Redemption

by kinoa

This is the final book in the The PTB'S Boss Sends Help trilogy. Angel will become human a little at a time. He is being given time to adjust. The families will increase. Who will die first Angel or Cordelia?

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The Second Gift

The next morning Cordelia and Angel were up before everyone else. Kathleen was now their alarm clock and she had decided one day that Mommy and Daddy should be getting up no later than 8 A.M. every morning. Monday morning the day they were going to Disneyland was no different.

Kathleen grabbed onto the bars of her crib prison and pulled herself up. She looked towards her Mommy and Daddy's bed. While she looked around the room, she started biting into the top of the crib. Every few minutes she would stop biting the crib and call out to her Daddy.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." Over and over again. When Daddy didn't respond, she called to her Mommy. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy." She liked practicing her new words. When neither one responded and she was tired of chewing on the rail of her crib she used something that she knew always worked. She sat down and started crying. You know that kind of cry that doesn't say I'm wet change me or I'm hungry feed me. No it's more like 'I demand that you get up and pay attention to me NOW!'.

"Daddy's little girl is calling to him." Cordelia said as she pulled the covers over her head.

"Mommy's little girl is calling to her." Angel said in reply. This little trade in Daddy's girl and Mommy's little girl didn't fit the argument that they had, had when Angel was blind. It had started when Angel had said 'Your daughter'. Angel had kicked the bathroom door down when he heard Cordelia lock it because she was mad at him and didn't want to talk to him. He made it clear to her at that time there were to be no locked doors between them. If they were having an argument then they would discuss it but they would not go to bed having an ongoing argument between them.

In the contest to see who would cave in first Cordelia won, because she knew he couldn't stand hearing his little girl cry. Angel slid down to the floor and crawled on his hands and knees to the crib. Kathleen had stopped crying when she heard her Daddy coming over to her. She pulled herself up and held her arms out to Angel. Cordelia was watching and she thought to herself 'That did it, his heart always melts when she does that.'

While Angel took care of their daughter Cordelia got up and went into the bathroom. Angel was just taking his daughters diapers off when he heard the shower start so he just took the rest off and went to join Cordelia. They ended up bathing and playing until the hot water ran out.

When they got out of the bathroom Angel continued to take care of Kathleen until he had her all dressed again. He had put a pink jumper suite on her along with a white T-shirt with socks that each had a tiny pink satin ribbon going through the top of the sock when it was folded over. He then placed her first shoes on her. Angel called out to Cordelia. "Cordelia, look at Kathleen."

Angel put her on the floor and held onto her hands as she tried to walk in her new shoes. It was the first time she had, had shoes on her tiny little feet. Angel and Cordelia were watching their daughter take her first steps but Kathleen was more fascinated by the strange feeling things on her feet.

Her Daddy finally let her sit down. "Why did you stop?" Cordelia asked. "Because I could see in her mind that she was more interested in her shoes than walking." Sure enough Kathleen sat on the floor playing with her shoes and trying to undo the shoe laces.

"I guess she isn't ready for walking yet." Cordelia said. "You better get yourself dressed Angel before I attack you."

Angel jumped onto the bed and beat his chest like Tarzan. "Jane, bring Tarzan his loincloth. Tarzan must cover his manliness before Jane have a meltdown." Cordelia grabbed a pair of shorts, T-shirt and socks for Angel and threw them at him. Kathleen was watching her Daddy and giggling. She thought her Daddy was so funny. "Hurry up Angel we still have our morning ritual to do before everyone else gets up." "Yes Jane, Tarzan be good now." Angel let out a big sigh and proceeded to finish dressing while Cordelia picked up Kathleen and went down stairs.

Cordelia put Kathleen in her high chair then started to make coffee in the large coffee maker. While she was waiting for Angel Cordelia put a bib on her daughter then gave her a baby biscuit that was specially made for teething babies.

As Angel came down stairs he picked up Kathleen, high chair and all, took them outside to the patio and waited for Cordelia to join him. Shortly after he sat down at the table Cordelia came out with a wet towel. "Okay Tarzan, lets get this show on the road." They had done this so many times before that it became routine like Cordelia making the coffee in the morning. It was just something that they were told to do and it always had the same results.

Cordelia went over to the edge of the patio where they were two feet from the sun light. They took their usual position and joined hands. Cordelia had her stop watch in one hand and her other hand was in Angels. As usual she directed their hands into the sunlight. At the 5 minute mark Angels hand started to smoke but before it erupted in flames the 10 minute limit would come up.

Angel looked at his hand as Cordelia wrapped it in the wet towel. "It will happen soon Angel. Somehow I feel it in here." She pointed to her heart. "How soon?" "I can't say but I know it will be very soon." She removed the towel and turned his hand over and kissed the palm of his hand. They went to sit down in the darkest corner of the patio and they proceeded to perform Angels penance. By the time they were done Kathleen was getting bored with her biscuit and she could hear someone in the kitchen. Cordelia gave Angel a kiss then picked up her daughter and went back into the hotel. Angel remained outside to think, nothing specific, he just waited until some thing presented itself and these days Angelus was giving him a lot to think about. Ever since he had started to present himself to the sun light Angelus had stepped up his assault on Angels mind.

When Angel heard more people coming down stairs he got up and picked up the highchair and went inside. One by one everyone said good morning to Angel and Cordelia. If their help wasn't needed in the kitchen then they helped set the table. The only people absent were Buffy, Spike, Wesley and Fred. Toby came running down the stairs with Connor and made a bee line for the back doors. Fred's father was the closest one to the back door so he opened it for him and followed him outside. When he heard Cordelia say that breakfast was ready he called Toby and they both went back in. Connor had already made breakfast for him. Since Toby was still under a year old and growing he ate three times a day. Connor thought he would reduce it to twice a day next week.

Since Angel was drinking his breakfast today he was being a good father and feeding his daughter.

Mrs. Burkle was watching Angel and Kathleen. "Cordelia now that Kathleen is eating solid foods are you still nursing her?" "Yes but I only do it in the morning and at night. If her gums are hurting her she tends to bite down on my nipple. Within another month or so she should be completely weaned." "Yeah then they'll be all mine again and I won't have to share them with you any more." Everyone but Mr. Price laughed at Angel. Cordelia yelled at him. "Angel, we have guests that aren't used to the fact that you're a pervert."

"I am going to find someplace that will make a T-Shirt for you that says MINE on each breast, then underneath it will say "Don't Touch - Her Husband. That way then everyone will know that they belong to me and that you're married." Angel smiled at his daughter. "In my village when a baby boy was finally weaned the father gave a party because the final physical ties to his mother were finally cut. I didn't get to do that with Connor but I will when we have our baby boy or boys."

"Well that won't be for a while yet. I don't intend to get pregnant again for another 3 or 4 years at least." Cordelia said as a statement of fact and not just wishful thinking.

Buffy and Spike came down stairs just at the right time. They headed for the buffet and then took their seats.

"You better be careful Spike or that kid is going to come out and start poking you in the head with her finger." Angel said jokingly. "Never happen. Haven't you noticed your not hearing any noise coming from our bedroom any more?" "Now that you mentioned it I haven't heard the walls shaking." Connor said. "No wonder I've been able to sleep later. Thanks guys." "Don't mention it little brother." Spike said. They all laughed because they used to all hear Buffy and Spike having sex.

"Why do you call Connor Little Brother?" Mrs. Price asked. Spike was kind of hesitant to answer Mrs. Price. He looked at Angel and Angel nodded okay.

"It's kind of an ongoing joke between us. Angelus was Drusilla's sire and Drusilla was my sire. Now usually your sire teaches you all of the rules that Vampires live by and they also teach you how to kill to get the blood you need to survive on. My sire, Drusilla was mentally unbalanced so Angelus took over my training. I looked to him to teach me everything. As a joke I tease him about either being my father or my grandfather which ever suites the current situation. So sometimes I call Connor Uncle or brother. That's also why Angel can tell me to jump and I say how high."

"What happened to your sire Drusilla?" Mrs. Price asked.

"Angelus killed her Felicity. Now don't ask anymore questions. I never wanted you to be tainted by such things. That's why I took such great pains to protect you from such things." Mr. Price said. "Yes dear." Felicity answered obediently.

Angel most definitely did not like Mr. Price and he sure didn't like the way he treated his wife or his son.

Angel was going to say something but then he saw the look on his Mothers face so he kept his mouth shut.

"If you are done Felicity we will visit our son for a while." Felicity stood up and Mr. Price took her by the hand and they went upstairs. Dr. Martin saw Angel start to get up so she said "I think I'll go up with you so I can check on my patient." Without saying anything else Dr. Martin followed Mr. and Mrs. Price upstairs.

