Once everyone knew Angel was conscious and mobile, the living vampire found himself being swarmed with questions from concerned friends and family.
Buffy managed to either answer or deflect the majority of them while her weary spouse raided the fridge for the one of the casseroles and other such leftovers supplied by concerned loved ones over the last few days.
Soon enough it was obvious most everyone was hungry after a week of strenuous worry and searches for the now found partial demon, prompting Xander to light the grill when Angel tossed him a box of frozen hamburger patties left over from the fourth of July party two weeks before.
Angel was surprised to realize the happy vibes resonating between the group were mostly induced by him being alive.
As the burgers cooked, Angel helped himself to the peanut butter, cautiously offering his hovering wife the other half.
Snatching it up, Buffy grinned to herself as she chopped a big bite out of the crust, and leaned back against the solid form of her husband, enjoying both the taste of food and the feel of her lover alive and well against her.
In no time, the burgers were passed around and most had a beer or two in celebration.
Angel would have indulged in a beer or three for the numbing effects alone, but Cassidy made it clear alcohol wasn't on the path to recovery. Instead, when he wasn't looking, she slipped a few dissolvable painkillers into his orange juice.
It took three extra loaded hamburgers and two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, plus a load of various chips and snacks, before Angel's hunger was satisfied, but Buffy accepted the hit to their refrigerator budget.
They were all crammed around the long table on the porch, finishing up their dinner when Xander commented towards the living vampire, "Hey Lazareth, quit hording it and pass the ketchup."
Angel eyed the other man a moment, sliding the closed bottle across the table. "You all know I never actually died, right? That whole 'he's dead' thing was your idea." He was more annoyed everyone though he'd been dead than for the comment itself, and he'd felt the need to throw it back towards them. In truth, Xander's dings didn't really penetrate like they used to, Angel had grown a sort of second skin. Besides, it was almost a sign of affection to be ridiculed by Xander.
Curiosity encouraged the younger man, who had drank more than a few of the beers and was feeling a little bulletproof at the moment, "Where the hell were you anyways? Even Will's tracking spells couldn't find you."
The painkillers had been fairly high dose, so the usual before-speaking thought process was a little weak on Angel's reply, "Oh, you know, the usual. Being beaten and tortured for days on end. Added a little spice of memory loss...which by the way guys, total lacking on the save this time. Made me fight my own way home..."
"What!" For the most part, no one actually knew what had happened to him in detail yet, so it came as a surprise to the group, even to Buffy, who'd heard a version of the tale earlier turned a few shades paler.
"Hey, we looked for you like 25 hours a day!"Xander rebuked, annoyed at his hard work over the last week being made to sound like nothing.
"I tried repeatedly! My spells couldn't locate you!" Willow defended, feeling a little over exposed.
Dawn chimed in, "No one in the demon world had seen you, Buffy found your ring in ashes the last place you were known to be!"
Angel blinked, realizing in a second he seemed to have pissed everyone off. "You do all realize Cass drugged me, right? I'm not be responsible for anything I say." His voice had just the right amount of slur to help prove he wasn't lying.
Buffy sent an accusing glance towards the blushing doctor before pulling herself up out of her husband's lap, "Okay, time for someone to go to bed."
Angel's grip of her arm brought he falling backwards back into his lap, where his arms wrapped snugly around her waist, "In a few minutes."
It was a little difficult to think straight, but Angel closed his eyes a moment and brought up the mental picture of Deimos's lair, "The walls had runes, symbols, blood magicks, powerful stuff." His eyes opened and turned towards Willow as he continued, slowly, "They must have blocked your spells."
Willow digested that a moment, knowing there were certain counter spells that could overpower or even block what she'd been using. "I guess that could have been it, but it doesn't sound like the kind of place we need the bad guys in control of, maybe we should check it out, secure the area before something else moves in?"
They all agreed, but it was a task for another time.
The clock was nearing 11pm when the group disbursed, and Angel was certain everyone had hugged him at least three times before they left.
Finally alone with her slightly high spouse, Buffy leaned over and kissed his cheek while he was tucking the covers around their son.
Hank had put the kids to bed earlier, but Angel had wanted the chance to give then each a kiss before he retired for the night.
"Your turn?" She asked, sending her lover a little sexy smirk at the thought of tucking him in.
Closing the door to their son's room and entering theirs, Angel grinned at his wife, "Something tells me your hungry for something that wasn't on the menu downstairs."
Her lips on his was her reply.
Clothing was rapidly disappearing between them, but a swift kick to her bladder reminded her to use the restroom before getting comfy between the sheets. "Keep that thought and don't move." She ordered her husband as she reluctantly pulled away from his roaming hands and wandering lips, quickly sliding off the bed and sending him a 'keep sexy thoughts' smirk as she hurried into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she was ready for some much needed romance.
'Finally' She thought, wearing her sexiest baby doll camisole and matching barely there thong. After a quick once over in the mirror, she'd slipped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, moving as sexily as possible with a baby belly.
Her little twirl and provocative pose ended up being all for nothing when she noticed with dismay her husband's eyes where shut.
'No! Damn it, damn it, damn it! I wanted sex!' The thought to shake that selfish bastard awake crossed her mind, but the peaceful look on his face softened her rage before she went so far as to rip the pillow out from under his head and smother him with it.
Disappointed, she crawled into bed beside him, still hoping he might wake up from her movements.
Instead, he rolled over and wrapped an arm around her, clearly deep in sleep already.
'Jerk.' She thought, but snuggled closer to him, the arousal fading as she cuddled against her man, finally finding it comfortable to be in this bed again now she had her Angel pillow and blanket combo back.
She wanted to be mad at him for falling asleep, but she herself was asleep before she could.
...
Angel's breathing was slow, deep and steady as he slept.
Buffy's sleepy gaze trailed along his exposed chest, finding herself itching for something that wouldn't be satisfied by scratching.
Part of her wanted to let him rest, to give time for his lingering injuries heal, but a larger part wanted something more from him, something stronger, something…primal.
'We slept' she reasoned to herself looking at the clock, 'three hours…that's good enough for now.'
She leaned in closer, having only woken herself a few minutes ago, and settled down against him like she always did, her curves nestling perfectly with his body.
He shifted in his sleep, his arm wrapping around her swelling waist as she pressed into his side, her head pillow on his shoulder.
She lay still a few moments, just feeling his warm breath tickle her hair with each exhale, listening to his soothing heartbeat, watching his chest rise and fall. 'I'll never grow tired of watching him, seeing and feeling his body being alive.'
Heat slowly began to build in her body as she watched him, her heart rate quickened, her breath increased. She bit her lower lip when she realized her body wanted him, needed him.
Her lips connected with the soft flesh of his neck, leaving a slow trail of kisses as she moved down to his chest.
He stirred, a soft moan slipped from his throat.
She continued her kisses, determined to rouse him, in more ways than one.
When after a few moments Angel's eyes remained shut, she paused, 'Maybe I should let him sleep.' She thought, feeling guilty she was trying to wake him when he must really need the rest.
Those thoughts got knocked aside as Angel's arms wrapped around her and pulled her lips to his. 'The big faker' she thought happily as he devoured her mouth.
She straddled his waist as their hungry mouths licked, and nipped and sucked one another's. Her hands caressed his smooth chest, ran along the tight muscles of his arms, cupped his smooth shaven cheeks, and finally ended tangled in his already wild hair.
Their tongues wrested for dominance in each other's mouths, as his hands roamed her burning body.
Angel felt the sheer need in her movements, realizing after days of thinking him dead, she needed to really know he was still with her.
In one swift movement he was atop her, keeping the pressure off her growing belly, but pressing close against her everywhere else. His lips were still glued to hers as he gripped her wrists and pulled her hands from various points on his body. He held them tightly in his hands as he pushed them down, palms up beside her head and held them trapped beneath his.
A startled gasp of pleasure escaped her lips as he suddenly slipped inside of her. He let her body adjust to his sudden presents within her, and then he began to move, slow and rhythmic.
