The Gift
Chapter 14
Cordelia woke up at 6 A.M. at the sound of Kathleen crying. Dr. Martin had left some diaper changing supply's underneath the bassinet so everything she needed was right by the bed. Angel woke up when he felt Cordelia get out of the bed to pick up Kathleen and the supply's.
He watched her take care of their daughter as she unhooked her diaper and carefully cleaned her. She put the new diaper on then bundled her up again. Angel held Kathleen while Cordelia went to the bathroom. For the first time he was alone with his daughter. He looked at her tiny body. He had handled newborns before but he had other ideas for them back then. Kathleen was so different from Connor when he was a baby. For one thing he was bigger and heavier where as Kathleen was smaller and more delicate looking.
Cordelia came out of the bathroom and checked the thermostat. It was 73 degrees in the room so she turned it up to 78. Since the drapes had to be kept closed the sun couldn't be allowed to come through the windows to warm the room up. She ran back to the bed and crawled under the covers. "Are you cold?" Angel asked. "Yes that's why I turned the heater up. How is she doing?" "She is hungry I think." "Okay baby I'm hurrying." Cordelia pulled her nightgown straps off and cleaned her breasts. She took Kathleen from Angel and put her to her right breast. Kathleen opened her mouth automatically when Cordelia put her nipple on Kathleen's lips.
Cordelia was leaning into Angels arm and rested her head against him once she had Kathleen settled. She was hungry and was contentedly nursing. Angel was watching her. No matter how much he looked at her and touched her he still had a hard time believing that she was really here. He was afraid that at any moment she would disappear in a puff of smoke and he would wake up to find that it was all a dream.
He was brought out of his day dream by Cordelia changing Kathleen over to her other breast. When Kathleen was settled into the other side Cordelia leaned back into Angels arm again.
"Angel have you thought of who we are going to ask to be her Godparents?"
"I was thinking of either Buffy and Spike or Willow and Giles. What do you think?" Angel said.
Cordelia was quiet for awhile. "I was thinking about Connor and Willow. But I don't know if it is okay to have Willow since she is Jewish. I think we are going to have to think about this more and I think talk to Fr. Barris and Mom." "Yeah I guess so. It's a little harder this time. How about Mom and Wesley?" "I think they would be perfect." Cordelia looked at her daughter and said "What better Godmother could you possibly have but your Grandma, and Wesley. Wesley will teach you all that you have to know about the world of demons and bad vampires and the difference between bad vampires and good vampires like your Daddy and Uncle Spike."
Kathleen was starting to fall to sleep so Cordelia pulled her away from her breast and cleaned herself. She cleaned Kathleen's mouth then gave her to Angel. "Okay Daddy you want to burp her?" Cordelia gave Angel a towel then gave him Kathleen. While Angel was working on getting her to burp Cordelia got up and went into the bathroom. The room was warmer now so she took her nightgown off and came out to the bed to put Kathleen back in her bassinet. She came around to the other side of the bed and pulled the covers off of Angel.
"Lets go and take a shower." Angel got up but went to the bassinet and pulled it over to the bathroom so he could keep his eye on her. They got into the shower and Cordelia washed all of the sweat out of her hair. When she was done she was feeling a lot better and amorous. As soon as Angel was done washing himself she flung her arms around him and kissed him. He gave her as much as she gave. Although they couldn't have intercourse they could do other things. Cordelia could feel her insides pulling up. It was as though she was having light contractions each time he touched her. Angel didn't have to hardly touch her and she was on her way to an orgasm. He changed his features and gave her a light bite on the side of her neck. She was so primed that when she exploded with the orgasm he had to put his hand over her mouth. He took just a small amount of blood from her then withdrew his teeth and licked the wounds clean. As Cordelia got control of herself she noticed that the water was getting cold. She gave him another kiss and then turned the water off. When they got out of the shower they dried each other off. Cordelia wasn't done though. As she dried Angel off she started kissing him again.
"What are you doing Cordy?" Cordelia was on her knees. "I am putting my education to work and taking care of Jr. at the same time. Since we can't have intercourse and you can't touch me in all the places you like to touch I am going to give you the next best thing. Now be quiet."
By the time Cordelia was done Angel had sunk to the floor and felt like he couldn't get up. All of the sex had actually made Cordelia feel better since it helped her uterus and everything else to be pulled back into their original position. Cordelia started to brush her teeth and fix her makeup. Angel in the meantime had finally found his legs again and started to shave and brush his teeth. He then started working on blow drying Cordelia's hair and she told him to put it into a simple ponytail. By the time they were dressed and ready to go downstairs Angel could hear others leaving their rooms and walking downstairs. Cordelia put some more supplies in the bassinet and then picked up Kathleen while Angel pulled the bassinet downstairs on the elevator.
Fred had already been downstairs for awhile and was just about done with fixing breakfast. She had stacks of pancakes in the oven that she had already made and their was a big pan full of bacon and sausages in one of the ovens. Melted butter was in gravy boats along with warmed pancake syrup. Eggs were also on platters.
"Good morning everyone." Angel and Cordelia said. When Fred heard them she came running out of the kitchen and gave Cordelia and Angel a hug. Then she took Cordelia by the arm and lead her to the end of the table where she had fixed up the chair with a soft pillow and flowers all around the corner. "This is for you Cordy. Today you are Queen for the day, and we all honor you as the mother of Mary Kathleen." She sat Cordelia down and gave her a kiss. Angel brought the bassinet over to sit between Cordelia and him. Fred gave him a kiss then she went back into the kitchen. Buffy, Willow, Tara and Connor went into the kitchen to get the platters of food. With thirteen people at the table it was a little crowded but they made it.