Mr. Price never stayed long. He would always start saying something that would cause Wesley's heart to start beating faster. Either Wesley would finally say something to make his father leave or the person that was keeping watch over the visit would suggest that Mr. Price leave. His removal didn't help Wesley very much though because it always took him thirty minutes or more to settle down. Occasionally Felicity would stay, other times Mr. Price would insist that she come with him.

This morning after Mr. Price left Wesley talked to Dr. Martin about why his father had such control over him. Dr. Martin started checking Wesley. Some times, keeping her hands busy helped her to think.

Cylindia came over to the bed to assist her. "Sit up Wesley so that I can take these bandages off and check the surgical area." Wesley sat up straight so Dr. Martin could check his back first. As she started to take the bandage off she put on her other hat.

"Wesley have you ever read the explanation for why women, or men, will stay in a bad marriage or relationship where they are beaten repeatedly by their spouse and yet stay with them? They call the police all of the time to help them but they never press charges and they usually don't want the spouse to be put in jail."

"Yes I have. The one that is the receiver doesn't feel that they deserve anything better because their persecutor constantly berates them or beats them. Their persecutor does all of this in order to control their victim."

"Yes that is exactly why but do you know that it is also used by parents to control their children. Your father berates you all of the time doesn't he? In fact he doesn't think that you can ever do anything right does he?"

"No he doesn't. I don't ever seem to be able to please him." Dr. Martin replaced the bandage on his back with a new one. The surgical area wasn't healing very well. She had him sit back again and started on his chest.

"Do your parents often tell you 'Be a good boy Wesley and do what you are told to do.' Your mother always reaffirms what your father says by telling you that you should be thankful for what your father does for you, or be a good boy and do what your father says."

Wesley thought about what Dr. Martin had said. "Yes they did say things like that."

"They didn't know what kind of damage they were doing Wesley. They didn't know or understand that what they were doing was setting you up to be controlled. Now even though you understand what is happening you can't keep from feeling as though you are betraying them or that you are being disobedient, am I not right?" "Yes, I feel terrible for talking to my father like that." Wesley had more to say but he didn't want to say it in front of Cylindia. Dr. Martin saw him look at her.

"Cylindia I can manage from here would you excuse us for awhile please." "Of course Dr. Martin. I need to go to the store, if you don't mind?" "Sure, take your time." When she left Dr. Martin pulled over a chair and sat down. She had removed the bandages from Wesley's chest and was just letting some air get to them.

"Go ahead Wesley I believe you wanted to say something." Wesley put his head down and was thinking of how to phrase what he wanted to say. He ran his hand over his face as though to chase away the cobwebs that clogged the pathways of his mind.

"Dr. Martin I feel as though I am going against Gods commandment of 'Honor thy Father and thy Mother'. I feel like I am failing both of my parents and God. When I was single it didn't make much difference because I was only affecting my life and no one else, but now I have Fred and our children that I have to consider. My love for them is what gave me the courage to speak up and refuse my fathers orders. I still can't get it out of my mind though that I was wrong in doing it. I think that this conflict that is going on in my head is what is causing me to heal so slowly. I know that this is illogical but I can't help feeling like I am being a bad person for doing this." When he was done Wesley was quietly crying . Dr. Martin went to the other side of the bed and sat next to him. She carefully pulled Wesley into her arms. He held onto her and cried until he couldn't cry anymore.

"Angel is lucky to have you. I wish my mother had more of a backbone and had been able to protect me like I've seen you stand up for him." When Wesley was able to control him self he laid back down again. Dr. Martin gave him some Kleenex so that he could wipe his face and blow his nose.

"Wesley, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and your family. God gave us the commandment that we should honor our mother and father but he also said that when a man takes a wife he should leave his parents home and become as one with his wife. Your first duty is to your wife and family Wesley but when you talk to your parents you should speak to them with the honor that you owe them. It doesn't mean that you have to do what they say but you cannot demean them or treat them in a way that would show disrespect. You did pretty good last night and so did Angel. Both of you spoke without raising your voice. I think though that I would of preferred to talk to them in private so that I didn't embarrass them. I know that they don't take that into consideration when they speak to you but you have to remember that they have been dealing with you since you were a baby. And Wesley don't think too badly of your mother. Remember she has been under the same treatment as you have."

"I understand what you're saying but right now I have a tremendous headache from just thinking about all of this." Fred soaked a hand towel in a bowl of ice and went to Wesley's bed and put it on his forehead. Dr. Martin got off of the bed so that Fred could take care of her husband. Fred went to the other side of the bed and laid down beside him and told him to rest his head on her chest like he did yesterday.

"I am going to leave now Wesley and Fred. When he wakes up again Fred put the pajama top on him. I am going to tell Cylindia to put a light bandage on his chest after she baths him later today. I want you to lay on your right side for as long as possible Wesley so that you can take the pressure off of your back and that should help the incision to heal faster then it is. Go to sleep now." She gave him a kiss on his forehead then left and closed the door after her.

Dr. Martin gave Cylindia her orders for the day when she came back. During the rest of the morning everyone helped Cordelia perform a light cleaning of the hotel. After lunch most of them took a nap since they were going to be up until late that night. By six o'clock Cordelia had handed over Kathleen to Hunter. They all then piled into Cordelia and Connors vans and they were on their way to Disneyland.

The first thing they did was have dinner. Angel was looking at everything as though he was a child. His eyes would go wide at the sight of such things as simple as the ride at the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Spike and Angel just had to go on all of the rides. Gunn and Connor of course matched them ride for ride. Buffy and Cordelia were having almost as much fun as the guys just from watching them act like a bunch of teenagers. All of the older people, as they were referred to, took the more slow rides and occupied their time with sight seeing. By 11 p.m. they were all making their way towards Main Street and the exit. Angel was loaded down with gifts for his little girl. When he wanted to buy a huge Winnie the Pooh stuffed bear Cordelia had to put her foot down. "Angel if you buy that someone will have to be left behind and where are we going to put it when we get it home." "Okay, okay. What if I get you one also will you let me buy one for Kathleen?" Cordelia's reply was a dirty look. Angel put the bear back.

It was a weary bunch of people that loaded up in the vans. When they arrived back at the hotel Spike had to carry Buffy upstairs. She was pregnant, bone weary and had fallen asleep on the return trip home. As usual Connor was in the kitchen making himself a sandwich. Toby was outside and taking care of his business before they went upstairs for the night. Gunn had already made his sandwich and gone upstairs.

When Cordelia and Angel went into their bedroom they found Kathleen in her crib sound asleep and Hunter sleeping on the couch. Angel carefully picked her up and took her to her own bedroom. He removed her shoes and covered her up with a quilt then returned to his own bedroom. Cordelia was already in bed and sleeping when he returned. Angel turned the lights off and removed his own clothes then carefully crawled into bed.

Felicity was tired also when she crawled into bed beside her husband. Since he was still awake she spent the next thirty minutes telling him all about her outing. Mr. Price laid in the bed thinking about how he was losing control of his son and wife. He was blaming Angel and the rest of the people in the hotel for that. Mr. Price was awake way into the night. He was constantly thinking of how his son had been deceived into working with these Vampires. 'This is a den of iniquity. Humans being tricked into mating with these demons from hell so that they can produce their demon spawn. Someone had to put a stop to it. How could Giles allow this to happen.' Thoughts like this ran through Mr. Prices mind over and over again until he carefully got out of the bed so that he wouldn't wake up his wife. He put his robe on and made his way downstairs.

Noise in the hallway woke Toby from a sound sleep. He was nice and comfortable in the new bed that Connor had bought for him just the other day. He was curious as to the source of the noise so he got up and put his nose to the door that Connor usually left ajar these days so that Toby could go outside in the night if he had to go. Connor had installed a pet door just several days ago so that Toby had easy access to the back garden now. As he went down the stairs he saw Mr. Price at the weapons cabinet. Since he was an accepted guest in the house by the other humans Toby went on to the back door to take care of his own business. On his return he found that the human had closed the doors to the weapons cabinet and his nose told him that he had gone back upstairs.

Toby heard some noise in his playmates room. He knew that this was were Kathleen slept because of her smell being all over the room. Usually the door was closed but he found it to be open when he pushed his nose against the door. The scent from the man from downstairs was also in here. Toby smelled blood in the air. The man was now standing over the crib with his hand raised. He had something in his hand and somehow Toby knew that this man meant to hurt Kathleen. Within the next second he pushed the door open and attacked the man. Although Toby was still a puppy he had grown enough so that he had all of his adult teeth and the size and strength to push the man away from the crib and hold him on the floor. Toby just stood over Mr. Price, bared his teeth and growled at him. Mr. Price was so afraid that he didn't move.

