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?

15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Angel woke up early the next morning, it was Saturday and he wanted to go jogging to start building up his endurance. He put on some sweat pants and a t-shirt then went knocking on Connor's door. "Come in Dad." Angel opened the door and Toby came to him to greet him then went out the door to take care of his business. "I need to start jogging to build up my endurance. You want to go with me?" "Yeah, where are you going to go jogging?" "I don't know, do you have any suggestions?" "Yeah let's go to my school they have a big track and a lot of people go out there in the morning." "Okay, I'll be waiting for you down stairs." Angel said then left.

Connor was dressed in a sweat suit with both pants and jacket. "Let's go. We'll take my van since it has a school parking sticker on it." Connor and Angel headed for his van while Connor called Toby to come with him.

When they arrived at the track they did some stretching exercises to warm up before starting to run. There wasn't anyone else on the track yet so they had it all to themselves. They continued running at a set pace for 2 hours. Connor noticed how his father was breathing hard. Angel finally stopped running as they came to the benches by the entrance to the track. He lay on the ground and just concentrated on catching his breath. Connor could hear his fathers' heart beating fast. After about 15 minutes Angel's heart returned to its normal beat and he sat up.

"Well I think that was a pretty good start, don't you?" Angel asked his son while he played with Toby. "Not bad for a Vampire becoming human again." Connor said. They were quiet for awhile while they watched the track start to become busier. Some people were jogging at a leisurely pace as they had and others were actually running more than jogging, while others were beginning their warm up exercises.

"You know Dad I've been thinking about how Angel Investigations is going to continue on when my children can no longer lead it." "What do you mean?" "Well I've inherited many of your Vampiric abilities because both you and Mom were Vampires and my children should have the same abilities since both Lou and I have the same type of parentage. What about after though, do you think that there will be other children out there that will have the same type of parents?" "I don't know son but I wouldn't worry about it though. I would just leave it in Gods hands if I were you. I think He has everything under control, after all look how He provided a wife for you."

Connor was quiet for a while then his face broke out in a big grin. "Having Lou just within my grasp and knowing that I could take her if I wanted to makes me realize how poor Spike must have felt when he fell in love with Buffy. Sometimes when I'm watching her I get to wanting her so bad that it hurts." "I know what you mean. That's how I felt before I married Cordy and was able to make love to her. Sometimes I wondered if she knew how she made me feel. Women can be real sadistic sometimes you know. They know exactly what kind of affect they have on us since we can't always hide it."

"We better get going Dad, your starting to smoke." They both jumped up then and ran back to the van. Angel got in the back where he would be completely out of the sun light.

When they came in the back they saw everyone coming down for breakfast. They said good morning to everyone as they ran upstairs to take a quick shower. They came back down to join everyone just as Connie and her mother were bringing out the food. Cordelia had Angels mug of blood all ready and waiting for him. He was hungry after his morning run and drank all of the blood at once.

After everyone was done eating and was just sitting and drinking their morning coffee Cordelia thought now was just as good a time as any to break it to Angel that she was going to start putting Kathleen in her own bedroom. Before saying anything she put Kathleen down and told her to go play. She waited until she was out of ear shot.

"Uh Angel, I want to start putting Kathleen into her own bedroom today. Connie and I talked about it and she would like to put Junior into his own bedroom also so we are going to put them in the same room for now so they can keep each other company. We fixed up one of the bedrooms on the third floor for them so Connie and her husband will be right by them in case something happens. Then of course we're right below them."

Everyone was watching Angel to see how he would react. They all knew how he reacted when Cordelia had suggested it several months ago.

"Okay, I guess it's time." Angel looked like a little kid who has been told that his blanky was going to be taken away. "When did you want to let her know?" "Now is just as good a time as any. I talked to Mom about it and she said that she started with taking the crib apart then they took all of her son's toys to his new room. Taking the crib down showed him that there was no turning back because he didn't have anyplace to sleep in his mother and fathers room anymore." "Okay let's go while I still have my nerve." Angel said. He rose from his chair and called Kathleen.

As they walked past Dr. Martin she winked at Cordelia when she looked at her. After Angel was gone and they heard his door close Wesley said, "Well that went pretty good. At least he didn't start crying this time." They all laughed. They all knew that this was going to be harder on Angel than it was on Kathleen and Cordelia was going to have a battle on her hands.

When they arrived in their rooms Angel turned and looked at his daughter. "Well my dear little girl today is the day that you are no longer a baby but a big girl that will no longer sleep in your mommy and daddy's room." While talking to Kathleen Angel pulled out the tools he would need to dismantle the crib.

"Why can't I stay in here with you and Mommy?" "Because you're a big girl now and only babies get to sleep in a crib in their Mommy and Daddies room. Big girls get to have there own room. Junior is going to be in there with you so you will have each other to keep you company." "But I don't want my own room Daddy. Don't you love me anymore?" Cordelia could see that Angel was beginning to weaken so she stepped in.

"Mommy and Daddy still love you Kathleen it's just that you need to have your own room now so that Mommy and Daddy can have there own room. When everyone becomes big girls and boys they stop sleeping in their Mommy and Daddies room. Do you see Daddy still sleeping with Grandma and Grandpa?" "No, but that's because Daddy is big and I'm still little." Cordelia looked at Angel who was smiling at her. "I think she won that argument."

At the look on Cordelia's face Angel knew he should shut up and start taking the crib apart. When he was done and everything was leaning up against the wall Cordelia grabbed a couple of plastic trash bags and started putting toys and clothes into them. Kathleen was putting her toys into her little wagon that she had been given for Christmas. They all went upstairs then to show Kathleen her new room that she would be sharing with Junior for awhile. They put all the toys away on a set of shelves, hung clothes up in the closet and put clothes in the drawers. All of the shelves, close closet, and dresser drawers were all built to children size. The regular toilet had a safety lock on it and two potty chairs were lined up on one wall. All cleaning supplies and shampoos were behind child safety locked doors or drawers.

Kathleen had her side of the room painted in pink and white while Juniors was in blue and green. Kathleen's bed had a canopy with white drapes hanging around it. The bed itself had rails that went down from the head to just half way down the bed. When Angel looked at the size of the bedroom the first thing that went through his mind was 'Now Cordelia can't say that there isn't any room for the giant Teddy Bear'. While Angel and Cordelia were moving Kathleen into her new bedroom Connie and Joaquin were moving Junior in also. Before the adults left Cordelia turned on a monitor so that they could both watch and listen to anything that was going on in the room and the bathroom.

The had set up speakers and visual monitors in both Connie and Joaquin's bedroom, also in Cordelia and Angels bedroom and one in the kitchen. While the two children were busy playing with each others toys the adults made a quiet exit.

While Angel and Cordelia were busy with Kathleen Mike had told Mary that he needed to talk to her about Angel's medical condition. They went into the clinic and sat down at Mary's desk.

"I wanted to talk to you about one of the injuries that was inflicted on Angel."

Mike said. "You want to talk to me about the injury to his testicles?" "Yes, how did you know?" "When Angel came home and the first night he was chained up downstairs, Cordelia and I went down after everyone had gone to their bedrooms and gave Angel a bath and put clean clothes on him. Cordelia noticed the red mark that went down his groin and through his testicles. I checked them and I told Cordelia that I was pretty sure that Angels baby making days were over."

"Well after Angel had been able to get a good nights rest he told Cordelia that he wanted to see me and Hunter. When we went into his room he told us that he felt like his boys had been fried and were causing him a considerable amount of pain. I checked them out and came to the same conclusion you did. I told him that I could feel scar tissue in them and that most likely his baby making days were over. I also told him to take aspirin for the pain and that if they should continue to be painful that he would probably have to go to a urologist since I didn't specialize in male anatomy. I didn't say anything to him about what the lack of testosterone may do to the way he thinks. I wanted to discuss it with you as to what you think we should do. Do you think that we should just wait to see what happens or should we pursue this further?"

"What does Hunter think about the problem?" Dr. Martin asked. "She said that she has never had to deal with a problem like this. What she can't understand is why Angelus hasn't healed the scaring." "I wonder if the problem is that Angelus doesn't understand what the testicles provide and the affect it can have on how Angel thinks and responds in a dangerous situation. Angels days of being the Alpha male may be over if we can't get Angelus to heal his boys." Dr. Martin got up from her desk and walked around for awhile.

"I think what I need to do is talk to Angelus and find out why he hasn't taken care of the problem. I also want to know why Angel has seizures so frequently when he is sick. Before we go any further with this though I am going to contact one of the Urologists at the hospital and ask his opinion on it. To tell you the truth Mike I've never heard of anyone going into the testicles and removing scar tissue."

"Do you think that we should discuss this with Angel?" Mike asked. "Not yet. Let me talk to a specialist first. By any chance has Hunter heard Angel and Cordelia having sex?" "She hasn't said anything. I'll ask her and let you know." "Okay, in the mean time I am going to have a talk with Cordelia. It could be that she just doesn't feel like having sex right now." "My patients usually tell me that they don't want it very often, earlier than usual in their pregnancy, when they are carrying more than one baby so that may be the problem."

"Okay then I'll talk to you as soon as I have some information. Right now I am craving a Dairy Queen ice cream cone and I think I know where I can find a pregnant woman to join me. I'll see you later." Mike left to go and find Hunter and Dr. Martin took the elevator to the third floor where she knew Kathleen's parents were moving their daughter's things in.

Dr. Martin slowly walked over to Kathleen's room. When she arrived she knocked on the door. Kathleen called out like she had heard her parents do. "Come in Grandma." Dr. Martin opened the door. "How did you know it was me?" Kathleen pointed to her nose. "I smelled you Grandma." Angel and Cordelia looked at her with surprise.

"Am I your first official visitor to your own room?" Kathleen went to her grandmother and took her hand and directed her over to the large white rocking chair. "Here Grandma you can sit here in my rocking chair. Sit down at the table Mommy and Daddy." Angel had to hold onto Cordelia's hands while she sat down on the small child's seat. Angel had to go so far down that he almost fell over when he sat down on the tiny chair.

"Would you like something to drink everyone?" They all knew that Kathleen was imitating her mother. "Yes I would like to have some hot tea please." Dr. Martin said. "And what would you like Mommy and Daddy?" "I'll have some hot tea also please." Cordelia said. "I'll have some coffee please." Angel said. Kathleen pretended to make some tea and coffee. While the coffee was brewing she got out her tea set and spoons. For napkins she gave them each a Kleenex tissue. She had little bags of pretend tea that she put into 3 cups since she was having some also. She also put a container of pretend sugar and milk on the table. She then pretended to pour tea into each cup then some coffee for her Daddy. All in all it was a grand tea party.

"Miss Kathleen Martin would you like to go to the Dairy Queen to celebrate having your own room now?" Dr. Martin asked her in a very formal way. "Why yes Grandma I would love to go with you. Are you going also Mommy and Daddy?" "If it's okay with Grandma we'll come along also." Cordelia looked at her watch. "Oh, it's almost 1 o'clock and Connie will have lunch ready then it will be time to take a nap so can we go after our nap?" "I think that will be satisfactory. What do you think Grandma?" "I think that will be satisfactory also." Dr. Martin got up and bent over and shook Kathleen's hand. "I want to thank you for a lovely tea party Miss. Martin the tea was delicious." Angel had to help Cordelia up after sitting so long on the tiny chair then he turned to his daughter and took her hand and kissed it. "Thank you Kathleen for a lovely tea party. I will look forward to our next tea party." Cordelia did the same except she curtsied as she thanked her daughter. "Thank you all for coming today. I will see you downstairs in a few minutes." The adults left and Kathleen closed the door after them. Cordelia opened the door a little and peeked in to see what she was doing. After a minute she closed the door and joined Angel and Dr. Martin at the elevator.

"What was she doing?" Angel asked. "She was pretending to clean her dishes and put them away." "That was so precious. Especially when she said 'I think that will be satisfactory'. I almost started laughing then. She was imitating everything you do Cordelia." Dr. Martin said. "I know, isn't she something? When you think they aren't paying attention to you they are actually watching you all of the time and learning." Cordelia started crying then and took out some Kleenex and blew her nose and wiped her tears.

