Title: Last Slayer
Author: Inquisitive1
Rating: PG 13. Minor NC 17 in Part 1
Disclaimer: I own Jack and Briena. All the others belong to Joss Whedon.
Distribution: My site http://www.angelfire.com/tv/inqstive1sfanfiction/index.html, Fanfiction.net, and mumerous mailing lists. Anyone else want it just ask and you shall have permission to take this fiction and all others that I write.
Feedback: Let me know what you think. Send feedback to inquisitive1@angelfire.com or 2inquisitive1@angelfire.com
___________
Part 8
**** Half an hour later ****
Angel looks up from reading through the files as the elevator starts
to descend.
"Hey Angel I'm back" calls Cordelia
"Cor quiet Briena's sleeping"
"Sorry. How long has she been asleep?" asks Cordelia sitting beside
Angel
"Over an hour. She should wake up soon." Angel closes the file "Were
you successful?"
Cordelia nods "Yeah" she rummages through the shopping bags "Here are
the sample cards for the paint. I went for lighter colors since this place is
dreary enough as it is." she hands him the paint cards. "The sample wallpaper
I went with neutral."
"OK thanks add this to my IOU file" Angel smiles
"Sure. What are you looking through?" asks Cordelia
"Oh just a case file Kate asked me to look over." he rubs his
forehead "Oh I have to go out tonight can you watch Briena for a few hours?"
"Uh sorry I can't" Cordelia replies heading into the kitchen "I have
plans"
"Cordy its only for a few hours" Angel follows
"Angel I made these plans yesterday" Cordelia replies
"Can you call Doyle for me?" Angel asks
"Sure"
"Thanks Cordy" Angel says returning to the living room he sits down
opening the file again.
**** Fifteen minutes later ****
Briena opens her eyes looking around she realizes she's in her
bedroom. Smiling she remembers Angel's promise that they can call Buffy.
"Angel" she calls excitedly as she races out of her room launching herself on
the couch next to the Angel.
"Hey sweetheart" Angel greets putting the file down on the coffee
table he pulls his daughter on his lap kissing her forehead "Did you have a
good nap?" he asks
Briena nods "Can we call Buffy now" she asks
Angel smiles "We can try" he answers reaching for the cordless he
dials the familiar number as Briena settles herself on his lap. He listens as
the other end is picked up
"Hello" asks a familiar voice
"Willow its Angel is Buffy there?"
"Uh sure just a sec." he hears Willow call to Buffy "Buffy it's for
you"
"Tell whoever it is I'll call them back" replies Buffy
"Its the call you wanted me to tell you when it came in" Willow hints
Angel hears Buffy say "Riley, I've got to take this" she takes the
phone from Willow "Hey" she greets "Is everything OK?"
"Yeah everything's good. Briena wanted to talk to you. Want me to
call back?"
"Want to talk to Buffy" Briena demands
"Briena" he growls warningly
"I don't have much time to talk" Buffy replies
"She just wants to say hi and wants to know if your going to be here
this weekend" Angel informs her
"OK" Buffy says
Angel hands the phone to Briena "You have to talk quick. Buffy is
studying"
Briena nods solemnly taking the phone "Hi Buffy" she says happily
"Hi how are you?" Buffy asks glad to hear the small voice
"Fine. I went to the park today with Doyle" she announces
"How was it?"
"Fun. I climbed the monkey bars. Went down the slide a bunch of
times. Then I made Cordy scream"
"Oh how did you manage that?" Buffy laughs
"I showed her my new friend Mr. Worm."
"Oh no." Buffy laughs
"Angel said I had to let Mr. Worm go back outside." she sighs
unhappily
"That's a good thing to do."
"Uh huh" agrees Briena "Now Mr. Worm can go play in the dirt. Then
Angel read to me then I took a nap."
"So you've had a good day?" Buffy asks
"Yep. Are you gonna come visit this weekend?" Briena asks hopefully
"Yes as far as I know I am"
"Good" Briena states
"Brie I need to talk to Buffy" Angel says
"OK. Bye Buffy"
"See you later" Buffy replies waiting for Angel to return
Angel takes the phone from Briena "How are you getting here?"
"Not sure yet."
"If Giles and Xander can't bring you tell Spike that I said to."
"I will. Tell Cordy I said hey"
"Sure. Tell everyone hi for me. So see you Friday" he says
"Yep. Bye"
"Bye"
**** Buffy and Willow's Dorm Room ****
Buffy hangs up the phone her mind still on hearing the voices of the
two people she loves most. "My baby seems happy without me" she thinks sadly
"Buffy" Willow says softly.
Buffy shakes off her sad thoughts and looks at her best friend "I'm
fine Will" she smiles faintly
Riley notices the sad look on his girlfriend's face "Buffy you don't
look fine"
"I am." she answers returning to her bed she opens her book "Lets get
back to work" she suggests as her mind chants "Two more days. Two more days."
**** Sunnydale: Nightfall- Giles place ****
Buffy enters Giles apartment to find Spike sprawled on the couch
watching TV and Giles reading at his desk. "Hey" she greets
"Ah hello Buffy" Giles says glancing up from his reading he notices
the look on her face. "What's wrong?"
She shrugs "Nothing really. Giles are you busy this weekend?"
"Um yes. Olivia's coming this weekend."
"Great" groans Spike from the couch "Take it that means I'm kicked
out"
"Look you bloody vampire you don't live here" Giles snaps
Spike grunts in response.
Giles rubs his temples in annoyance "May I ask why you are inquiring
about my plans this weekend?"
Buffy sighs leaning against the wall "Because Briena wants me to come
visit this weekend. And I can't ask my Mom to drive me. Or Riley. Xander's
working."
Giles smiles "Sorry Buffy. What are you going to do now?"
"I have one option left." she groans "And I so did not want to go in
this direction." she mutters going over to the couch she leans over and
smacks Spike on the head. "Spike I know you have no plans this weekend and no
place to stay so how 'bout coming with me to Angel's"
Spike glares at the Slayer "Not bloody likely" he growls "I hate the
bloody wanker"
"OK I didn't want to do this but..." she sighs "Angel said you have
to"
Spike sits up "What?!" he exclaims "He's pulling rank on me"
"Yep" Buffy nods "Please Spike. Briena wants me to visit."
"I wouldn't mind meeting my little sister" Spike grins thoughtfully
"Plus someone needs to be there to keep you two from shagging"
Buffy rolls her eyes then frowns "What do you mean by little sister?"
she demands
Spike smirks "Technically any kids the poof has are my siblings in a
way."
Buffy scrunches up her nose "Ewww so that means we're kinda related"
" 'fraid so Summers" Spike snickers
"Buffy what are you going to tell Riley about where you are going?"
asks Giles
Buffy shrugs "Dunno yet. I think I'm going to tell him I'm visiting a
childhood friend."