Spike and Connor were the first to enter the bedroom. Connor immediately pulled Toby off of Mr. Price. Spike smelled the blood though. He called out to Angel and Cordelia but they didn't respond. Connor turned the lights on just as everyone else came to the door. Spike went to the bed. Mr. Price had apparently tried to dust Angel. He went to the crib and checked Kathleen. Lying next to her was a spike and on the floor was a mallet. Apparently Toby had stopped him before he could kill her.

Spike returned to the bed and checked Cordelia's pulse. It was beating fast. He let out a breath of relief. Dr. Martin came in then and ran to the bed. "My God what happened. When she looked at the bed she saw a spike going through Cordelia's hand and then into Angels chest. Since he was still here and not dust it was apparent that the spike had missed his heart. Blood was slowly seeping from the wound. Dr. Martin made a move to pull the spike out of Cordelia and Angel but Spike put his hand on hers and stopped her.

"Don't pull it out until we are ready to move him. The spike went through the aorta that comes from his heart and then to his brain. We have to think of a way to get both Cordelia and Angel down to the clinic without removing the spike. When Mr. Price struck Angel with the spike Cordelia must have moved her hand over his heart at the last second and somehow her hand pushed the spike further up."

Dr. Martin also saw blood coming from both Cordelia and Angels head. She examined them carefully. "It seems that he hit them on the head first to knock them out. Apparently Cordelia didn't loose consciousness right away. Okay your right we have to move them together. Lets get the gurney up here. We can put both of them on the bed, just put the guard rail up on one side and put Cordelia by the rail and Angel as close as possible." Dr. Martin looked around the room. She went to the crib and checked her granddaughter thoroughly. Then she picked her up and sat at the rocking chair as she continued to hold Kathleen. As she started to rock Kathleen she started to cry. Great soul wrenching sobs. Giles came to her and got on his knees.

"I can't loose them both Rupert I can't. I am the one that should die first." "Mary they are not going to die. Calm down, Angel needs you right now. I promise you that one or two weeks from today he will be all better and we will go to Hawaii for a good rest." "Before we leave Rupert I am going to ask Willow and Tara to put a spell on this place that will prevent anyone from leaving or for any strangers from coming in. Then I am going to lock them in their rooms so that they can't get into any trouble okay." Giles laughed and smoothed a wayward lock of hair from her face. Her nose was running so he gave her his handkerchief. Mary blew her nose then gave it back to him. "Well some times I've wanted to do that with Buffy but then I realized that she would just break the door down." Giles said.

Giles gave Mary a kiss and hug then he took Kathleen from her and put her in her crib. He turned then and spotted Hunter. "Can you help her get ready to do what she has to do." "Yes Giles, Mary will be just fine she just needed to let some of the tension out."

Hunter put her arm around Mary's shoulder and guided her downstairs. She stopped when she saw everyone in the hallway. "I'm sorry everyone even good old Mom's pot on the stove can boil over. Where is Mr. Price Gunn?" "We took him to his room and Spike gave him a sedative. He should sleep for the next eight hours. He thinks he had a nervous breakdown. Willow is going to check for the earliest flight to England." "Are you going to have someone stand by his door." Mary asked. "Willow is going to put a spell on the room so that he can't get out." "Good, thank you Gunn but tell her that I would like her to wait on that flight. I would like to talk to him first. I heard that he was stopped before he could kill Kathleen. Who stopped him?"

"Connor said Toby did." Gunn said. "And where is our hero that saved my granddaughter. Toby, Toby where are you?" Toby came out of Connors room and stood in front of Mary. As though to say 'Here I am.' Mary got on her knees and hugged Toby. "Thank you Toby, thank you for saving Kathleen. I promise that as soon as I can I am going to go out personally and special order the biggest steak that I can. And I am going to order the biggest bone that I can find. It's going to be so big that it will take you a week to chew it down." Toby was wagging his tail so hard that his whole body wagged along with his tail. He licked Dr. Martins face then went into the bedroom and checked on Kathleen by standing on his hind legs. When he was satisfied that she was okay he curled up in front of the crib and stood watch.

"This dog was surely sent by God." Dr. Martin said as she watched him check on his playmate then settle down to guard her from further harm.

Gunn, Connor and Spike had already taken Angel and Cordelia downstairs. Dr. Martin and Hunter hurried downstairs and prepared to repair the damage done to Angel. They were going to have to work fast once they took the spike out of Angels chest. If his heart beat to many times before they were able to repair the tears to the artery Angel could suffer irreparable brain damage because of a lack of oxygen rich blood flowing to his brain.

Ever since Angel had started to become fully human again he didn't heal as fast as he used to and any damage that he suffered caused more pain then what he was used to. The length of time that it took him to heal afterward had increased also. One thing remained the same though. One was that he still could not die unless he had a stake through his heart, his head was decapitated, or his body caught fire from external means or through exposure to the sun.

Dr. Martin, Hunter and Spike talked about how they were going to handle separating Cordelia's hand from Angel. They decided that Spike would take care of Cordelia and Hunter would assist Dr. Martin. Willow came in to help Spike and Giles helped Dr. Martin and Hunter. They cut into Angels chest around the spike as best they could without moving Cordelia's hand to much. They waited for his heart to beat again then quickly removed the spike then Spike picked up Cordelia and moved her to the other bed. Dr. Martin and Hunter worked fast to sew up the artery then waited for his heart to beat again. Within the next minute he took in a breath of air and his heart pumped the oxygen rich blood thru the artery. They watched for any sign of leakage from the sutures. There didn't seem to be any. Dr. Martin told Hunter to use gauze to soak up as much of the blood as possible. She then ran a small stream of water over the area and they used more gauze to soak up the water and blood so she could check for damage any place else. They waited for another 2 minutes then Angel took in another breath of air and his heart pumped the blood again. She couldn't see any blood coming from either the sutures or anywhere else in the area. Dr. Martin took the rib spreader out and repositioned the ribs.

Dr. Martin started to take wire to hold the ribs in their correct position. "I don't think you need those with Angel Mary. His ribs should go back into their correct position by themselves." "Well that's another advantage over poor Wesley that he has. Did you hear what Kathleen calls Wesley?" "No, I was there when she started to say Daddy and Mommy but I didn't hear about anyone else." Hunter said. "She couldn't say Wesley so she said Wesey. It's funny how children can give people new names and those names stick with that person in the family. Can you finish closing him up and I'll check on Cordelia and Spike." "Yes go ahead Giles and I can handle it from here." Hunter said as she took over Dr. Martins position and Giles took Hunters.

Dr. Martin went over to see if Spike needed her help. "Do you need any help Spike?" "No we're about done. She isn't going to be able to use this hand for two to three months but I think it will be okay. The spike pretty much pushed everything to the side and only broke two bones. I haven't had a chance to check her head wound to see how bad it is." "Okay I'll check that." Dr. Martin put another towel underneath Cordelia's head and grabbed a container and filled it with water to clean the area where Mr. Price hit her.

"I don't see any bone showing thru and the cut isn't too deep. We'll just have to wait until she wakes up. I won't start worrying until this afternoon. If she hasn't come around by 12 noon then well take her into the hospital for tests. I'm going to check Angels head."

Dr. Martin cleaned Angels head and found it to be in the same condition. She pressed lightly on the point of contact, the bone gave just fractionally. What ever Mr. Price used to hit him didn't break the skin but did dent his skull. She decided to bandage his head to give it some padding and protection from the area being touched again.

When Hunter was done she started replacing the blood that Angel had lost during the operation. Hunter looked at Dr. Martin. She could see that she was dead tired.

"Giles why don't you take her to her room and put her to bed. We'll take Angel and Cordelia and put them in their own bed in a few minutes. I'll watch over them Mary until they wake up. We don't want Wesley getting upset over this so I am going to make up a story and give him something to make him sleep. Okay?" "That is a good idea Hunter. I know you'll take good care of my babies." Giles caught her as she collapsed. He looked at Hunter as he picked her up in his arms. "She is just exhausted Giles she needs rest. Try making her stay in bed as long as possible tomorrow morning okay." "Now you know that is going to be impossible." Giles gave Hunter a look as though to say 'Don't be ridiculous.'

Giles took his wife upstairs and Spike took Cordelia and put her back in her bed. They both went back downstairs and helped Gunn take Angel upstairs. After they put him in his own bed Hunter hooked him up to a bag of blood again. She remained with them throughout the rest of the night and into the afternoon until they both woke up. Cordelia woke up first.

