Part 4
Doyle drops them off at Buffy's house. Unlocking the front door Buffy leads Angel silently to her room she pulls the covers down so Angel can lay the little girl down. They stand side by side watching the little girl sleep. "We should talk" Angel suggests quietly. Buffy nods and the two head to the bedroom door then downstairs to the kitchen. Sitting at the kitchen counter the two are silent in their thoughts. Angel finally breaks the silence "Buffy we need to decide what to do soon"
"I know Angel" Buffy sighs
"We don't have a lot of options or time"
"The choices we have are she stays here and I move back home. You return to Sunnydale." she pauses "What else is there? Other than the three of us leaving California"
"There's another option" Angel adds. Seeing the quizzical look on Buffy's face he explains "I take her back to LA with me."
"That's not fair Angel" Buffy protests
"But its for the best" Angel argues
Buffy glares at him "You know I hate it when you say that."
"You know I'm right on this Buffy. She can't stay in Sunnydale not with the Initiative around. I can't return to Sunnydale no matter how much we both want it. As for the three of us leaving together sounds great but you know and I know that you can't leave Sunnydale and I can't leave LA."
"So your answer is to take Briena...our daughter to LA. As always Angel you think you know what's best for me...for us." she cries pushing away from the counter she stomps into the living room. She sits at the end of the couch her arms wrapped around her knees.
Angel follows he sits down facing Buffy. He reaches out touching her face he wipes away the tear falling. "Buffy its for the best for us to go to LA. Briena can't stay here you know that its too dangerous. I don't want to take her away she deserves to have both of us. No matter how much I want that, for the three of us to be a family, its not possible. Briena is safer in LA than here."
Buffy nods "I suppose your right. She won't be safe with the Initiative here." she moves to Angel's side putting her head on his shoulder "I can't believe that we have a child."
"I know" Angel agrees
Buffy sits up looking at Angel she asks tentatively "What are we going to tell her?"
"That we're her parents?" at Buffy's nod he shrugs "She deserves to know. I just don't know how we'll tell her or even when"
\\Briena watches as Jack is driving his car down a dark highway. "Why are you so sad Jack?" she wonders
Jack glances in the rearview mirror to the back seat. He smiles faintly "I'll miss you kid" He turns his attention to the road. A car comes towards him weaving the lights blinding him.
Briena watches in horror as the two cars collide head on. She hears the sound of metal scraping and bones crunching. She senses Jack's death so painfully she screams "JACK"//
She sits up in the bed tears streaming down her face as she cries out "Jack"
Downstairs Buffy and Angel are startled out of their conversation at the bloodcurdling scream. They look at each other and then race upstairs to Buffy's room to find Briena crying "Jack no go"
Buffy sits on the bed pulling the little girl onto her lap "Shh Briena its all right. It was a dream"
Briena wraps her arms around Buffy's neck "Want Jack" she sobs
Angel sees the lost look in Briena's eyes "He's not coming back is he" Angel states
Briena nods sticking her thumb in her mouth. "Gone" she whimpers closing her eyes.
Buffy meets Angel's sad eyes as she strokes Briena's back soothingly. They sit there holding their crying daughter as she slips back to sleep. Angel pulls Buffy up against his chest as she holds the sleeping child. Buffy follows the little girl into sleep. Angel lays there holding the two as they sleep his mind going over the nights events until he too falls asleep.
**** Next Morning ****
Buffy awakens to find Angel asleep beside her Briena laying on his chest sleeping peacefully. She smiles at the sight beside her. "It wasn't a dream" she thinks happily. "He's here holding our child." Carefully the Slayer gets off the bed picking up her diary she curls up on the overstuffed chair facing the bed. She opens her diary to a blank page and starts to write:
"Last night when I went to Giles for a Scooby Gang meeting I found Angel standing there. When I saw him it was like a bolt of electricity shooting between us. He looked so handsome. I shouldn't be thinking this way I'm with Riley now, but when I see him I just forget all else. If the sight of Angel didn't surprise me than what happened later did.
We had been at Giles' for a while when both Angel and I felt a presence outside, opening the door I found two strangers standing there when I saw the little girl, Briena, I felt the similiar feeling I get when Angel is around. Briena is beautiful, just like her father, she has long dark brown hair and her eyes are exactly like Angel's. She is just like I dreamed so many times. It turns out that Briena is part of a prophecy involving a Child conceived in a dream who is to also fight the evils of the world.
Evils of the world...I don't know if I can deal with the fact that Briena...my child is to fight the same battle that Angel and I have fought. I don't know if I can allow that. And Angel? Can he deal with that? The fact that the child we thought we could never have has the same destiny that we have fought. Briena is our miracle child, the only child we'll ever have.
I'm sitting here writing in my diary watching the two most important people in my life sleep. They look so cute together, Briena is curled up on Angel's chest her thumb in her mouth and Angel he is holding Briena like my father used to hold me. I've always known that Angel would be a great father and watching him now proves it. We have only known about Briena since last night but I have already become protective of her and I can see Angel has too. Angel was right Briena won't be safe here in Sunnydale with the Initiative around. If they found out about our miracle child, she would be taken from us and experimented on like the demons I saw and do similiar things to her as they did to Spike. I don't want that to happen I won't allow it to happen. So Angel is going to take Briena back to LA with him. She'll be safe there Angel will protect her. I am saddened though that she can't stay here with me but I'll visit them and I know Angel will bring her here.
I don't know what I would do if the Initiative found out about Angel and Briena. I don't think I could handle losing them both. That's why I am not telling Riley about Briena. He knows about Angel and he's not understanding the fact that I loved...love Angel and always will. If he found out about Briena and how she came to exist I get the wiggens at the thought of how he'd react and what would happen to my little girl. I care about Riley but Angel and Briena are apart of me. They are my world."
