The Gift
Chapter 16
The next day Angel was up at 3 A.M. and down in the basement gym. They had only one piece of exercise equipment which was a bench for lifting weights. All other exercises were free style. He had the laundry table pushed up against the washing machines and had started out with just doing simple stretching exercises. When he was done with those he was about to do some sit ups when he heard the basement door open. He knew it was Connor.
"I know it's you Connor, come and join me." Connor came down and removed his shirt without saying anything. While Angel waited for him he started to do some work with the weights. Connor and Angel worked at the exercises for the next 3 hours. By 7 A.M. they made their way back to their upstairs bedrooms. Cordelia was still sleeping so Angel just went into the bathroom and closed the door and started the water in the whirlpool bath. As he waited for the bath to fill he heard Kathleen crying. He went to the bassinet and picked her up. He smelled nuclear waste though so he checked her diapers and whispered to her 'Tell me my dear little Kathleen, why is it that it goes in white but it comes out dark and stinky'. Angel wrinkled his nose and started to clean his daughter up. He put a clean diaper on her and then checked on the bath. It was full so he turned the faucets off.
The next problem was how to feed her since Cordy hadn't started using a breast pump to fill bottles up yet.
"Well since I can't feed you lets go and have some fun while your Mommy sleeps." Angel carefully took her clothes and diaper off again and went to the bathroom. He was so absorbed with Kathleen that he didn't notice that Cordelia was awake. She didn't say anything though and just laid still. She watched her big, scary, naked, Vampire husband carry their tiny daughter into the bathroom and heard him talking to her all of the time as he carefully lowered himself into the water.
Cordelia got up and put her robe on then grabbed the movie camera. She started the camera rolling before she went to the bathroom so Angel couldn't hear the clicking sound of the camera as she turned it on. Angel was constantly talking to his daughter and she was looking towards him. She seemed to be listening to every word that he was saying. He slowly lowered her into the water and was careful that the top of the water didn't come near her face. Angel put his knees up and rested his daughter on them while he grabbed her soap and wash rag.
Cordelia thought it was so cute the way he was talking to her. Kathleen seemed to be hypnotized by the sound of her Daddy's voice. Angel carefully washed his daughter then rinsed her off. He put a small amount of baby shampoo in his hand and proceeded to wash Kathleen's dark red hair. When he was done he took the plastic cup that Cordelia kept by the bathtub and carefully rinsed her hair.
Cordelia walked into the bathroom then and put the camera down on the counter. Angel looked at her. "Good morning Mommy." "Good morning Daddy, are we busy having some quality time with our daughter." "Yes we sure are." Angel said as he continued to rinse his daughters hair. Cordelia took her robe off and took Kathleen out of Angels hands. She sat between his legs but then she saw that her breasts were below the top of the water.
"Angel put your legs together so I can sit in your lap. I can't feed her when I'm sitting between your legs." Angel lifted Cordelia up then placed her on top of his legs. She leaned against him then and put Kathleen to her breast. They sat like that for the next 10 minutes while Kathleen had her breakfast. When she was done and falling asleep Cordelia got up and out of the bath to take care of her daughter. "Don't get out yet Angel I'll be right back as soon as I put her in the bassinet. The water is getting cold though can you let some of the water out and fill it with hot water?" "Yes Mam I think that can be done."
Angel could hear Cordelia patting her daughters back in order to make her burp. She put baby oil on her daughter then placed her diaper back on. She dressed her in a yellow sleeper then placed her in the bassinet and pulled it over to the bathroom. Angel had warmed the water up and started the whirlpool. Cordelia slipped into the water and started to bathe herself. Angel had already cleaned himself and started to wash her hair. Cordelia sank below the water to rinse her hair. They sat for awhile then and just let the jets shoot the water over their sore muscles. Angel was sore from the workout and Cordelia was still sore from the delivery.
"Lets get out Angel your hands are looking all wrinkled. Besides I want you to help me with a small problem." They got out of the bath and dried off and pulled the bassinet over by the bed.
"What's the problem you need help with?" "I saw you having a problem with how to feed Kathleen. The only way that I can start producing more milk Angel is if what I have is used up. When that happens then my breasts will start producing more milk and then I'll be able to pump them and put milk into bottles so that you can feed Kathleen when I'm not around or sleeping. Kathleen isn't drinking enough to empty them so I thought what you could do is drain them every day to see if that would work."
In answer Angel picked her up and put her on the bed. "Are you sure that you'll have enough for Kathleen the next time she wakes up?" "According to Mom I should start producing more milk right away. Do the left one first Angel because I fed Kathleen off of the right one."
Angel laid on the bed also and took her left breast in his mouth and started to suckle. He was doing it in the same way he always did when they were having sex and it was hurting her.
"Not so hard Angel your hurting me." He immediately let up a little. He drank the milk as he suckled at her breast and when he didn't get any more he switched over to the right one. When he was done he laid down on his back. "How do you feel?" "Good, my left breast was starting to hurt but it's okay now. Do I need to burp you?" Angel laughed. "No, I think I'll be okay. Are you ready to get up now?" "Yeah lets go downstairs. I'm starving."
As usual everyone was down at the dinning room table when they came down stairs. "Good morning everyone." Everyone returned their greeting. "Good morning Martin Family."
"Who hasn't held Kathleen yet?" Giles hand is the only one that went up. "Here you are Giles. This will be good practice for when you have to babysit for Buffy and Spike." Cordelia placed her daughter into Giles arms then went to the kitchen and started some soft boiled eggs and toast for Angel and herself. Angel took care of the drinks. By the time the eggs and toast were ready the drinks were ready also and they made their way back to the table.
Angel looked at Spike. He didn't realize that he was staring at him until Cordelia kicked him under the table. "Oww! What did you do that for?" Angel said loudly.
"Don't you know that it is impolite to stare at people?" Cordelia said. "People yes but I was staring at Spike." Angel looked back at Spike.
"Spike I do believe you have dark circles under your eyes. Let me guess as to the cause. Hmmm. Let me see now. As I recall when Cordelia was having morning sickness and I would get sick right along with her you would let me know how bad I looked. Now your looking the same way that I used to. Let me see. Buffy is experiencing morning sickness and your having it also. Am I right or not?"
"Yes your right." Spike answered. He let his head hit the table.
Angel jumped up from the table and did a little dance jig around the lobby. He was smiling and laughing all of the way. When he finally returned to the table he just sat down and started opening his soft boiled egg. He couldn't keep from smiling all through the process.
"Are you done yet?" Spike asked as he drank some cold blood. "Yes I think so."
"Why are you so bloody happy about me being sick like you were?" "Because my dear boy you always get off easy on everything that I have a hard time with and now your going to be paying just as much as I have. Hah!"
"Cordelia make him stop picking on me when I'm down. Poor Buffy is upstairs resting. You should go and see her and give her some advice on how to handle it."
