Chapter 5 Thanks and Giving part 1
Isabella screamed with anger as Evan pulled the head off of one of her Barbie dolls.
"No! No!" She screamed then pushed Evan over. Levy sat on the ground watching the event unfold. Willow came in to see what was going on. She saw a decapitated Barbie and a crying Isabella and knew what happened. Evan looked up to Willow with a glazed over look like he didn't know what happened. Yes it was another typical day at AI but Thanksgiving was around the corner. It seemed that every year the kids got older the more fun the holidays were. Angel came in from his office to see what was going on and his daughter ran up to him crying. He scooped her up as she sobbed telling him everything but it came out incoherent and mostly gibberish. He stood there looking at Evan with a head and body next to him and nodded, Evan still had his glazed over look.
"It's ok sweetie we'll get you a new one." He said rubbing her back and her sobs became hiccups and sniffles. Angel then carried her to his office to get her away from the situation while Evan sat there, Willow smiled and while she understood Isabella's pain and loss it was still kind of cute.
Xander was at the dinner table with some papers out when Angel walked in with the head of Barbie in one hand and in the other the body. He placed the pieces in front of Xander and Xander looked up to him.
"Anger issues much?" He asked looking at the headless Barbie and then Anya came in and saw the broken doll and frowned.
"Aw it's Betty." She said and Angel gave her a confused look. "It's what Isabella called her, what happened?"
"Your son," Angel directed more to Xander rather than Anya. "Tore the head off and my daughter is in tears." Xander shrugged.
"It's a toy and Evan's a boy, I would do the same thing." Xander said and went back to his papers but Angel crossed his arms. "Ok dead boy,"
"Don't call me that." Angel interjected.
"They're kids besides I know Isabella beats up Evan so,"
"Yeah but when she does what do I do?" Angel asked and Xander sighed and stood up.
"Fine, fine I'll talk to him and he'll go to time out happy?"
"Yes thank you." Angel said and Xander went to find his son while Angel collected the doll pieces. Anya smiled and headed into the massive kitchen while Angel left tossing the Barbie doll away. It was going to be a long night he thought.
Angel and Giles had books open looking at pictures of what they thought Cordelia saw in a vision. Isabella was at Angel's feet playing with some toys and once in while he would reach for her and she reach back to assure him she was doing ok.
"There it is." Cordelia pointed to a page from Giles book. Angel leaned over looking at it and gave a look of disgustment. He then felt a pull on his leg and he looked over and Isabella was trying to get on his lap and he smiled. He picked her up and placed her on his lap so she could be a part of the action. She then stood up and looked over to the book.
"Ew," She said.
"Ew is right Izzy." Cordelia said looking at the picture. "What is it?"
"It's called Baron of Hell." Giles said while reading the text and Angel nodded. "It's servants to the Cyberdemon."
"Cyberdemon?" Angel asked and Giles nodded. "Ok," Angel kept looking. "Cyberdemon, odd name."
"Uh Barons of Hell find victims to capture and once they have so many victims then the Cyberdemon will come forth for its yearly…feeding…" Angel nodded his head and looked up and there stood Gunn and Spike.
"Ok well let's kill it." Angel stated.
"Agreed." Gunn then left said, it was time to do some demon recon. Angel stood up and place Isabella on the ground and she giggled and ran to Gunn and hugged his leg and then looked up to him and he smiled. The group left the office and went into the training room to grab weapons, they all highly doubted they find the demons but bringing weapons were always a necessity. Angel and the group where leaving the hotel lobby when he noticed how Isabella was following along as if she was going to go to. He stopped and nodded to the group to go ahead outside as he knelt before Isabella.
"Inion you need to stay ok, this is adult stuff." He said and she gave a look of protest. He loved how she wanted to follow along as he stood up she grabbed his leg to keep him here. Angel gave an unnecessary sigh but thank goodness Cordelia came in and he motioned her to take Isabella.
"Come on munchkin." She said but Isabella didn't let go. "Izzy daddy's got important stuff to do but he'll be home in time to put you to bed. Angel bent over and pried her off and she hugged him.
"I'll be back soon you be good." He said and kissed her cheek and then pried her off his shoulder and gave her to Cordelia and she whined in protested and tried to wiggle out of Cordelia's embrace. Angel had to leave and couldn't feed into her demands well not all the time at least. Angel left hearing Isabella call out to him. She would later forget this all happened and he shut the door and headed to the car. Cordelia put down the two year old and she ran to the double doors crying for her dad to come back. This wasn't because she felt something was going to happen this was purely just wanting to keep her father to herself.
