Angel took his time standing beneath the hot spray of the shower. It had been one hell of a day, as soon as he told Lindsey that they had been actively trying for a baby, shit hit the fan. When his face turned that purple color for a brief moment he thought he might really be stroking out on him, luckily he'd remembered to breathe.

Still the tirade that followed for the rest of the day left him with a headache. For once it wasn't that Lindsey was just being a dick, he did have valid concerns. But as Angel pointed out to him on the side of the road, those concerns really weren't any of his fucking business. He wasn't the one having a baby. He wouldn't knowingly bring a child into this world, if he wasn't absolutely positive that they were ready for it.

Besides, Lindsey kept berating him as if there was anything he could do even if he wanted too. He had to keep reiterating the actively trying part, finally just coming out to tell him that they would be finding out sometime in the next few days. Unfortunately maybe even while he was here. He had also threatened Lindsey within an inch of his life if he so much as showed an ounce of this hostility in front of Buffy. Of course the mother fucker had just smiled at him, "Now why would I go breaking my little cupcakes heart like that," sometimes Angel really wanted to break his face.

Best friend or not.

Turning off the faucet, Angel grabbed a towel from the rack just outside the shower, tying it around his waist as he stepped out. Running his fingers through his damp hair, he went to grab some of his gel from under the sink. Spotting the tower of pregnancy tests he once again wondered when Buffy should take one.

They hadn't really discussed that part with each other, he wasn't sure if she wanted to wait and see if she missed her period, or if she wanted to try one of those early tests. Hell he wasn't even sure if she wanted him around or to know that she was testing. Sure he guessed it could be considered awkward watching your significant other pee on a stick, but it couldn't possibly be more awkward than having his face buried between her thighs.

Letting out a sigh, he picked one of the boxes up that advertised Results as soon as 5 days before your missed period, she should definitely be within that window he thought. Perhaps a little subtlety could help in this situation, walking over he simply sat the unopened box on the top of the toilet. Knowing she would see it when she came in, he was leaving the decision in her hands.

Figuring that he had left them alone long enough, he quickly ran some gel through his hair. Exiting the bathroom, he walked over to his closet, pulling out a grey t-shirt, and his favorite pair of sweats, he grabbed a fresh pair of boxers before slipping them all on. He was starved, and between all the bickering they hadn't had a chance to discuss what to do for dinner. Figuring he would leave it up to Buffy anyway, he returned to the bathroom to grab his phone before heading back downstairs, taking them two at a time. He came to a dead stop once he reached the bottom, completely unprepared for the sight before him .

Buffy's head was laying on Lindsey's shoulder, his head was tilted right back toward her as well, blonde strands of hair slightly entangling with long brown locks... Lindsey's boots were propped up on the coffee table, Buffy's legs draped over his legs, feet hanging off near his knees... an easy conversation happening...

Logically, he knew Lindsey would never in a million years ever actually go after Buffy... and Buffy certainly would never think twice about Lindsey... but that didn't stop him from having a strong dislike for the scene playing out before him. It felt too familiar, too normal. Too much like him.

"What'd I tell you about keeping your hands off of my wife?" he finally asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

Buffy nearly jumped out of her skin before turning to look at him.

Lindsey only smirked, barely tipping his head back so he could make eye contact. Once more, Lindsey wiggled his hands for Angel to take note. One was on the back of the couch, the other on the arm rest. "Again, you keep getting on at me but she's the one all practically sitting on top of me, cuddling up to me, touching me..." he trailed off with a wave of his hand behind her. "It's as though she finally has a real man around and just cannot get enough."

The next sound was the one of his hand smacking Lindsey upside the head.

OoOoO

Since everyone was to the point of starvation as it were once the bickering stopped, for the time being, and no one felt like cooking, Buffy suggested they all just choose a restaurant, call in an order and someone go pick it up. She wasn't so sure about Angel and Lindsey getting back in a car together - especially tonight with all that had been going on today - was the best idea in the world but she got tired of them arguing over who it would be and shooed them both out the door.

She picked up a few items around the living room after closing the door behind them then headed to the kitchen to get the table set up for when they returned. Walking back through the living room, she grabbed Lindsey's hat that he'd left without and began taking it upstairs to put in the guest room with his things.

