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)

8. Chapter 8

The Gift

Chapter 8

The next day after sentence had been passed Angel was up early. He was laying next to Cordelia and leaning on one elbow just watching her sleep. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Cordy wake up." She didn't move. "Corrrrddddyyyy wake up." He heard her heart beat start to speed up. "Cordy I know your awake because I can hear your heart beating faster." Cordelia opened her eyes. "You know that's cheating. I can't ever win at that game." To shut her up he kissed her with the soft, gentle kiss that only Angel could deliver. His hand slowly went down to her breast and he started to fondle them but she reached down and pushed his hand away.

"What's the matter?" He asked her as he continued to shower kisses on her. "I can't let you do that yet Angel. Mom said that I need to avoid anything being done with my breasts because it will make my uterus contract and that I should avoid it for awhile." "Oh..... I guess that's out then. Why don't you do me a favor then and call Wesley. Tell him that I want to work out for a few hours and I need some one to join me. Namely Spike and anyone else that wants to join me. If it's okay with him he needs to let you know so that we can call the desk clerk and have them shut down the gym and pool. Besides Buffy and Spike are the only ones that can offer me any competition.

Cordelia called Wesley in the master bedroom and asked him about Angel going down to the gym and that he needed some competition. "Let me check with the rest and I'll call you back."

Wesley answered. Angel could hear them on the other side. He was reporting to Cordelia what they were saying. A few minutes later Wesley called back. "Okay Cordelia well meet you guys down at the Gym in 15 minutes." When she got off of the phone with Wesley she called the front desk and asked them to close down the gym. "No problem Mrs. Martin their isn't anyone in their right now."

Cordelia got up and put a maternity swim suit on then her sweat pants on and a maternity blouse on. As she was looking at herself in the mirror Angel came up behind her and put his arms around her. He ran his hands over her round stomach. "You're a beautiful Mommy. I better go and check on Dr. Martin cause I am getting turned on just looking at you." Angel opened the door. He didn't trust himself to stay there anymore. He went over to Dr. Martins door and gently knocked on it. "Mom can I come in?" "Come in Angel." Dr. Martin said as she sat up in bed.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Angel asked as he came in and sat on the side of the bed. The drapes were open now and the fresh air was coming in thru the windows. He noticed that she had the TV on with Warner Brothers cartoons on. "I am feeling a lot better now. Of course I haven't been up yet but still yet I feel pretty good." "Well I came over to tell you that we were going downstairs so that I can work out. Except for the workout that I had last week I haven't been able to get any exercise to speak of. The rest are going to join me down their. You know we don't fight those Vampires and demons with our good looks so we have to keep in shape. Well the others do but I am naturally devastatingly handsome and they usually just fall over from the mere sight of me." He saw the look on her face and said, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." She slapped him. "Your terrible." Dr. Martin said as she got up. "Get out Angel so I can get dressed and go downstairs and join you." Angel left then and warmed up a small glass of blood for himself while he waited for everyone. Let's go ladies. My boss said 15 minutes and that was 10 minutes ago.

Dr. Martin and Cordelia came out of their rooms at the same time. Connor came out also and followed them out of the door. By the time they got out of the elevator Dr. Martin was hanging onto Connors arm. They went to the gym doors and Angel opened the door for them. Everyone was inside and already working out. Connor took his grandmother to the side to sit down then he went over to the middle of the room and removed his jacket and draped it over one of the machines. Angel was already in the middle warming up. Connor joined him and started with stretches. After 15 minutes Angel was working out on the treadmill. Connor followed right behind him as he went to each machine. When Angel had used all of the machines he stood in the middle. He didn't know how he was going to get his message across since he couldn't initiate a conversation with anyone. He looked at Dr. Martin for help. She just shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

He looked at Cordelia pleadingly. Cordelia pointed over to Wesley. Angel hung his head down and walked over to Wesley. He cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it." Wesley managed to get out as he finished with the stationary bike. "Uh I need to work out with Spike and maybe Buffy as well." "Okay Angel. Spike and Buffy, Angel wants to work out with you 2." Wesley yelled across the room.

Even though Connor wasn't called on he still wanted in on the fun. Spike, Buffy, and Connor came over to Angel and Wesley. "Okay Angel do you want to take us on one at a time or just Buffy and I or all three at the same time?" Angel held one finger up and pointed it at Spike. "Okay Sire lets go." Spike and Angel went to the mat while Buffy noticed that Dr. Martin was calling her over. Buffy went to sit with Dr. Martin and Cordelia to watch the show. Angel and Spike started out with wrestling moves but it quickly progressed into one of the various types of martial arts. At first Angel only defended himself then as he saw Spike starting to breath more heavily he advanced on him. Connor jumped in then and tackled Angel as he stood over Spike. Angel quickly got the better of Connor because he was letting his temper control his moves.

Dr. Martin noticed how Connor was quickly losing control of his temper. "Connor your letting your temper control your thoughts. Get it under control." Dr. Martin shouted to him. He looked at her and did his best to calm down. After another 15 minutes, between taking on both Connor and Spike, Angel was starting to breath more heavily. By working together Connor and Spike were able to get Angel face down on the mat. "Buffy, Wesley, and Fred help us." Connor called out to them. Buffy, Wesley, and Fred went running onto the mat and they all piled on top of Angel. At first Cordelia couldn't see any movement under the pile and she started to get up to stop them. Within a few seconds though every one went flying and Angel stood up. He started to pound his chest and gave his Tarzan yell. He then turned around and took his sweat pants and t-shirt off and jumped in the pool. The rest followed him in. They did a few laps around the pool then Angel got out and went to his ladies.

"Can Cordelia do some exercises in the pool?" Angel asked. "If she wants to I think it will be okay." Dr. Martin got up along with Cordelia. Angel helped Cordelia to take her shoes and sweat pants off while she unbuttoned her blouse. Dr. Martin removed her outer clothes also and stepped in the pool. She still felt weak but she knew that part of it was from being in bed to much. Angel let Cordelia hold on to him as she went into the pool. She was feeling awkward as she moved. She knew from the books she had been reading that this was to be expected since her center of gravity was being thrown off. Dr. Martin helped to guide her as she went through the exercises that she had taught her. Buffy and Spike were standing nearby and watching as was Wesley and Fred. The women knew that they would be in the same boat soon.

When Cordelia was through with her routine she did a couple of laps around the pool with Angel and Dr. Martin. They got out then and went to the showers. The women took longer of course but the men were ready within 10 minutes. Angel stood outside waiting and of course not taking part in the conversation between the men. The ladies came out together. "Let's get something to eat Wesley, we are starving." Cordelia said. They all went to the Hotel restaurant which was now serving lunch. Wesley lead the way in. When the waiter looked up he immediately recognized Angel but he didn't know who Wesley was.

"Mr. Martin welcome to our restaurant. How many will it be joining you?" Angel looked at Wesley.

"Mr. Martin is having a touch of laryngitis and is unable to talk right now. I am Mr. Price and you can address me for everything." The waiter answered with a yes sir. "Their will be 8 of us in all." Fred tugged on Wesley's shirt and he bent his ear down towards her. "Make that a table please." They all followed the waiter who took them to the back where they could have some privacy. People were starting to come into the inn for lunch and the restaurant was quickly filling up. Angel sat next to Cordelia and Dr. Martin. Which was understandable since they were the only ones he could talk to. When another waiter came over he automatically went to Angel. Everyone knew that he was the one that was paying for the suites upstairs and the word had quickly spread that he was a big tipper. Once again Wesley had to give the story of Angel having laryngitis. The waiter took all of their orders. Angel whispered his order to Cordelia and she gave hers as well as Angels. When the waiter left Angel whispered something else to Cordelia and she laughed at whatever he said. He kept this up until their food came. He stopped for awhile and ate his lunch. He started it up again as soon as Cordelia was done.

The first one to crack was Buffy. She put her fork down loudly. "Okay Angel what are you and Cordelia laughing about over there?" Angel just put his hands up and shrugged. He had the most innocent look on his face when he did it.

Cordelia was laughing so hard she almost choked on her milk. Dr. Martin had been aware of exactly what was going on. When Cordelia was able to talk she answered Buffy's question.

"Buffy he was just observing everyone and telling me how everyone was reacting to his whispering to me. It was a game to see who would crack first. He guessed that it would be Spike and I guessed you."

"Dr. Martin can't you do something with your child over there? He is purposely trying to drive me crazy. Buffy was really on edge. Dr. Martin noticed that Spike was being very sympathetic towards her. In fact he almost started petting her to calm her down.

Dr. Martin reached over to Angel and slapped him on the back of his head. "Stop that you mean kid. That is no way to treat your friends. Now apologize to Buffy." "I apologize Buffy." Angel said as he rubbed his head. Cordelia on the other hand was still laughing.

