Author's Note: Hello hello! Here's another update...I know, I know...so quick after the last one. I've just had some free time and have been spending it working on this. In the process of deciding how I should end this fic. I am also trying to work on a short fic at the same time so bear with me please.

Disclaimer: I do not receive any compensation for this piece of fic nor do I owe anything from the Buffyverse or Angel universe...they are the sole property of Joss Whedon and co.

A/N2: You know the drill: R&R. Please and Thank You! I greatly appreciate any criticism or comments you have for me!

A/N3: Any and all mistakes are mine...still have no beta.

Chapter 8: Looking Forward

Days turned into months. Months then turned into a year. Buffy and Angel spent every day of it together. Dawn started her senior year of high school. Buffy found another job as a counselor and Angel used the remainder of his friendly Wolfram and Hart contacts to acquire a CEO position of a small business.

Rising with the sun every morning, Angel enjoyed his sunrise until Buffy joined him to train. Breakfast was on the table every morning for the Scoobie Gang as they started the day. Angel reached new connections among the Gang that he never felt with them before. And he treasured their friendships. Every night Buffy and Angel retired together. This aspect of their relationship was still so new despite the passing time. And they enjoyed every second of it.

Their first Christmas together had been like the ones from the past. Everyone gathered together to exchange gifts and have dinner as one big family. Angel gave Buffy pearl earrings; Buffy gave Angel a sketchbook and materials to replace the ones he lost in Los Angeles.

Buffy's 24th birthday came and Angel surprised her with a week-long trip to Ireland where he showed her where he had grew up, where he had lived, and even where he had been turned almost 250 years prior. Angel knew so much of Buffy's childhood and wanted to share his past life with her. Buffy was in awe of the beautiful landscapes and the friendly people. She finally felt like she knew everything about Angel.

July marked a year since the lovers has been reunited. Angel wanted to do something special for Buffy. As the months progressed and the day slowly approached, Angel began to worry; for probably the first time in his long life. When Buffy was younger, and even last Christmas, it was easy for Angel to pick out any sort of gift for her. But now things are different. Buffy was an adult and Angel's human; and they were finally together without any strings attached. Forever.

Glancing at his watch, Angel took notice of the date. June 17th. Right after the time he turned human. He has a month to come up with something. What would be the perfect gift for Buffy? Angel thought. He looked over at his beloved as she and Dawn baked cookies together from his seat at the kitchen table. The kitchen was full of their laughter and baking fumes. A radio blared some music that Buffy and Dawn insisted was popular. It was a typical weekend day in the Summers household.

What was something that would show my love for her?

Then it came to him. Easily able to slip out of the kitchen without the Summers girls noticing, Angel ran up the stairs and into Buffy's room – their room. I'm still stealthy even when I'm human, Angel grinned.

After digging through his drawers, Angel finally found a small black case. Angel has never told anyone about the case, not even Buffy.

Angel opened the case and took out his most prized possession: the ring he had given Buffy on her seventeenth birthday. The Claddaugh ring Buffy wore when Angel had lost his soul, regained his soul, and then was sent to Hell. The ring that Angel has come to believe brought him back from Hell. The first thing that he laid eyes on in his animalistic state and felt an attachment to.

While it did really belong to Buffy, Angel had secretly kept it as a reminder of their love when he decided to leave Sunnydale for LA; a reminder of why he left behind the only woman he has ever loved in almost 250 years. To return to her this ring would show how much he loved her. Angel walked down the stairs and into the living room, away from the kitchen and Buffy. Taking a seat on the couch, he opened the case again.

But would she be angry that I didn't return it to her earlier? Angel thought. He had treasured this ring the way Buffy had treasured her necklace and the leather jacket he had given her years ago. The jacket was gone and she believed the ring to also be lost. Maybe I should get someone's opinion, Angel mused as he slipped the case in his pocket.

And low and behold, in walked Dawn. She saw Angel sitting on the couch, staring straight ahead into space. "Uh oh, brooding alert."

Angel jumped. He had not heard the younger Summers sister enter the living room. He laughed at her comment. "Guilty." He paused. "I actually am glad that you found me." He glanced towards the kitchen. He could hear Buffy humming along with the radio. He turned back to Dawn. "I need your opinion on a gift for Buffy. Our anniversary is coming up and I really want it to be special."

Dawn's eyes widened. "Is it…?"

"An engagement ring?" Angel smiled. "Perhaps."