Ok so when I wrote the Gift I never did explain Buffy's death, just she died giving birth leaving Angel to raise little Izzy. So this chapter we're going back in time to see what happened and it'll be like old times with Buffy and Angel. We're going to start right when Riley leaves, go through that magical night of Isabella's conception and see what happened to Buffy. Now remember there is no Dawn so just pretend season 5 happened without Dawn and Glory, if you want those two in a story then check out The Last Slayer. So with that being said, shall we begin?

Chapter 8 Too Fast

Buffy watched Riley as he packed his stuff. He had told her that the military wanted him. You can take the boy out of the Initiative but you couldn't take the Initiative out of the boy. Buffy had let Riley fall to the wayside as her mother's condition was worsening. Not only that she was losing interest in Riley, Spike was right, she never wanted to use those words in the same sentence again, Spike right. But he was, she needed a beast in her man. Riley had that once but not anymore, he was human. But all the while, she thought of Angel. Angel crossed her mind every day. When she'd look in the mirror seeing his mark reminded her. At one point after Riley was cured and they would be making love she'd picture that Angel was the one on top of her. A few times she had to catch herself otherwise Angel's name would come out not Riley's.

But it was going to end. Riley didn't fit in anymore. He understood Buffy's concern with her mother's health but a small talk at the park with Xander made him realize Buffy liked Riley but would never love him. Xander mentioned that when she was with Angel it was like the end of the world, tears and crying was something daily. Riley never saw Buffy cry well not to him. He felt he had no place so what do you do? You leave.

Riley stood there with his bag facing Buffy as she sat on the couch. He was hoping she'd say something like stay but she said nothing. It all crumbled and Riley left never to return. Buffy knew she should cry but didn't. She took in a deep breath and sighed, almost a sigh of relief and left to go home. Her world was falling apart slowly.

She checked on her mother and she was asleep and Buffy retreated back to her room and sat. Half of her told her do it, the other was afraid. She picked up the phone and dialed the number. She had to talk to someone about all this and to express her feelings.

"Angel Investigations we help the hopeless?" A voice answered.

"Cordy?" Buffy asked.

"Oh hey Buffy how's it going?" Cordelia asked.

"I was wondering if, if Angel was around." Buffy wanted a yes but then again a no.

"No he, Wes and Gunn are out but I'll tell him you called, everything ok?"

"Yeah just let him know." Buffy said and then felt heartache. Angel had another life, they weren't in each other's worlds anymore.

"Of course."

"Ok bye."

"Bye." The phone clicked and Buffy broke down and cried.

A few days had gone by, normal days as Buffy would consider. She and Giles would train, she'd patrol with her friends then bed. She found comfort in that, the routine, nothing new, nothing out of place. But that was about to change. Buffy walked into the house seeing a set of flowers and smiled.

"Hey mom." She said shutting the door and looked at the flowers. "Hey?" She asked up the stairs, it was quiet in the house. "Want me to make dinner tonight?" She asked but no answer. "Mom?" She asked and then turned to the living room where she saw her mom on the couch. She walked over to her. "What you doing?" She asked as she made her way into the living room but then as she got closer she knew something was wrong. "Mom?" She asked and there was no response. "Mom…? Mommy?" Buffy ran to her. "Mom, mom, mom." She knelt down and shook Joyce. "Mom, mom, mom!" But nothing happened, Buffy stumbled and ran to the kitchen and picked up the phone. Her head was spinning, she could barely breathe.

"Nine, one, one emergency." A voice said.

"Hello?" Buffy was in panic. "It's my mom, she's not breathing."

"Is she conscious?"

"No, I, I no she can't, she's not breathing." Buffy stammered.

"Ok I need you to give me your address."

"What?" Buffy asked, this wasn't what she called for.

"I'm going to send an ambulance,"

"Sixteen thirty Revelo drive, it's a house." Buffy said, she could make her thoughts coherent.

"I'm sending one right away are you alone in the house?" The woman on the other line asked.

"Yes." Buffy was in panic she just needed help.

"Did you see what happen?"

"No, no. I…came…home…" The rest was gibberish.

"Do you know how to do CPR?"

"No I don't remember." Buffy began to tear up. The woman explained how and Buffy thought she could do it. She began and the felt a crack under hand. She just broke a rib and panicked. The woman said the paramedics should be there soon but it wasn't soon enough. "She's cold." Buffy said not listening to the woman.

"The body is cold?"

"No my mom should I…warm her up." Buffy asked but the woman suggested she wait for help. This wasn't right, why was this taking so long.

Finally the paramedics showed up but nothing happened in fact they left telling Buffy to wait for the Corners to arrive. This was wrong but Buffy began to clean, what else could she do.