Buffy excused herself and went back to the suite upstairs. "Would you like me to go with you Buffy?" Spike said as he got up from the table. "No Spike I just want to be alone right now." Buffy said as she gave him a kiss. Spike sat down again. He just hung his head down, he looked so depressed.

"Come on Spike I know what's going on and now Angel and Cordelia knows also."

Spike raised his head. He had a big grin on his face. He looked at Giles who was sitting next to Wesley. "Congratulations Giles, your going to be a grandfather. She used a home pregnancy test this morning and it was positive. Apparently one of my boys found her egg."

Wesley shook Spikes hand and congratulated him. Angel and Cordelia came over and congratulated Spike also. When everyone was done congratulating him Spike looked at Dr. Martin and asked "Dr. Martin do you mind if we dispense with Angels punishment for today. I would like to be able to talk to him?"

Dr. Martin looked at Wesley. "What do you think Wesley?"

"I think because of the unusual circumstances and since every young Vampire needs his Sire at a time like this I will say yes. But for today only." Wesley said in a low voice.

"Lets go to the bar and have a few drinks in celebration. Common Connor you can go also. Wesley and Giles are you coming?" Angel asked.

Wesley, Giles and Connor all got up. Angel called for the check. The waiter came over and was surprised that he was talking. "I see your feeling much better Mr. Martin." Angel signed for the check and then gave the waiter a hundred dollar bill. "Yes and here is your tip." The waiters eyes grew wide. "Thank you very much Mr. Martin."

Angel put his arm around Spikes shoulder and guided him to the bar. Dr. Martin and Cordelia just looked at each other. "I guess we've been dismissed." Cordelia said to Dr. Martin and Fred. "I'm feeling pretty good today Mom do you think I could go out to do some shopping with the girls?" "Sure Cordelia go ahead. The first sign of even a twinge though come on back." "They all got up then and went upstairs to change and get Buffy. Dr. Martin was the only one to stay in the hotel suite." She welcomed the quiet. She made herself comfortable in front of the TV with a cup of tea. It wasn't long before she fell asleep on the couch.

Dr. Martin woke up when she heard the men come in. The women had come in shortly before but had done it very quietly. They had sat down and put their feet up. Where as the men came in supporting each other. When Angel tripped they all came down like a line of dominoes.

"Okay ladies I think it's time to get your husbands to bed. I'll take care of Giles. Connor seems to be the only one that has any common sense." Connor was sitting at the kitchen table and having a Pepsi. The women got up and helped their husbands to there respective bedrooms. Cordelia helped Angel to get up and more or less guided him to the bedroom. Angel sat on the edge of the bed while Cordelia started to take his clothes off. When she was done she pushed him down on the bed. He was out before his head hit the pillow. Cordelia covered him up then brought a tall glass of water and put it next to the bed.

Dr. Martin came back from next door. She was laughing so hard she had to sit down. "What's so funny Mom?" Cordelia asked. "Giles, he tried getting me to go to bed with him. He started kissing me and his hands were all over me. Before I could push him away he passed out on the bed. They are going to be sorry since we all have to get up early to leave for Dublin. Lets go downstairs to the restaurant. I am starving. Connor do you mind staying here. Were going to be talking about girl things. I am going to order some sandwiches to be brought up and they will be for the men if they want anything later okay?" "Okay grandma. I think I will take a nap also. I didn't drink like these guys but I did have some." "Okay I'll order the sandwiches for later. Put a glass of water next to your bed. You'll probably wake up real thirsty."

The women all went downstairs and had dinner. Dr. Martin ordered sandwiches for them to take back to the suite then they left to go back. They had a big day tomorrow and they needed their sleep. Fred and Buffy took their sandwiches and put them in the refrigerator then went to bed. Cordelia and Dr. Martin went to bed right away also.

The next morning they all got up with the sun. The women didn't let the men take time to be sick. They dragged them out of bed to take their showers and dressed them as they stood when told to stand and raised a leg or arm when told to do so. Dr. Martin went over and helped Giles get up also since she didn't have to take care of anyone. He had such a hangover that he didn't protest. She gave him one of her super duper shots that would help him to get over his hangover. She didn't have enough for everyone so Giles was the lucky one. When everyone was ready they called for two porters to come and get their luggage. They all went to the restaurant for breakfast.

After breakfast they sat and had some coffee and Cordelia had her tea. As usual Angel sat between Cordelia and Dr. Martin with Connor on Dr. Martins other side. Giles was watching them. "Dr. Martin may I ask you a question?" "Yes you may Giles." Dr. Martin said.

"I've been watching your interaction with Angel and I was wondering how it is that you can do this after what he did to you." Dr. Martin was quiet for awhile and everyone was looking at her. Everyone but Angel that is. Cordelia saw the look on his face and put her hand in his.

"I can do it because I love Angel and I know that, that man that raped me was not Angel but Angelus. I am sure that you have seen how Cordelia can tell when Angelus is in control. Cordelia sees him as two distinct people and I do also. If you don't understand that Giles then let me give you an example. Last night when you boys came in drunk the other women had to put their husbands to bed. They even had to undress them before they put them to bed. Since I didn't have anyone to take care of I came and took care of you. While I was getting you ready for bed you started kissing me and calling me Francine. When I finally got you to bed you tried to get me to go to bed with you. I tell you Buffy that Giles here has more moves than an ten legged Octopus. For awhile I thought I was going to have to call for help but you finally went to sleep and I was able to slide off of the bed and out of your grasp." Everybody was cracking up at the normally very proper Rupert Giles. While Giles just hung his head down in embarrassment. "But you know Giles I don't hold it against you because I know that, that man I helped last night wasn't you. That man that tried to get me to go to bed with him was a bottle of liquor and you, Rupert Giles, wouldn't remember what happened when that bottle of liquor was in control. Do you all understand now?" All of the men nodded a yes then they all got up to leave.

Wesley and Angel gave their tickets to the valets while Cordelia settled the bills for both the restaurant and the Inn. She gave an extra $500 as a tip to be divided up between everyone that waited on them. Wesley turned to Angel. "Angel, Fred and I are going to be going with Giles back to England. Buffy and Spike are going to be going home with you and on your flight. I've already called Xander about a job for the next 4 or 5 months. So he should be their when you get in. Have him start working on your suite first since you will be there to work on some plans. I have also already explained the situation with you to both Gunn and Xander. We will most likely be back in one week. I don't think I'll be able to stand my father any longer than that." The men shook hands and the ladies hugged. The Valets had loaded up the vehicles. Wesley had to drive to the rental company at the airport then they were going to be taking off with Giles.

The drive to Dublin was rather quiet since Angel couldn't talk to anyone but Cordelia and Dr. Martin. Cordelia sat up front with Angel and Dr. Martin and Connor were in the middle seats. Buffy and Spike were in the back playing a game on the TV that was in the back. The windows in the back were tinted dark enough so that Spike didn't have a problem. To get into the airport he had his long overcoat and a hat. The usual story that they told was that he was allergic to the sun. They had made it to the airport in Dublin with 2 hours to spare. They walked around the airport for awhile than went to the bookstore to load up on magazines and games to play. The flight they were taking would stop in Washington DC which is where Dr. Martin would take another flight to Manchester New Hampshire. The rest would get back onto the same plane and go onto Los Angeles California.

It was a long flight and Dr. Martin was tired by the time they landed in Washington DC. They had a 90 minute layover so everyone got off of the plane and went to have something to eat. When it was time to leave Angel paid someone that worked for the Airport to take care of her and stay with her until it was time for her flight to leave. Dr. Martins flight wouldn't take off for another hour. Cordelia, Connor, Buffy and Spike said their goodbys and left Angel to say his goodbye in private.

"Take care to follow all of my instructions Angel." "I will Mom. I can't promise that Xander will still be alive when you come back to L.A. but I will do my best. I better get going. I love you Mom. If you need anything give me a call. They hugged for awhile. Dr. Martin finally pulled away and gave Angel her blessing. He kissed her hand then turned and left." He wiped the tears from his face as he ran back to join everyone else. They had to walk fast to get to their plane but they made it just in time. They settled in for the long flight. "It's going to be nice to be home. We've been away for over 3 weeks." Angel said as he put his seat belt on.

"You know Angel when we get home that is when your real punishment starts. Xander is going to be hard on you and he isn't going to let up because he's going to be having to much fun. He is going to give you all of the most menial tasks that he can think of. Do you think you can take it?" Cordelia said as she held his hand in hers. "I have had to endure worse. Just to make sure though I want you to make sure that you have a hand towel at the end of the day handy at all times." "Why, to wipe the dirt off of your face?" "No, so that my tears won't stain your clothes."

As soon as the stewardess came around to see if they needed anything Angel ordered some ice in a glass and two of the small bottles of Southern Comfort. He wanted to sleep instead of thinking about the hell that he was going to be returning to.