"Fred you are an excellent cook. That was delicious. Thank you very much." Giles said after he put the last of the pancake in his mouth. Everyone else said thank you also. Buffy got up then and started clearing the table. Fred started to get up also. "You sit down Fred, you've done enough. It won't take us to long since all the food was eaten. I'll make some more coffee and bring it out in a few minutes. I believe we have some more to do?" Buffy then turned and left with the last of the dishes. It only took them about 15 minutes to clean the kitchen and put the dishes in the dish washer. The coffee was done by the time they were done cleaning. Connor brought several table thermoses and placed them at each end and one in the middle. Cream, sugar and packages of sweetener was scattered through out the table. The men had all gone upstairs while the ladies were all cleaning the kitchen. They all had packages by them or on the table.
"Cordelia and Angel, we had planned to have a baby shower for Cordelia and the men were going to have a Daddy Shower for Angel but Mary Kathleen had other plans. So we decided to just go ahead and give you the gifts that we bought, made or are passing onto you. Fortunately we were able to get a list of all the things that you and Angel had already bought and what you still needed." Buffy said as she gave them the gift that Spike and her had picked out. One by one everyone else gave their gifts except for Connor and Dr. Martin.
When it came time for Connor to give a gift he came over and brought a chair over so that he could sit between Angel and Cordelia. Before sitting he went over to the bassinet and picked up his little sister and came and sat down. He held her in his hands like Angel did sometimes.
"Mary Kathleen, I don't know anything about this tradition of giving presents to or for a new baby so I didn't know what to do but I thought about it for a long time. I am giving you my most prized possession my little sister. I am giving you something that until recently I didn't know that I had to give until I saw how others here gave it to each other. Mary Kathleen Martin, my little sister, I give you my love. I promise to give up my life if I have to, to protect you. I promise to be a companion to you. I promise to play with you whenever I can. I want you to grow up knowing that you are loved and that Dad and I will go to hell and back for you." Connor gave his little sister a kiss on her forehead which she promptly wiped away with her little hands. He then gave her to Cordelia and gave her a kiss. "Thank you Cordelia for this Gift."
Connor then turned around and Angel stood up. They hugged each other and Angel gave his son a kiss on his cheek. Neither one could speak what they felt. They parted though and Connor went back to his chair with tears in his eyes as did Angel.
"I believe it's my turn now." Dr. Martin came down to the other end of the table and took the chair that was between Cordelia and Angel. She had two packages with her and she placed these on the table as she took her seat. She reached for Kathleen and held her close to her heart.
"Mary Kathleen Martin I am giving you 3 gifts two of which are not really from me but from Sr. Margaret. You don't know her but she helped to make you possible. She was a holy nun that gave God and Jesus her life and all of her love. Before she died she gave me two items that she wanted me to give you. Angel would you open the little box for me please." Angel unwrapped the small box and opened it. Inside was a solid gold crucifix.
Dr. Martin took it out and used a safety pin to pin it to Kathleen's blanket. "This was the only item that Sr. Margaret kept from her former life in the world. This will be a sign to everyone that Sr. Margaret is with you always and is your Guardian Angel." She reached for the second box then and Angel helped her by removing the lid. Inside was an old looking crucifix. "This crucifix was Sr. Margaret's also and she wanted you to have it. This was the crucifix that was in her room when she left this world. She held it in her hands many times because it gave her comfort. It has had thousands and thousands of prayers said before it. She gave it to you so that you would be reminded of what He sacrificed for you. Now I want to give you my gift. I am giving to your Mommy and Daddy a gift certificate that can be claimed at any time, except when I am in surgery, for 1,000 hours of baby sitting duty." Dr. Martin gave her granddaughter a kiss and then blessed her by making the sign of the cross on her forehead. Kathleen started to fuss then so she gave her over to Cordelia and gave her and Angel a kiss then went back to her chair.
When Dr. Martin sat down they heard the front doors open and close. Angel stood up when the person entered. He was very familiar with the scent of the person that came in. Wesley stood up also once the person came into view.
"Lilah."
"I've been wondering when Wolfram and Hart would come crawling out of the woodwork."
Angel said as he went to stand at the other end of the table. Dr. Martin saw his arm start to shake almost violently. He had to put his arm and hand between his belt and his back in order to keep Lilah from seeing it.
"Now is that a nice way to speak to someone that has come to greet the newest member of the AI team. It sounds as if you think that I have an ulterior motive." Lilah was drooling honey with her words and tone of voice. She started to walk over towards Cordelia but Angel blocked her progress.
"Angel I would just like to see your new baby." Lilah acted as though her feelings were hurt.
"Have a seat Lilah. Cordelia is feeding her right now so have a seat. How did you know about her?" "Oh it's a girl. Well congratulations, I bet she already has you twisted around her little finger." "Lilah! How did you know about her?" "Angel in all honesty I promise that I have no ulterior motive. This is information that only I have at this time. I happened to be at the local mall when I saw several of the people sitting at this table. They were discussing what they needed to buy for Angels and Cordelia's new baby. I also investigated all of the construction items that were purchased to refurbish the hotel and among those items were child proof safety devices. I've also seen all of the new additions to the balcony's that would prevent a child from accidently falling off of one of the balcony's. From there it was just a simple math problem of putting 2 and 2 together."