Cordelia looked around and saw Hunter sleeping on the chair that she had brought over to the side of the bed. Hunter's Vampire hearing woke her up. She quickly went over to Cordelia's side of the bed.

"Hunter, what are you doing in here?" She tried to move her left hand to push her hair back. Her eyes grew wide when she felt the pain in her left hand and raised it up to look at it. "What happened to me?" Cordelia started to get up to check on Kathleen.

Hunter pushed her back down on the bed. "Cordelia calm down Kathleen is okay she is just sleeping right now." Cordelia looked over at Angel and saw the bulky bandage over his chest. "Oh my God what happened to Angel?" Hunter raised her voice in order to get through to Cordelia's rising panic.

"Cordelia if you don't get control of yourself I am going to give you a tranquilizer that will put you to sleep until next week. Now lay down and calm down." Cordelia laid back down cradled her hand and looked at Hunter.

"Now I don't want you to say or do anything until I stop talking, all right?" Cordelia just nodded her okay.

"Early this morning around 3 A.M. we all heard Toby fighting with someone. When we came in we saw that Toby had Wesley's father on the floor in front of Kathleen's crib, he was standing over him and growling. Spike went over to the crib and checked on Kathleen. She was okay but next to her was a wooden spike and a mallet on the floor right by Mr. Prices hand. He was obviously trying to kill her when Toby stopped him. You should have seen him Cordelia he had Mr. Price on the floor and was standing over him when we all came in. Toby saved Kathleen. Anyway when Spike checked on you and Angel he found you with your hand on top of Angels chest just fractionally above his heart. Mr. Price apparently tried to kill Angel but you must have moved your hand just before he struck the spike. So instead of putting the stake through Angels heart he drove the spike through your hand and through to Angels chest and through one of the arteries. We had to take both of you down to the clinic without separating you. If we had removed the spike before, Angel could've had brain damage from the lack of blood. If this had happened as little as a year ago he would have been okay but since he is becoming more human we didn't want to take the chance. So there you have it. Angel will be okay in one to two weeks and you will be okay in two to three months. The spike broke two of the bones in your hand but Spike was able to repair it and he thinks you will be okay. He said you'll probably be stiff but with a little therapy you should be fine."

"Where is Mr. Price?" "I gave him a sedative and he has been quiet. Apparently Mr. Price has had a nervous breakdown of some kind. It seems that he just couldn't except the changes that have taken place with Angel, myself and Spike. He tried to kill Kathleen because he saw her as demon spawn."

"Where is Mom?" "Dr. Martin is sleeping. Cordelia she broke down crying when she saw how close all of you came to dying. After she checked on both of you she picked up Kathleen and just rocked her and hugged her. She started crying real hard. We could see her whole body shaking she was crying so hard. When Giles went to her she told him that none of you should die before she does. She was able to control herself for long enough to repair the artery in Angels chest. Then she checked on you. When she felt you two were okay she collapsed. Fortunately Giles was behind her and he caught her. I told him that she just needed to sleep and he was to make her stay in bed and rest for as long as possible. We were going to send Wesley's parents back to England but Dr. Martin told us to keep him here until she had time to talk to him. Dr. Mary Tares Martin is one in a million Cordelia. You are very lucky to have her as part of your family. Angel is going to be out of it probably until tomorrow I want you to try to get some more sleep. Are you hungry?" "Yes but I think I will just sleep for now. Would you wake me when Angel wakes up?" "Yes I promise." Cordelia laid back down and turned towards Angel, wrapped her arm around his and went back to sleep. Hunter went back to her chair and picked up the book that she had been reading before she fell asleep.

"Hunter." "Yes Cordelia." "Does Wesley know what happened?" "No, I gave him something to make him sleep for a good eight hours." "Good because he is going to take this real hard. Oh and Hunter please don't tell Angel what happened to Kathleen. He might do something that he will regret later." "Don't worry Cordelia Mary said that she would talk to both Angel and Wesley after she got a chance to talk with Mr. Price. Go back to sleep now." Cordelia closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Later that night Angel started to stir in his sleep. He was dreaming of being in Spain during the running of the Bulls. He was running with the rest of the men when he ran down one side street and a large bull came after him. It was raining and he could hear the water falling from the roofs and down the sides and to the streets below. The bull had him cornered at a dead end. He looked at Angel and charged. At the last second Angel moved to the side, grabbed the bulls head and twisted it until it went down. He put his Vampire features on and bit into the bulls neck. He was famished so he drank and drank deeply. Angel woke up with a start. He had a powerful urge to pee and he was hungry.

He looked around and saw Hunter. Angel tried to get up but his chest hurt him. He put his hand to his chest and felt a large bandage. He looked to Hunter who was sleeping. "Hunter, Hunter wake up." He said softly. Hunter woke up and put her hand on his arm. "Angel how do you feel?" "Before I ask any questions I have an overwhelming urge to pee and then I am starving."

Hunter got up and helped Angel to sit up. He was weak but already he had healed enough so that he could make it to his bathroom. "Do you need me to come in with you?" Hunter asked with a slight grin on her face. "No I think I can make it myself thank you." She walked him into the bathroom until he could hold onto the counter. She lifted the toilet seat for him then left and stood at the door. "Remember now Angel, you pee 'INTO THE TOILET' not around it but in it." She said with a mischievous grin.

"Yes Hunter thank you."

When he was done Angel opened the door and turned the light off. He immediately reached for Hunters shoulder. She started to guide him back to the bed. "I want to sit at my favorite chair." Angel said as he turned her and started for the chair. He sat down heavily. "What would you like Angel?" "I want a large glass of blood and a sandwich. I am so hungry I was dreaming I was eating a bull."

Hunter warmed up a large mug of blood and made a sandwich for Angel, Cordelia and herself. She put two glasses of Diet Cola on the coffee table and sandwiches for all three of them along with the mugs of blood for herself and Angel. She went to wake up Cordelia then.

Hunter shook Cordelia's shoulder gently. "Cordelia wake up. Angel has awakened and is sitting up at his chair. I've made some food for everyone. Do you want to go to the bathroom first before you join us?" "Yes I think I better." She let Hunter help her up. She was a little dizzy as she sat up, Hunter made her sit for a while. "Do you feel okay now?" "Yes I think so." Cordelia stood up and Hunter held onto her as she helped her to the bathroom. She let her go when she reached for the counter and waited outside.

After 10 minutes Cordelia came out but now she was able to walk on her own. She went to the crib and checked on her daughter. Kathleen was awake and happy to see her mother. She reached up and Cordelia picked her up. She was too weak to pick her up though and almost dropped her. "Hunter would you pick her up for me. I almost dropped her when I picked her up. I need to nurse her, my breasts are so full that they're hurting." Hunter picked Kathleen up and let Cordelia hold onto her arm as she walked over to the couch. Cordelia got comfortable then reached for Kathleen. As soon as she put her to her breast Kathleen started suckling hungrily. Hunter had run out of the milk that Cordelia had in the refrigerator from when she had used a breast pump two days before.

"Let me get you some of the regular Coke Cordelia. You need the sugar right now. While your feeding Kathleen try eating your sandwich also or your going to be too weak." "Here I'll help you I've eaten and feel stronger now." Angel said as he went to the side of the couch and handed Cordelia the sandwich.

While Angel helped Cordelia Hunter was on the phone and calling Dr. Martin. "They're awake Mary. ...No I haven't given them any information yet. Okay bye." Hunter dialed another number. "Hi Gunn this is Hunter. Dr. Martin would like for you to help Wesley come over to Angels room. Bring Fred also. Thanks, bye." Next call was to Connor. She told him to come down to his fathers room and it was okay to bring Toby, the Hero. She laughed at something Connor said then hung up the phone and went back to sit on the floor in front of the coffee table and ate her sandwich. Her blood was cold though so she had to get up again and warm it up.

By the time Hunter was done warming her mug of blood up and sat down again everyone started coming in. Connor was first with Toby. Toby came running over to Angel and almost jumped in his lap when he put his breaks on, he sensed that something was wrong with him. He went over to him more slowly then and sniffed at his chest. He didn't like the smell of the Betadyne on him though and started sneezing. So he went over to Cordelia and Kathleen. He tried licking Kathleen's face but Kathleen was at her mothers breast and Kathleen saw his intrusion as his attempt to get the milk that she wanted so she pushed him away and Connor called him to sit by him.

