Author's Note: Your pacing around the room. You're worrying about on of the most crucial decisions of your life. Everything you've planed goes into this one choice. What is this mind-numbing question? "What am I going to wear to dinner"? Yes, I know horrible and life altering! We've all been there and hated every second of it. That's what Cordy needs counseling (and some time on the couch for), but guess which best pal is there for her. Same goes for Angel and his right hand man Wesley. It's the five year anniversary and someone needs to watch the kiddy of the Liams. Who comes to the rescue? Right again! That and a chance meeting with a file from long ago. Every wonder if you could test drive everything? A potential perfect life with the potential perfect mate? Well, lets see how it works! This chapter has a Holliday feel, so get out the 'nog and the hats people! Here is Chapter 11!
To My Reviewers:
Imzadi: Yes, Wesley does have that Hugh Grant thing about him. That just makes me love him even more than before. Congrats! You accomplished the impossible, making me love Wesley more than I do. I don't think I'll let Lindsey sweep Sophia off her feet, considering he's married to Kate, I don't think that'd be good. Plus, we all know who's her soul mate. I want them together too, just be patient. It will happen and very soon…yes very very soon! Thanks for the review!
Nookyfiction : I shall stop your killing soon. I swear officer! LOL. Anyway your killing me with the teasers on FBD! Not fair with the 'what might happens' of that story! Oh yes, Angel will pump you up, but I'll bring that in later. Now, I'm very happy that Leslie is going to get that hot dish of Britishness. Keep writing and thanks for the review!
Chasing the stars: Haven't talk to you in a while Missy. But I know how much you love my rambling messages. The party was fantastic, thank Shelly for me? Anyway, I'll put more powder suit fun in there for you. And keep going on the story "Tragic Eyes"…need to post it…well you know when. And get some Nick Drake! Lylas and not Lilah…(did you see today's eppy? AHH!) -Twice removed sister. Thanks for the review!
Nala147: See, I don't know what's wrong with her either. LOL I wrote her yet I'd peak the first time I felt something for him. That'd be great, to know what the potential love guy is thinking. I'm glad that I have you in suspense, hopefully this chapter makes you giddy with Sophia and Wesley. Thanks for the review!
Luna : Thanks for reading my story and reviewing. And It's good cake might I tell you. I have mind control over llamas so ha! LOL jk…You'll see what happens. Yeah, I'm good with the cryptic
"10 minutes Sophia! That's it!" She paced around the room in a very un-her way.
Cordelia had exactly 10 minutes to be 20 minutes late. It was the fifth year anniversary of her wedding to Angel and she hadn't even been dressed. Sophia and Cordelia were at the Liam's apartment while Angel had gone to the Hyperion to give Cordy space to get ready and get ready himself. Her make-up was perfect, her hair was flawless, and her brain was floopy.
"Cordy, you decided on that very pretty burgundy dress that Angel's never seen and will go crazy for."
Sophia had become her friend's counselor by default. All the girls were supposed to help Cordelia get ready for her big date with her husband, but certain circumstances arose. It seemed that once it got colder in LA everything went crazy. Fred had started to feel a little weak because of a vampire attack that left her injured on her left arm. It wasn't deadly but she had lost blood and needed to rest. Gunn was taking care of her like a good husband should. Faith and Lorne were extremely busy at the club trying to find a new act since their main headliner was caught in a not so good situation with a demon money collector.
"Guess who won? Now we have the clean the whole club. Next time Lorne is gonna have to read them more carefully" Faith told Sophia over the phone while she yelled that last part to her fiancé.
"Yes Sugar plumb" she heard him yell back.
So since she was the only one not hurt or in a musical bind, she was the main source of comfort to her hyperventilating friend. She didn't mind at all. She would have been stuck watching a "Twilight Zone" marathon for the 15th time had Cordy not needed her.
"Sucks being the only single one" she thought
"I know but I don't know if it's perfect enough."
Sophia looked at her with a smirk
"Ok you know how I always threaten to tape you talking? Well, today is a prime example of how crazy you sound" she teased
"Sophia Evangeline!" Cordelia screamed while she rummaged through the closet one last time
"Honey calm yourself and don't yell. Do you want to burst a vessel on your day? Yeah, cause a hospital cafeteria is a great substitute for a nice Italian restaurant" she said sarcastically
Cordelia looked at her so annoyed
"All right. I'm sorry. I just find it so romantic. Your worried and you know Angel's have a breakdown right now ten times worse than you"
Cordelia sat on the bed and smiled
"He does tend to worry himself a lot. I think it's cause he didn't have blood pressure for so long" Sophia sat beside her and gazed dreamily outside where the sun was setting.
