Chapter 18
The next few weeks were challenging but Angelus made sure that he was there at every step, be it her daily check up with her doctor or her therapy. Her erratic behaviour sponsored by the withdrawal symptoms were unpredictable. Some days were good with her seeming almost normal but there are days when it would be bad with Buffy becoming hysterical. But almost always, Angelus would be able to calm her and she was usually inconsolable without him. The medical staff was thankful to his presence and to their credit, tried their best to make things comfortable for their blonde patient.
After her request to see their son, Angelus brought him the following week and Buffy was elated after not seeing Connor for over a week. The delight was mutual for Connor as he began talking her ears off about school, friends and activities done with Angelus. His motormouth quality no doubt inherited from her and Angelus smiled at their interaction adoringly.
Today was another good day. After fetching Connor from school, Angelus went straight to the hospital where they had lunch and thereafter, took a stroll at the park in the hospital compound. Angelus pushed Buffy on the wheelchair with Connor on her lap, the two of them laughing and conversing like they always do. They went back when it was time for her therapy and Angelus kept the boy busy in the hour Buffy was away. When the hour was up, Buffy returned to her suite, eager to spend more time with her family.
Thirty minutes later, Connor was cuddling with Buffy on the bed sleepily, his nap time closing in. Minutes after caressing and tapping his back soothingly, Connor was fast asleep against her chest.
"He got bigger", she said quietly, kissing Connor's forehead.
"They grow so fast".
"Tell me about it. I just wish we have like a pause button so they just stop growing and stay this cute forever".
Angelus giggled with her.
"How do you feel today?" he asked her. It was a question he made a point to ask every day wanting her to express her mind and emotions. The doctor seems to think Angelus was the only one who could get her to tell the truth.
"Honestly, I don't know. Everyday I wake up, I don't know whether I'll crave the drugs or not. I try to fight it but…it's hard. He makes it easier though", stroking Connor's head.
"He's a good boy. We were lucky with him".
Buffy nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry", she said, suddenly making Angelus frown.
"For what?"
"For everything. You needing to come here everyday instead of being at work, taking care of Connor and making sure that his routine isn't disrupted. Taking care of my needy, useless self and…"
"Baby, stop…" Angelus said softly, not allowing her to finish. He knew where this was going. It was becoming a pattern of hers as of late to speak negatively about herself.
"Why do you keep talking this way? What happened to you is not your fault".
"Isn't it? Angel, Scott was someone I knew. Someone I considered a friend and I brought him into our lives and he…"
"Exactly. He was a friend you knew, someone you had a history with…you couldn't possibly know things would turn out this way."
"But Angel…"
"Shhhh…it's not your fault. The police are doing all they can. You just need to focus on getting better", Angelus said.
He leaned down and kissed her, wanting to erase all her doubts. He was about to deepen the kiss when his phone rang, forcing him to break the kiss and groaned in disappointment. He took out his phone and saw his caller ID with a name he was anticipating. He left the room to answer the call.
"We got him. One of the guys picked him up and we're taking him into custody", she said to him.
Angelus didn't reply Kate and hung up, going back into Buffy's room telling her that he needed to handle something from work. He briefly kissed her goodbye and bolted for the police station.
Forty minutes later
Kate was having a stare down with the man who had chosen to remain quiet. Just a few minutes ago, he requested for a lawyer, prohibiting her or any law professional to question him further. Moments later, like a tornado, Angelus barged in with three of her colleagues trying to hold him back. But they were useless against the enraged man.
He was pummeling Scott like four maybe five times before three more officers joined the melee and successfully pried him off the helpless man.
"You son of a bitch! You better pray that you're found guilty because I will kill you if you get out!" Angelus screamed at Scott.
The six officers pulled Angelus out of the room and Kate followed closing the door to the interrogation room. She directed one of the officers to stay with Scott.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?! You could have compromised my case!" she berated Angelus.
"You better make sure he gets jail term or I will make sure he won't be alive the moment he steps out of the courtroom".
"Then I will have you arrested for murder".
"You really think I care?"
"Well, you should! You're a father for god's sake! If not for anything, at least remember that your son needs you. More than ever now."
That seemed to cool Angelus down slightly and he stopped struggling but the officers did not loosen their grip, afraid that he would allow anger to get the better of him.
"Look, we have laws and a justice system that will mete out the right punishment. Have faith in that and don't think I don't know that you engaged someone to do your own investigating. Your source was aggressive and violent. He wasn't discreet and we almost lost Scott when we were this close to catching him. I could have you and your PI arrested for obstruction of justice".
"If not for my source, you wouldn't even come close to catching him isn't it? Your investigating and police work were not moving fast enough for me", Angelus snickered.
"That doesn't mean you can take justice into your hands. We have protocol and orders that…"
"Screw your protocols! Now, I helped you catch the son of a bitch. You better make sure you do your job and get us justice using this system you so strongly believe in. If not…"
"If not what? Are you threatening the police department?"