"Buffy?" A voice asked. Giles was here, she had called him and he rushed to her home. "What is it?" He asked.

"I'm waiting." Buffy said with a dazed look. "The Corner is coming." But Giles was confused and walked further into the house and then saw Joyce on the floor. "No, no don't." Buffy then ran after her watcher. "It's too late, they're coming for her." Buffy stood there watching Giles trying to wake her mom. "We're not supposed to move the body!" Buffy yelled and then it hit her, her mom was dead. Giles stood up and walked over to his slayer and held her before her knees buckled.

The doctors confirmed her death as a result of an aneurism that ruptured, there was nothing that anyone could do.

Buffy sat at home, alone with her hand on the phone, she picked it up dialing the number and it went to voice mail.

"Angel Investigations we help the hopeless, we are unavailable to take your call at the moment but please leave a message, brief description of your case and a number and we'll call you back." Then the message clicked and Buffy was quiet.

"Angel?" She asked. "Angel it's Buffy…I…" Her eyes watered and she sobbed over the phone. "Mom's dead Angel…I…I don't know what to do." She cried, the last time she cried this hard was when she killed Angel.

The funeral day was here and Buffy didn't know what to do or how to handle it. She walked with her arm linked to Giles to the grave site. It would be a small service, she didn't have much family and her father couldn't be reached. Buffy held her composure for a moment looking at the coffin knowing her mother was inside it. Buffy stood in silence but her heart dropped as they buried the coffin after it was placed in the ground.

The crowd thinned out to just the Scoobies and Giles and they wanted to leave. They knew Buffy would stand there all night. Willow however knew someone was coming and would take care of Buffy but the sun had to set first. She didn't tell Buffy, she needed to stay here and say good bye and think.

Everyone was long gone after the ceremony and Buffy stood at her mother's grave thinking what could have been better. The sun would be setting soon but she stood there. If only she had gotten home sooner and noticed that maybe her mom had a headache or felt sick then maybe just maybe her mother would be alive.

The sun was now gone and the night at set in. But just as the sun had set she felt that tingle that warm sensation that made her body alive. She felt a hand a cool but loving hand grab and squeeze hers and she squeezed right back. Buffy turned around and there he was, there was Angel. She knew he'd come. To see his eyes now before here, she felt as close to home as she could be, Buffy finally broke down. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her close and she sobbed in his shoulder. Angel picked her up and cradled her and then walked back to his car. She knew he would leave her alone not in this.

They pulled up to a small hotel and he carried her inside. She needed to be with someone, being alone was probably the scariest thing for her right now. She needed to cry and to be angry. Courtesy of Willow she had stopped by and dropped off some clothes for Buffy. Angel and Willow always worked together very well especially when it came to Buffy. Angel settled into one of the beds as he could hear the shower going. His plan was just sit, listen and dry her eyes.

Buffy was in the bathroom and combed her hair after a shower. He eyes were red with tears and she knew she wasn't done crying yet. She turned off the bathroom light and Angel was on one of the beds reading. He looked so perfect, god how she missed him. He looked up as she stood there and then he sat up ready for to talk or just cry. He gave his small smile which warmed her heart, melting some of the cold that surround it.

"How long are you here?" She asked and he smiled.

"As long as you need me." He replied, Buffy nodded, she wanted him stay and never level again. How selfish she thought but that's what she wanted.

"Forever, how's forever sound is that good with you?" Buffy asked and she started to choke up. Angel wanted to stay forever, he wanted to stay forever in her arms. "Angel when I stop moving I know she's gone, I can't breathe," Buffy sobbed and Angel held up his hand and she took it and sat down next him and he pulled her close and sobbed. "I don't know what to do." She cried in his chest. He placed a kiss on her head and held her closer. He wasn't going to speak, he was just going to let her cry and be there just to hold her.

Angel looked outside into the night as Buffy sat on one of the beds. Little noises made her jump, she was just on edge. Angel looked to her as she sat there.

"Is this going to keep happening?" Buffy asked.

"What?"

"I have some emotional crash and you let me cry in your arms." Buffy said.

"Well when I have an emotional crash I'll cry in your arms." He said with a smile trying to have some fun, lighten up the mood. Buffy stood up and walked to the window looking out. "I wish I'd came sooner." Buffy shook her head.

"No, thank you so much, it means so much." Buffy looked back to the window.

"So where's Riley?" Angel asked casually leaning up against the wall.

"He's gone." Buffy said. Angel knew he shouldn't be jumping for joy but inside the birds were singing.

"Why?"