Gunn came in with Wesley and Fred then. Cordelia sat up so that they could sit down on the couch. Fred sat next to Cordelia and Wesley sat next to her. Wesley looked at Angel chest and Cordelia's hand. "What happened to you two." "I don't know we haven't been told yet. I think Mom will be explaining everything that's why she wanted all of us in here." Angel sat back into his chair since Cordelia finished her sandwich. He looked at Wesley and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Wesley asked. "I was just thinking of something that young children say."

"What's that?" Wesley asked. Angel bent forward and pulled the edge of the bandage away a little. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." "You dirty guy you." Wesley said. Everyone cracked up. Dr. Martin walked in with Giles at just the right time. "Who is showing what to whom?"

"I was just thinking of what children say and I thought it fit our situation right now."

"Okay Wesley and Angel I am going to tell you what happened last night. Angel you and Cordelia don't know what happened because you were sleeping when you were attacked. Wesley you don't know what happened because we didn't think it would be good for you to get to worked up at the time so Hunter gave you a sedative to make you sleep." "Why do you think that I would get upset at what happened?" "Wesley calm down your already starting to get to excited. I can hear your heart starting to beat faster." Hunter said. Wesley took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

"Okay this is what happened. Angel Mr. Price, Wesley's father came in your room early this morning and attempted to kill you and your daughter." Angel stood up a little too fast and almost past out on the coffee table. Dr. Martin pushed him back into his chair. "That should teach you now lets not get excited until you've heard me out." Angel took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Okay I'm calm I promise not to do or say anything."

"As I was saying, fortunately for you Angel Cordelia had her left hand on your chest and apparently at the last split second she moved her hand up your chest just a fraction as Mr. Price was about to hit the spike with the mallet. That fractional movement saved your life and the spike went through Cordelia's hand and into the artery that comes from your heart and up to your brain. Neither one of you responded because he had hit you both on the head first just to make sure you didn't wake and stop him. After he drove the spike into you Angel he went to Kathleen's crib with another spike. He was about to kill Kathleen when her playmate and hero came in and saved her." "Who was her hero?" Angel asked. "Her hero was Toby. He came in and apparently sensed that Mr. Price was going to hurt Kathleen and he attacked him and had him on the floor when Connor came in."

Angel sat forward and called to Toby. Toby looked to Connor to see if it was okay to go since Connor had given him the order to come and sit by him. Connor gave him the okay and Toby went to Angel. Angel sat back in his chair and patted his leg so Toby would stand up against his leg. Angel patted his head and rubbed his ears then hugged him. "I thank God for the day he led me to you Toby." Angel had tears falling when he let Toby go.

"I already promised him the biggest steak I can possibly find and a bone that will be so big that it will take him a week to chew it down." Dr. Martin said.

Cordelia had changed Kathleen to her other breast so her head was close to the end of the couch where Toby could reach her. When Angel let him go he went over to Kathleen and started to lick her hair and ear. When he was sure that his playmate was okay he went back to Connor.

"Where is Mr. Price now?" "He's in his room. Willow put a spell on the room so that it won't allow him out. I talked to your father this morning Wesley he just can't except the changes that have taken place with Angel, Spike and Hunter. He believes Kathleen is a demon also and he decided that the only way to make us see the truth of what they are was to kill them. After he was done killing Angel and Kathleen he was going to go after Spike and Hunter. Your father has a very harsh way of looking at Vampires and demons. He believes that once a Vampire always a human killing blood sucking Vampire and the same goes for demons. He refuses to believe that Angel could have possibly fathered Connor and Kathleen. I explained to him the medical proof of Angels ability to produce children. I even showed him the readout from the heart monitor. For a while I think he was beginning to believe me. Your mother certainly does. But then it was like his own personnel demon took over and he said it was all witch craft that Angel used to produce these results. Giles said it is harder for your father to except what we now know to be true because he has been doing the work for so long and what they were taught back in your fathers day was taught in such a way that they were practically being taught the gospel truth. I think Wesley that it will just be impossible for him to come here again. In his heart and mind I think that he understands and knows that what I have told him is true. He especially believes it because of my background as a former nun.

Wesley if you choose to go and see him do not argue with him. I think that if we push him to far then he will break. I have seen patients before that has been shown something that they don't want to believe and when they are forced to accept it as reality then they retreat into themselves. I think it would be better to just send him home. Don't force him to talk about what he did okay?"

"Yes I'll be careful. Angel I am very sorry for what happened and I apologize to both you and Cordelia. If he had been successful in killing you and Kathleen I think I would have killed him myself." Wesley said. Angel looked at Wesley and saw it in his face that he meant every word he said.

Angel came over and sat on the coffee table across from Wesley. "Wesley don't say that. I wouldn't want you to suffer what I have. Their isn't a day that goes by that Angelus doesn't remind me that I killed my father so willingly. Tell him that I forgive him for trying to kill me. If he had been successful in killing my daughter though I would have done something that I haven't done in many years. I would have sired my first Vampire since World War II and I would have done it because I know that it would have made his suffering last for many years to come. But thanks to God and Toby she is safe once again in her mothers arms. I think my boss knew that losing Kathleen would have been to much for me and I would have failed miserably." Angel stood up then and so did Wesley. Angel and Wesley did something very unmacho and hugged each other.

He pulled away from Wesley then and said 'You show me yours and I'll show you mine.' They both opened their robes and Wesley pulled the light bandage off that Hunter had put on. He showed the long incision that the doctors had made on him. It went from the upper part of his left side then down to the middle and a little to the side. Angel pulled his bandage off and showed a healing wound that was only one third the length of Wesley's. Wesley pointed at the small incision on Angel. "Hah! What a wimp that's not much more then a scratch. Now mine, mine is a surgical scar and I have the one on my back plus they went in a second time through the front one." Cordelia looked at the other women and said 'Men can find pride in the smallest things.'

Dr. Martin stood up then. "Wesley you should go and see your Father and Mother now. I'll tell Willow to make the reservations with the first flight out to England." Wesley nodded then helped Fred to get up and they went out of the door. Before going to his parents room though Wesley wanted to take a shower and get dressed. Since he was still having a hard time bending over he asked Cylindia to help him.

After everyone left Dr. Martin stayed behind. Angel went to his bed along with Cordelia and Kathleen. Dr. Martin noticed that Cordelia wouldn't put her daughter down in her crib or let anyone else hold her. She put Kathleen between Angel and herself.

"You know Cordelia, you won't be able to keep her safe 100 of the time. She is getting very close to walking and when that happens she will fight you all the time trying to get out of your grasp so that she could start exploring." Dr. Martin said. She knew how Cordelia felt, she had wanted to do the same thing with the children that came into the clinic that the Sisters ran. Sometimes small children were brought in with bullet wounds from drive by shootings or with broken bones from fathers that came home drunk and took all of their problems out on the oldest male child. All she could really do though is patch them up and pray that their suffering would soon end.

Cordelia looked at Dr. Martin with tears in her eyes. "I know Mom but allow me this small allusion just for awhile." "Okay Cordelia but when you finally want to let go I get first dibs." "Okay Mom I promise. Goodnight." Dr. Martin sat down next to Angel. He reached for her hand and held onto it for awhile.

"Angel you did real good tonight. I am very proud of you. If your not careful I am going to have to give you my psychiatrist hat and your going to allow me to retire." Angel smiled at first then he was quiet for a while. He ran his hand up and down her arm while he was thinking.

"Mom do you think my boss was pleased with the way I responded today?" "Yes he most certainly is." "I am afraid that he is angry with me because of what I said about what I would of done if Mr. Price had killed Kathleen." "Angel God only lets things happen that he knows we can handle. He knew that Kathleen's death would be more than you could handle."

"You better go now Mom or Giles will be coming after you. I know that you've been very tired lately so go to bed okay?" "Yes dear, goodnight." Kathleen was sitting up and looking at her Grandmother. Dr. Martin picked her up. "I am so happy that you are still with us little one. I don't know what would of happen to all of us if we had lost you. I think that I would have died if I had lost all of you." Dr. Martin couldn't control herself anymore. She started crying and Angel sat up and hugged her to his chest. Cordelia moved closer also and hugged her. Poor Kathleen was being squished between all of them so she let out a cry. They all separated and looked down at her. "I'm sorry baby. We almost squished you between us. Grandmas sorry. Can you say Grandma?" Kathleen looked at her then turned away and Dr. Martin gave her back to Cordelia.

"Well I guess we can try it tomorrow Kathleen, Good night." Dr. Martin turned to leave when she heard Kathleen say something. "Gama." Dr. Martin turned around and was wearing a big smile then she left and they could hear her running down to her room to tell Giles that Kathleen had called her Gama. Poor Angel and Cordelia didn't get to go to sleep right away because Kathleen didn't feel like going to sleep.