"Your right Spike I'll go and see her. Did we run out of tea Willow?" "Yes, I called the midwife and she is having some shipped overnight. It should be here tomorrow morning." "I think I have some in my purse. I'll go and make her some." Cordelia started to walk out then she stopped by Dr. Martin and whispered to her, "Watch them Mom, as soon as I leave I think Spike is going to jump Angel." Dr. Martin smiled at her and just patted her hand to let her know that she would take care of them. She then touched Giles arm and nodded towards Spike and Angel. They all watched for the inevitable.
As soon as Cordelia turned the corner and was out of sight Spike jumped up on the table and landed on Angel. He was just about to start eating his soft boiled egg when he found himself on the floor. Everybody got up from the table and moved to the lobby to get out of the way. They all just took a seat while the two boys had it out. By the time they were done two chairs were broken and worst of all the bassinet was broken. The NEW bassinet. It was over as fast as it started. Spike went running to the bathroom under the stairs and Angel ran to the clinic.
Dr. Martin got up and started to take the plates off of the table. Willow, Fred, and Tara went to help. Angel came out of the clinic a few minutes later and went to the kitchen to get some ice and a towel. He went over to the bathroom where Spike was and knocked on the door.
"Spike can I come in?" "No, stay out, I'm not in the mood for your teasing." "I have a towel and ice for your headache. Come on out and lay down on the couch. Believe me when I say 'been there done that'."
Angel heard Spike opening the door. He backed up and looked at Spike then guided him over to the couch and helped him to lay down. "Here is the towel and ice. It was the only thing that would help me." Angel put it on Spikes forehead and put Spikes hand on it.
"I thought I was going to be spared this since she wasn't getting sick. It hit her for the first time last night when we went to bed. Then again this morning. Angel I haven't had any blood since yesterday morning and I am starting to feel weak." "I'll get you some blood, stay right here." Angel went into the kitchen and poured some blood into a large glass for Spike.
"How's he doing?" Dr. Martin asked Angel. "He's okay. He has a bad headache right now and is weak from the lack of blood. He said that they lost their evening meal when they went to bed and then this morning when Buffy woke up she got sick again. They tried eating something and they both lost it again. I wonder if Buffy is sick with the flu and it's not just morning sickness." "It could be, I'll go and check on her. Tell Cordelia that if she hasn't given her the tea yet to wait until I can check her." Dr. Martin went with Angel to go and check on Spike.
"How are you feeling Spike?" Dr. Martin asked. Hunter and Dr. Thompson had already left for the day so she had to check on Spike and Buffy by herself.
"I think there is something else wrong with Buffy Dr. Martin. We've been sick too much within a short amount of time." "That's what Angel said also. Drink your glass of blood Spike and I'll go and check on Buffy." Dr. Martin left to go upstairs. She stopped at her bedroom to get her medical bag first and then went to Buffy's room and knocked at the door.
"Come in." Cordelia said. Dr. Martin came in and went to the bed. "How are you doing Buffy? Spike told us that you've been sick 3 times within the past 12 hours." "Yes, but I feel so bad like I have the flu." "Well let's check you out first before we make any judgement calls."
Dr. Martin checked Buffy's temperature then took a sample of her blood. She then did a regular physical exam. When she was done she told Buffy to stay in bed and rest. "What's wrong with me Dr. Martin? Is the baby okay?"
"Buffy I am going to tell you the truth. I think that you have a 50 chance of losing this baby. But don't forget that I said 50 which means that you still have a 50 chance of keeping it. I am going to check your blood and talk to Dr. Thompson. Buffy I want you to remember though that if you do lose this baby it isn't your fault. I think that we have a problem here that is very much like the Rh factor. If you manage to keep this baby then we will have to develop a serum that will prevent you from having anymore problems with your future pregnancies. Rest now Buffy. Your lucky that you have two doctors that have a lot of years of experience in this. I'll see you later. You can have your tea now."
Dr. Martin went downstairs and asked Fred to come with her to the clinic. They were in there for the next hour. Next she called Willow into the clinic. "Willow can you try to get a hold of your midwife friend so that I can talk to her?" Sure Dr. Martin. Is their something wrong with Buffy?" She isn't doing to good Willow but I don't want too many people in there with her. How is Spike doing now?" "Better, he's sitting on the patio with Angel." Willow answered.
"Why don't you call the midwife for me so I can talk to her now before I talk to Spike. Does she know about Spike and Buffy as to what they are? I don't want to say anything that I shouldn't." "Yes she knows." Willow put the call thru and fortunately the midwife was at home.
Dr. Martin was on the phone with her for the next 30 minutes. When she was done talking to her she then called Dr. Thompson. They talked for the next hour. She then went out to the patio where Angel and Spike were.
When she came through the back doors Spike and Angel stood up. "Sit down, sit down." Dr. Martin came over and sat at the chair that Angel pulled over for her. "How is Buffy doing?"
Spike asked. Dr. Martin pulled her chair over so that she was facing Spike. She took Spikes hands in hers. "What's wrong, your scaring me." Spike said. He looked at Angel then back at Dr. Martin.
"Spike Buffy is having some problems with this pregnancy. I believe it is something like the Rh. factor in humans. In Buffy's case though I believe it is because she is a Slayer and you are a Vampire. The very thing that makes her a Slayer and gives her the strength that she has is fighting the babies blood. There is a 50/50 chance Spike that she will lose this baby. If that happens we will have to develop a treatment that will make it possible for her to carry any future babies to full term. I've discussed the problem with Dr. Thompson and Hunter both and we are going to try different things to try to help her keep this baby. I've also talked to the midwife in Sunnydale and she is going to send over some herbs that are usually given to the mother to prevent miscarriages."
Spike listened to everything that Dr. Martin said. He just stared at her for a few minutes. The tears started to fall then as his head hung low. "It's because of all of the people that I've killed over the years isn't it. I am being punished because of all of the people I killed before I got my soul back." Spike fell to his knees and placed his head in Dr. Martin's lap. "Please God don't take our baby away from us, please, please. I am sorry for all that I did. I was a terrible son. I turned my own Mother into a Vampire then I killed her. I am sorry for all that I did and you can do what you want with me but don't take our baby away from Buffy. She hasn't done anything wrong." Spike was crying so hard that he could barely speak.
Angel went to his knees and took Spike into his arms. "Spike I wish that I could spare you this pain. Did you ever stop to consider the fact that maybe God will take this baby because there is something wrong with it physically. Don't forget that a Slayer must be strong both mentally and physically. If there is something wrong with this baby then it's better that she lose it now. Don't you agree?"
"Yes." Spike said after he was able to get control of himself.
"Don't blame yourself for anything that may happen Spike. My Boss doesn't work that way. Now I want you to get control of yourself because you have to be strong for Buffy. Mom would you get some ice cubes to place on his eyes so the swelling will go down before he goes upstairs?" "Sure Angel I'll be right back." Dr. Martin went into the kitchen and brought back 2 ice cubes in paper towels.
Spike sat back in his chair and Dr. Martin placed the ice cubes on his eyes and around them. When she thought they had gone down as far as they would in the space of time they had she took them off.