"So Fish Boy doesn't know about the tyke" Spike muses
Buffy rolls her eyes "No Riley doesn't know about Briena." she glares
at Spike "If you say one word about her or Angel to Riley I will hog tie you
and drag you to LA and let Angel deal with you."
"What about your Mum?" Spike asks
"She doesn't know either. She hates Angel almost as much as you do.
She would not take too well to finding out that Angel's the father of her
possibly only grandchild."
"I like your Mum" Spike grins
"You would" she grumbles
Part 9
**** Buffy & Willow's Dorm: Friday Afternoon ****
"Riley calm down. Spike can't hurt me." Buffy soothes
"I could give you a ride" Riley offers
"NO" Buffy replies slightly panicked seeing the hurt look on Riley's
face she quickly apologizes "Sorry. But Spike had already planned to go to
LA. Riley I'll be fine. I'll be in class Monday morning. Just try and keep
things from getting out of hand around here."
"OK. Be careful" he says
Buffy walks over to him and puts her arms around his neck "I will"
she promises kissing him
Riley breaks the kiss "I better get going. I'll see you Monday" he
heads out the door
Buffy flops on her bed staring at the ceiling "Get to see my baby"
she thinks happily she sits up and reaches for her journal on her nightstand.
Opening it she begins to write:
"Its been a week since I've seen Briena and Angel. I miss them so
much. But for different reasons; Angel because he's Angel, my rock; Briena
because she's my baby, my little girl. Its so weird to write or even think
those words: my baby, my little girl. Here I am a 19 year old freshmen and I
have a child. Sure many 19 year olds can say that but it's different with me.
I mean I'm 19 with a 4 year old daughter who has only been alive for two
years. A child whom I didn't carry for nine months or go through morning
sickness and hours of labor to bring her into this world. Yet I did help
create her. If all of that isn't odd she lives with her 246 year old vampire
father who happens to have a soul and my heart. Life on a Hellmouth can only
get more interesting."
Buffy smiles thoughtfully as she closes her journal stowing it in her
backpack to take it with her. Standing she heads to her closet picking out
clothes to pack for the weekend. As she is staring into her closet the door
opens and she glances over to see Willow entering. "Hey Will"
Willow tosses her bag on her bed "Hey" she greets sitting down. "You
getting ready to leave?"
"Yep. I'm not really sure what to take. Angel said that we're going
to be working on Briena's room."
"So take jeans and a t- shirt" Willow suggests
"I will." Buffy goes to the dresser and removes a pair of ratty jeans
and a t-shirt.
"What else are you going to be doing this weekend?" Willow asks
Buffy shrugs "Dunno really. Angel probably has to work. I'm thinking
that while Spike and Angel are sleeping I'll take Briena to the park or
something."
"You sound excited" Willow grins
Buffy smiles at her friend "I am. We've known about Briena for a week
and I have only been able to spend a day with her. I'm looking forward to
spending time with her."
Willow smirks "And with Angel"
Buffy tilts her head thoughtfully "Of course. I always like spending
time with him even when we aren't together" she finishes sadly
"Why is Spike taking you?"
"No one else can. Besides Olivia is staying at Giles's this weekend
and so Spike has no place to sleep. Angel pulled the 'I'm your Sire so do
what I say' line. Plus Spike is curious about Briena."
"I take it that he wants to go to bug both you and Angel and to keep
you two from smooching"
"In his words 'someone's got to keep you two from shagging.' Not like
we can even if I wasn't with Riley"
"You haven't told him about the reason behind the trip have you?"
Willow asks
Buffy shrugs "I can't risk it." Buffy sits on her bed "I like Riley
but I can't risk losing Angel or Briena because of his loyalty to Walsh."
Willow sees the sad look on her friend's face "Buffy what's on your
mind?"
Buffy pulls her knees up to her chest "Its weird. Last week I had no
clue that I was a mother. Now that I know it hurts that I can't tell her who
I am."
"Maybe you guys should tell her who you are." Willow suggests
"I want to Willow so much. But I'm still uncertain about the whole
motherhood fact." she pauses "I'm 19 with a daughter who is technically only
2 years old yet she's physically 4. I adore the fact that I have a child with
my soulmate yet it also saddens me at the same time." seeing Willow's
confused look she continues "I know this sounds weird but I think I would
have enjoyed being pregnant. To carry his child would have been incredible
not because of the normal reasons like creating a new life but because it
would have been a miracle child that I carried." she wipes away a few stray
tears
"Oh Buffy" Willow replies going to her friends side "Maybe it will
happen one day." she comforts putting her arm around Buffy's shoulders "You
never know we live on a Hellmouth."
"I know. Anything is possible just not for me" she sighs standing "I
better finish packing Spike will be here soon"
Willow watches her best friend wander around the room grabbing things
to put in her duffle bag. "Oh Buffy everything will work out I promise"
Willow thinks
**** Three hours later ****
Angel looks at the door as he senses the approach of Buffy and Spike
outside the back door. He opens the door to hear the familiar bickering of
the Slayer and British vampire. Leaning against the door frame he listens to
the two argue
"God Spike you are worse than Xander"
"Am not."
"And how long have you been driving?" Buffy asks
"Longer than Harris" Spike retorts
"And your worse driver than him" Buffy replies her eyes lighting up
when she sees Angel watching the two of them with a look of amusement.
"What?" she asks her voice slightly amused yet annoyed
Angel shakes his head "Nothing. You two act like siblings its funny."
he answers as he closes the door behind them
"Bloody hell not likely" Spike mutters
Angel reaches over smacking Spike on the back of the head. Spike
vamps and growls "What was that for"
"No swearing." Angel retorts "Brie has a tendency to mimic what she
hears."
Spike rolls his eyes "Sure mate"
"Where is Briena?" Buffy asks excitedly
Angel shrugs walking into the kitchen he finds Doyle sitting at the
table. "Doyle's been watching her while I was upstairs getting some work
done. Doyle where's Brie?"
Doyle frowns thoughtfully "Last time I saw her she was under your
bed."
"Why was she under my bed?" asks Angel
"Hiding" he answers with a grin
Angel shakes his head in disbelief "Can you go find her?"
Doyle nods "Sure" he heads into the living room
"Wouldn't she have heard us come in?" asks Spike curiously
Angel looks at his childe "She sometimes gets so involved with what
she is doing that she'll block out things around her."
Doyle walks into the living room "Monkey where are you?" he calls
looking behind the couch and in the closet. "Okay Monkey come on out"
Briena giggles from her hiding spot as she watches Doyle look for
her.
Doyle hears the giggle from up high. "I heard that now where are
you?" he looks up and laughs "How did you get up there?"
Briena grins from her hiding spot in the alcove made by the pipes.