"Angel our little girl is growing up. Before you know it she'll be going out on her first date." Angel put his arm around Cordelia. He looked at his mother and said, "Here I thought I would be the first one to start crying." Dr. Martin looked at Angel and could see tears threatening to spill over also.

They all exited the elevator and went to the table where everyone else was gathering. In another minute they saw the elevator open again and Kathleen came out and over to the table. Angel picked her up and put her in the highchair.

"Now that I have my own room Mommy and Daddy I think I'm too old to sit in a high chair." Angel looked at her and said, "You know Kathleen I think you are right." Angel got up and went into his office and came out with a couple of phone books. He brought over another chair and asked Kathleen, "What side do you want to sit on?" "Between you and Mommy." Everyone on Cordelia's side moved down to make room for the new addition. Angel put the chair in front of the table and the phone books on the chair. Then he lifted Kathleen out of the high chair and on to her own chair. The two phone books were just right for her. Angel sat down again and Connie and Lucinda brought in the food.

After lunch everyone went their own way to take care of whatever. The Prices went back to their rooms and put the boys down to sleep. Fred was now producing more then enough milk to feed both boys. She knew it wouldn't be long before their demands would be for more than she could provide and she would have to go to bottles and formulas. For now though she enjoyed the time she spent just nursing them. Wesley was being a big help to her. He would usually be changing one baby while she took care of the other. While she nursed one he would entertain the other until she was done with the one she had in her arms. When he was busy elsewhere Lou would often help her. As she sat in the rocking chair nursing her son she thought to herself, 'Lord this is going to be a very busy and noisy place when Cordelia delivers her twins'.

Dr. Martin went into the clinic to call several doctors that specialized in Urology, and a few psychologist that specialized in treating men with problems that involved the loss of what they thought was their manhood. She wanted to have as much information as she could get before she dealt with Angels problem.

Later that evening the opportunity presented itself for Dr. Martin to see how Angel was being affected by the sudden loss of his male hormones. Cordelia had a vision at 8:15 that evening. This was going to be Angels first chance to go after some demons and vampires since he had been kidnapped.

Cordelia had been in the kitchen creating an ice cream creation to feed her cravings. Angel came running in to see what the problem was. When she gave him the information as to where the attack was occurring he didn't seem to be as enthusiastic as she thought he should be after having been left out of the excitement for so long.

Angel yelled for Wesley, Connor, Gunn and Lou. They all came running down the stairs at once and grabbed weapons. They were out the door within minutes of Cordelia's vision.

"Angel didn't seem to be too enthusiastic about going on a mission." Dr. Martin nonchalantly mentioned to Cordelia.

"Yeah I noticed too. Do you think it has anything to do with his problem?" "Maybe, have you two had sex since he was kidnapped?" "No and I haven't encouraged him. Do you think I should?" "Yes but do it by enticing him. Remember how turned on he used to get when you were pregnant with Kathleen?" "Yeah he couldn't keep his hands off me. The bigger I got the more horny he became." Cordelia laughed at her description of Angel. Cordelia got up and grabbed another spoon for Mary.

"Help me eat this Mom. When I made it my cravings were bigger than my stomach. I promise I didn't put anything unusual in it." Dr. Martin started helping Cordelia eat the chocolate Sundae she had made. She hadn't put anything weird in it, like sardines or something, but she did put a lot of chocolate syrup, whip cream and cherries on top. Fred came down while they were eating the Sundae. "Can I help you eat that?" Sure grab a spoon. I was just telling Mom that my cravings were bigger than my stomach when I made it." The women spent the next 15 minutes just savoring the taste of the chocolate ice cream. When they were done they went to their own rooms.

Cordelia checked on Kathleen before she went to bed. Junior and her daughter were still up playing with Junior's toys. Even though the door was open she still knocked on it to let them know she was coming in. "It's time to go to bed you two. Put your toys away and get in bed and I'll read you a story." She was surprised that they did what she said right away without any arguments. "Okay what story would you like me to read tonight?" Kathleen said Cinderella and Junior said Winnie the Pooh.

"Okay why don't we do this, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Kathleen gets to choose which story I read. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Junior gets to choose. How does that sound?" Both said okay. "Okay then since this is Saturday that means that Junior gets to choose and he has chosen Winnie the Pooh so let me see what we have for Winnie the Pooh. Here we go." Cordelia started to read the story and by the time she was done they were both sound asleep. She turned on the little lamp that was on the dresser and closed the door. "This was just too easy. I just know they have something up their sleeve." She went downstairs then to her own room and crawled into bed.

It was 9:30 by the time Cordelia went to bed. It was 10 o'clock when she felt a little body crawl into bed next to her. She didn't say anything she just pretended that she was still sleeping. At 11 o'clock Cordelia was awakened again when Angel came in. She heard him go into the bathroom and take a shower. When he came out he removed his robe and pulled the covers up so he could lie down. Cordelia was turned toward him. She pointed down at their daughter. "She came sneaking in at 10 o'clock." "Do you think I should put her in her own bed again?" "Yes." Cordelia answered. Angel pulled his robe on and picked his daughter up and took her back to her own bed. Angel covered her up and gave her a kiss then left. Kathleen never woke up.

As Angel crawled into bed Cordelia snuggled up to him. "How did it go? Did anyone get hurt?" "No it wasn't too bad. I got to take some of my anger out on the attackers. I was beating one of the demons so bad that Wesley and Gunn had to pull me off him. When I regained my senses I could see that I had beaten it to death." Angel was quiet for a while. Then in a low whisper he said, "I didn't realize that I had all of that anger pent up inside of me. It was like my anger at what they had done to me had been kept dammed up inside of me and when I started to beat the demon up, that dam broke, I lost control and all of that anger came out." Angel put his hand over his eyes and began to cry. It was a deep sobbing cry that seemed to come from the depth of his very soul. Cordelia couldn't do anything but hold him while he let all of his frustration and anger pour out of him. "When they were torturing me I couldn't do anything because they said if I fought them they would start testing their cattle prod on Connor." Angel continued to cry for the next 10 minutes then he grabbed some Kleenex and wiped his face and blew his nose.

"Cordy?" "Yes." "Cordy, something has changed inside of me. I didn't care that much about going to stop whoever was attacking people. I didn't really get into it until I started beating that demon up. I think the only reason I went with the rest was because it was my job. Worst yet Cordy is that I don't even care about making love to you. I look at you as your getting bigger and I remember how I used to get turned on by just looking at you but now I am happy just having you by me. I think it has something to do with my boys being damaged when they were torturing me."

Cordelia just listened to her husband while he was talking. She didn't say anything until he stopped. She felt that he needed to get all of this out and was afraid that if she said anything he would stop.

"Angel I am going to talk to Mom and make an appointment with a specialist for you. When you first came home and were chained up downstairs you went into a deep sleep, Mom and I gave you a bath and put some clean clothes on you. When I was cleaning you I noticed the red mark going down your groin and through your testicles. I pointed it out to Mom and she examined them. She said she could feel scar tissue in them and that she was pretty sure that your baby making days were over but she couldn't say for sure since it wasn't her specialty. After you see the specialist we'll know better what we are dealing with okay?" "Okay I think your right because I can't continue like this. Don't discuss it with anyone else though. I don't want the others to know." Cordelia gave him a kiss on his forehead then and they went to sleep.

At 3 a.m. Angel was awakened when he heard Kathleen come into the room and crawl up between her Mother and Father and get under the covers. He just pretended to be sleeping because he felt better just having her with them right now.

The next morning when Cordelia woke up to run to the bathroom she noticed her daughter in bed with them again. When she came out she looked at the two. Angel had turned over in his sleep and held Kathleen close to him.

"Well I guess I'll let it go this time. I think Angel needs her more than she needs him right now." She just quietly got dressed and went down stairs. She still had an hour to go before she would have to get them up and start getting ready for church. Usually they would wait to have brunch after Mass but these days the boys were demanding nutrition to be sent down the pipe earlier. She started up the large coffee maker and made herself two scrambled eggs and a slice of toast. While she was busy in the kitchen both Wesley and Dr. Martin came down and grabbed themselves some coffee as soon as it was done.

"How did Angel sleep last night Cordelia?" Wesley asked. "He slept well but that was only after crying himself to sleep. He told me about beating the demon to death. He said he didn't realize that he had so much pent up anger in him. Mom he said that he feels like something inside him has changed. He thinks that it has something to do with the injury to his boys. We need to get him some help Mom. We need to find out if his boys are really dead and they've stopped producing testosterone. I did some research on the subject yesterday. From what I understand the lack of testosterone is what is causing these problems. He admitted to me that he isn't even interested in sex now. I told him that I would talk to you about it and possibly get him an appointment with a specialist."

"I think that you're right Cordelia but before I send him to a specialist I think I would like to talk to Angelus and find out why he hasn't healed Angel. I also want to ask him why Angel seems to have seizures every time he is sick. Those seizures can be very damaging to his brain." They went to sit down at the table while Cordelia ate her breakfast.

"Besides Angel's problems how did Kathleen do on her first night in her own room?" Dr. Martin asked.

"She's up there right now in our bed and in her Daddy's arms. The first time she crawled into bed with me Angel wasn't home yet. After he took a shower and lifted the covers to get into bed he found her snuggled up against me. He took her back the first time and put her into her own bed. Then he came back and we had our talk. Around 3 o'clock in the morning she came sneaking back into our bedroom and crawled into our bed between us. Since Angel is having such a hard time I thought I would just leave her with him. When I left he was holding onto her like I do my Teddy Bear when I'm having a hard time."

"Don't tell me you have a Teddy Bear also. Fred has one that she holds onto when she is feeling depressed. I thought once she had the boys that she would let it go but she hasn't. Sometimes I'll wake up in the morning and she'll have it between us." Wesley said.

"Wesley, Wesley, Wesley, don't you know that a woman that has a stuffed animal never gives them up. Children grow up eventually and sometimes husbands leave their wives but Teddy Bears are with you forever. Even Buffy has one. Remember her mentioning Mr. Gordo her stuffed pig." Dr. Martin and Cordelia laughed.

"I have to go and get ready for Church; it takes me a little longer these days." She stopped on her way back from the kitchen. "I am going to talk to Angelus tomorrow Cordelia. I don't want to talk to that demon on the Sabbath." She turned then and went to the elevator.

The rest of the day went quietly. Kathleen was made to take her nap in her bedroom once again. When Cordelia had a chance to talk to Connie she found out that Junior had crawled in to their bed also.

Just before everyone went to their own rooms Dr. Martin called Angel over to her by the elevator. "Angel I want to talk with you for awhile about what happened to you when Wolfram & Hart kidnapped you and Connor. Let's go up to 412. We haven't been up there together in a long time and I think its way over due." "Cordelia talked to you about last night?" Angel had his head down as she talked to him. "Yes but this isn't only because of what she told me. Come on let's go. You'll sleep better tonight after we talk."

Angel offered her his arm and they entered the elevator together.

Angel didn't go to bed until well after midnight. Cordelia woke up when he got into bed beside her. She turned over and put her arm around his chest and rested her head on his arm. "Have you been with Mom all of this time?" "No, she went to bed around 10:30 then I stayed there for a couple of hours just thinking. She wants to talk to Angelus tomorrow and try to find out why he hasn't healed my boys. She explained to me why I've been feeling the way I am and that before she sends me to a specialist she wanted to give Angelus a chance to set things straight. She doesn't think that he understands how important the testosterone hormones are to me. She thinks that I might be feeling worse than a normal human male because I am going through the pregnancy with you." Angel had turned towards Cordelia and had pulled the covers down from her stomach and started rubbing it. He stopped with his hand on her stomach and reached out for his sons minds. Cordelia put her hand on his and concentrated on listening for her sons. They both concentrated on sending them their love. Cordelia felt the boys move over so their heads were under their mother and fathers hands. After a few minutes Cordelia pulled her hand away and fell asleep again. Angel pulled the covers over Cordelia again then pulled her close to him and went to sleep also.