"When you go to Buffy Spike don't pretend that everything will be alright. Don't give her false hopes. Just remember Spike, and I want you to tell this to Buffy, the Rh. factor problem is more common than you think. Before we knew how to treat the problem many baby's were lost. Now go to your wife."
Spike went up the stairs very slowly. He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked back at Dr. Martin and Angel and simply said "Thank you."
For the rest of the day Dr. Martin was working with Fred in the clinic. That evening when Dr. Thompson and Hunter returned they joined her. Dr. Martin was hoping that Hunter might have previous experience with a problem like this but she hadn't. They worked through the night and were finally able to come up with a serum to administer to Buffy so that she wouldn't have another miscarriage. They were all pretty tired so they went to bed.
The next morning Dr. Martin heard someone knocking at the door. She looked at her clock. It was 7 A.M.. She had only been sleeping for 3 hours. She put her robe on and went to the door. When she opened it she saw the look on Spike's face and she knew without asking. Buffy had, had a miscarriage. She reached up and gave Spike a hug. "I'll be there in a minute Spike." He let her go then and returned to his room.
Dr. Martin went over to Giles room and knocked on the door. Giles pulled his glasses on then pulled his robe on and opened the door. When he saw Dr. Martin he knew that something was wrong with Buffy. "Come with me to Buffy's room Giles. She is going to need you." They both went to Buffy's room then. Dr. Martin knocked on the door then opened it with out waiting for someone to answer.
She saw the blood covered sheets sitting on the floor that Spike had removed. He had even put new clean sheets on the bed and helped Buffy to clean up and put a clean nightgown on. As soon as she saw Giles she put her arms out to him and Giles went and sat on the bed next to her and took her into his arms. They were not connected by blood but as far as they were concerned they were father and daughter, "I lost the baby Daddy, I lost the baby. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She was crying so hard that she almost couldn't catch her breath. It was the first time that Giles had ever heard her call him Daddy. He hugged her and rocked her back and forth. "It's not your fault Buffy, these things happen. It's not your fault. You and Spike didn't do anything wrong." Since Giles was their Dr. Martin went down stairs to get the serum they had made only a few hours ago. She grabbed the pole to hand the bag of serum from and the tubing and needle that she needed so that she could administer it to Buffy as soon as possible.
Dr. Martin went back into the room and put the pole next to the bed. Buffy's cries had slowed down. "Giles let me get in here so that I can hook Buffy up to this magic solution here."
"What is this for?" Spike asked. "Buffy and Spike, Fred, Dr. Thompson, Hunter and I were working on a serum all night that would prevent this from happening again. With Freds help and her knowledge of chemicals we were able to come up with the right formula about 4 hours ago. Now you won't have to worry about losing your next baby. I have to administer the serum right away because if I don't your body will start building up antibodies against your next baby." Dr. Martin stopped a moment and looked at Buffy. "Buffy you didn't do anything wrong to lose this baby." "Maybe were not supposed to have children together Dr. Martin. I am supposed to kill his kind but here I am in love and married to the very person that I should be killing. This marriage is wrong. It's unholy and that is why my baby was taken away." Buffy was sinking into a deep depression that could be dangerous for her and Spike.
Angel was listening to what was going on in Spike and Buffy's bedroom. He was telling Cordelia what was being said as it happened. After hearing what Buffy had said Cordelia felt it was time for her to put in her two cents. She got up and told Angel lets go. "It's time to pay a visit to Buffy and Spike." She picked up Kathleen along with a diaper and quickly walked down to their bedroom.
Giles was blocking the way when Cordelia came to the door.
"Excuse me Giles may I come in?" "Yes of course Cordelia." Giles backed away and let both Cordelia and Angel in. "Mom can I sit by Buffy please." Dr. Martin got up then and let her sit next to Buffy.
"We heard what you were saying Buffy and we know that you had a miscarriage." Cordelia put Kathleen down on the bed and opened the snaps on the sleeper so that she could change her diaper.
"Tell me Buffy, when you look at this perfect beautiful baby girl with all of her fingers and toes just as perfect as the rest of her, how can you say that she is the result of an unholy union between Angel and I. The love that you and Spike share is just as good as the love that Angel and I share. Look at all of the problems that Angel and I have had to endure in order to have Kathleen. Do you think that you are better then me and that because you're the Slayer you shouldn't have any problems. This may come as a shock to you Buffy but when it comes to being a woman and all of the problems that come along with being a woman we are on an even playing field. Don't forget that I lost my first baby also. True it was under different circumstances but none the less I lost it. Now you have been given your orders just like the rest of us."
"What orders?" Buffy asked as she wiped her tears away and blew her nose. Seeing Kathleen was making her forget her miscarriage for a moment as she watched Cordelia change Kathleen and bundle her up again.
"The orders that were passed on to you and Spike by Mom. She said that the next Slayer will no longer be created when the current Slayer dies. From now on the current Slayer will have one daughter that will take on the duties of the Slayer when the current one either dies or passes on her duties as slayer to her daughter. Spike was to take the name of Summers so that the name would continue on thru you. So their you have your proof Buffy that God approves of your union." Cordelia picked up Kathleen then bent over and gave Buffy a hug and kiss on her cheek.
"I promise you Buffy that you will survive this, just like Angel and I did. Get some rest now. Good night." "Good night Cordelia and thank you." Everyone left then. Dr. Martin picked up the sheets and took them down to the laundry room and put them into the machine with cold water and bleach and left them to soak. She went back upstairs then and to Giles room to see if he was in bed yet. The bed was empty though so she went to her bedroom and found him there in her bed. She took her robe off and crawled into bed along side of him. She looked at him and even though it was dark in the room she could sense that he had been crying. She gently wiped them away with her fingers and kissed him. "She will be alright now Giles. Go to sleep now and everything will be much better in the morning. Good night my Big Stud Muffin." That made him smile and he gave her a kiss then held her close to his chest. He felt better with her beside him. Within minutes they were both asleep.
The next morning Dr. Thompson and Hunter came over. It was Saturday so they were off for the day. Everyone was at the Dinning room table as usual. Angel and Connor had been up at 3 A.M. in the morning exercising. He was going to ask Spike and Hunter to help him to see if he was back in shape so that they could go after the judges and guards.
"Where is Buffy and Spike?" Dr. Thompson asked Dr. Martin. As he went into the kitchen to get something to drink.
"They're still upstairs. Do you want to go up and see them or would you like Buffy to come down here?" "Why don't you ask her to come down here." Dr. Thompson said.
Dr. Martin went to the phone and called Spike and Buffy's room and told them Dr. Thompson was here and wanted to see Buffy.
"Lets go Buffy. We have to face them sooner or later. Besides Mike will want to know what happened and what has been done for you." Buffy didn't move.
"Buffy are you admitting that Cordelia has more guts than you do. She was raped, beat up within an inch of her life and had a miscarriage. Are you telling me now that she is braver than you are? Where is my Slayer that I know is in there?" Buffy still didn't move.
Spike didn't say anything for awhile, he was trying to think of something to say that would get her moving.
