Chapter 4 Friendship, Loyalty and Love
Angel leaned up against the counter top flipping through a book looking at the words and pictures but not really reading anything. At his feet though was Isabella she was sitting there with content up against her father's leg. She didn't make a sound instead fiddled with her dad's shoe lace. Angel peered over looking at his daughter and she looked up and smiled and went back to playing with the lace. While the fall months were here it was still summer time outside at nights though it would be chilly. Angel sighed as he looked up information and could feel the sun setting which made him happy. With the sun down he could go outside with Isabella.
The park still had people but no children. Angel carried Isabella out to the swings. While he walked he felt he was depriving her of playing with other children but she didn't seem to mind at all. She giggled as he put her into the swing and then pushed. Isabella expressed no concerned about not being around others in fact she preferred to be around her father. Angel knew when she becomes a teenager that would all change but why was he thinking about her being a teenager, too far into the unknown future he went back to the here and now and listened to his daughter laugh.
The park now had only people passing by once in a while and the night grew later. In the shadows two women stood there watching Angel sitting on the swing with a half asleep Isabella. With one hand he had hold of the chain and in the other arm he held Isabella.
"What a cute site?" Darla asked to the woman and she nodded. "Daddy's little angel."
"Are you sure this is going to work?" The other woman asked and Darla smiled nodding.
"Angel is weak almost human weak. He…morns for his slayer's loss it'll be easy to manipulate him." Darla informed the woman as Angel got up from the swing with Isabella in his arms and he left the park.
Angel was greeted with screams as he made his way downstairs. The whole hotel was up early this time. Wes and Giles insisted an inventory to be taken of books, files, records, money and weapons. To get this done everyone had to pitch in. Isabella ran around until she saw her dad and hugged his leg, Angel was still asleep, it was five in the morning the vampire wakes up at eight if he can later if possible. Isabella took off running to Evan and Levy and he didn't understand how the three had the energy at this hour. Angel came into the kitchen where Willow and Cordelia were preparing breakfast.
"Dada," Isabella came in and Tara smiled, the way Isabella calls to her father she thought was so sweet. "Evan, Evan peed on the floo." Angel then looked to Xander.
"I'll take care of it." Xander got up to find his son. The kids were two and learning how to use the real bathroom and getting out of diapers but Evan had a small accident. Isabella giggled and headed back out to the main lobby. After another half hour everyone was seated and eating breakfast waiting to hear the assignments for the day.
"Ok," Wes began as he noticed everyone was finishing up. "Fred and Giles are going through the books." He paused writing it down. "Willow, Tara, Anya you three are doing invoiced and any receipts." And the girls nodded. "Lorne, Xander check our records to make sure everything is up to date." Xander scoffed, he hated records. "Cordelia will be the mom and I will help when needed and answer phones. Angel, Spike, Gunn you three are on weapons detail." Gunn smiled and patted Angel's shoulder as he got up.
"Come on fang gang let's do this." Gunn said and Xander sighed again, he wanted to do weapons.
"I want a banana," Isabella stated as she could her dad was going to leave and she wanted him to stay a little longer.
"Please?" He asked her, he was trying to get her to use her manners. She smiled at him and giggled.
"Banana," She said and Angel just looked her waiting for the proper response and he knew she knew what it was. "Please." He reached forward to the fruit bowl and took a banana and started to peel it.
"You need to eat all of it ok." He said and she nodded as he broke half of it so she could hold it.
The day had started with everyone doing their jobs and the kids playing in the lobby. But inventory never went smoothly not with kids around.
"Dada!" Isabella came running into the training room. Angel knew she was upset probably because Evan did something; it was a normal occurrence around here. Spike looked up to the crying Isabella.
"What's wrong nibblet?" Spike asked and she sobbed and Cordelia came up from behind.
"Izzy daddy's busy come on." Cordelia came in but Isabella refused to leave. "Angel come down here please." Angel was up on a latter handing Gunn weapons as Spike piled them into different sections. "Please she's like so lost." Angel climbed down and Isabella was about to take off to him but he stopped her; there were sharp objects everywhere so he came to her. He knelt down to her level and she hugged him.
"What is it?" He asked and she tried to speak but it seem to come out in an entirely different language. "Don't worry about it ok." Angel had no idea what was wrong but it would pass. "Go with aunt Cordy ok, I'll check on you later." Angel turned away and Isabella wouldn't have it but Angel knew he couldn't feed into it, how was she ever going to go to school he thought. Cordelia picked her up and left. Gunn smiled, yes Isabella had Angel wrapped around her finger probably worse than Buffy ever did.
