Chapter 18
Early the next morning Cordelia was up and looking for her babies. Angel was walking down the hall trying to get a feel for the boys. He couldn't sense them at all though. "Stay right here and I'll go to the 3rd floor to see if they are in Lou's room." Angel leaped up to the 3rd floor and went to stand in front of Lou's room. He picked up their scent here but it wasn't strong enough to say that they were currently here. He walked towards the Sanchez's room but still didn't pick up anything. Next he tried the 5th floor and his mother's room. Their scent was strongest here so he knocked at their door lightly but didn't get an answer. He knocked a little harder then. This time he heard Giles come to the door.
"Good morning Angel, I presume you're looking for your sons?" Giles whispered. "Yes do you have them?" Giles opened the door wider. Angel came in and saw a bassinet next to the bed by his mother. He looked inside and saw the boys all bundled up and laying side by side. Angel pulled the bassinet out to the hallway. "Thanks Giles." Angel carefully pulled the bassinet over to the elevator and went down to the 2nd floor then to his bedroom where Cordelia was waiting.
"Here we are Mommy." Angel pulled the bassinet in and closed the door. Within a few minutes they heard a soft knock at the door. Can I come in Mommy and Daddy? Angel opened the door and let his daughter in. Kathleen wasn't the only one that came in though. She had brought her gang with her. "Well I see everyone is up early. Good morning." Cordelia said. Everyone said good morning and came over to look what was in the bassinet.
"We gave a name to Uncle Spike, Mommy and Daddy." "And what did you name your little brother?" Angel asked as he took a seat on the bed next to Cordelia.
"We named him Michael Tobias Martin." Kathleen said. "That's a very good name but why did you name him Michael Tobias." "We named him Michael because I always hear you talk about Saint Michael all of the time so we told Uncle Spike we wanted to name him Saint Michael but Uncle Spike said Saint wasn't really a name so we shortened it to Michael. Then we wanted the second name to be Toby because Toby is our friend and he takes care of us all of the time and plays with us. Uncle Spike said that kids might tease him about being named after a dog so he said why not name him Tobias that way he could tell kids that Toby was short for Tobias. So that's why his name is Michael Tobias." "Well that is a very good name isn't it Daddy." Cordelia said. "Yes that's a very good name. I especially like Michael. We can call him Mike which is short for Michael." Angel picked up his youngest son and said "How do you like your name Michael Tobias?" In answer his son started crying.
"Let me have him Angel." Cordelia opened Michael's blanket then checked his diaper. It was wet so she got up and put him on the bed. "He's wet Angel why don't you check Nicky?" Angel picked up his other son and kneeled down by the bed and took the outer blanket off. "Yup, he's wet also." Cordelia brought a couple of diapers over along with some baby wipes. She got on her knees like Angel and they started to take the diapers off. Kathleen helped Joyce to get up on the bed and Junior, Kathleen and Joyce watched the two newest additions to the family being changed. Just as they pulled the diapers off and the air hit them they both shot a stream of urine. Fortunately Cordelia had taken care of plenty of baby boys when she was a teenager and knew enough to keep the dirty diaper on where she could protect herself. Unfortunately Angel didn't know about this trick and his son got his robe all wet. He quickly covered him but his son was quicker on the draw. He looked at Cordelia as she laughed at him.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" "I'm sorry I forgot they did that and I just unconsciously covered Michael." Kathleen's gang was all laughing at him. "Eww you got pee all over your bathrobe Daddy." Angel went ahead and changed his son's diapers and bundled him up again. Cordelia climbed up on the bed and opened her robe so she could give Michael his first meal. The girls and Junior got on either side of her and watched what she was doing. Cordelia pulled her nightgown strap down and cleaned her breast then put her son to her breast for the first time. He didn't want it at first but when she squeezed her nipple a little into his mouth he latched on and started suckling.
Angel was watching the kids watching Cordelia. "Do you think they remember being nursed?" "I don't know why don't you ask them." Cordelia told him.
"Junior do you remember your mother feeding you like that?" "No, she said she did when I saw Mrs. Price feeding her baby but I don't remember." "I guess that is something that we forget easily." Angel said. "Yeah but you men remember real fast." "Why Mrs. Martin, shame on you saying that in front of these innocent little minds."
"Do you have your towel so you can burp him?" Angel got up and pulled a clean towel out of the closet. He came back to the bed and after another 10 minutes Cordelia gave him Michael. She cleaned herself up then reached for Nicky. Angel had placed him on her lap before he took Michael from her. Nicky took to her breast without any encouragement. Angel put Michael to his shoulder and started to gently pat him on the back. "How come you're doing that Daddy?" "I'm patting him on the back because babies get air into there tummies when they nurse and you get it out by lightly patting them on their backs. If you listen you'll hear him burp up the air." The children became very quiet while they listened and were rewarded with a soft burp from Michael.
"Would you like to hold your brother?" Angel asked Kathleen. "Can I?" In answer Angel wrapped Michael back up and put him in his sister's lap. Junior and Joyce sat closer to Kathleen and looked at her little brother.