Lilah looked at Fred sitting next to Wesley.
"Wesley I see that you finally got what you have always wanted. Congratulations Mrs. Price. It looks like the better woman won. Even when Wesley was with me I knew that his mind was on you most of the time. You know Wesley that I really did love you."
"I know Lilah, but you loved what you did more, and since I refused to live on the side of evil and you found it impossible to live on my side of the tracks we both knew that a sustainable relationship between us was impossible." Wesley had stood up when Lila started to talk to him.
"He's married to Fred now Lilah." Angel moved to stand between Wesley and Lilah. Angel was surprised to actually see tears forming in Lilah's eyes.
Lilah looked at Angel then turned to look at Dr. Martin. Dr. Martin stood up as Lilah approached her. "I know you don't know me Dr. Martin but I am what is known as Angels enemy. I truly do want to just give the new baby a present. Since Angel won't let me near his daughter would you except this present for her from me. I promise that it is just a purely innocent gift." Dr. Martin looked deep into Lilah's eyes. I'll except your gift Lilah on behalf of Kathleen."
Lilah smiled at her and gave her the small package. Then turned to leave. "Wait a minute Lilah." she stopped and turned around. Dr. Martin went over to Cordelia and took Kathleen. Cordelia hesitated for a second. She looked at Angel. He gave her a nod that it was okay. "Don't let her touch my baby." Dr. Martin smiled at her and turned and went over to Lilah. "Lilah this is Mary Kathleen Martin."
Lilah didn't touch her but Dr. Martin opened the blanket so that she could see Kathleen. Lilah looked at her. "Cordelia and Angel she is beautiful. Congratulations. Thank you for letting me see her." Lilah turned and left then.
Dr. Martin watched her leave then. She felt very sad for her as she watched her go through the doors. She turned then and looked at Angel. "You more than anyone know that Christ is waiting for everyone to turn to him." Dr. Martin turned and looked at everyone. "No matter how bad the sin He is waiting for everyone to turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. He is waiting with open arms. His heart is overflowing with an infinite amount of mercy. Pray for her Angel, she doesn't have long before her soul will be lost to Him forever." Dr. Martin gave Kathleen to Angel then she left to go upstairs to her bedroom.
"Why do you think she is worth saving Mom. She is as evil as they come." Angel said as he stood there holding his miracle child. Dr. Martin stopped going up the stairs. She turned around and slowly came back to Angel. She very carefully took Kathleen and gave her to Buffy. Everyone's eyes were on Dr. Martin. What she did next shocked everyone. As she turned back towards Angel she slapped his face so hard that he actually staggered backwards. It wasn't so much from the force of the slap but it was more from the shock of what she did.
"Don't you ever say anything like that again. You don't know what is in her heart. No person that is capable of loving someone is evil. I know that you are all probably thinking that I don't know about all of the things that she has done but I do. Don't forget that I said I did a thorough investigation of you Angel. That included all of your enemies as well as your friends. I know about how she tried to get to you by hurting Cordelia. I know about her part in Connors abduction and if I couldn't find enough written about her I had Sr. Margaret and St. Michael to give me information. How dare you have the audacity to pass judgement on another human being."
Dr. Martin put both of her hands to her face. She was surprised at her own anger at Angel and how she had slapped him. She just turned then and went upstairs.
Everyone was quiet. "Wow was grandma mad at you. After seeing that I think I'll think twice about doing anything that will make her mad at me." Connor said as they all watched Dr. Martin go up the stairs. Angel didn't say anything, he just turned and quietly walked out to the back garden.
After a few minutes Wesley went out to the garden. He found Angel sitting in the furthest corner of the patio that was away from the sun. He sat on the steps that were close to him.
"Are you okay?" Wesley asked him.
"I know and you know how much Lilah has done to hurt us Wesley. She has frequently presented herself as the very personification of evil, but you must of found something good in her to love."
"I don't think I ever really loved her Angel. I think I found her to be a very beautiful woman that I had great sex with." Angel could tell Wesley's mind was going back to the times that he spent with Lilah.
"Was she really that great?" "Oh yeah. She liked roll playing also. You know she asked me to join Wolfram Hart. When I came back to working with the rest of you I told her that I couldn't live on her side, it was the side of evil and was everything that I fought against. Lilah's problem Angel is that she loves the money that she gets from doing what she does. It enables her to buy from the finest stores and she drives an expensive sports car. She had a very poor childhood and she is willing to do whatever it takes to put as much distance between herself and that poverty as she possibly can. But I agree with Dr. Martin though. Buried deep inside of Lilah is a good person that would like to come out. When we were together I often got to see that good person."
"I guess I better go and apologize to her. I tell you for such a little woman she can pack a lot of strength behind that hand." Angel was rubbing his jaw as he said it.
"By the way Angel you never told us what Cordelia was talking about when you and her were on the couch and you were massaging her feet and legs. She gave you permission to tell us about a school that her and Fred went to. I noticed how Fred was shaking her head when you were about to tell us. So what was it?"