The next morning Angel and Cordelia woke up once again with Kathleen between them. Cordelia had awakened first and when she realized Kathleen was with them she gently shook Angel's shoulder. They both were lying on their sides and looking at their daughter. "What do you think we should do about this problem? She's become very good at sneeking into our bed. I didn't even feel her get under the covers." Angel said.

Connie and I talked to the two women that have gone through this before. Mom and Lucinda said that eventually they will stop doing this and start staying in their own beds. The only thing we can do is to keep putting them back in their own beds. Mom suggested that we ask Connor if he would let Toby stay with them for a few nights and see if they will feel better with him being there. She also suggested that we take away the stepping stool we have in the elevator at night."

"Well I guess I have to take her back then." Angel got up and pulled his pants on then picked his daughter up while she was still sleeping and put her in her own bed.

Later in the morning when everyone was heading downstairs Cordelia went upstairs to check on the two children. What she found was her daughter dressing herself in an orange colored shirt, pink pants, a green hat, and her cowboy boots while the color coordinated clothes she had laid out for her daughter the previous night still sat where she left them. "Why didn't you put the clothes on that Mommy laid out for you?" "Because I wanted to wear these." Kathleen said as she pointed to her clothes. Cordelia looked over at Junior who was dressed in jeans, a t-shirt that said 'I'm My Daddy's Carbon Copy' and a pair of cowboy boots. Cordelia decided not to fight it.

"Okay let's show everyone the clothes you picked out and have breakfast." Kathleen and Junior took Cordelia's hands and they all went down stairs.

As they arrived downstairs Kathleen let her mothers hand go and went running to her grandmother and grandfather. (Kathleen's tactics were a prime example of the saying 'When all else fails Ask Grandma'

"How do you like the way I dressed Grandma and Grandpa?" Giles picked her up and sat her on the edge of the table. "Well let's have a good look at you. What do you think Grandma?" By saying it like this Grandpa dumped it in Grandma's lap.

"Well I think that you look just fine for a little girl named Kathleen that has chosen the clothes she wants to wear for the first time. Go sit down now so we can have breakfast." She gave her a kiss then her Grandpa put her down and she went running to her Daddy to help her get into the chair. "How do you like my clothes Daddy?" Angel looked at her and rubbed his eyes. "Wait right here and I'll be right back." When he came back he sat down and put his first pair of sunglasses on and two pieces of cotton in his ears. "Why did you put your glasses on and cotton in your ears Daddy?" "Because your clothes are so bright and loud that I had to protect my eyes and ears." "See Mommy Daddy likes my clothes too." Kathleen was satisfied now that her Daddy, Grandpa and Grandma had given their okay. While Cordelia just rolled her eyes up and started eating her breakfast.

"Don't worry about it Cordelia, it's easier to just let it go for now than fighting her about how she looks. I promise you that as she gets older you will wish for these simpler days." Dr. Martin said. "Yeah I guess your right. When she comes home with a piece of metal going through her tongue or through her nose I will remember these days." "My little girl would never do that, would you princes?" "If you don't like it Daddy then I would never do it." Cordelia just rolled her eyes up and said "We'll see. Don't forget that old saying Angel. Never say never."

After breakfast Angel left for awhile. No one knew where he went because he just told Cordelia that he would be back in two hours. Since he didn't offer an explanation she didn't ask. But she knew that he was suffering from depression because she started to feel it also.

Angel went to Fr. Barris to talk to him for awhile. He had called him early in the morning to see if he would be available later. He had a long talk with him about all he had been going through and what he had done to the demon. While they were talking, Fr. Barris started to realize that Angel was entering into a deep depression. After 90 minutes of listening to him Fr. Barris made an excuse to go to his office to cancel a previous appointment. When he was in his office though he called Dr. Martin and let her know that Angel was at the rectory and seemed to be going through a deep depression.

"I know Fr. Barris, Cordelia is having a problem also. I think what is happening is that they are feeding on each others depression and it's just getting worse. I'll send someone to come and get him." "Okay I'll keep him busy." Fr. Barris went back to Angel and continued to let him talk. Thirty minutes later Gunn and Connor showed up. Fr. Barris let them in and took them to one of the back rooms in the rectory where they had been talking.

As they walked in Angel stood up. "What are you guys doing here?" "I called Dr. Martin Angel, as we were talking I realized that you were in a deep depression. Dr. Martin said that Cordelia was having the same problem and she thinks you're feeding off of each other so that it will only get worse." "Dad, Grandma gave me this syringe to give you. She said it would make you sleep for a few hours until the depression passes then you and Cordelia should be alright." "Okay but let me get into your van first then you can give it to me." Angel thanked Fr. Barris for everything then they left and Connor gave his father the syringe as soon as he was in the back of the van.

Thirty minutes later they were at the hotel. Connor and Gunn carried Angel into the hotel and to his bedroom. Dr. Martin was in there with Cordelia. "Thank you Connor and Gunn. I need you two to go out into the hallway and just wait there in case I need you okay?" She saw the looks on there faces. "It's nothing against you it's just that I have to talk to Angelus about something very personnel that I don't think Angel wants generally known. If he chooses to let you know then he will talk to you about it but I am going to leave that up to him." As the men left Hunter and Mike came in and pulled some chairs close to the bed.

Dr. Martin then turned her attention to Angelus. "Angelus can you hear me?" Angel moaned in his sleep. Dr. Martin took this as a sign that he was fighting with Angelus. "Angel I need to talk to Angelus. Can you let him speak to me?" Angel's eyes opened then and Angelus looked at Dr. Martin. "Well hellllooo Mama. I didn't think we would ever have to talk again until your 5 years were up. Which I might add is coming up just around the corner." "Let's cut the crap Angelus and get right down to why I wanted to talk to you. Why haven't you healed Angels testicles or boys as men usually call them?" "He doesn't need them to function. We can still have sex. He only needs them to make babies and from what you've told him he has fulfilled his duties and he no longer needs them."

"Wrong answer Angelus, I thought you knew everything. Angel has to have fully functional testicles in order to have the hormone testosterone. The hormone testosterone is what suggests to Angel that he wants sex it also tells him to get out there and fight the good fight. Right now Angel doesn't care about anything. He is having a deep depression right now and since Cordelia is having a period of depression right now, they are feeding off of each others depression which is making it worse. Now do you understand why you need to heal them?" Angelus thought about it for a minute. "What if I can't heal them?" "If you can't then your days of having fun beating the crap out of other demons and vampires are over, because those hormones are what makes him a Master Vampire. Don't you remember when he became a Master Vampire that he was always looking for fights including arguments with Cordelia? He became so insufferable that Cordelia called Spike up and told him how Angel was acting and Spike was the one that told him that he was becoming a Master Vampire and to just go out and kill some demons and vampires to get rid of that extra testosterone that was being dumped into his system."

"Yeah I remember." Angelus said.

"Okay now that you understand why he needs those hormones I have another question for you. Why does Angel have seizures even when he doesn't have a fever?"

"His body is fighting me when I am trying to heal him. It's not something that he is aware of or can control. In fact when I try to heal him now he may very well have another seizure." "Why is his body fighting you?" "Don't ask me ask his boss, but I am guessing it's because he is becoming human again. It's not natural for his body to be healed so quickly anymore but I'll get bored if I have to wait around for his body to heal naturally. It has to do with the natural electricity that goes through the human body. I am sure that you've seen how when a wound heals you can see what looks like electricity dancing across the wound as it heals. Well that's me healing him and his body doesn't like that extra electricity. It upsets the natural flow of its electricity. Try to think of it as when you touch a hot wire and how it makes you act."

Dr. Martin turned and looked at Hunter. "Does that sound about right to you?" "Yes it sounds logical." Hunter said. Dr. Martin turned back to Angelus. "I must say that you have been very cooperative Angelus and I want to thank you, but it's time for you to go back into your cage now." Dr. Martin ran her hand gently over his eyes and Angelus went back where he belonged.

"How long do you think we have to wait before well know if Angelus was successful?" Mike asked. "I don't know for sure but I would guess within the next few days. Cordelia will be able to tell us for sure." "You mean Angel will be crawling all over her after going without sex for so long?" "You got it. I know you've told them that Angel isn't to give Cordelia the Vampire Special when she goes into her 3rd trimester so we'll just have to wait to see a big smile on her face in the morning."

Hunter and Mike got up from their chairs then. "Are you going to stay with them until they wake up?" Hunter asked. "Yes I think I better. I think I'll just take a nap over here on the couch. If you see Rupert will you tell him where I am? He went to his shop this morning to work on getting it ready to open in two weeks."

Hunter and Mike left and Dr. Martin grabbed a blanket and pillow and went to lie on the couch to take a nap.

Two hours later Cordelia woke up and ran to the bathroom. When she came out she went over to the refrigerator to get something to drink. She was feeling a lot better now. She rubbed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair and that's when she noticed Dr. Martin on the couch. Cordelia grabbed a Cherry flavored cola and went to the couch.

"Mom." Cordelia shook her shoulder gently. "Mom wake up its Cordelia." Dr. Martin opened her eyes and sat up. "Oh, hello. How are you feeling now?" "Better, have you been in here all afternoon?" "Yes, when they brought Angel home I had a long talk with Angelus." "How did it go?" "Very well, I explained to him why Angel needed his boys back in working order and he told me why Angel has seizures so often. He was very cooperative for once." Cordelia gave her the cola. "Thank you this is just what I need." "I'm going to go and check on Kathleen then I'll be right back." "Okay I'll stay here with Angel until you get back."

When Cordelia came back with Kathleen Dr. Martin left to go to her own room. She was getting hungry so after she took care of herself she went to check with Connie to see what she was making for Supper.

"How is dinner coming Connie? I'm awfully hungry for some reason." "It will be ready in about 30 minutes Dr. Martin." Connie answered. "What are you making?" "Pork Chops, Spanish rice, and a choice of peas, corn or string beans for Supper and Jell-O with whip cream for desert. How does that sound?" "That sounds perfect. Can I help you with anything?" "Oh no, Dr. Martin, as Lucinda would say, that would not be proper, especially for you." "Why especially for me?" "Because you are Mr. Martin's mother and that is a very high position and deserves the very highest respect. You are the only one that can override Mr. Martin. Not even Mrs. Martin can do that." "I didn't know I was so powerful. Okay I'll leave so that I don't get you in trouble with your mother in law."

Dr. Martin went upstairs to her room and called Rupert at his new store. "Magic Shop." Giles answered. "Rupert this is Mary, are you coming home soon? Connie said Supper will be ready in 25 minutes." "Yes my dear I am leaving for home right now." Giles hung up the phone and locked the door and left for the hotel.

Just as Giles was coming in everyone else was coming downstairs for Supper. Angel was looking a little tired. "What's wrong Angel, aren't you feeling very well?" Dr. Martin asked him. "As a matter of fact I'm not." Angel slowed down and bent down so that only his mother would hear him. "My boys are causing me quiet a bit of pain. I had to take some aspirin before I came down." "That's probably because Angelus is trying to heal them. I had a very productive talk with him when Gunn and Connor brought you home. He didn't know that you needed your boys to provide the hormone testosterone. I explained to him that if he wanted to ever go out on a fight again or have fun time with Cordelia he needed to heal them. I explained to him that you didn't feel like doing either one without that hormone. He thought all they did was made babies." Dr. Martin and Angel went to the table when they were done talking.

Angel held his mother's chair out for her then went to his own at the other end of the table. Angel didn't feel like eating very much so he just had a mug of blood. "Aren't you hungry Daddy?" "No sweetheart Daddy isn't feeling too good so I thought I would just have my drink." "Let me feel your head like Mommy does." Angel bent down so Kathleen could touch his forehead. She reached up and touched his forehead with her little hand. "Does he feel warm or cold?" Cordelia asked her daughter. "I'm not sure. Let me kiss your head Daddy." Angel bent down further so she could kiss his head. Kathleen licked her lips and had a very thoughtful look on her face. "Well what is you diagnosis Ms. Kathleen?" Dr. Martin asked.

"I believe he has a fever Grandma." "He does? Well what do you think he should do when he gets through with his Supper?" "I think he should go right to bed and no visitors for the rest of the night." Kathleen was being quiet serious about the whole thing.