Five hours later they arrived at the Hyperion. It was 2 a.m. in the morning and the ladies were dead tired. Angel and Spike took the suit cases that were needed right away up to their rooms. Cordelia and Buffy went into the kitchen to make some sandwiches for everyone and warmed up a couple of mugs of blood for Angel and Spike. Cordelia poured a glass of milk for herself and Buffy. They each took their sandwiches up for their husbands and themselves. They were to tired to have any conversation. They just wanted to eat then go to sleep. When Cordelia entered the room she found Angel on the bed. He wasn't asleep, just laying there. When Cordelia entered he jumped up to take the tray from her. Cordelia was so tired from all of the activity that day that she just had a couple of bites from her sandwich and drank her milk then started to get undressed and crawled into bed. Angel made her a cup of her special tea and brought it over to her and watched while she had at least half of it. Angel took the cup from her when she was done with drinking as much as she was going to. Her eyes were already half closed. Angel put the cup in the sink and put her sandwich in the refrigerator then turned the lights off and went to bed himself. Buffy and Spike had done the same. The only one that still had any energy was Connor. He made a big sandwich for himself and a Pepsi. He had tried the milk first but he quickly found out that it needed to be thrown out. As he sat eating his sandwich all he could think of was 'tomorrow the fun begins.'

The next morning both Cordelia and Buffy received a call from Dr. Thompson's office at 8 in the morning. Since they had arrived late last night they had all slept until the phone rang.

Cordelia answered the phone. "Mrs. Martin this is Dr. Thompson's office, I am just calling to let you know that you and Mrs. Buffy Summers have a 6 o'clock appointment to see Dr. Thompson tonight. We need Mrs. Summers to come in at least 30 minutes earlier so that she can fill out papers. Also we were told that you would have some x-rays and paper work from a hospital that you had to go to in Ireland." "Yes I have those and I'll bring them in with me." "Good, we will see you and Mrs. Summers tonight at 6 then. Good bye."

Cordelia laid back down and pulled the covers over her head. "Who was that?" Angel asked as he put the covers over his head and started kissing her shoulder. "It was Dr. Thompson's office. Apparently Mom made appointments for Buffy and I. We go to see him at 6 tonight."

"Don't you want to go?" "No. He'll probably scold me for going horse back riding." "Yeah but you asked Mom and she said it was okay." "Yeah that's what I'll tell him, I asked Mom if it was okay and she said yes. That means I'm off the hook." Cordelia got up then and went into the bathroom. After a few minutes Cordelia opened the door and shouted at Angel. "Are you going to join me for a shower?" In answer Angel jumped out of bed and went to the bathroom. Cordelia was already in the shower and Angel joined her as soon as he could take his shorts off. As usual he started to shampoo her hair. While she was rinsing her hair he did his own. Cordelia started to wash him with her Oil of Olay liquid soap. He usually used a regular bar soap but she was doing the washing now and she decided she wanted to make his skin soft. Angel started to wash Cordelia with the liquid soap also. As he washed her breasts then went down to her legs and then up and between she felt a shudder go through her body. She reached down and put her hands on him. He was starting to get hard also. She remembered what she had done to him the night he had to give a semen sample to Dr. Martin. She reached around to his back and ran her fingernails up and down his back gently. She slowly walked around him while keeping her fingernails in contact with his skin all of the time. Angel put his hands up and leaned forward against the wall. Cordelia blew gently on his back and she got the desired result. Angel shuddered from his head down through his torso. Then just as she was about to get on her knees in front of him someone started knocking on their door.

"Who is it?" Cordelia called out. "It's me Xander, I'm looking for my apprentice is he in there?" She could hear the grin on his face. "We'll be down in a few minutes Xander." Cordelia looked at Angel and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess play time is over and you have to get to work my dear." "Well I think that we will be able to get back together in just a very short time and resume where we left off." They rinsed off and got out of the shower and dressed. Angel put some jeans on and an old shirt. Cordelia put her new maternity clothes on and then they went downstairs for breakfast.

Buffy and Spike were already downstairs. Buffy had breakfast ready. "Have a seat you two I'll have your breakfast ready in a few minutes. Cordelia and Angel sat down at the table. Angel automatically sat down at the head of the table. Gun was at the table also and he made a loud noise as though clearing his throat. Cordelia looked at Gun. "Good morning Gunn. Did you miss us?" Gunn got up and came over to Cordelia and gave her a hug. "I sure did miss you. I see you've finally had to graduate into expectant Mommy clothes." Cordelia hugged him back. "Yeah when I tried putting my old jeans on to go horseback riding I couldn't zip them up. So that night we went shopping."

Gunn turned to Angel and Angel stood up and they actually hugged. Angel sat back down again in his usual chair. Gunn leaned over and put his hands on the back of Angels chair and Cordelia's. "I thought I would let you know that Wesley gave me a call last night and let me in on all that happened in Ireland. He asked me to watch out for you. He also told me about your punishment for letting Angelus take over for a short time. So I won't tell him about your first infraction against the new rules since it was your first time." Cordelia and Angel looked at each other then it dawned on him about the chair. Angel got up and sat on her side. Gunn just patted him on the shoulders and went back to his chair.

Xander came over to the table and sat down. Buffy brought Angel and Cordelia's breakfast in. Cordelia thanked her and dug in. They were both hungry.

"Well are you ready to go to work Angel?" Angel just nodded a yes at him.

"Uh Xander we are going to have to wait for awhile until Wesley gets back. Angel and I were talking about the Hyperion. Since we have to baby proof the hotel we are going to have to go a lot further than just moving a wall here or their. Since you have a lot of experience in this type of stuff we are going to let you take care of it. Since the Hyperion is an old building it probably is loaded with lead paint and asbestos. So what we need for you to do is have the building inspected from top to bottom. Set up everything to correct it and go to it. Bring as many of your men down here as you have to. When Wesley gets back we are going to hire an Architect and sit down with him and we will all decide how we want our suites to be designed. But until then we are going to rent a home where we can all stay. Because neither Buffy or I can stay around all of that dust and chemicals. Wesley will also go by my word when I say that I don't want Angel or Spike to be around all of those chemicals. I want the professionals to handle it. So you can observe but stay away from it. Buffy I got a call from Dr. Thompson's office. They said that we have a 6 o'clock appointment tonight. Have you ever been to an OB-GYN.?"

"No. I remember my mother telling me what they do to you and I don't want to go. Can Spike come in with me? Maybe he'll let Spike do what ever he has to do." Buffy said as she looked at Cordelia. "I don't see why not, Angel was in there with me, oh wait no he didn't. Dr. Thompson sent him out. It will be alright Buffy I'll go in with you if you want." Cordelia was laughing. Come on lets go look for a home that we can rent and that will be big enough for all of us.

"Can you girls drop me off at Dr. Thompson's? I just called him and he said I could work with him today." Spike asked as he came back to the table. He had gone to make a call when he was done with his breakfast.

The girls and Spike were out of the door in 10 minutes flat. Gunn, Xander and Connor were left with Angel sitting at the table and looking at the dishes and then the kitchen. Xander was the first to get up. "Well I guess I better get busy and call a couple of places to see who can come out and inspect this place. Your off the hook for at least the next couple of days Angel." Xander left his dishes on the table then went over to the lobby counter to start making some calls. Conner got up also along with Gunn. "Well I guess since Cordelia isn't here, and Wesley isn't here I guess I have to stay to take care of any customers, that is, since Angel can't talk to anyone. That leaves Angel to do the cleaning up of the kitchen." Gunn and Connor left Angel to his work.

Angel went to the roof of the Hyperion instead of taking care of the kitchen right away. He put his sunglasses on and took his shirt and pants off and just laid down on a towel he had brought with him to put on a lounge chair that Cordelia kept by the door that opened to the roof. Angel would have to return Hunter's ring to her soon so he wanted to try working on a tan for the first time in his existence. He knew from Cordelia that you have to start out with just 15 to 20 minutes of exposure on each side. He thought if he did that for the next few days he should be able to get some color to his extremely pale skin by the time he had to return the ring. Cordelia also had a timer that she used so that she wouldn't become over exposed. Angel set it for 15 minutes then laid down.

Thirty minutes later Angel was down in the kitchen cleaning up. When he was done with that he went upstairs and cleaned his room and unpacked all of their clothes. He kept himself busy all day doing all of the things that Cordelia and Fred would have normally done. By the time the girls got back he had cleaned the floors and dusted everything. That was something that Angel always gave time to. He didn't like to see dust on everything. He guessed that it bothered him because it reminded him of his age of almost three centuries.