Buffy closes her diary and looks up to find Angel watching her. "Morning" she smiles
Angel smiles back "Hi" he carefully puts the little girl down on the bed. He chuckles lightly as the child clutches at his shirt whimpering in protest to being moved. Angel gently removes the small tightly clenched hand from his shirt. Buffy reaches into the backpack and takes out the stuffed dog and puts it next to the sleeping child. They smile at each other as they watch the little girl cuddle her stuffed dog close. After a few moments the two head downstairs to the kitchen.
Walking into the kitchen Buffy goes straight to the fridge and opens it "Ah ha" she says in triumph she turns around holding a container of blood. "You luck out Spike didn't finish off all the blood I left" seeing Angel's look she explains "Mom lets him stay here from time to time. Usually when she's going to be gone for a while. I bet Blondie crashed at Giles." she hands the container to Angel.
"Thanks" he says gratefully opening the lid he pours some into a mug. He puts the mug in the microwave and hits warm. Turning back to Buffy he asks "So has Spike been behaving?"
Buffy shrugs "He's still annoying us but yeah he's somewhat behaving." The microwave beeps and she watches as Angel takes out the warmed blood. "Too bad he wasn't neutered all those years ago."
Angel grins "I know." He sits down watching Buffy move about the kitchen as he takes a sip.
As Buffy takes out a bowl she pauses "The weird thing is that in a way I miss the old Spike" she turns around and laughs at the stunned look on Angel's face. "Its no fun teasing him when he can't fight back." she tells him before continuing her breakfast search.
Angel watches Buffy silently as she moves about the kitchen. "What are you thinking about?" he asks taking a sip of blood
Bracing her hands on the counter she asks her voice barely a whisper "When are you going back to LA?"
Angel leans forward his hands around the mug "I'm thinking tomorrow night. That way Cordelia will be able to other bedroom set up." he stands up and walks to Buffy's side and watches her face. "If we could stay longer we would but..."
"I know" Buffy sighs meeting his eyes "the longer you stay the possiblity of being found rises." she pauses "the harder it'll be to say good bye."
"Buffy we'll be back to visit. You can always come to LA."
"You better bring her to visit. I'll come visit. Its just..." she pauses then continues "gonna be harder than it was before to be apart."
"It'll hard but its for the best." Angel says hugging her. He pulls away looking to the kitchen entrance. "Briena's coming" he tells her. Buffy nods wiping away her tears
Upstairs Briena awakens to find herself in an unfamiliar room wearing an unfamiliar shirt. Sniffling she sits up rubbing her eyes reaching for her stuffed dog she climbs off the bed and walks out the bedroom door. She finds the stairs and placing her hand on the banister she carefully walks down the stairs. Holding her stuffed dog tight she walks towards the voices she stops in the doorway to find two people standing there she watches them warily.
The blond haired woman smiles at her "Morning Briena" she greets walking over she crouches down to Briena's level.
Briena smiles shyly "Hi" she replies sticking her thumb in her mouth. She watches the blond woman and the dark haired man curiously.
"Do you remember who we are?" Buffy asks softly. Briena looks at the two thoughtfully and then shrugs. Buffy nods "I'm Buffy. That's Angel." Briena nods holding her stuffed dog tightly. "Are you hungry?" Buffy asks. At Briena's nod Buffy stands holding out her hand "Come on lets get you some food." Briena looks at the offered hand thoughtfully then slips her hand into it. Buffy smiles at Angel as she leads the child to the counter she picks Briena up and places her on the chair. "Let's see what we have in the cereal department" Buffy goes to the cupboard and scans the boxes then turns back to Briena "OK we've got Froot Loops, Cheerios, Wheaties, Granola, and Corn Flakes."
Briena ponders her options then answers "Cheerios"
"Then Cheerios it is" Buffy answers pouring the cereal in a bowl
Briena looks at Angel in the chair beside her as he drinks from the mug. She tugs on the sleeve of his shirt.
"Yes?" Angel asks
Briena holds out her arms "Wanna sit with you" she says pouting
Angel chuckles looking at the familiar pout. "Sure" he says lifting the little girl to his lap. As he moves Briena her stuffed dog slips from her grasp. "Ooops" Angel says catching the dog. He holds it up before Briena "Don't want you to lose this" he feels himself melt when the little girl on his lap smiles at him. "What's your dog's name?"
"Mr Doggie" she answers
Buffy places the bowl on the counter "Here you go sweetie"
"Thank you" Briena smiles
"Your welcome" Buffy sits down
Briena puts a spoonful of cereal chewing she looks around the room. She spies the mug in Angel's hand curious she sniffs the air. Buffy sees her action. "Briena what is it?" she inquires. Silently Briena points to the mug. Buffy looks at Angel stunned "You know what that is?" she asks. Briena nods then points at the toaster.
"What is it?" Angel asks
"Me" Briena says turning back to her breakfast
Buffy and Angel both look at the toaster and like normal Angel's reflection is absent. Surprising to them they see that Briena's reflection is faint. "Angel?" Buffy asks scared
Angel shrugs "I don't know baby"
Briena puts the spoon down looking at Buffy her eyes wide she asks her bottom lip quivering "Who's gonna take care of me now?" she sniffles rubbing her eyes
Buffy and Angel look at each other then Buffy looks back at the sad eyed little girl. "Are you done?" she asks gesturing to the bowl at Briena's nod Buffy stands holding out her arms she says "Come on lets go talk in the living room." Briena nods moving from Angel's lap to Buffy's arms. Buffy carries the little girl into the living room and they sit down on the couch. Briena sits between the two silently watching the looks they pass each other. Finally Buffy looks at the little girl sitting between them she sees the puppy look similiar to Angel's she looks at Angel pleadingly.
Angel nods in response "Briena" he begins pulling the little girl onto his lap. "Last night when Jack left he asked us to take care of you."