"May I ask why you think that this should be the treatment for your patient Dr. Kathleen?" "That's what Mommy always says." Everyone had a good laugh. Kathleen was a very intelligent little girl but just like all children she came up with whoppers sometimes. Since she spoke so clearly she was easy to understand and this always made these little pretend times so much more entertaining.

"Well if that is what Mommy always says then it must be the right thing to do. Make sure you do as Dr. Kathleen says Angel otherwise she might take away your television rights." "Now you know I always do what my Doctor tells me Grandma." Angel said.

As everyone finished their Supper Wesley thought now would be the time to talk to Lou and Angel about a trip he had to make. "Lou, I have to go and see your father next weekend. I've already sent a letter to him to let him know I need to meet with him. I should receive a call from your brother soon." "Oh that would be terrific. I miss them so much. It's been a long time since I've seen them. Connor, can you go with us this time?" "I think I can. I don't have a class on Friday so we'll have to make it a quick trip and come back on Sunday for my next class on Monday." Lou looked at Wesley. "I think that can be done." Wesley said.

"Connor do you think you could let Toby sleep with Junior and Kathleen for a few nights. I am hoping they'll feel more comfortable with him in there guarding them and stay in their rooms." "Sure I don't think he will have a problem with that. But that means that I have to have a replacement for him. Kathleen since I am going to let Toby sleep with you can I borrow your Teddy Bear? I might get lonely and I'll need someone that I can hold onto." "Okay Teddy can go with you but I have to talk to him first and tell him that it is just for a few nights okay?" "I think that will be okay. While you're talking to Teddy I'll talk to Toby."

Cordelia looked at Angel. His head was drooping and he was perspiring profusely. She got up and touched his forehead. "Mom he's burning up. Come on Angel let's get you to bed." Angel started to get up then he collapsed. "Mike. Where is Mike?" Angel called out he was curled up into a fetal position.

"I'm right here Angel. Are they hurting real bad?" "Yes they feel like their on fire." Mike turned around. Someone help me get him to the clinic. Gunn came over and took Angels right arm and Mike took his left. They lifted him up and half dragged him to the clinic. Dr. Martin and Hunter followed them in. "Connor would you bring just 2 bags of ice into the clinic." "Sure Grandma."

It took Dr. Martin a little longer to get to the clinic since her left leg still didn't work as well as it used to. Connor made it into the clinic before Dr. Martin did.

"Here is the ice Mike." "Thanks just put them on the counter then you can leave." Hunter was helping Mike and Gunn get Angels clothes off while Dr. Martin stood to the side. "Thanks Gunn you can leave now." Angel fell off of the bed then as he started to have a seizure. Hunter grabbed a tongue depressor that Dr. Martin had wrapped with tape just for Angel. Mike held Angel's mouth open while she put the tongue depressor in his mouth so that he wouldn't bite his own tongue. Now that they knew why he was having the seizures they refrained from giving him any antibiotics. As soon as they made sure that he couldn't hurt himself they just stood back and waited for the seizure to pass. It lasted almost 5 minutes.

When the seizure was over Mike turned him over and checked his groin and testicles. The red mark that went from his groin and down to and through his testicles was almost gone as electricity danced across the area. With Hunters help Mike put him back on the bed. Dr. Martin had two towels filled with ice. She gave one to Hunter to put over his groin and testicles and the other she put to the left side of his neck. Mike removed the tongue depressor while Dr. Martin applied the ice. The blood going into his brain was closest to the surface as it ran alongside his neck and thus was easiest to cool at this point. Hunter had filled a container with water and ice. She dipped a towel in the ice water and put it over Angel's chest.

After applying the ice for 15 to 20 minutes Angel started to come around.

"Let me guess, I had a seizure again." "How did you guess?" Dr. Martin said with a smile. "Because I feel like I've been dragged over 10 miles of bad road." "Well the good news is that it looks like Angelus was able to heal your boys. We won't know if he was 100 successful though until either you start showing more interest in fighting or you give Cordelia a good time. We're going to let you rest here for awhile Angel, then well get Gunn to help Mike take you up stairs." Dr. Martin gave him a kiss on his forehead.

After helping Angel to put his shorts and pants back on Mike called Gunn to help him take Angel up stairs to his bed. When he was settled into his bed Dr. Martin came over and sat on the side of the bed. "How are you feeling now? Are you feeling any pain at all?" "No, it's completely gone now. Right now they feel so cold that Cordelia is going to have a hard time finding Angel Junior." "Well you have a good nights rest and I'll see you in the morning. I believe Dr. Kathleen is waiting to check on her patient. Good night Angel." "Good night Mom and thank you for everything." Dr. Martin had started to get up but she sat down again. "No Angel it's I that should be thanking you. You suffer so much for everyone. I think that when God finally calls you home the church is going to be overflowing with all of the people that know you and that you have helped." Dr. Martin gave her son a kiss then left.

Cordelia came in with Kathleen so she could check her patient. As soon as Angel had collapsed Cordelia and Connie took the children upstairs so that they wouldn't get scared seeing Angel sick. When she went upstairs to get her daughter Kathleen took her toy Doctors Bag with her. Cordelia put her daughter on the bed and Kathleen crawled over to her Daddy.

"Hi Dr. Kathleen." "Hi Daddy. How are you feeling now?" "Much better then I did before. As you see Doctor I am in bed getting rest just like you told me to do." "Let me take your temperature to see if you have a fever." Kathleen did all of the things that she had seen her grandmother do. "You are doing much better now Daddy. I want you to have a good nights sleep now." She straightened up the covers; as best she could since she was sitting on them, and gave her Daddy a kiss then she picked up her Doctors Bag and got down from the bed. "Good night Mommy and Daddy." "I'll be up in a few minutes to read you a story okay?" Cordelia said with a smile. "You don't have to Mommy Connor said he would read us a story tonight so you stay and take care of Daddy." "Okay Doctor, good night."

"My daughter, the Doctor." Angel said with a smile. "How are you feeling?" "The pain is gone and my mind seems to be clearer now. For a while I felt like I was going crazy. All of the things I like to do were no long interesting. I most regretted not wanting to make love to you. Now it may be too late, at least, for a while anyway." "What makes you think that I don't want to engage in our favorite pastime?" Cordelia said as she started to get undressed. "I'm going to jump in the shower. Are you feeling hungry now that you're feeling better?" "I am but I'm more tired right now than anything else. I don't even have the strength to join you." Angel closed his eyes and went to sleep and Cordelia went into the bathroom to take a shower. When she was done she put her robe on and went upstairs to check on her daughter and Junior.

She carefully peaked in the room. She wasn't surprised at what she found. Both Junior and Kathleen were on the floor with Toby. Kathleen and Junior had taken the bedspreads off of their beds and put it on the floor. Then they each pulled their blankets off of their beds and laid down with Toby. Both children had their hands on Toby. Connie had come to check on them also. "I think they will sleep in their own rooms tonight." Cordelia said. "Yes, I think so too. How is Mr. Martin doing?" Connie asked. "He is feeling much better. He always has a seizure whenever he gets sick. Mom said Angelus told her it's because he is becoming human and his body fights him when he tries to heal Angel now. It's just unnatural for the human body to heal as fast as Angelus makes Angel's body heal. Well I think that I'll go back to my other baby. Goodnight Connie."

Cordelia started to leave then she turned back to Connie. "Uh Connie, if I can talk Angel into going away for a couple of days could you take care of Kathleen for me?" "Yes of course, that won't be a problem." "Good, it will probably be our last chance to have time for each other before I deliver. Good night." Cordelia and Connie went back to their husbands then.

The next morning Cordelia woke up before Angel and as usual had to run to the bathroom. When she crawled back into bed she started to run her finger over his back real lightly. "Cordelia stop that it tickles." Angel said into his pillow so that his voice sounded muffled. She didn't stop but she did change where she was running her fingers. She ran her finger nails down his back and all the way down to his left and right cheeks then up again. Angel turned over so he could look at her.

"What are you doing?" He asked her. "I am trying to see if your engine still works. Because if it does I want to go to a nice hotel by ourselves and have some fun before I become too big to have any fun. What do you think about that?" "I think that sounds like a good idea. Let's see if my engine is in perfect working condition again."

Angel pulled Cordelia to him and started to kiss her lips lightly as though tasting them. After a few tastes he kissed her with his mouth open and let her tongue go into his mouth. He pulled on it gently with his teeth. He pulled back and started kissing her cheeks then her eyes ever so gently. His love for her flooded his inner being until he felt that he couldn't contain it in himself. He let his love for Cordelia flow out into his hands and his mouth where he let it run over her shoulder and neck. His hands ran over her body and around to her back and then to the front where they ran circles around her enlarged stomach. His mouth found her breasts and he suckled for a long time. With practiced expertise he bit down lightly so that he withdrew a small amount of blood. Cordelia gasped as he started to drink from her. She wrapped her hands around his head and held him to her breast. She didn't want him to stop. It had been a long time since they had made love and she was just as hungry for him as he was for her now. She could feel his erection becoming longer and harder as he continued to drink from her. Finally he stopped but instead of licking her breast so that the blood would stop flowing he pulled back and watched the blood trickle down her breast and onto her stomach. Before it went onto the sheets he caught it with his tongue and licked her clean.

It had been so long since they had made love that everything he did to her sent waves of ecstasy through her whole body. When she thought she couldn't stand anymore he turned her over and entered her and began to thrust himself inside of her. He did it gently and carefully at first until he was sure that he wasn't going to hit her stomach as he thrust himself inside of her. When he was sure that she was alright he started to do it more rapidly. Just when he sensed that she was about to climax he manipulated her so that he could reach her shoulder. He changed his features into that of a Vampire and bit down hard on her neck. Cordelia let out a loud moan and called out his name softly. As he started to drink her blood he continued to thrust himself inside of her more quickly until she climaxed and called out his name loud enough that she put her hand over her own mouth. As she collapsed he caught her and held her up as he continued to thrust himself inside her. He pushed himself inside of her harder a few more times until he climaxed also. He did it twice more until he felt his body pumping the semen out of his body and into Cordelia. He was careful not to fall on top of her but landed at her back where he continued to hold onto her and they remained connected. As they lay there, breathing hard and letting themselves bathe in the ecstasy and the aftermath of there love making, Angel carefully cleaned her neck by licking up every drop of blood. They lay there quietly as they started to breathe more slowly. Angel didn't withdraw from her instead they just lay there with his arms wrapped around his beloved wife and they fell asleep.

Two hours later they awoke again. Cordelia had turned around in her sleep and was curled up next to Angel's chest. Of all of the things that Cordelia missed when she was pregnant, being able to lie on her stomach was missed the most.

Angel opened his eyes and looked at Cordelia. He kissed each eye gently then pulled back to see if she would open her eyes. "Wake up my beloved." Cordelia opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Good morning my husband, I want to report that all engines are in perfect working condition." She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Let's get up and soak for a while in the whirlpool." Angel got up first and pulled Cordelia up. "Let me have a few minutes alone and I'll start the tub filling up." "Okay, I think I'll warm up some blood. I'm starving." It was 8 in the morning now and they soaked in the whirlpool for a good 30 minutes.

At 8:30 they were about to get out when they heard a light knock at the door. "It's Kathleen and Connie." Angel said. "Who is it?" Cordelia called out. "It's me Mommy." "Who's me?" "Me, Kathleen." "Oh, okay you can come in. Is Connie with you?" "Yes Mrs. Martin." "Would you take her clothes off Connie and send her in? Were in the Whirlpool." "Okay, will you be coming down for breakfast soon?" "Yes, we'll be there by 9." Connie started to help Kathleen remove her night clothes but Kathleen wanted to do it herself.

"I can do it." "Okay just let me unsnap your pajamas then you can remove the rest okay?" "Okay." After Connie unsnapped all of the snaps she told her to go into the bathroom when she was done then she left.