She couldn't help but pause as she was walking back out, thinking how this was probably the last time someone would stay in this room like this before it would be turned into something completely different.

She had no idea what they would do about future guests situations but she wasn't overly concerned about it right now either. There was always the couch, or she remembered Angel mentioning they could put something small up in his office in case of visitors.

Next she headed to the bathroom so she could pee and freshen up a little, Buffy was surprised to see the little box sitting out of its place. She walked over and gently grabbed it, pulling it closer to flip it over once, then twice. She knew Angel must have left it out as a hint that she should try. He'd made little comments here and there lately, she hadn't missed on what he was suggesting.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she drew a breath and told herself she could do this. It's simple, the box made that point very clear. And, if she did screw it up somehow... the box had two tests in it plus she had endless other ones not even a foot away from her. She told herself if it came back negative it wasn't the end of the world. She could still test again later if her period was late. And... there was always they could try again and again until they finally got the news they wanted.

Buffy's hand shook a little as she opened the side, letting the contents spill into her other hand. She scanned the folded paper but then set it and one of the tests to the side and brought the other with her to the commode. She knew the box said to do your business then wait, that it could take three minutes to get a clear reading but she couldn't help herself as she stared at the oval. She was holding her breath... and then Buffy felt her heart skip and her eyes go wide as mere seconds in she had two very dark lines looking back at her.

OoOoO

Buffy wasn't sure how long she had stayed in the bathroom. She had finished, cleaned herself up after setting the test down on the counter and stared. She waited the three minutes next as the box said to do, as if it would change the results, and checked it again. Still two lines.

After that, she grabbed the little stick back up and sunk in shock to the ground. Time seemed to stop, she didn't know of anything else she did but sit there staring, her mind racing. But, as soon as she heard movement from the other side of the door, it seemed to snap her out of it. Jumping up she went running for the door as fast as her legs would let her. Not even paying any attention to anything, tears still brimming in her eyes, she just ran toward the fuzzy body standing in the bedroom.

"Angel! We're pregnant!" she breathed out in a rush. "We're really going to have a baby!"

"You're WHAT?!"

Buffy's eyes suddenly popped up as wide as they could and she took a step back.

Lindsey's eyes were somehow even wider than hers as he stared back at her. "You're what now?" he asked again. It was one thing for the baby to be a possibility, another for it to be real.

Buffy's mouth just hung open for a moment. "You're not Angel," is all her brain could think of to say.

"No, I'm much more attractive," he said with ease. He even smiled. Any other time she probably would have rolled her eyes at that. "And you're over here stealing all of my damn thunder!" he then accused, pointing a finger at her.

"Excuse me?!"

"I came all up here intending to surprise you and show you what we got on our way back and here you are all jumping at me telling me that you're..." The sound of Angel yelling up to them from downstairs had him stopping mid sentence.

Buffy closed the space between them again and quickly slapped a hand across his mouth. He had the audacity to actually lick the palm of her hand, she pulled back and made a face at him. "That's disgusting! Stop that! And don't you dare say a word to him," she whispered.

"Well then you damn well better."

Buffy's mouth opened, then closed. She looked at the test in her hand and then back at Lindsey. "How should I tell him?" she whispered. She'd felt the need to just say it, to Angel, but that didn't work out. And now the words were out there.

"How in the hell am I supposed to know?"

Buffy could hear footsteps coming up the stairs, panicking when she realized she still held the test in her hand. Knowing she didn't have any pockets, she quickly shoved it into Lindsey's hand.

"What are you doing, what the fuck is that?!" Lindsey whispered harshly glancing down in his hand, his eyes growing wide once more, this time with disgust.

Hearing Angel reach the top of the stairs, she knew they didn't have much time. She couldn't let him find out like this, not with fucking Lindsey standing here. "I don't have pockets Linds, please," she pleaded, not believing the situation she was currently in.

Lindsey rolled his eyes, Jesus fucking Christ the things he would do for this woman. "You fucking owe me Summers," he spat out, taking a step back from her.

Shuddering he stuck her urine soaked pee stick into the front pocket of his jeans, just as Angel rounded the corner.

OoOoO

There was something going on, Angel just couldn't quite figure out what it was. Ever since they got back to the house things had been weird. Buffy seemed to be jumping at his every word, meanwhile Lindsey was in an exceptionally foul mood. He had even seemed to lose his enthusiasm for the desert he had insisted, they make an extra stop for.