"Couldn't take it." Buffy said and she looked out into the night. Angel knew she was hurting not because of Riley but she was alone at least she felt it. But one thing he noticed, a chain around her neck with a familiar ring. He reached for it and she smiled. "Of course I kept it." She said. Angel was confused though not about his feelings for Buffy, no he had that down path he loved her endlessly , but why was he here.

"You know Buffy we can't this up, you said it yourself we don't live in each other's worlds anymore." Angel said and Buffy nodded and he could see a tear falling.

"I know." She said and then turned her back to him trying to hide the tears. He didn't want her anymore, no man did.

"Then why do you keep asking me to come back?" He asked.

"Because of the way you look at me like now." She let more tears fall. Angel knew it, she was still in love with him. Angel walked closer and placed both hands on her shoulders and then pulled her closer and nuzzled close to her neck. Buffy felt a surge go through her. She felt like she was melting, Riley couldn't do that, Parker couldn't either but Angel, she melted with his touch. She turned around and kissed him, she kissed him hungrily and he responded. They pulled each other as close as possible, leaving no space. He pulled away to let her breath and continue to place kissed down her neck and she held. She missed his kisses, they were something so extraordinary and nothing could match them.

Buffy fell back onto the pillow and Angel towered over her. She didn't beg for this, he didn't push her, it was happening all on its own. He leaned in and kissed her and she pulled him closer. She wanted him, she wanted him stay with her, she want him to make the pain go away, she wanted to be with him, all she wanted in the end of everything was for him to fill the empty space, to hear him say I love you. And he did all that.

Angel didn't have perfect happiness, how could he knowing Buffy's heart was broken and not only that he would have to go back to L.A. Nothing was fair, they had the love that very few people would ever find and yet they couldn't share it not with the duties they had. He just held the sleeping slayer in his arms. She was both emotionally and physically tired. He had hoped this would help and as much as she should leave her, he couldn't. She was always on his mind, always in his heart. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.

Angel and Buffy spent the whole day in the hotel room together in each other's arms both wishing and hoping that time would just stop and be on their side. But it all came to an end. Angel drove Buffy to her place and stood at her porch in the earlier evening hours. They were kissing good bye for now. He would return next week to check up on her. He pulled her close and kissed her and then picked her up slightly off the ground. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, not wanting to let go. Why did the day have to end, why she asked. It was so hard to say good bye, it was always hard to say good bye to him. He put her down and then begun to walk away. He kissed her hands and she still held onto his as he walked away and then held on as long as possible. Their finger tips touched and he walked backwards watching her as she stood under the porch light with her bag. He got into his car and backed out of the driveway and she watched him leave again but this time it wasn't bittersweet he would come back. They would make it work, somehow. Love always worked somehow.

Buffy took in a deep breath. The little strip sat on the edge of the counter and Buffy was waiting for the ninety seconds, the longest ninety seconds of her life. It ended and she looked at the tip of the strip and compared it to the box's coloring coding…blue…blue meant pregnant. She couldn't believe it. It was impossible, maybe it was a false positive, yeah she thought.

But three more test of three different brands all read positive, she was pregnant. But it wasn't Riley's, she and Riley used protection, it was Angel's it had to be. But vampires couldn't have little ones, they were dead which meant dead swimmers. Panic took over for a day but then she cried in happiness, she was going to have Angel's child something she only dreamed about. Angel's child was already growing inside of her.

She stood outside the hotel and was nervous, would he want a baby, would he believe her. She walked inside noticing it was quiet, must be down time. She could see Angel's office and she walked to it. She peaked in through the window and saw him in his chair leaning back reading. She took in a deep breath and stepped away.

"Ok, so Angel you're not going to believe this…" She shook her head no. "Hey Angel guess what I'm pregnant and you're the father…" No that sounded so wrong. What was she going to say. Panic took over once again, fear. Angel sat in his office but he felt something, a warm feeling washed over him. He looked up and Buffy walked through his door. This was an unexpected surprise but defiantly not unwelcomed. She walked in and shut the door behind her.

"Hey," He said letting a small smile grow across his face. He put his book down, stood up and walked over to her giving her one of her most favorite things, an Angel hug. "I thought I was driving to you." He placed a kiss on her forehead but noticed something was wrong, Buffy was tense. "Are you ok Buffy?" He asked. She didn't say anything she just grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach and he didn't know what was going on.

"It's a girl I know it is." Angel looked down at her confused but she smiled up at him and she cupped his cheek. "I can feel it Angel, it's yours." She smiled. "It's ours." He felt dizzy.

"Wha…what? A…baby…my child?" He couldn't put a coherent sentence together but Buffy knew what he was asking and she nodded. She then took a box and a strip out from her bag and showed him.