Cordelia and Buffy came back at 3 o'clock to get ready for their appointment. Angel had missed her within an hour of her leaving him. As soon as he sensed her in the hotel he went running up to their room. "Cordy?" Angel called out as he opened the door to his suite. "I'm in the shower Angel." It took him mere seconds to get his clothes off and join her in the shower. "I missed you Cordy. I couldn't speak to anyone." Angel sank to the floor of the shower and just let the water hit him in the face. "This is going to be tougher than I thought. I went up to the roof today to try to work on getting a tan. Look at me Cordy. I'm not even red." Cordelia finished bathing then turned to Angel. She could see that he was feeling sorry for himself. She wanted to comfort him and her heart almost melted. "Stand up Angel. Lets wash all of that dirt and dust off of you." Angel did as she said and started to clean his hair while Cordelia washed the rest of him. Angel finished cleaning himself and they got out of the shower. Cordelia blow dried her hair while it was still wet and put her makeup on.

Angel had gone to sit on the bed. After awhile he laid back and stretched out. Cordelia came out and started to get dressed. She came over to Angel and sat next to him when she was done dressing. "Sit up Angel." Angel sat up and looked at her. "Angel I know that you thought that this was going to be easy but it is turning out to be the opposite isn't it?" "Yes." "Didn't you think that Mom knew what she was talking about when she gave you these rules to follow?" "No, I guess I didn't. I guess I thought that she doesn't know me very well if she thinks that this is going to be hard on me." "What you forgot was that she was giving you rules to live by that have been used for over a thousand years. Like Mom said they are tried and true methods. They have been used to

make good people into better people that were more pleasing to God. Now get up and get dressed. We have to be there by 5:15 so that Buffy can fill out her paper work." She slapped his leg and got up. "I'll see you downstairs ASAP mister." With that said she went out of the door.

Angel got dressed and went down stairs. Buffy and Cordelia were waiting for him. He waived to them. "Lets go Buffy." Cordelia said. They went to the back doors and then to the car. They arrived at the Doctors office right on time. Buffy and Cordelia checked in with the receptionist and Buffy was given a bunch of papers to fill out. Spike came out to the front as soon as they were ready for Cordelia. "It's your turn Cordelia."

Angel looked at Spike. He looked like a real Doctor with his white coat on. He had stopped wearing fingernail polish at Buffy's insistence, but he refused to give up the blond hair totally.

"You want to give me the paper work and X-Ray that they gave you?" Spike held his hand out to Angel since he was carrying the X-Ray and papers. He handed them over to Spike and all three went to the back. Spike took Cordelia's vitals then gave her a gown to put on then left with the X-Ray. Angel could tell that the offices were empty except for himself, Cordelia, Spike, Buffy, and Dr. Thompson. Everyone else had gone home. Fifteen minutes later Dr. Thompson had returned with Spike.

"Angel, I understand that Dr. Martin has sent you to the corner of the room for your punishment. Spike tells me that one of her rulings was that you couldn't talk until Cordelia goes into labor." Angel just nodded a yes. Spike in the mean time was preparing Cordelia for a sonagram. "Angel I have a call into Dr. Martin to get permission for you to talk to me about what happened last week while you were in Ireland. Spike explained to me why and how it's possible for you to feel everything that Cordelia felt. So I need and want to talk to you about it."

Dr. Thompson watched Spike to make sure he was doing everything right. Spike turned the monitor so that Cordelia and Angel could see their daughter for the first time. Spike didn't have to much experience in viewing the sonagram so Dr. Thompson had to point out her head, hands, feet. He looked at Angel. Like all fathers that saw their unborn child for the first time he saw tears forming in the corners of Angels eyes. He was holding onto Cordelia's hand.

"Angel give me your hand." Angel held up his right hand. Spike took Angels hand by the wrist and put it on Cordelia's stomach and put it just over Kathleens head. "Lets see if she responds when you try to make her aware of your presence." Dr. Thompson was watching the monitor closely as well as the rest. Angel closed his eyes and concentrated on her name and the name Daddy. He did his best to send waves of love towards her. He thought of the ocean waves going over her and caressing her. At first she became agitated when Spike put the monitor on her mothers stomach. She kicked her little legs out repeatedly as though trying to push the monitor away, but when Spike put Angels hand on her mothers stomach she rubbed her head against the inside walls of her tiny prison. As Angel continued to talk to her he could feel her head touching the palm of his hand. Angel reached for Cordelia's hand and held it while he continued to shower Kathleen with love. Cordelia put her other hand over Angels. Kathleen continued to rub her head against Angels hand. When her mother put her hand on top of Angels Kathleen curled her legs up tight and seemed to go to sleep. Angel opened his eyes then and kissed Cordelia's forehead.

"That was amazing to watch. You are truly blessed by God Angel. I don't know of any man that wouldn't give their right arm to be able to do what you just did. When you were sending your love to your daughter I could actually feel it in the room. We could see your daughter responding by rubbing her head against your hand." Dr. Thompson blew his nose and wiped his eyes. Spike had turned his head and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

The phone rang and broke the moment. Dr. Thompson answered it and called Angel over to the phone. It was Dr. Martin. She gave Angel permission to speak to Dr. Thompson and Angel told her about what had just happened. When he was done telling her Dr. Martin asked to talk to Dr. Thompson again. They could hear him talking about what he was finding with Cordelia and that he hadn't finished with examining her yet but that he would call her as soon as he finished with Buffy also.

Examining the two women took a total of 2 hours and it was 8 p.m. by the time they were heading out of the office. Dr. Martin had told Buffy and Spike that Buffy was definitely pregnant and read the riot act to Cordelia and Angel. As Angel had predicted though they answered with 'Yeah but we asked Dr. Martin and she said it would be okay.' And of course he came back with 'I don't think that she knew that you were going to be jumping fences. The horse back riding wasn't the problem Cordelia it was the jumping of the fences. Every time you landed on the other side of the fence and your behind hit that saddle your poor daughters behind must have been right over your cervix and bouncing on it. Now if I should hear about any kind of activity like this happening again I will take you over my knee and give you a good spanking, that is if your daughter survives. I want you to promise me Cordelia that you won't do anything like this again." "Yes Dr. Thompson, I promise." That was the end of that lecture. During the whole lecture Angel just kept his mouth shut and shuffled from one foot to the other. Cordelia gave him a dirty look when Dr. Thompson was done. She wanted him to speak up and say that it was partly his fault because he was the one leading the rest of them, but Angel looked at any place other than Cordelia.

Angel invited Dr. Thompson over for dinner so that they could talk. Angel wanted to talk to him as well. He was curious about his relationship with Hunter and he needed to return Hunters ring to her.

When they arrived at the Hyperion they found that Gunn and Lorn had already bought a dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and cole slaw. Cordelia and Buffy brought out plates and silverware for everyone. They didn't want Dr. Martin to think that they were ill mannered people that ate their dinner standing over the kitchen sink. Cordelia made two mugs of blood for Angel and Spike. Spike had been so busy all day that he hadn't had time to eat anything and he most certainly didn't have any blood to drink. So it was understandable when he quickly drank his mug then went into the kitchen and made another one.

"So what's the verdict Buffy is Spike going to be a Daddy or not?" "Yes he is going to definitely be a Daddy." Xander came over and congratulated her by giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek. He even shook Spikes hand and congratulated him. "We have to call Willow and tell her Buffy. You know she'll be mad if she finds out that we didn't call her right away."

I'll call her before I go to bed. I better tell Dawn and my father. I wish my mother was here. I miss her. Especially now." Spike put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a kiss.

"Don't worry Buffy, I'll share Dr. Martin with you. She's been like a mother to me also. My mother would have never given me the same love and affection when I needed it like Dr. Martin has." Cordelia got up then and made herself and Buffy a pot of her special tea. When she got back with the tea she gave a cup to Buffy. "Any morning sickness Buffy?" Cordelia asked as she sat down heavily. She seemed to be tired. "No not yet and I hope that I'll be one of the fortunate ones and never have it."

"Angel I wanted to ask you about Hunter." Everyone stopped talking and all noise ended. Six pairs of ears were tuned into the conversation at the end of the table. Dr. Thompson looked at everyone looking at him. "I wanted to ask you what your relationship with Hunter is?"

"We had a physical relationship in the past. But that was all it was. We have known each other for the past 200 years. Their was never anything more then that. We rarely see each other. Since she set up residence in Sunnydale though I've seen her more often than at any other time. About four years ago Cordelia and I were in Sunnydale to help Buffy. I was attacked by a group of demons and one of them crushed my spine. Hunter took care of me along with Cordy. And that is pretty much that. Except for the fact that she rarely wants to talk to me. She is still angry with me that I wouldn't kill her." "Why does she want you to kill her?" Dr. Thompson asked in astonishment. "Hunter is over 4,000 years old. Wouldn't you be tired of living also. She has had lovers before but she always outlives them. She has done this so many times that she didn't want to ever love anyone again because all she can do is watch them get old and die. So one day when we had been together for several years she asked me to kill her. It was the third time that we had met up again and I had been given my soul back already. So I refused and she almost dusted me she was so mad at me. Ever since then we are just acquaintances. Why are you asking?"

"I've fallen in love with her Angel." Dr. Thompson said. "So I've heard. My two lead reporters from the 'Sunnydale Chronicle Gossip Column' have reported to me about your dates."