"I think it's sweet that you two want this evening to be perfect, and 5 years is a milestone. You two overcame all the odds that other couples can't even imagine and now you have a beautiful child and a great marriage. That's the first thing I noticed when I saw you two, you guys adore each other so much even a stranger can see it"
Cordelia was touched that her friend cared so much about her marriage that she pulled her in to a hug.
"I'll go with the burgundy" she told her. They laughed and Cordy mouthed a thank you. She got off the bed, grabbed the dress and walked into the bathroom to change. Apparently getting ready quickly ran in the Angel Investigations girls because Cordy put on her dress in what seemed like a minute. She came out looking like a goddess on her wedding day.
"And how great do I look?" She said with her hands at her side
"Spin" Sophia demanded
"Spin?" Cordelia repeated
"Well, your supposed to spin. Just humor me"
"All right crazy" she spun around in the beautiful burgundy princess dress. It had white crystals on the top and a wonderful Spanish design on the skirt.
"You look beyond perfect. Angel will love it. I can tell this night will be one to remember"
"Thanks honey. And thank you so much for watching Connor tonight."
"I haven't had enough Auntie Sophia-Connor bonding time with him lately. You, miss, have been keeping my nephew from me" she joked
"Great that we need a babysitter then" she said while fixing her hair.
"Oh Cordy, it's time to go!" she looked at her watch.
"Oh ok, well he's coming to pick me up anyway. OK I'm ready?" she smiled a shy smile.
"Princess Diana never looked this good" A big complement coming from Sophia.
"I got to say good-bye to Cony" Her nickname for her son. Cordy tip-toed into his room and kissed her sleeping boy on the cheek.
"Good Night baby. Wish mommy and daddy luck" she whispered. Sophia stood watching and felt herself choke up a bit. Here was her friend, happy as a clam, about to go on her fifth anniversary with her beloved husband, and she just said good night to the son that adored her. Sophia saw what true happiness was that night and wanted to cry out of happiness for Cordelia
"She deservers every ideal moment given to her" she thought while Cordelia ran her fingers through her little boy's hair. She walked out of the room and ran to her closet screaming
"Shoes!"
"The brown ones that are in the kitchen Cord" Sophia went to get them
The doorbell rang
"Shoot! " She yelled. Sophia was surprised Connor hadn't woken up.
"Don't worry I got them and your purse" Sophia came out of the kitchen with shoes and purse in hand
"He should know I need more time" Cordelia said while tripping over putting on her shoes
"He's already 20 minutes late" Sophia told her truthfully
"Well, he should know I need 25 minutes" she shot back
"Cordelia, I'm sorry. Do you want me to come back?" Angel yelled from behind the door confused
"No matter how long I'm married I will never get women" he told himself
"No no Angel just ignore what you hear right now" Sophia told him
Cordelia put on her shoes carefully and grabbed her purse. She smiled at Sophia and hugged her one last time
"Have fun and I don't want you back until late. Got it?" she used the warning index finger.
"Oh no problem there" she said
Cordelia opened the door while Sophia snuck to the bedroom to get out of there way. She heard laughter and the door close. She smiled as she went to check up on Connor. He was sound asleep holding his teddy bear that Wesley gave him for his second birthday.
"You might have a little brother or sister if tonight goes well" She actually thought it would be great that Cordelia and Angel have another child to keep Connor company.
"Rest Connor. Sleep well baby" she whispered to him. She loved the little boy so much and thought of him as her son. She closed the door to his room and walked to the living room.
"Guess I am stuck watching the Twilight Zone marathon after all"
She landed on the channel and laid on the couch to relax after a hectic day.
Wesley was in his office going through his paper on this Saturday evening.
"The Martin flies followed by the Merrick.."
He was alphabetizing the case files on the last year. This was quite relaxing considering he had spent the last hour telling Angel that this anniversary would be fine.
"But what about our 3rd?" he told his friend while failing at tying his tie. They were upstairs in Angel's old room while Wesley was helping him prepare for this wedding anniversary.
"Angel that earthquake was just an odd coincidence that happened to have occurred on that day. Just the fact that the--Let me help you" Wesley was tired of watching Angel fidget with the darn thing. He looped it and tied it without a slip.