"Cordelia said that I was only the second man that she had ever been with and her and Fred didn't know very much about what a man likes when they're having sex. One day they went to a Triple X theater and saw a couple of porno flicks and that was what she referred to as their day at school. I tell you Wesley that after she used her education on me Junior was very satisfied and she is getting better at it all of the time. In fact she took care of Junior just this morning, one day after having Kathleen. All I could do for her though was give her the special on her neck. Hasn't Fred used her education on you yet?" "No and I wouldn't ask her to either. I've heard that some women aren't comfortable with oral sex. When she's ready I am sure that she will do it. The sex was better with Lilah Angel but I love Fred where as I didn't truly love Lilah." "Have you ever had oral sex with Fred?" "I attempted to once but she didn't seem to be comfortable with it so I never tried again. Would you like me to talk to Cordy about it and ask her to talk to Fred?" "No, please don't say anything. When she is ready she'll do it. You better go and apologize to Dr. Martin Angel. You know how hard it is the longer you wait." Angel got up and left to go into the hotel again.
Just a few feet above them Fred, Cordelia and Buffy had been upstairs on Fred's balcony listening to the two men on the porch. When Wesley left they quickly went back into the bedroom where Kathleen was sleeping in the middle of the bed. When Cordelia and Buffy looked at Fred they could see that her face was beet red from embarrassment.
"So what are you waiting for Fred?" Cordelia asked.
"What is this all about anyway?" Buffy asked as she laid on the bed next to Kathleen.
"Neither Fred or I knew to much about the art of making love to a man so we went to one of those Triple X theaters to get some kind of education. When we were able to have sex I gave Angel a blow job, as they say. I made that boy so happy that he wasn't able to continue to stand. His legs gave out on him. We were in the shower at the time and he just sat on the floor of the shower. He asked me where I had learned to do that so I told him and he said he was giving me an A+." They all started laughing then.
"Fred why haven't you done it to Wesley yet?" Cordelia asked again. Fred saw both Cordelia and Buffy looking at her.
"I don't know Cordy. I just can't bring myself to do it. Even when he tried giving me oral sex I couldn't do it, I just froze." They were all quiet for a while. Kathleen woke up and Buffy picked her up and rocked her. Kathleen started to reach for Buffy's breast. "No, no, no. Those belong to Uncle Spike. I don't think he is ready to share yet."
"Fred have you seen the film that Morgan has?" Cordelia asked.
"No, I wanted to but I was to embarrassed to ask. Why?" "Well I have an idea that may help you get over your problem. Do you know if Wesley has a copy of the film?" Cordelia asked.
"No I don't think he does." Fred was curious now as to what Cordelia had up her sleeve. She had that smile on her face that told Fred that Cordelia was cooking up something that usually meant she was going to get her into trouble.
Cordelia reached for the phone and dialed Mirissa Morgans number. The phone rang several times before the Butler picked it up. "Morgan residence may I help you?" "This is Cordelia Martin is Mrs. Morgan available?" "Yes Mam, one moment please." A few minutes later Marissa answered the phone. "Hi Cordelia how are you doing?" "I'm doing pretty good. Dr. Martin told me to get up and start walking around as soon as possible. So when are you coming over to see our brand new daughter?" "We'll be there this evening around 6. Bobby and Tina want to come over to." "Marissa could you do me a favor and bring me 'The Film'. I have some plans for it tonight." "Sure Cordelia no problem." "Oh and Marissa lets keep this just between us." "Sure no problem. I'll see you this evening. Bye." Cordelia hung up then and turned to Buffy. "Did she go back to sleep yet?" "No I think she is hungry again."
"So what are you going to do Cordy?" Fred asked. Buffy and Fred where sitting on each side of Cordelia as she got ready to nurse Kathleen again. This was the first time that they were going to actually see her do it. Buffy was watching everything she did since it wasn't to long before she would have to do the same thing. When Buffy had Kathleen situated she finally turned to Fred and told her what she was planning.
"We are going to set you up for a hot date tonight Fred. You and Wesley are going to watch some hot porn tonight and along with some alcohol you should be ready to let all of your inhibitions go out through the window." "Have you seen the film Buffy?" Fred asked. "No, lets watch it before we turn it over to Fred and Wesley." "I wonder if you can see everything that you two were doing?" Buffy asked. "Angel said that you couldn't see everything and that's why Morgan had to ask what Angel was doing to me. Because Morgan had tried to do the same thing to Marissa and he didn't get the same reaction out of her."
Cordelia noticed that Fred was quiet. "Fred, sweety, if you truly love Wesley with all of your heart then you would want to make him happy. You would want the sex to be so hot for him that he wouldn't ever consider going to another woman. Now if you don't want to do it then all you have to do is leave the VCR off and leave the wine in the refrigerator. Okay?"
"Okay Cordy. Thank you for everything. Your just like the big sister I never had." Fred reached over and hugged her. Cordelia switched Kathleen over to her other breast and they sat for a while longer.
"I wonder if Angel has gone to apologize to Dr. Martin yet." Fred said. "I don't know, I haven't heard Angel in my head since just before Kathleen was born. I think the pain was to much for him at the end and he broke the link between us. He hasn't re-established it again yet."
"Cordelia I was with Angel and he was with you almost to the end. Do you remember calling for him when you didn't see him?" Buffy asked as she turned herself around so that she could face her. "Yes I remember. It was just before I delivered Kathleen." "Yeah well you couldn't see Angel because he was on the floor. I don't know whether it was the pain or something happened inside his head but when he fell backwards after passing out blood started coming out of one of his ears and his nose was bleeding."