Buffy and Spike just looked the other way as though they hadn't heard anything. "Apparently the feeling is mutual because they say that Hunter practically dances when she kills a Vampire or demon. Of course you understand what she is and that she is the only Vampire that can go out in the daylight once I give her, her ring back." "Yes I am aware of all of this. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't have any claims on her or that you were her guardian in some way. I guess that you all are about as close a family as she can get considering her only relative died 4,000 years ago. I think that, even though she won't admit it, she is a very old fashioned girl and it would please her if I was to ask your permission to date her." "Why me?" Angel asked.

"Because your Angel. The Master Vampire. Your like the Don of the Vampires in the United States. The difference is that instead of an Italian Mafia family it's a family of Vampires." Dr. Thompson finished off his coffee and leaned back in his chair.

"Where did you hear all of this stuff?" Angel asked. He thought Dr. Thompson was pulling his leg. "Marissa Morgan told me. She said that, that is why her husband wanted you out of the way in the first place when he had his original plan. Then when he saw "THE TAPE" and came up with this other idea he felt it would just be better to ask your permission to have this new business of his."

"Well let's get back to your original question. When would you like this ceremony to occur?" Angel asked Dr. Thompson. Never in a million years did Angel think that he would ever be put in this situation.

"I told her that I have several women that should be delivering this coming week and I had to stay here so she is coming down to L.A. next week Monday and will be staying with me for the whole week. So I guess it should be next week Tuesday. Is it okay if I tell her that she has to come here on Monday?" Dr. Thompson looked at Cordelia. "Is that okay with you Cordelia?" "Wait a second guys let me do some research on this as to how it should be done properly. Then I'll get back with you okay? But I think we can accommodate her so go ahead and tell her to come here." Cordelia said. She wanted this to be done right. She was kind of excited about it because it was almost like the beginning of a wedding.

Xander cleared his throat to get everyones attention. "Uh, Cordelia and Angel, I contacted the inspectors today and they will be here tomorrow. I am making a guess here but I am guessing that you all will have to be out of here by next week. I've already talked to a couple of businesses that specialize in the removal of lead paint and asbestos. As soon as they get the go ahead they can start work. So I hope you have someplace in mind that you are going to stay for the next month." Cordelia looked at Xander as he finished his little speech. He had changed just as much as the rest of them had. He was more mature now. He had responsibilities and from all that she had heard about him he was good at his job.

"Angel I think that we should call Wesley and ask him to return to L.A. or at least lets get him on the phone and talk to him about everything that is going on. I think that we should also get Mom in on the "meeting" as well since she has all of the medical equipment in the kitchen." Cordelia said it loud enough so that everyone could hear it. Then she turned and looked directly at Angel. "Angel I don't think that I can deal with this either. I need Fred here to take care of things and make decisions. Your daughter seems to be draining me a lot more now and I just don't seem to have the energy to deal with anything. I am going to go to bed now. It's been a long day for me." Cordelia had tears threatening to fall at any moment.

"What's wrong Cordy?" Angel asked with concern in his voice. He put his arm around her shoulder. "I don't know, all of a sudden I feel so depressed and so very, very tired. Take me upstairs Angel please before I start crying and you do to. You know how I don't like going through this alone." Angel looked at Dr. Thompson.

"It's only hormones and her body is making more adjustments to your daughters increasing demands. You took a blood sample this evening didn't you Spike?" "Yeah, it's waiting to be picked up tomorrow morning. You're thinking that she's anemic?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, put a rush on the test. As soon as you get the results give me your diagnosis. If it's what we think it is then give me your recommendation. I am going to talk to Angel for a second and then I am leaving. You better get some sleep also. Mrs. Winters is going to deliver at any time now. You better believe that I'll be calling you to meet me at the hospital. I forgot to tell you. Keep your hands well manicured while your working with me. Mrs. McGregor said you scratched her with a chipped nail." "Sure thing Boss." Spike said. Buffy got up then to clear the table. The men helped her clean up while she put the dishes in the dish washer.

As they all started to go upstairs Dr. Thompson came downstairs. "Angel asked me to tell you that he needs someone to set up the phone meeting between Wesley, Dr. Martin and the rest of you. He will be with Cordelia whenever you need him. He's starting to pick up on her depression and fatigue." Dr. Thompson approached the men and called them over to him. When the men came over he put his arms around Spike and Gunn. "After watching Angel men I can honestly say that if we were the ones that had to be pregnant and give birth the earth would barely have enough people to run farms let alone build skyscrapers. I think that when Cordelia goes into labor I am going to have a new respect for what women go through. Angel told me what happened when she was going through contractions for that short amount of time." Dr. Thompson turned and left.

"And your next Spike." Gunn left to go up stairs. Connor locked the door after Dr. Thompson then went upstairs also. He could hear Gunn still laughing a wicked laugh while Spike just walked after Buffy to their bedroom door.

Cordelia had settled down and went to bed after taking a shower. She had felt cold so she put a long cotton nightgown on. Angel had a nice cup of hot cocoa waiting for her when she came out. She drank her cocoa and then put the cup on the night stand then laid down and turned towards Angel and started to cry. "What's wrong Cordy?" Angel asked her is he held her close to his chest. "I don't know. I guess I'm just having one of those woman crying moments. Angel when you talk to Mom tomorrow tell her to hurry up because I need her to be with me now." Cordelia just hid her face in his arm and cried her eyes out. Eventually she stopped, blew her nose and wiped her tears away.

"I'm sorry Angel. I guess this is just one of those pregnancy things. Do you feel okay?" She looked up at him. "It's not affecting me to much. But I don't know if it's because your crying and it breaks my heart to see you cry or if I'm feeling depressed like you are. Let's go to sleep now and hopefully things will be better in the morning." He put his hand on her stomach and sent his love to his daughter. "Goodnight my Mary Kathleen." Cordelia put her hand on his and said "Goodnight my Mary Kathleen."

The next morning Cordelia felt a lot better. Angel was still sleeping so she carefully got out of bed and dressed then started the coffee. She went down stairs then and made some scrambled eggs, sausage links, and toast then took it upstairs. She warmed up a mug of blood then went over to wake Angel up before everything got cold.

"Wake up sleepy head." She put the mug of blood by his head so that he would smell it. Angel opened his eyes and took the mug from her. "Thank my love. How are we feeling this morning?"

Angel asked as he sat up in bed. Cordelia brought the tray with their breakfast on it over to the bed and put it so that it sat between them. She brought their coffee cups over and put Angels on his side of the bed and took hers over to her side. Cordelia opened the drapes and doors to the balcony then went to the bed and crawled in. It was a beautiful day for once. The wind was blowing and had pushed any smog that was in the Los Angeles basin out and over the ocean. They could see the mountains from their bed. Their was still a little snow on top of the mountains. The days were getting warmer though so the snow would soon melt. They could hear the sounds of traffic coming from the street. Once in awhile a jet would fly close to the Hyperion as it came in for a landing at the airport.

"What does it feel like when you start getting depressed?" Angel asked Cordelia. They were done with the tray so Angel put it on the floor next to the bed.

"It feels like a wave that is coming over my head. I can be happy one second and the next I am actually aware of the wave of depression coming over me. No matter what I do I can't get rid of it. It just pulls me under like a wave that comes over you at the beach and when you try to stand up it pulls the sand out from under you. After awhile I just give into it and cry. It has something to do with all of the chemical changes that are going on inside of me. All I need for you to do Angel is hold me when I get like that. I need for you to be their for me as much as possible. When Mom comes back it will be a little easier for me. Just knowing that she is here makes me feel better." Cordelia pulled herself closer to Angel and wrapped her arm around his.

Xander came up to Cordelia and Angels room and knocked on the door. "Hey you two the inspectors are here. I need for you to get up and clear out of your room. They will be inspecting each room." "Give us 15 minutes Xander and we'll be out." Cordelia answered. Angel had already gone into the bathroom to take a shower. As Cordelia promised they were out of the room in 15 minutes and on their way down stairs. Angel took the tray into the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. Then he made some of Cordelia's tea for her and some coffee for himself. They sat down at the dinning room table and watched Xander walking through the hotel lobby with the inspectors. He was pointing out some things and the inspector was pointing out some things. With all of the pointing going on you would think that the place was going to fall apart at any moment.

By the time that the inspectors were done it was 5 p.m.. Gunn came over to Angel and Cordelia from Wesley's office. "Okay Cordelia and Angel I have Wesley, Fred and Dr. Martin on the phone. Let's go over to the Lobby counter and we can have a conference call. Xander come over to the Lobby counter." Gunn yelled at Xander as he came back in from walking the inspectors out. He had some papers in his hand which Angel guessed was the results of the inspection.

They all stood around the counter. Angel got a stool for Cordelia which he had to lift her up to. When she wasn't pregnant she was easily able to get on the stool but now she needed help.

