A/N: OMG, soooo sorry for the long wait. I didn't realize it had been over a month, my apologies. Life has been a little crazy lately. But here is a nice long chapter for you, jam-packed with D/C lovin'. I think you'll enjoy. Big thanks to the reviewers for chapter 6: Sanity Fair, Katie, freezyboncoolipants, daybreak and destructo boy, Hellmouth2, and Illyria Jem. You guys are great! Please keep it up, I live for reviews. Enjoy the chapter!
> > > > >
Chapter 7: Birthday Surprises
A few weeks later
Monday, July 6th, 2003
"Connor, I just don't know about this," Buffy argued.
Connor stared at her. "Please, Buffy. Dawn's birthday is this Friday, I want to do this for her. It would only be for one night. Don't you think she deserves this?"
"It's not about what she deserves. It's about the fact that she's turning seventeen. Seventeen! Trust me, I experienced firsthand that seventeenth birthdays can end in disaster," she countered weakly.
"You know this isn't the same situation. Look, I have money saved up from my job, I would pay for the whole thing. We've been doing just what you've asked, I think we deserve one night," Connor said stubbornly. He usually did not like to argue with Buffy because he truly appreciated everything she had done for him. Not just anyone would allow someone they don't know too well to move across the globe and move into an apartment with herself and her younger sister, who happened to be dating said someone...
Buffy closed her eyes for a moment. "Connor, I understand your point. And whether you believe it or not, I agree that you guys deserve to be happy. I want you to be happy. Do you understand that Dawn is all I have left? And of course I want nothing more than her happiness. But I am also her guardian and I am responsible for her. What would your father think?"
"Angel's in LA, he won't even know about it. If you're worried about what the people at the hotel would think, Dawn doesn't look underage. She could easily pass for twenty," Connor insisted.
Buffy raised her eyebrows. "That's comforting."
Connor paused a moment. "You don't have to give me an answer right now. But please think about it. Really try to think about it. I'll need a few days notice if I'm going to make the reservation though."
Buffy nodded. "I will. And Connor?" She hesitated. "Thank you. For wanting to do something nice for my sister."
"I love her," he said simply.
"So do I," Buffy said softly.
He glanced at the clock. "I should get going. Don't want to be late for work. Tell Dawn I'll see her tonight."
Buffy nodded. "Bye." She stood in the living room of the apartment and watched as he walked out the door. She groaned into the silence of the room. She didn't know what she was doing. She had told herself that she wasn't going to get in the way of her sister's relationship. And she really intended to honor that. But "accidentally" giving them a few hours home alone together was a little different than giving them permission to rent a hotel suite to do God knows what. She sighed. Hopefully an answer would come to her.
> > > > >
Connor walked into the garage a short while later, nodding hello to some of the other guys, who were sitting around and chatting while waiting for their daily assignments to be posted. He had been working at Rome Movers and Co for a few weeks now, and he really liked it. The work was very easy for him, and it was kind of funny to see the other guys gawk when he lifted a fifty pound box with one hand. He had been to a different part of the city almost every day, and he was even starting to catch on to some of the culture and language. He still wasn't nearly as good as Dawn, but he was learning. As for his coworkers, many of them didn't speak English. In fact only himself and two other guys did. As he put his jacket in his locker he spotted James, a fellow American who was studying abroad at college here. "Hey James."
"Hey Connor. How ya doin?" he asked, running a hand through his short blonde hair. He was about the same height as Connor, with a medium build.
"Okay." He sighed as he pulled on his work boots.
"What's wrong?" James asked immediately. He could tell Connor wasn't his usual lively self.
"It's nothing that bad...just that persuading Buffy to let me take Dawn to a hotel for her birthday this weekend isn't as easy as I'd hoped," he admitted. James knew about Dawn and Buffy, and had grown used to hearing Connor go on about his love for the younger girl.
"Eh, she'll come around. Hell, if she lets you guys sleep in the same room she must be pretty lax," James said with a laugh.
Connor shook his head. "She's not. She cares a lot about Dawn. Since their mother died, they have come to depend on each other. She's just looking out for her best interests." He sighed. "I just don't know what I can get for her if we can't do the hotel...I'm no good at shopping."