They had been busting each other's balls all day, more so Lindsey, but that was nothing unusual. What was unusual was the way Lindsey would glare at Buffy whenever he thought Angel wasn't looking. Or the way Buffy couldn't seem to sit still, bouncing from one room to the other, constantly asking if either of them needed anything.

Lindsey was his best friend, flirtatiousness ran through that boy's blood. Was it possible that he had crossed a line, done or said something to make Buffy uncomfortable? Angel really wasn't sure. Despite their flirtatious banter he knew in his heart neither of them would jeopardize what they had worked so hard to get back. Still if that wasn't the case, then he had absolutely no idea what could be causing them to act so strange.

As soon as he finished his plate, Buffy jumped up from her seat to take it from him. Following her into the kitchen, he noticed Lindsey stayed behind… glaring.

Walking up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist as she scraped what was left on his plate into the trash. "Everything okay," he questioned as he placed a single kiss, just below her ear, brushing away the strands of hair that were in his way.

"Hmm-mmm, why would something be wrong?"

She still didn't feel as though this was really happening. She had been imagining the day that she would find out she was carrying his child, for nearly as long as she could remember. Her stomach was a ball of nerves, she knew he could tell something was up.

Especially since Lindsey had basically turned into a neanderthal, incapable of more than a grunt here or a nod there. For the first time since she had met Angel's best friend, she was the one who wanted to knock him upside the head.

She knew she needed to figure out a way to tell him, and fast. But first she needed to get that pregnancy test back from Lindsey, she would never lie to Angel, ever. Though she was pretty positive he was going to be a little upset that Lindsey knew about the existence of their child before him. Especially if he knew her positive pregnancy test resided in his pocket.

"You tell me. Is it Lindsey, did he do something out of line, cause I swear to God Bu-," she spun around in his arms to kiss his lips, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Angel, I swear to you he's been a perfect gentleman. I'm just restless I guess, him being here is just a reminder of how close the wedding really is, of how much we have to do."

Angel stared hard into her eyes, he still had a nagging feeling that there was something she wasn't telling him. Not wanting to start an argument, he simply nodded before pressing his lips to hers once more. "Okay, but you know if something's bothering you… We're in this together this time."

Not trusting herself to speak, she simply nodded and stepped out of his embrace, biting her tongue, she turned back around to empty the trash, needing something to keep herself busy.

Shooing her hands away, Angel lifted the heavy bag from the bin and tied it. "You need to start be careful love, in case," he paused to glance down at her covered tummy, "you know, at least until we find out for sure."

OoOoO

As soon as Angel stepped out the back door, Buffy turned around making a mad dash for the living room. "Lindsey," she yelled racing through the house.

Lindsey jumped up from where he was lounging on the couch, "What," he hissed at her not knowing Angel had stepped outside.

"Give it to me, give it to me now."

Lindsey just looked at her as though she had lost her fucking mind, "No way, I am not fucking touching that thing again. You want it, then you get it!".

Buffy slapped her hand to her forehead, "Oh my god, you are unbelievable," not having time to argue, Buffy shoved her into his pocket and grabbing the plastic stick, she playfully shoved his chest back, as she turned around to race up the stairs.

"I'm going to pretend like I didn't enjoy that," she heard him yelling after her.

Reaching their bedroom, she looked for a spot to hide the test. Hearing the back door close, meant she had no time to think. Spotting her makeup bag on top of her dresser, she quickly unzipped it, dropping the test inside, before quickly closing it once again.

Grabbing a pair of her favorite pajamas, she changed into them, just in case Angel had any questions about what she'd been doing. She was probably being overly paranoid, but what could she say, her mind was still reeling.

OoOoO

After dinner, they had tried to watch a movie but none of them seemed to be able to hold any interest in it. Buffy was curled into Angel's side, chewing every single one her nails down to the quick. Lindsey lay sprawled across the loveseat, his feet kicked up on the armrest. While Angel was still lost in thought, trying to pinpoint exactly what the knot in the pit of his stomach was trying to tell him. Kissing her forehead, he slowly disentangled himself whispering to her that he'd be right back, he was going to the restroom.

