Author: Buffy 21
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Chapter 5
Two months later . . .
Buffy received a phone call from LA. It was Fred, inviting her, Willow and Faith to a surprise baby shower for Cordelia. Fred told Buffy that Cordy had been down in the dumps lately and needed some cheering up. She further explained that seeing old friends would do her a world of good.
After hanging up the phone, Buffy called Faith and told her about the conversation. Faith said that she would love to go and together she and Buffy made arrangements for their families to travel to LA. Buffy called Willow and Giles in London, to ask them if they could fly in for the shower. Willow said that as much as she wanted to go, it was a critical time for the Council right now and she couldn't make it, but, she said that they would send Cordy a gift.
The night before the shower, the Summers' and Woods' families caught an early evening flight out of Cleveland, heading for LA. Once they got there, they sought out their hotel and checked in.
Once they'd signed in and been handed their keys, they were shown to their rooms. Dawn and Brianna had a room adjoining Buffy and Spike's and the Woods' room was across the hall. Spike carried his daughter into her room, changed her into some PJ's and then put her to bed, giving her a kiss on her small forehead.
"G'night sweet pea," he said.
He went back into their hotel room and closed the adjoining door. Buffy watched as Spike sat down beside her on the bed.
"Is Brianna asleep?"
"Out like a light, pet."
"Well, what would you like to do, while the night's still young?" she inquired.
Buffy obviously forgot for a moment who she was talking to. A sly smile appeared on Spike's face in reply to her question and, when Buffy saw the look on his face, she rolled her eyes at him.
"Besides that?"
"I don't know luv."
"I know. We could ask Faith and Robin to join us for dinner, I'm kind of hungry."
"Now that you mention it pet, I'm feeling a bit peckish m'self."
Buffy called Faith, to invite Robin and her to join them. Buffy asked Dawn if she was going to order in, but she said that she wasn't hungry, so they got themselves ready and left.
The next evening . . .
Everyone arrived at the Hyperion around 7:30 p.m. for the baby shower. Before they entered the hotel, Fred met them outside and had them quietly come into the lobby, to wait for Cordy. She informed them that since it was Connor's bath time, Fred had arranged for Lorne to go up and coax Cordy to come down. When this chain of events had taken place, Cordy came downstairs and saw some pretty familiar faces.
"SURPRISE!" the group shouted at her.
Cordelia stood there with a look of shock on her face.
"Guys! What are you all doing here?" she said as Buffy and Fred went up the remaining steps to meet her.
"We're here because Fred thought it would be nice to throw you a surprise baby shower," Buffy explained as they walked back down together.
"You did all of this for me?" Cordy asked, smiling.
"Guilty as charged," Fred replied.
Cordy turned to Fred and hugged her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said, smiling and hugging her back.
"Boy, look at you. You're ready to pop," Buffy said as she lay one hand on Cordy's belly.
"Tell me about it, I can't wait for this to be over."
Cordy waddled over to the other members of the group to say hello.
"Congratulations luv," Spike said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks Spike."
"Congratulations," Robin said.
"Thanks. I don't believe I've met you before," Cordy said.
"Sorry. Cordelia, this is my husband, Robin Wood," Faith said.
"Robin, this is Cordy."
"Nice to meet you."
"Same here," Robin replied.
Cordy cocked her head and got a good look at Faith.
"Well. Congratulations to you too. How far along are you?"
"Six months," Faith replied.
"It won't be long now."
"Tell me about it," Faith said.
"Is this Brianna? The last time I saw you, you were still a baby."
"Tell your Aunt Cordy how old you are, princess," Spike said.
Brianna held up three fingers and said, "I'm this many."
"You are?" Cordy said excitedly.
Brianna shook her head to answer Cordy.
"Guys, she's precious."
"Thanks pet."
"Dawn! My, how you've grown."
"Hi Cordy, how are you?"
"Fine. Big as a house, but I'm fine."
"It's good to see you again," Dawn replied.
"Are you in college yet?" Cordy asked.
"No, not yet. I'll be going in the fall."
"Are you going away to school?"
Dawn sighed and replied, "God, yes."
Cordy laughed at Dawn's comment and then invited her guests to sit down.
The small group of friends sat together and watched Cordy open her gifts. Angel came out of his office, looked at the sea of faces staring at him and spoke as he gravitated towards them.
"Congratulations old man," Spike said to his grandsire, patting him on the back.
"Thanks Spike."
Angel then went over and sat down next to Cordelia and then spoke to Buffy.
"Buffy, it's good to see you again. You haven't changed a bit," he said.
"Thanks Angel."
"And this must be Brianna?" Angel asked.
"Yep, this is her," Buffy replied.
"Hi sweetheart."
Brianna shyly waved at Angel.
"Buffy, she's lovely. She looks just like you."
"Thank you Angel," Buffy replied.
"Dawn, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman."
"Thanks Angel," Dawn said, blushing.
Then Angel focused on Robin and Faith.
"Faith, how have you been?" Angel inquired.
"Five by five. Angel, this is my husband, Robin Wood."
"Robin, this is Angel. My good friend."
"Hey man, it's nice to finally meet you," Robin said, extending his hand.
"Same here. I see that you and Faith are expecting one of your own," Angel said.
"Yeah, in another three months," Faith spoke up.
In that instant, Lorne came down the stairs, holding Connor's hand.
"Hi everybody!" Lorne said, happily.
"Hello!" the visitors said in unison.
"This is Lorne, he's another member of my team," Angel said.
"Someone wants to say goodnight," Lorne said, walking towards the group.
"Angel, he is the spitting image of you," Buffy said and everyone agreed.
"Thank you," he replied.
Angel took Connor by the hand and led him to Brianna.
"Do you remember her?" Angel asked.
Connor looked up at his father and shook his head.
"Her name is Brianna, she is your Aunt Buffy's little girl. Remember her pictures in our photo album?" he asked.
Connor smiled in acknowledgement as the children looked at each other.
"You wanna see my new toys?" Connor asked Brianna.
"Yes," Brianna said.
The children took off, running up the stairs, leaving the adults to stare after them.
"Play nice!" Cordy called after them.
"Okay mom," Connor replied.
"Well. Lil' Peaches certainly is a friendly bloke, isn't he?" Spike spoke up.
Buffy turned and glanced at her husband with a wide-eyed gaze.
"What?" he replied, looking at his wife.
TBC . . .