"Blue means pregnant." She said as he held both the box and strip reading it but then Angel picked up something, something came into the hotel that wasn't supposed to be here. He pushed Buffy behind him, she was caring his offspring and he went into full protection mode to protect his mate and unborn child.

The door was broken down and both Angel and Buffy dove away from one another and Angel reached for a nearby crossbow. Lindsey stood there and saw Angel in defense mode holding his own crossbow and a blonde standing on the other side of the desk holding a stake.

"What the hell Lindsey?" Angel asked. "You know I can catch an arrow so why are you here."

"Why else?" Lindsey asked, Buffy was more than upset she was having an intimate moment with Angel, sharing news of the impossible and this man with shoulder length hair comes and ruins it, oh no she thought. "Thought you might be asleep would have made it easier."

"Well that's just too bad but I need you to listen so we're going to talk. Lindsey before you came into this hotel and before you kicked down my new door I just found out that she is pregnant." Angel said and Lindsey looked to the blonde girl, and then it hit him, this was the slayer he use to date, she was pretty.

"Yeah so." Lindsey said, like he cared he wasn't here for the slayer just the vampire.

"She's pregnant with my child." Angel said and then Lindsey lowered his weapon slightly.

"What the hell is going on?"

"I'm going to be father." Angel stated and Buffy held her ground.

"You're lying it's impossible." Lindsey stated raising the crossbow and Angel smiled.

"You know what any other time yes you would be right but this time you're wrong. And right I'm just scared out of my mind for my baby." Angel said, he was scared, his child was barely there but he could sense a change in Buffy, her body was already shifting to accommodate the child, her breathing patterns changed, her heart rate was increasing, and he finally noticed there was a glow to her face. "Right by you there's a strip just look at it."

"You'll shoot me."

"No I won't." Angel said firmly and Lindsey inched to the floor to the strip and looked at it.

"I don't know what this means." He said in frustration.

"The box with the direction its right there." Buffy said and Lindsey reached for the box and began to read. Buffy was getting impatient. "Blue means pregnant."

"I can read thank you." Lindsey spat out and then looked back up and tossed the box away and stood back up. "Ok so say if I do believe you now what?"

"Just leave, leave us alone and I'll leave you alone." Angel said. That was it, Angel was calling a truce. Lindsey nodded and lowered his weapon and backed out of the office but before he left he looked at the couple. "Well congratulations to the both of you." He then ran out and left. Angel dropped his crossbow and ran to Buffy making sure she was ok. He hugged her closely and panting unnecessary breaths.

"Angel I'm ok, we're ok." She said and he kissed her forehead and held her closer. Buffy wrapped her arms around him and looked up at him. She placed a hand on his cheek caressing it. "It's ok now." She reassured him and he nodded. He was having a child, he was going to protect this child and it's mother with everything he had, nothing else mattered but those two people. He placed a hand on her flat stomach and couldn't believe a baby was growing, his baby. "I think the name Isabella is perfect. It means God's promise but for some reason it means something more." Angel smiled and can remember what Darla said to him not that long ago 'no matter how good of a boy you are God doesn't want you.' That name Buffy picked suggested otherwise.

Buffy sat on the exam table to get a true confirmation even though she had three positive strips from Sunnydale and one in LA just to be sure. Angel was in the room too with her, standing next to her protecting his future. Buffy's feet dangled and she swung them just waiting for the doctor. A woman came in smiling.

"So we think we have a baby on the way?" The doctor asked with a smile and walked to Buffy. Buffy nodded and Angel squeezed her hand. "All I need you to do is just lie back and relax ok." Buffy did so and Angel never let go of her hand. After a few moments of being uncomfortable the doctor helped her to sit back up. "Well congratulations to you and your husband." The doctor said, husband Buffy thought that was a nice to be the wife of Angel. Although the doctor had it wrong but that was ok. "We did a urine analysis and that came back positive also I can feel your cervix, it's soft and yes you have a bun in the oven." Angel stood there in shock still, he was going to be a dad a little person would run around calling him daddy

"When can we hear the heart?" Angel asked, he wanted to make sure it was alive and a human child. The doctor smiled as she washed her hands.

"Oh she's three weeks now not for another four or five weeks just relax mister…?"

"O'Brien, Liam O'Brien." Angel said and Buffy smiled. Buffy O'Brien she thought to herself, Isabella O'Brien, she loved it.

"Well mister and misses O'Brien the next step is to get her on prenatal care." The doctor said.

Back in Sunnydale everyone was at the Summers' house Giles, Wes, Gunn, Lorne, Spike, Cordelia, Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya. They were told that there was some big news and they sat and waited. Angel and Buffy came down the stairs hand and hand. Xander and Willow already jumped the gun in their minds that the two were getting married. The couple stood before everyone as all eyes were on them. Buffy and Angel still held hands as Buffy squeezed his even tighter.

"Everyone," Buffy began. "I have some news well we have some news." She paused and looked around and took in a deep breath. "Angel and I are well…we're having a baby, I'm pregnant and it's his." She said it just to say it to get it out there. The room was quiet, Willow, Tara and Cordelia had a smile growing. Wes and Giles were in shock, a vampire having a child. Anya looked to Xander.

"Can we have one Xander?" She asked and Xander looked to her. "I mean our child and their child could be playmates or something." Xander looked back to Buffy.

"I'm going to be an uncle?" Spike asked.

"No." Buffy and Angel said at the same time and Spike slumped back over.

"Are you sure Buffy?" Xander asked and she nodded.

"Uh four pregnancy strips and a visit to the doctor's yes I'm pregnant."
Buffy said and Lorne stood up.

"Oh this is wonderful we should celebrate, drinks all around well except you Buffy." Lorne said and Buffy smiled, everyone then stood up and it hit them, a baby. They all lined up to congratulate the couple. Everyone went to settle down but Angel kept Buffy standing and everyone could something was up. Willow knew what Angel was going to do he had told her ever since they got back together.

"There's one more thing." Angel said and then faced Buffy. "I know this is a bit sudden but," He paused and took out a little black box from his pocket. Willow, Tara and Cordelia all let out little sequels of joy. "Buffy,"

"Oh God," Buffy said, she was completely unprepared for this.

"Buffy I love you, I haven't stopped and I never will." He began, Buffy had tears forming in her eyes. Spike rolled his eyes but everyone else had the look of excitement. He then got to one knee and opened the black box to show a beautiful diamond ring. Buffy let the tears roll down her cheeks. He took the ring out of the box and grabbed her hand. "I'm a vampire but I would feel more like a man a true champion if you Buffy Ann Summers…" He slipped on the ring."Would be my wife." Buffy couldn't speak.

"Say yes." Cordelia yelled out and Buffy smiled and held out her arms indicating she wanted a hug and Angel scooped her up and they kissed forgetting about everyone in room.

"Is that a yes?" He asked with their foreheads pressed together.

"That's a yes." She said and they kissed and everyone clapped and once again got up to congratulate them.

The wedding was small but beautiful. Buffy never wanted a big wedding more of just a gathering not a shindig or Oz's favorite hootenanny. Oz was at the wedding, they were able to find him. Angel and Buffy wrote their own vows to each other and with one kiss sealed the deal. The wedding planning had happen so quick within three months of finding out she was pregnant she and Angel were married. It was a good thing to because Buffy couldn't pay for her house with all the medical bills and funeral fees from her mother's death. While the Hell Mouth remained opened Angel noticed that more of the Scoobies had moved in slowly into the hotel and begun to help him out. Angel didn't deny the help at all especially with Buffy pregnant he didn't want her to go out on patrol.

But like with everything, word spread fast in the demon world that the slayer was pregnant and it was a vampire's child and not just any vampire but Angelus' child. More protection was needed for the both of them so the Scoobies migrated out to LA also right around the wedding Xander and Anya announced they were having a child too although marriage seemed a bit further away for them. So little children were going to be running around the hotel very soon.

Buffy was in a room painting and Angel leaned up against the door frame watching her. The room was being painted a soft pink. Buffy chose this color pink because it would last, it wasn't loud or neon just a soft pink a pearl pink. She stood up and Angel could see the bump. She turned and faced Angel and smiled, soon there would be a crib, changing station, rocking chair and toys everywhere. Buffy didn't show any signs that she needed help in painting so Angel watched as his wife painted, his wife he liked that.

Some days were harder than others when it came to eating. Buffy would eat her dinner plus a few extra helpings and other days she'd stare at it and turn green. But one thing Angel noticed if he cooked especially Irish foods Buffy would eat it with no problem that and she craved cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream more than normal. Angel was at the dining room table with some papers as Buffy stared into the refrigerator and Angel looked at her as she pulled out the pint of apple juice opened it and drank it without taking a breath. She finished and then turned to Angel who was looking at her.

"Good?" He asked and she nodded and went to throw away the container. She took a seat next to Angel.

"What you doing?" She asked settling into the chair and got as comfortable as possible with her five month pregnant belly.

"Got a new case and thinking how we can start saving for college." Angel replied looking at the papers.

"College fund already?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah I was thinking Norte Dame," He said and Buffy smiled.

"I was thinking a boat." She said and wrapped her arms around one of his arms as it rested on the table.

"No college fund first." Angel said looking at Buffy.

"Yes college fund and pay our bills. And put a down payment on a boat." Buffy looked at the paperwork as she rested her head on his shoulder. He cracked a small smile while writing numbers.

"We're not getting a boat." Angel said and Buffy sighed.

"But they're fun." Buffy replied in defense.

"They're expensive and when would I go on this boat hmm?" He asked.

"Moonlight sails." Buffy answering as if it was a no brainer and Angel chuckled. "Ok so college fund, pay our bills, and rent a ski condo in Aspin." Buffy added the last part quickly.

"Ski condo?" Angel asked.

"There's got to be some kind of fun in our lives." Buffy added. "Ok maybe a yearly trip to Disney World Florida." Angel smiled.

"How about if everything goes the way it should we spend our summers in Ireland." Angel suggested and Buffy smiled, Ireland that would be nice.

"Like our own little cottage facing the ocean?" She asked and he nodded. "And a horse?"

"Maybe." Angel went back to writing and then Buffy sat up and she looked uncomfortable. "What's wrong?"

"Oh no please go back to sleep." Buffy begged holding her belly. "She was asleep and now she's waking up…and moving." Buffy had her hands on her little bump she then smiled and took Angel's hand and placed it on her belly. "Feel it?" She asked and he nodded. "She's kicking and boy she's a kicker."

"Sign of things to come?" He asked and she smiled. Angel then placed both hands on her stomach. Angel then leaned in and kissed her belly.

"Ok, ok she's dancing on my bladder have to pee." Buffy said and got up and headed to the bathroom. Angel was happy but not perfectly happy. While Buffy's pregnancy was progressing and the baby was human something else wasn't right. At night when she was sound asleep Angel, Wes and Giles were up researching. Something was surrounding this pregnancy something not entirely good.

Month eight was here and Buffy just had her baby shower which came with everything she would need. Angel set up the crib and everything else in the room. The two stood and looked around, it was a baby's room, it was perfect. But as Isabella's delivery day grew closer the two watchers and Angel grew more worried.

Angel was in bed and turned to Buffy as she slept. He got up and headed downstairs and found the two watchers up.

"Anything?" He asked as he went to get some blood.

"Well we've found some mentions of slayers baring children but it's vague." Wes stated. Slayers have given birth but a pregnancy that was caused by a vampire that wasn't to be found.

"What does it say?" Angel asked sitting at the table.

"Well in this diary," Giles began. "It mentions of a slayer giving birth but…" Giles handed the book to Angel and he read it. He closed it with some slight anger.

"My baby is going to die?" He asked.

"We don't know that." Wes tried to help.

"Is that what it's saying the babies are dying at birth?" Angel asked but there was silence. "Answer me." He demanded and Giles nodded his head. "All her doctor visits the baby is fine, it, it has a strong heart beat, it's kind of small but Buffy is small too. On the ultrasound monitors I, I can see her fingers, her toes, she sleeps, she wakes, she kicks and I've even seen her hand push through Buffy's stomach especially when I talk to her."

"Angel everyone is different," Giles began. "We just don't know there has never been a pregnancy like this."

"A slayer's body isn't a life giving vessel Angel, it's not meant to give birth." Wes stated and Angel nodded.

"I'm not losing either one, I love this baby and it's not even here yet. I…Giles before the doctors, I already heard her heart beat before anyone else did. I'm not losing Buffy, I'm not losing Isabella…"

"Angel we must prepare for the worst," Giles tried to speak.

"No, no we don't because both my wife and kid will be fine." Angel got up and left. There was more they had to tell him but he was already upset and this would further anger him. Buff was ending her eighth month and going into her ninth month which meant if there was a way to save them both, time was running short.

Buffy knew something was wrong but not with the baby but with her. It felt like each week she got weaker. But why, she was doing what she was supposed to do but the effects on her body. She could feel it, she was fading.

"But why?" Buffy asked as the being that was painted in gold in blue stood before her.

"Your time here has come to its end you are no longer needed at this point. You will give yourself to give the Gift." The woman said.

"The Gift?" Buffy asked.

"Yes your child is the Gift to the world."

"But I want to raise her I want to be with Angel." Buffy said.

"Angel is the champion of man he will watch the Gift on earth as he still makes amends and you Buffy will watch from above in white."

"This isn't fair this isn't what I want."

"It's not about what we want child it's about doing what's right." The woman said. "You were to have his child you created a being because of love and trust. She is the Gift but one good thing comes something must be sacrificed and that is you Buffy but it is not the end only the beginning your time on earth is now done and you will be called to take a higher place to be a higher being. So one day you will fight not as a mortal but as a god. But first you must face mortal death." Buffy had tears streaming down her cheeks.