Angelus laughed menacingly at Kate's oblivion but he respects her straight and honest ways. She doesn't know what he was capable of and he prays he doesn't have to show it to her. She was a good cop trying her best to get justice the right way.
"Just do your job", Angelus said before storming out.
Kate looked at his retreating back and swallowed her breath. If she was honest, she was a little intimidated by the man feeling the truth in his words but of course, she wouldn't divulge that to anyone. Instead, she steeled herself to get justice he and especially his girl rightfully deserved.
As days go by, Angelus distracts himself with Buffy's well being. Buffy knew that something was bothering him and prodded him to tell her but he merely shakes it off telling her to focus on getting better. The doctor had informed him earlier that the drugs are slowly but surely flushing out of her system and that provided some relief to him.
Convicting Scott wasn't difficult. Facing Angelus' wrath proved to be effective with both the police and the criminal taking his word to heart. Scott admitted to drugging Buffy the past few months with the intention of nothing more than to get her into bed with him again and relieve their glory days together. When he found out she was attached and committed, he was disappointed but he found himself attracted to the siren even more than before finding her only more beautiful with age. He was determined to lure his girl out who he believed was still within, wanting to resume their intimate relations.
His intent was shallow and silly but to him, Buffy was all he could think of. He dreams of her beautiful body and amazing skills that could not be compared to any girl he had before or after her. He decided to plead guilty with hopes of a lesser charge.
When Kate delivered the news to Angelus, he thanked her sincerely and offered apology for his behavior and ways. Kate understood but informed him that she prays they never cross paths again before wishing him luck and a speedy recovery for Buffy.
He then proceeded to inform Buffy of the case which had her reeling in shock. Although it was always a possibility that he'll be convicted, Buffy was unnerved when his punishment became reality. She was in two minds; one was glad that it was over and her perpetrator was convicted but the other mourns the loss of someone she once considered a dear friend. Angelus however, was more than ready to move forward and put this ugly episode behind them.
One month later
Angelus walked with a spring in his step. He had just met the doctor and was informed that Buffy's progress was positive and he is willing to discharge Buffy the following day. With a brown bag in his hand, he opened Buffy's room and saw Cordy and her laughing. He stood by the doorway, smiling to himself, thinking that it's been so long since he's heard her laugh and that he has missed it tremendously.
"I'm telling you, you should have been there. Xander's face is hilarious and I would kill to see him like that again!" Cordelia said and they continued laughing.
"Am I interrupting?" Angelus said moments later to make his presence known.
"Hi" Buffy smiled widely.
"Hey Angelus" Cordelia greeted him.
"You're not interrupting. Cordy was just sharing some funny story with Xander".
"Speaking of the man,I really should get going. His parents are coming for dinner tonight", Cordelia said standing up and took her bag.
"Thanks soo much Cordy for doing this", Angelus said as he hugged her goodbye.
"No thanks needed. If you need help,just let us know".
"Thanks".
She said her goodbyes and left the couple to spend some quality time together.
"How are you today?" Angelus asked,kissing her forehead before taking her hand and rubbing the back of it.
Buffy squeezed his hand and honestly told him, "It hurts less today".
"That's good."
"Whatcha got there?"
"Well,I had a little chocolate craving so I thought I'd share with ya", handing her the bag.
She opened the bag and saw her favourite brand of chocolate and peanut butter. She pulled him down and kissed him in gratitude. Angelus replied enthusiastically having not been kissed properly for some time.
"You're such a lousy liar. You could have said you bought it for me. I know you don't really eat chocolate".
"Well, I do when you feed it to me and I gotta say eating it with peanut butter definitely adds to the taste or maybe it's you".
"Ugh..you're so corny".
"Only with you", he leaned in for another kiss feeling her giggle against his lips.
"So, chocolate and peanut butter…what's the occasion?" she asked, breaking their kiss moments later.
"Well…" he began.
She reached for a piece of chocolate, unwrapped it and fed it to him. Angelus stopped talking and taking the offered chocolate from her before leaning in for another kiss.
"Hmm…stop distracting me and answer the question".
"Well, I just spoke to the doctor and…"
"Ugh…what is it this time? Am I not responding to their alternate medications? Are they upping my therapy time? Baby, I keep telling them that I feel fine but they just think that I'm going to…"
"Buffy!" Angelus held her shoulders to stop her rambling.
"What?" she asked annoyingly, not appreciating his tone.
"They're letting you go home".
Buffy's eyes widened in delight.
"Really?"
"Yes. Tomorrow at this time, I will be wheeling you out of this godforsaken place".
Buffy pulled his nape and kissed him in celebration. She was more than ready to leave the hospital and sleep in her own bed wrapped tightly in Angelus' arms.
"Will my baby be with you when you come pick me up?"
"I thought I was your baby".
Buffy rolled her eyes, finding his jealousy over her pet names for their son ridiculous.
"Answer the question", she glared at him.
"Of course I'll bring him along. He'll be excited that you'll be coming home too".
The next day
"Mummyyyy!" Connor said running into the suite.
"Hi sweetheart!" Buffy stopped her packing mid-way to lift her son into her arms.