Around noon a woman walked into the hotel where Wes was at the counter writing something. He looked up at the young blonde seeing how she looked lost.
"Can I help you miss?" Wes asked and the woman looked up.
"Yes is this Angel Investigations?" She asked and Wes nodded a costumer. "Oh good I have a problem." She came over to the counter.
"What kind?" Wes asked closing his folder.
"Something is following me." She said and Wes nodded.
It was dinner time and Wes was now going to report to everyone about the woman who came in.
"Her name is Janny and she believes a vampire is stalking her." Wes then took a bite of food. Angel was confused, a vampire stalking. Then again he use to stalk his prey too. While Wes was giving more information Isabella began to speak.
"I want a bagel." She said and Angel looked to her but ignored it. But Isabella knew she was being ignored. "I want a bagel." She got a louder. "I want a bagel." She was loud enough for everyone to hear but they ignored her bad behavior but Isabella would not be ignored so she took her spoon held it over the high chair and dropped it. It made clang and Angel was now frustrated. He stood up and took her out of the chair. She screamed knowing she was going to time out. She was testing people lately especially Angel, terrible twos he thought. But he did know when she got testy it meant something was going on she was just young to explain it. But that didn't give her the okay to throw things or scream. If you ignore her long enough she would drop something, preferably something that would make a lot of noise when it hit the ground. That or she cough so much she would make herself vomit but Angel put a stop to that by telling her if she throws up she'll wear that outfit all day. Isabella kept him on his toes but there never was a dull moment.
Angel walked the streets of L.A. to a coffee shop to meet the new client. When he saw her he had a small flash back, Buffy. She resembled Buffy but he shook it off. The two talked about what was going on and what to do. But Janny's plan was to distract Angel long enough for Darla to get Isabella. Isabella would bring back Angelus she wanted her boy back. But also with the distracting she was trying to break Angel, find it and use it.
Angel came back to the hotel with new information but something wasn't right with this woman, she opened up to quickly to him and it felt like she was trying to be more than what she appeared. Dinner was over and dessert was being served.
"Chew with your lips closed Evan." Willow said to the boy. Isabella was finished with her cookies and indicated to Angel she wanted to be held. He walked over to her stood her up into her chair while he wiped her face clean.
"I'm you daughta," She said and he smiled at her.
"Yes you are my daughter and I love you." He replied and she giggled.
"That my dada." She said proudly as he hugged her and then placed her on the ground.
"Go upstairs please." He asked and Isabella took off screaming and laughing, she had so much energy.
Bath time was over and the kids ran around before bed, Isabella came running up to Angel and Spike who were discussing Janny.
"Dada, dada," She came up and Angel acknowledged her. "Is Mickey Mouse a vampire?" She asked and Spike smiled. Isabella was very interested in vampires and Giles when Angel wasn't around would explain vampire mythology but she never fully understood because Giles would talk to her as if she was a college student not a two year old.
"No Mickey Mouse is just a mouse honey." Angel stated, although he had no idea why she was asking. Isabella nodded.
"A vampire mouse?" She asked Angel smiled again.
"No just a plain old mouse." Angel confirmed and Isabella nodded. "With red underwear." Spike smiled some more and Isabella nodded accepting the answer and ran off. Isabella considered herself as a vampire; she would tell everyone in the hotel she was a vampire because she was her daddy's daughter which made her a vampire. She knew Angel was a vampire she also understood that not all vampires were good. But she still insisted she was a vampire. Angel found it cute but he knew he couldn't let her run with the idea but Willow figured Isabella wanted to be like her father.
Two weeks had gone by and the vampire stalking Janny hadn't struck but Angel could feel that Janny wanted to get closer to him. But that changed, the hotel was quiet until Janny came bursting in crying. She found Angel and ran to him sobbing and held him. Isabella witnessed it and literally huffed in disapproval. Angel could sense Isabella's disapproval but that had to wait.
Angel calmed Janny down so she could tell him what happened. He believed her or at least he wanted to believe her but something wasn't right. Janny was getting close to Angel as she told her story. It was hard for her to keep up with the mission because she really did like him; he was a rare man to find. She then confessed she started to develop feelings for him and it was time to end it. While they spent most days together he was in this for the vampire that she said was stalking her although that story right now was losing creditability.