"Daddy can I talk to Michael and Nicky like you and I used to talk." "You mean like when I talked to you in here without anyone else knowing what we are saying to each other?" Angel pointed to her head. "Yes like that." Angel could tell that Kathleen was very serious about this.
"Yes I think you can but let's wait until they are a little older okay. Mommy said you talked to them when they were still inside her with pictures just like you do when you talk to Toby, is that right?" "Yeah I put my head to her tummy and they told me they were going to come out the next day by showing me a picture of you and Mommy holding them." "What made you think they were going to come out the next day?" "I just guessed since I was saying goodnight." "Okay we are going to try something later when they wake up again. When you hear me calling you I want you to come to our room and well try talking to them okay?" "Okay Daddy. Can I bring Joyce and Junior?" "No I think it would be better if it was just you Mommy, me and Connor if he is back home then." "Okay Daddy." Cordelia gave Angel Nicky and took Michael from Kathleen and put him in the bassinet. "Why don't you 3 go and get dressed now and stay in your room until Connie calls you for breakfast okay?" "Okay, bye Nicky and Michael." Joyce and Junior echoed Kathleen's goodbyes and they all climbed down from the bed and went upstairs.
By the time Angel and Cordelia were ready to go downstairs it was 9 o'clock. Cordelia had put on another nightgown after taking a shower with Angel. She still tired easy and thought she would spend another day in bed resting. Angel pulled the bassinet to the elevator and then to the dinning room. Everyone else was either at the table having coffee or coming down the stairs now.
"Good morning everyone." Angel and Cordelia said. "Good morning, how are you two doing?" Dr. Martin asked. "We are doing okay and except for Nicky and Michael, we are starving." "Michael, is that the name Kathleen picked out?" Connor asked.
"You'll be happy to know that they named him after your dog also. His whole name is Michael Tobias Martin. According to your sister, her and her gang had decided on Saint Michael Toby. When they went to Spike though he was able to convince them that Saint wasn't a name but a title and Toby wasn't a good name because the other kids in school would tease him about being named after a dog. So they changed it to Michael Tobias. Kathleen made it clear though that they were still going to call him Toby."
Lou and Tom were coming down the stairs with the children following them. Lou and Tom had Joyce between them and were swinging her down to each step since she was so small and could barely make it by herself. As they made it to the bottom the children went running to the dinning room. Kathleen came to a stop just as they made it to the entrance of the dinning room. As she was taught she greeted everyone and Joyce and Junior copied her. To no ones surprise though they all went and gave Toby a hug and a good morning kiss then went to sit at their table. Toby took his usual position as the fourth kid.
When the children sat down and Toby took his position at the children's table Connie, Lucinda, and Joaquin turned and stood where they were after bringing in the food. When Kathleen saw that everyone was quiet she started the Morning breakfast prayer. "Thank you Jesus for another day, thank you for the food we have, and most of all thank you for my two new brothers Charles Nicholas and Michael Toby. Amen" Everyone echoed her Amen and then got up to get their food. Angel got up and made a plate for both Cordelia and Kathleen while Buffy made one for herself and Joyce. Connie made one for Junior and then waited until everyone else was finished getting their food then she dished up her own along with Joaquin, and Lucinda. Connor made a little dish for Toby so that Kathleen and the rest wouldn't give him some of theirs. Everyone concentrated on their food for awhile before striking up a conversation.
When Angel finished his breakfast he sat back in his chair and was biting on his thumb nail. Dr. Martin saw him and softly called out to Hunter and pointed at Angel. Both women started laughing so hard that they were choking. Mike and Giles were patting their wives back to help them clear their throat.
"What is so funny that you two started choking?" Dr. Martin was reluctant to say anything. Hunter though had no reservations. She was always speaking up and embarrassing someone. Angel was her favorite target.
"When we checked on Cordelia yesterday Dr. Martin made a comment when we left their room, she said poor Angel wasn't going to get any time with Cordelia's breasts since she had two babies to nurse. She also said 'I just hope he doesn't start sucking his thumb instead'. When we looked at him it looked like that was what he was doing."
Cordelia reached over to Angel. "My poor baby are those bad women picking on you again?" "Yes they are. I swear if it isn't Gunn, then it's Spike when he's here, and if it isn't Spike then it's Hunter. What's worse is that my own Mother is picking on me also. Kathleen, would you come here for a minute please?"
Kathleen came over to her father and put her arms out to him. "What's the matter Daddy?" "Aunt Mickey and Grandma are picking on me. I want you to change them into cats so that Toby will chase them around the hotel for a while." "Okay Daddy. How long do you want them to be cats?" "Oh I would say 10 minutes will be long enough." "Okay Daddy, are you really, really sure that you want me to do this?" "Yes I am really, really sure. It will teach them that you are my protector and no one should tease me because you will teach them a lesson if they do." "Okay Daddy here it goes." She looked at Hunter and snapped her fingers. All of a sudden there was a loud bang and Hunter disappeared.
Mike and everyone else jumped up. "Oh my God Kathleen what did you do?" Then they heard a loud "Meow." Mike lifted the clothes that Hunter had been wearing and underneath the clothes he found a light brown, long haired, female cat. He carefully picked her up and held her close to his chest.