"Buffy I think that Angel is going to be ready soon to go after those judges. If you don't get up and start walking around he is going to think that your to sick and weak to go with us. If I were you I would see this as an opportunity to take out all of your anger on some demons that don't deserve to live let alone pass judgement on someone else." That did it, he hit a nerve. Buffy got up and walked out the door to go downstairs. Spike followed her out the door. He kept his head down so that she couldn't see the big grin on his face.
Buffy went down the stairs and over to the dinning room and straight to Angel.
"Spike tells me you are just about ready to go after the judges?" "Yes I am. I've been training early in the morning. I was going to ask Spike and Hunter to help me this afternoon to see if I am ready yet."
"Let's go downstairs then and I'll work out with you." "Buffy don't you think that it's a little to soon." Angel said as he got up from the table.
Buffy stopped and turned around and looked at everyone. "I am the Slayer, I heal just as fast as Spike, Hunter, Connor or you." With that said she turned around and went down to the basement.
"Hunter do you think it's okay for her to fight?" Angel asked. She would be the best one for him to test himself with but he didn't want to have to hold any punches.
"Well if she isn't okay we'll find out soon enough and like she said she is the Slayer and she heals fast. What do you say Spike she is your wife?"
"I think she will be okay. She stopped bleeding a few hours ago. I wouldn't have allowed her to go if I didn't think she could take it yet."
Buffy yelled at Angel from down in the basement. "Are you coming down old man?" Angel gave a long suffering look and walked down stairs.
"Come on guys lets go and watch Buffy kick Angels ass." Cordelia picked up Kathleen and went downstairs. She chose to sit on the folding table which Angel had pushed up against the washing machine. Dr. Martin and Giles came and sat with her. The rest scattered around the stairs and basement.
Angel removed his jacket, shirt and shoes. Buffy removed her jacket only. At first they just circled each other, waiting for each other to make the first move. Buffy attacked first. She swept Angels feet out from under him but he was on his feet within the next second. He landed a kick to her thigh and Buffy went down. Angel jumped on her and wrestled her into a choke hold. This went on for fifteen more minutes when Spike jumped in also. He was doing his best to hold Angel back with his arm around his neck while Buffy came at him with her feet going into his chest. At the last second though Angel tossed Spike over him. Hunter jumped in then and between all three of them they were finally able to make him cry uncle.
"Alright guys I give up." When they let go of him he surprised them by grabbing onto Spikes head and flipping him over his head. Then he kicked Hunter in the side and tossed her into Buffy and they both went down. Without really thinking about it Buffy grabbed a broom that was near by, broke it over her knee, and threw them one right after the other at Spike and Angel. As soon as she did it Cordelia screamed. Angel and Spike turned around. One of the sticks hit Spike in the left side just inches from his heart. The other one hit Angel in the middle of his neck. The blood was spurting out all over him. If Cordelia had not screamed when she did both of the Vampires would be dust. When she screamed they came out of the positions they were in which was what Buffy had aimed at.
Dr. Martin ran to Angel while Dr. Thompson and Hunter went to Spike. The wooden spike had torn the artery going into Angels brain and since the blood was coming out instead of going to his brain he had lost consciousness. She pulled the spike out and the blood was literally spurting like a fountain. Unfortunately Angels heart had been beating fast because of the exercise in fighting and it was pushing his blood out fast. Dr. Martin put her finger in the hole in the artery which slowed the bleeding down. She looked around for someone to help her.
"Wesley we have to get him upstairs and I can't move my finger from his neck." "Your going to have to remove your hand or else we can't take him up." Wesley said.
"I'll take him up real fast Grandma. Why don't you get the gurney Wesley and let me know when your ready and I'll bring him up." Wesley and Xander ran for the gurney and were back in just one minute. "Okay Connor bring him up." Wesley yelled down the basement. Dr. Martin let go and Giles helped Connor pick up Angel then he put him over his shoulder. Connor had Angel up the stairs and on the gurney within less the 30 seconds.
Dr. Martin ran up the stairs and followed the men to the clinic. Once they were there she was able to get everything she needed and fix the tear in Angels artery.
Once Angel and Spike were taken cared of Giles realized that Buffy wasn't with them. He went back to the basement and looked around. He couldn't see her any place. He went up to the second floor and checked their bedroom but it was empty. He went back downstairs to the basement again. He spotted Willow and Tara taking care of Kathleen while Cordelia was with Angel. "Willow have you seen Buffy?" "No Giles I haven't." Willow gave Kathleen to Tara and started to help Giles look for Buffy.
Willow got Xander to help them. They searched the whole building for the next hour and couldn't find her. Spike shouldn't have been up and walking around but he got up as soon as he could to look for her. Since Angel had lost so much blood he was still unconscious while they were replacing what he had lost.
By 12 midnight they still couldn't find her until Spike and Willow went downstairs to the basement again. Spike went around the room slowly listening for her heartbeat and searching for her scent. Willow stayed in the center and tried to be as quiet as possible. Spike heard something so he went over by the table that had been pushed up against the washing machines. He got down on his knees and crawled under the table and crawled back between the large industrial size washing machine and the regular washing machine. In between the two machines he found his wife.
"Buffy come out of there we've been looking all over for you." She didn't respond, in fact all she did was stare at him. She had herself so far back in between the machines that Spike couldn't reach her. He crawled back out. "See if you can talk her out Willow she is in shock and won't respond to me."
Willow crawled under the table and talked to Buffy. Willow reached out for her hand but Buffy pulled back even further. She had jammed herself so far back that Willow couldn't understand how she could breath.
"Please come out Buffy, Spike and Angel are alright. You got caught up in the excitement of the practice fight. Spike and Angel don't blame you. No one does. Come out now and come and see Angel and Spike."
Buffy looked at Willow then turned her head away.
Everyone that was able to came down to the basement once Spike told Giles and Dr. Martin. Willow was crawling out from under the table. She went to Giles.
"She isn't responding Giles. If you reach out for her she just pushes herself further back between the machines. I don't know how she can breath she is so far back."
"Did her mother call her by any other name or did you ever hear her call Buffy something like baby or sweetheart or something like that?" Dr. Martin asked Willow.
"No I never heard her call Buffy anything but Buffy. She would call her sweetheart and baby some times but nothing special."
Dr. Martin got on her knees and crawled under the table. She didn't go directly to Buffy she stayed a little to the side so that she couldn't see her.
"Buffy, Buffy are you in here." Dr. Martin called out. Then she didn't say anything for awhile.
A minute later she tried again. "Buffy do you know where Dawn is? You were supposed to be taking care of her."
Once again she waited for Buffy to respond. "Mom, Mom is that you." Buffy asked. She sounded like a little girl again.
"Buffy why are you in there? If your in there you must have done something wrong. You always hide in there when you think you've done something wrong. Come and sit down beside me and we'll talk about it and I will decide if you have done something wrong and then I will decide if you need to be punished or not."
Dr. Martin could hear Buffy struggling to get out. "Mom is Daddy with you." "Yes sweetheart. He was helping me to look for you."
"Daddy." Giles stepped forward. "Yes Buffy, Daddy's right here."