She moaned into his mouth, enjoying his sudden dominance over her, letting him control the tempo of their lovemaking.
He broke away from her lips, causing her to groan in dismay, but his mouth glided to her neck, kissing her throat and nipping her ear, paying close attention to the rings that adorned it.
The pressure was building inside her, but not fast enough, this slow pace was maddening. She wanted more, she wanted faster, she wanted…no craved…the feel of him.
He sensed her distress, but ignored it. Crazy passion might be what she wanted, but not what she needed.
"No" he whispered simply as he continued his slow rhythm.
She tried to arch her hips, to persuade him to move faster, but he refused.
He never refused her; he had denied her nothing since they reunited after his heart began to beat.
She offered a weak struggle, but his body kept her down and his hands tightened on her wrists. She had no choice but to submit to his will.
After a few minutes his lips returned to hers, but he was slow and precise. Each kiss was full of love, not lust. He moved up and kissed her closed eyes, one at a time, he kissed each cheek, the tip of her nose, and then move to kiss her chin, his last kiss was to her forehead before he resumed the light loving caress of her lips.
She realized what he was now doing, remembered his movements from so long ago, he was loving her the exact same way he did on the first night they had made love, when she was newly seventeen, the last night she was a virgin.
Her burning madness subsided a little as her body relaxed to his gentle movements.
Slowly he released her hands, sensing she was getting the idea of what he was doing.
As soon as she was free, her arms wrapped around his torso, gently caressing his back, running her left hand over his tattoo like she had so many years ago.
He deepened his movements but stayed at his slow and steady pace. She gasped and pressed her face into his neck as she felt him move further into her.
Buffy had let everything in her mind go; all she knew was Angel's feather touch against her skin, his savory taste in her mouth and his slow and gentle progress from within her.
She was surrounded by love, simple undeniable love.
Before she knew it, her release was approaching, and she knew it was going to be powerful.
When the orgasm finally hit her, she nearly forgot to breathe; it shook her from head to toe, and sent bolts of pleasure to every single nerve ending in her body.
She had never felt anything like it before, and suspected she might not ever again.
As her entire body clenched around him, the sensation sent Angel into his release along with her.
A scream of pure ecstasy escaped her, but was caught by Angel as his mouth crushed over hers.
Barely able to breathe himself, Angel rolled off of her panting and tried to slow his heart rate, which was beating wildly.
They both took a few minutes to gather themselves after the powerful orgasm.
Buffy slid up to him, resting her head on his chest, listening to his racing heart. "Wow" she said, still panting. "Yeah" he replied.
It hadn't been what she'd planned, but it was perfect.
...
Something was wrong.
Buffy stirred awake, automatically reaching out for her lover.
'That's what's wrong.' The bed beside her was empty.
'Where is he now?' She thought sleepily, but the drowsy burned off quickly as another thought interrupted, 'Was he even here?'
The temperature of the bed told her she hadn't been sleeping alone, it wasn't cold yet where he'd been a short time before.
The momentary panic subsided as her hand found his ring was in fact missing from her necklace, that would only be gone if she had given it back, so she knew she hadn't only dreamed he'd returned.
'So back to my original question, where is he?'
Throwing the cover's back, she decided to grab her robe and slippers, and as she spread her legs to move off the bed, the dull ache between them assured her better than anything else her husband really was there. Nothing would make her groin feel like that except great sex.
After dressing, she opened her bedroom door and followed the little tingle inside that strengthened as she got closer to her lover.
It didn't take much to find him, he was where he usually ended up in the middle of the night, or in this case, very early morning.
The kitchen.
He was waist deep into the refrigerator when she spoke loud enough to startle him, "Once again, you leave me for a sandwich."
There was a thin wisp of guilt when she heard the thump of his head impacting the roof of the fridge when he's jumped from her voice, but it faded when she got a look at his grinning face.
He was holding a baking pan, pulling back the tinfoil that was covering the top, "Not a sandwich, chocolate cake."
The pregnant woman's interest peaked, "Oh?" She asked, moving closer and formulating a battle plan on how to acquire the cake from him.
Catching the predatory look in her eyes, he moved back with the cake pan clutched in his hands, "Oh no you don't, finders keepers."
A scuffle ensued, but somehow they ended up at the table, each with a fork. The blonde was using her lover as a seat warmer as they took turns feeding each other a bite of cake at a time.
After the last frosting filled swallow, she leaned back against her husband's chest, resting the licked clean fork in the now empty pan. "Okay, that was like, a million calories."
Licking his lips, Angel shook his head, "Nah, only 300-400...per slice."
Buffy groaned, "Yeah, great, we only ate like 10 pieces each."
He laughed and leaned down to kiss her cheek, "So worth it."
Grinning herself now, she turned her head so her lips replaced her cheek against his mouth, her thoughts quickly trying to calculate how much sex would be needed to burn off that much cake.
Knowing what his wife was thinking, Angel wrapped his arms around his woman as she turned to face him, making kissing more accessible.
His body was quickly becoming less focused on food and turning to a more primal hunger.
As the heat between them grew, they decided their bedroom would be a more appropriate place to sate their new found hunger, so they left the kitchen behind. The now empty cake pan would be just fine until morning. The two quickly reentered the bedroom, their passion leaving a trail of clothes around the bed before the two naked bodies found themselves tangling within the sheets.
"Damn, I hate being fat." Buffy complained as she remembered a few of her favorite positions were either difficult or impossible at the moment, her belly getting in the way. Their last lovemaking had been amazing, but the fact was lying on her back just wasn't as comfortable as it used to be.
"You've never been fat." Angel countered as he ran kisses up her neck, unable to understand how his wife could compare being pregnant to being fat. "Besides, I have an idea."
Buffy sometimes worried when her husband flashed her that devilish look, especially when he turned her to face away from him. "Hey, I was kissing you, this make it harder, so I immediately don't like it."
Angel just kissed the back of her neck as he pulled her closer, his front to her back, "Just relax, you'll like this."
The feel of his lips on her sensitive skin placated her immediately, then his hands slid up her sides before crossing over her chest, his fingers caressing her breasts and starting to tease her nipples.
One on the many things Angel loved about his wife when she was with child, was the swelling of her perfect breasts to a whole two cup sizes bigger than usual. Those normally perky C were a heavenly DD.
He could feel her tensing in his arms, her soft moans music to his ears.
Wanting to go further, one hand slid down over the swell of her belly, caressing their growing child before ending at her splay of golden curls, his fingers locating the most sensitive pressure points just beyond and giving it a caress.
"Angel!" Buffy gasped as her lover set off her first orgasm.
She tried to turn around, so she could take his lips against hers, but he pulled her more flushed against his chest, spooning closer, "Not yet."
The feel of his arousal was pressing against her bottom, but then he shifted his hips and the tip slid against her sex.
His name came from her lips again as she pushed against him, wanting him inside her, not just teasingly probing.
At the sound of her need, he entered, finding the position led to shallower penetration than usual but still pleasant enough as he began to move within her.
With his hands free, he was able to continue to tease her breasts and sex, bringing with it the rewarding moans and scents of his wife's pleasures.
When her final release hit, the quivering and tightness drew him into bliss along with her and they came together.
Now that both his hungers had been sated, he rolled onto his back and wrapped his arms around his girl as she snuggled against him, content to let the drowsiness return.
"Never thought I'd be a fan of spoon-sex...but when you're growing a beach-ball..." Buffy spoke as she nuzzled his chest, but realized he wasn't going to answer as she felt his breathing and heart rate slowing in sleep. 'Of course he falls asleep already... granted he needs the rest...and so do I.'
Yawning, she let her eyes drift shut and fell asleep to the sounds of his heartbeat.
...
It was early morning, the sun just peaking up, already sending the light seeping up over the horizon. Buffy stirred awake as a developing foot stomped on her bladder, and the following curses were whispered to herself as she untangled from her lover's arms and quickly headed toward the bathroom.