Everyone was standing and had their mouths open as they stared in astonishment at what Kathleen had done. Giles was afraid that she was going to do the same thing to his wife. "Kathleen don't you dare change your grandmother into a cat." "I won't Grandpa. Besides I don't think Grandma will tease Daddy anymore will you Grandma." "No I won't tease him anymore about that particular subject." She said with a little chuckle.
"Why are you so calm about this?" Giles was turning red he was so angry. "What if she can't turn her back?"
"Everyone sit down and calm down." Dr. Martin said. When she saw that everyone was sitting she stood up. "Willow, come out here please?" Willow came out and everyone looked at her. She had a sheepish look on her face.
"You're the one that changed Hunter, right?" Dr. Martin asked when everyone sat down. Mike was still holding onto Hunter and petting her while she was licking his ear and purring.
"No uh...actually Kathleen did it but I taught her how to do it." Willow and Tara pulled up chairs by Kathleen and Angel. Tara gave Mike a large towel to hold Hunter in then she went and sat down next to Willow.
"Kathleen remember the words I taught you to turn an animal back to a person?" "Yes." "Okay then I want you to turn the cat back into Hunter. Think of what she looks like then say the words I taught you." Everyone was watching Kathleen as she looked at Hunter then snapped her little fingers as best she could. In the next second Mike was holding Hunter in her human form and doing his best to cover her with the towel. Hunter grabbed her clothes and went over to the kitchen and put her clothes on then went back to her seat next to Mike.
"Kathleen please come over here?" Dr. Martin said to her granddaughter. Angel put his daughter down and she went running over to her grandmother who picked her up and sat her on the table.
"I want you to listen very carefully to what I am going to say now. Do I have all of your attention?" "Yes Grandma." "You must never, never ever do what you just did to Aunt Hunter or anyone else ever again unless Aunt Willow or Aunt Tara is standing right next to you and they tell you to do it. Do you understand?" "Yes Grandma." "Do you understand why I am telling you not to do it unless they tell you to?" Kathleen looked at her grandmother and nodded her head but then said no. Her grandmother smiled at her.
"I'll try to explain it better then. What you just did to Hunter hurts their feelings and scares them. Do you know what would happen to Toby if you should change him into a human?" "No." "If you changed Toby into a human he would be so afraid that he may die of freight because an animal cannot understand what is happening to them and they might be so afraid that they die from being scared. When you change a human into an animal or anything else they could become very, very sick. Now the only reason Hunter didn't get sick is because she knew what was going to happen. We let you change her because I wanted to teach you a little lesson in a way that you would understand. Now I want you to go to Aunt Willow and she is going to make you forget the words that she gave you to change Aunt Hunter okay?" Kathleen looked down at her hands. Then she looked at her Grandmother.
"I'm sorry Grandma I only did what Daddy told me to do." Kathleen was crying buckets.
Dr. Martin wiped her granddaughter's tears away and gave her a hug. "Kathleen you didn't do anything wrong. This was just a lesson. Sometimes when I am teaching your Daddy something I let things happen that hurts his pride because that is the best way for him to learn. And since you are just like your Daddy I had to do the same thing with you as I do with him. Do you understand now?" "Yes Grandma." Dr. Martin gave Kathleen a hug and a kiss then put her down. Kathleen went to her Daddy and reached up for him to pick her up. "I'm sorry Daddy." "You didn't do anything wrong princes. Grandma was just teaching you a lesson." Kathleen hugged her daddy again and whispered something in his ear. Then she got down and took Willows hand and they went to the back porch together where Willow made her forget the words to change a person.
"What did she say?" Dr. Martin asked when she saw Angel laughing. "She said 'I'm sure glad Grandma doesn't teach me all of the time'." Everyone started laughing.
"Okay everyone let me explain why we put this little play on for Kathleen. The last time that Willow and Tara were here they told me they had caught her performing magic without even saying the words that are usually spoken to perform the magic. In other words Kathleen has a lot of power in her little body she just doesn't understand how things work yet or why she shouldn't do some things. Last week Friday I had a conference call with Willow, Tara, and Hunter. In discussing the problem of how to handle this little miracle child we came up with this little theatrical play. As I so often do with Angel I let things happen and then explain what was going on and why things were happening the way they do. I just had to make things a lot simpler for Kathleen. Since I wanted to give this lesson to Kathleen and Tara and Willow wanted to come and see the new additions to the family we did it today before Kathleen saw Tara and Willow.
Angel and Cordelia your daughter is a very powerful little girl. She just doesn't understand what she is capable of. I'm sure everyone understands that they can't request or even suggest certain things to Kathleen because she just may very well be able to fulfill your requests. Also Angel because of what we know about Kathleen now I think it would be best if you and some of the others, that are capable of changing into wolves, do it in front of her and see if she can do it."