"Climbed"
"Will you come down?" he asks
"No" she shakes her head sticking her thumb in her mouth
Doyle shakes his head turning around he goes to the kitchen "Uh Angel
we got a little situation out here" he grins
"What?" Angel inquires
"Uh just come and see this" Doyle replies returning to the living
room
Angel, Spike and Buffy follow. "What Doyle?" Angel questions
"Look" he points towards the alcove
Angel follows his gesture to see Briena watching them with a grin.
"Hi Angel. Hi Buffy. Hi Mr. Vampire" she waves giggling
Angel shakes his head in disbelief "Brie how did you get up there?"
"She climbed up" Doyle answers for her
"Briena come on down from there" Buffy says
"Nu uh" she shakes her head letting her legs swing
"Please" Buffy asks hopefully
Briena watches her thoughtfully then shrugs "Okay"
Angel steps forward reaching up for her "Come on"
Briena shakes her head "No. I can do it myself"
"All right" Angel agrees moving away
Briena looks around checking out her situation looking for an out.
She crawls over a pipe to the bookcase. She lowers herself to the shelf below
and slowly she climbs down shelf by shelf. Once on the floor she turns to
face the adults "Hi Buffy" she laughs rushing to Buffy who swings her up in
her arms
"Hey you" Buffy laughs
Briena wraps her arms around Buffy's neck. "Who's that?" she demands
pointing at Spike
Buffy sees she's pointing at Spike "That's Spike."
"Hiya Spike" she greets with a smile
"Hey kid" Spike replies
Angel watches the reaction Briena has to Spike. He shakes his head in
disbelief. "Amazing she actually likes you."
"I'm a likeable demon" Spike retorts
"She's normally shy with strangers" Angel explains
"And no one is stranger than Spike" Buffy laughs
Spike growls low "Shut up Slayer"
"Bite me" retorts Buffy then slaps her forehead "Oh wait you can't
you neutred Billy Idol wanna be fangless puppy dog"
"Hey I'm still bad" Spike whines
Buffy laughs "As bad as an annoying insect."
Spike vamps then clutches his head "Bloody chip"
"Spike" Angel growls
Briena starts to giggle as she watches the arguing around her.
"What's so funny?" Buffy asks
Briena giggling points at the two arguing vampires "They are"
"They are funny aren't they" Buffy agrees chuckling
Doyle watches as his boss argues with his childe "Uh Angel man we
need to get going" he interrupts
Angel nods at Doyle ending the argument with Spike. Turning to Buffy
and Briena "Doyle and I need to go take care of some business" he grabs his
duster "We should be back by morning." he opens the weapons cabinet grabbing
a dagger. "Spike if your gonna stay here you can sleep on the couch. Buffy
you and Brie can take my bed. I'll crash in Briena's room."
"All right" Buffy says sitting down with Briena in her lap "We'll
have some fun won't we?" she asks Briena
"Uh huh" agrees Briena. "Bye Angel" she waves
"See you in the morning" Angel replies heading towards the door he
stops "Oh she needs a bath before bedtime."
"No problem" Buffy answers. Angel nods and follows Doyle out the door
Spike looks at Buffy and Briena "Enjoy. I'm gonna find some fun" he
slams the door as he leaves
"What do you want to do?" Buffy asks smoothing back the child's hair
Briena shrugs "I dunno"
"Well what do you and Angel usually do?"
"If I don't have a bath in the morning I have one before bed.
Sometimes I get to watch a movie before bed. But that's usually when Cordy or
Doyle watches me. Angel usually tells me a story, we color, and play."
Buffy smiles at the child and kisses her forehead. "How about we get
the bath out of the way and then we'll do something fun." she says standing
still holding the little girl. Buffy carries Briena into the bathroom and
sets her on the floor. "Do you need to go?"
Briena nods
"OK. Where does Angel keep the towels?"
"In the cabinet in his room" Briena replies
Buffy nods "Call me if you need me"
" 'kay"
Buffy closes the door part way as she leaves the bathroom. Wanting to
explore her daughter's surroundings Buffy goes into Briena's room. Turning on
the light she smiles faintly at the rooms slightly disorganized decor. She
walks through the room examining the toys and stuffed animals. "I knew you'd
be a good father" she thinks sadly "She seems happy with you. She belongs
with you" she wipes away a few stray tears. Standing Buffy walks over to the
dresser and opens the first two drawers taking out a pair of underwear and
some pajamas. Returning to Angel's room she opens the cabinet doors and takes
out two towels. She knocks on the bathroom door "Brie can I come in?"
"Yes" Briena replies
Buffy enters the bathroom and puts the clothes and towels on the
counter. "Let me turn on the water" she leans over the tubs edge and turns
the knobs on. Checking the temp she looks at Briena and says "Now lets get
your teeth brushed and get you out of those clothes while we're waiting" She
grabs the toothbrush with the character Abu from Aladdin on it "Like your
toothbrush" she laughs
Briena grins taking the toothbrush "Doyle got it for me" she says
holding it out so Buffy can put the paste on it. Briena begins to brush her
teeth then spits out the paste.
"Done?" Buffy asks
"Uh huh" she nods
"OK lets get you out of these clothes and into the tub" Buffy says
checking out the water as Briena takes off her clothes. "Water's ready" she
announces turning off the water "Get in." Briena carefully gets into the tub
she sits down. "OK lets get your hair washed"
Briena nods plugging her nose she leans back ducking her hair in the
water and coming back up. "I need help washing my hair"
Buffy reaches for the shampoo and pours a small amount in her hand
then lathering it in Briena's hair. "Have you enjoyed living here with
Angel?" she asks casually as she scrubs
"Uh huh" Briena replies "We have lots of fun."
"I bet you do" Buffy agrees "Time to rinse" she turns on the faucet
and helps Briena rinse. "All clean" Buffy announces grabbing a towel "Stand
up" she orders. As Briena does Buffy wraps her in the towel and lifts her out
of the tub standing her on the toilet seat.
Briena giggles as Buffy towels her off.
"What are you giggling about?" Buffy demands sternly
"Nothing" Briena chirps
"If you say so young lady" Buffy grabs the clothes off the counter
"OK lets get you dressed sweetheart"
Briena takes them from Buffy and quickly pulls them on. "Done"
Buffy smiles "Good." she lifts Briena off the toilet seat placing her
on the counter. "Now lets get those tangles out" she reaches for a comb
Briena giggles as Buffy starts to comb out the tangles
"What?"
"Cordy gets annoyed when Angel doesn't comb out my hair."
"Not surprised there" Buffy laughs
Briena swings her legs as she continues talking "When I don't have my
hair combed Cordy always says 'Angel run a comb through her hair it looks
like a rats nest.' When Angel doesn't run a comb through my hair Cordy does."