"And my baby?"

"Your baby, the Gift will be taken care by the champion. Only you and the champion could created this there is no stopping it, it's time. You have a gift Buffy and it was never death it's life you are giving life to save this world."

Buffy woke from her nap and sat up. Her tears were drenched with tears. This couldn't be true it was a mistake. She walked down the hall holding her belly and then Angel came up the stairs.

"Are you ok Buffy?" He asked.

"Angel something is happening." She said.

"You're going into labor?" Angel felt a wave of panic and Buffy shook her head.

"No," She smiled. "Not yet." She walked closer to her husband. They were only married for six months but she loved him as if they were married for sixty years. She placed a hand on his cheek, looking into his deep brown eyes. "I want her to look like you Angel." He smiled but knew something was wrong. "I swear Angel nothing can pull us a part. I know because if I die I will still find my way back to you. I'll come back to you, I'll come back to fight at your side." She got closer to him and hugged him. He didn't like what he just heard.

"Buffy?" He asked and she placed a finger on his lips and smiled. For a brief moment she didn't want to die but standing before him standing before the champion of man she could and everything would be ok.

"I love you." She said and placed a kiss on to his lips.

Buffy felt a jolt and stood up and then felt liquid between her legs.

"Oh," She said looking down as the puddle formed. "Ah, ah Angel!" Angel was in the bed reading a book when he heard her call. He went into full protection mode and to the bathroom ready to fight whatever was going to harm Buffy. He looked at her as she stood there. "It's time."

The entire hotel went to the hospital. Buffy wasn't ready to push but her contractions weren't the most pleasant things. They didn't hurt but were uncomfortable. Angel left the room and saw everyone waiting.

"So?" Wes asked.

"Oh we're going to be here a long time she's like two centimeters dilated we're not even half way yet." Angel said.

"How long with this take?" Cordelia asked.

"Uh maybe tomorrow the baby will be here." Angel stated a sigh of relief was felt.

Thirty two hours later Buffy was still waiting but the doctor and nurses could tell something was going wrong but it wasn't the baby, it was Buffy. Angel sat at her bed side holding her hand. She looked at him and smiled.

"You ok?" he asked and she gave a faint smile.

"Angel," She then stoked his cheek. "Life," She said. "I have the gift of life." Angel didn't understand. "It's all making sense now. I was meant to live so I could die for her." Angel shook his head no and she smiled. She then took her necklace off that held the cross he gave her and the claddagh ring. "Give this to her when you feel she's ready."

"Buffy no, no listen everything is going to be ok." Angel said but he wasn't kidding himself he knew he could sense it.

"Angel there are things in this world that we aren't meant to understand, you and this baby are that make sense to me." She stroked his cheek. "Angel listen because there isn't much time. Listen, I love you I will always love you but this what I must do. Tell Giles I've figured it out and that I was always ok. Give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now ok. You have to take care of each other, you have to be strong. Angel I've learned the hardest thing to do in this world is to live in it." Buffy paused and Angel had tears running down his cheeks as he held her hand and then brought it to his forehead sobbing. "Do one thing for me, live." He nodded and leaned forward and kissed her. "It's time." Buffy sat up, she felt the urge to push.

Angel coached her, whispered sweet words to her in both English and Gaelic. Buffy pushed with everything she had. Buffy huffed as she was in labor. Angel could do nothing but hold her hand. Giles, Xander, Willow, Tara, Wes, Cordelia, Gunn, Spike and Fred were all in the hospital. Fred was found a few weeks ago after a little trip to another dimension.

The doctors and nurses worked hard, Buffy's vital signs only declined as the birthing went on. Her body had given so much energy into protecting this child that she was dying. Angel couldn't lose Buffy not now. Buffy let out a cry and took in another breath. She could feel it the baby was almost here. She could feel all her energy leaving, her life leaving. Then Buffy felt the pain disappear. She knew the baby was out.

"It's a girl." One nurse said but she wasn't crying and Buffy begun to panic. She looked into Angel's eyes with fear but Angel smiled. He let go of her hand and walked over to the table where they set down the baby. The baby was moving looking around and breathing. Angel looked down at the littlest thing he ever saw. And then the little girl looked straight up at Angel and smiled.

"Uh," The nurse huffed. "Never seen a new born smile." The nurse then handed the baby to Angel. "She is just perfect." The nurse said he looked down at his daughter. The little girl opened her eyes and let out a small yawn. He walked over to Buffy and placed the baby in her arms. Buffy was slipping away. She held her daughter and smiled. Angel had tears somehow he could feel Buffy's soul leaving this world all to protect and give birth to this child, his child. The little girl looked up at her and Buffy's smiled grew even bigger.