"Wesley, Fred, and Dr. Martin I have Angel, Cordelia, Xander and Connor is just now joining us." Gunn told the other parties on the phone.

"Wesley, Angel and I have discussed this and he wants or needs rather for you to come back to L.A.. Remember that we had talked about child proofing the hotel. Well when we got back we realized that the whole place had to be checked out for lead paint and asbestos. Also we need to higher an architect to plan the changes that we need. Which means that you and Fred need to be here to tell the architect how you want your apartment and anything else that you want. We thought that you may want a classroom of some type since you and Fred are going to be in control of the education of all of the kids. Also Angel said he has something that has to be done that he needs your help on. Fred I really do need you also. I'm starting to get tired more easily now and I need for you to take over some of the things that I have been doing. I also just need my girl friend here. Dr. Martin we need your input for how you want your little clinic here to be built. Also we need to know what we can do with the medical equipment we have here. We need to know if we can just cover them with sheets of plastic or should we remove everything. That's all I have to say and I'll turn this over to Xander who just had the inspectors here."

"Well guys the news isn't good. The place has several layers of lead paint all over the place which all has to be removed. The inspector suggested that we remove the walls to get most of the paint out. It will be easier and more cost effective to do it that way. Now for the building itself he said that he was surprised how sturdy the building is seeing as how it must have survived several dozen earthquakes since it was built. There are several heavy beams that need to be replaced because of termites. Those beams help to support the whole building so he said it would be better to put steel beams in if possible. He couldn't find any evidence of termites any place else but he said the whole place needs to be tented or how ever they do these large places. He suggested that we start our reconstruction first then he could come back and inspect the wood that has been uncovered. At that time we could then have the place fumigated."

"How long would it take to do everything so that we could move back in Xander?" Wesley asked from his side. "Well the slowest part would be the removal of the paint which is all covered by rules and regulations. If money isn't a problem and we can hire as many people as we want to do the work then I think we could have it done in 4 months. But I know you need it sooner than that so I'll do my best to get it done in 3 months. But you guys need to make your decisions as fast as possible and for the architect to give me the plans as fast as possible. So Wesley it's to your advantage to get back here ASAP. Dr. Martin you need to be here also to put in your 2 cents for the plans." Xander said. He turned the papers over to Gunn who was taking care of things while Wesley was gone.

"Okay Xander, let us know when we have to be out of the hotel. Dr. Martin can you come back to L.A. for a short time?" Wesley asked. "I'll try to be back in L.A. within 1 week Wesley. Since Angel knows the Bishop and he knows our situation I may be able to get him to rush my papers through. Then I'll be coming with two suitcases Angel and Cordelia."

"We'll be counting the days Mom." Angel looked at Cordelia. She had her head on the counter. When she looked up she grabbed a piece of paper and wrote an address down. "We're going to have to hang up now guys. I just had a vision and these guys have to go to work." Gunn hung up the phone then and took the address from Angel. Angel went to the corner of the lobby and underneath the 2nd story walkway and yelled for Buffy. He heard her coming down the hallway. "What do you want Angel?"

"Buffy I need you to stay with Cordelia please. She just had a vision and Gunn, Connor and I are going after the problem." Sure Angel. She was disappointed but she knew she probably shouldn't go anyway. Not in her condition anyway. Angel and Connor stopped at the weapons cabinet to pick up Gunn's favorite weapon and others then went running out of the door. While they waited for the men to come back Cordelia received a call from Wesley. He had told her that they would be returning in 4 days. He couldn't get a flight any earlier but they were to go ahead with the work. He gave her the Airline and flight number and time that they would be arriving.

"Thanks Wesley. Angel will owe you and Fred a couple of weeks off for a real Honeymoon."

Wesley put his voice real low and said, "Actually Cordelia you guys saved me. Believe me when I said I did my best to get an earlier flight. Bye."

Cordelia laughed then said goodbye. "Well Buffy the guys are on their way back now. I think I'll order some Chinese food. How does that sound?" "That sounds good cause I am starving." Buffy answered. Cordelia went to the drawer where they kept the menus for all of the restaurants that had take-out. Buffy and Cordelia went over the menu and wrote down what they needed. As soon as Angel told her that they were almost home she put the call into the restaurant.

"Angel said that they stopped to pick up Spike from Dr. Thompson's office and they should be here any minute." Cordelia told Buffy.

"That link you have with Angel comes in mighty handy. I wish I could do that with Spike but for some reason I can't develop it beyond sensing his well being. He thinks it might be because of my Slayer powers."

"I am going to go and lay down on the couch Buffy. If I fall asleep wake me when they come in or the food comes. Why don't you come and sit down with me your looking a little tired to."

Cordelia turned the TV on and laid down on the couch. Buffy took the other side and within five minutes they were both asleep. The men came in a few minutes later and found Buffy and Cordelia both asleep on the couch. Angel and Spike came over to the couch.

"Don't they look innocent when they're asleep." Angel said. He wanted to give Cordelia a kiss but he was all dirty from fighting the Vampires. "Yeah, and quiet." Spike said. Which he was immediately sorry for as soon as he said it when he realized that Buffys heart was beating faster. To distract her from what he had said he shook Cordelia lightly. "Cordelia wake up." She opened her eyes and saw how dirty Angel was and Spike wasn't. Then she remembered why.

"Angel go and get cleaned up. I ordered Chinese food and it should be here soon." She was still half asleep when she said that so she just closed her eyes again and laid back down.

"Cordelia wake up I have something for you that will help you to feel better." Cordelia sat up and Spike rolled up her sleeve. "Buffy don't let her go back to sleep. Hold her up while I go and get something to clean her arm with." Buffy put her arm around Cordelia to keep her from laying down again. Spike was back in a minute with a alcohol wipe which he used to clean the area of her arm that he was going to give her, her shot. He gave her a shot that had both Vitamin B12 and iron. He let her lay down again then went back to the kitchen and disposed of the needle in the Hazardous waste material container.

"Has she been like this all day Buffy?" "No she felt real tired all of a sudden after she ordered the food then said she was going to take a nap." Spike raised Cordelia's eyelid. He could see, and hear that she was in a sound sleep. The whites of her eyes where rolled back in her head. But he was happy to see that her eyes where still nice and white. Spike picked her up and took her to her room. Buffy followed him with a package that Spike had brought in with him. She got to the door first and knocked on it.

"Angel are you decent?" Buffy asked. "Yeah come in." Buffy opened the door for Spike. Spike came in and put Cordelia on her side of the bed. "What's wrong?" Angel forgot that he wasn't supposed to speak to anyone as soon as he saw Spike carrying Cordelia. "Don't get your knickers in a twist Sire. She is just asleep but I think that she will be out for the rest of the night. Her lab results came back this afternoon. She is tired all of the time now because she is anemic. When is the last time you took blood from her Angel?" Spike, Angel and Buffy had gone to the kitchen table to talk. "I think the last time I did that was before we went to Ireland or shortly after. We haven't even had sex since we were up in the barn loft." "Well don't do it anymore until after she delivers. According to Mike this happens to pregnant women sometimes. It's just that Kathleen is putting more demands on Cordelia's body. We think that she just hasn't been eating properly also so she has an appointment with a nutritionist next week Monday. Here is an appointment card. The nutritionist works with Mike so you'll come to the office. Also here is a liquid vitamin that she is to take twice a day for the next 5 days then she can cut it down to 1 time a day. I gave her a shot of B12 and iron just a minute ago to help get her started back to a more normal blood count. The B12 will help her to have more energy and the iron will build her blood up again."

"If you want Angel I'll bring your dinner up to you and something for Cordelia just incase she wakes up during the night." "Thanks Buffy I would appreciate it. I wish you could give her something for the depression she is experiencing right now." Angel said as he put his head on the table. "Why, are you feeling her depression now?" "Yeah and I feel terrible. Now I feel even worse because I just remembered that I'm not supposed to be talking to you. What do you do Buffy when you get depressed?" "I attack Spike and we have wild passionate sex. The next morning I feel fine." They all laughed at that. "Well she hasn't felt like having sex lately. We were just about to engage in some in the shower when Xander came knocking at our door this afternoon. The next time he does that I think I'll just punch his lights out." "Well like I said I'll bring you your dinner as soon as it gets here. I'll see you later Angel." Spike and Buffy got up and left then. Angel went over to Cordelia and checked on her. She was sound asleep. He took her clothes off and put a night gown on her and put her under the covers. When he bent over to give her a kiss she said "Thank you Angel, goodnight." "Good night my sweet."

Cordelia woke up at around 7 A.M. the next day. She was feeling good but was starving. She took a bath first then after drying herself off she went right to the refrigerator. "Wow, hit the jackpot." She pulled out a plate full of Chinese food that was wrapped in cellophane. She lifted the side a little then stuck it in the microwave oven. The smell of the food woke Angel up. He got out of the bed quietly and snuck up behind Cordelia who was sitting in front of the TV and eating while wearing nothing but a paper towel. Out of habit she had closed the balcony doors and closed the drapes. He went over to the refrigerator and poured himself a glass of blood. He seasoned it with some chili and warmed it up in the microwave. When the bell chimed he took his glass and went to sit down with Cordelia.