After relieving the issue, she slid back into bed, hoping to get in at least another hour before the kids woke and the day began in earnest.
As she pulled the covers up, she noticed her husband's chest seemed more damp than usual, and it wasn't from her drooling habit, because as far as she was concerned, she didn't drool.
Curious, she leaned over and switched on the bedside lamp, bathing the bed in soft light, which she immediately noticed was reflecting off the glistening moisture adorning Angel's face.
'He's sweating.' Popped into her mind, quickly followed by, 'He must have a fever, I knew it, his demon's too quiet and he's getting sick again!'
The second thing she noticed were the bruises, they looked no better than yesterday, indicating he hadn't healed at all overnight. Generally, sex usually made is heal quicker...unless something was wrong.
Fueled by worry, she snatched the cordless phone off the table by the lamp and dialed the Med-Ward, to alert Cassidy that Angel would need immediate medical treatment to prevent further decline like the first time Angel's demon went dormant and the resulting loss of immune system nearly killed him.
On the second ring, the medic's alert voice filled her ears, "Med-Ward, Cassidy speaking, who, what and where?"
"Cass, Angel's sick!" The nervous blonde spoke, "He has a fever and he's not healing, he needs to go to the Med-Ward, like now."
Cassidy nearly dropped her her coffee as she went to grab her medical bag off the table, but when she heard Angel's voice on the other end asking what was going on, what caught her attention was he sounded far more annoyed than ill.
"Angel, lay down, you're sick." Buffy scolded, trying to keep her now awake but seemingly irritated husband from getting up.
"Sick?" The dark haired man questioned, waving her hands off him as he sat up, "Why the heck do you think I'm sick?"
Buffy watched his eyes as she pointed out, "You're sweating."
In the light, she could clearly see the beads of sweat that had formed on his upper lip and at his temples, along with the vivid black and blues that sported his skin.
Dark eyes blinked at her a moment before he answered, "Buffy, it's California in July. Of course I'm sweaty, the bedroom AC is off and it has to be 75*F in here with 100% humidity, not to mention someone who likes to snuggle keeps pulling the comforter up to my chin..."
Over the line, Cassidy relaxed and picked up her coffee, taking a sip. I was a little like listening to a radio soap opera.
Buffy digested that a moment before reaching out and feeling his forehead, he was slightly flushed, but the warmth of his skin against her hand wasn't more than usual.
"Okay, so you're not feverish." She declared, "but you're also not healing, those bruises are still there."
"Trust me, I know. I can feel them." Angel replied, "But that doesn't mean I'm sick."
"Your demon should have healed you by now, if it hasn't, it means there is something wrong!" Buffy countered, getting annoyed he seemed to be missing that whole aspect.
Angel shook his head, "Buffy there is nothing wrong."
Suddenly it struck her, how very absent the demon was being. Her and Cass had noticed it yesterday but the concern was put the back burner until Angel was stable, but now the issue was be brought to the front of the line. "No, there has to be something wrong with you, you weren't growly or bite-y at all last night. You're almost always nippy after healing and even worse when you've been away from me."
Cassidy blinked into the phone, realizing the two on the other end must have forgotten she was there. 'Well, not that I didn't already know more than I needed about their sex life...'
Scoffing, Angel pushed the damned blanket off him, "Are you serious? You do remember the first time I did bite you during sex you practically hated me for it, now you're upset because I didn't?"
Her cheeks pinked at the thought of that fight, her slayer instincts had been reacting to his demon's energy, but even now that too was barely present. "When you're hurt, yes. My blood heals you faster." The worried young woman tried to explain, "Even now, I still barely feel your demon. I can usually feel it more when we're arguing."
Her accusation was hitting a nerve, which annoyed him and made him feel defensive, "What are you getting at Buffy? That my human side isn't enough for you? That if I don't sink my teeth into you there's a problem?"
She was shocked that he was getting so working up over this, especially since she'd already told him before she loved all parts of him, the human, the demon, and the mixy parts in between, she repeated it to him now as a reminder.
He could feel a headache approaching and realized he needed to go cool off, both mentally and physically. "Whatever, I need a shower." With that said, he stormed into the bathroom and shut the door far harder than necessary.
Still sitting on the bed, Buffy dropped her head, already feeling the beginnings of a headache. 'What in the heck has gotten into him?'
"Umm, hello? What's going on?" A small voice asked in the following moment of silence.
'Shit.' Buffy thought as she brought the forgotten phone up to her ear, "Sorry Cass, forgot you were there."
"Clearly." The medic replied with a slight tingle of annoyance, "Listen, I can't say I know what's going on over there, but Angel sounds grumpy but otherwise not needing immediate medical attention."
The sound of running water drifted from behind the bathroom door and Buffy stood and searched the floor for her robe, "Grumpy is putting it lightly, I'd say he's being an asshole."
Cassidy was about to respond, but Buffy could hear the kids in the hall outside her door, "Crap, we'll have to talk later Cass, the kids are awake. Sorry if I woke you."
The call disconnected and left a dial tone in her ear, so the medic shrugged and placed the cordless back in the cradle. "Oh don't worry, I was already awake." The medic said to herself as she picked her coffee back up, her other hand snagging the blueberry muffin she'd grabbed from the cafe that morning.
When there were multiple slayer patrols during the night, the Med-Ward never sleeps, no to mention she was writing up her proposal for a Med-Ward ambulance.
...
The empty cake pan sitting at the table had been a sad reminder of how only a short time ago her and her bull-headed husband had been on much closer terms. She silently wished she could rewind the clock to them sitting together at the table eating cake.
It had been almost an hour since the tiff in the bedroom, and Angel still hadn't come downstairs. 'Damn it, is he going to brood up there all day?' Buffy thought as she washed the cereal bowls the kids had eaten their cinnamon toast crunch in earlier, then grabbing the cake pan next and scrubbed out the thin layer of crumbs that stuck to the metal.
The two little ones were currently playing in the living room, where they spent the majority of their time playing their favorite game, that being, pull every toy they own out of the toy chest and spreading them all over the floor for mommy and daddy to pick up later.
The discomfort in her heart ebbed a little when she heard him finally come downstairs, and the ensuing sounds of a two against one hug attack. 'Maybe the kids will help cool his temper.'
She's just finished toweling her hands dry when he entered the room, the temperature feeling like it had dropped suddenly as he walked straight to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. 'Maybe they cooled him off too much...or he's still angry at me.'
The silence between them felt tangible enough to cut before he finally spoke, "Thanks."
It took her a moment to realize he meant for the coffee, which she couldn't actually drink caffeine in her pregnant state but had brewed a small pot just for him, possibly as the start to an apology.
"You're welcome." Came her short response before adding, "Are you hungry?"
For a moment, she thought he was going to stone-wall her, but he eventually let out a breath, his shoulders sagging, "Starving."
'Back to using mono-replies...great.' To distract herself from his foul mood, she opened the cabinet and scanned the cereals. "We have Count Chocula, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Special K with strawberries, and Honey Nut Cheerio's."
Angel cringed at the thought of cold cereal, he wanted something hot and meaty. "I'll pass."
Taking a large swallow of coffee, he padded barefoot over to the fridge, peering inside and enjoying the coolness the whooshed over his bare chest. It was still early in the day, but it was already warm in the house. He had no idea how his wife could be wearing a robe with this humidity, he was barely cool enough wearing only gym shorts.
Not finding what he wanted, he then checked the freezer, disappointed when he still couldn't find any breakfast sausages or bacon or ham.
"What are you looking for?" Buffy asked, having been watching him and wondering what he was hungry for.
"Nothing." He sighed, rubbing his temples.
'Still has a headache.' She noticed as he left the kitchen, presumable to go lay down on the couch.
Hoping to win her grumpy spouse over with food, she figured he was in the mood for something more hearty, so she rummaged through the freezer before locating the package of shaved steak she knew was hidden behind the hot dogs.