Buffy puts the comb down and just watches as the child fidgets. "She
looks so much like Angel" she thinks
"Whatcha thinking about?" Briena asks innocently
Buffy smiles at the innocent look and leans down to Briena's level
"Well I was thinking about what a special little girl you are" she kisses
Briena's forehead "Now lets go" she lifts Briena off the counter balancing
Briena on her hip Buffy carries her out of the bathroom returning to the
living room. She sits down on the couch with Briena on her lap
"Wanna see my room is gonna look like?" she asks Buffy excitedly
"Sure" Buffy answers
"Come on" Briena says scrambling off the couch she leads Buffy to the
corner of the room where Angel's desk sits. "I'm gonna have my room like
this" she hands Buffy a picture from a bedroom set
Buffy smiles at the sight of the old movie theme. "This is cool" she
says looking at the pictures of old movie posters of Shirley Temple and Three
Stooges.
"Do you like?" Briena says.
"Wow. I think its cool. Why did you choose this theme?" Buffy asks
Briena grins "Doyle and me watched the Three Stooges the last time he
watched me"
Buffy smiles "Angel must have loved that" Buffy chuckles
"He said Doyle was corrupting me. Then when Cordy watched me we
watched Shirley Temple. Sometimes Angel watches those old movies with me"
"Of course he does. He wants you to experience everything. Do you
know why?"
"Nope"
Buffy crouches before the little girl "You are very important to us"
Buffy says tearfully "and we love you very, very much" she taps the little
girl's nose with each 'very'
Briena frowns "Why are you crying?"
Buffy quickly wipes away her tears "I'm just happy to see you. I've
missed you very much" she explains
"Oh" Briena replies still puzzled
"Do you know what will make me feel better?" Buffy asks
"No"
"A nice big hug from my favorite little girl"
Briena smiles "OK" she throws her arms around Buffy's neck she hugs
her tight
"Thank you" Buffy says hugging her back "Now I feel a lot better" she
ends the hug and notices the clock on the desk says 9:00 PM. "Its late. I
think its time for someone to go to bed"
"Nu uh" Briena shakes her head. "Angel isn't here to tell me a story.
Want to stay up until Angel gets back"
Buffy picks Briena up "Sweetheart Angel won't be back for a while and
you need to get your rest." she carries Briena into Angel's bedroom she puts
her under the covers and sits beside the little girl "Tell you what when he
gets back I'll tell him to come in and let you know he's back. OK?"
Briena yawns "OK" she agrees reluctantly closing her eyes
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me" Buffy says quietly
" 'kay" Briena mumbles tiredly burrowing into the pillow
Buffy sits there silently watching as the little girl begins to drift
off to sleep. Leaning down she lightly kisses the almost sleeping child's
forehead "Night baby girl" she whispers
"Night Mommy" Briena mutters sleepily
Buffy is startled by the little girl calling her Mommy. "She called
me Mommy" she thinks happily "Yet she has no clue that I am her Mommy" she
remembers sadly as she stands and quietly exits the room heading into the
kitchen she grabs her backpack and settles at the table. She takes out her
psychology book and begins to read. After about an hour she closes the book
frustrated because she can't concentrate. She goes into the living room and
flops on the couch with the remote turning on the T.V.
**** Two hours later ****
Angel exits the elevator conscientious that Briena is most likely
asleep. He notices that the T.V. is on the volume low and he sees that Buffy
is sitting on the couch. "Hey" he greets quietly
"Hi. You're back early" she observes looking up she smiles at him
Angel walks around the couch and sits beside Buffy "We found them
quicker than we thought we would."
"So what was it?" Buffy asks curious
"A group of demons. How'd it go here?"
Buffy smiles "She had a bath and showed me what is going in her room.
She's very excited about it"
Angel chuckles "Yeah when she saw it we tried to get her to look at
other ideas before making up her mind. She is very stubborn."
"And you caved" Buffy grins
Angel shrugs "She gives me the same look you give when you want
something. I can't resist that look on you so what's the surprise that I
can't resist it on her."
Buffy laughs "I think she inherited the same look you give me"
Angel sighs "That's what Cordelia thinks. She says that sometimes
Brie will give her what she calls 'the Buffy look' then another time she'll
give her 'the Angel look.' Brie seems to have inherited both of our
attitudes."
Buffy rolls her eyes "Great I take it she broods just like you"
"Hey I don't brood that much" Angel protests
"Yes you do Mr." retorts Buffy "As long as we've known each other you
have."
"When did she go to bed?" he asks
"9." Buffy replies her voice faraway
"What's wrong?" Angel asks softly
Buffy pulls her knees up to her chest "Do you ever think about
telling her who we are?" she asks softly
Angel watches the sad look pass over his beloved's face "Yeah, I do."
he admits "The other day she asked me why she didn't have a mommy and daddy
like everyone else."
"What did you say?"
Angel reaches out his fingers lightly caressing her face "That she
does have a mommy and daddy who love her." he pauses "In a way I think she
does know who we are. But I think its buried in her subconscious. A few times
when she's almost asleep or she has a bad dream she's called me Daddy."
Buffy looks at him her eyes filled with tears she tells him her voice
sad "She called me Mommy when I put her to bed."
Angel pulls her to him as she begins to cry "At some level she knows
who we are baby." he whispers kissing her hair "She knows we love her whether
or not we're just Angel and Buffy or Daddy and Mommy"
"I know" she sighs "Angel are we ever going to tell her?"
"Someday baby. Its not a good time. She's still adjusting to
everything that's happened."
Buffy pulls away from his embrace and wipes away her tears and smiles
"You've done a good job with her. She adores you"
Angel reaches out tucking a stray hair behind her ear "She adores you
too. Every morning she asks me when your coming to visit and if she can call
you. She won't stop asking until I finally pick up the phone and dial your
number. After talking to you the first thing she does is ask me when she can
talk to you again."
Buffy smiles "Oh yeah Briena wanted me to tell you to let her know
that your back"
Angel nods "I usually put her to bed before I go out. I'll go say
goodnight to her"
Buffy nods standing up she follows the vampire into his bedroom. "She
looks so peaceful" Buffy whispers
Angel chuckles "She does right now but sometimes she kicks in her
sleep." he sits on the edge of the bed "Brie" he says stroking her hair
Briena opens her eyes and smiles groggily "Hi" she hugs him
Angel hugs her back "Time to go back to sleep." he chuckles lightly
when he realizes that Briena has gone back to sleep in the middle of the hug.
"What?" Buffy asks
"She's asleep." Angel answers laying the limp body down he kisses her
forehead pulling the covers up. "I'll be on the couch"
"Night" Buffy whispers "I'm thinking that Brie and I'll go to the
park in the morning"
Angel nods "Goodnight"
Buffy crawls into bed next to Briena and quickly falls asleep.