"Daddy I'm stuck. Can you move the table away then help me?" "Sure Buffy, anything for my little girl." Giles pulled the table away from the machines then went to Buffy and took her outstretched arm. He pulled and she pushed with her legs. When she finally came out they could hear the sides of the machine pop back into place. Giles pulled Buffy into his arms and hugged her.
"Don't ever do that again Buffy. You scared your mother and I. We thought we had lost you." "I'm sorry Daddy, I'm sorry." "You better go to your mother now and talk to her. Buffy, no matter what you do, no matter how terrible you think you've been, remember that Daddy will always love you." Buffy hugged him again then went and sat down on the floor next to Dr. Martin. Giles went back into the shadows with the rest.
"Now tell me what it is that you think you did that was so terrible." Dr. Martin put her arm around Buffy at first then removed it and just held her hand.
"I think I hurt Dawn real bad Mom. I think that is why she isn't here. I think she ran away from me because she was afraid of what I would do to her." "Why, what happened."
"I was looking for my baby doll and when I found her she was broken into tiny pieces under my quilt. I thought Dawn had broken it and put my baby doll under the covers to hide it. I couldn't find her around the house so I went back to my room and I saw her taking my sheets off of the bed and throwing them on the floor. I accused her of breaking my doll and I hit her and threw something at her." "What did you throw at her?" "I'm not sure but I think I broke a broom in three pieces and I threw one of them at her. She had a friend with her so I threw the other one at her friend which made them go away. Momma I felt so bad when I found that I had broken my baby doll and it wasn't Dawn at all. It was all my fault Momma. I took it out on Dawn and her friend and it was all my fault." Buffy started crying then.
"Buffy it wasn't your fault. Your Father and I were very proud of you and the way you took care of your baby doll. You did everything that you are supposed to do when you have a baby doll to take care of. You know what I think happened to your baby doll?"
"No."
"I think that something was wrong with the way she was made. She looked perfect and she sounded perfect but something was just wrong with the mix that was used to make her, but that happens sometimes Buffy, no matter how careful we mommies are sometimes these things happen and we have to learn to except it and not blame ourselves or those around us. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I think I do now. I'm sorry I made you and Daddy worry. I have to tell Dawn and her friend that I'm sorry also."
"You can do that later. Mommy wants you to sleep now it's very late." Dr. Thompson had anticipated that Dr. Martin would want Buffy to sleep so he had brought something to make her sleep along with a glass of water.
"Take this Buffy and it will help you to sleep. When you wake up everything will look a lot better." She gave her the pill with the glass of water.
"Now lay down and go to sleep. Mommy will stay right here with you, okay?"
"Thank you Mom I feel much better now." Dr. Martin held her in her arms and rocked her until Buffy was in a deep sleep.
"You can take her upstairs now Spike and put her to bed."
Spike came and took Buffy from Dr. Martin and took her upstairs.
Giles helped Dr. Martin up. "Do you think she will be okay now?"
"I don't know Giles when she wakes up again we will know whether this worked or not. I am going to go and check on Angel."
Angel was sitting up now. He was still feeling weak but Cordelia was in the kitchen fixing him a glass of blood.
"How are you feeling now?" Dr. Martin asked as she felt his head. It was cool to the touch which put her mind at ease. He was usually running a fever after getting hurt.
"How is Buffy doing?" Angel asked. "Is she worried about what she did?"
"She was taking it very hard Angel. You know that we have been looking for her all day. We must have gone through this place from top to bottom several times looking for her. Willow and Spike finally found her downstairs hiding between the large washing machine and the regular one. She had jammed herself in there so tightly that Giles had to help her." Dr. Martin proceeded to tell him all about what had happened while he was unconscious.
"How do you feel about what happened Angel?" Dr. Martin took a seat while waiting for him to answer.
"I don't hold it against Buffy if that is what your asking. I even did it myself onetime." "You did, what happened?"
"That green eyed monster jealousy was looking over my shoulder one day. It happened before Cordelia and I admitted to each other that we were in love. She was going out on a date and singing her dates praises and lecturing me on not following her when she went out that night. Anyway as the argument ended she walked out of the kitchen where we were having the argument and it just so happened that I had a kitchen knife in my hand that I was using to cut onions with. She just made me so mad when she got the last word in that, out of frustration at not being able to say something better, I threw the knife at her which I knew wouldn't hit her but I threw it and aimed for the wall on the other side of the lobby. Poor Wesley just happened to choose that time to come in from the outside and the knife got him in the arm. I think that I have never done more groveling in all my life. More groveling than when I asked to come back and work for him for Angel Investigation. He soaked up every bit of it. He had me waiting on him hand and foot for at least a month."
Dr. Martin was laughing at him. "I think that Spike is going to get some major groveling from Buffy also and knowing Spike as I do I know that he is going to take advantage of her." Cordelia came in with a large glass of blood for Angel which he drank down in two gulps.
"Lets get you to bed Angel, it's been a long day." Dr. Martin said as she went to Angel and stood by him as he stood up. Angel stood up slowly and started walking toward the elevator. Cordelia followed them with Kathleen.
Dr. Martin kissed her family good night and went to her bedroom. Giles was their with a roast beef sandwich some chips and her cherished Cherry flavored Cola.
"You must have been reading my mind." "Well it's late and I knew that no one had taken time to eat so I knew you must be hungry. Everyone else was making sandwiches to take to their rooms also. We're all pretty tired." When Giles looked up at Mary after taking a bite of his sandwich he found that he had been talking to himself. She was holding her head up with her hand and had fallen asleep. "Oh well, lets get you to bed." Giles said as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. He took her clothes off and put her under the covers then he covered her sandwich and put it in the refrigerator. He went back to the table and finished his sandwich and sat up for awhile and watched television. After he fell asleep on the couch he woke up and got undressed and crawled into bed with Mary. She woke up briefly and Giles pulled her to his chest. They both went back to sleep then.
The next morning Mary woke up early and hungry. She carefully slipped out of bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Giles was still sleeping when she came out of the bathroom so she quickly grabbed her clothes and dressed. She let her hair hang loose and used a bandana to hold her hair back. It was now 7 A.M. so she went to Spikes and Buffy's bedroom and softly knocked on the door. Spike answered it.
"Come in Dr. Martin." Dr. Martin opened the door carefully but found that it was unnecessary since Buffy was up also.
"How are we doing today?" "We are doing just fine today." Spike answered. Dr. Martin came and sat on Buffy's side of the bed. "Do you remember what happened yesterday Buffy?"
Buffy put her head down. "Yes, I apologize for all of the trouble I caused everyone, but thank you for helping me." "That's good Buffy. If you want to talk about it some more though just tell me okay?" Buffy gave her a hug. "It seems that you have had to become everyones mother and not just Angels. I hope he doesn't mind sharing." "No I don't think he has a problem sharing me with the rest of you it's just Giles that he doesn't want to share me with, but he is working on that also. Now I want you to get up and put a nice dress on. We are going to Church. It's Sunday. I'll expect everyone downstairs by 8:30." Dr. Martin left the room then and went to everyone's room and told them to be ready and downstairs by 8:30 to go to Church.