"Why?" Briena questions
"I'm not sure." Buffy lies
"So where am I going to live?" she inquires
Angel smoothes Briena's hair back "How would you and Mr. Doggie like to come and live with me in LA?"
Briena frowns looking back and forth at the two adults. "Do you live in LA?" she asks Buffy
Buffy glances at Angel before answering "Uh no. I live across town. But I will come and visit and Angel will bring you to visit"
Briena looks at them thoughtfully "Promise you'll visit?" she asks Buffy.
"I promise" Buffy answers
Briena looks up at Angel "Can we come and visit?" she demands
Angel nods with a smile he says "Promise"
Briena smiles back "OK." she looks at Buffy "Can I watch cartoons?"
"Sure" Buffy answers grabbing the remote off the coffee table she hands it to Briena. "Angel and I will be in the kitchen"
"OK" Briena says pushing the on button. Angel moves her off his lap. He joins Buffy in the kitchen.
"I better call Cordelia" Angel groans
"Ah yes Cordy I'd be scared" Buffy laughs
Angel picks up the phone and dials "I know. She'll cheer up spending money...especially mine. Hey Cordelia pick up." he grins at Buffy "OK then I guess I'll have to find someone else to max out my credit card."
Cordelia picks up the phone in a hurry "Shopping? Credit card?"
"Yes shopping with a credit card." he laughs. "Told ya I'd get her to pick up"
"Buffy there" Cordelia asks
"Yes." Angel answers "So do you want to go shopping?"
"Uh duh" Cordelia retorts "But for what?"
"I need you and Doyle to move the stuff out of the other bedroom. Then go shopping and pick up some furniture."
"OK for what?" Cordelia demands
"Briena is coming back with me"
"Is she moving in?"
"Yes Cordy she is. Just get the furniture and Briena will pick out what else she wants later."
"What do you want me to do with the stuff in the room now?"
"But it in storage. I'll sort through it later" as an after thought he adds "Why don't you pick up some toys for Briena."
"What about clothes?" Cordelia asks
"Um when we get back can you take her?"
"Sure its gonna cost you though"
"OK what?" Angel asks
"For every hour I go shopping with Briena, you have to go with me to the casting parties and such for 2 hours."
"Cordelia I hate those things" Angel replies
"OK then you have to take her yourself...oh wait most kid clothing stores are closed after dark. And you can't go outside during the day." Cordelia reminds
Angel growls in annoyance rubbing his forehead "All right Cordy. For every hour you spend shopping for clothes I'll spend 2 hours at those stupid parties. But only if you can talk Doyle into babysitting"
"I'll try" Cordelia promises
"Tell Doyle to pick us up tomorrow night"
"Sure. I'll take care of the stuff here"
"Thanks Cordelia" Angel says hanging up.
"So she agreed" Buffy states trying to keep from laughing at the look on Angel's face
"Yeah" he groans. "I am going to working this one off for years." he looks at Buffy with a shy smile "But it'll be worth it"
The phone rings and Buffy picks it up "Hello?"
"Hey Buffy"
"Riley" Buffy greets surprised
"Willow told me you'd be there" Riley says
"Uh yeah I'm spending the day studying" she lies
"Want a break? I'll come pick you up and take you for lunch" Riley invites
"Uh sorry I can't. I'm in complete study mode."
"How about dinner than?" Riley asks
"Sorry I can't." she answers "I'm staying in having a Buffy only night"
"How about later this weekend?" Riley questions
"Maybe. It depends on how much I get done" Buffy replies
"Sure. I'll call you later than" he says disappointed
"Yeah sure" Buffy replies before hanging up. She turns to see Angel watching her concerned
"You OK?" he asks
"Sure. I just lied to Riley" she replies sitting down she cradles her chin in her hands "You know I am beginning to really hate having to lie to Riley."
"Didn't you tell him your the Slayer?" Angel asks sitting across from Buffy
"Oh yeah. He took it pretty well. His friends are a little iffy about the fact that we date considering to them I'm a just a civilian doing their job. They see me as a threat to security"
"In a way you are Buffy" seeing her disbelieving look Angel explains "To them hunting demons means to kill them no matter what. But since you kill them only when demons threaten the human population its seen as going against their beliefs."
"True. They are rather narrow minded. When I was down in Initiative headquarters I saw some of the demons they held." she looks at Angel sadly "Angel some of the demons there are not any threat they just use them because they are demons. They don't see how anyone not human could be good."
Angel looks at his hands then back at Buffy "I take it Riley has no idea that I'm a vampire"
Buffy shakes her head. "No. All I told him was that you moved. God knows he didn't handle the whole Spike thing. He'd have a harder time dealing with the fact that a vampire has a soul."
"And that you dated a vampire" Angel adds
"Oh yeah" she answers. Glancing at the kitchen door she sighs "I doubt he'd deal well with any of this." The rest of the day Buffy and Angel spend with Briena getting to know the little girl. They color with her, read to her, watch movies and play games spending time together as a family.
Part 5
The next afternoon as the three of them are playing a game the doorbell rings. "I got it" Buffy says after looking out the window she calls "Its Doyle" she opens the door inviting the Irish half demon in "Hey Doyle" she greets closing the door behind him
"Buffy" he greets entering "Hey Boss" he says noticing Angel "Hello Briena" he greets
"Briena this is Doyle" Angel introduces
"Hi Doyle" Briena says shyly before turning to Buffy asking "Can I have a cookie?"
Buffy nods holding out her hand "Sure sweetie lets go see what we can find" Briena takes her hand going into the kitchen
Angel starts to put the game away "Did you and Cordelia get the room situated?"
Doyle sits on the couch "We moved it around the apartment. Some went upstairs in the office. Had to put some in your room."