Kathleen started doing everything early, such as talking, feeding herself, walking and such. Reaching the terrible 2s before she actually became two years old was no exception to the rule. She had told Connie she could do it herself but when she actually tried doing it she got stuck. Connie had missed one of the snaps around the waist of Kathleen's pajamas and she couldn't get it off. She went running into the bathroom fuming with anger because she couldn't get the top of her pajamas off.

"Mommy, I can't get this DAM pajamas off." This was a mistake on Kathleen's part. Cordelia looked like her blood pressure was going to hit the roof she was so angry and shocked by what she heard her daughter say. She stopped and took a deep breath before she said anything. "Kathleen, I want you to take a deep breath." Kathleen was still trying to get out of her pajama top. Cordelia held her arms and hands still until she had her daughter's attention. "Do as I said Kathleen, stop and look at Mommy, now take a deep breath like this." Cordelia took a deep breath to show her daughter. Kathleen stopped struggling and took a deep breath as her Mommy showed her.

"Now, Mommy is going to show you something. Put your fingers like this and your thumb on the other side of the snap like this. Now try to pull the snap apart." Kathleen tried pulling it apart by doing as her mother said but was unsuccessful. "I can't do it." Kathleen started to cry.

"Why are you crying?" Her mother asked. "Because I get so mad when I can't do something like everyone else can." "Kathleen when you want some water and you can't reach your bottle what do you do?" Kathleen looked down and played with the snap. "I ask someone bigger then me to help me." "So what should you do when you can't make the snap come apart?" "Ask someone bigger then me to help me." "Okay, would you like me to help you take your pajamas off?" "Yes please." "Okay Mommy will help you then you can get into the tub with Mommy and Daddy and take a bath okay?" "Okay." Cordelia unsnapped the pajamas and helped her daughter take her pajamas off. Then she picked her up and put her into the tub.

Kathleen's burst of anger was forgotten within seconds. "Good morning Daddy." "Good morning Kathleen." Angel picked his daughter up over Cordelia's head and gave Kathleen a kiss. When he put her back down in her mothers lap Cordelia proceeded to wash her and when she was done they got out of the tub. Angel didn't play with his daughter as he usually did because he knew Cordelia was still angry about hearing her daughter use profanity. Angel very rarely used profanity and he could probably count on one hand the amount of times that he had. He was just hoping it wasn't him that she was copying.

Cordelia was still quiet as she went upstairs to dress Kathleen. Angel went ahead and joined everyone else at the table.

"Good morning everyone." Everyone answered Angel with a good morning.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Mike asked. In answer Angel stopped as he was walking to his chair and turned, looked at everyone else and beat his chest and gave a Tarzan yell. "Tarzan is back in the building and everything is now in perfect working order, thanks to Angelus." Dr. Martin, Hunter and Mike started laughing because they knew what he was talking about.

"Angel went ahead and took his seat while Connie brought in his breakfast. She had fixed a rare, medium size, filet mignon with some eggs for him as Cordelia had asked. Joaquin brought him his blood in a large glass along with the Irish bread Cordelia made three times a week." Angel thanked them for the magnificent breakfast. "Did Cordelia tell you to make this for me?" "Yes Mr. Martin. She calls down every morning and asks me what I am making and sometimes she tells me what to make for your breakfast. This morning she called and said I was to make this for you for your breakfast."

"By the way, is Cordelia to tired to come down for breakfast this morning?" Mike asked with a big grin.

"No, as a matter of fact she is upstairs getting Kathleen dressed. I am giving everyone fair warning. She is mad, and I mean volcano, red hot, mad. Kathleen got angry when she couldn't unsnap her pajamas. Kathleen used a bad word." "What did she say?" Dr. Martin asked. "Kathleen said, and I quote 'Mommy I can't get this DAM pajamas off.' I thought Cordelia was going to hit the roof. But she kept her cool. I don't know if she is saying anything to her about it right now or not but like I said I am giving you fair warning. All I can say is I hope I'm not the one Kathleen was copying." Angel started eating his breakfast then before it got cold.

Cordelia came out of the elevator a few minutes later. "Good morning everyone." Everyone returned her greeting. "Ask your Daddy to put you on your chair Kathleen while I get your breakfast and mine." Kathleen went to her father and reached up her arms. "Would you please put me in my chair Daddy?" "I think I can do that for my princes." Cordelia had a small plate with one small pancake and a spoonful of scrambled eggs on it for Kathleen. She quickly buttered the pancake and cut it up for her daughter. Everyone could tell that Cordelia's mind wasn't on what she was doing because she forgot to put syrup on the pancake.

"Can I have some syrup Mommy?" "Oh I'm sorry honey Mommies mind is elsewhere right now." Cordelia poured some syrup on Kathleen's and her own pancakes then started eating.

Dr. Martin could see how upset Cordelia was. "Okay Cordelia, Angel has told us what Kathleen said. You might as well get it off of your chest before you get sick trying to hold it in."

Cordelia took a sip of her coffee and then took a deep breath. She stood up and walked over and stood behind Angel and put her hands on his shoulders.

"I think that you will all agree with me when I say that even though Angel is head of the family and of course Angel investigation I have never used my position as his wife to make any demands of anyone. That is except for things pertaining to our home, except that isn't power that I have just because I'm his wife it's because I am responsible for certain things. Anyway I am going to use that power now. I am not only asking I am demanding that everyone refrain from using profanity while they are in our home. I am sure Fred, Mom, Hunter, and Connie will agree with me that we don't want our children to grow up hearing such crude language. They will hear it enough when they are old enough to go out of the Hotel doors and have to mingle with society.

I myself never use it and I have never heard Angel use it around me. I think that both Angel and Wesley can tell you that I can use the English language quiet satisfactorily to get my message across without using profanity. That's all I have to say about this now." Cordelia sat down then and started to eat her now cold breakfast. After tasting it she got up to warm it up. When she sat down again Lou backed up her chair and came and stood between Cordelia and Angel. Cordelia put down her fork and looked at her. Lou was obviously nervous as she stood there.

"Uh, Cordelia and Angel I want to tell you that I think she picked it up from me. I've said that word several times since I've been here. My father used to say it all of the time when he got mad so I didn't know that it was inappropriate. I promise that I won't ever say it again if you'll let me continue to stay here." Cordelia stood up and hugged Lou. "Oh Lou we would never send you away over something so simple. Please just don't say things like that around the children again, okay?" "I really am very sorry. Please forgive me. I promise from now on I'll ask Connor if the things I say sometimes are alright." Lou let go of Cordelia and picked up Kathleen and hugged her. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble with your Mommy Kathleen. Please forgive me." Kathleen hugged Lou and gave her a kiss. "That's okay Lou I'm used to getting into trouble. I promised Mommy I wouldn't ever say that bad word again." Kathleen then put her mouth next to Lou's ear and whispered "I know what to say to get Mommy to forgive me and love me again." Angel tried to hide his face as he started laughing at what his daughter said. He started to laugh so hard though that he started coughing and almost threw up his breakfast. Everyone else was laughing at Angel laughing at his daughter.

"And what may I ask is so funny?" Cordelia asked. "I'll tell you later." Angel said. When Kathleen was done eating Angel put her down so she could go outside and play. Connor and Wesley had made the garden bigger recently and put in some grass and a sand box for Kathleen and Junior. Since none of them knew anything about working with wood Angel had hired a carpenter to build a little playhouse for the children. The women had worked on the plans as to how they thought it should look and also be safe. It wasn't finished yet so the children had been told to stay away from it. Which, of course, they ignored. Lou had gone out also to keep an eye on them.

"Now that they're outside why were you laughing so hard?" Cordelia asked.

"Kathleen told Lou 'I know what to say to get Mommy to forgive me and love me again.'" Cordelia knew she should be angry with her but she couldn't stop laughing. Everyone else was laughing right along with her. "I guess you're not the only one she knows how to manipulate." Cordelia said when she got her laughing under control.

"Now that you seem to be your old self again Angel do you mind telling us what was wrong with you yesterday? And for that matter what was wrong with you for the past week?" Wesley asked.

"I told them that it would be up to you if you wanted them to know. Hunter, Mike and I talked it over and at Mike's suggestion we decided that this was to personnel for me to be telling anyone about it without your permission." Dr. Martin told Angel.

Angel was quiet for awhile. He looked at Cordelia. "What do you think I should do? Do you think they have the right to know?" "Yes, they need to know that you are more vulnerable now. They need to know that the time is getting closer when you will give control up to Connor as far as the fights go. That time is still 10 or more years away but it is getting closer."

Angel took Cordelia's hand and kissed it. "You are so young Cordelia and yet so wise in many ways." Angel looked at the rest and especially Wesley.

"As you know when Connor and I were being kept imprisoned at Wolfram & Hart they tortured me not only by starving me but everyday they used a cattle prod on me. One of the times that they used it on me they hit me low in my groin area. When the electricity in that cattle prod hit me it traveled downward and through my testicles. It more or less destroyed them and they stopped functioning. The worst part of this was that they stopped producing all of that testosterone that gave me the desire to engage in battle or even to have sex. In a normal human male this would not normally have such a devastating impact on the mind but for me it was devastating. As I have told you before when I reached a certain age my boys started to produce even more of that very important hormone. When I do certain things that are the mark of a Master Vampire it is because of that extra testosterone that I can do it. Just as Buffy is able to do what she does because of the extra adrenaline that is pumped into her blood stream when she needs it so it is with the testosterone.

When I finally got over the addiction to the heroin that they had been giving me I started to feel a lot of pain in my groin. I asked Mike to check my boys and he told me that he was pretty sure that they had been damaged beyond repair. But it was Mom that came up with the idea that Angelus didn't understand why I needed functioning testicles and that perhaps that was why he hadn't healed them. So when I became extremely depressed the other day and Cordelia did also she sent Connor after me along with something to make me sleep for awhile. She took that opportunity to have a talk with Angelus. She found out that Angelus thought that I didn't need my boys anymore because he thought all they were for was to make babies. Mom explained why I needed them functioning and if he ever wanted to have fun fighting demons and vampires again or to even have sex again he would heal them. She also took the opportunity to ask why I almost always have seizures when I am hurt or just sick as I was when I had the measles. Angelus told her that I had them because I was becoming more human and my body would fight Angelus's efforts to heal me, since it isn't normal for the human body to heal so fast, and that is why I would have the seizures. That of course was also why I was sick yesterday."

"So your Tarzan yell was a sign to Mike, Hunter and Dr. Martin that everything was now in perfect working order once again?" Wesley asked. "Yes it was, and to celebrate Cordelia and I will be taking off for two or three days to get away for awhile and just have some time for each other before she gets to big to have sex and I am once again put up in dry dock. Wesley and Fred would you like to go with us? I know that you two have been having a hard time of it with your boys teething and all. You two look like you need to get away for awhile. Connie and Lou are here to take care of them plus we have 3 doctors that live here. It will give Mike a good opportunity to see what it is really like to actually be around children 24 hours a day."

Wesley looked at Fred. "Would you like to go?" "Yes, I think it would be a good idea for us to get away by ourselves for awhile. The boys will be okay with so many people around to take care of them and I can give you 100 of my attention." Fred said. She put her hand on Wesley's and gave him a kiss.

"It looks like we'll be joining you then. When do you want to leave?" Wesley asked. "Let's leave around 3. We'll be able to get out of the city before the heavy traffic starts. I'll make the reservations for tonight. We better go to the bank first so we can have lots of playing money. I don't suppose you would like to go Mom and Giles?" "I can't, I still have a lot of work to do in the store if I'm to be ready for opening day. You can go Mary." "No I think I'll stay and help Connie and Lou take care of the children."

Angel rose from his chair and said, "Okay then let's go and get some money. Is their anything you want us to pick up ladies?" "Yes, we're all out of Hershey chocolate bars and you better pick up some dry ice so we can pack some blood for you." "Yes Mam." Angel said as he saluted Cordelia. Wesley and Angel were gone for two hours. Most of the time was taken up looking for dry ice. As soon as they returned Angel called the MGM casino in Las Vegas and made reservations for two of their suites. By 3 o'clock they were on the road. Wesley was driving Cordelia's van since the sun was still high in the sky. Cordelia had bought a Books-on-Tape for Harry Potter and the Sorcers Stone so they could all listen to it. As it got lighter everyone changed seats during one of the many stops for Cordelia and Angel to go to the bathroom. Angel took the drivers seat and Cordelia and Fred sat in the back where they could talk and dish out the snack that Connie had packed for them. Wesley sat up front with Angel.