When Wesley was ready Fred went with him down to his parents room. He knocked on the door. He had already called Willow to remove the spell so that he could go in and out. His mother opened the door. Wesley bent forward and gave his mother a kiss. "Good evening mother." "Good evening Wesley. How are you doing today?" "Much better and Angel and Cordelia are doing okay also in case you were wondering."

Wesley went over to the kitchen table where his father was sitting while having some tea. He was dressed in his usual clothes. "How are you doing this evening father? I hope your not too disappointed that Angel and his daughter are still alive." Wesley didn't say anything else for a while he wanted to see if his father would offer any sign of regret for what he had done.

"If you think I am going to say I am sorry for what I did you're sadly mistaken. I was only attempting to dispatch a Vampire and its progeny. I am only sorry that I wasn't successful."

"Father I want you to know that Angel has forgiven you for trying to kill him. He has also said that if you had been successful in killing his daughter he would have done something that he hasn't done since World War II. Do you know what that was Father?" "All records of Angelus during World War II show that he went underground for the duration and there is no recorded activity."

"That's partly true because he did do something before he went underground. He performed a secret mission for the government. There was a German submarine that they had lost contact with. They found it way below the surface of the ocean it had sunk because it's diesel engine had stopped working. The United States government knew what the cargo was that they were carrying. It was a secret payload of demons and Vampires that they were going to try to use during the war. Angel was approached by a group of men that knew what he was and that he could stay underwater for an extended period. They forced him to go down to the submarine and perform a rescue. What he found was the payload had escaped and had killed the majority of the sailors. Only a handful of men were still alive when he got there. One of the men was a young lieutenant that knew how to run the diesel engine. During a scuffle for the control of the sub the lieutenant was shot and was close to death. The only way to save the humans that were left was to get the engine running again or else they would soon die from lack of oxygen. Angel chose to turn the young lieutenant so that he could fix the engine and save the rest of the crew. That was the last time that he did that Father but he said he would do it again to you so that you could learn what it was like to live as he has had to live. Worst of all Father you would have been reminded for the rest of your existence on this earth that you killed an innocent baby for no reason."

"That's ridiculous I wouldn't know anything or control myself since a demon would be in control." "Father with Willows help Angel has given 3 Vampires their soul back. Willow is the one that, with Giles help, has interpreted the curse that gave Angels soul back to him. Jenny Calender was a teacher at Sunnydale High School and a member of the family that cursed Angel so many years ago. Before she could use the spell to give him his soul back again Angelus killed her. Willow found the spell on a diskette and they used it to return his soul. I am sure you know the rest from the Watchers Chronicles. He was going to do the same thing to you."

Wesley was getting tired. He leaned back on the couch and rested his head. His mother went to his side. "You should go back to your bed and rest Wesley." "Do you have any orange juice or Cola in your refrigerator. I think my blood sugar is a little low right now. I haven't been eating very well lately." "Yes dear we have some root beer and some orange juice. Which one do you want." "Root beer please." Wesley answered. "No Mrs. Price he will have the orange juice. You don't need the sugar rush Wesley." "Yes dear." Wesley said, he didn't feel like he had the energy to argue. His mother brought him a glass of orange juice and while he was drinking it Giles knocked at the door and Felicity let him in.

"Good evening Mrs. Price." "Please Rupert I think we have known each other long enough to call each other by our first names." "Okay Felicity I just came by to let you know that Willow was able to get you and Roger 2 first class tickets on the next flight to England which will be at 6 A.M. in the morning. We will have to leave here by 4 A.M.. Felicity Angel asked me to send you down to his suite of rooms. Wesley if you would like to leave now and go to Angels room you can and I will stay here with your Father."

Wesley stood up carefully, he felt better after having the orange juice. He looked at his Father.

"Father I am truly sorry that we have to part like this. As my father I love you but you've been so cruel to me and to mother for so long that you've beaten my love for you until it's in a very small corner of my heart. I don't feel anything for you anymore at least I can't find the feeling anymore. I haven't replaced my love for you with hate but I am angry with you for not letting me love you. Unless Mother dies before you do I most likely won't see you again. And don't prevent Mother from coming here when my children are born or I will come and get her myself. Good bye Father." Wesley turned then and left along with Fred.

Giles came and sat down after Wesley and Fred left. He made sure that the door was closed before sitting down. If the door was not properly shut then the spell would not work properly and Mr. Price could get out if he wanted to. Giles didn't say anything as he took his seat. Mr. Price stared out at the city lights through the opened french doors.

"Why is the patio screened off along with metal bars? Is this where you put all of your prisoners?" "No of course not Roger. When Cordelia was pregnant they had all of the hotel redone to make it safe for children. Lead paint was removed. All of the hotel was made child proof along with the kitchen being rebuilt and the clinic being created. Those that wanted a larger suite of rooms had there rooms extended into the next rooms and everyone kind of moved over. They did this because the place is going to be filled with children within the next several years. Through Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, who is Angels guardian angel has told everyone what they will be doing the rest of their life. The instructions have even included Wesley's instructions as to when he will die. Wesley will be the last to die of the original Angel Investigation group. His job will be to make sure that all of the children go to school and take the proper classes to do their assigned tasks. Fred will be the one to choose the children to take over certain tasks. Angels children of course already have their assigned tasks. Connor will take over from Angel as the leader of Angel Investigation, Kathleen will take over Cordelia and Willows place. We have been told that Cordelia will have twin boys sometime within the next five years or so. These boys will be taught to work with Connor and trained to take over from him if something should happen to him. Among the other children Fred will choose which ones go to school to take over from Wesley and Gunn. She will also choose the ones that will take over from my Mary. The ones that take over from her will have the most schooling to go through.

So you see Roger when you tried killing Angel and Kathleen you were going against Gods orders. Angel is Gods champion in this world but strictly for the night."

"Do you think that Angel would possibly let me stay a little longer?" Mr. Price asked. Giles was shocked that Roger was actually questioning his own actions.

"No Roger, Angel has already told Willow that he wanted you out of the hotel as soon as possible. He has made it clear that Felicity could stay if she wanted to but you must leave. He just can't take the chance that you would try to complete what you started. He isn't that concerned with himself he is just trying to make sure that you aren't given the opportunity to kill Kathleen again. As the head of the Watchers Council Roger I am removing you from the Watchers Council. I have already notified personnel that you are to be offered early retirement. I want the younger people coming into the Watchers Council to have a more open mind and compassion for those that they are assigned to watch and teach as with the Slayers. I can't have you passing on your way of looking at things' Roger." Roger Price just continued to stare out at the lights of the night. One tear fell down his face and that was the only physical reaction that he gave to Giles news. Roger Price had lived by two rules all of his life. His father had followed the same rules throughout his life. 'Never say you're sorry and never admit to a mistake.' Even though Roger hated his father for the way he treated his mother he still followed those same rules.

"Why can't we learn from our fathers mistakes Rupert?" "I don't know Roger. If you try maybe you can at least try to make up for all of the damage you have already done with Felicity. You've lost your son Roger but you still have your wife make the best of your remaining years together." Mr. Price didn't say anymore after that. Giles and Mr. Price spent the rest of the time in silence. Roger Price had a lot to think about.

Felicity knocked at Angel's bedroom door. "Come in Mrs. Price." Angel said. He had put some clothes on while waiting for Mrs. Price. "Come in Mrs. Price and have a seat." Angel pulled out one of the kitchen table chairs for her and she sat down sedately. Angel had liked Felicity from the moment he saw her. She reminded him of the women of his time before he was turned.

"Can I get anything for you, tea or coffee?" "No thank you Angel Giles has told us that we have to leave by 4 A.M. so I have to be able to sleep tonight." "I am truly sorry Mrs. Price that you have to go. It isn't really you that I need out of the hotel it's your husband. I am sure that you understand that I can't afford to expose my daughter to the danger that your husband presents." "Yes Angel I understand completely. You don't need to explain anything."

"You know Felicity I meant what I said. I do love Wesley like a brother. He has been working with Cordelia and I since almost the beginning of Angel Investigations. I trust him so much that I have put the care of my family in his hands if anything should happen to me. Wesley's worth to us Mrs. Price is not quantifiable. I can't tell you how many times he has saved me. He has even willingly given me his own blood in order for me to continue. I don't know if you know this or not but I get very weak if I go too long without drinking blood. On a number of occasions I have been in a situation that put me in a weakened condition. On those occasions Wesley has actually cut his arm and offered me his own blood. It's because of this that I see him as my brother. It's out of respect for Wesley that I have spared your husband. He was very lucky Mrs. Price that it was Toby that stopped him from killing my daughter instead of Connor or myself.