By 8:30 everyone was downstairs. Even though Giles, Wesley, and Willow were not Catholic they went along. Dr. Martin had called Hunter and Dr. Thompson while waiting for the rest to get ready to leave. They told her that they would meet her at the side entrance to the Church for the 10 A.M. mass.
They all got in to either Cordelia's van or Wesley's SUV and took off for the Church. They arrived with 15 minutes to spare. Dr. Martin had called Fr. Barris and asked him to rope off the 2 front pews on the left because she had a large group of people she was bringing to the 10 o'clock mass.
There was a covered entranceway that allowed people to be unloaded when it was raining. Angel and Spike were able to get out without any problem. After everyone got out Connor parked the mini van. Wesley pulled through and unloaded his passengers then parked his vehicle. Dr. Martin lead everyone in then when Wesley and Connor joined them. The front pew was short and Dr. Martin took this one for her family and Giles. The rest sat in the second pew. Cordelia held Kathleen for most of the Mass then when she started to fuss she handed her over to Angel and she immediately settled down. When communion was handed out Fr. Barris came to the first pew and gave Cordelia and Dr. Martin communion. He stopped in front of Angel before leaving and told him to kneel. Angel did as Fr. Barris said and he was given a special blessing.
When Mass was over they went to the rectory to visit for awhile and make arrangements for Kathleens baptism. By noon they were all hungry and Fr. Barris had to perform the 12 o'clock mass so they left to go home. Buffy and Angel sat in the back with Kathleen while they let Connor do the driving. Dr. Martin sat up front with him. Spike and Buffy sat in the middle seats.
When they were on the road Angel asked Spike and Buffy how they were feeling. "Never better Spike answered." "How are you feeling Buffy? Are you ready for some strenuous exercise?" "Yes I'm ready to go. Do you want to go after the Judges?" "Yes tomorrow evening well go for it. Connor tomorrow evening you will stay here to make sure that nothing happens to the family. I've already asked Hunter to stay and help you." "Okay." Connor answered.
An hour later they were in the Hotel and getting their breakfast/lunch. Everyone wanted to spend some time with their significant other so they took their food upstairs to their own rooms. Angel and Cordelia took a nap after eating. Before he went to sleep Angel listened to the Hotel. It was quiet except for Giles snoring and the beat of his mothers heart close to him. She was sleeping peacefully. He didn't sense Connor though, but then he usually didn't during the day. Where Connor went Angel didn't know since he couldn't follow him during the day. He sensed that he was okay though.
Cordelia had placed Kathleen between them. He looked at his wife and daughter sleeping peacefully. He was thinking of trying a little experiment to see how much influence he had on his daughters mind. He concentrated on touching Kathleen's mind like he did when she was still in her mothers womb. Kathleen stirred a little. She didn't have the muscle strength yet to turnover or lift her head but she did reach out for him with her mind. He put the picture in his mind of Cordelia's breast. Kathleen's mouth started to make a sucking motion as though she were at her mothers breast. Angel laughed to himself. 'Well my little one, it seems that I can have just as much influence on you as you can have on me. This will be interesting as you grow up.' Angel let himself go to sleep then.
By 6 in the evening everyone was up and gathered around the dinning room table.
"So how does this work Giles and Willow?" Angel asked.
"Tomorrow when your ready, and we recommend that it be done at the same time that you were taken, Willow and I will say the proper words to open the portal to the Judges prison cells. We can't put you in the court room because the trail we picked up leads to where you came from when you were returned to us. On these sheets of paper will be the words that you will say when you are ready to come back. Only one of you has to say it, but you all have to be together when you do. We are giving each one of you the return words just in case you are separated." Giles sat back in his chair when he was done speaking and had handed out the papers with the words for the incantation.
Angel didn't say anything he just took the paper and put it in his pocket. He got up from his chair and said "I am going upstairs for awhile Cordy." "Okay Angel." Cordelia said as she watched him go to the elevator. She watched for the floor that it would stop at. Dr. Martin was watching also. When they saw it stop at the fourth floor they knew where he was headed. Cordelia and Dr. Martin just looked at each other.
The women went into the kitchen to start supper. Dr. Martin went over to Cordelia along with Wesley and Giles. "Can you sense what his mental state is right now Cordelia?" "Yes he is very depressed. Why he is depressed though I can't tell. I think we should leave him alone for awhile. He seems to have a problem that he has never had to deal with before."
"I think I know what it is. Angel has everything that he has ever wanted, namely a family. He has Cordelia, who is now his wife, a new baby girl, and now his grown son who is learning to fight beside him so that he can one day take over from his father. I know that if I had all of that after a couple hundred years of dreaming of it and wanting it I wouldn't want to do something that may take me away from it. I think Angel is experiencing fear for the first time in his life. He is afraid that he could die tomorrow."
"He has been through a lot since we got married Wesley, why would he be afraid now?" Cordelia asked as she picked up her daughter who had started crying when Angel left the room.
"That's true Cordelia but he has never chosen to go into a fight. The fights always came his way without his choosing to look for it like he is going to do tomorrow. Angel is learning what it is to be human. Before he was turned he was young and ignorant of how easy it is for human life to cease to function. When we humans are young we think that we are invincible and death or serious injury never crosses our minds. It's why Watchers always try to start working with a Slayer when they are still in their teens." Giles said as he took a seat next to Dr. Martin. He picked up her hand and kissed it.
"I think that this is something that we all have been thinking of lately. I have Fred now and I think Gunn is seeing someone on a regular basis. Giles has "our Dr. Martin" now and Connor is the only one that is still free more or less." Wesley said. He was looking at Fred working in the kitchen all of the time that he was talking.
"Well I guess I better go and talk to him." Dr. Martin said as she started to get up but then Giles pulled her back down.
"I think that Wesley and I should go and talk to him Mary. I guess you could call it a male bonding moment. We'll bring him back down with us for Supper. Cordelia can let Angel know when it's time for dinner." Giles gave Mary a kiss then he went upstairs with Wesley. Before going to the fourth floor they stopped at Angels room and picked up some liquor.
As they came to 412 they knocked at the door and waited for Angel to answer before going in. He didn't answer so Wesley opened the door. They entered and looked around the room. Wesley saw his shoes hanging over the arm of the couch so he walked over to the front of the couch. Angels eyes were open.
"Why didn't you answer when I knocked at the door?" Wesley asked him.
"I was hoping you would go away if I didn't answer." Angel answered as he sat up.
"Well aren't you lucky that we are hard headed and subtle messages like that escape us entirely." Giles said with a grin on his face. He put the bottle of Royal Crown on the coffee table that he had brought from Angels room and Wesley put his bottle of Southern Comfort that he would share with Angel on the table.
"What's all of this, are we going to have a party or just get drunk for no reason at all?" Angel asked as he got up to get some glasses and ice.
"We saw that you had something on your mind that was apparently very difficult for you to deal with. So Giles and I volunteered to come and help you deal with it. I am sure that you are familiar with this tried and true method that human males have used to deal with their problems and fears." Wesley poured Angel and himself a drink and Giles poured his own glass.