"I don't think that is a very good idea Mom. If she is able to change into a Wolf, which I don't think she can, she may not be able to change back." "Angel I suggested to Mary that we do this. Even though Kathleen is only half Vampire she has so much power that she may be able to do it if she wants to bad enough. Don't you think that it would be better if her Daddy was right by her side?" Hunter said. Angel thought about it. He looked at Cordelia and she nodded a yes. "I guess your right. Since she has Cordelia and I as her parents I guess it's a given that she will try it on her own. We may run into a bit of a problem with her now. It seems that Kathleen has become, shall we say, modest. When the Summer's family came Spike and I went upstairs to get the girls ready for bed and Kathleen insisted that Joyce and her go into the bathroom to change."
"Why don't you try doing it with just Cordelia, Kathleen and you in the room? I know that you frequently take a bath with her so maybe she'll be okay." Dr. Martin suggested. "Or why don't you just leave your shorts on when you change or would that present a problem?" "I've always taken everything off. Have you done it like that before Hunter?" "Sure, the clothes usually don't present a problem. You change and they just fall off." Hunter answered. "Okay then I guess I'll try it like that then."
"Mom, have you been told anything as to why Kathleen has been given so much power?" Cordelia asked. She sounded like she was afraid for her daughter.
"Yes I have Cordelia. Don't be afraid for her though. She is being given all of the time she needs to learn everything she will need to finally destroy Angel Investigations number one enemy." "Wolfram & Hart." Angel said.
"Yes, exactly when she will do it though I don't know. All I've been told is that she will be the one to finally destroy them. They are an affront to God. You are His Champion Angel but Kathleen is the instrument by which He will destroy Wolfram & Hart.
Needless to say Kathleen must be home schooled until she is old enough to go to High School. Let her make the choice as to whether she wants to continue at home or go to public school. All of the other children will have to be home schooled as well up until the time that you are confident that they will not make a mistake and talk to their friends about what you all do here and about our Vampires. Connie and Joaquin this will have to include Junior also. Just to let you know your son is destined to work with Angel Investigation. I was not told though what he will be doing.
I have one last thing to tell all of you. For the first time my information is for Gunn." Gunn's eyes grew wide. He had never been given any instructions or information before in all of the time that Dr. Martin had been with them.
"This year, for Christmas, you are to bring all of the children in your group for Christmas dinner. At that time Fred will tell us which of these children will join Angel Investigation. The one she chooses will be sent to school to become a lawyer. This person will be very good at what they do and will be able to fight and beat Wolfram & Hart at their own game. They will also continue to work with you to provide legal advice or help to the poor." Dr. Martin saw a disappointed look on Gunn's face. She knew that he had expected to be given something that was more important to do.
"Gunn, would you come here and kneel beside my chair? You are so much taller than me that I often find it uncomfortable to talk to you while I am standing next to you. I keep on thinking that you're going to pat me on the head and say 'Go and play now little girl'." Gunn got up and did as Dr. Martin asked.
Dr. Martin pulled Gunn's hands onto her lap. "Gunn, God is very pleased with what you do. Eventually, in the years to come, Angel Investigations will do more of the type of work that you do. You and Cylinda will have one child. It will be a boy and he will look a lot like you. This child though will not follow in your foot steps in exactly the same way. Your son will give his life to God. He will become a priest that will work with the poor. His dedication to the poor will come from his father. You will instill in him your dedication and love of the poor." Dr. Martin looked into Gunn's eyes and raised his hands to her lips and kissed them. "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. I know that you don't feel like you are doing anything important Gunn but your work is more important than anything that the rest do. Because you Charles Gunn take care of God's forgotten children and because of that He showers you with his love.
I have one last thing to tell you. It is God's gift to you. Your sister was allowed to come to me. She has told me to tell you that she is very happy in heaven with your Mother. You are not to feel that it's your fault that she was turned into a Vampire and that it was you that had to end her body's existence in this world because her soul went to heaven when the Vampire killed her." Gunn put his head in her lap and started to cry. Everyone knew how guilty he felt about having to stake his sister.
Cylinda had come over to Gunn and put her arm around his shoulders. She took him over to the couch in the lobby where he could get control of himself. When he was able to he went back over to Dr. Martin. She looked up at him as he stood beside her chair.
"Thank you Dr. Martin for telling me all of this. I feel a lot better knowing my sister is happy. I have just one thing to ask" "I think I know what you're going to ask but go ahead."
"You think God will be angry with me if I continue to pick on Angel once in awhile?" "No I think he understands that Angel needs to be brought down a peg or two once in awhile. Besides a little humility is good for his soul." "Hey, I'm right here you know. If your going to let him humiliate me at least talk about it when I'm not around. You won't let him do that to me will you Cordelia?" Angel used his big brown puppy dog eyes to get her to do what he wanted.
"I'm sorry Angel but I can't overrule Mom. I'll run interference for you as much as I possibly can though." Cordelia told her husband as she got up and gave him a kiss. "Let's take the boys upstairs now so I can get some rest and feed them." Angel, like a good husband did what Cordelia said and started pulling the bassinet to the elevator. Everyone started to get up and to do their own individual jobs. Connor had a class that he had to get to while Lou and Tom had school work to do with Wesley and Fred. Angel and Cordelia took the boys upstairs and changed their diapers first. For the second time Angel forgot to leave the diaper covering the boy until he could put the new one on. As Nicky aimed and fired his shot of urine right in the middle of his father's shirt. Angel just looked at Cordelia.