"How? I tried doing the same thing for the past 10 minutes"
"Well, first off you kept tying your finger to the tie. That was the beginning of the problem"
"Oh yeah" he said looking at himself in the mirror, something Angel never took for granted.
"The nervousness is going to go away by the time your at dinner right? You don't want to spill the wine all over your wife" He smiled
"Not a great thing to say Wes"
"He's quite high strung today. Well, I can't blame him"
"Angel. It'll all be ok" he reassured
"Yeah I know. I 'm just thankful that Sophia took Connor for the night" Angel said putting on his cologne
"Oh?" Wesley heard her name and perked up
"Always willing to help" He thought of her lovingly
"Yeah she's at the apartment. Poor girl doesn't now what she's in for"
"What do you mean? Connor is always well behaved around her and I"
"Well because his Uncle Wesley and Aunt Sophia bring him treats from their trips undercover" He put on his coat.
"How can I go to Rome and not bring him back a genuine 17th copy of The Luzenthal?"
"I seem to recall you and Sophia had more fun reading to him"
"Anyway, where are you taking Cordelia?"
"La Vie En Rose. On Madison. Nice restaurant, and it better be for those prices." Always tight with a buck, Angel never splurged, unless it was on his wife and child.
"Oh I heard it's wonderful" He heard it from Sophia one night when he told her he should take her somewhere extravagant. She told him pasta was fine. He told her that she deserved more and she said La Vie En Rose was perfect.
"Great because I want this night to be Cordelia's favorite anniversary. She really needs to relax and have a great time considering she's been extra stressed lately. " Angel knew it was over Sophia and Wesley and a vision, but that was it.
"Yes, she does need a break. Listen Angel you being nervous isn't going to help her. Calm a bit"
"Jeez Wes, it's not that easy. A demon could attack any moment, a new more evil menace could appear. It never ends!" Angel sat down on the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. Wesley sighed and sympathetically looked at a wrecked Angel.
"Angel, I understand that your worried, but I promise you nothing will go wrong." he said softly.
"You get visions now?" he smiled a bit
"No, but I have great intuition. After years of trying to have the perfect anniversary, the fifth year is the year the perfection happens. Your son is being cared for by a trustworthy person and I will make sure nothing demonic happens tonight."
Angel sighed and looked at Wesley gratefully.
"Thanks Man. I knew I could count on you" They hugged and pulled away.
"Of course. Now when do you have to leave?" Wesley saw the clock and wondered
"Well in 5 minutes to be 20 minutes late." Angel looked in the mirror one last time just make sure everything was the way it was supposed to look.
"Married couple logic?" Wesley understood half of everything his married friends did. The other half was explained by his single half Sophia.
"Yep"
"Are you ready?"
"Clothes, sent, present-" He ran through his checklist.
"The sapphire/diamond earrings she saw in the window?" Wesley saw the box in the corner of the dresser and opened it.
"She's going to love these" All the years he knew her, Cordelia never said no to diamonds.
"Yeah, I'm gonna be in debt by the time this is over. Oh well, it's worth it"
"Just to see her face is worth it" he thought lovingly
"All right shoes, and car. That's it?'
"That's it. I'm all set" he said walking down the hall and down the steps. Wesley followed down to see him off. They walked to the door where they said good-bye
"Have a great night, And remember, prices and demons do not exist."
"Ok, I got it. Thanks for the help Wes" He smiled and headed for the door
"Anytime. Bye Angel" Wesley was happy to help his friends to achieve one day of peace.
"Bye" Wesley closed the door and headed for his office. He looked at the clock and saw it was almost 7:30. He whimpered and closed the door to his office. He looked at the emptiness of it. Usually, He and Sophia were in there with books and case files everywhere. Now, It was cleaned and organized by Sophia.
"Alone on a Saturday evening. What's new?"
He sat in his chair and contemplated what to do. Then he realized he should get a head start on the end of the year inventory and organize the files. He had gotten to the D's when he saw some pieces of papers that had fallen from a file. He picked them up and began to read them.
"Linage of Anastasia Regina Olivetti…"
"I need to call Sophia. Oh, this could be the break in the case"
He was about to dial her cell phone when he realized she was probably busy with Connor.
"But she really needs to know about this."
So he gave up the fight with himself and dialed her number.
It was 8:00 when Sophia woke up from her nap and heard the cell phone.
"Tell me your own Politik…. Open up your eyes"
"Plus-Being woken up by Coldplay. Minus-Being woken up" she walked over to the table where the cell phone was and answered it.