"I didn't know. He didn't say anything to me about it." Cordelia was quiet then.
Angel approached Dr. Martins door and listened to see if she was asleep or not. He heard her heart beating at a normal pace so he knew she was awake. He knocked at her door. "Who is it?" Her voice was a little low and he could hear her blowing her nose. "It's Angel Mom." "Angel please don't come in. Would you please tell everyone that I would like everyone to meet in the lobby for a few minutes. I'll be down shortly." "Okay Mom." Angel left then to go down to Fred and Wesley's room.
Angel knocked at the door. Fred came and opened it. "Oh, hi Angel are you looking for Cordy?" "Yes and no, Dr. Martin wants all of us to meet in the lobby for a few minutes." "Okay we'll be there in a few minutes." Angel left then and went downstairs. He found Giles and Wesley in his office. Willow and Tara were in the Garden and Gunn, Connor, Spike and Xander were sitting on the couch in front of the big screen TV and playing games.
Everyone was asking what was up and all he could tell them was what Dr. Martin had said. They were all sitting around the lobby when Dr. Martin came down the stairs. They could all tell that she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. She came to the middle of the room and looked to make sure that everyone was there that had been at the dinning room table when Lilah had come in. "Spike could I have your chair and you can sit in the chair that I usually sit in?" Spike got up and Dr. Martin pulled the chair in front of her.
Just as Spike sat down David Morgan and his wife came in along with Bobby and Tina. Right behind them Hunter and Dr. Thompson came in. "Would you just stand their for a few minutes everyone and don't say anything or I might lose my nerve." Dr. Martin said then she turned back to Angel.
"Angel would you please sit in this chair?" Angel got up and came and sat in front of her. Dr. Martin did something next that no one expected. She lowered herself to her knees and took his hands in hers.
"I wanted everyone here that was in the dinning room at the time so that they could hear what I am about to say. Angel I wanted to apologize for what happened this morning." Angel started to protest.
"No, please let me finish. I am not apologizing to you because I corrected you on what you said about Lilah. I am apologizing to you for slapping you and correcting you in front of your colleagues. I embarrassed you in front of your friends and colleagues when I should have never done that. I should have done it when we were alone. For that I am truly and deeply sorry. Now I have handed out punishment to you before for things that you did. I want you to do the same for me. Please don't refuse my request because you will then be trivializing my apology."
Angel thought about what Dr. Martin said. He looked into her eyes. He could see how serious she was and how much what she did bothered her.
Angel looked at her hands, he bent over and raised her hands then kissed the palm of each hand. "I could never hurt the hands that gave me my life back. I could never hurt the hands that so lovingly took care of me when I was crucified. I could never hate what these hands have done especially since they are the ones that helped to bring my daughter into the world. I will fulfill your request though to take action against you for what you did. You can refuse my decision if you want. Cordelia and Wesley would you come here please?" Wesley was surprised that Angel would want him to take part in Dr. Martins punishment. He kept his thoughts to himself though and came and stood behind Dr. Martin. Cordelia came and stood by Angel along with their daughter.
Angel stood up. "Please stand up Mom." He pulled her up and she stood with her hands still in his hands. "This is my decision. You may or may not see it as a punishment. Dr. Mary Tares Martin and Wesley Wyndom Price, Cordelia and I would like for you to be Mary Kathleen's Godparents."
Dr. Martin started to cry again along with the other women. "I accept your decision Angel." She reached for Kathleen and held her in her right arm. "I accept also Angel and Cordelia." Wesley said as he shook Angels hand and hugged him. He then turned to Cordelia and gave her a kiss on her cheek and hugged her. He turned back to Dr. Martin then and put his hand on her shoulder.
Dr. Martin gave Kathleen to Wesley. She turned then and hugged Angel and kissed him on his cheek. She then turned and did the same to Cordelia.
"Please come in everyone and meet our daughter." Angel said as he waived them all in.
Everyone came down the few steps to the lobby. Angel and Cordelia greeted everyone and received congratulations and gifts for Kathleen. They all sat down around the lobby by taking chairs from the dinning room table. It was rather crowded right now but they all fit in wherever they could find floor space. Morgan and his wife sat on the couch by Angel and Cordelia as she held Kathleen. Cordelia noticed Marissa staring at Kathleen.
"Would you like to hold her Marissa?" "May I Cordelia?" Cordelia handed her daughter over to Marissa. David looked over his wife's shoulder. He put his finger by her little hand. Kathleen grabbed it. "She is beautiful Angel and Cordelia. Look at how strong she is. I can actually feel her moving my finger around. She is going to flip me over any moment now." David was laughing at her. Marissa looked at her husband. She slapped his hand away then.
"You can make up stories like that when you hold our baby." Cordelia and Angel caught on to what Marissa had said but David was still playing with Kathleen.
"David did you hear what Marissa said?" Angel asked him. "Yes Angel I heard but I am afraid to ask her if what I think she said she did say. I am afraid that I misunderstood her and that it's just my own wishful thinking that is saying those things or my demon is teasing me." Marissa gave Kathleen back to Cordelia. She took David's hand and put it on her stomach. "You heard me correctly my husband. After 7 years one of your boys was finally able to get through and found my egg. I confirmed it with Mike today that I am 2 months pregnant." David took his wife into his arms and hugged her. Wesley brought a bottle of wine up from the basement and Fred and Connor brought as many glasses as they could carry. When all of the wine had been poured Wesley stood in the middle.