"That's fine"
"Also Cordy moved some of the dangerous stuff out of the way. Cordy packed away some of the artwork that she thought would freak the child out"
"You stopped her from throwing it out?" Angel asks
"I did. I put it in your room"
"Thanks" Angel says appreciatively
"Not a problem"
As Buffy is getting Briena some cookies the phone rings. "Here Briena" she says placing the cookies on the counter. "I'll get you some milk too" she says as she picks up the phone "Hello?" she asks walking to the fridge
"Hi" Riley greets
"Riley" Buffy says surprised as she takes the milk out of the fridge. "Whats going on?" she asks pouring Briena a glass of milk she puts it infront of the little girl
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out tonight?" Riley asks
Buffy glances at the clock after calculating how long until nightfall she says "I have to patrol so lets meet up infront of the coffee shop around 8."
"All right see you then." Riley says hanging up
Hanging up the phone Buffy joins Briena at the counter. She smiles when she notices that the little girl has a milk moustache. She grabs a napkin "You have a milk moustache" she says wiping the little girls upper lip
Briena smiles at Buffy then takes a bite of her cookie. "Who's Riley?" she asks curiously
Buffy looks at the little girl startled then answers "He's my boyfriend"
"Oh" Briena says then asks "Is he nice?"
Buffy smiles faintly before answering "Yes he is"
"Can I have some more milk?" Briena requests
"Sure" Buffy says pouring her some more milk
"Thank you" Briena says taking a drink
"Your welcome" Buffy smiles
An hour later Doyle and Angel take the bags out to the car. Inside Buffy picks Briena up "Briena be good for Angel" she says
"I will" Briena promises hugging Buffy. "Bye Buffy"
"Bye sweetie" Buffy says tearfully
"Ready Briena?" Angel asks entering the house. Briena nods holding out her arms for Angel. Angel notices that her stuffed dog is on the couch. "Can't forget Mr Doggie" he says picking up the toy. He hands it to Briena before taking the child from Buffy.
"Take care of her Angel" Buffy orders her voice sad
"I will baby" he promises touching her cheek tenderly. "I promise"
"You don't and I'll stake you" Buffy smiles
Angel chuckles then smiles sadly "I'll call when we get to LA"
"I'll be at the dorm" she says. Angel nods walking to the door. "Bye" Buffy says
Briena looks up from the crook of Angel's neck and waves "Bye Buffy"
Angel looks over his shoulder with a sad smile he says "Bye" He carries Briena to the car and opening the drivers side he moves the seat forward he puts her down on the car floor. Briena sits down and buckles her seatbelt. Pushing the seat back into place Angel starts the car as he glances at the rearview mirror at Buffy.
"Angel you OK?" Doyle asks noticing his boss's brooding
"Its hard to say goodbye" he answers pulling out of the driveway. He glances at the rearview mirror smiling at the sight of the little girl looking out the window "But somehow I don't think its going to be as hard to be apart this time"
Doyle notices the look on Angel's face then says "For you my friend but for her its going to be harder than it was before"
"But before we didn't have a secure reason but we do now"
"So your soul wasn't a secure reason?" Doyle asks
"It was but this reason is more important than any other reason we had."
"Yes it is" Doyle agrees. Then he asks "I take it the topic was never discussed"
Angel shakes his head "No not yet." he admits. An hour later Angel glances in the rearview mirror and sees the Briena is asleep. He listens to her calm and even breathing signalling that she's asleep.
Doyle also notices that the child is asleep. Finally he asks the question on his mind "Angel are you ever going to tell her the truth?"
"Doyle" Angel growls
"Angel she's out like a light."
"That's not the point I told you not yet"
"She needs to know soon. The longer you wait the harder she'll take it"
"I know Doyle. I want to but not yet. She needs time to deal with everything that's happened."
"And once she has are you going to?"
"We're still talking about it" Angel answers
An hour later Angel pulls into the underground parking lot. "Can you get the bags?" he asks pushing the seat forward he unbuckles the seatbelt and he gently picks the sleeping child up. Briena automatically cuddles closer to him hugging Mr Doggie tightly causing the vampire to smile fondly. They get into the elevator and slowly it takes them to the apartment. "Thanks" Angel says to Doyle carrying the sleeping child into the bedroom. He places her on the bed then he goes back out to the main living area and picks up her back pack. Returning to the bedroom he sits on the edge of the bed he gently begins to remove her clothes pulling the oversized T-shirt over her head. He picks her up and pulls the covers down he puts her down pulling the covers up he kisses her forehead "Sleep well little one"
An hour later Briena awakens from a bad dream looking around the unfamiliar room uncertain she gets out of the bed holding Mr. Doggie close she quietly walks out the door finding Angel sitting in a black leather armchair reading. Sniffling she asks "Angel?"
Angel puts his book down "What's wrong little one?" he asks concerned. Briena rubs her eyes her lower lip quivering. 'she is so much like her mother' he thinks. "Come here" he says holding out his arms to her. Briena goes to Angel curling up in his arms. "Did you have a bad dream?" Angel inquires stroking her hair. Wordlessly Briena nods holding Mr Doggie tighter. "Do you want to talk about it?" Briena shakes her head sticking her thumb in her mouth. Angel gently strokes her hair purring comfortingly. After a few moments he realizes she has fallen asleep again standing the vampire carries the little girl into her room as he puts her down the little girl tightens her grip on his shirt not wanting him to go. He chuckles and tries to undo the tight grip.
"Daddy" she sighs tiredly
Hearing that Angel is stunned then remembers that she doesn't know the truth "I'm here" he whispers softly "Daddy's here" he says kissing her forehead
"Don't go Daddy" she whimpers in her dream world
Angel sensing her need for comfort lays beside her "Shh Daddy's here sweetheart" he says stroking her hair "I'm not going anywhere" he promises softly. He falls asleep holding the little girl.