Author: Inquisitive1
Rating: PG 13. Minor NC 17 in Part 1
Disclaimer: I own Jack and Briena. All the others belong to Joss Whedon.
Distribution: My site http://www.angelfire.com/tv/inqstive1sfanfiction/index.html, Fanfiction.net, and mumerous mailing lists. Anyone else want it just ask and you shall have permission to take this fiction and all others that I write.
Feedback: Let me know what you think. Send feedback to inquisitive1@angelfire.com or 2inquisitive1@angelfire.com
___________
Part 8
**** Half an hour later ****
Angel looks up from reading through the files as the elevator starts
to descend.
"Hey Angel I'm back" calls Cordelia
"Cor quiet Briena's sleeping"
"Sorry. How long has she been asleep?" asks Cordelia sitting beside
Angel
"Over an hour. She should wake up soon." Angel closes the file "Were
you successful?"
Cordelia nods "Yeah" she rummages through the shopping bags "Here are
the sample cards for the paint. I went for lighter colors since this place is
dreary enough as it is." she hands him the paint cards. "The sample wallpaper
I went with neutral."
"OK thanks add this to my IOU file" Angel smiles
"Sure. What are you looking through?" asks Cordelia
"Oh just a case file Kate asked me to look over." he rubs his
forehead "Oh I have to go out tonight can you watch Briena for a few hours?"
"Uh sorry I can't" Cordelia replies heading into the kitchen "I have
plans"
"Cordy its only for a few hours" Angel follows
"Angel I made these plans yesterday" Cordelia replies
"Can you call Doyle for me?" Angel asks
"Sure"
"Thanks Cordy" Angel says returning to the living room he sits down
opening the file again.
**** Fifteen minutes later ****
Briena opens her eyes looking around she realizes she's in her
bedroom. Smiling she remembers Angel's promise that they can call Buffy.
"Angel" she calls excitedly as she races out of her room launching herself on
the couch next to the Angel.
"Hey sweetheart" Angel greets putting the file down on the coffee
table he pulls his daughter on his lap kissing her forehead "Did you have a
good nap?" he asks
Briena nods "Can we call Buffy now" she asks
Angel smiles "We can try" he answers reaching for the cordless he
dials the familiar number as Briena settles herself on his lap. He listens as
the other end is picked up
"Hello" asks a familiar voice
"Willow its Angel is Buffy there?"
"Uh sure just a sec." he hears Willow call to Buffy "Buffy it's for
you"
"Tell whoever it is I'll call them back" replies Buffy
"Its the call you wanted me to tell you when it came in" Willow hints
Angel hears Buffy say "Riley, I've got to take this" she takes the
phone from Willow "Hey" she greets "Is everything OK?"
"Yeah everything's good. Briena wanted to talk to you. Want me to
call back?"
"Want to talk to Buffy" Briena demands
"Briena" he growls warningly
"I don't have much time to talk" Buffy replies
"She just wants to say hi and wants to know if your going to be here
this weekend" Angel informs her
"OK" Buffy says
Angel hands the phone to Briena "You have to talk quick. Buffy is
studying"
Briena nods solemnly taking the phone "Hi Buffy" she says happily
"Hi how are you?" Buffy asks glad to hear the small voice
"Fine. I went to the park today with Doyle" she announces
"How was it?"
"Fun. I climbed the monkey bars. Went down the slide a bunch of
times. Then I made Cordy scream"
"Oh how did you manage that?" Buffy laughs
"I showed her my new friend Mr. Worm."
"Oh no." Buffy laughs
"Angel said I had to let Mr. Worm go back outside." she sighs
unhappily
"That's a good thing to do."
"Uh huh" agrees Briena "Now Mr. Worm can go play in the dirt. Then
Angel read to me then I took a nap."
"So you've had a good day?" Buffy asks
"Yep. Are you gonna come visit this weekend?" Briena asks hopefully
"Yes as far as I know I am"
"Good" Briena states
"Brie I need to talk to Buffy" Angel says
"OK. Bye Buffy"
"See you later" Buffy replies waiting for Angel to return
Angel takes the phone from Briena "How are you getting here?"
"Not sure yet."
"If Giles and Xander can't bring you tell Spike that I said to."
"I will. Tell Cordy I said hey"
"Sure. Tell everyone hi for me. So see you Friday" he says
"Yep. Bye"
"Bye"
**** Buffy and Willow's Dorm Room ****
Buffy hangs up the phone her mind still on hearing the voices of the
two people she loves most. "My baby seems happy without me" she thinks sadly
"Buffy" Willow says softly.
Buffy shakes off her sad thoughts and looks at her best friend "I'm
fine Will" she smiles faintly
Riley notices the sad look on his girlfriend's face "Buffy you don't
look fine"
"I am." she answers returning to her bed she opens her book "Lets get
back to work" she suggests as her mind chants "Two more days. Two more days."
**** Sunnydale: Nightfall- Giles place ****
Buffy enters Giles apartment to find Spike sprawled on the couch
watching TV and Giles reading at his desk. "Hey" she greets
"Ah hello Buffy" Giles says glancing up from his reading he notices
the look on her face. "What's wrong?"
She shrugs "Nothing really. Giles are you busy this weekend?"
"Um yes. Olivia's coming this weekend."
"Great" groans Spike from the couch "Take it that means I'm kicked
out"
"Look you bloody vampire you don't live here" Giles snaps
Spike grunts in response.
Giles rubs his temples in annoyance "May I ask why you are inquiring
about my plans this weekend?"
Buffy sighs leaning against the wall "Because Briena wants me to come
visit this weekend. And I can't ask my Mom to drive me. Or Riley. Xander's
working."
Giles smiles "Sorry Buffy. What are you going to do now?"
"I have one option left." she groans "And I so did not want to go in
this direction." she mutters going over to the couch she leans over and
smacks Spike on the head. "Spike I know you have no plans this weekend and no
place to stay so how 'bout coming with me to Angel's"
Spike glares at the Slayer "Not bloody likely" he growls "I hate the
bloody wanker"
"OK I didn't want to do this but..." she sighs "Angel said you have
to"
Spike sits up "What?!" he exclaims "He's pulling rank on me"
"Yep" Buffy nods "Please Spike. Briena wants me to visit."
"I wouldn't mind meeting my little sister" Spike grins thoughtfully
"Plus someone needs to be there to keep you two from shagging"
Buffy rolls her eyes then frowns "What do you mean by little sister?"
she demands
Spike smirks "Technically any kids the poof has are my siblings in a
way."
Buffy scrunches up her nose "Ewww so that means we're kinda related"
" 'fraid so Summers" Spike snickers
"Buffy what are you going to tell Riley about where you are going?"
asks Giles
Buffy shrugs "Dunno yet. I think I'm going to tell him I'm visiting a
childhood friend."