"Half pint wants you to stay?" Gunn asked as Angel got into the car. Gunn smiled, he liked the connection Angel and Isabella had. Angel backed out and headed off into the night and from the inside Isabella could see the headlights of her father's car leaving.
"Daddy, daddy!" She cried and then Willow came into the lobby seeing the very upset Isabella. She turned to Willow with tears. "I want to go with daddy." She cried and Willow smiled.
"One day you can Izzy but come with me ok." Willow held out her hand and Isabella pressed her face up against the glass door still crying, Willow left, Isabella would give up sooner or later.
"Izzy," Cordelia said as the little girl cried. "Izzy come into the kitchen for a project." But Isabella still stood in front of the door crying. Cordelia huffed and picked her up which made the situation worse. Isabella cried even louder. "My lordy be child he's coming back." Cordelia said as she took her into the kitchen.
Angel pulled up to a pub with his crew and Giles, Giles would be an interpreted and if needed he would relay messages to Wes to look up. They got out of the car and huddled around each other.
"Ok this is just a recon no killing only if needed." Angel stated Spike as always rolled his eyes. "Just lay low, in and out then home." This pub was run by demons so if anything was floating around about this Cyberdemon the people here might know or at least rumors. The group walked into the pub and music was playing, there were dancers and people mixed with demons and vampires everywhere. It was hard to keep a low profile for Angel and Spike, the whole town knew they were here. But an unsaid deal was made, give the vampires the information they wanted and these demon pubs and clubs can stay open. The women of the pub saw Angelus and William and smiled, these vampires were always liked by the women of any race. The group broke off and headed to different sections to listen and to talk.
Mean while at the hotel Isabella was no longer crying for her father but making a project. Cordelia had paper with the kids' names written on them and they could trace with dots, stickers or macaroni. Of course Isabella did the macaroni because it was messier with the glue. She liked to get her hands dirty which was probably a sign of things to come later in the future. Lorne then came in humming and glanced at the project going on and the fact the Isabella had wings attached to her. Angel had bought these fairy wings for her and she would wear them especially when he was gone. Wes thought metaphorically since Angel's name was angel and wings can represent an angel Isabella would wear them. For a two year old she found some rather interesting meanings. But then again Wes could be looking far too much into it and Isabella just thinks she's a fairy princess.
"Ok everyone," Willow came over with pieces of chocolate and handed some to each child. Isabella placed them in some sort of line and then ate each piece while the other children just ate them Isabella liked things to be in some sort of order similar to Angel but the order never really made since like Buffy. Everyone in the hotel had no idea who she was going to take after, just when you thought she was Angel she'd turn into Buffy. Isabella kept everyone guessing but one thing was for certain she was daddy's princess which made Buffy Angel's queen perhaps goddess, whatever god Angel believed in Buffy sat at it's right side maybe Buffy was his god, Willow smiled and took a piece of chocolate and ate it.
Angel sat at the bar listening to conversions trying to pick up on anything but no luck. He might have to disturb the peace but he hated creating commotion but tonight Spike took that job. Angel turned around and saw Spike had a demon backed into a corner and fist fight was about to break out. Angel used his vampire speed and caught the demon's hand before punching Spike in the jaw. The fight was settled and Angel grabbed Spike and took him outside. The two vampires stood before each other.
"What? The bugger owes me from a card game." Spike said as he lit up a cigarette and Angel nodded. "Ok pops yell at me for almost compromising the mission and make me wait outside."
"No I think we're done here." Gunn said as he left in a hurry with Giles right behind him.
"What why?" Angel asked, he could sense concern from them. "Anything about our two demons?"
"Oh yes and you're not going to like it." Giles said and headed to the car.
"Ok we'll leave after I get my money." Spike said and tossed his cigarette away but just as he was about to go back inside Angel grabbed his shoulder and dragged him back to the car. "Oh come on Peaches." The group drove down the city lights as Giles and Gunn were going to explain what they heard.
"Ok so the deal is these Barons things they have uh," Gunn was trying to find the right word.
"Standards." Giles said.
"Yeah standards when it comes to victims." Gunn continued and everyone nodded. "Ok well the people they hunt for range from babies to elders. And from Giles and I heard there's a list and Isabella is on that list." But before anyone had a chance to brace themselves Angel turned the wheel of the car so hard you can hear the tires about to blow, he then speed back in the direction to the hotel.
"Guess recon is over." Giles said as he resteady himself.
"Hey! Hey! Peaches keep it under 50 please or we're going to get," But before Spike could finish they all heard the sirens of a cop car go off. "Oh never mind bugger can tonight get any worse?" Then everyone in the car glared at him.