Doyle drops them off at Buffy's house. Unlocking the front door Buffy leads Angel silently to her room she pulls the covers down so Angel can lay the little girl down. They stand side by side watching the little girl sleep. "We should talk" Angel suggests quietly. Buffy nods and the two head to the bedroom door then downstairs to the kitchen. Sitting at the kitchen counter the two are silent in their thoughts. Angel finally breaks the silence "Buffy we need to decide what to do soon"
"I know Angel" Buffy sighs
"We don't have a lot of options or time"
"The choices we have are she stays here and I move back home. You return to Sunnydale." she pauses "What else is there? Other than the three of us leaving California"
"There's another option" Angel adds. Seeing the quizzical look on Buffy's face he explains "I take her back to LA with me."
"That's not fair Angel" Buffy protests
"But its for the best" Angel argues
Buffy glares at him "You know I hate it when you say that."
"You know I'm right on this Buffy. She can't stay in Sunnydale not with the Initiative around. I can't return to Sunnydale no matter how much we both want it. As for the three of us leaving together sounds great but you know and I know that you can't leave Sunnydale and I can't leave LA."
"So your answer is to take Briena...our daughter to LA. As always Angel you think you know what's best for me...for us." she cries pushing away from the counter she stomps into the living room. She sits at the end of the couch her arms wrapped around her knees.
Angel follows he sits down facing Buffy. He reaches out touching her face he wipes away the tear falling. "Buffy its for the best for us to go to LA. Briena can't stay here you know that its too dangerous. I don't want to take her away she deserves to have both of us. No matter how much I want that, for the three of us to be a family, its not possible. Briena is safer in LA than here."
Buffy nods "I suppose your right. She won't be safe with the Initiative here." she moves to Angel's side putting her head on his shoulder "I can't believe that we have a child."
"I know" Angel agrees
Buffy sits up looking at Angel she asks tentatively "What are we going to tell her?"
"That we're her parents?" at Buffy's nod he shrugs "She deserves to know. I just don't know how we'll tell her or even when"
\\Briena watches as Jack is driving his car down a dark highway. "Why are you so sad Jack?" she wonders
Jack glances in the rearview mirror to the back seat. He smiles faintly "I'll miss you kid" He turns his attention to the road. A car comes towards him weaving the lights blinding him.
Briena watches in horror as the two cars collide head on. She hears the sound of metal scraping and bones crunching. She senses Jack's death so painfully she screams "JACK"//
She sits up in the bed tears streaming down her face as she cries out "Jack"
Downstairs Buffy and Angel are startled out of their conversation at the bloodcurdling scream. They look at each other and then race upstairs to Buffy's room to find Briena crying "Jack no go"
Buffy sits on the bed pulling the little girl onto her lap "Shh Briena its all right. It was a dream"
Briena wraps her arms around Buffy's neck "Want Jack" she sobs
Angel sees the lost look in Briena's eyes "He's not coming back is he" Angel states
Briena nods sticking her thumb in her mouth. "Gone" she whimpers closing her eyes.
Buffy meets Angel's sad eyes as she strokes Briena's back soothingly. They sit there holding their crying daughter as she slips back to sleep. Angel pulls Buffy up against his chest as she holds the sleeping child. Buffy follows the little girl into sleep. Angel lays there holding the two as they sleep his mind going over the nights events until he too falls asleep.
**** Next Morning ****
Buffy awakens to find Angel asleep beside her Briena laying on his chest sleeping peacefully. She smiles at the sight beside her. "It wasn't a dream" she thinks happily. "He's here holding our child." Carefully the Slayer gets off the bed picking up her diary she curls up on the overstuffed chair facing the bed. She opens her diary to a blank page and starts to write:
"Last night when I went to Giles for a Scooby Gang meeting I found Angel standing there. When I saw him it was like a bolt of electricity shooting between us. He looked so handsome. I shouldn't be thinking this way I'm with Riley now, but when I see him I just forget all else. If the sight of Angel didn't surprise me than what happened later did.
We had been at Giles' for a while when both Angel and I felt a presence outside, opening the door I found two strangers standing there when I saw the little girl, Briena, I felt the similiar feeling I get when Angel is around. Briena is beautiful, just like her father, she has long dark brown hair and her eyes are exactly like Angel's. She is just like I dreamed so many times. It turns out that Briena is part of a prophecy involving a Child conceived in a dream who is to also fight the evils of the world.
Evils of the world...I don't know if I can deal with the fact that Briena...my child is to fight the same battle that Angel and I have fought. I don't know if I can allow that. And Angel? Can he deal with that? The fact that the child we thought we could never have has the same destiny that we have fought. Briena is our miracle child, the only child we'll ever have.
I'm sitting here writing in my diary watching the two most important people in my life sleep. They look so cute together, Briena is curled up on Angel's chest her thumb in her mouth and Angel he is holding Briena like my father used to hold me. I've always known that Angel would be a great father and watching him now proves it. We have only known about Briena since last night but I have already become protective of her and I can see Angel has too. Angel was right Briena won't be safe here in Sunnydale with the Initiative around. If they found out about our miracle child, she would be taken from us and experimented on like the demons I saw and do similiar things to her as they did to Spike. I don't want that to happen I won't allow it to happen. So Angel is going to take Briena back to LA with him. She'll be safe there Angel will protect her. I am saddened though that she can't stay here with me but I'll visit them and I know Angel will bring her here.
I don't know what I would do if the Initiative found out about Angel and Briena. I don't think I could handle losing them both. That's why I am not telling Riley about Briena. He knows about Angel and he's not understanding the fact that I loved...love Angel and always will. If he found out about Briena and how she came to exist I get the wiggens at the thought of how he'd react and what would happen to my little girl. I care about Riley but Angel and Briena are apart of me. They are my world."