"How are we feeling this morning?" Angel asked Cordelia. Angel was getting turned on just looking at her. The bigger she became the more Angels mind wandered to having sex with her. Angel put his hand on her rounded stomach. He listened to his daughters heartbeat.

"Good morning my dear. I am feeling much better. I don't remember what Spike gave me but it sure is working." She wiped her mouth and hands with the paper towel and put it on top of the coffee table. She rose up to her knees and started kissing him. All Angel could think of was 'Drought over.'

An hour later they came down stairs. Xander, Gunn, and Connor were talking with Buffy at the table. Spike had been spending every day at Dr. Thompson's office so Buffy was feeling bored. "Your looking a lot more chipper this morning Cordelia." Buffy said when she saw them coming down the stairs. "Yes, I am feeling so good that I think we can go out again and check for that mansion." Cordelia said. She went directly to the small kitchen and made another pot of coffee. She made a couple of scrambled eggs and toast for her and Angel and since he didn't get to finish his mug of blood this morning she made him some more also.

When it was all done she called Angel over to come and help her. He took the plates over to the table and Cordelia brought over the drinks. She put everything down on the table and Angel pulled her chair out for her. He went back into the kitchen then and poured Cordelia a glass of milk. He wanted to give her orange juice but she hadn't gone shopping yet after coming back from Ireland. He brought the milk back to the table and when he sat down he noticed Buffy was gone. "Where did Buffy go?" "It's Buffy and Spikes turn to have morning sickness now. She went running to the bathroom when she saw our food. The good news is that I haven't had my special tea since yesterday morning. So I hope that, that means I am finally done with it for this pregnancy."

"Call me crazy but I just had an idea when you told Buffy that you wanted to go look for a mansion to rent. Why don't you guys go to Sunnydale and stay at your mansion while I am working on this place Cordelia." "That's a good idea Xander but I think we have to pass that by Wesley. He wanted Angel to work with you." "I'll tell Wesley that he would only get in the way since we have to be working fast and I am going to have to many guys around here to have Angel around." "Well that sounds good to me. It will be a lot easier on me and the mansion has more than enough rooms to accommodate everyone. Let's call him now."

Gunn went to Wesley's office and made the call. He then transferred it over to the Lobby counter and called everyone over. "Hey Wesley. Is Fred with you?" "Yes she is right here beside me. You want to know why she is right by me?" "No but I think your going to tell me." Cordelia said. "Because it's still night time over here and you've interrupted some, shall we say personnel activities. Now what is so important that you had to call me at this time." Angel saw the look on Cordelia's face when Wesley said that. Cordelia was mad as a hornet.

"Well Mr. Price since you're the boss we wanted to ask you if it's okay for us to go to Sunnydale instead of renting a place out here that is big enough to hold all of us. Since Angel already has a mansion over there it would be kind of silly to rent a place for 3 months. And Mr. Price if you want to talk about being interrupted during a private moment I wish I had a count of how many times everyone interrupted Angel and I. It's a wonder that we were able to even conceive Mary Kathleen. The latest one was just yesterday when Xander came and knocked at our door just to tell us that the inspectors were here. I think if Angel could say anything he would of had a few choice words for Xander. Especially since I don't want to have sex very often now and he had been in dry dock for the past couple of weeks. So get used to it Mr. Price." Cordelia went back to the kitchen and started cleaning up.

"Sorry Angel." Xander said. He was embarrassed now that he knew what he had interrupted. Since he couldn't say anything Angel just nodded. "I am sorry guys. My father has my nerves on edge. My temper flares easily right now. They went into town and are spending the night at some friends. It's been our first night to be alone. If no one minds I think going to Sunnydale sounds good. I take it Cordelia is gone?" "Yes." Gunn answered. "Angel please give her my apology. I'll see you all in a couple of days." Wesley hung up.

Wesley went to check on Cordelia, but Buffy stepped in front of him and said "Let me go Angel. This is a girls thing. She'll be alright. Wesley just happened to be the unlucky one to hit the right nerve at the right time." Buffy went into the kitchen and Angel went back to the table and finished his glass of blood.

When Buffy walked in Cordelia was washing the dishes. She didn't put them in the dishwasher because she wanted to keep her hands busy. "You okay?" Buffy asked as she picked up a dish towel and started to dry the dishes. "Yeah, I'm sorry I acted like a crazy pregnant woman." "That's okay Cordy you have a good excuse. These guys don't realize what it is really like to be the leader. Some one is always calling you for something and wanting you to make a decision about something. I knew from the beginning that the penance that Dr. Martin gave Angel wasn't going to work. Except for the not talking part he must have felt good about it. No more having to make decisions, no more being at every ones beck and call, no more of having to be the leader for everyone else, and most of all no more of having to be the brave one no matter how much your heart is breaking or how sick you are. It's good that you take care of so much for Angel Cordy. Ever since Spike and I got married I feel like half of the load has been taken over by him. The burden of leadership isn't so heavy now."

Cordelia took the dishes out of the dishwasher to clean since their wasn't very much and she wanted to continue to have an excuse to talk with Buffy.

"Did you guys start work on the basement so that you could have some privacy?" Cordelia asked Buffy as they continued to wash and dry the dishes.

"Yeah that was the first command decision that Spike made. It was so nice to just stand back and let someone else make the decisions and answer all of the questions. When Dawn started to complain to me I just said that Spike was the man of the house now and I'll back him up. I told her that Spike and I had already talked about. I knew she had plans of making the basement hers but I told her that Spike needed the windowless space. When I said that she backed down. I told her that we could talk to Xander and see if he had any suggestions to give her, her own space."

"That's good. A young girl needs that space when there is no one but adults around her. I know because I was in that same position. I know that Mom will come to the same conclusion that you have. What I am afraid of Buffy is that I know that something will happen to Angel to help him to learn humility. It's just like when he was crucified. God uses bad things that happen to us to teach us a lesson." Cordelia was through cleaning the kitchen so she started to boil some water to make some tea for the both of them. Buffy finished putting the dishes away and grabbed two cups for the tea. When the tea pot started whistling she poured the hot water into the cups and put some tea into each. Both of them took their cups to the dining room table to sit down. Angel was still there.

Just as they sat down the phone rang. The answering machine picked it up but Angel could hear that it was Dr. Martin so he went running to pick up the phone.

"Mom?" "Yes Angel it's me. I wanted to give you the date and time of my flight." Angel wrote the information down as she gave him the date, time, and flight number. "That is the same flight that Wesley will be coming in on. He has to change planes in Boston so you two will be coming into L.A. on the same flight. That will make it easier. Thank the Bishop for me Mom. Tell him I owe him another one. I'll see you in a couple of days." Angel hung up the phone and went back to the dinning room table. He gave the slip of paper to Cordelia. She grabbed his hand and kissed it. She was so happy she was crying.

"Why are you crying?" Angel asked his wife. "Because Mom is coming home for good. She won't be leaving anymore. I need her now Angel. A young woman like me always needs their mother when they have their first baby." Cordelia just smiled.

Gunn came over to the table at that time. "Xander and I called an achitect that specializes in the restoration of old buildings. He'll be here on Tuesday to talk to all of us and look at the hotel."

"Gunn I think we might as well start packing things that we won't be needing in Sunnydale. Can you see about getting a large amount of large boxes and lots of small ones." Xander came over to the table also. "Xander what do you think about getting either a storage unit or rent one of those movable storage units that can be kept here on the grounds." Cordelia asked Xander.

"I think one of the 'PODS' would work just fine. When your done filling it up they'll come and take it to a storage warehouse. We can also hire people to load all of the big stuff and all of the boxes." "Terrific Xander. But I think we can at least start packing some of the stuff. Things that we don't want anyone to see. Plus it will keep us busy and out of trouble. Why don't you get as many boxes as you can carry Gunn." Cordelia finished her tea then came back out and turned to Angel and the rest. "But first Kathleen and I are going to take a nap. Come with me Angel." Angel followed her up to the bedroom.

Cordelia laid down on the bed and patted the bed beside her and invited Angel to come and lay down beside her. When he did as she requested she pulled up her blouse and pushed the top of her pants down so that her stomach was fully exposed. She took his hand then and put it on her stomach. Angel was quiet for awhile. Then he felt it. He had a big grin on his face. "I felt her kick my hand with her little feet. Now I feel something round rubbing against my hand. I couldn't feel that when we were in Dr. Thompson's office." He removed his hand and laid the side of his face on Cordelia's stomach. He continued to feel Kathleen's head rubbing against him. Then she seemed to push away from him and kicked her mother in the side by her left side."