"Hello?'
"Sophia, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but it's Wesley" his voice had a hint of exasperation
"No bother. What's wrong?"
"Well, I was going through case files and saw something that might be a missing clue in the case."
She felt a ping and decided to check up on Connor. He was still asleep, but seem a little unsettled.
"What is it?"
"The Linage of the----" she heard nothing but static after that.
His cell phone was breaking up and she couldn't understand him at all.
"Wes?"
"Sop--I found---" He was getting frustrated
"OK Wesley if you can hear me. Push a button on the phone"
She heard the '7' button
"All right. Why don't you come to apartment. Ok? Press the same button if you got that"
She heard the button again
"Ok see you soon Bye Wesley"
"I just invited him over. Ok I don't think Angel and Cordy will mind. I wonder what he has to tell me. The Wood/Olivetti case? What could have happened now?"
She was concerned for Connor and decided to check up on him again.
She opened the door to his room to see him sitting upward on his bed.
"Aunt Sophia?" he rubbed his eyes.
"Yes honey I'm here" She walked over to him and sat down on his bed.
"I had a bad dream" he said unhappily
"Oh mi bonito. It's all right. Your safe" He hugged her tightly as she put him in her lap to cradle him.
"It seemed real. I was alone and scared"
"Your never alone. Count how many people protect you on your fingers" He pulled out his hand and started to name them.
"Mommy and Daddy, Uncle Gunn and Uncle Lorne, Aunt Freddy and Aunt Faith. Oh and you and Uncle Wesley"
"Yeah, and all the protectors in Sunnydale. Don't forget about your Aunt Buffy and Uncle Spike and your…" she was about to name them all when Connor interrupted her
"I have lots of people to kill the monsters" he said with joy
"That's right, and no one will ever hurt you baby" she kissed his cheek.
"Can I stay up for a while?" his eyes were full of hope
"Well not the whole night, but I don't see why not for an hour" she couldn't say no to him
"Yay!" Thanks Aunt Soph" He yelled happily
"All right. You want a snack?' She thought he might be hungry
"Umm fruit roll-up?"
"How bout the actually thing?" She was sure not to give that much sugar
"Ok grapes?"
"Perfect, come with me to the kitchen."
He grabbed her hand as she led him to the kitchen.
"Can I play with my train?"
She then laughed at the memory of her trying to assemble the thing.
"Sure"
He smiled at her and went to the living room which was next to the kitchen so she could keep an eye on him. She opened the refrigerator and found a bag of grapes. She washed them extra carefully and put them in a plastic "Buzz Lightyear" bowl. She walked over to him and handed it to him.
"He can't spill with grapes"
"Thank you"
She kissed his head when the doorbell rang. In his excitement, he flipped the bowl over and ran to the door. He stepped on about two grapes.
"Crap! I was wrong!" she thought
She decided to clean up the stain later and answer the door now.
"Hey Connor, do you want to play with the train still?"
"Yeah"
"Go do that hon"
"Ok" The kid could adjust as he forgot about the door and went to the train.
She opened the door to see a glassesless Wesley standing with his briefcase and some coffee. She never saw him with his contacts unless it was a special occasion, like her birthday or a party. But she always was surprised by the blue of his eyes whenever she looked into them.
"Hey." she leaned on the door. She looked at how wonderful he was in his form-fitting yet loose black/gray sweater and black dress pants. His hair was gelled and short, just she liked it.
"You looked a little exhausted" he told her. She actually looked amazing for someone on babysitting duty. Her wavy hair was loose and her skin glowed. She was wearing her light blue jeans with the sparkles and a light blue cardigan with a white tank top.
"Coffee for us?" her eyes twinkled at the thought
"Oh yes." he handed the cup to her
"Thank God for you" she smiled at him
"Oh I'm sorry, Come in" He followed her motion and saw Connor playing with the train he bought him.
"Hey Connor look who's here" she said heading for the towel rack in the kitchen. Sophia took both coffee cups.
"Uncle Wes!" The boy forgot his toy and ran to the British man. Wesley scooped him up and kissed his head.
"Hi little buddy. How are you?"
"Well, I had a bad nightmare and Auntie Sophia told me you'd all protect me--"
"We always will" he reassured him
"That's what she said, and then she kissed me on the head and gave me grapes."
"Your Aunt has been very kind to you?" Wesley already knew the answer.