Tossing the package in the sink, she let the hot water soak into the meat to defrost it.
By the time she had the eggs cooking, the meat was thawed enough and she tossed it into another pan, giving a few of the more stubborn chunks a whack with her spatula to break it up.
The smell of cooking meat drew the living vampire back into the kitchen, "Where did you get steak?"
'Ha! More than one word!' Buffy cheered to herself that her plan was at least showing hope of working.
"The freezer. Why? Do you want steak and eggs?" She already knew he did, but felt the need to make him say so.
"Yes, I do." He eyed the pan, "But I would prefer it un-burned."
For a second, she thought he was just being a jerk about her cooking skills, but realized he meant the food was in fact getting overly brown. Instead of trying to continue, she offered the spatula to him, which he quickly took to save the meat from scorching as he turned down the burners.
Moving to the bread on the counter, she opened the bag and prepared to insert a few slices into the toaster when he asked, "Can you go check on the kids?"
There hadn't been any suspicious sounds from the living room, but his hearing was better than hers, so she did so without comment.
Katie was busy building a fort out of their living room furniture while Liam was pretending to be driving a race-car while sitting in an old cardboard box. Seeing everything was fine in here, she realized it was just a way for her husband to get her out of the kitchen, and away from the food.
'Prick.' She thought, annoyed he was more worried about his breakfast burning than her. Taking the opportunity, she offered assistance to her son and daughter, but both wanted to do-it-themselves. Sighing, she sat on the couch and rubbed her swollen stomach, "Well at least you still need me."
There was an answering thump, however it was right in the ribs. 'Oh you little..."
The sound of fork and knife on plate signaled the cooking phase was now complete and the eating phase was commencing. Eager to be a part of the second half, she poked her head back into the kitchen.
He was at the table, wolfing down a heaping of scrambled eggs and steak. On the stove, was a plate with the toast and a smaller serving of steak and eggs. Thankful he'd left her any, she took the plate and sat across from him, hoping maybe the food would encourage him to open up.
The minutes passed, but the only sounds between them were of food consumption.
Deciding on a glass of OJ, she made sure to move her plate out of his direct reach, so he wouldn't be tempted to steal her steak, and went for a glass from the shelf by the sink. After pouring the orange juice into her cup she happened to glance over at the coffee pot, it still had over a cup left.
"You want the rest of the coffee?" She asked, wanting to either pour it into his mug, or wash it out before it stained the glass and left a stale coffee taste the next time she brewed a pot.
He nodded over a mouthful of eggs, so she grabbed the mug, poured in the rest of the dark liquid and stuck it in the microwave to heat back up to drinkable temperature.
After rinsing the pot out and placing it in the strainer, she took the now hot coffee with her to the table along with her juice, stopping to take a quick sip and grimacing at her spouse's taste in black coffee.
"Eck, I don't know how to drink that without cream or sugar."
He shrugged, swallowed a chunk of steak, and took the mug from her offered hand. "I don't know how you drink it with cream and sugar."
He took a big sip and returned to his breakfast.
A few quiet minutes later, she hoped his hunger was satisfied enough to ease his anger, "Can we talk?"
He finished the last of his eggs and mopped the grease up with a half slice of toast. "I guess."
It seemed like a long time passed before talking commenced, "I over-reacted this morning, I know that, and I shouldn't have called Cassidy without even waking you up, but I was worried Angel, I still am. I don't like seeing you in pain, and those bruises are still very visible."
When he stood, she thought he was walking out, but he collected her empty dish along with his and padded over to the sink, "I know you were worried, but there was and still is nothing to worry about." He said, his back to her as he poured soap onto the sponge and began scrubbing the plates.
The marks on his back were vivid against his pale skin, telling her more about what he'd gone though over the last few days than his words had.
"They whipped you." It wasn't a question, but she couldn't stop herself from gently touching the red stripes that crossed his back.
His muscles tensed briefly at her touch, but relaxed after a moment, downplaying it as much as possible. "Wasn't as bad as they wanted it to be."
Fighting with him or not, she hated to see him hurting. "It's bad enough." As she said it, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her lips to the worst of the marks, needing to be closer and pass on her love and support, whether he wanted it or not. "You needed help, and we weren't there for you."
He stopped mid-scrub, "You didn't know where I was, and the meager evidence you had suggested I was dead...I can't really blame anyone not rescuing me...Hell, even I didn't know where I was."
"I'm still sorry about it, " She replied into his back, holding him tighter. "And I'm sorry about pressing you, I know your demon will return when it's ready.
When the plates and skillet were scrubbed and rinsed, he placed them into the strainer before turning around in her arms.
It was hard to be mad at her when his wife was pressing against him, the warmth of her body seeping into his sore muscles, dulling his aches, numbing his pain. Even when she was a pain in his ass, she was still his most effective pain-killer.
When those big hazel-green eyes turned up towards him in a pout, he felt his resolve crumble.
Wrapping his arms around her in return, he inhaled her scent, the lingering remnants of their earlier lovemaking still clinging to her hair. "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have got upset. It's just..." He started then stopped, not really knowing himself how to say what was bothering him.
"Just what?" She asked, sending him an encouraging look as she ran her hands lightly over his back, trying to message out some of the tension.
After waiting for his response, he finally said, "Can we go sit down?"
It wasn't what she expected, but she nodded and unwrapped from him, "Okay."
They walked into the living room, only to find their daughter had managed to push most of the furniture together to make walls and used the couch blanket to make a roof for her fort.
"Well, so much for sitting." He commented, seeing the couch and chairs was currently lost in the mess.
Taking his hand, she pulled him back into the kitchen, though it, and out onto the back porch, where she directed him to one of the two cushioned deck chairs.
"You were saying." Buffy asked as she pulled the other chair closer and leaned in, needing to know what was festering in her husband's mind.
The silence stretched out for a time before she asked, "Does this have anything to do with your demon? On why you stopped healing?"
His jaw tensing answered that it did, but after a moment he replied, "Yeah, but I haven't stopped healing."
"Those bruises say otherwise." Buffy countered immediately, however at the scowl on his face she quickly came to the conclusion it wasn't helping him open up.
"I haven't stopped healing." He repeated, then added, "I'm just healing at a slower rate, a human rate."
Buffy's eyebrows drew down, "What? Why?"
Angel, who had been leaning with his elbows on his thighs, leaned back against the chair, careful not to lean to hard and put pressure on his bruises. "Buffy, I know what you've experience in the past with my demon. I was there too, despite not usually being awake when it happens, I do know roughly what the demon thinks and how it feels. We're bonded, two different beings with a shared body. And yeah, sometimes, that causes an issue between us. Yes, there was that one occasion my demon went into remission and it caused my immune system to fail, yes the demon did stop my heart before in order to reset my system. But this isn't like that Buffy, you want to know why?"
Taking the bait, she replied, "Okay, why?"
His eyes met hers as he spoke, "Because the demon is learning."
That wasn't what she was expecting him to say, actually, she wasn't really sure what she was expecting, "What do you mean by learning?"
He leaned forwards again, "The demon was never human, it never understood how a living body worked until mine was resurrected. I've giving it plenty of experience over the last few years and it's processing all the information and is beginning to understand my body, to understand how to keep it alive more efficiently. It knows that if it stops my heart, it could fail to revive me and we'd both be dead for good. It also knows if it doesn't maintain my immune system, we get sick, and that annoys it."
After a moment, he continued, "The demon is purposefully holding back my healing, not because its weak, but because it wants to try and...I don't know, to stimulate my own human immune system. It doesn't want to be the only defense anymore, which leaves us both vulnerable to illness when it goes down."
Buffy blinked and asked the important question, "And if your own system can't accept the challenge?"
He took her hand in his, seeing the worry reflecting in her eyes, and comforted her by giving it a reassuring squeeze, "Think of it as a one way valve; I either improve, or I stay the same. The demon isn't going to allow for decline. It's done with Med-ward sleepovers."