Buffy closes her diary and looks up to find Angel watching her. "Morning" she smiles
Angel smiles back "Hi" he carefully puts the little girl down on the bed. He chuckles lightly as the child clutches at his shirt whimpering in protest to being moved. Angel gently removes the small tightly clenched hand from his shirt. Buffy reaches into the backpack and takes out the stuffed dog and puts it next to the sleeping child. They smile at each other as they watch the little girl cuddle her stuffed dog close. After a few moments the two head downstairs to the kitchen.
Walking into the kitchen Buffy goes straight to the fridge and opens it "Ah ha" she says in triumph she turns around holding a container of blood. "You luck out Spike didn't finish off all the blood I left" seeing Angel's look she explains "Mom lets him stay here from time to time. Usually when she's going to be gone for a while. I bet Blondie crashed at Giles." she hands the container to Angel.
"Thanks" he says gratefully opening the lid he pours some into a mug. He puts the mug in the microwave and hits warm. Turning back to Buffy he asks "So has Spike been behaving?"
Buffy shrugs "He's still annoying us but yeah he's somewhat behaving." The microwave beeps and she watches as Angel takes out the warmed blood. "Too bad he wasn't neutered all those years ago."
Angel grins "I know." He sits down watching Buffy move about the kitchen as he takes a sip.
As Buffy takes out a bowl she pauses "The weird thing is that in a way I miss the old Spike" she turns around and laughs at the stunned look on Angel's face. "Its no fun teasing him when he can't fight back." she tells him before continuing her breakfast search.
Angel watches Buffy silently as she moves about the kitchen. "What are you thinking about?" he asks taking a sip of blood
Bracing her hands on the counter she asks her voice barely a whisper "When are you going back to LA?"
Angel leans forward his hands around the mug "I'm thinking tomorrow night. That way Cordelia will be able to other bedroom set up." he stands up and walks to Buffy's side and watches her face. "If we could stay longer we would but..."
"I know" Buffy sighs meeting his eyes "the longer you stay the possiblity of being found rises." she pauses "the harder it'll be to say good bye."
"Buffy we'll be back to visit. You can always come to LA."
"You better bring her to visit. I'll come visit. Its just..." she pauses then continues "gonna be harder than it was before to be apart."
"It'll hard but its for the best." Angel says hugging her. He pulls away looking to the kitchen entrance. "Briena's coming" he tells her. Buffy nods wiping away her tears
Upstairs Briena awakens to find herself in an unfamiliar room wearing an unfamiliar shirt. Sniffling she sits up rubbing her eyes reaching for her stuffed dog she climbs off the bed and walks out the bedroom door. She finds the stairs and placing her hand on the banister she carefully walks down the stairs. Holding her stuffed dog tight she walks towards the voices she stops in the doorway to find two people standing there she watches them warily.
The blond haired woman smiles at her "Morning Briena" she greets walking over she crouches down to Briena's level.
Briena smiles shyly "Hi" she replies sticking her thumb in her mouth. She watches the blond woman and the dark haired man curiously.
"Do you remember who we are?" Buffy asks softly. Briena looks at the two thoughtfully and then shrugs. Buffy nods "I'm Buffy. That's Angel." Briena nods holding her stuffed dog tightly. "Are you hungry?" Buffy asks. At Briena's nod Buffy stands holding out her hand "Come on lets get you some food." Briena looks at the offered hand thoughtfully then slips her hand into it. Buffy smiles at Angel as she leads the child to the counter she picks Briena up and places her on the chair. "Let's see what we have in the cereal department" Buffy goes to the cupboard and scans the boxes then turns back to Briena "OK we've got Froot Loops, Cheerios, Wheaties, Granola, and Corn Flakes."
Briena ponders her options then answers "Cheerios"
"Then Cheerios it is" Buffy answers pouring the cereal in a bowl
Briena looks at Angel in the chair beside her as he drinks from the mug. She tugs on the sleeve of his shirt.
"Yes?" Angel asks
Briena holds out her arms "Wanna sit with you" she says pouting
Angel chuckles looking at the familiar pout. "Sure" he says lifting the little girl to his lap. As he moves Briena her stuffed dog slips from her grasp. "Ooops" Angel says catching the dog. He holds it up before Briena "Don't want you to lose this" he feels himself melt when the little girl on his lap smiles at him. "What's your dog's name?"
"Mr Doggie" she answers
Buffy places the bowl on the counter "Here you go sweetie"
"Thank you" Briena smiles
"Your welcome" Buffy sits down
Briena puts a spoonful of cereal chewing she looks around the room. She spies the mug in Angel's hand curious she sniffs the air. Buffy sees her action. "Briena what is it?" she inquires. Silently Briena points to the mug. Buffy looks at Angel stunned "You know what that is?" she asks. Briena nods then points at the toaster.
"What is it?" Angel asks
"Me" Briena says turning back to her breakfast
Buffy and Angel both look at the toaster and like normal Angel's reflection is absent. Surprising to them they see that Briena's reflection is faint. "Angel?" Buffy asks scared
Angel shrugs "I don't know baby"
Briena puts the spoon down looking at Buffy her eyes wide she asks her bottom lip quivering "Who's gonna take care of me now?" she sniffles rubbing her eyes
Buffy and Angel look at each other then Buffy looks back at the sad eyed little girl. "Are you done?" she asks gesturing to the bowl at Briena's nod Buffy stands holding out her arms she says "Come on lets go talk in the living room." Briena nods moving from Angel's lap to Buffy's arms. Buffy carries the little girl into the living room and they sit down on the couch. Briena sits between the two silently watching the looks they pass each other. Finally Buffy looks at the little girl sitting between them she sees the puppy look similiar to Angel's she looks at Angel pleadingly.
Angel nods in response "Briena" he begins pulling the little girl onto his lap. "Last night when Jack left he asked us to take care of you."