"Listen Janny I think you're very pretty but," Angel then was cut off by his daughter screaming. He got up and Janny knew she was just trying to get Angel away from her so she then pulled him back and kissed him. He pulled away and looked furious.
"Please we have so much in common and I know what you're going through," But Janny was cut off by another voice.
"Angel!" It was Giles and now something was wrong because there was screams and things being knocked around downstairs. Angel left the common room up on that level and saw Isabella's door wide open and commotion going on downstairs, if his heart could beat in fear it would, something was wrong with Isabella. He didn't run down the stairs he jumped off the sides as everyone looked disoriented. Angel ran up to Giles.
"Where is she?" He asked and Giles looked confused. "Where is she?"
"She's gone Angel…Darla…." Willow answered. Darla took Isabella which the demon inside Angel started to surface. Then he turned around as he saw Janny trying to sneak out. She ran out the door and he caught her.
"No you don't!" He yelled and threw her to the ground. "Where's my daughter!" He screamed and threw her again. "Where is she!" He then grabbed her by the throat and shoved her against the wall. Everyone in the hotel couldn't stop him, you could not stop Angel from doing anything if it concerned Isabella. "Bitch answer me!" He then vamped out and the woman tried to breathe. He dropped her and she coughed. This was all a plan to get him to leave Isabella alone long enough. He growled as Janny sat up catching her breath. He knelt down to her level and she was truly afraid of him. "Tell me and I might let you live." He threaten her. Darla must have tempted Janny into something, money, eternal life. Janny was able to distract Angel from his connection Isabella long enough to let Darla take her by playing on his weakness, loss. She played on his emotions just long enough telling him things he wanted to hear. But it was over it was time to get his daughter back and kill Darla once and for all, he couldn't let her get away again.
Isabella sat in the corner as Darla knelt down in front of her.
"It's ok sweetie I'm a friend of your dad's." Darla said but Isabella could sense something was wrong. Darla reached out for her and Isabella swatted Darla's hand away. Darla scoffed and then smiled. It was time to bring forth Angelus when the door was kicked down and Janny thrown into the room. Angel was vamped out and Darla stood up. Isabella was about to get up and run to her father but Darla grabbed her and Angel growled. "I want my boy back, if Angelus comes back maybe we can all live as one big happy family." Darla was still obsessed with Angel. "You're still in love with Buffy. You're sick and she's proof." Darla said, Isabella was calm as she was held by Darla. With one swift move though Isabella bit Darla's arm causing her to drop Isabella. Angel lunged forward to his sire and they fought.
Darla kicked Angel away but Angel came back, it was time for Darla to die and stay dead. He swung a punch and she stepped back and vamped out and clawed at Angel. She kicked the back of his knees and fell down but grabbed her foot and pulled her down. Angel stood up and grabbed Darla and body slammed her to the ground. He got her in a headlock and was about to reach for a stake but Darla was able to shove him away. Darla saw Isabella across the room and she crawled to her but Angel grabbed her by the back of the shirt.
"Going somewhere? He asked and threw her across the room. Darla laid there and Angel morphed back into his angelic face as Isabella was whimpering, not because she was afraid but she could feel her father's angry and fear. "Izzy," He began and took her hands into his. "I want you to sing any song." He slowly moved her hands up to her ears. "Keep your eyes closed and keep your ears covered ok." She nodded and now her hands covered her ears and closed her eyes. Angel leaned forward and kissed her forehead and she sung a little children's tune as Angel stood up and walked over to Darla. She was laughing her demonic laugh. Angel stood over his sire and she smiled knowing her time was up.
"Oh Angelus we've could had so much." She said and was about to get up when Angel kicked her back down and held his foot there. She knew he wasn't playing around. Angel took out his stake, last time it was hard to kill his sire there's a connection. But this time that connection was replaced with something else, love for his daughter a true blood connection a bond that could never be broken even in death. Angel hovered over Darla and she knew death came on angel's wings and she was looking at one now. This woman tried to kill Buffy once and now his daughter. Darla laughed almost mocking him as if he couldn't do it. She pressed her chest up ready to take the stake to the heart. Angel gripped the stake and slammed it to Darla's chest, she laughed accepting it as if she wanted this end and to be killed by him. The stake fell and rolled on the ground as Angel stood over the pile of dust.