James shrugged. "How about jewelry? This girl, Cara, that I dated back in the States? She loved it. You can't go wrong."
Connor gave him a half smile. "I know, but I just want this to be extra special for her. This is her first birthday that I'll be there for."
"Don't stress about it man. I'm sure Buffy will come around." He thought for a moment. "How old did you say she is? Buffy, I mean."
"She's 22," Connor said suspiciously. "Why?"
James shrugged. "I don't know, just maybe you could get me a date."
Connor couldn't help but laugh. He couldn't see Buffy ever going for a guy like James...he was young, and from what he had heard the eldest Summers liked her men older. Way older. Plus the fact that he was fairly certain she was still in love with his father. But he decided to let James down easy. "I'll see what I can do," he said casually. Thankfully at that moment Steve, their manager, walked in, holding the clipboard with the day's assignments.
"Hello boys," he said with a curt nod. He switched seamlessly to Italian to give the directions in the dialect that the majority of his work force understood best. When all of the other guys started to move towards the trucks, he came over to Connor and James. "Hello. You boys are out on Vista Giusta Strada, moving a family across town." They exchanged a few more words before Connor and James headed to the correct truck, which already occupied several other guys. As he hopped into the back, Connor took a deep breath. At least he would have something else to focus on besides making Dawn's birthday perfect for a few hours.
> > > > >
That evening Connor walked in the door of the apartment, removing his jacket. Dawn bounced out of their bedroom to give him a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Miss me?"
"Very much," Dawn said with a grin. They kissed again, before she suddenly jumped back. "Oh! I almost forgot. Buffy left you this." She picked up a folded piece of paper that had 'Connor' written on it. "She told me not to peek, and it's been driving me crazy."
He took the note from her, curious. He unfolded it to see a few sentences scribbled in Buffy's handwriting.
Connor,
I thought about our conversation earlier a lot. I decided that you were right. You and Dawn do deserve this. So you can do whatever you want this weekend. But don't get too used to it. Remember that it's only because this is a special occasion. I figured that one Summers sister should have a seventeenth birthday that doesn't end tragically. So you have my permission. Let me know if you need help planning anything.
Buffy
He grinned as he read it. James had been right: she did come around. He smiled even wider as he thought of how special Friday night was going to be for both of them.
"What is it?" Dawn said, almost jumping up and down from anticipation.
He laughed, ripping the note into pieces before tossing it into the garbage. "It is very good news regarding your birthday present."
Dawn's eyes widened. "Oh my God! You are the best. So what is it?"
He laughed. "It's a surprise."
She frowned. "Surprises are no fun! Now I'll be curious all week. And you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat."
He smiled. "I think you'll like this one. Trust me." She shrieked as he scooped her off her feet and into his arms in one swift motion. "But for now, your sister is at work, and we are alone. So I think there are more important things to think about." She giggled as he carried her into the bedroom, a satisfied smile on his face. Everything was falling into place. This birthday was going to be everything Dawn had every dreamed of.
> > > > >
Four days later
Friday, July 10th, 2003
"So what can I do to help?" Buffy asked quietly.
Connor shrugged. "I don't know. I've pretty much got it under control. I'm going to leave work early and go to the hotel to get everything set up...why don't you take Dawn shopping today, get her something se- nice to wear tonight. Then you can bring her to the hotel at 7. But don't tell her what it's for!"
"Well what am I supposed to say then?" Buffy asked hurriedly. They had to finish their plotting before Dawn got out of the shower.
"I'm sure you'll think of something. But can you take her shopping?" he asked.
She nodded. "I was going to anyway, let her pick out her own presents." They heard the water turn off in the bathroom.
"Thank you Buffy, for everything," Connor said honestly. "Thanks for letting me make this night special for Dawn."
Buffy nodded. "You're welcome."
Dawn emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a towel. "What are you guys talking about? Does this have anything to do with my birthday surprise?" she asked suspiciously.
Connor grinned. "Maybe. Now, I have to go to work. But Buffy's going to take you shopping, and I will see you later. Happy Birthday," he said, leaning in for a quick kiss.
Dawn kissed him back. "Bye! I can't wait." Connor exchanged one last meaningful glance with Buffy before heading out the door.
