who has reviewed, this part is for you. Next I plan to work on the next installment of my D/C series and of course The Serena Chronicles. Now I think we should get to the end of my little tale, don't you? :-) 3 Erin
Part 12
11 Days Later
Saturday, July 22nd, 2020
"A little to the left," Buffy said, tilting her head slightly. "There! Perfect."
Angel stepped off the ladder and admired his handiwork. "It looks good." The big banner reading "Happy 15th Birthday Serena" now hung perfectly centered from the tree in the backyard.
"I think we're done," Buffy said, straightening the paper plates and cups on the picnic table for about the fifteenth time. "Does it look okay? Do we need more balloons? Or streamers! There's not enough streamers."
Angel wrapped his arms around his wife, smiling to himself. "Honey, you're obsessing over this party."
Buffy sighed. "I know. I just want it to be perfect. Serena deserves that much with everything that's been going on."
"And it will be perfect," Angel said, kissing the top of her head lightly. "The guests will be here soon. The ones from out of town anyway. Where's Serena?"
"Present," she called out, entering the yard. Her hair was down, and she was wearing her favorite jeans and shirt. "It looks awesome!" she said, admiring the decorations her parents had slaved over.
Buffy breathed an inward sigh of relief. "Good! I'm glad you like them. We got your favorite colors."
She smiled. "I noticed. Purple and white." She glanced around. "No one's here yet?" she said casually.
Buffy glanced at Angel. It was perfectly obvious that her daughter was really looking for one person and one person only. "No, Kenneth is not here yet."
Serena pretended to be surprised. "I wasn't talking about Kenny. I just meant everyone in general," she said, blushing slightly.
"Oh, so it's 'Kenny' now?" Angel asked, slightly perturbed. He and Buffy had both noticed Serena's apparent crush on her new Watcher, and it appeared the feelings were mutual. However Kenneth did seem to know what he was doing in the Watcher department, and Serena was making a lot of progress. Just the other night she had single handedly staked three vampires on patrol. But Angel was still watching him very closely.
"There's my birthday diva!" sang Tracey's voice, interrupting the conversation. The three of them turned to see the actress hurrying around the house, carrying a large gift bag and her trademark Louis Vuitton suitcase.
"Aunt Tracey!" Serena said, relieved to be rescued from the conversation that had quickly turned embarrassing. She rushed over to give her a hug.
"And I brought something for you to wear today," Tracey said, happily placing a small crystal tiara on her niece's head.
Serena beamed. "Thanks! I've always wanted one of these!"
"Haven't we all! Buffy!" she said, moving on to give her best friend a tight hug. "It's great to see you!"
"You too!" Buffy said. "Come on, let's put your bag in the guest room."
"I'll take it," Angel offered, taking the bag.
"Thanks! Oh, I'm sorry, I almost forgot to say hello," Tracey said, giving Angel a quick peck on the cheek.
"It's okay," Angel said. "I'll just take this up to your room and then I'll be back." He entered the house.
"I'm going to go see if anyone else is here yet," Serena called, heading around to the front of the house.
Tracey took Buffy's arm, leading her to sit down at the picnic table. "Okay. So how are you, really?"
Buffy shrugged. "I'm dealing. It's been a change, the whole slayer thing. But we're adjusting. I just really hope that today goes well, because I still want Serena to have as much of a normal life as I can give her."
"She will. But even I have to admit that it's strange. I mean, so much has changed since the last time I was here, and that was what, a few weeks ago?" Tracey said, shaking her head.
"And believe me, you missed Serena's denial phase. Which was not pretty. How does she seem to you now?" Buffy asked.
Tracey smiled. "She seems like my same little diva. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known anything was different." Tracey touched her friend on the arm as if suddenly remembering something. "And you! I am so proud of you. I can barely remember when the last time I saw you and Angel this happy was."
Buffy smiled, too. "I know. That is helping a lot, with all of this. If I didn't have Angel, I couldn't be doing this."
"But it must have been so hard. Letting go of Liam so completely," Tracey said sympathetically.
Buffy nodded. "And I still think about him. I guess I always will. But it's in a good way. It's remembering him, not grieving him. And I think it's the same for Angel. He didn't let me see it before, but I think that losing Liam hit him just as hard as it hit me, if not more."
"Well Angel was never the guy to wear his heart on his sleeve. Except when he's around you and Serena," Tracey added. She reached out and gave her friend a hug. "I'm just glad that you guys are all back on the right track."
Angel came back outside. "Buffy, this was on the kitchen table." He held out a small gift-wrapped box. "Didn't you want to give it to her before everyone got here?"
"Oh, yes!" Buffy said, standing up. "Serena!" she called.
Her daughter came back into the yard. "No one else is here yet. What's up?"
Buffy handed her the small box. "I want to give you this before everyone else gets here. Don't worry, it's not your 'big' present, it's just something I wanted you to have. And I thought now was the time."
Serena curiously removed the wrapping paper to reveal a small velvet jewelry box. She opened it and looked up at her mother in surprise. "Mom, you don't have to do this."
"Honey, I want you to have it. That necklace is the first present your dad ever gave me. Over 23 years ago," she said with a laugh, staring lovingly at her husband. "I always wanted you to have it someday, and I think that there is no better time than now."
Serena hugged her mother, tears in her eyes. "Thank you. I love it." She pulled back. "Can I wear it today?"
"Of course, it's yours now," Buffy said, helping her fasten the clasp on the silver cross necklace.
"You guys are going to make me cry!" Tracey exclaimed. They all laughed.
They heard a horn honk in front of the house. "Someone's here. I'll go," Angel said, walking away, fondly remembering the night he had given that very same necklace to his now wife. He had never dreamed that his daughter would someday wear it as well.
"Hey guys," he said when he saw Cordelia, Wesley, Lorne, Gunn, and to his surprise, Fred climbing out of a car.
"Angel!" Fred said, rushing to give him a hug. The longest amount of time had passed since they had seen each other. Fred had gotten a job as a professor at a college a few hours away from LA about five years back, and he had only seen her once or twice since then. Occasionally she still stopped by LA to visit her friends and help out at Angel Investigations.
"Fred! It's so great to see you! I didn't know you were coming," he said, looking at her.
"Well, Wesley called and told me about everything that happened. With Serena. So I made a special trip," she said.
"Everyone will be so glad to see you." Angel turned to the others. "Hey everyone. Thanks for coming."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Cordelia said, hugging her friend. "Oh, Connor is coming, he just didn't want to ride with us this year because we don't have room in the car for his new girlfriend, too."
"He's bringing Olivia," Angel asked in surprise. In all the excitement, he had almost forgotten about his son's new girlfriend.
"Yes. I really think you'll like her, she seems very nice," Cordelia said honestly.
"Hello Angel Cakes. Where's the birthday princess?" Lorne asked, clapping his hands.
"She's in the backyard, with Buffy and Tracey," Angel said, leading them all back there.
Fred, Cordy, Lorne, and Gunn went ahead, and Wesley hung back with Angel. "So...it's nice that Fred came," Angel said nonchalantly, trying to hide a smile.
Wesley gave him a Look. "It's been a long time."
"Have you...you know...talked to her? I mean you guys never really got the chance to see what would happen," Angel suggested.
Wesley looked down. "I don't know. I mean, Fred has changed a lot. She has a new life now, and I'm not really a part of that."
"Wes? Are you coming?" Fred called, smiling sweetly.
Angel raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't be so sure about that." Pleased with himself he walked away.
He reentered the backyard to find everyone greeting each other happily. Cordy and Buffy hugged happily, Lorne greeted Tracey, and Gunn slapped hands with Serena. He smiled. It was great to see everyone he cared about having fun together. Fred and Wesley walked by, chatting quietly. He smiled some more. He had always known that those two were meant to be. Now that he had it all figured out with Buffy, he wanted his friends to be just as happy.
"Angel! Hi!" rang a voice behind him. He turned to see Willow and Tara, with Giles and Joyce close behind.
"Hey, thanks for coming," he said. He saw Liz climbing out of her mom's car just behind them. He smiled at her and sent her around back with the others.
Buffy ran up to him, looking excited. "Almost everyone's here. And I think they're having a good time. Except Serena. She's a little edgy because you-know-who isn't here yet."
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Is that necessarily a bad thing?"
Buffy smacked him in the arm gently. "You can't shelter her forever you know. And believe me, he is not going to try anything with her."
"Christopher Harris, you get over here!" Anya yelled menacingly. Buffy and Angel looked down to see Xander and Anya's five year old son running full speed ahead towards them, while Xander and Anya removed presents and the baby from the car.
"Woah, slow down there," Angel said, bending down to scoop him up. Christopher looked a lot like Xander, with his dark, slightly messy hair and mischievous eyes.
"Is there gonna be cake at the party?" he asked excitedly.
Buffy laughed. "Yes, but not until later. Hey guys! Oh my God, Isabella is so big!"
"Big!" the little girl squealed happily from her mother's arms. They all laughed. Isabella was almost fifteen months now.
"Hey Buff," Xander said, giving her a hug. "How've ya been?"
She smiled tightly. "Better."
He nodded, taking his son from Angel. "So, is the latest from the Watcher line here yet?"
"No. Much to Serena's dismay," Angel said grimly. "Don't ask."
"Isabella, leave your cousin Serena's present alone! I spent lots of money on that," Anya scolded.
Angel looked up when he saw his son's car pull up in front of the house. "Hey, Connor's here. I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay," Buffy said, leading Anya, Xander, and their children to the rest of the guests.
Angel watched as Connor exited the car, accompanied by a small, pretty girl with auburn hair. He took her hand as they walked up the driveway. "Hey Dad," he said, nervously. "This is Olivia. Olivia, my dad."
She smiled and held out her hand. "It's very nice to meet you Mr. O'Leary."
Angel smiled back. "Likewise. We're all glad you could come."
"Me too. I can't wait to meet Connor's family," she said politely.
Angel nodded. "I'll take you around back to meet everyone."
The backyard was officially in party-mode. Serena and Liz were talking quietly in the corner. Angel didn't have to think very hard as to their topic of discussion, AKA the only guest still MIA. Anya was chasing Christopher as he ran around the yard blowing a party horn. Lorne was cooing over Isabella. Fred and Wesley were sitting at the picnic table, talking among themselves. And Buffy seemed to be everywhere at once, trying her very hardest to make the day perfect.
Angel grabbed her arm as she rushed by. "Buffy, Connor is here. And he brought a guest," he said pointedly.
Buffy blinked. "Oh! Hi, I'm Buffy," she said, shaking Olivia's hand.
"Hi Buffy, I'm Olivia," she said. "Is that your daughter over there? She looks so much like you!"
Well she certainly gets an A in the flattery department, Angel said, a little impressed.
"Yes," Buffy said, obviously happy with the comment. "Let's go introduce you to her."
While the three of them went over to Serena, Angel noticed that Kenneth was standing awkwardly at the edge of the yard, clutching a wrapped gift like it was a security blanket. He took a deep breath and headed over.
"Kenneth," he said cordially. "You came."
He nodded quickly. "Yes, of course. I apologize for being late, I had a bit of difficulty finding a...suitable gift."
Angel nodded. "Kenneth I think we need to have a talk."
"Kenny!" Serena said excitedly, as she came rushing over. Angel closed his eyes briefly. "I'm so glad you came."
'Kenny' smiled at her. "I-I wouldn't miss it." He awkwardly handed her the present.
She smiled sweetly. "You didn't have to get me anything."
Meanwhile, Buffy and Tracey were watching the whole exchange. "He's studly," Tracey said approvingly. "I can see why our girl has got the hots for him."
Buffy felt her eyes narrow slightly at the thought. "I suppose he's not that bad looking."
"Oh come on, you know he's hot. Hey, if Serena didn't want him I would take him myself."
Buffy looked at her. "Tracey, he's about twenty years younger than us."
She shrugged. "He could keep me young." Noticing the look her friend was giving her, she rolled her eyes. "I am just kidding!"
Connor had joined Serena and Kenneth. "So, you are my little sister's Watcher?" he asked, sizing him up.
"Yes," Kenneth said. "And you of course are Connor, the miracle child. The only child ever to be born from two-"
"Yeah, whatever," Connor said, interrupting. "Look, just...do a good job. Okay?"
Kenneth nodded hurriedly. "I will perform my sacred duty with utmost-"
"Kenny, it's okay. They're just being protective. Why don't you come over here. I can introduce you to everyone," Serena said sweetly.
Kenny smiled. "I would like that very much." The two of them walked off together, leaving Angel silently fuming.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Serena, happy birthday to you," the group sang a little while later.
"Make a wish!" Buffy said, her camera ready.
Serena thought hard before blowing out all fifteen candles in one breath. Everyone cheered.
"Cake!" Christopher said excitedly.
The group laughed again. "Buffy, that cake does look awesome," Tracey commented.
"Thanks! I guess I've come a long way. Remember the time I tried to cook microwave popcorn in the dorm kitchen and I set the smoke alarms off?" Buffy said with wide eyes.
Tracey cracked up. "How could I forget! I'll never forget the look the firefighters gave you when you explained."
Buffy smiled at the memory. Even though she had been a completely different person back in New York, the memories she had from those two years were very special to her. Especially the days when she had first reunited with Angel.
Serena cut the cake down the center before helping Buffy serve it onto plates. "Here, let me help," Willow said, handing out the sliced cake.
"Thanks Will," Buffy said. "I'm sorry, I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to you today."
"It's okay. You're busy making sure that Serena doesn't carry on your tradition of sucky slayer birthdays," Willow said quietly.
Buffy smiled wryly. "I'm certainly going to try."
"And after cake we have to open presents," Serena said with a smile.
"Oh yes we do. You are going to like mine the best," Tracey boasted.
"No, she is going to like mine best," Liz said.
Lorne took a piece of cake and sat down next to Liz. Buffy noticed her eyes widen slightly. Poor girl, she probably doesn't know what to make of the green horned guy sitting next to her.
"Liz, it's okay. Lorne is our friend," Buffy said quietly, trying to hide a smile. The thought of someone being afraid of the kindest, tamest demon she had ever known was a little funny.
"Oh! I no. Did I..." Liz said frantically, blushing a little.
"Sorry hon, I forgot that we had a newbie in the bunch. Don't mind me," Lorne said. "What about you sweet stuff?" he said to Olivia, who was sitting across from him.
"Do you mean do I know? About...demons and stuff? Yeah. I actually met Connor when he was saving me from my ex. He was a vampire. Well, not when we were together. That would have just been, like wrong," she said with a laugh.
Connor gave her a pointed look. "But of course she knows that not all vampires are bad."
Olivia looked confused for a moment before the realization dawned on her. "Oh! I mean, of course, yes, I just meant that a, a relationship with someone who was killing people would be bad."
Buffy smiled. "It's okay. Really." Olivia looked relieved.
Angel grabbed Buffy's arm as soon as everyone had their cake. "Come here for a minute." He led her inside the house to the kitchen.
"What are you doing? We have guests," she protested as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I think the party can survive for one minute without you," he said, kissing her softly.
She relaxed a little. "Do you think Serena is having fun?"
Angel placed a finger over her mouth. "Stop worrying. I brought you in here so you could relax a little." He kissed her neck.
"Well you've definitely distracted me," Buffy mumbled. They were still kissing when they heard the back door open, and they jumped a little.
"I-I'm sorry. I just wanted to bring these inside," Tara said awkwardly, carrying a stack of dirty paper plates.
"Oh, no, it's okay. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left," Buffy said, hurrying over to help her. "Angel, can you go back out? We'll be there in a minute."
Once they were alone, Tara and Buffy threw out the plates. "Serena seems good," Tara said.
"Yeah, I guess she does, considering. So what do you think of Kenneth, or as my daughter now calls him, 'Kenny'," she said, making air quotes.
Tara smiled. "Well I'm not exactly the best person to ask, but he's cute. And I can tell Serena likes him."
"Tell me something I don't know," Buffy said wryly.
Tara finished cleaning up and looked at her friend. "But maybe it's not such a bad thing. For Serena to have something positive to associate with the slaying."
Buffy considered that for a moment. "She has been more enthusiastic since he came."
They started heading back outside. "Well that's definitely a good thing," Tara said.
"Mom! There you are. Can we open presents now?" Serena asked. Everyone had finished their cake and was grouped around the picnic table.
"Sure!" Buffy said, grabbing her camera.
Tracey handed her the gift bag she had brought. "Here! Open mine first."
Serena eagerly ripped off the tissue paper to reveal a new handbag. "Oh my God, how did you know I wanted one of these?" she said excitedly.
"Well what girl doesn't want the new Dooney and Bourke? I'm glad you like it," Tracey said, pleased with herself.
Serena gave her a hug. "Thanks Aunt Tracey!"
She continued opening presents. Among them were a framed piece of art for her room from her grandparents, a sweater from Willow and Tara, DVDs from Xander and Anya, shoes from Cordelia, and new oil paints from her parents.
"Wow, thanks so much guys! Is that everything?" Serena asked, looking around.
"Um, just mine," Kenneth said nervously, handing her his gift.
Serena smiled at him. "Thank you Kenny." She proceeded to tear open the paper. She examined the old book.
"It's the most comprehensive collection of knowledge on the Slayer mythology. I thought it might help you understand your calling more," he said awkwardly.
She smiled at him. "That is so sweet. I love it." She hesitated only slightly before giving him a hug. Buffy had never seen anyone look so surprised as Kenny did at that moment. She felt Angel tense beside her.
She placed an arm on his shoulder. "Angel, relax. It's fine."
They broke apart from the rather lengthy hug. An awkward silence came over the yard. "So, how about some music?" Tracey said suddenly, turning on the portable radio. The atmosphere relaxed and everyone started chatting again.
"I'm going to go talk to Connor for a minute," Angel said, giving his wife a quick kiss. "Great job today."
Buffy smiled. "Thanks." She stood back and watched. Serena, Liz, Cordelia, and Tracey were laughing about something while admiring Serena's gift from Tracey. Kenneth was talking rapidly to Lorne, who was giving him a strange look. Buffy could just imagine what he was saying. "It's fascinating, I've never seen a demon who mixed so well with humans..."
Wesley and Fred were off in the corner, talking quietly. Buffy saw him reach out to take her hand and smiled. Olivia was holding Isabella and talking to Anya. She seemed to be fitting right in. Willow, Xander, and Tara were playing with Christopher in the grass. And over by the tree, Angel, Connor, and Gunn were talking and laughing.
Her eyes wandered back to Serena, who was smiling and seemed to be having a great time. Buffy felt a slight sense of peace come over her. Maybe it really was going to be okay. She leaned back against the house and listened to the lyrics floating from the radio.
Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more.
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more.
A thought came to her as she listened, and she slowly walked inside the house, leaving the sounds of fun and laughter behind her. She entered her former office and switched on the light. Barely thinking, she walked over to her computer and turned it on. She sat down and waited for it to start up, deep in thought.
When it was ready she opened up her word processing program. She hesitated a minute before typing.
In Loving Memory
of Professor Janice Strang
and Liam O'Leary.
She read it over several times before moving on. She skipped a few spaces before continuing the preface.
Fate of the Child
By Buffy Summers
Sequel to Forbidden Love
She nodded, satisfied with her title. And with a smile on her face, she began to type.
Epilogue
Four Years Later
"Now, presenting for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bromley!"
Everyone cheered as the couple entered the reception room. Buffy stood up and snapped a picture as the newlyweds began their first dance.
"She looks so beautiful," Angel said, holding his wife's hand.
Buffy smiled. "I know. Can you believe that's our little girl?"
"Mommy mommy!" the ringbearer cried as he ran over on his little legs.
"Shhh!" Buffy hushed, scooping him up. "It's your sister's first dance with her new husband!"
"Mommy Daddy did you see me?" the two year old asked.
"Yes. You were the best ringbearer I have ever seen," Angel said, kissing his head.
The music stopped and everyone cheered again. After smiling for a few photos Serena rushed over to her family, her new husband in tow.
"Can you believe it? I'm married!" the nineteen year old said, holding up her left hand to show off her new wedding band.
"It's amazing," Buffy said, hugging her daughter tightly. "I know I've already told you a million times, but you look so beautiful today."
Serena twirled around. Her ivory satin floor length dress was very simple, with crystal encrusted spaghetti straps. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head. She wore dangly earrings, but no veil.
"There's my sister," Connor said, coming over to hug her, his own wedding band reflecting the light. When they broke apart he turned to Kenneth and shook his hand. "Welcome to the family."
Kenneth beamed at Serena. "I am very proud to be a part of it."
Connor sat back down next to his father, squeezing his own wife's hand. "So are you happy with how things went today?" Olivia asked her sister in law.
"Yes. It was perfect. Everyone we love is here, I couldn't ask for more," Serena said happily.
"Reeny Reeny," little Aidan said, reaching his arms up.
"There's my little ringbearer!" she exclaimed, scooping him up. "You did such a good job."
"I cawwied the rings!" he said proudly. The 8 adults surrounding the table laughed.