"Why?" Briena questions
"I'm not sure." Buffy lies
"So where am I going to live?" she inquires
Angel smoothes Briena's hair back "How would you and Mr. Doggie like to come and live with me in LA?"
Briena frowns looking back and forth at the two adults. "Do you live in LA?" she asks Buffy
Buffy glances at Angel before answering "Uh no. I live across town. But I will come and visit and Angel will bring you to visit"
Briena looks at them thoughtfully "Promise you'll visit?" she asks Buffy.
"I promise" Buffy answers
Briena looks up at Angel "Can we come and visit?" she demands
Angel nods with a smile he says "Promise"
Briena smiles back "OK." she looks at Buffy "Can I watch cartoons?"
"Sure" Buffy answers grabbing the remote off the coffee table she hands it to Briena. "Angel and I will be in the kitchen"
"OK" Briena says pushing the on button. Angel moves her off his lap. He joins Buffy in the kitchen.
"I better call Cordelia" Angel groans
"Ah yes Cordy I'd be scared" Buffy laughs
Angel picks up the phone and dials "I know. She'll cheer up spending money...especially mine. Hey Cordelia pick up." he grins at Buffy "OK then I guess I'll have to find someone else to max out my credit card."
Cordelia picks up the phone in a hurry "Shopping? Credit card?"
"Yes shopping with a credit card." he laughs. "Told ya I'd get her to pick up"
"Buffy there" Cordelia asks
"Yes." Angel answers "So do you want to go shopping?"
"Uh duh" Cordelia retorts "But for what?"
"I need you and Doyle to move the stuff out of the other bedroom. Then go shopping and pick up some furniture."
"OK for what?" Cordelia demands
"Briena is coming back with me"
"Is she moving in?"
"Yes Cordy she is. Just get the furniture and Briena will pick out what else she wants later."
"What do you want me to do with the stuff in the room now?"
"But it in storage. I'll sort through it later" as an after thought he adds "Why don't you pick up some toys for Briena."
"What about clothes?" Cordelia asks
"Um when we get back can you take her?"
"Sure its gonna cost you though"
"OK what?" Angel asks
"For every hour I go shopping with Briena, you have to go with me to the casting parties and such for 2 hours."
"Cordelia I hate those things" Angel replies
"OK then you have to take her yourself...oh wait most kid clothing stores are closed after dark. And you can't go outside during the day." Cordelia reminds
Angel growls in annoyance rubbing his forehead "All right Cordy. For every hour you spend shopping for clothes I'll spend 2 hours at those stupid parties. But only if you can talk Doyle into babysitting"
"I'll try" Cordelia promises
"Tell Doyle to pick us up tomorrow night"
"Sure. I'll take care of the stuff here"
"Thanks Cordelia" Angel says hanging up.
"So she agreed" Buffy states trying to keep from laughing at the look on Angel's face
"Yeah" he groans. "I am going to working this one off for years." he looks at Buffy with a shy smile "But it'll be worth it"
The phone rings and Buffy picks it up "Hello?"
"Hey Buffy"
"Riley" Buffy greets surprised
"Willow told me you'd be there" Riley says
"Uh yeah I'm spending the day studying" she lies
"Want a break? I'll come pick you up and take you for lunch" Riley invites
"Uh sorry I can't. I'm in complete study mode."
"How about dinner than?" Riley asks
"Sorry I can't." she answers "I'm staying in having a Buffy only night"
"How about later this weekend?" Riley questions
"Maybe. It depends on how much I get done" Buffy replies
"Sure. I'll call you later than" he says disappointed
"Yeah sure" Buffy replies before hanging up. She turns to see Angel watching her concerned
"You OK?" he asks
"Sure. I just lied to Riley" she replies sitting down she cradles her chin in her hands "You know I am beginning to really hate having to lie to Riley."
"Didn't you tell him your the Slayer?" Angel asks sitting across from Buffy
"Oh yeah. He took it pretty well. His friends are a little iffy about the fact that we date considering to them I'm a just a civilian doing their job. They see me as a threat to security"
"In a way you are Buffy" seeing her disbelieving look Angel explains "To them hunting demons means to kill them no matter what. But since you kill them only when demons threaten the human population its seen as going against their beliefs."
"True. They are rather narrow minded. When I was down in Initiative headquarters I saw some of the demons they held." she looks at Angel sadly "Angel some of the demons there are not any threat they just use them because they are demons. They don't see how anyone not human could be good."
Angel looks at his hands then back at Buffy "I take it Riley has no idea that I'm a vampire"
Buffy shakes her head. "No. All I told him was that you moved. God knows he didn't handle the whole Spike thing. He'd have a harder time dealing with the fact that a vampire has a soul."
"And that you dated a vampire" Angel adds
"Oh yeah" she answers. Glancing at the kitchen door she sighs "I doubt he'd deal well with any of this." The rest of the day Buffy and Angel spend with Briena getting to know the little girl. They color with her, read to her, watch movies and play games spending time together as a family.
Part 5
The next afternoon as the three of them are playing a game the doorbell rings. "I got it" Buffy says after looking out the window she calls "Its Doyle" she opens the door inviting the Irish half demon in "Hey Doyle" she greets closing the door behind him
"Buffy" he greets entering "Hey Boss" he says noticing Angel "Hello Briena" he greets
"Briena this is Doyle" Angel introduces
"Hi Doyle" Briena says shyly before turning to Buffy asking "Can I have a cookie?"
Buffy nods holding out her hand "Sure sweetie lets go see what we can find" Briena takes her hand going into the kitchen
Angel starts to put the game away "Did you and Cordelia get the room situated?"
Doyle sits on the couch "We moved it around the apartment. Some went upstairs in the office. Had to put some in your room."