Dawn stared at her sister. "What was that all about? You guys are so up to something."
"Believe me, this surprise was all Connor. Now get dressed, we have some birthday power shopping to do," Buffy said with a smile.
> > > > >
"You're not even going to give me a hint, are you?" Dawn said with a sigh after several minutes of prodding.
Buffy laughed as she looked through a rack of dresses in a little downtown shop. "Nope. I promised Connor. But you'll like it. Trust me," she said wryly.
"Well how am I even supposed to shop for an outfit if I don't know what we're doing? I mean I don't know if I need new jeans, a cute dressy top, a dress, skirt, bathing suit, wool coat..." Dawn continued innocently.
Buffy gave her a look, pulling a black dress off the rack. "I think you should stay on the more dressy side for this particular surprise. What do you think of this?"
Dawn tilted her head to the side. "Too plain. I want something more eye-catching. I'm thinking color," she said, moving to a different rack with brightly colored clothes. She flipped right past the t-shirts and shorts and began going slower once she got to the dresses and skirts. "So, how's Gina doing?"
"Very well. She killed another vampire last night," Buffy said quietly. "She's catching on to the whole slayer thing. And I think me taking the job in the café was definitely a good move, she seems to be letting her guard down a little." She paused and looked at Dawn. "She said to tell you happy birthday."
Dawn looked temporarily sad. "Really, I thought I was some spoiled little popular girl that had no idea how she feels."
Buffy gave her a sympathetic look. "Dawn...Gina, she's different than us. I mean, we grew up in a mostly good family home, and even after mom we still had each other. She doesn't have anyone. And she's very guarded, I think she's afraid of being hurt any more than she already is. But she's definitely warming up to me, and once she relaxes a little more I'll bring her over for dinner, you guys can give it another try. She really did feel bad, I think that whole night was just a lot for her to absorb."
Dawn nodded. "Yeah, I guess." She added another dress to the small pile on her arm. "I'm gonna go try these on. Hopefully we'll find a winner," she said with a smile before heading for the dressing room.
Buffy followed her, taking a seat on a chair outside the small curtained room ready to give her honest opinion. She understood how Dawn felt about the whole Gina thing...sure, she has Connor, and she has her sister, but she doesn't really have any friends her own age. Her first attempt to make one had been hurtfully shot down.
"How about this one? I don't like it, it makes my boobs look small," Dawn said with a grimace as she stepped out in a red strapless, pretty shapeless dress.
"Yeah, that's a no. Try the next one," Buffy said. As Dawn reentered the fitting room, her older sister smiled to herself. It seemed like just yesterday that she was pushing Dawn on the swings in the park...well those were fake memories, but who cares. Bottom line was that now here they were, shopping for a dress on her seventeenth birthday before her romantic evening with her boyfriend. She thought about what their mom with think, wincing slightly at the thought that she may not agree with how lax Buffy had been about Dawn and Connor's intimate relationship...but she had a feeling deep down that wherever their mom was right now, she was proud of both of them.
"What about this one? I really like it," Dawn said enthusiastically, emerging from behind the curtain.
Buffy almost fell off the chair. "Okay, I may not have a lot of rules, but there is no way I am letting you out in that. It's...it's practically lingerie!"
Dawn pouted. "I like it. The red is bright, and it makes me look really good..."
Buffy gave her a stern look that closely resembled Willow's resolve face. "Dawnie. You're falling out of it. And the parts that are slightly covered you can see right through the lace. Try the next one on."
Dawn sighed. "Okay...but I know if Connor was here, he would like it."
"Yes, maybe a little too much. That's the problem," Buffy said dryly. She heard Dawn laugh quietly.
"Buffy, Connor's not like other guys. He cares about more than...sex and stuff," Dawn said sheepishly.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Sure, maybe he does. But that doesn't mean he doesn't think about it at all."
"Well of course he does," Dawn said. "He is a guy after all." She stepped out of the cubicle.
Buffy froze when she saw her. She sat there in silence a moment before she was able to formulate some words. "Dawnie...you look beautiful."
Dawn beamed. "I think it's perfect." She twirled around in front of the mirror once before glancing over at her sister. "Thank you Buffy."
"For what?" Buffy asked as she stood up.
"Everything," Dawn said, coming over to give her a hug.