Angel stood over the commode, just as he finished taking care of his business, he flipped the lid down as he always made sure to do. Only when he did, something caught his eye, rather the lack of something. The pregnancy test he had left out for Buffy was gone, assuming she just wasn't ready, he figured she had simply placed it back under the sink. Shrugging it off, he walked over to the sink to wash his hands, only to notice the box on the counter… opened.

Angel looked at the box cautiously, as if it were going to jump up and bite him. The folded up paper still sat on the countertop beside it, as did one of the unopened sticks. He looked at the box again and confirmed what he thought, that there should be two of those around. Drying his hands, he began looking around the room in case she had just opened it and maybe set it out down... maybe she had changed her mind... or, if she had tested.

Sitting at the bottom of the little trash can they had in the corner was the opened wrapper to the other test. It was the only item in there and he didn't see the actual little white stick anywhere. His mind started reeling wondering if that was what was bothering her, if she'd tried one of these out and it came back negative. It didn't explain what in the hell was up with Lindsey but he wasn't even sure if both of them acting weird was tied together or just a weird happenstance.

Bracing himself against the bathroom counter, he sighed hard. He knew when the time was right there would be a baby. He didn't question that one bit, but this whole waiting and hoping and being let down stuff was for the birds. He let his emotions run through him before focusing back on Buffy.

OoOoO

"Would it make you feel better if I touched your pee?" Buffy harshly whispered. "Do you want to go up there and pee on the other test and I carry it around for awhile?"

Lindsey looked over at her. "No. That would not make me feel better at all."

"You're acting ridiculous. He knows something is going on."

Lindsey quickly sat up and leaned closer to her. "I'm acting ridiculous? Woman, you come busting out of the damn bathroom when all I wanted to do was show off the giant ass box of sweets we picked up and you're just over there blurting out that you're... that... and to the wrong person because I am not the person for that situation. Then, then you go and freak out on me when the actual right person to be telling this comes along and are all asking me how to tell him and shushing me and shoving your urine into my poor hand and ruining my pants in the process!"

Buffy threw her hands up. "I freaked out! I was excited and thought you were Angel! And you obviously weren't but I realized that a little too late! And then... and then I was processing what just happened and then he was coming up the stairs and I couldn't just tell him then. It didn't seem right after that! And now I need to tell him and I want it to be perfect and I'm freaking out more! And you are not helping!"

"He's not going to be very happy with either one of us to learn I knew before him. That's a hell of a thing to take away from him."

"I know that!" she snapped back. "It's not like it was intentional!"

"Well you had better figure out how to break the news to him real soon so I can stop being paranoid and so I can just be happy for the two of you," he said back, just as they heard Angel coming back their way from upstairs.

When Angel got down, Lindsey stood up. "Can I borrow your car?"

"What for?"

"Uh... I would like to get some fresh air, maybe go get a drink or something. I feel like I very much need one right now."

"You sure you're alright?" Angel asked.

"Absolutely. Besides, I doubt either one of you would mind a little alone time," he said, making a point to look at Buffy. She was just glad he was speaking in more than grunts at least.

Angel looked like he was going to say something but instead he just grabbed his keys and handed them over.

"Thanks. I will be back later. But before I even leave I need to go upstairs and change if you will excuse me. I think I need to burn my pants," again he said toward Buffy. She rolled her eyes at him.

OoOoO

After watching Lindsey disappear out the door, Buffy found herself standing, her hand nervously smoothing out her hair as Angel stared at her. She waited until the headlights were seen leaving before grabbing his hand and leading him back upstairs and to their bedroom. Gone were any ideas about grand gestures, she just wanted to tell him, say the words in the right way.

Not taking any chances on Lindsey returning too early, she closed and locked the door behind them before finding herself wrapped up in Angel's arms. He kissed her forehead, then his lips barely brushed against hers. Buffy leaned her head back some, slowly leading him closer to bed.

She smiled as they fell together, Angel careful not to crush her once they landed. "Hey," she whispered. "Sorry I was acting weird earlier. I just have something I need to tell you and I didn't know how."

He had a concerned look etched on his handsome face as he looked over at her..

"I, uh... while you and Lindsey were gone to pick up the food I thought I would try that pregnancy test out."

He swallowed. "I was guessing so... I saw the opened box." She had been so worried about the positive test she forgot about the mess she'd left in the bathroom. "I'm sorry, Buffy."