Nodding she understood, "Okay, I guess I can understand your demon's reasoning, but what I don't understand is why you're so tightly strung over it."
A scowl washed over his features, "I'm not tightly strung." After a moment he realized how abrupt he sounded, "Okay, so maybe I am...I just..I don't know." He shifted in his seat, feeling the pain of his still tender flesh, "While the demon is holding back, I don't have full access to my usual abilities. They aren't gone, just...diluted, and I hate feeling this exposed."
Seeing an opportunity to repair the minor fraying of their relationship, she moved off her chair and into his lap, giving him a frisky smile. Her hands coming to rest lightly on his chest as she said, "I don't know, I kind of like you exposed."
A teasing smirk slid across his lips as he eyed the woman now sitting in his lap, "That's not exactly the context I was going for with that word."
Her right hand moved up, her thumb running along his cheek as her fingers traced along the back of his neck, "No, but it does leave a more interesting picture in my mind."
That smirk widened into a grin, "I bet it does."
Anger between them could spark brightly, but the heat tended to burn hot and fast, quickly consuming the available fuel before smoothing itself out. By natural design, they were drawn to one another, and that pull was drawing them closer again.
Neither seemed to remember moving, but their lips meeting caused their bodies to refocus only on them, a natural anesthesia to the world and everything in it.
When they separated for breath, Buffy nested closer and asked, "Mmm, I like smooches' better than fighting, can we switch to smooching instead?"
That underlying anger had been dispelled by now, his wife's lips always had the effect on him, "Kay." He replied, leaning back down and kissing her again, not even noticing his headache was gone too.
After a few tender minutes apologizing to one another using their lips but no words, they reluctantly pulled apart.
"Man, It's not even 9am and it must be 90 degrees in the shade." Angel complained as he stood, needing to stretch, and to get away from the little bundle of heat that had previously been sitting in his lap.
Buffy snorted, "Says the guy who used to walk around in said heat wearing pants, long sleeves and a leather trench coat."
The living vampire sent her a glare, "Yeah, well I was dead at the time. A lack of natural body heat actually sounds appealing at the moment."
"You're just being whiny so I'll agree to getting central air." She commented back at him as they headed inside, to make sure the kids weren't setting the house on fire or anything.
"I don't whine." The dark hair man whined as he shut the door behind him.
'Yeah right, and I'm Hiding a smirk, the young wife headed into the living room and surveyed the damage.
Liam's 'racecar' was now abandoned, but the sounds of small mouths arguing from under the blanket over the furniture was a fairly good indicator the two children were somewhere in the 'fort'.
Angel pulled up a corner of the blanket to have a look for himself what his children were up to under there.
"Daddy!" An angry high pitched voice yelled, "You're ruining my fort!"
With a gleam of mischief in his eyes, "That's what the tickle monster does when he's looking for kids to tickle."
With a scream of delight, Katie and Liam charged the invading monster as their father acted like Godzilla attacking Tokyo.
With a shake of her head, Buffy rubbed her belly and sighed, "Let's see how the odds fair when it's three against one."
The answering thump sounded a lot like a 'Challenge accepted' to her.
...
"I don't know." Buffy remarked, eyeing the bruises still covering her lover's body, "Maybe you should take it easy tonight."
The day had gone by with the usual laziness of a weekend. There had been a few visitors, mostly friends and slayers wanting to see for themselves that Angel had been found safe and sound, or at least not dead.
The scorching heat had settled as the sun sank beneath the horizon, dinner had been made and eaten, and the kids had been bathed and put to bed a short time ago.
Now alone in their bedroom, Angel had been fully intended to end the day making love to his wife, but said wife was being stubborn.
"Buffy, we've already been over this. I'm bruised, not I'm dying." Angel insisted, still annoyed his spouse was treating him like broken glass.
Moving up to him, she ran her hand along his cheek in a calming manor, "I know you're not dying, I just don't want you to over exert yourself while your body is still trying to play catch-up."
He pulled her closer, leaning down and kissing her cheek as he grinned, "I don't think we need to worry about that, lately, you wear out before me." His fingers traced over the swell of their growing child.
Her elbow whacked him playfully in the ribs, in an area she knew hadn't been bruised or damaged, "Yeah, well I'm growing a human. Next time I'll ask for a bump sponsored by energy star as this one's a total energy hog."
A bright thought bounced around in Angel's brain, bringing a dreaming smile to his lips, "Next time huh? So your already planning on us having another?"
The second whack was a lot stronger, and not exactly pain-free, "So totally not going down that road right now, so don't even start with me."
Unfazed by her threats or violence, he pulled her closer again, "Let me guess, if I get you pregnant again with one still in diapers..." He left the rest off, not even wanting to say it.
"You bet your ass I'll be giving you an at home vasectomy...with a dull butter knife." She finished.
Well, that was a lovely thought, especially the way it made his testicles shrink back in self preservation.
Granted, when this so close to his wife, in their bedroom, at night, with no fear of accidental insemination with her body currently carrying his growing seed, the shrinkage wasn't lasting,
It wasn't long before his lips returned to her skin, he wanted her and he wanted her to know it.
Despite her best efforts to encourage rest and relaxation, her spouse seemed to be illiterate to both those words. As a separate factor, her own body was betraying her as it reacted to his. 'Between him and the baby, my body seems to have forgotten who it belongs to...'
Her annoyance was fading as her focus shifted to how amazing his lips felt peppering her shoulder, and moving around her collarbone and over to her other shoulder.
'Okay, okay, I want sex too.' She thought as her mouth went for his.
'Yes! Score 1 for the home team.' Angel thought as his provocative touches and kisses brought his wife after him, having succeeded in coaxing her arousal from it hiding place.
It wasn't long before the remains of their clothes were on the floor and their heated bodies where romping under the sheets.
Angel could feel how much his wife wanted him at the moment, the scent of her arousal was flashing in his nose, her little moans as he teased her womanly areas were sending shock-waves directly to his swelling groin, and those hands, oh how he loved her touching him.
It hadn't been planned but in a moment of opportunity, his Angelus streak snuck in, feeling a little paybackish.
Buffy could feel her first orgasm was about to hit, but then suddenly those fingers on her clit were gone and the tremors were dissipating. "What? No!"
Her husband kissed her cheek, "You know, I think you were right, I should be resting." He laid down and made as if going to sleep.
Gaping at him like a fish, she tried to get her mind off her tingly feelings and figure out why he'd suddenly bailed on sex of all things.
That's when she caught the gleam in his eyes. 'Angelus thinks he's been cute does he?'
"Oh, okay, if you're tired then you should totally rest." With her own plan, she leaned down and kissed his cheek before laying down next to him, "I could use an extra hour too."
"Wait, what?" He asked confused. He'd expected her to get mad at him or demand he finish, not agree with him. Her anger could be a turn-on under the right circumstances, it was his darker side that reveled in pushing her buttons.
However, she'd hadn't taken the bait, and he still had an erection, which he had been planning on it going away only after being emptied into his wife.
"Oh." Those big hazel-green eyes batted at him, his pointed interest in her the focus of the question, "Is this bothering you?"
"Well, I do feel a bit stiff." He agreed, curious as to what the game plan was. He had a feeling she was toying back with him.
With a sexy grin, she told him to just relax and she'd take care of it.
'Oh yeah! Let me see those sexy lips locked round my cock!' He thought excitedly, always in the mood for a blowjob from his wife's talented mouth.
Buffy knew what he liked, and it didn't take long until she had him hovering at the edge of bliss. His body was tense, breathing hard, heart beating rapidly, that's when she dropped him from her mouth and pulled back, "I'm sorry, you said you were tired and this is clearly wearing you out."
It was his turn to gap like a fish as she laid down beside him and flashed him her best 'now what' smirk.
"You did that on purpose." He nearly growled, but not enough be actually be a growl.
She just raised her eyebrow at him, "Tell me again who started that trend?" He was totally to blame for not finishing her off, so it was only reasonable she do it back at him, so he knew what if felt like to be left hanging.