"You know if it does Spike it'll be your fault." Angel stated as he parked the car and waited for the officer. Angel looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Kate?" He asked and she gave a small smile but she wasn't all that thrilled to see him. "Long time no see."
"Yeah so what's with the car tricks? Demon on the loose?" She asked and crossed her arms.
"Well actually yeah and it's after my daughter so if you can let me off with a warning I'd like to make sure she's ok." Angel said and Kate nodded but still stood there. She then leaned over looking at the men in the car and the all smiled and waved.
"You've been drinking?" She asked and Angel rolled his eyes. "Look protocol guys."
At the hotel Isabella sat in the lobby waiting for Angel to return. The hour was getting late meaning it was bed time but Cordelia knew that Isabella would just sit in her crib and wait for Angel even if it meant staying up all night. And Isabella could stay up all night too. She waited patiently on the floor in her pink dress with some toys around her but she didn't play with them.
"I found it cute but creepy at the same time." Lorne said as he sipped on his drink and Cordelia nodded.
"Ok munchkin it's bed time." She said and walked over to her.
"No, no." Isabella protested and Cordelia sighed. Isabella was too stubborn that you could barely get her to anything. Cordelia knelt down and looked at her and had thought.
"How about this, instead of bringing you to your room I'll put you to bed in daddy's room." Cordelia said and Isabella gave an approving look and Cordelia smiled and the two year old stood up and headed upstairs.
"Night baby cakes." Lorne said as she passed him and winked Cordelia for a job well done. Finally the hotel would be quiet.
"Bitch," Spike said Angel drove off. "You know she did that because we are actually in a hurry. It's official I hate blondes, Darla, Buffy and now Kate, well Darla was ok but yeah whatever." Angel shook his head, he just wanted to get home to his daughter and make sure she was ok.
They returned to the hotel and it was a normal night but the news they had it was time for a debriefing. The adults all sat at the long dining table and discussed a plan to keep these things out and what to do if they come up against them. Willow and Tara would perform a protection spell over the hotel and that would help by alerting everyone. The meeting was over and Angel headed upstairs to him room. He slowly opened the door and Isabella was on his bed and he smiled. He closed door as quiet as possible and when he turned around Isabella was awake.
"Oh sorry Inion." He said as he sat down next to her as she sat up and yawned.
"Story and song." She said and Angel nodded.
"Ok be right back." He left the room to get the book he was reading to her from her room. Once he returned he took his shoes off and placed his coat on a chair and went to the bathroom to change and got into his bed when he was done. Isabella took her place into his lap as he opened the book looking for where he had left off. This wasn't a children's book, Isabella wanted something more so Angel picked out one Wuthering Heights and Isabella was interested and she understood the bases of what was happening. "Ok here we are," Angel began.
Angel could Isabella was getting sleepy and he was getting sleepy himself "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath a source of little visible delight but necessary."
"But dada she can't marry Linton she loves Heafcliff so she can't marry Linton." The two year old argued and Angel smiled.
"Looks like we'll find out tomorrow my sweet." He then placed a picture of Buffy in the book the same book mark he'd use for years so he'd never forget her face. Isabella sighed in protested she wanted to know now, she was never patient another Buffy quality. He placed the book on the nightstand and Isabella took her place next to him as they faced each other and Angel begun to sing her lullaby. "A leagan síos do cheann agus beidh mé a chanadh shuantraí duit ar ais go na blianta as Loo-li, Lai-Ley. Agus beidh mé a chanadh tú a chodladh agus beidh mé ag canadh beannaigh tú amárach tú le grá chun an mbóthar go bhfuil tú ag dul. Bealtaine sheol tú cothrom chun réimsí fada de fhortún le diamonds agus péarla ag do cheann agus do chosa agus na bealtaine b'fhéidir go mbeadh ort riamh misfortune chun teacht ar banish cineáltas tú I ngach go gcomhlíonann tú na. Bealtaine ann i gcónaí aingil chun féachaint ar os cionn leat chun tú a threorú gach céim ar an mbealach a garda tú agus a choimeád sábháilte agat ó gach díobháil Loo-li, Loo-li, Lai-Ley. Bealtaine leat a thabhairt grá agus is féidir leat a thabhairt sonas bí grá sa tuairisceán chun deireadh na bliana do laethanta anois titim as a chodladh mé ' m gan bhrí chun tú a choinneáil beidh mé ach suí do awhile agus Loo-li, Lai-ley. Bealtaine ann i gcónaí aingeal ag canadh chun féachaint ar os cionn leat chun tú a threorú gach céim ar an mbealach a garda tú agus a choimeád sábháilte agat ó gach díobháil Loo -li, Loo-li, Lai-Ley Loo-li, Loo-li, Lai-Ley."