"She's the best! I want her to baby-sit always" he said enthusiastically
"I'm sure she will"
Sophia grunted as she tried to scrub the stain away off of the white carpet. She had also accidentally spilled both cups of coffee down the drain to avoid bad luck. That hurt her more than the stain.
"Never eating grapes again" she thought as she continued.
"I'll be right back" Wesley felt Sophia need aid in something that was plaguing her.
"Okay" Connor went back to his train
Wesley heard a noise and walked over to see Sophia attacking the floor.
"Do you need some help?'
"He's always here when I'm at my 'stories that will seem funny in a year but are just mortifying now' moments " She thought
"Its just a stain. I don't want Cordy to worry about it. Tonight needs to be perfect for them" she kept on with the scrubbing
"You sound like Angel" He grabbed a towel and started in on the stain too
"Was he extremely stressed too?"
"Absolutely. Cordelia was a bit worried?"
"She was crazed, but it was cute. She was worried, but she knew everything was going to be ok. That kind of safety that married couples have" She smiled and felt a ting of sadness
"Angel seemed that way too" They were both on the floor trying to get the grape stain out while thinking about love.
"That's sweet. OH! Got it out!" She said giddily. She sat on the floor.
"Looks like nothing fell. They'll never know" He looked at the floor feeling accomplished.
"Good, I don't want them to care about the floor tonight" she thought
"Thanks Wesley. Oh Connor!" She was trying to get up when Wesley lifted her in one swift moment.
"There you are"
"Wowsa"
"Thanks." She told him as he smiled at her. She walked to check up on Connor, who had turned on the TV and was watching House of Mouse.
"You need anything Con?"
"I'm bored could you read me a story?" Wesley had put the dirty towels in the garbage and joined Sophia in asking Connor's needs.
"Sure, what do you want me to read?'
"Could Uncle Wesley read me The Polar Express?" He loved the story. Cordelia told her whenever Connor had a bad dream, the only thing that could get him to bed was a reading of The Polar Express thatwould soothe him right to sleep.
Sophia looked at Wesley whose eyes seem to soften
"Of course I will" he told him lovingly. Connor squealed happily and ran to his room to retrieve the book. Sophia looked at Wesley's eyes sparkle at the sight of the little boy. He looked at her. His heart warmed and thought a thought he buried long ago.
"I want this with her. She's the mother of my children. I do breathe because of her" That wasn't his thought. Something seemed different about that emotion, like it wasn't happening now. It felt right but off in a way, like the words he wrote down months ago. He yearned for the family, but again he decided to bury it and focus on his nephew.
"This is perfection. I'll have it I just have to open my eyes. Wesley looks so happy" And that brought happiness to her. Whenever she saw him beam, she felt complete and fulfilled
"He's very excited" she said sitting on the couch
"Do you want me to read?" he asked
"That'll work….Hey Wesley?" she said with caution
"Yes, Sophia" He looked at her with that puppy-love gaze
"Do you ever think that--" She was going to tell him about her dreams and flashes, including the ones that had him as her husband and father of her child when Connor came running in
"I got it!" She moved her head from Wesley to Connor and smiled at the little boy.
"Okay, here we go" Wesley sat down by Sophia, but with enough room for Connor in the middle. They seemed like a little family in a Christmas portrait. Connor could have been their son with his dark hair and bright eyes, looking at his parents wishfully. Connor opened the book and handed it to Wesley, who began to tell the timeless story.
"On Christmas eve, many years ago I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound-a sound a friend had told me I'd never hear. The ringing bells of Santa's sleigh--" His voice painted the picture of a childhood memory from a man enchanted by life. Sophia closed her eyes and put herself into the wondrous world Wesley was describing. Connor began to cuddle with Sophia as he laid in her arms.
"Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe The End" He finished to see Connor asleep and Sophia with tears in her eyes.
"Oh Sophia, What's wrong?" he whispered
"It's nothing." she sniffled and looked at Connor
"Please tell me" he worried for her
"You'll think I'm crazy, not that you don't already" She shook her head
"That could never happen" He was in an emotional high. Wesley felt such love for Sophia and more sadness that he would never know her touch.
She took comfort in his words and told him.
"I want this. I want my children to want me to read stories to them and fall asleep in my lap. I want to tuck them in at night and tell them I love them. I want them to see snow on Christmas morning." She couldn't look at him while the tears fell. Her stare fell to the Christmas tree in the living room.