"Would everyone stand for a toast." Wesley said.
"Whoops! Wait a minute our three mothers need a different type of drink." Fred said as she took three wine glasses out of Cordelia's, Marissa's, and Buffy's hands. She went back to the kitchen and came out with milk in them instead.
"Now I would like to offer a toast so if everyone would raise their glasses. I offer a toast to Cordelia and Angel for their beautiful baby girl, and to Marissa and David Morgan that their baby will be as perfect a gift to them as Kathleen is to Angel and Cordelia." They all raised their glasses then and drank a toast. When they were done they all sat down again.
They were all quiet for awhile when Angel started to smell something. He bent over and sniffed towards Cordelia's direction. "Oh Mom. I think your punishment needs to start about now." He stood up and walked to the other side of the room. All of the other vampires did the same and put their hands over their noses. They were able to smell Kathleen's diapers before anyone else. Everyone else cracked up. Cordelia checked her daughters diapers. "Yes I just confirmed that we have nuclear waste material here."
Cordelia started to get up but Dr. Martin came over. "I'll clean her up Cordy you sit here and visit with your guests." Dr. Martin took Kathleen and went up stairs to Cordelia's bedroom.
Everyone was sitting around and just talking. Spike was with Dr. Thompson. They were discussing Cordelia's labor and delivery and Spike was telling Dr. Thompson that Cordelia had allowed him to put his hand in her so that he could check her cervix. Buffy was near by and she was watching Spike. Giles came over to her side. "Looking at him now you would never have guessed that he was once called William the Bloody." "No you sure wouldn't. Spike constantly amazes me at his capacity for love and tenderness. Whenever he talks to me about what he is doing with Dr. Martin or Dr. Thompson he is a completely different person." "Are you having any problems with the pregnancy?" "No not really. Why? Do you know something that your not telling me." "No, no. Your not the first Slayer to become pregnant Buffy, but you are the first one to become pregnant by a Vampire." "Are you afraid that something might happen to me or my baby since Spike is the father." "I'm not saying that something will happen I'm just saying that we have to be very cautious. If you should feel that something is wrong promise me that you will call Dr. Thompson right away." "I promise Giles, I promise." Buffy didn't say anything to Giles but she was thinking to herself 'I wasn't worried before but I am now. Thanks a lot Giles."
Giles pulled her into his arms then and hugged her. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to my little girl." Buffy looked up at him and smiled. They rarely showed their feelings for each other even though they felt like father and daughter.
Dr. Martin came down to the first floor by taking the elevator this time. Everybody looked her way when the doors opened. When she came out she saw everyone looking at her. "Don't worry everyone all nuclear waste has been disposed of and she smells like a brand new baby again." Dr. Martin brought her over and put her in the bassinet that was next to Cordelia.
"Hunter you want to check Angel now?" Dr. Martin asked. "Yes if it's convenient for everyone." Hunter had come over to see Kathleen along with Mike. She was bending over the bassinet. "She is perfect Angel, she is just simply perfect. Congratulations." Hunter said as she stood up. "Lets go now and check you out. Does your arm still shake when your under stress?" "Yes." "How about at any other time?" "I don't think so, at least not where I can remember." They had reached the clinic then and Dr. Martin turned the lights on.
"Get on the examination bed Angel." Dr. Martin told him. "No that's to high for me, it would be easier if he sat in a chair." Hunter protested. "Not to worry Hunter watch." Dr. Martin went over to the bed and stepped on a large bar that was at the base of the bed. She pushed it with her foot and the bed started to go down. "Tell me when." Dr. Martin was having fun showing off her new equipment. "When." Hunter said when it was just at the right level for her. Hunter was about the same height as Dr. Martin so she understood how valuable this adjustable bed was.
Dr. Martin came over to the left side of the bed and pulled out a short platform. "This is what I use when Spike is helping me that way he doesn't have to be bending down so much. And Xander made it so that it is the same length as the bed. That way I don't have to be balancing on a small stool or something. Get up here Angel." Dr. Martin patted the bed. Angel came and sat down. Their was a tray of instruments that Dr. Martin thought Hunter might need. "Take everything off from the waste up Angel." Hunter told him. Cordelia had followed them in and she came and took his shirt and t-shirt from him.
Hunter went through a series of tests. She was probing his spinal column when his arm started shaking again. She ran her hands up his back and started to massage the shoulder muscle that she could see was literally jumping. "Are you experiencing any pain Angel?" "Yes." "Okay I am going to be pushing my fingers around your spine. Tell me when the pain lessens or increases." "Okay."
Instead of starting at the top where Dr. Martin thought she would Hunter started probing from the bottom by his waste. Although she was pushing hard Angel showed no reaction to her probing. When she got up to between his shoulder blades she stopped. "Okay Angel I've eliminated any problems from your lower back. Hold on now because I think I might hit the right spot from here on up."
Hunter started to feel his spine. She was looking for any swelling or a vertebra out of place. Normally a doctor would take several x-rays to see where the problem was but since Angel couldn't go to a normal hospital Hunter was doing it by touch just as she had reset his spinal column when he had his back broken in Sunnydale 5 years before.