Isabella was asleep and he kissed her forehead. He wasn't going to let her sleep alone if these things were after her. He slowly turned over and turned off his lamp and pulled his sleeping daughter closer. His vampire eye sight kicked in he did a quick scan of the room and kissed the top of her head. "Oíche mo iníon." He said in his native tongue and accent. Isabella understood Gaelic very well she could even speak and answer him in it. But they only spoke it when no one else was around and it was just the two of them. Angel smiled and closed his eyes.
Angel sat on the ground with Isabella as she showed him how to have the correct tea party when the front doors opened and Kate was there. She looked around the hotel and then to Angel and the little girl.
"Love kids so much you took one for your own?" She asked crossing her arms. Angel leaned to Isabella to speak to her.
"Iníon, téigh go dtí an seomra bia tá go foill." Angel said and she nodded and he kissed her cheek and she headed to the kitchen but then stopped and faced Kate.
"Hi," She said and took off. Kate stood there as Angel stood up.
"Yes she's my daughter and yes vampires can't have children but you can check medical records she's mine." He said and Kate stood there as he got closer. "She's mine so you stay away from her if you're going to be snooping around trying to take her from me, do it I dare you." He said with a growl but Kate held her ground. "I swear to you if you take her everything that stands in my way of getting her back will burn including you." He threaten and Kate stared him into his eyes. She could see fire and angry swelling in his eyes and she nodded. "I'll end you and I won't think twice now get the hell out of my hotel." Kate turned around and left literally stomping away.
Thanksgiving was getting close but the kidnappings were growing. They couldn't locate the demon or its minions by the time they got to the scene it was too late. The only hope they had is that this thing eats it victims on a certain date so the people could still be alive. But the anxiety was growing because Isabella was on that list and nothing has come for her yet. But that was about to change.
Isabella sat up in her bed and noticed her curtains were blowing in the wind, she never left her window opened. She climbed over the railings of the crib and headed to the door, she needed to get her father. But then there was a noise which made her leave the room and ran down the hall. Something in the shadows came after her and she screamed as loud as she could but Angel wasn't around.
Angel was at the police station looking at the kidnapping wall with Spike and Gunn and then Kate walked out. The tension grew between them.
"It's increasing and yet there's no connection between the kidnapped." She said trying to make small talk but Angel ignored her. "Angel look," She was about to start but her radio went off.
"Dispatch to Kate?" The man asked.
"This is Kate go ahead."
"Yeah we've got another report of a kidnapping." The voice said, that made Angel interested.
"Ok I need the location and send units."
"The location is 1481 Hyperion Avenue," Angel then turned to face Kate and then raced to his car leaving Gunn and Spike to literally jump in as he sped off. Angel speed down the streets running red lights not caring if he caused any accidents. He pulled up to the curb of the hotel where he was greeted by Cordelia.
"Oh my God Angel!" She said crying.
"Where is she?" He asked but ran passed Cordelia into the hotel and up the stairs where Wes was down the hall. "Where is she?" He asked and then Wes held his ground trying to keep Angel away from Isabella's room.
"Angel listen we're doing," But Wes was cut off.
"Where! Where is she?" Angel demanded and then pushed Wes aside and looked into Isabella's room. The crib was knocked over along with her dollhouse and some toys. The window was wide open and he could smell it, blood. "No," He said and everyone was flooding the hallway. "No," Angel slowly slid down to the floor while leaning against the door frame. "No, no Izzy, baby. Izzy!" He was now on the floor looking towards the open window.
And cliffhanger. So what do you think is going to happen and how's it all going to go down? I mean taking Angel's child how bad of an idea is that. Kate has more to play in this little episode, part 2 is on its way. Hope you're liking it. Comments and reviews are welcomed I love them. Thanks for reading.
What Angel said to Isabella in his native language.
Night my daughter.
Daughter please go to the dining room and wait there.
And the lullaby he sung to her called Sleepsong by Secret Garden.
Lay down your head, and I'll sing you a lullaby, back to the years of loo-li, lai-ley And I'll sing you to sleep, and I'll sing you tomorrow, bless you with love for the road that you go. May you sail fair to the far fields of fortune with diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet, and may you need never to banish misfortune. May you find kindness in all that you meet. May there always be angels to watch over you to guide you each step of the way to guard you and keep you safe from all harm Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley
May you bring love and may you bring happiness. Be loved in return to the end of your days. Now fall off to sleep I'm not meaning to keep you I'll just sit for awhile and sing Loo-li, lai-ley. May there always be angels to watch over you to guide you each step of the way to guard you and keep you safe from all harm Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley