THE GIFT

by kinoa

Angel is given his family. Connor decides to stand by Angels side and learn the family business. (Follow up to The PTB's Boss Sends Help)

2. Chapter 2

THE GIFT

Chapter 2

Angel had called Buffy to let her know they were all coming to Sunnydale tonight. Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, and Cordelia's crackers were in Angel's car. Fred, Wesley, and Connor were in Wesley's SUV. The nights were starting to get warmer so they had the top down on Angel's car. Gunn and Cordelia were enjoying the night air and watching the stars once they got out of Los Angeles.

Fred was happy that she had managed to get everything done that Angel had requested. She had received call backs from a Personal Manager that Sears had recommended to her. Her Personal Managers name was Bonnie and Fred told her about everything that she wanted. Bonnie said that it wouldn't be any problem but that it would cost quiet a bit to get all of this done by 9 that night. Fred gave her Buffy's phone number and told Bonnie that their would be a Bonus in it for her if she could make sure that everything was done on time and that above all the customers name was to be held in strict confidence.

Cordelia had been sleeping for awhile. She woke up just before they arrived at the outskirts to Sunnydale. "Angel pull over please." Angel was on a section of I-5 that was fenced in and he had to look for an opening. He started feeling sick also and fortunately he came to an opening where you could pull over in an emergency. As soon as he stopped Cordelia opened the door and leaned over while still sitting in the car. Angel got out and went to the front of the car. Wesley saw them pulling over and drove past them and pulled over. He didn't think anyone would want to see them throwing up. He waited for awhile. He could see Angel still leaning against the car. Cordelia had already closed the door and had a wash cloth over her face. Angel finally climbed back into the car. "Cordelia we have to do something about this, I can't continue doing this." "I know Angel, I know. Angelus must be having a field day. Is he laughing at you?" "Yeah, but not as much as you would think because he is suffering just as much since he feels what I feel." Angel started up the car and pulled out into traffic. Wesley did the same. Cordelia called Buffy to let her know that they were almost there. "Everything is ready for you guys, we started the refrigerator this morning and when Spike and I get through patrolling we'll bring some supplies over that have to be kept cold." "Thanks Buffy, is Willow their with you?" "Yeah she's standing right here do you want to talk to her?" "Yes Buffy please put her on." Cordelia was getting tired of eating crackers and she was getting tired of throwing up all of the time. Basically she was just tired. "Cordelia this is Willow. Buffy said you wanted to talk to me." "Yes Willow, do you have anything for a poor pregnant woman and a Vampire that are suffering from morning sickness." "Your pregnant?" Willow was so excited. Cordelia could hear her telling everyone that she was pregnant. "Okay so you need something for the morning sickness, uh I'll have to call someone about that Cordelia. I don't know too much about those herbs so I am going to talk to someone in my Wicken group that is a midwife. I should have something for you by tomorrow morning. I'll see you guys later. Buffy wants to talk to you again. Here she is." "Cordelia, Willow said your pregnant. How far along are you?" "I figure it was when you guys where here and just before you left." "Well congratulations." "Buffy tell Spike that what he told Angel might happen is happening. He bought me a whole bunch of boxes of crackers so that I wouldn't be getting sick so often. Here I am gaining weight because of all of the crackers I'm eating and he's losing weight because he isn't able to keep very much down and I don't want to take any drugs to stop the morning sickness. I sure hope that Willow can help us because I am getting real tired of being sick all of the time." "I'm sure she can Cordelia. Tell Angel that we had everything turned on and the refrigerator is stocked with everything that you guys usually need. Most of the stuff that Fred wanted installed is here and set up. That woman she hired is pretty good. The mansion has been cleaned and wood is in the fireplace all ready for you to start it up. New bedding is on all of the beds and the bathrooms have been cleaned and stocked. There is only one thing we couldn't get done though and that was the water. So no showers tonight. They promised that it would be turned on early tomorrow morning though. We put several gallons of water into containers in each bathroom so that you could at least use the toilets. Why don't you guys come over here for dinner since you don't have any water yet." Cordelia put the phone to her shoulder and turned to Angel. "Buffy said they couldn't get the water turned on at the mansion until tomorrow so she invited us over to her house for dinner. What shall I tell her?" "Tell her we'll be there in about 20 minutes." "He said okay Buffy, so we'll be there in 20 minutes. Okay, see you. Bye."

"Call Wesley and let him know where we are going." Angel told Cordelia. She called Wesley and let him know the temporary change in destination. When she was done she looked at Angel. "Are you going to be able to take all of Spikes teasing in your condition?" Yeah but if both Gunn and Spike gang up on me at the same time I just may snap." "Would you like me to take care of Gunn for you so that he won't pick on you?" "Yeah, would you?" Angel said. He could hear Gunn laughing in the back seat.

"Gunn." Cordelia waited for him to answer. "Yes Cordelia." "I strongly advise you to stop picking on Angel about him getting sick every time that I get sick. You know how I can get when I get mad. Besides which I usually do all of the cooking. That is all that I think I need to say for now and if your as intelligent as I think you are you will take our little talk to heart." Cordelia looked at Angel. He was smiling. He mouthed the words 'Thank You.'

From the back of the car you could hear Gunn moving around. He was getting board now that he couldn't pick on Angel anymore. Then he was quiet for awhile. "Uh Angel, I apologize for teasing you. I know that this is hard on you. I'll try to keep it down to a minimum. But you have to let me do it some time Angel or else I'll be out of practice when the baby is finally born, and that won't be any fun."

Angel pulled the car off of I-5 and down into the main street of Sunnydale. Buffy's house was at the other end of town so they had a few more minutes to go. He thought about Gunn's apology. At least that was what it sounded like. "Okay Gunn apology accepted and I'll allow you to pick on me once each day. So if I were you I would choose your window of opportunity carefully because if you do it more than once each day I am going to let Cordy fix your wagon one morning." "Thanks Angel you are really too kind." He covered his face with his jacket as he tried to muffle his laughing. Angel and Cordelia could hear him though.

They pulled up to Buffy's house and everyone exited the cars and walked up to the front porch. Angel rang the doorbell. After a few minutes they heard someone running and yelling "I'll get it." Dawn opened the door and sceamed in surprise. "They're here Buffy. Come in guys." Dawn gave Angel and Cordelia a hug. "Congratulations Mommy and Daddy." She asked them to come in and than took them to the kitchen where Buffy, Giles, Willow and Tara were busy preparing the dinner. Spike was no where to be seen. Buffy came over to Cordelia and Angel. "Congratulations you two." Buffy said. "Where's Spike?" Cordelia asked.

"I was able to contact my Wicken friend that is a midwife and she said that she has a tea that she can make for you that will stop the morning sickness. She is making up enough to last you several months so Spike went to get it. He should be back in a few minutes." Willow said. "Thank you Willow. I was getting so tired from being sick all of the time and poor Angel is getting sick right along with me."

"So what have you guys been doing since we left L.A.? Besides getting pregnant that is."

Buffy asked.

"Not very much. Things have been kind of quiet since you guys left. The excitement that we had the other night was pretty much it. I've only had a few visions so it's been, like I said, quiet.

Except for all of the fun Gunn has been having at Angels expense." Cordelia told them while giving Gunn a dirty look. "Every time I have morning sickness he gets it also. Now it would be very funny to watch if he didn't get so sick. It's what we women have always wanted to see, the men go through the same thing we do. The problem is that it is hitting Angel harder than it is me." Cordelia went to Angel and put her arm around his waist.

"Do you mean to tell me that every time Cordelia gets sick you also get sick at the same time?" Giles asked. "Yes, I get sick right after she does. Within 5 minutes or so I am running to the bathroom also. I didn't think I would ever have to do that again." Angel told Giles.

"Well lets feed these two before we get a demonstration. Every one pick up something and lets go eat." Buffy said as she took a large bowl of spaghetti into the dining room. Every one picked up something and Angel grabbed a large glass and took some blood from the refrigerator. He didn't bother to warm it up since his stomach was hurting and it felt better when he drank it cold.

Buffy had made spaghetti and meatballs, a large bowl of salad and french bread. Tea was served to every one. Just as they all sat down to eat Spike came in with a large paper bag for Willow. He hung up his coat and greeted everyone then went into the kitchen to wash up. He grabbed a container of blood from the refrigerator and warmed it up while adding some red chili powder and tabasco sauce. When he returned he took a seat at one end of the table while Angel was at the other end. Buffy served him some spaghetti and salad. He noticed that Angel was looking more pale then usual and his head was hanging down a little as though he was tired.

"Your not looking to good Angel. What's the matter?" Spike asked. He looked at Gunn for a remark. He knew Gunn just loved to tease Angel. "Don't look at me man. I have been told by Mrs. Martin here that I am allowed only one chance each day to tease Angel about his condition. So I can't say anything more today or else she is going to make life hard on me." "Well we will have to give your once a day chance to tease him a lot of thought. That is if you want my help." "I sure do. After all you have a lot more experience with him than I do." Gunn said.

"Cordy he's doing it again." Angel said. He closed his eyes and concentrated and was able to produce one blood red tear.

Cordelia saw the tear and immediately her heart melted. "Gunn you have now used up your one chance for tomorrow." "But Cordelia I wasn't teasing Angel, I was just answering Spike." Gunn said in his defense. Cordelia didn't give it anymore of her time. She just grabbed her napkin and wiped away Angels tear.

"Thank you my sweet for taking care of that big bad man. Now eat so that both of our dinners will stay down." Angel gave her hand a kiss then let it go so that she could eat her dinner.

Everyone was watching the little 'Comedy of Sorrows' play that was taking place before them. "And I thought you were good at getting me to do what you want. You're an amateur compared to Angel." Buffy told Spike. Angel was laughing down at the other end of the table.

"So how have you been getting by Angel? Wesley tells me that your not doing to good, he said your unable to keep anything down." Giles asked Angel.

"Yeah, I've been feeding Cordelia so many crackers that I swear she won't want to see another cracker for the rest of her life after this baby is born. Because every time she gets sick I get sick and I am left weak while Cordy is up and eating crackers again in just a few minutes. Men I can tell you that you are better off not knowing what it is like. If it wasn't for the fact that I am a Vampire I don't think I would survive this experience. I can say with all honesty men that in this respect women are far stronger then we are."

"I've been meaning to ask you something Angel. I know that you and Spike share a bond that you can communicate through. Have you been able to create a bond with Cordelia and do you think Spike can do that with Buffy?" Giles asked.

"I don't know about Spike, but I did create a bond between Cordelia and I on our wedding night. I told her about the link and she has been working on using it ever since. Spike do you have the same thing with Buffy?" Angel asked Spike. "I haven't tried strengthening the link or teaching her to access it. She knows that it's there but she doesn't know how to access it or use it." Spike said. "Give me your hands Buffy. Lets try the link between us." Spike took her hands in his as they both turned to each other. "Buffy look at me and concentrate on the link." Buffy cleared her mind and concentrated on Spike. She heard his voice in her mind but it was as if he was calling to her from a long, long distance from her. "I can hear you but its like your a long ways away and I know your there but I can't understand what your saying." Buffy said as she kept her eyes closed. "Try calling to me Buffy." Spike said. She tried calling Spike through the link but was unsuccessful.

"Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that you're a Slayer. Your powers are directed towards only your Slayer capabilities." Giles said.

"That may be it. We may have to except what we have now. Maybe as time goes by the link will become stronger." Spike said.

Willow came over to Cordelia with a cup of hot tea. "Here we are Cordelia. I read the instructions that Joann included with the tea. You are to drink this after each meal. She included a little measuring spoon so that you wouldn't have to guess at the amount of tea to put into the cup. This will keep you from being sick. If for some reason you should feel sick even though you drank the tea after your last meal then you are to change the timing of the tea to every 5 hours. You shouldn't have any problem with this. This is an ancient herbal tea that has been used by women for thousands of years so you shouldn't have any side affects."

"Thanks Willow. I sure hope this works." Cordelia sipped at the tea. "Mmmm, it tastes good."

Angels cell phone rang and he stepped over into the kitchen to answer it. About 15 minutes later he came back to join the group.

"Cordelia that was Dr. Martin calling. She said that Sr. Margaret was very sick and she may not last much longer. She wants to meet me so I have to go. Do you want to go with me?" "Of course. Now that I have the tea I should be fine." "Willow could you get on the computer and see if you can get us 3 first class tickets to Manchester New Hampsire for tomorrow night?" Angel asked Willow. "Sure Angel no problem."

"You want to come with us don't you Connor?" "Yeah, I've never been on a plane before."

Connor said. "Good, Cordelia can you take him shopping tomorrow and get him a suit, tie, and a hair cut. I want the Sisters to see him at his best. You brought my suit didn't you?" Angel asked Cordelia. "Sure did. Im going to have to get something decent though. My clothes are a little tight with all of those crackers so I am going to have to get something also. You want to come with us Dawn?" Dawn almost jumped out of her chair with excitement. She loved going shopping with Cordelia. She had the best taste in clothes. She had heard that the only one that was better was Angel which was almost unheard of for a man.

"When do you want to head out?" Dawn asked Cordelia. Connor noticed that he wasn't being asked what he thought about this. He motioned for Angel to come over to the living room.

"Aren't I going to get a say in this at all?" Connor asked Angel. Angel put his arm around Connor and pulled him out to the front porch. Angel walked down to the steps and sat down. Connor came down to the steps and sat down also. "Connor, Cordelia and I have set this up. We have just set up a date for you to get to know Dawn. Right now Cordelia is keeping Spikes mind busy with a conversation so that he can't listen in on our conversation. I especially don't want him to know what I just said. So use your time wisely. Listen to Cordelia. She will help you as to how to act around Dawn. Also, no matter what you and Dawn think, you will get the clothes that Cordelia chooses for you. I want us to look our best when we go to see the Sisters. No ifs ands or buts about it. Understood?" "I understand Angel and thank you. When did you two get the chance to talk about this, after all you just found out that you had to go to see grandma?" "This link comes in very handy at times like these." They both got up then and went back in. Before they opened the door Angel put his arm around Connors shoulder again and said "Be very careful about what you say around Spike, he is very protective of Dawn."

They came back in just as Willow made the final arrangements on line for their flight. "Okay Angel and Cordelia I was able to get you a flight out of here and over to L.A. International at

6 P.M. tomorrow night. Your going to have to hit the ground running for your next flight because your flight out of L.A. is at 7. That flight will take you directly to Boston. I've arranged for you to be picked up by one of those little golf carts and take you over to a local airline that will take you to Manchester. Do you know if someone can pick you up or do you want a rental car?" Willow asked. "Let's get a rental. Let me come with you so I can take a look at what they have." Angel said as he went with Willow to see what was available. He also wanted to get a map to the Hospital.

After about 20 minutes Angel and Willow came back. "Are you guys ready to go?" Angel asked the AI group. Everyone got up but Cordelia, she was already asleep. Angel looked at Willow. "Do you know if that tea makes her sleepy?" "No it shouldn't. She's probably just tired. She told me that she was sick just before you guys got into town." Cordelia was holding onto the bag of Tea so Angel just picked her up in his arms. "Yeah, she is a very tired little mama. Im sure that she'll be fine tomorrow though. Thanks for all that you guys have done. Well see you tomorrow."

Wesley opened the door for Angel and Angel put Cordelia in the back seat of his car. He covered her in a blanket that he kept in the trunk. The men and Fred got into the vehicles and they left for the mansion. Angel pulled up first and opened the double gates. Cordelia had hired a gardener to keep up the grounds. Angel had to admit that it was looking pretty good. At least better than he ever did. When he had lived here he didn't ever care about what it looked like on the outside. Angel tended to like having the inside clean and neat but didn't care about the outside. Cordelia changed all that. The gardens at the hotel would still be overgrown with weeds if it had been left up to him but Cordelia had insisted that the outside be kept up as well. She had dug up all of the weeds and planted the garden all by herself and she maintained it after she planted it also. He would often see her watering the garden in the evening and he noticed that when she was depressed she would often go out and pull weeds and cut the dead flowers off. She would always feel a lot better after that. Now days she would always make sure that they had fresh roses on the table in the bedroom suite.

Angel gave the keys to the front doors to Wesley while he picked up Cordelia. "Buffy told me she had extra keys made up for everyone for both the front gate and the doors." Wesley opened the doors and Angel took Cordelia into their bedroom. The master suite was downstairs and the rest of the bedrooms were upstairs. Angel put Cordelia on the bed and went out into the living room.

"You guys can take whatever bedroom you want upstairs. Buffy said that they promised to have the water turned on first thing in the morning otherwise you have everything else that you need. Goodnight everyone." Everyone said goodnight and they all went to bed. Angel went around and checked all of the doors and made sure they were locked then went back to the bedroom. Cordelia was still asleep so he took her clothes off and put her under the covers then took his own clothes off and climbed in after her. He was exhausted also so he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

At 10 A.M. the next morning Cordelia was up. The water had been turned on so she took a shower. She wrapped a towel around her body and one around her hair when she got out of the shower. She went over to the bed and sat on the edge next to Angel. Cordelia ran her fingernail around his nose and eyes real lightly. Angel tried to brush away whatever was bothering him. She ran her fingernail backwards on his eyebrows. He finally woke up and looked at her.

"Go and get me your brush and hair dryer and let me brush your hair dry." Cordelia got up and did as Angel said. When she came back she had left the towels behind and gave Angel the hair dryer and brush while she plugged it in the outlet behind the night stand. "Sit all of the way back against the wall." Cordelia told him. Angel pulled the pillow out from his back and backed up to the wall. Cordelia lifted the covers and sat between his legs then pulled the covers up around them. She had to cover them because the master bedroom didn't have a door just a heavy curtain. When he bought the place he never, in his wildest dreams ever thought he would have a group of people staying here with him, let alone a wife. He laughed at his own thoughts. "What are you laughing at?" Cordelia asked. "I was just thinking that I have to get Xander to put a door on our bedroom. When I bought this place I never even dreamt that I would need a door to my bedroom. Even when you and I where here that summer after our first office was blown up and I was crippled for awhile." Angel said as he started to blow dry her hair.

"Have you heard anything about Hunter? Did you ask Buffy if she is still living here?" Cordelia asked Angel. "No and I would like to have a long talk with her. I want to tell her that if she could find someone to love her and for her to love him like I have then life would once again be worth living. I wish she could meet Dr. Martin. Mom has a way of getting you to talk about your deepest thoughts. Hunter would benefit a lot from a few sessions with her." "While I am out shopping why don't you call her and see if she could go with us." "I'll be lucky if she'll just talk to me let alone go to New Hampshire." "Well you'll never know unless you try. We never would have been able to come to know each other if I had just let you refuse to talk to me about yourself."

"How do you want your hair? Down straight or up in a pony tail or in a bun?" Angel asked. "Are you sure you know how to style a woman's hair?" "Sure, I used to do Darla's hair all of the time. Not being able to see your own reflection makes it real hard on a woman when she has to do her own hair and makeup. I learned to do Darla's hair after she turned me. Then when I turned Drusilla the 2 of them would do each others makeup and hair." "Put it up in a pony tail for now." Cordelia said, she got up when he was done and checked her hair out in the mirror in the bathroom that she had Xander install when they were here for the summer. She came back and gave Angel a kiss. "You sir are a man of many talents. I've got to get going now. Angel stayed in bed while Cordelia got dressed. He was watching her when it dawned on him that she hadn't been sick this morning.

"Don't forget to have something to eat and drink some of your tea. Apparently it works." Angel yelled at her as she went through the curtains. Cordelia went to the stairs. "Connor let's get going." When she heard his voice behind her she almost jumped out of her skin. "Im over here Cordelia." Connor was at the table having some scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

"Connor you scared me. Is their any more scrambled eggs?" "Yeah, Fred has made a whole bunch." Cordelia went to the kitchen and found some more scrambled eggs and toast in the oven. She made a plate for herself and poured herself a glass of milk. After eating she made a cup of tea just like Willow had told her to do. She put it in a travel mug so she could take it with her then told Connor 'Lets go.' Cordelia went to the bedroom to get her purse and the keys to Angels car. She walked out of the room as quietly as possible. When she got to the front door with Connor she said 'I have got to get my own car. I always worry about getting a scratch on his precious car. You know sometimes I think he cares more about that car than me.'

They got into the car and Cordelia drove carefully out of the front gates. As soon as Connor got in she stepped on the gas and practically made the tires smoke. "I hope he didn't hear that or else he just may stake you when we get back." Connor said. Cordelia smiled a wicked grin. She had done it on purpose.

"Angel got up and took a shower. It was 1 P.M. by the time he went to the kitchen. His stomach was still sore from throwing up the night before so he had a glass of cold blood. Gunn and Wesley were playing games on the new TV. He walked around the mansion checking everything out. It looked nice. He could see that Xander had made some repairs around the mansion. He went out to the covered patio in the back. It was nice to see flowers growing around the back. The roses were all in bloom. He was thinking of the roses his mother used to grow. Angel hadn't seen Ireland since a year after Darla had turned him. He wanted to show Cordelia and Connor where he was born over 250 years ago. Standing there and thinking about Ireland he was getting homesick. In all the years since he was turned he never once thought about his homeland like he was now. All of a sudden he had a burning desire to see his homeland again. He went back in before his thoughts took him any further into the past.

Cordelia and Connor came through the door loaded with packages. Cordelia called out to Angel as she put the packages down on the couch. "Angel come and see your son. He's positively handsome now. Even Dawn was awe struck." Angel came over to stand by his wife. He looked at Connor then walked slowly around him and came back to stand by Cordelia again. "He's perfect Cordy, you did a real good job. I hope Spike didn't catch on as to what was going on did he?" "No, Buffy and Spike were spending some time at his old digs." "Good, we better get packed so we can start for the airport." Angel said. Connor just stood there looking at Angel looking him over. He was feeling like the 'Cock of the Walk' and Angel just gave him an okay. Gunn was watching Connor. He saw the look on his face and thought he would go over and encourage Connor to fluff his feathers a little.

"Wow look at you. Hey Fred and Wesley, come down here, we have a new rooster on the premises." Gunn yelled upstairs. Fred and Wesley came down stairs within a few minutes. Fred stopped for a second. She thought for a second that their was a stranger in the mansion, but when she got a second look she realized it was Connor.

"My, my you are gorgeous when you have a proper hair cut and nice clothes on. Who would have known that their was such a beautiful young man under there. Angel your going to have to get him something to beat the girls off with when they get a look at him." Fred said as she walked around him.

"Of course he's beautiful. Angel is his father." Cordelia said. "Well I must have gotten something from my mother." Connor said. "Yeah you could have been taller but your mothers height brought you down a few inches. To tell you the truth though my mother was shorter than me so I guess nature compromised and gave you your mother and grandmothers height." Angel said. Then he went up to Connor and put his arm around his neck. "But your looks and brains all came from me. Lets go and pack to leave. Pack any warm clothes you have because it's still cold over there. Plus we are going to do a little traveling after we leave New Hampshire. Cordelia do you remember where your passport is?" "Yes it's in the safe along with Connors birth certificate. When Willow made Connors she also did one for you. I used it when I had to get a Social Security number for you when we registered Angel Investigations." Cordelia said. "Good, Wesley would you call Lorne and ask him to get Connors and my birth certificate and Cordy's passport and tell him to send them to Dr. Martin, Federal Express over night." Angel said, then he reached out for Cordelia and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "We are going to Ireland to see my old home. I haven't been back their since Darla and I left a year after she turned me."

"Where did this come from, I mean your decision to go back to Ireland all of a sudden?" Cordelia asked. "I went to the back porch and I was looking at the roses around the edges of the porch. The red roses reminded me of the ones from my mothers garden. I hadn't thought of those in many, many years. We can pick up a small lap top computer so that we can keep in touch with everyone over here and you can start on getting the passport for Connor and I. It's 3:30 now. I have to go and see someone then when I get back we can leave." Angel left with everyone just standing there where he left them. The shock of going to Ireland all of a sudden was just starting to lift. Cordelia was the first to recover. "Let's get busy Connor. Your father has spoken and we must obey." Then she gave a loud whoop and jumped up in the air then hugged Connor. "Where going to Ireland, where going to Ireland." She practically flew to the bedroom. Then she remembered something and went back into the living room. "Wesley I forgot to ask Xander if he would make a door for our bedroom. Would you do that please, thanks." She went back in and packed the clothes she had bought in the extra suitcase she had also bought. She also packed Connors new clothes in it also since all he had brought was a duffle bag. So Connors suit and her new clothes were in the new suitcase but when she tried putting Angels suit in she couldn't close it so she took all of the things out that she didn't have to worry about getting winkled and gave those to Connor to see if they would fit in his duffle bag. After that she was able to get everything packed away and closed without having to sit on the tops. It was now 5 o'clock and they needed to get going. Wesley was going to take them so they packed all of the suitcases in the back of the SUV and waited for Angel. Angel called within a few minutes and gave them instructions as to where to pick him up. Cordelia and Connor said their goodbyes then piled into Wesley's SUV and followed Angels instructions to as to where to pick him up. He had traveled through the sewers to get to his destination so he didn't have his car. Cordelia had never been to Hunters home so she didn't recognize it when they picked Angel up. Sunnydale was a small town so it didn't take them long to get to the airport and checked in. By 6:45 they had landed in L.A. and were running to the next gate. All of the time Cordelia was clutching her handbag close to her. It wasn't so much as all of the money in it, it was the tea that she was afraid to lose. They made it to the next gate with just seconds to spare. They quickly got settled in their first class seats and strapped their seat belts on. As soon as they took off Cordelia pulled out a small thermus that she had put blood into for Angel. It was plastic so it wasn't picked up on the x-ray machine. Angel drank it hungrily. "Mmm, that hit the spot. Thank you, I was powerful hungry Momma." Angel looked at Cordelia as he said that so he could see how she would react. "Your welcome Daddy." Cordelia said in return as she put the thermos back into her carry on bag. The stewardess came around to see if they wanted anything to drink while they waited for them to start serving. Angel asked for a glass of Southern Comfort over ice. Cordelia declined and Connor asked for a Pepsi. They settled in for the long flight since they were going straight through to Boston. Cordelia and Connor had the dinner that the airline gave the first class passengers. Angel asked for another Southern Comfort but declined dinner. Cordelia asked for a cup of hot water so she could make some tea. She told the stewardess that they were special herbs to help prevent morning sickness. By 1 A.M. they had landed and the airline transportation took them to the small airline that would take them to Manchester New Hampshire.

Connor was taking the flight pretty good considering that he had never flown before. When they got onto the small plane to get to Manchester though that was a different story. Angel noticed how he was gripping the arm rest. His knuckles were white because he was gripping them so hard. Angel reached over to him and put his hand on Connors. He calmed down immediately. He could feel Angels strength and calm passing through to him through Angels touch. Connor turned and gave him a nervous grin.

"Connor why don't you come and sit next to me and Angel can sit in your seat. These seats are so small that your father is uncomfortable sitting next to me. There is more room on your side since there is only one seat." Cordelia asked. Connor looked at both of them and said "Sure."

Angel and Connor traded places. "Thanks Connor." They all knew it was so that Connor could retain some dignity. Angel made as if he was more comfortable in the seat by the window.

Cordelia held onto Connors hand during the rest of the trip. He was doing a little better now that he didn't have to look at the small engines holding the plane up. It was different in the big jet because they were in front of the engines besides which he felt more safe in the big jet.

Thirty minutes later they landed at the small airport in Manchester New Hampshire. Connor got out of the plane and acted like everything was perfectly normal. When they reached the building he looked for the nearest bathroom and went running for it. Angel and Cordelia watched him. "He must be sick from being so nervous. He's probably throwing up his dinner. Let's wait here for him and don't say anything about it, okay?" Cordelia said. "Okay." Angel answered. "How are you doing?" Angel asked Cordelia. "That tea has worked miracles, as long as I have some after eating Im okay. Are you starting to feel better? You haven't been sick since yesterday." "Yeah I'm feeling stronger each day. I don't suppose you have another thermos in there." Angel pointed to the large bag she was carrying. "Yes as a matter of fact I do, but it's smaller than the other one though." "That's okay. Anything is better than nothing." Cordelia gave him the smaller thermos. Angel drank it all in one gulp then gave it back to her. "Thank you madam." "Anytime sir." Cordelia said. After another 5 minutes Connor came out. He looked a little pale but he was walking on his own. "You ready to go now?" Angel asked. "Yeah, I guess that dinner and flying for the first time didn't agree with me." Connor said. "You should have seen me the first time I flew in a plane. As soon as we got in the air I had to run to the tiny bathrooms they had on those planes. I barely made it. I spent half my time in their just cleaning up the blood." "You were scared about flying? You, a Master Vampire, you, formerly known as Angelus the scourge of Europe, you were scared." Connor said. He was shocked that Angel was admitting this to him. "Sure, don't forget that I was born during a time when we used horses for transportation and if you were to poor to have a horse you walked." Connor looked more relaxed after Angel told him about his first experience flying. They went to get their luggage and then continued on to the rental car counter.

"Here's the rental car counter." Angel said. Angel came back to them after a few minutes. "They're going to bring our Mini Van over here." "Mini Van. You got a Mini Van? Of all of the cars that I thought you would get I would never in a million years guess that you would drive a Mini Van. What kind is it?" Connor asked. "It's a Dodge Grand Caravan. I thought this would be better and more comfortable if any of the Sisters wanted to go out." Angel said. Cordelia and Connor were both staring at him. "Clothes your mouths you two here comes our Van."

Angel and Connor put their luggage in the back and piled into the Van. Angel got behind the wheel. "Hey this is nice. Lots of leg room. For once my knees aren't up around the steering wheel. How are you doing Connor. Do you have enough leg room?" Angel asked. "Yeah, it's so roomy back here that even Gunn could sit back here comfortably." Angel started up the engine and they started for Dr. Martins hospital. Since Angel could see at night as well as anyone else could see during the day time they made it there in only 2 hours.

Dr. Martin had instructed Angel to go to the guest house when they arrived and someone would be there to meet them. Angel pulled up to the front door. They all got out and approached the front doors and Angel rang the door bell. A little sister that had to be under 5 feet tall and over 65 answered the door. "Hi I am Angel Martin and this is my wife, Cordelia and my son Connor. Were here to see Dr. Martin." The elderly sister didn't say anything she just smiled and motioned for them to come in. Without saying anything she showed them around the house and then took them upstairs and showed them the bedrooms and the bathroom. She lit the fireplace in each of the rooms that they would occupy. The house was cold and Cordelia and Connor welcomed the heat. The old house didn't have any central heating but they did have a water heater. She showed them the kitchen which to Angels surprise had 6 containers of blood along with some eggs, butter, bread and other food for snacks. The sister closed the refrigerator and then walked over to the door and turned and gave Angel the keys to the front door along with an envelope from Dr. Martin. Then she opened the door, just as quietly as before, and left closing the door quietly once again.

"Why didn't she want to talk to us?" Connor asked no one in particular.

"It was Grand Silence for her. During that time they don't speak unless absolutely necessary. Let's get the luggage Connor. Cordy looks like she is ready to fall asleep standing up where she is." Angel and Connor went outside and retrieved all of the luggage. It had started to snow and Connor was so excited to see the snow coming, what seemed, out of the middle of no where. Since it was dark he couldn't see the clouds over head so it seemed that the snow flakes where just coming out of nothing. He started to shiver from the cold and that made him go inside. He went and stood over by the fire in the main room. The house was a large 3 story building. They were on the 2nd floor. Connor had taken a room at the other end of the hallway where he had a balcony and he could watch the snow come down.

By the time Angel came in with the luggage Cordelia was already undressed and in bed. They couldn't take a bath yet because the water was still cold. The sister had started up the water heater when she was showing them around so that Angel could see how to start it. He turned out the lights and undressed and got into bed along side his wife. The bed had a big and heavy comforter. It reminded him of the one that he used to have on his bed in Ireland when he was a boy. Angel went to sleep and dreamed dreams of Ireland, and for the first time in over 250 years he dreamt of his mother and Kathy.

At 10 A.M. Cordelia woke up and she found herself leaning on Angels chest and holding onto his left hand. She raised herself up on her elbow and bent over and lightly kissed his lips. He kept his eyes closed but he reached up with his right hand and put it on the back of her head and pulled her down into a long lingering kiss. Then he released her and slid down so that he could kiss her stomach. "Good morning baby." Angel put his ear to her stomach to see if he could hear a heart beat yet. He had to listen very carefully but he was sure that he did hear it. The sound was soft and rhythmic. "I can hear our child's heart beating Cordi. This is the first time that I have been able to hear it." He reached up again and gave her a light kiss and hugged her. He was crying deep sobbing cries of happiness. "Thank you Cordy, thank you for giving this child to me. Thank you God for Cordy and this child that grows in her. Thank you for the love that this woman gives me. I don't deserve them, but I promise to love them and defend them to my last breath." After a few minutes he let her go. He looked at her and wiped her tears away then his own. "Lets get up, Mom will probably be here soon." Cordelia said as she bent over and kissed him one more time then pulled away and went into the bathroom.

After a few minutes he heard the toilet flush and then she started filling the bath tub. After a few minutes she opened the door. "Are you going to join me?" She didn't get any answer so she came out to see if he was up or not. She found him still in bed and fast asleep. Since Angel's body was cold using cold water on him wouldn't mean anything to him. She thought about it then went back into the bathroom and dipped a wash cloth in the hot bath water, rung it out then went back into the bedroom. When she looked at the bed she saw that Angel had pulled the cover over to himself. She quietly walked over to the bed and pulled the covers down fast, but to her surprise they were nothing but pillows. "What are you doing?" Angel said real loud. He scared Cordelia so bad that she jumped up on the bed. "Angel you scared the shit out of me." Angel looked at the floor and the bed. "I don't see any." "You know what I meant." "I'll apologize if you tell me that you were not going to do what it looked like you were going to do to me." "Well I, I uh was just going to wipe your tears from your face and give you a kiss an get you to make wild passionate love to me." She gave him a sweet smile to see if he would except her story. "Well alright I'll let you get away with it this time but only because I hear Mom coming down the driveway. Lets take a bath fast and I'll take care of you tonight." As Cordelia headed to the bathroom he smacked her on the behind as she went by then followed her in. Cordelia waited for him to get in then she got in and sat between his legs. They quickly bathed each other. When Cordelia started to wash his left hand she noticed the ring on his little finger. "Where did you get this ring? I never noticed it before." "It's Hunters ring. It was her apartment that you picked me up at in Sunnydale. I had a long talk with her and explained why I needed to borrow it. She just looked at me and gave me the ring." Cordelia had turned around and just looked at him. "You understand what this means don't you Cordy? I can go outside in the daylight with you without turning to ashes." Cordelia turned around and just sat down again and finished his hands and legs and feet. Then she turned around and bent down and kissed him passionately. Her hands went down between his legs and played with him for a minute then grabbed his testicles and squeezed until she got a reaction from him.

"I thought I would only have to worry about the women of the night, but now that you can go outside during the day I will have to worry about the women during the daytime also. If I see you even looking cross eyed at a woman I am going to hurt you bad enough to last until we get home. Got it?" "Yes Cordy." Angel said meekly. Cordy let him go then and got out of the bathtub. She didn't speak to him while they dressed and then went downstairs. Connor was already in the kitchen. He had made coffee. He didn't know what they wanted to do about eating so he didn't make anything for them. Cordelia gave Connor a cheerful good morning. When Angel said good morning he said it in a high pitched tone. Then cleared his throat and said good morning again. Cordelia looked at him. Then they both busted out laughing. Angel pulled her to his chest. You know that I would never ever look at another woman the same way that I do you. I love you to much. If you die before your time Cordy I don't believe I would want to live without you." Cordelia didn't say anything she just hung her head down and leaned it against him. Angel picked her up and went to the couch in front of the fireplace. He put her on the couch and sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder and held her tightly. "I am sorry Angel, I know you love me and always will. It's just that when you told me that you could go out into the light of day all of a sudden all I could see was green. She put her arm around him. Did I hurt you real bad?" "I'll be okay. Of course my voice may go up a few decibels once in a while but I think they will be just fine. Darla used to do the same thing all of the time. Angelus had wandering eyes and his wanderings didn't always end up in a kill. When he would get back to Darla she would always be able to smell the other woman on him. One time she squeezed so hard that he thought his boys were going to pop out of his penis." They both laughed at the thought of Darla making Angelus suffer. It never came into Cordelia's mind that they were talking about Angels boys. Now that Angel no longer said I when talking about Angelus it was easy to think of him as an entirely different person.

Dr. Martin came in the front door at that time. She was dressed in her habit of course and she had a heavy black full length coat on. Angel and Cordelia got up from the couch and went to her. Dr. Martin ran into his arms and kissed him on his cheek and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much." She let him go and grabbed Cordelia and hugged her also. Then Connor came to her and he got a hug also. "Connor I can't thank you enough for your letters. It made me feel as though I was still there when I read your letters." She turned again and looked at Cordelia. Congratulations Cordelia. I received copies of all of your medical records yesterday. We can try doing an ultrasound if you like." "That won't be necessary, Angel said he could hear the baby's heart beat this morning." Both women hugged each other again. "I am so happy for you two Cordelia. I have never seen two people that are more deserving of the gift of a child." Dr. Martin let go of Cordelia and looked at Angel. "How did it sound Angel. Can you describe it to me." "Yes it's very soft but if you listen real hard you can hear a rhythmic beat." Dr. Martin pulled out her stethoscope and asked Cordelia to lay down on the couch. She pulled her blouse up and put it on Cordelia's stomach and listened intently. Then after awhile she had a big grin on her face. "Do you mind if Connor listens?" Dr. Martin asked Cordelia. "No I don't mind, after all it is his little brother or sister." Connor bent over and put the stethoscope on while Dr. Martin put the other end on Cordelia. "I can't hear anything." Connor said. "Okay listen carefully now. I am going to put it up by her heart then slowly bring it down to where her uterus is. Okay now can you hear it?" Connor listened carefully and concentrated as he dismissed other sounds in Cordelia's body. It took awhile then all of a sudden he had a smile on his face that kept on growing with the passing of each second. He took the stethoscope off and smiled. "That is amazing. It took me awhile but I was finally able to block out the other sounds then I heard it."

"Have you two started thinking of a name? We can't keep referring to the baby as it. Within a few weeks we should be able to tell if it's a boy or a girl using the ultrasound." Dr. Martin asked Cordelia and Angel.

Angel looked at Cordelia. "Do you have a preference? I haven't let myself even think about such things yet." "If it's a girl her first name will be Mary, after Mom here. The second name will be Kathleen after your sister that you loved so much." Angel looked at her and hugged her. "Thank you. I was kind of hoping you would say that, because those sound just perfect. I can just hear us now 'Mary Kathleen Martin go do your homework now.'" Angel said as he hugged Cordy again. "But Daddy I want to go and play with the rest of the kids, can't I go just for an hour? Please Daddy? I'll give you a big kiss and a hug if you let me go. Please Daddy?" Cordelia said as she acted like a little girl and played with the button on Angels shirt.

"What if it's a boy?" Connor asked. Once again they looked to Cordelia.

"If it's a boy we will name him Michael William Martin." Cordelia said. "Michael, after St. Michael, and William after Spike. I always liked the name William for a man because he can also go by the name of Bill." Cordelia said. She wasn't sure if Angel would go for William since it was also Spikes real name. To her surprise he gave his approval.

"Michael William Martin, yes that sounds perfect. He can call himself Mike or Bill with his friends but to us he will always be Michael William." Angel said. "I'll call him Billy." Connor said.

While they had been talking the weather had changed to a heavy overcast. Dr. Martin went to the patio and checked the sky when she noticed it getting dark in the house. "It looks like we are going to get a snow storm tonight. Angel can you go out now so that we can go to the convent? It's getting pretty dark from the thick clouds."

"I borrowed a ring from another vampire that is able to go out during the day because of it. Her name is Hunter. She is over 4,000 years old and was given her soul back a thousand years ago I think. Someday I hope you can meet her. Since she can go out into the daylight she went to medical school also. You two can talk shop and while your talking I hope you can put your psychologist hat on and help her." Angel looked at the ring and twirled it around his finger. He was thinking about Hunter and how sorry he felt for her that she hadn't found the same kind of happiness that he had found.

"Well, anyway we can go now if you want?" Angel said to Dr. Martin.

"Okay, if everyone would get their coats and gloves on we can go right now." Dr. Martin said.

Cordelia put her coat on that she had brought with her from California. She hadn't worn it since she had gone to Colorado when she graduated. It was a little snug now but she was still able to button it. She also put on a nice pair of matching gloves and a bonnet that matched also. Connor had borrowed Wesley's coat. It was a little big for him since Wesley had broader shoulders and weighed more. Cordelia said it would be okay for now until they could buy one in New Hampshire. Angel of course had a coat of black. It was old and out of date but still functional since he didn't really need it for warmth. He did need something though or else if it got to cold he could get frostbite. Like everything else, it wouldn't kill him but it was painful. Dr. Martin looked at them. "Are we ready?" Everyone said yes. Angel opened the door for them and they all went out into the front and up the drive way to the convent. The convent was about 1,000 feet away so it was a bit of a walk. The driveway had deep piles of snow on the sides. Connor was walking ahead of the rest of them. Angel had been walking with Cordelia's arm around his. He let her arm go and ran after Connor and tackled him so that they both landed in the snow. Cordelia and Dr. Martin were watching them playing in the snow like two kids. Cordelia wanted to go and play also but she didn't want to take any chances.

"Alright you two lets get going." Dr. Martin said. Angel stood up and helped Connor to his feet. They brushed the snow off. "Is this the first time you've been in snow Connor?" Dr. Martin asked. "No, they took me up into the mountains when it snowed a lot last year. It was nothing like this though. Angel do you think we could try to make a snow man before we have to leave?" Connor asked.

"Well see. The snow has to be a little wet in order for it to stick together enough." He reached over to Connors shoulder and brushed off some snow and also under his collar. "See how we can just brush the snow off like it was dirt or dust?" Angel asked Connor. "Yeah." Connor answered. "Well it has to get to the point where it will stay on for awhile but start to melt within seconds. Then we can make our snowman. What do you think Dr. Martin? Do you think we might have snow like that tonight?" Angel asked. "Maybe, you never know at this time of the year." Dr. Martin said.

When they reached the front doors of the Convent. Dr. Martin turned to them. "I wanted to explain a few things to you Connor as to how to act with the sisters. I think Angel and Cordelia already know this but just in case they don't they can listen also. You do not normally touch the sisters unless they extend their hand to shake yours. Be careful not to speak loudly. You don't have to whisper but you don't make a lot of noise either. Right now it is 3 o'clock and we will be having vespers. I am going to leave you by yourselves in the back of the chapel behind the gates. Men are not allowed to walk around by themselves in the convent. Stay in the chapel until I come to get you. Vespers takes about 15 minutes. Take your coats off now so that you don't make a lot of noise when your in the chapel. Are you all ready?" They all answered yes and Dr. Martin led them into the chapel. As they entered they followed Dr. Martins example, except for Angel who abstained from the Holy Water but he did genuflect with the rest. She pointed to the row that they were to sit in. Then she left. A few minutes later she entered the chapel on the other side and Mother Superior started Vespers. Angel and Connor heard a light tap of a ring on wood and all of the sisters kneeled at the same time. Connor and Cordelia followed Angel in this because he kneeled also. As the prayers continued Cordelia and Connor noticed Angels hands started to tremble. Cordelia reached for his right hand and she felt the sweat on his palms. Then she heard Mother Superior say Angel, Cordelia and Connors name and Angel stopped shaking and his hands started to cool. A few minutes later they all stood as the sisters passed out of the Chapel. When the sisters had all left the chapel Angel sat down.

Dr. Martin came in after a few minutes and led them to the reception area again where they met Mother Superior. Dr. Martin started to introduce them but stopped when Mother Superior spoke up. "No introductions are necessary Sister. This of course is Angel." She reached out her hand to him and he took it and kissed her hand. "Good evening Mother Superior." "And this must be his beautiful wife Cordelia." She did not put out her hand to shake hands with Cordelia but instead put her hands on her right and left upper arm and pressed her cheek on each side of Cordelia's then let her go. "Good evening Mother Superior." Cordelia said as she displayed her best million dollar smile as Angel called it. Then she turned to Connor. "Since you are the only one left you must be Angels son Connor." She reached out her hand and Connor did as Angel had. "Good evening Mother Superior." "I cannot tell you all how happy we are to finally meet you. All the sisters are talking about how tall and handsome you are and how beautiful Mrs. Martin is. The nurses and doctors are saying that you and Cordelia will make beautiful babies together. You understand of course that all of the Sisters know who you are. I gave them just enough information so that they would know who they were praying for. Sr. Mary has made it clear that as little information as possible about you and your family should be given out. Right now only Sr. Mary, myself and Sr. Margaret are the only ones that know all about you." At that time another sister came in and talked to Mother Superior. She turned back to them after a few minutes. Angel, Cordelia and Connor, I have to leave for now. You can give your coats to Sr. Cecil here and she will put them away while your in here. I will see you later for Supper and tomorrow Angel I want to have a long talk with you. Please don't be angry with Sr. Mary for having told me so much about you. She told me all about what happened in California because of her vow of obedience. I'll take my leave now and I will see you in a couple of hours." Everyone stood up as Mother Superior stood to leave. When she exited they all gave their coats to Sr. Cecil and left the reception area and followed Dr. Martin into the interior of the convent. She led them up to the 2nd floor where there was a small sitting room. She told them to wait there while she checked on Sr. Margaret to see if she was strong enough to see them all. Dr. Martin came back in a few minutes. "Angel Sr. Margaret is awake and would like to see you first, alone. I don't want her to have too many visitors for to long of a time. She tires easily. I want you to understand that we have been giving her a lot of drugs for the pain she is experiencing and it normally makes her sleepy. She asked us to give her only the minimum amount of drugs so that she would be lucid enough to talk to you. Cordelia and Connor, I will come in and get you when she is through with Angel." Angel turned to Cordelia. "How do I look?" Cordelia stood back and looked him over. "Tuck your shirt in." When he was done she looked him over again. "Okay your ready to go." Angel followed Dr. Martin down the hallway that separated the rooms from the top of the chapel where the sisters that were well enough could sit at their own private windows and attend mass and prayers. At the other end of the hallway and next to the nurses office was the bedroom of Sr. Margaret. Angel grabbed Dr. Martins arm. She looked up at him. She could see that he was perspiring heavily and he looked like he was going to pass out. She grabbed hold of his arm and guided him over to the nurses office. The sister that was in there stood up. "Would you give us a few minutes sister." The young nurse curtsied to Angel and left and closed the door quietly behind her.

"What is wrong Angel. Is Angelus stopping you from going in to Sr. Margaret's room?" Dr. Martin asked as she poured him a glass of water then pulled up a chair for herself. She waited while he drank the whole glass then gave it back to her. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. He started to shake more. Blood red tears started to come from his eyes but he didn't seem to be really crying it was more like he couldn't control it. Then he lifted his head and looked at her. She could tell that he was fighting with Angelus. "Get Cordelia and Connor and get a tranquilizer just in case." Dr. Martin quickly went to get Cordelia and Connor and they ran to the other end of the hall when they heard a loud crash. They found Angel in the corner of the room. He had passed out and was laying face down on the floor. Dr. Martin checked him out. His pulse was racing and he was sweating profusely. She wet a cloth and put it over his face and wiped it and the back of his neck. She wet it again and put it over his forehead. He started to come around. He reached out for Connor to help him up and into a chair. When Cordelia went to him he immediately calmed down. Dr. Martin heard Sr. Margaret calling for Angel. Angel heard her call his name also. Cordelia stood up and pulled Angel up also. His legs felt like rubber, but he followed her. She followed Dr. Martin and pulled Angel along with her. Dr. Martin went into the room next door. "Sr. Margaret, this is Angel." Dr. Martin took Angels hand from Cordelia and gave it to Sr. Margaret.

"Angel don't be afraid. St. Michael and I would never do anything to hurt you. Come and sit down by me. I have been waiting so long to actually meet you." "It's not that I am afraid of you Sr. Margaret but Angelus is and he is fighting with me because he wants me to leave." Angel said as he sat down on the chair that was next to the head of her bed.

"I don't want you to worry about Angelus for now. St. Michael will take care of him. Think about our Lord Jesus Christ. Think of Him standing with His arms open wide and beckoning for you to come into His arms. His love and infinite mercy are waiting to embrace you." Angel closed his eyes for a minute while still holding on to Sr. Margaret's hand. Cordelia could see the pulsing vein in Angels neck slow down and the perspiration on his face started to dry. He looked up at Sr. Margaret again. "Do you feel much better now?" "Yes much better." "Good now we can talk. St. Michael and Sr. Mary have told me so much about you. Would you do me a personnel favor?" "Yes, if I can." Angel answered.

"Would you put your Vampire face on for me?" Angel shook his head. "I don't want to do that in front of you." "Please Angel do this one thing for me?" Angel thought about it for a minute then decided to do it. He bent his head down and changed his features. He brought his head up slowly so that she wouldn't be frightened. His special tears were falling down his face. He was sad that he had to expose such ugliness to such a holy woman. Sr. Margaret reached out both of her hands and caressed his face. She ran her fingers around his face and felt the elongated eye teeth. "This is the face of the demon Angelus is it not?" "Yes, it is, but not all of it. I can't do anymore than this and remain in control." Angel said. Then she felt the tears coming from his eyes. "Why are you crying Angel?" "I am ashamed of this face. I am sad that you should have to look at such ugliness." "Don't be ashamed Angel. This face isn't your fault. What happened to you isn't your fault. The things that Angelus did is not your fault. The only thing that you have to be ashamed of is the way you acted before you were turned into a Vampire and lost your soul. God himself intervened for you and gave you your soul back. You have to continue doing what you are doing." Sr. Margaret looked for Sr. Mary. "Sr. Mary will you and the others step out for a few minutes please. I have something to say to Angel that is for his ears only." Sr. Mary, Cordelia, and Connor walked out of the room. Sr. Margaret turned her attention back to Angel.

"Angel I know about the new relationship between you and Sr. Mary. I have been instructed by St. Michael to tell you that she will be coming home to you. She will leave the convent. Just as God has given you gifts she has been given the gift of you and your family. Other young women with the necessary skills to replace Sr. Mary have joined us within the last year. God has seen that you still need her and she needs you and your family. When Sr. Mary leaves she is to live with you at the Hotel and she will be your connection with St. Michael. One more thing Angel. You must sit down and have a long talk with your son. The sex of your unborn child has not been decided yet because Connor has not decided yet what he wants to do. Sit down with him and talk to him. Explain what is involved with taking care of Angel Investigations. Explain how he needs to work with you closely so that he can learn to take over Angel Investigations eventually. He must go to school and learn as much as he can. You have a lot of knowledge because of the many years you have been in this world. But Connor must go to school and learn everything much faster. Above all Angel he must learn to control his temper. He has that fiery Irish temper that he inherited from you. You must talk to him before the week is out Angel and he must make a decision before the end of this week. The sex of your child that Cordelia carries will depend on his decision. If he decides that he doesn't want to take over then Cordelia will have a boy with all of the same powers that Connor now has. If he does decide to join you and one day take over than your child will be a girl and Cordelia will pass on the Visions to her daughter. Connors sister will then become his seer. If Connor should decide to take over from you than he must start to become part of the Catholic Church. All of your children are to be brought into the church. The Catholic Church is not the only church that God excepts it's just that because of what you and your family does you need the prayers, ceremonies, rules and powers that are part of the Catholic Church." Sr. Margaret was tired now. She laid back down. Angel had returned to his normal features. "Sr. Margaret?" "Yes Angel." "Will Cordelia and I have many years together or will she be taken before I am?" "I cannot say Angel. None of us knows when God will call us home. If she is taken before you than you must learn to except it. Do not be angry at God for taking her. Try to continue to live in the manner that St. Michael, Sr. Mary, Cordelia and above all God has taught you. Thank him for taking her to be with him and to prepare a mansion so that you will be able to be together with each other for all eternity. Continue to say your rosary every day Angel. I love you and I will watch over you from heaven. Would you ask Sr. Mary to come in now please and remember that the information about Sr. Mary is for you only."

Angel stood up. "Thank you Sr. Margaret. Thank you for all that you have done for me." He took her hand and kissed it then left the room. He looked around. He didn't see Dr. Martin so he went down to the little sitting room where he found her. "Dr. Martin, Sr. Margaret would like to see you now." Dr. Martin got up and went down to Sr. Margaret's room. Angel sat and waited for her to come back. He didn't say anything about his visit with Sr. Margaret.

Dr. Martin came back after a few minutes. "Sr. Margaret is asleep now. Cordelia and Connor she wants to see you two tonight before you go back to the guest house. It's time for dinner now so let's go down to the guest dining room. Mother Superior is probably waiting for us. I've asked the cook to make you a very rare steak Angel and I am afraid you will have to wait until tonight to have a glass of blood. The cook is not aware of your nutritional needs and I didn't want to explain anything."

"Uh Dr. Martin I need some special tea that Willow had made up for me. It's down at the house. Is it okay for Connor to go and get it for me?" "Sure Cordelia. Connor just tell Sr. Cecil that you will be back in a few minutes. Well wait for you in the front hallway. Lets go."

Dr. Martin led them downstairs and into the hallway that contained the entrance to a small dining room. Connor left to get the tea and was back in a few minutes. Dr. Martin looked at her watch. "Let's wait here for a few minutes. The sisters are having their prayers and 15 minutes of examination of all that they have done today." "What is that?" Connor asked. "They think about all that they have done or thought of today. We ask ourselves 'Did I do anything against the rules of our order, was I uncharitable to some one because I was thinking only of myself, did I get angry because of pride in what I can do or that I thought I knew better than someone else. Did I break any of Gods commandments or did I break any of the commandments of the Catholic Church and other things." "I didn't think religious ever did anything wrong." Connor said as he was standing outside of the dining room with the rest. "Yes they do Connor, in fact they probably sin more than you do. The difference in a religious and anyone else, is they know more about what sin is and how it hurts Christ when we commit sins. For example we all know that you have a fiery temper. Did Holtz ever tell you that you should learn to control your temper and why?" "Yes, he used to hit me every time I showed my temper. He said that I had to learn to control it because I couldn't think clearly when I let my temper take over. As you know it didn't do me any good, but I did learn to focus better on whatever I was doing." "He was close Connor. It does fog your brain so that you can't think clearly on what you are doing but the real reason is that when you let your temper take over you always end up hurting someone. Either it's someone that you love or a stranger or a friend." Dr. Martin looked at her watch. "Well continue this later Connor if you don't mind. They are starting to serve dinner which means prayers are over. Lets go in now." Dr. Martin opened the door to the dining room. Mother Superior was sitting at the head of the table. They all greeted her as they came in. Angel pulled the chair out for Cordelia and Connor did the same for Dr. Martin. Then they sat down next to each other.

"Did you have a good visit with our holy Sr. Margaret Angel?" "Yes Mother I did. Angelus was giving me some trouble at first but Sr. Margaret taught me how to make him back down. She is a beautiful soul. I have seen only a few truly innocent people before and she is one of them." "Who else have you seen that you would call truly innocent?" Cordelia asked. "I think Dr. Martin would agree with me when I say that Willow is a truly innocent person. I hope that she never loses that quality as the years go by." Angel said. "Yes I agree." Dr. Martin said. "And who is the other one?" Cordelia asked as she batted her eyelashes at him. He knew what she wanted him to say. "It's not you, you little vixen. Any woman that can control me is no innocent. I was thinking of my sister Kathleen." "Well I'll bow down to your sister, but only because she is your sister and I know how much you loved her." Cordelia said.

One of the other sisters came in with a cart and Sr. Mary stood up to take the cart and hand out the bowls of food. "Where is Angels steak sister?" The sister reached down on the bottom of the cart and brought out a plate with a beautiful silver cover. She gave it to Sr. Mary and quietly left the room.

"My, my but we are getting first class service." She took the cover off. The steak was as big as the plate and at least 1 ½ inches thick. Angel looked at the steak and knew he couldn't possibly eat all of it. But he knew that the little sister and another one that they hadn't seen were waiting at the door for his reaction. So he cut into the steak and said loudly, 'Mmm, Mmm this is the best steak I have ever tasted. You should ask the cook how she did it Cordelia.' He heard the sisters giggling like two school kids as they left.

"Please forgive my display Mother but they were listening at the door for my reaction. I thought I would give them what they were hoping for. Take some of this Connor, I know you can eat at least half of this." Angel cut it in half and gave his son the better half. They all settled down then to eat their dinner. When they were done Mother Superior stood up and Angel and Connor stood up also. "Angel the sisters have asked me to ask you if you, Cordelia and Connor would join us for what we call recreation. It's is a time that we reserve for visiting with each and playing games or whatever the sisters want to do. I want you to know that if you join us that this will be an historic occasion for our order. No man except Priests and Brothers have ever come into our private living quarters. Usually men can only go as far as the gates in the visiting area."

"Why are they so interested in me?" Angel asked. Mother Superior looked at Sr. Mary in surprise at his question. " "Angel for one thing you have St. Michael as your Guardian Angel. Secondly God has taken a personnel interest in you. Third you are a destroyer of Demons. You are seen as almost St. Michael's equal in this world. Also last but not the least of these reasons, you have suffered the Crucifixion as our Lord did. They will want to see the nail marks in your hands. If you see them shed tears Angel it will be because they will be thinking of how our Lord suffered for 3 hours before he died." Angel looked at her. "Angel they may ask you to describe what it was like if you can remember. It would mean a lot to them."

"I can't Mother Superior, I just can't. Ask Sr. Mary what happened to me just trying to go into see Sr. Margaret. Angelus would never stand for it."

"Dad, I think you should look at Cordelia." Connor said.

Everyone's eyes turned to Cordelia. She was shaking like she was cold. Dr. Martin went over to her and checked her pulse. "Cordelia what's wrong?" Dr. Martin asked her. Her pulse was racing and she was close to passing out.

"I think I am picking up what Angel is feeling. Don't make him do it." She reached out for Angel. He grabbed her hand.

"Angel, I can't stand it, your mind is overpowering mine. Your coming through the link to strong." Cordelia said. She was holding her head by now.

"Angel calm down, put yourself in a trance if you can't shut Angelus up, but do something." Dr. Martin told him.

Angel closed his eyes and tried to calm down. Cordelia wasn't getting any better. Dr. Martin went over to him and started rubbing his neck and shoulders. Cordelia started to relax the more Dr. Martin massaged Angels neck and shoulders. After 5 minutes Angel reached over and took Cordelia in his lap.

"Mother Superior, I will go and see the Sisters now." "What made you change your mind?" Dr. Martin asked.

"A very brave woman once told me something when others where controlling her with fear." Cordelia had been resting her head against his shoulder. She straightened up when he started talking about when they first had sex after the rape. "This brave woman said 'I have to do this Angel, I won't let them control me any longer.'" Angel gave Cordelia a kiss and stood her on her feet. He straightened his clothes. "After you ladies." Angel said as he went to the door and opened it up for them.

Mother Superior led them down the hall to a very large room. Before they arrived he could hear all of the heart beats of the more than 100 Nuns in the room. Mother Superior and Sr. Mary stepped through the doorway and you could hear everyone stand up. Angel followed Cordelia into the room and Connor followed him.

"Sisters, Angel has agreed to meet all of you. He will answer any questions you may have for the next 30 minutes. He is a little nervous so please don't scare him by crowding him. He isn't used to having so many women around him. You may recall that he just got married a few months ago so he is still learning how to be around just one woman." Mother Superior looked at Angel and Cordelia. "Besides Cordelia has just started training him so he is still a work in progress. This young man over here is his son Connor. Sr. Mary will come to each of you that wants to ask a question. She will more or less screen your questions. The reason for that is, as you all know, she is Angels Doctor and she knows what kind of questions he cannot answer." Dr. Martin took the mike from the sister that was controlling the speaker and mike. She walked to the back of the room where one of the Sisters had stood up to ask a question. Dr. Martin listened to the question first. Then she turned around and went back to the front.

"Angel, Sr. Judy has said that they have all talked about what questions they wanted to ask you. They came up with 3 questions that they felt were the most important. The most important one is what did it feel like to be crucified? Second they want to know why you think it happened to you. Third who are you that God and St. Michael has taken so much interest in you?"

Angel was surprised at the last question. He put his hands in his pockets and walked back and forth thinking about what he should do. After a few minutes he came back and told Dr. Martin to describe what happened to him and not to leave out anything. "Are you sure Angel, because this means that you will have to tell them that you have a demon in residence with you." Angel laughed at what she said. "I never heard it put exactly that way. Yes I realize that. Do you think I will be putting us in danger if I do this?" "No, I don't. These women pray for you every day, when they are called home for their final reward the prayers will continue on with the next women to join us and will continue to do so until you are finally called by God to go home. While I am talking though I think it would be good if Connor walked around and listened for anything that you think doesn't belong here." Angel looked at her in surprise that she should say something like that. "Blame it on Wesley he is the one that made me this way. I told you I was spending to much time around you guys." Dr. Martin said with a smile.

"Angel has asked me to describe to you what his crucifixtion was like at least from my point of view as his doctor. When I am done Angel will talk to you and answer your other two questions."

Dr. Martin proceeded to tell the Sisters exactly what had happened. She told them of how Cordelia had discovered Angel hanging from a crucifix from the second story walkway. She described all of the blood that was pouring from his body and how Cordelia had found him because she had slipped in the pool of blood that had fallen from him. Everyone had helped to take him down and how he had screamed when they pulled the spikes out of his hands and how he had lost consciousness by the time they reached the one spike that was holding his feet to the wood. She described all of his injuries and how long it took for them to take care of all of them. She ended by telling them how long it took for him to heal. Several of the Sisters held up their hands. Dr. Martin knew what the questions would be about. "All of your questions will be answered by Angel."

"Angel, your on. Most of the Sister are well educated. We do have some though that have completed their elementary education only. So be careful in how you speak to them." Dr. Martin handed him the mike but he gave it to Sr. Judy. "I won't be needing this. Thank you." Angel proceeded to tell them all exactly who and what he was and what they all did at Angel Investigations now. He explained why he was able to go out into the sun light while he was here. He told them about the Sunnydale group including Spike and Hunter. He left nothing out, not even the killing of his own sister by Angelus. Dr. Martin noticed that Angel was saying Angelus instead of I through out the whole thing. Angel didn't stop with what it felt like to be crucified, he went on to explain what it was like to have his dream fulfilled in Cordelia and to find that God did love him.

"I don't know why God and St. Michael has taken a special interest in me. To tell you the truth I don't really question it anymore. I just do whatever God, St. Michael and my wife tells me to do." Angel said with a smile and everyone laughed.

"Are their any other questions that you would like to ask me?" Angel was feeling more relaxed now that he had told them his story.

One of the Sisters stood up and Dr. Martin took the mike from Sr. Judy and went to the Sister that was standing. The Sister told Dr. Martin her question. "Angel they want to know if you have any thing special that you would like them to pray for, for you?" Angel thought about it for a minute. "Would you pray for me that I never forget what my mission is. Would you pray for me that I never disappoint God and St. Michael and last but not least would you pray for me that Cordelia's and my children follow in our foot steps and keep Angel Investigations going."

Dr. Martin and Cordelia had tears falling down their faces. Cordelia came to Angel and put her arm through his. Dr. Martin wiped her tears away then turned to the Sisters again.

"Are their anymore questions?"

No one stood up. Mother Superior stood up when no more questions were asked. "I think that we will call it a night now since there are no more questions. Good night everyone." All of the sisters quietly exited the large room. "I will say good night also. Angel, Cordelia and Connor good night I will see you tomorrow." "Good night Mother Superior." They all said as she exited.

"I will also have to say good night, the nurse attending to Sr. Margaret said that she was in a lot of pain so she had to give her the full dose of medication which means she will be unable to see Cordelia and Connor tonight." Dr. Martin led them to the front door where the little sister had their coats ready for them. "The day for us ends early and starts early and I have surgery tomorrow morning. I won't come to get you until after 12 noon." Dr. Martin had walked them to the front door as they were talking. When they were ready she opened the door. She gave each of them a hug and a kiss before they went out of the door. Then quietly closed and locked the door behind them.

It was snowing heavily as they started down the driveway. Angel walked next to Connor. "You did real good today Connor. I was very proud of you." To Angel and Cordelia's surprise Connor stopped walking and turned to Angel. "Dad, today I was proud that I could claim you as my father. Today I decided that I want to follow you and learn about everything that I need to learn. When I get back I'll ask Wesley and Fred to help me with my schooling. I'll work with you whenever I can and one day I will work and fight by your side and hope that I can become at least half as good a man as you are. I want you to know that I have started taking lessons from Fr. Barris so that I can become a Catholic and receive the sacraments. I love you Angel as my real father. I am sorry for all the things that I have done to you. Can you possibly forgive me?"

Angel had tears in his eyes. He grabbed Connor and hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "These tears Connor are tears of joy. I never stopped loving you. It was always here in my heart waiting for you to accept it." After awhile he let Connor go and bent down and picked up some snow. "You know I think that we just might be able to make that snow man tomorrow. And if we have enough snow, which I think we will, we'll make it the biggest Snow Man that the Sisters have every seen." Angel walked over to Cordelia and picked her up in his arms. Twirled her around then put her down. "Today I am the happiest man in the world." He let her go and beat his chest like a big gorilla and gave a Tarzan yell. "Angel stop that your going to scare the Sisters." Cordelia said. Angel looked at her and started to act like Tarzan again. "Me Tarzan not Angel." Angel looked at Connor. "Boy, you go run, make fire inside of bedrooms." Connor and Angel liked watching the old Tarzan movies so Connor knew how to play along. He started to act like Cheetah and took his shoes and coat off and jumped up to one of the trees that was along the driveway. "Boy come down and make fire for Jane and Tarzan. Jane getting cold." Connor just swung from tree limb to tree limb and all the time making noises like Cheetah. "Come and make me old man. If you can that is." Then he jumped up and down on the limb like a regular monkey and making noises like Cheetah. Angel couldn't resist the challenge. He took his shoes, socks and coat off and jumped up to the same limb that Connor was on. "Hah! Now what are you going to do?" Angel asked. "You two better not tear your clothes. Those are the only suits I brought for you." Cordelia yelled at them as she picked up their shoes, socks and coats. They threw down their jackets also and she picked those up as well. For 30 minutes they played tag up in the trees. Finally Cordelia had enough. She was freezing. "Angel and Connor I am going inside and start the fire in the living room. I am going to make some hot chocolate with little marshmallows that I found in the cabinet this morning." Cordelia yelled at them. They had gone further out into the woods though so they didn't hear her. Thirty minutes later Connor came in the house. His feet and hands were freezing. He had come in after he lost track of Angel. When Cordelia came into the living room she found Connor with his feet pointing towards the fire. She had heard him come in and brought him a sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate. She knew he would be hungry.

"I'll see you in the morning Connor. Goodnight, oh, just to let you know Angel came in about 15 minutes ago. He's probably already in bed after taking a nice hot shower." "That dirty rat, he left me out there all this time looking for him. Now I'll be awake half of the night thinking of a way to get back at him." Connor said as he took a bite out of his sandwich. Cordelia went upstairs with a hot cup of chocolate for herself and Angel.

They had stayed up until 1 A.M. just watching the snow fall. Then they crawled into bed under the soft covers and the thick quilt. It didn't make any difference to Angel but it felt so good to Cordelia. She cuddled up to him and rested her head on his arm. She felt safe and warm. They both fell asleep as soon as they were in each others arms.

Three hours later Angel heard the phone ringing. He got up and put his pants on and ran downstairs to answer it. "Hello Angel speaking." "Mr. Martin, this is Sr. Cecil, Sr. Mary has asked me to call you. Sr. Margaret is dyeing and she is asking for Mrs. Martin, you, and Connor. She wants you all to come right away." "Thank you will be there as soon as possible." He hung up and ran back upstairs taking them 2 at a time. He went to Connors room first and knocked on the door. Connor wake up, I just got a call saying that Sr. Margaret is dying and she is asking for us. Well meet you downstairs. Then he went back to his room and found Cordelia already up and getting dressed. "I heard you telling Connor that Sr. Margaret is asking for us." Angel put the rest of his clothes on and they went downstairs. Connor was already their and holding their coats. He handed Angel his and helped Cordelia on with hers and they headed up to the convent. Sr. Cecil was there waiting for them. She took their coats and then guided them to Sr. Margaret's room. Dr. Martin was standing outside of her door. "She wants to see you first Cordelia. When Cordelia comes out you can go in Connor. Cordelia went in and she was in there for 15 minutes then she came out and Connor went in. After 10 minutes Connor opened the door and told them all to come in. Dr. Martin checked Sr. Margaret then told Angel she was going to go and wake Mother Superior and the rest of the Sisters.

"Angel come and sit down beside me. Give me your hand." Sr. Margaret said as she reached out for him. Angel sat in the chair next to the bed and took her small thin hand in his hand and put his other one over them.

"Tonight Angel I am finally being called home." Sr. Margaret said in a low shaky voice. He could tell that she was in a lot of pain. Her skin was almost as cold as his was and she struggled for each breath. "Along with St. Michael I will watch over you and your family. I will continue to pray for you and your family." She looked to the foot of her bed. Cordelia was sitting to his right and Connor was beside her. A priest, Mother Superior and Sr. Mary were on the other side of the bed. He could hear all of the other Sisters down in the chapel praying for Sr. Margaret. "St. Michael is here to take me home now. Connor has told me that he told you tonight that he wants to follow in your footsteps. So that means you and Cordelia will have a girl. Have you decided on a name yet?" "Yes, we will be naming her after my sister Kathleen and Sr. Mary. So her name will be Mary Kathleen Martin." Angel answered with a smile. "That sounds like a good Irish name. I am very happy for you Angel. You have suffered for so long. You will continue to suffer Angel as we all do as we go through life but it will no longer be so intense. Listen and learn from Sr. Mary. Goodby Angel." Angel felt her soul leave her body. He kissed her hand and put it back under the covers and straightened the covers. He looked up at Sr. Mary and Mother Superior. "She is gone now." Angel said. Dr. Martin checked her heart to make sure that it had stopped. Another Sister had come in and given candles to everyone. The lights were turned out in the convent and each sister took the light from the candle that was by Sr. Margaret's bed. They passed it from one to the other and one of the sisters went down into the chapel and they all lighted their candles that originated from that one light. Everyone kneeled then and started the prayers for Sr. Margaret's soul. Angel, Cordelia, and Connor kneeled down also. Thirty minutes later Sr. Mary was guiding them out of the door. "I'll come and see you tomorrow Angel. It will be quiet in the convent for awhile and I won't be busy at the hospital either. Good night everyone." Angel gave her a kiss on her forehead and he turned and left. They walked back to the guest house in silence. Cordelia went right to bed but Angel sat out on the balcony just thinking.

Three hours later she woke up and found him still sitting out there. The sun was just starting to come over the hills. Cordelia got up and wrapped the quilt around herself.

"Come to bed Angel. I need to feel your arms around me." Cordelia sat in his lap and pulled the quilt around both of them. "Why, is our Mary Kathleen lonely?" "How do you know it's a girl?" "Sr. Margaret told me. She said if Connor follows in my footsteps and wants to help with Angel Investigations then our baby would be a girl. She will grow up to be his Seer." Angel turned his gaze back out to the landscape. He watched a deer come to the front by the buildings where the snow wasn't as thick and it could push the snow aside with its nose. "I love you Angel and I am proud to be your wife. Let's go back to bed."

Angel picked her up and took her to the bed. He laid her down and let her get under the covers then rearranged the quilt. Angel carefully closed the french doors and curtains. He put another log on the fire then took his own clothes off and crawled into bed with her.

The next morning Cordelia woke up at 10. She looked at Angel sleeping so peacefully. Suddenly she was filled with love for him and began to kiss him. He opened his eyes and looked into hers. "Let's celebrate life Cordelia. Let me make love to you. We haven't done it in over a month since you are usually sick." "Yes, lets celebrate life Angel." He started to kiss her. His lips forced her mouth open and his tongue searched out hers. He left her mouth and traveled down her body along that familiar path. Reaching her stomach he licked it and listened to his daughters heartbeat. Cordelia felt him put his ear to her stomach. She put her hand on his head. "I wish you could hear it Cordy." "I can Angel. I can't feel her yet but I can hear her heart beat through the link I share with you. I can feel the immense amount of love that you already have for her." Angel listened for awhile then continued his worship of Cordy's body. He went to her breast and suckled at each one. Then he chose the left one to bite into and start to drain a small amount of her blood. Cordelia threw her head back and held onto his head and pressed it against her. After a few minutes Angel let her go and carefully licked the wound. Cordelia kneeled on the bed and pushed Angel down and held his arms up over his head. She kissed him all over his body and lingered at his neck. When he felt her sucking on the skin he pushed her away. "Cordy your going to give me a hickey if you continue doing that." He rubbed his neck. He knew she did it high enough so that it could be seen over his collar. Cordelia was giggling. "Yes, me Jane, you Tarzan. Jane put her mark on Tarzan so that everyone will know that Tarzan belongs to Jane." She fell on him again and started to suck on him again. Angel was laughing at her and started to tickle her so that she would stop. She stopped then continued down his body and lingered there. When he was hard and ready for her she lifted her hips over him and took him gently into her opening. She wrapped her muscles around him and raised herself up and down on him slowly. Angel grabbed her arms and turned her so that she was now laying on the bed, but he had not withdrawn from her. He started to pump her but he was careful not to go into her too far. Just as she was about to climax he put his vampire face on and bit into her neck. At the same time he was pumping her faster. He started to suck the blood from her neck. Cordelia put her own hand over her mouth so that she wouldn't scream to loud. They both climaxed and Angel almost collapsed on her but at the last second he put his arm out and rolled to the side. He reached for her and pulled her to him so that he could lick the wound in her neck. He continued licking it until the bleeding had stopped and the two marks on her neck were almost completely gone. He pulled the covers over them again and then pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and they fell asleep in each others arms.

Dr. Martin came knocking on the door at 12:30. Connor answered the door. "Good morning Connor. How are you on this beautiful day?" Dr. Martin asked as she took off her coat and gloves. Connor took them from her. "Good morning grandma. I am waiting for Angel to get up so that we can see if we can make a Snow Man today." "You mean those two still aren't up?" "Well to tell you the truth they were getting a little noisy this morning for awhile then it got real quiet." "Well lets go and wake them up." Dr. Martin and Connor started for the stairs. They almost ran into Angel and Cordelia as they went around the corner to start going up the stairs.

"Don't bother were already up and ready to start another glorious day." Angel said. He came down the steps and gave Dr. Martin a hug and kiss. "Good morning Mom." Angel let her go then. "Good morning my boy. Cordelia good morning." Dr. Martin gave Cordelia a hug and kiss. "Why are you two in such good spirits this morning?" "We are basking in the after glow of the celebration of life." Angel said with a big grin on his face.

"Dad, hurry up and have your breakfast so that you can see if we can make a snow man. I've been waiting on you for the last 2 hours." Connor said as they walked to the kitchen. Cordelia went into the kitchen with Dr. Martin and started to make something light for herself and poured some blood in a glass for Angel to warm up. He had taken a liking to toast with his blood in the morning so he was busily making toast and warming his blood up. He also poured some milk for Cordy and filled a table thermos with coffee that Connor had made. Dr. Martin grabbed 3 coffee cups for them and took all of the drinks and cups to the table. They all sat at the table and Cordelia and Angel dug into their breakfast while Dr. Martin started to pour coffee into their cups. Cordelia reached out her hand and put it over the cup. "None for me thank you, I drink the tea Willows friend gave me." "Would you give me some of the herbs so that I could see what it is Cordelia?" Dr. Martin said. "The midwife put the herbal ingredients on the outside of the package. I'll give you a little packet though and give the ingredients to you. It's been working real well though. It tastes good and I haven't been sick since I started taking it. She told Willow that women have been taking it for thousands of years." "I would just feel better Cordelia if I could check it out myself." Dr. Martin said.

"When is the funeral for Sr. Margaret going to take place?" Cordelia asked. "We have to wait for her relatives to call back as to when they will arrive, but we are working towards Friday though." "What is going to happen today if anything?" Cordelia asked as she finished off her milk. "Sr. Margaret's body is being prepared for burial and then she will be kept in a room where people can go in and pray for her or to her. But don't forget that you and Connor have a date with Mother Superior today." "You go first Cordelia, Dad and I are going to build a snow man. Let's go Dad." Connor grabbed their coats and handed Angels his while he put his on.

"How did the snow look Grandma?" "It looks just right Connor. You two should be able to make a nice big one. Would you do me a favor though and make it in the back of the convent. It won't look to good in the front." "Okay. Can we make it in the back of the guest house so I can look at it from my window?" "Yes that will be fine, go and have fun now. Are you ready to go Cordelia or would you rather watch our boys play in the snow?" "I would like to watch them for awhile if you don't mind?" Cordelia asked as she sipped at her tea. "Let's go upstairs in the bedroom that Angel and I are using. It has a balcony where we can curl up with some blankets, sip tea and coffee and watch the boys play." Cordelia put her dishes in the sink and cleaned them and put them away. Then Dr. Martin and her made their way up stairs. They pulled some chairs out to the balcony and wrapped themselves with blankets. Angel and Connor already had the bottom of a snow man ready and were working on the middle. They were making the snow man so big that they were clearing a lot of the new snow away. Cordelia noticed they had discarded their coats already.

"How are things with you and Angel, Cordelia?" "What do you mean?" Cordelia asked.

"Are you having any problems? You know, marital problems. I know the sex is great but what about the every day to day life or night to night life in Angels case. Do you regret not being able to go out into the daylight with him? Are you concerned about the baby?"

"No Mother, I have been living the night time life with Angel for so long now that it seems normal. As for marital problems, no we don't have any. You know me, if I didn't like something that he was doing I would come right out and tell him or at least make him sit down with me and talk about it. He told me once that he has talked more in just these last 5 years than he has in all of his human and vampire life. Did he ever tell you about the second year that Angel Investigations was operating." "No, what happened." "We had an especially nasty demon we were having to deal with. He was working with Wolfram & Hart. Anyway to make it short he blew up the offices and almost killed Wesley. Wesley was in the hospital for almost 2 months and Angel and I went to Sunnydale. Buffy had called and asked us to come and help her with a problem that she was having. While we were there Angel was badly injured when a bunch of demons tried to kill him. What they ended up doing was crushing his spine and he ended up a paraplegic. It took him 2 months to heal. Remember a vampire that Angel told you he borrowed his ring from?" "Yes she is the one that's a doctor?" "That's right, anyway she took care of him. If she hadn't been there I don't know what we would have done. All the time he was stuck in bed and the wheel chair I made him talk. We talked about everything. I would lay down beside him in bed and read to him. At first he couldn't talk very well but when he was able to I kept asking him questions about himself and his life before he became a vampire and after. I told him all about myself and what was a very short life compared to him. He had to talk to me because he was more or less a captive audience. I also kept him talking because it helped him to practice his speaking skills. Whenever he didn't talk for a day or two for whatever reason he would have difficulty speaking and would frequently mix up his languages. I have always adjusted to Angels life Mother. Their isn't much we can do about him adjusting to mine. I think though that my love for Angel makes things easy for me. When he has his Vampire face on I hardly even notice it. You know how when babies start crying all of the time, Angel was having to deal with it. He wanted to be the perfect Daddy when he had Connor. You'll never be able to guess in a million years what he did to get Connor to stop crying. He would put his Vampire face on and Connor would quiet down right away. If Angel changed back then Connor would start crying again. Sometimes when I would come in, in the morning he would be sitting in the rocking chair with Connor in his arms and he would still have his Vampire face on." Cordelia sat quietly for awhile rocking herself back and forth. Her eyes were following Angel at all times.

Cordelia looked up at Dr. Martin. "Before Angel and I realized that we loved each other I remember feeling so safe and comfortable when he was around. When he would leave the room I remember feeling like part of my heart had been cut away. I slowly realized that he was the reason why I felt like that. I love him so much Mother that when I can't see him, hear him or be with him I feel actual physical pain. That pain doesn't go away until I can at least hear his voice. On our wedding night, Angel initiated a link between us. He said it was like the link he shares with Spike except that this link was more personnel. He said he would always be able to 'feel' me. He would be able to feel my well being, my happiness, my sadness, my physical well being. Also as time goes by I am becoming more aware of the link and can sense his well being. I'm not quiet sure of how to describe the other thing that I feel but I think I feel the sense of his physical being. And for that I am very thankful to God. I will always know if Angel is okay or not and I don't hurt anymore when he isn't physically by me. I pray that either we both die together or that I die first. Because I don't want to endure the pain of losing him, but then I think of how he will suffer if I should die before him and I don't want him to suffer anymore." Both Cordelia and Dr. Martin wiped their tears away and blew their nose. "I think we had better go and see Mother Superior. The boys look like they are just about done with that snow man." Dr. Martin said as she got up and her and Cordelia put the chairs back and folded up the blankets. As they started to walk up to the convent Connor and Angel came over.

"Do we have a camera Cordelia?" Connor asked. "Yes, remember I gave it to you to put into your duffle bag." Connor went running back to the guest house. He was back in a few minutes and went right to the snow man. He must have taken 6 pictures of the snowman and all from different angles. The rest were having just as much fun watching him as he was taking the pictures. "Come on Connor, lets go. Mother Superior must think we got lost." Angel said.

Little Sr. Cecil was their again taking their coats. Dr. Martin led them into the reception area and left for a minute while she went to see if Mother Superior was ready for Cordelia. She came back after 10 minutes. "Cordelia Mother Superior can see you now. Angel and Connor I think you will be interested to know that we have a Play Station over here that you can play with. The games are over here. I will be over at the hospital for awhile. Someone will bring Cordelia back and get Connor. Okay so I will see you in a couple of hours. Remember now don't make too much noise." "Yes Mother, Yes Grandma." Angel and Connor said at the same time. Dr. Martin left and Connor went for the Play Station. Angel was looking at the wood work that was in the room. The walls were of some type of redwood that had to have been brought over from the west coast. Each piece of wood that made the walls looked like it had been made to fit by hand. The fireplace was a black marble and was very old looking. It was probably put in when the house was built. A crucifix was centered over the fireplace next to a picture of what Dr. Martin said was the foundress of the order. Further over in the opposite corner was the television and Play Station that Connor was playing with. Angel went over and joined him and they continued on until Cordelia came back with another sister that Angel had never seen before.

"Sister could you take us to the chapel." Angel asked. "Yes I can do that. Connor will you come with us please." Connor was putting the Play Station and games away then came to join them. The sister took them to the back of the chapel. Up at the front by the alter they could see Sr. Margaret's coffin. The sister opened the gates and led them to the front. "Until the funeral Mother Superior has instructed me to open the gates and let you in to the main part of the chapel. I am going to leave you now and take Connor to Mother Superior." Angel and Cordelia went to the first pew and started to say the rosary. After they were done they just sat and looked at all of the inside of the chapel. "What are you thinking of Angel?" He was quiet for awhile before he answered. "When Angelus and Darla traveled around by themselves they would sometimes take shelter in the barn of a convents stable. Before they left,..... all of the sisters would be dead. Cordelia my heart is sore from the sorrow that I feel and the shame that my body was used to rape many of the sisters. Angelus is laughing at my tears. He is saying that I enjoyed it. But I didn't Cordy, I didn't, I couldn't control him. I couldn't make him stop. He let me see what he was doing and I couldn't stop him." The front of Angels shirt was red with his tears. Cordelia did the only thing that she could do for him. She took his right hand and rubbed the mark from Dr. Martins ring. She took his other hand and put his hand on the mark. Don't forget what Dr. Martin said Angel. Concentrate on the mark and pray to St. Michael to help you. Angel got to his knees and put his head on the rail. Cordelia kneeled with him and Angel held onto her hand. He prayed to St. Michael and Sr. Margaret to help him deal with what he was feeling and to make Angelus back away.

At the back of the Chapel several sisters had walked in to pray at Sr. Margaret's casket. What they saw made one of them literally run to get Mother Superior. The other sister called Sr. Mary to come to the chapel immediately. They all came back at the same time. What they saw made them kneel at the gates of the chapel. A white glow surrounded Angel and Cordelia. They could see Sr. Margaret standing with her hand on Angels head and looking up. They could see her mouth moving but they couldn't hear her. Connor was standing at the back also. He just stood their staring at his father and Cordelia and the apparition surrounding them. After 30 minutes the apparition disappeared and Angel raised his head and they both sat down.

"Are you okay now?" Cordelia asked him. "Yes my heart is much lighter now and Angelus is quiet. Thank you for helping me Cordy." He looked around when he heard someone approaching them. It was Dr. Martin. In the back he could see 10 or more of the sisters standing behind the gate. Connor was standing with them also. Dr. Martin had told them to stay in the back until she signaled to them that they could come forward. She sat in the pew behind Cordelia and Angel.

"Is their something wrong Angel?" Dr. Martin asked.

"Not anymore. Everything is fine now." He said with a smile. She saw the stain of his blood filled tears on his shirt.

"Do you mind telling Mother Superior and I what it was?" He thought about it for a minute. "I'll tell only you and Mother Superior. I'll leave it up to you as to whether you want to tell the other sisters about it." Dr. Martin signaled for only Mother Superior to come forward. She came and sat next to Dr. Martin.

When she was seated he started to explain what happened. "Cordelia and I came in here to say our rosary and just sit here for awhile with Sr. Margaret. Then Angelus started to remind me of what happened over 175 years ago when they traveled the country side alone. Darla and Angelus would often take shelter in a convent stable during the day. When they would finally leave the convent grounds all of the sisters would be dead. Angelus and Darla killed all of them and drank their blood. They would make the sisters last over several days. The thoughts that bothered me the most was that Angelus used my body to rape many of the sisters. It didn't make any difference to him as to what they looked like or how old they were he just raped them for the fun of it. He would have fun making them feel fear because it always made the blood taste sweeter. Angelus was telling me that I enjoyed it and that I could have stopped him if I wanted to. I told this to Cordy and how bad I felt that he had used me to cause pain for so many. She reminded me of the mark of Dr. Martins ring on the palm of my hand. She also reminded me of what she had said. Dr. Martin had told me that whenever I was having problems with Angelus that I should pray to St. Michael. When I did it though I prayed to Sr. Margaret also and asked them both to help me."

"Angel when you were kneeling and praying we saw a white glow like a mist around you and Cordelia. After awhile we could see Sr. Margaret standing by you. She had her hand on your head and she was looking up. We could see her mouth moving but we couldn't hear anything."

"I guess that's when I started feeling better and Angelus backed off." Angel and Cordelia stood up and then went over to Sr. Margaret's casket. He genuflected in front of the altar then kissed the casket. "Thank you Sr. Margaret." Then they turned and left the chapel. Dr. Martin followed them. Angel was stretching his arms. The previous hour had made his muscles tighten up with the stress of the moment. "You know I am starving and I have my mind on a ham sandwich on wheat bread, mustard, onions, tomatoes and lettuce. Do you think we could get something like that from the kitchen Dr. Martin?" Angel said as he wrapped his arm around Cordelia's neck. "Can you wait about 30 minutes Angel? It's almost time for dinner. I'll ask the cook to provide that sandwich for you. Cordelia do you want the same thing?" "Yes, I was just thinking about the same thing. But could we have pickles and chips also and I like swiss cheese."

"How about you Connor?" "That sounds real good to me." Connor said. "I guess all of the time we spent working and making my snow man gave me a real appetite." "I'll see you in 30 minutes." Dr. Martin said as she left them. They all went to the reception area. Angel turned the TV on and looked for news on the weather. The local news was just starting so they sat down to watch it.

When it was over Dr. Martin walked in. "Dinner time everyone." Everyone got up to follow her into the guest dinning room. Once again an elderly sister brought in a cart filled with food, and to Connors delight some Pepsi's along with the coffee and milk and a carafe filled with hot water for tea. Once again Dr. Martin unloaded the cart. As Angel had requested their were plates filled with slices of ham, and roast beef. Several plates of onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, several types of cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard. They also had their choice of bread. When she was done unloading the cart she pushed it over to the wall. "Whoops, almost forgot the chips." Dr. Martin went to sit down. Just when they were going to start eating Mother Superior walked in and Angel and Connor stood up. Connor pulled out her chair for her and helped her to get it closer to the table then sat down.

Both Angel and Connor made large sandwiches for themselves. They spent the next 15 minutes just eating those huge sandwiches. "How are you feeling now Angel." Dr. Martin asked. She had a smile on her face because she was pretty sure as to what was going to happen soon.

"I'm not feeling to good now. It tasted good going down but I don't think it's sitting to good. I am sorry everyone but I have to go back to the guest house now. I'll see you tomorrow." Angel got up and quickly walked to the door and left. "You better follow him Connor. I think that sandwich is going to come back up. I'll give Cordelia something to help him." Connor grabbed his and Angels coat and followed him to the guest house. Dr. Martin had a big grin on her face all of the time.

"What is so funny?" Mother Superior asked. "Mother, Angel is not used to eating solid food. He said he couldn't taste it. One of the gifts God gave him though was the gift of the taste of food again. When I told him about this I told him not to eat too much because his system wasn't used to it. Both Cordelia and I have only been giving him small rare steaks. But Cordelia here is pregnant now and I think she is starting to get cravings. When she was having morning sickness Angel felt the nausea also and was getting sick right along with her. Well this was his first sample of the terrible 'got to have it' cravings. His system isn't used to food like that and he also ate a large quantity of it. So Cordelia I think he will learn his lesson from tonight. Do you know if his bladder and kidneys have started to function normally now that he is eating more solid food?" "Yes, at least his bladder is working. Didn't you notice him showing Connor how to write his name in the snow." They all had a good laugh. "I am going to give you some medicine to give him. It will make his stomach feel better. I am also going to give you some rubber gloves and suppositories just in case." Dr. Martin left then to get the supplies. She was back in 20 minutes. "Make sure that he understands that this was a little harmless lesson for him. His stomach just can't handle the type of food and the quantity that he consumed tonight. He hasn't had to deal with such physical feelings like this for a long time, and I mean a long, long time. His craving for a ham sandwich was probably yours. By the way, do you have that sample of the tea your drinking?" "Yes." Cordelia reached into her pocket and took out a small plastic bag with the herbs for the tea and gave it to Dr. Martin. Cordelia picked up the bag of medical supplies that Dr. Martin had given her and stood up. "I guess I had better go now and take care of my baby. Thank you and good night Mother Superior." "Good night Cordelia." Dr. Martin walked her to the door and gave Cordelia a kiss on the cheek. "I am going to call Connor and let him know that your coming home. Be careful walking back." Cordelia turned and left to go down the driveway.

She could see the light on the guest house and Connor walking towards her.

"How is Angel?" He's up in bed. He lost his dinner before he even got back to the house." "My poor baby. Dr. Martin said that I was probably experiencing my first cravings for food and Angel was picking up on my craving for a ham sandwich. Unfortunately Angel was also hungry and he overate solid food that he isn't used to. She gave me some medicine to give him."

Cordelia and Connor reached the house and Cordelia put some water into a pitcher and took it up stairs. Connor was sitting in front of the fireplace and watching TV. "Good night Connor." "Goodnight Cordelia. Call me if you need help with him." She smiled at him then went upstairs.

Cordelia opened the door to their bedroom as quietly as she could. She turned the light on that was on the night stand. She sat on the edge of the bed and put her hand on Angels forehead. "Angel, wake up baby. I have some medicine for you that Mom gave me." Angel didn't open his eyes but he did speak. "I don't want to open my eyes. It hurts to much. Cordelia I barely made it out of the door before I lost it all in the snow by a tree. It tasted so good going down but it didn't taste so good coming back up." Cordelia took the small bottle of medicine that Dr. Martin had put into the bag. "Here drink this it will help you to feel better." Angel took it from her and drank it straight from the bottle. Then she gave him a glass of water. "Are you feeling a little better now?" "Yes it does feel better." Angel said. He laid back down and pulled the covers over his head. "Angel Mom said that this was probably your first taste of my, what she called my 'gotta have it cravings.' To top it off you were hungry from all of the playing you and Connor were engaging in, in the snow and your eyes were bigger than your stomach when you sat down to eat. She said that you will have to be careful or this will happen each time. She also asked me one other thing. She wants to know if you have had a bowel movement since you started eating solid foods more often." Angel pulled the cover down from his head real fast when he heard that. "What does she want to know that for?" "Angel she is our family doctor now and those are things that doctors always ask. Do you remember what it feels like when you do have to go or what it feels like when your constipated?" Angel thought about it. "No I don't think so." "You don't think so about what?" "I don't remember what it feels like." "I think I'll call Dr. Martin and ask her to check you or would you rather that I give you this suppository and see what happens?" "How do they work?" "Well she gave me these gloves for when I shove the suppository up your rectum. Then you should go to the bathroom because if you have anything in your large intestine it will come out at that time." "It sounds disgusting and very uncomfortable." "That my dear husband is part of being a normal human being. So I guess that God thinks that if you can handle the other gifts He has given you than you can handle this also. Just remember that we only have one bathroom in this room. Would you like me to get you anything else?" "No just come to bed and hold me. I don't particularly care for this part of being human and I feel like I need some major babying." "Okay but mama needs to take care of her own bodily functions right now. I'll be back in a few minutes." Cordelia turned off the light on the night stand then went into the bathroom. A few minutes later she came back into the bedroom. She disrobed and crawled into bed with him. She started to trace the tattoo on his back then stopped and was quiet for awhile.