Dr. Martin went over to Mike. "Why is she doing it like that instead of taking x-rays at your office?" "It's down right now and it won't be fixed until next week." "Oh, well I guess that's just as good an excuse as any." She smiled at him then went back to observing what Hunter was doing. Hunter was almost to the top of the spine. She pressed in on the next vertebra and Angel let out a yell. "My God, I think you hit the right one." Angel was breathing hard and rapidly.
"Can you give me a marker that can't be wiped away?" "Yes, I'll get the laundry marker for you." Cordelia went to her desk and pulled out the marker and went back to the clinic. Hunter took the marker and marked the spot where Angel had given her a reaction when she touched it. She then continued probing higher up his spine until she came to the base of the skull.
"You can put your clothes back on Angel." She then went and talked to Dr. Martin and Dr. Thompson while Cordelia helped Angel put his clothes back on.
After about 15 minutes Hunter came back to Angel and Cordelia. "Okay Angel here is what has happened to cause your arm to shake when your under stress. Basically what you are suffering from is whiplash. It just affected you a little further down then it usually hits. When you are experiencing stress your muscles tend to bunch up and become ready for action. When they are doing this they are pulling at the vertebra which then causes the pad that goes between each vertebra to swell. The swelling then presses on the nerve that controls your arm. You don't have any problem using your arm when it's shaking do you?" "No not at all." "Well the cure can be simple or complicated. If we take the hard way then it will fix things fast. If we do it the easy way it will take longer." Dr. Martin brought over a bottle of water and a bottle of regular aspirin. Hunter took 2 out and gave it to Angel. "Take these now and two every 4 hours. They will help to bring the swelling down."
"That simple?" Angel swallowed the aspirin as he drank the water. "What's the more complicated way that will solve the problem faster?" "Stronger drugs with possible surgery as a last resort. But I think this will eventually solve the problem. When you have the time you can help it by putting an ice pak on the spot that I have marked. That will make the swelling go down faster. Dr. Martin and Thompson said that when Cordelia was in labor and about to deliver you started bleeding from your ear and your nose. I am going to tell you why I believe it happened by telling you a little story. A thousand years ago I treated a vampire. The link that he had to his most current childe caused him to bleed like you did. The human that he had turned was close to delivering her baby. When that Vampire turned the woman he became linked to her and he went through labor with her just like you did. When she came to the actual delivery he started bleeding from one of his ears and his nose also. If he had been human he would probably of died. What he did do was have a stroke as a result of the intense communication that he had with her. That was when I found out that our demons cannot heal our brains. If they are damaged then that's it. We don't die we just exist with the damage. Because of this Angel you have to make sure that you break the link with Cordelia when she goes into labor the next time she is pregnant. You were just lucky this time." "What happened to the vampire?" Angel asked. "I took care of him for almost 100 years. Then one day he was able to ask me to kill him. He said to me 'Kill me, I don't want to exist like this anymore. I will never get better. Please kill me.' Like you though Angel because I had a conscience I couldn't do it. What I did do though was leave a wooden stake on the tray next to his bed. I was hoping that if he was able to eventually reach for that stake then he would realize that he could get better if he worked on it. But he was tired of his existence and he eventually grabbed that stake and plunged it into his own heart."
Hunter turned to Dr. Martin. "I noticed that Angels body temperature has gone up slightly. Is he becoming more human?"
"Yes but only in very small increments and very slowly. Plus Angelus is having fun with him. His spine should have healed and it hasn't. I guess he thinks it's pretty funny letting his arm shake like that."
"You can get down now Angel. Cordelia I think I hear Kathleen crying." Dr. Martin told them.
"Mike could you excuse us for awhile. I want to talk to Dr. Martin." When everyone left she turned to Dr. Martin. "Do you mind if I call you Mary?" "No, that's okay." "Mary is there someplace we can talk in private that is a long distance from Vampire ears?" "Sure follow me. I have a room that is up on the 4th floor that I use as my psychiatrist office." Dr. Martin took Hunter upstairs where they stayed for the next 2 hours.
Mike and Angel were constantly watching the stairs and elevator doors. Cordelia had been talking to Marissa and David when they said that they had to leave.
"Hay Bobby, we're going now. Are you ready?" "Yes Mr. Morgan." Bobby took Tina's hand and they said good bye to everyone.
"Did you get a chance to talk to Willow yet Bobby?" "Yes but she said that I had to talk to Angel first." "You want to do that now?" "Yes, can you postpone leaving for a few minutes?" "Sure Bobby. We'll just sit here until your ready." David and Marissa sat down again while Bobby approached Angel. He was still holding Tina's hand while he approached Angel.
"Uh Mr. Martin, uh Angel could I speak to you for a second." Angel sat up straight when Bobby approached him.
"Sure Bobby, would you like to go into my office?" "No sir that's okay." Bobby didn't say anything at first. Angel could tell that he was real nervous so he just gave him the time he needed to get up his nerve.
"Uh Angel I would like to be given my soul back like you did for Mr. Morgan. Tina has agreed to have my baby but I don't want my child to have a father that doesn't have a soul and will end up in hell. I want to have what you and David have. I want a family. I want someone to love me like you and David have Marissa and Cordelia." Bobby was down on one knee in front of Angel and this grabbed everyone's attention.
"Please Bobby, go and sit down. I'll be back in a few minutes." Angel stood up then and headed for his office. "Giles and Wesley would you join me please?"
When Giles and Wesley came in he asked them to sit down and close the door. "Did you guys hear what Bobby was asking me?" "Yes Angel, I told Willow to tell him to ask you." Giles said.