Their eyes met, they both knew the other wasn't ready for sleep. "Fine, touché, you got me. But the trend ends now."
Angel jumped off the bed, for a second she though he was leaving, but then he grabbed her and hauled her over to the edge, "Angel what the heck..."
He didn't answer as he moved her bottom to the edge, then knelled, his face to her exposed sex as his hands grasped her hips. "Rest your feet on my shoulders." He then lost the ability for speech, as his mouth connected to her lower lips, which Buffy immediately found she was okay with a lack of words, because what he was saying to her body was by far more effective at pushing her arousal though the roof than just saying I love you.
Pregnancy on a whole was rough. It made her tired and moody and sent her hormones into overdrive, but it also had its perks. Like extra food, forgiveness for being bitchy, and the best of all, increased blood flow to her lady bits. Pregnancy orgasms were usually bigger, better, and more frequent than non-pregnancy orgasms, it was a fact, backed by scientific proof. And at the moment, her husband was taking full advantage of it.
"Angel!" She cried out as her first orgasm hit, his intimate probing not stopping or slowing which was already pulling her towards her second.
There was no mercy from him until her third, then he finally and somewhat reluctantly broke his mouth free from his wife's liquid honey. His groin was throbbing now, almost painfully crying out to sink itself into the folds he'd been planting his tongue within.
Standing, he leaned over her still quivering body as she lay panting, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist to keep from hanging in space.
He wanted to ease his ache by diving between those thighs, it took a lot of willpower for him to not thrust wildly into her, her chamber was so hot and slick from his recent attentions...oh so tempting and inviting.
Bending, he placed a kiss on her cheek, "You best not be falling asleep on me." He teased, or maybe it wasn't a tease, he gave, now he wanted to get.
When her eyes opened, he had a quick glimpse of the wild look a moment before he was yanked back onto the bed and thrown onto his back. 'Whoa, crazed hormonal slayer in the driver seat! Hell yeah!' On other occasions, he might have been worried, but at the moment he was too turned on to register fear.
Buffy was on him in a second, straddling his hips and being very want, take, have.
He groaned her name as she wriggled against him, sending pleasure pulses over his entire system as she rubbed against his pounding arousal. "Christ woman, you're killing me."
"Not quite, but I'll get there." She teased back, digging her fingernails into his pecks and rubbing against him more and making him writhe for a moment. Feeling somewhat guilty for teasing, she finally re-positioned over his rock hard arousal, or maybe she was just hungry for him, either way they both sighed in relief as she planted herself onto him.
He swore, something Gaelic sounding as she began to move, pacing herself and positioning for the most comfortable depth. Two of the downsides to pregnancy sex, no lying on your back as the weight of the womb against blood vessels can restrict blood flow to the baby, and deep penetration just wasn't as comfortable anymore.
When she found what worked for her, she began moving in earnest, and he responded by using his hands to tease her bouncing cleavage, which was a happy in itself.
'Almost there.' He thought, his eyes torn between shutting from pleasure and staying open to watch those perfect swaying nipples. Sacrificing one hand from her fun pillows, he slid it along between where he was physically joined to his wife, a finger darted in and swiped at her engorged clit, setting off the chain reaction. Buffy cried out in orgasm, her clenching pulling him over the edge with her.
When the explosion of happy finally receded, Buffy found herself smuggled up against her spouse, who had this dumb but cute little smile on his lips. It made her a little suspicious, "You've got this, I got the cookie jar look on your face."
That smile widened, "Because Buff, I did."
The nickname alone was enough for her to know it, so when her eyes met his again, she wasn't surprised to see that streak of Angelus was still staring back at her.
Once upon a time, it would have freaked her out, but now, eh. With a shrug she replied, "It's a communal jar."
Those dark eyes refocused on her, suddenly furious at her insinuation there was more than one person with access to her 'cookie jar', "What the hell does that mean?"
Unfazed by the reaction, she took his left hand in hers, then responded, "I honestly don't care anymore which one of your personalities is in the driver's seat, you, Angel, the demon, it doesn't matter, they're all you." She held up his hand, the one with his wedding band, "This ring says the wearer is mine, and whoever is mine has access to my cookie jar. You all wear the ring, as you all share one hand, among other things. It you want to have some sort of crazy multi-personality fight over who scores with me, that's your insanity, keep me out of your dysfunctional head, I'm going to sleep and I'm using my husband's shoulder as my pillow."
With that said, she snuggled down and shut her eyes, focusing on the warm and fuzzy feelings from their lovemaking and deciding to not play into Angelus's little mind trips.
Angelus stared at the ceiling a moment, replaying her words. It was true, there would be no multi-personality debate, before the soul-merger there might have been one, but not now. He'd be arguing with himself. Though he did enjoy hearing her words, all the parts of him did. It was the one thing they could all agree on, they loved Buffy and they'd all missed her.
He would have shrugged, but since the little spitfire next to him had commandeered his shoulder and most of his right side, he settled for placing a light kiss on her forehead, "That's my girl." he whispered, pulling her closer and falling asleep the to the heavenly scent of sex.
...
Angel stirred as Buffy slipped from his grip, his hands pawing at her, "Where you going?" He mumbled, half asleep and wanting her back beside him for snuggling.
"Bathroom, your offspring is stomping on my bladder again." Came the reply as she batted his hands away and headed for the restroom.
He grinned slightly at the thought of his offspring before falling back to sleep.
It didn't take long for Buffy to do what she needed to do, but out of curiosity she stepped onto the digital scale in the corner, having forgotten to get her weekly readout. The glowing numbers reflected back at her accusingly, bringing a scowl to her lips as she grumbled to herself, "It's all Angel's fault, he pulled the cake out."
Sighing at the continual loss of her figure, she headed back towards the bed, only to find her husband thrashing in his sleep.
The whip came down again, the tip biting into his back, tearing the flesh and opening a path for his blood to escape and flow down towards the ground where it collected in several small pools.
Laughter followed the whiplashes, "How did that one feel Angelus?"
Angel did his best to smile, "Wonderful, how about a few more?"
Turning to the man holding the whip, Deimos narrowed his eyes, "You're not doing it right Roland, he isn't screaming."
Roland cocked his arm and let the whip fly again, hitting roughly the same spot, "Then I hit him until he does scream, even if it takes all night."
At Angel's wince, Deimos's lip curved up into a grin, "Yes, even if it takes all night."
The demon was furious.
Those two creeps were spilling his blood, his blood, blood he worked hard for, blood his own body generated.
Every drop of spilled blood was one less drop for him to use, and it enraged him.
Deimos was coming closer, holding a knife. Angel could feel his demon stirring, he knew it was now or never.
Angel braced, and when the hand grabbed his arm, the demon struck.
Buffy gently grasped her husband's arm to wake him, but wasn't prepared for him to snap awake and launch at her like a pouncing lion after a gazelle.
With a gasp, she managed to auto-deflect the swing and duck under his arm before the blow with him could send her flying, which would very likely cause serious damage to her fetus. His wild demonic eyes showed he wasn't actually seeing what was here in their bedroom, but what was going on in his dream.
Putting the bed between them for some much needed space, she backed away quickly and looked for something to deflect him off if he came at her again.
The demon hit the floor after missing his target and growled, searching for the vampires who had been attacking him, looking for vengeance. He stood and directed his golden gaze at the closest creature, which was running from him.
Like any predator with prey, he went after it.
Deimos was before his eyes, backing away, trembling with fear, he could hear his heat beating in terror, his scent burning with it.
Except vampires didn't have a heartbeat, let alone...two.
And it wasn't terror he smelt, not even fear, it was...sex?
Buffy braced herself as he closed the distance, but halted the pending punch, she could read the confusing in his eyes, understanding the demon was searching for something to destroy, but she wasn't registering as it.
Taking the several steps that separated them, she reached out and cupped his cheek, searching those burning yellow eyes for recognition. "It's just me Angel, there's nothing here to fight."