Buffy almost melted as she hugged her back. "My baby sister is all grown up."
"I know." Dawn slowly pulled back, her eyes glistening a little from tears. She smiled through the forming tears. "So what do you say we go find some shoes?"
> > > > >
"No. This is not happening, I don't understand. Check it again," Connor said angrily.
The woman behind the counter at the Hotel Roma shook her head meekly at him. "I'm sorry sir, there must have been a misunderstanding. Your reservation is not in the computer, and I'm afraid we're completely booked."
"But I called, I called Monday night, and I made a reservation! Look, you need to find me a room. It's my girlfriend's birthday tonight," he said, his voice rising.
"Sir, we can comp a room for you next week, as soon as we have an opening," she offered.
He shook his head emphatically. "I don't want a room next week, I want a room tonight! Can I speak to your manager?"
"What seems to be the problem sir?" A well dressed man appeared from the office as if on cue. "I am the manager of this fine facility," he said in English with a thick Italian accent.
Connor tried to take a deep breath. "I made a reservation here on Monday. Tonight is my girlfriend's birthday, this is a surprise for her, it's her birthday present. And now this woman is telling me that my reservation has disappeared, and that you can't give me a room. And no, I don't want a room next week," he added.
The manager glanced from Connor to the receptionist to the computer and back again. "Well sir if there are no available rooms, then I'm afraid there's not much I can do..."
Connor took the man's arm and dragged him off to the side by a potted plant. He lowered his voice. "Hey man, look. It's my girl's birthday tonight. I've been planning this all week, I need to have a room tonight. Look, my father runs a hotel in LA. And I know that hotels usually keep a few rooms on standby just in case...I understand that this was probably just an honest mistake. But I need this room tonight. So can you just...try to help me out?" He tried to look as sympathetic as possible. Sure, Angel had never actually rented a room out of the hotel in his very long life, but Connor had seen that bit of info on the Travel channel one of the many days Dawn had forced him to watch tv, swearing he needed to "modernize." And the whole father thing just sounded more personal.
The manager looked thoughtful. He leaned in closer to Connor. "I understand your predicament. And I think I can help you. Just wait here a minute. I see what I can do."
Connor smiled gratefully, patting him on the shoulder. "Thanks. I knew you would understand."
The manager scurried behind the desk and started punching keys into the computer (The receptionist had wisely retreated into the office). After a moment he waved Connor over with his hand. "I can give you a suite. I believe it's an upgrade from what you ordered. I think you and your girlfriend will like it a lot. No extra charge." He handed him a keycard.
Connor grinned at him. "Thank you, so much. I appreciate it." The manager nodded at him. With a smug smile on his face, Connor tossed the keycard into the air and caught it swiftly as he boarded the elevator. He had handled that obstacle quite nicely, if he did say so himself.
> > > > >
"So what are we doing here again? When am I going to see Connor?" Dawn asked confusedly as she and her sister boarded the elevator at the Hotel Roma.
Buffy pushed the button and the elevator jerked into motion. "Gina told me that she saw a girl fighting vampires last night on her way home. She followed her here. I have to talk to her, help her understand what's happening," she lied smoothly.
Dawn nodded. She ran a finger lightly through her gently curled hair that Buffy had just finished working on back at the apartment and smoothed her new dress. "You didn't answer my second question. When am I going to see Connor?"
"Soon, he'll be back at the apartment waiting for you in an hour," she said as they exited the elevator on the fourth floor. She started down the hall, scanning the room numbers for 416, the room Connor had told her just moments earlier on her cell phone that he was waiting in. "This won't take long." She found the room and knocked lightly on the door. She turned to her sister and smiled softly. "You look beautiful Dawnie. Happy birthday."
Dawn started to respond, but the door swung open, interrupting her. She gasped in surprise as Connor reached out and took her hands, pulling her inside the room with him. "Thanks Buffy. I appreciate it."
"And that's my cue to leave. Have fun," Buffy said before Connor closed the door.
Dawn had her mouth hanging open in surprise. "You're kidding me! This was all a setup, there is no potential slayer or whatever? If so then my sister's a really good liar, maybe I should be worried..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed that he was just staring at her in silence. "Connor?"