"Hi Isabella," Buffy sobbed. "I'm your mommy…you looked just how I imagined, perfect." Buffy had tears falling. Angel placed his forehead to hers and cried.

"Buffy stay we both need you." Angel pleaded. Buffy smiled just a little.

"Take care of our baby Angel. I know you can and I'll always be here." She placed a small kiss on his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." Angel said and then Buffy took in a breath. The nurse snatched the child from Buffy's arms as Buffy's vital signs dropped. "No Buffy no," Angel then was pulled aside. The doctors and nurse begun to work but Buffy was gone.

Out in the lobby everyone knew what was going on. Giles couldn't help but let a tear fall. Willow curled up in Tara's arms and sobbed. Cordelia leaned into Xander with a sob as well. They looked up and saw Angel walk out of the room but he wasn't alone he held something. Everyone got up and crowded around him. His cheeks were wet with tears. They all looked at the little baby.

"Everyone," Angel began. "I want you to meet Isabella Buffy O'Brien." Everyone smiled looking at the little baby. They all knew Buffy would pass on to protect the child. Any slayer who had given birth died because of the energy they gave up to protect the child. They just weren't prepared for it. But seeing the child was a new door opening to closed one. "Isabella these are your friends." Angel said to the sleeping baby.

Angel appeared at the grave site right at sunset. The service was over but the group they had another to perform. They all held their flowers waiting for Angel to appear. He had a dozen white roses. Willow was holding little Isabella as Angel walked to the tombstone. It read Buffy Ann Summers O'Brien beloved daughter, wife, mother and friend.

"She was amazing," Giles began. "A true champion to the end. And…" He started to tear up. "I couldn't be more proud as a Watcher, more honored to be her Watcher." Giles then sobbed. Everyone let tears fall. Angel's knees buckled and he fell to the ground sobbing. He looked at the stone and placed his hand on it. No one knew what to say.

"I miss you already," Angel began. "I…I'm sorry I wasn't everything you wanted, everything you needed. I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt you." Willow held Isabella closer. "But I will promise you this," Angel sobbed. "I will protect our baby, our daughter." Angel then set down the roses knowing he had to say good bye. "Buffy," Angel started. "My love, my wife, I love you." He slowly got up and it took Xander to help him steady himself. Angel looked at the stone once more and then to his baby daughter, the only thing he had left of Buffy.

He held four day old Isabella in his arms, she was tiny compared to him. He was in a rocking chair feeding her before she went to bed. He begun to sing to her and her eyes widen and she wiggled a little in excitement as he began. He couldn't help but smile as he sung, she seem to like it.

"A leagan síos do cheann agus beidh mé a chanadh shuantraí duit ar ais go na blianta as Loo-li, Lai-Ley." He sang softly.

Angel could feel sleep taking over, the other side of the bed was empty, he missed her already, he missed her before she even died. But on top of his chest was a sleeping baby. She was asleep on her belly in a little ball on his chest. He both feel and hear her heart beat and smiled and finally let the sleep take over.

Present Day

Angel's concentration was broken as he heard a scream, it wasn't a scream to investigate because it was coming down the stairs. His mind had drifted back to the past with Buffy. He could hear the pitter patter of Isabella's footsteps. He looked at the little picture of Buffy that was another book mark. He brought it to his lips and kissed it.

"I love you mo bhean chéile." He placed the picture back into the book and stood up as Isabella came charging at him. He knelt down as the three year old screamed and laughed jumping into her father's arms. She was looking more and more life Buffy every day except she had brown hair and brown eyes. Isabella held the stuffed animal pig.

"Mr. Gordo." She said and he kissed her cheek and she giggle and hugged her father.

"What are you doing munchkin?" He asked.

"Playing," She said.

"Oh really you being nice to Evan?"

"Yeah," She replied as Angel carried her up the stairs.

"What movie are we watching tonight?" He asked.

"Salem's Lot." She said, she loved vampire movies and he smiled and kissed her again as they headed upstairs together. Angel missed Buffy but they had something to show for, Isabella. She was life, she was this tiny little ball of energy. He love it, she just loved people and would kiss and kiss and give hugs. Isabella was life that Buffy gave and Angel couldn't see himself without her. He owed Buffy everything but for now it was time to watch a movie it was time to be with his daughter. She was three now, she was growing up too fast.

So now we know what happened to Buffy. But remember she's coming back later. Hope you liked it and maybe it explained some stuff. Anyways more on the way. Thanks for reading. Comments and reviews are most welcomed.

mo bhean chéile= my wife.