I am going to ask you one more time Mrs. Price. Please stay a little longer so that you can visit with your son. I know that he misses you and my mother loves having a woman nearer her own age that she can talk to."

"Thank you Angel for the offer but I must be with my husband. I am sure you will agree that just as Cordelia stands with you no matter what you have done I must stand with my husband. Truths have been pointed out to him that he has to deal with now. I can only hope and pray that all that has happened will help to make him a better man."

Cordelia had been sitting at the table with them. She had been holding onto Kathleen all of the time.

"Cordelia may I hold Kathleen for a few minutes?" Felicity asked.

Cordelia looked to Angel. He nodded a yes to her then she reluctantly gave Kathleen to Felicity.

Felicity took her carefully into her arms. She talked to Kathleen as though she could understand everything she said. Kathleen giggled and reached up to Felicity's hair. It was white with age and Felicity kept it short. "Are you starting to wean her now? I can see her front teeth starting to show through." "Yes she is starting to bite down on my nipple and she can sure bite down hard for a little rug rat." Cordelia said as she rubbed her breast.

"Wesley did the same thing to me. The first time he did it I screamed and his Father came running from his office. When I told him what happened all he did was take Wesley from me tossed him in the air and said 'that's my little man already practicing'. Wesley just giggled at him.

"Angel I know it doesn't seem like it but when Wesley was young his father was very proud of him and bragged to his colleagues how smart his son was. Roger loves Wesley very much he just doesn't know how to express himself to our son. His father treated him the same way and that is all Roger knows. I think though that with Mary's help and direction all of you men will be good fathers."

Felicity gave Kathleen back to her mother then got up and pushed her chair back underneath the table. "I think I had better go and try to get some sleep. Thank you Angel and Cordelia for letting us stay here I am truly sorry that Roger did what he did. I think that it will be on his conscience for the rest of his life. Good night and good bye." She gave each of them a kiss on their forehead then turned and left.

"I feel sorry for her that she has to live with such a man. Most of all I feel sorry for Wesley that his mother will never be able to see her grandchildren grow up. She is a very nice lady. Lets go to bed Angel I'm tired. First though since I can't use my left hand your daughter needs you to change her." Cordelia held Kathleen out for Angel to take. She wore the sweetest smile that she could conjure up.

Angel looked at her. "I think I know who is going to get the better part of the deal here. Common my little princess." Angel took Kathleen from Cordelia and quickly changed her. They all went to bed then. Kathleen was in seventh heaven because she was getting to sleep between her Mommy and Daddy.

The next morning, just as she did every morning, Kathleen woke her parents up except this time she was right by them. Angel was sleeping on his stomach so Kathleen grabbed at his hair and pulled. "Daddy, daddy, daddy." Angel turned his head toward her. Angel tried reaching out for her mind. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Kathleen looked at him. She could feel him reaching out for her then a picture appeared in her mind. It was her Mommy, Angel pictured Kathleen putting her hands up on her mommy's back and putting her head down on it.

"Tell Mommy 'Wake up Mommy, wake up'." Angel told his daughter. Kathleen tried saying it but all that came out was 'Mommy up, Mommy up.' Cordelia turned her head towards her daughter. "What do you want you little Rug Rat." "Mommy up." "Tell Daddy Mommy's hand hurts." This went on back and forth for a while until Angel finally conceded defeat and got up and took his daughter into the bathroom to give her a bath. Fifteen minutes later Cordelia came in. "Are you done giving her a bath?" "Yes our little princess is all nice and clean again." "Okay let me take her and put a diaper on her. Then we will be back and I'll join you then you can help me bathe since I can't let my hand get wet."

Cordelia was back in a few minutes. She closed the bathroom door and put Kathleen down on the floor. Angel had warmed the water up with some more hot water. Cordelia slid in between Angels legs. She sank below the water so her hair could get wet. When she came up Angel washed her hair for her and helped her to finish washing the rest of her body. Kathleen was keeping herself busy with a plastic container that Cordelia had put some Cheerios in. She was a very persistent little girl. Both Cordelia and Angel noticed how she didn't get mad because she couldn't open the container she just kept working at it.

Angel could hear others in the Hotel starting to get up while they were getting themselves and Kathleen dressed. "Are you ready yet, do you need some help getting dressed?" Angel asked after he finished dressing his daughter and himself. "Yes, I can pull things up or down but I can't fasten or zip." Cordelia turned and looked at Angel. She had a frustrated look on her face and only one word. "Please?"

Angels heart melted when he looked at her so helpless. "My poor baby let me help you." He pulled, zipped, fastened and buttoned her clothes then he brushed her hair and put it into a pony tail for now.

"Lets go and perform our morning ritual before anyone else gets up." Angel picked up Kathleen and put her on his shoulders after they went out of the door. She thought the whole thing was pretty funny. She liked being up so high when usually she was the one that was closest to the floor. They went down stairs and Angel took the high chair outside while Cordelia started the coffee maker and pulled out some English biscuits for Kathleen to chew on until they were done.

Angel pulled a couple of chairs together and Cordelia joined him so that they could pray the rosary together. Dr. Martin came out a minute later. "Do you mind if I join you?" "Sure Mom let me get you a chair." Angel pulled a chair over by theirs. When Dr. Martin sat down Angel went back to his own seat. Before they were able to start Connor, Wesley and Fred came down and interrupted them.

"Hey here you are. Can we join you?" Connor pulled over three more chairs for them to use and once again Angel started. As usual Angel lead the prayer and Cordelia read the mysteries.

Toby had come out with Connor and was keeping the ground clean where Kathleen's highchair was.

When they were done with the Rosary Cordelia stood up and pulled Angel along with her. They went to an area where the Sun was touching the cold concrete of the patio. Cordelia put her hand up with all of its bandages and splints. Angel took it carefully in his. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the stop watch. Angel didn't take his eyes off of hers.

"Okay here we go." Angel nodded okay. Cordelia watched their hands and she slowly pulled their hands into the sunlight and started the stop watch. One minute, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes. Angels hand began to hurt but he kept it in the sun light. Five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes, eight minutes. Angel could barely stand the pain. It was like having a million needles sticking his skin. Nine minutes, ten minutes.

Cordelia looked at her husbands hand. "Angel, Angel look at your hand. It isn't smoking." Angel was staring at his hand. He looked at Dr. Martin. It was then that he noticed everyone else was now on the patio also. He turned back to Cordelia then very slowly stepped further into the sunlight. He pulled his shirt off and stepped even further into the light until he was standing totally in the sunlight.

Cordelia turned to Dr. Martin and asked her to come over. Dr. Martin came over and looked at Angels hand. She had the biggest grin on her face as she took his hand in hers. "Mom, smell his skin." Dr. Martin put Angels hand to her nose and took in a deep breath. When she raised her head and looked at Angel she had tears falling down her cheeks. "Your skin smells of roses. Do you know what that means Angel?" He just stared at her and didn't say anything. Everyone came over to the sunlight.

"Angel people through out history that have suffered the Stigmata which is the marks of Jesus crucifixion have one singular distinctive smell associated with the marks of the crucifixion. That smell is immediate proof to the Church that the marks are from Christ. Angel that smell is the smell of roses.

Angel you have just been given your second gift from your Boss, as you call him. Congratulations." Angels mother kissed him and they hugged. They were both shedding tears of joy. Wesley came over to him and they hugged each other for a long time.

When they parted Angel went over to his daughter and picked her up from the highchair. He took Cordelia by the hand and he walked out into the sun light. He stared at his daughters face and Cordelia's. Angel ran his fingers around Cordelia's face and throat where her blouse was open. Then he looked at his daughter. She was squinting her eyes because she had the sun shining directly into her eyes.

Angel looked at Cordelia. "Our daughter has beautiful eyes. What the sisters said is true Cordelia. Now that I can see her in the sunlight I can truly say that we make beautiful babies together." Angel and Cordelia hugged and kissed and cried.

"We better take our beautiful daughter in before she starts to get sun burned." Cordelia told him. When Angel turned back to everyone he could see that they had all been crying tears of joy for him. Buffy came running to him and gave him a kiss and hug. "Congratulations Angel." Angel gave Cordelia Kathleen and he hugged everybody.