"Angel." "Yes" "We saw you showing Connor how to write his name in the snow this afternoon." "Oh jeeze Cordy." He pulled the sheet over his head than. Cordelia laughed at him then rolled over and went to sleep.

The next morning Cordelia gave Angel the suppository and within 20 minutes he went running into the bathroom. She went downstairs and made herself and Connor some pancakes. Connor was always up way ahead of them so he always made coffee. He didn't know how to cook very much yet so he usually had to wait for some charitable person to come along and make something hot for him or else he had cereal. "Where is Angel?" "Your father is having a conversation with a man about a horse for the first time in a long time." "Whoa. We better get out of here before he gets out of there. If it's been in him that long the odor will challenge a skunk." "It shouldn't be too bad. I left a box of matches in there."

Cordelia and Connor had their breakfast and Cordelia had everything cleaned up by the time Angel came down. "You want some cold blood or do you want it warmed up?" "Cold please."

Cordelia handed him his blood and sat down with a cup of her tea. "How did it go?" She asked him. "I guess I was carrying a load cause I feel a lot lighter now." "Good then why don't we go shopping today. We have to pick up that Lap Top and get some real coats for this cold and the cold that we will get in Ireland. We also need at least one new cell phone that feeds off of a satellite so that we can have a hook up to our Web provider. Sr. Margaret's funeral is tomorrow and we have tickets for Ireland the day after. So lets get going." "Yes Mam." Angel answered in the most obedient way that he could because he knew it was useless to argue.

Just as Cordelia was going to yell for Connor he came down the stairs as though he had fallen down. Connor was holding his hand over his mouth. "Air, air, I need fresh air." Connor made his way through the front door and landed on the snow and acted like he was taking in great quantities of fresh air." Angel threw Connors coat at him as they exited the door. "Very funny. Now get your coat on or your walking to Ireland." Connor was laughing as he got into the back of the van.

As Angel started up the van Cordelia spoke up 'We will be having 3 passengers besides ourselves Angel. So drive back up to the front of the Convent please. Connor I forgot to tell you to sit in the front seat. When we stop get out and come and sit in the front. I think the sisters will feel a lot more comfortable with me sitting in the back with them.'

Angel pulled around to the front of the convent. In the front Dr. Martin was standing with two other sisters. He got out of the van and opened both sliding doors. He was surprised to see the old nun that greeted them and took their coats when they entered the convent. At one time she must have been as tall as Buffy but age, work and long hours of prayer had bent her spine. Her once strong hands were now swollen with rheumatoid arthritis and although she could barely walk she insisted that she be given something to do so she was given the job of greeting visitors. She only had a short distance to walk from her desk to the front door so her difficulties in walking was not a problem. Angel went up the steps to Sr. Cecil instead of her going down the steps to him since that would have been dangerous for her. "Angel, Cordelia and Connor this is Sr. Cecil and this is Sr. Pauline. They will be going with us today." Even though it was difficult for her Sr. Cecil managed to give a small curtsy to Angel. Angel took her hand and kissed it then picked her up. She giggled like a young girl when he did it. "Today Sr. Cecil you will be treated like you are a princes." She was so light that Angel thought that most of her weight must be from her habit. He took her to the other side of the van and placed her in one of the middle seats. He buckled her in than closed the door. He went back to the rest and greeted Sr. Pauline by kissing her hand. Sr. Pauline gave a deep curtsy to Angel. She was just a little older than Dr. Martin. They all recognized her as the one that brought the cart into the dining room every night.

Sr. Pauline and Cordelia sat in the back seat of the van and Dr. Martin sat in the seat next to Sr. Cecil. Connor had put Sr. Cecil's wheelchair in the back of the van. Angel and Connor got into the van than and they took off. Dr. Martin instructed him on where to go so that they could get the coats and clothes that they needed along with the Lap Top and Satellite cell phone. Angel let Cordelia take care of all of the purchases since he didn't know anything about these things. Sr. Cecil and Sr. Pauline where excited about their outing. It had been over 20 years since Sr. Cecil had been away from the convent. Sr. Pauline was a cook in the kitchen and only rarely went out. After purchasing everything that they needed Dr. Martin asked Angel to go to the local grocery store. She said she kept treats for the patients and the sisters in the convent hospital section and needed to replenish her supplies. While they were in the grocery store Angel and Cordelia left the little group for a little side trip to a flower shop. They ordered all of the white flowers of all kinds that they had or could buy from others. They were all to be delivered tonight at the convent. When they returned the sisters and Connor were waiting at the front of the store. "Look Angel, Sr. Cecil is so tired she's sleeping." Cordy said. "Yeah, we better get her home."

Angel pulled the van over to them. Connor picked up Sr. Cecil this time. She awoke as soon as he put his arms under her, he put her into the van and buckled her in and then put her wheel chair in the back. Cordy and Dr. Martin sat in the back this time and Sr. Pauline sat in the middle seat with the packages in between the two middle seats.

"Angel we have one more stop to make at a pharmacy that is close to the hospital." Dr. Martin said. "Yes Mam just tell me where to stop." Just before they turned down the road that led to the hospital and convent they came across a small shopping center. Next to the market was a pharmacy and this is the one that Dr. Martin told Angel to stop at. "Would you go in Angel and tell them that you are there to pick up a special order for Dr. Martin."

Angel was back in a few minutes with a rather large package. "Is that all the pills that I ordered?" "No, I mean your pills are in here but Cordy is craving chocolate and other things that she normally wouldn't let herself eat. But it's one of those 'Gotta have it' cravings if you know what I mean." He looked back and Cordelia pretended to be interested in something outside. Dr. Martin laughed and put her hand on Cordelia's. "That's okay Cordelia, your allowed during this time. Just wait until Angel starts craving something he shouldn't have."

By 4 P.M. Angel was pulling up to the front of the convent. Sr. Cecil had fallen asleep again but when he opened the door she woke up. "We're home Sr. Cecil." "Oh, already, I had so much fun today Angel. Thank you for allowing me to come along." "Sr. Cecil if you should want anything please don't hesitate to call me." Angel pulled his wallet out and gave her one of the Angel Investigation business cards. "Now remember if you should need anything, even if it's another bar of Hershey chocolate I want you to give me a call." He smiled at her. She had a sheepish look on her face as though she had been caught with her hands in the cookie jar. "Please don't tell anyone Angel. Sr. Mary bought it for me. She said Mother Superior told her too buy Sr. Pauline and I a treat since we only leave the convent grounds when we absolutely have to. I haven't been out in 20 years I think and the best thing of all is that I went along with you. All of the other Sisters will be green with envy." "You wouldn't hold that over them would you? A sweet holy woman like you. Why Sr. Cecil I am shocked." "It will give me something to talk about for the next year at least. Or until Mother Superior tells me to stop." "Why you little scamp." Angel unbuckled her seat belt and lifted her out of the van and took her to the steps where Connor had her wheel chair waiting for her. When Angel went to put her into the chair she stopped him. "No Angel I hardly ever use it in the convent. I'll walk from here." Angel put her on her feet and let her hold onto his arm as they walked in. Sr. Cecil took their coats from them and put them away. Why don't you go and have a seat in the waiting room and we will be back in 30 minutes. Dr. Martin let Sr. Cecil hang on to her arm while they walked to the main dinning room. Angel, Cordelia, and Connor went to the reception area to wait for dinner.

Angel went to the window to look at the snow. The driveway in front of the convent ran from the gate, to the guest house then to the front of the convent then around and back to the front gate. The hospital had a separate entrance. Last night they had, had a heavy snowfall but the temperature had risen to 40 degrees today and the snow had started to melt. Fortunately Connors snowman was sitting in the shade and was keeping its shape. He looked down at Hunters ring and twirled it around his finger.

"Let's go outside Cordy. I have Hunters ring and here I am looking at the outside from the inside as usual." Cordy got up and went with him to get their coats. They went for a walk around the driveway. He went over to a pile of snow and turned around and let himself fall backwards. "Come on Cordy lets make Snow Angels." He started to swing his arms and legs sideways to make the wings and skirt of the angel. Cordy came and did the same. Angel just laid there for awhile watching the clouds go by. He was mesmerized by the different shapes of the clouds. "I can't remember the last time I was able to do this Cordy. I guess it was over 250 years ago since that was the last time I could go out into the sun." "How do you feel about being out in the sunlight Angel?" "To tell you the truth I have lived in the darkness for so long I'm a little uneasy about being in the sun light. It feels weird, like I'm in a dream. Nothing seems natural to me." "Maybe that's Gods way of making sure that you will return to the darkness where you can fulfill your mission in life and I for one am glad that you feel that way. Now I only have to worry about the women of the night. I have to protect my property and the night will cloak my hunk of a husband."

"Hunk. Is that what you think of me?"

"Yes, but I am not the only one. That's what Dawn calls you too."

"So I can still draw the young girls to me. That's always nice to know." Angel stood up and helped Cordelia to get up. They stood and looked at their art work for awhile. Then Cordelia looked at her watch and saw that it was time to go back in. "Lets go Angel before Mom sends the troops out for us." They brushed the snow off of their coats and went back in. Connor wasn't in the reception area so they went right to the guest dining room and found everyone there. They gave their apologies and sat down.

Angel was surprised when Dr. Martin placed a large mug full of blood in front of him. He looked at it. It looked like blood but it had a slight brownish look to it and had some other things floating in it. The rest were having soup and sandwiches. "Try it Angel." Dr. Martin said when she saw the look on his face. Angel picked it up and sipped a tiny bit from it. "That is good. What's in it?" Angel drank some more as Dr. Martin served up the soup to everyone else. She gave him the ingredients as she started to have her own soup and sandwich. Sr. Pauline had cooked a small amount of lamb in a frying pan than took the meat out and added the blood, green onions, Steak Sauce and a ½ teaspoon full of brown sugar. When everything was warmed up she ground the cooked lamb than put it back in with the blood and let it cook for about 15 minutes." Dr. Martin gave the recipe to Cordelia. "I'll have to thank her the next time I see her."

"Angel and Connor would you take part in the funeral tomorrow by helping to carry Sr. Margaret's casket to the cemetery tomorrow? The casket will be loaded in the back of a limousine and we will follow it to our own cemetery that is in the back about ½ mile from the convent. Then you, Connor and a few other men will carry her to the grave site." Mother Superior said. "Mother Superior we would be honored?" "Okay, that's good. The mass will start at 10 A.M. tomorrow morning. Sr. Margaret's relatives arrived last night and they are staying at a Hotel in town." Mother Superior stood up then. Angel and Connor stood up also. "Angel, Cordelia and Connor there is a good chance that I won't be able to spend any time with you tomorrow and I understand that you leave the next day for Ireland so I am going to say my goodbyes now. I want to thank you for coming out to see Sr. Margaret at her request. You made her last few hours in this world very happy. I want you to know that your names and the names of the rest of your associates will be included in our daily prayers from now on. Now Angel would you kneel for me because your too tall for me to reach you." Angel kneeled in front of Mother Superior, she placed her hands on his head and gave a short prayer then gave him her blessing. She turned and gave Cordelia her blessing and kissed her on each cheek. Then she went to Connor and asked him to kneel also. She gave him her blessing then extended her hand. Connor kissed her hand and then stood up. "Goodnight everyone. Sr. Mary would you come with me for just a few moments?" Dr. Martin followed her out to the hallway for a few minutes than returned. She had a big grin on her face when she returned.

"Good news?" Angel asked. "Yes Angel, very good news. Connor would you give me that paper bag that is on the bottom of the cart please?" Connor reached down and grabbed the bag and handed it over to her. Dr. Martin reached in and pulled out all of the contents. She gave 2 large bottles to Cordelia and two even larger ones to Angel. "Cordelia these are your multi vitamins for your pregnancy. Take one twice each day. Angel those two large bottles are vitamins for you. We have been able to determine the mineral and vitamin equivalent to human blood. Start taking these twice a day. Cordelia if Angel is hurt give him at least two of these than two every 3 hours while he is recuperating. Angel I believe your body is starting to change towards human and that is why you are taking a long time to heal each time you are hurt. How long this will take only God knows, but in the mean time your body still needs human blood to survive. You should start to feel stronger once the vitamins start to work which will be in 1 to 2 weeks." She put the bottles back into the bag and gave it to Angel to carry. It's time for me to say goodnight for now. I have some patients to check on over at the rest home. They are starting to ask where Sr. Margaret is. They all got up then and walked over to the front door. Sr. Cecil was there as usual.

"Sr. Cecil we ordered a large amount of flowers to be delivered for the funeral tomorrow, but they are supposed to be delivered by tonight. Can you tell me if they have been delivered yet? "No Angel, no one has delivered flowers yet. I did get a call though from a florist asking me how late we were open. I told them that we lock the doors by 6 P.M.. They said they had a large order of flowers for us but that they wouldn't have them ready until 8 tonight so they would deliver the flowers at 8 in the morning. I told them that would be okay and then he hung up."

"That's good. If you need any help give me a call and Connor and I will come up and help you okay?" "Okay Angel. Thank you and goodnight." "Goodnight Sr. Cecil." Angel said as he joined Cordelia and Connor.

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TBC.....................................