"Everyone seems to be picking on me today." Cordelia came over and showed him how to diaper the boys so they didn't get a chance to pee on their father. They took the boys over to the bed then so she could nurse them. She hadn't started to produce milk yet but fortunately the boys weren't demanding anything more.
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At the building across the street the Wolfram & Hart agents were continuing to monitor all of the rooms. One of the men that had been listening to Dr. Martin felt bad about doing what he was doing. He had been helped by Gunn and his kids many times before he started working for Wolfram & Hart. He had started with just cleaning the building and then started working in the mail room as soon as there was an opening. He had worked hard and moved up quickly. Now he was going to have to do something that went against his own personal ethics. He had heard from others though that anyone that went against any orders that you were given would somehow mysteriously disappear. He had to think about what he could do to help them. Ricky Knowles was no fool. He wanted to help but he wanted to continue to work for Wolfram & Hart. He didn't want to ever be in a position again where he needed help from someone else to get his next meal.
Lila was in her office setting up the activities for the night. She was in her office trying to come up with an idea of what to do with Angel to make sure that he couldn't come after his sons for at least a few months. She knew information they had on Angel told her that they didn't have to get as drastic with him as they have in the past. He would take longer to heal now since he was becoming human again. She reached for her phone and punched in a number. "Records, Shirley speaking." The young woman on the other end answered. "Shirley this is Lila, please send up the latest medical records on Angel to my office ASAP." "Yes Mam I'll bring them up myself." "Thanks Shirley." Lila turned off the phone. 'I think Angel that your records will be able to give me an idea.' Lila thought to herself.
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After feeding both of her sons Cordelia laid down for a nap. Angel had gone downstairs to do some paper work. When he was done he sat back in his chair with his feet up on his desk and started drawing a picture of Daniel Francois D'Chambeau as he remembered him. When he was done he would show it to Lou and Tom for any corrections that were needed.
At 1 o'clock he went up stairs to help Cordelia with the boys. She had just finished feeding them and was changing their diapers before they went downstairs. "Where have you been all morning?" "I was doing some paper work and then I started on a portrait of Lou and Tom's father. I wanted to get it done before I forget what he looks like. Then since it was almost time for lunch I thought I would come up and help you but you seem to be all done." "Yes aren't you lucky. Let's take them downstairs." Angel picked up Nicky and put him in the bassinet while their Mother did the same for Michael.
Kathleen and her gang came and gave the boys an official escort. When they arrived downstairs Connor came in also followed by Toby. Toby had been to school also and was ready for his afternoon nap. First though he wanted to introduce him to his new baby brothers.
"Angel and Cordelia is it okay if Toby can see the boys now?" "Sure, come here Toby." Angel commanded him. Toby came over and stood in front of Angel's chair. "Kathleen why don't you come over here and introduce Toby to your new baby brothers?" "Okay Daddy." Kathleen came over and took off her brothers receiving blankets that her Mother had them wrapped in. "Toby this is my new baby brother Charles Nicholas and this one is my new baby brother also and his name is Michael Tobias. But we really named him after you. Just so that you don't get confused we call him Michael for now." Angel and Cordelia were holding the boys down where Kathleen and Toby could reach them. Kathleen stood on her toes and gave each of her brothers a kiss. Then she stepped back so Toby could kiss them. Instead Toby approached the boys carefully and started sniffing them. First he smelled their little feet then their hands. When it came to their heads he licked them. When he was done he sat down and looked at Angel.
"Apparently Toby has accepted them. Connor have you tried to connect with the boys like Kathleen has?" "No, not yet." "Try it then, it will help you to recognize your brothers well being and you will be able to more easily find them if anything should happen." Connor put his hand on each boy in turn and opened up a link between the boys and him. "It's going to be kind of hard to find their minds right now since all they do is eat and sleep." Angel told Connor.
"Can I hold Michael?" Connor asked. Angel was holding Michael so he handed him over carefully. "He's so much smaller than Kathleen was." Connor said as he held him in his hands the way Angel usually did. "Well it was pretty crowded in their. We're lucky they weighed as much as they did." Cordelia said. She put Nicholas back in the bassinet then took Michael from Connor and wrapped him back up also and put him in with his brother. They were so tiny they both fit into the bassinet without any problem.
Everyone was almost done with their lunch when Angel said "Lou and Tom I want you to stop in my office when you get through with lunch. I drew a picture of your father as I remember him but I need for you to take a good look at the picture and tell me if I need to make any changes. After all you saw him every day of your lives and I only saw him a few times." Tom and Lou looked very happy about the news of a picture being drawn of their father.
"Angel, Buffy, Spike and I are going to go to Rupert's new magic shop and help him with the final preparations to open it this weekend. I'll let you know if we are going to have dinner elsewhere tonight." Dr. Martin said. "Okay Mom. I think I'll be taking a nap with my family. As all good vampires should be doing." "Do you really still feel the need to sleep during the day?" His Mother asked him. "Yes as a matter of fact I do. I don't think that will leave me until I am finally rid of Angelus. In fact ever since I got my soul back I've been able to be active during the day without any problem, but if I have the opportunity I will sleep until nightfall."
After a few minutes everyone started to get up and go their own way. Connor went upstairs to do his homework. He didn't like leaving it until Sunday night. He sent Toby to go and play with the kids while he completed it. Kathleen, her gang and their guardian went upstairs to play. Toby knew from experience that this usually led to a nap which is exactly what he wanted to do since he had been active since early in the morning. The Price boys were still too young to play with the older children so their parents took them upstairs to play in their playpen and take their nap. Both Gunn and Cylinda had gone up to their suit some time ago. Dr. Martin had given him a lot to think about.
Angel told Cordelia he would be right back to take the bassinet upstairs. Lou and Tom followed him to his office. "Here it is. Look at it real good and think about what I need to change and I'll be right back as soon as I take the bassinet upstairs." Angel gave the drawing to Lou and Tom then went back to the dinning room to take his sons to their room. A few minutes later he was back to see what they wanted him to change.
"Well how does it look?" Lou and Tom looked up from the picture they were looking at as they sat on the couch. Lou got up and threw her arms around Angel. "It's perfect Angel, it is perfect. Neither Tom nor I can find a problem with the picture. Thank you, thank you very much. She gave him a kiss on his cheek then went upstairs. "And you Tom, what do you think? Is their anything you want me to change?" "No Sir, nothing, that's our father." Tom got up and gave Angel the drawing. He kept his head down so Angel wouldn't see his tears as he walked by him. Angel knew though.
Angel went and checked on the kids before he laid down for a nap with his wife. Kathleen and Junior were making a bed for all of them on the floor when he went in. He didn't say anything he just watched as they pulled the bedspreads off of their beds and carefully laid them on the floor. Like a responsible babysitter she asked Joyce if she had to go potty first then took her into the bathroom and closed the door. Toby went to the door and sniffed. While they were in there he apparently had to go also so he went running out the door after acknowledging Angels presence then went running downstairs and to the back. By the time the girls were done Toby was back. Junior took his turn once the girls were done. He didn't bother to close the door though he just went ahead and took care of business then washed his hands and helped Kathleen put the pillows down for all of them. When they were ready Kathleen told Joyce to lay down then Toby. Junior and Kathleen carefully covered them with a blanket then they lay down. Angel made a quiet retreat back to his own room where he laid down with Cordelia.
After everyone had a nap Angel went upstairs to get Kathleen. The children were all playing with Toby. Poor Toby was being dressed up in some of Angel's old shirts. He had been delegated to be the cashier at a grocery store.
"Kathleen I need you to come and spend some time with your Mommy and Daddy. Why don't you put your toys away because I have to take Joyce to her Mommy and Daddy's room okay?" "Okay Daddy." The children all picked up their toys and put them away in their proper place. This was one thing that both Connie and Cordelia insisted on and the children were taught this as soon as they could understand. Angel took the shirt off of Toby and he shook himself all over when Angel removed it. Angel didn't know if it was folded or hung up so he just gave it to Kathleen.
When they were done putting everything away Angel led them all to the 2nd floor. He sent Junior downstairs and he took Joyce to Spike and Buffy's room. Spike opened the door before Angel could knock on it. "Hi, I brought Joyce over here because I'm going to be busy with Kathleen. I didn't think you would want to leave her up in the kid's room with just Junior." "That's good. She seems to mind Kathleen better then Junior. Well good luck." Angel nodded then he went to Hunters room to get her. When they went back to his suit Kathleen went running to her Mother on the bed. Cordelia had both of the boys on the bed with her and was feeding them. Hunter went to the bed also and took Nicky from Cordelia when he was done nursing. Cordelia gave her a towel so she could burp him while she started feeding Michael. As Hunter finished each of the boys she wrapped them up again and put them in the bassinet with a blanket on each. Cordelia then pulled the bassinet so that it was safely tucked in the corner of the room then sat on the edge of the bed. She patted the bed and called Toby who jumped up and sat beside her.
Angel picked his daughter up and sat her on his lap while he was at the table.
"Kathleen, have you ever wanted to be a dog like Toby and play with him?" "I have played with him Daddy." "I don't mean play with him like you were upstairs but as a dog." Kathleen looked down as she played with her blouse and avoided his eyes.
"Kathleen, have you done it already?" "Not all the way." Cordelia could see that her daughter was afraid she was going to be punished if she told her Daddy what she had done.
"Kathleen, Daddy isn't going to be mad at you if you tell him the truth. He just wants to see if you can do it." Kathleen looked up at her Daddy and put her left hand out. To everyone's surprise Kathleen turned her left hand into a paw. "That's all I did. I got scared because I didn't know I could do it." "When did you do that?" "The week after Joyce was here last. I was missing her and Junior was busy helping his Daddy. So it was just me and Toby. We were upstairs in my room and I looked at him and thought 'I sure wish I was a dog too Toby then we could chase each other around the house'. That's when I tried thinking of myself as a dog and as I thought about it my hand started to change. I got scared though and it changed back to my hand." Kathleen showed her Daddy her hand so that he could see that it was okay.