"Con, I told you not to run!" Angelus said entering moments later.
"Sorry Daddy", the boy looked down sadly.
Buffy hugged him tightly, not caring for Angelus' annoyance at their son for not listening to him.
"Awwww, it's okay bud but next time listen to Daddy okay? This is a place for people who are not well so we don't want to disturb them."
He nodded his head before asking her if she was coming home.
"Yes, I am".
"Yeay!...Will you tell me a story tonight?"
"Of course", she said kissing his cheek.
She put him down and Angelus stepped forward to kiss her a hello. Buffy wrapped her arms tightly around him, excited and happy to be coming home. Angelus was slightly dazed when she broke away, feeling tingles against his lips by her passionate kiss. Buffy was however oblivious and turned to Connor.
"You want to help Mummy pack?"
"Yes!" the three-year old replied.
Together, the three of them quickly packed the remaining items into her duffle bag and made their way to the office for the paperwork before heading to the pharmacy.
Twenty minutes later, Angelus was parking his car in the garage and unbuckled Connor from his seat. Connor took Buffy's hand and pulled her into the house, wanting to show her the recent masterpiece he created leaving Angelus to carry her bags in. He did it with a smile, finally happy to have normalcy return back to their lives.
That night
Buffy moved up and down his shaft aggressively feeling her climax approaching. Her forehead rested against his, feeling his ragged breath against her face. Angelus was sitting against their headboard with her straddling him moving sensuously, holding her tightly against him not wanting an ounce of space within them. It had been far too long since they were intimate and god, he prayed that they would not break the existing record.
When they got home earlier, they thoroughly enjoyed their reunion as a family, preparing dinner together. Angelus decided to make her favourite steak and spaghetti with Buffy and Connor as his sous-chefs. There was laughter and smiles as they boiled the pasta, cut the tomatoes, garlic and mushrooms. They watched earnestly as Angelus worked his magic with the steak and created the sauce and by 7pm, they were at the dining table digging into the delicious dinner.
After tucking Connor about two hours later, the couple immediately retreated to the bedroom and undressed each other, giving into their desires. The first two times was pure, raw hunger, both desperately wanting to quench the thirst they had for the other. It was aggressive with pillows and sheets strewn haphazardly on the floor, both finding the items cumbersome and taking up unnecessary space on their King bed.
The third time around, they toned it down a little wanting each moment to endure slightly longer than the last. Deep, passionate kisses were shared as they moved slower and deeper with each sensual act. This fourth time, they wanted to make love that had their senses heightened, becoming acutely aware of the intimacy and deep affection between them. Love words were exchanged and each touch was gentle but meaningful with them tightly holding the other, not wanting to let go.
"Oh god", she whispered huskily, swallowing him fully.
He gasped feeling his shaft filling her to the hilt. She was gripping him soo tight that he was certain that he would come immediately if he didn't have restraint. Buffy stopped for a few moments, wanting to savor the wonderful feeling of him completely inside her. She started rubbing her core against him slowly at first before gaining momentum and moving aggressively back and forth, hearing the slicking sound their joined cores made.
Angelus frowned, gasping for breath as her movements became harsher and when she felt her walls throbbing, he held her waist aiding her speed and she let out a scream, squirting harshly against his shaft. Angelus wrapped his arms around her, wanting to remain inside and feel her coat him. Buffy was still recovering and quivering when Angelus let go and grunted, spurting inside her emptying himself.
They remained connected for long moments, hugging each other tightly, their lips peppering gentle kisses on face, shoulders and neck.
"I love you so much", Buffy whispered against his face, feeling her heart overflowing with love. She never thought it was possible but was certain she was even more in love with him at this moment than she had ever been before. It was a new emotion for her but it no longer scares her. She has long decided to embrace all feelings and affection she had for this man.
He cupped her face and replied the same tenderly adding, "You are everything to me…everything".
Buffy teared at his sincere confession.
"Promise me that you'll never let me go?" she asked, no longer able to see her life without him.
In that moment, Angelus knew that he had to ask her the one question that had repeatedly entered his mind many months ago.
"Marry me?"
Buffy pulled her face away and frowned at him, as if asking if he was serious. He repeated the question, affirming the severity of his question. In his mind, he had the perfect proposal with him taking her out on a date, pampering her with a candlelight dinner before getting on one knee and asking her with a ring he purchased almost a year ago.
Buffy's mind was racing. She wasn't prepared for this and out of reflex, she almost said no…that this was crazy but when he cupped her face and their eyes met, she knew. It was like a switch inside her and she just knew.
"Yes", she whispered.
Angelus eyes widened at her answer before tears filled his eyes. He leaned in and kissed her passionately, wrapping her even tightly in his arms. Buffy reciprocated kissing him earnestly and wrapping her arms around his neck. He turned them around and laid her down on their bed before kissing her wildly, resuming the thrusts of his still deeply embedded hardening strength inside her. Buffy wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms tightly around his back surrendering to his lovemaking.
This wasn't the way he planned to propose to her but it was perfect.