"So Fish Boy doesn't know about the tyke" Spike muses
Buffy rolls her eyes "No Riley doesn't know about Briena." she glares
at Spike "If you say one word about her or Angel to Riley I will hog tie you
and drag you to LA and let Angel deal with you."
"What about your Mum?" Spike asks
"She doesn't know either. She hates Angel almost as much as you do.
She would not take too well to finding out that Angel's the father of her
possibly only grandchild."
"I like your Mum" Spike grins
"You would" she grumbles
Part 9
**** Buffy & Willow's Dorm: Friday Afternoon ****
"Riley calm down. Spike can't hurt me." Buffy soothes
"I could give you a ride" Riley offers
"NO" Buffy replies slightly panicked seeing the hurt look on Riley's
face she quickly apologizes "Sorry. But Spike had already planned to go to
LA. Riley I'll be fine. I'll be in class Monday morning. Just try and keep
things from getting out of hand around here."
"OK. Be careful" he says
Buffy walks over to him and puts her arms around his neck "I will"
she promises kissing him
Riley breaks the kiss "I better get going. I'll see you Monday" he
heads out the door
Buffy flops on her bed staring at the ceiling "Get to see my baby"
she thinks happily she sits up and reaches for her journal on her nightstand.
Opening it she begins to write:
"Its been a week since I've seen Briena and Angel. I miss them so
much. But for different reasons; Angel because he's Angel, my rock; Briena
because she's my baby, my little girl. Its so weird to write or even think
those words: my baby, my little girl. Here I am a 19 year old freshmen and I
have a child. Sure many 19 year olds can say that but it's different with me.
I mean I'm 19 with a 4 year old daughter who has only been alive for two
years. A child whom I didn't carry for nine months or go through morning
sickness and hours of labor to bring her into this world. Yet I did help
create her. If all of that isn't odd she lives with her 246 year old vampire
father who happens to have a soul and my heart. Life on a Hellmouth can only
get more interesting."
Buffy smiles thoughtfully as she closes her journal stowing it in her
backpack to take it with her. Standing she heads to her closet picking out
clothes to pack for the weekend. As she is staring into her closet the door
opens and she glances over to see Willow entering. "Hey Will"
Willow tosses her bag on her bed "Hey" she greets sitting down. "You
getting ready to leave?"
"Yep. I'm not really sure what to take. Angel said that we're going
to be working on Briena's room."
"So take jeans and a t- shirt" Willow suggests
"I will." Buffy goes to the dresser and removes a pair of ratty jeans
and a t-shirt.
"What else are you going to be doing this weekend?" Willow asks
Buffy shrugs "Dunno really. Angel probably has to work. I'm thinking
that while Spike and Angel are sleeping I'll take Briena to the park or
something."
"You sound excited" Willow grins
Buffy smiles at her friend "I am. We've known about Briena for a week
and I have only been able to spend a day with her. I'm looking forward to
spending time with her."
Willow smirks "And with Angel"
Buffy tilts her head thoughtfully "Of course. I always like spending
time with him even when we aren't together" she finishes sadly
"Why is Spike taking you?"
"No one else can. Besides Olivia is staying at Giles's this weekend
and so Spike has no place to sleep. Angel pulled the 'I'm your Sire so do
what I say' line. Plus Spike is curious about Briena."
"I take it that he wants to go to bug both you and Angel and to keep
you two from smooching"
"In his words 'someone's got to keep you two from shagging.' Not like
we can even if I wasn't with Riley"
"You haven't told him about the reason behind the trip have you?"
Willow asks
Buffy shrugs "I can't risk it." Buffy sits on her bed "I like Riley
but I can't risk losing Angel or Briena because of his loyalty to Walsh."
Willow sees the sad look on her friend's face "Buffy what's on your
mind?"
Buffy pulls her knees up to her chest "Its weird. Last week I had no
clue that I was a mother. Now that I know it hurts that I can't tell her who
I am."
"Maybe you guys should tell her who you are." Willow suggests
"I want to Willow so much. But I'm still uncertain about the whole
motherhood fact." she pauses "I'm 19 with a daughter who is technically only
2 years old yet she's physically 4. I adore the fact that I have a child with
my soulmate yet it also saddens me at the same time." seeing Willow's
confused look she continues "I know this sounds weird but I think I would
have enjoyed being pregnant. To carry his child would have been incredible
not because of the normal reasons like creating a new life but because it
would have been a miracle child that I carried." she wipes away a few stray
tears
"Oh Buffy" Willow replies going to her friends side "Maybe it will
happen one day." she comforts putting her arm around Buffy's shoulders "You
never know we live on a Hellmouth."
"I know. Anything is possible just not for me" she sighs standing "I
better finish packing Spike will be here soon"
Willow watches her best friend wander around the room grabbing things
to put in her duffle bag. "Oh Buffy everything will work out I promise"
Willow thinks
**** Three hours later ****
Angel looks at the door as he senses the approach of Buffy and Spike
outside the back door. He opens the door to hear the familiar bickering of
the Slayer and British vampire. Leaning against the door frame he listens to
the two argue
"God Spike you are worse than Xander"
"Am not."
"And how long have you been driving?" Buffy asks
"Longer than Harris" Spike retorts
"And your worse driver than him" Buffy replies her eyes lighting up
when she sees Angel watching the two of them with a look of amusement.
"What?" she asks her voice slightly amused yet annoyed
Angel shakes his head "Nothing. You two act like siblings its funny."
he answers as he closes the door behind them
"Bloody hell not likely" Spike mutters
Angel reaches over smacking Spike on the back of the head. Spike
vamps and growls "What was that for"
"No swearing." Angel retorts "Brie has a tendency to mimic what she
hears."
Spike rolls his eyes "Sure mate"
"Where is Briena?" Buffy asks excitedly
Angel shrugs walking into the kitchen he finds Doyle sitting at the
table. "Doyle's been watching her while I was upstairs getting some work
done. Doyle where's Brie?"
Doyle frowns thoughtfully "Last time I saw her she was under your
bed."
"Why was she under my bed?" asks Angel
"Hiding" he answers with a grin
Angel shakes his head in disbelief "Can you go find her?"
Doyle nods "Sure" he heads into the living room
"Wouldn't she have heard us come in?" asks Spike curiously
Angel looks at his childe "She sometimes gets so involved with what
she is doing that she'll block out things around her."
Doyle walks into the living room "Monkey where are you?" he calls
looking behind the couch and in the closet. "Okay Monkey come on out"
Briena giggles from her hiding spot as she watches Doyle look for
her.
Doyle hears the giggle from up high. "I heard that now where are
you?" he looks up and laughs "How did you get up there?"
Briena grins from her hiding spot in the alcove made by the pipes.
"Climbed"
"Will you come down?" he asks
"No" she shakes her head sticking her thumb in her mouth
Doyle shakes his head turning around he goes to the kitchen "Uh Angel
we got a little situation out here" he grins
"What?" Angel inquires
"Uh just come and see this" Doyle replies returning to the living
room
Angel, Spike and Buffy follow. "What Doyle?" Angel questions
"Look" he points towards the alcove
Angel follows his gesture to see Briena watching them with a grin.
"Hi Angel. Hi Buffy. Hi Mr. Vampire" she waves giggling
Angel shakes his head in disbelief "Brie how did you get up there?"
"She climbed up" Doyle answers for her
"Briena come on down from there" Buffy says
"Nu uh" she shakes her head letting her legs swing
"Please" Buffy asks hopefully
Briena watches her thoughtfully then shrugs "Okay"
Angel steps forward reaching up for her "Come on"
Briena shakes her head "No. I can do it myself"
"All right" Angel agrees moving away
Briena looks around checking out her situation looking for an out.
She crawls over a pipe to the bookcase. She lowers herself to the shelf below
and slowly she climbs down shelf by shelf. Once on the floor she turns to
face the adults "Hi Buffy" she laughs rushing to Buffy who swings her up in
her arms
"Hey you" Buffy laughs
Briena wraps her arms around Buffy's neck. "Who's that?" she demands
pointing at Spike
Buffy sees she's pointing at Spike "That's Spike."
"Hiya Spike" she greets with a smile
"Hey kid" Spike replies
Angel watches the reaction Briena has to Spike. He shakes his head in
disbelief. "Amazing she actually likes you."
"I'm a likeable demon" Spike retorts
"She's normally shy with strangers" Angel explains
"And no one is stranger than Spike" Buffy laughs
Spike growls low "Shut up Slayer"
"Bite me" retorts Buffy then slaps her forehead "Oh wait you can't
you neutred Billy Idol wanna be fangless puppy dog"
"Hey I'm still bad" Spike whines
Buffy laughs "As bad as an annoying insect."
Spike vamps then clutches his head "Bloody chip"
"Spike" Angel growls
Briena starts to giggle as she watches the arguing around her.
"What's so funny?" Buffy asks
Briena giggling points at the two arguing vampires "They are"
"They are funny aren't they" Buffy agrees chuckling
Doyle watches as his boss argues with his childe "Uh Angel man we
need to get going" he interrupts
Angel nods at Doyle ending the argument with Spike. Turning to Buffy
and Briena "Doyle and I need to go take care of some business" he grabs his
duster "We should be back by morning." he opens the weapons cabinet grabbing
a dagger. "Spike if your gonna stay here you can sleep on the couch. Buffy
you and Brie can take my bed. I'll crash in Briena's room."
"All right" Buffy says sitting down with Briena in her lap "We'll
have some fun won't we?" she asks Briena
"Uh huh" agrees Briena. "Bye Angel" she waves
"See you in the morning" Angel replies heading towards the door he
stops "Oh she needs a bath before bedtime."
"No problem" Buffy answers. Angel nods and follows Doyle out the door
Spike looks at Buffy and Briena "Enjoy. I'm gonna find some fun" he
slams the door as he leaves
"What do you want to do?" Buffy asks smoothing back the child's hair
Briena shrugs "I dunno"
"Well what do you and Angel usually do?"
"If I don't have a bath in the morning I have one before bed.
Sometimes I get to watch a movie before bed. But that's usually when Cordy or
Doyle watches me. Angel usually tells me a story, we color, and play."
Buffy smiles at the child and kisses her forehead. "How about we get
the bath out of the way and then we'll do something fun." she says standing
still holding the little girl. Buffy carries Briena into the bathroom and
sets her on the floor. "Do you need to go?"
Briena nods
"OK. Where does Angel keep the towels?"
"In the cabinet in his room" Briena replies
Buffy nods "Call me if you need me"
" 'kay"
Buffy closes the door part way as she leaves the bathroom. Wanting to
explore her daughter's surroundings Buffy goes into Briena's room. Turning on
the light she smiles faintly at the rooms slightly disorganized decor. She
walks through the room examining the toys and stuffed animals. "I knew you'd
be a good father" she thinks sadly "She seems happy with you. She belongs
with you" she wipes away a few stray tears. Standing Buffy walks over to the
dresser and opens the first two drawers taking out a pair of underwear and
some pajamas. Returning to Angel's room she opens the cabinet doors and takes
out two towels. She knocks on the bathroom door "Brie can I come in?"
"Yes" Briena replies
Buffy enters the bathroom and puts the clothes and towels on the
counter. "Let me turn on the water" she leans over the tubs edge and turns
the knobs on. Checking the temp she looks at Briena and says "Now lets get
your teeth brushed and get you out of those clothes while we're waiting" She
grabs the toothbrush with the character Abu from Aladdin on it "Like your
toothbrush" she laughs
Briena grins taking the toothbrush "Doyle got it for me" she says
holding it out so Buffy can put the paste on it. Briena begins to brush her
teeth then spits out the paste.
"Done?" Buffy asks
"Uh huh" she nods
"OK lets get you out of these clothes and into the tub" Buffy says
checking out the water as Briena takes off her clothes. "Water's ready" she
announces turning off the water "Get in." Briena carefully gets into the tub
she sits down. "OK lets get your hair washed"
Briena nods plugging her nose she leans back ducking her hair in the
water and coming back up. "I need help washing my hair"
Buffy reaches for the shampoo and pours a small amount in her hand
then lathering it in Briena's hair. "Have you enjoyed living here with
Angel?" she asks casually as she scrubs
"Uh huh" Briena replies "We have lots of fun."
"I bet you do" Buffy agrees "Time to rinse" she turns on the faucet
and helps Briena rinse. "All clean" Buffy announces grabbing a towel "Stand
up" she orders. As Briena does Buffy wraps her in the towel and lifts her out
of the tub standing her on the toilet seat.
Briena giggles as Buffy towels her off.
"What are you giggling about?" Buffy demands sternly
"Nothing" Briena chirps
"If you say so young lady" Buffy grabs the clothes off the counter
"OK lets get you dressed sweetheart"
Briena takes them from Buffy and quickly pulls them on. "Done"
Buffy smiles "Good." she lifts Briena off the toilet seat placing her
on the counter. "Now lets get those tangles out" she reaches for a comb
Briena giggles as Buffy starts to comb out the tangles
"What?"
"Cordy gets annoyed when Angel doesn't comb out my hair."
"Not surprised there" Buffy laughs
Briena swings her legs as she continues talking "When I don't have my
hair combed Cordy always says 'Angel run a comb through her hair it looks
like a rats nest.' When Angel doesn't run a comb through my hair Cordy does."
Buffy puts the comb down and just watches as the child fidgets. "She
looks so much like Angel" she thinks
"Whatcha thinking about?" Briena asks innocently
Buffy smiles at the innocent look and leans down to Briena's level
"Well I was thinking about what a special little girl you are" she kisses
Briena's forehead "Now lets go" she lifts Briena off the counter balancing
Briena on her hip Buffy carries her out of the bathroom returning to the
living room. She sits down on the couch with Briena on her lap
"Wanna see my room is gonna look like?" she asks Buffy excitedly
"Sure" Buffy answers
"Come on" Briena says scrambling off the couch she leads Buffy to the
corner of the room where Angel's desk sits. "I'm gonna have my room like
this" she hands Buffy a picture from a bedroom set
Buffy smiles at the sight of the old movie theme. "This is cool" she
says looking at the pictures of old movie posters of Shirley Temple and Three
Stooges.
"Do you like?" Briena says.
"Wow. I think its cool. Why did you choose this theme?" Buffy asks
Briena grins "Doyle and me watched the Three Stooges the last time he
watched me"
Buffy smiles "Angel must have loved that" Buffy chuckles
"He said Doyle was corrupting me. Then when Cordy watched me we
watched Shirley Temple. Sometimes Angel watches those old movies with me"
"Of course he does. He wants you to experience everything. Do you
know why?"
"Nope"
Buffy crouches before the little girl "You are very important to us"
Buffy says tearfully "and we love you very, very much" she taps the little
girl's nose with each 'very'
Briena frowns "Why are you crying?"
Buffy quickly wipes away her tears "I'm just happy to see you. I've
missed you very much" she explains
"Oh" Briena replies still puzzled
"Do you know what will make me feel better?" Buffy asks
"No"
"A nice big hug from my favorite little girl"
Briena smiles "OK" she throws her arms around Buffy's neck she hugs
her tight
"Thank you" Buffy says hugging her back "Now I feel a lot better" she
ends the hug and notices the clock on the desk says 9:00 PM. "Its late. I
think its time for someone to go to bed"
"Nu uh" Briena shakes her head. "Angel isn't here to tell me a story.
Want to stay up until Angel gets back"
Buffy picks Briena up "Sweetheart Angel won't be back for a while and
you need to get your rest." she carries Briena into Angel's bedroom she puts
her under the covers and sits beside the little girl "Tell you what when he
gets back I'll tell him to come in and let you know he's back. OK?"
Briena yawns "OK" she agrees reluctantly closing her eyes
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me" Buffy says quietly
" 'kay" Briena mumbles tiredly burrowing into the pillow
Buffy sits there silently watching as the little girl begins to drift
off to sleep. Leaning down she lightly kisses the almost sleeping child's
forehead "Night baby girl" she whispers
"Night Mommy" Briena mutters sleepily
Buffy is startled by the little girl calling her Mommy. "She called
me Mommy" she thinks happily "Yet she has no clue that I am her Mommy" she
remembers sadly as she stands and quietly exits the room heading into the
kitchen she grabs her backpack and settles at the table. She takes out her
psychology book and begins to read. After about an hour she closes the book
frustrated because she can't concentrate. She goes into the living room and
flops on the couch with the remote turning on the T.V.
**** Two hours later ****
Angel exits the elevator conscientious that Briena is most likely
asleep. He notices that the T.V. is on the volume low and he sees that Buffy
is sitting on the couch. "Hey" he greets quietly
"Hi. You're back early" she observes looking up she smiles at him
Angel walks around the couch and sits beside Buffy "We found them
quicker than we thought we would."
"So what was it?" Buffy asks curious
"A group of demons. How'd it go here?"
Buffy smiles "She had a bath and showed me what is going in her room.
She's very excited about it"
Angel chuckles "Yeah when she saw it we tried to get her to look at
other ideas before making up her mind. She is very stubborn."
"And you caved" Buffy grins
Angel shrugs "She gives me the same look you give when you want
something. I can't resist that look on you so what's the surprise that I
can't resist it on her."
Buffy laughs "I think she inherited the same look you give me"
Angel sighs "That's what Cordelia thinks. She says that sometimes
Brie will give her what she calls 'the Buffy look' then another time she'll
give her 'the Angel look.' Brie seems to have inherited both of our
attitudes."
Buffy rolls her eyes "Great I take it she broods just like you"
"Hey I don't brood that much" Angel protests
"Yes you do Mr." retorts Buffy "As long as we've known each other you
have."
"When did she go to bed?" he asks
"9." Buffy replies her voice faraway
"What's wrong?" Angel asks softly
Buffy pulls her knees up to her chest "Do you ever think about
telling her who we are?" she asks softly
Angel watches the sad look pass over his beloved's face "Yeah, I do."
he admits "The other day she asked me why she didn't have a mommy and daddy
like everyone else."
"What did you say?"
Angel reaches out his fingers lightly caressing her face "That she
does have a mommy and daddy who love her." he pauses "In a way I think she
does know who we are. But I think its buried in her subconscious. A few times
when she's almost asleep or she has a bad dream she's called me Daddy."
Buffy looks at him her eyes filled with tears she tells him her voice
sad "She called me Mommy when I put her to bed."
Angel pulls her to him as she begins to cry "At some level she knows
who we are baby." he whispers kissing her hair "She knows we love her whether
or not we're just Angel and Buffy or Daddy and Mommy"
"I know" she sighs "Angel are we ever going to tell her?"
"Someday baby. Its not a good time. She's still adjusting to
everything that's happened."
Buffy pulls away from his embrace and wipes away her tears and smiles
"You've done a good job with her. She adores you"
Angel reaches out tucking a stray hair behind her ear "She adores you
too. Every morning she asks me when your coming to visit and if she can call
you. She won't stop asking until I finally pick up the phone and dial your
number. After talking to you the first thing she does is ask me when she can
talk to you again."
Buffy smiles "Oh yeah Briena wanted me to tell you to let her know
that your back"
Angel nods "I usually put her to bed before I go out. I'll go say
goodnight to her"
Buffy nods standing up she follows the vampire into his bedroom. "She
looks so peaceful" Buffy whispers
Angel chuckles "She does right now but sometimes she kicks in her
sleep." he sits on the edge of the bed "Brie" he says stroking her hair
Briena opens her eyes and smiles groggily "Hi" she hugs him
Angel hugs her back "Time to go back to sleep." he chuckles lightly
when he realizes that Briena has gone back to sleep in the middle of the hug.
"What?" Buffy asks
"She's asleep." Angel answers laying the limp body down he kisses her
forehead pulling the covers up. "I'll be on the couch"
"Night" Buffy whispers "I'm thinking that Brie and I'll go to the
park in the morning"
Angel nods "Goodnight"
Buffy crawls into bed next to Briena and quickly falls asleep.