The girls were busy talking at the very back of the van so Wesley thought it was okay to talk to Angel about something Dr. Martin wanted him to do. He knew that Angel could hear him if he spoke low so the girls couldn't hear him.

"Angel since you were having a problem with your boys I wanted to talk about something Dr. Martin told me. She told me that I needed to get a vasectomy because it would be too dangerous for Fred to get pregnant again. She said it would be a lot easier for me to get it done then it would be for Fred to have an operation to get her tubes tied or for her to be on birth control pills." "So what is the problem? You're just getting the delivery tube tied off so none of your sperm can get through to her. Everything else will still work. Mom says that it just gets reabsorbed by your body. When we were up in 412 and she was explaining to me what was wrong with me she showed me some pictures of exactly what our boys' look like inside. I never realized there was so much in those guys. Anyway she also told me how a vasectomy is performed. She said it's a very simple operation that only takes a few minutes. She said that most guys just take it easy for a couple of days and sit around with a six pack of cold beer between their legs as they drink it. I'm going to have it done myself since Cordelia doesn't want anymore children after the twins are born."

"When are you going to get it done?" "After the twins are born and Cordelia is able to show me how much she appreciates my sacrifice." Angel said with a smile.

"I don't know Angel. The whole thing is kind of scary." "Wesley after what just happened to me getting a vasectomy is a walk in the park. Even though my boys were dead before I could still have sex it's just that without the testosterone I really didn't care anymore." Angel could tell that Wesley was still reluctant to have it done.

"You know Wesley the main reason why I am going to have it done is because of what Mom told me about how birth control pills work. Birth control pills were originally used to regulate a woman's period because some women don't have a regular 28 day menstrual cycle. What the birth control pill does is regulate their period and forces their body to drop all of that blood that is in their uterus in preparation for any fertilized eggs. Which means, even if they have been impregnated it still gets flushed out, and that is the same thing as murder to me, because I believe that you are given your soul from the time that fertilization takes place. When Mom explained this to me I promised myself that I was going to get it done so that Cordelia would never have to take birth control pills again. Right now she doesn't have to because she's pregnant. Just think of it Wesley you might have created a dozen babies that all died because Fred was on birth control pills."

"Yeah but Angel it's nothing but a few thousand cells that gets flushed out. It doesn't even resemble a baby yet." "Then tell me Wesley why is it that Cordelia was able to sense it when we were successful in making Kathleen and the twins. She said that it's hard for her to describe it but that she felt something like a tingling feeling at the moment that it happened. That kind of feeling doesn't come from an "IT"."

"What do you mean an "IT"." "That is what people call a baby when they want to talk about abortion. They refer to a human being as an "IT" or a fetus when they want to justify killing an unborn baby." Wesley was quiet for the next twenty miles.

"I guess your right. We men are so absorbed with our own comfort and the macho image that we maintain in our own minds that we are willing to sacrifice everyone around us that we love. Don't let me lose my nerve now when we get back, because I'll tell Dr. Martin that I want to do it as soon as we get back."

"That's good Wesley and just to show you that I really believe in this I'm going to tell Mom that I want mine done at the same time."

Wesley turned around to check on the girls since it was so quiet in the back. Fortunately they were sleeping.

When he turned around he could see the lights from Las Vegas shining in the night sky. He called out to the girls to wake them. "Ladies wake up we are coming into Vegas now."

"Uh, Angel pull over please, I have to go now." Cordelia said as she started squirming. There wasn't anything around yet where she could go to a bathroom.

"If you can't wait Cordy I'll have to just pull over to the side and Fred and I can hold blankets up okay?" "Okay but do it now please. I think the boys are using my bladder for a punching bag."

Angel was able to find a wide enough area where he was able to park the van side ways. He jumped out and helped Cordelia out and grabbed the blanket so the oncoming traffic lights wouldn't hit her. She barely made it. Wesley laughed when he heard her sigh in relief. Angel helped her get back in the van. After closing the side door he went to the other side himself and took his turn. When he was done he jumped back into the van and they kept driving until they arrived at the hotel.

It took them just a few minutes to sign in since they had two of the upper class suites. Angel had expressly requested two suites connected to each other. It was 10 o'clock by the time they checked in and were shown their rooms. Cordelia was tired so she went to bed to get a few hours of sleep. Apparently Fred was also because Wesley came knocking at Angels door. "You ready for some fun?" "Yeah let's go, Cordelia is sleeping right now. I told her I was going to go and play for awhile." "Fred too."

Angel and Wesley liked playing the machines so they were gone for awhile among all of the lights and noise created by the machines. They went to the cashier first to turn some $100 bills into 20s. Angel headed for the dollar machines where as Wesley headed for the quarter machines. Angel didn't realize that the casino was surrounded with mirrors.

Wesley had been stopping to put quarters in machines as he walked along. When one paid off he pulled out the chair and sat down. After a couple of hours, and $100 poorer he went looking for Angel and found him at a machine with the lights flashing and the lights around a Harley Davidson motorcycle flashing on and off and sirens announcing that he had won the jackpot.

The first thing that went through his mind was that Angel was now the center of everyone's attention. He looked up at the mirrors surrounding the area. It didn't hit him at first when he looked in the mirror but he realized later on that he could see Angel in the mirror. He made his way over to Angel.

"Congratulations you just won the jackpot and this Harley Davidson Motorcycle." The representative from the MGM said as he shook Angel's hand. Angel was smiling from ear to ear. He spotted Wesley in among all of the people surrounding him. Angel signaled for Wesley to come over to him.

"Congratulations you lucky dog, do you think Cordelia will let you ride it?" Wesley was patting Angel on the back and looking at the machine. For the next hour they were with the manager of the casino as Wesley gave him all of the information they needed to deliver the Motorcycle and all of the information for tax purposes.

Apparently Angel was real hot because he also had buckets of silver dollars to turn in as well. When they were done with management they bought a bottle of the most expensive Champagne that they could find and went up to Angels room. Wesley went to get Fred and bring her over. They knocked on the door and Angel let them in. Cordelia was up also and rubbing her eyes.

"Okay what is all of this about?" Both Cordelia and Fred asked.

Angel didn't say anything. He just opened up the champagne and poured everyone a glass. He made sure that he only gave Cordelia a half of a glass.

"Ladies you are looking at the biggest winner at the jackpot this evening. I won a 2006 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Before I hit that though I was winning at the dollar machines and I won almost $10,000 in one jackpot after another. I am hot tonight. I don't think I could lose if I wanted to.

Angel pulled out a bundle of $100 bills and counted out $2,500 in four stacks and gave one to Wesley, Fred, and Cordelia. Both Fred and Cordelia gave him a kiss as he gave them the stacks of money.

Wesley put his arm on Angels shoulder and shook his hand. "Angel I have something else to tell you about that you have won." "You mean the manager had something else to give me?" "No I just found out about this gift that your Boss has given you." Angel had a puzzled look on his face.

Wesley just guided him over to the large mirror that was in the living room and turned him towards it. Angel stared at his reflection. Cordelia came over to his other side and put her arm around his arm. They all just stood there for a few minutes looking at Angel's reflection. As he looked at himself he walked closer to the mirror and touched it. The tears started to fall as he continued to stare at himself. He turned then and hugged Cordelia. As he held her he said "It's been so long since I've seen my own reflection. Not since we rescued Fred from that crazy dimension. This though, this is permanent and not just for a short time. He turned then and grabbed onto Fred and Wesley and hugged them. He let them go after a while and turned back to the mirror.

"No wonder you fell in love with me Cordy, I am a handsome man." He turned then and showed that he was just kidding. Cordelia threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Now do you understand why I was so scared when you were wearing Hunters ring while we were in Ireland?" "You don't ever have to worry about that my dear. Is anyone hungry?"

"I could do with a sandwich. Let me see what Connie packed for us. I don't want too much to eat." Cordelia went through the picnic basket that Connie had packed for them. Angel pulled out some blood for himself. Fred and Wesley pulled out some sandwiches for themselves and some potato chips and Frito's. While Angel was warming up his blood in the microwave Cordelia and Fred pulled out some soft drinks that were in the ice chest. "Do you want a ham sandwich or a roast beef sandwich Angel?" "I'll have the roast beef." He said as he came back to the table with his blood.

"I wonder when you will be able to stop drinking blood Angel." Fred asked as she started in on her ham sandwich. "Just about next to never. As long as Angelus is with me I'll still need blood to survive." Angel finished his sandwich and went to the mirror and stared at his reflection.

"Cordelia, when did I start having gray hair?" "Oh about 3 or 4 months ago." "Why didn't you tell me?" "To tell you the truth I really didn't think anything of it. Besides I think it makes you very distinguished looking." "Wesley is getting gray hair too." Fred said as she shoved the last piece of sandwich in her mouth. She poured herself and Wesley some more Champagne and was about to make a toast when she noticed he had gotten up and was next to Angel looking at himself in the mirror. "What gray hair?" Cordelia and Fred just looked at each other. They drank the rest of their drinks and started throwing away the papers and cans of cokes. Cordelia took out the rest of the drinks and put them in the small refrigerator along with her milk. She left Angels blood in the ice chest and put the lock on it that she had brought.

Fred grabbed Wesley's arm and pulled him away from the mirror. "Common Wesley lets go to our own rooms. This is our first night of peace and quiet and I don't want to waste it. Good night Angel and Cordelia." Fred said as she continued to pull Wesley's arm while he continued to fuss with his hair.

Cordelia locked the door after them as she answered with a good night. She turned everything off as she went to the bedroom. Without any lights Angel finally realized that Fred and Wesley were gone. He drank the rest of his blood then rinsed it out and left it in the sink. He went into the bedroom then and got undressed and jumped in the shower. It was a large shower surrounded in glass with a full body spray. Cordelia joined him after disrobing. Angel had bathed already so he helped her to bathe herself. It was getting harder for her to do it since her stomach was getting so big. When he was done bathing her she turned around so that she was facing him. She stood on her toes so she could reach his lips. Angel started to make love to her but she took his arms and put them behind his back.

"Tonight it's my turn to do the lovemaking." Cordelia said as she continued to kiss him on his neck and going down his chest. She stood in front of him and pushed him down to the seat that was in the shower. She proceeded to give him the kind of sex that all men like. As he climaxed he gave out such a loud moan that she had to put her hand over his mouth. He put his face between her breasts as he continued to moan and call out her name as his body continued to pump out his semen. "Woman you could make Satan himself call out your name." He kissed her gently in thanks. Let's go to bed now. Even though you did all of the work I am tired. Winning a Motorcycle is tiring. " Cordelia turned off the shower and they got out. They both slept well that night and didn't wake up until noon.

Angel woke to the sound of the telephone. As Cordelia came out of the bathroom she heard Angel say "Yeah we'll be ready to go downstairs in fifteen minutes." He hung up then and looked at his wife. She had come out of the bathroom with nothing on. She had been styling her hair and putting her makeup on. Angel was starting to get turned on just watching her as she gathered her clothes so she could get dressed. She pulled out a t-shirt and shorts and socks for him and threw it at him.

"Don't you think it's time for you to get dressed?" "I'm debating as to whether I should jump you or get dressed." It seemed that ever since Angelus had healed him he was constantly thinking about having sex with Cordelia. When she threw him his clothes she saw him starting to get aroused. She went over to him and put her clothes in his lap as she seductively teased him. "Help me put my clothes on please." She ran her hands over her stomach and her breasts. She knew how Angel got turned on by the sight of her pregnancy. As he helped her dress she held onto his shoulders and gave him easy access to her breasts. Just as he reached for them she pulled back. "We'll never get dressed if you start that again." He looked up at her and stood up fast and gave her a swat on her behind. "Owe! What did you do that for?" "You knew exactly what you were doing to me you little Vixen. Sit down while I put your socks on." Cordelia complied. She was starting to have a hard time reaching her feet now. Her stomach got in the way now days and she usually needed help getting dressed. Angel helped her finish dressing then he finished dressing himself. They reached the door just as Wesley knocked on it.