Janny sat in the corner and saw Darla turn to dust. Angel stood there, he killed his sire twice for attacking the girl he loved. He had imagined twice now killing her was going to be a huge war but Darla was never a fighter. But he would never allow her to hurt Buffy and now Isabella. Darla wanted Angelus but it would never happen. He walked over to Isabella who still had her eyes close and her ears covered. He did not want her to see that she was old enough then again in his mind she never would be old enough. He picked her up from the apartment floor and left flashing one look to Janny telling her she could live but he never wanted to see her again.
Angel sat in bed and held his claddagh ring looking at it. Was it time to move on? Was it time to let Buffy out of his life? He leaned his head back and understood why Isabella was acting out. She could feel if someone was trying come into their lives. One day she would understand that no one could replace Buffy and Angel knew there was some sort of connection Isabella still shared with her mother. Angel could not see himself with another woman he just couldn't. He devoted himself to her on her seventeenth birthday and again on their small but beautiful wedding day. Even death do them apart he would remain loyal to her. Not only would he remain loyal to his slayer but he would remain loyal to her daughter, his daughter the daughter they created out of some divine miracle.
He could never love someone like he loved Buffy it was impossible. If he dated he would look for qualities that Buffy had and that was impossible she was the love of his life and he wasn't living a short life. He put the ring back on his finger. In a little box next to a picture of Buffy held her claddagh ring and cross he gave her. Buffy was buried with her wedding ban he gave to her later and she insisted he'd keep her claddagh ring to give to Isabella as a sign of devotion from both of them. Isabella would understand as she gets older no one could replace Buffy as her true mother. Buffy would have made a wonderful mother and Angel knew that. Buffy was gone physically but he could still feel her and she was still here only in the form of Isabella. He felt a smile tug at him and he reached for the little box and opened it.
Isabella was on her floor playing with some dolls as Angel came in. Isabella smiled as Angel sat down in front of her.
"I have something for you." He said and she smiled.
"A present?" She asked and he smiled.
"I want you to know something Inion." And she listen, she was very smart for her age and was capable of understanding more than the average two year old could. "I still love your mother and nothing in this world will replace her." Isabella nodded understanding. "Here," He took the box and opened it reveling a chain with a cross and a ring. He grabbed the chain and let the ring and cross dangle. "I gave both of these to your mom a long time ago." Isabella smiled knowing she was going to get wear something of her mother's. "It's yours now love." He unclasped the chain and then put it around her neck and clasped it together. Angel then held out his hand showing his ring and she looked at it. She's seen it so many times but he never explained it. "The hands mean friendship, the crown is loyalty and the heart is love." She then grabbed her ring and showed it to him. "Same ring it meant you're mother and I were one and we will always be." Angel smiled, he would remain loyal and devoted to his daughter until the world burned and then some just like Buffy.
"Mommy's in heaven still?" She asked and Angel smiled.
"Yes Inion she is and she watches you grow every day." Angel fought back tears, it should be her here raising Isabella not him he didn't deserve this beautiful miracle. Isabella smiled as she held the cross and ring.
"Mommy." She said holding them with a smile and Angel nodded. He knew Isabella would wear the necklace proudly. "I love my mommy." She said.
"I love your mommy too." He then grabbed her and she leaned her back up against his chest and he placed a kiss on her head and rocked her as she studied her new necklace. A tear then rolled down his cheek, his heart still ached for Buffy and her comfort, her warmth, her laugh, her smile, her kisses, her voice, the way her hair shimmered in any light, the way her green eyes glittered with love and smoldered with compassion. He can remember when she held Isabella before she died, Buffy looked at peace as if this was the last thing she needed to hold, her life was complete once she held Isabella. Angel felt complete while holding Isabella as if she was a part of him, a part of his soul. Angel rested his head on top of Isabella's as she continued to admire her necklace her mother's necklace. Angel closed his eyes letting tears fall and then he felt a touch wiping one away.
"Don't cry dada." Isabella said and Angel smiled as Isabella settled back down into his lap. Angel kissed the top of Isabella's head and pulled her closer and rested his cheek on her head and rocked her slowly and gently and let more silent tears fall.
Kind of sad at the end but Angel still loves Buffy. I know I add Angel and Isabella fluff but it's cute right? And Darla is dead brought her in and I know her death seemed simple but I felt Angel had enough strength and Darla was done I mean she was brought back just to get Angelus but that won't happen not with Isabella around. More on the way, comments and reviews are welcomed love reading them.