"You've been spending too much time with Dr. Martin. Besides what makes you think that I have problems and fears?" "Well lets see now, 2 years ago you didn't have a wife, baby, and a son that now respects you and wants to follow in your footsteps and most of all you were, as far as we knew back then, dead and a Vampire. Have I missed anything Giles?" Wesley said as he lifted his glass and said "Cheers." Giles and Angel did the same and took their first drink.
"Yes you did miss something, he also adopted a mother who has recently become a close, very, very close associate of mine." Giles said with a grin as he poured himself another glass of Royal Crown.
"By the way Angel I wanted to ask you something about what Mary said when you all became unreasonably agitated over our first time of having sex together. Remember what she said when we were getting ready to leave? She put her arms around Buffy and Cordelia and said that I matched you centimeter for centimeter." "Yes but of course that has never been proven. I don't remember anyone mentioning a tape measure being used." They all laughed and had another drink.
"My question is how does she know that? I know that when we were in Ireland that you had that problem with Angelus but I thought that you stopped him before he could penetrate her?" Wesley thought that this was a bad time to ask that question. Giles question may make Angel more depressed which would be the opposite of what they were trying to accomplish.
"I honestly don't know Giles. My conscious was not there to see what he was doing. All I know is that I heard Dr. Martin calling me to come and get Angelus off of her and that is all that I know. Your going to have to ask her if more happened then what she told you at the time." Fortunately Angel had already had enough to drink so that what Giles was asking him didn't have an adverse affect.
This type of conversation went on for the next 30 minutes while they did their best to get as drunk as they possibly could.
They heard a knock at the door and Wesley, with some difficulty, got up to answer the door. Cordelia, Fred and Dr. Martin came in with tacos, refried beans and Mexican rice for all of them. They brought the food in and put it on the kitchen table along with some guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Cordelia brought dishes and silverware out but they treated it like a buffet and filled their plates up then took them back to the coffee table. The ladies sat on the floor by their men, although Angel and Giles tried to get Dr. Martin to sit on a chair. She finally told them "I am not that old gentlemen my knees do still bend." They left her to sit on the floor with the other ladies after that.
When they were done eating they all sat back and watched Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Angel liked Wheel of Fortune better since it was more of a challenge to him. With Jeopardy he knew almost all of the answers. The men started to get louder as the night wore on and the contents of the liquor went lower and lower. Wesley and Angel were on their second bottle. By the time they were at the end of Wheel of Fortune they almost didn't know what they were talking about. At about this time Willow brought Kathleen up for a feeding.
Willow knocked at the door and everyone yelled "COME IN". As she walked in she could tell that the men were drunk already. She brought Kathleen over to Cordelia.
"Your daughter is hungry Cordelia. She was demanding to be fed so I had to bring her up."
Cordelia took Kathleen from Willow. With practiced ease she unbuttoned her blouse and put Kathleen to her breast. At first Giles and Wesley were uneasy about seeing her do this but they quickly got over it since she had put a blanket over Kathleen and her shoulder.
Dr. Martin saw the looks on their faces and said "You better get used to seeing this guys because with three women on the team expected to produce the next generation you are going to be seeing it frequently."
"Worst of all guys you'll have to learn to share." Angels face turned beet red as soon as he realized what he said. He hid his face behind one hand. The alcohol was making his heart beat more frequently which was enabling his body to show embarrassment. The rest were looking at him and laughing.
"Not me, Mary is beyond that stage so what she's got is alllll... mine." Giles pulled up Mary so she could sit in his lap.
"You started getting extra time with them this morning so no complaining." Cordelia said as she changed Kathleen to her other breast. "I asked him to drain my breasts so that I could start to produce more milk then I could use a breast pump so he could feed her when I wasn't around or I was sleeping."
"What does it taste like Angel?" Wesley asked, he had never dated or been around a woman that was breast feeding so he was curious like most people are.
"Cordelia is sweet, not to much fat content but sweeter than most." Angel said as he licked his lips. It was then that he realized that everyone was staring at him.
"How many lactating women have you or Angelus been with Angel?" Dr. Martin asked as she got off of Giles lap and sat on the floor between his legs.
"I didn't really keep count, but I only remember from when I was in control. In the 18th century after I was first given back my soul I frequently traveled the country side and kept away from the cities. I was in France at the time and as usual their had been another rebellion and a lot of the men had died and women were left to work the farm by themselves. Many of them were left with children and frequently babies. That's where I was when I say I tasted the country side, and I don't mean blood."
"So what are the differences that you remember?" Dr. Martin asked out of curiosity.
"Some were sweet like Cordelia, others were a little salty. Back then meat was preserved in salt so I think that had a lot to do with how their milk tasted. Some women have a high fat content in their milk and their babies were usually rather chubby. Those women usually drank a lot of cows milk and used the cream for baking and making real butter. In those days though the women worked just as hard or more then the men so they didn't gain weight."
"Well to quote Xander 'Man that man got major booty in his time.'" Giles looked at Wesley and they cracked up.
Cordelia handed a cloth to Angel which he put over his shoulder then she gave him Kathleen. He carefully put her to his shoulder and started patting her on her back until she burped. Everyone was watching Angel as he put his legs together and placed Kathleen on top of them. She was looking up at her Daddy and waving her hands around.
"Come over here Mom and sit beside me. I want to show you something." Dr. Martin came over and sat beside Angel. "Watch this Giles and Wesley I am going to talk to Kathleen and she'll understand me." When Giles and Wesley stood over him Angel concentrated and put a picture of Cordelia's breast in his mind. When he did that they could see Kathleen's mouth start to move as though she was sucking at her mothers breast.
"What did you do?" Cordelia asked. "I put a picture of your breast in my mind. When I did that she started making a sucking motion. When you told me that she could influence my mind when I was sleeping I tried it on her this morning when she was laying between us and you were still sleeping I put a picture of your breast in my mind and she started sucking. Right now that's all I can do because she doesn't see things that well yet. I can get into her mind but all I see is Cordelia's and my face and Cordelia's breasts. Right now that is Kathleen's entire world."
"Fascinating, you're a very lucky man Angel that you can do that. Well I am going to bed now. Come on Mary, let the young people clean up." As Giles stood up he swayed a little and Dr. Martin had to hold onto him. "Okay grandpa is tonight the night we get to have sex grandpa?" "Yes grannie it's the 13th day of the 5th month of the year and it's a odd numbered year." "By cracky grandpa I think your right lets get our giddy up and lets go." They bent over and acted like they were leaning on each other just to make it to the door. They both laughed like they were 100 years old and no teeth.
"You two old people want some help?" Angel asked. "No sonny we can make it, thank you."
"If you forgot how to do it grandpa I think Fred still has a copy of my famous movie."