"That's fine"
"Also Cordy moved some of the dangerous stuff out of the way. Cordy packed away some of the artwork that she thought would freak the child out"
"You stopped her from throwing it out?" Angel asks
"I did. I put it in your room"
"Thanks" Angel says appreciatively
"Not a problem"
As Buffy is getting Briena some cookies the phone rings. "Here Briena" she says placing the cookies on the counter. "I'll get you some milk too" she says as she picks up the phone "Hello?" she asks walking to the fridge
"Hi" Riley greets
"Riley" Buffy says surprised as she takes the milk out of the fridge. "Whats going on?" she asks pouring Briena a glass of milk she puts it infront of the little girl
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out tonight?" Riley asks
Buffy glances at the clock after calculating how long until nightfall she says "I have to patrol so lets meet up infront of the coffee shop around 8."
"All right see you then." Riley says hanging up
Hanging up the phone Buffy joins Briena at the counter. She smiles when she notices that the little girl has a milk moustache. She grabs a napkin "You have a milk moustache" she says wiping the little girls upper lip
Briena smiles at Buffy then takes a bite of her cookie. "Who's Riley?" she asks curiously
Buffy looks at the little girl startled then answers "He's my boyfriend"
"Oh" Briena says then asks "Is he nice?"
Buffy smiles faintly before answering "Yes he is"
"Can I have some more milk?" Briena requests
"Sure" Buffy says pouring her some more milk
"Thank you" Briena says taking a drink
"Your welcome" Buffy smiles
An hour later Doyle and Angel take the bags out to the car. Inside Buffy picks Briena up "Briena be good for Angel" she says
"I will" Briena promises hugging Buffy. "Bye Buffy"
"Bye sweetie" Buffy says tearfully
"Ready Briena?" Angel asks entering the house. Briena nods holding out her arms for Angel. Angel notices that her stuffed dog is on the couch. "Can't forget Mr Doggie" he says picking up the toy. He hands it to Briena before taking the child from Buffy.
"Take care of her Angel" Buffy orders her voice sad
"I will baby" he promises touching her cheek tenderly. "I promise"
"You don't and I'll stake you" Buffy smiles
Angel chuckles then smiles sadly "I'll call when we get to LA"
"I'll be at the dorm" she says. Angel nods walking to the door. "Bye" Buffy says
Briena looks up from the crook of Angel's neck and waves "Bye Buffy"
Angel looks over his shoulder with a sad smile he says "Bye" He carries Briena to the car and opening the drivers side he moves the seat forward he puts her down on the car floor. Briena sits down and buckles her seatbelt. Pushing the seat back into place Angel starts the car as he glances at the rearview mirror at Buffy.
"Angel you OK?" Doyle asks noticing his boss's brooding
"Its hard to say goodbye" he answers pulling out of the driveway. He glances at the rearview mirror smiling at the sight of the little girl looking out the window "But somehow I don't think its going to be as hard to be apart this time"
Doyle notices the look on Angel's face then says "For you my friend but for her its going to be harder than it was before"
"But before we didn't have a secure reason but we do now"
"So your soul wasn't a secure reason?" Doyle asks
"It was but this reason is more important than any other reason we had."
"Yes it is" Doyle agrees. Then he asks "I take it the topic was never discussed"
Angel shakes his head "No not yet." he admits. An hour later Angel glances in the rearview mirror and sees the Briena is asleep. He listens to her calm and even breathing signalling that she's asleep.
Doyle also notices that the child is asleep. Finally he asks the question on his mind "Angel are you ever going to tell her the truth?"
"Doyle" Angel growls
"Angel she's out like a light."
"That's not the point I told you not yet"
"She needs to know soon. The longer you wait the harder she'll take it"
"I know Doyle. I want to but not yet. She needs time to deal with everything that's happened."
"And once she has are you going to?"
"We're still talking about it" Angel answers
An hour later Angel pulls into the underground parking lot. "Can you get the bags?" he asks pushing the seat forward he unbuckles the seatbelt and he gently picks the sleeping child up. Briena automatically cuddles closer to him hugging Mr Doggie tightly causing the vampire to smile fondly. They get into the elevator and slowly it takes them to the apartment. "Thanks" Angel says to Doyle carrying the sleeping child into the bedroom. He places her on the bed then he goes back out to the main living area and picks up her back pack. Returning to the bedroom he sits on the edge of the bed he gently begins to remove her clothes pulling the oversized T-shirt over her head. He picks her up and pulls the covers down he puts her down pulling the covers up he kisses her forehead "Sleep well little one"
An hour later Briena awakens from a bad dream looking around the unfamiliar room uncertain she gets out of the bed holding Mr. Doggie close she quietly walks out the door finding Angel sitting in a black leather armchair reading. Sniffling she asks "Angel?"
Angel puts his book down "What's wrong little one?" he asks concerned. Briena rubs her eyes her lower lip quivering. 'she is so much like her mother' he thinks. "Come here" he says holding out his arms to her. Briena goes to Angel curling up in his arms. "Did you have a bad dream?" Angel inquires stroking her hair. Wordlessly Briena nods holding Mr Doggie tighter. "Do you want to talk about it?" Briena shakes her head sticking her thumb in her mouth. Angel gently strokes her hair purring comfortingly. After a few moments he realizes she has fallen asleep again standing the vampire carries the little girl into her room as he puts her down the little girl tightens her grip on his shirt not wanting him to go. He chuckles and tries to undo the tight grip.
"Daddy" she sighs tiredly
Hearing that Angel is stunned then remembers that she doesn't know the truth "I'm here" he whispers softly "Daddy's here" he says kissing her forehead
"Don't go Daddy" she whimpers in her dream world
Angel sensing her need for comfort lays beside her "Shh Daddy's here sweetheart" he says stroking her hair "I'm not going anywhere" he promises softly. He falls asleep holding the little girl.