He almost jumped back at the touch, but it wasn't the bite of a whip, cold steel or dead flesh, it was soft skin, warm and alive, a hand that belonged to his mate, who's scent was now flooding his nostrils.
His host had been fighting for his life a moment before, but there were no threats here now. The demon couldn't figure it out. It remembered the torture, but that was already over, Deimos and Roland were both dead. The demon was angry, angry it had reacted to the distress caused by his host's nightmare. It was angry is was pulled to the surface when it was trying to remain silent. And it was most angry that it could have injured its mate.
Buffy gasped as the demon moved in a flash, scooping her into his tense arms and walking her back over to the bed.
Unsure what he was doing, but not wanting to provoke a negative response, she didn't resist.
A second later, he placed her gently down onto the still warm covers, then looked her over, checking for wounds.
There, a scratch on her forearm, his claws must have caught her as he lunched off the bed.
A growl vibrated from his throat, now even angrier at himself for causing her damage.
The scratch had gone unnoticed by her until he'd probed it with a finger, and know she knew why he was growly and angry. He was mad at himself.
He knew his mate wouldn't take the appropriate action to punish him for the offence, so the demon turned and began walking away from her, intending to do it himself by staying away from her.
At least until a hand grabbed his wrist and yanked him back, "Oh hell no, you are so not walking away from me after that. You are not storing this into some brood bottle that'll blow up later."
The demon growled, being denied his retreat, tugging at her grip.
"Don't you dare growl at me like that, now get over here." The rebuke came lashing back at him, immediately ceasing the sound of his angry growls.
She pushed him onto the bed, making him sit as she stood before him, between his legs and effectively blocking his escape.
It was clear the demon was still in full control, and he was still radiating tension.
"Will you relax already?" She insisted, cupping his cheeks in her hands, "There isn't any danger."
Those blazing eyes started back at her, watching her carefully before falling on her cut.
The scrape was small, hadn't really bleed and was already closed thanks to her slayer healing.
It wasn't so much the cut that drew his attention now, she could see the lurking hunger for her blood playing behind his eyes. 'If that's what he needs to calm down, I'm more than happy to oblige.'
Instead of annoyance at having the demon here, she was relieved. At least she knew it was okay. It the demon was strong enough to take control, it was certainly strong enough to prevent Angel's body from failing.
Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his, not fazed by the knowledge those fangs were sharp. She'd had her tongue in there enough times when Angel was wearing game-face to know there wasn't much danger, the only times she'd pricked herself were times she'd done it on purpose.
The risk of pricking was zero at the moment, because his lips were pressed together. Not that the demon was that big into smooches', but he didn't usually actively resist.
'Ha! Knew he wouldn't last long.' She thought, after a few more seconds of persisting, he did finally start kissing back.
The demon's anger was dropping, which in a way also annoyed it, but his mate was showing him attention so it was a worthwhile trade.
Minutes passed, and she found herself straddling his lap, the demon's hands gripped her against him while she ran hers over his exposed back. Even without seeing it, she could feel the bumpy lines left by the whip were fading quickly from the demon's now fully active healing.
His mouth broke from hers, hungry to be sucking someplace else.
'No matter what, he's always the same, either with dick or fangs, he needs that penetrating finish.' She thought humorously as she turned her head, giving him access to the side of her neck.
This was what the demon wanted, his lips salivated as they passed along her neck, drawing closer to his mark, sucking and nipping lightly as he honed in.
Truth be told, she wanted this too. The absence of his demon over the last few days had bothered her. It was a side of him she was so used to dealing with and relying on, it was upsetting when it was gone.
It meant Angel wasn't whole.
The whole 'getting bitten' thing wasn't her favorite, but the bonding it brought between them was what made it enjoyable. It was how she showed the demon her love, a demon that was bound with her lover's body and soul. Just like she'd said to her husband's Angelus side earlier, and this was how the demon got his cookies.
A hot tongue laving at her mark drew her focus back to the demon, and with it the stirring of her own slayer core. Despite being mortal enemies by nature, the demon energy in her would react to his, bringing goosebumps over her skin, increase her heart rate and stimulate nerves she didn't know she had.
Her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling him closer to her skin and not letting him pull back.
The demon hugged her tighter before slipping his fang in, feeling her quick jerk as he pierced skin, then her relaxing against him. The sensation of his mate's potent slayer blood filling his mouth gave him an instant high. Her could feel her heartbeat swirling in him, and the fluttery heartbeat of the seed growing within. Heaven on earth. The demon's version of orgasmic bliss.
Three mouthfuls was all he allowed before slipping his fangs free, his tongue lapping up the extra as the wounds closed.
He hadn't realized how much he'd needed this until now. A growl of contentment vibrated his chest as he nuzzled against her, riding out his high.
Despite the energy the blood usually stimulated in him, and the fact that nighttime was awake-mode for the demon, a wave of sleepiness was descending oven them both.
Buffy didn't object as he leaned backwards and crawled up to the pillows at the head of the bed, her wrapped tightly around him for the ride.
As she pulled the blanket over them and snuggled comfortably closer, she muttered, "And you wanted to go sleep on the couch."
A chuckled "I love you" from under her ear alerted her he was still awake enough to hear and respond, and that the demon had relinquish control back to the man, because the demon didn't really speak, and in the years it's been a part of her life, she'd never heard it laugh, let alone chuckle.
Satisfied, they both fell asleep.
...
Angel awoke to the feeling of being watched.
His dark eyes slid open, expecting to see his wife staring back at him, except her eyes were still shut, her face practically buried against his chest.
'Hmm.' He thought, his gaze moving to their bedroom door.
A quick blur of motion indicated he had the right direction, not to mention a telltale scent hiding behind the wood.
A glance at the clock told him they were a little late in getting up, both kids were awake based on their heartbeats, and at least Katie was playing peek-a-boo in the hall.
Buffy complained as he shifted out from under her. "Hey, that's my pillow!"
"Sorry beautiful, but it's already after 7:30 and we aren't alone."
"Huh? Who?" The sleepy slayer asked, looking around as if expecting trouble.
"Those two short people that live with us but don't pay rent." He clarified as he searched for a pair of boxer from his dresser, hoping to cover himself before his little girl peeked in again.
Waking, she yawned and nodded, "Oh, those people, yeah, been meaning to speak with them about the messes they leave." After a moment she asked, "It is too early to teach them to vacuum?"
Having located underwear, he slipped them on before yanking a pair of shorts over them, "I don't know, I'll try it later, but it might be easier to start with making their beds."
He drew a tank on over his head before leaning over and kissing his wife good morning.
It didn't escape her eyes what he'd looked like naked, not just his goodies, but the fact the bruises were completely gone. "You look better today."
A giggle and whispers from the hallway behind their door caught their attention, "Well, it's early." Angel teased as he left one last peck on her cheek before silently creeping over to the door, then opening it quickly with a childish 'roar'.
The two children hiding behind it shrieked and laughed as they ran away, being chased by the tickle monster.
Buffy shook her head as she padded into the bathroom, affectionately thinking, "He's such a dork."
...
While the kids were eating the waffles Angel had prepared, Buffy took Angel's plate from him and placed it behind her on the counter, forcing herself between him and food, which on occasion could be more dangerous that stepping in front of his demon. "I see you're healed."
"Yeah." He said less enthusiastically than she would have expected as he eyed his plate, "And I'm hungry."
"You don't seem very happy to be pain free." She probed, he'd been a little off this morning and she was wondering what was bothering him.
Angel eyed his wife, wishing she'd leave him alone long enough for him to actually consume the food he'd prepared, "I am."
Under pressure from her provoking stare, he added, "Okay, so I would have liked to know if my human immune system would have worked..."
"But your demon making a late night appearance last night blew it, because it healed you." Buffy added, trying to get him to open up about last night, she felt like they had to clear the air about his nightmare.