"You'll have it. All of it. The children, the family, the happiness. The Christmas memories. And a devoted husband that adores you, because nothing less will do. You deserve all the happiness in the world" He touched her chin to catch a tear. She moved her hand from Connor's head and held his wrist.
"Thank You Wesley" she whispered
"I'm always here for you. Never forget that" He finally gave into his wishes and a year of endless questions. He was about to lean in and kiss her.
"Now or never. She needs to know" He flashed those baby blue eyes and gave her a smile made her feel willing for anything he gave her.
Connor stirred in his sleep. She let go of his wrist and sighed.
"I should put him to bed" she told him regretfully.
"My luck hates me" She was so incredibly ready for the kiss to happen. A year of her emotions running crazy on her was about to end, but it didn't, to her dismay.
"Right" She got up and headed for Connor's room to tuck him in.
Wesley was left alone. He leaned his elbow on the couch arm, put out his hand to his forehead and began to rub.
"This is getting to be ridiculous" He decided to forget the almost kiss for a second and check up on Sophia.
It could have been the fact that he was tired of the near romance or the fact that he read a story about love through a child's eyes, but his sight seemed to fail him. Sophia was standing over a child's crib. She looked like she did now, but she had a glow to her. She sang a song in Spanish to the baby in the crib.
"No llores mi nina. Que yo estoy aqui. Te quero mucho. Siempre te tengo en mi corazon" Her voice was angelic. He was moved by her beauty and love for the child
"Darling, she's calling for you. Isn't that right Isabella? Daddy's coming to rock you to sleep. Wesley honey?" She reached out to him. Her eyes conveyed a feeling of connection and love only….
"A married couple could express" He thought finally understanding it.
He wanted to walk over and see what was inside the crib. He was in the process of walking over to see his beautiful daughter, but the dream ended and he was back in the Liam's apartment.
"Wesley? Are you all right?" Sophia's clothes were no longer a white dress, but her jeans again.
"Yes, I'm quite fine. I think" He looked at the floor in embarrassment over his reaction in the dream.
"You sure?" She had his teddy bear in her hand.
"Yes I'm all right. Er, is Connor settled?" He said changing the subject
"Yeah, sleeping sound. He's such an angel" She looked back at him as she closed the door.
"That he is"
"So, that was a great reading. I could tell Connor really loves it when you read it to him"
"Was it? Thank you"
"I used to love that book as a child. Must have triggered something. I'm missing the snow from Chicago and walking in the first fall. Hey, I'm sorry about the freak-out. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable in any way." Her face tried to show strength, but Wesley could see her eyes illustrated vulnerability.
"She's hurt" Wesley never wanted to see her in pain, it broke his heart when he did.
"Oh no, you didn't." He told her sincerely. His voice had dropped to that low he reached when he was truly passionate about something.
"Well, still you shouldn't have to consol me every time I get…well that way."
"I rather enjoy it actually"
"Well there's no turning back now"
"You enjoy watching girls weep and have breakdowns?"
"No, I enjoy comforting you"
"And no one does it like you do. For some reason you're the only one who can calm me"
"Oh, well thank you for doing the comforting"
"She's not getting it"
"Mixed messages Wesley. Friends or no? Well, I could read him and know--no! Personal gain and intrusion to him"
"Well yes" It would be at this point when Wesley would take off his glasses and set them down.
"Ok move on" She told herself
"Food?" Was the word that came out of her mouth
"Full sentence Sophia" If it was possible she would have rolled her eyes inside of her head so Wesley couldn't see.
"Pardon" He was so confused by the movement of the conversation
"Subject change?" He understood
"I mean- Are you hungry?" She closed her eyes in frustration and chuckled.
"Good girl"
"I don't know-" He saw her face cringe when he was about to say no.
"Please don't leave"
"You know, I haven't tasted Cordelia's cheesecake in a good while."
"Then how about we take a bit in the Christmas spirit. Well It being December and all"
"Sounds perfect" His smile captivated her
She walked over to the kitchen and opened the fridge to see a full cheesecake with a note. Wesley headed to the living room to stay out of her way. It was something his mother always taught him.
"I made it extra yummy, you two enjoy it. Use anything you want in the kitchen. Oh and Sophia, you telling me everything Monday morning. Love Cordy"
All Sophia could do was smile and laugh.
"What's funny?" Wesley appeared in the threshold of the kitchen.
"Just thinking about how we wore Connor out. It's usually the other way around" Quick on her toes, she decided not to tell him about the note. He wasn't supposed to know really.