"You little brat stop that." Cordelia told her daughter. "What does it feel like when she is moving around?" Angel asked as he raised his head. Cordelia was laughing at what she told her daughter. "It feels like gas bubbles are trapped inside of there and their moving around." Cordelia pulled the top of her pants up and pulled her blouse down. She turned on her side then. "Are you going to take a nap with your daughter and I?" She asked Angel. In answer Angel took his shoes off and pulled the quilt over both of them. He pulled her close to his chest and they both went to sleep. Angel never had a problem with going to sleep in the day time since that was his natural time to sleep.

For the next 2 days they packed and took naps. Cordelia continued to drink the tea along with Buffy and take the special vitamins that Spike had brought her. She tried to pay closer attention to her diet and what she was eating. She didn't get so tired anymore and Dr. Thompson and Spike were happy with her handling of things. Spike took another sample of her blood on Friday morning so that they could have it tested again to see how she was doing.

Before Spike left with Buffy, who was driving Angels car to take him to the office, Angel told him to take a cab home because he was going to be using his car to pick up Wesley, Fred, and Dr. Martin at the airport. "Okay Angel." Spike answered as they headed out to the car.

When they got in the car Buffy noticed that Spike wasn't very talkative this morning. "What's on your mind Spike? Your awfully quiet." Spike looked at Buffy. "I have an awful feeling that something bad is going to happen to Angel tonight on the way back from the airport." "Like what?" Buffy asked. The way Spike said that made chills go up her spine. "I don't know but I think you need to find out when their flight comes in exactly. I want you and Gunn to pick me up from the office. We'll wait for Angel to come out of the airport and follow him. Don't tell Cordelia about this okay. It won't serve any purpose for her to be upset sooner then she has to." "Okay Spike. But I think she already knows that something is going to happen." "Well at least it won't come as a surprise to her." They rode in silence the rest of the way.

Later that night at 7 o'clock Angel left for the airport. At exactly 8 o'clock their plane landed and as they came down the walk way Angel ran to Dr. Martin and picked her up and swung her around. He was so happy to see her. He kept kissing her on her cheek and hugging her. After this display went on for a few minutes he finally put her down and shook Wesley's hand and hugged Fred and gave her a kiss. He was careful though not to say anything to them. He steadfastly kept his silence. They all went to pick up their luggage at the baggage pickup area. While they were waiting for the suitcases to come down Angel went to get the car. Wesley had all of the luggage on the side and waiting for him by the time he got back. Angel jumped out of the car and opened the trunk and helped Wesley to put the suitcases in. Fred and Dr. Martin got in the back seat and Wesley sat in the front with Angel.

Without them noticing it Spike, Buffy and Gunn followed them from the Airport exit. When Buffy thought back on it later it was like watching a dream sequence and everything was moving in slow motion.

Angel pulled off of the freeway to go to the Hotel. At that time of night their were only a few cars on the road in this part of town. Gunn followed Angel at a distance but they saw everything happen. Angel moved into the right lane so that he could make a right hand turn onto the street where the Hyperion was. The light had been green when he had moved into the right turn lane to turn right. A man in a truck that was loaded down with PVC pipes went into the right turn lane also and was following close behind Angel. Instead of being able to continue with the right turn though Angel had to step on the breaks because of a teenage boy stepping out onto the crosswalk with his bike. The man in the truck had expected the car in front of him to continue and didn't expect for it to stop. At the last second he realized that the black car in front of him had stopped so he stepped on the brake hard. The sudden stoppage of the truck caused the PVC pipes to shift and come loose. One of the ½ inch pipes went flying into the back of the car. It missed Fred by mere inches and landed squarely in the back of Angels head.

The man in the truck jumped out and ran to the car. Gunn, Spike and Buffy were right behind him. When they got to the car they saw that a ½ inch pipe had come loose from the rest and was now lodged in the back of Angels head and blood was pouring out. None of the others were hurt fortunately. It took them a moment to recover from the shock of seeing him. Dr. Martin was regaining consciousness after hitting her head on the dash board. Her moans pushed them into action. Gunn went to the back of the truck and pulled out a PVC pipe cutter. Gunn told Wesley to hold the pipe close to Angels head. The blood was continuing to pour out of the wound and over Wesley's hands. Gunn started to cut the pipe. The movement of the pipe made even more blood come out of the back of Angels head. Dr. Martin reached up and tried to hold Angels head still, but his hair was slippery from the blood pouring out.

After Gunn cut the pipe the picked up Angel and put him in the back of Gunn's truck. Buffy got in the back and held onto Angels head. Gunn took off to the hotel while Wesley spoke to the truck driver and said that everything would be okay and that he wouldn't have to worry about any reprisals. Wesley jumped back into the car and Spike drove Angels car to the hotel.

The truck driver was left behind standing in the street with his mouth open and the PVC cutter in his hand. The next day when he woke up in his bed he thought about the previous night and thought to himself that he had the strangest dream.

Gunn pulled up as close as he could to the back of the hotel. Spike pulled up right behind him. Wesley and Spike jumped out and went to get Angel. Dr. Martin, more fully recovered, ran to the large kitchen and started getting ready to take care of him. Moments later Spike and Gunn brought Angel in and put him on the table. "Lay him on his stomach Gunn and lets push him up so that his head is over the edge. Wesley, he is going to need a transfusion." "How many bags should I get?" "Ten should be enough. What we don't use we can give to Dr. Thompson. Spike you and Mike are treating Cordelia for anemia aren't you?" "Yes but I took a blood sample from her today and her blood count is normal now." Spike answered her as he started to clean the blood off of Angel.

Dr. Martin grabbed a syringe and a drug that would make Cordelia sleep. She gave the syringe to Spike along with an alcohol wipe. "I want you to go and give this to Cordelia. Try not to wake her but if she does tell her it's some more B12 and iron. Tell her that her blood count still isn't back to normal." "Hey wait a minute now I thought you said that you never lie to Cordelia or Angel." "I don't and I still won't be. You will. Spike we don't want Cordelia to get to upset over this. It could cause her to go into labor." "Well I guess since you put it that way." Spike went off mumbling to himself. "Let the Vampire do it everyone expects them to lie."

Dr. Martin continued to clean up Angel and by the time she was done Spike had come back down. "Okay Spike get your gloves on we are going to take the pipe out and see what we have to deal with. Grab a towel and wrap it around the pipe to soak up the blood." Carefully Dr. Martin pulled the rest of the pipe out of Angels skull. She checked the pipe for any bone and found none. She carefully cleaned out any pieces of bone that was forced into his brain. Fortunately when she removed the pipe she found that it hadn't gone straight into his skull. It had only gone in part way so that one side of the pipe was in his skull and the other side of the circle of the pipe was still on the surface. But the part of the pipe that did go into his brain had caused enough damage by itself. Spike and Dr. Martin put special glasses on that would enable them to see the tiny pieces of bone that had become embedded in Angels brain. To do this she had to remove the small piece of bone that was hanging on. When they had done their best to remove any bone fragments she placed the fragment back in place and placed special stitches through the bones to keep them together. She was fairly certain that Angelus would make it grow back together. They bandaged his head up and then turned him over so that they could start giving him a transfusion from the bags of blood that Wesley had bought at the blood bank.

One hour later Spike called Gunn and Connor to take Angel up to bed. Dr. Martin and Spike went up with them. They removed his outer clothing and Dr. Martin went to the bathroom and wet a wash cloth. She went back to the bedroom and cleaned blood off of Angel that had run down his chest.

Wesley, Buffy, Connor, Xander and Fred came in to find out how Angel was doing.

Dr. Martin had pulled up a chair next to the bed and was sitting down and resting. "How is he doing Dr. Martin?" Wesley asked quietly.

"Dr. Summers, do you know the region of the brain where the pipe went through?" Dr. Martin asked Spike. "Yes, I believe it was the Occipital lobe of the brain. Although it might have also affected the Cerebellum." "And what does the Occipital lobe control."

"Vision."

---

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

(I have spent many hours on the freeways in heavy traffic and I have also seen many trucks loaded with PVC pipes that were held on racks that were made to hold them. Unfortunately many of these truck drivers never bother to secure the pipes that they carry. The scenario that I painted for my story has often gone through my mind as one of these guys pulls in front of me. If I can I get out from behind them or in front of them. I not only worry about the pipes that haven't been secured I also think of all of the stuff that they leave laying in the back of their trucks with the tailgate down. These men cause a lot of flat tires and leave dangerous objects in the middle of the freeway. My brother was almost killed by a small section of T bar that must have fallen from the back of a truck. A van that was in front of him ran over the bar and it flipped up into the air and headed right for my brothers car. If he hadn't duct at just the right time his head would have been sitting in the back seat along with the T bar. When you think about it, who needs Vampires, demons and monsters when you have your every day thoughtless, stupid citizens on the roads that can kill you without even giving it a second thought.

As the saying goes..............their ought to be a law.)