Her eyes narrowed for a moment then widened as it struck her that he must be thinking the worst. "No, no, no, Angel. No." She broke out into a smile. "It-I took the test and it showed that I'm pregnant."

His eyes looked like they had tornados swirling inside of them for a moment. "Your test was positive?" he asked slowly.

"Yes."

"You're pregnant?"

"Yes."

"We're having a baby?"

Buffy could only nod, she felt tears threatening to spill from the corner of her eyes as happiness started overtaking her entire being. They officially started spilling over once Angel's hands reached out to her, pulling her back to him. Buffy smiled against his lips as he rolled them.

Sitting up atop of him, Angel's hands went to her midsection. "We're having a baby." She wasn't entirely sure if he was just saying it or questioning it but she nodded.

"Yeah. We're having a baby." She thought her face would hurt so bad come tomorrow for the smile that would not go away after seeing the pure joy on his once his mind really wrapped around what she was saying.

Buffy leaned down to kiss him, propping herself up on her elbows at either side of his head. His lips felt warmer than the sun, he kissed her with purpose, with meaning each time. He'd whisper how happy he was or how much he loved her. His hands started off lighter than a feather, but the longer this celebratory make out session went on the more daring his touch became.

She wasn't even sure how it happened, but the next thing she knew their clothes had been discarded, and Angel had once again flipped them. Taking extra care to keep his weight off of her, he caressed a trail down the length of her body, pausing briefly to lave each of her pert nipples, before kissing down her abdomen, pausing to lay his ear just below the bare skin of her belly button.

"I can't believe this is real," he stated, his voice full of emotion.

Buffy placed her hand on the back of his head, running her fingers through his hair, as she gently held him to her.

Turning slightly, he once again began leaving a blazing trail of open mouthed kisses down her abdomen, to the inside of her thigh. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he held onto her as his mouth sought her clit. Usually he liked to tease her, build her up to the point of near begging before taking mercy on here, but not tonight.

Tonight he wanted to worship her.

He would work her with his lips, before using his tongue to massage the aching bud. Opening his eyes, he glanced up as his mouth continued working her. Her head was turned into the pillow beside her, knuckles white from their hold on the sheets. She was magnificent, his entire world.

Releasing his hold on her hips, he snaked one hand between her thighs, silently urging her to spread them further. As he slipped one finger into her silky depths, immediately his name began to fall from her lips. Chanting for him, he knew she was close from the erratic movements her hips were making as she frantically sought the release she needed. Inserting a second finger into her, he twisted them in the way he knew drove her crazy. Gently biting down on her clit, he felt her body tense once more, before she slipped over the edge of ecstasy.

By the time she became aware of her surroundings, Angel was poised over the top of her. Positioning himself at her entrance, he kissed her lips once more as he buried himself to the hilt. Keeping his weight off of her, he set an achingly slow pace, not wanting to hurt her. Not really knowing if he could hurt the baby or not. When he felt the familiar pooling in his groin, he reached between then, rolling her most sensitive bundle until she too fell over the edge with him.

Panting, he made sure to fall to her side. His hand immediately trailing down her body to cover her abdomen.

Almost instantly Buffy began to doze, her head turned into the crook of his neck. He couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that their baby was really growing inside her, just inches beneath his palm. Suddenly every fear, or doubt he'd ever had in regards to having a child flew out the window. He had always heard stories about a parents love, but he had only known he was going to be a dad for less than an hour. Yet he already knew that he would give his life for that tiny miracle.

He couldn't believe that they had almost given this up, that wreck truly had been their saving grace. Tracing little circles across her belly, he wondered how long it would be until she began to show. He couldn't wait until there was visible evidence of their child inside her.

He really should get some books for expectant fathers, probably mothers too, this was one area that he was notably clueless in. He wasn't even sure when she should go to the doctor, or how one even went about making an appointment like that. Did she just call up and say she was pregnant? Did doctors just take a patient's word on that type of thing, or was it something she would need a referral for?

Was it safe for her to continue working, especially around a bunch of rambunctious preschoolers? Hell, he wasn't even positive it was safe for them to make love… but he damn sure hoped so. There was no way he could survive 9 months watching her body change and grow with his child, without being allowed to touch her.

His mind was now racing, and it was at times like these that he really missed his own mother.

ButImBroken:

Cowritten with Scribes1015!