Buffy woke up the next day feeling tense. On her way down the stairs she almost tripped twice. Lara was already sitting in the kitchen with Dawn, who was showing her how to make an omelet with peanut butter.
Lara licked her thumb as she stared at the masterpiece, "It's delicious Dawn. You make this all the time?"
Dawn shook her head. "Of course not. I only make it on Sundays."
Buffy sat slowly by the island looking disgusted at Dawn's concoction. "Dawn, stop making those. They smell like barf."
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong Buffy? You usually love my Peanut Butter Omelets." Lara looked at Buffy with deep concern. Buffy looked like she was about to puke out her insides.
Buffy shook her head as if to change the subject. "Lara, did you eat yet?"
Lara nodded her head, "Of course, why do you ask?"
Buffy smiled weakly. "I want to take you to the mall, just you and me. What do you say?"
Lara looked Buffy up and down, "Are you sure you're up for that mom?"
Buffy sniffled, " Of course I'm up for it sweetie. Anything for my little girl."
Lara smiled in delight at her mother. Buffy stared back with equal joy. "Thanks mom. I'll go change right now." Lara placed her plate on the island gave Buffy a quick 3 second hug, and immediately ran up the stairs with excitement.
Once Lara was upstairs Dawn brought Buffy a plate of eggs and bacon. "Buffy are you sure you're okay? Cause' you look sicker than Xander did when those creepy Chumash guys gave him Syphilis."
Buffy nodded. "I'm sure Dawnie. Just forget it okay?"
"Buffy I'm not going to just push it out of my mind! You don't look well at all. I suggest you go to the doctors."
"No!" Buffy said with incredible force, which mad Dawn jump in surprise. "I want to spend time with Lara. She's my daughter."
"And she'll understand that you are sick and need medical attention. I mean she's 13 years old not 8."
Buffy sighted with frustration, "Dawn, it's not just that. You know I don't like doctors. I'd rather die again then go to a doctor."
Dawn rolled her eyes as she traveled around the island so she could sit by her sister. "Buffy, I know it's none of my business but is this whole 'being sick' thing just an excuse to be away from Chris?"
"No…but I guess it's a good excuse to get away from him. I am sick Dawn; I just don't want to go to the doctors. Besides it's not a big deal. Ill just go get some medicine at the store." Buffy paused as she looked at the rim of her mug. She pursed her lips, deep in thought. "Dawn do you think I should break up with him?"
Dawn smiled, "So you finally realize Angel is the only one! Took you long enough!"
Buffy's mouth opened wide in shock, "Dawn I didn't say that. And it's not true. Angel and I could never work. Even if we did have a child together…on accident!"
"Mhmm…" Dawn teased trying to make Buffy admit it.
Buffy rolled her eyes as a smile spread across her face, "Alright so I do feel that way. So what? It'll never work and you know that."
"It could…if you devote your life to him and Lara." Dawn persisted.
"You know you may be an adult now but you're still very, very annoying!"
"I know." Dawn picked up her plate and walked up the stairs toward her room.
Lara came down from the stairs wearing a new outfit and an exquisite smile upon her face. "Hey mom. I'm ready!"
Buffy turned towards her daughter and smiled brightly. "You are so beautiful."
"Thank you." She blushed as she sat down by her mother and picked up a piece of bacon on Buffy's plate. "So you feeling any better?"
Buffy laughed underneath her breath, surprised at how impatient her daughter was, "It's only been 5 minutes."
"I know, but I want to make sure you're okay." Lara smiled. "I don't want you to throw up everywhere. Not to mention if you threw up in a store like Gucci, you'd end up on Dawn's bad side."
"Dawn told you she likes Gucci?" Buffy asked trying not to laugh.
Lara nodded. "Yeah and that she likes anchovies and dark chocolate."
Buffy nodded noticing Dawn had never told her anything about dark chocolate before, "Ah." Buffy's eyes shifted to the door where a slight knocking noise could be heard. "That's weird. I wasn't expecting anyone. Hmm…maybe it's a girl scout."
Buffy walked slowly to the front door and as she opened it she could feel her heart burst out of her chest. She looked upon the face that stood there with pure desire and confusion, "Angel."
Angel nodded respectfully to the woman standing inside, "Hey Buffy."