"You were the best ring carrier I've ever seen," Giles said, smiling at him.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Joyce added proudly.
Serena looked down when she felt tugging on her dress. Isabella was staring up innocently, looking adorable in her light blue flower girl dress. "Mommy and Daddy want to see you," she said in her little voice.
"Oh yes, I'll be right over. I need to talk to everyone!" she said, waving at the table where Xander, Anya, Christopher, Willow, Tara, Tracey, and Kenneth's father were sitting.
"I'll come with you," Buffy said, taking Aidan from Serena. Serena took Isabella's hand and they went over to the other table.
"Congratulations!" everyone cried, waiting to hug Serena.
"Thank you everyone. I'm so glad you could all be here," she said happily.
"The wedding was absolutely gorgeous. I think this is what I want my wedding to be like. Not too big, but not small either," Tracey said thoughtfully.
"You know what they say, less is more," Willow added.
Tracey reached over and squeezed her fiance's hand. "And Diva, the best part is that after my wedding we will be almost related!"
"I know! You will be my kind of mother-in-law," Serena said with a smile.
Meanwhile on the other side of the table, Tara was holding Aidan. "How long has it been now?" she asked.
"Twenty months. But it feels like so much longer." Buffy reached out and touched the little boy's hand. "Whenever I thought about adoption I thought it would be...I don't know, different. But it's like he's mine. I wish we had done it sooner."
"Well now is a good time. With Serena out of the house and everything," Tara added.
Buffy shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe my baby is married."
"Freaky, isn't it? How fast they grow up. Before I know it this one will be having kids," Xander said, gesturing to his seven year old son.
Mr. Bromley hugged Serena. "Welcome to the family. I know my son loves you very much. It is a little unorthodox however, a Watcher and Slayer married."
Serena smiled and took her husband's hand as he came up beside her. "The Council agreed with you. But I think we're both better off without them."
"Hey, I could have told you that a long time ago," Buffy added wryly.
"So Serena, I'll bet you just can't wait to get out of here and move on to the best part of marriage, the honeymoon," Anya said matter-of-factly.
Serena and Kenny both blushed. "We are looking forward to it," Serena said.
"Well make sure you enjoy it. Because before you know it there will be little kids running around and you'll wonder how you ever had time for sex," Anya stated.
"Anya," Xander said loudly. "As I remember we found plenty of time after Chris was born."
"But not after the second child," Anya said.
Xander gave her an upset look. "Ahn, we still have sex."
"Okay, isn't this a lovely conversation for the dinner table at a wedding," Willow said awkwardly.
Serena handed Isabella to Anya as the two continued to argue. "Well thank you all for coming. I need to go say hello to everyone else."
Buffy picked up her son and they wandered away from the table. "Leave it to Anya."
Serena laughed. "I know."
Kenneth squeezed his wife's hand. "Do you want to talk to your friends from LA?"
"Yes," Serena said, hurrying over. After all the hugs and greetings were exchanged, Cordy and Fred immediately began fussing over how beautiful Serena looked.
"You are a very beautiful bride Mrs. Bromley," Cordelia said with a grin.
Wesley looked at Fred. "I'll bet you would look very beautiful in a dress like that, too."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you think so?"
Gunn looked at Buffy and shook his head. "Those two need to just get their act together and get hitched already."
"Oh don't rush them," Lorne said.
"Yes. We have all the time in the world," Fred said lovingly. She paused. "Although I wouldn't exactly mind a ring." Everyone laughed.
They chatted for a little while longer before Buffy and Serena started walking back to the family table. "You know, I realized this morning that two of my wishes have come true," Serena said quietly.
"What wishes?" Buffy asked.
"You know, the wishes you make when you blow out the candles on your birthday. I mean I know I've made nineteen of them, but there are two that really stand out. My 6th birthday and my 15th."
"What did you wish for?" Buffy said curiously.
Serena smiled at the little boy in her mother's arms. "When I was six I wished for a little brother or sister."
Buffy smiled sadly. "That one should have come true a lot sooner."
Serena nodded in agreement. "But now we have this little guy and everything is perfect. And when I was fifteen, I wished that one day, I would marry Kenny."
Buffy gaped at her. "You had only known him for a week at the time!"
"Eleven days," Serena said defensively. They both laughed.