"Let the fun begin Ladies." Wesley said. "How are you two doing?" Fred asked. "We had a nice, restful sleep." Cordelia answered.

"Did you enjoy your first evening away from the boys?" Cordelia asked. "Since I'm still breast feeding my breasts were full of milk last night and were hurting something awful. I had used the breast pump earlier but they were full again half way through the night and I had to ask Wesley to empty them. After that I was okay." Fred said. "Fred! Do you have to tell them about everything we do?" Wesley exclaimed. "Don't get excited Wesley. Remember that Angel did it for Cordelia all of the time to make her start producing more milk." Angel just smiled at Fred. She was so open about everything. In a way she was like a child in that nothing was to sacred to talk about in the open. Angel looked at Wesley, his face was beat red.

"That's okay Wesley; Cordelia thinks nothing about embarrassing the hell out of me also." Angel said as he put his hand on his shoulder.

The rest of their little holiday passed in the same way. They spent most of their time in the casino that day while the night time was put aside for a show, dinning and a little dancing. After dinner they took a nap before hitting the casino again. Angel was still hot so he was winning left and right. Cordelia was happy to play the quarter machines and hit a few jackpots but put it right back in. Fred liked to play blackjack because she could count the cards but since she didn't bet very much she didn't draw anyone's attention. When Angel and Cordelia said they were going back to their rooms Wesley went looking for Fred. He found her at a Blackjack table and watched her playing a few hands. He finally pulled her away from the table when he saw what she was doing.

"Fred Price what you are doing is illegal and if I ever catch you doing that again I am going to take you over my knee and give you a good spanking. Do you understand?" Fred lowered her eyes. "Yes Wesley." "I think you've had enough gambling for one day." He took her hand and started for the elevators. Cordelia and Angel had been standing close by and heard Wesley scolding Fred. As they stood in the elevator the men were standing by the door and Fred and Cordelia were standing at the back. Cordelia and Fred looked at each other and smiled. Fred pulled out a wad of paper money to show Cordelia how much she had won. Wesley and Angel turned around when they heard their wives giggling like two school girls. Fred quickly put the money back in her purse.

"Fred I want you to put that money, you were showing Cordelia, into the suitcase. On Sunday when we go to church you are going to put all of it into the collection basket. Do you understand?" "Yes Wesley." "We have more than enough money my dear so that you do not have to cheat." "Yes Wesley." Fred and Cordelia exchanged glances again. They made sure they didn't make any noise this time. They just gave each other a smile and Fred mouthed the word to Cordelia, 'Watch'.

As the doors to the elevator opened Fred was able to produce some tears and was sniffling. She knew that it would make Wesley feel like a worm for scolding her.

As they exited the elevator Wesley turned to Fred and saw her tears. He pulled her into his arms and said, "I'm sorry I scolded you Fred but what you were doing was wrong. It goes against what I believe in. To me cheating is the same thing as stealing." He gave her a kiss on her forehead and wiped her tears away with his handkerchief. As Fred had her head against Wesley's chest she looked at Cordelia and smiled. She straightened up as Wesley said goodnight to Cordelia and Angel. Like a little girl she held his hand as he walked back into their rooms.

Cordelia busted out laughing as soon as they entered their own suite. "What's so funny?" "Fred, she is not as innocent as she seems you know." "I know. She used to be innocent but after associating with you she has become corrupted. Poor Wesley, he just doesn't know what he is up against." "Are you going to tell him?" "No as they say 'ignorance is bliss'."

"Well at least the whole evening won't be a total loss. They are going to have sex like little bunnies tonight." Cordelia said as she put her arms around Angel and gave him a kiss. You want to act like little bunnies on our last night or are we going to stay one more night, because Mister I am telling you right now that you will probably be in dry dock for the next 4 months or so. Our sons are getting big so fast that I get tired easily now and I am going to need your help just to get around pretty soon."

"If you don't mind, yes I would like to stay one more night. Why don't you go to bed and get some rest. I'm going down stairs to play some more and I'll ask Wesley if he wants to stay one more night." He gave her a kiss then turned and left. He knew it was quiet next door so he knocked on their door lightly. Wesley came to the door.

"You want to go and play some more?" "Yeah, let me tell Fred where I'm going." Wesley was back in a minute and they headed for the elevators. "Fred sleeping?" "Yes, I left her a note just in case she wakes up before I get back." "Cordelia asked me if I wanted to stay one more night and I said yes. Do you want to stay?" "Yeah, we may not get another time like this for a long time. Besides I have a lot of kissing up to do after making her cry." Wesley said. Angel debated with himself as to whether he should tell Wesley what was really going on or not.

"You don't have to argue with yourself if you should tell me what she is doing or not. Don't forget that I've known Cordelia for a long time also. I saw those looks Fred and Cordelia were giving each other. On top of that Cordelia was having a hard time hiding her smile." "Well it seems that Cordelia has taught us well. Do you think I should tell her that you know what was going on between them?" Angel asked. "No! That would really ruin it for us. If we play our cards right they will be giving us the best sex ever instead of us having to do all of the work." Wesley and Angel were laughing so hard that they had tears coming out of their eyes.

They played for several hours before they finally were tired enough to go to bed. By then it was 3 o'clock in the morning and they had nothing but sleep on their minds. By 9 am though Fred was saying how sorry she was and Angel was getting all he could before he was anchored into dry dock for the next four months.

By 1 o'clock they were up and ready to eat. Cordelia called in for room service after asking Wesley and Fred to join them for Brunch. By 2 they were having a leisure meal together. After having a large glass of blood Angel was leaning back in his chair. "Well what shall we do on our last night?" "Let's go downtown and see the light show." Cordelia suggested. "That sounds good. I haven't been downtown in a long time. I think the last time I was there was when Elvis got married." The rest looked at Angel. "Really Angel? You're not pulling our leg?" Cordelia asked. "No, I was working my way across country and happened to be renting an apartment and working at one of the casinos. Back then things were kind of sparse and it was nothing like it is now. They happened to need a body guard for one night and I was off so I applied and became one of the many body guards he had."

"It's too bad you can't write down your experiences Angel. It would make a good book for you to pass down to our children and grandchildren. Just think of it guys, when we are gone and then our children die there won't be anyone that will remember us or about the things we did. All we'll have is Angel Investigation that will continue for a long time to come, I hope." Cordelia said.

"That's not 100 correct Cordelia. The Watchers Chronicles will have a lot of what we have done. I'm still making a lot of entries in them except I'm very selective of what I report on." Wesley said as he got up and poured himself some more hot tea and offered some to everyone else.

"Well Cordelia their really isn't any reason why he can't write a book on his life. In fact it may be very helpful to future generations. Just like we do when we have a problem and we research books for how to solve a problem they will have another book to look to for information. Best of all Angel, if you want to, you can have a separate book on Demons, Vampires and Wolfram & Hart." Fred said to Angel.

"I'll think about it and most likely I will do it if for nothing else than to help Connor and the generations to follow. Let's go downstairs. I'm getting depressed thinking of my impending mortality." Angel said as he got up.

"Why are you getting depressed after finally getting what you've always wanted?" Fred asked.

"Because Cordelia and I will then be separated for a length of time." Angel turned to Cordelia and took her into his arms. "Lets go so we won't get any further into this depression. Are you feeling one of your pregnancy depressions?" He asked her. "No this is just a sadness depression. I think we need to get going. I don't want to dwell on it anymore." She gave Angel a kiss then went to get her purse while the rest put everything onto the cart and pushed it into the hallway.

The rest of the day was spent playing the machines. Wesley reminded Fred that she was to stay away from the Black Jack table. After a couple of hours at the machines, which didn't seem to be paying off at that time, Angel decided to try the Crap table. Wesley had never played it so he followed along. They were there for an hour and not doing very good until the girls joined them. All of a sudden Angels luck changed and the chips started to pile up in front of him. Wesley tried his luck also and was having beginners luck. By the time they left they had a pile of chips that they needed help in carrying to the cashier and turning them in. When the cashier counted it all up he turned over $11,550 to Wesley and $23,000 to Angel. They both went to a local branch of their bank and deposited all of the money into their private accounts.

When they were done they picked the girls up and took the taxi cab to the downtown area and had a nice quiet Supper and took it easy while waiting for the show to start. Cordelia wanted to sit down so she sat at one of the quarter machines and started putting in quarters. As soon as the other three machines next to her were free the rest sat down also. It wasn't long before Cordelia noticed people started to gather outside as it started getting darker.

"Let's go I think the show is going to start soon." The difference between the temperatures inside and the outside of the casinos was like night and day. When you opened the doors to go outside during the summer it was like walking into a wall. It was hardest on Cordelia since she was carrying two extra passengers so she held onto Angels arm as they waited for the show to start.

As the show started everyone's eyes were on the lights overhead as the computerized pictures flowed across the lights. Angel saw the pick pockets going through the crowd and pulling wallets from purses and of those men that kept their wallets in their pants pockets. When one of them tried lifting Cordelia's wallet he grabbed his wrist. "Ply your trade elsewhere my friend." The man cried out in pain and dropped her wallet. Angel let him go and he ran off. "Why did you let him go?" Wesley asked when he heard Angel talking. "I would have had to answer too many questions."

They left and returned to the hotel as soon as the show was over. Cordelia was tired and anxious to go to bed.

"We'll see you tomorrow morning Wesley and Fred. My little Momma here is tuckered out." Angel said as he opened the door to their suite and escorted Cordelia in. She waved goodnight and went in directly to the bedroom. Sex was out of the question tonight because she went into a deep sleep almost immediately.

Cordelia woke up at 4 in the morning. Her legs were hurting her. She called out to Angel in a low voice. "Angel, wake up." He didn't even move. "Angel, wake up." She called out louder and jabbed him in the side with her elbow. "Huh, what's wrong?" "My legs are swollen and they're hurting. I guess I did too much walking today."

Angel got up and grabbed some pillows from the living room and put them under her legs so they would be higher than her head. "How do they feel now?" Angel asked as he sat down on his side of the bed.

"Better, thank you. They were hurting so much before that it woke me up." "Do you know if you can take anything for it or is there anything else that I can do?" "No, when Fred was having the same problem Mike just told her and Wesley to just put her legs up higher than her head. He said that she should avoid taking anything if at all possible."

"Well maybe I can make your heart start beating faster and then as your blood starts flowing through your legs it will pick up all of that nasty water that's making them swell up." As Angel was saying this he was kissing her and removing her nightgown. As his kisses went down her neck he used his teeth to grab the string holding the left and right side of the nightgown together. Without using his hands he pushed the nightgown to the side and sought out her breast. He listened carefully as his mouth and tongue found her nipple and began to play with it. As he played with her nipple and started to suckle he could hear her heart rate increasing. Angel pulled back and looked at her.

"Cordelia I wish that there was some way that I could take out my heart, put it on a scale and measure the amount of love I have for you. I would then be able to truly show you how much I love you. Until that day comes this is the only way that I can show you." Angel reached for the bottom of her nightgown and pulled it over her head and tossed it to the side. He then proceeded to worship at her temple. He kept this up until she couldn't hold it back anymore. Angel picked her up and entered her as she lay on her side with her leg over his arm. He pumped her a few times then stopped and lowered his hand between her legs. He rolled his index finger around her center as she gasped when he touched her.

"Angel, my Angel. Make this last one the one that I'll remember when I'm to big to have sex anymore." She grabbed his hand from between her legs and put each finger deep into her mouth. When she was done she continued to kiss his hand then put it back down between her legs. Angel played with her some more than started to pump her more rapidly. Just as she was about to climax he slowed down and put his hand on her breast and started to play with her as his mouth sought out her ear lobe and neck. He licked her neck as though he was going to give her the Vampire Special. He knew he couldn't do it again so soon since her blood was now nourishing their sons. Instead he just let her think he was going to do it by his careful attention to her neck. She let out a moan as she started to feel close to her climax again. She was so close that she could hardly stand it.