"Okay Kathleen, it was good that you stopped. Daddy is going to show you how to do it now okay?" "Okay Daddy." Angel went over to the side of the room and took all of his clothes except for his shorts off. He came over to the side of the bed where Kathleen was sitting next to her mother. He thought of a wolf and slowly he turned into a wolf. He did it slower then usual so that his daughter could watch each part of him change. As Hunter said would happen his shorts just fell down when he stood up. He went over to Cordelia and licked her face then to Kathleen. Kathleen was giggling away and hugging her Daddy. Angel went over to Toby then and started to play with him as dogs do. Kathleen was laughing and clapping her hands. She jumped down from the bed and took her clothes off then changed into a Wolf cub without any problem. Angel didn't notice her doing it because he was playing with Toby. When Kathleen started playing with Toby Angel stepped back in surprise. He looked over at Hunter. She just smiled at him.
Kathleen and Toby continued playing for the next 30 minutes. Toby was very careful with her as he would with any puppy. Once though her thoughts were only on playing with Toby and she bit down on his ear too hard and drew blood. Toby whined in pain. He turned and disciplined her by pushing her down with his foot and growling at her. Cordelia started to yell at Toby but Angel stepped on her foot to quiet her. Like Angel Hunter new what was going on.
Kathleen got the message that she went to far and she laid on her back in submission. When Toby took his foot off of her she wiggled back into his good graces and in her own puppy way said she was sorry.
Angel called an end to play time by calling to Kathleen. Obediently she came over to him. She came and licked his face then sat down in front of him since he didn't start playing with her. He talked to her by putting the picture in her mind that she was to turn back into her human form and he would do the same.
For a moment he didn't think she could change back because she just looked at him. Angel put the picture of her in her mind as he saw her then he stood up and began to change back into his human form. Kathleen just watched him change back. Just as before though she changed back into her human form in half the time that it took Angel. She ran over to him and jumped in his arms. Angel hugged his little girl and kissed her.
"I did good huh Daddy?" "Yes baby you did real good. How did you change back, did you think of the picture I gave you?" "Yes, I just looked at that picture and changed back." "How did you do it though? Did you do it one foot at a time or your hand or what?" Angel asked. He looked over at Hunter. He couldn't tell what she was thinking from looking at her. He gave his daughter his full attention again.
"No I just looked at the picture you gave me and I changed back." Angel just looked at his daughter. He was amazed at the power his daughter had that she could change her form with just a thought.
"How are you feeling do you hurt anyplace?" "No, I'm cold right now. Aren't you cold Daddy?" "Yes I am, go ahead and put your clothes back on." Angel got up and put his shorts and pants back on but not his t-shirt and shirt.
"Kathleen, stay here with Mommy. I'm going to go and see Mike with Hunter then I'll be right back okay?" "Okay Daddy." Hunter got up and followed Angel outside. She could sense his pain and thought he must have dislocated his shoulder again.
"Did you dislocate your shoulder again?" "Yes and it's killing me." Angel said as he cradled his arm now that they were out of the room. "I don't remember it hurting this much before." "Remember what Lila told Connor, you're more human and you are beginning to feel everything more as a human. Apparently our demons dampen the pain so that we don't feel it as much. That's also why you can take bullets and such out of your own body without outside assistance. I dare say you won't be able to do that anymore without passing out." Angel started to collapse to his knees but Hunter held him up. "Just a few more steps Angel."
Angel took a deep breath and continued on to her room. Hunter opened the door without knocking. Mike was sitting in front of the TV watching a movie.
"Mike we need to put Angels shoulder back into its socket he's in a lot of pain." Hunter guided Angel to one of the kitchen chairs. Mike came over and held onto Angel while Hunter manipulated his arm until she felt his shoulder go back into place. Angel gave out a loud yell as it slipped back into place. He was breathing hard as the pain started to dissipate.
"Turning human isn't as easy as you thought it would be is it?" "No but you'll find out soon enough." "What do you mean by that?" Hunter asked. "Mike lean down please." Mike did as Angel said and put his ear next to his mouth. Angel said something to him and then got up and went back to his room. Mike followed him to the door, closed it and locked it when Angel left.
"What did he tell you?" Mike didn't say anything he just started to unbutton his shirt and take it off. When he was done taking all of his clothes off he went over to the TV and turned it off. Hunter was half way out of her clothes when he approached her. Mike pulled the rest of her clothes off and threw her on the bed.
"Get ready Mrs. Thompson because Angel said you're ripe and we both know what he means by that. Apparently you've gained enough weight to put your baby making parts into full operation." He didn't say anything more. They spent the rest of the day making love. They stopped only when Mike was exhausted and needed to rest.