He cleared his throat a little. "Um, sorry, it's just...you look so beautiful." She wore a royal blue knee length spaghetti strap dress. It was silk with lace over it, and at her midriff it was only plain lace, exposing just enough of her milky white skin underneath. Matching blue heels were on her feet, and her brown hair cascaded in gentle curls around her shoulders.
She smiled. "You like it?" She twirled around slowly, letting the flowy skirt fly out a little.
He smiled back. "I love it. You look more beautiful than ever."
Dawn tried to peer over his shoulder into the room. "So what are we doing here? Is this my surprise?"
He took her hands. "Yes, it is. Now, close your eyes, and I will take you to one of the many surprises in store for you this evening."
She closed her eyes with a giggle. "I changed my mind. I like surprises."
He laughed as he gently led her into the main room of the suite. When she was positioned where he wanted her, he quietly whispered in her ear. "Open your eyes."
She gasped. "Oh my God...Connor, this looks delicious!" On the small table in the center of the room was what appeared to be an Italian feast: pasta, bread, sauce, even what looked like gourmet pizza. Two white candles sparkled in the middle of the table, and the lights were dimmed for a very romantic effect. Her eyes widened even further as she took in the rest of the room. A small fire was cackling warmly in the big fireplace, and comfortable looking couches and chairs filled the corners. A doorway to the side opened into what appeared to be a bedroom. She met his eyes, suddenly concerned. "Connor, how did you ever afford all of this? I mean, I know you have a job now, but this..." she simply threw up her hands.
He shook his head quickly. "Don't worry about it. There was actually a little mixup with the room, and I got upgraded to a suite for no extra cost...long story. But I don't want you to worry about. It's your birthday, and I wanted it to be extra special." He pulled her chair out for her. "Now sit, and eat."
She smiled as she sat in the chair. "I'm just speechless. This is all...it's so romantic. But oh my God! Buffy! You got Buffy to help you plan to whisk me away to a hotel room unsupervised for my seventeenth birthday?" she squeaked.
He laughed as he started on a spoonful of pasta. "Your sister, she can be stubborn, but you just need to find the right way to persuade her. She wasn't sure at first, but she caved."
Dawn shook her head. "Wow. You are amazing." She picked up her own eating utensils and began to dig in. For a while the two of them sat there in the candlelight, happily eating. Finally Dawn put down her fork. "That was delicious. I don't think I can fit much more!"
He smiled. "We can always have more later." He paused, considering what to do next. Finally he stood and walked over to the stereo that sat on the mantle. He hit a few buttons and a slow, jazzy song filled the room. He turned to her and held out his hand. "May I have this dance."
She grinned. "Yes you may." He helped her out of her seat and gently wrapped his arms around her waist. She relaxed into him, wanting to savor this moment. They swayed slowly in time to the music.
"Do you remember the first time we danced?" Dawn said quietly.
He smiled, remembering the day fondly. "How could I forget? Christmas Eve."
"We danced, and kissed under the mistletoe. Then you told me that you loved me," she said blissfully. "At that moment I remember thinking that it couldn't get much better than this. But look at us now. Connor, we're living the dream. We're here in this beautiful city, we have each other...things couldn't be any better."
"I agree," he said huskily. He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. The kiss quickly deepened, and she wrapped her arms more tightly around his neck in order to be closer to him. They finally broke apart slightly, gasping for air.
"What do you say we move this into the bedroom?" she whispered.
"I have a better idea," he said. "Come on." He took her hand and led her towards the doorway. They entered the bedroom, and then made another sharp turn, stepping into a huge, gleaming white bathroom. He stopped next to the big whirlpool tub that stood mounted in the center. "Only if you want to..."
She grinned giddily. "Of course I want to."
He grinned back. "I was hoping you would." He bent down and turned a few knobs, causing water to fill the tub, swirling around with warm-looking bubbles on the surface. He looked at her before slowly unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall to the floor. He then started on his pants.
Dawn only hesitated a second before reaching behind her back to unzip her dress. She let it fall to the floor, and then removed her underwear. She realized briefly that only a few weeks ago, she had been self-conscious at the thought of standing naked before Connor, and now she did it comfortably. She watched as he finished removing his clothes and climbing into the tub. She followed suit, sitting next to him in the warm water that now covered her body. She turned to him for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist and moved her so she was sitting sideways in his lap. "This is heaven," he muttered.
She sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder as the warm water cascaded around them. "It is." For several minutes they just sat there in silence, enjoying the feeling of their bare skin against each other and the warm bubbles surrounding them. Then, unexpectedly, Connor kissed her. She welcomed the kiss, opening her mouth wider to allow his tongue access. They broke apart, panting.
"You're so beautiful," he muttered, running a wet finger over her shoulder and down the front of her body.
She shivered at his touch. "Mmmmmm...Connor, I want you." She kissed him again, more passionately this time. She gasped as he scooped up her naked body and stood up.
"Let's move this into the bedroom," he said, grabbing a towel and absentmindedly wiping some of the water off himself and his girlfriend in his arms before dropping it to the floor and proceeding into the bedroom. He lied her down on the bed, taking a moment just to take in the site of her. She reached out and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him onto the king-sized bed with her. They kissed, and hands roamed freely, small moans escaping their lips.
"I love you," he panted.
"Show me," she whispered. And he proceeded to do just that.
> > > > > >
Several minutes later they collapsed, panting, back onto the bed. "Wow," Dawn breathed. "That was..."
"Amazing," Connor finished for her. He reached out and pulled her back into his arms, kissing the top of her head. They stayed like that for a minute while they both recovered.
"Connor, thank you so much...I couldn't think of a better birthday present than this, just time alone with you, without having to worry about being interrupted," she said quietly.
"Well, if this is the best present you could ask for, I guess you don't need anything else," he said with mock sadness.
Dawn sat up a little. "What? There's more presents?"
He shrugged casually. "Well, it's returnable, if you don't want it..."
"No, no, I want it!" Dawn said, sounding like a little girl on Christmas morning.
Connor laughed. "Okay. Don't go anywhere." He swung his legs over the side of the bed and hurried back into the main room of the suite. She leaned back on the pillow and pulled the covers up over her chest, grinning.
A moment later Connor returned, hopping back into bed with her and brandishing a small gift box. "It's not much, I just wanted to get you something...tangible."
Dawn raised an eyebrow. "I think a lot of things we have done so far in this hotel are pretty tangible."
He grinned. "Definitely. But, just open it."
She peeled off the paper and lifted the lid off the small box. She gasped as she lifted the bracelet out of it. "I thought it kind of went with the necklace I gave you for Christmas. And look, it opens," he said, gesturing to the heart shaped locket that came off the chain bracelet. She opened it curiously and smiled widely when she saw the picture inside.
"It's us...the one Buffy took a few weeks ago!" Dawn said in delight. "I love it."
"I just thought it would be nice, you can carry a little piece of us everywhere with you. Especially once you start school," Connor said, saddened at the thought of his time with her being cut back.
She wrapped her arms around him. "I love it Connor, thank you so much." She planted a heartfelt kiss on his lips. "Can you put it on me?"
She held out her wrist and he fastened the silver bracelet around it. "It fits perfectly," she said happily. She pulled her knees up to her chest under the blankets. "I have decided that I am an official fan of surprises."
He laughed. "See, I told you."
She nodded. "This night has been so perfect. I'll never forget it."
He smiled. "Actually, if you can handle it, I have one more little surprise for you." He got up off the bed again, leaving her to watch in amusement as he ventured into the main room for the second time stark naked. He disappeared from view, and she waited patiently.
"Happy birthday Dawn," he said as he reemerged, holding a small tray with two chocolate cupcakes, one with a flaming candle burning proudly.
She clapped her hands once in delight. "Do I get to make a wish?"
He smiled, sitting next to her and carefully placing the tray on the bed. "Of course. You have to make it count though, you won't get another chance until you're eighteen."
She only had to think for a minute before the perfect wish came to her mind. Holding back her hair, she leaned over and gently blew out the candle.
> > > > >
TBC! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, lots of D/C joy. Next chapter will hopefully be up soon, I promise not to make you wait as long as you did for this one. I am going to get more into the plot soon, mixing things up a little to create some drama. Anything you would like to see, tell me in your review and I will definitely consider it. Please review and let me know what you thought of this chapter!