"Do it now Angel, do it now. I am going to blow a gasket if you don't take us to the top of that mountain now." "But Cordy you told me to make this last time the one that you will remember during those nights when you want sex but you are to big to have it." In response she dug her nails into his arm. Angel gave her what she wanted and they both climaxed at the same time. He pumped her a few more times until he started to shudder with the effort that his body was putting into giving her all that he had to give her. As his body emptied itself inside of her he removed his arm from underneath her leg and let it go down slowly. After a few minutes he rolled over to his side of the bed so that he faced her. As Cordelia's heart rate started to slow down Angel remembered why he had started making love to her in the first place.

"How are your legs feeling now?" In answer she said "What legs?" He smiled then and pulled the covers over them again. When he had the covers straightened out again he lay back down and pulled her close to him. They went to sleep then and didn't wake up again until it was time to leave.

Cordelia was feeling much better in the morning as they quickly took a shower and packed to leave. Angel called next door to see if the Prices were ready. Then called for someone to come and pick up their luggage. Before leaving they had breakfast. They all still had a container of quarters so they stopped in the casino and made a final donation to the machines. This time it was Cordelia's turn to win and she hit a jackpot for $12,000 on a poker machine. They took her picture with the machine showing her winning with a royal flush. When all of the bells and lights stopped she wanted to play some more but both Wesley and Angel grabbed her by the arm and made her walk out. She grabbed her bucket of quarters just before they pulled her off of the chair and she held onto it tightly and wouldn't let them take it. When Angel tried to take it to the cashier she said, "No this is going into Kathleen's piggy bank."

Angel gave the valet the ticket for the van and they loaded everything up and took off before Cordelia could wonder off to another machine. As they took off they didn't notice a blue jeep following them. As they made their way back to Los Angeles the blue jeep hung way back biding his time until the van would stop. Finally as they were coming out of the mountain Angel had to pull over for Cordelia once again. This time though there was a rest stop with a couple of cars spaced far apart. A family was at one of the cement picnic tables having their Dinner and another car had an elderly couple walking their dog.

Cordelia and Fred ran into the woman's bathroom as soon as he parked. Angel and Wesley went into the men's after Angel locked the van. When they came out they saw a blue jeep parked next to their van and blocking everyone else's view of the vans sliding door. As Angel and Wesley came out they stopped and looked at the map that showed them how much further they had to go. Angel spotted the jeep. "Wesley, doesn't that jeep look familiar?" "Yes I believe it has been following us since we left Vegas." "Why don't you drive and I'll get into the passenger side after you let the girls in on your side. I think this guy is using his jeep to hide what he is going to do." Wesley nodded okay. He explained to the women that they were to get into the van on the drivers side.

They all walked to the van like nothing was wrong. A man came out of the men's room just as they started to walk to the van. He walked quickly and came up behind Angel. He held a knife to his back. "Don't turn around. I've been tailing you since this afternoon buddy. I know how much the lady won and that she took her winnings in cash. Give me the money and you can go your way and I'll go mine."

Angel turned slowly so the guy wouldn't get excited and do something that he would regret. As he turned and looked at the guy he put his vampire face on. Unfortunately for Angel he scared the guy so bad that he shoved the knife into his stomach, pulled it out, then jumped into his jeep and took off. Wesley had seen Angel put his Vampire face on and how the guy took off. Angel almost collapsed but he didn't want Cordelia to get excited right now. He took his handkerchief out and placed it against the knife wound and got into the van. He was hoping that Angelus would step up to the plate and heal him before they got home.

"Everything okay Angel?" Cordelia asked. "That guy took off like a bat out of hell." "Yeah, when I turned towards him and put my vampire face on he almost had a heart attack." It took everything he had in him to keep the pain out of his voice. Once again though he forgot about the link he had with Cordelia. He felt it when she had to pee, and her cravings and every time she had morning sickness when she was carrying Kathleen. What Cordelia felt though when Angel was hurt was just a sense of being uncomfortable like something was wrong but she didn't know what. Right now she didn't think anything of the discomfort she was feeling because the boys were very active right then when she felt the first stab of pain.

"Owe! You little monsters you hurt Mommy." Cordelia talked to her stomach. "What's the matter are they kicking you?" Fred smiled as she asked. She remembered how active her boys were during the last few months. "Yes, at least I think it was one of them that kicked me in the front. It must be getting crowded in there."

Angel suddenly realized that she was feeling his pain. He tried to sleep and hoped that the blood flow would soon stop. They only had two hours more to go before they would be home and he told himself he could make it. Angel leaned his head against the window and passed out. The girls were taking a nap so Wesley didn't think anything of Angels sleeping.

It was 8 o'clock when he finally pulled up to the back of the Hotel. "Alright everyone we're home." He heard Cordelia and Fred starting to wake up and stretch. Wesley pressed the buttons to open both sliding doors on the van. He looked at Angel and saw that he still hadn't woke up. After helping the girls out he went over to the passenger side and knocked on the window to wake Angel up but didn't get any response. Now he knew something was wrong. When Wesley opened the door Angel fell out and into his arms. He saw the blood then that was all over Angel's clothes and had fallen onto the seat. Angel opened his eyes when Wesley caught him. He turned his head and started to vomit blood that had bled into his stomach from the knife wound. The wound, on the surface, had stopped bleeding though and had started to heal. Now that he was awake the blood that had gone into his stomach was irritating it and it had only one way that it could go to empty itself quickly.

Wesley held Angel until he was done then laid him down on the pavement and went inside to get help. Only Connie and Joaquin were downstairs. "Joaquin come and help me. Angel has been hurt." Joaquin put the dish towel down that he was using to dry the frying pan Connie had washed and he ran outside to help.

Joaquin was too short to help carry Angel though so he ran in to get Gunn. In a few minutes everyone was coming outside to help with him. Cordelia had gone upstairs to see Kathleen so she didn't hear any of the commotion downstairs. Kathleen was so happy to see her mother that she was literally screaming with joy. Fred came in the door and calmly asked Cordelia to come downstairs. She told the children though to stay in there room for now while they unpacked everything. Connie had come in and told them to start getting ready for bed and to put there toys away. Dr. Martin had been helping Giles all day at his store and had gone to bed early so no one bothered her. Mike and Hunter had gone to his home for the night.

Cordelia and Fred followed the men into the clinic. Wesley was removing Angels jacket and shirt. Cordelia was the one that used to take care of Angel so she went to his side. Both women had seen Dr. Martin work so many times that they knew what to do. While Cordelia checked the wound Fred checked his blood pressure. She found it to be very low even though his heart was beating fast.

Cordelia had found the upper layers of the wound had already healed so she just busied herself on cleaning him up. Fred had checked the refrigerator for fresh blood and found two bags of O Positive. She grabbed one of the bags and everything else that she needed to start replacing the blood he lost. Cordelia had gone upstairs to clean up and bring Angel a clean pair of shorts and his robe. When she came back down Angel had awakened and was talking to Fred.

Angel was explaining to Fred why he hadn't said anything to anyone when he was stabbed. "I didn't see any purpose in getting Cordelia upset when she couldn't do anything yet. I guess I passed out as I tried to sleep."

Cordelia hit his shoulder. "Don't you ever do that again Angel. Don't you realize that you broadcast what you're feeling? What I thought were the boys kicking me inside was apparently you feeling the pain from the knife wound." "I'm sorry Cordy, I didn't know. Have you been feeling everything, even when I was crucified?" "No, it didn't start until sometime after we were married." She gave him a kiss then looked up at the bag of blood. Fred looked at it also and saw that it was almost empty so she checked his blood pressure again and found it to be closer to normal for Angel.

"We'll let this bag empty Cordelia then he can get up and the guys can help him go to bed." Fred was looking at Angels stomach and where the knife went in. She noticed a slight discoloration of the skin. She put the palm of her hand on his stomach and pressed down a little. When she did Angel let out a yell. "What are you trying to do, push my guts out?" "Oh be quiet you big baby." Fred said. She went over to the phone on her desk and called Dr. Martin.

"Hello, Dr. Martin I'm sorry to wake you but could you come down to the clinic. Angel had a little run in with a guy that wanted to rob us and got stuck with a knife. The wound seems to be healed on the outside but I felt his abdomen and it felt hard and it hurt him when I pressed on it. I think he is still bleeding inside. Okay I'll see you in a few minutes." She hung up and went back to Angel and Cordelia.

"Angel I called Dr. Martin because I think your still bleeding inside. That's why it hurt so much when I pressed on your abdomen. She told me to give you a shot to make you sleep. It should only take a few minutes to fix the problem." In response to Fred's information Angel sat up and turned to the side. Get me a pail Cordy I'm going to be sick." Cordelia gave him a pail just in time. It was all blood. Dr. Martin came in right after he emptied his stomach.

Cordelia showed Dr. Martin the content of the pail. "Well welcome back son. I see you couldn't end your little vacation without getting into trouble." Dr. Martin was looking down at Angel. She grabbed a paper towel and wiped the blood from his mouth. "Angel did you have a seizure yet?" "No I didn't." Angel said. "Okay, is your stomach starting to hurt again?" "Yeah, I think it's starting to fill up with blood again." "Okay then apparently Angelus is unable to make the knife wound heal all of the way. Fred and Cordelia are going to help me fix you up okay?" "Okay, can you give me that pail again?" Dr. Martin gave him the pail again and he promptly emptied his stomach into it again."

It only took Dr. Martin about 30 minutes to close up the wound in Angel's stomach. Gunn and Wesley helped him to get to his own bed when she was done. During the night he had, what Dr. Martin was now calling, his healing seizure. The next morning he was able to get up and have breakfast with everyone else.

They were all talking about their time in Vegas and how much money they had all won, especially Angel. "Your not actually going to let him ride that, are you Cordelia?" Fred said. "What do you mean is she going to 'let me' ride it. I am the head of this family and if I want to keep my motorcycle and ride it whenever I chose to I will do it." Everyone else could see the smile on his face but Kathleen didn't. She thought he was serious, so she hit the table with her spoon and said "No you're not Daddy. Mommy said you can't because you would probably go out and get hurt. You don't want to do that do you Daddy?" "No baby I don't because then I wouldn't get to see you grow up."

Angel saw the smile on Cordelia's face. "Are you done with your breakfast Cordelia?" "Uh, yes I think so." She answered with a last sip of her coffee.

"Good because I have something to discuss with you." Angel put Kathleen down since she was done with her breakfast. "Go and play with Junior Kathleen."

Angel sat back down and just look at his wife. "You have got to stop this Cordelia." "Stop what?" She asked innocently. "You know exactly what I'm talking about." "Well Mom is the one that gave me the idea to use Kathleen." Angel looked at the other end of the table. Dr. Martin looked at the ceiling as though all of a sudden she found the pattern on it very interesting.

"Giles will you please do something about your wife." Angel asked. "Yes I think I will have a discussion with her about my policy of non interference." Giles got up and pulled his wife's chair out then took her hand and pulled her up. "Come dear let's have that discussion now." Giles pulled Dr. Martin to the elevator. All they heard from her was a soft reply of "Yes Dear."

"Wesley are you going to be leaving tonight or tomorrow to see Chambeau?" "We'll leave this afternoon as soon as Connor gets back from school." "Okay then come dear lets go and have that discussion. "As Angel pulled Cordelia's chair away from the table and grabbed her hand they heard the same thing from her as they did from Dr. Martin. "Yes Dear."

As Angel was pulling Cordelia behind him he heard the phone in the Lobby ring and went to answer it without letting go of Cordelia's hand.

"Angel Investigations, may I help you?" "Yes Tom. Okay, she's right here, just a minute." Angel looked sad. "What's the matter?" Cordelia asked. "I'll tell you in a second." Angel put the phone on hold then he stepped to the outside of his office and looked at the dinning room table. "Lou I have a call for you." Lou came running to the phone. "Who is it?" "It's your brother Tom."

When Lou took the phone Angel walked out of his office with Cordelia in tow.

"It's Tom Chambeau; he said his father died last night."

TBC…………………………………………………………………….