"He is a rascal when he wants to be" He said sitting himself at the mahogany table.
"He is Angel and Cordy's kid. He has their mannerism and temperament. Not that that's a bad thing. Actually it'll help him in life"
"Not a bad gene in him"
"Hey do you want something to drink?"
"What do they have?"
"I don't know about you but I'm craving"
"Coffee" He said with sarcasm
"You know me too well. Yes, coffee." She said with wishfullness
"Do they even have any? If I recall, Angel doesn't like it all that much and Cordelia is on a holistic odd Hollywood diet" He reminded her
"I was trapped in a empty basement with my father, Buffy, and Anya. Given the situation, as you can imagine, I would have done anything for a break. I mean you think Anya could not tell me she and my father kissed" She remembered that day vividly. Giles and Sophia were fighting about her recklessness in a vampire situation, Buffy was mad at Giles for butting in about her marriage, and Anya was confused to why the government takes away your money.
"But-I-I Earned it! It's rightfully mine!" Anya yelled. The four of them were searching a house and ended up stuck in a basement for five hours until Andrew stumbled upon them.
Wesley looked at her with astonishment and disgust over the thought of his former colleague and the former vengeance demon.
"Spell" She informed him
"Of course" he shook the thought of his mind.
"Anyway, this basement seemed to be desolate, nothing but a bench and boxes. Yet, I managed to find a bag of coffee. Down side- I had no boiling water or cups" He laughed at her misfortune.
"Yeah, I'm never asking 'What's down there?' again"
"Horrifying experience?"
"Not that bad, just the image of my father and Anya. That I could have lived without seeing." She replayed it in her mind that day and it haunted her that night.
"Me too." His face twisted
"Oh sorry" She told him giggling
"He's adorable when he laughs" She shivered when she heard his happy expression of laughter, his approval of her.
"She's the most delightful person" He loved her stories and her quirks. Just then. she pulled out a bag of instant coffee.
"Ah ha! Even in a house with no hope for a taste of Colombia" She was giddy over her accomplishment
"You never cease to amaze me" His voice went to that passionate spot again.
"Thank you" she looked back at him after putting on the pot. She cut the cake and put the two pieces on a plate. Then, she walked over to the silverware cabinet and took out forks for her and Wesley.
"There ya go" She set the plate and his fork down.
"Why don't you sit down? The coffee won't be ready for a while"
"I know but…"
"Darling , you need to relax more. The stress isn't good for you." His voice sounded concerned
"Not again." She was utterly lost until she looked down.
"Why do I have an apron and high heels on?" She knew the answer didn't lie in him.
"Oh look at that iceberg!" She held her hand out to see a beautiful diamond ring with amethysts around the center stone.
"I think June Cleaver has some competition. This cake is amazing, just like it's baker" He took her hand and brought her to sit on his lap.
"Wowsie, that's different." She sat in his lap as he smiled at her.
"Here have some" He took the fork and fed it to her.
"Oh umm that's good."
"Well, your always a good cook. You've come a long way from coffee" He patted her leg.
"Wes?" She amazed she had not removed herself from his lap.
"Yes, sunbeam?" He had just finished a bite of the great cake.
"Oh nothing, well everything. Don't know where to start. Oh I know-" She found her words.
"You have a little bit of cake on you lip" He told her playfully. He went in and licked her lip softly. He moved both his lips onto hers and kissed them tenderly. The electricity that ran through her could have shocked all of LA. She could have died then, just out of joy.
"All better" He then quickly kissed her cheek.
"Ha" She sighed and got up from his lap. Fainting was on her list when she snapped back to the coffee pot whistling.
"Sophia?" That tone of worry was alive in his voice
"Wesley?" She said firmly yet questionably
"You seemed to have zoned out for a moment. You all right?" He was about to get up and get ready to catch her if she fell. He was quite an expert at catching her.
"Cake?" She was confused again.
"Yes it's good, but are you ok?" Still the concerned man.
"Fine, I should check up on Connor" She wanted to get out of there and check on her nephew
"Yes" He let her go out of obligation to her wants. He sat there wondering what had happened to her, and if it had been the same vision he saw.
She walked to his room to find him still fast in slumber.
"I have to face him sooner or later" She walked back to the kitchen
"Is he?" He asked.
"Still asleep. So it's good?" She changed the subject again to the cake.
"Better than I ever tasted"
"Good job. Thanks Cordy" She had to thank her in the morning.