Angel returned to his room as soon as the pain became more manageable. As soon as he approached the door he knew something was wrong. He couldn't sense Cordelia, Kathleen and the boys. He knew without looking that they were gone from the Hotel. He opened the door and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He looked to the patio door. It was wide open. He took one step forward and smelled other, unfamiliar scents in the room. Within the next second three men jumped him. Two held onto his arms and another hit him on the back of the head several times with a pipe until he collapsed. As he went down the last thing he saw was Toby who apparently had also been hit.
No one noticed that the Martin family was missing from supper since everyone else had told Connie that they were either going out to eat or ordering food. Angel had sent Junior to his Mother and Joyce had been taken to her parents. No one tried to check on the Martin family until it was time for the children to go to bed.
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Lila had given the order to take both boys. When contacted again and given information that Cordelia and the older daughter was in the same room she gave the order to take all of them and return with all of them to Wolfram & Hart.
"Has Angel been taken cared of exactly as you were ordered?" Lila asked. "Yes and no Mam." "What do you mean yes and no?" "Yes we were able to hit him on the back of the head exactly where we were told to hit him, but it took several hits to bring him down Mam. We also had to hit Connors dog Mam. He attacked us as we tried to take the family." "That's okay; bring them in as fast as possible. Make sure that you leave as quietly as you went in. I'll meet you at the back entrance." Lila was very happy right now. 'Three strikes and your out Angel. Who's the winner now?' Lila thought to herself as she walked down to the back entrance to Wolfram & Hart.
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Connie sent Junior upstairs to see if Kathleen was going to be sleeping with her parents tonight. Fifteen minutes later Junior came down stairs. "Mommy Mr. Martin and Toby is on the floor sleeping and I can't wake him up." "Where is Mrs. Martin?" "I didn't see her anyplace and I called her and Kathleen but they didn't answer. Nicky and Toby are gone too." That got Connie's attention. She knew that Joaquin was in their suit of rooms so she called him.
"Joaquin this is Connie would you go to Mr. Martin's room and check on them. Junior said that Toby and Mr. Martin are on the floor sleeping and he can't wake them up." "Call Mr. Price and tell him to meet me at Mr. Martin's room." "They went out to eat with Mr. and Mrs. Summers." "Okay I'll call you as soon as I get to Mr. Martin's room." Joaquin quickly ran downstairs and to Angels rooms. He found the door open and Angel and Toby unconscious. He went out to the second floor balcony and called out for his wife.
"Is he all right?" Connie asked when she heard him call her name. "No it looks like someone hit him and Toby. Is Dr. Martin in the hotel?" "No, Dr. Martin and Mr. Giles are at the new Magic Shop." "What about Dr. Thompson and Hunter?" "I think they're in there room." "Okay call everyone on their cell phones and tell them to come home right away. Tell them it's an emergency." Connie went to the phone and started to make calls while Joaquin went to Dr. Thompson and Hunters room and knocked on the door. He pounded on the door until someone came to the door.
"What are you trying to do, wake the dead?" Dr. Thompson said as he opened the door while pulling his robe on.
"It's Mr. Martin Dr. Thompson; it looks like someone hit his head. There is blood all over the carpet." Mike and Joaquin ran to Angel's room, Hunter was right behind him. When they reached the room Mike and Hunter both knelt on the floor beside Angel. Mike checked for a pulse, it took a few minutes but he finally felt one. He checked the rest of his body for bleeding. He looked up at his wife but her attention wasn't on Angel but of the room itself. "What's wrong?" Mike asked her. "Where are Cordelia and her children?" Mike jumped up. Joaquin, who was in the room also, started to look around the room. He quickly checked the bathroom while Mike checked the closets and the other side of the bed. Joaquin then went to the balcony. It was here that he found the means of entrance for the kidnappers.
"Mrs. Thompson." Hunter joined Joaquin on the balcony. The first thing that hit her was the scents of seven different men coming on the balcony. The filed bars on the child proof railing struck her. It was apparent that the bars had been filed ahead of time and replaced. She went back into the room when she heard Connor come in.
Connor went to Angel as soon as he entered the room. When he saw that Angel was still alive and being taken cared of he looked for Toby. He found him over by the couch where he had been thrown. He knew right away that he was still alive. He almost lost it right then because Toby didn't respond to him. He felt the blood all over his head.
"Joaquin come over here please." Connor went to the bathroom and grabbed Angel's bathrobe and went back to Toby and wrapped him up in it. As Joaquin approached him Connor picked Toby up carefully in his arms. "Let's go to your truck Joaquin. I want you to take Toby to the emergency vet. Tell them that someone broke into our house and hit him when he went after the robbers. Give them my name as his owner and tell them I am being detained at home with the police. Connor took Toby downstairs to Joaquin's truck and placed him on the front seat. As Joaquin got into his truck he looked at Connor. "Do you want me to tell them to put him down if there is no hope for him?" "No, tell them to do whatever they have to too save him. Money is no object. As soon as I can I'll be there." Connie got in then and held Toby's head in her lap. As they drove away Connor gave himself a moment to cry for his friend. He turned then and ran back into the hotel.
For the first time Connor became the Cop that he was training to be. More then that though, Connor became the leader of Angel Investigations while his father was out of commission.
TBC…………………………………………………………………………..