When he came to his mother again he stopped. "You knew that this was going to happen today didn't you?" "I had an idea but I wasn't 100 sure that it was going to be this. As you can guess I let everyone know. Lets go inside and have breakfast and I'll tell everyone a little story that is taken from my own life." Dr. Martin looked at Angel and could see the pain in his eyes. "It hurts to be in the sun doesn't it?" "Yes, it's like having needles poking my skin where ever the sun touches it." "I think but I don't know for sure Angel that this will be temporary. At least I hope so. I think it will lessen as your skin gets used to the sun." "Why, when I was Ireland and I had Hunters ring on it didn't bother me like this." "I am guessing but I think the ring protected you from this."

They all filed back into the Hotel. Dr. Martin wanted to cook this morning so she took over as the head cook and gave the orders as to what was to be done. Cordelia sat down with Angel and her daughter. Her wrapped hand made it difficult for her to do anything so she just sat down and waited for someone to bring in the food.

Dr. Martin had gone down stairs to the freezer and brought up a long package that also looked very heavy. She started up the indoor grill and opened the large package. It was the promised bone for Toby. It had chunks of meat still on it and by the looks of it the other ladies guessed that it was the upper rear leg bone of a cow. She also put three filet mignons on the grill. Willow had slices of bacon, sausages and ham on the griddle along with hash browns. Buffy, Tara, Fred, Cylindia, and Mrs. Burkle were setting the table and bringing out cream, sugar, sweetener, margarine and jelly and putting about three of everything on the table.

After only 15 minutes they were starting to bring the food in and putting it on the side boards. They were still serving the food buffet style. Dr. Martin brought Angel his filled plate over to him. "Thank you Mom." "It's my pleasure Angel. It's not every day that you get to walk out into the sun without the aid of a ring. Now what would you like me to make for our little Princes?"

"How about a scrambled egg and some apple sauce." Cordelia answered. "One scrambled egg and a cup of apple sauce coming up." Dr. Martin was back in a few minutes with Kathleen's food and her baby silverware along with a bottle of purified water for her cup.

While Cordelia was getting her breakfast Angel was eating his breakfast and feeding Kathleen at the same time. Kathleen kept reaching for Angels plate in between mouth fulls of scrambled eggs. Angel took a small amount of scrambled eggs on her baby fork and dipped it in the juice from the steak then gave it to his daughter. She gobbled it down and made it known that she wanted more.

Giles had come down after taking a nap. He had gotten up so early to take Mr. and Mrs. Price to the airport that he needed a little more sleep. Wesley waited for him to eat some of his breakfast before asking him any questions.

"Giles did my father say anything before he left?" "Yes Wesley he did. Angel Wesley's father wanted me to tell you and Wesley that he was sorry for what he did. He asked that you try to understand that he has lived with the knowledge that all demons and Vampires are evil. This lesson was read to him over and over again throughout his life. Now after 50 some years he is being told that this information was incorrect. He asks that you please forgive him and give him time to get used to the idea that Angel could possibly have a soul now and is fighting for his redemption and that you worked with him by choice." "That's all, he didn't say anything else?" Wesley asked hopefully. "No I'm sorry Wesley." Giles answered. He knew what Wesley was hoping for but he couldn't give him what he wanted.

"Thank you for everything that you have done for us Giles." "No thanks is necessary Wesley. Like I said I have plenty of experience with your father." They all finished their breakfast in silence. Kathleen was the next one to break the silence. She started crying when her Daddy didn't give her what she wanted.

Cordelia looked at her. She picked her up and checked her diaper then held her for a while. Angel picked up his glass of blood and took a big gulp. Dr. Martin was watching Kathleen and her response to Angel drinking his glass of blood. As soon as he put the glass down she noticed Kathleen reaching for the glass. When she didn't get what she wanted she tried reaching for her Father.

"Angel take her she seems to want to go to you." Cordelia let Kathleen go to Angel. Now that Kathleen was closer to what she wanted she tried reaching for the blood. Angel pulled it out of her reach though and this frustrated Kathleen even more. She started crying and grabbed Angels lips and dug her nails in. "Ow! You little Rug Rat. You hurt Daddy." Angel pulled her hands away from his mouth and in response she tried biting his hand. She tried getting her hands on the glass again.

"I think I know what she wants Angel. Cordelia would you put about 1 oz. of blood in her milk bottle, warm it up for a few seconds then give it to her." "But Mom that could be dangerous for her. Angelus protects me from any impurities in the blood but she doesn't have that protection." "Please Cordelia just do as I asked. If I thought she was in any danger I would not tell you to do it." "Okay Mom I trust you." Cordelia did as she said then gave the bottle to Angel to give to his daughter.

Angel had to hold on to his daughter and placed the bottle close to her mouth. She continued to cry and push Angel away until he squeezed the bottle a little so that some of the blood came out of the tip of the nipple. He placed it under her nose so she could smell it. That got her attention and she carefully took the nipple in her mouth. She was soon contentedly sucking on the bottle. Angel pulled it away from her mouth and she started crying until he gave it back to her. Everyone looked at Dr. Martin to explain.

"Remember when she was sucking on the inside of your uterus Cordelia and she was making you anemic?" "Yes, don't tell me she is remembering that and wants more." "I think the scent of Angels glass of blood got to her and she remembered wanting something. She doesn't remember what she did in the womb she just knows that she wants it and when she didn't get what she wanted she showed her fiery Irish temper that goes along with that red hair." Kathleen was done with the bottle and started demanding more. "Try nursing her now Cordelia. While she does that Angel put a little more blood into the bottle then give it to Cordelia." Angel did as his mother said and gave the bottle to Cordelia. "Pull her away from your breast Cordelia and offer her the bottle of blood and lets see what happens."

Cordelia did as Dr. Martin said. When she pulled Kathleen away from her breast she put the bottle to her mouth and made sure that some blood was on the tip of the bottles nipple. Kathleen tasted it then pushed her Mothers hand away and reached for her breast again. Dr. Martin had come over to their end of the table so she could see what happened. "There you go Angel and Cordelia. Your daughter is rebelling against you weaning her from breast milk. Her subconscious is remembering drinking blood from when she was in the womb. She remembers feeling contented when she drank that blood." "How am I ever going to wean her then. The little monster bites down on my nipple and it hurts." "Your just going to have to wean her more slowly. This is very traumatic for her, this is the final cord that will separate her from her mother. When you cut the umbilical cord Angel it was like cutting the chain that kept her inside her prison. She had freedom of movement but that's all. She was still tied to Cordelia emotionally. Every time a woman puts her baby to her breast the bond that they share is made stronger and stronger. It's something that can't ever be broken unless it's broken by the mother. Just take it more slowly Cordelia and she will be fine. When she bites down on your nipple punish her by taking it away from her. I used to keep water filled teething rings in the freezer when my son was teething. Give her one of those when her gums start hurting her."

Cordelia winced when Kathleen bit down on her nipple so she pulled her daughter away and closed up shop. She put Kathleen on the floor in the lobby so Toby could entertain her.

"So what are we going to do to celebrate your first day of being able to step out into the sun?"

Cordelia asked Angel. Angel didn't hear her because he was busy looking inside his shirt.

"What's the matter?" Cordelia reached out and poked a finger at Angels chest.

"Oww! Don't touch me it hurts." Angel cried out. Cordelia came closer to him and unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt and opened it.

"My goodness Angel you have a 2nd degree sunburn." Cordelia said as she pulled more of his shirt away. Spike came over and took a look. "She's right Dr. Martin he has a 2nd degree sunburn after only a few minutes in the sun." "Your not going to be able to stand to go in the sun until that heals Angel. After it heals I think you better try only a minute or two the first day then add on a minute each day." Cordelia turned to Dr. Martin. "Do you think that would be a good plan Mom?" "That sounds like a good plan. I have to pick up some supplies at the pharmacy so I'll pick up something for you to put on his chest Cordelia. If your lucky though Angel Cordelia will have a vision and Angelus will make you heal right away so both of you will get to fight."

"Yeah Cordelia we haven't had anything interesting happen around here in a while. I start school tomorrow so give us a good one around 5:30 tonight." Connor said. "Yeah and Buffy and I have to leave tonight also. I think 5:30 will be a good time." Spike added.

"What do you think this is a bar that you can just order up a poor soul to save with a fight on the side. I'll have a talk with the PTB and see what I can do for you. Right now I think it's time to clean the kitchen." Cordelia got up and started to pick up plates. Angel started to pick up plates also but what he was really doing is waiting for Cordelia to leave the room.

"Yeah you bad people what do you think my poor wife is a bar. I'm the only one that can belly up to the bar. You bad people you." Angel turned around with his load of dishes and almost ran into Cordelia. He just smiled, walked around her and continued on into the kitchen.

That night they got their wish. They all also got to see Toby in action for the first time.

TBC...