Author: Buffy 21
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Same as always.
A/N: I would like to thank all of my faithful readers for keeping up with this story, you're the reason that I am still writing. I'd like to thank Andrea for giving me the ideas that shaped this chapter. Please R & R.
Chapter 15
Buffy and Brianna waited at the airport for Flight 152 to arrive from London. Watching the airplanes take off and land through the window in front of her, fascinated Brianna.
"Mommy, when can we ride on an airplane again?"
"I don't know baby, we will someday," she answered.
After a minute, an announcement came over the loud speaker.
"Flight 152, from London is arriving at Gate 2."
Buffy took Brianna by the hand and they both walked to terminal G, where Gate 2 was located and waited to see two very familiar faces. It wasn't long before she saw Giles and Willow approaching the terminal exit, Brianna ran to them and Giles picked her up, giving the child a hug and kiss as Buffy walked over to meet them.
"Buffy how are you? You look absolutely radiant," Giles said, as he reached over and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm good, thanks," she replied.
"Buffy, you've put on a little weight," Willow said.
"Oh, just a little," she said, shyly.
"How is Spike and Dawnie?" Willow inquired.
"They're fine. They can't wait to see you guys."
"I doubt very seriously that Spike is waiting to see me," Giles said.
"Of course he is," she replied.
They proceeded to the baggage carousel to pick up their luggage then left the airport and headed for the Summer's residence.
Back at Casa Summers, Dawn and Spike were busy tidying up the house making everything just right for their guests. Giles will stay in the guestroom and Dawn will share her room with Willow.
Upon their arrival to the house, Dawn told Buffy that Xander called from L.A, saying that he and the others would be flying in that night. He also said she shouldn't worry about picking them up at the airport because he rented a van and would find the house.
Xander, his fiancée, Angel and family arrived at the Cleveland airport around 8 p.m. After collecting their luggage, Xander went to the car rental desk to pick up the van that he reserved for them, complete with car seats for the kids. He and Angel loaded up the vehicle, while Cordy strapped the kids into their car seats and took a seat herself. Xander helped Susan into the van, then walked to the driver's side to climb in himself when he found Angel leaning against the door.
"I thought you were already in the van," Xander said.
"Let me drive. I have a better sense of direction than you do, I'll find Buffy's house just like that," Angel said, snapping his fingers.
"Look dead boy! I rented this vehicle and I'm doing the driving."
"You'll get us lost," Angel said.
"No, I won't!"
Before Angel could utter another word, Cordy cut him off.
"Angel get your ass in this van!" she said, angrily.
Angel dropped his head and walked to the other side of the vehicle, opened the door and climbed in. With a smirk on his face, Xander started the engine and off they went through the streets of Cleveland.
"Okay everybody, we're looking for 1280 Riverside Road," he said to his passengers.
Driving through the suburban section of town, Xander glanced at every street sign he came to, not finding the one he needed. Being confused by the directions that Dawn had given him, he decided to pull over and call her on his cell phone for further instruction.
"Hello?"
"Hey Dawnie. Xander. We seem to be lost."
"Where are you? Can you see a street sign?" she inquired.
"Yes. It says, 12 th Ave. and Davenport Place. How far are we from your house?"
"If you are on 12th and Davenport, make a left turn at the corner and go down two blocks, then turn right, go one block over and we're the white house in the middle of the block," she answered.
"Okay got ya. Thanks Dawn, see you guys in a bit."
"Alright, bye," she replied.
Xander followed Dawn's directions to the letter and found the house with no problem. As everyone climbed out of the van and began walking up to the house, Angel quickly walked past Xander cutting him off in mid-stride.
"I could have found the house in less time," he said.
"Would you like some stake with that whine," Xander threatened.
"Boys! Cut it out, you're acting like children," Cordy snapped.
Xander rang the doorbell and after the second ring, Spike opened the door and invited them inside. A barrier prevented Angel's entrance and he angrily eyeballed Spike.
"Oh sorry mate, do come in," Spike said, ushering his grandsire into the house.
Angel was still a bit steamed when Buffy came over to greet him. He immediately noticed the change in her, how radiant she was and that she seemed be a little heavier than what he remembered.
"Hi Angel. It's good to see you again," she said, hugging him.
"It's good to see you too."
Angel heard two heartbeats as he hugged Buffy and that disturbed him, but he decided it was best not to say anything about it.
"You're looking well," she said.
"Thanks. You too," he replied.
"Those kids have gotten so big, how old are they now?" Buffy asked.
"Connor is four years old and Angelica is ten months old," Angel said.
"They grow up so fast."
"Yes they do," Angel agreed.
Faith and Robin dropped by and then they all sat down to a big family dinner. Throughout the meal, Angel was troubled by his discovery and pondered whether he should let on to Buffy that he knew about her situation. He was snapped out of his thoughts when RJ began to cry and Faith left the table to take care of him.
Xander decided to call the hotel where he and Susan were to stay to check on their reservations, only to find out that there was a convention in town and the hotel had given their rooms away. After hanging up, he went back into the dining room and sat down in a huff.
"Xander, what's wrong?" Buffy inquired.
"The hotel gave our rooms away because of a stupid convention. Susan and I have no place to sleep tonight."
"Oh no! What are we going to do now?" Susan asked, visibly distressed.
"I don't know honey. The other hotels in town are full too," he replied.
"Don't worry Xand, we'll think of something," Buffy said.
Buffy thought about Xander's situation and how she could help him. Faith saw the serious look on Buffy's face as she returned to the table and sat down.
"What's up B? You seem kind of zoned," Faith said.
"Oh, I was just thinking about where Xander and Susan were going to sleep. I already have Giles in the guestroom, Willow is sharing a room with Dawn and Angel and Cordy are sleeping on the sofa bed.
"Robin and I have a spare bedroom, they can stay with us while they're in town."
"We would be glad to have them," Robin added.
"Thanks Faith and Robin," Buffy said.
"No problem, B."
"I'll let them know," Buffy said, excitedly.
TBC . . .