"Hey," Liz said, coming over to join them in her blue maid-of-honor gown. "Are you ever going to come out on the dance floor?"
"Yeah, just let me grab Kenny," Serena said. She smiled at her mom before linking arms with her friend. "You and dad should come dance."
"We will," Buffy said. "Now go have a good time." The two girls walked away.
"Mommy can I go see Connor and Owivia and Daddy?" Aidan asked sweetly.
"Of course," Buffy said, putting him down. "You be a good boy," she called as she watched him run away on his little legs.
"Mrs. O'Leary?" she heard a voice ask. She turned around to see a woman with a notepad and a 'press' badge standing beside her. "Congratulations to your family. Do you mind if I do a quick interview?"
"Of course," Buffy said, as they stepped aside.
"Thank you. How do you feel about your daughter's marriage today?" the reporter asked.
"I'm very happy for her," Buffy said simply. "Kenny's great."
She wrote that down. "And your friend Tracey Edwards is engaged to the father of your new son-in-law?"
"Yes. But if you want info on that, you should really talk to Tracey," Buffy said politely.
"Okay, just a few more questions. Has your life changed since you made your return to the writing scene four years ago?"
Buffy smiled. "Yes. It's been great, I never realized how much I missed writing. These past years have been a great time in my life."
"And the novel entitled Fate of the Child is loosely based upon your daughter Serena, with the same supernatural twists as in the original?" she asked.
Buffy smiled secretively. "You could say that."
"Okay, just one more question. You and your husband adopted a little boy almost two years ago. How is that working out?"
"It couldn't be better. We love Aidan like he's our own. And it's great to have a baby in the house again."
The reporter smiled and shook her hand. "Thank you so much for your time Mrs. O'Leary. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Buffy replied. After the reporter left, Angel wandered over.
"There you are. May I have this dance?" Angel asked, holding out his hand.
Buffy took it as a slow song started up. "You may."
They entered the dance floor, where Serena and Kenny, Willow and Tara, Tracey and her fiancé, Connor and Olivia, Wesley and Fred, Giles and Joyce, and Xander and Anya, appearing to have made up, were also dancing. Buffy wrapped her arms around her husband's neck as they swayed slowly to the music.
Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
"I love you," Angel said softly.
"I love you too." Buffy looked around. "So I guess it all worked out. Everything is more or less perfect."
He kissed her softly. "So many years. Back then I never would have imagined that someday we would have this."
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
You're still the one
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
"We're pretty lucky," Buffy said, smiling. "We've been through so much but we still manage to come out with a beautiful, grown up daughter, a perfect little boy, and so many other people who love us."
"We deserve it," Angel said. He kissed her again. "Every second of it."
Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
You're still the one
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
Buffy glanced over to see Serena and Kenny practically making out while they danced. "Remember when Kenny first came? You started seeing red every time he looked at her sideways."
Angel looked sheepish. "Well she was underage. And it's not like I was wrong about his intentions."
"But hey, everything turned out for the best. And he makes her happy. I know you like him, you just won't admit it out loud," Buffy said, hiding a smile.
"Well you can't blame me. She's my little girl," he insisted.
"She's mine too." Buffy kissed him. "But hey, now you can shelter Aidan for the next sixteen years or so."
"Good," he said with a laugh. They relaxed and danced through the rest of the song.
You're still the one
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
The song ended and they broke apart. "Want to go sit down?" she said, her arms still wrapped around him.
"Mom! Dad. They want to take a picture of the family," Serena said.
Buffy took her husband's hand. "Great! Where?"
"Over by the cake," Serena said.
They went over and joined Giles, Joyce, Aidan, Connor, Olivia, Kenneth and his father, and Tracey. "You're going to be family. Get in the picture," Kenneth insisted.
"Okay, twist my arm," Tracey said jokingly, patting her hair.
"Okay, let's get the bride and groom in the front," the photographer instructed. Serena grabbed Aidan before crouching in front with her husband. Buffy and Angel stood next to their daughter, with Kenny's father and Tracey on the other side. Connor, Olivia, Giles, and Joyce stood behind them. "Okay, big smiles everyone. Scrunch in!"
Buffy leaned in, putting one arm around her daughter, the other hand tight in Angel's. "On three. One, two, three!" Aidan squealed suddenly, causing everyone to laugh as the flash went off.
The End.