They enjoyed their treat of cake and coffee whilst speaking of the gloriousness of the yuletide.
"Christmas has to be my favorite holiday. I think it's the lights and the snow, both are completely opposite but together they blend to beautiful results" Sophia was always that girl you saw walking down the street, just waiting for the first snow of the season.
"My father was always away on Christmas Eve, so my mother would make the most of it. Lights and the biggest Christmas trees you'd ever seen in your life! The regular Christmas carols, eggnog, and presents from her side of the family. It was always just the two of us celebrating, happily celebrating, and watching the snow fall on the grounds" Those were hollowed memories of Wesley's. He loved that no Christmas moment included his dreadful father.
"Something about snow, it makes everything…" She looked out the window and turned around to his eyes when he said.
"Absolutely astonishingly beautiful" He knew what was captured in her mind. He felt the exact same way too. Her dark chocolate eyes and black hair seemed to be perfect against the window, where lights of white glowed from the other apartment windows.
"And purely miraculous" She finished the thought between the two. She looked at him as his eyes seemed to become the brightest blue.
Both of their flashes hit them that moment. Sophia's vision of wedded bliss and Wesley's hallucination of a joyous family. The future they both wanted, the life they both yearned for, if they could just tell each other what they felt. It was that moment of clarity when both decided to say the true meaning of their feelings. Well, Wesley got there first.
"Sophia…" He loved her name
"Here's the moment" He was ready
"Yes?" She was willing to fall in love now.
"It's now" She said to herself
"I'm--" He began
"Tell her you love her" He told himself
"Yes!" Her voice echoed her nervousness
"Tell him you love him" She wanted to.
"Vibrating. Well, no, my cell phone is vibrating. It's my mother." Her face fell, but she then became concerned with Wesley's mother.
"Hello? Are you all right? Yes. Yes. I'll call you back in 5 minutes. Are you sure? I love you too. Bye Mum" His voice jumped from worried to protective. He had a look of determination.
"What's wrong is she ok?" She was genuinely fretful for Bianca
"Yes, Sophia?" He asked
"Yeah?" She responded with anxiousness
"I have to go, but I need to talk to you Monday morning ok?" He had to tell her soon or he was going to burst. He got up from the table.
"I'll figure out what to say by then" He comforted his mind with the promise of the perfect love revealing. Roses and all.
"Monday morning" She smiled at him and started to count down the minutes in her head. She got up from the table and walked him to the door.
"Drive safely. It's supposed to be a little icy. A record low today of 30" She warned him. She wanted him safe and out of harms way at all times. Guess it was the love she had for him.
"Sunny. I'll see you Monday. Tell Connor I love him. Good night Sophia" He wanted tell her, but he decided to wait. He smiled widely and opened the door.
"Good Night Wesley." He turned around and she closed the door. She exhaled and propped herself on the door. She then remember why Wesley cam over in the first place.
"Oh shoot" She quickly opened the door and caught Wesley before he went into the elevator.
"Wesley? What did you need to tell me about the case?"
He smiled at her and went inside the doors
"It's not as important as I thought. Good-bye Sophia. Sleep Well" He knew he would because of the flashes of cheerfulness he received that night.
"Bye Wesley" She smiled at him as the doors closed and fell down giddy as she bit her lower lip.
"I love Mondays" That would be a lie any other day, but that upcoming Monday was like a second birthday. She went back to the kitchen and sat down at the table. She started to eat the remaining part of her piece of cake. She thought of the her flash of married delight, and how exhilarating the kiss between her and Wesley was. She wondered why she hadn't seen how breathtaking he was and what a wonderful husband and father he would be.
"He's perfect in everything he does and everything he says. I've been such a blind puppy."
Now all the meddling from her friends all made sense. She could only think of him and what marvels they could be like together. She sat in the silence of a kitchen, but the noise in her head of ecstasy was only just beginning.
In the Next Chapter: Bianca Wyndam-Pryce has a mission for Sophia and Wesley. Should they choose to accept it, they shall find out the truth about the past and their lives. But, not before a distraught Sophia has a visitor from her lost past. Remember those two words she could barely say? No, not "monochromatic molecule", the other thing. The other name. The breaker of promises and hearts…NAME GOES HERE. Now, I wouldn't tell you and ruin the surprise now would I? Also, what did that dratted Roger do in his last years of life? Read the next chapter! Cliffhangers suck don't they? Sorry guys, you'll know soon. Read and Review Please!