"I assure you that he needs no instructions, his memory is excellent." Angel quickly handed Kathleen over to Cordelia before he made the next remark. "I am going to have to write a letter to Mother Superior and the rest of the sisters so that they will know how your setting a bad example for my son." That stopped Dr. Martin in her tracks just as Giles and her were about to go through the door. She let go of Giles hand and turned around slowly and walked over to Angel.
As she slowly approached Angel he got up from the couch and stood behind Wesley. "I'm sorry Mom I was just kidding really I was. I would never do that honest I wouldn't, please don't hurt me I have a big fight to go to tomorrow and I will need every muscle in my body to be working perfectly." Angel was laughing so hard as he walked backwards and away from her that he fell over a chair and crawled backwards to the corner. Dr. Martin continued to advance on him. When he couldn't go any further she got on her knees and told him something that no one else could hear. All they heard was Angels statement of 'You wouldn't, would you?' Angel stopped laughing.
"You know I don't bluff Angel, except when I play cards that is." Dr. Martin got up then and left with Giles.
"What did she say?" Wesley asked. Angel got up from the floor. "It was too horrible to repeat. Man that woman can get vicious and what's more scary is that she knows how to do it."
"What did she say?" Wesley asked again. "She said the next time she was able to hypnotize me she was going to make a suggestion that would put me in extended dry dock if I should ever carry out my threat." Wesley, Fred and Cordelia started laughing again.
"Come here my poor baby and take your daughter. She needs to be changed so why don't you do that while Fred and I clean up." Cordelia gave Angel Kathleen then went to help Fred. Willow had brought Kathleen's diaper bag so Angel had everything that he needed. Wesley took what was left of the food downstairs to the main kitchen and when the ladies were done they all went downstairs. Angel went to their bedroom and Cordelia helped Fred take the dishes down to the main kitchen. By 12 midnight they were all in their bedrooms and getting ready for bed.
"You guys planned this tonight didn't you?" Angel asked Cordelia as he put his daughter in some sleepers and gave her to Cordelia.
"I didn't plan it. When we saw how you were feeling when you came up here Dr. Martin was going to go up and talk with you but Wesley and Giles said that they knew what the problem was and they would take care of you. When we finished fixing dinner we ladies just decided to join you. I told them you seemed to be doing better and I thought it would be a good idea to join you guys." "Well I appreciate it, I feel a lot better now. Do you think I could show you how good I feel."
"That depends." Cordelia said as she sat down with her back against the headboard and Kathleen in her arms.
"What does it depend on?" "It depends on whether you will take care of Kathleen's nuclear waste diapers that she just filled while I take a shower." Angel didn't say anything for awhile.
"Well?" Cordelia asked. "I'm thinking, I'm thinking." Angel answered as he laid down on the bed and acted like he was weighing the pros and cons. Cordelia gave Angel his daughter and got up to go and take a shower.
"I just love giving your Mommy a hard time." Angel laughed as he cleaned his daughter up. By the time he was done Cordelia was done taking a shower so he handed Kathleen over to her and went to take a shower himself. She was still nursing Kathleen when Angel came out of the bathroom. He turned the overhead light off and crawled into bed. Kathleen was starting to fall asleep so Cordelia pulled her away from her breast and put a cloth over her shoulder so she could burp her. After a few minutes she got a satisfying burp for her efforts. Kathleen went back to sleep within seconds and Cordelia tucked her in, in the bassinet.
Angel started to make love to Cordelia. He kissed her gently on her lips then to each ear. His gentle kisses went down to her neck where he lingered for a while. He started to suck on her neck. "Angel your going to give me a hickey." Cordelia said as she pushed his head away. "I know, that's what I want to do." Angel continued to make love to his wife. He continued placing kisses all over her and stopped at her breasts long enough to empty them. He then continued down to her legs. He pulled her legs apart and started to kiss her inner thighs. She was reaching an orgasm from just his touches.
She reached down and pulled him up to her. As they kissed she guided him into her opening and he pushed in carefully and watched her for any sign of pain. She was still a little big from giving birth but by trying different positions he was able to bring both of them to an orgasm. Angel collapsed on top of Cordelia and laid there for a few minutes. He rolled off and pulled out of her after awhile. Cordelia pulled the covers over them and they slept for a few hours. Three hours later she woke up and started making love to him this time. She threw the covers off and straddled him. When she did this he woke up and pulled her head down to his so he could kiss her. Cordelia grabbed his hands and held them over his head. She reached under the mattress and searched for the handcuffs. When she found them she held it in front of him.
"Look what I found today when I changed the sheets." She opened them and put them around his wrist then through the bars of the head board then around the other wrist.
"You know if I want to I can easily break these." "Yes I know but you won't." She proceeded to make love to him and he couldn't move unless he broke the bars on the head board. She teased him by doing something that Dr. Martin told her about. By the time he reached his orgasm she was the one that had to put her hand over his mouth this time. When it was over he laid their breathing hard. When his breathing slowed down she went into the bathroom to get something to clean him up with. Since he was laying on his back his semen went all over his own body. Kathleen woke up and started crying when she got back from the bathroom and cleaned Angels body with a wash cloth and towel. Cordelia quickly came back and picked her daughter up. She changed her first then climbed into bed and pulled the covers up. After feeding her daughter she put her back in the bassinet then laid down to go to sleep. Just when she was about to fall to sleep she heard Angel clearing his throat and moving the chains.
"Oh I'm sorry Angel I completely forgot about you." She reached over him and grabbed the keys from the night stand and unlocked the cuffs. "Thanks." He got up and went to the refrigerator and poured himself a large glass of blood. He warmed it up then drank it. When he was done he climbed back into bed and encircled Cordelia with his arms. "When are you going tomorrow?" "About 4 P.M.." They both went to sleep then. The hotel was quiet and for now everything was right with the world.
The next morning Angel was up early as usual and working out downstairs. Within a few minutes Buffy and Spike came down and joined him. When Angel saw them he moved further over to the side so they could warm up while he did his pushups. Two hours later they heard everyone else downstairs and starting breakfast.
"Come on you two lets go. They should be done with fixing breakfast by the time we come back down stairs." Angel said as he got up from the floor. They had all been doing situps and they were all covered in sweat." Angel threw them each a towel and took one for himself then went upstairs and to his room to take a shower.
The rest of the day went as usual, no one wanted to discuss the confrontation that was going to take place at 4 P.M.. Connor, Fred and Wesley went out to buy a new bassinet. No one said anything but Connor was also going for his drivers license. The previous week he had taken his tests for his GED and they were waiting for his scores to be mailed.
At 3:30 P.M. everyone was back at the hotel lobby and waiting for Angel, Dr. Martin, and Giles to come down. A few minutes later they all looked to the stairs when they heard doors opening and closing. Angel, Spike and Buffy all stood together.
"Okay Giles we're ready." Angel said.
Giles and Willow started the incantation and within a few minutes a portal opened. Dr. Martin had never seen one before and she was a little scared. Angel, Buffy, and Spike jumped into the portal and it immediately closed behind them.
Kathleen started crying. She sounded as though her little heart had broken. No matter what Cordelia did she couldn't get her to stop. After 30 minutes of constant crying she finally went back to sleep.
TBC...