"Yeah." He answered while grasping her hips and pulling her closer, "It did." He finished by kissing her, unfortunately she didn't noticed it was a distraction for him to reach his plate behind her before he broke the kiss and stuffed a forkful of waffle into his mouth.
"Hey!" She swatted at him, so as a peace offering he held out the fork to her with a large chunk with extra maple syrup.
Not one to pass up food, she accepted, but found the direction of the conversation seemed to have swung away from her questions. 'Fine, I'll find an opportunity to grill him later.'
...
The weather was tolerable today, so they'd spent the majority of it outside already. It was late afternoon and the kids were currently entertaining themselves with their plastic dinosaurs; dragging the t-rex and triceratops though puddles, mud, catching bugs in the mouths and having them try and eat the other.
It seemed like Angel had been going full throttle with them since the minute he got up; from breakfast, to tag, to teaching cleaning, to water gun fights, to more rough housing, to a short time ago when he finally pulled them out the their inflatable pool to de-prune.
No wonder the poor guy was passed out in a lawn chair.
After checking that the kids weren't doing anything that could turn lethal, she crossed the yard and plopped herself down in her husband's lap, and planted a kiss on his cheek as he roused from his ten minute nap. "Here you are contemplating a fourth child when you can't even stay awake for two."
He grinned and pulled her closer, kissing her cheek. "Glutton for punishment here."
"Oh ehh, I didn't know you were still wet!" The blonde complained as she realized the swim trucks he wore were still damp from horsing around with the kids in the pool, and where getting her shorts wet.
With a smirk, his arms locked her into place, "Occupational hazard."
Buffy rolled her eyes, as she wriggled to get up, "For you or for me?"
"Both," He answered, his hands having found her bump and began to rub it.
"I might feel like it, but I'm not Buddha, rubbing belly does not bring luck." She commented as she again tried to squirm free and off him to prevent her butt from getting wetter.
Now fully awake, he yanked her closer and kissed her neck, "Rubbing a little lower than your belly usually get me lucky."
She swatted at him, "You lecher."
He just laughed and kissed her again, despite the swats.
After a momentary struggle, she gave up, realizing her shorts were already soaked though.
When it seemed safe, he resumed rubbing her belly. Instead of taking action against him, she sighed and let him have his fun, he got a kick out of it and she hated to admit it did feel rather nice, the baby seemed to enjoy it too.
As she got her belly rubbed, it dawned on her that she practically had a captured audience and it was a great time to grill him about last night.
"So, when are you going to talk to me about last night?" She questioned towards him, jumping right to the point to assure he wouldn't try to deflect the conversation elsewhere.
The rubbing of her belly faltered for a moment, "Last night? What about last night?"
'If he says the word amnesia, I'm drowning him in the kiddie pool.' She thought before turning to face him, "I'll give you one guess."
His jaw clenched, but he nodded, "If you'd let me go sleep on the couch, that wouldn't have happened."
It took her a second to figure out that what he was talking about wasn't what she was talking about. With a smack to the chest, "I'm not taking about the biting thing you big dummy, you and your demon both needed that, and besides, I didn't mind too much."
Even more confused, he blinked at her, completely at a loss, "Then what did I do to make you mad?"
'Poor, poor man.' Feeling sorry for her thick-headed husband, she leaned in to kiss his forehead, "Honey, I'm not mad at you for something you did or didn't do, I'm concerned about what you were having a nightmare about. Whatever it was bothered you enough to compel your demon into action, and I want to talk to you about it."
Great, now he looked scowly again.
"Angel, stop being avoidy."
With her physically sitting on him, he thought he was justified in replying, "I'm not being avoidy."
"Not physically, but mentally you haven't exactly been here for most of this conversation."
He chewed that over for a moment before providing her the explanation she was probing for, "My demon was in the background, not really aware of what was going on, so when it felt my... desire to fight...it thought it was real, it didn't understand the feeling were caused by a dream. "
Her big hazel-green eyes were focused on his deep brown, "I was more interested in what the dream itself was about than the physics behind it." Buffy retorted. She needed to know what was throwing him off, not only because she needed to know he wasn't going to do it again, but because she wanted to be there for him if he needed comfort.
At that, his jaw tightened again.
Not wanting this to cause another fight, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, hoping she could mellow him out a little with some yummy distraction.
After indulging for a few pleasant moments, Angel broke the kiss, eyeing his wife's lips and how they were beginning to swell from his attention. "You know, it's not a very effective interrogation method if ones lips are too occupied to form words."
Her initial reply was to sample those lips again, before adding, "Well it's a good thing I'm not trying to interrogate you."
Curiosity filtered though him, "So what is this then? Random afternoon delight?"
Leaning against him, she nuzzled a kiss along his neck, "This is me not wanting to fight with you because I want sex and snuggles tonight."
A grin tugged at his lips, thinking why wait. "Tonight?"
Katie yelling at her bother reminded him why they couldn't get groiny anytime, anyplace. 'Damn, I love my children, but sometimes I wish it was still just the two of us...and yet I still want more...'
The spell seemed to have broken, so Buffy sat up, "Okay, well I'm going to find something to snack on before dinner..."
She was barely standing when he tugged her back down, her butt landing on his thighs as those long arms wrapped back around her and his warm breath tickled her neck as he kissed his mark, "I was being whipped."
"What?" Buffy asked, turning to look at him.
"The dream...nightmare...that's what it was." He replied quietly, eyes unfocused, his expression grim.
Turning in his lap, she placed her hands on his cheeks, holding his face towards hers, "I'm sorry Angel, I can't even imagine what that must have been like." 'And he said the torture was no big deal... big fat liar.'
"You have no idea how glad I am of that." He answered, grateful that for all she went though in her hard life as the slayer, she'd never had to endure brutal torture like being whipped, burned, cut...
His lips found hers, loving the feel of both her warmth and the sun's, the combo of the two making him wish for a Popsicle...or even better, his wife with a Popsicle... 'No, that image will only led to another kind of torture, waiting to get my wife alone so I can have my way with her.'
Deciding he'd better stick to the subject at hand before he let it get buried again, he continued, "It wasn't the whipping itself, it was the feeling of being powerless to stop it." He leaned back, watching her watching him, "They weren't very good, I didn't lie about that, but the dream made it...worse. The version in my head was bloodier, that's what sparked the demon."
"Did the extra added bloodiness have anything to do with the demon wanting some?" Buffy questioned, figuring the demon could have been unconsciously wanting a blood fix.
Angel thought that over for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, I suppose that could have been a factor."
With a well of pride in him for finally opening up, she leaned up and rewarded him with a kiss. As they parted, she asked with a smirk, " So are all the parts of you satisfied now?"
The snort in her ear sounded like a 'fat chance', "No way, I'm never able to completely satisfy my desire for you, no matter how much I try, I still want more."
Playing, she rolled her eyes, "Greedy, lecherous, bull-headed, dork that can't keep his teeth to himself."
He laughed and drew her in for a kiss, "Guilty all on charges."
Once she released his lips, "You're so lucky you get out on bail for great sex."
"Well after tonight, I should be a free man." He stood, bringing her with him as she yelped at him to put her down. After lightly placing her feet back on the ground, he stole another kiss before hurrying off towards the children, "Going to make sure the kids get extra tired."
...
Later that night, after the day's passion has been unleashed and the lovers were laying in their post-coital bliss, Angel asked his wife, "So am I a free man?"
With her brain still floating, Buffy nodded against his chest, "Mmm Hmm."
He grinned and kissed her crown, figuring if his usually talkative spouse was rendered speechless, he'd succeeded in doing his marital duty very well indeed.
As he laid there is the dark, feeling his wife nuzzling sleepily against his side, his body content, their children's heartbeats slow with sleep, he really appreciated what he'd been missing this past week, how much he had been craving for this while sitting in the sewer tunnel, aching for his family, aching for home.
"Home." He whispered, closing his eyes and letting sleep draw his down.
Tomorrow, they went back to work, and life resumed as normal.
...
The End...of this arc.