"Why did you tell her that?" Angel asked as he sat back in his chair.
"I told her because I am afraid that something bad might happen if too many Vampires are given their soul back within such a short amount of time. All that is happening around you Angel is bound to get some ones attention, and I think it will be in the demon world and I think they will be royally pissed. You being given your soul back wasn't so bad because you were cursed with that Happiness Clause which I am sure made them very happy. Now then Spike got his soul back but that was well over 100 years after you. Now we have David and now Bobby wants his soul back. When Willow does this spell Angel it causes a loud noise that Willow and all Witches around the world can hear. But I promise you Angel that they are not the only ones that are hearing it. Someone is going to come forward sooner or later to complain. Someone is going to be held accountable for it and I am afraid that it just might be Willow or even Dr. Martin."
"Why Dr. Martin? She hasn't had anything to do with it." Angel asked.
"Angel you are a prize that the forces of good and evil have been fighting for. Their were times when the side of evil almost won until Willow brought you back. But now with Dr. Martin helping you, you have permanently won your right to stay on the side of good. I am sure that they are not to happy with her, because you are permanently lost to them. Think very carefully about this Angel before you decide to have Willow give Bobby his soul back." Wesley was very serious when he told Angel all of this. He was truly afraid that they would lose someone in their group.
"Would you leave me for a minute guys and tell Cordelia I want to see her in here. Thank you for all of your advice."
A minute later Cordelia came in and sat on the couch. Angel stood up and sat on the couch next to her. He told her all that Giles and Wesley had told him. When he was done he gave her time for all of it to sink in. Then he told her 'Cordelia I want to ask Willow to give Bobby what he wants because I don't think that I have the right to deny him his soul if it is within my power to give it to him. If there are any dues that must be paid then I will pay them."
Cordelia had her head down and was crying. But then she grabbed a Kleenex from the box at the end of Angels desk. She blew her nose and wiped her tears away.
"Angel I went into this marriage knowing that their would be times like this and that their was always the possibility that I could lose you. But I know that we will be together for at least another two babies, and when we leave this world we will be together in the next." They hugged each other then and Angel kissed her over and over again. He got up then and went out into the lobby while Cordelia stayed in his office. She didn't want Bobby and Tina to see that she had been crying.
"Willow would you wait for another 2 hours and then perform the spell that will give Bobby his soul back." "Sure Angel. Giles has told me everything that he told you and I want you to know that I feel like you do. We have no right to deny anyone the chance to be as happy as you and Cordelia are and the chance to go to heaven." Angel hugged Willow and thanked her.
Bobby came over and thanked Willow and Angel. Then David and Marissa said their goodnights and left with Bobby and Tina. A few minutes later Hunter and Dr. Martin came out of the elevator. Hunter and Mike gave their goodnights to everyone and then left.
Dr. Martin noticed that everyone was quiet. "What's wrong, everyone is so quiet. Where is Cordelia Angel?" Cordelia came out from Angels office then and went to get here daughter. I am going to bed Angel. Goodnight everyone. Tell everyone what happened Angel. They have the right to know. Goodnight Mom." "Goodnight Cordelia." Dr. Martin didn't ask any questions. She knew Angel would tell her if he wanted her to know.
"Come over and have a seat everyone." Angel said as he sat in his regular chair. When everyone was seated he explained what had transpired. Before leaving he wrote down Bobbies full name on a piece of paper and gave it to Willow. "I think I will go and try to get some rest now. Willow I'll join you in two hours in the lobby. Goodnight everyone." They all said goodnight to him as he went up the stairs. Willow went up a few minutes later to try and get some rest and gather the things that she would need to perform the spell.
Angel went up to his room and took a shower, but instead of getting into bed he went and sat on the balcony and pulled out his rosary and started to pray. Cordelia came over with a blanket around her and sat with him. She pulled her own rosary out and they prayed to the only person that could help them at this time. When Angel was done he looked over at Cordelia. She was sound asleep. He picked her up and carried her to the bed and put her under the covers. He turned the dim night light on and checked his daughter. She was sound asleep also. He turned the night light out then went out of the room as carefully as he could.
When Angel went downstairs he found Willow, Tara, Giles and Buffy downstairs. She was just waiting for the 2nd hour to end since Angel had requested that she perform the spell. She knew that he wanted to give Bobby time to get home. Wesley came down in a few minutes to assist also. The men stood around Willow, Tara and Buffy. Willow checked her watch then started the spell. Giles and Willow had translated the spell into English some time ago so it went easier this time.
Willow was saying the last line of the spell. Willow and Tara both heard the loud bang that no one else could hear. When she was done she blew out the candle. They waited. Nothing happened for the next 30 minutes. Then they could hear a thunderstorm in the distance. The thunder became louder and louder as it approached the Los Angeles basin.
Exactly one hour later a lightening bolt hit the center of the lobby and everybody duct as people often do when they hear something loud. They all stood up then and looked around to see what damage the lightening bolt had done. Buffy and Tara found that they were the only ones left in the lobby. They ran upstairs to check on Dr. Martin and found that she was gone also. Cordelia, Fred, Connor, Xander, Dawn and Gunn where still in their beds. Spike had thrown on some jeans and was checking the rooms also. They knew what had happened.
"All we can do now is wait. Nothing we could possibly do would help them. We just have to wait.
TBC...